2023-24 NBA Thread: thread title guy has a new baby and hasn’t slept in two weeks so snarkiness has to wait (1 Viewer)

[Navin Johnson]

Oh wow just turned on the USA game. Stayed up late to watch the first semi. Assumed USA would be up by 40 points now.

Why would you expect us to win this game by 40?

Somebody project the Olympic team please. Make sure Brunson isn’t on it.

For the Olympics, wouldn't all the superstars want to play? Throw Steph, etc on that team and no one would come close.

Steph, KD, Lebron may be too old and not want to do it. As for guys who weren’t here who are likely to go, I guess Booker is the best player? But then Serbia will be adding Joker to a team that is in the finals as well.

Tatum as well. A few federations competing to get Embid naturalized. Front runners are France and US

 

[Capella]

Somebody project the Olympic team please. Make sure Brunson isn’t on it.

For the Olympics, wouldn't all the superstars want to play? Throw Steph, etc on that team and no one would come close.

This mentality in the US is odd. The rest of the world considers the WC the more prestigious competition and FIBA agrees

I’ve always disagreed with this. The 3 best players in the league last year didn’t play in this. Most of the top-15 didn’t play. Clearly the players don’t consider it as prestigious, and if they don’t think it is, then it’s not. It doesn’t matter what some FIBA promoters think.

If it meant as much Joker and Giannis would have been out there. They will be next summer.

 

[Capella]

Oh wow just turned on the USA game. Stayed up late to watch the first semi. Assumed USA would be up by 40 points now.

Why would you expect us to win this game by 40?

Somebody project the Olympic team please. Make sure Brunson isn’t on it.

For the Olympics, wouldn't all the superstars want to play? Throw Steph, etc on that team and no one would come close.

Steph, KD, Lebron may be too old and not want to do it. As for guys who weren’t here who are likely to go, I guess Booker is the best player? But then Serbia will be adding Joker to a team that is in the finals as well.

Tatum as well. A few federations competing to get Embid naturalized. Front runners are France and US

Yea I forgot Tatum. Bam will be playing in the middle too most likely. Big upgrade from JJJ.

 

[TLEF316]

Yeah......next year's Olympic tournament will be played in freaking Paris.

The US just lost in a stadium that has "The Mall of...." in its name.


Certainly not an excuse for losing, obviously. This team had more than enough talent. They just didn't play hard or well enough for pretty much the entire tournament. Rebounded like crap, got burned on D at key times.(how do you let Germany's designated shooter get open for a 3 on that last inbounds play?) Just terrible.

 

[Deamon]

Oh wow just turned on the USA game. Stayed up late to watch the first semi. Assumed USA would be up by 40 points now.

Why would you expect us to win this game by 40?

Somebody project the Olympic team please. Make sure Brunson isn’t on it.

For the Olympics, wouldn't all the superstars want to play? Throw Steph, etc on that team and no one would come close.

Steph, KD, Lebron may be too old and not want to do it. As for guys who weren’t here who are likely to go, I guess Booker is the best player? But then Serbia will be adding Joker to a team that is in the finals as well.

It's only next year. Why wouldn't Steph play? But ya, Bam, Tatum, Steph, Booker, etc should all play and that's a huge upgrade in talent.

 

[Deamon]

Somebody project the Olympic team please. Make sure Brunson isn’t on it.

For the Olympics, wouldn't all the superstars want to play? Throw Steph, etc on that team and no one would come close.

This mentality in the US is odd. The rest of the world considers the WC the more prestigious competition and FIBA agrees

I’ve always disagreed with this. The 3 best players in the league last year didn’t play in this. Most of the top-15 didn’t play. Clearly the players don’t consider it as prestigious, and if they don’t think it is, then it’s not. It doesn’t matter what some FIBA promoters think.

If it meant as much Joker and Giannis would have been out there. They will be next summer.

