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PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The NBA only created the play-in tournament to get Zion Williamson and more sponsor money into the postseason

The reason the playing tournament was basically started, much like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire got admitted to the Tri Wizard tournament as a fourth wizard. They wanted to get Zion Williamson into the playoffs his rookie year... Also, the NBA just wants another event to slap a sponsor on.

The play-in was indeed expanded significantly during the 2020 bubble and kept for financial/rating reasons, though getting Zion in specifically is more of a funny conspiracy theory.

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Void
Apr 12, 2023
#9133
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

David Stern and the NBA were always going to find a way to get LeBron James into the playoffs

I think everybody out there with a pulse that's ever seen basketball or heard of the state of Minnesota before, knew that the Timberwolves were gonna give this up. The Lakers were gonna come back. The NBA. David Stern was gonna figure out a way for LeBron James to advance the playoffs.

Subjective claim about officiating and 'fixing' for big markets. Stern being dead makes it literally impossible for him to assist.
Win
Apr 12, 2023
#9135
Big CatBig Cat

I won't respect the NBA Play-In tournament until a play-in team wins a title

I like it [the play-in] in theory because more basketball, more fun. These teams suck. These teams aren't gonna like... I need a play-in tournament team to win a title for me to start respecting the play-in tournament. Because the NBA playoffs like historically are the, you know, the top seeds are usually the teams that you see at the end.

No play-in team has won the NBA title to date. The 2023 Heat made the Finals but lost.
Void
Apr 12, 2023
#9137
Big CatBig Cat

The Minnesota Timberwolves are legitimately better without Rudy Gobert

Lakers in advanced the T-Wolves, let's say, let's do, let's do some positive spin zones for the T-Wolves. Okay. One, I think they're better without Rudy Gobert. Yeah. Like legitimately, you can make the case on defense that they need somebody like that to protect the rim. But on offense, they are like, I don't think it's even a debate right now. They work better... without 'em.

Subjective. The Timberwolves have since had success with Gobert in 2024, but in the specific context of the 2023 season, many agreed with this.

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PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

If Duke loses this year, they will be a dynasty of chokers

If they lose this year, that would without question be the best two year... they'd be a dynasty of chokers. Like back to back all time choking losses in the NCAA tournament. I hope that doesn't happen, PFT. We would've never seen anything close to this before.

This is a conditional opinion based on a future outcome.
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PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

I'm picking Purdue or Nebraska to win the national title

I think that Purdue, no one's talking about Purdue. They've been hovering around the top. Every time they, they, they start to be discussed in the media. It feels like they lose their next game. I'm gonna say Purdue, my money's on Purdue or Nebraska this year.

The 2026 NCAA tournament hasn't happened yet.
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PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

I believe Michigan State's Tom Izzo will return to the Final Four in his final year

I got it feels like the visualization pick of Izzo in his last year. Going back to a Final Four. Feel like that's gonna happen.

Michigan State did not reach the Final Four in 2026.

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