Around the League: 2024-25 Season

[Skybox]

Mitchell was hardly able to walk on that ankle. When I was watching, Jerome never got his warmups off...makes you wonder why? and, for a Trade Machine junkie, it really makes you wonder if it's wrong to think his recent success would scale up to a bigger role. Same with Pritchard (who won't be available, just thinking) who is taking on a bigger role in BOS, but still a sidekick for sure.

Then you watch Haliburton, who is as dominant a singular on-ball presence as I can remember seeing. Siakim has probably been an All-Star, but what we're watching is the modern Lead Guard, absolutely running the game...a relatively modern concept. Same thing with Cade and Harden...you take them off their teams with an injury and they have NO chance. The teams are completely, intelligently built around their offensive "one man system". There is so much off-ball movement in IND's offense (like GSW). It's certainly risky to base everything on one guy - but you go with what you got and any other usage would not be optimizing their talents. Mitchell is the same kind of player, but CLE isn't really built around him in the same way. Garland's (possible?) ability to be the same kind of player is completely squashed with Mitchell on the team, so now he's a tiny shooting guard, regardless of the number of assists he racks up. Mobley is a fantastic player, but he's also overqualified for the lesser role he's going to be fed. Allen is not as good as Mobley, but he's really good and could play as a secondary player in any system. CLE has too many singular talents but the team isn't constructed efficiently, imo. We're back to the same observations as last year even after they won 64 regular season games.

Trae is the same kind of player/system, but far less effective maybe because of his small stature...built for the regular season with gaudy stats but "lockable" when it counts.

Modern Lead Guard is amazing when it works, but a precarious all-in based on one guy. I guess it was Daryll Morey's Rockets who first unleashed Harden to just do everything he wanted...Prior PGs looked a lot different.

1. We have to be really careful in deciding what we ultimately want this team to look like. The twin "Point Forward" thing has a lot of flaws, but it's not obvious or simple what the ideal PG for this team looks like. Trae, imo, would be a mess and the team dynamic would be awful. For some reason, I think Garland would be a guy that could walk the tightrope between All-Star PG and high-level supporting player. Derrick White as well. Tyler Herro, Austin Reaves, CJ McCollum have the ball in their hands a lot, but I think they'd fit. I'm even thinking a young Chris Paul wouldn't but a young Jason Kidd might...Lonzo Ball - yes. DeAaron Fox-not so sure. I'm not so much talking about specific guys being available, but Haliburton or SGA, probably wouldn't work so well with Paolo. I think Franz works with ANYONE on any team. This is a big summer...one great move could really push us forward. The wrong move, even for a great individual player, could throw everything off. No move would be even worse. Mitchell is the best player on CLE, but he was added to a really talented team, but that's the difference between building a team around a star vs just plugging him in because he became available. You can't just disregard 64 wins, especially with a bum ankle...but CLE seems more like a collection of talented guys than a well-assembled team.

2. Injuries to stars mean you're contention is over (for now)...that's just the reality of the NBA. You can only put 5 guys out there and you can only really pay a lot of money to, maybe 3...so, like it or not, depth is really only a big deal in getting through the regular season when you get to the point of serious contending.

[basketballRob]

Mitchell was hardly able to walk on that ankle. When I was watching, Jerome never got his warmups off...makes you wonder why? and, for a Trade Machine junkie, it really makes you wonder if it's wrong to think his recent success would scale up to a bigger role. Same with Pritchard (who won't be available, just thinking) who is taking on a bigger role in BOS, but still a sidekick for sure.

