2026 NBA Season

[LGD2Business]

The NBA has fined the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. They were fined for intentionally not playing their star players and tanking. I'm not sure if this is the right approach. The funny part is that Utah beat Miami even though Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. didn't play in the final quarter. Yet they still got fined. Maybe the NBA management could resolve this by changing the draft procedures, but it's very clear that this is a problem. If teams are being penalized for not playing certain players, that's interfering with the team's internal affairs. And fining them even though they won is utter nonsense.

[xzone]

The NBA has fined the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. They were fined for intentionally not playing their star players and tanking. I'm not sure if this is the right approach. The funny part is that Utah beat Miami even though Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. didn't play in the final quarter. Yet they still got fined. Maybe the NBA management could resolve this by changing the draft procedures, but it's very clear that this is a problem. If teams are being penalized for not playing certain players, that's interfering with the team's internal affairs. And fining them even though they won is utter nonsense.

If you have star players and you're not playing them to earn a draft pick, then yes, you might be somewhat justified in penalizing them. However, I don't think the decision here was correct. If they won the game, they must have played well enough; they might not have wanted to tire out their good players. Besides, if a team is playing poorly specifically to earn a draft pick, they'll already be penalized for finishing last at the end of the season, so giving them another penalty isn't right. The rules are clear; every team should be able to do whatever they want to get a draft pick, or the rules need to be changed

[OgNasty]

The NBA has fined the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. They were fined for intentionally not playing their star players and tanking. I'm not sure if this is the right approach. The funny part is that Utah beat Miami even though Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. didn't play in the final quarter. Yet they still got fined. Maybe the NBA management could resolve this by changing the draft procedures, but it's very clear that this is a problem. If teams are being penalized for not playing certain players, that's interfering with the team's internal affairs. And fining them even though they won is utter nonsense.

If you have star players and you're not playing them to earn a draft pick, then yes, you might be somewhat justified in penalizing them. However, I don't think the decision here was correct. If they won the game, they must have played well enough; they might not have wanted to tire out their good players. Besides, if a team is playing poorly specifically to earn a draft pick, they'll already be penalized for finishing last at the end of the season, so giving them another penalty isn't right. The rules are clear; every team should be able to do whatever they want to get a draft pick, or the rules need to be changed

I’m glad that the NBA is looking into this problem and beginning to propose solutions. For example, they said they are now considering a playoff for teams that don’t make the playoffs to determine their draft order. That way tanking won’t help your draft prospects. Not sure how this would work, but it is an idea being floated around.

Chris Paul has retired from the NBA!

[EFS]

While the Bucks beat the Thunder, Ousmane Dieng played one of the best games of his career. He played with great revenge motivation against his former team. He got a career high 11 rebounds and made his first double-double. The Bucks controlled the game from start to finish and gave the Thunder without SGA and Hartenstein no chance.

If LeBron keeps playing like this, he'll break all the records that have "oldest" in them. He put in another fantastic performance. I only watched the first half, but what I saw was enough.

Chris Paul announces NBA retirement after 21 seasons. It was an amazing career, he'll be in HoF for sure. Another player from our generation has retired.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

A great night for LeBron. He got a triple double and is now the oldest player in NBA history to have done so. It looked like he was going for 60 after the first quarter but he slowed down quite a bit. Still it was enough for them to get the win without Luka.

Dallas losing streak still continues. And honestly, it feels like the Lakers don’t even need Ayton anymore, especially with how inconsistent he’s been.

Ayton is soft, he tends to slow down his momentum and bring the ball down when he gets quick passes from LeBron or Luka, in the paint. The only good thing about him than Hayes is his mid range shooting.
If Hayes have that kind of ability, he'd be a perfect center for the Lakers.
Ayton can be a good piece to start, since Hayes easily picks up some fouls, but JJ should seriously consider to let Hayes or Kleber play more minutes in the 4th quarter.

True, and when he grabs the rebound, he also bring the ball down that's why many guards can easily steal the ball from him and after that, he will just nonchalant run down to supposedly play defense.

Imagine if Hayes has that ability to dribble and pivot and make that mid range. He is young and athletic and that can really help the Lakers down the line. If I'm the Lakers management, I might throw and develop him in the next 2 years to turn him into a great center for them.

