AROUND the NBA:

[windjc]

The Lebrons are losing by 25 at halftime. They are like the Mavericks.

[KillerLeft]

The Lebrons are losing by 25 at halftime. They are like the Mavericks.

Now it's a 5-point game with about 4 minutes to go in the 3rdQ. It's a good game between two good teams!

[KillerLeft]

Philly's starters are winning handily. Their bench is getting dog walked. I think that's pretty fixable with better, more nuanced rotations. Just gotta pick a couple of those awesome offensive starters to sub out earlier and lead the bench unit.

[KillerLeft]

Philly with the comeback win!

[hakeemfaan]

Interesting. 

I have never for one second even wondered about whether I'd have rather had one of the other Michigan guys, and Rez is starting out better than I expected. I wouldn't touch Mara with a 10-foot pole, and Lendeborg seems likely to be a problem personality. 

I think the debate is about Burries, but I'm not even worried about that, really.

Not understanding the Mara hate. 

I love Yaxel’ talent but the guy just lost it out there yesterday. He then made it worse with that press conference. A lot of immaturity there. Not saying that to prop up Rez.

[hakeemfaan]

Not bad getting first since Wilt and Shaq in the first game in almost a year:

The 7-foot-2 center finished 12-for-12 from the field in his first regular-season game since shoulder surgery in November. He became the first Lakers player to shoot 100% on at least 12 field goal attempts since Wilt Chamberlain in 1969. He also became the first player in franchise history to convert 10 dunks in a game since Shaquille O'Neal in 2003.

"When I was driving, [Kessler] stepped up," Doncic said. "When I was doubled, he played in the pocket. Very impressive game from him."
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised Kessler's "great opening statement" and credited the center's transition hustle for creating so many high-percentage scoring chances.

I remember reading an article last year that talked about catch radius and how Kessler was one of the top guys. Basically he has great hands.  Now add that with Luka.

[F Gump]

We keep getting gripes about how the Mavs have skewed too much towards bigs and how bigs are of secondary importance these days.

But as I see the LA opener, and SA/OKC and OKC/DEN games, to me they are already screaming that if you can't effectively compete vs dominant bigs, to keep them from mauling you, you are going nowhere in the West for years. Kessler (fed by Luka), Jokic, Wemby, the strong trio in OKC. And with Ball opening up the floor in MINN with Ant being unleashed, Gobert may be a factor too.

The Mavs could use Lively, for sure. But he himself isn't enough. They really need TWO top-tier bigs, and a playable backup as well, who can man the middle. Without that, in light of the arms race, I don't see how you could ever hope to get out of the first round in the West for years.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Philly with the comeback win!

Says more about Cleveland blowing big leads. If they're supposed to be one of the elite teams, that can't happen but routinely does. Case in point, last years ECF game one when they blew a 22 pt lead vs the Knicks that changed the series.

[dirkfansince1998]

https://x.com/TheAthletic/status/2113455120692195588

Dolan reminding everyone that winning a championship hasn't changed a thing about him and the way he runs the franchise.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his first game with fewer than 20 points in nearly two years, finishing with 17 in Thursday night's 96-84 home win over the Denver Nuggets to snap his NBA-record streak of 20-point games. Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 32 points in a convincing win over San Antonio on Tuesday night, shot just 6 of 19 from the field against Denver, failing to reach 20 points for the first time since Oct. 30, 2024, a streak of 141 regular-season games. He had just under two minutes left to score three more points and extend his streak, but with Oklahoma City up 93-76 with 1:43 left, he asked Thunder coach Mark Daigneault to sub him out.

ESPN

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The first person to receive a ring during the Knicks’ on-court ceremony, team president Leon Rose, opened his black box to reveal a shiny, sparkling ring adorned with diamonds and Knicks-blue sapphires, commemorating the team’s 2026 NBA championship. But as the boxes were handed to the coaching staff, well, the men didn’t open them. Because their rings weren’t inside. Seven league sources, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, said the Knicks assistant coaches didn't get rings on banner night. Two of those sources told The Athletic that the assistants learned earlier Tuesday that they would not be getting their rings that evening, which came as no surprise because they had not yet been fitted for one and that boxes without their rings were a late addition to the ceremony. “(Employee name), this one is on the house. MSG is issuing a complimentary employee championship ring. The same jeweler, the same craftsmanship, personalized with your name. No cost to you. “There are two designs to choose from: Championship Gold and Garden Classic. Reserve the one you want below.” But the email was a fake-out, a phishing test Madison Square Garden sent to see if those employees would click, multiple team sources said.

