Opinion The NBA Thread

[nahnah]

If Jimmy Butler misses it probably will be 3 in a row.

Cavs are rolling right now and those trades for Mozgov, JR Smith and Shumpert are paying off. Mozgov protecting the rim and getting high % looks inside. He is getting utilised well. JR Smith is more catch and shoot and taking shots in rhythm which suits him perfectly then Shumpert is also contributing with good active defence and knocking down the occasional shot.

The Bulls while they've won a few in a row now have been too flat and ordinary this past month. I don't think the Cavs will have any trouble getting the W. As much as that pains me as a Bulls fan.

Mozgov has been beyond fantastic, my second favourite player behind Kyrie, probably tied with TT.
Shump is knocking down shots more than I thought he would and I rated him highly before trade. JR has really been fantastic too, I didn't rate him before trade but glad he is proving me wrong !

Is Jimmy butler doubtful? That's a shame I want to see these two teams go at I full strength, is Dunleavy back yet ?
I'm fairly confident cavs can win but you never know in the NBA, cavs did get dropped by a hot shooting cj miles just a few days ago !
If Rose is on there isn't a thing the cavs can do to stop him, I saw it in preseason and it worries me, so imo he is the key to the Bulls winning.

 

[Knightmare]

Mozgov has been beyond fantastic, my second favourite player behind Kyrie, probably tied with TT.
Shump is knocking down shots more than I thought he would and I rated him highly before trade. JR has really been fantastic too, I didn't rate him before trade but glad he is proving me wrong !

Is Jimmy butler doubtful? That's a shame I want to see these two teams go at I full strength, is Dunleavy back yet ?
I'm fairly confident cavs can win but you never know in the NBA, cavs did get dropped by a hot shooting cj miles just a few days ago !
If Rose is on there isn't a thing the cavs can do to stop him, I saw it in preseason and it worries me, so imo he is the key to the Bulls winning.

I don't know whether Jimmy is doubtful but he went out early second or third quarter in the Bulls last game and Tony Snell played the remaining minutes. I think he got scans yesterday but haven't been listening for updates. Game time decision would be my best guess until I hear an update.

Dunleavy is back and the Bulls look better already with his floor spacing and some driving lanes opening up as a result that weren't there before. The Cavs will be his second game back.

CJ Miles is streaky. Has the odd game where he absolutely explodes and the rest of the time you'd think he belongs in the D-league, so you take the good with the bad.

With Rose the unique thing with him is that he gets up for good opponents or more specifically for opponents with star point guards. Given Irving's standing in the game Rose will be up for it and attack him.

My best guess with the Bulls, a bit like the Spurs and the Thunder. They'll start to get hot after the All Star break.

The Bulls feel like they have underperformed but are now starting to get guys back to being themselves.

Rose is not MVP Rose but this past month has looked better. His handle and passing is starting to look better, not that it's where it was/needs to get to and he still is jacking up too many 3s and forcing it with those 3pt attempts too much still but all that is less bad and he is starting to drive more, though he could still more.

Joakim Noah is playing with more energy and moving better which he wasn't which is another positive for the Bulls and is looking more like what he normally does.

Then Dunleavy is back. And add in All Stars Butler and Gasol and they'll be good. I'd just like minutes for McDermott and more minutes for Snell to stretch the floor when Dunleavy isn't on the floor. Take some of those minutes away from Hinrich who I feel has really regressed this year and I'd be a happy man.


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*One addition I'd love to see the Cavs make. I like the frontline and Ray Allen I don't even see necessary, though I'd still welcome him. What I'd like to see for the Cavs is a move for Jimmer Fredette. To me he is the ultimate off the ball 3pt shooting point guard. Have him at the point in the same team as LeBron as a backup to Kyrie to play instead of Dellavedova and that for me would be the final piece with Dellavedova more someone I'd see as depth or more a backup for a team that isn't contending (apologies to those more patriotic than myself).

 

[nahnah]

I don't know whether Jimmy is doubtful but he went out early second or third quarter in the Bulls last game and Tony Snell played the remaining minutes. I think he got scans yesterday but haven't been listening for updates. Game time decision would be my best guess until I hear an update.

Dunleavy is back and the Bulls look better already with his floor spacing and some driving lanes opening up as a result that weren't there before. The Cavs will be his second game back.

CJ Miles is streaky. Has the odd game where he absolutely explodes and the rest of the time you'd think he belongs in the D-league, so you take the good with the bad.

With Rose the unique thing with him is that he gets up for good opponents or more specifically for opponents with star point guards. Given Irving's standing in the game Rose will be up for it and attack him.

My best guess with the Bulls, a bit like the Spurs and the Thunder. They'll start to get hot after the All Star break.

The Bulls feel like they have underperformed but are now starting to get guys back to being themselves.

Rose is not MVP Rose but this past month has looked better. His handle and passing is starting to look better, not that it's where it was/needs to get to and he still is jacking up too many 3s and forcing it with those 3pt attempts too much still but all that is less bad and he is starting to drive more, though he could still more.

Joakim Noah is playing with more energy and moving better which he wasn't which is another positive for the Bulls and is looking more like what he normally does.

Then Dunleavy is back. And add in All Stars Butler and Gasol and they'll be good. I'd just like minutes for McDermott and more minutes for Snell to stretch the floor when Dunleavy isn't on the floor. Take some of those minutes away from Hinrich who I feel has really regressed this year and I'd be a happy man.


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*One addition I'd love to see the Cavs make. I like the frontline and Ray Allen I don't even see necessary, though I'd still welcome him. What I'd like to see for the Cavs is a move for Jimmer Fredette. To me he is the ultimate off the ball 3pt shooting point guard. Have him at the point in the same team as LeBron as a backup to Kyrie to play instead of Dellavedova and that for me would be the final piece with Dellavedova more someone I'd see as depth or more a backup for a team that isn't contending (apologies to those more patriotic than myself).

Cj was my favourite player past 2 seasons, he can get very hot and very cold..like me when I play lol

Well, the first two games (I'm including preseason one) Rose looked far superior to Irving but played limited minutes in both outing I belive he got injured in the reg season game, then the last time they played Irving outplayed him.. It'll be very interesting to see how they go tomorrow !
Snell, the guy always has career nights agaisnt the cavs.. His very first break out game last season he killed the cavs and has made a ton of 3's on them ever since, he should be in for another big game. Can play a cj miles role and help Bulls win.
Dunleavy makes a hige difference to the Bulls, not a lot of depth at SF and he does do a good job of spreading the floor.
I agree with you, delly is average. He's ok when he plays with irving or Lebron, but when he's the main ball handler he's awful. I think the cavs need another big and an upgraded back up pg. Ray Allen isn't a need at all, should just retire. I don't like how he has say out majority of the season.

Just a side note, westbrook is ridiculous. This guy is a monster and doesn't get enough love. He's the second best player in the NBA right now, probably my favourite player to watch too.

Ultimately in the East I think it comes down to Bulls or cavs, Atlanta will lose to either one depending on who they play first if all teams are healthy. Given Atlanta is so far infront, the cavs and Bulls will probably meet before the Eastern finals but the winner should take care of Atlanta, they're a nice story and all but their lack of star factor will pop up eventually. Toronto confuse me, they win more games than they should. I'm more scared of the bucks than Wizards and then everyone after that is irrelevant.

 

[nahnah]

LeBron is settling for way to many long jumpers, attack the rim or pass ffs.
Bulls lead by 15 at one point but cavs lucky to be down just 7 at half time. Rose has looked great and that's a problem.. Cavs lack of a fourth big is showing with Love out.
Kyrie needs the ball more this half.

 

[Knightmare]

Cj was my favourite player past 2 seasons, he can get very hot and very cold..like me when I play lol

Well, the first two games (I'm including preseason one) Rose looked far superior to Irving but played limited minutes in both outing I belive he got injured in the reg season game, then the last time they played Irving outplayed him.. It'll be very interesting to see how they go tomorrow !
Snell, the guy always has career nights agaisnt the cavs.. His very first break out game last season he killed the cavs and has made a ton of 3's on them ever since, he should be in for another big game. Can play a cj miles role and help Bulls win.
Dunleavy makes a hige difference to the Bulls, not a lot of depth at SF and he does do a good job of spreading the floor.
I agree with you, delly is average. He's ok when he plays with irving or Lebron, but when he's the main ball handler he's awful. I think the cavs need another big and an upgraded back up pg. Ray Allen isn't a need at all, should just retire. I don't like how he has say out majority of the season.

