Around The League - Bill Walton passes from cancer at 71

[emunney]

Mavs might be able to steal 1 or 2 just because of how intense the prior series was for the Wolves, but I'd be surprised if this went to 7. Every time I watched that Thunder/Mavs series they always seemed to be a tier below the Nuggets/Wolves. Wolves also won't let the Mavs do whatever they want in the paint.

Good point.

The Simmons/Russilo pod was lighting up Presti for failing to get help for his team at the deadline (and also after the 2012 Finals appearance).

You might not like Siakam, and he may not be a fit for OKC, but would have been interesting to see what he’d have done against Dallas had Presti pursued him. Presti sort of waits for the perfect fit (contract, talent, play style) but in the end maybe he’s waiting for Godot.

Agree that Siakam would have been the guy to get for OKC. They could have beaten Indy's offer cleanly without digging deep into their warchest.

I was not as bullish on the Gafford fit for them that everybody else seems to love, or the other guys who moved around at the deadline.

I also think they can be a little picky. While I agree that you have to take your swings when the pitches are hittable, with all due respect to Chuckie, I don't think you necessarily have to hack on 2-0.

[DingleJerry]

Since Jokic lost I’m ready to find out where he needs to ask out to. Obviously DLo and a protected first are available from the Lakers. Windy thinks it’s a good idea

I assume Jokic is also now ineligible to win MVPs from here on out now

[Prez]

Another year, another postseason where Denver with Jokic off the court is equivalent to the #1 RS defense by a landslide (109.1), and a defense outside the Top-10 (113.6) with him on the court. He's actually the kind of defensive liability that people think guys like Dame are.

And also another year, another postseason where nobody in the national media, even the smart ones seemingly, will give a **** or call it out, and we’ll still get hilarious takes like “Jokic is closer to Giannis defensively than Giannis is to Jokic offensively” (yes these were real things that were said lol). And next regular season they’ll go right back to spouting those RS metrics which are inflated by defensive rebounding numbers + Malone’s absurd staggering of lineups.

I’m so salty Giannis didn’t even get a chance to remind everyone this postseason.

[PG Graveyard]

Since Jokic lost I’m ready to find out where he needs to ask out to. Obviously DLo and a protected first are available from the Lakers. Windy thinks it’s a good idea

I assume Jokic is also now ineligible to win MVPs from here on out now

I doubt it but that has been applied to Giannis

[Mags FTW]

Would Denver have been the worst B2B champs ever if they pulled it off?

[Bernman]

I have the Mavs & Bucks' coaching great Jason Kidd making it thru to the NBA finals. Minny's d is their strength, but they don't have very natural match-ups for Doncic & Kyrie. Whereas the Mavs match-up w/ all the Wolves key guys thank to their deadline moves.

The Mavs demonstrate how important it can be to identify what your needs are during the season and then address them. I think that's something Horst does poorly. We had the big 3&d need for a long time. And we needed to get younger this season.

[Prez]

I’m glad we don’t have to hear people acting like Denver is this totally inevitable juggernaut, like they’re the **** Thanos of the NBA or something. It really does feel like their “rivalry” (if you can even call it that) with the Lakers (because they’re the Lakers) drove most of that, where basically every game followed the same script of A) Lakers go up in the first half B) Denver slowly/methodically works their way back C) Denver drowns them in crunch time.

But they haven’t beaten a 50+ win opponent in the playoffs. For all the clowning our title run got, about how much we benefited from a weak field, Denver didn’t face a single 50+ win team in that run, and faced 2 play-in teams in the conference finals and finals. The Heat team they saw in the finals had a noticeably diminished version of Jimmy because of the ankle injury he had earlier in the playoffs. The TWolves team they saw in the first round was missing McDaniels and Naz Reid, two huge pieces that are part of the reason Minnesota knocked them out this time around. The Suns took them to 6 despite CP3 missing most of the series and Ayton actively quitting on the franchise lol. The best record of any team they faced in that run was 45-37 (Phoenix), also the only opponent they faced with an above average SRS.

[theFireBlanket]

Conley's going to outplay Kyrie. Its gonna be fun watching Luka whine about McDaniels/Antman.

