AROUND the NBA:

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Nori said that starting Morant and Lillard doesn’t make sense. Both are undersized, and both have never excelled on the defensive end. The more analytically sound option would be to start Holiday — a bigger guard who is an exceptional defender — and have either Morant or Lillard come off the bench. But in a league with huge egos, asking an All-Star to come off the bench is a delicate and difficult task for any coach, let alone Nori, a first-year coach operating on a one-year contract. Nori told The Athletic that his contract status will have no bearing on his decision. Instead, he will experiment with different lineups throughout the Blazers’ four preseason games. The exhibition opener is Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors, and Nori said he “probably” will start Morant and Lillard. “It’s not set in stone, but probably, because I’m leaning toward wanting to see what it looks like,” Nori said. “And … I don’t want to start a fire before I need to.” “If Damian Lillard is healthy,” Nori said shortly after he was hired, “then Damian Lillard is going to start.” Morant on media day was asked whether starting mattered to him. “I think winning is the most important thing for me, so whatever role I have to play to get that done, I think nobody will be mad afterward,” Morant said. “If I’m starting, if I’m not, it’s the same thing. I mean, it’s day one right now. “I feel that’s a coach’s question. But for me, I have no problem with either.”

New York Times

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Draymond Green: "Dalton Knecht is not expected to make the Lakers' regular-season roster. Lakers have 16 guaranteed contracts, and going into the season, you can only have 15 guaranteed contracts. Apparently, Bronny James and Jaden Hardy have been outplaying him in camp, and he's viewed as the odd man out. And it's crazy because Dalton Knecht seemed to like he had a little bit of promise to him, but after that trade that got voided by the Hornets to bring him in and send Mark Williams to the Lakers, the Lakers voided the trade because of Mark Williams' back. Dalton Knecht has just been in purgatory ever since, and ultimately I think it ruined him."

YouTube

[Mavs2021]

Draymond Green: "Dalton Knecht is not expected to make the Lakers' regular-season roster. Lakers have 16 guaranteed contracts, and going into the season, you can only have 15 guaranteed contracts. Apparently, Bronny James and Jaden Hardy have been outplaying him in camp, and he's viewed as the odd man out. And it's crazy because Dalton Knecht seemed to like he had a little bit of promise to him, but after that trade that got voided by the Hornets to bring him in and send Mark Williams to the Lakers, the Lakers voided the trade because of Mark Williams' back. Dalton Knecht has just been in purgatory ever since, and ultimately I think it ruined him."

YouTube

So Hardy outplayed him and Bronny outnamed him.

[michaeltex]

Draymond Green: "Dalton Knecht is not expected to make the Lakers' regular-season roster. Lakers have 16 guaranteed contracts, and going into the season, you can only have 15 guaranteed contracts. Apparently, Bronny James and Jaden Hardy have been outplaying him in camp, and he's viewed as the odd man out. And it's crazy because Dalton Knecht seemed to like he had a little bit of promise to him, but after that trade that got voided by the Hornets to bring him in and send Mark Williams to the Lakers, the Lakers voided the trade because of Mark Williams' back. Dalton Knecht has just been in purgatory ever since, and ultimately I think it ruined him."

YouTube

Just wait until LA has the "Jaden Hardy Experience" in game situations.

[Mavs2021]

Just wait until LA has the "Jaden Hardy Experience" in game situations.

You think they´ll ask him to be a PG/creator on offense like Jason Kidd did? With Doncic and Reaves on the team, he´ll be a situational catch (one dribble) & shoot guy, which he is pretty good at. Most of Hardy´s problems come from his inability to pass and finish at the rim. He´s a 6´3 microwave SG.

[michaeltex]

You think they´ll ask him to be a PG/creator on offense like Jason Kidd did? With Doncic and Reaves on the team, he´ll be a situational catch (one dribble) & shoot guy, which he is pretty good at. Most of Hardy´s problems come from his inability to pass and finish at the rim. He´s a 6´3 microwave SG.

Yep. He stunk as a PG. His 3pt % was ok, but low volume for his position. OTOH, he was kind of streaky with his scoring. 

I hope he finds a niche in LA.

[dirkfansince1998]

One almost has to feel sorry for Jokic. First preseason game featured Tyus Jones, Ryan Nembhard and Marvin Bagley. From 2023 NBA champion to 2026 Mavs dumpster fire.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/thesteinline/status/210720...09354?s=46

[Chicagojk]

I am pretty excited about the season.    When I look at most teams, I think most have made good moves and most fanbases outside of a few are happy with their teams direction.    We all know there will be several teams that get his by a bag of bricks when the season starts and expectations flounder.  The question is what teams it happens to.

[Chicagojk]

I guess this is how the NBA works, but it seems like a read the room type of thing.   Why even make this an issue.   Show the Wizards and the league you are still an elite player for a few months first.    I wasn't crazy with the lineup to start the season in Dallas last year, but man I didn't expect it to be that bad.   The AD at PF thing seems like a real hard fit now if he can't shoot.   He got his numbers but it just wasn't impactful.  Maybe the injury he suffered hampered his training.   But his stats felt pretty empty.    If he shows he can still be elite, there is a good chance a good team will want him.    That contract demands needs to scare away a lot of people though.

Also, imagine the drain having the extension questions if he was still with the Mavs. Just drains the energy out of the room.
******************
[The Athletic] Anthony Davis wants a Max extension (4Y/275M) but there’s almost no chance the Wizards will give him that, considering his injury history and his age. Davis' agent, Rich Paul, is assessing other teams’ interest in AD and will continue to do so as February’s trade deadline approaches.

