2024-25 NBA Thread: ESPN ready to debate if Warriors blowing 3-1 lead to meager Rockets diminishes LeBron’s legacy (24 Viewers)

[General Malaise]

I'm still super depressed every time I see something here, or on reddit, or a score of a game.

I honestly don't know what to do. It's not remotely the same as like KD leaving as a free agent because the actual team is the entity that completely screwed us.

I think I've only got three paths.
1. Just stop following the NBA
2. I'm changing jobs soon anyway, go work in the NBA again and regain my dispassion for all teams and passion for the game itself
3. Root for a different team

It's that bad. Like I just didn't want to go last night. Didn't watch. Don't care. **** these guys. I've actually been clinically depressed, many many years ago, and it's remarkable how much I feel like that now about the Mavs.

I ain’t even gonna lie man, Mavs fans can’t come back from this. It’s one thing when a guy leaves in free agency, you can see that coming and prepare for it even if it sucks. And usually if they leave it’s because of money or the team was built poorly and you can fault the team as well as the player. Here’s, it’s just a trade of a megastar in the middle of the night for no reason. You can never trust the team again. And even if they fire the GM (and they will) the owner had to sign off on it. No thanks.

These are the same people that have been rooting for the Cowboys for the last 30 years, of course they’ll come back.

I thought Cowboys fans were also Yankees and Lakers fans.

Yeah, this meme is outdated for sure. Cowboys haven't been relevant in 30 years. Yankees and Lakers have at least won something this century. Swap Cowboys for Chiefs here if you want the jokes to land with this generation. Nobody who has a full head of non-gray hair understands this joke anymore.

Just about everyone posting on this board is old enough to get the joke.

Then I sure hope you scheduled your colonoscopy!

 

[Mister CIA]

I'm still super depressed every time I see something here, or on reddit, or a score of a game.

I honestly don't know what to do. It's not remotely the same as like KD leaving as a free agent because the actual team is the entity that completely screwed us.

I think I've only got three paths.
1. Just stop following the NBA
2. I'm changing jobs soon anyway, go work in the NBA again and regain my dispassion for all teams and passion for the game itself
3. Root for a different team

It's that bad. Like I just didn't want to go last night. Didn't watch. Don't care. **** these guys. I've actually been clinically depressed, many many years ago, and it's remarkable how much I feel like that now about the Mavs.

I went with option 1 not long after Kawhi forced his way out of town. The Luka deal was a lot worse, but still I went through the experience of having dancing visions of even more championship trophies in my head to looking at a treadmill team. It hurts, but soon you'll feel the sweet relief of apathy.

 

[Mister CIA]

Then I sure hope you scheduled your colonoscopy!

Speaking of digestive tracts, how's our ROTY sandwich bet looking?

 

[General Malaise]

I'm still super depressed every time I see something here, or on reddit, or a score of a game.

I honestly don't know what to do. It's not remotely the same as like KD leaving as a free agent because the actual team is the entity that completely screwed us.

I think I've only got three paths.
1. Just stop following the NBA
2. I'm changing jobs soon anyway, go work in the NBA again and regain my dispassion for all teams and passion for the game itself
3. Root for a different team

It's that bad. Like I just didn't want to go last night. Didn't watch. Don't care. **** these guys. I've actually been clinically depressed, many many years ago, and it's remarkable how much I feel like that now about the Mavs.

I went with option 1 not long after Kawhi forced his way out of town. The Luka deal was a lot worse, but still I went through the experience of having dancing visions of even more championship trophies in my head to looking at a treadmill team. It hurts, but soon you'll feel the sweet relief of apathy.

Oh, COME ON! Spurs' fans have had FOUR generational talents suit up for them in our lifetime (only The Catch is old enough to remember the Ice Man). Sorry Kawhi left you high and dry; he's doing that still but for the Clippers. Meanwhile, you get to watch a giraffe who can dance like Fred Astaire and shoots like Kobe while you fondly recall the halcyon days of Robinson, Duncan, Parker and Ginobli who all retired as Spurs. Nobody has had it better than you.

