Official 2024-25 NBA Season Thread

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by rhigh2390

Who do you have in the West Finals this year? It will be interesting to see what the trade deadline brings, but as things stand right now, I think the top 4 teams in the West come playoff time (in no particular order) are OKC, Denver, LAL, and Dallas.

I think it depends on seeding.

I think Dallas with a healthy Luka would beat OKC again. They may play in the 2nd round.

The West is really deep, but nobody is scary.

OKC are impressive because any time they need a bucket, Shai goes and gets them one. I'm not sure they're quite ready, or still a piece away maybe.

Your 4 is pretty close, although HOU deserve to replace LAL out of that group.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Shame Chet's injured. Out of all the teams you need a quality big against, it's probably Cleveland. Just hoping it's not a blowout either way.

Chet's played 92 out of a possible 199 games in his career.

That's just who he is until proven otherwise.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Beal got 50 mill. I think you may be slightly underestimating the stupidity/desperation of some nba franchises.

You're right. Riley rarely ever gives legacy deals to the elders. But I don't see Jimmy caving. He knows he's getting paid regardless.

So true.

Jimmy on a 1 or 2 year deal could still pull $40 mill + you'd think. But the days of a 4 + 1 are gone.

I'm intrigued to see where he ends up. He says he wants to win, then he should get $30 mil from someone that will contend. But he may go somewhere average and get his $50 mil

I'm just not a fan of his statement where he said he only plays hard after the ASG. You can't say that when you play for Pat Riley and then also miss a ton of games. The Heat will rebuild with the money saved.

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Club Shay Shay's award to lose.

They win the upcoming match against Cleveland and you can giftwrap the award. Aside from that inexplicable blunder in the IST Finals, he's been matchup proof all year. I'd especially love it if he wins because he's a testament against this moneyball dominant era. Proves you don't need to be overly reliant on perimeter shooting to be an effective leader.

I'm impressed they won vs Boston after giving up 65 in the first half.

I wanted to get some more $$ on Shai for MVP, but the value has gone now.

He's the perfect guy to get the award. Model of consistency, plays incredible on both ends.

LAC really messed up

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Chet's played 92 out of a possible 199 games in his career.

That's just who he is until proven otherwise.

Totally. They'll need him in the playoffs regardless. It is pretty crazy that OKC's still limiting opponents to under 100 lately with Hartenstein at the 5.

I'd bet my future life savings that Cavs eclipse a century quite easily though.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

I'm impressed they won vs Boston after giving up 65 in the first half.

I wanted to get some more $$ on Shai for MVP, but the value has gone now.

He's the perfect guy to get the award. Model of consistency, plays incredible on both ends.

LAC really messed up

I gave them no chance after that 10 point halftime deficit.

Agreed on SGA. He's what the game needs right now. And what people hyped Ant to be last year. He's already been that...and better. I guess he just doesn't have the baby momma swag needed to capture media darling status.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

I gave them no chance after that 10 point halftime deficit.

Agreed on SGA. He's what the game needs right now. And what people hyped Ant to be last year. He's already been that...and better. I guess he just doesn't have the baby momma swag needed to capture media darling status.

Probably the only thing holding him back is he's not the sexy pick to be the face of the league, but you never know.

With the NBA copping a hit with ratings and negativity, they do need to do something to celebrate these kinds of guys.

I swear the coverage was better all the way out here in rand mcnally back in the 90s.

[rhigh2390]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

I think it depends on seeding.

I think Dallas with a healthy Luka would beat OKC again. They may play in the 2nd round.

The West is really deep, but nobody is scary.

OKC are impressive because any time they need a bucket, Shai goes and gets them one. I'm not sure they're quite ready, or still a piece away maybe.

Your 4 is pretty close, although HOU deserve to replace LAL out of that group.

I'm just not as high on Houston come playoff time. Love Senguin and several of their other pieces along with Ime, but not a fan of Green, Brooks or Van Fleet. They seem like a regular season team to me.

I agree with you though that the West is deep, but nobody is scary. It's pretty wide open.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

Probably the only thing holding him back is he's not the sexy pick to be the face of the league, but you never know.

With the NBA copping a hit with ratings and negativity, they do need to do something to celebrate these kinds of guys.

I swear the coverage was better all the way out here in rand mcnally back in the 90s.

There's no comparison. The 90's we were inundated with 2383299835 NBA Gatorade and shoe ads throughout the day here in the US. All the top guys had their own campaigns. That's all but gone. Combined with the nightly AS game 3pt comps, it's easy to see how the viewership is declining.


(not complaining...I'm forever a viewer)

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by rhigh2390

I'm just not as high on Houston come playoff time. Love Senguin and several of their other pieces along with Ime, but not a fan of Green, Brooks or Van Fleet. They seem like a regular season team to me.

I agree with you though that the West is deep, but nobody is scary. It's pretty wide open.

Oh absolutely, HOU are totally unproven. But the are having a nice regular season. Winning a series would be a success.

They may be built for the Playoffs though. Very few quality big men around. Sengun showing that the post can still be lethal. They have some toughness there also.

Memphis are the team that could be dangerous come Playoff time. Ja and JJJ are an incredible duo.

I still think Dallas come out because I just believe Luka has another gear and I think they're better for the experience last season. He keeps creeping closer to his first title.

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

There's no comparison. The 90's we were inundated with 2383299835 NBA Gatorade and shoe ads throughout the day here in the US. All the top guys had their own campaigns. That's all but gone. Combined with the nightly AS game 3pt comps, it's easy to see how the viewership is declining.


(not complaining...I'm forever a viewer)

For sure.

