2022-2023 NBA Season Discussion

[mp3]

I saw a video on yt this morning from DKM a Scottish guy who has made a career out of following the Ball family reporting on Lavar stating that Lianglo might be teaming up with Bronny James and both are possible set to join the New Zealand Breakers of the nbl, not sure how true this is but could be huge for all involved

[Andrew]

The NBL has undoubtedly become a viable path to the NBA. The 90s may still have been its heyday with Andrew Gaze, Andrew Vlahov, Shane Heal, Mark Bradtke, and so on, but it's definitely being scouted and treated with more respect internationally these days.

[mp3]

It's funny how the UK really isn't known for its basketball roots or huge exposure however the London Lions of the British league have non other than Sam Dekker and Kosta Kufas formally with nba teams have chosen the UK to play ball

Due to my uncle living in Sydney for 30 years now I was made aware of the aussie league at an early age and saw plenty of Shane Heal and Andrew Gaze highlights and once (now lost) owned a autographed Sydney Kings ball and could see over the years with Longley, Heal, Bogut, Simmons and Mills to name a few to come over to the nba so no wonder why the nbl gets a lot of love from players wanted to do there one and done year in Australia.

[Jeffx]

Disappointing loss for the Pelicans at home against a young, impressive OKC team. They're way ahead of schedule, and the duo of SGA/Giddey is ridiculous.

New Orleans has a Zion problem. Unless he makes a serious commitment to transforming his body and getting his health right, he won't have a long career. I saw him on the sidelines and he looks bigger. A body his size wasn't meant to move like a guard on the basketball court.

Impressive win by the Bulls, overcoming a 19-point deficit.

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls ... vs-raptors

So, Friday night's all set; Bulls/Heat, Thunder/T'Wolves.

[Andrew]

"The best ability is availability" is obviously a cliched saying, but it's a concise way of summing up the issue with Zion. He's clearly talented, but that doesn't matter if he's on the sidelines and likely to stay there. As it stands, he's played just 114 games in four seasons; a little over a third of the games he could've potentially played. Injuries are a part of the game and sometimes it's just bad luck, but his size is clearly a contributing factor. Right now, it feels like he's going to end up a What If, and it'll be partly his fault.

[Jeffx]

"The best ability is availability" is obviously a cliched saying, but it's a concise way of summing up the issue with Zion. He's clearly talented, but that doesn't matter if he's on the sidelines and likely to stay there. As it stands, he's played just 114 games in four seasons; a little over a third of the games he could've potentially played. Injuries are a part of the game and sometimes it's just bad luck, but his size is clearly a contributing factor. Right now, it feels like he's going to end up a What If, and it'll be partly his fault.

Andrew, did you hear CJ's press conference when he talked about availability, preparation and having the right type of diet? He said that applies to players 1-15, but we know the deal.

And why the hell is Zion doing windmill dunks before the game, but can't play????? That's some bs right there. If I'm a teammate, I'm giving him the side-eye. Zion obviously has HOF talent, but not the fire the greats like Magic, Kareem, Bird, Jordan, Kobe, etc. had. I remember Jordan saying he had to physically transform his body and get stronger to deal with the Pistons physicality. Or Charles Barkley getting himself together after Moses Malone called him 'fat & lazy'. Zion doesn't have that iron will.

Speaking of Jordan, that was a 'Jordanesque' performance from Zach Lavine the other night. He's a streaky player, but once gets going, it's over.

[Andrew]

I didn't see that, but it definitely sounds like his teammates are doubting his commitment.

Strange, for all the supposed "evolution" of the modern athlete, we're seeing more injuries than ever - often non-contact injuries - and barely anyone is playing all 82 games.

[Jeffx]

Whew! Knicks grab Game 1!

Brunson & Hart are making it fun to be a Knicks fan again.

[Jeffx]

Bucks and Grizzlies are down 3-1.....damn, who would have thought that? Grizzlies are a bunch of front-runners.

Out-of-this world performance from Jimmy Buckets. And to think, Philly chose Ben Simmons over him....make that make sense.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnxuAx9Cb2Q

[Jeffx]

Knicks advance to the semis for the first time in ten years. And what a performance by Mitchell Robinson....18 rebounds, 11 offensive. So much fun to be a Knicks fan these days. And their reward is going up against Miami and Playoff Jimmy. The Garden will be on FIRE this Sunday. It'll be like the late 90s all over again....mah goodness! Get the popcorn ready!

