2023-2024 General NBA Season Thread

[benhogan]

I actually think that there’s a case to be made against the min/max tankathon philosophy that is primarily around the impact of purposeful losing on culture.
How many recent champions were true tankathons? What’s the most successful tank in terms of the ultimate success of the team? The ‘can’t get out of the second round’ 6ers?

Even then, pistons should have traded Bojan

OKC has the tanking playbook. They rehabbed vets and then dealt them for picks & vets. They didn't hang on to anyone or sacrifice younger player minutes/shots for the vet when they were bottoming out. Even giving Al Horford half a season off, after playing well enough to re-establish his value

Yea, the Pistons should have traded Bojan last year when he was putting up 22ppg and on a multi-year contract.

If you want to keep Vets to develop a "Culture" then mold it after the Miami Heat. ADD a Haslem as your #15 to keep the kids in line. SPO has no problem bringing in young, hungry players. He only hands out minutes/shots to guys that play D.

The 76ers process wasn't flawed, it was the dozen boneheaded moves by Colangelo & Brand after Hinkie exited.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Holmgren is already amongst the best rim protectors in the league. What a performance tonight against the Knicks with four blocks including three in the fourth quarter that helped give OKC separation. OKC's big three of SGA, Williams (who had a career high 36 on 17 shots tonight) and Chet are pretty impressive before they even go big game hunting.

 

[AMS25]

Holmgren is already amongst the best rim protectors in the league. What a performance tonight against the Knicks with four blocks including three in the fourth quarter that helped give OKC separation. OKC's big three of SGA, Williams (who had a career high 36 on 17 shots tonight) and Chet are pretty impressive before they even go big game hunting.

Yep, the Thunder really did get Holmgren and Jalen Williams in the same draft class. And, SGA was totally worth it for Paul George. It really is fun to be an OKC fan right now.

 

[Montana Fan]

View: https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/1740076194937414008

Sounds like a feeding incident. One of my best friends, Jose, was asked by Boo-Boo Brown’s mother to feed, what we all knew to be, their mean ass German Shepherd. She gave Jose 2 cans of open food. He dumped one into the bowl and the dog started to mangia. Then he slid the bowl away from the dog in an attempt to dump the second can in. The dog turned his head up and bit him in the face. And I mean bit the crap out of him. Several stitches and wounds. I about cried when I saw how torn up his face was. We’ve been good friends since I was 7 and he was 6, he was about 24 when this occurred.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

Sounds like a feeding incident. One of my best friends, Jose, was asked by Boo-Boo Brown’s mother to feed, what we all knew to be, their mean ass German Shepherd. She gave Jose 2 cans of open food. He dumped one into the bowl and the dog started to mangia. Then he slid the bowl away from the dog in an attempt to dump the second can in. The dog turned his head up and bit him in the face. And I mean bit the crap out of him. Several stitches and wounds. I about cried when I saw how torn up his face was. We’ve been good friends since I was 7 and he was 6, he was about 24 when this occurred.

I desperately need to know more about Boo Boo Brown.

 

[chilidawg]

Sounds like a feeding incident. One of my best friends, Jose, was asked by Boo-Boo Brown’s mother to feed, what we all knew to be, their mean ass German Shepherd. She gave Jose 2 cans of open food. He dumped one into the bowl and the dog started to mangia. Then he slid the bowl away from the dog in an attempt to dump the second can in. The dog turned his head up and bit him in the face. And I mean bit the crap out of him. Several stitches and wounds. I about cried when I saw how torn up his face was. We’ve been good friends since I was 7 and he was 6, he was about 24 when this occurred.

Not to turn this into a dog bite thread, but a dog wandered onto our job site and got his paw stuck on the top of a fence. German Shepard. I went to try to get him out, his head pretty much next to mine. Next thing I know he's trying to rip my ear off. 21 stitches. Still a dog lover, a little more wary though.

 

[ManicCompression]

Sounds like a feeding incident. One of my best friends, Jose, was asked by Boo-Boo Brown’s mother to feed, what we all knew to be, their mean ass German Shepherd. She gave Jose 2 cans of open food. He dumped one into the bowl and the dog started to mangia. Then he slid the bowl away from the dog in an attempt to dump the second can in. The dog turned his head up and bit him in the face. And I mean bit the crap out of him. Several stitches and wounds. I about cried when I saw how torn up his face was. We’ve been good friends since I was 7 and he was 6, he was about 24 when this occurred.

