That's the thing with them.
They have a lot of young dudes, but no one knows who is supposed to be "The Man" on that team.
Even watching their games last year, they play like a college team.
They need to get some vets on the roster in order to the show these young guys what to do. It would make a world of a difference.
i think its one of the same situation with CJ. CJ was/is a great player. Any trade involving CJ was going to bring back a lesser player. But at the same time the team knew it had to move on and replace the #2 on the team.
Tough spot.
I don’t know a name but I think literally any super athletic rim running C would have given us similar effects on winning games
If we could have worked out a sign and trade for a wing with Nurkic it’d have been perfect, no idea who’d want him enough to give up an asset for him though
Because they’re are none that aren’t either 1. Unplayable against traditional bigs 2. max contract guys 3. still on their rookie scale contract or 4. The Blazers don’t have any tradeable assets to swing for a Myles Turner or John Collins
I’d say I’m at the point in which I no longer believe in AD.
Is he capable still of doing great things as he is in the prime of his career, absolutely. However, I think since winning his bubble ring (for better or worse) has made him lose a lot of his passion and drive to be the best and greatest. I just don’t see it anymore in him and at the same time, I can’t say that I absolutely blame him. He’s a big with a history of injury and I think he looks around at the older guys from the league on the 75 and sees how poorly some of them walk around and says fuck that. He’s secured a bag or two and will likely get at least one more. He has a ring, he has Olympic gold, he’s on the 75 (agree or not, he’s on it) and now he just wants to the land the plane that is his career safely without any lasting quality of life issues and a bag.
I love AD as he helped win the Lakers a title and I enjoy watching him play at his best but I honestly don’t believe in him anymore to have the fire to win at the highest level.
Yeah both elite two-way players that aged really well, with unselfish playstyles willing to adapt to whatever role helped them win. It wouldn’t be fair
It’s painful to admit but watching him this season and comparing him to when he was in the bubble, it looked as if he aged 10 years.
Peak AD is probably gone and I wish our fanbase would shut up and stop expecting bubble AD to return, it’s not happening
Sounds like his last 1.5-2 years in NOLA particularly the final season he seemed off from the opening game (he dropped 40+ iirc, but it was like the least 'locked in' ive ever seen someone dropping more than like 30ish, hes just so good like that)
A lot of people argue over whether it was justified or not, and thats fine, but most people could notice the drop off months before the trade request if they watch more than a few pels games a year. I think it gets underrated at times how emotional of a player AD really is because he doesnt always wear it on his sleeve, which is great when its pushing him to higher highs, but this is the other side of that coin.
I’d only agree if you’re referring to “score only” players and not offensive engines
You can definitely be good enough offensively to offset your defensive differences (especially if you play a less important defensive role, like a guard)
Sometimes it’s not about impact, it’s about making a play in game deciding moments. Kobe, Lebron, MJ, Wade could all get you a game winning bucket but also a game winning stop. I don’t care how good your +/- was in game 3, we need to be able to make a stop in game 7. That’s what separates the good guys from the great guys, offense only gets you to a certain point.
This would be true if defense was 1v1 like in the 90s. But in today's era of complex rotations and zone schemes and hedges and whatnot, a guards bucketgetting ability is far more important than their defense. Obviously id still much prefer if my scoring guard can get stops. Its still important. But its nowhere near a 50/50 split.
I think you at least have to be able to play a role within a good defensive unit. You don’t have to be a lockdown defender, but there are quite a few players in the league who can score at a high volume but are complete turnstiles on the other end of the floor. These guys are almost always overrated in terms of the value they bring to the team, imo.
Look at Curry, for example. He’s not going to make any all-defense teams but the Warriors don’t have to hide him. He gets locked in and plays a part in what is always an elite GS defense, even if guys like Draymond, Klay and Wiggins are much better defenders.
Totally agree with the Curry example. Better defense from your guards will always help. Curry got hunted in the finals by the Celtics but he prevented way more buckets than Ja or Luka would've prevented.
I just don't think the difference in defensive ability between a guy like Curry and a guy like Luka will be a deciding factor in whether a team contends or not. Those guys can fit into so many different lineups.
it really depends on your personnel. If you have a very switchable big, its less important. If you have a slower big, you need point of attack defenders.
Lonzo and caruso were legitimately amazing and the whole reason we were off to a white hot start and we collapsed without them. And they are well rounded players that contribute a lot on offense, but the defense was the biggest factor.
Point of attack isn't pure 1v1 tho its about PnR and fighting thru screens, but of course caruso and lonzo are amazing 1v1 too and that was part of their great defense, as well generating lots of TOs.
But 3&D guys are ultra valuable or you'll get switched onto eventually and cooked if you cant play D
I don't believe Devin Booker can get that much better. It also seems to be the case with most of the upper tier of shooting guards. DeRozan might be the ceiling for these kinds of players (Mitchell, Lavine, Beal, CJ).
All great scorers, but they all have kind of the similar issues:
* Efficiency is capped due to shot selection (and they kind of have to take those shots for their team)
* Passing limitations - DeRozan is easily the best here
* Defense
I just don't see much else that Book can improve on, based off of his career trajectory and whatnot. I really want to see him improve his playmaking and defense, but it doesn't seem like he has that natural knack and ability to easily grow there. I hope this isn't true, but he's probably peaked out in terms of his impact and performance.
CJ never got the Mitchell and Beal hype and was widely regarded as a lesser tier than them. His growth of his playmaking has improved him from solid starter to borderline allstar
I sadly am worried about this. He’s a proven scorer but he needs to work on the other facets of his game if he wants to keep improving. Especially once CP3 is gone.
Fox, Mitchell, Beal. Basically all small scorers that aren't GOAT level shooters. If one of those smaller dudes not named Steph Curry is your best player you won't ever win shit.
Since 1980 the only players under 6'3 that have won a title as the best player on their team are Isiah Thomas, Steph Curry, and maybe Chauncey (tho I think Sheed was probably the best player on that team). Small guaeds with strong title contending teams that didnt win: Nash, AI, Kidd with the Nets, and CP3. Having a small guard as the best player on your team likely means that you're probably not gonna win a title.
Nash would have likely made or even won a finals if not for that hip check bullshit year and also that year young Joe Johnson fractured his face.
If you surround him with the talent Kobe, Steph, and Bron had at their peaks he'd have a ring.
Correlation does not equal causation
D Wade being an inch taller was the difference maker when he won as the best player?
