By livefromkyoto Go To PostAh yes, the Master P era.I mean he was old as fuck when he entered the NBA.. Scouts said he could have been a bench player...
Master P sucked. He couldn't even make it through 5 preseason games before he got cut. The guy shot .307, and had 5 fouls & 4 TOs in 23 total preseason minutes.
The fuck is he going to tell anyone?
Culled from interviews with over a dozen former colleagues, coaches, and executives, here is the scouting report on Percy Miller: Master P could shoot. He could spot-up or shoot off the dribble. If a defender went under a screen or rotated off him to double-team the post, P could hit the open jumper. He didn’t have the quickest release, and his range was limited to 20 feet with a hand in his face, but he could shoot. He had adequate ball-handling skills, a decent handle. When driving to the hoop, he didn’t rely on athleticism. He had a sneaky old-man game similar to Andre Miller, a mix of guile and pump fakes that allowed him to get his shot off. He was a big guy—a sturdy 6’3”—who knew how to use his body. He was also fit and had surprising strength and stamina. Above all, P was a great competitor who played with confidence—he was far from humble. Master P believed he belonged in the NBA.http://www.complex.com/sports/2015/08/master-p-nba-career-oral-history
But really, the biggest thing that would worry me about letting him near my franchise was his stint as a horrible agent..
I have so many thoughts about this article, because it touches on so many fan theories about franchise building that bug me.
The Ringer: The Raptors Are Good, but They Might Have to Blow It Up to Be Great
Unless you have sky-high Warriors-like ambitions, if your team makes it to game 6 of the Conference Finals against the eventual champs and you call it a disappointment, you might as well just stop watching sports now. They're only going to make you miserable. I can never agree with this "there's only one winner and 29 losers" mentality, it's dumb.
Let's not talk about D-leaguer Caboclo like he figures into any kind of core, Delon Wright is already way ahead of him if you want a third name. But either way, this makes no sense. Yes, they're definitely a rung below those three teams. But how does letting the team's best players go fix that? So they can clear cap space to sign Steph Curry? Not happening. Where they are now, they're realistically 1 great player away. If they let the stars walk, suddenly they're 2-3 guys away. In other words, they're nowhere. Houston's not in that triumverate either. Should they be blowing it up too?
This isn't Atlanta where nobody cares about pro sports, that would be a wildly successful business that would always be in the conversation. As a fan who watched them be a basketball wasteland for years, this would be a great scenario. Would I prefer a championship team? Who wouldn't? But winning playoff rounds every year isn't failure, it means you're fucking good, a top 8 team, and always a couple of moves away from greatness. This is far preferable to the empty lies most fanbases have to accept from their management about how amazing they're going to be one day.
So this is the crux of the article. But I think there are any number of counter-examples showing that being capped out doesn't mean you can't improve, we've already seen this GM do it this very season. The good franchises are the ones that manage to scout diamonds in the rough drafting late, develop players well, and are able to spot undervalued players on other rosters. That is the only way to have long term success. Drafting blue chippers is way less important than that, there are tons of terrible franchises who draft great players and never do anything.
Houston's model of staying good, raising the value of peripheral players and not signing bad long term deals so you're ready when a great player becomes available is way better than just throwing games for 5 years and hoping you draft Kobe & Shaq.
The Ringer: The Raptors Are Good, but They Might Have to Blow It Up to Be Great
By Kevin O'ConnorOn the surface, the Raptors are a feel-good story. But the past three years have ended in playoff disappointment.
Unless you have sky-high Warriors-like ambitions, if your team makes it to game 6 of the Conference Finals against the eventual champs and you call it a disappointment, you might as well just stop watching sports now. They're only going to make you miserable. I can never agree with this "there's only one winner and 29 losers" mentality, it's dumb.
If you believe that the Raptors’ current core, along with younger players including Norman Powell, Jakob Poeltl, and Bruno Caboclo, gives them a shot at the Larry O’Brien Trophy, then you should be cool with re-signing Lowry, Ibaka, and the others. But if you believe this team is below the top tier — the Clevelands, Golden States, and San Antonios — and can’t afford to stand pat as its best players naturally decline, then you might have some reservations with that approach.
Let's not talk about D-leaguer Caboclo like he figures into any kind of core, Delon Wright is already way ahead of him if you want a third name. But either way, this makes no sense. Yes, they're definitely a rung below those three teams. But how does letting the team's best players go fix that? So they can clear cap space to sign Steph Curry? Not happening. Where they are now, they're realistically 1 great player away. If they let the stars walk, suddenly they're 2-3 guys away. In other words, they're nowhere. Houston's not in that triumverate either. Should they be blowing it up too?
