Official NBA General Discussion 2024-25 V1.0

[ciueli]

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Got more typical looks with Ja and JJJ both out. Jenkins is very rigid in his style.

He's making a lot of draft prognosticators look foolish so far.

Not really. Averaging 21 MPG, that's backup centre minutes for a top 10 pick. This was my biggest concern with him, that he was going to be a player who would never be able to play starter minutes on a regular basis and that seems to be the case.

The other big question was if a player his size could stay healthy and he's already missed 14 games in his rookie season so the answer to that is probably no, none of this is surprising.

With respect to his production, it's fine but it's not like he's lighting the world on fire, it's pretty much as expected for a traditional big man C like him, but he's almost 23 already and he should be a competent player right away after spending 4 years in college. The biggest cause for optimism is his league average 3 point shooting, but the sample size is so small here (44 total attempts) that it's unclear whether that will hold up (likely just teams completely ignoring him at the 3 point line).

[bballsparkin]

Not really. Averaging 21 MPG, that's backup centre minutes for a top 10 pick. This was my biggest concern with him, that he was going to be a player who would never be able to play starter minutes on a regular basis and that seems to be the case.

The other big question was if a player his size could stay healthy and he's already missed 14 games in his rookie season so the answer to that is probably no, none of this is surprising.

With respect to his production, it's fine but it's not like he's lighting the world on fire, it's pretty much as expected for a traditional big man C like him, but he's almost 23 already and he should be a competent player right away after spending 4 years in college. The biggest cause for optimism is his league average 3 point shooting, but the sample size is so small here (44 total attempts) that it's unclear whether that will hold up (likely just teams completely ignoring him at the 3 point line).

Those are all reasonable takes. I was more getting at those who said he would never be able to play in the league. It was a top 10 pick in a draft that was deemed not top heavy. As I recall, some said they wouldn't even draft him in the second round.

[ForeverTFC]

Not really. Averaging 21 MPG, that's backup centre minutes for a top 10 pick. This was my biggest concern with him, that he was going to be a player who would never be able to play starter minutes on a regular basis and that seems to be the case.

The other big question was if a player his size could stay healthy and he's already missed 14 games in his rookie season so the answer to that is probably no, none of this is surprising.

With respect to his production, it's fine but it's not like he's lighting the world on fire, it's pretty much as expected for a traditional big man C like him, but he's almost 23 already and he should be a competent player right away after spending 4 years in college. The biggest cause for optimism is his league average 3 point shooting, but the sample size is so small here (44 total attempts) that it's unclear whether that will hold up (likely just teams completely ignoring him at the 3 point line).

Those are all reasonable takes. I was more getting at those who said he would never be able to play in the league. It was a top 10 pick in a draft that was deemed not top heavy. As I recall, some said they wouldn't even draft him in the second round.

Those people were always clueless.

Probably an off-season topic, but I think the more interesting questions is who do you take after year 1: Edey or Clingan?

[sidsid]

https://bsky.app/profile/sichrismannix.bsky.social/post/3ljm5isapk22b

Mannix on the same wavelength as I am about the Rockets pulling the plug on the deadline for Durant.

They're banking on Booker becoming available this summer.

I understand the logic from the Rockets perspective but Phoenix doesn’t control their picks until 2032. So even if they decide to tank they’ll still be trading their picks via swaps in those years. I think if they trade Durant they do a similar deal to what Sacramento did for D’Aaron Fox or Minnesota did for KAT where they get a player back.

There's no way around the swap years as they leveraged those to death. But they can get this year's pick back and 2027, 2029. Even the players they'd get back in a selloff trade scenario aren't going to get them better in a tough West. In that scenario they'd spend 2026 upping the value of vets and either selling them at the deadline or the offseason pre-draft to setup a 2027 tank. It's going to take a while regardless. Can't get around those mistakes.

[bballsparkin]

Those people were always clueless.

Probably an off-season topic, but I think the more interesting questions is who do you take after year 1: Edey or Clingan?

Haha, clueless but loud. I'm still going with Clingan and his defence. But it's funny that people worry about Edey's health but not so much Clingan's it seems. It will be a good story-line to follow those two's career. It seems like the big man is making a comeback.

[aminiaturebuddha]

Chicago also just beat Orlando in a close game (125-123). Helps keep a bit of distance between Toronto and Chicago, but what is going on with Orlando? Their season is totally falling apart.

[Dalek]

The Lakers Knicks game was great. Sad for Brunson but man that was a battle of the stars. Luka is so locked in on both ends. That trade just changed the league.

[mihaic]

The Lakers Knicks game was great. Sad for Brunson but man that was a battle of the stars. Luka is so locked in on both ends. That trade just changed the league.

Yes, excellent game, playoff intensity.

Is it just me, or did Anunoby's defence regress. OG, when on Doncic, was so easily screened by LA's bigs and never recovered, always switched. Perhaps that's the Knicks D strat on Luka?. I watched the whole 4th and the OT, and there was no OG defensive play to remember.

He did get the and1 opportunity at the end though.

[Dalek]

The Lakers Knicks game was great. Sad for Brunson but man that was a battle of the stars. Luka is so locked in on both ends. That trade just changed the league.

Yes, excellent game, playoff intensity.

