2025-26 NBA Thread: Gambling addict looking at NBA Cup winner odds wondering where it all went wrong for him (19 Viewers)

[Desert_Power]

2. The leader on a young, bad team. DeRozan is a high character guy who is good with young players and can set a good example for them on and off the court. Additionally, for DeMar, don't think he doesn't care about career points. He's #25 all-time now and only about 2,700 point away from top 10. If a bad team gives him the opportunity to get his 20 plus points a night, that helps him get there. He has been very durable.

Seems like something Charlotte could help with.

 

[Kev4029]

there are a LOT of terrible/tanking teams this year: Jazz, Grizzlies, Mavs, Kings, Pelicans, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, and Wizards all could be vying for the top 3-4 picks.

Is this a good draft like last year's?

Supposed to be even better in the lottery.

 

[Ilov80s]

there are a LOT of terrible/tanking teams this year: Jazz, Grizzlies, Mavs, Kings, Pelicans, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, and Wizards all could be vying for the top 3-4 picks.

Is this a good draft like last year's?

Yeah supposedly there’s 4 or 5 guys who they think would have gone ahead of Flagg

 

[Ilov80s]

I am starting to fall in love with the Pistons. Love the effort and the defense in the second halves.

These last 2 wins were maybe the most impressive yet. All our top players DNP and still winning games. BBall Paul and our G-Leaguer are taking games over.

It is fun, but if they want to be serious contenders they have to find or develop a running mate for Cade in the playoffs.

Thompson can't shoot, Ivey can't stay healthy, Holland is a year away or more, and Duren doesn’t have the range. The East has never been more wide open. They need to make their version of the Rasheed Wallace trade.

No one thought (myself included) the Pistons had a chance against the Lakers in 04 and the Thunder seem to have that going for them this year, but let's get there and find out.

I would love for them to find room for their GLeague sensation too. I just worry how much of the young core they might have to give up to acquire a running mate for Cade.

Depends on the player, but I don't think it will be as steep as most think. Plus the NBA is different with the luxury tax and second apron. Most teams are willing to do what the Warriors did and have a 250 million dollar team that they pay and then pay another 500 million in taxes etc. Plus Duren and Ivey are extension eligible this year, Thompson next. Someone or a few someone's are going to have to go.

Hard to see Ivey returning. I mean our whole turn around happened after he got hurt.

 

[Juxtatarot]

there are a LOT of terrible/tanking teams this year: Jazz, Grizzlies, Mavs, Kings, Pelicans, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, and Wizards all could be vying for the top 3-4 picks.

Is this a good draft like last year's?

Yeah supposedly there’s 4 or 5 guys who they think would have gone ahead of Flagg

I heard that too. It's quite funny since there was some discussion last year as to whether Flagg was a generational talent.

 

[thecatch]

there are a LOT of terrible/tanking teams this year: Jazz, Grizzlies, Mavs, Kings, Pelicans, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, and Wizards all could be vying for the top 3-4 picks.

Is this a good draft like last year's?

Yeah supposedly there’s 4 or 5 guys who they think would have gone ahead of Flagg

I think that was just Kevin O’Connor trying to get some clicks. Not true at all.

 

[msudaisy26]

there are a LOT of terrible/tanking teams this year: Jazz, Grizzlies, Mavs, Kings, Pelicans, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, and Wizards all could be vying for the top 3-4 picks.

Is this a good draft like last year's?

Yeah supposedly there’s 4 or 5 guys who they think would have gone ahead of Flagg

I heard that too. It's quite funny since there was some discussion last year as to whether Flagg was a generational talent.

That is very odd, because other than Wemby he was considered the best and easiest first pick since like KAT.

 

[the moops]

there are a LOT of terrible/tanking teams this year: Jazz, Grizzlies, Mavs, Kings, Pelicans, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, and Wizards all could be vying for the top 3-4 picks.

