The 2023-2024 NBA Season

[fightinfunbags]

While it's smart to note the franchise value (a lot of that is from building their own arena with their own money which is used all year long for A list shows), and that being the reason they don't care much about luxury tax, I'm not sure that's why they aren't making big changes (yet)

First of all, they still might this year. They literally had a championship parade 18 months ago. Last season was not great but they still won a playoff series. It's only this year with all of these things really coming to a boil that the idea of moving on is a thing.

So I don't think it's reluctance, more like they are only now getting to the point where that's something to consider. And the franchise value is unlikely to suffer much until Steph is gone and/or they are terrible. Getting rid of Klay and Wiggins (for example) isn't going to tank that. Even then, the value is the arena and location and real estate and all of it

If they make the right moves post Klay Wiggins Dray they may even be able to extend Steph. I still think a dude like Ben Simmons is worth the Warriors buying low on. If you put shooters around it he approximates Dray doing Dray type things at both ends. A deal like that is going to need an extensive physical to see if the back is shot.

 

[Mecca]

If they make the right moves post Klay Wiggins Dray they may even be able to extend Steph. I still think a dude like Ben Simmons is worth the Warriors buying low on. If you put shooters around it he approximates Dray doing Dray type things at both ends. A deal like that is going to need an extensive physical to see if the back is shot.

The guy who has only played 6 games?

Backs usually don’t get healthier for professional athletes.

Brains even less so.

 

[fightinfunbags]

The guy who has only played 6 games?

Backs usually don’t get healthier for professional athletes.

Brains even less so.

I can’t be critical of that perspective. I just think it’s worth taking a chance if the Nets are looking to dump a salary.

 

[flyerhawk]

So people are seriously annoyed that the Lakers hung up a banner?

 

[Mecca]

I can’t be critical of that perspective. I just think it’s worth taking a chance if the Nets are looking to dump a salary.

I just don’t get it.

I guess it comes down to “ would you rather”….

Would you rather have Klay Thompson , a guy you might have to bench late, for 30 mil plus….

Or, Have Ben Simmons, who benched himself, for 30 million plus.

Even if you switch Klay and use Draymond, my answer wouldn’t change.

The head case that has hung banners is a better risk than the headcase who hasn’t won shit and never comes to work.

 

[Mecca]

So people are seriously annoyed that the Lakers hung up a banner?

Yeah.

Weird…..I could careless.

 

[Wamu]

From NBA sports Bay area.

Suns' Nurkic believes Draymond 'needs help' after latest altercation

 

[flyerhawk]

Yeah.

Weird…..I could careless.

Also, why is anyone surprised? The NBA intends for this tourney to be permanent. It's an actual trophy.

Certainly better than "Atlantic Division Winner 2011"

 

[fightinfunbags]

So people are seriously annoyed that the Lakers hung up a banner?

People love the Lakers or hate the Lakers. This is about Lakers past coming back around. I don’t know the full history but the Lakers fans or franchise have been vocal about not hanging banners for division titles and stuff like that. They only hang banners for special things. It gets tossed around to throw shade at teams that don’t have Lakers level championship banners. So now when they’re hanging a banner for a brand new thing without that established gravitas yet (or maybe never) they’re taking grenades for things said in the past.

 

[Mecca]

I wonder what it would take to get Danny Ainge to swap out Kelly Olynyk for the corpse of PJ Tucker?

 

[DJ]

Here’s my state of the Sixers long post. If you don’t like it, well fuck you and just scroll on by.

So at the quarter pole of the season, I’m pleased with Nick Nurse ball. They have the best net rating in the league right now. The ball moves in this offense which if nothing else makes for more entertaining basketball for me to watch through a regular season. I love my guys but Harden/Embiid pick and roll pick and pop every time down the floor can become boring as fuck.

I see why everybody used to rave about Nurse and his defensive schemes. His team defensive rotations seem to be easy for the group to take to and based on recent comments, Nick only has about 50% of the package installed so far this season. Life is different when you actually have some long and athletic wings on the court.

Joel Embiid seemingly has quietly become the team’s best playmaker. He used to make guys better because of his gravity on the court attracting people to him. But this season he came in with a goal to be a playmaker. His 6.6 assists per game is easily a career high. Turnovers are up a tick from the past few years and he has to value the ball better. He’s starting to get that feel for when he should score and when he should facilitate now. He’s gotten much better at taking what the defense gives him. At the same time, this is still regular season Embiid. He won’t be able to actually prove shit until we get to the playoffs.

Maxey has taken a step forward again. He’s got to adjust to the physicality he’s being played with. League officials don’t believe he’s earned a fair whistle yet but he has to keep going to the hole. He needs to get better at drawing contact in such a way where he finishes and he gets calls. His work as the floor general is evolving. 6.7 assists per game to only 1.4 turnovers per game. He’s always going to score. He needs to take that next step where he’s aggressive for all 38-40 minutes he plays. His speed and Embiid’s size together in dribble hand off and flip action has been incredible putting pressure on the defense. Joel needs him to add better quality pick and roll pick and pop game. He’s not going to be a Harden level decision maker but he can be better with this. They need to unlock that Embiid elbow jumper Joel has made into a high percentage spot for him.

