2025 NBA Season

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

Maybe you haven't seen this yet everybody. Some courts in our country have made a mural of Kyrie Irving.
(https://www.blackenterprise.com/kyrie-irving-basketball-court-mural-philippines/)
It was great piece of art and there are a lot of courts here even in the streets. This is the kind of appreciation that my fellow countrymen gave to their idols like Kyrie. Kyrie has acknowledged this and looking forward to visit the place next year. IIRC, I've also seen a personal rooftop that has made a mural of him too but I forgot the artist.

I've seen this one on the news and the artist who did it is Maya Carandang. I have no idea about the rooftop though and I have not seen that yet.

I've seen a guy did it and posted it on his socials, I can't just remember still the name of the guy but I think it was on FB posted.

I'm not surprised how crazy the Philippines are, as far as basketball, and if I'm not mistaken, when the late Kobe Bryant died, they have like the murals and paintings on every court in the country.

And if you heard the interview of also the late Jerry West, the Logo himself,



So shoutout to the Philippines!!

As for CP3 not winning a ring, yeah it's suck, but I think he obviously want one, but joining Spurs, is not going to help him achieved that big dream.

[boyptc]

^ Shaq hates on every center. Him being a bully is the worst part of his persona. I still love him, but his opinions on other big men are garbage. Rudy Gobert does suck though. lol

That's the typical Shaq that we've got and always hear him to say such things about other centers and will compare it to his wonderful NBA career.

Well, he's got something to boast for but unlike any other veterans, they're chill, humble and such. I think he's personally humble but when it comes to the game, he's really becoming the bully.

I think Gobert has replied on his X's.

[TravelMug]

^ Shaq hates on every center. Him being a bully is the worst part of his persona. I still love him, but his opinions on other big men are garbage. Rudy Gobert does suck though. lol

That's the typical Shaq that we've got and always hear him to say such things about other centers and will compare it to his wonderful NBA career.

Well, he's got something to boast for but unlike any other veterans, they're chill, humble and such. I think he's personally humble but when it comes to the game, he's really becoming the bully.

I think Gobert has replied on his X's.

He hates center after his playing time in the NBA, like Dwight Howard who he thinks copy his style, and then Gobert as too soft for being a center. But he respects the greats before him. So yeah, he could be a bully, but during his prime no one can stop him because of his sheer size and strength and pound for pound, I think he is one of the strongest and hardest player to guard in his time.

This is the reply of Gobert,



https://x.com/rudygobert27/status/1831763536915394634

[Yaunfitda]

^^ 4 DPOY and the hate is real for Rudy Gobert, Lol. I mean it could have been jealousy from Shaq, yeah for sure he got a big contract with the Wolves and all of that. But I think Wolves management wouldn't offer that kind of money for Gobert if they are not satisfied of him as a player when he was still as a Jazz.

I think it's just pure hate as well, perhaps he was thinking that if this is the era that he plays, he could have made a lot of money. But the thing is that Shaq has a good investment portfolio and rich as hell, but I don't think that he should hate on another center in Gobert.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

^ Shaq hates on every center. Him being a bully is the worst part of his persona. I still love him, but his opinions on other big men are garbage. Rudy Gobert does suck though. lol

That's the typical Shaq that we've got and always hear him to say such things about other centers and will compare it to his wonderful NBA career.

Well, he's got something to boast for but unlike any other veterans, they're chill, humble and such. I think he's personally humble but when it comes to the game, he's really becoming the bully.

I think Gobert has replied on his X's.

The funniest thing is that Shaq always refers to himself as the "president of the big man association", so he thinks he is speaking for every big man/center in the league.
Yet, he lashes out to almost everybody always.  Sure he has a good heart (so it seems) and does a lot of charity work and so on but basketball wise his is so often the biggest hater around. When is is out of arguments he always comes back to his "how many rings do you have" phrase, hahaha. Don't know how often Sir Charles had to hear this.
Gotta love and hat the man at the same time.

[Finestream]

^ Shaq hates on every center. Him being a bully is the worst part of his persona. I still love him, but his opinions on other big men are garbage. Rudy Gobert does suck though. lol

That's the typical Shaq that we've got and always hear him to say such things about other centers and will compare it to his wonderful NBA career.

Well, he's got something to boast for but unlike any other veterans, they're chill, humble and such. I think he's personally humble but when it comes to the game, he's really becoming the bully.

I think Gobert has replied on his X's.

