AROUND the NBA:

[KillerLeft]

@RTG...so far, LaMello Ball and Minnesota is working out. At this point, it kind of comes down to how healthy he can stay, but he's keeping them playing at a high level, even without Edwards, and seems to have unlocked Gobert on offense, at least a little.

Also, Kuminga is playing well, which I think is a win from the "fit and circumstances" narrative. I was guilty of writing him off from afar, just like yesterday's conversation on some other players. But, he's defending well, playing team ball, etc.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I’ve been a pretty big Kuminga hater as welll.

I was watching their games until Edwards got hurt. Haven’t watched much recently.

With Lamelo, I think he’s a knucklehead off the court. But he’s not a knucklehead like the guys beating their wives. I don think he’s a bad dude. He’s just immature off the court. On the court, I think he’s a savant. He has HOF point guard skills.Just needed to be in the right situation to grow up. Reel in some of the shot selection and get him to try on defense. Him and Edwards are a dream fit for each other. Edwards is a not a great playmaker. Lamelo is not a great #1 scorer. They complement each other perfectly.

Even if he gets hurt, they only gave up 1 first rd pick for him. And some swaps. That’s the easiest no brainer trade I’ve ever seen. It’s like a better version of the Kyrie to Dallas trade.

my guy Slightly Biased : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQSpWsLYfPc

"The Lamelo Ball discourse has always been so incredibly frustrating to me."

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I surely didn't have the Lakers with a 10-2 record leading the Western Conference on my bingo card. But it's early. Just surprised about how well they've played so far. It's attributed to Luka of course, but also how good Walker Kessler has been. He fits like a glove for them.

[cow]

I surely didn't have the Lakers with a 10-2 record leading the Western  Conference on my bingo card. But it's early. Just surprised about how well they've played so far. It's attributed to Luka of course, but also how good Walker Kessler has been. He fits like a glove for them.

Got to give Reeves some love for shouldering the load when Luka missed time.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Jaylen Brown vs Jayson Tatum tonight on NBC

I know yall love drama too since we’re all NBA fans.

[Smitty]

I surely didn't have the Lakers with a 10-2 record leading the Western  Conference on my bingo card. But it's early. Just surprised about how well they've played so far. It's attributed to Luka of course, but also how good Walker Kessler has been. He fits like a glove for them.

We were talking Lakers some over in discord. I made a statement, that I thought was an exaggeration, that JJ would run Luka into the ground worse than when Kidd rode him, with that 40% usage.

After looking it up. Luka does in fact lead the league with a 40% USG. Insane! There’s no way he can keep that up for 36+ mpg / 65+ games.

If he plays past 32 years old I will be shocked!!

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

JJ Redick is the new Tom Thibedeau

[KillerLeft]

We were talking Lakers some over in discord. I made a statement, that I thought was an exaggeration, that JJ would run Luka into the ground worse than when Kidd rode him, with that 40% usage.

After looking it up. Luka does in fact lead the league with a 40% USG. Insane! There’s no way he can keep that up for 36+ mpg / 65+ games.

If he plays past 32 years old I will be shocked!!

Is this coach driven, or Luka driven? Interesting that we have such opposite reactions - it wouldn't even have occurred to me to blame Luka's usage on Reddick.

[Smitty]

Is this coach driven, or Luka driven? Interesting that we have such opposite reactions - it wouldn't even have occurred to me to blame Luka's usage on Reddick.

Chicken and the egg I suppose. Some can point to the coach. Like many did with Kidd here. Or it’s just the way Luka is, so coaching doesn’t matter — and he’s gonna do what Luka does. 40% usage is crazy either way.

[KillerLeft]

Chicken and the egg I suppose. Some can point to the coach. Like many did with Kidd here. Or it’s just the way Luka is, so coaching doesn’t matter — and he’s gonna do what Luka does. 40% usage is crazy either way.

Super crazy.

[omahen]

I surely didn't have the Lakers with a 10-2 record leading the Western  Conference on my bingo card. But it's early. Just surprised about how well they've played so far. It's attributed to Luka of course, but also how good Walker Kessler has been. He fits like a glove for them.

Lakers made a really good job constructing this team in the summer. Sure they fell short by not doing everything (they lack a rotation big wing and a back-up center), but rest of the moves were all good. Kessler was super expensive, but I think it made sense paying that price instead of settling for someone who would do 50 % of what he does. Lakers were smart waiting with assets until they got their guy. Ziaire and Thybulle are huge vet min hits so far. 

A lot of talk about Sexton, as he is not great when everyone plays (difficult to integrate a third weak defender that doesn't get much shots when both Luka and Reaves are playing). But games without Luka or Reaves show his value, as he is more often than not capable of stepping up and delivering 15-20 points that others can't. Grimes is the only one that is still looking to find an optimal role (at least based on how much they paid him).

