Bulls Media Day 9/29 2 PM ET

[kodo]

Pat left practice today with what’s being called an ankle sprain as of now.

[Chi town]

Pat left practice today with what’s being called an ankle sprain as of now.

Billy made it seem minor. Day to day vibes. Which means probably 4 months and possible surgery for Pat.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

He was really good as a rookie, but really seems to have backslide every year after that. I'd love to see him regain some of that. IMO, Billy's comments were intended to put pressure on Ayo to step-up. Billy's pretty cerebral on that kind of stuff. Ayo strikes me as a guy who can be motivated in that way.

I did come away feeling like Okoro was gonna get the starting job, which would be great.

I think the first half of the season will be tough for Noa to get more than 10mpg.

Right now, I don't have Noa playing hardly any minutes at all this year.

I say he will play less than 35 games this year.

The reason being is that there is no clear path for him to get any minutes. We have enough guys in the front court that are viable options.

So unless he is amazing or the Bulls are so disappointing I cant see much opportunity this year.

I also think Noa will unofficially redshirt this year.

With the exception of Pat, Billy has always preferred to keep his rookies on a short leash. Both here and in OKC.

Only way he sees the court before then will be due to injuries, or if he really is a revelation. But he'll have to overperform in practice and spot-minutes to be given a rotation spot this year.

Ayo started most of his rookie season. I think that's a flawed narrative. Billy will play his best players that give the team the best chance to win. Rookie or vet doesn't really matter.

With that said, I agree that Noa won't be playing a lot this season lol.

[Stratmaster]

The strategy of "just try harder" feels like an awful strategy unless you feel like your head coach was an utter failure and your players were not motivated or trying hard last year.

Coaching up to try and dive on the floor and draw charges feels like a particularly poor plan in that you are physically punishing yourself considerably and increasing wear and tear and injury for plays that have a relatively low chance of generating meaningful differences as well.

But it's also all meaningless fluff. They also said we're going to protect the rim, play zone, and threw out every basic defensive buzz word you could think of. None of the things they described actually match our personnel.

This 100%.

But the head coach is an utter failure and this is exactly the reason why. It is what I have been saying for multiple seasons.

I guess "playing as fast as we can and launch shots early" is a strategy. It is a very, very weak approach that doesn't translate to success in the NBA. Over the past few decades multiple teams have tried it. There are certainly isolated examples of success with it. Generally it has been a losing strategy. The only thing I will say is that the Bulls personnel may be able to actually execute this strategy. Hell, they traded away all the real talent based on "they don't play fast enough" so the guys left better at least be able to run.

Yes. You want to take a significant number of 3 point shots. So you design an offense that frees up shooters at the 3 point line. You don't just run fast and launch 3's as you come across half court.

I said the same thing about charges 2 seasons ago when Coby took a bunch of them early in the season. There are a few players in the league who are adept at it, understand how to get in position to take them, when it is safe to take them and when not to. Maybe one of the new guys is one of those. But the average NBA player isn't and you certainly don't want your top 3 scorers throwing their body around the floor. There are 12 players in the NBA who averaged over .2 charges per game last season. That amounts to 1 every 5 games. And that is the top 12 in the league! THAT is one of your strategies for taking the team to the next level? If the coach really knew what he was doing, he would be talking about playing defense more up in players faces and more physical post play. Because that results in "offensive fouls drawn", that may be, but are not necessarily, charges. That would be an actual defensive strategy.

I think the Bulls will improve slightly in offensive rebounds assuming Vuc plays less. Because Collins and Smith are the Bulls best offensive rebounders. Giddey will help some also. But the only strategy in that is the coach actually playing lineups and rotations that give his team the best chance to win. Something he has not done in his last 3 seasons as Bulls head coach. If Vuc and/or Williams are getting more than 24 and 15 minutes respectively than this is all lip service. Of course, what I kept hearing is that the Bulls were being coached to get back on defense and not try for offensive rebounds. I guess he is now admitting that was another coaching failure.