There isn't a franchise in existence that can compare to what the Mavericks did to their fan base. None. People have been trying for several days now to find the comp and it doesn't exist because nothing this head-spinningly stupid has ever happened in sports.

 

[General Malaise]

Then I sure hope you scheduled your colonoscopy!

Speaking of digestive tracts, how's our ROTY sandwich bet looking?

Not great, Bob.

 

[Mister CIA]

I'm still super depressed every time I see something here, or on reddit, or a score of a game.

I honestly don't know what to do. It's not remotely the same as like KD leaving as a free agent because the actual team is the entity that completely screwed us.

I think I've only got three paths.
1. Just stop following the NBA
2. I'm changing jobs soon anyway, go work in the NBA again and regain my dispassion for all teams and passion for the game itself
3. Root for a different team

It's that bad. Like I just didn't want to go last night. Didn't watch. Don't care. **** these guys. I've actually been clinically depressed, many many years ago, and it's remarkable how much I feel like that now about the Mavs.

I went with option 1 not long after Kawhi forced his way out of town. The Luka deal was a lot worse, but still I went through the experience of having dancing visions of even more championship trophies in my head to looking at a treadmill team. It hurts, but soon you'll feel the sweet relief of apathy.

Oh, COME ON! Spurs' fans have had FOUR generational talents suit up for them in our lifetime (only The Catch is old enough to remember the Ice Man). Sorry Kawhi left you high and dry; he's doing that still but for the Clippers. Meanwhile, you get to watch a giraffe who can dance like Fred Astaire and shoots like Kobe while you fondly recall the halcyon days of Robinson, Duncan, Parker and Ginobli who all retired as Spurs. Nobody has had it better than you.

There isn't a franchise in existence that can compare to what the Mavericks did to their fan base. None. People have been trying for several days now to find the comp and it doesn't exist because nothing this head-spinningly stupid has ever happened in sports.

I should have prefaced my comments with "The Luka deal was a lot worse."

 

[General Malaise]

I'm still super depressed every time I see something here, or on reddit, or a score of a game.

I honestly don't know what to do. It's not remotely the same as like KD leaving as a free agent because the actual team is the entity that completely screwed us.

I think I've only got three paths.
1. Just stop following the NBA
2. I'm changing jobs soon anyway, go work in the NBA again and regain my dispassion for all teams and passion for the game itself
3. Root for a different team

It's that bad. Like I just didn't want to go last night. Didn't watch. Don't care. **** these guys. I've actually been clinically depressed, many many years ago, and it's remarkable how much I feel like that now about the Mavs.

I went with option 1 not long after Kawhi forced his way out of town. The Luka deal was a lot worse, but still I went through the experience of having dancing visions of even more championship trophies in my head to looking at a treadmill team. It hurts, but soon you'll feel the sweet relief of apathy.

Oh, COME ON! Spurs' fans have had FOUR generational talents suit up for them in our lifetime (only The Catch is old enough to remember the Ice Man). Sorry Kawhi left you high and dry; he's doing that still but for the Clippers. Meanwhile, you get to watch a giraffe who can dance like Fred Astaire and shoots like Kobe while you fondly recall the halcyon days of Robinson, Duncan, Parker and Ginobli who all retired as Spurs. Nobody has had it better than you.

There isn't a franchise in existence that can compare to what the Mavericks did to their fan base. None. People have been trying for several days now to find the comp and it doesn't exist because nothing this head-spinningly stupid has ever happened in sports.

I should have prefaced my comments with "The Luka deal was a lot worse."

I'm buying you a sandwich from Sonic now.

 

[Mister CIA]

I'm buying you a sandwich from Sonic now.

A curse on you: You are a Blazers fan for life.

 

[General Malaise]

I'm buying you a sandwich from Sonic now.

A curse on you: You are a Blazers fan for life.

THAT'S NOT NICE!

I would kill for a crawfish Po-Boy from Sal & Phil's.

 

[Mister CIA]

I'm buying you a sandwich from Sonic now.

A curse on you: You are a Blazers fan for life.

THAT'S NOT NICE!