Then you watch Haliburton, who is as dominant a singular on-ball presence as I can remember seeing. Siakim has probably been an All-Star, but what we're watching is the modern Lead Guard, absolutely running the game...a relatively modern concept. Same thing with Cade and Harden...you take them off their teams with an injury and they have NO chance. The teams are completely, intelligently built around their offensive "one man system". There is so much off-ball movement in IND's offense (like GSW). It's certainly risky to base everything on one guy - but you go with what you got and any other usage would not be optimizing their talents. Mitchell is the same kind of player, but CLE isn't really built around him in the same way. Garland's (possible?) ability to be the same kind of player is completely squashed with Mitchell on the team, so now he's a tiny shooting guard, regardless of the number of assists he racks up. Mobley is a fantastic player, but he's also overqualified for the lesser role he's going to be fed. Allen is not as good as Mobley, but he's really good and could play as a secondary player in any system. CLE has too many singular talents but the team isn't constructed efficiently, imo. We're back to the same observations as last year even after they won 64 regular season games.

Trae is the same kind of player/system, but far less effective maybe because of his small stature...built for the regular season with gaudy stats but "lockable" when it counts.

Modern Lead Guard is amazing when it works, but a precarious all-in based on one guy. I guess it was Daryll Morey's Rockets who first unleashed Harden to just do everything he wanted...Prior PGs looked a lot different.

1. We have to be really careful in deciding what we ultimately want this team to look like. The twin "Point Forward" thing has a lot of flaws, but it's not obvious or simple what the ideal PG for this team looks like. Trae, imo, would be a mess and the team dynamic would be awful. For some reason, I think Garland would be a guy that could walk the tightrope between All-Star PG and high-level supporting player. Derrick White as well. Tyler Herro, Austin Reaves, CJ McCollum have the ball in their hands a lot, but I think they'd fit. I'm even thinking a young Chris Paul wouldn't but a young Jason Kidd might...Lonzo Ball - yes. DeAaron Fox-not so sure. I'm not so much talking about specific guys being available, but Haliburton or SGA, probably wouldn't work so well with Paolo. I think Franz works with ANYONE on any team. This is a big summer...one great move could really push us forward. The wrong move, even for a great individual player, could throw everything off. No move would be even worse. Mitchell is the best player on CLE, but he was added to a really talented team, but that's the difference between building a team around a star vs just plugging him in because he became available. You can't just disregard 64 wins, especially with a bum ankle...but CLE seems more like a collection of talented guys than a well-assembled team.

2. Injuries to stars mean you're contention is over (for now)...that's just the reality of the NBA. You can only put 5 guys out there and you can only really pay a lot of money to, maybe 3...so, like it or not, depth is really only a big deal in getting through the regular season when you get to the point of serious contending.

Jerome was shooting 26/15/86 before last night's game with poor defense. That's why he didn't come into the game earlier. I'm starting to think he's a good front runner, but when he faces any adversity, he crumbles.

Allen, Garland, and Jerome are way too soft.

Some Cavs fans are still blaming the loss last season in the playoffs to injuries. It's getting old.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

[Skybox]

Mitchell was hardly able to walk on that ankle. When I was watching, Jerome never got his warmups off...makes you wonder why? and, for a Trade Machine junkie, it really makes you wonder if it's wrong to think his recent success would scale up to a bigger role. Same with Pritchard (who won't be available, just thinking) who is taking on a bigger role in BOS, but still a sidekick for sure.

Then you watch Haliburton, who is as dominant a singular on-ball presence as I can remember seeing. Siakim has probably been an All-Star, but what we're watching is the modern Lead Guard, absolutely running the game...a relatively modern concept. Same thing with Cade and Harden...you take them off their teams with an injury and they have NO chance. The teams are completely, intelligently built around their offensive "one man system". There is so much off-ball movement in IND's offense (like GSW). It's certainly risky to base everything on one guy - but you go with what you got and any other usage would not be optimizing their talents. Mitchell is the same kind of player, but CLE isn't really built around him in the same way. Garland's (possible?) ability to be the same kind of player is completely squashed with Mitchell on the team, so now he's a tiny shooting guard, regardless of the number of assists he racks up. Mobley is a fantastic player, but he's also overqualified for the lesser role he's going to be fed. Allen is not as good as Mobley, but he's really good and could play as a secondary player in any system. CLE has too many singular talents but the team isn't constructed efficiently, imo. We're back to the same observations as last year even after they won 64 regular season games.