One of the best tips I’ve ever gotten is to make your dog sit and stay before every single meal. Has so many useful benefits, but this is the main one. I wish every single dog owner was given just that one tip.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Not to turn this into a dog bite thread, but a dog wandered onto our job site and got his paw stuck on the top of a fence. German Shepard. I went to try to get him out, his head pretty much next to mine. Next thing I know he's trying to rip my ear off. 21 stitches. Still a dog lover, a little more wary though.

Dog lover here as well but German shepherds nearly killed my springer spaniel on 2 separate occasions. Second incident was when my sister’s German shepherd was visiting and my female springer got territorial and gave a bit of a growl. Next thing we knew the German shepherd had my dog pinned by the neck and was squeezing the life out of her. We barely got it off in time and my sister still has marks on some fingers that she got trying to pry the mouth open. They’re great and loyal dogs but they’re no joke.

 

[lovegtm]

Yep, the Thunder really did get Holmgren and Jalen Williams in the same draft class. And, SGA was totally worth it for Paul George. It really is fun to be an OKC fan right now.

They hit on a star second guard and a superstar (tbd) F/C/unicorn in one draft. They already hit as hard as you can on Shai.

And NOW all those picks start rolling in....

People were talking about needing to win titles before the Spurs get good around Wemby, but OKC is already there, and they have way more draft capital and (on offense) Chet is already what people hope Wemby might be one day.

KOC mentioned Wendell Carter Jr. and Markannen as trade candidates for OKC, and both of those make a lot of sense to me.

Hopefully they don't cheap out this time around. Having SGA locked up the next 4 (!) years on a 25% deal helps a ton there.

 

[Montana Fan]

I desperately need to know more about Boo Boo Brown.

Was a childhood friend who unfortunately was murdered during a drug deal about 15 years ago. Edit, need to do Boo-boo a little bit better than that. He had a built in smile on his face and was overall a good and likable kid. Was friends with his brothers Lewis and Howie as well.

 

[benhogan]

They hit on a star second guard and a superstar (tbd) F/C/unicorn in one draft. They already hit as hard as you can on Shai.

And NOW all those picks start rolling in....

People were talking about needing to win titles before the Spurs get good around Wemby, but OKC is already there, and they have way more draft capital and (on offense) Chet is already what people hope Wemby might be one day.

KOC mentioned Wendell Carter Jr. and Markannen as trade candidates for OKC, and both of those make a lot of sense to me.

Hopefully they don't cheap out this time around. Having SGA locked up the next 4 (!) years on a 25% deal helps a ton there.

Yea but the Spurs have that '28 Celtic pick swap

If OKC gets Markkanen & Caruso, the WC will be a serious food fight in the playoffs and a problem for the next 5 seasons.

Did KOC mention why Orlando would be trading Wendell Carter Jr? figure the Magic will be buyers at the deadline.

 

[lovegtm]

Yea but the Spurs have that '28 Celtic pick swap

If OKC gets Markkanen & Caruso, the WC will be a serious food fight in the playoffs and a problem for the next 5 seasons.

Did KOC mention why Orlando would be trading Wendell Carter Jr? figure the Magic will be buyers at the deadline.

The Magic are going to need to get more dynamic offensively at some point, and juicy Clippers or OK Rockets picks can get you closer there.

Caruso could work well in OKC as a 6th man, or maybe even in 3-guard lineups.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

One of the good podcasters---I'm blanking on which one ---put out there that the Magic success recently without Carter might make them view him as the guy they can move to get offensive juice. They don't have a ton of picks or other assets, so swapping Carter for the scorer may fit their roster (and the replacement options may be easier to find) than other ways to upgrade.

I don't think they are looking to dump him or anything, but the theory on why they'd move him to upgrade elsewhere did make sense to me.

 

[Was (Not Wasdin)]

They hit on a star second guard and a superstar (tbd) F/C/unicorn in one draft. They already hit as hard as you can on Shai.

And NOW all those picks start rolling in....

People were talking about needing to win titles before the Spurs get good around Wemby, but OKC is already there, and they have way more draft capital and (on offense) Chet is already what people hope Wemby might be one day.

KOC mentioned Wendell Carter Jr. and Markannen as trade candidates for OKC, and both of those make a lot of sense to me.

Hopefully they don't cheap out this time around. Having SGA locked up the next 4 (!) years on a 25% deal helps a ton there.

