By DY_nasty Go To PostBasically
Luka has the ability to be great defender. That makes his lapses and IDGAF that much harder to process
I honestly think he's juiced up on whatever they're shooting him up with that he's just out of it lmao. dude is falling apart
I don't expect galaxy brain to ever be a great defender because he's 6'2"
Luka is a totally different story but dude's so up in arms about refs instead of shutting up and playing defense that it costs him when it counts. Over and over again.
They also need to get Lively shooting 3s again and also get role players that shoot better than this while playing the same level of defense. But if they did that, they'd have a team as expensive as the Cs and there's no path for that to happen unless you're a prestige team like they are.
Luka is a totally different story but dude's so up in arms about refs instead of shutting up and playing defense that it costs him when it counts. Over and over again.
They also need to get Lively shooting 3s again and also get role players that shoot better than this while playing the same level of defense. But if they did that, they'd have a team as expensive as the Cs and there's no path for that to happen unless you're a prestige team like they are.
By Christberg Go To PostI don't expect galaxy brain to ever be a great defender because he's 6'2"Yeah I kind of feel like the league just needs to wait out this iteration of the Celtics... 3/6 of their top 6 are going to be 30+ next year and Porzingis is made of glass, they'll regress faster than people think even if they can keep everyone under contract. As Hollinger pointed out in an article he wrote towards the end of the season (before the playoffs) when it was already clear they were leagues ahead of everyone else, it doesn't feel like a team built like theirs can become the norm because by definition most players aren't going to shoot way above average from three. Feels to me like trying to build a team that can reliably beat them (rather than just have a puncher's chance if they get lucky) is a fool's errand.
Luka is a totally different story but dude's so up in arms about refs instead of shutting up and playing defense that it costs him when it counts. Over and over again.
They also need to get Lively shooting 3s again and also get role players that shoot better than this while playing the same level of defense. But if they did that, they'd have a team as expensive as the Cs and there's no path for that to happen unless you're a prestige team like they are.
By Sharp Go To PostYeah I kind of feel like the league just needs to wait out this iteration of the Celtics… 3/6 of their top 6 are going to be 30+ next year and Porzingis is made of glass, they'll regress faster than people think even if they can keep everyone under contract. As Hollinger pointed out in an article he wrote towards the end of the season (before the playoffs) when it was already clear they were leagues ahead of everyone else, it doesn't feel like a team built like theirs can become the norm because by definition most players aren't going to shoot way above average from three. Feels to me like trying to build a team that can reliably beat them (rather than just have a puncher's chance if they get lucky) is a fool's errand.
Works for me!
All joking aside, I think they'll regress cause their payroll will make it prohibitive to keep this going. Jrue got a big extension, Jaylen's big payday, Tatum, White AND Porzingis are due.
Is KP really gonna get extended with Boston? Seems doubtful.
That's also the Wizards timeline. Maybe it's not a coincidence that the two GMs that traded with Boston this offseason are the ones that seem prepared to tank for the next few years.
By DY_nasty Go To PostMaybe they keep KP, but White? I don't see how they keep himGiven they just gave Jrue a 4yr/$134m extension, it feels like they already made their choice.
By Sharp Go To PostThat's also the Wizards timeline. Maybe it's not a coincidence that the two GMs that traded with Boston this offseason are the ones that seem prepared to tank for the next few years.
The Wizards didn't get any draft capital out of the KP deal with Boston.
By DY_nasty Go To PostMaybe they keep KP, but White? I don't see how they keep himThey are apparently working to extend him. I think they're just committed to going into the second apron. Don't really blame them, even if you think it's all going to fall apart in two years at most you'd always risk that for this kind of team.
By reilo Go To PostThe Wizards had absolutely no assets when the new FO took over, they had to get KP out in order to tank properly and I think they knew they were gifting Boston a superteam by trading with them. I complained at the time that the moves we were making only made sense if we planned to tank for like three or four straight seasons, though that was more in the context of taking on Poole's contract. I'm saying that the Blazers and Wizards are (as of now) the only teams that seem to actually have had a desire to tank for a few years starting this season, and are also the two teams that gave the Celtics their final pieces.
