Around The League 2023-2024 Season

Plus we all have to love a 1-2 start by the Lakers. Lost in OT @SAC. Look out for those boys.

Yeah, we might want to bookmark this ATL @ MIL for future reference. Jrue might have a good look into what lies ahead for him. Make Dame work on the defensive end and moderate at best defense from Jrue and Lillard folds up like a cheap suit. This game was a complete and total shut down of the Bucks from the 2nd quarter on...on their home court mind you.

Hopefully for us tonight we won't set ourselves up against WAS for any surprises. Bench should get some good time to play together.

db

Report: James Harden traded to Clippers after turbulent summer with 76ers

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-76ers-reach-deal-to-trade-james-harden-to-los-angeles-clippers-060622162.html

The Sixers send P.J. Tucker to LA in return for 4 players, draft picks and swaps, but Terance Mann stays with Clippers

Ben Rohrbach·Senior NBA writer
Tue, October 31, 2023 at 3:21 AM EDT·5 min read

Daryl Morey's long national nightmare is over.

The Philadelphia 76ers executive agreed to trade 10-time NBA All-Star and one-time MVP James Harden to the LA Clippers early Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The 76ers reportedly will receive Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, Kenyon Martin Jr. and draft picks, according to Wojnarowski. Philadelphia will also receive a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, a pick swap and an additional first-round pick from a third team, Wojnarowski reported. P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrušev are also part of the deal and will go to LA, according to ESPN. The 76ers will waive Danny Green to free up a roster spot to complete the deal, according to Wojnarowski.

Harden has not played yet this fall, and he was reportedly stopped by security from boarding the team’s plane for the two-game, season-opening road trip last week. The NBA later opened an investigation into his absence, though Harden returned to the team’s bench for their home opener Sunday. He was set to practice with the team again Tuesday and ramp up to make his debut as soon as Thursday.

Now, Harden will head to the other side of the country and prepare to start his season with the Clippers instead. It's unclear when he will make his debut. The Clippers have won two of their first three games this season and take on the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.

Harden reportedly is "ecstatic" to join the Clippers and could be at Crypto.com Arena for Tuesday's game, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

On the eve of free agency, Harden exercised his $35.6 million option for the 2023-24 season, only to request a trade from the Sixers, preferably to the Clippers. When word leaked to Wojnarowski that Philadelphia failed to find a sufficient return for Harden and expected the 34-year-old to report to training camp, Harden made clear his stance on his relationship with the front office.

"Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of," Harden told the crowd at a promotional event in China last month. He repeated that statement to ensure the cameras captured it.

The NBA fined Harden $100,000 for "indicating that he would not perform the services called for under his player contract unless traded to another team." It remains unclear whether the deceit to which Harden was referring alluded to a lucrative contract extension that never materialized or his lingering trade request.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey reported that Morey was neither surprised by Harden's comments nor shaken in his quest to land equal value for a player he once called "the best offensive player of all time."

In reaching an agreement to deal Harden, Morey either acquired his asking price or lowered it, depending on how you feel about the 2018 MVP's recent performance and the package the Sixers receive in return. The most important opinion on the matter belongs to reigning league MVP Joel Embiid. His thoughts on a carousel that has spun Ben Simmons into Harden into a new team dynamic will be monitored closely.

Harden averaged 21 points (44/39/87 shooting splits), a league-high 10.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds over 58 games last season, helping Philadelphia reach Game 7 in yet another Eastern Conference semifinals.

The 14-year veteran is no longer the player he was from 2016 to '20, when he won three consecutive scoring titles and finished top-three in MVP voting in four straight seasons. His 6.2 free-throw attempts per game were his fewest since he won Sixth Man of the Year honors for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, and his defense has slipped from what was already a below-average level, but his playmaking remains exceptional.

Harden flashed brilliance against the Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals last season, twice netting 40 points in victory, but his 12.5 points per game on 21.8% shooting from the field in four losses tilted the series in the rival's favor. Even in his prime, Harden was never known as a clutch playoff performer.

