2024-25 NBA Thread: Thibs fired for not playing starters enough (98 Viewers)

[Major]

Just in case any of you missed the game last night. Here's a 5 minute highlight reel of Kawhi's performance. Just incredible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu7ApAJvCbQ

 

[msudaisy26]

Just in case any of you missed the game last. Here's a 5 minute highlight reel of Kawhi's performance. Just incredible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu7ApAJvCbQ

Two things with that clip.

Kawhi might be the best in the league at knowing when to attack the rim on his drive and when to pull up for the short jumper. We just forget about it because he misses so many games.

Lol @ that announcer saying he could throw a key into a keyhole.

 

[msudaisy26]

Jayson Tatum injury update: Celtics star listed as doubtful after hard fall on wrist in Game 1 win vs. Magic

Tatum said his wrist was 'throbbing for a second' but 'it kind of went away'

www.cbssports.com

 

[identikit]

Lillard's playing for the Bucks tonight

Indy up 40-30 after the first quarter

 

[msudaisy26]

So is the OKC series just over?

 

[identikit]

So is the OKC series just over?

Not technically

 

[Jayrod]

So is the OKC series just over?

The Grizzlies playing like they want to be done. Ja just threw some underhand scoop shot off of the side of the backboard like he was goofing off in the driveway. Zero effort and hustle and the whole team can't make a shot.

Ja just isn't him. Great talent but doesn't have the mentality he needs to be a real superstar.

 

[msudaisy26]

So is the OKC series just over?

The Grizzlies playing like they want to be done. Ja just threw some underhand scoop shot off of the side of the backboard like he was goofing off in the driveway. Zero effort and hustle and the whole team can't make a shot.

Ja just isn't him. Great talent but doesn't have the mentality he needs to be a real superstar.

He is about that thug life.

 

[Jayrod]

Kuzma with an assist!! He's making a difference out there.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Somewhere Tony Snell is smiling

The streak is still alive!

Clown show in real time

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Kuzma with an assist!! He's making a difference out there.

He did it!!

Just as I posting his streak still ongoing.

 

[Mister CIA]

Lot of dunking going on.

 

[msudaisy26]

I wonder if OKC to win in a sweep is even plus odds right now.

 

[Major]

So is the OKC series just over?

The Grizzlies playing like they want to be done. Ja just threw some underhand scoop shot off of the side of the backboard like he was goofing off in the driveway. Zero effort and hustle and the whole team can't make a shot.

Ja just isn't him. Great talent but doesn't have the mentality he needs to be a real superstar.

It's really disappointing. You compare him to a guy like Ant who is equally talented but puts in the work and has improved every year to become Himothy. Ja just rests on his laurels and remains stagnant.

 

[msudaisy26]

Kuzma is on fire.

 

[identikit]

Memphis only down by 9 towards the end of the 3rd

 

[Harry Frogfish]

So is the OKC series just over?

The Grizzlies playing like they want to be done. Ja just threw some underhand scoop shot off of the side of the backboard like he was goofing off in the driveway. Zero effort and hustle and the whole team can't make a shot.

Ja just isn't him. Great talent but doesn't have the mentality he needs to be a real superstar.

He is about that thug life.

Always thought he was the better pick in that Zion draft. While that may have come to fruition, his head is never going to allow him to reach his potential. He reminds me of Iverson.

So who is the best PICK in that draft? Who ends up the most valuable pick to their franchise, in the end?

 

[Jayrod]

Lol at the announcers praising OKC's effort when they are up by 17-20 with a minute to go.

No Candace, they are all playing hard because they are stat padding, it's not some sign of their tenacity.

ETA: And I know a lot of teams and players do it, especially Tatum. But one guy who doesn't is Jokic. When the game is over, he's done.

 

[identikit]

Memphis only down by 9 towards the end of the 3rd

Well, they didn't lose by 50

This time

 

[msudaisy26]

[/QUOTE]

So is the OKC series just over?

The Grizzlies playing like they want to be done. Ja just threw some underhand scoop shot off of the side of the backboard like he was goofing off in the driveway. Zero effort and hustle and the whole team can't make a shot.

Ja just isn't him. Great talent but doesn't have the mentality he needs to be a real superstar.

He is about that thug life.

Always thought he was the better pick in that Zion draft. While that may have come to fruition, his head is never going to allow him to reach his potential. He reminds me of Iverson.

So who is the best PICK in that draft? Who ends up the most valuable pick to their franchise, in the end?

I am not sure, but if Zion got his stuff together it would be him in a landslide.

