2015-16 Around the NBA

[sunsfan88]

https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/727886053407760384

I hope the Pacers aren't stupid enough to gift George to the Lakers. Because I'm sure that would accelerate their rebuilding process by a couple years at least.

On the other hand if Suns win the lottery, I would love for them to trade the pick plus anything and everything (including all picks) except Booker to the Pacers for Gerorge. I think we could build around George and Booker and get this thing straightened out a lot quicker.

 

[Ronin]

Mitch Kupchak just shot down rumors that he is trading the lakers pick. won't happen.

 

[Ronin]

Bob Garcia IV ‏@bgarcia90
Mitch Kupchak says he got a laugh out of the rumors that they will trade their 1st rd pick: "That's not how I operate." (via @ESPNLA710)

 

[Covert Rain]

Gee I wish the Suns had the dilemma of a top 3 pick right now and what they should do with it.

 

[Mainstreet]

Gee I wish the Suns had the dilemma of a top 3 pick right now and what they should do with it.

Maybe they will.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bob Garcia IV ‏@bgarcia90
Mitch Kupchak says he got a laugh out of the rumors that they will trade their 1st rd pick: "That's not how I operate." (via @ESPNLA710)

I don't know how Kupchak can rule out trading their first round pick. For example, what if the Lakers could trade for Cousins using the pick.

 

[sunsfan88]

Mitch Kupchak just shot down rumors that he is trading the lakers pick. won't happen.

Sounds like his boss, Jim Buss, is open to it though

The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping their lottery pick remains in the top-3 so it won't automatically be conveyed to the Philadelphia 76ers.

But there is some doubt as to whether the Lakers would like to keep the pick or trade it away for a proven player.

“Right now, I think our young guys are the perfect number and we will add solid veterans,” said Jim Buss.

The Lakers' young core consists of D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson.

With significant cap space, the Lakers can conceivably sign a free agent and trade for another top level player.

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/lakers-jim-buss-on-free-agency-luke-walton-and-more/

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't know how Kupchak can rule out trading their first round pick. For example, what if the Lakers could trade for Cousins using the pick.

He can rule it out because "saying it" is just "saying it". It means nothing and it's just a way to shape the conversation IMO. And it's probably also his way of trying to raise the value of that draft pick, at least in the eyes of fans (his, mostly).

 

[JCSunsfan]

Bad break up in Memphis.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bad break up in Memphis.

It seems that Grizzlies want to pursue Frank Vogel. Maybe this sped things up?

Adrian Wojnarowski Verified account
‏@WojVerticalNBA

Memphis plans to pursue Frank Vogel, league sources tell @TheVertical. Grizzlies willing to pay market value for top available candidates.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Memphis and Vogel seem like a strange fit. The concern the Pacers had about him reportedly is that he was stuck in a previous decade and wouldn't adjust to today's NBA. Isn't that basically the same reason the Grizzlies got rid of Hollins just a few years ago? That style was winning games for Memphis but it wasn't paying off with playoff success and it doesn't draw an audience.

Hollins was a bit like Byron Scott in how he dealt with players so maybe that also played a part but it doesn't seem like a great move to me. And I don't see how Vogel is an improvement over Joerger, a coach I would have liked to see us pursue if we hadn't hired Watson.

 

[Ronin]

Grizzles dismiss Joerger after three seasons. Seems too soon to get fired.

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk

 

[sunsfan88]

Memphis and Vogel seem like a strange fit. The concern the Pacers had about him reportedly is that he was stuck in a previous decade and wouldn't adjust to today's NBA. Isn't that basically the same reason the Grizzlies got rid of Hollins just a few years ago? That style was winning games for Memphis but it wasn't paying off with playoff success and it doesn't draw an audience.

Hollins was a bit like Byron Scott in how he dealt with players so maybe that also played a part but it doesn't seem like a great move to me. And I don't see how Vogel is an improvement over Joerger, a coach I would have liked to see us pursue if we hadn't hired Watson.

I don't think that's why they got rid of Hollins. Memphis still wants to play big think. The reason Bird fired Vogel is because Bird wants to play small ball.

Vogel is a good fit for Memphis because they still have Gasol and Z-Bo if playing big is what Vogel wants.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't think that's why they got rid of Hollins. Memphis still wants to play big think. The reason Bird fired Vogel is because Bird wants to play small ball.

Vogel is a good fit for Memphis because they still have Gasol and Z-Bo if playing big is what Vogel wants.

