NBA 2024-2025: Celtic Pride

[Kingspoint]

Michael Malone has high praise for another aspect of Westbrook’s game, according to Bennett Durando of the Denver Post. “I think defensively he’s been a rockstar,” Malone said. “And what I love about Russell Westbrook: 17-year vet, leopards don’t change their spots, but he is trying so hard to be disciplined. He’s trying to do the things we’re asking him to do, and I appreciate that so much. Because a lot of times at 17 years in, you are who you are. But he cares, man. He is so invested in this team and what he’s bringing to this team, and he’s so hard on himself. I can coach a guy like Russell Westbrook any day.”

- - - Updated - - -

“The truth is, with Paul not coming back, we were able to upgrade our team,” Ballmer said. “We don’t (sign) Derrick Jones Jr. if Paul comes back. We don’t (sign) Kris Dunn, (or have) our new defensive identity. Might not have (signed) Kevin Porter Jr., Nico (Batum). … You could say, well, they’re not Paul George. No, they’re not Paul George. … (But) we were able to get three guys who are tough, hard-playing guys. And we still have the ability to consistently make ourselves better. So it was the right choice for us.”

[Kingspoint]

Shaedon Sharpe making his season debut tonight.

His Sophomore campaign was reduced to 32 games last season from a partial tear in his labrum.

The 21-year old needs to have a big growth year across the board defensively, offensively and efficiently.

Wisely, Chauncey has him coming off the bench, where he'll be placed in a greater chance to succeed.

[redsfan9988]

Smith question: is he really more of a stretch 5? Seems like whatever he might bring onto the court doesn't really work when there's another quality big out there.

Sorry, just getting around to this thread after being… “busy”

Smith is a bench big. He doesn’t do anything in the post in the half court offense, so playing with another big is fine. His role is to catch-and-shoot corner 3s and crash the offensive boards. He’s not a back-to-the-basket scorer and his handles (while decent for a big) aren’t good enough to get him to the rim when he’s face up. He’s not an especially adept pick-setter either, and he’s better in pick-and-pop than PNR for sure.

He’s an okay defender. He can offer a bit of rim protection and he he has the length to make life difficult for shooters - especially in the mid-range.

To bring it all home… he’s a backup big. No reason he can’t play 25 minutes and give you 11 and 7 with some shooting and okay defense. His best path is a 3-and-D bench guy.

Contrast that to Tari, who’s going to be an absolute monster on defense. His ability to leave his man to double in the post and then recover to disrupt the shooter is some of the best **** I’ve ever seen. He’s also a better ball-handler than Smith and will eventually be a better shooter. He’s just a much better basketball player. Health has been an issue, but at full strength, he’s a borderline 2nd-team All-Defense guy right now. He’s got some Iggy in him.

[Kingspoint]

Gary Trent was a -14 +/- in his 8 minutes on the floor tonight. The team was +37 over the 40 minutes when Trent sat the bench.

Bobby Portis was a +2 +/- in his 27 minutes on the floor tonight. The team was a +21 over the 21 minutes when Portis sat the bench.

Get rid of these guys.

Dame was +27, Giannis +27, Prince +23, Lopez +19 and the new Starter Jackson, Jr. +19 in 28 minutes (team was +4 in the 20 minutes he was on the bench).

The new backcourt of Damian Lillard and Andre Jackson, Jr. had ZERO TURNOVERS, 8 STEALS, 11 ASSISTS, while shooting 15-26 and 5-12 from "3", 6-7 from the Free Throw Line with the opposing Guards Sexton and George missing 15 of 23 shots, only 3-4 from the Free Throw line, 5 Turnovers, and getting outrebounded by Dame and Andre.

Yes, it's UTA, but it's the beginning of change for MIL.

[redsfan9988]

Gary Trent was a -14 +/- in his 8 minutes on the floor tonight. The team was +37 over the 40 minutes when Trent sat the bench.

Bobby Portis was a +2 +/- in his 27 minutes on the floor tonight. The team was a +21 over the 21 minutes when Portis sat the bench.

Get rid of these guys.