[LogitechMouse]

The NBA has fined the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. They were fined for intentionally not playing their star players and tanking. I'm not sure if this is the right approach. The funny part is that Utah beat Miami even though Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. didn't play in the final quarter. Yet they still got fined. Maybe the NBA management could resolve this by changing the draft procedures, but it's very clear that this is a problem. If teams are being penalized for not playing certain players, that's interfering with the team's internal affairs. And fining them even though they won is utter nonsense.

They deserve it. What they're doing especially the Pacers are ruining the competition around the league.

The league is becoming "The race at the bottom spot" instead of the usual "The race at the top spot". The competition around the league has been gone or at least decreased because of these teams trying to tank just to get a higher draft spot in the upcoming draft. The Jazz deserves to be fined after what they did, and even their coach Will Hardy doubled-down on it when he said in an interview that he will never let his starters enter the 4th quarter. That's disgusting if you will ask me. I will not be surprised if gambling is also connected to these tanking issues.

What's good is that, the league is making some solutions to this one, and one solution that I saw online is that they will make a tournament around these lottery teams and based on the standings, that will determine the pick that they'll get. Of course this isn't the "magic trick" to tanking right now, but at least the league is addressing this problem.

[Russlenat]

Chris Paul announces NBA retirement after 21 seasons. It was an amazing career, he'll be in HoF for sure. Another player from our generation has retired.

The decision was right I guess. It’s just sad that he never won a championship. His best chance was with the Phoenix Suns when they reached the Finals and were even ahead, but the Milwaukee Bucks came back and won four straight to beat them.

Still, he was always entertaining to watch, especially during his time with the LA Clippers and the Hornets. The CP3 and Blake Griffin tandem was crazy, and even before that, his run with Tyson Chandler was fun to watch too.

No ring, but still a great career overall. 

[EFS]

No ring, but still a great career overall. 

There are many superstars who don't have a ring. In the end 30 teams compete but only one becomes champion each year. To win a championship, many variables have to come together at the same time. Strong teammates, a good coach, a well-run organization, good form, making the right decisions at critical moments and a bit of luck. A player finishing his career without ever winning a championship doesn't reduce his value.

Allen Iverson was one of the best guards I've ever watched, but he never won a championship. Chris Paul was also a guard at that level. Just as good as Magic, Nash and Kidd who won championships, AI and CP3 were just as good. It was an amazing career.

[mirakal]

Allen Iverson was one of the best guards I've ever watched, but he never won a championship. Chris Paul was also a guard at that level. Just as good as Magic, Nash and Kidd who won championships, AI and CP3 were just as good. It was an amazing career.

They’re very popular and yet they still don’t have a ring.
Meanwhile Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who barely even plays, already has one championship ring under his name.

It’s not really unfair, that’s just how it is in the NBA. Sometimes it’s about being in the right place at the right time. Still kinda funny when you think about it though lol.

[tech30338]

Allen Iverson was one of the best guards I've ever watched, but he never won a championship. Chris Paul was also a guard at that level. Just as good as Magic, Nash and Kidd who won championships, AI and CP3 were just as good. It was an amazing career.

They’re very popular and yet they still don’t have a ring.
Meanwhile Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who barely even plays, already has one championship ring under his name.

It’s not really unfair, that’s just how it is in the NBA. Sometimes it’s about being in the right place at the right time. Still kinda funny when you think about it though lol.

Sometimes great players never have a chance to have a ring because the team settle for other players for the salary they don't want to spend a lot on the market, if you can see who won championships mostly, the spend money on superstars to build a team dynasty, this include the bulls, GSW, some make it buy buying out good players or picking them on the market after being waived by other teams, and they also need to have good coach, and also a coachable players is needed for this not only superstar type but can be manage, in the long run.

[Shinpako09]

Allen Iverson was one of the best guards I've ever watched, but he never won a championship. Chris Paul was also a guard at that level. Just as good as Magic, Nash and Kidd who won championships, AI and CP3 were just as good. It was an amazing career.

They’re very popular and yet they still don’t have a ring.
Meanwhile Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who barely even plays, already has one championship ring under his name.

