2024 NBA Season and Playoffs

[Birdman]

Embiid's line vs. Blazers:  35pts, 15reb, 7ast, 2stl and 6blk in only 29min.

Wow!! Great player

[Kernewek]

Udoka is now 0-3 as the Rockets HC.

Not sure how much of this is on Udoka - the Rockets are almost certainly not trying to win basketball games this year.

Where do we think Embiid lands after Philadelphia?

[Birdman]

Lot of experts saying OKC are team to watch but Denver said hold my beer, beat them like 40 points…

[ChillyWilly]

Lillard at halftime has zero points

And yeah I'm not surprised about the defense, or lack thereof. Holiday isn't the same defender as 3-4 years ago, but they still got worse on that end. Lillard is a worse defender, and the Bucks were bad at defense last year already. They have to rely on outscoring teams to win and that's not usually a winning recipe. Even last year the C's typically put up 120+ on MIL pretty easily, even in a game where they basically sat their entire starting lineup.

I just finished watching the full Bucks Atlanta game. Atl showed how you play the bucks just trap Dame and then go at him defensively. The Bucks defense is awful. We'd be having fist fights in this forum if this was our defense.

I've said this 1000 times about GA and it still holds true. He has 1 elite move that he uses constantly which is speeding down the lane and spinning.

[gift]

Milwaukee’s perimeter defense looks really bad. Cannot stop any penetration from Atlanta’s guards. And Lillard a no-show tonight offensively, really struggling with Murray on him. He’s a net negative out there right now.

Maxey and Oubre shredded them too. Their defense is not good.

Yep, Bucks messed up. They basically did what we did when we signed Kemba. They won't get home court for the playoffs...

even though the Celtics weren't seriously linked to Lillard, i had no interest in him for this reason. he's better than Kemba, but he's a small scoring 33 year old pg, liability on defense, somewhat injury prone. and he's only going to get worse at this point in his career. i don't know when he'll fall off but it could be starting now. it happens quickly and many times it coincides with a new environment.

[Goldstar88]

Udoka is now 0-3 as the Rockets HC.

Not sure how much of this is on Udoka - the Rockets are almost certainly not trying to win basketball games this year.

Where do we think Embiid lands after Philadelphia?

I don’t think the Rockets are trying to tank at this point. They signed Vanfleet to a huge contract in the off-season. Also brought in Dillon Brooks, Bullock and Jeff Green. They already have young talent to build around with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun.

[Phantom255x]

Udoka is now 0-3 as the Rockets HC.

Not sure how much of this is on Udoka - the Rockets are almost certainly not trying to win basketball games this year.

Where do we think Embiid lands after Philadelphia?

I don’t think the Rockets are trying to tank at this point. They signed Vanfleet to a huge contract in the off-season. Also brought in Dillon Brooks, Bullock and Jeff Green. They already have young talent to build around with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets giving big money to both Van Vleet and Brooks was baffling, and so stupid

[Goldstar88]

Udoka is now 0-3 as the Rockets HC.

Not sure how much of this is on Udoka - the Rockets are almost certainly not trying to win basketball games this year.

Where do we think Embiid lands after Philadelphia?

I don’t think the Rockets are trying to tank at this point. They signed Vanfleet to a huge contract in the off-season. Also brought in Dillon Brooks, Bullock and Jeff Green. They already have young talent to build around with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets giving big money to both Van Vleet and Brooks was baffling, and so stupid

Also signed Jock Landale who was  a decent C for the Suns off the bench last year. Clearly trying to find a good mix of Vets to go with their young talent.

[Kernewek]

Udoka is now 0-3 as the Rockets HC.

Not sure how much of this is on Udoka - the Rockets are almost certainly not trying to win basketball games this year.

Where do we think Embiid lands after Philadelphia?

I don’t think the Rockets are trying to tank at this point. They signed Vanfleet to a huge contract in the off-season. Also brought in Dillon Brooks, Bullock and Jeff Green. They already have young talent to build around with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets giving big money to both Van Vleet and Brooks was baffling, and so stupid

Also signed Jock Landale who was  a decent C for the Suns off the bench last year. Clearly trying to find a good mix of Vets to go with their young talent.

You might be right, Goldstar, but on principle, I refuse to believe a team is trying to win if their two largest contracts are Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. And, while their cap situation isn't great, their tax situation is pretty good - and they're going to have a lot of flexibility moving forward (which is also not something I associate with a team trying to win).

[Goldstar88]

Udoka is now 0-3 as the Rockets HC.

Not sure how much of this is on Udoka - the Rockets are almost certainly not trying to win basketball games this year.

Where do we think Embiid lands after Philadelphia?

