Dukies in the NBA 2020-21

[Truth&Justise]

Kyrie with another big game for the Nets, scoring 40 on 28 FGs, to go with 7 assists in the win over the New York RJ Barrett's. RJ scored 22 on 13 FGs, to go with 4 rebounds.
Gary Trent scored 16 on 15 FGs in the win over WAS.
Frank Jackson continues to re-animate his career in DET, scoring 10 on 7 FGs in the win over OKC.
Tre Jones saw some court time, made the most of it with 2 FGs for 4 pts, 1 assist and 1 steal.

You might want to mention that one of those FGs was a game-winning pull-up three at the buzzer.

[flyingdutchdevil]

Kyrie with another big game for the Nets, scoring 40 on 28 FGs, to go with 7 assists in the win over the New York RJ Barrett's. RJ scored 22 on 13 FGs, to go with 4 rebounds.
Gary Trent scored 16 on 15 FGs in the win over WAS.
Frank Jackson continues to re-animate his career in DET, scoring 10 on 7 FGs in the win over OKC.
Tre Jones saw some court time, made the most of it with 2 FGs for 4 pts, 1 assist and 1 steal.

This is really refreshing. I wrote Jackson off, because he was given significant opportunity in NO and just didn't perform. He played over 1900 minutes across two years and his advanced metrics were awful (and he actually got slightly worse going into his sophomore season).

Happy that he's playing better, although his efficiency numbers still aren't ideal. With the Pistons, he has certainly bought himself more time and hope he continues to take advantage of it.

[DukieInBrasil]

This is really refreshing. I wrote Jackson off, because he was given significant opportunity in NO and just didn't perform. He played over 1900 minutes across two years and his advanced metrics were awful (and he actually got slightly worse going into his sophomore season).

Happy that he's playing better, although his efficiency numbers still aren't ideal. With the Pistons, he has certainly bought himself more time and hope he continues to take advantage of it.

yeah, his FG%, 3FG%, eFG% and FT%s are all career highs, and none of them are bad for a guard. However, his 2FG% is a career low this year. His a:to is inverted, which is not good for a guard in general, but specifically for a guy who is being slotted as a PG. If he can keep his 3FG% around the 44% that it's at now, to go along with his above-average athleticism for blow-by dunks, then he'll be able to keep a spot in the league for a while. His future in the league becomes questionable if he reverts back to his low-30s 3FG shooting days.
Maybe he just needed a change of scenery, but whatever he's done it's been earning him a lot more playing time recently, even if his mpg this year is only marginally higher than last year.

[JasonEvans]

You might want to mention that one of those FGs was a game-winning pull-up three at the buzzer.

Great play by Gary... but it kinda looks like he almost punches Neto in the face to generate some space for that last shot

[cspan37421]

upon slow-mo replay, more like underarm/clavicle area. And the defender sold it almost as thoroughly as PJ Hairston.

[JasonEvans]

ESPN released their list of the top 10 players in the NBA under the age of 25.

1) Luka Doncic
2) Zion Williamson
3) LaMelo Ball
4) Donovan Mitchell
5) Jayson Tatum
6) De’Aaron Fox
7) Ben Simmons
8) Devin Booker
9) Bam Adebayo
10) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Stephen A had a heart attack at LaMelo being ranked so high. He says the folks who put this list together all need to immediately be drug tested. It is kinda funny: https://twitter.com/PodThat/status/1379491622484729857

-Jason "ummm, and how is Trae Young not on that list?" Evans

[Phredd3]

upon slow-mo replay, more like underarm/clavicle area. And the defender sold it almost as thoroughly as PJ Hairston.

When defenders flop, I think it is wiser if they actually pretend that the laws of physics are a thing.

[Truth&Justise]

Great play by Gary... but it kinda looks like he almost punches Neto in the face to generate some space for that last shot

upon slow-mo replay, more like underarm/clavicle area. And the defender sold it almost as thoroughly as PJ Hairston.

When defenders flop, I think it is wiser if they actually pretend that the laws of physics are a thing.

Gary definitely gets away with a push off. If Neto didn't flop he might have gotten the call, but I can see a ref thinking "thats a wild flop, I'm not blowing the whistle" which ends up letting Gary off the hook. Karma also keeps Neto's flop going where he bumps into Bertans, preventing Bertans from contesting the shot.

Man, Neto also missed the challenging shot at the rim that could have made it a 3 point game...what a bad sequence for him.

[JetpackJesus]

ESPN released their list of the top 10 players in the NBA under the age of 25.

