2024-25 NBA Thread

[MuggsyB]

Middleton probably woke up yesterday and coughed one time and will be out through the new year.

I'm interested to see this game.  Because as good as OKC is, they don't have a match-up for Giannis.  Of course the Bucks probably can't guard OKC.  As far as Middleton?  I don't know what to say.  He hasn't been healthy for 3+ years.  Very unfortunate. 

[The Sultan]

This trash game isn't going to win over new people to the NBA cup.

[MuggsyB]

This trash game isn't going to win over new people to the NBA cup.

Nope. 

[MUfan12]

This trash game isn't going to win over new people to the NBA cup.

I'm a sicko but that defensive effort in the second half from the Bucks was fun to watch. I can't remember the last time they've guarded like that collectively. OKC obviously struggled from 3, but there weren't many clean, in rhythm looks to be had.

[MuggsyB]

Uhhh....Memphis is beating Golden State 102-50 with 3 mins left on the 3Q. 

And the Bulls are on the verge of beating the Celtics. 

[MuggsyB]

The NBA ratings may be down but they signed this huge new deal.  That said, it seems like Silver will be continuing to tinker with the product.  Last night in the Bulls/Celtics game 108 triples and they made 33.  This isn't particularly watchable.  I don't have the answer but I could see them changing the restricted area. 

[Uncle Rico]

The NBA ratings may be down but they signed this huge new deal.  That said, it seems like Silver will be continuing to tinker with the product.  Last night in the Bulls/Celtics game 108 triples and they made 33.  This isn't particularly watchable.  I don't have the answer but I could see them changing the restricted area. 

I'd like them to add handguns

[MuggsyB]

I'd like them to add handguns

That would speed up the game. 

[The Sultan]

The NBA ratings may be down but they signed this huge new deal.  That said, it seems like Silver will be continuing to tinker with the product.  Last night in the Bulls/Celtics game 108 triples and they made 33.  This isn't particularly watchable.  I don't have the answer but I could see them changing the restricted area. 

Teams are actually shooting better than ever - the top five seasons in league-wide EFG are

1. 2023-24
2. 2022-23
3. 2024-25 (so far)
4. 2020-21
5. 2021-22

The last five!!! And guess what? 6-10 are the five years prior.

The league is never going to be as pacey as it was in the 70s and early 80s. But it's not slow - current seasons rank right around 20-25th all time in pace

Rico is right about this. The problem isn't the game. Its that the NBA went all-in on marketing its stars years ago, but right now there aren't any. Or maybe there are too many of them. Or too many who don't speak English as a primary language.

The most anticipated draft pick in years is from France and went to San Antonio. The best player around, who may end his career as one of the top five all time, is from Serbia and plays in Denver. This isn't great when you have an aging Steph and ancient Lebron as your top draws.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I'd like them to add handguns

That would make shooting even more important.

[MuggsyB]

Barkley thinks the NBA "needs to change something".  He mostly mentioned too many threes with Dan Patrick and didn't seem to have any real solutions.  He just mentioned the poor ratings.

He also stated that he bets $25,000 a hand playing blackjack and this could include two hands.  I believe he stated he lost 25 million over the years gambling a year or so ago.  This is astonishing to me.  He clearly needs help.  Does he not understand you can't win over time?  I don't care how much his net worth is this is total insanity. 

[The Sultan]

Barkley thinks the NBA "needs to change something".  He mostly mentioned too many threes with Dan Patrick and didn't seem to have any real solutions.  He just mentioned the poor ratings.

He also stated that he bets $25,000 a hand playing blackjack and this could include two hands.  I believe he stated he lost 25 million over the years gambling a year or so ago.  This is astonishing to me.  He clearly needs help.  Does he not understand you can't win over time?  I don't care how much his net worth is this is total insanity. 

I love Barkley, but he's too much a part of the "things were better in my day" thinking. Do people really think that the reason ratings are down is because of the lack of mid-range?

[MuggsyB]

I love Barkley, but he's too much a part of the "things were better in my day" thinking. Do people really think that the reason ratings are down is because of the lack of mid-range?

I have no idea why they're down but it's not that. 

[4everwarriors]

Nah, no one wants to watch 2 teams running up and down the court tossing up a bunch of threes after maybe 1 pass and hitting 33% of these shots. Too many meaningless games and the stars people pay big money to watch, may or may not play that night. Time outs are like a 3 ring circus where you don't know what to look at first. Oh, and the concessions suck, aina?

[The Sultan]

Nah, no one wants to watch 2 teams running up and down the court tossing up a bunch of threes after maybe 1 pass and hitting 33% of these shots. Too many meaningless games and the stars people pay big money to watch, may or may not play that night. Time outs are like a 3 ring circus where you don't know what to look at first. Oh, and the concessions suck, aina?

Shooting's better than it's ever been.

I said above that it's a star issue. Not a game issue.

[4everwarriors]

Shooting's better than it's ever been.

I said above that it's a star issue. Not a game issue.

And I opined as well, hey?

[The Sultan]

And I opined as well, hey?

On false narratives. But that's kinda what you do.

[4everwarriors]

Wizard, So sorry to rattle your cage, hey?

[The Sultan]

Wizard, So sorry to rattle your cage, hey?

Wierd.

[cheebs09]

I think the de-valuing of the regular season has impacted it too. Especially with players resting more and the narrative of ring chasing. Also, adding the extra playoff spots hasn't helped that.

[4everwarriors]

Wierd.

Huh? Say it isn't so, hey?

[BM1090]

Have to admit, the Bucks seem to have found something. They seem bought in for the first time in two years.

[Shaka Shart]

Shooting is better than it's ever been but I'm still gonna complain about teams shooting badly!

Extend the court and 3 pt line for starters.

I don't know if they just need to be excessively litigious on technical fouls now but if you get some of the whining to the refs out of it after every other play, I think you might actually see some behavioral adjustments from someone like Embiid who loves to seek contact without a serious attempt at a shot.

If the perception is that the lobbying isn't worth the quick tech then maybe you see some change.

Or not, I don't really know any more than the average fan in this regard.

[MuggsyB]

Good luck with Wemby in about 1.5 yrs.  He's ridiculous.  There's no way you can guard a mobile 7'4 dude that can lace threes.  I would imagine he'll get stronger.  The rest of his team though is really bad

[cheebs09]

Donald Duck's language was filthy. He should have been ejected.