2023-24 NBA (Playoffs!) Thread: Message board poster furiously types out one more horrible post before thread closes (6 Viewers)

[thecatch]

I don't want to concern troll our wonderful T-Wolves fans in this thread, but Bobby Marks was talking about their salary situation on the latest Lowe Post podcast and... yikes. Jaden McDaniels might be getting $30 million+ going forward, which means they'll be just over the luxury tax with just 7 players under contract next year. Even if you thought Gobert and Towns could play together, they have to get off at least some of one of those salaries, right?

 

[msudaisy26]

Rejuvenated Spurs fan here. Will be firing up League Pass and can't wait to gorge.

Gimme three more teams I should seek out on LP.

Currently I have:

1. Thunder
2. Bucks
3. Celtics

I wouldn't pick the Celtics, Bucks, Nuggets,Lakers etc. Those teams are looking to win a title, the regular season is ho-hum for them. I am looking for this year's Kings. The Thunder are a good pick, the Magic, maybe the Pelicans.

 

[the moops]

Rejuvenated Spurs fan here. Will be firing up League Pass and can't wait to gorge.

Gimme three more teams I should seek out on LP.

Currently I have:

1. Thunder
2. Bucks
3. Celtics

I wouldn't pick the Celtics, Bucks, Nuggets,Lakers etc. Those teams are looking to win a title, the regular season is ho-hum for them. I am looking for this year's Kings. The Thunder are a good pick, the Magic, maybe the Pelicans.

Spurs, Thunder, Magic would be my top three

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I don't want to concern troll our wonderful T-Wolves fans in this thread, but Bobby Marks was talking about their salary situation on the latest Lowe Post podcast and... yikes. Jaden McDaniels might be getting $30 million+ going forward, which means they'll be just over the luxury tax with just 7 players under contract next year. Even if you thought Gobert and Towns could play together, they have to get off at least some of one of those salaries, right?

yes

 

[the moops]

I don't want to concern troll our wonderful T-Wolves fans in this thread, but Bobby Marks was talking about their salary situation on the latest Lowe Post podcast and... yikes. Jaden McDaniels might be getting $30 million+ going forward, which means they'll be just over the luxury tax with just 7 players under contract next year. Even if you thought Gobert and Towns could play together, they have to get off at least some of one of those salaries, right?

yes

Towns gets dealt for a few first rounders.

 

[thecatch]

I don't want to concern troll our wonderful T-Wolves fans in this thread, but Bobby Marks was talking about their salary situation on the latest Lowe Post podcast and... yikes. Jaden McDaniels might be getting $30 million+ going forward, which means they'll be just over the luxury tax with just 7 players under contract next year. Even if you thought Gobert and Towns could play together, they have to get off at least some of one of those salaries, right?

yes

Towns gets dealt for a few first rounders.

*And* salary relief? I have trouble seeing it.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I don't want to concern troll our wonderful T-Wolves fans in this thread, but Bobby Marks was talking about their salary situation on the latest Lowe Post podcast and... yikes. Jaden McDaniels might be getting $30 million+ going forward, which means they'll be just over the luxury tax with just 7 players under contract next year. Even if you thought Gobert and Towns could play together, they have to get off at least some of one of those salaries, right?

yes

Towns gets dealt for a few first rounders.

*And* salary relief? I have trouble seeing it.

I think he meant “with”…

But I don’t know, there are often teams who just need a regular season floor raiser and might do it. Although the salary matching could be a challenge and it may be hard to find any team with enough cap room to take him without sending much back.

 

[the moops]

I don't want to concern troll our wonderful T-Wolves fans in this thread, but Bobby Marks was talking about their salary situation on the latest Lowe Post podcast and... yikes. Jaden McDaniels might be getting $30 million+ going forward, which means they'll be just over the luxury tax with just 7 players under contract next year. Even if you thought Gobert and Towns could play together, they have to get off at least some of one of those salaries, right?

yes

Towns gets dealt for a few first rounders.

*And* salary relief? I have trouble seeing it.

I think folks are way underestimating Towns value. Yea, he is not a top 10 guy but not everyone gets to just pick and choose their superstar. Teams whiff on their hopeful all the time and i imagine a NYK or simular will say **** it and toss 3 picks and a swap and expiring salary for a Towns. He has his flaws (I am hardly a fan) but he is damn good…even at his stupid salary

 

[thecatch]

I don't want to concern troll our wonderful T-Wolves fans in this thread, but Bobby Marks was talking about their salary situation on the latest Lowe Post podcast and... yikes. Jaden McDaniels might be getting $30 million+ going forward, which means they'll be just over the luxury tax with just 7 players under contract next year. Even if you thought Gobert and Towns could play together, they have to get off at least some of one of those salaries, right?

yes

Towns gets dealt for a few first rounders.

*And* salary relief? I have trouble seeing it.

I think folks are way underestimating Towns value. Yea, he is not a top 10 guy but not everyone gets to just pick and choose their superstar. Teams whiff on their hopeful all the time and i imagine a NYK or simular will say **** it and toss 3 picks and a swap and expiring salary for a Towns. He has his flaws (I am hardly a fan) but he is damn good…even at his stupid salary

Finding that much expiring salary is nearly impossible. The Wolves would really have to try to do something in season this year before his salary jumps to $50m next year.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Zeke nnaji extends for 4/32. Interesting to see more of these “small” extensions now that thwart absolute dollars are getting so high.

Good signing if he can actually stay healthy

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

As a Bulls homer, it is depressing to realize that the team is in the worst place that any team in any sport can be: entrenched in mediocrity.

