Ongoing pro/college basketball thread (2023-24)

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

The question is how much of a raise they're looking for, and the twist is the new 3v3 league with 30 of the best players (but no CC yet). I don't think today's players have any sympathy for the years of losses up to this point, but if I was a backer I'd feel entitled to a higher portion of the profits that are finally here as payback for some of those. TNT also only needed to pay ~$8 million a year to pay all 30 players at least the WNBA max of $250k (plus equity) for much less work and travel, and if they've got that as a fallback those top players may be a lot less willing to compromise on a smaller graduated pay increase for the WNBA. None of this happens until after next season, so I don't see any deal getting worked out in that time and both sides getting a data point on how that league does TV rating wise and whether the WNBA can capitalize on the recent popularity surge or if it still stays really Caitlin Clark centric.

The team's valuations have skyrocketed in just the past few years. Mark Davis bought the Aces for $2 million back in 2021 and they're probably worth around $150m-$200m now.

Seems like that should be factored into their "lack of profits".

[Atocep]

Holy shit

South Florida basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim dies at age 43 - ESPN

[GrantDawg]

Very sad. The guy was an up and comer.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[miami_fan]

For a brief, blissful span, USF’s Amir Abdur-Rahim stole Tampa’s heart

I know a lot of the anecdotes like buying coffee for everyone in line at the campus coffee shop and taking food to the local shelter aren't unique to Abdur-Rahim but I still appreciate them.

[Ksyrup]

I can only assume someone saw the State Farm Fitzpatrick statue commercial and said hold my beer because that's maybe a really old Lawrence Fishbourne but it's most definitely not Dwyane Wade:

pic.twitter.com/JPPnWK3fd7

— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) October 27, 2024

[flere-imsaho]

He can take solace in the fact that the Ronaldo one was way, way worse.

[Thomkal]

Coastal Carolina started off the season with a 60-56 win against W. Michigan. This was the first game with the new head coach and such a difference than Cliff Ellis-30 to 40 years younger, full of energy, engaging with the students and public. Hope it the start of some good basketball for the team.

[Ksyrup]

FSU basketball started the year with a win and has now matched the FB team's win total on November 4th. I was hoping they'd win more games than the FB team this year, but didn't think it would happen before Thanksgiving.

[Atocep]

The Pistons beat the Lakers for their 3rd win on the year. Last year their 3rd win came on December 30th.

[Ksyrup]

I will NEVER understand this shit, even though it will continue to happen year after year after year. WHY?

UF basketball coach accused of sexual harassment and stalking

[dubb93]

Indiana really should consider leaving Coach Woodson in the Bahamas.

[Atocep]

WVU hired Darian DeVries to replace Eilert/Huggins. I had it as an A+ hire at the time. I liked him better than Dusty May and a couple other higher profile guys. He brought in an entirely new roster with the lone returning player redshirting this year and was picked to finish 13th in the Big 12. All they did this week was go to the Bahamas, knock of Gonzaga in OT, lose to Louisville in OT, and then beat Arizona in OT. Depth is still a major issue so anything that stresses depth could result in a 13th or so place finish in conference play but the transition has been a success so far. No more outdated offense playing 2 bigs and trying work the ball into the post while everyone stands around. No more trying defend an entire half of the court. Ball movement, spacing, and shooting are lightyears ahead of what people in Morgantown have been watching for the past 15 years.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by stevew

Woj dropping the most massive Woj bomb today that he is retiring to go work for St Bonaventure. Helluva run.

https://www.si.com/college-basketbal...i-next-chapter

This is a really good profile on Woj and his decision to walk away from ESPN especially as a man in his mid 50's.

[Ksyrup]

Given the game tipped after 10pm, I don't feel too bad for missing UK's comeback win over Gonzaga last night. They were down 50-34 at half playing without Lamont Butler and it was like 11:15 and I have a long run planned for this morning. So we took the dogs out and went to bed. Woke up this morning to an OT win.

[SirFozzie]

Great article about Lonzo Ball's 1000 day injury, and what it took for him to get back on the floor. If I read the article right, this surgery hadnever been done on an athlete before.

Inside Lonzo Ball's unprecedented 1,000-day return to the NBA - ESPN

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

https://www.si.com/college-basketbal...i-next-chapter

This is a really good profile on Woj and his decision to walk away from ESPN especially as a man in his mid 50's.

Great read. Highly recommended for (at least) all of us in our 50s.

[INDalltheway]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Given the game tipped after 10pm, I don't feel too bad for missing UK's comeback win over Gonzaga last night. They were down 50-34 at half playing without Lamont Butler and it was like 11:15 and I have a long run planned for this morning. So we took the dogs out and went to bed. Woke up this morning to an OT win.

