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[Bogyo]

Even if the Nets didn't have Kyrie, I'd still consider them contenders.

Oh yeah. Durant alone can win a playoff game if he gets on a heater. Plus they will probably be able to snag a guy or two off the buyout market to help their D.

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Sure, they can win it all, they have the pure talent. But I would bet against it, they might not even go to the finals, especially this year. These kind of super teams take time to gel, even if their big 3 are sane and care about basketball, and don't have ego issues. Not sure that can be said of this trio.

Funny thing is, I would have taken them more seriously if they kept Allen and Lavert, and traded Kyrie+change and picks for Harden - but Rockets were smart enough to dodge that bullet.

[Revived]

Doncic with 30 pts in the 1st half and 32, 14 and 12 triple double with 5 mins left in the 3rd QTR. Playing with Mavs JV team cause like most of their rotation players are out.

If Mavs are at least a top 6 seed by end of season then I think he’s definitely MVP this year.

[Mulhollanddrive]

I'd have Jokic slightly ahead at this stage.

[bwgood77]

Doncic with 30 pts in the 1st half and 32, 14 and 12 triple double with 5 mins left in the 3rd QTR. Playing with Mavs JV team cause like most of their rotation players are out.

If Mavs are at least a top 6 seed by end of season then I think he’s definitely MVP this year.

They did get KP back though! Yeah, I saw his stats at halftime and checked back later...didn't add a lot to them after that.

He was the preaseason MVP favorite. It will be interesting. The media is weird and seems to be bandwagony...I wouldn't be that surprised if after Giannis won a couple and LeBron rolling to a championship, that if LeBron has another great season and they are the 1 seed, he gets it again either.

[Revived]

Doncic with 30 pts in the 1st half and 32, 14 and 12 triple double with 5 mins left in the 3rd QTR. Playing with Mavs JV team cause like most of their rotation players are out.

If Mavs are at least a top 6 seed by end of season then I think he’s definitely MVP this year.

They did get KP back though! Yeah, I saw his stats at halftime and checked back later...didn't add a lot to them after that.

He was the preaseason MVP favorite. It will be interesting. The media is weird and seems to be bandwagony...I wouldn't be that surprised if after Giannis won a couple and LeBron rolling to a championship, that if LeBron has another great season and they are the 1 seed, he gets it again either.

Yeah they had Porzingis back but had like 5 of their top 7 players. Hardaway, Richardson, DFS, Kleber and Brunson didn’t play.

LeBron probably has really strong case for MVP but I think media fatigue will play a factor for guys like him and Giannis.

[bwgood77]

Doncic with 30 pts in the 1st half and 32, 14 and 12 triple double with 5 mins left in the 3rd QTR. Playing with Mavs JV team cause like most of their rotation players are out.

If Mavs are at least a top 6 seed by end of season then I think he’s definitely MVP this year.

They did get KP back though! Yeah, I saw his stats at halftime and checked back later...didn't add a lot to them after that.

He was the preaseason MVP favorite. It will be interesting. The media is weird and seems to be bandwagony...I wouldn't be that surprised if after Giannis won a couple and LeBron rolling to a championship, that if LeBron has another great season and they are the 1 seed, he gets it again either.

Yeah they had Porzingis back but had like 5 of their top 7 players. Hardaway, Richardson, DFS, Kleber and Brunson didn’t play.

LeBron probably has really strong case for MVP but I think media fatigue will play a factor for guys like him and Giannis.

LeBron hasn't won since 2013 so it's been awhile. KD, Curry twice, Westbrook, Harden, Giannis twice

[lilfishi22]

It'll be hard for Lebron to win, when he also has another guy on his team likely to steal votes from him in AD.

If anything, just Luka being fresh, exciting and always a good story will give him the leg up if his performances is MVP level.

[bwgood77]

It'll be hard for Lebron to win, when he also has another guy on his team likely to steal votes from him in AD.

If anything, just Luka being fresh, exciting and always a good story will give him the leg up if his performances is MVP level.

They will. Even some of his stat lines from last year were unheard of, particularly for someone his age. I just kind of see these media narratives coming, people thinking LeBron was playing at an MVP level many of the past years while they gave it to the new fresh, exciting players, or for stats over wins. And thinking this is likely one of the last years LeBron may win it.

And knowing they will likely give it to Luka many years. Though of course I can see Luka win it too, as he was the odds on favorite coming in, especially if they were to finish with like a top 3 or 4 seed.

[lilfishi22]

He'll be in the conversation as he always is and will be but I really think having AD takes a lot from him, even the narrative that no one has done what he's doing at his age before.

Not saying it isn't a good narrative but it's not like he's doing it with little help - he's got a strong team and a top 5 player/MVP candidate playing next to him. The only way I see him win it is if AD isn't playing as well as he's expected to or misses a good chunk of games due to injury or whatever.

