2024-25 NBA Thread: for the second time, somebody in Dallas hits low percentage shot that leads to a generation of conspiracy theories (118 Viewers)

[Yo Mama]

OKC might be good.

Historically good.

 

[thecatch]

It’s been a bit since I’ve watched a Rockets game and I had honestly forgot Dillon Brooks is a big part of their team. Gross.

 

[Jayrod]

OKC might be good.

Historically good.

Easy, hos. Season's not even halfway over and they didn't make it out of the 2nd round last year.

 

[Major]

It’s been a bit since I’ve watched a Rockets game and I had honestly forgot Dillon Brooks is a big part of their team. Gross.

That was a fun game last night. Good to see SAC playing up to their potential although they did get lucky with a few choice calls on some great defensive plays late by the before mentioned Brooks.

 

[the moops]

OKC is looking incredible. One thing to monitor is that opponent's are shooting just 31.9% on threes against them this year. That is a ridiculous historically low number. Let's see if that normalizes in the 2nd half of the year and if it does if that changes anything (likely not).

 

[thecatch]

It’s been a bit since I’ve watched a Rockets game and I had honestly forgot Dillon Brooks is a big part of their team. Gross.

That was a fun game last night. Good to see SAC playing up to their potential although they did get lucky with a few choice calls on some great defensive plays late by the before mentioned Brooks.

It’s wild that they have the athletes to make other NBA teams look like 5th graders trying to inbound the ball. Brooks mugging guys and then complaining like Draymond cost them and was a bad look.

 

[SWC]

it would be cool is dylan brooks and draymond green got in a fight that occurred in the stands so they would both be suspended for at least a season and then if it also a double fatality like in street fighter where they both exploded or became a spine or something after about a month no one would even remember who either was take that to the bank brohans

 

[Yo Mama]

OKC might be good.

Historically good.

Easy, hos. Season's not even halfway over and they didn't make it out of the 2nd round last year.

Yeah, I get that, sporto. People were saying the same thing with the Celtics and their historic point differential last year. OKC’s this season is better than that. Their point differential right now is higher than any team in NBA history, hence the word historically.

 

[Yo Mama]

Speaking of OKC, they own the Sixers 1st rounder this year (top 6 protected).

Embiid has swelling in his knee now and will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days. Here’s there upcoming schedule:

at IND
at MIL
at DEN
CLE
at CHI
LAL
SAC
DEN
BOS
DAL

There’s amazingly a chance that the pick doesn’t convey this year since Sixers are currently sitting at the 8th spot.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Speaking of OKC, they own the Sixers 1st rounder this year (top 6 protected).

Embiid has swelling in his knee now and will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days. Here’s there upcoming schedule:

at IND
at MIL
at DEN
CLE
at CHI
LAL
SAC
DEN
BOS
DAL

There’s amazingly a chance that the pick doesn’t convey this year since Sixers are currently sitting at the 8th spot.

It sort of raises the question on whether they should tank. Can they count on Embiid playing many games? Maybe just shut him down? The problem is tanking would have a poor chance of being successful due to the number of teams already or soon to be tanking.

 

[SWC]

if there is one thing the sixers know it is tanking and at least one of their fans knows about saying ben simmons is better than anteaternintendo man that guy must drink a lot a lot take that to the bank brochachos

 

[Instinctive]

Speaking of OKC, they own the Sixers 1st rounder this year (top 6 protected).

Embiid has swelling in his knee now and will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days. Here’s there upcoming schedule:

at IND
at MIL
at DEN
CLE
at CHI
LAL
SAC
DEN
BOS
DAL

There’s amazingly a chance that the pick doesn’t convey this year since Sixers are currently sitting at the 8th spot.

It sort of raises the question on whether they should tank. Can they count on Embiid playing many games? Maybe just shut him down? The problem is tanking would have a poor chance of being successful due to the number of teams already or soon to be tanking.

Plus Philadelphia would never tank...

 

[Instinctive]

Gonna go watch the Mavs get slaughtered by OKC with some friends coming down for the game. So that'll be a good way to spend date night.

