The Pacers are Bringing Back Team Basketball

I am as surprised as anyone that the Pacers are not only ahead in the Finals, but look like the better team at the moment. I was pretty certain, as were most commentators, that the Thunder would walk to a title. I picked them to win in five games. I figured if it went six games, that would be a triumph for the Pacers. But, as we head into game four tonight, the Pacers are up 2-1 in the series, and they look like they are more than legit.

I love it. But, I have seen some discourse online in regards to the Pacers and how they ended up here. The most common comment or statement is, "I don't understand why this Pacers team is this good". That seems to be the running sentiment, especially when it comes to younger NBA fans. Some of the responses I have seen, from people mostly my age, are easy for me to agree with.

The reason why the Pacers are this good, and why younger kids maybe don't get it, they're a team. The Pacers are not led by a supernova superstar of a player. And I mean no disrespect to any guy on that team. Tyrese Haliburton is a great point guard who barely turns the ball over and he is about as clutch as it gets. Myles Turner is a very good defensive minded big who rebounds well and can stretch the floor. Pascal Siakim is the key to their defense and, when needed, he can fill up the stat sheet. TJ McConnell and Benedict Mathurin are spark plugs off the bench. Andrew Nembhard is a wonderful 3 and d asset that every team wants in their starting five. Aaron Nesmith found himself, and a bunch of playing time, after being acquired by the Pacers. Obi Toppin provides athleticism off the bench. And Rick Carlisle is one of the better coaches the NBA has ever seen. Going up and down this roster, this is about as good a job of team building that you can get.

This Pacers team reminds me of a much more athletic and offensive inclined version of the Pistons teams that won titles with Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace. No one on that team was ever the face of the league or a perennial all star player. They were a well coached team that let their players do what they did best. No one is asked to do too much. Not one single player has to be the star every night. They can get help from all varieties of anyone on the roster. I have even seen Thomas Bryant and Ben Sheppard have big moments during this run. It is great to see. And that is why, at least for me, the Pacers are here. They play the best version of team basketball that we currently have in the NBA. The fact that they don't have to rely on one single guy is a plus for them. The fact that they can expect to get solid contributions from everyone that plays is a plus for them. The fact that they have a genius of a head coach is a plus for them. The fact that they have someone as cold blooded in late game situations as Halliburton is a plus for them. That's why the Pacers are here and the sheer fact that the team is above any one individual makes me even happier that they're here.

I like the Thunder too, and I do think they will still win the title, but they do have that one superstar that they rely on in every big moment. And if Shai Gilgeous Alexander is having an off night on offense, they're toast. The Pacers don't have to worry about that. Back when Miami had the Big 3, they had three guys that could do it for them, but in the end, if LeBron was having a bad night, they had a bad night. The same could be said of the current version of the Nuggets. If Jokic is off the floor, the Nuggets are cooked. I think we will see the Celtics take a step back without Jayson Tatum all of next season. The Pacers don't have to worry about that at all because they're not a star driven team. And that is why they are here and that is why they have a lead in the NBA Finals.

I love team basketball and the Pacers are making me love it even more. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Is Kevin Durant Worth the Headache?

Kevin Durant is at the front of trade talks yet again. This seems to be the new normal in the latest offseason/NBA Finals NBA news, with the exception being when KD was with the Warriors and they were playing in the Finals. Let’s discuss.

My issue, this is becoming old for me. I love Kevin Durant. KD is one of my all time favorite players. He is one of the most efficient and excellent scorers the game has ever seen. I've been riding with him since he was drafted by the SuperSonics. He is a solid rebounder. He is a good enough defender when willing. He is long and uses that length exceptionally well. He is a surefire first ballot hall of fame player. But, since his second title with the Warriors, he has become this curmudgeon who doesn't seem happy with wherever he is playing basketball. He looked downright miserable when the Warriors won their second title after he signed with them. I have to assume he didn't care for the talk that the Warriors are Steph Curry's team. The bummer for him, that will always be true. Steph is going to go down as the greatest Warrior to play in the NBA when he hangs it up. He more than proved his worth when the Warriors won the title in 2022. Steph is a legend. KD isn't on his level in those regards. When he left Golden State he ended up in Brooklyn, as a perceived packaged deal with Kyrie Irving. Well, we all saw how that unfolded. When they played together they were an offensive juggernaut. And when they added James Harden, man oh man were they fun to watch. But, the pandemic happened and Irving wouldn't get vaccinated, KD was never really healthy and James Harden didn't like carrying the load of the team. Kyrie was traded, then Harden was traded. KD asked out, and when Brooklyn refused at first, KD went scorched Earth. He wanted the head coach and the GM gone. He wanted to make decisions for the team on his own. The Nets eventually relented, firing Steve Nash and then trading KD to Phoenix, his preferred destination. And it has not worked out there at all. The Suns have all but mortgaged their future, owning no real picks or young players for a long time, to build around KD and Devin Booker. They let Mikail Bridges and Cam Johnson go. They traded so many picks to acquire the likes of Bradley Beal. They let a young Deandre Ayton go in exchange for Jusuf Nurkic, who seems washed. The Suns are a mess, and I have to believe a lot of that is due to acquiring KD. But, since the Suns are a bad basketball team at the moment, as is his want and will, KD wants out again.

When looking at potential teams that could get him, I don't think I'd risk my team's future for an oft injured, very often angry 37 year old Kevin Durant. As malleable as he is, he is old, isn't on the court as much as he maybe should be and if he isn't the focal point of a team, I do not think he will be happy. The teams mentioned today that I saw were the Spurs, Rockets, Timberwolves and, apparently now the Pistons are trying to get involved. I would never trade for him if I were the Spurs. They need to build around Wemby and De'Aaron Fox. That is the future of that team, especially Wemby. They don't need touches taken away because KD wants to pour in 30 on any given night. And they'd have to give up too many good young players. No way I team him up with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota. He is firmly the alpha there. That is his team through and through. He is the face of the T'Wolves and there is no reason to rock the boat there at all. They'd also have to give up defense first guys, and that is their identity, with AE being a supernova on offense. The Rockets are building something fun and cool with their young core. Jalen Green, Alpernen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr are the reason to watch that team. And they already have solid vets in Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet. They have no reason to part with the young guys unless they want to shed future money. But why would they do that when they earned the two seed in the West last year? That would be foolish. And the Pistons getting in on this makes the least sense to me. They are young, they play rough, they had their best season in two decades and they seem to be up and coming. There is no reason whatsoever to break up that core and take the ball out of Cade Cunningham's hands. That would be a very bad decision by their front office.

I think, as unfortunate as it may be for KD, he is going to have to stay in Phoenix or take a big, big step back in his usage if they trade. I also do not think Phoenix will get the haul they might expect if they do trade him. KD is 37. He is hurt a lot. He gets angry way too fast and speaks his mind. As much as I like him, and will always love his game, he is on the wrong end of his prime and the time to walk away is going to be here much sooner than any of us think. I'm interested to see how this all plays out though. I'll be watching closely. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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What the Hell are the Knicks Doing?

Why, when the Knicks finally become a relevant team again, do they continue to do the same old nonsense. When I read that they had relieved Tom Thibodeau of his head coaching duties, I thought it was a misprint. It had to be a typo was the thought running through my brain.

Why would the Knicks let the head coach go that has given them the most success in 25 years? Without Thibs, they don't hire Rick Brunson and they don't acquire Jalen Brunson. Without Thibs, Mikail Bridges is still on the Nets, begging to be with the Knicks. Without Thibs, they don't pull the trigger and make the trade for Karl Anthony Towns last offseason. Without Thibs, the Knicks are not a perennial playoff contender. Without Thibs, the Knicks don't come close to sniffing the East Finals. I understand that a lot of other stuff led them to where they got this season, but the head coach was at the front of it all.

I cannot believe there were some legitimate sports writers applauding this move and saying it is a good thing for the sport. That is utterly absurd to me. I have had my issues with Tom Thibodeau in the past. I thought the Timberwolves were foolish to give him the role as GM as well as head coach when they hired him. I believe he plays his starters way too many minutes. I do think he takes every single regular season game too seriously. And I will go to my grave believing he was playing Derrick Rose way too much, and he sped up Rose's first bad knee injury. All of that is true, but so is the stuff I mentioned prior to that. And Thibs was the perfect fit in New York, especially with this roster and this coaching staff.

