OFFICIAL AROUND THE NBA: OCTOBER 2023

[Phatguysrule]

This is anecdotal info but in over a decade of living in socal, even warriors gear is a rare occurrence here, including the time they were dominant, I don't think I ever noticed anyone wearing kings gear.

The point is that being a California team doesn't seem to carry much favors for them around here. I don't think California residents have the same kind of state "pride" that Texans seem to have.

Solid point. I think that's valid. And probably plays into why Sacramento hasn't had as much success landing free agents.

 

[andalusian]

I've always had the impression that to Texans, all of Texas is sacred, whereas to southern Californians, the northern half of the state may as well not exist.

I lived in both and I would agree. SoCal is it's own thing and northern Cali is it's own thing. Just remember, driving from Portland to Seattle is a 3 hour ordeal, driving from LA to San Francisco is 6 hours.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[Whyachi]

Suns warmup game vs. Pistons tomorrow.

Booker had some good things to say about Nurkic.

DB - “He (Nurk) can read a play before it develops,” Booker observed. “He can be the secondary point guard too if a team traps me and he plays in that pocket. It’s a clean exchange.”

“He’s a beast. He can play make. His IQ for a big is off the charts,” Booker added. “And he talks. He communicates with you. Somebody that you know knows the game like that — knows rotations, knows how to play. I listen to him and I try to implement it."

 

[Everything Beagle]

I don’t want to start a new thread (you’re welcome HCP) so I’ll just tuck this away here. I think Dame will have his worst season this year, *and* this season will be the best of the rest of his career. I see the nagging injuries, the bulking up, the divorce, the new team, the previous mileage as too many things to weather. In four years, the trade will look like highway robbery.

If I’m wrong you can all point and laugh. I’ll join you.

 

[inconceivable]

So bucks benched giannis middleton and dame. Not even a single minute

 

[inconceivable]

Hopefully both Viktor and Chet play tomorrow. Looking forward to see their matchup. I hope both players have healthy careers.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Glad we didn't trade for that guy, lol:

 

[andalusian]

Keon is still on the Suns roster. I thought they released him. He basically won the Suns / Pistons game in the clutch.

BTW, When the Blazers are good in 5 years or so Detroit is going to be there. They already have their big 3 in Cade, Duren and Ausar Thompson (who looks great) and a super fast 6th man in Ivey.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

BTW, When the Blazers are good in 5 years or so Detroit is going to be there. They already have their big 3 in Cade, Duren and Ausar Thompson (who looks great) and a super fast 6th man in Ivey.

They're also collecting other teams' top-3 mistakes, like Bagley (who might stick) and Wiseman (who will be out of the league in a couple of years)

 

[PDXFonz]

Glad we didn't trade for that guy, lol:

Ish like this makes me glad the NBA is back
LOL

 

[blazerfan11]

Grayson Allen was the high scorer for Phoenix on 7-11, 3-6 shooting for 18 points.
nobody better keep saying the Nurkic for Ayton trade could have been done without Allen and Milwaukee.
Allen is Simons-like.

 

[blazerfan11]

Watching Sacramento in Toronto. Who's the shot blocker for Sacramento? I wonder if Ayton can go off on them for 30 points.

They're getting murdered under the hoop by the Raptors. Easily if the Raptors get the ball up quickly.

 

[julius]

Glad we didn't trade for that guy, lol:

Didn't Jabari do that once last season?

 

[inconceivable]

Watching Sacramento in Toronto. Who's the shot blocker for Sacramento? I wonder if Ayton can go off on them for 30 points.

They're getting murdered under the hoop by the Raptors. Easily if the Raptors get the ball up quickly.

Is Sabonis not a good rim protectr?

 

[wizenheimer]

Is Sabonis not a good rim protectr?

no...he's not a rim protector or a shot intimidator. He does defend the paint decently. He's kind of a poor man's Jokic, and that isn't bad

he's quite a bit better than Ayton, but he's also paid a lot more. He's got a 5 year deal paying him 43M/year

 

[blazerfan11]

no...he's not a rim protector or a shot intimidator. He does defend the paint decently. He's kind of a poor man's Jokic, and that isn't bad

he's quite a bit better than Ayton, but he's also paid a lot more. He's got a 5 year deal paying him 43M/year

I didn't know Sabonis was making that much.

Yeah, Sabonis is great at pushing the ball down the floor and getting his teammates to cut/run the floor for his passes.

 

[KingSpeed]

Those big market things are overblown. How many championships have the Knicks and Nets won?