The Raptors could become a treadmill playoff team like the Hawks or Clippers.
This isn't Atlanta where nobody cares about pro sports, that would be a wildly successful business that would always be in the conversation. As a fan who watched them be a basketball wasteland for years, this would be a great scenario. Would I prefer a championship team? Who wouldn't? But winning playoff rounds every year isn't failure, it means you're fucking good, a top 8 team, and always a couple of moves away from greatness. This is far preferable to the empty lies most fanbases have to accept from their management about how amazing they're going to be one day.
I disagree with the idea of punting a season purely because an opponent seems invincible. We’ve already seen that the Warriors and Cavaliers are vulnerable. But team-building must be done with an eye toward sustainability, not hope. If Toronto’s 2017–18 season will be more of the same, with even less financial and asset flexibility to make impact additions, then the best future for the Raptors will come in the form of a teardown.
So this is the crux of the article. But I think there are any number of counter-examples showing that being capped out doesn't mean you can't improve, we've already seen this GM do it this very season. The good franchises are the ones that manage to scout diamonds in the rough drafting late, develop players well, and are able to spot undervalued players on other rosters. That is the only way to have long term success. Drafting blue chippers is way less important than that, there are tons of terrible franchises who draft great players and never do anything.
Houston's model of staying good, raising the value of peripheral players and not signing bad long term deals so you're ready when a great player becomes available is way better than just throwing games for 5 years and hoping you draft Kobe & Shaq.
By blackace Go To PostI mean he was old as fuck when he entered the NBA.. Scouts said he could have been a bench player…
http://www.complex.com/sports/2015/08/master-p-nba-career-oral-history
But really, the biggest thing that would worry me about letting him near my franchise was his stint as a horrible agent..
I dunno, I know he had a basketball scholarship but quit a couple of months into his freshman year, then went to another school to do a business major. I'm pretty skeptical of any scout who says he could have gone from that to the pros, the guy was obviously never 100% about basketball. As near as I can tell he's just another guy who was alright in high school then never did anything again. He's rap game Al Bundy.
By livefromkyoto Go To PostHouston's model of staying good, raising the value of peripheral players and not signing bad long term deals so you're ready when a great player becomes available is way better than just throwing games for 5 years and hoping you draft Kobe & Shaq.Yup. I've always liked the way Morey ran Houston between his superstar teams. Make a competitive team that has room to make a big move and still have enough support left in place to not have it immediately fall flat.
By livefromkyoto Go To PostUnless you have sky-high Warriors-like ambitions, if your team makes it to game 6 of the Conference Finals against the eventual champs and you call it a disappointment, you might as well just stop watching sports now. They're only going to make you miserable. I can never agree with this "there's only one winner and 29 losers" mentality, it's dumb.
Ricky Bobby never got anywhere with that attitude.
Seriously though the wins honestly don't feel as good as the losses hurt. Winning is a relief more than anything. I'd be tight if the Lakers were in that 2nd tier of teams right now because you're basically hoping the sky opens up for you to break through
By diehard Go To PostSo do what the Pacers are doing?
The Pacers have the right idea, and they've traditionally drafted extremely well outside the lotto. I've been more supportive of that team all year than most, but it's been clear since preseason they're just doing it with the wrong guys. Still, I'd rather a band-aid fix that keeps my team in the mix than George being even sulkier while we chase 6th pick dreams.
By domino Go To PostRicky Bobby never got anywhere with that attitude.
Seriously though the wins honestly don't feel as good as the losses hurt. Winning is a relief more than anything. I'd be tight if the Lakers were in that 2nd tier of teams right now because you're basically hoping the sky opens up for you to break through
I mean, you're cheering for the Lakers. The only reason your team is out of the playoffs at all is because Jim Buss honestly knows less about basketball than your average RealGM ballboy. Your team is atrocious and you could still easily wind up with Paul George or Westbrook.
By livefromkyoto Go To PostI have so many thoughts about this article, because it touches on so many fan theories about franchise building that bug me.
The Ringer: The Raptors Are Good, but They Might Have to Blow It Up to Be Great
Re-signing a three-time All-Star franchise point guard seems like a no-brainer. Lowry can demand a five-year maximum contract worth more than $200 million, but he will be 31 at the start of next season, is small, plays a relentless style, and takes on a heavy workload.
