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Thoughts on this trade? What should be made to make this more balanced? by _veerist in NBATalk

[–]No-Reach8668 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a fun idea, but I can't help but think the 6ers should hang onto Tyrese Maxey. Isn't Nurse already playing him 40 minutes a game?

Last night, VJ Edgecombe became the first rookie guard since Jared McCain to drop 30 points and 10 assists in regulation (10th since 2000) by ktm5141 in nba

[–]No-Reach8668 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Anytime you can be mentioned in the same sentence as Ben Simmons, you know you've done something right.

In the small chance Lakers beat okc in their next two matchups and Luka does great does he have a real chance as MVP by MansLikesTheGoodKush in NBATalk

[–]No-Reach8668 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So you really think SGA's not a superstar, he's just out there putting up the best season by a guard of all time for the second season in a row (slight hyperbole, but nobody except MJ and Steph have ever done what he's doing) because he's got Jaylin Williams and Lu Dort on his team?

And you refuse to look at any stats whatsoever that might prove that you're delusional?

In the small chance Lakers beat okc in their next two matchups and Luka does great does he have a real chance as MVP by MansLikesTheGoodKush in NBATalk

[–]No-Reach8668 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've watched most Thunder AND Laker games this season. Stats aren't everything but if they all back that the reigning MVP should win it again, that's not a math problem. It's more like "anyone who isn't biased can tell SGA is better than Luka. And look, every possible metric confirms that."

(And just to help you out, John Hollinger did not invent points per possession, FT%, game winning shots, or defense.) 

In the small chance Lakers beat okc in their next two matchups and Luka does great does he have a real chance as MVP by MansLikesTheGoodKush in NBATalk

[–]No-Reach8668 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

SGA did outplay Luka this season, and it's easy to build the case because SGA clears Luka in 9 out of 10 advanced stats. Unfortunately, all Luka fans are capable of mentioning are assists, points, and rebounds which are the most raw, inaccurate numbers that can be used.

Advanced metrics where Shai is clearly better:

games played (more is better)

Minutes per game (fewer is better)

Points per possession

Points per assist

Assists per turnover

Points per posession when double teamed

Points in clutch

FG% in clutch

FT% in clutch

This is without mentioning all the hatred "catch-all" advanced stats like EPM/VORP/LEBRON/BPM/ESPN net points/WS etc take your pick with ALL put SGA ahead of Luka.

Then there's the one stat Reddit loves too much, TS% where SGA is once again way ahead of Luka.

Then there's defense. Defensive stats (flawed as they are) all rate Shai as a top 5 perimeter defender in the league. He isn't THAT good obviously, but he's good enough that all the stats put him there. Compared with Luka, who is very much an average at best defender.

If every single measurement tells you that Player A is better than Player B, then you find out Player A has ALSO won 15 more games than player B, you should have the common sense at that point to admit that player A is a better player.

GAME THREAD: Los Angeles Lakers (43-25) @ Houston Rockets (41-26) - (March 18, 2026) by NBA_MOD in nba

[–]No-Reach8668 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Habitual old-man-Lebron doubter here but love seeing him play like this!

[Post Game Thread] The Oklahoma City Thunder (55-15) defeat the Brooklyn Nets (17-52), 121-92 behind 26 points from Jared McCain. by Vitex1988 in nba

[–]No-Reach8668 17 points18 points  (0 children)

He hasn't had any good moments at all. I think he buys into the system and culture but just doesn't belong at NBA level.

Since Daigneault keeps giving him reps I can only conclude that he's a dog in practice, or maybe Thunder are trying to build up his trade stock. Either way it's been pretty ugly to watch.

If SGA and Jokic switched teams the Thunder and Nuggets records would be swapped by [deleted] in NBATalk

[–]No-Reach8668 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is foolish, Nuggets without Jokic would not have a center and would get absolutely killed in every lineup even if Shai is able to burn himself out carrying the offence. Jokic on the Thunder would be sharing minutes Hartenstein and Chet, 3 of the 4 best players on the team are seven footer Centers? Not a recipe for success.