As far as physicality, who are these enforcers on the roster? The 11 "positionless" guys on the roster who are all between 6'1" and 6'8" and under 210 pounds? I guess Collins and maybe Okoro (6'5" but 225 pounds)? I can sure as hell say with certainty it isn't going to be the biggest guy on the roster (Vuc) or Patrick Williams.

All we hear from the head coach, and it is exactly what I have been saying for multiple seasons, is "we have to play harder. Try harder." As if for whatever reasons when players become Chicago Bulls they suddenly no longer try hard enough. And, as if other teams players don't "try hard." How about we hear from Billy what HE is going to do differently to try to make all these things happen, or design offenses and defenses that aren't predicated on out-hustling the other team because they are tanking.

It will work if they buy in. He could be not get his guys to push the pace 2 seasons ago.

They got rid of Demar and they started to play with pace.

Players especially veterans are going to play their game.

If Giddey,Coby, Ayo , and Matias but in. It will work. Most people are followers.

If they stay healthy they will win between 40 to 45 games in my opinion.

If you are arguing this team is without championship aspirations. No crap..

Still they buy in is the important part. Vuc is a follower. Once Zach and Demar left. He actually started to rotate at the rim.

I love Zach game but he was miscast as a Jordan/Kobe type. He should have been a more athletic Ray Allen. I hope he does get to do what Ray did in his 30s.

When Lonzo was here pre leg issue. We were playing incredible defense. We packed size and that led to Caruso and Lonzo getting hurt.

If Essengue and Mastas can live to their potential. This could be interesting in two years.

The 2 worst teams in the league were both in the top 5 in pace last season. The only team in that group over .500 was Memphis with 48 wins. Why people think playing faster than everyone else leads to success in the NBA is a mystery to me. It's what bad teams have to do.

The Bulls were 2nd in pace last season. How much faster are they supposed to play?

[Indomitable]

This 100%.

But the head coach is an utter failure and this is exactly the reason why. It is what I have been saying for multiple seasons.

I guess "playing as fast as we can and launch shots early" is a strategy. It is a very, very weak approach that doesn't translate to success in the NBA. Over the past few decades multiple teams have tried it. There are certainly isolated examples of success with it. Generally it has been a losing strategy. The only thing I will say is that the Bulls personnel may be able to actually execute this strategy. Hell, they traded away all the real talent based on "they don't play fast enough" so the guys left better at least be able to run.

Yes. You want to take a significant number of 3 point shots. So you design an offense that frees up shooters at the 3 point line. You don't just run fast and launch 3's as you come across half court.

I said the same thing about charges 2 seasons ago when Coby took a bunch of them early in the season. There are a few players in the league who are adept at it, understand how to get in position to take them, when it is safe to take them and when not to. Maybe one of the new guys is one of those. But the average NBA player isn't and you certainly don't want your top 3 scorers throwing their body around the floor. There are 12 players in the NBA who averaged over .2 charges per game last season. That amounts to 1 every 5 games. And that is the top 12 in the league! THAT is one of your strategies for taking the team to the next level? If the coach really knew what he was doing, he would be talking about playing defense more up in players faces and more physical post play. Because that results in "offensive fouls drawn", that may be, but are not necessarily, charges. That would be an actual defensive strategy.

I think the Bulls will improve slightly in offensive rebounds assuming Vuc plays less. Because Collins and Smith are the Bulls best offensive rebounders. Giddey will help some also. But the only strategy in that is the coach actually playing lineups and rotations that give his team the best chance to win. Something he has not done in his last 3 seasons as Bulls head coach. If Vuc and/or Williams are getting more than 24 and 15 minutes respectively than this is all lip service. Of course, what I kept hearing is that the Bulls were being coached to get back on defense and not try for offensive rebounds. I guess he is now admitting that was another coaching failure.

