Eustacchio Raulli
@evr1022.bsky.social
Mostly NBA/WNBA thoughts, some chess
I know it’s not the most engaging first round playoff series, and that Miami is the weakest team in the field, but…
Right now, the Cavs have a 136.3 offensive rating through 3 games.
Miami had the No. 9 defense and they’re coached by Spo.
This is beyond ridiculous.
Right now, the Cavs have a 136.3 offensive rating through 3 games.
Miami had the No. 9 defense and they’re coached by Spo.
This is beyond ridiculous.
April 27, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I know it’s not the most engaging first round playoff series, and that Miami is the weakest team in the field, but…
Right now, the Cavs have a 136.3 offensive rating through 3 games.
Miami had the No. 9 defense and they’re coached by Spo.
This is beyond ridiculous.
Right now, the Cavs have a 136.3 offensive rating through 3 games.
Miami had the No. 9 defense and they’re coached by Spo.
This is beyond ridiculous.
Reposted by Eustacchio Raulli
FROM SHAMS:
The Cleveland Cavaliers and former first-round pick Chuma Okeke have agreed to a deal, filling the East leaders' final open roster spot, sources tell ESPN. Okeke averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for NBA G League Westchester this season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and former first-round pick Chuma Okeke have agreed to a deal, filling the East leaders' final open roster spot, sources tell ESPN. Okeke averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for NBA G League Westchester this season.
April 4, 2025 at 12:37 AM
FROM SHAMS:
The Cleveland Cavaliers and former first-round pick Chuma Okeke have agreed to a deal, filling the East leaders' final open roster spot, sources tell ESPN. Okeke averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for NBA G League Westchester this season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and former first-round pick Chuma Okeke have agreed to a deal, filling the East leaders' final open roster spot, sources tell ESPN. Okeke averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for NBA G League Westchester this season.
If I were trying to solve the “problem” of too many 3s, my best try would be:
Put a 4’ diameter circle at/near each elbow. When two consecutive shots are made with a foot in that circle, the second is worth an extra point. Provides incentive for MR as an end-goal.
But this not a real problem.
Put a 4’ diameter circle at/near each elbow. When two consecutive shots are made with a foot in that circle, the second is worth an extra point. Provides incentive for MR as an end-goal.
But this not a real problem.
April 2, 2025 at 11:44 PM
If I were trying to solve the “problem” of too many 3s, my best try would be:
Put a 4’ diameter circle at/near each elbow. When two consecutive shots are made with a foot in that circle, the second is worth an extra point. Provides incentive for MR as an end-goal.
But this not a real problem.
Put a 4’ diameter circle at/near each elbow. When two consecutive shots are made with a foot in that circle, the second is worth an extra point. Provides incentive for MR as an end-goal.
But this not a real problem.
On the one hand: yes.
On the other hand: possibly the single worst game selection of that era if you’re looking for ‘good’ basketball.
On the other hand: possibly the single worst game selection of that era if you’re looking for ‘good’ basketball.
April 1, 2025 at 2:47 PM
On the one hand: yes.
On the other hand: possibly the single worst game selection of that era if you’re looking for ‘good’ basketball.
On the other hand: possibly the single worst game selection of that era if you’re looking for ‘good’ basketball.
There's not many things more satisfying in bullet chess than a 'Grand Canyon' gameflow: build a winning position with good chess, blow it by hanging the Q, but then checkmate them anyway
March 29, 2025 at 6:52 PM
There's not many things more satisfying in bullet chess than a 'Grand Canyon' gameflow: build a winning position with good chess, blow it by hanging the Q, but then checkmate them anyway
Where I’m at right now for NBA power rankings looking ahead to the playoffs (with current injuries and form factored in):
March 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Where I’m at right now for NBA power rankings looking ahead to the playoffs (with current injuries and form factored in):
THREAD on why Mobley isn’t just ‘the best defender left standing’ but a truly worthy DPOY
**Evan Mobley’s DPOY case**
Much discussion around this award centers on who’s not eligible. In this thread, I’ll examine Mobley’s case on its own merits. Is he a worthy DPOY?
