AROUND the NBA:

[CooPerFan]

I do not think Luka can sustain his current pace. I do not think his body can hold to his usage. I am happy to be wrong. But I don't really miss his game. Perhaps he has evolved his game and if so great. But the fact that he has to average 40 points a game to get a team to win 55 games, just seems like its so unproductive towards a Championship.

One man wrecking crew

[hakeemfaan]

Never understood the Aday Mara hate pre draft.

I get that he might never be a 48 min guy but most of the hate was more based on what tall stiffs of past have done than what the tape was showing about Mara. OKC got a good one

[dirkfansince1998]

Never understood the Aday Mara hate pre draft.

I get that he might never be a 48 min guy but most of the hate was more based on what tall stiffs of past have done than what the tape was showing about Mara. OKC got a good one

Somebody mentioned it a few days ago. Michigan team was beyond stacked. Lendeborg is a borderline allstar so far. Mara and Morez not nearly as polished but already rotation players on teams with a winning record.

[KillerLeft]

Never understood the Aday Mara hate pre draft. 

He’s big and slow. A few years from now, he will be big, STIFF and slowER.

I know you can find examples of players like that having effective careers, but I simply do not believe in having players like that around, let alone investing 1st round picks in them. Call it personal preference, I guess?

I wouldn’t have wanted him as the last pick in the second round.

[cow]

Damn I miss Luka.

[hakeemfaan]

He’s big and slow. A few years from now, he will be big, STIFF and slowER.

I know you can find examples of players like that having effective careers, but I simply do not believe in having players like that around, let alone investing 1st round picks in them. Call it personal preference, I guess?

I wouldn’t have wanted him as the last pick in the second round.

I don’t consider him as either stiff or slow. So we will disagree there 

Your overall point about style is good. If Dirk or Curry or even Luka is your centerpiece you are ok with a half court game because they excel there and a “slower” but skilled center is a good fit. With Coop you want a faster guy as you want Coop to play faster. Even AD for the same reasons was not the best of fits even if he were healthy. 

I agree about Mara  not complementing a style that works best for Coop. I do think he is a solid player and he will only get better. The passing ability, ability to block a shot and still run hard and finish the play with a lob dunk, ability to jump and catch lobs and finish at that height are not traits you would associate with a slower stiff. He fits in very well with Shai who is a half court demon.

[hakeemfaan]

Nique Clifford to OKC for 2 2nds? Kings fans were high on him last year.

I always used to believe that most franchises, including the Mavs, are just minor league franchises to serve the Celtics or the Lakers.

Now I realize it’s all about having a very good GM at the top. Stack assets, manage the cap, get assets in their first contract, identify who are keepers and swap out others before overpaying for them.

[Chicagojk]

I checked out the Kings board and they were really down on Clifford. Although it sucks when your two recent first rounds picks are either dumped or cut. Not great.

[omahen]

Who is OKC releasing? Dalen Terry they just signed a couple of days ago to a non-guaranteed contract?

Edit: Sacramento will also be down to 13 players, if no one is coming their way from OKC. Will there be more pieces added to the trade?

Edit 2: Since OKC is above the first apron, I don't think they can get Clifford for air. Topic to Sacramento?

[Mavs2021]

Nique Clifford to OKC for 2 2nds?  Kings fans were high on him last year.

I always used to believe that most franchises, including the Mavs, are just minor league franchises to serve the Celtics or the Lakers.

Now I realize it’s all about having a very good GM at the top.  Stack assets, manage the cap, get assets in their first contract, identify who are keepers and swap out others before overpaying for them.

Here is some free advice for the Kings. When Sam Presti calls you don´t answer the phone, cause you are morons and you´ll lose whatever trade he proposes.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

He’s big and slow. A few years from now, he will be big, STIFF and slowER.

I know you can find examples of players like that having effective careers, but I simply do not believe in having players like that around, let alone investing 1st round picks in them. Call it personal preference, I guess?

I wouldn’t have wanted him as the last pick in the second round.

 
I'd hate to hear what you think about Zach Edey.

[KillerLeft]

 
I'd hate to hear what you think about Zach Edey.

Same feelings. I just don’t like players like that, especially when they’re established and expensive. As a 3rd center, maybe, not guaranteed to play every night.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Acuff is a baller... but Is he a padder or Sacto simply sucks?

[mvossman]

Acuff is a baller... but Is he a padder or Sacto simply sucks?

He has some Trae Young vibes.  Too good offensively not to start, but too bad defensively to work on a contending roster.  Sacto was probably the worst possible destination for him, encouraging the chucking on offense without demanding effort on defense.

[omahen]

I was hugely unimpressed by Ausar Thompson last night. He got roughly 30 mil per extension in the summer, but he is a complete non factor on offense other than fast breaks and his defense wasn't really sticking out. His non shooting allowed Lakers to play Kessler on him and he was able to just stay around the paint all the time. Obviously I didn't watch his other games, although his stats from the start of the season don't differ much from what I saw yesterday. I don't think that contract will age nicely, if he doesn't improve offensively. I think DJJ for example is a better overall player and he is playing for roughly 10 per. Very difficult to build a team around such a non shooter, unless you have a center who can stretch the floor. Detroit doesn't have one.

Detroit as a whole probably had an uncharacteristically bad game yesterday. But I do wonder, if this was caused by their weaknesses in the roster build. Having offensively limited players allowed Lakers to focus on Cade and stop him. Detroit added shooting in the summer, Huerter had a great game. But LA on the other hand attacked Huerter and Robinson the whole game and had great success doing it. They constantly have in the game a couple of non threats offensively and a couple of weak defenders on the other side. I am not convinced such a roster construction can get them to the top. If opponents are able to slow down the game and control turnovers, Detroit will imho have problems.

[Chicagojk]

NBA players of the week

https://x.com/thesteinline/status/2119891110692835583?a=5NnW8L1auzbOX4v8F48&s=46

[KillerLeft]

NBA players of the week

https://x.com/thesteinline/status/2119891110692835583?a=5NnW8L1auzbOX4v8F48&s=46

Hahahaha. 

It's like a greek tragedy.

[SkenfromLMF]

I guess Luka would be Oedipus?
Jalen has it for Odysseus...


Yeah Donnie sucked.

[mvossman]

I guess Luka would be Oedipus?
Jalen has it for Odysseus...


Yeah Donnie sucked.

I blame both on Cuban.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Tomer Azarly: Cooper Flagg has the most 40+ point games of any teenager in NBA history, with 5 of them. Flagg has also tied LeBron James for the most 35+ point games by a teenager in NBA history. They both have 7. Flagg has 41 days before he turns 20. Cooper Flagg joined Kevin Durant (2007-08) as the only teenagers on record with a 40/10/5 game.

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