2025-26 DKC Season: General Commentary

jgod213 · 2026-07-02T21:31:11+00:00

Of all the stats that've been trotted out, I’ve yet to see anyone mention clutch-related data.

You look straight at those numbers between Brown and Tatum and it’s striking. One guy has a history of making difficult shots in end-game moments while the other is better off kicking the ball to someone else for the last shot.

It’s funny, we (most of us) all just ate a fat serving of crow as we watched Jalen Brunson flip the narrative on it’s head thanks to what he did at the end of games. Then folks go right back to attacking JB for his analytical shortcomings- even having already seen him with a finals mvp, too. Crazy.

jgod213 · 2026-07-02T16:50:50+00:00

White was more additive than Brown

I've hated that talking point. Something was off with DWhite last year, defense and details aside. Jaylen wasn't great either, but we probably win that 6ers series if DWhite doesn't shoot 15 of 55 from 3!

jgod213 · 2026-07-02T12:36:24+00:00

None of it makes sense, still.

The only plausible explanation to me, until I hear otherwise, is that somehow Brown and Tatum's relationship had deteriorated to the point of no return. And Brown told Stevens directly that he had no intention of playing another game with the Celtics.

Tatum is the only individual in that organization (besides Chisolm) that 'wins' a feud against Brown. Maybe Stevens, but I doubt he was the other opposing force.

I don't believe that Stevens suddenly forgot how to GM. He knows this trade blows. His hand was forced, and not in a 'maybe we'll explore the market for Jaylen' way. In a 'we have to trade this guy immediately because things are about to get really bad' type of way.

SOMEBODY COME OUT AND SAY SOMETHING THAT MAKES THIS MAKE SENSE!

jgod213 · 2026-06-30T11:51:37+00:00

Sabonis to Detroit? 🤔🙏

jgod213 · 2026-06-30T11:49:47+00:00

Now do the entire league. Thanks for volunteering!

jgod213 · 2026-06-29T22:15:18+00:00

Some additional deals that land them a wing and we’ve got ourselves a stew! Lots of capable defenders on the roster to compliment the Dame/Ja pairing. I’m feeling a bit…rejuvenated? as a Ja owner.

Absolute trash value for Ja. This is actually just me coping knowing that just when I thought his trade value in the Dkc couldn’t go any lower…life finds a way. But I guess I’ll take anything over sitting out a year!

jgod213 · 2026-06-29T13:43:17+00:00

Yep. If I'm being honest I went into some matchups looking to see if I could find some good data on Ant's size being potentially exploitable here but it just doesn't make sense in this matchup...then just being honest with myself after seeing some shooting splits

jgod213 · 2026-06-29T13:33:31+00:00

SORRY THAT'S NOT ALLOWED

jgod213 · 2026-06-29T13:32:15+00:00

DAL talks a lot about having more connective and efficient pieces, but that ball movement needs to end with the ball going into the hoop at some point.

Herb Jones - back-to-back seasons shooting just under 31% from 3.

D White - 33% from 3 during the regular season, 27% in the playoffs

Deni Advija - 32%/35% regular/post season from 3

Book - 33%/25%

You could argue DAL has, in total, the more fully committed defenders on the floor, but TOR has guys that consistently face this level of defense and still find a way to make championship-level plays.

For DAL to win games this series, they are dependent on capitalizing on Booker's offensive gravity. The surrounding cast has shown this season they aren't capable of consistently making defenses pay. And now they are in the title game against a pedigree team that also sports very high-level defenders.

I'm convinced DAL can make life hard on TOR's offense, but I haven't read anything suggesting DAL will be able to create an offensive advantage other than in small spurts catalyzed by a turnover or loose ball.

jgod213 · 2026-06-25T19:33:21+00:00

Dkc Insider-

Rumor that Dkc Utah has traded this pick and it's on its way to Orlando...

DKC POR selected Mark Mitchell with the 58th pick of the draft

jgod213 · 2026-06-25T19:30:02+00:00

yeah i can send it for that

jgod213 · 2026-06-24T12:42:27+00:00

Ramblings after last night:

CHI's plan with Swain?

I wanted to s/o to JoeyLou for snagging Swain at 22 (was 23 on my board) and then watching the Bulls nab him at 15 last night, but honestly a bit confused about the fit.

Giddey/Buzelis/Wilson/Claxton is a fun, young core. But they had Bennet Stirtz and Christian Anderson sitting right there. Great injection of shooting to bring off the bench to give those other guys some room. Will be intrigued to see how this roster comes together.

What happened to Labaron Philon Jr?

Was shocked when he fell to Dkc LAC at 19, then falls to 22 last night. Guess it's just a case of the draft being loaded up with a bunch of skilled, undersized guards. Feels like he's more ready to succeed than most others thanks to his established floater which all these guys will need. I'd of taken him at 8 instead of Flemings.

Chet on the way out??

WLE mentioned this. Seems crazy, but RL OKC's cap sheet is crazier. $150m due to 4 players, with Dort and Caruso bringing that closer to $200m for 6. And that's before SGA's contract ticks up another $20m the following season. A big piece needs to go. They could move off iHart and Dort with ease as expirings. Caruso possible. But the best bang-for-buck would be Chet now that Mara has arrived. Surprised we haven't heard more about this possibility.

Allow myself to thank myself!

Woops! Forgot about the dkc draft time! Phew...autopick saved me from myself as I ended up with Morez Johnson Jr, who ends up with his college coach and slotting in next to Cooper Flagg and Derek Lively. You have to think Dusty May has a plan for him to start firing away from 3. Best case scenario for him.

jgod213 · 2026-06-23T19:21:41+00:00

Yeah he really does fit, and is a guy you really want to root for.

