2024-2025 Around the NBA Thread

[Mainstreet]

That says it all about the Lakers, they have no hope of competing and they know it, so they are focusing on Lebron puff pieces.

I suspect the Lakers are going to get a lot of friendly calls this season because the father-son duo will capture a lot of headlines.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I suspect the Lakers are going to get a lot of friendly calls this season because the father-son duo will capture a lot of headlines.

Yep, and IMO it should create a lot of headlines, at least unless/until it's proven to be nothing more than a novelty.

 

[Chaplin]

If Redick plays Bronny with any regularity at all, it will just show that he's a puppet with strings being pulled by Lebron.

 

[Suns_fan69]

Yeah, a healthy Robert Williams would take over the starting position at center in Portland, but as you pointed out, he has trouble staying healthy.

Duop Reath isn't half bad either considering he was a free agent addition.

Now the Trail Blazers have Donovan Clingan.

My guess is that Clingan will have the starting position before the year is out. Not because he'll be terrific, but because he'll be competent and actually put consistent effort in every night.

 

[Mainstreet]

My guess is that Clingan will have the starting position before the year is out. Not because he'll be terrific, but because he'll be competent and actually put consistent effort in every night.

Agree, especially if the Trail Blazers find a trade for Ayton.

 

[Hoop Head]

My guess is that Clingan will have the starting position before the year is out. Not because he'll be terrific, but because he'll be competent and actually put consistent effort in every night.

I forgot they drafted Clingan. Yeah, Ayton is a goner. I wouldn't be surprised if they sell low, like 2 1st round picks. Maybe just 1 if the right team bites.

 

[Phrazbit]

My guess is that Clingan will have the starting position before the year is out. Not because he'll be terrific, but because he'll be competent and actually put consistent effort in every night.

I forgot they drafted Clingan. Yeah, Ayton is a goner. I wouldn't be surprised if they sell low, like 2 1st round picks. Maybe just 1 if the right team bites.

Ayton, on cruise control, puts up about 17-10... like clock work, and with very efficient offense stats, and with moments of brilliance on both ends... however, for half of most games he is basically a non-combatant, just standing around going through the motions.

Ayton is infuriating, because you know how good he SHOULD be. He's never going to be as good as he should be, that much is clear now, but I think we're not close to the point where he isn't viewed as an obvious starter.

I think he sleepwalks to his career averages the next couple years, then he hits free agency, and no one really wants him, he ends up on a one year "prove it" deal and decides low pay deserves low effort and I am talking on the Ayton scale of effort, so low effort will equal no effort.

I don't think he really cares, he's "trying" to the extent that he is for the money, he has said as much, when that money diminishes he will not even pretend to care.

 

[Phrazbit]

If Redick plays Bronny with any regularity at all, it will just show that he's a puppet with strings being pulled by Lebron.

That is going to be an interesting story line.

Bronny isn't an NBA prospect, he is REALLY bad, he can't shoot (from any distance), pass, rebound and outside of hunting trailing blocks, he can't defend his supposed "wing" position.

He needed several years to grow his game, his numbers at USC were terrible, he probably would have redshirted at most serious programs.

Short guards who are terrible shooters, bad passers and mediocre defenders are utterly worthless... and that feels like the best case scenario for Bronny these next couple years.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Robert Williams III of the Trail Blazers could miss a couple of weeks due to a hamstring injury incurred during training camp.

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Dude cannot buy a break

 

[Mainstreet]

Bronny James gets his first preseason basket against the Timberwolves.

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[GatorAZ]

I have to think Ant ok'd the deal or maybe even asked for KAT to be dealt. Outside of that, it doesn't make sense for Minnesota. New York was surely the ones who opened up the talks.

I also disagree with @Phrazbit idea Towns is at risk of becoming a Zack Lavine type of albatross. He's a 7 footer who is in the 52/40/84, which is insane. He's not as good as Dirk overall but the shooting numbers are comparable. In fact KAT has better career averages than Dirk across the board. I know stats aren't everything but he's also a 4 time All-Star and 2 time All NBA player. He's not Lavine. He'll remain tradeable simply due his efficiency and size are unique. Lavine is a chucker and a SG in a league overflowing with talented wings.

Stat comparison...

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I feel like the Knicks are going to be devastating offensively as long as Brunson is healthy and not exhausted from having to carry the load. For example if we play them which Sun is guarding Brunson who humiliated us last year? Who’s guarding KAT who had a 68% TS in our playoff series? Plus they have long defensive wings that can make life tough on KD/Book. I feel our only advantage vs the Knicks is depth.

