OT: 2023-2024 NBA Season

[XXtwindad]

The best team sport in the world is back! (Just in time I might add)

Fearless prediction: Denver over Milwaukee

Wembanyama Watch: ROY? Lives up to the “greatest since LeBron hype?”

Not quite, methinks. I’m skeptical that someone with that build can sustain the rigors of an NBA season. Same problem as Zion but in reverse.

[Jaybee]

Counterpoint: aliens aren't subject to the same laws as humans.

[XXtwindad]

Counter to the counter point.

He definitely seems like a unicorn. I hope he succeeds. But he’s listed at 7’4 and 210. That is … light. He’s going to get really banged up in the post.

[Spaghetti Legs]

Ralph didn’t pan out as a great but wasn’t a bust either (still see him around my home town time to time). Durant was 215 as a rookie FWIW. I haven’t watched Wemby play yet, so looking forward to that.

One thing on my list: Chet Holmgren watch - I don’t buy into the hype last year so interested to see how he does.

[schwa86]

Having watched a little bit of the Celtics preseason out of interest given the personnel changes, they are definitely upgraded offensively, and I don’t think they have lost much on defense. Tatum clearly spent the summer in the weight room. It will come down to staying healthy IMO.

[Bob Ross]

[pinoymamba]

Warriors suck, time to trade Curry for 1st round picks.

Never not getting smoked by randoms... Okogie is still cheeks.

[TDot]

Wherever James Harden lands, things will go great 😊 . No drama or fallout will ensue.

[pinoymamba]

Originally Posted by TDot

Wherever James Harden lands, things will go great 😊 . No drama or fallout will ensue.

One thing for sure is Strip Club revenues will be up.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by pinoymamba

One thing for sure is Strip Club revenues will be up.

😂

Great for certain sectors of the local economy. Negligible impact of win-loss record. Negative impact on team chemistry.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by schwa86

Having watched a little bit of the Celtics preseason out of interest given the personnel changes, they are definitely upgraded offensively, and I don’t think they have lost much on defense. Tatum clearly spent the summer in the weight room. It will come down to staying healthy IMO.

Porziņģis and Holiday for TimeLord, Brogdon and Smart. YES!!!

[kytyree]

Anybody else see the picture of Wembanyama standing by Reggie Miller? I think it was on RM's instagram, he looks like he's 5'6" standing there.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by wc1934

Porziņģis and Holiday for TimeLord, Brogdon and Smart. YES!!!

I think Smart was the heart and soul of Boston. Porzingis is really overrated. Boston might regret this trade.

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

I think Smart was the heart and soul of Boston. Porzingis is really overrated. Boston might regret this trade.

Yes - Smart was a vocal leader - strong presence in the locker room and played great D.
But last nite Porzingis has a really nice game on both sides of the ball - Knicks were pretty ineffective in the paint - C's being able to go with 2 bigs is an added dimension.

[Jaybee]

Heard this on Zach Lowe's podcast, repeating here because I agree with it:

If you want to compete with the Nuggets in the playoffs, you won't get there with defense. There is no answer for Jokic, no one player that slows him down, no bruiser you can burn fouls on like early 2000s Shaq, no double or help scheme you throw at him that doesn't turn into an open three for one of Denver's shooters. He's seen all of the supposed best defenders at the 5 and made them all look silly in playoff situations. Bam, AD, Gobert. Ayton got played off the floor.

So you've got to make him work on his defensive end, and you do that by spacing the floor and putting him in PNR. To that end, Boston, Milwaukee and Phoenix all made really good moves to be able to go 5-out and put the ball in dependable hands when it matters. You beat Denver by making Jokic chase Lillard over the top of screens or space out to Porzingis or Brad Beal shooting a 3 instead of Chris Paul shooting a 2.

More specifically for the Celtics discussion - KP belongs in a potential Boston-Denver finals. Marcus Smart does a lot of good things, but he's not helping you beat Denver, even if he does a great job on Jamal Murray.