2025 NBA Season

[Golftech]

I don't care if any of the pelicans trade players from lakers become really good, they got Anthony Davis in return, that is good enough, none of those guys could be better than Anthony Davis himself, we are talking about one of the best bigs in the league right now, sure he has a really bad injury problem that may cause Lakers some problems down the road but since they have AD already how good can Lonzo or Ingram get? There is no way they will get THAT good in this short span of time.

However, if they kept all their players from all the drafts they could had a team of Lonzo+D'Lo+Ingram+Kuzma+Randle as a starting 5, now I am not saying that team is awesome but that team looks like it could win a ring in 5 years or so when all these superstars go. Pelicans have a real shot at becoming a really good team if they develop their players right but in any case it won't be "Lebron James + Anthony Davis" level of good.

The fact that the Lakers got AD from the Pelicans trade, without a doubt, Lakers definitely win it all. Ball and Ingram are still developing their skills and are relatively young, they still dont have the mentality of becoming a champion. While Lebron is absolutely looking for another ring, so as AD is looking for his first one.
If the Pelicans keep this roster for the next 3 to 5 years, then I can say they can really have a shot to win a ring, of course with Zion's leadership.

Developing players to be more competitive will take some time, and you are right LeBron is not getting any younger he needs player who can step up and help him bringing the ring to his team. He don't have team to tutor someone and be stress while playing alongside with them.

The trade benefits both side, in the short span of time Lakers become aspirant for this season, while in the long process if Pelicans able to kept there squad and norture them to build a good chemistry together., They can create another super team inside the league.

[Botnake]

The trade benefits both side, in the short span of time Lakers become aspirant for this season, while in the long process if Pelicans able to kept there squad and norture them to build a good chemistry together., They can create another super team inside the league.

For me, I cannot make judgement at this early stage yet.
Pelicans is hype now because they have the first pick but let's give them some time and evaluate if they can show some consistency.
Having the first pick does not mean that they will be a great team in the future, this still depends on a lot of factors and of course we cannot underestimate the possibility of injuries which we hope won't happen.

For me, the Pelicans to be in the playoffs this season would already be a big achievement.

[jossiel]

Interesting article from the Times today

ESPN’s politics policy, and its journalism, tested by NBA-China controversy
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/10/15/espns-politics-policy-its-journalism-tested-by-nba-china-controversy/

IMHO, this seems to be a big deal for most. I'm still reading the article and watching some videos related to it. Politics should be outside the NBA's premise and should focus to the goal of NBA.

@Reid, well that's also my thought regarding this matter and this can even trigger more about both country's trade war.

[mich]

Interesting article from the Times today

ESPN’s politics policy, and its journalism, tested by NBA-China controversy
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/10/15/espns-politics-policy-its-journalism-tested-by-nba-china-controversy/

Ergh! Politics. I dont want to talk about it when I am in my normal mind.
Maybe when I am drunk, I can surely talk about it the whole night.

ESPN should really stop that by now.
Go back to sports. You are not CNN or other News related shows about those politics and other stuffs about countries.
Stay from reporting basketball, football or anything that has to do with just sports.

Morey have his own opinion about this. He is in a democratic country so it should just be normal. Why make it larger than that?

Sorry for bringing politics into this its just a hot topic globally right now.

Here is a change of pace:
The cheapest MVPs in NBA history relative to the league salary cap
https://hoopshype.com/2019/10/15/the-cheapest-mvps-in-nba-history-relative-to-the-league-salary-cap/

[Coin_trader]

The trade benefits both side, in the short span of time Lakers become aspirant for this season, while in the long process if Pelicans able to kept there squad and norture them to build a good chemistry together., They can create another super team inside the league.

Having the first pick does not mean that they will be a great team in the future, this still depends on a lot of factors and of course we cannot underestimate the possibility of injuries which we hope won't happen.

