2022-2023 NBA Season Thread

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

People have short term memories man. I get it...bigger picture but people are more inclined to remember Embiid didn't play this matchup and Jokic did.

And fwiw I absolutely detest the idea of Jokic being a 3 time MVP.

+1.

@fightinfunbags is not ready to hear this argument though.

I think Embiid will still win.

Especially with Giannis sitting out yesterday too.

If Joel was injured, they should have definitely sat him.

If he simply nicked up, he should have played just to make sure there was no doubt.

The race is simply to close to call because Giannis and Embiid will probably steal votes from one another.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

He isn't a good defender. Doesn't mean he isn't MVP worthy

Dirk wasn’t a good defender.

Harden wasn’t a good defender.

 

[bksballer89]

Dirk wasn’t a good defender.

Harden wasn’t a good defender.

Yeah this defense thing is a lame. All of sudden it is a requirement. If embiid is your mvp then thats fine but to continue to act like jokic isn't mvp worthy is just silly

 

[fightinfunbags]

Yeah this defense thing is a lame. All of sudden it is a requirement. If embiid is your mvp then thats fine but to continue to act like jokic isn't mvp worthy is just silly

Nope. Not even the question. Is he in rare air as the winner of 3 in a row? Yep. Defense matters when you want to be anointed at the GOAT of your generation of players and that’s where you go when the media hands you 3 in a row.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

Nope. Not even the question. Is he in rare air as the winner of 3 in a row? Yep. Defense matters when you want to be anointed at the GOAT of your generation of players and that’s where you go when the media hands you 3 in a row.

For me it's not even defense. If his team was winning ships I wouldn't care. You can't be 3 time and never reach a WCF in that time frame.

 

[bksballer89]

Nope. Not even the question. Is he in rare air as the winner of 3 in a row? Yep. Defense matters when you want to be anointed at the GOAT of your generation of players and that’s where you go when the media hands you 3 in a row

Embiid handed him the 2021 mvp by missing 21 games.

Last season you have a point but this narrative about him being handed multiple mvps by the media is a lie.

 

[bksballer89]

For me it's not even defense. If his team was winning ships I wouldn't care. You can't be 3 time and never reach a WCF in that time frame.

Regular season award. Embiid team never got there either. Give it to Giannis if thats the case

 

[Stakesarehigh]

And yes I get it's a regular season reward. We can stop pretending that we just look at guys in a vacuum of one season.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

Regular season award. Embiid team never got there either. Give it to Giannis if thats the case

I'm fine with that as well. Again we can stop pretending we evaluate basketball players on one season.

And even then I'm fine if we aren't talking about putting this guy in legendary status with 3 in a row.

He's not earned that distinction whatsoever.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Norm Powell back against the Griz.

Gonna need him big time with 2 games against the Griz.

Gonna need Mook too.

Gotta Goon it up against Brooks…lol

Huge piece the Clips have been missing. He can at least take up some of the PG13 slack

 

[Shanemansj13]

Dirk wasn’t a good defender.

Harden wasn’t a good defender.

Nash was an awful defender

Curry wasn't a good defender in his MVP days

 

[Shanemansj13]

Embiid is still my MVP and was pretty clear earlier in the year that I thought Jokic was the MVP. Right now, the only way Jokic somehow gets his 3rd in a row is if Embiid sits out most or all these final games. That would be only 61 games he played this year, too low. Fine with even 64-65.

If he is seriously injured or wants to take precaution just sit out till the postseason.

 

[bksballer89]

I'm fine with that as well. Again we can stop pretending we evaluate basketball players on one season.

And even then I'm fine if we aren't talking about putting this guy in legendary status with 3 in a row.

He's not earned that distinction whatsoever.

I hear you. Embiid likely still get it this year

 

[bksballer89]

Embiid is still my MVP and was pretty clear earlier in the year that I thought Jokic was the MVP. Right now, the only way Jokic somehow gets his 3rd in a row is if Embiid sits out most or all these final games. That would be only 61 games he played this year, too low. Fine with even 64-65.

If he is seriously injured or wants to take precaution just sit out till the postseason.

If Philly go 1-5 or 2-4 over their next 6 while Denver finish strong including 2 dominant Joker performances vs a completely healthy suns team, is he still your mvp?

 

[Stakesarehigh]

If I was a voter i 'd flat out say this dude isn't getting a 1st or 2nd place vote from me again until he can reach a WCF. Take my vote from me idc but God damn I'm not throwing him up there with the all time greats because his VORP is amazing. Win games. End of story.

 

[bksballer89]

If I was a voter i 'd flat out say this dude isn't getting a 1st or 2nd place vote from me again until he can reach a WCF. Take my vote from me idc but God damn I'm not throwing him up there with the all time greats because his VORP is amazing. Win games. End of story.

You do know he got to a conference finals already right?

 

[Shanemansj13]

If Philly go 1-5 or 2-4 over their next 6 while Denver finish strong including 2 dominant Joker performances vs a completely healthy suns team, is he still your mvp?

It would be neck and neck honestly

 

[fightinfunbags]

You do know he got to a conference finals already right?

On the back of 40 and 50 pieces from Bubble Jamal Murray who we haven’t seen since his knee. I know this, despite Embiid never getting past the second round he’s like +275 in his career playoff minutes. He’s not the reason why the Sixers go home. Meanwhile, the other guy is the number one bullet point on the opposing teams scouting report to hunt in a 7 game series. He’s also like -30 in his all time playoff minutes.

 

[bksballer89]

On the back of 40 and 50 pieces from Bubble Jamal Murray who we haven’t seen since his knee. I know this, despite Embiid never getting past the second round he’s like +275 in his career playoff minutes. He’s not the reason why the Sixers go home. Meanwhile, the other guy is the number one bullet point on the opposing teams scouting report to hunt in a 7 game series. He’s also like -30 in his all time playoff minutes.

We get it. You dislike jokic.

Lets not act like Embiid doesn't have his fair share of going MIA in big spots in the playoffs

 

[trojanfan12]

+1.

@fightinfunbags is not ready to hear this argument though.

I think Embiid will still win.

Especially with Giannis sitting out yesterday too.

If Joel was injured, they should have definitely sat him.

If he simply nicked up, he should have played just to make sure there was no doubt.

The race is simply to close to call because Giannis and Embiid will probably steal votes from one another.

Yep. Or, as a couple of other folks said, sit him vs. the Suns who were without KD and play him against Joker and the Nugs.

The way it was done is kind of a bad look.