2024-25 NBA Thread: Big weekend for Halliburtons (146 Viewers)

[identikit]

Horrid quarter for the Pacers

Oy

Now a horrid half

Oyy

 

[Gr00vus]

Yet the pacers are only down 14. Wouldn't feel super comfortable if I were an okc fan.

 

[Gr00vus]

Chet Holmgren is holding a piece of candy. A 5 year old child attempts to rip the candy from Chets grasp using their bare hands. Who ends up with the candy?

 

[Chaos34]

Can't stop TJ; can only hope to contain him.

 

[identikit]

Need a miracle 4th here...

 

[Gr00vus]

Peter Dinklage is really coming through for Indiana here.

 

[Major]

Can't stop TJ; can only hope to contain him.

What a 3rd quarter for TJ. Really fun watching the little fella finesse that OKC defense.

 

[identikit]

Can't stop TJ; can only hope to contain him.

What a 3rd quarter for TJ. Really fun watching the little fella finesse that OKC defense.

He's a regular Temu Jerry West

 

[Major]

Can't stop TJ; can only hope to contain him.

What a 3rd quarter for TJ. Really fun watching the little fella finesse that OKC defense.

He's regular Temu Jerry West

Reminds me a lot of JJ Barea

 

[dickey moe]

Siakam is playing like a straight up dawg tonight.

 

[identikit]

Pacer turnovers are just killing them

 

[Gr00vus]

Too many bonehead turnovers for the pacers.

 

[identikit]

Too many bonehead turnovers for the pacers.

Oyyyyy

 

[identikit]

'so they don't call the travel'

 

[Gr00vus]

Jalen Williams is officially giving okc the business.

 

[identikit]

TJ should have been back in there long ago

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Chet Holmgren is holding a piece of candy. A 5 year old child attempts to rip the candy from Chets grasp using their bare hands. Who ends up with the candy?

Chet falls over and the candy flies out of bounds

 

[identikit]

Chet Holmgren is holding a piece of candy. A 5 year old child attempts to rip the candy from Chets grasp using their bare hands. Who ends up with the candy?

Chet falls over and the candy flies out of bounds

Nesmith scores the candy

 

[dickey moe]

Holmgren got posterized and didn't even see it.

 

[Zow]

Chet Holmgren is holding a piece of candy. A 5 year old child attempts to rip the candy from Chets grasp using their bare hands. Who ends up with the candy?

A five year old named Nesmith?

 

[Gr00vus]

This might be the worst finals announcing crew since Tommy Hienson rocked the mic in the 80s.

 

[identikit]

OKC defense wins this one...

 

[Gr00vus]

OKC defense wins this one...

Tough for the pacers to win this with Haliburton hurt.

 

[scoobus]

-Jalen Williams points in each respective game this series: 17, 19, 26, 27, 40. Indy better hope the trend doesn't continue.

-Massive boost from Cason Wallace and Wiggins off the bench for OKC.

-I actually thought most of the Pacers played well other than Hali and Mathurin (who I don't think I've ever seen drive and not think there was a foul). Outside of all the turnovers of course.

-I'm pretty surprised they haven't told Chet to stop it and just be a play finisher this series, but maybe they don't want to change what they've worked so hard to ingrain in the team.

-Was quite shocked to see Tony Bradley not only play, but get 4th quarter minutes.

Great game.

 

[thecatch]

I really like the trade for the Magic, Bane is exactly the kind of player they need, and they get off of that awful KCP contract on top of it. Yes it's an overpay, but like Cappy said if their core of Paolo-Franz-Suggs doesn't work out, they're screwed anyways. Now they might be a little more screwed, but who cares, you've got the core in place, now go for it.

This whole KCP awful contract is a little overblown. Once the calendar turned 2025, he shot 45% from three on over 170 attempts. His defense is still good. He was awful in the playoffs, but so wasn't the rest of the team. He has 2/43 left on his deal, not a deal you want, but also not crippling.

