Opinion The NBA Thread

[Knightmare]

May aswell just blow up the city and never speak of Cleveland sports again

That's overreacting. The Cavs just need an upgrade and to get the chemistry right.

Get someone during buyouts, use those trade exceptions and get some good talent.

I know you're very anti-Love so one plausible trade scenario that could be looked at is Kevin Love for Dwight Howard. There seems to be some uncertainty in Houston as to whether Howard will want to return, and there is also the notion that he is declining, so Houston may take their bets on a younger guy in Love who has been underutilised on offense, if James Harden decides to pass it to him anyway.

Then to replace Love it would be pretty easy to use the exception from that Haywood trade exception on Markieff Morris who Phoenix urgently want to get rid of, and with the way Cleveland play he can be a fairly direct replacement as that floor sparer at the 4 without such a large contract.

 

[nahnah]

That's overreacting. The Cavs just need an upgrade and to get the chemistry right.

Get someone during buyouts, use those trade exceptions and get some good talent.

I know you're very anti-Love so one plausible trade scenario that could be looked at is Kevin Love for Dwight Howard. There seems to be some uncertainty in Houston as to whether Howard will want to return, and there is also the notion that he is declining, so Houston may take their bets on a younger guy in Love who has been underutilised on offense, if James Harden decides to pass it to him anyway.

Then to replace Love it would be pretty easy to use the exception from that Haywood trade exception on Markieff Morris who Phoenix urgently want to get rid of, and with the way Cleveland play he can be a fairly direct replacement as that floor sparer at the 4 without such a large contract.

It was a slight overreaction. Love won't be traded for at least 2 weeks now that we've changed coach. I'm a big fan of the move unlike every other cav fan. Change had to happen there is not point being the distant third best team. Lue is looking to play up tempo basketball.
I'm not sure Howard would be a good fit, he's pretty limited to inside scoring but a least he is a good defender.
I love the Morris trade and expect that to happen eventually.
I think they should get Korver, they need a spot up guy and he could be moved by Atlanta now.
I would also like Caldwell Pope, I was thinking of Morris (the better one) + CP for Love but then thought why the f would Detroit do that.

 

[Knightmare]

It was a slight overreaction. Love won't be traded for at least 2 weeks now that we've changed coach. I'm a big fan of the move unlike every other cav fan. Change had to happen there is not point being the distant third best team. Lue is looking to play up tempo basketball.
I'm not sure Howard would be a good fit, he's pretty limited to inside scoring but a least he is a good defender.
I love the Morris trade and expect that to happen eventually.
I think they should get Korver, they need a spot up guy and he could be moved by Atlanta now.
I would also like Caldwell Pope, I was thinking of Morris (the better one) + CP for Love but then thought why the f would Detroit do that.

I definitely feel that Blatt needed to go as head coach. Hearing Haywood's interview re. Blatt was damning where he was in video sessions skipping over LeBron's mistakes, it didn't allow LeBron to improve and led to a situation where everyone else didn't fully respect Blatt as a result.

In terms of a trade. Love isn't so terrible that he could only attract Morris and Caldwell Pope. That's an awful trade for Cleveland and would leave me feeling much better as a Bulls fan!

Markieff is arguably the better Morris but just hasn't been switched on this year, so making that trade would leave to the Cavs acquiring arguably the worse of the Morris brothers and Caldwell-Pope who personally I wouldn't include in the rotation with JR Smith, Shumpert and Williams all slightly better.

 

[nahnah]

I definitely feel that Blatt needed to go as head coach. Hearing Haywood's interview re. Blatt was damning where he was in video sessions skipping over LeBron's mistakes, it didn't allow LeBron to improve and led to a situation where everyone else didn't fully respect Blatt as a result.

In terms of a trade. Love isn't so terrible that he could only attract Morris and Caldwell Pope. That's an awful trade for Cleveland and would leave me feeling much better as a Bulls fan!

Markieff is arguably the better Morris but just hasn't been switched on this year, so making that trade would leave to the Cavs acquiring arguably the worse of the Morris brothers and Caldwell-Pope who personally I wouldn't include in the rotation with JR Smith, Shumpert and Williams all slightly better.

