Ongoing pro/college basketball thread (2023-24)

[SirFozzie]

Life comes at you fast:

The Bucks led game 5 118-111 with 40 seconds to play (and a bucks free throw left to take), and lost it (and their season).



Bucks: Missed FT

IND: 33 foot three pointer.

Bucks: Turnover (Gary Trent Jr)

IND: Halliburton hoop and 1

Bucks: Turnover (Trent Jr)

IND: Halliburton hoop

Bucks: Missed prayer at the buzzer

[miami_fan]

Anyone who has wanted a visual representation of the stuff that goes on in the Youth Sports thread, take a look at the action of John Haliburton at the end of that game yesterday. For those who did not see it, Tyrese Haliburton took Giannis one on one to the basket for the game winning layup. At the buzzer, John Haliburton came ON TO THE COURT and began popping his jersery and talking shit as he walked up on Giannis who was just standing on the court. They began jawing back and forth, went forehead to forehead until Giannis got pulled away and then the two teams got into it. The statement afterwards tells its own story.

: "I sincerely apologize to Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Pacers organization for my actions following tonight's game. This was not a good reflection on our sport or my son and I will not make that mistake again."

Sir, this is not your sport! You are not playing NBA basketball!

[bronconick]

That would usually get someone a complete ban.

[JonInMiddleGA]

To his credit, Tyrese Haliburton made it pretty clear in the post-game media that he did NOT approve of his father's antics.

Seems simple enough but these days I don't take even that much common sense for granted so I was glad to see it.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

To his credit, Tyrese Haliburton made it pretty clear in the post-game media that he did NOT approve of his father's antics.

Seems simple enough but these days I don't take even that much common sense for granted so I was glad to see it.

You are right. That is simple enough. However, similar to the Jax Ulrich's prank call during the draft, I don't think Tyrese should be a part of this situation either. I don't want to put Tyrese in a position to have an opinion either way to be honest. There is already a discussion about how Tyrese softened what he said last night compared to what he said today.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

You are right. That is simple enough. However, similar to the Jax Ulrich's prank call during the draft, I don't think Tyrese should be a part of this situation either. I don't want to put Tyrese in a position to have an opinion either way to be honest. There is already a discussion about how Tyrese softened what he said last night compared to what he said today.

He probably needs to tell nutjob Dad to keep his ass at home then. Otherwise this will continue indefinitely.

[sovereignstar v2]

Luka probably goes to the line 30 times tonight

[sovereignstar v2]

Don't put up any kind of fight or anything

[Honolulu_Blue]

I don't really follow basketball all that closely, but I follow sports enough to know that the Mavericks and, in particular their GM, got lambasted for trading Luka.

Are people having second thoughts bout this now with the Lakers losing their first round series 4-1? Aren't their concerns about Luka's commitment to conditioning and defense, such that making a massive financial commitment to him could be a risk?

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I don't really follow basketball all that closely, but I follow sports enough to know that the Mavericks and, in particular their GM, got lambasted for trading Luka.

Are people having second thoughts bout this now with the Lakers losing their first round series 4-1? Aren't their concerns about Luka's commitment to conditioning and defense, such that making a massive financial commitment to him could be a risk?

No, this Lakers team was very flawed and Dallas gave them a long term lifeline by trading them a 26 year old top 5 player. It's an all time had trade.

[bhlloy]

…checks notes on what happened with the Mavs season… nah

It wasn’t the worst trade of all time because Luka is really really good and could win a championship with the right pieces around him, although that’s true. It’s the worst trade ever because they deliberately decided to only allow one to team to bid, didn’t even get close to the most value out of that team they could have because they were too scared word would get out, and then the main piece they did get is always injured, despite them saying Luka’s conditioning was a big reason for the trade in the first place.

This season or even the next few won’t make it less of a shit trade, barring the Mavs team they put together around AD winning a title. Just willfully trading a top 3 piece in the league for cents on the dollar.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Are people having second thoughts bout this now with the Lakers losing their first round series 4-1?

None whatsoever.

It's the worst trade since Babe Ruth, not just because of the player(s) on the floor but because of the damage done to a brand.

[RainMaker]

It's still a good trade long term. Lebron is 40 and AD is 32 with a long injury history. They got a franchise guy for practically nothing. That's the hardest thing to acquire in the NBA.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Schlenk was the architecht of the draft day trade, at least he's gone. Fields really can't be any worse than that dumb SOB.

This is old but I don't think Fields did a bad job. The Luka trade by the previous GM was a disaster. Same goes for the Murray trade.

I thought he did a decent job of digging out of those disasters. Moving Murray for 2 firsts and Dyson Daniels (who is good!) was a great trade. Maybe I'm missing some terrible moves he made but he took over a pretty shit spot.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Tyrese Haliburton's father staying away from Pacers games - ESPN

The interesting part of this to me is that "This was a decision made by the team's front office, and John Haliburton was understanding and accepted the decision."

Good on Pacers management I reckon.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

It's the worst trade since Babe Ruth, not just because of the player(s) on the floor but because of the damage done to a brand.

