AROUND the NBA:

[Nowitzki Way]

Sneaky feeling, we´ll get a "WojBomb" Embiid trade and Philly will go full tank mode. They are just two games behind the Nets, who sit in their sixth spot.

i'm hoping this happens. Mavs having the Philly 2nd rounder this year is looking good.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/LevAkabas/status/1882157561413357710


OKC Thunder are forcing 6.4 more turnovers per game
than they're committing. Crazy stat.

[Nowitzki Way]

https://x.com/LevAkabas/status/1882157561413357710


OKC Thunder are forcing 6.4 more turnovers per game
than they're committing. Crazy stat.

OKC a dangerous team. A dangerous franchise. We've seen it coming for years.  They are this good without Chet and most of the season without Hartenstein.

And they have all the draft ammo in the world to get better. And they have Sam Presti.

The West is changing with stars like Durant, Lebron, Steph, and Kawhi aging out. I truly believe the battle for the West in last half of this decade will be OKC vs. Mavs. vs. San Antonio.  The Lakers will always find a way to compete, even after Lebron. I think the Suns, Clippers, and Warriors are screwed.  Jokic is "only" 29 but how long will that body hold up. I think Denver has another few years of being upper echelon. 

OKC is a juggernaut of a franchise/roster.  Unlimited resources to get better.   Mavs have Luka/Lively and then its San Antonio with Wemby. This guy is special and wait til they start building around him. Its happening in the next few years.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

OKC a dangerous team. A dangerous franchise. We've seen it coming for years.  They are this good without Chet and most of the season without Hartenstein.

And they have all the draft ammo in the world to get better. And they have Sam Presti.

The West is changing with stars like Durant, Lebron, Steph, and Kawhi aging out. I truly believe the battle for the West in last half of this decade will be OKC vs. Mavs. vs. San Antonio.  The Lakers will always find a way to compete, even after Lebron. I think the Suns, Clippers, and Warriors are screwed.  Jokic is "only" 29 but how long will that body hold up. I think Denver has another few years of being upper echelon. 

OKC is a juggernaut of a franchise/roster.  Unlimited resources to get better.   Mavs have Luka/Lively and then its San Antonio with Wemby. This guy is special and wait til they start building around him. Its happening in the next few years.

I find it interesting you left out Memphis and Houston, two teams already at the top of the West.  They aren't going anywhere.

[Nowitzki Way]

I find it interesting you left out Memphis and Houston, two teams already at the top of the West.  They aren't going anywhere.

I'm worried about Houston, no doubt. They have a young core with Sengun, Green, Thompson, Whitmore, Sheppard. Some solid vets. I'd say thats an oversight on my part. They are a problem.

Memphis? No so much. Ja Morant doesnt scare me as a threat to a Luka led team. He has his own health issues, especially with that small frame. Not to mention, he's one (small) mistake away from a lifetime ban. Jaren Jackson is great. Everything else they have is just ok. I dont see them as a dynasty waiting to happen. But they will be around, and they are pesky.  Kind of how i see Minnesota.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/statmuse/status/1882646198127108127


The Joker has a ridiculous stat line: 35pts,22rebs,17asts. Only Wilt has done this before. He is clearly the best player in the NBA. He also made the 6th longest shot in NBA history before halftime.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Boston got blew out by the Lakers, Philly ends a 7 game losing streak by beating Cleveland, 3 of OKC's 8 losses are to the Mavs. (Mavs may be their kryptonite) Just shows you how long the season is and the top teams will lose games you'd think they'd win. Back to backs and bad weather has also played a part.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Houston sweeps a home and home vs Cleveland, 135-131. Looks like they may be legit at 30-14 and 2nd best record in the West at the halfway mark. Fortunes can change quickly though..

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/st...e-deadline

Lakers rave about Dorian-Finney-Smith.

[DallasMaverick]

https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/st...e-deadline

Lakers rave about Dorian-Finney-Smith.

He's a cut above Hachimura and Vanderbilt.

[Knutsen]

He's a cut above Hachimura and Vanderbilt.

Would‘ve been perfect for us for Maxi and picks.

[michaeltex]

OKC a dangerous team. A dangerous franchise. We've seen it coming for years.  They are this good without Chet and most of the season without Hartenstein.

And they have all the draft ammo in the world to get better. And they have Sam Presti.

The West is changing with stars like Durant, Lebron, Steph, and Kawhi aging out. I truly believe the battle for the West in last half of this decade will be OKC vs. Mavs. vs. San Antonio.  The Lakers will always find a way to compete, even after Lebron. I think the Suns, Clippers, and Warriors are screwed.  Jokic is "only" 29 but how long will that body hold up. I think Denver has another few years of being upper echelon. 

OKC is a juggernaut of a franchise/roster.  Unlimited resources to get better.   Mavs have Luka/Lively and then its San Antonio with Wemby. This guy is special and wait til they start building around him. Its happening in the next few years.

I'm curious about what OKC is going to do with all that draft capital. They have one of the strongest and youngest rosters in the league already, so where do they absorb their picks? Salary cap issues don't seem a problem over the next few years. Caruso expires this summer and Holmgren, J. Williams and Dieng are on TOs, I guess they can create space this summer if needed.

They have:

In 2025
4(!) first round picks (really convoluted swap with HOU or LAC, MIA (prot. 1-14), PHI (prot. 1-6), UTA (Prot. 1-10)) 
MIA currently at 15, PHI currently at 8, UTA currently at 2, so maybe only the swap conveys this summer? Especially given the Butler (MIA) and Embiid (PHL) headcase issues. I haven't researched how the non-conveying picks fall next season.
OKC also has ATL's 2nd round pick (prot. 31-40).

One 1st round pick in 2026. 
2 second round picks. Their own plus an unprotected choice of DAL or PHL. Plus whatever conveys from 2025.

Then, basically 2x #1s and multiple #2s each year for the next several.

[SleepingHero]

@TimBontemps
The Sixers say Paul George underwent an MRI and ultrasound, which revealed an injury to the extensor tendon in his left fifth finger, and that his return to play will be determined in the coming days.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

LOL

Clippers dodged a bullet

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1884627256875561419

Jalen Johnson to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery
Huge blow to the Hawks. He's a great talent.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/JDumasReports/status/1884461054979158508

How cool is this?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/spotrac.com/post/3lgtreulg622t

Joel Embiid missed his 400th game with the Sixers last night,
Unreal...

[Mavs2021]

https://bsky.app/profile/spotrac.com/post/3lgtreulg622t

Joel Embiid missed his 400th game with the Sixers last night,
Unreal...

Why? The guy was a walking Greg Oden coming out of college. I´m actually shocked he made it this far. His in/voluntary load management is probably a large factor in this. The real problem with Embiid is that he is sh*t in the play-offs. If Philly made a couple of NBA finals nobody would care.

[Chicagojk]

So here is the Rockets last week or so:

Beat the Cavs
Beat the Cavs in Cleveland
Beat the Celtics in Boston (BTW I am disappointed the depleted Mavs didn't compete better against Boston. Boston has struggled recently too. I did not see the Boston game but was disappointed it wasn't really close
Beat ATL on back to back

Not bad.

[Chicagojk]

[Haynes] Breaking: Atlanta Hawks young star Jalen Johnson has suffered a torn labrum in left shoulder and will miss rest of the season.