2022-23 NBA Thread

[MuggsyB]

I love ya, Muggs, but you can be exhausting.

I really hope you're right and that the Bucks find a way in the playoffs. 

[WhiteTrash]

They should just forfeit if they run into the C’s.

The C's better hope they don't run into the Bulls, who beat them twice. 

[MuggsyB]

Jojo just went bananas.

[wadesworld]

Bucks season put down the drain by the C’s. Bucks then smoke the 76ers, ending their season. Now the 76ers end the C’s season tonight. My mind is blown. Bulls going to win the title by default.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Magic number down to 1. 3 games left. Bucks season may not be over after all.

[MuggsyB]

Bucks season put down the drain by the C’s. Bucks then smoke the 76ers, ending their season. Now the 76ers end the C’s season tonight. My mind is blown. Bulls going to win the title by default.

Brown didn't play tonight. 

[MU82]

Brown didn't play tonight.

OK. And the Celtics lost to Oklahoma City on a night SGA didn't play. That's the NBA.

I mean, it's almost like a person can't reasonably predict what will happen in May and June based on the outcome of one regular-season game.

[wadesworld]

Brown didn't play tonight.

Fair enough. Fully healthy C’s lost to half of the Wizard’s team last week and ended the C’s season. C’s ended the Bucks season last week with a loss the franchise can never come back from. Bucks best Wizards. My head is exploding. Give the title and the Wemby sweepstakes both to Pop and the Spurs.

[MuggsyB]

Fair enough. Fully healthy C’s lost to half of the Wizard’s team last week and ended the C’s season. C’s ended the Bucks season last week with a loss the franchise can never come back from. Bucks best Wizards. My head is exploding. Give the title and the Wemby sweepstakes both to Pop and the Spurs.

What Will Wemby do by year 2?

[wadesworld]

What Will Wemby do by year 2?

Be so good everyone in the NBA will know there's no point in even playing because he'll win every title for the next 20 years.  Every player will quit.  He's going to end basketball.

[MU82]

Wembanyama had a one-hand dunk finish on a rebound the other night that demonstrated his instincts, athletic ability and basketball skill.

But the reaction to the play -- with it becoming a social media phenomenon and with one NBA executive telling somebody at ESPN that it showed how Wembanyama will dominate the league for years -- was so typically over the top.

It was a heckuva play. As are many plays that NBA players make in any given week. As were many plays that Zion Williamson routinely made at Duke. (Remember him?)

The above doesn't mean I'm doubting the kid. It certainly looks like he'll be a hell of a player, maybe even a once-a-decade talent. But I'm willing to ... I don't know ... see how he actually does in the NBA for a year or two before I crown his arse.

[JWags85]

Wembanyama had a one-hand dunk finish on a rebound the other night that demonstrated his instincts, athletic ability and basketball skill.

But the reaction to the play -- with it becoming a social media phenomenon and with one NBA executive telling somebody at ESPN that it showed how Wembanyama will dominate the league for years -- was so typically over the top.

It was a heckuva play. As are many plays that NBA players make in any given week. As were many plays that Zion Williamson routinely made at Duke. (Remember him?)

The above doesn't mean I'm doubting the kid. It certainly looks like he'll be a hell of a player, maybe even a once-a-decade talent. But I'm willing to ... I don't know ... see how he actually does in the NBA for a year or two before I crown his arse.

I think part of the insane hype surrounding Wemby is beyond his unicorn measurements and skill set, its the jump he took.  Always been a tantalizing and freakish prospect, but was still raw. 2 seasons ago he averaged 9 and 5 in the top French League.  At the same age, Luka was averaging 16/5/5 on a better team in a better league and winning player of the week/month honors in the best non-NBA competition in the world.

Within a year, he's exploded production-wise and is now averaging 21/10/2 with over 3 blocks a game.  So he's suddenly looking a lot less raw before he comes to the NBA.

Was the reaction a bit over the top?  Sure.  However, devils advocate, I firmly object to "There are many "heckuva plays" made any given week".  There are maybe 2-3 players in the NBA, including Giannis, that could have made that play.  It wasn't following up a miss.  He shot a step back fade away 3 and recovered to put back dunk.  Thats just preposterous.  From someone who was already thought of as the best prospect in a decade plus by non-ESPN click generators.

