2026 NBA Season

[xLays]

I’m surprised by how well Dallas has been playing since the trade. They pulled off upsets against the Celtics, Rockets and Warriors teams that were favored against them at the time. They even almost beat the Kings, but the game went to OT otherwise they’d be on a four-game winning streak.

Imagine if Anthony Davis were healthy and playing. Do you think the Mavs are now a lock for the playoffs this season? The Warriors and Suns are still struggling to get wins. If the Suns Big 3 were healthy their standing would probably be much better. As for the Warriors, they got Jimmy Butler but nothing has really changed IMO.

[wheelz1200]

An interesting report came out claiming that the Luka Doncic trade didn’t go down quite like they said. Anthony Davis was the Dallas Mavericks third choice. They originally contacted the Milwaukee Bucks about trading for Giannis and when that was declined they contacted the Minnesota Timberwolves about Anthony Edwards. After that was declined they contacted the Lakers.

Thats an odd choice in edwards.  I can see why they wanted AD, size and defensive and offensive lost post presense.  Same type with giannis but edwardsis the same like type player as luka.  I wonder what else was goijg on if this is true.  I can see if ypu have one guy in mind but if ypu are shopping a 25 year old superstar for whoever it just doesnt add up

I still don’t understand why they want Luka out of the Mavs. I mean, defense wins championships, sure, but they could surround Luka with four solid defensive players who can also shoot, and that could give the Mavs a competitive edge. If they did that, the Lakers  secured their future with Luka, while the Mavs are left hoping to manage the injury risk with Anthony Davis.

I do feel happy for Davis, though, since he'll get to play the 4 spot, which is really where he’s more suited. As a huge fan of LeBron since his rookie year, I respect everything he’s done for the game, but I do think the Lakers need to start thinking long-term. LeBron only has a few more years at his peak, but his trade value is still high enough to make a move that sets up the franchise for the future. If they’re smart, the Lakers should capitalize on that to build something sustainable.

Nobody does.  AD now out a month he has his injury issues amd is a big man over 30 years old.  That never ages well.  I like AD but he is nearing the end of his prime because his body breakdown.  Luka at 25 at a minimum males you competitive every year.  And on top of it pissed your other star off kyrie.  I dont see this ending well for the mavs.

And we have seen that even with AD is still in the Lakers, and they are hoping that this year, he will not be as fragile, but he still got injured and so the wear and tear of AD's body is going to show in the next 2 years if I may say that.

Yes, they still have Kyrie and Klay, but still it's very different when you have the 25 year old as your franchise player and this could be the biggest regret if any of Nico if AD will be injury prone with his Dallas stint and then slowly losing his prime years as a Maverick.

Yeah i habe to admit nico had a set on him to make this deal.  If it backfires and they dont win it all in a couple years time nico migjt never get another front office job.  And even worse if lakers win a chip with luka he is done for.  Huge gamble.  Cherry on top is trading quentin grimes and a pick for caleb martin and quentin drops 30 points.  Nico is having a rough go right now.

[blockman]

I’m surprised by how well Dallas has been playing since the trade. They pulled off upsets against the Celtics, Rockets and Warriors teams that were favored against them at the time. They even almost beat the Kings, but the game went to OT otherwise they’d be on a four-game winning streak.

Imagine if Anthony Davis were healthy and playing. Do you think the Mavs are now a lock for the playoffs this season?

I think that the Dallas will be back in the playoffs. But they need to preserve AD for that before anything happens and misses the important games there. And speaking of Dallas, I think that I've seen a meme or that's a real thing that Zion said he don't want to get traded in Dallas because he'd be called fat.

The Warriors and Suns are still struggling to get wins. If the Suns Big 3 were healthy their standing would probably be much better. As for the Warriors, they got Jimmy Butler but nothing has really changed IMO.

It's still early for the Warriors to see such effect but we'll see that in the long run. Well, the main highlight lately is with Paul George.

[wheelz1200]

I’m surprised by how well Dallas has been playing since the trade. They pulled off upsets against the Celtics, Rockets and Warriors teams that were favored against them at the time. They even almost beat the Kings, but the game went to OT otherwise they’d be on a four-game winning streak.

Imagine if Anthony Davis were healthy and playing. Do you think the Mavs are now a lock for the playoffs this season?

I think that the Dallas will be back in the playoffs. But they need to preserve AD for that before anything happens and misses the important games there. And speaking of Dallas, I think that I've seen a meme or that's a real thing that Zion said he don't want to get traded in Dallas because he'd be called fat.

The Warriors and Suns are still struggling to get wins. If the Suns Big 3 were healthy their standing would probably be much better. As for the Warriors, they got Jimmy Butler but nothing has really changed IMO.