His talent and production far exceed everyone in that class and he would be an all nba player every year. The problem is he makes Kawhi look like Cal Ripken Jr.

Darius Garland is probably the winner right now.

 

[identikit]

Lol at the announcers praising OKC's effort when they are up by 17-20 with a minute to go.

No Candace, they are all playing hard because they are stat padding, it's not some sign of their tenacity.

ETA: And I know a lot of teams and players do it, especially Tatum. But one guy who doesn't is Jokic. When the game is over, he's done.

Candace = stupid

But OKC is tenacious

 

[Jayrod]

I'm kind of liking these Bad Luka commercials.

 

[Harry Frogfish]

I'm kind of liking these Bad Luka commercials.

Ha, I came here to say the same but then decided it might be muddling the thread. Oh well! Nike finally did something right.

Actually, they did well with Rory, too, and right away. I wonder if they have someone new running that part of the show. They used to be great at it. Like Apple of shoes/clothing.

ETA, yes, they did make a number of changes.

 

[Yo Mama]

Surprised Wolves didnt foul down the stretch there. Lakers did everything they could to give that one away.

 

[Gr00vus]

Surprised Wolves didnt foul down the stretch there. Lakers did everything they could to give that one away.

Lakers offense in the fourth was horrific.

 

[Yo Mama]

Surprised Wolves didnt foul down the stretch there. Lakers did everything they could to give that one away.

Lakers offense in the fourth was horrific.

Yeah they never ran any sets, just tried to hunt matchups and then iso.

Lakers D was awesome though. I think they were gassed down the stretch because of how hard they were working on defense.

 

[Frostillicus]

Surprised Wolves didnt foul down the stretch there. Lakers did everything they could to give that one away.

Lakers offense in the fourth was horrific.

Yeah they never ran any sets, just tried to hunt matchups and then iso.

Lakers D was awesome though. I think they were gassed down the stretch because of how hard they were working on defense.

I was hoping the Lakers would respond to game 1 like Phoneix did last year. No such luck. This is going to be a really interseting and awesome series.

 

[Frostillicus]

Lebron ran at full speed in the first five minutes more than he has in any game this year and I am terrified of him putting in maximum effort.

 

[Gr00vus]

Lebron ran at full speed in the first five minutes more than he has in any game this year and I am terrified of him putting in maximum effort.

He definitely lost steam as the game went on. That blown 2 on 1 layup in the fourth was really sad.

 

[Capella]

So the Bucks just gonna trade Giannis and start over or what?

 

[msudaisy26]

So the Bucks just gonna trade Giannis and start over or what?

They should. I don't think they can thread the needle to get back into contention without completely destroying their future.

 

[Jayrod]

So the Bucks just gonna trade Giannis and start over or what?

They should. I don't think they can thread the needle to get back into contention without completely destroying their future.

Step 1 is hire a good coach

 

[Capella]

So the Bucks just gonna trade Giannis and start over or what?

They should. I don't think they can thread the needle to get back into contention without completely destroying their future.

Don’t they have zero control over their next 6 picks? What future?

 

[msudaisy26]

So the Bucks just gonna trade Giannis and start over or what?

They should. I don't think they can thread the needle to get back into contention without completely destroying their future.

Don’t they have zero control over their next 6 picks? What future?

They have picks, they are just swaps and I don't know the rules about trading future picks that can be swapped. They could have some cap room if Portis and Connaughtin opt out. I am not sure how good this free agent class is.

If I was the Bucks GM I would talk to those two and see if they would resign for less. If they do I go for it and sign a free agent or two, try and trade Lillard for 70 cents on the dollar. If they say no I would blow it up and Lopez as well.

 

[Navin Johnson]

So the Bucks just gonna trade Giannis and start over or what?

They should. I don't think they can thread the needle to get back into contention without completely destroying their future.

Don’t they have zero control over their next 6 picks? What future?

They have picks, they are just swaps and I don't know the rules about trading future picks that can be swapped. They could have some cap room if Portis and Connaughtin opt out. I am not sure how good this free agent class is.

If I was the Bucks GM I would talk to those two and see if they would resign for less. If they do I go for it and sign a free agent or two, try and trade Lillard for 70 cents on the dollar. If they say no I would blow it up and Lopez as well.

So the Bucks just gonna trade Giannis and start over or what?

They should. I don't think they can thread the needle to get back into contention without completely destroying their future.

Don’t they have zero control over their next 6 picks? What future?

They have picks, they are just swaps and I don't know the rules about trading future picks that can be swapped. They could have some cap room if Portis and Connaughtin opt out. I am not sure how good this free agent class is.

