The OFFICIAL 2023 NBA Season Thread

[Kingofkings1281]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Makes sense. They can go for it tonight, take the L against Phoenix and rest them and even rest them for the Utah game depending on how things go. You rest them tonight, you probably lose and now you have to win the Utah game so you play them both.

I know the game means a lot, they’ve just been talking all day like there was no chance either of them would play. Should be a fun game now.

[daeve]

https://streamable.com/ev8uc4

lob + dime o the night.... what's this? A 3-game win streak? Did the victory over Lulu put a little more bounce in their step?

[ninjacookies]

Quickley, Grimes, and Toppin combine for a whopping 107 points.

I'll take 'Things that would never happen in a million years in a parallel universe against Nesmith's lockdown defense' for $500, Alex.

[hairyangryfella]

Originally Posted by packman80

No Giannis no probelm. Bucks beat the Bulls and secure the #1 seed in the East.

Seems to be a common thing, and why I personally discount him for MVP.

Nets made it hard for themselves but held off the Pistons. I almost feel like betting on Orlando when they play next, as they didn't look convincing.

Dallas actually fighting to keep their season alive, while the resting Grizzlies are helping the Pels in their placement.

[Nomad]

Nesmith is the reason why they didn't score 200. Did you see the way the score ballooned every time he left the floor. Watch a game before you read the stats heh...

Anyway, Carlysle made the tough but wise decision to tank. How many first round picks they getting, 3? I expect some bigs to join the lineup. It was a fun and exciting game to watch before a sellout arena in Indy. I've seen a lot less energy in playoff games, some places.

GG to a team that surprised a lot of fans.

[ninjacookies]

Yeah. To be fair, he was a team 2nd best -27.

Let's give it up for the real unsung hero, though.

If not for Jalen's -15, the Knicks d-league starting 5 could have broken the time-space continuum.

[Nomad]

Those stats really dont matter when you tied with two fiddy left. Nothing you can do about Math fumbles and Quickley daggers. Except maybe the coach emphasize ways of ball sharing down the stretch. But that is not the priority clearly. I think this is gonna be the highlight of an extended longform instructional video on how not to mess up a game you worked hard to keep close, again and again.

On the bright side, Pacers have improved nearly a percentage in the Wemby sweepstakes to 8.2 percent. I can think of breakers who would pay a lot of money for that kind of 15 percent shift upward if the prize was an MJ rookie in PSA 10 or equivalent.

[cardbored]

JJJ with 40 tonight. These games without Ja have really been good for his offensive development. Hopefully Santi is ok and they get some good news on Adams this week. Pels came back from way down to clinch a spot in the play-in (but almost blew it at the end). This is a fun finish to the season.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by hairyangryfella

Seems to be a common thing, and why I personally discount him for MVP.

People seem to think that when a superstar sits out, their team is playing 4-on-5.

But in reality that simply means that playing time gets redistributed and the next guy up (who often is pretty good themselves) gets a chance to shine.

Yeah, the Bucks are better with Giannis that without him, but it's not like they forget how to play basketball when he sits.

[NeedChapmans]

Lakers L tonight (which now seems likely) means once the Clippers beat Portland on Saturday (also very likely), they can finish no better than six as Clippers have the tiebreaker and GSW would have the three-way tie if LAC/LAL/GSW all end w/ the same 43-39 record. Two way tie w/ GSW @43 wins or three way tie with LAC and GSW @ 43 wins also means sixth.

EXCEPT, if New Orleans crashes the party for a four way tie at 43 wins. Then NO gets the 5, GSW gets the 6, Lakers get the 7 and LAC gets the 8. Pretty sure that won't happen as GSW or LAC win their final two games.

Crazy stuff.

[hairyangryfella]

Originally Posted by mfw13

People seem to think that when a superstar sits out, their team is playing 4-on-5.

But in reality that simply means that playing time gets redistributed and the next guy up (who often is pretty good themselves) gets a chance to shine.

