AROUND the NBA:

[Chicagojk]

Bost shots 60 threes. Jrue goes 4-17 and 8-26 overalll

[Dundalis]

Phx is 1-8 without KD.  Sucks that a 36 year old is so important to that team.

I mean it's essentially exactly what they signed up for selling all their assets for him and the injury prone Beal.

[SleepingHero]

Same injury as Banchero, isn’t it?

That sucks for Franz, he was balling these last weeks and the injury will probably cost him the Most Improved Player Award.

Yep the exact same injury as Banchero. 

Very odd cause oblique injuries like that are pretty rare.

[SleepingHero]

The Denver Nuggets managed to lose to the Washington Wizards tonight. I cannot believe that. Jokic dropped 56/16/8 and they still managed to lose. I cannot believe it.

Jokic in his postgame presser said this:

https://x.com/BennettDurando/status/1865601786389618783

@BennettDurando
Nikola Jokic on what Nuggets need to see next few games: “A reaction. In my country, where I’m coming from, after this kind of stretch you’re gonna get a paycheck that is a little bit less than you are worth. So maybe that’s what we need to do. Maybe a little motivation that way” (He was laughing as he started to say that.) Then added, “What’s the name of it? Being benched? Being on the bench, I think that’s really good motivation too.”

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Really nice win by Memphis in boston.  They are playing great.

I said at the start of the season, people were sleeping on them, and GG Jackson and Zack Edey are still out with injuries. Their young players got valuable experience last year with all the injuries they had.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/statmuse/status/1865492969224065193

Evan Mobley had a career high 41 pts, 6-8 from 3, 10 rebs and 3 blks in a 116-102 win over Charlotte. Cavs are 21-3.

[SleepingHero]

@ShamsCharania
New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram has suffered a significant low left ankle sprain and is sidelined indefinitely, sources tell ESPN. Another significant injury blow to the Pelicans season.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Denver loses to the Wizards, then go to Atlanta and beat the Hawks 141-111. On a B2B and stop their 6 game winning streak, behind 48 pts from Jokic, who's been on tear. He had 56 vs the Wizards.

[Chicagojk]

Phx is 1-8 without KD.  Sucks that a 36 year old is so important to that team.

1-9 after losing to Orlando last night.

[KillerLeft]

1-9 after losing to Orlando last night.

Don't know why, but PHX is my current least favorite team in the NBA. I'm delighting in this stretch of failure for them.

[Chicagojk]

Don't know why, but PHX is my current least favorite team in the NBA. I'm delighting in this stretch of failure for them.

They got off to such a hot start and looked great in the two games against Dallas.  I still think they are a really good team when everyone is healthy.   I believe Nurkic, Dunn and a few others besides KD have been out with injuries.    I guess that is the trouble when you are counting so much on a guy who is older and also gets injured.    Even with all their nice moves this offseason, it doesn't really matter if KD is hurt.   It would help if Booker would elevate his game when KD was out.  He hasn't so far.

[RGP1981]

Pacers fans are pulling their hair out this season, as good ole Ricky Suave reverts to type.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Pacers fans are pulling their hair out this season, as good ole Ricky Suave reverts to type.

Ya, it's amazing at how easily Rick both impresses and frustrates.  That team just doesn't look right.

[KillerLeft]

Pacers fans are pulling their hair out this season, as good ole Ricky Suave reverts to type.

I think their struggles have much more to do with Halliburton than Carlisle. A year ago, Halliburton looked like the next breakout super star in the league and this season (post hamstring injury) he's not much more than an average or slightly above average PG. If there's one thing that Carlisle system needs, it's good PG play.

[RGP1981]

I think their struggles have much more to do with Halliburton than Carlisle. A year ago, Halliburton looked like the next breakout super star in the league and this season (post hamstring injury) he's not much more than an average or slightly above average PG. If there's one thing that Carlisle system needs, it's good PG play.

Fair enough, but what does Halliburton's PG play have to do with their defense?

Pacers Defensive Rating: 117.1 (25th of 30 teams)

[KillerLeft]

Fair enough, but what does Halliburton's PG play have to do with their defense?

Pacers Defensive Rating: 117.1 (25th of 30 teams)

Well...kind of a lot, if the team is designed to be the #1 offense and falling far short of that. It's about point differential, after all. Also, he's not defending as well as did last year, either.

[michaeltex]

I always thought of Halliburton as more of a SG than a PG. Maybe he's playing a little out of place?

[SleepingHero]

I think their struggles have much more to do with Halliburton than Carlisle. A year ago, Halliburton looked like the next breakout super star in the league and this season (post hamstring injury) he's not much more than an average or slightly above average PG. If there's one thing that Carlisle system needs, it's good PG play.

I also think there is a stylistic clash on the team. Not sure if Siakam is the best fit next to Haliburton. Seems like Siakam ball (as in more post ups, slower tempo, etc.) is taking over vs. what worked for the majority of the season last year for the Pacers. 

Last season, Pacers had 281 total post ups. It put them at 19th in the league. This season? They're already at 149. Good for 10th most in the league and a number they didn't crack until February last season! 

In terms of pace, they were 2nd in the league at 102.16 last season. This year they are 6th at 101.14. Not a huge drop off but considering everyone got faster, their up-tempo card is not nearly as big of an advantage as it was last year. Especially since they got relatively much slower compared to last year.

Seems like they're just going away from what's working. And there's also the possibility of Carlisle losing the locker room like he did in every stop sans the 10 years with Dirk+Kidd. I don't think Haliburton is close to the maturity or level Dirk was/is to be able to handle Carlisle for an extended period.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I also think there is a stylistic clash on the team. Not sure if Siakam is the best fit next to Haliburton. Seems like Siakam ball (as in more post ups, slower tempo, etc.) is taking over vs. what worked for the majority of the season last year for the Pacers. 

Last season, Pacers had 281 total post ups. It put them at 19th in the league. This season? They're already at 149. Good for 10th most in the league and a number they didn't crack until February last season! 

In terms of pace, they were 2nd in the league at 102.16 last season. This year they are 6th at 101.14. Not a huge drop off but considering everyone got faster, their up-tempo card is not nearly as big of an advantage as it was last year. Especially since they got relatively much slower compared to last year.

Seems like they're just going away from what's working. And there's also the possibility of Carlisle losing the locker room like he did in every stop sans the 10 years with Dirk+Kidd. I don't think Haliburton is close to the maturity or level Dirk was/is to be able to handle Carlisle for an extended period.

Brilliant analysis.  Just to the eyes their pace looks way off this year.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

These refs are letting Atl and NY play. They've virtually swallowed the whistles. Very physical game that surprisingly Atlanta is winning. 17 offensive rebs for Atlanta helps. Atlanta is crushing the Knicks on the boards. Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels are very good young wings for the Hawks and Young finds them.