Replying to blackace from the playoff thread:
The idea was: trade Ibaka for the best possible haul since we won't be able to keep him (Oladipo has disappointed but the trade was still more value than pretty much anyone expected we could get for Serge). Then we re-sign Durant and convince Horford to reunite with Billy after we offload Kanter's contract.
It's hard to overstate how much Durant's decision tossed a wrench in our outlook. Not only did we lose our (great) SF which allowed Roberson to play the 2, we lost an all-world smallball PF. Instead of Oladipo coming off the bench, he's the starter playing the bulk of his minutes with Russ. And we go from Durant to Roberson as starting SF, which... lol. If that plan gets pulled off, we're rolling with a Russ-Roberson-Durant-Horford-Adams starting 5 and Payne, Oladipo, Kanter, Sabonis, Abrines off the bench.
However we also probably wouldn't have traded Payne imo. Durant's presence would have helped cover up his suckiness.
On the same note, Taj said last night that he wants to come back, but obviously that's dependent on what we offer him. I also think we'll make a strong effort to re-sign Roberson in spite of his offensive ineptitude.
By blackace Go To PostNext season is a big one for Presti…It's apologism to a degree, but it's true that we did not plan on Sabonis being our starting PF when that trade happened.
The idea was: trade Ibaka for the best possible haul since we won't be able to keep him (Oladipo has disappointed but the trade was still more value than pretty much anyone expected we could get for Serge). Then we re-sign Durant and convince Horford to reunite with Billy after we offload Kanter's contract.
It's hard to overstate how much Durant's decision tossed a wrench in our outlook. Not only did we lose our (great) SF which allowed Roberson to play the 2, we lost an all-world smallball PF. Instead of Oladipo coming off the bench, he's the starter playing the bulk of his minutes with Russ. And we go from Durant to Roberson as starting SF, which... lol. If that plan gets pulled off, we're rolling with a Russ-Roberson-Durant-Horford-Adams starting 5 and Payne, Oladipo, Kanter, Sabonis, Abrines off the bench.
However we also probably wouldn't have traded Payne imo. Durant's presence would have helped cover up his suckiness.
On the same note, Taj said last night that he wants to come back, but obviously that's dependent on what we offer him. I also think we'll make a strong effort to re-sign Roberson in spite of his offensive ineptitude.
By Jonm Go To PostI honestly hope so.I think it's better to have your d league affiliate close by, it allows you to call up guys or send guys down at a moment's notice. This Knicks did this several times with their team in Westchester (which is right outside the city) Its been a while since I've lived in NO but St Tammany is fairly close right? They should put the team there.
Just for the fact I think it would help boost interest in the Pels over time. Or at least NBA basketball in general.
I can't say how many times even sports bars around here in Baton Rouge just don't even care to put a Pels game on.
The Thunder's D-League team plays right across the street from the Thunder's arena. #lightyearsahead
By masud Go To PostI think it's better to have your d league affiliate close by, it allows you to call up guys or send guys down at a moment's notice. This Knicks did this several times with their team in Westchester (which is right outside the city) Its been a while since I've lived in NO but St Tammany is fairly close right? They should put the team there.It's about a half hour closer than Baton Rouge.
That's the difference between him and Waiters.
Introspection and realism are a good thing to a degree, but at a certain point you have to believe you're the shit if you're gonna play like it.
By Kibner Go To PostJustin Verrier was laid off by ESPN. :(Seems like they let all their beat reporters go.
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I mean, all we've heard for years is that ESPN is bleeding cash and not making money. It's why they let grantland get away with so much for so long. It drove a massive amount of traffic to them that they weren't getting.
In a way it's good, because ESPN's editorial department stifled a lot of speech. But it really sucks for all those guys. Hope they all find work elsewhere.
By KingGondo Go To PostReplying to blackace from the playoff thread:Regardless that's a lot of moving parts... and the end results was still starting Roberson.
It's apologism to a degree, but it's true that we did not plan on Sabonis being our starting PF when that trade happened.
The idea was: trade Ibaka for the best possible haul since we won't be able to keep him (Oladipo has disappointed but the trade was still more value than pretty much anyone expected we could get for Serge). Then we re-sign Durant and convince Horford to reunite with Billy after we offload Kanter's contract.