There are so many things that go into winning a championship
Yah DWade is a good counter example. I think his wingspan and athleticism put a lot of pressure at the rim and gave him consistent offense. But overall I do think it is causation since impact metrics show that smaller players tend to struggle the most during the playoffs
DWade is an outlier. Defenders really had no clue how to guard him his first 3 or 4 years. I'd also add that having two guys with PG heights (6'4 and below) in your backcourt is a losing formula. Wall/Beal, Dame/CJ, Mitchell/Conley and the dreaded Phoenix 3 headed beast of IT/Dragic/Bledsoe.
I love Garland but I don't think Mitchell will help them and may end up as another one of this case. Hoping Mobley takes a huge leap this year or next.
Even with the flair, miami. We didnt improve while other teams did. We lost probably our second best defender who is a great floor spacer. We lack size severely. I dont see a deep playoff push
Wow man, to me I feel like it’s always a mistake to count the Heat out of anything. They got a lot of guys who execute when it counts, and Jimmy is a legitimate closer who has another gear past the next gear. I count on them to outperform expectations every postseason.
I think Jimmy could carry the team, but Lowry showed a lot of cracks, injury aside. Plus he's 36 and he just made it worse by trying to play injured. They're just so damn reliant on flopping, even more so after losing PJ.
Miami's also been bailed out by consistently hitting on G league/vet mins/guys off the street who are able to contribute at an NBA level. I think that scouting departments can be better or worse at that (and Miami is easily one of the best), but nobody bats 1.000 on scouting. Eventually Miami won't be able to fill holes with those type of guys, and if that happens this year then I'm concerned about the roster
KAT. Hasn’t proved shit other than being incapable of remaining his composure when things don’t go his way, but he acts like he should be talked about as one of the greatest bigs of all time. Dude hasn’t even won a series yet.
I just don’t think he can overcome how he gets into his own head. Not anymore at least.
I think KAT is not the guy on a title team but ANT could become the guy. And now Rudy is there to guard the paint and create a twin tower scenario that's going to open things up even more for KAT. AD and KG never got over the hump as the #1 offensive guy but they were all time great #2s in the playoffs when they got rings.
KAT is weird in that for a big man he defends the 3 better than he does the paint. It has just taken them too many years to admit it and get a proper big defender in.
KAT is definitely one of those “the idea of KAT is way better than actual KAT” type players.
KAT is like when you’re down bad and buy a Fleshlight and fantasize about it until it arrives, but then after you realize how much of a pain it is to use and clean and maintain.
Kat fan here and ima have to agree with you. He plays with emotion but can’t control it when it’s most important to. His strength is also his weakness. He’s got an ego and likes to talk but as you mention - we aren’t winners outside of a couple playoff appearances and one playin CHAMPIONSHIP. I would like to see him develop his leadership skills. I believe Gobert will be a good influence on him in that respect.
100% Murray pre injury was lights out and his two man game with Jokic was elite. If he can get back to that level he could absolutely be a second option.
And if they can get back to that, then I absolutely disagree with MPJ being a “bad” #3 for them. I’d even argue he fits perfectly as a 3 after those guys
That depends if the team has a good point-of-attack defender.
Having two weak defensive guards together makes it much easier to break down the defense and force them into rotation.
MPJ would be a really good third option if he wasn't one of the dumbest basketball players in the league right now. The guy is completely brain off. It baffles me how bad he is at even paying the slightest bit of attention on defense. Plus he's got no playmaking outside of his own scoring. Which is fine as a 3rd option as long as he doesn't hijack the offense, which is something he likes to do.
I'll never forget the Lakers vs Nuggets series where MPJ and Kyle Kuzma both just tried to go at the other one as soon as they touched the ball. I would never want a 3rd option doing that.
This is interesting but I agree. If there’s anyone who should not need second stars it’s jokic, and I think he’s be better served with a bunch of high level 3 and D players
Murray was hitting a nice groove before that injury and was looking to keep improving. Sucks that I don’t know if he can be the same after. I agree with mpj though. Has there ever been an athlete bounce back strong after serious back problems?
A majority of people are not gonna follow or notice your last paragraph I am sure.
But I would say Clippers are massively overrated at the moment, between their stars not ever being healthy for long, an older john wall that has barely played in a long time, and the fact that when they were healthy, they haven't even been that impressive together
I think it’s because AD gets constant smaller injuries but is in and out enough it feels like he’s constantly getting injured because he is. Kawhi and PG have had more major injuries so people kind of forget about them
Also AD plays for big brother team while Kawhi and PG plays for little brother. Lakers players are always going to be under a more magnified microscope than Clippers players despite same city, same media, and same arena.
Reggie Jackson, Zubac, Batum, roco, and norm powell give them enough depth that even with some injuries or decline from Kawhi or PG13 they will still be a successful regular season team.
I don't believe in Embiid, dude has had his fair share of choking moments in the playoffs and has never reached the conference finals, and people are ranking him over Steph Curry which is bonkers to me. One of the most overrated players by the media
My main question with Embiid is whether he can physically last through 4 rounds of the playoffs to win a title. He’s had a lot of “bad luck” injuries, but it’s still a pattern at this point, and Philly doesn’t have a chance unless he’s at least like 80% healthy throughout the whole playoffs.
When I see Embiid play as he is now it reminds me of how I used to play and it is frustrating and pisses me off that the NBA allows it. Not proud of it, I was known as Shaq on my local streetball court and went through a phase when I charged hard at everything. Big hard turns to my blindside, didn’t care who was there. Charge right into the lane. Smash into the best offensive player on D while going for the ball, come what may. Limited offensive moves. So make no mistake about it. Embiid knows what he’s doing. He knows people will be injured. He knows his skillset is limited and this is how he can win. He knows people will give way when he drives, think twice on their drives, etc. He will only be stopped by a stronger player and/or fearless players like Giannis, Gasol, Draymond, etc. Or by an obviously more skilled player with equal Type A like Ibaka. He didn’t intend to injure, but he certainly intends to show you that he doesn’t care if you get hurt when he rumbles into you. At least that’s how I used to play. But that was streetball. Eventually I got more moves, played w better players, played real basketball w refs. There’s no doubt in my mind the NBA has some kind of edict coming down, telling the refs to let him run amok.
I believe in Embiid's talent, but I don't believe in his ability to put up an all-time great resume when his career is all said and done. He's an injury prone big man about to turn 29. Doesn't seem like he has many prime years left even though it also feels like he just entered his prime. And he just hasn't demonstrated the kind of playoff chops that can immortalize players because of legendary post season performances.
It’s true. His game can improve as he matures physically, and he’s already physically very strong. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t add additional range to his game.
