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

[Lee Van Cleef]

I would like to have Smart back tbh. His bone-head decisions cost us a lot in the past, but still…

[Fierce1]

I would like to have Smart back tbh. His bone-head decisions cost us a lot in the past, but still…

Too late!

[ThePigeon]

I would like to have Smart back tbh. His bone-head decisions cost us a lot in the past, but still…

He is dead to me
Went to LAL!!! to play with LeQuin and fat cry baby
Dead

[Hal14]

A few folks on here have been up in arms about us not drafting Rasheer Fleming.

Here's some intel on him from a guy on Draft Twitter who went to summer league and talked to a bunch of scouts/execs from NBA teams:

https://nikoza2.substack.com/p/2025-nba-summer-league-feedback

"Rasheer Fleming apparently interviewed with teams in a manner consistent with his poor on-court basketball IQ / feel for the game"

So it seems like it should be no surprise that he fell to the 2nd round.

Also, Sam Vecenie from The Athletic said on his podcast that Fleming "has no idea where he's going on defense" and that some NBA teams like him enough to take him mid 1st round but other teams think he's nothing more than a 2-way contract type of guy.

Seems like a good flier to take somewhere in the 2nd round but I'm not losing sleep over us passing on him..

[2Mas]

I feel vindicated in never liking Marcus. Hopefully he is a net negative for the Lakers.

I believe part of the reason why Kyrie left is because of Smart.

From everything I’ve heard/read it was Rozier. Which is why Danny also offloaded him to Charlotte and why Al left. The order of blame for that debacle is probably Ainge Rozier Kyrie. Smart was an idiot but I don’t think he helped push Kyrie out at all.

Rozier was part, but not why Al left.

Rozier was 100% the #2 biggest issue on that insanely talented 18/19 team. Kyrie was def #1. Terry came in as the bulldog defensive monster & that yr he was chucking up long 2s off no passes with 19 left on the clock smfh. I hated him that season.

But rumors say Al HATED kyrie. As most did when he was on the celts (Smart Brown Rozier mainly). Kyrie & Tatum never beefed cause the duke connect. But the youngings vs Kai was def an issue. Funny now to see them all bffls.

But if Al hated those dudes, we lost both of them that offseason. He could've stayed then. But he left to get his $.

[Shak_Celts]

How far is the WNBA into their season? When does the next one start? I know I said this in the past but I really do want to get back into watching more of their games, but I want a fresh season and a team to follow.

I like Aja, any game I catch or highlights I really enjoy, and of course I saw them win a couple. Do I wanna follow the aces though? I don’t know.

I don’t watch as many sports as I used to. I used to watch everything except NASCAR (NEVER) and hockey (except big events), and soccer (big events occasionally). I love watching athletes, it’s always amazing to me. I really only watch NBA and NFL these days and catch few other things here and there. I think I could get back into the WNBA again. I want to give it a full season and fair shake.

I don’t want to follow a sucky franchise though, need a team with a good culture. They don’t have to be champs, but they need to look like they are heading in the right direction, and when they make don’t win, they look like they make moves to eventually get there. I like when players get chances to grow, don’t want to see a new team every season. The team doesn’t have to have a superstar, but it should have players that look like they can grow into being something, I need hope!

Please help me out guys. Thanks.


Edit/SN: I really use to watch everything. I remember loving curling but I never bothered to learn the rules and I didn’t get into following it because of the times it came on. Late or early asl!

[Bill Lumbergh]

A few folks on here have been up in arms about us not drafting Rasheer Fleming.

Here's some intel on him from a guy on Draft Twitter who went to summer league and talked to a bunch of scouts/execs from NBA teams:

https://nikoza2.substack.com/p/2025-nba-summer-league-feedback

"Rasheer Fleming apparently interviewed with teams in a manner consistent with his poor on-court basketball IQ / feel for the game"

So it seems like it should be no surprise that he fell to the 2nd round.

Also, Sam Vecenie from The Athletic said on his podcast that Fleming "has no idea where he's going on defense" and that some NBA teams like him enough to take him mid 1st round but other teams think he's nothing more than a 2-way contract type of guy.

Seems like a good flier to take somewhere in the 2nd round but I'm not losing sleep over us passing on him..

