NBA Offseason
- Thread starter Khalifa
- Start date
I think this was a pretty good trade all around. Several of you have given great reasons for this, but I'll give another one for the Cavaliers:
Saving that much money is not inconsequential.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...g-boston-celtics-deal-including-isaiah-thomasNets said:
Saving that much money is not inconsequential.
No one was on their level already. They lost 1 game the entire playoffs last year. Certainly there was a team or two who might be able to defeat them in a playoff series if the Warriors fell out of rhythm, or the other team got insanely hot, but the odds of anyone beating them just aren't very high. Arguably the best player in basketball history put up a triple double for the series and it still wasn't enough.
Yeah true. Everyone knew what was going to happen last year, and like you said if Lebrons team can't beat them when he is averaging a triple double or even dent them for majority of it then it's clear they are one of a kind. Still, I think Lebron and Irving had a decent shot but yeah that's wishful thinking. I've totally forgot they added Rose this year already and if they add Wade then maybe this years squad has a better chance than last years.
Yeah, the Cavs roster, especially if Wade signs, will be stacked in name power (even if the playing ability is not what it once was). D. Rose, I. Thomas, JR Smith, D. Wade, K. Korver, Lebron, J. Crowder, K. Love and T. Thompson is a pretty intimidating lineup of names.
Just not sure how well the names will play once the season begins.
A11oftheLights
Getting Noticed By Management
Nick wright had a good idea for the cavs. I think it was trade iman shumpert and channing frye and that nets pick for cousins. Big risk if cousins doesnt recommit along with lebron
Da Prophet
Mid-Card Championship Winner
Nick Wright the same guy who was 100% sure that the Cavs would win the NBA Championship and do it in 5.
Nick Wright the same guy that booked a flight to Cleveland for game 6.
Nick Wright the same guy that booked a flight to Cleveland for game 6.
Big Nick Dudley
Nick
I don't see anything changing. Boston may end up with the better record, but I don't think they beat Cleveland in the ECF. Neither team touches GS.
Cleveland has plenty of talent to compete with GS, but once again, I doubt they change their style of play enough to compete. They play glorified streetball and GS will eat that up. I honestly feel Durant could snap his leg in the WCF and they would still beat Cleveland/Boston in six.
Cleveland has plenty of talent to compete with GS, but once again, I doubt they change their style of play enough to compete. They play glorified streetball and GS will eat that up. I honestly feel Durant could snap his leg in the WCF and they would still beat Cleveland/Boston in six.
So Cavs are reportedly considering to void the deal with Irving after establishing the extent of IT's hip injury. Adrian Woj reported it.
If IT needs surgery then maybe it gets voided but I think if IT can play well over half a season then it would be hard to send back Crowder and that awesome draft pick. Maybe Nuggets and Suns step up in their pursuit though but yeah not sure how serious this is.
If IT needs surgery then maybe it gets voided but I think if IT can play well over half a season then it would be hard to send back Crowder and that awesome draft pick. Maybe Nuggets and Suns step up in their pursuit though but yeah not sure how serious this is.
Da Prophet
Mid-Card Championship Winner
Richard Blonoff
Make America Rassle Again
So there are conflicting reports that say either Shumpart wants out now, or that the team is shopping him around.
I get that part, if you are the type of owner that is only in it for the profit then it makes perfect sense. Most NBA owners, though, actually enjoy the competition aspect of owning a team. Most of the NBA owners sit court side at home games and enjoy all of the teams successes and what not. Plus, let's say that the Rockets are as good this year as we are expecting them to be and they make it back to the WCF. Wouldn't they sell for higher next season when it's proven that CP3 and Harden can work well together? Also, It's my understanding that the Melo deal is nearly done for him to go to Houston. Wouldn't they sell for more with another star?
I wouldn't have sold right now. I would've let things play out this season and then sold if I wanted to.
I wouldn't have sold right now. I would've let things play out this season and then sold if I wanted to.
Fire Marshall Bill
Let me show ya somethin!!!
Chris Paul is still a high priced rental who is on the decline in production. He's coming off an injury and his minutes have been decreased over the last few years. There's also rumors of him and James playing together (my guess in LA). Carmelo, regardless of whether he goes to Houston or not, is also on the decline and can become a free agent next year as well. Add in the fact that contracts for stars have recently seen a serious uptick in price, and this is most likely going to be the highest value the team is going to see in the near future. Even if that turns out to be false, he bought the team for $85 million. If the owner was iffy on whether or not he wanted to keep the team, now was certainly a good time to get out.
The_Misson
Occasional Pre-Show
Carmelo to OKC. Well that's a bit of a surprise.
Da Prophet
Mid-Card Championship Winner
They'll need the NBA to introduce a multi-ball rule for the combination of Russ, Melo and PG to work anywhere near championship level. Second round team at best.
Big Nick Dudley
Nick
Actually Melo can be an efficient scorer if he doesn't dominate the ball. Westbrook will be key in helping the two new guys take good shots all year. It can work, and work well. We'll see.
Richard Blonoff
Make America Rassle Again
Melo did show he could coexist and thrive with Iverson also getting shots, but Russ is statistically the biggest ball hog in some time and PG doesnt work as well without the ball in his hands as he does with it, so it will take some time for them to gel for sure if they manage to get it down.
