2025-26 NBA Season

[VaqueroTD]

Timberwolves has won 2 games. One with Spurs playing some of their rustiest turnover ball in months. One with Wemby, the team MVP, ejected early. And both games, the Spurs still almost won. Enough to make you sweat going 2-2, but still think the Wolves are history this series. Refs need to get more involved. How do you let one of the brightest young stars in the league go out early like that! I've seen Kobe lose his cool, doubt he was ever kicked out early like that.

 

[ratkinson]

Timberwolves has won 2 games. One with Spurs playing some of their rustiest turnover ball in months. One with Wemby, the team MVP, ejected early. And both games, the Spurs still almost won. Enough to make you sweat going 2-2, but still think the Wolves are history this series. Refs need to get more involved. How do you let one of the brightest young stars in the league go out early like that! I've seen Kobe lose his cool, doubt he was ever kicked out early like that.

Like it or not it's a series now. All of that talk about dominance should be gone. Best two out of three will call it now!
IMO, the refs should be less involved not more. The officiating in this series has been awful. Lead officials and head coaches getting into each other's faces is just one example.
The flagrant 2 that lead to Wemby's ejection was too obvious to give it a pass.
And no, the refs should not be giving special protection to any player, regardless of awards or popularity.
I was actually impressed by Wemby's decision to defend himself last night. It showed me he has an edge, and that he won't be intimidated.
He'll learn from last nights experience.
it's hard for me not to start "crowning" this kid, he's impressive.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Timberwolves has won 2 games. One with Spurs playing some of their rustiest turnover ball in months. One with Wemby, the team MVP, ejected early. And both games, the Spurs still almost won. Enough to make you sweat going 2-2, but still think the Wolves are history this series. Refs need to get more involved. How do you let one of the brightest young stars in the league go out early like that! I've seen Kobe lose his cool, doubt he was ever kicked out early like that.

Minnesota is going to be a tough series. They are better than they were in the standings. Its a good test for that young squad

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Utah really only been bad for the past 3 seasons. They will either add Peterson or AJ to their squad, and also keep in mind that Jackson Jr who only played 1 game for them last year will be playing a full season. ( He was added during the trade deadline)

A fully healthy Utah team that has nothing to tank for (with the new rules) and will probably be a force in the Western Conference. I'm not saying they are going to be the best, but I can see them being at least a play-in team that will probably be far better than the Mavs over the course of the next 4-5 years.

Ok lol. Everyone will be better than Dallas it seems. I guess I’ll check back in in 2032 when things may be on the up swing lol.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

T Wolvs weren't in the same hole as the Mavs. They didn't trade a top-end player for peanuts while building around that player and while trading away picks and other bad moves. If the Mavs didn't get Flagg from last years draft they would for sure be bottom basement dwellers in the West for the next 10-15 years. That's how much damage Nico caused the Mavs.

What we traded for Luka is irrelevant to the discussion. My point isn’t Wolves aren’t dependent on multiple stars and they are a good team. Pistons are as well. If you want to argue Spurs and Thunder are better teams they are, also didn’t tank. It’s stupid to say future bright with 4th pick in the draft…with the 9th pick future is ruined lol.

 

[zrinkill]

So disappointed.

 

[Bamx]

What we traded for Luka is irrelevant to the discussion. My point isn’t Wolves aren’t dependent on multiple stars and they are a good team. Pistons are as well. If you want to argue Spurs and Thunder are better teams they are, also didn’t tank. It’s stupid to say future bright with 4th pick in the draft…with the 9th pick future is ruined lol.

I never mentioned that Flagg needed someone like Shaq/Kobe to be his running mate. It would however help to have a very good ( and the right) player for this season being that the Mavs don't have their first round assets until after 2031. This also made the Luka trade very relevant when it comes to the Mavs future.

.The current Mavs roster and the reason they the Mavs no longer have those picks was to build around Luka. I'm not sure why you can't see that

 

[Bamx]

Ok lol. Everyone will be better than Dallas it seems. I guess I’ll check back in in 2032 when things may be on the up swing lol.

Kyrie is not getting any younger/Lively is always hurt. The current roster was built around Luka( Not Flagg).Mavs will not have any of their first round picks until after 2031. Nico made the trade to feature AD and Kyrie and maybe eventually try to trade for KD.

None of that worked and if the Mavs don't hit the ball out of the ballpark with this draft they aren't going to be very good for quite sometime. Like you mentioned, even with a great pick in this draft the Mavs will be nowhere close to OKC. Do you really think a team w/o it's first round picks until after 2031 and a player that is aging and another that is hurt every year with a team deigned for Luka is going to do much over the next 4-5 years?

 

[Bamx]

Ok lol. Everyone will be better than Dallas it seems. I guess I’ll check back in in 2032 when things may be on the up swing lol.

