NBA Week 13 - Where this thread is outrageous, full of BS and shame to Northy for allowing it

[Scythe94]

PG has been absolutely unreal in the last

 

[fidstar]

Checked back into the game with a 20+ pt lead. Never seen a guy chase a rebound like this with such a deficit

Shameless

Nuggets vs Spurs earlier this year.

Final Quarter

8:25

Nikola Jokic enters the game for Julian Strawther

90

114

So, just checking that Joker can check in... all good, but damn that Embiid guy.

Why do you hate him so much?

He owns so much real estate in your head.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

22 down with 8:10 left and 18 down with 5:36 left. One of the greatest Suns comebacks I have ever seen.
KD as a small ball 5 was unbelievable on both sides of the ball. Hopefully they realise effort and defence will get results if they choose to engage.

 

[burge13]

Siakam to Pacers sounds close, weird trade isnt it? Thought he'd go to a contender

 

[Memphis]

Well, it's unlucky Week 13, which probably means we're all back at work now and forced to watch games surreptitiously on phones or spare monitors for, ahem, research purposes. Hey, how else are these threads going to get done?

Of course the NBA never sleeps, no holiday seasons off for these guys. Life as a professional hooper is a never ending circus of cross-country flights, back to backs, hold-me-back physicality and of course absolutely no load management under new league guidelines. Cough. Oh, and it also means lots and lots of work for the refs who keep the game and the Lakers humming. Shout out to those overworked, underappreciated bastions of integrity.



Sorry Fizdale, but this is now my favourite all-time rant


All this got me to thinking - how is it that the NBA's veterans manage to keep doing this, year after year? To that end, I've travelled back in time across a decade of NBA drafts to see which old timers have survived the carnage and lived to fight another day. In some cases (hello Draymond) quite literally.


Class of 2012

Unsurprisingly given this was just (and I use this word loosely given I still vividly remember celebrating the first pick despite it feeling like a lifetime ago) eleven and a half years ago, there are plenty of survivors from the Class of 2012.

Perennial All-stars Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard and Brad Beal lead the way, while fellow top-10 picks Harrison Barnes and Andre Drummond are still around. Even Fournier is still technically active too, although he sees less action than Thibs' bottle of shampoo in the shower.

Weirdly enough teams struck gold early in the second round of this draft, meaning Draymond, Khris Middleton and Jae Crowder round out our list of survivors, giving us a grand total of 9 current alumni from this class.


Class of 2011

The preceding Draft class is perhaps faring even better, with a whopping 16 players still active. Like Baby Boomers they're not just surviving, but thriving.

Heading the list are stars Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler - a fair bit of eccentricity there to go with all that talent. That's far from it however, as Jonas Valanciunas, Nik Vucevic, Tobias Harris, Reggie Jackson and Bojan Bogdanovic are all still playing integral roles for their respective teams.

Meanwhile Tristan Thompson, Bismack Biyombo, Alec Burks, the Morrii twins, Cory Joseph and Davis Bertans are just about hanging on, although one suspects not for much longer in some cases. Anyone remember Jan Vesely?


Class of 2010

Father Time has not been kind to the somewhat star-crossed class of 2010. Only Paul George and Gordon Hayward survive from this list, and the latter has hardly enjoyed a normal NBA career in the last 6-7 years.

John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Derrick Favors, Eric Bledsoe, Hassan Whiteside and Nemanja Bjelica are some of the notable draftees who have said goodbye to the league of late. Fair to say between Wall, Cousins and Hayward there have been some hard luck with injuries. Also fair to say that between Cousins, Bledsoe, Whiteside, Larry Sanders and Lance Stephenson, there were some... interesting.. characters in this class too.

Also as an added aside, drafts like these make you wonder why teams bother collecting late first round draft picks sometimes.

Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahn!


Class of 2009

Just like 2010 vis-a-vis 2011, weirdly the class of 2009 has more survivors than the 2010 lot.

There are seven players still active from this Draft, beginning with legendary stars Harden and Curry, plus the consistently excellent DeMar DeRozan and Jrue Holiday. Rounding out the seven are Pat Bev, our very own Patty and James Johnson, who was technically added recently to Indy's roster, albeit it seemingly more for his MMA prowess than his basketball skills.

The class of '09 just this month said goodbye to a couple of long-timers in Ricky Rubio and Taj Gibson (in his 58th tour of a Tom Thibodeau team), while Blake Griffin and Danny Green aren't long removed either. The ranks are certainly thinning out, but the class of '09 ain't done quite yet it would seem.

