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

[Triple7]

SGA is just more efficient than JT, but not necessarily better than JT.

Only Jokic is better than JT right now.

Giannis can't shoot like JT, so you can't say he's better than JT.

Look at Giannis’ numbers man. The dude is consistently putting up outrageous numbers night in, night out. Only Jokic is better.

That's where you have it wrong.

No doubt Giannis puts up great numbers, but that's another story.

What we're talking about here is who's better in terms of ability.

Is Giannis a good FT shooter or 3pt shooter?

Giannis is not the complete package when it comes to offense because he's not good at shooting.

Again, inefficiency is not equal to inability.

Lol. By your logic any guard is better than JT and Giannis. Even PP is better than Jt if we use your logic. Better handles, better shooter. Better 3pt shooter, better free throw shooter, better mid range game, better at getting inside. Can shoot it straight to the hoop, or use the back board to score. Better clutch player. Kyrie, mitchell, trae young all better.

[Fierce1]

Lol. I’m not throwing him under the bus. Its just laughable when guys argue that JT is better than him on offense. They are miles apart. Being a complete player, JT is better because he plays D. On offense, Luka is better than JT at everything minus dunking of course lol.

I'm not saying JT is better than Luka on offense.

What I disagree with is you saying they are miles apart.

JT has all the offensive tools, he can shoot from anywhere and can find the open man when doubled or triple teamed.

Even dribbling the ball is now one of JT's strengths.

The problem with JT is he's not efficient.

If you're equating inefficiency with inability then you're way off.

So tell me, what can Luka do, on offense, that JT can't do?

JT has average handles. Just watch him try to dribble inside. He gathers the ball too early when there is a defender, then its euro stepping. That’s why he misses a ton of layups. You don’t get enough lift if you euro step your way to the basket. JT can’t just stop on a dime and shoot a midrange. No floaters. If its not euro stepping inside, its a 3pt shot. He has no mid range game at all. Everytime he post up, its either a turn around fade away, or a one legged fade away. He even does fade aways against smaller unathletic guys like strus. He makes it hard for himself. He’s 6’10 jeez. Just do a straight up jumpshot. Nobody is blocking him lol. Plus luka can bully anyone inside. Pump fake, use the board, do floaters. More like what Celtic killer Jimmy Buckets does. Pump fake, and shoot a midrange or floater, or bait a foul.

Like I said, he's not efficient, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have all those in his bag.

What you're saying is JT is not efficient.

That I agree.

But JT can do all the things that Luka can do.

So it's not miles apart.

There are just things, on offense, that JT needs to do better.

Miles apart is simply too unrealistic.

[Fierce1]

Look at Giannis’ numbers man. The dude is consistently putting up outrageous numbers night in, night out. Only Jokic is better.

That's where you have it wrong.

No doubt Giannis puts up great numbers, but that's another story.

What we're talking about here is who's better in terms of ability.

Is Giannis a good FT shooter or 3pt shooter?

Giannis is not the complete package when it comes to offense because he's not good at shooting.

Again, inefficiency is not equal to inability.

Lol. By your logic any guard is better than JT and Giannis. Even PP is better than Jt if we use your logic. Better handles, better shooter. Better 3pt shooter, better free throw shooter, better mid range game, better at getting inside. Can shoot it straight to the hoop, or use the back board to score. Better clutch player. Kyrie, mitchell, trae young all better.

That's misleading because we're talking about tall players here.

Luka, JT, and Giannis are 6-8 or taller.

Those smaller guards belong to a different category.

[zoyathedestroya]

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[Triple7]

I'm not saying JT is better than Luka on offense.

What I disagree with is you saying they are miles apart.

JT has all the offensive tools, he can shoot from anywhere and can find the open man when doubled or triple teamed.

Even dribbling the ball is now one of JT's strengths.

The problem with JT is he's not efficient.

If you're equating inefficiency with inability then you're way off.

So tell me, what can Luka do, on offense, that JT can't do?

