2023-2024 General NBA Season Thread

MyDaughterLovesTomGordon

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It's crazy to me that Duncan Robinson was getting "most improved player" consideration on Lowe's pod and elsewhere, and now he doesn't even play in the play-in game. Crazy to see that much variation in the regular season; reminds me a little of the rollercoaster Grant's been on.
 

lars10

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Jul 31, 2007
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It's crazy to me that Duncan Robinson was getting "most improved player" consideration on Lowe's pod and elsewhere, and now he doesn't even play in the play-in game. Crazy to see that much variation in the regular season; reminds me a little of the rollercoaster Grant's been on.
Not sure what happened but he hasn’t played since April 7.

edit: he injured his back and has had trouble returning
 

InstaFace

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Once we get down to 16 teams, maybe we can do a separate thread for each series? The main reason I ask is if I’m behind watching, then I can safely talk about the early games without getting spoiled on the later ones.
Going back to this, I think this is a good idea, and not just for the reason Jon mentions. If we have one megathread covering our game-threading of the games for 8 playoff series, plus between-game analysis and discussion on each, it's going to be an unreadable nightmare.

I'll start these once applicable.
 

the moops

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It's crazy to me that Duncan Robinson was getting "most improved player" consideration on Lowe's pod and elsewhere, and now he doesn't even play in the play-in game. Crazy to see that much variation in the regular season; reminds me a little of the rollercoaster Grant's been on.
He got hurt. And while the official report was that he was available last night I am guessing he actually wasn’t because there is no way that they couldn’t have use his offensive punch
 

ElUno20

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Shams reporting Kawhi recently had knee injections. But he'll be good for Paris so don't worry.
 

snowmanny

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Pelicans losing three consecutive win and you’re in home games to miss the playoffs would be something.
 

Tony C

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I also hope in the GS season debrief they note that if Draymond had not dumedassed his way to suspension they might not have been in a one game and out situation
Right? A ton of attn on Klay and going 0-10 will do that. But the elephant/albatross in the room is Dray but next to zero commentary on all he did to sink the Warriors for the 2nd consecutive season.

Embiid is just an impossible variable here. On one hand, he looks incredibly slow (especially on defense). On the other hand, he still averaged 30/9/5 with a TS% of .641 after coming back in the regular season, and Philly has won 9 straight games (and they might have needed all of those wins in order to make the playoffs). Does he look slow and winded because he's rusty and/or out of shape (in which case someone could argue that he'll get stronger as the playoffs go on)? Or does he look slow and winded because he's still hurt (in which case this either ends with him getting re-injured badly enough to knock him out for good, or Philly eventually crumbles when they come across a team that can play on both ends of the floor).

Embiid's uncertainty is why Philly has (to me) the highest ceiling in the east outside Boston, but could easily lose to the Knicks in 5.
Reading all the back and forth I kind of agree with all points of view on Philly/Embiid as dangerous, but this nicely put that ambiguity into concise words. Also a shout out to all the Philly fans for boo-ing their team during what turned out to be a victory. What a loser sports culture that is.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Jan 15, 2004
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Why didn’t the NBA schedule the west game tonight? Feels like a missed opportunity.
The networks have final say on the playoff scheduling. They must have data on doubleheaders performing better than single games is what I’d have to assume.
 

lovegtm

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tbrown_01923

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I mean, they have a lot of money, too much to use for just salary dumps. I'm not a huge TH fan, but on the right contract he could be useful for them.

He's contributed to winning basketball in Philly when the team has been healthy.
Like in the jrue salary range? Maybe? He's taller and better offensively (completely subjective assessment on my part). Is terrible when standing in the corner shooting threes, better with more usage (more subjective opinion). He's won some games, but never won anything... I'd maybe be yes on a shorter contract I could flip...
 

astrozombie

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TH's problem is he is a good player on an outsized contract, i.e he's a bad value. The Pistons are going to have to overpay anyway (bad team in a lackluster market), they might as well pay a premium for a good player who came from an organization that has been winning since he has been there. And it's not like there are going to be so many bidders that he will be getting a max contract. (note: if the Pistons do give him the max then yes, they are certifiably crazy). But if they can make a bit of an overpay without paying him like a superstar, they could do a lot worse than that.
 

benhogan

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I mean, they have a lot of money, too much to use for just salary dumps. I'm not a huge TH fan, but on the right contract he could be useful for them.

He's contributed to winning basketball in Philly when the team has been healthy.
I'd have to think new CBA penalties will make cap space extremely valuable over the next few seasons.

The Pistons shouldn't be in a rush to pay up for multiple years on a 32-year-old Free Agent that will demand plenty of minutes/shots. Those are precious development tools for a young last-place team

We've kind of been down this road before with the Pistons/ Bojan, so I'm sure folks are excited about Tobias Harris Vet Leadership nonsense
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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I know we want moar gamezz! but watching that dramatic intro to a poor basketball game, can't help but wish I was watching an actual first round matchup tonight.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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Here come the zombie Heat. I feel like Coach Spo has a lot of Belichick in him, not outwardly but I think he relishes the challenge of competing without Playoff Butler (TM).
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Its 730 in Mijami with an elimination game taking place and nobody is there. What a terrible organization with such front-running fans.
 

Imbricus

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I still think Chicago stinks tonight, but I'm also wondering if this Miami defense (14 flavors of zone?) might be more effective than we're giving them credit for.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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Drummond should just retire at halftime, yikes.

Edit: Wait, he's only 30 y.o.? Thought he's been in the league forever, wow.
 

lovegtm

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I still think Chicago stinks tonight, but I'm also wondering if this Miami defense (14 flavors of zone?) might be more effective than we're giving them credit for.
I think the Cs will have a lot of film on these zones now and crack them, but I've been super-impressed by the Miami zones in general.
 

Imbricus

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I think the Cs will have a lot of film on these zones now and crack them, but I've been super-impressed by the Miami zones in general.
Sometimes it feels like it's operating on some higher level of groupthink, where everyone is shifting perfectly in unison, like those ant colonies that seem to be perfectly synchronized.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Bulls playing decently to get back into it, get the deficit down to 11, then after some good ball movement they get Dosunmu (40% three point shooter this year) an open corner three with a chance to cut it to 8, but he missed and Herro gets the transition 3 going back the other way, back up to 14. Has to be demoralizing.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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It’s hard watching other teams have halfway good possessions just die on the vine because they aren’t 8 deep with good shooters.

Sucks to be them.
 

InstaFace

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No matter what else is said about this game, Coby White has the most resplendent bouffant of hair in the whole league. Fire Polamalu, hire this guy.
 

Euclis20

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Coby White has just been brutal. If it wasn't for Derozan hitting some really difficult shots (which is what he does, but still), this game would be uglier than it already is.
 

lovegtm

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It’s hard watching other teams have halfway good possessions just die on the vine because they aren’t 8 deep with good shooters.

Sucks to be them.
Bulls are also getting looks for decent shooters, and just absolutely nothing dropping. I don't think Miami can feel too great about this lead.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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I am so spoiled by the Celtics this season, this is beyond brutal to watch. Coby White has no real plan with the ball.
I keep seeing a pick and pop and my gut says oh here comes an open look but no it’s just Vic out there swinging the ball to Derozan standing 40 feet from the hoop to initiate a drive.
 

Ale Xander

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Oct 31, 2013
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That’s a lot of empty primo seats for a do or die game. Is Madonna or JLo playing at the Hard Rock or something?