By DominicanPowerTHardJr is ass. That wouldn't stop them from drafting Russell.Yeah but they draft Russell with THardJr. still around... any value he had disappears. Trade him Draft Day and get a low 1st-rounder for him. Because of the system he plays (that he still hasn't adjusted to) and his youth (only 22), he still has a little trade value in the league.
It's worth nothing the Knicks' 2nd round pick is #31, 1st of the 2nd round. Pretty much a 2nd 1st Rounder, if Knicks play their cards right on dealing him they can have 3 picks this draft
By rodeoclownPeople will always care more about The Twins/Vikings over any T Wolves team period. I think The WNBA team is more popular than The Wolves there.By DominicanPowerOwnership has to go. Honestly, no one in Minneapolis even cares about The Wolves.Rubio's rookie season, when the team was pretty good and looking like they would make the playoffs, the crowds were good and people were back. But he got hurt and they haven't made the playoffs in 11 years now. Who wants to come out and see Andrew Wiggins if they're getting killed because Flip won't stop playing his guys like LaVine?
The Wolves' problems are very fixable if Flip wouldn't let his ego get in the way.By blackaceThink Flip will step down after this year? Wasn't he hired to find another coach?He should. Mike Malone has hung around the team since being fired in Sacramento (he continues to hang on, even), which give me hope Flip would hire him. Because it's a very incestuous environment, the Wolves. People derisively call it the country club for a reason. Glen Taylor hires someone outside the organization, gets David Kahn and then runs back to his buddy Flip for the GM gig a decade after he fired him. The only guys Flip looked at hiring as coach last summer were like Sam Mitchell and Fred Hoiberg, dudes he coached.
Okafor is a good passer.
It's going to be interesting to see how he does in the NBA because even Al Jefferson is a good shooter. Okafor is kind of like Shaq in terms of bad shooting, but Okafor obviously doesn't have Shaq's tools.
It's going to be interesting to see how he does in the NBA because even Al Jefferson is a good shooter. Okafor is kind of like Shaq in terms of bad shooting, but Okafor obviously doesn't have Shaq's tools.
By Dark PhaZeRodeo relax, the winning begins next year. Of course Flip is going to give rookies as much burn as possible in the current situation.At some point, you have to try and change the culture and shutting down Garnett and Pekovic to deliberately play bad players does nothing but perpetuate the cycle that already exists. They're obviously losing on purpose right now and have been for a week and that doesn't do Wiggins or Rubio any good.
I know it should be a lot better next year, with Wiggins improving, Muhammad coming back, a real power forward and a lottery pick, but, hell, watching a team tank, after they spent so much time saying they weren't going to resort to this (wasn't a culture change the reason they brought in Garnett?), I just refuse.
Wolves will gain a stronger fan base when they create a consistent product worth watching.
Also that good ol boys shit you describe sounds Fucking terrible
Also that good ol boys shit you describe sounds Fucking terrible
By Dark PhaZeWolves will gain a stronger fan base when they create a consistent product worth watching.The country club rolls deep. Glen Taylor's kids have high level jobs in the organization (some of their spouses, too), Saunders hired his son as an assistant and his daughter in some kind of front office capacity, the Adelman kids are still clinging to jobs at various levels, too, and they signed some guy to a 10 day contract as a favor to Rob Babcock's agent son. (How the hell is Rob Babcock employed, you ask? He was Kevin McHale's good friend.)
Also that good ol boys shit you describe sounds Fucking terrible
But, yes, the market does respond to a product that's worth watching and always have. The Wolves have some very marketable guys in Rubio and Wiggins and when they win at a decent clip, the people will come back.
By IWMTB19Okafor is a good passer.It's nuts, every game I watch it seems he's black holing it... jacking up shots. I mean in fairness I've only seen 7 of his games, but still.
It's going to be interesting to see how he does in the NBA because even Al Jefferson is a good shooter. Okafor is kind of like Shaq in terms of bad shooting, but Okafor obviously doesn't have Shaq's tools.
The thing I hate about Towns is he doesn't seem like he can move fluidly at all, like he's too janky. He gets pushed out easily and my God, he's always a step late. Either he gains that step somewhere of his instincts need to improve. Other than that, he can definitely pass and people seem to project him as a defensive stopper with more potential than Okafor... I guess.
I don't watch college ball so I never have a good opinion about this stuff but I'm not impressed enough with Okafor or Towns to bet the franchise on either of them.
Okafor doesn't have game outside of 10 feet and Towns seems clunky. The thing is, you never really know how a player develops. Some guys like AD have insane improvement trajectories and other guys like Rondo and DJ stay in the league for years and don't develop a single new discernible skill. If the Knicks didn't DESPERATELY need a starting big, I'd go with the best guard.