Dame was +27, Giannis +27, Prince +23, Lopez +19 and the new Starter Jackson, Jr. +19 in 28 minutes (team was +4 in the 20 minutes he was on the bench).

The new backcourt of Damian Lillard and Andre Jackson, Jr. had ZERO TURNOVERS, 8 STEALS, 11 ASSISTS, while shooting 15-26 and 5-12 from "3", 6-7 from the Free Throw Line with the opposing Guards Sexton and George missing 15 of 23 shots, only 3-4 from the Free Throw line, 5 Turnovers, and getting outrebounded by Dame and Andre.

Yes, it's UTA, but it's the beginning of change for MIL.

Dude they lost twice to undefeated Cleveland by 3 TOTAL points.

They’re fine. They had a couple of bad losses early and they’re struggling a bit to find their footing.

It’s the East.

I’ll bet any amount of money right now that the Bucks win 45+ games.


It’s happening.

[KoryMac5]

Dallas and Golden State should be a fun watch Tuesday with Klay back in the house for the first time as a visitor.

[Kingspoint]

Coach Will Hardy relied heavily on his veterans in Thursday’s loss at Milwaukee, per Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. Kyle Filipowski, Isaiah Collier and Brice Sensabaugh all found themselves out of the rotation as Utah slipped to 1-7. “I have the long view in mind for all of these guys. The reality is that we can‘t play every young guy every night. That’s not how this is going to work. This is the NBA, and there is a level of earning minutes that has to happen,” Hardy said. “I think this notion of like, just getting minutes helps you get better is not true. Just playing for playing’s sake doesn’t just make them better. That’s why we have practices. That’s why we have the G League. There’s so many ways that we’re going to use all of our resources to help all these guys get better.”

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/11/...ds-conley.html

While I love the talent and assets currently in POR by quite a margin over what is in UTA, I'd swap everything Portland with everything Utah in a heartbeat. The Owners are the polar opposites of each other in terms of quality. The front offices and administrations are polar opposites in terms of quality, too. The Coaching staffs are polar opposites in terms of quality, also. Long-term, Utah is shaped as good as it gets on the Ownership/Administration/Coaching Staff front. I would place them 1st over Miami. Portland is worst in the league, in my opinion. It is what it is. I'm used to rooting for crappy Ownership/Administration/Coaching Staff being a fan of the REDS and Bengals and Blazers for a long-time under the Allen group (before Allen, Portland was easily the best in the NBA from their inception their first season). Bengals have been on the rise since Marvin Lewis was ejected and Mike Brown gave up a lot of responsibilities. The REDS have operated, basically the same way, for the last two Ownership eras, and the one before that had it's own major issues.

As a result of how I feel about the leadership in UTA, I enjoy following them. There's a long history of epic battles between the two organizations in the playoffs that offers it's own version of respect for those who were present at the games back then.

[Kingspoint]

Dude they lost twice to undefeated Cleveland by 3 TOTAL points.

They’re fine. They had a couple of bad losses early and they’re struggling a bit to find their footing.

It’s the East.

I’ll bet any amount of money right now that the Bucks win 45+ games.


It’s happening.

I gave MIL every bit of credit (and presented some detail in doing so, unlike your, "Dude, they lost to CLE by 3 points twice. They'll be fine". Why will they be fine? Nothing that's happened on the court shows that "they'll be fine". 45 games is a pretty mediocre ballclub and represents a team that's likely one-and-done in the playoffs, especially if you're giving MIL excuses as to why they lost badly to TOR and BKN as "it's the East". How are they going to advance in the 1st Round (or even get into it) against the "great East", which isn't that great. Only 2 teams have a winning record, yet the Bucks only have two wins, one against the worst team in the NBA! Yeah...the East is great. 11 of the 15 teams have losing records. 11 of the 15 teams have given up more points than they've scored. The East is pretty weak. Results speak for themselves.