 

[Capella]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

 

[General Malaise]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Since two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

Hate to see it.

 

[Desert_Power]

Gonna go watch the Mavs get slaughtered by OKC with some friends coming down for the game. So that'll be a good way to spend date night.

Just because you have the same avatar doesn't mean you have the same reverse jinx powers.

 

[Major]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

 

[General Malaise]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

 

[Gr00vus]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

Don't forget trading Jrue Holiday away for Nerlens Noel on draft night.

 

[Jayrod]

OKC might be good.

Historically good.

Easy, hos. Season's not even halfway over and they didn't make it out of the 2nd round last year.

Yeah, I get that, sporto. People were saying the same thing with the Celtics and their historic point differential last year. OKC’s this season is better than that. Their point differential right now is higher than any team in NBA history, hence the word historically.

 

[General Malaise]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

Don't forget trading Jrue Holiday away for Nerlens Noel on draft night.

Oh wow

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

Didn't Philadelphia have an executive who had a burner Twitter account and used it to bad mouth players and leak contract details?

 

[GOB]

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

Didn't Philadelphia have an executive who had a burner Twitter account and used it to bad mouth players and leak contract details?

That was years ago, find a new slant

 

[Frostillicus]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

The Wolves had a run of four years of first round picks that went Jonny Flynn - Wesley Johnson - Derrick Williams - Shabazz Muhammad.

 

[Frostillicus]

And a run early on of Felton Spencer (#6) - Luc Longley (#7) - Christian Laettner (#3) - JR Rider (#5) - Donyell Marshall (#4).

I bet you can't top that 5-year run.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

And a run early on of Felton Spencer (#6) - Luc Longley (#7) - Christian Laettner (#3) - JR Rider (#5) - Donyell Marshall (#4).

I bet you can't top that 5-year run.

"The Mayor" was drafted in that era. You can't forget him.

 

[Capella]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

The Wolves had a run of four years of first round picks that went Jonny Flynn - Wesley Johnson - Derrick Williams - Shabazz Muhammad.

I’m sure they didn’t miss out on one of the 10-12 greatest players ever during that run though.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Luc Longley (#7)

I’m a big fan.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Speaking of OKC, they own the Sixers 1st rounder this year (top 6 protected).

Embiid has swelling in his knee now and will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days. Here’s there upcoming schedule:

at IND
at MIL
at DEN
CLE
at CHI
LAL
SAC
DEN
BOS
DAL

There’s amazingly a chance that the pick doesn’t convey this year since Sixers are currently sitting at the 8th spot.

Yes, we know!!

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

They’re going to need to make 30 30 for 30s to do it justice

 

[Instinctive]

Gonna go watch the Mavs get slaughtered by OKC with some friends coming down for the game. So that'll be a good way to spend date night.

Just because you have the same avatar doesn't mean you have the same reverse jinx powers.

Update: SGA was ruled out and Kyrie was ruled in and PJ Washington decided to stand on Lu Dort's business and, long story short, Dallas is way outperforming my expectations through one half.

 

[Frostillicus]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

The Wolves had a run of four years of first round picks that went Jonny Flynn - Wesley Johnson - Derrick Williams - Shabazz Muhammad.

I’m sure they didn’t miss out on one of the 10-12 greatest players ever during that run though.

He's too small.

 

[Zow]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

The Wolves had a run of four years of first round picks that went Jonny Flynn - Wesley Johnson - Derrick Williams - Shabazz Muhammad.

I’m sure they didn’t miss out on one of the 10-12 greatest players ever during that run though.

He's too small.

Nice Wolves win tonight.

 

[Frostillicus]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

The Wolves had a run of four years of first round picks that went Jonny Flynn - Wesley Johnson - Derrick Williams - Shabazz Muhammad.

I’m sure they didn’t miss out on one of the 10-12 greatest players ever during that run though.

He's too small.

Nice Wolves win tonight.

That's the best they've looked this season.