NBA teams were 6,746-1 over the past 20 seasons when leading by at least 18 points in the final five minutes.💀
By rvy Go To Postpl let us draft FultzMagic would probably draft Ball #1, though.
pls Magic, take Mr. Silver to the playboy mansion
By reilo Go To PostDamian's gonna fuck around and make All-NBA again, isn't he?
Nope.
By giririsss Go To PostNope.He's made it twice already and this is his best year by a mile. Career highs across the board.
By rvy Go To PostClippys should move.
To San Francisco or some place.
I hear Seattle has an ownership arena group waiting in the wings.
By reilo Go To PostHe's made it twice already and this is his best year by a mile. Career highs across the board.Wall, Isaiah, Demar, Lowry, Kyrie, YNB, Harden, Step, Klay, CP3, Buttler.
There's a long list of a guys who are ahead of him this year. 3 of them are MVP candidates.
Lowry is about to miss nearly 30 games on the year and the Raptors weren't that good when he was healthy. CP3 is gonna miss 20 games and have his worst season in a while -- neither of those two are better than Damian this year. Harden and YNB are a lock for All-NBA First. Klay gets his token third team selection because he's a Warrior. John Wall is probably third selection and Curry will make it All-NBA Second. Nobody gives a fuck about Demar.
By Face it Tiger.. Go To PostI hear Seattle has an ownership arena group waiting in the wings.Seattle SuperClippers
Seattle ClipperSonic
Raptors are Top 5 defensively without Lowry. And Portland ranks 11th in DRtg since January 1st. November/December brutal stretch of defense still lingers like a bad fart.
Prior to the All-Star break, Toronto was 16th in the league in defensive efficiency. The Raptors are up to eighth in that same category now despite the ongoing absence of All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry, with coach Dwane Casey and his assistant in charge of the defense, Rex Kalamian, taking full advantage of the various gifts on D possessed by trade-deadline newcomers Serge Ibaka and PJ Tucker. The Raptors' considerable improvement on the defensive end, paired with a slower pace, has enabled them to go 11-5 since the break while Lowry's injured wrist heals.
By reilo Go To PostRaptors are Top 5 defensively without Lowry. And Portland ranks 11th in DRtg since January 1st. November/December brutal stretch of defense still lingers like a bad fart.and the bazers are a WOAT WITH Dame.
He's had a mediocre year. So have Portland.
Turning it on after the ASB doesn't get you an All NBA when there are 8 otherr well ahead in your category (guard).
Wait. How are Portland WOAT with Dame defensively if they've been a borderline Top 10 team for three months now and even better since the Nurkic trade?
"Mediocre" year? 27PPG/6APG/5RPG on career high TS%, PER and WS/48. He's having his best year as a pro and he made two All-NBA teams already.
"Derozan should make All-NBA. He plays defense" -- entire room erupts into laughter.
"Mediocre" year? 27PPG/6APG/5RPG on career high TS%, PER and WS/48. He's having his best year as a pro and he made two All-NBA teams already.
"Derozan should make All-NBA. He plays defense" -- entire room erupts into laughter.
Cavs probably lose the 1st seed tonight
Top 4 east seeds will probably be:
1. Celtics
2. Cavaliers
3. Raptors
4. Wizards
The rest is hard to determine but barring upsets the second round matchups of Boston/Wiz and Cavs/Raps are getting closer to locks.
Kind of disappointed because I wanted a Raps/Celtics series.
Top 4 east seeds will probably be:
1. Celtics
2. Cavaliers
3. Raptors
4. Wizards
The rest is hard to determine but barring upsets the second round matchups of Boston/Wiz and Cavs/Raps are getting closer to locks.
Kind of disappointed because I wanted a Raps/Celtics series.
By giririsss Go To Postand the bazers are a WOAT WITH Dame.pretty much
He's had a mediocre year. So have Portland.
Turning it on after the ASB doesn't get you an All NBA when there are 8 otherr well ahead in your category (guard).
there's always next year
By reilo Go To PostRaptors are Top 5 defensively without Lowry. And Portland ranks 11th in DRtg since January 1st. November/December brutal stretch of defense still lingers like a bad fart.Without lowry but ignored adding tucker and ibaka.
All of you realize he was averaging 25PPG (career high, again) before the ASG, right? His 30PPG on crazy TS% post-ASG is just solidifying his career-best season as the Blazers are now in 8th seed again.
But Kyle Lowry, who's team looks better without him (especially defensively) and is gonna miss 30 games is clearly better? K.
But Kyle Lowry, who's team looks better without him (especially defensively) and is gonna miss 30 games is clearly better? K.