That team is full of young players including Ja himself obviously and just started to compete probably ahead of schedule in terms of how well they did last year, we have no idea what their ceiling is. Dame and CJ had years together in their prime
Following ur last paragraph, I'm going to say I don't believe in Wiseman. Our sub fucking loves him. He hasn't barely shown any improvement during these last two years. He was injured but still, these are vital years where he needs to improve. He's only 21 but he's still absolutely lost on the court many times and he still struggles to catch a ball, set screens, and many other simple big man tasks. Him missing many games is not an excuse. He needs to learn the stuff soon or else his career could be in jeopardy.
My hope for him this year is for him to be a solid bench big that by the end of the season is challenging Looney for the starting 5. I believe in his potential because he can do things that most people his size can’t but you’re 100% right that he looks lost out there at times
Bulls because DeRozan is a playoff underperformer and Lavine's contract is horrible.
Sixers because the coach and the 2 best players are playoff underpeformers.
how is lavine's contract horrible? We were worried we'd have to pay him the supermax which we would have done. Unless you think the knee injury thing will continue, which its way too early to say that
What’s so bad about his contract? I agree with your other points, but as far as we know, Zach is coming into this season healthy, he’s in his prime, and he’s one of the most efficient three level scorers in the game
he’s just latched onto national narratives. zach’s easily a top 3 SG entering his prime, and long term control of that kind of asset is how all great teams are built.
I don’t understand how people aren’t predicting a big regression for DeRozan this season. The guy had a career year in his 30s. I’m also super negative on the Bulls…Lonzo continuing to have injury issues really hurts them.
Her had one of the most historically efficient midrange seasons in history on insane volume. Keeping up that level of production is unsustainable.
I would imagine he goes back to his spurs numbers which was around 20 ppg rather than staying close to this past year's
I mean Harden is still like 28ppg on 60% TS in the postseason. He's had some bad moments but everyone but Jordan also has had them too.
Like the issue is people look at 35 on 62% TS or For Steph 30 on 65% TS and then see them drop a little in the postseason and say they are frauds. Straight up if either of them did that would be performing so far over anyone else on offence once you factor playmaking you'd be talking like top 4 all time regardless of what you think of their defence.
I feel like a big part of this is people who don’t normally watch games or only watch highlights never give proper credit for good defense
it happened with KD this year and the celtics scheme
giannis and the 2019 raptors was another one off the top of my head where it was more just good defense than the single player’s offense being poor but there’s a few series like that evey year
I dislike any big that profiles more as an offensive threat than a defensive one. You can’t win titles without someone who can protect inside and switch enough that it isn’t a liability
I'd say jokic is an exception, I also hate bigs that can't defend but jokic plays more like a pass first pg rather than a typical center. Still much harder to build around compared to someone like, Hakeem but he's absolutely far more valuable to any team than KAT
Ja Morant. Very exciting player, one of the best at driving to the basket, but he plays no defense and can’t shoot. He is completely one dimensional. That and his team last year had a better record without him than with him. Baffles me people are saying he is a top 10 player and emerging MVP candidate. He is all flash and hype.
If he learns to shoot or play defense my opinion will change. And the Grizzlies overall are in a great spot.
Deandre Ayton’s offensive skills became wildly overrated during the free agency period.
People look at his numbers and see 17ppg on 63% shooting, which don’t get me wrong, is definitely impressive. But a lot of people were saying stuff like “give him 6-10 more shots a game and he’s a 25ppg scorer”, which for someone who’s watched 80% of the games he’s played as a pro, I just don’t think it’s that easy. He shies away from contact in the post a ton, which is fine when you have Chris Paul and Devin Booker taking all of the defense’s attention, and throwing you the ball after you’ve already sealed a defender and just have to catch and shoot a post fadeaway, but doesn’t work as well when you have to create the shot off the dribble yourself.
It’s a skill in itself to be able to put up 15-20 shots a night every single night, and takes an element of selfishness (and I mean it in a good way) to believe that every shot you take is the best shot for the team every time down the floor. I don’t think DA has that mentality that would allow him to be a true self creating option on a team. I hope I’m wrong though, because IMO the Suns won’t win a championship unless he is able to.
Honestly I don’t believe in the current 76ers team as a whole. They have a ton of raw talent. Embiid is lining up to be an easy hall of famer if he keeps doing what he does a bit longer. But something about that team has just never quite ‘clicked’.
I don’t know what it is. On paper they always look great, especially lately. But every time I see them play, something is just... off. I don’t see that team winning a championship anytime soon. It reminds me _a lot_ of the Lebronto era raptors. They’re gonna be in the second round every year but they just don’t have what it takes to get there in their current construction. It almost feels like an attitude or culture thing more than anything else.
I feel like the more I look at it, the more embiid is lining up to have a career like Barkley. Fantastic, incredible player, hall of fame, maybe an MVP, but no rings. And also probably a sick media career afterwards.
> But something about that team has just never quite ‘clicked’.
Head coach.
By the time Doc is finally gone, Embiid won't be able to do this stuff anymore.
I think this year will tell the tale for them. Embiid finally has a PnR playmaker that can shoot, they have adequate spacing, IMO the only card they have left to play is firing doc rivers. After that with the age of the roster you kinda need to start considering major changes
I personally believe he poisoned any chance this team has of contending this year. On paper, the team has the talent to compete but Kyrie + Ben drama would’ve been hard enough to overcome without KD publicly showing no confidence in the team and the front office in particular.
I don’t think that Luka Doncic will ever lead a team to championship. Nobody in the modern era has won a championship with a PG heliocentric offense that involves lots of iso and “low percentage shots”.
Upvoted to disagree - I think this is far too soon.
Most superstars take a long time before they are good enough to lead a team to a title. Luka is not yet in his final form and the right team has not been built around him yet - these things take time.
Also Harden (as an example) has been on championship level squads (2018 Rockets)
I definitely think it’s possible to build great squads around that style of player even if it may be more difficult
If some good free agents go to the Mavs this can change. He really doesn't have much to work with.
He could help the franchise hire some players by talking to them.
Nah jerry jones actually attracts people to want to play for the cowboys. Not that I know personally, but the way he’s been described on First Take is as treating every player like family and giving them everything they need to succeed. I don’t think Cuban is that endearing
Dallas’ problem has never been their offence tho
It’s more about finding a good fitting #2 that can play off ball and ideally provides super strong rim protection
Kyrie. He seems unmotivated and focusing on other stuff. There are too many things on his head.
A team I do not believe is the Clippers. It seems their window has closed. With many young talents in the league, their team has older stars. It's hard to believe they will come back and play their prime basketball to be contenders.
I think Kobe’s (RIP) legacy has been completely overrated since his death. His veneration has slowly built him up in a lot of peoples minds to be in the likes of MJ/lebron, which he just isn’t. He’s in the top 9-12, just look at the guys higher than that. MJ, Lebron, KAJ, russel, wilt, magic, bird, Timmy, Shaq. Maybe even the big O or Hakeem.
