271 Comments
Mar 30, 2022Liked by Eric Apricot

I was curious regarding our payroll vs. other teams. Specifically, I wanted to see what percent of a team's payroll is dedicated to each player. I created some pie charts for the top 4 teams in each conference plus BKN and LAL.

https://bit.ly/3ISWHEh (anonymous google sheets)

Most teams have at least two big pie slices that account for 40%+ of total salary. PHI has the biggest pairing with Harden and Harris accounting for 49.7% of the team's payroll -- Steph and Klay account for 47%.

MEM and DAL are notable for not have "big" slices. They have a bunch of "medium+" slices and their stars (Ja and Luka) account for only ~9% of their respective team's payroll.

The Dubs are similar to MIA, PHI, and BKN in that our top 4 salaries account for about 3/4ths of the pie.

Oh and none of this accounts for the luxury tax... it's just the salary paid to players.

Expand full comment

> MEM and DAL are notable for not have "big" slices. They have a bunch of "medium+" slices and their stars (Ja and Luka) account for only ~9% of their respective team's payroll.

They're on their rookie deals. That's gonna change in a big way.

Expand full comment

That’s why this team lives or dies by the Big 3. We know Wiggins can’t carry the team. So we compete (or don’t) depending on their combined health. They’ve been mostly unhealthy, so we’ve mostly sucked, since 2019.

Expand full comment

Thanks a lot for this! It's something I've been thinking about since Iggy's comments about the current set up being somewhat disrespectful to the old guard.

Expand full comment

They keep showing Lakers games on TV, in spite of their losing streak. Tonight Lakers game was on TNT instead of the Bucks-Philly game. Lol!

Expand full comment

Everyone loves a good train wreck

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

LeWreck

Expand full comment

Lakers remaining schedule:

3/31- @ Jazz

4/1- vs. Pelicans

4/3- vs. Nuggets

4/5- @ Suns

4/7- @ Warriors

4/8- vs. Thunder

4/10- @ Nuggets

Expand full comment

Jazz remaining schedule:

3/31- vs. Lakers

4/2- @ Warriors

4/5- vs. Grizzlies

4/6- vs. Thunder

4/8- vs. Suns

4/10- @ Blazers

Nuggets remaining schedule:

3/30- @ Pacers

4/1- vs. Timberwolves

4/3- @ Lakers

4/5- vs. Spurs

4/7- vs. Grizzlies

4/10- vs. Lakers

Expand full comment

Jazz gets to play the Lakers once more, while the Nuggets will get to play the Lakers twice more.

Expand full comment
Mar 30, 2022·edited Mar 30, 2022

I will definitely take that 4th seed and the Jazz (but not the Nuggies) first round.

Expand full comment

It depends on whether the Jazz or the Nuggets will get the #5 spot, though.

Expand full comment

Yeah. And I like 2nd round matchup against Suns vs Grizz.

Expand full comment

Yes sir

Expand full comment

Jazz's next game is at home against the struggling Lakers. After that, they face the Warriors.

Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but I think the Warriors have a chance at beating Utah this Saturday. The Jazz may be a tough team, but they've been struggling lately.

Expand full comment

I believe a healthy Andre, Klay and Dray can bring some Warrior magic back. I wouldn't be too surprised if we win tomorrow even though I full expect an ass whooping from the Suns

Expand full comment
Mar 30, 2022·edited Mar 30, 2022

Clippers beat the Jazz 121-115. Jazz has now lost five games in a row in their road trip and are 45-31 and tied with the Nuggets.

Expand full comment

Thank you Clips for giving us one more game separation margin

Expand full comment

The Clippers have a legit damn team with everybody back healthy. Overstocked with talented playmaking wings combined with shooters and 2 legit big men. They have the personnel to counter a lot of lineups that the league has to offer. If they don't naturally Clipper it up next year they're poised to finally meet Larry

Expand full comment

Yup, that's why I think this is/was the year to go all in. Clippers are going to be nasty if they can stay healthy.

Expand full comment

Hopefully also poised to take out Memphis in the playoffs so we don’t have to!

Expand full comment

nah, I want the smoke with Memphis

Expand full comment

Utah's having trouble with the Clippers right now despite shooting over 55%.

Expand full comment

Side note: I’m amazed at the shit talking the Grizzlies are doing right now, acting like they won something already.

Dillon Brooks throwing shade at Dre and talking about how they’re building a dynasty…

Motherfucker you haven’t won a playoff series yet, sit down and shut your ass up

Expand full comment

I approve of this tirade and use of profanity (not that you need the approval 😃)

Expand full comment
Mar 30, 2022·edited Mar 30, 2022

GSW should learn from SCW. (Mentality)

They stay alive in playoff race.

https://twitter.com/kevo408/status/1509009673558536193?s=21&t=Ek1jltxBSty8E_r6founyA

Expand full comment

LOLakers

Expand full comment

tweet has net rating over each quarter of the season (by days, not games) for each team; for the Dubs:

Q1: +13.6

Q2: +3.2

Q3: +3.4

Q4: -1(!)

https://twitter.com/tvbassine/status/1508904885424562176?s=20&t=cgQLDmkI-TFgCix1YmwHqA

Expand full comment

the good news: Dubs are one of only 4 teams with a period in which they had a double digit net rating (Celtics Q3 +14.4 & Q4 +12.2; Grizz Q2 +12.8 & Q4 +11; Dubs Q1 +13.6; Cavs Q2 +10.6)

the bad news: they've been thoroughly mediocre since (also, Grizz really do seem legit)

Expand full comment

Is Iggy healthy enough to play some minutes? Haven't seen anything on why he couldn't sit down during the post game

Expand full comment

Vet Min players are not required to talk to media. lol

Expand full comment

🤣. Is this Dre's burner account?

Expand full comment