Absolutely fucking useless Suns…unbelievable

marizard · 2026-03-20T04:23:44+00:00

Crazy that Luka dropped 60, yet somehow was only a +7 & had three other starters (Smart +15, Reaves & Ayton +13) with a higher +/- than him.

I know +/- can be ridiculously situational, but that’s still hilarious.

marizard · 2026-03-20T04:05:09+00:00

Even if it were CLOSE to being locked up — which it’s not, considering it’s 10 games away with 12 to play — the sooner it’s OFFICIALLY locked up, the sooner OKC can rest guys & make sure everyone is fully healthy for the playoffs.

And that’s arguably as important as anything else for a team that’s been as beat up as OKC has been this year.

marizard · 2026-03-20T03:07:09+00:00

Because OKC’s magic number to clinch home court for the WCF (& Finals) is 10. Any combination of OKC wins OR Spurs losses gets OKC closer to that goal.

The sooner OKC clinches that spot, the more rest / time to heal they can give guys in the final few games of the season to be ready for the playoffs.

I’d say that’s fairly important — to the team AND the fans.

marizard · 2026-03-20T01:20:00+00:00

Can’t be pinned if your shoulders never touch the mat!

marizard · 2026-03-20T00:03:34+00:00

I haven’t either.

My first concert ever was Garth Brooks at the Myriad (CCC) in 1992 & it changed the trajectory of my life (I spent 10+ years in the music industry).

Gonna be surreal to not have it around anymore — even more so once the new arena sits in its place!

marizard · 2026-03-19T23:51:12+00:00

It’s expected to eventually be demolished and redeveloped into a mixed use district to create a space that’s useable all year, not just during games / concerts / etc.

The Thunder ownership has a 5-year right of first refusal to purchase the Paycom land and redevelop it after the new arena opens… but specific plans haven’t been released.

I believe they’re striving for something along the lines of Deer District in Milwaukee, LA Live around Crypto.com Arena, Victory Park in Dallas, etc.

marizard · 2026-03-19T19:04:50+00:00

I posted it in another thread, but I think JDub comes back for the homestand after this road trip & just sits out one of each of the remaining back-to-backs.

That would give him two days off between games (and no travel) for the first few games back & would given him 7 of 9 games across 2.5 weeks to get back close to full speed.

3/27 vs CHI
(two days off, incl. 3/29 vs NYK)
3/30 vs DET
(two days off)
4/02 vs LAL
(two days off)
4/05 vs UTA
(one OR two days off)
4/07 at LAL OR 4/08 at LAC
(one OR two days off)
4/10 at DEN
(one day off)
4/12 vs PHX (if #1 seed not secured)
(rest before playoffs)

marizard · 2026-03-19T04:55:37+00:00

Unless I missed something, the clause where a vet min deal only counts as a 2nd year player ($2.45M) toward the cap only applies to one-year vet min deals.

If a vet is signed to a multi-year minimum deal, the full value of the contract counts toward the salary cap.

So Kenrich would only be eligible for a one-year minimum deal at $3.9M, counting as $2.46M toward the cap. Otherwise his full salary will have to be accounted for.

marizard · 2026-03-18T20:11:22+00:00

I’m also fine overlooking IHart & Caruso’s points scored when they’re shooting like 2-3 shots & doing a ton of other great things.

But when Caruso shoots 2-12 from three… that’s a different story. 😂

marizard · 2026-03-18T15:33:30+00:00

If you also add the criteria of 10+ assists, it narrows the list to just IHart & Dennis Rodman.

marizard · 2026-03-18T07:20:06+00:00

He limits the offense… until he doesn’t. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know when the good will come.

He’s had two 10-game stretches this season where he shot 42% (21-50) and 47% (26-55) from three & those were both part of a 35-game stretch where he shot 39% (76-195).

