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Jan 6, 2019 22:28:43 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2019 22:28:43 GMT -5
As the NBA season is approaching the halfway mark, LeBron James is proclaiming himself the greatest player of all-time, Jimmy Butler is questioning The Process in Philadelphia, and the Minnesota Timberwolves just fired their coach, Tom Thibodeau. The Eastern Conference is especially tight and competitive so far. Will a team from the East dethrone the Golden State Warriors? Speaking of the Warriors, they have their own problems right now. Is this Kevin Durant's last season there?
Where's The Captain when you need him to make sense out of all of this?
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B.E.
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Jan 7, 2019 19:40:51 GMT -5
Post by B.E. on Jan 7, 2019 19:40:51 GMT -5
I actually sat down and watched a game from start to finish recently - Kawhi's return to SA. The first time Kawhi touched the ball he scored and was fouled. When he missed the free throw the crowd cheered so wildly that I laughed out loud. You'd think they just won the championship. Still, I have absolutely no problem with Spurs fans booing him. Seemingly, the only thing we know for certain is that, ultimately, Kawhi didn't want to be there any longer. Simple as that. From a loyal fans' perspective, I'm not sure what would be more deserving of booing.
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Jan 7, 2019 20:21:47 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2019 20:21:47 GMT -5
I actually sat down and watched a game from start to finish recently - Kawhi's return to SA. The first time Kawhi touched the ball he scored and was fouled. When he missed the free throw the crowd cheered so wildly that I laughed out loud. You'd think they just won the championship. Still, I have absolutely no problem with Spurs fans booing him. Seemingly, the only thing we know for certain is that, ultimately, Kawhi didn't want to be there any longer. Simple as that. From a loyal fans' perspective, I'm not sure what would be more deserving of booing. Gregg Popovich said that he "felt badly" about the fans' booing of Kawhi. He said that Leonard is a "high character guy" who had a right to make a life decision just like anybody else. And Pop even said it with a straight face!
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B.E.
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Jan 7, 2019 20:43:21 GMT -5
Post by B.E. on Jan 7, 2019 20:43:21 GMT -5
I actually sat down and watched a game from start to finish recently - Kawhi's return to SA. The first time Kawhi touched the ball he scored and was fouled. When he missed the free throw the crowd cheered so wildly that I laughed out loud. You'd think they just won the championship. Still, I have absolutely no problem with Spurs fans booing him. Seemingly, the only thing we know for certain is that, ultimately, Kawhi didn't want to be there any longer. Simple as that. From a loyal fans' perspective, I'm not sure what would be more deserving of booing. Gregg Popovich said that he "felt badly" about the fans' booing of Kawhi. He said that Leonard is a "high character guy" who had a right to make a life decision just like anybody else. And Pop even said it with a straight face! Yeah, you can tell that as an organization they made a decision to take the high road at the last moment. In addition to those comments, they gave Kawhi a joint tribute video with Danny Green and they introduced Kawhi right after introducing Danny. Popovich and the Spurs didn't want to look like the bad guys, like they were holding a grudge. Not to mention Pop is coaching USA basketball now... DeRozan had a hell of a game. 21-14-11. His first triple double. If only I had stayed up for the GS-HOU game! Great night for basketball. Btw, I assume you don't follow the Spurs much, but Bertans is finally getting some decent minutes at 19mpg. He's shooting 47.5% from 3, making 1.9 per game. The guy can really shoot it. As a Sixers fan are you worried about Butler or not yet?
