NBA 2022-23

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Too bad for LA LeBron decided to drive at the end instead of dishing off to Reaves or someone else to take the final shot.

[Natsinpwc]

Too bad for LA LeBron decided to drive at the end instead of dishing off to Reaves or someone else to take the final shot.

He’s old.

[Natsinpwc]

We have a terrible GM and no team culture. It sounds like LeBron really bought into Reeves and started to defer to him when Reeves was on. can you see a Wizards "star" deferring to anyone? The Wizards stars are all about stat padding so that a better team will pick them top

That sums it up. Ted needs to hit a home run with a new GM. Don’t have much confidence in him doing that. 

[HalfSmokes]

That sums it up. Ted needs to hit a home run with a new GM. Don’t have much confidence in him doing that. 

Picking in the 8-15 range, you either need a great gm with amazing luck or to be a destination for free agents, we’re neither. I think a solid rotation player is a great pickup at 10, but you can’t win with a team of rotation players. Unless Ted accepts a tank, the Wizards will stay a fringe lottery team. Never bad enough for a great pick, never good enough to contend

[Natsinpwc]

KCP, Ish Smith, and Thomas Bryant are heading to the finals

Don’t forget old man Jeff Green.

This has happened with a bunch of former Wizards who played small or boy roles in championship teams. Nick Young. Javale McGee. The important part is getting out of DC.

[Natsinpwc]

Picking in the 8-15 range, you either need a great gm with amazing luck or to be a destination for free agents, we’re neither. I think a solid rotation player is a great pickup at 10, but you can’t win with a team of rotation players. Unless Ted accepts a tank, the Wizards will stay a fringe lottery team. Never bad enough for a great pick, never good enough to contend

The Heat and Nuggets both go against the grain that you need top three picks.  Jokic late second round. Michael Porter was mid first round I think. Murray number 7. Aaron Gordon was I believe was a high pick but obtained in the Orlando fire sale.

For the Heat Jimmy was late first round. Not their pick of course. Bam mid first round. Martin. Vincent. Strus.  Robinson. All undrafted.  Lowry was late first by another team.

Golden State was built a similar way. Mid and late first round picks.

Need a good GM.

[HalfSmokes]

Jimmy was a top player who forced his way to Miami. It you look at the other teams that made the conference finials and semi-finals, they are full of very high first round picks 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Jimmy was a top player who forced his way to Miami. It you look at the other teams that made the conference finials and semi-finals, they are full of very high first round picks 

while tatum and brown were top 3 picks, i think one or both of those picks were from the trade with brooklyn. tatumi think was actually trading the top pick from brooklyn for philly's pick at #3.  moral there is trade vets for picks down the road after the vets don't contribute so the team you trade with stinks

[imref]

The Heat and Nuggets both go against the grain that you need top three picks.  Jokic late second round. Michael Porter was mid first round I think. Murray number 7. Aaron Gordon was I believe was a high pick but obtained in the Orlando fire sale.

For the Heat Jimmy was late first round. Not their pick of course. Bam mid first round. Martin. Vincent. Strus.  Robinson. All undrafted.  Lowry was late first by another team.

Golden State was built a similar way. Mid and late first round picks.

Need a good GM.

Jokic was drafted when ESPN was showing a taco bell commercial during a break in draft coverage.

[HalfSmokes]

while tatum and brown were top 3 picks, i think one or both of those picks were from the trade with brooklyn. tatumi think was actually trading the top pick from brooklyn for philly's pick at #3.  moral there is trade vets for picks down the road after the vets don't contribute so the team you trade with stinks

That trade was the gift that keeps on giving. I wonder if there has ever been a faster rise and fall in coaching than Joe Mazzula. Last year he was on the second row and an after thought as an assistant. Coach gets fired, first assistant had already been hired to coach another team and the second was hired to coach college. The guy who had no business coaching then gets named the full time coach and given an extension. He wins his first two playoff series (granted the second one was ugly) and now it looks like he's going to get fired all in the course of one season. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

That trade was the gift that keeps on giving. I wonder if there has ever been a faster rise and fall in coaching than Joe Mazzula. Last year he was on the second row and an after thought as an assistant. Coach gets fired, first assistant had already been hired to coach another team and the second was hired to coach college. The guy who had no business coaching then gets named the full time coach and given an extension. He wins his first two playoff series (granted the second one was ugly) and now it looks like he's going to get fired all in the course of one season. 

joe altobelli? at least he won a world series before he flamed out

[Natsinpwc]

Jokic was drafted when ESPN was showing a taco bell commercial during a break in draft coverage.

I bet he can put away one of those trays of Tacos they used to sell.

[Natsinpwc]

Jimmy was a top player who forced his way to Miami. It you look at the other teams that made the conference finials and semi-finals, they are full of very high first round picks

He was a top player but not a top draft pick. Number 30 I believe. Sixers made a huge mistake letting him go. Should have cut bait with Simmons.

I was just pointing out that it’s not the only way. In fact most of the overall number ones are not great. Sixers drafted Okafor and Noel. And Fultz.  Embiid was number three. Tanking is not the only way. But it would be best for the Wizards.

[HalfSmokes]

He was a top player but not a top draft pick. Number 30 I believe. Sixers made a huge mistake letting him go. Should have cut bait with Simmons.

I was just pointing out that it’s not the only way. In fact most of the overall number ones are not great. Sixers drafted Okafor and Noel. And Fultz.  Embiid was number three. Tanking is not the only way. But it would be best for the Wizards.

I agree, I just don’t see anyone forcing their was to the Wizards. It works for NYC, Miami and LA and that’s about it

[Natsinpwc]

Well no sweep in Miami tonight. And Gabe Vincent turns his ankle so Boston with a glimmer of hope.

[HalfSmokes]

Well no sweep in Miami tonight. And Gabe Vincent turns his ankle so Boston with a glimmer of hope.

Zach Lowe was saying this is the best shot a team down 3-0 will ever have to come back. On paper, Boston is already getting better shots this series, they have a much better offense and defense…. I’m going with Heat in 5

[JCA-CrystalCity]

game 5 will be interesting. did miami get caught taking the foot off the accelerator in the 3rd quarter, especially after game 3? game 5 of course is a must for the Cs, but i think going to game 6 would exponentially heighten the pressure on the heat.

[Natsinpwc]

Only have been three NBA teams to ever force a game 7 after being down 3-0.

[HalfSmokes]

game 5 will be interesting. did miami get caught taking the foot off the accelerator in the 3rd quarter, especially after game 3? game 5 of course is a must for the Cs, but i think going to game 6 would exponentially heighten the pressure on the heat.

I think heat in 5. If it gets to 6, I think the Celts win because that means the better team has momentum and confidence.

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 Butler hits three free throws to put Miami up by one with three seconds left. Incredible.

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And the Celtics tip in with .3 - onto game 7

[JCA-CrystalCity]

And the Celtics tip in with .3 - onto game 7

looked closer to 0.1 seconds before it clearly left White's hands.

barkley has the celtics 100% right. they just got content to hold the ball until 4 seconds on the shot clock and then heave a 3 point shot the entire 4th quarter. maybe miami can't beat them, but the celtics can lose to miami with bad decisionmaking. nothing going towards the basket, forced 3s rather than smooth open catch and shoot. at some point, they may pay for shortening the rotation to 7 guys.

[Natsinpwc]

Lots of talk about Celtics today on our tour in Ireland. But not those Celtics.

[imref]

Boston in serious trouble but lots of time left.

[HalfSmokes]

I wonder who is coaching Boston next year.