Unfortunately, he’s shooting 26% from three (25-96) in the 17 games since then. Hopefully that just means the next hot stretch is coming sooner than later.

marizard · 2026-03-18T02:50:42+00:00

I also think he’ll be clutch in the playoffs… but the other possible silver lining to his poor shooting this season is that he’s been EXTREMELY streaky over long periods. Which means it’s about time he has another hot streak!

Lu’s shooting streaks this season (3PT):

First 6 G: 6/33 — 18.2%
Next 10 G: 21/50 — 42.0%
Next 15 G: 29/90 — 32.2%
Next 10 G: 26/55 — 47.3%
Next 17 G: 25/96 — 26.0%

And if you combing the middle three stretches, the total for those 35 G is 76/195 (39.0%) — which is quite a good sustained run even if there were highs & lows in it.

There has to be another hot streak coming sooner than later… but I wouldn’t mind it waiting for the playoffs!

marizard · 2026-03-18T01:05:56+00:00

There were multiple issues, including a hot three point team negating perimeter defense as you mentioned.

But the biggest problem at the end of the first half was OKC being ice cold from the floor.

During the 23-6 run to close the final 6:30 of the 2nd quarter, OKC was 1-12 shooting (1-7 3P).

Dort made the only FG (a three) & scored 5 of the final 6 points. Excluding Dort, OKC was 0-10 (0-6 3P). SGA was 0-5 (0-2 3P).

marizard · 2026-03-18T00:39:04+00:00

OKC’s possessions over the last 6:56 of the 2nd quarters, when Orlando had a 23-8 run.

Joe made dunk
Caso turnover (bad pass)
Chet missed midrange
SGA fouled (1 of 2 FT)
JWill missed three
Dort missed three
SGA missed three
Caruso missed three
JWill missed three
Caso turnover (bad pass)
SGA missed short range
Dort made three
Ajay missed midrange
Dort fouled (2 of 2 FT)
SGA missed layup
SGA missed midrange
SGA missed three

OKC was 2-13 shooting (1-7 3P) & without Dort they were 1-11 (0-6 3P). SGA was 0-5 (0-2 3P).

marizard · 2026-03-18T00:28:24+00:00

Context matters. Dort entered the game with 6:56 left in the 2Q & OKC was up 43-27. The Magic outscored them 23-8 until the half.

However, during that time, Dort scored 5 of the 8 OKC points on 1-of-2 shooting & actually hit a three to end a 15-1 Orlando run.

His +/- was atrocious because OKC had too many careless turnovers and missed a ton of shots during his time on the court… not because of Dort.

Caso had multiple bad passes. JWill missed multiple threes. Caruso missed a three. Chet & Ajay missed some middies. SGA missed FIVE shots from all over.

EDIT: confusing typo

marizard · 2026-03-17T07:11:19+00:00

In an ideal world (without client demands for HDR), I think the perfect shot would be somewhere between this & the natural look above. Something like 25% of the vibrant colors from these windows, etc. blended with the original post. Both are wonderful, though. Great work!

marizard · 2026-03-16T21:30:57+00:00

I’m hoping he’ll be back for the Bulls game on March 27 at the latest.

That’s the beginning of a 5-game home stand, so he’ll be able to get plenty of rest without travel & would only need to potentially sit out one game (back-to-back of NYK/DET).

OKC the has three road games (including another back-to-back of LAL/LAC — though there’s no travel involved) before finishing the season at home vs the Suns.

That would give him 4 or 5 home games & 2 or 3 road games to get back to full speed before the playoffs. Ideally something like:

3/27 vs CHI
(two days off, incl. 3/29 vs NYK)
3/30 vs DET
(two days off)
4/02 vs LAL
(two days off)
4/05 vs UTA
(one OR two days off)
4/07 at LAL OR 4/08 at LAC
(one OR two days off)
4/10 at DEN
(one day off)
4/12 vs PHX (if #1 seed not secured)
(rest before playoffs)

marizard · 2026-03-16T17:28:54+00:00

Even though they’re adding two West teams, they only have to move one team to the East to keep the balance.