His PER was under 10 this year guy was awful. Another player Joker made a fortune for. Him and Anthony’s contract essentially equals Bane’s, I can tell you who I’d rather have.

I agree obviously if the choice was Bane or KCP/Anthony. Adding all those picks is where the calculus changes. I wish you and Orlando all the best though. I hope it works out, for real.

Yea we’ll see down the road. My hockey team has traded a bunch of first round picks in the last 8 years and it resulted in 2 cups and 3 finals. I just don’t care about late firsts if you have what you think is a good team unless it’s the nfl.

The salary restrictions they are now going to have and the lack of any tradeable assets to make future moves now are going to hurt a lot more than any particular pick they gave up IMO. Maybe it will be worth it like the Gobert deal was for Minnesota.

They don't hang banners for cap flexibility.

You have arguably two top 25 players in the league. It's time to go for it and by golly they are going for it.

Sure. They went all in for a guy who makes sense. I’m just saying the salary is what makes it more of an all in move than the draft picks that hopefully for Magic fans will be in the 20s.

 

[thecatch]

I really like the trade for the Magic, Bane is exactly the kind of player they need, and they get off of that awful KCP contract on top of it. Yes it's an overpay, but like Cappy said if their core of Paolo-Franz-Suggs doesn't work out, they're screwed anyways. Now they might be a little more screwed, but who cares, you've got the core in place, now go for it.

This whole KCP awful contract is a little overblown. Once the calendar turned 2025, he shot 45% from three on over 170 attempts. His defense is still good. He was awful in the playoffs, but so wasn't the rest of the team. He has 2/43 left on his deal, not a deal you want, but also not crippling.

His PER was under 10 this year guy was awful. Another player Joker made a fortune for. Him and Anthony’s contract essentially equals Bane’s, I can tell you who I’d rather have.

I agree obviously if the choice was Bane or KCP/Anthony. Adding all those picks is where the calculus changes. I wish you and Orlando all the best though. I hope it works out, for real.

Yea we’ll see down the road. My hockey team has traded a bunch of first round picks in the last 8 years and it resulted in 2 cups and 3 finals. I just don’t care about late firsts if you have what you think is a good team unless it’s the nfl.

The salary restrictions they are now going to have and the lack of any tradeable assets to make future moves now are going to hurt a lot more than any particular pick they gave up IMO. Maybe it will be worth it like the Gobert deal was for Minnesota.

What future moves? The core is all under 26. If this doesn’t work out you’re just blowing it up and starting over anyways. This was the move. This is it.

And if it doesn’t work out Franz, Suggs and Bane are all tradeable assets.

agree with your first paragraph. Second paragraph… it will depend on why it didn’t work out (if it doesn’t), I think.

 

[Desert_Power]

This might be the worst finals announcing crew since Tommy Hienson rocked the mic in the 80s.

Had to mute the game immediately once I realized it was another Doris/Jefferson special on the color.

3 person booths are such a bad idea.

 

[Capella]

Haliburton doesn’t even look like an nba player anymore.

 

[TLEF316]

The teams that got knocked out by Haliburton's earlier heroics must be just livid right now.

34 mins and zero fgs. That's unreal

 

[cheese]

TJ should have been back in there long ago

Tj's defense is a big problem against the OKC starters, but I admit it crossed my mind to go back to TJ ball when we weren't getting any stops anyway. There is a world where they just play McConnell and Ben 35 minutes and just try to win the game 142-140. I don't think it would work, but neither would most things against this OKC team.

Telling response though by Carlisle when they asked him about it in the postgame. He basically laughed off the idea of more TJ and said no he was gassed he can't play like that for long.

