2026 NBA Season

[avp2306]

Also, I do agree, with the Gabe Vincent acquisition, one of the worst that the Lakers did, averaging 3.0 ppg.

It's worth noting that Gabe Vincent wasn't that bad when he was performing for the Heat. However, for the Lakers, his performance is very weak. He probably can't get back to his old shape because of the last injury, and I think he will never be able to.
By the way, he's only been in the NBA for 6 seasons but has a huge list of injuries in such a short period.

And that's why it's another bad decision for the Lakers management, and no surprises, as they have made a lot of them in the past, specially hiring coaches and it seems that the trend will continue with JJ Reddick.

Anyhow, landscape in the West is changing, it used to be the Warriors that are hot, now in the Rockets. They don't have one franchise player, but I think that's what made them very good in their last 5 games as anyone can take the lead. And they also have a good defense as well. So let's see if they can keep with this momentum, as we all know, a lot of things can happen in just short amount of time and we don't know who's going to lead the West.

They think Vincent could provide those numbers what he provide on Miami, but he fail to perform well and became nothing in Lakers. I don't know what happen to this guy since he is supposed to be a good shooter way back then but guess he can't perform well in Lakers and I think he's nor a good fit in this team.

Also that's how NBA became more exciting to watch now since everything is unpredictable. People cannot accurately say who will be the champion since each team is giving their best to compete with other stronger team.

Many got really hype with what Warriors did earlier but they didn't manage it so well that's why they drop on standings. Rockets became another team became fun to watch now but let see if they could able to maintain their momentum and will not flop on their future games.

[LogitechMouse]

Also, I do agree, with the Gabe Vincent acquisition, one of the worst that the Lakers did, averaging 3.0 ppg.

It's worth noting that Gabe Vincent wasn't that bad when he was performing for the Heat. However, for the Lakers, his performance is very weak. He probably can't get back to his old shape because of the last injury, and I think he will never be able to.
By the way, he's only been in the NBA for 6 seasons but has a huge list of injuries in such a short period.

And that's why it's another bad decision for the Lakers management, and no surprises, as they have made a lot of them in the past, specially hiring coaches and it seems that the trend will continue with JJ Reddick.

Anyhow, landscape in the West is changing, it used to be the Warriors that are hot, now in the Rockets. They don't have one franchise player, but I think that's what made them very good in their last 5 games as anyone can take the lead. And they also have a good defense as well. So let's see if they can keep with this momentum, as we all know, a lot of things can happen in just short amount of time and we don't know who's going to lead the West.

I respect your opinion, but I don't think that hiring JJ Redick is a bad decision for the management. For me, getting Redick would be better than staying with a bad coach like Darvin Ham. As for Vincent, he might've played well when he's on the Heat, but injuries hindered his performance, and the Lakers are stacked up with guards as well, so he isn't given enough time to play. Heck, he isn't even on the rotation for most of the time. Even the rookie, Knecht has more playing time than him. They're 5th right now in the stacked Western Conference. Just imagine if they're being coached by Darvin Ham still, they might be on the bottom spot right now.

Right now, the Rockets are what I call the "Dark Horse" of the West just because they're at the top, but they don't have a legitimate all-star. I guess it's the overall teamwork alongside a good coach in Ime Udoka that's what makes this team a better one. We know how Udoka carried the Celtics to the Finals in his first season, so he has the capabilities to make this team even better and we're seeing it already.
Anyway, just to add, last season the Pistons are the team that didn't get any wins during the month of November. This regular season, it's the Washington Wizards that didn't get a win which is quite unfortunate. Well, I guess they're tanking yet again so that they can get a higher draft pick in the 2025 draft season. It's stacked though, and they don't have all-star to begin with, so I guess they'll be tanking yet again.

[dwyane36]

Right now, the Rockets are what I call the "Dark Horse" of the West just because they're at the top, but they don't have a legitimate all-star. I guess it's the overall teamwork alongside a good coach in Ime Udoka that's what makes this team a better one. We know how Udoka carried the Celtics to the Finals in his first season, so he has the capabilities to make this team even better and we're seeing it already.