Hollinger was on the Nate Duncan podcast and they were ranking the top 10 players in the league under 23 years old. They had Chet behind Wembley, Ant, and Halliburton, but noted that Chet was the only one of those guys that doesn’t have to be the best player on the team, because they have SGA. He is such a perfect complement for Shai that he’s already adding huge value.

 

[lovegtm]

Hollinger was on the Nate Duncan podcast and they were ranking the top 10 players in the league under 23 years old. They had Chet behind Wembley, Ant, and Halliburton, but noted that Chet was the only one of those guys that doesn’t have to be the best player on the team, because they have SGA. He is such a perfect complement for Shai that he’s already adding huge value.

I'm not even totally ready to concede those other guys above Chet. The Thunder have the 6th best defense in the league, and a ton of that is him. We're talking about Gobert-type defensive potential (I am the system) from a guy who's already an efficient, skilled scorer as a 21 year-old.

 

[BigMike]

Yea but the Spurs have that '28 Celtic pick swap

If OKC gets Markkanen & Caruso, the WC will be a serious food fight in the playoffs and a problem for the next 5 seasons.

Did KOC mention why Orlando would be trading Wendell Carter Jr? figure the Magic will be buyers at the deadline.

I still don't really see the Thunder going for Caruso. I just don't see the fit; although maybe if Giddy is dealt. they love Cason Wallace, would they wan't to give him up? Cut all his minutes down to zero? Especially if you were also bringing in a 4 to play 30 min a night in the stating lineup? I'm not saying Caruso may not be a bit better, but is it worth a couple #1's I don't think so. there are other teams who have a more desperate need.

I can see why people Push Markkanen there, but personally I would worry about his impact on development for other guys. In the end there is only one basketball, and Lauri wants it a lot more than Lou Dort. He is also a big defensive downgrade. And Would Lauri be happy and willing to commit to staying long term, when his PPG drops 5 a game in OKC.

I would love Wendel Carter there. I think he fits better in what they are doing, and would transition in so easily

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I'm not even totally ready to concede those other guys above Chet. The Thunder have the 6th best defense in the league, and a ton of that is him. We're talking about Gobert-type defensive potential (I am the system) from a guy who's already an efficient, skilled scorer as a 21 year-old.

I think what he means is that his game doesn't require him to be the teams offensive go-to guy with the ball in his hands while for guys like SGA, TH and Edwards to be at their peak the ball needs to go through them.

 

[Kliq]

It's clear Chet landed on the perfect team for him, as well as the Thunder getting the perfect young player in Chet that they needed. I do think Chet's ability to seamlessly fit in with the OKC core is being underrated in terms of how that is an actual skill and not just good fortune. A big part of his game was his high bball IQ and his multi-dimensional offensive skillset that allows him to blend in so easily with other good players. Not only does he not need the ball all the time to be effective, but he can already fit into whatever space is needed for him on the offensive end. He can screen and roll, he can create off the dribble and he can spot up and space the floor. He knows how/where to find open space on the floor where he can be effective, while also not getting in the way of SGA or J-Dub (I do like how the OKC announcers have settled on calling wing Jaylin Williams "J-Dub" and big Jaylin Williams "J-Will") as they attack the basket.

It's rare for a rookie to have both the multi-faceted skills on offense and the IQ to contribute in that way. Even very good players in this league struggle to fit in like that.

That's not to mention that his defensive ceiling appears to be "more athletic Rudy Gobert". He's a complete stud as long as he remains healthy.

 

[the moops]

I can see why people Push Markkanen there, but personally I would worry about his impact on development for other guys. In the end there is only one basketball, and Lauri wants it a lot more than Lou Dort. He is also a big defensive downgrade. And Would Lauri be happy and willing to commit to staying long term, when his PPG drops 5 a game in OKC.

Markkanen is not a high usage guy though (only 25% - behind Sexton and Clarkson on Utah, and right around the same number as Josh Giddey). I think Markkanen is a perfect fit for OKC. He can slide in right next to Chet, and a starting 5 of SGA, Williams, Dort, Lauri, Chet is pretty damn sick. Lauri can also play some small ball 5 when Chet sits. Giving all of Giddey's minutes to Markkanen would drastically improve what is already a great team

 

[lovegtm]

I think what he means is that his game doesn't require him to be the teams offensive go-to guy with the ball in his hands while for guys like SGA, TH and Edwards to be at their peak the ball needs to go through them.

Mmm, I agree in that case, although I think that kind of elite scaleability is a point in Chet's favor.

