2021-22 NBA Thread: The Bucks are Reigning Champs

[GB Warrior]

The NBA said the punishment took into account that the Bucks didn’t end up with Bogdanovic. I think that’s what has Bucks fans scratching their heads today.

Yep, and the teams' statements basically chalk this up to the new cost of doing business

[wadesworld]

I'm not sure what impact he will have, even in spot minutes, but I am stoked about Boogie on the Bucks.  Have always loved him, but I think he's matured a lot in the last few years, he was a much improved locker room presence in Golden State and he replaces some of Tucker's toughness.  He has also developed a decent outside shot so I think he can fit well on this team.

I don't see it at all.  But I hope you're right.

[Its DJOver]

Earlier this week, I lost bragging rights to my Bulls-fan son. And tonight I'll lose 'em to all y'all Bucks fans.

The Hornets are usually a damn entertaining team because LaMelo is a magician with the ball, Bridges is a modern-day Human Highlight Reel, and they have a lot of guys who can shoot and create. They can hit ten 3s in a row, so they can have some pretty great rallies. But defense is optional, and rebounding is even worse, which is why they're barely a .500 team despite a ton of offensive talent.

Unless Giannis catches Covid Toe, I don't know how he won't get as many points and rebounds as he wants to.

40, 12, and 9.  You weren't off by much.

[MU82]

Yeah ... unfortunately for the Hornets, my scouting report was pretty good.

Damn, that desperation heave by Bridges almost went in!

[wadesworld]

Brook Lopez had back surgery today.  Not good.

[PGsHeroes32]

Thunder only down 70

[MuggsyB]

Thunder only down 70

152-79??  That has to be the record.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

152-79??  That has to be the record.

It is. Previous record was 68, stood for over 30 years

[MuggsyB]

It is. Previous record was 68, stood for over 30 years

Wow.  And Morant didn't play. 

[PGsHeroes32]

Wow.  And Morant didn't play.

It was 78 pts with like 2 minutes left.

Just a beating

[MuggsyB]

It was 78 pts with like 2 minutes left.

Just a beating

That's insane.  Who is Memphis' 2nd best player?  Jaren Jackson?

[MU82]

Line was 75, so good job covering by OKC.

[JWags85]

Wes back to the Bucks

[MU82]

Playing in Atlanta without their starting backcourt (LaMelo and Rozier), their starting center (Plumlee) and a rotation player (McDaniels), the Hornets beat the Hawks.

Miles Bridges, who is going to be a very, very rich young man, had 32 points on 11-for-15 shooting (4-6 from 3).

Kelly Oubre, starting for Rozier, had 28 points on 11-for-17 (6-10 on 3s). Ish Smith, who had been out of the rotation for more than a month, stepped in for LaMelo and had 18 pts, 7 ast and 1 TO in 32 mins. Hornets had only 6 TOs.

Crazy stuff happens in sports sometimes.

[4everwarriors]

It don't matta, aina?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Just regular season NBA in December.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Eastern Conference playoffs are gonna be fun.

Western conference…probably not so much.

[MU82]

Get yer Pacer ... step right up and get yer Pacer here.

According to The Athletic, the Pacers are gonna do a major rebuild and anybody worth anything is on the block.

After starting the season 10-16, the Indiana Pacers are receptive in trade dialogue with rival teams regarding multiple veteran players, including two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert and Myles Turner, sources tell The Athletic. The team's position on some of its veteran players signals a desire to potentially push toward a substantial rebuild.

Why now?

Bob Kravitz, Indiana senior writer: Because it's time. It's probably past time, but team president Kevin Pritchard continued to feel like this team would win once it got reasonably healthy. That hasn't happened, and the region has become ambivalent.

The Pacers are currently last in the league in attendance and 29th in percentage of capacity. Indy has tuned out the Pacers; the games cannot currently be accessed on streaming apps. Out of sight, out of mind.

Not sure what the price tag will be because these are as much salary dumps as they are player moves, but I'd sure like Turner or Sabonis.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

The Pacers have tried.  But they have one very good (but not great) player in Sabonis.  A roster filled with good players, but ones that are a step or too outside the role they would play on a contending team.  Malcom Brodgan is a great example.  He is not a starting PG on an NBA contender.  He is a first guard off the bench who can defend, hit a shot occasionally, and run the point when needed.

They have been active in the trade market, but that has not yielded any upside.  And they have been stuck in draft pergatory with first round playoff exits five straight years before failing to quality last year.  And then they still ended up with the 13th pick in the 2021 draft.  And Chris Duarte looks...fine.

[MUfan12]

The Pacers have tried.  But they have one very good (but not great) player in Sabonis.  A roster filled with good players, but ones that are a step or too outside the role they would play on a contending team.  Malcom Brodgan is a great example.  He is not a starting PG on an NBA contender.  He is a first guard off the bench who can defend, hit a shot occasionally, and run the point when needed.

They have been active in the trade market, but that has not yielded any upside.  And they have been stuck in draft pergatory with first round playoff exits five straight years before failing to quality last year.  And then they still ended up with the 13th pick in the 2021 draft.  And Chris Duarte looks...fine.

I feel for Pacers fans. We were stuck on that hamster wheel for years when the Senator ran things. Good enough to be a 6-8 seed every year but never truly committing to the tank.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I feel for Pacers fans. We were stuck on that hamster wheel for years when the Senator ran things. Good enough to be a 6-8 seed every year but never truly committing to the tank.

And even then never did a full rebuild!  Just got incredibly fortunate drafting a world class talent with pick #15.

[JWags85]

I like Levert but otherwise I agree with most everything here.  Myles Turner is a guy who looks like he’s gonna make a leap, and has looked that way for the last 3-4 seasons, and then never does.

I wasn’t super broken up when Brogdon left the Bucks, hindsight is 20/20 but I never thought he was a full on stud

[MUfan12]

I wasn’t super broken up when Brogdon left the Bucks, hindsight is 20/20 but I never thought he was a full on stud

He's really good but the durability concerns made an extension much less palatable. I'm actually kinda surprised he got that second deal.

[MuggsyB]

What are we to make of Zion Williamson?  I hope these rumors that he can't stop eating are false.  320?  He's an incredible talent.   

[JWags85]

What are we to make of Zion Williamson?  I hope these rumors that he can't stop eating are false.  320?  He's an incredible talent.

 I think a lot is just that, rumors.  He’s in a tough spot cause he’s a big dude who seemingly puts on weight easily and a foot injury limits what you can do.