AROUND the NBA:

[F Gump]

Sixers completely falling apart
It'd be nice if we still had that 2nd round pick

The Sixers are tanking. It was no mystery they would head this way. They keep their pick if it ends up in the top 6. Right now they are in lottery slot 6, and can easily get to 5 with a bit of effort.

The 2025 Phil 2nd will have more value than most 2nds, but it's still just a 2nd. The 2025 draft is thought to be rich in the top end of the pool, but not sure if there will be good stuff at 35-36. Mavs should be able to pick before that, of course, likely somewhere in the 14-20 range (right now they are at 18).

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Detroit has to be the surprise team of the NBA this year. They've won their 7th straight, 106-97 over the Clippers. They're 32-26 after winning just 14 last year, and firmly in the playoff hunt in the weak East as most of you say. Lol.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Detroit has to be the surprise team of the NBA this year. They've won their 7th straight, 106-97 over the Clippers. They're 32-26 after winning just 14 last year, and firmly in the playoff hunt in the weak East as most of you say. Lol.

Cade is a beast! OMG!

It's nice to have your own 24yo superstar!

[SleepingHero]

https://behindthebuckpass.com/kyle-kuzma...pact-bucks

In seven games since joining the Milwaukee Bucks, players are shooting 36.7 percent from the floor with Kuzma as their primary defender.

To make things even better, they've shot 11-of-40 (27.5 percent) against Kuzma in three games since returning from the All-Star break. Among players to defend at least 40 shots in the league across that span, Kuzma boasts the best percentage. Second on the list is Ivica Zubac, the center the Bucks just faced in a recent meeting, at 35 percent.

Kuzma is achieving these numbers when facing very recognizable names. Miami's Andrew Wiggins hit just one of his six shot attempts against Kuzma. Former Buck and current Wizard Khris Middleton was 1-of-3 with a turnover. Clippers' offensive maestros James Harden and Kawhi Leonard combined to sink just one of their seven shot attempts with Kuzma as the primary defender.

[Smitty]

https://behindthebuckpass.com/kyle-kuzma...pact-bucks

In seven games since joining the Milwaukee Bucks, players are shooting 36.7 percent from the floor with Kuzma as their primary defender.

To make things even better, they've shot 11-of-40 (27.5 percent) against Kuzma in three games since returning from the All-Star break. Among players to defend at least 40 shots in the league across that span, Kuzma boasts the best percentage. Second on the list is Ivica Zubac, the center the Bucks just faced in a recent meeting, at 35 percent.

Kuzma is achieving these numbers when facing very recognizable names. Miami's Andrew Wiggins hit just one of his six shot attempts against Kuzma. Former Buck and current Wizard Khris Middleton was 1-of-3 with a turnover. Clippers' offensive maestros James Harden and Kawhi Leonard combined to sink just one of their seven shot attempts with Kuzma as the primary defender.

Marked as Spam

[mvossman]

The Sixers are tanking. It was no mystery they would head this way. They keep their pick if it ends up in the top 6. Right now they are in lottery slot 6, and can easily get to 5 with a bit of effort.

The 2025 Phil 2nd will have more value than most 2nds, but it's still just a 2nd. The 2025 draft is thought to be rich in the top end of the pool, but not sure if there will be good stuff at 35-36. Mavs should be able to pick before that, of course, likely somewhere in the 14-20 range (right now they are at 18).

I don't know if its still the case, but I recall that early 2nd round picks were actually considered more valuable than late firsts due to flexibility with contracts.  That pick is in the same vicinity of Brunson and where Memphis snaked Bane from us.  I'm not saying its super valuable, but it was an asset and so was Grimes.  I hope Caleb Martin turns out to be worth it.  He had a nice playoff run a few years ago in Miami, but he was a disappointment in Philly and he is damaged goods.  If we were simply looking for better trade ballast, it seems like we should have had the asset coming back.

