*** OFFICIAL ** NBA 2024-25 Thread

[BCR]

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Getting invested in awards is a waste of time when it comes to the NBA. Jordan has 5 when he was basically the best player f post Bird Magic for a decade straight by a wide margin. Lebron has 4 when he was the best player from basically 2008-2021. There are guys who won MVP some years where the difference between them and those two guys are far greater than the gulf between an SGA and Jokic. And Jokic is on par with anyone ever offensively, but not on both sides of the ball. Most all time greats lists are two way players. Jokic already being a 3 time winner as a foreign guy who plays, at his best, average defense is amazing. I love him and he’s great.

You want to talk travesty. A month ago when Wembenyana got hurt Mobley and JJJ were both like +120 to win DPOY and the next closest guy was +2000. Draymond wasn’t in the top 10. Wasn’t even listed. Now the media went to work and he’s 100% going to win.

Jokic not winning doesn’t fuck with his money and it’s hard to complain when you have 3 and Michael and LBJ have 5 and 4.

For Mobley, articles like this were everywhere a month ago and Draymond wasn’t top 10 in Vegas odds. This will cost him $45 million because ESPN likes the drama queens. I have never seen anything like this. I mean some guys make a late push but it’s a season long award and I have never seen someone go from not even listed to winner by adding a motivated Jimmy Butler and playing hard for six weeks.

https://clutchpoints.com/nba/clevela...er-of-the-year

[Sloppy Joe]

Can’t believe he’s still alive. Luka with 45/8/6 in return.

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Pure theater with Luka crying during video, 'fire Nico' chants throughout game with him there, Dumont sitting it out, Luka going nuclear but kind of seeming like he wasn't really putting it to them, Dallas fans openly cheering for the Lakers/Luka, Anthony Davis looking like a weak beta (recovering from injury but still), LeBron turning it on in the 4th, Lakers players encouraging Dallas fans to chant for Luka, Cuban hugging him after the game, etc. etc. Plus the game really mattered for both

LOL Nico

[VaughnP]

We've always had our own culture in Texas, and as previously mentioned, Luka is universally beloved here. He was adopted as a Texan since he of course has no hometown in the U.S. Dirk paved the way, but Luka is even more of an exciting player. There is something with his brashness and attitude that others criticize him for that goes hand in hand as a Texan trait.




This fat dude has been probably the most popular musical act in the state recently, and this is his biggest song. Notice whose jersey is on the cover - and who is the only person mentioned in the lyrics along with notable Texas musicians.

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The above is extreme, but I promise you there were white, black, and brown people crying all over East and North Texas last night. Never seen anything like this in my lifetime in sports. The actions of a couple remarkably retarded, fail-upwards idiots somehow made millions of people feel bad for a 26 year old kid who's making hundreds of millions of dollars to play a game.

This isn't going to go away it seems until they fire the dumbass who masterminded it and the French retard who enabled it gets off the stage.

[BCR]

Wolves get Luka again. Weird series. Kind of tough draw for both, but worse for Wolves probably. That’s a weird one where I’ll have to think about if they can play Goebert off the floor. Lot of volume shooters also with Luka and Ant. Going to be games with big swings.

Clippers +120 for series. Was hoping it would be like +160 but books don’t make that mistake anymore. Kawhi the ultimate post season player paired with Harden who is the ultimate post season choker. Going to be interesting but I think Clippers win. When Kawhi in lineup, that’s a nasty fucking team for anyone to deal with.

[gut]

Wolves get Luka again. Weird series. Kind of tough draw for both, but worse for Wolves probably. That’s a weird one where I’ll have to think about if they can play Goebert off the floor. Lot of volume shooters also with Luka and Ant. Going to be games with big swings.

Clippers +120 for series. Was hoping it would be like +160 but books don’t make that mistake anymore. Kawhi the ultimate post season player paired with Harden who is the ultimate post season choker. Going to be interesting but I think Clippers win. When Kawhi in lineup, that’s a nasty fucking team for anyone to deal with.

You could tell me any possible result for Lakers-wolves and i would believe it. No Idea.

