2022-23 NBA Thread: “you’ll never let me down like the Heat did”, Miami fan says to giant pile of cocaine (3 Viewers)

[Desert_Power]

They cared enough to rig it for the New Orleans Hornets over Charlotte when Charlotte had one of the worst teams ever...

 

[Deamon]

the better, deeper, and healthier team won.

True.

Also true that the Sixers were horrible in Q4 in game 6 and Q3 in game 7. They had chances to close it out, even one at home, and they failed to do so. That is undeniable.

I agree—and I admit that it’s frustrating. However, I do think the “sky is falling” attitude about the Sixers is a bit odd. Embiids health is a huge part of the success of that franchise. If Embiid was fully healthy and was moving around and being his dominant self and choked away two close out opportunities—then I would say that some anger and questioning is warranted. However, we’re talking about the inferior team that was playing with their franchise player injured. The fact that the Sixers battled hard enough to almost win under those circumstances is objectively more positive than negative imo. Is anybody trashing Giannis for not being able to lead his team to beat an 8 seed while injured? I get that losing sucks—but we can’t be associating legitimate injury with meaning a “lack of heart”, a “lack of effort” or that he doesn’t “want to win”..etc.

Great posting. The guy was playing on one leg and took a team they were "supposed" to lose every game to, to 7 games. Agree game 7 was trash, but everyone and their dog picked Boston to win game 7, and when the expected happened, it was raining down with "Sixers choked that game" , "embiid quit on his team" , "embiid cared only about the MVP" etc.

I fully understand championships are the goal. I'm gutted we didn't make the ecf. But some of this analysis is awful. Boston loses game 7 and they're called huge choke. Giants gets knocked out round 1 and there's very little talK of choking because he won a title in a past year. Giannis himself talked about how it shouldn't be seen as a huge failure/choke job if you don't win a title.

Negativity Bias is a real thing. Sixers took the NBA title favourites to 7 games in a series that the majority of analysts had ending much much earlier than that, and a series they were underdogs every single game. They performed higher than expected these playoffs. I know it sucks but some of these takes are horrible.

 

[thecatch]

I’m also surprised at reading all the Embiid hate above. I thought he had a pretty solid series. Harden is the guy to #### on, he quit on the team on multiple games (his otherworldly Game 1 being the outlier)

The dude disappeared when it counted. For an MVP, that's ungood.

I disagree there. He got beat up pretty good by a better BOS team. Centers are easier to double and get physical with. We are about to see how Jokic handles it when LA beats the crap outta him. But when it happens the #1B has to step up. And Harden rolled out 17, 13, and 9 in the last 3 games. So a $45M player posted a 13 ppg average in 3 meaningful games? Harden is a ghost when it matters. This isn't new. In BRK last year he put up 14 and 11 in the last 2 playoff games vs MIA. Year before that vs MIL he put up 5, 16, and 22 in the last 3 playoff games. From a guy that averages about 24 ppg in the regular season. There's a reason Harden's teams have never won a title despite having players like KD, Westbrook, Irving, and Embiid by his side.

Embiid's numbers take a hit in the postseason - he's empirically and meaningfully worse. I wouldn't necessarily say he's choking, but he doesn't handle the double teams and increased defensive pressure you are talking about well. Jokic, on the other hand, basically plays at the same statistical level in the playoffs, so it's not as simple as saying centers always take a hit in the postseason. An Embiid-led team just won't get further than the Sixers have over the last couple years until he plays better.

 

[caustic]

Doc is officially out. Per Woj, the 76ers will be looking into Bud, Sam Cassell, D'Antoni, Nurse, Vogel, and Monty Williams.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Pace by decades from 1970s to 2020s: https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/average-league-pace-each-decade-in

70s was the highest average at 106.14. I don't know about aggregate stats for 50s and 60s, but as an example, Celtics lead the league in pace in 57-58 at 124.8. This year's leader was San Antonio at 101.63.

Crazy pace in the 50s and early 60s paired with guys who shot the ball quite poorly = lots of rebounds

 

[Alex P Keaton]

I’m also surprised at reading all the Embiid hate above. I thought he had a pretty solid series. Harden is the guy to #### on, he quit on the team on multiple games (his otherworldly Game 1 being the outlier)

The dude disappeared when it counted. For an MVP, that's ungood.

