Game Day: Spurs (11-9) @ Suns (11-8), Tues 12/3/24

[Mori Chu]

It's not snake bit. Everything in their careers has shown you they cannot stay healthy. And yet we continue to talk about "luck." It's not luck. They're glass. KDs got to have the weakest ankles in the league that roll every single time he steps on someone's foot. And Beal is the president of the weak as fuck association both mentally and physically

IMO both KD and Beal have refused to adjust to their current age and circumstances. KD would be extremely effective if he played a little more cautiously, didn't try to dribble-drive so much or initiate offense much, and acted as more of a finisher. Fewer plays where he's sprinting at full speed toward the basket, risking injury. More open 3s, and maybe 1-dribble pullups from midrange, stuff like that. Else pass it off to the guards to run the play.

Beal similarly doesn't seem willing to dial back his play to go easier on his aging body. He can be really effective when he has that bounce in his step and moves freely without injury or pain. But I don't think he can really be that guy any more, at least not for long stretches without getting hurt. He too should probably be more of a finisher and hand off the ball rather than plow into defenders and trouble.

I don't think either of these guys are "weak" or "soft" but they aren't playing intelligently in a way to keep themselves safe and stay healthy and stay on the court.

[specialsauce]

These guys have been this way since they entered the league. It's not age.

[specialsauce]

Beal hasn't played more than 60 games since 2019. He's only played 82 twice in his career.

[Superbone]

Plumlee with the block take away and then sweet book assist. Good shit

Nice game from Plumlee last night. I like him in the back up role to Oso. Oso is just solid.

[Superbone]

14 point lead now…Grizz up 6 with 4 minutes to go

Stupid Grizz can't do anything right.

[Superbone]

This team is going nowhere with Durant and Beal on it, neither one of these guys can consistently stay healthy. It sucks but that's the harsh reality.

Depends on timing. We need them in June.

[Superbone]

To be fair, KD played 75 games last year. But there is the philosophy that's it better to trade a guy a year too early than a year too late. And with his extension coming up, it'll put the team in a tough spot. We've kind of backed ourselves into a corner with Beal and KD, which you'd think would be a good problem to have but we're so handcuffed with salary and it doesn't feel like there's this true window for a title. We just have star names, big salaries and no true path to a title. And any rebuild/reload might not sit well with Book.

I'm afraid we're going to ride KD out.

[Split T]

These guys have been this way since they entered the league. It's not age.

KD wasn’t injury prone until his Achilles ruptured. Only missed more than 20 games once. 55, 20, 14…those are his 3 biggest missed games totals in his first 12 years.

He played 849/968 games before the achilles(88%). He’s played 225/328 games since returning from the achilles(69%).

This doesn’t count playoffs.

[SunsRIt]

14 point lead now…Grizz up 6 with 4 minutes to go

Stupid Grizz can't do anything right.

I didn’t watch the game, but I know Dallas shot 24 three free throws in the fourth quarter. Thoughts?

[Superbone]

14 point lead now…Grizz up 6 with 4 minutes to go

Stupid Grizz can't do anything right.

I didn’t watch the game, but I know Dallas shot 24 three free throws in the fourth quarter. Thoughts?

I didn't watch either. That's a ridiculous amount of free throws. I heard Dinwiddie hit some big threes.

[Wally_West]

Plumlee with the block take away and then sweet book assist. Good shit

Nice game from Plumlee last night. I like him in the back up role to Oso. Oso is just solid.

At this point in the season, it’s fair to say Oso is our best big man. It’s great cuz I think he’s exceeding everyone’s expectations, especially mine. It’s a great sign for his potential and future here and really highlights how much of a home run this past draft was.

On the other hand, it’s kinda fucked up that Oso is our best big man roster too lol. I’d have my bags packed if I was Okogie or Grayson. Unless we can find a decent Nurk deal, highly unlikely, one of those guys are definitely getting traded by the deadline for center help.

[Wally_West]

These guys have been this way since they entered the league. It's not age.

KD wasn’t injury prone until his Achilles ruptured. Only missed more than 20 games once. 55, 20, 14…those are his 3 biggest missed games totals in his first 12 years.

He played 849/968 games before the achilles(88%). He’s played 225/328 games since returning from the achilles(69%).

This doesn’t count playoffs.

KD also played 75 games last year. I’m optimistic on the health for KD and Book this year. Im not jumping off a bridge like so many people seemed to be. Not optimistic for Beal but as long as his ass is healthy for the playoffs, we cool, he was last year.

He played like ass but imma give em all pass cuz I think last year’s biggest problems were roster construction and the fact Frank Vogel is terrorist and should be in prison.

[Mori Chu]

KD also played 75 games last year. I’m optimistic on the health for KD and Book this year. Im not jumping off a bridge like so many people seemed to be. Not optimistic for Beal but as long as his ass is healthy for the playoffs, we cool, he was last year.

He played like ass but imma give em all pass cuz I think last year’s biggest problems were roster construction and the fact Frank Vogel is terrorist and should be in prison.

I'm not jumping off a bridge, but I just don't see how this team is more than a 2nd round playoff exit given our inconsistency, lack of defense, and brittleness / injury history. That isn't the worst fate in the world, but given our all-in commitment, mortgage of a decade's worth of picks, and disastrous cap situation, it feels like a failure and a disappointment. I hope I'm wrong.

