AROUND the NBA:

[Chicagojk]

Before the season, I was thinking of guards who I would think would be ideal fits with Cooper.   Kon was the first one I thought of. Even if he is not a lockdown defender.   It may have been some bias of watching Kon at Duke last year.

I think it is a good prototype though.  Get really smart players who know how to play and can shoot.  That is the prototype moving forward imo.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Detroit tied its franchise record with 13 straight wins. 122-117 over the Pacers to go 15-2.


This is a quote from RC


“This team has been built in a similar mode to the Bad Boy Pistons and then the Pistons of my era,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle, who coached Detroit the year before its 2003-04 championship, said before Monday’s game. “(They’re built) on physicality, toughness, depth; they’re a mirror image of the personality of the city. Now they have a great coach in J.B. and a great staff. So, they’re making a pretty clear statement that they’re for real.”

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/michaelgrange/status/1993144484847030700


The Raptors stay hot, winning their 8 straight and sweeping the season series from the Cavs for
the first time since 2019, 110-99.

[F Gump]

https://x.com/michaelgrange/status/1993144484847030700


The Raptors stay hot, winning their 8 straight and sweeping the season series from the Cavs for
the first time since 2019, 110-99.

Isn't TOR one of the rare teams the Mavs beat? How did that happen? Or did I just imagine that?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Isn't TOR one of the rare teams the Mavs beat? How did that happen? Or did I just imagine that?

Love the sarcasm, but you didn't. Mavs probably just played better on that night. It happens in a long season.

[JAYJAYBEE5]

James Harden has finally won me over as a fan now that he's older. Now I can appreciate his greatness!

Another guy cuban passed up to team with doncic.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/davidaldridgedc/status/199...9746937133


CJ McCollum can still get it done.

[F Gump]

Another guy cuban passed up to team with doncic.

Not that Doncic and Harden would ever fit together ...

Not that I ever especially liked Harden's game, or would have wanted to see it on display in Dallas ...

But I don't recall the Mavs/Cuban EVER passing on Harden, or turning down having him, or even having any sort of realistic opportunity to get him, if they had wanted him. What am I forgetting?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4710...s-clippers


Luka has been fabulous this season. He also called out the
NBA cup courts for being dangerous.

[cow]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4710...s-clippers


Luka has been fabulous this season. He also called out the
NBA cup courts for being dangerous.

Still hard to imagine someone trading him away.  As bad as Jerry often is, at least he ended up getting QW with all the Micah maneuvering.

[F Gump]

Still hard to imagine someone trading him away.  As bad as Jerry often is, at least he ended up getting QW with all the Micah maneuvering.

Nico was STUNNINGLY clueless in about every way. No GM skills, no person-to-person skills, no cap skills, not sure why he was ever given that job, frankly.

[cow]

Nico was STUNNINGLY clueless in about every way. No GM skills, no person-to-person skills, no cap skills, not sure why he was ever given that job, frankly.

Because Mark Cuban...

[Mavs2021]

Because Mark Cuban...

...and he literally has lots of friends in the league. During the Knicks (?) broadcast that bum Jefferson said something like: That´s why you trade for talent like Christie. Excellent move by the Mavs.

[Chicagojk]

I watched a little of Houston vs Golden State last night.  Golden State is a team we need to watch for a trade imo.  They are good, but clearly a level (or a few ala OKC) back from the real contenders.   They just don't have enough.  They are still enjoyable to watch, but they need more.  For a team that wants to win now with Steph and has two older players in Draymond and Jimmy, it probably doesn't make sense for them to stay still.   I don't think there is a move to makes them a real contender, but I think they will look to improve their chances.

Houston is real impressive.    They just kill teams on the boards, and Steven Adams wasn't even playing.   I think this was the vision Nico was thinking of, but Sengun is so good.   After a rough few games, Shepperd is growing into his role.  I think he is more of a scorer than a creator, but Amen Thompson can take that responsibility.  Houston may be able to keep their roster as is (maybe look for a relatively cheap veteran point) and still be in the second tier in the West (behind OKC)

[Chicagojk]

heading into the season, I had Toronto as one of most undesirable setups moving forward.  A lot of good players, but all on higher than wanted salaries imo.   I also was not impressed when they played Dallas.   So, I am pretty surprised with their hot start.  One of the benefits of being in the East is there is an opportunity for a surprise team or two to surpass expectations.  I don't expect them to be a top 4 seed at the end of year, but I am surprised with their hot start.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Boston ended Detroit's 13-game win streak, 117-114, in a tightly contested game. Boston's 20 made 3-pointers were the difference, as Detroit dominated in paint points but struggled to make or defend the 3-pointers effectively. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 42 pts, 8 rebs, and 6 assts, but he didn't get much help. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 33 pts. Cade missed the last FT on a foul, shooting a 3 that would have sent the game to OT.

[mvossman]

I watched a little of Houston vs Golden State last night.  Golden State is a team we need to watch for a trade imo.  They are good, but clearly a level (or a few ala OKC) back from the real contenders.   They just don't have enough.  They are still enjoyable to watch, but they need more.  For a team that wants to win now with Steph and has two older players in Draymond and Jimmy, it probably doesn't make sense for them to stay still.   I don't think there is a move to makes them a real contender, but I think they will look to improve their chances.

They would be the perfect candidate to trade for AD.  Too bad there is not a trade that makes sense.