Around the NBA (and other Sports), 2025-26 – (Old Thread)

[Fierce1]

One mistake Ainge made was trading for Isaiah Thomas.

The Celts started rebuilding in 2013.
Pierce and KG got traded and it was the start of the Brad Stevens era.

After the Cs finished 25-57 in Brad's rookie year as coach, the Cs got the #6 pick in the 2014 Draft and drafted Marcus Smart.

But what Ainge did the following year set the Celtics back in the rebuilding department.

Celts were on pace for a 30-win season in 2015.
Then the IT trade happened at the 2015 trade deadline.
The Cs went from a team in the top 10 of the lottery to the #8 seed.
Some Celtic fans were happy that the Cs were in the playoffs again after only missing the playoffs for 1 year, 2014.
But when the Cs got swept in the 1st round of the playoffs, by Lebron and the Cavs, those same fans that were ecstatic the Cs were in the playoffs again realized the Cs would've been better off having a top 10 pick than a 1st round exit via sweep.

The following season, 2015-16, the Cs even got better, winning 48 games.
So it was another 1st round exit that year.

The good news is the Cs had the Nets pick that year and Ainge ended up picking Jaylen Brown.
Celtic fans didn't like that pick.
Even I preferred Hield or Jamal Murray over JB.

The point is Ainge should have made sure the Celtics were in the lottery for 3 years.

Imagine if the Cs had a top 10 pick in 2015 and JB and another lottery pick in 2016.

In the end it all worked out as the two #3 picks, JT and JB, ended up leading the Celtics to a championship.

But as positive a Celtic fan that I am, I never said the Celtics will win a championship with IT and that it was fool's gold.

There was no way an IT led Celtics would beat Lebron in a 7-game series and absolutely no chance of beating GSW, with KD and Steph, in the finals.

Having a lottery pick in 2015 and 2016 would have been the better option.

[ConstableGeneva]

Heck, even a younger CP3 could do wonders for him. Look at how much better it’s going with 100 year-old Chris Paul! I think they need a point guard who can get his own and get the ball to Wemby. Without CP, I don’t think they get him the ball much at all. He could probably get at least 10 more easy buckets a game if the pass ever made it to him. He’s damn near open all the time, but he always has to reset or do something else because they can’t get him the ball.

I don't like his game that much, but LaMelo Ball would be a fun player to pair him with. Of the "available" ones, maybe Fox is the best fit. Even someone like Brunson would elevate Wemby's game. Look at how well KAT is doing in NY. I think they still hold the highest efficiency in PnR. On high volume too.

The Best possible Guard for the Spurs shouldn't be a ball dominant guard like Melo or Brunson, but rather an all-around Guard that can step it when needed but very happy to keep Wemby top Priority. 20 years ago, it would have been Chauncey Billups. Now it is....Derrick White

Still need an offensive hub to run sets through. Curry isn't ball dominant but Draymond acts as their defacto PG. Holiday wasn't ball-dominant but Giannis is essentially a point forward. Murray can play offball but Jokic initiates their offense. And so on. I don't think you can give the ball just yet to Wemby and make him decide what to do with it. White is nice as a complementary piece for us since JT is our "PG." Spurs still need that guy. But you're right, doesn't need to be ball-dominant but they need a table-setter preferably someone who draws extra attention.

[playa-hater]

I don't like his game that much, but LaMelo Ball would be a fun player to pair him with. Of the "available" ones, maybe Fox is the best fit. Even someone like Brunson would elevate Wemby's game. Look at how well KAT is doing in NY. I think they still hold the highest efficiency in PnR. On high volume too.

The Best possible Guard for the Spurs shouldn't be a ball dominant guard like Melo or Brunson, but rather an all-around Guard that can step it when needed but very happy to keep Wemby top Priority. 20 years ago, it would have been Chauncey Billups. Now it is....Derrick White

Still need an offensive hub to run sets through. Curry isn't ball dominant but Draymond acts as their defacto PG. Holiday wasn't ball-dominant but Giannis is essentially a point forward. Murray can play offball but Jokic initiates their offense. And so on. I don't think you can give the ball just yet to Wemby and make him decide what to do with it. White is nice as a complementary piece for us since JT is our "PG." Spurs still need that guy. But you're right, doesn't need to be ball-dominant but they need a table-setter preferably someone who draws extra attention.

well, my post was more making fun of SAS and Pop than disagreeing with you.

[ConstableGeneva]

The Best possible Guard for the Spurs shouldn't be a ball dominant guard like Melo or Brunson, but rather an all-around Guard that can step it when needed but very happy to keep Wemby top Priority. 20 years ago, it would have been Chauncey Billups. Now it is....Derrick White

Still need an offensive hub to run sets through. Curry isn't ball dominant but Draymond acts as their defacto PG. Holiday wasn't ball-dominant but Giannis is essentially a point forward. Murray can play offball but Jokic initiates their offense. And so on. I don't think you can give the ball just yet to Wemby and make him decide what to do with it. White is nice as a complementary piece for us since JT is our "PG." Spurs still need that guy. But you're right, doesn't need to be ball-dominant but they need a table-setter preferably someone who draws extra attention.

well, my post was more making fun of SAS and Pop than disagreeing with you.

By the time the pick swap develops into an impactful player, he could help them win a title in 2034.

[Fierce1]

The Spurs really don't have to rush to anything because Wemby is just 21 years old.

But if they want to make a playoff push now, they can trade for Jimmy Butler.
That makes them a playoff team IMO.