As for where they go from here, who knows. When I saw some early names being floated I laughed at some of them. Tom Izzo and John Calipari are college guys, and Calipari is only truly good at recruiting high school kids. His X's and O's coaching leaves a ton to be desired. Jay Wright seems way too comfortable on tv, and why would he want the headache of being the head man for the Knicks at this point in his life? Michael Malone, who I like, is pretty much a clone of Thibodeau, except he lets a few more of his bench players play. He is just as gruff and will fight even more with the front office. So who does this leave the Knicks left to search for? No one in a comfortable situation would leave to coach in New York. JB Bickerstaff has a good thing going in Detroit. Kenny Atkinson needs to prove he can win more than one playoff series with the Cavs. Steve Kerr may well retire whenever Steph leaves Golden State. Taylor Jenkins needs to take a less prestigious head job to get back on his feet. I just don't see already established head coaches jumping at this job.

I also have to mention the front office, most notably team owner James Dolan. Shouts out to RD for mentioning this to me earlier today. Who in the hell in their right mind would want to coach the Knicks while he still owns the team. He had to be the driving force in letting Tom Thibodeau go. I'm sure he made a bunch of excuses related to thinking Thibs didn't do a good job. Thibs did a great job. Like I said at the top, he made the Knicks relevant again for the first time since Carmelo Anthony was playing there.

I hate this new era with how cutthroat it is for coaches in the NBA. Guys, good guys who understand the game come and go so quickly now, and it is frustrating as hell. Unless the Knicks can get a younger version of Greg Popovich or Phil Jackson, they're going to take a major, major step back next year, and I bet they will miss Thibs so much more than they realize right now. This is crummy news and it is, dare I say, unfair to Tom Thibodeau. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Ty Predicts the NBA Finals

The NBA Finals start on Thursday, and this is the most excited I've been to watch in a while. In fact, the only thing that would make this any better for me is if the Grizzlies were playing, but we all know that isn't going to happen until they shore some stuff up in the front office and with that team. Let’s discuss.

I think what is so intriguing for me now is that we have two new teams. The Thunder have been building for this, and this seemed like the most likely outcome for their immediate future. But the Pacers have come from nowhere, and that rules. I knew they were doing little things here and there to make their team better, but I never imagined they would be playing for a title in 2025. I love that, and that is why I'll be rooting for them to win the series. With that, and showing you all my hand, I will be doing a preview and prediction today.

This Finals is going to be fun for the basketball nerd in me. I love all the intricacies and how these teams play the game. I like how both teams are willing and able to make adjustments on the fly. Both teams have had their opponents throw everything at them during each team's run and that means we will get unfiltered, beautiful basketball. Or at least I hope that is what will happen.

When I look at the Thunder, they don't seem to have a weakness. People could say the offense can be boring and get bogged down by SGA, but he is the MVP, and he has done nothing but get better and better every year he has been in the NBA. It seems like he knows all the tricks, has all the tools and is beloved by his teammates. Lu Dort is a fire hydrant of a person, an okay enough three point shooter, and maybe the best perimeter defender in the league. J-Dub has been up and down offensively, but he is rock solid on the defensive end. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein have been two of the best moves this front offense has ever made. They fit like gloves. Cason Wallace may not play much, but when he does, he makes it count. Chet Holmgren has been a fierce rim protector, and it looks like his shot is coming back. And this team goes 8 or 9, hell, maybe even 10 deep. That is so rare this deep into the playoffs, and it has shown that it helps. These dudes are always fresh.

The Pacers are not slouches though. Tyrese Haliburton has more than answered the bell. He has been magnetic to watch this whole run and he is fast becoming one of my favorite players. My son adores him as well. I love that he barely ever turns the ball over too. Myles Turner has been awesome. He deserves this more than anyone on this Pacers team. He has stuck with them through all the trade rumors and everything, and he has repaid them with a great playoff run. Pascal Siakim's defense is so important to this team, and his offense has been excellent. He is continuing to show how much of a star he is in this league. TJ McConnell is long in the tooth, but he is still a pest. Ben Mathurin has been kind of off during this run, but he is liable to go off at any time. Andrew Nembhard has been guarding the best guard on the other team pretty well, and he is making shots. The Pacers may not be as deep as the Thunder, but the guys that play run the offense to a hectic pace that is oddly beautiful, and the defense has done enough.

When I look at the teams side by side, it is tough for me not to pick the Thunder in every category. Their defense is loads better. Their offense, while not as frenetic and fun to watch, still puts up a ton of points. The coaching staff for the Thunder is overall better, even if Rick Carlisle is a better head coach than Mark Dagnault. As I mentioned at the top, I will be rooting for the Pacers. But, when I look at it with my basketball mind, it is hard for me not to pick the Thunder in a relative rout. This series reminds me a ton of the Pacers-Celtics East Finals from last season. The Pacers will make it look close, but in the end, the Thunder will win the Finals, and I see them doing it in five games. They have the better overall team. And SGA is going to add a Finals MVP to his regular season MVP too. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Can The Thunder Be Beat?

After watching the Thunder-Timberwolves game last night, I don't think there is a team left that can compete with the Thunder. Let’s discuss.

The Thunder look like they might have a cakewalk through the finals no matter who the opponent ends up being. This is no disrespect to the Pacers, Knicks or Timberwolves. The Thunder look damn near unbeatable at the moment. They may have already had their toughest series, last round against the Nuggets. It took them seven games to dispose of Denver, but game seven of that series showed me pretty much all I needed to see. They had a rough first quarter in that game, and then they totally ran away with it. I believe they won that game by 30 plus points. And they have easily disposed of the Timberwolves in the first two games of the West Finals. I have been rooting for the Timberwolves ever since the Thunder cruised against my team in round one, the Grizzlies. I'm a big Anthony Edwards fan, Julius Randle has always had a fan in me and I like their head coach. But, there is little the T'Wolves can do because this Thunder team is deep, their defense is elite, they can score in a ton of ways and everything has led them to this moment.

The Thunder are relentless on both ends of the floor. I know people complain about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the fact that he may or may not "foul bait", but that is part of the modern game. If SGA can get to the line 10-12 times a game that is an extra 10-12 points per game for the team. That is smart basketball and every big time player does it in the league now. Until the refs decide to stop buying in, it is going to become more and more of an issue and every player will do it anyway. That is the current nature of the game.

SGA also happens to be awesome at basketball. He is the MVP after all. But it isn't just him. Lu Dort is a solid three point shooter, and one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. He is like a tank trying to move, and he is constantly going for the steal. Alex Caruso is much of the same, and he can guard anyone, be they a point guard or a center. He guarded Nikola Jokic in game seven of the last round. Chet Holmgren is still skin and bones, but the dude can block shots and make threes when given the chance. Aaron Wiggins is replicating what his brother did for the Warriors during their Finals run in 2022. Cason Wallace is earning big time minutes on the best team in the league as a rookie. He is a hound on defense and he is making great decisions on offense. Isaiah Joe is liable to hit three or four threes a night on very limited minutes. Isaiah Hartenstein was a massive addition last offseason, and that move is paying dividends at the best possible time. Jalen Williams has been kind of up and down during this run offensively, but he has brought it every night on defense, and when he is on offensively, you may as well call it a night if you are their opponent. Teams usually trim their roster down during the playoffs to six or maybe seven guys. The Thunder are still playing damn near ten dudes every night, thus keeping the integral players healthy, rested and ready when they need them most.

I'm in awe of the way they're playing right now, and it is primarily their defense. The offense has done enough, but the defense is literally winning them games. They're constantly in passing lanes, they go for steals all the time, they get blocks at a consistent rate, they hamper what the other team wants to do and they frustrate them to no end. They are showing everyone that defense truly wins titles.

The series, and playoffs for that matter, are far from over. But, it damn near looks inevitable that the Thunder will win the first title in their short run as a franchise. This team has made all the right moves, drafted good fits and hired the right coaches. All of that should end up with them winning the chip in a few short weeks. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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The Pacers are Crazy Good

I think the Pacers might be having a blessed season. I'm not all into that type of stuff, but after seeing what I saw last night, this team is having what one may refer to as a "miracle" run. Let’s discuss.

The Pacers have built a solid team over the years. They acquired Tyrese Haliburton in a trade. They drafted Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard. They got Obi Toppin as a throw-in in a trade. They saw something in Aaron Nesmith that the Celtics didn't see. They hired Rick Carlisle after Dallas let him go. They have made the right move in pretty much every single area. But, it really boils down to the sheer fact that they got a guy like Haliburton. He is such a good point guard and leader of this team. He rarely turns the ball over. He always has high assist numbers. When he is not scoring, he is still a threat due to his excellent vision. And when he is making shots, he is as lethal as anyone in the league. But, after what I saw, after that shot last night, after how they erupted in the fourth quarter, this team is different.

