2024-25 NBA Thread: “we simply must acquire another top-5 player for next year” Laker GM says after game (27 Viewers)

[SWC]

brohans how exactly did our wolves lose to our bucks i mean no anteater no dame i guess kuzma just poses that many match up problems steal of the deadline if you ask me that to the bank brochachos

 

[Kev4029]

Latest MVP straw poll from ESPN.

 

[Anarchy99]

Latest MVP straw poll from ESPN.

Basketball Reference MVP probability: Jokic - 71.9%, SGA - 21.9%, Everyone Else Combined - 6.2%.

 

[Lehigh98]

Good thread retitle, thank god for the Eagles, aye caramba.

 

[the moops]

The top 12-15 or so is so tough after the top 2. IMO I would say Lebron, Jordan, Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Duncan, Bird, Magic are a tier above him. Shaq, Kobe, and Steph all get a bump for post season success, so I would probably have them in a half tier above. Jokic is in (and maybe at the top?) of a tier with Robertson, Hakeem, and West and a half tier ahead of Durant, both Malones, Dr. J, Giannis, Baylor.

That puts him somewhere between 12 and 15, in my estimation. But everybody above him, save maybe Steph, were levels better defensively at their peak

Larry Bird is not levels better defensively than Jokic. Probably not Magic either

 

[Kev4029]

---

Just saw that the Mavs just lost Gafford for 6+ weeks. They have 4 centers on roster and all of them are hurt. I don't know what their roster/tax situation is but they are going to need to sign somebody.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Latest MVP straw poll from ESPN.

Basketball Reference MVP probability: Jokic - 71.9%, SGA - 21.9%, Everyone Else Combined - 6.2%.

That probably only goes by stats and not things like voter fatigue.

 

[Anarchy99]

That probably only goes by stats and not things like voter fatigue.

Oh, I get that. Jokic is likely going to set single season records in advanced categories like PER and WS/48, to go along with averaging 30/12/10. He's already had 25 triple doubles this year . . . in 49 games. It arguably is Jokic's best season of his career. If voters are tired of voting for him, so be it. SGA isn't far behind in advanced metrics and OKC should end up winning the West by a fair amount. Still 25+ games to go.

 

[msudaisy26]

brohans how exactly did our wolves lose to our bucks i mean no anteater no dame i guess kuzma just poses that many match up problems steal of the deadline if you ask me that to the bank brochachos

Damn right!

 

[msudaisy26]

Some midseason predictions....
Standings:
West: 1. OKC 2. Den 3. Mem 4. Lakers 5. TWolves 6. Rockets 7. Clippers 8. Kings 9. Dallas 10. Warriors - Clippers make it in as the 7, Dallas as the 8
East: 1. Cle 2. Boston 3. Knicks 4. Bucks 5. Pacers 6. Magic 7. Pistons 8. Heat 9. Hawks 10. Philly - Heat make it as 7, Pistons as 8.
West finals - OKC v Den, Den wins in 6. East finals - Cleveland v Boston, Boston wins in 6. Denver wins finals in Game 7 AT HOME.

MVP - SGA in the closest vote in years over Jokic.
DPOY - Wemby
COY - Atkinson

This is pretty close to what I think.

Nuggets and Grizzlies could go either way. I think the Warriors move up to the 8th seed ahead of the Kings and Mavs.

I think the Pacers hold the 4th spot.
Magic and Pistons for the 6th seed feels like a toss up.
Magic/Pistons for 7th Hawks for 8th

Individual awards are pretty spot on.

OKC and Den in the West with OKC in 7
Cleveland and Boston in East with Clevleand in 7

OKC in 6 for the title.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I hate this coming weekend.

Many moons ago, i had a series of bad luck on NBA All Star weekends (car accident, wallet stolen, relationship breakup) over consecutive years

So now I don't watch or go out much on this particular weekend

But I still tolerate this game!

I’m sorry for your past problems, but continuing to watch this game seems like it is only perpetuating the cycle of bad events

 

[Frostillicus]

Chris Paul/Wemby try to win the skills challenge by trying to exploit a loophole. DISQUALIFIED.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Chris Paul/Wemby try to win the skills challenge by trying to exploit a loophole. DISQUALIFIED.

And CP is furious

 

[Desert_Power]

Chris Paul/Wemby try to win the skills challenge by trying to exploit a loophole. DISQUALIFIED.

And CP is furious

This is the most Chris Paul thing ever (especially the not winning part)

 

[TLEF316]

And Paul wonders why he will never win a ring. Clown show.

 

[Capella]

NBA digging Mac McClung out to save the dunk contest every year is hilarious.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

NBA digging Mac McClung out to save the dunk contest every year is hilarious.

He has almost as many appearances in the contest as he does appearances in an NBA game.

 

[Frostillicus]

If Castle doesn't dunk over Wemby for his final dunk it will be a huge mistake.

 

[TLEF316]

So bad

 

[Capella]

So bad

??? McClung and Castle were great.

 

[Capella]

NBA digging Mac McClung out to save the dunk contest every year is hilarious.