It’s not really unfair, that’s just how it is in the NBA. Sometimes it’s about being in the right place at the right time. Still kinda funny when you think about it though lol.

You got it right, sometimes being good is not the point; sometimes it's about the right place and right time. You can be good and a HOF player but still have no ring. He almost got one with the Suns. Meanwhile, Patrick McCaw has 3 rings in just 5 seasons. In those 5 seasons, he never averaged more than 5 points. In his first 2 rings, he averaged just 4.0, and in his third ring he averaged 2.7 points. His third ring was kinda lucky, he got traded from the Cavs midseason and, bingo, a 3rd ring with the Raptors. But still, amazing career for CP3 and one of the best PGs.

[jaberwock]

While I know Bucks are terrible these days and OKC is seen as the best team because of last years title, I would like to point out that OKC had many games they lost for no reason at all. OKC has 14 losses now, and most of those came from out of nowhere against teams that weren't suppose to beat them. They started the season with very minimal losing, and we thought maybe they could even break the record, and then they started to be terrible and lost many games like this one.

Bucks weren't that good, it wasn't even Bucks that won that game, it was OKC that lost the game and because OKC didn't want to play that much. I understand because they will be tired because at playoffs they will go far, maybe even all the way, so they sometimes clock out mentally.

[Yaunfitda]

While I know Bucks are terrible these days and OKC is seen as the best team because of last years title, I would like to point out that OKC had many games they lost for no reason at all. OKC has 14 losses now, and most of those came from out of nowhere against teams that weren't suppose to beat them. They started the season with very minimal losing, and we thought maybe they could even break the record, and then they started to be terrible and lost many games like this one.

From what i have seen, they have peaked so early this season. That's why right now in the last 20 games or so, they've lost to some teams that are not really good in the standing.

Bucks weren't that good, it wasn't even Bucks that won that game, it was OKC that lost the game and because OKC didn't want to play that much. I understand because they will be tired because at playoffs they will go far, maybe even all the way, so they sometimes clock out mentally.

Just give the Bucks the credit mate, they beat OKC fair and square. They shoot high percentage and then play defense and they just enjoyed the game without pressure. And most likely that's why they won the game because they didn't look in paper that OKC is the best team. They just go out and play and have some fun shooting 3's and going inside. It's not like that the OKC didn't mount a comeback. They did but the Bucks pushes themselves and again, playing as if there is nothing on the line.

[mirakal]

Meanwhile, Patrick McCaw has 3 rings in just 5 seasons. In those 5 seasons, he never averaged more than 5 points. In his first 2 rings, he averaged just 4.0, and in his third ring he averaged 2.7 points. His third ring was kinda lucky, he got traded from the Cavs midseason and, bingo, a 3rd ring with the Raptors. But still, amazing career for CP3 and one of the best PGs.

You made me research this guy. I remember the name when I used to check the boxscore before, but I think he’s not active anymore now.
Still, having 3 rings, damn, that’s really lucky. 

But honestly, I think the biggest achievement in the NBA is getting a good contract and winning at least one ring. If you have both, that’s already enough to make most players fully satisfied with their career.

[Cointxz]

No ring, but still a great career overall. 

There are many superstars who don't have a ring. In the end 30 teams compete but only one becomes champion each year. To win a championship, many variables have to come together at the same time. Strong teammates, a good coach, a well-run organization, good form, making the right decisions at critical moments and a bit of luck. A player finishing his career without ever winning a championship doesn't reduce his value.

Allen Iverson was one of the best guards I've ever watched, but he never won a championship. Chris Paul was also a guard at that level. Just as good as Magic, Nash and Kidd who won championships, AI and CP3 were just as good. It was an amazing career.

Back then, Players are motivated to get a ring on their own team without the need to team up with strong player just to get an all star team unlike now that star player keep teaming up and requesting an immediate trade if they feel that there’s no hope for the team.

If Lebron is playing dominant on that era I believe he will gather them and give a ring on each one.  

I like the current NBA when Lebron is already not on prime. Team is already building from scratch using rookie players.

[Sanitough]

If Lebron is playing dominant on that era I believe he will gather them and give a ring on each one.  

He didn’t do that right away. It only happened after many failures with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After that, he teamed up with superstars in the Miami Heat, and they won two championships, if I remember right.