Trae is the same kind of player/system, but far less effective maybe because of his small stature...built for the regular season with gaudy stats but "lockable" when it counts.

Modern Lead Guard is amazing when it works, but a precarious all-in based on one guy. I guess it was Daryll Morey's Rockets who first unleashed Harden to just do everything he wanted...Prior PGs looked a lot different.

1. We have to be really careful in deciding what we ultimately want this team to look like. The twin "Point Forward" thing has a lot of flaws, but it's not obvious or simple what the ideal PG for this team looks like. Trae, imo, would be a mess and the team dynamic would be awful. For some reason, I think Garland would be a guy that could walk the tightrope between All-Star PG and high-level supporting player. Derrick White as well. Tyler Herro, Austin Reaves, CJ McCollum have the ball in their hands a lot, but I think they'd fit. I'm even thinking a young Chris Paul wouldn't but a young Jason Kidd might...Lonzo Ball - yes. DeAaron Fox-not so sure. I'm not so much talking about specific guys being available, but Haliburton or SGA, probably wouldn't work so well with Paolo. I think Franz works with ANYONE on any team. This is a big summer...one great move could really push us forward. The wrong move, even for a great individual player, could throw everything off. No move would be even worse. Mitchell is the best player on CLE, but he was added to a really talented team, but that's the difference between building a team around a star vs just plugging him in because he became available. You can't just disregard 64 wins, especially with a bum ankle...but CLE seems more like a collection of talented guys than a well-assembled team.

2. Injuries to stars mean you're contention is over (for now)...that's just the reality of the NBA. You can only put 5 guys out there and you can only really pay a lot of money to, maybe 3...so, like it or not, depth is really only a big deal in getting through the regular season when you get to the point of serious contending.

Jerome was shooting 26/15/86 before last night's game with poor defense. That's why he didn't come into the game earlier. I'm starting to think he's a good front runner, but when he faces any adversity, he crumbles.

Allen, Garland, and Jerome are way too soft.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

Jarett Allen is soft? sure

[basketballRob]

Mitchell was hardly able to walk on that ankle. When I was watching, Jerome never got his warmups off...makes you wonder why? and, for a Trade Machine junkie, it really makes you wonder if it's wrong to think his recent success would scale up to a bigger role. Same with Pritchard (who won't be available, just thinking) who is taking on a bigger role in BOS, but still a sidekick for sure.

Then you watch Haliburton, who is as dominant a singular on-ball presence as I can remember seeing. Siakim has probably been an All-Star, but what we're watching is the modern Lead Guard, absolutely running the game...a relatively modern concept. Same thing with Cade and Harden...you take them off their teams with an injury and they have NO chance. The teams are completely, intelligently built around their offensive "one man system". There is so much off-ball movement in IND's offense (like GSW). It's certainly risky to base everything on one guy - but you go with what you got and any other usage would not be optimizing their talents. Mitchell is the same kind of player, but CLE isn't really built around him in the same way. Garland's (possible?) ability to be the same kind of player is completely squashed with Mitchell on the team, so now he's a tiny shooting guard, regardless of the number of assists he racks up. Mobley is a fantastic player, but he's also overqualified for the lesser role he's going to be fed. Allen is not as good as Mobley, but he's really good and could play as a secondary player in any system. CLE has too many singular talents but the team isn't constructed efficiently, imo. We're back to the same observations as last year even after they won 64 regular season games.

Trae is the same kind of player/system, but far less effective maybe because of his small stature...built for the regular season with gaudy stats but "lockable" when it counts.

Modern Lead Guard is amazing when it works, but a precarious all-in based on one guy. I guess it was Daryll Morey's Rockets who first unleashed Harden to just do everything he wanted...Prior PGs looked a lot different.

