2023-24 NBA Season Discussion

[Peregrine01]

I didn’t think that dropping 73 points on 40 shooting possessions was possible. Luka went 17/20 from 2 also. That is just ridiculous.

[70sFan]

This is ridiculous shot making presentation, but at the same time this is some of the worst defense I have seen in a very long time. People often laugh at no defense in modern league, which is bullsh*t, but this game looks exactly like that.

Even though Embiid faced weaker team with his 70 pointer, I feel like he faced more challenge to score that number.

Edit: just to be clear, I have not watched full game, only all Doncic shooting possessions, so I am open to change my mind.

[lethalizer]

Quin Snyder basically bet on Luka going cold at some point.

To be fair to him, he almost pulled it off too. Such is life in the NBA in 2024.

[frica]

For those looking to mentally adjust for scoring inflation:

Wilt = 100 points scored of team’s 169 (59%)
Kobe = 81 points scored of team’s 122 (66%)
Skywalker = 73 points scored of team’s 137 (53%)
Baylor = 71 points scored of team’s 123 (58%)
Robinson = 71 points scored of team’s 112 (63%)
Mitchell = 71 points scored of team’s 145 (49%)
Lillard = 71 points scored of team’s 131 (54%)
Embiid = 70 points scored of team’s 133 (53%)
Booker = 70 points scored of (losing) team’s 120 (58%)
Jordan = 69 points scored of team’s 117 (59%)
Maravich = 68 points scored of team’s 124 (55%)

There are other ways to adjust (e.g. also factoring in minutes), but I feel like using this lens successfully takes off some of the modern shine while also providing an opportunity to celebrate those who played in suppressed eras (thinking about Fulks’ 63/103, McGrady’s 62/108, Mikan’s 61/91 Iverson’s 60/112, King’s 60/114, sophomore Lebron’s 56/98, etc.).

Mikan 15/18 (83%) the greatest there'll ever be.

[Dr Positivity]

As long as they keep Randle I don't see the Knicks escaping their destiny as Joe Johnson Hawks 2nd round kings/superstar jobbers. Though I guess that's an improvement over the many years of lolKnicks and maybe one day they can get the Raptors Kawhi to Brunson's Lowry.

[eminence]

Lol, Embiid.

[Statlanta]

For those looking to mentally adjust for scoring inflation:

Wilt = 100 points scored of team’s 169 (59%)
Kobe = 81 points scored of team’s 122 (66%)
Skywalker = 73 points scored of team’s 137 (53%)
Baylor = 71 points scored of team’s 123 (58%)
Robinson = 71 points scored of team’s 112 (63%)
Mitchell = 71 points scored of team’s 145 (49%)
Lillard = 71 points scored of team’s 131 (54%)
Embiid = 70 points scored of team’s 133 (53%)
Booker = 70 points scored of (losing) team’s 120 (58%)
Jordan = 69 points scored of team’s 117 (59%)
Maravich = 68 points scored of team’s 124 (55%)

There are other ways to adjust (e.g. also factoring in minutes), but I feel like using this lens successfully takes off some of the modern shine while also providing an opportunity to celebrate those who played in suppressed eras (thinking about Fulks’ 63/103, McGrady’s 62/108, Mikan’s 61/91 Iverson’s 60/112, King’s 60/114, sophomore Lebron’s 56/98, etc.).

I don’t like this either because each individual game is its own thing. The natural development of the game matters, like Robinson going for the scoring title or Booker just getting fed by his teammates.

[Peregrine01]

Lol, Embiid.

Either he doesn’t handle the thin air well or he’s trying to make his head-to-head against Jokic look better by only playing at home.

[Doctor MJ]

Lol, Embiid.

Either he doesn’t handle the thin air well or he’s trying to make his head-to-head against Jokic look better by only playing at home.

I think the former has got to be part of it, and the real question is whether there's actually a serious risk that the team isn't discussing publicly. Those with sickle cell disease can have major issue.

