PMTPMT DB

Takes

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Take Slip·May 6, 2019
#PMT-2019-0506-6938
Richard JeffersonRichard Jefferson

Houston will win Game 3 against the Warriors, or they will get swept

I'm going to say Houston is going to win one game. And if Houston wins one game, the only game they will be able to win was game three. If they don't win game three, obviously they're going to get swept, in my opinion.

The Rockets won Game 3 126-121. They did not get swept; they also won Game 4 before losing the series 4-2.
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Take Slip·Apr 26, 2019
#PMT-2019-0426-19889
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

This is the final year of the Golden State Warriors dynasty

This is the end of the Warriors. Like this is their last run. They either win the title this year and go off as three in a row, all that shit, or they lose and everyone goes their other way and hates each other.

The Warriors lost the 2019 Finals and Kevin Durant left for the Nets, ending that specific era, though the core won again in 2022.
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#PMT-2019-0410-19088
Big CatBig Cat

LeBron James will eventually fire everyone in the Lakers organization, including Jeannie Buss

I think LeBron is going to fire everyone if they don't get another star. He'll go all the way up the ladder. He'll probably tell Jeannie Buss she's fired.

LeBron didn't actually fire Jeannie Buss (which he can't), but Luke Walton and Magic Johnson both left shortly after. The team eventually traded for Anthony Davis.
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Take Slip·Mar 29, 2019
#PMT-2019-0329-3441
Michael RubinMichael Rubin

The Sixers are the second biggest team in Philly, behind only the Eagles

When the team was acquired by our group in 2011 – We were the fourth team in the market. It was 100%. It was Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, Sixers. Today, without question, it's Eagles, Sixers.

During the peak Embiid/Simmons era, the Sixers were arguably the second most relevant team in the city, though the Phillies' recent World Series run may have changed this.
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#PMT-2019-0313-17785
Big CatBig Cat

This is the end of the Golden State Warriors dynasty

The Warriors are on the hot seat because the Warriors are breaking up... Steve Kerr is sick of Draymond's shit. Now, I don't know if that was actually what he was talking about, but it's clear the Warriors have... I feel like this is it. This is it. This is the end. Don't you?

The Warriors lost the 2019 Finals and Kevin Durant left, ending that specific era, but the 'dynasty' arguably continued as they won the championship in 2022.
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Take Slip·Mar 8, 2019
#PMT-2019-0308-6949
Ryen RussilloRyen Russillo

DeMarcus Cousins will be the downfall of the Warriors' chemistry

Last night was the beginning of the end for DeMarcus Cousins fitting in. He was so bad in that game... Afterwards, a reporter actually said, like, hey, what do you think about your defense? He's like, what do you think? ... I just think that the Boogie thing's going to get worse and worse.

The Warriors lost in the 2019 Finals, and Cousins was not a major positive factor, but the 'downfall' was largely due to injuries to Durant and Thompson.
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Take Slip·Feb 6, 2019
#PMT-2019-0206-5451
Big CatBig Cat

The Anthony Davis trade to the Lakers is basically done because LaVar Ball is talking again

LeVar comes out of the rock he was under, silent for the last six months, now saying he wants Lonzo to go to Phoenix... that just tells me the trade's been done because LeVar knows he no longer has to worry about LeBron paying him his hush money.

Anthony Davis was eventually traded to the Lakers on June 15, 2019, but not by the February trade deadline Big Cat was referencing.
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Take Slip·Dec 19, 2018
#PMT-2018-1219-6103
Rachel NicholsRachel Nichols

The Lakers have a better shot at trading for Anthony Davis now than in the summer

If you're the LA Lakers and you want a shot at Anthony Davis without Danny Ainge and all his pile of assets competing with you... they have a more clear run at Anthony Davis now than they will in the summer.

The Lakers did try to trade for him at the 2019 deadline but failed; they eventually got him in the summer of 2019 once the Pelicans were willing to deal.
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#PMT-2018-1126-7190
HankHank

The Jimmy Butler experiment with the 76ers will be a success

Jimmy Butler hit another game winner from the same exact spot. Yes, he did. So it turns out maybe that experiment is going to turn out good for this.

Butler helped the Sixers reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but he left for Miami the following offseason, making the 'experiment' short-lived and debatable in success.
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Take Slip·Nov 14, 2018
#PMT-2018-1114-4681
Big CatBig Cat

Markelle Fultz has the yips

Markel Fultz stinks... He's got the yips. And what's a great solution to the yips? Jimmy Butler, who's going to come in and basically walk in and say, I'm the alpha.

