NBA 2023-2024 Thread

[Betterread]

Marcus Morris is apparently not toast. Led the team tonight with a +23 in 25 minutes off the bench and has been on fire from deep. I apologize. .
Morris is a draymond wannabe. Marcus morris got a tech for the following. Embiid was trying to go around Rudy and Rudy was moving his feet well so he just lowered his shoulder and put his head down and drove into Rudy’s chest, knocking him down because he weighs 300 lbs Should have been a charge, but it wasn’t, oh well.
So when the ball goes through the hoop morris picks it up and throws it at Rudy, who is sitting on the ground after getting knocked down but Embiid goes right thru him. Now scum like morris taunt people for stuff other players do? If he was still on the clips, and Embiid put his chest into him, he would have cried like a baby.
I am proud Rudy doesn’t respond to fake macho stuff like that.

[M2]

The Bulls are 7-3 since Zach LaVine went down with an injury. And they've beaten the Bucks, Pelicans, Heat, Sixers and Lakers in that run.

[M2]

Nope. 4 v 3 ( he couldn’t have scored 50 without three other people’s help - 18 FTs and the ability to commit 10 fouls without fouling out).

I don't give any team the "refs robbed us" excuse, especially in a 14-point loss. Embiid's been feasting on other high profile bigs his whole career. He beat your guys tonight. It happens. Minnesota still looks great.

[SteelSD]

Morris is a draymond wannabe. Marcus morris got a tech for the following. Embiid was trying to go around Rudy and Rudy was moving his feet well so he just lowered his shoulder and put his head down and drove into Rudy’s chest, knocking him down because he weighs 300 lbs Should have been a charge, but it wasn’t, oh well.
So when the ball goes through the hoop morris picks it up and throws it at Rudy, who is sitting on the ground after getting knocked down but Embiid goes right thru him. Now scum like morris taunt people for stuff other players do? If he was still on the clips, and Embiid put his chest into him, he would have cried like a baby.
I am proud Rudy doesn’t respond to fake macho stuff like that.

I basically tolerate having Morris on the team. I've never really liked his act.

And that was a big time flop by Gobert, it you're describing the play I think you are.

[Big Red Smokey]

False. Embiid, Towns, Reid all had 2 fouls within the first 6 mins of game on ticky tack Embiid crap. When you aren't allowed to even touch a player and he's 7'1" 280 he can do whatever he wants. If KAT got that whistle he'd average 60 a game. Considering he shoots 50/40/90.

He's the softest big man I've ever watched. Can't imagine doing it 82 times a year. Good news is I won't have to watch Philly ever again since they obviously won't go anywhere in the playoffs.

That game was absolutely unwatchable.

[M2]

False. Embiid, Towns, Reid all had 2 fouls within the first 6 mins of game on ticky tack Embiid crap. When you aren't allowed to even touch a player and he's 7'1" 280 he can do whatever he wants. If KAT got that whistle he'd average 60 a game. Considering he shoots 50/40/90.

He's the softest big man I've ever watched. Can't imagine doing it 82 times a year. Good news is I won't have to watch Philly ever again since they obviously won't go anywhere in the playoffs.

That game was absolutely unwatchable.

KAT is famous for picking up needless, ticky tacky fouls. That's his brand. Embiid gets fouled more often than he gets calls (pretty standard with all dominant big men). Kind of a perfect storm with those two.

And Embiid has feasted on every top big in the league in head-to-heads. It's like he circles those games on his calendar. I'd think after the thrashing he handed out tonight you might be open to revising your softness claim. You don't have to like him, but he just got on the blocks and had his way against the best defense in the league (and, even more to the point, best interior defense in the league). That's not soft.

[Big Red Smokey]

I mean every time they tried to play defense they got called for a ticky tack foul. He did a great job hitting the mid-range shots they gave him. He also smacked Naz Reid in the head on an and-1 that for any other player would have been a foul. Not to mention the charge on Gobert where he just ran him over. I have zero respect for the way he plays the game because he's one of the most gifted players for his size the league has ever seen and he plays the way he plays. Why he will never win anything.

He was trending on Twitter tonight because of how bad the officiating was.

[RedTeamGo!]

My sister-in-law is a flight attendant. She just texted the family and said she has Charles Barkley on her flight today. He is "huge and VERY polite"

[dubc47834]

False. Embiid, Towns, Reid all had 2 fouls within the first 6 mins of game on ticky tack Embiid crap. When you aren't allowed to even touch a player and he's 7'1" 280 he can do whatever he wants. If KAT got that whistle he'd average 60 a game. Considering he shoots 50/40/90.

He's the softest big man I've ever watched. Can't imagine doing it 82 times a year. Good news is I won't have to watch Philly ever again since they obviously won't go anywhere in the playoffs.

That game was absolutely unwatchable.

60 a game...hahahahahahahahahahahaha

[texasdave]

25 consecutive losses for the Detroit Pistons, who are a 6-win pace so far this season. The 25-game futility streak is just one shy of the all-time record. Fewest wins in a season is 9.

[M2]

25 consecutive losses for the Detroit Pistons, who are a 6-win pace so far this season. The 25-game futility streak is just one shy of the all-time record. Fewest wins in a season is 9.

I think these crazy kids can do it.

[Revering4Blue]

I’ve wondered if the Pels would do Ingram. Makes a lot of sense for both teams.

Last night provided proof Pels would be robbed blind. And a Garland, McCollum backcourt would be too small.

Would have liked to see last night’s Pels/Cavs matchup with both teams at full strength.


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[Mitri]

Mitchell Robinson is now officially out for the season, but the Knicks will get an exception on his deal, allowing a little wiggle room to bring in another big man.

It just makes NY's weird situation all the more precarious. They are tweeners in the East and their ceiling with Mitch was ECF. Now it's probably a step below that.

I would love to see them make some shake-up moves at the trade deadline, especially if they can shine up RJ Barrett and/or Randle, because whatever they have going isn't enough. Targets TBD.

[SteelSD]

Well, the Toronto coach's last name isn't Milicic, but Philly still had a Darko in the house tonight, that being Raptors coach Darko Rajaković. Different last name, but same result- a Sixers win and a gutsy performance from Joel Embiid. Embiid posted his 13th consecutive 30+ point/10+ rebound performance (adding 9 assists to boot), Tyrese Maxey put up 33 points and 10 dimes, and Tobias Harris broke out with 33 points of his own. Combined, the three accounted for 97 of the Sixers 121 points in the 10-point win over the Raptors. Embiid got off to a slow start (2 points in the first quarter), rolled his ankle pretty badly, and was noticeably bothered by it the rest of the game. But as usual he pushed through it, throwing up 16 consecutive points in a tightly-contested third quarter, giving way to Maxey and the bench creating some separation over the first 7 minutes of the fourth.

Onto Miami for the holidays and a Christmas date with Jimmy Butler and the Heat.

[KoryMac5]

Wemby stepped on a ball boy and rolled his ankle in warm ups...unreal.

[M2]

Memphis is 3-0 since Ja returned.

[texasdave]

The Detroit Pistons entered the record books last night with their 26th consecutive loss. They share that record with the 2013-14 76ers, and the 2010-11 Cavs. The Pistons have a chance to make that record theirs alone on Tuesday night.

[Big Red Smokey]

Another nice win for Minny without KAT at Sacramento last night. 5-2 so far on their big time run right now against teams over .500

Next 9:
@ Thunder
Mavericks
Lakers
@ Knicks
Pelicans
@ Rockets
@ Mavericks
@ Magic
@ Celtics

[SteelSD]

The Detroit Pistons entered the record books last night with their 26th consecutive loss. They share that record with the 2013-14 76ers, and the 2010-11 Cavs. The Pistons have a chance to make that record theirs alone on Tuesday night.

If the Pistons lose game 27 we can, in all seriousness, say that a team couldn't do that if they tried. After all, that 2013-14 Sixers squad made every attempt to be as bad as the Pistons are while trying to be good.

[goreds2]

Dec. 25: Bucks vs. Knicks (Noon ET, ESPN)

The Knicks will extend their record for Christmas Day appearances (56) and look to tie the record for most Christmas Day wins (24) when they host the Bucks, who swept them last season. Milwaukee has won six straight head-to-head meetings.

A potential meeting in the 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals was thwarted after Milwaukee was upset by Miami in the first round. New York made the East semis after it ousted the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round behind the stellar play of Jalen Brunson.



Dec. 25: Warriors vs. Nuggets (2:30 ET, ABC & ESPN)

Christmas Day continues with a matchup of the past two NBA champions: the 2022 Warriors beat the Nuggets in the opening round on their way to their fourth title of this dynasty, with two-time Kia MVP Curry adding his first Finals MVP to his resume.

Last season, the Warriors were eliminated before a potential showdown with Denver in the conference finals as the Nuggets reached the Finals and won their first NBA title in franchise history with another two-time Kia MVP earning his first Finals MVP in Jokic.



Dec. 25: Celtics vs. Lakers (5 ET, ABC & ESPN)

The most storied rivalry in NBA history adds another chapter to its rich history as James, Anthony Davis and the Lakes take on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics. Both teams enter the season with their eyes set on being the first team to reach 18 NBA championships.

Last season, both contests between the Celtics and Lakers went to overtime, with Boston prevailing by four points each game. Overall, Boston leads the all-time regular season series 165-133 and is 43-31 vs. the Lakers in the playoffs, too.



Dec. 25: 76ers vs. Heat (8 ET, ESPN)

This showdown should pit Embiid (the reigning Kia MVP and two-time scoring champ) against the defending Eastern Conference champion Heat, led by former Sixers star Jimmy Butler.

The Heat won the 2022-23 season series, 2-1, with each team recording a 20-plus point blowout win. Miami, however, got win No. 2 in the series off an incredible acrobatic reverse layup by Butler with 90 seconds to play.



Dec. 25: Mavericks vs. Suns (10:30 ET, ESPN)

The first time Durant and Kyrie Irving met as opponents after their three-plus seasons as teammates delivered a classic overtime matchup between the Mavericks and Suns. In that game, four players scored 30 or more (Durant had 37 and Devin Booker had 36 for Phoenix; Luka Doncic had 34 and Irving 30 for Dallas) in the Suns’ 130-126 win.

That game left NBA fans clamoring for a playoff matchup that never materialized, but as a consolation, we get a rematch for Christmas.

https://www.nba.com/news/2023-christmas-day-games-schedule-preview

[SteelSD]

FYI- Embiid is out against the Heat due to the ankle injury he played through against Toronto.

[Revering4Blue]

FYI- Embiid is out against the Heat due to the ankle injury he played through against Toronto.

Butler is also out for the Heat.


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[M2]

Gotta give Jalen Brunson credit. He sees another top guard opposite him and he's like "let's go!" Did not think the Knicks were winning that one as the Bucks have been in form and were coming off a 130-111 dismantling of New York just two nights ago. Sneaky big night off the bench from Josh Hart (10-9-4) too.

[Big Red Smokey]

Ahh yes, the two team Captains of DNP: General Soreness out again on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile Minny and OKC, two teams who's players play every game scheduled for tomorrow. Would have been the best Christmas Day matchup but Adam Silver gonna Adam Silver.

[SteelSD]

Ahh yes, the two team Captains of DNP: General Soreness out again on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile Minny and OKC, two teams who's players play every game scheduled for tomorrow. Would have been the best Christmas Day matchup but Adam Silver gonna Adam Silver.

What a bunch miserable, angry stuff to post any time, much less on Christmas. What the hell is wrong with you?

[SteelSD]

Well, that was a good game until about three minutes left. Without Embiid, fate picked a really tough night to deliver probably Tyrese Maxey's worst game ever- 4 for 20 from the field, 1 for 8 from deep, and even free throws weren't dropping (3 for 6). I normally don't have an issue with Nick Nurse's rotations, but it was pretty weird that he went small at the beginning of the fourth with Marcus Morris playing the 5, while Mo Bamba was having himself a night (7 of 8 from the field, 3 for 3 from deep, 18 points). Time to regroup and move on to Orlando on Wednesday.

[M2]

Jaime Jaquez is already burnishing his Jall of Fame resume.

[KoryMac5]

Luka dropped 50 on Booker...in Phoenix. 7th fastest player to hit 10000pts

Luka keeps receipts...

I like this Metu kid from the Suns he was unreal on the glass 6'10 around 220/230 gives Phoenix some good length.

[SteelSD]

Luka dropped 50 on Booker...in Phoenix. 7th fastest player to hit 10000pts

Luka keeps receipts...

I like this Metu kid from the Suns he was unreal on the glass 6'10 around 220/230 gives Phoenix some good length.

Minimum of 250 games- Luka is 2nd all time in points per minute. Dude can score.