[michaeltex]

I guess this is how the NBA works, but it seems like a read the room type of thing.   Why even make this an issue.   Show the Wizards and the league you are still an elite player for a few months first.    I wasn't crazy with the lineup to start the season in Dallas last year, but man I didn't expect it to be that bad.   The AD at PF thing seems like a real hard fit now if he can't shoot.   He got his numbers but it just wasn't impactful.  Maybe the injury he suffered hampered his training.   But his stats felt pretty empty.    If he shows he can still be elite, there is a good chance a good team will want him.    That contract demands needs to scare away a lot of people though.

Also, imagine the drain having the extension questions if he was still with the Mavs.    Just drains the energy out of the room. 
******************
[The Athletic] Anthony Davis wants a Max extension (4Y/275M) but there’s almost no chance the Wizards will give him that, considering his injury history and his age. Davis' agent, Rich Paul, is assessing other teams’ interest in AD and will continue to do so as February’s trade deadline approaches.

I can't express strongly enough how happy I am that DAL is not longer part of the AD drama tour. He learned well from LBJ, IMO.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

NBA Base: The Spurs internally believe Dylan Harper is already their second-best player, per @WindhorstESPN: "The Spurs internally believe Dylan Harper is their second-best player. That’s not a slight on De'Aaron Fox or Stephon Castle. Harper is a stud."

x.com

[Chicagojk]

NBA Base: The Spurs internally believe Dylan Harper is already their second-best player, per @WindhorstESPN: "The Spurs internally believe Dylan Harper is their second-best player. That’s not a slight on De'Aaron Fox or Stephon Castle. Harper is a stud."

x.com

hmmm...he may very well be.  Although tricky situation dealing with Castle imo.   Young players finding to find their place can sometimes take these things personal when they hear them in the media.    Ex....the three J's.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Julius Erving: "There is no GOAT. There is no one athlete who you can look at in any sport and just say that was the best, whoever did it. It's all an opinion." "I picked my top five when I was 15 years old. I have not let anybody mess that up. I went with Chamberlain and Bill Russell, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Oscar Robertson. When you are 15 years old, and you see those five out there, that's permanent."

YouTube

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I am pretty excited about the season.    When I look at most teams, I think most have made good moves and most fanbases outside of a few are happy with their teams direction.    We all know there will be several teams that get his by a bag of bricks when the season starts and expectations flounder.  The question is what teams it happens to.

I have to figure out where all the damn games are gonna be.

There's no more TNT games?
Peacock has one night or two?  Peacock is owned by NBC?  NBC also has NBA games?
ESPN has one night or two?
ABC weekend games?
NBA TV shows some random games.

[hakeemfaan]

Yaxel is a beast. Felt that in SL. Closest to Pippen that I have seen in a long time. Maybe not defensively but just that wingspan, size and how he handles the ball.

Due to his age he was not on my radar as one of the potential Mavs, but I am not going to lie. I already have second hand envy at the Dubs for getting him.

[michaeltex]

Yaxel is a beast. Felt that in SL. Closest to Pippen that I have seen in a long time.  Maybe not defensively but just that wingspan, size and how he handles the ball. 

Due to his age he was not on my radar as one of the potential Mavs, but I am not going to lie. I already have second hand envy at the Dubs for getting him.

Yep. I always had an interest and would have been OK if he was chosen in instead of Rez. Not that I have negatives about the pick, I just felt like Yaxel was going to be an immediate contributor, maybe without the ceiling of some of the one-and-dones, but more immediately impactful. Not sure how he'd fit on the team Masai has built, probably create even more of a log jam in the front court.

[Smitty]

Looking at the Vegas over/under, this is how the Western Conference breaks down:

1. OKC 62.5
2. SAS 59.5
3. DEN 49.5
4. MIN 48.5
5. HOU 47.5
6. LAL 46.5
7. POR 42.5
8. PHX 40.5
9. GSW 40.5
10. UTAH 37.5
11. DAL 34.5
12. LAC 30.5
13. MEM 29.5
14. NOP 27.5
15. SAC 21.5


Makes sense to me. It's pretty clear that it's OKC and SAS, then everyone else. Lot of question marks with 3 through 11 there. I can see it playing out a number of different ways. If I were a betting man, I'd only touch a few of those bets. I'd take the under on LAL and PHX and the over on UTAH.

[Chicagojk]

Looking at the Vegas over/under, this is how the Western Conference breaks down:

1. OKC 62.5
2. SAS 59.5
3. DEN 49.5
4. MIN 48.5
5. HOU 47.5
6. LAL 46.5
7. POR 42.5
8. PHX 40.5
9. GSW 40.5
10. UTAH 37.5
11. DAL 34.5
12. LAC 30.5
13. MEM 29.5
14. NOP 27.5
15. SAC 21.5


Makes sense to me. It's pretty clear that it's OKC and SAS, then everyone else. Lot of question marks with 3 through 11 there. I can see it playing out a number of different ways. If I were a betting man, I'd only touch a few of those bets. I'd take the under on LAL and PHX and the over on UTAH.

LA Clippers stick out to me.    Shouldn't they be more than 4 games off from Dallas?  That looks like a dumpster fire this year.

Personally I have my eyes on PHX, Portland and GSW.  I think at least two of those slide?   I think all have hopes of rising from last season.    PHX is a try hard team.  They had a very suprising season but it just feels like they could fall back to earth.   Portland has pretty good talent, but are adding two guards who cause trouble fitting into the existing lineup.   GSW seems good, but if Curry misses games it feels like things could crater quickly.   

I think Denver is too high.  I think I like them best out of Houston, LAL, Minnesota in a playoff series if healthy.  Although, they seem to no treat the regular season seriously and it doesn't appear they have the young legs to get thru the regular season.   So when injuries hit, they could be in trouble.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I dont think the Lakers are a contender (at all) but I think the way JJ Redick grinds out wins all season, they might win 50+ games.