1. We have to be really careful in deciding what we ultimately want this team to look like. The twin "Point Forward" thing has a lot of flaws, but it's not obvious or simple what the ideal PG for this team looks like. Trae, imo, would be a mess and the team dynamic would be awful. For some reason, I think Garland would be a guy that could walk the tightrope between All-Star PG and high-level supporting player. Derrick White as well. Tyler Herro, Austin Reaves, CJ McCollum have the ball in their hands a lot, but I think they'd fit. I'm even thinking a young Chris Paul wouldn't but a young Jason Kidd might...Lonzo Ball - yes. DeAaron Fox-not so sure. I'm not so much talking about specific guys being available, but Haliburton or SGA, probably wouldn't work so well with Paolo. I think Franz works with ANYONE on any team. This is a big summer...one great move could really push us forward. The wrong move, even for a great individual player, could throw everything off. No move would be even worse. Mitchell is the best player on CLE, but he was added to a really talented team, but that's the difference between building a team around a star vs just plugging him in because he became available. You can't just disregard 64 wins, especially with a bum ankle...but CLE seems more like a collection of talented guys than a well-assembled team.

2. Injuries to stars mean you're contention is over (for now)...that's just the reality of the NBA. You can only put 5 guys out there and you can only really pay a lot of money to, maybe 3...so, like it or not, depth is really only a big deal in getting through the regular season when you get to the point of serious contending.

Jerome was shooting 26/15/86 before last night's game with poor defense. That's why he didn't come into the game earlier. I'm starting to think he's a good front runner, but when he faces any adversity, he crumbles.

Allen, Garland, and Jerome are way too soft.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

Jarett Allen is soft? sure

Yes, I think he has no mental toughness. Turner badly outplayed him.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

[basketballRob]

I remember Suggs punking Garland last season. That guy doesn't have the toughness to win a championship.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

[basketballRob]

Turner's stats against Allen. Allen is one of the more overrated players in the league. Allen scores around the basket and provides no perimeter defense.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/myles-turner-last-5-games

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

[Skybox]

Turner's stats against Allen. Allen is one of the more overrated players in the league.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/myles-turner-last-5-games

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

I take Jarrett Allen over Turner (for ORL) any day of the week. If Turner gets the $30m+ payday he wants this summer, the gap will be that much wider. IND is fortunate that only BRK will have the ability to throw ridiculous money at Turner and, imo, that's not a prudent way to build from the ground they're on. Hopefully, for IND, they get him locked up on an Allen-like deal and don't have to consider a flight risk or trade bait every year.

Turner is a SIX rebound per game highlight-reel specialist. Like most high-profile shot block chasers, he's not in position to rebound. Allen gobbles many more rebounds and he's playing next to an even better rebounding big in Mobley. Allen is a far superior ball mover too.

However, I can't ignore Turner's 3pt shooting...it's always been good but, for a few years, it's been well over 40% in the playoffs!

Both are really good Centers who play a bit differently...Mobley was supposed to be more Turner-like and drag defenders out to the perimeter, but that really hasn't developed. I could see CLE moving Allen and putting Mobley at C. Allen is way too good to be backing up anyone.

I'd love either one in ORL, but I'm leaning towards the one making $20m and staying in his lane for THIS team's makeup.

[basketballRob]

Turner's stats against Allen. Allen is one of the more overrated players in the league.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/myles-turner-last-5-games

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

I take Jarrett Allen over Turner (for ORL) any day of the week. If Turner gets the $30m+ payday he wants this summer, the gap will be that much wider. IND is fortunate that only BRK will have the ability to throw ridiculous money at Turner and, imo, that's not a prudent way to build from the ground they're on. Hopefully, for IND, they get him locked up on an Allen-like deal and don't have to consider a flight risk or trade bait every year.

Turner is a SIX rebound per game highlight-reel specialist. Like most high-profile shot block chasers, he's not in position to rebound. Allen gobbles many more rebounds and he's playing next to an even better rebounding big in Mobley. Allen is a far superior ball mover too.