I believe this matters more than whether he measures up to a generational defensive prospect.
Much discussion around this award centers on who’s not eligible. In this thread, I’ll examine Mobley’s case on its own merits. Is he a worthy DPOY?
I believe this matters more than whether he measures up to a generational defensive prospect.
March 17, 2025 at 6:09 PM
THREAD on why Mobley isn’t just ‘the best defender left standing’ but a truly worthy DPOY
**Evan Mobley’s DPOY case**
Much discussion around this award centers on who’s not eligible. In this thread, I’ll examine Mobley’s case on its own merits. Is he a worthy DPOY?
I believe this matters more than whether he measures up to a generational defensive prospect.
Much discussion around this award centers on who’s not eligible. In this thread, I’ll examine Mobley’s case on its own merits. Is he a worthy DPOY?
I believe this matters more than whether he measures up to a generational defensive prospect.
March 17, 2025 at 5:14 PM
**Evan Mobley’s DPOY case**
Much discussion around this award centers on who’s not eligible. In this thread, I’ll examine Mobley’s case on its own merits. Is he a worthy DPOY?
I believe this matters more than whether he measures up to a generational defensive prospect.
Much discussion around this award centers on who’s not eligible. In this thread, I’ll examine Mobley’s case on its own merits. Is he a worthy DPOY?
I believe this matters more than whether he measures up to a generational defensive prospect.
The Cavs are 20-4 in back-to-backs this season.
A couple Ls on the front end (at BOS, at PHI) and a couple on the back end (at MIA, vs HOU). That’s it.
Crazy to me how often this team wins what seem like potential trap games or ‘schedule losses.’
A couple Ls on the front end (at BOS, at PHI) and a couple on the back end (at MIA, vs HOU). That’s it.
Crazy to me how often this team wins what seem like potential trap games or ‘schedule losses.’
March 6, 2025 at 4:31 AM
The Cavs are 20-4 in back-to-backs this season.
A couple Ls on the front end (at BOS, at PHI) and a couple on the back end (at MIA, vs HOU). That’s it.
Crazy to me how often this team wins what seem like potential trap games or ‘schedule losses.’
A couple Ls on the front end (at BOS, at PHI) and a couple on the back end (at MIA, vs HOU). That’s it.
Crazy to me how often this team wins what seem like potential trap games or ‘schedule losses.’
The Cavs finished the month of February 10-1 with a +17.8 net rating against a schedule that featured Boston twice and 7 opponents above .500.
March 2, 2025 at 10:48 AM
The Cavs finished the month of February 10-1 with a +17.8 net rating against a schedule that featured Boston twice and 7 opponents above .500.
The Cleveland Cavaliers now have a 123.0 ORtg on Basketball Reference, +9 relative to league average (114.0) and nearly 3 full points ahead of the 2nd place team (DEN, 120.1).
March 1, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The Cleveland Cavaliers now have a 123.0 ORtg on Basketball Reference, +9 relative to league average (114.0) and nearly 3 full points ahead of the 2nd place team (DEN, 120.1).
Cavs-Celtics season series ends at 2-2 with a total score of 460-459. All games decided by 7 pts or less.
The ECF is going to be fantastic.
The ECF is going to be fantastic.
March 1, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Cavs-Celtics season series ends at 2-2 with a total score of 460-459. All games decided by 7 pts or less.
The ECF is going to be fantastic.
The ECF is going to be fantastic.
Reposted by Eustacchio Raulli
This play is probably going to be forgotten about, but it was huge by Dean Wade.
Jaylen Brown had scored on Darius Garland twice in a row prior to this. Wade would not allow that switch to happen again. Great show & recover, then gets the stop on Brown.
Jaylen Brown had scored on Darius Garland twice in a row prior to this. Wade would not allow that switch to happen again. Great show & recover, then gets the stop on Brown.
March 1, 2025 at 3:04 AM
This play is probably going to be forgotten about, but it was huge by Dean Wade.
