Around the NBA - 23-24 Other playoff series

[Revived]

Suns have no role players that come even close to playing with the hustle of guys like Josh Hart and Divicenzo.

[Qwigglez]

Holy crap. I thought the Sixers had this one in the bag being up 5 with 47 seconds left. Way to choke this...

[SunsRback4Good]

Scripted. The league desperately wants the Knicks to be contenders.

[Revived]

Sixers and Knicks feel like they’re playing an entirely different sport compared to how the Suns play lol.

I watched a little bit of the Magic/Cavs game and we’re more in that tier for sure.

[Qwigglez]

Sure...
I think the continuity and team chemistry the Knicks play with is infectious. Similar to the Suns run with CP3, Bridges, etc.

[lilfishi22]

I believe the rumor around it was somewhat in that Lue was getting tired of the situation with Leonard and George's general lack of availability (perennially), and that there were some disagreements, discord intrnally on the direction of the franchise, personnel, etc between the coaching staff and front office. There was also mention of Lue having concerns over the potential unrestricted free agency status of Leonard and George (PO in 24-25 then unrestricted) as to him not wanting to possibly be stuck on a non contending lottery team situation if either ended up not resigning long term there.

Now Leonard did eventually extend, but George is still TBD, and Harden also. And there team is also in a very tight spot financially at least in terms of the new CBA and overall flexibility. So based on all those various factors, Lue did not extend, and the sentiment between both Lue and the front office might still be mutual to the point that they're both somewhat far apart still on the future of the team should be managed. And the belief is that these factors contributed heavily to Lue not extending his contract??

** It's also worth noting (ironically) that James Jones did in fact play for Lue on the Cavs from 2015-2017, So perhaps that connection along with Phoenixs' star power/ potential (with a new fully financially invested owner) MIGHT just sway him enough to consider Phoenix this summer???

While that might be the catalyst for Lue to move to greener pastures, I also think those same concerns could be attributed to our situation as well in the sense that there is very likely limited scope for improvement roster-wise.

Great point!
You're absolutely correct on that assessment. So it might honestly be a bit of a long shot, but if he was willing to give it a shot, perhaps he could be influenced with a measure of creativity control inclusive to an offer along with an option for him to have an opt out clause contractually, although I'm not sure if that's ever been done before (coach having an opt out in his contract)?? But with proper incentives and creative control inclusions, he might he persuaded even on a shorter deal?

I do think what we have going for us is that I don't see too many good teams needing a new HC this offseason. Although there could be a few of possible vacancies.

West:
Denver: Safe
OKC: Safe
Minny: Most likely safe
DAL: I think it's potentially a hot seat situation. Possibly available
PHX: Likely available (imo)
LA: Likely a hot seat situation. Likely available
NOL: I'd say possible available but not likely
SAC: Likely safe
GSW: Likely safe
HOU: Likely safe
UTA: Doubt Lue would be keen on a rebuild project
MEM: Don't really know but probably safe. That said, it does have the hallmarks of a contender so let's see what they do with Jenkins

East:
BOS: Safe
NY: Likely safe
MIL: Likely available (I don't have much trust in Doc taking them far)
CLE: Possibly available
ORL: Likely safe
IND: Likely safe
PHI: Likely safe
MIA: Safe
ATL: Likely safe and I don't think Lue would be interested
CHI: Doubt Lue's interested
BKN: Doubt Lue's interested

So between PHX, DAL, LAL, MIL as the teams in the highest tier of likely coaching change, I think DAL is the most interesting with PHX and MIL tied for 2nd. With DAL, he can coach the closest player to Bron in Luka, they've got a decent group of scrappy, long players and he also gets to reunite with Kyrie. PHX and MIL are both older but also their window is now so he may like that.

[bwgood77]

Sixers and Knicks feel like they’re playing an entirely different sport compared to how the Suns play lol.

I watched a little bit of the Magic/Cavs game and we’re more in that tier for sure.

Brunson has been horrible though. That was a REALLY lucky 3. He was 7-28 before that and 0-5 from 3. In the first game he was 8-26 and also 1-6 from 3. So he's 2-12 from 3.

Hart and DiVincenzo are saving the team with their shooting (and Hart's rebounding).

That was a complete choke job by the Sixers though....for Sixers fans that must have been a brutal loss. I can't imagine if that happened to the Suns...Maxey looked like Brandon Knight when he turned it over. He had the ball and tried to pass it while laying down...right by the guy next to him. Then he had that horrible drive way to hard off the backboard.

Hartenstein was huge down the stretch. I don't know where Embiid was boxing out or rebounding, though I guess DD's first 3 was not a really close rebound.

[bwgood77]

I don't see Lue leaving the Clippers.

[Revived]

Sixers and Knicks feel like they’re playing an entirely different sport compared to how the Suns play lol.

I watched a little bit of the Magic/Cavs game and we’re more in that tier for sure.

Brunson has been horrible though. That was a REALLY lucky 3. He was 7-28 before that and 0-5 from 3. In the first game he was 8-26 and also 1-6 from 3. So he's 2-12 from 3.

Hart and DiVincenzo are saving the team with their shooting (and Hart's rebounding).

That was a complete choke job by the Sixers though....for Sixers fans that must have been a brutal loss. I can't imagine if that happened to the Suns...Maxey looked like Brandon Knight when he turned it over. He had the ball and tried to pass it while laying down...right by the guy next to him. Then he had that horrible drive way to hard off the backboard.

Hartenstein was huge down the stretch. I don't know where Embiid was boxing out or rebounding, though I guess DD's first 3 was not a really close rebound.

I wanted Hartenstein earlier in the season. Imagine if we had him instead of Eubanks.

But yeah Brunson’s been terrible. Nick Nurse is excellent at game planning to take away the opposing team’s best player though.

[lilfishi22]

I don't see Lue leaving the Clippers.

I think it's very unlikely he leaves.

From Clips standpoint, there isn't a better coach to replace him with. From Lue's standpoint, the only reason he may consider a change is if it's looking like PG might move on, the uncertainty around Harden and they can't put together a contender.

[Qwigglez]

This Nuggets Lakers game is nuts. What a game!

[SunsRback4Good]

OMG!!!! I LOVE YOU MURRAY!!!

[Qwigglez]

Wow. Incredibly difficult shot! AD falls to the Nuggets bench. Huge blow to the Lakers here.

[SunsRback4Good]

What a comeback down by 20 and then pulled an impossible. I actually thought Lakers would win and end their 9. straight losses to Denver.

[sunsbg]

That was painful for Lakers.

[SunsRback4Good]

That was painful for Lakers.

I love it!!

[SunsRback4Good]

Two great games tonight this one and Knicks-Philly. I was getting tired of blowouts in playoffs.

[Qwigglez]

Not gonna lie I was hoping Lakers would win this game just to put more pressure on the Nuggets. But this was probably one of the craziest games I've seen in a while.

[Revived]

Jamal Murray is crazy man. He’s the best clutch guard in the NBA outside of maybe Steph.

[Qwigglez]

Okay, I didn't realize the refs missed an obvious foul by Brunson on this inbound play. Brunson wasn't even being subtle about it.

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