However, I can't ignore Turner's 3pt shooting...it's always been good but, for a few years, it's been well over 40% in the playoffs!

Both are really good Centers who play a bit differently...Mobley was supposed to be more Turner-like and drag defenders out to the perimeter, but that really hasn't developed. I could see CLE moving Allen and putting Mobley at C. Allen is way too good to be backing up anyone.

I'd love either one in ORL, but I'm leaning towards the one making $20m and staying in his lane for THIS team's makeup.

Allen had a total of 6 rebounds in the last 2 games when it mattered. He averages more during the regular season because he hangs out under the basket on defense like Vuc does. When you play 4 or 5 on the perimeter, you get open shots.

You could argue Wendell played better than Allen in the Celtics series than Allen did in the Pacers series. At least he guarded the perimeter.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

[pepe1991]

Crazy talk.

Only 5 teams in entire nba history recovered from 0-2 at home. One being in 1969.

In both games they were without 3 key players. And lost in such a heartbreaking fashion.

Probability after being 0-2 ( road or home) to advance is 7,3%.

Cavs have fixing to do, but yea, series was over after 0-2. Just like Celtics were probably done after their 0-2.


Talking about who's "soft" or "hard" or who has boner while rebounding is childish.

Now, more than ever, single series can be decided in something as stupid as having enough hot hands in right time. Pacers got hot, Cavs got cold.
Celtics series played in similar fashion.

Pacers are lucky, luck is part of the sport.

[basketballRob]

Crazy talk.

Only 5 teams in entire nba history recovered from 0-2 at home. One being in 1969.

In both games they were without 3 key players. And lost in such a heartbreaking fashion.

Probability after being 0-2 ( road or home) to advance is 7,3%.

Cavs have fixing to do, but yea, series was over after 0-2. Just like Celtics were probably done after their 0-2.


Talking about who's "soft" or "hard" or who has boner while rebounding is childish.

Now, more than ever, single series can be decided in something as stupid as having enough hot hands in right time. Pacers got hot, Cavs got cold.
Celtics series played in similar fashion.

Pacers are lucky, luck is part of the sport.

It's hard to overcome a 4-1 lead.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

[pepe1991]

Crazy talk.

Only 5 teams in entire nba history recovered from 0-2 at home. One being in 1969.

In both games they were without 3 key players. And lost in such a heartbreaking fashion.

Probability after being 0-2 ( road or home) to advance is 7,3%.

Cavs have fixing to do, but yea, series was over after 0-2. Just like Celtics were probably done after their 0-2.


Talking about who's "soft" or "hard" or who has boner while rebounding is childish.

Now, more than ever, single series can be decided in something as stupid as having enough hot hands in right time. Pacers got hot, Cavs got cold.
Celtics series played in similar fashion.

Pacers are lucky, luck is part of the sport.

It's hard to overcome a 4-1 lead.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

And your point is?

Pacers advanced. Pacers advanced last year as well.
Pacers are underrated team.

Pacers for past two years only played 1 healthy team and they got swept in that round.

Luck is part of the sport.

[JoshuaPotter]

Did we beat the crap out of Celtics? Discuss.

[Skybox]

Turner's stats against Allen. Allen is one of the more overrated players in the league.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/myles-turner-last-5-games

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

I take Jarrett Allen over Turner (for ORL) any day of the week. If Turner gets the $30m+ payday he wants this summer, the gap will be that much wider. IND is fortunate that only BRK will have the ability to throw ridiculous money at Turner and, imo, that's not a prudent way to build from the ground they're on. Hopefully, for IND, they get him locked up on an Allen-like deal and don't have to consider a flight risk or trade bait every year.

Turner is a SIX rebound per game highlight-reel specialist. Like most high-profile shot block chasers, he's not in position to rebound. Allen gobbles many more rebounds and he's playing next to an even better rebounding big in Mobley. Allen is a far superior ball mover too.

However, I can't ignore Turner's 3pt shooting...it's always been good but, for a few years, it's been well over 40% in the playoffs!