The Rockets have been underdogs the past few seasons. Honestly, it's even unusual to see them at the top of the standings now instead of at the bottom. That's probably thanks to Udoka, although I still don't see them as a title contender. It seems to me that the second round in the playoffs is probably the maximum they can reach this regular season.

[Questat]

This regular season, it's the Washington Wizards that didn't get a win which is quite unfortunate. Well, I guess they're tanking yet again so that they can get a higher draft pick in the 2025 draft season. It's stacked though, and they don't have all-star to begin with, so I guess they'll be tanking yet again.

True..... This team hasn’t been the same since the Bradley Beal and John Wall era ended. Now, it’s just a group of players who don’t have that competitive fire to push the team into playoff contention. It’s a shame for Jordan Poole., if he had stayed with the Warriors, things could have been different.

If Poole wasn’t traded, I honestly think the Warriors could still be a championship team. Imagine Poole stepping up, no more Klay Thompson, but with a refreshed lineup, they could’ve been deadly. I think that was really a bad decision by the warriors.


I agree with @dwyane36.. Udoka change that team (rockets).

[AHOYBRAUSE]

True..... This team hasn’t been the same since the Bradley Beal and John Wall era ended. Now, it’s just a group of players who don’t have that competitive fire to push the team into playoff contention. It’s a shame for Jordan Poole., if he had stayed with the Warriors, things could have been different.

If Poole wasn’t traded, I honestly think the Warriors could still be a championship team. Imagine Poole stepping up, no more Klay Thompson, but with a refreshed lineup, they could’ve been deadly. I think that was really a bad decision by the warriors.


I agree with @dwyane36.. Udoka change that team (rockets).

Even when Beal was with the Wizards this team was at the bottom almost every year. Also, I don't think Poole would have helped the GSW to win anything. He doesn't have the right mindset, can't follow simple coaching instructions and overall he is just too childish. Also, because of the tensions between Poole and most of the players it was an easy decision to trade him. Sure he can ball, even though it's too flashy at times, but he just didn't fit (anymore).

[Dave1]

Right now, the Rockets are what I call the "Dark Horse" of the West just because they're at the top, but they don't have a legitimate all-star. I guess it's the overall teamwork alongside a good coach in Ime Udoka that's what makes this team a better one. We know how Udoka carried the Celtics to the Finals in his first season, so he has the capabilities to make this team even better and we're seeing it already.

The Rockets have been underdogs the past few seasons. Honestly, it's even unusual to see them at the top of the standings now instead of at the bottom. That's probably thanks to Udoka, although I still don't see them as a title contender. It seems to me that the second round in the playoffs is probably the maximum they can reach this regular season.

Yes, we forgot about Udoka, we know that he is really a good coach and almost brought a championship with the Celtics that time. But bad decisions in life cause him to be removed by the Celtics management.

But the good thing is that the Rockets has given him a chance to redeem himself, and last year could be where he is just trying to figure everything out, and in this season, he had find the perfect chemistry, starting fives and then the second unit. So they really come into ages for now, but let's see how far they can go and continue with their momentum run under Udoka, maybe a few more twitch here and there.

[TravelMug]

True..... This team hasn’t been the same since the Bradley Beal and John Wall era ended. Now, it’s just a group of players who don’t have that competitive fire to push the team into playoff contention. It’s a shame for Jordan Poole., if he had stayed with the Warriors, things could have been different.

If Poole wasn’t traded, I honestly think the Warriors could still be a championship team. Imagine Poole stepping up, no more Klay Thompson, but with a refreshed lineup, they could’ve been deadly. I think that was really a bad decision by the warriors.


I agree with @dwyane36.. Udoka change that team (rockets).

Even when Beal was with the Wizards this team was at the bottom almost every year. Also, I don't think Poole would have helped the GSW to win anything. He doesn't have the right mindset, can't follow simple coaching instructions and overall he is just too childish. Also, because of the tensions between Poole and most of the players it was an easy decision to trade him. Sure he can ball, even though it's too flashy at times, but he just didn't fit (anymore).

Beal and Westbrook was their biggest season yet, and If I'm not mistaken, they made the playoff that year. And Westbrook was still at his prime as he really took and play great during that time before going to the Lakers. I remember he had some confrontation with fans of the other teams as someone throws water on him.

