2025-26 NBA Thread: Magic fan forced to acknowledge making NBA Cup semis best accomplishment in 15 years (4 Viewers)

[Master of Subservience]

NBA Cup - Last Night of Group Play

Still only two groups have winners decided - Raptors and Lakers. Lots still up for grabs.

Games where winner takes the group
Orl (3-0) @ Det (2-1)
Phoenix (3-0) @ OKC (3-0)
SA (2-1) @ Den (2-1)

Other group deciding game
Mil (2-1) @ NY (2-1) - NY gets the group with a win, a Bucks win gives Miami (3-1) the group due to their head to head


East Wild Card
Orl (3-0) +61 - if they lose @ Det
Mia (3-1) +49 - if NY wins vs Mil
Cle (2-1) +33 - if they win @ Atl
Mil (2-1) +13 - if they win @ NY

Al games at the same time (4:30 PT), so point differential should get interesting down the stretch. Cavs and Bucks rooting for a Magic win and a Knicks loss.


West Wild Card
OKC (3-0) +71 - if they lose vs Pho
Pho (3-0) +31 - if they lose @ OKC
Mem (2-1) +9 - if they win @ LAC
LAC (2-1) -15 - if they win vs Mem

Mem/LAC need to win and hope OKC beats Pho by a lot to have a chance here, otherwise the OKC/Pho loser look fairly safe for the WC. Clippers need to blow Grizz out to have any chance. Mem/LAC starts 30 minutes later than OKC/Pho, so they’ll have an idea what they need as the game progresses.

The Clippers should mathematically eliminated from the entire NBA.

The thread title is whatever's above chef's-kiss level, just angelic perfection

I don't know that we've seen the biblical level of screwedness the Clippers are facing before. They're committed to the entire team sans Paul next year, too, with no legit first-round pick until 2029, and that (and more) might be in jeopardy via Aspiration fallout

Mike Ditka traded his whole draft for Ganja Bush that one year, it's like seven of those

My Clippers-fan buddy likes to bring up Aspiration as some sort of positive, like Balmer has a master plan and they/he will be ones laughing in the end because it's all based on podcaster click-bait. Real Kim Jong-Un level stuff. He has to, because facing reality would make him go blind.

 

[Capella]

The Orlando Magic

 

[Mister CIA]

Nice, Spurs emerge from Murderer's Row in the Cup, sans Wemby and Castle.

 

[Yo Mama]

NBA Cup Playoffs are set

East
4) Miami @ 1) Orlando
3) Knicks @ 2) Toronto

West
4) Phoenix @ 1) OKC
3) SA @ 2) Lakers

 

[Master of Subservience]

Anyone else shocked by Phoenix? I haven't paid them one lick of attention, but something's going on over there.

Chicago and Philly and a handful of other teams have gotten golf clap-level attention for being better than expected, and I pimped Portland in this very thread, but Phoenix has a better record than all of them and I haven't heard a peep. Make Ishbia cool again I guess.

I just learned he spells his name with one T, "Mat". That's too much to ask, dude. Coolness beyond repair

 

[Master of Subservience]

"Hi, my name's M@"

 

[scoobus]

Reminder, the NBA cup champion has never won a playoff series. I'd be tanking this.

 

[jvdesigns2002]

Anyone else shocked by Phoenix? I haven't paid them one lick of attention, but something's going on over there.

Chicago and Philly and a handful of other teams have gotten golf clap-level attention for being better than expected, and I pimped Portland in this very thread, but Phoenix has a better record than all of them and I haven't heard a peep. Make Ishbia cool again I guess.

I just learned he spells his name with one T, "Mat". That's too much to ask, dude. Coolness beyond repair

I don’t disagree about Phoenix. It’s early in the season and I don’t know if they’ll be able to maintain their place in the standings, but I certainly didn’t think they would be where they are (especially with Green missing so much time). I disagree with you about Chicago. The Bulls finished last season going something like 16-9 in their last 25 regular season games. They are sitting at 0.500 and are currently ranked 10th in the East. I think they are a fun team with some nice pieces, but I don’t think they have over-exceeded expectations so far. I figured they would be somewhere in that 8-10 range in the East. I think the team that has really surpassed my expectations in the East has been the Heat.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Anyone else shocked by Phoenix? I haven't paid them one lick of attention, but something's going on over there.