I disagree there. He got beat up pretty good by a better BOS team. Centers are easier to double and get physical with. We are about to see how Jokic handles it when LA beats the crap outta him. But when it happens the #1B has to step up. And Harden rolled out 17, 13, and 9 in the last 3 games. So a $45M player posted a 13 ppg average in 3 meaningful games? Harden is a ghost when it matters. This isn't new. In BRK last year he put up 14 and 11 in the last 2 playoff games vs MIA. Year before that vs MIL he put up 5, 16, and 22 in the last 3 playoff games. From a guy that averages about 24 ppg in the regular season. There's a reason Harden's teams have never won a title despite having players like KD, Westbrook, Irving, and Embiid by his side.

Embiid's numbers take a hit in the postseason - he's empirically and meaningfully worse. I wouldn't necessarily say he's choking, but he doesn't handle the double teams and increased defensive pressure you are talking about well. Jokic, on the other hand, basically plays at the same statistical level in the playoffs, so it's not as simple as saying centers always take a hit in the postseason. An Embiid-led team just won't get further than the Sixers have over the last couple years until he plays better.

Dude needs to learn how to pass out of double teams.

 

[Desert_Power]

Doc is officially out. Per Woj, the 76ers will be looking into Bud, Sam Cassell, D'Antoni, Nurse, Vogel, and Monty Williams.

Heck of a market for coaches. Philly had to jettison Doc for a chance at Nurse or Monty IMO.

 

[General Malaise]

If Philly and their fans are done with Embiid we will take him in Detroit, I am sure about 25ish other teams feel the same way.

Yea I doubt Sixers management is done with him. But as a fan base, we're done with his ********. All his antics that we've been playing off and ignoring knowing full well wed hate them if another team did them, that's all done. He needs to get his **** together, grow the **** up and maybe win a damn meaningful playoff series.

I get being frustrated, I do. But your team lost a series in 7 games to a really good team. It happens. You had playoff life and hopes extended into mid-May. The team I root for was done in Feb.

This. I'm as upset as anyone, this stings and sucks and we didn't play as well as we should have.

That said, I believe "choking" is when the team that is SUPPOSED to win, loses. Boston was favoured in all 7 games this series and absolutely was the favourite and the team that was "supposed" to win.

Good perspective, here. There's an old saying in football that goes something like "The other team has guys on scholarship too". Boston a damn good team. Plus, you have the Eagles to fall back on relatively soon! Living in a town with one pro sports team, it's awfully bleak when the Blazers are bad and it ain't all glitz and glamor when they're decent either.

Definitely cheering for Portland to win the lottery. Spend a lot of time in that city and I cheer for the Blazers after Philly.

Well, it hasn't always been a blessing for the Rose City, that's for sure. That said, I think it's pretty cool that they are sending Brandon Roy to the lottery as their team representative. He was beloved here and gave this city all he had until he couldn't. It was really a tragic end to his career and it ate him alive. So, I really hope this is a fun moment for him - he got Portland the #1 pick 16 years ago, so maybe he has the lucky touch?

 

[General Malaise]

Living in a town with one pro sports team

Uh, Timbers are still around right?

Guys, are we really calling MLS "Pro Sports". Come on.

Yea for me you have the big four sports because those are the best leagues in the world at that sport. MLS is legitimately like the 8th-10th best soccer league in the world. But people like it so who am I to argue.

The games are fun to go to live for sure. The fans here really get into it. I actually much prefer taking my daughter to the Thorns' games. Cheaper tickets for much better seats and I'm watching some of the best players in the world in their sport. Portland is one of those weird cities that will fully embrace women's sports if given the chance. I've been to Thorns' games with 19,000 other fans. That's pretty cool.

 

[General Malaise]

The Timbers have a good following here but let's be honest - MLS is Single A baseball at best. At least with Single A, some of those kids might become stars. MLS is broken down pros chasing a paycheck or guys who were never any good. Look at the World Cup rosters of where the guys play league - its like 2-3% MLS and those guys usually play for Costa Rica or Honduras. MLS is trash.

