The NBA 2023-2024 thread - and Guns and Rose

[MinistroRaven]

Season o er, draft over, new thread!

And now with the move of Derrick Rose to Memphis we have the Guns and Roses team.

[Azyiu]

My Lakers did well in free agency for a change.

[Jamesman42]

Will Miami get Dame?!

[KevShmev]

Will Miami get Dame?!

What'll be interesting is if Lillard goes to a contender and doesn't win.  I know he's a really good player, but I have never seen a basketball player who has done so little in the playoffs get slurped so much by the sports media, as if he's the second coming of Michael Jordan who had the unfortunate mishap of being drafted to a franchise that cannot build around him.

[Azyiu]

What'll be interesting is if Lillard goes to a contender and doesn't win.  I know he's a really good player, but I have never seen a basketball player who has done so little in the playoffs get slurped so much by the sports media, as if he's the second coming of Michael Jordan who had the unfortunate mishap of being drafted to a franchise that cannot build around him.

Yes and no. Yes, the Lillard-led Blazers had just one good playoff run in 2018-19 by reaching the WCF before getting swept by the Warriors, but I think people generally love him for his "loyalty" to the franchise. If anything at all, I just do not understand the timing of his demand at this time. If he knows he didn't want to stay, he should have told the team much sooner. Same thing, if he got upset by J-Grant's $160M contract, he should have told the team he didn't want to play with Grant or whatnot. With that being said, I wouldn't blame it all on him, rather I think the Blazers are just terribly ran as an organization.

[TAC]

[King Postwhore]

 

[TAC]

The NBA must be swimming in cash because these contracts are outrageous.

[Samsara]

The NBA must be swimming in cash because these contracts are outrageous.

They are, and they are.

Timberwolves did okay. I'm happy with the draft, happy with the signings, and the only one left to extend is McDaniels, and that's not going to be a problem.

Interested in the Lillard thing. He obviously wants Miami, but that's a difficult trade to make, and will require a third team. Timberwolves have been linked to Lillard, but I think that's just kicking the tires.

Wolves need to move on from Towns. Everyone on the squad in the gym this summer, except pretty boy KAT. Flaunting around Europe with his "model" girlfriend doing fashion shoots. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards, Naz Reid, even Rudy Gobert in the gym, in Minny, working. Towns' priorities screwed up.

Towns for Lillard (obviously more to that than a 1 for 1 swap) would make sense for both teams. But I'm not sure how realistic it is.

Personally, I think Lillard going to New Orleans makes a lot of sense, reunites him with CJ, and a prime era Brandon Ingram. I could see a Lillard for Zion swap (plus more).

[Azyiu]

I could be getting a "returning customer discount" without knowing it, but I have just been notified my NBA League Pass Premium subscription for next season is only USD 134, or close to $60 cheaper than for first-time subscribers.

[Samsara]

I could be getting a "returning customer discount" without knowing it, but I have just been notified my NBA League Pass Premium subscription for next season is only USD 134, or close to $60 cheaper than for first-time subscribers.

Shit. Wonder why mine is 149.99 then? I upgraded from one team only to the full thing. That sucks for me. Should have saved 15 bucks. lol.

Going to really invest in watching both my Timberwolves and my Knicks this year. I've always loved both teams (grew up a Long Islander, Wolves were my first favorite, but I saw the Knicks play more on TV), so I am very excited to see how the Knicks grow off last year. Brunson is the kind of guy I get behind. Grinder. Works hard.

[Azyiu]

Shit. Wonder why mine is 149.99 then? I upgraded from one team only to the full thing. That sucks for me. Should have saved 15 bucks. lol.

Going to really invest in watching both my Timberwolves and my Knicks this year. I've always loved both teams (grew up a Long Islander, Wolves were my first favorite, but I saw the Knicks play more on TV), so I am very excited to see how the Knicks grow off last year. Brunson is the kind of guy I get behind. Grinder. Works hard.

I believe their prices fluctuate from the second year onward, if you never canceled your subscription. For me, their prices have been dropping 3 years in a row.

[Samsara]

Been in a debate with a friend. We have 100 bucks on this.

Who finishes with the higher seed? Timberwolves or Kings?

My argument is, if both teams are fully healthy, it's clearly the Timberwolves. The Wolves have more talent, and frankly, a better offensive mind as a head coach. The Kings are also right where the 2021-2022 Wolves were. Overachieved. And like the Wolves in 2022-2023, I feel like the Kings will slip a bit. Kings also didn't do a thing to address their defensive lapses and size issues.

The west will be a dogfight for seeds 3-8. I feel like Denver and Phoenix are the class of the conference. After that, it is wide open, depending on so many factors. The only teams in the west that I feel cannot challenge for the 8 seed are: Utah, Portland, and Houston. I think San Antonio will be better, and not just because of Wemby. They are due for a jump. OKC will take a leap with a healthy Holmgren. The Wolves, if healthy, will win a lot. Lakers are a crapshoot. But I think they will be there. Golden State -- could be top-3 if all plays out right. But if they get hurt, they could be out of the playoffs entirely. I think it is a virtual unknown. They are OLD. But I never underestimate talent. If they all are healthy and perform like they are able at this point in their careers, they could probably nab the three seed.

Anyway, I'm winning that hundo. Timberwolves will seed higher than the Kings.

[Azyiu]

It looks like we signed Christian Wood to a 2-year $5.7M veteran minimum deal with the second year being a player option. I guess it isn't a bad deal for the Lakers, and we finally have someone to play the 5 besides Jaxson Hayes.

