Official NBA General Discussion 2024-25 V2.0

[WaltFrazier]

Great effort from the Celtics. They stepped up without their best player. Just not sure they can win two more against a good team like the Knicks.

I feel awful for Tatum. He’s a great player and a class act. I’m excited to see him back.

Minnesota played a team without their best player but I still like what I’m seeing.

If Brunson is called for 5 fouls in the third quarter, and Boston gets 20 FTA in the third again, then they have a good chance.

Knicks played an awful game as well, no doubt. But things were stacked against them.

[WuTang_CMB]

TImberwolves have been great all playoffs. Randle has completely done a 180 and has stepped up big time.
They got length, defense, depth and a star

Yes they're playing great. Tough to beat OKC though

OKC winning it all

[ForeverTFC]

If you watch the press conference with Tyrese Halliburton and Pascal, you can really see that Tyrese respects Pascal, and is open to his guidance.

I think a common narrative was that Pascal was selfish and didn't fit in with Scottie. I'm beginning to think that perhaps Scottie didn't respect Pascal enough, and wasn't open to his guidance in the same way that Tyrese is.

So perhaps we've been asking the wrong questions. Maybe the real point is that Pascal is great with young players, and it's one of the central reasons the Pacers are in the Eastern Conference finals for the second year in a row.

Maybe Scottie needs to learn to take feedback? Perhaps if he did, then. Scottie would have been a better player and our team with both Scottie and Pascal would be excelling right now?

https://youtu.be/PuVR4wPnfeg?si=cOKX0CLrF4zbns0g

I think this is a complete mis-read of the situation. I'm not sure that Pascal and Scottie had issues with eachother. Pascal may have not liked Scottie being put above him in the order and prioritized, and he has every right to feel that way. But let's also remember:

1. Thorpe is Pascal's trainer
2. Thorpe was the one getting a lot of intel about how bad our locker room was, including some of the stuff coming out about Scottie's work ethic
3. At one point, Thorpe talked about Nurse losing the locker room and proposed Watson as the replacement
4. Watson was brought on to our staff by Pascal's agent and was working with Pascal privately before joining Nurse' staff
5. It came out later that Watson attempted a coup against Nurse and went after his job

So tangentially, Pascal was connected to a lot of what was happening with this franchise in that last year. I love Pascal and I don't think he's a selfish guy. But there also was a reason why Masai called him out, I just think he used the wrong words.

The decision to get younger led to a lot of bets that didn't pay off, but along the way you get the sense that there were sore feelings with how Masai handled the transition.

Norm was crestfallen.
Siakam was ghosted, which Masai apologized for in tears.
Fred had to read between the lines how the team wanted to use him in his UFA year. Masai went and said they might be better off with Dennis Schroder. Schroder was lied to about his role on the team.

This is what bad culture looks like, and it all directly leads back to Masai. Yes, Scottie was immature, but he was given grace for being a lotto pick. The team went on the defensive to protect him, and it would only pay off if Scottie actually became a worthy franchise player. We haven't seen that Scottie yet, and so right now it looks like we tore up the team and made excuses for Josh Smith 2.0.

Bad bets, bad communication, bad results.

Completely disagree. Yes, the issue stemmed from our desire to thread 2 eras (which just doesn't work) but many parties were at fault including FVV/Pascal and Masai. However, based on everything that's come out and been said along the way, it's clear Nick Nurse was a terrible leader in the locker room. He had limited conversation with players, banned his staff from speaking to the media, and had no desire to instill culture into the locker room. Once Kyle left, there was nothing to hold that locker room together and to account. FVV tried to step into that role but it didn't work, and a lot of people hate him for it.

What's the difference between us and the Warriors as we tried to maneuver 2 timelines? They still had Curry. We had no one once we lost Kyle.

[ForeverTFC]

TImberwolves have been great all playoffs. Randle has completely done a 180 and has stepped up big time.
They got length, defense, depth and a star

Yes they're playing great. Tough to beat OKC though

OKC winning it all

If Randle keeps up his playoff form, I wouldn't count out the Wolves.

[Spates]

I think this is a complete mis-read of the situation. I'm not sure that Pascal and Scottie had issues with eachother. Pascal may have not liked Scottie being put above him in the order and prioritized, and he has every right to feel that way. But let's also remember:

1. Thorpe is Pascal's trainer
2. Thorpe was the one getting a lot of intel about how bad our locker room was, including some of the stuff coming out about Scottie's work ethic
3. At one point, Thorpe talked about Nurse losing the locker room and proposed Watson as the replacement
4. Watson was brought on to our staff by Pascal's agent and was working with Pascal privately before joining Nurse' staff
5. It came out later that Watson attempted a coup against Nurse and went after his job

So tangentially, Pascal was connected to a lot of what was happening with this franchise in that last year. I love Pascal and I don't think he's a selfish guy. But there also was a reason why Masai called him out, I just think he used the wrong words.