It's hard to overstate how much Durant's decision tossed a wrench in our outlook. Not only did we lose our (great) SF which allowed Roberson to play the 2, we lost an all-world smallball PF. Instead of Oladipo coming off the bench, he's the starter playing the bulk of his minutes with Russ. And we go from Durant to Roberson as starting SF, which… lol. If that plan gets pulled off, we're rolling with a Russ-Roberson-Durant-Horford-Adams starting 5 and Payne, Oladipo, Kanter, Sabonis, Abrines off the bench.
However we also probably wouldn't have traded Payne imo. Durant's presence would have helped cover up his suckiness.
On the same note, Taj said last night that he wants to come back, but obviously that's dependent on what we offer him. I also think we'll make a strong effort to re-sign Roberson in spite of his offensive ineptitude.
All jokes aside Sam is going to have to decide what identity he wants the team to because up until now they have been hero iso-ball... that worked when you had KD and Russ but it's not what you expect from a guy claiming to model his moves off the Spurs
By blackace Go To PostRegardless that's a lot of moving parts… and the end results was still starting Roberson.There's also a lot of wishful thinking in there (moving kanter).
All jokes aside Sam is going to have to decide what identity he wants the team to because up until now they have been hero iso-ball… that worked when you had KD and Russ but it's not what you expect from a guy claiming to model his moves off the Spurs
I hope Presti is more in the hot seat than not. But i hope it's more in terms of renumeration / bonuses being missed, than him making panic moves to save his job.
Zeke's son has been raped twice and will be featured in an upcoming PSA on rape: https://gma.yahoo.com/dj-zeke-thomas-reveals-raped-stars-sexual-assault-124452948--abc-news-celebrities.html
By blackace Go To PostRegardless that's a lot of moving parts… and the end results was still starting Roberson.Well it was obvious that Russ and Durant never truly meshed, but their collective talent was enough to cover up most of our shortcomings.
All jokes aside Sam is going to have to decide what identity he wants the team to because up until now they have been hero iso-ball… that worked when you had KD and Russ but it's not what you expect from a guy claiming to model his moves off the Spurs
At least we have the clarity now that anyone who comes in has to complement Russ. They also need to have the right personality to play alongside him.
How do you compliment Russ, without having Russ fundamentally change himself to become better. You already need good defenders to cover him up on that end, but then surrounding him with shooters isn't going to help either because he's not going to make those 3-D guys better with an offense to give those guys good and open looks.
Russ needs to fundamentally adjust himself and add onto his skillset so that he can thrive.
Russell Westbrook as he is now, what kind of players do you think coming in other than another Top 5 Iso scorer, can thrive with him as the number 1 option? Seeing him unleashed this season and his style of basketball blown up, I don't even think Horford would have worked out for you guys seeing how he is in Boston. Russ, being the publically petty person he is, who will be able to mesh with him?
What kind of offense do you run? Because Billy Donovan's spread pick and roll offense doesn't cater to YNB as the fulcrum. Do you look towards the kind of system that prime Derrick Rose, his closest contemporary, was in Chicago prior to becoming the Dwight Howard of guards?
There are a lot of things that need to be answered over the offseason in terms of changes. The coach, YNB, and the people around him.
I really want Russell to be a better player and learn what works and what doesn't over the offseason. He can become a much better point guard that way. The way he is now, it's hard to find a formula for success.
Russ needs to fundamentally adjust himself and add onto his skillset so that he can thrive.
Russell Westbrook as he is now, what kind of players do you think coming in other than another Top 5 Iso scorer, can thrive with him as the number 1 option? Seeing him unleashed this season and his style of basketball blown up, I don't even think Horford would have worked out for you guys seeing how he is in Boston. Russ, being the publically petty person he is, who will be able to mesh with him?
What kind of offense do you run? Because Billy Donovan's spread pick and roll offense doesn't cater to YNB as the fulcrum. Do you look towards the kind of system that prime Derrick Rose, his closest contemporary, was in Chicago prior to becoming the Dwight Howard of guards?
There are a lot of things that need to be answered over the offseason in terms of changes. The coach, YNB, and the people around him.
I really want Russell to be a better player and learn what works and what doesn't over the offseason. He can become a much better point guard that way. The way he is now, it's hard to find a formula for success.
By Kibner Go To PostdangDas Bae. She so fine 😣
By Zeus Ex Machina Go To PostLooks like she has a better arm than some of the QB's who got drafted tonightIf she can't throw an out route nobody needs her
Hope everything works out for the Ball clan.
He shouldn't be knocked for wanting his own shit for his sons/himself.