I would kill for a crawfish Po-Boy from Sal & Phil's.

brb

 

[General Malaise]

There's a small part of me that would like to sell everything and move back down to Mississippi for the food and the cheap cost of living. And the blues music.

 

[Mister CIA]

There's a small part of me that would like to sell everything and move back down to Mississippi for the food and the cheap cost of living. And the blues music.

Obligatory. Put that thought on an anvil and smash it like Gallagher.

If all three of my kids did not live here (and now I have a grandchild on the way!) I would have left here a long time ago. Someday man, someday.

 

[General Malaise]

There's a small part of me that would like to sell everything and move back down to Mississippi for the food and the cheap cost of living. And the blues music.

Obligatory. Put that thought on an anvil and smash it like Gallagher.

If all three of my kids did not live here (and now I have a grandchild on the way!) I would have left here a long time ago. Someday man, someday.

DUDE! Congrats!

 

[SWC]

kyle kuzma already paying off for the bucks he had 21 points and 6 rebounds as the bucks lost to the warriors by 14 points take that to the bank bromigos

 

[SWC]

ps he also had 0 assists take that to the bank buckmigos

 

[msudaisy26]

kyle kuzma already paying off for the bucks he had 21 points and 6 rebounds as the bucks lost to the warriors by 14 points take that to the bank bromigos

I always liked Kuzma. He isn't a huge difference maker, but at his salary and what he brings to the table I think he is a value. Wish the Pistons made a run at him.

 

[SWC]

his 0 assists in the loss were pretty great so i agree 0 assists is 1 less than 1 take that to the bank bromigo

 

[the moops]

kyle kuzma already paying off for the bucks he had 21 points and 6 rebounds as the bucks lost to the warriors by 14 points take that to the bank bromigos

I always liked Kuzma. He isn't a huge difference maker, but at his salary and what he brings to the table I think he is a value. Wish the Pistons made a run at him.

Tobias Harris >>>>>>>> Kyle Kuzma

Kuz is garbage. 28% from three this season. He can get some buckets for sure, but does nothing to help a team win

 

[SWC]

kyle kuzma already paying off for the bucks he had 21 points and 6 rebounds as the bucks lost to the warriors by 14 points take that to the bank bromigos

I always liked Kuzma. He isn't a huge difference maker, but at his salary and what he brings to the table I think he is a value. Wish the Pistons made a run at him.

Tobias Harris >>>>>>>> Kyle Kuzma

Kuz is garbage. 28% from three this season. He can get some buckets for sure, but does nothing to help a team win

dude he had 0 assists slow your roll and be positive take that to the bank brohan

 

[msudaisy26]

kyle kuzma already paying off for the bucks he had 21 points and 6 rebounds as the bucks lost to the warriors by 14 points take that to the bank bromigos

I always liked Kuzma. He isn't a huge difference maker, but at his salary and what he brings to the table I think he is a value. Wish the Pistons made a run at him.

Tobias Harris >>>>>>>> Kyle Kuzma

Kuz is garbage. 28% from three this season. He can get some buckets for sure, but does nothing to help a team win

I don't mind Harris either.

 

[thecatch]

kyle kuzma already paying off for the bucks he had 21 points and 6 rebounds as the bucks lost to the warriors by 14 points take that to the bank bromigos

I always liked Kuzma. He isn't a huge difference maker, but at his salary and what he brings to the table I think he is a value. Wish the Pistons made a run at him.

That was maybe the case the last couple years, but this year he's been one of the worst players in the league.

 

[General Malaise]

Oh, don't bench Bobby Portis!!!! I love that guy.

This is one of a million reasons why I'm not an NBA GM but I'd probably start an expansion team with Bobby Portis as its leader.

 

[Mister CIA]

Celtics will drain 35 three-pointers tonight.

 

[Jayrod]

Tatum's 1st quarter was ridiculous.

Had 14 pts, 6 rbs & 3 ast.

 

[Master of Subservience]

Going to Clippers vs Grizzlies tonight. Will report back on the urinal sitch

 

[Zow]

@SWC tell your boys to knock it off.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

@SWC tell your boys to knock it off.

