The 2023-2024 NBA Season

[trojanfan12]

On AD, while I have said that I'd like to see him be more assertive and demand the ball, I've also said that his teammates have some culpability and need to remember to get him the ball.

Last night was the most committed the Lakers have been to feeding him the ball in the paint arguably since they got him.

Hopefully there will be more of that because the results were pretty decent.

 

[Gman]

Hadn't really seen them much before last night so I can't speak too much to it.

Last night, they were just too small. The Lakers committed to getting the ball into the paint and just physically wore them down.

They never let the Pacers play at the speed they like.

There's a little bit to work with defensively. Mathurin looked pretty solid and Nesmith wasn't backing down either.

But yeah, they need some size and a couple of guys with defensive mindsets. It's tough to win every game 135-130. lol

Yeah... I can agree that Mathurin has potential.

Nesmith got tools, but lacks discipline.

Toppin is awful on D... he can't move his feet well enough.

Similarly, Halliburton has a target on his back on that end of the court. The Celtics go right at him and abuse him every time we match up.

Myles Turner is strong enough and will block some shots... but (again) just doesn't move his feet well enough to be a good overall defender.

T.J. McConnell is captain try hard... and he maximizes his potential... but his limits are obvious.

Guys like Nembhard and Hield are what they are: bad defenders.

The only guy that stands out as a good overall defender is Bruce Brown.

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah... I can agree that Mathurin has potential.

Nesmith got tools, but lacks discipline.

Toppin is awful on D... he can't move his feet well enough.

Similarly, Halliburton has a target on his back on that end of the court. The Celtics go right at him and abuse him every time we match up.

Myles Turner is strong enough and will block some shots... but (again) just doesn't move his feet well enough to be a good overall defender.

T.J. McConnell is captain try hard... and he maximizes his potential... but his limits are obvious.

Guys like Nembhard and Hield are what they are: bad defenders.

The only guy that stands out as a good overall defender is Bruce Brown.

Yep. Agree with all of that. Pretty much how I saw it.

Mathurin and Nesmith are young, hopefully they'll learn NBA defense.

I was a little surprised at Turner. I had thought he was a better defender, but AD just bullied him.

McConnell is a poor mans Austin Reaves.

 

[thunderc]

Yep. Agree with all of that. Pretty much how I saw it.

Mathurin and Nesmith are young, hopefully they'll learn NBA defense.

I was a little surprised at Turner. I had thought he was a better defender, but AD just bullied him.

McConnell is a poor mans Austin Reaves.

Austin Reaves is a poor mans Austin Reaves

 

[fightinfunbags]

Yep. Agree with all of that. Pretty much how I saw it.

Mathurin and Nesmith are young, hopefully they'll learn NBA defense.

I was a little surprised at Turner. I had thought he was a better defender, but AD just bullied him.

McConnell is a poor mans Austin Reaves.

Turner is an off ball guy. There aren’t many Embiid’s or ADs in the league anymore to bully him head to head in a matchup so he can get away with it and because he’s good at off ball rim protection people think he’s a plus defender. Every time Embiid sees him the Sixers stack 2 fouls against Turner within the first 3-4 minutes of the game.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Yeah... I can agree that Mathurin has potential.

Nesmith got tools, but lacks discipline.

Toppin is awful on D... he can't move his feet well enough.

Similarly, Halliburton has a target on his back on that end of the court. The Celtics go right at him and abuse him every time we match up.

Myles Turner is strong enough and will block some shots... but (again) just doesn't move his feet well enough to be a good overall defender.

T.J. McConnell is captain try hard... and he maximizes his potential... but his limits are obvious.

Guys like Nembhard and Hield are what they are: bad defenders.

The only guy that stands out as a good overall defender is Bruce Brown.

I disagree with the Halliburton comment. I think he’s a plus defender but he’s asked to do so much on the offensive end and with the pace Indiana plays with, Halliburton’s defense suffers. As a King was better than solid as an on ball defender. I just think that Indiana plays a system that isn’t conducive to playing solid half court defense.

 

[Gman]

I disagree with the Halliburton comment. I think he’s a plus defender but he’s asked to do so much on the offensive end and with the pace Indiana plays with, Halliburton’s defense suffers. As a King was better than solid as an on ball defender. I just think that Indiana plays a system that isn’t conducive to playing solid half court defense.

I've only watched Indy here and there... but the phrase "plus defender" has never come to my mind when witnessing Halliburton play defense.

Rather, I've seen teams like the Celtics specifically target him when he's on the court.

 

[fightinfunbags]

I've only watched Indy here and there... but the phrase "plus defender" has never come to my mind when witnessing Halliburton play defense.

Rather, I've seen teams like the Celtics specifically target him when he's on the court.

He could be the target because making him work defensively leaves them at reduced strength on the offensive end because the Pacers are so Halliburton dependent.

Part of the reason why I valued Halliburton over Harden back in 2021 for the Sixers was his ability to be a two way player.

 

[fightinfunbags]

There’s nothing more fun than busting some nasty ass and having my wife scream at me because it smells like death. She’s pulling her shirt up over her nose. She’s gagging. I have this level of pride in my gas right now.

 

[Gman]

He could be the target because making him work defensively leaves them at reduced strength on the offensive end because the Pacers are so Halliburton dependent.

Part of the reason why I valued Halliburton over Harden back in 2021 for the Sixers was his ability to be a two way player.

Compared to James Harden, literally everyone looks good on defense.

 

[msgkings322]

Compared to James Harden, literally everyone looks good on defense.

Jordan Poole says hold my beer while I go miss this 30 foot shot

 

[eaglesnut]

Remember this shit

Aw shucks I missed that super important game.

 

[bksballer89]

 

[bksballer89]

It was a 2 week injury and he was out of a booth in 10 days.

I will always hate this training staff. Cam Thomas had the same exact injury and was back in a little more than 2 weeks

 

[thunderc]

Arenas seems to have a lot to say now days, seems like he should be hosting a gun show or something like that.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Arenas seems to have a lot to say now days, seems like he should be hosting a gun show or something like that.

Yeah, he is not the most credible NBA guy.

Surprised he has his own show.

 

[Ken Adams]

The Pacers should trade for another high-level player (someone at Tyrese's level). Staying put with their current roster would be a mistake if the team is serious about being competitive in the playoffs.

 

[thunderc]

The Pacers should trade for another high-level player (someone at Tyrese's level). Staying put with their current roster would be a mistake if the team is serious about being competitive in the playoffs.

They are just trying to build at this point

 

[DJ Fieri]

The Pacers should trade for another high-level player (someone at Tyrese's level). Staying put with their current roster would be a mistake if the team is serious about being competitive in the playoffs.

Deep thoughts with Ken.

 

[Ken Adams]

They are just trying to build at this point

That doesn't mean that you can't trade for other players lol.