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Post by eddieeddie on Aug 25, 2020 17:03:52 GMT -5
The Blazers have been hardcore snake bitten by injuries. Rodney Hood and Zach Collins had lost seasons. Nurkic missed the vast majority of the regular season. CJ is playing with a back fracture as it is Now Dame with his finger and now knee Most of their roster is locked up next season but they do have decisions to make this offseason.
Melo, Whiteside are free agents (and so are Gabriel and Swanigan and probably Hezonja). They have a 12.8M option on Ariza. Hood safe to say will opt in to his 6M.
If they keep Melo and Ariza - which I can certainly see given their win-now mode - (and I suppose Gabriel), they could have a depth chart of:
PG: Dame, Simons
SG: CJ, Trent
SF: Ariza, Hood, Little
PF: Melo, Gabriel
C: Nurkic, Collins
With the #16 and #46 picks and the MLE to shore things up. Primarily two more frontcourt players and maybe another wing since Trent/Hood are FAs after next season.
Solid roster if they can ever stay healthy.
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Post by YoungThundercat on Aug 25, 2020 17:23:31 GMT -5
The Blazers have been hardcore snake bitten by injuries. Rodney Hood and Zach Collins had lost seasons. Nurkic missed the vast majority of the regular season. CJ is playing with a back fracture as it is Now Dame with his finger and now knee Most of their roster is locked up next season but they do have decisions to make this offseason.
Melo, Whiteside are free agents (and so are Gabriel and Swanigan and probably Hezonja). They have a 12.8M option on Ariza. Hood safe to say will opt in to his 6M.
If they keep Melo and Ariza - which I can certainly see given their win-now mode - (and I suppose Gabriel), they could have a depth chart of:
PG: Dame, Simons
SG: CJ, Trent
SF: Ariza, Hood, Little
PF: Melo, Gabriel
C: Nurkic, Collins With the #16 and #46 picks and the MLE to shore things up. Primarily two more frontcourt players and maybe another wing since Trent/Hood are FAs after next season. Solid roster if they can ever stay healthy.
Here's the question that comes up every offseason: do you consider breaking up the backcourt and moving CJ + picks to maybe upgrade the wing position. I certainly like Hood and Ariza but even with them your hard pressed to be able to defend James, Leonard, Harden, Doncic in the future.
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Post by eddieeddie on Aug 25, 2020 17:52:24 GMT -5
IF the Blazers do consider trading CJ, the team I see knocking on their door first are the Nets in their quest for a "3rd star" to pair with Kyrie/KD.
If the Nets offer some Levert + Taurean Prince, I can certainly see the Blazers listening.
Getting Levert maintains a strong backcourt as he isn't much of a dropoff from CJ offensively while providing a legit defensive upgrade.
Prince is an underrated 3&D who does provide that defensive presence to go up against Lebron, Kawhi, Luka etc.
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Post by YoungThundercat on Aug 25, 2020 18:11:31 GMT -5
That makes sense and I like it for them.
I'd love to find a way for him to get to Philly. Gives them a shooter and secondary ball handler/playmaker to pair with Simmons and Embiid.
Unfortunately the easiest way is a straight swap with Harris, which I don't know that Portland would do.
You could reconfigure with Harris + Thybulle for McCollum + Layman trade exception ($1.8M) and some pick sweeteners, but i doubt Philly wants to move Thybulle even if it slightly improves the starting lineup and gives some cap relief...
Maybe a goofy franchise like Orlando or Sacramento would bite just for some "name equity".
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Post by eddieeddie on Aug 25, 2020 19:32:40 GMT -5
If CJ hits the market, I think a fair number of the bottom-feeders and wanna-be playoff contenders would make a run for exactly that: "Name Equity" to sell to their fanbase
I can see a team like the Spurs making a run offering Aldridge (who has made no secret he would like to go back to the Blazers) + some combo of their young talent/picks (presumably Derrick White could be of interest). I can see Charlotte making a run because they suck and badly need a "name" player after losing Kemba. Could Memphis get into the mix to add a capable veteran to go with JA/JJJ? Detroit. Orlando. Sacramento.
