Around the League / Regular Season Thread (Upstairs Version)

[heyheymymy]

like these wish lists spurraider

helps keep track of all the best case scenarios

[scott]

Damn, Luka straight up crying on the sideline during his tribute video.

He was completely blindsided by the trade and was probably as much MFFL as Cuban and Dirk ever were. Nico really fucked up.

[Raven]

surreal atmosphere

[scott]

Why do you have Miami holding the tie breaker? They split their games, neither team is a division winner(although Atlanta still have a chance) and Atlanta have a better conference record.

As for the results, I disagree with some - I want a Sacramento win so they’d have a better record than Atlanta. Also Spurs over Warriors because we’re pretty much locked in 8th anyway and fuck the Warriors as well.


i took this guys word for it




yeah this is fair. may be too much of a pipe dream for the sacto pick to not convey, so possibly better just to ensure they stay above ATL. could see that one either way

This is how the play-in/play-off seeding tie-breakers work:

1. Divisional Winner (if 3+ Teams are Tied, which could possibly come into play.)
2. Head-to-Head (ATL and MIA are tied. ATL and CHI are also tied. ORL is up 2-1 v ATL with one game to play.)
3. Division Winner (if 2+ Teams are Tied) Atlanta can still win their division. If they do so they'll automatically have a tie breaker over both MIA and ORL and they'll finish ahead of ORL
4. Divisional Record Atlanta currently has 9 division wins and can finish with a Maximum of 10 (by beating ORL in the finale). The Magic have 12 and can finish with 13, but it won't matter because ATL or ORL will already have the Division winner tiebreaker if they finished tied. Chicago only has 4 division wins so they are out on this one. Miami has 10 and can finish with as many as 11.
5. Conference record. This tie breaker can ONLY apply to ATL and MIA if they both finish tied with 10 division wins. ATL will win this as they are currently at .551 and MIA can only maximum finish at .500.

No point in going further because it will be decided by this tie breaker.

This website is quite helpful: https://www.playoffstatus.com/nba/eastern-tiebreakers.html

[mystargtr34]

From the nba website. Miami owns the tiebreaker over Atlanta via point number (3). They are in the same division and Miami has a better division record.

TIEBREAKER BASIS FOR TWO-WAY TIES:

(-) Tie breaker not needed (better overall winning percentage)
(1) Head-to-head won-lost percentage
(2) Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division
(3) Division won-lost percentage for teams in the same division
(4) Conference won-lost percentage
(5) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, own conference
(6) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, other conference
(7) Net Points, all games

[spurraider21]

orlando beat the depleted celtics and have clinched the southeast division and 7th spot in standings

[scott]

orlando beat the depleted celtics and have clinched the southeast division and 7th spot in standings

This is good... but maybe a little bad. Could mean that ORL takes a rest day in the season finale against ATL

[Dex]

This Dallas/LA game must be torture for Mavs fans.

[Dex]

Damn, Luka straight up crying on the sideline during his tribute video.

He was completely blindsided by the trade and was probably as much MFFL as Cuban and Dirk ever were. Nico really fucked up.

Imagine standing in an stadium full of people where everyone is repeatedly chanting for you to be fired...and he just looks all smug and confident about it.

"Am I out of touch? No, it's the fans who are wrong."

[spursistan]

I don't know if Mavs fans will ever be able to cope with this, short of stop caring about NBA basketball for a while. It is not that you have traded your homegrown superstar unannounced, but giftwrapping him to an arch conference rival and the most hated and coddled franchise in league, and here he is sticking it to you at the first opportunity..

At least the Spurs sent Kawhi to Siberia to ring with an irrelevant team. He truly never came back to torment us because he's been too crippled to do so in the following years.

[spurraider21]

This is good... but maybe a little bad. Could mean that ORL takes a rest day in the season finale against ATL
yep. orlando very much could chill last game of the season. also, chicago us currently pulling away from miami, which isnt good either

[exstatic]

yep. orlando very much could chill last game of the season. also, chicago us currently pulling away from miami, which isnt good either

I Would think that would depend on who they want to match up with in the 7/8 play in game.

[spurraider21]

I don't know if Mavs fans will ever be able to cope with this, short of stop caring about NBA basketball for a while. It is not that you have traded your homegrown superstar unannounced, but giftwrapping him to an arch conference rival and the most hated and coddled franchise in league, and here he is sticking it to you at the first opportunity..

At least the Spurs sent Kawhi to Siberia to ring with an irrelevant team. He truly never came back to torment us because he's been too crippled to do so in the following years.
also kawhi asked out and it was clear he was done here anyway

what mavs did was unconscionable

[tonight...you]

Damn, Luka straight up crying on the sideline during his tribute video.

He was completely blindsided by the trade and was probably as much MFFL as Cuban and Dirk ever were. Nico really fucked up.
As much as some of us get on Brian Wrong/Wright, he'll never be a Nico.

[spursistan]

also kawhi asked out and it was clear he was done here anyway

what mavs did was unconscionable
They are gonna be experiencing something like this fourth times a year for perhaps the next decade :lol Odds of stars leaving LA are low (Dwight did it), but Luka opting out and joining in with Jokic in Denver might take some of the sting out of it..

[Spurminator]

This Dallas/LA game must be torture for Mavs fans.

Wouldn't have been so bad if AD played like he actually gave a shit. Gotta wonder what Nico was thinking watching him out there passing out of the post while being guarded by Luka.

[Knoxxx]

Looking on the bright side DAL now plays TOR. DAL loses and we could throw the TOR game and take the 7 spot from them. DAL wins, and ATL can’t catch them in the loss column.

PHO is even winning tonight so a Spurs “lose out” strategy is looking more and more attractive these last 3 games.

[ambchang]

This is good... but maybe a little bad. Could mean that ORL takes a rest day in the season finale against ATL

They probably should as well. Don’t want to show all your cards in a meaningless game against a team you have to beat to stay in the playoffs. Should just test out a few plays and that’s it.

[spurraider21]

easy wish list today

Hawks lose to Nets

thats the list

[exstatic]

easy wish list today

Hawks lose to Nets

thats the list

Brooklyn has no reason to dump this game. They are all but locked into 6th. If they want a token win, this would be the game. They play the Knicks and TWolves their next two.

Of course, sometimes the “logic” of teams escapes me. Sacto should have manufactured injuries for Lavine and DeRozan 2 weeks ago, shutting them down and dumping games to keep their pick. That didn’t happen.

[Mr. Body]

Brooklyn has no reason to dump this game. They are all but locked into 6th. If they want a token win, this would be the game. They play the Knicks and TWolves their next two.

Of course, sometimes the “logic” of teams escapes me. Sacto should have manufactured injuries for Lavine and DeRozan 2 weeks ago, shutting them down and dumping games to keep their pick. That didn’t happen.

We'll see if the Spurs make sure to lose one of their last two games.

[exstatic]

Welp..

[spurraider21]

they’re playing guys named Trendon Watford, Reece Beekman, Tosan Evbuomwan, Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin, and Drew Timme

feels like 8 years into a 2k simulation and they just have to make up names for new players

[Ice009]

Why the F would the Nets do this? They better not get the number 1 pick for this bullshit.

[spurraider21]

Risacher popping off

has 35 points on 14-18 shooting (5-9 from 3). also has 2 steals and a block

[spurraider21]

we are going to rely on the Sixers, who have lost 27 of their last 31, to beat ATL tomorrow

philly just broke their 10+ game losing streak yesterday against the wizards. they're on a roll!

[exstatic]

Risacher popping off

has 35 points on 14-18 shooting (5-9 from 3). also has 2 steals and a block

Not impressive against Brooklyn’s gleague lineup.

[Dex]

they’re playing guys named Trendon Watford, Reece Beekman, Tosan Evbuomwan, Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin, and Drew Timme

feels like 8 years into a 2k simulation and they just have to make up names for new players

NBA thought the play-in tournament would fix the regular season, but there are still like 10 teams in full tank mode right now and it shows.

[spurraider21]

NBA thought the play-in tournament would fix the regular season, but there are still like 10 teams in full tank mode right now and it shows.
They did a good job flattening odds but unless it’s completely flat there’s going to be incentive to do this, sadly.

[exstatic]

NBA thought the play-in tournament would fix the regular season, but there are still like 10 teams in full tank mode right now and it shows.

Fix the draft so that if you hit the top 4, you’re barred from another top 4 pick for two years. Any combination of yours that is drawn for a top 4 slot is discarded and re-drawn. You can also still get bumped back if a team behind you jumps up. This is the way to disincentivize serial tankers.

This would only apply to your own picks that you still hold for that draft. No other team would be punished for owning your picks.

