It's been proven this season that the teams with the strongest benches are the ones that succeed. There are more star-level players than ever, and the quality of role players is through the roof as well. With the new CBA, teams will have to adjust and stop treating every great player they have as a max guy, or they'll have to look for young, rookie contract talent to fill out the bench. Strong benches reduce the wear and tear of your star players, and they help you win. I'm just guessing, but I think we'll see this kind of mentality shift league-wide soon.
That being said, I strongly support fewer regular-season games and more (or at least not less) playoffs. Way more entertaining, better money for the league, better product overall. Shortening the season would also help ease the injury crisis.
Also, Romanelli, we've just watched one of the best defenses of all time win the championship. How much more defense can you ask for? 2004 Pistons, 60s Celtics? Otherwise, you're right, there are a lot of fixes needed in the NBA. And a lot of people (including me, somewhat) agree.
Pace is a personal preference. I know many people who prefer this faster pace of today, and I know a lot of people who'd like a slower, superstar-dominated league, something like the modernized 00s basketball. But yes, more possessions equals more turnovers, so the game seems too fast at times.
Totally! The ENTIRE NBA playoffs is must see TV for me. This year in particular! Completely unpredictable! I like the increased parity personally. Bring it to baseball, please!
More on LBJ, The Contradictory One, re: Ring Culture
Skap is hyperbolic, I'm well aware of that (and I'm sure he is too), so watching/posting this is partially for the sake of amusement with maybe generating some discussion on said topic for anyone that might not be too burned out by "the GOAT convo" or, more specifically, LBJ's contradictory take on his place in it and "ring culture". _________________ Best Classical Best Films Best Paintings
So... Who is going to be the best team in the East next year? Three playoff teams lost a superstar. Haliburton<Indy>, Tatum<BOS>, and Lillard <MKE>. The Knicks should be the obvious choice, BUT they don't even have a coach!
It's WIDE open. If I was in the West and I was Boston <because EVERYTHING is about Boston for me! >, I'd make this a build year while looking at '26-27 when Tatum comes back as a chance to compete again. BUT, in the East? I'm not so sure. I think Detroit & Orlando will be up there. And the Knicks, of course. BUT, could a Jaylen Brown-Derrick White led Celtics squad compete with them?
So... Who is going to be the best team in the East next year? Three playoff teams lost a superstar. Haliburton<Indy>, Tatum<BOS>, and Lillard <MKE>. The Knicks should be the obvious choice, BUT they don't even have a coach!
It's WIDE open. If I was in the West and I was Boston <because EVERYTHING is about Boston for me! >, I'd make this a build year while looking at '26-27 when Tatum comes back as a chance to compete again. BUT, in the East? I'm not so sure. I think Detroit & Orlando will be up there. And the Knicks, of course. BUT, could a Jaylen Brown-Derrick White led Celtics squad compete with them?
Cavs are maybe the most obvious choice, aren't they? (arguable with the Knicks) ...unless I missed some huge trade or loss of a major player...
Crazy enough, it could also be an opening for the Bucks if they hang on to Giannis and somehow manage to pick up 2nd tier player such as a defensive minded 3 and D guard to replace Lilliard. Though, more likely, they don't have enough to hang with either the Knicks or the Cavs...
That said, I would like to see Giannis go to a better situation. Among my favorite current players, I really like how he competes. He deserves more shots at a 2nd championship and is still in his prime. Would love to see a Giannis/Jokic duel in either the late round of the playoffs (should they be in the same conf) or, even better, in the Finals, while each are still in their primes. _________________ Best Classical Best Films Best Paintings
So... Who is going to be the best team in the East next year? Three playoff teams lost a superstar. Haliburton<Indy>, Tatum<BOS>, and Lillard <MKE>. The Knicks should be the obvious choice, BUT they don't even have a coach!
It's WIDE open. If I was in the West and I was Boston <because EVERYTHING is about Boston for me! >, I'd make this a build year while looking at '26-27 when Tatum comes back as a chance to compete again. BUT, in the East? I'm not so sure. I think Detroit & Orlando will be up there. And the Knicks, of course. BUT, could a Jaylen Brown-Derrick White led Celtics squad compete with them?
Cavs are maybe the most obvious choice, aren't they? (arguable with the Knicks) ...unless I missed some huge trade or loss of a major player...
No. You didn't miss anything. I'm just an idiot! With the way the Pacers manhandled them in the first round, they completely slipped off my radar. Still. A hard team to be afraid of after that!
That said, I would like to see Giannis go to a better situation. Among my favorite current players, I really like how he competes. He deserves more shots at a 2nd championship and is still in his prime. Would love to see a Giannis/Jokic duel in either the late round of the playoffs (should they be in the same conf) or, even better, in the Finals, while each are still in their primes.
Around 2021/22, I thought a Bucks vs. Nuggets Finals was inevitable, but injuries to both teams robbed us of that legendary matchup. I usually root for one-team players and am a big Giannis homer, but this situation feels different. The Bucks have no future - their current roster is weak, their coach is terrible, and there’s no realistic path to improvement short of a miracle. At this point, I wouldn’t mind if Giannis asked for a trade.
In the East, I think Philly has a real shot at a 60-win season if they stay healthy and get bounce-back years from key players. The Knicks could improve if they add solid bench pieces, and they should be better with a new coach. The Cavs are the best team in the East, but I'm not sure if they can replicate their incredible regular season success. Unfortunately, injuries suggest the talent gap between the West and East will only widen this year. _________________ Overall chart Fake overall chart
Around 2021/22, I thought a Bucks vs. Nuggets Finals was inevitable, but injuries to both teams robbed us of that legendary matchup. I usually root for one-team players and am a big Giannis homer, but this situation feels different. The Bucks have no future - their current roster is weak, their coach is terrible, and there’s no realistic path to improvement short of a miracle. At this point, I wouldn’t mind if Giannis asked for a trade.