They will either finish the season at 42-40 and draw Boston or Milwaukee in the 1st round and get thrashed, or they will finish at 40-42, miss the playoffs and get the 10th pick in the draft.

The Bulls will have a week where they beat Boston on the road and then three nights later lose at home to Detroit by twenty.

Awful.

 

[Frostillicus]

I don't want to concern troll our wonderful T-Wolves fans in this thread, but Bobby Marks was talking about their salary situation on the latest Lowe Post podcast and... yikes. Jaden McDaniels might be getting $30 million+ going forward, which means they'll be just over the luxury tax with just 7 players under contract next year. Even if you thought Gobert and Towns could play together, they have to get off at least some of one of those salaries, right?

I believe the prevailing thought is that if things go well this year they’ll pay the tax next year, then trade Gobert (who will be expiring). If things don’t go well this year they trade Towns.

 

[Major]

I don't want to concern troll our wonderful T-Wolves fans in this thread, but Bobby Marks was talking about their salary situation on the latest Lowe Post podcast and... yikes. Jaden McDaniels might be getting $30 million+ going forward, which means they'll be just over the luxury tax with just 7 players under contract next year. Even if you thought Gobert and Towns could play together, they have to get off at least some of one of those salaries, right?

yes

Towns gets dealt for a few first rounders.

What about Gobert? Anyone shelling out 4 1st round picks, Kessler and a few role players for him?

 

[the moops]

I don't want to concern troll our wonderful T-Wolves fans in this thread, but Bobby Marks was talking about their salary situation on the latest Lowe Post podcast and... yikes. Jaden McDaniels might be getting $30 million+ going forward, which means they'll be just over the luxury tax with just 7 players under contract next year. Even if you thought Gobert and Towns could play together, they have to get off at least some of one of those salaries, right?

yes

Towns gets dealt for a few first rounders.

What about Gobert? Anyone shelling out 4 1st round picks, Kessler and a few role players for him?

Of course not

 

[Kev4029]

Zeke nnaji extends for 4/32. Interesting to see more of these “small” extensions now that thwart absolute dollars are getting so high.

Good signing if he can actually stay healthy

I'm happy with it. Worth the risk for the Nuggets - if he can stay healthy, he's worth at least that much.

 

[Major]

I don't want to concern troll our wonderful T-Wolves fans in this thread, but Bobby Marks was talking about their salary situation on the latest Lowe Post podcast and... yikes. Jaden McDaniels might be getting $30 million+ going forward, which means they'll be just over the luxury tax with just 7 players under contract next year. Even if you thought Gobert and Towns could play together, they have to get off at least some of one of those salaries, right?

yes

Towns gets dealt for a few first rounders.

What about Gobert? Anyone shelling out 4 1st round picks, Kessler and a few role players for him?

Of course not

Yeah, just a slight hint of sarcasm in my post. That may go down as one of the worst trades in NBA history. Curious what is value is though. Couldn't see a team shelling out much given his salary and offensive struggle.

 

[Yo Mama]

Whoa, Steven Adams is having season ending knee surgery. Brutal.

 

[SWC]

i love steven adams that guy is a pirate brohan take that to the bank

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Record predictions and over/unders just for the hell of it. Totals based on Caesar's.

EAST

Boston - 55-27 - Over (54.5)
Even though their depth took a little bit of a hit, just seem too robust on the top end to not get to the over. Would have to have like 3 major injuries.

Milwaukee - 53-29 - Under (54.5)
Would not be surprised at all if they went over, just feels like there's a little more fragility to their top end and maybe some slight growing pains learning to work together.

Cleveland - 51-31 - Over (50.5)
Hard to imagine them being worse next year, even with some injuries, and can easily be the number 1 defense again.

Philadelphia - 48-34 - Under (48.5)
There's a chance they go over just based on Embiid, but too much uncertainty for me to pick the over.

Miami - 46-36 - Over (44.5)
Loss of Strus and Vincent really don't hurt them that much in the regular season (at least based on last year) and I trust in Spo and their development system to get the new guys playing well.

New York - 45-37 - Under (46.5)
This is a tough call because they do have a lot of depth and were able to scheme things up pretty well on both sides last year, but I don't think they are strong enough to maintain that and get to 47. But I wouldn't be shocked.

Atlanta - 43 -39 - Over (42.5)
Full year of Snyder working with Trae and good roster continuity, I think that they will get a solid a system going and improve on last year.

Chicago - 40-42 - Over (37.5)
Boring team, but they are good enough and Donovan gets things work ok that they should be able to clear 37.5 with relative ease.

Brooklyn - 38-44 - Over (36.5)
One of the hardest to decide on because their offense doesn't have much of an engine and their defense is good but hard to see it being great. Betting on Bridges being able to build on his improvement as an offensive player to just get them over the hump.

Toronto - 36-46 - Under (36.5)
Really kind of a similar situation to Brooklyn, but with the new coach and lack of anyone to be the main offensive creator and what seems to be a generally weird situation up there, I'm going to bet on the under. Wouldn't be surprised at all to see them around .500, though.

Indiana - 35-47 - Under (39.5)
Just don't see them as ready to make the jump yet. I think they will still struggle on defense and not sure they have enough shooting to make the offense work well enough.

Orlando - 35-47 - Under (36.5)
Defense should be solid again and maybe they can move up with some internal improvement, but their offense is unlikely to be efficient and all of the pieces fit together kind of strangely.

