AROUND the NBA:

[SleepingHero]

@ChrisBHaynes
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray tore his Achilles and will miss the rest of the season, league sources tell @ChrisBHaynes
.

[Mavs2021]

@ChrisBHaynes
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray tore his Achilles and will miss the rest of the season, league sources tell @ChrisBHaynes
.

Nobody can tell me that there is not something wrong in New Orleans. They could have traded for John Stockton and Karl Malone in their primes and within a year they are Brandon Roy and Greg Oden.

[Jym]

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Federal prosecutors have been investigating whether NBA player Terry Rozier manipulated his performance as part of an illegal sports betting scheme.

The inquiry is part of a wider government investigation that has already ensnared Jontay Porter.

The gambling ring accused of conspiring with Jontay Porter to manipulate his performance in NBA games also bet heavily against Rozier a 2023 game for the Hornets.

I think this goes on much more than we know.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

That has always been the Pandora’s box with the NBA allowing gambling. It’s why I was so against gambling in sports.

I think you and I bantered back and forth on this.  IMO making gambling legal keeps it in the light.  Illegalizing it keeps it in the dark.

[SleepingHero]

I think you and I bantered back and forth on this.  IMO making gambling legal keeps it in the light.  Illegalizing it keeps it in the dark.

We will banter again about this topic because I disagree.

But right now I am still crashing out from the Luka news. 

[rocky164]

I'm not one for conspiracy theories, generally, but I have been worried lately that these partnerships between gambling platforms and pro sports leagues, which are becoming more and more prevalent with each passing day, might be leading us down a path that ends with everything being tainted, and possibly even damn-near scripted. I know it's bonkers to imagine things getting that far, but if they catch people doing stuff like this, I really hope they take drastic measures to make an example of them.

Killer, I’m with you in conspiracy theories, in general.  BUT there is little doubt in my mind the 2006 Finals were fixed.  And although I can’t remember the exact year of the playoff series between the Kings/Lakers, it was almost just as bad.  

I’m not suggesting Kidd is dirty, BUT something like this MIGHT explain his unexplainable regular season player rotations.  There may some some equally plausible explanation for why he suddenly doesn’t play one player or suddenly plays another, but gambling COULD definitely be part of the equation and should at least be considered.

[SleepingHero]

@espn_macmahon
Julius Randle will miss at least the next two weeks with an adductor strain, Timberwolves announce.

[SleepingHero]

Watching the Spurs vs. Hawks right now and the Spurs are going to be SCARY man.

[Chicagojk]

Chet Holmgren expected back on friday for OKC.

[Chicagojk]

I watched the first half of the Lakers vs Warriors game last night. LAL looked great. Showtime. It is ludicrous how Lebron moves as a 40 year old. On the other hand, it may have been the worst I have seen Golden State play. They were missing some players, but hopefully being tired was one of the reasons. It looks like the second half was better though.

First time seeing Cam Spencer's big brother, Pat, play. He looks just like the cocky SOB that his brother is. I think he was trash talking Lebron down by 20 in the first half. LOL. What a story that family has. Pat was a 4 year all american in Lacrosse at Loyola. After that he played one season of college basketball at Northwestern and averaged 10 points. He has somehow worked his way up and at 28 has been a two way guy with the Warriors. Cam Spencer was a zero star recruit (I believe) who started college at Loyola and moved to Rutgers before finishing up at Connecicut winning a national championship. He is on a two way with Memphis and averaging close to 30 points per game in the G league.

[omahen]

I watched the first half of the Lakers vs Warriors game last night.  LAL looked great.  Showtime.  It is ludicrous how Lebron moves as a 40 year old.  On the other hand, it may have been the worst I have seen Golden State play.    They were missing some players, but hopefully being tired was one of the reasons.  It looks like the second half was better though.

First time seeing Cam Spencer's big brother, Pat, play.  He looks just like the cocky SOB that his brother is.  I think he was trash talking Lebron down by 20 in the first half.  LOL.  What a story that family has.  Pat was a 4 year all american in Lacrosse at Loyola.  After that he played one season of college basketball at Northwestern and averaged 10 points.  He has somehow worked his way up and at 28 has been a two way guy with the Warriors.  Cam Spencer was a zero star recruit (I believe) who started college at Loyola and moved to Rutgers before finishing up at Connecicut winning a national championship.  He is on a two way with Memphis and averaging close to 30 points per game in the G league.

This guy Spencer was the main reason GSW almost turned it around in the second half. Brought huge energy. And he just doesn't look like a basketball player, love him

[omahen]

I watched their last two games and they played really well. They are huge. Out of their top9 rotation Luka is actually third smallest and they can easily field a lineup with Luka, DFS, Vando, LeBron and Williams where Luka would be the smallest guy on the court. Biggest problem comes after their top9 rotation, as next best guy is probably Milton. So staying healthy will be the most important thing.

[Chicagojk]

Portland continues their hot play. If they continue, they could get in play in range. With that being said, I wonder what happens with Utah. They have been on this middle no where for a few years. Start the season off good/ok and then suck the second half. This year there was no really good play....just suck. Although, they have seen the Spurs zoom past them. Portland has progressed with some nice young players. Utah has a ton of picks (and hitting the lottery in a good year can change your future fast), but they really haven't "hit a homerun" on them yet. I like Lauri but you have to wonder after this year if he stays in Utah if things don't change for the better quickly.

Maybe they get lucky, but right now they are the negative of breaking things down and collecting picks. Especially when other teams are positioned better with good, established young talent.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

We will banter again about this topic because I disagree.

But right now I am still crashing out from the Luka news. 

I hear you, brother.  I think I'm still in the denial stage.  Once I see AD or Luka play, I'll probably be in a fetal position and piss my pants

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Watching the Spurs vs. Hawks right now and the Spurs are going to be SCARY man.

If only we had a generational young stud like Wemby.  Oh wait! We did

[SleepingHero]

@KeithSmithNBA
There is a growing sentiment, perhaps influenced by the craziness of this deadline, among NBA teams that the trade deadline should happen during a non-game point in the schedule.

One NBA GM told @spotrac:
"It's chaos, and your players and coaches have to play. Sometimes it's hard to field a competitive roster. We need to look at adjusting the timing to be less impactful to the product we put on the floor."

[SleepingHero]

If only we had a generational young stud like Wemby.  Oh wait! We did

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Chet Holmgren expected back on friday for OKC.

I gotta admit...  I've been anxious to see OKC at full strength and see Chet and Hartenstein on the floor at the same time.  IMO, it'll be something of beauty...  SGA, Dort, J-Dub, Chet, Hartenstein is the most balanced starting lineup imaginable.  More than even BOS.

OKC may be a good home for exMFFL

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I gotta admit...  I've been anxious to see OKC at full strength and see Chet and Hartenstein on the floor at the same time.  IMO, it'll be something of beauty...  SGA, Dort, J-Dub, Chet, Hartenstein is the most balanced starting lineup imaginable.  More than even BOS.

OKC may be a good home for exMFFL

Too bad they're done playing Cleveland this year. I would love to see how they matchup. Maybe if both reach the Finals. Cleveland just picked up DeAndre Hunter too.