2023-24 NBA Season Discussion

[parsnips33]

Lillard missed the last 10 games of the season - was that injury related or tanking by Portland?

I don't see it as a given that Dame is in the middle of some steep decline - last year was one of his better seasons

Obviously time only moves in one direction, but every player is gonna age differently

[tsherkin]

It does feel like his one good year as role playing power forward (2019 San Antonio) really made an impression and bought him this late career chapter. I never get it when I watch Gay. Maybe there's something of the Jeff Green effect where the player isn't very good, but it's easy to plug them into lineups because they're not completely awful and bring some size and mobility. Gay has strangely good on/off numbers over the past 5 years, despite playing for losing teams and mostly coming off the bench.

Yeah, it's a bit weird. I guess he fits GSW's love affair with 6'7 PF/Cs, so there's that. And if he CAN hit a three and D up for 5 minutes a night, that's nice. I suppose it's ultimately a minor thing, since it'd be for minimum contract anyhow.

[Dr Positivity]

Not in love with this for Milwaukee. Giannis and Lillard is a great combo but I feel the rest of the supporting cast isn't built for them right now and it doesn't solve one of the biggest problems which is that they were aging. They could win but the Holiday core also had a chance just by replacing Bud.

[ShotCreator]

Ayton was a terrible, detrimental player on both ends last year who waned as the playoffs went on. Getting a cerebral banger like Nurkic is a huge net positive for them.

Probably the only move I like from Phoenix in the past two seasons. Too bad it took trading away the tire roster for them to make it.

Nurkic containing Giannis’ penetration in the 21 finals instead of no instincts Ayton could’ve flipped the series. Maybe, possibly. Who knows. I know pre-injury Nurkic makes them favorites for sure though.

[cupcakesnake]

Ayton was a terrible, detrimental player on both ends last year who waned as the playoffs went on. Getting a cerebral banger like Nurkic is a huge net positive for them.

Probably the only move I like from Phoenix in the past two seasons. Too bad it took trading away the tire roster for them to make it.

Nurkic containing Giannis’ penetration in the 21 finals instead of no instincts Ayton could’ve flipped the series. Maybe, possibly. Who knows. I know pre-injury Nurkic makes them favorites for sure though.

I think this is an extremely optimistic view of Nurkic. Nurk is extremely injury prone. He hasn't managed to play even 60 games since the 2019 season. Even back when he was playing more games, he had badly timed injuries that caused him to miss playoff games.

Last year Nurk had good stretches and bad stretches. He's lost some of the footspeed that made him an intriguing defensive anchor 4 years ago. He's still huge, strong, and active. Portland was better defensively with him on the floor, but they weren't good. His on/off numbers should be bigger considering Portland's only backup center was Drew Eubanks. Offensively, this is a pretty big downgrade in the finishing department. Nurk is a very poor finisher at the rim, and is often too eager to shoot in the short midrange, where his efficiency is even worse.

Also, Nurk is talented but very mistake prone. He loves to attempt difficult passes and tough shots, and they've never worked out enough for there to be payoff for this.

I think he's definitely a better defender (when healthy) than Ayton was last year. But the Suns downgraded their health with this move, and lost a finishing force in the middle of the floor. Ayton is one of the best rim finishers in the league (80% vs. Nurk's 64%) and super efficient in the short midrange (53% to Nurk's 44%) and a good midrange shooter on pick & pops, whereas Nurk doesn't really shoot out there. Nurk did add a 3-point shot last year and shot it around league average on 2 attempts per game. But I doubt this is something desirable in Phoenix's offense.

[cupcakesnake]

It does feel like his one good year as role playing power forward (2019 San Antonio) really made an impression and bought him this late career chapter. I never get it when I watch Gay. Maybe there's something of the Jeff Green effect where the player isn't very good, but it's easy to plug them into lineups because they're not completely awful and bring some size and mobility. Gay has strangely good on/off numbers over the past 5 years, despite playing for losing teams and mostly coming off the bench.

Yeah, it's a bit weird. I guess he fits GSW's love affair with 6'7 PF/Cs, so there's that. And if he CAN hit a three and D up for 5 minutes a night, that's nice. I suppose it's ultimately a minor thing, since it'd be for minimum contract anyhow.

It would be a bit discouraging if Gay makes the team and the rotation and we get another year of Kerr relying on creaky vets (JaMychal Green last year, Bjelica the year before) and not trusting the young frontcourt players. I'll be disapointed if it's Saric and Gay getting minutes over both Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis. I know Kerr has made attempts to integrate the younger players and failed, and we don't know for sure if any of the kids are good yet, but it will be a bit sad if Golden State does not manage to get a single young player to pop in the Curry/Draymond era.

[parsnips33]

Let's not lump Bjelly in with JaMychal Green lol he was so much better

[Statlanta]

I refuse to believe these international stars would leave their first city especially the accomplished ones with championships. Even if this Lillard experiment crashes I doubt Giannis would have left whether the trade happened or not.

[tsherkin]

It does feel like his one good year as role playing power forward (2019 San Antonio) really made an impression and bought him this late career chapter. I never get it when I watch Gay. Maybe there's something of the Jeff Green effect where the player isn't very good, but it's easy to plug them into lineups because they're not completely awful and bring some size and mobility. Gay has strangely good on/off numbers over the past 5 years, despite playing for losing teams and mostly coming off the bench.

