2022-23 Around the NBA Thread

[sdscard4]

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This team is gonna be freaking scary

 

[JCSunsfan]

This team is gonna be freaking scary

Getting all those picks is one thing, using them effectively is quite another.

 

[Hoop Head]

Getting all those picks is one thing, using them effectively is quite another.

All they really need to do is hit on 2-3 of them to become legit contenders for years to come. They have a solid team now and are in good shape in terms of cap flexibility. They really have a solid core now but they need Chet to get healthy and add another big or two. A starting 5 of Shai, Giddey, Jalen Williams, ???, and Chet with Dort and a flow of cheap rookies providing depth. They have the picks to pull off a deal for anyone they wanted if they decide to take a short cut.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Down go the Pelicans. Let's see if the Thunder next upset the Nougats.

One can point out that they first have to face the 7-8 loser, the Timberwolves; but that game is not worth considering to me. Are you going to tell me the Timberwolves will defeat the Thunder?

The Wolves are 3-1 this year vs the Thunder. If Gobert plays, they may have issues with their size.

I'm rooting for SGA however.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

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Yup. Though I’m not a big believer in Chet, he’s likely at least a contributor. And if they hit on 33% of their firsts that’s 5 more legit players - or as they evolve into a playoff contender lots of pieces to trade for good vets.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Pelicans are a different team without Larry Nance Jr. and Jose Alvarado coming off the bench.

It's not the same team the Suns faced in the playoffs last season.

 

[SunsTzu]

That was tough to watch

This team is gonna be freaking scary

Until all those guys need new contracts in quick succession and the owner refuses to pay.

 

[ajcardfan]

Down go the Pelicans. Let's see if the Thunder next upset the Nougats.

One can point out that they first have to face the 7-8 loser, the Timberwolves; but that game is not worth considering to me. Are you going to tell me the Timberwolves will defeat the Thunder?

I think OKC will win. But, anything can happen in one game. It wouldn't be some giant upset if Minnesota won. I wouldn't even call it an upset myself.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Until all those guys need new contracts in quick succession and the owner refuses to pay.

yup. that ownership group ain't gonna pay for all that talent. they proved that with Harden back in the day.

 

[ajcardfan]

I don't want the Wolves to win, because a team with that many roster and chemistry issues doesn't deserve to win. Kind of like how we would have been happy if the 1995-96 Suns won in the playoffs, but we knew it was absurd because they were a broken team with feuding stars and an oft-injured center.

I would rather see OKC play Denver for sure.

 

[DJ Tabooh]

I think OKC will win. But, anything can happen in one game. It wouldn't be some giant upset if Minnesota won. I wouldn't even call it an upset myself.

Minnesota is a 5.5 point favorite at home. So is Miami. I wouldn’t be surprised if both 10 seeds won. I like the play-in.

If you **** around during the season, you’re going to find out later when you have to fight for your right just to make the postseason.

Minnesota HAS to win tomorrow and all the pressure is on them.

 

[Rivercard]

I read that the Pelicans are holding him out because he's out of shape again.

Zion Williamson reportedly 'not even close' to Pelicans return: 'His conditioning is just not there'

Williamson hasn't played since injuring his right hamstring in early January. The Pelicans have a play-in game on Wednesday.

sports.yahoo.com

Just wild to see this dude pissing his career away.

4 years as a pro and he's played a grand total of 114 games.

Greg Oden V2

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The Pelicans are a different team without Larry Nance Jr. and Jose Alvarado coming off the bench.

It's not the same team the Suns faced in the playoffs last season.

Those two are MAJOR contributors off the bench.

 

[Rivercard]

Greg Oden was out of shape? I thought his knee was ruined, and that would not be his fault.

Was going with the always injured never available #1 pick angle

 

[JCSunsfan]

yup. that ownership group ain't gonna pay for all that talent. they proved that with Harden back in the day.

Yep. All those picks and they end up being a farm team for the rest of the league. They eventually have to deal some of those picks for a star.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Was going with the always injured never available #1 pick angle

Biggest difference between the two is that when healthy, Zion has played like the superstar he was hyped up to be. Oden never had any stretches where it looked like he could live up to the hype if he could stay healthy for more than 5 minutes.

 

[Proximo]

This team is gonna be freaking scary

I know some people might think this is crazy, but I would offer up to all 15 picks for Wembenyama.

They don't need that many picks - they need another star to pair with Shai.

 

[Hoop Head]

Zion appears to be a more extreme example of Anthony Bennett. #1 pick in a weak draft outside of 2-3 standouts. Doesn't put in the work to stay in shape and live up to his potential. Injuries are an issue but they could have been prevented to a degree if he was focused on basketball.

 

[Phrazbit]

I know some people might think this is crazy, but I would offer up to all 15 picks for Wembenyama.

They don't need that many picks - they need another star to pair with Shai.

The history of players that go much over 7 feet tall would advise strongly against that.

Rick Smits is pretty much the only player around that height who's career wasn't destroyed by injury.

 

[Phrazbit]

Zion appears to be a more extreme example of Anthony Bennett. #1 pick in a weak draft outside of 2-3 standouts. Doesn't put in the work to stay in shape and live up to his potential. Injuries are an issue but they could have been prevented to a degree if he was focused on basketball.

Nah, I disagree strongly.

Bennett was considered a huuuuuge reach at the time and never had anywhere near the talent level to succeed.

Zion is an immense talent who is eating his way out of the league.

I cannot think of a parallel as a #1. There are #1s that were injury plagued, but Zion's injury problems are self inflicted. There are other guys who ate themselves out of the NBA... Big O, Robert Traylor, but they were not as talented and not #1s.

 

[Mainstreet]

Andre Wiggins is available to play in game 1 of the playoffs against the Kings.

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[Yuma]

Andre Wiggins is available to play in game 1 of the playoffs against the Kings.

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And so it begins.....

 

[Zobaczcie suki]

Colin's Suns friendly playoff predictions...

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Fun Fact: he's reporting that the Suns have the best scoring defense in the NBA when KD is in the lineup. Small sample size for sure, but encouraging.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Nah, I disagree strongly.

Bennett was considered a huuuuuge reach at the time and never had anywhere near the talent level to succeed.

Zion is an immense talent who is eating his way out of the league.

I cannot think of a parallel as a #1. There are #1s that were injury plagued, but Zion's injury problems are self inflicted. There are other guys who ate themselves out of the NBA... Big O, Robert Traylor, but they were not as talented and not #1s.

Totally agree. I was shocked Bennett was chosen #1. People were tanking for Zion. Griffen cried when the Pels won the lottery to draft him.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Mavericks only get fined $750,000 for resting their players at the end of the season. They don't even lose a draft pick.

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