Just too bad for Jordan Poole though, he had troubles with Green and so the Warriors traded him. I'm not sure though, he had some attitude already as he had a great time with the Warriors but probably success gets into his head and now he had been forgotten by fans as his team is tanking.

[Yaunfitda]

This regular season, it's the Washington Wizards that didn't get a win which is quite unfortunate. Well, I guess they're tanking yet again so that they can get a higher draft pick in the 2025 draft season. It's stacked though, and they don't have all-star to begin with, so I guess they'll be tanking yet again.

True..... This team hasn’t been the same since the Bradley Beal and John Wall era ended. Now, it’s just a group of players who don’t have that competitive fire to push the team into playoff contention. It’s a shame for Jordan Poole., if he had stayed with the Warriors, things could have been different.

If Poole wasn’t traded, I honestly think the Warriors could still be a championship team. Imagine Poole stepping up, no more Klay Thompson, but with a refreshed lineup, they could’ve been deadly. I think that was really a bad decision by the warriors.

I'm not sure about Jordan Poole, yeah we might think of him as another splash brothers back then, but there is something different with Poole. He had a break out performance and we can say that he did help the Warriors win as he was instrumental. But it could have been a total different next season with him, specially with that huge contract in his head and I don't see him as a replacement even if Thompson move out. He might step up, but the errors that he has committing or game decision might have a issues with the Warriors if he stays with them.

[dezoel]

LeBron’s always had issues with teammates, even back then. Remember when Kyrie left Cleveland? He felt like LeBron hogged all the spotlight, even though Kyrie was a huge reason they won that championship. Honestly, I don’t think LeBron’s the best team player. Unless he can carry the Lakers every single game, that’s the only time they’ll really be a top contender.

To be fair Kyrie wanted to spotlight on himself and wanted to prove that he could be number one in a championship team and that's why he left, look at his old Cavs teammates, any other, they all love him and they are glad to have the same title as him, they are thankful basically.

This is why I believe we are not going to see much changes all the time, we are seeing a few people who do not get along well with him and that's true, Kyrie, Westbrook etc, but there are plenty more people who are thankful to play with Lebron and get their games better, the moment Lebron leaves a team, that team usually becomes a much worse team and that's the most important part. We can't really put the blame of Westbrook missing many shots on Lebron.

[avp2306]

LeBron’s always had issues with teammates, even back then. Remember when Kyrie left Cleveland? He felt like LeBron hogged all the spotlight, even though Kyrie was a huge reason they won that championship. Honestly, I don’t think LeBron’s the best team player. Unless he can carry the Lakers every single game, that’s the only time they’ll really be a top contender.

To be fair Kyrie wanted to spotlight on himself and wanted to prove that he could be number one in a championship team and that's why he left, look at his old Cavs teammates, any other, they all love him and they are glad to have the same title as him, they are thankful basically.

This is why I believe we are not going to see much changes all the time, we are seeing a few people who do not get along well with him and that's true, Kyrie, Westbrook etc, but there are plenty more people who are thankful to play with Lebron and get their games better, the moment Lebron leaves a team, that team usually becomes a much worse team and that's the most important part. We can't really put the blame of Westbrook missing many shots on Lebron.

Kyrie admits that he's immature at that time https://nypost.com/2022/05/16/kyrie-irving-immaturity-cost-cavaliers-more-championships/

I guess he just want to prove that he can win championship even if he doesn't team up with Lebron. But he fail and didn't get what he look forward. But I guess he learn a lot from past mistake he made and now he became more better player in Mavs.

We see him became a team player and good motivator on his young teammates that's why many people love Kyrie now.

[Questat]

True..... This team hasn’t been the same since the Bradley Beal and John Wall era ended. Now, it’s just a group of players who don’t have that competitive fire to push the team into playoff contention. It’s a shame for Jordan Poole., if he had stayed with the Warriors, things could have been different.

If Poole wasn’t traded, I honestly think the Warriors could still be a championship team. Imagine Poole stepping up, no more Klay Thompson, but with a refreshed lineup, they could’ve been deadly. I think that was really a bad decision by the warriors.


