Around the NBA (and other Sports), 2024-25

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Long time Knicks fan coming in peace.

Let's be honest. First, the Knicks got better. Are they better than the Celts? I don't know but I know they at least closed the gap a bit. Second, Tatum cannot guard KAT. Kat will post him (and when he keeps him near the baseline, it'll be harder for him to get out on the break). Third, the Knicks are playing chess, not checkers. They will use KAT to go after Giannis when he asks out. They'll lose some shooting (not offense, just shooting) but their defense will be unreal.

Towns can't even move the Celtics point guard in the post:

Watch on YouTube

Good luck trying to keep up with the team that's coming off posting the highest offensive rating of all time that way.

[bisme37]

Maybe I haven't watched Towns enough. People are bashing him a lot. But I hate this for Minnesota and love it for NY.

Randle would occasionally kill us, but seemed like a guy who needed the ball and doesn't fit well on an elite team. Kind of a better version of Antoine Walker (far more willing to mix it up inside.)

Towns is more of a prototypical modern big and and elite outside shooter. He could unlock their offense like Porzingis did for us. Worse defender than KP, but far more durable.

Minnesota knocked off the defending champs and went to the finals...now they trade their #1B cornerstone away in the name of flexibility? They're going to be wishing they could use that flexibility to get a 2nd star of Towns' caliber.

Knicks are probably the 2nd best team in the league now. Good for them I guess; bring it on.

KAT is very talented and an excellent player on paper but does weird knucklehead stuff at all the wrong times. Either picking up 3 fouls in the 1st quarter of a playoff game or just chucking stupid shots in crunchtime or bad turnovers etc. He contributes to winning mostly but then when you need him to show up he makes you lose.

I've seen it a number of times and actually commented after the playoffs that I didn't know what the trade would be but I thought the Wolves would be well served to get him out of there. It's just they traded him for another guy who does weird knucklehead stuff at all the wrong times. Which is why I think the trade is quite weird.

Edit: while I'm on the subject, I am also dubious about the fit between KAT and Thibs and the fit between KAT and the New York media.

[Fierce1]

Maybe I haven't watched Towns enough. People are bashing him a lot. But I hate this for Minnesota and love it for NY.

Randle would occasionally kill us, but seemed like a guy who needed the ball and doesn't fit well on an elite team. Kind of a better version of Antoine Walker (far more willing to mix it up inside.)

Towns is more of a prototypical modern big and and elite outside shooter. He could unlock their offense like Porzingis did for us. Worse defender than KP, but far more durable.

Minnesota knocked off the defending champs and went to the finals...now they trade their #1B cornerstone away in the name of flexibility? They're going to be wishing they could use that flexibility to get a 2nd star of Towns' caliber.

Knicks are probably the 2nd best team in the league now. Good for them I guess; bring it on.

KAT is very talented and an excellent player on paper but does weird knucklehead stuff at all the wrong times. Either picking up 3 fouls in the 1st quarter of a playoff game or just chucking stupid shots in crunchtime or bad turnovers etc. He contributes to winning mostly but then when you need him to show up he makes you lose.

I've seen it a number of times and actually commented after the playoffs that I didn't know what the trade would be but I thought the Wolves would be well served to get him out of there. It's just they traded him for another guy who does weird knucklehead stuff at all the wrong times. Which is why I think the trade is quite weird.

Bingo!

[threrf23]

Maybe I haven't watched Towns enough. People are bashing him a lot. But I hate this for Minnesota and love it for NY.

Randle would occasionally kill us, but seemed like a guy who needed the ball and doesn't fit well on an elite team. Kind of a better version of Antoine Walker (far more willing to mix it up inside.)

I generally agree with you - but I also note that: a.) KAT is out of position alongside Gobert, b.) Minny maybe needs guys who are capable of eating up usage, right now it's mostly just ANT in that role, and c.) DiVicenzo is instantly their best outside threat, and a good culture piece for a younger team with use for backcourt depth. They also had a lot of money tied up in KAT, who was not at 100% in the playoffs and played just 29 games the season prior, and they were able to send their long tenured star to a contender in NY/NJ where he grew up.

Great trade for NY, but I think it could also work out in some capacity for Minny, we'll see.

[bisme37]

Not that I'm complaining, but it's notable that Riley and the Heat are apparently content with sucking.

[bisme37]

Read on Twitter

[bisme37]

Not exactly sure where the quote comes from but it's being discussed on the Knicks board...

It's quite possible Minnesota feels comfortable with Towns at the five, surrounded by elite perimeter defenders—but lineups with Towns at the pivot haven't yielded the best results on defense. In Minnesota's most played lineup excluding Gobert, and Towns at the five, the Wolves gave up 122 points per 100 possessions—ranking in the 21st percentile.

Basically, KAT is a poor defender when played at center.

[JaMarco]

Tatum definitely cant guard KAT

In the games vs Wolves last year Jaden McDaniels did an excellent job on JT, but JT still scored a million points largely by isolating KAT and repeatedly destroying him.

What does that have to do with Tatum guarding KAT?

[threrf23]

Read on Twitter

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

I miss Game of Zones. Why did they stop producing that?

[lon3lytoaster]

Read on Twitter

I don’t see this Bucks as a serious contender this year.I like some of their younger guys but apart from Giannis, age and health are creeping up. Don’t think they have enough depth or talent after Lillard and Giannis.

Philly I think on paper is the solid #3 but will struggle with the same things they’ve always struggled with. Accountability, leadership and composure.

[zoyathedestroya]

Read on Twitter

Oh, man. That’s sad and shocking. **** cancer. RIP Dikembe.

[bisme37]

Jimmy Butler is globetrotting on media day and Joel Embiid is a waif now apparently.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[bisme37]

WTH. Sounds like Heat media day was a rousing success.

Read on Twitter

[165bows]

WTH. Sounds like Heat media day was a rousing success.

Read on Twitter

Culture!!

[Smart2Nesmith43]

WTH. Sounds like Heat media day was a rousing success.

Read on Twitter

Culture!!

"Nobody shows up on the first day of work but we are the hardest working team in the NBA."
- Pat Riley, probably

[DelMonte West]

Whatever happened to Mutombo's voice, anyway? He didn't always have that raspiness to it. I have an old VHS tape called Rising Stars of the NBA (boy, is it dated) and in it his voice is clear.

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

LOL you just be saying all sorts of things.

[Fencer reregistered]

WTH. Sounds like Heat media day was a rousing success.

Read on Twitter

Culture!!

"Nobody shows up on the first day of work but we are the hardest working team in the NBA."
- Pat Riley, probably

One year when he was coach of the Knicks the first practice started on the first allowable day at one minute after midnight.

The stunt was supposed to show that nobody would outwork them.

[165bows]

Read on Twitter

Oh, man. That’s sad and shocking. **** cancer. RIP Dikembe.

Pretty consistent correlation with rising cancer rates and increases in height unfortunately.