Branham and Collins just as infuriating as last year.

Steph.

Went with the premium, gave my brother the login too since I can do 3 devices or whatever.

Plus the in-arena feeds.

Can't help myself.

I'd be okay with Ace as a Flagg consolation.

Rutgers 6’10 Freshman Ace Bailey made his College Debut tonight in a Charity game vs St. Johns tonight..

25 PTS (8-18 FG, 4-9 3PT)
5 REBS
1 AST
5 STLS
1 BLK

Didn’t he re-class up? Doesn’t matter.. TOP 2!!! pic.twitter.com/iVijYraH1g

— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) October 18, 2024

Victor Wembanyama's offseason transformation is 'scary' for the rest of the NBA - via @ESPN App https://t.co/xktlJS3wi1

— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) October 18, 2024

No surprise, but the Spurs announced they have exercised their fourth-year team option on Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley, in addition to their third-year option on Victor Wembanyama for this season.

— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) October 18, 2024

Assistant coach Brian Shaw says Kawhi Leonard did not participate in practice today with the Clippers:

“We’re out here. He has not been apart of what we've been doing on a daily basis. I know the company line has been that we're going to be patient with him. He's doing… pic.twitter.com/lhzqVt11sf

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 16, 2024

Yeah I was super bummed when Kawhi left but now I'm glad he did

The journey continues...

The Boston Celtics are waiving guard Lonnie Walker IV, sources tell ESPN. Walker averaged 7.3 points in 16.4 minutes per game in Celtics preseason. pic.twitter.com/uznog6EiEQ

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2024

The Spurs have waived Malachi Flynn and Brandon Boston Jr.

— Paul Garcia (@PaulGarciaNBA) October 19, 2024

There is no longer an player on the Spurs roster that has proven they are capable of dropping 50 points in a game.

Sources: Former Pelicans, Suns, Pistons coach Monty Williams has accepted the head coaching job at TMI Episcopal prep school in San Antonio where he will coach his son Elijah. pic.twitter.com/ckYIW85kX9

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 20, 2024

TMI getting the highest paid prep coach of all time to replace 3x NBA Champion Bruce Bowen.

Guitarsoup said:

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Sources: Former Pelicans, Suns, Pistons coach Monty Williams has accepted the head coaching job at TMI Episcopal prep school in San Antonio where he will coach his son Elijah. pic.twitter.com/ckYIW85kX9

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 20, 2024

TMI getting the highest paid prep coach of all time to replace 3x NBA Champion Bruce Bowen.

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Elijah is one of the top prospects in the 2026 class nationally. Also on the TMI squad are Draven Duncan and Ozmei Bowen. Yes, the sons of Tim and Bruce https://t.co/2mLyAwvTQ2

— Don Harris (@DonHarris4) October 20, 2024

Rockets gave Jalen Green 3y106M. 21% of the cap. Most he could have gotten was 25% of the cap.

I think that's a bad financial move for a guy that plays no defense and is horribly inefficient on offense. Who are they bidding against? Brooklyn is the only team other than Houston to have cap space next summer. I think they grow to regret this one.

I'm still pissed we didn't take him. But maybe not being tied up with he and Devin to be with Vic wasn't the worst thing that could happen to the Spurs.

The Rockets signed Alperen Sengun to a five-year, $185 million extension.

Houston locks in their young big man for the foreseeable future. pic.twitter.com/9Mc9cKX938

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) October 21, 2024

Ok, you got paid, now sit out like Kawhi.

BREAKING: Jalen Johnson and the Hawks agree on a 5-Year/$150 Million contract extension, per @ChrisBHaynes. pic.twitter.com/4auDilOFYH

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 21, 2024

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-predictions-here-are-36-bold-takes-for-2024-25-including-one-for-every-team-172639855.html

KOC's 36 predictions

Quote:

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6. "Kawhi Leonard's albatross contract" will become a commonly used phrase.

