NBA General Discussion: 24-25

[Kobblehead]

The Thunder should be a draw because they're fun to watch, but again, there's a disconnect there with the general public. Shai just not charismatic enough. Jalen Williams is too non-descript. They're trying, with the AT&T commercials, but it's not quite there yet.

The public wanted Ant-Man vs. the Knicks in the Finals. That was the money-maker.

[Stanford]

The games are on too late! I've got a day job!

[mjkvol]

OKC will win 4 out of the next 4 or 5 games. Game 1 is just to make it look like Pacers has a chance.

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This is what the NBA gets for allowing a powerhouse to grow in OKC and contenders present and future in places like IND, MIN, DEN, and SA.

Silver's much touted push for parity has turned the NBA back into a regional sport like MLB after all of Stern's efforts to nationalize the game by getting stars to LA, NY, CHI, and BOS through draft shenanigans.

[Arsenal]

OKC will win 4 out of the next 4 or 5 games. Game 1 is just to make it look like Pacers has a chance.

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This is what the NBA gets for allowing a powerhouse to grow in OKC and contenders present and future in places like IND, MIN, DEN, and SA.

Silver's much touted push for parity has turned the NBA back into a regional sport like MLB after all of Stern's efforts to nationalize the game by getting stars to LA, NY, CHI, and BOS through draft shenanigans.

Yes. Adam Slither executed a coup against us, meanwhile he allowed OKC to do "The Process" on steroids. Now the league will be dominated by the smallest market that no one cares about.

Great work by that worthless POS.

[76ciology]

OKC will win 4 out of the next 4 or 5 games. Game 1 is just to make it look like Pacers has a chance.

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This is what the NBA gets for allowing a powerhouse to grow in OKC and contenders present and future in places like IND, MIN, DEN, and SA.

Silver's much touted push for parity has turned the NBA back into a regional sport like MLB after all of Stern's efforts to nationalize the game by getting stars to LA, NY, CHI, and BOS through draft shenanigans.

Personally, I don’t think it’s about market size, it’s more about the talent level. I actually enjoyed the Nuggets-Thunder series. But with Indy, let’s be honest.. there isn’t a ton of excitement around watching Haliburton play and being carried by Nesmith, Siakam, and Nembhard. Maybe it’s just not my cup of tea, but I don’t think I’m alone in that.

[Kobblehead]

Silver did finnesse Doncic to Los Angeles, so he's trying.

[mjkvol]

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This is what the NBA gets for allowing a powerhouse to grow in OKC and contenders present and future in places like IND, MIN, DEN, and SA.

Silver's much touted push for parity has turned the NBA back into a regional sport like MLB after all of Stern's efforts to nationalize the game by getting stars to LA, NY, CHI, and BOS through draft shenanigans.

Personally, I don’t think it’s about market size, it’s more about the talent level. I actually enjoyed the Nuggets-Thunder series. But with Indy, let’s be honest.. there isn’t a ton of excitement around watching Haliburton play and being carried by Nesmith, Siakam, and Nembhard. Maybe it’s just not my cup of tea, but I don’t think I’m alone in that.

Disagree. The reason that guys like us enjoy these series is that we aren't casual fans, who are only going to tune in for big market stars like the NBA had in the '80's, '90's, and even the early '00's until Shaq and Kobe were broken up. We love the different schemes and the coaching adjustments, while the casual fan wants to see highlight reel play.

When you have the Jordans, Birds, Ewings, Magics, and Jabbars in the biggest markets and the league is making a point on promoting those teams and stars, the casual fan will tune in. I might love watching the schemes and players on teams like IND, OKC, MIN, and DEN, but having your biggest stars in spots like that is a recipe for disaster ratings wise. Especially when the stars lack the charisma of a Jordan or Magic. Haliburton has that charisma, but isn't a big scorer and plays in a team oriented system the casual fan would not be interested in watching.