I agree with @dwyane36.. Udoka change that team (rockets).

Even when Beal was with the Wizards this team was at the bottom almost every year.

They were not when he was playing with John Wall..
Check this out.  https://www.vavel.com/en-us/nba/2024/01/12/1168449-bradley-beal-advocates-for-john-walls-nba-return.html

Both Beal and Wall guided the Wizards to four playoff appearances in five years, with their deepest run happening in 2017 when they reached the Eastern Conference semifinals, losing to the Boston Celtics in a 7-game series.

Also, I don't think Poole would have helped the GSW to win anything. He doesn't have the right mindset, can't follow simple coaching instructions and overall he is just too childish. Also, because of the tensions between Poole and most of the players it was an easy decision to trade him. Sure he can ball, even though it's too flashy at times, but he just didn't fit (anymore).

The issue was really just between Poole and Draymond, but let’s not forget, Poole proved he’s the real deal. He played a key role in the Warriors’ run to win the NBA Finals. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me too, but I feel like trading Poole made the Warriors weaker. It’s like they lost a young, rising star who could’ve carried the team in the future.

[Fredomago]

LeBron’s always had issues with teammates, even back then. Remember when Kyrie left Cleveland? He felt like LeBron hogged all the spotlight, even though Kyrie was a huge reason they won that championship. Honestly, I don’t think LeBron’s the best team player. Unless he can carry the Lakers every single game, that’s the only time they’ll really be a top contender.

To be fair Kyrie wanted to spotlight on himself and wanted to prove that he could be number one in a championship team and that's why he left, look at his old Cavs teammates, any other, they all love him and they are glad to have the same title as him, they are thankful basically.

This is why I believe we are not going to see much changes all the time, we are seeing a few people who do not get along well with him and that's true, Kyrie, Westbrook etc, but there are plenty more people who are thankful to play with Lebron and get their games better, the moment Lebron leaves a team, that team usually becomes a much worse team and that's the most important part. We can't really put the blame of Westbrook missing many shots on Lebron.

Kyrie admits that he's immature at that time https://nypost.com/2022/05/16/kyrie-irving-immaturity-cost-cavaliers-more-championships/

I guess he just want to prove that he can win championship even if he doesn't team up with Lebron. But he fail and didn't get what he look forward. But I guess he learn a lot from past mistake he made and now he became more better player in Mavs.

We see him became a team player and good motivator on his young teammates that's why many people love Kyrie now.

Agree to that, he's more matured now and he's playing for the benefits of the team and not just for his own statue, I like how he help the Mavs last season, he's close winning another title though Boston managed to take the ring, we are in another season and another tough competition for them, they just need to play all together and find that good blends and chemistries to win games.

I'm not sure about Jordan Poole, yeah we might think of him as another splash brothers back then, but there is something different with Poole. He had a break out performance and we can say that he did help the Warriors win as he was instrumental. But it could have been a total different next season with him, specially with that huge contract in his head and I don't see him as a replacement even if Thompson move out. He might step up, but the errors that he has committing or game decision might have a issues with the Warriors if he stays with them.

Though we didn't see that happened as he was been move before Klay but I also thinks that if ever he stayed he can't fill that spot as for me he already thinks that he's a star and can do whatever he wants, which cause him comitting mistakes and with that they decided to trade him out though the fight against Green might be the big factor for this decision.

[xzone]

Rockets being second place at western conference is wild to me, with OKC being first as well. I mean these are two teams that heavily tanked and got some good draft picks and they did pick good players on those drafts to make them better, and just trusted their rookies and give them a lot of minutes for a few years and now they are improved a lot.

It goes to show you, if you draft well and give those players 4-5 seasons to be great, they are going to get amazing experience and be much better but you have to first grind through that terrible period. Obviously they added some decent veteran experience around them from free agency as well, but this goes to show you that trusting the future is the key to recover in this day of NBA, instead of hoping for big signing of star players. Rockets do not have any star players at all, all of them are just decent players, none of them are even all-star level player and yet they are second ranked right now.

Houston Rockets are a very good team as a team, there is no superstar here, but there are very promising players who fight for the team. This is exactly the reason why this team is successful, they manage to play like basketball teams in Europe.

