2024-25 NBA Thread: Stephen A leading ESPN’s draft coverage by yelling about players he’s never heard of until now (144 Viewers)

[Desert_Power]

Lot's of injuries these playoffs, but OKC looked like the best team all year so it's hard to cheapen it (should it happen)

 

[Alex P Keaton]

No such things as asterisk championships. Flags fly forever. Maybe email the idea to first take.

I mean, if anything for the NBA it would be the Lakers covid bubble title

 

[ChicoCat]

Pacers have no chance.

Is this an asterisk championship for OKC?

Why?

Pacers without Halliburton

That is sports. They didn't cheat. No guarantee that the Pacers win with Haliburton.

I didn’t say they cheated.

I know, but that is the only reason IMO why a title would have an asterisk.

The way I see it is if the other teams best player gets hurt and can’t play, it changes the game. That is a massive loss, especially for a team like Indiana. And in a league like the NBA with only 5 guys on the court……its a series changer. It just is.

I’m just bummed we couldn’t see both of these teams go to the wire slugging it out and let the best man win.

Now? It’s just a matter of time for OKC. I love seeing small market teams with things like this. But it ain’t the same with Halliburton out.

There MIGHT be cases for asterisk titles in sports (MAYBE.... The Bubble. maybe the Durant Warriors titles).....but It's their first one. You don't * a team on their first one because an opposing player got hurt. Noone is * The Raptors win.

 

[Jayrod]

Toppin & Shepherd giving the Pacers zeros is hurting as well. Especially Toppin as he's been an X-factor guy a few times this series.

 

[msudaisy26]

How many calf strains have turned into achilles tears? Is it time to just sit a player down for a few week when it happens because the risk is too great?

 

[msudaisy26]

Pacers have no chance.

Is this an asterisk championship for OKC?

Why?

Pacers without Halliburton

That is sports. They didn't cheat. No guarantee that the Pacers win with Haliburton.

I didn’t say they cheated.

I know, but that is the only reason IMO why a title would have an asterisk.

The way I see it is if the other teams best player gets hurt and can’t play, it changes the game. That is a massive loss, especially for a team like Indiana. And in a league like the NBA with only 5 guys on the court……its a series changer. It just is.

I’m just bummed we couldn’t see both of these teams go to the wire slugging it out and let the best man win.

Now? It’s just a matter of time for OKC. I love seeing small market teams with things like this. But it ain’t the same with Halliburton out.

There MIGHT be cases for asterisk titles in sports (MAYBE.... The Bubble. maybe the Durant Warriors titles).....but It's their first one. You don't * a team on their first one because an opposing player got hurt. Noone is * The Raptors win.

Those are silly reasons too.

 

[ChicoCat]

So whats the recovery time for Haliburton?

Like 9-12 months just to get back on the court. Then whatever time you'd need to get back to a competitive level of play after not playing for that long.

That sucks. I don't know about their salary caps situation....but Indy could have found themselves right back there.

 

[Capella]

What a bummer. Pacers can’t even get set on offense without Hali.

 

[Capella]

No such things as asterisk championships. Flags fly forever. Maybe email the idea to first take.

I mean, if anything for the NBA it would be the Lakers covid bubble title

Nope. Everybody played under the same rules.

 

[Yo Mama]

No such things as asterisk championships. Flags fly forever. Maybe email the idea to first take.

I mean, if anything for the NBA it would be the Lakers covid bubble title

Footnote to that asterisk:

* Most difficult championship, should count for two

 

[msudaisy26]

When do we start ranking the worst and best championships in NBA history by asterisks?

 

[msudaisy26]

The Thunder have 86 points with 9 minutes left and I think that might be enough to win the game.

 

[ChicoCat]

When do we start ranking the worst and best championships in NBA history by asterisks?

Asterisks aren't fair to a team in the context of the season they're played in. If we're talking history... I do think as fans we dive deeper into situation/opponents/adversity when ranking championships historically.

 

[Jayrod]

Mathurin making things interesting. Would have been nice for them to call that and-1 there since he got hit in the head by Caruso's armpit.

