2024-25 NBA Thread

[MU82]

The NBA used to be about dynasties, or at least almost-dynasties.

Now ... OKC is the 7th different champion in the last 7 years.

[The Sultan]

The NBA used to be about dynasties, or at least almost-dynasties.

Now ... OKC is the 7th different champion in the last 7 years.

OKC is young and absolutely loaded with first round picks in the coming years. This could be that next dynasty.

[Uncle Rico]

SGA bringing the mid-range back?!

No

[JWags85]

OKC is young and absolutely loaded with first round picks in the coming years. This could be that next dynasty.

Sam Presti got tons of buzz a decade plus ago, but man he's been beyond sharp as the OKC GM.  Assembled that young superstar team of Harden, Westbrook, Durant, and Ibaka.  Transitioned fairly well out of that, reloaded with the Paul George trade to pair with Westbrook after Durant left and got him to resign.  Realized that wasn't working, made what turned into one of the best trades of the last 25 years turning George into SGA, Gallinari, and draft picks that turned into Jalen Williams, the best young Serbian prospect since Jokic, and STILL have 2 more firsts from that trade this year and next.

Turned Westbrook into a couple more firsts, 2 of which they still have coming up.  And made one of the best in totality trades of the last few years in that Giddey trade.  Was a home run for Chicago and was a great trade for OKC trading someone who just didn't fit for a piece they desperately needed.

Holmgren was decent at times, shaky as hell at others in the playoffs.  He's only gonna get better. SGA is an MVP and is still not yet to his prime.  Jalen Williams looks like he can be an elite second option behind SGA if Holmgren isn't.  Like I mentioned, he hurt his knee but Topic, the Serbian kid, has a huge ceiling and he's only 19.  All of their key pieces, outside of Caruso, are 26 and younger.  If they hit well on even one of the 4 picks in the next 2 years, sheesh.  Regardless, they have the makings of the Warriors 2.0 given how good Presti is.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

OKC is young and absolutely loaded with first round picks in the coming years. This could be that next dynasty.

OKC has 1 year to run it back before Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams hit restricted free agency.

Then the following year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits unrestricted free agency.  OKC will be headed into luxury tax territory if they keep all three.

Ownership's willingness (or lack thereof) to pay the tax will determine how long OKC's title window lasts.

[Billy Hoyle]

The NBA used to be about dynasties, or at least almost-dynasties.

Now ... OKC is the 7th different champion in the last 7 years.

Meanwhile, from 1980 to 2005, 26 seasons there were seven.
-Lakers (8)
-Celtics (3)
-Sixers (1)
-Pistons (3)
-Bulls (6)
-Rockets (2)
-Spurs (3)

[Billy Hoyle]

the "Haliburton wasn't really injured" takes sure aged well. Damn, what could have been last night.

[The Sultan]

OKC has 1 year to run it back before Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams hit restricted free agency.

Then the following year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits unrestricted free agency.  OKC will be headed into luxury tax territory if they keep all three.

Ownership's willingness (or lack thereof) to pay the tax will determine how long OKC's title window lasts.

Or maybe they aren't going to need some of these guys if they continue to draft well.

[wadesworld]

the "Haliburton wasn't really injured" takes sure aged well. Damn, what could have been last night.

His ego was injured.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Or maybe they aren't going to need some of these guys if they continue to draft well.

That's easier said than done.  OKC had a similar situation in 2012 with Durant, Westbrook, Harden, and Ibaka.  They traded Harden after the 2012 Finals and it took 13 years, and an entirely different roster, to make it back to the Finals.

[Jockey]

the "Haliburton wasn't really injured" takes sure aged well. Damn, what could have been last night.

Durant returns from calf injury. Tatum returns from calf injury. Dame returns from calf injury. Halliburton returns from calf injury.

We need to lighten up on decision to play Halliburton last night. No way the Pacers could have known an Achilles was possible.

[The Sultan]

His ego was injured.

 

[MU82]

OKC has 1 year to run it back before Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams hit restricted free agency.

Then the following year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits unrestricted free agency.  OKC will be headed into luxury tax territory if they keep all three.

Ownership's willingness (or lack thereof) to pay the tax will determine how long OKC's title window lasts.

Yep. You beat me to it.

OKC could become the next dynasty, but that would require ownership's willingness to maintain a top-5 payroll; and the key players' willingness to stay put rather than leave for any number of reasons (they feel slighted by management, they don't like the coach, they are jealous of teammates, they want to go to LA or NY so they can develop their "brands," they just want a change, etc).

As an NBA fan who doesn't root for any one team, I do think it would be kinda cool if a market like OKC could become Dynasty Central. But it's not realistic to expect it.

[The Sultan]

Yep. You beat me to it.

OKC could become the next dynasty...

Which is exactly what I said.

