NBA Season/Playoffs 2025-26

[Who]

Can I make a crazy person statement? You know the type of statement where I think I'm crazy because it seems like everyone would disagree?

Jalen Williams is wildly overrated. He's in the same tier as Mikal Bridges, except he's about to be paid way more and actually plays way less.

I think J-Dub is in the same tier as Jaylen Brown.

Less scoring. More ball-handling & passing. Better overall defender as well.

I mean, JB is a top 10-15 player. Jalen Williams is not.

J-Dub was All-NBA 3rd team last year. That is a top 15 player. He was also 2nd Team All-Defense.

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On another note, I am not sure there is much difference between a top 10-15 player and a top 15-20 player. Or a top 20-25 player. The gap is small.

Both Jaylen & J-Dub are All-Star talents.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Can I make a crazy person statement? You know the type of statement where I think I'm crazy because it seems like everyone would disagree?

Jalen Williams is wildly overrated. He's in the same tier as Mikal Bridges, except he's about to be paid way more and actually plays way less.

I think J-Dub is in the same tier as Jaylen Brown.

Less scoring. More ball-handling & passing. Better overall defender as well.

I mean, JB is a top 10-15 player. Jalen Williams is not.

J-Dub was All-NBA 3rd team last year. That is a top 15 player. He was also 2nd Team All-Defense.

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On another note, I am not sure there is much difference between a top 10-15 player and a top 15-20 player. Or a top 20-25 player. The gap is small.

Both Jaylen & J-Dub are All-Star talents.

Jalen Williams' amazing 17 ppg and 28 mpg this year would disagree with your assessment that they are in the same tier. His third season last year was pretty good and deserving of an All-star bid, but putting him in the same tier as a guy who has 2 all-nba second teams, 5 all-star appearances, a finals MVP, and was 6th in the MVP voting this year is ridiculous.

He's more Mikal Bridges than he is Jalen Brown, except his can't shoot as well as Bridges.

The upside still appears to be there. He can get better. He can get more healthy. He may even be more productive on his own team, but he's not in the same tier today.

[Who]

Can I make a crazy person statement? You know the type of statement where I think I'm crazy because it seems like everyone would disagree?

Jalen Williams is wildly overrated. He's in the same tier as Mikal Bridges, except he's about to be paid way more and actually plays way less.

I think J-Dub is in the same tier as Jaylen Brown.

Less scoring. More ball-handling & passing. Better overall defender as well.

I mean, JB is a top 10-15 player. Jalen Williams is not.

J-Dub was All-NBA 3rd team last year. That is a top 15 player. He was also 2nd Team All-Defense.

-----------

On another note, I am not sure there is much difference between a top 10-15 player and a top 15-20 player. Or a top 20-25 player. The gap is small.

Both Jaylen & J-Dub are All-Star talents.

Jalen Williams' amazing 17 ppg and 28 mpg this year would disagree with your assessment that they are in the same tier. His third season last year was pretty good and deserving of an All-star bid, but putting him in the same tier as a guy who has 2 all-nba second teams, 5 all-star appearances, a finals MVP, and was 6th in the MVP voting this year is ridiculous.

He's more Mikal Bridges than he is Jalen Brown, except his can't shoot as well as Bridges.

The upside still appears to be there. He can get better. He can get more healthy. He may even be more productive on his own team, but he's not in the same tier today.

I disagree.

Obviously, this past season wasn't good by his standards but he has been struggling with injuries throughout it. It isn't a good sample of what he is capable of.

I think BOS would have had just as a successful season this year with J-Dub as the #1 option instead of Jaylen with Tatum out. I also think they would be just as successful with J-Dub as the #2 option to Tatum. I see them as similar level players.

[Who]

I can't find the stats. Maybe someone can help me. They had some great numbers for J-Dub when SGA was on the court vs off the court and how much J-Dub upped his scoring & assists when he was made the #1 option. These numbers were from last season.

