2022-23 NBA Thread

[MU82]

Hyperbole is the greatest thing in the history of the universe!

You needed at least one "literally" in there.

[Jockey]

You needed at least one "literally" in there.

But..., The definition of literally is no longer the literal definition of literally.

[JWags85]

But..., The definition of literally is no longer the literal definition of literally.

This conversation is LITERALLY killing me. 

[Jockey]

This conversation is LITERALLY killing me.

That, my friend, is literally an accepted use of literally.

[MuggsyB]

I'm starting to doubt that Durant can actually be traded from Brooklyn. 

[MUfan12]

Happy 7/20 to all who celebrate.

[4everwarriors]

U.S. moonlandin', aina?

[wadesworld]

U.S. moonlandin', aina?

Peddle his azz ring, hey?

[Uncle Rico]

Peddle his azz ring, hey?

Look at how this season ended.  Giannis is clearly a one-ring player.  Bring Sam home.

[MuggsyB]

Who replaces Barkley if he leaves TNT for LIV Golf?

[4everwarriors]

#3, hey?

[Uncle Rico]

Who replaces Barkley if he leaves TNT for LIV Golf?

Joey Hauser

[tower912]

rocket

[Uncle Rico]

rocket

I'd watch but replace The Jet with Joy Behar

[MU82]

Smart move by Harden. Accept "only" $33M guaranteed for the upcoming season and look like an unselfish, team-first guy for doing it.

EDIT:

And speaking of the 76ers, they are planning a new arena to open in a few years. It would be entirely privately funded, which is a good thing.

[MU82]

The Athletic says the Celtics have emerged as a possible landing spot for Durant ...

After the Phoenix Suns matched Indiana's $133 million maximum offer sheet to Deandre Ayton, the list of suitors for Durant became clearer. With Ayton currently unable to be traded, the Suns appear to be all but eliminated from the Durant sweepstakes. The Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat remain among the teams in pursuit — and the Boston Celtics recently offered a package around one-time All-Star Jaylen Brown for Durant and have emerged as a real threat to acquire Durant, league sources tell The Athletic.

The Celtics offered Brown, guard Derrick White and a draft pick to the Nets for Durant, sources said. The proposal was rejected, and Brooklyn has asked Boston — in any proposal — to include Brown, Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, draft picks and potentially one more rotation player, those sources added. Currently, the Celtics are less inclined to include Smart along with multiple other player or pick assets, but the franchise is mulling over next steps on how to approach discussions.

Obviously, the Celtics couldn't have thought that the Nets would settle only for Brown, White and a draft pick. And it seems like the Nets have countered by asking for the world, which isn't surprising. So it will be interesting to see where this goes.

[Uncle Rico]

The Athletic says the Celtics have emerged as a possible landing spot for Durant ...

After the Phoenix Suns matched Indiana's $133 million maximum offer sheet to Deandre Ayton, the list of suitors for Durant became clearer. With Ayton currently unable to be traded, the Suns appear to be all but eliminated from the Durant sweepstakes. The Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat remain among the teams in pursuit — and the Boston Celtics recently offered a package around one-time All-Star Jaylen Brown for Durant and have emerged as a real threat to acquire Durant, league sources tell The Athletic.

The Celtics offered Brown, guard Derrick White and a draft pick to the Nets for Durant, sources said. The proposal was rejected, and Brooklyn has asked Boston — in any proposal — to include Brown, Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, draft picks and potentially one more rotation player, those sources added. Currently, the Celtics are less inclined to include Smart along with multiple other player or pick assets, but the franchise is mulling over next steps on how to approach discussions.

Obviously, the Celtics couldn't have thought that the Nets would settle only for Brown, White and a draft pick. And it seems like the Nets have countered by asking for the world, which isn't surprising. So it will be interesting to see where this goes.

Doubt Durant can beat Sam out for minutes. 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

If I'm the Nets, I am in no hurry to make a trade. He still has four years left on his deal.

[MU82]

If I'm the Nets, I am in no hurry to make a trade. He still has four years left on his deal.

It's a real interesting situation. Do you make a high-priced but unhappy Durant (if he's unhappy) toil for you or maybe even hold out even as he only gets older? Would that increase or decrease his trade value?