If I was the Bucks GM I would talk to those two and see if they would resign for less. If they do I go for it and sign a free agent or two, try and trade Lillard for 70 cents on the dollar. If they say no I would blow it up and Lopez as well.

You can trade pick swaps as long as you have a first in both the prior, and subsequent drafts of the pick being traded

 

[Kev4029]

So the Bucks just gonna trade Giannis and start over or what?

They should. I don't think they can thread the needle to get back into contention without completely destroying their future.

Don’t they have zero control over their next 6 picks? What future?

They have picks, they are just swaps and I don't know the rules about trading future picks that can be swapped. They could have some cap room if Portis and Connaughtin opt out. I am not sure how good this free agent class is.

If I was the Bucks GM I would talk to those two and see if they would resign for less. If they do I go for it and sign a free agent or two, try and trade Lillard for 70 cents on the dollar. If they say no I would blow it up and Lopez as well.

I think they should take their medicine next season and try to clean things up for 26-27. This team isn't going anywhere regardless of where this series goes and spreading the pain Portis's and Connaughton's contracts isn't going to be a big enough help, especially after they re-up Lopez on a deal that will likely pay him too much.

 

[the moops]

So the Bucks just gonna trade Giannis and start over or what?

They should. I don't think they can thread the needle to get back into contention without completely destroying their future.

Don’t they have zero control over their next 6 picks? What future?

They have picks, they are just swaps and I don't know the rules about trading future picks that can be swapped. They could have some cap room if Portis and Connaughtin opt out. I am not sure how good this free agent class is.

If I was the Bucks GM I would talk to those two and see if they would resign for less. If they do I go for it and sign a free agent or two, try and trade Lillard for 70 cents on the dollar. If they say no I would blow it up and Lopez as well.

So the Bucks just gonna trade Giannis and start over or what?

They should. I don't think they can thread the needle to get back into contention without completely destroying their future.

Don’t they have zero control over their next 6 picks? What future?

They have picks, they are just swaps and I don't know the rules about trading future picks that can be swapped. They could have some cap room if Portis and Connaughtin opt out. I am not sure how good this free agent class is.

If I was the Bucks GM I would talk to those two and see if they would resign for less. If they do I go for it and sign a free agent or two, try and trade Lillard for 70 cents on the dollar. If they say no I would blow it up and Lopez as well.

You can trade pick swaps as long as you have a first in both the prior, and subsequent drafts of the pick being traded

Well, they could trade their swaps for another swap, but nobody is going to do that. MIL doesn't have a pick to trade until 2031

 

[General Malaise]

Feel like a need a degree in stats or logistics or something to understand all of this....

Going forward, Portland now owns the following draft selections:

• 2025 first-round pick*
• 2025 second-round pick via Atlanta (protected 41-59)
• 2026 first-round pick*
• 2026 second-round pick via Memphis (protected 31-42)
• 2027 first-round pick*
• 2027 second-round pick via New York
• 2028 first-round pick*
• 2028 first-round pick swap via Milwaukee (Portland has the right to swap its 2028 first-round pick, protected for selections 15 to 30 if it has not conveyed a first-round pick to Chicago by 2027, for Milwaukee’s 2028 first-round pick)
• 2028 second-round pick via Golden State
• 2029 first-round pick via Milwaukee
• 2029 first-round pick via Boston
• 2029 second-round pick via Indiana or Washington (less favorable)
• 2030 first-round pick via Milwaukee (swap rights)
• 2030 first-round pick
• 2030 second-round pick via New York

*Portland owes a lottery-protected first-round pick to the Chicago Bulls, protected through 2028. Under the Stepien Rule, as long as that pick hasn’t been conveyed to Chicago, Portland can’t trade away any first-round picks that could belong to the Bulls (every first through 2028).


Should I PM Shuke for help?

 

[Mister CIA]

Feel like a need a degree in stats or logistics or something to understand all of this....

Going forward, Portland now owns the following draft selections:

• 2025 first-round pick*
• 2025 second-round pick via Atlanta (protected 41-59)
• 2026 first-round pick*
• 2026 second-round pick via Memphis (protected 31-42)
• 2027 first-round pick*
• 2027 second-round pick via New York
• 2028 first-round pick*
• 2028 first-round pick swap via Milwaukee (Portland has the right to swap its 2028 first-round pick, protected for selections 15 to 30 if it has not conveyed a first-round pick to Chicago by 2027, for Milwaukee’s 2028 first-round pick)
• 2028 second-round pick via Golden State
• 2029 first-round pick via Milwaukee
• 2029 first-round pick via Boston
• 2029 second-round pick via Indiana or Washington (less favorable)
• 2030 first-round pick via Milwaukee (swap rights)
• 2030 first-round pick
• 2030 second-round pick via New York

*Portland owes a lottery-protected first-round pick to the Chicago Bulls, protected through 2028. Under the Stepien Rule, as long as that pick hasn’t been conveyed to Chicago, Portland can’t trade away any first-round picks that could belong to the Bulls (every first through 2028).