Detroit - 27-55 - Under (27.5)
Really want to go with the over and if Cade can blow up, then they could get to the 30s, but being realistic about where their offense and defense are likely to rank, I just think they are more likely to go under.

Washington - 22-60 - Under (24.5)
Can't see any reason for them not to have the worst record in the league, either on or off the floor. Not sure that they have a player even in the top 20 in the league at their position.

WEST

Denver - 55-27 - Over (52.5)
Unless Jokic somehow misses a bunch of games (which he never does), seems like one of the easiest overs.

Phoenix - 50-32 - Under (51.5)
If they get good health, they will blow past this, but I have a hard time fully counting on that and still want to see how these guys all fit together

Golden State - 47-35 - Under (48.5)
Should just be a solid team during the season, Draymond should be happy and Wiggins will hopefully be good all year, but 49 is too much for this aging team.

LA Lakers - 47-35 - Under (47.5)
Basically same rationale as Golden State and the supporting cast is now better than the past couple of years.

Sacramento - 46-36 - Over (44.5)
Really believe in their offensive system in the regular season, though last year they were a bit lucky, so I see a slight downtick

Memphis - 45-37 - Under (45.5)
This total is from prior to the Adams injury, so not sure if it has changed, and I was very bullish on their over even missing Ja for that long, but Adams I think is a real blow to their ability to do what they want to do on offense and defense.

LA Clippers - 44-38 - Under (46.5)
I don't know, I just have a hard time betting on PG and Kawhi staying healthy and the supporting cast has just deteriorated over the past couple of years. They certainly have some upside, but I can't bet on it.

Dallas - 44-38 - Over (43.5)
Luka and Kyrie provide such a high likelihood of a top 5 offense, so I see Dallas as having a pretty high floor, even if their ceiling is kind of low.

New Orleans - 44-38 - Under (44.5)
I like the roster overall and if Zion is healthy, they could be a 50-win team, but how can you bet on that? Plus there's always something weird with them and the roster fit with or without Zion is kind of weird.

Minnesota - 43-39 - Under (45.5)
I think that they will probably be better than last year and could be better come playoff time, but again, there's always something weird there and I have a hard time seeing them working that well together to get up to 46.

Oklahoma City - 42-40 - Under (44.5)
I love this team and I wouldn't be shocked if they got all the way up to 50, but they are so young and I still need to see how all these pieces fit together when things actually matter and the league is taking them more seriously.

Utah - 35-47 - Under (35.5)
Hardy is an awesome coach and they have some good players, but their guard play is going to be challenging and when it gets to the end of the year, they will be one of the few teams who will probably stealth tank in the last couple weeks.

San Antonio - 32-50 - Over (29.5)
It's hard because they are so young, but I think that they will try and Wemby will push them up even though he will surely have some growing pains.

Houston - 30-52 - Under (31.5)
I know they improved their roster, but they still have so many young players playing major minutes and I think it will take some time for Udoka to get everything in place.

Portland- 23-59 - Under (28.5)
Will be super-fun, but their defense will be terrible and their guards will be very inefficient and they have incentive to tank, so in a league with few teams that I think will lose a lot, it just make sense for them to end up being the a team at the bottom.

 

[General Malaise]

Former lottery pick Kevin Knox II waved by the Blazers. It was......a run?

 

[Jayrod]

Record predictions and over/unders just for the hell of it. Totals based on Caesar's.

EAST

Boston - 55-27 - Over (54.5)
Even though their depth took a little bit of a hit, just seem too robust on the top end to not get to the over. Would have to have like 3 major injuries.

Milwaukee - 53-29 - Under (54.5)
Would not be surprised at all if they went over, just feels like there's a little more fragility to their top end and maybe some slight growing pains learning to work together.

Cleveland - 51-31 - Over (50.5)
Hard to imagine them being worse next year, even with some injuries, and can easily be the number 1 defense again.

Philadelphia - 48-34 - Under (48.5)
There's a chance they go over just based on Embiid, but too much uncertainty for me to pick the over.

Miami - 46-36 - Over (44.5)
Loss of Strus and Vincent really don't hurt them that much in the regular season (at least based on last year) and I trust in Spo and their development system to get the new guys playing well.

New York - 45-37 - Under (46.5)
This is a tough call because they do have a lot of depth and were able to scheme things up pretty well on both sides last year, but I don't think they are strong enough to maintain that and get to 47. But I wouldn't be shocked.

Atlanta - 43 -39 - Over (42.5)
Full year of Snyder working with Trae and good roster continuity, I think that they will get a solid a system going and improve on last year.

Chicago - 40-42 - Over (37.5)
Boring team, but they are good enough and Donovan gets things work ok that they should be able to clear 37.5 with relative ease.

Brooklyn - 38-44 - Over (36.5)
One of the hardest to decide on because their offense doesn't have much of an engine and their defense is good but hard to see it being great. Betting on Bridges being able to build on his improvement as an offensive player to just get them over the hump.

Toronto - 36-46 - Under (36.5)
Really kind of a similar situation to Brooklyn, but with the new coach and lack of anyone to be the main offensive creator and what seems to be a generally weird situation up there, I'm going to bet on the under. Wouldn't be surprised at all to see them around .500, though.

Indiana - 35-47 - Under (39.5)
Just don't see them as ready to make the jump yet. I think they will still struggle on defense and not sure they have enough shooting to make the offense work well enough.

Orlando - 35-47 - Under (36.5)
Defense should be solid again and maybe they can move up with some internal improvement, but their offense is unlikely to be efficient and all of the pieces fit together kind of strangely.