Fultz was later diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, though debate continues on how much was physical vs. psychological.
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Take Slip·Aug 22, 2018
#PMT-2018-0822-18987
JJ RedickJJ Redick

Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons will be first-team All-NBA players in five years

In five years when I'm done playing, those guys are first team, all NBA players, you know? ... Joe, as good as he is and Ben is as good as he is, are still going to be so much better.

Embiid became an MVP and perennial 1st-team candidate. Simmons made 3rd-team once (2020) but never 1st-team.
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Take Slip·Jul 23, 2018
#PMT-2018-0723-2954
Big CatBig Cat

LeBron James didn't play a lick of defense in the 2017-18 season

He literally didn't play defense. There was many times where he literally did not play defense. He did not play defense in 2017-18. He didn't.

While LeBron's defensive metrics and 'effort' were criticized that season, 'literally didn't play' is obviously hyperbolic.
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Take Slip·Jul 9, 2018
#PMT-2018-0709-10011
Big CatBig Cat

LeBron James will fake an injury and tank his first season with the Lakers to wait for Kawhi Leonard

I think LeBron, this is going to be a year... and then LeBron is going to do his first year where he fakes an injury. Pretty much broken hand. tanks, and then comes back. Saves it all up. That's why they signed Lance Stevenson... he just stacked the team with a bunch of guys who aren't really going to do anything, and LeBron can sit out for a year.

LeBron did miss a significant portion of the season with a groin injury (not faked) and the Lakers missed the playoffs. Kawhi signed with the Clippers instead.
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#PMT-2018-0627-11261
Big CatBig Cat

LeBron James will sign with the Lakers if Paul George goes there first

[Speaker 3] (27:58-28:02) I think if Paul George goes to L.A., LeBron is very fast behind him. [Speaker 3] (28:13-28:18) But the minute one of those two guys [George or Kawhi] goes to L.A., [LeBron] is going to L.A.

LeBron James did sign with the Lakers, but he did so despite Paul George staying in OKC.
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Take Slip·Jun 22, 2018
#PMT-2018-0622-12592
Big CatBig Cat

Michael Porter Jr. fell in the draft because he doesn't have a spine

Michael Porter Jr. doesn't have a spine because that's the only reason why he fell all the way to the 14th pick. People actually thought – like he obviously was injured at Missouri... I'm just convinced he just doesn't have a spine.

MPJ did have severe back issues that required multiple surgeries, though he obviously has a spine and has had a productive career.
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#PMT-2018-0622-12598
Big CatBig Cat

Dwight Howard is the worst teammate of all time

Dwight Howard, the worst teammate. Can we say he's the worst teammate of all time? Embrace the bait... Dwight Howard just being the worst teammate ever and no one wanting him. He alienated his teammates before we met him.

While Howard's reputation was poor, he later redeemed himself as a valuable role player for the 2020 Lakers championship team.
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#PMT-2018-0620-2350
Rachel NicholsRachel Nichols

Kyrie Irving is waiting until 2019 to sign an extension to get $80 million extra

When [Kyrie Irving] said that he wasn't going to stay in a contract extension this summer with Boston, that is because if he waits until next year, he can get $80 million extra from Boston.

The math was correct regarding the Supermax/extension rules, but the implication that he would stay in Boston was incorrect as he signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.
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#PMT-2018-0613-14972
Big CatBig Cat

Kyrie Irving wants to leave Boston for the New York Knicks

There's a lot of rumblings coming out of Boston right now that Kyrie Irving might be thinking about going somewhere else after next season... Kyrie has always had his eyes on New York, and so he's always wanted to be a Nick.

Irving did leave Boston in 2019, but he signed with the Brooklyn Nets, not the Knicks.
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Take Slip·May 21, 2018
#PMT-2018-0521-16440
Big CatBig Cat

If the Warriors and Cavs play, I'm putting all my money on the Warriors in five

If the Warriors and the Cavs play, I'm going to put all my money on Warriors to win in five. Because I feel like that's exactly what's going to happen. LeBron will win one game, game three or four, and then that will be it.

The Warriors won in four, not five.
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Take Slip·May 16, 2018
#PMT-2018-0516-8176
Big CatBig Cat

The Celtics are just a better team than the Cavs

The Celtics are just a better team than the Cavs. I still think this is going to be a series because it's LeBron. LeBron has kind of got that Aaron Rodgers thing where when the Packers are eliminated from the playoffs, you're like, but he'll probably throw a Hail Mary and they'll end up in the playoffs.