Also, this draft will never not be amusing for Hasheem Thabeet and Johnny Flynn.


Class of 2008

Alrighty, now we're really reaching far back into the depths of history.

Amazingly six of the top 10 from the 2008 draft - Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Danilo Gallinari, Eric Gordon and Brook Lopez - are still with us, albeit (Lopez aside) in much reduced supporting bench roles compared to their halcyon days.

Meanwhile the other Lopez, JaVale McGee, Nic Batum and DeAndre Jordan are just about hanging around, bringing the commendable number to survivors from the '08 class to ten. A few notable recent departees - Serge Ibaka, George Hill and Goran Dragic - also had very lengthy and successful NBA careers.

By the way, would you believe me if I told you that a guy named Joe Alexander was drafted at #8 in this draft?


Class of 2007

This was so long ago that Seattle had the second pick in this draft. Come back soon, Sonics.

Unsurprisingly only five survivors here, but four of them - Durant, Horford, Conley and Jeff Green - were picked within the first five spots in the draft, suggesting that the scouts at least did their homework that year. Of course the Blazers and Greg Oden had to be the exception.

Thad Young (#12) is the only other survivor from this class. Actually the five survivors have significantly outlasted the rest: only Marc Gasol stands out as a relatively recent departure from the league. Gasol aside, we have to harken back to the days of Jo Noah and Swaggy P - that seems a lifetime ago now.

Who would have guessed that Florida would end up as a final resting home for senior citizens?


Class of 2006

Talk about an underdog class - just two individuals have survived from 2006 and they were drafted at #24 and #35 respectively. Take a bow - or perhaps doff your cap if your aging backs won't allow it - Kyle Lowry and P.J. Tucker.

The way those two, especially Tucker, are faring at the moment, this class may actually be on the brink of extinction. What a way for a Draft that started with the announcement of Andrea Bargnani as its top pick to finish up.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, JJ Redick, Rajon Rondo and Paul Millsap were some relatively recent retirements from this class. Also, the streets will remember Brandon Roy. And Adam Morrison, albeit for entirely different reasons.


Class of 2005

CP3 keeps on trucking on, albeit with a few more pit stops than he used to. Good thing too, because as the sole remaining survivor the class of '05 would have died out a long time ago otherwise.

Lou Williams, Andrew Bogut, Marvin Williams, Channing Frye and CJ Miles were still around in relatively recent memory, but the glory days of the likes of Deron Williams, Andrew Bynum, Danny Granger, David Lee and Monta Ellis seems a long, long time ago now.

Charlotte getting the legendary Ray Felton right after Williams and CP3 were off the board was the most Bobcats thing ever.


Class of 2004

With Dwight Howard, Andre Igoudala and Trevor Ariza having ridden off into the sunset, the class of '04 is officially no more.

While the careers of the likes of Rafael Araujo, Luke Jackson, Robert Swift and Kirk Snyder will almost certainly be forgotten even after reading this sentence, we mustn't forget the 2004 Draft also provided us with Luol Deng, Al Jefferson, the immortal Josh Smith, the pipe-wielding JR Smith and the guy who gave us the funkiest jumpshot ever recreated on an NBA2K game, Kevin Martin.

And with that, we've surely reached the end of the road, right? This has to be the cutoff...

LeBron back when he used to play for the Cavaliers - well, one of the times. Also back when he had authentic hair.


Class of 2003

Well, no. Would you believe the 39-year old LeBron James, who has spent more than half his life in the league and has a SON who is about to be draft eligible, is officially the longest surviving geezer in the entire league.

It's actually remarkable when you read through a list of his accomplished draftmates - and famously this draft provided a very substantial list - and realise how long ago many of them hung up their sneakers. Carmelo, D-Wade and Kyle Korver held on as long as they could, but the likes of Chris Bosh, David West, Kirk Hinrich, Boris Diaw, Nick Collison and Mo Williams all enjoyed significant careers than spanned far above the average NBA career length... yet they all retired what seems like ages ago!

People have their theories about how LeBron does it, ranging from the laudatory to the sinister. It's probably fair to say that The King doesn't exactly expend a lot of energy at the defensive end these days, but regardless - putting up the numbers he is in his TWENTY-FIRST pro season is still a staggering feat.



