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Eric Apricot's avatar

New E1P thread up!

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Janet's avatar

Hey Daniel, thanks for the great write-up and lovely couple’s story! A long time ago and far away, before streaming, League Pass and even cable tv for the people, the Bulls home opener for the 96-97 season would feature the 95-96 championship trophy celebration. I had just started dating my husband, who promised to find a sports bar willing and able to show the broadcast. He did but ran late to pick me up, because he didn’t know the trophy is presented before the game. What?! How could he not know? Or celebrate MJ’s return from baseball? I had once shook hands with Jordan! We made it just in time, and for him to say, wow, you must really love basketball. He grew to love it, too, and we’ve been together ever since, moving to San Francisco and falling in love with the Dubs.

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Asher B.'s avatar

Dude what a meltdown in Sacramento. Two years ago, they were young and exciting and it took an epic 50 game masterpiece from one of the Warriors, I forget if it was Moody or Looney who scored 50. Someone.

But Sacramento had De'Aaron Fox playing at All-NBA levels, and a really great rookie in Keegan ... Murray, they had all-star Domantas Sabonis who can get a lot of rebounds and points, they had good ol' Harrison Barnes, they had Malik Monk as one of the all time offense off the bench guys, they had a coach they finally believed in, they were playing defense and the fastest offense around, the town was pumped, the beam was lit.

Two years later, they have Chicago reject backcourt Lavine and DeRozan, they dumped Fox for some reason, and they didn't make the playoffs.

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stickdog's avatar

From bullish prospects to Bulls rejects.

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Asher B.'s avatar

And soon enough, to bullshit

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TwoRingTest's avatar

They didn't dump Fox, Fox told them he wasn't going to sign an extension. He also made it clear that the only team he wanted to play for was San Antonio, which effectively killed the market for him.

It was either move him, or lose the contract slot and one of their most valuable assets for nothing in free agency. You can argue they could have gotten more, but I kind of doubt it.

There are many things I think you can blame Sac's front office for, but that's not one of them, IMHO.

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Eric Apricot's avatar

This is correct. But also, according to The Athletic, SAC alienated Fox by having a power struggle in management where Vivek’s child was very intrusive and got Mike Brown fired, who Fox supported.

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TwoRingTest's avatar

OK, that's a little more nuanced. I can't argue with that.

There's no question Vivek is about 80% a dumpster fire of an owner (but, he did get that arena built, which ain't nothing).

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Dan goutz's avatar

It is pretty crazy how fast that dissolved, yet unsurprising because well, ya know, Kangz

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Focaccia Homer's avatar

I feel for the fans, don't envy the players and can't help but shake my head at their front office. They dropped the ball big time, and broke the beam.

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Focaccia Homer's avatar

I think I'm gonna get sick of hearing Amen Thompson's name before the first game against the Houston Rockets.

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Asher B.'s avatar

Amen

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Focaccia Homer's avatar

🤮 Pardon me.

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Arash's avatar
3dEdited

Everyone’s talking about whether or not Kuminga is gonna get minutes, when my heads stuck on Looney.

Given how reliant the Rockets are at generating offensive rebounds, put backs, pick and roll handler scoring, and post ups for their offense . . . lowkey I think it might be time to unveil Kevon Olajuwon?

His elite rebounding blunts their offensive rebounding and putback scoring. Looney has always been a master at defending the pick and roll. Looney is also our beefiest guy for defending the post.

Looney should probably get significant minutes during this series, it makes too much sense.

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vignette17's avatar

This is one of those series that I could see Draymond/Looney lineups not only seeing the floor, but thriving.

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fotd's avatar

I think you’re right. I hope you’re right. Looney hasn’t been as consistent lately but I’m still hopeful he can bring some impactful minutes v their size.

I’m also hopeful Post continues to learn with every game. His play inside the paint is visibly better than even a month ago.

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John Keener's avatar

What a great story Daniel!

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Abaddon's avatar

Hey Apricot, did you catch Ben Taylor/Thinking Basketball shouting you out on their latest video on the NBA channel at the five minute mark?

https://youtu.be/NAsNrU1coM4?si=QkllTV9ZmnfiBH3X

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Focaccia Homer's avatar

That was a great video; thank you for sharing it. Not only did Ben Taylor of Thinking Basketball reference that play from EA, he also borrows awarding the Oscars to the best acting performances across the league. Because I don't watch other teams, I suppose I should have expected that Steph can't be the only actor among these elite bball players. My bias shows, I know.

