NBA Offseason

[Khalifa]

I’m rooting for Lonzo. I’m quite critical of him but I think I’d like the kid a lot more if my brother didnt let me know he’s been Lonzo’s #1 fan since Chino Hills every chance he gets and he’s the equivalent of an Australian Lavar Ball. He obviously has a lot of talent and there is an immediate impact when he is on the court. It doesn’t show up in the stat sheets but the pace is a lot quicker when he’s on (better for the Lakers) and while not the best defender, does make it hard for the smaller guards to get to the rack. The Lakers play a lot better when he is playing and every player seems to have a bit more pep to their step. His 3 point shot is a lot better than what it was at the start of the season suggesting it was just all mental making it miss so much.

I think he will attract free agents to LA and him and Ingram are a good duo. I prefer Lonzo over Kuzma so I’m expecting big things.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Is Lavar Ball stupid enough to talk shit about a team lead by LeBron James? Almost definitely. Is the epic shutdown he'll receive at the hands of a LeBron James lead team going to be the most gratifying thing you'll ever see on television? Absolutely.

More gratifying than Lonzo himself stepping up and telling his dad to shut the fuck up? Not for me. I want to root for the kid, but until he grows a pair in regards to his dad, he deserves all the associated criticism.

I feel bad for the middle child. I think that one is LiAngelo. He was only a fringe recruit for a program like UCLA, he wasn’t going to get much playing time and all NBA scouts say he isn’t even a G-League caliber player, but his dad keeps pushing he is gonna be a Laker next year. From what I’ve heard, they also don’t feature him much on their reality show, instead focusing mostly on LaVar and the other two sons.

MARCIA! MARCIA! MARCIA!

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Someone like LeBron would be the absolute best thing for Lonzo Ball. Because the Ball family is nothing compared to LeBron's empire. Having LeBron on the team would simply let Lonzo be a basketball player, nothing else.

They're nowhere near Lebron. But does he want to constantly deal with that small thorn in his side? Daddy Ball would use Lebron's name daily to garner more attention. I could really see Lebron demanding Ball be traded before he signs.

Is Lavar Ball stupid enough to talk shit about a team lead by LeBron James? Almost definitely. Is the epic shutdown he'll receive at the hands of a LeBron James lead team going to be the most gratifying thing you'll ever see on television? Absolutely.



On the topic of Lonzo Ball: are you rooting for him, rooting against him, or do you not care about him at all?

I'm rooting for Lonzo. His dad is a dick, but Lonzo is a talented player and I would like to see him develop into a superstar and hopefully move out of his father's ridiculous shadow.

I am definitely rooting for Lonzo... to sideline his idiot father. I feel pretty bad for the kid.

 

[Slyfox696]

On the topic of Lonzo Ball: are you rooting for him, rooting against him, or do you not care about him at all?

I'm rooting for Lonzo. His dad is a dick, but Lonzo is a talented player and I would like to see him develop into a superstar and hopefully move out of his father's ridiculous shadow.

Ignoring his father, I really enjoyed watching Lonzo and UCLA play last year. As far as his future successes or failures, I honestly couldn't care less.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

How do you guys feel about the recent string of complaints about the officials? A lot of complaints from guys like LeBron, CP3, Carmello, and Draymond (who went so far as saying they need to replace all the refs) have been making the rounds lately, and the head of the officiant committee proposed a meeting with the player's association head over All-Star Weekend to try to find a solution.

 

[A11oftheLights]

If NBA coaches, specifically Walton and the Lakers, wanted to seriously stick it up Lavar why not just not answer any questions about Lavar and tell any members of the media that want to talk about Lavar that they can go to Lithuania, ask Lavar his thoughts on everything and just refuse to answer their questions from then on out. If Lonzo cracks the sads you piss him off and you publicly come out and say "we're trading him because he backs his dad in over the organisation and good luck to anyone that has to deal with it".

However, I do hope that Lonzo succeeds. The fact that people have wanted him to fail before he got to the NBA because of his dad. It's not like his dad is the first ever crazy sports parent, and he wont be the last

 

[Richard Blonoff]

So after the Rockets/Clippers game, the foursome of CP3, Harden, Green, and Ariza all shoved their way into the Clippers locker room in an attempt to get to Austin Rivers and Blake Griffin. The whole thing was really elaborate. The Rockets used Tarik Black and Clint Capella as distractions in the hallway so the other four could sneak into a back entrance. I say let them fight.

