2024-25 NBA Thread

[Jay Bee]

It's bball. Nail a buncha treys & you can be good.

Ind 8/16 from deep to take lead into halftime.

These teams blow

[MuggsyB]

Ind 8/16 from deep to take lead into halftime.

These teams blow

That might be a bit harsh. 

[tower912]

They both earned this opportunity.

[wadesworld]

Flop

Nah. Lou was staying in front of the ballhandler. Plenty of space for Mathurin to get up court, but he ran directly into Dort. Offensive foul 100% of the time.

Anyway, this game is close but ugly as hell.

[The Sultan]

Nah. Lou was staying in front of the ballhandler. Plenty of space for Mathurin to get up court, but he ran directly into Dort. Offensive foul 100% of the time.

Anyway, this game is close but ugly as hell.

Pretty much universal disagreement on the bolded.

[wadesworld]

Siakam is by far the Pacers' best player. Just a very good player.

[MuggsyB]

Indy turning it over is a immediate death.  Very upsetting. 

[tower912]

Meh.  Somebody has to win/lose.

[MuggsyB]

Siakam is by far the Pacers' best player. Just a very good player.

No doubt.  This is why I've asked if we should have scouts in 🇨🇲?

[MuggsyB]

Lots of hacking on the perimeter fron both teams. 

[JWags85]

Anyway, this game is close but ugly as hell.

Just like Game 5.  Close and entertaining but also kind of terrible.

If KD is even 85% as productive as he was as a 36-year-old, this trade will have been a steal. And if he is healthy - always a legit "if" - he will be at least that productive.

At 37, LeBron still was a relative "kid." At 37, Kareem still had 5 more years, three of which resulted in NBA titles.

I was pretty shocked at the difference in return for Durant versus Bane from the other day.  Obviously there is a big age gap, but Durant is still an elite player, just put up amazing numbers last year, and has been pretty healthy and durable since his Achilles injury.  He also takes care of himself and his game is one that holds up pretty well over time, both health and effort wise, despite his frame.  With his size and length and shooting ability and basketball IQ, no reason he can't be very productive at an All Star level a few more years at least.  Honestly, the underachievment of his last Nets teams and the Suns the last few years have helped his longevity.  He's only played 30 playoff games over the last 5 years, only 4 over the last 2.  Keeps some extra tread on the tires.

I saw a few tweets outlining just how terrible the Suns have operated recently. Traded Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae, 4 (FOUR!) firsts and a swap for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and a collection of second round picks.  Just biblically destructive.  Ive never seen a franchise go aggressively all in for a title chase and implode to ashes this badly.  Even Brooklyn circled the wagons and had a plan when they got rid of stars both times.  Like its almost panicky from Ishiba and his crew, panicky over what?  I'm not sure.

Also, Brian Gregory the GM starting just as amazing as everyone expected

[MuggsyB]

Not good.  No Hali = Problems. 

[MuggsyB]

Those could have easily been two and 1's for T.J. 

[MuggsyB]

This looks over.  It's too bad Haliburton went down. 

[wadesworld]

SGA is shockingly horrible from around half court. Obviously you don't expect to make those, but he's had 2 tonight and neither were (or would have been if there was no backboard to block his line drive) within a good 7 feet or so of the rim. Usually guys can get it somewhat close pretty consistently.

[BM1090]

SGA is shockingly horrible from around half court. Obviously you don't expect to make those, but he's had 2 tonight and neither were (or would have been if there was no backboard to block his line drive) within a good 7 feet or so of the rim. Usually guys can get it somewhat close pretty consistently.

Just texted my friend that. Looks like he's never taken a half court shot before. Both of those were so uncontested too. I legitimately could have done better lol

[BM1090]

Anyways, this sucks. Had the making of an amazing game.

[MuggsyB]

Anyways, this sucks. Had the making of an amazing game.

It does suck.  Tremendously upsetting. 

[WolfganghisKhan]

SGA bringing the mid-range back?!

[The Sultan]

This OKC team reminds me of the Nuggets team from a couple years ago. Ruthlessly efficient, but not really aesthetically pleasing. Don't get me wrong, they are clearly deserving of this likely title, but I can see why it's hard for the league to showcase them. Maybe they just need to build that dynasty that the Nuggets haven't been able to do yet.

[MuggsyB]

This game would have gome down to the wire.  It's a real shame. 

[wadesworld]

This game would have gome down to the wire.  It's a real shame. 

Maybe. We'll never know. It's not like McConnell has been an issue filling a ton of his minutes.

[MuggsyB]

Maybe. We'll never know. It's not like McConnell has been an issue filling a ton of his minutes.

The turns absolutely killed Indy.  I stated this was the most important stat of the game, but for some reason they didn't listen to me. Smh.

[wadesworld]

Caruso 🙄

[JWags85]

Really awful timing for McConnell.  Just signed a 4 year deal in the offseason.  Just over $11MM per year.  After the Finals he's had in key moments, could have probably gotten closer to 4 years $65-70MM from someone if he was a FA going into this offseason instead.

Obviously, getting a $45MM contract as an undrafted player who was never a regular starter is an achievement in and of itself, but still.  Especially since he's 33 and won't be getting anything besides a MLE or the like at best after this.