[M2]

Kevin Durant is starting to suspect maybe his supporting cast isn't very good - https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-reportedly-frustrated-with-suns-underwhelming-supporting-cast/.

The Suns are well on their way to going full supernova.

[Assembly Hall]

Kevin Durant is starting to suspect maybe his supporting cast isn't very good - https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-reportedly-frustrated-with-suns-underwhelming-supporting-cast/.

The Suns are well on their way to going full supernova.

Trade Durant!

[M2]

Trade Durant!

I'm guessing he'll be headed to a new destination this summer. Though Philly, Dallas, New York and the Lakers will surely be burning up the Suns' phones.

[SteelSD]

I'm guessing he'll be headed to a new destination this summer. Though Philly, Dallas, New York and the Lakers will surely be burning up the Suns' phones.

Even if Philly were to get the Suns to bite on Tobias Harris' expiring contract and matching salary filler, they probably don't have the kind of draft capital or additional players to make it worth it for Phoenix. I mean, maybe the Suns would be motivated to clear 50 million per season over the next two years, but that's probably not enough reason to take a hefty bath on the trade they made for Durant.

[Assembly Hall]

Even if Philly were to get the Suns to bite on Tobias Harris' expiring contract and matching salary filler, they probably don't have the kind of draft capital or additional players to make it worth it for Phoenix. I mean, maybe the Suns would be motivated to clear 50 million per season over the next two years, but that's probably not enough reason to take a hefty bath on the trade they made for Durant.

I was more along the lines of Durant to the Pacers. lol

[M2]

Even if Philly were to get the Suns to bite on Tobias Harris' expiring contract and matching salary filler, they probably don't have the kind of draft capital or additional players to make it worth it for Phoenix. I mean, maybe the Suns would be motivated to clear 50 million per season over the next two years, but that's probably not enough reason to take a hefty bath on the trade they made for Durant.

I think Phoenix's reality is they'll be lucky to get 50 cents on the dollar for the draft capital they gave away. Meanwhile they desperately need to clear that $50M+. They are in cap hell the next two seasons if they don't. The decision they're going to have to make is whether they want to retrench around KD or Booker, because this team is pretty bad and they're stuck with Beal.

[UKFlounder]

Detroit loses again. (No this is not a double, triple, or 27-time post)


Soooo - if you’re a team playing against them, how much pressure do you feel? You know you should win, but would the embarrassment of a possible loss affect players?

[M2]

Detroit loses again. (No this is not a double, triple, or 27-time post)

Soooo - if you’re a team playing against them, how much pressure do you feel? You know you should win, but would the embarrassment of a possible loss affect players?

I assume every opposing coach has a speech about how the team can't afford to drop a free win against the Pistons. With the new playoff system, there's extra incentives for different finishing places. No decent team wants to get stuck in the play-in if they can avoid, and not losing to the Pistons is how you avoid that.

[Revering4Blue]

Detroit loses again. (No this is not a double, triple, or 27-time post)


Soooo - if you’re a team playing against them, how much pressure do you feel? You know you should win, but would the embarrassment of a possible loss affect players?

As Washington - a team with a less talented, but frankly better coached, roster proved recently at Indiana. There are no gimmes anymore.

Tonight’s loss featured about the healthiest Pistons roster in a while, just missing Killian Hayes and Monte Morris, who has yet to make his season debut.

This isn’t some historically bad roster by any means.
For further proof, go back and take a look at some at some of the brickfest era teams - namely, the ballyhooed (by some) mid-to-late ‘90s and early aughts rosters.

To further reinforce my point, in a recent CBS Sports radio Rick Barry interview, he addressed the rise in scoring (hint: it’s not attributed to bad defense) and struggling teams like Washington and Detroit. In short, he believes there is much more talent overall than the aforementioned low scoring NBA era. But back then, while coaches were fighting to save their jobs with often poor rosters, they successfully shortened games by utilizing nearly all of the shot clock, sometimes winning games they had no business winning. As a result, the 84-79 brickfests were common. But that strategy won’t work in today’s pace-and- space era.


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[M2]

I actually think the Wizlets have some players. Kuzma's a legit scorer. Daniel Gafford and Tyus Jones are playing well, and Deni Avdija has taken a step forward (though rough game tonight). Bilal Coulibaly shows some promise. I think they're doing the right thing letting the team play at a hyperactive pace and hunt buckets. Got to see who can develop.

Plus, they've played 18 of 29 on the road so far. This is all a testing phase. Got to figure out what you need to figure out. So, while they're bad, they're semi-lovable. Big challenge for them is shining up Jordan Poole enough that someone might want him. Would not rule out dangling him in front of the Pistons.

[Big Red Smokey]

In news that should surprise nobody, the 76ers are playing a good team Wednesday and....

https://x.com/Underdog__NBA/status/1739770255549845775?s=20

[SteelSD]

Yeah, pretty clear that this dude isn't an NBA fan, and if he is, isn't a T'wolves fan. I honestly don't know a single Minnesota fan who'd rail on about another player sitting out a game when injured while at the same time holding up someone with KAT's injury history as the pinnacle of health.

Enjoy the alt troll burner account while it lasts, I guess.

[KoryMac5]

Detroit loses again. (No this is not a double, triple, or 27-time post)


Soooo - if you’re a team playing against them, how much pressure do you feel? You know you should win, but would the embarrassment of a possible loss affect players?

They (Detroit) have some talent on that roster but their bench is abysmal...Cade Cunningham was unreal last night, dropping 41.

[Mitri]

As a Knicks fan, trying to put together trade packages for Dejounte Murray or KD and I have no idea where to start.

[SteelSD]

As a Knicks fan, trying to put together trade packages for Dejounte Murray or KD and I have no idea where to start.

Barrett, Fournier, and Quickley would allow the salaries to work for Durant.

[Revering4Blue]

I actually think the Wizlets have some players. Kuzma's a legit scorer. Daniel Gafford and Tyus Jones are playing well, and Deni Avdija has taken a step forward (though rough game tonight). Bilal Coulibaly shows some promise. I think they're doing the right thing letting the team play at a hyperactive pace and hunt buckets. Got to see who can develop.

Plus, they've played 18 of 29 on the road so far. This is all a testing phase. Got to figure out what you need to figure out. So, while they're bad, they're semi-lovable. Big challenge for them is shining up Jordan Poole enough that someone might want him. Would not rule out dangling him in front of the Pistons.

Definitely.

The Wiz have far better veterans than the Pistons at this point. It will be interesting to see what happens with Kuzma.
But at least they have finally gotten off the treadmill.

I am not so sure the Wiz didn’t land the better player in the draft day trade with Indiana, even though the Pacers landed additional picks in the deal. If at least two of youngsters, Davis, Rollins and Baldwin Jr. pan out, the better.


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[Revering4Blue]

Yeah, pretty clear that this dude isn't an NBA fan, and if he is, isn't a T'wolves fan. I honestly don't know a single Minnesota fan who'd rail on about another player sitting out a game when injured while at the same time holding up someone with KAT's injury history as the pinnacle of health.

Enjoy the alt troll burner account while it lasts, I guess.

It shouldn’t be too much to ask for posters to at least interject logic instead of emotion when critiquing players and or teams. That obviously hasn’t applied here with the criticism of Embiid.

It reminds me too much of the ridiculous criticism and undervaluing of Adam Dunn, Jesse Winker and, to a certain extent, Votto in baseball threads.


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[Revering4Blue]

They (Detroit) have some talent on that roster but their bench is abysmal...Cade Cunningham was unreal last night, dropping 41.

I will preface this by stating I believe GM Troy Weaver has done more good than bad, but he has committed three galactic errors along the way:

1)Passing on Haliburton in favor of Hayes. But, to be fair, several teams passed on Haliburton.

2)Undervaluing Bey. That trade has not worked out and it should also be noted that A)Stewart’s play has declined since he and Bey shared the court. B)Monte Williams - a poor fit for a franchise at this state of the rebuild who was foisted on Weaver by the meddling owner - continues to grant Bagley Jr. minutes at the expense of Wiseman.

You have relinquished a prime chip for Wiseman. You know full well who/what you have - specifically, what you DON’T have - in Bagley Jr. Wiseman won’t develop with only 10 minutes of game time here and there, if he develops at all.

3)Waiting too long to begin the cycling of assets phase. This, ultimately, may cost him his job.


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[M2]

As a Knicks fan, trying to put together trade packages for Dejounte Murray or KD and I have no idea where to start.

Those extra draft picks give the Knicks a lot of options. I still think Anunoby makes a world of sense for that team.

[Assembly Hall]

I will preface this by stating I believe GM Troy Weaver has done more good than bad, but he has committed three galactic errors along the way:

1)Passing on Haliburton in favor of Hayes. But, to be fair, several teams passed on Haliburton.

2)Undervaluing Bey. That trade has not worked out and it should also be noted that A)Stewart’s play has declined since he and Bey shared the court. B)Monte Williams - a poor fit for a franchise at this state of the rebuild who was foisted on Weaver by the meddling owner - continues to grant Bagley Jr. minutes at the expense of Wiseman.

You have relinquished a prime chip for Wiseman. You know full well who/what you have in Bagley Jr. Wiseman won’t develop with only 10 minutes of game time here and there, if he develops at all.

3)Waiting too long to begin the cycling of assets phase. This, ultimately, may cost him his job.


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What is going on with Ivey?

[Assembly Hall]

Those extra draft picks give the Knicks a lot of options. I still think Anunoby makes a world of sense for that team.

I think O.G. is exactly what the Pacers need.

[Revering4Blue]

What is going on with Ivey?

A confluence of issues, namely:

- He’s still only 21 years old playing on a team with not many useful veterans.

- He’s yet to play with a true facilitator and someone who can command double team coverage down low at times, and that doesn’t have to be a true big.

- He is playing for a coach who, as of now, compounds the Pistons issues by refusing to incorporate position-less lineups. In fact, their best potential lineup should be Cunningham, Ivey, Thompson, Bogdanovic and one of the bigs, preferably Duren, but Stewart will do.


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[M2]

In news that should surprise nobody, the 76ers are playing a good team Wednesday and....

https://x.com/Underdog__NBA/status/1739770255549845775?s=20

It tells me he's got an ankle injury.

Meanwhile he'll have forever gone into the paint against the Wolves and scored 51 on them on 17-25 shooting.

[Mitri]

Those extra draft picks give the Knicks a lot of options. I still think Anunoby makes a world of sense for that team.

I have a hard time seeing the Knicks and Raptors making deals anytime in the near future.

If they could get KD for Barrett, Quickley and a pile of picks they’d be real interesting.

[M2]

I have a hard time seeing the Knicks and Raptors making deals anytime in the near future.

If they could get KD for Barrett, Quickley and a pile of picks they’d be real interesting.

They're definitely toward the front of the KD line.

Honestly, I don't get what Toronto's doing. Makes no sense to me. Seems like they refuse to make a deal with anyone.

[Assembly Hall]

I have a hard time seeing the Knicks and Raptors making deals anytime in the near future.

If they could get KD for Barrett, Quickley and a pile of picks they’d be real interesting.

I am seeing rumors of the Knicks being interested in Dejounte Murray.

[SteelSD]

I am seeing rumors of the Knicks being interested in Dejounte Murray.

There are going to be daily rumors flying about that cat. Pretty much slots into just about any lineup and has a truly decent contract, even into his 30M final season, when he'll still be just 31 years old. If Atlanta decides to move him, it's going to be a dogfight for his services.

- - - Updated - - -


They're definitely toward the front of the KD line.

Honestly, I don't get what Toronto's doing. Makes no sense to me. Seems like they refuse to make a deal with anyone.

Wait for the 1st and the 5th of January. Those are two incredibly key dates for things to start shaking out and up.

[M2]

There are going to be daily rumors flying about that cat. Pretty much slots into just about any lineup and has a truly decent contract, even into his 30M final season, when he'll still be just 31 years old. If Atlanta decides to move him, it's going to be a dogfight for his services.

He does seem like a guy who'd fit anywhere. Then again, I though he'd be perfect for Atlanta, but they're a mess. Rightly or wrongly, I lay that at Trae's feet. Seems like he's an anchor.

[SteelSD]

He does seem like a guy who'd fit anywhere. Then again, I though he'd be perfect for Atlanta, but they're a mess. Rightly or wrongly, I lay that at Trae's feet. Seems like he's an anchor.

Young does seem to be the common denominator, although the Hawks have been a bit unlucky this season given their point diff (-0.5 ppg). At the pace the Hawks play, I have to believe that Murray plays more intense minutes than just about anyone in the league, given how much they count on him on both sides of the ball. Swap out Murray for a dynamic forward (a Julius Randle type) , swap Bogdan out for a defense-first/lower shot volume guard (a Josh Hart <who can't be traded> or Alex Caruso type), get Bey to the bench, and they might have something.