Detroit - 27-55 - Under (27.5)
Really want to go with the over and if Cade can blow up, then they could get to the 30s, but being realistic about where their offense and defense are likely to rank, I just think they are more likely to go under.

Washington - 22-60 - Under (24.5)
Can't see any reason for them not to have the worst record in the league, either on or off the floor. Not sure that they have a player even in the top 20 in the league at their position.

WEST

Denver - 55-27 - Over (52.5)
Unless Jokic somehow misses a bunch of games (which he never does), seems like one of the easiest overs.

Phoenix - 50-32 - Under (51.5)
If they get good health, they will blow past this, but I have a hard time fully counting on that and still want to see how these guys all fit together

Golden State - 47-35 - Under (48.5)
Should just be a solid team during the season, Draymond should be happy and Wiggins will hopefully be good all year, but 49 is too much for this aging team.

LA Lakers - 47-35 - Under (47.5)
Basically same rationale as Golden State and the supporting cast is now better than the past couple of years.

Sacramento - 46-36 - Over (44.5)
Really believe in their offensive system in the regular season, though last year they were a bit lucky, so I see a slight downtick

Memphis - 45-37 - Under (45.5)
This total is from prior to the Adams injury, so not sure if it has changed, and I was very bullish on their over even missing Ja for that long, but Adams I think is a real blow to their ability to do what they want to do on offense and defense.

LA Clippers - 44-38 - Under (46.5)
I don't know, I just have a hard time betting on PG and Kawhi staying healthy and the supporting cast has just deteriorated over the past couple of years. They certainly have some upside, but I can't bet on it.

Dallas - 44-38 - Over (43.5)
Luka and Kyrie provide such a high likelihood of a top 5 offense, so I see Dallas as having a pretty high floor, even if their ceiling is kind of low.

New Orleans - 44-38 - Under (44.5)
I like the roster overall and if Zion is healthy, they could be a 50-win team, but how can you bet on that? Plus there's always something weird with them and the roster fit with or without Zion is kind of weird.

Minnesota - 43-39 - Under (45.5)
I think that they will probably be better than last year and could be better come playoff time, but again, there's always something weird there and I have a hard time seeing them working that well together to get up to 46.

Oklahoma City - 42-40 - Under (44.5)
I love this team and I wouldn't be shocked if they got all the way up to 50, but they are so young and I still need to see how all these pieces fit together when things actually matter and the league is taking them more seriously.

Utah - 35-47 - Under (35.5)
Hardy is an awesome coach and they have some good players, but their guard play is going to be challenging and when it gets to the end of the year, they will be one of the few teams who will probably stealth tank in the last couple weeks.

San Antonio - 32-50 - Over (29.5)
It's hard because they are so young, but I think that they will try and Wemby will push them up even though he will surely have some growing pains.

Houston - 30-52 - Under (31.5)
I know they improved their roster, but they still have so many young players playing major minutes and I think it will take some time for Udoka to get everything in place.

Portland- 23-59 - Under (28.5)
Will be super-fun, but their defense will be terrible and their guards will be very inefficient and they have incentive to tank, so in a league with few teams that I think will lose a lot, it just make sense for them to end up being the a team at the bottom.

You do have a lot more unders than overs which seems mathematically impossible. But I do agree with the majority of it and your reasoning.

I think the Celtics are susceptible if Tatum goes down, but he is showing LeBron-like durability. Without him they are just slightly above average.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Record predictions and over/unders just for the hell of it. Totals based on Caesar's.

EAST

Boston - 55-27 - Over (54.5)
Even though their depth took a little bit of a hit, just seem too robust on the top end to not get to the over. Would have to have like 3 major injuries.

Milwaukee - 53-29 - Under (54.5)
Would not be surprised at all if they went over, just feels like there's a little more fragility to their top end and maybe some slight growing pains learning to work together.

Cleveland - 51-31 - Over (50.5)
Hard to imagine them being worse next year, even with some injuries, and can easily be the number 1 defense again.

Philadelphia - 48-34 - Under (48.5)
There's a chance they go over just based on Embiid, but too much uncertainty for me to pick the over.

Miami - 46-36 - Over (44.5)
Loss of Strus and Vincent really don't hurt them that much in the regular season (at least based on last year) and I trust in Spo and their development system to get the new guys playing well.

New York - 45-37 - Under (46.5)
This is a tough call because they do have a lot of depth and were able to scheme things up pretty well on both sides last year, but I don't think they are strong enough to maintain that and get to 47. But I wouldn't be shocked.

Atlanta - 43 -39 - Over (42.5)
Full year of Snyder working with Trae and good roster continuity, I think that they will get a solid a system going and improve on last year.

Chicago - 40-42 - Over (37.5)
Boring team, but they are good enough and Donovan gets things work ok that they should be able to clear 37.5 with relative ease.

Brooklyn - 38-44 - Over (36.5)
One of the hardest to decide on because their offense doesn't have much of an engine and their defense is good but hard to see it being great. Betting on Bridges being able to build on his improvement as an offensive player to just get them over the hump.

Toronto - 36-46 - Under (36.5)
Really kind of a similar situation to Brooklyn, but with the new coach and lack of anyone to be the main offensive creator and what seems to be a generally weird situation up there, I'm going to bet on the under. Wouldn't be surprised at all to see them around .500, though.

Indiana - 35-47 - Under (39.5)
Just don't see them as ready to make the jump yet. I think they will still struggle on defense and not sure they have enough shooting to make the offense work well enough.

