2025-26 NBA Preseason thread

jcardstore · 10-08-2025, 02:20 PM

So this is a thread for all 3 people on here who even watch basketball anymore.

I didn't feel like starting a thread for Matas Buzelis so I figured I would create a preseason one.

Watched the Bulls / Cavs last night and he looks poised to take a big leap this year. He's not going to have any competition for shots, his handle looks crisp, the shot looks good, aggressive attacking the basket...

The Bulls got an absolute steal at 11.

I've watched a few other games but nobody else has really stood out to me.

some other random thoughts:

- Wemby is gonna be in the running for MVP this year.
- The 76ers are going to be a lottery team
- The Nets have one of the worst starting 5s I've ever seen
- I was really impressed watching Jase Richardson, for a guy who wasn't really hyped he's very solid already. He's got long term starter upside imo
- Rockets are gonna win 65 games and make it to the finals.
- Cooper Flagg is really good. Nico got blessed

RainCityShecks · 10-08-2025, 02:35 PM

Yep - Flagg looks to be much further along/more composed than expected. Can’t wait to see him in action in regular season. Should be a viable FBBall asset as well!

And yeah, a healthy Wemby goes nuclear this year

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Above the Rim · 10-08-2025, 02:58 PM

Am I the only one who thinks Spurs can win it all this year ? They have perhaps the most talent top to bottom, yeah its young talent, but who knows.

tjforce · 10-08-2025, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

Am I the only one who thinks Spurs can win it all this year ? They have perhaps the most talent top to bottom, yeah its young talent, but who knows.

Winning it all seems to be a bit much.

The game changes in the playoffs. I'd expect too much of their roster to not really be ready to playoff battle hardened vets on teams like OKC, Denver, etc.

jcardstore · 10-08-2025, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

Am I the only one who thinks Spurs can win it all this year ? They have perhaps the most talent top to bottom, yeah its young talent, but who knows.

probably yea... I think the issue is that they really lack veteran experience and have some pretty poor depth

If they do get to the finals, Wemby is 100% the MVP and probably the best player in the NBA

yiguiri2002 · 10-08-2025, 03:26 PM

You already burned us with Ayo, don't this to Matas. Kid's the real deal.

jcardstore · 10-08-2025, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

You already burned us with Ayo, don't this to Matas. Kid's the real deal.

He was being held back by Lavine! Still pretty good for a late 2nd round pick haha

asujbl · 10-08-2025, 03:49 PM

I’m just glad Basketball is back

Bosoxfan5990 · 10-08-2025, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

I’m just glad Basketball is back

Agreed, even without a healthy Tatum.

blackvodka · 10-08-2025, 07:05 PM

October 21st. Can't wait for Thunders & Rockets and Lakers vs. Warriors.

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dizzy4111 · 10-08-2025, 07:17 PM

Matas will be a star. Been saying that since he was projected #1 overall before he want to that dumpster fire G League Ignite

oldgoldy97 · 10-08-2025, 07:31 PM

Maybe the early Matas #1 overall steam was not just smoke.

jcardstore · 10-08-2025, 08:39 PM

Kel’el Ware has had 2 dominant games in a row. This kid has all of the physical attributes and talent of a star player but needs to get his head and motivation right.

Maybe last years benching and Spo tough love are starting to get him to take the game seriously.

Kid is a freak of nature

ninjacookies · 10-08-2025, 11:34 PM

Real ones were glazing Lil Buzi Vert early last season

while casuals were saying heightmaxxed McClung with an eating disorder.

Won't be anything special but could be a semi-impact player on a non-impact squad a la Markkanen.

Def. better than Dick tho.

bkcardcollector · 10-09-2025, 01:59 AM

ahh Dick... I don't know what happened to Masai

yiguiri2002 · 10-09-2025, 10:53 AM

Who the hell is "heightmaxxed McClung with an eating disorder"?

Ninja, you are making me go deep into NBA rosters.

oldgoldy97 · 10-09-2025, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Who the hell is "heightmaxxed McClung with an eating disorder"?

Ninja, you are making me go deep into NBA rosters.

Furphy?

jcardstore · 10-09-2025, 11:53 AM

I wish ninja could be serious like 10% of the time. These posts are impossible to decipher

I think it was a reference to Buzelis?

yiguiri2002 · 10-09-2025, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

Furphy?