The funniest thing is that Shaq always refers to himself as the "president of the big man association", so he thinks he is speaking for every big man/center in the league.
Yet, he lashes out to almost everybody always.  Sure he has a good heart (so it seems) and does a lot of charity work and so on but basketball wise his is so often the biggest hater around. When is is out of arguments he always comes back to his "how many rings do you have" phrase, hahaha. Don't know how often Sir Charles had to hear this.
Gotta love and hat the man at the same time.

That Shaqtin' a Fool episode, he really started it! One of the most popular big men featured in those clips was JaVale McGee, and I think these two had some heated exchanges at one point. I can't lie, I loved the episodes with JaVale McGee on Shaqtin' a Fool. Don't blame me, I just love to laugh.

[Dave1]

^ Shaq hates on every center. Him being a bully is the worst part of his persona. I still love him, but his opinions on other big men are garbage. Rudy Gobert does suck though. lol

That's the typical Shaq that we've got and always hear him to say such things about other centers and will compare it to his wonderful NBA career.

Well, he's got something to boast for but unlike any other veterans, they're chill, humble and such. I think he's personally humble but when it comes to the game, he's really becoming the bully.

I think Gobert has replied on his X's.

The funniest thing is that Shaq always refers to himself as the "president of the big man association", so he thinks he is speaking for every big man/center in the league.
Yet, he lashes out to almost everybody always.  Sure he has a good heart (so it seems) and does a lot of charity work and so on but basketball wise his is so often the biggest hater around. When is is out of arguments he always comes back to his "how many rings do you have" phrase, hahaha. Don't know how often Sir Charles had to hear this.
Gotta love and hat the man at the same time.

That Shaqtin' a Fool episode, he really started it! One of the most popular big men featured in those clips was JaVale McGee, and I think these two had some heated exchanges at one point. I can't lie, I loved the episodes with JaVale McGee on Shaqtin' a Fool. Don't blame me, I just love to laugh.

Yeah, but here it's a interview on Shaq on some podcast and so you will really have to read between the lines on what he says on Gobert and Ben Simmons. He talks about big contracts and yet they are not fulfilling the money that teams have offered to both of them, specially Gobert.

But Gobert did a good number defensively though and that's what he is known for. To change the shots or block the shots of their opponent. He had his fair share of being posterized by big dunkers but it's part of being the defensive player of the year, you have to challenge anyone in the ring and meet them upstairs.

[dwyane36]

He hates center after his playing time in the NBA, like Dwight Howard who he thinks copy his style, and then Gobert as too soft for being a center. But he respects the greats before him. So yeah, he could be a bully, but during his prime no one can stop him because of his sheer size and strength and pound for pound, I think he is one of the strongest and hardest player to guard in his time.

This is the reply of Gobert,

Yeah, Shaq was almost unstoppable during his prime, and I personally enjoyed watching Shaq dominate the paint. However, it's worth noting that young Yao Ming was clearly a surprise and caused him some trouble on the court.
Overall, I'm glad to see some older players criticizing current-generation NBA players for being too soft.

[avp2306]

He hates center after his playing time in the NBA, like Dwight Howard who he thinks copy his style, and then Gobert as too soft for being a center. But he respects the greats before him. So yeah, he could be a bully, but during his prime no one can stop him because of his sheer size and strength and pound for pound, I think he is one of the strongest and hardest player to guard in his time.

This is the reply of Gobert,

Yeah, Shaq was almost unstoppable during his prime, and I personally enjoyed watching Shaq dominate the paint. However, it's worth noting that young Yao Ming was clearly a surprise and caused him some trouble on the court.
Overall, I'm glad to see some older players criticizing current-generation NBA players for being too soft.

He's a total monster on floor almost nobody can stop him and fans is enjoying watching him operating inside the paint since people know that there's always exciting things will happen especially when he is in his prime.

Yao and Shaq Classic match  up is really entertaining and people will always remember this match up here's sample clip of that  duel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSNc6zVV6ZI

Old players players notice that this era is soft. The NBA management make this happen due to the changes they made. This is show up that legend is not enjoying the current https://www.si.com/nba/clippers/news/nba-legend-reveals-why-nba-is-soft-now But I guess that's part of evolution and business in NBA so fans or those people who criticized the current era should deal with it.

[freedomgo]

Yeah, but here it's a interview on Shaq on some podcast and so you will really have to read between the lines on what he says on Gobert and Ben Simmons. He talks about big contracts and yet they are not fulfilling the money that teams have offered to both of them, specially Gobert.

But Gobert did a good number defensively though and that's what he is known for. To change the shots or block the shots of their opponent. He had his fair share of being posterized by big dunkers but it's part of being the defensive player of the year, you have to challenge anyone in the ring and meet them upstairs.