In the East, I think Philly has a real shot at a 60-win season if they stay healthy and get bounce-back years from key players. The Knicks could improve if they add solid bench pieces, and they should be better with a new coach. The Cavs are the best team in the East, but I'm not sure if they can replicate their incredible regular season success. Unfortunately, injuries suggest the talent gap between the West and East will only widen this year.
Funny you should my team. 2025 was a disastrous season for the 76ers, who had themselves the very injury-plagued season the Celtics, Bucks, and Pacers will be facing next season. So maybe this is a chance for us to get back into the mix? But again, I emphasize that injuries are too often the determining factor in the NBA, and this issue must be addressed. I want the 76ers to win, but I want the opposition to be at its best.
This year's playoffs were fairly exciting, but I hate to say it, the injuries left a sour taste in my mouth.
And no Repo and LedZep, more playoffs isn't the answer. They're already too watered down, and it would certainly not help the injury epidemic. I don't know what you two want in "more playoffs." Best-of-9 series (is best-of-7 not enough?)? Should the play-in tournament be best-of-3 (for the right to get smoked by the #1 and #2 seeds)? Why don't we let 24 teams into the playoffs? So much of the NBA playoffs in its current format is totally unnecessary and not 'must-watch TV.' And it's almost entirely the play-in and 1st round. Yes, they were two entertaining 1st round series this year, but the rest were uninteresting blowouts. And historically, that's usually how it goes. However, it gets better in the second round after the weaker teams get their send-off. But that's why I support going back to a 16-team format, and making the 1st round best-of-5. That would reduce unnecessary games, and wear-and-tear on the teams/players. Think about it. If the 1st round was best-of-5, the Pacers-Bucks series would have ended sooner...could Haliburton's body have held on for game 7 of the NBA Finals if he didn't have that extra BS game in the 1st round? If he had more rest?
I would like to see the regular season shortened too. Not by much. Maybe from 82 to 74. Wrap up the regular season in early April, so that March Madness nicely segues into the NBA playoffs. Wouldn't that be a cool 2-3 weeks of basketball? March Madness going on at the same time the NBA regular season concludes. NBA playoff races while the NCAA has its exciting single-elimination knockout tournament. I'd love that. And again, the chances of injuries are less in a shorter season.
However, as we know, the NBA is a business first and foremost. I don't see them contracting the season in any way. Which means teams must adjust. Slowing down the pace, more bench minutes, giving guys games off during the season. These things would help. If changes aren't made, I'm afraid more there will be more guys getting hurt going forward, and that's bad for everyone involved. I hope Irving, Tatum, Lillard, and Haliburton can recover in time for next year's playoffs. _________________ on such a winter's day
Oops! I meant to advocate for keeping the playoffs JUST AS THEY ARE. No more. No less. I think the Play-ins add an exciting element to the mix. Play-ins and then three rounds of best of 7 before the Finals is perfect for me, and keeps me thoroughly entertained for TWO MONTHS which is awesome.
I have no problem making the first round a best of 5 though. But, only the first round.
Around 2021/22, I thought a Bucks vs. Nuggets Finals was inevitable, but injuries to both teams robbed us of that legendary matchup. I usually root for one-team players and am a big Giannis homer, but this situation feels different. The Bucks have no future - their current roster is weak, their coach is terrible, and there’s no realistic path to improvement short of a miracle. At this point, I wouldn’t mind if Giannis asked for a trade.
In the East, I think Philly has a real shot at a 60-win season if they stay healthy and get bounce-back years from key players. The Knicks could improve if they add solid bench pieces, and they should be better with a new coach. The Cavs are the best team in the East, but I'm not sure if they can replicate their incredible regular season success. Unfortunately, injuries suggest the talent gap between the West and East will only widen this year.
Agreed on Giannis/Bucks Led Zep!
I totally forgot about Philly. They could be legit if Embiid returns to at or near his MVP form and Paul George approaches his better years as well!
Currently it looks like Houston is really gearing up to battle it out West with OKC. I actually like this team a lot how it's shaking up with and around KD as the offensive centerpiece. Seems like a perfect fit for him and he could actually win another championship and it would be pretty respectable at that because it would presumably include taking down the mighty OKC -- very scary now with championship pedigree and basically everyone back for 2026. The only thing that could mitigate another dominant year from OKC would be post championship hangover, and this team did have its inspirational lulls especially during the playoffs, but it's also a long season, and no matter how youthful and deep, exhaustion does play a part (plus probably a bit of over-confidence; they faced a scary Nuggets team with all-universe Jokic but they never faced another juggernaut like they would have with a full Boston squad or a firing-on-all-cylinders Cavs squad could've been), so I'll wait and see before getting too concerned about it... _________________ Best Classical Best Films Best Paintings
Last edited by AfterHours on 07/01/2025 14:31; edited 1 time in total
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2004 Pistons, 60s Celtics? Otherwise, you're right, there are a lot of fixes needed in the NBA. And a lot of people (including me, somewhat) agree.
>, I'd make this a build year while looking at '26-27 when Tatum comes back as a chance to compete again. BUT, in the East? I'm not so sure. I think Detroit & Orlando will be up there. And the Knicks, of course. BUT, could a Jaylen Brown-Derrick White led Celtics squad compete with them? 
