'25-26 NBA Thread

[CreightonWarrior]

What about the friends we make along the way?

[WhiteTrash]

Keeping score in sports has run it's course. Time for us to elevate our thinking.

[JWags85]

I found this quote interesting from Billy Donovan after their last loss (7th in a row). Not sure I've ever heard a HC publicly explain his strategy so truthfully. I'm used to the typical " we're trying to win games, make the playoffs, ect." or "this year is about developing young players, etc". But this is Billy's motivation for the Bull's season:

"The [only] way I worry about it right now is, how about the guys that are going into the last year of a contract? How about taking care of those guys? That would be my mentality [as a teammate]. We have an opportunity to go in there every single night and say, 'You know what? I know he's going into the last year. I'm going to try and do everything I can to make sure he gets taken care of, man. He's open — I'm going to find him. And you know what? I'm going to help this guy block out . . .' That's really what you do."

Has competing for playing time and winning games become "old school" and taboo in basketball. Is the main objective just to get guys paid?

I mean, he clearly has no concerns about his job security, so might as well do his guys a favor and get them financial security in future seasons like he has.

[WhiteTrash]

I mean, he clearly has no concerns about his job security, so might as well do his guys a favor and get them financial security in future seasons like he has.

Billy, with the Bulls blessing, has switched to coasting mentality.

Would high achieving coaches like Phil Jackson, Pop, Kerr, etc. stay with a franchise like the Bulls? Professional pride would compel those guys to find opportunities to compete.

[MuggsyB]

OKC coukd go 75-7?

[cheebs09]

The Kyle Kuzma era is upon us.

[MU82]

The Celtics lose to the Bucks as Sam Hauser goes 0-10, including 0-9 from 3.

[cheebs09]

The Celtics lose to the Bucks as Sam Hauser goes 0-10, including 0-9 from 3.

A nice tribute to this year's MU team.

[Jockey]

1st 18 year old to drop 40+ in NBA history.

[JWags85]

1st 18 year old to drop 40+ in NBA history.

Not just 40+, 42/7/6.  And only 1 made 3.  Just a monster game for the kid.  And had 35 less than 2 weeks ago. In December he's been averaging 26/6/4...if he figures out a 3 ball he's gonna be a real problem

[MU82]

One game after going 0-10, Sam Hauser played only 4 minutes for the Celtics last night in their loss to Detroit.

[wadesworld]

One game after going 0-10, Sam Hauser played only 4 minutes for the Celtics last night in their loss to Detroit.

Get the looseleaf paper and Crayons out.

[JWags85]

One game after going 0-10, Sam Hauser played only 4 minutes for the Celtics last night in their loss to Detroit.

Not to detract from some good snark, but he hurt his ankle early in the 2nd quarter and that's why he didn't play much.  Not cause Mazulla doesn't trust him anymore.  Which makes sense cause while that Bucks game was horrific, he'd actually been playing quite well the 2 weeks prior.

[MU82]

Not to detract from some good snark, but he hurt his ankle early in the 2nd quarter and that's why he didn't play much.  Not cause Mazulla doesn't trust him anymore.  Which makes sense cause while that Bucks game was horrific, he'd actually been playing quite well the 2 weeks prior.

Thanks for the info. Seriously, good to know.

I thought he had been shooting well, too, and I have pointed out his good games in previous posts.

[WhiteTrash]

I'm looking forward to the ticker-tape parade down the 'Canyon of Heroes'. It will be glorious with the Christmas decorations.

Any videos of the riots/celebrations in NYC?

[Badgerhater]

Tyler Kolek putting up 14/5/5 in 20 min vs the Spurs.

[MU82]

Adam Silver says the NBA will vote next year on adding two franchises, with Las Vegas and Seattle being by far the leaders.

[JWags85]

Tyler Kolek putting up 14/5/5 in 20 min vs the Spurs.

On 5/9 shooting in only 20 min and, while its an imperfect metric, he had the second best +/- on the night at +14 (again impressive in only 20 min).  He was super efficient and even played off ball with Brunson a bit.  He also had a pass late in the 4th to Anouby for a 3, to put them up 8 with under 2 min left, that was vintage Kolek vision and high degree of difficulty made to look smooth and easy. 

The last month he's been pretty consistently getting around 15 min a night, which is awesome.  Seems like Mike Brown likes him and is starting to trust him more.

[WhiteTrash]

Adam Silver says the NBA will vote next year on adding two franchises, with Las Vegas and Seattle being by far the leaders.

I'm only in favor of Seattle if they are the Super Sonics. If not, I'd go with Omaha or Boise.

Edit: And one of the new teams must select Patrick Williams in the expansion draft, or don't expand at all.

[MU82]

On 5/9 shooting in only 20 min and, while its an imperfect metric, he had the second best +/- on the night at +14 (again impressive in only 20 min).  He was super efficient and even played off ball with Brunson a bit.  He also had a pass late in the 4th to Anouby for a 3, to put them up 8 with under 2 min left, that was vintage Kolek vision and high degree of difficulty made to look smooth and easy. 

The last month he's been pretty consistently getting around 15 min a night, which is awesome.  Seems like Mike Brown likes him and is starting to trust him more.

The big test will be how much Kolek plays after Shamet returns. There has been talk about the Knicks trading or even cutting Shamet when his shoulder heals, but Brown has been vocal about wanting to keep Shamet.

[JWags85]

Couldn't stand him at UCONN, but I love NBA version Cam Spencer.  Both he and his brother are super talented and athletic, but not overly athletic by NBA standards and undersized at the 2.  So their games don't look super effortless, which makes it more fun and impressive looking.

He's also out of his mind.  Averaging 51% from 3 on 5 attempts almost a third of the way through the season.

I also saw 2 highlight comps last night online and never realized how much he's patterned his game after Curry.  Obviously some notable differences but he clearly idolized him and built parts of his game around it, specifically how he passes and how he pulls up off the dribble/shoots around screens.