A matchup like OKC-MIN or OKC-IND is a ratings nightmare despite the presence of the MVP of the league and a 68-win team. Silver got exactly what he asked for, and the result is going to be probably the least watched Finals in league history.

[Negrodamus]

If Silver wanted bigger market teams to have success, you'd think he would've stopped kneecapping us from 2016-19.

[76ciology]

If Silver wanted bigger market teams to have success, you'd think he would've stopped kneecapping us from 2016-19.

He didnt stop Embiid from breaking down

[eyeatoma]

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Happy birthday AI!!! The reason I became a Sixers and NBA fan.

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[Kobblehead]

Cavs are shopping Darius Garland. The dual munchkin thing is just not what you want.

[Negrodamus]

If Silver wanted bigger market teams to have success, you'd think he would've stopped kneecapping us from 2016-19.

He didnt stop Embiid from breaking down

He could have given us three #1 picks like he did for the Cavs after LeBron left if we’re to believe Silver is pulling the levers.

[okboomer]

If Silver wanted bigger market teams to have success, you'd think he would've stopped kneecapping us from 2016-19.

He didnt stop Embiid from breaking down

He could have given us three #1 picks like he did for the Cavs after LeBron left if we’re to believe Silver is pulling the levers.

He wasnt even the commissioner when they for 2/3 of those picks . And if some really into this conspiracy, they would have given them the first pick in 2012, the year with David.

[Negrodamus]

He didnt stop Embiid from breaking down

He could have given us three #1 picks like he did for the Cavs after LeBron left if we’re to believe Silver is pulling the levers.

He wasnt even the commissioner when they for 2/3 of those picks . And if some really into this conspiracy, they would have given them the first pick in 2012, the year with David.

I’m just playing along with the conspiracies.

[76ciology]

Nobody watched?

[Negrodamus]

Nobody watched?

Expected. The team who values defense, depth, and has stars pressure the rim are back on top. I can’t imagine Indiana keeping up.

[76ciology]

Spoiler:

Pacers win game 1, but lose 4 straight.

What’s your prediction?

..and that’s when it’s best for that game 1 upset.

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This is just WWE for grown men.

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[mjkvol]

The Pacers can't get to the rim over even clean looks from 3 against this swarming defense, the only chance they have to keep games close is to spam 3's and hit a crazy % like they did in the 4th quarter of game 1. OKC is too deep with long wings who can guard, they defend the rim and are still able to close hard on 3's, and they can play big or small as they choose. And they have the best shot creator in the game right now.

IND might steal one more at home, but I wouldn't bet on it.

[Jailblazers7]

OKC got back to basics and won with relative ease. No more lineup shenanigans, they played an organized and disciplined offensive game, and Indy still can really score on this defense. Even the 3s that Indy hit were generally tough shots.

The series really comes down to shot quality and the difference is that SGA can generate a quality shot most trips down the floor.

[Murray_17]

The Pacers can't get to the rim over even clean looks from 3 against this swarming defense, the only chance they have to keep games close is to spam 3's and hit a crazy % like they did in the 4th quarter of game 1. OKC is too deep with long wings who can guard, they defend the rim and are still able to close hard on 3's, and they can play big or small as they choose. And they have the best shot creator in the game right now.

OKC gives the most corner 3s in the entire league, and Indiana was exploiting that pretty good in the first quarter. It would also help them extend the OKC defense. Playing Hali off ball also is a great option because you had Dort glued to him so you can get a side of the floor clean

And then the bench unit came and the game went to ****

I get that Carlisle doesn't like to over-extend players, but this is the finals, just play your best guys all the minutes it takes. Yes, it's a long shot, and you need to shoot well every time to win, but if that's what it takes, just do it. It's not like you have to worry about keeping guys fresh for another series. Not that I think this is gonna make them favorites or that they can actually win, but it's the closest you're gonna get to do it.

Yeah OKC has, probably, the best defense in the story of the league that's tailor-made to stop you, and they also have the MVP. More reason to stick to the desperate plan