NBA Offseason

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I was being facetious about benching him. That said, he's gone after the year, so trading to make the team respectable beyond that point isn't a bad plan. Last time he left they tried just getting small role players to help fit his needs, so when he left (he was always going to leave) they were worthless.

And any owner in his right mind wouldn't buy that team until they find out what his plan is, unless they were able to get concrete evidence that he was staying after this year.

 

[Sai the Uganda Guy]

~~Ignore~~

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

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.

Yep. Strange to think about given their success, but Lue seems like an empty suit. His offensive strategy - do whatever you feel. Defensive strategy - what is defense? If they had a real coach, they would be much, much better. They have PLENTY of talent. I am so sick of these loaded teams constantly seeking more and more.

 

[Khalifa]

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.

True. Love and Thomas are the focus of some plays, would have to adjust the offense slightly to suit incoming players. I think they need a Draymond Green type of player. Someone that will get in your face but pump you up with every play they do. Marc Gasol fixes an area of need, only helps their offense (imagine Love and Gasol switching from the 3 to the post) and is that physical player who can make nice defense plays to kick the offense. How achievable that is probably very unlikely, but with him being in rumors at the start of th season and Cavs having that Brooklyn pick, maybe something could happen. DJ Jordan is a bit relaxed for the player I’m thinking for the Cavs. Tyson Chandler could be perfect for them for a cheap pick up. If Wes Matthews contract wasn’t bullshit he would be another good pick up.

I dunno why I’m even spending so much time on this.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

I still think the Cavs are going to win the East.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I still think the Cavs are going to win the East.

They very well might. Even with their current play they're known for stepping it up in the playoffs. And with James they're always favorites. But whoever comes out of the West, probably GS, will probably destroy them. The East has been a joke for a decade except 1 or 2 teams. It's just now getting more competitive.

 

[SSJPhenom]

I don't get all this Cavs drama. IT missed HALF THE SEASON! As soon as he gets back to playing shape and they develop a little chemistry I think they'll be fine. Still the favorites in the East as far as I'm concerned. I mean Boston is going to be a threat. Especially if Hayward come back this year, but I don't think they could beat the Cavs in a 7 game series. I don't think Toronto could either.

We'll see though.

 

[A11oftheLights]

I don't get all this Cavs drama. IT missed HALF THE SEASON! As soon as he gets back to playing shape and they develop a little chemistry I think they'll be fine. Still the favorites in the East as far as I'm concerned. I mean Boston is going to be a threat. Especially if Hayward come back this year, but I don't think they could beat the Cavs in a 7 game series. I don't think Toronto could either.

We'll see though.

Hayward coming back is going to be just as big an issue as IT coming back now. Arguments can be made that stevens is a better coach and will sort it quicker and hayward could be back in time that the sort it out before the playoff but i doubt that

 

[Khalifa]

Boogie Cousins out for the year. Hectic injury. If there can be any light shed on it though it’s that Boogie is probably the one dude in the NBA who could get away with being less athletic. Never one to be above the ring, he will just be stronger now.

 

[SSJPhenom]

Anyone think if Houston can stay healthy that they actually have a chance to beat Golden State? I watch them play and the thought creeps into my mind, but idk. Maybe I shouldn't allow myself to think like that. I'd like Houston to win though. CP3 is my favorite player.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

They have played GS well so far, so it isn't completely unreasonable to think they could take them in a playoff series. CP3 doesn't have a great playoff record though and Harden has had some truly awful playoff performances in the past, so I'm not ready to call them the favorites yet though.

I know IT has only been back like ten games, but man he needs to pick it up quick. He plays zero defense, but his offensive game has been atrocious so far. Word is LeBron doesn't like that he ended up with IT instead of PG13 or Melo, and IT doesn't like that LeBron runs the offense. This could be a real dumpster fire soon, but knowing LeBron he will find a way to make the pieces work.

 

[Da Prophet]

The closest CP3 will ever get to a title is when he is on the banana boat between Wade and LeBron.

 

[Khalifa]

Blake Griffin to Detroit. Bradley, Harris and first round pick to LA. They’re the main pieces anyways. Massive trade, Detroit get the better player but depth bit of an issue now. I suppose Kennard now starts. If Gallinari comes back healthy then LA have a lot of depth again. Something they always seem to have.