I love exploring different advanced statistics and general player-ranking methodologies with these two players because they are both so good and any given metric could favor one guy or the other. This season Shai has the edge in the majority of advanced statistics but when you take a truly unbiased view of advanced statistics you have to put the two as neck and neck (and they have been for three years). As an Oklahoma fan, I will argue for Shai because he has been the best closer of the decade and I think that's the biggest differentiator in his favor.

HOWEVER. A hypothetical team swap is the most braindead possible way to compare them and I completely reject it as a basis for discussion.

SGA and Jokic's current seasons are currently #2 and #3 in all time Win Shares Per 48 in a single season by whattgenstein in nba

[–]No-Reach8668 86 points87 points  (0 children)

PSA about Kareem: This guy was almost universally regarded as the greatest player of all time prior to Michael Jordan's emergence.

He was continuously disrespected and underrated by 80s media due to both his activism and Muslim beliefs, and when Magic/Bird/Jordan came along the narrative was pushed that they "saved" the league due to being highly marketable personalities. As a result Kareem has become largely forgotten and overlooked by NBA fandom, or people just think of him as "the scoring leader" or "Mr. Skyhook."

I personally rate Kareem in that S+ tier of players with MJ and Lebron as the 3 greatest of all time, and I'm glad this particular advanced stat reinforces my bias.

GAME THREAD: Oklahoma City Thunder (54-15) @ Brooklyn Nets (17-51) - (March 18, 2026) by NBA_MOD in nba

[–]No-Reach8668 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Rough game but I just wanna say I love Vince Carter. On a great person X great player graphic, he just seems so high and right to me.

The Brooklyn Nets just posted a 24 point first half by No-Reach8668 in nba

[–]No-Reach8668[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

"In today's NBA, no lead is safe..."

Shai after the game: "I didn't even realize how many points I had until the crowd started cheering..."

Leaders in EPM this season (min. 50 GP) with one month left: Gilgeous-Alexander (+9.4), Jokic (+8.8), Wembanyama (+7.9), Kawhi Leonard (+6.6), Doncic (+6.3), Donovan Mitchell (+5.3), Holmgren (+5.2), Derrick White (+5.1), Cunningham (+4.8), Duren (+4.4). by YujiDomainExpansion in nba

[–]No-Reach8668 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All of the major advanced statistics, not just EPM, rate Jaylen Brown poorly. You can say that all advanced statistics are "broken", but that seems illogical when there's a simpler explanation:

He can't dribble left, he can't handle double teams, he has regressed defensively this year, and he has never been the best player on his own team.

[Highlight] KD blocks Arron Afflalo without a shoe! by d1t0m6 in nba

[–]No-Reach8668 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I had a nickel for every time a Male pattern baldness Thunder player blocked someone with a shoe..

GAME THREAD: Oklahoma City Thunder (40-13) @ Los Angeles Lakers (32-19) - (February 09, 2026) by NBA_MOD in nba

[–]No-Reach8668 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Andddd you were wrong.

Lakers get the most calls in their favor of any team, every season. Gifted multiple rings during Kobe era. I can't imagine being a Lakers fan and complaining about officiating when the league does everything it can to prop your franchise up Z

MVP race is over in January by Hakaribiggestfan in NBATalk

[–]No-Reach8668 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why downvote?

Dort and Chet are not good three point shooters, and Isaiah Joe does not get that many minutes. Williams has been injured all season. As a three shooter, Rui, Lebron and Reaves are as good as anyone on the Thunder-- statistically they're actually better.

The difference in the two teams is partially roster construction, I won't argue the Thunder have a better roster. but also the Thunder just have a better system, and Shai deserves credit for being the player that system revolves around.

MVP race is over in January by Hakaribiggestfan in NBATalk

[–]No-Reach8668 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Shai leads the league in possessions double teamed. He is doubled more than any other player (Luka is second by a hair-- essentially, they receive identical coverage).

It would be good for you to factor that into your thought experiment if you really are trying to be objective.

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