By reilo Go To PostAll of you realize he was averaging 25PPG (career high, again) before the ASG, right? His 30PPG on crazy TS% post-ASG is just solidifying his career-best season as the Blazers are now in 8th seed again.averaging 25 but getting that culo ran through like mardi gras and losing games like they were tanking on accident
But Kyle Lowry, who's team looks better without him (especially defensively) and is gonna miss 30 games is clearly better? K.
By Omzz Go To PostWithout lowry but ignored adding tucker and ibaka.convenient rite
I think its
Harden/Westbrook
Curry/Thomas
DeRozan/Wall
Wouldn't shock me if they shat on Wall and put Kyrie in that last spot
If Dame had a better record he'd be tough to leave off.
Harden/Westbrook
Curry/Thomas
DeRozan/Wall
Wouldn't shock me if they shat on Wall and put Kyrie in that last spot
If Dame had a better record he'd be tough to leave off.
By reilo Go To PostLowry is about to miss nearly 30 games on the year and the Raptors weren't that good when he was healthy.
"Weren't that good."
>_>
By reilo Go To PostRaptors are Top 5 defensively without Lowry. And Portland ranks 11th in DRtg since January 1st. November/December brutal stretch of defense still lingers like a bad fart.
But that has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with the guys they added. Like, I'm not even here to argue Lowry should make it, it's just that that isn't true. Closing out games with Ibaka instead of Nogueira - who's good defensively under the hoop but nowhere else - made a huge difference. Tucker likewise gave them the lockdown perimeter defender Carroll was supposed to be but never was. And he got other guys to buy in and start hustling too. I promise you, it's not because Corey Joseph was the missing link the team needed to achieve defensive greatness.
By reilo Go To Post"Derozan should make All-NBA. He plays defense" – entire room erupts into laughter.
But nobody watching the team right now would laugh. Small sample size and all, but he's actually been playing well on D since Tucker called him out. Everybody has noticed this:
By PJ Tucker“If we’re going to take this to another level, we need him to pick up his defence,” Tucker said of DeRozan. “He’s been doing it, he’s been chasing guys off screens, rebounding the ball, he’s been doing things on defence and doing what he does on offence. I think with him doing that, it’s just going to propel us (further).”
https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2017/03/23/pj-tuckers-toughness-setting-tone-for-raptors-defence.html
Who knows if he keeps it up, but nobody's ever accused DeRozan of being lazy. And the guy seems dedicated to his Kobe impersonation, Bryant was 1st team all defence a couple of times so maybe the necessity of that part of the act sinks in. I guess we'll see.
By DY_nasty Go To Postaveraging 25 but getting that culo ran through like mardi gras and losing games like they were tanking on accidentBut CP3 is excused from that criticism as the Clippers are getting worked the past month and he's been playing the worst ball of his career? Cool.
By livefromkyoto Go To Post"Weren't that good."When's that 61st win coming? You guys were playing certified trash before the Ibaka trade as you lost 11 of 15. Don't deny this.
>_>
By livefromkyoto Go To PostBut that has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with the guys they added. Like, I'm not even here to argue Lowry should make it, it's just that that isn't true. Closing out games with Ibaka instead of Nogueira - who's good defensively under the hoop but nowhere else - made a huge difference. Tucker likewise gave them the lockdown perimeter defender Carroll was supposed to be but never was. And he got other guys to buy in and start hustling too. I promise you, it's not because Corey Joseph was the missing link the team needed to achieve defensive greatness.I'm just responding to the "Kyle Lowry is clearly better" as he's sitting out with a prolonged injury and the team is playing their best ball of the season without him as Portland looks like a completely different team since the ASG as well, but somehow Damian averaging 30PPG on 63TS% isn't contributing to that or something.
By reilo Go To PostWhen's that 61st win coming? You guys were playing certified trash before the Ibaka trade as you lost 11 of 15. Don't deny this.
Hey, if you're going to call me out for 61 wins, I want receipts on everybody who saw them suddenly going from a .700 team to getting curbstomped by Charlotte the minute the new year flipped.
And yep, they stunk. But if you're going to give credit for segments of the season and how great Portland is since Jan. 1st, don't we get to count the first two months of the season when Toronto ran a train on the entire league except Cleveland? Because as bad as that Jan-Feb stretch was, their record never got close to as bad as Portland's. At their lowest point, they were 8 games over .500.