Okafor doesn't have game outside of 10 feet and Towns seems clunky. The thing is, you never really know how a player develops. Some guys like AD have insane improvement trajectories and other guys like Rondo and DJ stay in the league for years and don't develop a single new discernible skill. If the Knicks didn't DESPERATELY need a starting big, I'd go with the best guard.
Damn, it's seems like every other game at least 2 or 3 starters on the Hawks are resting. Pop taught Budenholzer well. I'm starting to get excited to watch their playoff run.
edit: Oh wow, Trillsap leads the starting five with 33 MPG. Jesus.
edit: Oh wow, Trillsap leads the starting five with 33 MPG. Jesus.
By dbChris Paul flop extraordinaireWhen floppers collide.
holy bejesus
By thekadDamn how many times have you been lol. Thanks man we'll definitely do the strip club deal
I know this is really late, but I used to go a shit ton. I went a few times a year as a kid for various reasons (with my parents of course). When I was 12 I thought Gameworks was heaven, heh.
I have family out there, it's a short drive for us in SoCal, and have had a few bachelor parties out there the last few years (though it's been over a year since I've been which is uncommon). I might go in a few weeks, actually.
Hope you enjoy it. It's very unlike most of the U.S. and in other ways so much a representation of it.
By dbChris Paul flop extraordinaire
holy bejesus
I'm not sure CP3 flopped here. It's possible that he went to maybe contest the shot or pretend to and then spin away to avoid contact and somewhat lost his footing.
Just looking at how it happened over and over again it seems that he might not have actually flopped.
Then again, it is CP3.
By MambaEh, maybe. I can actually agree. Still, boy who cried wolf and all that.By dbChris Paul flop extraordinaire
holy bejesus
I'm not sure CP3 flopped here. It's possible that he went to maybe contest the shot or pretend to and then spin away to avoid contact and somewhat lost his footing.
Just looking at how it happened over and over again it seems that he might not have actually flopped.
Then again, it is CP3.
By dbChris Paul flop extraordinaire
holy bejesus
Haha damn. He must watch Real Madrid a lot. Great dive
By masudI don't like what I've seen from Okafor or Towns. Give me one of the guards, Johnson or WCS
A lot of signs point to WCS being the pick 4 plan.
By masudI don't like what I've seen from Okafor or Towns. Give me one of the guards, Johnson or WCSYou don't like Okafor and Towns but would rather have Cauley-Stein? Are you mad?
By masudI don't like what I've seen from Okafor or Towns. Give me one of the guards, Johnson or WCS
By VahagnI don't watch college ball so I never have a good opinion about this stuff but I'm not impressed enough with Okafor or Towns to bet the franchise on either of them.If the Knicks draft a guard you'd think they go after Marc Gasol in FA... except that everything points at the fact that Knicks quietly have given up pursuing that avenue. Hell, you don't even need an insanely talented center like Gasol in this offense: it'd just make things so much easier.
Okafor doesn't have game outside of 10 feet and Towns seems clunky. The thing is, you never really know how a player develops. Some guys like AD have insane improvement trajectories and other guys like Rondo and DJ stay in the league for years and don't develop a single new discernible skill. If the Knicks didn't DESPERATELY need a starting big, I'd go with the best guard.
A sidenote to the whole draft question is this: Would the Knicks envision playing Carmelo Anthony heavy minutes at four in the future? Knicks management stated they did't plan to start him at PF this season, but they really never played him there this season at all. He played over 75% of his minutes at SF, which is stunning to me considering his success at playing PF. I point the Bleacher Report last paragraphs...
"Derek Fisher is an extension of Jackson, and Jackson has seldom embraced the stretch-forward effigies that have become so popular—in part because he coached during a different era, but mostly because the triangle offense, which the Knicks aren't exactly running now, calls for frequent elbow action."
Running Anthony at the 4 would be a deviation from this concept, an admittance that the Knicks will butcher and contort and warp the system to meet player needs rather than ask talent to conform.
After suffering through a season like this, an experiment run aground, wholesale changes—unbecoming of Jackson's triangle vision or otherwise—shouldn't be difficult to implement. Especially as they pertain to Anthony.
The Knicks' future is nothing if not insecure. Fixing part of its livelihood to Anthony only makes sense if the aging star is put in position to succeed. Which, in this case, is the power forward position."
The reason I bring it up is it opens up a whole new direction in targeting players if you start Carmelo at PF. You open up another wing spot and narrow the FA big search for a specific type of center -- a mobile, defensive-oriented rebounder who doesn't have to score to make an impact on the game.