Orlando - 35-47 - Under (36.5)
Defense should be solid again and maybe they can move up with some internal improvement, but their offense is unlikely to be efficient and all of the pieces fit together kind of strangely.

Detroit - 27-55 - Under (27.5)
Really want to go with the over and if Cade can blow up, then they could get to the 30s, but being realistic about where their offense and defense are likely to rank, I just think they are more likely to go under.

Washington - 22-60 - Under (24.5)
Can't see any reason for them not to have the worst record in the league, either on or off the floor. Not sure that they have a player even in the top 20 in the league at their position.

WEST

Denver - 55-27 - Over (52.5)
Unless Jokic somehow misses a bunch of games (which he never does), seems like one of the easiest overs.

Phoenix - 50-32 - Under (51.5)
If they get good health, they will blow past this, but I have a hard time fully counting on that and still want to see how these guys all fit together

Golden State - 47-35 - Under (48.5)
Should just be a solid team during the season, Draymond should be happy and Wiggins will hopefully be good all year, but 49 is too much for this aging team.

LA Lakers - 47-35 - Under (47.5)
Basically same rationale as Golden State and the supporting cast is now better than the past couple of years.

Sacramento - 46-36 - Over (44.5)
Really believe in their offensive system in the regular season, though last year they were a bit lucky, so I see a slight downtick

Memphis - 45-37 - Under (45.5)
This total is from prior to the Adams injury, so not sure if it has changed, and I was very bullish on their over even missing Ja for that long, but Adams I think is a real blow to their ability to do what they want to do on offense and defense.

LA Clippers - 44-38 - Under (46.5)
I don't know, I just have a hard time betting on PG and Kawhi staying healthy and the supporting cast has just deteriorated over the past couple of years. They certainly have some upside, but I can't bet on it.

Dallas - 44-38 - Over (43.5)
Luka and Kyrie provide such a high likelihood of a top 5 offense, so I see Dallas as having a pretty high floor, even if their ceiling is kind of low.

New Orleans - 44-38 - Under (44.5)
I like the roster overall and if Zion is healthy, they could be a 50-win team, but how can you bet on that? Plus there's always something weird with them and the roster fit with or without Zion is kind of weird.

Minnesota - 43-39 - Under (45.5)
I think that they will probably be better than last year and could be better come playoff time, but again, there's always something weird there and I have a hard time seeing them working that well together to get up to 46.

Oklahoma City - 42-40 - Under (44.5)
I love this team and I wouldn't be shocked if they got all the way up to 50, but they are so young and I still need to see how all these pieces fit together when things actually matter and the league is taking them more seriously.

Utah - 35-47 - Under (35.5)
Hardy is an awesome coach and they have some good players, but their guard play is going to be challenging and when it gets to the end of the year, they will be one of the few teams who will probably stealth tank in the last couple weeks.

San Antonio - 32-50 - Over (29.5)
It's hard because they are so young, but I think that they will try and Wemby will push them up even though he will surely have some growing pains.

Houston - 30-52 - Under (31.5)
I know they improved their roster, but they still have so many young players playing major minutes and I think it will take some time for Udoka to get everything in place.

Portland- 23-59 - Under (28.5)
Will be super-fun, but their defense will be terrible and their guards will be very inefficient and they have incentive to tank, so in a league with few teams that I think will lose a lot, it just make sense for them to end up being the a team at the bottom.

You do have a lot more unders than overs which seems mathematically impossible. .

not sure I agree with that. 27 teams could go over by 1 game and 3 teams under by 9 games each and it would equal out.

Total number of wins is like 1234, which is a few over what it will be, but I think that you end up being more off if you try to tweak multiple records to get it exactly at 1230 rather than just trying to do your best on each individually.

 

[FatMax]

Record predictions and over/unders just for the hell of it. Totals based on Caesar's.

EAST

Boston - 55-27 - Over (54.5)
Even though their depth took a little bit of a hit, just seem too robust on the top end to not get to the over. Would have to have like 3 major injuries.

Milwaukee - 53-29 - Under (54.5)
Would not be surprised at all if they went over, just feels like there's a little more fragility to their top end and maybe some slight growing pains learning to work together.

Cleveland - 51-31 - Over (50.5)
Hard to imagine them being worse next year, even with some injuries, and can easily be the number 1 defense again.

Philadelphia - 48-34 - Under (48.5)
There's a chance they go over just based on Embiid, but too much uncertainty for me to pick the over.

Miami - 46-36 - Over (44.5)
Loss of Strus and Vincent really don't hurt them that much in the regular season (at least based on last year) and I trust in Spo and their development system to get the new guys playing well.

New York - 45-37 - Under (46.5)
This is a tough call because they do have a lot of depth and were able to scheme things up pretty well on both sides last year, but I don't think they are strong enough to maintain that and get to 47. But I wouldn't be shocked.

Atlanta - 43 -39 - Over (42.5)
Full year of Snyder working with Trae and good roster continuity, I think that they will get a solid a system going and improve on last year.

Chicago - 40-42 - Over (37.5)
Boring team, but they are good enough and Donovan gets things work ok that they should be able to clear 37.5 with relative ease.

Brooklyn - 38-44 - Over (36.5)
One of the hardest to decide on because their offense doesn't have much of an engine and their defense is good but hard to see it being great. Betting on Bridges being able to build on his improvement as an offensive player to just get them over the hump.

