2024 NBA Season

[CryptoBuds]

Have you read or watched Ray Allen's take on Ben Simmon's shooting?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WqsouKSCdE - starts at 10:00
He's basically saying Ben should practice with a mindset as if it was an actual game where the stakes are higher and not some soft pick up games. Put himself in tough situations until he gets used to it. Maybe he should keep on watching how Micheal Jordan would take practice or learn from Kobe Bryant's work ethics.
It's also noteworthy that Ray said there's anything wrong with Ben's form.

^ From what I think Ray wanted to say is that maybe Ben is taking the matches for granted. I could be wrong but this is what I think. Maybe Ray feels like Ben doesn't train enough or something. Ben has scored about 14 points a game this year and his 3 point scoring has not been that good. He has scored 30% of his 3 point attempts but he has taken a healthy 7 rebounds a game. As a point guard who gets about 32 minutes a game, 14 points is a bit low in my opinion. he is only 25 and I hope with the right mindset and better training, he can get better.

[Japinat]

Have you read or watched Ray Allen's take on Ben Simmon's shooting?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WqsouKSCdE - starts at 10:00
He's basically saying Ben should practice with a mindset as if it was an actual game where the stakes are higher and not some soft pick up games. Put himself in tough situations until he gets used to it. Maybe he should keep on watching how Micheal Jordan would take practice or learn from Kobe Bryant's work ethics.
It's also noteworthy that Ray said there's anything wrong with Ben's form.

^ From what I think Ray wanted to say is that maybe Ben is taking the matches for granted. I could be wrong but this is what I think. Maybe Ray feels like Ben doesn't train enough or something. Ben has scored about 14 points a game this year and his 3 point scoring has not been that good. He has scored 30% of his 3 point attempts but he has taken a healthy 7 rebounds a game. As a point guard who gets about 32 minutes a game, 14 points is a bit low in my opinion. he is only 25 and I hope with the right mindset and better training, he can get better.

It's the mental toughness that is the problem of Ben Simmons, during the regular season, he has some impressive stats, so why it changes during the playoffs? The answer is because of the pressure, he can't live with the pressure as one of the star players of the team, and with his awkward and low percentage outside shooting, that doesn't give him enough confidence to shoot the ball, in fact, he was so predictable during the playoffs due to his limitations on offense.

[jostorres]

@harizen - thanks for sharing, yeah, strange that KP and Luka are not in the same pic? It's this a sign that KP and Luka relationship are not going well? lol.

Their issue from the moment they were paired. KP do not like the idea of being on the corner just waiting for the ball to be passed to him. That's the play given by their coach and he was mad about that. They keep on focusing everything to Luka and forgot he is also a dagger that could contribute a lot.
We could say there is part jealousy on how they gave everything to Luka and made the Unicorn a fictional character, literally.
I am hoping this year it won't be like that. They should set aside their emotion and just straightly look at the goal for a championship just like how Shaq and Kobe did it despite their differences. Just be professional when you step on that basketball floor.

KP needs to realize that he is not as good as he was suppose to be, there was a huge potential and people expected a lot from him but turns out he wasn't as good as that so he ended up not being a star. Sure he could be great with Luka because any big that could shoot with a great ball handler that can pass will end up with a good career. However KP needs to stop wanting the ball in his hand all the time, he is not a ball handler, he is not a big star, and he can't create his own shots neither, Luka is able to do all of that and also pass to anyone as well.

This is why I believe Luka needs another person to help him, a true star, a star that we could basically consider if Luka should take a back seat, which is very few. In that case Dallas could win something, they need to build a roster around Luka that is good enough, if not then they will just spend Lukas career for nothing.

[boyptc]

Same question, what's the latest news with Kyrie? Is he going to show or he still inside his own world?

He's reminded by his team's owner.

--> https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nets-owner-on-kyrie-irvings-vaccination-status-we-cant-forget-our-goal-this-year-win-a-championship/

There's not that much update about him about the issue.

[Yamifoud]

This is why I believe Luka needs another person to help him, a true star, a star that we could basically consider if Luka should take a back seat, which is very few. In that case Dallas could win something, they need to build a roster around Luka that is good enough, if not then they will just spend Lukas career for nothing.

That would only be realized if they will trade KP, his value will get Mavericks a good player in return, and that could help Luka with a mentality to win, stats doesn't win a championship although KP has it he doesn't have a mentality of a real star. With KP remains in the lineup, I don't expect the Mavericks will be a championship contender.

[wheelz1200]

This is why I believe Luka needs another person to help him, a true star, a star that we could basically consider if Luka should take a back seat, which is very few. In that case Dallas could win something, they need to build a roster around Luka that is good enough, if not then they will just spend Lukas career for nothing.

