2022/23 NBA REGULAR SEASON THREAD "TANKING FOR WEMBANYAMA"

the (rest) ones are a bit puzzling in a must-win game…

It's a home game. The Dallas fans want to see Luka play and it sounds like they'll oblige them. And is there really that much difference between a 10 seed and barely-a-lotttery pick?

for the mavs this season there is, yes. majorly so

haha yes its a major difference

trading draft picks for Kyrie and then tanking anyway, amazing stuff

https://i.imgur.com/tJaaf09.png

The Pelicans have ruled out Zion Williamson for the Play-In Tournament and his status is in doubt for start of potential playoff berth as well. https://t.co/IKmYMPT5qq

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 7, 2023

two weeks away from being two weeks away

recent footage ive seen of him shows him completely out of shape again too

whatever his injury timeline it is you gotta take the high end of and then multiply it by at least 2 cos he has to get back in shape every time.

two weeks away from being two weeks away

Weird luka is probable tho

― four square ups... no punches thrown (Spottie), Friday, April 7, 2023 1:11 PM (four hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

its slovenia night

Luka Doncic is following through on his vow to play as long as Mavs have even the slimmest postseason hopes.

A bit more motivation for Doncic to perform vs. Bulls: It’s “I Feel Slovenia” night at the AAC, and I’m told he doesn’t want to disappoint his countrymen who are here. pic.twitter.com/6yv3Cv4zR7

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 7, 2023

well there it is

wait so why did they beat the kings the other night

Parting gift for Kyrie

truly selfless behavior, committing to play with the season on the line. the kind of stuff you just don’t see these days

for slovenia

slovenia is on the line

one quarter for slovenia

MacMahon: Luka Doncic will sit out after the first quarter Friday.

— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) April 7, 2023

it's all they need really

what a mess lol

incredible week for the mavs, a storied franchise

celtics up 35 on toronto in a game that doesnt matter to them but does to toronto

toronto bottom three vibes team all season lets just put them out of their misery

nurse all but said hes gone wonder what their deal is

they’re low-key doing their own version of two timelines with a bunch of proud vets and scottie barnes, i can see why it would generate some friction.

yeah good call prob when nurse turned the keys over to barnes the vets were done with him

ladies and gentlemen the dallas mavericks

Luka Doncic stayed in to start the second quarter, got a bucket, took a foul and checked out. His season is over, barring a change in plans.

Maybe the Mavs were trying to get him a standing ovation? That didn't happen. There was a smattering of confused clapping.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 8, 2023

that franchise needs to take a year and reflect

Jeb Doncic

ok

pic.twitter.com/waVfJQLATL

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 8, 2023

kyrie missing please call mark cuban if you see him

Luka Doncic, showered and changed into sweats, rejoined his teammates on the Mavs' bench midway through the third quarter.

Haven't seen Kyrie Irving since halftime.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 8, 2023

xp lol every sixer knew he wasn't passing

reunited

With 2:33 remaining in the third quarter, Kyrie Irving emerged from the tunnel and sat down in the baseline courtside seat next to Mark Cuban. https://t.co/BWVS2EoIPc

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 8, 2023

Tim McMahon feed over the last few days is just pure gold

that trae thing is simply beautiful

how do you not get a shot off there lol

good lord. i did love rathbun and nique's reaction tho

i'm glad dominique has become a worthy sidekick to bob. he really struggled in the first few years but now is genuinely endearing and occasionally enlightening

kinda crazy when 2/3rds the league makes it

2 of the top 3 scorers this season missed the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/t9VM2PeL43

— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 8, 2023

volume scoring, even efficient volume scoring, isn't as unique a skill as it used to be

^otm

you could write a nice prog concept album about the fates of Harden, Durant, and Kyrie this year

SGA is fourth in PPG and is unlikely to make the playoffs from 10th seed, either.

let's just jot this down btw, the play-in is entering its third year and this marks the first time a team has decided to tank its way out of 10th place, which is exactly what i said would start happening when they instituted this stupid thing

its good tho it really has reduced tanking enough, plus its fun to see the mediocre teams play a little tournament

its like a miniature March Madness, both teams play weirdly hard given their fate is to get donked out in the 1st, idk I think it's fun

yeah you wouldnt want to watch a seven game series but a little quasi single elimination situation sure lets do it

I mean if you're a professional athlete I think you at least have enough competitive instinct to play 100% in a winner-take-all game that actually means something, like look at how hard NFL teams play when all they can do is knock out one of their rivals

admittedly I can only really say that because I'm not sure Ben Simmons is a professional athlete anymore

Luka Doncic will not speak to the media tonight.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 8, 2023