But Lakers is the most beneficial for the trade. Remember that Anthony Davis is first rank in draft pick too which already proves his worth. But Zion Williamson showing the strong game in the pre-season.
So Pelicans might form a good team too once they fully utilize Zion. But I doubt that they will enter the play-offs. There are too many strong teams in the West right now.
The only teams that can guarantee a spot in play-offs in the western conference are GSW and Lakers.

[Oasisman]

I don't care if any of the pelicans trade players from lakers become really good, they got Anthony Davis in return, that is good enough, none of those guys could be better than Anthony Davis himself, we are talking about one of the best bigs in the league right now, sure he has a really bad injury problem that may cause Lakers some problems down the road but since they have AD already how good can Lonzo or Ingram get? There is no way they will get THAT good in this short span of time.

However, if they kept all their players from all the drafts they could had a team of Lonzo+D'Lo+Ingram+Kuzma+Randle as a starting 5, now I am not saying that team is awesome but that team looks like it could win a ring in 5 years or so when all these superstars go. Pelicans have a real shot at becoming a really good team if they develop their players right but in any case it won't be "Lebron James + Anthony Davis" level of good.

The fact that the Lakers got AD from the Pelicans trade, without a doubt, Lakers definitely win it all. Ball and Ingram are still developing their skills and are relatively young, they still dont have the mentality of becoming a champion. While Lebron is absolutely looking for another ring, so as AD is looking for his first one.
If the Pelicans keep this roster for the next 3 to 5 years, then I can say they can really have a shot to win a ring, of course with Zion's leadership.

Developing players to be more competitive will take some time, and you are right LeBron is not getting any younger he needs player who can step up and help him bringing the ring to his team. He don't have team to tutor someone and be stress while playing alongside with them.

The trade benefits both side, in the short span of time Lakers become aspirant for this season, while in the long process if Pelicans able to kept there squad and norture them to build a good chemistry together., They can create another super team inside the league.

Very well said!
I was really thinking, judging from their pre-season game, AD, Bron, and McGee is a perfect complement for each other. I mean this guys has a lot of something to show the fans this season. I'm also guessing Lebron orchestrated this AD trade as he knows who he can play better just like Dwade in Miami.

[Ranly123]

The trade benefits both side, in the short span of time Lakers become aspirant for this season, while in the long process if Pelicans able to kept there squad and norture them to build a good chemistry together., They can create another super team inside the league.

Having the first pick does not mean that they will be a great team in the future, this still depends on a lot of factors and of course we cannot underestimate the possibility of injuries which we hope won't happen.

But Lakers is the most beneficial for the trade. Remember that Anthony Davis is first rank in draft pick too which already proves his worth. But Zion Williamson showing the strong game in the pre-season.
So Pelicans might form a good team too once they fully utilize Zion. But I doubt that they will enter the play-offs. There are too many strong teams in the West right now.
The only teams that can guarantee a spot in play-offs in the western conference are GSW and Lakers.

I definitely agree with you, since the Pelicans players are still young. Maybe they can make it to the playoffs but most likely they will not reach the conference finals.

[Finestream]

The only teams that can guarantee a spot in play-offs in the western conference are GSW and Lakers.

You are forgetting The Clippers and the Rockets my friend, based on the betting odds, the have a higher chances of winning the championship compared to the warriors, so at least consider them to be in the playoffs.

Harden + WB
Leonard + PG.

[Vaculin]

Harden + WB
Leonard + PG.

These are new pairs and there's o much hype n this star tandem, Leonard is proven to be a good leader regardless of whom you will pair with him, but Westbrook and Harden who are both demanding the ball, I am not sure about them, they could be in the playoffs but beating team that played with real teamwork, it will be hard for them to carry the team by themselves.

[Ranly123]

The only teams that can guarantee a spot in play-offs in the western conference are GSW and Lakers.

You are forgetting The Clippers and the Rockets my friend, based on the betting odds, the have a higher chances of winning the championship compared to the warriors, so at least consider them to be in the playoffs.

Harden + WB
Leonard + PG.

Well they are stacked in the west and definitely be hard for all the es in the west to reach the playoffs. But whoever win the WCF will have the highest chance of winning the championship. Well yeah Houston and the clippers are contenders for the Larry O'Brien this season though.