I don’t think the Rockets are trying to tank at this point. They signed Vanfleet to a huge contract in the off-season. Also brought in Dillon Brooks, Bullock and Jeff Green. They already have young talent to build around with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets giving big money to both Van Vleet and Brooks was baffling, and so stupid

Also signed Jock Landale who was  a decent C for the Suns off the bench last year. Clearly trying to find a good mix of Vets to go with their young talent.

You might be right, Goldstar, but on principle, I refuse to believe a team is trying to win if their two largest contracts are Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. And, while their cap situation isn't great, their tax situation is pretty good - and they're going to have a lot of flexibility moving forward (which is also not something I associate with a team trying to win).

Lol. I’m not saying it’s a great strategy, especially the Vanfleet signing, but that’s how it seems to me. Looks like their contracts are up right when Green, Smith, and Sengun are set to be RFA.

[bdm860]

Udoka is now 0-3 as the Rockets HC.

Not sure how much of this is on Udoka - the Rockets are almost certainly not trying to win basketball games this year.

Where do we think Embiid lands after Philadelphia?

I don’t think the Rockets are trying to tank at this point. They signed Vanfleet to a huge contract in the off-season. Also brought in Dillon Brooks, Bullock and Jeff Green. They already have young talent to build around with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets giving big money to both Van Vleet and Brooks was baffling, and so stupid

Also signed Jock Landale who was  a decent C for the Suns off the bench last year. Clearly trying to find a good mix of Vets to go with their young talent.

You might be right, Goldstar, but on principle, I refuse to believe a team is trying to win if their two largest contracts are Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. And, while their cap situation isn't great, their tax situation is pretty good - and they're going to have a lot of flexibility moving forward (which is also not something I associate with a team trying to win).

With the new CBA, there's new rules with the salary floor that make teams not want to be under it (losing out on revenue, can't make trades where they take back less salary, can't use amount under floor as cap space, and have to be over the floor by the first day of the season when it used to be the last game of the regular season).

So the VanVleet signing makes lots of sense from that perspective (they would be under the floor without him).  Sign the best free agent you can to a short-ish (3 years) deal to get above the floor, and he'll be off the books when you have to start extending your current rookie deals.

We'll probably see this with more rebuilding teams going forward. 

With the new CBA, I don't think signing players is a sign you're trying to compete.

[Moranis]

Udoka is now 0-3 as the Rockets HC.

Not sure how much of this is on Udoka - the Rockets are almost certainly not trying to win basketball games this year.

Where do we think Embiid lands after Philadelphia?

I don’t think the Rockets are trying to tank at this point. They signed Vanfleet to a huge contract in the off-season. Also brought in Dillon Brooks, Bullock and Jeff Green. They already have young talent to build around with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets giving big money to both Van Vleet and Brooks was baffling, and so stupid

Also signed Jock Landale who was  a decent C for the Suns off the bench last year. Clearly trying to find a good mix of Vets to go with their young talent.

You might be right, Goldstar, but on principle, I refuse to believe a team is trying to win if their two largest contracts are Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. And, while their cap situation isn't great, their tax situation is pretty good - and they're going to have a lot of flexibility moving forward (which is also not something I associate with a team trying to win).

With the new CBA, there's new rules with the salary floor that make teams not want to be under it (losing out on revenue, can't make trades where they take back less salary, can't use amount under floor as cap space, and have to be over the floor by the first day of the season when it used to be the last game of the regular season).

So the VanVleet signing makes lots of sense from that perspective (they would be under the floor without him).  Sign the best free agent you can to a short-ish (3 years) deal to get above the floor, and he'll be off the books when you have to start extending your current rookie deals.

We'll probably see this with more rebuilding teams going forward. 

With the new CBA, I don't think signing players is a sign you're trying to compete.

they'd have been better off just doing some big 1 year contracts and trying again next summer for a marquee name after another year of seasoning for their young guys (and adding another high pick).  Or being the team that takes on players for draft picks.  Signing FVV was dumb.  I don't mind the other moves they made but FVV just made no sense

[kraidstar]

Udoka is now 0-3 as the Rockets HC.

Not sure how much of this is on Udoka - the Rockets are almost certainly not trying to win basketball games this year.

Where do we think Embiid lands after Philadelphia?

I don’t think the Rockets are trying to tank at this point. They signed Vanfleet to a huge contract in the off-season. Also brought in Dillon Brooks, Bullock and Jeff Green. They already have young talent to build around with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets giving big money to both Van Vleet and Brooks was baffling, and so stupid

Also signed Jock Landale who was  a decent C for the Suns off the bench last year. Clearly trying to find a good mix of Vets to go with their young talent.

