NBA Season 2024-25

[Phantom255x]

The Cavs are reminding me of last year's Celtics team, which is not good for us this year lol. They look like they are on a mission. Dominating teams, getting good secondary production even besides Mitchell/Garland, great ball movement, great defense aided with their healthy frontcourt which hasn't always been healthy in the past. They aren't letting their foot off the gas and they are playing intense defense every night no matter the opponent which was a characteristic of the 2024 C's.

[Goldstar88]

The Cavs are reminding me of last year's Celtics team, which is not good for us this year lol. They look like they are on a mission. Dominating teams, getting good secondary production even besides Mitchell/Garland, great ball movement, great defense aided with their healthy frontcourt which hasn't always been healthy in the past. They aren't letting their foot off the gas and they are playing intense defense every night no matter the opponent which was a characteristic of the 2024 C's.

Cavs remind me of the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks. Great regular season team. 

[Who]

The Cavs are reminding me of last year's Celtics team, which is not good for us this year lol. They look like they are on a mission. Dominating teams, getting good secondary production even besides Mitchell/Garland, great ball movement, great defense aided with their healthy frontcourt which hasn't always been healthy in the past. They aren't letting their foot off the gas and they are playing intense defense every night no matter the opponent which was a characteristic of the 2024 C's.

Cavs remind me of the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks. Great regular season team. 

Agreed. Not buying CLE as a top team at all. 2nd tier team.

[Goldstar88]

When asked Tuesday if he wants to be in Miami, amid now a couple weeks and counting of trade speculation, Butler was noncommittal.

"It's a good question. Who knows? I don't," Butler said. "But right now, I'm here. So, I'm going to make the most of it. I am going to compete, and I am going to win. And that's all that I've got. It's a lot of talk. And it is a lot of noise, which I'm cool with. It doesn't bother me at all. I love that. I thrive in that. But it keeps all y'all wondering. It does. It keeps the world wondering, to where you've got to keep coming back and asking me about something. I like it. It's good to be talked about. Even better to be wanted, though. Remember that."

[Phantom255x]

When asked Tuesday if he wants to be in Miami, amid now a couple weeks and counting of trade speculation, Butler was noncommittal.

"It's a good question. Who knows? I don't," Butler said. "But right now, I'm here. So, I'm going to make the most of it. I am going to compete, and I am going to win. And that's all that I've got. It's a lot of talk. And it is a lot of noise, which I'm cool with. It doesn't bother me at all. I love that. I thrive in that. But it keeps all y'all wondering. It does. It keeps the world wondering, to where you've got to keep coming back and asking me about something. I like it. It's good to be talked about. Even better to be wanted, though. Remember that."

Yeah they're cooked. They're probably still good enough to be a play-in team but I'm sure if Butler "tweaks" something he'll take his sweet time coming back. That relationship is done.

[Phantom255x]

Man the Cavs ball movement is so good, and they're knocking down the 3s. Outplaying and outhustling the Lakers so far even on the 2nd of a B2B. Scary

[Phantom255x]

The Cavs are reminding me of last year's Celtics team, which is not good for us this year lol. They look like they are on a mission. Dominating teams, getting good secondary production even besides Mitchell/Garland, great ball movement, great defense aided with their healthy frontcourt which hasn't always been healthy in the past. They aren't letting their foot off the gas and they are playing intense defense every night no matter the opponent which was a characteristic of the 2024 C's.

Cavs remind me of the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks. Great regular season team. 

Agreed. Not buying CLE as a top team at all. 2nd tier team.

I hope you're right. But idk, I'm getting concerned.

Right now I can't believe I'm saying it but I *might* choose CLE in 7 over BOS. Don't like the idea of a road Game 7 against them either.

But whatever. Still a very long season to go. We'll see what happens.

[jpotter33]

The Cavs are reminding me of last year's Celtics team, which is not good for us this year lol. They look like they are on a mission. Dominating teams, getting good secondary production even besides Mitchell/Garland, great ball movement, great defense aided with their healthy frontcourt which hasn't always been healthy in the past. They aren't letting their foot off the gas and they are playing intense defense every night no matter the opponent which was a characteristic of the 2024 C's.