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Jan 7, 2019 22:02:48 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2019 22:02:48 GMT -5
Gregg Popovich said that he "felt badly" about the fans' booing of Kawhi. He said that Leonard is a "high character guy" who had a right to make a life decision just like anybody else. And Pop even said it with a straight face! Yeah, you can tell that as an organization they made a decision to take the high road at the last moment. In addition to those comments, they gave Kawhi a joint tribute video with Danny Green and they introduced Kawhi right after introducing Danny. Popovich and the Spurs didn't want to look like the bad guys, like they were holding a grudge. Not to mention Pop is coaching USA basketball now... DeRozan had a hell of a game. 21-14-11. His first triple double. If only I had stayed up for the GS-HOU game! Great night for basketball. Btw, I assume you don't follow the Spurs much, but Bertans is finally getting some decent minutes at 19mpg. He's shooting 47.5% from 3, making 1.9 per game. The guy can really shoot it. As a Sixers fan are you worried about Butler or not yet? I'm worried about Butler because there is a pattern there. If it was an isolated incident where he was frustrated and felt the need to vent, I could overlook it. But now this is another organization/coach where he isn't...happy. Coach Brett Brown tried his best to downplay it, and hopefully they can put it behind them. The 76ers have other problems, though, most of all an inconsistent bench. They don't need this from Butler right now.
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Jan 13, 2019 16:54:47 GMT -5
Post by The Cap'n on Jan 13, 2019 16:54:47 GMT -5
Where's The Captain when you need him to make sense out of all of this?
I'm always around.
This Thibs firing had to happen, and it did. Great. Weird timing, but oh well. What else were you going to do? Wait until after the season, knowing you're going to fire him that whole time anyway? Risk letting him make more purportedly job-saving moves because of his front office clout? Pbpbpbpt. Saunders is young, but he's ours. Flip is beloved here to the point that he was welcomed back as if he were the second coming of Red Auerbach before he died. (He wasn't.) Ryan is a great kid, a good young coach, and he's one of us. I watched him play (literally) high school ball, I watched him not play for the Gophers while he rode that bench, and watched his young coaching career progress. He's smart, he's good ... he's a little Flip in a lot of ways. I think he's going to be offense-minded, a la Flip. He has instituted a practice in practice of counting long twos as negative points, wanting to bring some analytics into this Stone Age program. (OK, Bronze Age.)
Enjoy Butler, SJS...
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Jan 13, 2019 21:18:01 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2019 21:18:01 GMT -5
Where's The Captain when you need him to make sense out of all of this?
I'm always around.
This Thibs firing had to happen, and it did. Great. Weird timing, but oh well. What else were you going to do? Wait until after the season, knowing you're going to fire him that whole time anyway? Risk letting him make more purportedly job-saving moves because of his front office clout? Pbpbpbpt. Saunders is young, but he's ours. Flip is beloved here to the point that he was welcomed back as if he were the second coming of Red Auerbach before he died. (He wasn't.) Ryan is a great kid, a good young coach, and he's one of us. I watched him play (literally) high school ball, I watched him not play for the Gophers while he rode that bench, and watched his young coaching career progress. He's smart, he's good ... he's a little Flip in a lot of ways. I think he's going to be offense-minded, a la Flip. He has instituted a practice in practice of counting long twos as negative points, wanting to bring some analytics into this Stone Age program. (OK, Bronze Age.)
Enjoy Butler, SJS...
Welcome back, brother!
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Jan 28, 2019 9:25:07 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2019 9:25:07 GMT -5
So, Anthony Davis is For Sale. Does your team want him? For how much?
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Jan 28, 2019 9:36:15 GMT -5
Post by The Cap'n on Jan 28, 2019 9:36:15 GMT -5
When he hired Lebron's management company, I think the writing was on the wall. So I suppose the cost is going to be something like Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Rajon Rondo (or similar salary-equalizer), and picks, if it's a 2-team deal. If third teams get involved it could become more convoluted.
Boston might get involved if they hold off until summer or trade Kyrie prior to the deadline.
Philly could have had they not done the Butler deal.
Chicago--his hometown--would probably seem appealing if they weren't a dumpster fire of an organization. But theoretically you could do something with some of their young bigs and picks, I suppose.
Brooklyn and NY could be dark horses because they've got some flexibility, but if he wants to go to a perennial winner, that's complicated.
