AROUND the NBA:

[Winter]

Zion Willamson accused of rape and sexual abuse,

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/05/zion...abuse.html

It's ugly.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Zion Willamson accused of rape and sexual abuse,

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/05/zion...abuse.html

It's ugly.

What's wrong with these M-Fers?  Or maybe it's a setup from a gold-digger?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/statmuse/status/1928495621419184433


Most playoff pts by a guard since 2020

[cow]

Suck it, JB!  If it weren't for your teammate KAT, you'd be the most overrated player in the league.  Little cheap shot artist.

[Chicagojk]

First time I have really watched Nemhard closely. Knew he was pretty good but man is he good. He only takes good shots. Never forces things. Makes smart decisions. Plays good in big games. Good defense. Really impressive non star player. Extremely valuable.

Loved how Rick had them pressure Knicks full court. Loves when teams do that when a team has a dominant ball handler. Rick can coach man. Just gets the most out of his roster. Real tough challenge for them next round though.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I spoke about Nembhard earlier. He locked up Brunson tonight. Plays dogged defense, he had 6 steals, and hits big shots. They've got their hands full with OKC. But I don't think it will be as easy a series as most think.

[cow]

Good defense.  

Understatement.

I spoke about Nembhard earlier. He locked up Brunson tonight. Plays dogged defense, he had 6 steals, and hits big shots. They've got their hands full with OKC. But I don't think it will be as easy a series as most think.

Hopefully Nesmith can get healthy. And if you get a few games of Thomas Bryant and Toppin going off, they have a punchers chance. They aren't going to be able to smoother SGA like they did Brunson, his size and the refs aren't going to allow it. Pacers will also not have the benefit of a KAT-level player being a no-show as OKC is more consistent. Carlisle is a coaching advantage though. Should be a fun series.

Thibs limiting Robinson's role in the second half was so strange as he was dominate on the offensive glass tonight.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Thibs is just an "Ok" coach to me. He makes a lot of questionable decisions. It's why he has a losing playoff record throughout his career.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4541...nba-finals


Thunder are overwhelming favorites to win the title.

[cow]

Thibs is just an "Ok" coach to me. He makes a lot of questionable decisions. It's why he has a losing playoff record throughout his career.

I think he's a fine defensive strategist, but a bad head coach because of how he "manages" his players minutes. Shot out to Kenny Smith on the TNT broadcast for the line, "Thibs wouldn't use 9 players on a baseball field". He just wears his teams down to a nub. I also think Jalen and KAT are about as bad of a fit for him as is possible.

[DallasMaverick]

I think he's a fine defensive strategist, but a bad head coach because of how he "manages" his players minutes.  Shot out to Kenny Smith on the TNT broadcast for the line, "Thibs wouldn't use 9 players on a baseball field".  He just wears his teams down to a nub.  I also think Jalen and KAT are about as bad of a fit for him as is possible.

So…

KAT at $55m/year, or AD at the same money?

[cow]

So…

KAT at $55m/year, or AD at the same money?

Probably KAT.  I hate his personality, but they both can look pedestrian in certain games.  KAT averages 75+ games per year though.  When everything is clicking right, AD is the better player, but he'll miss more games and even when he plays, he's not always at his best.  Part of why I hate KAT's personality is an unearned sense of accomplishment, but he never lacks for confidence.  Ideally, neither.

I'm sure Thibs would rather have AD, but I'm pretty sure AD would need to retire after one season of Thibs. lol

[FireNicoHarrison]

So…

KAT at $55m/year, or AD at the same money?

None of them.

[SleepingHero]

@ShamsCharania
The Phoenix Suns have narrowed their head coaching search to two finalists from the Cleveland Cavaliers, associate coach Johnnie Bryant and assistant Jordan Ott, sources tell ESPN. Both will meet with Suns owner Mat Ishbia in Michigan ahead of a hiring as soon as later this week.

[khaled1987]

This is a weird question, but is the NBA finals next year expected to be at the same time? Or they will try to finish it couple of weeks earlier? As the FIFA World Cup will start in US (along Canada & Mexico) on June 11th

[DallasMaverick]

How does New York improve?

No draft picks, no cap room.

Weak defenders in Brunson and Towns.

[david75090]

How does New York improve?

No draft picks, no cap room.

Weak defenders in Brunson and Towns.

Fire the coach. That's going to fix everything.

[Knutsen]

How does New York improve?

No draft picks, no cap room.

Weak defenders in Brunson and Towns.

They supposedly are interested in Jason Kidd, potentially to lure Giannis. They are also interested in Udoka according to Stein. 

I‘m not sure it improves them to hire Jason Kidd, but what could we possibly get in return - a first round pick? 

If they have a chance to trade Towns for Giannis they have a deadly defense even with Brunson and without Thibs.

[omahen]

They supposedly are interested in Jason Kidd, potentially to lure Giannis. They are also interested in Udoka according to Stein. 

I‘m not sure it improves them to hire Jason Kidd, but what could we possibly get in return - a first round pick? 

If they have a chance to trade Towns for Giannis they have a deadly defense even with Brunson and without Thibs.

I think NY will sign Mike Malone as their new coach. Several connections there including him being a CAA client.

I think NY can't offer anything of interest to Milwaukee, even if Giannis would list NY as his preffered destination. Towns is worth far less and they don't have any picks or good young players to offer. This would be like AD for Luka straight up (with AD being better player than Towns) and we all know how much everyone despises the package Mavs got even with another pick and Max in it. Much more realistic deal for them would be Durant. Phonenix might have interest in Towns. NY would still likely need to upgrade at center with very limited options. 

While I am far from Towns fan, I guess best way forward for NY is to try to make it work with him. Unless they find someone that really, really likes Towns and would offer a lot for him.

[Chicagojk]

I think NY will sign Mike Malone as their new coach. Several connections there including him being a CAA client.

I think NY can't offer anything of interest to Milwaukee, even if Giannis would list NY as his preffered destination. Towns is worth far less and they don't have any picks or good young players to offer. This would be like AD for Luka straight up (with AD being better player than Towns) and we all know how much everyone despises the package Mavs got even with another pick and Max in it. Much more realistic deal for them would be Durant. Phonenix might have interest in Towns. NY would still likely need to upgrade at center with very limited options. 

While I am far from Towns fan, I guess best way forward for NY is to try to make it work with him. Unless they find someone that really, really likes Towns and would offer a lot for him.

Malone is a good coach.   Similar level as Thibs who is also a good coach.  It just feels like too much like the old coach though for me.   I have this other places, but Jay Wright is a wild card there.   Villanova connection.   Has won in college.   Has the good looks that NY that will make the fans eat out of his hands....if he wins.  

Who knows if he wants to coach again and jumping into the NBA with no experience is risky.   Just a name to keep in mind.

PHX hired the Cavs assistant Ott.   Good luck with that.