AROUND the NBA:

[cow]

Castle is a dog and once he learns to harness is aggression, the league is in trouble.  Harper played like a vet too.  That's a hell of a 1-2-3 punch for the Spurs.  Fox was also amazing as were the rest of the supporting cast.  They also got the biggest play of the game from their worst rotational piece which reminded me Mahinmi or Cardinal from our championship run.  Just a really impressive performance all around. Now they just need to beat JB and KAT.

[Knutsen]

Fun series that lived up to the hype. Two great teams. Won’t take long for all the talking heads to change it up. Going from OKC is unbeatable and will win all the championships to now saying they need to make big changes to get past the Spurs next year.
Things change quickly in the NBA…

On the other hand imagine OKC beating the Spurs without Williams, Mitchell (and Chet) - that would have been even worse, right?

My „hope“ as a Mavs fan and fear as a basketball fan is that there might be several seasons where Wemby is hampered or even injured, because he‘s just that big and goes down awkwardly quite often. I can’t believe he’ll have a healthy 15 year career yet - but do hope I‘m wrong for the game of basketball.

[hakeemfaan]

My friend. Unfortunately there’s no light at the end of the tunnel for us Mavs fans.  The Spurs are  a younger team overall - now they might win a ring this early.  Wembys 1st playoff???  No other words other than complete nightmare for us.

That's true for a lot of teams. Wemby had some clot issues last year. Maybe injuries strike. You can't just give up and not try.

However, Flagg >> Harper.  We saw Harper's strengths but also his weaknesses throughout these playoffs. Don't come here with that, and I'm saying that as someone who loves to watch Harper, and would readily agree if I felt Harper > Flagg.

[hakeemfaan]

Does this change our draft?

Mara? Length to match the spurs even if we go for a guard? One thing that stands out with Harper and Castle are that they both look almost like SF. Plus Wemby is an alien in more ways than one.

[cow]

Does this change our draft?

Mara? Length to match the spurs even if we go for a guard? One thing that stands out with Harper and Castle are that they both look almost like SF. Plus Wemby is an alien in more ways than one.

I wouldn't think so.  We aren't close to competing so BPA.  The thing that sticks out most about the Spurs is how many perimeter defenders they can throw at their opponent who are also good to great on the offensive end.  SGA played well until crunch and that's mostly due to exhaustion of dealing with that pack of rabid dogs.  Castle has made a huge fan of me.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I don't think the Knicks will beat them. KAT will be in a lot of foul trouble trying to guard Wemby. And the Spurs guards will cause plenty of havoc vs the Knicks guards including Brunson. Just my feeling about the series.. I know the Knicks beat them to win the NBA Cup, but that was a long time ago. Both teams are different now. Knicks are good, but they haven't played the same caliber of teams the Spurs have.

[hakeemfaan]

I wouldn't think so.  We aren't close to competing so BPA.  The thing that sticks out most about the Spurs is how many perimeter defenders they can throw at their opponent who are also good to great on the offensive end.  SGA played well until crunch and that's mostly due to exhaustion of dealing with that pack of rabid dogs.  Castle has made a huge fan of me.

At least we are not Rockets fans who know they could have drafted Castle

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I wouldn't think so.  We aren't close to competing so BPA.  The thing that sticks out most about the Spurs is how many perimeter defenders they can throw at their opponent who are also good to great on the offensive end.  SGA played well until crunch and that's mostly due to exhaustion of dealing with that pack of rabid dogs.  Castle has made a huge fan of me.

And Holmgren didn't show up, period. He only took two shots. They didn't get much from anyone else except Caruso and Wallace. Even if JDub and Ajay were available, I don't know if they pull it off. SGA was exhausted trying to carry the team. I expect some changes from OKC.

[mvossman]

I was correct about Chet not being a Robin.  I know Jaylen didn't play but even if he did, I'm not sure of him either.  Even the last playoffs he came up big at the end but had many stinkers.  I was wrong about OKC model with one stud and other complementary players. It won them one title, but even last year if Nico didn't help them they would have lost to the Mavs. SA has 3 very high draft picks all of whom are very good.