[M2]

Young does seem to be the common denominator, although the Hawks have been a bit unlucky this season given their point diff (-0.5 ppg). At the pace the Hawks play, I have to believe that Murray plays more intense minutes than just about anyone in the league, given how much they count on him on both sides of the ball. Swap out Murray for a dynamic forward (a Julius Randle type) , swap Bogdan out for a defense-first/lower shot volume guard (a Josh Hart <who can't be traded> or Alex Caruso type), get Bey to the bench, and they might have something.

Or just surround Trae with Stacey Augmons.

[Revering4Blue]

Or just surround Trae with Stacey Augmons.

To that end - good idea, btw - I will reiterate the importance of the currently sidelined De’Andre Hunter to the team.


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[Revering4Blue]

A 20 point win tonight for the 76ers in Orlando, no less.

Cue post stating Sixers won due to that stiff, Embiid, not playing.


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[SteelSD]

A 20 point win tonight for the 76ers in Orlando, no less.

Cue post stating Sixers won due to that stiff, Embiid, not playing.

That was a tight game through early in the fourth after Orlando went on an 8-2 run. The Magic scored only 6 points the rest of the period until a pointless three with two seconds left. Philly didn't light the world on fire, with 28 points in the fourth, but it was enough to push the lead as high as 23. Especially early, I thought Orlando's size would result in a huge advantage in the paint, but it ended up being the other way around, with Philly dominating points there 58 to 40. A lot of solid contributions, but strangely only 14 assists on 45 makes for Philly. The 21-9 start is the Sixers' best through the first 30 games since 2000-2001.

[Betterread]

That was a tight game through early in the fourth after Orlando went on an 8-2 run. The Magic scored only 6 points the rest of the period until a pointless three with two seconds left. Philly didn't light the world on fire, with 28 points in the fourth, but it was enough to push the lead as high as 23. Especially early, I thought Orlando's size would result in a huge advantage in the paint, but it ended up being the other way around, with Philly dominating points there 58 to 40. A lot of solid contributions, but strangely only 14 assists on 45 makes for Philly. The 21-9 start is the Sixers' best through the first 30 games since 2000-2001.

Nice road win vrs a strong Orlando team. Big minutes for Reed, barely any for Roco and KJ Martin. Lots of quality forwards in Philly.

[Betterread]

It tells me he's got an ankle injury.

Meanwhile he'll have forever gone into the paint against the Wolves and scored 51 on them on 17-25 shooting.

This site loves Embiid. To each his own. I prefer the young guys: Doncic, Morant, SGA, Fox, Ant.

[Revering4Blue]

Nice road win vrs a strong Orlando team. Big minutes for Reed, barely any for Roco and KJ Martin. Lots of quality forwards in Philly.

I don’t know how B-ball Paul (Reed) does it, but he’s one of the most efficient backup ‘big’ in the league. He and Bamba combined for a +21 tonight.


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[M2]

This site loves Embiid. To each his own. I prefer the young guys: Doncic, Morant, SGA, Fox, Ant.

Don't feel like I have to choose. I like them all.

Though Embiid' basically a walking ticket to a 50-win season. The guy is pretty excellent.

[SteelSD]

Other happenings from Wednesday's NBA slate:

Brooklyn, on the home end of a back-to-back and in the midst of a rough scheduling stretch, sat Dinwiddie, Claxton, and Finney-Smith against the Bucks last night. Then, Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas played only the first quarter, with Royce O'Neale playing 10 minutes, and backup Center Day'Ron Sharpe on the floor for only 16 minutes on the night. I've mentioned this before, but road/home or home/road back-to-backs are stupid, particularly when multiples are scheduled in a small window. They lead to scheduled losses for teams, and the practice disrespects fans who pay good money to watch heavily-marketed star players, forcing them to watch pseudo-exhibition games instead.

For some reason, I flipped on the Dallas/Cleveland game with about 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Dallas, sans Kyrie, had a nine-point lead, and Luka had just checked back into the game to close it out, right? Hard no. Five minutes and 10 consecutive missed shots later, Dallas had lost that lead to the shorthanded Cavs and eventually the game, when Seth Curry's last-ditch three point attempt was blocked. Painful loss for Dallas.

[SteelSD]

I don’t know how B-ball Paul (Reed) does it, but he’s one of the most efficient backup ‘big’ in the league. He and Bamba combined for a +21 tonight.

The Sixers' color commentator, Alaa Abdelnaby, watched Paul Reed shoot a three pointer a couple games ago, and just said, "No, no, no, no...YES!". That's B-ball Paul in a nutshell.

To me, Paul Reed is like watching a video of a cat tring to conquer a ceiling fan. You don't know what's going to happen, and it might seem like a bad idea, but you can be reasonably certain you'll be entertained by the outcome.

Last night, Reed grabbed a pass, looked nearly trapped near the sideline, dribbled the ball between his legs, then behind his back, and threw an off-hand pass to Maxey for a three. Then he ran down the court with a look on his face like he'd just invented a new way to play basketball, which he probably did.

[Boston Red]

If there's such a thing as a moral victory in pro sports, the Pistons taking the Celtics to overtime in Boston is it.

[Assembly Hall]

I tuned in last night to the Warriors/Heat. Wanted to see how former Hoosier, TJD, looked. He was fine but that Jaquez absolutely impressed me.

[dubc47834]

I tuned in last night to the Warriors/Heat. Wanted to see how former Hoosier, TJD, looked. He was fine but that Jaquez absolutely impressed me.

TJD has been playing like an absolute steal for the Dubs. He has forced his way in to the rotation.

[texasdave]

It is being reported that the Knicks and the Raptors are making a deal: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39209777/knicks-acquiring-raptors-og-anunoby-trade-sources-say

OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa are being sent north of the border for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round pick.

[Mitri]

Let’s go Knicks. Love this trade. I rooted hard for Barrett but the kid just can’t shoot and also is a horrible defender. We will miss Quickley but he probably wasn’t in the long-term plans anyway.

Knicks still have a ton of picks too.

[KoryMac5]

Knicks had a glut at guard this trade helps clear that up for them...plus it gets them some needed size and defense. Raptors get a soon to be fan fave in Quickley, though I am not sure they can keep him. Barrett obviously has appeal as he is a hometown kid. I don't hate the trade for either team...probably a win win for both.

[Revering4Blue]

Unless Jorace Walker develops into the next Anunoby, which is entirely possible…in time, the Pacers dropped the ball. They could have topped the Knicks offer without breaking a sweat.


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[M2]

Finally the most obvious trade in the league gets made. Good on the Knicks in getting off of Barrett.

[Rojo Rijo]

How long before Siakam is dealt?

Raps clearly looking to move forward building around Barnes.

[M2]

How long before Siakam is dealt?

Raps clearly looking to move forward building around Barnes.

If they follow the "get a hometown guy" playbook, then Siakam goes to the Warriors for Wiggins.

[Mitri]

I can finally say it: RJ Barrett is terrible.

M2 called this a few days back, I am glad these teams kissed and made up because this was an obvious fit for both teams.

[Betterread]

Unless Jorace Walker develops into the next Anunoby, which is entirely possible…in time, the Pacers dropped the ball. They could have topped the Knicks offer without breaking a sweat.


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Maybe. Walker is leaving some clues he might be a good player. But I would worry about Mathurin turning into a no-d, low efficiency creative player like Barrett. I don’t see a progression for his second year. He started out his rookie year really impressively and fell off in the second half. His defense and shot selection are still rookie level poor.

[SteelSD]

Toronto has me shaking my head. They got no real draft capital in the deal, it looks like they have no real stomach for a desperately-needed rebuild. To Mitri's point, Barrett really shouldn't have been a primary target for Toronto. His contract is terrible, and now Toronto will likely have to overpay to keep Quickly (who I like) too.

For the Knicks, Anunoby is a good player overall, is clearly the best talent in this deal, and getting off Barrett's contract is a major win for them. That being said, while Anunoby is solid from a catch-and-shoot three perspective, he's otherwise is not terribly skilled offensively, and has a tendency to disappear for large stretches on that side of the ball.

[KoryMac5]

Detroit is up on the Raptors by 7 with 3 mins left in the 4th...a win could happen.

[KoryMac5]

Raptors had hoped for multiple 1's for OG Anunoby when that didn't work they settled for 2 rotation players...I think the get here is Quickley for the Raptors. He is a restricted FA and Toronto can match any offer.

I am also interested in seeing how RJ Barrett does away from Thibs and in a system that is a bit more innovative and free flowing.

[Puffy]

RJ Barett is a great player for 25 to 30 games every year. The problem is the other 50+ games. Love this trade for the Knicks. It doesn't get them past the second round but they kept all their ammo for the true big fish and OG and Brunson help in landing that big fish.

[KoryMac5]

RJ Barett is a great player for 25 to 30 games every year. The problem is the other 50+ games. Love this trade for the Knicks. It doesn't get them past the second round but they kept all their ammo for the true big fish and OG and Brunson help in landing that big fish.

This trade tells me a few things

One it doesn't hurt to have your son represent the guy that you are trading for...

It also tells me that Knicks GM Leon Rose is officially on the clock with Dolan...

[Mitri]

This trade tells me a few things

One it doesn't hurt to have your son represent the guy that you are trading for...

It also tells me that Knicks GM Leon Rose is officially on the clock with Dolan...

I think he inherited a situation that was on the clock. So yeah, it’s ticking, but Brunson and Anunoby extend the life of this team. They’re the nucleus and he’ll get a few years building around that center until time runs out.

[Mitri]

New look Knicks is interesting so far. A few early thoughts:

-Man, don't miss Barrett at all.
-That second unit will miss Quickley's playmaking, but it took about 5 minutes for Quentin Grimes to re-establish himself on this team. He and Hart should pick up the slack in the scoring hole that Barrett/Quickley leave.
-Anunoby completely changes this team defensively. It's too bad we won't see him and Robinson in the same unit until next season.

[SteelSD]

New look Knicks is interesting so far. A few early thoughts:

-Man, don't miss Barrett at all.
-That second unit will miss Quickley's playmaking, but it took about 5 minutes for Quentin Grimes to re-establish himself on this team. He and Hart should pick up the slack in the scoring hole that Barrett/Quickley leave.
-Anunoby completely changes this team defensively. It's too bad we won't see him and Robinson in the same unit until next season.

I watched the fourth quarter of the Knicks/T-Wolves game to get a look. Looking at the box score, it looks like NY punched the T-Wolves in the face (outscored them 38 to 17), but Minnesota got up, wiped the blood off, and played tough. NY gutted it out in the end, but that was scary. Thoughts...

1) Anunoby is as I expected. He fouled out on a completely ticky-tack call.
2) Jalen Brunson went into one of the worst shooting slumps I've ever seen in the fourth. I started to think it was my fault for turning on the game. When something like that happens, it was usually Quickley who'd pick up the offense, but it really struggled.
3) Julius Randle carried the Knicks down the stretch offensively. But what in hades has happened to his three-point stroke? It's like he has the "yips" or something, at least on the two airballs I saw him hoist up. He's never been a consistently great three-point shooter, but he looked really bad today from outside the arc.
4) Isaiah Hartenstein's three rejections on Rudy Gobert dunk attempts are the stuff of legend.
5) Speaking of Centers, I think the Knicks need to call up Detroit ASAP to get one of the five or six they have on the roster. Precious Achiua has never impressed me, and really couldn't hold his own inside during the few minutes I watched.

[Mitri]

Achiua did not impress. I agree that they need another C to soak up minutes, or else Hartenstein will be completely gassed come playoff time.

That said, Hartenstein has been one of the best low-key additions to this team in years. He'll be hard to retain, as I'm sure there will be a few teams lining up in the offseason offering him a starting job.

Brunson has a stinker every 15 games or so. He's otherwise unbelievable. I'll chalk it up to the new guy messing up his flow, though Anunoby adapted about as well as you could hope.

Randle has a special knack for putting up the fugliest 38 points possible and I love him for it.

[M2]

New look Knicks is interesting so far. A few early thoughts:

-Man, don't miss Barrett at all.
-That second unit will miss Quickley's playmaking, but it took about 5 minutes for Quentin Grimes to re-establish himself on this team. He and Hart should pick up the slack in the scoring hole that Barrett/Quickley leave.
-Anunoby completely changes this team defensively. It's too bad we won't see him and Robinson in the same unit until next season.

That's a solid win. Seems like the most immediate effect is Anunoby freed up Randle.

[Boston Red]

Are the Jazz good now?

[M2]

Are the Jazz good now?