Thorns games are much better for my money. Those are legit players.

I know you're trolling me and that this is an NBA thread, but c'mon, GM.

Single A? Those kids aren't getting paid squat. Here's some young players and their ages that started in MLS and moved to bigger leagues and what the buying clubs paid for their rights.

Daryl Dike (21) - Orlando City SC to West Bromwich Albion for $9.5 million + 20% sell-on clause
Jozy Altidore (19) - NYRB to Villarreal for $10 million
Gaga Slonina (18) - Chicago Fire FC to Chelsea for up to $15 million
Brenden Aaronson (19) - Philadelphia Union to RB Salzburg for $14 million
Ricardo Pepi (19) - FC Dallas to Augsburg for $20 million
Alphonso Davies (18) - Vancouver Whitecaps FC to Bayern Munich for up to $22 million

All these players were brought up through the MLS academies and all play for the USA or Canada. The MLS has made huge strides in their player development in the last ~5 years. It's now a league where young players are recruited to go to European leagues. While not supplying the quantity (or quality) of Argentina or Brazil, MLS is the 3rd leading supplier of young talent to European leagues in the Americas.

So you're suggesting the MLS is developing young players who move on and play for teams in Europe. Isn't that essentially what minor league baseball does? Take super young kids, develop them, send them to the major leagues? If Single A is harsh (and here I'd posit that Single A is where some of the best young baseball players get their starts) then would you allow Double AA?

 

[General Malaise]

I know you're trolling me and that this is an NBA thread, but c'mon, GM.

Also interesting that the Timbers average more fans than the Blazers. Sure, the venue is larger. Seems like they have a good following up there.

The city loves their Timbers and Thorns. From a cost perspective, it is a far better value that a Blazers' game and the last couple of seasons, getting geeked up to cheer on a team that is actively trying to lose is hard. But those are really the only options for sports, so we're pretty starved for entertainment.

 

[General Malaise]

Woj saying there is a very real possibility that Harden ends up in Houston.

I think it happens. They want an ‘adult’ in the room, well wait that’s not him, but at least a guy who can put the ball in a spot where their young guys can score. He can do that, he gets to go back to a city he loves and has no pressure to win. Houston will overpay for him too.

He misses the scrip clubs in Houston.

 

[mr. furley]

Pace by decades from 1970s to 2020s: https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/average-league-pace-each-decade-in

70s was the highest average at 106.14. I don't know about aggregate stats for 50s and 60s, but as an example, Celtics lead the league in pace in 57-58 at 124.8. This year's leader was San Antonio at 101.63.

dang, this only goes back to the 70s.

rebounding averages in the 70s was 46.9 rpg vs. the 2020s where it's 44.2 rpg.


games in the 1950s had to be well over 50 rebounds per game.

 

[mr. furley]

I’m also surprised at reading all the Embiid hate above. I thought he had a pretty solid series. Harden is the guy to #### on, he quit on the team on multiple games (his otherworldly Game 1 being the outlier)

The dude disappeared when it counted. For an MVP, that's ungood.

I disagree there. He got beat up pretty good by a better BOS team. Centers are easier to double and get physical with. We are about to see how Jokic handles it when LA beats the crap outta him. But when it happens the #1B has to step up. And Harden rolled out 17, 13, and 9 in the last 3 games. So a $45M player posted a 13 ppg average in 3 meaningful games? Harden is a ghost when it matters. This isn't new. In BRK last year he put up 14 and 11 in the last 2 playoff games vs MIA. Year before that vs MIL he put up 5, 16, and 22 in the last 3 playoff games. From a guy that averages about 24 ppg in the regular season. There's a reason Harden's teams have never won a title despite having players like KD, Westbrook, Irving, and Embiid by his side.

Embiid's numbers take a hit in the postseason - he's empirically and meaningfully worse. I wouldn't necessarily say he's choking, but he doesn't handle the double teams and increased defensive pressure you are talking about well. Jokic, on the other hand, basically plays at the same statistical level in the playoffs, so it's not as simple as saying centers always take a hit in the postseason. An Embiid-led team just won't get further than the Sixers have over the last couple years until he plays better.