Just a side note, westbrook is ridiculous. This guy is a monster and doesn't get enough love. He's the second best player in the NBA right now, probably my favourite player to watch too.

Ultimately in the East I think it comes down to Bulls or cavs, Atlanta will lose to either one depending on who they play first if all teams are healthy. Given Atlanta is so far infront, the cavs and Bulls will probably meet before the Eastern finals but the winner should take care of Atlanta, they're a nice story and all but their lack of star factor will pop up eventually. Toronto confuse me, they win more games than they should. I'm more scared of the bucks than Wizards and then everyone after that is irrelevant.

Good call on Snell having a big game. 9-11 from the field. 4-6 from 3pt. He's a worker so I'm glad to see him continue to produce and play strong basketball.

I was also right on Rose really going for it at another high level PG. Just didn't expect it without Butler to be a W for the Bulls.

The Cavs next year assuming Tristian Thompson as a restricted free agent returns will have an incredible front line with Mozgov, Thompson, Love and Varajao. Great depth and they all offer something different. Without Varajao I'm not sure I see anyone else needing to be in the rotation. Haywood as depth feels sufficient as size and LeBron can also play the 4 if required with Marion also able to play the 4.
It will be interesting to see if and if so then who the Cavs add.

I enjoy my fantasy scenarios with all thsoe better teams and thinking up ways to make them better, so the likes of the Cavs, Warriors, Hawks, Bulls, Thunder, Grizzlies, Mavericks and so on.

Westbrook is a freak. I don't regard him as highly as you do as a backcourt guy who can be a ball hog and jacks up too many 3s for a guy shooting only 28% (I have the same criticism of Rose). But the guy just attacks and takes everything personally and I wouldn't want to play against him because he is a man possessed on the court (and off if you've seen his press conferences). I consider Westbrook the 3rd best backcourt guy in the game this season after Curry and Harden, but then again if he didn't play in the same team as Durant his numbers would be higher so perhaps he is in that conversion.
Personally I see the best in the game as being: Durant, Davis, LeBron, Curry then among those next few Harden, Westbrook and Cousins.

It will be interesting to see who wins the East. Can the Bulls get hot? Will the Cavs continue to get better? The Hawks have an incredible record after that month of strong play, just playing really good team basketball but they don't have any room to drop away and feel like they could be exploited by a team with size inside. Any of the three could make it out of the East with the Raptors and Wizards to be competitive and able to knock one of those three out of the playoffs. My best guess is the Cavs come out of the East. I know as a Bulls fan the Wizards as one example really give the Bulls trouble and match up well with the Bulls front line.
The Bucks are interesting and will be good perhaps as soon as next year but they're not ready yet to do any damage and probably more likely in 2017 will be looking to make some noise in the East. Antetokounmpo is an incredible talent and Knight was by East standards near All Star level and Jabari Parker will help when he returns next year.

 

[nahnah]

Good call on Snell having a big game. 9-11 from the field. 4-6 from 3pt. He's a worker so I'm glad to see him continue to produce and play strong basketball.

I was also right on Rose really going for it at another high level PG. Just didn't expect it without Butler to be a W for the Bulls.

The Cavs next year assuming Tristian Thompson as a restricted free agent returns will have an incredible front line with Mozgov, Thompson, Love and Varajao. Great depth and they all offer something different. Without Varajao I'm not sure I see anyone else needing to be in the rotation. Haywood as depth feels sufficient as size and LeBron can also play the 4 if required with Marion also able to play the 4.
It will be interesting to see if and if so then who the Cavs add.

I enjoy my fantasy scenarios with all thsoe better teams and thinking up ways to make them better, so the likes of the Cavs, Warriors, Hawks, Bulls, Thunder, Grizzlies, Mavericks and so on.

Westbrook is a freak. I don't regard him as highly as you do as a backcourt guy who can be a ball hog and jacks up too many 3s for a guy shooting only 28% (I have the same criticism of Rose). But the guy just attacks and takes everything personally and I wouldn't want to play against him because he is a man possessed on the court (and off if you've seen his press conferences). I consider Westbrook the 3rd best backcourt guy in the game this season after Curry and Harden, but then again if he didn't play in the same team as Durant his numbers would be higher so perhaps he is in that conversion.
Personally I see the best in the game as being: Durant, Davis, LeBron, Curry then among those next few Harden, Westbrook and Cousins.

It will be interesting to see who wins the East. Can the Bulls get hot? Will the Cavs continue to get better? The Hawks have an incredible record after that month of strong play, just playing really good team basketball but they don't have any room to drop away and feel like they could be exploited by a team with size inside. Any of the three could make it out of the East with the Raptors and Wizards to be competitive and able to knock one of those three out of the playoffs. My best guess is the Cavs come out of the East. I know as a Bulls fan the Wizards as one example really give the Bulls trouble and match up well with the Bulls front line.
The Bucks are interesting and will be good perhaps as soon as next year but they're not ready yet to do any damage and probably more likely in 2017 will be looking to make some noise in the East. Antetokounmpo is an incredible talent and Knight was by East standards near All Star level and Jabari Parker will help when he returns next year.

Yes Snell was always going to have a big game unfortunately for me lol Bulls really did dominate majority of the game. Rose easily got the better of Kyrie which was dissapointing from my perspective and TT wasn't as dominate agaisnt Gibson like past few times they've played. Not sure why James Jones played so much, I guess experimenting with Love out but Marion or Haywood would have been better fits imo. What about Mozgov putting Noah on a poster tho

I did not realise that the Bulls had match up issues with the Wizards, I'm a big believer in match up issues causing teams problems ever since the cavs got done by Orlando many years ago, I think cavs may have a little issue with the bucks but match up superbly with the Wizards (always have)

Westbrooks numbers are a lot better than Durants this season. Infact they're better than Hardens too. Obviously he hasn't played as many games and niether has Durant so it may change in time but right now he is putting up some ridicoulous numbers.

I raised my concerns about the rondo trade taking away another player that can shoot, handle and pass earlier in this thread, rondo being a terrible shooter (his fee throw percetnage is hard to belive) and I think it has been an issue for th Mavs, but they had to do the trade because they weren't a contender anyways. May as well die trying.

Boston still can't find a way to tank, traded so many players away and are still on win streaks and near the 8th seed. It's that winning culture that won't go away.

I just hope that the twolves win the lottery. They deserve to, Lakers and knicks don't. Imagine how good the Twolves will be with Okafor, Wiggins, bazz etc

 

[Knightmare]

Yes Snell was always going to have a big game unfortunately for me lol Bulls really did dominate majority of the game. Rose easily got the better of Kyrie which was dissapointing from my perspective and TT wasn't as dominate agaisnt Gibson like past few times they've played. Not sure why James Jones played so much, I guess experimenting with Love out but Marion or Haywood would have been better fits imo. What about Mozgov putting Noah on a poster tho

I did not realise that the Bulls had match up issues with the Wizards, I'm a big believer in match up issues causing teams problems ever since the cavs got done by Orlando many years ago, I think cavs may have a little issue with the bucks but match up superbly with the Wizards (always have)

Westbrooks numbers are a lot better than Durants this season. Infact they're better than Hardens too. Obviously he hasn't played as many games and niether has Durant so it may change in time but right now he is putting up some ridicoulous numbers.

I raised my concerns about the rondo trade taking away another player that can shoot, handle and pass earlier in this thread, rondo being a terrible shooter (his fee throw percetnage is hard to belive) and I think it has been an issue for th Mavs, but they had to do the trade because they weren't a contender anyways. May as well die trying.

Boston still can't find a way to tank, traded so many players away and are still on win streaks and near the 8th seed. It's that winning culture that won't go away.

I just hope that the twolves win the lottery. They deserve to, Lakers and knicks don't. Imagine how good the Twolves will be with Okafor, Wiggins, bazz etc

I didn't see the game but have seen the highlights. Mozgov can really throw it down and that isn't the first and it won't be the last time he has done that.