[mvossman]

https://behindthebuckpass.com/kyle-kuzma...pact-bucks

In seven games since joining the Milwaukee Bucks, players are shooting 36.7 percent from the floor with Kuzma as their primary defender.

To make things even better, they've shot 11-of-40 (27.5 percent) against Kuzma in three games since returning from the All-Star break. Among players to defend at least 40 shots in the league across that span, Kuzma boasts the best percentage. Second on the list is Ivica Zubac, the center the Bucks just faced in a recent meeting, at 35 percent.

Kuzma is achieving these numbers when facing very recognizable names. Miami's Andrew Wiggins hit just one of his six shot attempts against Kuzma. Former Buck and current Wizard Khris Middleton was 1-of-3 with a turnover. Clippers' offensive maestros James Harden and Kawhi Leonard combined to sink just one of their seven shot attempts with Kuzma as the primary defender.

Maybe his focus on defense is why he is now completely useless on the other end of the court.  He is shooting under 30% from 3 and under 50% TS.  He has been a massive net negative on the court this season.

[SleepingHero]

@TheDunkCentral
Joel Embiid could undergo a meniscus replacement procedure or a procedure where doctors break a bone in the hip to realign the joint and alleviate pressure ?, per
@PhillyInquirer


“The same Sixer who made ‘orbital bone fracture’ and ‘navicular bone fracture’ common phrases in Philadelphia sports lexicon — he’s had two of each — might soon add one of these: meniscus replacement; low-dose radiation therapy; or even the ominous-sounding osteotomy, in which doctors break a bone in the hip to realign the joint to alleviate pressure. One source called the procedures ‘radical’ in light of the mundane injury and surgery that brought Embiid to this point. For some reason, what should have been a routine rehab and a routine return to play has gone horribly wrong.”

[SleepingHero]

Maybe his focus on defense is why he is now completely useless on the other end of the court.  He is shooting under 30% from 3 and under 50% TS.  He has been a massive net negative on the court this season.

Since getting to MIL, he’s been slightly better at 52% TS, but overall it’s very ugly offensively for him.

Still he actually plays unlike Middleton right now and for a semi desperate team like MIL they are probably still happy with the exchange.

[mvossman]

@TheDunkCentral
Joel Embiid could undergo a meniscus replacement procedure or a procedure where doctors break a bone in the hip to realign the joint and alleviate pressure ?, per
@PhillyInquirer


“The same Sixer who made ‘orbital bone fracture’ and ‘navicular bone fracture’ common phrases in Philadelphia sports lexicon — he’s had two of each — might soon add one of these: meniscus replacement; low-dose radiation therapy; or even the ominous-sounding osteotomy, in which doctors break a bone in the hip to realign the joint to alleviate pressure. One source called the procedures ‘radical’ in light of the mundane injury and surgery that brought Embiid to this point. For some reason, what should have been a routine rehab and a routine return to play has gone horribly wrong.”

Sounds like Lonzo Ball.

[Chicagojk]

So Morey doesn’t come back right? It is crazy how fast things change. There was a lot of doubt if Philly was a true contender this summer, but most thought they had a real good offseason. Stole Paul’s george from the clippers while having the clippers first. Some thought the clippers were going to be one of the worst teams in the west. They got a great deal on Martin, stealing him from the Heat. No on in Philly probably cares with the Eagles run, but man has that not panned out.

Speaking of the clipps, i see djj has not been starting lately and the last five games, he is only playing like 20 minutes a night.

[DallasMaverick]

So Morey doesn’t come back right?  It is crazy how fast things change.  There was a lot of doubt if Philly was a true contender this summer, but most thought they had a real good offseason.  Stole Paul’s george from the clippers while having the clippers first.  Some thought the clippers were going to be one of the worst teams in the west.  They got a great deal on Martin, stealing him from the Heat.  No on in Philly probably cares with the Eagles run, but man has that not panned out.

Speaking of the clipps, i see djj has not been starting lately and the last five games, he is only playing like 20 minutes a night.