Simmons and Russillo talked about this

both Embiid playing on one leg, the Sixers taking the series to 7 when they probably shouldn't have been able to, Embiid tweaking his leg in game 7 and not having any lift the rest of the game...... but also how poorly he has (apparently) handled double teams throughout his career.


since it's 2023 i'm sure some site has compiled his stats vs. double teams both in the regular season and playoffs separately.

 

[Juxtatarot]

My guess is Harden is using Houston to get more money from the Sixers.

 

[NewlyRetired]

rebounding averages in the 70s was 46.9 rpg vs. the 2020s where it's 44.2 rpg.

games in the 1950s had to be well over 50 rebounds per game.

this will help.

Rebounds Per Game Each Decade NBA | StatMuse

rebounds per game each decade NBA

www.statmuse.com

 

[NewlyRetired]

rebounding averages in the 70s was 46.9 rpg vs. the 2020s where it's 44.2 rpg.

games in the 1950s had to be well over 50 rebounds per game.

this will help.

Rebounds Per Game Each Decade NBA | StatMuse

rebounds per game each decade NBA

www.statmuse.com

I was looking the stats below the chart to see why the 60's really spiked in rebounds. The shooting % was a touch lower (nothing terrible but lower than more recent decades), but the amount of shots they took was really high in comparison to later decades.

 

[Jayrod]

Doc is officially out. Per Woj, the 76ers will be looking into Bud, Sam Cassell, D'Antoni, Nurse, Vogel, and Monty Williams.

They probably go with Cassell. The only guy that would make me nervous as a Celtics fan is Nurse.

 

[mr. furley]

rebounding averages in the 70s was 46.9 rpg vs. the 2020s where it's 44.2 rpg.

games in the 1950s had to be well over 50 rebounds per game.

this will help.

Rebounds Per Game Each Decade NBA | StatMuse

rebounds per game each decade NBA

www.statmuse.com

SIXTY SEVEN REBOUNDS PER GAME in the 1960s!!

strangely FG percentage is just 3.2% lower


(eta: that's some site)

 

[Deamon]

Doc is officially out. Per Woj, the 76ers will be looking into Bud, Sam Cassell, D'Antoni, Nurse, Vogel, and Monty Williams.

Damn, might be the best list of free agent coaches in a long long time.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Doc is officially out. Per Woj, the 76ers will be looking into Bud, Sam Cassell, D'Antoni, Nurse, Vogel, and Monty Williams.

They probably go with Cassell. The only guy that would make me nervous as a Celtics fan is Nurse.

i don't know if Nurse gets the highest median outcome of the available guys, but if the primary criteria is trying to be better/more versatile in the playoffs, Nurse has to be the guy.

 

[need2know]

doc should never have been hired.

Doc is officially out. Per Woj, the 76ers will be looking into Bud, Sam Cassell, D'Antoni, Nurse, Vogel, and Monty Williams.

They probably go with Cassell. The only guy that would make me nervous as a Celtics fan is Nurse.

i don't know if Nurse gets the highest median outcome of the available guys, but if the primary criteria is trying to be better/more versatile in the playoffs, Nurse has to be the guy.

i agree. i think i would like in this order: nurse, cassell, monty. although cassell and monty are really close.
dont really like the rest though

 

[Deamon]

Doc is officially out. Per Woj, the 76ers will be looking into Bud, Sam Cassell, D'Antoni, Nurse, Vogel, and Monty Williams.

They probably go with Cassell. The only guy that would make me nervous as a Celtics fan is Nurse.

i don't know if Nurse gets the highest median outcome of the available guys, but if the primary criteria is trying to be better/more versatile in the playoffs, Nurse has to be the guy.

I want Nurse or Monty for sure. Probably Nurse.

 

[SWC]

i hope the 76ers get mark jackson take that to the bank brohans

 

[Kev4029]

I was going to comment about the crazy climate change in media coverage in about 48 hours. BOS was going to have to can Mazzulla, Tatum will forever come up small, and Brown was getting shipped out of town. Two days later, it's Doc is done, Harden's gone, and Joel may not want to stick around. I get it . . . that's the difference between winning and losing.