Jaylen Brown had scored on Darius Garland twice in a row prior to this. Wade would not allow that switch to happen again. Great show & recover, then gets the stop on Brown.
Jaylen Brown had scored on Darius Garland twice in a row prior to this. Wade would not allow that switch to happen again. Great show & recover, then gets the stop on Brown.
Cavs are one win away from their third 10+ game win streak of the season.
March 1, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Cavs are one win away from their third 10+ game win streak of the season.
This was my feeling heading in to this game.
Can’t say this changed my opinion with the Cavs full rotation against Cs down two starters.
Can’t say this changed my opinion with the Cavs full rotation against Cs down two starters.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, I think the Cavs project to be the 2nd strongest team.
Good news: They should have home court against No. 1
Bad news: That No. 1 is in the same conference and travels better than any other team
Good news: They should have home court against No. 1
Bad news: That No. 1 is in the same conference and travels better than any other team
March 1, 2025 at 3:07 AM
This was my feeling heading in to this game.
Can’t say this changed my opinion with the Cavs full rotation against Cs down two starters.
Can’t say this changed my opinion with the Cavs full rotation against Cs down two starters.
Cavs holding Boston to 116 after that 1H and a not so good start to the 3rd is impressive.
March 1, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Cavs holding Boston to 116 after that 1H and a not so good start to the 3rd is impressive.
Because the league is evolving more rapidly than it ever has before.
Some teams are leading that charge, some are just trying to keep up, and some are getting left behind.
Some teams are leading that charge, some are just trying to keep up, and some are getting left behind.
"Why have three of the seven best net rating seasons of all time come in the past two seasons?" is my Most Interesting NBA Question of the moment
Only four teams in NBA history have a better margin of victory than the #Cavs do this season. They have one of the best offenses ever and routinely dominate teams. Nothing about this season says they're a fluke.
Playoff success should be expected.
theinsideshot.substack.com/p/thursday-t...
Playoff success should be expected.
theinsideshot.substack.com/p/thursday-t...
February 27, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Because the league is evolving more rapidly than it ever has before.
Some teams are leading that charge, some are just trying to keep up, and some are getting left behind.
Some teams are leading that charge, some are just trying to keep up, and some are getting left behind.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, I think the Cavs project to be the 2nd strongest team.
Good news: They should have home court against No. 1
Bad news: That No. 1 is in the same conference and travels better than any other team
Good news: They should have home court against No. 1
Bad news: That No. 1 is in the same conference and travels better than any other team
February 27, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Looking ahead to the playoffs, I think the Cavs project to be the 2nd strongest team.
Good news: They should have home court against No. 1
Bad news: That No. 1 is in the same conference and travels better than any other team
Good news: They should have home court against No. 1
Bad news: That No. 1 is in the same conference and travels better than any other team
The Cavs might be playing their best basketball of the season in this post-trade deadline stretch.
The defense has been amazing.
The offense dropped 129 on Memphis while shooting 28% from 3.
Four coast-to-coast demolitions in the last six games.
The defense has been amazing.
The offense dropped 129 on Memphis while shooting 28% from 3.
Four coast-to-coast demolitions in the last six games.
February 26, 2025 at 3:52 AM
The Cavs might be playing their best basketball of the season in this post-trade deadline stretch.
The defense has been amazing.
The offense dropped 129 on Memphis while shooting 28% from 3.
Four coast-to-coast demolitions in the last six games.
The defense has been amazing.
The offense dropped 129 on Memphis while shooting 28% from 3.
Four coast-to-coast demolitions in the last six games.
Strong close to the 2Q by the Magic—fighting back into a game that looked to be all but over.
February 26, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Strong close to the 2Q by the Magic—fighting back into a game that looked to be all but over.
Jarrett Allen in a single star lineup in the 2Q—pretty sure this is new. But when you’re up 23 with DG out why not?
February 26, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Jarrett Allen in a single star lineup in the 2Q—pretty sure this is new. But when you’re up 23 with DG out why not?
Tonight should be a good test for Evan Mobley. The Magic have three forwards that each pose a challenge in different ways:
Paolo with scoring, Franz with rim pressure, and Isaac with defense.