It's still early for the Warriors to see such effect but we'll see that in the long run. Well, the main highlight lately is with Paul George.

I think jimmy will help them out a lot its just going to take time. Its not video games where you can just plug somebody in and then let them play.  Rotations and gameplay take a couple games to start figuring out. Look at luka he doesnt look like luka yet because hes learning how everyone plays over there.  Same thing.

[dwyane36]

On the positive note, Bronny James scored 9 points, his season high.

Even though the Lakers lost, Bronny surprised everyone with his performance in this game. I mean 9 points in 7 minutes - that's a great result for a rookie, and he also had a good field goal percentage. I hope it wasn't just luck but that Bronny is gradually making progress. If that's the case, JJ Redick should probably think about giving Bronny a little more playing time.

[LGD2Business]

Without VanVleet, the Rockets are struggling a lot. Tari Eason is also out again. Jalen Green is shooting very poorly as usual. Aaron Holiday has brought some energy to the team. Other than that, the Rockets can't create any offensive action. Everything is left to Alperen. Whitmore, Thompson and Brooks need to take more responsibility. They look like they will lose again against the Warriors. Moreover, Jimmy Butler hasn't even stepped up yet. Podziemski and Curry are carrying the team for now. There won't be a lot of scoring again, so the Rockets must be more effective offensively to win.

[passwordnow]

The Dallas Mavericks won against the Miami Heat. Take note of this, NO AD, No Klay, No Lively, well, most of their key players aren't there but they're able to do it. This is just one game though but I think that they're putting the best with the players that they have and able to play for them. I also think this is the first time that I've seen they have the first five without a superstar or this is the next generation of their superstars including Christie.

[sana54210]

Hornets seems to be arguing over the failed test for Mark Williams. The theory is that while trade deadline is done, that trade is not fully over, because if they can argue that the failed physical taste was wrong, then they could still make that trade.

Now there are two questions left, will Lakers agree to get a Mark Williams who is arguable on the physical test, and will the courts agree that Hornets still have a right to make that trade. In any case, that would be a bad deal if you ask me, and I do not see how that would benefit Lakers, sure they need a center, but they do not need want that is getting this much dislike from their own teams and try to send him away. Maybe free agency could have a much better player somewhere which could help Lakers? Not entirely sure.

[Baofeng]

How about Kawhi 25 points in a season-high 34 minutes against the Grizzlies. It seems that they are now integrating Leonard in the second half of the season and hopefully he will be heathy as well.

The Warriors are looking very good though with Butler and it seems that everyone is clicking with him in the Warriors uniform. But I think something is still missing with them though, the rotation in the middle, they need a solid player to be their center, and I do not think that Post to be that guy for the Warriors. It looks like Trayce Jackson-Davis is injured if I'm not mistaken, or maybe out of the rotation as Kerr is experimenting on Post here.

[TravelMug]

Although the Lakers lost today to the Jazz which they beat a couple of days ago. Lebron played and Luka, but Lauri Markkanen scored 32 points and had a season-high three steals to lead the Utah Jazz. Clarkson as well scored 21 points. On the positive note, Bronny James scored 9 points, his season high.

I'm sure many have also lost bets on that game since the Jazz aren't really a strong team, but one thing I've noticed is that they're a different team when playing at home, they're really good there and can beat even a strong team.

They beat them though prior to this and Lakers was a huge underdog at that time. That's why it was a big surprised to see them losing against a team that they beat with double digits and it was Austin Reaves who carry them.

However, when it comes to Luka, I'm not seeing his usual numbers anymore, so I guess his production might drop and his individual records could be affected. Still, I'm optimistic that the trade will work out for the Lakers too, and maybe after a few more games, Luka can blend well with the team since it seems to be just a minor chemistry issue.

The Lakers are slowly getting Luka in the system. And remember that he just came from a injury and so they have to implement and restrict his minutes so that he won't aggravate that injury. But for sure if the team sees that he is like 90%-100% healthy, he will be back in the rotation and up his minutes to at least 30 per game.

[Yaunfitda]

Although the Lakers lost today to the Jazz which they beat a couple of days ago. Lebron played and Luka, but Lauri Markkanen scored 32 points and had a season-high three steals to lead the Utah Jazz. Clarkson as well scored 21 points. On the positive note, Bronny James scored 9 points, his season high.

I'm sure many have also lost bets on that game since the Jazz aren't really a strong team, but one thing I've noticed is that they're a different team when playing at home, they're really good there and can beat even a strong team.

However, when it comes to Luka, I'm not seeing his usual numbers anymore, so I guess his production might drop and his individual records could be affected. Still, I'm optimistic that the trade will work out for the Lakers too, and maybe after a few more games, Luka can blend well with the team since it seems to be just a minor chemistry issue.