That would only be realized if they will trade KP, his value will get Mavericks a good player in return, and that could help Luka with a mentality to win, stats doesn't win a championship although KP has it he doesn't have a mentality of a real star. With KP remains in the lineup, I don't expect the Mavericks will be a championship contender.

Agreed.  I don't know if it's his personality or the injury hit em hard but he doesn't have that killer attitude needed.  He is a nice piece at this point but he is not the answer.  Great to have on a team but not to build around.  Still hoping the picks snaged from Dallas end up being worth letting him go.

[mirakal]

This is why I believe Luka needs another person to help him, a true star, a star that we could basically consider if Luka should take a back seat, which is very few. In that case Dallas could win something, they need to build a roster around Luka that is good enough, if not then they will just spend Lukas career for nothing.

That would only be realized if they will trade KP, his value will get Mavericks a good player in return, and that could help Luka with a mentality to win, stats doesn't win a championship although KP has it he doesn't have a mentality of a real star. With KP remains in the lineup, I don't expect the Mavericks will be a championship contender.

Agreed.  I don't know if it's his personality or the injury hit em hard but he doesn't have that killer attitude needed.  He is a nice piece at this point but he is not the answer.  Great to have on a team but not to build around.  Still hoping the picks snaged from Dallas end up being worth letting him go.

They'll never know unless they will trade him, and they also have to experiment on a new big man that would probably be traded for KP as they need a dominant big not, not necessary to score a lot but to defend inside and grab those rebounds which KP is not that aggressive. I guess the experiment is over for KP, Dallas should think of trading him soon since he still has the value as he is healthy.

[dwyane36]

It's the mental toughness that is the problem of Ben Simmons, during the regular season, he has some impressive stats, so why it changes during the playoffs? The answer is because of the pressure, he can't live with the pressure as one of the star players of the team, and with his awkward and low percentage outside shooting, that doesn't give him enough confidence to shoot the ball, in fact, he was so predictable during the playoffs due to his limitations on offense.

You're right. However, it's weird because Simmons has enough experience playing in the playoffs. He probably was mentally unprepared for the fact that everyone would criticize him after a terrible performance, and it's worth noting that he only aggravated his mental condition during the preseason.

[Dave1]

It's the mental toughness that is the problem of Ben Simmons, during the regular season, he has some impressive stats, so why it changes during the playoffs? The answer is because of the pressure, he can't live with the pressure as one of the star players of the team, and with his awkward and low percentage outside shooting, that doesn't give him enough confidence to shoot the ball, in fact, he was so predictable during the playoffs due to his limitations on offense.

You're right. However, it's weird because Simmons has enough experience playing in the playoffs. He probably was mentally unprepared for the fact that everyone would criticize him after a terrible performance, and it's worth noting that he only aggravated his mental condition during the preseason.

Maybe in the previous playoffs, his weaknesses was not highlighted and fans see his big contribution, specially in assists or distributing the ball. But in last year's playoffs, missing FT's, he become a liability to the team. The opposing team will just have to foul him up and hope he missed 1 or both shots, which usually happens. And then an easy dunk for him which he opt to pass series against the Hawks, damn, that was really the final straw, I forgot what game it was, and then Joel approach him, maybe telling something that he should have dunk it. He was so afraid to get into the line, that he was mentally affected.

[Pamadar]

It's the mental toughness that is the problem of Ben Simmons, during the regular season, he has some impressive stats, so why it changes during the playoffs? The answer is because of the pressure, he can't live with the pressure as one of the star players of the team, and with his awkward and low percentage outside shooting, that doesn't give him enough confidence to shoot the ball, in fact, he was so predictable during the playoffs due to his limitations on offense.

You're right. However, it's weird because Simmons has enough experience playing in the playoffs. He probably was mentally unprepared for the fact that everyone would criticize him after a terrible performance, and it's worth noting that he only aggravated his mental condition during the preseason.

Maybe in the previous playoffs, his weaknesses was not highlighted and fans see his big contribution, specially in assists or distributing the ball. But in last year's playoffs, missing FT's, he become a liability to the team. The opposing team will just have to foul him up and hope he missed 1 or both shots, which usually happens. And then an easy dunk for him which he opt to pass series against the Hawks, damn, that was really the final straw, I forgot what game it was, and then Joel approach him, maybe telling something that he should have dunk it. He was so afraid to get into the line, that he was mentally affected.

Still lingering inside my mind, that important dunk which might change the outcome of that series,

Fans really see the disappointment and he's no longer love by majorities, there might be some who still believing on him but the vast majorities is no longer interested in him wearing the Sixers jersey.