Other game 5 thoughts:
JW as primary ball handler changed the series. Pacers had been outcoaching teams for months, but credit to OKC for this adjustment.
Hali looked overwhelmed by the OKC half court defense. That says a lot about OKC defense and maybe a little bit about Hali.
Pacers missed a lot of shots they have been making since January. In the 1h alone they were 18 points below their shot quality projection. For a team loaded with shooting, bad time for that.
Nembhard needs to be way more aggressive offensively if Hali is half speed. He might be tired due to defensive assignment, but Nembhard as PG has worked well often this season. Dort face guarding Hali out of the play and play 4v4 might be the best bet for the Pacers in game6.
Nothing is going to matter offensively if they don't find an answer for JW.

 

[Capella]

The Magic declined options on Gary Harris (thank god) and Cory Joseph. People say they now have enough room for the full MLE, so I guess they aren’t done. Magic Reddit seems to think NAW is coming here but that doesn’t really make sense to me.

 

[GOB]

The Magic declined options on Gary Harris (thank god) and Cory Joseph. People say they now have enough room for the full MLE, so I guess they aren’t done. Magic Reddit seems to think NAW is coming here but that doesn’t really make sense to me.

CP3 and the best shooter that you can buy please.

CP3 will be able to organize and settle them down when necessary. He can also teach Black to play the position or not. Sink or swim.

I have my doubts that he would want to come but I could sell him that he has a better chance at a ring in Orlando than San Antonio this season.

If he signs for 14 then so be it but if he takes a portion of that then give whatever is left to the best shooter you can find regardless of position.

 

[Kev4029]

The Magic declined options on Gary Harris (thank god) and Cory Joseph. People say they now have enough room for the full MLE, so I guess they aren’t done. Magic Reddit seems to think NAW is coming here but that doesn’t really make sense to me.

I bet Cory Joseph comes back as a deep bench guard on a minimum and this was an agreement between both parties - he can get a very small raise on a new one year deal and the Magic save a bunch of money/cap as one year minimums are subsidized by the league and have a lower cap hit. I'm surprised they didn't decline Mo Wagner's team option as well.

If they chase anything with the MLE, I bet it is more of a true PG - D'Angelo Russell is probably too pricy, but that would be a great fit (offensively). Otherwise, maybe Malcolm Brogdon?

 

[Kev4029]

Also, the Magic have a big salary pinch in 26-27 when Paolo get's his big raise. They'll have Franz making $42, Paolo making at least $43 but up to $51 if he makes an all-nba team, Bane making $39, and Suggs making $32. That is $156-164m in just those salaries. The cap will be about $170m & tax level will be $206.5m or so.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them decline Howard's 4th year option and limit any signings this offseason to a single season to keep them out of the tax in 26-27. In 27-28 things get easier with the cap rising faster than raises and Suggs' declining salary.

 

[Capella]

I'm surprised they didn't decline Mo Wagner's team option as well.

Think they still have two weeks to do this on him and Caleb Houstan. Tea leaves seem to suggest they’ll decline Mo and then bring him back later on a two year deal.

 

[Mister CIA]

The Magic declined options on Gary Harris (thank god) and Cory Joseph. People say they now have enough room for the full MLE, so I guess they aren’t done. Magic Reddit seems to think NAW is coming here but that doesn’t really make sense to me.

CP3 and the best shooter that you can buy please.

CP3 will be able to organize and settle them down when necessary. He can also teach Black to play the position or not. Sink or swim.

I have my doubts that he would want to come but I could sell him that he has a better chance at a ring in Orlando than San Antonio this season.

If he signs for 14 then so be it but if he takes a portion of that then give whatever is left to the best shooter you can find regardless of position.

I would take offense, but Eastern conference and all that, you're right.

 

[GOB]

The Magic declined options on Gary Harris (thank god) and Cory Joseph. People say they now have enough room for the full MLE, so I guess they aren’t done. Magic Reddit seems to think NAW is coming here but that doesn’t really make sense to me.

CP3 and the best shooter that you can buy please.

CP3 will be able to organize and settle them down when necessary. He can also teach Black to play the position or not. Sink or swim.

I have my doubts that he would want to come but I could sell him that he has a better chance at a ring in Orlando than San Antonio this season.