Feel like the Olympics mean more to USA as it's longer standing, and the old Dream Team squads are burned into our memories. More people watching, way more media and hype around the olympics etc.

Where as in soccer, world cup is everything and Olympics mean nothing. Basketball is definitely becoming more of a world wide sport though, so I guess it's not that surprising seeing these European teams thrive, but the athleticism difference from the Americans is still a big difference.

 

[Deamon]

Will either Canada or USA really care and go all out for the bronze here? Was excited for this matchup, but in a battle of NBA players, USA should crush.

Bronze game is going to have more viewers than the final.

 

[DJackson10]

Oh wow just turned on the USA game. Stayed up late to watch the first semi. Assumed USA would be up by 40 points now.

Why would you expect us to win this game by 40?

Somebody project the Olympic team please. Make sure Brunson isn’t on it.

For the Olympics, wouldn't all the superstars want to play? Throw Steph, etc on that team and no one would come close.

Steph, KD, Lebron may be too old and not want to do it. As for guys who weren’t here who are likely to go, I guess Booker is the best player? But then Serbia will be adding Joker to a team that is in the finals as well.

Tatum as well. A few federations competing to get Embid naturalized. Front runners are France and US

Why would you want him he fails to show up when it matters

 

[NewlyRetired]

A few federations competing to get Embid naturalized. Front runners are France and US

Embid is already a citizen of both France and the US, he does not have to do anything but make a decision now on who he wants to play for.

He could have played for either country this summer.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Where as in soccer, world cup is everything and Olympics mean nothing. Basketball is definitely becoming more of a world wide sport though, so I guess it's not that surprising seeing these European teams thrive, but the athleticism difference from the Americans is still a big difference.

I always wondered why FIBA does not follow FIFA footsteps here to assure their tournament is the biggest by limiting who can play in the Olympics (FIFA makes the Olympic soccer tournament effectively a U23 tournament).

 

[Deamon]

Where as in soccer, world cup is everything and Olympics mean nothing. Basketball is definitely becoming more of a world wide sport though, so I guess it's not that surprising seeing these European teams thrive, but the athleticism difference from the Americans is still a big difference.

I always wondered why FIBA does not follow FIFA footsteps here to assure their tournament is the biggest by limiting who can play in the Olympics (FIFA makes the Olympic soccer tournament effectively a U23 tournament).

Are they allowed?

 

[Deamon]

Where as in soccer, world cup is everything and Olympics mean nothing. Basketball is definitely becoming more of a world wide sport though, so I guess it's not that surprising seeing these European teams thrive, but the athleticism difference from the Americans is still a big difference.

I always wondered why FIBA does not follow FIFA footsteps here to assure their tournament is the biggest by limiting who can play in the Olympics (FIFA makes the Olympic soccer tournament effectively a U23 tournament).

I wonder if that's another reason the "world cup" of basketball Is bigger than the olympics for European teams but not north America. Wonder if they have soccer subconsciously in their mind where they feel world cup > Olympics.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Where as in soccer, world cup is everything and Olympics mean nothing. Basketball is definitely becoming more of a world wide sport though, so I guess it's not that surprising seeing these European teams thrive, but the athleticism difference from the Americans is still a big difference.

I always wondered why FIBA does not follow FIFA footsteps here to assure their tournament is the biggest by limiting who can play in the Olympics (FIFA makes the Olympic soccer tournament effectively a U23 tournament).

Are they allowed?

I am not sure what is allowed. FIFA does it though but they are obviously SIGNIFICANTLY more powerful than FIBA is.

 

[Capella]

I wonder if that's another reason the "world cup" of basketball Is bigger than the olympics for European teams but not north America

Jokic and Giannis did not play in this. It simply is not bigger.

 

[Capella]

Where as in soccer, world cup is everything and Olympics mean nothing. Basketball is definitely becoming more of a world wide sport though, so I guess it's not that surprising seeing these European teams thrive, but the athleticism difference from the Americans is still a big difference.