Certainly helps when Jordan Clarkson goes for a triple-double, but this is a nice 8-3 run they're on. They've got a Boston-Philly-Milwaukee monster trip coming up. That'll be a good test for them.

[KoryMac5]

That's a solid win. Seems like the most immediate effect is Anunoby freed up Randle.

I am not sure a freed up Randle is necessarily a good thing...LOL

For all of Minny's length the Knicks dominated them on the boards...which I did not expect to see.

Looking at the Raptors Quickly had 14 and 6 with no TO's and RJ had 19 and 9 but had 6 TO's as the Raptors won...I really think this is one of those trades that works out for all parties.

[Assembly Hall]

Haliburton for MVP!

[goreds2]

After one quarter, Philly 43 / Chicago 18.

Game is on NBA TV.

[KoryMac5]

Lost in how bad the Pistons are...The Spurs are currently 5-28.

[SteelSD]

Haliburton for MVP!

I mistimed the start time of the game, and really only got to see the cruise control third and G-leaguer filled forth.

But you can bet I'll be watching that first half on NBA.com replay tonight.

[M2]

Pacers have gone 4-1 against the Bucks this year. The size of Indiana's backcourt has proven daunting for Milwaukee's guards.

[M2]

Looks like the Kings-Magic clash was a masterpiece. Went double OT. Paolo Banchero with 43 in a losing effort. Domantas Sabonis went 22-23-12 in the win.

[Assembly Hall]

Pacers have gone 4-1 against the Bucks this year. The size of Indiana's backcourt has proven daunting for Milwaukee's guards.

Time to dust off my Pacer garb.

[Mutaman]

Bucks bench was out scored 70 to 16 on Monday, 59 to 38 last night, and 33 to 25 tonight. At this rate of improvement, they should dominate the post-season.

[Revering4Blue]

Bucks bench was out scored 70 to 16 on Monday, 59 to 38 last night, and 33 to 25 tonight. At this rate of improvement, they should dominate the post-season.

As a Bucks fan, do you feel they need to make a move at the deadline - not necessarily a major move - to bolster depth? Or will a healthy Crowder be enough?


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[Mutaman]

As a Bucks fan, do you feel they need to make a move at the deadline - not necessarily a major move - to bolster depth? Or will a healthy Crowder be enough?


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I don't think they can win with this team and this coach. Can't count on Jae dramatically improving things – he's only played a couple of games in the last two years.
They need some toughness, but I don't know what they're going to use for trade pieces. Maybe they can get Shaka to help organize things during his free time.

[M2]

The Nuggets' furious late comeback against the Golden State last night might be the gravestone on the Warriors' dynasty run. That team needs a major trade to even be semi-relevant this season.

[SteelSD]

Dear Knicks,

If you shoot 62% from three for the entire game, you get all the game balls.

Actually, you probably deserve all of them anyway after that first half.

Signed,

Sixers Fan

[15fan]

So maybe Nate McMillan and John Collins weren’t what was holding back the Hawks.

[SteelSD]

So, the Knicks came out and hit everything they threw up in the first half.

Then it stopped in the third quarter, and NY asked Philly if they'd like back in the game.

The Sixers declined. Hard no.

That is all.

[M2]

So maybe Nate McMillan and John Collins weren’t what was holding back the Hawks.

If they held a fire sale, who would you keep?

[Mitri]

OG Anunoby changes everything for the Knicks. He makes everyone on the defensive end better. He spaces the floor so that at least one of Brunson or Randle can do their thing. He's the reason RJ Barrett is no longer playing on the team. All of these things makes the Knicks better.

Knicks still need some work on the second unit, but Quentin Grimes is enjoying his new role as the best scorer who's not a starter (oh yeah, and he can play on-ball defense too). I'm coming around to Achiuwa being good enough for this season as backup C, but they may need another SG (Brogdon? Murray?) to push Divencenzo into a 6th man role. At this point, I'm not sure I even want Donovan Mitchell muddying up this team (he'll make contract decisions very difficult, very quickly).

[15fan]

Grant Hill, I mean, Hawks management keeps bringing in Duke guys (Reddish, Johnson, Griffin, Snyder) and to quote one of my friends from eastern Europe, “it just gets worser and worser and worser.” I’d purge all of the Duke connections.

The guy to move was / is De’Andre Hunter but he’s now in year 1 of a 4 year $90 million deal. That’s the albatross IMO. Compare Hunter’s production to what Saddiq Bey contributes at his salary. I still think it can work with Trey and Murray. Bogdanovich off the bench is good compliment to Young & Murray. He also plays like he gives a damn.

They definitely need muscle inside. Frontcourt of Capela, Okongwu and Johnson is too lean, especially in the East.

[Assembly Hall]

I haven't been this excited since the Reggie Miller days. No offense to Paul George but just like Reggie, Tyrese likes it in Indy.

[Puffy]

OG Anunoby changes everything for the Knicks. He makes everyone on the defensive end better. He spaces the floor so that at least one of Brunson or Randle can do their thing. He's the reason RJ Barrett is no longer playing on the team. All of these things makes the Knicks better.

Knicks still need some work on the second unit, but Quentin Grimes is enjoying his new role as the best scorer who's not a starter (oh yeah, and he can play on-ball defense too). I'm coming around to Achiuwa being good enough for this season as backup C, but they may need another SG (Brogdon? Murray?) to push Divencenzo into a 6th man role. At this point, I'm not sure I even want Donovan Mitchell muddying up this team (he'll make contract decisions very difficult, very quickly).

Murray, I have come to believe, is the answer. The one guy who makes the Knicks legit contenders. The 3rd "superstar," great defender, third scorer, pushes Donte to second unit, and fits great in Thibs orbit.

[M2]

Grant Hill, I mean, Hawks management keeps bringing in Duke guys (Reddish, Johnson, Griffin, Snyder) and to quote one of my friends from eastern Europe, “it just gets worser and worser and worser.” I’d purge all of the Duke connections.

The guy to move was / is De’Andre Hunter but he’s now in year 1 of a 4 year $90 million deal. That’s the albatross IMO. Compare Hunter’s production to what Saddiq Bey contributes at his salary. I still think it can work with Trey and Murray. Bogdanovich off the bench is good compliment to Young & Murray. He also plays like he gives a damn.

They definitely need muscle inside. Frontcourt of Capela, Okongwu and Johnson is too lean, especially in the East.

I would be far more vicious. They need to find a team that will take Trae. I'm wondering if a Trae for LaMelo Ball challenge trade (with Gordon Heyward's expiring deal to balance the money) makes sense.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I would be far more vicious. They need to find a team that will take Trae. I'm wondering if a Trae for LaMelo Ball challenge trade (with Gordon Heyward's expiring deal to balance the money) makes sense.

Lakers? DLo, Rui, Reddish and a pick?

[M2]

Lakers? DLo, Rui, Reddish and a pick?

I was thinking the Lakers might be a potential Trae destination, though I'd demand Reaves if I was the Hawks.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I was thinking the Lakers might be a potential Trae destination, though I'd demand Reaves if I was the Hawks.

I don’t think the lakers trade Reeves.

[SteelSD]

I would be far more vicious. They need to find a team that will take Trae. I'm wondering if a Trae for LaMelo Ball challenge trade (with Gordon Heyward's expiring deal to balance the money) makes sense.

Lamelo has a poison pill that doesn't clear until July. If he's dealt, his outgoing salary equals around 11 million, but his incoming salary for the team acquiring him is over 36 million bucks.

[M2]

Lamelo has a poison pill that doesn't clear until July. If he's dealt, his outgoing salary equals around 11 million, but his incoming salary for the team acquiring him is over 36 million bucks.

Though that works out fine if you're swapping him and Heyward's expiring for Trae Young. I do think LaMelo might be getting shopped. Charlotte's a terrible organization and he surely wants a bigger spotlight. Now that he's got the max contract extension, I can't imagine he wants to hang around that city a day longer than he has to. Also, from the Hornets' end, they might be concerned that LaMelo can't stay healthy.

FWIW, he'd fit great in New York or Brooklyn.

[M2]

I don’t think the lakers trade Reeves.

My thought is the Hawks have to get something to hang their hats on if they move Trae. Reaves is that guy for the Lakers. I suppose draft picks might do it if they're just getting matching salary filler. The Lakers can move their 2029 and 2031 picks. I don't think Atlanta's at the chew-an-arm-off-to-get-rid-of-Trae phase just yet, which is a good reason to move him. Because they will get to that phase in the next year or so.

[SteelSD]

Though that works out fine if you're swapping him and Heyward's expiring for Trae Young. I do think LaMelo might be getting shopped. Charlotte's a terrible organization and he surely wants a bigger spotlight. Now that he's got the max contract extension, I can't imagine he wants to hang around that city a day longer than he has to. Also, from the Hornets' end, they might be concerned that LaMelo can't stay healthy.

FWIW, he'd fit great in New York or Brooklyn.

I don't think the money does work. There's no way to force the trade machine to accept the poison pill amount for Ball, but adding in salary to match Ball's 36 million outgoing while also including Heyward appears to push Atlanta well over the cap. A 1-for-1 swap would probably work, unless the Hawks added additional contracts to match.

[M2]

I don't think the money does work. There's no way to force the trade machine to accept the poison pill amount for Ball, but adding in salary to match Ball's 36 million outgoing while also including Heyward appears to push Atlanta well over the cap. A 1-for-1 swap would probably work, unless the Hawks added additional contracts to match.

I wasn't accounting for it properly (apologies for being slow on the draw on that one). He'd need to move to a team with $25M in cap space (which no one has). So he's not moving until the summer unless he's so hot to get out of Charlotte that he waives the trade kicker. That said, he's not getting that money no matter, what so he ought to waive it.

[KoryMac5]

The Hawks are not willingly dealing Trae Young...that could change this offseason if he gets upset with the direction of the Hawks.

If that happens over the offseason I wonder if the Spurs would jump into the mix...they have some young pieces and picks.

[SteelSD]

I wasn't accounting for it properly (apologies for being slow on the draw on that one). He'd need to move to a team with $25M in cap space (which no one has). So he's not moving until the summer unless he's so hot to get out of Charlotte that he waives the trade kicker. That said, he's not getting that money no matter, what so he ought to waive it.

No worries. I only knew about it because I was scouring bad teams for potential trade targets for the Sixers a couple weeks ago. However, I don't know if it can be waived because it's tied to the type of extension he signed (rookie extension) rather than specifically negotiated into his contract. I do think the RE poison pill provision was an issue with the timing of the Jordan Poole trade becoming official last offseason, so I'm thinking maybe not?

[M2]

The Hawks are not willingly dealing Trae Young...that could change this offseason if he gets upset with the direction of the Hawks.

If that happens over the offseason I wonder if the Spurs would jump into the mix...they have some young pieces and picks.

The Hawks should be willing to deal him. The direction of the club is a direct reflection of it being hog-tied to a guy who can get scorched by every single player in the NBA. IMO, they're doomed until he's gone.

[texasdave]

He's baaaack!
The NBA has reinstated Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green from his suspension for striking Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic last month. Green's suspension was announced as indefinite as he was asked to complete certain steps that "demonstrated his commitment to conforming his conduct to standards expected of NBA players."

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/01/nba-to-reinstate-draymond-green.html

[SteelSD]

Brick.

That is my Sixers game report.

[dubc47834]

I don’t think the lakers trade Reeves.

Depends what they're trying to trade for. Most teams are going to want him for a good player in return. Any trade that doesn't involve Reeves, probably isn't worth it for the Lakers. If they manage to keep Reeves and get another really good player would be a coup for the Lakers.

[Mutaman]

Bucks fans ready to trade Lillard straight up for Butler but they know Riley would never do it.

[Assembly Hall]

Time to put away my Pacer garb.

[M2]

Time to put away my Pacer garb.

Tough matchup. The Celtics might win 60 games this year. Pacers still have a line on making the top six in the East.

[KoryMac5]

The Knicks are on a heater right now...

I think what that trade created for them is a group of guys who know exactly what their role is every single night.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Going to Cavs Spurs in a little bit. Very excited for my first Wemby experience.

[KoryMac5]

Going to Cavs Spurs in a little bit. Very excited for my first Wemby experience.

His dunk against the bucks was unreal...

[M2]

The Knicks are on a heater right now...

I think what that trade created for them is a group of guys who know exactly what their role is every single night.

That's exactly what it is. It's wild how much Anunoby has unlocked Randle. Suddenly all the pieces seem to fit together.

Might also be that they're no longer throwing 15 shots a night at one of the 10 worst shooters in the NBA.

[Mitri]

That's exactly what it is. It's wild how much Anunoby has unlocked Randle. Suddenly all the pieces seem to fit together.