For people that may not know, or have seen, go look at the shot Haliburton hit to send the game to overtime. If someone had hit a shot like that in rec or pickup basketball, I would just have chuckled in disbelief. Hell, if that goes in in a high school game, the crowd would be astonished. Haliburton did this in a playoff game. Even more, he did it in the East Finals. But it wasn't just that shot that makes me believe in this team. They can shoot the three with the best of them. Nesmith really got the ball rolling last night, and when his teammates saw him hitting shots, they followed in suit. This is a team that is never, ever out of a game. They are so good at shooting the three. They take them open or covered. They have no conscience. And it's everyone on that team. From Haliburton to Turner, who is their center, can shoot the rock. And they seem to all like playing basketball together. They genuinely seem to like one another, and it shows on the floor. They have a calmness to them as well. They don't get scared. They don't ever feel out of the game. Their defense has even gotten a little better throughout the season. And watching what they have done this playoff run, and last year for that matter, has made me a believer.

The Pacers have crushed the Bucks two years in a row. They have, for all intents and purposes, ended the Bucks run with Giannis. Last year, in the East Finals, while they got swept, the people involved with the Celtics said they were the toughest team they played. This season, after disposing of the Bucks in five, they obliterated the number 1 seeded Cavs. Sure, some of the Cavs main guys were hurt, but I don't think it would have mattered in the long run. The Pacers came out and stomped on the Cavs' throat. They would not let them up for air. And that is my main reason why I think they have a true shot at the title. When the Pacers get up, they don't let up. They don't just want to beat their opponent, they want to crush them. Anytime a team starts to make a push, it seems like the Pacers will hit three or four big time shots in a row and stop any momentum their opponent has. This is what title contending teams need nowadays, a killer instinct. The Pacers have that in waves.

I don't know if any team left can beat the Thunder, but I think the Pacers have the most legit, and best shot. However it ends, this Pacers team is fun and I want to see more of them. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Thoughts on Where Giannis Should Play Next

The Bucks have had two straight seasons full of injuries and unmet preseason expectations. Let’s discuss.

I thought, wrongly it now appears, that Dame and Giannis would make for a damn formidable duo. They have done that at times, but more often than not, they have been misused, poorly coached and, most often, injured. It hasn't worked out at all in Milwaukee. Jrue Holiday was a much more important piece, Khris Middleton never returned to form and the rest of the cast is old or a bad fit. Trading for Kyle Kuzma was also a very poor decision by this front office. This has not worked out. I was wrong.

So, for the first time in his career, it looks like Giannis may want out of Milwaukee. And I cannot blame him. A while back I wrote about how I'd love it if he stayed in Milwaukee for his whole career. I thought it would be cool for him to do it all in a small market. He has an MVP. He has a title. I'd pick him over any current player if I were starting a team today. I personally think he is the best current player in the NBA. He averages over 30 points per game. He gets 10 rebounds every game. And he is a wonderful defender. Giannis does it all, stays relatively quiet, he's confident, not cocky, his teammates seem to like him and he is a great, great basketball player. So, how everything has gone down since the Dame trade, maybe it is time for Giannis to be looking elsewhere to finish out his career. And I think there's one team where he could be a seamless and perfect fit.

I don't think that it's the Rockets. The Rockets can put together a nice package, but the fit in Houston with Giannis makes very little sense to me. The Rockets, for the most part, are young. Amen Thompson, Alpernen Sengun and Jalen Green are babies in NBA terms. So is Jabari Smith Jr. These are, and should be the core of this team going forward. They'd have to trade one, maybe two of those guys to get Giannis. That is a ton to part with from a team who was the two seed in the West this season. And, while they have picks to trade, with this team being good now, they're going to late first round picks. When/if the Bucks trade Giannis, they are going to have to try and recoup picks. They don't have many, and if they are going to do a rebuild, they need picks and they need those picks to be early/lottery picks. The Rockets are good now. Those picks won't be what the Bucks need/want.

I've heard both LA teams are in contention if Giannis asks out, but what do they have to truly offer the Bucks? The Clippers don't really have the young dudes the Bucks would want in a potential deal, and they don't have many picks either. The Lakers would have to part with their coveted 2027 and 2028 picks. They would also have to give up on Austin Reaves, who they love for some reason, and Dalton Knecht. No shade to Bronny James, but he doesn't command the trade market like Knecht. Outside those two guys, who are the Lakers willing/able to give up in a potential Giannis trade? Gabe Vincent is not the same player he was in the bubble. Rui Hachimura is wildly inconsistent. I don't think Reaves will do anything of note not playing with LeBron. It doesn't make sense for the Bucks to do a deal with the Lakers unless Luka or LeBron are in the trade.

The Knicks don't really need Giannis. This is no disrespect to Giannis. He will make any team he may go to instantly better. In the Knicks current case, they have a good team that makes sense. Everyone plays their role on this team and they play it really well. It all meshes and they don't need to rock the boat right now.

The team that makes the most sense, and if Giannis were to leave Milwaukee, I'd like to see him go to San Antonio. The Spurs could add Giannis to a lineup with DeAron Fox and Victor Webanyama. They wouldn't have to trade either of them. Giannis would speed up the Spurs timeline in an instant. He would give the new coach a much needed bump. Sure, the Spurs would have to give up the number 2 pick in the upcoming draft, maybe even the number 9 pick, and a player like Keldon Johnson or Devin Vassell. They may even have to throw in Jeremy Sochan. But, to get a guy like Giannis, and add him to a starting five that includes Wemby and Fox, holy hell does that make a formidable team. Wemby is already a top notch defender and his offense was beginning to blossom before he got hurt. Fox is fast and smart and a willing passer. Out of the three guys they may have to trade, let's say they get to keep Sochan. He adds a big ball handler and a ferocious rebounder. Or if they get to keep Vassell, they have a ready-made guard alongside Fox. They also may even get to keep Stephon Castle, who is coming off a Rookie of the Year win.

This makes too much sense if Giannis wants out of Milwaukee. The Spurs would shoot up the power rankings in an instant. And it keeps Giannis in a smallish market. If Giannis does eventually ask out, I hope he finds his way to San Antonio. That would be an ideal spot for him to finish out his NBA career, playing next to Wemby. That is a basketball match made in heaven. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Thoughts on Jayson Tatum's Injury

It looks like Jayson Tatum has a pretty serious injury. He got hurt near the end of the Celtics-Knicks game last night, and it did not look good. There have been no real reports or updates as of now, but I would venture to guess he tore his ACL.

This bums me out. By no means am I a Celtics fan. I have always rooted against them. I don't like them, most of their fans and their smug attitude. I always rooted for whoever was playing against them, and I still do. Go Knicks. But, I do like Jayson Tatum. He is from Saint Louis. He has an attitude that I like from a pro athlete. I feel like he is never seriously talked about as a top five player, and that's bogus to me. Tatum is most definitely a top five player, and there's only one, maybe two guys I'd take before him if I were starting a team today. He is an efficient offensive scorer. He can get to the rim and shoot the three. He is also a great free throw shooter. What separates him from other so called superstars, he is also a great defender. He cares about defense and he plays hard on that end of the floor. He goes 100 percent all the time and has not missed much time since he made his way to the NBA. Tatum is an underappreciated star, much like Tim Duncan. So this injury is really going to mess stuff up and I'm going to miss watching him play the game of basketball for what is most likely going to be more than a year. 

His injury bums me out for other reasons too. Tatum is a fun modern player for me to watch. He does play the game how most do now, putting up a ton of threes, but he also does some old school stuff too, and he does it well. He has a wonderful mid range game. He can get to the hoop. He is a solid dunker. He is a good passer who is seemingly always making the right decision. I mentioned his solid defense earlier. Tatum is so good and quiet about how good he is at basketball. He doesn't need to be boastful or on the internet talking about how great he is. He lets his game do the talking, and I really like that about him. He is also a good father. He has his son with him all the time and he is always doing stuff with him. I like how he promotes his kid and wants what is best for him. He seems like a natural fit as a dad, and being a dad myself, that is a relief to see from such a big time player. It is also clear that Tatum loves this game and is always trying to get better. I feel like he is always trying to find something to better his game. He wants to find a way to get an edge. That reminds me of the old school players who did what it took to become the best.

Tatum is not satisfied. He has a ring, but it is clear he wants more. He wants to get accolades too, but he wants to win above all else. That is refreshing to see in a young, modern superstar. Tatum loves the game and it shows. I like that from NBA players. Seeing this injury, and pondering the fallout, this stinks. He is too good a player and a person to be gone from the NBA for over a year. I wish this weren't the case, but here we are. Heal up and get better soon Jayson Tatum, the NBA needs you. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Thoughts on the Coaching Retirement of Gregg Popovich

Greg Popovich is stepping down as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs and taking a front office job. This is truly the end of an era. Let’s discuss.