 

[Desert_Power]

Gonna go watch the Mavs get slaughtered by OKC with some friends coming down for the game. So that'll be a good way to spend date night.

Just because you have the same avatar doesn't mean you have the same reverse jinx powers.

Update: SGA was ruled out and Kyrie was ruled in and PJ Washington decided to stand on Lu Dort's business and, long story short, Dallas is way outperforming my expectations through one half.

You did it.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

They’re going to need to make 30 30 for 30s to do it justice

The Colangelo fake twitter account story is worthy of its own episode.

 

[Jayrod]

So I just saw where Aaron Gordon is coming off the bench for DEN now? How long has that been a thing?

 

[Major]

So I just saw where Aaron Gordon is coming off the bench for DEN now? How long has that been a thing?

He's been out for a while. Probably just working his way back from a calf injury.

 

[Instinctive]

Gonna go watch the Mavs get slaughtered by OKC with some friends coming down for the game. So that'll be a good way to spend date night.

Just because you have the same avatar doesn't mean you have the same reverse jinx powers.

Update: SGA was ruled out and Kyrie was ruled in and PJ Washington decided to stand on Lu Dort's business and, long story short, Dallas is way outperforming my expectations through one half.

You did it.

That was a PHENOMENAL game. Atmosphere was incredible. I don't see how anyone could watch that game and not love the NBA.

I think the Mavs and the Thunder actually hate each other. Like the players on the teams. Real, old fashioned Bulls-Pistons hate.

When Lu Dort did his ******** and got the flopping T, then immediately got an offensive foul after for the same crap, both the Mavs and the arena went wild.

I'm a little surprised that when PJ got his tech early, they didn't review Dort for a flagrant elbow. And then PJ picked up an obvious flagrant later and I was surprised Dort didn't pick up another tech after for the altercation.

OKC, like Dallas without Luka, looks extremely different without SGA. However, it's amazing EVERY SINGLE PERSON they have is willing and able to let it fly from three, especially the corner. It makes a humongous difference and is glaringly obvious when Dallas was playing 4 on 5, sometimes 3 on 5, on offense all night. OMax got run and passed up like 6 wide open corner threes, Powell demands no respect at all, Kleber passed up not only a bunch of trees but a couple layups...and then Gafford and PJ both got into foul trouble and without a full roster that's a death knell - allowed a 20-point comeback since both had to sit.

Luka and Lively are desperately needed for this team to win anything.

But man that was fun. Playoff-esque atmosphere.

 

[thecatch]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

The Wolves had a run of four years of first round picks that went Jonny Flynn - Wesley Johnson - Derrick Williams - Shabazz Muhammad.

Derrick Williams is one of those guys I was sure was going to be a stud coming out of the draft. That sucked.

 

[Zow]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

The Wolves had a run of four years of first round picks that went Jonny Flynn - Wesley Johnson - Derrick Williams - Shabazz Muhammad.

I still remember where I was when they took Flynn and Rubio over Curry. Sigh.

 

[Zow]

I also recall the Joe Smith debacle pretty vividly (I got to meet Smith, who was at least cool) and then the experience of Ndudi Ebi, highlighted by watching him air ball a layup in their training camp causing KG to literally stop his play and just shake his head in disbelief and disappointment.

 

[Kev4029]

Nuggets rose-colored glasses post of the day - I was curious how slow Murray started the last few seasons as I know he is a notorious slow starter so I took a look at this season vs the last three (the trend held mostly true in 19-20 as well but 18-19 and 17-18 were even more apparent).

