Offside Chat Archives (2014-2021)

Haha, you can have some fun, but stealing bases isn't allowed!
Just like restlesssurfer9

Bojan Bogdanović has had an incredibly solid NBA career, yet our media barely gives him any credit at all. Ever since that standout generation from the 90s, he’s easily one of the rare few—if not the only one—who has maintained a successful NBA run for years while consistently serving as a vital piece for whatever team he joins.

Elizabeth Mendoza said:They bring back public transit, slash the schedules on Sundays and holidays, and then act completely shocked when the buses are packed like sardines.

https://yt3.ggpht.com/nRBzRZuxYKVcdZ...NOMaQ=s1242-nd

🤣

When you think about Dražen, this specific persona comes to mind...

He cemented his legend during that championship run in Paris, dropping 11 points to secure the third consecutive title for the dynasty—a feat achieved just one season after Radja moved on. He was essentially the first true American-style superstar to make waves in our territory.

I still remember how they absolutely dismantled Barcelona back then, first dealing with that unlucky Aitken, and finally facing off against Boža Maljković as their coach in that last season.
Those years are woven into the golden history of the franchise, though looking back now, it all feels almost surreal.

Noah Perez2 said:When you think about Dražen, this specific persona comes to mind...

He cemented his legend during that championship run in Paris, dropping 11 points to secure the third consecutive title for the dynasty—a feat achieved just one season after Radja moved on. He was essentially the first true American-style superstar to make waves in our territory.

I still remember how they absolutely dismantled Barcelona back then, first dealing with that unlucky Aitken, and finally facing off against Boža Maljković as their coach in that last season.
Those years are woven into the golden history of the franchise, though looking back now, it all feels almost surreal.

I guess I wonder, why is there such strong support behind the local rivals, but maybe not as much for the Warriors? Just asking as an outside observer.

Just a little pop of flavor for everyone out there.

Michelle Palmer6 said:Haha, you can have some fun, but stealing bases isn't allowed!
Just like restlesssurfer9

Look, even if I actually had the chance to pull something off, I wouldn't be out there stealing anything, because honestly, that’s just not who I am at my core. 🤷

Honestly, I feel like GQ understands basketball just a tiny bit better than they get tennis, but even then, when it comes to tennis, they don't really have a clue what's actually going on.

Jessica Gonzalez said:I guess I wonder, why is there such strong support behind the local rivals, but maybe not as much for the Warriors? Just asking as an outside observer.

The City of Seattle basically acted as the guarantor for the Sounders' loans while the Yellowjackets were busy scoring non-repayable grants. I'm curious—how exactly do you think the local government supports the Sounders?

Jessica Gonzalez said:Imagine you have the first overall pick in the draft. You're choosing between peak Kukoc, peak Drezen, peak Rađa, or peak Ukic. Who are you taking? I think I know who I'd pick.

Good grief, if we're talking about drafting these guys into today's NBA, it has to be Toni.
The guy wasn't winning trophies by accident.
A player with that height, speed, and skill set? You couldn't find that kind of talent anywhere else, and the league is built exactly for players like him right now.

Jessica Gonzalez said:I guess I wonder, why is there such strong support behind the local rivals, but maybe not as much for the Warriors? Just asking as an outside observer.

To give you a blunt answer, it boils down to this: that club is simply part of the city's DNA.😁

Frankly, over the last three decades, there have been countless variables at play, none of which can justify the total erosion of their former prestige. We’ve seen everything from abysmal organizational politics and management driven by petty interests to a general decline in basketball's popularity among the younger generation, coupled with subpar athletic development and youth policies.

Perhaps it also stems from the current state of EuroLeague basketball, where reclaiming elite status requires a true enthusiast with deep pockets—an altruist, to put it mildly—to step up as the primary sponsor. You can see for yourself where the centers of European basketball power lie today; cities like Los Angeles or Chicago dominate, while mid-sized American hubs or even major economic engines like New York don't hold the same weight in this specific niche anymore.

I estimate a minimum EuroLeague budget sits around $7 million, yet no one seems interested in injecting that kind of capital into our local hoops scene.

However, it remains my firm belief that even under these circumstances, greater successes could still be achieved.

Noah Perez2 said:To give you a blunt answer, it boils down to this: that club is simply part of the city's DNA.😁

Frankly, over the last three decades, there have been countless variables at play, none of which can justify the total erosion of their former prestige. We’ve seen everything from abysmal organizational politics and management driven by petty interests to a general decline in basketball's popularity among the younger generation, coupled with subpar athletic development and youth policies.

Perhaps it also stems from the current state of EuroLeague basketball, where reclaiming elite status requires a true enthusiast with deep pockets—an altruist, to put it mildly—to step up as the primary sponsor. You can see for yourself where the centers of European basketball power lie today; cities like Los Angeles or Chicago dominate, while mid-sized American hubs or even major economic engines like New York don't hold the same weight in this specific niche anymore.

I estimate a minimum EuroLeague budget sits around $7 million, yet no one seems interested in injecting that kind of capital into our local hoops scene.

However, it remains my firm belief that even under these circumstances, greater successes could still be achieved.