JT has average handles. Just watch him try to dribble inside. He gathers the ball too early when there is a defender, then its euro stepping. That’s why he misses a ton of layups. You don’t get enough lift if you euro step your way to the basket. JT can’t just stop on a dime and shoot a midrange. No floaters. If its not euro stepping inside, its a 3pt shot. He has no mid range game at all. Everytime he post up, its either a turn around fade away, or a one legged fade away. He even does fade aways against smaller unathletic guys like strus. He makes it hard for himself. He’s 6’10 jeez. Just do a straight up jumpshot. Nobody is blocking him lol. Plus luka can bully anyone inside. Pump fake, use the board, do floaters. More like what Celtic killer Jimmy Buckets does. Pump fake, and shoot a midrange or floater, or bait a foul.

Like I said, he's not efficient, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have all those in his bag.

What you're saying is JT is not efficient.

That I agree.

But JT can do all the things that Luka can do.

So it's not miles apart.

There are just things, on offense, that JT needs to do better.

Miles apart is simply too unrealistic.

Ok ok not miles apart, yards apart lol.
A few years back, i said that JT can be better than Luka going forward. He has the tools to be better. More athletic, and a better 2 way player. Then, he fell in love with the 3 ball. Then, all he does was side step 3’s. In a way, he regressed. He was getting to the rim and dunking, getting and1’s and shooting mid ranges when he was young. Also, he was clutch as hell. Even unstoppable at times. You know he would sink that last second shot. Now, i have no confidence in him making those last second shots. You know most likely, he’ll brick it, and be surprised if he actually makes it. He regressed by falling in love with the 3 ball, and euro stepping.

[Triple7]

That's where you have it wrong.

No doubt Giannis puts up great numbers, but that's another story.

What we're talking about here is who's better in terms of ability.

Is Giannis a good FT shooter or 3pt shooter?

Giannis is not the complete package when it comes to offense because he's not good at shooting.

Again, inefficiency is not equal to inability.

Lol. By your logic any guard is better than JT and Giannis. Even PP is better than Jt if we use your logic. Better handles, better shooter. Better 3pt shooter, better free throw shooter, better mid range game, better at getting inside. Can shoot it straight to the hoop, or use the back board to score. Better clutch player. Kyrie, mitchell, trae young all better.

That's misleading because we're talking about tall players here.

Luka, JT, and Giannis are 6-8 or taller.

Those smaller guards belong to a different category.

Lol. Giannis and Jokic belong to a different category as well being actual big guys. Big guys don’t usually shoot better than wings. That’s why Jokic is an anomaly for a big. Embiid as well if he was healthy. If you can’t compare guards to JT and Luka, then don’t compare bigs to smaller guys like JT.

[Fierce1]

Lol. By your logic any guard is better than JT and Giannis. Even PP is better than Jt if we use your logic. Better handles, better shooter. Better 3pt shooter, better free throw shooter, better mid range game, better at getting inside. Can shoot it straight to the hoop, or use the back board to score. Better clutch player. Kyrie, mitchell, trae young all better.

That's misleading because we're talking about tall players here.

Luka, JT, and Giannis are 6-8 or taller.

Those smaller guards belong to a different category.

Lol. Giannis and Jokic belong to a different category as well being actual big guys. Big guys don’t usually shoot better than wings. That’s why Jokic is an anomaly for a big. Embiid as well if he was healthy. If you can’t compare guards to JT and Luka, then don’t compare bigs to smaller guys like JT.

Jokic is the anomaly.

But I never included Giannis in the discussion.
You were the one who included other players.
I was only focused on Luka vs. Tatum.

Also, JT is not a smaller guy.
He's a PF coming out of college and projected to be a SF in the NBA.
Right now he's back to being a PF.
And he's also closer to 6-10, so there's no way he's to be considered small.

[Fierce1]

JT has average handles. Just watch him try to dribble inside. He gathers the ball too early when there is a defender, then its euro stepping. That’s why he misses a ton of layups. You don’t get enough lift if you euro step your way to the basket. JT can’t just stop on a dime and shoot a midrange. No floaters. If its not euro stepping inside, its a 3pt shot. He has no mid range game at all. Everytime he post up, its either a turn around fade away, or a one legged fade away. He even does fade aways against smaller unathletic guys like strus. He makes it hard for himself. He’s 6’10 jeez. Just do a straight up jumpshot. Nobody is blocking him lol. Plus luka can bully anyone inside. Pump fake, use the board, do floaters. More like what Celtic killer Jimmy Buckets does. Pump fake, and shoot a midrange or floater, or bait a foul.

