Around the NBA (and other Sports), 2024-25

[bisme37]

The Kat for Randle thing is so weird I decided to not have an opinion aside from its weird.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

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[Fierce1]

Celtics can play without a Center if they're facing the Knicks.

Tatum can defend KAT.

[jmr07019]

Knick’s are tough with KAT. They can put out a ridiculously tall / lengthy lineup of Brunson Bridges OG Town Robinson and still have enough shooting to function well on offense.

They can also put Towns at the 5 and play 5 out which is not something they really had before the trade. Sure… Randle can hit a three but that is a shot you’re willing to live with especially over the course of a series.

Towns isn’t perfect and has his flaws but now that he’s on a more talented team he will look better. Jrue Holiday was considered a poor playoff performer before coming to Boston. He flourished in a reduced role. Same thing could happen for Towns.

[Fierce1]

The question that should be asked is Towns a Thibs kind of guy?

[bisme37]

I watch a lot of women's college volleyball and I swear every time I put a match on there's at least one daughter of an NBA player in the match.

Tim Duncan has been at Stanford matches supporting his daughter Sydney. Stanford also has the daughter of Harold Miner (all-American setter Kami Miner). I know Steve Kerr has a daughter or two playing college vball. Jermaine O"Neal's daughter Asjia is a star for Texas. Daughter of Bob Lanier was a star at USC. etc etc. And I just saw that John Havlicek's granddaughter Grace plays for Auburn.

I just realized it's unlikely that anyone cares about this but that's my post.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

The question that should be asked is Towns a Thibs kind of guy?

Thibs coached Towns in Minnesota and I assume that someone in the Knicks front office asked his opinion on KAT at some point in the process so yeah probably.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

I enjoyed reading through these lists, but I just don't get the Booker love fest.

I think he is right where he should be. He is an exceptional talent whose biggest flaw is leadership which should not feature too heavily in a list of second options (since you would expect the franchise player to be the one setting the tone for the organization). Of course, on the Suns, with Durant and Beal that flaw is magnified by the fact that his co-stars have the same one but that's not really what is being graded here.

In any case, Brown and Adebayo certainly have an argument over Booker but that's basically it. I don't really see how anybody else on that list would be ranked over Booker so it's hardly the most egregious placement I've seen in that kind of lists.

What's your argument for having him over Brown? Do you think this list doesn't account for defense? Rudy Gobert is the 2nd ranked #3 option, so I think defense accounts for a lot. Or are you thinking Booker's transcendent defense during the Olympics moves him ahead of Brown there? Is it health? I feel like JB has the edge there as well.

Anyway, I'm willing to admit to having Green Googles on most of the time, but ever since his "I scored 70 and took the L" photo and the "There's no double teams in pick up ball" I haven't been a fan.

I'd prefer any of these no. 2s over Booker on the Celtics and probably on the Suns as well.

Jaylen Brown
Bam Adebayo
Jamal Murray
Tyrese Maxey
Jalen Williams

I'm not a fan either but that doesn't mean you can't be objective. There's really no argument for Maxey or Murray over Booker. He is much better at their main skill (scoring) and at least as good at pretty much everything else. There's also a massive availability edge compared to Murray.

[165bows]

I watch a lot of women's college volleyball and I swear every time I put a match on there's at least one daughter of an NBA player in the match.

Tim Duncan has been at Stanford matches supporting his daughter Sydney. Stanford also has the daughter of Harold Miner (all-American setter Kami Miner). I know Steve Kerr has a daughter or two playing college vball. Jermaine O"Neal's daughter Asjia is a star for Texas. Daughter of Bob Lanier was a star at USC. etc etc. And I just saw that John Havlicek's granddaughter Grace plays for Auburn.

I just realized it's unlikely that anyone cares about this but that's my post.

Hey college is expensive amiright?!?

[phincsfan]

I watch a lot of women's college volleyball and I swear every time I put a match on there's at least one daughter of an NBA player in the match.

Tim Duncan has been at Stanford matches supporting his daughter Sydney. Stanford also has the daughter of Harold Miner (all-American setter Kami Miner). I know Steve Kerr has a daughter or two playing college vball. Jermaine O"Neal's daughter Asjia is a star for Texas. Daughter of Bob Lanier was a star at USC. etc etc. And I just saw that John Havlicek's granddaughter Grace plays for Auburn.