Might also be that they're no longer throwing 15 shots a night at one of the 10 worst shooters in the NBA.

It's a small sample, but this trade has exposed how truly bad RJ Barrett is. He's fine as a 6th man bullying 2nd units, but not as a starter and certainly not as an important rotational piece on a team with playoff aspirations. He turns the ball over too much, has no jumper, and doesn't play defense well. Seems like a nice guy and a gym rat, maybe he'll reinvent himself, I'm just glad he won't be doing that as a Knick.

[Betterread]

The Knicks are on a heater right now...

I think what that trade created for them is a group of guys who know exactly what their role is every single night.

The Knicks are living their best life right now. Anunoby makes them a little better but doesn’t make them a championship team.
Don’t you remember the bump (17-6) they got in 22-23 when they traded for Josh Hart?
Anunoby is much better than Hart, but they gave up more (Quickly was a valuable chip) to get him.

[Betterread]

I wasn't accounting for it properly (apologies for being slow on the draw on that one). He'd need to move to a team with $25M in cap space (which no one has). So he's not moving until the summer unless he's so hot to get out of Charlotte that he waives the trade kicker. That said, he's not getting that money no matter, what so he ought to waive it.

You know that as of last year, his third year in the league, lamelo did not play crunch time minutes because his defense is so bad it’s unprofessional. He might have improved up over the offseason but he is always going to be skinny and unathletic and will have to prioritize improved defense a lot more to even be mediocre.

[M2]

You know that as of last year, his third year in the league, lamelo did not play crunch time minutes because his defense is so bad it’s unprofessional. He might have improved up over the offseason but he is always going to be skinny and unathletic and will have to prioritize improved defense a lot more to even be mediocre.

Someone will roll the dice on him because the offense is so good and he's got length. I wonder if his lackadaisical effort on defense and some of his sloppy turnovers are a result of him playing for the Hornets, where it's a constant existential crisis of trying to figure out why you're supposed to give a damn. For instance, Nic Batum's all-effort persona pre- and post-Charlotte is unreconcilable with his completely disinterested run with Charlotte. The danger is maybe he doesn't have an on switch and figures it's all mission accomplished now that he's got his max extension. That's why I used "challenge trade" earlier when speculating about swapping him for Trae.

[Assembly Hall]

Tough matchup. The Celtics might win 60 games this year. Pacers still have a line on making the top six in the East.

Well my talking about getting the garb out jinxed them. lol

[Mitri]

Of course my rant against Barrett motivates him to have a career night against GS.

[BuckeyeRed27]

His dunk against the bucks was unreal...

Wemby is an alien. Seriously I’ve never seen someone look and move like that. You can obviously get the gist on TV but it is striking in person.

He’s already insane on defense. The Cavs just basically abandoned going in the lane when he was in the game. The problem is he only plays like 25 minutes and when he wasn’t in the Cavs scored in bunches and Allen had a career game.

Offensively he doesn’t really know what he’s doing yet. He is still impactful from time to time, he had 9-0 run by himself in the 3rd quarter, but very raw. There was one sequence where they were trying to run a PNR for him, but he didn’t really set the pick, so the play didn’t work. A guard got a shot up in the lane and he just kinda stood there and watched while two guards battled for rebounds that the Cavs ultimately got. He will figure it out though, very glad I got to see him play.

[KoryMac5]

Tough break for the Pacers Haliburton slipped driving to the basket and ended up carried off the floor...looked painful...possible muscle tear.

[Betterread]

Tough break for the Pacers Haliburton slipped driving to the basket and ended up carried off the floor...looked painful...possible muscle tear.

Reports are an injured hamstring. Wait to see how bad the tear was. I hope its just a 2-4 week mild tear, rather than season ending.
Jah on the other hand is out for the year with a torn labrum.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Reports are an injured hamstring. Wait to see how bad the tear was. I hope its just a 2-4 week mild tear, rather than season ending.
Jah on the other hand is out for the year with a torn labrum.

Ugh…that sucks

[Boston Red]

I guess the Jazz actually ARE good. Fun.

[Betterread]

I guess the Jazz actually ARE good. Fun.

Utah is tied with GS and a 1/2 game back of the Lakers so if you think they are good, Utah is good, too.
I think good basketball is being played tonight in LA with the fully healthy Suns -Clips playing a good game.

[M2]

I think good basketball is being played tonight in LA with the fully healthy Suns -Clips playing a good game.

Well, maybe not the Suns.

[KoryMac5]

Ja Morant out for season with labrum tear....

[Betterread]

Well, maybe not the Suns.

I watched the first half, which was competitive and well played. The second half must have gone differently as the Clip won by 27. Sorry for providing a what turned out to be an incomplete (and kind of worthless) perspective.

[M2]

I watched the first half, which was competitive and well played. The second half must have gone differently as the Clip won by 27. Sorry for providing a what turned out to be an incomplete (and kind of worthless) perspective.

We all have takes that go sideways. I didn't think the Clips would be close to this good. Still kind of feel like there's a trapdoor under them. They keep proving me wrong. Phoenix, however, looks like a disaster. Brad Beal isn't going to help with them not playing defense. In fact, he might not help with the offense either if it means fewer shots for KD and Booker. And there is just nobody on that team beyond those three.

Phoenix is currently in a scrum with Houston, the Lakers, Utah and Golden State (all within 1.5 games of each other) for those last three play-in slots. That's an outright disaster for Phoenix, L.A. and Golden State. I'd say all three of them need to do something radical in the trade market if they want to be relevant this season. There's a good case to be made that all three should punt.

[dubc47834]

Ja Morant out for season with labrum tear....

I've had this injury, 3X. It's not an easy injury to recover from. Good luck to him moving forward.

[klw]

So the refs only blew the two most important calls in the game ...

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2024/01/last-2-minute-report-reveals-critical-missed-calls-in-celtics-loss-to-pacers.html

[Betterread]

So the refs only blew the two most important calls in the game ...

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2024/01/last-2-minute-report-reveals-critical-missed-calls-in-celtics-loss-to-pacers.html

It is only me that finds the two minute reports as wrong as the in game calls? I thought both plays should have been fouls. This “incidental contact” (the term used to excuse Hield’s contact with JayBrown’s head) is a weird euphemism that seems created to justify whatever you want. Does that mean the NBA is trying to bring intent into defining fouls?

[Chip R]

Darko Rajakovic was a bit peeved about the officiating in Toronto's game against the Lakers last night. Especially the Lakers shooting 23 free throws in the 4th quarter.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39276976/raptors-darko-rajakovic-furious-officiating-loss-lakers

[SteelSD]

Darko Rajakovic was a bit peeved about the officiating in Toronto's game against the Lakers last night. Especially the Lakers shooting 23 free throws in the 4th quarter.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39276976/raptors-darko-rajakovic-furious-officiating-loss-lakers

He's gonna' get fined like 8 billion dollars. But he wasnt necessarily wrong.

That AD "charge" he drew late might be the most egregious flop I've ever seen. Physics dont even work that way. And I only say "might be" because LeBron.

[M2]

Domantas Sabonis with a 37-13-10 last night. He's averaging 20-13-8 nightly. If we weren't in a universe with Nikola Jokic, Sabonis would be blowing our minds.

[Revering4Blue]

Domantas Sabonis with a 37-13-10 last night. He's averaging 20-13-8 nightly. If we weren't in a universe with Nikola Jokic, Sabonis would be blowing our minds.

It’s awesome that we now have more head-to-head matchups between the two. Just another added bonus from a high-profile trade that’s immensely helped both the Kings and Pacers.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Betterread]

Domantas Sabonis with a 37-13-10 last night. He's averaging 20-13-8 nightly. If we weren't in a universe with Nikola Jokic, Sabonis would be blowing our minds.

I think I see him play more than you and he doesn’t do that versus the pelicans and Twolves. Sacramento just lost to NO by 33 at home and Sabonis got killed, even without Zion playing.
Sacramento has been passed by NO, OKC and Minn. They need another C/PF who can provide 25-30 min of solid D and rebounds. Sabonis can’t do it alone. HBarnes is their starting PF and he is avg 2.9 rebounds per game. He is an expensive walking money pit right now.
Without that updgrade, they need Murray to blow up and starting scoring 20+ per game consistently. He is capable of that but only doing it about half the time right now.

[Roy Tucker]

Darko Rajakovic was a bit peeved about the officiating in Toronto's game against the Lakers last night. Especially the Lakers shooting 23 free throws in the 4th quarter.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39276976/raptors-darko-rajakovic-furious-officiating-loss-lakers

23 free throws to 2 in the 4th quarter. I watched the game. It was absurd. The Raptors couldn’t blink without a call.

[Rojo Rijo]

23 free throws to 2 in the 4th quarter. I watched the game. It was absurd. The Raptors couldn’t blink without a call.

One of those games Elton Brand talked about, Raptors would have needed to win by 15 to win by 1.

[M2]

I think I see him play more than you and he doesn’t do that versus the pelicans and Twolves. Sacramento just lost to NO by 33 at home and Sabonis got killed, even without Zion playing.
Sacramento has been passed by NO, OKC and Minn. They need another C/PF who can provide 25-30 min of solid D and rebounds. Sabonis can’t do it alone. HBarnes is their starting PF and he is avg 2.9 rebounds per game. He is an expensive walking money pit right now.
Without that updgrade, they need Murray to blow up and starting scoring 20+ per game consistently. He is capable of that but only doing it about half the time right now.

He's been cranking it up lately (23.1/13.6/9.1 over his last 14). Nobody can do it alone in the modern NBA, but Sabonis does a lot. He's 11th in PER, 8th in Win Shares, 15th in Box +/- and 9th in VORP. If he keeps that up, he'll be All-NBA again this season.

Sacto's ahead of New Orleans in the standings and has been 20-9 since their clunky start. I agree they could use another guy, though I'd look for another 3-and-D type. They need more tenacity on the defensive perimeter. Trey Lyles and Sasha Vezenkov are giving them credible PF minutes (33 mins, 13 pts, 7.5 reb). They've got the 2nd best DRB% (77%) in the NBA. Not a perfect team, but trending in the right direction.

[texasdave]

When worlds collide!

San Antonio (5-30) vs. Detroit (3-34).

Get Elias Sports Bureau to work. That has to be sorta negative record.

[SteelSD]

Disgraceful officating in Atlanta tonight. Tyrese Maxey should have been shooting free throws to win the game, the fouls out in OT on a classic jump sideways into the defender by the Trae Young. To be fair, the Sixers need someone other than Maxey and Tobias Harris (who's useless without Maxey on the floor) to step up, but there isn't any overcoming that.

[RichRed]

When worlds collide!

San Antonio (5-30) vs. Detroit (3-34).

Get Elias Sports Bureau to work. That has to be sorta negative record.

Wizards (6-31) call next!

[M2]

When worlds collide!

San Antonio (5-30) vs. Detroit (3-34).

Get Elias Sports Bureau to work. That has to be sorta negative record.

And the Pistons establish themselves as the most inept of them all. 22 point loss. Quality work.

In separate news, Coby White continues to be a revelation, going 30-4-8 in a win over the Rockets.

[M2]

I guess the Jazz actually ARE good. Fun.

They just polished off a convincing win against the Nuggets. 27 for Clarkson. 26 for Markkanen. I guess they're good until they show us otherwise.

[Boston Red]

Half game out of the playoffs. A game ahead of the Warriors. Good times!

[Kingspoint]

Half game out of the playoffs. A game ahead of the Warriors. Good times!

That Ainge guy might actually know what he's doing.

[M2]

That Ainge guy might actually know what he's doing.

Will Hardy deserves a lot of credit. He's wringing out every drop that roster has got.

[Assembly Hall]

We shall see how my Pacers fare without Tyrese in this upcoming road trip. 0-6 is what I envision.

[klw]

Bucks just dropped a 27-2 run on the Celtics

[M2]

That's an absolute mauling going on in Milwaukee tonight. Good on the Bucks for dishing it out. Giannis is +34 at the half.

[SteelSD]

FYI- Darko Rajakovic was fined only $25K for going off about the officating after the Lakers game.

That's akin to the NBA saying, "Yeah, we have to fine you...but valid point..."

[Betterread]

Bucks just dropped a 27-2 run on the Celtics

75-48 Bucks lead in the first half. No Celtics effort at all. That’s how the Celtics expected the wolves to play on the second night of their back to back. Except the wolves showed some effort and pissed off the Boston faithful. Stupid wolves. Don’t they know how hard to try when you’re in Boston?
The Celtics are the best team in the NBA at the moment and they expect the CHIP to be handed to them mid-season.
Let’s see if that mentality works when it gets to June.

