AROUND the NBA: ATL Jumps from #10 to #1 in Lotto| Pistons Mull Firing GM

[DallasMaverick]

The Lakers series was the most I've watched of Ja and I do not see him having a long career as an elite player. The amount of ridiculous impossible for no reason at all dunks he attempts is going to end his career sooner than later. Someone needs to explain to him how dangerous that is. The one where LeBron took a charge and got under him was extremely dangerous. Ja tries to dunk on EVERYONE! He's exciting to watch but his game is 100% athleticism right now. He needs to evolve to have a long healthy career.

Derrick Rose 2.0??

[Mavs2021]

Luka finally catches a break...with Slovenia´s World Cup draw. Unlikely he can stop the might of Goga-rgia, but Venezuela and Cape Verde should be easy opponents.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Is FIFA his only basketball obligation this summer? So he has until mid to late August to rest and work on his diet and body?

[SleepingHero]

https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/165...OEse4tAAAA

This is hilarious.

Lebron subtweeting Dillon Brooks

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Did you adopt a team for these playoffs that you’re rooting for? 

Might be sacrilegious but I'm rooting for the Heat right now. Jimmy is a menace.

[omahen]

Brooks probably significantly damaged his value by both his on court production and too big mouth. But, if he is available for where Mavs can get too salary wise, I would certainly take a flier.

[IamDougieFresh]

Did you adopt a team for these playoffs that you’re rooting for? 
I’ve watched all series, the team I like the most are the Kings I guess. Big reason is Monk, who‘s always in attack mode… Great guy.

Kings (LIGHT THE BEAM)
Heat
Nuggets
Brunson

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

What's sad is the Kings made a COLLOSSAL mistake taking Bagley over Luka, HOWEVER...

...since that day they have been on fire building a team.  Can you imagine that team (minus Fox) around Luka?

Did you ever think you'd trade Cuban and ten years of 2nds for Vivek?

[SleepingHero]

Brooks probably significantly damaged his value by both his on court production and too big mouth. But, if he is available for where Mavs can get too salary wise, I would certainly take a flier.

I think his antics would be a big distraction. He's a horrible offensive player, and his defense hasn't even been great either. 

If he could shoot sure, but this reminds me of a worse Wes Matthews replacement. Thankfully you didn't have to watch those years of Wes Brick Matthews.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Anyone except for cHeat and Suns. I wish both orgs nothing but the worst.

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I do like Spo though.

[IamDougieFresh]

No frauds from the Memphis teddy bears please.

[Branduil]

What's sad is the Kings made a COLLOSSAL mistake taking Bagley over Luka, HOWEVER...

...since that day they have been on fire building a team.  Can you imagine that team (minus Fox) around Luka?

Did you ever think you'd trade Cuban and ten years of 2nds for Vivek?

Give Luke the Kings' or Hawks' FO post-draft and he already has a title.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

If Jamal Murray plays as he is tonight during the rest of these playoffs, Denver is going to the Finals. He's playing like "Bubble Murray" Denver is smoking Phoenix, 118-95 late in the 4th. It's just game one though. I'm sure Phx bounces back.

[IamDougieFresh]

My confidence in MEM, PHX AND PHI being FRAUDS is at an all time high. One of them has already been fully exposed. Two to go.

[dirkfansince1998]

Suns lack of perimeter defense is even more obvious than last season. CP3 and Booker aren´t stopping anyone. Murray is doing whatever he wants. KD is the best defender on the Suns roster. That´s not enough against a team with multiple scoring threats.

[Branduil]

Ayton is not that guy

[dirkfansince1998]

Ayton is not that guy

Actually thought that his defense against Jokic was solid. Keeping Jokic below 50% from is borderline impossible. Only happened three times in the regular season. In one game against the T´Wolves.
Rebounding is difficult to evaluate. He certainly cannot boxout Jokic on his own. But his teammates aren´t doing anything to help him. Even more difficult when he has to step out of the paint to take away Murray´s or Porter´s pull up game. Felt like no one rotated over or at least tried to bump Jokic out of the dunkers spot.

[dirkfansince1998]

I think CP3 is the real problem. At this point in his career they simply cannot hide him on defense. Was the same against the Mavs last season. Ayton is the last line of defense and he obviously isn´t prime Ben Wallace. Not able to undo the damage on his own. But the initial breakdown happens when CP3 cannot stay in front of his matchup or cannot get over a screen.

[dirkfansince1998]

https://twitter.com/redapples/status/1651951077787303937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1651951077787303937%7Ctwgr%5E92c4db4a29ecfef796e786eedc530f179d0266da%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforums.realgm.com%2Fboards%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ft%3D2286052

[Branduil]

Actually thought that his defense against Jokic was solid. Keeping Jokic below 50% from is borderline impossible. Only happened three times in the regular season. In one game against the T´Wolves.
Rebounding is difficult to evaluate. He certainly cannot boxout Jokic on his own. But his teammates aren´t doing anything to help him. Even more difficult when he has to step out of the paint to take away Murray´s or Porter´s pull up game. Felt like no one rotated over or at least tried to bump Jokic out of the dunkers spot.

https://vxtwitter.com/andrewleezus/statu...73344?s=46&t=fgyOuYr9CAM3IkK23572nA

[Mavs2021]

Tatum/Brown
Ja/JJJ/Bane
Mitchell/Garland/JA/Mobley
Jokic/Murray/KPJ
Booker/Ayton
Edwards/KAT/McDaniels

The amount of people that think teams should break up a young core of stars, because of some play-off failure is staggering. The most difficult part is to find that core pairing that works that you can build around. I don´t have to tell you which franchise didn´t identify their key pairing correctly. Now look where they are.

And it looks likely that one of Boston or Denver will win it all this season. If not them, then the Kings and Knicks are also still in the running.