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Post by doakley8 on Aug 26, 2020 6:55:16 GMT -5
101% believe Morris stepped on his foot on purpose. He's tweet denial does nothing in my opinion. But between Morris, Beverley & Harrell they all act pretty immature out there. But take the ass kicking and try to push a game 7. But I think this series is a wrap.
and I don't wanna hear Playoff P is back...Paul just shut up and play, you've always been inconsistent with your jumper
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Post by eddieeddie on Aug 26, 2020 10:25:47 GMT -5
Forget Playoff P. How about Playoff Jamal.
Last 2 regular seasons he's basically 18-4-5. Last 2 playoffs he's basically 24-5-5.
He was solid last postseason but he is beasting out this series versus Utah.
Murray: 30.8ppg 6.4rpg 6.8apg 55.7fg% 52.4 3fg% Mitchell: 37.6ppg 4.0rpg 5.6apg 54.5fg% 51.2 3fg%
I hope this becomes a budding rivalry going forward
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Post by doakley8 on Aug 26, 2020 10:27:36 GMT -5
He was unreal the last 5 minutes of the 4th. I just wanted everybody to clear out and watch Murray vs Mitchel
and Ingles does absolutely nothing but stand in the corner. I watched him sit in the right corner not moving a foot for 3 straight possessions. But Mitchell was doing his penetrate and drive move, but way to much standing around
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Post by eddieeddie on Aug 26, 2020 11:15:24 GMT -5
I've said it before, too bad the Jazz are missing Bogdanovic. We are seeing a lot of teams trot out small lineups that featuring three guards and a perimeter oriented PF resulting in big time offensive output. Like OKC with Paul, Schroder, SGA, Gallo. Like POR with Dame, CJ, Trent, Melo Like basically every lineup involving DAL, HOU, IND or MIA UT does as well with Conley, Mitchell, Clarkson, Ingles, Gobert BUT if Bogdanovic (he of a 20.2ppg 41.4 3fg% regular season) was there in place of Ingles, oh man. That'd be filthy given what basketball has been looking like in the bubble. We are seeing some obscene offensive games. Consider this: Last 4 days we've 28 teams play. Only 2 teams scored less than 106 and that was in the same game (IND vs MIA). We're seeing 120+ point games normally and we've seen two 150+ point games the last 3 days.
I wonder if Trae Young is sitting at home thinking he'd be racking up 40pt 10assist games with ease
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Post by doakley8 on Aug 27, 2020 6:28:30 GMT -5
Well that escalated quickly. We'll see what they all decide
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Post by YoungThundercat on Aug 27, 2020 7:30:01 GMT -5
I think a lot of the onus for this needs to end up on the governors (owners) plates. Sure, LeBron and Giannis, Kaepernick, Mookie Betts and those guys move the needle from a forward facing, media angle. But ownership in the NBA, NFL, MLB...they have the funds and more importantly the connections, both personal and political to ACTUALLY enact change (in as much as ANYONE can convince the current POTUS to do something he doesn't want to).
Obviously the Bucks are kind of at the forefront of this with the Blake shooting and then the counter-protest shooting both happening in Kenosha, but maybe they shouldn't be. I'm still floored at the story I read in the immediate aftermath of the Blake shooting about how in the past 2 years the Bucks have had 2 "Annual Badge Night" promotions at the arena celebrating the Milwaukee PD...The same Milwaukee PD that assaulted one of their own players Sterling Brown over a parking violation. It's incredibly tone deaf and wrong and while I certainly believe in the players and coaches for the Bucks I have 0% belief that they or any other team will be truly backed by ownership.
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Post by eddieeddie on Aug 27, 2020 10:15:10 GMT -5
This is compelling stuff and hats off to not just the NBA but also MLB, WNBA and MLS for boycotting games for the purpose of getting the message out that they are sick and tired of these senseless police shootings. Historic.