As far as physicality, who are these enforcers on the roster? The 11 "positionless" guys on the roster who are all between 6'1" and 6'8" and under 210 pounds? I guess Collins and maybe Okoro (6'5" but 225 pounds)? I can sure as hell say with certainty it isn't going to be the biggest guy on the roster (Vuc) or Patrick Williams.

All we hear from the head coach, and it is exactly what I have been saying for multiple seasons, is "we have to play harder. Try harder." As if for whatever reasons when players become Chicago Bulls they suddenly no longer try hard enough. And, as if other teams players don't "try hard." How about we hear from Billy what HE is going to do differently to try to make all these things happen, or design offenses and defenses that aren't predicated on out-hustling the other team because they are tanking.

It will work if they buy in. He could be not get his guys to push the pace 2 seasons ago.

They got rid of Demar and they started to play with pace.

Players especially veterans are going to play their game.

If Giddey,Coby, Ayo , and Matias but in. It will work. Most people are followers.

If they stay healthy they will win between 40 to 45 games in my opinion.

If you are arguing this team is without championship aspirations. No crap..

Still they buy in is the important part. Vuc is a follower. Once Zach and Demar left. He actually started to rotate at the rim.

I love Zach game but he was miscast as a Jordan/Kobe type. He should have been a more athletic Ray Allen. I hope he does get to do what Ray did in his 30s.

When Lonzo was here pre leg issue. We were playing incredible defense. We packed size and that led to Caruso and Lonzo getting hurt.

If Essengue and Mastas can live to their potential. This could be interesting in two years.

The 2 worst teams in the league were both in the top 5 in pace last season. The only team in that group over .500 was Memphis with 48 wins. Why people think playing faster than everyone else leads to success in the NBA is a mystery to me. It's what bad teams have to do.

The Bulls were 2nd in pace last season. How much faster are they supposed to play?

It was a start.
*The Bulls went from a team that did what they wanted and was mediocre.
* Too a team that did listen and was mediocre.

Admittedly on the surface this seems to be pointless. From my point of view it means they are coachable and can be modelled. MJ is not walking through that door. Therefore, internal development is required.

This season is about Matias, Noa, Giddey, Coby, and Ayo possibly. The rest of these pieces are just interchangeable role players. They are not firing anyone and therefore it is important to get a team on the same page.

This is about a culture shift and not just about a record. They actually did follow the coaching. Most successful teams start out with an improved culture or are gifted a star that change their destiny.

No one is telling you that this will be fun, but this is the season of trying to instill culture. They will spend their money this off season if they believe they have found their path.

[sco]

It will work if they buy in. He could be not get his guys to push the pace 2 seasons ago.

They got rid of Demar and they started to play with pace.

Players especially veterans are going to play their game.

If Giddey,Coby, Ayo , and Matias but in. It will work. Most people are followers.

If they stay healthy they will win between 40 to 45 games in my opinion.

If you are arguing this team is without championship aspirations. No crap..

Still they buy in is the important part. Vuc is a follower. Once Zach and Demar left. He actually started to rotate at the rim.

I love Zach game but he was miscast as a Jordan/Kobe type. He should have been a more athletic Ray Allen. I hope he does get to do what Ray did in his 30s.

When Lonzo was here pre leg issue. We were playing incredible defense. We packed size and that led to Caruso and Lonzo getting hurt.

If Essengue and Mastas can live to their potential. This could be interesting in two years.

The 2 worst teams in the league were both in the top 5 in pace last season. The only team in that group over .500 was Memphis with 48 wins. Why people think playing faster than everyone else leads to success in the NBA is a mystery to me. It's what bad teams have to do.

The Bulls were 2nd in pace last season. How much faster are they supposed to play?

It was a start.
*The Bulls went from a team that did what they wanted and was mediocre.
* Too a team that did listen and was mediocre.

Admittedly on the surface this seems to be pointless. From my point of view it means they are coachable and can be modelled. MJ is not walking through that door. Therefore, internal development is required.

