'25-26 NBA Thread

[MuggsyB]

Wemby just schooled Flagg and Davis with a hard dribble and then a tomahawk flush.  He's gotten a little stronger.   

[MuggsyB]

Strong debut for Edegecombe. 

[wadesworld]

Bucks might not be a ton better this year, but they'll be more fun to watch.  The ball will actually move and they won't dribble the ball for 20 of 24 seconds on the shot clock.  I'd imagine the locker room will be better with Turner in and Dame, who never wanted to be in Milwaukee and always seemed like he was pouting, out.  And Doc even has a starting lineup that makes sense!

In other Eastern Conference news, I need Embiid to stay healthy.  I said a couple years ago when it was clear Maxey was a stud that the 76ers should trade Embiid and build around Maxey.  They should be getting out and flying as a team, but I need Embiid to stay healthy and slow them down.  A backcourt of Maxey, McCain, and Edgecomb would be awesome in a year or two.

[wadesworld]

Anybody else remember when the dentists proclaimed that Jalen Johnson had ruined his own life because he quit on Duke?

[MuggsyB]

Uhhhhh.....Wemby is making an early statement. 

[MuggsyB]

Wemby is literally making Anthony Davis look like me guarding Davante in the post.  The only thing stopping the young man is cheap fouls.  I'm also wondering why guys would bite on his shot fake?  There is a 0.0% chance you're blocking his shot unless it's from behind before he gets to his release point. 

[CountryRoads]

Really good night for the MU guys tonight. Oso looks like he's going to be a major contributor this year.

[MuggsyB]

Really good night for the MU guys tonight. Oso looks like he's going to be a major contributor this year.

Nice. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Really good night for the MU guys tonight. Oso looks like he's going to be a major contributor this year.

He got the start though he played less minutes than Mark Williams. Way more minutes than Richards. Was surprised that Malauch didn't get off the bench.

Also didn't realize that former Badger Nigel Hayes is finally breaking into the NBA this season. I think he may have had a few 10 day contracts in the past but this is his first "real" NBA contract. Not something that happens to many 30 year olds.

[Hards Alumni]

Bucks might not be a ton better this year, but they'll be more fun to watch.  The ball will actually move and they won't dribble the ball for 20 of 24 seconds on the shot clock.  I'd imagine the locker room will be better with Turner in and Dame, who never wanted to be in Milwaukee and always seemed like he was pouting, out.  And Doc even has a starting lineup that makes sense!

In other Eastern Conference news, I need Embiid to stay healthy.  I said a couple years ago when it was clear Maxey was a stud that the 76ers should trade Embiid and build around Maxey.  They should be getting out and flying as a team, but I need Embiid to stay healthy and slow them down.  A backcourt of Maxey, McCain, and Edgecomb would be awesome in a year or two.

Dame is tough for me.  I just don't think he is an outwardly emotional guy, plus he was going through a divorce.

[Uncle Rico]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46695228/sources-terry-rozier-arrested-part-gambling-inquiry

[Jay Bee]

And Chauncey! dang!!

[cheebs09]

Anyone happen to know if Kuzma frequents the new Poto sportsbook?

[Uncle Rico]

Anyone happen to know if Kuzma frequents the new Poto sportsbook?

Given the incompetence of the current FBI, I can't wait to see how they screw this up.

[JWags85]

Anybody else remember when the dentists proclaimed that Jalen Johnson had ruined his own life because he quit on Duke?

I mean, at the time it did look questionable.  He was a lottery pick that then slid based on that decision.  It wasn't just some boomer take.  Even very plugged in draft guys like Vecenie slide him into the mid 20s when up till that point, he'd been a pretty solid performer during the season.  Obviously he's found his stride in the NBA and played really well the last 2 years, but at the time it was worth an eyebrow raise.  Especially how slowly he then started his first few years in Atlanta.

Also didn't realize that former Badger Nigel Hayes is finally breaking into the NBA this season. I think he may have had a few 10 day contracts in the past but this is his first "real" NBA contract. Not something that happens to many 30 year olds.

I feel like it happens every few years, especially with the really top tier Euroleague guys.  Sometimes it works like Campazzo with the Nuggets.  Sometimes it fails completely, like Mike James.

[MuggsyB]

Nm.

[MuggsyB]

Given the incompetence of the current FBI, I can't wait to see how they screw this up.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46695228/sources-terry-rozier-arrested-part-gambling-inquiry

The NBA has two significant scandals.  And we still haven't heard diddly squat from Silver regarding Ballmer, Kahwi, and the Clippers. 

[MuggsyB]

One other thing and I've mentioned this several times: we have a colossal gambling problem.  And it doesn't help that every 10 secs, we have athletes and celebrities pimping these companies.  The worst part about it is the access  young people have to it which can lead to addiction.  It's absolutely ridiculous and something needs to be done.

Oh....and now college athletes starting 11/1 can bet on NBA games?  Great.  How wonderful they can use their NIL money to bet now.  This is insane.  Addiction is real and these young kids are vulnerable. 

[Hards Alumni]

One other thing and I've mentioned this several times: we have a colossal gambling problem.  And it doesn't help that every 10 secs, we have athletes and celebrities pimping these companies.  The worst part about it is the access  young people have to it which can lead to addiction.  It's absolutely ridiculous and something needs to be done. 

Yes.

Nothing will be done.  Toothpaste out of the tube.  People will need that dopamine hit.

[Uncle Rico]

The NBA has two significant scandals.  And we still haven't heard diddly squat from Silver regarding Ballmer, Kahwi, and the Clippers. 

Don't worry.  The FBI will fumble this

[MuggsyB]

Don't worry.  The FBI will fumble this

We still don't know the facts but regardless, it's important to recognize we have an enormous problem. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

One other thing and I've mentioned this several times: we have a colossal gambling problem.  And it doesn't help that every 10 secs, we have athletes and celebrities pimping these companies.  The worst part about it is the access  young people have to it which can lead to addiction.  It's absolutely ridiculous and something needs to be done.

Oh....and now college athletes starting 11/1 can bet on NBA games?  Great.  How wonderful they can use their NIL money to bet now.  This is insane.  Addiction is real and these young kids are vulnerable. 

I agree 100%. This is going to cause so many more problems than we realize now.

[Billy Hoyle]

gambling is a scourge on professional and college sports and society in general and is detroying the integrity of the game. Now let us all sit in our seats in the Draft Kings Club or watch the game on the Draft Kings Sports Network.

[GB Warrior]

Get him, Kash

[MuggsyB]

gambling is a scourge on professional and college sports and society in general and is detroying the integrity of the game. Now let us all sit in our seats in the Draft Kings Club or watch the game on the Draft Kings Sports Network.

This is the crux of the problem.  The level of corruption is clearly ubiquitous.  Obviously the sports leagues and government make a crap ton of money from gambling.  That said Billy, from a societal and public health standpoint this is an unmitigated disaster which is even a bigger issue than the integrity of the NBA.