The same reasons why this STILL keeps going on is because you have racist cops and you have systems in place that do not prosecute them. You have ignorant citizens who would rather victim blame - i.e. he was a criminal, he was resisting arrest, he was reaching for a knife etc. You have media that chooses to sell the protests as not being mostly peaceful with a few looters/property damagers but the inverse. Was watching CNN last night and someone from the Trump Campaign was saying the protests are just black people trying to get free stuff. Yes, there are individuals who DID take advantage of the situation to rob but to suggest that was the majority of the action is wrong and dangerous. You have people in positions of power - be it team owners, mayors, governors, a certain president - who simply don't want to get involved and risk upsetting their constituency. Trump won't even utter the words "Black Lives Matter" and instead insists on creating a fabricated tale that not only does he care about black people but he has done more for them than any other President aside from Abe Lincoln. I can't speak for the political affiliations of each owner of each major sports franchise but common sense alone would suggest a lot of them are Republicans. Just look at the action, or inaction, against Kelly Loeffler in the WNBA.
Yes change is obviously needed and this is a powerful message that reverberated across the news spectrum and hopefully stole some thunder from the RNC but I hate to be cynical in saying that this alone - or even cancelling the season - won't ultimately do anything other than divide the two sides. The ones who support their actions to seek badly needed change and the ones who Pence was talking to last night about needing Law and Order and will push these athletes as selfish and entitled millionaires who need to just shut up and dribble.
There has to be a much bigger plan in place and I hope they figure it out at their meeting this morning because just talking about whether or not to play games should not be the discussion. It should be "If we don't play, what do we do instead? If we do play, do we make demands of our owners and how do we use this platform even more?"
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Post by eddieeddie on Aug 27, 2020 10:46:53 GMT -5
Also just saw an interview where they asked Jared Kushner what he thought of the boycotts He basically said: "Must be nice to be a millionaire and take a day off from work to no consequence"
This on top of Pence last night not talking about the purpose of the protests in WI or the police brutality that brought it on but just talking about the lack of "law and order" and disrespect for the badge.
So yeah. Take those opinions on this subject matter, apply it to the vast majority of the Republican party - including those in the government who have the power to effect change - and you'll see why change just isn't happening and why an NBA boycott, without way more meat to it, won't really do anything.
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Post by doakley8 on Aug 27, 2020 11:37:02 GMT -5
NBA players came to the decision to resume the playoffs, per @wojespn
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Post by varsity on Aug 27, 2020 13:56:16 GMT -5
The business connections these owners have with politicians should be the target of these athletes. One of the minority owners of the Bucks was the one who made a call to Wisconsin's AG to discuss making changes. I'm all for a strike if it means owners will lose revenue unless they decide to get in the face of these politicians, whom many are friends with, to make global changes. I'm not an advocate of looting or rioting but financial ramifications are the only way any type of change will happen.
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Post by eddieeddie on Aug 27, 2020 14:28:31 GMT -5
Athletes have so much influence. Celebrities in general. Say what you will about if they deserve it or not - or if they even want it - but they do. If they used their voice, their fame, their social media following etc. to effect change by hitting wallets, then I have no doubt in my mind there is a power shift because that is really all the other side cares about. $. Well that and their personal liberties to have guns, not wear masks and get haircuts in a pandemic. Go after the businesses of big donors of McConnell, Graham, Cruz, Jordan, Gaetz and all those other sackless politicians who put politics over their people and prevent legitimate bills from being passed. Go after big donors of the NRA. Go after the businesses and big donors of team owners who seem to be indifferent to all that is going on - or at worst, support the wrong side of it. The Republican Party despises "Cancel Culture" but it's because it is their people who are the ones getting cancelled with their actions. If athletes, celebrities, influencers etc. band together and say "Don't shop here or there because they contribute to the problem, the economic pain they feel will be significantly greater than whatever boost they get from MAGA folks saying they'll buy more". Like GOYA.