I'd guess it's LAL or Boston ... but I'm not a betting man.
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Jan 28, 2019 20:37:45 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2019 20:37:45 GMT -5
It looks like Anthony Davis has agreed to play out the rest of the season with the Pelicans, but that doesn't necessarily mean a trade can't be made before that time. New Orleans hasn't made it known yet what their goals are in a trade - players, draft picks, another star.
The Lakers seems like a perfect fit. Magic and LeBron are on the clock, and Davis is no spring chicken either. They/he want to win now. It does look like the Lakers have the assets to pull off a deal. I can see the Lakers trading for Davis and then picking up that third star in the off season, and then they're basically set to make a run. I think they could fill the void of a Lonzo Ball or Rondo; losing Ingram would sting.
Even though I'm a 76ers fan, I would like to see Boston make a run at Davis. Assuming they wouldn't give up too much, it would be cool to see a powerhouse team come out of the East to challenge Golden State.
I don't think the 76ers are in the running. Oh, they could move Butler in a heartbeat - they're not exactly enamored with him right now - but I wonder if Embiid and Davis are a good fit. They operate in a lot of the same space, don't they? And please don't trade Ben Simmons.
Late news has the Knicks sniffing around, too.
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Jan 30, 2019 12:23:38 GMT -5
Post by The Cap'n on Jan 30, 2019 12:23:38 GMT -5
I don't think the 76ers are in the running. Oh, they could move Butler in a heartbeat - they're not exactly enamored with him right now - but I wonder if Embiid and Davis are a good fit. They operate in a lot of the same space, don't they? And please don't trade Ben Simmons. The rumors have been that, if Philly gets involved, it'll be a Simmons-based package. (I've even heard speculation that somehow Butler to Houston would be part of a larger package, with Houston's 4-picks offer that Minnesota rejected as part of what goes to NOP.)
As for Davis and Embiid, it's hard to say. Davis definitely has worked to become more of a face-up player and he prefers not to play center, even though the modern NBA would love him there. Then again, Embiid does a lot of face-up work himself. So it is hard to say. But you have to admit, that would be a DEVASTATING front line. Then again, the PG would presumably be TJ McConnell or Landry Shamet, so that's not exactly ideal.
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Jan 31, 2019 15:25:43 GMT -5
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Post by The Cap'n on Jan 31, 2019 15:25:43 GMT -5
Porzingis met with the Knicks and reportedly “left the impression that he’d prefer to be traded” according to Woj.
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Jan 31, 2019 16:18:06 GMT -5
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Post by The Cap'n on Jan 31, 2019 16:18:06 GMT -5
That unfolded quickly: Porzingis and others (Courtney Lee And Tim Hardaway) are apparently headed to Dallas for Dennis Smith Jr, De’Andre Jordan and Wes Matthews. Other players and picks might be involved as well.
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Jan 31, 2019 18:29:20 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2019 18:29:20 GMT -5
Whoa, I come home from work and all hell has broken loose!
Let's see if I have this straight. The Knicks clear a bunch of salary space, draft Zion Williamson, sign one or two key free agents, and they're instant contenders. That takes some guts. There are some major risks here; it's always a risk to trade your sole superstar.
And, the Mavs get an instant replacement for Dirk, and a piece to build around for the next ten years - if Porzingis isn't damaged goods, if he can get along with his coach/management, and if he isn't a selfish player. Other than that...
And if that isn't enough, the Lakers offer the Pelicans five different trade scenarios to work out a deal for Anthony Davis. Do you think they want him enough? Oh, and Davis says he will only sign one year deals with everybody...except the Lakers.
Looking forward to tonight - 76ers vs. Warriors
Captain, make some sense out of all of this!