J-Dub isn't a great scorer but he is a better ball-handler, passer / playmaker, and defender than Jaylen Brown is. I believe the advantages in those areas negate the advantages Jaylen has a shot creator / scorer.

[Who]

He's more Mikal Bridges than he is Jalen Brown, except his can't shoot as well as Bridges.

If we go with the Mikal Bridges comp, here is why I would not equate J-Dub to Mikal Bridges:

(1) Mikal Bridges has limited ball-handling
(2) Mikal Bridges has limited passing / playmaking.
(3) Mikal Bridges has limited shot creation.

I put the limited ball-handling first because that is the key component that is missing for Mikal as an offensive creator (scorer or playmaker). That is why he cannot generate much offense for himself. Why he has to play off of others.

This is why Mikal Bridges cannot score big numbers when on a good team. It is because he cannot create well enough for himself. So he becomes a 14-17ppg scorer. A 3rd / 4th option. The only time he got near 20ppg was when he was on one of the league's worst teams and being force fed night after night.

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J-Dub is a very good ball-handler and passer. He is a functional secondary playmaker / point forward. Over his last 3 seasons, J-Dub is averaging 5apg against 1.9 turnovers. This while playing 2nd fiddle to SGA. I believe his numbers go up to 6-7apg when SGA does not play.

J-Dub's ball-handling also allows him to create his own offense. He is not a great scorer because he doesn't shoot the outside shot well and he doesn't get to the foul line. However, he is a driver, good paint finisher, good transition scorer, good midrange scorer. He is averaging 19.7ppg over last 3 years. I believe this goes up to 22-23ppg when SGA is out of the lineup.

So J-Dub has scored roughly 20ppg for 3 years on a team that is a title contender each season and won the title in 2025 as the 2nd option on the team.

J-Dub is also a high level defensive player. Both a high level one-on-one defender and a high level team defender.

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These are not two similar players.

[Who]

I would equate J-Dub offensively more to a Scottie Pippen.

Pippen was not a great scorer either. He was a well-rounded scorer who could get points in different ways but was not proficient enough as a jump-shooter to be a top scorer. Pippen averaged 20ppg on slightly above league average scoring efficiency (TS+ 102) from 1990-98 (his prime years).

Pippen's main value was not his scoring but his defense, rebounding, ball-handling and passing. Similar to J-Dub. But provided some additional help as a scorer as well. As does J-Dub.

J-Dub is not on Pippen's level as a defender or rebounder. J-Dub is very athletic but Pippen was outrageous. That helped give Pippen another level as both a defender & rebounder. Pippen was a better as a possession creator. Pip averaged more rebounds (7.3rpg to 4.6rpg) and stocks (3.1 to 1.9).

It is hard to equate their passing because of the different eras. Pip averaged 6.0apg against 2.9 turnovers while in his prime playing in the Triangle. J-Dub is at 5apg vs 1.9 turnovers. J-Dub's era is easier for ball-handlers & playmakers. Although the Triangle offense helped Pippen hugely which J-Dub does not have.

So I'd view Pippen and J-Dub as similar style players but Pip as superior version of that type of player. Pip at his peak was a top 5 player and regularly a top 10 player in the league. I'd view J-Dub more as a top 20 player in the league (which is how I view Jaylen as well).

As similar style players = star wings who help more in non-scoring categories. Star wing player who are very well rounded. Above average defenders, rebounders (not so much rebounding for J-Dub), passing, ball-handling. And provide adequate secondary scoring level production .

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Can I make a crazy person statement? You know the type of statement where I think I'm crazy because it seems like everyone would disagree?

Jalen Williams is wildly overrated. He's in the same tier as Mikal Bridges, except he's about to be paid way more and actually plays way less.

I think J-Dub is in the same tier as Jaylen Brown.

Less scoring. More ball-handling & passing. Better overall defender as well.

