2025-26 NBA Season

[TheMarathonContinues]

You know what would make this comparison even better? You have Azzi Fudd and Paige both former Uconn teammates. Well, Cooper and Boozer we also former teammates from Duke.
Maybe? Maybe?

I’d take Boozer but man I hope they don’t get him. Something is off about his game to me.

 

[VaqueroTD]

I mean Harper can’t even start for Spurs. I think Castle could though he’s exactly what they love. He’d be a better Cason Wallace. Castle just needs to improve his jumper. Sky is the limit if he can do that.

I never been a big Harper fan. Hated that pick for Spurs because they had Fox and Castle but I understood he was a consensus 2nd overall player pick.

Darren Woodson couldn't start for the Cowboys his rookie year. Even Larry Allen wasn't a starter and only moved in due to injuries. How about credit to so much depth instead of saying it's indicative of his performance? Harper will be a stud in this league. Highly unusual for a rookie in the NBA to be so unselfish.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Darren Woodson couldn't start for the Cowboys his rookie year. Even Larry Allen wasn't a starter and only moved in due to injuries. How about credit to so much depth instead of saying it's indicative of his performance? Harper will be a stud in this league. Highly unusual for a rookie in the NBA to be so unselfish.

The person I replied to said Wallace and Castle couldn’t start for Thunder. I was saying he can’t start for Spurs either so he for sure can’t start over SGa.

Harper may be a stud. I just personally don’t see it and never have. But I’ve been wrong before. Hell I was wrong on Flagg and Kon. They are far more advanced then I thought they would be.

 

[ratkinson]

I know that the Warriors championship run is over, but Curry and Draymond went back in time for that win against the Clippers.
Great win for my Warriors!

 

[darthseinfeld]

I know that the Warriors championship run is over, but Curry and Draymond went back in time for that win against the Clippers.
Great win for my Warriors!

If Butler had stayed healthy, I thought they could be a real darkhorse going into the season. Younger teams need to watch out for their them though. Cant remember if it was Tatum ir Brown that had said losing to GSW in 2023 was key because the Celtics learned there was a whole level of intensity that they needed to be at. And that was a team that had been to many EFC's prior

 

[ratkinson]

If Butler had stayed healthy, I thought they could be a real darkhorse going into the season. Younger teams need to watch out for their them though. Cant remember if it was Tatum ir Brown that had said losing to GSW in 2023 was key because the Celtics learned there was a whole level of intensity that they needed to be at. And that was a team that had been to many EFC's prior

Yep, when Butler went down they were done. Sad to see, but that's what happens when your best players are older vets. Injuries tend to multiply.
I felt last year's team really had a shot, but they just couldn't hold it together.
Boston definitely learned a great deal from that championship series loss to the Warriors. I was impressed by their growth, especially after winning the title two years later-with a different head coach.

 

[Robbieac]

I know that the Warriors championship run is over, but Curry and Draymond went back in time for that win against the Clippers.
Great win for my Warriors!

Great win by the GSW.
And by knocking out the Clippers, they helped hand OKC another lottery draft pick. Lol.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Yep, when Butler went down they were done. Sad to see, but that's what happens when your best players are older vets. Injuries tend to multiply.
I felt last year's team really had a shot, but they just couldn't hold it together.
Boston definitely learned a great deal from that championship series loss to the Warriors. I was impressed by their growth, especially after winning the title two years later-with a different head coach.

Green is close with Tatum and Brown and Tatum was saying Green completely shunned him that whole series. Then he got into Browns head

 

[ghst187]

Great win by the GSW.
And by knocking out the Clippers, they helped hand OKC another lottery draft pick. Lol.

Omg imagine OKC with a top 3 seed pick in this draft…..of course they may need it the spurs are looking pretty loaded for the near future too.

 

[ratkinson]

Green is close with Tatum and Brown and Tatum was saying Green completely shunned him that whole series. Then he got into Browns head

Lol, I've seen Draymond get into the heads of many players during his HOF career. He has a natural skill for ****ing folks off and disrupting their rhythm.
He reminds me of Piston "Bad Boy" Bill Laimbeer in his ability to play that role.
They just went about it differently.
Green is a true defensive enforcer who's hated by fans throughout the league...but if he plays for your team...
Tonight's match-up against the Suns should be entertaining if the Warriors can keep their momentum.
Draymond will be defending Dillon Brooks at some point in the game. I can't wait to see it - they hate one another...Lol

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

If Butler had stayed healthy, I thought they could be a real darkhorse going into the season. Younger teams need to watch out for their them though. Cant remember if it was Tatum ir Brown that had said losing to GSW in 2023 was key because the Celtics learned there was a whole level of intensity that they needed to be at. And that was a team that had been to many EFC's prior

They just don’t have enough talent even with Butler. They were food for Thunder or Spurs or Nuggets.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Omg imagine OKC with a top 3 seed pick in this draft…..of course they may need it the spurs are looking pretty loaded for the near future too.