[Ziskinberg]

The only teams that can guarantee a spot in play-offs in the western conference are GSW and Lakers.

You are forgetting The Clippers and the Rockets my friend, based on the betting odds, the have a higher chances of winning the championship compared to the warriors, so at least consider them to be in the playoffs.

Harden + WB
Leonard + PG.

Well they are stacked in the west and definitely be hard for all the es in the west to reach the playoffs. But whoever win the WCF will have the highest chance of winning the championship. Well yeah Houston and the clippers are contenders for the Larry O'Brien this season though.

Westbrook and Harden if both of them can score at least an average of 30 points per game, I think it will be hard to beat them.
Harden only struggles if you doubled him but he is not the only threat now, they have added westbrook which is more athletic than harden.
The last season of Westbrook of the OKC was not good, his shooting percentage has dropped big time, hopefully he will be able to improve that this season.

[TravelMug]

The only teams that can guarantee a spot in play-offs in the western conference are GSW and Lakers.

You are forgetting The Clippers and the Rockets my friend, based on the betting odds, the have a higher chances of winning the championship compared to the warriors, so at least consider them to be in the playoffs.

Harden + WB
Leonard + PG.

Well they are stacked in the west and definitely be hard for all the es in the west to reach the playoffs. But whoever win the WCF will have the highest chance of winning the championship. Well yeah Houston and the clippers are contenders for the Larry O'Brien this season though.

Westbrook and Harden if both of them can score at least an average of 30 points per game, I think it will be hard to beat them.
Harden only struggles if you doubled him but he is not the only threat now, they have added westbrook which is more athletic than harden.
The last season of Westbrook of the OKC was not good, his shooting percentage has dropped big time, hopefully he will be able to improve that this season.

That's one of Westbrook's weakness, his outside shooting, very inconsistent sometimes he win ball games with his outside shoot and most of the time it is non-existent.

I'm not really sure if they can average 30 ppg, I think Harden will take the lion share of the scoring and I'm assuming that Russ will somewhere averages around 20 ppg. It's also interesting to look a the assists category as well.

[spadormie]

That's one of Westbrook's weakness, his outside shooting, very inconsistent sometimes he win ball games with his outside shoot and most of the time it is non-existent.

Yeah, that's his weakness but we should consider his bread and butter shot which is the midrange shot. But, he should bring that move. I mean, that's what he's holding on to as far is shooting is concerned.

I'm not really sure if they can average 30 ppg, I think Harden will take the lion share of the scoring and I'm assuming that Russ will somewhere averages around 20 ppg. It's also interesting to look a the assists category as well.

What gives if they can't average that high? Let's just let them play, as far as Harden is concerned, he said that He knows how to play with Russ and Russ knows how to play with him.

[Reid]

Sorry for bringing politics into this its just a hot topic globally right now.

Here is a change of pace:
The cheapest MVPs in NBA history relative to the league salary cap
https://hoopshype.com/2019/10/15/the-cheapest-mvps-in-nba-history-relative-to-the-league-salary-cap/

Thanks for the change of pace.

I am amazed that they really did their best to get that award. It is not just because they have a high salary which is why they are supposed to get a MVP.
They really worked hard for it for their salary to keep on going up.
Now look at the salary of Steph after 2 season MVP.

Not everyone may have noticed this one. One example is me.
Thanks.

[justdimin]

Politics, if has a place in related discussion, should be discussed, not only does it reflect on basketball itself but it also reflects on the players and the more controversy they got into the worse they are looked at and it changes their futures.

If a player came out and said "fuck china" or something similar than he would be cut very quickly and his endorsements would be canceled right away, which is a way of saying you can't criticize china because its a 1+ billion person market that NBA has to make money from. Which means Darly actually made something that would lose everyone a lot of money.

Now, they have to ask themselves, do they want the money or do they want freedom of speech? Lebron said he wants the money obviously but he had no problem calling his own president out (rightfully so), then he should not be afraid of Chinese one neither.

