Not too late to take the under on the 76ers.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George sustained a left knee hyperextension in the team’s preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks Monday, the 76ers announced.

George will likely have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury ⤵️https://t.co/wuSbCEXwfg pic.twitter.com/JyS03Iw0lb

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) October 15, 2024

Guitarsoup said:

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Not too late to take the under on the 76ers.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George sustained a left knee hyperextension in the team’s preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks Monday, the 76ers announced.

George will likely have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury ⤵️https://t.co/wuSbCEXwfg pic.twitter.com/JyS03Iw0lb

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) October 15, 2024

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Then add this.

Joel Embiid doesn’t plan to play in back-to-backs for the rest of his career

"If I had to guess. I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career."

(Via @TimBontemps ) pic.twitter.com/QhK2cu2UPV

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 14, 2024

That is a big 180 from him. He used to be obsessed with MVP and getting his due there.

I actually respect him for this and it probably is the best decision for him career wise. He is a force but always flames out in the playoffs. He owes it to himself to try to make some runs when the games actually matter instead of chasing regular season hardware at this point.

CC09LawAg said:

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That is a big 180 from him. He used to be obsessed with MVP and getting his due there.

I actually respect him for this and it probably is the best decision for him career wise. He is a force but always flames out in the playoffs. He owes it to himself to try to make some runs when the games actually matter instead of chasing regular season hardware at this point.

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Embiid got his MVP (even though he didn't deserve it.) He kind of needs to focus everything on winning a title at this point.

He's probably going to be remembered as an empty stat guy.

“It’s actually scary how fast he learns,” Crawford says. “He was picking up footwork and rhythms that took me years in a matter of minutes.” At night, the two went to dinner, where Wembanyama would mine Crawford’s mind. “I’ve never met a 20-year-old like him,” Crawford says.… https://t.co/j1hlp86CRb

— Mr Ass (@JohnchoVilla) October 15, 2024

Pretty easily my favorite snippet from the SI Piece:

“Howenstine, the designated Wemby guy on the Spurs’ PR staff, thinks Wembanyama could have had a career in aerospace engineering. Popovich imagines a writer. Wembanyama thinks he could have been a physiotherapist. It’s as if…

— Mr Ass (@JohnchoVilla) October 15, 2024

The Spurs have announced everyone will suit up tonight except Vassell and Duke.

That means fans will getting some more Wembanyama and CP3 pick-and-rolls.

— Noah Magaro-George (@N_Magaro) October 15, 2024

Guitarsoup said:

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CC09LawAg said:

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That is a big 180 from him. He used to be obsessed with MVP and getting his due there.

I actually respect him for this and it probably is the best decision for him career wise. He is a force but always flames out in the playoffs. He owes it to himself to try to make some runs when the games actually matter instead of chasing regular season hardware at this point.

---

Embiid got his MVP (even though he didn't deserve it.) He kind of needs to focus everything on winning a title at this point.

He's probably going to be remembered as an empty stat guy.

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That's how I'll remember Durant. His titles are empty and weak.

Obi Wan Ginobili said:

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Guitarsoup said:

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CC09LawAg said:

---

That is a big 180 from him. He used to be obsessed with MVP and getting his due there.

I actually respect him for this and it probably is the best decision for him career wise. He is a force but always flames out in the playoffs. He owes it to himself to try to make some runs when the games actually matter instead of chasing regular season hardware at this point.

---

Embiid got his MVP (even though he didn't deserve it.) He kind of needs to focus everything on winning a title at this point.

He's probably going to be remembered as an empty stat guy.

---

That's how I'll remember Durant. His titles are empty and weak.

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Durant is a top 15 player of all time imo. Definitely in the top 20.

Enzo The Baker said:

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Obi Wan Ginobili said:

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Guitarsoup said:

---

CC09LawAg said:

---

That is a big 180 from him. He used to be obsessed with MVP and getting his due there.

I actually respect him for this and it probably is the best decision for him career wise. He is a force but always flames out in the playoffs. He owes it to himself to try to make some runs when the games actually matter instead of chasing regular season hardware at this point.

