AROUND the NBA:

[dirkfansince1998]

I really dislike the T'Wolves but watching the Spurs lose because they don't have the IQ of Pop on the bench these days is a real feel good moment for Mavs fans. 7s left on the clock. Down 2. They don't call a timeout. And to make things worse they are slow to push the ball up the court. Still get a decent look from 3 but I don't even understand why you would go for the winner in the first place. If you call a timeout chances are that the Wolves overcommit to prevent a 3 and give up something closer to the rim.

[Mavs2021]

I really dislike the T'Wolves but watching the Spurs lose because they don't have the IQ of Pop on the bench these days is a real feel good moment for Mavs fans. 7s left on the clock. Down 2. They don't call a timeout. And to make things worse they are slow to push the ball up the court. Still get a decent look from 3 but I don't even understand why you would go for the winner in the first place. If you call a timeout chances are that the Wolves overcommit to prevent a 3 and give up something closer to the rim.

So your problem with the decision is that the Spurs did not make a wide open three. Gotcha.

[dirkfansince1998]

So your problem with the decision is that the Spurs did not make a wide open three. Gotcha.

My problem is them taking a three in the first place. There are higher percentage looks available if you only need two points to force overtime. But I guess teams going for the win instead of overtime is the norm these days.

[Mavs2021]

My problem is them taking a three in the first place. There are higher percentage looks available if you only need two points to force overtime. But I guess teams going for the win instead of overtime is the norm these days.

I doubt they´d have gotten a better shot  (2pt or 3pt) from a set play out of a timeout with six seconds left.

[Smitty]

@Fullcourtpass
Jaylen Brown is “deeply frustrated” with the Boston Celtics organization, per @Tmac_213

“I think his frustration lies deeply in the organization that we don’t have the details to… There’s just been a lot of stuff that I’ve been hearing, just going on with the Boston organization with JB.”

(Via @VinceAndTmac)

[Chicagojk]

OKC is such a machine.  You would think playing 11 in a playoff game would cause issues...this is missing their 2nd/3rd best player too.   Nope, they just keep rolling.   If you squint just a little bit you can envision Ajay Mitchell being an all star.   Just a second year former second rounder.   They are just littered with guys acquired different ways.   Just a handful of lottery picks they made.

My take on GM is find someone knows talent and then give them the resources (picks and other) to take as many swings as possible.   

I think the Lakers are really coached well, I just don't think they have enough short handed.  We will see if they can somehow make it a series.    Tough challenge though.

[Chicagojk]

@Fullcourtpass
Jaylen Brown is “deeply frustrated” with the Boston Celtics organization, per @Tmac_213

“I think his frustration lies deeply in the organization that we don’t have the details to… There’s just been a lot of stuff that I’ve been hearing, just going on with the Boston organization with JB.”

(Via @VinceAndTmac)

It could be a really interesting offseason in Boston if Jaylen really wants it to be.

[Smitty]

@Fullcourtpass
NBA players voted on the most overrated player in the league

• Alperen Sengun: 12.3%
• Rudy Gobert: 8.6%
• Trae Young: 8.6%
• Karl-Anthony Towns: 7.4%
• Paolo Banchero: 4.9%
• Ja Morant: 4.9%
• Deni Avdija: 3.7%
• Scottie Barnes: 3.7%
• Luka Doncic: 3.7%
• Pascal Siakam: 3.7%
• Dillon Brooks: 2.5%
• Tyrese Haliburton: 2.5%
• Tyler Herro: 2.5%
• Evan Mobley: 2.5%
• Brandin Podziemski: 2.5%
• Domantas Sabonis: 2.5%

(Via @TheAthletic, h/t @TheNBABase)

[omahen]

OKC is such a machine.  You would think playing 11 in a playoff game would cause issues...this is missing their 2nd/3rd best player too.   Nope, they just keep rolling.   If you squint just a little bit you can envision Ajay Mitchell being an all star.   Just a second year former second rounder.   They are just littered with guys acquired different ways.   Just a handful of lottery picks they made.

My take on GM is find someone knows talent and then give them the resources (picks and other) to take as many swings as possible.   

I think the Lakers are really coached well, I just don't think they have enough short handed.  We will see if they can somehow make it a series.    Tough challenge though.

As you said, OKC are a machine. More or less 15 men deep roster, where every player is capable of putting up 20 points and everyone plays defense. A result of several rebuilding years where a lot of things fell right. It all starts with the coach - I think theirs is best coach in the league by a wide margin. They got several high picks and drafted well. Even in their rebuilding years they were actually giving the players a chance to shine and were able to capitalize on several veterans whose contracts they revitalized (Horford for example). 