 

[SSJPhenom]

I don't think this trade does much if anything for Detroit. Yeah they get maybe a little better but they're definitely not contenders. Maybe just a 5-8 seed playoff team now?

Clippers haven't gotten much better either with this trade. Still, it is a huge trade though. We'll see what happens. I was expecting if the Clippers made any move it would've been Jordan to Cleveland for IT and maybe a bench player or draft pick. Goes to show what I know.

 

[JamJam]

The Clippers got two draft picks from this as well. Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley aren't bad players either. I think the draft picks are pretty high draft picks as well. All about the future while not fully rebuilding. Griffin and Drummond will be fun to watch. Just hope Griffin doesn't get injured.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

Trading your depth and future for a big man with an injury history? What could go wrong?

Will be nice to see Kendall Jenner in Detroit though.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

I love my Pistons, but I'm skeptical. Obviously he's injury prone. On top of that, is he better than Tobias? I actually watch every Pistons game and Tobias is very good. Blake is decent, but more exciting than he is great. This was a move to sell tickets, which is fine. Griffin makes far too much money, though. Spending this much on him and Drummond makes me uncomfortable.

 

[Khalifa]

Surely James Harden is a clear front runner for the MVP at this point and almost a lock if he stays healthy and Rockets stay 2nd. Nows the time for lebron though with Love out injured.

 

[SSJPhenom]

First ever 60pt triple double. Damn Houston is on fire. I want so badly to commit and say that they're going to the Finals this year but given Golden State's history and roster, not to mention Harden and CP3's history, I just can't do it. If they meet in the playoffs, though, it will be a hell of a series. I don't even know if I believe that.

With Love out the Cavs need now to make a move. I've been saying give IT some time but better safe then sorry. I'd be looking to move him along with either some role players or maybe even the Nets draft pick. If they're seriously trying to win this year they need to do something. Especially if they want to keep LeBron.

BTW, can we change the name of this thread to just 'NBA Thread'? Seeing as how we're totally out of the Off-season and everything? We've been using this thread to talk all things NBA, might as well appropriately name it.

 

[JamJam]

The Team LeBron curse is real! But on the real though, Wall and Love are huge losses to their teams. The Wizards will fall so much if you ask me if they don't try to trade for a decent point guard. At this point, all the wear and tear might lead to Beal getting injured too, which I hope doesn't happen. Beal will be tasked to do a lot more and Scott Brooks is the type of coach to ride his starters who usually play 36 - 40 minutes.

I feel for Love tbh. He just hasn't been the same player he was with the Wolves since joining the Cavs, even by putting up big numbers. Let's see how IT and LeBron carry the Cavs though. I still don't think IT is 100% and likely won't get there this season but now that Love is out, all the scoring and playmaking will be on those two. Lue should try to stagger their minutes. Have it be IT/Wade/Crowder carry the second group while LeBron tries to carry a lineup with himself/Korver/Green.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Star traded from West to East, two Eastern stars get hurt bringing imbalance back to the NBA.

Just as the profecy predicted.

 

[JGlass]

Yeah, I don't think this is a good trade. Unless Detroit thinks they can land a huge name this offseason (PG13? Klay Thompson?) this makes no sense, it basically moves them from a fringe playoff team to bottom 4 seed, but if they traded away their future for him then what's the point, they're not going to climb much higher than that.

This team is one, maybe two seasons away from being a dumpster fire.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Yeah, I don't think this is a good trade. Unless Detroit thinks they can land a huge name this offseason (PG13? Klay Thompson?) this makes no sense, it basically moves them from a fringe playoff team to bottom 4 seed, but if they traded away their future for him then what's the point, they're not going to climb much higher than that.

This team is one, maybe two seasons away from being a dumpster fire.

As I've thought about this more and more, I think this was necessary. New arena they're not filling and a mediocre team. Bradley was probably gone anyhow and Harris, while a good player, doesn't draw money. The draft picks? Oh well. Detroit doesn't need another 9-14 pick.

To sum it up, they need to fill seats. Are they better now than a week ago? Who knows. That unfortunately isn't top priority now.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

I think they definitely were thinking about marketability when they pulled the trigger. Unfortunately between Drummond and Griffin, they are committed to about 70 million in cap space, not a good look between just two guys.

There are reports coming from LeBron's inner circle that he has given serious thought to joining up with Golden State next year.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

And the NBA would officially become a joke at that point.