You might be right, Goldstar, but on principle, I refuse to believe a team is trying to win if their two largest contracts are Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. And, while their cap situation isn't great, their tax situation is pretty good - and they're going to have a lot of flexibility moving forward (which is also not something I associate with a team trying to win).

With the new CBA, there's new rules with the salary floor that make teams not want to be under it (losing out on revenue, can't make trades where they take back less salary, can't use amount under floor as cap space, and have to be over the floor by the first day of the season when it used to be the last game of the regular season).

So the VanVleet signing makes lots of sense from that perspective (they would be under the floor without him).  Sign the best free agent you can to a short-ish (3 years) deal to get above the floor, and he'll be off the books when you have to start extending your current rookie deals.

We'll probably see this with more rebuilding teams going forward. 

With the new CBA, I don't think signing players is a sign you're trying to compete.

they'd have been better off just doing some big 1 year contracts and trying again next summer for a marquee name after another year of seasoning for their young guys (and adding another high pick).  Or being the team that takes on players for draft picks.  Signing FVV was dumb.  I don't mind the other moves they made but FVV just made no sense

Yeah. And with some large expirings they could have also rented out their cap space in exchange for picks.

Maybe they think they can trade FVV for some future value.

Or maybe they just aren't that bright and are jumping the gun to ride the treadmill.

[footey]

Udoka is now 0-3 as the Rockets HC.

Not sure how much of this is on Udoka - the Rockets are almost certainly not trying to win basketball games this year.

Where do we think Embiid lands after Philadelphia?

I don’t think the Rockets are trying to tank at this point. They signed Vanfleet to a huge contract in the off-season. Also brought in Dillon Brooks, Bullock and Jeff Green. They already have young talent to build around with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets giving big money to both Van Vleet and Brooks was baffling, and so stupid

Also signed Jock Landale who was  a decent C for the Suns off the bench last year. Clearly trying to find a good mix of Vets to go with their young talent.

You might be right, Goldstar, but on principle, I refuse to believe a team is trying to win if their two largest contracts are Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. And, while their cap situation isn't great, their tax situation is pretty good - and they're going to have a lot of flexibility moving forward (which is also not something I associate with a team trying to win).

With the new CBA, there's new rules with the salary floor that make teams not want to be under it (losing out on revenue, can't make trades where they take back less salary, can't use amount under floor as cap space, and have to be over the floor by the first day of the season when it used to be the last game of the regular season).

So the VanVleet signing makes lots of sense from that perspective (they would be under the floor without him).  Sign the best free agent you can to a short-ish (3 years) deal to get above the floor, and he'll be off the books when you have to start extending your current rookie deals.

We'll probably see this with more rebuilding teams going forward. 

With the new CBA, I don't think signing players is a sign you're trying to compete.

they'd have been better off just doing some big 1 year contracts and trying again next summer for a marquee name after another year of seasoning for their young guys (and adding another high pick).  Or being the team that takes on players for draft picks.  Signing FVV was dumb.  I don't mind the other moves they made but FVV just made no sense

May have done Toronto a favor.

[BitterJim]

Udoka is now 0-3 as the Rockets HC.

Not sure how much of this is on Udoka - the Rockets are almost certainly not trying to win basketball games this year.

Where do we think Embiid lands after Philadelphia?

I don’t think the Rockets are trying to tank at this point. They signed Vanfleet to a huge contract in the off-season. Also brought in Dillon Brooks, Bullock and Jeff Green. They already have young talent to build around with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets giving big money to both Van Vleet and Brooks was baffling, and so stupid

Also signed Jock Landale who was  a decent C for the Suns off the bench last year. Clearly trying to find a good mix of Vets to go with their young talent.

You might be right, Goldstar, but on principle, I refuse to believe a team is trying to win if their two largest contracts are Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. And, while their cap situation isn't great, their tax situation is pretty good - and they're going to have a lot of flexibility moving forward (which is also not something I associate with a team trying to win).

With the new CBA, there's new rules with the salary floor that make teams not want to be under it (losing out on revenue, can't make trades where they take back less salary, can't use amount under floor as cap space, and have to be over the floor by the first day of the season when it used to be the last game of the regular season).

So the VanVleet signing makes lots of sense from that perspective (they would be under the floor without him).  Sign the best free agent you can to a short-ish (3 years) deal to get above the floor, and he'll be off the books when you have to start extending your current rookie deals.

We'll probably see this with more rebuilding teams going forward. 

With the new CBA, I don't think signing players is a sign you're trying to compete.

Am I misinterpreting the bolded part, or does that make signing max FAs (other than your own) impossible since there's only like $15 million between the salary floor and the salary cap? Or does it only apply in trades?