I have no BBIQ whatsoever, so discovering all those creative team strategies trending right now to score a basket was great to watch. I was very entertained.

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dinohealth's avatar

THANKS for the link!

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crusty quips's avatar

I didn't know that he was doing stuff for the official NBA channel. Pretty neat!

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Eric Apricot's avatar

Yeah, it’s great to see him spread his stuff. The NBA talked to me about putting some videos out on the NBA channel, but honestly, I think my stuff would confuse/bore 90% of the viewers

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TwoRingTest's avatar

> I think my stuff would confuse/bore 90% of the viewers

Doubtful! But even if, in a couple of years, the 10% who did get it would have elevated you to guru status.

We'd have to start calling you Bodhi Big Pug.

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AttilaTheHun's avatar

No it wouldn't because you explain stuff clearly and mark stuff onscreen so it's easy to follow. You should do it!

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NoOneEverGotFired4GuardinSteph's avatar

Whoa, you turned them down??

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Eric Apricot's avatar

Just for now… I like being as weird as I want to be right now. I don’t know how I’m going to get approval from NBA staff to end my video with two minutes of Spinoza and Sartre making pancakes

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wonderyearsballer's avatar

If you think that (fantastic, creative, hillarious) content is too strange for America then you should spend a few minutes looking over the shoulder of any random teenager. I would be a bit surprised if the NBA ever asked you to take it out.

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Chasing Ring5 💍's avatar

Explain 1 Pass?!

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dinohealth's avatar

I was not surprised at all...you got to know whatsagot....

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Eric Apricot's avatar

Not at all, I should check it out… Haha, that was very nice of him, there was no need for him to do that.

Also, I can’t believe he stripped that play of all my extended commentary on existentialism and trash talking philosophers

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Offero's avatar
3dEdited

Your version WAS better :D

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ServantOfLuna's avatar

Both NBA play-in games between the #9 and #10 seeds ended in blowouts. Miami Heat cooked the Chicago Bulls 109-80, and the Dallas Mavericks used the power of MLP to stomp on the Sacramento Kings.

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NoOneEverGotFired4GuardinSteph's avatar

Only close play in game was ours

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dinohealth's avatar

We love drama...

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GSWarriors4lyf's avatar

Klay should do a night night when hit his last 3

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dinohealth's avatar

He shot a 72-71-100....lol 8-11 FG, 5-7 3PT, 2-2 FT...most of it the 2d qr when they blew the game open...

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Chasing Ring5 💍's avatar

I'm sorry Dino, I can't hear you. Can you please speak up a bit?

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dinohealth's avatar

common condition these days ever since some folks opted to support the fo spin on the klay thompson expulsion...it is called ''klaytitis''; its symptoms are a disenjuine denial of klay's continued superb bball skill sets, and the promulgation of the ''diminished post-injury klay'' false narrative. its treatment necessitates a visit to a board-certified ent physician for a simple tube-insertion procedure in the ears canals, and a bit of optical physical therapy of watching every klay game. don't worry, it is100% curable, and recovery will accelerate as soon as klay returns to the warriors for the next 2 years. i hope you may now be able to read this, and it helps you get well soon. have a speedy return and full recovery...just like klay did....

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TwoRingTest's avatar

LOL.

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dinohealth's avatar

lol...what are you laughing at...lol...klay just demonstrated -for "kiddisotitis"-infected dallas, no-less- he is still capable of B2B2B2B, 4x 3 pointers in a row, to blow a game wide open in minutes and help his "me-me-dribbleitis*-suffering team win a play-in game in a romp...we sure could have used some of that 39% 3pt efficiency this season (same as splash bro steph) and in the playoffs...we probably would have won 8-10 more games, and clinched a playoff spot weeks ago in romps, with time to spare for rest, not squeak by via last seconds play-in...

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GSWarriors4lyf's avatar

I guess they not gonna light the beam tonight! Klay got his revenge. And Curry stopper Ellis is a bench warmer!

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NoOneEverGotFired4GuardinSteph's avatar

Ellis was a starter but he got in foul trouble (unlike when he guards Steph and the whistles are swallowed lol)

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dinohealth's avatar

KLAY with a game-leading +31...lol

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dinohealth's avatar

KLAY is wasted in DALLAS.

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cpt nemo's avatar

well the entire state is wasted, so...:-(

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TwoRingTest's avatar

He probably will be in about two hours.

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g8tgod's avatar

At least he's having a good game.

