Around the League 2022-23

[BloopOracle]

I'm currently basking in all the hate I received here years ago for wanting to draft Lauri Markennan!!!

[D-Mac [enjin:19736340]]

I'm currently basking in all the hate I received here years ago for wanting to draft Lauri Markennan!!!

You should be! He looks great and any team could have had him.

[kekgeek]

Nash fired and Udoka to the nets apparently with no compensation.

Crazy

[Lipoli390]

https://heatnation.com/rumors/report-miami-heat-have-targeted-impressive-power-forward-jarred-vanderbilt/amp/

[Q-is-here]

I watched the Boston-Cleveland game last night. It struck me how quickly these guys get into their offense...tons of early offense, sometimes to a fault. The all out hustle, grit, and defense by both teams was on full display too. There was nothing easy, which is why I suppose they each tried to get early offense, before the defense was set.

All I kept thinking about was Finch watching the game, head buried in hands and saying to himself, "Why can't this be us? Why can't this be us...."

[Q-is-here]

Cleveland is the real deal. I know we kind of compare ourselves to them because they play with two bigs like us and they made a big trade for the other Utah star, Donovan Mitchell.

Right now the reason why Cleveland is so much better than Minnesota is guard play. Mitchell + Garland is >>>>>> than Ant + DLO.

Anyone that thought Mitchell and Ant were roughly equivalent players (or may be gave a slight edge to Mitchell) would be sorely mistaken based on the small sample size of this season. It's not even close unfortunately.

[FNG]

I love the Cavs this year also, Q, and agree that there is no comparison between their backcourt and outs...Garland and Mitchell have been terrific. But let's not overlook that Ant is only 21, and Mitchell is 26 and in the prime of his career. I would take 21-year-old Ant over 21-year-old Mitchell all day, and it makes me excited about what we are going to get from Ant over the next few years.

But how about those Cavs? I love the Celtics, but there's s good chance it could be the Cavs who are challenging the Bucks this season.

[Q-is-here]

I love the Cavs this year also, Q, and agree that there is no comparison between their backcourt and outs...Garland and Mitchell have been terrific. But let's not overlook that Ant is only 21, and Mitchell is 26 and in the prime of his career. I would take 21-year-old Ant over 21-year-old Mitchell all day, and it makes me excited about what we are going to get from Ant over the next few years.

But how about those Cavs? I love the Celtics, but there's s good chance it could be the Cavs who are challenging the Bucks this season.

Yeah, the Cavs have beaten Boston twice already this year. One thing to keep an eye on though...the Celtics were starting to target Darius Garland late in that game last night with some success. It's something to watch for assuming the Cavs make the playoffs. Are opposing teams able to get switches with Garland or Mitchell, who guys like Middleton, Tatum, Brown, Siakam, Giannis, etc. can just shoot over or overpower in the paint. This is one area where longer term it's good to have Ant as a SG. He simply can't be targeted in playoff iso switch baiting, as he can go toe to toe with almost any big wing in the league.

[AbeVigodaLive]

More on that Celtics vs. Cavs game...

Why do officials keep falling for the same gimmicks from the same players. Game after game, year after year?

Case in point... Marcus Smart. He flopped 3x late in the game... and the officials called it every time. First was with about 3 minutes left, he exaggerated minimal contact under the rim from the very slightly built Garland and was rewarded with two free throws. Then, he wrapped his arms around Jarrett Allen who simply tried to move, only to see Smart suddenly lose all control and flop to the ground. Then, he basically wouldn't let Garland move and suddenly fell down again.

He got the call every time. Even as a Celtics fan, I'd have been embarrassed if they pulled out that game.

Great game overall though.

[Q-is-here]

More on that Celtics vs. Cavs game...

Why do officials keep falling for the same gimmicks from the same players. Game after game, year after year?

Case in point... Marcus Smart. He flopped 3x late in the game... and the officials called it every time. First was with about 3 minutes left, he exaggerated minimal contact under the rim from the very slightly built Garland and was rewarded with two free throws. Then, he wrapped his arms around Jarrett Allen who simply tried to move, only to see Smart suddenly lose all control and flop to the ground. Then, he basically wouldn't let Garland move and suddenly fell down again.

He got the call every time. Even as a Celtics fan, I'd have been embarrassed if they pulled out that game.

Great game overall though.

Yeah, that is frustrating, although it feels like that stuff is less tolerated or caught onto by officials deep in the playoffs.