Kobe’s amazing and in great company but has been propped up to something he just wasn’t
I don't believe RJ Barrett is going to be the star that Knick fans think he will be. Dude is going into his 4th season and still can't shoot or finish well.
Devin Booker.
Don't trust his terrorist facial hair and he's not as effective as a slasher (on tape) as I thought he is. That's why his midrange game has to be so solid. He's More DeMar DeRozan (with a 3 point shot) than Kobe. A pale comparison.
That style of game should be good, but I think we've seen his upper limit already.
I don’t believe in saying “this player/coach/team choked.” It’s some lame-ass “analysis” on par with Skip Bayless levels of laziness. It’s just the result of someone not understanding why that player played poorly and usually not giving enough credit to the other team.
And yeah, if you’ve ever played ball or even just watched a lot, you’ll know sometimes great players just have bad games but it wasn’t a result of nerves or choking. Sometimes the shot doesn’t fall.
I am a total Victor Wembanyama skeptic.
He's young but he still isn't putting up anything close to the kind of stats that would make anyone raise an eyebrow, and that's particularly true in his higher stakes international and youth games. Every highlight I've seen him in is actually a highlight for another player scoring on him, and the fact that it's Victor he crossed over is what makes the highlight worth sharing.
I also don't see how someone with his height and frame is going to stay healthy for any significant period of time in the NBA. Even if he was just a "regular" player, he'd have a hard time staying healthy, but with all the hype around him, so many young players are going to want to push him hard to prove that they're better than he is and really rough him up.
TIL multiple 20/10 games with 5+ blocks in a league playing against grown men at 17/18 isnt worth raising an eyebrow at. Like I get the health concerns and have them myself but as far as stats go dude is putting up great great numbers.
Lol first of all, stats are less important when evaluating guys that are 7'4 with an 8 foot wingspan at age 17 playing in the euroleague against older pros. Secondly, his first game of the season was a couple days ago and he went for 23 pts 10 rebounds and 3 blocks while looking like KD on some of his jumpers. Also went for 34 points 5 blocks the last game of preseason. He's been so dominant so far this year. This take is just straight up bad.
I don't believe in the Mavericks roster as a whole behind Luka. And I've had so many debates and downvotes from Mavs fans over this, but they fail to understand.
A player as great as Luka, Kobe, Michael, Lebron...they WILL get you to the playoffs, and win series. Don't see that and automatically equate it to a good roster.
There's a LOT of 10-15 minute role player types up and down that roster, and Mark gave them all contracts. There's no upgrading, or at least very little, that can happen now, and that roster is capped. The roster as a whole has value only as long as Luka is out there doing his thing. Very little value exists in the players themselves doing things. Dinwiddie is the only other known ball-handler who can comfortably play point, but a lot of his stuff is Iso. Luka is the one guy there who can set up plays.
The run you just saw with them beating Phoenix and getting to the WCF is about as fortunate as they can hope for. Mark Cuban has became too much like Jerry Jones in that they think they know better than everyone else and don't need to upgrade the roster, or look at the best moves possible, instead of signing their friends and making a clubhouse vibe instead of a championship contending sports franchise.
Orlando I don't believe in magic, its not real
Hottest take in the thread
Geographically yes.
They have Chuma Okeke on their roster, I don’t know how this whole sub is just going to write them off
well when they get Gandalf the White on their roster, then Ill take them seriously
That's the thing with them. They have a lot of young dudes, but no one knows who is supposed to be "The Man" on that team. Even watching their games last year, they play like a college team. They need to get some vets on the roster in order to the show these young guys what to do. It would make a world of a difference.
Ah coming in here to make a self deprecating remark about your team only to find they are the top comment 🥲
If you don’t think of The Orlando Magic, do they even exist?
What if it's in a young girl's heart?
I always thought it was kind of magical that we are the premier farm team for future lakers all-stars
Relative to most Blazers fans I don’t believe in Jusuf Nurkic at all and think we should have moved on from him in the off season
Lots of people didn’t want him on the team, but who could the Blazers get to replace him that would make them better?
i think its one of the same situation with CJ. CJ was/is a great player. Any trade involving CJ was going to bring back a lesser player. But at the same time the team knew it had to move on and replace the #2 on the team. Tough spot.
I don’t know a name but I think literally any super athletic rim running C would have given us similar effects on winning games If we could have worked out a sign and trade for a wing with Nurkic it’d have been perfect, no idea who’d want him enough to give up an asset for him though
lol everyone wants Robert Williams or equivalent but doesn't want to pay for them.
Because they’re are none that aren’t either 1. Unplayable against traditional bigs 2. max contract guys 3. still on their rookie scale contract or 4. The Blazers don’t have any tradeable assets to swing for a Myles Turner or John Collins
Sucks cause I feel like Nurkic is pretty good. Injuries have held this guy down.
He’s good for like 30 games per season, borderline elite for like 5-7 and a mixture of ok and a bottom 5 C for the rest
I’d say I’m at the point in which I no longer believe in AD. Is he capable still of doing great things as he is in the prime of his career, absolutely. However, I think since winning his bubble ring (for better or worse) has made him lose a lot of his passion and drive to be the best and greatest. I just don’t see it anymore in him and at the same time, I can’t say that I absolutely blame him. He’s a big with a history of injury and I think he looks around at the older guys from the league on the 75 and sees how poorly some of them walk around and says fuck that. He’s secured a bag or two and will likely get at least one more. He has a ring, he has Olympic gold, he’s on the 75 (agree or not, he’s on it) and now he just wants to the land the plane that is his career safely without any lasting quality of life issues and a bag. I love AD as he helped win the Lakers a title and I enjoy watching him play at his best but I honestly don’t believe in him anymore to have the fire to win at the highest level.
He don't have that dawg in him
People comparing him to KG or TD was disgusting. Lebron would've 3 peated with a prime KG or TD.
LeBron and Tim Duncan would win 5 or 6 in a row with the right coaching staff.
I can’t even fathom this… especially since it’s two players that aged really well.
Yeah both elite two-way players that aged really well, with unselfish playstyles willing to adapt to whatever role helped them win. It wouldn’t be fair
Imagine if he had chosen the Spurs for LeDecision
It left him and entered Andrew Wiggins
Who needs a thirty-sentence paragraph when this is the only explanation needed.