You took my quote discussing Utah being better this next season and you mentioned "everyone will be better than Dallas". I never mentioned that Dallas would be worse than every team in the league. Maybe you need some glasses?

Sure, Dallas will probably be basement dwellers for awhile, but probably not the worse in the league. However, the competition is going to be stiffer due to the new anti-tanking rules. The teams that have purposely tanked for the past 2-3 season will no longer have a reason to tank.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I never mentioned that Flagg needed someone like Shaq/Kobe to be his running mate. It would however help to have a very good ( and the right) player for this season being that the Mavs don't have their first round assets until after 2031. This also made the Luka trade very relevant when it comes to the Mavs future.

.The current Mavs roster and the reason they the Mavs no longer have those picks was to build around Luka. I'm not sure why you can't see that

They literally have picks. But now that Ujri is running the show let’s check out his resume…..


Some notable players connected to Ujiri’s scouting/drafting reputation:

* Nikola Jokić — drafted by the Denver Nuggets during Ujiri’s front-office era in Denver.
* Pascal Siakam — late 1st-round pick who became an All-NBA player.
* OG Anunoby — drafted 23rd overall by Toronto.
* Fred VanVleet — undrafted signing who became an All-Star.
* Norman Powell — second-round value pick.
* Jakob Poeltl — solid starter drafted by Toronto.
* Terence Davis — another undrafted find.
* Christian Braun — Denver drafted him after Ujiri’s time, but Denver’s scouting culture traces back partly to him.


How many of those guys are top 5 picks up there? Notice a lot of late 1sts and 2nd rounders.


Things to be optimistic about. I’d share your doom and gloom if we didn’t have Flagg. I think Flagg has potential to be a top 5-10 player in this league. I’m excited.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

So disappointed.

It’s where it’s suppose to be though. Especially if Wemby is out there. It’s not as dominant as Knicks or Thunder look but Wolves are just fighters. Dogs. I can’t see them beating Spurs but they will make them work for it.

 

[ghst187]

Spurs coach Johnson “you have to protect yourself” which was his defense of Wemby throwing a Muay Thai elbow strike to the throat of a guy who wasn’t even touching him at the time.

Has it always been this way or is this year especially bad for everyone crying about officiating constantly? Don’t remember players openly calling the league rigged and comparing to WWE….
I don’t remember Byron Russell or the Sonics complaining openly to the media and public that the league was rigging things for Jordan and the Bulls even though they got away with absolute murder…

The other part…..And if we assume the league is rigging things, why on earth would they do so AGAINST two of its biggest market teams, Boston and LA? And putting the two smallest market teams in the finals last year?

I agree the league has an officiating problem. It also has a gambling problem. I believe the two are intertwined. One ref brought it up and got squashed and covered up. But the game is also a flawed game inherently and inclined for officiating dictatorship.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Kyrie is not getting any younger/Lively is always hurt. The current roster was built around Luka( Not Flagg).Mavs will not have any of their first round picks until after 2031. Nico made the trade to feature AD and Kyrie and maybe eventually try to trade for KD.

None of that worked and if the Mavs don't hit the ball out of the ballpark with this draft they aren't going to be very good for quite sometime. Like you mentioned, even with a great pick in this draft the Mavs will be nowhere close to OKC. Do you really think a team w/o it's first round picks until after 2031 and a player that is aging and another that is hurt every year with a team deigned for Luka is going to do much over the next 4-5 years?

The team wasn’t anything special. The only reason it worked was because of Kyrie. Do you remember what they looked like pre Kyrie?


2026: Own 1st-round pick + an extra late 1st from Oklahoma City Thunder (projected around No. 30).
* 2027: Their pick is owed to the Charlotte Hornets unless it lands in the top 2.
* 2028: Oklahoma City Thunder have swap rights with Dallas.
2029: own Lakers pick
* 2029: Their pick is tied up in the complicated Houston Rockets / Brooklyn Nets arrangement from the Kyrie-era trades. Houston gets the most favorable pick, Brooklyn gets another.
* 2030: San Antonio Spurs hold swap rights with Dallas. Dallas also owns a protected Golden State Warriors 1st-rounder.


Why do you keep saying they don’t have picks? You can’t even trade consecutive picks so what is this they have no picks?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Spurs coach Johnson “you have to protect yourself” which was his defense of Wemby throwing a Muay Thai elbow strike to the throat of a guy who wasn’t even touching him at the time.

Has it always been this way or is this year especially bad for everyone crying about officiating constantly? Don’t remember players openly calling the league rigged and comparing to WWE….
I don’t remember Byron Russell or the Sonics complaining openly to the media and public that the league was rigging things for Jordan and the Bulls even though they got away with absolute murder…

The other part…..And if we assume the league is rigging things, why on earth would they do so AGAINST two of its biggest market teams, Boston and LA? And putting the two smallest market teams in the finals last year?