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Post by doakley8 on Aug 31, 2020 7:31:20 GMT -5
Like Kenny Smith said...I knew Murray was good..but not this damn good.
Schroeder should have been suspended for the donkey punch.
and I would have just gave Tucker a fine
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Post by eddieeddie on Aug 31, 2020 12:36:10 GMT -5
Denver Utah Game 7 is going to be so good.
Really hope Denver wins.
I want to see Murray vs Harden
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Post by varsity on Aug 31, 2020 14:04:46 GMT -5
Winner of Denver/Utah plays the Clippers so Murray vs Harden may take a while lol
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Post by eddieeddie on Aug 31, 2020 14:34:35 GMT -5
Winner of Denver/Utah plays the Clippers so Murray vs Harden may take a while lol
Well clearly I expect Denver to beat the Clippers and Houston to beat the Lakers
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Post by doakley8 on Aug 31, 2020 20:18:51 GMT -5
My guy Jimmy Buckets!
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Post by varsity on Aug 31, 2020 20:59:23 GMT -5
Miami is a bad matchup for the Bucks. I almost took them over Milwaukee but felt like in 7 games the Bucks could pull it off. But I think for a few teams like Miami, they play better in a bubble situation. Way more focused, no off the court issues (outside of the issues going on in the world) and they don't have to worry about traveling on the road where it may affect some of their younger players.
And then you have Jimmy Butler who looks like right now he wants to take on all challengers. Milwaukee is going to need a monster series from Middleton, Lopez or both.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 1, 2020 7:15:03 GMT -5
Damn, the Thunder won. Who's playing to lose in 5 to the Lakers?
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 1, 2020 10:47:19 GMT -5
The Miami side of their Memphis trade deadline thread is sneakily the one of the best moves all year. On the surface it was basically an Iggy for Winslow trade - in addition to the Heat being able to unload significant salary next season for Waiters/Johnson - but Crowder was a perfect pickup for them (and to a lesser extent Hill as a 3&D fits their mold).
Butler is that lead guy they've desperately needed since Wade in 2016. Dragic, Herro, Duncan Robinson, Nunn, Iggy, Derrick Jones Jr., Hill are just solid depth on the wing - who provide some combo of scoring, shooting, defense and absurd athleticism. Crowder, Bam, Olynyk, Leonard fit the mold of today's frontcourt. Crowder that SF parading as a PF. Bam with his versatile skillset, including passing. Olynyk/Leonard with size/shooting.
With how well-coached this team is, with how hungry they look and how deep/talent they are, I can certainly see them upsetting the Bucks - and I know some who did predict just that.
A Heat vs Morons Conference Finals would be really fun to watch.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 1, 2020 21:35:03 GMT -5
Damnnnn Utah has came back to take the lead
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 1, 2020 23:48:13 GMT -5
That would-be Conley game winning three was so closeeeee. Have to deal for Donovan and was nice to see Murray seek him out after. Definitely earned each others respect.
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 4, 2020 10:27:29 GMT -5
Holy balls that Toronto/Boston ending. I am SO glad Toronto won that game because if Boston went up 3-0, that'd obviously be boring.
As a side note though, that pass by Kemba at the end. Freakin' amazing court vision and confidence to make that pass in the clutch. This is why CP3 should have held the ball yesterday and made the play.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 4, 2020 19:59:17 GMT -5
My Keeper Jimmy Buckets!
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 4, 2020 20:34:45 GMT -5
Giannis
21-16-9-1-2
7-21 shooting, 0-7 on threes, 7-12 on free throws
Bam
20-16-3-0-2 7-8 shooting 0-0 on threes 6-7 on free throws
Not saying Bam > Giannis because even with how good Bam is that's crazy talk BUT just maybe Giannis should play like Bam on offense.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 5, 2020 6:41:20 GMT -5
Welp...better get it together for game 2
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