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PJ Tucker and Adventures in Low Usage

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1.  Adventures In Low Usage, PJ Tucker:  Despite the high powered offensive era in which the NBA currently operates, PJ Tucker stubbornly refuses to shoot.  Currently, Tucker has started all 31 games he has played and racked up 28.5 mpg, yet he is averaging only 3.1 shots per game, which yields a miniscule 6.5% usage rate.  His shot creation is absurdly low: 100% of his baskets so far have been assisted.  Tucker’s other advanced stats are pretty gross as well: 5.0 PER, … [Read more...] about PJ Tucker and Adventures in Low Usage

More On Kyrie (Sigh)

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When I first heard about the latest Kyrie Irving controversy, I shrugged and basically ignored it. I’ve long been tired of Kyrie’s off-court baggage going back to his flat-Earth days and was hoping this most recent outburst would be given similar weight by the public and quickly dismissed.  The NBA and the Nets were clearly hoping the same, as they did not initially come down very hard on Irving and, instead, put out generic statements against anti-Semitism, without confronting Kyrie. … [Read more...] about More On Kyrie (Sigh)

NBA 2022-23: Western Conference Preview

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We turn now to part 2 of our NBA preview, the Western Conference.  I find the West even more difficult  to predict than the East.  Yes, the Warriors are good but it’s hard not to remember that they were shaky coming into the 2021-22 playoffs and they rely on some very veteran players.  On top of that, at least five teams can make a credible argument that they will win 50 or more games.  So, let’s dive in to some assorted questions…. Could six or more Western … [Read more...] about NBA 2022-23: Western Conference Preview

NBA 2022-23: Eastern Conference Preview

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With each season of the 2020s, the NBA becomes more and more opaque.  The 2021-22 Warriors were a very good team but were nowhere near as dominant as their prior iterations.  But Golden State, like most of the good teams, has a decent argument that it can win the 2022-23 title.  There are plenty of title-worthy teams but no prohibitive favorite and compelling arguments against nearly every team. Today, let’s run through the some assorted burning questions and predictions for … [Read more...] about NBA 2022-23: Eastern Conference Preview

Udoka and One-and-Done Coaches

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It’s hard to really process the bizarre saga of Celtics coach Ime Udoka and his recent mysterious year-long suspension but let’s do the best we can with what is out there.  We don’t have the full details but the generalities sound bad and it seems likely that Udoka will not return as coach once his suspension is lifted.  Indeed, it’s hard to see how Udoka can credibly coach his team if his character is so compromised.  Rather, the more likely outcome is that Boston is seeking to … [Read more...] about Udoka and One-and-Done Coaches

Bismack Biyombo’s Journey from Yemen to the NBA

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In passing, I noticed that Phoenix’s Bismack Biyombo just turned 30 years old.  This gave me a little reminder to revisit the legal saga between him and his former European agent Igor Crespo.  In 2015, we did a deep dive on the lawsuit, which was filed in New York State in 2014. At the time, the litigation was in its early stages and I summed it up thusly: “Did Crespo take advantage of Biyombo?  Did Biyombo screw over Crespo?  Without all the facts, it is hard to really … [Read more...] about Bismack Biyombo’s Journey from Yemen to the NBA

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