AROUND the NBA:

[KillerLeft]

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.

Agreed. They’ll have a much easier go of a regular season without the LeBron drama, too. I think the highs will seem really high, but ultimately they’ll be outmatched quickly in the playoffs.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

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.

You left off Amazon Prime. They show games as well. Like the Temptations said, it's a Ball of Confusion.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/5011...s-30-teams


Roster needs for all 30 teams.

[Chicagojk]

You left off Amazon Prime. They show games as well. Like the Temptations said, it's a Ball of Confusion.

Yeah, I don't like the direction most leagues are going.    To maximize profit, they make it hard for a lot of people to find and pay to watch your team play.   I got the Prime league pass last year and I thought it was great.  Very easy to navigate and I thought the price was fair.

I am not a huge fan of the Suns owner, but I like how he has made their games free to watch online for people in PHX.   He also has cheap options for food with Hotdogs and other items.   I wish more owners would do this for their local fanbase.

[dirkfansince1998]

Haliburton's first game since he went done in the 2025 finals. Looked a bit rusty and probably shouldn't be guarding the point of attack in the near future. But to be fair. It was a tough matchup. Lamelo and Edwards looked great.
Not exactly the same scenario but that's the most interesting part about Kyrie's return for me. Not really concerned about his offense but even a slight decline in lateral quickness can make a huge difference on defense.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Chris Haynes: NEWS: Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić will be sidelined for at least 4 weeks after suffering a partial plantar plate tear of the second toe in his right foot, league sources tell me.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: The five Buss siblings who voted to sell the family trust’s Lakers shares – Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse – filed in court their formal opposition Wednesday to Jeanie Buss’ petition seeking to prevent the sale. This comes after unresolved settlement discussions. Statement: "Jimmy, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss, the five of six siblings who voted to sell the Trust’s shares in the Lakers, today filed their formal opposition, demonstrating that Jeanie Buss’s petition is legally and factually baseless. "While discussions among the siblings continue, their focus remains on facilitating the proposed transaction and the Trust’s participation in it, while ensuring that all beneficiaries, including Jeanie, are treated equally. "Today’s filing is a necessary step to protect those interests and ensure the transaction proceeds on schedule."

x.com


Dr Buss is probably rolling over in his grave. It's sad when siblings are only looking out for themselves.

[Mavs2021]

Chris Haynes: NEWS: Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić will be sidelined for at least 4 weeks after suffering a partial plantar plate tear of the second toe in his right foot, league sources tell me.

x.com

It was five weeks, but it took a whole week to write down the name of the injury....or in other words I need some Mavs basketball.

[Chicagojk]

I was bummed when the Mavs traded the last pick in the draft to PHX (before the Sergio trade was announced) and PHX took Koa Peat.   He is a project but I thought he would figure things out eventually because he does winning things on the court.   That could happen.   

Although, man that jumper is rough

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1x...a_peat_to/

[dirkfansince1998]

Mara might be the most impressive rookie so far. 12/9 in the first game. 22/6 in the second game. 15/15 from the field over two games. And the crazy thing is that he is doing most of his damage in transition. Running the floor and using his size advantage. A Boban sized player that beats opposing bigs down the floor.

[WillE]

I was bummed when the Mavs traded the last pick in the draft to PHX (before the Sergio trade was announced) and PHX took Koa Peat.   He is a project but I thought he would figure things out eventually because he does winning things on the court.   That could happen.   

Although, man that jumper is rough

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1x...a_peat_to/

My first thought was Matrix, but it‘s actually Not that bad. It's slow and has pretty limited range, but I could imagine that he was tought to use this form in order to first get rid of more other mad movements/habits etc.

Anyway: his next goal should be to just become an average shooter, so he still hast some ways to go...

[ThisIStheYear]

Yaxel’s college advanced stats and measurables suggested he’d be an all star caliber player. He looks awesome and may be the front runner for ROY.

[ThisIStheYear]

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.

I had Yaxel 5th. In a vacuum, he was the best player coming out due to his size, skill, and immense advanced stats, but age knocked him down 4 spots. I predict he easily wins ROY and will breathe new life into Golden State. They are a sleeper title contender.   I can’t really fault the Mavs for passing over Yaxel since Big Mo has the best measurables in the class and great intangibles, but I do fear they will regret it.

[hakeemfaan]

I had Yaxel 5th. In a vacuum, he was the best player coming out due to his size, skill, and immense advanced stats, but age knocked him down 4 spots. I predict he easily wins ROY and will breathe new life into Golden State. They are a sleeper title contender.   I can’t really fault the Mavs for passing over Yaxel since Big Mo has the best measurables in the class and great intangibles, but I do fear they will regret it.

When Luka was dominating in his first two years, I heard some say it's because he has been playing with adults since he is 14.  Anyone can play with adults at a young age. It doesn't mean they'll become a Luka.

With Yaxel, the talk is he is more polished because he played so long in college.  Others will catch up and surpass him in 4 or 5 years. No.  Talent is still talent.  The guy is clearly talented and physical. If at 36 he has had a great 12 years in the league vs someone 4 years younger right now but  finds themselves out of the league or turns into just another guy after a few years, then age won't matter anymore.  You'll be kicking yourself royally for passing on him.

[hakeemfaan]

Mara might be the most impressive rookie so far. 12/9 in the first game. 22/6 in the second game. 15/15 from the field over two games. And the crazy thing is that he is doing most of his damage in transition. Running the floor and using his size advantage. A Boban sized player that beats opposing bigs down the floor.

I still feel his defensive rebounding is weak for his size. However, not going to lie. I was not very impressed with Rez's defensive blockouts either during SL.  Both, Rez and Mara's eventual ceilings will be decided by how good a defensive rebounder both become and how they can switch. Rez has the clear advantage on switching. Mara clears Rez as a passer. He is exceptional there. 
 
As per all the draft boards, Rez had the highest floor among the trio of himself, Yaxel and Mara, but he was tapped with the lowest ceiling as well.  For the sake of us Mavs fans, hopefully that doesn't come true.

[myconsumerclub]

Would you consider the Mavs closer to being contenders if they had grabbed Mara instead of Morez?

[myconsumerclub]

I am glad we got Sergio I was wanting them to get him but I also wanted a center to serve as insurance for Lively.

Morez to me is a PF and I really think he may not have what it takes to play the 5 against the bigger centers so we are going to be forced to keep Gafford and I think Santi will come back and be a better fit at both the 4 and 5 as well.

PJ looked okay today his 3's at the start of the game allowed us to enter the locker room with a lead and that mindset enabled us to go onto victory.

Through 2 games the teams top scoring PPG averages in double figures belong to
Irving 17
Cooper 16.5
Naji 15
Max 14
Risacher 12.5
Sergio and PJ both with 10

That is 7 guys in double figures.

note: PJ and Irving have only played in one game.