I was fine with missing him. I wanted Kalkbrenner. It'll be interesting to see how these guys turn out, and Raynaud, too.

[phincsfan]

How far is the WNBA into their season? When does the next one start? I know I said this in the past but I really do want to get back into watching more of their games, but I want a fresh season and a team to follow.

I like Aja, any game I catch or highlights I really enjoy, and of course I saw them win a couple. Do I wanna follow the aces though? I don’t know.

I don’t watch as many sports as I used to. I used to watch everything except NASCAR (NEVER) and hockey (except big events), and soccer (big events occasionally). I love watching athletes, it’s always amazing to me. I really only watch NBA and NFL these days and catch few other things here and there. I think I could get back into the WNBA again. I want to give it a full season and fair shake.

I don’t want to follow a sucky franchise though, need a team with a good culture. They don’t have to be champs, but they need to look like they are heading in the right direction, and when they make don’t win, they look like they make moves to eventually get there. I like when players get chances to grow, don’t want to see a new team every season. The team doesn’t have to have a superstar, but it should have players that look like they can grow into being something, I need hope!

Please help me out guys. Thanks.


Edit/SN: I really use to watch everything. I remember loving curling but I never bothered to learn the rules and I didn’t get into following it because of the times it came on. Late or early asl!

If you watched a replay of a girls high school basketball championship game and any WNBA game with the team names on the score ticker blacked out, you couldn't tell the difference.

And I'm not trying to disrespect girls high school basketball either.

The video if the WNBA "stars" getting the "who are you" treatment outside that lounge during all star week was also pretty entertaining.

[Shak_Celts]

How far is the WNBA into their season? When does the next one start? I know I said this in the past but I really do want to get back into watching more of their games, but I want a fresh season and a team to follow.

I like Aja, any game I catch or highlights I really enjoy, and of course I saw them win a couple. Do I wanna follow the aces though? I don’t know.

I don’t watch as many sports as I used to. I used to watch everything except NASCAR (NEVER) and hockey (except big events), and soccer (big events occasionally). I love watching athletes, it’s always amazing to me. I really only watch NBA and NFL these days and catch few other things here and there. I think I could get back into the WNBA again. I want to give it a full season and fair shake.

I don’t want to follow a sucky franchise though, need a team with a good culture. They don’t have to be champs, but they need to look like they are heading in the right direction, and when they make don’t win, they look like they make moves to eventually get there. I like when players get chances to grow, don’t want to see a new team every season. The team doesn’t have to have a superstar, but it should have players that look like they can grow into being something, I need hope!

Please help me out guys. Thanks.


Edit/SN: I really use to watch everything. I remember loving curling but I never bothered to learn the rules and I didn’t get into following it because of the times it came on. Late or early asl!

If you watched a replay of a girls high school basketball championship game and any WNBA game with the team names on the score ticker blacked out, you couldn't tell the difference.

And I'm not trying to disrespect girls high school basketball either.

The video if the WNBA "stars" getting the "who are you" treatment outside that lounge during all star week was also pretty entertaining.

I’ll pretend with the rest of the world and push the notion that the NBA didn’t start off for decades, with the same level of fanfare. I’ll pretend that the NBA wasn’t losing money. I’ll pretend that the world gave two ish about pro ball.


Maybe you aren’t their target audience, I may not be after I give it a real chance again, but the things being said about the WNBA is ____! Not just by you.

Comparing them to what the NBA is now instead of what the NBA was during their same growth stages is wild. Don’t let the owners (NBA) fool you, people are getting into the W! They are gaining traction, no matter how slow it may seem to some! If no one was watching, they wouldn’t be adding 5 or so more franchises. They’ll never be men’s level of money, hand over fist, but they’ll be and remain a juggernaut in their lane!


I watched Lisa as much as I could back in that day, she was my woman Shaq! Loved her! I was so happy Candace was good enough to carry the torch. After a few seasons of just Candace, after Liza. I moved away from the W, but some of it was not wanting to cheer on LA teams anymore, the older I got the more I hated the purple and gold, didn’t even want to like the sparks because of it. I really loved Candace, but I wasn’t a rider. Wasn’t strong enough to go through losing either. Not caring enough about switching teams, I gave up. I loved watching and cheering on my players, but it wasn’t the same after LL. I’m sure I’ll like it again, I just need a TEAM that i can ride with.