I read somewhere Zubac held Jokic to the lowest shooting percentage when guarding him. Obviously just 1 facet of Jokic's game but still a thing.

[BCR]

Wolves get Luka again. Weird series. Kind of tough draw for both, but worse for Wolves probably. That’s a weird one where I’ll have to think about if they can play Goebert off the floor. Lot of volume shooters also with Luka and Ant. Going to be games with big swings.

Clippers +120 for series. Was hoping it would be like +160 but books don’t make that mistake anymore. Kawhi the ultimate post season player paired with Harden who is the ultimate post season choker. Going to be interesting but I think Clippers win. When Kawhi in lineup, that’s a nasty fucking team for anyone to deal with.

You could tell me any possible result for Lakers-wolves and i would believe it. No Idea.

I read somewhere Zubac held Jokic to the lowest shooting percentage when guarding him. Obviously just 1 facet of Jokic's game but still a thing.

When the Cavs are really clicking, which was most of the year but I’m a bit more bearish on them being able to get past Boston atm after the way we ended, the only two teams who beat them this year was Boston and Clippers. That lineup can beat your best game. They play really good defense and can win a high scoring affair also. If Kawhi can stay healthy all playoffs which is always a big ?, they are dangerous.

Yeah Wolves were my dark horse, but having to face a team with 2 ATG playoff players is a rough one. I’m with you except I guess I’m a little surprised if the NBA would allow Wolves to win if it was close.

[Sloppy Joe]

You could tell me any possible result for Lakers-wolves and i would believe it. No Idea.

I read somewhere Zubac held Jokic to the lowest shooting percentage when guarding him. Obviously just 1 facet of Jokic's game but still a thing.

When the Cavs are really clicking, which was most of the year but I’m a bit more bearish on them being able to get past Boston atm after the way we ended, the only two teams who beat them this year was Boston and Clippers. That lineup can beat your best game. They play really good defense and can win a high scoring affair also. If Kawhi can stay healthy all playoffs which is always a big ?, they are dangerous.

Yeah Wolves were my dark horse, but having to face a team with 2 ATG playoff players is a rough one. I’m with you except I guess I’m a little surprised if the NBA would allow Wolves to win if it was close.

I would rather have the Cavs pathway to the ECF both given Lillard's uncertainty and Boston having a tougher second round opponent either way.

Would still take Celtics in a series but it's close. Often felt this regular season like Boston was just trying lots of different shit out (same with OKC) and once they land on their formula will be too much for Cleveland.

But this iteration of Cleveland is much better than anyone the Celtics faced throughout last year's playoffs where they coasted.

[Dan Druff]

I'm actually happy to see Lakers against Wolves rather than Warriors.

First round Warriors matchup was my fear on this one.

At one point I thought the Lakers had a good shot at winning the West, but I've come down from that. OKC, as good as they are, is just gonna be too damn tough, even with their postseason inexperience.

[Sloppy Joe]

I'm actually happy to see Lakers against Wolves rather than Warriors.

First round Warriors matchup was my fear on this one.

At one point I thought the Lakers had a good shot at winning the West, but I've come down from that. OKC, as good as they are, is just gonna be too damn tough, even with their postseason inexperience.

Won't be easy either way given Lakers shortage of bigs but Luka feasts on the Wolves and they'll win in 5 or 6.

Weird year with Houston as the #2. Hard to see them beating the Warriors or Lakers but they are crazy athletic and well coached.

Fun year, especially if on the off chance Kawhi doesn't break down. Bur he probably will.

[Jayjami]

I'm actually happy to see Lakers against Wolves rather than Warriors.

First round Warriors matchup was my fear on this one.

At one point I thought the Lakers had a good shot at winning the West, but I've come down from that. OKC, as good as they are, is just gonna be too damn tough, even with their postseason inexperience.

The Lakers got a perfect draw. Getting the TWolves and then maybe a good, but inexperienced, team in Houston. The other side of the bracket is much tougher. I don’t think they’re good enough to beat Boston in the Finals if they get there though. Jason Tatum is a great, underrated player, and they got 8 guys that can legit ball, and nothing is more painful than losing to the Celtics. Fuck Boston.

