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Himmy

Why does SGA have any pressure to win a ring this year? Thats out of left field.

Dame and Tatum should

KD

Tatum, Giannis/Lillard.

Other than the obvious choices of Dame, Harden and Tatum. I’d also throw in Booker.

Out of all the pressure on anybody, I’d say it’s on embiid to make it out of the 2nd round

Lebron because he has to start declining soon. Like 5 years ago. The NBA narrative is still all about Lebron too. He is the most talked about player in the league.

Boston

KD every season since the warriors

Lillard and embiid are the only two need to be mentioned and Damian for sure cause he’s in the best situation. Embiid is gonna loose in 1-2nd round like usual and harden and the clippers be lucky if the core average 45 games for the season and loose 1-2nd like usual

Lebron since the league is very clearly rigging all his games by feeding his team double or triple the free throws of their opponents.

Plus he hasn’t won a championship without a bubble or blatant league office interference since he was on the Miami Heat.

For what the Celtics are paying Tatum and Green, they need to win one. 🏆

I say Boomer. Been to the finals before. Regarded as a great player but not quite all time great. This could be his year to prove it

Embiid I think. Love the hell outta him.

Feels like the answer is never someone who already has one

Unless you joined a team 73 win team. I'd say KD needed that ring more than half the list. For me it's Luka/KD/Embid

Well some teams that might implode if they don’t win this year. I’d say clippers, 76ers, and Pelicans.

Clippers blowing it up if they don't win this season

Chris Paul and harden

Why Butler isn’t mentioned in this? He’s always dubbed as ‘MJ’s son’ during the playoffs then always fell short in the finals. He always gets a pass if fell short “oh he doesnt have a stacked team “ “oh he’s not a high draft pick” if he’s being dubbed as MJ’s Son. Then I expect him to perform that way.

it's between guys like Tatum/Luka/Embiid/Booker/SGA

There should be very little pressure for a ring on SGA this year. OKC is still a really young team and this is the first year we've even been trying to compete after the rebuild.

If we make the playoffs and are competitive in a 7 game series it's a good year.

Tatum, Jokić, Curry, LeBron, Lillard, KD.

LeBron to prove he isn't getting old and can still play at the highest level. Otherwise the narrative will be that he COULD have played hard but coasted.

Curry/KD to use whatever legs he's got left to cement his legacy.

Jokić to prove it wasn't a fluke - like when Giannis won people kind of don't really care nowadays. Back to back is evidence to everyone including themselves. Many players in different sports and even esports say that winning once gives you worse pressure to win again because you start doubting yourself and think you got lucky.

Tatum... To prove that he isn't a fake superstar (check out Legler RJ Redick podcast, one of the last 4 segments). That he has IT. That he isn't just coasting on stacked teams Ainge and Stevens put around him. That he isn't relying only on being too long to have his benign shooting affected. So far he didn't prove he can bring it consistently every night or when it's the most important. If anything he's plagued by all the evidence he doesn't have IT.

Lillard to have any legacy whatsoever. He would've had it had he stayed in Portland with or without a title. If he doesn't win this or next year he's done and forgotten.

Not sure Luka can win with this roster, same for Embiid.

Probably James Harden

The guy above him did say “bad teams don’t make the conference finals”, and the Cavs did make the Finals. Kinda weird to bring Bron up tho

I mean idk if LeBron gets one he probably becomes the popular GOAT pick over MJ lol. But its def Embiid

How has Chris Paul not been mentioned?

Tatum, getting close to his rep is that of a non winner

I think the pressure is on Boston.

Having lost Harden, the Sixers kind of have an excuse.

But Boston has brought in the Unicorn and Jrue... got the best starting five in the league.

They need to step up to that next level and take it all home.

Luka? He's going to have Kyrie to blame for any shortcomings.

Booker? KD is going to be taking the lead, so if they fail, it will go on KD.

Shai doesn't have any real playoff experience with this roster.

So I see Tatum as the guy with the most pressure.

Embiid. Jimmy is gone, Simmons is gone, Doc is gone, Harden is gone, Maxey is looking good, and Embiid just won an MVP followed by an embarassing second round exit. He and the Sixers have been in contender conversations for the better part of a decade. I just don't see there being many more excuses for Embiid and as much as fans have trusted the Process I can't imagine another second round exit will leave many with much trust or hope.