I'm just responding to the "Kyle Lowry is clearly better" as he's sitting out with a prolonged injury and the team is playing their best ball of the season without him as Portland looks like a completely different team since the ASG as well.
Sure, but they're only staying alive by having to play playoff intensity defence against the Dallases of the league while DeRozan runs a one man offence. There's nobody I know of who doesn't think the team will suddenly look way better with Lowry back scoring 20+ a night instead of hoping Joseph has a big game and drops 11.
Not saying Lillard's not having a great year, just saying that as a guy who's watched almost every game, Lowry clearly was never the problem.
By livefromkyoto Go To PostHey, if you're going to call me out for 61 wins, I want receipts on everybody who saw them suddenly going from a .700 team to getting curbstomped by Charlotte the minute the new year flipped.Dude, I totally agree with you. It's why I'm responding with snark to these "Lowry and Derozan are clearly better" with the same argument being made against Damian and the Blazers. Sorry if that was a bit obfuscated, but that was my entire point. People are giving Washington, Miami, and Toronto a ton of (deserved) credit for turning it around, but when it comes to the Blazers and Damian? "You don't get browny points for turning it on later on in the year". nickyoungwhat.gif
And yep, they stunk. But if you're going to give credit for segments of the season and how great Portland is since Jan. 1st, don't we get to count the first two months of the season when Toronto ran a train on the entire league except Cleveland? Because as bad as that Jan-Feb stretch was, their record never got close to as bad as Portland's. At their lowest point, they were 8 games over .500.
By livefromkyoto Go To PostSure, but they're only staying alive by having to playing playoff intensity defence against the Dallases of the league while DeRozan runs a one man offence. There's nobody I know of who doesn't think the team will suddenly look way better with Lowry back scoring 20+ a night instead of hoping Joseph has a big game and drops 11.Most definitely, but again, I agree with you lol. Nobody is saying championship, but man, give a team and its star player credit for turning it around.
By Dark PhaZe Go To PostI think itsPretty much this.
Harden/Westbrook
Curry/Thomas
DeRozan/Wall
Wouldn't shock me if they shat on Wall and put Kyrie in that last spot
If Dame had a better record he'd be tough to leave off.
Harden didn't make it last year averaging 29.0/6.1/7.5. Now Lillard deserves it because the Blazers finally made their way into the 8th seed?
There are guards on teams with home court advantage who should make it over him.
By Dark PhaZe Go To PostChris has no business making itProbably.
But he seems to get in often enough as a life time achievement award. He's made all nba every year except 09-10 (the one he got hurt in? not sure). And made all Defensive every year too.
Also, he list of teams POR have beaten this month are soft ball. Not sure it's a huge sign of a turn around (These are the teams they should always have been beating anyway, but weren't).
Nets, OKC, 76'ers (needed over time), Suns, Spurs, Hawks, Heat Knicks, Wolves, Lakers.
There's only 2 legitimate teams there (OKC and Spurs).
They could legitimately lose 6 of their next 9 to finish the season. (Nuggets, Rockets, Jazz, Jazz, Spurs, Pels).
By reilo Go To Post@SAS, @MIA, @ATL, @OKC, OKC are softball wins? Aight, giririririri.
You didn't beat OKC twice. You won their floor, they won on yours reirei.
You also lost to Washington, New Orleans, Milwaukee.
So 2 good wins, 8 against mediocre or worse, and 4 losses. 10 - 4 isn't a bad stretch results wise at all.
But 7 of those wins were against teams under .500 (Nets, 76'ers, Suns, Heat, Knicks, Wolves, Lakers). And Atlanta is barely over (37-36).
So, yeah. not exactly the toughest stretch of the schedule ever.
Giri, stop embarrassing yourself:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201703020POR.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201703070OKC.html
I know your Suns haven't seen many Ws, but that's no excuse to not be able to notice one when another team gets 'em.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201703020POR.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201703070OKC.html
You didn't beat OKC twice. You won their floor, they won on yours reirei.
I know your Suns haven't seen many Ws, but that's no excuse to not be able to notice one when another team gets 'em.
By reilo Go To PostGiri, stop embarrassing yourself:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201703020POR.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201703070OKC.html
I know your Suns haven't seen many Ws, but that's no excuse to not be able to notice one when another team gets 'em.
My bad, i misread the one on Mar 2nd. Must've got it confused with the embarassing loss to the Pistons.
Doesn't change anything else tho.
Don't worry ReiRei. Your $112M payroll this year, and $140M next year which entirely relies on Animu being healthy should tote's make you competitive with Denver ($82) for the 8th seed!!!!!