The drama still ongoing and there's no update, to the point that he's willing to throw his season salary just to avoid playing with the team.

[Reid]

It's the mental toughness that is the problem of Ben Simmons, during the regular season, he has some impressive stats, so why it changes during the playoffs? The answer is because of the pressure, he can't live with the pressure as one of the star players of the team, and with his awkward and low percentage outside shooting, that doesn't give him enough confidence to shoot the ball, in fact, he was so predictable during the playoffs due to his limitations on offense.

You're right. However, it's weird because Simmons has enough experience playing in the playoffs. He probably was mentally unprepared for the fact that everyone would criticize him after a terrible performance, and it's worth noting that he only aggravated his mental condition during the preseason.

For me, he is still young. There's just so much he needs to learn and that includes professionalism.
From what we are witnessing he forgot the fact that he signed a contract and I think the 76ers management should make a lesson out of him from breaching it so that other players won't do the same in the future. Emotions should be set aside when you are in this position demanding a trade, again it shows bad habits.

Embiid already talked about it.

"The situation is disappointing, borderline kind of disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives," Embiid told reporters at training camp in Camden, New Jersey.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32314598/philadelphia-76ers-star-joel-embiid-calls-ben-simmons-situation-borderline-disrespectful-team
About the shooting problem. He's still young, it can be improved. I won't worry about that so much because he has a lot of skills to contribute.

[Russlenat]

Embiid already talked about it.

"The situation is disappointing, borderline kind of disrespectful to all the guys that are out here fighting for their lives," Embiid told reporters at training camp in Camden, New Jersey.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32314598/philadelphia-76ers-star-joel-embiid-calls-ben-simmons-situation-borderline-disrespectful-team
About the shooting problem. He's still young, it can be improved. I won't worry about that so much because he has a lot of skills to contribute.

Embiid should be vocal about it because he is the main man of the team, anything he said might affect the team and Simmons, so hopefully, there will be an agreement and both parties have to stay professional. Simmons has to be respectful and the 76ers management has to respect what Simmons wants.

[ILuckyGuyI]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10013823-ben-simmons-trade-rumors-t-wolves-pacers-cavs-pistons-raptors-spurs-interested

It is said that there are multiple teams in line to sign a contract with Philadelphia 76ers player Ben Simmons. There are teams like Timberwolves, Pacers, Cavaliers, Pistons, Raptors and Spurs which are interested in him seriously.

His stats in the last season are like this:



I wonder which team will be able to trade him. Ben Simmons is still 25 years old and a talented player too. He can contribute really well to the team he goes.

[stadus]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10013823-ben-simmons-trade-rumors-t-wolves-pacers-cavs-pistons-raptors-spurs-interested

It is said that there are multiple teams in line to sign a contract with Philadelphia 76ers player Ben Simmons. There are teams like Timberwolves, Pacers, Cavaliers, Pistons, Raptors and Spurs which are interested in him seriously.

His stats in the last season are like this:



I wonder which team will be able to trade him. Ben Simmons is still 25 years old and a talented player too. He can contribute really well to the team he goes.

If he goes to the Spurs, I think coach Pop would help him improve his talent, he is a good coach and a mentor as well, but the question is, who would the Spurs trade in exchange for Ben Simmons?

Probably the 76ers will demand multiple players in exchange for Simmons since the highest salary of the Spurs roster now earns only $15,178,571.

https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/sa/san-antonio-spurs

[danherbias07]

If he goes to the Spurs, I think coach Pop would help him improve his talent, he is a good coach and a mentor as well, but the question is, who would the Spurs trade in exchange for Ben Simmons?

Probably the 76ers will demand multiple players in exchange for Simmons since the highest salary of the Spurs roster now earns only $15,178,571.

https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/sa/san-antonio-spurs

They surely will. They perspective with Ben Simmons is their main star and not Embiid. They built the team for him and surrounded him with shooters.
76ers management even kicked Jimmy Butler out for Al Horford because he is taking the position of Ben.
I don't think the Spurs have enough in their roster to satisfy the 76ers for a pleasing trade. Best options are Derrick White and Dejounte Murray.
But I doubt they will let them go after all, they are the rising stars of the league.

[stadus]

If he goes to the Spurs, I think coach Pop would help him improve his talent, he is a good coach and a mentor as well, but the question is, who would the Spurs trade in exchange for Ben Simmons?

Probably the 76ers will demand multiple players in exchange for Simmons since the highest salary of the Spurs roster now earns only $15,178,571.

https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/sa/san-antonio-spurs

They surely will. They perspective with Ben Simmons is their main star and not Embiid. They built the team for him and surrounded him with shooters.
76ers management even kicked Jimmy Butler out for Al Horford because he is taking the position of Ben.
I don't think the Spurs have enough in their roster to satisfy the 76ers for a pleasing trade. Best options are Derrick White and Dejounte Murray.
But I doubt they will let them go after all, they are the rising stars of the league.