[Betterread]

Wolves go 9-7 in a 16 game stretch versus all .500 plus teams. 11 were on the road. Tough and deserved losses to Dallas and Boston and best win was an away win v Sacramento. Worst loss was to the Knicks. Ant was transcendent most of the time, but v Boston he lost the thread and lost it for the team by playing too much 1 v 2 or 3. He needs to learn from this game and cut the TOs and hero ball.
Regardless of records, OKC is tops in the West and Pelicans are close. SGA is the best player wolves have faced. No game v Clips yet but thy could be in the mix at the top. Denver is not tops right now but they will be there in May. Jokic makes his teammates better which is unique in the NBA.
Five teams in the west are really good versus three (Boston, Mil, Philly) in the East. Which is better? More tests in the West or easier games in the East so stars can rest and not try so hard they get tired?

[texasdave]

Trail Blazers shoot 27.7% from the field.

[BuckeyeRed27]

They just polished off a convincing win against the Nuggets. 27 for Clarkson. 26 for Markkanen. I guess they're good until they show us otherwise.

They had a Boston, Philly, Milwaukee road trip and Denver at home and went 3-1. Philly played without Embiid but everyone else was basically full go, so pretty impressive.

They have gotten healthy which matters. Lauri missed a stretch and Clarkson was out for a while. They also shifted Kessler to the bench and have played a smaller starting lineup with Fonetecchio, which is interesting after how good Kessler was last season. The rookie George has really started to come on (although didn’t have a good Denver game) and looks like a solid pick. John Collins isn’t useless, which is nice, he actually plays pretty well next to Lauri. And sexton is playing the best basketball of his career.

A month is a decent sample size, and since 12/12 they’ve lost 4 games to all good teams and won 12 with some pretty solid wins in there. I dunno what Ainge wants to do this year, but they’ll make the play in with this team.

[Mutaman]

Such a class act


"On Thursday, Holiday purchased an ad in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to send an endearing message to the fans ahead of his first time back at the Fiserv Forum since his summer move to Boston:

“For as special as our championship was in 2021, and it was one of the most special basketball moments of my life, it was the fans, the teammates and the community in Milwaukee that really felt like home for me and my family,” read the message in the ad (h/t JR Radcliffe of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). “We hope we left Milwaukee in better shape than when we arrived here, both on and off the court, and will forever cherish our friends, teammates and the special memories we created together.”

[SteelSD]

The Kings visited Philly last night, but no-showed at the same time. Sacramento just had one of those games- 33.7% from field, 21.1% from three. They started poorly, and it got worse from there. They were committed to three-chucking, and a lot of long rebounds resulted from misses, leading to a 23-14 advantage on the offensive boards. Sabonis grabbed 5 of those, and was 6-of-10 from the field, but was sort of invisible. I found that odd, because without Embiid, one would think that Sactown would repeatedly post Sabonis to their advantage. But nope, and often when Sabonis did drive the ball into the paint, he deffered; kicking it out to shooters who just kept bricking treys. Philly had their defense turned up a notch after a dismal showing against Atlanta, but not enough to cause the Kings as much trouble as the results suggested.

For Philly, Tobias Harris seemed a lot more aggressive than usual, finishing with 37 points, and was throwing down dunks on drives instead of missing bunnies. Without Embiid, I'm a little concerned about the light offense starting games with Paul Reed. Mo Bamba netted 20 minutes off the bench and was really good- 11 points (2-for-2 from deep) and four blocks. It might sound weird given the pecking order, but I'm wondering if starting Bamba and sticking with Reed off the bench might help stabilize the offense when Embiid isn't playing. Shout out to Nic Batum, finishing 5-for-5, including 4 threes in support.

The Sixers next play Houston on Wednesday- the first half of another super-fun and totally necessary back-to-back, with Denver coming in Thursday. Depending on Embiid's knee, I'd expect that he'll maybe sit out the Houston game to ensure he's at full strength (I hope) when Jokic comes to town.

[texasdave]

The 76ers next play Houston on Monday.

[Betterread]

Embiid has missed a few games due to swelling on his knee, so I pulled up Liberty Ballers to see what info they had about it. I found an interesting but confusing piece on two tweets by ESPN Ramona Shelburne on Jan. 11. First tweet said that the Embiid swelling is on the right knee - the one that affected him in the playoffs last year and it is a chronic thing that he has to manage going forward. Second tweet said that the swelling is in his left knee and is not a long term concern (day to day was used although he has missed multiple days).
Bad reporting (which knee is giving him trouble?) or damage control? Oh the drama on Embiid’s health.

[SteelSD]

The 76ers next play Houston on Monday.

So...this isn't Thursday?

Damn.

;) Thanks, dave!

[SteelSD]

Embiid has missed a few games due to swelling on his knee, so I pulled up Liberty Ballers to see what info they had about it. I found an interesting but confusing piece on two tweets by ESPN Ramona Shelburne on Jan. 11. First tweet said that the Embiid swelling is on the right knee - the one that affected him in the playoffs last year and it is a chronic thing that he has to manage going forward. Second tweet said that the swelling is in his left knee and is not a long term concern (day to day was used although he has missed multiple days).
Bad reporting (which knee is giving him trouble?) or damage control? Oh the drama on Embiid’s health.

All reports have consistently mentioned his left knee. I'd say the "clarification" from Shelburne is just that. Nothing to see here.

[Mutaman]

Buck's bench outscored 42-26 against GSW -at home. But Andre Jackson had a double/double so there's that.

[M2]

Ant with a 33-9-6 in a win over the Clips. When he plays at this level, the Wolves are crazy tough.

[Mutaman]

Lillard gives the Cheese Heads a little desert after the big Packer win.

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/39310892

[M2]

Lillard gives the Cheese Heads a little desert after the big Packer win.

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/39310892

That's what they got Dame for. Looks like it was a wild game.

[Mutaman]

Bad coaching by Griffin down the stretch of regulation- in a free throw shooting contest he did not have Giannis inbounding the ball allowing the Kings to foul him twice. He made 3 of 4 but that wasn't good enough and the Kings were able to tie and send game into overtime.

[Betterread]

Ant with a 33-9-6 in a win over the Clips. When he plays at this level, the Wolves are crazy tough.

He dominated the third Q, but ended up with 5 TOs and two of the 5 were in the last minute and a half. That and Powell/westbrook hitting 9-11 threes in the 4th Q made the game close than it really was. Clips can really shoot 3s at a good rate. Still a good win versus a top WC squad.

[Kingspoint]

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/

January 15th, 2024 at 7:02am CST by Luke Adams

Today is Monday, January 15, which means that a total of 17 players who signed free agent contracts meeting specific criteria this past offseason are now eligible to be traded. Most offseason signees became trade-eligible on December 15, but players who met the following criteria were ineligible to be moved for an extra mont. The player re-signed with his previous team. He got a raise of at least 20%. His salary is worth more than the minimum. His team was over the cap and used Bird or Early Bird rights to sign him.

The following players met that criteria and are eligible to be traded as of Monday:

Miles Bridges (Hornets) *
Ayo Dosunmu (Bulls)
Jerami Grant (Trail Blazers)
Rui Hachimura (Lakers)
Cameron Johnson (Nets)
Herbert Jones (Pelicans)
Tre Jones (Spurs)
Kyle Kuzma (Wizards)
Brook Lopez (Bucks)
Trey Lyles (Kings)
Jakob Poeltl (Raptors)
Austin Reaves (Lakers)
Paul Reed (Sixers) *
Matisse Thybulle (Trail Blazers) *
Moritz Wagner (Magic)
P.J. Washington (Hornets)
Coby White (Bulls)
(* Players marked with an asterisk have the ability to veto trades.)

Most of the players on NBA rosters are now eligible to be moved, though a small handful still can’t be dealt. That group includes Heat guard Dru Smith, who becomes trade-eligible on Monday, Hornets guard Ish Smith (trade-eligible on January 24), Lakers star Anthony Davis (trade-eligible on February 6), and Pistons forward Kevin Knox (trade-eligible on Feb. 8). There are also several players who won’t become trade-eligible prior to this season’s February 8 deadline, including stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, and Jaylen Brown. Players on 10-day contracts are also ineligible to be dealt.

[texasdave]

Only 3 games on tap tonight, but all feature playoff teams.

Denver is at Philadelphia.
Sacramento visits Phoenix.
Oklahoma City travels to LA to take on the Clippers.

[texasdave]

Sixers have shot 66.7% from the field in the first half, including 9 for 17 from beyond the arc. Yet the game is tied up at 78 apiece.

[M2]

Jokic and Embiid are going AT each other. This is tell-future-generations-about-it stuff.

[SteelSD]

That was a heavyweight fight. That first half wasn't even about defense. It was about the two offenses just playing out of their minds. You had to figure that both would slow down eventually. They did, and Denver's just slowed down more.

And Stan Van Gundy...good lord. The guy spent half of the third quarter running down Embiid while heaping effusive praise onto Tobias Harris, who he once coached. I will be happy when I never again have to hear a Van Gundy voice during a basketball game.

[SteelSD]

In other alleged news...


The Raptors and Pacers are actively engaged in trade talks centered around two-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam that would send him to Indiana for a package that includes Bruce Brown Jr., other salaries and three first-round draft picks, league sources tell The Athletic.

https://theathletic.com/5207428/2024/01/16/pascal-siakam-raptors-pacers-trade-talks/

[M2]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I think I'd rather have Bruce Brown. And three 1st round picks for a guy who's a pending FA?

[Betterread]

Paul George was awesome (15-24, 6-12 from 3 and 38 pts) in a big clips win over OKC, who lost to both LAs the last two games. Clips will not have Zubac for four weeks. That will hurt. Plumlee and Theis play hard but don’t rebound and set picks as well as Z.
For OKC, SGA and Chet had poor games but Jalen Williams continues to impress. He is better than Keegan Murray right now (same draft year) and I see him getting better yet. He has a nice handle, good jumper and is a two way player.

[Assembly Hall]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I think I'd rather have Bruce Brown. And three 1st round picks for a guy who's a pending FA?

I wanted OG

[BuckeyeRed27]

The Siakam trade is now official. I guess it makes the Pacers a little better right now, but that’s a lot. Don’t love it.

[Betterread]

The Siakam trade is now official. I guess it makes the Pacers a little better right now, but that’s a lot. Don’t love it.

So if they give Siakam the big contract he wants, it will be Siakam, Turner, Hield and Halilburton as the big $20 million salaries for this year and then Hield falls off for 24-25. All four guys are overpaid. Pacers needed another creator, and Siakam fits that definition, so I get it. He’s not bad as a defender either. Might do better with less offensive demands.

[UKFlounder]

Per Woj: Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic had died. Milojevic, 46, was hospitalized Tuesday in SLC in critical condition. After a decorated 15-year playing/coaching career, the Serbian native joined Warriors staff in 2021. He was a beloved figure in global and league circles.

— He had earlier reported their game tonight is postponed

[M2]

What the Pacers dished out for Siakam is what you pay for a guy who puts you over the top, and I'm not sure that move even puts them into the conversation with the top three in the East. And Siakam still could walk after this season (unless they've got some secret agreement on an extension).

[SteelSD]

Not really sure how Siakam fits in Indiana. He doesn't help with spacing and this season nonwithstanding, he hasn't been very efficient offensively. He doesn't really rebound, doesn't block shots, and cant's leverage his height against beefier power forwards and certainly not centers. He can run, and has a lot of length, so that's good.

That's a lot to give up for the guy, but Indiana engineers some strange brews, so maybe it'll work out.

[Revering4Blue]

What the Pacers dished out for Siakam is what you pay for a guy who puts you over the top, and I'm not sure that move even puts them into the conversation with the top three in the East. And Siakam still could walk after this season (unless they've got some secret agreement on an extension).

I couldn’t care less about losing three likely late first round picks - two of which were picks traded to the Pacers originally - the Pacers have enough young players that are out of the rotation for now as it is.

They obviously didn’t make this deal with only this season in mind. It’s not as if they drastically overpaid for someone who still doesn’t place them (as of now) over the top. See Mitchell, Donovan, Cleveland.


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[Revering4Blue]

Per Woj: Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic had died. Milojevic, 46, was hospitalized Tuesday in SLC in critical condition. After a decorated 15-year playing/coaching career, the Serbian native joined Warriors staff in 2021. He was a beloved figure in global and league circles.

— He had earlier reported their game tonight is postponed

Just tragic. Too damn young to depart this earth.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Revering4Blue]

I wanted OG

So did I. OG can spread the floor. But grabbing an All-NBA caliber player without surrendering Mathurin or Walker? I didn’t believe to be possible.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Revering4Blue]

Not really sure how Siakam fits in Indiana. He doesn't help with spacing and this season nonwithstanding, he hasn't been very efficient offensively. He doesn't really rebound, doesn't block shots, and cant's leverage his height against beefier power forwards and certainly not centers. He can run, and has a lot of length, so that's good.

