NBA Season 2022-23

[liam]

The Washington Wizards have begun trade discussions with multiple teams centered on fourth-year forward Rui Hachimura, The Athletic has learned from league sources. Hachimura, who is set to become a restricted free agent in July, has drawn interest from several Western Conference teams in need of scoring, league sources said. – via Shams Charania, Josh Robbins, Shams Charania and Josh Robbins @ The Athletic

Fits the Juancho TPE perfectly.  The Wizards have a day to get that deal done with the C’s.  Of course, we’re not a Western Conference team.

He makes a lot of sense as a back up wing/power forward.  If the price is right.

Justin Jackson, a 2023 2nd, and Deni Avidja’s bestie, Yam Madar.

that works for me if Wash would take that little for him.  always liked Rui.  thought he'd be better by now but maybe a change of scenery would help his development

They probably won’t tomorrow when our Juancho TPE expires, but I don’t think they’ll get much more than that if they wait until the deadline.  He seems like a serviceable bench player, but he definitely didn’t turn into the player you’d have hoped as a top 10 pick.

I thought he had a couple of injuries that set him back. He's only 24 and would be a solid bench player for us.

[jpotter33]

Not sure how anyone likes watching Luka. For all of his offensive greatness, he (a) complains about literally every single call, (b) dominates the ball so much it’s to the detriment of his team winning, and (c) plays virtually no defense.

All the other MVP candidates are much more palatable to watch in most of those areas. (Jokic plays zero defense, but he’s much less ball-dominant and complains alot less.)

[Vermont Green]

This was reported the other day by the Atlantic, in the context of Washington trading for Crowder:

The Wizards like Hachimura, and team officials believe he’s progressing as a player. They also think Hachimura has room to improve further.

If Washington is looking to trade him, it must be they don't think they can sign him or his cost will exceed their budget.  I like what I have seen from Hachimura.  He seems like a solid young player.  44% last season from 3.  I doubt they are giving him away for scraps, at least not this far before the trade deadline.

I would say that Pritchard and a second would be the floor, and it would probably take more than that.  Hard to see how we might be able to make it work.

[Goldstar88]

Not sure how anyone likes watching Luka. For all of his offensive greatness, he (a) complains about literally every single call, (b) dominates the ball so much it’s to the detriment of his team winning, and (c) plays virtually no defense.

All the other MVP candidates are much more palatable to watch in most of those areas. (Jokic plays zero defense, but he’s much less ball-dominant and complains alot less.)

I like watching Luka more than Giannis, but I do agree that the incessant complaining to the officials is obnoxious. He also likes to yell at his teammates for missing defensive assignments. The irony…

[Celtics2021]

This was reported the other day by the Atlantic, in the context of Washington trading for Crowder:

The Wizards like Hachimura, and team officials believe he’s progressing as a player. They also think Hachimura has room to improve further.

If Washington is looking to trade him, it must be they don't think they can sign him or his cost will exceed their budget.  I like what I have seen from Hachimura.  He seems like a solid young player.  44% last season from 3.  I doubt they are giving him away for scraps, at least not this far before the trade deadline.

I would say that Pritchard and a second would be the floor, and it would probably take more than that.  Hard to see how we might be able to make it work.

Every team likes the players they’re trading away during trade season, but if Washington gets a decent prospect and a pick for Hachimura I will be completely shocked.

[jpotter33]

Dang Timberpuppies are going to choke away this game. Leading for most of the game, only to fold in crunch time with bad turnovers and shot selection.

[celticsclay]

Lakers lose again and lose season series to kings for second time in last 15 years or something like that. You hate to say it. They are now alone in 13th in west.

[SparzWizard]

Light the beam!!

Max Christie committed a clear path foul with 5 seconds to go

[Who]

Suns W-L with/without Devin Booker

With Devin Booker 18 wins 11 losses (51 win pace)
Without Booker 3 wins 13 losses (15 win pace)

[Kernewek]

If things continue as they are for Sacramento (monkey's paw begins to curl) I'm going to make every effort to watch their first round series - those home games are going to be absolutely rambunctious.

[Phantom255x]

If things continue as they are for Sacramento (monkey's paw begins to curl) I'm going to make every effort to watch their first round series - those home games are going to be absolutely rambunctious.

I love when they light the purple beam after a home win 

[#1P4P]

Dang Timberpuppies are going to choke away this game. Leading for most of the game, only to fold in crunch time with bad turnovers and shot selection.

Their playoff losses to Memphis went in similar fashion.

The GM traded away depth and a treasure trove of assets trying to shore up the defense with Gobert, only to realize that addressing the makeup of the team and late game execution is still an issue.

Minnesota still has enough talent to make it work, but relying on an inexperienced Ant to finish games is not the best option for a team with hopes of contending. The coach has to find a better way to closeout these games.

[Ed Monix]

The NBA intends to “widely broadcast” Lakers games as LeBron approaches Kareem’s all-time scoring record.

—————————

Source: Tim Reynolds

[SparzWizard]

I'm happy for Ben Simmons getting to leave the game, but Ben Simmons got tossed with 2 technical fouls for whispering with the ref in protest of a call...looked like the equivalent to Tim Duncan getting tossed for laughing on the bench.

But when Draymond Green yells and berate the ref he still in the game and no T wtheck man.

[Roy H.]

Joel Embiid: “It’s funny when you’ve got these old guys always talking about posting up, ‘you need to spend time in the paint,’ and all that stuff. You can’t win this way anymore. It’s not the fricking 90s or 80s like it used to be. So, they must not have any basketball IQ.”

Obviously something is working correctly for Embiid, so maybe I shouldn't criticize his opinion here.  But, there's a difference between "spend more time in the paint" and "pretend you're Patrick Ewing".  The fact is, Embiid is really, really good in the post.  1.17 points per shot, which is elite.  The only centers who score more pps off of post-ups are Jokic (of course), Zubac and Landale. 

NBA.com estimates that Jokic is in the post 25% of the time (or 25% of his shots / possessions come from the post; I'm not exactly sure what "frequency" means).  Embiid is at 15.9%.

It seems to me that if you have a near-elite skill that teams struggle to defend, it's not crazy to do it more. 

(The question of "why don't some of the great players post-up more frequently" is an interesting one to me.  For instance, I think KG could have been a 30ppg scorer if he went to the post more, or if he added a 3PT shot.  He pretty stubbornly stuck to what he knew, though, shooting mostly 2PT jump shots.  Why?!)