Like I said, he's not efficient, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have all those in his bag.

What you're saying is JT is not efficient.

That I agree.

But JT can do all the things that Luka can do.

So it's not miles apart.

There are just things, on offense, that JT needs to do better.

Miles apart is simply too unrealistic.

Ok ok not miles apart, yards apart lol.
A few years back, i said that JT can be better than Luka going forward. He has the tools to be better. More athletic, and a better 2 way player. Then, he fell in love with the 3 ball. Then, all he does was side step 3’s. In a way, he regressed. He was getting to the rim and dunking, getting and1’s and shooting mid ranges when he was young. Also, he was clutch as hell. Even unstoppable at times. You know he would sink that last second shot. Now, i have no confidence in him making those last second shots. You know most likely, he’ll brick it, and be surprised if he actually makes it. He regressed by falling in love with the 3 ball, and euro stepping.

Doesn't really matter right now.

There's still a bigger chance JT wins a championship than Luka, now or in the near future.

Maybe our priorities have shifted because right now I really don't care about JT's individual game.

A chance to repeat is very rare for the Boston Celtics.

JT has 7 more chances to win MVP after this season.

It was only last season that you laughed when I put Tatum ahead of Luka on the 1st Team All-NBA.

Now you have Tatum ahead of Luka in your rankings.

Just remember what I told you last season, doubt JT and you'll end up eating crow.

[shackles10]

Lol. I’m not throwing him under the bus. Its just laughable when guys argue that JT is better than him on offense. They are miles apart. Being a complete player, JT is better because he plays D. On offense, Luka is better than JT at everything minus dunking of course lol.

I'm not saying JT is better than Luka on offense.

What I disagree with is you saying they are miles apart.

JT has all the offensive tools, he can shoot from anywhere and can find the open man when doubled or triple teamed.

Even dribbling the ball is now one of JT's strengths.

The problem with JT is he's not efficient.

If you're equating inefficiency with inability then you're way off.

So tell me, what can Luka do, on offense, that JT can't do?

JT has average handles. Just watch him try to dribble inside. He gathers the ball too early when there is a defender, then its euro stepping. That’s why he misses a ton of layups. You don’t get enough lift if you euro step your way to the basket. JT can’t just stop on a dime and shoot a midrange. No floaters. If its not euro stepping inside, its a 3pt shot. He has no mid range game at all. Everytime he post up, its either a turn around fade away, or a one legged fade away. He even does fade aways against smaller unathletic guys like strus. He makes it hard for himself. He’s 6’10 jeez. Just do a straight up jumpshot. Nobody is blocking him lol. Plus luka can bully anyone inside. Pump fake, use the board, do floaters. More like what Celtic killer Jimmy Buckets does. Pump fake, and shoot a midrange or floater, or bait a foul.

There’s no stat or percentage that shows JT actually misses a ton of layups. There’s not even one that shows he’s not better than most other stars.

[bisme37]

SGA is excellent but I feel like he needs more haters for all of his flopping and pushing off. Other guys get ripped for such things and he's one of the NBA's foremost foulbaiters and sneaky chicken-wingers.

[Fierce1]

I'm not saying JT is better than Luka on offense.

What I disagree with is you saying they are miles apart.

JT has all the offensive tools, he can shoot from anywhere and can find the open man when doubled or triple teamed.

Even dribbling the ball is now one of JT's strengths.

The problem with JT is he's not efficient.

If you're equating inefficiency with inability then you're way off.

So tell me, what can Luka do, on offense, that JT can't do?

