Official NBA General Discussion 2024-25 V2.0

[Boogie!]

Pacers okc finals would be cool. I think okc sweeps tbh

[Scizzup]

OKC is ridiculous with their rotation players and defense. Their only weakness is Jalen Williams/Chet is not a great 2nd creator yet.

But they can basically rotate any of their role-players with Shai and be elite. Kenrich Williams didn't play high leverage game last 2 series and suddenly getting rotation minutes.


People thinking Shai will leave this team to any other team are crazy (atleast in the duration of his next max contract). Also, Shai is an all time great scorer at this point, his on ball gravity is up there with any guard bar Kobe/Harden that I have seen. he just keeps coming at you. What an improvement from where he was even 3 years ago.

[Boogie!]

Shai sounds so gta

[Boogie!]

Look at the level of these guys in the playoffs. Does anyone see Barnes being able to perform against this level of defense?

[NinjaBro]

Yo who's this chick in this Levi's commercial? She has W rizz

You mean Beyonce?

Familiar rizz... lol I knew she looked familiar and I figured I Could Work It Out, but maybe it's better that I post here so I can Check On It.

Clay you have no rizz if you can't recognize Beyonce smh

[mdenny]

Look at the level of these guys in the playoffs. Does anyone see Barnes being able to perform against this level of defense?

I'm begging for a big trade before the next deadline because I really don't want to watch Barnes lead this team for numerous seasons. Whether it be giannis or KD or booker or Trae or lamelo.

I want off the Barnes train. Have another fan base watch his look back dunks while we're losing by 20 points. Raptors have really never had a star that does stuff like that.

It's crazy to me that he doesn't get roasted for that stuff. And I've been telling ppl here for 3 years....when the media gets the opportunity to turn on him after the Golden child status fades....it will be ruthless.

[HumbleRen]

Look at the level of these guys in the playoffs. Does anyone see Barnes being able to perform against this level of defense?

I don’t think most stars will be able to perform at their best against this defence.

Jokic is a top 10 offensive player of all time and easily had his least efficient 7 game stretch of his career against this defence.

[HumbleRen]

I don’t see any team in the east being able to give OKC a real fight. The only way to beat them was with a dominant scoring center.

This is their ring to lose.

[Scizzup]

I don’t see any team in the east being able to give OKC a real fight. The only way to beat them was with a dominant scoring center.

This is their ring to lose.

Yea, Knicks or Pacers can't beat them. Their weakness is guarding big wings and centers (like 2) and Knicks nor Pacers have a superstar at that position.

The Pacers offense is interesting with their 5 out, OKC struggles to defend 5 out especially since they play 2 bigs for weird reason. they are much slower rotating on defense and keeps chet away from the rim on defense when he is in with Ihart.

Pacers should have no chance defending Shai and maybe J-Dub but I have been impressed with their defense so far. If they defend Knicks well then a series with OKC could be interesting.

[HumbleRen]

I don’t see any team in the east being able to give OKC a real fight. The only way to beat them was with a dominant scoring center.

This is their ring to lose.

Yea, Knicks or Pacers can't beat them. Their weakness is guarding big wings and centers (like 2) and Knicks nor Pacers have a superstar at that position.

The Pacers offense is interesting with their 5 out, OKC struggles to defend 5 out especially since they play 2 bigs for weird reason. they are much slower rotating on defense and keeps chet away from the rim on defense when he is in with Ihart.

Pacers should have no chance defending Shai and maybe J-Dub but I have been impressed with their defense so far. If they defend Knicks well then a series with OKC could be interesting.

Playing against a 5 out offence only plays to OKC’s strength. They’ve slowly stopped using the 2 big line ups and opted to use Caruso more.

Their defence has only gotten better by doing that. You just gotta hope they miss their 3’s at this point.

[PhilBlackson]

Look at the level of these guys in the playoffs. Does anyone see Barnes being able to perform against this level of defense?

I'm begging for a big trade before the next deadline because I really don't want to watch Barnes lead this team for numerous seasons. Whether it be giannis or KD or booker or Trae or lamelo.

I want off the Barnes train. Have another fan base watch his look back dunks while we're losing by 20 points. Raptors have really never had a star that does stuff like that.

It's crazy to me that he doesn't get roasted for that stuff. And I've been telling ppl here for 3 years....when the media gets the opportunity to turn on him after the Golden child status fades....it will be ruthless.

While I do think your take is a little harsh on Barnes, I do agree with the sentiment of using Scottie as essentially the next “DeRozan” to trade for a true star player.

Because yes I do think he’s gonna struggle particularly late in games if Darko tries to force this narrative that he’s the best player on the team because I’ll tell you right now it’s actually Ingram and it’s not particularly close either. I think BI is slept on and could go up a level if he can stay a bit more healthier and improve his body but nonetheless he’s still prob just a notch below being the guy to really take us over the hump.