Toronto - 36-46 - Under (36.5)
Really kind of a similar situation to Brooklyn, but with the new coach and lack of anyone to be the main offensive creator and what seems to be a generally weird situation up there, I'm going to bet on the under. Wouldn't be surprised at all to see them around .500, though.

Indiana - 35-47 - Under (39.5)
Just don't see them as ready to make the jump yet. I think they will still struggle on defense and not sure they have enough shooting to make the offense work well enough.

Orlando - 35-47 - Under (36.5)
Defense should be solid again and maybe they can move up with some internal improvement, but their offense is unlikely to be efficient and all of the pieces fit together kind of strangely.

Detroit - 27-55 - Under (27.5)
Really want to go with the over and if Cade can blow up, then they could get to the 30s, but being realistic about where their offense and defense are likely to rank, I just think they are more likely to go under.

Washington - 22-60 - Under (24.5)
Can't see any reason for them not to have the worst record in the league, either on or off the floor. Not sure that they have a player even in the top 20 in the league at their position.

WEST

Denver - 55-27 - Over (52.5)
Unless Jokic somehow misses a bunch of games (which he never does), seems like one of the easiest overs.

Phoenix - 50-32 - Under (51.5)
If they get good health, they will blow past this, but I have a hard time fully counting on that and still want to see how these guys all fit together

Golden State - 47-35 - Under (48.5)
Should just be a solid team during the season, Draymond should be happy and Wiggins will hopefully be good all year, but 49 is too much for this aging team.

LA Lakers - 47-35 - Under (47.5)
Basically same rationale as Golden State and the supporting cast is now better than the past couple of years.

Sacramento - 46-36 - Over (44.5)
Really believe in their offensive system in the regular season, though last year they were a bit lucky, so I see a slight downtick

Memphis - 45-37 - Under (45.5)
This total is from prior to the Adams injury, so not sure if it has changed, and I was very bullish on their over even missing Ja for that long, but Adams I think is a real blow to their ability to do what they want to do on offense and defense.

LA Clippers - 44-38 - Under (46.5)
I don't know, I just have a hard time betting on PG and Kawhi staying healthy and the supporting cast has just deteriorated over the past couple of years. They certainly have some upside, but I can't bet on it.

Dallas - 44-38 - Over (43.5)
Luka and Kyrie provide such a high likelihood of a top 5 offense, so I see Dallas as having a pretty high floor, even if their ceiling is kind of low.

New Orleans - 44-38 - Under (44.5)
I like the roster overall and if Zion is healthy, they could be a 50-win team, but how can you bet on that? Plus there's always something weird with them and the roster fit with or without Zion is kind of weird.

Minnesota - 43-39 - Under (45.5)
I think that they will probably be better than last year and could be better come playoff time, but again, there's always something weird there and I have a hard time seeing them working that well together to get up to 46.

Oklahoma City - 42-40 - Under (44.5)
I love this team and I wouldn't be shocked if they got all the way up to 50, but they are so young and I still need to see how all these pieces fit together when things actually matter and the league is taking them more seriously.

Utah - 35-47 - Under (35.5)
Hardy is an awesome coach and they have some good players, but their guard play is going to be challenging and when it gets to the end of the year, they will be one of the few teams who will probably stealth tank in the last couple weeks.

San Antonio - 32-50 - Over (29.5)
It's hard because they are so young, but I think that they will try and Wemby will push them up even though he will surely have some growing pains.

Houston - 30-52 - Under (31.5)
I know they improved their roster, but they still have so many young players playing major minutes and I think it will take some time for Udoka to get everything in place.

Portland- 23-59 - Under (28.5)
Will be super-fun, but their defense will be terrible and their guards will be very inefficient and they have incentive to tank, so in a league with few teams that I think will lose a lot, it just make sense for them to end up being the a team at the bottom.

Hollinger has the Kings at 11th in the West. As a Kings fan, that makes me happy. We'll probably be a two-seed.

 

[AAABatteries]

Rejuvenated Spurs fan here. Will be firing up League Pass and can't wait to gorge.

Gimme three more teams I should seek out on LP.

Currently I have:

1. Thunder
2. Bucks
3. Celtics

What were you being rejuvenated from? Were you in a mental institution or were you depressed and curled up in your bedroom or something? (Steve’s an *******)

Pop looking like the Unabomber.

 

[thecatch]

Record predictions and over/unders just for the hell of it. Totals based on Caesar's.

EAST

Boston - 55-27 - Over (54.5)
Even though their depth took a little bit of a hit, just seem too robust on the top end to not get to the over. Would have to have like 3 major injuries.

Milwaukee - 53-29 - Under (54.5)
Would not be surprised at all if they went over, just feels like there's a little more fragility to their top end and maybe some slight growing pains learning to work together.

Cleveland - 51-31 - Over (50.5)
Hard to imagine them being worse next year, even with some injuries, and can easily be the number 1 defense again.

Philadelphia - 48-34 - Under (48.5)
There's a chance they go over just based on Embiid, but too much uncertainty for me to pick the over.

Miami - 46-36 - Over (44.5)
Loss of Strus and Vincent really don't hurt them that much in the regular season (at least based on last year) and I trust in Spo and their development system to get the new guys playing well.

New York - 45-37 - Under (46.5)
This is a tough call because they do have a lot of depth and were able to scheme things up pretty well on both sides last year, but I don't think they are strong enough to maintain that and get to 47. But I wouldn't be shocked.

Atlanta - 43 -39 - Over (42.5)
Full year of Snyder working with Trae and good roster continuity, I think that they will get a solid a system going and improve on last year.