Okc has talent that hasn’t even played yet. They are like 15 deep lol

 

[Robbieac]

Okc has talent that hasn’t even played yet. They are like 15 deep lol

100% correct. Most teams are lucky to have 8 somewhat decent players.
OKC on the other hand currently has about 12 players who would START on just about every team in the league. And that doesn’t even include their last 2 first round picks that haven’t or barely even played due to injuries.

And on top of that, they are getting another lottery pick this year and they also get a 1st round pick swap next year with the Clippers.

Sam Presti, the OKC GM, is an absolute genius. It’s amazing how good he is at his job. He’s literally the exact opposite of the Cowboys’ GM.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

100% correct. Most teams are lucky to have 8 somewhat decent players.
OKC on the other hand currently has about 12 players who would START on just about every team in the league. And that doesn’t even include their last 2 first round picks that haven’t or barely even played due to injuries.

And on top of that, they are getting another lottery pick this year and they also get a 1st round pick swap next year with the Clippers.

Sam Presti, the OKC GM, is an absolute genius. It’s amazing how good he is at his job. He’s literally the exact opposite of the Cowboys’ GM.

I’ll defend Jerry here though…..nobody sniffs Presti. I honestly can’t think of a bad move in this new era.

 

[VaqueroTD]

I’ll defend Jerry here though…..nobody sniffs Presti. I honestly can’t think of a bad move in this new era.

I'm not dissing Presti because he was once part of that great GM/Coach team that built my Spurs dynasty. Honestly, without him the Spurs wouldn't have drafted Tony Parker. Popovich was about to pull out of the draft pick because of a poor workout but Presti saved him with some French highlight reels. But he is human and his first attempt fell apart. The Harden/KD/Westbrook years. That Thunder team once looked like the NBA's future too. But at least he has a title with this new group. We'll see. They have to play the games first. I still believe my Spurs will overtake them. We match up very well. We can beat their small ball lineup, and when they go big, Holmgren is basically Wemby Lite, and our defense is just as smothering. Spurs also have just as much depth with 2 legit 6th man award candidates in KJ and Harper.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I'm not dissing Presti because he was once part of that great GM/Coach team that built my Spurs dynasty. Honestly, without him the Spurs wouldn't have drafted Tony Parker. Popovich was about to pull out of the draft pick because of a poor workout but Presti saved him with some French highlight reels. But he is human and his first attempt fell apart. The Harden/KD/Westbrook years. That Thunder team once looked like the NBA's future too. But at least he has a title with this new group. We'll see. They have to play the games first. I still believe my Spurs will overtake them. We match up very well. We can beat their small ball lineup, and when they go big, Holmgren is basically Wemby Lite, and our defense is just as smothering. Spurs also have just as much depth with 2 legit 6th man award candidates in KJ and Harper.

Harden, KD and Westbrook are potential hall of famers. He also drafted guys like Ibaka, Stephen Adam’s and Dennis Schroeder. That wasn’t a mistake because of him. He killed it.

Spurs do matchup well with them but like I said in the season I think Thunder were half assing. I think the objective was to be healthy. Spurs don’t have OKcs depth. I don’t think you guys realize how deep they are. They have guys who are overseas because they don’t have enough spots on the roster lol. They go 15 deep. Oh and btw they have lottery pick in a deep class.

This isn’t to knock the Spurs they are great. With Thunder I just see legendary. And I saw it for some time. Even when the Mavs beat them
A few years back I knew this was coming. It’s why I understood why they needed to trade Luka. Now giving him away I didn’t want that but if they could’ve got Cade or Ant it would’ve been the right start.

Thunder blueprint is they built a team of guys who can defend and score. No one dimensional guys.

I haven’t seen the standings but hopefully it’s Spurs and OKc at some point.

 

[VaqueroTD]

Harden, KD and Westbrook are potential hall of famers. He also drafted guys like Ibaka, Stephen Adam’s and Dennis Schroeder. That wasn’t a mistake because of him. He killed it.