The decision to get younger led to a lot of bets that didn't pay off, but along the way you get the sense that there were sore feelings with how Masai handled the transition.

Norm was crestfallen.
Siakam was ghosted, which Masai apologized for in tears.
Fred had to read between the lines how the team wanted to use him in his UFA year. Masai went and said they might be better off with Dennis Schroder. Schroder was lied to about his role on the team.

This is what bad culture looks like, and it all directly leads back to Masai. Yes, Scottie was immature, but he was given grace for being a lotto pick. The team went on the defensive to protect him, and it would only pay off if Scottie actually became a worthy franchise player. We haven't seen that Scottie yet, and so right now it looks like we tore up the team and made excuses for Josh Smith 2.0.

Bad bets, bad communication, bad results.

Completely disagree. Yes, the issue stemmed from our desire to thread 2 eras (which just doesn't work) but many parties were at fault including FVV/Pascal and Masai. However, based on everything that's come out and been said along the way, it's clear Nick Nurse was a terrible leader in the locker room. He had limited conversation with players, banned his staff from speaking to the media, and had no desire to instill culture into the locker room. Once Kyle left, there was nothing to hold that locker room together and to account. FVV tried to step into that role but it didn't work, and a lot of people hate him for it.

What's the difference between us and the Warriors as we tried to maneuver 2 timelines? They still had Curry. We had no one once we lost Kyle.

There are many ways to interpret the post-bubble era, all with glimpses of validity.

Being absent of a true primary and promoting a high-degree of individualism wasn't good for the franchise. Everyone was out for themselves because they could be.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

I think this is a complete mis-read of the situation. I'm not sure that Pascal and Scottie had issues with eachother. Pascal may have not liked Scottie being put above him in the order and prioritized, and he has every right to feel that way. But let's also remember:

1. Thorpe is Pascal's trainer
2. Thorpe was the one getting a lot of intel about how bad our locker room was, including some of the stuff coming out about Scottie's work ethic
3. At one point, Thorpe talked about Nurse losing the locker room and proposed Watson as the replacement
4. Watson was brought on to our staff by Pascal's agent and was working with Pascal privately before joining Nurse' staff
5. It came out later that Watson attempted a coup against Nurse and went after his job

So tangentially, Pascal was connected to a lot of what was happening with this franchise in that last year. I love Pascal and I don't think he's a selfish guy. But there also was a reason why Masai called him out, I just think he used the wrong words.

The decision to get younger led to a lot of bets that didn't pay off, but along the way you get the sense that there were sore feelings with how Masai handled the transition.

Norm was crestfallen.
Siakam was ghosted, which Masai apologized for in tears.
Fred had to read between the lines how the team wanted to use him in his UFA year. Masai went and said they might be better off with Dennis Schroder. Schroder was lied to about his role on the team.

This is what bad culture looks like, and it all directly leads back to Masai. Yes, Scottie was immature, but he was given grace for being a lotto pick. The team went on the defensive to protect him, and it would only pay off if Scottie actually became a worthy franchise player. We haven't seen that Scottie yet, and so right now it looks like we tore up the team and made excuses for Josh Smith 2.0.

Bad bets, bad communication, bad results.

Completely disagree. Yes, the issue stemmed from our desire to thread 2 eras (which just doesn't work) but many parties were at fault including FVV/Pascal and Masai. However, based on everything that's come out and been said along the way, it's clear Nick Nurse was a terrible leader in the locker room. He had limited conversation with players, banned his staff from speaking to the media, and had no desire to instill culture into the locker room. Once Kyle left, there was nothing to hold that locker room together and to account. FVV tried to step into that role but it didn't work, and a lot of people hate him for it.

What's the difference between us and the Warriors as we tried to maneuver 2 timelines? They still had Curry. We had no one once we lost Kyle.

While just as long as you COMPLETELY disagree, and you insist that it's a COMPLETE misread of the situation, then we should probably listen to your very balanced take /green font.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Completely disagree. Yes, the issue stemmed from our desire to thread 2 eras (which just doesn't work) but many parties were at fault including FVV/Pascal and Masai. However, based on everything that's come out and been said along the way, it's clear Nick Nurse was a terrible leader in the locker room. He had limited conversation with players, banned his staff from speaking to the media, and had no desire to instill culture into the locker room. Once Kyle left, there was nothing to hold that locker room together and to account. FVV tried to step into that role but it didn't work, and a lot of people hate him for it.

What's the difference between us and the Warriors as we tried to maneuver 2 timelines? They still had Curry. We had no one once we lost Kyle.

Indiana, Cleveland, Houston all had two timelines and no issues. Hell, two of those teams had Fred and Siakam as vet voices.

[WaltFrazier]

Completely disagree. Yes, the issue stemmed from our desire to thread 2 eras (which just doesn't work) but many parties were at fault including FVV/Pascal and Masai. However, based on everything that's come out and been said along the way, it's clear Nick Nurse was a terrible leader in the locker room. He had limited conversation with players, banned his staff from speaking to the media, and had no desire to instill culture into the locker room. Once Kyle left, there was nothing to hold that locker room together and to account. FVV tried to step into that role but it didn't work, and a lot of people hate him for it.

