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NBA
Dec 22, 2023 14:18:49 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Dec 22, 2023 14:18:49 GMT
By the way, not long ago, Sheriff John Stone suggested the Wolves' Anthony Edwards might be the league MVP so far. I have to say the best choice for that is a little closer to (his) home, right there in Philly. Joel Embiid had 51 in the win over MN a couple days ago. For December, he is averaging 41.4 ppg (8 games), with only three games below 40! His low this month is 34, while he's had two 50-pt games and three 40-pt games. In addition to his 41.4 ppg, he's getting 12.9 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.9 bpg, 1.4 spg. He is shooting 61.5% FG, 37.5% 3pt, 92.5% FT. They are 7-1 this month. On the season, he's getting 35.1 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 5.9 apg, is shooting the ball well from everywhere, and has a PER of 35! The 76ers are playing well, especially considering yet another major change to the roster with the Harden trade, sitting in third in the East (and not so far behind the Celtics and Bucks). Statistically and in terms of wins, Embiid is right up there. And then if you want to talk about value to the team, well, I think that's obvious. Thankfully, his good health means this season there are only three games without him to look at, but the team is 0-3. They are 19-5 with him playing.
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NBA
Dec 22, 2023 17:14:11 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Dec 22, 2023 17:14:11 GMT
By the way, not long ago, Sheriff John Stone suggested the Wolves' Anthony Edwards might be the league MVP so far. I have to say the best choice for that is a little closer to (his) home, right there in Philly. Joel Embiid had 51 in the win over MN a couple days ago. For December, he is averaging 41.4 ppg (8 games), with only three games below 40! His low this month is 34, while he's had two 50-pt games and three 40-pt games. In addition to his 41.4 ppg, he's getting 12.9 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.9 bpg, 1.4 spg. He is shooting 61.5% FG, 37.5% 3pt, 92.5% FT. They are 7-1 this month. On the season, he's getting 35.1 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 5.9 apg, is shooting the ball well from everywhere, and has a PER of 35! The 76ers are playing well, especially considering yet another major change to the roster with the Harden trade, sitting in third in the East (and not so far behind the Celtics and Bucks). Statistically and in terms of wins, Embiid is right up there. And then if you want to talk about value to the team, well, I think that's obvious. Thankfully, his good health means this season there are only three games without him to look at, but the team is 0-3. They are 19-5 with him playing. I can't argue with you. So far this season, this is the best I've ever seen Embiid play. He's been mostly unstoppable (ask Rudy Gobert ). I don't know if it's Nick Nurse, the (new) players around him, or mostly Embiid himself. Probably a combination. It's easily the best I've ever seen him shoot, too, both from the field and at the line. He's been deadly.
The Sixers are playing well, but their few losses were against tougher teams. They've blown out some really weak teams. You know my feeling(s). It is impressive the way Embiid plays on a Tuesday night in November and December - and those games count in the standings, too - but my main concern is how Embiid plays in April, May, and hopefully June.
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NBA
Dec 22, 2023 17:35:15 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Dec 22, 2023 17:35:15 GMT
I'm distant from the situation, obviously, but in previous years it seemed like the franchise was always trying to get somebody paired with him in a way that kept him from being (or feeling like?) The Man. Obviously he was still the, or at least a, focal point. But there was always the hype around Ben Simmons, (briefly) Jimmy Butler, James Harden, where it seemed Embiid wasn't able to fully be himself. Now, as good as Tyrese Maxey has become, the team is Joel Embiid's team, period. Everyone on the roster knows it, too, which is no small thing. (Tobias Harris's dad might not quite agree, but the players do!)
And thankfully, he's been healthy enough to capitalize on that distinction. He seems like he wants to dominate, and dominate is what he's doing.
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NBA
Dec 22, 2023 17:50:17 GMT
Post by B.E. on Dec 22, 2023 17:50:17 GMT
Sixers have the best point differential in the league.