As long back as I can remember watching basketball, Popovich has been a steady presence. He became the head coach of the Spurs in 1996. I was 14 years old. This was right about the time I was becoming a serious fan of the NBA. I had always watched, but late middle school/early high school was a pivotal time in my fandom, and Popovich was the common thread all the way through to now. Pop is a five time NBA champion as a head coach. He won Coach of the Year three times, it should have been so many more. He coached the all star team four times, that is given to the coach of the team with the best record in their conference at the time of the all star break. He coached the men's Olympic team twice.

Popovich is, in my personal opinion, the greatest basketball coach of all time. He got absolutely everything he could out of his players. People may throw out Phil Jackson or John Wooden as the best head coach. I know Erik Spoelstra is looked at as one of the better coaches of the modern era. Joe Mazzula is leading the charge in this era. But I would so much rather have Coach Pop than any of those guys. Yes, Pop has coached hall of fame players. Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward of all time. David Robinson is one of the best centers to ever play the game. And Manu Ginobli was the best 6th man that the NBA has ever seen. But those three guys were drafted and brought up in the Spurs system. Robinson had other coaches, but he thrived under Pop. Tim Duncan more than helped to usher in the post Robinson era, and a lot of that was due to Pop and his staff. Ginobli was a late round pick that was developed. They traded for Kawhi Leonard on draft night and Pop used him perfectly as a young player. He was a defensive stud from day one, and Pop knew that. He also knew he needed to develop a jump shot, so Pop went out and got one of the better shooting coaches ever. The Kawhi Leonard we say today, when healthy, was made under Pop and crew. Bruce Bowen was the first "3 and D" guy that I remember. He was a hellish defender and he could knock down shots. Pop noticed this in the process. Sean Elliot was another one of the hellish defensive wings that played under Pop who grew into a champion. Tony Parker became a household name after being a late first round pick and learning the NBA under Pop's tutelage. Danny Green was their younger version of Bowen and Elliot late in the Spurs title runs. You go up and down the list of these guys, none of whom besides Duncan and Robinson truly stand out, and Pop coached them to championships and got all that he could out of them.

Pop is also widely respected by everyone around the league. The players, the other coaches and the front offices all wish they could have had Pop as their head coach. When the Spurs won the lottery a few years ago, Pop and Victor Webanyama were a match made in basketball heaven. Players like to go have wine and nice dinners with Pop. I have never run into an NBA fan that doesn't like Pop. Pop is outsoked on social justice issues. He was a fan of the Women's march in 2017. He endorsed Joe Biden in 2020. He is a good dude on and off the court. He clearly knows right from crazy and crazy from sympathetic. He works with multiple charities and donates his time and money. Pop is a good, decent human being.

And he is not totally leaving the NBA. He is going to stay on in the Spurs front office, but it will be weird to not see him on the sidelines anymore. I'll miss watching him coach the Spurs. He is such a presence and a legend of the game. But, I also get why he is doing this now. He had a stroke this year, and being an NBA head coach does not seem like a relaxing job. He can still help to make decisions and help the players out, he will be doing it on his own time now. I'll be curious to see where the Spurs go from here, I wouldn't be surprised if this is almost a done deal from Michael Malone. But, Greg Popovich has done more than enough for the game of basketball and he has earned the right to leave his position as the head coach.

I wish nothing but the best for him and see him still making the Spurs a perennial contender in the NBA. All Pop does is win, and I don't see that changing now. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Taking Joy in the Lakers Failures

The Lakers were officially eliminated from the NBA playoffs last night and I have come to the site today to be the biggest Lakers hater you can find. I

want to start off by first going at JJ Reddick. I knew, deep in my soul, that he was going to show the world how unprepared and under qualified he was to be an NBA head coach. He took the wrong step at every turn in this series. He was so vastly outcoached by Chris Finch that it was glorious for me to watch. His substitution patterns were all wrong, he played his starting five for an entire half, including never resting 40 year old LeBron James and he moaned and groaned whenever the media would call him out on his poor decisions and poor coaching techniques. Reddick is a fraud, shouldn't be anywhere near a coaches bench in the NBA and, even while coaching a team to the 3 seed in the West, he proved how bad a decision it was for the Lakers front office to hire him as a head coach. He got his ass whooped up and down the floor by Finch and his staff and I loved every single second of it. It was schadenfreude for me in all its gloriousness.

Next, every single media person who crushed the Mavs and Nico Harrison and the front office for the trade, how do you feel now? Yes, this was a massive, massive trade, but both teams are out of the playoffs and they both went out unceremoniously. Neither the Mavs nor the Lakers made anything out of the trade. Sure, the Lakers won some games late in the regular season and looked like they might be on the precipice of making a playoff run, but they were easily ousted by the Timberwolves. The Mavs won one play-in game and then were bounced by the Grizzlies. Anthony Davis limped off the floor in that game and it seems like he may be hurt going into next year. Each team had one win during the play-in/playoffs. Each team looked overmatched with their opponent. Each team is already on to the offseason. As far as the on court results, this trade is basically moot. And the prize of the trade, Doncic, was exposed as the poor defender he has always been in the NBA and his offense, which some people have referred to as "genius", was not that good at all in five games. He looked tired, overmatched and not engaged. People will make excuses for him, that is what major media does now with this guy for some reason, but what I saw on the court was not great. He is never in shape and he doesn't really seem engaged unless he is the focal point of the team he is playing for.

LeBron, for the first time in his wonderful career, looked old. He just couldn't keep up with the young guys on the Timberwolves. He looked gassed, especially after the game where he played the entire second half. He says he isn't sure if he will be back next season, I don't buy it, but this is the first time I've seen him look old. He is too good to go out now, but add another year for him and the playoff push might be a little too much for him. I don't want to see it happen, but father time is undefeated.

Finally, I want to shout out Rudy Gobert. He was magical in last night's closeout game. He ended the night with 27 points and 24 rebounds. He dominated the Lakers on both ends of the floor. Prior to this series he was a laughingstock and the main talking point of who was going to be played off the floor first. Even during game 2, Luka Doncic had the gall to hit a three pointer on exclaim, "sub him out". All Gobert did after that was play pretty great defense and had what is most likely his best game as a pro last night. He has a ton of flaws, and his attitude when the NBA shut down due to Covid will always anger me, but a little part of me was so stoked to see him dominate the way he did last night and to do it all in Doncic's smug, stupid face. I loved it. It was glorious, hilarious and awesome. Gobert is often an afterthought, but he changed that narrative last night. He actually has help defensively on the perimeter and he is able to get back to his defense that we all saw when he was on the Jazz.

I know that I'm being a hater, and I'm sure some people will let me know how much of a hater I am in the comments, but this is great for me. The Lakers bowing out like this in the first round as the higher seed is just like watching Duke get beat in the men's NCAA tournament or the Cowboys blowing a playoff game or the Yankees blowing it in the World Series. I love to hate this team and that will never change. Now I can watch the playoffs with joy. Thank you Timberwolves, thank you so much. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Ty's NBA Playoff Preview

The NBA playoffs are right around the corner. The play-in starts this evening in fact. Today I'm going to give my playoff preview and picks. I'll also hand out my MVP for the Finals. This is my favorite time of the NBA season. The games are intense, the players are going full bore and the coaches, the ones who want to win, are giving it their all. With all that, I'm going to get into the preview.

I'll start with the "minor" league Eastern Conference preview. The play-in games here are going to add up to a whole lot of nothing in the long run, but the games should be fun.

The 7-8 game has the Magic facing the Hawks. I was so high on the Magic in the preseason, but they got bit by the injury bug big time. The Hawks made some moves, took the French kid first overall and still finished this season like they've finished most lately, underwhelming. Trae Young is very good on offense, but a zero on defense. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are both very good, but they cannot make an outside shot. The Magic are a phenomenal defensive team and the Hawks are a solid offensive team. Give me the Magic. They should have most of their team intact. They get the 7 seed. The 9-10 game is a total clash of styles. The Bulls play fast and loose, the Heat play slow and in control. I really have almost no interest in this game. The Heat aren't the same team anymore, and the Bulls are a shell of who they once were. I'm going with the Bulls here because they have been on a bit of a tear lately. So, the Hawks and the Bulls will play for the 8 seed. Give me the Bulls here in a minor upset. This will be a high scoring game, with little to no defense. And the youth of the Bulls will prevail. They grab the 8 seed.