[spadormie]

Interesting article from the Times today

ESPN’s politics policy, and its journalism, tested by NBA-China controversy
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/10/15/espns-politics-policy-its-journalism-tested-by-nba-china-controversy/

Sorry for bringing this up Reid lol. I want to talk about the Manager of the rockets and LeBron James.

About the Manager of the rockets, I actually love what he did for the people of Hongkong. Dude, everyday is chaos at that place and so what if you have personal opinion for that? Why is it they are generalizing the whole NBA community because of that opinion. So what?

LeBron, well, I don't know why did a king bow down? Why? Is it because China is a good country for businesses?  And a single opinion can massacre the business while people in Hongkong is suffering?

[harizen]

I understand Morey but LeBron's statement does make sense "“so many people could have been harmed not only financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually”".

Not with the money, not with the business, but Morey is part of the NBA. He holds one of the top positions of a team. He can voice out whatever he wants if he doesn't represent anything. I will admit that I'm with Morey here but do you guys believed that all NBA players that like money and business will be on his side? Of course, NO. We all know that the issue is very sensitive that's why China overreacts to it.

The issue is not a big deal if ever Morey is just a guy lurking outside the shadows of NBA. And the fact that he is affiliated with NBA, he entirely represents all the people associated with the league and even Chinese hardcore NBA fans who aren't favored to China's position against HongKong got affected on that tweet.

Lebron, the Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, are all in China during that time the controversy happened. What if a boycott happens that might lead to minor to major physical contacts to them? Imagine, those innocents NBA staff there which have nothing to do with Morey's tweet will all be trash talk by Chinese and the worst case will be treated badly while they're there but fortunately, it doesn't happen.

As for these players, let the NBA do the talks. The issue is very sensitive and we all know that China always wants to make a big deal out of supposedly small things to consider, in our own view. A small issue might spark a big flame. It's ok if those flames will just be between Morey and China and they can argue whenever they want or even throw sh*t to each other but that's not the case and it will just affect the majority.

Ok, Stop with the politics, I really hate this topic too lol. I'm with HK people here but we can't please anybody.

Back again to the NBA discussion.

[Finestream]

Now, they have to ask themselves, do they want the money or do they want freedom of speech? Lebron said he wants the money obviously but he had no problem calling his own president out (rightfully so), then he should not be afraid of Chinese one neither.

Lebron and other stars who are popular all over the world should be the voice of the NBA, they should not be affected politically and they have to continue to their goal which is to entertain the crowd and the fans watching all over the world.

I admire people who are never afraid of voicing our their opinion regardless of whom they are calling out.
China has a big NBA fan based as well, we don't want to them to hate NBA due to political reasons only.

[chaser15]

I admire people who are never afraid of voicing our their opinion regardless of whom they are calling out.
China has a big NBA fan based as well, we don't want to them to hate NBA due to political reasons only.

Did you call that a Political reason?

It's not a political reason but much deeper to that no one can fully understand if we aren't lived in their country. China and HongKong history is not as simple as you guys think that's why even on a simple tweet it turned into a big deal and China is willing to part ways with NBA even it gives a big revenue to them.

China became affected too much on simple Morey's tweet.
HongKong became affected too much on simple Lebron's tweet.

Do you think it's still a good idea for NBA players to just enter the scene and voiced out their opinion for that freedom of expression without thinking about the output? Just look at those 2 countries overacting too much on that simple tweets.

[harizen]

Carmelo Anthony’s defense reportedly another reason he remains unsigned

I have to agree with this. Dude never played good defense, I think about the majority on his career.

But again, not a reason at all to just left him hanging. Melo already said that he is willing to adjust this time. Willing to accept any roles. Even willing to accept a veteran salary or sort of pay-cut on his usual.

Guys, just for a changed, who wants to bet against me?

Will Melo be able to sign this year? As for me, YES. I pick YES because I think no one will bet for it based on the current Melo's situation that is almost no development or progress if some teams will still show interest to sign him. So basically, I'm the one who has the most risks here.

BTC0.005 each for first 2 who will take the bet.