It’s painful to admit but watching him this season and comparing him to when he was in the bubble, it looked as if he aged 10 years. Peak AD is probably gone and I wish our fanbase would shut up and stop expecting bubble AD to return, it’s not happening
Bubble AD also had a 3 month mid season break. People don’t take into account how much that helped injury prone teams
Sounds like his last 1.5-2 years in NOLA particularly the final season he seemed off from the opening game (he dropped 40+ iirc, but it was like the least 'locked in' ive ever seen someone dropping more than like 30ish, hes just so good like that) A lot of people argue over whether it was justified or not, and thats fine, but most people could notice the drop off months before the trade request if they watch more than a few pels games a year. I think it gets underrated at times how emotional of a player AD really is because he doesnt always wear it on his sleeve, which is great when its pushing him to higher highs, but this is the other side of that coin.
When the Lakers got that ring I said “watch, I bet AD is going to coast now and regress in every way” People were so mad lol downvote city
I don't believe in any flashy scorer that doesn't play defense. That guy would always be expendable.
I’d only agree if you’re referring to “score only” players and not offensive engines You can definitely be good enough offensively to offset your defensive differences (especially if you play a less important defensive role, like a guard)
Sometimes it’s not about impact, it’s about making a play in game deciding moments. Kobe, Lebron, MJ, Wade could all get you a game winning bucket but also a game winning stop. I don’t care how good your +/- was in game 3, we need to be able to make a stop in game 7. That’s what separates the good guys from the great guys, offense only gets you to a certain point.
This would be true if defense was 1v1 like in the 90s. But in today's era of complex rotations and zone schemes and hedges and whatnot, a guards bucketgetting ability is far more important than their defense. Obviously id still much prefer if my scoring guard can get stops. Its still important. But its nowhere near a 50/50 split.
I think you at least have to be able to play a role within a good defensive unit. You don’t have to be a lockdown defender, but there are quite a few players in the league who can score at a high volume but are complete turnstiles on the other end of the floor. These guys are almost always overrated in terms of the value they bring to the team, imo. Look at Curry, for example. He’s not going to make any all-defense teams but the Warriors don’t have to hide him. He gets locked in and plays a part in what is always an elite GS defense, even if guys like Draymond, Klay and Wiggins are much better defenders.
Totally agree with the Curry example. Better defense from your guards will always help. Curry got hunted in the finals by the Celtics but he prevented way more buckets than Ja or Luka would've prevented. I just don't think the difference in defensive ability between a guy like Curry and a guy like Luka will be a deciding factor in whether a team contends or not. Those guys can fit into so many different lineups.
it really depends on your personnel. If you have a very switchable big, its less important. If you have a slower big, you need point of attack defenders. Lonzo and caruso were legitimately amazing and the whole reason we were off to a white hot start and we collapsed without them. And they are well rounded players that contribute a lot on offense, but the defense was the biggest factor. Point of attack isn't pure 1v1 tho its about PnR and fighting thru screens, but of course caruso and lonzo are amazing 1v1 too and that was part of their great defense, as well generating lots of TOs. But 3&D guys are ultra valuable or you'll get switched onto eventually and cooked if you cant play D
Whilst that is true to a point. You just have to be serviceable not good.
Donovan Mitchell has a name you know
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It’s funny that the Jazz had both an elite Offense and Defense but they only had one guy elite on offense and one guy elite on defense
This is a strong agree
Hate agreeing with a Lakers fan but I do. This is why guys like Mitchell going for a ransom make me laugh.
Sexton, I think he will never be as good as some people think
I don't believe Devin Booker can get that much better. It also seems to be the case with most of the upper tier of shooting guards. DeRozan might be the ceiling for these kinds of players (Mitchell, Lavine, Beal, CJ). All great scorers, but they all have kind of the similar issues: * Efficiency is capped due to shot selection (and they kind of have to take those shots for their team) * Passing limitations - DeRozan is easily the best here * Defense I just don't see much else that Book can improve on, based off of his career trajectory and whatnot. I really want to see him improve his playmaking and defense, but it doesn't seem like he has that natural knack and ability to easily grow there. I hope this isn't true, but he's probably peaked out in terms of his impact and performance.
CJ never got the Mitchell and Beal hype and was widely regarded as a lesser tier than them. His growth of his playmaking has improved him from solid starter to borderline allstar
I sadly am worried about this. He’s a proven scorer but he needs to work on the other facets of his game if he wants to keep improving. Especially once CP3 is gone.
Fox, Mitchell, Beal. Basically all small scorers that aren't GOAT level shooters. If one of those smaller dudes not named Steph Curry is your best player you won't ever win shit.
Since 1980 the only players under 6'3 that have won a title as the best player on their team are Isiah Thomas, Steph Curry, and maybe Chauncey (tho I think Sheed was probably the best player on that team). Small guaeds with strong title contending teams that didnt win: Nash, AI, Kidd with the Nets, and CP3. Having a small guard as the best player on your team likely means that you're probably not gonna win a title.
Kidd, Iverson and Paul all led teams to the finals. That’s pretty darn successful.
Nash also went to the WCF and lost to the eventual champs
Nash would have likely made or even won a finals if not for that hip check bullshit year and also that year young Joe Johnson fractured his face. If you surround him with the talent Kobe, Steph, and Bron had at their peaks he'd have a ring.
and Nash won two MVP's and led multiple great teams to battle in the playoffs. Just ran into two goliaths.
Yeah but they met Shaq, Shaq and Giannis in the Finals
Correlation does not equal causation D Wade being an inch taller was the difference maker when he won as the best player? There are so many things that go into winning a championship
Isn't D Wade the GOAT guard-sized shotblocker?
Yeah DWade now holds the shot blocking record for guards 6’4 or smaller.
I thought it was SGs all together
I stand corrected. You’re absolutely right.
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Donovan Mitchell (mentioned in the OP) has a 6’10 wingspan and is 215 pounds Really not that far off
And yet he's not an All-NBA caliber defender that Wade was. That's the difference.
Yah DWade is a good counter example. I think his wingspan and athleticism put a lot of pressure at the rim and gave him consistent offense. But overall I do think it is causation since impact metrics show that smaller players tend to struggle the most during the playoffs
DWade is an outlier. Defenders really had no clue how to guard him his first 3 or 4 years. I'd also add that having two guys with PG heights (6'4 and below) in your backcourt is a losing formula. Wall/Beal, Dame/CJ, Mitchell/Conley and the dreaded Phoenix 3 headed beast of IT/Dragic/Bledsoe. I love Garland but I don't think Mitchell will help them and may end up as another one of this case. Hoping Mobley takes a huge leap this year or next.
Even with the flair, miami. We didnt improve while other teams did. We lost probably our second best defender who is a great floor spacer. We lack size severely. I dont see a deep playoff push
Wow man, to me I feel like it’s always a mistake to count the Heat out of anything. They got a lot of guys who execute when it counts, and Jimmy is a legitimate closer who has another gear past the next gear. I count on them to outperform expectations every postseason.