Now I outlined the reason why MIL has sucked all season. Bobby Portis AND Gary Trent and no rim protection and no Defense by either Guard. I suggested dumping Trent off the team or at worst dumping him to 8 minutes off of the bench, and that's only if he's hitting shots. The next game, Trent was dumped to the bench and played 8 minutes. I suggested that they use their only available assets that any team could possibly want and that the Bucks are able to trade, and that's to get rid of Bobby Portis AND Brook Lopez, but that Portis is the one who really has to be gone. Portis did his best to try to lose to UTA and not make those two CLE games close. Not that he did it on purpose, but just that he's a complete doofus when it comes to playing winning basketball. Some idiot G.M. will look at his scoring numbers and confuse that with positive Offensive production, so they could move him for someone who can actually play Defense around the rim. Do that, and then you can start thinking about MIL winning more than 45 games and playing for that 6th Seed.

There's zero indication of when and if Middleton will actually be a productive member of the Bucks this season. Even if he does come back, how long will it be before he's injured again? Back-to-backs? Forget it. Lopez is probably worth keeping, but if he could be moved for a Wing that could hit a "3" and play average Defense (better and taller than Connaughton), then that's something that should be done, too.

Even with the move of Trent to the bench, he is still on the team and will be a poison in the lockerroom. He just has always had a bad attitude when it comes to doing the things that needs to be done for a winning team. Before the Trent move, MIL was a 30-win team, a very bad team. With the Trent and Jackson move, this makes them a 40-win team. Portis will have to be moved before MIL can think of getting 45 wins this season. Do that though, and they could hit 48 wins and get that 6th, maybe 5th Seed.

When you have an idiot Head Coach like Doc Rivers, the G.M. is going to have to do the work for him and get rid of Trent so that Doc doesn't end up using him again. Here's insight into the dull mind of Doc Rivers: “I think eventually Gary will work his way back,” Rivers said. “Just trying to give him room to breathe and get out of his little thing. Because I know he will.”

[redsfan9988]

I gave MIL every bit of credit (and presented some detail in doing so, unlike your, "Dude, they lost to CLE by 3 points twice. They'll be fine". Why will they be fine? Nothing that's happened on the court shows that "they'll be fine". 45 games is a pretty mediocre ballclub and represents a team that's likely one-and-done in the playoffs, especially if you're giving MIL excuses as to why they lost badly to TOR and BKN as "it's the East". How are they going to advance in the 1st Round (or even get into it) against the "great East", which isn't that great. Only 2 teams have a winning record, yet the Bucks only have two wins, one against the worst team in the NBA! Yeah...the East is great. 11 of the 15 teams have losing records. 11 of the 15 teams have given up more points than they've scored. The East is pretty weak. Results speak for themselves.

Now I outlined the reason why MIL has sucked all season. Bobby Portis AND Gary Trent and no rim protection and no Defense by either Guard. I suggested dumping Trent off the team or at worst dumping him to 8 minutes off of the bench, and that's only if he's hitting shots. The next game, Trent was dumped to the bench and played 8 minutes. I suggested that they use their only available assets that any team could possibly want and that the Bucks are able to trade, and that's to get rid of Bobby Portis AND Brook Lopez, but that Portis is the one who really has to be gone. Portis did his best to try to lose to UTA and not make those two CLE games close. Not that he did it on purpose, but just that he's a complete doofus when it comes to playing winning basketball. Some idiot G.M. will look at his scoring numbers and confuse that with positive Offensive production, so they could move him for someone who can actually play Defense around the rim. Do that, and then you can start thinking about MIL winning more than 45 games and playing for that 6th Seed.

There's zero indication of when and if Middleton will actually be a productive member of the Bucks this season. Even if he does come back, how long will it be before he's injured again? Back-to-backs? Forget it. Lopez is probably worth keeping, but if he could be moved for a Wing that could hit a "3" and play average Defense (better and taller than Connaughton), then that's something that should be done, too.

Even with the move of Trent to the bench, he is still on the team and will be a poison in the lockerroom. He just has always had a bad attitude when it comes to doing the things that needs to be done for a winning team. Before the Trent move, MIL was a 30-win team, a very bad team. With the Trent and Jackson move, this makes them a 40-win team. Portis will have to be moved before MIL can think of getting 45 wins this season. Do that though, and they could hit 48 wins and get that 6th, maybe 5th Seed.