For his entire GM career, Morey seems to have pursued big-name stars above all else.

Sometimes it’s worked out okay for him, but lots of times it’s been a failure.

He swung big on Paul George, and so far it’s mostly a whiff. 

The unavailability of Embiid has put a hard stop to any championship aspirations, and his surliness has poisoned the fan base a bit.

Because their depth is so thin, they’re giving huge minutes to journeymen like Oubre, who, although he has performed okay, is probably a 6-10- roster slot guy on a good team.

[SleepingHero]

I’d say Morey did his job on paper. Embiid and George even at their respective ages, are a formidable duo.

I think there will still be some team that’d be interested in Embiid even at this stage of his career.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Clippers are probably ecstatic they let George walk even without compensation. At 35 yrs old, His 4 yr/211million deal is a noose around they're collective necks. He's been horrible, and they've got Embiid's albatross contract as well. Maxey is the only bright spot on that roster, and they're going to wear him out.

[F Gump]

I don't know if its still the case, but I recall that early 2nd round picks were actually considered more valuable than late firsts due to flexibility with contracts.  That pick is in the same vicinity of Brunson and where Memphis snaked Bane from us.  I'm not saying its super valuable, but it was an asset and so was Grimes.  I hope Caleb Martin turns out to be worth it.  He had a nice playoff run a few years ago in Miami, but he was a disappointment in Philly and he is damaged goods.  If we were simply looking for better trade ballast, it seems like we should have had the asset coming back.

I think Nico is a dolt when it comes to negotiating trades. In fact, negotiating anything. 

So I have no argument about whether to slam the net return (vs assets) in that trade itself. In fact, I actually think a better negotiator might have GAINED a pick, in taking Martin (if we assume PHI had 2nd thoughts on his deal), rather than given up one. He should have AT LEAST gotten some sort of pick swap in return, or maybe a future 2nd, in exchange for that pick that PHI clearly prized.

I don't think Nico has a clue on gleaning a pick here or there in trade (he seems to have learned at the feet of Cuban, who hated picks and was also a horrendous negotiator), and I agree this was a good example of a time when he left opportunity on the table.

[mvossman]

Clippers are probably ecstatic they let  George walk even without compensation. At 35 yrs old, His 4 yr/211million deal is a noose around they're collective necks. He's been horrible, and they've got Embiid's albatross contract as well. Maxey is the only bright spot on that roster, and they're going to wear him out.

Don't forget Grimes. 

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Detroit ended a 12-game losing streak vs the C's, 117-97 and increased their win streak to 8 straight. Malik Beasley had 26 off the bench, and Cunningham had 21 pts and 11 assists. Boston shot 21-49 from 3, it's the first time they lost this year when making at least 20 3's. I don't know if this is sustainable, but Detroit sure is fun to watch. Tomorrow, Denver comes in, another test. They play fast, and are a very athletic team that is 2nd in the NBA in fast break pts. I don't care that they're in the East either. Looks like they're on to something.

[SleepingHero]

@TheDunkCentral
The 76ers aren’t ready to pull any cord and still see Joel Embiid as their cornerstone as they sit 2.5 games out of the final play-in spot, per @JakeLFischer


“Philadelphia insists that it isn't pulling any cord out of its plug just yet. It still views Embiid as its franchise cornerstone. Season-ending surgery isn't necessarily the destined outcome for Embiid either, sources said. As insane as it sounds, despite a miserable record of just 20-38, Philadelphia awoke Thursday just 2 1/2 games out of the No. 10 seed in the East that secures a berth in the league's Play-In Tournament.”

[Jym]

yeah I don't think anyone from the 2 seed down wants to see the Warriors in the playoffs
I was hoping they'd finally die

[HoosierDaddyKid]

yeah I don't think anyone from the 2 seed down wants to see the Warriors in the playoffs
I was hoping they'd finally die

Especially when Steph shoots the ball like he did tonight, 16/25 and 12/19 from 3 for 56 pts.