AROUND the NBA:

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Id be surprised if Randle makes it all year on the TWolves. He plays like he’s the main character. Edwards will get tired of that quickly.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Duh that the guy with the best +/-, 50% shooting, 2nd most points, 2nd most rebounds and most assists was responsible for the loss. Damn I wish I could get paid for being a blabbering parrot. AD played C. There is a reason SVG hasn´t coached a serious franchise since 2012 and last coached in 2021, where he was fired after one season.

Surely it was not Conley with his -22, more turnovers than assists and 1-7 shooting that was mainly responsible. Reaves and Russell a combined +27.

I agree. SVG wore both hats with Detroit, where he drafted terribly (passed on Devin Booker, and Donovan Mitchell for Stanley Johnson and Luke Kennard) and traded for Blake Griffin who to his credit had the best season of his career and helped take Detroit to the playoffs for the 1st time since the glory days of the mid 2000's, but they got swept by the Bucks and the injuries caught up with him. He then signed with the Nets in 21.

[DallasMaverick]

@ShamsCharania
The NBA is likely to commence an investigation into the Philadelphia 76ers surrounding the player participation of All-NBA center Joel Embiid, sources told ESPN. More to come on NBA Today on ESPN right now.

The article makes it sound pretty routine.

[SleepingHero]

Pretty sure I just saw James Wiseman tear his achilles

[SleepingHero]

What I would give for KD on the Mavs.

Luka/Kyrie/Klay/KD/Lively would send me into a hedonistic craze.

[SleepingHero]

Durant hits an insane fadeaway to force OT.

Harden always goes for the call.

[michaeltex]

Pretty sure I just saw James Wiseman tear his achilles

Think you are correct. Had something similar 20+ years ago. Felt like someone kicked me in my lower calf and actually looked behind me before realizing something was wrong medically. Hurt like hell and bruising went from mid-calf to halfway down my foot. 

Tough way to open the season.

[SleepingHero]

(@MikeAScotto)
The New Orleans Pelicans say forward Trey Murphy III will miss at least the next two weeks with a right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated again at that time. Dejounte Murray suffered a fractured left hand and will be out indefinitely.

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

(@MikeAScotto)
The New Orleans Pelicans say forward Trey Murphy III will miss at least the next two weeks with a right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated again at that time. Dejounte Murray suffered a fractured left hand and will be out indefinitely.

It's too bad that only 1 of Mavs 4 matchups with the Pels is before the start of the new year.

[SleepingHero]

It's too bad that only 1 of Mavs 4 matchups with the Pels is before the start of the new year.

Or perhaps good cause if they have the injury bug early, maybe they go into an early tank?

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

Or perhaps good cause if they have the injury bug early, maybe they go into an early tank?

Could happen for sure, there were already holes in that roster that needed to be addressed before these injuries so maybe things slip away pretty quickly for them.

[michaeltex]

Wonder how much more patience there is for Zion? I think his current contract has a lot of performance clauses, so there are well established trust issues regarding his availability.

[SleepingHero]

Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes)
Former Los Angeles Clippers trainer Randy Shelton is suing the franchise for wrongful termination, among other things, after he claims he was fired after complaining that Kawhi Leonard was being subjected to unsafe and illegal treatment for injuries.

The Clippers issued me a statement, disputing the claims: “Mr. Shelton’s claims were investigated and found to be without merit. We honored Mr. Shelton’s employment contract and paid him in full. This lawsuit is a belated attempt to shake down the Clippers based on accusations that Mr. Shelton should know are false.”

John David, one of the attorneys representing Shelton, issued me a statement: “We hope that our client’s lawsuit will serve as a wakeup call to the Clippers organization that their players are not just dollar values, but are humans requiring proper - and not hastened - health and recovery treatment for the careers and lives afterwards.”

[Jym]

I'm glad Denver didn't get Nico a couple years ago
inexcusable how bad their bench is

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Randle saw people talking shit after the first game and had himself a night: 13/17 from the floor and 5/6 from three.

Denver: Murray and Porter Jr both look like a shell of their former selves. Not much shooting behind them. They might no longer be a title contender.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Denver's starting 1-5 is probably rivaled only by BOS. Their bench is the worst I've seen in the NBA.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Maybe by name recognition.

Murray looks like he's 40 years old.

[Chicagojk]

I'm glad Denver didn't get Nico a couple years ago
inexcusable how bad their bench is

Are they missing anyone?  I just looked at their bench and wow.   I believe they have some hope on Watson and Sthrawther, but both will probably need minutes to learn, make mistakes, and grow.   Besides that I am not a Saric fan.  I like Nnaji in the draft but he has not done anything in 3 years.   All led by Russell Westbrook.   They may be a sneaky team who really suffers when an injury hits.   Jokic is so darn good though.  

Nice win by Minny.  Tough two games to start the year.  Get the Lakers before the reality sets in for a long season on opening night and then go to Sacramento.   Nice split.

[SleepingHero]

Randle saw people talking shit after the first game and had himself a night: 13/17 from the floor and 5/6 from three.

Denver:  Murray and Porter Jr both look like a shell of their former selves.  Not much shooting behind them.  They might no longer be a title contender.

I only caught the end of the Wolves/kings game but Randle looked to be WAY more engaged against the Kings than the Lakers. 

Felt like anything he threw up just went in.

[SleepingHero]

Are they missing anyone?  I just looked at their bench and wow.   I believe they have some hope on Watson and Sthrawther, but both will probably need minutes to learn, make mistakes, and grow.   Besides that I am not a Saric fan.  I like Nnaji in the draft but he has not done anything in 3 years.   All led by Russell Westbrook.   They may be a sneaky team who really suffers when an injury hits.   Jokic is so darn good though.  

Nice win by Minny.  Tough two games to start the year.  Get the Lakers before the reality sets in for a long season on opening night and then go to Sacramento.   Nice split.

Their rookie big tore his achilles in the summer league but aside from him, that’s just Denver’s bench. Not sure how they improve besides trading away MPJ for depth but that tinkers more with their elite starting lineup after already losing KCP. 

If Murray has truly taken a step back then Denver is in trouble. He’s only 26 but I’m shocked at how bad he looked in the Olympics. The fact they kept him out to start the season just makes me worry more.