NBA Week 1 - Tip off October 25

[peternorth]

Arguably the most interesting game at time of publication lies in Fridays game in Philly. Currently, Jim Harden is on leave citing personal reasons. A recurring trend for the loveable beard. Prominent strip clubs in the great Philadelphia area are holding daily vigils in hope Harden will stay.

Some large trades and player movement occurred granting some fans with new found hope. In Boston, defensive stud and all rounder Jrue Holiday wll provide toughness without the marcus smart theatrics. The city has got to be confident to coming out the east. Holiday, so long Robin to Giannis Batman, will be loved. But Bostons old school faithful were most ecstatic with the signing of former lottery pick Kristaps Porziņģis and the extension of Payton Pritchard.

The other green side (thanks Kelli) in Wisconsin have a little firepower of their own. The divorce filling Dame brings clutch to Cream City. The Bucks gave up Grayson Allen for him. Pat Connaughton steps into the five. With little fanfare, Cam Payne (campaigner) adds to the bench already featuring more than handy wings in World Cup participant Bobby Portis. Let's not forget, Payne was traded to the Spurs for cash considerations.

Down south, Miami added no one.

In the West, all eyes will be on Texas with two foreigners looking to light up the state. Victor Wembenyama has provided many highlights so far in the preseason games. His reach is crazy. But can he produce this in a grinding 82 game season? Meanwhile, expect Luka to go nuclear in Dallas after the addition of Aussie superstar Dante Exum. To the north in the most oddly shaped state, OKC will be anchored by a man tipped to be their Hakeem to Victors Admiral. OKC will be rocking with their young core including Aussie superduperstar Josh Giddey, World Champion rose gold medalist SGA, J Williams, J Williams , Jack White and a million future draft picks. Veteran leadership is there in the guise of Davis Bertans. No less than 9 players on the roster identify as non American.

Also in the west, curiosity abounds in San Francisco where once fierce rivals Chris Paul and Step Curry team up. And in Phoenix, James Jones retooled citing a new NBA with Brad Beal forming a deadly offensive trio with KD and Book. Questions around who will play the point remain.

Good luck to all participating posters. Don't forget to lodge your predictions in fidstar's annual prediction thread.


Should you feel the need to traverse back in time, get your hot takes from the pre season thread here.

 

[peternorth]

To quote Tony Abbot (week 1)" is open for business"

 

[hotchilli]

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Dare say there will be a historic/world record league pass subscription/streams for Spurs games this season

 

[mumblingpie]

Imagine how good he’ll be once he puts on 10 kg of lean muscle

 

[mumblingpie]

Wiggins looked like he was back in a Cavs jersey

 

[Memphis]

Steven Adams out for the season.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

What the hell is the new NBA app? Where is the schedule/scores/literally anything useful?

 

[burge13]

What the hell is the new NBA app? Where is the schedule/scores/literally anything useful?

I hate that app now. Resorted to using flashscore last season which doesn't have the whole boxscore but it's better than the trash NBA app

 

[Jatz]

Very excited to have this back.

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Steven Adams out for the season.

Steven Adams injury update: Grizzlies big man needs knee surgery, will miss entire 2023-24 NBA season

Grizzlies going to struggle to make the plan in I fear.

 

[Memphis]

Steven Adams injury update: Grizzlies big man needs knee surgery, will miss entire 2023-24 NBA season

Grizzlies going to struggle to make the plan in I fear.

Talks they might go after Dwight Howard for a one year rental.

 

[Gak Attack]

Few Aussies got the ass.

Looks like Reath getting a two way contract though.

 

[peternorth]

Indeed. Jack White formerly of the thunder and cooks now not a wizard

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

Talks they might go after Dwight Howard for a one year rental.

They could get like Noel, Khem Birch or Gorgui Deng too. It's not hard to find C's.

 

[burge13]

Indeed. Jack White formerly of the thunder and cooks now not a wizard

Cooks unlucky. Isn't like they gave him much of a go. Taj Gibson came on before him 1 game in preseason...

Wonder if he comes back to the NBL now? I thought he signed a guaranteed contract, he won't be left wanting for money if so

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

5/$136M for McDaniels. Good stuff.

Tax team next season, let's see how long that lasts.

 

[flaps]

Go M*gic

 

[Elmer_Hauser]

Good news for Bucks fans

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

5/$136M for McDaniels. Good stuff.

Tax team next season, let's see how long that lasts.

Hilarious contract. worth 4/60 at best

T-Wolves will blow it all up in 2 years time as well so that contracts gonna be a albatross for them

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Hilarious contract. worth 4/60 at best

T-Wolves will blow it all up in 2 years time as well so that contracts gonna be a albatross for them

Thank you, your disapproval reinforces my confidence that the deal is great.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Talks they might go after Dwight Howard for a one year rental.

Would be a smart move for now but think they need to find a trade for someone grander then that. Adams probably needs to be more a 6th man next season anyway at this stage. A heap of draft picks + Clarke for Robert Wlliams III could work

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Thank you, your disapproval reinforces my confidence that the deal is great.

Im glad that 9 pt, 4 rebound career average fills you with such confidence

I definetly see the merit in that kind of statline being worth a higher salary then Jalen Brunson for sure

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Im glad that 9 pt, 4 rebound career average fills you with such confidence

I definetly see the merit in that kind of statline being worth a higher salary then Jalen Brunson for sure

Why are you using career averages for a 23yo that has just had a career-best season and continues to improve every year? Because it suits your argument, that's why.

He is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league (check the stats - comparable if not superior in many defensive categories to JJJ), 40% 3pt shooter, 61% TS. He's reliable across the board (except when he punches walls).

Cap going up means he's an easy starter with huge potential earning around 15% of the cap. Hardly an albatross contract. As a comparison point Vassell's new deal has him earning over 20%.

The deal is being roundly endorsed across social media for good reason - he's an extremely good player with a huge ceiling.

Wolves haven't got everything right but even if blowing it up becomes necessary, Ant & Jaden locked in for the next five years is a strong starting point.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Why are you using career averages for a 23yo that has just had a career-best season and continues to improve every year? Because it suits your argument, that's why.

He is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league (check the stats - comparable if not superior in many defensive categories to JJJ), 40% 3pt shooter, 61% TS. He's reliable across the board (except when he punches walls).

Cap going up means he's an easy starter with huge potential earning around 15% of the cap. Hardly an albatross contract. As a comparison point Vassell's new deal has him earning over 20%.

The deal is being roundly endorsed across social media for good reason - he's an extremely good player with a huge ceiling.

Wolves haven't got everything right but even if blowing it up becomes necessary, Ant & Jaden locked in for the next five years is a strong starting point.

His stats last year were shit anyway

He is a good perimeter defender but thats it and even then its good, not the best. He is what id call Grant Williamsesque at the rest of basketball however and not up to it

This team has best defensive PG in league, best perimter defender in the league, best defensive C in the league according to alot of so called experts and is still only 19/30 best defense in the league last year for points against..... I think maybe people are overrating some players