The Celtics eventually lost this series in 7 games, but at the time, they were dominating the Cavs roster-wise.
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#PMT-2018-0516-8187
Big CatBig Cat

Kyrie Irving won't be happy that the Celtics are 'Brad Stevens' Team'

Kyrie's not going to be happy that this is Brad Stevens' team. Kyrie left Cleveland because it wasn't his team. And now he's gone somewhere else, still not his team. You think LeBron sends Kyrie a U-up text tonight?

Kyrie's tenure in Boston famously ended with chemistry issues and his departure, suggesting he wasn't satisfied as the 'system' guy.
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Take Slip·May 14, 2018
#PMT-2018-0514-14825
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Celtics are better off without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward

They're a better team without Kyrie and Gordon Hayward. Yeah, everyone keeps saying, well, they'll have their two best players back next year. Well, do you really want that? No, you don't. You get rid of them. You dump those salaries. Yeah, you reload on draft picks. Yeah, you sign Terry Rozier to a 10-year contract.

The following year with Kyrie was a disaster chemistry-wise, but they clearly weren't a 'better' team long-term without All-Star talent.
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Take Slip·May 14, 2018
#PMT-2018-0514-14828
Big CatBig Cat

James Harden will suck in the Western Conference Finals

I'm excited for James Harden to submit a James Harden full-on series. He is going to suck in this series. That's my prediction. He's going to have at least two or three games. You'll be like, is James Harden? Is he drunk?

Harden averaged 28 points per game, but did shoot poorly in Game 7 (2-13 from three) as the Rockets famously missed 27 straight threes.
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Take Slip·May 11, 2018
#PMT-2018-0511-11643
Big CatBig Cat

The Cavaliers will win the Eastern Conference Finals in six games.

I think it's going to be 4-1. Cavs in six. Gentlemen sweep in six. I think the Celtics will win one of the first two. I think they'll win game five, and then they will lose in Cleveland in game six. That is my prediction.

The series went to 7 games, so Big Cat was wrong about the duration, though right about the winner.
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Take Slip·May 4, 2018
#PMT-2018-0504-6545
Big CatBig Cat

The Indiana Pacers were the toughest competition for the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference

What if the Indiana Pacers were the toughest competition for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East? I'm just saying. You can now say that.

The Pacers were the only team to take LeBron's 2018 Cavs to seven games in the East, though the Celtics also took them to seven in the ECF.
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Take Slip·Apr 13, 2018·Picks
#PMT-2018-0413-3479
Big CatBig Cat

The Warriors will beat the Cavs in the Finals in only three games

I'm going Cavs-Warriors again, and the Warriors win in three games.

While you can't win a series in 3 games, the Warriors did sweep the Cavs in 4 games.
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#PMT-2018-0214-2718
Big CatBig Cat

NBA players are collectively addicted to wine

The NBA has a drinking problem. ... It's come out that every single person in the NBA gets drunk off wine every single night. And Jimmy Butler rolls around like a case of Pinot Noir. Carmelo's a sommelier. ... Kevin Love says that LeBron has a supercomputer in his brain for analyzing wine.

While 'every single person' is an exaggeration, wine culture in the NBA was a massive, documented trend in 2017-2018.
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Take Slip·Feb 9, 2018
#PMT-2018-0209-253
Ryen RussilloRyen Russillo

The Boston Celtics have regressed defensively compared to their early-season dominance

I think the Celtics have actually regressed a little bit defensively. Some of that is that it was just a shock that they were clearing away the number one defensive team in the league because I didn't really expect that, especially with the overhaul of young players.

The Celtics finished the season as the #1 defensive rating team, but they did have a mid-season dip in efficiency as Russillo noted.
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Take Slip·Jan 31, 2018
#PMT-2018-0131-12813
Big CatBig Cat

The Pistons will be the best mediocre team in the NBA following the Blake Griffin trade

The Pistons are basically like, we are going to be the best mediocre team in the NBA. Drummond and Blake are not going to play defense. We're going to give you the five seed for the next ten years of your career in the East, and then you're going to lose to the Celtics and the Cavs.

The Pistons made the playoffs once with Griffin (as an 8 seed) and were largely mediocre to bad before trading him away and entering a full rebuild.
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Take Slip·Jan 26, 2018
#PMT-2018-0126-18549
Big CatBig Cat

Team LeBron is much better than Team Steph for the All-Star game

Team LeBron is way better than Team Steph. Yes. Yeah, this should be a blowout. I don't understand what Steph was doing, too.

