Mike Muscala Appreciation Thread! – (Retires, July 2024)

[Shak_Celts]

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In honor of his mom Mary Maida, born in 1957, who died last September after a two-year battle with cancer.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2022/09/29/okc-thunder-mike-muscala-mourns-his-mom-while-celebrating-her-spirit/69522860007/

Something him and Smart have in common.

I’m now a newsbreaker?

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Even Scal didn’t know why he chose 57.

Props, Zoya. You knew it before Scal, Forsberg, Taylor Snow. Keith Smith even tweeted about how he didn't know why he was wearing 57.

zoystradamus?

[_Und3r][D4wg_]

Brad knows what he's doing.

[themoneyteam2]

Feels like he’s an amazing player to replace Horford with when they rest him on back to backs and manage his workload down the stretch here in regular season.

Al obviously way better defensively but offensively it’s about as seamless as a transition you’re going to get and was what team was missing. Replace a top 5 shooting big with another top 5 shooting big lol and he’s gonna be an absolute sniper with the open looks he gets on the pick and pop

[cl2117]

Not gonna get out over my skis here, but think an underrated aspect of the Muscala pickup is just the fact that he's largely been underutilized by a Thunder team that's been in "building for the future" mode as opposed to being in the business of winning games.

I think he's shown what his floor is but because he's been more of an afterthought for a team trying to develop a host of other younger players, there is the possibility of more untapped potential for him as a niche roleplayer. Very well could be that his floor is in fact also his ceiling, but I'd like to think there is a small chance that if you're scheming for him on a more talented roster he can deliver significantly more than what you've seen historically. Not to belabor the point, but very similar to what you see with Hauser and other sharpshooters who over deliver compared to their athleticism/overall talent when put in the right situations.

[_Und3r][D4wg_]

My impression on Muscle Mike is that he's more a "poor man's Gallo" on the perimeter than a taller Hauser. I do love that right on his first game with the team, he showed no hesitation with his C&S 3s -- no second-guessing, no pump fakes, fairly quick release... He knows what he's here for.

[zoyathedestroya]

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It’s such an advantage to have a respected vet who’s had a relationship with the new guy dating back to their Atlanta days. Easier transition and adjustment. Even better that they have the same role/position.

[shackles10]

[zoyathedestroya]

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Does he have weirdly long arms?

[Homerclease]

Can’t ask for much more in a debut with virtually no prep time. Having the team option for next year is a cherry on top as there’s no reason not to bring him back. Teams have to respect him on the perimeter and that will open the paint for our guys to slash and score

[hugepatsfan]

This was an awesome add for Brad in the context of what it was. This is a back of the rotation add and he’s a perfect fit for that. Some might have had grander wishes for someone more towards the middle or the top of rotation… Muscala isn’t that. Our top 8 is still our top 8 and come playoff time there’s a good chance we don’t play anyone else consistently, including Muscala. But in terms of looking for guys to add behind them to manage regular season minutes that could play of forced to by playoff injuries, Muscala is about as perfect an add as one could hope for IMO.

[playa-hater]

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Does he have weirdly long arms?

Have to respect Al for this.. MM may end up being the guy who pushes Al to bench one day..

[return2glory]

Nobody predicted Muscala. It’s the Brad way.

He was linked to the Celtics the past month or so. He wasn't a name that came up a lot like Poeltl, but Muscala was linked to the Celtics.

[Parliament10]

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Does he have weirdly long arms?

Have to respect Al for this.. MM may end up being the guy who pushes Al to bench one day..

Eh. Muscala is 31, himself. Ideally we find a much younger replacement.
But, Kornet's days may be numbered.

[playa-hater]

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Does he have weirdly long arms?

Have to respect Al for this.. MM may end up being the guy who pushes Al to bench one day..

Eh. Muscala is 31, himself. Ideally we find a much younger replacement.
But, Kornet's days may be numbered.

I don't know if The most place well enough he may take over by next year. That and to conserve older Al

[return2glory]

How do Kelly Olynyk and Mike Muscala compare?

Closer look at stats for this season per 28 minutes vs 29 minutes. I'm taking 28 minutes because that's the minutes Kelly is averaging this year. Mike is averaging almost half the amount, 14.5 minutes per game.

Olynyk: 28 mins 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks. 48.6% FG, 39.0% from 3.
Muscala: 29 mins 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, 43.8% FG, 39.4% from 3.
Note: Muscala's season averages are half the above numbers because he averaged 14.5 minutes per game.

Their numbers are very close. Muscala is slightly a better rebounder, Kelly is a better passer. The biggest difference is than Kelly shots 56% on 2s and Mike shots only 44 % on 2s. Kelly also handles the ball better. But overall, their numbers are really close and Muscala's trade value was much lower. Kelly would have also required more minutes.

Both are also listed at 6'11, 240.

[ryan in Maine]

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Does he have weirdly long arms?

You can tell that he knows he's getting a ring this season.

[themoneyteam2]

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[Homerclease]

How do Kelly Olynyk and Mike Muscala compare?

Closer look at stats for this season per 28 minutes vs 29 minutes. I'm taking 28 minutes because that's the minutes Kelly is averaging this year. Mike is averaging almost half the amount, 14.5 minutes per game.

Olynyk: 28 mins 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks. 48.6% FG, 39.0% from 3.
Muscala: 29 mins 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, 43.8% FG, 39.4% from 3.
Note: Muscala's season averages are half the above numbers because he averaged 14.5 minutes per game.

Their numbers are very close. Muscala is slightly a better rebounder, Kelly is a better passer. The biggest difference is than Kelly shots 56% on 2s and Mike shots only 44 % on 2s. Kelly also handles the ball better. But overall, their numbers are really close and Muscala's trade value was much lower. Kelly would have also required more minutes.

Both are also listed at 6'11, 240.

The biggest difference is that Mike doesn’t pump fake when he’s wide open. Ball is out of his hands in a flash.

[jfs1000d]

KO a better offensive player. Muscala better defensively.

I like Muscala. He is nice insurance for Horford with size if we deem grant is too small and dont' want to to play Tatum at the 4 defensively.

[31to6]

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wait is that how Rob talks? In rhyming quips?