I always wondered why FIBA does not follow FIFA footsteps here to assure their tournament is the biggest by limiting who can play in the Olympics (FIFA makes the Olympic soccer tournament effectively a U23 tournament).

I wonder if that's another reason the "world cup" of basketball Is bigger than the olympics for European teams but not north America. Wonder if they have soccer subconsciously in their mind where they feel world cup > Olympics.

I think they just changed the name to World Cup recently. Used to be called the world
Championships.

 

[Navin Johnson]

Somebody project the Olympic team please. Make sure Brunson isn’t on it.

For the Olympics, wouldn't all the superstars want to play? Throw Steph, etc on that team and no one would come close.

This mentality in the US is odd. The rest of the world considers the WC the more prestigious competition and FIBA agrees

I’ve always disagreed with this. The 3 best players in the league last year didn’t play in this. Most of the top-15 didn’t play. Clearly the players don’t consider it as prestigious, and if they don’t think it is, then it’s not. It doesn’t matter what some FIBA promoters think.

If it meant as much Joker and Giannis would have been out there. They will be next summer.

Giannis was injured. Jokic just finished a deep playoff run

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Oh wow just turned on the USA game. Stayed up late to watch the first semi. Assumed USA would be up by 40 points now.

Why would you expect us to win this game by 40?

Somebody project the Olympic team please. Make sure Brunson isn’t on it.

For the Olympics, wouldn't all the superstars want to play? Throw Steph, etc on that team and no one would come close.

Steph, KD, Lebron may be too old and not want to do it. As for guys who weren’t here who are likely to go, I guess Booker is the best player? But then Serbia will be adding Joker to a team that is in the finals as well.

It's only next year. Why wouldn't Steph play? But ya, Bam, Tatum, Steph, Booker, etc should all play and that's a huge upgrade in talent.

Steph will be 36 by next summer. I would guess it will depend on the Warriors' situation. If they seem like they are still in championship contention, I suspect he would skip the olympics. If it looks like this group is kind of done, then maybe he would be more interested in the olympics.

 

[Capella]

Somebody project the Olympic team please. Make sure Brunson isn’t on it.

For the Olympics, wouldn't all the superstars want to play? Throw Steph, etc on that team and no one would come close.

This mentality in the US is odd. The rest of the world considers the WC the more prestigious competition and FIBA agrees

I’ve always disagreed with this. The 3 best players in the league last year didn’t play in this. Most of the top-15 didn’t play. Clearly the players don’t consider it as prestigious, and if they don’t think it is, then it’s not. It doesn’t matter what some FIBA promoters think.

If it meant as much Joker and Giannis would have been out there. They will be next summer.

Giannis was injured. Jokic just finished a deep playoff run

Ok then what about Embiid, Durant, Booker, Lebron, AD, Tatum, Bam, Donovan Mitchell, Curry, Butler, Fox, Dame, Jaylen Brown.

Two players on the all-nba team of 15 played. To say it’s worth more than the Olympics is honestly silly.

Also, two guys who played in the 2021 Finals flew straight to Asia to compete in those Olympics. Like, the next day.

 

[Moe.]

I do think historically the FIBA championship has been the more prestigious competition but I think that has changed post-1992. Not surprised by today’s outcome in the slightest, Germany was always going to be tough given our roster construction.

 

[Navin Johnson]

Somebody project the Olympic team please. Make sure Brunson isn’t on it.

For the Olympics, wouldn't all the superstars want to play? Throw Steph, etc on that team and no one would come close.

This mentality in the US is odd. The rest of the world considers the WC the more prestigious competition and FIBA agrees

I’ve always disagreed with this. The 3 best players in the league last year didn’t play in this. Most of the top-15 didn’t play. Clearly the players don’t consider it as prestigious, and if they don’t think it is, then it’s not. It doesn’t matter what some FIBA promoters think.

If it meant as much Joker and Giannis would have been out there. They will be next summer.