Spurs do matchup well with them but like I said in the season I think Thunder were half assing. I think the objective was to be healthy. Spurs don’t have OKcs depth. I don’t think you guys realize how deep they are. They have guys who are overseas because they don’t have enough spots on the roster lol. They go 15 deep. Oh and btw they have lottery pick in a deep class.

This isn’t to knock the Spurs they are great. With Thunder I just see legendary. And I saw it for some time. Even when the Mavs beat them
A few years back I knew this was coming. It’s why I understood why they needed to trade Luka. Now giving him away I didn’t want that but if they could’ve got Cade or Ant it would’ve been the right start.

Thunder blueprint is they built a team of guys who can defend and score. No one dimensional guys.

I haven’t seen the standings but hopefully it’s Spurs and OKc at some point.

Overseas draft picks don't score points. The 10th man on the bench doesn't win games. I'll take my chances.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Overseas draft picks don't score points. The 10th man on the bench doesn't win games. I'll take my chances.

Oh I agree. I’m just talking about depth that you brought up. Ultimately it’s about the top 8 guys. You’re 8 vs their 8. Thunder have the edge and home court.

 

[VaqueroTD]

Oh I agree. I’m just talking about depth that you brought up. Ultimately it’s about the top 8 guys. You’re 8 vs their 8. Thunder have the edge and home court.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/articl...wing-0-3-mark-to-spurs-we-have-to-get-better/

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander following 0-3 mark to Spurs: 'We have to get better'​

The San Antonio Spurs seem to have the Oklahoma City Thunder's number this season.

The Spurs defeated the Thunder 117-102 on Christmas Day, moving them to 3-0 against the league-leading squad this campaign. All of the defeats have come in the last two weeks, including the NBA Cup semifinals.

"You don’t lose to a team three times in a row in a short span without them being better than you,” Gilgeous-Alexander said following the game, according to Yahoo's Kelly Iko. “We have to get better, look in the mirror, and that’s everybody from top to bottom.”

The Thunder were unable to get their offence rolling on Christmas: they shot just 39 per cent from the field and 25 per cent from three. They also managed to hold reigning MVP Gilgeous-Alexander to 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting.

“I think we learned that when you play a team multiple times in short stretches, there’s a familiarity obviously that it breeds,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson told reporters. “And when you play a team of this calibre, the details are that much more magnified, and I thought we did a phenomenal job as the game progressed at adhering to those details and nuances.”

OKC is 0-3 against the Spurs, but 26-2 against the rest of the NBA. While San Antonio has now improved to 23-7, which is just two-and-a-half games behind the Thunder for the league's best record.

“One thing that defines us is we're going to try and use the weaknesses of other teams,” the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama told reporters. “We can use everybody on the court. We’re never going to let the talent of one guy take away from the collective. That’s what allows us to beat great teams like that.”

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/articl...wing-0-3-mark-to-spurs-we-have-to-get-better/

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander following 0-3 mark to Spurs: 'We have to get better'​

The San Antonio Spurs seem to have the Oklahoma City Thunder's number this season.

The Spurs defeated the Thunder 117-102 on Christmas Day, moving them to 3-0 against the league-leading squad this campaign. All of the defeats have come in the last two weeks, including the NBA Cup semifinals.

"You don’t lose to a team three times in a row in a short span without them being better than you,” Gilgeous-Alexander said following the game, according to Yahoo's Kelly Iko. “We have to get better, look in the mirror, and that’s everybody from top to bottom.”

The Thunder were unable to get their offence rolling on Christmas: they shot just 39 per cent from the field and 25 per cent from three. They also managed to hold reigning MVP Gilgeous-Alexander to 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting.

“I think we learned that when you play a team multiple times in short stretches, there’s a familiarity obviously that it breeds,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson told reporters. “And when you play a team of this calibre, the details are that much more magnified, and I thought we did a phenomenal job as the game progressed at adhering to those details and nuances.”

OKC is 0-3 against the Spurs, but 26-2 against the rest of the NBA. While San Antonio has now improved to 23-7, which is just two-and-a-half games behind the Thunder for the league's best record.

“One thing that defines us is we're going to try and use the weaknesses of other teams,” the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama told reporters. “We can use everybody on the court. We’re never going to let the talent of one guy take away from the collective. That’s what allows us to beat great teams like that.”

I get it.




Hornets smacks the Magic up all year….play in comes….Hornets lose by 30 lol. Playoffs is a different place.