Yeah, the Bucks are better with Giannis that without him, but it's not like they forget how to play basketball when he sits.

Hence why these things need to be considered for MVP to me. Philly and Milwaukee have better teams than Denver. Both have winning records when their candidate isn't playing. Not only do Denver have a losing record without Jokic, but they often fall apart complete when he goes to the bench during a game... To have his team top in the West, and be averaging a triple-double, with incredible efficiency, makes him clear MVP in my eyes.
A couple of games at the end of the season shouldn't change anything for him.

I do think Milwaukee will win th Finals this year though, and that Denver will be lucky to make the WCF.

[ninjacookies]

Vandy and Siakam need to run that 23andme test asap.

[ninjacookies]

Bron the only net negative starter with a -11 despite 33 points on 65% from the field.


I don't think the Lakers can afford for him to play early passive facilitator in the postseason.

[daeve]

Full squad Lakers getting banished to the play-in by the Clips is excellent stuff

[Kingofkings1281]

Originally Posted by daeve

Full squad Lakers getting banished to the play-in by the Clips is excellent stuff

I just don’t want the Grizz to have to play them or GS in the first round. Other than that, I’m happy.

[rustywest]

Basketball Gods looking out for the good guys tonight. Even Gettin' it at halftime!

[Kingofkings1281]

Originally Posted by rustywest

Basketball Gods looking out for the good guys tonight. Even Gettin' it at halftime!

Better hope you get PG back.

[yiguiri2002]

It's gonna be something seeing what happens, specially in the West.

- Nuggets clinch the first spot, so my guess is they rest everyone and lose out. Including Phoenix tomorrow.

- Phoenix clinches #4 with a win and can't get to 3, so they rest everyone after the Denver game and they lose out. Including both LA teams.

Tomorrow's OKC-Utah game is another key one. Utah needs to win to stay alive.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Bron the only net negative starter with a -11 despite 33 points on 65% from the field.


I don't think the Lakers can afford for him to play early passive facilitator in the postseason.

Thank God he padded his stats from down 20. The - 20 was looking bad.

Chuckle.

Kawhi has owned him for a decade now. I wonder what Bron's record vs him is.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

Thank God he padded his stats from down 20. The - 20 was looking bad.

Chuckle.

Kawhi has owned him for a decade now. I wonder what Bron's record vs him is.

Not pretty. Still think they get them in a 7 game series if this was the postseason.


Fade me for free $$$.

[Nomad]

Oh, just realized there will soon be a Pacers - Knicks rematch on the MSG floor. It's not a playoff game, but given the heated rivalry that emerged tonight, I think you could do worse than go Indy on the inevitable under.

[NeedChapmans]

Don't ever let Mac write your eulogy.

[indyguy]

Originally Posted by NeedChapmans

Don't ever let Mac write your eulogy.

That must've been in the "F Around, Find Out, Fort Worth" section.

[6celtics33]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

Thank God he padded his stats from down 20. The - 20 was looking bad.

Chuckle.

Kawhi has owned him for a decade now. I wonder what Bron's record vs him is.

He didn’t pad his stats. He’s only about winning. I don’t know what you were watching but he was the leading scorer because he was the goodest player and his team never helps. He doesn’t have anyone like Norman Powell or Westbrook to help or a great coach like Lue. What else can he do?

[BlueXtreme]

Originally Posted by 6celtics33

He didn’t pad his stats. He’s only about winning. I don’t know what you were watching but he was the leading scorer because he was the goodest player and his team never helps. He doesn’t have anyone like Norman Powell or Westbrook to help or a great coach like Lue. What else can he do?

And here they come. Did you watch the game? He tried to get them back in and played in a back to back. You think he’s out there trying NOT to win and risking injuries before the playoffs? Get a grip. Don’t become drob. Guy is still probably delusional enough to think Ben Simmons is an MVP caliber player from the bench