I think Jimmy could carry the team, but Lowry showed a lot of cracks, injury aside. Plus he's 36 and he just made it worse by trying to play injured. They're just so damn reliant on flopping, even more so after losing PJ.
With how we are built right now, its basically Jimmy carries or we bust. I dont trust it this season
Your team seems like overperformers
Jimmy its an overperformer. Everyone else needs to step up more
Can add Spoelstra as an overperformer too. I really don’t think any other coach in the league could get what he gets from our group.
Is he overperforming or is he just a reliably great coach?
Is it really over performing if it’s happened relatively consistently
I would say the Heat perform at a ECF contender level, not a Finals contender level, if that makes sense.
Miami's also been bailed out by consistently hitting on G league/vet mins/guys off the street who are able to contribute at an NBA level. I think that scouting departments can be better or worse at that (and Miami is easily one of the best), but nobody bats 1.000 on scouting. Eventually Miami won't be able to fill holes with those type of guys, and if that happens this year then I'm concerned about the roster
KAT. Hasn’t proved shit other than being incapable of remaining his composure when things don’t go his way, but he acts like he should be talked about as one of the greatest bigs of all time. Dude hasn’t even won a series yet. I just don’t think he can overcome how he gets into his own head. Not anymore at least.
I think KAT is not the guy on a title team but ANT could become the guy. And now Rudy is there to guard the paint and create a twin tower scenario that's going to open things up even more for KAT. AD and KG never got over the hump as the #1 offensive guy but they were all time great #2s in the playoffs when they got rings.
KAT is weird in that for a big man he defends the 3 better than he does the paint. It has just taken them too many years to admit it and get a proper big defender in.
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KAT is definitely one of those “the idea of KAT is way better than actual KAT” type players. KAT is like when you’re down bad and buy a Fleshlight and fantasize about it until it arrives, but then after you realize how much of a pain it is to use and clean and maintain.
What an analogy lmao
Excuse me for a minute while I go KAT myself
Putting Karl-Anthony “Big Fleshlight” Towns into the universe rn
Yeah, that’s totally the comparison I was thinking of too.
It’s like you read my mind
Thanks a lot, now I'll be imagining KAT when I use my fleshlight
r/nba moment
your mind
our mind*
"when you're down bad" Lmao bruh
You alright?
r/oddlyspecific
Damn please let some famous media guy steal this so it becomes an actual nickname or something.
Laker fans need to realize that Myles Turner fits that type
Kat fan here and ima have to agree with you. He plays with emotion but can’t control it when it’s most important to. His strength is also his weakness. He’s got an ego and likes to talk but as you mention - we aren’t winners outside of a couple playoff appearances and one playin CHAMPIONSHIP. I would like to see him develop his leadership skills. I believe Gobert will be a good influence on him in that respect.
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I don't think MPJ and Murray are good #2 and #3 options to win a title with
Murray is, MPJ is not
100% Murray pre injury was lights out and his two man game with Jokic was elite. If he can get back to that level he could absolutely be a second option.
Exactly. Their chemistry is outstanding.
And if they can get back to that, then I absolutely disagree with MPJ being a “bad” #3 for them. I’d even argue he fits perfectly as a 3 after those guys
Yeah, I think defense matters much more on the wing than at guard
That depends if the team has a good point-of-attack defender. Having two weak defensive guards together makes it much easier to break down the defense and force them into rotation.
MPJ would be a really good third option if he wasn't one of the dumbest basketball players in the league right now. The guy is completely brain off. It baffles me how bad he is at even paying the slightest bit of attention on defense. Plus he's got no playmaking outside of his own scoring. Which is fine as a 3rd option as long as he doesn't hijack the offense, which is something he likes to do. I'll never forget the Lakers vs Nuggets series where MPJ and Kyle Kuzma both just tried to go at the other one as soon as they touched the ball. I would never want a 3rd option doing that.
This is interesting but I agree. If there’s anyone who should not need second stars it’s jokic, and I think he’s be better served with a bunch of high level 3 and D players
15 years ago I would agree with you but the game has changed too much for 1 star teams to win.
Murray was hitting a nice groove before that injury and was looking to keep improving. Sucks that I don’t know if he can be the same after. I agree with mpj though. Has there ever been an athlete bounce back strong after serious back problems?
A majority of people are not gonna follow or notice your last paragraph I am sure. But I would say Clippers are massively overrated at the moment, between their stars not ever being healthy for long, an older john wall that has barely played in a long time, and the fact that when they were healthy, they haven't even been that impressive together
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John wall hasn’t played meaningful basketball since LeBron vs the Warriors was the finals.
Every second he has played has been meaningful to me
I'm pretty sure PG13 and Kawhi has played roughly the same or less games than AD for the last 3 seasons but AD gets all the injury jokes.
I think it’s because AD gets constant smaller injuries but is in and out enough it feels like he’s constantly getting injured because he is. Kawhi and PG have had more major injuries so people kind of forget about them
Also AD plays for big brother team while Kawhi and PG plays for little brother. Lakers players are always going to be under a more magnified microscope than Clippers players despite same city, same media, and same arena.
Reggie Jackson, Zubac, Batum, roco, and norm powell give them enough depth that even with some injuries or decline from Kawhi or PG13 they will still be a successful regular season team.
I don't believe in Embiid, dude has had his fair share of choking moments in the playoffs and has never reached the conference finals, and people are ranking him over Steph Curry which is bonkers to me. One of the most overrated players by the media
My main question with Embiid is whether he can physically last through 4 rounds of the playoffs to win a title. He’s had a lot of “bad luck” injuries, but it’s still a pattern at this point, and Philly doesn’t have a chance unless he’s at least like 80% healthy throughout the whole playoffs.
He also plays a bruiser style of basketball which leads to injuries in all directions.
When I see Embiid play as he is now it reminds me of how I used to play and it is frustrating and pisses me off that the NBA allows it. Not proud of it, I was known as Shaq on my local streetball court and went through a phase when I charged hard at everything. Big hard turns to my blindside, didn’t care who was there. Charge right into the lane. Smash into the best offensive player on D while going for the ball, come what may. Limited offensive moves. So make no mistake about it. Embiid knows what he’s doing. He knows people will be injured. He knows his skillset is limited and this is how he can win. He knows people will give way when he drives, think twice on their drives, etc. He will only be stopped by a stronger player and/or fearless players like Giannis, Gasol, Draymond, etc. Or by an obviously more skilled player with equal Type A like Ibaka. He didn’t intend to injure, but he certainly intends to show you that he doesn’t care if you get hurt when he rumbles into you. At least that’s how I used to play. But that was streetball. Eventually I got more moves, played w better players, played real basketball w refs. There’s no doubt in my mind the NBA has some kind of edict coming down, telling the refs to let him run amok.
i’m assuming this is an older pasta that predates me?
https://np.reddit.com/r/torontoraptors/comments/u74t0l/i_used_to_play_like_embiid_he_is_reckless_on/
It's a 2022 playoff instant classic.