I mean, JB is a top 10-15 player. Jalen Williams is not.

J-Dub was All-NBA 3rd team last year. That is a top 15 player. He was also 2nd Team All-Defense.

-----------

On another note, I am not sure there is much difference between a top 10-15 player and a top 15-20 player. Or a top 20-25 player. The gap is small.

Both Jaylen & J-Dub are All-Star talents.

Jalen Williams' amazing 17 ppg and 28 mpg this year would disagree with your assessment that they are in the same tier. His third season last year was pretty good and deserving of an All-star bid, but putting him in the same tier as a guy who has 2 all-nba second teams, 5 all-star appearances, a finals MVP, and was 6th in the MVP voting this year is ridiculous.

He's more Mikal Bridges than he is Jalen Brown, except his can't shoot as well as Bridges.

The upside still appears to be there. He can get better. He can get more healthy. He may even be more productive on his own team, but he's not in the same tier today.

I disagree.

Obviously, this past season wasn't good by his standards but he has been struggling with injuries throughout it. It isn't a good sample of what he is capable of.

I think BOS would have had just as a successful season this year with J-Dub as the #1 option instead of Jaylen with Tatum out. I also think they would be just as successful with J-Dub as the #2 option to Tatum. I see them as similar level players.

I know you disagree. The problem is the actual on-court production. Again, I'm not saying Williams won't get there. I can see the potential. I'm just saying he kinda' got put on a platform too early in his career, and then he fell off it hard this year. His production was down. Two off-seasons in a row he's been unhealthy.

If you are saying his potential is similar to Jaylen Brown, I might agree with you. But he's not on Brown's level yet.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I would equate J-Dub offensively more to a Scottie Pippen.

Pippen was not a great scorer either. He was a well-rounded scorer who could get points in different ways but was not proficient enough as a jump-shooter to be a top scorer. Pippen averaged 20ppg on slightly above league average scoring efficiency (TS+ 102) from 1990-98 (his prime years).

Pippen's main value was not his scoring but his defense, rebounding, ball-handling and passing. Similar to J-Dub. But provided some additional help as a scorer as well. As does J-Dub.

J-Dub is not on Pippen's level as a defender or rebounder. J-Dub is very athletic but Pippen was outrageous. That helped give Pippen another level as both a defender & rebounder. Pippen was a better as a possession creator. Pip averaged more rebounds (7.3rpg to 4.6rpg) and stocks (3.1 to 1.9).

It is hard to equate their passing because of the different eras. Pip averaged 6.0apg against 2.9 turnovers while in his prime playing in the Triangle. J-Dub is at 5apg vs 1.9 turnovers. J-Dub's era is easier for ball-handlers & playmakers. Although the Triangle offense helped Pippen hugely which J-Dub does not have.

So I'd view Pippen and J-Dub as similar style players but Pip as superior version of that type of player. Pip at his peak was a top 5 player and regularly a top 10 player in the league. I'd view J-Dub more as a top 20 player in the league (which is how I view Jaylen as well).

As similar style players = star wings who help more in non-scoring categories. Star wing player who are very well rounded. Above average defenders, rebounders (not so much rebounding for J-Dub), passing, ball-handling. And provide adequate secondary scoring level production .

You see, this is kinda' what I'm saying. I've seen you and others make this comparison. J-Dubb just had a season where he averaged 17 ppg and 28 mpg, and you are comparing him to a HOF and one of the best wing defenders of all time.

You can argue he might get there one day. You can argue he's had good peaks in his career so far. But he isn't that guy yet.

[Moranis]

Only 3 guys have gone back to back MVP and champion in consecutive years.  Just Bill, 3 times in a row (61-63), MJ the first 2, and Lebron in Miami have done it. So if the Thunderndo win game 7 and do what they should in the Finals, SGA would be joining very elite company.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

He's more Mikal Bridges than he is Jalen Brown, except his can't shoot as well as Bridges.

