I think he didnt just look to Mavs bench but said a few words too. 
NBA 2024-2025
- Thread starter Desert Eagle
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss three 1-1 draws.
The first got us knocked out of the FA Cup, the next puts us in a good position in our Round of 16 Europa League game, and the latest was an actual decent performance against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
All hopes for the season now rest on the Europa League - does Amorim have the squad to win it?
Feck sake.
Triple double for Doncic. I'm sure that's gone down well with the Mavs organisation and fans.
Only watched the first half, thought Reeves looked great.
LeBron was -5, only starter with negative +/- for the Lakers.
In fact his +/- for the season is negative, at -0.4.
His On/Off +/- is -7.2! Meaning the Lakers are 7.2 points better when he's not on the court!
This is the only season in his career with a negative On/Off +/-, and only his third season with a negative +/- (2021-22 and his rookie season being the others).
Meanwhile Reeves is 5.0 in +/- and 7.2 in On/Off +/-, so it's not like the starters are all negative and the bench is all positive.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html
https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/2025.html
LeBron was -5, only starter with negative +/- for the Lakers.
In fact his +/- for the season is negative, at -0.4.
His On/Off +/- is -7.2! Meaning the Lakers are 7.2 points better when he's not on the court!
This is the only season in his career with a negative On/Off +/-, and only his third season with a negative +/- (2021-22 and his rookie season being the others).
Meanwhile Reeves is 5.0 in +/- and 7.2 in On/Off +/-, so it's not like the starters are all negative and the bench is all positive.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html
https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/2025.html
Mavs actually played great considered how undermanned they were. Kyrie was fantastic.
Imagine they had Luka playing with him. They could probably make the finals.
Steph keeps doing it. Still the most exciting player in the NBA today.
Best regular season in a long time for me personally.
Who are the frauds come playoff time?
The Knicks are frauds. Cavs borderline.
In the western conference I have no faith in the Grizzlies.
Who are the frauds come playoff time?
The Knicks are frauds. Cavs borderline.
In the western conference I have no faith in the Grizzlies.
East everyone but the Cavs and Celtics - but doubt the Cavs will be able to get over the hump against Boston in a playoff series.
West will be OKC, Denver depending on how good Jokic keeps playing, and Lakers depending on Luka/LeBron chemistry and role players stepping up. The Grizzlies meh, Rockets aren't good enough and the Clippers are the perennial frauds that they've always been. Can't see any of the current play-in teams making fuzz in the playoffs unless Curry goes on a generational run one last time.
Lazy prediction perhaps but I'd put my money on a Celtics vs Thunder finals matchup.
Cavs are very good, but it is hard to see Mitchell led team go all the way. I wouldn't be surprised if they got knocked out by Pacers in possible semi-final for example. West is much more interesting, 2nd or 3rd could get you Warriors, Wolves or Mavs with Davis, so it will depend a lot on luck and how bruised you come into the finals.
Hard to say really, I believe in the Thunder this season.
Hard to say really, I believe in the Thunder this season.
Don't know what to think about the Dub's chances come playoff time. A month ago, I would have said they might not even make the playoffs, but since the Butler trade, they seem full of confidence and have won 7 out of 8. I am still dubious about what their chances really are, but now I, at least, give them a chance.
With Butler, the Warriors are different beast. It added much needed grit and with fully focused Jimmy in playoffs (which he will be this year) you are dangerous.. Wolves are also someone who could again do some damage, they aren't convincing but have the Nuggets number obviously and am sure Denver doesn't want to see them in playoffs. Am backing the Thunder but you get 1st seed and healthy Kyrie/Davis supported by Gafford and Lively in the paint after 82 games effort to be number 1 seed (which could happen). Probably the worst match up they could ask.
On a sidenote, JJ Redick is doing fantastic job. They are still playing great defence despite Reaves, LBJ and Doncic in the lineup, quite something.
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This is the reason in my belief for the Thunder though!