The thing to consider when comparing players and those absolute top end guys when they're scoring much the same is shooting %. Durant is shooting 51.7% (fg), 40.5% (3pt) and 85.2 (FT). Westbrook is a volume guy but he just isn't as efficient at 43.1% (fg), 28.1% (3pt) and 83% (FT).

But regarding Westbrook's stats per 36min v his peers it really is impressive what he is doing this season.

You are right about the Mavs looking to this point anyway worse with Rondo. I certainly didn't expect it and simply assumed that they'll sign a veteran big (looks likely with Jermaine O'Neal expected to sign if he hasn't already) and I assumed given their ease of scoring that Rondo's lack of shooting ability wouldn't matter and he would improve the defensive which he has, but he does look a sub-optimal addition with that offense looking worse. The key with Rondo in that lineup and why it isn't working in my view is Monta Ellis. Ellis needs more of the ball and more touches more often on offence to be a threat and he needs to get out and run and Rondo is more a half court, ball hog who will hang onto the ball and dribble until he finds a guy open to score, that isn't the right backcourt to win with. Rondo was an ideal point guard for Ray Allen and Paul Pierce with those guys spacing the floor and he would be terrific for Kevin Durant and say if you have Anthony Morrow on the floor with him, or on that Golden State team if they wanted to go super small with Rondo, Curry, Thompson, Green and Speights to make things interesting. But he is really someone who needs those kinds of shooters around him to really succeed and be a worthwhile starting point guard.

Boston is a unique situation. You've got Rondo who wasn't going to stay - wanting to get back onto a contending team. Then same story with Green. So they had little choice, but it is interesting in a weak East that they remain in the hunt. Boston presumably still get a pick around 10 which is still fine and if they add someone through free agency (Greg Monroe as an example) they can be a playoff team again. They don't have that I can think of anyone who played on their championship team, but that exposure of their players to those veterans in KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce no question helped their development and having that quality of veterans on your team only helps so I agree that influence and those learnings gained from those veterans has kept them performing. It will be interesting to see if they can at any time get a taker for Gerald Wallace who is their only bad contract.

With that number one overall pick I think most are hoping that the 76ers don't get that pick with the way they are building their roster, though perhaps then they'll shop one of Embiid or Noel which could make things interesting. And otherwise the Lakers and Knicks, neither team really scares me enough to care if either get that top pick, but at the same time being the two largest markets in the NBA I can't help but hope someone else gets that top pick.
I'd most be interested/terrified of seeing Okafor go to Indiana. They could then move Hibbert and possibly even West and re-tool around Paul George and Okafor which would be fascinating to watch in that Tim Duncan to the Spurs kind of way after David Robinson went out for the season way back when which created that San Antonio dynasty.

 

[nahnah]

I didn't see the game but have seen the highlights. Mozgov can really throw it down and that isn't the first and it won't be the last time he has done that.

The thing to consider when comparing players and those absolute top end guys when they're scoring much the same is shooting %. Durant is shooting 51.7% (fg), 40.5% (3pt) and 85.2 (FT). Westbrook is a volume guy but he just isn't as efficient at 43.1% (fg), 28.1% (3pt) and 83% (FT).

But regarding Westbrook's stats per 36min v his peers it really is impressive what he is doing this season.

You are right about the Mavs looking to this point anyway worse with Rondo. I certainly didn't expect it and simply assumed that they'll sign a veteran big (looks likely with Jermaine O'Neal expected to sign if he hasn't already) and I assumed given their ease of scoring that Rondo's lack of shooting ability wouldn't matter and he would improve the defensive which he has, but he does look a sub-optimal addition with that offense looking worse. The key with Rondo in that lineup and why it isn't working in my view is Monta Ellis. Ellis needs more of the ball and more touches more often on offence to be a threat and he needs to get out and run and Rondo is more a half court, ball hog who will hang onto the ball and dribble until he finds a guy open to score, that isn't the right backcourt to win with. Rondo was an ideal point guard for Ray Allen and Paul Pierce with those guys spacing the floor and he would be terrific for Kevin Durant and say if you have Anthony Morrow on the floor with him, or on that Golden State team if they wanted to go super small with Rondo, Curry, Thompson, Green and Speights to make things interesting. But he is really someone who needs those kinds of shooters around him to really succeed and be a worthwhile starting point guard.

Boston is a unique situation. You've got Rondo who wasn't going to stay - wanting to get back onto a contending team. Then same story with Green. So they had little choice, but it is interesting in a weak East that they remain in the hunt. Boston presumably still get a pick around 10 which is still fine and if they add someone through free agency (Greg Monroe as an example) they can be a playoff team again. They don't have that I can think of anyone who played on their championship team, but that exposure of their players to those veterans in KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce no question helped their development and having that quality of veterans on your team only helps so I agree that influence and those learnings gained from those veterans has kept them performing. It will be interesting to see if they can at any time get a taker for Gerald Wallace who is their only bad contract.

With that number one overall pick I think most are hoping that the 76ers don't get that pick with the way they are building their roster, though perhaps then they'll shop one of Embiid or Noel which could make things interesting. And otherwise the Lakers and Knicks, neither team really scares me enough to care if either get that top pick, but at the same time being the two largest markets in the NBA I can't help but hope someone else gets that top pick.
I'd most be interested/terrified of seeing Okafor go to Indiana. They could then move Hibbert and possibly even West and re-tool around Paul George and Okafor which would be fascinating to watch in that Tim Duncan to the Spurs kind of way after David Robinson went out for the season way back when which created that San Antonio dynasty.

Dallas had the best offense in the league I believe before the rondo trade, they got rondo for defense maybe I'm not too sure but it certainly wasn't gonna help their offense and I really didn't like how they included Wright in the deal given he was playing incredibly well. Either way they aren't a contender which kinda sucks for them.
I haven't checked the stats but I'm pretty confident westbrook is getting more rebounds than durant, which is crazy. He just stuffs the stat shit and he's so explosive.. I just love him lol

I heard miami, cavs and wizards are looking at nelson. Not sure why miami would want him, I guess they've convinced themselves they're still good. Nelson would be very good for wizards.
Im actually hoping cavs finish 4th and wizards 5th, because that is a fierce rivalry and it'll be like the good old days of 2006-2008 all over again !

Sometimes I like to look back at that time when I first got into the nba, it's funny I remember utah's team very well. They had Millsap and korver and let them go lol they also had brewer who played well with korver for the Bulls a few seasons ago, just wonder what they would be like if they kept those players around.

What happened to Brewer, he was so damn good for the Bulls and then went to the knicks and was never heard of again ! I use to love watching him and korver for the Bulls when I wanted them to beat the heat in the playoffs so badly lol

 

[Knightmare]

Dallas had the best offense in the league I believe before the rondo trade, they got rondo for defense maybe I'm not too sure but it certainly wasn't gonna help their offense and I really didn't like how they included Wright in the deal given he was playing incredibly well. Either way they aren't a contender which kinda sucks for them.
I haven't checked the stats but I'm pretty confident westbrook is getting more rebounds than durant, which is crazy. He just stuffs the stat shit and he's so explosive.. I just love him lol

I heard miami, cavs and wizards are looking at nelson. Not sure why miami would want him, I guess they've convinced themselves they're still good. Nelson would be very good for wizards.
Im actually hoping cavs finish 4th and wizards 5th, because that is a fierce rivalry and it'll be like the good old days of 2006-2008 all over again !

Sometimes I like to look back at that time when I first got into the nba, it's funny I remember utah's team very well. They had Millsap and korver and let them go lol they also had brewer who played well with korver for the Bulls a few seasons ago, just wonder what they would be like if they kept those players around.

What happened to Brewer, he was so damn good for the Bulls and then went to the knicks and was never heard of again ! I use to love watching him and korver for the Bulls when I wanted them to beat the heat in the playoffs so badly lol

Durant's rebound rate is higher, though down on past seasons but Westbrook, like Rondo is a freak rebounding point guard who crashes the boards which not many at his position do, or do well.

Nelson would be a solid veteran pickup. On Miami other than at the point guard position they've got a really good starting group. Bosh and Wade when healthy are effective. Deng can still play though on offense they are not involving him as much as they perhaps could. Then Whiteside is really having an impact down low. If they find a starting quality point guard then they can make the playoffs, and that is really a win now or bust team with D.Wade in his 30s. Their point guard situation is annoying in that all their point guards and backup only quality point guards and not guys who should start on any team, with Chalmers who started for the Heat more an off the ball point guard. So they really need someone better. It's not winning them a championship but it can make them more competitive which is something if they don't lose anything major to make it happen.