1) Luka Doncic
2) Zion Williamson
3) LaMelo Ball
4) Donovan Mitchell
5) Jayson Tatum
6) De’Aaron Fox
7) Ben Simmons
8) Devin Booker
9) Bam Adebayo
10) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Stephen A had a heart attack at LaMelo being ranked so high. He says the folks who put this list together all need to immediately be drug tested. It is kinda funny: https://twitter.com/PodThat/status/1379491622484729857

-Jason "ummm, and how is Trae Young not on that list?" Evans

Trae was 16. Here's the blurb:

Young's career will be an interesting case study in the importance of defensive limitations. Because of his small stature, Young will always have a difficult time matching up with the league's best guards or playing a switch-heavy defense, forcing his coaches to get creative defensively.

Those concerns helped bump Young behind point guards who haven't been nearly as productive offensively at the same age. He has willingly taken a step back in the Hawks' offense this season with more weapons around him but remains nearly as indispensable to the team's ability to score as nearly any player in the league. -- Pelton

The 11-15 players: BI, Jaylen Brown, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Ja Morant.

Here's the full Top-25 list. It's ESPN+ content, so it's behind a paywall.

[BigZ]

ESPN intentionally puts together bad lists to give content for their debate shows. It’s pretty obvious

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

ESPN intentionally puts together bad lists to give content for their debate shows. It’s pretty obvious

Well,having three Duke players in the top 11 feels right.

[Duke79UNLV77]

The Hawks are an amazing 19-24 on 3's through 3 quarters against NO so far tonight!

It's amazing how many great players there are under 25. I probably would not put Trae Young top 10 on that list. While he's on fire tonight, he's been a pretty low percentage 3-point shooter so far in his career with lots of turnover to go with his assists and terrible defense. He, Luca, and, of course, Harden also seem the most annoying in terms of flailing and acting and getting rewarded with tons of free throws.

[bundabergdevil]

ESPN intentionally puts together bad lists to give content for their debate shows. It’s pretty obvious

Disagreement and conflict drive the narrative.


(Saying I agree and it makes sense...’E’ comes first in ESPN for a reason).

[DukieInBrasil]

Monster game from Zion in the loss to ATL, scoring 34 on 12-18 FGs and 9-10 FTs, to go with 4 rebs and 2 assists. NOLA was without Ingram, and ATL continues to play w/o Cam Reddish.
Tatum also had a good game in the loss to the PHI Curry's, scoring 20 on 17 FGs. Seth however shot poorly from 3 but scored 9 on 4-9 shooting.
Duke Motor City had another good game from Frank Jackson, who scored 11 on 8 FGs, and MP2 returned to the lineup and had 4-2-3. No Jah.
Duke Beale St. got a pair of solid games from Tyus (3-5-5-1, 0 turns) and Grayson (8-1-3).
Gary Trent shot poorly (4-15) and put up 11-3-2-1.
Semi scored a bucket, and Luke, Harry Giles, and Cassius were held scoreless.

[Steven43]

Kyrie and Zion going at it tonight in Brooklyn. Irving looking dominant in the first half with 20 points and 5 assists while shooting 4-4 from the 3-pt line.

By the way, Kevin Durant is back tonight after having missed 23 games.

[Owen Meany]

Zion tied with Shaq for most consecutive games with 20 points on 50% shooting, hoping to have the record to himself after tonight. He current sits on 16 points and 4-12 shooting (also 8-14 free throws). Down 26 on the second night of back to back games, I'm not sure how much more he will play.

[bundabergdevil]

Kyrie and Zion going at it tonight in Brooklyn. Irving looking dominant in the first half with 20 points and 5 assists while shooting 4-4 from the 3-pt line.

By the way, Kevin Durant is back tonight after having missed 23 games.

Zion sent KD flying in a pretty funny way not long ago...made more funny when the charge was switched to a block.

[Neals384]

Zion tied with Shaq for most consecutive games with 20 points on 50% shooting, hoping to have the record to himself after tonight. He current sits on 16 points and 4-12 shooting (also 8-14 free throws). Down 26 on the second night of back to back games, I'm not sure how much more he will play.

Unintended jinx by the DBR front page, which wrote: "he’s scored at least 20 points and shot at least 50 percent in the last 25 games. Odds are he’ll surpass him in the next one."

With Zion still at 4 for 12, and the Pels down 33, will he even make a cameo in the 4th Q?

[dukelifer]

Grayson with a huge night against the Hawks - 30 points so far in a certain victory- RJ with 29 in a close loss- 6 for 6 on threes- on the other side Tatum with 25

[Steven43]

Grayson with a huge night against the Hawks - 30 points so far in a certain victory- RJ with 29 in a close loss- 6 for 6 on threes- on the other side Tatum with 25

RJ Barrett went 6-6 on 3-pointers? Really? That is some impressive shooting. If he could consistently hit near 40% on threes he would become a serious threat when combined with his other talents.

And Grayson, WOW. I continue to believe that he will become a legit starter in the NBA. Nothing I would love more than for him to shut the mouths of all those haters.