Also curious why Embiid isn't getting called out more. He wasn't particularly great the past couple of games. Sure, he hasn't been 100% against BOS, but he was the MVP. He's now 5-6 in playoff series and hasn't made it out of the 2nd round. Harden has been getting called out as not being a great playoff leader and has folded multiple times. But Joel hasn't exactly been stellar in the post season.

From what I saw, Embiid was often content to linger on the perimeter on the weak side of the court in the last two games against Boston while his teammates possessed the ball on the opposite side of the court. He didn't come to the ball, he didn't post up much, and there were times when he had Smrt covering him. Not only that, when shots went up, he just stood there and watched and let everyone else battle for a rebound. I don't get how he was not fully engaged. If he is the alpha on the team, he would have made himself be available and front and center. But for some reason he didn't. So, sure, he's right that he can't win on his own and that he didn't touch the ball in the last 4 minutes of Game 6. But he made very little attempt to get the ball or get under the basket where no one could do much with him.

Embiid is getting destroyed here in Philly today. People feel betrayed because so many went to the wall defending this guy only for him to come up so small. Then on top of it his comments about he and James can't do it alone. **** that, man. You just scored 15 points in a game 7 for your ****ing legacy and you're blaming Harris, Maxey, Tucker et al for failing you?! I'm done with this guy.

That quote has been taken way out of context. If you listen to him answer that question in full, he isn't at all throwing the team under the bus.

That said, I am kind of loving all the people ****ting on Embiid after the way he pushed for the MVP in the media then dodged Jokic in Denver.

The dodging Jokic thing is the worst take of all time. Did Jokic then dodge all the other teams when he rested like half of the final 10 games of the season? And don't even pretend he was "injured"

The MVP voting was an absolute landslide. If it was close then I could see ppl saying someone else should have won but it was 73-15.

Jokic definitely sandbagged the last 10-12 games or whatever of the season (which was the right move for the team, they still got the #1 seed and they were the best rested team in the NBA going into the playoffs) and I think Embiid deserved the MVP. But, Embiid was out in the media talking **** (including the day before the Nuggets-Sixers game) and talking himself up all year as the deserving MVP and how the media isn't fair to him. To play the games on either side of the Nuggets matchup but to miss the Nuggets game was a total ***** move. It's Dillon Brooks-lite - he talks himself up then doesn't back it up when it matters. I love some good **** talking, but it comes off super weak when you don't back it up.

Not sure if trolling, sarcastic, biased, or just don't know what you're talking about.

This is from an interview the day before the Sixers were playing the Nuggets in March:

"But then again, he won as a sixth seed in the West. And then this year, I'm leading the league in scoring, I'm doing all of these things defensively … I should be making an All-Defensive team too. I don't care, but every year it's something. And when you add analytics into it, which don't make sense. You can talk about analytics all you want. When you got some guys in the league, the eye test tells you that they're not good defensively, but analytics tell you they're the best defenders. That's when analytics don't make sense at all. I don't make the rules, I don't choose whatever criteria that they use, so it's really about whatever people's preferences are."

"People have been talking about who has the most pressure to win. People want to mention me," Embiid said. "I'm not at the top of that list. I'm not a two-time MVP, I've never made first team All-NBA, I've never won anything. So why is there pressure on me to do something when there are guys that have won two MVPs, a bunch of MVPs and haven't done anything either?"

 

[Major]

Woj saying there is a very real possibility that Harden ends up in Houston.

I think it happens. They want an ‘adult’ in the room, well wait that’s not him, but at least a guy who can put the ball in a spot where their young guys can score. He can do that, he gets to go back to a city he loves and has no pressure to win. Houston will overpay for him too.

My biggest fear is them bringing back Harden. He’s going to be a cancer in the locker room and promote a lazy entitled work ethic to a young core. Wemby and co. need to be in the gym, not the club.

 

[Major]

Woj saying there is a very real possibility that Harden ends up in Houston.

I think it happens. They want an ‘adult’ in the room, well wait that’s not him, but at least a guy who can put the ball in a spot where their young guys can score. He can do that, he gets to go back to a city he loves and has no pressure to win. Houston will overpay for him too.