As a Bulls fan my interest is in the Bulls finishing higher than the Cavs and getting as high in the standings as possible, mostly because I want to use that option to swap first round picks with the Cavs and move the Cavs down to as bad of a first round pick as possible. Matchups don't really worry me, but 3rd would be better for the Bulls than 4th with say the Bucks and Raptors easier than the Wizards and Hawks which would be a very tough first two rounds for the Bulls anyway.

I was a Bulls fan from 2005 - not the Bulls strongest period, through I started supporting Collingwood while we were down the very bottom also. Brewer since his first stint with the Bulls has struggle because he isn't a shooter. He is a defender/slasher who has an ugly shot that wasn't overly effective and didn't come with consistent 3pt range which in today's NBA makes it hard unless you're D.Wade on the perimeter with the focus there is on the 3 ball and spacing the floor. Korver never found his groove with the Bulls like he has more recently with Atlanta, the Bulls were responsible for making him a more reliable team defender and not a liability on that end of the floor, but then in that unselfish situation in Atlanta where they consistently make the extra passes to the most optimal shooter each time down the floor, really knowing where Kyle is at all time and that's why he is so good there. Always loved his game though, but I understood the salary cap reasons the Bulls let both Kyle, CJ Watson and Ronnie Brewer go which made sense with D.Rose out with the ACL.

 

[nahnah]

Durant's rebound rate is higher, though down on past seasons but Westbrook, like Rondo is a freak rebounding point guard who crashes the boards which not many at his position do, or do well.

Nelson would be a solid veteran pickup. On Miami other than at the point guard position they've got a really good starting group. Bosh and Wade when healthy are effective. Deng can still play though on offense they are not involving him as much as they perhaps could. Then Whiteside is really having an impact down low. If they find a starting quality point guard then they can make the playoffs, and that is really a win now or bust team with D.Wade in his 30s. Their point guard situation is annoying in that all their point guards and backup only quality point guards and not guys who should start on any team, with Chalmers who started for the Heat more an off the ball point guard. So they really need someone better. It's not winning them a championship but it can make them more competitive which is something if they don't lose anything major to make it happen.

As a Bulls fan my interest is in the Bulls finishing higher than the Cavs and getting as high in the standings as possible, mostly because I want to use that option to swap first round picks with the Cavs and move the Cavs down to as bad of a first round pick as possible. Matchups don't really worry me, but 3rd would be better for the Bulls than 4th with say the Bucks and Raptors easier than the Wizards and Hawks which would be a very tough first two rounds for the Bulls anyway.

I was a Bulls fan from 2005 - not the Bulls strongest period, through I started supporting Collingwood while we were down the very bottom also. Brewer since his first stint with the Bulls has struggle because he isn't a shooter. He is a defender/slasher who has an ugly shot that wasn't overly effective and didn't come with consistent 3pt range which in today's NBA makes it hard unless you're D.Wade on the perimeter with the focus there is on the 3 ball and spacing the floor. Korver never found his groove with the Bulls like he has more recently with Atlanta, the Bulls were responsible for making him a more reliable team defender and not a liability on that end of the floor, but then in that unselfish situation in Atlanta where they consistently make the extra passes to the most optimal shooter each time down the floor, really knowing where Kyle is at all time and that's why he is so good there. Always loved his game though, but I understood the salary cap reasons the Bulls let both Kyle, CJ Watson and Ronnie Brewer go which made sense with D.Rose out with the ACL.

The Bulls ahve rights to swap picks with the cavs ? I didn't even know that
Isaiah thomas to cavs needs to happen, I don't care how just get it done.
Brewer was a great defender and pretty useful on a fast break.. His shooting was awful. I'd like to see him back in the NBA
I think I started following NBA/cavs in 2006, may have been 05 pretty sure 06.
I didn't start going to Collingwood games regularly until 2005, so I'm with you on my interest coming along at a surprising time. Although I can remember watching them in the 2002/2003 grandfinals but I was about 10 and wasn't really into it.
I like how they changed the skills challenge to head to head races, didn't like the commentators being on loud speaker, I think it put Kyrie off when he was shooting the threes at the top, kenny was getting really loud and I think it also affected klay. Also I think it put out oladipo in the dunk contest.

 

[Knightmare]

The Bulls ahve rights to swap picks with the cavs ? I didn't even know that
Isaiah thomas to cavs needs to happen, I don't care how just get it done.
Brewer was a great defender and pretty useful on a fast break.. His shooting was awful. I'd like to see him back in the NBA
I think I started following NBA/cavs in 2006, may have been 05 pretty sure 06.
I didn't start going to Collingwood games regularly until 2005, so I'm with you on my interest coming along at a surprising time. Although I can remember watching them in the 2002/2003 grandfinals but I was about 10 and wasn't really into it.
I like how they changed the skills challenge to head to head races, didn't like the commentators being on loud speaker, I think it put Kyrie off when he was shooting the threes at the top, kenny was getting really loud and I think it also affected klay. Also I think it put out oladipo in the dunk contest.

Isaiah Thomas would be hard to get. He is having a terrific season and with Goran Dragic highly likely to be on the move I think even with their extreme depth at the point that they'll keep him, with that point guard position a real advantage.
I imagine the Suns would ask for Tristian Thompson and to make deal work the Suns would probably ask for Joe Harris to be thrown in. So he wouldn't be an easy get.
I know for Dragic the Suns are asking for a 1st round pick + and would get more if he didn't have an option to become a free agent on his contract for this year. The feel that he will leave as he doesn't like being on a team with so many ball handlers, so that's why the Suns are in such a rush to move him at the moment.

Brewer can find a position of the bench for a team. His defence is solid and he is still a good athlete. For him it's just about finding that right situation where he can come off the bench and he has enough shooting around him for his lack of a shot not to matter as much.

Overall I wasn't so impressed by the various events yesterday. It was interesting to see all the very best shooters go at it, though I was surprised to see Harden amongst that group as a good but not great three point shooter. I would have loved to have seen Kevin Durant instead as a better long distance shooter.

Of the dunkers the outcome wasn't surprising if you've seen LaVine's previous slam dunk attempts from the past. His basketball ability doesn't impress me greatly and he went higher than I would have picked him in last years draft. But he still has a chance eventually to be a rotation player with his athleticism and improving 3pt shooting. Maybe he can be a poor man's Gerald Green eventually. Terrific dunker though.

The skills challenge was watchable and had about the right pace to it. I agree that the loud speakers were unnecessary. Just having the TV commentary for tv is fine or if you are going to do that over the speakers doing it after the dunk.

 

[TradeDraft]

So where will Amare go?

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/12332135/new-york-knicks-amare-stoudemire-agree-buyout

 

[Knightmare]

So where will Amare go?

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/12332135/new-york-knicks-amare-stoudemire-agree-buyout

A contending team once he clears waivers.

In other words any of the top 9 seeds in the West or any of the top 5 seeds in the East.
That would mean one of: Golden State, Memphis, Portland, Houston, Dallas, LA Clippers, San Antonio, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Toronto, Chicago, Washington or Cleveland.

It's a broad group but until he signs he will be linked to all these teams. Chicago don't make much sense with no room to accommodate him. Houston may not have room for him either after adding Josh Smith and maybe not Washington either with all the size they have on their front line. But otherwise all those other teams make sense and would have room for Amare.

 

[Knightmare]

Sounds like Amare intends to sign with Dallas from reports on NBA.com and ESPN.

On Dragic the talk is he won't sign with the Suns which either means they trade Isaiah Thomas or trade Dragic. Perhaps both may happen with the sheer depth they have at the point.
Dragic only wants to join the Knicks, Lakers or Heat knowing on those teams he can start and be a long term piece.

Denver could look to move any combination of their players with Aaron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler the most heavily rumoured. Brooklyn are in the same position with Brook Lopez the most highly in demand and Detroit from reports interested in Joe Johnson.

Mo Harkless and Andrew Nicholson from the Magic both seem available and could be useable young pieces for a team.