My son is at this game. He goes to school in Mnlps and got a student discount ticket tonight for $15. No Giannis, no Dame is a disappointment but the Bucks are keeping it close for now.

 

[Zow]

@SWC tell your boys to knock it off.

My son is at this game. He goes to school in Mnlps and got a student discount ticket tonight for $15. No Giannis, no Dame is a disappointment but the Bucks are keeping it close for now.

He’s getting more than his moneys worth.

 

[Frostillicus]

stupid wolves

 

[CletiusMaximus]

@SWC tell your boys to knock it off.

My son is at this game. He goes to school in Mnlps and got a student discount ticket tonight for $15. No Giannis, no Dame is a disappointment but the Bucks are keeping it close for now.

He’s getting more than his moneys worth.

Fantastic game and at the same time complete #### basketball from both teams. Kuz had a good night though - 19 pts 13 boards including a couple big ones at the end.

 

[Gr00vus]

Lakers head into the break strong.

 

[Jayrod]

Nice win by the Mavs over the Warriors.

Kyrie had to play nearly perfect for them to barely pull it off, but they were down like 5-7 guys tonight and had no Center available.

 

[Jayrod]

O M G

That may be the highest I've ever seen a guy jump in a game. Dude was chest high with the rim.

 

[SWC]

O M G

That may be the highest I've ever seen a guy jump in a game. Dude was chest high with the rim.

ive jumped higher take that to the bank brohans

 

[Kev4029]

All Star Break check in on the Nuggets:

• They are now 0.5 games back from the Grizz for the #2 seed and 1.5 games up on Houston. They've had an easy schedule of late but they are on an 8 game win streak.
• Jamal Murray scored a career high 55 last night. He is 100% back.
• MPJ has missed the last 3 but the three before that he had averaged 35 and 9 on only 20 shots per game. It sound like he'll be back after the break but he is playing the best ball of his career.
• Earlier this year I called Braun a top 10 SG and got some push back here. He's averaging 15.0/5.1/2.2/1.1/0.6 on /578/.373/.828 (#8 in the league in TS% @ .660 and #1 in the league of non-centers).
• The Nuggets have had a lot of injuries of late (MPJ, Gordon, Watson, Westbrook) so some end of the bench guys have been thrust into bigger roles. Zeke Nnaji has been legitimately fantastic, if a bit foul happy, as they have figured out that he is exclusively a PF who should never see the court at center. Over the last 7, he is averaging 12.6//7.7 with 2.7 blocks and 1.7 stls per 36 on .627 TS%.
• Oh, and Jokic is averaging 29.8/12.6/10.2/2.5 stocks. #3 ppg, #4 rpg, #2 apg, #4 spg... in terms of advanced stats, #2 WS/48 all time, #1 PER of all time, #1 BPM of all time, leading the league in pretty much everything else.
• All the Nuggets are good!

 

[Jayrod]

O M G

That may be the highest I've ever seen a guy jump in a game. Dude was chest high with the rim.

ive jumped higher take that to the bank brohans

Pretty sure he could have scored that one with a header, soccer style.

 

[Jayrod]

All Star Break check in on the Nuggets:

• They are now 0.5 games back from the Grizz for the #2 seed and 1.5 games up on Houston. They've had an easy schedule of late but they are on an 8 game win streak.
• Jamal Murray scored a career high 55 last night. He is 100% back.
• MPJ has missed the last 3 but the three before that he had averaged 35 and 9 on only 20 shots per game. It sound like he'll be back after the break but he is playing the best ball of his career.
• Earlier this year I called Braun a top 10 SG and got some push back here. He's averaging 15.0/5.1/2.2/1.1/0.6 on /578/.373/.828 (#8 in the league in TS% @ .660 and #1 in the league of non-centers).
• The Nuggets have had a lot of injuries of late (MPJ, Gordon, Watson, Westbrook) so some end of the bench guys have been thrust into bigger roles. Zeke Nnaji has been legitimately fantastic, if a bit foul happy, as they have figured out that he is exclusively a PF who should never see the court at center. Over the last 7, he is averaging 12.6//7.7 with 2.7 blocks and 1.7 stls per 36 on .627 TS%.
• Oh, and Jokic is averaging 29.8/12.6/10.2/2.5 stocks. #3 ppg, #4 rpg, #2 apg, #4 spg... in terms of advanced stats, #2 WS/48 all time, #1 PER of all time, #1 BPM of all time, leading the league in pretty much everything else.
• All the Nuggets are good!

