AROUND the NBA:

[bubbler86]

What an idiotic decision by Redick, to put Kleber in the game for the 1st time since recovering from a broken foot, with Jaxson Hayes nailed to the bench. He's not perfect, but he could have tried to defend Gobert better than Kleber. JJ's decision to play small, ultimately cost them the series vs the bigger T-Wolves.

Yea, Mav's have used Maxi at a pseudo-center spot before, but Rudy is a big cover and like you said, he has not been playing.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Lakers have to get bigger and more athletic players to compete in the ultra-tough Western Conference, with younger, athletic teams on the rise such as Houston, and Luka should dedicate his whole off season into re-making his body to get in shape. He can't guard a fire hydrant, neither can LeBron on the ball. Luka was laboring up and down the court last night, and Minnesota attacked him constantly on offense. Maybe somewhere Nico is quietly smiling, and feels vindicated, I'm sure.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/DuaneRankin/status/1917824722961850762


TNT crew on the Lakers future.

[Chicagojk]

Man, seeing Jalen win a series still causes pain. I think we need to reevaluate Nico’s role in that disaster. I think looking back it was not just a mark mistake. I think u probably need to assume Nico was focused on Kyrie and this may have caused his urgency to tie himself to Jalen. How bad does that look now?

[FireNicoHarrison]

It's funny to see Brunson and Luka play in the biggest markets in NBA... Is it not strange?

Mission accomplished Nico. Good job.

[SwisherPrice]

The Warriors just aren't good...can't believe they were up 3-1. Rockets should be blowing them out every game

[FireNicoHarrison]

The Warriors just aren't good...can't believe they were up 3-1. Rockets should be blowing them out every game

Outside OKC the west is pretty mediocre honestly... And it's more painful to see after our GM destroyed a roster that could have gone to the Finals again.

I'm still think that this year was our year.

[Jym]

Shows how much I know
I was convinced the Lakers and Clippers would win

[Chicagojk]

I didn’t watch the game, but it appears Westbrook got some revenge last night. I have never been a big Westbrook fan, but it looks like he was pretty good in that series.

Looks like game 7 harden appeared again. 7 points. Woof. He is no longer a superstar, but is there another superstar or former superstar who comes up smaller in big moments?

In game 7 vs the warriors and Rockers, we will see if the Warriors big game experience shines through or if they have been beaten down and can’t get to that final gear. What a series by Adams. I really thought he was done as a productive player. He was until later in the year. He has been awesome just causing all sorts of issues for the smaller warriors. What a nice signing/trade that was for the Rockets. Certainly better than signing Powell from a few seasons ago.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Dwight Powell is overpaid even for free.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I didn’t watch the game, but it appears Westbrook got some revenge last night.  I have never been a big Westbrook fan, but it looks like he was pretty good in that series.

Looks like game 7 harden appeared again.  7 points.  Woof.  He is no longer a superstar, but is there another superstar or former superstar who comes up smaller in big moments?

In game 7 vs the warriors and Rockers, we will see if the Warriors big game experience shines through or if they have been beaten down and can’t get to that final gear.  What a series by Adams. I really thought he was done as a productive player.  He was until later in the year.  He has been awesome just causing all sorts of issues for the smaller warriors.  What a nice signing/trade that was for the Rockets.  Certainly better than signing Powell from a few seasons ago.

Westbrook fits better with Denver than any of his previous teams. He's been great for them, and they accept the blown layups and occasional turnovers he'll make, because his motor never shuts down even at 36. He's even improved his 3 pt shooting Eventually, he will make a play that helps you win. He's also developed a nice chemistry with Jokic playing off each other. You could see he was highly satisfied, that he helped knock off the team that gave up on him. I think Russ is a 1st ballot HOFamer that has been unfairly scrutinized.

[SleepingHero]

Night night Houston. Just didn't have offense. Sengun cannot handle pressure.

Curry+Butler is a very scary duo to end a quarter.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Night night Houston. Just didn't have offense. Sengun cannot handle pressure.

Curry+Butler is a very scary duo to end a quarter.

Buddy Hield was the difference tonight with 9 3's for 33 pts. Houston is a good young team, but they need shooters in the worse way. Jalen Green with all the hype he gets isn't ready for prime time yet. Amen Thompson is a stud, and has a chance to be the best two way player in the league if he finds a shot.

[Chicagojk]

I was really impressed with Houston. Watching that game, I have no idea how the old Mavs compete against a young team With upside. Houston has a ton of avenues to get get better. I have no idea who is there in Houston in 3 years but amen and Senguin will be there. 22 for both. Wow. They are clearly behind OKc (and maybe San Antonio if they have a strong offseason) but they should be good for a long time. They don’t need to rush either. They can potentially wait out Giannis or
booker.

