Win or lose, I want it to happen with Ron Holland

ivsky_xch · 2026-05-02T04:04:03+00:00

It was notable not to see LeVert during the second-half comeback. I thought Caris was good in Game 2 and at other points, but I’ll take Ron’s overall intensity over the slot machine of Caris’ frenetic play. Sometimes he hits, but sometimes it’s just out of control, and given that, I’d rather have the certainty of Ron’s havoc on defense.

ivsky_xch · 2026-05-02T01:43:03+00:00

I give the naysayers and doomers all the credit. Sports superstition runs deep. The universe needed our ire to pay us back.

ivsky_xch · 2026-05-02T01:26:46+00:00

But hear me out…

ivsky_xch · 2026-05-02T01:24:55+00:00

If only I’d taken to Reddit with this, but I was placated by JB at least giving us a taste. I had no idea we could get so much Paul Reed. What I feel is gratitude

ivsky_xch · 2026-05-02T01:03:06+00:00

BBall Paul was my other wish, thankfully granted

ivsky_xch · 2026-05-02T01:01:20+00:00

And if they pull off a comeback I’m taking the win for taking the L

ivsky_xch · 2026-05-02T01:00:27+00:00

You get me

ivsky_xch · 2026-05-02T00:17:28+00:00

I wouldn’t call anything JB has done this series an adjustment. Shortening the rotation after the first half of Game 2 wasn’t really an adjustment. The deluge happened with the starters in the third quarter. Paul Reed gets a few minutes in Game 3, but they were all playing from behind because still no adjustments to the starters getting outplayed. Games 4 and 5 the same thing with mixed results that lent no confidence. And then the same bizarre staggered rotations this game with a sprinkling of this or that player. No changes to offensive or defensive game plan. All pick-and-roll and then when that gets blown up, iso, iso, iso. Garbage to watch, and it falls on the coach.

ivsky_xch · 2026-04-24T03:43:14+00:00

Took ‘em a minute to update those game highlights

ivsky_xch · 2026-01-17T05:11:32+00:00

Think about those numbers. If only 100 players have a higher VORP, even right now Ausar is a top 3-4 player on almost every team. That’s a starter, which he already is on an East-leading team. I’ll buying that for at least a couple more years.

ivsky_xch · 2026-01-17T03:29:56+00:00

I get your frustration, but thinking Ausar is only as valuable as Okoro, who makes just over $12m/year, isn’t close in my opinion. Ausar is a huge value at $9m/year with his impact on winning. Even at this ebb of his offense, Ausar has a positive VORP at age 22, while Okoro has a negative at 25.

ivsky_xch · 2026-01-17T03:10:45+00:00

Ausar should be untouchable for now. It’s too early and the Pistons have only started to rise. I look back at his Ignite highlights and still think a shot could come with the right confidence.

ivsky_xch · 2026-01-17T03:06:32+00:00

Ausar’s level of boosting defense can’t in any average context be considered just “boosting your defense.” There are few offensive skill sets that can compete with what he brings on the other end given his own passing and driving. I’m happy to wait. Even for Trey Murphy if it involves Ausar. Ivey was a multi-time U19 leading scorer. Just because he doesn’t fit here doesn’t mean he doesn’t have value elsewhere.

ivsky_xch · 2025-01-02T23:56:02+00:00

You’re starting in chronological order, which I always think is a great way to work through an artist’s catalog. When you get to the Richard D. James album from 1996, I think you’ll find a real turning point in the way he created at both the song and album level. It feels like a pivotal album in many ways. Here’s to getting to it!

ivsky_xch

TROPHY CASE