![]() ![]() In November, he served an eight-game suspension after he promoted a movie on social media that contained antisemitic tropes and misinformation, and he initially refused to apologize and disavow antisemitism. Irving is a prodigious talent and someone with a history of leaving teams in turmoil.ĭuring the 2021-22 season, he was only available for 29 games after not getting vaccinated against COVID-19, making him ineligible to play home games for the Brooklyn Nets because of New York City's vaccine mandates for indoor arenas. The Dallas Mavericks' deal for Kyrie Irving is both their best hope for pairing a second star with Luka Dončić and the league's ultimate boom-or-bust gamble. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images They're squeezing nearly 70 points per game out of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević and losing the minutes that trio shares by 0.6 points per 100 possessions.ĭo they feel pot-committed to chasing the playoffs and giving this group even a glimmer of hope to rewrite what's been this tragic tale of a season? Or is it time to shift all focus forward, embrace the loss column and pray that's enough to keep their top-four protected pick away from the Orlando Magic? They can't count on Lonzo Ball, who's out for the season, and that's crushing since they've looked fatally flawed ever since losing him to a meniscus tear in January 2022. What's the goal here? The Bulls say it isn't mediocrity, but they'll need wins and help just to lock up a play-in tournament invite. They have managed to lift their defense inside of the top 10, but their bottom-third offense has canceled that out and then some. Not to dunk on the Windy City native as he heads back home, but the Bulls have problems that a 34-year-old Beverley can't fix. What should we chase, the playoffs or the top-four protected pick we owe Orlando?ĭoes anyone think that the Chicago Bulls, who carried a six-game losing streak into the break, were a Patrick Beverley away from turning things around? Didn't think so. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan Michael Reaves/Getty Images None of that matters, though, as long as Simmons keeps playing like he's allergic to the basket and afraid of the free-throw line. ![]() It has a bunch of long, lanky defenders who can get out in the open court and spread the floor on offense. Theoretically, this revamped Nets roster fits around Simmons. "That's the goal and I'm still trying to figure that out." ![]() "Trying to figure out what lineup fits around Ben, what position fits for Ben, how we can make him look good at every opportunity," Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn said, per Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post. Brooklyn added him at the 2022 trade deadline and still doesn't know what it has or how use him. He was a franchise floor general in the not-so-distant past, but now he's a 6'10", 240-pound enigma. The problem is said 26-year-old is Ben Simmons, or whatever is left of him. Now, with all due respect to Mikal Bridges, they have none, which boggles the mind when their roster includes a 26-year-old with three All-Star selections on his resume. Just last season, the Brooklyn Nets had three cornerstone talents in Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. Is there any hope of getting Ben Simmons going? If the Celtics can't rely on him when they need him most, then they'll need a better insurance plan than Mike Muscala and Luke Kornet. This is his fifth year in the NBA, and he's yet to clear the 200-game mark for his career. Williams, who shaves a rotation-best 5.8 points per 100 possessions off Boston's defensive rating, has struggled to stay on the floor, and his health issues predate this season. Maybe that means the Shamrocks are deep enough to cover for an absence of one of its regulars, but their banner-raising formula almost certainly includes dynamic defender Robert Williams III creating all kinds of chaos. Its starting five from last year's NBA Finals has logged all of 29 minutes together, and the C's still have the league's best record and highest net rating. How can we objectively make such a subjective-sounding statement? Because Boston has rarely been full-strength this season. The full-strength Boston Celtics are the Association's best team. Will Robert Williams III be there when we need him? Robert Williams III Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images ![]()
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