Good thing New Orleans traded away their 2026 unprotected first to move up to grab Queen last year

 

[Juxtatarot]

there are a LOT of terrible/tanking teams this year: Jazz, Grizzlies, Mavs, Kings, Pelicans, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, and Wizards all could be vying for the top 3-4 picks.

Good thing New Orleans traded away their 2026 unprotected first to move up to grab Queen last year

Second worst trade in the last year.

 

[Yo Mama]

there are a LOT of terrible/tanking teams this year: Jazz, Grizzlies, Mavs, Kings, Pelicans, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, and Wizards all could be vying for the top 3-4 picks.

Good thing New Orleans traded away their 2026 unprotected first to move up to grab Queen last year

They also gave Indiana their 2026 pick back last year. That’s two potential top five picks they traded away.

 

[Major]

there are a LOT of terrible/tanking teams this year: Jazz, Grizzlies, Mavs, Kings, Pelicans, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, and Wizards all could be vying for the top 3-4 picks.

Good thing New Orleans traded away their 2026 unprotected first to move up to grab Queen last year

They also gave Indiana their 2026 pick back last year. That’s two potential top five picks they traded away.

Sounds like the perfect landing spot for Nico

 

[Ilov80s]

there are a LOT of terrible/tanking teams this year: Jazz, Grizzlies, Mavs, Kings, Pelicans, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, and Wizards all could be vying for the top 3-4 picks.

Is this a good draft like last year's?

Yeah supposedly there’s 4 or 5 guys who they think would have gone ahead of Flagg

I heard that too. It's quite funny since there was some discussion last year as to whether Flagg was a generational talent.

The generational word cracks me up because I feel like in football we supposedly get at least 1 generational player ever year.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Speaking of the Pelicans, Willie Green was fired this morning. I'm sure they will be much better now.

 

[Desert_Power]

Speaking of the Pelicans, Willie Green was fired this morning. I'm sure they will be much better now.

Borrego as interim. Always hoped he would get another chance but not like this

 

[Tha Guru]

Speaking of the Pelicans, Willie Green was fired this morning. I'm sure they will be much better now.

Pels fan here. People don't know how bad of a coach Willie is. I know someone very close to the situation. He refused to take input from his coaching staff. On top of that, most of the players hated him, especially Trey Murphy.

I think you'll see the players give a damn under Borrego. They really like him.

As for Dumars, bad trade to give up an unprotected pick for Queen. If he protects the pick (top 4), I think the fan base could at least understand it. Queen and Fears look good, but if that pick lands top 4, Dumars will be roasted by the fan base.

 

[the moops]

Speaking of the Pelicans, Willie Green was fired this morning. I'm sure they will be much better now.

Pels fan here. People don't know how bad of a coach Willie is. I know someone very close to the situation. He refused to take input from his coaching staff. On top of that, most of the players hated him, especially Trey Murphy.

I think you'll see the players give a damn under Borrego. They really like him.

As for Dumars, bad trade to give up an unprotected pick for Queen. If he protects the pick (top 4), I think the fan base could at least understand it. Queen and Fears look good, but if that pick lands top 4, Dumars will be roasted by the fan base.

Queen is fun to watch play but he really needs to be really good and the pick has to fall to like the 8 range for this trade to even make the slightest sense.

 

[msudaisy26]

Speaking of the Pelicans, Willie Green was fired this morning. I'm sure they will be much better now.

Pels fan here. People don't know how bad of a coach Willie is. I know someone very close to the situation. He refused to take input from his coaching staff. On top of that, most of the players hated him, especially Trey Murphy.

I think you'll see the players give a damn under Borrego. They really like him.

As for Dumars, bad trade to give up an unprotected pick for Queen. If he protects the pick (top 4), I think the fan base could at least understand it. Queen and Fears look good, but if that pick lands top 4, Dumars will be roasted by the fan base.

Dumars is my favorite Piston and one of my favorite players ever. He was a phenomenal GM with the Pistons until owner Bill Davidson passed and they took away his power to anything bold and it was like he forgot how to be a general manager after that.

This isn't an excuse for Dumars because he is a grown man and should be able to overcome this.