Giannis was injured. Jokic just finished a deep playoff run

Ok then what about Embiid, Durant, Booker, Lebron, AD, Tatum, Bam, Donovan Mitchell, Curry, Butler, Fox, Dame, Jaylen Brown.

Two players on the all-nba team of 15 played. To say it’s worth more than the Olympics is honestly silly.

Also, two guys who played in the 2021 Finals flew straight to Asia to compete in those Olympics. Like, the next day.

Aren't those guys all Americans?

 

[Major]

Giannis was injured. Jokic just finished a deep playoff run

Nah, Jokic is busy with his horses.

 

[Capella]

Somebody project the Olympic team please. Make sure Brunson isn’t on it.

For the Olympics, wouldn't all the superstars want to play? Throw Steph, etc on that team and no one would come close.

This mentality in the US is odd. The rest of the world considers the WC the more prestigious competition and FIBA agrees

I’ve always disagreed with this. The 3 best players in the league last year didn’t play in this. Most of the top-15 didn’t play. Clearly the players don’t consider it as prestigious, and if they don’t think it is, then it’s not. It doesn’t matter what some FIBA promoters think.

If it meant as much Joker and Giannis would have been out there. They will be next summer.

Giannis was injured. Jokic just finished a deep playoff run

Ok then what about Embiid, Durant, Booker, Lebron, AD, Tatum, Bam, Donovan Mitchell, Curry, Butler, Fox, Dame, Jaylen Brown.

Two players on the all-nba team of 15 played. To say it’s worth more than the Olympics is honestly silly.

Also, two guys who played in the 2021 Finals flew straight to Asia to compete in those Olympics. Like, the next day.

Aren't those guys all Americans?

Yea. None of them were interested in playing. It’s not a dirty Americans thing. It’s that the best players in the world don’t care.

 

[Jayrod]

Aren't those guys all Americans?

Yea. None of them were interested in playing. It’s not a dirty Americans thing. It’s that the best players in the world don’t care.

Also, do they get paid at all for this?

When you are best at something, never do it for free.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Also, do they get paid at all for this?

When you are best at something, never do it for free.

yes they get paid but it is in the noise compared to their normal salaries.

No NBA player is doing this for extra cash (which is similar to soccer, they get paid for international games but it is meaningless for most of the top countries whose players make in the millions already).

 

[Capella]

Will either Canada or USA really care and go all out for the bronze here? Was excited for this matchup, but in a battle of NBA players, USA should crush.

Bronze game is going to have more viewers than the final.

I imagine they’ll try? It’s hard to give up 6 weeks of your time and fly to Manila and come back with nothing. But maybe they feel like the Bronze is nothing too, I don’t know. I’m sure Canada will be motivated, I don’t think they’ve ever finished this high in a major tournament.

 

[Capella]

Somebody posted about Lebron playing next year and he did the emoji. I bet he comes back one more time. That would be super cool.

 

[Deamon]

Ok then what about Embiid, Durant, Booker, Lebron, AD, Tatum, Bam, Donovan Mitchell, Curry, Butler, Fox, Dame, Jaylen Brown.

If all these guys play, there's no way any team could compete with them.

 

[Navin Johnson]

.(how do you let Germany's designated shooter get open for a 3 on that last inbounds play?) Just terrible.

There was a defender there, he just slipped when he bit on the pump fake

 

[TLEF316]

.(how do you let Germany's designated shooter get open for a 3 on that last inbounds play?) Just terrible.

There was a defender there, he just slipped when he bit on the pump fake

From what I remember, he slipped because got caught up on the back screen had to close out REALLY aggressively. Just poor communication on what should be an easy play to defend

 

[Navin Johnson]

.(how do you let Germany's designated shooter get open for a 3 on that last inbounds play?) Just terrible.

There was a defender there, he just slipped when he bit on the pump fake

From what I remember, he slipped because got caught up on the back screen had to close out REALLY aggressively. Just poor communication on what should be an easy play to defend

People will get caught up on screens every now and then. It is kind of the reason teams set them.