Who was talking about Furphy except for Nomad (RIP)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcardstore

I wish ninja could be serious like 10% of the time. These posts are impossible to decipher

I think it was a reference to Buzelis?

First part was about Buzelis. The only guy I can think of is Sheppard for the second part but I have almost no idea.

yiguiri2002 · 10-09-2025, 12:20 PM

The scary thing about Buzelis is that's he's played for G-League Ignite and the Bulls, two organizations not known for being good at developing players. Imagine where he would be right now in a better environment.

PooleParty · 10-09-2025, 01:47 PM

Ace Bailey looked elite last night. Teenagers like him usually can't shoot but he can. Hopefully all the distractions in Utah don't affect his development.

jcardstore · 10-09-2025, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

The scary thing about Buzelis is that's he's played for G-League Ignite and the Bulls, two organizations not known for being good at developing players. Imagine where he would be right now in a better environment.

The Ignite experiment was good in theory but a disaster in practice. You put a bunch of guys competing only for a draft spot on a single team with an AAU feel it was just gross and bad for everyone's development.

Ignite also attracted a bunch of me-first players who just aren't very talent and sucked opportunities away from the other players (Jalen Green, Kuminga, Jaden Hardy)

Giantrobot · 10-09-2025, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcardstore

I wish ninja could be serious like 10% of the time. These posts are impossible to decipher

Had to ignore, it’s like another language at this point.

yiguiri2002 · 10-09-2025, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcardstore

The Ignite experiment was good in theory but a disaster in practice. You put a bunch of guys competing only for a draft spot on a single team with an AAU feel it was just gross and bad for everyone's development.

Ignite also attracted a bunch of me-first players who just aren't very talent and sucked opportunities away from the other players (Jalen Green, Kuminga, Jaden Hardy)

Kuminga going to college is one big what if. He looked like he had all the physical tools to be an All-Star.

ninjacookies · 10-09-2025, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Who the hell is "heightmaxxed McClung with an eating disorder"?

Ninja, you are making me go deep into NBA rosters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Who was talking about Furphy except for Nomad (RIP)?

The only guy I can think of is Sheppard for the second part but I have almost no idea.

#Teamlightestskin
-Dunk Contest.
-built like Melania.

Come on, Yug. You're a Bulls fan and you just answered your own question. Who the heck else were we discussing?

The Shep guess was wild. If anything, he'll only get a welfare Bubble Alpaca reference outta me.

Goes without saying.

10-08-2025, 03:26 PM	#6
yiguiri2002 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 12,638 afigueroaquevedo2002 yiguiri2002	You already burned us with Ayo, don't this to Matas. Kid's the real deal. __________________ Basketball Sets: Threads Century Greats Jerseys - Innovation Stat Line Jerseys Soccer Sets: 2018 World Cup Prizm Peru Parallels - 2015 Select Soccer Peru Parallels Players: Red Bulls Parallels, 17-18 Thibs Prizms, Soccer Legends Autos

10-08-2025, 03:49 PM	#8
asujbl Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 63,648 ohiosundevils	I’m just glad Basketball is back __________________ https://ohiosundevils.smugmug.com/ Browns/Cavs/Tribe/Buckeyes/Jackets/Devils TheFrenzy - “Blowout ain't a place for normies”

10-08-2025, 07:05 PM	#10
blackvodka Member Join Date: Dec 2024 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 1,433	October 21st. Can't wait for Thunders & Rockets and Lakers vs. Warriors. Sent from my motorola razr 2024 using Tapatalk __________________ https://www.flickr.com/photos/202337276@N02/albums/

10-08-2025, 07:17 PM	#11
dizzy4111 Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 672	Matas will be a star. Been saying that since he was projected #1 overall before he want to that dumpster fire G League Ignite __________________ https://www.flickr.com/photos/197828227@N07/ Sets In Progress: 1998-98 Topps Chrome Base Refractors: 134/228

10-08-2025, 07:31 PM	#12
oldgoldy97 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 52,168	Maybe the early Matas #1 overall steam was not just smoke. __________________ Truly riveting discussion: that’s what your wife/girlfriend/sheep said.