This was a great game. I really like Kentucky's team. They feel like quite the opposite of what Cal had been rolling out there the last several years.

[Lathum]

Wtf is up with the nba schedule this week? One game last night, 2 today and tomorrow and three Thursday.

[Ksyrup]

NBA Cup is back on tonight.

[sovereignstar v2]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

NBA Cup is back on tonight.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by INDalltheway

This was a great game. I really like Kentucky's team. They feel like quite the opposite of what Cal had been rolling out there the last several years.

Cal got exposed a bit once everyone else could buy talent as well. He also really missed Kenny Payne. He was the player development guy for Cal.and is back with him at Arkansas.

[JPhillips]

Giannis has scored 20 or more points on 50% or better shooting in every game so far this year.

[miami_fan]

I absolutely hate these sideline interviews for NBA coaches but I want the NBA to force Tom Thibodeau to do one at the beginning, in the middle and the end of every quarter.

[Atocep]

Today I learned about Parker Fox, who was in the same high school graduating class as Trae Young but is in his 8th year in college and currently playing at Minnesota.

[sovereignstar v2]

Yeah. Redshirt year, COVID year, and two completely lost seasons because of major knee injuries

[flere-imsaho]

I hope that's all scholarship or his parents are loaded.

[Ksyrup]

One of the early presents from watching CBB this year is seeing Doug Gottlieb getting embarrassed. And the self-owns. I know GB is a tough school to attract coaching or player talent to, but giving an asshat a HC job and letting him remain as a talk show host was never a good idea.

I'm glad he's not having any success. His team just lost to a DII school after referring to smaller/lesser opponents as Nobody U and is on an 8-game losing streak. D'OH!

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

One of the early presents from watching CBB this year is seeing Doug Gottlieb getting embarrassed. And the self-owns. I know GB is a tough school to attract coaching or player talent to, but giving an asshat a HC job and letting him remain as a talk show host was never a good idea.

I'm glad he's not having any success. His team just lost to a DII school after referring to smaller/lesser opponents as Nobody U and is on an 8-game losing streak. D'OH!

I will be shocked if this experiment does not end in a close to violent manner.

[GrantDawg]

My nephew is at church this morning with his "Official Voice of the Hawks" pin on. Show off.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[Atocep]

Kings fire Mike Brown.

I'm not sure which is crazier, the fact that he keeps getting chances or that he's a 2 time coach of the year.

[Atocep]

WVU gets its first ever win at Allen Fieldhouse while missing 2 starters. 21-6 free throw disparity, which is just how it goes there. DeVries now has a neutral site win over Gonzaga and a road win over Kansas prior to the new calendar year.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Kings fire Mike Brown.

I'm not sure which is crazier, the fact that he keeps getting chances or that he's a 2 time coach of the year.

Why have owners gotten so bad at firing coaches?! I get that he is just a guy to the management but damn. How the hell do you fuck up firing a coach that has lost 14 of the team's last 20 games?!

Mike Brown will be fine. My guess is his best role is as the associate head coach of a really good to great team but I would not be surprised to see him lead another young team to a first time in a while playoff appearance like he did for the Kings.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Why have owners gotten so bad at firing coaches?! I get that he is just a guy to the management but damn. How the hell do you fuck up firing a coach that has lost 14 of the team's last 20 games?!

Mike Brown will be fine. My guess is his best role is as the associate head coach of a really good to great team but I would not be surprised to see him lead another young team to a first time in a while playoff appearance like he did for the Kings.

He seems to excel at coming in and changing culture within the first year or 2 but then he's more or less maxed out. He'd be an invaluable guy to have on staff with a young head coach but he's had enough success to keep getting head jobs and then let go.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Atocep

He seems to excel at coming in and changing culture within the first year or 2 but then he's more or less maxed out. He'd be an invaluable guy to have on staff with a young head coach but he's had enough success to keep getting head jobs and then let go.

In football terms, he needs a good OC. His specialties are defense and culture but his offenses are extremely basic. But he is not a Tom Thibodeau either.

[SirFozzie]

Heat suspend Jimmy Butler seven games for "conduct detrimental".

But HeAt CuLtUrE, amiwrite?

Jimmy Butler suspended for 7 games by Heat for ‘conduct detrimental to the team’ - The Athletic

[JonInMiddleGA]

$48.8m this year but he's lost his smile.

Wanted out of Philly ... wanted out of Minnesota before that. And Chicago was ready to see him gone before that.

At some point, maybe the problem isn't the clubs.