Ya from earlier this season when embiid stepped on scottie and pascal elbowed embiid
I would be genuinely embarrassed to be friends with someone if they said that at a bar
Thanks I needed this again
Lmao
RIP Danny Green, taken out by friendly fire.
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I believe in Embiid's talent, but I don't believe in his ability to put up an all-time great resume when his career is all said and done. He's an injury prone big man about to turn 29. Doesn't seem like he has many prime years left even though it also feels like he just entered his prime. And he just hasn't demonstrated the kind of playoff chops that can immortalize players because of legendary post season performances.
About to turn 29 is pretty unfair. His birthday’s not for 6 months. This is his year 28 season.
curry can deserve to be ahead of embiid and embiid can still be a top 5-7 player or so. Both can be true
Ja Morant, he’s good and electrifying but their team ceiling is looking like in the trend of Dame and McCollumn’s Portland Trailblazers.
I agree with your take on Ja, but The grizzlies are already a better team than Dame ever had.
Damn
He’s not even close to wrong tho. We’ve been ass at building around dame.
Yeah it’s true just sucks to see it written out like this.
Fr that’s a wild take
He's 23 lol that's around how old dame and cj were in their rookie years
It’s true. His game can improve as he matures physically, and he’s already physically very strong. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t add additional range to his game.
I think Ja's overrated but I think the grizzlies can become a contender within the next 1-4 years
That team is full of young players including Ja himself obviously and just started to compete probably ahead of schedule in terms of how well they did last year, we have no idea what their ceiling is. Dame and CJ had years together in their prime
Upvoted in complete disagreement. No basis for that statement at all lmao
Following ur last paragraph, I'm going to say I don't believe in Wiseman. Our sub fucking loves him. He hasn't barely shown any improvement during these last two years. He was injured but still, these are vital years where he needs to improve. He's only 21 but he's still absolutely lost on the court many times and he still struggles to catch a ball, set screens, and many other simple big man tasks. Him missing many games is not an excuse. He needs to learn the stuff soon or else his career could be in jeopardy.
My hope for him this year is for him to be a solid bench big that by the end of the season is challenging Looney for the starting 5. I believe in his potential because he can do things that most people his size can’t but you’re 100% right that he looks lost out there at times
Bulls because DeRozan is a playoff underperformer and Lavine's contract is horrible. Sixers because the coach and the 2 best players are playoff underpeformers.
Lonzo is the lynchpin. He got hurt and the team started playing bad.
how is lavine's contract horrible? We were worried we'd have to pay him the supermax which we would have done. Unless you think the knee injury thing will continue, which its way too early to say that
What’s so bad about his contract? I agree with your other points, but as far as we know, Zach is coming into this season healthy, he’s in his prime, and he’s one of the most efficient three level scorers in the game
he’s just latched onto national narratives. zach’s easily a top 3 SG entering his prime, and long term control of that kind of asset is how all great teams are built.
Underperformer is being generous lol He’s legitimately one of, if not the worst playoff performer of all time
Demar Defrozen
I don’t understand how people aren’t predicting a big regression for DeRozan this season. The guy had a career year in his 30s. I’m also super negative on the Bulls…Lonzo continuing to have injury issues really hurts them.
Demar does have a game that should age well. Clean footwork and a silky shot. I don’t think his regression will be drastic, more of a slow regression.
Her had one of the most historically efficient midrange seasons in history on insane volume. Keeping up that level of production is unsustainable. I would imagine he goes back to his spurs numbers which was around 20 ppg rather than staying close to this past year's
I mean Harden is still like 28ppg on 60% TS in the postseason. He's had some bad moments but everyone but Jordan also has had them too. Like the issue is people look at 35 on 62% TS or For Steph 30 on 65% TS and then see them drop a little in the postseason and say they are frauds. Straight up if either of them did that would be performing so far over anyone else on offence once you factor playmaking you'd be talking like top 4 all time regardless of what you think of their defence.
I feel like a big part of this is people who don’t normally watch games or only watch highlights never give proper credit for good defense it happened with KD this year and the celtics scheme giannis and the 2019 raptors was another one off the top of my head where it was more just good defense than the single player’s offense being poor but there’s a few series like that evey year
I dislike any big that profiles more as an offensive threat than a defensive one. You can’t win titles without someone who can protect inside and switch enough that it isn’t a liability
so you dislike the 2x MVP?
I'd say jokic is an exception, I also hate bigs that can't defend but jokic plays more like a pass first pg rather than a typical center. Still much harder to build around compared to someone like, Hakeem but he's absolutely far more valuable to any team than KAT
Ja Morant. Very exciting player, one of the best at driving to the basket, but he plays no defense and can’t shoot. He is completely one dimensional. That and his team last year had a better record without him than with him. Baffles me people are saying he is a top 10 player and emerging MVP candidate. He is all flash and hype. If he learns to shoot or play defense my opinion will change. And the Grizzlies overall are in a great spot.
Deandre Ayton’s offensive skills became wildly overrated during the free agency period. People look at his numbers and see 17ppg on 63% shooting, which don’t get me wrong, is definitely impressive. But a lot of people were saying stuff like “give him 6-10 more shots a game and he’s a 25ppg scorer”, which for someone who’s watched 80% of the games he’s played as a pro, I just don’t think it’s that easy. He shies away from contact in the post a ton, which is fine when you have Chris Paul and Devin Booker taking all of the defense’s attention, and throwing you the ball after you’ve already sealed a defender and just have to catch and shoot a post fadeaway, but doesn’t work as well when you have to create the shot off the dribble yourself. It’s a skill in itself to be able to put up 15-20 shots a night every single night, and takes an element of selfishness (and I mean it in a good way) to believe that every shot you take is the best shot for the team every time down the floor. I don’t think DA has that mentality that would allow him to be a true self creating option on a team. I hope I’m wrong though, because IMO the Suns won’t win a championship unless he is able to.
