*** 2023-24 Non-Timberwolves Game Thread ***

[A$$MAN]

Regarding the 65 games, would the league ever consider some type of nfl or mlb type IR or injured list set up? You could do something like a player's games missed while on IR don't count against award eligibility. The caveat being if a player is really injured they have to miss a certain # of games, days, etc.?

Example, player x sprains his ankle and is expected to miss 2 weeks. He gets put on the 10 day IR (or 5, 7, 10 game IR... whatever designation is implemented). Those games missed don't count towards award eligibility.

Any games missed not on IR would penalize the player regarding award eligibility. You could then decrease the # of games missed from 17 to 7 (or something lower). So, you either rest by going on IR and missing a guaranteed # of games or you load manage and take yourself out of the running for awards.

I think this could potentially help the picking and choosing by "star" players and which games they decide to rest.

Jimi, this was my original post regarding award eligibility and games missed.

[Jimi_Thing]

Regarding the 65 games, would the league ever consider some type of nfl or mlb type IR or injured list set up? You could do something like a player's games missed while on IR don't count against award eligibility. The caveat being if a player is really injured they have to miss a certain # of games, days, etc.?

Example, player x sprains his ankle and is expected to miss 2 weeks. He gets put on the 10 day IR (or 5, 7, 10 game IR... whatever designation is implemented). Those games missed don't count towards award eligibility.

Any games missed not on IR would penalize the player regarding award eligibility. You could then decrease the # of games missed from 17 to 7 (or something lower). So, you either rest by going on IR and missing a guaranteed # of games or you load manage and take yourself out of the running for awards.

I think this could potentially help the picking and choosing by "star" players and which games they decide to rest.

Jimi, this was my original post regarding award eligibility and games missed.

Thanks Assman. It feels like this is a pretty logical step for the league to take. Punish excessive load management. Don't punish proper injuries.

[SHAFA]

Anyone see the list of names of players currently not eligible for post season awards? It's getting pretty crazy...notables include Embiid, Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, Kristaps Porzingis, Julius Randle and Bradley Beal. Towns and Trae Young about to join it as well.

I for one am loving this and think it's really magnifying the amount of games some of these fools miss each season. I also can't believe there are still arguments for Embiid to be MVP. How can a player play less than half of a season, yet people still think they are deserving of an award? That's crazy!

About time that players who actually play games get recognized! No more relying on reputation or name recognition or what you have done in the past.

I like it but also agree with another Rube that suggested that there should be some form of injury designation where a proper injury doesn't strip a play from qualifying for these awards. For example, let's say Rudy had KAT's knee surgery and it took him out of commission for 4 weeks. Does he not still deserve DPOY especially if his time recovering magnifies the greatness he brings?

There actually is language about that in the CBA.

No player shall be eligible for NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Defensive Player of the Year, NBA Most Improved Player, All-NBA Team (First, Second, or Third), or NBA All-Defensive Team (First or Second) honors (the “Applicable Generally Recognized League Honors”) for a Season unless the player has satisfied at least one of the following criteria (the “Award Eligibility Criteria”) in respect of such Season: (1) the player played in at least sixty-five (65) Regular Season games; or (2) the player (A) played in at least sixty-two (62) Regular Season games, Article XXIX 433 (B) suffered a “season-ending injury” (as defined below), and (C) played in at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the Regular Season games played by his Team prior to the player suffering such injury.

[weimy froob]

cavs putting a beat down on the pelicans in new orleans. that loss still sits wrong with me. road trip would be looking real promising if that game ended with a W. but they must be playing real good defense again in the bayou city. giving up only 84 points with less than five minutes to go and zion with 33 of those points.

[boxter432]

Of course OKC gets the mavs at home without Luka.
He scored 32 in 31 min on 14 shots in a 35 pt beat down against them a month ago

[Beef Supreme]

I have zero problem not giving awards to players who miss games to legit injuries. How much defensive impact do you have sitting on the bench in street clothes? Who cares why?

65 games played is 80% of the season. I think that’s a reasonable threshold regardless of why.

[A$$MAN]

I have zero problem not giving awards to players who miss games to legit injuries. How much defensive impact do you have sitting on the bench in street clothes? Who cares why?

65 games played is 80% of the season. I think that’s a reasonable threshold regardless of why.

At the end of the day, this is the correct answer.

[A$$MAN]

It seems like if you are giving awards to players who play less than that you are awarding them based on past accomplishments, name recognition, star power instead of what they actually did that particular season.

[somuchyummy]

It has to be based on performance plus games played. Otherwise, you could have a situation where a guy just Kills it for 41 games - we're talking 39 PPG/ 12 RPG/10 APG - and his team is in first - but then he goes down with a season ender. Sorry, but you can't have him in the MVP discussion, even though he was top of the heap for half the year. That's what asterisks and telling stories to your kids are for.

[Jimi_Thing]

It has to be based on performance plus games played. Otherwise, you could have a situation where a guy just Kills it for 41 games - we're talking 39 PPG/ 12 RPG/10 APG - and his team is in first - but then he goes down with a season ender. Sorry, but you can't have him in the MVP discussion, even though he was top of the heap for half the year. That's what asterisks and telling stories to your kids are for.

I fear that I'm easily persuadable. After hearing the other side, I'm now of the belief that this is the correct take. You need to play the 80% amount of games to be eligible. If a legit injury, excessive load management, or a combo of those two keeps you from qualifying...so be it.

