2024-25 NBA Thread: Big weekend for Halliburtons (211 Viewers)

[Dr. Octopus]

But if you ask around South Florida, think most folks would prefer the Knicks and that's crazy if you understand the history between Heat-Knicks and going back to the 90s

There's a lot of ex-New Yorkers in Florida.

 

[Anarchy99]

Saw that one of the Boston TV stations has confirmed that Tatum has an Achilles injury, but docs are still assessing the severity. The team has not issued an update yet.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

And the number of bandwagon fans continues to grow for the Knicks
Astonishing

Knicks have one of the most loyal fan bases in the league. They fill the Garden every game even during the lien years.

Sure, some may be more active and outspoken during a good playoff run but to claim they're bandwagon fans is misguided - also a little ironic.

I'm not talking about the great people in NYC, a terrific city that I visited a few weeks back and meant to write a thread about it
I'm not saying suddenly Knicks fans are popping up in NYC and filling the building, I'm talking about Cross Country right now
People are coming out of the woodworks in places I wouldn't expect

 

[Ministry of Pain]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

30/10/5 B2B seasons, never been done before and he's not slowing down at the moment
But I see your point

 

[Ministry of Pain]

But if you ask around South Florida, think most folks would prefer the Knicks and that's crazy if you understand the history between Heat-Knicks and going back to the 90s

There's a lot of ex-New Yorkers in Florida.

And that's why as one of very few Irishmen to make it out of Calle Ocho, I typically refer to my home town as NYC South

 

[Instinctive]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Still trying to decide if I'm a Spurs fan or a Thunder fan now. I connected to OKC after college there and many friends, but I also have connections to San Antonio. They're the two closest franchises and any other choice just feels random.

Or maybe I just continue to never watch again. That path seems sadder though.

 

[identikit]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Still trying to decide if I'm a Spurs fan or a Thunder fan now. I connected to OKC after college there and many friends, but I also have connections to San Antonio. They're the two closest franchises and any other choice just feels random.

Or maybe I just continue to never watch again. That path seems sadder though.

Thought you were a Mavs fan

 

[Jayrod]

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Wat? Tatum isn't dead. KD came back from the Achilles tear.

They'll still probably have Jaylen Brown and Derrick White and Brad Stevens isn't going to let those guys collect $100's of millions and not surround them with enough talent to win.

It is more likely the Celtics end up in the ECF in 2027-28 than they would be a lottery team.

 

[msudaisy26]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Tatum had averaged almost 90 games a year with the playoffs with no major injuries. Seems really odd to write off everyone because they might get hurt.

Seems odd to suggest I wrote off everyone when I didn't.

Obviously you didn't name everyone, but you named several players. Anyone can get hurt at anytime. Seems silly to write off Giannis because he had calf issues last year, but was perfectly fine this season or Dame for blood clots when Wemby had them too.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Did the landscape of the NBA change last night?

Dallas getting the No 1 overall pick with a 1% chance
Knicks going up 3-1
Tatum possibly OUT for the Playoffs and most of 2026 for the Celtics

 

[Instinctive]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Still trying to decide if I'm a Spurs fan or a Thunder fan now. I connected to OKC after college there and many friends, but I also have connections to San Antonio. They're the two closest franchises and any other choice just feels random.

Or maybe I just continue to never watch again. That path seems sadder though.

Thought you were a Mavs fan

Not since February 2nd, 2025.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Would the Heat have gotten the Dallas pick if they would have lost as a 10-seed like they should have during the Play in part of the Playoffs?

 

[Juxtatarot]

Would the Heat have gotten the Dallas pick if they would have lost as a 10-seed like they should have during the Play in part of the Playoffs?

Do you believe in the butterfly effect?

 

[Major]

Did the landscape of the NBA change last night?

Dallas getting the No 1 overall pick with a 1% chance
Knicks going up 3-1
Tatum possibly OUT for the Playoffs and most of 2026 for the Celtics

Definitely. The West just got much stronger which will force Houston to step up this off season. And the East much weaker which could lead to Giannis staying put.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I'm not saying suddenly Knicks fans are popping up in NYC and filling the building, I'm talking about Cross Country right now

I can see this - they are likable (I think but could be biased) and underdogs.

 

[Moe.]