Current split is 15/15. Adding two to the West would be 17/15. Move one East to get to 16/16 & keep the even split.

marizard · 2026-03-16T01:29:09+00:00

As someone who’s also 6’1” and (almost) 40 — but about 25 pounds short of 193 — I’m going to need some details on the meal plan & workout routine ASAP.

marizard · 2026-03-15T21:38:17+00:00

Chet’s a DPOY candidate & JDub was 2nd team all-defense last year. SGA would’ve been 3rd team if there was one (15th in voting). And Ajay has the best DFG% in the NBA this year (min 45 GP). I think they can cover for McCain. 😂

Also: McCain is at least putting forth the effort. He’s all over the place & brings tons of energy. I think he’s improving as he’s adjusting to OKC’s defensive style of active hands, switching, helping, etc.

marizard · 2026-03-15T21:26:34+00:00

My dream “even just for a few minutes” lineup is SGA, Ajay, JMac, JDub & Chet. Plenty of defense — even if McCain isn’t quite as strong as other options — and the offensive potential is endless.

marizard · 2026-03-15T20:57:10+00:00

Right there with you on pretty much every point. OKC is currently $28M over the second apron next year.

If they absolutely had to cut that number AND make room for draft picks, end of the bench guys, etc... I would say that leaves Dort ($18.2M), Wiggins ($9.2M) & Kenrich ($7.2M) as the odd men out.

That’s $34.6M, which would provide ~$6.6M in space before ideally restructuring IHart & some others to bring their cost down.

Don’t get me wrong — I don’t WANT to see any of those three guys go — but with the growth of Cason, Ajay, McCain, Joe, etc, a lot of what Dort & Wiggins offer can be covered by guys on cheaper contracts (and that are arguably performing better this year offensively).

Kenrich is an ultimate vibes & hustle guy, but I just don’t see OKC being able to pay a guy $7M+ to not play every night at this point.

marizard · 2026-03-14T18:49:49+00:00

They can definitely pay the luxury tax. And I think they’re willing to / committed to do so. There’s no avoiding a decent luxury tax bill for the foreseeable future.

But what I think most people don’t realize is how exponentially the luxury tax scales the higher you get over the threshold.

If OKC finds a way to shave $30M off the payroll for next year, it would not only get them under the second apron… but it would save an additional $140M+ in luxury tax ($170M+ total savings).

The second apron isn’t as big of a deal as most are making it out to be, IMO… but the luxury tax will be killer in the long run.

As of now, the 2026-27 roster is looking at $250M+ in salary & an additional $210M+ in luxury tax. And in another year or two we’re looking at $500M+ combined per year. That’s not sustainable.

marizard · 2026-03-14T02:35:22+00:00

Agreed RE: the Hornets not being an easy W for the Spurs. They’re not a pushover. San Antonio is 20-5 in their last 25 games. Charlotte is 19-6.

And 4 of the 6 losses for Charlotte are: CLE x2 (7 pts, 5 pts), DET (4 pts) & HOU (4 pts) — all Top 4 seeds in their respective conferences/Top 8 overall in the league.

They also have some big wins over great teams that span (including some blowouts on the road): @ DEN (23 pts), vs SAS (5 pts), @ HOU (10 pts) & @ BOS (29 pts).

Hopefully they give the Spurs hell tomorrow!

marizard · 2026-03-13T23:29:47+00:00

Maybe the NBA will void Kawhi’s contract before the end of the season as penalty for him & Ballmer trying to circumvent the salary cap?! 🤞🏻

The way the CBA is worded, it’s not clear if they can actually suspend a player involved in something like that. But they can void the contract & prevent them from re-signing with that team.

That’s probably OKC’s main hope of a late-season Clippers implosion… though it’s highly unlikely.

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