2024-25 NBA running thread

[sgreenwell]

...and the Mavs just announced a ticket price hike.

OOOOF

wow but who could have ever realized this was a bad idea and luka is still fat

 

[Webster]

I was not and still am not against the idea that the organization which has watched Luka closely for more than half a decade came to the conclusion that his personal habits justified the decision that they didn't want to invest 1/3 billion on him.

The sins were not getting much more in the transaction and leaving themselves very thin at playmaker/over relying on Kyrie to have the ball in his hand every important possession of big games. The latter chicken sure came home to roost.

 

[Twirling Time]

The chef's kiss would be the Mavs finishing 10th and missing the lottery.

 

[Batman]

One thing that mystifies me about the Luka trade is how, for 50+ years and counting, the Lakers are constantly able to get people to gift them superstars for a bag of beans or otherwise fall ash backward into them — Wilt, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Kobe, Pau Gasol, Luka, and even Shaq to a certain degree. Not even counting LeBron, and I'm sure there are others I'm missing. Almost all of them were acquired for washed-up players and nobodies, or through draft picks acquired several years before that somehow turned into No. 1 overall picks.
It's insane how it has happened over and over and over again. For all of their earned success, the Lakers have a horseshoe the size of the Hollywood sign shoved up their ash when it comes to building rosters.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

One thing that mystifies me about the Luka trade is how, for 50+ years and counting, the Lakers are constantly able to get people to gift them superstars for a bag of beans or otherwise fall ash backward into them — Wilt, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Kobe, Pau Gasol, Luka, and even Shaq to a certain degree. Not even counting LeBron, and I'm sure there are others I'm missing. Almost all of them were acquired for washed-up players and nobodies, or through draft picks acquired several years before that somehow turned into No. 1 overall picks.
It's insane how it has happened over and over and over again. For all of their earned success, the Lakers have a horseshoe the size of the Hollywood sign shoved up their ash when it comes to building rosters.

Mostly a combo of (a) players wanting to be in LA, (b) LA having smart leadership, mostly in the form of Jerry West, and (c) a lot of teams run by dumb people.

Wilt wanted to go to LA and used the ABA as leverage to force the trade.

Kobe was the 13th pick. Other teams thought it was too risky to take him.

The Grizzlies thought they got a great deal for Pau Gasol. They shopped him around and thought the Lakers' offer was the best one.

The two number one picks giving them Magic and Worthy is kind of nuts.

 

[Batman]

Mostly a combo of (a) players wanting to be in LA, (b) LA having smart leadership, mostly in the form of Jerry West, and (c) a lot of teams run by dumb people.

Wilt wanted to go to LA and used the ABA as leverage to force the trade.

Kobe was the 13th pick. Other teams thought it was too risky to take him.

The Grizzlies thought they got a great deal for Pau Gasol. They shopped him around and thought the Lakers' offer was the best one.

The two number one picks giving them Magic and Worthy is kind of nuts.

Oh, it's definitely a combination of GM skill (good for the Lakers, bad for other teams), taking advantage of situations (Wilt and Shaq) and luck (Kobe turning into an all-time great, winding up with the No. 1 picks that turned into Magic and Worthy).
It's just crazy to me how it happens over and over through multiple generations. Any one of the trades for the players I mentioned could probably be on a "Greatest trade heists in sports history" list, and they've all benefited the same team. At some point it's like Baxter eating the wheel of cheese in "Anchorman." I'm not even mad. I'm impressed.

 

[sgreenwell]

One thing that mystifies me about the Luka trade is how, for 50+ years and counting, the Lakers are constantly able to get people to gift them superstars for a bag of beans or otherwise fall ash backward into them — Wilt, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Kobe, Pau Gasol, Luka, and even Shaq to a certain degree. Not even counting LeBron, and I'm sure there are others I'm missing. Almost all of them were acquired for washed-up players and nobodies, or through draft picks acquired several years before that somehow turned into No. 1 overall picks.
It's insane how it has happened over and over and over again. For all of their earned success, the Lakers have a horseshoe the size of the Hollywood sign shoved up their ash when it comes to building rosters.

I don't think it's all luck. If you have a disgruntled superstar, they're probably your first call because you know the player will agree to it, and the team is always looking for stars.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Listening to Stan Van Gundy eviscerate the Suns is top notch entertainment.

 

[BTExpress]

It's like the John Elway thing.

Downtrodden team has a chance to select a generational player. Player says "fork that; I'm not playing there," knowing they can either force a trade or go back in the draft the next year.

Downtrodden team stays bad. Glitzy team stays glitzy for another generation.

Lakers also had to win two coin flips to get No. 1 pick in 1980 and 1982.

Lose those picks, and instead of Magic/Worthy you have Marques Johnson/Terry Cummings or Dominique Wilkins.

Maybe they win a title or two. Definitely not five.

 

[Hermes]

I'm rooting for a Cavs-Thunder Finals just to Pish off every coastal reporter who will whine. Have fun with the 1:50 last calls!

 

[Cosmo]

Listening to Stan Van Gundy eviscerate the Suns is top notch entertainment.

And as pathetic as they've been this year, they somehow come back from 23 down last night to beat the Clippers and sweep the season series.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

I'm rooting for a Cavs-Thunder Finals just to Pish off every coastal reporter who will whine. Have fun with the 1:50 last calls!

I'll never root for the Thunder for anything. They should still be in Seattle.