Folks... it's official...
We need to start TALKIN' LAKERS
We need to start TALKIN' LAKERS
NBA 2025-26 Thread
- Thread starter namkcuR
- Start date
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Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
another week goes by and things are starting to become more predictable. you look at the records and the teams who we thought would be bad are bad, the teams that we thought would be good are good - and then there's a bunch of teams in the middle on both sides of the lotto line who could go up or down 10 spots based on one good week.
the only surprises for me thus far would be...
Dallas - in hindsight it should have been obvious, but I fell for the hype. They call AD street clothes for a reason. Flagg as a point guard isn't working - for the team or for Flagg. Maybe a corner will be turned - but asking a kid who should be a freshman in college to play a position he's never played before is going to create some bumps in the road.
Indiana - I thought they'd be decent and still make the playoffs this year - but the amount of injuries they're currently dealing with is absurd and damn near impossible to overcome. Their point differential is four points better than Brooklyn's and 8 points better than Washington's - so it's easy to see them turning it on once some of these guys come back. But the further they fall, the more likely it is that it won't matter. The only thing they have going for them now is that they're still just 2.5 games out of the play in, even at 1-7.
Orlando - Bane has been awful to start the year. Guy's a career 40% three point shooter and he's shooting 25% in Orlando. So conceivably that will change and the team will begin to play better. They'll also get Suggs off a minute restriction soon - and as much as he's a role player, he's also the straw that stirs the drink, so to speak - because of how hard he plays. He does a bit of everything. So I think they'll eventually be what everyone thinks they were going to be. The one area of concern for me would be Banchero. Everyone is expecting him to take the next step into being a star - and, well, he just hasn't done that yet. He's still good - but if he can't separate himself into a true alpha here, then Orlando may never be as good as most expect them to eventually be.
Portland - I thought they'd compete for a playoff spot after the strong end of last year - but it's surprising to see how well they've come out of the gates when you consider the massive hit of the controversy around their head coach right at the start of the season. Deni Avdija is playing like an all star.
Philly and San Antonio - both of these came out of the gates like gang busters... but both have fallen back to earth in week 2. Wemby has looked less alien like over the last week, and Philly has now lost 2 in a row - and still has massive questions surrounding Embiid and George. Edgecombe's shooting - which was the knock on him - has come back down after a torrid start. He shot 7 for 26 (27%) from the field in the last two games - both losses.
Chicago - break up the Bulls! Giddey looks like an all star. Their schedule was front loaded with expected eastern conference contenders in Detroit, Orlando, Atlanta and New York - and they went 4-1 in those games. We'll see how things stack up moving forward - but if Giddey keeps playing like this? There's no reason to think they won't stay near the top of the standings in the East. I think Detroit will overtake them - as will one (or multiple) of New York, Cleveland and Milwaukee. But with Giddey at all star level - they're easily in the conversation for the 3 through 6 seeds in the East.
TALKIN' LAKERS - Yea there's zero chance I expected the Lakers to be 7-2 at this point. There are a few worrying signs - namely their point differential and the number of close games they've played. But some of that can be written away by the injuries they've faced. They won a bunch of games without Luka, and LeBron hasn't played a minute. But the other Western teams at the top... OKC, Houston, Denver... they all have double digit point differentials. They're dominating. The Lakers? Their point differential is 3.0. 6th best in the conference - barely above Portland. So it's entirely possible that they fall back to earth. But Luka has been amazing in the games he's played, and AR looks like he's taken another step. The big question mark is obviously LeBron. When he returns, what type of player will he be? Is he truly willing to take a back seat - be a cutter and a secondary player, and not be nearly as ball dominant as he was in the past? The only time that's happened before was in years 2 and 3 in Miami (which also coincide with when LeBron was at his absolute peak as a player, but i digress). If he is willing to fully turn the keys to the car over to Luka and just fit in? This team has a chance to be really good. If he wants to take over and be his typical ball dominant self? Yea, they can't compete with the top dogs with him playing that way.
the only surprises for me thus far would be...
Dallas - in hindsight it should have been obvious, but I fell for the hype. They call AD street clothes for a reason. Flagg as a point guard isn't working - for the team or for Flagg. Maybe a corner will be turned - but asking a kid who should be a freshman in college to play a position he's never played before is going to create some bumps in the road.
Indiana - I thought they'd be decent and still make the playoffs this year - but the amount of injuries they're currently dealing with is absurd and damn near impossible to overcome. Their point differential is four points better than Brooklyn's and 8 points better than Washington's - so it's easy to see them turning it on once some of these guys come back. But the further they fall, the more likely it is that it won't matter. The only thing they have going for them now is that they're still just 2.5 games out of the play in, even at 1-7.
Orlando - Bane has been awful to start the year. Guy's a career 40% three point shooter and he's shooting 25% in Orlando. So conceivably that will change and the team will begin to play better. They'll also get Suggs off a minute restriction soon - and as much as he's a role player, he's also the straw that stirs the drink, so to speak - because of how hard he plays. He does a bit of everything. So I think they'll eventually be what everyone thinks they were going to be. The one area of concern for me would be Banchero. Everyone is expecting him to take the next step into being a star - and, well, he just hasn't done that yet. He's still good - but if he can't separate himself into a true alpha here, then Orlando may never be as good as most expect them to eventually be.
Portland - I thought they'd compete for a playoff spot after the strong end of last year - but it's surprising to see how well they've come out of the gates when you consider the massive hit of the controversy around their head coach right at the start of the season. Deni Avdija is playing like an all star.