Melo is a 4 in todays NBA. The only time the Knicks have not been a terrible team defensively since he's been here is when he plays the 4. This is a perimeter based league, we need perimeter defenders, not Melos slow unaware ass trying to stay in front of faster guys, help, and make rotations out there. That's only gonna get worse with his knees too. When you factor in the advantage he has over 4s on offence it's a no brainer. I'm trying to be patient with Phil and his regeme untill they put together the team they want but they're starting to sound like they have some archaic ideas.
Yup. I want Russel Mudiay or Johnson over him though so I wouldn't take WCS with a top 4 pick.
By DominicanPowerYou don't like Okafor and Towns but would rather have Cauley-Stein? Are you mad?
Yup. I want Russel Mudiay or Johnson over him though so I wouldn't take WCS with a top 4 pick.
Someone on Daily Thunder just reminded me that we offered Reggie $48 million over 4 years this offseason and he turned it down.
*whew* Dodged a bullet there.
*whew* Dodged a bullet there.
pels lost the 8th seed yesterday, if you can't win against Denver then it's not going to happen against the upcoming schedule.
i kinda wanted to see playoff AD.
i kinda wanted to see playoff AD.
By Diprosalicpels lost the 8th seed yesterday, if you can't win against Denver then it's not going to happen against the upcoming schedule.They just need one of the current 8 West playoff teams to regress massively next season. Dallas seems like a likely candidate, although it's hard to see the Pels making much real noise with their ass roster around AD.
i kinda wanted to see playoff AD.
I just did a short bit of research, but there's been something like 4 or 5 near max contracts since 2007 that were 2nd round draft picks...
By KingGondoSomeone on Daily Thunder just reminded me that we offered Reggie $48 million over 4 years this offseason and he turned it down.
*whew* Dodged a bullet there.
Has he been ass? Can't say I pay attention to the East tbh
By Diprosalicpels lost the 8th seed yesterday, if you can't win against Denver then it's not going to happen against the upcoming schedule.They just need to fix the playoff seeding so garbage leastern conference teams don't automatically get playoff spots.
i kinda wanted to see playoff AD.
NBA uniforms will cease to have Adidas' three-stripe logo in 2017.
The German company has dropped its bid to extend its apparel contract with the league and instead will focus on developing new products, endorsing more amateur teams and doubling its roster of NBA players.
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/threads_and_laces/2015/03/exclusive-adidas-drops-nba-bid-redraws-basketball.html?ana=twt
By Dark PhaZeI just did a short bit of research, but there's been something like 4 or 5 near max contracts since 2007 that were 2nd round draft picks…Does this include like Gilbert Arenas and Rashard Lewis, who were once second round picks that signed max deals? Or just guys coming off a cheap rookie deal like Chandler Parsons?
By rodeoclownBy Dark PhaZeI just did a short bit of research, but there's been something like 4 or 5 near max contracts since 2007 that were 2nd round draft picks…Does this include like Gilbert Arenas and Rashard Lewis, who were once second round picks that signed max deals? Or just guys coming off a cheap rookie deal like Chandler Parsons?
To be fair some haven't gotten deals buy they will. Off the top of my head:
Marc Gasol
Draymond Green
Parsons
Whiteside
Middleton
Deandre
Goran
Maybe some I'm forgetting
Ibaka having minor knee surgery.
http://deadspin.com/uh-oh-serge-ibakas-reportedly-having-knee-surgery-1691715855
There aren't many details regarding what exactly is wrong with Ibaka or how long he might be out of action, but ESPN's report describes the procedure as a "clean-out":
Ibaka has missed the Thunder's last two games with what the team has called knee soreness. He will see a specialist for further evaluation, with the expectation for him to have a clean-out procedure in order to be ready for the postseason.
http://deadspin.com/uh-oh-serge-ibakas-reportedly-having-knee-surgery-1691715855
By chicagocubsfanisthemanIbaka having minor knee surgery.Came to post this.There aren't many details regarding what exactly is wrong with Ibaka or how long he might be out of action, but ESPN's report describes the procedure as a "clean-out":
Ibaka has missed the Thunder's last two games with what the team has called knee soreness. He will see a specialist for further evaluation, with the expectation for him to have a clean-out procedure in order to be ready for the postseason.
http://deadspin.com/uh-oh-serge-ibakas-reportedly-having-knee-surgery-1691715855
JESUS CHRIST.
If we overcome all of these injuries and do anything of note in the playoffs it'll be amazing.
By reiloNBA uniforms will cease to have Adidas' three-stripe logo in 2017.
The German company has dropped its bid to extend its apparel contract with the league and instead will focus on developing new products, endorsing more amateur teams and doubling its roster of NBA players.