The price will not be too high as it will most likely just cost them picks, Harrison Barnes, and Keldon Johnson.

They already have Vassell and Castle, so no reason to pay extra for Keldon.

[playa-hater]

Butler to Memphis is my prediction if he ends up getting traded, LAC reported to have interest as well. This is more speculation than anything i've heard.

But Memphis has some contracts they can use as well As draft assets.

[Fierce1]

Butler to Memphis is my prediction if he ends up getting traded, LAC reported to have interest as well. This is more speculation than anything i've heard.

But Memphis has some contracts they can use as well As draft assets.

Memphis can offer Smart, Brandon Clarke, Kennard, and Konchar then sweeten it with draft picks.

The question will be, is that good enough for Pat Riley?

[JaMarco]

The KAT for Randle+ trade is the stupidest trade of all time.

[Fierce1]

The KAT for Randle+ trade is the stupidest trade of all time.

If Minny wants out of the KAT contract then it's not stupid.

There was no way Minny was winning a championship with KAT and Ant.

[Fierce1]

Suns are desperate.

They're now playing without a Center and Indy is taking advantage of that.

#1 payroll in the league and they're not even a .500 team.

[Fierce1]

Ant Man going off against Detroit, but the Wolves are down by 19 in the 3rd.

[doogie_hauser]

Not going to lie, taking great enjoyment in the downfall of Miami and 'Heat Culture'

[phincsfan]

One mistake Ainge made was trading for Isaiah Thomas.

The Celts started rebuilding in 2013.
Pierce and KG got traded and it was the start of the Brad Stevens era.

After the Cs finished 25-57 in Brad's rookie year as coach, the Cs got the #6 pick in the 2014 Draft and drafted Marcus Smart.

But what Ainge did the following year set the Celtics back in the rebuilding department.

Celts were on pace for a 30-win season in 2015.
Then the IT trade happened at the 2015 trade deadline.
The Cs went from a team in the top 10 of the lottery to the #8 seed.
Some Celtic fans were happy that the Cs were in the playoffs again after only missing the playoffs for 1 year, 2014.
But when the Cs got swept in the 1st round of the playoffs, by Lebron and the Cavs, those same fans that were ecstatic the Cs were in the playoffs again realized the Cs would've been better off having a top 10 pick than a 1st round exit via sweep.

The following season, 2015-16, the Cs even got better, winning 48 games.
So it was another 1st round exit that year.

The good news is the Cs had the Nets pick that year and Ainge ended up picking Jaylen Brown.
Celtic fans didn't like that pick.
Even I preferred Hield or Jamal Murray over JB.

The point is Ainge should have made sure the Celtics were in the lottery for 3 years.

Imagine if the Cs had a top 10 pick in 2015 and JB and another lottery pick in 2016.

In the end it all worked out as the two #3 picks, JT and JB, ended up leading the Celtics to a championship.

But as positive a Celtic fan that I am, I never said the Celtics will win a championship with IT and that it was fool's gold.

There was no way an IT led Celtics would beat Lebron in a 7-game series and absolutely no chance of beating GSW, with KD and Steph, in the finals.

Having a lottery pick in 2015 and 2016 would have been the better option.

From a potential draft slot perspective yes because they had control over that based on play. But I can’t fault DA for making that move. It’s tough for a GM to see the up and coming college coach wiz kid that he brought in struggling in back to back seasons. Those BK picks were gonna be good ones so why not take a stab at a potential turn around season ? IT brought some magic back and had alot to do with righting the ship.

Football, draft slot is key because there are so many needs to fill and one good slot can turn into multiple picks. Basketball is tough with the ping pong balls because you can do everything right to tank and they don’t bounce your way. That’s why I said potential earlier.

[djFan71]

The Best possible Guard for the Spurs shouldn't be a ball dominant guard like Melo or Brunson, but rather an all-around Guard that can step it when needed but very happy to keep Wemby top Priority. 20 years ago, it would have been Chauncey Billups. Now it is....Derrick White

Still need an offensive hub to run sets through. Curry isn't ball dominant but Draymond acts as their defacto PG. Holiday wasn't ball-dominant but Giannis is essentially a point forward. Murray can play offball but Jokic initiates their offense. And so on. I don't think you can give the ball just yet to Wemby and make him decide what to do with it. White is nice as a complementary piece for us since JT is our "PG." Spurs still need that guy. But you're right, doesn't need to be ball-dominant but they need a table-setter preferably someone who draws extra attention.

well, my post was more making fun of SAS and Pop than disagreeing with you.

Ironically, they had to trade White to be bad enough to get Wemby. I think the Spurs may have made the right call.

[bisme37]

If it wasn't the Heat I might even feel bad lol. Down 200 points to the Jazz, in Miami.

[SuperDeluxe]

If it wasn't the Heat I might even feel bad lol. Down 200 points to the Jazz, in Miami.

Not feeling sorry here either if I'm honest.

Is it just me, or this isn't the first time that Butler poisons a locker room so he can get traded?

[bisme37]

If it wasn't the Heat I might even feel bad lol. Down 200 points to the Jazz, in Miami.

Not feeling sorry here either if I'm honest.

Is it just me, or this isn't the first time that Butler poisons a locker room so he can get traded?

Seems like he's left all his teams on bad terms.

[doogie_hauser]

Lol Knicks !!!

[SuperDeluxe]

Lol Knicks !!!

Holy meltdown, Batman! Switching to this game asap.

[Fierce1]

Knicks so great they can't beat the Bulls!