Chicago and Philly and a handful of other teams have gotten golf clap-level attention for being better than expected, and I pimped Portland in this very thread, but Phoenix has a better record than all of them and I haven't heard a peep. Make Ishbia cool again I guess.

I just learned he spells his name with one T, "Mat". That's too much to ask, dude. Coolness beyond repair

I don’t disagree about Phoenix. It’s early in the season and I don’t know if they’ll be able to maintain their place in the standings, but I certainly didn’t think they would be where they are (especially with Green missing so much time). I disagree with you about Chicago. The Bulls finished last season going something like 16-9 in their last 25 regular season games. They are sitting at 0.500 and are currently ranked 10th in the East. I think they are a fun team with some nice pieces, but I don’t think they have over-exceeded expectations so far. I figured they would be somewhere in that 8-10 range in the East. I think the team that has really surpassed my expectations in the East has been the Heat.

Bulls have played like a cellar dweller recently. We’ll see. They might end up worse than play-in.

 

[Major]

Anyone else shocked by Phoenix? I haven't paid them one lick of attention, but something's going on over there.

Chicago and Philly and a handful of other teams have gotten golf clap-level attention for being better than expected, and I pimped Portland in this very thread, but Phoenix has a better record than all of them and I haven't heard a peep. Make Ishbia cool again I guess.

I just learned he spells his name with one T, "Mat". That's too much to ask, dude. Coolness beyond repair

I don’t disagree about Phoenix. It’s early in the season and I don’t know if they’ll be able to maintain their place in the standings, but I certainly didn’t think they would be where they are (especially with Green missing so much time). I disagree with you about Chicago. The Bulls finished last season going something like 16-9 in their last 25 regular season games. They are sitting at 0.500 and are currently ranked 10th in the East. I think they are a fun team with some nice pieces, but I don’t think they have over-exceeded expectations so far. I figured they would be somewhere in that 8-10 range in the East. I think the team that has really surpassed my expectations in the East has been the Heat.

I actually think not having Green is a plus for this squad and what they're trying to do. I saw him bog down the Rockets with his lack of efficiency and defensive prowess.

 

[Master of Subservience]

Anyone else shocked by Phoenix? I haven't paid them one lick of attention, but something's going on over there.

Chicago and Philly and a handful of other teams have gotten golf clap-level attention for being better than expected, and I pimped Portland in this very thread, but Phoenix has a better record than all of them and I haven't heard a peep. Make Ishbia cool again I guess.

I just learned he spells his name with one T, "Mat". That's too much to ask, dude. Coolness beyond repair

I don’t disagree about Phoenix. It’s early in the season and I don’t know if they’ll be able to maintain their place in the standings, but I certainly didn’t think they would be where they are (especially with Green missing so much time). I disagree with you about Chicago. The Bulls finished last season going something like 16-9 in their last 25 regular season games. They are sitting at 0.500 and are currently ranked 10th in the East. I think they are a fun team with some nice pieces, but I don’t think they have over-exceeded expectations so far. I figured they would be somewhere in that 8-10 range in the East. I think the team that has really surpassed my expectations in the East has been the Heat.

I think you're right about Chicago, my comment was more about the coverage the different teams have gotten, and thought of Chicago because of the praise they were getting during their hot start. I don't recall Phoenix coming up at all, except in the vein of Major's comment that they might be better off without Green. Maybe they will now, with the Cup at stake.

I just think it's interesting how narratives and counternarratives drive attention, and it might be that Mat Ishbia is a particularly juicy target (deservedly, at least to some degree) because "new owner syndrome" fits a particular self-congratulatory, perhaps unconscious storyline where he's an NBA moron and the NBA experts in the media are, in fact, experts, so Phoenix playing well is slower to garner attention than they otherwise would. Not for some nefarious, conspiratorial reason, but for understandable social-psychological reasons. Just a supposition more than anything, I really don't know.