If we go with the Mikal Bridges comp, here is why I would not equate J-Dub to Mikal Bridges:

(1) Mikal Bridges has limited ball-handling
(2) Mikal Bridges has limited passing / playmaking.
(3) Mikal Bridges has limited shot creation.

I put the limited ball-handling first because that is the key component that is missing for Mikal as an offensive creator (scorer or playmaker). That is why he cannot generate much offense for himself. Why he has to play off of others.

This is why Mikal Bridges cannot score big numbers when on a good team. It is because he cannot create well enough for himself. So he becomes a 14-17ppg scorer. A 3rd / 4th option. The only time he got near 20ppg was when he was on one of the league's worst teams and being force fed night after night.

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J-Dub is a very good ball-handler and passer. He is a functional secondary playmaker / point forward. Over his last 3 seasons, J-Dub is averaging 5apg against 1.9 turnovers. This while playing 2nd fiddle to SGA. I believe his numbers go up to 6-7apg when SGA does not play.

J-Dub's ball-handling also allows him to create his own offense. He is not a great scorer because he doesn't shoot the outside shot well and he doesn't get to the foul line. However, he is a driver, good paint finisher, good transition scorer, good midrange scorer. He is averaging 19.7ppg over last 3 years. I believe this goes up to 22-23ppg when SGA is out of the lineup.

So J-Dub has scored roughly 20ppg for 3 years on a team that is a title contender each season and won the title in 2025 as the 2nd option on the team.

J-Dub is also a high level defensive player. Both a high level one-on-one defender and a high level team defender.

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These are not two similar players.

It's a fair point about J-Dub's shot creation, but the flip side is that Bridges is a better shooter. Maybe J-Dubb is more of an Andre Iguodala.

[Who]

I would equate J-Dub offensively more to a Scottie Pippen.

Pippen was not a great scorer either. He was a well-rounded scorer who could get points in different ways but was not proficient enough as a jump-shooter to be a top scorer. Pippen averaged 20ppg on slightly above league average scoring efficiency (TS+ 102) from 1990-98 (his prime years).

Pippen's main value was not his scoring but his defense, rebounding, ball-handling and passing. Similar to J-Dub. But provided some additional help as a scorer as well. As does J-Dub.

J-Dub is not on Pippen's level as a defender or rebounder. J-Dub is very athletic but Pippen was outrageous. That helped give Pippen another level as both a defender & rebounder. Pippen was a better as a possession creator. Pip averaged more rebounds (7.3rpg to 4.6rpg) and stocks (3.1 to 1.9).

It is hard to equate their passing because of the different eras. Pip averaged 6.0apg against 2.9 turnovers while in his prime playing in the Triangle. J-Dub is at 5apg vs 1.9 turnovers. J-Dub's era is easier for ball-handlers & playmakers. Although the Triangle offense helped Pippen hugely which J-Dub does not have.

So I'd view Pippen and J-Dub as similar style players but Pip as superior version of that type of player. Pip at his peak was a top 5 player and regularly a top 10 player in the league. I'd view J-Dub more as a top 20 player in the league (which is how I view Jaylen as well).

As similar style players = star wings who help more in non-scoring categories. Star wing player who are very well rounded. Above average defenders, rebounders (not so much rebounding for J-Dub), passing, ball-handling. And provide adequate secondary scoring level production .

You see, this is kinda' what I'm saying. I've seen you and others make this comparison. J-Dubb just had a season where he averaged 17 ppg and 28 mpg, and you are comparing him to a HOF and one of the best wing defenders of all time.

You can argue he might get there one day. You can argue he's had good peaks in his career so far. But he isn't that guy yet.

J-Dub has also been

* 2nd best player on a title winning team
* 2nd team All-NBA
* All Star

He has achieved a lot and in a short period of time. He is only 24 years old (actually just turned 25 in April). He is just entering the prime of his career.

