2021-22 NBA Thread: The Bucks are Reigning Champs

[The Sultan]

I still don't think people realize truly how special this guy is.  And no, you couldn't replace him with somebody else and win a title or be title contenders.  That's not a knock on Middleton or Holiday, they're both really good, but let's not forget what Giannis did to slam the door last year. 

The clear three best players in the league right now are Giannis, Embiid, and Durant (when healthy).  The East appears wide open but I believe the Bucks have sort of gone through the motions and miss Lopez.  I am curious if they will make a move for a like a 6'8 defensive switchable or a knockdown shooter?  I thought they would get more from their back-up 3's.

I think the Bucks were hoping that Donte would be more of a tradeable asset this year. 

[GB Warrior]

AD was flummoxed by Giannis the entire game and this pretty much foreshadowed how the game was going to go:

https://twitter.com/presidual/status/1491248449853202435?t=2JGf4bUdMv2fSPYP1Lc_Ag&s=19

[JWags85]

I don't know if it is nagging injuries or what, but AD has just fallen off the map the last two seasons.  He's way too young for that to happen, but he is clearly talented enough.

Injuries haven't helped, but Ive said for a long time that Lebron doesn't make superstars better.  Role players and lesser stars?  Absolutely.  But other alpha, potential All NBA guys playing with him need to defer or accept his utter ball dominance in the majority of the game.  Its been that way since he left Miami.  Thats why the Lillard talk is so silly to me.  He'd be brought in as a shooter and playing off ball most of the time, which is not his game.

Provided he's healthy, if Lebron retired and AD stayed a Laker, I think we'd see more of the AD of old.

[The Sultan]

The advanced stats show that his first season in LA was pretty much what he had always been.  But the last two seasons, his offensive rating, win-shares, value over replacement has all decreased pretty dramatically.

So I really don't think this is a Lebron thing.  This looks more like a player who hasn't been 100% for awhile.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Kings are dumb as sh it

What do you expect. They drafted Marvin Bagley over Luka.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Lakers are gonna blow the whole thing up next year. Davis' contract makes it touuugh to trade him but wouldn't be surprised to see him elsewhere next year.

[MuggsyB]

Lakers are gonna blow the whole thing up next year. Davis' contract makes it touuugh to trade him but wouldn't be surprised to see him elsewhere next year.

They may be in full tank mode.  They know they have literally no chance if they finish 7-10.  Didn't Lebron want Westbrook?  Most of us predicted this would be a disaster. 

[JWags85]

 "Lebron isn't a drama queen, people just hate him so they exaggerate"

....

https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1491643385576235011?s=20&t=0BRpoCyd8MF94BqvkI3wLQ

[MuggsyB]

"Lebron isn't a drama queen, people just hate him so they exaggerate"

....

https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1491643385576235011?s=20&t=0BRpoCyd8MF94BqvkI3wLQ

I couldn't tell if he was touched.

In all seriousness has anyone ever really asked why Westbrook is one of the worst defensive players in the league?  And he's always been awful.  When you think about what kind of athlete he is it's pretty remarkable.

[4everwarriors]

"Lebron isn't a drama queen, people just hate him so they exaggerate"

....

https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1491643385576235011?s=20&t=0BRpoCyd8MF94BqvkI3wLQ

Couldn't happen to a nicer ass hole, aina?

[The Sultan]

Nm

[Uncle Rico]

Harden wants to be traded to the 76ers but won't formall request a trade

Good luck, Sixers

[4everwarriors]

Woodant give a couple of used Bikes four hiz ass, hey?

[Uncle Rico]

Woodant give a couple of used Bikes four hiz ass, hey?

Nope.  Guys a losing player

[MU82]

If you do Harden for Simmons, who hasn't played a game and won't play a game for the Sixers this season, Philly on paper would be improving dramatically by adding a likely Hall of Fame PG.

On paper. When Harden buys in and he's healthy, he is an exceptional offensive talent. One would have to assume he'd buy in at least for this season.

I hope the trade happens because I'm interested in the Harden-Embiid dynamic.

[The Sultan]

I think the Nets are going to hold onto him despite the threat he exercises his player option after the season.  I don't think they want to be saddled with Simmons' contract.

All and all, this will be their best season for a title and they can fill his cap space next year.

[MuggsyB]

Well, I would think there's no way Philly is making this deal if they have to part with Maxey or Thybulle.  And if I'm the Nets Simmons, Seth Curry, and whoever aren't going to make them better this year.  So do you just give up on this season?  I'm also not sure Hatden is a good fit with Embiid.  Maybe they go after Lillard?

[wadesworld]

If you do Harden for Simmons, who hasn't played a game and won't play a game for the Sixers this season, Philly on paper would be improving dramatically by adding a likely Hall of Fame PG.

On paper. When Harden buys in and he's healthy, he is an exceptional offensive talent. One would have to assume he'd buy in at least for this season.

I hope the trade happens because I'm interested in the Harden-Embiid dynamic.

The reports yesterday were that the Nets wanted both Thybulle and Maxey in addition to Simmons, and were also interested in Seth Curry.  If that's the trade, I think the Sixers get worse (Embiid is not the type of big that Harden likes to play with.  A rim running, lob finishing big who doesn't need the ball in his hands and doesn't clog up the lane, plus they're giving up all of their defense outside of Embiid) and the Nets get better if Kyrie stops needing the martyr attention he so desires and gets vaxxed (improve a ton defensively and don't really need the offense if Kyrie and KD are healthy and playing).

Best case scenario for the Bucks would be no deal is made and Kyrie remains unvaxxed.

[MUBurrow]

I think the Nets are going to hold onto him despite the threat he exercises his player option after the season.  I don't think they want to be saddled with Simmons' contract.

All and all, this will be their best season for a title and they can fill his cap space next year.

I think taking on Simmons contract would be a big mistake for the Nets.  Its not like they're a small market team that will have trouble attracting big ticket free agents. Even the worst case scenario is that Harden leaves and opens up a ton of space, and then Durant goes into recruiting mode which won't be hard in Brooklyn.  Once you get past the sunk cost fallacy of what they gave up to get Harden, I think they're better off with TBD than Simmons.

[wadesworld]

Not sure I love this move for the Bucks.  Serge isn't really great, and I think you'll be able to find a big on the buyout market that is pretty much equally as good as he is.  Donte was going to be gone next season anyway, but I was hoping they'd at least try to work out some kind of sign and trade since he's restricted.

[wadesworld]

Also, Serge has to have had the Thon Maker birth certificate treatment, right?  There is no chance in hell he is 32 years old.

[4everwarriors]

Donte was a dead man walking when Grayson was extended. Thought the Bucks could've done better than Ibaka, doe, hey?

[Dish]

Bucks sold low on Donte, I'm not sure what this deal really does for them. Unless they have something else up their sleeve (maybe?).

[MuggsyB]

Surprised.  I think the Bucks could have done better.  I didn't even know Ibaka was still in the league.

[MUfan12]

Bucks sold low on Donte, I'm not sure what this deal really does for them. Unless they have something else up their sleeve (maybe?).

I don't think Donte carries much value, with his injury history and inconsistent shooting.

They needed a big and got him. As long as the minutes are within reason, I think it helps.

Need an athlete on the wing though.