[Kalam]

In the last game he played Lebron pulled up lame. Looked like he re-aggravated his groin, although no one from the Lakers has said anything on it to date.

The series price indicates it is believed he will play and be fine.

But who knows?

I was listening to Bill Simmons pod and he mentioned Clippers opened at +140 against Nuggets, which I would have taken. But the odds are even on my site, which I may still take but not in any big hurry.

[BCR]

I'm actually happy to see Lakers against Wolves rather than Warriors.

First round Warriors matchup was my fear on this one.

At one point I thought the Lakers had a good shot at winning the West, but I've come down from that. OKC, as good as they are, is just gonna be too damn tough, even with their postseason inexperience.

Won't be easy either way given Lakers shortage of bigs but Luka feasts on the Wolves and they'll win in 5 or 6.

Weird year with Houston as the #2. Hard to see them beating the Warriors or Lakers but they are crazy athletic and well coached.

Fun year, especially if on the off chance Kawhi doesn't break down. Bur he probably will.

Amen Thompson is a freak and Sengun is a really solid player, but Jalen Green isn’t the dude and FVV is small and limited. I wouldn’t expect them to win a series against anyone 1-8 besides Memphis. They are a couple tweaks and a player away from being really good in the future. I’d kill for Amen Thompson on Cavs as would most teams. Or his brother. Just unreal athletes. Came out of mind of nowhere with skipping senior year of high school and playing for that weird league. They must have missed the NIL honeypot by a year or so. That league tops out in six figures. As a package, those brothers would have been worth an easy $5 million even for just one year/

[VaughnP]

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[VaughnP]

[Sloppy Joe]

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It's kind of amazing watching a massive organization continue to fuck this up.

[BCR]

Well Houston and Memphis were as bad as expected. Golden State isn’t very good either. Obviously Steph and Butler are great players but that team is bad. Houston getting 22 offensive rebounds and still scoring less than 90 points is a testament to how bad their guards are. The backcourt of FVV and Green is atrocious.

The Lakers would have been much better off getting GS than Minny. They could bully GS and their lack of size wouldn’t matter

[Dan Druff]

Anyone see Game 5 of Pacers/Bucks tonight?

Was buried on NBATV, but had a very exciting finish.

Bucks down 3-1 had a 4-point late lead, Giannis missed a free throw, and that ended up being the difference, as Pacers got 2 baskets and game went to OT when final shot by Bucks bricked.

Then, with like 34 seconds left, Bucks were up by 7 and it seemed over. But Bucks completely crapped the bed, fell apart on both offense and defense, including Trent losing the ball out of bounds with 8s left, up 1. Halliburton then made the final basket via layup, and that was that. 8 points made up in 34 seconds. Trent also lost the ball at the 29s mark via a bad pass. What a disaster.

Bucks were ahead most of the game.

I realize they were without Lillard, but this team was a complete fail, and while I don't see the Pacers winning the next round, they looked really good in this 4-1 series victory.

Speaking of which... the Lakers now are trying to fight to not lose 4-1 themselves. If they do lose this series, and if Houston loses, the #2 and #3 seeds will both be gonners in the West.

[BCR]

Yeah the Pacers are a pain to play. Turner is heavy enough to cause the Cavs bigs some issues. That’s what they struggle with. Thick dudes. The Hartenstein/Mitchell Robinson/Zubac types. Mobley has gotten stronger, but those teams are still a problem.

But they prefer high tempo games, and you can’t beat the Cavs at a high tempo. We simply outscore teams. We are better at getting stops also. But they’ll be a pain and it could take 6 games. Most likely 5 if I was going to bet on exact number but 6 wouldn’t surprise me.

[Sloppy Joe]

Over under 15 more FTA for Lakers tonight, especially with the Wolves fast start. Still might not matter.

[VaughnP]

Luka isn't faking or exaggerating the back injury/spasms. The guy looks like he can barely walk.