[Chicagojk]

Well it is too early to make a final conclusion, but it appears Boston is still very good.  I think they may run into the same problem as last year though when the playoff arrives.   One of the things so shocking about the Jaylon Brown trade is it felt like a loss for Brad Stevens.  Stevens has been so good, and it made it hard to try to justify the trade after it happened.    Just felt like a bad gamble.  Well, so far the Celtics look great.  Maybe not a true contender, but probably high in the next tier.   They have more flexibility moving forward with draft picks (one being the Clippers, I believe).   

Maybe George gets hurt next week, but so far the drop off between him and Brown has not been huge.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Crazy Stats: Darius Acuff Jr. has attempted at least 20 shots in each of his first 10 career games. He became the 9th rookie in @NBA history to record such a streak, and the first since 1983. Only Wilt Chamberlain recorded a longer such streak to begin an NBA career (19).

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Kris Rhim: Final: Sixers 101, Celtics 123 Sixers drop to 9-3. Paul George stole the show in his return to Philly, leading all scorers with 36 points

x.com


Looks like PG13 can still have a flashback game every now and then. He's played well for the C's. Is it possible that JB trade could end up being a wash? Jaylen Brown was minus-27 tonight, matching the third-worst regular season plus-minus of his career.

[Smitty]

Crazy Stats: Darius Acuff Jr. has attempted at least 20 shots in each of his first 10 career games. He became the 9th rookie in @NBA history to record such a streak, and the first since 1983. Only Wilt Chamberlain recorded a longer such streak to begin an NBA career (19).

x.com

They probably need him to shoot even more... That team is horrible.

[Dirknows]

Man the West is just stacked again this year. 7-4 would put us at the 4 spot in the east right now, instead we’re at the 9 and a play in. Looking at the teams above us, it’s gonna be hard to be a non play-in team.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

In my early season evaluation of the West play-in teams, I had Utah and Memphis making a considerable jump and possibly challenging for a play-in spot. But I may have to reevaluate my prediction on Utah, even though they have key players out. But it's early. maybe when they become whole, it changes. They are 1-10 and have the worst record in the league, along with Sac and Mil. The team that I think may surprise, is Portland after watching them last night, beat OKC, and snap their 4 game win streak, although OKC is injured as well. Portland has some nice talent.

[dirkfansince1998]

Well it is too early to make a final conclusion, but it appears Boston is still very good.  I think they may run into the same problem as last year though when the playoff arrives.   One of the things so shocking about the Jaylon Brown trade is it felt like a loss for Brad Stevens.  Stevens has been so good, and it made it hard to try to justify the trade after it happened.    Just felt like a bad gamble.  Well, so far the Celtics look great.  Maybe not a true contender, but probably high in the next tier.   They have more flexibility moving forward with draft picks (one being the Clippers, I believe).   

Maybe George gets hurt next week, but so far the drop off between him and Brown has not been huge.

Brown's impact has always been a super controversial topic. Based on the boxscore he is a top 10 player in the league. Based on his +/- numbers and numerous impact metrics not even a top 100 player in the league.

ESPN just recycled the discussion in a lengthy article.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/5040...aylenbrown

[Chicagojk]

In my early season evaluation of the West play-in teams, I had Utah and Memphis making a considerable jump and possibly challenging for a play-in spot. But I may have to reevaluate my prediction on Utah, even though they have key players out. But it's early. maybe when they become whole, it changes. They are 1-10 and have the worst record in the league, along with Sac and Mil.  The team that I think may surprise, is Portland after watching them last night, beat OKC, and snap their 4 game win streak, although OKC is injured as well. Portland has some nice talent.

Before the Kessler trade, I thought Utah had an outside chance of getting a top 6 seed if one of the better teams had a injury plagued year.   I thought the Kessler trade made sense for a future value bet, but it lowered my expectations for them.     

I was worried looking at the boxscores for Peterson early on.  When they played the Mavs, I thought he looked good though and he has since followed it up with more good games.    I think a George and Peterson backcourt can work, but it may be tricky.  I don't think they compliment each other.  They are still young and could become a really nice combo, but there is some risk of it not working.

In the Mavs game, Lauri really shot well.   Although, he seemed to be moving slow.  What has made him so good is he really fluid.   He was moving like an older-ish Dirk a little bit.    That will be concerning if that is true.    Utah probably would have won more if Jackson was playing, but his injury history is well known.    Just like George and Peterson, the Lauri and Jackson pairing is also sort of a weird fit.   It can work out as both are good, but it is not certain.   

There was some really bad precedent set in Utah the last few years.  That can be tricky to erase.

Lastly, Ainge is one of the better GM's in league history.  His run in Utah with his son is up and down.  They have done great getting assets in trades, but he missed on two top 10 picks (one got hurt).  Some of his other picks have not been home runs like he did in Boston.    They still have plenty of assets left but they are further away than I expected.

[Smitty]

@TheDunkCentral
The Bucks are facing a potential catastrophe over the Gary Trent Jr. investigation

"Everybody in the league expects a guilty finding"

"If they are found guilty, there are going to be draft picks stripped & people suspended indefinitely"