 

[msudaisy26]

When do we start ranking the worst and best championships in NBA history by asterisks?

Asterisks aren't fair to a team in the context of the season they're played in. If we're talking history... I do think as fans we dive deeper into situation/opponents/adversity when ranking championships historically.

That is fair. I definitely think some championship runs are easier than others, but asterisks have always been negative and a reason to show why a team didn't deserve to win or cheated. That didn't happen here.

 

[dickey moe]

So whats the recovery time for Haliburton?

Like 9-12 months just to get back on the court. Then whatever time you'd need to get back to a competitive level of play after not playing for that long.

The Eastern Conference is going to be interesting next season if Tatum and Halliburton are out the entire time.

 

[Jayrod]

The announcers are playing dumb about NBA travel rules now?

 

[identikit]

The announcers are playing dumb about NBA travel rules now?

They've been doing that all series

 

[GroveDiesel]

There’s no asterisk here. It’s just one of the biggest “What If” games in playoff history. We all, Pacers fans the most, got robbed of a potentially classic Game 7. The magic of their run ran out in about the most gut wrenching way possible at the most horrific time possible.

 

[Jayrod]

OKC out of TO's now with 4:11 left, no challenge left and SGA has 5 fouls and the lead is down to 12.

 

[Capella]

So whats the recovery time for Haliburton?

Like 9-12 months just to get back on the court. Then whatever time you'd need to get back to a competitive level of play after not playing for that long.

The Eastern Conference is going to be interesting next season if Tatum and Halliburton are out the entire time.

It’s Orlando Magic time baby

 

[identikit]

Not giving up

Not seen this much, over the years, with teams

 

[mr. furley]

The announcers are playing dumb about NBA travel rules now?

Richard Jefferson called it out immediately

 

[Jayrod]

OKC is nervous, but Indy keeps turning it over.

 

[msudaisy26]

If the Pacers just took care of the ball this would be a great game seven even with the Haliburton injury.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Seeing Caruso celebrate is annoying

 

[msudaisy26]

Congrats OKC and all the Thunder fans. You were the best all year and deserved it.

 

[Jayrod]

Good run by a very good team. Hali's injury sucks, but the Thunder got it done.

 

[identikit]

The Pacers!!!

Thank you for this wonderful season

 

[Zow]

Good win. Bummer about Halliburton but okc was the best team all year. Right result. The asterisk talk is a little nuts here.

 

[Eephus]

Congrats OKC and all the Thunder fans. You were the best all year and deserved it.

Could have won the double except the Bucks beat them in the In-Season Tournament final.

 

[scoobus]

-Super big letdown with the Haliburton injury, but still a really good game. And a fantastic series.

-Felt like the Thunder missed their last 80 jumpshots, but they had a big enough cushion and Indy kept turning the ball over.

-Can't stand Ben Mathurin, dude bitches/flops on every. single. drive.

-Feel bad for TJ McConnell, he just signed an extension and makes about $11 mil a season for the next 4 years. Gotta think he'd be cashing in pretty significantly above that right now if he were a free agent.

 

[scoobus]

Congrats OKC and all the Thunder fans. You were the best all year and deserved it.

Could have won the double except the Bucks beat them in the In-Season Tournament final.

The In-Season Tournament Champion has never made it out of the first round of the playoffs. Cursed IMO.

 

[Eephus]

Congrats OKC and all the Thunder fans. You were the best all year and deserved it.

Could have won the double except the Bucks beat them in the In-Season Tournament final.

The In-Season Tournament Champion has never made it out of the first round of the playoffs. Cursed IMO.

Peaked too early

 

[Moe.]

Pacers have no chance.

Is this an asterisk championship for OKC?

Yeah, and then next to the asterisk it just says HELL ****ING YEAH

 

[FairWarning]

Anxiously awaiting next season as the Bulls muster up another run to 38 wins and a 10 seed.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

So whats the recovery time for Haliburton?

I would be amazed if he played next season.

