AROUND the NBA:

[Knutsen]

ESPN has it's player rankings out for this upcoming season.  This is a predictive ranking of next season and not necessarily a past resume ranking.

1. Jokic
2. SGA
3. Luka
4. Giannis
5. Wemby
6. Anthony Edwards
7. Steph
8. Lebron
9. Durant
10. Brunson
11. Jalen Williams
12. Cade Cunningham
13. Evan Mobley
14. Anthony Davis
15. Donovan Mitchell
16. Devin Booker

Lakers should win with 2 top 8 players… I don’t see LeBron that high.

[KillerLeft]

Lakers should win with 2 top 8 players… I don’t see LeBron that high.

I think both LeBron and Luka are ranked appropriately...when they're at their best. In my opinion, the problem with both players, albeit for different reasons, is that they're not at their best as consistently as some of the other players on that list.

[Knutsen]

I think both LeBron and Luka are ranked appropriately...when they're at their best. In my opinion, the problem with both players, albeit for different reasons, is that they're not at their best as consistently as some of the other players on that list.

And that both of them are much better on offense than on defense, right? They won’t scratch the top 50 on a best defenders list probably, that’s where age really caught up to LeBron.

[Chicagojk]

It will be interersting to see skinny Zion.   It is a travesty we really haven't seen the Duke Zion.  He was so good as a freshman.    That peak athleticism may be gone, but he still should be really good.    The longterm injury concerns are valid.  I just have trouble seeing him put together mulitple years of being generally injury free.   I also think he is eventually moved from New Orleans.    I could see a scenario where he goes to Miami and has a career rebound.

[myconsumerclub]

AD was better than Le Bron in LA and he's that far behind him on that list? That is not correct at all. I just hope our depth pays off and Cooper comes in and rips the NBA a new one. I'm confident Irving plays like he deserves a place on that list and gets into 49 or more games plus playoff games. Then I see Klay doing better as well I anticipate him being inspired by who he's getting to play with and with the collection of talent this team has no one guy needs to pull a Luka every night. That being said if Cooper turns into a guy who we can count on every night for points in the high 20's to low 30's great I'm all for it and will gladly watch every game. That front court should dominate and win on most nights. If the backcourt gets it's 3's with both front and back dominating the wins will turn into streaks. We get contributions from the top 4 plus the 2 headed monster at center and then PJ Dlo Naji & Max all go off in some way that's a 10 man rotation I'll match up with anyone's. Till Kyries back you got BWill and Exum giving you 2 more to add in and help out at PG till he returns. Who knows what happens to this roster at the TDL if nothing it's still a top team capable of going to the finals if health nightmares stay away.

[SleepingHero]

NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
Bradley Beal will be limited to start training camp due to a knee injury, per @LawMurrayTheNU

[michaeltex]

Luka is scheduled out the first two pre-season games as a caution following his busy summer playing with the Slovenian national team. Last game was September 10th. A little over 3 weeks ago. The NBA schedule is 3-5 games a week for 6 months. Plus playoff games.

I get that LA doesn't want to expose him to wear and tear from meaningless games, but he's supposedly in the best shape ever, so I was wondering how much recovery does a world class athlete really need.

[F Gump]

Luka is scheduled out the first two pre-season games as a caution following his busy summer playing with the Slovenian national team. Last game was September 10th.  A little over 3 weeks ago. The NBA schedule is 3-5 games a week for 6 months. Plus playoff games.

I get that LA doesn't want to expose him to wear and tear from meaningless games, but he's supposedly in the best shape ever, so I was wondering how much recovery does a world class athlete really need.

"as a caution" --- I don't put any real stock in this as any indicator about Luka's condition. 

Instead, I think LA's publicity team is offering an "explanation" (even if it's weak, lame, and not factual) for why Luka won't be playing in games that are meaningless and are money grabs for the franchise. "We don't see any value to us in him playing in some pointless, meaningless games, so he won't play in these" would be the more transparent version, but admitting that these are pointless games doesn't sell tickets.

[Chicagojk]

Well this is terrifying


https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/uocpumnap1

[F Gump]

Well this is terrifying


https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/uocpumnap1

Not to me. The more I see Wemby playing at being a 7'4" PG, the less concern he gives me.

[Chicagojk]

When looking at the west, I have typically thought the Warriors would take a step back this year due to their age.  Although, when you see them on the court together, they are still pretty great.   I guess a lot of it will depend on health and how their younger players fill in the gaps