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

[The Jom]

Some observations:

- KP has never looked better. Just needed four all defensive caliber perimeter defenders next to him that can prevent the switch hunting.

- For people that are still into Capela-watch. Boxscore isn't pretty. 2pts/5reb/5blk, -4 in 23 minutes. Okongwu was +22 in 24 minutes.

- Ayton remembered that he is a big. 23 rebounds in a win over the Raptors. Raptors aren't looking good. OG and Siakam trade rumors incoming.

- Simmons looks almost like his old self (at least in transition).

Sign me up for 23 rebound/9 FGA Ayton. That’s the mentality he needs to succeed.

[SleepingHero]

https://twitter.com/TheDunkCentral/statu...6323847256

Jordan Poole is actually hilarious.

[Mavs2021]

I didn't even realise this game was an inseason tournament game Agree with everyone who said, glorified regular season games will not work for anyone involved. Players will not put in extra effort and fans will not care.

Yeah it´s just dumb. Reduce the season to 75 games. Simply do a two week 32 team single elimination tournament and invite the two finalist from the Euro League. That´s easy to do.

Winner gets an unofficial 61st pick. First rights to any undrafted player.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Is anyone else annoyed by this in season tournament stuff, or am I just slowly descending into the "get off my lawn, skateboard kid" era of my ife?

No it’s not just you. No one, literally no one, is excited about it. It’s hilarious hearing the announcers trying to half-heartedly hype it up. “And get this Jim. These multi-millionaires will be awarded CASH BONUSES! for their participation.”

[F Gump]

I don't have any problem with the in-season tournament, and I really don't understand all the whining about it. Or all these declarations that it's going to be a sure fail, before they've played one single game

It's not changing the schedule. every team will end up playing 82 games, just like usual, and the games that are part of the whole tournament are part of the 82 except the title game. It's like giving kids trophies for "participation" in their youth leagues - what does it hurt?

The complaint that it won't be a glamor thing, or that it needs outside teams to participate, or that the league needs a shorter schedule, misses the whole point why the NBA is doing this -- which is, they're committed to the money of 82 games, but the season is so long that both players and fans lose interest in the early games. So, this is their attempt to "put lipstick on the pig" -- the pig being the dog-day games of Nov and Dec, prior to the glamor games of Christmas day.

It costs the league NOTHING to label these games special. But it might motivate better play in these particular games, and it might motivate better players to play and try to get extra bragging rights (and some cash prizes), and it might motivate a few more fans to buy tickets for what otherwise would be meaningless random early-season bags of nothing-ball.

I would wager that there WILL BE a lot of fanfare and attention, and perhaps excitement generated, when they have the final 4 in Las Vegas on Dec 7-9. Lots of wagering, too, which adds vested interest to fans. This also lends itself to Fall Madness contests, with creative brackets and scoring over the month, which draws added interest. I'm guessing we won't see it this season, but I would be shocked if it doesn't happen in 2024 and start to create a buzz.

Just my 2c.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I don't have any problem with the in-season tournament, and I really don't understand all the whining about it. Or all these declarations that it's going to be a sure fail, before they've played one single game

It's not changing the schedule. every team will end up playing 82 games, just like usual, and the games that are part of the whole tournament are part of the 82 except the title game. It's like giving kids trophies for "participation" in their youth leagues - what does it hurt?

The complaint that it won't be a glamor thing, or that it needs outside teams to participate, or that the league needs a shorter schedule, misses the whole point why the NBA is doing this -- which is, they're committed to the money of 82 games, but the season is so long that both players and fans lose interest in the early games. So, this is their attempt to "put lipstick on the pig" -- the pig being the dog-day games of Nov and Dec, prior to the glamor games of Christmas day.

It costs the league NOTHING to label these games special. But it might motivate better play in these particular games, and it might motivate better players to play and try to get extra bragging rights (and some cash prizes), and it might motivate a few more fans to buy tickets for what otherwise would be meaningless random early-season bags of nothing-ball.

I would wager that there WILL BE a lot of fanfare and attention, and perhaps excitement generated, when they have the final 4 in Las Vegas on Dec 7-9. Lots of wagering, too, which adds vested interest to fans. This also lends itself to Fall Madness contests, with creative brackets and scoring over the month, which draws added interest. I'm guessing we won't see it this season, but I would be shocked if it doesn't happen in 2024 and start to create a buzz.

Just my 2c.

Great explanation.  It might actually work out..

[KillerLeft]

This guy is officially my favorite new NBA content creator. I guess he's a Clippers fan.

https://youtu.be/MabaJmzdN3Q?si=_Tzj892_WQNEY_k9

[meistermatze]

This guy is officially my favorite new NBA content creator. I guess he's a Clippers fan.

https://youtu.be/MabaJmzdN3Q?si=_Tzj892_WQNEY_k9

Thanks for sharing. This video is actually hilarious.

[Chicagojk]

Spurs rally from 20 to beat the Suns. Suns are without Booker and Beal but drop to 2-2. Spurs move to 2-2.

[KillerLeft]

Spurs rally from 20 to beat the Suns.  Suns are without Booker and Beal but drop to 2-2.  Spurs move to 2-2.

Makes that opening night dub look a little better.

[dirkfansince1998]

Bucks defense looks terrible. Drop defense with a slow big only works if you have perimeter defenders than can get over screens.

[SleepingHero]

Was Jrue the reason why Brook Lopez looked so good?

Honestly the Dame trade was a huge gamble by the Bucks. Giving up Jrue was certainly a choice, but I suppose the Blazers didn't want Middleton and it would've been tough playing both Jrue+Dame.

[The Jom]

Interesting to see Lakers playing Jackson Hayes and Christian Wood on the court together with AD. That’s as big of a lineup as I’ve seen in awhile.

Also interesting to see the Clippers with their 1990s style players. You cannot stop PG or Westbrook from creating space for an open jumper. Can’t be done. But they aren’t exactly deadeye shooters, are they?

[IamDougieFresh]

The Bucks will have it together come playoff time don't worry.

This battle for LA is crazy.

[IamDougieFresh]

Not even I saw Wood clamping Leonard in OT coming. Then a huge block on Zubac. AND A PUTBACK TO ICE IT.

[SleepingHero]

https://streamable.com/w88vup

Klay Thompson with a solid game winner last night.

https://streamable.com/8nh065

Lebron and Westbrook definitely not on good terms.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Bucks defense looks terrible. Drop defense with a slow big only works if you have perimeter defenders than can get over screens.

You mean trading your DPOY-level wing defender for a matador defender affects your team defense?  Shocking.

Jrue has been the league's most underrated two-way player for the last 10 years.  BOS's defense is scary good.

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

https://streamable.com/8nh065

Lebron and Westbrook definitely not on good terms.

Pretty sure this is how Westbrook approaches every pre game.  He has a thing about not being friendly to the other team before the game.

[dirkfansince1998]

Pretty sure this is how Westbrook approaches every pre game.  He has a thing about not being friendly to the other team before the game.

Don't like Westbrook but I am not a fan of the "best friends forever" stuff that has taken over the league. This is supposed to be a rivalry but the players couldn't care less. Probably because half of them have played for 3-5 different teams since they entered the league.

[KillerLeft]

Don't like Westbrook but I am not a fan of the "best friends forever" stuff that has taken over the league. This is supposed to be a rivalry but the players couldn't care less. Probably because half of them have played for 3-5 different teams since they entered the league.

I agree. On one hand, it's just sports, and it's their profession, so they're going to see it differently than fans do. I get that. But on the other hand, I don't like how it's turned into "AAU phase 2."