But if the Bucks would accept a trade for Scottie and we could somehow hold on to just this current draft pick and we have give them multiple futures, I’d do it. Given that we likely wouldn’t have to “gut” the team since Scottie’s salary jumps next year, it could be a massive payoff because Ingram can essentially play the “Middleton” role and you’d hope to develop someone like Maluach to play Lopez’s role. In today’s East, I can see that team reaching multiple Finals appearances and ofc possibility to win them.

Personally I wouldn’t trade for an old KD who I just have my doubts is gonna remain all that healthy as he continues to age or Trae because he’s just gonna get picked on defensively that I don’t think he can take a team over the hump. Booker sure! FedEx him lol LaMelo is certainly a gamble with his health but nonetheless I’d probably take that flyer because the offensive upside is really superstar level if you can somehow help him mature as a person. I’m not sure what other stars will become available but I am on board with trading him for a greater star at some point because while I do think he can be a multiple time all star at his best, I just don’t see him being a player that’s gonna be able to takeover in big games to ultimately get over the hump.

[Tripod]

Pacers okc finals would be cool. I think okc sweeps tbh

The pace of the game would be fun to watch...non-stop running

[Mattatron]

Look at the level of these guys in the playoffs. Does anyone see Barnes being able to perform against this level of defense?

I'm begging for a big trade before the next deadline because I really don't want to watch Barnes lead this team for numerous seasons. Whether it be giannis or KD or booker or Trae or lamelo.

I want off the Barnes train. Have another fan base watch his look back dunks while we're losing by 20 points. Raptors have really never had a star that does stuff like that.

It's crazy to me that he doesn't get roasted for that stuff. And I've been telling ppl here for 3 years....when the media gets the opportunity to turn on him after the Golden child status fades....it will be ruthless.

While I do think your take is a little harsh on Barnes, I do agree with the sentiment of using Scottie as essentially the next “DeRozan” to trade for a true star player.

Because yes I do think he’s gonna struggle particularly late in games if Darko tries to force this narrative that he’s the best player on the team because I’ll tell you right now it’s actually Ingram and it’s not particularly close either. I think BI is slept on and could go up a level if he can stay a bit more healthier and improve his body but nonetheless he’s still prob just a notch below being the guy to really take us over the hump.

But if the Bucks would accept a trade for Scottie and we could somehow hold on to just this current draft pick and we have give them multiple futures, I’d do it. Given that we likely wouldn’t have to “gut” the team since Scottie’s salary jumps next year, it could be a massive payoff because Ingram can essentially play the “Middleton” role and you’d hope to develop someone like Maluach to play Lopez’s role. In today’s East, I can see that team reaching multiple Finals appearances and ofc possibility to win them.

Personally I wouldn’t trade for an old KD who I just have my doubts is gonna remain all that healthy as he continues to age or Trae because he’s just gonna get picked on defensively that I don’t think he can take a team over the hump. Booker sure! FedEx him lol LaMelo is certainly a gamble with his health but nonetheless I’d probably take that flyer because the offensive upside is really superstar level if you can somehow help him mature as a person. I’m not sure what other stars will become available but I am on board with trading him for a greater star at some point because while I do think he can be a multiple time all star at his best, I just don’t see him being a player that’s gonna be able to takeover in big games to ultimately get over the hump.

"I just don’t see him being a player that’s gonna be able to takeover in big games to ultimately get over the hump" why does he have to? Not everyone can be a closer, a 2 way player like kobe etc. Scottie is not the problem, the problem are the expectations of some delusional fans and posters in here.

You want Lamelo Ball ? Tf ? Dude is not a competitor.

Giannis, sure, but Ingram playing a Middleton role ? Middleton was way more efficient with less usage, I don't see that with a ballhog like BI. Trading for Giannis means being a lesser competitive team than the current bucks.

Booker ? So let's trade Barnes for Booker, and u want to pair Booker with Barrett, IQ and Ingram ? That's a bottom 5 team. I would want a Bokker next to Barnes as the Motor of the team and Booker as the closer und bucket getter.

Like I said, the problem is not Barnes, it's the expectations people have had that he's going to be monster on the offensive end. But that's not his natural, and that's OK. There a still 4 other positions that need to be fill out to be a competitive team, and he fits that.

[MoneyBall]

I'm torn. OG was injured during our Championship run so I want him to make the Finals. But I also hate the Knicks.

[Tripod]

I'm begging for a big trade before the next deadline because I really don't want to watch Barnes lead this team for numerous seasons. Whether it be giannis or KD or booker or Trae or lamelo.

I want off the Barnes train. Have another fan base watch his look back dunks while we're losing by 20 points. Raptors have really never had a star that does stuff like that.

It's crazy to me that he doesn't get roasted for that stuff. And I've been telling ppl here for 3 years....when the media gets the opportunity to turn on him after the Golden child status fades....it will be ruthless.

While I do think your take is a little harsh on Barnes, I do agree with the sentiment of using Scottie as essentially the next “DeRozan” to trade for a true star player.

Because yes I do think he’s gonna struggle particularly late in games if Darko tries to force this narrative that he’s the best player on the team because I’ll tell you right now it’s actually Ingram and it’s not particularly close either. I think BI is slept on and could go up a level if he can stay a bit more healthier and improve his body but nonetheless he’s still prob just a notch below being the guy to really take us over the hump.

