Basketball

Basketball

on the other side of the country, oof...

WESTWins-LossesAll-Stars
Denver Nuggets36-16Nikola Jokic
Memphis Grizzlies32-20Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr
Sacramento Kings29-21Domantas Sabonis
Dallas Mavericks28-25Luka Doncic
LA Clippers29-26Paul George
Minnesota Timberwolves28-26
Phoenix Suns27-26
Utah Jazz27-26Lauri Markkanen
Golden State Warriors26-26Stephen Curry
New Orleans Pelicans26-27Zion Williamson
Portland Trail Blazers25-26Damian Lillard
LA Lakers25-28LeBron James
Oklahoma City Thunder24-27Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
San Antonio Spurs14-38
Houston Rockets13-38

hard to see Denver losing it from here, barring an injury, with Memphis currently in a tailspin having lost 8 of their last 9 or something. Jokic has been the league MVP the last two years, with the general wisdom being that there's no way he'd win 3 in a row because voters would look elsewhere etc... and now, the general wisdom seems to have become "but wow, how can we NOT vote for him again?!" - he's so damn good. Of course there's only so much one man can do, so it'll be interesting to see if the team they've managed to put around him can take themselves to the finals...

look at that "midtable" crunch though, wow - from 4th to 13th they are really not separated by much. What makes it all the more staggering is that SACRAMENTO?!?!?! have risen above all that into 3rd - jaw-dropping. This is the team currently on the longest run in any sport (in America) without reaching the playoffs (I believe, can't be bothered looking it up). A couple of shrewd off-season signings alongside great play from Sabonis and All-Star contender DeAaron Fox has them humming. Sabonis btw is the son of the Lithuanian legend Arvydas, one of the all-time greats. Domantas will never reach THAT level, but he's given it a damn good go.

@ChrisSmith1992's Wolves and the Phoenix Suns sit conspicuously without All-Stars, but young guard Anthony Edwards (the "baddie" in basketball film Hustle, which came out last summer) must have come close to making it, and Devin Booker would've been a contender for Phoenix but they've suffered while he's been out injured for a few weeks. The Wolves have weathered Karl-Anthony Towns' injury absence intriguingly well, with concerns as to whether he and big summer acquisition Rudy Gobert can really play together effectively - maybe another big trade coming...

elsewhere, Doncic is incredible for Dallas, but the team around him is not up to much and their current position is a bit false. the Clippers are showing signs of getting it together - Kawhi Leonard was pretty clearly the best player in the world when he led Toronto to the title in 2019, but he tore his ACL in the 2021 playoffs and it's been a long slow road back to the top - some signs in the last month that he might be there.

Finland's Markkanen has been a pleasant surprise for Utah, who are probably a good bet to eventually make it down to 12th/13th but they've done well so far. The defending champ Warriors have been dreadfully inconsistent so far, but they'll still fancy their chances if they can get their core together and healthy for the playoffs. New Orleans started impressively but suffered lately with their two best players out injured. The Blazers don't seem to quite have enough around Lillard to worry anyone. LeBron has done tremendously to keep the evil Lakers afloat while Anthony Davis has been out injured - that duo won the 2020 title, but their supporting cast doesn't look strong these days.

OKC's young team, led by the brilliant Gilgeous-Alexander, have been very impressive in recent weeks, and they are missing last year's number 2 draft pick too, who is sitting out this season injured. They'll be a team to watch over the next few years. San Antonio and Houston are the only dregs on this side - both have had their fair share of good years, so now they have to suffer a downturn.
 
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Basketball

Sensational scenes approaching today's trade deadline, with both Nets all-stars securing moves away. Irving had a strop cos his contract negotiations weren't going well, and the Nets said oh forget it, so he's off to Dallas where he'll form an interesting duo with the brilliant Doncic.

And then late last night / this morning, news broke that Durant will be moved to Phoenix. A lot of people instantly labelling them the new favourites - Durant's that good - but their squad outside of a stellar top 4 looks thin.

Expecting a couple more decent moves in the next couple of hours - surely Denver and Memphis won't stand pat...
 

Basketball

37-15 to Boston Celtics. Game on BBC iPlayer. Brooklyn are turd here

One of the panellists pronouncing thoughts as 'forts'.:(
 

Basketball

Mr Tree said:
"Just" 28 but yes, remarkable. Boston wobbling a bit.
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Indeed. At the time of my post Boston looked superb and Brooklyn hopeless. Though from that moment, the Nets found something and were great.
Really enjoying NBA right now, so many good teams. Impressed with the Kings recently.
 