After a hot start, Tobias Harris is an enigma again. He’s become woefully inconsistent. When he’s going, he’s a really efficient third option. He’s gonna fuck around and get traded though if he doesn’t back to the 16 points on 9 shots a game guy.

The spare parts are finally presenting like a team that’s built for fit. Melton gives them a 40% three point shooter and solid perimeter D. Batum is a glue guy I’ve grown to love. Pat Bev is a great energy guy. I want RoCo to take Marcus Morris minutes. I want to see BBall Paul given more minutes alongside Embiid playing the dunker role. I don’t know why Jaden Springer’s been buried. It seems like every time Nick goes to him, he provides good minutes and he’s arguably the best on the ball defender they have. And Kelly Oubre gives them some needed scoring off the bench and he’s a better defensive piece than I gave him credit for.

The piece this team lacks is Caruso. He would be my number one target leading up to the deadline. I’m willing to send multiple first round picks to make it happen. The Sixers need one more wing with the ability to guard and they need secondary ball handling for Maxey off minutes and in the playoffs I think you need two ball handlers on the floor for much of the game. I think Melton is best off the bench because I don’t really love his handles. Caruso provides both things in one move. It’s a great contract and you still hold on to Harris 39 million in expiring contracts for this summer for them to shop and tweak again out of the playoffs seeing what this group needs more of. The recent reports on Lavine scare the fuck out of me. Dude is not a fit and it’s a horrible contract. I am thinking Lavine has a 10-15% of actually making the group better. That’s a low percentage swing on a guy you’re married to with the cap for the next three seasons after this one. LaVine addition fucks your whole promise of cap to spend this summer.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

@fightinfunbags

@WiggyRuss hacked your account.

 

[flyerhawk]

People love the Lakers or hate the Lakers. This is about Lakers past coming back around. I don’t know the full history but the Lakers fans or franchise have been vocal about not hanging banners for division titles and stuff like that. They only hang banners for special things. It gets tossed around to throw shade at teams that don’t have Lakers level championship banners. So now when they’re hanging a banner for a brand new thing without that established gravitas yet (or maybe never) they’re taking grenades for things said in the past.

OK. I guess it just doesn't register on my give-a-shit meter.

 

[DJ]

The Clippers are 10-3 in their last 13 and the Lakers are 12-4 in their last 16.

Maybe this is finally the year the Clippers and Lakers square off in the postseason......

 

[Mecca]

Also, why is anyone surprised? The NBA intends for this tourney to be permanent. It's an actual trophy.

Certainly better than "Atlantic Division Winner 2011"

Great spot for free advertisement too.

Many Celebs and casuals attend Lakers games for the clout chasing.

If the Lakers celebrate it, like @trojanfan12 said, it legitimizes the achievement.

 

[DJ]

Bro, we don't do dissertations on this site.

We are more the readers digest version or cliff's notes crowd.

With that being said, I read every word.....lol

I knew Maxey was going to be good.

But, not this good.

He is the unequivocal winner of the Harden trade.

Mook is indeed washed.

Clippers fans, yes we exist, has been clamoring for years about RoCo getting every last single one of his minutes for 2 years.

Nurse has been fantastic.

Biggest surprise for me?

Embiid's playmaking .

Most of it is out of necessity because there are no table setting guards on the roster.

Still.....

I was unaware that he was even CAPABLE of this.

Gotta say, FOR ME, it was the major difference between him and Joker.

Joel has the defense.

Joker controls every aspect of the offense.

Joel hasn't closed the gap completely.

But.....he is on his ass FOR ME.

Joker is the current king of big man passers.

Sabonis, Sengun and Embiid are fantastic too.

As for trade targets, Caruso is the most realistic.

A guy you have no shot at, but would be perfect?

Josh Hart.

I love you.

 

[thunderc]

The Clippers are 10-3 in their last 13 and the Lakers are 12-4 in their last 16.

Maybe this is finally the year the Clippers and Lakers square off in the postseason......

Play in

 

[Wamu]

Play in

Oh come on man! That's what I was going to say. Thanks.

 

[Mecca]

The Clippers are 10-3 in their last 13 and the Lakers are 12-4 in their last 16.

Maybe this is finally the year the Clippers and Lakers square off in the postseason......

Why are you using different measurements for each team?

I think I know the answer…lol

 

[Wamu]

Great spot for free advertisement too.

Many Celebs and casuals attend Lakers games for the clout chasing.

If the Lakers celebrate it, like @trojanfan12 said, it legitimizes the achievement.

I frown upon any type of Lakers celebration.

 

[DJ]

If they make the right moves post Klay Wiggins Dray they may even be able to extend Steph. I still think a dude like Ben Simmons is worth the Warriors buying low on. If you put shooters around it he approximates Dray doing Dray type things at both ends. A deal like that is going to need an extensive physical to see if the back is shot.

That's actually spot on. Simmons would be perfect on the Warriors.

And yeah, the physical would be very important.