2025-26 NBA Season Discussion

[eminence]

Reductive reasoning and hyperbole aside, I think the claim always was that White is an elite player in his role. I don't think anyone – and certainly not a meaningfully sized group – thought he would be elite as a first option or considered him a superstar. Even if he struggles this season (and it's way too early to just assume that), that would not take anything away from his great play and value in previous seasons for the Celtics.

Yes, it would. Because he wasn’t good prior to the Celtics and suddenly became lauded once he hit the Celtics. It absolutely puts to rest the “elite” supporting cast argument. Also there were plenty of posters on this board that seriously argued that White was more or equally valuable to the Celtics as Tatum or Brown. Do you want me to pull up posts? Stop lying

Brunson was not seen as great before going to new york so he shouldnt be seen as elite now?

See how that sounds? (No i am not comparing white to brunson before anyone asks)

White was in a bad team outside of people radar, doesnt mean we cannot see his play and see he wass good and got even better developing in boston

Jazz fans knew Brunson was legit. Guy was beating the imploding Jazz in '22 without Luka.

[Jaivl]

We can put to rest that bulls__ of Derrick White being some elite player. I told you all this before, the only reason any of these players looked good is due to the Brown/Tatum combo which hid their flaws. Derrick White is back to who he was before the Celtics, inefficient Chuck.

Reductive reasoning and hyperbole aside, I think the claim always was that White is an elite player in his role. I don't think anyone – and certainly not a meaningfully sized group – thought he would be elite as a first option or considered him a superstar. Even if he struggles this season (and it's way too early to just assume that), that would not take anything away from his great play and value in previous seasons for the Celtics.

Yes, it would. Because he wasn’t good prior to the Celtics and suddenly became lauded once he hit the Celtics. It absolutely puts to rest the “elite” supporting cast argument. Also there were plenty of posters on this board that seriously argued that White was more or equally valuable to the Celtics as Tatum or Brown. Do you want me to pull up posts? Stop lying

I mean, what matters is... how he played on the Celtics, on the role he had on the Celtics.

Lots of important role players on recent Finals teams that were terrible or irrelevant on prior teams (Wiggins, Gordon, PJ Washington, Caleb Martin... Hell, Holiday was a playoff cancer prior to 2018).

[Cavsfansince84]

I mean, what matters is... how he played on the Celtics, on the role he had on the Celtics.

Lots of important role players on recent Finals teams that were terrible or irrelevant on prior teams (Wiggins, Gordon, PJ Washington, Caleb Martin... Hell, Holiday was a playoff cancer prior to 2018).

Yes, I agree that he was an absolutely elite #3 for the Celtics. Not all guys can be elite on both sides and also as a 3/4 ready to step up and have big games when the team needs it from you. That doesn't mean he would excel as a 1 or a 2 either but as a #3/4 he was perfect with Holiday. What makes for truly great teams is synergy. That's what made the Celtics so hard to beat is how their whole roster synergized, even while not having a great #1 by nba title standards(Tatum is top 7-8 but he isn't on the level of a Jokc/Curry/Giannis).

[The-Power]

Victor almost lost his streak of at least one block every game, and yet this was one of the most impactful defensive performances I have seen from anyone and something only he can achieve. Which makes sense because the reason he only had one block is because the Raptors just refused to challenge him.

71.9 DRTG with Victor on the court according to nba.com's advanced box score. It was almost comical to see them refuse to take shots in the paint and the moment Victor went to the bench, the Raptors immediately took it to the paint (with success). I'd love the see that shot chart. Must-see TV for sure.

Some other notes:

– My Warriors are fun to watch. Too old to be consistent throughout a long season but really good when they are on their game. Curry is still incredible. Butler continues to be a great Robin. Kuminga, at least for now, puts in greater effort into rebounding and passing which is nice to see and hopefully continues until he's (likely) traded. Will Richard was a nice find.

– A ton of Rookies are looking good or at least have had their good moments. All the more surprising that Flagg has not looked particularly good yet (which I expect to change soon, though). However, the Mavs have also done a terrible job having him play PG in funky jumbo line-ups that lack cohesion and spacing. He may benefit from the reps to some extent but I hope they also give him a chance to get more comfortable soon.