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While J-Dub's career accomplishments do not measure up to the full career of Scottie Pippen or the older veteran Jaylen Brown, his peak seasons do measure up in terms of comparisons. All 3 guys won a title as 2nd option. All 3 guys have been All-NBA 2nd team and an All-Star.

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On the flipside, a guy like Mikal Bridges has never had accomplishments like J-Dub. Bridges has never been the 2nd best player on a title contender / title winner. He was the 3rd/4th best player in Phoenix. He is the 4th best player in NYK. He has never been to an All-Star game. Nevermind an All-NBA team.

J-Dub has more in common with the likes of Pippen and Jaylen than he does Mikal Bridges.

[No Nickname]

Walker Kessler likely to re-sign with Utah

Given that neither Jackson nor fellow big man Lauri Markkanen is a full-time center, Kessler remains an important player in Utah's path back to contention in the Western Conference. The consensus is that Kessler is signing a new deal with the Jazz in the range of $25 million to $30 million a year. "It appears Utah is gearing up to keep him," an East scout said. "I don't see an obvious fit in free agency for someone to try to get him. They're going to be in an interesting spot next season, and I'm excited to see how they navigate all of it."
ESPN

Kessler was drafted with the 22nd pick.  It makes me think of Kalkbrenner for Charlotte who was drafted 34th and had a very solid year.

He may never be a star, but he could be a solid starter for the next 10 years.

Would you trade this year's 27th pick for Kalkbrenner?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I would equate J-Dub offensively more to a Scottie Pippen.

Pippen was not a great scorer either. He was a well-rounded scorer who could get points in different ways but was not proficient enough as a jump-shooter to be a top scorer. Pippen averaged 20ppg on slightly above league average scoring efficiency (TS+ 102) from 1990-98 (his prime years).

Pippen's main value was not his scoring but his defense, rebounding, ball-handling and passing. Similar to J-Dub. But provided some additional help as a scorer as well. As does J-Dub.

J-Dub is not on Pippen's level as a defender or rebounder. J-Dub is very athletic but Pippen was outrageous. That helped give Pippen another level as both a defender & rebounder. Pippen was a better as a possession creator. Pip averaged more rebounds (7.3rpg to 4.6rpg) and stocks (3.1 to 1.9).

It is hard to equate their passing because of the different eras. Pip averaged 6.0apg against 2.9 turnovers while in his prime playing in the Triangle. J-Dub is at 5apg vs 1.9 turnovers. J-Dub's era is easier for ball-handlers & playmakers. Although the Triangle offense helped Pippen hugely which J-Dub does not have.

So I'd view Pippen and J-Dub as similar style players but Pip as superior version of that type of player. Pip at his peak was a top 5 player and regularly a top 10 player in the league. I'd view J-Dub more as a top 20 player in the league (which is how I view Jaylen as well).

As similar style players = star wings who help more in non-scoring categories. Star wing player who are very well rounded. Above average defenders, rebounders (not so much rebounding for J-Dub), passing, ball-handling. And provide adequate secondary scoring level production .

You see, this is kinda' what I'm saying. I've seen you and others make this comparison. J-Dubb just had a season where he averaged 17 ppg and 28 mpg, and you are comparing him to a HOF and one of the best wing defenders of all time.

You can argue he might get there one day. You can argue he's had good peaks in his career so far. But he isn't that guy yet.

J-Dub has also been

* 2nd best player on a title winning team
* 2nd team All-NBA
* All Star

He has achieved a lot and in a short period of time. He is only 24 years old (actually just turned 25 in April). He is just entering the prime of his career.

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While J-Dub's career accomplishments do not measure up to the full career of Scottie Pippen or the older veteran Jaylen Brown, his peak seasons do measure up in terms of comparisons. All 3 guys won a title as 2nd option. All 3 guys have been All-NBA 2nd team and an All-Star.