Is it just me, or did Anunoby's defence regress. OG, when on Doncic, was so easily screened by LA's bigs and never recovered, always switched. Perhaps that's the Knicks D strat on Luka?. I watched the whole 4th and the OT, and there was no OG defensive play to remember.

He did get the and1 opportunity at the end though.

Knicks switch a lot and the Lakers kept him off Luka for the most part. The Knicks also made OG a first half offensive focal point which messed him up. Hart had more defensive moments but Luka is just in a good zone with LeBron. Not sure how anyone stops this team.

Lakers have been great since the trade but also they have another level to get to. This is still early days with Luka and LBJ. Yikes.

[Basketball_Jones]

Lakers to the finals again would be something but another finals loss on LeBron’s resume would be terrible. They’d need Gabe and Reeves to go off like Miami 2023. Imagine if that Charlotte trade went through lol

[Los_29]

That Lakers/Knicks game was fantastic. Tough way to finish the game for OG. Missed a wide open layup then couldn’t convert an and1. Knicks are a scrappy team but I have my doubts about them.

[GoRapstheoriginal]

Jokic with the 1st ever 30 20 20 line tonight.

[WaltFrazier]

That Lakers/Knicks game was fantastic. Tough way to finish the game for OG. Missed a wide open layup then couldn’t convert an and1. Knicks are a scrappy team but I have my doubts about them.

Might be a tough move but I think next year they need a new coach with more offensive creativity. And his D scheme is only good with an elite rim protector which Kat is the opposite of. I like Thibs but he's stubborn and maybe outdated. Hard to make more trades after the Bridges trade but maybe there's a coach out there who can have an Atkinson-like effect

[Los_29]

That Lakers/Knicks game was fantastic. Tough way to finish the game for OG. Missed a wide open layup then couldn’t convert an and1. Knicks are a scrappy team but I have my doubts about them.

Might be a tough move but I think next year they need a new coach with more offensive creativity. And his D scheme is only good with an elite rim protector which Kat is the opposite of. I like Thibs but he's stubborn and maybe outdated. Hard to make more trades after the Bridges trade but maybe there's a coach out there who can have an Atkinson-like effect

I think Thibs is a good coach for that team. His style aligns with many of those players on the team. Tough, scrappy and defensive-minded. But maybe that’s the problem as you said.

They are still a great team and anything can happen.

[WaltFrazier]

That Lakers/Knicks game was fantastic. Tough way to finish the game for OG. Missed a wide open layup then couldn’t convert an and1. Knicks are a scrappy team but I have my doubts about them.

Might be a tough move but I think next year they need a new coach with more offensive creativity. And his D scheme is only good with an elite rim protector which Kat is the opposite of. I like Thibs but he's stubborn and maybe outdated. Hard to make more trades after the Bridges trade but maybe there's a coach out there who can have an Atkinson-like effect

I think Thibs is a good coach for that team. His style aligns with many of those players on the team. Tough, scrappy and defensive-minded. But maybe that’s the problem as you said.

They are still a great team and anything can happen.

He's a solid veteran coach who gets them to play with effort. But the more I watch them, (every game), I see a lack of offensive system, and the defense that was so good last year with Hartenstein and OG added on, is worse now. Because KAT is a poor defender at C and Robinson is just coming back. They give up too many threes and he doesn't seem to adjust.

It would have been interesting if they had kept Randle and Donte, got a center to replace Hartenstein, and run back last year's team and hoped for fewer injuries. But then it's hard to argue against the KAT trade. They did overpay for Bridges, I'm seeing that now.

[EG73]

Jokic with the 1st ever 30 20 20 line tonight.

Historic double-triple-double.

I’m glad I watched the game. I’m a Raptors fan but since many years I also became a Nuggets fan. Players are likeable and fun to watch.

[Los_29]

Might be a tough move but I think next year they need a new coach with more offensive creativity. And his D scheme is only good with an elite rim protector which Kat is the opposite of. I like Thibs but he's stubborn and maybe outdated. Hard to make more trades after the Bridges trade but maybe there's a coach out there who can have an Atkinson-like effect

I think Thibs is a good coach for that team. His style aligns with many of those players on the team. Tough, scrappy and defensive-minded. But maybe that’s the problem as you said.

They are still a great team and anything can happen.

He's a solid veteran coach who gets them to play with effort. But the more I watch them, (every game), I see a lack of offensive system, and the defense that was so good last year with Hartenstein and OG added on, is worse now. Because KAT is a poor defender at C and Robinson is just coming back. They give up too many threes and he doesn't seem to adjust.

It would have been interesting if they had kept Randle and Donte, got a center to replace Hartenstein, and run back last year's team and hoped for fewer injuries. But then it's hard to argue against the KAT trade. They did overpay for Bridges, I'm seeing that now.

I think Kat has been huge for their offense. That kind of shooting at the center position is extremely valuable. But you’re right, he provides very little rim protection and struggles guarding out on the perimeter. Getting off Randle’s contract was worth it though.

[UnderdogRaptors]

Knicks are not good

[Los_29]

Knicks are not good

Without Brunson, yes they are not good. With Brunson they are a very good team. Just not good enough to be in that top tier.

[Westside Gunn]

Jokic with the 1st ever 30 20 20 line tonight.

And he shrugged it off as another day lol his apathy and disconnect is impressive as he dominates the game. This is like your average 9-5er who does his job and goes home.