That's a lot to give up for the guy, but Indiana engineers some strange brews, so maybe it'll work out.

1)Defensive versatility. The Pacers were/are short on that commodity. Jorace Walker may also be that guy in time.

2)Finally, another pick-and-roll option with Turner not named Haliburton.

3)Inverted pick-and-rolls with Haliburton.

4)Siakam will also be playing with more spacing options than in Toronto.


Having said that, one or both of Mathurin and/or Walker must reach their potential (or dealt for a known commodity) down the line for this core to reach its full potential. And let’s face it, Indiana isn’t exactly a haven for high-profile free agents.


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[M2]

I couldn’t care less about losing three likely late first round picks - two of which were picks traded to the Pacers originally - the Pacers have enough young players that are out of the rotation for now as it is.

They obviously didn’t make this deal with only this season in mind. It’s not as if they drastically overpaid for someone who still doesn’t place them (as of now) over the top. See Mitchell, Donovan, Cleveland.

They didn't make the deal with only a half season in mind, but there is a chance this turns into just a half season. That's why the draft pick compensation seems way out of whack to me. If the season ended right now, the Indiana pick would be #18. You can get a good player there. Last year it was Jaime Jaquez. I feel like they could get a better player for 3 1sts, and I am factoring team control into that. If Siakam reups with the Pacers, then I'd categorize it as justifiable but short of optimal. Though I'm fully open to the idea that maybe it's magic on the court.

And I've been bugged by Siakam bonking in the playoffs are various times in the past. It's one of the reasons why I'm not sure if I don't prefer Bruce Brown, who is a bit of a playoff monster.

Side note: Cleveland's been looking very good of late (11-3 over their last 14), even with key injuries. Mitchell might have vaulted them into being a consistent 50+ win team. Yet maybe the Cavs are a good lens through which to view this trade. If both them and the Pacers are at full strength, which team do you like better?

[Revering4Blue]

They didn't make the deal with only a half season in mind, but there is a chance this turns into just a half season. That's why the draft pick compensation seems way out of whack to me. If the season ended right now, the Indiana pick would be #18. You can get a good player there. Last year it was Jaime Jaquez. I feel like they could get a better player for 3 1sts, and I am factoring team control into that. If Siakam reups with the Pacers, then I'd categorize it as justifiable but short of optimal. Though I'm fully open to the idea that maybe it's magic on the court.

And I've been bugged by Siakam bonking in the playoffs are various times in the past. It's one of the reasons why I'm not sure if I don't prefer Bruce Brown, who is a bit of a playoff monster.

Side note: Cleveland's been looking very good of late (11-3 over their last 14), even with key injuries. Mitchell might have vaulted them into being a consistent 50+ win team. Yet maybe the Cavs are a good lens through which to view this trade. If both them and the Pacers are at full strength, which team do you like better?

Cleveland’s the better team now if/when both teams are at full strength. But that really isn’t/wasn’t my point. They are going to have to at least reach the conference finals with Mitchell to justify that trade. Otherwise, it’s a clear win for the Jazz. As I have said before, you don’t engineer that magnitude of a deal to just win one series (if that). You make that type of deal to place yourself over the top. That remains to be seen for Cleveland.

I, too, love me some Bruce Brown. But, again, if you are Indiana and you have a chance to add an All-NBA caliber player without surrendering Nesmith, Mathurin or Walker, you do it and ask questions later.

And while I subscribe to the theory of the late NBA director of Scouting, Marty Blake, that there is no such thing as a bad draft, as far as high end talent is concerned, this upcoming draft may well give the 2000 draft a run for its money for the distinction of the weakest draft ever. I would actually be more concerned about losing the 2026 pick if I am concerned at all, which I am not.


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[BuckeyeRed27]

I know Giannis didn’t play, but still a 40 point drubbing goes beyond that.

The Cavs have certainly had a soft spot in the schedule and even with 2 major injuries have really played well and gotten over the slow start. You never want to see injuries of course, but I do think it benefited the Cavs a little bit by being able to see what guys can do. They are shooting a ton of 3s, moving the ball very quickly, playing a lot of transition and have established a nice inside out game with Allen who is playing the best he has ever played with the Cavs. Guys like Sam Merrill have shown to be legit players who won’t leave the rotation and allowed them to spread the floor.

I still don’t trust JB and we will see how Garland and most importantly Mobley get integrated back in. Allen and Mobley can certainly play together still, but I, hoping JB has seen this and will stagger them more and play them 28 minutes instead of 35 minutes. And when he does play them together he can’t also play Okoro or Wade or even Strus, it has to be with 3 shooters and ball handlers and he’s got several options now.

Still question marks around if they can do it this on the road, if they can do it against good teams and integrating Mobley Garland in, but they’ve been really fun to watch and could be a legit dangerous team.

[KoryMac5]

I like the trade for the Pacers with one caveat can they sign him this offseason without maxing him...that 5th year is huge. Toronto did pretty well getting those picks after Siakam tanked his value stating he would test the FA market.

Overall I agree with Steel for a taller guy he doesn't play to his size however if any coach can unlock offensive potential it is Carlisle

[M2]

Cleveland’s the better team now if/when both teams are at full strength. But that really isn’t/wasn’t my point. They are going to have to at least reach the conference finals with Mitchell to justify that trade. Otherwise, it’s a clear win for the Jazz. As I have said before, you don’t engineer that magnitude of a deal to just win one series (if that). You make that type of deal to place yourself over the top. That remains to be seen for Cleveland.

Cleveland paid a higher price, but I would submit this is also probably Indiana's big move to trigger whatever this run is going to be. So I'm inclined to hold the deals to similar standards. Can't imagine Indiana is moving three 1sts again.

Side question, what's your general take on Walker? Haven't really seen him when I've seen the Pacers play.

[M2]

How did I completely miss the big Marvin Bagley for Danilo Gallinari trade?

[Assembly Hall]

We shall see how my Pacers fare without Tyrese in this upcoming road trip. 0-6 is what I envision.

I envision woefully.

[Betterread]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I think I'd rather have Bruce Brown. And three 1st round picks for a guy who's a pending FA?

Yeah, if Bruce Brown played for the current roster of the Celtics, it would make your talent level so high opposing teams would rest their all tired players every game against Boston.

[BuckeyeRed27]

How did I completely miss the big Marvin Bagley for Danilo Gallinari trade?

If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around…

[Betterread]

1)Defensive versatility. The Pacers were/are short on that commodity. Jorace Walker may also be that guy in time.

2)Finally, another pick-and-roll option with Turner not named Haliburton.

3)Inverted pick-and-rolls with Haliburton.

4)Siakam will also be playing with more spacing options than in Toronto.


Having said that, one or both of Mathurin and/or Walker must reach their potential (or dealt for a known commodity) down the line for this core to reach its full potential. And let’s face it, Indiana isn’t exactly a haven for high-profile free agents.


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I like the development of the Pacers roster with the addition of Siakam and recent improvement of Mathurin. Combine them with Halilburton and you have some firepower but the big roster focus needs to be on improving defense. The Pacers are 13-11 v teams above .500, which puts them third in the East. They are tougher to play than the sixers 9-10 or Knicks 8-17 who all the experts say are so tough and physical. The problem is that the pacers lose v under .500 teams (11-6), while the Knicks are 17-0 and the Sixers are 17-3. I think that is due to the emphasis that NY and Philly invest in team wide defense.
Jackson and Walker have that kind of potential, and I think they should get their minutes increased to 25+ a game at least. Then you need to teach or acquire some perimeter pressurizers.

[Revering4Blue]

Cleveland paid a higher price, but I would submit this is also probably Indiana's big move to trigger whatever this run is going to be. So I'm inclined to hold the deals to similar standards. Can't imagine Indiana is moving three 1sts again.

Side question, what's your general take on Walker? Haven't really seen him when I've seen the Pacers play.

Walker has played relatively well when called upon, which may be more often if Toppin continues to mentally check out.

Take tonight’s loss for example: Sans Nembhard and Jackson, the bench basically cost the Pacers the game. Walker, who played well against the Kings the other night didn’t see any action. He couldn’t have played any worse than Toppin and Mathurin tonight.


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[Mitri]

It will be interesting to see how the Pacers fare in the playoffs. My gut tells me it won’t go off as well as hyped once the possessions are limited and defensive matchups make all the difference.

I really hope the Knicks and Pacers face each other as 4/5 in the first round.

[SteelSD]

So the Sixers, on the front end of what seems like their 837th back-to-back, took out Orlando 124-109 last night. The Magic, playing without Franz Wagner, left the first with a 2-point lead. But Philly clamped down defensively over the next couple of quarters to pull away, allowing Embiid- who posted a 36 point evening- to sit out the fourth quarter for the 10th time this year. Maxey chipped in 32 points of his own before htting the bench early in the final frame, and the Sixers cruised from there. For Orlando, Wendell Carter Jr. led the team with 25 points/11 boards off the bench, and his 6 offensive rebounds were a bit of a problem. Only saw Mo Wagner for 6 minutes, which is a big playing time reduction. Not sure if that's a bug or a feature, but if it's the latter he might be a decent target for a team looking for a backup big.

Sixers' two-way players Ricky Council IV and Terquavion Smith both scored their first NBA points during garbage time. Smith, a 6'4" guard who's never met a shot he'd turn down and the owner of maybe my favorite first name in the whole NBA, drained both the threes he took- one from Maxey range. He might be someone to keep any eye on. He went undrafted, but has scored over 22 points per game while hitting just over 40% of his threes over high-volume (10.1 attempts per game) in the G-League so far this season. Kinda' throws off Immanuel Quickley vibes.

On to Charlotte tonight.

[SteelSD]

As for Charlotte, in a game both teams hope disappear from NBA.com video archives, Philly slogged their way to a 97-89 win. Embiid put up 33 points and 10 boards- his 20th consecutive 30-point game- and Tobias Harris pitched in 21 points. Everyone but Miles Bridges (25 points, 5-for-10 from deep) exchanged bricks from beyond the arc and both squads looked exhausted on the second half of a back-to-back, the second consecutive B2B for the Sixers.

[texasdave]

A Tale of Two Teams: Houston is 16-6 at home and 4-15 away from the Toyota Center.

[Assembly Hall]

It will be interesting to see how the Pacers fare in the playoffs. My gut tells me it won’t go off as well as hyped once the possessions are limited and defensive matchups make all the difference.

I really hope the Knicks and Pacers face each other as 4/5 in the first round.

The only ones that are hyping the Pacers in the playoffs are crazy fans like me!

[Mitri]

The only ones that are hyping the Pacers in the playoffs are crazy fans like me!

I am talking more national writers - how many “Siakam is the perfect fit!” articles have been written in the last week? I am happy the Pacers are relevant again, I followed them throughout the 90s and I think this group has some legs. I do wonder why they blew most of their trade capital on Siakam, but there is time to find another key piece or two, this is a cery young core even with Siakam.

[SteelSD]

Victor Wembanyma was as advertised tonight against Philly, posting a 33-point, 7 board, 2 blocks line for the Spurs.

Joel Embiid didn't care, and put up 70 points to go along with 18 boards and 5 assists in 37 minutes.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Towns has 58 end of the third. Two 70 point games tonight?!?

Ended up with 62. TWolves blew a lead and lost to Charlotte though.

[M2]

Victor Wembanyma was as advertised tonight against Philly, posting a 33-point, 7 board, 2 blocks line for the Spurs.

Joel Embiid didn't care, and put up 70 points to go along with 18 boards and 5 assists in 37 minutes.

Embiid goes to another level when he gets a marquee center matchup.

[SteelSD]

Towns has 58 end of the third. Two 70 point games tonight?!?

Ended up with 62. TWolves blew a lead and lost to Charlotte though.

Yup. And Towns, almost inexplicably, had to sit out a couple minutes late in the fourth. Must have been gassed? Charlotte outscored them 36 to 18 in the fourth, the only quarter they lost.

[SteelSD]

Embiid goes to another level when he gets a marquee center matchup.

I think that definitely showed in his rebounding (9 offensive boards). The crazy thing is that Embiid had 59 through 3 quarters, and none of it was point-hunting (that popped up in the late fourth). He just couldn't be stopped, so the Sixers just kept throwing him the ball. A couple of his seals under the basket were like a large dog sitting on a cat. Just nothing the Spurs could do about it.

[M2]

I think that definitely showed in his rebounding (9 offensive boards). The crazy thing is that Embiid had 59 through 3 quarters, and none of it was point-hunting (that popped up in the late fourth). He just couldn't be stopped, so the Sixers just kept throwing him the ball. A couple of his seals under the basket were like a large dog sitting on a cat. Just nothing the Spurs could do about it.