I've seen Morris and Pope play well against Curry and Green twice this season, that's enough reason to get them imo

 

[Knightmare]

I've seen Morris and Pope play well against Curry and Green twice this season, that's enough reason to get them imo

No guarantee the Warriors get out of the West. The Spurs this past month have looked the even better team and of the two teams have the higher point differential. There is also the thought that the Spurs matchup well v the Warriors. So I'm not as sure anymore as I was initially about the Warriors getting through. Either way they're both championship caliber teams and I view both as the two best teams we've seen this millennium which I back up on the basis of point differential (Spurs have the highest ever) and wins (Warriors on track for the most since the 95-96 Bulls).

 

[nahnah]

No guarantee the Warriors get out of the West. The Spurs this past month have looked the even better team and of the two teams have the higher point differential. There is also the thought that the Spurs matchup well v the Warriors. So I'm not as sure anymore as I was initially about the Warriors getting through. Either way they're both championship caliber teams and I view both as the two best teams we've seen this millennium which I back up on the basis of point differential (Spurs have the highest ever) and wins (Warriors on track for the most since the 95-96 Bulls).

They play each other very soon, I have a feeling the warriors are better. They may not be as deep but their starting 5 and main bench guys are better than Spurs.

 

[nahnah]

Aaaand it was a blow out

 

[sirlothie]

I think we know who is the best team now...

 

[Knightmare]

I'm not yet convinced. I have Golden State and San Antonio side by side still after that game. The home court advantage and the lack of Tim Duncan greatly helped Golden State. Golden State I slightly prefer as a team, but that matchup, I can't not like the Spurs with their ability to punish Golden State on the inside and stop them with their defence.

When talking about the class of the NBA. I have those two teams 1a and 1b with both more than able to knock one another off.

 

[nahnah]

Aldridge has the same issues as Love in regards to not being able to score on or defend Green

 

[nahnah]

If the Spurs win a championship then technically Tim Duncan is the MVP because they are very average without him (terrible defense without him)

 

[Knightmare]

If the Spurs win a championship then technically Tim Duncan is the MVP because they are very average without him (terrible defense without him)

The defence does still start with Tim Duncan. He protects the rim and blocks/alters shots without fouling. Doesn't let guys to the rim and organises and runs the defence.

Aldridge has been fine defensively this season and given career best effort on the defensive end, but needless to say without Duncan he has looked lost on the defensive end.

 

[sirlothie]

It's amazing Duncan is still such a critical player in the championship contending team at the age of 39... they better hope he gets right soon because the Cavs walked over them Sunday.

I'm am outing a future superstar in Kristaps Porzingis. A massive unit at 7"3 who blocks shots, rebounds and scores in the paint but also had a good mid range jumper and post game and can even shoot 3's. One of the most impressive young talls I've seen in a very long time. The Knicks have found one here.

 

[wicksy]

Knightmare What are your thoughts on the Clippers future without Blake? Assuming you watched the game against you guys yesterday, it's fair to say we're actually playing better without him using just the one big on the court at any one time. Obviously things will change come playoffs but it's something for the front office to consider.

 

[Knightmare]

It's amazing Duncan is still such a critical player in the championship contending team at the age of 39... they better hope he gets right soon because the Cavs walked over them Sunday.

I'm am outing a future superstar in Kristaps Porzingis. A massive unit at 7"3 who blocks shots, rebounds and scores in the paint but also had a good mid range jumper and post game and can even shoot 3's. One of the most impressive young talls I've seen in a very long time. The Knicks have found one here.

Duncan is a wonder. He was never athletic so father time hasn't really affected him as much v his peers, and he has remained in large part who he has always been. Duncan as with all the Spurs vets will be resting frequently throughout the season and be ready for playoff basketball.

Porzingis is good. A unicorn as KD aptly described him. He does have all the tricks at that height and those putback dunks are particularly exciting for such an extremely tall guy. In saying that Karl Anthony-Towns is the rookie this year who is most impressing me and is putting up rare numbers for his age in the process. Anthony-Towns has the opportunity to become the best big man in the NBA, so he is one to really watch out for. Porzingis is one of the better Euros the NBA has seen though and he may be another Dirk/Pau level big which is pretty great.

