Around The NBA : 2025-26

[DASMACKDOWN]

Welp, Wizards just blownout ATL. Time for them to blow it up /s

An obvious bad loss for Atlanta. But its the NBA. I know people get mad when you lose to a bad team but nay team can turn it on if its their night. They wont go 0-82

[Hangtime84]

No nights of in the NBA

[MGB8]

Looking at the standings, what a weird season it is. West is much better than the East, but a lot of things seem exaggerated, even like it is a mirage.

OKC is great, even without Williams, but they don’t strike me as unbeatable. Detroit with only 2 losses seems wild - decent and balanced talent all around but just not that sold on Cade as some sort of uber megastar. Reaves I’ve never been fully sold on but he is scoring like Kobe. Toronto I’m not that surprised by - thought they really underachieved last year. Miami also not surprised - Spo. Orlando turning it on - but doing so without Banchero, which is interesting. Cavs not quite struggling but not building on last year. Ditto NYK. Bucks were doing pretty well when Giannis got hurt, so we will see. Philly very up and down.

Does Golden State improve or crash? Minnesota (dealing with Ant injury)…

Standings seem more stratified than should be - things seem more open this year.

[MrSparkle]

Looking at the standings, what a weird season it is. West is much better than the East, but a lot of things seem exaggerated, even like it is a mirage.

OKC is great, even without Williams, but they don’t strike me as unbeatable. Detroit with only 2 losses seems wild - decent and balanced talent all around but just not that sold on Cade as some sort of uber megastar. Reaves I’ve never been fully sold on but he is scoring like Kobe. Toronto I’m not that surprised by - thought they really underachieved last year. Miami also not surprised - Spo. Orlando turning it on - but doing so without Banchero, which is interesting. Cavs not quite struggling but not building on last year. Ditto NYK. Bucks were doing pretty well when Giannis got hurt, so we will see. Philly very up and down.

Does Golden State improve or crash? Minnesota (dealing with Ant injury)…

Standings seem more stratified than should be - things seem more open this year.

What’s more weird is OKC has the best point differential in history, with their 2nd best player out, and they currently have 3 lottery picks going to them (LAC unprotected, PHI top-4 prot., UTA top-8 prot.). Presti might’ve broken the NBA.

OTOH, the fragility of basketball… despite the team being loaded… Their success entirely rides with Shai, who is basically the new Jordan.

Jerry West has been called the architect of that Kawhi/George coup, but he also downplayed his role, and was on record saying moving Shai was difficult and that he’ll be a future star. Well, he passed away soon after the Thunder lost by a point in G7 to the Mavs (24 WCFs), but I’m sure he could see by that point the Clippers trade was a closed-case/disaster.

[kodo]

What’s more weird is OKC has the best point differential in history, with their 2nd best player out, and they currently have 3 lottery picks going to them (LAC unprotected, PHI top-4 prot., UTA top-8 prot.). Presti might’ve broken the NBA.

OTOH, the fragility of basketball… despite the team being loaded… Their success entirely rides with Shai, who is basically the new Jordan.

Jerry West has been called the architect of that Kawhi/George coup, but he also downplayed his role, and was on record saying moving Shai was difficult and that he’ll be a future star. Well, he passed away soon after the Thunder lost by a point in G7 to the Mavs (24 WCFs), but I’m sure he could see by that point the Clippers trade was a closed-case/disaster.

With as few games as we've had, OKC's incredibly easy SOS is the main factor here for the historical point differential. Not that they're aren't a great and possibly historic team anyway, but the number value is probably off. Easiest schedule in the league. Pacers, Hawks, Mavs, Kings, Wizards, Pels, Kings, Grizzlies, Charlotte, Pels (AGAIN), Kings (AGAIN), Jazz.

They'll probably end the season with the best differential, but I'd wait til the schedule evens out to measure it historically.

[MrSparkle]

What’s more weird is OKC has the best point differential in history, with their 2nd best player out, and they currently have 3 lottery picks going to them (LAC unprotected, PHI top-4 prot., UTA top-8 prot.). Presti might’ve broken the NBA.

OTOH, the fragility of basketball… despite the team being loaded… Their success entirely rides with Shai, who is basically the new Jordan.

Jerry West has been called the architect of that Kawhi/George coup, but he also downplayed his role, and was on record saying moving Shai was difficult and that he’ll be a future star. Well, he passed away soon after the Thunder lost by a point in G7 to the Mavs (24 WCFs), but I’m sure he could see by that point the Clippers trade was a closed-case/disaster.

