***Official 2024-2025 NBA Thread***

[KC_Connection]

Season starts tonight with Knicks and Celtics followed by Lakers and TWolves.

Will history be made early in the 2nd game?

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Walk it off Barnes, always a good day when the Warriors lose.

Me tonight! pic.twitter.com/bCFf5FEJm5

— Katisu🇵🇷 (@Katisu3) April 10, 2025

[New World Order]

I wouldn't want to play the Warriors in the first round.

[Eureka]

Originally Posted by New World Order

I wouldn't want to play the Warriors in the first round.

KC hate for the Warriors is like hate for Tom Brady and the Patriots.

[displacedinMN]

There are play in games to get in the playoffs?

WTH?

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

There are play in games to get in the playoffs?

WTH?

Ain't it stupid? Why should the 9th and 10th team in a conference have a ahot at anything?

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Ain't it stupid? Why should the 9th and 10th team in a conference have a ahot at anything?

Even in the West where the teams that are getting into the play-in actually tried (which was the goal, IMO -- keep more teams from openly tanking) it's still crap.

And in the East where there are teams that DID try to tank looking at a play-in spot, it's just friggen embarrassing.

[KC_Connection]

Lakers 5 man lineup of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, and LeBron James is a +22.6 per 100 possessions per Cleaning The Glass. Still a small sample if 210 possessions but WOW

— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) April 10, 2025

[DJ's left nut]

The issue is that a lot of the time DFS is on the court, James or Luka are off.

They just don't use that 5 man lineup as frequently as they could. They often use the 'big 4' plus Hayes and then when James or Luka comes off, DFS comes on. Then if Rui comes off you'll see Luke come back out and maybe James comes off and Vincent comes on.

They just don't use that lineup as often as they should. And they usually have James off the floor when DFS is on, especially if DFS AND Vincent are on (then they rely on Luka to drive offense).

I kinda like them keeping it in reserve as their crunch time lineup (and that's usually what they use for most of the 4th).

It's definitely the best lineup they have but they don't lean into it as much as I expected they might. Maybe they'll use it more heavily in the post-season.

[KC_Connection]

BREAKING: Rockets stars OUT vs Lakers

no Alperen Sengun
no Amen Thompson
no Fred VanVleet
no Dillon Brooks
no Jabari Smith Jr.
no Tari Eason

https://t.co/1H9ejmEiJo

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 11, 2025

Over a week of rest for LeBron after tonight.

[DJ's left nut]

Yeah - Lakers need to get this done tonight. Shouldn't take much -- just go take care of business, lock up the 3 seed and let the chips fall as they may.

The matchup matters less at this point (and, frankly, is out of their control anyway because of what a mess the back of the Western bracket is) than HFA. So lock that in, get the rest advantage and move along.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Yeah - Lakers need to get this done tonight. Shouldn't take much -- just go take care of business, lock up the 3 seed and let the chips fall as they may.

The matchup matters less at this point (and, frankly, is out of their control anyway because of what a mess the back of the Western bracket is) than HFA. So lock that in, get the rest advantage and move along.

Looks to me like the most likely #6 seeds are either the Warriors or TWolves and that almost entirely depends who wins that Clippers/Warriors game Sunday (which may be a defacto play-in game itself).

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Looks to me like the most likely #6 seeds are either the Warriors or TWolves and that almost entirely depends who wins that Clippers/Warriors game Sunday (which may be a defacto play-in game itself).

The west is such a bummer.

or maybe it's amazing.

I can't figure it out either way. Every damn series should be incredible. But every one of them is a series I'd rather see in the semis.

You really want to see Lebron vs. Steph in round 1? Lebron vs Ant? Ant vs. that young, physical Rockets team? Clippers vs. Lakers?

There are a dozen possible outcomes that would all be amazing a round or two rounds later. They'd be intriguing WCF matchups.

And they're going to be 1st round series.

[BWillie]

Will be an exciting next two games for the Thunder. Not playing anybody today vs Utah but need to maintain the best margin of victory so they can cement being the best team of All-Time.

[KC_Connection]

3rd seed is secure and Bronny is in. Now to see if it will be the Warriors or TWolves.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

3rd seed is secure and Bronny is in. Now to see if it will be the Warriors or TWolves.

The West is an absolute gauntlet. Should be alot of fun to watch.

Boston and Cleveland have to be counting their blessings.

I would bet my life savings that either the Cavs or Celtics make the Finals.