Official 2025-2026 Regular Season Thread

[basketballRob]

I dont care for the cup at all only for the wins themselves. Can anyone name the winner of last year without checking it? Probably much less than 50% Its a gimmick, not more.

The Pacers lost in the Finals, and it seemed to help them become a good team.

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[tiderulz]

I think the team could draft a comparable player to Jett in the 2nd round next before next season and save money by doing so.

My thing with Jett is in the longshot that he even becomes a rotation guy it is probably as a microwave scorer type that doesn't do the little role player things well. We could use that kind of player, don't get me wrong, but we just saw a bunch of those guys (Simons, Sexton, Clarkson, Jerome, Tre Mann etc. ) get traded for or signed for very little. So if we really want that player we can probably just trade for one or use the MLE if we clear enough space.

Couple that with the fact that we have basically no money if Isaac's contract vests and we re-sign Mo and there is basically no chance we bring Jett back UNLESS he really really breaks out. Which I guess could happen, but would probably take an injury or two.

So for that reason I think trading him at the deadline makes sense. Maybe there is a bad team would prefer trying Jett out for half a season and trade us a useful vet for that.

Personally, I would trade Jett for peanuts and resign Trevelin Queen.

Jett gonna prove you wrong.

[tiderulz]

I think the team could draft a comparable player to Jett in the 2nd round next before next season and save money by doing so.

My thing with Jett is in the longshot that he even becomes a rotation guy it is probably as a microwave scorer type that doesn't do the little role player things well. We could use that kind of player, don't get me wrong, but we just saw a bunch of those guys (Simons, Sexton, Clarkson, Jerome, Tre Mann etc. ) get traded for or signed for very little. So if we really want that player we can probably just trade for one or use the MLE if we clear enough space.

If he continues to show what he’s shown in the last couple of weeks he’s absolutely the sort of guy I’d want back on the team. Microwave bench scorers can be big difference makers for contending teams - Pacers just made a finals run with guys like Nesmith and Mathurin being big bench scorers.

The problem is when Jett has been cooking he’s looked like a lead option, not a support option. I don’t think there’s going to be enough touches to get that out of him unless we’re hit with injuries or it’s another blowout.

wasnt Nesmith the starter? and as for as Mathurin, Da Silva is more of a comparison right now than Jett. but to your point, there definitely is a role for a bench scorer type. and maybe he puts his head down and tries a little more on defense if he wants a bigger role on any team.

[eyriq]

ESPN BPI projects us for 50.7 wins, above our preseason protection. 3.4% chip probability, right around our fair share.

[eyriq]

BPI Power Rankings for the East:

1. Cavs
2. Knicks
3. Magic
4. Pistons
5. Heat
6. Hawks
________________
7. 76ers
8. Raptors
9. Celtics
10. Bucks
-----------------------
11. Bulls
12. Hornets
13. Pacers
14. Nets
15. Wizards

[Idiosyncratic]

BPI Power Rankings for the East:

1. Cavs
2. Knicks
3. Magic
4. Pistons
5. Heat
6. Hawks
________________
7. 76ers
8. Raptors
9. Celtics
10. Bucks
-----------------------
11. Bulls
12. Hornets
13. Pacers
14. Nets
15. Wizards

Was waiting for the Cavs to separate themselves because they were so elite last season, but not sure if it will ever happen.

No super elite teams in the East IMO, I really don't see why we can't be the best. That being said it will be very close between us the Cavs, Knicks and Pistons imo.

I think the Heat and Raptors have interesting solid teams, but lack the high end talent needed. Though a big trade could easily shake up the east and create a whole new outlook with how close it is.

Celtics with Tatum would probably be a similar level to the top 4, but no Jrue and White declining would keep them from being clear favorites I think? IDK can't doubt the Celtics unfortunately. It would be nice if the Pacers and Hawks weren't getting top 5 picks, but league had to get some talent to the East so I get it.

[eyriq]

BPI Power Rankings for the East:

1. Cavs
2. Knicks
3. Magic
4. Pistons
5. Heat
6. Hawks
________________
7. 76ers
8. Raptors
9. Celtics
10. Bucks
-----------------------
11. Bulls
12. Hornets
13. Pacers
14. Nets
15. Wizards

Was waiting for the Cavs to separate themselves because they were so elite last season, but not sure if it will ever happen.

No super elite teams in the East IMO, I really don't see why we can't be the best. That being said it will be very close between us the Cavs, Knicks and Pistons imo.

I think the Heat and Raptors have interesting solid teams, but lack the high end talent needed. Though a big trade could easily shake up the east and create a whole new outlook with how close it is.

Celtics with Tatum would probably be a similar level to the top 4, but no Jrue and White declining would keep them from being clear favorites I think? IDK can't doubt the Celtics unfortunately. It would be nice if the Pacers and Hawks weren't getting top 5 picks, but league had to get some talent to the East so I get it.

Detroit is interesting. In that pre-season mix with us and the Hawks as dark horse candidates and have started out super strong. Good against good teams but no blow-out wins (20+) and a blow out loss early to the Cavs. I think they still need a second option for an upside swing.

Raptors have impressed me even more. Several blow-out victories, 9-game winning streak, beating good teams similar to Detroit. If they are up heading into the 4th they are winning the game and they've been good in nail biters.