In each match, a different player becomes a star, and all other players support this situation. They have a great player who should be an allstar, Alperen Şengün. He deserved to be an allstar last year too, but the players selected were not the players who deserved that jersey. If this team is so successful this year, one of the biggest reasons is Alperen Şengün. I think we will watch him as an allstar this year

[danherbias07]

Even when Beal was with the Wizards this team was at the bottom almost every year. Also, I don't think Poole would have helped the GSW to win anything. He doesn't have the right mindset, can't follow simple coaching instructions and overall he is just too childish. Also, because of the tensions between Poole and most of the players it was an easy decision to trade him. Sure he can ball, even though it's too flashy at times, but he just didn't fit (anymore).

I also think the same about Poole, he is too immature although he is now 25 years old. Back in the GSW, I hated watching him play because he always tried to show off and it's obvious it was not the play written by Coach Kerr that's why they made many mistakes.

About the Washington Wizards, I remember a player who said he was thankful he was out of that team.
I found it.
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/davis-bertans-says-players-on-wizards-were-fighting-with-each-other-over-minutes-roles-every-single-day/
Davis Bertans says players on Wizards were fighting with each other over minutes, roles 'every single day
Even until now, you don't see a team play in that roster. They are all trying to be the star of the team and maybe just expecting a good contract in their next team when they fill their stats. Actually, Poole might be the perfect player for this kind of team.

[el kaka22]

Houston Rockets are a very good team as a team, there is no superstar here, but there are very promising players who fight for the team. This is exactly the reason why this team is successful, they manage to play like basketball teams in Europe.

In each match, a different player becomes a star, and all other players support this situation. They have a great player who should be an allstar, Alperen Şengün. He deserved to be an allstar last year too, but the players selected were not the players who deserved that jersey. If this team is so successful this year, one of the biggest reasons is Alperen Şengün. I think we will watch him as an allstar this year

Ime Udoka also has a good contribution to that as well, I realized I didn't give him enough credit but he has seen what his team could do and he has managed to carve out a strategy for the team that would make them play better together because he knows how to get the best out of everyone.

He has a plan for every type of five out there, he can take out any player, and put in any player and change the way the team plays based on whoever is on the floor and he also managed to make the players realize how to do that as well, sometimes coaches have something in their minds but have hard time making players do exactly what they want, Ime Udoka made that possible.

Rockets definitely deserve all the credit for the way they are playing, they are definitely doing amazing. The reason is clear, like you said, they are playing very hard and giving all they have into every single game, we are used to seeing teams take a notch up during playoffs, but Rockets are playing like every game is game seven and this gives them a huge advantage over others. And since they are very young as well, this doesn't really tire them out too much, and they benefit from their youth and hunger for the game.

[Maslate]

About the Washington Wizards, I remember a player who said he was thankful he was out of that team.
I found it.
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/davis-bertans-says-players-on-wizards-were-fighting-with-each-other-over-minutes-roles-every-single-day/
Davis Bertans says players on Wizards were fighting with each other over minutes, roles 'every single day
Even until now, you don't see a team play in that roster. They are all trying to be the star of the team and maybe just expecting a good contract in their next team when they fill their stats. Actually, Poole might be the perfect player for this kind of team.

I can see shades of the Spurs in this team last season. Before CP3 arrived, the team seemed like everyone was trying to outshine each other. But then a true leader came in, improved their chemistry, and turned things around, now the Spurs are playing with great teamwork.

I think what this team is lacking is a veteran player with a coach-like mentality to guide them. Without that, it feels like they’re bound to tank again this season, especially with this kind of situation happening within the team.

[dezoel]

Wizards was always mismanaged, for years, decades even. Remember the whole Michael Jordan situation? He was part owner of the team and he decided to both make the team better but also give them a chance, and increase the value of the team a lot by going back in and playing, he played two seasons if I am not wrong and the owners just didn't do anything and didn't improve the team like they promised. This made MJ mad and he sold his rights in the team and went ahead and bought Charlotte, which turns out wasn't really that fair considering MJ never made a good team out of them neither, he owns a team that sucks so maybe he is a bit responsible too.