[miami_fan]

It was impossible for Cooper Flagg to live up to the hype that people had for him coming into this season. He is definitely a very good player and talent. He may still be the future #1 pick in the upcoming draft. But a generational talent? I'm not seeing it at this point.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

It was impossible for Cooper Flagg to live up to the hype that people had for him coming into this season. He is definitely a very good player and talent. He may still be the future #1 pick in the upcoming draft. But a generational talent? I'm not seeing it at this point.

He just turned 18 a couple weeks ago so he's young for the class. I still see NBA all star talent. I don't think anyone else is going to challenge him to go number 1 either. Ace Bailey has skill and talent but his shot selection is awful and he's struggled to make a significant impact with Rutgers. Harper is probably the 2nd best prospect right now but I think there's still a gap between him and Flagg, especially once you factor in he's nearly a fill year older.

[Ksyrup]

HOLY CRAP!

LARGEST COMEBACK IN NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HISTORY‼️@Pitt_WBB completed a 32-point deficit to defeat SMU 😮 pic.twitter.com/ddseLfcHUO

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) January 12, 2025

[SirFozzie]

Hell is being a neutral fan at the UMass-Fordham game.

120-118 in triple OT. Sounds exciting right?

NOPE! (sorry Balatro, I'm stealing that)

Diggins, UMass rewrite record books in 3OT win vs. Fordham - ESPN

79 Fouls, 122 Free Throws, 9-10 players fouled out, Someone fouled on a last second OT heave (literally 1 second to go from half court), and the three FT's made the game go to a 2nd OT.

[Ksyrup]

Still shorter than a pre-pitch clock Yankees/Red Sox game.

[Atocep]

He won't win it, but Darian DeVries should be NCAA Men's coach of the year.

0 returning minutes and picked to finish 13th in the Big 12. He now has a neutral court win over then #3 Gonzaga, a road win over then #7 Kansas, and now a home win over #2 Iowa State.

[Solecismic]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

$48.8m this year but he's lost his smile.

Wanted out of Philly ... wanted out of Minnesota before that. And Chicago was ready to see him gone before that.

At some point, maybe the problem isn't the clubs.

As he's starting his third suspension, can someone explain to me why Phoenix seems to want him?

I get that the NBA is a plug-and-play league and he has skills, but what makes anyone think a player earning $50 million a year who refuses to show any loyalty to the team concept is going to magically show loyalty anywhere else?

In the NFL, most teams seem to understand that and players who earn the big payday want to win right where they are. The Deshaun Watson experience is unique there, and it's likely teams will be even more careful about players who threaten to sit out after being paid from now on.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

As he's starting his third suspension, can someone explain to me why Phoenix seems to want him?

"But it'll be different HERE"

Aside from that, it kinda smacks of a bit of desperation. They're apparently urgently hoping to unload Bradley Beal, you've got Nurkic saying he has "NO relationship" with Budenholzer so he's on his way out too.

They might actually be a destination for Butler where he wouldn't be that much more strife than they already have

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

As he's starting his third suspension, can someone explain to me why Phoenix seems to want him?

I get that the NBA is a plug-and-play league and he has skills, but what makes anyone think a player earning $50 million a year who refuses to show any loyalty to the team concept is going to magically show loyalty anywhere else?

In the NFL, most teams seem to understand that and players who earn the big payday want to win right where they are. The Deshaun Watson experience is unique there, and it's likely teams will be even more careful about players who threaten to sit out after being paid from now on.

Jimmy Butler has been on the Heat since 2019. There have been relatively zero issues until this year, so he has shown some loyalty during this time. I am not defending his current actions just stating his loyalty record to this point.

Why would Phoenix want him? The same reason the Heat gotten him in 2019. Under the right circumstances, Butler can be loyal and he can help get that team to the Finals. What are the right circumstances? Well for the Heat, there was a chance to win an NBA title, a 4 year $140M contract when he was initially traded from the Sixers and then a 3 year $146M extension after that. Next year, he has a player option but I am guessing he has received assurances of another extension if he is traded to the Suns. I don't think he will play beyond 40 years old so a tow or three year extension would probably insure his loyalty for at least the next two.

[miami_fan]

I have spent most of my TV watching this afternoon watching various college basketball games. In a complete reversal of what I have seen in recent years, teams are looking pretty good running their offenses. Not saying the shooting has improved that much but the teams are actually running half court sets that involve more than one pick. If the offense breaks down however, yikes. Outside of a select few, it seems like we have finally gotten successful one on one basketball out of the college game.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Sources - Mavericks trading Doncic to Lakers for Anthony Davis - ESPN

[Atocep]

I thought this was fake at first. The most stunning trade I can think of in recent memory.

[JonInMiddleGA]

That's "if it happened in a video game you'd be ready to return the game as broken" caliber insanity

[RainMaker]

You know it's bad when everyone assumed Shams account was hacked when it posted.