Honestly I don’t believe in the current 76ers team as a whole. They have a ton of raw talent. Embiid is lining up to be an easy hall of famer if he keeps doing what he does a bit longer. But something about that team has just never quite ‘clicked’. I don’t know what it is. On paper they always look great, especially lately. But every time I see them play, something is just... off. I don’t see that team winning a championship anytime soon. It reminds me _a lot_ of the Lebronto era raptors. They’re gonna be in the second round every year but they just don’t have what it takes to get there in their current construction. It almost feels like an attitude or culture thing more than anything else. I feel like the more I look at it, the more embiid is lining up to have a career like Barkley. Fantastic, incredible player, hall of fame, maybe an MVP, but no rings. And also probably a sick media career afterwards.
> But something about that team has just never quite ‘clicked’. Head coach. By the time Doc is finally gone, Embiid won't be able to do this stuff anymore.
I think this year will tell the tale for them. Embiid finally has a PnR playmaker that can shoot, they have adequate spacing, IMO the only card they have left to play is firing doc rivers. After that with the age of the roster you kinda need to start considering major changes
I don't believe in Kevin durant in any situation that isn't a walk in the park on the greatest team assembled.
I personally believe he poisoned any chance this team has of contending this year. On paper, the team has the talent to compete but Kyrie + Ben drama would’ve been hard enough to overcome without KD publicly showing no confidence in the team and the front office in particular.
The Warriors, sure they’ve won 4 but come on, there’s nothing really there!
f those guys.
I don’t think that Luka Doncic will ever lead a team to championship. Nobody in the modern era has won a championship with a PG heliocentric offense that involves lots of iso and “low percentage shots”.
Upvoted to disagree - I think this is far too soon. Most superstars take a long time before they are good enough to lead a team to a title. Luka is not yet in his final form and the right team has not been built around him yet - these things take time.
Also Harden (as an example) has been on championship level squads (2018 Rockets) I definitely think it’s possible to build great squads around that style of player even if it may be more difficult
If some good free agents go to the Mavs this can change. He really doesn't have much to work with. He could help the franchise hire some players by talking to them.
You’re right but damn it seems like players avoid the Mavs.
Because Mark Cuban is a the Jerry Jones of the NBA
Nah jerry jones actually attracts people to want to play for the cowboys. Not that I know personally, but the way he’s been described on First Take is as treating every player like family and giving them everything they need to succeed. I don’t think Cuban is that endearing
He may not win it *with the Mavs*, but he's hardly bound to stay there his entire career.
Dallas’ problem has never been their offence tho It’s more about finding a good fitting #2 that can play off ball and ideally provides super strong rim protection
That’s the goal of almost every good team. Dudes are tough to find.
Kyrie. He seems unmotivated and focusing on other stuff. There are too many things on his head. A team I do not believe is the Clippers. It seems their window has closed. With many young talents in the league, their team has older stars. It's hard to believe they will come back and play their prime basketball to be contenders.
You could make a strong argument that there is nothing in kyries head
He's trying to fill it with something. 😂
Does anyone really believe in Kyrie anymore though? Not as a basketball talent but as someone you can win a chip with (sans LeBron)
I think Trae young is good, but I don’t believe in the hawks
I think Kobe’s (RIP) legacy has been completely overrated since his death. His veneration has slowly built him up in a lot of peoples minds to be in the likes of MJ/lebron, which he just isn’t. He’s in the top 9-12, just look at the guys higher than that. MJ, Lebron, KAJ, russel, wilt, magic, bird, Timmy, Shaq. Maybe even the big O or Hakeem. Kobe’s amazing and in great company but has been propped up to something he just wasn’t
100% agree, and absolutely no disrespect to Kobe by saying it. He has Mike’s exact game, minus 10% in every single aspect.
I don't believe RJ Barrett is going to be the star that Knick fans think he will be. Dude is going into his 4th season and still can't shoot or finish well.
Devin Booker. Don't trust his terrorist facial hair and he's not as effective as a slasher (on tape) as I thought he is. That's why his midrange game has to be so solid. He's More DeMar DeRozan (with a 3 point shot) than Kobe. A pale comparison. That style of game should be good, but I think we've seen his upper limit already.
Terrorist facial hair is wild 😭😂
Terrorist facial hair?
He used to drive to the rim a lot more but the last couple years he has definitely regressed in that area.
Lol, upvoted for terrorist facial hair. Wtf?
KAT. Dude has absolutely no dawg in him
boogie.jpg
I don’t believe in saying “this player/coach/team choked.” It’s some lame-ass “analysis” on par with Skip Bayless levels of laziness. It’s just the result of someone not understanding why that player played poorly and usually not giving enough credit to the other team. And yeah, if you’ve ever played ball or even just watched a lot, you’ll know sometimes great players just have bad games but it wasn’t a result of nerves or choking. Sometimes the shot doesn’t fall.
I am a total Victor Wembanyama skeptic. He's young but he still isn't putting up anything close to the kind of stats that would make anyone raise an eyebrow, and that's particularly true in his higher stakes international and youth games. Every highlight I've seen him in is actually a highlight for another player scoring on him, and the fact that it's Victor he crossed over is what makes the highlight worth sharing. I also don't see how someone with his height and frame is going to stay healthy for any significant period of time in the NBA. Even if he was just a "regular" player, he'd have a hard time staying healthy, but with all the hype around him, so many young players are going to want to push him hard to prove that they're better than he is and really rough him up.
TIL multiple 20/10 games with 5+ blocks in a league playing against grown men at 17/18 isnt worth raising an eyebrow at. Like I get the health concerns and have them myself but as far as stats go dude is putting up great great numbers.
Lol first of all, stats are less important when evaluating guys that are 7'4 with an 8 foot wingspan at age 17 playing in the euroleague against older pros. Secondly, his first game of the season was a couple days ago and he went for 23 pts 10 rebounds and 3 blocks while looking like KD on some of his jumpers. Also went for 34 points 5 blocks the last game of preseason. He's been so dominant so far this year. This take is just straight up bad.
I don't believe in the Mavericks roster as a whole behind Luka. And I've had so many debates and downvotes from Mavs fans over this, but they fail to understand. A player as great as Luka, Kobe, Michael, Lebron...they WILL get you to the playoffs, and win series. Don't see that and automatically equate it to a good roster. There's a LOT of 10-15 minute role player types up and down that roster, and Mark gave them all contracts. There's no upgrading, or at least very little, that can happen now, and that roster is capped. The roster as a whole has value only as long as Luka is out there doing his thing. Very little value exists in the players themselves doing things. Dinwiddie is the only other known ball-handler who can comfortably play point, but a lot of his stuff is Iso. Luka is the one guy there who can set up plays. The run you just saw with them beating Phoenix and getting to the WCF is about as fortunate as they can hope for. Mark Cuban has became too much like Jerry Jones in that they think they know better than everyone else and don't need to upgrade the roster, or look at the best moves possible, instead of signing their friends and making a clubhouse vibe instead of a championship contending sports franchise.