For the first time I'm rooting for the Knicks, because if SA wins, you might be looking at them as the champs for the next half decade.  That run will come anyway but I want them to wait.

I mean Jaylen is a crucial part of that team as the second creator.  Mitchell filled in admirably, but then he went down.  Shai was wildly overburdened without either of them.  I realize injuries are part of the game, but I would not argue the model doesn't work when two key players were out.

[hakeemfaan]

I don't think the Knicks will beat them.  KAT will be in a lot of foul trouble trying to guard Wemby. And the Spurs guards will cause plenty of havoc vs the Knicks guards including Brunson. Just my feeling about the series.. I know the Knicks beat them to win the NBA Cup, but that was a long time ago. Both teams are different now. Knicks are good, but they haven't played the same caliber of teams the Spurs have.

The biggest issue for the Knicks is Mitch Robinson's injury.  Not sure if it's gamesmanship or if he is really hurt.  They do have one thing that can hurt the Spurs in that they can go a bit smaller and push the ball and they have a few guys who can light it up from the 3. If Robinson can play well, they have a good chance because they are scrappy and talented.

[Knutsen]

I don't think the Knicks will beat them.  KAT will be in a lot of foul trouble trying to guard Wemby. And the Spurs guards will cause plenty of havoc vs the Knicks guards including Brunson. Just my feeling about the series.. I know the Knicks beat them to win the NBA Cup, but that was a long time ago. Both teams are different now. Knicks are good, but they haven't played the same caliber of teams the Spurs have.

I guess they won’t defend Wemby with Kat, but use Bridges and maybe Anouby on him and try to make him a shooter.

On the other side KAT will attack Wemby and try to bait him in fouls - will be interesting how that plays out. It’s inexcusable for me how passive Chet was. And after Wemby had 5 fouls any player should have jumped into him to foul him out but they didn’t even try.

[hakeemfaan]

I mean Jaylen is a crucial part of that team as the second creator.  Mitchell filled in admirably, but then he went down.  Shai was wildly overburdened without either of them.  I realize injuries are part of the game, but I would not argue the model doesn't work when two key players were out.

People underestimate how good Mitchell was for them. Yes, he was definitely missed.

[cow]

And Holmgren didn't show up, period. He only took two shots. They didn't get much from anyone else except Caruso and Wallace. Even if JDub and Ajay were available, I don't know if they pull it off. SGA was exhausted trying to carry the team. I expect some changes from OKC.

I hate Chet so I'm not exactly impartial, but I'd try to get rid of him even if he did tank his value tonight.  I'm sure there is some middling team that think he could make them a contender.  And maybe he needs to be the man on a team, but you wouldn't know it from what we saw tonight.  woof.  Wallace was great and I know OKC has some moving and shaking to do and there have been rumors about Caruso, but they really need to figure out a way to keep him.

[KillerLeft]

Does this change our draft?

Mara? Length to match the spurs even if we go for a guard? One thing that stands out with Harper and Castle are that they both look almost like SF. Plus Wemby is an alien in more ways than one.

Mara won't even be playable in a series with either of those teams, or NY, for that matter. Bigs who can only play drop coverage are about as useful as a poopy-flavored lollipop, to quote Dodgeball. 

The best option to guard Wembenyama is someone about the size of Cooper Flagg, honestly.

[hakeemfaan]

Mara won't even be playable in a series with either of those teams, or NY, for that matter. Bigs who can only play drop coverage are about as useful as a poopy-flavored lollipop, to quote Dodgeball. 

The best option to guard Wembenyama is someone about the size of Cooper Flagg, honestly.

I thought he guarded pretty well on the perimeter too.   I have doubts about him because of how skinny he is and those skinny / uber tall guys usually tend to get injured.  I think his agility is much better than many think.  I know Edey had better agility timings but it doesn't match what I saw in games where there were mutiple plays where Mara guarded the permiter guy and still recovered to block the shot in the paint.