20-21 Season: First 18 - 19.1 PPG/4.4 APG/4.0 RPG on .456/.352/.783 (.557 TS%)

Full Season – 21.2 PPG/4.8 APG/4.0 RPG on .477/.408/.869 (.592 TS%)

22-23 Season: First 18 - 17.9 PPG/4.9 APG/3.7 RPG on .448/.380/.784 (.538 TS%)

Full Season – 20.0 PPG/6.2 APG/4.0 RPG on .454/.398/.833 (.571 TS%)

23-24 Season: First 18 – 19.8 PPG/5.7 APG/4.0 RPG on .470/.449/.906 (.587 TS%)

Full Season – 20.0 PPG/6.5 APG/4.1 RPG on .481/.425/.853 (.586 TS%)

24-25 Season: First 18 – 17.9 PPG/6.1 APG/4.1 RPG on .425/.337/.809 (.531 TS%)

Literally every year of his career other than last season he has has a slow start and worked himself into form by mid-to-late season. If the trend continues (and he builds of of the last game vs LAC), I think we could see something closer to borderline All-Star level Murray which may get the Nuggets back into title contention, especially if they can make a trade to give them a little bump as well.

Since I posted this, Murray has played 7 games with averages of 24.7/7.3/4.4 on .470/.432/.909 (.589 TS%) and raised his season averages to 19.8/6.4/4.2 on .440/.365/.842 (.551 TS%).

He still doesn't look back but he definitely looks like he is on his way back - creating separation again and making a couple athletic moves a game.

Since I originally posted this, Murray has now played 16 games with 22.1/6.1/4.0 on .483/.438/.914 (.598 TS%). The last few games he has looked 100% back.

So I just saw where Aaron Gordon is coming off the bench for DEN now? How long has that been a thing?

As @Major said, he has just gotten back from a calf injury that he originally had in November that kept him out 10 games then he returned for 10 and reaggravated it and was out for 9 more games. They have put him on roughly a 20 minute limit so it makes sense for him to come off the bench.

That said, I think there is a chance that he stays on the bench because he allows the bench to actually be effective and keeps Westbrook tied more to Jokic where he has been really good, as opposed to the non-Jokic lineups where Westbrook has been really bad (Westbrook is +12.4 per 100 with Jokic in 773 minutes and +2.6 overall in 1121 minutes so he is roughly something like -19.0 without Jokic).

 

[Major]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

I was reading some of their draft picks this morning and it's like a Shakespearean tragic-comedy. Has a franchise ever whiffed this badly on so many top 1-3 picks in a relatively short period of time in any sport? It's galling.

Evan Turner, Ja. Okafor, Ben Simmons, Fultz.....my god. They're the basketball version of the Raiders.

The Wolves had a run of four years of first round picks that went Jonny Flynn - Wesley Johnson - Derrick Williams - Shabazz Muhammad.

I still remember where I was when they took Flynn and Rubio over Curry. Sigh.

That hurts just reading it

 

[Jayrod]

Nuggets rose-colored glasses post of the day - I was curious how slow Murray started the last few seasons as I know he is a notorious slow starter so I took a look at this season vs the last three (the trend held mostly true in 19-20 as well but 18-19 and 17-18 were even more apparent).

20-21 Season: First 18 - 19.1 PPG/4.4 APG/4.0 RPG on .456/.352/.783 (.557 TS%)

Full Season – 21.2 PPG/4.8 APG/4.0 RPG on .477/.408/.869 (.592 TS%)

22-23 Season: First 18 - 17.9 PPG/4.9 APG/3.7 RPG on .448/.380/.784 (.538 TS%)

Full Season – 20.0 PPG/6.2 APG/4.0 RPG on .454/.398/.833 (.571 TS%)

23-24 Season: First 18 – 19.8 PPG/5.7 APG/4.0 RPG on .470/.449/.906 (.587 TS%)

Full Season – 20.0 PPG/6.5 APG/4.1 RPG on .481/.425/.853 (.586 TS%)

24-25 Season: First 18 – 17.9 PPG/6.1 APG/4.1 RPG on .425/.337/.809 (.531 TS%)

Literally every year of his career other than last season he has has a slow start and worked himself into form by mid-to-late season. If the trend continues (and he builds of of the last game vs LAC), I think we could see something closer to borderline All-Star level Murray which may get the Nuggets back into title contention, especially if they can make a trade to give them a little bump as well.