Chicago - 40-42 - Over (37.5)
Boring team, but they are good enough and Donovan gets things work ok that they should be able to clear 37.5 with relative ease.

Brooklyn - 38-44 - Over (36.5)
One of the hardest to decide on because their offense doesn't have much of an engine and their defense is good but hard to see it being great. Betting on Bridges being able to build on his improvement as an offensive player to just get them over the hump.

Toronto - 36-46 - Under (36.5)
Really kind of a similar situation to Brooklyn, but with the new coach and lack of anyone to be the main offensive creator and what seems to be a generally weird situation up there, I'm going to bet on the under. Wouldn't be surprised at all to see them around .500, though.

Indiana - 35-47 - Under (39.5)
Just don't see them as ready to make the jump yet. I think they will still struggle on defense and not sure they have enough shooting to make the offense work well enough.

Orlando - 35-47 - Under (36.5)
Defense should be solid again and maybe they can move up with some internal improvement, but their offense is unlikely to be efficient and all of the pieces fit together kind of strangely.

Detroit - 27-55 - Under (27.5)
Really want to go with the over and if Cade can blow up, then they could get to the 30s, but being realistic about where their offense and defense are likely to rank, I just think they are more likely to go under.

Washington - 22-60 - Under (24.5)
Can't see any reason for them not to have the worst record in the league, either on or off the floor. Not sure that they have a player even in the top 20 in the league at their position.

WEST

Denver - 55-27 - Over (52.5)
Unless Jokic somehow misses a bunch of games (which he never does), seems like one of the easiest overs.

Phoenix - 50-32 - Under (51.5)
If they get good health, they will blow past this, but I have a hard time fully counting on that and still want to see how these guys all fit together

Golden State - 47-35 - Under (48.5)
Should just be a solid team during the season, Draymond should be happy and Wiggins will hopefully be good all year, but 49 is too much for this aging team.

LA Lakers - 47-35 - Under (47.5)
Basically same rationale as Golden State and the supporting cast is now better than the past couple of years.

Sacramento - 46-36 - Over (44.5)
Really believe in their offensive system in the regular season, though last year they were a bit lucky, so I see a slight downtick

Memphis - 45-37 - Under (45.5)
This total is from prior to the Adams injury, so not sure if it has changed, and I was very bullish on their over even missing Ja for that long, but Adams I think is a real blow to their ability to do what they want to do on offense and defense.

LA Clippers - 44-38 - Under (46.5)
I don't know, I just have a hard time betting on PG and Kawhi staying healthy and the supporting cast has just deteriorated over the past couple of years. They certainly have some upside, but I can't bet on it.

Dallas - 44-38 - Over (43.5)
Luka and Kyrie provide such a high likelihood of a top 5 offense, so I see Dallas as having a pretty high floor, even if their ceiling is kind of low.

New Orleans - 44-38 - Under (44.5)
I like the roster overall and if Zion is healthy, they could be a 50-win team, but how can you bet on that? Plus there's always something weird with them and the roster fit with or without Zion is kind of weird.

Minnesota - 43-39 - Under (45.5)
I think that they will probably be better than last year and could be better come playoff time, but again, there's always something weird there and I have a hard time seeing them working that well together to get up to 46.

Oklahoma City - 42-40 - Under (44.5)
I love this team and I wouldn't be shocked if they got all the way up to 50, but they are so young and I still need to see how all these pieces fit together when things actually matter and the league is taking them more seriously.

Utah - 35-47 - Under (35.5)
Hardy is an awesome coach and they have some good players, but their guard play is going to be challenging and when it gets to the end of the year, they will be one of the few teams who will probably stealth tank in the last couple weeks.

San Antonio - 32-50 - Over (29.5)
It's hard because they are so young, but I think that they will try and Wemby will push them up even though he will surely have some growing pains.

Houston - 30-52 - Under (31.5)
I know they improved their roster, but they still have so many young players playing major minutes and I think it will take some time for Udoka to get everything in place.

Portland- 23-59 - Under (28.5)
Will be super-fun, but their defense will be terrible and their guards will be very inefficient and they have incentive to tank, so in a league with few teams that I think will lose a lot, it just make sense for them to end up being the a team at the bottom.

Hollinger has the Kings at 11th in the West. As a Kings fan, that makes me happy. We'll probably be a two-seed.

I like Hollinger a lot generally but he also thinks Sabonis's extension was the worst move anyone made in the offseason.

 

[thecatch]

I like to think I follow this sport pretty closely but I've never heard of Zeke Nnaji or Deni Avdija.

Also really happy to see Harry Giles making the Nets roster. He seems like a really good dude and I'm glad he's getting another chance.

 

[Yo Mama]

We’ve got a couple spots still open in the NBA salary cap draft. Let me know by tomorrow morning if you’re interested.

 

[Yo Mama]

I’m also trying to figure out how to do something with the mid-season tournament to add some interest to that whole thing. Something like either just drafting teams or picking group stage records and tournament winners. I’ll see how much time I have after getting the salary cap league going.

 

[Yo Mama]

I’m also trying to figure out how to do something with the mid-season tournament to add some interest to that whole thing. Something like either just drafting teams or picking group stage records and tournament winners. I’ll see how much time I have after getting the salary cap league going.

Looks like first group play games are next Friday 11/3, so I’ll have to get things going on it this week.

 

[Frostillicus]

Wolves sign Jaden for 5/$136. Love it. After Vassell got 5/$135 I was worried this would be up to $150.

Now they have to prove this group works or Towns is gone. Let's go Wolves!