I agree with Shaq's criticism of the two overpaid superstars. For Ben Simmons, we can stop criticizing him since he isn’t getting much playing time, or just conclude that he’s a total waste of money. However, for Gobert, he’s been active, even winning Defensive Player of the Year last season, but he gets easily bullied by Jokic on theur match up in the Westerm Semi. I think Gobert is good but lacks a winning mentality, as his performance declines during important games like the playoffs. If I were the Wolves' coach, I’d rather trade him and keep KAT.

[LogitechMouse]

^^ 4 DPOY and the hate is real for Rudy Gobert, Lol. I mean it could have been jealousy from Shaq, yeah for sure he got a big contract with the Wolves and all of that. But I think Wolves management wouldn't offer that kind of money for Gobert if they are not satisfied of him as a player when he was still as a Jazz.

I think it's just pure hate as well, perhaps he was thinking that if this is the era that he plays, he could have made a lot of money. But the thing is that Shaq has a good investment portfolio and rich as hell, but I don't think that he should hate on another center in Gobert.

I watched a video months ago regarding players being asked on who is the most overrated player last season. Unsurprisingly, Rudy Gobert won... by a huge margin.

I don't know why there's so much hate against him when he's playing really well when he's on the Jazz and in the Timberwolves. Yes he isn't the typical center right now that can shoot threes, but I believe that in terms of defense, he's still one of the best. It's not only Shaq I believe, but most of the players that are criticizing Gobert is because of the accomplishments that he got in his whole NBA career. Like you, I also believe that it's pure hate that's why he is being criticized.

As for Gobert, there will be times where he will be bullied by other player, or times where he will be having a bad night, but it will not change the fact that he's still one of the best defensive players right now in the league.

Overall, I'm glad to see some older players criticizing current-generation NBA players for being too soft.

While I might agree with this, I also believe that the softness of these current NBA players is because of the referees calling those "SOFT CALLS". I mean a simple touch in any part of the body can be a foul. Some players doesn't even touch the player and these referees are calling it a foul. NBA players are soft partly because of the referees.

[Wapfika]

…

However, for Gobert, he’s been active, even winning Defensive Player of the Year last season, but he gets easily bullied by Jokic on theur match up in the Westerm Semi.

It’s normal to view Gobert capability that way since you are comparing him to the best center in the league which is Jokic but Gobert is dominant among the majority of center in NBA that makes him worthy in defense.

I think Gobert is good but lacks a winning mentality, as his performance declines during important games like the playoffs.

I notice this too. His performance on Wolves declined after he takes off the crucial game when his child was born. The hype on him faded away even on the olympics he didn’t contribute much.

If I were the Wolves' coach, I’d rather trade him and keep KAT.

Wolves has a very slow line-up that’s why they are bullied by team like Boston. I agree that they should let go Gobert and trade with other player that can help Edwards.

[blockman]

I'm not surprised how crazy the Philippines are, as far as basketball, and if I'm not mistaken, when the late Kobe Bryant died, they have like the murals and paintings on every court in the country.

Yeah, that's in the tenement area in Taguig, also part of the Metro Manila which is the center of our country. But I haven't been there yet, traffic sucks in these areas.

And if you heard the interview of also the late Jerry West, the Logo himself,



So shoutout to the Philippines!!

I've watched this I think a week ago and that's a big shout out from him. I am not part of his era but he's really the man, the logo himself.

[danherbias07]

^ Shaq hates on every center. Him being a bully is the worst part of his persona. I still love him, but his opinions on other big men are garbage. Rudy Gobert does suck though. lol

Skip Bayless and Lil Wayne launching some sort of podcast or show should be interesting. I wonder how long that will last if it ever makes it to production.

Yeah, but sometimes he tells the truth, especially with the big men in the league. I think he problem is he always wants to compare it with him and the 80s and 90s were so damn cruel with the big men.
The league now is way different, it's more about speed and 3 pointers and there are very rare big men who will get the spotlight like Jokic, Embiid, and Giannis which cannot be compared since most of them are offensive guys.

Skip Bayless? Damn, many NBA players will probably hate that podcast.

[OgNasty]

I don’t know if this passes for news or not (probably not) but Tristan Thompson is reportedly going to sign a 1-year contract to retire with the Cavaliers. I think that’s probably the only team that would sign him and I doubt he’ll get much playing time. He fell off pretty hard after jumping head first into the Kardasian curse.

[Fredomago]

^^ 4 DPOY and the hate is real for Rudy Gobert, Lol. I mean it could have been jealousy from Shaq, yeah for sure he got a big contract with the Wolves and all of that. But I think Wolves management wouldn't offer that kind of money for Gobert if they are not satisfied of him as a player when he was still as a Jazz.

