NBA Thread

[Demo]

Have developed such a hatred for the step in charge that I’d have been fine with Thompson laying Merrill out and then Merrill being called for a block. 

[Demo]

This might be, no kidding, the greatest play I’ve ever seen. He makes up 12’ from the time SGA picks up the dribble to the time it leaves his hand. Speechless. 1 of 1 is a wildly overused term, but here literally no one else in the history of the world makes that play. The combination of length, movement and processing is simply unique. And the announcers barely notice because the dude is such a freak.

[Hovadipo]

Pacers had some all-timers last year, but that was one of the most fun games I’ve watched in a really long time. I hope SA sweeps. 

[Pagoda]

42 minutes ago, Demo said:

This might be, no kidding, the greatest play I’ve ever seen. He makes up 12’ from the time SGA picks up the dribble to the time it leaves his hand. Speechless. 1 of 1 is a wildly overused term, but here literally no one else in the history of the world makes that play. The combination of length, movement and processing is simply unique. And the announcers barely notice because the dude is such a freak.

For sure.  I really like that he's fiery too. 

I don't follow the NBA closely, but I think he's already the real MVP (not SGA) given his two way impact.  He's the best defender in the league and maybe ever, plus 25 ppg on the other end?  Pretty obvious imo. 

I hope he says healthy and hopefully they take down OKC.

[Hovadipo]

5 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

I hope he says healthy and hopefully they take down OKC.

Playing 48/53 minutes (while dominating) and being built like a car dealership air dancer is just unfathomable.

[Demo]

8 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

Playing 48/53 minutes (while dominating) and being built like a car dealership air dancer is just unfathomable.

Yup. We need to enjoy him while we can because there is a 0% chance he has a long career. The last mostly healthy year Ralph Sampson  had he was 28 or 29. Imagine it’ll be kind of like that.

[Hovadipo]

20 minutes ago, Demo said:

Yup. We need to enjoy him while we can because there is a 0% chance he has a long career. The last mostly healthy year Ralph Sampson  had he was 28 or 29. Imagine it’ll be kind of like that.

The only thing that gives me hope for him is he's been taking care of his body/legs militantly for as long as he's known he's an alien. I remember reading or watching something about how his team takes care of his lower body and it's a full time job.

Even if all that works for an extended period, I can't see this going past 30. Which would be unfortunate because watching him hate-dominate the Thunder last night was quite the experience.

[Demo]

Atkinson in the last 5 mins of regulation and OT was as bad as he could have been. Can’t believe I just watched a coach with 4 TO’s let a run get to 19-1 before he stopped it. Harden was terrible all night on both ends and basically unplayable as the Knicks hunted him every single possession in the last 5 mins and OT and his solution was to shade Brunson with him when he’s not remotely quick enough to recover and to actually put the ball in his hands more than Mitchell’s. The Cleveland press needs to slaughter him because he richly deserves it. 

[Demo]

Outstanding

[HoosierHoopster]

On 5/19/2026 at 7:24 AM, Demo said:

This might be, no kidding, the greatest play I’ve ever seen. He makes up 12’ from the time SGA picks up the dribble to the time it leaves his hand. Speechless. 1 of 1 is a wildly overused term, but here literally no one else in the history of the world makes that play. The combination of length, movement and processing is simply unique. And the announcers barely notice because the dude is such a freak.

Wemby is appropriately called the Alien, he's completely unreal, there's never been another player like him, fluid, exceptionally skilled on and off ball, exceptional basket IQ, two-way player who can and does block anyone anywhere and then can score on anyone literally anywhere, inside and out, from the arc, on beautiful movement to and above the rim, and all while towering over everyone at 7'4 - 7'5. Closest player skill-wise imo was Tim Duncan as the "Big Fundamental" (maybe Olajuwon) but as much as I enjoyed watching Duncan play I think Wemby would leave him flat footed. Dude is hands down the best player in the League, no slight intended to Joker (Jokic). 

[rayl456]

33 minutes ago, HoosierHoopster said:

Wemby is appropriately called the Alien, he's completely unreal, there's never been another player like him, fluid, exceptionally skilled on and off ball, exceptional basket IQ, two-way player who can and does block anyone anywhere and then can score on anyone literally anywhere, inside and out, from the arc, on beautiful movement to and above the rim, and all while towering over everyone at 7'4 - 7'5. Closest player skill-wise imo was Tim Duncan as the "Big Fundamental" (maybe Olajuwon) but as much as I enjoyed watching Duncan play I think Wemby would leave him flat footed. Dude is hands down the best player in the League, no slight intended to Joker (Jokic). 

I saw a video of him taking and making a 28ft jump shot sometime recently.  He looked as smooth and natural as any all pro guard.  He’s truly amazing.

[HoosierHoopster]

What the Thunder did to Wemby in G2 was so abominably bad it was criminal. Think that was the most obvious game of deliberate non-calls including flagrant fouls I’ve ever seen. The clips and still shots after the game are just laughable— with the ref standing right there looking at held arms, pulled hair, literal wrap around arms, stepping on feet, just crazy obvious and all game long with the refs just letting Wemby get mauled. Pathetic. 
I’d bet the Spurs destroy the dirty Thunder in G3, and then the world will be watching for more complete BS in G4. 
Spurs in 6, maybe 7. 
 