[Samsara]

That's a great deal for the Lakers. And I like Hayes as well. Nice 1-2 punch there. Hayes can clog the paint and defense, and Wood can jump out and draw defenders away. Really good sign.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

I haven't watched as much NBA the past few years but I am excited for the season. Seems like it could be another wide open year, but you never know. There's always that team that does way better than anyone's expecting

[Azyiu]

The NBA will play a single regular season game in Paris next January between the Nets and the Cavs. Ticket prices are super expensive! Upper level are going for £324 each, and lower level bad seats (behind the basket) are still going for £645 each. I know you guys are dying to see Ben Simmons play  but that's still too rich for these 2 teams for me. I am out.

[Lonk]

The NBA will play a single regular season game in Paris next January between the Nets and the Cavs. Ticket prices are super expensive! Upper level are going for £324 each, and lower level bad seats (behind the basket) are still going for £645 each. I know you guys are dying to see Ben Simmons play  but that's still too rich for these 2 teams for me. I am out.

I get it, I'm priced out of my local teams (Nets and Knicks). It was only 5-6 years ago when I could find same day ticket for $50 or less, for a descent seat (sometimes lower level). Lately, even the upper level are a minimum of $150, and if it is a good team that will be $250 minimum.

Lol, I just checked the Knicks game against the Cavs on Nov 1st, and cheapest ticket is $209.

[Lonk]

Lilliard to the Bucks 

[TAC]

The NBA will play a single regular season game in Paris next January between the Nets and the Cavs. Ticket prices are super expensive! Upper level are going for £324 each, and lower level bad seats (behind the basket) are still going for £645 each. I know you guys are dying to see Ben Simmons play  but that's still too rich for these 2 teams for me. I am out.

I get it, I'm priced out of my local teams (Nets and Knicks). It was only 5-6 years ago when I could find same day ticket for $50 or less, for a descent seat (sometimes lower level). Lately, even the upper level are a minimum of $150, and if it is a good team that will be $250 minimum.

Lol, I just checked the Knicks game against the Cavs on Nov 1st, and cheapest ticket is $209.

Same in Boston.  It sucks. Bruins are worse.

[King Postwhore]

Tim, it's crazy. Remember in the 80's how cheap tickets were for the B's?  Lunch pale fans would go to so many games. Now, maybe 1 game a year.

[T-ski]

Lilliard to the Bucks 

Jrue Holiday will go down as one of the most beloved Bucks of all time, and I doubt you'll find a Bucks fan that doesn't believe he was just as important as Giannis for bringing home the trophy a couple of years ago.

BUT WELCOME TO MILWAUKEE DAMIAN LILLARD!

[Samsara]

Timberwolves 1-0.

[SoundscapeMN]

preseason of course.

I would not be surprised if by playoff time, the Wolves have traded either CAT or Gobert. They keep saying the experiment with having the 2 of them with Edwards hasn't been able to play out per injuries, but I think they kind of got exposed last year in the playoffs.

Plus they resigned Naz Reid of course, which was surprising given he probably could have signed elsewhere for both more $ and been a starter, but likely for a worse team.

The problem could ly in with who will be willing to trade for them, especially Gobert, with those huge contracts.

[Lonk]

I only caught the last quarter of the Lakers-Denver game. Even though at one point they were only down by 3, the Lakers were playing like it was the last game of the season and they were out of the playoffs.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

I missed the game last night, but Denver seems hella good. As a LeBron fan, I'd love to see him win another one, but at this point I'm rooting for Jokic as much or more. I love how he's such an incredible player, but also super chill.

[Lonk]

I missed the game last night, but Denver seems hella good. As a LeBron fan, I'd love to see him win another one, but at this point I'm rooting for Jokic as much or more. I love how he's such an incredible player, but also super chill.

On no yeah, Denver look comfortable on the floor, and it seem like they were hitting their shots with ease.

I'd love to see Lebron win another one as well, I highly doubt it.

[Azyiu]

On no yeah, Denver look comfortable on the floor, and it seem like they were hitting their shots with ease.

I'd love to see Lebron win another one as well, I highly doubt it.

Yep. As a Lakers fan, I know we look better than last year... on paper anyway. Yet, a lot has to click in the right direction for us to even get out of the West. So yeah, we should be better than last season, record-wise; but I doubt we have what it takes to win it all this year... *cough* *cough, AD*... *cough sucks*! *Cough*... 

[Samsara]

Wolves looked crappy. A lot of hero ball. Bad shooting. McDaniels absence was noticeable. Hopefully he's healthy and can play Saturday. Oh well. 0-1.

[T-ski]

Not gonna lie, I like the Bucks chances this year. 

[Lonk]

Not gonna lie, I like the Bucks chances this year. 

I'm honestly rooting for them. I hope they can make it work with Lilliard

[dparrott]

The Suns are my new favorite team.  I love their new city jersey and their offseason moves.  Heat vs. Suns is my dream finals.

[Samsara]

Wolves nabbed victory number 1 on the season on Saturday evening. Glad they got it done. KAT still looking weird, and the shooting by the team, while still not good, was good enough. NAZ REID. Anthony Edwards was quiet until the end of the game, where he exploded for 8 of his 19 points (to go along with 7 assists) to seal the deal.

Gotta nail Atlanta in the ATL tonight. Hawks are on the second night of a back-to-back. Need to steal this one.

p.s. Rudy Gobert looks DOMINANT again. Really good to see.

[Indiscipline]

So, I watched some bits of Wemba getting his feet wet.

Assuming he won't be the last of his kind, are we ready to discuss enlarging the court?

[Samsara]

So, I watched some bits of Wemba getting his feet wet.

Assuming he won't be the last of his kind, are we ready to discuss enlarging the court?

Depends on what you mean by "enlarging." I'd be okay with widening it so there is more room to take the corner three. But otherwise, I'd leave it alone.