When you have an idiot Head Coach like Doc Rivers, the G.M. is going to have to do the work for him and get rid of Trent so that Doc doesn't end up using him again. Here's insight into the dull mind of Doc Rivers: “I think eventually Gary will work his way back,” Rivers said. “Just trying to give him room to breathe and get out of his little thing. Because I know he will.”

I agree with you.

It’s just the way I talk, man.

I’m just saying, the mere presence of Giannis and Dame will secure a top-6 seed for them.

One and done in the playoffs? Maybe. I could see it. Entirely possible.

They might trade Giannis to the Thunder and then we’re in a different spot for sure. I will fully acknowledge that this team has zero more title runs in it. I’ll stipulate to that. I’m just saying, there definitely aren’t six better teams in the East.

[M2]

I agree with you.

It’s just the way I talk, man.

I’m just saying, the mere presence of Giannis and Dame will secure a top-6 seed for them.

One and done in the playoffs? Maybe. I could see it. Entirely possible.

They might trade Giannis to the Thunder and then we’re in a different spot for sure. I will fully acknowledge that this team has zero more title runs in it. I’ll stipulate to that. I’m just saying, there definitely aren’t six better teams in the East.

I think they've got structural issues which aren't going to go away. The Cleveland games were close, but the Knicks wiped them out tonight (KAT's starting to look like a great fit). The Bucks were 18th in Net Rating heading into tonight and that's probably going to drop a bit. I don't think their top two fit together and I don't think the pieces around them make any sense. Top 6 in the East is only on the table for them because the East is a mess right (only two teams with winning records and only one other at .500) now and it's anyone's guess which teams will sort themselves out.

The one thing I don't think they should do is trade Giannis. Cut bait on Dame either at the deadline or next summer. Though first they need to make a trade to get below the 2nd apron to make that kind of deal. Until then they're handcuffed. Yet figure out how to shop for length and shooting around him and sell him on the idea that you are never going to stop trying to find ways to make sure he's on a contender.

[Redsfaithful]

Uh hell yeah Cavs, keep that rolling. Getting far enough along that I'm beginning to believe they've taken the next step.

ESPN:

... as the Cavaliers routed the Golden State Warriors 136-117 on Friday night, becoming the first team in NBA history to win its first 10 games and score at least 110 points in each of them. The Cavs also are the first team to start 10-0 since the 2015-16 Warriors.

Atkinson's high-powered offense has been a great fit for Cleveland, which leads the league in points per game at 124.5 and with a .526 field goal percentage.

Under now-Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff last season, the Cavaliers averaged 112.6 points and shot .479 from the field -- with the same top nine players on their roster.

[Kingspoint]

I agree with you.

It’s just the way I talk, man.

I’m just saying, the mere presence of Giannis and Dame will secure a top-6 seed for them.

One and done in the playoffs? Maybe. I could see it. Entirely possible.

They might trade Giannis to the Thunder and then we’re in a different spot for sure. I will fully acknowledge that this team has zero more title runs in it. I’ll stipulate to that. I’m just saying, there definitely aren’t six better teams in the East.

I have hopes that if they can improve the rim protection (did you see what Towns and the Knicks did in that area tonight?), then that will fix a serious flaw with the team. Giannis and Dame could win a Championship, but there has to be a couple of things addressed first. Since Portis is their biggest trade chip (being over the 2nd Apron makes it basically impossible for them to trade Giannis or Dame, so they are stuck trying to find a way for that to work) that offers them the best chance to get the pieces they need (rim protection and a Defensive Wing that can Guard Point...that's a lot to ask of Jackson, but maybe he's up to the task...I don't know much about their other reserves that haven't seen much playing time this year, but it appears that one or two of them might offer up more Defensive Resistance than Portis, Connaughton, Prince and Delon Wright. I believe that player could be found in the G-League. There's some quality Defensive players in that league.