It was over five years ago I stood in the Raptors locker room following their NBA Finals victory over the Warriors, and watched Kawhi walk through with the limp of an elderly man. He carried the Raptors on one leg, and won a championship for his efforts.

Since leaving the Raptors for the Clippers, Kawhi has missed a staggering 40 percent of his regular-season games and 35 percent of his playoff games. Last postseason, he tried to gut it out for the Clippers, but his knee gave out again. He worked all summer to get back for opening night, only to end up sidelined indefinitely due to lingering inflammation. We're talking about a guy who's suffered a partially torn ACL, a torn right meniscus, and tendinopathy in both legs. His list of injuries reads like a medical textbook.

Yet somehow, the Clippers just handed him a three-year, $149.5 million extension this summer. Kawhi might still have flashes of brilliance left, but his availability is unreliable at best. This is going to be an albatross contract for LA. You can't keep banking on Kawhi to suddenly stay healthy when his body is clearly breaking down. We're not just looking at minor setbacks or freak accidents here. We're talking about chronic, recurring issues. And if the Clippers are counting on him to be the cornerstone of a championship team moving forward, they're living in a fantasy world.

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My man doesn't believe in Castle.

Quote:

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17. The Spurs start searching for their future point guard.

Chris Paul is merely a placeholder point guard for the Spurs. But their rookie lottery pick Stephon Castle isn't necessarily the future at the position either. Castle is more of a positionless player who can do anything on the floor, including run point. Think about him like Andre Iguodala. So, it still would make sense for the Spurs to find a more pure point.

I'd imagine the Spurs will be competitive enough this season that they'll at least begin searching for that player. Hawks point guard Trae Young and Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland are two names commonly cited as point guards that could get moved. But it seems the Hawks are going to ride things out with this new core, and the Cavaliers at least want to see how the team looks with a new head coach. Maybe the aforementioned De'Aaron Fox, who grew up in Texas, could be a Spurs target too.

This season might be too early for the Spurs to actually pull the trigger on a trade. But that time is coming soon. So the search begins.

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Quote:

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19. Victor Wembanyama will win Defensive Player of the Year and be named first team All-NBA.

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Nothing I want more (outside the Hawks winning the lottery) than the Hornets to get that 8th seed from the 10-seed playin.

Quote:

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28. The Hornets will make the play-in.

Call me crazy, but no East team that missed the plan-in last year has a better shot at breaking through this season than the Hornets. It all starts with LaMelo Ball. When healthy, he's already proven he's an All-Star-level talent. At one point, he even looked like he was on a future MVP trajectory, thanks to his elite court vision and scoring ability. The big question? His health. He's played only 58 games over the last two seasons.

If LaMelo can stay on the floor, he can elevate the Hornets to a new level because now he has a supporting cast with similarly high upside young players. Brandon Miller has All-Star potential, and in preseason the signs were promising that they can shine together.

In the play above, LaMelo set a hard on-ball screen for Miller, who drove and drew two defenders before kicking it back out to LaMelo. Then LaMelo drove and kicked it back out to Miller, who splashed a 3. It's a simple two-man game action, but it's a positive sign that Melo will share responsibilities with Miller.

Miller isn't just a one-dimensional player either. He's a skilled rebounder and a versatile defender, two things that could make him an under-the-radar All-Star candidate. With Miles Bridges, Grant Williams, and Josh Green, plus Tidjane Saluan looking more ready than expected as a rookie, the Hornets have a surprising amount of depth at wing. Tre Mann can provide a spark off the bench. And Mark Williams was one of the NBA's better rim protectors last season. Add it all up, and the Hornets have a lot of talent across the roster.

Charlotte also has a new head coach in Charles Lee, who was an assistant in Boston and is immediately installing a 3-point-happy system. The Hornets launched 49.3 percent of their shots from 3 during the preseason, a massive rise from the middle-of-the-pack last season. With a new system, an improved Miller, and a healthy Ball, the Hornets will be in the playoff conversation.