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On the flipside, a guy like Mikal Bridges has never had accomplishments like J-Dub. Bridges has never been the 2nd best player on a title contender / title winner. He was the 3rd/4th best player in Phoenix. He is the 4th best player in NYK. He has never been to an All-Star game. Nevermind an All-NBA team.

J-Dub has more in common with the likes of Pippen and Jaylen than he does Mikal Bridges.

Mikal Bridges was 2nd in defensive MVP voting and made the all-nba defensive 1st team.

The logic you are employing here is just flawed. You cannot say that a 1-time all-star and 1-time all-defensive defensive 2nd team player who averaged 17ppg this last year has more in common with a HOF top 30 basketball player of all time/HOFer than a guy who has a similar role/statistical profile and an all-defensive 1st team.

Still, I think you are looking at what J-Dubb's career may end up being. He has potential for sure. But I think some fans are just handing him the mantle after one all-star year, and haven't looked at his pretty poor production in his follow-up season.

Andre Iguodala is a HOF and was a winning basketball player. I think J-Dubb compares best to him.

[Phantom255x]

When OKC has to deal with 2nd apron issues, I expect 2 of Hartenstein/JDub/Caruso to be gone, but JDub feels like a definite goner. He starts his 5/239M deal after this season, and I think they got guys like Ajay Mitchell, McCain, etc. who can sort of take over his role and minutes going forward.

Dort is a FA this summer, idk if they'll keep him either, or maybe they can keep him to a reasonable deal but then Hartenstein is a goner down the road.

[Who]

Maybe J-Dubb is more of an Andre Iguodala.

Yeah, Iggy is another guy in that poor man's Scottie Pippen mold. I rated Iggy as an All-Star caliber player during his prime. Similar to J-Dub. Iggy only made the ASG once which I thought was a crime. He deserved more ASG apperances.

Iggy was a better defender than J-Dub. Closer to Pippen. Iggy was also a very good ball-handler and passer. 5.4apg for his prime against 2.5 turnovers. A better rebounder than J-Dub as well. Sort of in between (in the middle) J-Dub and Pip as a rebounder.

What Iggy did not have was the scoring. He had some similar scoring seasons while in Philly but that was only when there were no other scoring options on team. Similar to Mikal Bridges in Brooklyn. Once Iggy had other scorers around him, his scoring numbers dropped. As a young player 9ppg and 12ppg next to Iverson. Towards the end in Philly, his scoring dropped to 14.1ppg and 12.4ppg. On a 50+ win team in Denver, it was 13ppg. On a 50+ win team in GSW, it 9.3ppg. After that Iggy accepted a bench role where his minutes and scoring dropped further (6-8ppg in 25-27mpg).

Iggy never had the scoring repertoire or scoring mentality of J-Dub (or Scottie Pippen who thought he was a better scorer than he was).

So I would rate Iggy even higher than J-Dub in non-scoring contributions and J-Dub higher than Iggy in scoring contributions. Overall, somewhat similar.

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The problem with Iggy and scoring was both skill and mentality. The skill issue was the Iggy was a poor jump-shooter. He struggled to hit 40% of his 2pt midrange shots. J-Dub on the other hand is a very good midrange shooter (one of the better ones in the league) around the foul line area. His long 2pt jump-shooting is weak. And a weak 3pt shooter. He shoots 37.4% for his career but on only 3.5 attempts per game and that goes down in the playoffs (33.1%).

J-Dub on 10-16 feet jump-shots

2025-26 = 44-104 (only 33 games) = 42.3%
2024-25 = 147-279 = 52.7%
2023-24 = 102-194 = 52.6%

Iggy struggled with his 3pt, long 2pt, midrange 2pt. He scored efficiently in the paint on drives but his lack of a jump-shot left him without counters when the defenses cut off the paint. J-Dub has a counter in that midrange shot but is lacking in the outside shot (long two, 3pters) to have a full repertoire.