[Ice009]

But what about if your team really does suck. Why should you not be able to get another top 4 pick if you've tried your hardest and still ended up with a bottom 3 record?

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

But what about if your team really does suck. Why should you not be able to get another top 4 pick if you've tried your hardest and still ended up with a bottom 3 record?

https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExc2I0a3draGR5MXRlbjgwMDRrM3Z2dGp hbDdtY3h3bzZhdnVjMTcyOSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfY nlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/fXnRObM8Q0RkOmR5nf/giphy.gif

[heyheymymy]

If SA got Wemby #1 in 2023 wouldn't that rule prohibit Spurs from getting Castle #4 in 2024? Maybe make it something like after the 3rd straight top 10 or so you get bumped back to #15 for 2 years if you land there again. What's fair? Because for example CHA being back in there again with a nice pick is going to be kinda questionable if it happens but I guess they are finishing out a rather nice roster and one more should do it. Just starting to feel like a repeat offender there with #2, #6 (granted Tidjane), and they sit at #3 draft odds currently so one of 3 slots with the top best odds at 14%. Guess I'm cool with CHA but PHI for sure needs draft process drug rehab.

[Ice009]

Allan Rowe vs Wade
What, so if the Spurs sucked for 3 or 4 years in a row and got the number 1-4 pick each of those years, you'd be happy if they were told they can't have those picks?


If SA got Wemby #1 in 2023 wouldn't that rule prohibit Spurs from getting Castle #4 in 2024? Maybe make it something like after the 3rd straight top 10 or so you get bumped back to #15 for 2 years if you land there again. What's fair? Because for example CHA being back in there again with a nice pick is going to be kinda questionable if it happens but I guess they are finishing out a rather nice roster and one more should do it. Just starting to feel like a repeat offender there with #2, #6 (granted Tidjane), and they sit at #3 draft odds currently so one of 3 slots with the top best odds at 14%. Guess I'm cool with CHA but PHI for sure needs draft process drug rehab.

Nah, I don't like any of these. What if you get three number 9 picks in a row. All those players could end up not working out and then you have to drop back 15, your team is going to suck for longer that way. I don't know the solution. It's all a mess as you can't prove who is and who isn't tanking. I agree something needs to be done, but there are teams that legitimately suck, and unless you get the number 1 pick every year, those picks outside of the top 1-4 picks are a crapshoot and may not end up being great or even good players that can turn your team around.

[heyheymymy]

Yeah I agree with ex that teams are gaming the system but it's hard to come up with a fair or realistic governor that doesn't have a circumstance where it would seem unfair or feel misapplied.

[mudyez]

Just get rid of the draft altogether!

[lefty]

they’re playing guys named Trendon Watford, Reece Beekman, Tosan Evbuomwan, Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin, and Drew Timme

feels like 8 years into a 2k simulation and they just have to make up names for new players
:lol

[exstatic]

Allan Rowe vs Wade
What, so if the Spurs sucked for 3 or 4 years in a row and got the number 1-4 pick each of those years, you'd be happy if they were told they can't have those picks?



Nah, I don't like any of these. What if you get three number 9 picks in a row. All those players could end up not working out and then you have to drop back 15, your team is going to suck for longer that way. I don't know the solution. It's all a mess as you can't prove who is and who isn't tanking. I agree something needs to be done, but there are teams that legitimately suck, and unless you get the number 1 pick every year, those picks outside of the top 1-4 picks are a crapshoot and may not end up being great or even good players that can turn your team around.

If you draft 3 #9s in a row, and your team improves to the point where you draft at #15, your #9s weren’t failures.

[Ice009]

If you draft 3 #9s in a row, and your team improves to the point where you draft at #15, your #9s weren’t failures.

That's not what I meant. He said if you draft inside the top 10 3 times in a row, you get bumped back to the 15th pick for two years. I said, what if those three number 9s suck and then you get bumped back to 15th, it could prolong the rebuild and make things worse.
These solutions might be great on the surface, but I was just showing that they could also be even more detrimental to a team.

[exstatic]

That's not what I meant. He said if you draft inside the top 10 3 times in a row, you get bumped back to the 15th pick for two years. I said, what if those three number 9s suck and then you get bumped back to 15th, it could prolong the rebuild and make things worse.
These solutions might be great on the surface, but I was just showing that they could also be even more detrimental to a team.

Yeah, that’s a bit drastic. I liked mine better: two years outside the top 4 after one trip in.

Teams don’t tank to get a top 10 pick. They tank hoping jump into the top 4.

[John B]

How is tanking no different than point shaving? Every game should be investigated if teams are intentionally losing and be penalized, and the city possibly losing its team if found to purposely tanking, management be permanently suspended from the NBA, etc.

[Ice009]

How is tanking no different than point shaving? Every game should be investigated if teams are intentionally losing and be penalized, and the city possibly losing its team if found to purposely tanking, management be permanently suspended from the NBA, etc.

I'd actually like something drastic, but how do you prove it, though? I don't think it's possible to prove if a team is tanking or not. You might end up with teams cutting good players and signing lesser players to lose games on purpose.

[Mr. Body]

Every year a few people complain about tanking and it's never actually a problem. Teams don't want to tank, they want to get good. The problem is drafting is hard to convert into success. Until you solve that problem, you're not doing anything. I don't get wanting to punish teams for wanting to get better picks. It's not a huge deal.

[LeBowen]

Some time ago I read an interesting idea that actually makes some sense, but will never get implemented.
What if noone owned their pick, but selected which team's pick they want to own next year?
Jazz has the worst record, so they'd pick first. Let's say they take Wizards' pick.
Then Wizards make their selection etc.
Would create some rivalries between teams and noone would have an incentive to lose games.

My own idea that's somewhat realistic would be adding a wins threshold below which record doesn't matter.
Let's say set it at 30, with worse records being irrelevant.
This seasons 7 teams have 30 or less wins, with my idea they'd all have the same lottery odds.

Tanking is bad because even the worst rosters are capable of winning 25+ games with some historic outliers.
Teams outside the playoffs should have better odds to get the best positions in the draft, but right now it's just absurd that healthy high end starters are sitting a lot of games just so their team can lose for better odds.

[Mr. Body]

No. Everyone's going to forget about the 'problem' until about this time next year, then completely forget about it again.

What people whine about is that some teams don't try at the end of the season. That's the real problem. So it affects standings. But the Celtics just rested their players in a game. Are you going to punish them for doing the same thing that tanking teams do?

Then the problem isn't tanking for draft position. It's something else.

And it happens every year. In almost every sport. Hell, Tottenham threw a game at the end of last season against Man City to ensure Arsenal couldn't win the league. Did they get punished?

Again, this is a problem that cannot be solved by getting cute with lottery rules. It's already been flattened and that's solved the problem enough.

[R. DeMurre]

Has a team ever had a quieter successful year than the Clippers this season? Their record is 48-32, they're 13-2 in their last 15, a career role player like Kris Dunn leads the NBA in Defensive BPM, and Zubac is #2 in defensive WS... but I've heard very few sportswriters even mention them in months.

[spurraider21]

Not impressive against Brooklyn’s gleague lineup.
its impressive.

1910519420730142963

he just turned 20 a few days ago. absolute prototype SF

[Leetonidas]

its impressive.

1910519420730142963

he just turned 20 a few days ago. absolute prototype SF

Yeah definitely impressive. But a bit too late on the ROY front imo. Unless he closes the season with b2b 50 point games, Castle has ROY locked up

[Leetonidas]

Has a team ever had a quieter successful year than the Clippers this season? Their record is 48-32, they're 13-2 in their last 15, a career role player like Kris Dunn leads the NBA in Defensive BPM, and Zubac is #2 in defensive WS... but I've heard very few sportswriters even mention them in months.

Because their two best players are either notorious for shitting the bed in the playoffs (Harden) or getting injured at the worst possible time (Kawhi)

They're a sneaky contender but at this point you just know Kawhi is gonna tear his vag or something in the first round :lol

[rascal]

Just get rid of the draft altogether!

That would favor the big market teams. The top prospects will choose the big market teams.

[spurraider21]

Yeah definitely impressive. But a bit too late on the ROY front imo. Unless he closes the season with b2b 50 point games, Castle has ROY locked up
agreed. i'm very happy we wound up with Castle, can't really complain. but i'd be lying if i didnt say Risacher is basically exactly the SF our team needs

[exstatic]

its impressive.

1910519420730142963

he just turned 20 a few days ago. absolute prototype SF

ZR has had 6-8 good games this season. That’s barely more than a week’s work for Steph. You’re looking at a runner starting his kick in the mile race at 200 yards out, and thinking he’s going to beat the guy 10 yards from the tape.