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Jan 31, 2019 21:47:34 GMT -5
Post by The Cap'n on Jan 31, 2019 21:47:34 GMT -5
Well, Knicks wanted to clear cap space once they knew for sure Zinger wanted out, and they're going to be able to do that. They also at least have another intriguing PG-of-the-future candidate in Dennis Smith (joining Emanuel Mudiay and Frankie Ntilikina). Great cap position to sign Durant or some other max player(s). They ought to be able to get something for Matthews and Jordan, even, picks-wise (which is all they'll want, to keep cap space). And two more picks though who knows which they'll be or when.
Mavs, they really did a good thing. Porzingis plus Doncic is just going to be fantastic. And actually Trey Burke, not initially reported as part of the deal, could be a fantastic fit there as a scoring lead guard who will defend points (while Doncic really is the point forward on offense, but can't guard points). Hardaway is another perimeter threat. I really like what they did.
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Feb 2, 2019 14:27:47 GMT -5
Post by B.E. on Feb 2, 2019 14:27:47 GMT -5
Porzingis met with the Knicks and reportedly “left the impression that he’d prefer to be traded” according to Woj. When this was initially reported, I didn't think it was a big deal. The report indicated KP's concern for the losing and direction of the team. So, my biggest takeaway was, "how naïve is KP?" The Knicks have (for the first time in a long time) been sticking to a plan (one that, reportedly, KP had been in agreement with) that set them up to be a good team as early as next season. Could he not envision being happy with the Knicks next season if we signed a top tier free agent and drafted the #1 pick? It's not like he's been in Kanter's position, he's injured! There has always been some friction between KP and the Knicks so this report wasn't a big surprise. That said, it didn't occur to me that it altered the Knicks plans in any significant way. So, I wasn't prepared to read this... That unfolded quickly: Porzingis and others (Courtney Lee And Tim Hardaway) are apparently headed to Dallas for Dennis Smith Jr, De’Andre Jordan and Wes Matthews. Other players and picks might be involved as well. Initially, I wasn't even sure that Jordan and Matthews were on expiring deals, so I was terrified! It's hard, as a Knicks fan, to not notice certain parallels. Phil Jackson ditches Hardaway Jr, Mills/Perry sign him to a huge contract. Phil Jackson drafts Ntilikina over Dennis Smith Jr, Mills/Perry trade Porzingis (Phil's lone achievement) for Dennis Smith Jr and unloading Hardaway's huge contract. It's easy for people to bash this trade and the Knicks. It's certainly a huge risk. Trading a star like Porzingis who's still on his rookie deal is unconventional. Has it ever even been done before? With that said, you can't change the past. I hate that it didn't work out with KP, but this trade could work out for the Knicks. It could be a huge win. My guess is that the Knicks didn't feel confident that they'd be able to attract a top tier free agent to pair with KP if KP himself hadn't bought-in. I also think that some people are underestimating the benefit of having two max slots (as opposed to one), particularly, during this free agency period. I think the chances are better now that they actually get two of the top free agents this summer than it would have been to get one to pair with KP. It's not like the Knicks don't have legitimate reason to believe that they'd have a shot to land certain players. And players are all about deciding who they are going to team up with. Not to mention, players seem more legacy obsessed than ever. Well, there's nothing more legacy boosting than bringing a championship to the New York Knicks after nearly 50 years! For the Knicks, I think I'm coming around to the trade. I think it will be worth it. You have to be concerned about KP's long-term health (even before the ACL injury) and while I was always willing to accept a certain amount of immaturity from KP (perfectly understandable for a young man in his position), it seems like the Knicks had greater cause for concern. I've read about and heard that many people within the Knicks organization tried incredibly hard to guide and support KP, but some things are just out of your control. Also, the two first round picks are significant. It took a while to get clarification on that, but they are DAL 1st rounders. The first is unprotected and the second might be top 10 protected. I'm not 100% sure as I've read conflicting reports. Still, they are valuable. Dallas will certainly miss them if KP can't stay healthy. As my mind's been spinning since the trade I can't help but wonder how certain little things may have had an outsized effect. While the writing may have been on the wall for a long time, could Anthony Davis not being named a starter on the All-Star team been the final straw for him, personally? He has stated this move is about legacy. He feels like he's not being noticed in NO. To that I say: 1) win and you'll be noticed and 2) nobody is counting All-Star starts (it doesn't even matter if you're an injury replacement). Of course, AD might not care so much about this - my head is just spinning. Furthermore, what prompted that KP-Knicks meeting? Did KP? Had he heard about trade talks between NY - DAL and, having just seen Luka and Dirk in-person the night before, thought, rather impulsively, "yeah, send me there". Decisions are sometimes made in such a manner. Perhaps I'm thinking along these lines because I'm worried how many times players will change their mind about their future between now and this summer?
