Around the NBA (and other Sports), 2023-24, Part 2

[Fierce1]

Raps have the 7th worst record right now.

With still more than 10 games remaining, making it in the top 6 is doable.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Pretty weird situation with Toronto... they've been legit terrible since trading Siakam and Anunoby and with Barnes getting injured. Maybe the worst team in the league right now.

Which made sense to me as far as tanking/rebuilding.

But I was just talking to a Raps fan he told me they don't even have their 1st round pick this year. So now I'm left scratching my head at why Masai finally ripped the bandaid off and decided to tank in a year with a weak draft where they don't even have their pick.

RealGM has their pick as protected 1-6 until 2026, becomes two 2nds if not conveyed by then. They'd still need a bit of luck in the lottery to keep their 1st this year.

They were 10th at the deadline last year but decided that making a run at the play-in was more valuable than ping pong balls in the Wemby lottery. So they doubled down by trading their 2024 first (indeed top 6 protected) for an expiring Jakob Pöltl. That's the kind of stuff that makes you appreciate having Brad Stevens running the Celtics' front office.

[BK_2020]

It'll be something to watch kornet maintain a netrating of 30+ in June at this rate.

[Fierce1]

Raps losing to OKC and just like that they're tied with Memphis for the 6th worst.

[Fencer reregistered]

LOL. Squint and see what the upper lefthand quadrant is named. Then see which team is higher in it than any other.

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[JaMarco]

Lillard has been dominating lately and Middleton has looked great coming back from injury. Bucks looking like a top 3 team in the league currently.

[Sweet Serenity]

Lillard has been dominating lately and Middleton has looked great coming back from injury. Bucks looking like a top 3 team in the league currently.

They’re losing to the Knicks in the second round.

[bisme37]

Jokic and Murray both out vs Blazers tonight.

[ConstableGeneva]

Lillard has been dominating lately and Middleton has looked great coming back from injury. Bucks looking like a top 3 team in the league currently.

Hard to buy when in the last 10 games, they've had a negative net rating and are 29th in defense. Maybe we wait for more games where they have Middleton, Giannis, and Dame playing together before declaring them as a top 3 look-alike team.

[bisme37]

Famous prognosticator/guaranteer of Heat wins said the Heat were better than the Pelicans and would beat them. Then the Pels blew them out without Ingram haha.

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[JaMarco]

Lillard has been dominating lately and Middleton has looked great coming back from injury. Bucks looking like a top 3 team in the league currently.

Hard to buy when in the last 10 games, they've had a negative net rating and are 29th in defense. Maybe we wait for more games where they have Middleton, Giannis, and Dame playing together before declaring them as a top 3 look-alike team.

Fair enough, but if fully healthy I 100% believe in the Bucks. I think they will be a nightmare out for any team in a series.

[Sweet Serenity]

Lillard has been dominating lately and Middleton has looked great coming back from injury. Bucks looking like a top 3 team in the league currently.

Hard to buy when in the last 10 games, they've had a negative net rating and are 29th in defense. Maybe we wait for more games where they have Middleton, Giannis, and Dame playing together before declaring them as a top 3 look-alike team.

Fair enough, but if fully healthy I 100% believe in the Bucks. I think they will be a nightmare out for any team in a series.

Not with that perimeter defence.
They’re 17-13 in the last 30, hard to believe that they will be a “nightmare” lol

[ConstableGeneva]

Top Playoff Teams W-L record when shooting below 33% from three:
MIN: 7-7
MIL: 8-10
OKC: 8-10
DEN: 7-9
CLE: 10-13
BOS: 7-10
SAC: 9-15
LAC: 6-11
PHX: 7-13
IND: 7-18
NYK: 5-16

Losing games when shooting poorly from 3 is not a unique phenomenon occurring to Boston as pundits make it sound to be.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

8 straight wins for Houston. I'm not an Udoka fan but I have to admit that no one does mid season turnarounds like him.

[ConstableGeneva]

Top Playoff Teams W-L record when shooting below 33% from three:
MIN: 7-7
MIL: 8-10
OKC: 8-10
DEN: 7-9
CLE: 10-13
BOS: 7-10
SAC: 9-15
LAC: 6-11
PHX: 7-13
IND: 7-18
NYK: 5-16

Losing games when shooting poorly from 3 is not a unique phenomenon occurring to Boston as pundits make it sound to be.

On the flipside, when the Celtics make at least 1/3 of their threes, they've been damn near unbeatable. 50-4. 76-win pace. LOL.

EDIT:
The four losses...
@ CLE: Up 20+ in the 4th, shouldn't have lost.
v. LAL: No AD, no Lebron, shouldn't have lost.
@ IND: Brown was fouled, overturned foul call, shouldn't have lost.
@ OKC: Giddey making threes? Shouldn't have lost.

[ConstableGeneva]

Clippers went from dominant to depressing real fast.

December 2 to February 5: 26-5
February 7 to March 22: 10-10

Lost to the Trae-less Hawks. Currently down 18 in 4th to the Embiid-less Sixers.

[London2Boston]

You just know we will get 6ers Round 1 and Embiid will be back.

[JaMarco]

You just know we will get 6ers Round 1 and Embiid will be back.

Does Boston need them to win or lose to avoid that?

[Gant]

You just know we will get 6ers Round 1 and Embiid will be back.

Does Boston need them to win or lose to avoid that?

There's too many unknowns to overthink it. The Bucks at #2 are very likely going to get one of Philly, Miami, or Indiana. The Celtics:

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[JaMarco]

The top 3 team in the league Bucks are beating up on OKC right now.