[greenbeans]

If you watched a replay of a girls high school basketball championship game and any WNBA game with the team names on the score ticker blacked out, you couldn't tell the difference.

And I'm not trying to disrespect girls high school basketball either.

The video if the WNBA "stars" getting the "who are you" treatment outside that lounge during all star week was also pretty entertaining.

Doesn't it feel weird to just unabashedly hate something for no good reason? Like, we're here on a forum for pro basketball yeah, but there are countless levels below that, why do we only get derogatory about it when it's a women's league? Why not trash the level of competition in the g league when it's mentioned, how come people don't get to projecting their shortcomings when the Big 3 is talked about?

Long story short, you should feel embarrassed for 1.) thinking those thoughts, and 2.) putting them out into the world as though we aren't all looking at you like less of a person now.

[Larry_Russell]

If you watched a replay of a girls high school basketball championship game and any WNBA game with the team names on the score ticker blacked out, you couldn't tell the difference.

And I'm not trying to disrespect girls high school basketball either.

The video if the WNBA "stars" getting the "who are you" treatment outside that lounge during all star week was also pretty entertaining.

Doesn't it feel weird to just unabashedly hate something for no good reason? Like, we're here on a forum for pro basketball yeah, but there are countless levels below that, why do we only get derogatory about it when it's a women's league? Why not trash the level of competition in the g league when it's mentioned, how come people don't get to projecting their shortcomings when the Big 3 is talked about?

Long story short, you should feel embarrassed for 1.) thinking those thoughts, and 2.) putting them out into the world as though we aren't all looking at you like less of a person now.

white knight over here.


Reason Gleague isnt talked about like Wnba is that the players dont run around with shirts telling us to pay them more money, they players generally dont act entitled and the game is vastly superior.

To me the biggest issue is that
1) They think they are as good as the mens leagues
2) They hate their own when it comes to actually making the league profitable.

[greenbeans]

white knight over here.

Spoiler:

Sorry the women in your life left you in such shambles, best of luck overcoming your shortcomings

[Shak_Celts]

If you watched a replay of a girls high school basketball championship game and any WNBA game with the team names on the score ticker blacked out, you couldn't tell the difference.

And I'm not trying to disrespect girls high school basketball either.

The video if the WNBA "stars" getting the "who are you" treatment outside that lounge during all star week was also pretty entertaining.

Doesn't it feel weird to just unabashedly hate something for no good reason? Like, we're here on a forum for pro basketball yeah, but there are countless levels below that, why do we only get derogatory about it when it's a women's league? Why not trash the level of competition in the g league when it's mentioned, how come people don't get to projecting their shortcomings when the Big 3 is talked about?

Long story short, you should feel embarrassed for 1.) thinking those thoughts, and 2.) putting them out into the world as though we aren't all looking at you like less of a person now.

white knight over here.


Reason Gleague isnt talked about like Wnba is that the players dont run around with shirts telling us to pay them more money, they players generally dont act entitled and the game is vastly superior.

To me the biggest issue is that
1) They think they are as good as the mens leagues
2) They hate their own when it comes to actually making the league profitable.

So, this is about Clark? Got it.


SMH.

[Shak_Celts]

white knight over here.

Spoiler:

Sorry the women in your life left you in such shambles, best of luck overcoming your shortcomings

Don’t step into personal attacks.

[bucknersrevenge]

If you watched a replay of a girls high school basketball championship game and any WNBA game with the team names on the score ticker blacked out, you couldn't tell the difference.

And I'm not trying to disrespect girls high school basketball either.

The video if the WNBA "stars" getting the "who are you" treatment outside that lounge during all star week was also pretty entertaining.

Doesn't it feel weird to just unabashedly hate something for no good reason? Like, we're here on a forum for pro basketball yeah, but there are countless levels below that, why do we only get derogatory about it when it's a women's league? Why not trash the level of competition in the g league when it's mentioned, how come people don't get to projecting their shortcomings when the Big 3 is talked about?

Long story short, you should feel embarrassed for 1.) thinking those thoughts, and 2.) putting them out into the world as though we aren't all looking at you like less of a person now.

white knight over here.