[spurraider21]

ZR has had 6-8 good games this season. That’s barely more than a week’s work for Steph. You’re looking at a runner starting his kick in the mile race at 200 yards out, and thinking he’s going to beat the guy 10 yards from the tape.
in the second half of the season he's averaging 15ppg on 52% from the field and 42.5% from 3

i'd fully expect castle to put up more more volume. his role demands it, and he's good enough to warrant such a role. but risacher has been solid for most of the season. he had a rough shooting start to the year and has been pretty consistent since he shook that off

[heyheymymy]

ZR turning out to be the fit that we thought he might be in the pre draft last year.

it still hurts :cry:

But still a lot to pay for MPJ plus and I wouldn't trade Castle for anything so maybe it worked out. Still think about that Dilly/Vassell/Risacher/Sochan/Wemby pic someone made way back then but I like where SA is now so much better.

[heyheymymy]

Sheppard had a big game this week too. Led team in scoring. I think Reed will end up being alright and 2024 doesn't look as weak as perhaps once thought?

[mudyez]

Get rid of the lottery and hold an auction draft like in fantasy.

All teams have to offers 4 year deals but the money can differ.

E.g. Flagg can choose if he joins a team that can hand him a LOT OF money because they have max cap room, or go to another team for less money.

[spurraider21]

Sheppard had a big game this week too. Led team in scoring. I think Reed will end up being alright and 2024 doesn't look as weak as perhaps once thought?
Sheppard simply didnt get much run as a rookie. Part of that is because Houston is a legitimately good team and didnt just have minutes to throw away for "development." But part of it was also he didnt establish himself (yet) as somebody who could help them in a win-now sort of way. Not entirely unexpected from a rookie.

but that was a pretty impressive shooting display against the clippers, particularly on the one shot from the corner when kawhi was draped all over him

[Mr. Body]

Sheppard had a big game this week too. Led team in scoring. I think Reed will end up being alright and 2024 doesn't look as weak as perhaps once thought?

Don't put too much into games late in the season. Last year about this time everyone was swearing Jalen Green had turned the corner into near super-stardom. Nope. He went right back to where he was.

[Guru of Nothing]

Can the NBA carve some form of relegation out of the league as currently constructed, but rather than demote the worst teams to lesser leagues, you demote them to lesser venues? ... Or the NBA could take away home games from the tankers and raffle them off to the rest of the league.

I'm assuming the loss in attendance revenue would be enough to keep front office motivated; and likewise I'd expect players to hold their front office's more accountable too, assuming players would rather not be driving their Bugatti's around in Camden or West Memhis, as examples.

[Mr. Body]

Can the NBA carve some form of relegation out of the league as currently constructed, but rather than demote the worst teams to lesser leagues, you demote them to lesser venues? ... Or the NBA could take away home games from the tankers and raffle them off to the rest of the league.

I'm assuming the loss in attendance revenue would be enough to keep front office motivated; and likewise I'd expect players to hold their front office's more accountable too, assuming players would rather not be driving their Bugatti's around in Camden or West Memhis, as examples.

No.

Here's my cure for 'tanking':

Even if you lose as many games as possible, you only get a 14% chance at the top pick in the draft and you have a nearly fifty percent chance of not even getting a top four pick. There. That would work perfectly fine.

[Mr. Body]

The relegation system is the shittiest way of doing things, and I watch soccer. It rewards huge budget teams and the rest is a churn of teams that struggle, get relegated, lose their best payers. It just makes fanbases suffer.

The NBA system is perhaps the best system in the professional sports world. It's just like a tenth of a percent of people who whine about it, then promptly forget about it. The world is on fire. Worry about that.

[spurraider21]

you could also approach from another angle and just say pick protections arent allowed. i dont necessarily like this because i like the flexibility of doing a half measure of sending a protected pick instead of having to do all or nothing stuff

if you want to eliminate tanking you either have to completely flatten all lotto odds or you have to invert it. lotto positions are determined by team's record in final 30 games of he season. incentivize late season winning even for teams that know they have no shot at the playoffs. the downside to this is rewarding mid-tier teams with high and talent and making it tougher for bad teams to improve.

[scott]

I've always been intrigued by the idea of a lottery tournament. Single elimination to decide draft order. So the best bad team gets #1 - would eliminate the incentive to be absolute dogshit.

There are other cons and problems to this suggestion... but it's interesting at least.

[Spurminator]

I've always been intrigued by the idea of a lottery tournament. Single elimination to decide draft order. So the best bad team gets #1 - would eliminate the incentive to be absolute dogshit.

There are other cons and problems to this suggestion... but it's interesting at least.

Man I don't know, that feels like a recipe for 6-10 seeders to tank themselves out of the Playoffs. If there's a Wemby in the next draft and your choice is

1. entering the Playoffs with the 10th best odds of winning the Championship
2. tanking out of the playoffs and being one of the one or two favorites to win the Lottery tournament

I'd be worried a lot of teams would opt for #2.

[Spurminator]

Glitchy double post

[couchman]

I think the lottery is fine as is.
Fans of tanking teams can oddly find themselves with something to root for late in a bad season and are watching the standings as closely as the winning teams are.
It also adds to the intrigue and chess moves with pick trades and protections.
I mean, here we are still paying rapt to attention to the outcomes of the last few games in an otherwise lost season.

[scott]

Man I don't know, that feels like a recipe for 6-10 seeders to tank themselves out of the Playoffs. If there's a Wemby in the next draft and your choice is

1. entering the Playoffs with the 10th best odds of winning the Championship
2. tanking out of the playoffs and being one of the one or two favorites to win the Lottery tournament

I'd be worried a lot of teams would opt for #2.

Yep great points and I think that is the main problem with the idea.

At the end of the day, there is no perfect solution and I tend to agree that the current set up is fine.

[spurraider21]

Man I don't know, that feels like a recipe for 6-10 seeders to tank themselves out of the Playoffs. If there's a Wemby in the next draft and your choice is

1. entering the Playoffs with the 10th best odds of winning the Championship
2. tanking out of the playoffs and being one of the one or two favorites to win the Lottery tournament

I'd be worried a lot of teams would opt for #2.
fair point. could limit it to the first 8 teams mathematically eliminated from the playoffs or something like that

[Guru of Nothing]

1910873290195046519

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Get rid of the lottery and hold an auction draft like in fantasy.

All teams have to offers 4 year deals but the money can differ.

E.g. Flagg can choose if he joins a team that can hand him a LOT OF money because they have max cap room, or go to another team for less money.

Congrats, you've turned the NBA into the Spanish league where Madrid and Barcelona get all the good players and all the titles.

On top of this you’ve also killed 90% of the trades.

[mudyez]

Congrats, you've turned the NBA into the Spanish league where Madrid and Barcelona get all the good players and all the titles.

On top of this you’ve also killed 90% of the trades.

Those leagues have no sal cap.

But I understand, that the Drafts belong to the American culture and it's hard to get rid of it.

[CGD]

Every year a few people complain about tanking and it's never actually a problem. Teams don't want to tank, they want to get good. The problem is drafting is hard to convert into success. Until you solve that problem, you're not doing anything. I don't get wanting to punish teams for wanting to get better picks. It's not a huge deal.

To mean it’s a trade off question:

does the fan interest and content generated by the draft intrigue, ncaa tourney, and team jockeying for position, make up for the increasingly shitty on-court product in March?

I think so far the answer is yes.

[BatManu20]

Anyone want a 32 year-old SG who plays absolutely no defense but can shoot the 3 at a high clip?

1911088755772948980

[LeBowen]

It really takes no effort to be a sports journalist these days.
Buying out a contract that has $100M and 2 years left on it?

Look at those teams, ffs. Each one has score first, empty stats SG already.

[Seventyniner]

If it's for the minimum, why not?

[scott]

Beal wouldn't waive his NTC, but we're supposed to suspend belief that he'd agree to a buy out? Mkay.

[exstatic]

Beal wouldn't waive his NTC, but we're supposed to suspend belief that he'd agree to a buy out? Mkay.

He wouldn’t waive his no trade clause because supposedly his family loves Phoenix. I agree there is no scenario where he takes a buyout. Why would be take less money to leave?

[spurraider21]

Then they could just waive him altogether. If his contract had offset language couldnt he basically just be had for the minimum anyway?

[exstatic]

Then they could just waive him altogether. If his contract had offset language couldnt he basically just be had for the minimum anyway?

That money doesn’t come off your cap, so you’re just as screwed financially, and don’t even have a player to show for it, not even someone like BB.

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEaIS9AqaJo

[Obstructed_View]

Anyone want a 32 year-old SG who plays absolutely no defense but can shoot the 3 at a high clip?

