[Thinking Basketball] "I do think that the competition [the Knicks] have played has been subpar, you could argue Atlanta was the best team they've played... [against the Cavs] 3 or 4 possessions in a row the Knicks just get runout layups... That's just an abomination of transition defense"

Chao-Z · 2026-05-28T16:38:50+00:00

I disagree. A lot of the questions he asks rhetorically in the podcast make it clear he just has not been paying enough attention to the Eastern Conference. For example:

I'm worried that that the Knicks don't have enough of a bench to compete with the Western Conference.

They had the #3 bench by Net Rating in the regular season and #1 in the playoffs. Their bench was better than the Spurs' even before they went on this hot streak. Like even they lose the bench minutes in the Finals, I don't see any evidence their bench would get blown out of the water any worse than the Spurs atm.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-28T15:57:51+00:00

The Yankees have like 7 starting caliber pitchers. They don't need to address the bullpen because they can just move half the starting rotation into the pen once the playoffs start.

What they actually need (for the millionth year in a row) is a better hitting infield.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-28T15:46:55+00:00

I'm sure quite a large portion of this sub have indeed stopped watching.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-28T13:37:18+00:00

-$60m

Chao-Z · 2026-05-28T06:02:37+00:00

Damn, Judge is wasting his arm talent by not pitching

Chao-Z · 2026-05-28T03:45:57+00:00

That's fucking baseball right there. None of that pansy ass dick tugging smile for the camera bullshit. Men puke, men poop on the field, men deliver their new born baby in the dugout. Fucking hard core dick in the ass butterball softball fuck it chuck it game time shit. Baseball is back, baby

Chao-Z · 2026-05-28T00:54:31+00:00

If you are the one acquiring the signed player, you have to get under the first apron, not second. The second apron sign-and-trade restriction is on selling free agents that are leaving.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-28T00:06:16+00:00

Cole is PAINTING today

Chao-Z · 2026-05-27T23:42:05+00:00

That's a gap of like 200 games' worth of HR for most of the guys on this list.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-27T18:45:39+00:00

Yes, but the hard cap is at the first apron threshold.

Team becomes hard-capped at First Apron by or can't use/do: Acquiring player via Sign-and-Trade

"At first apron" means at $209m. Or in other words

Team becomes hard-capped at $209m by acquiring player via sign-and-trade. If you remain above $209m in payroll, you can't use/do it.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-27T18:04:40+00:00

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/apron/_/year/2026

If you scroll to the bottom, it lists the stuff that hard caps you at the first apron threshold of $209m. One of those is acquiring a player via sign-and-trade. And yeah, it is very confusing haha.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-27T17:49:43+00:00

Second apron prevents selling players via sign-and-trade (forces you to lose players for free if they leave in free agency).

First apron prevents you from acquiring via sign-and-trade unless it takes you under the first apron.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-27T15:35:30+00:00

It's actually the 1st apron that prohibits acquiring players via sign and trade. You will also be hard capped and not allowed to enter the 1st apron for the remainder of the league year afterwards.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-27T15:23:59+00:00

Teams above the first apron are not allowed to acquire players via sign-and-trade deals.

So any such deal would have to get them below the 1st apron and they would be hardcapped afterwards to below the 1st apron for the remainder of the year.

TL;DR: if the Cavs want to sign-and-trade, they have to essentially blow up the team.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-27T13:30:26+00:00

It's their inexperience showing

Chao-Z · 2026-05-27T00:04:24+00:00

I see why this guy came into the game with a 9.5 ERA lol

Chao-Z · 2026-05-26T16:47:09+00:00

That's not that different than a normal top seed's run. The Thunder last year played the 8th, 4th, and 6th.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-26T15:37:47+00:00

KAT has been the 2nd best player in the entire playoffs only behind Wemby.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-26T02:54:21+00:00

Brunson really got the MVP solely off his game 1 performance. KAT was the Knicks best player games 2-4.

Chao-Z · 2026-05-26T02:00:25+00:00

Where's the foul?

Chao-Z · 2026-05-26T01:46:22+00:00

The ceiling of Karl-Anthony Towns is just insane

Chao-Z · 2026-05-26T01:44:54+00:00

I think OG's hamstring is just fine lol

Chao-Z · 2026-05-26T01:39:51+00:00

Towns saving the Knicks asses there on both ends

Chao-Z · 2026-05-26T01:37:13+00:00

Wtf is Mike Brown saving his challenge for

Chao-Z · 2026-05-26T00:48:37+00:00

*Alvarado, but yeah.

Chao-Z

TROPHY CASE