---

Embiid got his MVP (even though he didn't deserve it.) He kind of needs to focus everything on winning a title at this point.

He's probably going to be remembered as an empty stat guy.

---

That's how I'll remember Durant. His titles are empty and weak.

---

Durant is a top 15 player of all time imo. Definitely in the top 20.

---

Current Simmons one:

1. Michael Jordan May 11, 2018
2. LeBron James May 11, 2018
3. Bill Russell May 11, 2018
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabber
5. Magic Johnson
6. Larry Bird
7. Tim Duncan Nov. 11, 2019
8. Wilt Chamberlain Nov. 11, 2019
9. Kobe Bryant
10. Stephen Curry Jun. 17, 2022
11. Jerry West Jul. 2, 2021
12. Oscar Robertson
13. Hakeem Olajuwon
14. Shaquille O'Neal Nov. 11, 2019
15. Moses Malone
16. Kevin Durant Nov. 25, 2020

17. John Havlicek Aug. 16, 2018
18. Dirk Nowitzki Dec. 2, 2019
19. Elgin Baylor Aug. 16, 2018
20. Julius Erving Nov. 25, 2020
21. Bob Pettit Nov. 25, 2020
22. Karl Malone Nov. 25, 2020
23. Kevin Garnett Nov. 25, 2020
24. Charles Barkley Nov. 25, 2020
25. Nikola Joki Jun. 2, 2023
26. Giannis Antetokounmpo Jul. 21, 2021
27. Kawhi Leonard Nov. 25, 2020
28. Bob Cousy Nov. 5, 2019
29. Isiah Thomas Dec. 3, 2020
30. Dwyane Wade Nov. 5, 2019
31. Scottie Pippen Nov. 5, 2019

Quick thoughts:

- Robinson should be above Garnett/Barkley. Prime Robinson was criminally underrated, especially by Simmons, largely because of the Bob Hill/Dennis Rodman sabotaged WCF.. One of two players that led the league in 3 stat categories. Has MVP and two rings.
- I would build around Joker before Durant. His 3 MVPs should be 4 and Embiid didn't deserve that one. For the 4 years of his prime so far, Joker is averaging 26/12/9. That's insane.
- Hondo doesn't deserve to be top 20.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBKfvg9RNNN/

The only reason we had a chance to tie at the end is because Castle got aggressive and went on a run by himself when the game was slipping away

TheNotoriousP.I.P. said:

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The only reason we had a chance to tie at the end is because Castle got aggressive and went on a run by himself when the game was slipping away

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That and Malaki Branham scored 15 points in 13 minutes. And actually played some defense. But it remains to be seen whether or not he can do that consistently. Last year he had good games but then disappeared for long stretches.

Guitarsoup said:

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Enzo The Baker said:

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Obi Wan Ginobili said:

---

Guitarsoup said:

---

CC09LawAg said:

---

That is a big 180 from him. He used to be obsessed with MVP and getting his due there.

I actually respect him for this and it probably is the best decision for him career wise. He is a force but always flames out in the playoffs. He owes it to himself to try to make some runs when the games actually matter instead of chasing regular season hardware at this point.

---

Embiid got his MVP (even though he didn't deserve it.) He kind of needs to focus everything on winning a title at this point.

He's probably going to be remembered as an empty stat guy.

---

That's how I'll remember Durant. His titles are empty and weak.

---

Durant is a top 15 player of all time imo. Definitely in the top 20.

---

Current Simmons one:

1. Michael Jordan May 11, 2018
2. LeBron James May 11, 2018
3. Bill Russell May 11, 2018
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabber
5. Magic Johnson
6. Larry Bird
7. Tim Duncan Nov. 11, 2019
8. Wilt Chamberlain Nov. 11, 2019
9. Kobe Bryant
10. Stephen Curry Jun. 17, 2022
11. Jerry West Jul. 2, 2021
12. Oscar Robertson
13. Hakeem Olajuwon
14. Shaquille O'Neal Nov. 11, 2019
15. Moses Malone
16. Kevin Durant Nov. 25, 2020