1911088755772948980
This the guy who waited until his team lost several games in a row and was eliminated from the playoffs to suddenly have a hot shooting game against the Spurs? No thanks.

[mudyez]

Is there still a scenario, where die Clipps fall to 7 or lower? They have the GS tiebreaker, right?

[LeBowen]

Is there still a scenario, where die Clipps fall to 7 or lower? They have the GS tiebreaker, right?

Iirc, since TWolves will surely win against the Jazz, GSW-Clippers loser goes down to the play-in.

[mudyez]

Thanks...so let's hope Clipps win. I'm nervous regarding OKC getting lucky with that pick.

[cutewizard]

We really hope that the Spurs will make a quantum leap this offseason....

[Mal]

Those east starting rosters :lol

[John B]

Watching Hawks vs Magic look like a scrimmage game

[scott]

Need SAC and DAL wins today (for ATL pick purposes). SAC seems likely... DAL, significantly less so.

[LeBowen]

Carrington wins the game for the Wizards with the most ridiculous runner/floater you'll ever see.
More importantly, they lost the best lottery odds because of it. :lol

[scott]

4 of the top 5 lotto seeds, and 6 of the top 11 are all picks that would otherwise be outgoing if not for protections. Beware when trading for protected picks.

[LeBowen]

Lonnie with 31/6/2 and 0 turnovers against the Bulls. :lol

[montgod]

Carrington wins the game for the Wizards with the most ridiculous runner/floater you'll ever see.
More importantly, they lost the best lottery odds because of it. :lol

I mean, bottom 3 all have the same odds at 14% though

[LeBowen]

I mean, bottom 3 all have the same odds at 14% though

The best odds are guranteed to stay in top4.
Second best odds have a 20% chance to drop to 5th.
Will most likely be irrelevant, but you never know.

Also, best odds never won the #1 pick in this lottery system.

[exstatic]

I mean, bottom 3 all have the same odds at 14% though

Right. The only difference is how far back can they get pushed. #1 can only fall to #5, but each lower slot can get pushed back me pick lower.

[exstatic]

The best odds are guranteed to stay in top4.
Second best odds have a 20% chance to drop to 5th.
Will most likely be irrelevant, but you never know.

Also, best odds never won the #1 pick in this lottery system.
That is incorrect. Detroit got boned each of the last two years, dropping from 1 to 5.

[LeBowen]

That is incorrect. Detroit got boned each of the last two years, dropping from 1 to 5.

My bad, guaranteed to stay in top5.
Second best odds can drop to 6th.

[montgod]

The best odds are guranteed to stay in top4.
Second best odds have a 20% chance to drop to 5th.
Will most likely be irrelevant, but you never know.

Also, best odds never won the #1 pick in this lottery system.

Oh okay, got it. I originally assumed you were referring to odds for the #1 overall pick.

[exstatic]

My bad, guaranteed to stay in top5.
Second best odds can drop to 6th.

The irony is that even if you tank super hard, and wind up with the worst record, your highest odds of any single pick is #5, with 47.9 percent.

[LeBowen]

The irony is that even if you tank super hard, and wind up with the worst record, your highest odds of any single pick is #5, with 47.9 percent.

Looks like that in regular order, but since the picks are simulated in the reverse order having 52.1% chance to stay in top4 is the most important thing.
I look at it as a two part lottery.
The most important thing is to get into the main event, top4.
After that, anything can happen.

[exstatic]

Looks like that in regular order, but since the picks are simulated in the reverse order having 52.1% chance to stay in top4 is the most important thing.
I look at it as a two part lottery.
The most important thing is to get into the main event, top4.
After that, anything can happen.
Yeah,but you’re comparing apples to oranges bu grouping 4 picks together to compare to one pick. Even so,it’s isn’t much better than a coin flip

[spursistan]

Clippers Warriors into OT...Fantastic Playoff atmosphere. 2 Vet teams going at it

[scott]

Portland win gives HOU (via PHX) incrementally better odds at a top 4 pick (and slightly worse odds for themselves). Chauncy celebrating his new contract with a stupid victory.

[spursistan]

i hate admit to it. Clippers looking primed for deep run if Kawhi stays healthy.. i think they'll beat Denver & give OKC a tough series..

[ginobilized]

Spurs win vs. Warriors landed them in the play-in vs the grit and grind, coachless Grizz. You're welcome!

[Gibbz]

https://x.com/big_business_/status/1911545771633049610

Dray just banished GSW to the play-in with an egregious foul-bait.

[LeBowen]

https://i.imgur.com/OrRGTJX.png

[Dex]

https://x.com/big_business_/status/1911545771633049610

Dray just banished GSW to the play-in with an egregious foul-bait.

Dude seriously jumped out to try to draw a foul instead of just taking an easy layup

[LeBowen]

Tbh, I actually expect Clippers to beat the Nuggets.
Nephew found his rythm, Harden has been playing well, they got their 6th man in Bogdanovic, but most importantly for his matchup Zubac is having a career year.
He's one of the few bigs who can match Jokic's physicality and stay on the floor. He'll obviously get outplayed, but if he forces Jokic to work on both ends and tires him out, Clippers have enough firepower to beat the Nuggets.

In the other series, it's time for Gobert and Dubious Handle to step up. Lakers have nothing inside, they need to abuse them every single game.
Hopefully Timberwolves beat them. If not, I can see them making major changes around Ant this summer.

[mudyez]

Can someone explain to me, how it is possible for Atlanta and Orlando to sit all those players?

Wasn't the league fining this bs? Fans who paid should be pissed.

[Dex]

Can someone explain to me, how it is possible for Atlanta and Orlando to sit all those players?

Wasn't the league fining this bs? Fans who paid should be pissed.

Not the expert here, but the league generally only fines you for resting "stars" which I believe is classified as players who have made All-Star or All-NBA in the last two years.

Obviously, if they are reasonably injured, you can rest them but must report it to the league in a certain amount of time before the games. For the other players...there really aren't any rules. You can legit just list them out for "rest" with no repercussions.

And it's also easy for teams to report guys as out for "soreness" or "illness" or "personal reasons".

[djohn2oo8]

Portland win gives HOU (via PHX) incrementally better odds at a top 4 pick (and slightly worse odds for themselves). Chauncy celebrating his new contract with a stupid victory.
My God if Chauncey’s stupidity lands the Rockets’ Flagg

[scott]

^^^ The policy applies to stars, like Dex defines above AND it only applies to nationally televised games.

[CGD]

HB is to GSW this year, and Graham was to Denver last year. Crazy how impactful that game winner was for the standings.

[Ice009]

Portland win gives HOU (via PHX) incrementally better odds at a top 4 pick (and slightly worse odds for themselves). Chauncy celebrating his new contract with a stupid victory.

How much of a difference does this Portland win give them compared to Houston's chances at a top 4 pick. What was the difference if Portland lost?


Can someone explain to me, how it is possible for Atlanta and Orlando to sit all those players?

Wasn't the league fining this bs? Fans who paid should be pissed.

This is what I asked in another thread the other day. I thought the NBA was supposed to fine for this stuff, but maybe it was for nationally televised games where you can't sit star players?

[rascal]

Can someone explain to me, how it is possible for Atlanta and Orlando to sit all those players?

Wasn't the league fining this bs? Fans who paid should be pissed.

Both teams didn't want to take a chance for a key player to get injured in a meaningless game for their seedings. They are just going to play each other in the play in next game.

[djohn2oo8]

Not sure how I missed HOU still having the Brooklyn pick swap in 2027 and Phoenix’s unprotected first rounder too

[itzsoweezee]

The idea that Draymond Greene is DPOY this year is a joke. The Clippers, and Zubac especially, just ate this dude up — so bad that the warriors needed to double team

[mudyez]

Both teams didn't want to take a chance for a key player to get injured in a meaningless game for their seedings. They are just going to play each other in the play in next game.

I get why they do it...just not, how the league allowed it. In German TV, they showed that game and it was silly. (but after all, I guess all the early games have been like that).

[mudyez]

Btw, I love that Kris Dunn guy. Hell of a defense by him.

[Mr. Body]

I feel fairly confident Orlando will beat Atlanta but not that Miami or Chicago can beat Atlanta.

[cutewizard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfTrMM7cbbs

[LeBowen]

David Griffin just got fired, Willie Green probably won't get another season.
Will be interesting to see the direction they take.

[Maddog]

David Griffin just got fired, Willie Green probably won't get another season.
Will be interesting to see the direction they take.

What do think Zion's trade value is?
Unload him. Possibly CJ to a vet team making a push
I don't see a future contender as constructed

[Maddog]

David Griffin just got fired, Willie Green probably won't get another season.
Will be interesting to see the direction they take.