Why do NBA players push it with calf injuries?
Feels like Durant when he tore it with the Warriors in the Playoffs-Finals
We had a player in tennis who wouldn't let his calf heel, end up tearing the achilles eventually

People should take calf injuries seriously

 

[Capella]

https://x.com/sixthmanshow/status/1936987013187551658?s=46&t=ICx5zgfs3tFXUezBjAIfQQ

Magic top-5 title odds. They should push even harder for another shooter in the next few weeks.

 

[Zeppelin]

Why do NBA players push it with calf injuries?
Feels like Durant when he tore it with the Warriors in the Playoffs-Finals
We had a player in tennis who wouldn't let his calf heel, end up tearing the achilles eventually

People should take calf injuries seriously

Because for some of these ultra-competitive players, the upside of having a chance to win a championship outweighs the downside of getting hurt.

I can only speak for myself, but if I'm Haliburton, you're damn right I'm playing.

 

[Ghost Rider]

There’s no asterisk here. It’s just one of the biggest “What If” games in playoff history. We all, Pacers fans the most, got robbed of a potentially classic Game 7. The magic of their run ran out in about the most gut wrenching way possible at the most horrific time possible.

Most people forget about this stuff over time, so unless you have an axe to grind or crazy hate for a player or team, no one really brings that stuff over and over after a certain period of time has passed. Sure, some still throw out the "the Raptors only won it in '19 because Steph and KD were hurt" crack on occasion still, but people still talk about Kobe's 5 rings and Shaq's 4 without mentioning that 1 they got together was thanks to Tim Donaghy, and if no one is giving the Lakers an asterisk for that one, it is hard to give any other team one. Were the Thunder extremely fortunate, or some might say, lucky? Yes, very, but that's the way it goes in sports sometimes.

 

[msudaisy26]

Why do NBA players push it with calf injuries?
Feels like Durant when he tore it with the Warriors in the Playoffs-Finals
We had a player in tennis who wouldn't let his calf heel, end up tearing the achilles eventually

People should take calf injuries seriously

Because for some of these ultra-competitive players, the upside of having a chance to win a championship outweighs the downside of getting hurt.

I can only speak for myself, but if I'm Haliburton, you're damn right I'm playing.

And this is why coaches and medical staff are needed to protect players from themselves. Haliburton might go the way of Klay Thompson and never be the same again. Hopefully not.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Why do NBA players push it with calf injuries?
Feels like Durant when he tore it with the Warriors in the Playoffs-Finals
We had a player in tennis who wouldn't let his calf heel, end up tearing the achilles eventually

People should take calf injuries seriously

Because for some of these ultra-competitive players, the upside of having a chance to win a championship outweighs the downside of getting hurt.

I can only speak for myself, but if I'm Haliburton, you're damn right I'm playing.

And this is why coaches and medical staff are needed to protect players from themselves. Haliburton might go the way of Klay Thompson and never be the same again. Hopefully not.

That's' my concern, this kid was working his way into the new face of the NBA, maybe he wasn't a Superstar yet but he was carving out a lane of new fans and I appreciate and applaud him wanting to win a Title and Game 7 of the NBA Finals, just very disappointed he will be gone for a year.
Boston and Indiana now are likely non factors in 2026
East is going to be wide open

 

[Juxtatarot]

Why do NBA players push it with calf injuries?
Feels like Durant when he tore it with the Warriors in the Playoffs-Finals
We had a player in tennis who wouldn't let his calf heel, end up tearing the achilles eventually

People should take calf injuries seriously

Because for some of these ultra-competitive players, the upside of having a chance to win a championship outweighs the downside of getting hurt.

I can only speak for myself, but if I'm Haliburton, you're damn right I'm playing.

It's probably an easier decision when you have $200 million left guaranteed on your contract too.

 

[Kev4029]

https://x.com/sixthmanshow/status/1936987013187551658?s=46&t=ICx5zgfs3tFXUezBjAIfQQ

Magic top-5 title odds. They should push even harder for another shooter in the next few weeks.

Something around Anthony Black and Derrick White?

 

[msudaisy26]

https://x.com/sixthmanshow/status/1936987013187551658?s=46&t=ICx5zgfs3tFXUezBjAIfQQ

Magic top-5 title odds. They should push even harder for another shooter in the next few weeks.

