Around The NBA : 21-22 Edition

[MGB8]

Me checking the nets/sixers score after being confident sixers would destroy the G league nets.

Sixers have been struggling - although they seem to have no depth right now and Maxey is also out.

One thing, though, is that Embiid had a decent game - and he's been struggling himself since going out for a bit. So that might be a signal that the Sixers are about to turn things around.

Still, they really do need to move Simmons for decent value if they don't want to lose out on Embiid's prime. And with Maxey showing real talent, I think that's opened up return flexibility for them. Meaning that if I was Morey and could get Sacto to send back Halli, Barnes and Holmes for Simmons and Paul Reed or Andre Drummond (Sactown's choice), I would make that move in a second. No picks needed.

Now I can decide which two of Halli / Maxey / Curry to start (but that's a heck of a 3 guard rotation, with Milton as the 4th guard), potentially start Barnes at the 3 (even though at this point he's more of a 4, but still quick enough against most), and I have Holmes in reserve to play the 4 against large lineups and a smaller 5 when resting Embiid. Oh, I like that very much.

[MGB8]

Struggling Knicks went down to Houston and soundly beat the still-Wood-less Rockets last night. Rockets were on the 2nd night of a back to back and had just travelled down from Cleveland... but the Rockets starters actually had bounce back games - particularly Theis (on both ends, holding Randle to 6 of 18) and putting up 22/10 (with 2 blocks and a steal).

Knicks bench feasted on lack of defense from Houstons 3rd stringers (forced to be 2nd stringers and/or, in one case, a starter - who allowed Fournier to go off)

[MGB8]

And, as a side note, the Wizards handily lost to the Suns, as would be expected (especially when banged up - no Dinwiddie).

Gafford has come back down to earth (as expected). More interesting to me, though, is Deni Avdija. His stats look similar to the "yuck" stats that he put up as a rookie, but somewhat more efficient. But that's not accounting for the trend - which is up, particularly over the last month (48% overall, 33% from 3, and just better play overall).

Still not "good" - but given that the Bulls' need is at the 4, and given that Rui is coming back (and that they have Kuzma now), I do wonder if he would be a good "get" (at the cost of Troy Brown and likely the Portland pick). Young, combo forward (but more 4 than 3), and has the skillset to be versatile on both ends to include a decent shooting stroke.

[2weekswithpay]

And, as a side note, the Wizards handily lost to the Suns, as would be expected (especially when banged up - no Dinwiddie).

Gafford has come back down to earth (as expected). More interesting to me, though, is Deni Avdija. His stats look similar to the "yuck" stats that he put up as a rookie, but somewhat more efficient. But that's not accounting for the trend - which is up, particularly over the last month (48% overall, 33% from 3, and just better play overall).

Still not "good" - but given that the Bulls' need is at the 4, and given that Rui is coming back (and that they have Kuzma now), I do wonder if he would be a good "get" (at the cost of Troy Brown and likely the Portland pick). Young, combo forward (but more 4 than 3), and has the skillset to be versatile on both ends to include a decent shooting stroke.

Why not Kuzma instead? With Washington struggling and Beal's future in the air, tanking is very much a possibility for them. Kuzma would be the odd one out in this case as he's 26 already.

[MGB8]

And, as a side note, the Wizards handily lost to the Suns, as would be expected (especially when banged up - no Dinwiddie).

Gafford has come back down to earth (as expected). More interesting to me, though, is Deni Avdija. His stats look similar to the "yuck" stats that he put up as a rookie, but somewhat more efficient. But that's not accounting for the trend - which is up, particularly over the last month (48% overall, 33% from 3, and just better play overall).

Still not "good" - but given that the Bulls' need is at the 4, and given that Rui is coming back (and that they have Kuzma now), I do wonder if he would be a good "get" (at the cost of Troy Brown and likely the Portland pick). Young, combo forward (but more 4 than 3), and has the skillset to be versatile on both ends to include a decent shooting stroke.

Why not Kuzma instead? With Washington struggling and Beal's future in the air, tanking is very much a possibility for them. Kuzma would be the odd one out in this case as he's 26 already.

Does Kuzma defend well? Serious question, I have no idea. I thought he didn't but Washington was grimey to start the season on defense so maybe that impression was wrong and/or things changed.

[2weekswithpay]

And, as a side note, the Wizards handily lost to the Suns, as would be expected (especially when banged up - no Dinwiddie).

Gafford has come back down to earth (as expected). More interesting to me, though, is Deni Avdija. His stats look similar to the "yuck" stats that he put up as a rookie, but somewhat more efficient. But that's not accounting for the trend - which is up, particularly over the last month (48% overall, 33% from 3, and just better play overall).

Still not "good" - but given that the Bulls' need is at the 4, and given that Rui is coming back (and that they have Kuzma now), I do wonder if he would be a good "get" (at the cost of Troy Brown and likely the Portland pick). Young, combo forward (but more 4 than 3), and has the skillset to be versatile on both ends to include a decent shooting stroke.

Why not Kuzma instead? With Washington struggling and Beal's future in the air, tanking is very much a possibility for them. Kuzma would be the odd one out in this case as he's 26 already.

Does Kuzma defend well? Serious question, I have no idea. I thought he didn't but Washington was grimey to start the season on defense so many that impression was wrong and/or things changed.

I would say Kuzma is average on defense. Not great but not a liability like he was early in his career. If we're looking for a bigger improvement on defense then Avdija would be the ideal trade target since he's the Wizards best defender right now.