Both are really good Centers who play a bit differently...Mobley was supposed to be more Turner-like and drag defenders out to the perimeter, but that really hasn't developed. I could see CLE moving Allen and putting Mobley at C. Allen is way too good to be backing up anyone.

I'd love either one in ORL, but I'm leaning towards the one making $20m and staying in his lane for THIS team's makeup.

Allen had a total of 6 rebounds in the last 2 games when it mattered. He averages more during the regular season because he hangs out under the basket on defense like Vuc does. When you play 4 or 5 on the perimeter, you get open shots.

You could argue Wendell played better than Allen in the Celtics series than Allen did in the Pacers series. At least he guarded the perimeter.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

right...we should probably just send Wendell for Allen...CLE would probably add a pick

Take that one to the general board and see how it flies.

Realistically speaking, CLE already has a better C in house, maybe they WOULD like a PF like Wendell, who is a superior perimeter defender and, theoretically, can make 3pt shots...He'd probably be a good fit with Mobley.

[Fortune Teller]

Luck is part of the sport, but health is also part of the sport, and I no longer equate the two. If the Pacers managed to stay healthy while other teams didn't then kudos to them. Magic fans know more than anyone -- durability is a skill. Players who are in the infirmary more than on the court aren't worth a whole lot.

The main difference in the Cavs-Pacers series was Haliburton. Rumors about the diminished importance of the point guard position have been greatly exaggerated. You have to have that alpha lead guard even if not a classic PG -- Haliburton, Brunson, Ant, Steph. I'm not sure how we get that player now that we've paid Suggs, spent our cap space on KCP and re-signing below-average role players, and used the last of our tank picks on Black and Jett. Either something falls from the sky or we might be very disappointed heading into next season.

[Skybox]

Did we beat the crap out of Celtics? Discuss.

I don't really think that's TOO big a factor...certainly not with Tatum's freak Achilles thing. Wore them down -sure.

but, all of the injuries to stars is really bad for the league and it seems to be more frequent than ever. Zach Lowe was discussing with Simmons on his podcast...there's a lot of money at stake, so it's a difficult position - but they both felt like the best thing for the game is to shorten the season...but again, there's a ton of TV and gate money at stake. Personally, I miss the best of 5 first round...upset potential is good for the sport - that's what makes March Madness the most exciting sports tourney. Best of 7 kind of ensures that best teams are rarely upset, but I don't think that makes for exciting playoffs and it's just dragging on and on (and wearing on the players, considering the increased intensity of playoff basketball). In the regular season, teams play a much deeper rotation and, generally, a much lower intensity...so, you might say that cutting one playoff game would be equivalent to 2 or 3 regular season games - in terms of wear and tear on stars.

Anyway, the point I want to make is that while the NBA is looking at injuries becoming too frequent and costly, while not being willing to cut the schedule or somehow make players skip all of the national stuff in the summer, they may come back to limiting physical play again (by officiating)...the refs have been much more lenient in the playoffs but that could change with one phone call from Silver...it's certainly been adjusted very obviously over the years.

That would be detrimental to ORL's current makeup...even though Paolo lives at the FT line - he REALLY DOES get hit every time down...there's not a lot more you can do to slow him down.

[Idiosyncratic]

I think injuries played a big role in the Cavs series loss, but the Pacers are better than given credit and had a chance against healthy Cavs.

On Jerome-- Garland and Mitchell were hurt and coach still didn't trust him to play much. The obvious part out of the way... that defense is BAD. I mean he is really bad on that end. Offensively he is a guy probably better suited to go against backups. I said at the end of the season his next contract could decrease a bit if he didn't look like a playoff player, he looked good against the Heat, problem is not sure they are a playoff team. Was atrocious against the Pacers.

Also worth noting that the Cavs did not look the same, even in the regular season after we ended their 16 game win streak.

[JoshuaPotter]

Did we beat the crap out of Celtics? Discuss.