Cavs remind me of the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks. Great regular season team. 

Agreed. Not buying CLE as a top team at all. 2nd tier team.

Agreed. Not sure about a second tier team, but I think they?re a step below us when everyone is healthy. They do seem like a much better regular season team than a playoffs team, as their super small backcourt is very easy to exploit. They also still have zero answer for either of the Jays.

Also, it should be noted that they?ve had outstanding injury luck thus far for their main guys, especially when they?ve got some injury prone guys. They?ve also benefitted greatly from some shooting variance luck (both their own and their opponents), as well as luck with injuries to their opponents.

[SparzWizard]

Cavs sweep LA 

[Who]

LeBron thinks he can play another 5-7 years

LeBron James turned 40 on Monday and said he believes he could play in the NBA for several more years even though he currently doesn't plan to do so.

"To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level probably for about another, it's weird that I might say this, but probably about another 5-7 years, if I wanted to," James said.

"But I'm not going to do that."

[Who]

From the Game Thread

How is SGA the MVP favorite now over Jokic? OKC has a talented team around him too right?

Meanwhile Tatum and even someone like Giannis gets screwed over

Interesting comparison of supporting casts

Supporting Star Players

J-Dub vs Jamal Murray
Chet vs MPJ
Hartenstein vs Aaron Gordon

That is an interesting comparison of supporting star players. I would think Hartenstein and Aaron Gordon is fairly even. Chet is far more dynamic than MPJ. That said, Chet and Hartenstein have both missed significant time so I am not sure this has created an advantage for SGA / OKC in the standings.

The big one there is Jalen Williams vs Jamal Murray. Murray has struggled for the first month and a half of the season. He has picked up lately but clearly he has not been in All-Star form this season. Jamal Murray of post-season fame has outplayed J-Dub but he hasn't this regular season. J-Dub has outplayed him. Advantage SGA.

Role Players

Lu Dort vs C Braun
A Caruso vs Westbrook
C Wallace vs P Watson
I Joe vs J Strawther
Kenrich Williams vs DeAndre Jordan

That is actually close than I would have expected it to be. Denver has a weak supporting cast. OKC has some super role players. Only really 2 though with Lu Dort and Alex Caruso ... then their supporting cast gets weak.

C Braun has played very well. Dort is an elite defender. Braun is a very good defender. Braun is a more dynamic / rounded offensive player. Dort a better three point shooter. Advantage Dort but Braun's growth has shrunk the size of that gap.

Alex Caruso and Westbrook is a great one. Polar opposites. I'd rather have Caruso in 95% of situations. A low usage high end glue guy whereas Westbrook is a ball dominant bad shooting creative player which as a result is generally less useful on title contenders. In some situations though, that offensive creation is more valuable.

Caruso has sucked offensively this year with 38% FG% and 26% 3PT%. Westbrook has sucked with his shooting too but has actually out-shot Caruso with 45% FG% 31% 3PT%. He has out-rebounded and out-assisted Caruso. Caruso has obviously played the better defense and played a role in OKC's league leading defense. Caruso is also averaging an outstanding 1.9 steals in only 20mpg. Westbrook gets 1.7spg in 26mpg which is also very good but his general defense isn't as good. I am not sure this has been an advantage for SGA / OKC.

The Isaiah Joe vs Julian Strawther looks a wash. I lean Strawther because he is bigger physically. Similar type of players. Both shooters. Strawther has actually shown more off the dribble and the ability to be a well rounded offensive player. A little passing too. Neither guy convinces defensively. Strawther slow footed. Joe small and easily bullied. So either neutral or advantage Strawther.

Cason Wallace vs Peyton Watson. I like Cason. A high level defensive PG with a developing low usage offensive game. Similar to A Caruso. Again though, shooting the ball badly this season. Only 41% FG% 29% 3PT%. Peyton Watson is a dodgy shooter too with only 2 3PAs in 24mpg but he makes the a solid number shots he takes at 49.5% FG% and 35% 3PT%. Cason the better defender. Peyton is useful defensively but his lack of three point shooting limits him. I am not sure this has worked out as an advantage for either team. I say this is a wash. Long term, advantage OKC as Cason is a legit talent.