Basketball

Yep, it's hard to even predict how the playoffs will shake out, and the first round will see some quality teams get eliminated. Exciting times! Can't wait to see how Sacramento get on, they've had a remarkable season - a little lucky with health, but sometimes you need a bit of luck...
 

Basketball

To Bee Someone said:
I'd love a Suns-Mavericks showdown in the playoffs. Last night was fun. Booker, Doncic?
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Worth remembering that Dallas dumped Phoenix out in pitiful embarrassing fashion last year, so plenty of history there!
 

Basketball

Boston in a real funk at the mo, losing to Houston last night. The Celtics were marching on after their run to the final last year, but they lost their coach to a sex scandal before the new season and replaced him with a novice, highly rated but it seems the cracks are starting to appear.

Meanwhile Denver lost to San Antonio a few days ago too, in a bad little run themselves, although they're 6 games clear with 10-15 left so they're almost certain to finish with the top seed.

Memphis have been 2nd most of the season but their young star, Ja Morant, has had something of an "informal" suspension going on for 6 games, and has apparently signed up for some counselling, after a few little incidents culminated in him posting an Instagram live video at 2am from a strip club, dancing around with what appeared to be a gun. Police have said there's not enough evidence to charge anyone with anything, but it's a pity to see this cool kid trying a little too hard to be a little too cool - things could easily go wrong. Hopefully it's been nipped in the bud now though.

Strange times, but the playoffs are just a month away now!
 

Basketball

Great game last night between 6ers and the Cavs. Would make for a great playoffs series.

The Bucks? looking great since the All star break though
 

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Sacramento Kings last night guaranteed their first winning season since 2006. Nice to see them doing well
 

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Good to see Ja Morant and Karl Antony Towns back last night. But how good is Giannis right now, the Bucks as a whole look frightening.

Not sure who should be MVP. Close call between Jokic, Giannis and Embiid. Some could argue Tatum or Sabonis too
 

Basketball

Incredible to have 6 teams "tied" on 37 losses at this stage of the season (8-10 games to go), including 4 teams with the exact same win-loss record. OKC my favourite of them, Lakers and Dallas can get in the bin. (I'm a massive Doncic fan despite him being a big whiny crybaby, but the team they've put around him is laughable, and i definitely can't stand Kyrie whatsoever)
 

Basketball

Mr Tree said:
Incredible to have 6 teams "tied" on 37 losses at this stage of the season (8-10 games to go), including 4 teams with the exact same win-loss record. OKC my favourite of them, Lakers and Dallas can get in the bin. (I'm a massive Doncic fan despite him being a big whiny crybaby, but the team they've put around him is laughable, and i definitely can't stand Kyrie whatsoever)
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Great timing for the Timberwolves that KAT returned.
Could see Warriors dropping, the lack of a dominant Centre is starting to show. Read that they are considering losing Jordan Poole and looking to either Porzingas or Markannen.
Interesting.
The Eastern conference looking mighty strong. Some great potential matchups in the playoffs.
 

Basketball

Not long now till we find out. Towns, for all his obvious ability (people say he could be the greatest big shooter ever, when KD is still here and Nowitzki hasn't faded from memory!), is an awkward fit as a 4 on defense, with most teams playing "undersized" (quicker) 4's these days... Rudy doesn't seem good enough to cover if Towns gets blown by, and if you alternate them as your two 5's that's hmm, very decadent (a lot of money at one position!)

The warriors will fancy their chances if they get inexperienced Sacramento in round one and then Memphis in round two... they probably only "fear" Phoenix and their old friend KD, although Sac-town haven't fluked their way to a higher seed and the history books are full of fading giants being knocked off by young upstarts. Seems Wiggins has got some big-deal personal stuff going on too (rumours abound but nothing confirmed, been absent for a few weeks now).

They can want to lose Poole all they like, but they gave him a $120m+ contract six months ago which ties their hands a bit! Markkanen might be a nice fit there but they'd have to pay a lot to get him.