Im interested to see where everyone plays because Melo and PG both play the 3, and last year in Indy PG straight up refused to play the 4 spot.
Im interested to see where everyone plays because Melo and PG both play the 3, and last year in Indy PG straight up refused to play the 4 spot.
Big Nick Dudley
Nick
Basketball "experts" have always said Olympic Melo is the best Melo, and I agree. He will never defend, but as a shooter, he may be a hell of a threat, depending on how they move the ball. He and PG will need to be better rebounders, but they could be a real scoring monster. How efficient they are will matter in the playoffs, though.
I think PG played the 2 briefly at the start of his career. But what will probably happen is He will play the 3 and Melo will play the 4.
I don't think this team is going to work out for the Thunder. The team is comprised of three guys that all need the ball in their hands to be effective, a physical and effective (if not super talented) center, and not much else. Furthermore, teams like the Warriors, Rockets, and Spurs all have systems they've spent multiple seasons cultivating. The Thunder will win plenty of games based on talent alone, but I don't think they have what it takes to put down any of the West's elite teams in a 7 game series.
I have to agree with (and I can't believe the words are coming out of me mouth) JGlass on this one. There just isn't enough balls on the court for the Thunder. Melo can be a hell of a spot up shooter, but he, along with PG and Westbrooke can all be a hell of a ball stopper as well.
So sure, will they win 50+ games and be in the playoffs? Probably. They're overloaded with talent and that will be enough to get them past the lesser teams in the league. Which equates to enough games for them to have a pretty decent record and make it to the playoffs. Do they have a chance of beating any of the teams that are disciplined and have a system in place? Barring catastrophic injury, not at all. We will see a lot of high octane offense from them, lack luster defense, and a lot of possessions where the ball just stops dead in one of their hands. As a result of that last one, mark my words, their record when it comes to games decided by 3 points or less is going to be atrocious.
They're not winning any championships. Don't get too excited.
So sure, will they win 50+ games and be in the playoffs? Probably. They're overloaded with talent and that will be enough to get them past the lesser teams in the league. Which equates to enough games for them to have a pretty decent record and make it to the playoffs. Do they have a chance of beating any of the teams that are disciplined and have a system in place? Barring catastrophic injury, not at all. We will see a lot of high octane offense from them, lack luster defense, and a lot of possessions where the ball just stops dead in one of their hands. As a result of that last one, mark my words, their record when it comes to games decided by 3 points or less is going to be atrocious.
They're not winning any championships. Don't get too excited.
I don't care how selfish each player is, they're probably the second best team in the west right now and I just can't see how people will stop them at the end of a game. Kobe and Shaq won 3 championships together, don't get more selfish as a player than either of those two (though if your Shaq, fair call haha). They have a good defense and 3 unstoppable offensive forces. I wonder how George plays this season because really he's the worst scorer out of the 3 and he is the best defender, so if he is staying in OKC I can see him not caring too much about the offensive load, especially if it is beating the warriors. If he wants to prove that he is a number 1 option then things could get tough. Just come to Lakers Georgey, we love ya here.
Westbrook had Oladipo and Adams as his options last year, so while he is the most selfish/stat padding point hguard in history, he will still find ya/score/win. As far as I'm concerned I only slightly take Durant over Westbrook as the best player out of Thunder/Warrior players and that's because he is efficient as fuck, but Westbrook is the most complete player in the western conference (when he tries defensively, he obviously didn't do that last year).
Melo is Melo and even Lebron knows a motivated/confident Melo is unstoppable. After the last few years I think he knows his time could be up and this has to work out. Plus add in the fact he hasn't played with anyone like Westbrook or George since Iverson, this will probably be his most efficient season.
I want Houston to win it this year because even as a Lakers fan I can set realistic expectations and I don't like many more people than Paul and Harden in this league, but to me there is no doubt this OKC team is the second best team in the west, better than Leonard, the Rockets and the Clippers.
Of course year in year out super teams prove the "how can this team be stopped..." talk wrong and every second year for my Lakers but I think this year will be different.
Edit: Sorry Westbrook is not as good as Leonard on both ends but apart from that he tops everyone.
Westbrook had Oladipo and Adams as his options last year, so while he is the most selfish/stat padding point hguard in history, he will still find ya/score/win. As far as I'm concerned I only slightly take Durant over Westbrook as the best player out of Thunder/Warrior players and that's because he is efficient as fuck, but Westbrook is the most complete player in the western conference (when he tries defensively, he obviously didn't do that last year).
Melo is Melo and even Lebron knows a motivated/confident Melo is unstoppable. After the last few years I think he knows his time could be up and this has to work out. Plus add in the fact he hasn't played with anyone like Westbrook or George since Iverson, this will probably be his most efficient season.
I want Houston to win it this year because even as a Lakers fan I can set realistic expectations and I don't like many more people than Paul and Harden in this league, but to me there is no doubt this OKC team is the second best team in the west, better than Leonard, the Rockets and the Clippers.
Of course year in year out super teams prove the "how can this team be stopped..." talk wrong and every second year for my Lakers but I think this year will be different.
Edit: Sorry Westbrook is not as good as Leonard on both ends but apart from that he tops everyone.