However, at the end of the day we are seeing how Wizards has been mismanaged for decades, even back then, and there were changes since, but they are still doing badly. A proper team would never allow their players to have arguments like that, you get what the coach gives you, you are not happy? You are free to leave.

[LogitechMouse]

Right now, the Rockets are what I call the "Dark Horse" of the West just because they're at the top, but they don't have a legitimate all-star. I guess it's the overall teamwork alongside a good coach in Ime Udoka that's what makes this team a better one. We know how Udoka carried the Celtics to the Finals in his first season, so he has the capabilities to make this team even better and we're seeing it already.

The Rockets have been underdogs the past few seasons. Honestly, it's even unusual to see them at the top of the standings now instead of at the bottom. That's probably thanks to Udoka, although I still don't see them as a title contender. It seems to me that the second round in the playoffs is probably the maximum they can reach this regular season.

They've been, but it all changed when they changed their head coach from Stephen Silas to now Ime Udoka. Like you though, I don't see them as a title contender, and I guess many see them that way as well. They're young and we've seen how the Thunder got defeated in the 2nd round last playoffs by a more playoff-experienced Mavericks. It will be the same situation with them as well. It's good to see their young talented players to develop even more especially Green, Sengun, and aside from the 2 of them, they have young players as well that they can develop for their future.

---

True..... This team hasn’t been the same since the Bradley Beal and John Wall era ended. Now, it’s just a group of players who don’t have that competitive fire to push the team into playoff contention. It’s a shame for Jordan Poole., if he had stayed with the Warriors, things could have been different.

If Poole wasn’t traded, I honestly think the Warriors could still be a championship team. Imagine Poole stepping up, no more Klay Thompson, but with a refreshed lineup, they could’ve been deadly. I think that was really a bad decision by the warriors.

I still miss the Wizards back years ago when they're still competing in the playoffs. That was the time when Paul Pierce is still with the team alongside Beal and Wall. They didn't win a title though, but that's the best version of Wizards that I've seen for the last decade. They got better though when they got Westbrook.

As for Poole, the Warriors could've been, but I don't think that the Warriors want him to stay especially after that beef with Green. It's like a slap to the face for Draymond Green if they will let him stay that's why he traded him. The Warriors are in a better position now though even without Poole.

[btc_angela]

Wizards was always mismanaged, for years, decades even. Remember the whole Michael Jordan situation? He was part owner of the team and he decided to both make the team better but also give them a chance, and increase the value of the team a lot by going back in and playing, he played two seasons if I am not wrong and the owners just didn't do anything and didn't improve the team like they promised. This made MJ mad and he sold his rights in the team and went ahead and bought Charlotte, which turns out wasn't really that fair considering MJ never made a good team out of them neither, he owns a team that sucks so maybe he is a bit responsible too.

However, at the end of the day we are seeing how Wizards has been mismanaged for decades, even back then, and there were changes since, but they are still doing badly. A proper team would never allow their players to have arguments like that, you get what the coach gives you, you are not happy? You are free to leave.

That's what I have notice though, I mean they have been in the league for many years and yet they can't figure it out.

They have Beal before and that could be the best team that they have and yet they traded him instead of building a young team around him. Now, they are tanking once more, however, they could be getting a good pick next year so let's see how it goes for them and hopefully they can rebuild again, make a total rebuild and trade Kuzma or Jordan Poole.

[Japinat]

As for Poole, the Warriors could've been, but I don't think that the Warriors want him to stay especially after that beef with Green. It's like a slap to the face for Draymond Green if they will let him stay that's why he traded him. The Warriors are in a better position now though even without Poole.

I believe when there’s a problem within the team, they have to decide who to let go, and it’s impossible they’d part ways with Draymond Green, who is crucial to the Warriors. we’ve seen how the team struggles to move the ball effectively when Draymond isn’t on the court, so  even though he doesn’t score much, Draymond is the second most important player for the Warriors, right after Curry.

As for Poole, he could’ve humbled himself. He’s still young, and the Warriors developed him into the player he is today. Knowing Draymond’s personality, Poole should’ve been the one to adjust. It might’ve helped avoid all the drama and kept the team chemistry intact.