The East first round matchups are, Cavs and Bulls, Celtics and Magic, Knicks and Pistons and Pacers and Bucks. No need to go in depth with the 1-8 and 2-7 matchups. The Cavs are going to boatrace the Bulls. I'd be stunned if the Bulls are even within a double figure deficit in any game. The Cavs will sweep. The Celtics have barely been talked about it seems this year. They're defending champs, they have effortlessly slid into the 2 seed and they have everyone back. I know Jaylen Brown may be more hurt than he is letting on, but this team is still loaded. The Magic won't be able to keep up. The Celtics will also sweep. The 3-6 matchup is going to be fun. It's old school ball with the Knicks playing the Pistons. The Pistons are back and that rules. I love it when they're relevant. The Knicks haven't been as solid as they were last season, but they are still the 3 seed and the favorites here. They have guys that have been here before and they know what it takes to win. They also have the three or four best players in the series. The Pistons are not going to back down, but every young team needs to have the feeling they're about to get in this series. I do think the Pistons will win a game or two and make it tough on the Knicks, but in the end the Knicks will win. Give me them in six games. The Bucks and Pacers are the best series of the first round in the East. The Bucks have the far and away best player in the series. Giannis has been on an absolute tear and he doesn't seem to be slowing down at all. It's the rest of the Bucks roster and Doc Rivers that scare me. Dame is hurt, Kuzma hasn't been the guy they hoped he would be, Taurean Prince is kind of blah. The Bucks are kind of in a  little turmoil. The Pacers play fast and easy and score in bunches. They're also a deeper team. Tyrese Haliburton has come back to his normal playing style. Pascal Siakim and Myles Turner are putting in work. And their bench is deep. I'd love for the Bucks to win, but Giannis needs help and it doesn't seem to be coming. I'll take the Pacers in seven games.

That means I have the Cavs facing the Pacers and the Celtics facing the Knicks. Again, no need to beat around the bush. The Cavs are better than the Pacers and they play defense. Donovan Mitchell is just waiting to go off too. And Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are just awesome on defense. The Cavs won't sweep, but they will win this series in five games. The Celtics should easily dispatch of the Knicks. The Celtics are deeper, they play better defense, they shoot better from three, they have a better coaching staff. And Tatum will be the best player in this series far and away. Give me the Celtics in six games.

So that leaves us with the Cavs and Celtics in the East Finals. We get the 1 and 2 seeds here. And this is where the party ends for the Cavs. They are going to fight and claw in this series. They will give the Celtics all they can handle. But in the end the Celtics are just a better, more experienced playoff team. I know it's hard to repeat, but this version of the Celtics is damn, damn good. The Celtics are the East representatives in the Finals.

Onto the big boys, the Western Conference playoffs.

The play-games for the West start tonight. The 7-8 features the Grizzlies and Warriors. I mean, I want the Grizz to win it, but they seem checked out. They haven't been very good lately, they have coaching turnover and they haven't been able to put it together recently. I don't have much faith in them. The Warriors are more primed and playing better. They might roll the Grizz tonight. The 9-10 game features remnants of the Kings and Mavs. I don't even know who will be available to play in this game tonight. The Mavs have a ton of injuries and the Kings are dealing with their own wreckage. I'll go with the Kings because I think the Mavs have truly given up on this season. As for who gets the 8 seed, give me the Grizz over the Kings. I know the Grizzlies have been struggling, but they are better than the Kings and should be able to easily grab the 8 seed.

That means the West first round matchups will be the Thunder and Grizzlies, Rockets and Warriors, Lakers and Timberwolves and Nuggets and Clippers. The Thunder will put the Grizzlies out of their misery. They won't make it painful, they will just end it. The Thunder have been the best team in the league all year and the Grizzlies will see that up close and personal. Thunder in a sweep. I'm excited about this Warriors-Rockets matchup. The Rockets are the new kids on the block, but they don't mind bullying people. They have youth, veterans and a stifling, long defense. The Warriors are still good, but they're so old, and getting beat by the Clippers to end the season was a bummer for them. This series should be closer than most expect, but the Rockets have the better, younger team. Steph Curry can only do so much, and he needs way more help than what this current roster construction has to offer. Give me the Rockets in seven. I don't know what to make of the Lakers-Timberwolves series. The Lakers have the two best players. They have a good roster. They seem to know what they're doing. The Timberwolves eked out this 6 seed, but they have kind of been on fire lately. They are younger and deeper. They have a better defense. And Anthony Edwards is not afraid of the spotlight. He thrives in it. The Lakers are going to get way more calls, and Rudy Gobert really struggles against Luka Doncic and LeBron James. I'm going to go with the Lakers in seven, but I'll be rooting hard for the Timberwolves the whole time. The 4-5 between the Nuggets and Clippers may be the best series of the entire playoffs. I love this matchup. The Nuggets have Jokic and Murray is back from injury. Michael Porter Jr is a 6'10 guy that can shoot. And Christian Braun is a legit defender. The Clippers have been playing great and, knock on wood, everyone has been healthy and playing at a high level. Kawhi Leonard looks like himself. James Harden has reverted back to his old ways of constantly getting to the line and getting a ton of assists. Norm Powell has become a legit number three on this team. Ivica Zubac has had a wonderful year. And Tyron Lue is coaching his ass off. The Clippers may be the third or second best team in the West. And that is why I'm picking them to win this brutal series in seven games.

So, that leaves me with the Thunder facing the Clippers and the Rockets playing the Lakers. The Clippers will probably be dog tired for this series and by this time, Shai Gilgeous Alexander may have accepted his much deserved MVP award. The Thunder are deep, nasty and can play offense with the best of them. The Clippers won't go down without a fight, but in the end the Thunder's youth and athleticism will be enough to take this series in six games. As for the Rockets and Lakers, I'd absolutely love to see the Rockets win. They're young and fun. They play both ends of the court at a high volume. They have a better head coach. This team seems primed to make a leap. But, the Lakers will get the calls they need. They will get every single advantage they ask for. And Dillon Brooks will do something stupid and blow it for them. I'm begrudgingly picking the Lakers to win in seven games, but I wouldn't be shocked if this series is fraught with awful calls and poor reffing that favors the Lakers throughout. And their prize will be facing the Thunder in the West Finals. The Thunder are going to exorcise some past issues here. I'd love to see them sweep the Lakers. While I don't think that will happen, I do think the Lakers will steal a game due to officials. But give me the Thunder in five games. They're having an excellent year and that will bear out in a Finals appearance.

That means I have the Thunder and Celtics in the Finals. Give me the Celtics to repeat. It hasn't been done in awhile and it seems like this is the right time for it to happen. While the Thunder are very good and match up well with the Celtics, the Celtics are better overall. They play better defense, shoot the three better and know what it takes to win on this stage. The Thunder's time is coming, just not this year. The Celtics will be your 2025 NBA champs. And give me Jayson Tatum to take home Finals MVP. He made a case last season, but he will leave no doubt this year. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

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Thoughts on a the Denver Nuggets Firing the Coach and GM

I don't know what's in the water in the NBA. Something strange is going on and it feels like this is just the beginning of many more coaching moves to come. But, for the Denver Nuggets to let go of Mike Malone and GM Calvin Booth, that is downright wild.

I didn't see this coming at all. I was shocked by the Grizzlies letting Taylor Jenkins go, but for the Nuggets to do this now, it makes absolutely zero sense to me. The Nuggets won the title two years ago. They made the West Semifinals last year. They're currently in playoff contention right now. Sure, they may have to survive the play-in, but they have had to deal with a million injuries. And they have Nikola Jokic, who I am not a fan of, but the dude can play offense. He is a superior scorer. He is an excellent passer. The offense runs through him. They also have Jamal Murray. Yes, he is often injured as of late, but when he is on the floor he is the Robin the team needs. And they also have complimentary guys. Christian Braun is a solid defender. Michael Porter Jr is a good shooter. They may have something with Peyton Watson and some other young players they've drafted. The Nuggets are not a team in disarray. They definitely do not need a coaching change. What they need is to not bring on players like Deandre Jordan and Russell Westbrook. I adore Westbrook, but I was against this move from the moment it happened. And Jordan has no bounce and is not the defender he once was in the league.

Pinning this all on Malone and Booth seems odd to me. I guess that, according to some sports reporters, there was building tension in the locker room. I guess some players disagreed with his gameplans as of late. But come on man, this dude helped guide the team to a title two short years ago. That is a big, big deal. That is the only title in Nuggets history. Sure, Booth and company didn't retain certain players that were vital to the title team. Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were key guys in that run. But in all reality, they weren't going to be able to keep those guys when they had to pay Jokic, Porter Jr and Murray. Cuts have to be made in some spots, and with the solid drafting they've done in the late first round, letting those guys go was not that big a deal. And they have not been the same since leaving Denver.