The biggest news may be a Larry Sanders buyout being arranged by Milwaukee. It's unclear when he will be back playing but the guy can protect the rim and is still young so he could for a contending team be a potential game changer depending on if/when he returns to playing.

--
The typical thing with trade deadlines to note. Roughly half of the expected traded tend to go through and there are always plenty of trades no one is talking about/aware of that do go through.

The general system will be good teams trying to get better, bad teams trying to move contacts and gather picks.

Will be an interesting few days to see what moves happen.

 

[nahnah]

Sounds like Amare intends to sign with Dallas from reports on NBA.com and ESPN.

On Dragic the talk is he won't sign with the Suns which either means they trade Isaiah Thomas or trade Dragic. Perhaps both may happen with the sheer depth they have at the point.
Dragic only wants to join the Knicks, Lakers or Heat knowing on those teams he can start and be a long term piece.

Denver could look to move any combination of their players with Aaron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler the most heavily rumoured. Brooklyn are in the same position with Brook Lopez the most highly in demand and Detroit from reports interested in Joe Johnson.

Mo Harkless and Andrew Nicholson from the Magic both seem available and could be useable young pieces for a team.

The biggest news may be a Larry Sanders buyout being arranged by Milwaukee. It's unclear when he will be back playing but the guy can protect the rim and is still young so he could for a contending team be a potential game changer depending on if/when he returns to playing.

--
The typical thing with trade deadlines to note. Roughly half of the expected traded tend to go through and there are always plenty of trades no one is talking about/aware of that do go through.

The general system will be good teams trying to get better, bad teams trying to move contacts and gather picks.

Will be an interesting few days to see what moves happen.

Dragic is really overrated, no idea why any of those teams would want him let alone have to give up an asset which they don't really have for him. I thought the Suns were gonna make a mistake and trade thomas instead but it looks like Dragic has helped them avoid that mistake. They also have Ennis who they can put their faith into because he is a very good young player I watched a lot of when he was playing for Syracuse. I'll be very interested to see what Phoenix gets for Dragic, those teams don't have a lot to give and their first rounders are wayyy to valuable. Miami could move Deng but I have a feeling Dragic will go to the Lakers... And his brother will be quickly cut.
Those orlando players are being criminally under used and I hope they both go to new teams.
I've heard the Bulls and cavs as the two teams linked to sanders, he'd be great if he wasn't a headcase but he is a headcase and isn't worth the trouble.
No idea why Detroit would trade Jennings for joe Johnson but I've heard that rumour
Afflalo is a very nice fit on almost every contender, should be higly sought after.
Would not be surprised if Okc manage to finally secure Lopez before the deadline.
Houston need a point guard badly but I can't see them getting a good one.
Amare to Dallas helps them on the offensive end and big man depth, interested to see how that pans out.
Toronto needs to make moves, trade ross and bring in big men

I'm getting up Friday morning to watch that espn trade deadline special, not really sure what it's gonna be but hopefully it's good.

 

[Knightmare]

Dragic is really overrated, no idea why any of those teams would want him let alone have to give up an asset which they don't really have for him. I thought the Suns were gonna make a mistake and trade thomas instead but it looks like Dragic has helped them avoid that mistake. They also have Ennis who they can put their faith into because he is a very good young player I watched a lot of when he was playing for Syracuse. I'll be very interested to see what Phoenix gets for Dragic, those teams don't have a lot to give and their first rounders are wayyy to valuable. Miami could move Deng but I have a feeling Dragic will go to the Lakers... And his brother will be quickly cut.
Those orlando players are being criminally under used and I hope they both go to new teams.
I've heard the Bulls and cavs as the two teams linked to sanders, he'd be great if he wasn't a headcase but he is a headcase and isn't worth the trouble.
No idea why Detroit would trade Jennings for joe Johnson but I've heard that rumour
Afflalo is a very nice fit on almost every contender, should be higly sought after.
Would not be surprised if Okc manage to finally secure Lopez before the deadline.
Houston need a point guard badly but I can't see them getting a good one.
Amare to Dallas helps them on the offensive end and big man depth, interested to see how that pans out.
Toronto needs to make moves, trade ross and bring in big men

I'm getting up Friday morning to watch that espn trade deadline special, not really sure what it's gonna be but hopefully it's good.

I tend to agree Dragic is overrated. He had a strong 2014 season but benefited from Phoenix's small ball of last year. If he goes to the Lakers/Knicks I feel they'll overpay and I'll be ok with that.
There was talk of Dragic for Deng but equally if Miami are smart they could go a different route again (whether Phoenix agree is the question) but I'd be looking in their situation just out of sheer need of an actual point guard to trade Josh McRoberts (out for the year) or Chris Anderson and add a first round pick to that, because in that Miami situation, it's win now with D.Wade only getting older and Deng and Bosh getting no younger.
For the Knicks/Lakers it makes more sense for them not to trade for Dragic and just wait for him to become a free agent and sign him then as a still worthwhile starter.

The Detroit trade for Joe Johnson I agree makes no sense for Detroit. That Joe Johnson contract is terrible, and Jennings pre-injury really played some strong basketball once they got the ball in his hands.

With Afflalo I don't understand why OKC Thunder have never signed him. He just feels like that right compliment for Durant and Westbrook. He has been very much available and hasn't required much to sign. As a 3 and D guy, he is a clear upgrade on Sefolosha and substantial upgrade on A.Roberson who can't even hit on 3s.

It will be interesting to see if OKC get Lopez, and it would be even more interesting to see how much/little he gets used on offense. I like Adams (though injured) and McGary off the bench has also been ok. If on Serge Ibaka played closer to the rim and he'd be ok. If they can, I'm always pro adding talent to a contending team, and OKC probably need it to give Durant a reason to stay beyond his contract.

With Houston I know they like Dragic but Dragic has stated he won't sign with them as he would be nervous about them trading him, which is Houston's way and he knows that having played for them before. Calderon I like for them as a fit, maybe a Jimmer Fredette with Harden as the primary ball handler would be a fit. Basically for them as long as they get a guy with 3pt range and doesn't need the ball to be effective then they'll fit fine.

Amare for Dallas should be good. He will only play 15 minutes a game, maybe 20 if they want to push him. But in those minutes off the bench he can really put up big numbers in a hurry, particularly offensively which will make Dallas even harder to handle.

Toronto are thought to be looking for a power forward. Taj Gibson has long been mentioned but the Bulls aren't thought to be interested in moving him, and the Bulls don't really need to make any moves with all positions covered with plentiful depth and strong options.

 

[nahnah]

My thoughts on the trades that just happened.
OKC are the biggest winners, brought in Kanter who could fit very nicely next to Ibaka, also improved bench with Augustin and Novak providing better floor spacing than Reggie ever could. Can't remember who they got from Pistons. Getting rid of Perkins is great for them too.
Portland picking up Afflalo is great for them, like I said Afflalo can fit in with any contender and he strengthens their bench.
Boston got Isiah Thomas for Thornton and a late first rounder, steal. Not too sure what Suns were thinking here.
Still getting my head around all the point guard movement. Knight to Suns is good but not sure why they couldn't keep Isiah. Knight is a better player than Dragic and is younger.
Philly traded MCW to bucks, Phillies trades really confused me.. They're gambling a lot on draft picks.
Heat got Dragic, improves them a bit.
Houston didn't trade for a good point guard which is crazy given how many were traded, can't see them winning a series in the west now.
Utah got rid of Kanter for perkins which is just a salary dump, pretty dissapointing trade for their fans really.
The Mcgee trade is really weird, I inly saw it briefly might need to read up on it. If he gets bought out I would much prefer cavs sign him than perkins

 

[Knightmare]

To MIL: Michael Carter-Williams, Tyler Ennis, Miles Plumlee
To PHI: LAL pick (protected)
To PHX: Brandon Knight, Kendall Marshall

— Basically Phili trying desperately to become worse than NYK to increase their chances to get that number one overall pick, that Lakers pick could be great with the pick top 5 protected this year and top 3 the following two years then unprotected, LAL are going nowhere soon so that pick will help with their asset accumulation and given their plan for getting worse, big picture, I really like it for Phili. Milwaukee adding some reasonable rotation pieces and improving their depth but I see it as a step back in the immediate given they lose the best player in the deal, so it's hard regardless of matchup seeing them winning any rounds in the East this year, regardless of matchup. For me Phoenix is definitely the big winner and take a big step forward with Knight playing near All Star quality ball this season and Marshall someone as a backup who in their system I like off the bench as a distributor, even giving up the Lakers pick, for Knight that's still a good move given they want to remain in the playoff mix.

