2025-26 NBA Season Discussion

[penbeast0]

What's punitive? The only punishment that matches this crime (if it's proven to be true) is a forced sale of the franchise.

The only punishment that matches the crime is forcing Ballmer and the Clippers to sign Kawhi Leonard to a fresh five-year supermax through 2030. You wanted this guy that badly - you got him.

For his part, Leonard is the most selfish player - on and off the court - in the modern era at least. I've been railing against this supposed "star" for years - him and simple Uncle Dennis - and now the icing on the cake is embarrassing the league with this debacle.

I don't trust Adam Silver to do the right thing. Silver and Leonard, along with nerd Daryl Morey, have directed the decline of the league/sport. David Stern would have seen you can cut bait with this guy who isn't even a draw, and nobody who matters would even be talking about within a month.

Both Kawhi and Ballmer are at fault; they both knew they were doing wrong (from everything I have read, anyway). Kawhi should have to pay an amount greater than the added incentives to the league or a charity of the league's choice as well. The league should then go full Kevin Garnett or more on the Clippers, maybe mitigate it if the franchise is sold.

[parsnips33]

Kevin Pelton projecting Warriors to win 56 games

I think he projects the Wizards to win 16. Not sure whether to hope for that (because we need the superstar draft choice) or hope he doesn't know what he's talking about and we win 25 (and still miss the playoffs, then hope for some lottery luck).

Rooting for at least 20 wins and lottery luck - you deserve it!

[Texas Chuck]

Kevin Pelton projecting Warriors to win 56 games

Get 75 games out of Steph and Draymond and 70 out of Butler and Horford and I could see it. The 3 main guys are still playing at really high levels and they have some really nice role players around them.

[parsnips33]

Kevin Pelton projecting Warriors to win 56 games

Get 75 games out of Steph and Draymond and 70 out of Butler and Horford and I could see it. The 3 main guys are still playing at really high levels and they have some really nice role players around them.

Rick Celebrini gets a statue if we pull this off

[falcolombardi]

I have preemptively made peace with okc having a fall off regular season (injuries, less hunger defensively in reg season, other teams adapting a bit) and potentially winning only like mid 50's games

Feel like we could potentially be a more prepared offensive team coming playoffs time but hopefully we find ways to keep the defensive energy high at least when it matters

[Jaivl]

I have preemptively made peace with okc having a fall off regular season (injuries, less hunger defensively in reg season, other teams adapting a bit) and potentially winning only like mid 50's games

Feel like we could potentially be a more prepared offensive team coming playoffs time but hopefully we find ways to keep the defensive energy high at least when it matters

Dude, we just won a ring, I'd honestly be fine missing the playoffs lol.

[eminence]

My condolences.

[Outside]

I have preemptively made peace with okc having a fall off regular season (injuries, less hunger defensively in reg season, other teams adapting a bit) and potentially winning only like mid 50's games

Feel like we could potentially be a more prepared offensive team coming playoffs time but hopefully we find ways to keep the defensive energy high at least when it matters

Dude, we just won a ring, I'd honestly be fine missing the playoffs lol.

Both can be true

[Dr Positivity]

If Cavs and Knicks don't make the finals which East team makes it instead, cause it seems like they both could mess it up.

The Heat could've made it again if Jimmy had stayed.

[eminence]

I'd be shocked if a non-Cavs/Knicks team made the Finals.

Philadelphia on the miracle chance Embiid is healthy and George isn't completely fallen off going into a playoff run.

[jalengreen]

If Cavs and Knicks don't make the finals which East team makes it instead, cause it seems like they both could mess it up.

The Heat could've made it again if Jimmy had stayed.

Magic have the 3rd best odds fwiw. Yeah slim pickings. I'm not huge on Paolo but obviously him, Franz and Suggs are all young still and so a leap is in the realm of possibility. Was unfortunate how injured they were last year

[Special_Puppy]

I'd be shocked if a non-Cavs/Knicks team made the Finals.

Philadelphia on the miracle chance Embiid is healthy and George isn't completely fallen off going into a playoff run.

You’d be shocked if the Magic made the finals?