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dinohealth's avatar

1st Qr he took 2 shots; everyone else was going wild; DAVIS was 2-9. 2 QR, he showed them the way the NBA game should be played today, on both ends of the court; LIVELY was the only one that got the memo. To no avail; the 2d half, I might as well be watching a wild pick-up full-court game...pathetic, both teams...KLAY was totally out of the offense....He was a factor in one quarter. The rest, KIDD ME-BALL...methinks he is the worst coach in the NBA, which saddens me as I thought he was a great PG...

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ServantOfLuna's avatar

Mavericks are in the middle of the league when it comes to three point shooting, but the Kings defense is making them look like the best three point shooting team in the league.

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dinohealth's avatar

I don't think KLAY had a single catch-n-shoot 3pter the 2d qr....he was working off the dribble mostly, which is the only way for anyone to get a shot off in DULLES...had a hand in his face for most of them, curling off picks and mostly LIVELY working with him ...

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g8tgod's avatar

Klay has 18 on 6-9 and is a team-high +27!

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dinohealth's avatar

Finished with 23 and team-high +31

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Daniel Hardee's avatar

Thanks for the friendly corrections HQ! You passed the test ;)

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TwoRingTest's avatar

By the way, we're not playing the Klingons in the second round.

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wonderyearsballer's avatar

tlhIngan Hol DaHaDrup'a'. bIwuvtaHvIS mIw'e' Dachaw'chugh

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Daniel Hardee's avatar

AND NO PRAISE FOR THE TREMENDOUS PHOTOSHOP JOB SMH

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Daniel Hardee's avatar

Lololol my favorite is when my errors make people who never comment jump out of the shadows to help. It's my way of creating community

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TwoRingTest's avatar

that ain't me!

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Daniel Hardee's avatar

Absolutely not TwoRingTest, you're a legend

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Captain Jack's avatar

Kings trading for Sabonis is still a decent to good move IMO because Hali/Fox was never going to work but with Davion Mitchell disappointing at #9 and acquiring Derozan they really screwed up there. I also think Keegan Murray not being who they thought he was going to be also hurt. I mean, he's a solid player and will be good in the future IMO but they needed him to be better than solid

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NoOneEverGotFired4GuardinSteph's avatar

Idk, IMO they still shouldn't have traded Haliburton. Agree that having him and Fox wasn't going to work, but they could've traded Fox later and still had Haliburton. Kangz gonna Kangz though

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ServantOfLuna's avatar

According to Kings fans, they believed that Keegan Murray was told to bulk up during the offseason so that he can guard stronger players. Unfortunately, this also ruined his shooting form.

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g8tgod's avatar

That stinks.

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Peter's avatar

Winning this close with Jimmy and Steph scoring so we'll is worrying especially after losing to the Clippers when Steph and Jimmy scored so well. Buddy, moody and Podz have to step up and fast. JK must play and stop hesitating. He needs to drive the second he gets the ball every time.

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ananthd's avatar

JK's path to more playing time will be mainly through the hustle categories: deflections, steals, loose balls, contests, box outs and boards. There's no reason he shouldn't be amongst the leaders given his physical gifts. I think he thinks of himself mainly as a scorer and that seems to be Kerr's issue with him.

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cpt nemo's avatar

the one time JK hustled, the stripes called a foul on him on our end of the floor, leading to FTs on other end to win the game - it was earlier this season and I forget who we were playing! He was tussling on the floor with the opponent player!

I think that has scarred him from "hustle" plays! /s

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Lightsx3's avatar

I can't comment too much on his defense since coming back but there seemed to be good effort there, and on the boards seemed to have improved also. He's never been a guy that gambles for steals often so his steal number is low

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ananthd's avatar

I'm not talking about gambling, just motor or hustle. If JK had Gui's or JTA's motor he'd be a starter despite his shooting limitations.

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Lightsx3's avatar

I'm not sure if Kerr wants jk to attack everytime he gets the ball or if he wants him to pass and screen for Steph much more often

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Peter's avatar

Anyone can screen for Steph. No anyone can penetrative the paint like JK. He should be in whenever Jimmy sits at the least.

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Lightsx3's avatar

Just one of the reasons why I think Kerr plays gp2 over jk. Gp2 is looking to free up Steph while jk is looking to attack first. Jks minutes always coincided with how healthy gp2 is, even before the Jimmy trade

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Peter's avatar

Another thing is, having JK get dnps hurts his trade value. We could get that one last piece we need by trading JK and few picks but this thr worst thing to hurt his trade value.

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belilaugh's avatar

> Anyone can screen for Steph.

If only Wiseman was aware of that

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Lightsx3's avatar

Dallas was +200 starting this game too

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