Team LeBron won 148-145, so it was a very close game, not a blowout.
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Take Slip·Jan 26, 2018
#PMT-2018-0126-18554
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Markelle Fultz is the first basketball player to ever have the yips

He's got the yips. He's the first basketball player to ever have the yips. I don't know. What happened? But I do know that I'm addicted to watching Markelle Fultz free throw videos.

While other basketball players have struggled, Fultz's case was historically bizarre for a top pick. Technically Nick Anderson or others might qualify, but PFT is highlighting the uniqueness.
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#PMT-2018-0122-10682
HankHank

Zion Williamson is basically LeBron Jr.

They landed Zion Williamson, who's basically LeBron Jr., has the craziest mixtapes of him ever.

While Zion became an All-Star and a physical force, comparing anyone to LeBron James in terms of career impact is a stretch, though Zion's hype was similarly massive.
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#PMT-2018-0122-10689
Big CatBig Cat

The 2018 Cavaliers' panic is real and they won't recover this time

For the first time ever, I think the LeBron-like freakout that everyone goes through with every team LeBron's in... I think it's real this time because they gave up 148 points to the Thunder... I don't think he talks to Isaiah Thomas. I think it's like a cold shoulder situation.

The panic was real (they traded half the team at the deadline), but they still won the Eastern Conference and made the Finals, so they did 'recover' in a sense.
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Take Slip·Jan 17, 2018
#PMT-2018-0117-19264
Big CatBig Cat

The Cavaliers are in actual trouble this time

Real take here, I actually do think the Cavs are in trouble this time. Even though I've said this many times before, they go through this similar funk. Save this clip. Stink on defense. And they stink rebounding the ball. And they get bullied.

The Cavs made the Finals in 2018, but the team was eventually dismantled when LeBron left that summer, and they were swept in the Finals by the Warriors.
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#PMT-2018-0110-11127
Big CatBig Cat

LaVar Ball is disrupting everything as a small business owner

I love every second of it. LaVar Ball pisses off. Because it's like he's disrupting everything. He's created his own shoe company. He's going to create his own league. Like everything he does is just a small business owner just saying fuck you to the big guys. And guess what? People want to watch.

LaVar Ball did successfully keep the spotlight on his family for years and both Lonzo and LaMelo became high NBA draft picks, though the shoe company and league didn't achieve long-term scale.
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#PMT-2017-1222-4953
Big CatBig Cat

The first three Christmas Day NBA unders will always win

I bet the first three Christmas Day unders every single year, and I think it's won every single year for like 15 years. The only year it didn't win was the lockout year when the first game of the season was Christmas Day. And it's basically because everyone's full... And they wear those stupid jerseys... Take the Christmas Day Unders first three.

In 2017, the first three games were 76ers-Knicks (Total 203, Under 216), Wizards-Celtics (Total 214, Under 216), and Rockets-Thunder (Total 219, Over 218). He was 2-1 this year, breaking the 'streak'.
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#PMT-2017-1218-17329
HankHank

The Celtics will win five championships after LeBron James leaves for the Lakers

[Gordon Hayward] is going to beat LeBron, then LeBron's going to leave, go to L.A., and Celtics are going to win, like, five championships.

LeBron did leave for LA in 2018, but the Celtics did not win five championships (they have won one since this take).
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#PMT-2017-1206-1328
HankHank

The Celtics are saving the NBA

NBA viewership's up like 32%. Celtics are the best team in basketball, so basically the Celtics are saving the NBA.

NBA ratings were up across the board in 2017 due to several factors including the Warriors' dominance and LeBron James, not solely the Celtics.
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Take Slip·Oct 23, 2017
#PMT-2017-1023-7388
Dan HarenDan Haren

Lonzo Ball will have 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists tonight

I'm going to go ahead and say Lonzo Ball tonight, 24 points. Eight rebounds, six assists.

In the game on Oct 22, 2017 against the Pelicans, Lonzo Ball had 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 13 assists. He got the rebounds exactly right but missed the points and assists.
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#PMT-2017-0927-8289
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade will turn into a pile of dust if they collide in practice

I would say, man, I'm really looking forward to those practices where Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade just, like, accidentally run into each other and turn into a pile of dust.

Hot TakeBasketballMediumSarcastic
Rose and Wade did struggle with various issues and the Cavs experiment with that roster was short-lived.
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#PMT-2017-0925-18179
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The OKC Thunder will get swept by the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs

Who gets the shot at the end of game four when they're getting swept by the Golden State Warriors? Russ, triple team.