[Special_Puppy]

I have preemptively made peace with okc having a fall off regular season (injuries, less hunger defensively in reg season, other teams adapting a bit) and potentially winning only like mid 50's games

The classic reverse jinx

[Dr Positivity]

If Cavs and Knicks don't make the finals which East team makes it instead, cause it seems like they both could mess it up.

The Heat could've made it again if Jimmy had stayed.

Magic have the 3rd best odds fwiw. Yeah slim pickings. I'm not huge on Paolo but obviously him, Franz and Suggs are all young still and so a leap is in the realm of possibility. Was unfortunate how injured they were last year

I agree about the Magic, the defense and intangibles are there, and upside in terms of someone breaking out.

[The-Power]

If Cavs and Knicks don't make the finals which East team makes it instead, cause it seems like they both could mess it up.

The Heat could've made it again if Jimmy had stayed.

Magic have the 3rd best odds fwiw. Yeah slim pickings. I'm not huge on Paolo but obviously him, Franz and Suggs are all young still and so a leap is in the realm of possibility. Was unfortunate how injured they were last year

I still feel we should not completely gloss over the Bucks. Yeah, in a normal year or in a better conference I don't think this roster truly competes. But in a very open conference, having a top 3-5 player the league puts you at least on the map.

[The-Power]

I'd be shocked if a non-Cavs/Knicks team made the Finals.

Philadelphia on the miracle chance Embiid is healthy and George isn't completely fallen off going into a playoff run.

You’d be shocked if the Magic made the finals?

I can imagine the Magic having a small run in an open conference but winning three playoff rounds when your team and current core has never even won a single playoff series is just so tough to do. When was the last time this happened (especially without major off-season additions)?

[jalengreen]

I'd be shocked if a non-Cavs/Knicks team made the Finals.

Philadelphia on the miracle chance Embiid is healthy and George isn't completely fallen off going into a playoff run.

You’d be shocked if the Magic made the finals?

I can imagine the Magic having a small run in an open conference but winning three playoff rounds when your team and current core has never even won a single playoff series is just so tough to do. When was the last time this happened (especially without major off-season additions)?

Well the 2015 Warriors won four playoff series after having only just one previous series win with their core. This doesn't meet your criteria ofc but I think it's worth mentioning. Magic were only a G7 loss away from a series win in 2024, they'd need one fewer series win than the 2015 Warriors achieved, and they certainly wouldn't need to be a 67 win team to accomplish it. And maybe Desmond Bane isn't major (I think he is actually if the bar isn't like a superstar) but he's not nothing either

[eminence]

I'd be shocked if a non-Cavs/Knicks team made the Finals.

Philadelphia on the miracle chance Embiid is healthy and George isn't completely fallen off going into a playoff run.

You’d be shocked if the Magic made the finals?

I don't mind them as #3 in the odds, but I'd be quite surprised yes. Cavs/Knicks heavily favored over the field, I'd put them over 80% as a duo.

[eminence]

Going into opening day.
Atlanta - 46.5 - under
Boston - 41.5 - under
Brooklyn - 20.5 - over
Charlotte - 26.5 - over
Chicago - 32.5 - over
Cleveland - 56.5 - over
Dallas - 41.5 - over
Denver - 54.5 - over
Detroit - 45.5 - over
Golden State - 46.5 - over
Houston - 52.5 - under
Indiana - 37.5 - over
Clippers - 47.5 - over
Lakers - 46.5 - under
Memphis - 39.5 - over
Miami - 37.5 - over
Milwaukee - 43.5 - under
Minnesota - 49.5 - over
New Orleans - 30.5 - over
New York - 53.5 - over
OKC - 62.5 - under
Orlando - 51.5 - under
Philadelphia - 42.5 - under
Phoenix - 31.5 - under
Portland - 34.5 - over
Sacramento - 35.5 - under
San Antonio - 43.5 - under
Toronto - 38.5 - under
Utah - 18.5 - over
Washington - 20.5 - over

Little bit over-biased (18/12)

[Dr Positivity]

I've got Durant once again ending up in a disjointed underwhelming situation that's begging to be killed by the TWolves in Round 1