This feels like Embiid's "kill Arthur Dent" season. Also seems to be an assumption out there that Bruce Brown is going to be rerouted to Philly.

[Roy Tucker]

An interesting read that Wilt dominates.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Basketball_Association_single-game_scoring_leaders

[BuckeyeRed27]

Rozier to the Heat for Lowry and a 1

Man that’s a good trade for Miami

[M2]

Rozier to the Heat for Lowry and a 1

Man that’s a good trade for Miami

He fits Heat Culture. Had to be disorienting for him to be in Charlotte where zero other guys cared.

[SteelSD]

Rozier to the Heat for Lowry and a 1

Man that’s a good trade for Miami

Gotta' think that Miles Bridges is next and given both his issues and short term contract status, might be cheap for a team that can stomach the potential PR hit.

Still watching Dejounte Murray. Royce O'Neale will probably go soon, and Kelton Johnson is a little interesting too. Portland also needs to move some bodies (Brogdon, Grant). It'll be an interesting couple of weeks I think.

Random thought...could the Knicks package Randle and filler to take a swing at DeAndre Ayton?

[Rojo Rijo]

Really torn on what I want Orlando to do at the deadline. Part of me wants them to go get a 3rd piece to add to Franz and Paolo but then part of me thinks we're really a year out from needing to make that move.

After going 14-5 through December 1st the schedule has gotten stronger and they've gone 9-16. It's games like last night where they got completely blown out by Cleveland at home, that make me think they're not ready. I think they'll certainly be at least a play in team and could climb as high as the 5 seed if things go well.

Remaining schedule - 20 home games, 18 road games
One against - PHX, @DAL, @MIN, MIA, OKC, @CLE, @ATL, UTH, @WAS, IND, SAC, GSW, LAC, POR, @HOU, @PHI
Two against - MEM (A/H), SAS (A/H), CHI (H/H), NYK (H/A), BKN (H/H), TOR (A/H), NOP (H/A), MIL (A/H)
Three against - DET (A/A/H), CLT (A/H/A)

Having 30% of the remaining games against Charlotte, Detroit, San Antonio, Memphis, Portland, and Washington and half of those against Charlotte and Detroit is what makes me very optimistic about their chances of at least making a play in game and even climbing as high up as the 5th seed.

There is also the issue of the market. Who is even available that would make sense for Orlando, in terms of big time players? Murray and Lavine are probably the two biggest names, and Lavine just got hurt...again. Derozan could be one as well but he's a FA this summer and i'm not sure Orlando should waste assets on him if we're not yet in our window. Other than that I dont know, maybe Simons or Brogdon from Portland?

One of the BR writers suggested Lavine for Fultz, Okeke, Jett Howard, and a future 1st. I hate that deal because Jett is currently averaging 22 ppg on 53/42/87 in the GL. I could see him being a target in most deals but I would hope Orlando would hold onto him if at all possible.

Deadline in 16 days.....

[Mitri]

Gotta' think that Miles Bridges is next and given both his issues and short term contract status, might be cheap for a team that can stomach the potential PR hit.

Still watching Dejounte Murray. Royce O'Neale will probably go soon, and Kelton Johnson is a little interesting too. Portland also needs to move some bodies (Brogdon, Grant). It'll be an interesting couple of weeks I think.

Random thought...could the Knicks package Randle and filler to take a swing at DeAndre Ayton?

As a Knicks fan, I'm a hard pass on Ayton. My guess is they go for Brogdon, possibly another backup C, and wait until the offseason to make their big move - expecting a star like Embiid or D. Mitchell to request a trade.

[M2]

After going 14-5 through December 1st the schedule has gotten stronger and they've gone 9-16. It's games like last night where they got completely blown out by Cleveland at home, that make me think they're not ready. I think they'll certainly be at least a play in team and could climb as high as the 5 seed if things go well.

Remaining schedule - 20 home games, 18 road games
One against - PHX, @DAL, @MIN, MIA, OKC, @CLE, @ATL, UTH, @WAS, IND, SAC, GSW, LAC, POR, @HOU, @PHI
Two against - MEM (A/H), SAS (A/H), CHI (H/H), NYK (H/A), BKN (H/H), TOR (A/H), NOP (H/A), MIL (A/H)
Three against - DET (A/A/H), CLT (A/H/A)

Having 30% of the remaining games against Charlotte, Detroit, San Antonio, Memphis, Portland, and Washington and half of those against Charlotte and Detroit is what makes me very optimistic about their chances of at least making a play in game and even climbing as high up as the 5th seed.

The Magic have the easiest remaining strength of schedule in the NBA, a .444 winning pct for their opponents - https://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength. It's a fairly decent gap to the next easiest, the Celtics at .465. So Orlando definitely could catch fire. New York, Miami and Indiana (the three team immediately above them) have all made significant recent moves, so they won't be easy to catch. Yet, as you noted, Orlando is an interesting LaVine team. They need shooting and Fultz just tanks their numbers when he's on the floor. So, moving him and getting LaVine would be a net win.

[SteelSD]

As a Knicks fan, I'm a hard pass on Ayton. My guess is they go for Brogdon, possibly another backup C, and wait until the offseason to make their big move - expecting a star like Embiid or D. Mitchell to request a trade.

You keep waiting on Embiid, but he ain't coming. If Philly adds nothing more, they'll go into the off-season with 55 million to spend on acquisitions. Well, that and the Knicks don't have the trade capital to pull off a deal like that.

[M2]

As a Knicks fan, I'm a hard pass on Ayton. My guess is they go for Brogdon, possibly another backup C, and wait until the offseason to make their big move - expecting a star like Embiid or D. Mitchell to request a trade.

I wouldn't touch Ayton with a 50-foot pole. He'd be the starting center on my "guys I absolutely would not want on my team" team. MVP of that group would be Jordan Poole.

Also, Randle's really good, and he's been on fire with the addition of Anunoby. It's freed Randle up. He's 25.6/8.3/5.1 since the Anunoby deal. He's hitting 34.2% from 3 and +11.5 when he's on the court. For reasons I can't fully explain, that trade opened spaces in which Randle can operate. I don't trade that guy unless there's somebody like Luka Doncic on the table.

I was thinking about potential Knicks deals, and I wonder if DeRo would be a good fit. Seems like him, Randle and Brunson could unlock some impressive ball movement.

[SteelSD]

I wouldn't touch Ayton with a 50-foot pole. He'd be the starting center on my "guys I absolutely would not want on my team" team. MVP of that group would be Jordan Poole.

Also, Randle's really good, and he's been on fire with the addition of Anunoby. It's freed Randle up. He's 25.6/8.3/5.1 since the Anunoby deal. He's hitting 34.2% from 3 and +11.5 when he's on the court. For reasons I can't fully explain, that trade opened spaces in which Randle can operate. I don't trade that guy unless there's somebody like Luka Doncic on the table.

I was thinking about potential Knicks deals, and I wonder if DeRo would be a good fit. Seems like him, Randle and Brunson could unlock some impressive ball movement.

Randle's actually been less efficient since Anunoby was acquired. 47.8% from the field. His three point rate is at 35% post-trade, but I'd attribute that to the concept that he wasn't likely to hover at sub-30% all season. He's historically a relentless low-efficiency high volume scorer who's flashed a very low floor (2021-22).

I don't necessarily disagree on Ayton, who never lived up to his hype nor bloated contract. But I don't see Randle with that much market value at 28m per for two more years.

[WVRed]

Adrian Griffin fired by the Bucks.

Didn't see that coming.

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[M2]

Randle's actually been less efficient since Anunoby was acquired. 47.8% from the field. His three point rate is at 35% post-trade, but I'd attribute that to the concept that he wasn't likely to hover at sub-30% all season. He's historically a relentless low-efficiency high volume scorer who's flashed a very low floor (2021-22).

I don't necessarily disagree on Ayton, who never lived up to his hype nor bloated contract. But I don't see Randle with that much market value at 28m per for two more years.

I think the 3P% has got him an improved eFG. He had a .281 3P% and an overall .470 FG% prior to the trade. So it's fairly solid leap post-trade. His avg game score is up and his +/- is way up. I think you're right to apply the Due Theory at least partially to his shooting numbers. They were improving leading up to the trade after a rough start to the season. Though I think Anunoby also is creating spaces for Randle to operate (and probably making his life easier on defense).

But I like Randle's overall game. It's not easy to get a PF who fills up a box score like him. Almost anybody you'd replace him with is going to give you less of two, possibly three of points, rebounds and assists. He's far from a perfect vessel, but he's a good guy to have on a good team, especially now that Brunson's their ace. He's kind of like Panthro on the ThunderCats. He's not THE guy, but I'd be in hurry to trade Panthro. He's got nunchucks. He's cool.

- - - Updated - - -


Adrian Griffin fired by the Bucks.

Didn't see that coming.

Giannis has been agitated this season. He's playing great, but it's an angry sort of great.

Who steps in? Doc?

[Mitri]

I love Randle as a dude and have grown to love his unique skillset. And my guess is he’d interest a whole lot of teams if he were made available.

I am warming up to the idea of DeRo but I don’t want the Knicks negotiating that next contract. But I think he’d be a good fit even as a guy who cooks with the 2nd unit for 10 mins or so and then closes games as a clutch threat.

[Mitri]

Oh and $28MM is a steal for a player like Randle. A lot of bad players out there making more, on longer terms.

[SteelSD]

I think the 3P% has got him an improved eFG. He had a .281 3P% and an overall .470 FG% prior to the trade. So it's fairly solid leap post-trade. His avg game score is up and his +/- is way up. I think you're right to apply the Due Theory at least partially to his shooting numbers. They were improving leading up to the trade after a rough start to the season. Though I think Anunoby also is creating spaces for Randle to operate (and probably making his life easier on defense).

But I like Randle's overall game. It's not easy to get a PF who fills up a box score like him. Almost anybody you'd replace him with is going to give you less of two, possibly three of points, rebounds and assists. He's far from a perfect vessel, but he's a good guy to have on a good team, especially now that Brunson's their ace. He's kind of like Panthro on the ThunderCats. He's not THE guy, but I'd be in hurry to trade Panthro. He's got nunchucks. He's cool.

As a Knick, Randle's Shooting Efficiency has been under 50% twice (46%, 49%) at 52% twice, and at 54% one year (2023). His three point rate has been above 34% once since joining the Knicks, during a magical 41% 2020-21 season. That's a bad run. Does he score points? Yep. But that's volume driven and I would not want to combine with a 28 to 30% usage rate because it steals shots from more efficient shooters, so if you don't limit his shots you risk him shooting you out of games. I get the rest. Not at 28 million dollars, but I get it.

[SteelSD]

Ok, onto the Bucks firing their head coach while the team is currently 30-13. What, because "defense". They dealt Jrue Holliday for Damian Lillard and paired him with Malik Beasley in the backcourt.

What did they think was going to happen?

30 Wins and 13 Losses. Second best record in the NBA. Now they'll go get Doc Rivers. Because that'll fix everything.

Yeesh.

[M2]

As a Knick, Randle's Shooting Efficiency has been under 50% twice (46%, 49%) at 52% twice, and at 54% one year (2023). His three point rate has been above 34% once since joining the Knicks, during a magical 41% 2020-21 season. That's a bad run. Does he score points? Yep. But that's volume driven and I would not want to combine with a 28 to 30% usage rate because it steals shots from more efficient shooters, so if you don't limit his shots you risk him shooting you out of games. I get the rest. Not at 28 million dollars, but I get it.

Oh, he's inefficient, but he can create a shot for himself and for others. I like that he's a bit weird. Not a lot three-level scorers/passers out there.

[M2]

Rando trade thought: Mikal Bridges for Darius Garland

Cleveland needs the length and shooting. Brooklyn needs someone to run their show.

[SteelSD]

Rando trade thought: Mikal Bridges for Darius Garland

Cleveland needs the length and shooting. Brooklyn needs someone to run their show.

I don't think there's any way the Nets will do that. Allegedly, Bridges is untouchable. That being said, the Nets front office can't possibly watch games like the one tonight and think that team, as constructed, is going anywhere.

[dubc47834]

TNT just reported that CNN was reporting that Doc Rivers to the Bucks is a done deal.

- - - Updated - - -


Ok, onto the Bucks firing their head coach while the team is currently 30-13. What, because "defense". They dealt Jrue Holliday for Damian Lillard and paired him with Malik Beasley in the backcourt.

What did they think was going to happen?

30 Wins and 13 Losses. Second best record in the NBA. Now they'll go get Doc Rivers. Because that'll fix everything.

Yeesh.

This was Giannis wanting the coach gone. That's it!