Miami is also looking really good. Really good at home, really good in nail-biters, no bad losses, not blowing leads, strong blowout potential.

[Skybox]

Power Rankings or not...tomorrow night will tell us a lot, with or without Paolo. A strong game could put us right in the mix at the top of the East, imo. CLE and NYK have not been dominant, they're still riding a fair amount of "on paper" preseason ranking power. Personally, I think NYK SHOULD be the best team in the East, but their defense hasn't measured up.

IF and when Paolo settles back in, this is a deep nasty team that suddenly has a LOT of offensive firepower.

Perhaps among the best starting 5's in the league...if WCJ keeps it up and Paolo slides in smoothly.

Bench...Moe Wagner, a surging AB, a surging TdS, Goga, Penda, Jase, Tyus all capable of contributing significantly at times. Even Isaac can still impact games with his defense - as much as we'd like Penda to displace him (me too) and bring more offensive creativity.

*The ONLY thing I look at is rim protection and rebounding. I guess we do well enough across the roster, but...WCJ has been playing really tough, but he's fallen apart every year...fingers crossed, he's supposedly been the most popular guy on the team for years.

[jezzerinho]

BPI Power Rankings for the East:

1. Cavs
2. Knicks
3. Magic
4. Pistons
5. Heat
6. Hawks
________________
7. 76ers
8. Raptors
9. Celtics
10. Bucks
-----------------------
11. Bulls
12. Hornets
13. Pacers
14. Nets
15. Wizards

Was waiting for the Cavs to separate themselves because they were so elite last season, but not sure if it will ever happen.

No super elite teams in the East IMO, I really don't see why we can't be the best. That being said it will be very close between us the Cavs, Knicks and Pistons imo.

I think the Heat and Raptors have interesting solid teams, but lack the high end talent needed. Though a big trade could easily shake up the east and create a whole new outlook with how close it is.

Celtics with Tatum would probably be a similar level to the top 4, but no Jrue and White declining would keep them from being clear favorites I think? IDK can't doubt the Celtics unfortunately. It would be nice if the Pacers and Hawks weren't getting top 5 picks, but league had to get some talent to the East so I get it.

Detroit is interesting. In that mix with us and the Hawks as dark horse candidates and have started out super strong. Good against good teams but no blow-out wins (20+) and a blow out loss early to the Cavs. I think they still need a second option for an upside swing.

Raptors have impressed me even more. Several blow-out victories, 9-game winning streak, beating good teams similar to Detroit. If they are up heading into the 4th they are winning the game and they've been good in nail biters.

Miami is also looking really good. Really good at home, really good in nail-biters, no bad losses, not blowing leads, strong blowout potential.

I expected Detroit and Miami to be good. I didnt expect Toronto to be this good. I was a big Quickley fan when he was in NY, but his Tor start was a bit rocky. Ingram was a steal. Barnes is a heady player. Poeltl is a solid glue guy. Is there enough "Star Power"? Not sure.

[basketballRob]

https://youtu.be/wHUkwVZZR3k?si=EevOnqO2AfXDtIu5

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[BadMofoPimp]

The 2nd half of the season should be different for alot of teams.

[basketballRob]

The Magic moved up to #6 in offense after yesterday's games.

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[Knightro]

Mildly hot take...

If the voting was held today, Jalen Suggs should be on the all-star team.

He's currently 9th in the NBA in EPM.

[eyriq]

Mildly hot take...

If the voting was held today, Jalen Suggs should be on the all-star team.

He's currently 9th in the NBA in EPM.

Spreadsheet FC is not that popular my guy.

[Knightro]

Mildly hot take...

If the voting was held today, Jalen Suggs should be on the all-star team.

He's currently 9th in the NBA in EPM.

Spreadsheet FC is not that popular my guy.

Suggs is also 8th in the NBA in NET rating at +17.6, and 5 of the guys ahead of him play on the same team that's 18-1.

[eyriq]

Mildly hot take...

If the voting was held today, Jalen Suggs should be on the all-star team.

He's currently 9th in the NBA in EPM.

Spreadsheet FC is not that popular my guy.

Suggs is also 8th in the NBA in NET rating at +17.6, and 5 of the guys ahead of him play on the same team that's 18-1.

He's not a top three option and he's not in the top three in counting stats. His impact is amazing but that historically isn't enough. I think Franz is the clear favorite in tier 1 followed by Paolo and Bane in tier 2 (the bubble). Suggs is in the next tier and a distant 4th.

[Rainwater]

BPI Power Rankings for the East:

1. Cavs
2. Knicks
3. Magic
4. Pistons
5. Heat
6. Hawks
________________
7. 76ers
8. Raptors
9. Celtics
10. Bucks
-----------------------
11. Bulls
12. Hornets
13. Pacers
14. Nets
15. Wizards

This wouldn't shock me one bit

[drsd]

Jett gonna prove you wrong.

Who is he gonna "prove wrong"?

He's not under a contract and is playing to maximise his FA move. For Orlando: trading him now makes more sense than letting him expire.

[Fortune Teller]

We’re seeing contract year Jett right now, and since we never saw it before that’s concerning. I just don’t know how hungry this guy is. The non-extension woke him up a bit, but is that permanent? I’d trade him rather than let him walk.

[DiplomaticMagic]

It seems like every game now, AB has a huge dunk. He could get a dunk contest invite