Yeah I think everyone needs to agree Giannis isn’t allowed in the West. Unless it’s to OKC

 

[Mister CIA]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Still trying to decide if I'm a Spurs fan or a Thunder fan now. I connected to OKC after college there and many friends, but I also have connections to San Antonio. They're the two closest franchises and any other choice just feels random.

Or maybe I just continue to never watch again. That path seems sadder though.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Don't know if thinking about who you would choose in a playoff matchup crystalizes your choice, but I expect they will be facing of in the playoffs on the regular, soon.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Confirmed: ruptured Achilles for Tatum

 

[Mister CIA]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Tatum had averaged almost 90 games a year with the playoffs with no major injuries. Seems really odd to write off everyone because they might get hurt.

Seems odd to suggest I wrote off everyone when I didn't.

Obviously you didn't name everyone, but you named several players. Anyone can get hurt at anytime. Seems silly to write off Giannis because he had calf issues last year, but was perfectly fine this season or Dame for blood clots when Wemby had them too.

Presently I favor keeping the pick (Harper) over dealing him and future assets for any hypothetical upgrade. Thoughts are fluid, however. If Giannis moves back up to the top of my rankings, I'll be back for a pat on the back.

 

[SWC]

Confirmed: ruptured Achilles for Tatum

and it sounds like hes already undergone surgery take that to the bank brohan

 

[CletiusMaximus]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Still trying to decide if I'm a Spurs fan or a Thunder fan now. I connected to OKC after college there and many friends, but I also have connections to San Antonio. They're the two closest franchises and any other choice just feels random.

Or maybe I just continue to never watch again. That path seems sadder though.

One option to consider is watching as a neutral fan without a rooting interest. It's worked pretty well for me the past couple of weeks.

 

[Mister CIA]

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Wat? Tatum isn't dead. KD came back from the Achilles tear.

They'll still probably have Jaylen Brown and Derrick White and Brad Stevens isn't going to let those guys collect $100's of millions and not surround them with enough talent to win.

It is more likely the Celtics end up in the ECF in 2027-28 than they would be a lottery team.

I'm not a finance guy, but I think the Celtics are about to go through some things with regards to the salary cap and its aprons. I think the conventional wisdom is that y'all can just shed a max contract when convenient and right the ship, but trade targets for such a deal are getting increasingly difficult to find - and the cautionary tales are piling up.

NBA money is getting real.

 

[Gally]

Confirmed: ruptured Achilles for Tatum

and it sounds like hes already undergone surgery take that to the bank brohan

Not surprised at all. Me being a lowly middle aged office worker ruptured by achilles playing basketball at lunch on a Thursday and was in surgery for the repair less than 24 hrs later. It would have shocked me if Tatum didn't already have surgery.

Saw that one of the Boston TV stations has confirmed that Tatum has an Achilles injury, but docs are still assessing the severity. The team has not issued an update yet.

I find this very hard to believe and was just as statement for the public. A ruptured achilles is fairly easy to diagnose right away. I was shocked that the didn't do an MRI for me and signed me up for surgery immediately upon the doctor seeing me. He felt where the achilles should be......said its all mushy. Then grabbed my calf and said I don't need an MRI. How does surgery sound tomorrow at Noon?

 

[Mister CIA]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Still trying to decide if I'm a Spurs fan or a Thunder fan now. I connected to OKC after college there and many friends, but I also have connections to San Antonio. They're the two closest franchises and any other choice just feels random.

Or maybe I just continue to never watch again. That path seems sadder though.

One option to consider is watching as a neutral fan without a rooting interest. It's worked pretty well for me the past couple of weeks.

I'm going adopt Eastern conference team as my alternate. Leaning strongly towards the Wizards.

 

[Deamon]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Still trying to decide if I'm a Spurs fan or a Thunder fan now. I connected to OKC after college there and many friends, but I also have connections to San Antonio. They're the two closest franchises and any other choice just feels random.

Or maybe I just continue to never watch again. That path seems sadder though.

Damn, abandoning your team when they get worse, and choosing between 2 teams that should be good for a long time. That's some next level bandwagonning.

 

[Mister CIA]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Still trying to decide if I'm a Spurs fan or a Thunder fan now. I connected to OKC after college there and many friends, but I also have connections to San Antonio. They're the two closest franchises and any other choice just feels random.

Or maybe I just continue to never watch again. That path seems sadder though.

Damn, abandoning your team when they get worse, and choosing between 2 teams that should be good for a long time. That's some next level bandwagonning.

Who abandoned who?