To BOS: Isaiah Thomas
To PHX: Marcus Thornton, CLE pick

— Probably not a bad two way move. Phoenix have enough point guards, particularly after the Knight and Marshall deal so getting Cleveland's first round pick for next year and Thornton who can score in bunches is good for them, then Thomas for Boston is someone who can be built with.

To DET: Reggie Jackson
To OKC: D.J. Augustin, Enes Kanter, Steve Novak, Kyle Singler
To UTA: Grant Jerrett, Kendrick Perkins, OKC pick (protected), 2nd round pick

— Reggie Jackson is a good pickup in their situation with Jennings out for the season and will allow them to make a push for the playoffs. It will be interesting to see whether Detroit plan to bring him back as a free agent as he will really ask for a big pay day. Great move by OKC and a definite talent upgrade and a move to win now. D.J. Augustin off the bench is a fine way to replace Jackson, Enes Kanter is by far and away in my view the best piece in the trade and the reason why it is such a substantial talent upgrade for OKC. Then Novak and Singler from Detroit and Utah probably don't play much but are there mostly as salary dumps and to make the money work. With Utah I consider it a substantial step back and poor compensation for Kanter. Perkins is terrible and an expiring deal, Jerrett probably won't play much, that OKC pick won't be active for some time yet as a future protected first round pick, so all the deal will do for them is make them worse and get them a marginally better draft pick and allow Gobert and Favors more minutes to aid their development, but none the less Utah really needed to do better than that for me.

To BOS: Luigi Datome, Jonas Jerebko
To DET: Tayshaun Prince

— A nothing trade with just a bunch of expiring deals being exchanged. It's just fan service for Detroit bringing back Prince who they won a championship with 10/11 years ago, then Boston just adding some young expiring deals who they'd probably view as guys being trialled to potentially bring back if they perform.

To HOU: Pablo Prigioni
To NYK: Alexey Shved, 2 2nd round picks

— A strange deal from Houston, who typically like those second round picks. New York shredding a further contract to open up a slight, albeit inconsequential amount of salary cap space. I can only imagine Houston like Prigioni because he can shoot the three and has a mild contract that will last one further season. For me it's a better deal for New York, with Houston neither upgrading on talent or assets, not that it will make much if any difference either way for either team.

To HOU: K.J. McDaniels
To PHI: Isaiah Canaan, 2nd round pick

— It's Phili being Phili, trading talent for picks with the intent of being the worst team in the league for a number of years to eventually they hope become the best and most talented through building so heavily through the draft. McDaniels was having a really nice rookie season as a wing stopper, but given his success Phili moving him so as to again increase their chances of losing games, going all out for that number one overall pick. Canaan as a reserve point guard can be useful for Phili though as someone who probably was underutilised in Houston. For Houston it's a definite win, adding further defence to help cover for Harden's lack of ability on that end and generally even though only marginally upgrading on talent.

To MIA: Goran Dragic, Zoran Dragic
To NOP: Norris Cole, Justin Hamilton, Shawne Williams
To PHX: Danny Granger, John Salmons, 2 1st round picks

— It's a good move for Miami in the immediate with the intent to be good and make some kind of playoff run while D.Wade is still around. Eventually for Phoenix with those two long term picks from Miami, that could work out for them but it's a step back now and will hurt their playoff chances. In saying that it's probably better than anything else Phoenix had on the table knowing they were going to lose Goran as a free agent otherwise. It will be interesting to see what Phoenix get out of Granger and Salmons, they're the best in the world sports at getting injured/old guys playing to their best, so it will be interesting to see if Phoenix continue that long time trend with Granger and Salmons and resurrect their careers. Cole for New Orleans I rather like, Hamilton as depth and Williams off the bench could also be good and definitely for me are upgrades on an irrelevant John Salmons, so great move NOP.

To DEN:
To PHI: JaVale McGee, OKC pick (protected)

— Good move Phili! Actually adding a guy, albeit on a bad contract and gaining a further first round pick in a simple salary dump. They just keep adding those picks and adding those assets and good for them. Considering McGee only has two years to run on his contract, he is hardly going to affect their planning as they hardly look interested this coming free agency in adding anyone of consequence anyway. With Denver it shows how desperate they are to get out from under that McGee contract and shows only their commitment to their rookie centre Jusuf Nurkic (who is after Wiggins probably that second best rookie from last years draft class based on performance to this point) but even Nurkic given how foul prone he is, you need a guy who can play backup minutes so the deal doesn't for Denver to me make any sense with Nurkic even as a starter only likely to average 20, maybe 25 minutes a game.

To BKN: Thaddeus Young
To MIN: Kevin Garnett

— Minnesota getting back a finished Kevin Garnett as fan service and veteran leadership to help their rookies develop and teach them the right way to play, he'll open up minutes for some of Minnesota's young bigs but they get worse by making the trade. Then Brooklyn to their credit staying committed to winning adding Young which this year saves a slight amount of money and to gets younger and a better player which are all positives, but for Nets ownership it's a hard deal to swallow as next season they will have even more money to fork out with the luxury tax, going substantially further with Young into the penalty than they otherwise would have with that expiring Garnett deal. Through making this deal it's going to be hard this year/next year for the Nets to sell their franchise, so in that regard it's an odd and counter-productive deal, it's just good for fans as they make the team better and remain committed to winning.

To SAC: Andre Miller
To WAS: Ramon Sessions

— Sacramento adding Miller is just purely as a small, but none the less a salary dump with Miller an expiring contract. Washington as a playoff team obviously think they'll be better as a result of the addition of Sessions. I find it a deal that is most curious for Sacramento as Miller has played for new coach George Karl, so there is that degree of familiarity, but in saying that it is very much an addition if they plan to use Miller that would be deemed by management as counter-productive with Sacramento management wanting to play up-tempo to the extra, yet they add Miller who is in his late 30s and really slows things down into a half court set consistently. With a move for a guy like Miller it's a shame they don't still have the slow it down, half court coach Mike Malone who early season was great for them until they wrongly fired him with the intent to play a more up-tempo pace of basketball.

To DEN: Will Barton, Victor Claver, Thomas Robinson, POR pick (protected), 2nd round pick
To POR: Arron Afflalo, Alonzo Gee

— Great move Portland! For Portland it is all about winning now and Afflalo on the perimeter is the piece they have long needed. Denver through this trade are just collecting picks knowing they won't make the playoffs this year and will just trial these younger guys to see if they are worth retaining, but in that still deep Denver team I don't see any of those guys as keepers.


------

Who are the winners?

OKC definitely with Kanter take a big step forward. Portland with Afflalo similarly are a better team. And Miami will be stronger with Dragic as they previously didn't have a worthwhile point guard.

From a long term perspective I also like what Phili are doing. They're making everyone else better now, but they're still doing what they do in collecting long term assets to the most extreme you'll ever see in spots with that lose now to be better later concept (some would call it tanking, it's not in the sense that the players are still competing hard, and competing harder than most playoff teams even, but it's simply the management constantly making moves to get worse now and get better later knowing they're not good enough now). It alienates the fan base and causes angst towards the organisation, it's not something that would work in the AFL with the AFL a 22 man sport, whereas the NBA is a 5 man game with a few bench guys, so those picks make a substantially greater difference. But that pick accumulation, I really just how much they are bringing in, and they are flexible assets so if/when they really become good, they can move those picks and future picks for guys who can help them win when they want which is what I like about how they are building.

Losers?

Denver and Utah for me. Both have gotten worse and have not added the long term assets they needed to, in moving some guys who for me a pretty key pieces.

 

[the mighty T]

My thoughts on todays trades:

OKC - Now bat 10 deep on their roster and charging for that playoff birth. Kanters numbers have been really solid this year and they had to move Jackson.. considering he was an expiring contract forcing the move, I'm surprised they did as well as they did.