Both team's backup centers suck. Whose suck less? I don't know. They both suck. OKC play 6-6 J-Dub at center to avoid playing their backup big man.

Team Record

OKC = 27 wins 5 losses
DEN = 18 wins 13 losses

Is OKC's supporting cast that much better to justify this difference in the standings?

Especially given the injuries to Hartenstein / Chet? I forgot to mention A Gordon has missed a significant chunk of time as well (17 played, 14 games missed). Chet has played 10 games missed 21 games. Harteinstein 17 games played 14 games missed. Same as A Gordon. So it would be 10 games of Chet or 31 games from MPJ. Clear advantage DEN. Chet is better than MPJ but he is not that much better to make up 3 times as many games played. 

[celticinorlando]

Here in Ohio Cavs fans are already planning the June parade. Heard things like "This is the greatest team in the modern era", "This team moves the ball better than any team in history", "We are Boston from last year but on sterioids."


I keep telling them that they did this last season on a 17 game win streak only to lose in the playoffs. But they don't want to listen. That is the thing about Cleveland sports fans. Anytime the Tribe, Cavs or Browns have a little early success they go 0-100 and start talking immediate championship like it is a given.

I do not think the Cavs are built for the playoffs. I think they are overachieving for the 1 seed.

[Phantom255x]

From the Game Thread

How is SGA the MVP favorite now over Jokic? OKC has a talented team around him too right?

Meanwhile Tatum and even someone like Giannis gets screwed over

Interesting comparison of supporting casts

Supporting Star Players

J-Dub vs Jamal Murray
Chet vs MPJ
Hartenstein vs Aaron Gordon

That is an interesting comparison of supporting star players. I would think Hartenstein and Aaron Gordon is fairly even. Chet is far more dynamic than MPJ. That said, Chet and Hartenstein have both missed significant time so I am not sure this has created an advantage for SGA / OKC in the standings.

The big one there is Jalen Williams vs Jamal Murray. Murray has struggled for the first month and a half of the season. He has picked up lately but clearly he has not been in All-Star form this season. Jamal Murray of post-season fame has outplayed J-Dub but he hasn't this regular season. J-Dub has outplayed him. Advantage SGA.

Role Players

Lu Dort vs C Braun
A Caruso vs Westbrook
C Wallace vs P Watson
I Joe vs J Strawther
Kenrich Williams vs DeAndre Jordan

That is actually close than I would have expected it to be. Denver has a weak supporting cast. OKC has some super role players. Only really 2 though with Lu Dort and Alex Caruso ... then their supporting cast gets weak.

C Braun has played very well. Dort is an elite defender. Braun is a very good defender. Braun is a more dynamic / rounded offensive player. Dort a better three point shooter. Advantage Dort but Braun's growth has shrunk the size of that gap.

Alex Caruso and Westbrook is a great one. Polar opposites. I'd rather have Caruso in 95% of situations. A low usage high end glue guy whereas Westbrook is a ball dominant bad shooting creative player which as a result is generally less useful on title contenders. In some situations though, that offensive creation is more valuable.

Caruso has sucked offensively this year with 38% FG% and 26% 3PT%. Westbrook has sucked with his shooting too but has actually out-shot Caruso with 45% FG% 31% 3PT%. He has out-rebounded and out-assisted Caruso. Caruso has obviously played the better defense and played a role in OKC's league leading defense. Caruso is also averaging an outstanding 1.9 steals in only 20mpg. Westbrook gets 1.7spg in 26mpg which is also very good but his general defense isn't as good. I am not sure this has been an advantage for SGA / OKC.

The Isaiah Joe vs Julian Strawther looks a wash. I lean Strawther because he is bigger physically. Similar type of players. Both shooters. Strawther has actually shown more off the dribble and the ability to be a well rounded offensive player. A little passing too. Neither guy convinces defensively. Strawther slow footed. Joe small and easily bullied. So either neutral or advantage Strawther.