[Brass Cannon]

8 minutes ago, HoosierHoopster said:

What the Thunder did to Wemby in G2 was so abominably bad it was criminal. Think that was the most obvious game of deliberate non-calls including flagrant fouls I’ve ever seen. The clips and still shots after the game are just laughable— with the ref standing right there looking at held arms, pulled hair, literal wrap around arms, stepping on feet, just crazy obvious and all game long with the refs just letting Wemby get mauled. Pathetic. 
I’d bet the Spurs destroy the dirty Thunder in G3, and then the world will be watching for more complete BS in G4. 
Spurs in 6, maybe 7. 
 

NBA is basically wrestling at this point.  

[BtownStrength]

3 hours ago, Brass Cannon said:

NBA is basically wrestling at this point.  

I grew up loving both NBA and college basketball. Watched as many games as I could, playoff time I wouldn't leave the TV. I hate to sound like a "back in my day" trope, but the product now is borderline unwatchable between officiating and flopping. Add in the not at all subtle gambling ties and the Aspiration scandal, and the integrity of the game is compromised. It should be an outstanding product when players today are so talented, bigs like Jokic and Wemby are ridiculously entertaining. Adam Silver is tanking both the on-the-floor product and the credibility of the results. 

[Demo]

To quote the great John Bender in The Breakfast Club:

Not Even Close, Bud!

That would be a more glaring fix than Luka.

[Pagoda]

8 hours ago, BtownStrength said:

I grew up loving both NBA and college basketball. Watched as many games as I could, playoff time I wouldn't leave the TV. I hate to sound like a "back in my day" trope, but the product now is borderline unwatchable between officiating and flopping. Add in the not at all subtle gambling ties and the Aspiration scandal, and the integrity of the game is compromised. It should be an outstanding product when players today are so talented, bigs like Jokic and Wemby are ridiculously entertaining. Adam Silver is tanking both the on-the-floor product and the credibility of the results. 

I really don't know why they don't get rid of the foul baiting/flopping/simulation.  All the fans hate it.  Heck, I think soccer has done a pretty good job with yellows and reds for diving and simulation.  There has to be a solution.  I'd rather the refs just take control of the game and not call it.  If they can't, have a postgame review with severe penalties for whatever they see on replay.  I'm am talking SEVERE -- like $500K per occurrence and suspensions after a few occurrences.  

Then, and it's ironic, I watch Wemby get absolutely mauled in game 2 vs. OKC.  Probably fouled 20-25 times.  Just ridiculous.  Though I suppose it's a tale as old as time with unstoppable players.  Kareem, Jordan Rules, Hack and Shaq, etc.

And lastly, I really can't stand the gather and all the variable pivot foot/traveling stuff.  First off, fundamentally if a player is moving they are supposed to be dribbling.  It's an art to do it, especially without egregious carrying.  It also makes the game more horizontal as players euro there and step there to get open (Ben from Think BBall made this point).  After all these steps the players can't really jump.  Part of what makes basketball so amazing is the verticality of the best athletes in the world.   I think all the steps allowed are visual negative with getting the game horizontal.

Anyways, I am 100% an "old head"... but that doesn't mean we're wrong.  It kinda stinks because the players' skill level is incredible, really amazing.  It could be showcased better than is now by sticking to the rules.

But, I'm a casual fan so whatever, I don't care much.  Just some observations.

[jermhoosierfan]

2 hours ago, Demo said:

To quote the great John Bender in The Breakfast Club:

Not Even Close, Bud!

That would be a more glaring fix than Luka.

OKC has the picks to do it with like 13 first rounders in the next 5 years along with about as many 2nd rounders.  If they wanted Giannis, they can send Holmgren and 2 of each round.  I bet they would get him.

[Demo]

5 minutes ago, jermhoosierfan said:

OKC has the picks to do it with like 13 first rounders in the next 5 years along with about as many 2nd rounders.  If they wanted Giannis, they can send Holmgren and 2 of each round.  I bet they would get him.

What OKC has done in the way of both player acquisition and asset management is as good as you can do it. I’m not sure if it’s even a model for other orgs because I’m not sure it can even be replicated. Just amazing.

[str8baller]

55 minutes ago, Demo said:

What OKC has done in the way of both player acquisition and asset management is as good as you can do it. I’m not sure if it’s even a model for other orgs because I’m not sure it can even be replicated. Just amazing.

They basically spent five years tanking making every trade a chance to grab more picks. And presti kind of drafts like the pacers in that he always takes long athletic guys hoping to hit the lottery. But where he was smart was standing firm and insisting SGA be in the trade. 
 

Makes me doubly pissed thinking about how the Pacers got crapped on for being bad one freaking year on the back of an injury to their all world PG. 

[Demo]

And yet he goes down like he’s having a seizure on every shot attempt.

Weird