The Pacers are 2-6 against the NBA's runaway top overall seeds the past 2 seasons. In 4 of those 6 losses, they led, were tied, or trailed by 3 pts(with the ball) at the :06, :46, and the 1:00 mark(twice) of the fourth quarters. They have defeated seeds 1, 2, 3(twice) prior to those two series.

OKC is fantastic and could easily win the series in resounding fashion. But that takes nothing away from how good their opponents actually are. As we write and say on TrueHoop often, who cares what happened in October and November? Those games affect seeding but have little meaning by springtime.

I've consumed an awful lot of media covering the playoffs these last two months. It seems that nearly everyone thinks the Pacers are Cinderella. Maybe it dates back to last postseason and the injuries their opponents suffered. Actually, they are Cinderellas, very cruel and fit stepmother.

What Tyrese has done in these playoffs is beyond amazing. Most guys don't do this in a career of playoff runs. But...it's not a strategy to rely on for the Pacers. For a few reasons.
However, anyone else getting Walter Clayton Jr. vibes from what Tyrese is doing?

This is my annual complaint that ESPN is a clown show when it comes to this NBA combine. There are 10 players right now on the court playing their ass off and all we get to do is watch a guy that's not going to say anything insightful who's only going to be interviewed 8,000 more times this month.

has a player ever made this kind of play, starting with the back-handed one hand catch?

NBA TV directors- Please stop doing close-ups after made baskets. Especially when it goes to a time out. We just want to see as many people as possible react. You're killing us

Warriors 19th in def rating last 15 games. Mike Brown fired by Kings. Mike Brown beloved in GS as a defensive specialist. Do the math. Brown to be the DC or "special assistant" inside of a few weeks I bet.

Payton Pritchard's game in SGA's body would be the greatest player in the world.

Finally, as has been the case since I started coaching high major talents in high school in 1987, coaches hunt scorers and "talent" and get their ass kicked by toughness. When a prospect has all 3 he's NBA bound. Toughness should be a higher priority, followed by likelihood they can learn it soon.

More:
I'm told the biggest money NIL positions are rim protecting bigs. Not for long. Nearly all of them would be in the NBA if they were that good.
Agents and families have to be much better at choosing the right systems and programs for transfers. Chasing money only will hurt future earnings.

Watched a lot of college hoops this week, on TV and in person. Here are some turkey day thoughts:
They foul way too much. It's like rugby. Stop it, fellas.
Even the best guards struggle to use screens effectively. More teaching and better learning is needed.
Those two Rutgers freshman are NICE.

We are looking for a couple interns to help us with our player development related businesses, from NBA players down to serious high School athletes. If you are interested or know someone that might be, please contact us at bsky.app/profile/ptcr...

Pacers bad luck with centers continues...Jordan Bell carried off the court in the Mad Ants v Wolves game.

I'm going to try and post at least once a day--been a long time since I have tried thinking and posting in a few characters. Today's thought--is Donovan Mitchell playing elite defense? The numbers I'm seeing suggest he is.

We covered rookies, Blue Sky, and as always, our top 5 teams so far(a Thursday tradition).

Just dropped the latest TrueHoop podcast. Free for all. The topic? Victor Wembanyama scored four zillion points, and can still improve plenty. #NBA #NBASky open.substack.com/pub/truehoop...

Greetings "skyers?" Thrilled to be here.