To me, it's kind of shocking that Phoenix is 12-8. Maybe that's due to my own flavor of media consumption or I just haven't been paying attention, but it's surprising to me how surprising it is to me, if that makes sense.

 

[Yo Mama]

Man, the Clippers are really going to hand OKC a top five pick this year, aren’t they.

 

[Master of Subservience]

Man, the Clippers are really going to hand OKC a top five pick this year, aren’t they.

Next year, too, unless OKC has a worse record

Unknown if it will be top 5 of course, but the Clippers will functionally have the same creaky/bad roster only a year older. And no pick in '27-'28. It's stunningly bleak

 

[Major]

Anyone else shocked by Phoenix? I haven't paid them one lick of attention, but something's going on over there.

Chicago and Philly and a handful of other teams have gotten golf clap-level attention for being better than expected, and I pimped Portland in this very thread, but Phoenix has a better record than all of them and I haven't heard a peep. Make Ishbia cool again I guess.

I just learned he spells his name with one T, "Mat". That's too much to ask, dude. Coolness beyond repair

I don’t disagree about Phoenix. It’s early in the season and I don’t know if they’ll be able to maintain their place in the standings, but I certainly didn’t think they would be where they are (especially with Green missing so much time). I disagree with you about Chicago. The Bulls finished last season going something like 16-9 in their last 25 regular season games. They are sitting at 0.500 and are currently ranked 10th in the East. I think they are a fun team with some nice pieces, but I don’t think they have over-exceeded expectations so far. I figured they would be somewhere in that 8-10 range in the East. I think the team that has really surpassed my expectations in the East has been the Heat.

I think you're right about Chicago, my comment was more about the coverage the different teams have gotten, and thought of Chicago because of the praise they were getting during their hot start. I don't recall Phoenix coming up at all, except in the vein of Major's comment that they might be better off without Green. Maybe they will now, with the Cup at stake.

I just think it's interesting how narratives and counternarratives drive attention, and it might be that Mat Ishbia is a particularly juicy target (deservedly, at least to some degree) because "new owner syndrome" fits a particular self-congratulatory, perhaps unconscious storyline where he's an NBA moron and the NBA experts in the media are, in fact, experts, so Phoenix playing well is slower to garner attention than they otherwise would. Not for some nefarious, conspiratorial reason, but for understandable social-psychological reasons. Just a supposition more than anything, I really don't know.

To me, it's kind of shocking that Phoenix is 12-8. Maybe that's due to my own flavor of media consumption or I just haven't been paying attention, but it's surprising to me how surprising it is to me, if that makes sense.

Have you watched PHX play? They're almost doing an Indiana light i.e. full court pressure, annoying defense with Brooks leading the charge and small ball in general. Definitely a 180 from the soft PHX teams that were Booker centric and relied less on team ball. They're actually fun to watch under the new coach/system.

 

[Master of Subservience]

Anyone else shocked by Phoenix? I haven't paid them one lick of attention, but something's going on over there.

Chicago and Philly and a handful of other teams have gotten golf clap-level attention for being better than expected, and I pimped Portland in this very thread, but Phoenix has a better record than all of them and I haven't heard a peep. Make Ishbia cool again I guess.

I just learned he spells his name with one T, "Mat". That's too much to ask, dude. Coolness beyond repair

I don’t disagree about Phoenix. It’s early in the season and I don’t know if they’ll be able to maintain their place in the standings, but I certainly didn’t think they would be where they are (especially with Green missing so much time). I disagree with you about Chicago. The Bulls finished last season going something like 16-9 in their last 25 regular season games. They are sitting at 0.500 and are currently ranked 10th in the East. I think they are a fun team with some nice pieces, but I don’t think they have over-exceeded expectations so far. I figured they would be somewhere in that 8-10 range in the East. I think the team that has really surpassed my expectations in the East has been the Heat.

I think you're right about Chicago, my comment was more about the coverage the different teams have gotten, and thought of Chicago because of the praise they were getting during their hot start. I don't recall Phoenix coming up at all, except in the vein of Major's comment that they might be better off without Green. Maybe they will now, with the Cup at stake.