He has almost as many appearances in the contest as he does appearances in an NBA game.

It’s funny because there are a ton of anonymous back of bench guys. He’s won 3 dunk contests and a g league MVP. Really interesting career. Probably would still prefer the 10th man money though.

 

[TLEF316]

So bad

??? McClung and Castle were great.

Just the idea that they're rolling out a scrub who has nothing to do all year but practice for this.

I mean...good for him...but it just sucks that nobody who anyone cares about has done this thing in the past 15 years. LeBron basically decided he was too cool to do it and that was that

 

[Capella]

So bad

??? McClung and Castle were great.

Just the idea that they're rolling out a scrub who has nothing to do all year but practice for this.

I mean...good for him...but it just sucks that nobody who anyone cares about has done this thing in the past 15 years. LeBron basically decided he was too cool to do it and that was that

I think LeBron has entertained us enough man.

 

[the moops]

So bad

??? McClung and Castle were great.

Just the idea that they're rolling out a scrub who has nothing to do all year but practice for this.

I mean...good for him...but it just sucks that nobody who anyone cares about has done this thing in the past 15 years. LeBron basically decided he was too cool to do it and that was that

I think LeBron has entertained us enough man.

He also would be a terrible dunk contestant

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Probably would still prefer the 10th man money though

I saw on the Twitters (so you know its true) that he has earned about 140k as an NBA player and close to half a million from the dunk contests.

 

[Major]

So bad

??? McClung and Castle were great.

Just the idea that they're rolling out a scrub who has nothing to do all year but practice for this.

I mean...good for him...but it just sucks that nobody who anyone cares about has done this thing in the past 15 years. LeBron basically decided he was too cool to do it and that was that

I thought McClung and Castle did great but definitely miss the star power of yesteryear. I guess it's partly coaches holding back talent due to injury concerns and just pure laziness but guys like Jalen Green should be in this.

 

[Brew Swillis]

NHL embarrassed the NBA tonight. Vastly superior "all star" product.

 

[Frostillicus]

NHL embarrassed the NBA tonight. Vastly superior "all star" product.

There he is!

 

[Frostillicus]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

 

[thecatch]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

 

[Frostillicus]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yes

 

[Navin Johnson]

NHL embarrassed the NBA tonight. Vastly superior "all star" product.

The NHL all star game is this weekend?

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

 

[identikit]

Kevin Love weighs in on All-Star Weekend...

x.com

x.com

 

[trader jake]

Chris Paul/Wemby try to win the skills challenge by trying to exploit a loophole. DISQUALIFIED.

And CP is furious

This is the most Chris Paul thing ever (especially the not winning part)

The more things change, the more they stay the same with Chris Paul. All-time, first team NBA clown team. The other 4 spots can be debated.

 

[thecatch]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

Did stars used to suffer a rash of injuries participating in the dunk contest? That's not entirely rhetorical, maybe there were some and I don't remember.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

Did stars used to suffer a rash of injuries participating in the dunk contest? That's not entirely rhetorical, maybe there were some and I don't remember.

Zion gets injured walking to 7-11

 

[thecatch]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

Did stars used to suffer a rash of injuries participating in the dunk contest? That's not entirely rhetorical, maybe there were some and I don't remember.

Zion gets injured walking to 7-11

Well OK, I'll spot you Zion and Embiid should probably be doing nothing but rehabbing and eating salads. The other guys should consider participating, it'd be great for the sport.

 

[zoobird]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

Did stars used to suffer a rash of injuries participating in the dunk contest? That's not entirely rhetorical, maybe there were some and I don't remember.

Not that I remember, but I would think that the types of dunks that McClung is doing would be more dangerous than the dunks that stars used to do.

 

[Navin Johnson]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

Did stars used to suffer a rash of injuries participating in the dunk contest? That's not entirely rhetorical, maybe there were some and I don't remember.

It's not the actual competition, it's the needless wear and tear from practicing for it. You have a finite number of times you can jump and land violently. Why waste them on a prepping for a sideshow?

 

[thecatch]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

Did stars used to suffer a rash of injuries participating in the dunk contest? That's not entirely rhetorical, maybe there were some and I don't remember.

It's not the actual competition, it's the needless wear and tear from practicing for it. You have a finite number of times you can jump and land violently. Why waste them on a prepping for a sideshow?

These guys are goofing off in practice all the time anyway. I totally disagree that there's any evidence for the fact that participating in dunk contests shortens your career, what are we even talking about here.

 

[Kev4029]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

Did stars used to suffer a rash of injuries participating in the dunk contest? That's not entirely rhetorical, maybe there were some and I don't remember.

It's not the actual competition, it's the needless wear and tear from practicing for it. You have a finite number of times you can jump and land violently. Why waste them on a prepping for a sideshow?

These guys are goofing off in practice all the time anyway. I totally disagree that there's any evidence for the fact that participating in dunk contests shortens your career, what are we even talking about here.

All those dunks totally ruined the careers of guys like Jordan, Carter, Kobe, et al.