But if the Bucks would accept a trade for Scottie and we could somehow hold on to just this current draft pick and we have give them multiple futures, I’d do it. Given that we likely wouldn’t have to “gut” the team since Scottie’s salary jumps next year, it could be a massive payoff because Ingram can essentially play the “Middleton” role and you’d hope to develop someone like Maluach to play Lopez’s role. In today’s East, I can see that team reaching multiple Finals appearances and ofc possibility to win them.

Personally I wouldn’t trade for an old KD who I just have my doubts is gonna remain all that healthy as he continues to age or Trae because he’s just gonna get picked on defensively that I don’t think he can take a team over the hump. Booker sure! FedEx him lol LaMelo is certainly a gamble with his health but nonetheless I’d probably take that flyer because the offensive upside is really superstar level if you can somehow help him mature as a person. I’m not sure what other stars will become available but I am on board with trading him for a greater star at some point because while I do think he can be a multiple time all star at his best, I just don’t see him being a player that’s gonna be able to takeover in big games to ultimately get over the hump.

"I just don’t see him being a player that’s gonna be able to takeover in big games to ultimately get over the hump" why does he have to? Not everyone can be a closer, a 2 way player like kobe etc. Scottie is not the problem, the problem are the expectations of some delusional fans and posters in here.

You want Lamelo Ball ? Tf ? Dude is not a competitor.

Giannis, sure, but Ingram playing a Middleton role ? Middleton was way more efficient with less usage, I don't see that with a ballhog like BI. Trading for Giannis means being a lesser competitive team than the current bucks.

Booker ? So let's trade Barnes for Booker, and u want to pair Booker with Barrett, IQ and Ingram ? That's a bottom 5 team. I would want a Bokker next to Barnes as the Motor of the team and Booker as the closer und bucket getter.

Like I said, the problem is not Barnes, it's the expectations people have had that he's going to be monster on the offensive end. But that's not his natural, and that's OK. There a still 4 other positions that need to be fill out to be a competitive team, and he fits that.

Just since these guys were mentioned...but on the Bucks, Middleton WAS the closer over Giannis during their championship run.

Often you need that outside shooter as that guy and fir the Bucks,Middleton was that guy. It didn't diminish what Giannis did, but it was about balance.

We have seen Barnes take over 4th quarters. That hasn't disappeared. But at the same time if you need clutch shooting from outside, he isn't going to be your go to guy...just like Giannis wasn't.

Let Barnes be the anchor on defense and add depth scoring. Christ Lowry was a 15 pt guy and the 3rd leading scorer as our leader. Just let things unfold as we take the steps forward in this new era. Maybe Barnes is moved at some point, maybe he isn't. But let's see how the addition of BI helps by taking some of the scoring burden off of everyone else.

[Basketball_Jones]

OKC finally winning the chip led by Canadian. Sounds amazing but I don’t feel connected to it at all. Shai should really be marketed way better.

[Scizzup]

I don’t see any team in the east being able to give OKC a real fight. The only way to beat them was with a dominant scoring center.

This is their ring to lose.

Yea, Knicks or Pacers can't beat them. Their weakness is guarding big wings and centers (like 2) and Knicks nor Pacers have a superstar at that position.

The Pacers offense is interesting with their 5 out, OKC struggles to defend 5 out especially since they play 2 bigs for weird reason. they are much slower rotating on defense and keeps chet away from the rim on defense when he is in with Ihart.

Pacers should have no chance defending Shai and maybe J-Dub but I have been impressed with their defense so far. If they defend Knicks well then a series with OKC could be interesting.

Playing against a 5 out offence only plays to OKC’s strength. They’ve slowly stopped using the 2 big line ups and opted to use Caruso more.

Their defence has only gotten better by doing that. You just gotta hope they miss their 3’s at this point.

Nah, they legit struggle guarding 5 out. this is a 2 year sample now. You know their defense is based on rotation and doing that against a team with no non shooter and multiple 3 ball handlers on the court is tougher. OKC could just play "small' with one of Chet or their big in at a time and be fine but yea that is a problem with them.

Their starters this post season despite playing in 4 blow out games is only a +3 net rating and they have not played a crafty offense close to Pacers (Denver didn't have the shooting).

[Mr. Perfect]

OKC finally winning the chip led by Canadian. Sounds amazing but I don’t feel connected to it at all. Shai should really be marketed way better.

That's because Shai is not actually that likeable. It's not like those SSOL Suns teams where all Canadians were rooting for our guy Steve Nash.

Shai is a free throw merchant, plays an ugly brand of basketball, and has no personality to speak of, he's also playing on a stacked team.

I'll be rooting for the Knicks or Pacers, I feel more connected to rooting for OG or Siakam's success than FTA.

[InfraRedshaw]

speak for yourself ^

Shai very likeable imo

[ForeverTFC]

I'm not a fan of OKC as a franchise but the Shai slander has made me pull for them to win it all this year.