2025-26 NBA

[Orangezoo]

I'm not sure why but AD just never seems to get the respect he deserves. He's an historically elite player on both ends of the floor. He's 5th in league history in PER, 34th in VORP. Probably translates to a Top 25 or so player in league history.

In 13.5 seasons he’s played more than 70 games a total of 3. Injury and keeping his fitness levels where they should be continue to hold him back even with some good metrics

 

[IthacaBarrel]

In 13.5 seasons he’s played more than 70 games a total of 3. Injury and keeping his fitness levels where they should be continue to hold him back even with some good metrics

Kind of tough personality as well to really root for, never been really loved by any of the teams he has played for, most likely because he's hurt a lot. No denying his talent though but he's now getting a bit older as well. He's due for a contract extension this off season as well for huge $ that a team like the Wiz will most likely pay and he will play about 50 games next year

 

[Eric15]

He’s lucky he got a bubble title or he’d be Harden 2.0.

He averaged 25 and 11 in the Finals shooting 57% from the field, 42% from three and 94% from the line. Is that luck? If anything the Lakers were at a disadvantage in that bubble playoffs in that they were the overall 1 seed but didn't get any benefit at all of home court advantage.

 

[Cusefan0307]

He averaged 25 and 11 in the Finals shooting 57% from the field, 42% from three and 94% from the line. Is that luck? If anything the Lakers were at a disadvantage in that bubble playoffs in that they were the overall 1 seed but didn't get any benefit at all of home court advantage.

Maybe. Milwaukee was the prohibitive favorite had there not been 4 months of zero hoops. They were a mess in the bubble and lost all momentum.

 

[MikeSU02]

I'm not sure why but AD just never seems to get the respect he deserves. He's an historically elite player on both ends of the floor. He's 5th in league history in PER, 34th in VORP. Probably translates to a Top 25 or so player in league history.

He can't stay healthy and he leaves more games to go to the locker room than anyone.

It really is too bad.

 

[MikeSU02]

Maybe. Milwaukee was the prohibitive favorite had there not been 4 months of zero hoops. They were a mess in the bubble and lost all momentum.

Yeah, I don't think the Lakers win without the break. Half the teams didn't even want to be there, if not more.

 

[Eric15]

Maybe. Milwaukee was the prohibitive favorite had there not been 4 months of zero hoops. They were a mess in the bubble and lost all momentum.

The Bucks lost four out of their last five games before that bubble break including a double figure loss to the Lakers. The Lakers won 13 of 16 before the bubble break.

To each their own, but I'm just not a big fan of the "asterisk" title talking point. The games were played, they were officiated, they kept score, and the Lakers came out on top.

I see it as similar to an NFL playoff game in the snow. Yes, it's inconvenient and different, but these are professionals and they can adapt.

 

[Melancer46]

The Bucks lost four out of their last five games before that bubble break including a double figure loss to the Lakers. The Lakers won 13 of 16 before the bubble break.

To each their own, but I'm just not a big fan of the "asterisk" title talking point. The games were played, they were officiated, they kept score, and the Lakers came out on top.

I see it as similar to an NFL playoff game in the snow. Yes, it's inconvenient and different, but these are professionals and they can adapt.

I'm with you on this despite my Bucks fandom. The bubble was a massive outlier shooting wise for him though.

I also just think him diving on the floor left and right makes an otherwise talented player pretty boring to watch.

 

[Knicks411]

I'm not sure why but AD just never seems to get the respect he deserves. He's an historically elite player on both ends of the floor. He's 5th in league history in PER, 34th in VORP. Probably translates to a Top 25 or so player in league history.

Wow fair to say I really disagree on this. Too 75 was probably fair and maybe you could sell me on top 50. But the guy has been top 5 in the mvp twice; a third and a fifth.

It's really too bad AD just can't stay healthy. I think he's basically a 40-50 game guy at best any year at this point.

In 24 he played 76 games; it’s so out of character with the last decade or so. LeBron played 71, AD 76, and the finished as the 8th seed and lost in 5 in the first round.

 

[Eric15]

Wow fair to say I really disagree on this. Too 75 was probably fair and maybe you could sell me on top 50. But the guy has been top 5 in the mvp twice; a third and a fifth.

I thought about it more. Top 25 was too aggressive. But I would have him very safely in the Top 50.

 

[jordville]

I’m still in disbelief. My Bulls have made three trades already over the past few days. I still think they trade Coby or Ayo. Also, think they flip Mike Conley somewhere else.

Trade 1: Helped facilitate the Cavs/Kings trade by taking Saric into a trade exception while also gaining two second round picks (one of which was the NOP, so likely will be at the top of the second). Had to send their last man on the bench out to Cavs.

Trade 2: Packaged Huerter, Saric, & a protected 1st round pick swap (from Minnesota) for Jaden Ivey & Conley Jr.

Trade 3: Sending Vucevic and a 2nd for Anfernee Simons and a 2nd. This one isn’t officially complete yet but will get done as they could add/tweak it.

The Bulls are basically all guards/wings with the exception of Jalen Smith, Zach Collins (likely out for the year), Olbrich (2nd round rookie from Australia), and Patrick Williams. Someone please take Pat, haha!

Trade #4… Bulls send Coby and Conley Jr to the Hornets for Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng and three second-round picks.

 

[Knicks411]

I thought about it more. Top 25 was too aggressive. But I would have him very safely in the Top 50.

Shortly after hitting send I remembered the athletic did a top 25 of the 2000s a few months ago. They had Davis 21st in that time period. So somewhere around 50 seems reasonable enough (obviously im not going to do any more research)

 

[cuseattle]

Knicks/Nugs going to OT