JT has average handles. Just watch him try to dribble inside. He gathers the ball too early when there is a defender, then its euro stepping. That’s why he misses a ton of layups. You don’t get enough lift if you euro step your way to the basket. JT can’t just stop on a dime and shoot a midrange. No floaters. If its not euro stepping inside, its a 3pt shot. He has no mid range game at all. Everytime he post up, its either a turn around fade away, or a one legged fade away. He even does fade aways against smaller unathletic guys like strus. He makes it hard for himself. He’s 6’10 jeez. Just do a straight up jumpshot. Nobody is blocking him lol. Plus luka can bully anyone inside. Pump fake, use the board, do floaters. More like what Celtic killer Jimmy Buckets does. Pump fake, and shoot a midrange or floater, or bait a foul.

There’s no stat or percentage that shows JT actually misses a ton of layups. There’s not even one that shows he’s not better than most other stars.

If JT is as bad as what he's saying, the Cs would not have won a championship.

Nash has 2 MVPs, but no finals appearance.

Harden won MVP, but has yet to win a championship.

JT may be inefficient at times, but he always contributes to winning.

[Parliament10]

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[Boston508]

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Sam Presti born and raised in Mass... Boston number 1 by default.

[keevsnick1]

I decided to look at a few of the simple advanced stats for what i think are the top four MVP candidates, and I threw on four more guys who might be in the conversation by the end of the year especially becasue I expect their teams to be good. Listed are TS%, USG, AST%, On Court Net rating:

Jokic 64.9%, 30.8%, 41.2%, +10.5
Giannis 63.0, 36.4%, 34.2%, +2.5
Shai 62.6%, 32.0%, 29.3%, +16.3
Tatum 59.9%, 29.9%, 25.7%, +12.8

Brunson 62.5%, 28.5%, 34.2%, +7.7
Mitchell 58.0%, 29.8%, 21.5%, +10.3
Morant 57.4%, 31.2%, 43.9%, +8.4
Doncic 56.5%, 31.8%, 32.8%, +9.0

Right now I think Jokic has pretty clearly been the BEST player in the league. But if his team is in the play-in its tough to give him MVP i think. Giannis only being +2.5 on court hurts his case, as does team record. But if his team gets up to a top three seed he may have a case. I think if it comes down to Shai vs Tatum and the records are similar Shai would win it right now.

[Fierce1]

Scottie Barnes latest to miss time due to injury.

Injury is really the biggest threat to the Cs.

[ConstableGeneva]

Pat Riley, thru Shams: "All these West teams want in on Butler. Let the bidding begin."
West teams, thru their beat writers: "Nope, we're not doing that."

[Triple7]

Like I said, he's not efficient, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have all those in his bag.

What you're saying is JT is not efficient.

That I agree.

But JT can do all the things that Luka can do.

So it's not miles apart.

There are just things, on offense, that JT needs to do better.

Miles apart is simply too unrealistic.

Ok ok not miles apart, yards apart lol.
A few years back, i said that JT can be better than Luka going forward. He has the tools to be better. More athletic, and a better 2 way player. Then, he fell in love with the 3 ball. Then, all he does was side step 3’s. In a way, he regressed. He was getting to the rim and dunking, getting and1’s and shooting mid ranges when he was young. Also, he was clutch as hell. Even unstoppable at times. You know he would sink that last second shot. Now, i have no confidence in him making those last second shots. You know most likely, he’ll brick it, and be surprised if he actually makes it. He regressed by falling in love with the 3 ball, and euro stepping.

Doesn't really matter right now.

There's still a bigger chance JT wins a championship than Luka, now or in the near future.

Maybe our priorities have shifted because right now I really don't care about JT's individual game.

A chance to repeat is very rare for the Boston Celtics.

JT has 7 more chances to win MVP after this season.

It was only last season that you laughed when I put Tatum ahead of Luka on the 1st Team All-NBA.

Now you have Tatum ahead of Luka in your rankings.

Just remember what I told you last season, doubt JT and you'll end up eating crow.

I don’t doubt the team. JT i have doubts though. He regressed with his ability to take over games. His late game offense is just meh. He doesn’t have that go to move at end of games. All he does now is take that side step 3, or take an ugly fade away. At least Jaylen has ability to get to the basket, finish through contact, or just stop on the dime for a mid range. JT doesn’t have that. That’s why Jaylen was more effective in last years’ playoffs than JT. JT is more talented than Jaylen, but he lacks the dog in him.