 

[Da Prophet]

That's some Tyrion Lannister secret passages into Casterly Rock type shit.

Also, first time CP3 has led a team somewhere but as usual, they were unsuccessful in their end goal.

 

[Khalifa]

I don’t know what they were thinking, they get a few hits on Rivers and Blake and then get bashed by another 12 people. It’s about time someone tried to see if Blake was all talk and if you don’t want to punch Rivers then you either haven’t seen him play or apart of the family.

 

[Khalifa]

How do you guys feel about the recent string of complaints about the officials? A lot of complaints from guys like LeBron, CP3, Carmello, and Draymond (who went so far as saying they need to replace all the refs) have been making the rounds lately, and the head of the officiant committee proposed a meeting with the player's association head over All-Star Weekend to try to find a solution.

I think it’s frustrating for both sides but I don’t agree with how the players treat the officials in the game. We all know what it’s like to get a bad call against us but literally when your league is the only league to alter the rules slightly to help you out then stfu. How many players could get call for traveling? That’s gotta be the most over said statement about the NBA and nothing is done about it. How many offensive players initiate contact and get the foul. Thank god they finally changed the shooting foul rule to what the whole of the world follows by. I could throw a lot more out there but basically I think they already get away with so they can’t go off like they do. Not to mention umpiring is the hardest thing to do, it’s hard to see a whole court view of the best athletes in the world at full speed.

The players are apparently complaining that the officials don’t allow the players to talk to them about the foul or violation that just occurred. I’ve never played NBA but every sort of basketball I have played from just fun comps, to city leagues to state leagues, every official has always explained what I’ve done wrong and ive been able to talk to them in a civil way, I’m sure any NBA player could do the same if they approached it calmly. I’m not saying the umpires are perfect but most do a really good job. I will say that black haired woman umpire doesn’t take any shit and sometimes can be harsh but apart from her and that Kenny Maurer or whatever that dudes name is (who has seemed to have taken a step back over the last couple of years) the top officials are great.

On some other news. Interesting Jason Kidd got fired. Bucks are 7th in the eats with a winning record and have only had Bledsoe for the part of the season and haven’t Jabari Parker all year. Giannis isn’t happy about it either.

Pop calling a time out 14 seconds into the game today is exactly why he is the best.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

I think it’s frustrating for both sides but I don’t agree with how the players treat the officials in the game. We all know what it’s like to get a bad call against us but literally when your league is the only league to alter the rules slightly to help you out then stfu. How many players could get call for traveling? That’s gotta be the most over said statement about the NBA and nothing is done about it. How many offensive players initiate contact and get the foul. Thank god they finally changed the shooting foul rule to what the whole of the world follows by. I could throw a lot more out there but basically I think they already get away with so they can’t go off like they do. Not to mention umpiring is the hardest thing to do, it’s hard to see a whole court view of the best athletes in the world at full speed.

The players are apparently complaining that the officials don’t allow the players to talk to them about the foul or violation that just occurred. I’ve never played NBA but every sort of basketball I have played from just fun comps, to city leagues to state leagues, every official has always explained what I’ve done wrong and ive been able to talk to them in a civil way, I’m sure any NBA player could do the same if they approached it calmly. I’m not saying the umpires are perfect but most do a really good job. I will say that black haired woman umpire doesn’t take any shit and sometimes can be harsh but apart from her and that Kenny Maurer or whatever that dudes name is (who has seemed to have taken a step back over the last couple of years) the top officials are great.

On some other news. Interesting Jason Kidd got fired. Bucks are 7th in the eats with a winning record and have only had Bledsoe for the part of the season and haven’t Jabari Parker all year. Giannis isn’t happy about it either.

Pop calling a time out 14 seconds into the game today is exactly why he is the best.

