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

[Fierce1]

The collapse is complete.

OKC loses after leading big for 44 minutes.

[NYCelticsfan136]

Lmao. Damn heck of a comeback by minnesota.

[ConstableGeneva]

Annnnnnd... OKC is doubly eliminated from contention. Lost a 16-pt lead with under 4 mins to go. Then lost in OT. I didn't make up the rules. The Celtics haters did.

EDIT: SGA is also now ineligible for MVP.

[SuperDeluxe]

I believe this eliminates OKC as a contender, regardless of the outcome of OT.

And they lost. A choke of epic proportions. Not even the Celtics have been able to do something this ugly.

[Tatumfor2]

Annnnnnd... OKC is doubly eliminated from contention. Lost a 16-pt lead with under 4 mins to go. Then lost in OT. I didn't make up the rules. The Celtics haters did.

EDIT: SGA is also now ineligible for MVP.

Minnesota cheated though. Double teaming SGA like that isn't fair!

[bucknersrevenge]

Marcus with 10 points and some defense and leadership for the win. I'm sorry but I miss the **** outta Marcus. If I'm Brad I'm searching for ways to get him back after this season Idc.

[Fierce1]

The pressure got to OKC.

Minny doubled SGA and forced the role players to make shots.

The supporting cast couldn't make shots.

[celticgreenie]

After the game, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch applauded his team’s “mental toughness” in battling the league’s top-ranked defense, a unit he says fouls “all the time.” “It’s so frustrating to play this team because they foul a ton,” Finch said. “They really do. They foul all the time. And then you can’t really touch Shai. And it’s a very frustrating thing and it takes a lot of mental toughness to try and play through it. And we just eventually were able to get downhill and force the issue ourselves and were rewarded for it.” – via ESPN

Jared Dublín: So many people say this about OKC but the evidence is not really there for it. They foul a ton… and get called for a ton of fouls. (They’re 28th in opponent FT rate.) And you “can’t touch Shai”… but they don’t draw any fouls. (They’re also 28th in FT rate.) – via Bluesky

My take is perhaps the Thunder should be called for even more fouls, but we know it would slow down the game even more which the refs don't want to do.

[ConstableGeneva]

After the game, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch applauded his team’s “mental toughness” in battling the league’s top-ranked defense, a unit he says fouls “all the time.” “It’s so frustrating to play this team because they foul a ton,” Finch said. “They really do. They foul all the time. And then you can’t really touch Shai. And it’s a very frustrating thing and it takes a lot of mental toughness to try and play through it. And we just eventually were able to get downhill and force the issue ourselves and were rewarded for it.” – via ESPN

Jared Dublín: So many people say this about OKC but the evidence is not really there for it. They foul a ton… and get called for a ton of fouls. (They’re 28th in opponent FT rate.) And you “can’t touch Shai”… but they don’t draw any fouls. (They’re also 28th in FT rate.) – via Bluesky

My take is perhaps the Thunder should be called for even more fouls, but we know it would slow down the game even more which the refs don't want to do.

OKC as a team don't get too many foul calls in their favor or FTs but Shae is 4th among 249 players (min. 40 GP) in percentage of points coming from the FT line. "Can't touch Shai" statement holds true in that regard.

[Larry_Russell]

Marcus with 10 points and some defense and leadership for the win. I'm sorry but I miss the **** outta Marcus. If I'm Brad I'm searching for ways to get him back after this season Idc.

Marcus off the bench would be lethat beside Pritchard.

But I am not sure how it can be made to happen.

[playa-hater]

Marcus with 10 points and some defense and leadership for the win. I'm sorry but I miss the **** outta Marcus. If I'm Brad I'm searching for ways to get him back after this season Idc.

Wow.. I just realized that D White is the Don.. When Boston didn't play White in the 4th quarter 2 years ago over Brogdon and Smart, White pulled the strings and sent both Brogdon and Smart to BB Purgatory - The Wizards. Man have times changed. Take nothing for granted NBA players. Nothing is Guaranteed.