I guess what surprises me most about all of this, Michael Malone is a very, very good basketball coach. He may be tough, but good players respond well to that for the most part. I don't think any other coach will get what Malone got from Jokic and Murray. They will just walk all over the next guy. I can tell I'm getting older because I'm defending Malone's way of coaching. I like tough love. I like when he openly calls out players because I know he does it in private too. I would love it if the Grizzlies kicked the tires on Malone as their next head coach.

I truly don't know where the Nuggets go from here. I heard they have some assistants they're high on, but five games and a, most likely, short playoff run is not enough to judge their coaching prowess. And I don't know what big name coach they'd try to get to come and coach this team, especially seeing how quickly they can be let go. I don't know if any coach is safe right now, outside of Joe Mazzula. It seems like guys are being let go left and right, no matter the amount of success they've achieved. This is weird all the way around. The timing, the name and the addition of the GM being let go too is just a lot to think about at the moment. I feel like the Nuggets are going to take a big, big step back in the next couple years. And Michael Malone is going to find another job very soon. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Ty Watches the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Final

The men's title game came and went last night. I missed the first half, I was out to dinner with my family. But I did make it home for the second half and my son and I dipped in and out.

When we turned it on Houston was in the lead. They actually built that lead up to ten points early in the second half. It looked like they could have run away with it. But that didn't happen. Houston went stone cold and got kind of stagnant. And Florida did what they have done all tourney long and clawed and scratched their way back to take a late lead. They eventually had a two point lead near the end of the game, but it was Houston's ball. It was shaping up to be an epic finish, but I should have thought differently after watching Houston slowly blow their lead. Houston didn't even get a shot off. They had over ten seconds to tie or take the lead, but they never put the ball anywhere close to the hoop. That's brutal, especially in a title game. And while I felt a little bad for Kelvin Sampson, he should have had his team ready to shoot the ball. They had to have the best possible play call at the time. But they didn't and it cost them.

Taking a big step back and looking at the game as a whole, it was indicative of what I have an issue with basketball at the current moment. This was a sloppy, sloppy game. Sure, I have to assume the players were tired, but this is the title game between two number 1 seeds. This should have been a far, far better game. Houston and Florida were both atop the rankings pretty much all season. They both have college basketball stars on their teams. Florida has a young savant as a head coach and Kelvin Sampson is one of the best to ever do it. But all of that did not matter on the court. Both teams shot poorly from the field. Florida shot 39 percent from the floor, Houston was even worse, at 34 percent. The three point shooting was even worse. Florida made 6 of 24 threes. That is good enough for 25 percent. Houston, they went 6 of 25, good enough for 24 percent. The two teams combined to shoot 12 of 49 from three, which comes out to 24 percent. The free throw shooting was askew as well. Florida made 17 of 21, which is solid. Houston went 9 of 14. That's not great, but still okay. But, Florida had more makes than Houston had attempts. When that happens I get annoyed. It showed a clear favoritism. And it wasn't like Houston was fouling to extend the game. I feel like officials are getting way too involved, and when they decide to favor one team, that takes a ton away from the game for me. The shooting was rough, the free throw shooting was messy and the lack of explosive plays, minus one early dunk, made for a very boring and dull game.

After the tourney was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, I craved it. When it came back in 2021, I remembered how much I missed it. And watching UConn run the sport for the past two years was kind of cool. But, the game last night was a reminder of what I dislike about current basketball. It took me back to when Duke was winning titles. I wasn't moved or impressed with hardly anything. I know that I have my personal issues with the game, but the poor shooting and insertion of the refs made this tough for most to watch I have to imagine. Oh well. I guess I have to hope that the NBA playoffs are better. Fingers crossed. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Is Carmelo Anthony a Hall of Fame Player? (Yes He Is)

I was out for coffee with my dad the other day and we were chatting about everything as we normally do. The subject almost always switches to sports at some point, and we got on the topic of Carmelo Anthony during our conversation.

We were talking about the NBA and the upcoming playoffs, and I then mentioned that Anthony was going to be on the Hall of Fame ballot that is coming out soon. I, without hesitation, told my dad I thought it was a foregone conclusion that he was a first ballot Hall of Fame basketball player.

My dad didn't agree.

I asked him why and he mentioned a few things. He said he was never that great a defender, this is very true. He also said he never won a title, also true. He made mention that the Nuggets and Knicks never made it out of the second round of the playoffs when he was the number one option on offense, again true. And when he traveled from team to team to team late in his career, the unwillingness to take on a smaller role diminished his greatness in his eyes. Again, that is true as well.

I tend to agree with the points my dad made, but I do not agree with him that Carmelo Anthony is not a first ballot Hall of Fame player. Carmelo Anthony shot on the scene for me back when he was one of the first one and done college players. He went to Syracuse for a year, played under Jim Boeheim, learned a ton and willed that team to a title. That Kansas team they played was better on paper, but Anthony was the driving force behind that title and he was well received afterward. He ended up being the third pick, in the LeBron James draft, and made a real case for Rookie of the Year that season. I wasn't sure how well he would make the transition from college to the pros, but it was flawless. He entered the league and was instantly putting up big numbers. He surprised me, in a good way, and I became an even bigger fan of his after that first NBA season. He didn't slow down after that. He was a 10x all star. He made six all NBA teams. He was the 2013 scoring champ. And he was a part of the NBA's 75th Anniversary team. He has three gold medals and one bronze. His ability to play a different style in the Olympics benefited him and his country. He was instant offense off the bench for Team USA later in his career. He ended his career with an average of 22 points per game. He made the Knicks relevant again in the mid 2010's. The Nuggets got better right away after they drafted him. He got to play with Allen Iverson, and it kind of worked. It was cool for me to see him on OKC's team late in his career, there to help Russell Westbrook. He kind of remade himself when he went to play for the Trailblazers. Carmelo Anthony had an art to his offensive gameplan. He was a three level scorer. He could hit the three, make a mid range and attack the basket at will when he wanted to. He made headbands cool. He put up numbers. He remained relevant the majority of his career. Sure, he doesn't have an MVP or a title ring, but there's going to be a ton of guys like that very soon that will be Hall of Fame caliber players.

I look at a player like Carmelo Anthony the same way I look at current players like Damian Lillard or Paul George. No one will question their appearance on a Hall of Fame ballot, so I will not do that with Carmelo either. He is a generational offensive talent, and that is what the NBA has become. Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James were the two that kind of started this version of basketball that we are all watching now. So, if anyone asks me, I definitely think Carmelo Anthony is a first ballot Hall of Fame player, and I am kind of shocked that others don't. To each their own I guess. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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What's Next for a Troubled Grizzlies Team?

I think I'm ready to talk about the Grizzlies relieving Taylor Jenkins of his job.

This has been tough for me as a fan of the Grizzlies. I like Taylor Jenkins. He kept this team relevant the past couple years. Last year, when seemingly everyone was hurt, he did the best he could with the roster he was given. I fully understand that they never made it out of the second round during his time there, but this is Memphis we are talking about. I love this team, but they cannot lure big time free agents, and when they luck out in the draft, those guys usually do their best work after leaving Memphis. This season they are currently back in the playoff hunt, and if they can turn the tide from their recent play, they can make the playoffs relatively easily without playing in the play-in tournament. But I guess this wasn't enough for the powers that be to keep Jenkins on their payroll.

When the news flashed on my phone I thought it was a mistake. I couldn't believe that they actually let him go. With more stories coming out since the news was released it seems like this had a lot to do with the current players and their dislike for the system Jenkins has been running this year. Now, the one name that has continually come up has been Ja Morant's. I've heard all kinds of things about him this season. He may be traded, he's going to test free agency, he was the main player voicing concern over Jenkins new system and then he flashed a arm and finger gun at the Warriors bench during their last game.

This is everything I've wanted to avoid with my rooting interest in this team. Morant served his suspension for flashing guns, and I was hoping that was going to be it for him. I figured he was going to put that in the past. It seems to be rearing its ugly head yet again. Then we have Desmond Bane shoving Santi Aldama during a huddle in a timeout. Players are openly beefing with one another during a game on national tv. Brandon Clarke is hurt again and out for the rest of this season. Jaren Jackson Jr can't stop fouling players. They couldn't trade Luke Kennard. It just seems to be one problem after the next with this team. And they can't back up all the trash they were talking a few years ago about embracing the bad guy image and being the new up and coming team. They are kind of crumbling currently, and the notion to let go of their head coach makes even less sense. Jenkins could have righted the ship. He could have stopped the bleeding. He has continuity with these guys. But they ripped the bandaid and now they have to find someone else to coach a team that is kind of a mess right now. I hoped that letting Dillon Brooks go was going to be best for the team, but it has only made the Rockets better. The Grizzlies are floundering and a coaching change was the absolute last thing they needed right now.