Idk, obviously thats a huge paycheck if his kid signs with Nike/Addidas, but what if BBB actually takes off? Thats huge.
At the same time, I dont know Lavarr and his intentions. Isn't it possible to sign with a company but still build your own brand a la Jordan/Kobe/Bron?
He shouldn't be knocked for wanting his own shit for his sons/himself.
Idk, obviously thats a huge paycheck if his kid signs with Nike/Addidas, but what if BBB actually takes off? Thats huge.
At the same time, I dont know Lavarr and his intentions. Isn't it possible to sign with a company but still build your own brand a la Jordan/Kobe/Bron?
By rodeoclown Go To PostLarry Bird stepping down from the Pacers.A link:
Probably sees the Paul George writing on the wall.
By reilo Go To PostI wonder how amicable Pritchard would be trading PG to the team that fired him? 🤔CJ, Aminu, Quarterman, Layman, and a first for George and Ellis seems about right.
Wait, what? nah, fuck that. Pacers have no leverage. That's a better haul than the Nuggets got for Carmelo.
By KingGondo Go To PostI do wonder how deadset George is on playing for the Lakers.
If the rumors are true, which I mostly doubt we really shouldn't trade for him. Let some team trade for him as a rental and have him come here with a full arsenal. Giving up our pick (if we keep it), the Rockets pick, and 2 of our young guys wouldn't make sense. George would just walk after he goes from a playoff team to a sub 25 win team. I want George, but I don't want to blow it up for him.
A "core" with a lot of potential. I may be a bit more optimistic about the group then you but I can see a lot of good things happening with experience. Playoff squads don't develop overnight. Improvement all across the board after the ASB was nice to see. I don't think Randle fits here long term but I'm also not sure what his value is now.
I can see an old school GM that doesnt really understand today's NBA to value Randle. So basically Magic.
By reilo Go To PostBlow what up?.
By Moris Go To PostGut your team for Paul George go ahead, there's no way he'd leave after 1 season.Any way to get his bird rights?
By KingGondo Go To PostI do wonder how deadset George is on playing for the Lakers.
By s y Go To PostAny way to get his bird rights?
He won't make all NBA this year I don't think, so he won't be eligible for that stupid ultra max, and that's what is likely gonna keep Boogie in NOLA.
By KingGondo Go To PostI do wonder how deadset George is on playing for the Lakers.
I'm paraphrasing but Sam Amick said 'George is hellbent on signing with The Lakers and the message has been sent throughout the league'
By Moris Go To PostHe won't make all NBA this year I don't think, so he won't be eligible for that stupid ultra max, and that's what is likely gonna keep Boogie in NOLA.Nah, you have to be on your original team for that. Boogie lost a potential $30 mil on that trade.
By diehard Go To PostNah, you have to be on your original team for that. Boogie lost a potential $30 mil on that trade.He still gets more money by staying with the Pels than he would get anywhere else. But, yeah, it's not the highest max. It's a mid-tier max.
So many different maxes is dumb.
By Kibner Go To PostHe still gets more money by staying with the Pels than he would get anywhere else.Yes i know but he was talking about the deal that requires you to be on the team that drafted you.
By s y Go To PostShe got the jack nicholson Joker faceFuk u psy she cute 🖕
By diehard Go To PostNah, you have to be on your original team for that. Boogie lost a potential $30 mil on that trade.
My error, you're right. The All NBA thing was supposed to be the saving grace for Indy's hope of keeping PG.
By diehard Go To PostYes i know but he was talking about the deal that requires you to be on the team that drafted you.Yeah, see my later edit. Too many different kinds of max contracts that it is hard to keep track of.
I guess people can now stop saying, that LaVarr Ball's idiocy is mostly harmless.
How does it feel to cost your some millions, over your shitty going nowhere brand?
I'd tell my dad to fuck off, before he cost me a huge deal, because he was trying to shoehorn himself into it.
How does it feel to cost your some millions, over your shitty going nowhere brand?
I'd tell my dad to fuck off, before he cost me a huge deal, because he was trying to shoehorn himself into it.
lol, saw Lavar's dumbassery trending on social media.
Speaking with ESPN, LaVar stated that he isn't looking to land his son an endorsement deal, he's looking to get the family a co-branding partner.lol I'd love to know what Lonzo is thinking right now.
"We've said from the beginning, we aren't looking for an endorsement deal. We're looking for co-branding, a true partner. But they're not ready for that because they're not used to that model. But hey, the taxi industry wasn't ready for Uber, either."