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NBA
Dec 30, 2023 16:03:34 GMT
Post by B.E. on Dec 30, 2023 16:03:34 GMT
I'm only 10 minutes into this 30 minute video, but it's very detailed. Being a topic that comes up here from time to time, I thought I'd share it:
Edit: As it turns out, the segment on the "offensive boom" is only the first 12 minutes. Still, check it out! How about those charts at about the 10 minute mark? So much for the baseline jumper!
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NBA
Dec 31, 2023 3:41:47 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Dec 31, 2023 3:41:47 GMT
B.E., what do you think about that big Knicks trade? They acquire one of the most sought-after assets of the past few years, wing OG Anunoby from Toronto, along with Precious Achiuwa (who I think might fill a gap right now with Mitchell and Sims out as a small-ball center) and guard Malachi Flynn. But they gave up a lot of offense: RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, plus a '24 2nd.
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Post by B.E. on Dec 31, 2023 14:02:42 GMT
B.E. , what do you think about that big Knicks trade? They acquire one of the most sought-after assets of the past few years, wing OG Anunoby from Toronto, along with Precious Achiuwa (who I think might fill a gap right now with Mitchell and Sims out as a small-ball center) and guard Malachi Flynn. But they gave up a lot of offense: RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, plus a '24 2nd. And, worth noting, the 2nd round pick is Detroit's. That said, getting OG without giving up a 1st rounder is a win, I think. I don't think they make this trade if they don't have other potential trades lined up before the deadline. Maybe they trade some of their draft capital for more bench scoring. They weren't able to come to an agreement with Quickley on an extension. I don't think the Knicks thought they could afford to bring him back. I'm a pretty big RJ fan, but OG is a better defender and perimeter shooter and thus probably a better fit for the starting lineup. One thing I'm not hearing anyone mention is that RJ was/is very durable. Losing Quickley hurts. I was a pretty big fan of his, too. It's a shame that he wasn't able to redeem himself this year for his poor postseason last year. But the Knicks after a strong start have now lost three in a row after playing shorthanded last night. Not good when seeds 4-8 are separated by only 2.5 games. And we've got the Wolves coming to town tomorrow. Apparently, Achiuwa is a solid big, so he should definitely fill the void we have due to injuries. I doubt Flynn will play. The Knicks have already waived DaQuan Jeffries and gave Miles McBride a (modest) three year extension after the trade. They also have more financial flexibility moving forward, but time will tell if that will result in better play on the court. I like that the Knicks front office seems content with building around Brunson/Randle. We don't need to chase superstars. Appreciate what you have and build the best team you can given what you have.
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NBA
Dec 31, 2023 17:21:30 GMT
B.E. likes this
Post by Kapitan on Dec 31, 2023 17:21:30 GMT
I would be more surprised by this trade if it weren't a Thibs team. I have no doubt he would prefer Anunoby to Barrett by a mile. But they really did give up a lot of scoring punch with this deal. I have read that the Knicks definitely are not done, and reportedly have been looking at Atlanta's Dejounte Murray (who hasn't been a great fit beside Trae Young on a disappointing Atlanta team).
Quickley ought to be good beside Scottie Barnes, who really is a point-forward type focal point for them.
Interestingly, Toronto is also considered to still be looking at trades, with the ever-rumored Pascal Siakam possibly the guy to go so they don't have to pay a nearly 30-year-old a max deal when he's not on their younger talent (e.g., Barnes in particular) timeline. They want youth, with (coincidentally) Atlanta's Jalen Johnson a target. Makes me wonder how big this trade could have been if it were a 3-team deal, or if there is still a 3-team deal to be had between them!
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NBA
Dec 31, 2023 17:27:39 GMT
Post by B.E. on Dec 31, 2023 17:27:39 GMT
Definitely seems Thibs driven or approved. Apparently, he had benched Quickley the other night.
I just want to add as an RJ fan, I'm glad he was traded somewhere that he'd want to go and will be appreciated.
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NBA
Dec 31, 2023 17:50:46 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Dec 31, 2023 17:50:46 GMT
Definitely seems Thibs driven or approved. Apparently, he had benched Quickley the other night. I just want to add as an RJ fan, I'm glad he was traded somewhere that he'd want to go and will be appreciated.Yes, sent back home! Hopefully it's a good experience for all involved. Sometimes playing in your hometown works out great, sometimes not so much.
