2023-24 NBA Thread

[Lennys Tap]

There isn't a player that whines more than Lebron has his entire career, throws actual temper tantrums at times flopping around on the ground. It never hurt his MVP chances.

Jokic is a deserving MVP winner. And it would be splitting hairs between him and Doncic, I think Doncic had a historic season that should have been rewarded and he deserved the MVP. Him being 3rd is just insane.

I agree with this analysis.

[MuggsyB]

There isn't a player that whines more than Lebron has his entire career, throws actual temper tantrums at times flopping around on the ground. It never hurt his MVP chances.

Jokic is a deserving MVP winner. And it would be splitting hairs between him and Doncic, I think Doncic had a historic season that should have been rewarded and he deserved the MVP. Him being 3rd is just insane.

I completely agree about Lebron. That said, I think SGA waa rewarded for his team having the best record in the Western Conference. He also was more efficient than Luka.  I understand what you're saying but I'm not sure it's insane that Luka finished 3rd and Jokic was the MVP.

[Lennys Tap]

Anthony Edwards hasn't been bad, but he certainly hasn't been great for about the last 5 games now.

I'm sure he's a little worn down but the D of Dallas has him confused. They guard him hard at the 3 point line and when he drives past his man he finds an agile 7 footer like Lively in his path and solid rotations from the others. Other than occasionally losing Reid their defense has been really good.

[PGsHeroes32]

Luka is easily the best player in the NBA anyone who says otherwise is simply unhinged.

Craziest thing in that series tho is the #2s

Ant while not playing well, can at least pace Luka in all around play

But Kyrie vs KAT in the "Robin" role might be the biggest mismatch sports have ever seen

[MuggsyB]

Luka is easily the best player in the NBA anyone who says otherwise is simply unhinged.

Craziest thing in that series tho is the #2s

Ant while not playing well, can at least pace Luka in all around play

But Kyrie vs KAT in the "Robin" role might be the biggest mismatch sports have ever seen

KAT has been an abomination.  There's a reason he essentially didn't play in the 4Q.  10 for 36 from the field in two games.

[Pakuni]

Luka is easily the best player in the NBA , but Anthony Edwards can pace him in all around play?

[WhiteTrash]

There isn't a player that whines more than Lebron has his entire career, throws actual temper tantrums at times flopping around on the ground. It never hurt his MVP chances.

I agree about Lebron, but Magic was right there too. I am a Magic fan, so good and great for basketball but it was comical how he argued every single foul. I don't remember him being too bad trying to get a fouls call, but he acted like he never fouled another player, ever.

MJ never had a big issue with fouls being called. 

[wadesworld]

Luka is easily the best player in the NBA anyone who says otherwise is simply unhinged.

Craziest thing in that series tho is the #2s

Ant while not playing well, can at least pace Luka in all around play

But Kyrie vs KAT in the "Robin" role might be the biggest mismatch sports have ever seen

I think anyone who says Luka is "easily the best player in the world and anyone who says otherwise is simply outhinged" is outhinged.

[Jockey]

I think anyone who says Luka is "easily the best player in the world and anyone who says otherwise is simply outhinged" is outhinged.

Agree.

Jokic is #1. Period.

Scramble between a few guys for #2.

[forgetful]

Agree.

Jokic is #1. Period.

Scramble between a few guys for #2.

I don't think the difference between Jokic and Doncic is much at all. I think Doncic surpassed him this year. Doncic has the better all around offensive game and is as good or better of a passer.

[MuggsyB]

Haliburton out tonight.  Ughhhhhhhh.  What a disaster.  I can't stand the Celtics.  I wonder why we've seen so many injuries?

[wadesworld]

Haliburton out tonight.  Ughhhhhhhh.  What a disaster.  I can't stand the Celtics.  I wonder why we've seen so many injuries?

Hali is the Pacer's Trae Young.

[PGsHeroes32]

I think anyone who says Luka is "easily the best player in the world and anyone who says otherwise is simply outhinged" is outhinged.

Lets at least get the word correct, for sanity sake.

[Uncle Rico]

https://x.com/thehoopherald/status/1794732470119862453?s=46&t=QSiaGcOIKZrrpw0ciZkI5Q

He's right. 

[MuggsyB]

https://x.com/thehoopherald/status/1794732470119862453?s=46&t=QSiaGcOIKZrrpw0ciZkI5Q

He's right.

Why?  Poor fundamentals in the USA youth  leagues?

[Uncle Rico]

Why?  Poor fundamentals in the USA youth  leagues?

Good chunk of the reason.  Basketball development in this country is poor.  Much too fragmented

International players, elite players, are playing much better competition at younger ages.

[MuggsyB]

Good chunk of the reason.  Basketball development in this country is poor.  Much too fragmented

We need to get our act together. 

[Uncle Rico]

We need to get our act together.

It'll take the NBA being largely foreign players and starting to consistently lose international competitions for that to happen.

I'm not sure there's a movement afoot to change the American approach to basketball developmental models.  The answer isn't college basketball.  There are few coaches I'd actually trust to develop players into more skilled basketball players. 

[MuggsyB]

Dallas just slammed the door. 

[Lennys Tap]

KAT has been absolutely awful in this series (and the last couple games of the previous one). Maybe he needs JFB to get his a$$ in gear. Wonder what bias thinks of his guy?

[forgetful]

Dallas just slammed the door.

I thought this would be Minnesota's chance when Lively went down. If he continues to be out, it changes the look of the series some, but that is one heck of an uphill battle they now have being down 3-0. If they won this to go 2-1, and if Lively stayed out, I would have liked Minnesota to win it.

Hard to win 4-straight against Doncic and Irving.

[withoutbias]

KAT has been absolutely awful in this series (and the last couple games of the previous one). Maybe he needs JFB to get his a$$ in gear. Wonder what bias thinks of his guy?

Somebody didn't watch game 7 of the Mavs/Nuggets game I guess.

Jimmy did so well getting his teammates' a$$e$ in gear this year, I get what you're saying though. A rising tide lifts all boats. He did such a great job of this in MN too. Just the ultimate motivator. On and off the court. He always finds a way to get what he wants.

[Uncle Rico]

Somebody didn't watch game 7 of the Mavs/Nuggets game I guess.

Jimmy did so well getting his teammates' a$$e$ in gear this year, I get what you're saying though. A rising tide lifts all boats. He did such a great job of this in MN too. Just the ultimate motivator. On and off the court. He always finds a way to get what he wants.

He does always get why he wants even if someone doesn't want to give it

[Lennys Tap]

Somebody didn't watch game 7 of the Mavs/Nuggets game I guess.

Jimmy did so well getting his teammates' a$$e$ in gear this year, I get what you're saying though. A rising tide lifts all boats. He did such a great job of this in MN too. Just the ultimate motivator. On and off the court. He always finds a way to get what he wants.

4-32 last 5, 0-8 last night from 3. Big guy playing typically small, hanging out on the perimeter and hoping. JFB's record of motivating undermanned teams in the playoffs speaks for itself.

Mavs/Nuggets game 7 never happened so yeah, I missed it.

[withoutbias]

4-32 last 5, 0-8 last night from 3. Big guy playing typically small, hanging out on the perimeter and hoping. JFB's record of motivating undermanned teams in the playoffs speaks for itself.

Mavs/Nuggets game 7 never happened so yeah, I missed it.

4-32 last 5? I don't know what that even means. Last 5 games? He's certainly not that.

Sorry. Check game 7 of Wolves/Nuggets. A game you claimed he was "absolutely awful" in. Even though he was the best player on a court that he was sharing with Anthony Edwards, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, among others.