NBA Offseason

[Big Nick Dudley]

From Detroit's position, I love the Bradley trade. Morris was a mediocre player. This more than like means KCP is gone, which is fine, seeing he isn't worth anywhere near a max deal. Hopefully they can resign Bradley.

 

[K Web V3]

Definitely a good trade for Detroit. Hopefully Morris can provide some rotation depth for Boston

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Yeah, I don't understand basically exchanging Bradley for Hayward. I would much rather have Bradley.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Morris can be a good spark guy for an offense... coming off the bench. Good limited minute offensive player, for sure.

 

[Khalifa]

Totally agree. Would rather chemistry and upgrade at the power forward or preferably a good rim protector. Don't like the move for Celtics at all. Especially since Morris is more of a SF compared to his bro.

I hope Lakers throw the house at KCP. He fits our system perfectly, doesn't require much touches and defends. Him and Ingram would be pretty scary duo in a few years on that end. Well as scary as any lakers defense has been in a long time.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

I wouldn't throw much at KCP. He isn't a bad player, but his time in Detroit was mostly about not living up to expectations and wildly inconsistent development. Sure he improved, but he never took that big leap he was expected to take.

As far as the trade goes, it's Detroit's win. You can't even spin this for Boston. Morris is okay, he has decent range and has shown a flash or two of being capable of more, but he isn't a great locker room guy and Bradley is clearly better and has more upside.

I like Hayward. Good behind the line, has a good midrange game, and plays decent enough D that he can at least hang with most 2s and 3s. He is never going to shut down a star, but Hayward has become very well rounded. Bradley was younger and more versatile and cheaper. I'm not saying they have made the team worse, but at this point their longest tenured player is Marcus Smart, a 2014 pick. They are going to have little chemistry at the start. It's entirely possible that by playoff time they start to gel and become a cohesive unit, but as it stands I don't buy them as a threat to the Cavs. To beat the Cavs, you need two big things. You need to play cohesive team basketball on both sides of the ball, and you need Cleveland to play a certain brand of ball. That brand is LBJ and Kyrie playing hero ball and ignoring everyone else on the team. The latter has happened a fair number of times but there are too many chips that need to fall into place for them to look like a threat.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

The problem for Detroit will be re-signing Bradley after this season. I imagine he goes to a bigger market, unfortunately.

 

[Khalifa]

Reading more and more Melo could be traded tonight, but will most likely be done within the next two days. Going to the Rockets without giving up Anderson. If Rockets can somehow keep Ariza as well then I like what they've done. Capala will be gone but that's what Dwayne Dedmon is for.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

I really want to see Carmelo succeed. I am doubtful it will happen, but I can hope. He needs to take direction. Play to your strenghts. Share the ball. And, for the love of Christ, play defense.

 

[SSJPhenom]

If Melo goes to the Rockets and they keep Anderson and Ariza, then my friends we have a new power in the Western Conference. They would definitely be a challenge to GS if that happens. Not saying that they'd win, but GS definitely wouldn't just walk to the Finals like they did this year.

Also, what happens with this trade is that the Leastern Conference gets weaker. Damn, it's feasible now that Gordon Hayward is going to be the top 1 or 2 SF in the east outside of LeBron. That's how much they've gotten worse.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

The East has been mostly a joke for over a decade. Now it's completely a joke, whether Anthony takes off or not.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

I don't see a Rockets team anchored by CP3, Harden, and Melo being a threat to the Warriors. Harden can be a facilitater, but Melo can't. Melo doesn't mesh well with most guys. Not to mention Harden is arguably the worst defender in the league and Melo isn't far behind. CP3 can guard Steph or Klay, but Harden can't be assed to guard his own shadow and they won't have a stopper for KD.

 

[SSJPhenom]

Ariza is a pretty good defender. He could guard KD. Now, he won't stop him but he could make him work for it. Unfortunately, though, you speak the truth about Harden and Melo. I know high school kids that play better D then they do. Maybe with CP3 in the locker room, he'll get them to at least try on defense. They might follow his lead.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

I have more faith in Harden trying than Melo.

 

[JGlass]

It's a Mike D'Antoni team, playing defense isn't required.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

It won't happen, but Melo coming off the bench would actually make a lot of sense. D'Antoni's system requires rest, and to have a scorer like that coming off the bench wouldn't give the other team their rest. It also would help resolve the issue of the sieve that their defense would be if he was on the floor with Harden.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

If it's just scoring vs. scoring, the Warriors have nothing to worry about. Far too efficient for Houston.

 

[Khalifa]

Yew Lakers sign KCP to a one year deal. Perfect for us I think. Doesn't take away from Lonzo or Ingram, can defend and can hit the 3 ball. If we like him and don't land Paul George we have a chance to keep him and keep the core going. Decent 4th option.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

KCP may have to come back down to Earth and realize he isn't worth $25 million. I like him, but if he wants to stay with L.A. past this season, he may make less money. That, or he can get a larger deal from a bad team with few options.

 

[The_Misson]

Who here wants to partner with me in buying the Houston Rockets?

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Always interesting to look at how some teams are so close yet not even close at the same time. New Orleans may be a PG and shooter away from being GS's opposite. Houston needs a monster in the middle. Minnesota also needs a talented big guy, being a lot closer than people think.

Oh, and Cleveland simply needs a better coach. A great coach, probably. One who can let Lebron know he isn't the coach, nor should he be.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Irving wants out of Cleveland, no longer wants to play with Lebron. Not even somewhat surprising. Irving is the kind of delusional player who believes he is the better player.

If he lands somewhere like San Antonio he may do well, having a strong coach who can settle him down and make him make better decisions. Talented player, makes too many poor choices with the ball. Wastes possessions.

Cleveland needs something decent back, though.

 

[Khalifa]

Wow. Kyrie has asked Cavs for a trade, he don't wanna play with Lebron anymore. Apparently wants to be his own focal point. Has named Heat, Twolves and Spurs the preferred destinations. Wow.

I still refuse Lebron will pick the Lakers as his next team if/when he leaves. So Boston/Warriors final hey?

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Irving somehow thinks he can choose his trade destination without a no-trade clause.... yeah.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

This can't be possible. Everyone wants to play with Lebron, he is the greatest teammate in team history. I wanted him in the birthing room when my wife was popping out our children. He was unfortunately too busy with what I can only assume was making some teams dreams come true.

Fake news.