What do think Zion's trade value is?
Unload him. Possibly CJ to a vet team making a push
I don't see a future contender as constructed

[LeBowen]

Aaaaaand Bud is also gone, was inevitable.


What do think Zion's trade value is?

Tbh, I don't see how it's worth it for them to trade him, his value is too low.
Unless there's a team that comes with a solid offer, I think he stays for another year.

[RC_Drunkford]

Bud just got fired. Plenty coaches to pick from now

[Mal]

David Griffin just got fired, Willie Green probably won't get another season.
Will be interesting to see the direction they take.

There are two good coaches available with Bud most likely joining Malone and Jenkins. You better be first to choose from them

[Mal]

Bud just got fired. Plenty coaches to pick from now

Lmao, I was just writing that Bud will be fired next :lol

[BatManu20]

Bud just got canned. Still much prefer Jenkins, but there's plenty of options to choose from now. Allowing soon-to-be 77 year-old Pop to come back another year with all these options on the table would be malpractice. Spurs need to rip the band-aid off right now and go get their guy before the well dries up.

1911812464062374104

[Mr. Body]

Pop's coaching tree is vanishing.

[R. DeMurre]

Going to be interesting to see what happens with Zion. I though David Griffin actually made some good decisions, but no team could survive the injury situation the Pelicans endured this year. They'll be getting a ton of offers for Herb Jones and Trey Murphy lll.

[LeBowen]

Jenkins is still my top choice.
Just 40 with a proven track record of developing young players, even those who weren't supposed to have a high ceiling.

Bud is probably not in the best mental state after these past few years and Malone is someone who will never get over himself.
Vogel would be decent, I guess.

[RC_Drunkford]

They could really bolster the coaching staff. You could even bring in Jenkins and make Bud an assistant coach. Spurs better get to work.

[RC_Drunkford]

Going to be interesting to see what happens with Zion. I though David Griffin actually made some good decisions, but no team could survive the injury situation the Pelicans endured this year. They'll be getting a ton of offers for Herb Jones and Trey Murphy lll.

They should fire their entire medical staff tbh

[LeBowen]

They could really bolster the coaching staff. You could even bring in Jenkins and make Bud an assistant coach. Spurs better get to work.

Idk if Bud would be interested in being an assistant.
Maybe Jenkins if he gets a guarantee that he'll take over in a year.

[exstatic]

They should fire their entire medical staff tbh

Because Zion can’t lay off the Twinkies?

[LeBowen]

Because Zion can’t lay off the Twinkies?

Their entire starting lineup was injured at one point.

[RC_Drunkford]

Because Zion can’t lay off the Twinkies?

because their entire roster got injured

[exstatic]

Their entire starting lineup was injured at one point.

How is their medical staff culpable for a fat boy? Or a non contact Achilles tear by Dejounte?

[R. DeMurre]

The Pelicans had the injury bug for sure, but I don't see why you'd blame the medical staff.

[heyheymymy]

Or if the star is out of shape and the rest of the starting 5 is having to carry more load as a result injuries wouldn't be too surprising. But it is the coaches job to motivate the star so it still circles back to his fault either way perhaps? But what do you say to inspire Zion? He doesn't seem to have the will to compete right now imho tbh

[Brazil]

Denver is in trouble tbh... Getting freaking Clips first round is asking for trouble. Healthy Kawhi is still elite on both side, dude just put a clinic against warriors

[exstatic]

Denver is in trouble tbh... Getting freaking Clips first round is asking for trouble. Healthy Kawhi is still elite on both side, dude just put a clinic against warriors

No such thing. The LAC may be OK in the first round, but KL can never hold up in the playoffs because he can’t load manage and he always breaks down, usually in the second round.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Bud shouldn't be judged on the Suns' performance. The squad lacked defence, was built with poor FO work and so on. Considering Bud helped Giannis grow and got the Bucks to win a r ring and also carries the best of the Spurs gene plus the fact that the Bucks and the Hawks played in a modern way when their squad was attuned to it..and the fact that Bud's Bucks squad was amazing on defense at its best.. Bud can surely not be seen as worse than Jenkins.

[spurraider21]

Bud shouldn't be judged on the Suns' performance. The squad lacked defence, was built with poor FO work and so on. Considering Bud helped Giannis grow and got the Bucks to win a r ring and also carries the best of the Spurs gene plus the fact that the Bucks and the Hawks played in a modern way when their squad was attuned to it..and the fact that Bud's Bucks squad was amazing on defense at its best.. Bud can surely not be seen as worse than Jenkins.
i was one of the biggest advocates for bringing bud over a year ago this time

and i agree that the suns situation was miserable and he joined a sinking ship, but man i cant act like its not a big red flag that they went from being a solid, yet disappointing team last year (made playoffs, lost to a hot wolves team), but just a bad team this year, with comparable rosters. he underperformed for sure.

[Brazil]

No such thing. The LAC may be OK in the first round, but KL can never hold up in the playoffs because he can’t load manage and he always breaks down, usually in the second round.

Thats why I specifically mentionned Denver and first round, with Kawhi one cannot tell but he is well rested he played the last regular season game with intensity 47 mn and he was moving very well on both end. Denver could not ask for worst match up than this first round.

[LeBowen]

i was one of the biggest advocates for bringing bud over a year ago this time

and i agree that the suns situation was miserable and he joined a sinking ship, but man i cant act like its not a big red flag that they went from being a solid, yet disappointing team last year (made playoffs, lost to a hot wolves team), but just a bad team this year, with comparable rosters. he underperformed for sure.

Suns are a dead franchise that ruin everyone, I don't care about what happened this season.
The issue for me is that he's a poor defensive coach, we really need someone who's going to prioritize defense.

Bucks were the worst team in ther league in 3s allowed for 4 straight seasons with Bud, including the year they won.
I really don't want to watch Pop 2.0 schemes where opposition just keeps getting wide open corner 3s.

[spursistan]

Gambo is a longtime Suns insider. He is not an Ishbia hanger-on. Safe to say it is not a good look for Bud who might have a pulled a less blatant version of Monly-Williams at Detroit. Took the money but his heart wasn't into it.

John Gambadoro on X: "Not usually a fire the coach guy but this guy was a disaster and needed to go. There was no way he could have come back. I do not know of one person in the organization that liked dealing with him. Ego was just too big. Coached like he wanted to be fired." / X (https://x.com/Gambo987/status/1911817384731783343)

[baseline bum]

They should fire their entire medical staff tbh

Same medical staff used for the Saints because of cheap ass Tom Benson. One of the biggest reasons I hope NOP doesn't get the #1 pick.

[LeBowen]

Some reports are saying Pelicans will hire Joe Dumars as a GM. :lmao
And that he'll look to trade Zion.

[spursistan]

Same medical staff used for the Saints because of cheap ass Tom Benson. One of the biggest reasons I hope NOP doesn't get the #1 pick.
David Griffin got a raw deal, tbh. Wonder if that Dejounte trade may have sealed his fate. Ownership sometimes flip over stuff like that. You really gonna ask me to pay big money for another damaged goods' after you packaged a potential MIP and a DPOY candidate out of town? Sometimes you are the victim of your own success.. Dyson Daniels wouldn't have been expendable if Griffin wasn't so good at nailing his wing draftees..

[baseline bum]

Jenkins is still my top choice.
Just 40 with a proven track record of developing young players, even those who weren't supposed to have a high ceiling.

Bud is probably not in the best mental state after these past few years and Malone is someone who will never get over himself.
Vogel would be decent, I guess.

Yeah this shit is unacceptable watching the young players stagnate here, gonna have to fire Pop if he doesn't step down this week. Think my board goes:

1. Jenkins
2. Vogel
3. Malone
4. Coyote
5. Pop
6. Mitch

[scott]

Phoenix is the most desirable HC position in the entire league, by a long shot.

Sign a huge 4-year deal, only have to live and coach in Phoenix for 9 months before you get fired, and you still get to collect on the balance of the contract. Sign me the fuck up.

[exstatic]

Phoenix is the most desirable HC position in the entire league, by a long shot.

Sign a huge 4-year deal, only have to live and coach in Phoenix for 9 months before you get fired, and you still get to collect on the balance of the contract. Sign me the fuck up.

:rollin. I was just thinking “well, they’re back to paying 3 coaches again, Vogel, Bud, and whoever they hire”.

[heyheymymy]

Dallas Wings just drafted Paige Bueckers #1 overall. Mavericks fans... I think a phoenix (Pegasus?) rises from the ashes. Seriously, Dallas fans should just go all in on the Wings and financially abandon the Mavs franchise.