Still working and familiarizing with the system I guess, knowing Luka he'll catch up for sure, just letting the system play on him just a couple of games there are more to come we will see him taking in charge, as of now, it's more on how the coaching staff will play them together to bring the right blends and chemistries inside the court, a lost needs to be reassess to bring the better adjustments for the team to recover then win more games to come.

Yes, a lot of adjustments have to be made as well for Luka and that's why the Lakers management is not hurrying Luka to play a lot of minutes, let the game come to him. And if we look at the records of Lakers, they are really doing good so not need to extend and stretch Luka for now. Maybe after the All Star break when every team is really on the panic to make the playoff of if Lakers suddenly went on a losing skid, maybe they will have to play Luka more minutes. But they still have Lebron and Reaves to help them score and secure a win. I'm thinking though that it could be another Wade - Lebron type of games that we might see once Luka fully become a Laker and be in their rotation or starting five.

[Finestream]

The Dallas Mavericks won against the Miami Heat. Take note of this, NO AD, No Klay, No Lively, well, most of their key players aren't there but they're able to do it. This is just one game though but I think that they're putting the best with the players that they have and able to play for them. I also think this is the first time that I've seen they have the first five without a superstar or this is the next generation of their superstars including Christie.

I'll say Dallas is just lucky in that game. But we can't underestimate their players because they also have some great talent. We often see them in the absence of their star players. We see their aggressive attacks on Miami and get a close score from the first to the third quarter. I'm not sure what happened to Miami in the 4th quarter, giving way to Dallas to score 4 points and win. Well, this is something we say that not all the time favorite teams win.

[freedomgo]

The Lakers are slowly getting Luka in the system. And remember that he just came from a injury and so they have to implement and restrict his minutes so that he won't aggravate that injury. But for sure if the team sees that he is like 90%-100% healthy, he will be back in the rotation and up his minutes to at least 30 per game.

I'm hoping to see that because Luka is special, still young, and will be the next superstar for the Lakers when LeBron retires. For now, however, the Lakers are still not a consistent team, as they couldn't even dominate a weak team on the road. I don't know, I can't be too hyped about seeing Luka with the Lakers when the results haven't been proven yet.

[danherbias07]

Hornets seems to be arguing over the failed test for Mark Williams. The theory is that while trade deadline is done, that trade is not fully over, because if they can argue that the failed physical taste was wrong, then they could still make that trade.

Now there are two questions left, will Lakers agree to get a Mark Williams who is arguable on the physical test, and will the courts agree that Hornets still have a right to make that trade. In any case, that would be a bad deal if you ask me, and I do not see how that would benefit Lakers, sure they need a center, but they do not need want that is getting this much dislike from their own teams and try to send him away. Maybe free agency could have a much better player somewhere which could help Lakers? Not entirely sure.

Which is why the trade was not completed.

They have scouts and so is the other team. Watch Adam Sandler's movie "Hustle" and it's like the true-to-life story of a scout. That's their job, to seek potential and if they see that one player who is going for a trade is an unreasonable call then they go directly to the owner or the GM to tell the story.
They will either be believed or they will not be. But scouts are meant to do this kind of job so most of the time they are believed.
Ins and outs, lefts and rights, injuries and health, all go through this method to find out if a player is meant for the team or not. It's nearly a coaching job but you are only following the player and not giving him hints.

[Jating]

Hornets seems to be arguing over the failed test for Mark Williams. The theory is that while trade deadline is done, that trade is not fully over, because if they can argue that the failed physical taste was wrong, then they could still make that trade.

Now there are two questions left, will Lakers agree to get a Mark Williams who is arguable on the physical test, and will the courts agree that Hornets still have a right to make that trade. In any case, that would be a bad deal if you ask me, and I do not see how that would benefit Lakers, sure they need a center, but they do not need want that is getting this much dislike from their own teams and try to send him away. Maybe free agency could have a much better player somewhere which could help Lakers? Not entirely sure.

Which is why the trade was not completed.

They have scouts and so is the other team. Watch Adam Sandler's movie "Hustle" and it's like the true-to-life story of a scout. That's their job, to seek potential and if they see that one player who is going for a trade is an unreasonable call then they go directly to the owner or the GM to tell the story.
They will either be believed or they will not be. But scouts are meant to do this kind of job so most of the time they are believed.
Ins and outs, lefts and rights, injuries and health, all go through this method to find out if a player is meant for the team or not. It's nearly a coaching job but you are only following the player and not giving him hints.

Not sure if there are scouts though to watch Mark Williams while he was still with the Hornets. It's more of the believed that what Hornets is saying with Mark Williams and the Lakers believed it and so it was a go for them. Unfortunately, when they are the one to test him, he did failed and so it seems that the problem is with the Hornets not telling them the truth initially.