Quite impressed with how Chicago have scrapped their way in, they looked dead a couple of weeks ago. The Pelicans are doing well to hang on too. Sad to see Portland are gone though - Lillard's a fantastic player but running out of time to surround him with the right complementary pieces...
 

Basketball

Great scenes for the Cavaliers last night. Great final play and Isaac Okoro deserved that moment.

Rudy Gobert trade is looking more daft by the day. Walker Kessler on a late march to steal Rookie of the year from Banchero.
 

Basketball

Mr Tree said:
OKC my favourite of them, Lakers and Dallas can get in the bin. (I'm a massive Doncic fan despite him being a big whiny crybaby, but the team they've put around him is laughable, and i definitely can't stand Kyrie whatsoever)
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Lakers beat OKC last night :(
But Dallas lost pitifully at home to Charlotte, who are dreadful. They were booed regularly throughout the game, and Irving came out with a typically nonsense quote at the end, saying something along the lines of fans were welcome to come and have a go but that it would take them years to be as good as him. He's a proper knobhead.
 

Basketball

Mr Tree said:
Lakers beat OKC last night :(
But Dallas lost pitifully at home to Charlotte, who are dreadful. They were booed regularly throughout the game, and Irving came out with a typically nonsense quote at the end, saying something along the lines of fans were welcome to come and have a go but that it would take them years to be as good as him. He's a proper knobhead.
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Couple that with Doncic fine and he will probably be suspended at some point upon his next technical. They're very little to like about em.

Bucks still keep steamrolling along and holds a little hope for the Cavaliers who have done fantastic to finally build a great young team post LeBron. The East is too strong up there though.

Grizzlies seem to be getting a timely boost. He may have his demons but Ja Morant is so exciting to watch.

Bucks and Nuggets tonight. That will be interesting.
 

Basketball

Dallas lost to Charlotte AGAIN, which frankly should just disqualify them from contention immediately
 

Basketball

That Celtics-Bucks scoreline is astonishing. Celtics a bit weird lately. Can turn it on but at the same time some really abject performances.
Worth mentioning the Kings breaking that 16 year hoodoo. They are doing some great things and Sabonis has been the key to unlock De'Aaron Fox. Their defence stinks but love watching them.
 

Basketball

We're nearly there! I'm a bit vague on the actual schedule, but the play-in games must be about 10 days away, and all should be pretty decent. Then the deciders, then the first round proper will start, presumably with the traditional "eight games in two days" chaos.

Kinda crazy how we still don't know ANY of the series - Cleveland vs NY Knicks is pretty certain i guess, but very much up for grabs otherwise!
 

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I look at the top 4 in the Eastern and they quite locked for the Semis. The Knicks could upset things though.

Going West. More interesting though. Grizzlies and Kings could shake that crown from Denver. Mavericks are well, I don't know.
 

Basketball

Dallas need snookers from here after another tough loss last night. The Pelicans sparkling into life lately (Ingram playing terrific) has been disastrous for Dallas too. Their only chance could be OKC falling apart (looks like they're trying to, some shaky performances against weak opposition)
 

Basketball

Tough game for OKC tonight. Suns seem to be buzzing at the right time
Watching Mavs-Hawks. Yeah Luka, Kyrie are great but the depth is poor. Hawks win please
 

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The worst loss from a betting spread angle since 1995 for my Timberwolves last night. We were favoured by 19.5 points. Absolutely embarrassing.
 

Basketball

ChrisSmith1992 said:
The worst loss from a betting spread angle since 1995 for my Timberwolves last night. We were favoured by 19.5 points. Absolutely embarrassing.
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I was coming home last night, half-cut, listening to basketball podcasts, thinking i need to get on my betting account and bet some obvious teams to lose their remaining games... glad i didn't get to it cos that game would have screwed me!

#6 looks gone now, and you might only only be able to get 9th. What a scrap!
 

Basketball

The Mavericks really tanked last night. Doncic missed far too many 3 pointers. Absolutely fluffed those clutch free throws. Even if they do make it to the play in, I could see them being embarrassed. Take nothing away from the Hawks though. They deserved that.
 

Basketball

Mr Tree said:
I was coming home last night, half-cut, listening to basketball podcasts, thinking i need to get on my betting account and bet some obvious teams to lose their remaining games... glad i didn't get to it cos that game would have screwed me!