17. John Havlicek Aug. 16, 2018
18. Dirk Nowitzki Dec. 2, 2019
19. Elgin Baylor Aug. 16, 2018
20. Julius Erving Nov. 25, 2020
21. Bob Pettit Nov. 25, 2020
22. Karl Malone Nov. 25, 2020
23. Kevin Garnett Nov. 25, 2020
24. Charles Barkley Nov. 25, 2020
25. Nikola Joki Jun. 2, 2023
26. Giannis Antetokounmpo Jul. 21, 2021
27. Kawhi Leonard Nov. 25, 2020
28. Bob Cousy Nov. 5, 2019
29. Isiah Thomas Dec. 3, 2020
30. Dwyane Wade Nov. 5, 2019
31. Scottie Pippen Nov. 5, 2019

Quick thoughts:

- Robinson should be above Garnett/Barkley. Prime Robinson was criminally underrated, especially by Simmons, largely because of the Bob Hill/Dennis Rodman sabotaged WCF.. One of two players that led the league in 3 stat categories. Has MVP and two rings.
- I would build around Joker before Durant. His 3 MVPs should be 4 and Embiid didn't deserve that one. For the 4 years of his prime so far, Joker is averaging 26/12/9. That's insane.
- Hondo doesn't deserve to be top 20.

---

Simmons predictably has all the Celtic connections ranked too highly.

Quote:

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Simmons predictably has all the Celtic connections ranked too highly.

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No question, when I read his book 20 years ago, his argument that a season and a half of Bill Walton's prime was better than Robinson's 7 years of elite play was absolutely asinine. It makes no sense until you put it into context that Walton was a beloved 6th man for a year for the Celtics when Simmons was a kid.

Guitarsoup said:

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Quote:

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Simmons predictably has all the Celtic connections ranked too highly.

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No question, when I read his book 20 years ago, his argument that a season and a half of Bill Walton's prime was better than Robinson's 7 years of elite play was absolutely asinine. It makes no sense until you put it into context that Walton was a beloved 6th man for a year for the Celtics when Simmons was a kid.

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Yeah, you might be able to argue that if Walton didn't get hurt that there could be a conversation. But Walton was nowhere close to the scorer that David was even when he was healthy. All other aspects of their game were pretty comparable. Walton slightly better in rebounds, David better in blocks. Only stat where Walton was better was assists.

If interested in a fantasy bball league:

https://texags.com/forums/52/topics/3498381

Prediction thread: https://texags.com/forums/52/topics/3498368

Is anybody going to the open scrimmage on Saturday? It starts right in the middle of the Aggie game but if I lived closer I would go. It's free and a good opportunity to see all the players. Plus discounted concession stand prices!

French playmaking forward against Portland:

Ringer NBA Rankings.

Victor at 15

Analysis
There hasn't been a sophomore season more heavily anticipated than Wembanyama's since LeBron James was preparing to celebrate his 20th birthday. What we have here is an unprecedented marriage of dexterity, size, panache, fearlessness, and ambition. Wemby won't turn 21 until January, yet he might already be the most intimidating defender on Earth.

Crucially, he'll also have a rookie season marked by trial and error (that doubled as team-wide self-sabotage) in his rearview mirror. There won't be any minutes with Jeremy Sochan as his point guard; Wembanyama's time as a power forward beside Zach Collins will be nearly as rare. The Spurs will look like a real basketball team, with Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes thrusting some much needed order and experience into a previously green rotation. There will be more space on offense and an immediate comprehension of how fast the NBA game moves on defense.

There is no ceiling here. Defensive Player of the Year is the expectation. Per-game averages that exceed 20 points and 10 rebounds are a given. His penchant for 3s will be an interesting development to track, given he won't have to jack up too many off the dribble with Paul in tow. Can he hit over 35 percent of them? Can San Antonio's offense crack league average when he's on the court? Can the Spurs make the playoffs?

It's all an extremely tall task for a team that won 22 games last season and is still in a cutthroat conference. But then you watch Wembanyama highlights, or daydream about what he did against Team USA in a gold medal Olympic game, and it all feels like a clear blue sky. Michael Pina


71. Devin Vassell:

What every franchise wants: a 3-and-D wing with the potential for more.