 

[Deamon]

OH.... MY.... GOD.

No one was awake for that I guess? That was the craziest finish in regulation of the USA/Canada game ever. Wow.

Big Bronze for Canada. However, we likely would have lost if USA had their best team there.

 

[Moe.]

SGA was the best player in the tournament. Thunder in 7.

 

[Capella]

OH.... MY.... GOD.

No one was awake for that I guess? That was the craziest finish in regulation of the USA/Canada game ever. Wow.

Big Bronze for Canada. However, we likely would have lost if USA had their best team there.

I had just woken up. Crazy finish, then the US rolled over in OT.

 

[Deamon]

OH.... MY.... GOD.

No one was awake for that I guess? That was the craziest finish in regulation of the USA/Canada game ever. Wow.

Big Bronze for Canada. However, we likely would have lost if USA had their best team there.

I had just woken up. Crazy finish, then the US rolled over in OT.

I woulda been so mad if Canada lost in OT after the way that game finished in regulation. Absolutely incredible finish to regulation though.... My boy Kelly back rimmed it at the buzzer too.

 

[Deamon]

Germany wins Gold.. good for them, that's a massive accomplishment for them. They have a good shot at bronze at the olympics.

 

[Yo Mama]

Germany wins Gold.. good for them, that's a massive accomplishment for them. They have a good shot at bronze at the olympics.

Congratulations to former Laker greats Dennis Schroeder (MVP), Moritz Wagner, and Isaac Bonga!

 

[Major]

SGA was the best player in the tournament. Thunder in 7.

Dillon Brooks imo. Rockets in 2025.

 

[AAABatteries]

Germany wins Gold.. good for them, that's a massive accomplishment for them. They have a good shot at bronze at the olympics.

Congratulations to former Laker greats Dennis Schroeder (MVP), Moritz Wagner, and Isaac Bonga!

Will sound like sour grapes but this tells me all I need to know about this tournament.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Novak Djokovic won the US Open (tennis) for his 24th major title and celebrated with a shirt honoring Kobe.

Mamba Forever

 

[Capella]

LeBron James, a three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has so strong an interest in one more Olympics that he is ready to commit for next summer and has also called multiple stars to essentially recruit them to join him with USAB in Paris, multiple league sources told The Athletic.

James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well. Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing, league sources said.


People think the World Cup is the premier tournament lol

 

[Deamon]

LeBron James, a three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has so strong an interest in one more Olympics that he is ready to commit for next summer and has also called multiple stars to essentially recruit them to join him with USAB in Paris, multiple league sources told The Athletic.

James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well. Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing, league sources said.


People think the World Cup is the premier tournament lol

Damn. That team would be untouchable.

 

[Just Win Baby]

LeBron James, a three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has so strong an interest in one more Olympics that he is ready to commit for next summer and has also called multiple stars to essentially recruit them to join him with USAB in Paris, multiple league sources told The Athletic.

James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well. Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing, league sources said.


People think the World Cup is the premier tournament lol

The only thing that could ruin this team is including Kyrie.

 

[Gr00vus]

LeBron James, a three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has so strong an interest in one more Olympics that he is ready to commit for next summer and has also called multiple stars to essentially recruit them to join him with USAB in Paris, multiple league sources told The Athletic.

James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well. Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing, league sources said.


People think the World Cup is the premier tournament lol

The only thing that could ruin this team is including Kyrie.

Not sure what Draymond is bringing to the party at this point either.

 

[Kev4029]

You gotta throw a few bones to guys that actually played on the World Cup team or it will get even less interest going forward and players from the previous Olympic team would get a boost for participating. From this year's team, give two spots to Mikal Bridges and Anthony Edwards, and maybe Tyrese Haliburton. From the 2020 Olympic team Booker, Durant, and Tatum are locks, also in consideration for me would be Bam Adebayo, Dame Lillard, and Jrue Holiday.