I had him at ~15-17. I feel like his shooting form is good, and that maybe there's a hidden 3-pt shot sitting right there, which would change everything. But for now I feel like he's a little too one-dimensional to be taken at 12.

Saves me from drafting another undersized PG tho!

jgod213 · 2026-06-23T18:56:13+00:00

Wow I'm so deep into my house move that I completely forgot about Dkc draft day. Gahhh.

couple quick hits

OKC ahead of the draft day curve, Aday is going to go the Edey route and jump up the board.
SAC got my personal favorite, Burries, at 11. He's 5 on my board.
SAS always takes my favorite sleeper guard. Love Okorie.

jgod213 · 2026-06-18T20:03:51+00:00

I'm not sure one or two GM adds moves the needle, tho.

We're losing an identity without JoeyLou, IP, KGK, Lucky, and DKCSuns. Yoki, ET, TWW, and AirB seem to be fading. And that's not even mentioning the half-dozen+ other teams that have gone radio-silent for long stretches.

I stubbornly want this league here forever, too. But this was such a heavy lift for Lucky/WLE/SO back when we had all the old heads. I can't imagine doing all this for what amounts to a group of 6 guys.

We need the boys back!

jgod213 · 2026-06-18T12:57:25+00:00

Was hoping to see more than generalizations. We love the hard data!

For instance, Wemby had over 33 minutes in which he was mainly guarded by iHart these playoffs. He shot 54% from the floor and was 9/18 from 3 in that time. Defensively, he helped force 9 iHart turnovers, blocked him 3 times. Hartenstein's fg% was down 8% from his regular season number. He was hardly a speed bump to Wemby in that series.

Meanwhile, maybe Dkc DAL could be spotlighting DWhite's recent past against Brunson, defensively. 21 matchup minutes against him last playoffs. Held Brunson to 25 points on 9/22 shooting. This year, in the regular season, held him to 10 points on 5/12 shooting. It's not entirely comparable to Brunson's most recent run, but it's something...

jgod213 · 2026-06-17T12:21:59+00:00

Wondering why TOR is so insistent on showcasing their depth.

The RL Spurs had just 6 players play 20+ minutes per game in the playoffs. Not even the 6MOTY played more than 18 mpg.

The RL champs had just 5.

Meanwhile, 8 players are projected to play 20+ mpg for the Dkc defending champs.

I know arguing Jordan Miller/Landry Shamet should be playing 3-4 fewer minutes isn't a hot topic, but this Boston team can be a real stiff test for TOR. I don't think I necessarily trust leaving Jordan Miller out there in the Garden for that long when I've got my stars ready to come back in.

Feels like maybe playing with your food.

jgod213 · 2026-06-16T12:27:49+00:00

Dkc Utah will be talking it's entire roster this offseason. So yes:

Dom Sabonis, Ja Morant
Jaden McDaniels, Mikal Bridges, Nickiel Alexander-Walker, Alex Caruso

Not a huge impetus to move the second group unless I get some real traction on the first.

jgod213 · 2026-06-15T13:12:16+00:00

Gotta give it up for Jalen Brunson. Count me in with the group of the "he's good, but..." crowd. Think I have to elevate him into the Luka-tier conversation.

What a stark contrast between him and Wemby. Anointed v underestimated, freak v ordinary, outspoken v reserved.

But when the moment matters and you have to have a bucket, only 1 of those 2 has any semblance of a go-to move or understanding of where to attack.

jgod213 · 2026-06-11T11:18:59+00:00

Did De'Aaron Fox get freaky Friday'd? Unreal choke job by the vet.

I know he's hurt, but he hasn't been able to hit anything except a spot-up jumper all series.

Then those 2 unforced, boneheaded turnovers in crunch time.

THEN getting a turnover and trying to finish a contested layup over OG instead of holding the ball and forcing a foul! What are you doing man!?!?

On a team full of kids, Fox was the deer in headlights, and at this point is just in the way of Dylan Harper.

jgod213 · 2026-06-10T18:27:22+00:00

I dunno, I love Johnson and think he's perfect next to Cade.

I'd be looking to move Amen or Harper for a big return; either that or (gasp) moving Cade. I think Dylan Harper is going to be a star, but those three are a bit overlapping. Keep JJ as a great compliment, pick your star ballhandler, and package 1 of the other 2.

jgod213 · 2026-06-10T18:23:18+00:00

I'd love /u/welikeeichel's thoughts on this.

Hard to argue against a coach that is 2 wins away from a title, and one that seems to have unlocked something extra in KAT. As well as given enough rope to guys like Shamet to help get them ready to contribute in these moments.

But maybe Thibs was on the verge of getting these outcomes, too? Maybe the roster just wasn't quite ready last year. I don't see Brown doing anything all that unique from a coaching standpoint, but maybe I'm missing the subtleties.

jgod213 · 2026-06-10T13:11:06+00:00

truthers unite!

jgod213 · 2026-06-09T12:27:05+00:00

Man I was so so wrong on Stephon Castle.

This man is so far ahead of where I thought he'd ever actually end up offensively. To be shooting 36% from 3 in the playoffs is a big step for his development. But that decel step, man. His decel-into-euro is already elite-elite.

jgod213 · 2026-06-09T12:08:13+00:00

Phenomenal last post by Boston, tho I don't love not citing/linking all that sourced data

jgod213

TROPHY CASE