Reason Gleague isnt talked about like Wnba is that the players dont run around with shirts telling us to pay them more money, they players generally dont act entitled and the game is vastly superior.

To me the biggest issue is that
1) They think they are as good as the mens leagues
2) They hate their own when it comes to actually making the league profitable.

-FWIW, the NBA wasn't profitable at all its first 40 years so its not much different than the WNBA in that regard.

-When a revenue sharing model was established in the early 80's the players got over 50% of it. Even as they were losing money. The current WNBA players percentage: 9%

Draw your own conclusions.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

If you watched a replay of a girls high school basketball championship game and any WNBA game with the team names on the score ticker blacked out, you couldn't tell the difference.

And I'm not trying to disrespect girls high school basketball either.

The video if the WNBA "stars" getting the "who are you" treatment outside that lounge during all star week was also pretty entertaining.

I owe you an apology. I thought you were weirdly hostile to foreign players when in fact you just hate everybody. My bad.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

If you watched a replay of a girls high school basketball championship game and any WNBA game with the team names on the score ticker blacked out, you couldn't tell the difference.

And I'm not trying to disrespect girls high school basketball either.

The video if the WNBA "stars" getting the "who are you" treatment outside that lounge during all star week was also pretty entertaining.

Doesn't it feel weird to just unabashedly hate something for no good reason? Like, we're here on a forum for pro basketball yeah, but there are countless levels below that, why do we only get derogatory about it when it's a women's league? Why not trash the level of competition in the g league when it's mentioned, how come people don't get to projecting their shortcomings when the Big 3 is talked about?

Long story short, you should feel embarrassed for 1.) thinking those thoughts, and 2.) putting them out into the world as though we aren't all looking at you like less of a person now.

white knight over here.


Reason Gleague isnt talked about like Wnba is that the players dont run around with shirts telling us to pay them more money, they players generally dont act entitled and the game is vastly superior.

To me the biggest issue is that
1) They think they are as good as the mens leagues
2) They hate their own when it comes to actually making the league profitable.

1) Yes famously male athletes are known for their humility and have never overestimated their own abilities. If only women could show the same restraint.
2) Unlike male athletes that never go against their own financial interests by agreeing to put measures into the CBA that curb spending like the second apron for instance.

Thanks for the laugh

[Larry_Russell]

What a load of horse ****....

[Bad-Thoma]

Doesn't it feel weird to just unabashedly hate something for no good reason? Like, we're here on a forum for pro basketball yeah, but there are countless levels below that, why do we only get derogatory about it when it's a women's league? Why not trash the level of competition in the g league when it's mentioned, how come people don't get to projecting their shortcomings when the Big 3 is talked about?

Long story short, you should feel embarrassed for 1.) thinking those thoughts, and 2.) putting them out into the world as though we aren't all looking at you like less of a person now.

white knight over here.


Reason Gleague isnt talked about like Wnba is that the players dont run around with shirts telling us to pay them more money, they players generally dont act entitled and the game is vastly superior.

To me the biggest issue is that
1) They think they are as good as the mens leagues
2) They hate their own when it comes to actually making the league profitable.

-FWIW, the NBA wasn't profitable at all its first 40 years so its not much different than the WNBA in that regard.

-When a revenue sharing model was established in the early 80's the players got over 50% of it. Even as they were losing money. The current WNBA players percentage: 9%

Draw your own conclusions.

Don't encourage him to do that, it doesn't go all that well.

[jmr07019]

If you watched a replay of a girls high school basketball championship game and any WNBA game with the team names on the score ticker blacked out, you couldn't tell the difference.

And I'm not trying to disrespect girls high school basketball either.

The video if the WNBA "stars" getting the "who are you" treatment outside that lounge during all star week was also pretty entertaining.

Doesn't it feel weird to just unabashedly hate something for no good reason? Like, we're here on a forum for pro basketball yeah, but there are countless levels below that, why do we only get derogatory about it when it's a women's league? Why not trash the level of competition in the g league when it's mentioned, how come people don't get to projecting their shortcomings when the Big 3 is talked about?

Long story short, you should feel embarrassed for 1.) thinking those thoughts, and 2.) putting them out into the world as though we aren't all looking at you like less of a person now.

Get off the pedestal bro.