2023-24 NBA Season Discussion

[rk2023]

It's that weird time of year when the Clipper are worried about losing streaks in the West and the Wizards have the longest winning streak in the East.

Seemed like the celtics and bucks were rolling before their recent collapse games against ATL and LAL respectively

[eminence]

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I'm not sure you're quite old enough for this, but my best shot, how do you remember Gus Johnson's game in general?

[penbeast0]

I watched him a few times. Although he's known for shattering backboards and rebounding, he always seemed more of a finesse player working floaters and up and unders. Moved like he was pigeon toed somehow. Reminded me of Larry Johnson a bit. Don't really remember his defense even though he was known for that as well.

[Dr Positivity]

Keon Ellis looking like a starting caliber 3 and D out of nowhere is a great addition to Sacramento. Not that it really matters, they're not contending with Fox and Sabonis as their best players.

[parsnips33]

Between the winked-at-but-unacknowledged change in how refs have been calling games since all star break and the rise of the Sports Gambling Behemoth (not just the Jontay Porter scandal, but also recent comments by players like Haliburton and Tatum speaking to how it's affected the fanbase), it seems like the "integrity of the game" is in a very shaky/existential place right now

And this only has a little to do with the Warriors being bad now how dare you accuse me of that

[GSP]

Read on Twitter

One of the most dominant per min defenders in a while Imo. He has best plus minus on Orlando too. Game breaker on d I was scared of him most of anyone when we matched up even over Paolo. Alien defender......he navigates screens like Jrue its not normal for 6'11 over defenders to defend screening actions like him

[Slava]

For those who never check the general board this is a fun thread! viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2366906

The naïveté of signing off every post with full name and employer.

[LukaTheGOAT]

Read on Twitter

[jalengreen]

Between the winked-at-but-unacknowledged change in how refs have been calling games since all star break and the rise of the Sports Gambling Behemoth (not just the Jontay Porter scandal, but also recent comments by players like Haliburton and Tatum speaking to how it's affected the fanbase), it seems like the "integrity of the game" is in a very shaky/existential place right now

And this only has a little to do with the Warriors being bad now how dare you accuse me of that

Not sure what the implied connection between the change in officiating and gambling is. Seems unrelated to me but I may be missing some perspective

[parsnips33]

Between the winked-at-but-unacknowledged change in how refs have been calling games since all star break and the rise of the Sports Gambling Behemoth (not just the Jontay Porter scandal, but also recent comments by players like Haliburton and Tatum speaking to how it's affected the fanbase), it seems like the "integrity of the game" is in a very shaky/existential place right now

And this only has a little to do with the Warriors being bad now how dare you accuse me of that

Not sure what the implied connection between the change in officiating and gambling is. Seems unrelated to me but I may be missing some perspective

Don't think they are necessarily related (yet?) and it's not like changes in rules/officiating are novel to the NBA.

I do think both speak to an actual or perceived precarity when it comes to the solvency of the league - midseason wink-wink rule changes arguably overreacting to media chatter about scoring, additions of the in-season and play-in tournaments, the increasing reliance on gambling as a financial bellwether

There are broad social and economic winds blowing, and given the recent posture of the league it feels more likely that a seemingly desperate NBA will bend to that wind than stand resolute, for better of worse

[Colbinii]

Timberwolves becoming the 2014 Spurs with KAT's departure due to injury. Ewing Theory in full effect.

[Fundamentals21]

Really depends on how matured ANT is for playoff time to see how far they go. And yes, Orlando has been good on D, but there are multiple good defenders on the team.

[eminence]

Late into the season, All-NBA picks. 65 minimum games, no positions anymore. Feel decent about those first two, but can't decide on the 3rd team at all.

1st Team
SGA
Luka
Tatum
Giannis
Jokic

2nd Team
Brunson
Edwards
Kawhi
LeBron
KD

3rd team
?Haliburton
?Fox
?Dame
?FVV
?Curry
?Booker
?!?White
?George
?Wemby
?Chet
?Davis
?Sabonis
?Gobert

Embiid/Mitchell the most notable injury losses for the season.

[AEnigma]

Generally agree with your first two teams off gut, although have not looked too closely at the total games played.

So long as they qualify, I feel fine about Steph, Haliburton, Davis, and Gobert. Not sure my pick for #15. Maybe Sabonis just to represent the Kings.

[Dr Positivity]

Getting roped into Mavs as sleeper to have a finals loss cinderella run with the two guards going off while the role guys take after Doncic swag. I also want Jokic/Embiid/Giannis/Doncic foursome to start playing each other in the playoffs and I don't know if the Bucks have it in them this year to make the finals, Embiid coming back looking good and facing Giannis in 1st round could be fun I guess.

[LukaTheGOAT]

I believe Curry will secure a spot on one of the All-NBA teams (and rightfully so).

I also think AD deserves a place on an All-NBA team, but I have a feeling he might be overlooked due to narrative reasons. Considering the Lakers are a play-in team with two players on the All-NBA teams, it might be hard for some people to accept. LeBron still seems to be widely regarded as superior by the masses, so he will likely get the nod over Davis.

Then again, I have a gut feeling both KD and Booker make All-NBA, and they are also in the play-ins.

Out of the guys left, I think the ones who make it are:

Curry
Haliburton
Booker
Sabonis
Gobert

Once again, this isn't the team I necessarily would have. The Wolves I think can maybe get 2 guys on All-NBA.

[jalengreen]

Man i hate the change to positionless. Will see how my opinion ages but just dont like it rn

[Dutchball97]

The Rockets are on a 11 game win streak right now but I didn't realize just how easy their schedule has been. 7 of those wins came against teams who are out of play-off contention (Spurs, 2x Jazz, 2x Blazers, 2x Wizards). Then they got a wins against a middling Bulls team, against OKC without SGA, a Cavs team with multiple players missing or just getting back from injury and then the only good win against the Kings who themselves are also only a play-in team.

Even then, winning 11 in a row isn't anything to sneeze at but their next couple games will be really important to see if they have a chance to kick out the Warriors out of the play-ins. Tonight they face a surging Mavs, next is a Timberwolves team fighting for the 1 seed and on April 4th they face the Warriors directly. Will be interesting to see how they hold up.

[Dr Positivity]

Can't believe IT2 is still grinding, it would be crazy if he had a play-in/playoff moment

[Fundamentals21]

Sabonis/AD battling for 8th. Both stars having great seasons, should be fun to watch.