 

[Deamon]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Still trying to decide if I'm a Spurs fan or a Thunder fan now. I connected to OKC after college there and many friends, but I also have connections to San Antonio. They're the two closest franchises and any other choice just feels random.

Or maybe I just continue to never watch again. That path seems sadder though.

Damn, abandoning your team when they get worse, and choosing between 2 teams that should be good for a long time. That's some next level bandwagonning.

Who abandoned who?

Instinctive was always a vocal Mavs fan until they got worse, and now says he is trying to decide between the Spurs and the Thunder as his new favorite team

 

[Deamon]

I'm going adopt Eastern conference team as my alternate. Leaning strongly towards the Wizards.

Now that's some sh#t I can get behind. No shame in picking an awful team as a new fave.

 

[HellToupee]

Confirmed: ruptured Achilles for Tatum

Stupid Jaylen Brown

 

[Deamon]

I'm going adopt Eastern conference team as my alternate. Leaning strongly towards the Wizards.

Now that's some sh#t I can get behind. No shame in picking an awful team as a new fave.

I don’t get it are you trying to impress people or what

what?

ahh, you're brand new around here. You'll get the hang of it.

 

[Jayrod]

I'm going adopt Eastern conference team as my alternate. Leaning strongly towards the Wizards.

Now that's some sh#t I can get behind. No shame in picking an awful team as a new fave.

I don’t get it are you trying to impress people or what

what?

ahh, you're brand new around here. You'll get the hang of it.

This has to be someone's alias trying to stir up some shirt.

 

[Deamon]

I'm going adopt Eastern conference team as my alternate. Leaning strongly towards the Wizards.

Now that's some sh#t I can get behind. No shame in picking an awful team as a new fave.

I don’t get it are you trying to impress people or what

what?

ahh, you're brand new around here. You'll get the hang of it.

This has to be someone's alias trying to stir up some shirt.

ya, new account and a few weird posts to start it off.

 

[boilerdave]

It’s Racers and Pacers time here in Indy.
Practice week for the Indianapolis 500 started today and tonight we have the Pacers continuing the playoff run. The city is hopping.
If the Pacers advance to the Conference Finals their first home game will be on Race Day night.

 

[irish eyes]

How on earth are the cavs 8.5 point favorites tonight? I could see it the other way with pacers favored.

 

[General Malaise]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Still trying to decide if I'm a Spurs fan or a Thunder fan now. I connected to OKC after college there and many friends, but I also have connections to San Antonio. They're the two closest franchises and any other choice just feels random.

Or maybe I just continue to never watch again. That path seems sadder though.

Damn, abandoning your team when they get worse, and choosing between 2 teams that should be good for a long time. That's some next level bandwagonning.

Who abandoned who?

Instinctive was always a vocal Mavs fan until they got worse, and now says he is trying to decide between the Spurs and the Thunder as his new favorite team

Guys......he's joking. He's not really looking for a new team to root for. Fix your sarcasm detectors.

 

[Harry Frogfish]

It sort of dampens the excitement when a top 10 guy seemingly blows his Achilles.

I was hoping it was just a rolled ankle - but this series was already (basically) 3-1 before the injury so I wouldn't say it takes much away from winning this series*


*if they do

I hope its just a rolled ankle.

I'm just curious how you guys could look at that and think or hope that it could be just a rolled ankle?

For one, it helps for the ankle to actually roll first. But besides that, there were nothing but tell-tale signs of an achilles from the moment it happened to his ongoing reactions.

 

[Instinctive]

The Tatum injury has scared me away from wanting to push in a lot of chips for Giannis and his max contract ... not just Tatum, but also the recent injuries to other max contracts, Kyrie and Dame; they add to the fright. I have not forgotten Giannis' calf issues in the playoffs the previous season either.

Also , I am quickly warming up to the idea of a three guard rotation of Fox-Castle-Harper. Then go grab Kornet and present a 3-2 (3 guards, 2 Bigs) lineup to match up what the thunder are cooking.

That leaves Vassell, Keldon, Barnes, Sochan, and 15 min/game CP3 to round out the rotation. And Blake Wesley (still have hopes he can develop into rotational level guy) and the #14 pick overall to round out the team. Not bad. Still leaves us with a nice cache of draft capital and an easy to manage salary structure.

Sheesh, It was not that long ago Jeremy Sochan was our starting PG.