I just realized it's unlikely that anyone cares about this but that's my post.

My daughter's 9 and plays volleyball. I get a kick out of watching college games on tv and showing her how tall some of these girls are. Considering the heights of Duncan and Oneal check out Kennedy Martin out of Florida, 6'6"!! Her dad played in the NFL. She had a great freshman year.

Volleyball is a great sport to watch at any competitive level. Good post.

[phincsfan]

I think he is right where he should be. He is an exceptional talent whose biggest flaw is leadership which should not feature too heavily in a list of second options (since you would expect the franchise player to be the one setting the tone for the organization). Of course, on the Suns, with Durant and Beal that flaw is magnified by the fact that his co-stars have the same one but that's not really what is being graded here.

In any case, Brown and Adebayo certainly have an argument over Booker but that's basically it. I don't really see how anybody else on that list would be ranked over Booker so it's hardly the most egregious placement I've seen in that kind of lists.

What's your argument for having him over Brown? Do you think this list doesn't account for defense? Rudy Gobert is the 2nd ranked #3 option, so I think defense accounts for a lot. Or are you thinking Booker's transcendent defense during the Olympics moves him ahead of Brown there? Is it health? I feel like JB has the edge there as well.

Anyway, I'm willing to admit to having Green Googles on most of the time, but ever since his "I scored 70 and took the L" photo and the "There's no double teams in pick up ball" I haven't been a fan.

I'd prefer any of these no. 2s over Booker on the Celtics and probably on the Suns as well.

Jaylen Brown
Bam Adebayo
Jamal Murray
Tyrese Maxey
Jalen Williams

I'm not a fan either but that doesn't mean you can't be objective. There's really no argument for Maxey or Murray over Booker. He is much better at their main skill (scoring) and at least as good at pretty much everything else. There's also a massive availability edge compared to Murray.

IMO, I think Booker's past the "I want a ring phase" of his career even at 28. Nothing wrong with that. He'll sell tickets and jerseys and he'll continue to get paid handsomely for it. He's the face of the franchise and when Durant is gone they'll insert another star and that's that. I won't lie Maxey is a hell of a player and he has that drive. He's stuck with a great talent who can't stay healthy enough to make any type of playoff push. Put Maxey with a big who can stay healthy for whole season like Joker or Bam and that team will go far.

[Dave_R]

Long time Knicks fan coming in peace.

Let's be honest. First, the Knicks got better. Are they better than the Celts? I don't know but I know they at least closed the gap a bit. Second, Tatum cannot guard KAT. Kat will post him (and when he keeps him near the baseline, it'll be harder for him to get out on the break). Third, the Knicks are playing chess, not checkers. They will use KAT to go after Giannis when he asks out. They'll lose some shooting (not offense, just shooting) but their defense will be unreal.

[phincsfan]

Long time Knicks fan coming in peace.

Let's be honest. First, the Knicks got better. Are they better than the Celts? I don't know but I know they at least closed the gap a bit. Second, Tatum cannot guard KAT. Kat will post him (and when he keeps him near the baseline, it'll be harder for him to get out on the break). Third, the Knicks are playing chess, not checkers. They will use KAT to go after Giannis when he asks out. They'll lose some shooting (not offense, just shooting) but their defense will be unreal.

You should first hope that he can play at least 60 games and not get gassed in the playoffs. That 32mpg/60 games played ain't flying with Thibs, everybody knows that. Thibs will try to treat him like a young Towns but IMO those years are long gone. That's why he's settled on the 3 ball these last few years.

If Randle and Robinson didn't have those injuries, do you really think they trade for Towns??

[165bows]

Long time Knicks fan coming in peace.

Let's be honest. First, the Knicks got better. Are they better than the Celts? I don't know but I know they at least closed the gap a bit. Second, Tatum cannot guard KAT. Kat will post him (and when he keeps him near the baseline, it'll be harder for him to get out on the break). Third, the Knicks are playing chess, not checkers. They will use KAT to go after Giannis when he asks out. They'll lose some shooting (not offense, just shooting) but their defense will be unreal.

