'25-26 NBA Thread

[Uncle Rico]

Whoever wins tonight, they'll be feeling pretty good about themselves.

[MuggsyB]

Whoever wins tonight, they'll be feeling pretty good about themselves.

Mitchell may need 50+ Uncle R.

[Uncle Rico]

Mitchell may need 50+ Uncle R.

As long as he doesn't do any dunk shots.

[MuggsyB]

As long as he doesn't do any dunk shots.

Knicks by 12-15. 

[MuggsyB]

It's time to sit Josh Hart. 

[Uncle Rico]

It's time to sit Josh Hart. 

He might have explosive diarrhea

[MuggsyB]

Strange line-up for NY. 

[Uncle Rico]

Strange line-up for NY. 

Cavs won't win if they keep getting outscored

[MuggsyB]

Like I said said, get Josh Hart the ball. 

Not a good sign for the Cavs that they're down 4 and Brunson has 2pts.

[Uncle Rico]

Like I said said, get Josh Hart the ball. 

Not a good sign for the Cavs that they're down 4 and Brunson has 2pts.

Rumor has it the Cavs were out late last night at the stripper club

[MuggsyB]

Hart with a career playoff high. 

[MU82]

Hart with a career playoff high. 

The Cavs wish that Mike Brown had heeded your advice.

[JWags85]

It's simple and blunt, but this is an awesome minute of analysis. This is about Game 1, but it's still extremely relevant and worth keeping in mind when it's super easy to bag on Harden (who was obviously a traffic cone).

https://x.com/KipseyHussle/status/2057447540346261904/video/1?s=46

I know feelings on Draymond as an analyst/podcaster here are mixed, but as someone who is a big fan of his work behind the mic in the playoffs/offseason, this clip is why it's so annoying/frustrating when he's a hyperbolic clown.  Cause he's a unnatural carnal knowledgeing amazing basketball mind, who has a very good ability to articulate ideas and concepts about the NBA game beyond Xs and Os, and could be one of the best/most watchable analysts around if he wants to be. 

[swoopem]

14 wins in 23-24
44 wins, first round loss in 24-25
60 wins, second round loss in 25-26.

Definitely choked in game 7.

Ah, well. Lots of progress.  Hopefully lots of learning and growth.  What pieces do they put around Cunningham going forward?

Pistons fan here

I'd seriously think about a package deal of Duren, Ron Holland, and some picks for Giannis. Yeah you're giving up on youth but you're giving yourself a 3 maybe 4 year window for a championship. Very risky but could be very rewarding

They also need another reliable wing

[Uncle Rico]

Pistons fan here

I'd seriously think about a package deal of Duren, Ron Holland, and some picks for Giannis. Yeah you're giving up on youth but you're giving yourself a 3 maybe 4 year window for a championship. Very risky but could be very rewarding

They also need another reliable wing

As a Bucks fan, I'd take that trade.  As a Pistons watcher, I'd take that risk, too.  I have my doubts Giannis can grind through a full season and playoffs anymore, though, and that would be my concern.

[The Sultan]

It's simple and blunt, but this is an awesome minute of analysis. This is about Game 1, but it's still extremely relevant and worth keeping in mind when it's super easy to bag on Harden (who was obviously a traffic cone).

https://x.com/KipseyHussle/status/2057447540346261904/video/1?s=46

I know feelings on Draymond as an analyst/podcaster here are mixed, but as someone who is a big fan of his work behind the mic in the playoffs/offseason, this clip is why it's so annoying/frustrating when he's a hyperbolic clown.  Cause he's a unnatural carnal knowledgeing amazing basketball mind, who has a very good ability to articulate ideas and concepts about the NBA game beyond Xs and Os, and could be one of the best/most watchable analysts around if he wants to be. 

See, this is exactly why I don't like Draymond's analysis at all. "Guys don't want to win...don't want to do what it takes" is a lazy, lazy take.

Furthermore, it's not a player issue. It's a coaching one. Do you think they are switching those picks because they're lazy and don't want to win? Nonsense. They are switching those picks because that's what they've been told to do.

Finally, all of his stuff has the undertone of "this is why I do it better" and it frankly gets exhausting. I'm sure he has a great basketball mind, but there are dozens of things he could say that makes this entire thing better than just yelling "they don't want to do the work."

[MU82]

See, this is exactly why I don't like Draymond's analysis at all. "Guys don't want to win...don't want to do what it takes" is a lazy, lazy take.

Furthermore, it's not a player issue. It's a coaching one. Do you think they are switching those picks because they're lazy and don't want to win? Nonsense. They are switching those picks because that's what they've been told to do.