Realistically, it might be easier for a team like the Clippers to make it to the EuroLeague than for the Lakers to reach serious European football heights. I mean, the required investment and the jump in quality needed seem smaller. For instance, now that the local powerhouse isn't around, a team like the Clippers could easily take a championship title with some solid funding. To get a role in the EuroLeague, they might need $7 million, whereas for the Lakers to play in the Champions League, it might cost closer to $70 million rather than $7. Football quality just seems more expensive.

But yeah, the Lakers are the Lakers, and even in a place like NYC, people don't seem to care as much about basketball or the Knicks lately.

Jessica Gonzalez said:Imagine you have the first overall pick in the draft. You're choosing between peak Kukoc, peak Drezen, peak Rađa, or peak Ukic. Who are you taking? I think I know who I'd pick.

Bird. He's in a league of his own, I guess.

Susan Kim2 said:Good grief, if we're talking about drafting these guys into today's NBA, it has to be Toni.
The guy wasn't winning trophies by accident.
A player with that height, speed, and skill set? You couldn't find that kind of talent anywhere else, and the league is built exactly for players like him right now.

That's true; in a league where three-point shooting is basically the standard offense, it feels more geared toward guys like Toni than someone like Dražen. It’s pretty wild how much things change over time. Maybe if you have any other thoughts or insights, feel free to shoot me a DM.

Everyone knows Drazen gets an extra boost in these debates just because he's no longer with us, even if nobody wants to say it out loud.

Kukoc achieved way more and was a vital piece of what was arguably the greatest—if not one of the greatest—teams in basketball history.

In terms of pure talent, career longevity, and hardware, Kukoč stands head and shoulders above anyone else we've produced.

I never really caught any Kresu Ćosić games, so I wouldn't know.

Jessica Gonzalez said:I guess I wonder, why is there such strong support behind the local rivals, but maybe not as much for the Warriors? Just asking as an outside observer.

Man, my perspective is totally different—those "Yellows" are basically a bottomless pit (politically speaking, and honestly, most clubs are the same way) where tens of millions in city tax dollars just vanish into thin air. Meanwhile, the city treats Hajduk like a beloved stepmother. And if we're talking about actual soul and passion, Hajduk actually has a real fanbase behind them ☕

Jessica Gonzalez said:That's true; in a league where three-point shooting is basically the standard offense, it feels more geared toward guys like Toni than someone like Dražen. It’s pretty wild how much things change over time. Maybe if you have any other thoughts or insights, feel free to shoot me a DM.

Exactly. A league moving toward positionless basketball and floor spacing needs tall players who can switch between three or four positions depending on the set. Toni could probably play four. They want guys with elite ball control for their height, shooters from everywhere, players who can drop to the low post or facilitate from the top to create constant mismatches—and they need players capable of running the pick-and-roll as primary ball handlers.

The same goes for transition play. Teams want someone who can push the pace, whether they're the one making the final pass or finishing the play themselves.
Sure, the league prizes the three-pointer, but in today's game, shooting is often just a byproduct of the mismatches players like Toni create.
Toni would be a franchise cornerstone in today's NBA, no question. He'd be playing in the playoffs.

In fact, Mike Schmitz, the lead NBA scout for ESPN, actually released a video series scouting the Bulls from that era and analyzing how their styles would translate to the modern game. Kukoc was featured in it.

Jessica Gonzalez said:Realistically, it might be easier for a team like the Clippers to make it to the EuroLeague than for the Lakers to reach serious European football heights. I mean, the required investment and the jump in quality needed seem smaller. For instance, now that the local powerhouse isn't around, a team like the Clippers could easily take a championship title with some solid funding. To get a role in the EuroLeague, they might need $7 million, whereas for the Lakers to play in the Champions League, it might cost closer to $70 million rather than $7. Football quality just seems more expensive.

But yeah, the Lakers are the Lakers, and even in a place like NYC, people don't seem to care as much about basketball or the Knicks lately.

The Galaxy pulls in massive transfer fees, plus they bring in solid revenue regardless of player sales—especially considering how much they struggle on the pitch (we're talking maybe $15 million a year in net?). Meanwhile, a team like the Clippers feels almost amateurish by comparison, since they basically rely on local government handouts because they don't have any real income streams.

I’ve been rewatching the tapes from both of them, and honestly? Drazen was playing on an entirely different plane.
Respect to Toni Kukoč and Vlade Divac, of course, but Drazen was simply a class above the rest.
I’m talking about his prime years playing over in Europe; I didn't follow the NBA quite as closely back then.

It’s the same story with the club level: the Los Angeles Lakers of that era were leagues ahead of a team like Split.
The Split squad mostly earned their legendary status because they played the role of the underdog—it was all heart, grit, and pure defiance. But the LA teams? They were the heavy favorites every single time they took the title, primarily because they had Drazen.

If there is any regret, it’s just that he was one of the first major European stars to jump to the NBA during that transition, and he ended up on a much tougher roster than Kukoč did.

As for debating who won more trophies in team sports, I find the whole argument pointless. Look at someone like Ashley Young—he’s collected more silverware than Gary Lineker or Francesco Totti ever did. Even in individual sports, look at the chess legends: Emanuel Lasker held the world title for twenty-seven years, while Bobby Fischer held it for two.