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Lot of pretty team-friendly extensions today.

 

[Yo Mama]

I’m also trying to figure out how to do something with the mid-season tournament to add some interest to that whole thing. Something like either just drafting teams or picking group stage records and tournament winners. I’ll see how much time I have after getting the salary cap league going.

Looks like first group play games are next Friday 11/3, so I’ll have to get things going on it this week.

I’m procrastinating at work today, so I got the mid-season thread and google sheet started.

Thread 'NBA 2023-2024 In-Season Tournament Challenge - Picks due 11/2 at 8pm Pacific'
https://forums.footballguys.com/thr...allenge-picks-due-11-2-at-8pm-pacific.810862/

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Wow, Giannis extends for 3 years. Really surprised

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Fantastic news for Brewtown take that to the moothafrookin bank brohans.

 

[Yo Mama]

I’m interested to hear how far apart Quickley and the Knicks were on his extension negotiations. Was surprised they didn’t get a deal done since pretty much everyone else did.

 

[gruecd]

Wow, Giannis extends for 3 years. Really surprised

At first I couldn't understand why he did it, but it sounds like it was presented to him and his agents (by Horst) as part of a broader strategy to maximize his earnings over the next DECADE!

 

[offdee]

Wow, Giannis extends for 3 years. Really surprised

At first I couldn't understand why he did it, but it sounds like it was presented to him and his agents (by Horst) as part of a broader strategy to maximize his earnings over the next DECADE!

Yep. Salary cap will keep going up which means max contracts will keep going up with it. Better to take 2-3 yr deals than 5 yrs.

Also better for the Bucks if he demands a trade at some point. Easier contract to trade and get more valuable assets for.

Also this contract now mirrors time of Lillards (and Middleton) so they can play out the 2 together based on success of the duo. If rolling, keep extending. If not successful or age catching up with Dame change course.

Win win all around.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Wow, Giannis extends for 3 years. Really surprised

At first I couldn't understand why he did it, but it sounds like it was presented to him and his agents (by Horst) as part of a broader strategy to maximize his earnings over the next DECADE!

to be honest, i think a little bit of the financial aspect is spin and people in the media trying to explain it from that perspective. I'm not sure that it really will maximize his earnings in the more likely scenarios. I think that he probably just wants to stay in Milwaukee, but he wanted to make sure that he could keep the pressure on them to keep the team operating at a high level. That was basically what he said all summer, that he wants to keep winning titles and he would like it to be in Milwaukee, but that's what he wanted wherever it happened. Trading for Dame probably made him feel good enough, but also he still has leverage to keep putting pressure on them by only being locked up with them for 2 more years.

 

[Instinctive]

Josh Green 3/41 is a wonderful deal

 

[gruecd]

Wow, Giannis extends for 3 years. Really surprised

At first I couldn't understand why he did it, but it sounds like it was presented to him and his agents (by Horst) as part of a broader strategy to maximize his earnings over the next DECADE!

to be honest, i think a little bit of the financial aspect is spin and people in the media trying to explain it from that perspective. I'm not sure that it really will maximize his earnings in the more likely scenarios. I think that he probably just wants to stay in Milwaukee, but he wanted to make sure that he could keep the pressure on them to keep the team operating at a high level. That was basically what he said all summer, that he wants to keep winning titles and he would like it to be in Milwaukee, but that's what he wanted wherever it happened. Trading for Dame probably made him feel good enough, but also he still has leverage to keep putting pressure on them by only being locked up with them for 2 more years.

He's actually locked up now for at least 4 years (through the 2026-27 season). He has an option for 2027-28.

 

[Zigg]

What a horrible day for Jokic. Back to work for 8+ months. Poor fella.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Wow, Giannis extends for 3 years. Really surprised

At first I couldn't understand why he did it, but it sounds like it was presented to him and his agents (by Horst) as part of a broader strategy to maximize his earnings over the next DECADE!

to be honest, i think a little bit of the financial aspect is spin and people in the media trying to explain it from that perspective. I'm not sure that it really will maximize his earnings in the more likely scenarios. I think that he probably just wants to stay in Milwaukee, but he wanted to make sure that he could keep the pressure on them to keep the team operating at a high level. That was basically what he said all summer, that he wants to keep winning titles and he would like it to be in Milwaukee, but that's what he wanted wherever it happened. Trading for Dame probably made him feel good enough, but also he still has leverage to keep putting pressure on them by only being locked up with them for 2 more years.

He's actually locked up now for at least 4 years (through the 2026-27 season). He has an option for 2027-28.

right, I meant 2 additional years as compared to what he was under contract for before this deal.

 

[Jayrod]

What a horrible day for Jokic. Back to work for 8+ months. Poor fella.

This is another reason why Jokic is my favorite player. He disproves the notion that you have to be some jerkwad workaholic to be great (ala MJ & Kobe). You can be really great at something and still have a life outside of it.

 

[Major]

What a horrible day for Jokic. Back to work for 8+ months. Poor fella.

Those horses are going to miss him

 

[Courtjester]

So the Lakers do have a shot this year if they play LeBron 42 minutes a night

 

[Jayrod]

Nuggets picking up where they left off so far.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Suns starting out hot. With some help.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Ahhhhh, the Jusuf Nurkic honeymoon phase. I'll be sure to circle back on this one.

Update?

 

[thecatch]

Draymond and Chris Paul is going to make for a very hateable lineup.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Suns win in GS with no Beal

Centers that do something other than pout and quit

I love this game.