Something around Anthony Black and Derrick White?

If the Magic some how got Derrick White they would have to be the front runners in the East.

 

[Capella]

https://x.com/sixthmanshow/status/1936987013187551658?s=46&t=ICx5zgfs3tFXUezBjAIfQQ

Magic top-5 title odds. They should push even harder for another shooter in the next few weeks.

Something around Anthony Black and Derrick White?

Not sure how possible it is with the Magic’s cap situation but yes please.

Most likely it will be somebody with the MLE I assume.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Toppin & Shepherd giving the Pacers zeros is hurting as well. Especially Toppin as he's been an X-factor guy a few times this series.

Whats his deal? Ive seen Toppin play amazing for small stretches. Seems like he has all the tools but something is missing.

 

[Sammy3469]

https://x.com/sixthmanshow/status/1936987013187551658?s=46&t=ICx5zgfs3tFXUezBjAIfQQ

Magic top-5 title odds. They should push even harder for another shooter in the next few weeks.

Something around Anthony Black and Derrick White?

Not sure how possible it is with the Magic’s cap situation but yes please.

Most likely it will be somebody with the MLE I assume.

It's more, the "someone from the East has to make the Finals" odds. I'd personally take the Pistons at whatever odd they have at this point.

And I feel sort of weird saying that considering how much good talent there is in the league at this point, but you can make the argument that 5 or 6 of the best teams next year will be West (OKC, Houston, Denver, and some combo of LALAHAHA, LAC, Spurs, Minny). OKC at only +220 is testament to that.

 

[cheese]

Why do NBA players push it with calf injuries?
Feels like Durant when he tore it with the Warriors in the Playoffs-Finals
We had a player in tennis who wouldn't let his calf heel, end up tearing the achilles eventually

People should take calf injuries seriously

Because for some of these ultra-competitive players, the upside of having a chance to win a championship outweighs the downside of getting hurt.

I can only speak for myself, but if I'm Haliburton, you're damn right I'm playing.

And this is why coaches and medical staff are needed to protect players from themselves. Haliburton might go the way of Klay Thompson and never be the same again. Hopefully not.

That's' my concern, this kid was working his way into the new face of the NBA, maybe he wasn't a Superstar yet but he was carving out a lane of new fans and I appreciate and applaud him wanting to win a Title and Game 7 of the NBA Finals, just very disappointed he will be gone for a year.
Boston and Indiana now are likely non factors in 2026
East is going to be wide open

Is it pretty much a given that Tatum and Hali will also miss the postseason next year?

Those are playoff teams even without them and if they show up in May as a 6 seed and then add those guys, the seed might not matter.

 

[cheese]

That was the Mathurin game imo

If I had to narrow it to one player

Ben is almost a lock to play somewhere else next year, but last night cemented his legacy as a Pacer. Nesmith is clearly injured and we're getting more and more from Ben on offense so we barely notice.

He is restricted and they hold birds rights on him. If they win the title I would think there would be a push to keep him around

I am not that focused on the future while my team is playing in the finals, but I can't think of anything but Pacers today so I'll lay out my 2 cents.

Ben can be an all star next year somewhere else or the 7th man on the Pacers. I really believe that. He believes that. The league probably believes that. I think he can get to a Brunson level of head down, go get a bucket no matter what, as a scorer. Even if he falls short of that, he can excel as a 23ppg main option in an offense that allows it. He's not going to do that in Indy for a million reasons and frankly he doesn't fit with their offense at all. Most of his minutes he is tasked with holding down the fort and making sure we still score points while Hali is resting.

He hasn't been very happy with his role since being demoted and I don't see the Pacers giving him a bigger role or going out of their way to hold him back.

100 people on this board know more about the money than me including the one I'm replying to, but here's the dumbed down version as I see it. Indy is a small market team with 2 max players and a franchise icon up for free agency this year. They're going to be limited on extension money. They're going to be in win now mode this offseason. Everyone's going to want Ben.

Ok, we may have just found the path to a 3rd option. Mathurin as leading scorer when Hali misses an entire season.