I truly do not know what is next for this team but I'm worried about them. I like this team so much but they can't seem to get anything right at the moment. And this coaching decision is only going to make it even harder come playoff time for the Grizzlies. This has really bummed me out. I'm curious to see how it all unfolds from here. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Ty Predicts the 2025 Men's Final Four

The men's final four has all four number 1 seeds. This seems like it will be the norm for some years to come. The top teams have the most money, they can spend it in NIL and the transfer portal and any good player is going to want to play for one of these storied programs. We should all get used to it. With that being said, I'm going to make some more picks. The final four is this weekend and the title game is next Monday. The college basketball season will be over before we know it.

On one side of the bracket we have an all SEC matchup featuring Auburn and Florida. This game, for me, comes down to the health of Johni Broome. Broome is going to be a top finisher for player of the year. He kind of controls Auburn's offense and defense. He is the veteran leader that every team craves. But, he got hurt in their elite eight game. He left for a few minutes, and when he came back he didn't look the same. If he is in any way not close to 100 percent, Auburn has little to no chance. Florida can score and score in bunches. They're one of the best offenses in the country. They can score from every level. They are balanced and lethal. If Broome was all good I think I'd go with Auburn. But, due to the uncertainty with his injury and Florida's ability to score in bunches, give me Florida to advance to the title game.

On the other side of the bracket, props to my dad for this, the real championship game is being played between Duke and Houston. These two teams have been the best all year long. They have been consistently ranked inside the top 5, they were easy number 1 seed picks and they have cruised, minus Houston's last game, to the final four. Duke is legit. As much as it pains me to write it, they are the best team in the country and they should be the favorite to win it all. They have depth, veterans, young dudes that are legit and they play both ends of the floor. Duke has three starters, all freshmen, that will be picked in the top 10 of the draft. That type of talent is hard to come by and Duke is crushing it with those dudes right now. The presumptive number one pick Cooper Flagg struggled in their last game. That didn't matter, Duke beat Alabama by 20. The other guys stepped up when they needed to. Duke is good. But don't sleep on Houston. They're in the final four for a reason. They earned a number 1 seed. They have experienced dudes that know how to win. And they know how to play ferocious, frustrating defense. Houston is the men's college basketball version of the Bad Boys Pistons, except they aren't dirty about it. Houston can also score. Their offense isn't great, but the defense is. The defense is what got them here and could catapult them to the title game, if they were playing a different team. This Duke team is too good to be beaten. It annoys the hell out of me how good they are at basketball. I've never, ever liked Duke, and it hurts to say good things about them, but here we are. These dudes can hoop. Duke will beat Houston in what will be the best game of the tourney.

My title game is Florida and Duke. I mean, why dance around it, Duke is going to win the title and probably win it going away. If Florida tries to outscore them, Duke can match it and go beyond. If Florida wants to turn it into a defensive game, go for it. Duke will find a plethora of guys that can score enough to win. I'm going to be angry and annoyed because it seems inevitable that Duke is the men's champ, and Cooper Flagg will almost certainly get Most Outstanding Player. I hope I'm wrong, but fear I'm not. I'll be rooting for every other team in the final four, but I don't think it matters in the long run. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Ty Re-Predicts the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament

Seeing that the men's NCAA basketball tournament now has its Sweet Sixteen, I want to revisit my preview and prediction from last Monday.

First things first, NIL is making this a blue blood type of tournament. I believe that every team left is from a power four conference. Yep, every team left is from the ACC, SEC, Big 12 or Big Ten. The SEC has the most, with seven teams, almost making up half the teams. The Big 10 has four teams, the Big 12 has four and the ACC has Duke. That's another thing, we also have perennial teams like Duke, Purdue, Kentucky, Houston and Arizona, among others. The lowest seeded team left is Arkansas, who is a 10, but they have John Calipari as their head coach and they recruited studs. They had a tougher regular season than most expected, but they're coming together at the right time. The next lowest seed is 6, BYU and Ole Miss. I mean, we don't even have Gonzaga anymore. It seems like the days of Fairleigh Dickinson, Grand Canyon, Akron and Florida Gulf Coast are toast. That bums me out a bit.

The fun of March Madness is the one or two "Cinderella" teams that make a push. I remember a few years back when Michigan faced Loyola Marymount for a final four berth. I was glad Michigan won that game to be clear. There was the Florida Atlantic run to the Final Four, coached then by now Michigan coach Dusty May. I watched Glen Mason make a deep run. Shaka Smart made his name as a coach taking VCU to the Final Four. With NIL and open transfer portal windows, the days of the low seed team making a run is seemingly goen. I made a big bet on Akron and Grand Canyon this tourney. Both were easily bounced in round one. My son and I were near certain that Liberty was going to beat Oregon. Oregon smashed them. My wife was the one who followed seeding and she is leading my son by two games and me by four in our brackets we filled out at home. For the time being, the blue bloods and major programs look like they will be leading the way.

As for my Final Four picks from last Monday, Iowa State is gone. Duke, Texas Tech and Houston are all still alive at least. My "Cinderella" picks, I already mentioned Akron. They got blown out. St. John's couldn't find the basket against Arkansas. UConn's bummer of a season ended during the first weekend and Liberty got smoked. I was hesitant to pick Purdue, and they cruised to the Sweet Sixteen. I mentioned the Arkansas-KU game, and while KU crapped the bed, Arkansas is riding high as previously mentioned. At least I was right about Clemson.

Where we sit now, I am going to do a re pick of the Final Four and championship game. Again. Duke is going to cruise to the Final Four from the East. The toughest matchup they may face is Bama, and they should beat them with ease. I'll also stick with my other two picks that are still alive, Texas Tech and Houston. Houston took on a hot Gonzaga team and won. Texas Tech has to face the red hot Arkansas Razorbacks next, and if they win that, I think they can beat either Florida or Maryland. Both those teams needed late game heroics to win their last game. So that leaves me with the South. I had Iowa State, but they are done. So that leaves us with Auburn, Michigan, Michigan State and Ole Miss. Man would I love Michigan to make a run to the Final Four, but I don't think it's going to happen. Auburn is loaded, deep and battle tested. As for MSU and Ole Miss, MSU knows how to play, play dirty and win ugly. They will beat Ole Miss. This leaves us with MSU and Auburn playing for the final spot. I'm going to go with MSU. I guess my disdain for them is not enough to pick against them this season.

My new Final Four is MSU, Duke, Texas Tech and Houston. As for the title game, give me MSU and Duke, and Duke coming away with an easy title victory. Ugh, that championship game for me would be as bad as the College Football National Title this year. Oh well, this is the current state of the game. The rich stay rich I suppose, as much as it bums me out. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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Ty Predicts the 2025 Men's College Basketball Tournament

I'm about to leave for vacation, in an hour now, but I wanted to leave you all with my men's NCAA tournament preview and picks before I take off for the rest of the week. Like most seasons lately, my knowledge of men's college basketball has dwindled lately due to the transfer portal and one and done players. I did pay more attention this season because both Michigan men's and women's teams were good. That being said, Michigan's men's team is filled with transfer players. But hey, Big Ten tourney champs baby! I'll take that any day.

When I looked at the brackets after they were released, a few things stuck out to me. Duke, who knows what will happen with Cooper Flagg, has a pretty easy path to the final four. They earned it by finishing the regular season as the number 1 overall team, but damn does it look damn near like a cakewalk for them. I feel like Auburn has the toughest path for a one seed. They could potentially face an upstart Louisville team or an experienced Creighton team in round two, if Auburn wins their round one game. And they will, most likely, have to face either Iowa State or Michigan State to get to the final four. Let us not forget they could also have to face Michigan in the Sweet Sixteen if both teams make it that far. That's tough. Florida and Houston are the other 1 seeds and I could see both making the final four. I'm excited to watch a few teams, mainly Michigan. Michigan had a rough finish to the regular season. They couldn't score and their defense was lacking. They still turn the ball over way too much for my liking. But they won three tough games in three days at the Big Ten tourney. I was nervous during the title game yesterday too. They looked tired. But they pulled it out and that gives me a little faith going into the dance. Getting a 5 seed is still confusing to me, but hey, they are in the tournament that matters most. I also want to see what 8 seed UConn can do. This is the two time defending champs. Danny Hurley is still the head coach. They have good freshmen, solid transfer and a few vets. This is a dangerous team. They remind me of the Kentucky team that was an 8 that ran to the final four some years back. I'm also stoked for St John's. I'm not a Rick Pitino guy at all, but he has done one hell of a job turning that program around in two short years. I love when St John's is relevant. It takes me back to when I was a little kid and St John's was one of the best men's basketball teams in the Big East.