Knightmare What are your thoughts on the Clippers future without Blake? Assuming you watched the game against you guys yesterday, it's fair to say we're actually playing better without him using just the one big on the court at any one time. Obviously things will change come playoffs but it's something for the front office to consider.

A trade of Blake is something I feel the Clippers definitely need to explore moving if the deal is right, but like with any move that is always the condition. He is such a high usage guy on offense that having both he and CP3 doesn't do anything much to help winning, and why the Clippers without one or the other remain much the same team.

The Clippers aren't good enough to win the chip with the Warriors/Spurs/Thunder as strong as they are so the Clippers need to do something at some point to get better.

It's interesting to think about who could be gettable.

Kevin Durant would be the ultimate and Blake can go home to OKC, and that would only be possible if OKC are sure beyond doubt that KD wants out. That would be a seriously great situation for KD to walk into with a playmaking guard in CP3.

Being more realistic Mello would be someone the Knicks would be more than open to moving for Blake and you could probably get Mello + a first round selection given Mello's age and contract size.

 

[wicksy]

Duncan is a wonder. He was never athletic so father time hasn't really affected him as much v his peers, and he has remained in large part who he has always been. Duncan as with all the Spurs vets will be resting frequently throughout the season and be ready for playoff basketball.

Porzingis is good. A unicorn as KD aptly described him. He does have all the tricks at that height and those putback dunks are particularly exciting for such an extremely tall guy. In saying that Karl Anthony-Towns is the rookie this year who is most impressing me and is putting up rare numbers for his age in the process. Anthony-Towns has the opportunity to become the best big man in the NBA, so he is one to really watch out for. Porzingis is one of the better Euros the NBA has seen though and he may be another Dirk/Pau level big which is pretty great.



A trade of Blake is something I feel the Clippers definitely need to explore moving if the deal is right, but like with any move that is always the condition. He is such a high usage guy on offense that having both he and CP3 doesn't do anything much to help winning, and why the Clippers without one or the other remain much the same team.

The Clippers aren't good enough to win the chip with the Warriors/Spurs/Thunder as strong as they are so the Clippers need to do something at some point to get better.

It's interesting to think about who could be gettable.

Kevin Durant would be the ultimate and Blake can go home to OKC, and that would only be possible if OKC are sure beyond doubt that KD wants out. That would be a seriously great situation for KD to walk into with a playmaking guard in CP3.

Being more realistic Mello would be someone the Knicks would be more than open to moving for Blake and you could probably get Mello + a first round selection given Mello's age and contract size.

I don't personally like the Melo trade given the age and contract size but a first rounder does sound promising given we haven't had an early once since Blake. I want to hold onto him and hope that Lance improves the wing but it's not looking great thus far (Mind you... I love his intensity on the court!!!).

KD looks to be LAL bound with Rusty joining him in '17. If that happens, I feel sorry for the Thunder... Just goes to show that the prestigious (not the word i'm looking for but you get what I mean) teams will always win out.

 

[Knightmare]

I don't personally like the Melo trade given the age and contract size but a first rounder does sound promising given we haven't had an early once since Blake. I want to hold onto him and hope that Lance improves the wing but it's not looking great thus far (Mind you... I love his intensity on the court!!!).

KD looks to be LAL bound with Rusty joining him in '17. If that happens, I feel sorry for the Thunder... Just goes to show that the prestigious (not the word i'm looking for but you get what I mean) teams will always win out.

There is some talk about KD and Westbrook joining LAL so you might be right.

KD might even be sneaky about it and sign a one year extension and move along with Westbrook.

It would be a very crowded point guard position with Westbrook, Russell and Clarkson who are all starting quality point guards so they'd need to move their youth for a dominating big man who can get stops inside - eg. Rudy Gobert/Hassan Whiteside.

