NBA Thread

Heelsandeers said:
I remember when the Paul George - SGA + picks trade happened and people using it as example of why small market teams are unable to compete with the major markets. Bad take at the time that has aged worse
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Yeah but let’s be real. PG and Westbrook both wanted out, and dictated where they wanted to go. Maybe Presti was a genius who knew SGA would be MVP material at some point, but I don’t think anyone thought that.

Great move to pile up so many 1st round picks, but that’s also fortunate because all these guys are still affordable. Pretty soon they won’t all be.

My point is just that this situation at least partly fell into OKC’s lap and is a very unique situation of lightning striking for a small market team, for a window of time. Props to them for capitalizing and developing fast enough to contend. But there was plenty of luck involved and the window could still close quickly, at least quicker than it would in a major market.
 
Zoo_View said:
Alcindor/Abdul-Jabbar has said the NCAA outlawing the dunk was great for his game.

It helped/forced him to master the Sky Hook.
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long-term, sure. short-term he probably scored a lot less than he would have if the dunk had been legal.
 
duluoz said:
Yeah but let’s be real. PG and Westbrook both wanted out, and dictated where they wanted to go. Maybe Presti was a genius who knew SGA would be MVP material at some point, but I don’t think anyone thought that.

Great move to pile up so many 1st round picks, but that’s also fortunate because all these guys are still affordable. Pretty soon they won’t all be.

My point is just that this situation at least partly fell into OKC’s lap and is a very unique situation of lightning striking for a small market team, for a window of time. Props to them for capitalizing and developing fast enough to contend. But there was plenty of luck involved and the window could still close quickly, at least quicker than it would in a major market.
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For every unhappy All-NBA guy in a small market there's typically someone willing to overpay. It was a massive haul for PG even without foresight of MVP SGA

OKC was only saving face from the fallout of the 2012 roster at that point. Did anyone truly believe they were going to get it done with PG and Russ? They were maxed with no cap room and in return received 7 assets for PG

From there, you had to go into rebuild mode (didn't necessarily love the Westbrook trade). Effective asset management is not a given and all you can hope for in a small market
 
I don't believe I've ever seen a comeback quite like that one. It couldn't have happened in a more fitting setting 😭

Almost turned it off with 2 mins left but decided against it because Indy. The Kawhi bounce for 2 was nasty though, should've been the end right there

Say what you will about Indy's style of play but they have so many guys that can beat you and force teams into matching their pace

Haliburton is as cool as it gets with a game on the line
 
SnoopRob said:
Long-term, the greatest rival OKC might have is the salary cap.
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No, they will just trade guys who are due for a max deal and keep restocking. They own a shit ton of draft capital.

2026:​

  • Oklahoma City first-round pick
  • Oklahoma City second-round pick
  • Dallas or Philadelphia second-round pick

2027:​

  • Oklahoma City first-round pick
  • Denver top-five protected first-round pick
  • LA first-round pick swap
  • Oklahoma City second-round pick
  • Houston or Indiana or Miami second-round pick

2028:​

  • Oklahoma City first-round pick
  • Dallas first-round pick swap
  • Oklahoma City second-round pick
  • Milwaukee second-round pick
  • Utah second-round pick

2029:​

  • Oklahoma City first-round pick
  • Denver top-five protected first-round pick
  • Oklahoma City second-round pick
  • Atlanta second-round pick
  • Boston second-round pick
  • Houston second-round pick
  • Miami second-round pick

2030:​

  • Oklahoma City first-round pick
  • Oklahoma City second-round pick
  • Denver second-round pick
  • Houston second-round pick
  • Miami second-round pick

2031:​

  • Oklahoma City first-round pick
  • Oklahoma City second-round pick
  • New Orleans or Orlando second-round swap
 
Heelsandeers said:
Knicks can't get anyone going besides Brunson and the bench just isn't good
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How would we know? Thibs ain’t gonna play more than 7 dudes no matter what. That bench spent all season getting zero minutes and now they’re supposed to step up?
 
Heelsandeers said:
What's the math and timeline on SGA supermax and Jalen and Chet maxes?
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SGA is incredibly cheap right now. He made 36 million this year, 38 next year, and 40 the year after that. He has a player option for 27/28 which will almost certainly not be optioned.

The entire team is mostly set vis a vis salary until 27/28 although a few notables become extension eligible in 26/27 - Hartenstein, Holmgren, and Dort among them. The biggest risks for OKC are injury and league adjustments. It's really hard to repeat and OKC was nearly ousted by Denver...so, while they are absolutely dominating MN - they aren't the 1980's Celtics or Lakers yet.
 
I find myself rooting against OKC due to some of their players, but it is remarkable to see the work Presti has done.

I really enjoy the Pacers so hopefully they can close out the Knicks. Carlisle has done a hell of a job there.
 
Healing said:
I find myself globally disliking the remaining teams. I enjoy Indy's style the most, but find Halliburton's troll personality immensely unlikeable.
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The Pacers often have troll personalities. I'm usually with you on this point but I'll make an exception for the Pacers. Without guys like Lance Stephenson, TH, etc -- they are just never going to get any media coverage at all.
 
Icky Mettle said:
Basically what dismantled them back when they had Durant, Westbrook, and Harden.
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I thought that also had something to do with Durant not wanting to have to share the spotlight with Harden and Westbrook.
That was quite a threesome if they could have kept them together.
 
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