He misses the scrip clubs in Houston.

They’re not as good as they used to be. Other cities have caught up imo. It was a glorious time in the 90s though.

 

[Major]

My guess is Harden is using Houston to get more money from the Sixers.

True but I don’t think he really cares about winning a ring. Money, comfort and nightlife over championships. Houston will offer him more of that.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

 

[Frostillicus]

So tonight either Lebron goes balls out to steal Game 1 like he did against Golden State or he's going to coast and feel them out and try to figure out how to beat them and unleash something in Game 2.

How's that for hard-hitting analysis?

 

[dickey moe]

are there any reliable sites for watching really old NBA games?

i want some context around some of these outrageous rebound numbers from games in the 50s/60s. yeah, i know teams were shooting like 19% and no one could dunk but how does Hambone "Rum Runner" Jones notch 19 pts and 47 rebounds in a playoff game?

sure there were a lot of rebounding opportunities, but were the opposing center and power forward totaling 60+ rebounds in the same game as well?? were teams firing up a shot and only the opposing big man was allowed to grab the miss?

How old? Plenty of NBA games going back to the 80s on YouTube

He literally says 1950’s/60’s in his post.

I'm dumb.

 

[The Z Machine]

If Single A is harsh (and here I'd posit that Single A is where some of the best young baseball players get their starts) then would you allow Double AA?

What's the biggest contracts offered to A, AA, and AAA players?

I think that these players listed above are all $2+m/year contracts. There are MLS players paid more than that too, and not just European players at the end of their career.

I'm not even an MLS fan really, but the reality is that the league is not minor league baseball level by any measure.

 

[Desert_Power]

Man, Embiid is already 29. Assume Harden opts out, what is really the play here for the Sixers? I'm not being overly critical on his playoff performances and he was hurt, but it feels like he really needs someone else to be the primary offense at times. Harden did that a bit. Make a run at VanVleet or Middleton?

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Man, Embiid is already 29. Assume Harden opts out, what is really the play here for the Sixers? I'm not being overly critical on his playoff performances and he was hurt, but it feels like he really needs someone else to be the primary offense at times. Harden did that a bit. Make a run at VanVleet or Middleton?

Restart the process

Buy Nerlens and Jahlil out of their China contracts. Move Tobias for Ben.

 

[Courtjester]

So tonight either Lebron goes balls out to steal Game 1 like he did against Golden State or he's going to coast and feel them out and try to figure out how to beat them and unleash something in Game 2.

How's that for hard-hitting analysis?

I think Denver tries to run and push tempo. While I think LA does everything they can do to establish a slower, inside game--hoping Joker gets a few early fouls. Bron is going to get his and there is nothing you can do about that. I think MPJ is the key. His shooting has been terrible in stretches. I just hope it is good series and the refs let both sides play. I want to see a Nuggets title before I die, but you know the prospect of a Celtics/Lakers final makes the league drool.

 

[Yo Mama]

Man, Embiid is already 29. Assume Harden opts out, what is really the play here for the Sixers? I'm not being overly critical on his playoff performances and he was hurt, but it feels like he really needs someone else to be the primary offense at times. Harden did that a bit. Make a run at VanVleet or Middleton?

Restart the process

Buy Nerlens and Jahlil out of their China contracts. Move Tobias for Ben.

Harden sign and trade to Orlando for Fultz .

 

[msudaisy26]

So tonight either Lebron goes balls out to steal Game 1 like he did against Golden State or he's going to coast and feel them out and try to figure out how to beat them and unleash something in Game 2.

How's that for hard-hitting analysis?

So either the Lakers win tonight or they don't? Sorry in advance if I didn't follow your post correctly.

 

[msudaisy26]

So some bad news for Piston fans. They Pistons have been in the lottery 23 times, they have won the lottery or moved up once. Since they changed the lottery four or five years ago no team with the worst record in the league has won. I did research and this draft looks meh after Wembanyama. Miller could have legal troubles and isn't a great athlete for a wing, Scoot is like 6-1 and can't shoot and I am trying to do this from memory, but the 4th guy can't shoot either.