This season is about Matias, Noa, Giddey, Coby, and Ayo possibly. The rest of these pieces are just interchangeable role players. They are not firing anyone and therefore it is important to get a team on the same page.

This is about a culture shift and not just about a record. They actually did follow the coaching. Most successful teams start out with an improved culture or are gifted a star that change their destiny.

No one is telling you that this will be fun, but this is the season of trying to instill culture. They will spend their money this off season if they believe they have found their path.

I think this is spot on! Teach the young guys to play the right way on both ends and see who, other than Giddey and Matas are keepers.

That said, I can't help myself to note that by starting Vuc, we are losing out on a better opportunity to develop our guys (especially Matas) and see if Coby fits (defensively).

[League Circles]

This 100%.

But the head coach is an utter failure and this is exactly the reason why. It is what I have been saying for multiple seasons.

I guess "playing as fast as we can and launch shots early" is a strategy. It is a very, very weak approach that doesn't translate to success in the NBA. Over the past few decades multiple teams have tried it. There are certainly isolated examples of success with it. Generally it has been a losing strategy. The only thing I will say is that the Bulls personnel may be able to actually execute this strategy. Hell, they traded away all the real talent based on "they don't play fast enough" so the guys left better at least be able to run.

Yes. You want to take a significant number of 3 point shots. So you design an offense that frees up shooters at the 3 point line. You don't just run fast and launch 3's as you come across half court.

I said the same thing about charges 2 seasons ago when Coby took a bunch of them early in the season. There are a few players in the league who are adept at it, understand how to get in position to take them, when it is safe to take them and when not to. Maybe one of the new guys is one of those. But the average NBA player isn't and you certainly don't want your top 3 scorers throwing their body around the floor. There are 12 players in the NBA who averaged over .2 charges per game last season. That amounts to 1 every 5 games. And that is the top 12 in the league! THAT is one of your strategies for taking the team to the next level? If the coach really knew what he was doing, he would be talking about playing defense more up in players faces and more physical post play. Because that results in "offensive fouls drawn", that may be, but are not necessarily, charges. That would be an actual defensive strategy.

I think the Bulls will improve slightly in offensive rebounds assuming Vuc plays less. Because Collins and Smith are the Bulls best offensive rebounders. Giddey will help some also. But the only strategy in that is the coach actually playing lineups and rotations that give his team the best chance to win. Something he has not done in his last 3 seasons as Bulls head coach. If Vuc and/or Williams are getting more than 24 and 15 minutes respectively than this is all lip service. Of course, what I kept hearing is that the Bulls were being coached to get back on defense and not try for offensive rebounds. I guess he is now admitting that was another coaching failure.

As far as physicality, who are these enforcers on the roster? The 11 "positionless" guys on the roster who are all between 6'1" and 6'8" and under 210 pounds? I guess Collins and maybe Okoro (6'5" but 225 pounds)? I can sure as hell say with certainty it isn't going to be the biggest guy on the roster (Vuc) or Patrick Williams.

All we hear from the head coach, and it is exactly what I have been saying for multiple seasons, is "we have to play harder. Try harder." As if for whatever reasons when players become Chicago Bulls they suddenly no longer try hard enough. And, as if other teams players don't "try hard." How about we hear from Billy what HE is going to do differently to try to make all these things happen, or design offenses and defenses that aren't predicated on out-hustling the other team because they are tanking.

It will work if they buy in. He could be not get his guys to push the pace 2 seasons ago.

They got rid of Demar and they started to play with pace.

Players especially veterans are going to play their game.

If Giddey,Coby, Ayo , and Matias but in. It will work. Most people are followers.

If they stay healthy they will win between 40 to 45 games in my opinion.

If you are arguing this team is without championship aspirations. No crap..

Still they buy in is the important part. Vuc is a follower. Once Zach and Demar left. He actually started to rotate at the rim.