[Triple7]

I'm not saying JT is better than Luka on offense.

What I disagree with is you saying they are miles apart.

JT has all the offensive tools, he can shoot from anywhere and can find the open man when doubled or triple teamed.

Even dribbling the ball is now one of JT's strengths.

The problem with JT is he's not efficient.

If you're equating inefficiency with inability then you're way off.

So tell me, what can Luka do, on offense, that JT can't do?

JT has average handles. Just watch him try to dribble inside. He gathers the ball too early when there is a defender, then its euro stepping. That’s why he misses a ton of layups. You don’t get enough lift if you euro step your way to the basket. JT can’t just stop on a dime and shoot a midrange. No floaters. If its not euro stepping inside, its a 3pt shot. He has no mid range game at all. Everytime he post up, its either a turn around fade away, or a one legged fade away. He even does fade aways against smaller unathletic guys like strus. He makes it hard for himself. He’s 6’10 jeez. Just do a straight up jumpshot. Nobody is blocking him lol. Plus luka can bully anyone inside. Pump fake, use the board, do floaters. More like what Celtic killer Jimmy Buckets does. Pump fake, and shoot a midrange or floater, or bait a foul.

There’s no stat or percentage that shows JT actually misses a ton of layups. There’s not even one that shows he’s not better than most other stars.

No need for the stats. We all watch the celtics play, and most especially JT. He does miss a ton of easy layups. Easy and1’s. Some of them in crunch time, like what happened in cleveland. Then he raises his hands to complain to the refs. He doesn’t finish well through contact. A lot of times he just throws the ball to the hoop when he gets bumped, not actually trying to make the shot. He is more effective if he attacks the hoop and be aggressive, and not settle for the 3 ball, but he needs to be better at finishing shots. Also **** with thise euro steps. Its almost automatic he’ll do a euro if there is a defender in front. He seldom take it strong.

[Fierce1]

Ok ok not miles apart, yards apart lol.
A few years back, i said that JT can be better than Luka going forward. He has the tools to be better. More athletic, and a better 2 way player. Then, he fell in love with the 3 ball. Then, all he does was side step 3’s. In a way, he regressed. He was getting to the rim and dunking, getting and1’s and shooting mid ranges when he was young. Also, he was clutch as hell. Even unstoppable at times. You know he would sink that last second shot. Now, i have no confidence in him making those last second shots. You know most likely, he’ll brick it, and be surprised if he actually makes it. He regressed by falling in love with the 3 ball, and euro stepping.

Doesn't really matter right now.

There's still a bigger chance JT wins a championship than Luka, now or in the near future.

Maybe our priorities have shifted because right now I really don't care about JT's individual game.

A chance to repeat is very rare for the Boston Celtics.

JT has 7 more chances to win MVP after this season.

It was only last season that you laughed when I put Tatum ahead of Luka on the 1st Team All-NBA.

Now you have Tatum ahead of Luka in your rankings.

Just remember what I told you last season, doubt JT and you'll end up eating crow.

I don’t doubt the team. JT i have doubts though. He regressed with his ability to take over games. His late game offense is just meh. He doesn’t have that go to move at end of games. All he does now is take that side step 3, or take an ugly fade away. At least Jaylen has ability to get to the basket, finish through contact, or just stop on the dime for a mid range. JT doesn’t have that. That’s why Jaylen was more effective in last years’ playoffs than JT. JT is more talented than Jaylen, but he lacks the dog in him.

Maybe you're stuck in the past because JT already made a game winning buzzer beater this season, against Toronto.

And I saw posters here post about how JT is one of the better clutch players this season.

Again, what you're saying is not accurate because the numbers don't support your claim.

[Fierce1]

JT even already has a player of the month award this season.

We don't want JT to do too much just to prove that he's a dog.

Production and winning are more important than becoming man's best friend.

If you really want a dog then adopt one.