NBA 2022-23 Season Catch-All

So, I think I know why Jokic doesn't get the shine of say, Ja Morant or Steph or Durant. And I think it's really simple. He's not flashy.

And I when I say "flashy" I don't mean "doesn't throw no-look passes or have great moves," because he does, but flashy in the sene of, if you look at the players we've put in highlights for years, from Dr. J to Jordan and Magic, AI and Vince Carter, Kobe and Lebron...

...Jokic isn't those dudes. Jokic is that dude when you go to play at the rec center or the LA Fitness, and you see him. The 50-something dude with braces on both knees, wearing a headband, can't run particularly fast.

And then he gets on the court and is just giving you buckets the whole time. Every jumper is wet. If you get in the post with him, he's putting you in the torture chamber. Throwing passes you absolutely cannot believe. And there's nothing "WOW!" about his game in the stereotypical NBA sense, he'll never be on some "Best Dunks" compiliation. Hell, he only gets about 3' off the ground when he shoots a jumper, and yet even with a hand in his face, he's hitting it, from 2 or from 3 (God help you if you sag and leave him open from 3).

To me, Jokic is like the idealized version of that guy. His game IS impressive, but not in the stereotypical ways people popularly come to the NBA with. So he doesn't get the shine, because he's not trying to dunk on God like Ja is.

And then you check the stats, and he's put up ANOTHER 30+ point triple-double (on 12-20 shooting for f*ck's sake!).

Between playing in Denver and his style and appearance, he'll never get the shine that even Luka does. And yet, dude is one of the five best players in the NBA. Unquestionably.

EDIT: The man is a center who puts up "quiet" triple-doubles. Insane.

IMAGE(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fmx24k8XgAIo0sY?format=jpg&name=900x900)

IMAGE(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fmx24k9WQAIleSB?format=jpg&name=medium)

I didn't know either. I, like StanVan, am old.

Nikola Jokic recorded his 98th career game leading his team outright in points, rebounds and assists.

That matches Russell Westbrook for the 2nd-most instances all-time. Only LeBron James has done this more with 152.

Wembanyama, even with eyes always on him, seems unfazed

Kid does seem to be handling all of this as well as anyone reasonably could, much less a 19-year-old. I know it'd probably be tampering, but honestly, I hope he's gotten to speak with LeBron, who is really the only other comparable (and also handled it pretty shockingly well).

It was a maze of people, all crammed into about a three-foot-wide space separating the courtside seats at Accor Arena in Paris from the playing floor. Everyone wanted pretty much the same thing, a look at a French teenager who is the talk of the basketball world. They held up their phones for pictures as he walked down the sideline, outstretched their hands for greetings, most of them talking or shouting at once.

Victor Wembanyama seemed unfazed.

His 7-foot-3 frame just glided through the group with ease as he looked over the top of everyone and made his way to his seat. He found his chair, sat down, surveyed the scene for a moment and kept chatting with his family, almost oblivious to the spectacle that was happening around him, smiling and laughing and enjoying it all.

This is life now for the 19-year-old, the best player in France, the presumed No. 1 pick in the NBA draft later this year, the leading scorer and rebounder in his homeland’s top pro league, the All-Star Game MVP of that league, someone a few months away from signing a rookie NBA contract that will pay him more than $50 million over his first four seasons and landing endorsement deals that may make his basketball paychecks seem like pocket change.

LeBron has no greater supporter than Shannon Sharpe.

I like them, but the Grizzles sure be talking a lot of trash for a bunch of dudes with 0 rings and 0 finals appearances.

It always amazes me that people try to make so much of the result of one NFL game like teams don't play 17 of them... what, this is the NBA thread... they play HOW MANY?

Prederick wrote:

LeBron has no greater supporter than Shannon Sharpe.

I like them, but the Grizzles sure be talking a lot of trash for a bunch of dudes with 0 rings and 0 finals appearances.

The Danny Green disrespect! One less ring than Lebron and Steph!

(Granted he hasn’t played this year)

Just watched Embiid drop 47 on the Nuggets in a win and realized the scoring leader isn’t even an All-Star.

You mean not an all star starter? The full teams haven’t been announced.

Just noise to fill the news cycle.

Problem is Embiid is all for it. I can see how he has a gripe but the difference is Jokic and Giannis are the opposite.

They just consistently up their game and ignore the noise. Crazy part is it's 3 different international players.

Sixteen trillion points to Pat Bev for being so infuriated with a no-call that he grabbed a camera from a courtside photographer, showed it to a ref and got T'd.

Bill Simmons finally writes something. NBA trade value rankings:

https://nbarankings.theringer.com/tr...

Trophy Husband wrote:

Bill Simmons finally writes something. NBA trade value rankings:

https://nbarankings.theringer.com/tr...

