Just When I Was Excited to Not Have Any Expectations - They Embarrass Me for Christmas
Zo having a not so holly jolly Sixers holiday season.
Team Ricky Rundown
This is absolutely the team to get behind (pre trade deadline).
If Drum was this good an outside shooter 6 years ago, the talk about him is completely different.
It’s OK… Christmas is a busy time, great opportunity for a stinker against the Nets.
Man… Feel good story of the year!
Jared McCain: It’s going to take some time this time.
Around the League
People were quick to pile on Cooper Flagg and other rooks early, nitpicking every miss and acting like greatness is supposed to arrive overnight. But this game against the Nuggets felt like the turn — confident shot-making, total control of the game, and zero fear on the big stage. All the dope shit he showed at Duke. When Nikola Jokić (who can fuck off but is still top 3 in the league right now) goes out of his way to praise you, that’s not hype — that’s respect. Flagg is clearly rounding into form, and if this is the baseline now, the league might want to get comfortable seeing him for a long time.
Christmas in the NBA has always been about more than ball — it’s tradition, pressure, family sacrifices, and stories that span generations. The narratives are as rich as the hoops. For many, it’s also the official start of the NBA season, so the NFL slate can go to hell!
If Snake Silver and the owners and most importantly their TV overlords want to get serious “about protecting competitive integrity”, then maybe limit pick protections and make the lottery applicable after the top 5. It really is insane and feels illegal that a team on pace for 70 wins is about to have a top 5 pick.
Crazy what’s going on in Cleveland. The bell for hard conversations about supposed franchise cornerstones and guys who have yet to make it to a conference finals has finally been tolled.
Not for nothing, and I know Draymond has been more than an integral part of the machine, but there was a time when even the Rodman/Barkley antics grew old and stale on people, most importantly the front offices paying them.
Five Things to Care About
As the year winds down, however you celebrate, I hope this season brings reflection, gratitude, and a little joy before we turn the page to what’s next.
If you’re sleeping on Philly’s own Quadir Copeland, let me wake you up.
I genuinely haven’t changed my stance on the East, it’s very winnable. I do wonder now though how Morey and Co. will approach February’s trade deadline, assuming the team continues the high 40’s, low 50’s win trajectory.
Not meant to be a hot take, but Jalen Johnson, to me, is who we all prayed tirelessly that Ben Simmons would eventually turn into.
Much respect due to our friends in Orchard Park, NY but I never bet against Jalen and Coach Nick in December/January/February. I like the Birds 24-14.