According to the talking heads on the NBA channel, that's exactly why they sent Hollins packing. Joerger came in and found a way to make it work without being such a grind it out team so they adjusted their thinking a little but it's my understanding they never really bought into Joerger. This led Joerger into believing he didn't have the support of Chris Wallace (the GM) which in turn led to him asking for permission to interview (for just about every coaching job).

At one time I think Chris Wallace believed he was going to be able to get a first round pick out of letting Joerger go elsewhere so he was fine with the interviews but when that didn't materialize (last season) they started thinking about just keeping him. But the coach was pissed about his lack of support and kept dropping hints in every interview so they fired him.

 

[FArting]

Joerger signs with Sacramento.

4 year deal worth 16 million

 

[Ronin]

Steph Curry named the MVP.

 

[FArting]

RC Buford wins NBA Executive of the Year.

 

[Ronin]

Scott Skiles informs Orlando Magic he's resigning

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15517163/scott-skiles-tells-orlando-magic-stepping-down

 

[Hoop Head]

With all of the coaching changes so far, some very questionable and surprising like Joerger's and Vogel's firings, I think it's a good thing the Suns aren't actively looking for a HC and took themselves out of the equation with a decent choice. I'm not for or against Watson really, he did well given what he had to work with this last season and he also has support from the players already. I know some reports stated every player asked for Watson to return in their exit interviews, which if it's true that's a really good start for next year.

This offseason has produced quite the coaching carousel. More than 1/3 of the league have made coaching changes this offseason, I believe 13 teams including the Suns have made coaching changes, if you include Kurt Rambis with the Knicks and Tyronn Lue in Cleveland since both took over midseason with the interim label. I'm not sure about Lue but I don't think Rambis' job is very secure in New York. If the Cavs get swept in the finals or fail to get there I could see Lue getting fired. Big name candidates like Thibodeau were able to secure control of the Wolves almost entirely as GM & Head Coach along with a hefty salary. I'm not sure if any of the other coaches who have been hired so far were able to land similar control but I could someone like Jeff Van Gundy requiring that for any position he takes. Orlando seems to be the most likely to give that sort of control and Memphis might also. I don't see the Pacers or Rockets conceding that much control considering who they have running things already. It wouldn't surprise me if one or two more changes are made and a couple of teams don't have a head coach in place during the draft.

Grizzlies, Kings, Knicks, Lakers, Magic, Nets, Pacers, Rockets, Timberwolves, and Wizards are all teams who have made coaching changes already this postseason. Also Terry Stotts' contract is up, with Portland holding a team option for this upcoming season but there is a lot of talk of him not getting extended which would lead to further issues.

Here is a link about the Stotts situation in Portland...

http://www.blazersedge.com/2016/5/14/11676212/terry-stotts-portland-trail-blazers-contract-renewal

 

[Hoop Head]

Does anyone know when the All-NBA and All-Rookie teams will be announced? I know all of the awards but Rookie of the Year have been officially announced but I haven't heard anything about the "Team" awards. NBA.com used to have a good calendar on their site about when all the awards would be announced but I can't find it anymore and haven't looked for it in the last 2-3 seasons. I imagine Booker will be on the All Rookie 1st Team but he might end up on the 2nd team. I know a lot of voters are partial to what happens towards the end of the season so him not producing much in the first half of the year, since he didn't get the playing time, shouldn't effect him too much.

 

[Sunburn]

Blazers would be fools not to re-up Stotts.

 

[sunsfan88]

With all of the coaching changes so far, some very questionable and surprising like Joerger's and Vogel's firings, I think it's a good thing the Suns aren't actively looking for a HC and took themselves out of the equation with a decent choice. I'm not for or against Watson really, he did well given what he had to work with this last season and he also has support from the players already.

This is all true however I would have liked the Suns to have the option of hiring someone like Joerger or Vogel both of whom I think in the long run will likely be better than Watson and are much more experienced.

 

[leclerc]

Yes. Seems they were a bit quick to sign Watson. Some experience of not being a Sarver puppet would be nice.

 

[Mainstreet]

Mike D'Antoni gets a second interview with the Rockets. This could be interesting if he gets the job.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/241932/Mike-DAntoni-To-Receive-2nd-Interview-With-Rockets

 

[Mainstreet]

Jeff Hornacek is hired as the Knicks new head coach.

Wow. That was quick. Good for him.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/241948/Knicks-Hire-Jeff-Hornacek-As-Head-Coach