Lakers did a good job stopping SGA and I thought they played a pretty good game. At least on defense they were really solid. But their offense without Luka can't keep up with such defensive teams. If they would have Luka, the offense would be better but defense would likely suffer, as minutes of more defensive oriented guys would be reduced. I think avoiding a sweep would be a huge success, I don't think Lakers are able to put up more. I think OKC is so much better that even if everything falls right (Lakers hot shooting night, OKC bad shooting night), the teams would be playing a close game.

[Chicagojk]

As you said, OKC are a machine. More or less 15 men deep roster, where every player is capable of putting up 20 points and everyone plays defense. A result of several rebuilding years where a lot of things fell right. It all starts with the coach - I think theirs is best coach in the league by a wide margin. They got several high picks and drafted well. Even in their rebuilding years they were actually giving the players a chance to shine and were able to capitalize on several veterans whose contracts they revitalized (Horford for example). 

Lakers did a good job stopping SGA and I thought they played a pretty good game. At least on defense they were really solid. But their offense without Luka can't keep up with such defensive teams. If they would have Luka, the offense would be better but defense would likely suffer, as minutes of more defensive oriented guys would be reduced. I think avoiding a sweep would be a huge success, I don't think Lakers are able to put up more. I think OKC is so much better that even if everything falls right (Lakers hot shooting night, OKC bad shooting night), the teams would be playing a close game.

I would love to find a Horford deal out there if I was the Mavs.  Not sure there is one.  With the new cap, maybe there are some things they can take advantage of with teams.    Did OKC do the same thing with Milsap?  Isn't that the first they have coming from Utah?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Sam Presti is just a genius when it comes to pilfering players from other teams. Case in point, Jared McClain. He wasn't getting any PT riding the Sixers bench. (still scratching my head on this) Presti traded for him (I don't remember exactly what he gave up), but McClain fits seamlessly on their roster, and already is part of the rotation after languishing on Philly's bench.

[Chicagojk]

Sam Presti is just a genius when it comes to pilfering players from other teams. Case in point, Jared McClain. He wasn't getting any PT riding the Sixers bench. (still scratching my head on this) Presti traded for him (I don't remember exactly what he gave up), but McClain fits seamlessly on their roster, and already is part of the rotation after languishing on Philly's bench.

I believe it was for a future first (not a great one) and two-three seconds.   I have no doubt Morey will find value in one or a few of those draft picks.  It is what he does.  

Morey just couldn't keep his mouth shut though and had to prove he was the smartest guy in the room by quoting "we sold high on McCain".

OKC having a plethora of picks just makes them attractive in these type of deals.   I am sure others were interested in a second year guy who started his career off hot before getting hurt (was also good as a freshman at Duke).  There was just a minutes crunch in Philly with the drafting of VJ.  Someone had to be left out.   

OKC is just in the position of using a pick and seconds to make it happen.  Most teams may be hesitant using their own picks to take a gamble on McCain.   OKC and a few others can use there extra picks to be aggressive when they want.

[KillerLeft]

@Fullcourtpass
NBA players voted on the most overrated player in the league

• Alperen Sengun: 12.3%
• Rudy Gobert: 8.6%
• Trae Young: 8.6%
• Karl-Anthony Towns: 7.4%
• Paolo Banchero: 4.9%
• Ja Morant: 4.9%
• Deni Avdija: 3.7%
• Scottie Barnes: 3.7%
• Luka Doncic: 3.7%
• Pascal Siakam: 3.7%
• Dillon Brooks: 2.5%
• Tyrese Haliburton: 2.5%
• Tyler Herro: 2.5%
• Evan Mobley: 2.5%
• Brandin Podziemski: 2.5%
• Domantas Sabonis: 2.5%

(Via @TheAthletic, h/t @TheNBABase)

Ugh...biased Haliburton hate detected. The other names seem like they all belong on this list, to one extent or another.

[Jmaciscool]

i would be interested in seeing a poll of NBA players on who is the most underrated player

[Smitty]

i would be interested in seeing a poll of NBA players on who is the most underrated player

NBA players voted on the most underrated player in the league: 

4.0% — Jalen Johnson 
4.0% — Derrick White 
3.3% — Jaylen Brown 
3.3% — Jrue Holiday 
3.3% — Payton Pritchard 
3.3% — Austin Reaves 
2.6% — Nickeil Alexander-Walker 
2.6% — Brandon Ingram 

(via@TheAthletic)

[Smitty]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Just in: Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been ruled out for Game 2 tonight against the New York Knicks due to ankle and hip injuries, sources tell ESPN.

[Smitty]

@UnderdogNBA
Luka Doncic (hamstring) updates:

- Said he's started running
- Has yet to be cleared for full contact
- Said his original timetable given to him was 8 weeks (his injury occurred about 5 weeks ago)

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

@UnderdogNBA
Luka Doncic (hamstring) updates:

- Said he's started running
- Has yet to be cleared for full contact
- Said his original timetable given to him was 8 weeks (his injury occurred about 5 weeks ago)

Bro took a nice little vacation to Spain in the middle of his injury recovery.