[paulpressey25]

And also another year, another postseason where nobody in the national media, even the smart ones seemingly, will give a **** or call it out, and we’ll still get hilarious takes like “Jokic is closer to Giannis defensively than Giannis is to Jokic offensively” (yes these were real things that were said lol). And next regular season they’ll go right back to spouting those RS metrics which are inflated by defensive rebounding numbers + Malone’s absurd staggering of lineups.

Don't worry, Jokic is done. He's now Giannis, and will be relegated next year as such.

A key factor of greatness is can you repeat? Now granted, the repeat title winners all have multiple HOF'ers on the roster (unlike Denver or Milwaukee). But Jokic couldn't repeat. That's all the media cares about.

The media now moves on to the next big story. Always been that way, only guys who were able to keep the mantle for years on end were Magic, Bird, Jordan and LeBron, maybe Shaq.

"Let's talk about the future. Let's talk about Ant, SGA, Brunson and Luka and what they mean to this industry, and how all of us are going to profit. These kids are the future"

Watch on YouTube

[tydett]

I’m glad we don’t have to hear people acting like Denver is this totally inevitable juggernaut, like they’re the **** Thanos of the NBA or something. It really does feel like their “rivalry” (if you can even call it that) with the Lakers (because they’re the Lakers) drove most of that, where basically every game followed the same script of A) Lakers go up in the first half B) Denver slowly/methodically works their way back C) Denver drowns them in crunch time.

But they haven’t beaten a 50+ win opponent in the playoffs. For all the clowning our title run got, about how much we benefited from a weak field, Denver didn’t face a single 50+ win team in that run, and faced 2 play-in teams in the conference finals and finals. The Heat team they saw in the finals had a noticeably diminished version of Jimmy because of the ankle injury he had earlier in the playoffs. The TWolves team they saw in the first round was missing McDaniels and Naz Reid, two huge pieces that are part of the reason Minnesota knocked them out this time around. The Suns took them to 6 despite CP3 missing most of the series and Ayton actively quitting on the franchise lol. The best record of any team they faced in that run was 45-37 (Phoenix), also the only opponent they faced with an above average SRS.

They've also had a pretty incredible run of luck regarding health. Sure, sure, Murray's ankle or whatever - dude was still able to play. Michael Porter's back has held up remarkably the past two years after almost getting him undrafted. It takes this type of health luck to win a championship, and they've had it - but how much better are they when playing other relatively healthy teams? Not incredibly so.

[-Jragon-]

Sam Cassel is still Him.. gees


https://www.facebook.com/share/r/u4CXoP3jgCpTGnWe/?mibextid=oFDknk

[Fotis St]

I just want Doncic or Edwards to win the Ring.

Edwards has grown to Giannis ring level, he is like a shark, much like Giannis mode back in the Championship days.

Doncic, man I hate his Middleton body.
Edwards is capable to wear him down and fold. My god the trend is get younger or go home.

[German Athens]

Another year, another postseason where Denver with Jokic off the court is equivalent to the #1 RS defense by a landslide (109.1), and a defense outside the Top-10 (113.6) with him on the court. He's actually the kind of defensive liability that people think guys like Dame are.

And also another year, another postseason where nobody in the national media, even the smart ones seemingly, will give a **** or call it out, and we’ll still get hilarious takes like “Jokic is closer to Giannis defensively than Giannis is to Jokic offensively” (yes these were real things that were said lol). And next regular season they’ll go right back to spouting those RS metrics which are inflated by defensive rebounding numbers + Malone’s absurd staggering of lineups.

I’m so salty Giannis didn’t even get a chance to remind everyone this postseason.

The fact that this was espoused by the dude who’s probably the most widely respected basketball analyst makes it all the more deflating.

These past two seasons bum me tf out, not just because of how early the team got bounced, but also because these were Giannis’s age 28 and 29 seasons, often two of the best a player ever has, and we never got to see him fully healthy. I absolutely believe he has an even better run in him than the ‘21 run, and i just want to see him eviscerate fools.

Like I legitimately think he could have averaged 40 ppg against Indy in round 1 which I don’t think anyone has done since Shaq.

[humanrefutation]

I've got Boston-Minnesota. But as much as I loathe the Pacers, I loathe Boston more. So, if the Pacers somehow beat Boston, it will be hilarious to me. But I don't think they will.

Dallas will be a challenge for Minnesota. But I just don't trust Kidd. It's too bad that Doncic and Kyrie missed several games during the regular season match ups, so we don't know how well they match up.