Then he went back to Cleveland and gave them one championship, which was really special. And the last one was with the Los Angeles Lakers.

I think after Cleveland, LeBron James was already used to teaming up with other superstars. Nothing wrong with that, it’s part of the game. It’s just a bit unfortunate that he only won one with the Lakers, and that was during the pandemic bubble season.

I like the current NBA when Lebron is already not on prime. Team is already building from scratch using rookie players.

yeah, that's what i observed as well, Pistons use to be a bad team now a championship team.

[Jostern]

Allen Iverson was one of the best guards I've ever watched, but he never won a championship. Chris Paul was also a guard at that level. Just as good as Magic, Nash and Kidd who won championships, AI and CP3 were just as good. It was an amazing career.

They’re very popular and yet they still don’t have a ring.
Meanwhile Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who barely even plays, already has one championship ring under his name.

It’s not really unfair, that’s just how it is in the NBA. Sometimes it’s about being in the right place at the right time. Still kinda funny when you think about it though lol.

Actually is very funny, there is every possibilities that so many players wouldn’t have a ring for winning the NBA championship, most some big players because they don’t find themselves in a good environment, Talking about the Antetokounmpo brothers it’s been something that we have to think about, because he was in the team but he isn’t a very big player, but when his teams wins everyone wins, that is always the case for team sports, not and individual sports where you have to perform to your own abilities to win for your individual accolades, the same thing is applicable to every other sports, the difference is having an individual sports or team sports.

[arwin100]

Allen Iverson was one of the best guards I've ever watched, but he never won a championship. Chris Paul was also a guard at that level. Just as good as Magic, Nash and Kidd who won championships, AI and CP3 were just as good. It was an amazing career.

They’re very popular and yet they still don’t have a ring.
Meanwhile Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who barely even plays, already has one championship ring under his name.

It’s not really unfair, that’s just how it is in the NBA. Sometimes it’s about being in the right place at the right time. Still kinda funny when you think about it though lol.

Sometimes great players never have a chance to have a ring because the team settle for other players for the salary they don't want to spend a lot on the market, if you can see who won championships mostly, the spend money on superstars to build a team dynasty, this include the bulls, GSW, some make it buy buying out good players or picking them on the market after being waived by other teams, and they also need to have good coach, and also a coachable players is needed for this not only superstar type but can be manage, in the long run.

This is the common problem on why the greatness of the players has been wasted, because there are teams didn't support the growth of their team, they just get settled on the asset that they currently have and don't even try to challenge then make a big move on having good trades or scout great young potentials.

If they just follow or at least get an idea on teams got lots of championship, maybe they could able to win at least one championship for their team. I think good coach is not enough here since they also need supporting management so they can possibly hit their goals to win a championship.

[Cointxz]

I like the current NBA when Lebron is already not on prime. Team is already building from scratch using rookie players.

yeah, that's what i observed as well, Pistons use to be a bad team now a championship team.

Not only Pistons but also Spurs. Both of them are on the bottom rank and slowly build their young players to current competitive one.

Spurs even with rookie Wemby still struggle a lot until they get more new promising rookie with castle and champagne. They didn’t even need Fox on this roster which I believe they might use him to be trade on more top picks in the future.

[yahoo62278]

The NBA has fined the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. They were fined for intentionally not playing their star players and tanking. I'm not sure if this is the right approach. The funny part is that Utah beat Miami even though Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. didn't play in the final quarter. Yet they still got fined. Maybe the NBA management could resolve this by changing the draft procedures, but it's very clear that this is a problem. If teams are being penalized for not playing certain players, that's interfering with the team's internal affairs. And fining them even though they won is utter nonsense.

I saw this story and I wonder how many times I may have lost a bet because certain teams sat players late in the game? Draft position or not these guys get paid millions, they should do their fucking jobs.

How many star players sit out half the season for load management bs? How many fans get fucked over because they bought expensive tickets to a game and the player they bought them for didn't play? These pussies are coddled bad. Look at the NFL. Those guys play 17 games a year injured and fighting the whole way.

I personally think the fine should have been alot higher to deter teams from doing that shit. 20 million or something and take away a draft pick.