There are some teams that I would be a little worried about if I were a fan. Sorry to RD's wife, but Purdue is not the team it was last season. They don't have that anchor in the middle this year, and that means the shots aren't nearly as wide open. They also face a solid 13 seed in High Point in round one. I fully believe that Akron is going to beat Arizona in round one, and hell, they may make a push to the Sweet Sixteen. I have zero desire to watch either Kansas or Arkansas, and they play each other in round one. And I think Clemson is going to be one and done, playing McNeese who flies up and down the floor.

My biggest "Cinderella" is the aforementioned Akron. I'm all in on them pushing to the Sweet Sixteen and then giving Duke all they can handle before bowing out.

As for my Final Four, I'll go with Iowa State from the South Region, Duke from the East, Texas Tech from the West and Houston from the Midwest. That's two number 1 seeds, and two number 3 seeds. That's pretty chalk heavy, but hey, that is how I wrote it out on my handwritten brackets. As for the title game, give me Texas Tech facing Houston. And I have Houston winning it all this season. They've been highly ranked all year, but no one is seemingly talking about them. I think that will benefit the team and coaching staff and they will play free and loose all tourney long.

There you have it, my men's tournament preview and prediction. I will see you all in a week. Have fun watching the first weekend of games. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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KD is Not Happy, Again

It seems like Kevin Durant is once again upset with his current team. Let’s discuss.

I adore KD. He is one of my favorite basketball players of all time. I love his form on his shot. He developed during his career as a defender. He can be vicious when he wants to attack the rim. He is a good rebounder. And he may be the most accommodating superstar player of all time. Every time he changes teams, he fits like a glove. I just wanted to get that all out there before proceeding.

The anger KD showed the other day towards Mike Budenholzer, during a game the Suns won by the way, makes it seem like wants out of there. Keep in mind, Phoenix was the only team he was willing to be traded to when he forced his way out of Brooklyn. Also, Brooklyn was his preferred destination when he left the Warriors after winning two titles. Oh yeah, he joined the 72-10 Warriors after his Thunder led team couldn't close out a series against them. And, as you all know, KD started his career in OKC. Durant did a ton in Seattle/OKC. He won an MVP. He led them to the Finals. He and Russell Westbrook and James Harden made the Thunder a viable championship caliber team. He was fantastic in his time with OKC. I liked him so much that it was easy to to shift my fandom to the Thunder after the NBA took them from Seattle.

The playoff series in 2016 changed everything. When KD decided to sign with an unbeatable team I decided it was time for me to switch to the Grizzlies. I just couldn't root for a player that went to the Death Star. That Warriors team was unbeatable and it kind of made the three seasons he was there pointless. We all knew who was going to win. I know KD got two rings and two Finals MVP's. I understand that they would have had a third had he and Klay Thompson not gotten hurt. But it felt hollow to me as an NBA fan. The decision to sign there didn't make a ton of sense to me, I guess he wanted the rings, but it was a head scratcher. I guess he heard all the noise from people saying that it wasn't his team, which it is not, the Warriors will always be Steph Curry's team, because he left and went to Brooklyn. The Nets signed Kyrie Irving, and KD wanted to play with him, so he signed there. He didn't play all year one, but after getting Kyrie and KD, the Nets eventually got James Harden. And when the three of them were on the floor together they were really, really good. They could have made a run to a title, but Giannis and the Bucks had other ideas. Then Kyrie decided he wanted out and wouldn't get vaccinated. Then James Harden wanted out. I guess KD was fed up, so he told the Nets they had to get rid of the coach and GM. He was burning every bridge left and right. He would say all these things on the record. It became enough that the Nets relented and said they would trade him. While KD only wanted Phoenix, the Nets were open to every team. But KD was so enthralled with Phoenix that he forced both teams' hands. The Nets traded KD for Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges and a bunch of picks. Neither team did much after that in that one season, but the Suns were favorites going into the next year. But KD, Chris Paul and Devin Booker couldn't really make it happen. They would get bullied early in the playoffs by one team and be out. And then, prior to last season, CP3 left and Booker and KD pushed for the Suns to get Brad Beal. The Suns did, essentially mortgaging their future, and acquired Beal for a ton of picks and some random players. This hasn't worked out either. One of KD or Beal is always hurt. The defense is horrendous. The Suns pay their top three guys so much money that they can only get players on the low end of the market to fill out the roster. They fired their coach last year and brought in a proven head coach in Budenholzer. Well, that isn't working now either. The Suns sit at 11th place in the West. They're five games below .500. Bradley Beal is hurt again. And during the trade deadline there were rumors that KD was available. I guess that didn't sit well with him, so now it appears he wants out of Phoenix.

As much as I love the guy, the one common denominator in all of this is him. He wanted out of OKC for rings so he joined the Warriors. He felt underappreciated in Golden State so he opted to go to Brooklyn. The Nets didn't live up to the hype so he forced his way to Phoenix. And now he is unhappy once again. At this point I don't know who would be willing to give up the massive amount it will take to get him. He is also in his mid 30's, which is older than you want your star player to be at this point. I fear that KD, who will go down as one of the all time greats, isn't going to get the love he thinks he deserves because he constantly blames others when a problem occurs. It's never his fault and his one option is to up and leave. I don't know. Again, I am a big fan of his game, it is just all the whining and complaining when he is met with resistance or isn't shown appreciation how he wants. I'm still rooting for him, but this constant need to be praised and be traded is getting a little boring. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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The Pistons are a Good Basketball Team, Finally

The Detroit Pistons have been a moribound franchise since they won a title in the early 2000's. They flirted with, and even made, the playoffs a few times here and there. When Blake Griffin was traded there, they were a middling playoff team. They made the playoffs here and there in the mid 2000's, but never got out of the first round. The last long playoff run they had was in 2008. They were the 2 seed and they made it all the way to the East Finals. Since 2020 though, this team has been bad. They won 20 games, then 20 again, then 23, then 17 and they finished off last year with a mere 14 wins. They have not been good and they have not been picking any higher than 5 in the draft.

Something has changed this year. The Pistons look good. The Pistons look legit. They are buying in on defense. JB Bickerstaff is doing one hell of a job coaching the young guys up. And the guys they took in the draft are finally starting to figure it out. Cade Cunningham looks like a perennial all star. He is hitting shots, making correct reads and looks in total control of the offense. Jalen Duren is becoming the rebounding and defensive lynchpin. He is so much fun to watch play basketball. Jaden Ivey has bought in as a bench and role player. He is so fast and so quick. He is proving that he can do a ton in short bursts. Tobias Harris has been an excellent addition to the team. He is providing the veteran leadership this team has been craving. Tim Hardaway Jr finally looks comfortable and free. He is allowed to do what he does best, which is bomb away from three. He looks good. Malik Beasely has added more three point shooting as well, and he is a very solid defender. Simone Fontecchio has shown that he can run a second unit. Ron Holland has been able to come along a little slower and he looks like he could be a potential steal, even though he was taken fifth overall. Dennis Schroder seems content and happy to be somewhere he is wanted and appreciated. Ausar Thompson may not be a legit shooter yet, but he can get to the rack and he is a total menace on the defensive end. He and his brother are going to be very, very good NBA players very soon. Isaiah Stewart may be dirty, but he adds a grittiness every playoff team needs. Lindy Walters is a solid deep bench player. And Marcus Sasser is a pretty good bench scorer. This team makes sense. The picks and free agent additions, which were maligned at the time, have been working out. As unfair as I thought it was for Monty Williams to be let go after one season, JB Bickerstaff was the correct pick to lead this team.

What I think has made this all work, and work so well, Cade Cunningham has come into his own. It may have taken a little longer than some wanted, but Cunningham is legit. There's a reason he was the first overall pick and a highly touted recruit. He has all the tools he needs to be very successful. He is big, can handle the ball, has become a better shooter and he has bought in defensively. It was no accident that they beat the Celtics by 20 last night.

I'm happy for the Pistons and their fans. They deserve this and I hope they make a run in the playoffs this year. The NBA is better, in my opinion, when the Pistons are relevant. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

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