#6 looks gone now, and you might only only be able to get 9th. What a scrap!
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Have a feeling one of KAT or Gobert gets traded in the summer. Can’t believe I’m saying this but I think I’d lean on KAT to go. Wants to be a leader but he simply isn’t, and I feel we’d get a better trade package for him than Gobert.
 

Basketball

So we're down to our final 20 teams, with Detroit, San Antonio, Houston, Charlotte, Orlando, Portland, Indiana, Washington, Utah and DALLAS deciding they can't be bothered with any more after Sunday. Real shocker for Dallas to not even get this far, after reaching the final four last year and having one of the best players in the world (Doncic) on their team. Pitiful.

By next weekend we'll have lost another 4 teams. The East is all set - Miami will play Atlanta in a one-off on Tuesday, with the winner taking on second seed Boston. The loser will play the winner of Toronto/Chicago in a one-off next Friday, with the victor of that game taking on top seed Milwaukee in the first round. 3rd seed Philadelphia will take on 6th seed Brooklyn, while Cleveland will face New York in the 4-5, as has long seemed inevitable.

The West is still all up in the air, somehow! Back Monday to confirm how it shook out!
 

Basketball

Really cannot work out what has happened at Dallas. Watch a bit of the game last night and have to say impressed with the spirit of the Bulls. The surprising of all is Irving doesn't appear to be the issue.
The West is wide open like you say. The romantic in me would like the Kings to go far and the Thunder to cause an upset. But the Suns are my dark horse.

The East. Three really impressive sides at the top with the correct blend. (Take note Mark Cuban)
I can dream that the Cavs could go far but not quite seeing it yet. But a great season nonetheless.
I would Iike to see Atlanta get through the play in even though they are a bit naive sometimes. Last night a prime example.
 

Basketball

Believe these are 8:30pm kick offs for you guys. Their little graphics are a bit crazy at first, but once you get your head round them, v.useful for working out the consequences of the various results...



Gotta kinda assume that the motivated teams will all win, as the other teams tend to have already shut down their good guys for the year (if already eliminated), or rest them for the playoffs. So in the end, the Minnesota-New Orleans game to decide 8th will probably be the most consequential. Real pity that New Orleans' star Zion Williamson doesn't appear to be on the verge of a comeback from his injury :(
 

Basketball

To Bee Someone said:


Oh dear!
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Yes, bit of a disaster for @ChrisSmith1992 's boys, with key defender McDaniels apparently smacking a wall in frustration and breaking his hand, so he'll be missing for the foreseeable too.

They got the win though, so they'll play at the Lakers on Tuesday for the right to play Memphis in round 1.

The Clippers were tempted to throw their game and avoid Phoenix, who are the favourites to come out of the West despite being only the 4th seed. But they ended up winning, leaving the defending champions Golden State to play inexperienced 3rd seed Sacramento.

So early starts are back again as of Wednesday, though I'll probably give the Lakers-Wolves game a miss as the loser will have a second chance on Friday. Pelicans-Thunder on (our) Thursday morning is probably a better start - two very likeable teams, and the loser's season will be over with defeat.
 

Basketball

To be fair, the player in question is a Raptor legend... or was!

So Toronto and New Orleans are DONE, and Miami or Chicago and Minnesota or Oklahoma City will join them on Friday night...
 

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Great start to the playoffs... nearly down to the "quarter final" stage now, with two seemingly inevitable match ups shaking out, with the 2 and 3 seeds meeting in the East (Boston and Philadelphia) and the 1 and 4 seeds meeting in the West (Denver and Phoenix). Philly are the only ones through so far, polishing off Brooklyn with 4 straight wins, and the other 3 should seal their progress tonight, with home games and 3-1 leads.

But the other match-ups are all threatening to be won by the lower seeds! Which could lead to the bizarre situation in both conferences where the top two seeds play each other and the lower two seeds play each other... East semis could be 2v3 and 5v8, while West would be 1v4 and 6v7.

The closest of those is the defending champs Golden State, the 6th seed who lost their first two games at 3-seed Sacramento, but came back strong with two home wins. They'll need to steal a game on the road, but Sacramento's star DeAaron Fox might have injured his hand which would significantly disadvantage them...

The other three lower seeds, NY Knicks, Miami Heat and LA Lakers, are all 3-1 up after 4 games, with Miami's Jimmy Butler sensational last night, scoring 56 points to put top seed Milwaukee on the brink.
 
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