Yeah, not sure anyone needs to look past them.

Jokic is creeping into top 10-15 all time range and looking to pass the likes of Hakeem and Moses soon.

 

[the moops]

Jokic is creeping into top 10-15 all time range and looking to pass the likes of Hakeem and Moses soon.

Already top 10 for me

Lebron, Jordan
Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Shaq, Bird, Magic, Duncan, Jokic in some order

 

[Kev4029]

Jokic is creeping into top 10-15 all time range and looking to pass the likes of Hakeem and Moses soon.

Already top 10 for me

Lebron, Jordan
Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Shaq, Bird, Magic, Duncan, Jokic in some order

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 (and when Shaq was motivated and in his Laker prime). But I would say he is unequivocally a top 5 offensive player of all time already and probably on his way to be closer to 1 than 5.

I've heard a variety of stats about his prowess without an All-Star teammate - the most impressive is that he has the most wins in NBA history (including playoffs) without an All-Star teammate. Ben Gordon is #2 with 331 wins. Jokic has 484 wins.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

In the past week, Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz and Jahlil Okafor were all signed by new teams. The process continues to bear fruit.

 

[Mister CIA]

Oh, it looks like I stepped in it.

Fantasy Basketball Pickups: Donovan Clingan has a career night

"Cling Kong" finished Wednesday's loss to Denver with his first career 20-rebound game.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[Frostillicus]

Wolves go wire-to-wire for a double-digit win over OKC right after losing to a Bucks team without Dame and Giannis. So predictable.

 

[SayWhat?]

Made it to the Wolves game tonight. Great performance all around, despite a down game from Ant offensively. Naz and McDaniels really stepping up, Shannon Jr is a DAWG, Dillingham contributing, and Luka getting some quality minutes. Fun atmosphere and a great defensive performance by the young Wolves. Not often you see a 6 for 21 from SGA.

 

[identikit]

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!

 

[Navin Johnson]

I think the last NBA All Star Game I watched was in 1989.

 

[Major]

Finally got to watch the new look Warriors last night. Definitely an improved team with Butler. Not championship worthy but they'll be a handful in the playoffs.

 

[identikit]

Love these status phrases for players nowadays:

DND - Return to Competition Reconditioning

 

[Master of Subservience]

Going to Clippers vs Grizzlies tonight. Will report back on the urinal sitch

I was busy catching up with my buddy (who just moved back from Brazil) and somehow never made it to the bathrooms. Balmer spent something like $500k per urinal so I'm sure they're mildly impressive, just like the rest of the Intuit Dome experience. Watching Harden play is like running laps or eating raw broccoli, so that probably colored my perspective negatively. To be fair, I wasn't blown away by the Chase Center (Warriors), either.

Which got me thinking, I don't know if it's possible to create an indoor arena that really "wows" the way a football or baseball stadium can. I'm not a real fan of either team, but I loved going to Mariners and Seahawks games at their new stadiums when I lived in Seattle, and the buildings themselves were undeniably part of the allure. I admire what Balmer and Co. have done with the Clippers, but there's only so much you can do with money I guess. Still felt second fiddle-ish, and Zubac is their only likeable player. If I were an actual Clippers fan, it would be even more irritating that the Lakers keep failing upward, and it's pretty darn irritating already.

 

[Zow]

Wolves go wire-to-wire for a double-digit win over OKC right after losing to a Bucks team without Dame and Giannis. So predictable.

Maddening but hey that was a great win.

Just need to stop losing to the undermanned teams and the Wizards of the world for inexplicable reasons.

 

[Kev4029]

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