I tend to agree with you, but I'm not sure how I define "in no hurry."

[MuggsyB]

It's a real interesting situation. Do you make a high-priced but unhappy Durant (if he's unhappy) toil for you or maybe even hold out even as he only gets older? Would that increase or decrease his trade value?

I tend to agree with you, but I'm not sure how I define "in no hurry."

I think some sort of deal is going to be made.  The Nets aren't going to get a better package and Brown is young.  It would certainly make Boston the heavy favorites to win the 2023 title unless Smart has to be in the trade. 

[Pakuni]

I think some sort of deal is going to be made.  The Nets aren't going to get a better package and Brown is young.  It would certainly make Boston the heavy favorites to win the 2023 title unless Smart has to be in the trade.

Brooklyn should be insulted by the Celtics offer at this point. Brown isn't really that young - he'll be 26 when the season starts - and is a complimentary player, not the kind of guy you build a contender around. Brooklyn already is the likely loser in any Durant deal -  the team that gets the best player usually wins trades in the NBA - but they need to at least come out of the deal with two top-tier players and an early pick.

[MuggsyB]

"I strongly believe the 2004 Pistoms would beat any team, in any era, in a 7 Game series"  Kendrick Perkinns lead NBA analyst ESPN.

Where do we rank this among the most boneheaded comments in the history of NBA discussions?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

"I strongly believe the 2004 Pistoms would beat any team, in any era, in a 7 Game series"  Kendrick Perkinns lead NBA analyst ESPN.

Where do we rank this among the most boneheaded comments in the history of NBA discussions?

The same 2004 pistons who finished 7 games out of first place in their own division?

[MU82]

I think some sort of deal is going to be made.  The Nets aren't going to get a better package and Brown is young.  It would certainly make Boston the heavy favorites to win the 2023 title unless Smart has to be in the trade.

The Nets can get a ton more than a 3rd/4th option (Brown), an OK bench player (White) and a bottom of round 1 draft pick (which is what the Celtics' pick would be). I get that you lowball your initial offer to offer plenty of room for negotiation, but I gotta agree with Sultan that this offer is ridiculous bordering on insulting.

I mean, Boston at least has to include superstar-to-be Sam Hauserwitzer, no?

"I strongly believe the 2004 Pistoms would beat any team, in any era, in a 7 Game series"  Kendrick Perkinns lead NBA analyst ESPN.

Where do we rank this among the most boneheaded comments in the history of NBA discussions?

Yes, I doubt most would agree that the 2004 Pistons would win any 7-game series against any team. They barely beat the Nets in the second round that year and most of the players on the Lakers team they beat in the Finals were old and fading. Either Jordan 3-peat team would have beaten them most (if not all) of the time, as would the 80s Lakers and Celtics teams. I doubt they even would have been favored over their Bad Boy forefathers of 1989 or 1990.

But it was just one talking head's sports opinion, so who really cares?

[MuggsyB]

The Nets can get a ton more than a 3rd/4th option (Brown), an OK bench player (White) and a bottom of round 1 draft pick (which is what the Celtics' pick would be). I get that you lowball your initial offer to offer plenty of room for negotiation, but I gotta agree with Sultan that this offer is ridiculous bordering on insulting.

I mean, Boston at least has to include superstar-to-be Sam Hauserwitzer, no?

Yes, I doubt most would agree that the 2004 Pistons would win any 7-game series against any team. They barely beat the Nets in the second round that year and most of the players on the Lakers team they beat in the Finals were old and fading. Either Jordan 3-peat team would have beaten them most (if not all) of the time, as would the 80s Lakers and Celtics teams. I doubt they even would have been favored over their Bad Boy forefathers of 1989 or 1990.

But it was just one talking head's sports opinion, so who really cares?

So if some sports analyst, a person who makes a living in that field, stated Michael Phelps is faster in the water than a Saifish, it's no biggie?  Despite the fact that a Sailfish can swim 60 mph?   Perk's 2004 Pistons comment is close to that level of stupidity.  If I stated diminutive people of the world should take over the NBA and the hoop should be lowered to 7.5 feet your response would be a shoulder shrug?    There's nothing wrong with calling out unconscionable/idiotic statements.  Especially from people that are paid to analyze a particular sport.