[JWags85]

Durant returns from calf injury. Tatum returns from calf injury. Dame returns from calf injury. Halliburton returns from calf injury.

We need to lighten up on decision to play Halliburton last night. No way the Pacers could have known an Achilles was possible.

Not to mention the decision and calculation was made by Rick Carlisle (with a title and in his 173rd playoff game as a coach), who had been masterful, pulled all the right levers, and even moved the game plan away from Halliburton at times when he wasn't playing well or matching up right.  It wasn't some panicky first time appearance coach riding an injured player too hard

[cheebs09]

Durant returns from calf injury. Tatum returns from calf injury. Dame returns from calf injury. Halliburton returns from calf injury.

We need to lighten up on decision to play Halliburton last night. No way the Pacers could have known an Achilles was possible.

Different sport, but Rodgers had calf issues before his Achilles.

[Jockey]

Unless Green becomes a superstar, the Rockets gave up precious little to get a player who, if healthy, will be very valuable for them.

Durant was definitely worth the gamble for them, especially if they had already decided that Green isn't gonna be a special player.

From John Hollinger in The Athletic:
As for the large logic of the deal itself, it made a ton of sense for the Suns. That they gave up way too much in the original trade for Durant is a sunk cost; this particular trade was a decent return that gives them both draft capital and two starters, one of whom is young enough to still get considerably better. They were never doing better than this.

[MU82]

From John Hollinger in The Athletic:
As for the large logic of the deal itself, it made a ton of sense for the Suns. That they gave up way too much in the original trade for Durant is a sunk cost; this particular trade was a decent return that gives them both draft capital and two starters, one of whom is young enough to still get considerably better. They were never doing better than this.

Hollinger is in the minority on the bolded opinion. Neither he nor the vast majority who feel otherwise will ever be proven right about what the Suns could have received. All just opinions.

As for which team benefited most from the deal ...

If Durant helps the Rockets win a title, they will have won the deal regardless of how good Green becomes (unless Green helps the Suns win a title). If Durant doesn't get a ring with Houston and if Green becomes a legit star, Phoenix will have won the deal. So on this subject, we also only have opinions right now ... but at least the winner can be proven in time.

I respect your NBA knowledge, but you have a sore spot on anything Durant-related. It's similar to the way forgetful's dislike of LeBron affects his opinions.

[Jockey]

L

I respect your NBA knowledge, but you have a sore spot on anything Durant-related. It's similar to the way forgetful's dislike of LeBron affects his opinions.

You are correct on my opinion on Durant. IMO, he is a top 20 all-timer who totally lacks the leadership abilities to lead a team to a title. The Nba' version of Aaron Rodgers.

That was why I posted the opinion of a vet NBA writer instead of old, tired retreads of my opinion.

[wadesworld]

You are correct on my opinion on Durant. IMO, he is a top 20 all-timer who totally lacks the leadership abilities to lead a team to a title. The Nba' version of Aaron Rodgers.

That was why I posted the opinion of a vet NBA writer instead of old, tired retreads of my opinion.

So two guys who have led their teams to titles "lack the leadership abilities to lead a team to a title?"

[The Sultan]

Yeah, Aaron Rodgers literally lead his team to a title. He was the no doubt MVP of Super Bowl XLV FFS.

[MU82]

You are correct on my opinion on Durant. IMO, he is a top 20 all-timer who totally lacks the leadership abilities to lead a team to a title. The Nba' version of Aaron Rodgers.

That was why I posted the opinion of a vet NBA writer instead of old, tired retreads of my opinion.

IMHO Durant doesn't have to "lead" Houston to a title for the Rockets to have won this trade. He merely has to help them win a title, which is what I said in my earlier comment.

As for whether he (or Rodgers) has led teams to titles, Rodgers certainly has, and Durant also has depending upon one's definition of "led."

Most people would say that an athlete who averages 32 ppg while winning consecutive Finals MVPs for championship teams has "led" them - or at least has "helped lead" them - but you aren't most people when it comes to opinions on Durant.

[JWags85]

Hollinger is in the minority on the bolded opinion. Neither he nor the vast majority who feel otherwise will ever be proven right about what the Suns could have received. All just opinions.

Not to mention as a former FO guy, I feel like he often soft plays the f-ups of front offices and GMs.  May be recency bias but this isn't a surprising take from him.

[GB Warrior]

Not to mention as a former FO guy, I feel like he often soft plays the f-ups of front offices and GMs.  May be recency bias but this isn't a surprising take from him.

This is just so the folks at ESPN can peddle absurd Giannis trades. Hearing the Bucks could get Deandre Ayton and Matisse Thybulle but only if the Bucks loosen their stance on the 2031 1st

[The Sultan]

Game 7 was the most watched NBA game in six years. That includes a series between the Warriors and Celtics by the way.

I guess when Game 7 is Sunday evening on a day where it is REALLY hot in a good portion of the country, ratings will improve.