As a basketball fan it annoys me that KD has to play on the same team as Westbrook. It just takes so many shots away from KD and it's such a shame because the way KD shoots, he could probably have another 7-8 FGA's per game and his FG% would in all likelihood with a suitable playmaker - say CP3 remain the same as it presently is.

The other scenario, and this one as a basketball fan really makes my mouth water. KD to the Warriors. It means GSW need to cut pretty much everyone other than Curry, Thompson and Green. But that big 4! Just wow! That would be the most efficient and deadly perimeter show we may see in our lifetimes, even disregarding the analytics trend towards shooting more 3s, kids practicing 3pt shots more etc.

 

[wicksy]

There is some talk about KD and Westbrook joining LAL so you might be right.

KD might even be sneaky about it and sign a one year extension and move along with Westbrook.

It would be a very crowded point guard position with Westbrook, Russell and Clarkson who are all starting quality point guards so they'd need to move their youth for a dominating big man who can get stops inside - eg. Rudy Gobert/Hassan Whiteside.

As a basketball fan it annoys me that KD has to play on the same team as Westbrook. It just takes so many shots away from KD and it's such a shame because the way KD shoots, he could probably have another 7-8 FGA's per game and his FG% would in all likelihood with a suitable playmaker - say CP3 remain the same as it presently is.

The other scenario, and this one as a basketball fan really makes my mouth water. KD to the Warriors. It means GSW need to cut pretty much everyone other than Curry, Thompson and Green. But that big 4! Just wow! That would be the most efficient and deadly perimeter show we may see in our lifetimes, even disregarding the analytics trend towards shooting more 3s, kids practicing 3pt shots more etc.

When i read that dubs are in thr box seat, i died inside.... How can anybody compete with that!

 

[sirlothie]

I don't reckon he will go there, it's just too many shooters.

 

[Knightmare]

When i read that dubs are in thr box seat, i died inside.... How can anybody compete with that!

Some in the media are speculating. And a happy accident thanks to the salary cap rise that Golden State could pull something like that off.

I don't reckon he will go there, it's just too many shooters.

You never say never in the NBA or so the saying goes. LeBron to Miami? And then back to Cleveland even after it seems like the bridge was completely burnt to the ground. Amazing can happen.

With regard to shooting I don't believe there is such a thing as too much shooting.

In the NBA there can be too many ball stoppers on offense, or too many guys who can only score off the dribble.

Shooting through, it's a different story, particularly with all those guys from the Warriors with all those guys, and the same story with Durant able to hit 3s off the catch and shoot which means they don't need the ball to be effective and a factor on offence, and as such in theory KD should be able to co-exist with Steph/Klay/Draymond.

 

[sirlothie]

Some in the media are speculating. And a happy accident thanks to the salary cap rise that Golden State could pull something like that off.



You never say never in the NBA or so the saying goes. LeBron to Miami? And then back to Cleveland even after it seems like the bridge was completely burnt to the ground. Amazing can happen.

With regard to shooting I don't believe there is such a thing as too much shooting.

In the NBA there can be too many ball stoppers on offense, or too many guys who can only score off the dribble.

Shooting through, it's a different story, particularly with all those guys from the Warriors with all those guys, and the same story with Durant able to hit 3s off the catch and shoot which means they don't need the ball to be effective and a factor on offence, and as such in theory KD should be able to co-exist with Steph/Klay/Draymond.

Yeah but remember when Durant started they said he was a 'volume shooter' and eventually he gets a hot hand and Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are kind of the same. They all would be camping on the arc. I just can't see it but as you say anything can happen and Steve Kerr is a 3 expert...

 

[TradeDraft]

He be a All-Star next year and Possible Future Superstar of the NBA

 

[sirlothie]

Wow Klay Thompson beats Steph Curry 27-23 in 3 point shootout.

And big man Karl Anthony Towns beats Isiaih Thomas in Skills Challenge!

But in the new format they get in each other's way...

I wanna watch the Dunk Contest...

 

[TradeDraft]

Gordon got Screwed in the Dunk Contest

 

[sirlothie]

Lol this dunk contest is BAD.



Just give it to LaVine now...