 

[benhogan]

I still don't really see the Thunder going for Caruso. I just don't see the fit; although maybe if Giddy is dealt. they love Cason Wallace, would they wan't to give him up? Cut all his minutes down to zero? Especially if you were also bringing in a 4 to play 30 min a night in the stating lineup? I'm not saying Caruso may not be a bit better, but is it worth a couple #1's I don't think so. there are other teams who have a more desperate need.

I can see why people Push Markkanen there, but personally I would worry about his impact on development for other guys. In the end there is only one basketball, and Lauri wants it a lot more than Lou Dort. He is also a big defensive downgrade. And Would Lauri be happy and willing to commit to staying long term, when his PPG drops 5 a game in OKC.

I would love Wendel Carter there. I think he fits better in what they are doing, and would transition in so easily

It's simple with Caruso, I see him as a poor man's Jrue. He would help 100% of the contenders (please Brad make it happen)

OKC has a couple of middling 1s that the Bulls would covet for a rebuild. You put him in against your opponent's best WING & make his life hell. If you are OKC you combine that with Lou Dort for 48 minutes over a long playoff series and that WINGs legs will eventually give out. In addition to that AC won't hurt you offensively since he can hit C&S 3s above league avg. AC also comes with playoff experience, which this group could use.

As far as Markkanen I'm not worried about bench players' development. OKC has reached a different stage now, they spent 2yrs in development mode, now they are entering a 5yr contention window. I could see OKC using something like Giddey/Bertans + picks for Lauri/Dunn (with Lauri's agent back-channeling a contract extension this summer).

OKC would still have plenty of picks & young players to consolidate over the next few seasons

 

[lovegtm]

It's simple with Caruso, I see him as a poor man's Jrue. He would help 100% of the contenders (please Brad make it happen)

OKC has a couple of middling 1s that the Bulls would covet for a rebuild. You put him in against your opponent's best WING & make his life hell. If you are OKC you combine that with Lou Dort for 48 minutes over a long playoff series and that WINGs legs will eventually give out. In addition to that AC won't hurt you offensively since he can hit C&S 3s above league avg. AC also comes with playoff experience, which this group could use.

As far as Markkanen I'm not worried about bench players' development. OKC has reached a different stage now, they spent 2yrs in development mode, now they are entering a 5yr contention window. I could see OKC using something like Giddey/Bertans + picks for Lauri/Dunn (with Lauri's agent back-channeling a contract extension this summer).

OKC would still have plenty of picks & young players to consolidate over the next few seasons

I think they should go for Markkanen, but it will have to be a re-sign as a UFA, with all the risk that entails, because (iiuc) he can only go up 140% on an extension, and that would leave him around $26M annually, well short of his market value.

Another example of the NBA extension rules being really really dumb. If a guy has overperformed enough, you should be able to extend him at whatever value he's able to get in UFA. I'm sure there's some motivation for the rule, but it seems really really counterproductive to the league's goal of keeping guys in less desirable markets (particularly post KD/OKC).

 

[RorschachsMask]

Qdoba better

View: https://twitter.com/TMZ/status/1740395061781594512


View: https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1740408597102948581

 

[benhogan]

I think they should go for Markkanen, but it will have to be a re-sign as a UFA, with all the risk that entails, because (iiuc) he can only go up 140% on an extension, and that would leave him around $26M annually, well short of his market value.

Another example of the NBA extension rules being really really dumb. If a guy has overperformed enough, you should be able to extend him at whatever value he's able to get in UFA. I'm sure there's some motivation for the rule, but it seems really really counterproductive to the league's goal of keeping guys in less desirable markets (particularly post KD/OKC).

Ha I thought Lauri made 3rd team All-NBA last season (entitled to a MAX extension), but upon further review Julius Randle made it. There would have to be some serious Agent/Presti work then. Ainge would probably have all the kinks worked out before marketing LM to the NBA, like as long as he is on a contender he will sign in UFA & won't split for LA or some other destination city.

Ironically his cheap contract actually might ding LM's trade value.

 

[Kliq]

Markkanen is not a high usage guy though (only 25% - behind Sexton and Clarkson on Utah, and right around the same number as Josh Giddey). I think Markkanen is a perfect fit for OKC. He can slide in right next to Chet, and a starting 5 of SGA, Williams, Dort, Lauri, Chet is pretty damn sick. Lauri can also play some small ball 5 when Chet sits. Giving all of Giddey's minutes to Markkanen would drastically improve what is already a great team

I know what you meant, but it's funny to call Markkanen "small ball 5" when he's 7' and listed at 240lbs.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Mmm, I agree in that case, although I think that kind of elite scaleability is a point in Chet's favor.

