AROUND the NBA:

[omahen]

I am really surprised how bad Miami is. While I expected them to be bad on offense, its actually their defense that is a bigger problem. While Bam, Giannis, Wiggins and Mitchell are all considered as above average defenders (some of them even elite), their defense is just non existent at this stage. They shot almost 40 % from three on a high volume and they were still blown away

[FireNicoHarrison]

Giannis and Bam don't fit. Bad idea pairing them.

Miami was desperate so they tried.

Giannis is a fool.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Three-time NBA All-Star center Domantas Sabonis reportedly wants to leave the Sacramento Kings, with ESPN's Tim MacMahon describing the situation between the big man and the franchise as increasingly difficult. "Quite frankly, Sabonis wants out of there, and if they can move him, they would," MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective. "So he's not happy. It's a bad situation." According to Windhorst, any trade would still have to "make sense" for Sacramento. The Lithuanian center changed representation during the offseason and hired Aaron Mintz of CAA. That move previously fueled speculation about his future. Sabonis currently has two guaranteed seasons remaining on his contract, worth approximately $94 million combined.

BasketNews

[HoosierDaddyKid]

LaMelo Ball became the fastest player ever to 1,000 career 3-pointers, getting there in his 311th game in a win over the Bucks. The previous best was Duncan Robinson, in 343 games.

HoopsMatic

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Carson Breber: No 38-year-old point guard has ever even averaged 12 PPG in a season. 38-year-old Steph Curry is currently averaging 30.0 PPG (in 28.8 MPG) on 68.8% TS. He’s been a Top 3 player so far this season. Do not take for granted the absurdity of what he’s doing.

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Doncic was masterful, producing 42 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds. He was 14 for 24 from the field and six for 15 from three-point range. “Feels good. As I said, obviously when we win, it feels way better,” Doncic said. “And that’s the only important stuff. But obviously it feels good. You know, when you win by [21] against a team like Miami, it’s really awesome, especially on a back-to-back.” Austin Reaves said of the Lakers’ offense clicking vs. Miami for 138 points. “Obviously, Luka is doing incredible things, and when he’s doing that, it just opens up the floor for everybody else to play free and confident, and I felt like that’s what we did tonight.” Luka Doncic now has more career 40-point games than Karl Malone and Charles Barkley combined: 66 to 44 plus 21.

Los Angeles Times

[Chicagojk]

Luka looks great! I think they will need to look for some front court depth at PF and C if they want to be a legit contender though.

Utah, Phx and Orlando all off to slow starts. Disappointing for Utah who had big hopes. Can turn around but they don’t need to panic. Still have lot of ways to improve. Phx is stuck and maybe in trouble for awhile. Orlando is most concerning. Paulo is out but this was suppose to be different. New coach, same problems.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Damichael Cole: Entertaining hoops tonight. That was a battle. Memphis fell 135-134 in overtime against the Pelicans. Ty Jerome was terrific down the stretch. He scored 40. Zion Williamson had 25. Grizz-Pacers on Wednesday

x.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Mike Vorkunov: Wembanyama called the Spurs' loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of the Finals "the most intense heartbreak moment in my career" after they blew a 29-point lead, and said he didn't think he should win the MVP award last season. "But I should win it this year, though."

x.com


Wemby speaking this into existence, I guess. LOL

[Smitty]

Damichael Cole: Entertaining hoops tonight. That was a battle. Memphis fell 135-134 in overtime against the Pelicans. Ty Jerome was terrific down the stretch. He scored 40. Zion Williamson had 25. Grizz-Pacers on Wednesday

x.com

Who would have thought 'entertaining hoops' would be the takeaway from a MEM/NOP game week 2 of the season. On a night where every team in the league played no less. The NBA is something else!

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Shams Charania: The Oklahoma City Thunder will retire Russell Westbrook's No. 0 in the rafters on Feb. 7.

x.com

[Smitty]

@realapp
Darius Acuff over his last 3 games:

32.3 PPG
5.3 RPG
8.3 APG
49/42/93%

30 PPG on nearly 50/40/90%….

[Chicagojk]

@realapp
Darius Acuff over his last 3 games:

32.3 PPG
5.3 RPG
8.3 APG
49/42/93%

30 PPG on nearly 50/40/90%….

He looked great last night.  It was the first time I saw him as a pro.   It felt like at the beginning he heard some of the reports that his teammates were not happy with his shot attempts so he really didn't come out firing.    He let the game come to him and really poured it on in the second half.  Even then though, he took good shots and got to where he wanted to get to.   Kings fans should be excited to watch him.

Kings will stink again.    Monk, Lavine and Sabonis are names to keep an eye out for on the trade market.   Not sure any bring back much, so maybe SAC holds on to them.   I think all three might be options for some good teams.   Sabonis and Lavine's contracts may limit options though.

[F Gump]

FWIW .... I think the NBA MVP Award will be a 2-man race (Luka and Wemby) unless one of them spends a long stretch on the injured list. But I think it's 50-50. I expect it might come down to team W/L. If the records are close, Luka will be hard to beat.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

FWIW .... I think the NBA MVP Award will be a 2-man race (Luka and Wemby) unless one of them spends a long stretch on the injured list. But I think it's 50-50. I expect it might come down to team W/L. If the records are close, Luka will be hard to beat.

The way Tyrese Maxey is playing, he should get some consideration if it continues, depending on where the 76ers end up.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I just noticed that no games are scheduled tonight. Forgot it's Election Day.

[KillerLeft]

I just noticed that no games are scheduled tonight. Forgot it's Election Day.

OMG, that's awesome - hopefully, I'll stop getting 20 random texts every day and my Youtube experience won't be ruined by Talarico and Paxton.

[Smitty]

OMG, that's awesome - hopefully, I'll stop getting 20 random texts every day and my Youtube experience won't be ruined by Talarico and Paxton.

You only get 20 text a day?? Consider yourself fortunate!

[KillerLeft]

You only get 20 text a day?? Consider yourself fortunate!

It's crazy, man. No matter how many random numbers I block, more texts keep popping up to tell me some politician is the actual spawn of Satan. I'm not sure this AI thing is going to make our lives better.

[numnuts23]

It's crazy, man. No matter how many random numbers I block, more texts keep popping up to tell me some politician is the actual spawn of Satan. I'm not sure this AI thing is going to make our lives better.

Based on the text we get every day during this cycle, it appears no matter the outcome tonight, we are in deep trouble

Either our kids become furries or they'll be hunted down by child predators who will be let loose out of prison.  It's a lose/lose either way.