 

[Gr00vus]

Man, Embiid is already 29. Assume Harden opts out, what is really the play here for the Sixers? I'm not being overly critical on his playoff performances and he was hurt, but it feels like he really needs someone else to be the primary offense at times. Harden did that a bit. Make a run at VanVleet or Middleton?

Seemed like they underutilized Maxey in this last series. I'd like to have seen the ball in his hands more than Harden's. I haven't seen a ton of 76er games, but can't Maxey be the #2 to Embid's #1?

 

[msudaisy26]

The win/win scenario if Embiid asks out is OKC. Chet, a boatload of picks, and salary to match. SGA, Giddy, and Embiid.

 

[The Big Donkey]

fingers crossed Dallas drops back to #11.

 

[Frostillicus]

So tonight either Lebron goes balls out to steal Game 1 like he did against Golden State or he's going to coast and feel them out and try to figure out how to beat them and unleash something in Game 2.

How's that for hard-hitting analysis?

So either the Lakers win tonight or they don't? Sorry in advance if I didn't follow your post correctly.

No, you followed all the little nuances. Great job!

 

[Frostillicus]

So some bad news for Piston fans. They Pistons have been in the lottery 23 times, they have won the lottery or moved up once. Since they changed the lottery four or five years ago no team with the worst record in the league has won. I did research and this draft looks meh after Wembanyama. Miller could have legal troubles and isn't a great athlete for a wing, Scoot is like 6-1 and can't shoot and I am trying to do this from memory, but the 4th guy can't shoot either.

I'm not a draft expert any more since I don't really have enough time to watch college now, and I know even less about the non-college guys, but I am pretty sure I have read and heard that Scoot would be a pretty much slam dunk for #1 if it wasn't for Wembanyama.

 

[Kev4029]

Man, Embiid is already 29. Assume Harden opts out, what is really the play here for the Sixers? I'm not being overly critical on his playoff performances and he was hurt, but it feels like he really needs someone else to be the primary offense at times. Harden did that a bit. Make a run at VanVleet or Middleton?

Assuming House and Harrell take their player options (Harrell may not, House I assume would), they would have like $9m in cap space. To have any meaningful space, they would have to find somebody to take on Harris who is making over $39m next year. Two seasons from now they'll have a boatload of space with only Embiid, Tucker, and Springer on the books, plus whatever they give Maxey.

 

[Capella]

So some bad news for Piston fans. They Pistons have been in the lottery 23 times, they have won the lottery or moved up once. Since they changed the lottery four or five years ago no team with the worst record in the league has won. I did research and this draft looks meh after Wembanyama. Miller could have legal troubles and isn't a great athlete for a wing, Scoot is like 6-1 and can't shoot and I am trying to do this from memory, but the 4th guy can't shoot either.

I'm not a draft expert any more since I don't really have enough time to watch college now, and I know even less about the non-college guys, but I am pretty sure I have read and heard that Scoot would be a pretty much slam dunk for #1 if it wasn't for Wembanyama.

He would be, but he had a bad year shooting in whatever minor league he was in. Like 33% from deep I think.

People like the Brandon Miller kid from Bama but he didn’t shoot well in the tourney and uhhhhhh was involved in shooting somebody off the court too.

The two twins seem like weird players. Article I read today said they were playing against teenagers all year. Like 16 year olds. No idea why they didn’t go to college.

 

[Capella]

The win/win scenario if Embiid asks out is OKC. Chet, a boatload of picks, and salary to match. SGA, Giddy, and Embiid.

You’d need more than that for the reigning MVP I think. Chet has already missed a year and is a string bean.

 

[Juxtatarot]

They Pistons have been in the lottery 23 times, they have won the lottery or moved up once.

That must have been Darko, right?

 

[identikit]

Quintuple double

 

[Kev4029]

They Pistons have been in the lottery 23 times, they have won the lottery or moved up once.

That must have been Darko, right?

Moved up from 6th to 2nd to save the Nuggets from themselves.

 

[caustic]

Every prospect has his flaws, but IMO Scoot and Miller are a very good 2/3. I've seen some people put Cam Whitmore in that second tier as well, which is pretty aggressive but understandable given his athleticism and positional value.