If Lakers are healthy heading into the playoffs I have them as favorites to get out of the west. Golden state could be a big problem for the one or two seed as well. I'm feeling a Cavs vs Lakers finals at this point.
Thunder are much, much better than Lakers. Not even close.
Not over the past 20 games they aren't. Let's see in the playoffs when it counts.
1 win difference when they’ve long secured top spot in the East and probably best record overall (whilst playing without Holmgren), wouldn’t read into it much. They are a tier above Lakers though would fancy Lakers to steal a game or two in a series.
West*
Like I said I'd fancy us against the thunder in a 7 game series. Denver looks like they're running Jokic into the ground and they might have to face a hot GS team in the first round as well. Memphis and Houston I'd pick the Lakers as well, we'd have the best two players in those series. People don't realise how incredible it is to have either lebron or luka on the floor at all times. Doncic hasn't even reached 70% of what he's capable of yet either. If lebron continues to play at this all world level it's a wrap.
West indeed, wanted to say they should be safely over anyone in the East in overall standings and then somehow came up with this.
I’d fancy Lakers against Rockets or Grizzlies for sure, Nuggets I’d have it as 50/50. Thunder I have much higher but then again they were awesome last year too yet failed against Mavs so I’m inclined to see whether they can do it in the playoffs. They are such a complete team though.
They're great but they really should have packaged Chet and some picks to try and get Durant. They're just missing that one piece to get over the top imo, they could still make that trade next season but with so many assets I would have made the move now.
They have time on their side, and Chet is awesome, would be a bad move to trade even him alone for Durant.
If they make a move at some point it will be for someone younger, like Giannis.
Chet is awesome like Donovan Mitchell is awesome. KD is top 20 all time awesome. There are levels to it. Of course age is a factor but the way Durant plays you could probably get at least 3 years of high level basketball out of him. For me it'd be a no brainer to trade them straight up.
Lakers have definitely launched themselves into the conversation for the best team in the west. They were already a top 5 team in the west without Luka. I feel like they’re a real centre away from being outright favourites. I still have the Thunder as the most likely team to come out of the west (although I still have a ? over them in the playoffs).
I don’t think us or the Grizzlies are quite good enough to take on any of the top 7-8 teams in a 7 game series. I’d fancy our chances against anyone, including the Thunder, but realistically we’re probably a first round exit team at this stage.
I don’t think us or the Grizzlies are quite good enough to take on any of the top 7-8 teams in a 7 game series. I’d fancy our chances against anyone, including the Thunder, but realistically we’re probably a first round exit team at this stage.
Chet is 23, already one of the best defenders in the league in his position and fits their timeline perfectly, and fits the team perfectly. KD is 37 soon, there’s no reason to make that move now when the rest of their roster is super young, there’s no rush. Even if they fail to win the chip this year they will be competitive for the next decade with this roster. They are probably the team that has the least incentive to make panic win now moves.
Then there’s obviously a little detail of how Durant left them in the first place.
Alex Caruso is one of the best defenders in the league at his position. He'd be traded for Durant before you can say free tacos. There is no timeline, all these players on the thunder will need to be paid eventually. Good role players will leave. While you have that young talented core, you gotta make the most of it. Every window is basically 3-4 years for the most part. Look at Boston as an example, they made plenty of deep playoff runs but never got the chip until they got KP. We'll never know but it's possible they have a decade of good playoff success but never win it all if they don't make that trade. The Lakers gave up a lot to get AD but once we got the ring, that trade was worth it. The chance to win it all with Durant in a year where you have home court throughout the playoffs would be worth it for me. You might shorten your window by a bit but you're increasing your chances to win it all by enough for it to be worth it.
Trading Chet for Durant would be quite similar to trading SGA for George. Seemed like the right move at the time too.
Chet will be in All-Defense conversation not long from now. By then KD will be gone from the league or playing a limited scorers role.
Shai, JDub and Chet is an insane core to build around, and they have so many potentially tasty picks on top.