I love watching the Golden state style of play. I thought they didn’t have enough but just found a way. Let’s see what happens against minny

[F Gump]

I'm not sold on SA at all. They are a great circus show, with Wemby being promoted for [supposedly] doing "unprecedented things for a 7-footer," but he has yet to prove to be a difference-maker in ACTUAL WINNING OF GAMES. They have lots of "great young players of the future" who also haven't moved the needle on W's. And the clock is ticking, because when all these "great young players" get a few years under their belt, they want a contract that fits that description. Or they become Derrick White, shipped off to BOS for spare parts and junk picks when he had showed promise and then it was time to pay him.

[Chicagojk]

I'm not sold on SA at all. They are a great circus show, with Wemby being promoted for [supposedly] doing "unprecedented things for a 7-footer," but he has yet to prove to be a difference-maker in ACTUAL WINNING OF GAMES. They have lots of "great young players of the future" who also haven't moved the needle on W's. And the clock is ticking, because when all these "great young players" get a few years under their belt, they want a contract that fits that description. Or they become Derrick White, shipped off to BOS for spare parts and junk picks when he had showed promise and then it was time to pay him.

I was real critical of the Spurs offseason last summer.  I also didn't like watching them play when even Wemby was healthy.   Looked like a team off odd fitting parts and not ready to win at all.  With that being said with a summer working after a big trade, two lottery picks and additional flexibility, I think they are substantially better next year.   
It is really hard to make the top 6 in the West.  Heck, even Golden State did not make it.  But if we eliminated those top 7 teams, I would put SA as the next best odds to make the top 6 next year.    I think there is a really good chance you see a jump from them next year.  They should.

[SwisherPrice]

It was a winnable series by the Rockets...they blew it. They had the depth and size advantage. All this talk of them being inexperienced but they still had 3 vets in the rotation (FVV, Brooks, Adams) which is actually more than what a team like OKC has. The only way the Warriors could have won is if they got hot from 3 and Hield finally looked like Klay Thompson out there. The Warriors won by double-digits with only 3 points from their bench!

The Rockets will definitely try to go all in for KD or Giannis. But I'm not sure what team actually wants to deal with the Jalen Green experience 

[Chicagojk]

It was a winnable series by the Rockets...they blew it. They had the depth and size advantage. All this talk of them being inexperienced but they still had 3 vets in the rotation (FVV, Brooks, Adams) which is actually more than what a team like OKC has. The only way the Warriors could have won is if they got hot from 3 and Hield finally looked like Klay Thompson out there. The Warriors won by double-digits with only 3 points from their bench!

The Rockets will definitely try to go all in for KD or Giannis. But I'm not sure what team actually wants to deal with the Jalen Green experience 

Sounds like Houston has been indicating the KD does not fall within their timeline.  That could change as well.  Especially if the Suns would take Green, Whitmore, and salary, plus a pick.  That doesn't really hurt their asset base that much.  Could be an option if Giannis or Booker decides to wait another year.

The Bucks as for Amar right?   The Rockets say no, right?  Same with Booker.   Thompson looked so good, I am not sure the Rockets move him for anything.

[SwisherPrice]

Sounds like Houston has been indicating the KD does not fall within their timeline.  That could change as well.  Especially if the Suns would take Green, Whitmore, and salary, plus a pick.  That doesn't really hurt their asset base that much.  Could be an option if Giannis or Booker decides to wait another year.

The Bucks as for Amar right?   The Rockets say no, right?  Same with Booker.   Thompson looked so good, I am not sure the Rockets move him for anything.

Yeah I have to assume Thompson has to be the only untouchable. He can become the modern-day equivalent of Kawhi. Same with his brother in Detroit too.

Sengun is nice and still improving but I don't think they will be scared to move him for the right deal if a team wants him in return

[Nowitzki Way]

Sounds like Houston has been indicating the KD does not fall within their timeline.  That could change as well.  Especially if the Suns would take Green, Whitmore, and salary, plus a pick.  That doesn't really hurt their asset base that much.  Could be an option if Giannis or Booker decides to wait another year.

The Bucks as for Amar right?   The Rockets say no, right?  Same with Booker.   Thompson looked so good, I am not sure the Rockets move him for anything.

I've been envious of what Houston has been building for a few seasons now.  They are ripe with young talent. Thompson, Sengun, Green all 22 years old. Jabari Smith 21. Then they have 20 yr old Whitmore and 20 yr old Reed Sheppard that barely get minutes.

Their problem is the lack of veteran talent. They have a team option on VanVleet and i wonder what they do with that. Beyond him they have Adams as a free agent. Dillon Brooks is just a distraction at this point.

I wonder if they consolidate a few of their young players and go after a star. Like you said, they have to build around Amen Thompson and Sengun.  

You know who would look good next to Sengun and Thompson? Anthony Davis.

If the Mavs ever wanted to blow it up and start over, that would be the chance.  I'd take Green and Whitmore and a few picks!