James, Curry, and Davis would be 100% locks as well, as well as Embiid if he is going to play for the USA (my guess is not).

Some other guys I would consider - Jimmy Butler, Evan Mobley (let's see how he plays this year), Paul George, Kawhi Leonard (if healthy), Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown, Zion (if healthy), Ja (if he could get his **** together) and De'Aaron Fox.

Ultimately, I would settle on this lineup:
PG: Curry, Lillard, Ja (if his **** is together) or Fox (if Ja doesn't get his **** together)
SG: Booker, Edwards
Forwards: Lebron, Durant, Tatum, Bridges, Zion
C: Davis, Adebayo

Zion could be so goddamned fun on a team with shooting and real athleticism around him - my hope would be he is healthy and the 6th man.

 

[the moops]

PG: Curry, Lillard, Ja (if his **** is together) or Fox (if Ja doesn't get his **** together)
SG: Booker, Edwards
Forwards: Lebron, Durant, Tatum, Bridges, Zion
C: Davis, Adebayo

PG - Curry, Dame, Halliburton
WINGS - Booker, Tatum, Lebron, Durant, Butler, Ant
BIGS - Bam, AD, Lopez

 

[Capella]

LeBron James, a three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has so strong an interest in one more Olympics that he is ready to commit for next summer and has also called multiple stars to essentially recruit them to join him with USAB in Paris, multiple league sources told The Athletic.

James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well. Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing, league sources said.


People think the World Cup is the premier tournament lol

The only thing that could ruin this team is including Kyrie.

Not sure what Draymond is bringing to the party at this point either.

Defense. World Cup team got spun like a top.

 

[Jayrod]

It would be nice to have a Redeem Team 2.0 that just runs roughshod over the world to show how basketball is still our game.

Curry and LeBron alone would bring some Barcelona '92 level interest.

 

[msudaisy26]

I want Draymond and Kyrie on the team because the games wouldn't be close, but Draymond punching Kyrie would be awesome.

 

[Gr00vus]

LeBron James, a three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has so strong an interest in one more Olympics that he is ready to commit for next summer and has also called multiple stars to essentially recruit them to join him with USAB in Paris, multiple league sources told The Athletic.

James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well. Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing, league sources said.


People think the World Cup is the premier tournament lol

The only thing that could ruin this team is including Kyrie.

Not sure what Draymond is bringing to the party at this point either.

Defense. World Cup team got spun like a top.

Does he still bring it regularly? Boards too (the FIBA team got demolished in the rebounding dept.)? I haven't seen the Warriors much in a couple of years.

 

[Frostillicus]

The NBA is defining a star player as someone who's made the All-Star or All-NBA teams in any of the three previous seasons, sources said.

The NBA will incorporate a fine system for teams that begins with $100,000 for first offenses, $250,000 for second offenses and $1 million more than the previous penalty for each additional fine, sources said.

A league memo obtained by ESPN on the changes describe these areas of the new policy. Enforcement of these policies will be based on league office investigations, which will include independent medical reviews, sources said.

• Teams must manage their roster to ensure that no more than one star player is unavailable for the same game.
• Teams must insure that star players are available for national television and in-season tournament games.
• Teams must maintain a balance between the number of one-game absences for a star player in home games and road games -- with a preference for those absences to happen in home games.
• Teams must refrain from any long-term shutdown -- or near shutdown -- when a star player stops participating in games or plays in a materially reduced role in circumstances affecting the integrity of the game.
• Teams must insure that healthy players resting for a game are present and visible to fans.

The NBA will provide several scenarios for excused absences on missed games -- including those involving regular-season back-to-back scenarios, sources said. For example, the NBA will allow pre-approved designated back-to-back allowances for players who are 35 years old on opening night or have career workloads of 34,000 regular-season minutes or 1,000 regular season/playoff games combined, sources said.