That's why it's unlikely for Simmons to be traded with the Spurs since the two players you've mentioned is a distributor on the offensive side, and Simmons is known for his defense, so where would the Spurs take their offense if that will happen?

[ILuckyGuyI]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10013823-ben-simmons-trade-rumors-t-wolves-pacers-cavs-pistons-raptors-spurs-interested

It is said that there are multiple teams in line to sign a contract with Philadelphia 76ers player Ben Simmons. There are teams like Timberwolves, Pacers, Cavaliers, Pistons, Raptors and Spurs which are interested in him seriously.

His stats in the last season are like this:



I wonder which team will be able to trade him. Ben Simmons is still 25 years old and a talented player too. He can contribute really well to the team he goes.

If he goes to the Spurs, I think coach Pop would help him improve his talent, he is a good coach and a mentor as well, but the question is, who would the Spurs trade in exchange for Ben Simmons?

Probably the 76ers will demand multiple players in exchange for Simmons since the highest salary of the Spurs roster now earns only $15,178,571.

https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/sa/san-antonio-spurs

Actually the biggest earner seems like Dejounte Murray with $15,428,880. But not much things change in this case too.    Ben Simmons' current salary at 76ers is now $33m. Spurs would need to give up on their best players to be able to trade Ben Simmons. But I don't think that it would be a wise choice for them. They will need to offer many players to be able to get him.

[Viscore]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10013823-ben-simmons-trade-rumors-t-wolves-pacers-cavs-pistons-raptors-spurs-interested

It is said that there are multiple teams in line to sign a contract with Philadelphia 76ers player Ben Simmons. There are teams like Timberwolves, Pacers, Cavaliers, Pistons, Raptors and Spurs which are interested in him seriously.

His stats in the last season are like this:



I wonder which team will be able to trade him. Ben Simmons is still 25 years old and a talented player too. He can contribute really well to the team he goes.

If he goes to the Spurs, I think coach Pop would help him improve his talent, he is a good coach and a mentor as well, but the question is, who would the Spurs trade in exchange for Ben Simmons?

Probably the 76ers will demand multiple players in exchange for Simmons since the highest salary of the Spurs roster now earns only $15,178,571.

https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/sa/san-antonio-spurs

Actually the biggest earner seems like Dejounte Murray with $15,428,880. But not much things change in this case too.    Ben Simmons' current salary at 76ers is now $33m. Spurs would need to give up on their best players to be able to trade Ben Simmons. But I don't think that it would be a wise choice for them. They will need to offer many players to be able to get him.

Spurs don't need to trade their players, they have to observe what the newly acquired players could do, remember they just traded De Rozan and now they will trade other players again? I think that's not a wise decision, so I don't expect this scenario would happen.

[yazher]

It looks like "old" players need more time to rest because there are rumors that James, Westbrook, Melo, and Ariza will miss the first preseason match. So the Lakers vs. Nets game will not be interesting, and I expect it should be an easy win for the Nets if KD, Harden, and Irving play.

Pre-season isn't an interesting game in the first place. When you bet on a pre-season that's like literally rolling a dice.
But that doesn't mean age is affecting this veteran players. The rest is necessary after a long workout to make their chemistry work as they have a completely new set of players.

In addition, Coach Vogel said AD will only play in the first quarter. On the other hand, it's not certain as well whether the Nets big 3 will play more minutes in the pre season.

How in the world do they decide such things? they only tell the fans about it just a few days before the game. I think those who are bought tickets just to see him play will be super disappointed with this news. is this their way of taking care of their best players? I think those fans are not satisfied to watch the live game with this kind of strategy by the NBA team nowadays.

[gagux123]

Russell Westbrook is averaging 11.7 assists per game for 65 games last season. Another one, he is also averaging 22.2 points per game and take note, as a backup and not the main scorer. It's impressive that he is producing that kind of stats with Beal as the ball handler most of the time.

With that stats, LeBron doesn't need to perform most of the PG position and just allows Westbrook to do plays. Fewer loads mean a more comfortable LeBron James which is better as he's not in his prime already. Westbrook will surely follow with the Lakers system just like he did on his previous team.

I don't see any reason for LeBron to still play in PG.
With this team, Russell Westbrook (or even Rondo) can be PG, therefore LeBron will be with less responsibility in the team and will be able to play better, making great assists to his teammates or passing the ball quickly to Wesbrook to make a counterattack, because he is the ideal player to make these types of plays, Russ is explosive and fast, perfect combination!