Because MIL doesn't have any 1st Round picks available to trade, the only team's interested in Portis are playoff teams, which is still 2/3rd's of the teams. I would focus on acquiring a rim-protector for Portis over focusing on the Point Defender. Jackson may turn out to be that guy at Point. Trent didn't play tonight. That was good to see. Same with Delon Wright. Portis only played 17 minutes (-14 +/-).

When they get the Rim Protector, I'd bring Lopez off the bench and offer scoring with the 2nd Unit. 24 minutes for the new Starting Center (for each half, and Doc can go with the flow to see who closes out games) and 24 minutes for Lopez.

3rd Year Guard, A.J. Green from Northern Iowa is shooting 59% from "3" on 4 attempts per game in short minutes. I would have him coming in the first half for 3 minutes to close the 1st Quarter and 3 minutes to open the 2nd. A player's 3rd year is the year of biggest growth. Get this guy some playing time in the 1st half of meaningful games and see what he can do. Give him until Middleton gets back to the lineup. Dame will get him open shots. (He shot over 41% each of his 1st two seasons...the guy's a shooter, and he's going to hustle Defensively because he's hungry as a 3rd year player.) I see they are trying A J Green as he played 25 minutes tonight (and made 3 of 6 from "3", his +/- was -4 on the floor and MIL was -18 in the 23 minutes he was off the floor, so Doc and his staff is figuring this out, but at only 6'-4", he's not going to be able to protect the rim, which was the major problem tonight).

One player who can put pressure on the ball, in the passing lanes and help on Defense is another 3rd Year player, Wing Marjon Beauchamp (+6 tonight in 8 minutes). At 6'-7", he offers the length at the Wing the team needs until they can find something through the trading of Portis and/or Lopez. He can't cover someone strong like Prince can, but he's going to be lights out quicker and offer a better chance at help Defense, but he needs to get on the floor and get the experience. I'd be playing him in the 1st Half, bringing him in for Portis, if I could, but since Portis needs to keep playing some before he's traded, I'd bring him in for Prince at the same time Portis comes in. He has 1200 minutes of NBA experience, but I have a feeling half of that was in blowout situations. He needs to be getting some playing time with the Starters. It wouldn't hurt anything to have him Start as no scoring is needed from him except Offensive Rebound put-backs, but he'd be better off for the team getting back in transition and/or disrupting whoever gets the ball in transition. That's who I would have him attack relentlessly while he's in the game. With him, Jackson, Lopez, Giannis and Dame, there's a lot better Defense than with Prince

[M2]

Uh hell yeah Cavs, keep that rolling. Getting far enough along that I'm beginning to believe they've taken the next step.

Kenny Atkinson deserves a lot of credit. He's figured out their spacing and ball circulation. It's no longer just passing to Spida or Garland and telling them to do something.

[M2]

Denver's won four straight (last two against OKC and Miami). Russell Westbrook's also settling in - 18.7/5.3/7.3 over his last three games. He's not going to keep up a .700 eFG% (yes, you read that right, .700 eFG% over his last 3 games), but Denver needs depth. Russ being feisty (he's playing his tail off on defense) will help. Also helps that Jamal Murray and Michael Porter have woken up. In fact, that surely helps more.

Side note, Denver let Jay Huff (stretch 5 putting up 10.2 ppg in 15.3 min/g for Memphis with a .754 eFG%) walk during the summer. That's looking like a mistake. Makes you wonder how many more guys like him are lurking out there. Probably more than a few. The NBA ought to expand just because the player pool is so deep.

[M2]

All right, injuries have wiped out the Pelicans. They have Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones and Jordan Hawkins are all on the shelf. By the time this crew gets healthy it's going to be functionally eliminated. Their season is over. However, they could make waves in the trade market. There's a lot of teams that could use Brandon Ingram. FWIW, I think he'd be a good fit next to Giannis. Memphis or Houston could be interested.

And it's time to shop Zion. There's teams that will talk themselves into him. Murray, Jones, Murphy and Hawkins give them a perimeter crew to build on. What they need is skilled bigs, and some plain old rim-protecting/running bigs as well. Have a bad season, get a good draft pick in what looks like a great draft, add players that make for a more rational roster.