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After seeing so many point guards come and go during his NBA career, I asked Chris Paul what he thinks of Spurs rookie Stephon Castle. Here’s his response. #PorVida #NBA #Respect pic.twitter.com/lbAdaiIgKP

— SpursRΞPORT (@SpursReporter) October 22, 2024

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/10/21/24273509/nba-season-preview-2024-trades-boston-celtics-luka-doncic

3. Victor Wembanyama will be the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year.

This has never happened before. Neither has Wembanyama. If the over/under on career Defensive Player of the Year awards for him was 4.5Rudy Gobert, Ben Wallace, and Dikembe Mutombo are tied for the most with four apieceI would seriously consider taking the over. He's the most intimidating and provocative defender alive, someone I thought would win as a rookie (and who eventually received my actual vote before finishing as Gobert's runner-up). Wemby protects the paint, blocks jumpers, and single-handedly turns fast-break chances into half-court slogs. His impact is unparalleled.

(Related: I hope Bam Adebayo wins one during his prime. It's nearly a clich at this point, but no individual's impact on one side of the ball is more casually taken for granted than everything Bam does on defense.)

Bonus Spurs-related predictions: Devin Vassell will win Most Improved Player, and San Antonio will win more games than the Lakers.

That man stole Wemby's DPOY.

RUI HACHIMURA POSTER ON GOBERT.

pic.twitter.com/3UA3me353N

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 23, 2024

Guitarsoup said:

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That man stole Wemby's DPOY.

RUI HACHIMURA POSTER ON GOBERT.

pic.twitter.com/3UA3me353N

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 23, 2024

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Then AD starting his own DPOY campaign post game. Such a loser.

This is simply gold!

“The age of Wembanyama is approaching.” Via @BleacherReport pic.twitter.com/YpcfLyNh8d

— SpursRΞPORT (@SpursReporter) October 22, 2024

All I do is Nguyen said:

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This is simply gold!

“The age of Wembanyama is approaching.” Via @BleacherReport pic.twitter.com/YpcfLyNh8d

— SpursRΞPORT (@SpursReporter) October 22, 2024

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Was listening to Matthew Tynan's podcast today and one of the hot takes on it was that Castle will be so good so quickly on both ends of the court, that he will force Pop to start him. But he won't take Chris Paul's spot, he will take Sochan's spot. Only give up a couple inches, but will have a higher IQ guy that is at least as good, maybe better shooting from day one.

Trae Young hit clutch FTs to barely beat Brooklyn.

Cam Thomas dropped 36 on Atlanta.

Hate Atlanta getting the W, but that they can barely beat Brooklyn and Zac was just 2-8 shooting for 7 points. 1 board, 0 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks in 19 minutes.

Been Simmons had the leagues first 5x5 with 6p, 5b, 8a, 6 turnovers and 5 fouls

Grant Williams of all people takes advantage of Sengun's inability to play perimeter defense to hit the dagger three then stalls it from Sengun on the next play.

Our Hornets start the season right by beating Houston, even though Brandon Miller only played 10 minutes.

For anyone that forgot, if Charlotte makes the playoffs, we get their first rounder. If they don't make the playoffs, we get their 2nd next year and the following year.

Guitarsoup said:

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Grant Williams of all people takes advantage of Sengun's inability to play perimeter defense to hit the dagger three then stalls it from Sengun on the next play.

Our Hornets start the season right by beating Houston, even though Brandon Miller only played 10 minutes.

For anyone that forgot, if Charlotte makes the playoffs, we get their first rounder. If they don't make the playoffs, we get their 2nd next year and the following year.

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Charlotte is improved and the east is weak. If Lamelo can stay healthy, they have a decent chance to make the playoffs.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray is feared to have a fractured left hand, sources tell ESPN. Difficult opening night injury for Pelicans and Murray, who posted 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in season-opening victory over Chicago. pic.twitter.com/JcDxdoSCKd

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 24, 2024

That sucks

Someone pulled the fire alarm at the Spurs' hotel last night. Maybe revenge from someone stealing the Mavs scouting report on opening day last year. I really hope this rivalry comes back.