NBA Season 2024-25

[jpotter33]

It's crazy seeing someone make Jokic look small.

But Wemby is definitely affecting Jokic. He's got 41, but it's taken 36 shots with only 15 makes, which is unheard of for Jokic. Thank God Wemby is in the West to help stifle Jokic moving forward.

[Phantom255x]

Cavs showing no signs of slowing down. Up big over the NBA Final runner-ups of last year at their turf.

You going to leave out the part about Luka and Kyrie not playing? 

Kyrie didn't play either? Man - they've been so, so lucky with injuries to teams they're playing. I'm not sure that they've played a good team yet that was actually healthy. Maybe one of their Milwaukee wins, though that's stretching the definition of "good team".

I think that has at least something to do with how well they're playing.

Lol they never played the Bucks healthy. 2 of the games were missing 1 of Giannis/Lillard and the other was missing both

Even in our most recent H2H we had Jaylen and White out. It was the game Drew Peterson played 25 mins. And to his credit he did solid but still. We just blew that game late unfortunately

[jpotter33]

And Jokic turns it over on the great pressure from Wemby to lose the game! Love it!

(But, man, hopefully we can get another title or two before Wemby matures, because this kid is going to be a monster and absolute two-way force.)

[jpotter33]

Cavs showing no signs of slowing down. Up big over the NBA Final runner-ups of last year at their turf.

You going to leave out the part about Luka and Kyrie not playing? 

Kyrie didn't play either? Man - they've been so, so lucky with injuries to teams they're playing. I'm not sure that they've played a good team yet that was actually healthy. Maybe one of their Milwaukee wins, though that's stretching the definition of "good team".

I think that has at least something to do with how well they're playing.

Lol they never played the Bucks healthy. 2 of the games were missing 1 of Giannis/Lillard and the other was missing both

Even in our most recent H2H we had Jaylen and White out. It was the game Drew Peterson played 25 mins. And to his credit he did solid but still. We just blew that game late unfortunately

And no KP the first game for us, either. Looking through their schedule, it looks like early season wins against the Knicks (still learning to play together) and Warriors (good win - they were hot and fresh off beating us) were fully healthy wins, as well as two wins against mostly healthy Nuggets teams (no Gordon the last one).

They've had some injuries, too, but it's been to their more marginal role players in the back half of the rotation like Strus, Okoro, etc. Their main core of Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, and Allen have all been exceedingly and uncharacteristically healthy. I think we'll see the injuries and the shooting all regress to the mean eventually.

[SparzWizard]

Lakers quietly sneaking back up to the 4th seed after their big win over the Hawks

[Who]

Dallas winning ways without Luka appear to be ending. They are now 12-7 without Luka which is good but they started 5-1 and have only gone 7-6 since then. Still, .500 basketball without Luka is a solid showing from that group.

[Who]

This was a brutal and accurate summation of Minnesota's offense

The strategy to get the ball out of Edwards' hands is wise.

1) He doesn't like it... probably because he struggles with when/how to do it.
2) And... because of the other starters on the team:

- Rudy Gobert (10.3 ppg). 0 career three pointers and one of the more limited offensive players in the game today.
- Mike Conley (8.2 ppg). He's shooting 35.5% from the field this season... including making 6 out of last 24 TWO-point attempts.
- Jaden McDaniels (9.9 ppg). He's shooting 31.5% on three pointers this season.
- Julius Randle (20.2 ppg). The career 33.6% 3FG shooter is up to 37.7% this season.

Only one of them can create offense for themselves or others... but he does it almost entirely via iso possessions where he dribbles vs. a set defense. It's an almost unfathomable bad mix for another dribble-heavy, iso player like Edwards.

[Vermont Green]

Cavs showing no signs of slowing down. Up big over the NBA Final runner-ups of last year at their turf.

You going to leave out the part about Luka and Kyrie not playing? 

Kyrie didn't play either? Man - they've been so, so lucky with injuries to teams they're playing. I'm not sure that they've played a good team yet that was actually healthy. Maybe one of their Milwaukee wins, though that's stretching the definition of "good team".

I think that has at least something to do with how well they're playing.

Lol they never played the Bucks healthy. 2 of the games were missing 1 of Giannis/Lillard and the other was missing both

Even in our most recent H2H we had Jaylen and White out. It was the game Drew Peterson played 25 mins. And to his credit he did solid but still. We just blew that game late unfortunately

All this is true about CLE's schedule so far, but isn't this exactly what people were saying about the Celtics in the playoffs last season?

Their core 4 have been healthy; Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, Allen.  They have not really settled in on a 5th starter.  They have 149 minutes with Wade and 148 minutes with Okoro with the other starters.  That is probably their softest spot, that wing who is their 5th starter.  Mitchell (55 games last season) and Garland (57 games last season) have had some durability issues.  Neither was 100% in the playoffs last season.  They have both been healthy and playing well this season.  Mobley only 50 games last season and he is playing/scoring well above his career averages.  This "big 3" may not hold up but as long as they do, this is a very good team.  I think all 3 are as good as they have been playing, but can they stay healthy for a whole season and a playoff run?

[Vermont Green]

Cavs showing no signs of slowing down. Up big over the NBA Final runner-ups of last year at their turf.

You going to leave out the part about Luka and Kyrie not playing? 

That is obviously a big factor.  Mobley had a monster game.  LeVert has been sneaky good all season.  Their wing role is still unresolved.  Wade played 26 min as the starter and was -6 while shooting 4-5.  Strus came off the bench for 24 min and was +12 but only 1-5 shooting.  Okoro didn't play.  DAL without Luka or Kyrie is about like playing CHA or WAS.  It should be an easy win.

Can you imagine CLE if they had Jimmy Butler as their wing?  Not sure they could get him without trading something from the core but talk about just what the Doctor ordered.

Maybe  trade Garland and Okoro, go with:

Mitchell
LeVert
Butler
Mobley
Allen

[Phantom255x]

With all the Butler-Riley-Heat drama, lets all laugh at this pathetic joke of a motto and court:

[SparzWizard]

With all the Butler-Riley-Heat drama, lets all laugh at this pathetic joke of a motto and court:

Lulz what a joke of a franchise. Pat better take that garbage off

[Phantom255x]

Lakers quietly sneaking back up to the 4th seed after their big win over the Hawks

The irony is, their first round opponent right now? Denver Nuggets 

[SparzWizard]

Lakers quietly sneaking back up to the 4th seed after their big win over the Hawks

The irony is, their first round opponent right now? Denver Nuggets 

Their maker and daddy  Only difference is first two games to be played in LA

[Phantom255x]

Lakers quietly sneaking back up to the 4th seed after their big win over the Hawks

The irony is, their first round opponent right now? Denver Nuggets 

Their maker and daddy  Only difference is first two games to be played in LA

Does that even matter? Denver seems to beat them anywhere lol.

Have to admit though, besides just Jokic + Murray vs. AD and Lebron, I would love to see Westbrook try to stick it to them as well. Revenge series of sorts

[SparzWizard]

Kawhi Leonard making his season debut tonight against the Atlanta Hawks. Almost forgot he's still in the league