Also- the idea has usually been that you become a bigger star if you play in a big market but do casual fans outside of NY even know who Julius Randle is? Not to mention Jalen Brunson.

 

[KingSpeed]

When Sacramento or San Antonio are good they get the support of the whole state. Those are far larger markets than Portland can tap into.

It's not about butts in seats fior players. It's about

It's about individual sponsorships. San Antonio is an hour from a million people in Austin. Sacramento is within 2hrs from San Jose and a million people. Not to mention other large population centers in both states.

Both are far closer to far more people than Portland is, and those people reside within the same state. These are advantages Portland can't compete with market wise.

But the income tax is the bigger issue.

I don't think this is true. When the Clippers are good, they don't get the support of the whole state. They're mostly Lakers fans who don't give a shit about the Clippers.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Inside Info Leaked!
We now know why Joe wouldn't talk to Miami. You see a new player for them insulted us, time and again. Joe created a "book" on the new player, doing hours of electronic research. Who was this mystery character?

Joe: "Don't give my any of your Schmitz, I want the low down on Shep Owens."
Mike: "He's not real."
Joe: "Yeah, he's totally unreal. I've been running this simulator... and there's only one conclusion: Fuck Miami"

 

[handiman]

no...he's not a rim protector or a shot intimidator. He does defend the paint decently. He's kind of a poor man's Jokic, and that isn't bad

he's quite a bit better than Ayton, but he's also paid a lot more. He's got a 5 year deal paying him 43M/year

Ayton has elevated his game in the playoffs. Sabonis looked terrible last year against a dialed in opponent.

 

[Phatguysrule]

I don't think this is true. When the Clippers are good, they don't get the support of the whole state. They're mostly Lakers fans who don't give a shit about the Clippers.

Once again, it's about the market potential.

Which is vastly greater than true smaller markets. And it's partially why the Clippers were able to become a destination for star players. Another big part is the hottie factor.

The fact that the whole State doesn't embrace them doesn't dispute my point. But the people in the state are far more likely to support a winning team within the state than a winning team outside the state.

 

[blazerfan11]

Tomorrow October 9th.

 

[inconceivable]

View attachment 58018

Tomorrow October 9th.

Very much looking forward to see Chet vs Wemby. I think highly of both

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I don’t want to start a new thread (you’re welcome HCP) so I’ll just tuck this away here. I think Dame will have his worst season this year, *and* this season will be the best of the rest of his career. I see the nagging injuries, the bulking up, the divorce, the new team, the previous mileage as too many things to weather. In four years, the trade will look like highway robbery.

If I’m wrong you can all point and laugh. I’ll join you.

Wouldn't shock me if that's the case. There's a reason MJ Wilt Kareem LBJ are the only players older than Dame to lead a team to a title. Fortunately for Dame he can let Giannis do the bulk of the work as he never has had that help before.

But we see NBA PGs dominance in their 30s disappear in the blink of an eye. Dame also had an NBA franchise for a decade built in every way to maximize himself. Certainly could see Dame really struggle this season. He has such a high standard to hit, just being an average all-star will look like a disappointment.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

So bucks benched giannis middleton and dame. Not even a single minute

Smart. They can use the first 10 games of the season to work through their "preseason". Their plan should be to peak in April-June.

Blazers are very different, as our season could effectively end in February, so we should get ready to play at the highest level NOW.

 

[wizenheimer]

Ayton has elevated his game in the playoffs. Sabonis looked terrible last year against a dialed in opponent.

ok...although it looks like playoff Ayton has trended down:



he was pretty bad in last year's playoffs. Kind of a mixed bag

problem is that in order for playoff-Ayton to appear, Portland has to make it to the playoffs and I can't see that happening for a few years

 

[THE HCP]

Also- the idea has usually been that you become a bigger star if you play in a big market but do casual fans outside of NY even know who Julius Randle is? Not to mention Jalen Brunson.

You’re crazy. You just used two of the leagues most BORING players…… You put JA or SGA in Madison Square Garden and they go global. Vinsanity was what it was BECAUSE it was in NYC….he does that playing for Utah, they wouldn’t be making a documentary out of it.
Now can somebody make money on sponsors in a small market, hell yeah they can, used to not, but now that isn’t as big of an issue.

 

[handiman]

ok...although it looks like playoff Ayton has trended down:

Well yeah, he was at his best in their run to the Finals and hasn't been happy with his role there since. The stats reflect why he wanted out.

he was pretty bad in last year's playoffs. Kind of a mixed bag

So, you're ignoring the other half of the comparison, namely how bad Sabonis was in last year's playoffs?