Finally, all of his stuff has the undertone of "this is why I do it better" and it frankly gets exhausting. I'm sure he has a great basketball mind, but there are dozens of things he could say that makes this entire thing better than just yelling "they don't want to do the work."

Couldn't agree more.

I do like listening to Draymond's takes sometimes. He is willing to take stances and articulate why he's doing so, often forcefully, and that's good TV (or podcast). But he's quite self-promoting, and his takes are often over the top and sometimes ridiculous.

Totally right about coaching. I could see a player not following the playbook one or two times. But for an entire quarter or most of a game? That's 98.6% on the coach.

And I've always hated (and chuckled at) the "he (or she or we or they) wants it more" silliness. It's lazy and stoopid and cliche and almost always inaccurate.

[JWags85]

See, this is exactly why I don't like Draymond's analysis at all. "Guys don't want to win...don't want to do what it takes" is a lazy, lazy take.

Furthermore, it's not a player issue. It's a coaching one. Do you think they are switching those picks because they're lazy and don't want to win? Nonsense. They are switching those picks because that's what they've been told to do.

Finally, all of his stuff has the undertone of "this is why I do it better" and it frankly gets exhausting. I'm sure he has a great basketball mind, but there are dozens of things he could say that makes this entire thing better than just yelling "they don't want to do the work."

But that was only the first 20 seconds, then he was talking about their failures of help/team defense as well.  Even if you're not switching, its still leaving your teammate on an island where if he's beat that's it.  This is also a 1 min viral clip, his extended analysis and breakdowns on his podcast usually cover the dozen other things that are more valuable.  The only other recent NBA player who Ive found to extended breakdown the "Xs and Os plus" as well as Draymond for the layman is JJ Reddick on Old Man and the Three.  Reddick also was prone to hyperbolic exaggerations on network tv appearances as well.

And devils advocate, these are very successful and basketball savvy pros, not college kids who are looking to the bench for every call/play.  At what point do you stop letting your team get murdered defensively to strictly adhere to "no switches" from Atkinson if that was the case, and change your approach defensively on a personal level.  Can't be any worse than the outcomes that were already happening.  That happens all the time on both ends of the floor in the NBA.  I think that's more what he was going for with effort/wanting it.  Was it a bit hyperbolic and bombastic in the phrasing about not wanting it?  Sure, but I don't think its crazy to expect NBA vets to not be robotic. 

Atkinson has been horrific.  There is a very good case for firing him despite winning 3 playoff series in 2 seasons, that's how lost he and the Cavs have looked, even in the Raptors series.  But I think there is still player accountability.

As for the "this is why I do it better" angle, that feels more like the "I'm generally annoyed/exhausted by Draymond so this bothers me".  Cause if there is anyone where that is valid and actually merited, its a guy talking about defense who won a DPOY, had 5 1st and 4 2nd All-Defense picks, despite being very undersized and not particularly athletic (comparatively) specifically due to hustle, craftiness/positioning, and defensive IQ.  Its not the athletic freak being like "just jump higher/run faster" or calling out things that the majority of players aren't capable of doing.  Its comments about things every player hypothetically could do from someone who will be a HOF'er specifically because of doing those things.

And YMMV, but I have zero issue in former player's self promotion in comparison to current pros, provided its grounded in reality and facts from their playing days. 

Draymond talking "arrogantly" about defensive prowess, JJ talking about shooting, Barkley talking about the large women of San Antonio and disgusting Galveston beaches...no issue, its earned.

Pat Bev (who I actually like) pretending he was ever an offensive threat and not just a skilled nuisance defender, Kendrick Perkins acting like he was ever more than just a role player on good teams, Ryan Hollins referencing his career as a strength about anything, etc...then yea its eye rolling and worthy of mockery.

[withoutbias]

Draymond Green, the greatest backpack in the history of sports.

[MU82]

We all root for Kolek, but I think we can see why he's well behind Shamet and McBride on the depth chart.

[The Sultan]

Knicks are on a historic run right now.

https://bsky.app/profile/jamessmyth621.bsky.social/post/3mmkxb4vyzs2z

[MuggsyB]

Knicks are on a historic run right now.

https://bsky.app/profile/jamessmyth621.bsky.social/post/3mmkxb4vyzs2z

They'll be underdogs vs OKC or SA, but they also are the most complete offensive team.  And could wind up playing a hobbled opponent. The question is how they handle a major jump in competition.  I have not been impressed by Cleveland at all....or really any of their opponents. Kenny may be cooked after this series.