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Post by Kapitan on Jan 4, 2024 18:06:48 GMT
Ricky Rubio, one of my favorite players ever, agreed to a buyout with the Cavs. The move signals an end at least to his NBA career, and maybe to his professional basketball career. (He might play again in Spain.) Rubio hadn't played this season or in last summer's world championships, citing mental health concerns. While he was criticized endlessly for his poor shooting, Rubio is one of my absolute favorite players ever. Not just Timberwolves. Players. First of all, he was fun. He brought such joy to the game of basketball! Running, smiling, competing. He is one of the best passers I've ever seen, right up there with people like Magic Johnson. He wasn't just accurate with his passes--which he was, very--but imaginative and surprising. The flashy passes weren't just "empty calories," they were smart passes that nobody expected. I rate him in that regard in similar territory to Magic Johnson. And no, I'm not kidding. He was also a fantastic defender despite average quickness for a point guard. He had good size, but more importantly, great instincts and positioning. And he was a leader. Players loved being on his teams ever since he took the professional courts as a 14-year-old kid in the Spanish ACB league, widely regarded as the second-best league in basketball. I'll never forget when as a 22-year-old, second-year player, he noticed bad body language from talented but struggling 24-year-old Russian rookie Alexey Shved. He was caught on camera giving Shved a pat on the head saying " Alexey! Change [your] face. Be happy! Enjoy!" It's just beautiful! Rubio struggled with injuries several times, mostly to his left leg. He tore up his knee, had major ankle surgeries, struggled with nerve damage, and more, missing major parts of his rookie, second, and fourth NBA seasons. It took away some of his already average quickness. He tore his ACL again just a couple of years ago. What's more, he lost his mother to cancer in 2019. I'm not sure I ever saw the joy in him again after that. Whether he plays again in Spain or retires altogether, I hope he enjoys the rest of his life. He was fantastic to watch and easy to root for.
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NBA
Jan 6, 2024 13:38:40 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jan 6, 2024 13:38:40 GMT
B.E., I saw about a quarter of the Knicks v Sixers last night: NY looked awfully good. While I was watching, they were really running the lanes, moving the ball, and defending like crazy. Their spacing was good, and Brunson was unreal in the second quarter. Not that I have seen a ton of them, but they seemed to have better flow on offense than before the trade.
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NBA
Jan 7, 2024 11:50:43 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jan 7, 2024 11:50:43 GMT
Draymond Green's suspension is over, meaning "indefinitely" ended up meaning 12 games. I think that was too soft.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jan 7, 2024 12:26:15 GMT
Draymond Green's suspension is over, meaning "indefinitely" ended up meaning 12 games. I think that was too soft. That's very surprising. I was watching PTI the other night and Michael Wilbon (I know Wilbon has his critics but I think he's credible) said, and I'm paraphrasing, that Draymond still had some issues that he needs more time to work out AND then the Warriors have to evaluate him/things and that's going to take some time. Wilbon even said something to the effect that Green's issues are more serious and ingrained (my word) and would take more time to address or change than Ja Morant's. Now this. Knowing pro sports I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
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NBA
Jan 7, 2024 14:13:31 GMT
Post by B.E. on Jan 7, 2024 14:13:31 GMT
B.E. , I saw about a quarter of the Knicks v Sixers last night: NY looked awfully good. While I was watching, they were really running the lanes, moving the ball, and defending like crazy. Their spacing was good, and Brunson was unreal in the second quarter. Not that I have seen a ton of them, but they seemed to have better flow on offense than before the trade. I haven't had a chance to watch beyond highlights since the trade, but I'm loving the results! They've now won 4 in a row moving them from 8th to 4th with a 21-15 record. The Heat, Magic, Pacers, and Cavs are all 20-15! And the Sixers are only 2.5 games up on the Knicks. By the way, as a central Jersey Knicks fan - South Jersey tends to support Philly teams - nothing tops beating the Sixers . And Randle was only 1-11! Outside of that game, Brunson and Randle have been playing great lately.
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