If he signs for 14 then so be it but if he takes a portion of that then give whatever is left to the best shooter you can find regardless of position.

I would take offense, but Eastern conference and all that, you're right.

I usually am

 

[Kev4029]

I'm surprised they didn't decline Mo Wagner's team option as well.

Think they still have two weeks to do this on him and Caleb Houstan. Tea leaves seem to suggest they’ll decline Mo and then bring him back later on a two year deal.

Is Houstan just too terrible of a basketball player to be worthy of a real roster spot even though he is 6'8" and can shoot the lights out?

 

[Capella]

I'm surprised they didn't decline Mo Wagner's team option as well.

Think they still have two weeks to do this on him and Caleb Houstan. Tea leaves seem to suggest they’ll decline Mo and then bring him back later on a two year deal.

Is Houstan just too terrible of a basketball player to be worthy of a real roster spot even though he is 6'8" and can shoot the lights out?

Pretty good shooter which they obviously need. I think they keep him around one way or another.

 

[Yo Mama]

I like the deal the Pacers did today (trading this years first to the Pelicans to get their own back next year). Frees them up to own all of their 2026-2032 picks going forward for future trades, and gives them cap relief this year to resign Turner.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I'm surprised they didn't decline Mo Wagner's team option as well.

Think they still have two weeks to do this on him and Caleb Houstan. Tea leaves seem to suggest they’ll decline Mo and then bring him back later on a two year deal.

If they can get him back on a 2-year deal, I'd definitely do it.

He played really well this season. A really good bench player that's continued to improve. 22.3 PER / Magic were 18-12 with him / 23-29 without him

 

[Mister CIA]

The Magic declined options on Gary Harris (thank god) and Cory Joseph. People say they now have enough room for the full MLE, so I guess they aren’t done. Magic Reddit seems to think NAW is coming here but that doesn’t really make sense to me.

CP3 and the best shooter that you can buy please.

CP3 will be able to organize and settle them down when necessary. He can also teach Black to play the position or not. Sink or swim.

I have my doubts that he would want to come but I could sell him that he has a better chance at a ring in Orlando than San Antonio this season.

If he signs for 14 then so be it but if he takes a portion of that then give whatever is left to the best shooter you can find regardless of position.

I would take offense, but Eastern conference and all that, you're right.

I usually am

Let's fleece Phoenix first.

 

[dickey moe]

Haliburton doesn’t even look like an nba player anymore.

He's hurt.

 

[zoobird]

Haliburton doesn’t even look like an nba player anymore.

He's hurt.

Things are set up perfectly for a Game 6 "Willis Reed moment" for him

 

[Yo Mama]

Wow - huge news.

The Buss family are selling the Lakers to Mark Walter (TWG Global).

That came out of nowhere.

 

[Yo Mama]

Wow - huge news.

The Buss family are selling the Lakers to Mark Walter (TWG Global).

That came out of nowhere.

Didn’t realize that is the Dodger guy. I’ll be interested to see the $ amount on this one.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Wow - huge news.

The Buss family are selling the Lakers to Mark Walter (TWG Global).

That came out of nowhere.

The Buss children make the siblings in "Succession" look like "The Waltons".

 

[Yo Mama]

Luka is about to sign a $1B extension with 99% of it deferred until 2050.

 

[Yo Mama]

Wow - huge news.

The Buss family are selling the Lakers to Mark Walter (TWG Global).

That came out of nowhere.

Didn’t realize that is the Dodger guy. I’ll be interested to see the $ amount on this one.

Ooohwee - sounds like it was valued at $10B.

 

[General Malaise]

Wow - huge news.

The Buss family are selling the Lakers to Mark Walter (TWG Global).

That came out of nowhere.

Didn’t realize that is the Dodger guy. I’ll be interested to see the $ amount on this one.

Ooohwee - sounds like it was valued at $10B.

Oh my GOD!