I love Zach game but he was miscast as a Jordan/Kobe type. He should have been a more athletic Ray Allen. I hope he does get to do what Ray did in his 30s.

When Lonzo was here pre leg issue. We were playing incredible defense. We packed size and that led to Caruso and Lonzo getting hurt.

If Essengue and Mastas can live to their potential. This could be interesting in two years.

The 2 worst teams in the league were both in the top 5 in pace last season. The only team in that group over .500 was Memphis with 48 wins. Why people think playing faster than everyone else leads to success in the NBA is a mystery to me. It's what bad teams have to do.

The Bulls were 2nd in pace last season. How much faster are they supposed to play?

Agreed. I'm basically neutral on "pace" as a virtue, certainly until someone indicates that it's significantly correlated with team success.

And that's not even considering the fact that "pace" as a stat is at least 50% pure noise, because it's used to try to describe offensive pace of taking shots, but obviously that's not even half of what the stat measures.

[Indomitable]

The 2 worst teams in the league were both in the top 5 in pace last season. The only team in that group over .500 was Memphis with 48 wins. Why people think playing faster than everyone else leads to success in the NBA is a mystery to me. It's what bad teams have to do.

The Bulls were 2nd in pace last season. How much faster are they supposed to play?

It was a start.
*The Bulls went from a team that did what they wanted and was mediocre.
* Too a team that did listen and was mediocre.

Admittedly on the surface this seems to be pointless. From my point of view it means they are coachable and can be modelled. MJ is not walking through that door. Therefore, internal development is required.

This season is about Matias, Noa, Giddey, Coby, and Ayo possibly. The rest of these pieces are just interchangeable role players. They are not firing anyone and therefore it is important to get a team on the same page.

This is about a culture shift and not just about a record. They actually did follow the coaching. Most successful teams start out with an improved culture or are gifted a star that change their destiny.

No one is telling you that this will be fun, but this is the season of trying to instill culture. They will spend their money this off season if they believe they have found their path.

I think this is spot on! Teach the young guys to play the right way on both ends and see who, other than Giddey and Matas are keepers.

That said, I can't help myself to note that by starting Vuc, we are losing out on a better opportunity to develop our guys (especially Matas) and see if Coby fits (defensively).

Vuc is not impending Matias. Coby needs to prove he is a capable lead scorer to get paid.
If not he does not matter.

[sco]

It was a start.
*The Bulls went from a team that did what they wanted and was mediocre.
* Too a team that did listen and was mediocre.

Admittedly on the surface this seems to be pointless. From my point of view it means they are coachable and can be modelled. MJ is not walking through that door. Therefore, internal development is required.

This season is about Matias, Noa, Giddey, Coby, and Ayo possibly. The rest of these pieces are just interchangeable role players. They are not firing anyone and therefore it is important to get a team on the same page.

This is about a culture shift and not just about a record. They actually did follow the coaching. Most successful teams start out with an improved culture or are gifted a star that change their destiny.

No one is telling you that this will be fun, but this is the season of trying to instill culture. They will spend their money this off season if they believe they have found their path.

I think this is spot on! Teach the young guys to play the right way on both ends and see who, other than Giddey and Matas are keepers.

That said, I can't help myself to note that by starting Vuc, we are losing out on a better opportunity to develop our guys (especially Matas) and see if Coby fits (defensively).

Vuc is not impending Matias. Coby needs to prove he is a capable lead scorer to get paid.
If not he does not matter.

I see it differently. Matas needs to ultimately become a viable #2 scoring option, at least #3 this season. He needs a lot of the offense to run through him and have plays run for him. Vuc is ONLY useful (and arguably not even that) if he's getting fed the ball in the post most posessessions. That will definitely reduce Matas' developmental opportunities. Moreover Vuc's plodding style of play gets the team away from the style they are supposed to be running.

[Indomitable]

I think this is spot on! Teach the young guys to play the right way on both ends and see who, other than Giddey and Matas are keepers.