For sure there are scouts but it's more on into drafting players in my opinion and not in this kind of case. I mean they could have seen tapes of Williams and we know that he had history of injuries as well. But them not telling the whole story behind him was another thing.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

I’m surprised by how well Dallas has been playing since the trade. They pulled off upsets against the Celtics, Rockets and Warriors teams that were favored against them at the time. They even almost beat the Kings, but the game went to OT otherwise they’d be on a four-game winning streak.

Imagine if Anthony Davis were healthy and playing. Do you think the Mavs are now a lock for the playoffs this season? The Warriors and Suns are still struggling to get wins. If the Suns Big 3 were healthy their standing would probably be much better. As for the Warriors, they got Jimmy Butler but nothing has really changed IMO.

They can extend their winning in their next game as they will be facing the Hornets in their homecourt. And it seems that Klay is trying to be the old version of his himself with the Dallas team.

But they really need the services of AD as their big men as all injured if I'm not mistaken.

Same with the Warriors, it looks like they are also playing good with Jimmy and now they are back to .500. The Warriors are 28-27, so maybe after the break, they will make a good push to at least be in the playoff or at least have a winning streak of their own.

[Fredomago]

I’m surprised by how well Dallas has been playing since the trade. They pulled off upsets against the Celtics, Rockets and Warriors teams that were favored against them at the time. They even almost beat the Kings, but the game went to OT otherwise they’d be on a four-game winning streak.

Imagine if Anthony Davis were healthy and playing. Do you think the Mavs are now a lock for the playoffs this season? The Warriors and Suns are still struggling to get wins. If the Suns Big 3 were healthy their standing would probably be much better. As for the Warriors, they got Jimmy Butler but nothing has really changed IMO.

They can extend their winning in their next game as they will be facing the Hornets in their homecourt. And it seems that Klay is trying to be the old version of his himself with the Dallas team.

But they really need the services of AD as their big men as all injured if I'm not mistaken.

Same with the Warriors, it looks like they are also playing good with Jimmy and now they are back to .500. The Warriors are 28-27, so maybe after the break, they will make a good push to at least be in the playoff or at least have a winning streak of their own.

I like to see how Klay taking over he's finding his rhythm again and with that confidence he really helping the team, together with Kyrie they've got a good streaks but you are right they need AD to have that impact inside hopefully he'll be back and more healthy to help his new team, they've got a good chance of all of them will play as it is with a healthier physical and mental condition..

[dimonstration]

I like to see how Klay taking over he's finding his rhythm again and with that confidence he really helping the team, together with Kyrie they've got a good streaks but you are right they need AD to have that impact inside hopefully he'll be back and more healthy to help his new team, they've got a good chance of all of them will play as it is with a healthier physical and mental condition..

Yeah right, He is now starting to become more reliable again since he can shoot already on crucial times when 3 points is badly needed. I’m not expecting him to play an average above 20+ points per game due to all the injury that he have but his crucial 3 points will always give Mavs an advantage on their close games.

Together with Kyrie and other young talent, Mavs is a beast if they will complete their roster on the playoffs.

I’m just skeptical if they can avoid injury issue later on since most of their roster now is injury prone. 

[OgNasty]

Looking forward to the All Star festivities kicking off tonight on TNT.  The young guys are going to get a chance to go at it tonight with some sort of new tournament style matchup.  The big game (or games this year) are on Sunday, but we can look forward to tomorrow night's dunk contest, which is always a favorite.  I'm liking Team Shaq for the All Star victory on Sunday night, but hope the game is at least worth watching.  I know the big names are going to be trying to put up some big numbers to polish off their all star stats.

[Maslate]

I like to see how Klay taking over he's finding his rhythm again and with that confidence he really helping the team, together with Kyrie they've got a good streaks but you are right they need AD to have that impact inside hopefully he'll be back and more healthy to help his new team, they've got a good chance of all of them will play as it is with a healthier physical and mental condition..

Yeah right, He is now starting to become more reliable again since he can shoot already on crucial times when 3 points is badly needed. I’m not expecting him to play an average above 20+ points per game due to all the injury that he have but his crucial 3 points will always give Mavs an advantage on their close games.

Together with Kyrie and other young talent, Mavs is a beast if they will complete their roster on the playoffs.

I’m just skeptical if they can avoid injury issue later on since most of their roster now is injury prone. 

No good team these days is free from injuries, even the Warriors with Curry and the Lakers with Luka are injury prone. But the good news for Dallas is that they have a deep roster, so hopefully that will help. Kyrie is now healthy, and we’re seeing him play like his old self; he’ll be even more dangerous when the playoffs come around. Just imagine if Lively, Gafford, and Davis all center, their interior will be incredibly strong.

BTW, the All-Star game is here. Let's enjoy the weekend!