2022-2023 NBA Regular Season Thread

[Rich]

Predictions?

West feels like a toss up. I could see any number of teams coming out of that conference, though I'd say the favorites are Phoenix and Denver.

The East should be either Milwaukee or Boston. Anyone else would be a surprise imo.

 

[foucault87]

West has 2 clear favorites in my opinion: Denver and Phx, maybe slight edge to Phx (assuming healthy KD). I think there are a few teams that could play spoiler: LAL, Sac, but probably a 70% chance one of Den/Phx is the Western champion.

For the East, I agree with Rich, that Mil and Bos are clearly 1a 1b. I dont think its crazy that one of them gets upset by us or Phi, but I dont see any team beating both of them on the way to the Finals.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Embiid wins MVP

 

[foucault87]

Austin Reaves was robbed

 

[kookoo]

Miami missing two key players and looking way better than us in New York. While the Knicks are 100% healthy. Proof that random players can be developed into key rotation pieces with good coaches.

 

[PIP]

 

[guitarguy]

JJ Reddick interviewing for Raptors HC. Perhaps there are slim pickings ;-)
Actually, he has proved that he is a hardworking determined fellow, could go either way I suppose.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

And I think some people are overrating both Phoenix (who imploded spectacularly vs. a mediocre Mavs team last year) and Durant, who is now finally showing his age and injury susceptibility...after a dismal showing via a sweep last playoffs.

The '17/18 Warriors they certainly are not.

Check Durant's stats. Phoenix is undefeated (6-0) with Durant. Durant is averaging 27 ppg for Phoenix on 72.3% (!) true shooting percentage. Yes you heard that right, that's not his foul shooting percentage, that's his OVERALL true shooting percentage.

You add that kind of production to a recent Finals team, nothing is stopping them.

Yes Durant is injury prone, that's his weakness. But his performance has really not dropped off one bit. He stays healthy, I think Phoenix is a Finals team.

 

[cavsfever]

I am totally thrilled to have been wrong! Ironically my burning hatred of Durant and fondness for Jokic clouded my vision and made me assume the worst would happen.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

I was right about Ja all along. Dude used therapy and other bullshit to get off the hook for stupidly using guns.

Dumb fuck doesn't belong in the league.

 

[Mr. Orange]

I was right about Ja all along. Dude used therapy and other bullshit to get off the hook for stupidly using guns.

Dumb fuck doesn't belong in the league.

Total slug

 

[TheISHT]

I was right about Ja all along. Dude used therapy and other bullshit to get off the hook for stupidly using guns.

Dumb fuck doesn't belong in the league.

Really, because to do therapy for a few days would magically "cure" him. Dude needs suspended for whole upcoming season and attend therapy 3 times a week for the entire year before he can apply to be reinstated. Then maybe he can claim it helped him. Not sure why the fuck it's so hard to stay off a camera with a gun in your hand. These dudes are fucking idiots.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Really, because to do therapy for a few days would magically "cure" him. Dude needs suspended for whole upcoming season and attend therapy 3 times a week for the entire year before he can apply to be reinstated. Then maybe he can claim it helped him. Not sure why the fuck it's so hard to stay off a camera with a gun in your hand. These dudes are fucking idiots.

That’s an issue too. It’s not a great move to moonlight as a gangster but to allow yourself to be recorded? That’s a shit for brains move. The NBA as a business can’t afford that.

 

[I'mWithDan]

He's clearly stuck in a stage of his life where he cares way too much about what people think. Eventually, he'll come to the realization that being "hard" or "gangster" typically isn't a choice someone makes, if option B is making $200 million and playing in the NBA. The question at this point is if he'll make the realization before or after he ruins his career. I'd better of the latter at this stage but maybe he'll prove me wrong.

 

[Alec]

This is your conclusion from them losing by two on the road in their opening game to a very good team? Seems premature

It wasn't premature.

Mavericks don’t have a path to being a real contender, barring something pretty unpredictable, during Luka’s remaining team control. Feels very first Cavs stint LeBron.

Curious what Cuban has up his sleeve.