Bonus Bit

Apropos of nothing, but if you were trying to choose the most consistent player in the NBA at present, I'd suggest you could hardly look farther than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Without further commentary, here are his scoring numbers since mid-November, a period covering two months and 26 games.

18/11/23 - 40 points, 18/29 shooting
19/11/23 - 28 points, 10/13 shooting
22/11/23 - 40 points, 11/19 shooting
25/11/23 - 31 points, 10/21 shooting
28/11/23 - 32 points, 13/22 shooting
30/11/23 - 33 points, 11/18 shooting
2/12/23 - 17 points, 6/13 shooting
6/12/23 - 33 points, 13/18 shooting
8/12/23 - 38 points, 15/30 shooting
11/12/23 - 30 points, 12/17 shooting
14/12/23 - 43 points, 13/27 shooting
16/12/23 - 25 points, 9/20 shooting
18/12/23 - 30 points, 8/18 shooting
21/12/23 - 31 points, 11/25 shooting
23/12/23 - 34 points, 12/21 shooting
26/12/23 - 34 points, 14/19 shooting
27/12/23 - 36 points, 13/23 shooting
29/12/23 - 40 points, 14/20 shooting
31/12/23 - 24 points, 7/15 shooting
2/1/24 - 36 points, 14/22 shooting
3/1/24 - 33 points, 11/24 shooting
5/1/24 - 34 points, 11/19 shooting
8/1/24 - 32 points, 11/17 shooting
10/1/24 - 28 points, 11/17 shooting
11/1/24 - 31 points, 11/15 shooting
13/1/24 - 37 points, 13/20 shooting

26 games, 32.7 ppg, 302/522 shooting (58%).

For a perimeter scorer, those are some staggering numbers, even by modern inflated standards.

Vote 1 for most consistent. Also, the Pels drafted his cousin - spoiler alert, he didn't turn out as well.


Coming Up


Monday - GOTD is in Minny, where the Wolves host the Clips with top-4 permutations on the line. The Bucks host the Kings - we could crack 300 points.

Tuesday - I dunno if the Wiz hosting the Pistons is GOTD, but it could be funny. Another Mavs/Pels game in Dallas, plus the Morey Cup in Philly.

Wednesday - if there's only going to be 3 games, they may as well be good ones. Clips/Thunder, Sixers/Nuggets (MVP hype) and Suns/Kings all look juicy.

Thursday - A Central derby as the Cavs host the Bucks. The shaky Lakers and Mavs square off, while the Jazz/Dubs game is intriguing for many reasons.

Friday - Jazz/Thunder is probably the pick here. Haliburton may miss the win/win trade homecoming to Sactown, while Bulls vs Raps could be close.

Saturday - Possible tasty Finals preview as Boston hosts Denver. Philly visits the injury-hit Magic, while the Pels host the Suns.

Sunday - Minny and OKC do battle for top seed in the West. Jazz and Rockets will battle for playoff position, while it's a big Knicks/Raps reunion party.


Have an outrageous week, fellas.

Darko's rant definitely one of the best rants of all time.

 

[Warsaw]

Nuggets vs Spurs earlier this year.

Final Quarter

8:25

Nikola Jokic enters the game for Julian Strawther

90

114

So, just checking that Joker can check in... all good, but damn that Embiid guy.

Why do you hate him so much?

He owns so much real estate in your head.

My guy really needs to read one of those Atomic Habits books or something.

Freud could get a whole chapter out of the DT_35 x Embiid search filter.

 

[Iceman!]

Siakam to Pacers sounds close, weird trade isnt it? Thought he'd go to a contender

Is a weird one, he has made it clear he is going to whoever pays him this year. He will i believe be eligible for a 5 year max. If i am the Pacers i don't want to make that move.

 

[stewie griffen]

 

[Memphis]

Indiana just got a whole lot better.

 

[stewie griffen]

Indiana just got a whole lot better.

Sure they did...

Halli, Buddy, Spicy P and Turner is a solid 4

Obi and TJ add to the rotation

It gets harder after that

Mind you I don't watch enough Indiana to really comment

 

[Supersuns]

Sure they did...

Halli, Buddy, Spicy P and Turner is a solid 4

Obi and TJ add to the rotation

It gets harder after that

Mind you I don't watch enough Indiana to really comment

Mathurin, Neismith, Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith all been good this year too. Genuinely think we should be pushing top 4 in the East now.