There's a non-zero chance that the Mavs become the second-most-popular basketball team in Dallas unless the front office can win back the fans.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

The interesting part of this to me is that "This was a decision made by the team's front office, and John Haliburton was understanding and accepted the decision."

Good on Pacers management I reckon.

Speaking as a referee (though not for basketball) this is good news. Parents (and coaches, for that matter) see what happens on TV and think it's A-OK to act like this at kids' games, which is how you get a 35-year-old Dad squaring up to a 16-year-old first-year ref at a U10 game.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Aren't their concerns about Luka's commitment to conditioning and defense, such that making a massive financial commitment to him could be a risk?

It may be an unpopular opinion but my answer to this question is yes. I would still sign him but the risk is there.

I assume he is going to get himself in better shape but he is a professional athlete. I would have assumed that he would be in the best shape already. I have seen him play at least average defense at times but again, I would have assumed he would always play at least average defense. Luka has flaws in his game that are worthy of criticism and his conditioning and his willingness to defend on among them. We criticized 25 year old Lebron despite the fact he had already won 2 MVPs and led a worse Cleveland team to the Finals by the end of his 7th season. We criticized a young Kobe for his flaws despite winning three titles by the end of his 7th season. Lebron is not the ultimate standard but when you compare him with Luka as players who came into the NBA at 19 through their 7th season, Lebron played 98 more games that Luka has at the same point in their careers. Kobe played 46 more games. The Kobe comparison will become more relevant the longer Luka is in purple and gold. Much like Nico, those fans have also been raised in the Mamba mentality religion. Slow walks to the bench and to the locker room due to injuries that may be connected to not being in shape will not sit well with them.

[Thomkal]

OMG Pacers steal another win from Cleveland

[INDalltheway]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

wow Pacers

You can say this again! I blacked out for a few minutes after that comeback win. Haliburton has undoubtedly taken the "Most Overrated" vote personally.

[Thomkal]

Thanks restof the league-you just made a monster!

[Ksyrup]

First time in NBA history the home team has lost all 4 Game 1s in the second round.

I'd have to say I still expect Boston to win out, TWolves likely have a good chance depending on the extent of Curry's injury, and it wouldn't shock me if OKC won 4 straight (or at least pulled out the series). Cleveland may be in trouble, though, as they were only a half-game better than the Pacers since January 1st (I think that was the stat I saw). The Pacers are trouble, and with 2 games on the road in the bag, should win the series.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by INDalltheway

You can say this again! I blacked out for a few minutes after that comeback win. Haliburton has undoubtedly taken the "Most Overrated" vote personally.

Based on the reasoning that was given and how things are going this season, he can probably count on being voted #1 once again. For whatever that's worth.

[miami_fan]

About time Thibs. Any chance you get to take KAT off the court on the defensive end.

[JPhillips]

DO NOT GET A TWENTY-POINT LEAD!!!

[Jas_lov]

I hope the Celtics lose to punish the strategy of shooting 100 3 pointers and missing 75 of them. It's so horrible to watch and they have no other strategy except we need to make our 3s. Knicks and Pacers at least drive to the basket a little bit. That's how they both came back.

[JPhillips]

Saw this fun info.

Home teams in round 2 are +16 in points with a 1-7 record.

[dubb93]

I really hope we get another Pacers-Knicks series.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Jas_lov

I hope the Celtics lose to punish the strategy of shooting 100 3 pointers and missing 75 of them. It's so horrible to watch and they have no other strategy except we need to make our 3s. Knicks and Pacers at least drive to the basket a little bit. That's how they both came back.

I agree with the general point but I am not that bothered by them taking the 100 threes. It is the lack of offensive flow that is the issue IMO. They need a U9 coach from one of the local rec leagues to tell them to make at least 5-10 passes before shooting the ball. The Celtics played like an offense in football up by three TDs in the 4th quarter going no huddle and snapping the ball with 35 seconds left on the play clock.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

They need a U9 coach from one of the local rec leagues to tell them to make at least 5-10 passes before shooting the ball.

That implies that there are more than 1-2 coachable players on an NBA roster in 2025.

I don't believe that's the case.

[wustin]

The Knicks barely won and the Celtics missed a bunch of wide open 3s. 1 or 2 of those go in, the Celtics tie the series up despite Tatum playing poorly and how much of a non-factor Porzingis has been. That's how loaded the Celtics are.

Celtics need to clean up their half court offense when they aren't spamming their dribble drive kickouts. Tatum got triple teamed that last possession because Horford and White were lost on the floor. So a time out should've been called.

[wustin]

Dola

None of this matters cause OKC is gonna destroy everyone. Haven't seen a guard as dominant as SGA since Curry a decade ago.

[SirFozzie]

Ok.. file this under "cool but creepy". The guy who did those epic voiceover promos for the NBA on NBC in the 90's and early 2000's? He passed away in 2017.

But in 2025, he'll be doing promos for the return of the NBA on NBC.

How is this possible? AI of course. I don't mind this because they made a deal with the person's family. That's the important part, respecting the creator's rights. Most AI-projects just grab willy nilly and don't respect those rights.

The creepy part is a man who has been dead 8 years telling us all he'll see us all in October for the tip off the NBA season.

