'25-26 NBA Thread

[MuggsyB]

I've had it up to here with you Muggsy *gestures at a condescendingly low level that's clearly a derogatory comment about height.*

We must respect our diminutive citizens and not project our frustrations on them out of the clear blue sky. 

[Shaka Shart]

We must respect our diminutive citizens and not project our frustrations on them out of the clear blue sky. 

I'll do no such thing. Troll

[MuggsyB]

I'll do no such thing. Troll

Calm down.  When you go low, I can always go lower. 

[Uncle Rico]

I don't know all tbe facts on that one. 

I do.  People that don't believe Jordan's old man was killed because of his gambling debts are the same ones that don't believe the Bowling Green Massacre occurred

[Shaka Shart]

Calm down.  When you go low, I can always go lower. 

I'm gonna put you in a diaper and burp you, pal

[Jay Bee]

I'm gonna put you in a diaper and burp you, pal

Some dudes on Scoop would pay you major coin for that

[jesmu84]

This is the crux of the problem.  The level of corruption is clearly ubiquitous.  Obviously the sports leagues and government make a crap ton of money from gambling.  That said Billy, from a societal and public health standpoint this is an unmitigated disaster which is even a bigger issue than the integrity of the NBA. 

Since when do we care about public health in this country?

[The Sultan]

Or unmitigated disasters?

[Uncle Rico]

Since when do we care about public health in this country?

We will tackle this situation if it can be monetized by the appropriate people.  Thank you for your attention to this matter!

[MU82]

Since when do we care about public health in this country?

Hey, some of us have concepts of a plan!

[Billy Hoyle]

This is the crux of the problem.  The level of corruption is clearly ubiquitous.  Obviously the sports leagues and government make a crap ton of money from gambling.  That said Billy, from a societal and public health standpoint this is an unmitigated disaster which is even a bigger issue than the integrity of the NBA. 

Last night a friend texted me about both the NBA sting and the NCAA allowing gambling on sports thinking it was ridiculous and "Gambling is going to be the new Joe Camel. A lot of lives are going to be ruined."

This is a friend who, for a few year,s made his living counting cards after being laid off from his IT job (brilliant guy, came out well ahead and went back to IT). He's never bet on sports but is a big fan of college sports. Even "professional" gamblers (people who have self control) know how F'ed society is when it comes to sports wagering.

[Shaka Shart]

Some dudes on Scoop would pay you major coin for that

I ain't here to kink shame.

Plenty of you have humiliation fetishes. Some of us are just not still in denial.

[MuggsyB]

Since when do we care about public health in this country?

Shorter citizens are generally healthier with lower (no pun intended) mortality rates. 

[Jockey]

Thais gambling "scandal" is a nothing burger. There has always been illegal gambling.

The FBI needs this now cuz it is a better look for them than ignoring pedos is.

[JWags85]

Last night a friend texted me about both the NBA sting and the NCAA allowing gambling on sports thinking it was ridiculous and "Gambling is going to be the new Joe Camel. A lot of lives are going to be ruined."

This is a friend who, for a few year,s made his living counting cards after being laid off from his IT job (brilliant guy, came out well ahead and went back to IT). He's never bet on sports but is a big fan of college sports. Even "professional" gamblers (people who have self control) know how F'ed society is when it comes to sports wagering.

Coming from a recovering gambling addict who struggles with relapses, the culture around sports betting has gotten so out of control its not even funny.  I fell into the trap before it was legal and advertised in sporting events and every network had a betting show with "experts" who were randomly online contributors to the network before they got slotted into the new betting show.  I can't even imagine what the siren song is like now for a naive 20 something.

Even more sobering is the fact that, I can't think of any other way of making money (outside of the equally scummy and fugazi day trading/Forex gurus) where the activities, methods, and approach of the few true winners couldn't possibly differ any more than what is commonly shown.  The consistent winners these days have statistical models and algorithms and take nearly all, if not all, personal decision making out of the equation.  Most don't even watch individual games.  The days of the sharp who sat with a paper of lines and stats and had the magic touch picking winners was likely over stated and is now long gone.

[MuggsyB]

Coming from a recovering gambling addict who struggles with relapses, the culture around sports betting has gotten so out of control its not even funny.  I fell into the trap before it was legal and advertised in sporting events and every network had a betting show with "experts" who were randomly online contributors to the network before they got slotted into the new betting show.  I can't even imagine what the siren song is like now for a naive 20 something.

Even more sobering is the fact that, I can't think of any other way of making money (outside of the equally scummy and fugazi day trading/Forex gurus) where the activities, methods, and approach of the few true winners couldn't possibly differ any more than what is commonly shown.  The consistent winners these days have statistical models and algorithms and take nearly all, if not all, personal decision making out of the equation.  Most don't even watch individual games.  The days of the sharp who sat with a paper of lines and stats and had the magic touch picking winners was likely over stated and is now long gone.

I will be rooting for you, JWags.  And I appreciate you sharing this.  I don't think people realize the ramifications and harm that pimping gambling will have on our younger population.   And it's literally every 2 mins when watching sports these days.     

[Jockey]

I'm fully on board with Sengun being one of the most underrated players in the league, he's fantastic.  But I don't know how a guy that averaged 20/10/4.5 the last 2 years and was an All Star will be a breakout player, unless he averages 30 and 15, which I don't think he will.

And I could buy a top 10 player ceiling, he's only 23 after all, but he's a few years away.  He's got that methodical below the rim game like Jokic, but he's not a good enough shooter.  Part of what makes Jokic lethal is he's close to a 40% outside shooter, which lets him space the floor and pass when people are forced close out on him.  Sengun shoots under 30% from deep.  He can develop it, look at Brook Lopez, but he's not there.

A player ascending from a top 20 guy to an MVP candidate is harder and more challenging than going from low level guy to a solid starter. He might only move up past a few other players in the elite pecking order, but the degree of difficulty is off the charts.

[wadesworld]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQN_3rpCdFh/?igsh=ZTduamc1Ym9xNDJl

Haha

[JWags85]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQN_3rpCdFh/?igsh=ZTduamc1Ym9xNDJl

Haha

Carlos Boozer nods in approval

[wadesworld]

Carlos Boozer nods in approval

And LBJ. And KD.

[JWags85]

And LBJ. And KD.

KD uses the hair enhancers?  I thought its a pretty established ongoing joke how bad his hair/hairline is and how spotty and unmaintained it is.

[Shaka Shart]

Are the Bulls elite

[cheebs09]

Are the Bulls elite

You at least have to call Billy Donovan to ask.