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/threads_and_laces/2015/03/exclusive-adidas-drops-nba-bid-redraws-basketball.html?ana=twt
More ad space.
By KumaJGKnux, between Canaan and Ish Smith, which one drives the ball better?
Ish.
Canaan seems to fat and slow to actually get by anyone.
Ish cant shoot for shit but can get to the paint at will...has actually be surprisingly ok in his stint here.
Both are 3rd PG off the bench type guys on every other team tho
By psychintellectwhat the, when did ibaka hurt his knee?He's been out for a couple games with "knee soreness" but the news of his visit to NYC and a "procedure" (they're not calling it surgery) broke today.
I'm actually optimistic it could be minor, and we should still make the playoffs assuming KD returns next week... But Jesus. This has to go down as one of the worst-luck injury seasons of all-time.
By masudMelo is a 4 in todays NBA. The only time the Knicks have not been a terrible team defensively since he's been here is when he plays the 4. This is a perimeter based league, we need perimeter defenders, not Melos slow unaware ass trying to stay in front of faster guys, help, and make rotations out there. That's only gonna get worse with his knees too. When you factor in the advantage he has over 4s on offence it's a no brainer. I'm trying to be patient with Phil and his regeme untill they put together the team they want but they're starting to sound like they have some archaic ideas.By DominicanPowerYou don't like Okafor and Towns but would rather have Cauley-Stein? Are you mad?
Yup. I want Russel Mudiay or Johnson over him though so I wouldn't take WCS with a top 4 pick.
Melo at the 4 would be ideal for him but I am pretty sure getting a bigger traditional front court and a SG is going to take priority this Off season.
The knicks already have 2 guys on the roster who can play the 3 in Thanasis and Early. Next year though if Early and Thanasis don't become legit rotation players I wouldn't be surprised if the knicks spend the whole salary bump on a couple of Swingmen to play around Melo. Hell right now the 2016 FA looks like its going to be full of decent Swingmen like Batum, W. Chandler, Turner, MKG and T. Young
By reiloNBA uniforms will cease to have Adidas' three-stripe logo in 2017.
The German company has dropped its bid to extend its apparel contract with the league and instead will focus on developing new products, endorsing more amateur teams and doubling its roster of NBA players.
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/threads_and_laces/2015/03/exclusive-adidas-drops-nba-bid-redraws-basketball.html?ana=twt
Nascar inspired gear here we come.
Stanley Johnson is a Swole Evan Turner who isn't a sociopath (that I know of)
That's ok I guess but not really tank worthy
That's ok I guess but not really tank worthy
By knux-futureStanley Johnson is a Swole Evan Turner who isn't a sociopath (that I know of)
That's ok I guess but not really tank worthy
wait evan turner is a sociopath?
By HasphatsAntsWhat knee surgery ever qualifies as "minor"?Let me have my unrealistic optimism!
I'm gonna be so depressed if we miss the playoffs. What a waste of a season besides the Perk/Reggie trade.
By Zeus Ex Machinaidk about sociopath, he's just really emoBy knux-futureStanley Johnson is a Swole Evan Turner who isn't a sociopath (that I know of)
That's ok I guess but not really tank worthy
wait evan turner is a sociopath?
By masudMelo is a 4 in todays NBA. The only time the Knicks have not been a terrible team defensively since he's been here is when he plays the 4. This is a perimeter based league, we need perimeter defenders, not Melos slow unaware ass trying to stay in front of faster guys, help, and make rotations out there. That's only gonna get worse with his knees too. When you factor in the advantage he has over 4s on offence it's a no brainer. I'm trying to be patient with Phil and his regeme untill they put together the team they want but they're starting to sound like they have some archaic ideas.By DominicanPowerYou don't like Okafor and Towns but would rather have Cauley-Stein? Are you mad?
Yup. I want Russel Mudiay or Johnson over him though so I wouldn't take WCS with a top 4 pick.
Melo at the 4 was good for one season. Which by the way wasn't even the best Melo NY season. KD plays the 3 so does Lebron. The problem isn't Melo as the 3 or the 4, it's everyone around them.
Also, Phil has at times played Artest, Walton and Radmanovic as a 4. So the notion that Phil abhors small ball is absurd. As is the notion that he hates stretch 4's (Kukoc and Odom anyone?)
You don't win 11 chips by refusing to make adjustments or be flexible in your lineups.
Also, so we're clear. Here are some of 4's in the league now. Aldridge, Love, Duncan, Griffin, Ibaka, Bosh, Nowitzki, Pau, West, Millsap, Gortat, Favors, Garnett.
So this "everyone is embracing small ball at the 4" narrative is detached from reality.