But who knows, there's been less deserving MVP's in the past and Lebron is always deserving

[bwgood77]

Fox with a huge game. Bagley finally with a big game too, as well as Hield with 5 3s. But Zion also with a big game.

[Saberestar]

Alex Len waived.

Good moment to remember that McDonough was the worst GM ever.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Alex Len waived.

Good moment to remember that McDonough was the worst GM ever.

Truly, what an incredible legacy he leaves. A man whose mouth and brain were essentially disconnected. The man somehow managed to make exactly the wrong choice, time after time, year after year. I remain in awe. The weight of his failures will continue to fall upon us for the decade to come.

... That said, I'd take Alex ahead of Damian Jones.

[bwgood77]

Alex Len waived.

Good moment to remember that McDonough was the worst GM ever.

Truly, what an incredible legacy he leaves. A man whose mouth and brain were essentially disconnected. The man somehow managed to make exactly the wrong choice, time after time, year after year. I remain in awe. The weight of his failures will continue to fall upon us for the decade to come.

... That said, I'd take Alex ahead of Damian Jones.

And he still makes fun of us on twitter. Zero self awareness.

It's a good think you really are not McD, or you'd likely have a tough time here.

[Kerrsed]

It wasnt too long ago (Like last week) that some people were saying, "Screw CP3, we would have better off sticking with Rubio!".

What's Going on With Ricky Rubio? https://zonecoverage.com/2021/timberwolves/whats-going-on-with-ricky-rubio/

[nevetsov]

It wasnt too long ago (Like last week) that some people were saying, "Screw CP3, we would have better off sticking with Rubio!".

What's Going on With Ricky Rubio? https://zonecoverage.com/2021/timberwolves/whats-going-on-with-ricky-rubio/

To be fair, I'd be fat and miserable too if I got traded from PHX to Minnesota in the middle of winter.

[Wilber85]

It wasnt too long ago (Like last week) that some people were saying, "Screw CP3, we would have better off sticking with Rubio!".

What's Going on With Ricky Rubio? https://zonecoverage.com/2021/timberwolves/whats-going-on-with-ricky-rubio/

To be fair, I'd be fat and miserable too if I got traded from PHX to Minnesota in the middle of winter.

To be fair, Suns never gave him a fair shot. Dude was getting to be the best version of himself, then they trade him.

I am confident if we swapped Rubio (Last year) and this year CP3. Suns would be the same team, potentially better flowing.

[GoodBehavior]

It wasnt too long ago (Like last week) that some people were saying, "Screw CP3, we would have better off sticking with Rubio!".

What's Going on With Ricky Rubio? https://zonecoverage.com/2021/timberwolves/whats-going-on-with-ricky-rubio/

To be fair, I'd be fat and miserable too if I got traded from PHX to Minnesota in the middle of winter.

To be fair, Suns never gave him a fair shot. Dude was getting to be the best version of himself, then they trade him.

I am confident if we swapped Rubio (Last year) and this year CP3. Suns would be the same team, potentially better flowing.

James Jones did him dirty. They went all out to recruit him, and then traded him the following season after Rubio had one of his most productive year, became a fan favorite, coaches love him, etc. I would be pissed too.

Then he lands in the middle of Siberia and have to play as a backup point guard since the team invested so much on Russell. Their best players is stuck in some weird Covid nightmare, and the organization is utter crap since its inception.

On top of that, he's a recent father and the family living situation is constantly changing (I doubt he's a Timberwolves after this season), I would be shocked had he played well. He would played considerably better as a Suns, without question.

[Stark]

It wasnt too long ago (Like last week) that some people were saying, "Screw CP3, we would have better off sticking with Rubio!".

What's Going on With Ricky Rubio? https://zonecoverage.com/2021/timberwolves/whats-going-on-with-ricky-rubio/

If last year Suns was the perfect match for Rubio at the moment Minnesota is one of the worst possible scenario for him. Towns is not playing, he has to play off-ball a lot, fit with D'angelo is horrible, i don't think youngster really show him respect they don't have a lot of spacing or a system. We gave him the key to offense, Book takes the attention of defense, athletic wings like Mikal and Oubre to feed, pick and roll with Ayton, a lot of shooters, Baynes was perfect for him etc. If he doesn't have a legit role as your main ball-handler his value drops A LOT. A year older with this weird covid off-season definitely didn't help too. Dude loves basketball but i don't think he is having a lot of fun at the moment i hope he somehow ends up with a team like Clippers so he can show what he got.

[nevetsov]

It wasnt too long ago (Like last week) that some people were saying, "Screw CP3, we would have better off sticking with Rubio!".

What's Going on With Ricky Rubio? https://zonecoverage.com/2021/timberwolves/whats-going-on-with-ricky-rubio/

Dude loves basketball but i don't think he is having a lot of fun at the moment i hope he somehow ends up with a team like Clippers so he can show what he got.

CHICAGO

[Revived]

Utah is on quite a winning streak.