I wouldn't say the NBA is the only league that has made rule changes to make things easier for star players, the NFL basically turned into a QB league due to their rule changes in the passing game in recent years, but otherwise I mostly agree. Traveling is a big one. Rarely is that called on most guys. A lot of the guys who have been complaining are guys who have a reputation of being cry babies. Russ has a history of shouting And One anytime someone touches him when he drives the lane and throws fits when he doesn't get calls. LeBron and Melo are both guys who talk mad shit at referees. CP3 is super annoying with his flopping and drawing fouls. Draymond is straight up a dick kicker. I understand they want dialogue, but it can't be easy for refs to take them seriously when they want to throw fits and chirp at refs thirty five minutes a night.

Kidd getting fired was the right call. I've made my feelings known before, but that team should be way better than a game over .500. Their defense was terrible and a team with Giannis and Bledsoe should be better offensively than constant iso. He had a decent season with the Nets thanks to a lineup that carried him. Probably gonna be the next Lakers coach after LaVar gets Walton fired though.

 

[Da Prophet]

Paul George not making the All-Star team.

People are shocked but I'm pretty positive this is exactly what everyone said would happen when he went West.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

Took him and Melo too long to gel with Russ. Russ threw a massive fit over the snub though.

 

[Khalifa]

I wouldn't say the NBA is the only league that has made rule changes to make things easier for star players, the NFL basically turned into a QB league due to their rule changes in the passing game in recent years, but otherwise I mostly agree. Traveling is a big one. Rarely is that called on most guys. A lot of the guys who have been complaining are guys who have a reputation of being cry babies. Russ has a history of shouting And One anytime someone touches him when he drives the lane and throws fits when he doesn't get calls. LeBron and Melo are both guys who talk mad shit at referees. CP3 is super annoying with his flopping and drawing fouls. Draymond is straight up a dick kicker. I understand they want dialogue, but it can't be easy for refs to take them seriously when they want to throw fits and chirp at refs thirty five minutes a night.

Kidd getting fired was the right call. I've made my feelings known before, but that team should be way better than a game over .500. Their defense was terrible and a team with Giannis and Bledsoe should be better offensively than constant iso. He had a decent season with the Nets thanks to a lineup that carried him. Probably gonna be the next Lakers coach after LaVar gets Walton fired though.

Yeah I was talking about basketball, but I hear you about the NFL.

Interesting, I wasn’t sure on his coaching but yeah this puts it into perspective. I hope he doesn’t coach Lakers, apart from Walton being passive, he seems to make the game fun for them. Something that hasn’t happened since we’ve had Phil Jackson.

Lavar coached his first game today in Lithuania. His boys combined for 80. Unreal, I’ve read the team used the ball famiky as a way to get out of bankruptcy but I don’t get how he can already be coaching. You can only laugh.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

It is all publicity for that team. Lonzo is regarded as the best of the three Ball kids, with the middle son not even being on the NBA radar and the youngest being regarded as too much of a shooter to play point and too undersized (though he is like 15) to move to the two guard spot, so I understand LaVar wanting to do anything to keep them relevant, but the Lithuanian team was on no ones radar. Their home arena only seats about 1,200 people. There are legit European teams that they could develop on, but this is just them trying to draw attendance and generate revenue and LaVar stunting his kids development for fifteen more minutes in the spotlight.

 

[Da Prophet]

You're just not a big baller, Yaz.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

That's what my girlfriend tells me.

So anyway, this Cleveland drama is juicy. Cleveland should just trade LeBron while they can so they don't return to the cellar when he leaves this off season.

 

[Da Prophet]

The King has a no trade clause in his contract.

Plus, with the team likely being on the market for new ownership, the King doesn't want to give them any added value. The King is unforgiving like that for past wrongs done against him. The King will strip this time bare before he leaves to join Sir Pop of House Spurs next season.

Edit: I would greatly enjoy it if LeBron started talking in the third person and only calling himself 'The King' whenever doing interviews.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

That's some next level shit. He already has a Chosen 1 tat on his back, take that next step LBJ.

 

[Da Prophet]

That's some next level shit. He already has a Chosen 1 tat on his back, take that next step LBJ.

I hear he broke 6000 guitars and never drew a dime.

 

[Khalifa]

That's what my girlfriend tells me.

So anyway, this Cleveland drama is juicy. Cleveland should just trade LeBron while they can so they don't return to the cellar when he leaves this off season.