10-08-2025, 02:20 PM	#1
jcardstore Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 22,091 Jcardstore	2025-26 NBA Preseason thread So this is a thread for all 3 people on here who even watch basketball anymore. I didn't feel like starting a thread for Matas Buzelis so I figured I would create a preseason one. Watched the Bulls / Cavs last night and he looks poised to take a big leap this year. He's not going to have any competition for shots, his handle looks crisp, the shot looks good, aggressive attacking the basket... The Bulls got an absolute steal at 11. I've watched a few other games but nobody else has really stood out to me. some other random thoughts: - Wemby is gonna be in the running for MVP this year. - The 76ers are going to be a lottery team - The Nets have one of the worst starting 5s I've ever seen - I was really impressed watching Jase Richardson, for a guy who wasn't really hyped he's very solid already. He's got long term starter upside imo - Rockets are gonna win 65 games and make it to the finals. - Cooper Flagg is really good. Nico got blessed __________________ Just moonwalking through hell on my last brain cell

10-08-2025, 02:35 PM	#2
RainCityShecks Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,072 raincityshecks	Yep - Flagg looks to be much further along/more composed than expected. Can’t wait to see him in action in regular season. Should be a viable FBBall asset as well! And yeah, a healthy Wemby goes nuclear this year Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-08-2025, 02:58 PM	#3
Above the Rim Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 776	Am I the only one who thinks Spurs can win it all this year ? They have perhaps the most talent top to bottom, yeah its young talent, but who knows.

10-08-2025, 08:39 PM	#13
jcardstore Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 22,091 Jcardstore	Kel’el Ware has had 2 dominant games in a row. This kid has all of the physical attributes and talent of a star player but needs to get his head and motivation right. Maybe last years benching and Spo tough love are starting to get him to take the game seriously. Kid is a freak of nature __________________ Just moonwalking through hell on my last brain cell

10-08-2025, 11:34 PM	#14
ninjacookies Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: All the girls see the (boi)/ Look at his flips / Look at his kards / All they say is (oh boi). Posts: 57,138	Real ones were glazing Lil Buzi Vert early last season while casuals were saying heightmaxxed McClung with an eating disorder. Won't be anything special but could be a semi-impact player on a non-impact squad a la Markkanen. Def. better than Dick tho. __________________ #5 world ranked Ledell Eackles superclection as recognized by Tuff Stuff junior managing editor, Barry McCaulkinner. Somethin' like a cross between Teddy Aguhob and Kaboom Mystery Packs. I got that Givenchy denim flow.

10-09-2025, 01:59 AM	#15
bkcardcollector Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Raptors Nation Posts: 7,872 bk_card_collector bk_card_collector	ahh Dick... I don't know what happened to Masai __________________ Got Tyler Ennis?

10-09-2025, 10:53 AM	#16
yiguiri2002 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 12,638 afigueroaquevedo2002 yiguiri2002	Who the hell is "heightmaxxed McClung with an eating disorder"? Ninja, you are making me go deep into NBA rosters. __________________ Basketball Sets: Threads Century Greats Jerseys - Innovation Stat Line Jerseys Soccer Sets: 2018 World Cup Prizm Peru Parallels - 2015 Select Soccer Peru Parallels Players: Red Bulls Parallels, 17-18 Thibs Prizms, Soccer Legends Autos

10-09-2025, 11:53 AM	#18
jcardstore Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 22,091 Jcardstore	I wish ninja could be serious like 10% of the time. These posts are impossible to decipher I think it was a reference to Buzelis? __________________ Just moonwalking through hell on my last brain cell Last edited by jcardstore; 10-09-2025 at 11:55 AM.

10-09-2025, 12:20 PM	#20
yiguiri2002 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 12,638 afigueroaquevedo2002 yiguiri2002	The scary thing about Buzelis is that's he's played for G-League Ignite and the Bulls, two organizations not known for being good at developing players. Imagine where he would be right now in a better environment. __________________ Basketball Sets: Threads Century Greats Jerseys - Innovation Stat Line Jerseys Soccer Sets: 2018 World Cup Prizm Peru Parallels - 2015 Select Soccer Peru Parallels Players: Red Bulls Parallels, 17-18 Thibs Prizms, Soccer Legends Autos

10-09-2025, 01:47 PM	#21
PooleParty Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Posts: 88	Ace Bailey looked elite last night. Teenagers like him usually can't shoot but he can. Hopefully all the distractions in Utah don't affect his development.