I agree the league has an officiating problem. It also has a gambling problem. I believe the two are intertwined. One ref brought it up and got squashed and covered up. But the game is also a flawed game inherently and inclined for officiating dictatorship.

Seems like the coaches are crying more than normal. Celtics coach cries every damn game.


It’s weird times for press and the NBA. I just saw Pritchard apologize to the fans I thought that was weird.

 

[Bamx]

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

You took my quote discussing Utah being better this next season and you mentioned "everyone will be better than Dallas". I never mentioned that Dallas would be worse than every team in the league. Maybe you need some glasses?

Sure, Dallas will probably be basement dwellers for awhile, but probably not the worse in the league. However, the competition is going to be stiffer due to the new anti-tanking rules. The teams that have purposely tanked for the past 2-3 season will no longer have a reason to tank.

You literally just said our future is doomed until 2031….not one game has been played nor has anyone been drafted….yet you’ve forgone I next 5 seasons….Kyrie won’t ever be healthy and neither will Lively….Flaggs future is ruined, team is only built for Luka, they have no draft picks until 2031…now we are suppose to be afford or anti tanking rules.

They will be bottom dwellers for awhile….but you frown upon me saying you think we are gonna be the worst team. Just some wild takes. Are you anti Mavs? Spurs fan? What is going on here?

 

[Bamx]

They literally have picks. But now that Ujri is running the show let’s check out his resume…..


Some notable players connected to Ujiri’s scouting/drafting reputation:

* Nikola Jokić — drafted by the Denver Nuggets during Ujiri’s front-office era in Denver.
* Pascal Siakam — late 1st-round pick who became an All-NBA player.
* OG Anunoby — drafted 23rd overall by Toronto.
* Fred VanVleet — undrafted signing who became an All-Star.
* Norman Powell — second-round value pick.
* Jakob Poeltl — solid starter drafted by Toronto.
* Terence Davis — another undrafted find.
* Christian Braun — Denver drafted him after Ujiri’s time, but Denver’s scouting culture traces back partly to him.


How many of those guys are top 5 picks up there? Notice a lot of late 1sts and 2nd rounders.


Things to be optimistic about. I’d share your doom and gloom if we didn’t have Flagg. I think Flagg has potential to be a top 5-10 player in this league. I’m excited.

Mavs had one of the best players in the league in Luka and needed to build around him to make them a contender. It didn't happen overnight ( and that group under Luka had all it's assets and they got lucky with finding the right players. Gaff, PJ ect). Flaggs Mavs will be working against the crap that Nico caused and it will take time to turn it around. It will be fun to watch Flagg grow, but it's going to be an uphill battle with how it all will playout.

Remember that when Flagg was drafted he thought he was going to have his next 2-5 years playing with AD/Kyrie and maybe KD ( Unless Nico was going to try to trade Flagg straight up for KD)

 

[Bamx]

You literally just said our future is doomed until 2031….not one game has been played nor has anyone been drafted….yet you’ve forgone I next 5 seasons….Kyrie won’t ever be healthy and neither will Lively….Flaggs future is ruined, team is only built for Luka, they have no draft picks until 2031…now we are suppose to be afford or anti tanking rules.

They will be bottom dwellers for awhile….but you frown upon me saying you think we are gonna be the worst team. Just some wild takes. Are you anti Mavs? Spurs fan? What is going on here?

There's no question the Mavs could have made the future potentially brighter if they lost couple more games. Kidd decided to play the players they got from Wash as full time starters and it backed-fired. The issue with that is they were playing for contracts next season and single handily won 4-5 games for the Mavs. These are players that will probably not even be with the Mavs next season. The Bulls on the other hand got rid of all those types of players late in the season from their team and now they were rewarded with the 4th pick in the draft.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Mavs had one of the best players in the league in Luka and needed to build around him to make them a contender. It didn't happen overnight ( and that group under Luka had all it's assets and they got lucky with finding the right players. Gaff, PJ ect). Flaggs Mavs will be working against the crap that Nico caused and it will take time to turn it around. It will be fun to watch Flagg grow, but it's going to be an uphill battle with how it all will playout.

Remember that when Flagg was drafted he thought he was going to have his next 2-5 years playing with AD/Kyrie and maybe KD ( Unless Nico was going to try to trade Flagg straight up for AD)

Flagg has a chance to be a 25-30 point a game scorer and an all nba defender. Guys easy to build around.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

There's no question the Mavs could have made the future potentially brighter if they lost couple more games. Kidd decided to play the players they got from Wash as full time starters and it backed-fired. The issue with that is they were playing for contracts next season and single handily won 4-5 games for the Mavs. These are players that will probably not even be with the Mavs next season. The Bulls on the other hand got rid of all those types of players from their team and now they were rewarded with the 4th pick in the draft.

Like I said the other million times you can’t say future is bright if they get the 4th pick but at 9 future is ruined until 2031. You’re talking in circles. You have no idea what the future entails and if you do play the lotto.