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Feb 2, 2019 16:09:03 GMT -5
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Post by The Cap'n on Feb 2, 2019 16:09:03 GMT -5
My feeling on the trade from the Knicks perspective is that cap space and Kevin Durant are what they're banking on: they've said repeatedly that they aren't taking on any money beyond what they're already committed to, which is what they should have been doing for about five years now. The signs certainly have seemed for months that KD was leaning Knicksward. I think that's what it's all about: some young, cheap talent around him that can produce to some extent but doesn't cost a lot (Smith, Frankie, Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox, Alonzo Trier), then their high pick in 2019 draft, then Durant, then whoever else they can attract once they have Durant. If the ownership and management can stay the course without making some stupid-ass "blockbuster" trade for some supposed superstar who's either old, broken, or dramatically overpaid, they might actually be on to something. (It probably will require making KD and his team the de facto GM a la Lebron, but they can't do worse than the Knicks have done for the past 20 years or so.)
For Dallas, if Zinger can stay healthy, it's a beautiful thing. Harrison Barnes is fantastic as a third option. Even Trey Burke is going to be a nice fit there, I think: a scoring guard like that being relieved of playmaking duties by the magical Doncic? Yes, please. Love it.
I do wonder where Matthews and Jordan will end up though. It won't be in NY.
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Feb 4, 2019 20:36:04 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2019 20:36:04 GMT -5
I just read a report that the Lakers are offering Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley AND two first-round picks for Anthony Davis and Solomon Hill. If that's true, shouldn't the Pelicans make that deal as soon as humanly possible?
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Feb 4, 2019 20:44:02 GMT -5
Post by The Cap'n on Feb 4, 2019 20:44:02 GMT -5
Maybe. But maybe not so fast.
My understanding is that NOP wants an all-star, and ideally a legit all-NBA caliber player back. After all, that's what they're giving up. One seeming rule in NBA trades is, whoever gets the best player wins the trade. Granted that's unlikely here, but you don't want it to be a joke. Think of the Chris Paul trade to LAC. Eric Gordon, Al Farouq Aminu, Chris Kaman, and a pick that became Austin Rivers. They lost the franchise's best player ever and got back a few decent players who were entirely unremarkable and led the Pels directly into mediocrity. That basic scenario has worked out a bazillion times (and almost did with Paul to LAL in the deal David Stern nixed, which would have moved Pau Gasol, Luis Scola, and some similar pieces to NOP).
Lonzo has been intriguing but often hurt, and his dad is a massive distraction who is already saying he won't go to NOP. (He says he's going to "think into existence" Lonzo going to Phoenix if he has to be dealt.) Kuzma is a prototypical good stats on a bad team player. He's not bad by any means, but he's not great. Ingram is developing ... slowly. What is it, Year Three? He's OK. The others are expiring and irrelevant at best. The picks, if AD and Lebron are paired, won't be good.
So what do Lonzo, Kuzma, and Ingram do as a young core? They suck. We've been watching it for a couple years already.
They have a shot at Jayson Tatum if they wait. He's definitely got more star potential, or so it seems at the moment, than any of those Lakers.