[sco]

Why not Kuzma instead? With Washington struggling and Beal's future in the air, tanking is very much a possibility for them. Kuzma would be the odd one out in this case as he's 26 already.

Does Kuzma defend well? Serious question, I have no idea. I thought he didn't but Washington was grimey to start the season on defense so many that impression was wrong and/or things changed.

I would say Kuzma is average on defense. Not great but not a liability like he was early in his career. If we're looking for a bigger improvement on defense then Avdija would be the ideal trade target since he's the Wizards best defender right now.

Not a big Avdija fan, but if we can get him for a package of non-core guys, it would be a huge win. I would see him as Pat insurance (in case we want to trade him). That said, I don't see how we get him without giving up more than non-core guys. Wiz don't need Coby.

Kuzma is a SF/PF version of Coby...we can do better.

[2weekswithpay]

Does Kuzma defend well? Serious question, I have no idea. I thought he didn't but Washington was grimey to start the season on defense so many that impression was wrong and/or things changed.

I would say Kuzma is average on defense. Not great but not a liability like he was early in his career. If we're looking for a bigger improvement on defense then Avdija would be the ideal trade target since he's the Wizards best defender right now.

Not a big Avdija fan, but if we can get him for a package of non-core guys, it would be a huge win. I would see him as Pat insurance (in case we want to trade him). That said, I don't see how we get him without giving up more than non-core guys. Wiz don't need Coby.

Kuzma is a SF/PF version of Coby...we can do better.

Kuzma ain't perfect but I wouldn't compare him to Coby at all. Kuzma is still a solid NBA player that can contribute to a winning team I don't think the same can be said for Coby right now.

Getting players better than Kuzma like Barnes is a long shot assuming we even have enough to get them.

[BullChit]

Me checking the nets/sixers score after being confident sixers would destroy the G league nets.

Sixers have been struggling - although they seem to have no depth right now and Maxey is also out.

One thing, though, is that Embiid had a decent game - and he's been struggling himself since going out for a bit. So that might be a signal that the Sixers are about to turn things around.

Still, they really do need to move Simmons for decent value if they don't want to lose out on Embiid's prime. And with Maxey showing real talent, I think that's opened up return flexibility for them. Meaning that if I was Morey and could get Sacto to send back Halli, Barnes and Holmes for Simmons and Paul Reed or Andre Drummond (Sactown's choice), I would make that move in a second. No picks needed.

Now I can decide which two of Halli / Maxey / Curry to start (but that's a heck of a 3 guard rotation, with Milton as the 4th guard), potentially start Barnes at the 3 (even though at this point he's more of a 4, but still quick enough against most), and I have Holmes in reserve to play the 4 against large lineups and a smaller 5 when resting Embiid. Oh, I like that very much.

This post also makes me realise how much talent both young and old Sacto have on their roster.

What a mess of an organisation that they can't get something to work with that talent.

[Grodoboldo]

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@BleacherReport: Wendell Carter Jr. was helped off the court after an apparent knee injury https://t.co/9GV4TBAw6b

[Clocian]

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@BleacherReport: Wendell Carter Jr. was helped off the court after an apparent knee injury https://t.co/9GV4TBAw6b

Feel bad for him. Speedy recovery

[TyrusRose2425]

Anthony Davis just turned his ankle. I feel like there's a good chance he misses Sunday.

[cool007]

Anthony Davis just turned his ankle. I feel like there's a good chance he misses Sunday.

He is back. I rather see AD play. When he plays, Lakers play slow which is good for us.

They seem like a better team without AD - when he doesn't play, they play faster and look much better (WB loves that kind of game).

[cool007]

Read on Twitter

@BleacherReport: Wendell Carter Jr. was helped off the court after an apparent knee injury https://t.co/9GV4TBAw6b

Oh no, I hate seeing anyone get injured and that injury did not look good. I wish him well. Hopefully nothing crazy and he is back soon on the court.

[TyrusRose2425]

Anthony Davis just turned his ankle. I feel like there's a good chance he misses Sunday.

He is back. I rather see AD play. When he plays, Lakers play slow which is good for us.

They seem like a better team without AD - when he doesn't play, they play faster and look much better (WB loves that kind of game).

Down again with a knee

[TyrusRose2425]

What a dumb question to KAT by the Sportscenter guy. Paraphrasing but basically, "You lost a lot of people due to COVID, how do you feel about the holiday season coming up?"

wtf

[Dresden]

Anthony Davis just turned his ankle. I feel like there's a good chance he misses Sunday.

You could write this for just about any game AD plays these days....

[jc23]

What a dumb question to KAT by the Sportscenter guy. Paraphrasing but basically, "You lost a lot of people due to COVID, how do you feel about the holiday season coming up?"

wtf

only one response for that

Watch on YouTube

and probably should go to the person in the reporters ear telling him to ask the question.

[Grodoboldo]

Read on Twitter

@wojespn: ESPN Sources: The Rockets are waiving forward Danuel House, allowing him to find a new team in the final year of his deal. Rockets are assigning his minutes to younger players and won’t hold him on roster to wait on a finding a deadline trade.

Wouldn't be a bad signing for us.

[Muzbar]

Read on Twitter

@BleacherReport: Wendell Carter Jr. was helped off the court after an apparent knee injury https://t.co/9GV4TBAw6b

I reckon that's an ACL or something...