 

[Navin Johnson]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

Did stars used to suffer a rash of injuries participating in the dunk contest? That's not entirely rhetorical, maybe there were some and I don't remember.

It's not the actual competition, it's the needless wear and tear from practicing for it. You have a finite number of times you can jump and land violently. Why waste them on a prepping for a sideshow?

These guys are goofing off in practice all the time anyway. I totally disagree that there's any evidence for the fact that participating in dunk contests shortens your career, what are we even talking about here.

All those dunks totally ruined the careers of guys like Jordan, Carter, Kobe, et al.

Burn that Strawman down

 

[Navin Johnson]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

Did stars used to suffer a rash of injuries participating in the dunk contest? That's not entirely rhetorical, maybe there were some and I don't remember.

It's not the actual competition, it's the needless wear and tear from practicing for it. You have a finite number of times you can jump and land violently. Why waste them on a prepping for a sideshow?

These guys are goofing off in practice all the time anyway. I totally disagree that there's any evidence for the fact that participating in dunk contests shortens your career, what are we even talking about here.

Did you even read what I posted?

 

[Desert_Power]

---

Just saw that the Mavs just lost Gafford for 6+ weeks. They have 4 centers on roster and all of them are hurt. I don't know what their roster/tax situation is but they are going to need to sign somebody.

Is PJ hurt too? Had a lot of minutes as a 5 in Charlotte because of amazing rooster construction.

 

[Kev4029]

---

Just saw that the Mavs just lost Gafford for 6+ weeks. They have 4 centers on roster and all of them are hurt. I don't know what their roster/tax situation is but they are going to need to sign somebody.

Is PJ hurt too? Had a lot of minutes as a 5 in Charlotte because of amazing rooster construction.

He was out for a game or two but I don't think it was anything serious. He'll definitely get some time at center buuuuut that is not a great solution for 10 games or something.

 

[Kev4029]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

Did stars used to suffer a rash of injuries participating in the dunk contest? That's not entirely rhetorical, maybe there were some and I don't remember.

It's not the actual competition, it's the needless wear and tear from practicing for it. You have a finite number of times you can jump and land violently. Why waste them on a prepping for a sideshow?

These guys are goofing off in practice all the time anyway. I totally disagree that there's any evidence for the fact that participating in dunk contests shortens your career, what are we even talking about here.

All those dunks totally ruined the careers of guys like Jordan, Carter, Kobe, et al.

Burn that Strawman down

There isn't any data I'm aware of that shows that there is a finite number of jumps a person has but there is some empirical evidence that it doesn't matter with guys that I mentioned having long careers. Nearly all the winners of the dunk contest have not had any debilitating lower body injuries. And the ones that have are Griffin who had his knee situation before the contest, Wall who tore his Achilles at home, and Lavine who seems to be unaffected by his ACL tear.

 

[Desert_Power]

---

Just saw that the Mavs just lost Gafford for 6+ weeks. They have 4 centers on roster and all of them are hurt. I don't know what their roster/tax situation is but they are going to need to sign somebody.

Is PJ hurt too? Had a lot of minutes as a 5 in Charlotte because of amazing rooster construction.

He was out for a game or two but I don't think it was anything serious. He'll definitely get some time at center buuuuut that is not a great solution for 10 games or something.

It is not a great solution, agreed.

 

[NewlyRetired]

NHL embarrassed the NBA tonight. Vastly superior "all star" product.

The NHL all star game is this weekend?

effectively, yes.

This year the NHL replaced the traditional all star game with the 4 nations tournament of which the players are treating seriously.

 

[Navin Johnson]

Yeah, I'd love to see Ant and Ja Morant and Jalen Green and Zion and what not, but it makes sense why they don't join in.

Does it?

Yeah. Unlike Mac McClung, they actually have to practice for NBA games. They aren’t essentially unemployed, and can’t obsessively focus just on the dunk contest 24-7, 365 days. They also can’t afford to get injured dunking in a contest (hi Zion!), because unlike McClung, a team needs them healthy to play real basketball……

Did stars used to suffer a rash of injuries participating in the dunk contest? That's not entirely rhetorical, maybe there were some and I don't remember.

It's not the actual competition, it's the needless wear and tear from practicing for it. You have a finite number of times you can jump and land violently. Why waste them on a prepping for a sideshow?

These guys are goofing off in practice all the time anyway. I totally disagree that there's any evidence for the fact that participating in dunk contests shortens your career, what are we even talking about here.

All those dunks totally ruined the careers of guys like Jordan, Carter, Kobe, et al.

Burn that Strawman down

There isn't any data I'm aware of that shows that there is a finite number of jumps a person has but there is some empirical evidence that it doesn't matter with guys that I mentioned having long careers. Nearly all the winners of the dunk contest have not had any debilitating lower body injuries. And the ones that have are Griffin who had his knee situation before the contest, Wall who tore his Achilles at home, and Lavine who seems to be unaffected by his ACL tear.

So Vince Carter and Shawn Kemp are still doing windmills and jumping over people? Do you have a YouTube link?