Around the NBA (Non-Bulls) Thread - 2023-2024 Season

[Scoot26]

I mean, how many failed title runs you going to watch Tatum and Brown go on at that point, before you realize that duo just ain’t working?

It’s not like this is their first opportunity

On paper, this is the Celtics year. A team with rankings like this doesn't lose in the NBA. Though also typically a team with rankings like this has a bona fide superstar, and Tatum ain't it in my book. Boston has a bunch of really good players though.

Given in established superstars we're down to Luka on the 4 teams left, it may be one of the few seasons having a super didn't matter.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

@Scoot26 I was trying to see where the final four ranked in the top 10 of offense and defense, but apparently defensive stats are impossible to find. Do you have that info?

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Minnesota knocking off Denver giving them a matchup problem as predicted

If the Celtics fail this year, they gotta blow it up

DeMarr and Zach for Brown

 

[Scoot26]

@Scoot26 I was trying to see where the final four ranked in the top 10 of offense and defense, but apparently defensive stats are impossible to find. Do you have that info?

According to basketball-reference at the end of the regular season.

Celtics - 1st in O, 3rd in D
Pacers - 2nd in O, 24th in D
Timberwolves - 16th in O, 1st in D
Mavericks - 10th in O, 17th in D

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

According to basketball-reference at the end of the regular season.

Celtics - 1st in O, 3rd in D
Pacers - 2nd in O, 24th in D
Timberwolves - 16th in O, 1st in D
Mavericks - 10th in O, 17th in D

Based on history it can only be the Celtics that win the title this year.

Surprised by the Mavs being so low defensively. Once they got Gafford they really improved, but maybe that's just a sign of just how bad they were.

 

[Scoot26]

Based on history it can only be the Celtics that win the title this year.

Surprised by the Mavs being so low defensively. Once they got Gafford they really improved, but maybe that's just a sign of just how bad they were.

Mavs were in the near the bottom of the league prior to the deadline trade. I wanna say 24th or somewhere around there.

 

[clonetrooper264]

Based on history it can only be the Celtics that win the title this year.

Surprised by the Mavs being so low defensively. Once they got Gafford they really improved, but maybe that's just a sign of just how bad they were.

I think it got mentioned earlier in this thread, Mavs post trades were like #1 in defense for a stretch but as mentioned are just middle of the road overall so it seems they really were that bad before

 

[knoxville7]

Pacers will give Boston fits

I wonder where Indiana's O and D rank post the Siakam trade

 

[Scoot26]

Pacers will give Boston fits

I wonder where Indiana's O and D rank post the Siakam trade

Pacers O was top all year long.. Siakam or not.

Their D was like 30th at one point. They did get better at D towards the end of the season.

 

[SilenceS]

Pacers lose in 5. They dont get past the Knicks if that team was healthy. Like the Pacers but Boston has so much length. OG going out let Siakam loose. Then, the Knicks had no bigs to match up with Randle out and Robinson out after game 1.

As for a Celtics and say TWolves matchup. That will be a true test for Edwards with Jrue who is still an elite defender that has strength that will really test his endurance this late in the season. Mavs and TWolves should be fun.

 

[knoxville7]

Pacers lose in 5. They dont get past the Knicks if that team was healthy. Like the Pacers but Boston has so much length. OG going out let Siakam loose. Then, the Knicks had no bigs to match up with Randle out and Robinson out after game 1.

As for a Celtics and say TWolves matchup. That will be a true test for Edwards with Jrue who is still an elite defender that has strength that will really test his endurance this late in the season. Mavs and TWolves should be fun.

well, who is guarding siakam for boston that will keep him from getting loose?

 

[knoxville7]

On paper, this is the Celtics year. A team with rankings like this doesn't lose in the NBA. Though also typically a team with rankings like this has a bona fide superstar, and Tatum ain't it in my book. Boston has a bunch of really good players though.

Given in established superstars we're down to Luka on the 4 teams left, it may be one of the few seasons having a super didn't matter.

ant >>> luka

 

[Scoot26]

well, who is guarding siakam for boston that will keep him from getting loose?

Wasn't aware Boston was full of bad defenders that lets 3rd tier star like Siakam score at will.

 

[knoxville7]

Wasn't aware Boston was full of bad defenders that lets 3rd tier star like Siakam score at will.

wasnt aware i made any such claim. merely asking, whomst is going to guard siakam? who actually matches up well with him defensively?

 

[Scoot26]

wasnt aware i made any such claim. merely asking, whomst is going to guard siakam? who actually matches up well with him defensively?

Wouldn't Tatum and/or Brown guard him?

 

[SilenceS]

Wouldn't Tatum and/or Brown guard him?

They can switch all day on him with Jrue. Jrue can guard 1 through the 4 with his strength. We all know old man Horford still one of the strongest in the league.

 

[bamainatlanta]

According to basketball-reference at the end of the regular season.

Celtics - 1st in O, 3rd in D
Pacers - 2nd in O, 24th in D
Timberwolves - 16th in O, 1st in D
Mavericks - 10th in O, 17th in D

Yes but it’s a better picture to see what the teams have done since the trade deadline.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

I'd much prefer Minnesota vs Indiana in the Finals, but we'll get Mavs vs Celtics with the Mavs winning.

 

[knoxville7]

Wouldn't Tatum and/or Brown guard him?

Tatum is likely their best option

Brown would be undersized. And someone below mentioned horford, whomst would be waaaaay too slow

 

[clonetrooper264]

Maybe I'm just nuts, but aren't Brown and Tatum basically the same size?