I’ve been impressed with the Knicks, they will be a tough club. They just have more holes than Boston. Brunson/Towns on defense, Hart on offense, light in playmaking overall eg.

[Fierce1]

Long time Knicks fan coming in peace.

Let's be honest. First, the Knicks got better. Are they better than the Celts? I don't know but I know they at least closed the gap a bit. Second, Tatum cannot guard KAT. Kat will post him (and when he keeps him near the baseline, it'll be harder for him to get out on the break). Third, the Knicks are playing chess, not checkers. They will use KAT to go after Giannis when he asks out. They'll lose some shooting (not offense, just shooting) but their defense will be unreal.

If KAT just posted PJ Washington or Derrick Jones Jr. then Minny might not have gone down 0-3 to start the WCF.

KAT is more of a 3pt shooter than post guy like Randle.

Mark Cuban tried to play chess, not checkers, after the Mavs won a championship in 2011 and it resulted in the Mavs not getting any of the big name free-agents he was hoping would come to Dallas.

Playing the "when he asks out" game is too unpredictable.

And it's true the Knicks got better on offense, but you got weaker on defense.

[chakdaddy]

Maybe I haven't watched Towns enough. People are bashing him a lot. But I hate this for Minnesota and love it for NY.

Randle would occasionally kill us, but seemed like a guy who needed the ball and doesn't fit well on an elite team. Kind of a better version of Antoine Walker (far more willing to mix it up inside.)

Towns is more of a prototypical modern big and and elite outside shooter. He could unlock their offense like Porzingis did for us. Worse defender than KP, but far more durable.

Minnesota knocked off the defending champs and went to the finals...now they trade their #1B cornerstone away in the name of flexibility? They're going to be wishing they could use that flexibility to get a 2nd star of Towns' caliber.

Knicks are probably the 2nd best team in the league now. Good for them I guess; bring it on.

[Triple7]

Long time Knicks fan coming in peace.

Let's be honest. First, the Knicks got better. Are they better than the Celts? I don't know but I know they at least closed the gap a bit. Second, Tatum cannot guard KAT. Kat will post him (and when he keeps him near the baseline, it'll be harder for him to get out on the break). Third, the Knicks are playing chess, not checkers. They will use KAT to go after Giannis when he asks out. They'll lose some shooting (not offense, just shooting) but their defense will be unreal.

If KAT just posted PJ Washington or Derrick Jones Jr. then Minny might not have gone down 0-3 to start the WCF.

KAT is more of a 3pt shooter than post guy like Randle.

Mark Cuban tried to play chess, not checkers, after the Mavs won a championship in 2011 and it resulted in the Mavs not getting any of the big name free-agents he was hoping would come to Dallas.

Playing the "when he asks out" game is too unpredictable.

And it's true the Knicks got better on offense, but you got weaker on defense.

Not to mention got pretty thin on reserves. They would be playing a ton of mins if they want that top 3 spot. Problem they had last season, and they got worse on depth.

[brackdan70]

Long time Knicks fan coming in peace.

Let's be honest. First, the Knicks got better. Are they better than the Celts? I don't know but I know they at least closed the gap a bit. Second, Tatum cannot guard KAT. Kat will post him (and when he keeps him near the baseline, it'll be harder for him to get out on the break). Third, the Knicks are playing chess, not checkers. They will use KAT to go after Giannis when he asks out. They'll lose some shooting (not offense, just shooting) but their defense will be unreal.

If you are coming in peace back up your claims with some factual analysis. Tatum excelled guarding bigs last season. In the playoffs he was great against Mobley, Turner, and the Mavs guys. His defensive versatility has become a huge plus. Towns scored just 11 points on 4 of 10 shooting (0 for 4 from deep) in 41 possessions when Jayson Tatum was guarding him, per NBA’s tracking data. That said I agree it is a great trade for the Knicks and makes the better. They are now a legit contender imo. The bit about chess not checkers seems like fanboy wishful thinking but maybe. Good luck with that one.
Looking forward to games vs the Knicks. Should be some good ones.

[JaMarco]

Tatum definitely cant guard KAT

[bisme37]

Tatum definitely cant guard KAT

In the games vs Wolves last year Jaden McDaniels did an excellent job on JT, but JT still scored a million points largely by isolating KAT and repeatedly destroying him.