Around the NBA, 2022-23 season

[Crunch 99]

Royce led the Nets again last night on assists, getting 8 of them in a win over Memphis. I am happy to see Royce play well, but not happy to see the Nets growing more competitive along with the chances of the Jazz getting a high pick out of Houston, Philly and Brooklyn slipping. The Nets started Ben Simmons as center and he responded with 22 points on 11-13 shooting, along with 8 boards and 5 assists.

[TNJazz]

but not happy to see the Nets growing more competitive along with the chances of the Jazz getting a high pick out of Houston, Philly and Brooklyn slipping.

Can you enlighten me on how this all shakes out with how the Houston/Philly/Nets picks impact the Jazz?

I was in the early camp of UT Tank mode with the only competition being which team had the worst record to try and get the top pick. I am not up to speed on how the way these 3 teams finish will impact the Jazz's pick next year. - Thanks!

[Crunch 99]

but not happy to see the Nets growing more competitive along with the chances of the Jazz getting a high pick out of Houston, Philly and Brooklyn slipping.

Can you enlighten me on how this all shakes out with how the Houston/Philly/Nets picks impact the Jazz?

I was in the early camp of UT Tank mode with the only competition being which team had the worst record to try and get the top pick. I am not up to speed on how the way these 3 teams finish will impact the Jazz's pick next year. - Thanks!

My understanding is that the Jazz get the least favorable first round pick out of Houston, Philly and Brooklyn. We need all three teams (not just Houston) to collapse to get a high 2023 pick from one of them. Right now Houston is number 2 worse record in league, Brooklyn is number 12 worse record and Philly is number 14 worse record. So if draft were held today, Jazz would get the Philly pick at #14.

In addition, Jazz get Minnesota's first round pick, which if season ended today, would be #13. Finally, the Jazz get their own first round pick, which if season ended today, would be #28.

[TNJazz]

but not happy to see the Nets growing more competitive along with the chances of the Jazz getting a high pick out of Houston, Philly and Brooklyn slipping.

Can you enlighten me on how this all shakes out with how the Houston/Philly/Nets picks impact the Jazz?

I was in the early camp of UT Tank mode with the only competition being which team had the worst record to try and get the top pick. I am not up to speed on how the way these 3 teams finish will impact the Jazz's pick next year. - Thanks!

My understanding is that the Jazz get the least favorable first round pick out of Houston, Philly and Brooklyn. We need all three teams (not just Houston) to collapse to get a high 2023 pick from one of them. Right now Houston is number 2 worse record in league, Brooklyn is number 12 worse record and Philly is number 14 worse record. So if draft were held today, Jazz would get the Philly pick at #14.

In addition, Jazz get Minnesota's first round pick, which if season ended today, would be #13. Finally, the Jazz get their own first round pick, which if season ended today, would be #28.

Terrific, thanks! So barring any future dealings of FRP's, the Jazz own 2 next season. Not bad considering next years draft is supposed to be really deep.

[TNJazz]

I obviously can't add , along with a host of other "Can't do's" 3 FRP's as of now.

[FranchisePlayer]

Watch on YouTube

[Crunch 99]

The Warriors blew out the Celtics at Chase last night. With their extensive playoff-championship experience and Klay Thompson playing like a Splash Brother again, if I had to pick a team to come out of the West playoffs right now, I would pick the defending champion Warriors, notwithstanding their lackluster 14-13 record.

5 takeaways from Warriors-Celtics Finals rematch
https://www.nba.com/news/five-takeaways-warriors-celtics-rematch

I really like the talent on the West-leading Pelicans, but Zion needs to prove he can stay on the court for a season, and if he does, Zion and Ingram probably still need more playoff experience before making a successful run to win the WCF. Vets McCollum and JV have a lot of playoff experience, but is that enough?

[AingesBurner]

The Warriors blew out the Celtics at Chase last night. With their extensive playoff-championship experience and Klay Thompson playing like a Splash Brother again, if I had to pick a team to come out of the West playoffs right now, I would pick the defending champion Warriors, notwithstanding their lackluster 14-13 record.

5 takeaways from Warriors-Celtics Finals rematch
https://www.nba.com/news/five-takeaways-warriors-celtics-rematch

I really like the talent on the West-leading Pelicans, but Zion needs to prove he can stay on the court for a season, and if he does, Zion and Ingram probably still need more playoff experience before making a successful run to win the WCF. Vets McCollum and JV have a lot of playoff experience, but is that enough?

NO is Utah 2 years ago, I don’t think they have a chance with little experience overall. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Phoenix make one big move and go to the finals; I think there is too much discourse with GSW.

[Crunch 99]

The Warriors blew out the Celtics at Chase last night. With their extensive playoff-championship experience and Klay Thompson playing like a Splash Brother again, if I had to pick a team to come out of the West playoffs right now, I would pick the defending champion Warriors, notwithstanding their lackluster 14-13 record.

5 takeaways from Warriors-Celtics Finals rematch
https://www.nba.com/news/five-takeaways-warriors-celtics-rematch

I really like the talent on the West-leading Pelicans, but Zion needs to prove he can stay on the court for a season, and if he does, Zion and Ingram probably still need more playoff experience before making a successful run to win the WCF. Vets McCollum and JV have a lot of playoff experience, but is that enough?

NO is Utah 2 years ago, I don’t think they have a chance with little experience overall. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Phoenix make one big move and go to the finals; I think there is too much discourse with GSW.