That said, I can't help myself to note that by starting Vuc, we are losing out on a better opportunity to develop our guys (especially Matas) and see if Coby fits (defensively).

Vuc is not impending Matias. Coby needs to prove he is a capable lead scorer to get paid.
If not he does not matter.

I see it differently. Matas needs to ultimately become a viable #2 scoring option, at least #3 this season. He needs a lot of the offense to run through him and have plays run for him. Vuc is ONLY useful (and arguably not even that) if he's getting fed the ball in the post most posessessions. That will definitely reduce Matas' developmental opportunities. Moreover Vuc's plodding style of play gets the team away from the style they are supposed to be running.

Okay in what world do you think Vuc is a primary scorer.

Matias will score because he will take it.

Patrick has broken this board. The stupidity that other players were hold on him back.

Butler when he got a chance scored. Guys who want it will go get it.

Vuc will relieve some of the pressure off the other players because he is a decent shooter.

Matias will take it. If you need to spoon feed a guy. He is not the guy I want.

[dougthonus]

The 2 worst teams in the league were both in the top 5 in pace last season. The only team in that group over .500 was Memphis with 48 wins. Why people think playing faster than everyone else leads to success in the NBA is a mystery to me. It's what bad teams have to do.

The Bulls were 2nd in pace last season. How much faster are they supposed to play?

I agree, pace is often a gimmick to get your opponent to play in an uncomfortable style and try to make fundamentals / talent matter less. That feels appropriate for us given the massive talent deficit we have, but it isn't a long term winning strategy. Teams that are fundamentally better, don't want to slop up the game in any way, but want to turn it into a game of execution and odds.

[kodo]

The pace thing is clearly the same gameplan as Indiana. Chicago & Atlanta are in similar situations, and we resemble Indiana before the Siakam trade: high pace, high 3P, high assists, terrible defense.
2 years ago pre Siakam, Indiana was #4 in pace, #6 in 3PM, #6 in Assists, #26 in defense.
Bulls are #2 in pace, #3 in 3PM, #5 in assists, #18 in defense.

The evolution of the Bulls isn't to get faster (as strat said, what ceiling is left if you're #2), if we're like Indiana the evolution is to land a star (insert random major acquisition with no plan here) and then slow down and become a good defensive team as well. But until the magical 2-way star is landed, we'll probably win more games just running fast and avoiding slower, star vs star battles.

[madvillian]

The 2 worst teams in the league were both in the top 5 in pace last season. The only team in that group over .500 was Memphis with 48 wins. Why people think playing faster than everyone else leads to success in the NBA is a mystery to me. It's what bad teams have to do.

The Bulls were 2nd in pace last season. How much faster are they supposed to play?

I agree, pace is often a gimmick to get your opponent to play in an uncomfortable style and try to make fundamentals / talent matter less. That feels appropriate for us given the massive talent deficit we have, but it isn't a long term winning strategy. Teams that are fundamentally better, don't want to slop up the game in any way, but want to turn it into a game of execution and odds.

I know what you're saying but last year we saw the Pacers in the playoffs speed it up because they could play more efficiently at that pace than their opponents. Funnily enough they were 3rd in playoff pace behind Memphis (small sample there) and the Thunder but the Thunder were a net +8 per 100 possessions and Indy was "only" +2.

Some interesting stats here: https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2025.html

Pace is inherently neutral as a strategy imo. If you have the personnel to play fast and efficiently do it, but not many teams do. It takes a Haliburton, SGA type lead guard to do it usually.

[dougthonus]

I know what you're saying but last year we saw the Pacers in the playoffs speed it up because they could play more efficiently at that pace than their opponents. Funnily enough they were 3rd in playoff pace behind Memphis (small sample there) and the Thunder but the Thunder were a net +8 per 100 possessions and Indy was "only" +2.