Yes absolutely. Kinda similar to KG.

 

[The Social Chair]

Qdoba better

View: https://twitter.com/TMZ/status/1740395061781594512

Target for Utah?

 

[lovegtm]

Yes absolutely. Kinda similar to KG.

It's been awhile since we had someone who was an actually relevant KG comp, but Chet might be it. Tons of similarities.

 

[Kliq]

It's been awhile since we had someone who was an actually relevant KG comp, but Chet might be it. Tons of similarities.

Evan Mobley weeps.

 

[lovegtm]

Evan Mobley weeps.

Yeah, Chet is so much better lol

 

[Kliq]

Yeah, Chet is so much better lol

Mobely does have KG's refusal to shoot threes and instead only take long-twos, at least.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

A-Rod now owns a big chunk of the ‘Wolves

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/timberwolves-sale-alex-rodriguez-marc-lore-to-exercise-option-to-become-majority-owners-in-2024-per-report/

 

[Euclis20]

Something weird happened with the Bucks/Nets game last night. The Bucks won by 20, but it was a close game until about halfway through the 4th - Milwaukee was up by 1 after the 1st quarter, up by 7 at halftime and up by 8 after 3. Here are the minutes played by Brooklyn's starters:

-Royce O'Neal: 10
-Mikal Bridges: 12
-Dayron Sharpe: 16
-Dennis Smith Jr: 30
-Cam Thomas: 12

None of these guys were in foul trouble (the 4 starters that played 16 minutes or less had 2 combined fouls). This was the 2nd night of a back to back, but if you're gonna rest guys, typically they wouldn't play at all (Dinwiddie sat for "rest"). I get giving Bridges a few minutes for his consecutive games streak, but the rest...strange to see.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Something weird happened with the Bucks/Nets game last night. The Bucks won by 20, but it was a close game until about halfway through the 4th - Milwaukee was up by 1 after the 1st quarter, up by 7 at halftime and up by 8 after 3. Here are the minutes played by Brooklyn's starters:

-Royce O'Neal: 10
-Mikal Bridges: 12
-Dayron Sharpe: 16
-Dennis Smith Jr: 30
-Cam Thomas: 12

None of these guys were in foul trouble (the 4 starters that played 16 minutes or less had 2 combined fouls). This was the 2nd night of a back to back, but if you're gonna rest guys, typically they wouldn't play at all (Dinwiddie sat for "rest"). I get giving Bridges a few minutes for his consecutive games streak, but the rest...strange to see.

Not really. The Nets won in Detroit the night prior then announced 4 players were being rested during the day and played a bunch of rotation players only in the 1Q.

 

[6-5 Sadler]

I mean I get it that this is the NBA we live in today but I still find it a little odd. Yes they were on the second night of a back to back but this is a young team, playing .500 ball, without any serious championship aspirations. Can’t they benefit from having more time on the court together, particularly against a talented team like Milwaukee? Cam Thomas and Sharpe are 22, Claxton is 24, Bridges and Cam Johnson are 27…get out there and play!

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I mean I get it that this is the NBA we live in today but I still find it a little odd. Yes they were on the second night of a back to back but this is a young team, playing .500 ball, without any serious championship aspirations. Can’t they benefit from having more time on the court together, particularly against a talented team like Milwaukee? Cam Thomas and Sharpe are 22, Claxton is 24, Bridges and Cam Johnson are 27…get out there and play!

Discussed this the night prior in Silver Dollar on the travel surrounding this game. The team likely didn't get home to bed until 4am or so following a tight win, losing an hour with time change, some having close to an hour drive home. The team heads back to airport today for a 4-game road trip. This was one of the worst travel spots a team can face so resting guys is reasonable and usually going to be expected here (although maybe not everyone).

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Interesting article in The Ringer looking at foul calls in the NBA. If you are nodding your head in agreement with Steve Kerr that the refs are inserting themselves too much...

But on a more granular level, we aren’t seeing a noticeable uptick in whistles in different areas of the court. This season, 21.5 percent of attempts at the rim have generated free throws—either two shots or an and-1—according to an analysis of Cleaning the Glass data, which removes garbage time. CtG’s foul data goes back to the 2010-11 season, and in that 14-season span, the overall rate of fouls drawn on rim attempts is a nearly identical 21.4 percent.