I just think it's interesting how narratives and counternarratives drive attention, and it might be that Mat Ishbia is a particularly juicy target (deservedly, at least to some degree) because "new owner syndrome" fits a particular self-congratulatory, perhaps unconscious storyline where he's an NBA moron and the NBA experts in the media are, in fact, experts, so Phoenix playing well is slower to garner attention than they otherwise would. Not for some nefarious, conspiratorial reason, but for understandable social-psychological reasons. Just a supposition more than anything, I really don't know.

To me, it's kind of shocking that Phoenix is 12-8. Maybe that's due to my own flavor of media consumption or I just haven't been paying attention, but it's surprising to me how surprising it is to me, if that makes sense.

Have you watched PHX play? They're almost doing an Indiana light i.e. full court pressure, annoying defense with Brooks leading the charge and small ball in general. Definitely a 180 from the soft PHX teams that were Booker centric and relied less on team ball. They're actually fun to watch under the new coach/system.

I haven't but I will after your post. I find myself unintentionally rooting for them now, I'd forgotten who was coaching them, or that they even had a new one.

The full court, hounding style has been incorporated to some degree by a lot of teams which is a pleasant development, IMO.

 

[Yo Mama]

NBA thread is on page 2, so I know everyone is dying for more NBA Cup information.

Here are the combined results from three seasons of The Cup (so far).

Best records in group play
Orlando 10-2
New York 10-2
Milwaukee 10-2
Lakers 10-2

Worst records in group play
Washington 1-11
Charlotte 2-10
Utah 3-9
Chicago 3-9

Best point differential in group play
OKC +144
Orlando +131
New York +107
Milwaukee +100

Worst point differential in group play
Washington -189
Utah -152
Charlotte -126
Portland -97

Times making it to the knockout rounds
3 - New York
2 - Orlando, Milwaukee, Lakers, Phoenix, OKC
1 - 11 teams
0 - 13 teams

Milwaukee is the only team so far to make it to the Semi-Finals twice (Lakers and OKC have a chance to match them this year).

 

[Yo Mama]

Dallas fans have to be thrilled with the latest players of the week announcement - Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson.

 

[Mister CIA]

Was feeling kind of bummed today after my Spurs lost to the Mehnnesota TWolves last night, but watching Dylan Harper washed away my blues.

Just the highlights from last night linked below (there are far better highlights to cherry pick from). I don't think there is a single player in the NBA better at driving to the basket for a layup. He'll be a top-10 player soon. Good luck stopping him and Wemby... and Fox and Castle and ...

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[Yo Mama]

Was feeling kind of bummed today after my Spurs lost to the Mehnnesota TWolves last night, but watching Dylan Harper washed away my blues.

Just the highlights from last night linked below (there are far better highlights to cherry pick from). I don't think there is a single player in the NBA better at driving to the basket for a layup. He'll be a top-10 player soon. Good luck stopping him and Wemby... and Fox and Castle and ...

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Too lazy to look up the stats, but I think Austin Reaves has some insane numbers at the rim so far this season. He’s got to be up there for driving to the basket this year too.

 

[Mister CIA]

Was feeling kind of bummed today after my Spurs lost to the Mehnnesota TWolves last night, but watching Dylan Harper washed away my blues.

Just the highlights from last night linked below (there are far better highlights to cherry pick from). I don't think there is a single player in the NBA better at driving to the basket for a layup. He'll be a top-10 player soon. Good luck stopping him and Wemby... and Fox and Castle and ...

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Too lazy to look up the stats, but I think Austin Reaves has some insane numbers at the rim so far this season. He’s got to be up there for driving to the basket this year too.

Reaves was the first player I thought of after I posted my comments. Look forward to watching them face off against one another next week as the Spurs' journey to Cup glory continues.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Reminder, the NBA cup champion has never won a playoff series. I'd be tanking this.

And, I am pretty sure that the two teams in the final don't have the game counted in their regular season W/L record, and the stats don't go towards any records. So, potential to win some extra cash and a made-up title, but the potential to get injured and then be out from your team as well as full season honors requiring a 65-game minimum played.