The Wizards didn't get any draft capital out of the KP deal with Boston.
By Sharp Go To PostThe Wizards had absolutely no assets when the new FO took over, they had to get KP out in order to tank properly and I think they knew they were gifting Boston a superteam by trading with them. I complained at the time that the move only made sense if we planned to tank for like three or four straight seasons.Yea just seems strange that the Wizards did not get a single FRP out of it. The pick the Grizzlies gave to Boston for Smart was the 2024 Warriors pick, which Boston then traded to Portland for Jrue/Brogdon&Timelord.
In the end, Portland got TWO FRP straight-up for Jrue (might land 1 more FRP when they trade Brogdon), and Wizards got none for KP.
By reilo Go To PostYea just seems strange that the Wizards got not a single FRP out of it. The pick the Grizzlies gave to Boston for Smart was the 2024 Warriors pick, which Boston then traded to Portland for Jrue/Brogdon&Timelord.Wiz had zero leverage, he wasn't going to opt into his player option if they didn't trade him to the Celtics. Basically the two options were get something back, or get nothing back. It was effectively a free agency signing.
Given what we know now about how the Celtics' moves worked out and how good the next few draft classes are, I honestly don't mind the moves Dawkins made. I just wish the Wizards didn't hire him after the Wemby draft year (although TBH they still had like 6/11 odds for the final lottery ball so maybe it didn't really matter... though, maybe the Wiz never would have traded KP if Victor landed in Washington and this whole debacle wouldn't have happened...).
By Sharp Go To PostThey are apparently working to extend him. I think they're just committed to going into the second apron. Don't really blame them, even if you think it's all going to fall apart in two years at most you'd always risk that for this kind of team.it would be in his best interest by far to hit open market. worse players than him get max'd and teams will be begging for high level vet pg play now that GMs can't simply trade big names in a circle anymore
By DY_nasty Go To Postit would be in his best interest by far to hit open market. worse players than him get max'd and teams will be begging for high level vet pg play now that GMs can't simply trade big names in a circle anymoreI think he can probably get a max elsewhere but I also think he will probably take a slightly below market contract if he thinks he can threepeat, lol.
By Kuma Go To PostI think White is gone and Al is about to retireThat's the best case scenario for the league so hopefully you're right.
By DY_nasty Go To Postit would be in his best interest by far to hit open market. worse players than him get max'd and teams will be begging for high level vet pg play now that GMs can't simply trade big names in a circle anymoreCan't he go back to San Antonio as a UFA?
By Kuma Go To PostIf you are Dallas do you want to go back to Boston for a closeout game?i think not getting swept is better than getting swept lol
maybe we'll get the 1 Luka supernova game where he outscores a team in a quarter. That's the only way they can steal one
Pat McAfee needs to go look who signs his checks and who generates eyeballs for him
And Shams was 100% wrong and JJ even alluded to it. They haven't even interviewed him.
And Shams was 100% wrong and JJ even alluded to it. They haven't even interviewed him.
By jjasper Go To PostThey literally got rejected by their guy🤣
How can you take a victory lap when it was clear you were wrong?
By domino Go To Postare they using the same accounting that the nba teams use during lockouts to show that they are also losing money?
Holy shit
the fever win but the vibes on the court still seem real dang bad. the players don't seem to be on the same page with each other at all.
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ooh, this mercury-aces game is going down to the wire!
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ooh, this mercury-aces game is going down to the wire!
By domino Go To Post
Holy shit
Their media deal expires this year, they're going to be fine. It's even in their own article
And a new media-rights deal coupled with all this interest will certainly help WNBA revenue in the future. (According to the Post, that media revenue alone could increase from $60 million annually to $180 million to $200 million, if not higher.)