I thought Kevin Love definitely would’ve been the person to stay if James left but with that players questioning his heart (which is all it could be with him leaving the game early and not practicing the next day) he may be on the trade block. I saw a hypothetical trade involving them, Charlotte and Utah, and the I think about it the more I like it.

Bobcats
Trade: Kemba Walker, Kidd-Gilchrist, Carter-Williams
Receive: Ricky Rubio, Channing Frye, Iman shumpert, Brooklyn first round pick, Utah second round pick

Utah
Trade: Rodney Hood, Ricky Rubio, Derrick favors, 18 first round pick, 19 second round pick
Receive: Carte-Williams, Kevin love, Isaiah Thomas

Cleveland
Trade: Kevin Love, Isaiah Thomas, Shumpert, Frye, Brooklyn pick
Receive: Walker, Hood, Favours, Kidd Gilchrist, Utah first rounder.

Seemed so stupid at first but I like it more and more now. Dunno if Charlotte do that but the first round pick that could be top 5. They also get expiring contracts. A mix of Gobert and Love could be deadly. Thomas and Mitchell won’t be getting many stops but it’ll be getting points. Cavs get a better defender in Walker and is a great guard, a defensive inside presence in Favours, Hood who would also become their best perimeter defender behind Lebron while also being a solid scorer. Kidd Gilchrist and Crowder on the court at the same time would be a bad offense but defense would be unreal.

Edit: Now that I think about it thought Clevlans kind of get ripped off here, they lose their second and third best player and their top pick.They lose some contracts and they get a much better all round team but is it good to have if Lebron leaves.

 

[Khalifa]

Also Paul George’s comments about Russ today seems like he is going to make me eat my words and stay in OKC.

 

[JGlass]

I thought Kevin Love definitely would’ve been the person to stay if James left but with that players questioning his heart (which is all it could be with him leaving the game early and not practicing the next day) he may be on the trade block. I saw a hypothetical trade involving them, Charlotte and Utah, and the I think about it the more I like it.

Bobcats
Trade: Kemba Walker, Kidd-Gilchrist, Carter-Williams
Receive: Ricky Rubio, Channing Frye, Iman shumpert, Brooklyn first round pick, Utah second round pick

Utah
Trade: Rodney Hood, Ricky Rubio, Derrick favors, 18 first round pick, 19 second round pick
Receive: Carte-Williams, Kevin love, Isaiah Thomas

Cleveland
Trade: Kevin Love, Isaiah Thomas, Shumpert, Frye, Brooklyn pick
Receive: Walker, Hood, Favours, Kidd Gilchrist, Utah first rounder.

Seemed so stupid at first but I like it more and more now. Dunno if Charlotte do that but the first round pick that could be top 5. They also get expiring contracts. A mix of Gobert and Love could be deadly. Thomas and Mitchell won’t be getting many stops but it’ll be getting points. Cavs get a better defender in Walker and is a great guard, a defensive inside presence in Favours, Hood who would also become their best perimeter defender behind Lebron while also being a solid scorer. Kidd Gilchrist and Crowder on the court at the same time would be a bad offense but defense would be unreal.

Edit: Now that I think about it thought Clevlans kind of get ripped off here, they lose their second and third best player and their top pick.They lose some contracts and they get a much better all round team but is it good to have if Lebron leaves.

Plus you can't just blow up a team like that. I think part of Cleveland's problem is that they lack team chemistry, and trading away half the roster is not going to do anything to improve that.

I think they need to bring in a real coach, let LeBron focus on playing basketball and not being the player-coach. They'll need a real coach when LeBron leaves anyway.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Or Cleveland could just accept that they're not going to win this year regardless of what they try, and that James is gone for greener pastures once the season is over, so they should just plan ahead and get what they can to help support whoever will be left. Hell, they should trade for his replacement and stick James on the bench. Publicity for days.

 

[Da Prophet]

Problem with the Cavs gutting the team, benching James or trading him away (again, no trade clause makes that impossible) is that Gilbert wants to sell the team.

It's in Gilbert's best interest to trade that Brooklyn pick for some superstar and try get this team sold before LeBron leaves. He should've sold after they won the title two years ago when the franchise was at an all time high in value (I assume).

Gilbert needs to team to look appealing right now.