[phincsfan]

If Rozier was involved in that gambling ring that would be crazy. 30 years old and made over 130mil with another 26mil next season.

Greed gets em' everytime

[keevsnick1]

The 76ers are now 20-37, just two games "behind" Toronto for the 5th worst record. Getting to fifth would be huge for their chances of keeping their draft pick. Their odds of keeping their pick jump from 46% to roughly 64% going from the 6th to 5th worst record.

On a side note, the "race" for the 10th seed is sad. The 10th seed Bulls are on pace for 32.5 wins. I like the play in, but there needs to be some minimum standard applied to it. A 32-50 team should be playing for a chance at the playoffs.

The 1-6th seeds in the East and Wets aren't that different record wise. Its the bottom of the conferences where things get weird. The 6th-10th teams in the West are separated by two games. The 6th-10th seeds in the East are separated by 9 games.

[redslastlaugh]

I hope Marcus bounces back and rejuvenates his body and finds himself on a contender next season.

That said, what is Washington doing? There’s 25 games left, they’re +4 in the loss column for worst record and they’re playing Marcus Smart down the stretch to win games, lol … what are you doing Wizards? Sit Marcus and Khris Middleton, let them nurse their injuries and redshirt the remainder, like OKC did with Horford in the covid season and play your young players to lose out down the stretch.

The most Wizards thing ever would be to go 13-12 and lose a chance at a top 3 pick.

(plus we have the Wiz 2nd on pace to be #31… what are u doing Wizards??? )

Marcus with 10 points and some defense and leadership for the win. I'm sorry but I miss the **** outta Marcus. If I'm Brad I'm searching for ways to get him back after this season Idc.

[keevsnick1]

I hope Marcus bounces back and rejuvenates his body and finds himself on a contender next season.

That said, what is Washington doing? There’s 25 games left, they’re +4 in the loss column for worst record and they’re playing Marcus Smart down the stretch to win games, lol … what are you doing Wizards? Sit Marcus and Khris Middleton, let them nurse their injuries and redshirt the remainder, like OKC did with Horford in the covid season and play your young players to lose out down the stretch.

The most Wizards thing ever would be to go 13-12 and lose a chance at a top 3 pick.

(plus we have the Wiz 2nd on pace to be #31… what are u doing Wizards??? )

Marcus with 10 points and some defense and leadership for the win. I'm sorry but I miss the **** outta Marcus. If I'm Brad I'm searching for ways to get him back after this season Idc.

Based off the way Marcus has played this year its not clear playing him will have much effect on winning. but regardless they probably want to try and rehab his value a bit down the stretch here so that they can flip him for value this off season.

This is probably a low probability, but a jrue for smart trade would make some sense this off season if the Celtics just NEED to save money. Going from Jrue->Marcus saves about 10 million in salary, another 60 million or so in luxury tax, and he's an expiring so you get off the rest of Jrue's contract. Again, its a downgrade but if the new owners just really want to save money it might be a possibility. Not sure if Washington does it.

[ConstableGeneva]

When you see what's going on with teams like Suns, Sixers, Mavs, Bulls, Heat, Pelicans, and even the Knicks and Clippers, you just have to appreciate what you've got with the Celtics. The stuff going on in Philly is rough, man. And I have zero faith in them turning it around after this season based on their rebuild history.

[ConstableGeneva]

This must be AI.

Read on Twitter

[NYCelticsfan136]

Is anyone convinced that lebroni is on the juice?

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

This must be AI.

Read on Twitter

No way man, Iverson is way too old to do that now...

[ConstableGeneva]

Warriors feeling too good about themselves, post-Butler trade. Someone needs to put them in their place. Real test might not come until March 18 though (vs. DEN). Very easy schedule until then, including two meetings with the Knicks.