AROUND the NBA:

[Chicagojk]

All under contract, but Mavs have pictures of Pj, max, Marshall and Hardy working out at the mavs facility on Instagram.

[meistermatze]

Man the Pacers are just so much fun to watch. Team basketball on a level not seen since the 2014 Spurs. McConnell giving his best JJ Barea impression and Rick still being a genius.

Favorite play of the game was Haliburton's steal, spindarella pass to Siakam who threw it down like a monster in traffic. Just amazing stuff.

I really, really hope the can make the upset real on sunday. Go Pacers!

[DanSchwartzgan]

Man the Pacers are just so much fun to watch. Team basketball on a level not seen since the 2014 Spurs. McConnell giving his best JJ Barea impression and Rick still being a genius.

Favorite play of the game was Haliburton's steal, spindarella pass to Siakam who threw it down like a monster in traffic. Just amazing stuff.

I really, really hope the can make the upset real on sunday. Go Pacers!

I’m with you.  I’ve probably watched more non-Mav’s playoff minutes this year than ever before and it is all because of Indy.  I don’t dislike OKC (I do kind of dislike the Knicks), but I just love how the Pacers play and wish good things for Carlisle.  I also like how their front office has handled their business in recent years.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Yeah, Rick has shaped these Pacers into a top-notch unit that plays on a string. When they get production from the bench, Haliburton doesn't have to put up huge scoring numbers for them to win. I'm really impressed with Toppin, McConnell, and Nembhard. The only thing I noticed is why does Rick spit in a cup and wipe his nose every 5 minutes? Does he have a sinus condition or something? He's still a great coach. I give them a puncher's chance to go to OKC and pull off the upset.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6425350...ll-market/

Why the Thunder haven't let market size
stunt their potential.

[KillerLeft]

I agree with the consensus here. Indiana is a special story, and I hope they can pull off the upset. I think it's a long shot, because it's so hard to beat a team two games in a row this late into a series, and OKC is very intimidating, athletically, when they get the defense swarming to its full potential. Then again, IND is a great road team, so I'd say there's a puncher's chance.

Obviously, I'm biased for Carlisle, but the real reason I'm pulling for IND is the reason I liked Carlisle to begin with - THEY MOVE THE BALL. Everyone touches it, and when they're clicking their brand of basketball is the most beautiful thing the sport has to offer.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Rick & Pacers deserved it. Let's guys.

[meistermatze]

Yeah, Pacers are a thing of beauty and Indi's biggest advantage is coaching. Rick outsmarting Daigneault is reminding me of the 2013/2024 Mavericks, where Rick threw smoke and mirrors at Pop and those amazing Spurs and almost got them. This Pacers team should not have a shot to play THIS good defensively, yet they are. Their offense is amazing anyway, like I said. I have not watched a finals run this closely since the Mavs in 11. It just turned me into a fan!

Obviously Thunder are still heavy favorites but they could also crumble under pressure. We'll see. Amazing series anyway!

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

What a great finals, NBA basketball at its best. With Pops retiring, I don't think there's even an argument against Rick's being the best coach in basketball.

I just imagine OKC with Giannis. That just wouldn't be fair. I kinda hope they stay star born in-house, though.

[DallasMaverick]

What a great finals, NBA basketball at its best.  With Pops retiring, I don't think there's even an argument against Rick's being the best coach in basketball.

I just imagine OKC with Giannis.  That just wouldn't be fair.  I kinda hope they stay star born in-house, though.

Hmm...

Giannis for Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Hartenstein, and Lu Dort just about matches salaries.

Would'ya?

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Hmm...

Giannis for Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Hartenstein, and Lu Dort just about matches salaries.

Would'ya?

I was thinking Chet, Hartenstein, Wallace, +4FRPs

[cow]

JDub wouldn't be an option if I were Presti. Chet needs to go to a team where he can be the primary option. I don't think he'll see his potential as a 2B, health willing.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

JDub wouldn't be an option if I were Presti.  Chet needs to go to a team where he can be the primary option.  I don't think he'll see his potential as a 2B, health willing.

No way JDub is going anywhere.  I do like the Chet/Hartenstein/Wallace/4FRPs for both franchises.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/breaking-ne...35314.html


Must be nice to have that much money to blow on a bet.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

What a great finals, NBA basketball at its best.  With Pops retiring, I don't think there's even an argument against Rick's being the best coach in basketball.

I just imagine OKC with Giannis.  That just wouldn't be fair.  I kinda hope they stay star born in-house, though.

I think Erik Spoelstra is in the conversation. The Jimmy Butler saga cratered their season this year.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/KDTrey5/status/1936097849634165198


KD says there were no fistfights in the locker room.

[Winter]

"The Lakers‘ obvious need for a center is hurting their chances of finding one, according to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints. Sources close to the team and around the league tell Irwin that the offseason pursuit of a big man has been frustrating so far because rival clubs are hoping to take advantage of L.A.’s predicament.

“The worst spot you can put yourself in is trying to negotiate while everyone knows about your desperation,” a former executive told Irwin. “The whole league knows that not only do the Lakers need a starting center and probably a backup, but they need to bring someone in who Luka (Doncic) is going to want to play with. They basically have to hope someone else reaches their current level of desperation so that the talks can be held on even footing.”

[HoosierDaddyKid]

"The Lakers‘ obvious need for a center is hurting their chances of finding one, according to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints. Sources close to the team and around the league tell Irwin that the offseason pursuit of a big man has been frustrating so far because rival clubs are hoping to take advantage of L.A.’s predicament.

“The worst spot you can put yourself in is trying to negotiate while everyone knows about your desperation,” a former executive told Irwin. “The whole league knows that not only do the Lakers need a starting center and probably a backup, but they need to bring someone in who Luka (Doncic) is going to want to play with. They basically have to hope someone else reaches their current level of desperation so that the talks can be held on even footing.”

I can just about guarantee that Mark Walter will find them a center. He gave the Dodgers everything they needed.

[Chicagojk]

I can just about guarantee that Mark Walter will find them a center. He gave the Dodgers everything they needed.

For sure they will get a center this offseason.  Not sure how new ownership changes what assets they have to offer.   Personally, I am not sure Knecht and 31 first round pick get you anything more than a flawed but talented Mark Williams.    Not Jalen Duren, Not Walter Kessler.    I am just not sure many teams are going to rate the 31 first high when there is a good chance the current GM may not be around in 31 to make that pick.    I will be real curious what they can make happen this offseason.   I think Flawed but talented player is going to be the type of player they wind up with.

Who knows though, Luka Doncic fell into their laps.

[Chicagojk]

Well I am all Indy tonight. I think OKC wins though. Tough ask for Indy but they have been doing tough all offseason. Will be quite the cinderella story if they pull this off tonight. I would love to see a close game.