Around The NBA : 2024-25 Season

[Dan Z]

I predict the Timberwolves tie it up tonight. Don't see all three of Reid, Dante, and NAW having bad shooting nights again.

NAW shot better, but the other two not so good.

It looks like Minnesota isn't going to put up much of a fight.

Who has a better chance against OKC: NY or Indiana?

[Ice Man]

Randle had a lot more fun playing against All-NBA 1st Defensive Team Draymond Green than against OKC's defense.

[Michael Jackson]

Akme drafting Patrick Williams over Halliburton was their dumbest move

Especially when at the time we had a clear need a point guard. Gar would have drafted Haliburton.


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He woukd have without a doubt, but Hali dropped far in a weak weak draft. He actually went to not the best situation too as the Kings were guard heavy at the time. AKME had his sights on Lonzo and passed on Hali and we see how well that has worked out.

[Almost Retired]

I have to admit I never, ever thought SGA was going to become the dominant player that he has. With the rule book stacked against the defense like it is now he is all but impossible to guard. I can't compare him to MJ because the NBA is so different from his era. How would SGA have fared in the 1980s NBA which was exponentially rougher than it is now? And how many points would peak Jordan average in today's NBA where breathing on a guy sends him to the free throw line? We'll never know. But for now it looks like to me that the Thunder are set to be the first real dynasty since the 3 Peat. They are young and they have abundant future draft assets and a front office that knows how to use them. Salary wars vs the salary cap could possibly derail them in the future, or an injury to SGA. Other than that they are stacked.

[Ice Man]

SGA averaged 8.8 FTA per game this year, while Jordan's career average was 8.5. They both drive to the basket a lot and take midrange shots a lot, and despite rumor the referees call the game fairly similarly. (If you say otherwise, post a game that demonstrates your point. Not edited clips, but a game.)

[drosestruts]

I predict the Timberwolves tie it up tonight. Don't see all three of Reid, Dante, and NAW having bad shooting nights again.

NAW shot better, but the other two not so good.

It looks like Minnesota isn't going to put up much of a fight.

Who has a better chance against OKC: NY or Indiana?

I see the stats about teams up 2-0 win 92% of the time or whatever, there's also sayings like "a series doesn't start till the home team loses" for a reason.

Thunder played well at home, Timberwolves a little inconsistent. Curious if we see that flip in Minnesota.

[MrSparkle]

OKC also has a potentially big time player in Topic. Uphill battle coming from the ACL, but at worst will provide elite passing. And then a 15th pick! For them, they have the luxury to gamble on another high-ceiling project, like Denim, Sorber, Fleming... or grab Queen, Asa or whoever drops.

They have a full 2 more seasons before the Shai mega-contract would begin, so they are padded from the 2nd apron for a while. Of course it all hinges on Shai remaining healthy, but it's the cheapest, deepest build in a long time.

Of course, you don't crown a team until they win 1 ring... and it's proven quite difficult to repeat. But with Celtics and Cavs out, with all due respect to NYK and IND, those teams are not in the same ballpark as OKC. Thought MIN's size would matter, but it doesn't seem to help.

[Dan Z]

OKC also has a potentially big time player in Topic. Uphill battle coming from the ACL, but at worst will provide elite passing. And then a 15th pick! For them, they have the luxury to gamble on another high-ceiling project, like Denim, Sorber, Fleming... or grab Queen, Asa or whoever drops.

They have a full 2 more seasons before the Shai mega-contract would begin, so they are padded from the 2nd apron for a while. Of course it all hinges on Shai remaining healthy, but it's the cheapest, deepest build in a long time.

Of course, you don't crown a team until they win 1 ring... and it's proven quite difficult to repeat. But with Celtics and Cavs out, with all due respect to NYK and IND, those teams are not in the same ballpark as OKC. Thought MIN's size would matter, but it doesn't seem to help.

Minnesota needs Randle to get back on track (the way he was playing before this series) and for Edwards not to rely on three pointers as much as he does (and instead drive to the basket more often).

[sco]

OKC also has a potentially big time player in Topic. Uphill battle coming from the ACL, but at worst will provide elite passing. And then a 15th pick! For them, they have the luxury to gamble on another high-ceiling project, like Denim, Sorber, Fleming... or grab Queen, Asa or whoever drops.

They have a full 2 more seasons before the Shai mega-contract would begin, so they are padded from the 2nd apron for a while. Of course it all hinges on Shai remaining healthy, but it's the cheapest, deepest build in a long time.

Of course, you don't crown a team until they win 1 ring... and it's proven quite difficult to repeat. But with Celtics and Cavs out, with all due respect to NYK and IND, those teams are not in the same ballpark as OKC. Thought MIN's size would matter, but it doesn't seem to help.

Minnesota needs Randle to get back on track (the way he was playing before this series) and for Edwards not to rely on three pointers as much as he does (and instead drive to the basket more often).

IMO, THIS is who Randle is. And Ant isn't driving more because OKC is elite at stopping that sort of penetration.