We had some great tv shows every Saturday filled with highlights. A huge reason why the likes of Penny, Shaq, Kemp, Zo and anyone else with style got a ton of love on the kard scene and also the kicks scene.

I think it was called NBA inside stuff. Just perfect.

Everything is so watered down these days. Tons of content, with less substance. Even though ultimately now there's more opportunity.

Playoffs will be great still

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

I think it was called NBA inside stuff. Just perfect.

Ahmad Rashad. Real ones know.

Agreed. All Star game will be the typical unbearable weekend. But still hyped for the playoffs. Celtics showing a bit of chink in the armor. I admit, I was adamant about them rolling again this year, but Cavs and OKC are making a strong argument for being at the very least a tough out.

[ninjacookies]

[jcardstore]

Cavs are so good it's boring. I have a hard time watching the 2nd half of games anymore. Would I rather watch the Cavs kick around a dead cat for 20 minutes or any other competitive game?

I find myself watching other games rather than Cavs 2nd halves.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

Cavs are so good it's boring. I have a hard time watching the 2nd half of games anymore. Would I rather watch the Cavs kick around a dead cat for 20 minutes or any other competitive game?

I find myself watching other games rather than Cavs 2nd halves.

Funny you say that, because for about he last month I've found myself spending the third quarter rooting for the other team to make some shots to keep the game close and the starters in. This won't apply Wednesday vs OKC, but there have just been so many non-competitive games come the fourth quarter.

Ohh well, could be worse things to complain about.

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Funny you say that, because for about he last month I've found myself spending the third quarter rooting for the other team to make some shots to keep the game close and the starters in. This won't apply Wednesday vs OKC, but there have just been so many non-competitive games come the fourth quarter.

Ohh well, could be worse things to complain about.

Oh I know haha. Honestly, I can't ever remember the Cavs being like this.

Even when we were somewhat dominant in the LeBron years (moreso early) it was never like this. Now granted we have played a lot of really terrible and injured teams in a row. But lots of teams play stretches of bad teams and don't win every game by halftime so...

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

They shot under 20% from 3, but yes, they didn't shoot themselves out of the game.

To add to this, they were 3/24 from 3 in the 2H. If that's not shooting yourself out of a game, I don't know what is.

[JRX]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

To add to this, they were 3/24 from 3 in the 2H. If that's not shooting yourself out of a game, I don't know what is.

Why even play the game if you're going to keep chucking up bricks, just have two shoot arounds at each end of the court and whichever team gets to say 120 first wins.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by JRX

Why even play the game if you're going to keep chucking up bricks, just have two shoot arounds at each end of the court and whichever team gets to say 120 first wins.

That's the problem with today's NBA.

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

To add to this, they were 3/24 from 3 in the 2H. If that's not shooting yourself out of a game, I don't know what is.

Well they might want to start by not turning the ball over 16 times for 22 points, again mostly in the 2H. Not to mention the majority of those 3s were contested anyways because of how great OKCs defense is.

They picked on Jrue on both ends all night. He’s losing a step

Boston is not some unbeatable team like people hyped them up to be

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

Well they might want to start by not turning the ball over 16 times for 22 points, again mostly in the 2H. Not to mention the majority of those 3s were contested anyways because of how great OKCs defense is.

They picked on Jrue on both ends all night. He’s losing a step

Boston is not some unbeatable team like people hyped them up to be

What's crazy is all that has happened this season:

- Tatum becoming a Top 5 player
- Pritchard having a career year
- White repeating his career year
- Horford still being good
- Porzingis playing

They are still a great team with a great coach but they are closer to being a 60 win team that a 70 win (or even high 60s) team.

[Cavs16]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

What's crazy is all that has happened this season:

- Tatum becoming a Top 5 player
- Pritchard having a career year
- White repeating his career year
- Horford still being good
- Porzingis playing

They are still a great team with a great coach but they are closer to being a 60 win team that a 70 win (or even high 60s) team.

Tatum would never be a top 5 player if you remove half of that list. And still keep the better player JB on the team.

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

What's crazy is all that has happened this season:

- Tatum becoming a Top 5 player
- Pritchard having a career year
- White repeating his career year
- Horford still being good
- Porzingis playing

They are still a great team with a great coach but they are closer to being a 60 win team that a 70 win (or even high 60s) team.

I don't agree that Tatum is a top 5 player, but otherwise yea.

I definitely feel they are being complacent this year. It may not matter in the playoffs, but they are losing games that you wouldn't expect. I don't buy the 3pt variance argument.

They didn't lose yesterday because they missed a bunch of 3s. They lost because they played poorly, turned the ball over a bunch, and took a lot of bad shots.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

I don't agree that Tatum is a top 5 player, but otherwise yea.

I definitely feel they are being complacent this year. It may not matter in the playoffs, but they are losing games that you wouldn't expect. I don't buy the 3pt variance argument.

They didn't lose yesterday because they missed a bunch of 3s. They lost because they played poorly, turned the ball over a bunch, and took a lot of bad shots.

I'm not ready to put Wemby in the Top 5 yet, who bumps Tatum if the Top 4 are locked?

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I'm not ready to put Wemby in the Top 5 yet, who bumps Tatum if the Top 4 are locked?

I am so ready for Wemby in the top 5. I don't need to see anything else honestly

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by Cavs16

Tatum would never be a top 5 player if you remove half of that list. And still keep the better player JB on the team.

The JB that had 0 PRA in the 2nd half against OKC?

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

The JB that had 0 PRA in the 2nd half against OKC?

"Jaylen Brown is a franchise player" is gonna challenge the run of "LeBron is still the best player in the world" soon. Just need a couple of extra seasons.