Not many Nugz fans here, seems just Lakers and Warriors fans. Nugz have 3 major issues which makes them non-contenders:
1. Malone is just not a good coach. He has his qualities, but he is not good game manager. He got lucky that Jokic is in that team. Serbia can totally play without Jokic because Serbian coach can tailor the game plan to the players the has on the court. Malone can't do that and all players turn into garbage when Jokic isn't on the floor.
2. Two MAX players - MPJ and Murray - are very inconsistent. If those two guys played regularly at 80-90% of their ability, Nugz would have a shot.
3. Defense is just not good enough. Good defense is consistent and can hide lack of good bench and lack of consistency from two MAX players. Denver doesn't have it.
Player like Jokic should win another ring. 2 rings to have career like Hakeem would be glorious.
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It is ridiculous how JJ Reddick's coaching in one season is so effective. Seen few games only (Knicks prior to the big trade, Nuggets after the trade). You so easily see the coaching plan going into both offense and defense. In Denver it is more like: Let's hope Jokic has Wilt like game and that MPJ and Murray do not stink.
1. Malone is just not a good coach. He has his qualities, but he is not good game manager. He got lucky that Jokic is in that team. Serbia can totally play without Jokic because Serbian coach can tailor the game plan to the players the has on the court. Malone can't do that and all players turn into garbage when Jokic isn't on the floor.
2. Two MAX players - MPJ and Murray - are very inconsistent. If those two guys played regularly at 80-90% of their ability, Nugz would have a shot.
3. Defense is just not good enough. Good defense is consistent and can hide lack of good bench and lack of consistency from two MAX players. Denver doesn't have it.
Player like Jokic should win another ring. 2 rings to have career like Hakeem would be glorious.
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It is ridiculous how JJ Reddick's coaching in one season is so effective. Seen few games only (Knicks prior to the big trade, Nuggets after the trade). You so easily see the coaching plan going into both offense and defense. In Denver it is more like: Let's hope Jokic has Wilt like game and that MPJ and Murray do not stink.
If by here you mean planet earth then yes, not many Nugget fans.
Not many nuggets fans, but loads of Jokic fans.
I reckon they have a chance if Murray pulls his finger out for the playoffs
Time to restart the process
Just finished his book and I must say (coming from someone who never was huge fan).. He was really something else.
From Reggio Emilia to what he actually decided to be. Have to respect that.
From Reggio Emilia to what he actually decided to be. Have to respect that.
With Butler out, the Dubs went back to being who they were. Feel sorry for Steph, +12 in the 36 minutes he played, -19 in the 12 minutes he sat.
Warriors just lost to the sixers without Butler. Shows what a difference he makes to the team.
Btw, where would you even put Kobe. TOP 10 for sure.. but in retrospect maybe even top 5. 5 rings and 2 with not so impressive cast. Now I will be LeBron hater but I rate only Cavs ring and the one with Davis. And I do not rate Durant two at all. All in the same team and has so many iconic moments.
Btw, if grandpa LeBron wins somehow another one that will be probably the most impressive one ever.
Btw, if grandpa LeBron wins somehow another one that will be probably the most impressive one ever.
I don’t think top 5.
MJ
.
.
.
LeBron
Bird
Kareem
Magic
Wilt
Timmy
All above him for me, although I could be persuaded to jump him over Wilt and Timmy
Edit: I am sure I have a different 3-7 on here somewhere, just shows the gap after 2.
Yeah, I agree. Top 5 is me watching few videos of him again this morning
I also have Steph in top 10 and on the verge of that Wilt/Timmy company. Maybe some won't agree, but he is phenomenal. Way ahead of Durant for meHakeem is my guilty pleasure. If not for MJ I think he would have a few more titles and be undisputed top 5-7. He would absolutely dominate the current NBA.Yeah, I agree. Top 5 is me watching few videos of him again this morning
Being injury prone is one thing but Embiid didnt help himself either, he loves flopping for FTs more than life, amount of time he falls on ground for no reason, hell he was even throwing himself around just get a whistle, specially when he has enough of a talent is just wild, burgers dont help either.