Last season, the 15 All-NBA players had an average free throw rate of 42 percent, meaning they attempted 42 percent as many free throws as field goals. For comparison, the overall average for All-NBA players in league history is 40 percent. Modern stars aren’t receiving more calls than their predecessors did.

If the league has a "foul problem" we need more evidence.

 

[Euclis20]

Not really. The Nets won in Detroit the night prior then announced 4 players were being rested during the day and played a bunch of rotation players only in the 1Q.

Then just rest them entirely. When we see teams resting guys on a back to back, sitting them entirely enables them to skip hours of prep that go into every game, which is a much bigger impact than playing 15-20 fewer minutes. I get Bridges doing all that just for a few minutes to keep his streak alive, but it doesn't make sense for the other guys.

And as noted above, even when you travel on a back to back it's odd to see this many young, healthy players (Sharpe and Thomas are both 22!) sit. Sitting this many players against the Bucks was essentially throwing up the white flag, and for a team that's gonna need every possible win to get into the play in games (and doesn't have a 1st round pick in 2024), it's odd.

 

[Euclis20]

Maybe I'm just not paying close enough attention to box scores around the league, but there are two issues with the Nets:

-Resting that many players at once. A back to back in different cities with is always tough (especially when the first game is close), but it wasn't exactly a double overtime dog fight and the trip wasn't exactly a cross country flight (Detroit to NYC is about 500 miles). Why did this many guys need this much rest? Their team isn't especially old or injured (at least the guys that were active), they need every win they can get, and have no incentive to lose for draft position.
-Going through all of the pre-game activities for 12-15 minutes of game time for your starters isn't something that we see very often out of preseason, exhibition or end of the year games with no stakes.

*edited to note that the flight was Detroit to Brooklyn, not Milwaukee. Point remains.

 

[DavidTai]

From a brief look through the Nets reddit, it sounds like the fans are basically saying:
(paraphrasing)

"They played 9 games in 14 days.
Just played 5 games in 7 days with two backs to backs right before
heading to a road trip with 6 games in 10 days
Flying to Paris after that.
Fuck the NBA schedulers. If they don't like that, schedule more breaks."

Guessing the Nets got especially squeezed by the IST and then the overseas game.

 

[InstaFace]

The team likely didn't get home to bed until 4am or so following a tight win, losing an hour with time change, some having close to an hour drive home. The team heads back to airport today for a 4-game road trip. ...

Detroit is in a different time zone, you say?

(I had to look this up the last time I flew through Detroit)

 

[benhogan]

Old friend Grant Williams, -30 tonight, is getting pulled at the end of games now.

 

[benhogan]

The Miami Heat look better than last year's version. 19-12. 4th in the EC

They handle the Dubs without Buler, JRich, Lowry, Martin.

 

[Ale Xander]

Impressive night for Joker
The usual triple double but also went 11-11 from the field

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Haliburton with 20 assists and 0 turnovers last night

 

[tims4wins]

Haliburton with 20 assists and 0 turnovers last night

His 5th double digit assist game with zero turnovers, in 27 games. I wonder what the record is.

Also worth nothing: he's had 5 games with zero turnovers this year. He's had 10+ assists in EVERY ONE. 80 assists, 16.0 per game.

 

[128]

The Miami Heat look better than last year's version. 19-12. 4th in the EC

They handle the Dubs without Buler, JRich, Lowry, Martin.

That's a scary thought. I'd prefer the C's avoid Miami in the playoffs, at least until the ECF.

 

[benhogan]

That's a scary thought. I'd prefer the C's avoid Miami in the playoffs, at least until the ECF.

Vaquez is running 3rd for ROTY and just scratching his NBA floor. Not many rookie WINGs show up on opening night and start bullying NBA players, even at 22. Good job by the Heat selecting him 18th, even though he was mocked for the 2nd round

Not too worried about the Heat. This year's version of the Celtics is much improved. AND as long as Caleb Martin doesn't ever go Jordoninan again, Boston will be fine.

 

[Royal Reader]

I'm now wondering if someone rests their starters vs Detroit, maybe on the second night of a b2b, to avoid the possibility of losing to them for real. If not, it feels like the Pistons will get play-in game effort from everyone until they win again.

 

[RorschachsMask]

Aaron Nesmith is currently the league leader in three point percentage. At 47.5%, on over 4 attempts per game.