Yeah, it's a bit weird. I guess he fits GSW's love affair with 6'7 PF/Cs, so there's that. And if he CAN hit a three and D up for 5 minutes a night, that's nice. I suppose it's ultimately a minor thing, since it'd be for minimum contract anyhow.

It would be a bit discouraging if Gay makes the team and the rotation and we get another year of Kerr relying on creaky vets (JaMychal Green last year, Bjelica the year before) and not trusting the young frontcourt players. I'll be disapointed if it's Saric and Gay getting minutes over both Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis. I know Kerr has made attempts to integrate the younger players and failed, and we don't know for sure if any of the kids are good yet, but it will be a bit sad if Golden State does not manage to get a single young player to pop in the Curry/Draymond era.

Ultimately, they have other issues to sort out besides worrying about deep-rotation minutes, of course. But yeah, I hear you.

[Clyde Frazier]

Read on Twitter

I love my shooters so it was pretty cool to see cam and redick nerd out about it here

[AdagioPace]

I refuse to believe these international stars would leave their first city especially the accomplished ones with championships. Even if this Lillard experiment crashes I doubt Giannis would have left whether the trade happened or not.

Don't know about the rest, but European players don't seem to have the Los Angeles/Miami obsession, especially if parties/night life and other commercial opportunities are not your priority. Gannis and Jokic are already treated like kings in Wisconsin and Colorado, and with huge money you can live great anywhere. I don't think they perceive much difference between Chicago and Orlando or San Antonio (whereas american players probably do)

New York is fascinating to me at least, because it's THE international city, so If I had leverage (not a role player) I would definitely try to get there.


Doncic as well, but maybe he likes the spotlights just a tad more I feel. We'll see.

[Colbinii]

Read on Twitter

I love my shooters so it was pretty cool to see cam and redick nerd out about it here

The whole episode is great. Cam is extremely well spoken. Hard not to like him.

[Colbinii]

This Lillard situation is a bad look for him [and it is getting worse]. The Article on RealGM about how Dame said he went back to the team on September 5th to "Rescind" the Trade Request is clearly damage control.

It reminds me of breaking up with a girlfriend because you want to pursue a new girl, then 3 months later you go talk to your Ex-Girlfriend because the new girl didn't work out and you try to get her back but she has already moved on.

[parsnips33]

Don't really see how it reflects poorly on Dame. I think the story that came out yesterday is clearly him trying to take some control of the narrative, but that's not such a big deal

[tsherkin]

Don't really see how it reflects poorly on Dame.

Crowing about loyalty and then making a trade demand and bailing, you mean? You don't see how that reflects poorly on him?

[itsxtray]

This Lillard situation is a bad look for him [and it is getting worse]. The Article on RealGM about how Dame said he went back to the team on September 5th to "Rescind" the Trade Request is clearly damage control.

It reminds me of breaking up with a girlfriend because you want to pursue a new girl, then 3 months later you go talk to your Ex-Girlfriend because the new girl didn't work out and you try to get her back but she has already moved on.

No one will care about this next month bro, it's not that serious.

[itsxtray]

Don't really see how it reflects poorly on Dame.

Crowing about loyalty and then making a trade demand and bailing, you mean? You don't see how that reflects poorly on him?

Nope, people are allowed to change their minds. I think you guys take this way too seriously. These guys are playing a game at the end of the day. "Loyalty" in this context doesn't mean anything. Also, "Loyalty" isn't inherently a virtue.

[parsnips33]

Don't really see how it reflects poorly on Dame.

Crowing about loyalty and then making a trade demand and bailing, you mean? You don't see how that reflects poorly on him?

I mean if the Blazers weren't gonna let him rescind the trade request, clearly both sides determined the relationship had run it's course

He tried to use his leverage to get to a specific team, and clearly didn't have enough to get it done in this case

[tsherkin]

Don't really see how it reflects poorly on Dame.

Crowing about loyalty and then making a trade demand and bailing, you mean? You don't see how that reflects poorly on him?

Nope, people are allowed to change their minds. I think you guys take this way too seriously. These guys are playing a game at the end of the day. "Loyalty" in this context doesn't mean anything. Also, "Loyalty" isn't inherently a virtue.

If your entire thing is vociferously crapping on people for stuff that you then turn around and do, you're a hypocrite. He's allowed to change his mind, but we're allowed to call him out for his wild hypocrisy, and to judge him for it.

I mean if the Blazers weren't gonna let him rescind the trade request, clearly both sides determined the relationship had run it's course

He tried to use his leverage to get to a specific team, and clearly didn't have enough to get it done in this case

Yep, though I suspect it has worked out better for him, even if he preferred the city of Miami over Milwaukee. He still lands in a very good situation by whining to get out of his obligation to Portland a little over a year after signing his extension.

[Colbinii]

This Lillard situation is a bad look for him [and it is getting worse]. The Article on RealGM about how Dame said he went back to the team on September 5th to "Rescind" the Trade Request is clearly damage control.

It reminds me of breaking up with a girlfriend because you want to pursue a new girl, then 3 months later you go talk to your Ex-Girlfriend because the new girl didn't work out and you try to get her back but she has already moved on.

No one will care about this next month bro, it's not that serious.

Okay!

And nobody will care about some dude who did that to his girlfriend. What's your point? You are literally posting on a sports forum.

We are talking about a game people play professionally--None of it is serious

How serious this is doesn't mean I can or can't have an opinion, and doesn't mean something can or can't reflect poorly on someone's decisions.