With as few games as we've had, OKC's incredibly easy SOS is the main factor here for the historical point differential. Not that they're aren't a great and possibly historic team anyway, but the number value is probably off. Easiest schedule in the league. Pacers, Hawks, Mavs, Kings, Wizards, Pels, Kings, Grizzlies, Charlotte, Pels (AGAIN), Kings (AGAIN), Jazz.

They'll probably end the season with the best differential, but I'd wait til the schedule evens out to measure it historically.

Yeah, I don’t disagree, although similar things were said about the Warriors and Bulls in their hot runs.

I do think the general level of competition this season has been high… despite some “bad” teams. Especially that opening week; everybody (but the Pelicans) was on fire. The injuries have been extreme the past few weeks, though.

[2weekswithpay]

[Clocian]

Raptors barely beat the 2 win pacers by 2. They should be ashamed right?

[Chi town]

Reed has arrived… Rockets just fine now with FVV out.

https://youtu.be/oyWbMOzmfmw?si=_tAZaTPr6jew2I-r

[DuckIII]

I have a 2 season old theory that, if we are talking about titles, there are only two teams to discuss for the next 4-5 years and, if things go well for them in the health department, perhaps even 8-10 years. OKC and San Antonio.

They will obliterate the concept of postseason parity except when they play each other.

[Hangtime84]

I have a 2 season old theory that, if we are talking about titles, there are only two teams to discuss for the next 4-5 years and, if things go well for them in the health department, perhaps even 8-10 years. OKC and San Antonio.

They will obliterate the concept of postseason parity except when they play each other.

Pretty much

[Ice Man]

I have a 2 season old theory that, if we are talking about titles, there are only two teams to discuss for the next 4-5 years and, if things go well for them in the health department, perhaps even 8-10 years. OKC and San Antonio.

They will obliterate the concept of postseason parity except when they play each other.

That's how it now looks and how it may well be. But if only takes a Wemby injury to knock San Antonio into the the "just another good team" camp. As for OKC, I leave its fate for the salary experts to determine, but it should be noted that the Thunder have committed to $275 million in salaries for next season, which is $23 million above the (at least allegedly) highly punitive second apron.

But I do agree with your premise: If those two teams were to be able to keep all their current players, and keep them healthy, they would likely be the two best teams in the NBA for many years.

On a different note, Jimmy Butler is having a very good season for a 36 year old. He started late, has rarely been regarded as a regular-season superstar, and yet is now 37th on the All Time regular-season VORP list (the starting point of which is the 1973-74 season). He's ahead of Kawhi, Iverson, Nash, Moses Malone, and Isiah Thomas, among others.

[burlydee]

Lavine endearing himself to another fanbase.

Read on Twitter

?s=46

I watch a lot of basketball. He has absolutely quit on the Kings. Unforgivable

[cocktailswith_2short]

Reed has arrived… Rockets just fine now with FVV out.

https://youtu.be/oyWbMOzmfmw?si=_tAZaTPr6jew2I-r

He reminds me of John Stockton.

[dumbell78]

Reed has arrived… Rockets just fine now with FVV out.

https://youtu.be/oyWbMOzmfmw?si=_tAZaTPr6jew2I-r

He reminds me of John Stockton.

I dont see Stockton. I see a more athletic Mark Price type. Reed has sneaky hops and similar handle and shot making ability that Price had.

[jordanwilliams6]

Lavine endearing himself to another fanbase.

Read on Twitter

?s=46

I watch a lot of basketball. He has absolutely quit on the Kings. Unforgivable

That contract is what’s holding him back the most.

If he was paid $20-$25 million, contending teams would be lining up for him to be the 3rd or 4th microwave scoring option where he can play motivated as his teams actually have a shot at winning.

As is, no good teams can afford him so he ends up on poorly performing teams as the highest paid player and 1st or 2nd option. He just isn’t good enough for that role and after 12 years, Zach would just be exhausted.

[Chi town]

Lavine on the Bucks with Giannis Rollins and Turner would be dangerous.

[Muzbar]

Lavine on the Bucks with Giannis Rollins and Turner would be dangerous.

Except the Bucks have no way to get LaVine unless he's bought out.

[Red Larrivee]

Lavine endearing himself to another fanbase.

Read on Twitter

?s=46

I watch a lot of basketball. He has absolutely quit on the Kings. Unforgivable

It doesn't matter how much you pay for your seat, acting like that towards players is loser ****.

[dumbell78]

Lavine endearing himself to another fanbase.

Read on Twitter

?s=46

I watch a lot of basketball. He has absolutely quit on the Kings. Unforgivable

It doesn't matter how much you pay for your seat, acting like that towards players is loser ****.

Dude missed that parlay and blaming Zach for it.