 

[Zow]

Anyone else shocked by Phoenix? I haven't paid them one lick of attention, but something's going on over there.

They impressed me in the game I went to (the Gillepsie game with the big come back against the Wolves). They all played hard and seem to like each other. Talent will likely prevent them from doing significant things this year, but for what seemed like a lost year their fans should be pretty happy with the on court product to date.

 

[Yo Mama]

Anyone else shocked by Phoenix? I haven't paid them one lick of attention, but something's going on over there.

They impressed me in the game I went to (the Gillepsie game with the big come back against the Wolves). They all played hard and seem to like each other. Talent will likely prevent them from doing significant things this year, but for what seemed like a lost year their fans should be pretty happy with the on court product to date.

They’re looking good against the Lakers tonight, even after Booker got hurt.

 

[Zow]

Anyone else shocked by Phoenix? I haven't paid them one lick of attention, but something's going on over there.

They impressed me in the game I went to (the Gillepsie game with the big come back against the Wolves). They all played hard and seem to like each other. Talent will likely prevent them from doing significant things this year, but for what seemed like a lost year their fans should be pretty happy with the on court product to date.

They’re looking good against the Lakers tonight, even after Booker got hurt.

The aforementioned game they won all the magic happened after both Booker and Brooks fouled out.

 

[Yo Mama]

Man, the Clippers are really going to hand OKC a top five pick this year, aren’t they.

Top three pick?

Harden was a -39 tonight in only 20 minutes (mostly in the first half).

 

[Master of Subservience]

I've seen enough. Jordan Ott, Coach of the Year!

 

[Major]

I've seen enough. Jordan Ott, Coach of the Year!

Dillon Brooks MVP!!!

 

[Capella]

Desmond Bane

 

[identikit]

Reminder, the NBA cup champion has never won a playoff series. I'd be tanking this.

Sounds like they're due

 

[Mister CIA]

I'll stop harping on Dylan's game, eventually.

His most recent 21 minute performance: https://x.com/BalaPattySZN/status/1996062279973191712?s=20

 

[Yo Mama]

RIP to Elden Campbell (only 57 years old). Center on some of my favorite Lakers teams (with Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones), bridging between the Showtime and Kobe/Shaq eras.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Sending Chris Paul home in the middle of his farewell tour is certainly a decision.

 

[Yo Mama]

Sending Chris Paul home in the middle of his farewell tour is certainly a decision.

Yeah that’s crazy. One of the best in Clippers franchise history who was going to get his jersey retired one day and came there to retire a Clipper.

I’m guessing they’re going to trade him somewhere else after 12/15. Waiving him brings the team below the 14 player minimum and they don’t have enough room under their first apron cap to add another player yet (his salary is fully guaranteed).

Waiting to hear some of the reasons, but the way they treated Griffin and Paul at the end is not a great look for the franchise.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

The Dubs will probably try to bring CP back

 

[Yo Mama]

The Dubs will probably try to bring CP back

Teams like Minnesota and Houston that could use another PG should be interested too.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Sending Chris Paul home in the middle of his farewell tour is certainly a decision.

Yeah that’s crazy. One of the best in Clippers franchise history who was going to get his jersey retired one day and came there to retire a Clipper.

I’m guessing they’re going to trade him somewhere else after 12/15. Waiving him brings the team below the 14 player minimum and they don’t have enough room under their first apron cap to add another player yet (his salary is fully guaranteed).

Waiting to hear some of the reasons, but the way they treated Griffin and Paul at the end is not a great look for the franchise.

Something must have happened, right? Some disagreement?

 

[Yo Mama]

Sending Chris Paul home in the middle of his farewell tour is certainly a decision.

Yeah that’s crazy. One of the best in Clippers franchise history who was going to get his jersey retired one day and came there to retire a Clipper.

I’m guessing they’re going to trade him somewhere else after 12/15. Waiving him brings the team below the 14 player minimum and they don’t have enough room under their first apron cap to add another player yet (his salary is fully guaranteed).