Not sure why the random Zion throw in.  Sure he's had injury problems, but he's a 2 time All Star who has averaged 26/7/4 before the age of 22.  Not the best "Dont count the chickens before they hatch in the NBA" sort of example.

[wadesworld]

I think part of the insane hype surrounding Wemby is beyond his unicorn measurements and skill set, its the jump he took.  Always been a tantalizing and freakish prospect, but was still raw. 2 seasons ago he averaged 9 and 5 in the top French League.  At the same age, Luka was averaging 16/5/5 on a better team in a better league and winning player of the week/month honors in the best non-NBA competition in the world.

Within a year, he's exploded production-wise and is now averaging 21/10/2 with over 3 blocks a game.  So he's suddenly looking a lot less raw before he comes to the NBA.

Was the reaction a bit over the top?  Sure.  However, devils advocate, I firmly object to "There are many "heckuva plays" made any given week".  There are maybe 2-3 players in the NBA, including Giannis, that could have made that play.  It wasn't following up a miss.  He shot a step back fade away 3 and recovered to put back dunk.  Thats just preposterous.  From someone who was already thought of as the best prospect in a decade plus by non-ESPN click generators.

Not sure why the random Zion throw in.  Sure he's had injury problems, but he's a 2 time All Star who has averaged 26/7/4 before the age of 22.  Not the best "Dont count the chickens before they hatch in the NBA" sort of example.

Yeah, I've never seen someone have a put back dunk off of his own 3 point attempt.

The most impressive thing to me about Wemby is that he played 2 showcase games against the G League team.  As a 19 year old, you'd think maybe he goes off in one game and then is just solid at best in another game or something.  He was completely dominant in both games.  And the same goes for Scoot.  My only concern is his build, but he's already playing against grown men (unlike Chet when he was playing at Gonzaga).  If he stays healthy, he's going to be one of the best to ever play.

[MU82]

I think part of the insane hype surrounding Wemby is beyond his unicorn measurements and skill set, its the jump he took.  Always been a tantalizing and freakish prospect, but was still raw. 2 seasons ago he averaged 9 and 5 in the top French League.  At the same age, Luka was averaging 16/5/5 on a better team in a better league and winning player of the week/month honors in the best non-NBA competition in the world.

Within a year, he's exploded production-wise and is now averaging 21/10/2 with over 3 blocks a game.  So he's suddenly looking a lot less raw before he comes to the NBA.

Was the reaction a bit over the top?  Sure.  However, devils advocate, I firmly object to "There are many "heckuva plays" made any given week".  There are maybe 2-3 players in the NBA, including Giannis, that could have made that play.  It wasn't following up a miss.  He shot a step back fade away 3 and recovered to put back dunk.  Thats just preposterous.  From someone who was already thought of as the best prospect in a decade plus by non-ESPN click generators.

Not sure why the random Zion throw in.  Sure he's had injury problems, but he's a 2 time All Star who has averaged 26/7/4 before the age of 22.  Not the best "Dont count the chickens before they hatch in the NBA" sort of example.

NBA guys make eye-popping, holy-crap plays all the time. It seems like Anthony Edwards makes one every week. Maybe not that exact play, but some kind of incredible play.

Where's Zion now? Where was he most of last season? Zion is absolutely wonderful ... when he plays. He was the last uber-hyped phenom, but he can't stay on the court.

I hope Wembanyama is all that and more. Hell, I hope he's all that and more in a Hornets uniform. I reserve the right to be a little skeptical until I see him do spectacular stuff night in and night out against NBA players.

Maybe he will. I hope he does!! I love great basketball.

[JWags85]

NBA guys make eye-popping, holy-crap plays all the time. It seems like Anthony Edwards makes one every week. Maybe not that exact play, but some kind of incredible play.

Again, there are literally 2-3 players who could possibly do what he did.  Its not a holy crap play.  Anthony Edwards is an athletic freak.  So is Ja.  But I struggle to a remember a highlight of theirs that nobody else could physically do.  Its like a some of Mahomes throws or a one of Zlatan's freakish angle perfect volleys.  Its not just another holy crap play, its a play that 99% of the most talented players in that particular sport just are not physically able to accomplish.