There should also be concern about his health and commitment to helping a team win. Soft-tissue injuries have plagued Harden since he arrived to Houston's 2020 training camp out of shape. Strained hamstrings in both legs hindered his playoff performances in 2021 and 2022. A strained tendon in his right foot and a sore left Achilles cost him 24 games this past season. He has missed an average of 23 games the past three seasons after missing no more than nine games in any of his previous 11 campaigns.

He did accept $14 million less when he declined a $47.4 million option last summer, making room for Philadelphia to add P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr., but that got the Sixers no closer to a title. Harden also quit on the Houston Rockets in 2021 and Brooklyn Nets in 2022 when it became clear that neither team was going to give him a chance to win his first ring, forcing trades with years left on a massive contract.

Harden will join a fourth team in two calendar years, marking the latest chapter in the weirdest superstar career ever.

Be careful what you wish for Clippers, I don’t see that trade working out for various reasons.

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Another triple-double for the Joker
He ties Bron and J-Kidd for fourth-most in NBA history pic.twitter.com/m1SDFjeyNq – 11:57 PM





Bob
MY NOTE:  The Joker won't be 29 until February.  Think about that.  He's in the middle of his prime and he's 4th already.  He's starting his 9th season, so 106 through 8 (his 107th happened just 4 games into his 9th), that's 13 1/4 triple-doubles per season, average.  At that rate he'll catch Robertson when he's 34, and I'm sure he has gotten more efficient as he's gotten older, so he might even get there sooner.  I don't doubt that stat-hound Russell Westbrick will do whatever he can to pad his to add to his total, but he'll be 35 years old in 2 weeks.  Furthermore, with James Hog-den on the Clippers now they're going to be competing for who has the ball in whose hands, because whomever has the rock has the opportunity for the assist.

1.  Russell Westbrook - 198
2.  Oscar Robertson - 181
3.  Magic Johnson - 138


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HoopsHype
@hoopshype
Nikola Jokic on Chet Holmgren: "I think he needs to be a little bit fatter, to be honest."

Chet: "It’s hard to get fatter when you’re not fat. Got to start somewhere, I guess."

https://twitter.com/hoopshype/status/1719297470948098359


Bob
MY NOTE:  Snap.


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bobheckler wrote:HoopsHype
@hoopshype
Nikola Jokic on Chet Holmgren: "I think he needs to be a little bit fatter, to be honest."

Chet: "It’s hard to get fatter when you’re not fat. Got to start somewhere, I guess."

https://twitter.com/hoopshype/status/1719297470948098359


Bob
MY NOTE:  Snap.


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Victor is getting more publicity, but I think Chet will win rookie of the year. Both of them can be amazing at times.

By: Shams Charania, Sam Amick and Lawrence Murray

The Philadelphia 76ers traded star guard James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, league sources said. Here’s what you need to know:

In exchange for Harden, the Clippers sent Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum, KJ Martin, Marcus Morris Sr. and draft picks to the 76ers. Along with Harden, Philadelphia traded P.J. Tucker to Los Angeles.

The Sixers also traded Filip Petrusev to the Clippers, although he is not expected to remain with LA, a team source said.
Philadelphia received a 2026 first-round pick (from the Clippers, via the Oklahoma City Thunder), a 2028 first-round pick, two second-round picks and a pick swap from LA, per league sources.


Bob
MY NOTE:  

Harden + PJ Tucker + Petrusev = Covington + Batum + Kenyon Martin Jr. + Morris Sr. + 2026 1st + 2028 1st + two 2nds.

LAC adds 3 players, Sixers add 4 players.

LAC had 15, now they have 13 (assuming they cut Petrusev)

Sixers had 14 players before the trade, now they have 15.