[Superbone]

[Bucktastic365]

It's not snake bit. Everything in their careers has shown you they cannot stay healthy. And yet we continue to talk about "luck." It's not luck. They're glass. KDs got to have the weakest ankles in the league that roll every single time he steps on someone's foot. And Beal is the president of the weak as fuck association both mentally and physically

IMO both KD and Beal have refused to adjust to their current age and circumstances. KD would be extremely effective if he played a little more cautiously, didn't try to dribble-drive so much or initiate offense much, and acted as more of a finisher. Fewer plays where he's sprinting at full speed toward the basket, risking injury. More open 3s, and maybe 1-dribble pullups from midrange, stuff like that. Else pass it off to the guards to run the play.

Beal similarly doesn't seem willing to dial back his play to go easier on his aging body. He can be really effective when he has that bounce in his step and moves freely without injury or pain. But I don't think he can really be that guy any more, at least not for long stretches without getting hurt. He too should probably be more of a finisher and hand off the ball rather than plow into defenders and trouble.

I don't think either of these guys are "weak" or "soft" but they aren't playing intelligently in a way to keep themselves safe and stay healthy and stay on the court.

Spot on take imo

[Ring_Wanted]

Plumlee with the block take away and then sweet book assist. Good shit

Nice game from Plumlee last night. I like him in the back up role to Oso. Oso is just solid.

At this point in the season, it’s fair to say Oso is our best big man. It’s great cuz I think he’s exceeding everyone’s expectations, especially mine. It’s a great sign for his potential and future here and really highlights how much of a home run this past draft was.

On the other hand, it’s kinda fucked up that Oso is our best big man roster too lol. I’d have my bags packed if I was Okogie or Grayson. Unless we can find a decent Nurk deal, highly unlikely, one of those guys are definitely getting traded by the deadline for center help.

Yeah, Oso has been terrific considering he is a 2ndR rookie. High energy, smart, athletic and has a floater that is automatic. Plumlee has also been great in his role. If they were the backup and third big man to an actually good C/PF, we'd be in a really good shape, specially if this hypothetical starter is able to shoot.

Also agree that in terms of an upgrade, using Nurkic in a trade is hard. Probably only possible if you surrender the 2031 1stR pick. Other than that, we have 3 additional 2ndR picks: DEN 2026 and 2031 (which now don't look that bad) and our own in 2031.

I've been wondering if WAS would take those 2-3 2ndRs for Valanciunas. If we use Nurkic, Valanciunas + filler works and allows us to keep Allen. Problem is WAS already has a ton of 2ndR, including a few from us from the Beal deal. And using the 2031 1stR on Valanciunas just feels wrong, even if protected; if I put that 1stR in play, I want back a better piece than 'just' a 32-years old solid old school big man.

[Mori Chu]

I like Jonas V but he's only marginally better than Nurkic at best, and I'm not even sure he is better at all. And for better or worse, Nurk seems happy here and it could mess with chemistry to swap him out, especially for a guy I'm not sure is any better. I certainly would not give up a 1st round pick for a swap like that. And I don't see why WAS would give up Valanciunas for a maybe worse C without getting a pick back.

[Wally_West]

Plumlee with the block take away and then sweet book assist. Good shit

Nice game from Plumlee last night. I like him in the back up role to Oso. Oso is just solid.

At this point in the season, it’s fair to say Oso is our best big man. It’s great cuz I think he’s exceeding everyone’s expectations, especially mine. It’s a great sign for his potential and future here and really highlights how much of a home run this past draft was.

On the other hand, it’s kinda fucked up that Oso is our best big man roster too lol. I’d have my bags packed if I was Okogie or Grayson. Unless we can find a decent Nurk deal, highly unlikely, one of those guys are definitely getting traded by the deadline for center help.

Yeah, Oso has been terrific considering he is a 2ndR rookie. High energy, smart, athletic and has a floater that is automatic. Plumlee has also been great in his role. If they were the backup and third big man to an actually good C/PF, we'd be in a really good shape, specially if this hypothetical starter is able to shoot.

Also agree that in terms of an upgrade, using Nurkic in a trade is hard. Probably only possible if you surrender the 2031 1stR pick. Other than that, we have 3 additional 2ndR picks: DEN 2026 and 2031 (which now don't look that bad) and our own in 2031.

I've been wondering if WAS would take those 2-3 2ndRs for Valanciunas. If we use Nurkic, Valanciunas + filler works and allows us to keep Allen. Problem is WAS already has a ton of 2ndR, including a few from us from the Beal deal. And using the 2031 1stR on Valanciunas just feels wrong, even if protected; if I put that 1stR in play, I want back a better piece than 'just' a 32-years old solid old school big man.

Who’s says no?

Bulls: Nurk, ‘26 1st (from CHA via Dallas), 2 2nds (PHX via Denver).

Hornets: Vucevic

Suns: Grant Williams and Nick Richards

[Split T]

Grant Williams tore an acl I believe

[Wally_West]

Yes, which is why I think it works. Nurk and Grant Williams are both negative assets, so we swap negative assets so we don’t have to give up our 1st to get rid of Nurk, the Hornets do it for us with a pick from the Mavs. Bulls get assets for Vuc and sweeter for Nurk. Hornets get an upgrade at the Center, now a rotation of Vuc and Mark Williams when he comes back. We get rid of Nurk and get a perfectly mid center in Nick Richards, and we still have a 1st and Grayson or Okogie’s contract to trade. I think everyone wins.