What's the difference between us and the Warriors as we tried to maneuver 2 timelines? They still had Curry. We had no one once we lost Kyle.

Indiana, Cleveland, Houston all had two timelines and no issues. Hell, two of those teams had Fred and Siakam as vet voices.

All the talk of guys being on the same timeline is silly. First, you need vets like Pascal and even Fred to lead younger guys. Second, those guys, and OG and Norm, are not old in their late 20s. They have a few years left. It's not like players stay with the same team their whole career anyway.

Money/contracts is the only factor which may have made sense to break up the core.

[Boogie!]

Warriors dynasty is over. Time to rebuild. Curry + Giannis to the raptors.

[WuTang_CMB]

chris finch gets it

https://youtu.be/nX0BS_Qro_8?t=529

[Brinbe]

nuggs looking to push this to 7

[Brinbe]

Denver another team, like the Warriors, undone by failing to develop their recent draft picks into capable role players leaving them with zero depth. And I don't think that's all on Malone.

Also makes me think on how many of our young guys would be reliable if we make the playoffs next season

[gp2015]

Yes they're playing great. Tough to beat OKC though

OKC winning it all

If Randle keeps up his playoff form, I wouldn't count out the Wolves.

Very big if.

[mdenny]

The decision to get younger led to a lot of bets that didn't pay off, but along the way you get the sense that there were sore feelings with how Masai handled the transition.

Norm was crestfallen.
Siakam was ghosted, which Masai apologized for in tears.
Fred had to read between the lines how the team wanted to use him in his UFA year. Masai went and said they might be better off with Dennis Schroder. Schroder was lied to about his role on the team.

This is what bad culture looks like, and it all directly leads back to Masai. Yes, Scottie was immature, but he was given grace for being a lotto pick. The team went on the defensive to protect him, and it would only pay off if Scottie actually became a worthy franchise player. We haven't seen that Scottie yet, and so right now it looks like we tore up the team and made excuses for Josh Smith 2.0.

Bad bets, bad communication, bad results.

Completely disagree. Yes, the issue stemmed from our desire to thread 2 eras (which just doesn't work) but many parties were at fault including FVV/Pascal and Masai. However, based on everything that's come out and been said along the way, it's clear Nick Nurse was a terrible leader in the locker room. He had limited conversation with players, banned his staff from speaking to the media, and had no desire to instill culture into the locker room. Once Kyle left, there was nothing to hold that locker room together and to account. FVV tried to step into that role but it didn't work, and a lot of people hate him for it.

What's the difference between us and the Warriors as we tried to maneuver 2 timelines? They still had Curry. We had no one once we lost Kyle.

While just as long as you COMPLETELY disagree, and you insist that it's a COMPLETE misread of the situation, then we should probably listen to your very balanced take /green font.

There's a lot of former scotty cult ppl desperately trying to salvage their talking points.

They choose to propagate a single quote from Masai to characterize several raptor players and coach as being selfish.

Fact is...Fred and siakam and OG and Nurse were all pissed off at the norm trade. Then they didn't get it done. Then they were given poetl and failed to get it down again. They were given two legit shots at it and didn't come through.

The scotty cult began propagating this ridiculous narrative that those guys were selfish and only concerned about their own well-being rather than winning. They repeat this nonsense over and over again just to propagate it. Meanwhile, golden child scotty is getting blocked on look-back showboat dunks while we're losing by 20 points. Meanwhile...the performances and roles of fred/siakam /OG on their new teams reveal the scotty cult narratives as ridiculous as they were.

The scotty cult literally colluded off-site to spam these narratives so that ppl would adopt them as a norm. Those that adopted them are still having trouble with cognitive dissonance: EVERYTHING WE'VE SEEN THE PAST 18 TO 24 MONTHS MAKES YOUR TALKING POINTS LOOK WRONG.

None of Fred or siakam or OG were the type to shwoboat while down by 20 points. Scotty is STILL doing it in his 4th season smh. Scotty was given the keys and has not shown ANYTHING to us in regards to ability or dedication to winning basketball. The cult ppl will try to spin stuff but none of it means anything. Fred and siakam and OG had already proved their commitment to winning basketball in their first two seasons and are still thriving as winning players today. All 3 were far more mature in how they carried themselves out the gate than scotty is now after his 4th season.

[Boogie!]

If denver wins this series, the question again becomes how much does coaching really matter.

[mdenny]

Great game going here.

OkC buckets seem ALOT easier than the nuggets buckets.

I think the thunder will close this out tonight. But it's gonna be a great ending.

[Boogie!]

Okc is bricking

[Brinbe]

cue up the zaza video

[Son Goku 25]

Nuggets or Knicks will win it all

[Boogie!]

Okc choking feels bad. Rooting for the pacers