Around the NBA (Part Two)

[winforlose]

I’m not sure anyone saw this, or even cares, but we got a pretty favorable grouping for the mid-season tournament:

West Group A: Timberwolves, Clippers, Kings, Rockets and Trail Blazers

As you recall, our record in these four games (on those weirdo floors!) will determine our seeding for the tournament.

If you are curious, the tough West was also split up ..

West Group B: Thunder, Suns, Lakers, Jazz and Spurs

West Group C: Nuggets, Mavericks, Pelicans, Warriors and Grizzlies

Group C will be interesting. I expect the Griz to be a top 4 team if they stay healthy. Mavs, Nugs, and Pels are probably gonna be 3rd, 5th, 6th (in no particular order,) and the warriors are a wild card. Group B is the next weakest but Jazz and Spurs won’t be tanking yet. Ours is probably the easiest.

[Klomp]

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[KGdaBom]

Suns sign another guard to a 2 way.

TyTy Washington Jr., Suns Agree To Two-Way Deal
Aug 2, 2024 10:57 AM


TyTy Washington Jr. has agreed to a Two-Way deal with the Phoenix Suns.

Washington has appeared in 42 NBA games with the Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks.

Washington is represented by Kevin Bradbury.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

[BlacJacMac]

Not a horrible use of a 2 way.

He’s been a total bust through 2 years. But he’s only 22 with a Kentucky pedigree, so he’ll get chances.

[winforlose]

Not a horrible use of a 2 way.

He’s been a total bust through 2 years. But he’s only 22 with a Kentucky pedigree, so he’ll get chances.

Some guys need the right opportunity to shine, others just cannot shine. NAW reinvented himself with us, whereas Culver couldn’t make it work anywhere. Could be either or, but I 100% agree that a two way is a low risk way to take a look and find out.

[Klomp]

I think these Olympics are showing that people need to calm down a little bit about Victor. Yes he has extraordinary physical tools and sky-high potential, but he is still years away from being a finished product who can carry a franchise on its back. If San Antonio makes a run this year, I think it would be more due to Chris Paul than Victor. I still think they have upside to go to the play-in tournament, but I don't see much beyond that point yet.

[frankenwolf]

I think these Olympics are showing that people need to calm down a little bit about Victor. Yes he has extraordinary physical tools and sky-high potential, but he is still years away from being a finished product who can carry a franchise on its back. If San Antonio makes a run this year, I think it would be more due to Chris Paul than Victor. I still think they have upside to go to the play-in tournament, but I don't see much beyond that point yet.

I think you are right and I think the possibility that the same kind of talk will follow him as what follows KAT. Until another Magic Johnson comes along, you are going to need those 6'-6'6 guards who can run the game. Somewhere, someone will be that 7' PG.

[shrink]

I think these Olympics are showing that people need to calm down a little bit about Victor. Yes he has extraordinary physical tools and sky-high potential, but he is still years away from being a finished product who can carry a franchise on its back. If San Antonio makes a run this year, I think it would be more due to Chris Paul than Victor. I still think they have upside to go to the play-in tournament, but I don't see much beyond that point yet.

I think you are right and I think the possibility that the same kind of talk will follow him as what follows KAT. Until another Magic Johnson comes along, you are going to need those 6'-6'6 guards who can run the game. Somewhere, someone will be that 7' PG.

Yes. Basketball is a team game, that needs a good team to be successful in the NBA. There aren’t individual players in the NBA any more who can single-handedly carry a team to a championship. Even LeBron’s first year in LA on a bad team got them nowhere.

This obvious point seems to elude the Celtics fans on the General Board, who keep crediting Jason Tatum individually for the Celtics team success.

[TimberKat]

Lauri Markkanen is now a 45Mil a year player. Is he still better fit than Towns? With all the recent max contracts that were hand out, Towns is no longer "super" expensive.

[Klomp]

Lauri Markkanen is now a 45Mil a year player. Is he still better fit than Towns? With all the recent max contracts that were hand out, Towns is no longer "super" expensive.

Towns still runs about $10 million more than Markannen. Definitely makes the comparison a little more interesting. I do think Towns being two years older is a factor in the equation, as is being essentially two years closer to free agency. Also, what Towns makes in 2025-26, Markannen won't make until 2028-29, the final year of his deal.

[winforlose]

Lauri Markkanen is now a 45Mil a year player. Is he still better fit than Towns? With all the recent max contracts that were hand out, Towns is no longer "super" expensive.

Next year the 30% max will cost over 46 million. The super max is another 5 percent on top of that. KAT’s deal will look cheap in 3 years and will standard in 2. His money really isn’t that bad. But a healthy season would go a long way in quieting the doubters.

[BlacJacMac]

Lauri Markkanen is now a 45Mil a year player. Is he still better fit than Towns? With all the recent max contracts that were hand out, Towns is no longer "super" expensive.

Towns still runs about $10 million more than Markannen. Definitely makes the comparison a little more interesting. I do think Towns being two years older is a factor in the equation, as is being essentially two years closer to free agency. Also, what Towns makes in 2025-26, Markannen won't make until 2028-29, the final year of his deal.

Health issues also seem to be close to a wash. Lauri misses a lot of games each year as well.

I still think KAT is the better overall player, but I do love Lauri's sheer volume of getting 3s up for our offense.

[Klomp]

Lauri Markkanen is now a 45Mil a year player. Is he still better fit than Towns? With all the recent max contracts that were hand out, Towns is no longer "super" expensive.

Towns still runs about $10 million more than Markannen. Definitely makes the comparison a little more interesting. I do think Towns being two years older is a factor in the equation, as is being essentially two years closer to free agency. Also, what Towns makes in 2025-26, Markannen won't make until 2028-29, the final year of his deal.

Health issues also seem to be close to a wash. Lauri misses a lot of games each year as well.

I still think KAT is the better overall player, but I do love Lauri's sheer volume of getting 3s up for our offense.

I'll be honest, I didn't realize quite how many games Lauri misses. That definitely gives me a little more hesitation.

[cmoss84]

Lauri can't be traded until next off season...

[Klomp]

Lauri can't be traded until next off season...

Correct, don't think anyone was claiming otherwise

[shrink]

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All I want for Christmas is …

[minimus]

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All I want for Christmas is …

Naz Reid

[minimus]

Has Lonnie Walker IV already signed new contract?

[Klomp]

Has Lonnie Walker IV already signed new contract?

Nope. Probably in a similar situation as Tyus where he's targeting a specific role or situation.

[Klomp]

Let's go!

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