I think what's sad here is that the behavior of Embiid, the 76ers, talking heads, and the fans, has led the rest of the basketball populace to be fed up, and the roots of this issue might be something not at all Embiid's fault.

[eminence]

Lol, Embiid.

Either he doesn’t handle the thin air well or he’s trying to make his head-to-head against Jokic look better by only playing at home.

I think the former has got to be part of it, and the real question is whether there's actually a serious risk that the team isn't discussing publicly. Those with sickle cell disease can have major issue.

I think what's sad here is that the behavior of Embiid, the 76ers, talking heads, and the fans, has led the rest of the basketball populace to be fed up, and the roots of this issue might be something not at all Embiid's fault.

Embiid almost certainly doesn't have sickle cell disease (two bad copies).

It's possible he has sickle cell trait (one bad copy). But it seems like something they'd be open about if that were the reason he was avoiding altitude games (if it's not just a coincidence).

*And apparently Philly held their training camp in Denver this season, so that seems unlikely overall.

[Peregrine01]

Denver has a really bad habit of playing down to their competition…Jokic especially. When he’s faced with a lottery team he goes into passive mode.

[SportsGuru08]

Man, the Clippers kicked the ever loving crap out of Boston. Makes a huge difference when Kawhi is available.

[SportsGuru08]

Lol, Embiid.

Either he doesn’t handle the thin air well or he’s trying to make his head-to-head against Jokic look better by only playing at home.

If that's the case, then what happens if the Sixers play Denver in the NBA Finals? Would Embiid just play in the Philadelphia games?

[Heej]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=BydOzRhXIkwzHVO3MQ630Q

This is absolutely insane. I always used to say the next GOAT candidate would be a Kevin Durant prototype (shout-out the OG version Bob McAdoo) of player except stronger or more explosive and with better passing.

Wemby is kinda like that but not as fluid. But man the only thing I can see surpassing his optimistic projections is a goddamn Shaq archetypal descendant with at least Zion level handles and vision. This is insane

[eminence]

I see the Warriors went with the serious starting lineup for this one.

[70sFan]

Embiid just stole us from watching the ultimate bigman duel of 2024. That's weak as hell, I wonder what happens if they face each other in the finals...

[LukaTheGOAT]

Every player in NBA history to average 25 PPG & 5 APG at 35+ years old:

LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Steph Curry

[frica]

Embiid just stole us from watching the ultimate bigman duel of 2024. That's weak as hell, I wonder what happens if they face each other in the finals...

As great as Embiid's individual performances are he surely must be deducted a lot for having very low availability.

I think we already know, he'll have 1-2 performances Jokic can't match. Jokic will have 7 Embiid can't keep up with.

[WestGOAT]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=BydOzRhXIkwzHVO3MQ630Q

This is absolutely insane. I always used to say the next GOAT candidate would be a Kevin Durant prototype (shout-out the OG version Bob McAdoo) of player except stronger or more explosive and with better passing.

Wemby is kinda like that but not as fluid. But man the only thing I can see surpassing his optimistic projections is a goddamn Shaq archetypal descendant with at least Zion level handles and vision. This is insane

This can't be real right? You only see this with custom created players in video games, and he's doing this as a rookie

He may not be fluid as KD, but I don't think that matters much if he sticks to playing as as Center.

[The-Power]

Has SGA's jump in FT% any kind of precedent?

Here's SGA's FT% for the first four seasons:

80.0
80.7
80.8
81.0

Good and very steady.

Now, here's SGA's FT% for the last two seasons:

90.5
89.0

He essentially improved his efficiency from the line by 8-10% from one season to the next after having already been a good FT shooter and after having been pretty steady for four years straight prior to that jump.

I'm sure there are some relatively poor FT shooters who saw a jump in efficiency from one season to the next and never looked back, as well as more volatile FT shooters who had some ups and downs in efficiency but improved overall over the years. But an already good FT shooter who has had four years of steady efficiency seeing such a drastic and sudden jump that seems to be sustainable feels quite extraordinary to me. Perhaps I'm mistaken, though?