By diehard Go To Postwould a WNBA thread be beneficialI don’t think that will raise 50m m8
By Kibner Go To Postthe fever win but the vibes on the court still seem real dang bad. the players don't seem to be on the same page with each other at all.
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ooh, this mercury-aces game is going down to the wire!
Theyre caught between two styles, Clark and Bostons games don't mix at all
By FortuneFaded Go To PostI don’t think that will raise 50m m8
Hahahaha.
The excessive focus on Luka's defense when the Mavs can't score 100 in any game is kind of silly. Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, and Maxi Kleber are contributing absolutely nothing in this series while their combined salaries basically amount to a near-max player. Combine that with Derrick Jones and Lively playing more like you'd expect for players of their salary/experience and Kyrie being locked in the phantom zone for the first two games and it's kind of ridiculous to think Luka could overcome that by himself. Like sure it'd be better if he stopped whining about fouls and was healthier but he could do that and Boston would still have way more depth and experience, so...
By Branduil Go To PostThe excessive focus on Luka's defense when the Mavs can't score 100 in any game is kind of silly. Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, and Maxi Kleber are contributing absolutely nothing in this series while their combined salaries basically amount to a near-max player. Combine that with Derrick Jones and Lively playing more like you'd expect for players of their salary/experience and Kyrie being locked in the phantom zone for the first two games and it's kind of ridiculous to think Luka could overcome that by himself. Like sure it'd be better if he stopped whining about fouls and was healthier but he could do that and Boston would still have way more depth and experience, so…it's honestly so dumb. people calling him a not winning player as they are there in the Finals lol. He had to win a few times to get there no? Yeah it's stupid when he whines and takes plays off to yell at a ref, but holy crap so are these takes.
Its really hard to be a main option on offense and give a fuck on defense. Thats where many guys in that role take plays off...the issue is that Kyrie is also tagetable so Luka can't really hide either.
By reilo Go To PostHe has more fouls than field goals in the fourth quarter this serieshe also has the most points, rebounds, assists (and steals lmao) in the playoffs.
the role players just haven't done anything in the finals.
Harden wishes he got to sniff the finals lol (the thunder stuff doesn't count since he wasn't the guy)
Sports discussions are honestly so dumb. The Mavs are clearly outmatched, Luka is beyond dinged up, the role players legitimately have done nothing, but it is somehow 1 dude's fault they're losing???
Sports discussions are honestly so dumb. The Mavs are clearly outmatched, Luka is beyond dinged up, the role players legitimately have done nothing, but it is somehow 1 dude's fault they're losing???
Bro he's been absolute ass on one end, constantly complaining, and invisible in the fourth. It's okay to admit he hasn't played at his best.
This isn't Cleveland Lebron.
This isn't Cleveland Lebron.
By reilo Go To PostBro he's been absolute ass on one end, constantly complaining, and invisible in the fourth. It's okay to admit he hasn't played at his best.Yeah, he hasn't played his best, but all this talk about how he doesn't contribute to winning is just beyond absurd. Luka has sucked, but beyond that he also hasn't had help. Kyrie didn't show up until game 3.
This isn't Cleveland Lebron.
Nobody said that
People said he needs to cut out the nonsense because it's a detriment to his team's chances of winning -- which is absolutely correct
People said he needs to cut out the nonsense because it's a detriment to his team's chances of winning -- which is absolutely correct
it is super frustrating, because he has shown he can just not complain to the refs like he did in the Thunder series after he was called out. It makes no sense why he can't do that all the time.
Maybe these finals will be what finally wakes him up, he's been able to get away with it up until now.
Maybe these finals will be what finally wakes him up, he's been able to get away with it up until now.
His defense has been terrible, there's no extra effort either. Once you're by him he's not helping the helper.
Even average defense from him would probably have this series looking different, but he's out of shape so there's that.
Even average defense from him would probably have this series looking different, but he's out of shape so there's that.