I don't really think that's TOO big a factor...certainly not with Tatum's freak Achilles thing. Wore them down -sure.

but, all of the injuries to stars is really bad for the league and it seems to be more frequent than ever. Zach Lowe was discussing with Simmons on his podcast...there's a lot of money at stake, so it's a difficult position - but they both felt like the best thing for the game is to shorten the season...but again, there's a ton of TV and gate money at stake. Personally, I miss the best of 5 first round...upset potential is good for the sport - that's what makes March Madness the most exciting sports tourney. Best of 7 kind of ensures that best teams are rarely upset, but I don't think that makes for exciting playoffs and it's just dragging on and on (and wearing on the players, considering the increased intensity of playoff basketball). In the regular season, teams play a much deeper rotation and, generally, a much lower intensity...so, you might say that cutting one playoff game would be equivalent to 2 or 3 regular season games - in terms of wear and tear on stars.

Anyway, the point I want to make is that while the NBA is looking at injuries becoming too frequent and costly, while not being willing to cut the schedule or somehow make players skip all of the national stuff in the summer, they may come back to limiting physical play again (by officiating)...the refs have been much more lenient in the playoffs but that could change with one phone call from Silver...it's certainly been adjusted very obviously over the years.

That would be detrimental to ORL's current makeup...even though Paolo lives at the FT line - he REALLY DOES get hit every time down...there's not a lot more you can do to slow him down.

This begs a difficult question. Was there more injuries in the 90-00 or was this all weeded out due to physicality?

I'm totally ignoring the Lebron and the Durants of the world due to longevity. To the same token, I thought Paul George career was done ages ago as well as Kwani. Yet, they seem to have recovered. Is this due to modern tech? Or? Something else?

It does make me wonder if Grant Hill could have come back and regained his peak in a league of modern medicine.

[pepe1991]

I think league's decision to just drop hammer with Aprons hurted pretty much all teams that were in process of contending or trying to contend, and ever since there are massive earthquakes to solve salary issues.

And whole plan was probably to penalize mega teams & slower player's movement, in reality, it will just speed up shell life of sustained sucess and players will move even more because teams won't be able to hold onto stars for too long.

If you build form draft, first 3-4 years are gathering, next 3-4 are contending, after that it's salary hell and new teardown. You will have teams "reseting" rebuilds more than ever because even average teams are poised to be stuck in salary hell.


Teams should have been given transition period to have time to adjust. Giving players max contracts in past was common sense for above average players or fringe all star teams, due apron limits, max contracts should be kept for 20 best players.
And whole concept of megamax is still suicidal poison for salary.

[MartinsIzAfraud]

I think league's decision to just drop hammer with Aprons hurted pretty much all teams that were in process of contending or trying to contend, and ever since there are massive earthquakes to solve salary issues.

And whole plan was probably to penalize mega teams & slower player's movement, in reality, it will just speed up shell life of sustained sucess and players will move even more because teams won't be able to hold onto stars for too long.

If you build form draft, first 3-4 years are gathering, next 3-4 are contending, after that it's salary hell and new teardown. You will have teams "reseting" rebuilds more than ever because even average teams are poised to be stuck in salary hell.


Teams should have been given transition period to have time to adjust. Giving players max contracts in past was common sense for above average players or fringe all star teams, due apron limits, max contracts should be kept for 20 best players.
And whole concept of megamax is still suicidal poison for salary.

Not to mention the tax apron has devalued Free Agency big time. If you want a player you’re trading for him because teams aren’t letting talent get to FA. You’d rather overpay a little kick the can down the road and trade vs let them walk.

[drsd]

It's hard to overcome a 4-1 lead.

And your point is?

Pacers advanced. Pacers advanced last year as well.
Pacers are underrated team.

Pacers for past two years only played 1 healthy team and they got swept in that round.

Luck is part of the sport.

Pepe: read the post again. It's a sarcastic joke.

Spoiler:

..
a 4-1 lead means you already lost the series!