2024 NBA Season Thread aka The Zion High Deductible Healthcare Plan

#1,779
#1,779
Luka fouled out like twice in this game, but there’s no way they actually send him to the bench.

Update: wow they did it.
 
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#1,780
#1,780
When I was at Texas Roadhouse the Mavericks had smooth sailing with the lead.

Currently, relaxing at Hooters wondering if the Mavericks will find a way to win tonight in Dallas.
 
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#1,784
#1,784
Hit that panic button Mavericks fans.
Down 3-0 to a stacked Celtics team that might be as great as the 1996 Bulls that won an impressive 72 of 82 regular season games.

I am changing my mind about this being 6 games because the Mavericks will be lucky to avoid getting swept.
 
#1,785
#1,785
This might be the best thing for Luka. He’s basically been given a free pass his entire career (which is understandable) but he’s got to get in better shape and start trying consistently on defense
 
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#1,787
#1,787
zjcvols said:
This might be the best thing for Luka. He’s basically been given a free pass his entire career (which is understandable) but he’s got to get in better shape and start trying consistently on defense
Click to expand...

I strongly agree.
The players we accept as great in the NBA including Michael Jordan, KB aka the Black Mamba, Scottie Pippen, etc played defense consistently and offense.
 
#1,789
#1,789
Luka appeared that he could D a little in prior rounds. Boston clearly watched those tapes and saw that part of what was making him look competent was passive offensive play. If Luka's on ball, they just drive by him every time.
 
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#1,790
#1,790
Kyrie losing streak to the Celtics after blaspheming Lucky the Leprechaun: 12. A sweep game would make it 13, a traditionally unlucky number. I'm just saying.
 
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#1,791
#1,791
Rifleman said:
Luka appeared that he could D a little in prior rounds. Boston clearly watched those tapes and saw that part of what was making him look competent was passive offensive play. If Luka's on ball, they just drive by him every time.
Click to expand...
Luka is injured but that's no excuse I assume. Luka needs to realize getting into better shape will help him get to where he hopefully wants to be.

NBA Championship and one of the most dominant offensive players ever. Yea I said it EVER.
 
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#1,792
#1,792
knoxvol52 said:
Luka is injured but that's no excuse I assume. Luka needs to realize getting into better shape will help him get to where he hopefully wants to be.

NBA Championship and one of the most dominant offensive players ever. Yea I said it EVER.
Click to expand...

I think he will get it done. May win two or three before he retires. His offense is so pure he can't be guarded when healthy.

He just needs to give his helpers on defense a chance.

Of course, Tatum dunking on 3 guys and Brown just running through everyone to the rim constantly really isn't on Luka. But the star always gets too much glory if they win, so they get too much blame when they lose.
 
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#1,793
#1,793
Rifleman said:
Luka appeared that he could D a little in prior rounds. Boston clearly watched those tapes and saw that part of what was making him look competent was passive offensive play. If Luka's on ball, they just drive by him1 every time.
Click to expand...

I think it's a combination of things...Boston has more guys to attack him off the bounce, so it was easy to commit to it. His bad wheel looked as bad as ever game 1 and then he got the chest contusion.

He committed to D in this playoff his health just caught up to him. I'm sure it's never been more clear to him and the brass he has about 15 lbs of fat to lose.
 
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#1,794
#1,794
zjcvols said:
Russillo literally cackling at Simmons seriously dropping “I still think Tatum can go up another level” had me dead on my drive to work
Click to expand...

BS came back to this on the next pod saying he could get his mid range game back and level up because it used to be so good. He has never shot 44% from 10-16'. He's shot below 40% 5/7years

He has never shot 43% from 16-23'. He has shot below 40% 4/7 years.
 
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#1,795
#1,795
Including playoffs, the Bulls went 171-30 from October 1995-June 1997. That’s insane
 
#1,796
#1,796
n_huffhines said:
BS came back to this on the next pod saying he could get his mid range game back and level up because it used to be so good. He has never shot 44% from 10-16'. He's shot below 40% 5/7years

He has never shot 43% from 16-23'. He has shot below 40% 4/7 years.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure what Bill is remembering is the bubble playoffs, which was the one time Tatum looked OK at those ranges. Not the greatest, but that disappeared by the next season and I don't expect that aspect to receive much focus so it won't return.

www.statmuse.com

Jayson Tatum Shot Chart 2020 Playoffs | StatMuse

Jayson Tatum shot 43.4% (145/334) overall and 37.3% (47/126) from three in 17 games in the 2020 playoffs. (Shot Chart)
www.statmuse.com www.statmuse.com

I agree with BS that it would help some of the mental lock ups and turnovers if he just had a comfort shot at that range.
 
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#1,798
#1,798
Rifleman said:
I'm pretty sure what Bill is remembering is the bubble playoffs, which was the one time Tatum looked OK at those ranges. Not the greatest, but that disappeared by the next season and I don't expect that aspect to receive much focus so it won't return.

www.statmuse.com

Jayson Tatum Shot Chart 2020 Playoffs | StatMuse

Jayson Tatum shot 43.4% (145/334) overall and 37.3% (47/126) from three in 17 games in the 2020 playoffs. (Shot Chart)
www.statmuse.com www.statmuse.com

I agree with BS that it would help some of the mental lock ups and turnovers if he just had a comfort shot at that range.
Click to expand...

I just think you need to be in the range of 48% - 55% shooting long 2's for it to be a big component of your game. Maybe if he just committed to the reps he would get there over time, but it's one of the hardest things to do in basketball. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul are exceptions to the rule (and only have 2 titles between them). Tatum's a relatively good mid-range shooter, but it's still not a great shot.

FWIW, Jaylen's actually hitting 49% for his career from 10' - 16'
 
#1,799
#1,799
n_huffhines said:
I think it's a combination of things...Boston has more guys to attack him off the bounce, so it was easy to commit to it. His bad wheel looked as bad as ever game 1 and then he got the chest contusion.

He committed to D in this playoff his health just caught up to him. I'm sure it's never been more clear to him and the brass he has about 15 lbs of fat to lose.
Click to expand...

Agree. I'm seeing the effort with Luka on D that I haven't seen in the past from him.

He doesn't have to be great on D, he's just gotta try. If he does that, the other 4 will help him out on that end....
 
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