Spacer
Pull-up Threat

Analysis

The Spurs have laid out a blank canvas around Victor Wembanyama, but Vassell is the lone holdover from Wemby's debut season that fits any title picture they draw up. That's because Vassell is the kind of player that every NBA team needs. After injuries marred his 2022-23 season, the former lottery pick inked a lucrative five-year extension before last season and then showed why he's worth it, banking catch-and-shoot 3-pointers at a 40 percent clip and flashing legit defensive chops while also showing hints of three-level scoring and improved playmaking. As he begins his second contract this season, Vassell has built a strong floor for his career as a quick, athletic 3-and-D wing with the potential for more.

The question is how much more Vassell can and should do. The Spurs offered several key players the space to expand outside their lanes last season, and struggles predictably ensued. But was Vassell's shaky shot selection and decision-making a sign that he was hitting his head on his limitations or the inevitable growing pains of a player developing in real time? Adding ball handlers in Chris Paul and Stephon Castle should, in theory, highlight the things Vassell does wellincluding making plays off the ball, on both endsflip the more advanced offensive duties into grace notes, and allow him to devote more energy on the defensive end. Vassell is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing foot surgery over the offseason, but if the injury doesn't linger, the Spurs should be able to find out exactly what they have in him. Justin Verrier

We’re all Terry 😂 pic.twitter.com/h44HHeTJqT

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) October 17, 2024

Thunder Center Hartenstein broke his hand.

Ouch. In a meaningless preseason game also.

Is Pop sitting everyone tonight?

Sher Thing said:

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Ouch. In a meaningless preseason game also.

Is Pop sitting everyone tonight?

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Everyone who matters. So Wemby.

Also a few others

superunknown said:

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Appreciate the highlights, I canceled my league pass this year (kinda sad about it) and forgot to look up other methods to see it.

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Having 2nd thoughts about canceling. Afraid I'm not going to see the Spurs enough relying on TNT/ESPN coverage.

Any of you fine silver and blackheads (ok that's a terrible thing to call us) also out of state and not keen on pirating? Do you go with League Pass?

I will absolutely succumb to peer pressure.

(Wrong damn emoji)

I'll probably split it with someone. Easier than finding a decent stream on YT.

NBA is probably missing out by not offering individual non-national televised games for $2 or something like that.

superunknown said:

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superunknown said:

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Appreciate the highlights, I canceled my league pass this year (kinda sad about it) and forgot to look up other methods to see it.

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Having 2nd thoughts about canceling. Afraid I'm not going to see the Spurs enough relying on TNT/ESPN coverage.

Any of you fine silver and blackheads (ok that's a terrible thing to call us) also out of state and not keen on pirating? Do you go with League Pass?

I will absolutely succumb to peer pressure.

(Wrong damn emoji)

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League pass for the spurs right now is great value because you'd be able to see 75% of their games with it. I used it for the last two years being in Seattle and it only blacked out for two Portland games and tnt/espn games. You can also just get a single team spurs league pass for $89.99 for the season.

I have league pass on auto renew. Never thought of canceling.

Quote:

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You can also just get a single team spurs league pass for $89.99 for the season.

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I didn't know this. I've had it for the last 2 years and been paying the full price for everything. Which, I like, of course, but I'm here for the Spurs and that's it.

superunknown said:

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Quote:

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You can also just get a single team spurs league pass for $89.99 for the season.

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I didn't know this. I've had it for the last 2 years and been paying the full price for everything. Which, I like, of course, but I'm here for the Spurs and that's it.

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I would double check to see if it's commercial free first though.

There's a discount now on the full premium pass. I gotta admit I like the arena entertainment options.

Thanks, yall. I'm gonna treat myself. Made it a whole 3 weeks before caving. I'm proud.

Enzo The Baker said:

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superunknown said:

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Quote:

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You can also just get a single team spurs league pass for $89.99 for the season.

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I didn't know this. I've had it for the last 2 years and been paying the full price for everything. Which, I like, of course, but I'm here for the Spurs and that's it.

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I would double check to see if it's commercial free first though.

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Team pass is not commercial free. $20 cheaper than whole league pass with commercials.