Cason Wallace vs Peyton Watson. I like Cason. A high level defensive PG with a developing low usage offensive game. Similar to A Caruso. Again though, shooting the ball badly this season. Only 41% FG% 29% 3PT%. Peyton Watson is a dodgy shooter too with only 2 3PAs in 24mpg but he makes the a solid number shots he takes at 49.5% FG% and 35% 3PT%. Cason the better defender. Peyton is useful defensively but his lack of three point shooting limits him. I am not sure this has worked out as an advantage for either team. I say this is a wash. Long term, advantage OKC as Cason is a legit talent.

Both team's backup centers suck. Whose suck less? I don't know. They both suck. OKC play 6-6 J-Dub at center to avoid playing their backup big man.

Team Record

OKC = 27 wins 5 losses
DEN = 18 wins 13 losses

Is OKC's supporting cast that much better to justify this difference in the standings?

Especially given the injuries to Hartenstein / Chet? I forgot to mention A Gordon has missed a significant chunk of time as well (17 played, 14 games missed). Chet has played 10 games missed 21 games. Harteinstein 17 games played 14 games missed. Same as A Gordon. So it would be 10 games of Chet or 31 games from MPJ. Clear advantage DEN. Chet is better than MPJ but he is not that much better to make up 3 times as many games played.

TP.

It's just weird to me because Tatum gets penalized in the MVP race despite averaging around 28/10/6+ because he's got a "superteam", yet OKC has a lot of talent and solid depth around SGA yet SGA is seen as an MVP even over Jokic. Jokic feels like the standard since he puts up video game numbers all the time. And btw, Porzingis hasn't even played much this season for the C's.

Even in recent years when JT was putting up better numbers including PPG over 30, he was still not #1 or #2 in most MVP ladders. It's like there's a standard against him but extreme love for SGA. SGA is an excellent player and I know he's been on a bit of a heater lately, but he's averaging around 31 PPG while also averaging 6 APG (same as Tatum btw and Tatum's a tall wing who can also play PF/C when needed).

[Vermont Green]

Here in Ohio Cavs fans are already planning the June parade. Heard things like "This is the greatest team in the modern era", "This team moves the ball better than any team in history", "We are Boston from last year but on sterioids."


I keep telling them that they did this last season on a 17 game win streak only to lose in the playoffs. But they don't want to listen. That is the thing about Cleveland sports fans. Anytime the Tribe, Cavs or Browns have a little early success they go 0-100 and start talking immediate championship like it is a given.

I do not think the Cavs are built for the playoffs. I think they are overachieving for the 1 seed.

I am sure that the local fans are over-hyping the Cavs but I think the national fans are under-appreciating this team.  They are not the greatest anything in the modern era, that is for sure, but they are good team.  Like any team, they need to stay healthy.  Garland was not healthy last season and not quite 100% to start this season.  For the last 15 games, he is averaging 21 pts, 41 3P%, 6.5 assists.  Mitchell is still a star that can take over any game.  Mobley is emerging as well, again, last 15 games, nearly 20/10 with 48 3P%.  And they just got Max Strus back to give them even more bench scoring.

CLE does not have great wings but it seems that the trend is now guards and bigs.  OKC is the same.  On CLE, I am completely convinced on what they have in Mitchell and Garland.  Those are two really good players, better in my opinion than a lot of people seem to think.  Mobley seems to be the x-factor.  He has taken a leap, especially with 3-point shooting.  If he continues to play in the 20/10 range with 3P% around 40% (he is more like 18/9 and 43% from 3 right now for the season), this team is right there with anyone.

Their guards are small, no denying that.  Their DRtg (109.7) is about the same as BOS (109.0).  That is good for 8th best.  The small guards thing does not seem to be as big a deal as some think.  They are 2nd in the league for points off turnovers (OKC is first).  They are 8th lowest in opponents 2nd chance points.  Their defense does not seem that bad.

[SparzWizard]

LeBron thinks he can play another 5-7 years

LeBron James turned 40 on Monday and said he believes he could play in the NBA for several more years even though he currently doesn't plan to do so.

"To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level probably for about another, it's weird that I might say this, but probably about another 5-7 years, if I wanted to," James said.

"But I'm not going to do that."

Just in time for him to go back to Cleveland and win a few more rings