AROUND the NBA:

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

0-4 Pels vs 0-4 Kings tonight. Finally get to see what happens when a stoppable force meets a movable object.

NOpe vs. SucKings

[dirkfansince1998]

Boozer with 18/12/12 for the unbeaten Grizzlies. Passing is just super special. Especially the outlet passes. Almost like a QB.

[KillerLeft]

Boozer with 18/12/12 for the unbeaten Grizzlies. Passing is just super special. Especially the outlet passes. Almost like a QB.

I saw a stat yesterday that he was shooting 27%...not from 3, just overall. The only eligible player in the league with a lower percentage than Acuff. I guess it's early, so that percentage will change fast, but that raised my eyebrows a little. Haven't watched a Memphis game yet though.

[dirkfansince1998]

I saw a stat yesterday that he was shooting 27%...not from 3, just overall. The only eligible player in the league with a lower percentage than Acuff. I guess it's early, so that percentage will change fast, but that raised my eyebrows a little. Haven't watched a Memphis game yet though.

Definitely an issue. He isn't getting the same kind of looks that allowed him to bully smaller players in college and is almost taking 50% of his shots from 3. With Edey and other non shooters next to him there simply isn't enough space for his iso post up game.
But the all around game is just fun to watch. The outlet passes. His short roll passing. The way he reads double teams and always find the open guy. Not as flashy as Jokic or Doncic but just looking at his passing he is already up there with the best in the league.

Ignoring the Mavs the Grizzlies might be my favorite team to watch  right now. Beautiful ball movement combined with throwback grit&grind vibes. They obviously aren't the best team in the league and have some guys that are overperforming big time compared to what we have seen from them in the past but with all the injuries in the west the playoffs are within reach for them.

[dirkfansince1998]

Might be the best version of Zion we have seen in years. Leaner and more explosive. Not even as big of a defensive liablity.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Darius Acuff Jr. tied LeBron James, Zach LaVine, and Josh Giddey for the most assists by a teenager on record, with 14 in the loss to the Pelicans.

HoopsMatic

[HoosierDaddyKid]

It didn’t take long for the rumblings about Sacramento coach Doug Christie to start. Even before Thursday night’s game in New Orleans, a 132-120 loss against the previously 0-4 Pelicans that dropped the Kings to 0-5, there was a growing sense around the league that Christie might already be on the hot seat. Especially if the Kings didn’t find a way to win on this four-game road trip that still includes games against Memphis on Saturday and Dallas on Monday. Yet according to a team source with knowledge of the Kings’ plans, that’s not the case. Per the source, who was granted anonymity because these matters aren’t typically discussed publicly, there is an internal belief that Christie deserves a fair chance to be evaluated with a team that is much healthier than this current Kings lot.

New York Times

[michaeltex]

I saw a stat yesterday that he was shooting 27%...not from 3, just overall. The only eligible player in the league with a lower percentage than Acuff. I guess it's early, so that percentage will change fast, but that raised my eyebrows a little. Haven't watched a Memphis game yet though.

Shot 60% overall and 80% from 3 vs POR last night.

For the season now he's now at 32.4% overall and 34.4% from 3pt range. Also 10.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists. Not efficient, but definitely a contributor who will likely be a problem for opposing teams longer term.

[Mavs2021]

Darius Acuff Jr. tied LeBron James, Zach LaVine, and Josh Giddey for the most assists by a teenager on record, with 14 in the loss to the Pelicans.

HoopsMatic

I demand a teenager to break this record. How coop would that be.

[OldMavsFan]

Shot 60% overall and 80% from 3 vs POR last night.

For the season now he's now at 32.4% overall and 34.4% from 3pt range. Also 10.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists. Not efficient, but definitely a contributor who will likely be a problem for opposing teams longer term.

Booker and the Grizz have a schedule through the first 14 games seems a bit soft.  Grizz have player or will play Jazz twice, Kings 2 times, Pelicans 2 times and the Warriors, Nets and Wizards once in the first 14 games, so they are a lot better than last year when they were throwing games, but I just don't think they will go 82 and O for for that matter I wouldn't bet on them winning 41.  I no Boozer is a good player, but I wouldn't have taken him because he just isn't big enough to score in the paint at well like he did in college.

[Chicagojk]

Definitely an issue. He isn't getting the same kind of looks that allowed him to bully smaller players in college and is almost taking 50% of his shots from 3. With Edey and other non shooters next to him there simply isn't enough space for his iso post up game.
But the all around game is just fun to watch. The outlet passes. His short roll passing. The way he reads double teams and always find the open guy. Not as flashy as Jokic or Doncic but just looking at his passing he is already up there with the best in the league.

Ignoring the Mavs the Grizzlies might be my favorite team to watch  right now. Beautiful ball movement combined with throwback grit&grind vibes. They obviously aren't the best team in the league and have some guys that are overperforming big time compared to what we have seen from them in the past but with all the injuries in the west the playoffs are within reach for them.

