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This is just my general bias -- nothing specific about the Knicks. But I think if your top 5 all played 65+ games at 35+ minutes a night (a) you should rack up a ton of wins and (b) you shouldn't expect it to happen again.

Now it's possible Robinson really adds something they didn't have last year

Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 12h

Maybe it's the homer in me, but I think the Knicks are big candidate to underachieve. They had the modern NBA equivalent of *pristine* health last year...and still never looked truly dominant (or even much better than prior years). That's huge red flag for me. Agree their depth is better tho

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 1d

I generally agree and think that’s especially true in a championship context. I think in the regular season if you play fast and steal cheap points there’s a path to mediocrity — especially in the East.

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 1d

It’s not a perfect roster but I’m not too concerned about that kind of redundancy in today’s NBA. Having Multiple guys who can attack and tilt a defense is super helpful. And guards allow you to push pace. But if Joel isn’t healthy the defense will be bad.

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 1d

This is where I’m at with the Sixers too. They feel very much like last year’s Grizzlies — due for some better luck but probably not complete enough to do anything significant.

TheNorge @norseofbroad.bsky.social · 1d

17. Philadelphia 76ers

Win Proj: 43
Vegas Line: 42.5

This assumes Jo & PG can play, but aren't elite. W/o both, Sixers would drop to all the way to 27th. If both are all-stars, they jump to 6th. No team has more variance than Sixers this yr. 43 wins (7th in EC) is the middle ground & Vegas agrees

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 1d

like i don't get all the people hat-tipping the Dodgers saying they executed the wheel play perfectly. they SHOWED THEIR HAND THE PLAY BEFORE. YOU HAD ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEEDED TO COUNTERACT IT.

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 1d

Jimmy's too nice to say it...but it has to burn him up watching a baserunner do literally everything wrong in the biggest moment of the game.

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 1d

ah yes intelligent baserunning. we once had it! oh the glory

John Foley @2008philz.bsky.social · 1d

Great breakdown here by Jimmy Rollins.

Thomson says the Dodgers “did a great job disguising the wheel play.” But they showed it on the previous pitch and Stott said he knew the wheel play was on. Unclear if Castellanos knew.

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

and if the thing you called for is executed perfectly and STILL results in the worst possible outcome then...lemme tell ya...you might've played against the odds, man

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

This is gonna sound like projection but I can live with almost any outcome in a baseball playoff series. It is a total coin-flip sport when played in this format.

The exception is when the manager plays against the odds in a big spot. Pure aggravation.

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

"Analytics" is bad and never works.

"Old school" can never fail since the baseball pundit class ignores every single instance of it backfiring

Nick Field @nickfield.bsky.social · 2d

All the old-school guys on the Phillies postgame show are pretending that the bunt didn't lose the game

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

Scared, conservative managing at its absolute worst.

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

Cannot believe that bunt call. Just sitting here stunned.

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

As a casual baseball fan it’s always jarring to be reminded that the Dodgers have all the players

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

and don't forget the complimentary burner accounts!!

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

"I am retiring from the NBA for one week and then un-retiring to become player-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers"

Tim Dunkman @timdunkman.bsky.social · 2d

LeBron previews “The Second Decision” on instagram, coming tomorrow at 12pm est

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

I don't think he'll be a non-shooter in the NBA. But I worry he'll be more in that mold where he hits standstill open shots and not much else.

He has a long way to go to be a guy who hits tough catch-and-shoot looks and/or threatens teams off the dribble.

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

On the negative side...VJ's baseline as a shooter is a little lower than I'd hoped.

It's not so much the percentages...which are highly volatile in a small sample...but the indicators. He misses by wide margins, his touch around the rim is iffy, and his FT% is unspectacular.

Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 6d

VJ Edgecombe may not get the on-ball opportunities needed to get lots of assists. But he really pops as a passer. It's the kind of thing that distinguishes great athletes from great players. Probably the most encouraging thing I've seen from him so far.

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

I actually think the Sixers have good ways to shift the offensive burden and creation duties when Embiid sits this year. But it’s hard to see it this preseason since three of those four backup options haven’t played. McCain and Grimes are gonna be really important in that area.

Adam Aaronson @adamaaronson.bsky.social · 2d

New: Kicking off the week with 5 Sixers thoughts!

•Quentin Grimes is here. These Sixers need him. Can they make him feel valued?

•Jared McCain’s irreplaceability

•Developing VJ Edgecombe vs. winning

•Jabari Walker

•New Sixers draft picks tracker! www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-depth...

5 Sixers thoughts: Quentin Grimes reunion nearing; fair to be concerned by poor start to preseason?

The Sixers looked several steps behind the New York Knicks in a pair of preseason games in Abu Dhabi. How much does it mean?

www.phillyvoice.com

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Avi Wolfman-Arent @avi-wa.bsky.social · 2d

Let's see...Kevin Garnett was the Big Ticket. So maybe a versatile forward who's not as good?? Trendon Watford?!?!?

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