Waiting to hear some of the reasons, but the way they treated Griffin and Paul at the end is not a great look for the franchise.

Something must have happened, right? Some disagreement?

Shams now saying Paul’s leadership style of calling everyone out was too disruptive. Supposedly he and Ty Lue weren’t on speaking terms for “several weeks”.

 

[Yo Mama]

Per Chris Haynes:

“Sources: Weeks ago Chris Paul requested to have a meeting with Tyronn Lue to discuss allegations of being a negative presence on team. Lue refused to meet with him. Lawrence Frank traveled to Atlanta to deliver news of parting ways. Paul desired final season to be with Clippers.”

That news was delivered at 3am local time last night / this morning.

 

[Sammy3469]

RIP to Elden Campbell (only 57 years old). Center on some of my favorite Lakers teams (with Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones), bridging between the Showtime and Kobe/Shaq eras.

Between him and Rodney Rodgers, it's been a tough couple of weeks for mid-90s ACC guys :sad:

 

[Sammy3469]

Per Chris Haynes:

“Sources: Weeks ago Chris Paul requested to have a meeting with Tyronn Lue to discuss allegations of being a negative presence on team. Lue refused to meet with him. Lawrence Frank traveled to Atlanta to deliver news of parting ways. Paul desired final season to be with Clippers.”

That news was delivered at 3am local time last night / this morning.

 

[thecatch]

The Dubs will probably try to bring CP back

Teams like Minnesota and Houston that could use another PG should be interested too.

Why? He's beyond washed and I'm guessing wasn't being awesome in the locker room for the Clippers to have wanted to cut bait.

 

[Capella]

Per Chris Haynes:

“Sources: Weeks ago Chris Paul requested to have a meeting with Tyronn Lue to discuss allegations of being a negative presence on team. Lue refused to meet with him. Lawrence Frank traveled to Atlanta to deliver news of parting ways. Paul desired final season to be with Clippers.”

That news was delivered at 3am local time last night / this morning.

Like 5 wins, no picks they control till 2030, a huge scandal and now this. What a franchise.

 

[msudaisy26]

Man, the Clippers are really going to hand OKC a top five pick this year, aren’t they.

Next year, too, unless OKC has a worse record

Unknown if it will be top 5 of course, but the Clippers will functionally have the same creaky/bad roster only a year older. And no pick in '27-'28. It's stunningly bleak

It is awesome.

 

[msudaisy26]

RIP to Elden Campbell (only 57 years old). Center on some of my favorite Lakers teams (with Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones), bridging between the Showtime and Kobe/Shaq eras.

I loved his time with the Pistons where he mostly came off the bench to use up his fouls behind both Wallaces and others and someone nicknamed him the Shaqstopper. Lol

 

[msudaisy26]

So Rui Hachimura played 22 minutes Monday and originally had no stats, but now has credit for a rebound and it was being labeled as the all cardio game and that was funny to me.

 

[Spartans Rule]

RIP to Elden Campbell (only 57 years old). Center on some of my favorite Lakers teams (with Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones), bridging between the Showtime and Kobe/Shaq eras.

I loved his time with the Pistons where he mostly came off the bench to use up his fouls behind both Wallaces and others and someone nicknamed him the Shaqstopper. Lol

Also a big fan of him with the Pistons. Looked up his playoff stats, in 2004 he played 68 minutes in 5 games in the finals vs Shaq after 57 in the previous 3 series combined.

 

[Juxtatarot]

In case anyone is curious, it looks like Major Jones has the record for longest time played in a game (seven minutes) without a shot, rebound, assist, steal, block, foul or turnover. Box Score.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

The Dubs will probably try to bring CP back

Teams like Minnesota and Houston that could use another PG should be interested too.

Why? He's beyond washed and I'm guessing wasn't being awesome in the locker room for the Clippers to have wanted to cut bait.

My statement was referring to Golden State's love for signing 33+ yr old players, not about CP actually helping them.

 

[Moe.]

Just don’t bring him to OKC

 

[Yo Mama]

Sounds like Giannis and his agent have soft-launched a trade request (again).