Around The NBA : 2023-24 Season #2

[dice]

But as I recall the play-in was introduced along with altered lottery odds to lessen tanking. While the lottery odds somewhat discouraged tanking among the worst teams, the play-in lessened it among the borderline playoff teams. It also created fierce competition to rise to the 6th seed. In those ways plus generating interest it's worked.

Fair points. Those are minor issues, which for me are not worth further cheapening the playoff structure (which already has too many meh teams). But I would guess that the league plus most fans are happy enough with those effects and think that the play-in has been a success.

I mean, it's not a big deal. I just wait until the real playoffs begin to start paying attention. (Even when my own team is in the play-in.)

the structure of the play-in is good. what will draw criticism is when a good team (particularly in a large market) loses a play-in game to a significantly worse team and misses the playoffs. that is both counterproductive to the objective of larger ratings AND competitively unfair. but when 7-10 have similar records it's totally fine

of course, 6 teams per conference in the playoffs would be more optimal. but it's completely impractical and would never happen anyway

[Ice Man]

of course, 6 teams per conference in the playoffs would be more optimal. but it's completely impractical and would never happen anyway

Three teams per conference, at most. In aggregate, teams with a 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th seed have made 7 Finals since 1984. That makes for 8.75% of all Finals appearances, with a 1.75% success ratio in reach the Finals for each such team.

Most of which have been #4 seeds, so I guess if you really push the point I could live with 8 teams making the playoffs, but truth is the #4 seeds are rarely interesting, either. The Cavs this year aren't worth bothering with, although I guess one could sorta make an argument for the Clippers in the West, if you believe in old people.

[Michael Jackson]

Only one competitive game yesterday. Denver rope a doped the Lakers... even though AD played great. Man KCP would be nice on this team... but no way we can grab him, no capspace and nothing they would want in trade (well maybe AC/Vuc as a backup?)

[prolific passer]

Only one competitive game yesterday. Denver rope a doped the Lakers... even though AD played great. Man KCP would be nice on this team... but no way we can grab him, no capspace and nothing they would want in trade (well maybe AC/Vuc as a backup?)

I get a mid 2000s pistons vibe from the current nuggets if they are able to keep that starting 5 together long term.

[DuckIII]

I know it’s not exactly a fresh take, but Kendrick Perkins having a premium analyst spot as a leading face of the ESPN/ABC coverage of the NBA is just so weird and disappointing.

He just said “Miami could shoot 100% from the field and the 3 and they would still get swept by Boston” with a straight face in a dead serious tone. And the panel all nodded solemnly as though he had said something obviously poignant and true.

It’s craziness.

[R3AL1TY]

I haven't watched Doncic and Harden play live in a while but man, their games look so limited now when it comes to scoring. It's either a step back 3 or a pass with them.

[Ice Man]

I know it’s not exactly a fresh take, but Kendrick Perkins having a premium analyst spot as a leading face of the ESPN/ABC coverage of the NBA is just so weird and disappointing.

He just said “Miami could should 100% from the field and the 3 and they would still get swept by Boston” with a straight face in a dead serious tone. And the panel all nodded solemnly as though he had said something obviously poignant and true.

It’s craziness.

I have decided that his promotion is performance art, like when Joaquim Phoenix claimed he had quit acting and wandered around for a year pretending that he was in a drug-induced haze. First Joaquim trolled us, then ESPN/ABC did.

[dice]

I know it’s not exactly a fresh take, but Kendrick Perkins having a premium analyst spot as a leading face of the ESPN/ABC coverage of the NBA is just so weird and disappointing.

He just said “Miami could should 100% from the field and the 3 and they would still get swept by Boston” with a straight face in a dead serious tone. And the panel all nodded solemnly as though he had said something obviously poignant and true.

It’s craziness.

I have decided that his promotion is performance art, like when Joaquim Phoenix claimed he had quit acting and wandered around for a year pretending that he was in a drug-induced haze. First Joaquim trolled us, then ESPN/ABC did.

Watch on YouTube

[dice]

Only one competitive game yesterday. Denver rope a doped the Lakers... even though AD played great. Man KCP would be nice on this team... but no way we can grab him, no capspace and nothing they would want in trade (well maybe AC/Vuc as a backup?)

I get a mid 2000s pistons vibe from the current nuggets if they are able to keep that starting 5 together long term.

not seeing the comparison. pistons didn't have a great player, nuggets have one of the best ever

[prolific passer]

Only one competitive game yesterday. Denver rope a doped the Lakers... even though AD played great. Man KCP would be nice on this team... but no way we can grab him, no capspace and nothing they would want in trade (well maybe AC/Vuc as a backup?)

I get a mid 2000s pistons vibe from the current nuggets if they are able to keep that starting 5 together long term.

not seeing the comparison. pistons didn't have a great player, nuggets have one of the best ever

Understandable. Just saying that starting 5 fits well around him and I can see them keeping it together long-term which will help them stay in contention.

[dice]

MSG in the postseason is special. wish we still had chicago stadium to compete

[prolific passer]

MSG in the postseason is special. wish we still had chicago stadium to compete

Bulls have united center. The house that Jordan built and has had a lot of mediocrity at best.

[dice]

MSG in the postseason is special. wish we still had chicago stadium to compete

Bulls have united center. The house that Jordan built and has had a lot of mediocrity at best.

it's not a great venue

[BullChit]

I know it’s not exactly a fresh take, but Kendrick Perkins having a premium analyst spot as a leading face of the ESPN/ABC coverage of the NBA is just so weird and disappointing.

He just said “Miami could should 100% from the field and the 3 and they would still get swept by Boston” with a straight face in a dead serious tone. And the panel all nodded solemnly as though he had said something obviously poignant and true.

It’s craziness.

I have decided that his promotion is performance art, like when Joaquim Phoenix claimed he had quit acting and wandered around for a year pretending that he was in a drug-induced haze. First Joaquim trolled us, then ESPN/ABC did.

Watch on YouTube

Honestly that sounds like an AK press conference

[prolific passer]

I have decided that his promotion is performance art, like when Joaquim Phoenix claimed he had quit acting and wandered around for a year pretending that he was in a drug-induced haze. First Joaquim trolled us, then ESPN/ABC did.

Watch on YouTube

Honestly that sounds like an AK press conference

I call bullchit

[Repeat 3-peat]

If anyone cares lmao. A rare Jordan sighting/interview in 2024 (yes he owns a Nascar Cup team)

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[Chi town]

Scoring way down in the playoffs.

It’s so much more fun to watch actual defense and not just 3pt bombing

[Ccwatercraft]

The play-in is so silly. In 4 years, no #10 seed has ever made the playoffs. Three times the #9 seed has, and on those 3 occasions those teams went a combined 4-12 in the first round.

It's a pointless exercise. (And yes, Miami made the Finals last year, but the Heat weren't a play-in team under the previous rule. They were a playoff team, as the #7 seed.)

Last yr Miami played the bucks as the 8th seed due to losing game 1 in play in.

If not for the reseed they play Boston, maybe they lose to Boston early, vs beating milwaukee. It could have changed a lot of things.

[Ice Man]

I try to give credit to players I have dogged when they defy my expectations, and Dame utterly deserves that credit. He carried his Giannis-less team on his back yesterday, in a way that Jrue could not have. Last night, the Dame trade worked out great for the Bucks.

[Ice Man]

I get a mid 2000s pistons vibe from the current nuggets if they are able to keep that starting 5 together long term.

My vibe is mid 2010s Warriors. One superstar + two minor stars, all home grown (and drafted relatively late), good supporting parts, youth, and an organization that is in sync. I expect the Nuggets to collect several rings.