[Dan Z]

OKC also has a potentially big time player in Topic. Uphill battle coming from the ACL, but at worst will provide elite passing. And then a 15th pick! For them, they have the luxury to gamble on another high-ceiling project, like Denim, Sorber, Fleming... or grab Queen, Asa or whoever drops.

They have a full 2 more seasons before the Shai mega-contract would begin, so they are padded from the 2nd apron for a while. Of course it all hinges on Shai remaining healthy, but it's the cheapest, deepest build in a long time.

Of course, you don't crown a team until they win 1 ring... and it's proven quite difficult to repeat. But with Celtics and Cavs out, with all due respect to NYK and IND, those teams are not in the same ballpark as OKC. Thought MIN's size would matter, but it doesn't seem to help.

Minnesota needs Randle to get back on track (the way he was playing before this series) and for Edwards not to rely on three pointers as much as he does (and instead drive to the basket more often).

IMO, THIS is who Randle is. And Ant isn't driving more because OKC is elite at stopping that sort of penetration.

Randle is inconsistent, but he had a good run up until this point. If he can't figure it out then OKC will easily win the series.

Edwards is one of the top players in the league. He can drive to the basket even with OKC being a good defensive team. Better to attempt a drive than to just settle for a long three (which he does more often than he should).

[kodo]

Funny watching Thibs, Boylen, Payne, and Bradley all in a playoff game. Bulls reunion.

[Red8911]

Nothing beats watching the Knicks fans go from cocky to back to reality.

Entertaining series so far, Pacers taking care of business and is now the heavy favorite to make the finals.

[Red8911]

Funny watching Thibs, Boylen, Payne, and Bradley all in a playoff game. Bulls reunion.

Seeing Payne take that one shot where he missed the whole basket reminded me of his bulls days where he did that all the time. What a terrible player he was then, not that he’s anything that good now either.

[ImmortalD24]

Anyone know what happened to JordansBulls aka HCA? https://forums.realgm.com/boards/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=48053

Haven't seen him post since last year. Hope all is good with him.

[WesPeace]

Gotta hand it to Carlisle aka Coach Jim Carrey! LoL
He is doing great job with Pacers, even tho he has pretty balanced and deep team.

[kodo]

Feels like NY has a size problem. Siakam hit some tough long jumpers, but he did most of his damage at the rim. They don't want KAT defending him, so it's almost always someone too small. OG, sometimes Mikal, Hart, even Brunson. And Siakam scored near the rim against all of them. The only time they have some size is when Mitch plays which isn't much. Robinson actually has a better +/- than all the NY starters, but Thibs can't/won't play him too many minutes.

I don't think this came up vs Boston because that's a perimeter team and the NY roster is perfect for stopping a bunch of guards and SF types like Tatum. And Porzingis/Horford isn't going to punish them. But this series Siakam & Turner have been 43 ppg on very high %s. Some people say NY was built to beat Boston, and this might not work vs Indiana. Which is interesting because people said Minny was built to beat Denver, and now that team is looking poorly built to beat the complete opposite kind of team in OKC.

[MrSparkle]

I’m still baffled as to how much NYK paid for Mikal. They really didn’t save their chips for the right target. It’d be a different story if they traded (half) those 5 unprotected FRPs for Durant, Jimmy, Luka… or they engaged Giannis talks.

[sco]

I’m still baffled as to how much NYK paid for Mikal. They really didn’t save their chips for the right target. It’d be a different story if they traded (half) those 5 unprotected FRPs for Durant, Jimmy, Luka… or they engaged Giannis talks.

It's the problem with being "one player away". GM's feel the need to blow their wad right away. Now on Bridges, he sure wasn't worth 5 picks, but given the whole feel good Villanova connection, and his up-and-coming play, I get the logic. NY is a good case study of the non-defensive C model doesn't work. KAT is the 2nd most lethal C in the NBA and the Knick's achilles heel is opponents targeting KAT. It also dilutes what a guy like Bridges can do because the shots aren't there. Looks good on paper, but I feel like the reality gets diluted. I think concept that you can only get away with one bad defender is on display here as well.

[Dan Z]

I wonder what his season would've looked like if Terrence Shannon Jr was drafted by a team that had more playing time for him...?

[Dan Z]

I’m still baffled as to how much NYK paid for Mikal. They really didn’t save their chips for the right target. It’d be a different story if they traded (half) those 5 unprotected FRPs for Durant, Jimmy, Luka… or they engaged Giannis talks.

It's the problem with being "one player away". GM's feel the need to blow their wad right away. Now on Bridges, he sure wasn't worth 5 picks, but given the whole feel good Villanova connection, and his up-and-coming play, I get the logic. NY is a good case study of the non-defensive C model doesn't work. KAT is the 2nd most lethal C in the NBA and the Knick's achilles heel is opponents targeting KAT. It also dilutes what a guy like Bridges can do because the shots aren't there. Looks good on paper, but I feel like the reality gets diluted. I think concept that you can only get away with one bad defender is on display here as well.

On the other side I think it shows that Sean Marks is a good GM. He knew how much NY wanted him and asked for a lot.