That 2028 Boston swap is looking very sexy right now, though it is top-1 protected.

Still trying to decide if I'm a Spurs fan or a Thunder fan now. I connected to OKC after college there and many friends, but I also have connections to San Antonio. They're the two closest franchises and any other choice just feels random.

Or maybe I just continue to never watch again. That path seems sadder though.

Damn, abandoning your team when they get worse, and choosing between 2 teams that should be good for a long time. That's some next level bandwagonning.

Who abandoned who?

Instinctive was always a vocal Mavs fan until they got worse, and now says he is trying to decide between the Spurs and the Thunder as his new favorite team

Guys......he's joking. He's not really looking for a new team to root for. Fix your sarcasm detectors.

I'm not actually being particularly sarcastic.

You all have no idea the level of outright betrayal and sadness and hurt.

The team may not even be worse. Especially with the number one pick in Flagg now. This isn't like "oh no they're not as good now I guess I'll do something else" - I suffered through the Monta Ellis and Harrison Barnes and Dennis Smith Jr years lol.

The Luka trade, the execution of it, and most importantly the backstabbing and outright mean way they went about every aspect of it not only to Luka but to the fans, is morally reprehensible to me. It disgusts me on a deep level.

I don't think I can ever give my money to those gross people. It just hurts still.

The only logical choices left, then, are:
1. Just ignore basketball forever (ridiculous, because I love the sport)
2. Root for nobody (idk that just seems like not me)
3. Pick another team and try to rebuild the sense of joy and love that comes with watching a team you feel proud to root for.

So three is the likely best option. Now in picking a team, you can't just bandwagon. So I have more or less narrowed it to 3 teams, which are the ones I have ties to.

A. OKC - I was there at the beginning as a college student, they are the closest team to me by distance, I respect their culture and how they do business, I frequent the area due to friends and for alumni activities...so its a solid option

B. SAS - the next closest team, and one I have personal ties to because my one of my friends and mentors is the President. They have also always done business the right way and value people as people, moreso than any other sports franchise I've ever encountered. Moreso than any business, period, I've encountered. So I can feel good rooting for them.

C. The Bulls - my parents are from Chicago and root for them, and we lived there for a couple years when my wife went to grad school. But it was COVID, so I never really got to go see them or form a bond.

I think OKC is the one that gives me the most games to go to, and will be the most fun in group chats.

So, esteemed General, no need to defend me. FWIW, this demon guy is on my ignore list with a note to remind me why, but the note is kind of mean so I wont repeat it. Suffice to say I don't think he knows much about any sport, doesn't contribute much to the board, and is kinda mean. That's what ignore is for!

 

[identikit]

Cavs, Mitchell playing big so far...

 

[GroveDiesel]

Cavs, Mitchell playing big so far...

The Cavs have been incredibly physical on the defensive end and the Pacers have been way too tentative about attacking them.

 

[Dez]

Cavs, Mitchell playing big so far...

The Cavs have been incredibly physical on the defensive end and the Pacers have been way too tentative about attacking them.

Refs calling a fair game for once too. Not letting Indiana push the Cavs all around without fouls being called like they have been all series.

The game 2 is going to haunt Cleveland all offseason when you lose a game you were 99.9% supposed to win being up 7 with 48 secs left you almost never come back from that.

 

[identikit]

Signs of Pacer life

 

[identikit]

Cavs, Mitchell playing big so far...

The Cavs have been incredibly physical on the defensive end and the Pacers have been way too tentative about attacking them.

Refs calling a fair game for once too. Not letting Indiana push the Cavs all around without fouls being called like they have been all series.

The game 2 is going to haunt Cleveland all offseason when you lose a game you were 99.9% supposed to win being up 7 with 48 secs left you almost never come back from that.

Pacers did the sameish thing against the Bucks too.

Twice in a week..

 

[identikit]

Heat check for Tyrese

 

[identikit]

Haliburton is unconscious

 

[msudaisy26]

The Pacers just don't go away.

 

[General Malaise]

Heat check for Tyrese

Most overrated player in the NBA.

I hope they win it all now and I hope he reminds the league on the reg what they said about him. Clowns.

 

[identikit]

The Pacers just don't go away.

Like a cockroach

Or a lingering cough

 

[identikit]

Never say die

 

[mr. furley]

He felt where the achilles should be......said its all mushy.

 

[Jayrod]

Max Strus sucks. Stop shooting you clown.