Denver - Almost need to blow the whole thing up now, dont they? A team with a number of solid citizens but no genuine franchise cornerstone. Their additions for Affalo are essentially toilet water in the grand scheme of things and they made a mistake not moving Chandler when they had the chance. Not on the improve for mine.

Sixers - Your guess is as good as mine. Whilst on paper taking on board McGees contract in addition to a first rounder sounds reasonable, moving MCW (a rookie of the year winner) is just odd.

Pistons - The Jackson deal is the definition of a win-win. Reggie gets his platform, Stan has a strong point guard. Will be keeping my fingers crossed that he decides to hang around.

 

[Knightmare]

My thoughts on todays trades:

OKC - Now bat 10 deep on their roster and charging for that playoff birth. Kanters numbers have been really solid this year and they had to move Jackson.. considering he was an expiring contract forcing the move, I'm surprised they did as well as they did.

Denver - Almost need to blow the whole thing up now, dont they? A team with a number of solid citizens but no genuine franchise cornerstone. Their additions for Affalo are essentially toilet water in the grand scheme of things and they made a mistake not moving Chandler when they had the chance. Not on the improve for mine.

Sixers - Your guess is as good as mine. Whilst on paper taking on board McGees contract in addition to a first rounder sounds reasonable, moving MCW (a rookie of the year winner) is just odd.

Pistons - The Jackson deal is the definition of a win-win. Reggie gets his platform, Stan has a strong point guard. Will be keeping my fingers crossed that he decides to hang around.

Kanter per 36min scores 18.4ppg and collects 10.4rpg. That's really good. People are talking about him like he will backup Adams, but he can and for me should start ahead of him. I know Adams is out but this is just in the context of assumed full roster health. You're also right regarding their depth, they've got sufficient depth in all positions.

The Nuggets have a strange way of blowing things up. The JaVale McGee trade belongs on Shaqtin a Fool. That McGee contract expires at the perfect time (at the end of 2016 when the salary cap will expand) and he was an ideal backup to Nurkic for the time being, a salary dump is fine because McGee is overpaid but gosh! And the move for the 76ers is so good that they're basically not paying any more than they otherwise would because they were so far below the salary cap that they had to give that money away anyway. The Nuggets situation was such were in a Collingwood kind of way where the top end talent just isn't good enough and the depth, too deep. They just needed to find a way of doing a few two or three for one better player type trades or just straight moving those contracts for picks. Overall the last few years I've been really critical of Denver. George Karl was the perfect coach for that team and the up tempo style was ideal by location being in the hills and also with the playing personnel. The best thing they've done since is trade McDermott to the Bulls for Nurkic and Harris with Nurkic for me the player in that deal I most liked having seen his beyond dominant Adriatic league numbers, as much as McDermott can and I feel still will be good for the Bulls. With Wilson Chandler I'm not convinced there was a strong enough bid to get him given nothing happened with him in the end, but ideally Denver would have moved Afflalo and Chandler for picks.

I actually to be completely honest like what the Sixers have done and feel they may even have upgraded on talent while collecting all the picks. MCW I'm not convinced with. He is a stat sheet stuffer on a bad team that plays at an extremely high tempo. I see now in a way using a share market thought process as where MCW's value relatively is as high as it will get coming off the ROY last year. MCW averages 4.5 turnovers per 36. That's just terrible. And his shoot % isn't good either at 38% from the field and 25.6% from 3pt. From the line he is only 64.3% and he's a point guard. As a point guard while he is putting up numbers, just that efficiency of shooting and that sheer turnover rate, I wouldn't really want him as my starting point guard and I'm not convinced he has that scope to develop those area to the level he needs to, to be better than average by position to be completely honest. If MCW makes it anywhere I like him in Milwaukee where a bit like the 76ers they play at an extremely high pace but then also they get out on the fast break a lot with all the tall guys at each position who get steals. But for me in Milwaukee MCW is a big step back from Knight, even though they get a guy on a rookie contract v Knight who will get a big contract which is presumably why they're doing it as a small market team, not looking to overspend.

Jackson I agree is a good get for Detroit in an exchange where Dj Augustin and Singler are the guys traded. Augustin has been good for Detroit as a starter ideally they have a bigger point guard who is better on the defensive end, particularly when they have John Lucas III as the backup point guard as another small point guard. They can make the playoffs and good for them whether they get sign Jackson to a long deal or not.

My thoughts on the trades that just happened.
OKC are the biggest winners, brought in Kanter who could fit very nicely next to Ibaka, also improved bench with Augustin and Novak providing better floor spacing than Reggie ever could. Can't remember who they got from Pistons. Getting rid of Perkins is great for them too.
Portland picking up Afflalo is great for them, like I said Afflalo can fit in with any contender and he strengthens their bench.
Boston got Isiah Thomas for Thornton and a late first rounder, steal. Not too sure what Suns were thinking here.
Still getting my head around all the point guard movement. Knight to Suns is good but not sure why they couldn't keep Isiah. Knight is a better player than Dragic and is younger.
Philly traded MCW to bucks, Phillies trades really confused me.. They're gambling a lot on draft picks.
Heat got Dragic, improves them a bit.
Houston didn't trade for a good point guard which is crazy given how many were traded, can't see them winning a series in the west now.
Utah got rid of Kanter for perkins which is just a salary dump, pretty dissapointing trade for their fans really.
The Mcgee trade is really weird, I inly saw it briefly might need to read up on it. If he gets bought out I would much prefer cavs sign him than perkins

I'm not as wildly enthusiastic about Thomas to Boston in that trade with Phoenix. I see it as roughly the right value both ways. Thomas will help with Boston's playoff push as a better option than Thornton. It's just going to make that Boston backcourt awfully crowded with Marcus Smart who I thought they were more committed to along with Avery Bradley. It just doesn't feel like the right situation for Thomas and Boston giving up that first round pick is not ideal for a team that generally drafts well and is looking to rebuild.

Dragic and Knight are in the same conversation. They're both good guards who can play either the one or two. Dragic I feel is a genuine starter and an above average starter at that, but just the talk of teams looking at 4/5 years at $20mil a year is just ludicrous for a good starter who isn't top 5 by position. Given Phoenix needed to get rid of Dragic as he would not sign, Knight is a good addition as someone who can offer them something similar as like Dragic another seemingly ideal backcourt partner for Bledsoe.

I like the MCW trade the more I look at it. It's never been done before the way Phili are trading, but that particular trade given they're not playing for now, I like. The key with that trade is the Lakers pick. Top 5 protected this year. Top 3 protected the next two years then unprotected. That pick could be anything, and the Lakers aren't going to be good next year so I imagine they'll get that pick either this year if the Lakers win a few more games or more likely next year, and the Lakers with a pretty much finished Kobe on that terrible contract, they're not going anywhere and I can't see them signing any meaningful free agents either with no sense of real optimism around that teams future.
On MCW with Phili, I see his numbers as inflated and I don't see him as the long term point guard on that team. If Phili share that view, and I suspect they do, that's why they moved him to continue to build those long term assets.

With McGee he may well be bought out, but I'm guessing he is retained. Phili are so far under the salary cap and retaining him, they're not spending any more than if they waive him. If he does get bought out then he can be a good addition for a team needing some rim protection.

Houston I agree missed an opportunity. They signed Prigioni who can come off the bench. Otherwise they can get Nate Robinson who was waived. But it seems they're looking cheap solutions.

Agree on your other comments.

 

[the mighty T]

Enes is legit, no doubt. Whether he starts ahead of Adams remains to be seen, but they've got a pretty solid backup at the 5 either way.

On MCW, his numbers are augmented by his situation. The sixers don't have the players to help him develop the right way. Going forward with MCW, Parker and Giannis sounds like a pretty good core to work with

 

[nahnah]

Cavs love playing the Wizards, I want them first round.

 

[Knightmare]

Not sure anyone on here watches the Bucks but one guy to watch on that team is Khris Middleton. He is 6th in the NBA in Real Plus Minus (this basically suggests what your team scores/concedes when you are on the court v when you are off the court and is the best measure in the NBA for a guys impact on winning).

This season Steph Curry is 1st, James Harden 2nd, Anthony Davis 3rd, Russell Westbrook 4th and Damian Lillard 5th, LeBron James 7th, Tyson Chandler 8th, John Wall 9th and Kawhi Leonard is 10th. So for Middleton to be rated at 6th in the game in Real Plus Minus and be amongst that company is unreal as it is the most accurate statistical measure in the NBA for your contribution to winning.

