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The Paolo/Franz Era

During the Paolo/Franz era that debuted in 2023, Orlando has struggled with scoring, rebounding, and 3 point/free throw shooting which is mainly why they've yet to win a round. They also haven't had a starting level natural primary ball handler and passer that can space the floor. These problems have resulted in stagnation in crucial playoff moments. And as good as their defense is, it isn't as effective as it should be considering how many rebounds they gave up to the Pistons during their latest series. After 3 1st round exits, they can't continue to bank on suspect shooters from beyond the arc to significantly outperform their normal averages. In their 2024 game 7 and this year's game 6, they weren't able to maintain hot starts because they regressed to the mean. Because of Franz being unavailable during the past 3 games, much of their offense was Paolo trying to force his way to the rim or mid range for free throws (in a non foul baiting way) or create enough...
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2026 Spurs Playoff Preview

Being a fan isn't the only reason why I'm picking SA to win it all if they avoid Denver. (I'd pick the Nuggets to beat them in a clutch game 7). In 29 minutes, Wemby averaged 25 points/12 rebounds/3 blocks and his skill indicates that he'll probably raise the numbers significantly, while maintaining a reasonable efficiency, in the playoffs because of the big playing time increase. The should be DPOY's co-star averages 19 points/6 assists but peaked at 27 points per game in the playoffs in SAC and since the postseason usually requires more shots from stars, I expect Fox to make a major jump. 8 guys average double digits and leading the role players is Castle who's an all-defense candidate and a soon to be star. They went 3-1 vs OKC (I'm not counting the 4th win due to the Thunder injuries). Unfortunately, Jokic (whose offensive peak is the best in history) has the ability to neutralize Wemby's defense and Gordon is the best type of player to slow Vic down...
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2026 Awards

MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) DPOY: Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) MIP: Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers) ROY: Cooper Flagg (Mavericks) 6th Man: Jaime Jacquez Jr. (Heat) COTY: J.B. Bickerstaff (Pistons) My All-NBA teams are a mix of stats (mainly) and their squad's record. The focus is my law of basketball (primarily) as well as creating shots for others. The rosters won't be position based per the NBA and eligibility is determined by the NBA. 1st: Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Cunningham (Pistons), Doncic (Lakers), Jokic (Nuggets), Wembanyama (Spurs) 2nd: Brunson (Knicks), Mitchell (Cavs), Murray (Nuggets), Brown (Celtics), Durant (Rockets) 3rd: Maxey (Sixers), Harden (Clippers/Cavs), Leonard (Clippers), Johnson (Hawks), Avdija (Blazers) The most important skill in basketball by far is being able to score in isolation (off the dribble, posting up, or the face up jumper) at an all-star level. (To a bit of a lesser extent, taking advantage of mismatches by scoring in drop coverage...
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My 2025 All-Stars

  Rules -A mix of player (mainly) stats and team record  -The priority is my law of hoop and creating shots for others -Info past 1/14 isn't allowed (NBA rule) -Enough games have to be played ( nba.com  > player stats > official leaders) -Positions won't be applied (NBA rule) West starters: Curry (GSW), Edwards (MIN), Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), Doncic (LAL), Jokic (DEN) Bench: Fox (SAS), Murray (DEN), Booker (PHX), Leonard (LAC), Avdija (POR), Durant (HOU), Markkanen (UTA) East starters: Brunson (NYK), Maxey (PHI), Mitchell (CLE), Cunningham (DET), Brown (BOS) Bench: Powell (MIA), Ingram (TOR), Johnson (ATL), Siakam (IND), Porter Jr. (BKN), Banchero (ORL), Towns (NYK) Hoop law:  The most important skill in basketball by far is being able to score in isolation (off the dribble, posting up, or the face up jumper) at an all-star level. (To a bit of a lesser extent, taking advantage of mismatches by scoring in drop coverage in the pick n' roll is also a va...
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2025 Playoffs: Finals Preview (Pacers vs Thunder)

I think OKC wins this series in 5 (and the Pacers will take game three). SGA is a way better basketball player than anyone on Indy's squad. The Thunder's perimeter defense will hound the Pacers who barely post-up, lack an elite scorer, and don't have a great foul drawer besides Bennedict Mathurin who only plays 16 minutes a night in these playoffs. Thus, Indiana has to maximize on-ball screens and drives or shots immediately off the catch. Shai will exploit Aaron Nesmith's and Andrew Nembhard's defensive pressure by getting to the free throw line a lot. Indiana is a bad rebounding team who let Mitchell Robinson collect many offensive boards in the 2025 conference finals and will struggle to contain Isaiah Hartenstien as well. Gilgeous-Alexander will spend most of his time guarding a mediocre hooper (a perimeter guy outside of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam). Therefore, he gets to save his energy to lead the Oklahoma City offensive attack. 
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