[twolves31]

Are we rooting for the Clippers or New Orleans tonight in their match up? Clippers losing gives us a 3 loss lead which is really 4 since we have the tie breaker over them for 4th place. New Orleans losing would give us a 6 loss lead over 5th place and home court advantage in the first round, and I believe New Orleans has the tiebreaker since they are winning their division?

[weimy froob]

Are we rooting for the Clippers or New Orleans tonight in their match up? Clippers losing gives us a 3 loss lead which is really 4 since we have the tie breaker over them for 4th place. New Orleans losing would give us a 6 loss lead over 5th place and home court advantage in the first round, and I believe New Orleans has the tiebreaker since they are winning their division?

i was definitely hoping the pelicans would win--and they did.

[somuchyummy]

deandre ayton - while being injured a bit - has also certainly come on lately for his new team in Portland. In the four games he's played since returning from injury, he's averaging 29/17. The guy the Suns traded him for, Jusuf Nurkic, has also played well for his new team - and has given them some steady play at the C spot. In his last ten games, he's been a beast on the boards - averaging 16.6 in that stretch - including four games with over 20 rebounds - one of which had him tearing down 31. He's also upped his assists total in this ten game stretch - averaging 4.4 per game.

[somuchyummy]

Since getting regular starters minutes in Charlotte, Vasilije Micic has really come on and upped his game - more into the territory that was expected from a Euro vet and 30 year old rookie. In his last 8 games he's averaging 16 ppg and 7 apg. Daigneault had him averaging about 12 mpg with more DNP-CDs than games played in OKC. He's now getting over 26 mpg in Charlotte. Good player.

[somuchyummy]

Suns just signed Isaiah Thomas on a ten day deal because, apparently you can never have enough firepower.

[twolves31]

Houston going on a run with it's 5th win in a row, while the Lakers have lost two in a row. Would be funny if the Lakers missed the play-in entirely with the way the media keeps yapping about how the Lakers are going to beat the Wolves or OKC in the playoffs. If the Lakers miss the playoffs, and Clippers lose in the first round to New Orleans, what will the media do?

[aztimberwolves]

deandre ayton - while being injured a bit - has also certainly come on lately for his new team in Portland. In the four games he's played since returning from injury, he's averaging 29/17. The guy the Suns traded him for, Jusuf Nurkic, has also played well for his new team - and has given them some steady play at the C spot. In his last ten games, he's been a beast on the boards - averaging 16.6 in that stretch - including four games with over 20 rebounds - one of which had him tearing down 31. He's also upped his assists total in this ten game stretch - averaging 4.4 per game.

Deandre Ayton is the 7 foot Andrew Wiggins. Both players are lazy and don’t make a damn bit of difference to the bottom line.

[shoteh]

Suns just signed Isaiah Thomas on a ten day deal because, apparently you can never have enough firepower.

had to check if Mike D'Antoni was still the coach

[weimy froob]

mavericks beat the nuggets by two. only denver's second loss since the all-star break.

[Badbeat]

mavericks beat the nuggets by two. only denver's second loss since the all-star break.

If nothing else the whole western conference is going to be interesting for the next month. I think the wolves hang on to the top 3 but sure hope KAT gets back for the playoffs.

[PanicWolf]

Nuggies will be just stewin here waiting for the wolves on Tuesday. Wolves better get locked in.

[somuchyummy]

The rookie's line tonight - jesus - 33/16/7 with 7 blocks.

[LordNu]

The rookie's line tonight - jesus - 33/16/7 with 7 blocks.

Just unreal…. He’s already a 20-10 guy. I see no ceiling!

[Jimi_Thing]

Hawks taking the Clippers to the woodshed so far tonight. I won’t be surprised if the Clippers get upset in the first round.

[somuchyummy]

Suns in trouble. They score 129 points today on 59%/42%/88% shooting - but lose by 11 to a Freakless Bucks. No defense on that team. Middleton, Dame and Portis combine for 84. Durant takes ten shots.

[weimy froob]

Hawks taking the Clippers to the woodshed so far tonight. I won’t be surprised if the Clippers get upset in the first round.

they might be fading. don't know if they'd drop to six or lower though. what a logjam at that spot right now in the west. the spot that the wolves are projected to play right now in the first round.

[SHAFA]

There's an alternate universe out there where Boston held onto Brogdon and dealt Pritchard to us last offseason.

[boxter432]

Okc handling jazz mid 4th. Hoping Utah can make a run. Okc bench worthless tonight but starters have tons of fast break points off jazz turnovers.
Nope. Chet 6-0 run and it’s 16pt lead late.

[ChrisPaulGeorgeHill]

Anyone watch Draymond Green last night?

Guy hasn’t changed and you can tell it takes all of him just to prevent himself from completely acting like a moron.

[weimy froob]

Zion Williamson continues Pelicans' hot streak with dunk of the year candidate

No team in the NBA is hotter than the New Orleans Pelicans right now, and Zion Williamson is the explosive engine propelling them forward...More importantly, the Pelicans have moved from 3.5 games back to just a half-game back from the Los Angeles Clippers for fourth place in the Western Conference, which carries home-court advantage for the first round of the NBA playoffs. With 14 games remaining and the third-place Minnesota Timberwolves missing Karl-Anthony Towns, it's not inconceivable New Orleans could climb even further.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/zion-willi ... 40576.html

(wolves finishing in the two or three spot isn't the worst situation for them if the pelicans are going to finish four or five.)