 

[Mainstreet]

I feel like the Knicks are going to be devastating offensively as long as Brunson is healthy and not exhausted from having to carry the load. For example if we play them which Sun is guarding Brunson who humiliated us last year? Who’s guarding KAT who had a 68% TS in our playoff series? Plus they have long defensive wings that can make life tough on KD/Book. I feel our only advantage vs the Knicks is depth.

It's asking a lot of a rookie, but Ryan Dunn might be the defensive stopper the Suns need.

 

[Suns_fan69]

Bronny James gets his first preseason basket against the Timberwolves.

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Man, I know it's pre-season and all, but that's some rough basketball.

 

[Hoop Head]

Man, I know it's pre-season and all, but that's some rough basketball.

Yeah it was ugly all around. At least the Nuggets and Celtics had the excuse of being in Abu Dhabi but the Lakers and Wolves were in Cali.

 

[Suns_fan69]

This guy is annoying in long doses, but pretty funny to see him rip Bronnie

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[Adrian]

Evan Sidery

@esidery
·
37m

The Trail Blazers announced Shaedon Sharpe suffered a small posterior labral tear in his left shoulder.Sharpe will likely miss the first few weeks of the regular season.

 

[Phrazbit]

I feel like the Knicks are going to be devastating offensively as long as Brunson is healthy and not exhausted from having to carry the load. For example if we play them which Sun is guarding Brunson who humiliated us last year? Who’s guarding KAT who had a 68% TS in our playoff series? Plus they have long defensive wings that can make life tough on KD/Book. I feel our only advantage vs the Knicks is depth.

Interior defense and rebounding will probably be problems for the Knicks. KAT is going to be a 5 there instead of a 4. His 3 point attempts are probably going to go down a bit as he is tasked with setting some screens and drawing defenders in.

It sounds like Mitchell Robinson is going to miss a ton of time which leaves Towns as their only real rotation front court player. Towns isn't exactly durable either of late, when he is out they are going to be crazy small.

 

[Mainstreet]

Man, I know it's pre-season and all, but that's some rough basketball.

Yeah, it resembled a fumble for a score in football.

 

[GatorAZ]

Interior defense and rebounding will probably be problems for the Knicks. KAT is going to be a 5 there instead of a 4. His 3 point attempts are probably going to go down a bit as he is tasked with setting some screens and drawing defenders in.

It sounds like Mitchell Robinson is going to miss a ton of time which leaves Towns as their only real rotation front court player. Towns isn't exactly durable either of late, when he is out they are going to be crazy small.

The crazy thing is Josh Hart led them in rebounding over 8rpg last year and 11 rpg in the playoffs!

 

[Mainstreet]

Evan Sidery
@esidery
·
37m

The Trail Blazers announced Shaedon Sharpe suffered a small posterior labral tear in his left shoulder.Sharpe will likely miss the first few weeks of the regular season.

The Trail Blazers have been hit hard with injuries to Robert Williams III and now Shaedon Sharpe.

 

[Adrian]

Evan Sidery

@esidery
·
12m

Lonzo Ball continues to respond well to an increasing workload as he prepares for his unprecedented comeback.Ball is in line to play a key role in the Bulls’ second unit.Ball will become the first professional athlete to successfully return from a knee cartilage transplant.

 

[Adrian]

Shams Charania

@ShamsCharania


The Clippers and forward PJ Tucker have mutually agreed for the 13-year NBA veteran to be away from the team as the sides work toward a resolution for his future.

 

[Mainstreet]

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania


The Clippers and forward PJ Tucker have mutually agreed for the 13-year NBA veteran to be away from the team as the sides work toward a resolution for his future.

It sounds similar to the Jae Crowder situation, where he stayed out with the Suns.

 

[Hoop Head]

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania


The Clippers and forward PJ Tucker have mutually agreed for the 13-year NBA veteran to be away from the team as the sides work toward a resolution for his future.

Worth noting that TJ makes $11.0 million this season as part of a player option he picked up back in June. I don't blame him for picking up that option since he wasn't getting that in free agency. He's looking at minimum deals here on out, maybe a hair more if a team really wants him.

Saw Brooklyn may have interest solely for buyout reasons as they need to shed a contract anyways to sign Killian Hayes, who theyre high on for some reason.

 

[Yuma]

It sounds similar to the Jae Crowder situation, where he stayed out with the Suns.

Clips may be blowing it up. You only need PJ if you are convinced you have a shot in the playoffs.