Should I PM Shuke for help?

I like the formatting on basketball.realgm.com, but sometimes there's only so much you can do. Here's the state of Brooklyn's 2028 1st, for example:

If (i) PHL 9-30, if PHL does not convey 1st round pick to BRK in 2027 and if PHL has conveyed 1st round pick to OKC by 2026, is third most favorable and (ii) NYK is most or second most favorable of BRK, PHL 9-30 if conveyable, PHX and NYK, then most and third most favorable to BRK; or most / two most favorable to BRK in all other scenarios; least favorable of BRK, PHX and NYK to NYK if NYK and / or if PHL 9-30, if conveyable, is less favorable than BRK and PHX; or second most favorable of BRK, PHX and NYK to NYK in all other scenarios; more favorable of (i) WAS and (ii) least / less favorable of BRK, PHL 9-30 if conveyable, and PHX to WAS then other to PHX [WAS can then swap with MIL] (via BRK swap of BRK or PHL for PHX; via BRK swap of BRK or PHX for NYK; via WAS swap for PHX, BRK or PHL)

 

[Yo Mama]

Feel like a need a degree in stats or logistics or something to understand all of this....

Going forward, Portland now owns the following draft selections:

• 2025 first-round pick*
• 2025 second-round pick via Atlanta (protected 41-59)
• 2026 first-round pick*
• 2026 second-round pick via Memphis (protected 31-42)
• 2027 first-round pick*
• 2027 second-round pick via New York
• 2028 first-round pick*
• 2028 first-round pick swap via Milwaukee (Portland has the right to swap its 2028 first-round pick, protected for selections 15 to 30 if it has not conveyed a first-round pick to Chicago by 2027, for Milwaukee’s 2028 first-round pick)
• 2028 second-round pick via Golden State
• 2029 first-round pick via Milwaukee
• 2029 first-round pick via Boston
• 2029 second-round pick via Indiana or Washington (less favorable)
• 2030 first-round pick via Milwaukee (swap rights)
• 2030 first-round pick
• 2030 second-round pick via New York

*Portland owes a lottery-protected first-round pick to the Chicago Bulls, protected through 2028. Under the Stepien Rule, as long as that pick hasn’t been conveyed to Chicago, Portland can’t trade away any first-round picks that could belong to the Bulls (every first through 2028).


Should I PM Shuke for help?

I like the formatting on basketball.realgm.com, but sometimes there's only so much you can do. Here's the state of Brooklyn's 2028 1st, for example:

If (i) PHL 9-30, if PHL does not convey 1st round pick to BRK in 2027 and if PHL has conveyed 1st round pick to OKC by 2026, is third most favorable and (ii) NYK is most or second most favorable of BRK, PHL 9-30 if conveyable, PHX and NYK, then most and third most favorable to BRK; or most / two most favorable to BRK in all other scenarios; least favorable of BRK, PHX and NYK to NYK if NYK and / or if PHL 9-30, if conveyable, is less favorable than BRK and PHX; or second most favorable of BRK, PHX and NYK to NYK in all other scenarios; more favorable of (i) WAS and (ii) least / less favorable of BRK, PHL 9-30 if conveyable, and PHX to WAS then other to PHX [WAS can then swap with MIL] (via BRK swap of BRK or PHL for PHX; via BRK swap of BRK or PHX for NYK; via WAS swap for PHX, BRK or PHL)

One thing I’ve heard people suggesting to reduce tanking is to eliminate restrictions / protections on traded picks. You either trade the pick or you don’t. Would definitely make life a lot easier.

 

[Judge Smails]

Thread title is genius

 

[Kev4029]

Feel like a need a degree in stats or logistics or something to understand all of this....