Where's Zion now? Where was he most of last season? Zion is absolutely wonderful ... when he plays. He was the last uber-hyped phenom, but he can't stay on the court.

I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, but you're coming off like a douche trying to make some strange point.  Because an uber hyped prospect has had some injuries, you're skeptical about the next uber hyped prospect (with no significant injury history) until he plays...ok.  Strange hill to die on.  Thats like assuming an NFL prospect should be viewed with skepticism cause the last star at his position from his school wasn't good. 

And again, acting like Zion is Greg Oden and some sort of bust card comp to hold contrarian skepticism for Wemby is making you seem like you don't even follow the NBA.  3 unrelated injuries, the first 2 that he came back from to put up absurd, All Star caliber numbers.  But sure "WhErE iz ZiOn?!"

But go ahead, claim to love good basketball and side eye a player that has all sorts of people non-excitable basketball people excited cause it makes you seem so measured and wise.

[MuggsyB]

I'm rooting for Wemby.  I think it could take him a year+ but he should be okay. 

[Uncle Rico]

Middleton left the game with a knee boo-boo.  Now, you can be concerned

[wadesworld]

Middleton left the game with a knee boo-boo.  Now, you can be concerned

Yup. That is actually cause for concern.

[MuggsyB]

Middleton left the game with a knee boo-boo.  Now, you can be concerned

He doesn't appear to be close to the player he once was. 

[wadesworld]

He doesn't appear to be close to the player he once was.

You must be reading too much Celtics/Sixers fan Twitter. Since he came back the second time this season he’s been great. Basically the same as he’s been for the last number of years.

[MU82]

Again, there are literally 2-3 players who could possibly do what he did.  Its not a holy crap play.  Anthony Edwards is an athletic freak.  So is Ja.  But I struggle to a remember a highlight of theirs that nobody else could physically do.  Its like a some of Mahomes throws or a one of Zlatan's freakish angle perfect volleys.  Its not just another holy crap play, its a play that 99% of the most talented players in that particular sport just are not physically able to accomplish.

I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, but you're coming off like a douche trying to make some strange point.  Because an uber hyped prospect has had some injuries, you're skeptical about the next uber hyped prospect (with no significant injury history) until he plays...ok.  Strange hill to die on.  Thats like assuming an NFL prospect should be viewed with skepticism cause the last star at his position from his school wasn't good. 

And again, acting like Zion is Greg Oden and some sort of bust card comp to hold contrarian skepticism for Wemby is making you seem like you don't even follow the NBA.  3 unrelated injuries, the first 2 that he came back from to put up absurd, All Star caliber numbers.  But sure "WhErE iz ZiOn?!"

But go ahead, claim to love good basketball and side eye a player that has all sorts of people non-excitable basketball people excited cause it makes you seem so measured and wise.

Wow. Sure glad I got the benefit of the doubt, Wags. Have a good one.

[MuggsyB]

Let me clear:   I am rooting for the Bucks to win.  Obviously, it's championship or bust.  But assuming they play the Celtics in the ECF I think the Celtics are the favorite based on what I have witnessed. 

[wadesworld]

Let me clear:   I am rooting for the Bucks to win.  Obviously, it's championship or bust.  But assuming they play the Celtics in the ECF I think the Celtics are the favorite based on what I have witnessed.

Are you going to say this 4 times a day until the finals, or 5 times?

[MuggsyB]

Are you going to say this 4 times a day until the finals, or 5 times?

Well I haven't heard anyone disagree with me to be honest.   It's been more or less that the regular season head to head is irrelevant.

[wadesworld]

Well I haven't heard anyone disagree with me to be honest.   It's been more or less that the regular season head to head is irrelevant.

So why do you need to keep repeating it daily?

One team has a 3 game lead in the standings. One team has a core that has won a title.

But that team stands no chance to beat the C’s, I guess. Even though they pushed the C’s to 7 without their second best player.

Fun run for the Bucks. They should trade everyone that can get them assets back. All their guys are older than the C’s best players, and the Bucks have no chance as long as the C’s are around.