[Andrew]

Jimmy Butler with an incredible first round performance. That alley-oop to force overtime was awesome! I do think the series goes the other way if Giannis is healthy throughout, but the Heat still earned it, and you can only play who shows up.

[Jeffx]

Miami was the perfect fit for Jimmy. Pat Riley created a culture that's all about hard work & winning. EVERYBODY has to be 'all-in'. It's Jimmy's team, and they let him be himself (even though he can be tough to deal with).

(2)Boston Celtics vs (3)Philadelphia 76ers
(5)New York Knicks vs (8)Miami Heat

What a final four in the East...two long time rivalries.

Kings are done...loaded with young talent, but they're not battle-tested like the Warriors. I expect Lakers/Grizzlies to go seven games.

[Andrew]

Kings force a Game 7 in Sacramento! As of writing, the Grizzlies will have an uphill battle to do the same.

[Jeffx]

Sacramento showed me something avoiding elimination and winning Game 6 on the road.

LOL at Memphis....bunch of front-runners.

[Andrew]

I have a feeling the Warriors will get the job done in Game 7. I think that'll be a better matchup for Round 2 as well; LeBron vs Curry, on the road to the Finals this time.

[Drex]

I need to change my sig to the current MVP

[Andrew]

Seems only right!

[Jeffx]

Coach Bud is out;

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/374 ... early-exit

[Andrew]

Not to take anything away from Lonnie Walker IV and the Lakers, but man, the Warriors made some absolutely boneheaded plays down the stretch. Curry and Thompson with some atrocious heaves, and Draymond Green with a turnover so terrible, one wonders if he did it on purpose.

[Jeffx]

Love watching Joker play. I don't say that about a lot of today's NBA players. Dude's basketball I.Q. is insane. He put ON the Suns last night. 81 points in the first half????

Saw this comment on YouTube;
"Imagine how good the Nuggets are going to be next season with Jokic, Murray and KD!"

Very disappointed in Philly, but they still have a chance in Game 7.

Let's go, Knicks!!!!

Joker makes it look so easy;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4U3Z4I6ra8

[Andrew]

KD's an outstanding player, but he's definitely brought the memes upon himself at this point!

[Jeffx]

Disappointing end to my team's season. Brunson gave everything he had, but it wasn't enough, not with Randle & RJ having bad nights. Solid season by the Knicks, but they seriously need a talent upgrade. And stop with all the iso stuff. Got to get more ball movement

[Andrew]

Saw a clip of Stephen A. commenting on their exit. He didn't mince words when it came to Randle, that's for sure. Definitely a commendable season, hopefully something to build off of.

Warriors got outplayed, no surprise they didn't force a seventh game and get to try for the miracle. Klay Thompson didn't look like he should be a starter in the league. Draymond Green didn't look like he belonged in the league anymore.

[Jeffx]

Saw a clip of Stephen A. commenting on their exit. He didn't mince words when it came to Randle, that's for sure. Definitely a commendable season, hopefully something to build off of.

Warriors got outplayed, no surprise they didn't force a seventh game and get to try for the miracle. Klay Thompson didn't look like he should be a starter in the league. Draymond Green didn't look like he belonged in the league anymore.

Knicks are officially Jalen Brunson's team...he's earned it and more. Now it's up to the Knicks to pair Jalen with a legit star that COMPLIMENTS him. I'd move Randle, but only for the right deal(if possible), and definitely bring Josh Hart back. RJ Barrett? He's still young, so I'm not ready to get rid of him (unlike some fans), but this summer, his ass better be in the gym working on his game.

All good things come to and end. The Warriors had a great run, but looks like it's over. Happened to all the great teams of the past (Celtics, Lakers, Pistons, Bulls, Spurs).

AD vs Jokic...this has the makings of a terrific series. Nuggets in 7.

[Andrew]

Brunson definitely turned out to be worth the risk. Randle does seem like the player to move, but his deficiencies have been on display for a few years now, so it could be a tough sell. Then again, this is the NBA. Teams will take risks, and disgruntled players will force trades, so it's not impossible.