The Thunder didn't even make it to the Warriors; they lost in the first round to the Utah Jazz 4-2. While the 'sweep' didn't happen, the prediction of a postseason failure was correct in spirit.
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Take Slip·Jul 31, 2017
#PMT-2017-0731-12309
Big CatBig Cat

LeBron James will average 30-10-10 this season

LeBron is going to go on a rampage this year. He's like 30-10-10 for sure. Just mark it down. I mean, this is what happened in the NBA Finals... His numbers are going to keep going up.

LeBron had an incredible season (27.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 9.1 APG) and played all 82 games, but did not reach the 30-10-10 threshold.
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Take Slip·Jul 31, 2017
#PMT-2017-0731-12310
HankHank

LeBron James will lose early in the playoffs and leave Cleveland

He's going to gas himself out, lose in the first or second round of the playoffs, and then leave town.

LeBron did leave Cleveland in 2018, but he led them to the NBA Finals that year, not an early exit.
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Take Slip·Jun 23, 2017
#PMT-2017-0623-11365
Big CatBig Cat

Lauri Markkanen is 'Baby Dirk'

Here's my only Lauri Markkanen spin zone that I'm going to try to sell myself on. I think I'm just going to call him Baby Dirk. And just hope he grows into it. He's a white European dude. I'm just going to call him Baby Dirk and hope everyone's just like, hey, maybe he's Baby Dirk.

Markkanen's game, as a 7-foot shooter, drew many comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki, making this 'spin zone' somewhat accurate in archetype.
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#PMT-2017-0623-11381
Big CatBig Cat

The Sacramento Kings actually had a good draft

Sacramento Kings. The Kings actually drafted well. So they got Fox, Justin Jackson, and Harry Giles from Duke. And I actually for a moment was like, is the world – are we still on earth right now?

De'Aaron Fox became a franchise star and All-NBA player. Justin Jackson and Harry Giles, however, had underwhelming careers. Overall, getting a star like Fox makes the draft a success.
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Take Slip·Jun 21, 2017
#PMT-2017-0621-4558
Ryen RussilloRyen Russillo

Jonathan Isaac is the Tyrus Thomas of the 2017 NBA Draft

If you're giving me that comp, it's probably Jonathan Isaac from Florida State. Because on the high side of things, when you watch him and it's good, he's seven feet... he can shoot from three... when he's right, it is so impressive that you're sitting there and you're going, wait a minute, how come this guy's not going number one?

Isaac has been a productive player but has been plagued by major injuries, never quite hitting his All-Star potential but certainly better than Thomas.
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Take Slip·Jun 9, 2017
#PMT-2017-0609-14600
Big CatBig Cat

The torch has been passed and now resides at Kevin Durant's mother's house

I am under the theory now that the torch has not only been passed, but it's comfortably sitting in Kevin Durant's mom's house. She has it on the mantle. She's the real MVP.

The 2017-2018 stretch was arguably Durant's peak, but LeBron James arguably reclaimed the 'best player' mantle during his 2018 playoff run and 2020 Lakers title.
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Take Slip·May 22, 2017
#PMT-2017-0522-19440
HankHank

The Celtics are in year five of a rebuild and are closing in on LeBron James' tail

We're in year five of a rebuild. We have the number one draft pick. We're in the Eastern Conference Finals. We're clearly coming up on LeBron [James]'s tail. As long as we can dominate LeBron in the beginning of his career and then dominate him on the way out, I can be content with that.

The Celtics did eventually reach the Finals after LeBron left the East, but at the time of the take, LeBron still won the series 4-1 and remained the dominant force in the East for another year.
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Take Slip·Apr 7, 2017
#PMT-2017-0407-7885
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

In the Eastern Conference playoffs, you should always bet against teams wearing red

All the red teams are pretty much the same team. They might win one playoff series. If you're the Heat, if you're the Raptors, if you're the Bulls, if you're the Hawks, you're going to win maybe one series and then you're done... Always bet against Red.

Hot TakeBasketballHotSarcastic
The 2017 East Finals featured the Cavs (Wine/Red) vs Celtics (Green). The Raptors (Red) also won a series. The general point that non-Cavs red teams were mediocre held somewhat true.
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Take Slip·Mar 20, 2017
#PMT-2017-0320-17166
Big CatBig Cat

I believe everything LeVar Ball says; Lonzo Ball is awesome

I now am believing everything that LeVar Ball says because Lonzo Ball was unbelievable against Cincinnati... He is awesome. And so billion-dollar contract, shoe contract, yep, sign him up.

Lonzo Ball was the #2 overall pick but his career was hampered by injuries and the BBB shoe line struggled.