[theFireBlanket]

Sam Cassel is still Him.. gees


https://www.facebook.com/share/r/u4CXoP3jgCpTGnWe/?mibextid=oFDknk

Fingers crossed he comes back to work here.

[BUCKnation]

I've got Boston-Minnesota. But as much as I loathe the Pacers, I loathe Boston more. So, if the Pacers somehow beat Boston, it will be hilarious to me. But I don't think they will.

Dallas will be a challenge for Minnesota. But I just don't trust Kidd. It's too bad that Doncic and Kyrie missed several games during the regular season match ups, so we don't know how well they match up.

Yeah, Indy are a bunch of lames but it would be super funny if they took out boston

[Milbucks96]

Another year, another postseason where Denver with Jokic off the court is equivalent to the #1 RS defense by a landslide (109.1), and a defense outside the Top-10 (113.6) with him on the court. He's actually the kind of defensive liability that people think guys like Dame are.

And also another year, another postseason where nobody in the national media, even the smart ones seemingly, will give a **** or call it out, and we’ll still get hilarious takes like “Jokic is closer to Giannis defensively than Giannis is to Jokic offensively” (yes these were real things that were said lol). And next regular season they’ll go right back to spouting those RS metrics which are inflated by defensive rebounding numbers + Malone’s absurd staggering of lineups.

I’m so salty Giannis didn’t even get a chance to remind everyone this postseason.

The fact that this was espoused by the dude who’s probably the most widely respected basketball analyst makes it all the more deflating.

These past two seasons bum me tf out, not just because of how early the team got bounced, but also because these were Giannis’s age 28 and 29 seasons, often two of the best a player ever has, and we never got to see him fully healthy. I absolutely believe he has an even better run in him than the ‘21 run, and i just want to see him eviscerate fools.

Like I legitimately think he could have averaged 40 ppg against Indy in round 1 which I don’t think anyone has done since Shaq.

Haven’t really thought about that but it’s pretty sad. During the time right after the 22 Celtics series, I really felt that was the best Giannis had ever played, even better than the suns series though his efficiency wasn’t as good. The Celtics were a better team with a better defense than the suns and he just dominated them and almost won it himself. Coming off his best regular season, I’m sure he would’ve dominated these playoffs.

[ReddoverKobe]

Have to admit, last night I looked up what Dallas gave up for Kyrie. Was a hell of a lot less than we gave up for Dame. Yes, I thought what if……

I had that thought as well.

Lol...

You are a being with the ability to reflect on past events.

I urge you to consider why that price was so low. Then look at last year's playoff bracket and ask yourself, "where's Dallas?"

Everything is peachy in kyrie land right now. Everything we know about him says it wont last.

Oh for sure it would have been a highly risky trade. But maybe Jrue is still here and right now I'd rather have kyrie on his contract then Dame on his.

[Matches Malone]

This man has been going through it lately...

Read on Twitter

[mattg]

I guess I watch different basketball than a bunch of you guys, but there is zero chance I'd rank either of Giannis' last 2 seasons as his best ever. His defense is an absolute shell of what it once was, he literally doesn't even try on that end of the floor the majority of the time anymore and the team clearly suffers for it. 22-23 was clearly his worst offensive year since he became a "superstar", over the top Westbrookian-usage, complete brute force approach, just a rich man's Maggette of a season culminated by Giannis hurting himself vs Miami by recklessly Maggette-ing into a defense that everyone knows is going to try and take 100 charges per game. This year he was much better offensively individually, though it was clearly soured by his total inability to play basic PnR with Dame.

The frustrating thing regarding Giannis is that we won a title in a very specific manner with the team and an adjusted play style of Giannis given the injury circumstance. And then since then, Giannis has seemingly doubled down on explicitly refusing to remotely even attempt to replicate the style that actually brought the team it's pinnacle of success. So I look at the last 2 years as not as much soured by injuries as so many here do (even though that that is definitely still a major factor), but by an outright refusal to play basketball in a specific manner that brought the team and individuals success. To me it's a MAJOR indictment of Giannis as a player and his basketball IQ.

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2293943&p=106697131#p106697131
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2254063&p=103268908&hilit=eye+test#p103268908
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2318194&p=108174121#p108174121