Since I posted this, Murray has played 7 games with averages of 24.7/7.3/4.4 on .470/.432/.909 (.589 TS%) and raised his season averages to 19.8/6.4/4.2 on .440/.365/.842 (.551 TS%).

He still doesn't look back but he definitely looks like he is on his way back - creating separation again and making a couple athletic moves a game.

Since I originally posted this, Murray has now played 16 games with 22.1/6.1/4.0 on .483/.438/.914 (.598 TS%). The last few games he has looked 100% back.

So I just saw where Aaron Gordon is coming off the bench for DEN now? How long has that been a thing?

As @Major said, he has just gotten back from a calf injury that he originally had in November that kept him out 10 games then he returned for 10 and reaggravated it and was out for 9 more games. They have put him on roughly a 20 minute limit so it makes sense for him to come off the bench.

That said, I think there is a chance that he stays on the bench because he allows the bench to actually be effective and keeps Westbrook tied more to Jokic where he has been really good, as opposed to the non-Jokic lineups where Westbrook has been really bad (Westbrook is +12.4 per 100 with Jokic in 773 minutes and +2.6 overall in 1121 minutes so he is roughly something like -19.0 without Jokic).

I think my 47 year old *** could have a positive plus/minus playing with Jokic.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Sixers are just in a legendary mess here. Embiid is likely done as a guy who can carry you far. No draft pick this year probably. George signing a total disaster. Still two young potential stars but wow they really screwed this up. Nowhere as bad as Phoenix I guess, we may never see a fiasco like that one again.

I really hope there's a 30 for 30 on The Process. Would also make a good case study on how not to manage an NBA franchise. Crazy how much talent, draft capital and salary they pissed away.

They’re going to need to make 30 30 for 30s to do it justice

The Colangelo fake twitter account story is worthy of its own episode.

AccountS

He had like 7 that he and/or his wife used

 

[Anarchy99]

I am starting to worry the Celtics just don’t have it. Up 3 with the ball and 13 seconds left and passing to run out the clock, Holiday passed to Brown, who dropped the pass out of bounds. They intentionally fouled Trey, who made both free throws to cut it to 1. Tatum made 1 of 2 free throws, leaving them up 2. With 3 seconds left and nowhere near the basket, Holiday intentionally fouled Trae, thinking they were up 3. Trae made the free throws and ATL won in OT in BOS again.

 

[jvdesigns2002]

I am starting to worry the Celtics just don’t have it. Up 3 with the ball and 13 seconds left and passing to run out the clock, Holiday passed to Brown, who dropped the pass out of bounds. They intentionally fouled Trey, who made both free throws to cut it to 1. Tatum made 1 of 2 free throws, leaving them up 2. With 3 seconds left and nowhere near the basket, Holiday intentionally fouled Trae, thinking they were up 3. Trae made the free throws and ATL won in OT in BOS again.

I wouldn’t worry too much. I don’t think they had Porzingis tonight,—and frankly—that series of events that you just went through feel like massive coincidental outliers. I wouldn’t try to extrapolate any sort of pattern from tonight’s scenario. If they ran that scenario back 100x, I would bet that Boston gets the win 98-99 of the times.

 

[Jayrod]

I am starting to worry the Celtics just don’t have it. Up 3 with the ball and 13 seconds left and passing to run out the clock, Holiday passed to Brown, who dropped the pass out of bounds. They intentionally fouled Trey, who made both free throws to cut it to 1. Tatum made 1 of 2 free throws, leaving them up 2. With 3 seconds left and nowhere near the basket, Holiday intentionally fouled Trae, thinking they were up 3. Trae made the free throws and ATL won in OT in BOS again.

It's a championship hangover and plus the Olympics for Tatum, Holiday and White.

They are struggling with focus and effort. They will have to turn it on somewhat before the playoffs, but we are just now at the halfway point of the season and Boston is fine at #2 in the East. This 8-8 stretch isn't fun, but it happens.

 

[Jayrod]

I honestly don't care if they fall to the 4 seed, as long as they pour it on and crush the Golden State Douches on Monday.