I think it's just pure hate as well, perhaps he was thinking that if this is the era that he plays, he could have made a lot of money. But the thing is that Shaq has a good investment portfolio and rich as hell, but I don't think that he should hate on another center in Gobert.

Yeah, he got his time and we can't removed the fact that team owners knows how to run their business,  though in terms of game and playing capabilities Shaq do have that right speak up hahaha,  but this Era is no longer about him it's more about the business and how teams will manage to make money out from their investments  if they offer Gobert that amount its all on them and how they projected the potential outcome having him,  no hate but for the sake of money that the team may produce,  seems that they are getting the attention and they are making decent amounts of money.

[jossiel]

I don’t know if this passes for news or not (probably not) but Tristan Thompson is reportedly going to sign a 1-year contract to retire with the Cavaliers. I think that’s probably the only team that would sign him and I doubt he’ll get much playing time. He fell off pretty hard after jumping head first into the Kardasian curse.

I just saw that news as well. Well, if he's about to retire within the year, that's better if he's already on his way.

He'll be able to mentor Donovan and the others there even if he'll get lesser playing time. For sure it feels good to play and retire with the team that drafted him and given him a ring.

[wheelz1200]

I don’t know if this passes for news or not (probably not) but Tristan Thompson is reportedly going to sign a 1-year contract to retire with the Cavaliers. I think that’s probably the only team that would sign him and I doubt he’ll get much playing time. He fell off pretty hard after jumping head first into the Kardasian curse.

I just saw that news as well. Well, if he's about to retire within the year, that's better if he's already on his way.

He'll be able to mentor Donovan and the others there even if he'll get lesser playing time. For sure it feels good to play and retire with the team that drafted him and given him a ring.

I don't see Tristan Thompson as some sort of drizzled vet that could provide people like Donovan Mitchell guidance or anything.  Don has played enough where he doesn't need an old head to help him out.  I think this is more done out of respect for a player so that they can retire there.  My guess is he never sees the floor but gets to retire there in a planned out exit.  Good for both sides though.

[Yaunfitda]

I don’t know if this passes for news or not (probably not) but Tristan Thompson is reportedly going to sign a 1-year contract to retire with the Cavaliers. I think that’s probably the only team that would sign him and I doubt he’ll get much playing time. He fell off pretty hard after jumping head first into the Kardasian curse.

Probably he will do like a Udonis Haslem with the Cavs, he is just there sitting but his presence is enough for the team and the management. And he was lucky that the Cavs sign him for a one year. I'm also thinking that maybe after he retire, he might be given a job in the front office.

^^ 4 DPOY and the hate is real for Rudy Gobert, Lol. I mean it could have been jealousy from Shaq, yeah for sure he got a big contract with the Wolves and all of that. But I think Wolves management wouldn't offer that kind of money for Gobert if they are not satisfied of him as a player when he was still as a Jazz.

I think it's just pure hate as well, perhaps he was thinking that if this is the era that he plays, he could have made a lot of money. But the thing is that Shaq has a good investment portfolio and rich as hell, but I don't think that he should hate on another center in Gobert.

Yeah, he got his time and we can't removed the fact that team owners knows how to run their business,  though in terms of game and playing capabilities Shaq do have that right speak up hahaha,  but this Era is no longer about him it's more about the business and how teams will manage to make money out from their investments  if they offer Gobert that amount its all on them and how they projected the potential outcome having him,  no hate but for the sake of money that the team may produce,  seems that they are getting the attention and they are making decent amounts of money.

Yes, and we really don't know why Shaq is still acting bully as he is no longer in the league, probably it's the social media as they like to interview him and then put words into his mouth. But just imagine players before them, in the 60's and 70's, maybe there could be cases that there are players who hate each other. But we don't hear anything from them. Still though, Rudy has one of the biggest contract, so whatever they say, he is not going to retire poor.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

I don’t know if this passes for news or not (probably not) but Tristan Thompson is reportedly going to sign a 1-year contract to retire with the Cavaliers. I think that’s probably the only team that would sign him and I doubt he’ll get much playing time. He fell off pretty hard after jumping head first into the Kardasian curse.

These Kardashians, they know how to bring a man down. Lamar Odom, Kris Humphries, Tristan Thompson, Ben Simmons, ... . Only Blake Griffin and Devin Booker somehow survived them without too much shade on their careers. 

Seems like the Cavs just give him a pitty contract so he can officially get a "farewell" tour from the Cavs fans. I don't see him having a lot of veteran leadership to be honest.