NBA 2023-24

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I'm in Latvia, this part of the world is going freaknuts. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Because of Toms Skujns setting up Matthias Skjelmose's winning move in the Maryland Classic?

[Natsinpwc]

I'm in Latvia, this part of the world is going freaknuts.

Tough loss. More resistance than in WW2.

[imref]

I'm in Latvia, this part of the world is going freaknuts. 

When I hear "Latvia", I think of this:

[Natsinpwc]

Canada pulls away from Slovenia in the second half.  So USA, Canada, Germany and someone else in the semis. Not sure of the schedule.

[Natsinpwc]

Ok so Canada plays Serbia and USA plays Germany. On Friday morning.

[HalfSmokes]

Canada pulls away from Slovenia in the second half.  So USA, Canada, Germany and someone else in the semis. Not sure of the schedule.

Luka already in playoff form

[Natsinpwc]

Luka already in playoff form

More interested in arguing with the referees than playing defense.

[HalfSmokes]

More interested in arguing with the referees than playing defense.

Putting up good numbers in a series ending loss

[Natsinpwc]

USA and Canada will meet. For third place. So much for all the NBA talent being Feb difference.

[Natsinpwc]

Latvia beating up on their Baltic brothers. By 30 over Lithuania in the third quarter in the 5th place game. Don’t even need the Latvian Laser as he has been quiet.

[imref]

Huge trade per woje:

Damien Lillard goes Milwaukee as part of a 3-team deal with Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 unprotected MIL 1st, and unprotected MIL swap rights in 2028 and 2030 to Blazers. Phoenix lands Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson.

[Natsinpwc]

I would assume they will be look to flip Holliday and maybe Ayton at the trade deadline.  I guess Miami and Philly must be sad. More competition for the Wizards tanking. 

[HalfSmokes]

Sucks for Holliday. Unless Dame learns to play defense, I don’t see the Bucks making it out of the east

[Natsinpwc]

Sucks for Holliday. Unless Dame learns to play defense, I don’t see the Bucks making it out of the east

I’m sure Holliday will end up on a contender at the trade deadline.

Bucks had to do something to keep Giannis. Will see if it works.

[HalfSmokes]

I’m sure Holliday will end up on a contender at the trade deadline.

Bucks had to do something to keep Giannis. Will see if it works.

I think this pushes the Bucks all in for the next two years. Giannis has a player option for 25-26. At that point, there is a very good chance the Lillard is just cooked.

[Natsinpwc]

I think this pushes the Bucks all in for the next two years. Giannis has a player option for 25-26. At that point, there is a very good chance the Lillard is just cooked.

Probably they figure they will lose him at that time anyway so why not go all in now.  They really had problems end of games with their offense. The trade helps with that. Will the defensive drop offset that?  Maybe. More exciting basketball for their fans also.

[HalfSmokes]

Probably they figure they will lose him at that time anyway so why not go all in now.  They really had problems end of games with their offense. The trade helps with that. Will the defensive drop offset that?  Maybe. More exciting basketball for their fans also.

They’ll have the best pick and roll in basketball and kill it in the regular season, but I think defense comes back to haunt them in the playoffs

[HalfSmokes]

From a Phoenix perspective, now that Ayrron was traded for nothing after being drafted ahead of Luka, Jaren Jackson Jr., Young, Bridges, and SGA, is he the worst pick ever? There have been terrible number 1 overalls (Anthony Bennett, but the only really good player taken after him was Giannis who was an own known). What makes Ayton (and Bagley) so bad is that the guys after them were hyped. People were screaming that Luka was going to be a great, and those teams both passed and they didn't pass for one of the other guys at the top of the draft who ended up being good to great, the passed for a bust