OFFICIAL AROUND THE NBA: OCTOBER 2023

Inside Info Leaked!
We now know why Joe wouldn't talk to Miami. You see a new player for them insulted us, time and again. Joe created a "book" on the new player, doing hours of electronic research. Who was this mystery character?

Joe: "Don't give my any of your Schmitz, I want the low down on Shep Owens."
Mike: "He's not real."
Joe: "Yeah, he's totally unreal. I've been running this simulator... and there's only one conclusion: Fuck Miami"

 

Ayton has elevated his game in the playoffs. Sabonis looked terrible last year against a dialed in opponent.

 

Once again, it's about the market potential.

Which is vastly greater than true smaller markets. And it's partially why the Clippers were able to become a destination for star players. Another big part is the hottie factor.

The fact that the whole State doesn't embrace them doesn't dispute my point. But the people in the state are far more likely to support a winning team within the state than a winning team outside the state.

 

Tomorrow October 9th.

 

Very much looking forward to see Chet vs Wemby. I think highly of both

 

Wouldn't shock me if that's the case. There's a reason MJ Wilt Kareem LBJ are the only players older than Dame to lead a team to a title. Fortunately for Dame he can let Giannis do the bulk of the work as he never has had that help before.

But we see NBA PGs dominance in their 30s disappear in the blink of an eye. Dame also had an NBA franchise for a decade built in every way to maximize himself. Certainly could see Dame really struggle this season. He has such a high standard to hit, just being an average all-star will look like a disappointment.

 

Smart. They can use the first 10 games of the season to work through their "preseason". Their plan should be to peak in April-June.

Blazers are very different, as our season could effectively end in February, so we should get ready to play at the highest level NOW.

 

ok...although it looks like playoff Ayton has trended down:



he was pretty bad in last year's playoffs. Kind of a mixed bag

problem is that in order for playoff-Ayton to appear, Portland has to make it to the playoffs and I can't see that happening for a few years

 

You’re crazy. You just used two of the leagues most BORING players…… You put JA or SGA in Madison Square Garden and they go global. Vinsanity was what it was BECAUSE it was in NYC….he does that playing for Utah, they wouldn’t be making a documentary out of it.
Now can somebody make money on sponsors in a small market, hell yeah they can, used to not, but now that isn’t as big of an issue.

 

Well yeah, he was at his best in their run to the Finals and hasn't been happy with his role there since. The stats reflect why he wanted out.

So, you're ignoring the other half of the comparison, namely how bad Sabonis was in last year's playoffs?

 

well, that was your gauge, not mine, so yeah, I didn't give it the same weight you did, nor assign the same value

both players were shitty in last year's playoffs...that's a fact. It's also true that when Ayton was doing so well in the playoffs, the Suns' perimeter rotation was Booker, CP3, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, Cam Payne, and Torrey Craig. Ayton wasn't facing much defensive focus because the Suns' perimeter rotation was so deadly

anyway, I repeat that Sabonis is a better player than Ayton at this point. He's a 3 time all-star and was named to the All-NBA 3rd team last year when he averaged better than 19-12-7 with a PER of 23.5 and a .668 TS%

something else about Sabonis is I haven't seen any rumor that he ever tanked his own effort or professionalism because he wasn't happy with the team. Can't say that about Ayton

can Ayton become as good as Sabonis, or even better? Sure. Will he? Doubtful

 

I see Ayton’s ceiling as LaMarcus Aldridge; we will always question his motor, no matter how well he does. He will be a disappointment for a #1 pick but will have a good and long career. It’s just a matter of whether we accept him at his self-defined best or not.

 

His ability to run the floor will probably be used more in Portland and for Trail Blazer fans that will mitigate the other Aldridge traits.

How many alley oops did Alridge catch during his time in Portland?

 

Perhaps we have a different definition of the word “clearly.” That said, thanks for the response.

 

It was pretty clearly a simple mistake and he meant Lin-Sanity.

 

I’m so very sorry, I didn’t think I said “Ayton’s game is exactly like LaMarcus’s in every detail” but apparently I did.