– The MVP race is ON. Great starts for all contenders (except Jokic, by his standards, though he'll pick it up for sure).

– Early in the season, still, but concerns are growing about Orlando and Detroit's offense. Happy to see Philadelphia, Chicago and Utah being very competitive so far. Let's hope that continues, especially the East really needs those kind of teams to perform above expectations.

[falcolombardi]

Jokic playing as a stretch big shooting 3's loosely lasted all of 1 game, and for good reason

Denver works a lot better when he is inside or actively involved in ball actions

[parsnips33]

Jokic playing as a stretch big shooting 3's loosely lasted all of 1 game, and for good reason

Denver works a lot better when he is inside or actively involved in ball actions

I think he still needs that jumper as a counter in the playoffs

[parsnips33]

Kuminga's new nickname might be the Contract Killer. He's looked great to start the year

[parsnips33]

The end of Warriors Grizzlies was funny - last 10 seconds everybody cleared out and watched Pat Spencer go 1-on-1 against his brother

[Jaivl]

The end of Warriors Grizzlies was funny - last 10 seconds everybody cleared out and watched Pat Spencer go 1-on-1 against his brother

As it should be. Real hoops.

[parsnips33]

Might not last, but OKC Spurs and Warriors at the top of the conference 10 years after 2016. Kinda funny

[falcolombardi]

Might not last, but OKC Spurs and Warriors at the top of the conference 10 years after 2016. Kinda funny

Yeah albeit in reverse order

[jalengreen]

Might not last, but OKC Spurs and Warriors at the top of the conference 10 years after 2016. Kinda funny

Three very different paths too (IMO). OKC with a rebuilding masterclass to get to this point, Spurs kinda just having generational lottery luck, and Warriors doing it with the same Steph/Dray core

[parsnips33]

Might not last, but OKC Spurs and Warriors at the top of the conference 10 years after 2016. Kinda funny

Three very different paths too (IMO). OKC with a rebuilding masterclass to get to this point, Spurs kinda just having generational lottery luck, and Warriors doing it with the same Steph/Dray core

Chet Wemby and James Wiseman - the 3 defining bigs of the new school

[jalengreen]

Might not last, but OKC Spurs and Warriors at the top of the conference 10 years after 2016. Kinda funny

Three very different paths too (IMO). OKC with a rebuilding masterclass to get to this point, Spurs kinda just having generational lottery luck, and Warriors doing it with the same Steph/Dray core

Chet Wemby and James Wiseman - the 3 defining bigs of the new school

Hell the same team in the East is favored rn and 2016, so can throw Mobley in there too lol

[eminence]

Today I have seen a disturbing number of people say that Giannis had his hand on the side of a sphere.

[Doctor MJ]

Jokic playing as a stretch big shooting 3's loosely lasted all of 1 game, and for good reason

Denver works a lot better when he is inside or actively involved in ball actions

So I should just say:

Subsequent games show no indication that the Nuggets are looking to up their 3-point shooting the way the first game appeared (to me) to indicate, so I have to take the L on that one.

I still don't agree with the idea that Jokic has an established tendency to lazily jack threes when he should be operating in the interior, but him shooting those many 3's like he did against the Warriors really doesn't seem to be part of a wider plan.

[Doctor MJ]

Might not last, but OKC Spurs and Warriors at the top of the conference 10 years after 2016. Kinda funny

Three very different paths too (IMO). OKC with a rebuilding masterclass to get to this point, Spurs kinda just having generational lottery luck, and Warriors doing it with the same Steph/Dray core

Chet Wemby and James Wiseman - the 3 defining bigs of the new school

The great what-ifs.

What if the Spurs hadn't lucked out in the lottery with a GOAT prospect available?
What if the Thunder hadn't acquired a zillion lottery picks?
What if the Warriors had drafted someone who could play basketball the one time they got a Top 2 pick?

[Special_Puppy]

One of these Eastern Teams gotta make the finals

[EmpireFalls]

One of these Eastern Teams gotta make the finals

Watch it be Miami again.

[Jaivl]

One of these Eastern Teams gotta make the finals

Watch it be Miami again.

Man, Bam really CARRIED those bums to the 2020, 2023 and 2026 finals...