[heyheymymy]

Dominique Malonga highest French player drafted in WNBA history at #2

Tony Parker "she is the female version of Victor Wembanyama"

[heyheymymy]

Dominique Malonga highest French player drafted in WNBA history at #2

Tony Parker "she is the female version of Victor Wembanyama"

[CGD]

Dominique Malonga highest French player drafted in WNBA history at #2

Tony Parker "she is the female version of Victor Wembanyama"

She’s looks like a force out there

[heyheymymy]

She’s looks like a force out there

I said that's the tallest 6'6 ever because she looks more like 6'9. Going to be a force for Seattle and I think they must be very happy right now with the pick.

[scottspurs]

Spurs current Roster Analytics


I have access to a lot of analytic based software so here are some fun facts about some current Spurs.


Here are some stat categories where Spurs ranked in the top 50


Stephon Castle-


Ranked 25th in total fast break points with 224


Ranked 42nd in the NBA with 588 points in the paint


Ranked 42nd In the NBA with a 26.0% usage rate


Ranked 21st in the NBA in free throw rate with 34.8%




Victor Webanyama-


Ranked 33rd in 2nd chance points per game with 2.8 per Gm


Ranked 47th with 9.1 ppg in the paint


Ranked 2nd in steals+blocks with 228


Ranked 1st in NBA with 5.0 stl+blk per game


Ranked 13th in the NBA with a 30.4% usage rate


Ranked 37th in the NBA in 3-pt rate at 47.0%


Ranked 27th in the NBA with 58.3% of his assists leading to a dunk or layup


Ranked 29th in the NBA with 5.4 ppg in the 4th qtr


Ranked 35th in the NBA with 0.6 3-pointers made per game in 4th Qtr


Devin Vassell-


Ranked 34th in the NBA in 3-pt rate at 48.3%


Keldon Johnson-


Ranked 48th in the NBA in total fast break points with 181


Ranked 47th in the NBA with 566 points in the paint


Harrison Barnes-


Ranked 6th in the NBA with a 65.6 True Shooting %


Ranked 41st in the NBA in free throw rate at 29.1%


Ranked 16th in the NBA in 3-pt rate at 52.7%


Chris Paul-


Ranked 11th in the NBA with assists on 3-ptm with 3.2 per game


Ranked 35th in the NBA with 2,193 pts owned + Assisted


Was 14th in the NBA with a 77.8% Layup Fg%


De’Aaron Fox-


Ranked 2nd in the NBA accounting for 46.5% of his teams offense in the 4th quarter

[cutewizard]

It would be an interesting read if someone makes an analysis of the coaching strategies of the main contenders, Madam Becky included

[Dverde]

:lol:lol New Kings GM

https://x.com/nba_newyork/status/1726758037472354804?s=46

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Btw the latest Bill Simmons pod with Windhorst is some of the best content I've listened to for years. Mostly for diehard fans than for casuals but some fantastic insights and speculation, stuff between the lines, etc. Awesome.

[mystargtr34]

Btw the latest Bill Simmons pod with Windhorst is some of the best content I've listened to for years. Mostly for diehard fans than for casuals but some fantastic insights and speculation, stuff between the lines, etc. Awesome.

The between the lines stuff about Windy’s morning shower and make up routines for Get Up was interesting too :lol

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

The between the lines stuff about Windy’s morning shower and make up routines for Get Up was interesting too :lol

It did start off with a bang.

[spurraider21]

season awards are going to start rolling in

6MOY being announced tomorrow, clutch player of the year wednesday, DPOY thursday

ROY/MVP/MIP/Coach awards TBD

[ace3g]

https://x.com/eriqgardner/status/1928450597445104116


https://x.com/DarrenHeitner/status/1928452097034354807

[exstatic]

https://x.com/eriqgardner/status/1928450597445104116


https://x.com/DarrenHeitner/status/1928452097034354807

Well, this makes him virtually untradeable. It was a hard sell before with his injury history, but this shit is radioactive. I wonder if this will be enough for them to waive his unguaranteed contract. If their only option is try again with his fat busted ass, maybe they don’t?

[Mugen]

At least he has that Mamba Mentality off the court tbh

[Dex]

https://x.com/eriqgardner/status/1928450597445104116


https://x.com/DarrenHeitner/status/1928452097034354807

That Jane Doe really finds herself getting into a lot of trouble, doesn't she?

[Dex]

Well, this makes him virtually untradeable. It was a hard sell before with his injury history, but this shit is radioactive. I wonder if this will be enough for them to waive his unguaranteed contract. If their only option is try again with his fat busted ass, maybe they don’t?

His body make him untradeable. But yes, this certainly doesn't help the cause of the Pelicans.

I called it from the jump that this dude's weight would not tolerate his style of play, and here we are six years later and he has missed 55% of his games. But on Draft Day they already had him pegged as the next LeBron.

[timtonymanu]

HeRAPED period.

[spurraider21]

of course spurs fans are the biggest sniffers :lol

1928506966550163461

[scott]

of course spurs fans are the biggest sniffers :lol

1928506966550163461

Man I would love to see how this ranking has changed from just 1 year ago and see just how big an impact the Luka trade had on Mavs fans.

Interesting that the bottom of the rankings is mostly filled with bad teams. Lack of negativity... or just apathy?

Also... Kings fans should be waaaaay more negative :lol

[spurraider21]

Man I would love to see how this ranking has changed from just 1 year ago and see just how big an impact the Luka trade had on Mavs fans.

Interesting that the bottom of the rankings is mostly filled with bad teams. Lack of negativity... or just apathy?
low expectations. "flashes" count as winning

[LeBowen]

Also... Kings fans should be waaaaay more negative :lol

They're at the stage where they can't be hurt anymore, all they know is pain.

[CGD]

of course spurs fans are the biggest sniffers :lol

1928506966550163461

They must not read this Forum.

[heyheymymy]

pretty crazy how during the bad years it's easy to be content with cutting it to single digits or just keeping it close

[Dex]

pretty crazy how during the bad years it's easy to be content with cutting it to single digits or just keeping it close

20+ years of excellence and 5 championships apparently buy some goodwill for a while (for reasonable fans, anyways).

Landing Wemby probably didn't hurt, either.

[scott]

They're at the stage where they can't be hurt anymore, all they know is pain.

Saw this comment on the Kings subreddit:

"Even in fanbase negativity… we are mid!"

:lol :lol :lol

[spurraider21]

:lmao

1928597141192090046

[Sugus]

of course spurs fans are the biggest sniffers :lol

1928506966550163461

It's funny that you say it as a diss on Spurs fans, as if they didn't have more things to be positive about than most other teams in the NBA? What were you expecting?

Spurstalk is a funny place for sure. Years upon years of shitting on the team, players, front office and team moves, only to find the team in a tremendously favorable position, looking at one of the brightest outlooks in the league, and practically nothing to be down about.......... But anyone would tell you how wrong they've done every single thing up to this point. Remember when they absolutely would not trade for a star to pair with Wemby? Just to name an example.

Truly fit for that Skinner "am I out of touch" meme tbh :lol

[RC_Drunkford]

Sugus is a funny dude for sure. Years upon years of sniffing seats, agreeing on every player, front office and team move, only to find the team in the lottery year after year, not making the playoffs, and practically nothing to show for it.......... But Sugus would tell you how well they've done every single thing up to this point, including drafting his favorite player Primo. Remember when they won in 2014 and he became a fan right after?

[Sugus]

Sugus is a funny dude for sure. Years upon years of sniffing seats, agreeing on every player, front office and team move, only to find the team in the lottery year after year, not making the playoffs, and practically nothing to show for it.......... But Sugus would tell you how well they've done every single thing up to this point, including drafting his favorite player Primo. Remember when they won in 2014 and he became a fan right after?

Give it a couple years, Brutus.

You'll come to see what the plan was after its execution is completed, since that's clearly the most that you can understand.

It's funny, according to an exhaler like yourself, with the team being so poorly run and such a shit-show, you would think they have a terrible future and outlook. We'll see who's right in due time.

:lol at still gatekeeping team fandom and citing an 11-years-old event as some low cutoff. Goes to show how little you have to show for yourself.

[Sugus]

It's funny -- once your shtick for years and years has been to shit on a team's management and every move they make, you kind of become invested in them not doing well, which justifies your continued bashing and paints your takes as "right".

So the team improving is really detrimental to your social standing within the group -- the better the Spurs get under their current management, the worse your years-long shtick starts to look, the more irrational the hatred towards the third-most winning team in NBA history. The more that cheering for the team's success starts to become cheering for your own takes to have been wrong all along.

It's quite interesting, really, and one big reason that I hope to see the Spurs raise Number Six for. Spurstalk will be real entertaining that day.