Paolo with scoring, Franz with rim pressure, and Isaac with defense.
February 25, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Tonight should be a good test for Evan Mobley. The Magic have three forwards that each pose a challenge in different ways:
Paolo with scoring, Franz with rim pressure, and Isaac with defense.
Paolo with scoring, Franz with rim pressure, and Isaac with defense.
Thread 🧵
I’m still deciding how I feel about the De’Andre Hunter trade (the game vs Boston will clarify a lot), but here are my early thoughts:
I’m still deciding how I feel about the De’Andre Hunter trade (the game vs Boston will clarify a lot), but here are my early thoughts:
February 25, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Thread 🧵
I’m still deciding how I feel about the De’Andre Hunter trade (the game vs Boston will clarify a lot), but here are my early thoughts:
I’m still deciding how I feel about the De’Andre Hunter trade (the game vs Boston will clarify a lot), but here are my early thoughts:
Regarding a potential CLE-BOS series, this Friday could give the best preview of that matchup.
Cleveland has had a glaring lack of defensive wings in these matchups to date. Dean Wade missed all 3 and Okoro missed 2. Both should be healthy, with De’Andre Hunter and Javonte Green added to the mix.
Cleveland has had a glaring lack of defensive wings in these matchups to date. Dean Wade missed all 3 and Okoro missed 2. Both should be healthy, with De’Andre Hunter and Javonte Green added to the mix.
EC Playoff Outlook:
BOS-CLE feels more inevitable by the day.
NYK elite offense (120.2 ORtg) hasn’t held up vs top comp (<111 ORtg in 6/7 games vs BOS, CLE, OKC).
IND is on a heater (22-8 since 10-15 start), and the defense is improved but still only above average in that stretch (+0.6 rDRtg).
BOS-CLE feels more inevitable by the day.
NYK elite offense (120.2 ORtg) hasn’t held up vs top comp (<111 ORtg in 6/7 games vs BOS, CLE, OKC).
IND is on a heater (22-8 since 10-15 start), and the defense is improved but still only above average in that stretch (+0.6 rDRtg).
February 24, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Regarding a potential CLE-BOS series, this Friday could give the best preview of that matchup.
Cleveland has had a glaring lack of defensive wings in these matchups to date. Dean Wade missed all 3 and Okoro missed 2. Both should be healthy, with De’Andre Hunter and Javonte Green added to the mix.
Cleveland has had a glaring lack of defensive wings in these matchups to date. Dean Wade missed all 3 and Okoro missed 2. Both should be healthy, with De’Andre Hunter and Javonte Green added to the mix.
EC Playoff Outlook:
BOS-CLE feels more inevitable by the day.
NYK elite offense (120.2 ORtg) hasn’t held up vs top comp (<111 ORtg in 6/7 games vs BOS, CLE, OKC).
IND is on a heater (22-8 since 10-15 start), and the defense is improved but still only above average in that stretch (+0.6 rDRtg).
BOS-CLE feels more inevitable by the day.
NYK elite offense (120.2 ORtg) hasn’t held up vs top comp (<111 ORtg in 6/7 games vs BOS, CLE, OKC).
IND is on a heater (22-8 since 10-15 start), and the defense is improved but still only above average in that stretch (+0.6 rDRtg).
February 24, 2025 at 3:54 PM
EC Playoff Outlook:
BOS-CLE feels more inevitable by the day.
NYK elite offense (120.2 ORtg) hasn’t held up vs top comp (<111 ORtg in 6/7 games vs BOS, CLE, OKC).
IND is on a heater (22-8 since 10-15 start), and the defense is improved but still only above average in that stretch (+0.6 rDRtg).
BOS-CLE feels more inevitable by the day.
NYK elite offense (120.2 ORtg) hasn’t held up vs top comp (<111 ORtg in 6/7 games vs BOS, CLE, OKC).
IND is on a heater (22-8 since 10-15 start), and the defense is improved but still only above average in that stretch (+0.6 rDRtg).