Big hoops fan, love the NBA. Really got into the league before COVID and found the "bubble" playoffs fascinating. Would love to talk pro hoops here with anybody else who is hooked.
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Cleveland-OKC was a great game last night, would not hate if that was the eventual finals matchup
I didn't see this mentioned anywhere, so it might not be the case, but I have a hard time believing there's ever been a matchup this late in the season between two teams with that good of records before. Cleveland was 31-4 and OKC was 30-5 heading into that game. I certainly don't remember a matchup between teams with records like that.
At this point, I have a hard time seeing any team outside of Cleveland, OKC and Boston winning the title. Those three teams are simply head and shoulders above anyone else.
I think the stat they flashed last night was that it was only the third time in NBA history where two teams had been playing both having 10 game win streaks. It was a doozy
Once again, the Hornets cannot put it together. I get a good laugh at all the fans that were upset we took Brandon Miller over Scoot. He has been so much fun to watch. It's nice to see the midrange game still relevant. Cavs are a ton of fun to watch. I'm also excited to see Paolo get back for the magic.
The Hornets have some nice pieces, but are the ultimate "if" team. If Brandon Miller keeps developing (agree, he's been really fun!), if Mark Williams can be healthy, if Lamelo can ever be a two way player.
Paolo and Frank! Can you imagine being like the 2-3 seed and pulling those guys in th first round 🫣
Big Magic fan here! We've been wrecked with injuries but we've hung in there. Excited to get Paolo back tomorrow to hopefully make a run. Hopefully Franz returns with the same time frame so they have the last month of the season to gell before the playoffs. 🔵⚪️🏀
Zach Lowe - my favorite NBA writer, wtf ESPN - used to joke on his pod that the 12 Magic fans out there always appreciated when their team was mentioned :). They're in a great spot, and I love the old school bruising feel their roster has. I think Mosley is a criminally underrated coach. Those guys plays HARD. I traded Banchero in a keeper league last year for Donovan Mitchell, and I have regrets.
The Cavaliers and Thunder, who are on pace for 72 and 69 wins respectively, are going at it again tonight on TNT. If you want to see two teams who are just beating the brakes off the rest of the NBA, tune in.
What in the hell were the Mavericks thinking? Doncic for Davis?!? Young superstar (25) for aging superstar (31)?
Just doesn't make sense since PJ Washington will be replaced by Davis in starting 5 but now a huge hole at the 2-spot. Grimes/Thompson ain't it.
I'm surprised Doncic is only 25, but yea I feel like this is like one of the most lopsided trades in sports history
Going to cost Doncic a fortune too. Would have been eligible for Supermax this summer of 5 years/$345M. That doesn't convey in trade.
Also goes from no income tax state to highest income tax state. Biggest impact will be on endorsement deals. Could be looking at losing close to $200M in taxes between contract and endorsements. I think he can opt out this summer so may only be a rental for Lakers.
I'm out of the loop but why would he lose endorsements? I would think being in a bigger market like LA would up his endorsement deals at the least. Were those deals tied to him being in Dallas?
He won't be losing endorsements necessarily, but now a high number of his endorsements will be subject to California income tax rather than Texas that has no income tax. The losing will be in the income tax, which is 12.3% or more. I am sure his accountants and agent will work to mitigate that but that's a large amount to have to mitigate.
I am sure there will be be a few Dallas specific endorsements he loses but probably gains similar ones in LA.
Keep in mind he's not taxed at California rates for the entire salary, only for games played in CA, so 41 + whatever road games against the Clippers, and GSW, plus maybe bonuses, depending on what is residence is.
There's just no way this is a rental. Pelinka has had his problems, but he just CANT be that stupid. You don't trade for Luka for half a season.
I have a hunch that he'll be just fine...
*looks at NBA ratings*
*Looks at future assets the cash cow Lakers have*
*Searches for which team LeBron is currently on*
Oh I have an idea why the league might have encouraged Dallas to make a terrible business decision
What future assets are you speaking of? Besides the Lakers girls 🫶🏼
Luka now, that's the point
Yea from a basketball perspective this is just fascinating.
I know AD wants to play the 4...but that's just not really a good idea lol. Massive wholes for the Mavs at the 2/3 spots. So much clutter in the front court on the roster.
I haven't read enough about it, but I wonder if they just want to get out of the Luka business.
As a Lebron guy, I'm kind of split. The Luka/Lebron 2 man game could be amazing...or it could never happen. I think it also may signal the middle of the end for Bron. Lakers are hedging their bets.
Seeing pundits suggest Spencer Dinwiddie is going to step into the Doncic role and be nearly as productive made me laugh out loud. Dinwiddie is OK and has had moments of top play but never consistently.
Lol right? It's hard to imagine the Mavs being a real team, but they've made some head scratchers in the past that have worked out.
It's an absolutely stunning move for the Mavericks, but pretty par for the course for how the Lakers constantly stay relevant (i.e., fleecing other teams for their superstars).
It probably won't move the needle much this season, as both teams are likely also-rans in the West. AD has been incredibly productive (and surprisingly healthy) this season, but you have to wonder when he'll revert back to his track record of missing 30-50% of each season.
Long-term it's obviously great for the Lakers. LeBron should become unproductive due to age literally any second now, so having a top-5 player to build around without having to go the Boston/OKC/Houston route of sucking for 3 straight years to build your roster is like hitting the lottery.
The Doncic trade is simply example 456,890 of the NBA being a television drama series and not a competitive league. It's simply not a serious professional competitive league. The Mavs traded arguably the best player in the fucking league for a load management overrated big that is 6 years older. If they are worried about Luca being "out of shape" AD is no better when he takes off 1/3 of the season or is injured like he is every year. The mavs- along with the wizards, hornets and jazz - who are all openly tanking (which is allowed by the TV show) aren't serious about competing. They are scheming as part of the TV plot. If it was a serious league, grown men in their physical prime wouldn't need off work 2 nights a week at their 48 minute per day job. If it was a serious league, you wouldn't need an in season tournament that means nothing in terms of competition to garner "interest" because nobody tries hard until the playoffs. If it was a serious league, Harden being a bum every off season, Kyrie refusing to play, etc. wouldn't be tolerated. This totally laughable trade (Mahomes for Matt Stafford is a very good analogy) is simply another example. Ratings are down roughly 1 million percent. Wonder why.
First, Go Hokies!
Second, you bring some valid criticisms, but I think you're missing the good stuff about the league.
League office made some corrections to rules to try and deal with the load management stuff, and I think that it's better. Also, there's a ton of stars and talented players that play all the time, that gets missed in all the load management discourse.
The tanking thing, yeah it's tough. Must be challenging to be an Utah or Brooklyn fan right now. Only thing I'll add is that it happens in football too, but there's fewer games so it take up less time and airwaves.
To call the league not competitive, however, sounds a little ignorant. There are a lot of teams and players giving it everything.
You're a Phoenix guy, right? How closely do you follow the Suns?
Mavs sending a message about the trade?
typewriter font copy and paste
Cavs are good...but are they THAT good? 🤣 Kidd must've been irate
Imagine being a Mavs fan today. Oof.
I just can't believe the Dallas front office did this. I keep staring at the different pieces of the trade, unable to imagine why they would say yes to this.
Getting down to it, playoffs rapidly approaching. Any Bulls fans out there? They're kind of a fun watch right now. Giddey just won me a fantasy league!