Some interesting stats here: https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2025.html

Pace is inherently neutral as a strategy imo. If you have the personnel to play fast and efficiently do it, but not many teams do. It takes a Haliburton, SGA type lead guard to do it usually.

I agree, I think the Pacers are a great example here. They were a worse team than the Cavs, Knicks, and Thunder. It makes sense that they'd be looking at strategies to muck up the game. I agree that pace is inherently a neutral strategy in the sense that you play with more pace if you are better at it than your opponents.

[nomorezorro]

i have also traditionally viewed "pace" as a thing that is mostly relied on by talent-deficient teams to win regular seasons where effort is more likely to have a meaningful effect on a game's outcome, but i think it would be hard to watch the most recent playoffs and not conclude that there are legitimate advantages to be had by playing uptempo on offense and with aggression that extends to the entire court on defense

obviously you still need the personnel to do that stuff well, and who knows how long that style of play will remain advantageous, but unlike the hoiball disaster and the "what if we just start chucking up 3s" experiment under donovan, i think that approach to the game does actually suit itself to our current roster

[madvillian]

I know what you're saying but last year we saw the Pacers in the playoffs speed it up because they could play more efficiently at that pace than their opponents. Funnily enough they were 3rd in playoff pace behind Memphis (small sample there) and the Thunder but the Thunder were a net +8 per 100 possessions and Indy was "only" +2.

Some interesting stats here: https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2025.html

Pace is inherently neutral as a strategy imo. If you have the personnel to play fast and efficiently do it, but not many teams do. It takes a Haliburton, SGA type lead guard to do it usually.

I agree, I think the Pacers are a great example here. They were a worse team than the Cavs, Knicks, and Thunder. It makes sense that they'd be looking at strategies to muck up the game. I agree that pace is inherently a neutral strategy in the sense that you play with more pace if you are better at it than your opponents.

You could see it and feel it happening in that Knicks series imo. The Knicks fell for the trap every time. Brunson is a nice player but he's not Hali.

[MrSparkle]

My vibe is Noa and Pat will be after-thoughts this year.

“Wings”:

Matas, Ayo, Huerter, Okoro, Terry, Phillips… with Tre bumping Coby/Giddey up to the wing. I think Okoro and Terry will take PF minutes.

I don’t think Pat and Noa are going to play much.

[jnrjr79]

I know what you're saying but last year we saw the Pacers in the playoffs speed it up because they could play more efficiently at that pace than their opponents. Funnily enough they were 3rd in playoff pace behind Memphis (small sample there) and the Thunder but the Thunder were a net +8 per 100 possessions and Indy was "only" +2.

Some interesting stats here: https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2025.html

Pace is inherently neutral as a strategy imo. If you have the personnel to play fast and efficiently do it, but not many teams do. It takes a Haliburton, SGA type lead guard to do it usually.

I agree, I think the Pacers are a great example here. They were a worse team than the Cavs, Knicks, and Thunder. It makes sense that they'd be looking at strategies to muck up the game. I agree that pace is inherently a neutral strategy in the sense that you play with more pace if you are better at it than your opponents.

Here's what would make sense to me:

If the pace you played with had no impact on performance, then better teams would want to play with more pace, because the more possessions you have, the more randomness you're taking out of the outcome by increasing the # of possessions.

But pace does has an impact on performance, so rather than being a "gimmick," it's probably more of a case-by-case thing. You're sort of viewing this as though there is some sort of inherently natural pace, and that any effort to speed things up (or, presumably, also to slow things down) constitutes "mucking up" - some sort of manipulation of the natural state of affairs. I don't really believe that. Teams have their strengths and weaknesses and should play to their strengths. If a team plays better when it plays faster, then in some sense it is "better" than its opponent if it can dictate pace and the opponent can't keep up.

[GoBlue72391]

Pat left practice today with what’s being called an ankle sprain as of now.

More reps for better, younger, more deserving players.

[GoBlue72391]

Pat left practice today with what’s being called an ankle sprain as of now.

Mr. Ass*