Khris Middleton is under the radar in a Draymond Green kind of way where you won't notice his impact on the game because he isn't a stat sheet stuffer or a guy who kills you off the dribble. Middleton is just such an efficient two way guy. The Bucks with him on the court are among the best on board ends of the court and when he isn't on they're one of the worst. He is a jump shooter, but hitting 47.4% from the field and 42.5% from 3pt and 84.9% from the ft line. That's good. And he has the length to largely defend any position other than center.

It will be interesting to see whether Middleton will be as efficient with MCW instead of Knight as his point guard, without Knight the assumption seems that Middleton will shoulder more of the scoring load which likely decreases that efficiency but makes his overall stats look better.

I would have loved for Middleton to join the Bulls at the trade deadline. That's for sure. I really like the Bulls perimeter guys and I actually want to see McDermott get minutes and Snell to get more minutes, but none the less I'd still be very open to moving both the Bulls first round pick, the Sacramento protected first round pick that the Bulls own and either Kirk Hinrich or E'Twaun Moore to make it happen. Just with coach Thibs for the Bulls as we're seeing with McDermott who isn't getting minutes, Thibs doesn't introduce new guys in the second half of the season into the rotation.

As a restricted free agent it will be interesting to see how much Middleton receives this offseason. $10m a year over 4 years sounds about right for a really good starter who on a contending team at the shooting guard spot can be a really valuable piece for a team.

 

[nahnah]

Hinrich has been terrible, Snell should get mins over him. More upside and in my opinion is already a better player.
Shump shooting 55% from 3 in his last 5 games, I think he deserves more mins than JR which at the moment is not the case.. But as long as cavs are winning can't fault the minute distribution.
Perkins is a safety net for if Mozgov gets in foul trouble early, hope he can surprise me like JR has.
OKC looked very good today, Westbrook had another huge game. Kanter, dj and Singler looked like they will fit in easily. Waiters is still the same old waiters, they should give lamb his minutes.
Dragic had a bad start to his heat career, I can see him leaving them in the offseason. He's not a starting point guard on a contedner.
Portland is going through a very tough time, hopefully Afflalo can bring life to them.

 

[Knightmare]

Hinrich has been terrible, Snell should get mins over him. More upside and in my opinion is already a better player.
Shump shooting 55% from 3 in his last 5 games, I think he deserves more mins than JR which at the moment is not the case.. But as long as cavs are winning can't fault the minute distribution.
Perkins is a safety net for if Mozgov gets in foul trouble early, hope he can surprise me like JR has.
OKC looked very good today, Westbrook had another huge game. Kanter, dj and Singler looked like they will fit in easily. Waiters is still the same old waiters, they should give lamb his minutes.
Dragic had a bad start to his heat career, I can see him leaving them in the offseason. He's not a starting point guard on a contedner.
Portland is going through a very tough time, hopefully Afflalo can bring life to them.

Agree on Hinrich. He has struggled with turf toe which has limited his production. Defensively he's good, but he needs to put up more points and with Snellycat (great nickname made up by Joakim Noah) able to play two way ball and stretch the floor better and get to the rim more I'd be playing him substantially more.

The Cavs look good. I have Golden State winning the championship with the Cavs winning the East. It's a completely different team to the first half of the season and from now till the end of the season if you're talking post all star break record the Cavs should be top 2/3 in the NBA based on the current formline that looks like it will continue with how convincing the wins are coming.

Regarding JR v Shump. It really depends on what you're looking for and the Cavs could go either way really. Overall I'd be looking to split the minutes fairly evenly. Shump is the better defender and he has been shooting the 3 ball better than he ever has making a high volume and a high percentage. I'm probably with you regarding Shumpert to start. I like the extra defence he provides on a starting group that to a degree lacks perimeter defence with LeBron no longer the all league defender as someone who doesn't give the defensive effort he once to and Irving while better defensively is still below average on that end of the ball. Shumpert I don't expect to continue shooting as he has, but on the other hand I think JR can improve his shooting and get it to a higher level.
I expect the reason JR starts is having LeBron and Irving as ball handlers who can drive and kick allowing JR to play purely as a spot up shooter which is when he is at his best. It just creates more good shots and makes him the most efficient player he can be. And I'd certainly at all times have him on the court with a ball dominant player whether it is either/or/both of LeBron and Irving, but then again I'd look at all times to have one or the other on the court anyway so that there is always someone the other team needs to contain.

Perkins will add toughness. He can't score at all and is even a below average rebounder, but he is a big body who gets stuck into guys, plays physical and can provide leadership, so on a contending team, good addition. If you face a Dwight Howard, or some big who is proving a handful, Perkins can come onto the court to negate their influence, but otherwise his primarily usefulness is his leadership, experience and toughness which on a youngish team is to me a good thing. In terms of being a regular part of your rotation, I wouldn't be using Perkins every game or even most games, but rather only on occasion v certain very specific matchups with that the only time on the court he is of use. Even if guys are in foul trouble I'd be leaning for the Cavs to go smaller in the form of Marion or even LeBron at the 4 with Mozgov/Thompson or whoever is needed at the 5 depending on the foul situation. I'd even as a depth option tend to favour Brendan Haywood as a better rebounder and less bad scorer while still providing similar strong defence.

Any win by OKC without Durant is a good win. It will be interesting to see how they close out the season and assuming they make the playoffs (hard to see them missing the playoffs even if Durant misses more games) how far they can go. I think depending on the matchup they have a shot at winning a first round series but I don't see them going further than that. They just don't feel quite right this year. Ibaka isn't playing close enough to the rim, in that Blake Griffin way with both falling in love with the jump shot now that they have developed that shot, and for both of them it has been an issue the past two seasons. And Durant with his constant injuries. I just don't like the look of them for this year, even with the additions who at least should be the difference between winning a first round series or not. I'm surprised Lamb has not been given more of a shot, and given he hasn't been given more of a shot I'm surprised he didn't get moved at the deadline as someone who in my view off the bench is someone who can be a part of a rotation.

I'm definitely not as down on Dragic as you are. He was all NBA 3rd team last year, and this year his numbers with the Suns were bad because Bledsoe and Thomas hogged the ball. With Dragic was last year and is again this year a 50% shooter from the field. For a guard, that's incredible and last year he was 40.8% from 3pt and a still good 35.5% this season. For Miami if Bosh was playing I think that's when Dragic would look really good in the pick and roll and pick and pop, but in his absence I'd like to see the Heat sign Michael Beasley who can replace Bosh's offensive production as best as probably anyone who would willingly accept a minimum contract would. Beasley in 14/15 scored 18.9 points per 36min and shot 50% and has in all seasons averaged better than 17.5 points per 36min which at PF is terrific. Not a great defender and not the rebounder he was in college but you can only take what you can get, but on a really good defensive team I like that addition if they sign him. Expect Dragic to improve on his first game and become in the absense of Bosh their 2nd best player.
The unique thing with Miami (assuming they had Bosh), all those starters are top 100 in the game players and are in the top 90 by PER (only team in the league). If they had Bosh, they'd be contending for the East but I agree they wouldn't be a major threat to win the championship with the team out West better.
But regarding whether a contending team could win a championship with him as their point. I definitely think he can be a point guard on a championship team. You've had guys like Derek Fisher who aren't that special play point guard on a championship team. The standpoint or the extent that I agree is those other teams I see as contending teams - Golden State (Curry), Cleveland (Irving), Memphis (Conley) and Portland (Lillard) I regard as slightly better point guards than Dragic, but then again all those guys I regard as all stars or better players and in the case of Conley while not an all star this year I consider him an genuine all star quality player whereas Dragic I consider more as someone I'd in the East have in the All Star conversation without talking about him as a certain All Star as I would those other guys.

Portland with Afflalo really intrigue me and if their guys are healthy in the playoffs, in that OKC kind of way the sky is the limit. Aldridge playing with a finger injury is still to the surprise of most still playing really well when many thought he'd be out for the season, then Batum isn't who he was and is playing injured, but if he can find a way to play the remainder of the season Portland are interesting with one of the best starting lineups in the game and a now very good bench with Afflalo, Kaman and Blake a very useable bench group.