None of us know though and you could be correct but teams are not enamored by him because they look at him just as a big guy to counter Wemby. He would have been a mid 2nd round pick if they felt he didn't have the agility to keep up.

[hakeemfaan]

I hate Chet so I'm not exactly impartial, but I'd try to get rid of him even if he did tank his value tonight.  I'm sure there is some middling team that think he could make them a contender.  And maybe he needs to be the man on a team, but you wouldn't know it from what we saw tonight.  woof.  Wallace was great and I know OKC has some moving and shaking to do and there have been rumors about Caruso, but they really need to figure out a way to keep him.

Scoring 4 points in a game 7 and not even attempting many shots, when you are missing two of your critical offensive players , is almost Ben Simmons like.  The weird thing is that unlike Simmons he is a good offensive player. If a team gives up some high value pick or player for him, they better have a long one on one psychologist evaluation with him.

[KillerLeft]

I thought he guarded pretty well on the perimeter too.   I have doubts about him because of how skinny he is and those skinny / uber tall guys usually tend to get injured.  I think his agility is much better than many think.  I know Edey had better agility timings but it doesn't match what I saw in games where there were mutiple plays where Mara guarded the permiter guy and still recovered to block the shot in the paint.

None of us know though and you could be correct but teams are not enamored by him because they look at him just as a big guy to counter Wemby. He would have been a mid 2nd round pick if they felt he didn't have the agility to keep up.

I would rather become a soccer fan than follow a team with Edey, Clingan, Mara...BARF. Not interested, and I can't wait to see which team wastes their pick on that stiff. If it's Dallas, I might actually move.

[dirkfansince1998]

Mara won't even be playable in a series with either of those teams, or NY, for that matter. Bigs who can only play drop coverage are about as useful as a poopy-flavored lollipop, to quote Dodgeball. 

The best option to guard Wembenyama is someone about the size of Cooper Flagg, honestly.

This. We have seen the best version of this against Wemby in the series against the Wolves. Gobert was borderline unplayable.
But I think as of now the focus shouldn't be Wemby's offense. There are still better scorers/playmakers in this league. His defense is game breaking. The real question is how teams can score against the Spurs and I guess the Knicks could be the ultimate test when it comes to this. No team has as better 5-out lineup.
If I had to guess we won't see a lot of Wemby vs KAT. Spurs will switch and pre rotate. Wemby playing off the worst shooter on the floor. In the OKC series it was Caruso (sometimes Dort). I think against the Knicks it is going to be Hart.

[windjc]

Oh the handwringing! I love it.

First OKC was a juggernaut winning last year and then adding crazy depth. They would reign forever. But we forgot they lost to Luka and would have lost to Indiana if not for a freak injury to the Pacers best player. And now they lost to the Spurs. Some juggernaut!

Now OKC has to rip apart their team and they are stuck maxing out Chet which will handicap them for years.

But wait! Now the Spurs are the real juggernaut! Oh no, whatever shall we do?

I’ll tell you what to do. Wait. It might not be long. Brunson might beat them. Or if the Spurs win, then they’ll have to repeat. Good luck with that!!

Oh and don’t forget the Celtics who were suppose to dominate for years.


Whatever the case surely no other team in the league has a chance for the next 10 years minimum.

Good lord, whatever shall we do!!!!

[hakeemfaan]

I would rather become a soccer fan than follow a team with Edey, Clingan, Mara...BARF. Not interested, and I can't wait to see which team wastes their pick on that stiff. If it's Dallas, I might actually move.

I don't put him with those 2, because of how well Mara passes. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPx8NmvgpWM


Some team is going to take him in the top 12 as per all the mocks.  In a positionless NBA, GMs are not just going for size these days. His agility is pretty impressive for that size, and that combined with his passing skills is what has moved him up the boards. I would be more concerned about his rebounding, injuries, and whether he can stay out of foul trouble.  Plus no matter how much I'm glazing him, it is a reality that he is not a guy who will play 35 mins a night.  

I don't see Masai as taking him anyway at 9.  So it's most likely a moot point anyway for Mavs fans.