Interestingly though, AD reportedly told NOP he would resign with LAL, LAC, NYK, and MIL. The Knicks don't have anything to offer. The Clippers maybe do, depending on how you feel about SGA as a young piece. (Harris if he promises to resign, SGA, and some picks?) But Milwaukee... Kris Middleton, Thon Maker, and some of their cheap, younger players? That's interesting.
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Feb 6, 2019 9:55:09 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 9:55:09 GMT -5
So I watched the Sixers lose to Toronto last night - they played terrible; too many turnovers and shaky defense - and I went to bed, only to wake up to this blockbuster trade. While I'm obviously familiar with the 76ers players traded, I'm not as familiar with the Clippers' players (I rarely see their games). What's the deal here?
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Feb 6, 2019 10:02:44 GMT -5
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Post by The Cap'n on Feb 6, 2019 10:02:44 GMT -5
The 76ers’ financial future seems precarious, with an obvious supermax player in Embiid and three guys who want and presumably could get a max elsewhere when the time comes.
Tobias Harris is very good, a versatile player who has improved a lot mostly under the radar in places like Orlando, Milwaukee and Detroit before being sent to LAC. He presumably will start at PF but can play SF.
Marjanovic is as good a backup center, and in another era would’ve been a very good starter. He can’t step out to defend the way modern centers are expected to but he’s as good a post player as there is...and he’s huge. (Also hilarious.)
The players Philly sent out wouldn’t keep me up at night, but two firsts from a team that will be looking for inexpensive talent around their four expensive players might be a problem in the future.
(Despite quotes to the contrary, it makes me wonder if Butler will be moved or let walk.)
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Feb 6, 2019 10:23:58 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 10:23:58 GMT -5
The players Philly sent out wouldn’t keep me up at night, but two firsts from a team that will be looking for inexpensive talent around their four expensive players might be a problem in the future. (Despite quotes to the contrary, it makes me wonder if Butler will be moved or let walk.) Yeah, one quick thing on Landry Shamet. He's a great kid, a smart player, and has been getting key minutes recently. He could turn into a legitimate starter - but he has also been inconsistent. One game he'll go five for six from the field, make a couple of threes, contribute fifteen points, and be a key contributor in a win. The next game he'll go one for seven from the field, get burned defensively (he's not very physical), and Brett will sit him down. Again, I like him, and would've liked to see if he developed, but he wasn't a slam dunk very good player.
I don't think the Sixers will move Butler this year. Things (I think) are calming down with him. And it appears that Elton Brand, along with Brett Brown, are trying to win NOW. They won't without Butler. It's way too early to tell if they'll let him walk after the season, but again, he's a very important piece of the puzzle.
And, losing those draft picks does sting.
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Feb 7, 2019 14:52:18 GMT -5
Post by The Cap'n on Feb 7, 2019 14:52:18 GMT -5
Not a lot in the way of blockbusters yet (does Marc Gasol count?) but a lot of trades today! Poor Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin were briefly on their fourth team in the past week... And the Grizzlies, man, they've turned over what seems like half their roster.
Still hoping the Wolves can make a move to improve.
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Feb 7, 2019 18:22:52 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2019 18:22:52 GMT -5
Happy Trails to Markelle Fultz. What an enigma! I don't know much about Jonathon Simmons (hey, now there's two Simmons on the 76ers), but I'm glad they re-acquired a No. 1 and a No. 2 pick.
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Feb 8, 2019 10:42:30 GMT -5
Post by The Cap'n on Feb 8, 2019 10:42:30 GMT -5
Simmons is a really good addition for Philly: he is a better player on a better team, as he showed in San Antonio. When he was playing his best, he was an aggressive energy guy, not a great shooter, but athletic and assertive. I'd guess he'll be a nice player off the bench.
As for Fultz, I'm not giving up on him. That guy is talented. But whatever is wrong with his head, he needs to fix. Orlando ought to be a good place to do it, since nobody cares what goes on there basketball-wise...he can learn in semi-obscurity.
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