2022-23 Around the NBA Thread

Phrazbit

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You would think his defense would still make a difference though.

He is a quality defender, but for most of his career he has defended guards. He is a big long dude who is mobile enough to defend on the outside... that is a great asset but on the Nets he isn't going to get those assignments, Kyrie ain't defending forwards. Looking at the lineup the Nets played they clearly TRIED to surround him with other big dudes, Claxton, O'Neale, Durant... giving Simmons more leeway to play favorable matchups... but obviously it didn't work, seeing as he fouled out in a mere 23 minutes of playing time.

He is a good defender on the wings, a good play maker IF he is surrounded by a butt load of shooters, but if he is asked to defend on the inside or if he is asked to initiate offense in the half court... he's absolute trash. Like... he might be one of the worst half court offense players in the entire NBA. He not only can't shoot, but he WON'T shoot.

Even at his best a couple years ago, he was a huge liability in the clutch because he was so bad at shooting AND so bad at the line that you couldn't even let him touch the ball if you were trying to hold onto a late lead. He may have gotten away with it for a bit, but the book is out on him now, the entire league knows that this dude is useless on offense outside of very specific sets.

And none of that even goes touches on his mental fragility. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if his last couple fouls came because he just didn't want to be on the court anymore.
 
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Mainstreet

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If everyone stays healthy for the Pelicans (of course including Zion) that is a championship caliber team.
 
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Mainstreet

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Danny Ainge is probably thinking this morning he has to trade someone with the Jazz' convincing win over the Nuggets.
 

Phrazbit

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Lakers might have the worst spacing in history of the 3pt shot era.

That roster is a mess. Their "crunch time" lineup has 3 point guards in it, none of whom can shoot the ball but all of them LOVE to shoot the ball.
 

Covert Rain

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A bunch of teams are going to regret not going after John Wall.
 

Hoop Head

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A bunch of teams are going to regret not going after John Wall.

He announced he was signing with the Clippers right when he agreed to a buyout with Houston. He waited a long while to start buyout discussions also.

I think he was worth the MLE for a year although that would be a gamble whether or not he can stay healthy but the Clippers have a starting lineup that is the best in the league if they can stay healthy. They've got a solid roster top to bottom as well. They're a little thin when it comes to traditional Centers but they have Zubac, who is more than enough to man that spot if he stays healthy.
 

Proximo

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Lakers might have the worst spacing in history of the 3pt shot era.
The Lakers completely suck.

Westbrook is a cancer, Lebron is showing his age, and AD is already nursing an injury. Freaking Patrick Beverly is their best 3 point shooter.

I almost enjoy watching them just to see them fail.
 

JCSunsfan

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The Lakers completely suck.

Westbrook is a cancer, Lebron is showing his age, and AD is already nursing an injury. Freaking Patrick Beverly is their best 3 point shooter.

I almost enjoy watching them just to see them fail.
It is interesting to hear LeBron admit that the team is not constructed well--especially not having shooters. Is he content to just play now, without contending?
 
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Mainstreet

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It is interesting to hear LeBron admit that the team is not constructed well--especially not having shooters. Is he content to just play now, without contending?

I could see the Lakers trading Lebron when he is eligible if they decide to reboot.

For the fun of it, how about Chris Paul going to Los Angeles along with Crowder, Saric and draft picks?

The Lakers might be able to trade Westbrook (as an expiring contract) for something of value at the trade deadline.
 

AzStevenCal

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I could see the Lakers trading Lebron when he is eligible if they decide to reboot.

For the fun of it, how about Chris Paul going to Los Angeles along with Crowder, Saric and draft picks?

The Lakers might be able to trade Westbrook (as an expiring contract) for something of value at the trade deadline.
I wouldn't find that fun at all.
 

Proximo

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It is interesting to hear LeBron admit that the team is not constructed well--especially not having shooters. Is he content to just play now, without contending?
He must be, he agreed to resign, and at that time had a real good idea what the team was going to look like.
 

AzStevenCal

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CP3 in his worst game with the Suns has still been better than almost all of Westbrook's games with the Lakers.
I agree but the post I was responding to was suggesting (jokingly, I hope) that we consider trading CP3, Crowder, Saric and picks for Lebron. I guess that's slightly better than trading CP3 for Westbrook but I wouldn't find either move appealing (or fun).
 

JCSunsfan

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He must be, he agreed to resign, and at that time had a real good idea what the team was going to look like.
Wife and kids want no more moving, I assume. He is at that age where that happens.
 
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Mainstreet

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CP3 in his worst game with the Suns has still been better than almost all of Westbrook's games with the Lakers.

This was a hypothetical trade idea for Lebron. The thought was spurred by JC's mention of whether he would be content without contending.

I would prefer other targets.
 
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Mainstreet

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Shams Charania reports the players brought in Moe Harkless for a meeting and workout.

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Phrazbit

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The Timberwolves lost to the Jazz in Minnesota tonight...

lol
 

Hoop Head

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I also think this "Twin Tower" experiment that the Wolves are running is going to fail.

I don't think there is a middle ground for that pairing. Either it was going to fail spectacularly or take the league by storm. Most predicted it would fail though.
 

Russ Smith

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Michael Porter Jr shot the lights out last night and Brian Brown was huge. Joker is just so good. Warriors made a miracle comeback get a steal to cut it to 1 and then Joker throws length of court inbounds to Brown for a dunk to put them up 3, Klay bricks a deep 3 ballgame.

Warriors are playing the young guys it hurt them last night Moody save one 3 was really bad last night
 
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