Going forward, Portland now owns the following draft selections:

• 2025 first-round pick*
• 2025 second-round pick via Atlanta (protected 41-59)
• 2026 first-round pick*
• 2026 second-round pick via Memphis (protected 31-42)
• 2027 first-round pick*
• 2027 second-round pick via New York
• 2028 first-round pick*
• 2028 first-round pick swap via Milwaukee (Portland has the right to swap its 2028 first-round pick, protected for selections 15 to 30 if it has not conveyed a first-round pick to Chicago by 2027, for Milwaukee’s 2028 first-round pick)
• 2028 second-round pick via Golden State
• 2029 first-round pick via Milwaukee
• 2029 first-round pick via Boston
• 2029 second-round pick via Indiana or Washington (less favorable)
• 2030 first-round pick via Milwaukee (swap rights)
• 2030 first-round pick
• 2030 second-round pick via New York

*Portland owes a lottery-protected first-round pick to the Chicago Bulls, protected through 2028. Under the Stepien Rule, as long as that pick hasn’t been conveyed to Chicago, Portland can’t trade away any first-round picks that could belong to the Bulls (every first through 2028).


Should I PM Shuke for help?

I like the formatting on basketball.realgm.com, but sometimes there's only so much you can do. Here's the state of Brooklyn's 2028 1st, for example:

If (i) PHL 9-30, if PHL does not convey 1st round pick to BRK in 2027 and if PHL has conveyed 1st round pick to OKC by 2026, is third most favorable and (ii) NYK is most or second most favorable of BRK, PHL 9-30 if conveyable, PHX and NYK, then most and third most favorable to BRK; or most / two most favorable to BRK in all other scenarios; least favorable of BRK, PHX and NYK to NYK if NYK and / or if PHL 9-30, if conveyable, is less favorable than BRK and PHX; or second most favorable of BRK, PHX and NYK to NYK in all other scenarios; more favorable of (i) WAS and (ii) least / less favorable of BRK, PHL 9-30 if conveyable, and PHX to WAS then other to PHX [WAS can then swap with MIL] (via BRK swap of BRK or PHL for PHX; via BRK swap of BRK or PHX for NYK; via WAS swap for PHX, BRK or PHL)

One thing I’ve heard people suggesting to reduce tanking is to eliminate restrictions / protections on traded picks. You either trade the pick or you don’t. Would definitely make life a lot easier.

The proposal I've heard is to only allow lottery protections. Team's aren't going to tank their way out of the playoffs to keep the 14th pick, or whatever. If I could waive my magic wand, it would be to only allow top 4 protection and top 14 protection for first rounders and no protection for 2nd rounders (the top-55 protection is ********).

 

[Navin Johnson]

Feel like a need a degree in stats or logistics or something to understand all of this....

Going forward, Portland now owns the following draft selections:

• 2025 first-round pick*
• 2025 second-round pick via Atlanta (protected 41-59)
• 2026 first-round pick*
• 2026 second-round pick via Memphis (protected 31-42)
• 2027 first-round pick*
• 2027 second-round pick via New York
• 2028 first-round pick*
• 2028 first-round pick swap via Milwaukee (Portland has the right to swap its 2028 first-round pick, protected for selections 15 to 30 if it has not conveyed a first-round pick to Chicago by 2027, for Milwaukee’s 2028 first-round pick)
• 2028 second-round pick via Golden State
• 2029 first-round pick via Milwaukee
• 2029 first-round pick via Boston
• 2029 second-round pick via Indiana or Washington (less favorable)
• 2030 first-round pick via Milwaukee (swap rights)
• 2030 first-round pick
• 2030 second-round pick via New York

*Portland owes a lottery-protected first-round pick to the Chicago Bulls, protected through 2028. Under the Stepien Rule, as long as that pick hasn’t been conveyed to Chicago, Portland can’t trade away any first-round picks that could belong to the Bulls (every first through 2028).


Should I PM Shuke for help?

I think those lengthy protections prevent you from sending that pick unless you have acquired another first somewhere.

 

[Jayrod]

Boston sitting Tatum tonight with a right wrist injury.

Brown scores 12 in the first quarter and Boston up 23-21. Looks like the whole game is going to be a grind. I missed the start, but the last few minutes of the quarter were ugly basketball on both ends.

 

[ChicoCat]

Incidental contact. Shouldn't be a foul on KCP.

 

[msudaisy26]

Can we just cancel the OKC and Cleveland series? This is embarrassing.

 

[GOB]

It's a shame Boston had to complain about the physicality of the game. Robbed the fans of a great series.

 

[MAC_32]

Can we just cancel the OKC and Cleveland series? This is embarrassing.

I am entertained.

 

[msudaisy26]

I don't have a betting app, but just read that OKC is plus 155 to win the West. That seems like crazy high for being only two games into the first round.

 

[identikit]

Free throws...

Oy