Ooooh...a Heat (movie) reference in the first couple paragraphs!

Top_Shelf wrote:
Trophy Husband wrote:

Bill Simmons finally writes something. NBA trade value rankings:

https://nbarankings.theringer.com/tr...

Ooooh...a Heat (movie) reference in the first couple paragraphs!

If you bet $20 on that or a Rounders reference happening, you'd have $10.

Rat Boy wrote:

Kyrie wants out.

It'd been, what, a little over a month? It was about time.

Top_Shelf wrote:
Trophy Husband wrote:

Bill Simmons finally writes something. NBA trade value rankings:

https://nbarankings.theringer.com/tr...

Ooooh...a Heat (movie) reference in the first couple paragraphs!

His fingers work again. Unfortunately his metaphors are still dated.

I know it will happen and it'll be the Lakers but why would a team trade for Kyrie?

Vector wrote:

I know it will happen and it'll be the Lakers but why would a team trade for Kyrie?

Because some teams are actually ran by their players and the players are terrible GMs.

Not that all GMs are good but ya.

Vector wrote:

I know it will happen and it'll be the Lakers but why would a team trade for Kyrie?

Limited years left in LeBron's prime and he is legitimately a better fit than Westbrook.

Vector wrote:

I know it will happen and it'll be the Lakers but why would a team trade for Kyrie?

Because trying to get wins trumps morality...

Even if they do, they shouldn't trade much. There are 30 games left before he is a free agent.

Prederick wrote:
Top_Shelf wrote:
Trophy Husband wrote:

Bill Simmons finally writes something. NBA trade value rankings:

https://nbarankings.theringer.com/tr...

Ooooh...a Heat (movie) reference in the first couple paragraphs!

If you bet $20 on that or a Rounders reference happening, you'd have $10.

Your response had me to go our AI Deity to see what happens.

ChatGPT wrote:

Hey everyone, it's your favorite Trade Machine aficionado, and I'm here to talk about the latest NBA trade rumors and possibilities.

First up, we have the Houston Rockets who are looking to make some big moves. With a disappointing record this season, the Rockets are reportedly shopping their star guard, John Wall. A number of teams have expressed interest, including the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams are looking to add a veteran presence to their backcourt and Wall fits the bill. However, the question remains, what will the Rockets want in return? Will they be looking for young assets or veteran players to help turn their season around?

Next, we have the Golden State Warriors, who are in desperate need of a shake-up. With a struggling roster and multiple injuries, the Warriors are reportedly looking to trade their veteran star, Draymond Green. Green is a proven winner and would be a valuable addition to any team looking to make a deep playoff run. But what will the Warriors want in return? Will they be looking for young prospects or established players who can help them get back on track?

Finally, we have the Brooklyn Nets who are on a roll this season and looking to make a big splash. With a stacked roster and championship aspirations, the Nets are reportedly interested in adding another All-Star player to their lineup. Names like Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine have been thrown around as potential targets, but it remains to be seen who the Nets will actually pursue.

That's all for this week folks. Make sure to check back next week for more juicy trade rumors and possibilities. As always, let the speculation begin!

Prompt: Hello. Please write an NBA Trade Column in the style of Bill Simmons

Not a single Heat, Rounders, Boogie Nights, Alexis Texas or Boston callback?

AI's never going to work.

I asked it to do it in the style of Herodotus and Jane Austen, both of whom were REALLY obsessed with the Jrue Holiday trade to the Bucks in 2020.

What an awful trade for Dallas.

Betting on crazy, giving up a pretty good wing defender in Finney-Smith, and giving up the 1st takes a "All the picks for a co-star" trade off the table for another few year.

Whatever's worse than the Birds Right Trap is where Kyrie has them this summer. They'll have to give him what he wants.

The obvious question people will ask is why didn't they just bring back Brunson?

They let Brunson walk for nothing because I guess people were not sure if he could be your 2nd/3rd guy. Now they compound the first mistake with Kyrie.

Luka is so good he can probably make anything work. (why you keep Brunson in the first place)

Brooklyn must be letting out the longest sigh of relief that this saga is over.

Settling in for a good day on NBA social media

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.io/FYh205T_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium)

@alex_kirshner wrote:

Sending Kyrie to the city where JFK got assassinated opens up all kinds of avenues for him to do some exciting research

Roke wrote:

What an awful trade for Dallas.

Betting on crazy, giving up a pretty good wing defender in Finney-Smith, and giving up the 1st takes a "All the picks for a co-star" trade off the table for another few year.

Whatever's worse than the Birds Right Trap is where Kyrie has them this summer. They'll have to give him what he wants.

Agreed with all of this. Way too much and how do they have two main players that both need the ball. How does that work in the playoffs? Just seems a weird pairing with Doncic.

The Nets management must be celebrating.