Filip Petrusev, whom the article says will be moved/waived by LAC, is 6'11", 234#, 7' wingspan, 23 1/2 years old.  Shot > 40% from 3 internationally.  Was the #50 pick a few years back.  I don't sense any dog in him.  Not great athletically, probably a mediocre defender (at best).

If Kenyon Martin Jr's BBIQ is anywhere within shouting distance of his father's he will singlehandedly drag down the entire Sixer's team IQ.  He'll show up in the locker room and that flushing sound Nick Nurse will hear is his team's brains swirling clockwise down the toilet (I made that point because I'm in South America.  The water flushes counter-clockwise here).

Marcus Morris Sr.'s contract is for $17M.  Unless Philly buys him out we can't afford him.  They will definitely keep Covington.  Nicolas Batum?  They may cut him.  He's almost 35, his contract is for $11.7M this year, so they'd have to buy him out too.  Batum and Morris are both expiring contracts.  






.

The Sixers waived 36 year old Danny Green to make room for the incoming players.


Bob


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Have fun, Clippers! Clearly you did not read the fine print. Hope you enjoy getting bounced in the first round/play-in tournament.

db

Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Players and draft picks James Harden has been traded for in the past 2+ years:
Jarrett Allen
Caris LeVert
Taurean Prince
Rodions Kurucs
Ben Simmons
Seth Curry
Andre Drummond
Nicolas Batum
Marcus Morris
Robert Covington
KJ Martin
Nets 2022 first round pick
Nets 2024 first round… –


Bob


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Harden completes the Quartet. Harden and Leonard from LA and Westbrook from Long Beach and PG13 from Palmdale.

This latest episode could be named the 'Proverbial Torpedo'.......fired directly into the middle of a sinking ship.

dboss wrote:Harden completes the Quartet.  Harden and Leonard from LA and Westbrook from Long Beach and PG13 from Palmdale.

This latest episode could be named the 'Proverbial Torpedo'.......fired directly into the middle of a sinking ship.

Your torpedo analogy my prove to be right on target.

LAC has built a great lineup; for the 2011 reunion tour.

I am seeing a fatal flaw in Bucks, they have no wings that can defend, none. Middleton has missed a ton of games the last 2 seasons and is on a minutes restriction. There is no guarantee he is ever going to be the same player from their last championship season. Beasley and Pat C will get shredded and exposed against any all star caliber wings. Their best wing defender from last year Holiday, plays for us now adding to our D and weakening there’s. Milwaukee had nobody that could defend Barnes 8-16, Anunoby 7-7, Siakim 9-13. No wonder they got taken out of the game so early.

It’s becoming a wing dominant league, every young team is looking for do it all wings that can score and they will have a field day against Milwaukee; who will be forced to outscore teams now, because they cannot defend anymore. Dame better stay hot, his off scoring nights will further expose this team.

Yep, dboss, now I'm going to have to add the Clippers in on League Pass to record all their games. I just got popcorn at the store yesterday, too!! Life is good!!

db

NBA on ESPN
1 hour ago
Breaking: CJ McCollum has been diagnosed with small pneumothorax in his right lung, the Pelicans announced.
Additional examination will be performed in the next 48 hours, the team said.


Bob
MY NOTE:  According to the Mayo Clinic, a pneumothorax is a 'collapsed lung'.  According to the Cleveland Clinic a small pneumothorax may take from a couple of days to 1-2 weeks to heal.  

Come back strong, CJ.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumothorax/symptoms-causes/syc-20350367#:~:text=A%20pneumothorax%20(noo%2Dmoe%2D,your%20lung%20and%20chest%20wall.



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Just read that Rob Williams injured his knee last night. Went down and grabbed his knee, got up and immediately called for a sub. Have read no more. This is really too bad, so much talent

Just read that Rob Williams injured his knee last night. Went down and grabbed his knee, got up and immediately called for a sub. Have read no more. This is really too bad, so much talent

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
2 minutes ago
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III is facing potential season-ending surgery to repair bone and ligament damage due to right kneecap injury, sources tell me and @ShamsCharania. Williams and doctors could also choose cleanup procedure with 2-to-3 month timetable.