- YouTube

[dubb93]

It is an iconic voice. I wonder how far away we are from having other AI voices call games? Howard Cosell, Madden and Summerall, Harry Carey calling another Cubs game.

[Thomkal]

Wow Indy up 80-39 right now

[SirFozzie]

That Pacers-Cavs incident tonight would have gotten a "McFilthy and McNasty" (tm the late great Johnny Most) in that it would have worked back then, but sadly for instigators today, there is instant replay catching the instigator in the act.

John Salley, Isiah Thomas, Rick Mahorn, and Bill Lambeer are all shaking their heads in disgust about how SAWFT the game has become.

(To be honest, at full speed when I saw the highlight, I was confused that the man who threw the push was not the same man as being named as ejected on the title, then I saw the instant replay with the sneaky push/punch, and said "ooohhhhhhh"

[dubb93]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

That Pacers-Cavs incident tonight would have gotten a "McFilthy and McNasty" (tm the late great Johnny Most) in that it would have worked back then, but sadly for instigators today, there is instant replay catching the instigator in the act.

John Salley, Isiah Thomas, Rick Mahorn, and Bill Lambeer are all shaking their heads in disgust about how SAWFT the game has become.

(To be honest, at full speed when I saw the highlight, I was confused that the man who threw the push was not the same man as being named as ejected on the title, then I saw the instant replay with the sneaky push/punch, and said "ooohhhhhhh"

If that was a punch I’m the Easter Bunny. They really let Hunter off the hook considering he barely got pushed by a guy moving backwards and then came and pushed Matherin as hard as he could knocking him completely down. ESPN’s headline calling it a punch is a real joke.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Mathurin is a clown.

This is the same half-wit that bumped a ref (female no less) while protesting an obvious hard foul and tried to stir shit with Giannis.

He seems intent on becoming the Pacers version of George Pickens.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by dubb93

If that was a punch I’m the Easter Bunny. They really let Hunter off the hook considering he barely got pushed by a guy moving backwards and then came and pushed Matherin as hard as he could knocking him completely down. ESPN’s headline calling it a punch is a real joke.

Identify however you want but of course that was a punch. It was not something I would have kicked him out of the game for but thems the rules.

The funny part is I'm not sure there would have been a clear view of this incident if not for this being a playoff game. Foz called it correctly. This is a clear case of a) trying to get into Hunter's head and b) hoping to get Hunter to react as he did so Mathurin could flop to the ground.

The Pacers getting back to back playoff series with division rivals is interesting to say the least.

[RainMaker]

First world problems but I sort of hate how all the teams use their alternate jerseys and courts in the playoffs. I get it as a fun little thing during the regular season, but I'll turn on a game and have no idea who's who for the first couple minutes.

Not a big deal now but I wonder in 20 years if it makes these old clips tough to decipher because every team has a whole new color scheme each season. There is something about just sticking to the basics in the playoffs.

[Lathum]

Mavs make a boneheaded deal to trade Luka then win the lottery.

hmm....

[miami_fan]

Outstanding job NBA! Way to protect Nico!

I don't believe the NBA did anything to rig the lottery and actually hate when that becomes the narrative.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Outstanding job NBA! Way to protect Nico!

I don't believe the NBA did anything to rig the lottery and actually hate when that becomes the narrative.

I don't either.

[Atocep]

Dylan Harper and Wemby is going to be a hell of a combo.

[dubb93]

Sucks for Flagg bc idk how the fan base is going to react. If it was my team I’d be out until they are competitive again. I mean they punted a team that just finished as runner up the year before.

[RainMaker]

I don't know if it's a conspiracy but still fishy that one of the worst trades in history benefitting the NBA's premier franchise and then you magically win the lottery with a 1% chance is fishy.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by dubb93

Sucks for Flagg bc idk how the fan base is going to react. If it was my team I’d be out until they are competitive again. I mean they punted a team that just finished as runner up the year before.

The few Mavs games I saw after the trade, the fans still supported the players. Even in Luka's return game, they still supported Mavs players. I think Cooper Flagg fits most fans want and fit what Mavs fans have supported in their last two superstars. A potential great player that while not on Luka's level can grow to reach his full potential right before their eyes. He can be one of their own.

Here is the entire lottery order


1. Dallas
2. San Antonio
3. Philadelphia
4. Charlotte
5. Utah
6. Washington
7. New Orleans
8. Brooklyn
9. Toronto
10. Houston
11. Portland
12. Chicago
13. Atlanta
14. San Antonio

Do the Sixers draft another 6'10" forward who could not get his college team to the NCAA tournament?

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Do the Sixers draft another 6'10" forward who could not get his college team to the NCAA tournament?

I'd be really surprised considering how analytically based the franchise is under Morey. Analytics have Ace as a borderline 1st round guy. Right now he looks like he'd be a high usage, low efficiency offensive player that brings more value on the defensive end.

Assuming they hold onto the pick I think Edgecombe or Fears is more likely IMO.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

I don't believe the NBA did anything to rig the lottery and actually hate when that becomes the narrative.

I'm your precise opposite.

[Kodos]

Add me to the not rigged camp.