Man, I loved Boozer in college.   I didn't think he would be a player I would like, but one game watching him put an end to that.  I have not seen Memphis this year yet, but Boozer looks noticeably leaner.    His ball handling and passing were both hidden strengths for him last year.   Duke would put him at the top of the key and ask him to run the offense.  He would just get him or others shots all the time.  His ball handling is really good for a big.    I think he will need to develop a floater because he will not be able to bully NBA players like he did college players.

It is really early, but I wonder if Utah made a mistake passing on Boozer or Wilson.    Peterson has gotten off to a slow start.   I don't think he is a point and will need to be more than just a scorer.  Utah needed a two guard and Peterson may be great, but passing on Boozer may be a tough one for Utah.

[Smitty]

@TheDunkCentral
Yaxel Lendeborg says he has no plans to take media training

“I’m not doing that, man. I’m going to stay true to myself, and be honest. I’ve seen plenty of interviews where people are talking and it’s like, ‘Man, I don’t want to watch this,’ you know what I mean? And it’s not like I’m click-baiting or click-farming or whatever the heck people are saying. But it’s like, that’s honestly how I feel. And I’m not gonna lie about it. I’ve never been a liar. So, just tell the truth.”

[KillerLeft]

@TheDunkCentral
Yaxel Lendeborg says he has no plans to take media training

“I’m not doing that, man. I’m going to stay true to myself, and be honest. I’ve seen plenty of interviews where people are talking and it’s like, ‘Man, I don’t want to watch this,’ you know what I mean? And it’s not like I’m click-baiting or click-farming or whatever the heck people are saying. But it’s like, that’s honestly how I feel. And I’m not gonna lie about it. I’ve never been a liar. So, just tell the truth.”

God, I'm so happy this guy isn't a Mav. He's not really crossing any lines yet, but I hate when the on court product isn't the focus of teams I follow. It's what ruined the Cowboys and one of the big reasons I was worried about trading for Kyrie (who has been fine since coming here).

[Winter]

@TheDunkCentral
Yaxel Lendeborg says he has no plans to take media training

“I’m not doing that, man. I’m going to stay true to myself, and be honest. I’ve seen plenty of interviews where people are talking and it’s like, ‘Man, I don’t want to watch this,’ you know what I mean? And it’s not like I’m click-baiting or click-farming or whatever the heck people are saying. But it’s like, that’s honestly how I feel. And I’m not gonna lie about it. I’ve never been a liar. So, just tell the truth.”

I can't believe "media training" is optional. Everyone will be sticking a microphone in Yaxel's face hoping for media fodder. Maybe they are used to this Golden State with Draymond, but this kind of personality would not be good here

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

@TheDunkCentral
Yaxel Lendeborg says he has no plans to take media training

“I’m not doing that, man. I’m going to stay true to myself, and be honest. I’ve seen plenty of interviews where people are talking and it’s like, ‘Man, I don’t want to watch this,’ you know what I mean? And it’s not like I’m click-baiting or click-farming or whatever the heck people are saying. But it’s like, that’s honestly how I feel. And I’m not gonna lie about it. I’ve never been a liar. So, just tell the truth.”

I like this guy. Wish we drafted him. Doesn't hurt he is already putting up mega numbers.

Nothing I dislike more than the "I want to thank God for this win. We just came out here and gave it 110 percent" guy. Aka the Russell Wilson type robot.

[numnuts23]

@TheDunkCentral
Yaxel Lendeborg says he has no plans to take media training

“I’m not doing that, man. I’m going to stay true to myself, and be honest. I’ve seen plenty of interviews where people are talking and it’s like, ‘Man, I don’t want to watch this,’ you know what I mean? And it’s not like I’m click-baiting or click-farming or whatever the heck people are saying. But it’s like, that’s honestly how I feel. And I’m not gonna lie about it. I’ve never been a liar. So, just tell the truth.”

I mean, his college coach passed on him (while he was just hired, I'm guessing he had some say in it)- knowing full well he's talented as heck.

Also could be that Yaxel needs the ball in his hands more and that wouldn't fit in with building around Coop.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/J1qZ4Hj23mc

[windjc]

I like this guy. Wish we drafted him.  Doesn't hurt he is already putting up mega numbers. 

Nothing I dislike more than the "I want to thank God for this win.  We just came out here and gave it 110 percent" guy.  Aka the Russell Wilson type robot.

Can you tag your pre/draft post where you said they should draft Yaxel?

[Chicagojk]

[Charania] Portland Trail Blazers' Ja Morant has sustained a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and will miss at least four weeks, sources tell ESPN.

[Chicagojk]

[Amick] “Miami emptied the cupboard quite a bit to get Giannis to town in the first place. Giannis is not trying to wait... the gap between where they are currently and where they wanted to be at this stage is kind of troublingly wide.”