Bob
MY NOTE:  The trade for Jrue is looking better by the day.



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https://us.yahoo.com/sports/clippers-move-to-0-2-with-james-harden-while-nets-fans-chant-daryl-morey-at-him-033220593.html



James Harden 0-2 with Clippers; Nets fans chant 'Daryl Morey' at him


Jack Baer

Updated Thu, November 9, 2023 at 12:32 AM GMT-3·3 min read



The James Harden era of the Los Angeles Clippers is not off to a great start, but that's not too surprising.

The Clippers fell 100-93 to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, their second straight loss since acquiring Harden in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. Their overall record now sits at 3-4.

Like in Harden's debut against the New York Knicks on Monday, the Clippers mostly fell flat on offense, where integrating Harden remains a work in progress. That probably should have been expected, seeing as how Harden didn't play in a single preseason or regular-season game for the Sixers and sat out part of training camp.

Facing his old team in the Nets, Harden finished with 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting with eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and five turnovers. Those turnovers represented a third of the Clippers' total of 15 on the night, and some of them just looked like a person out of sync with the team around him.


The Clippers were outscored by 15 points with Harden on the floor, the worst mark on the team.

At the very least, Nets fans seemed to enjoy the show. They even welcomed Harden, who forced his way out of the team in 2022, with a "Daryl Morey" chant, invoking the name of the Sixers president of basketball operations whom Harden famously branded "a liar" and reportedly never intends to speak to again.


Even if you don't excuse him for not yet being up to speed, Harden was by no means the Clippers' only issue Wednesday. Paul George led the team with 24 points, but shot 7-of-20 and had some bad turnovers of his own. Russell Westbrook was 6-of-18 from the field for 13 points. Ivica Zubac, the Clippers' only true big man with Mason Plumlee out, had issues protecting the paint.

The good news for the Clippers is they were in a similar issue last season, when they brought in Westbrook after the trade deadline and immediately worked him into the starting lineup despite a rough end to his time with the Los Angeles Lakers.


The early returns were similar to what we're seeing now. The Clippers lost their first five games with Westbrook on the court, then went 11-5 to end the regular season despite missing George for nine of those games. Westbrook ended up being one of their best players in the first round against the Phoenix Suns, but injuries to George and Kawhi Leonard outweighed that impact.

That might not be especially predictive when it comes to Harden and the Clippers, as Harden is an extraordinarily different point guard from Westbrook. But it's a good reminder that judging a ball-dominant guard in his first few games with a new team might not be very fair, even if some concerns, such as if Westbrook and Harden can coexist in a lineup with other options, predated Harden's debut.


Bob



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Daniel Theis is on floor right now for first time all year!!

Go Daniel!!!!!

Internet is loaded with stories about how unhappy he is with his role in Indy. Do we want him???? I will say he played great in the gold medal game for Germany. Kind of an insult

Well, those around us are crumbling early on.  MIL sans Lillard (calf, I believe) fall to IND.  Buyer's remorse in Clipperland.  Good luck on getting a refund on that POC trade.  Why are they even calling that a Blockbuster Trade?  Please.  The Harden piece? Yes.  All the rest of the bits and pieces?  No.  Not even close.

Let's define a blockbuster trade that has at least one big piece on each side.  Harden for Giannis/Lillard/Lebron/AD, etc.  That's a blockbuster trade.  Media please cease elevating these crapola trades to this lofty status.

Anyway, we have our own things to worry about.  BKN and our first tournament game tonight!

Rosalie, I like your thinking!  Al looks like he may be starting to wilt already even coming off the bench.  Theis is familiar with the system and would contribute immediately, thus nothing but a plus.  Brad?  What say you?!  Contact Rosalie for advise and direction.  617-555-1212.  (OK, easy one people.  Where did this number come from?)  

db