New York Times

[HoosierDaddyKid]

NBA Communications: Tuesday’s 76ers-Knicks and Thunder-Spurs doubleheader was the NBA’s most-watched opening night ever, averaging 6.41 million viewers on NBC/Peacock. The 76ers’ victory over the Knicks was the league’s most-watched primetime opening night game ever, averaging 7.71 million viewers and peaking at 9.1 million viewers at 9:45 p.m. ET. American Express NBA Tip-Off – which also featured an afternoon matchup between the Celtics and Pistons – generated more than 700 million views across social media, an opening night record.

x.com

[Chicagojk]

Season sort of snuck on me, but the NBa has to be happy with the first three days of games.

Great comeback by Philly after looking really bad early.

OKC is just so tough.  Beating them just feels like a momentous task.  Makes what SA did last year even more incredible.  OKC just makes it so tough to score on each possession.  Then they come at you on waves and before you know it you are down by 20.  They look so good.  Tough to get an early impression with Denver.  They have some new bodies.  They are also very good when healthy.  Staying healthy and being motivated in regular season will be key.

Did u see Charles Barkley play who he play for?  Hilarious.  He didn’t get any of the picks.  They did it 2 times more and he still missed some.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Season sort of snuck on me, but the NBa has to be happy with the first three days of games.

Great comeback by Philly after looking really bad early.

OKC is just so tough.  Beating them just feels like a momentous task.  Makes what SA did last year even more incredible.  OKC just makes it so tough to score on each possession.  Then they come at you on waves and before you know it you are down by 20.  They look so good.  Tough to get an early impression with Denver.  They have some new bodies.  They are also very good when healthy.  Staying healthy and being motivated in regular season will be key.

Did u see Charles Barkley play who he play for?  Hilarious.  He didn’t get any of the picks.  They did it 2 times more and he still missed some.

I hate that, potentially, this is the last year for Inside the NBA. Both Ernie Johnson and Chuck keep saying they're done after the season. They are engaging, and so fun to watch clowning on each other.

[Chicagojk]

Here is the video with Charles

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/R4pGBwhMKe

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

All good things come to an end. I think it's time for Inside the NBA to be over.

[DallasMaverick]

All good things come to an end.  I think it's time for Inside the NBA to be over.

So they’ll be Outside The NBA?

[dirkfansince1998]

Random stuff.

- What a legit playmaker can do for a big. Kessler looks like he is going to average 20+ just catching lobs and finishing putbacks
- Wolves might be the most athletic team in the league. Remember people being super high on Beringer and I am starting to see why. Relentless energy. Quick feet.
- Grizzlies frontcourt is a nightmare matchup for most teams.
- Spurs have to figure out their guard rotation. Starting four small guys next to Wemby is really hurting them on defense. Also leads to some weird bench lineups that lack playmaking. One out of Fox, Castle, Harper should be in the 6th man role.
- So far Bam+Giannis is not a good fit. Heat lack spacing. Klay isn't helping. Thankfully he is no longer a Mavs problem.
- Raptors look legit. Their "small ball" lineup with CBM is as good as it gets when it comes to switch-all defense.
- Lillard/Morant duo better than expected.

[Winter]

Boozer looked like the ROY in this game (25/13/6) against the GSWs. Memphis is going to be handful with him and Edey in the lineup.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Malik Beasley, a nine-year NBA veteran, will plead guilty after the Department of Justice charged him this summer with being part of a gambling scheme that profited off his play during NBA games. Beasley was indicted for his role in an alleged scheme that sought to bet on his play for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 season. Ed Davis, also a former NBA veteran, was indicted as well and allegedly helped lead the scheme. They, and four other men were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, sports bribery, honest services wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

New York Times