Philly and San Antonio - both of these came out of the gates like gang busters... but both have fallen back to earth in week 2. Wemby has looked less alien like over the last week, and Philly has now lost 2 in a row - and still has massive questions surrounding Embiid and George. Edgecombe's shooting - which was the knock on him - has come back down after a torrid start. He shot 7 for 26 (27%) from the field in the last two games - both losses.
Chicago - break up the Bulls! Giddey looks like an all star. Their schedule was front loaded with expected eastern conference contenders in Detroit, Orlando, Atlanta and New York - and they went 4-1 in those games. We'll see how things stack up moving forward - but if Giddey keeps playing like this? There's no reason to think they won't stay near the top of the standings in the East. I think Detroit will overtake them - as will one (or multiple) of New York, Cleveland and Milwaukee. But with Giddey at all star level - they're easily in the conversation for the 3 through 6 seeds in the East.
TALKIN' LAKERS - Yea there's zero chance I expected the Lakers to be 7-2 at this point. There are a few worrying signs - namely their point differential and the number of close games they've played. But some of that can be written away by the injuries they've faced. They won a bunch of games without Luka, and LeBron hasn't played a minute. But the other Western teams at the top... OKC, Houston, Denver... they all have double digit point differentials. They're dominating. The Lakers? Their point differential is 3.0. 6th best in the conference - barely above Portland. So it's entirely possible that they fall back to earth. But Luka has been amazing in the games he's played, and AR looks like he's taken another step. The big question mark is obviously LeBron. When he returns, what type of player will he be? Is he truly willing to take a back seat - be a cutter and a secondary player, and not be nearly as ball dominant as he was in the past? The only time that's happened before was in years 2 and 3 in Miami (which also coincide with when LeBron was at his absolute peak as a player, but i digress). If he is willing to fully turn the keys to the car over to Luka and just fit in? This team has a chance to be really good. If he wants to take over and be his typical ball dominant self? Yea, they can't compete with the top dogs with him playing that way.
I know for sure I don't have as much ground to speak on here, but from my "I just really started watching the Bulls again last season" point of view, they have the pieces, but without better defense, they're going to wear themselves out. I can already sense some irritation from Giddey, which is a bummer after how good they started, but in both losses, he looked really annoyed. I don't blame him. The fact is, both losses were high scoring games, as well as Tuesday's incredible comeback win. All their games have been high scoring, but I think you know what I mean.
The whole may be a dystopian **** hole with little hope of fixing it, but Marv Albert did the intro to NBA on NBC, so maybe there's a chance.
Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
Three 1-10 teams in the east. You'd think there was a Wemby up for grabs next June.
oh, but there is.
not a wemby, there's only one of those - but a Peterson, Dybantsa and Boozer - not to mention Avdalas, Ament and Wilson.
Next year's draft is generally considered to be much deeper than this past year's draft - and Peterson and Dybantsa better prospects than Flagg, with Boozer more or less considered to be in line with Flagg.
and nothing from the early start of the NCAA season has changed people's minds on any of that. if anything it's made people think that next year's draft might be even deeper than expected - and it was already expected to be really good.
Peterson is widely considered a franchise altering player. Dybantsa maybe a slight tick below Peterson - but still a player you can build a franchise around - and same with Boozer.
Nico Harrison managed to turn Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick Jones Jr. and Quentin Grimes into Caleb Martin, Davis Bertans, Spencer Dinwiddie, Max Christie and 14 games worth of Anthony "Street Clothes" Davis.
What a legacy. Jeez.
What a legacy. Jeez.
Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
Don't forget that Lakers 2029 1st round pick plus a couple of 2nd rounders.
namkcuR
ONE love, blood, life
Yeah, Costas did a couple too.
So when I said in my OP that Marv Albert isn't walking through that door, Bob Costas isn't walking through that door...I guess I was wrong.
NBC understood the assignment.
DaveC
Blue Crack Addict
all we're missing is a dude in a gradey dick jersey in the middle
knicks 0-4 on the road, full of injuries and not playing the bench.
must be Thibs' fault.
must be Thibs' fault.
DaveC
Blue Crack Addict
It's a dark time at the Monumental sports and entertainments
Giannis has deleted all of his Bucks photos from his IG other than the championship portrait.
This is what losing to the Zards will do to a franchise.
This is what losing to the Zards will do to a franchise.
Chris Paul being sent home? LeBron being passive aggressive with JJ Redick? Spicy season is upon us!
mikal
Blue Crack Supplier
I really hope that ESPN and all the other national media pundits get what they want after 7 years of trying to manifest Giannis playing for another team.
mikal
Blue Crack Supplier
PS. Aside from making fun of the media for all their swings and misses over the 7 years of this, I wish Giannis the best and will cheer for him wherever he goes. I never thought I'd see the Bucks win a championship in my lifetime so I'm good.
every knicks fan on reddit...
Best I can do... OG, Kolek and and two seconds for Giannis
Best I can do... OG, Kolek and and two seconds for Giannis
DaveC
Blue Crack Addict
we'll give you dick for giannis
i'd hold out for Thanasis as well
if any other franchise players are looking for a way out of their situation, just let us know and the Zards are happy to defeat your team and send you into a franchise killing death spiral.
Good news! Giannis isn't getting traded for at least 3-6 weeks!
the NBA got unnecessarily dramatic over the course of 24 hours, and i'm here for it.
Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
Knicks send 69 unprotected first rounders for Mikal Bridges and Knicks fans think 2 seconds will land Giannis.
nah, bro. 67 unprotected. that's what's hip and cool with the kids these days.
Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
Sooo Lebron's washed huh?
Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
As is Joel Embiid.