I agree that the Suns still have a shot. Besides just getting 37 year old CP3 back, who is probably still a net positive, they are soon going to be adding one, possibly two, more significant players to their lineups. Three point, sharp shooter Cameron Johnson is expected to come back some time this month, and they might still get a helpful player from trading Crowder. Cameron Johnson was starting at PF and playing well before he went down eight games in to the season.

[Inigo Montoya]

Maybe it's just me, but it feels like the Wolves have had one of the easiest schedules in the league. I feel like every time I watch what they're doing, they're playing against weak teams like the Thunder and the Bulls.

In other news, Jokic just put up a stat line of 40 points, 27 rebounds and 10 assists, and a Nuggets win. Yep, that's a real stat line.

[TNJazz]

I agree with the Timber pups assessment. They seem to have had a pretty easy schedule so far and they still aren't very good. Granted they scored 150 last night, but that was against the bulls who are a mess right now and I believe are about to blow it all up.

Those FRP's from MN are looking better and better.

[Inigo Montoya]

Naz Reid is killing it for Minnesota.

[PharmD]

Naz Reid is killing it for Minnesota.

The fact that the team is way better with undrafted minimum contract Naz Reid in the game vs Rudy is very depressing.

In the 13 games Towns has missed the wolves have a 115.4 DRTG with Gobert in the game and a 115.6 with Gobert on the bench. He's not making any difference on defense and the wolves are 10.5pts/100 worse on offense with Gobert in the game (118.9 vs 108.4). Heard on the radio today that teams are shooting in the 99th percentile (and 10% higher than league average) from midrange with Gobert in the game. He's unfortunately become a stiff that is completely predictable in his drop coverage and guards are just dribbling into easy 18 footers all day.

[Cappy_Smurf]

Naz Reid is killing it for Minnesota.

The fact that the team is way better with undrafted minimum contract Naz Reid in the game vs Rudy is very depressing.

In the 13 games Towns has missed the wolves have a 115.4 DRTG with Gobert in the game and a 115.6 with Gobert on the bench. He's not making any difference on defense and the wolves are 10.5pts/100 worse on offense with Gobert in the game (118.9 vs 108.4). Heard on the radio today that teams are shooting in the 99th percentile (and 10% higher than league average) from midrange with Gobert in the game. He's unfortunately become a stiff that is completely predictable in his drop coverage and guards are just dribbling into easy 18 footers all day.

Sounds to me like you are making statements based on small sample size. I believe Rudy is not 100% healthy right now, which he had similar stretches in Utah when he wasn't as effective playing through injuries.

It's nice that Reid has been playing well lately, but it's a little too soon to declare him better than a 3 time DPOY.

I haven't watched a Minny game lately, but I did watch some earlier in the year and Gobert was the least of their problems.

[Crunch 99]

Joe Ingles was a key player for the Bucks last night in delivering the Wolves their fifth straight loss. With Milwaukee down 61-50 at the half and Jrue Holiday and Middleton in street clothes, the Bucks turned to Ingles for playmaking in the second half. Ingles delivered 7 assists along with 11 points in the second half. For the game overall, Ingles scored 14 pts on 9 fga with 10 ast and 5 rebs in 24 mins of action.

Can't try to blame this loss on Gobert. He was out with illness. Naz Reid lost his first game as starting center; he is now 3-1 as starter. Giannis dominated the game with 43 points and 20 rebs.

[red4hf]

Bojan helps lead a Pistons comeback and sinks the Wolves..... Gotta love it......

[Inigo Montoya]

So, Donovan Mitchell just dropped 71 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists and an overtime win. Respect.

Throughout their time with the Jazz, Gobert was considered the better and more impactful player and yet Minnesota's defense isn't better than last year and they are a worst team, while the Cavs are better, look like a real threat and Mitchell has a case to be in the MVP conversation.

I supported both possibilities in terms of building around Mitchell or blowing the whole thing up, and I think the Jazz made the right choice by moving Mitchell since his comments since the trade shows he didn't really want to be with the Jazz, as well as his sudden newfound interest in playing defense, which wasn't there with the Jazz. My only issue is the direction the Jazz chose to take after blowing things up, and not committing to a full tank.

P.S.

It almost feels like we should open another thread in the vein of "When Will Mitchell Have An 80-point Game?"

[TNJazz]

So, Donovan Mitchell just dropped 71 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists and an overtime win. Respect.

Throughout their time with the Jazz, Gobert was considered the better and more impactful player and yet Minnesota's defense isn't better than last year and they are a worst team, while the Cavs are better, look like a real threat and Mitchell has a case to be in the MVP conversation.

I supported both possibilities in terms of building around Mitchell or blowing the whole thing up, and I think the Jazz made the right choice by moving Mitchell since his comments since the trade shows he didn't really want to be with the Jazz, as well as his sudden newfound interest in playing defense, which wasn't there with the Jazz. My only issue is the direction the Jazz chose to take after blowing things up, and not committing to a full tank.

P.S.

It almost feels like we should open another thread in the vein of "When Will Mitchell Have An 80-point Game?"

Really happy for him, too bad he wasn't able to grab 2 more rebounds. Triple double with 70 points, pretty rare I would think.

[Inigo Montoya]

I thought this is funny. Btw, did Stephen A drop an F-bomb at 1:22 ?

Watch on YouTube

[TNJazz]

I thought this is funny. Btw, did Stephen A drop an F-bomb at 1:22 ?

Watch on YouTube

1:22 f-bomb for sure!