 

[Constantgin]

The pacers two rookies from 2023 draft can't get a game in Walker and Shepherd. Two of the picks they traded will be in 2024 draft likely in the 20s no chance they would of made rotation (maybe even roster) if better picks in walker and shepherd can't. So am i liking the trade more originally. Plus Brown was on 1 year + 1 player option contract so his not a great loss especially with Pacers having too many guards as it is.

Starters Hali, Buddy, Neimsmith, Siakam, Turner
Bench TJ, Mathurin, Nembhard, Obi, Jackson

With Jalen smith as extra big.

 

[peternorth]

The basketball community is mourning the passing of Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević. Here's a statement posted on X (formerly known as twitter) by the WarriorsPR



Thoughts and prayers for the Milojević family, and fidstar

The Warriors-Jazz game has been postponed.

 

[peternorth]

The Raptors will build around Schroder, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, IQ, Bruce Brown and Dick.


Ever notice you can't refer to Barnes without his first name?

 

[stewie griffen]

The Raptors will build around Schroder, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, IQ, Bruce Brown and Dick.


Ever notice you can't refer to Barnes without his first name?

Probably because of John Barnes

 

[Constantgin]

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Very good move.

I also just dont understand who else better people think they could get. He will sign on as Pacers will pay him the max.

Bruce Brown was likely also brought in on the idea of being a trade piece to be honest as Pacers quite stacked in the guard role . Draft picks dont hold too much value for Pacers at present. The current crop cant get a run and so I cant see the next lot getting a crack either.

Haliburton
Hield
Nesmith
Siakam
Turner

Nembhard, Mathurin, Toppin, Smith, McConnell

Looks good to me

 

[Memphis]

Sure they did...

Halli, Buddy, Spicy P and Turner is a solid 4

Obi and TJ add to the rotation

It gets harder after that

Mind you I don't watch enough Indiana to really comment

With siakims age and experience would fit in well to this team brings somewhat of a defensive presence to accommodate turner.

Indiana is good but they don’t play good defense would be the best way to sum them up.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

With siakims age and experience would fit in well to this team brings somewhat of a defensive presence to accommodate turner.

Indiana is good but they don’t play good defense would be the best way to sum them up.

A bit of it is by design though. With Haiburton they do wanna play very high tempo

Turner, Nesmith are okayish enough defensive players for example but this be like worst defense in history type records

 

[stewie griffen]

The Newport Beach PD has confirmed that Josh Giddy’s case is officially closed due to a lack of corroborating evidence.

Essentially, the investigation did not progress as no one involved was willing to provide information, leaving Giddey cleared of any charges.

 

[Supersuns]

A bit of it is by design though. With Haiburton they do wanna play very high tempo

Turner, Nesmith are okayish enough defensive players for example but this be like worst defense in history type records

We have been a middle of the road defence for like the last month. We should improve again with Siakam on that end, so there's good hope for a playoff run

 

[Gak Attack]

The Newport Beach PD has confirmed that Josh Giddy’s case is officially closed due to a lack of corroborating evidence.

Essentially, the investigation did not progress as no one involved was willing to provide information, leaving Giddey cleared of any charges.

I'm sure the simpletons will still boo him.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

The Newport Beach PD has confirmed that Josh Giddy’s case is officially closed due to a lack of corroborating evidence.

Essentially, the investigation did not progress as no one involved was willing to provide information, leaving Giddey cleared of any charges.

Such complete BS.

Girl lies about her age to get access to night club. Giddy hooks up with her at the Nightclub, likely because he assumes if she's in the club, she is of legal age.

Following day Giddy is made aware she is high school, immediately ends relationship.

Girl then proceeds to file complaint against Giddy.

Giddy likely will forever be the meme guy linking him with underage girls. Girl should be the one being charged.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

We have been a middle of the road defence for like the last month. We should improve again with Siakam on that end, so there's good hope for a playoff run

I wonder if Pacers decide to make a move at SG. Hield wont stay. Guy is shot hungry so wont stick it out next year and team still has movable assets. Guy like Terry Rozier could work. Imagine Charlotte would just want the rest of Indianas draft picks owed.

They should be happy to be without a 1st round pick til 2027 for example

 

[mcnulty]

Girl then proceeds to file complaint against Giddy

Girl never made the complaint. Otherwise Giddey would likely be on charges. The whole thing was stirred up by a couple of social media “sleuths”.