[RC_Drunkford]

It's funny -- once your shtick for years and years has been to suck off a team's management and every move they make, you kind of become depressed in them not doing well, which never justifies your continued seat sniffing and makes your takes look wrong.

So the team sucking is really detrimental to your social standing within the group -- the better the Spurs get under their current management, the better your years-long shtick starts to look, the more ´rational the sniffing towards the third-most winning team in NBA history. The more that cheering for the team's success starts to become cheering for your own takes to have been right all along, even if it took a decade.

It's quite interesting, really, and one big reason that I hope to see the Spurs raise Number Six for. Sugus pussy will not bleed on that day.

[Sugus]

It's funny -- once your shtick for years and years has been to suck off a team's management and every move they make, you kind of become depressed in them not doing well, which never justifies your continued seat sniffing and makes your takes look wrong.

So the team sucking is really detrimental to your social standing within the group -- the better the Spurs get under their current management, the better your years-long shtick starts to look, the more ´rational the sniffing towards the third-most winning team in NBA history. The more that cheering for the team's success starts to become cheering for your own takes to have been right all along, even if it took a decade.

It's quite interesting, really, and one big reason that I hope to see the Spurs raise Number Six for. Sugus pussy will not bleed on that day.

:lmao you think the current state of the Spurs is something to be "depressed" at? :rollin

What a failure of a comeback dude, I'm embarrased :lol

[RC_Drunkford]

:lmao you think the current state of the Spurs is something to be "depressed" at? :rollin

What a failure of a comeback dude, I'm embarrased :lol

not at all, I'm just using your own shtick on you. If you knew how to read properly, you'd understand that this implies that YOU are depressed. Probably cause you're not sure which gender you belong to. I know it takes a while for you to comprehend. I'll give it another 2 months so you can think about your response :lol

[LeBowen]

We're at the stage where there's nothing left to discuss and spurstalk descends into useless arguments over nothing relevant.
Time to take a break until some major news, which likely won't happen before the draft.

[RC_Drunkford]

Free Zion. The chick suing him is that porno bitch he been fucking for years. Seems like a money grab.

1928860966579515853

[Sugus]

not at all, I'm just using your own shtick on you. If you knew how to read properly, you'd understand that this implies that YOU are depressed. Probably cause you're not sure which gender you belong to. I know it takes a while for you to comprehend. I'll give it another 2 months so you can think about your response :lol

You couldn't catch from my response that I understood I was the subject? Just how low is your brain cell count? Again acting the fool for argument's sake?

:lmao bringing up useless identity politics to try and shit on me as if I cared. Glad to see I touched a nerve :lol

[Sugus]

We're at the stage where there's nothing left to discuss and spurstalk descends into useless arguments over nothing relevant.
Time to take a break until some major news, which likely won't happen before the draft.

Fighting over stupid shit makes the off-season go along a bit faster, to be fair :lol

[Ariel]

We're at the stage where there's nothing left to discuss and spurstalk descends into useless arguments over nothing relevant.
Time to take a break until some major news, which likely won't happen before the draft.
I tried that for almost a year, yet I find myself around here once again :lol

[LeBowen]

I tried that for almost a year, yet I find myself around here once again :lol

I check the forum regularly, but I've exhausted all of my trade and draft ideas, much like everyone else, there's nothing left to discuss, we just keep either repeating ourselves or go completely off-topic.

[scott]

I check the forum regularly, but I've exhausted all of my trade and draft ideas, much like everyone else, there's nothing left to discuss, we just keep either repeating ourselves or go completely off-topic.

I think things will get juicy again when the Thunder get done sweeping IND. Draft, trade and FA rumors will start circulating and we can have some fun times. Then we'll have summer league! The good times shall roll again soon.

[RC_Drunkford]

You couldn't catch from my response that I understood I was the subject? Just how low is your brain cell count? Again acting the fool for argument's sake?

:lmao bringing up useless identity politics to try and shit on me as if I cared. Glad to see I touched a nerve :lol

I'm glad you're aware of your mental deficiencies. Now cry in the corner on how unfair Draymond is :cry

[RC_Drunkford]

The Pistons are among the teams with interest in Timberwolves big man Naz Reid, league sources say. Detroit is known to covet a floor-spacing big man and, according to sources, is likewise said to hold interest in Indiana’s Myles Turner. (https://marcstein.substack.com/p/saturday-best-all-the-latest-nba) Whether the Pistons have a tangible shot at acquiring either player, mind you, is far from clear.

Looks like Detroit is in the market. They got cap space.

[Dex]

Free Zion. The chick suing him is that porno bitch he been fucking for years. Seems like a money grab.

1928860966579515853

This is why you don't stick your dick in crazy.

Also would not at all be surprised if Zion is found guilty of some misconduct or if they decide to "settle out of court" because he doesn't want the truth coming out. He doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in the shed, either.

[LeBowen]

I think things will get juicy again when the Thunder get done sweeping IND. Draft, trade and FA rumors will start circulating and we can have some fun times. Then we'll have summer league! The good times shall roll again soon.

Obviously, as per usual.

One final prediction :lol, a thing that I'd be willing to bet is going to happen is KD at Minnesota.
Suns will get either Naz or Randle, DiVicenzo, Conley and a FRP.

[CGD]

Looks like Detroit is in the market. They got cap space.

I’m incredibly down on Naz after these playoffs.

[mystargtr34]

I’m incredibly down on Naz after these playoffs.

Naz struggling is a good thing for Spurs if they want him. Lowers his value and makes it more likely Minny lets him go although that’s still very unlikely.

He will be better on the Spurs because they have more creators and mismatches such as Fox, Wemby and then potentially Harper and Castle. Minny only has Ant who can create advantages, Julius Randle can do it sometimes but he was completely shutdown against OKC.

Naz as the fourth option on the Spurs would be great. If I’m B RIGHT im offering the choice of:

#14 + Barnes + Keldon for Naz + filler in S&T

Or

Vassell + #38 + bunch of seconds for Naz in S&T

[CGD]

Think I’d rather have Lopez on a shorter deal. These types of players will become part of the “churn” once we get good, so let’s not get twisted in thinking Naz or anyone of that ilk is a foundational piece.

[twodeep]

Article dropped stating knick coaches and players became frustrated work Kats defensive play all year. I mean why are they shocked did they not watch his career in minny did they really think after he was traded he make a change

[RC_Drunkford]

I’m incredibly down on Naz after these playoffs.

same. I prefer PJ Washington or John Collins. They should also demand lower salary, because both are quite slept on.

[Ice009]

I completely lost interested in Naz Reid the previous series where he wasn't able to go much of anything except shoot threes. Not interested in paying him anymore. Against the Thunder, he was exposed even more.
If a team needs a 3 point shooting big to complete their roster, sure, go for him, but the Spurs need him to do a lot more than that.

For the Spurs, I definitely prefer PJ Washington, John Collins instead if it was between those three.

[Joseph Kony]

Naz struggling is a good thing for Spurs if they want him. Lowers his value and makes it more likely Minny lets him go although that’s still very unlikely.

He will be better on the Spurs because they have more creators and mismatches such as Fox, Wemby and then potentially Harper and Castle. Minny only has Ant who can create advantages, Julius Randle can do it sometimes but he was completely shutdown against OKC.

Naz as the fourth option on the Spurs would be great. If I’m B RIGHT im offering the choice of:

#14 + Barnes + Keldon for Naz + filler in S&T

Or

Vassell + #38 + bunch of seconds for Naz in S&T

pretty sure neither of those deals can be done because he cannot execute a S&T until after the draft

[lefty20]

1929010390953767398

More evidence that players shouldn't ever demand to play GM. Doubly so for the players who are unable to even wipe their own arse without their uncle's help.

[Seventyniner]

1929010390953767398

More evidence that players shouldn't ever demand to play GM. Doubly so for the players who are unable to even wipe their own arse without their uncle's help.

Number Two also passed up on a 67-win core that was one Zaza away from a ring or two.

Uncle Dennis has some 'splainin to do.

[tonight...you]

Number Two also passed up on a 67-win core that was one Zaza away from a ring or two.

Uncle Dennis has some 'splainin to do.
Uncle Dennis can fuck himself with a Kong Dong.

[CGD]

I dont think Kawhi cares. He just wants to live in La Jolla and chill. He got his two chips and finals MVPs.

[ace3g]

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1929536050361258114

[exstatic]

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1929536050361258114

Nepo baby.

[spursistan]

Suns are reduced to third string assistant coach options. That franchise is dead for the foreseeable future. I don't see a way out of this that doesn't involve trading Booker to Houston for their picks.
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1929568907955728832

[scott]

Suns are reduced to third string assistant coach options. That franchise is dead for the foreseeable future. I don't see a way out of this that doesn't involve trading Booker to Houston for their picks.
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1929568907955728832

Are these guys credentials any less impressive than Mitch Johnson's?

[mo7888]

Suns are reduced to third string assistant coach options. That franchise is dead for the foreseeable future. I don't see a way out of this that doesn't involve trading Booker to Houston for their picks.
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1929568907955728832

These look like the types of coaches you go after when you go full rebuild.

[scottspurs]

I watched that Jazz press conference lmao! They basically said they will no longer tank and admitted wrong doing in the minutes allotted to certain players. Haha yeah right. Business as usual I expect the same thing next season. If anything they double down.

[dn0774]

I watched that Jazz press conference lmao! They basically said they will no longer tank and admitted wrong doing in the minutes allotted to certain players. Haha yeah right. Business as usual I expect the same thing next season. If anything they double down.

lol, “we’re done tanking…. As soon as we get AJ Dybantsa from down the road at BYU”

[dn0774]

Ishbia gonna gut his mortal enemy Dan Gilbert (Cavs owner) entire coaching staff out of spite. Figure if his team is going to suck at least try to mess with the Cavs as well.

[exstatic]

I watched that Jazz press conference lmao! They basically said they will no longer tank and admitted wrong doing in the minutes allotted to certain players. Haha yeah right. Business as usual I expect the same thing next season. If anything they double down.

They still owe a pick that is 1-8 protected in 2026, and if it doesn’t convey to OKC, their obligation is extinguished. Doesn’t even become seconds.

I expect them to tack in a different direction, one they should have last year, and just stripmine the roster. Get rid of Lauri, Jollins, Sexton, Clarkson. If you have no talent, you don’t have to invent injuries to sit guys for 30+ games, and risk fines.

[exstatic]

Are these guys credentials any less impressive than Mitch Johnson's?

Mitch had been considered for the Wiz HC position last summer, and finished second to a friend of the GM. Don’t remember hearing either of these guys names before for a HC position.

[Ice009]

Ishbia gonna gut his mortal enemy Dan Gilbert (Cavs owner) entire coaching staff out of spite. Figure if his team is going to suck at least try to mess with the Cavs as well.

Why does the Suns owner have an issue with the Cavs owner? Haven't heard this before.

[CGD]

Why does the Suns owner have an issue with the Cavs owner? Haven't heard this before.

They’re in the same mortgage industry, and apparently competitive with each other.

[scott]

Because I'm a fan of fun, crazy shit happening in the NBA... I'd love if the Jazz just suddenly, unexpectedly, and somewhat inexplicably just decided to push all their chips in and did something like trade for Giannis

[exstatic]

They’re in the same mortgage industry, and apparently competitive with each other.
The vote for the approval for Ishbia to buy the Suns was 28-0, with one abstaining, Dan Gilbert.

[scott]

The vote for the approval for Ishbia to buy the Suns was 28-0, with one abstaining, Dan Gilbert.

Rumor is he was trying to send in a vote against, but ran out of time before he could figure out how to change the font to comic sans

[exstatic]

Rumor is he was trying to send in a vote against, but ran out of time before he could figure out how to change the font to comic sans
Sublime…

[scott]

Obama is a fan of the Pacers style of play (and the Warriors and Spurs teams of the last decade)

Can't embed video, but here is link: https://streamable.com/o30lsh
https://streamable.com/o30lsh

[ambchang]

Obama is a fan of the Pacers style of play (and the Warriors and Spurs teams of the last decade)

Can't embed video, but here is link: https://streamable.com/o30lsh
https://streamable.com/o30lsh

Can’t imagine him liking dad killer ball then, even though he is a huge bulls fan.

[spursistan]

Because I'm a fan of fun, crazy shit happening in the NBA... I'd love if the Jazz just suddenly, unexpectedly, and somewhat inexplicably just decided to push all their chips in and did something like trade for Giannis
Ainge is lowkey close to fumbling this Jazz rebuild. Misread the Markkanen market and ended up with him as a depressed asset on multi-year contract. Both the Wolves/Cavs FRPs are or projecting to be in mid and high 20s. Got burned by lottery luck leaving the roster with no high upside young players. It seems like the 2026 draft might be his last opportunity to get a "centerpiece" to build around; otherwise he has no choice but to pivot to a Pacers-like approach and start making moves to improve the team and develop what you have. I don't think a small market team in bottom 3 desirable city can survive being bad for so long..

[R. DeMurre]

Yeah, it's interesting to see how things develop-- a couple years ago most people were saying that Ainge had won both of his Mitchell & Gobert trades by a big margin, and that it was dangerous to deal with him because he always got the upper hand in every transaction... Right now, the Jazz look pretty bad and are still in the rudimentary stages of their rebuild, and most of his draft pick haul looks pretty mediocre.

[ace3g]

https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1929905913294381313

[LeBowen]

Unis look great, I don't like the logo.

[spurraider21]

Thibs fired

[scott]

Those are atrocious... but Orlando's uniforms kind of always have been.

[SpursFan86]

Thibs fired

Right move. Obviously some of their offensive issues might be personnel-related but watching the lack of offensive game plan in the playoffs was pretty brutal.

[itzsoweezee]

Crazy shit. The Knicks really want to be the Kangz of the east.

[LeBowen]

Called it before the season started.


Can't wait for Malone to take over, Knicks fanbase will start worshipping him after the first "us against the world" rant.

[benefactor]

Thibs is another in a long line a very good but very stubborn NBA coaches that won't change what they do. The other factor involved is the Knicks versus the Pacers angle. 2 years in a row...Halliburton breaking out the Reggie Miller choke...etc.

They also see coaches on the market. They probably figure they can plug another good coach into the situation and the transition will be less painful.

[exstatic]

Thibs fired

I think he’s one of those coaches that can only take you so far. His 6.5 man rotation burns his team out every year by the playoffs.

[Mugen]

Thibbs as a Defensive Assistant tbh.

[Mugen]

Ive gotta assume this means Malone is gonna be the next Knicks coach.

[Dex]

Thibs is another in a long line a very good but very stubborn NBA coaches that won't change what they do. The other factor involved is the Knicks versus the Pacers angle. 2 years in a row...Halliburton breaking out the Reggie Miller choke...etc.

They also see coaches on the market. They probably figure they can plug another good coach into the situation and the transition will be less painful.

I get it, but the grass isn't always greener.

The criticisms of Thibs and his style are fair, but he also dragged that team out of mediocrity and seemed to really get the most out of Brunson (even while he was running him into the ground).

I guess we'll see if another coach can do better but...6 games into the ECF is a pretty high fucking bar to reach.

[Ice009]

I was just about to post that. I also think Mike Malone will be the guy the Knicks hire. Let's see what happens.

Edit : Forgot to say, I think it's a bit harsh Thibs was fired. He really turned the Knicks around these past few years. Should have been given one more season IMO. KAT also didn't do him any favours with his play on the court.
Also, I think the TNT commentators pointed out (SVG I think mentioned it), I think they said Thibs was playing more guys as the series went on, so it looks like he wasn't adverse to playing more guys.

[poopbox]

That Knicks job is pure poison. So if you don't get to the finals you getting fired? For all of Thibs warts he had them two games away from the finals. The next coach not getting that far is a failure regardless of regular season wins or awards.

[KobesAchilles]

I’d offer Thibs 4 million to coach our defense

[ginobilized]

I wouldn't rule out Taylor Jenkins as the next Knicks coach.
And, yes, Thibs on the Spurs staff as Minister of Defense seems perfect.

[Ice009]

Well, if he's willing to take an assistant job, then yes, I would be happy to hire him as the lead assistant for the Spurs.

[objective]

Are these guys credentials any less impressive than Mitch Johnson's?

Well, Mitch in his entire career as an assistant never saw a playoff series or saw how a head coach handled a series.

Soooooo .... No. Getting a resume like Mitch of an entire career of losing and the lottery is hard.

[benefactor]

Thibbs as a Defensive Assistant tbh.
Mah nigga

[quentin_compson]

To the people saying Thibs has only one way and never changes it: Not really true at all recently. He embraced more offensive minded basketball with the Knicks and even went away from his beloved two-bigs lineups this season. And in this year's Playoffs, he suddenly started having his players switch a lot on defense against the Celtics and even went away from playing only six dudes against the Pacers.
But yeah, he seems a flawed coach overall, not disagreeing there. But what are the Knicks expecting? This roster is not good enough for being a true contender. There still isn't enough offensive creation aside from Brunson, and all lineups with KAT at the 5 are severely limited defensively.