By obijkenobiIs OKC the new Portland? :/Wesley Matthews is out for the season and LMA had to put off thumb surgery, so I think Portland is still Portland.
By Zeus Ex MachinaBy 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?
its mostly me joking.
Thanks to his pretty fucked up life growing up (dude almost died like 5 times and shit), he occasionaly comes off as a bit on edge at times. There were moments where he seemed like he was going to snap and shank a ref during his time here tho
ESPN's late game is... Lakers @ Warriors?
Well, at least I don't need to feel conflicted about whether or not I'll stay up tonight.
Well, at least I don't need to feel conflicted about whether or not I'll stay up tonight.
By VahagnAlso, 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.
I think its more so more teams want their bigs to stretch the floor more than playing small ball...it just so happens that stretching the floor more teams to go small for longer stretches as well (and get away with playing tweeners at the 4). This is also helped by the general death of the post up big man and center position in general.
I always said Nerlens might have more potential than Anthony Davis defensively and he might already be as good as him on that end (better?) and this is coming off an ACL tear and not being surrounded by NBA quality talent.
And we drafted Otto Porter.
fuck everything
I remember literally screaming at the top of my lungs when we passed on him.
And we drafted Otto Porter.
fuck everything
I remember literally screaming at the top of my lungs when we passed on him.
Yo, Portland fans, Sabonis' son is playing for Gonzaga in the tourney and he's a projected first-round pick and in the range where Portland is supposed to be drafting.
By IWMTB19Yo, Portland fans, Sabonis' son is playing for Gonzaga in the tourney and he's a projected first-round pick and in the range where Portland is supposed to be drafting.but will they have to wait 7 years to get him?
By Dark PhaZeI always said Nerlens might have more potential than Anthony Davis defensively and he might already be as good as him on that end (better?) and this is coming off an ACL tear and not being surrounded by NBA quality talent.that dude looks and plays like a nba 2k12 2nd round draft pick
And we drafted Otto Porter.
fuck everything
I remember literally screaming at the top of my lungs when we passed on him.
By diehardBy IWMTB19Yo, Portland fans, Sabonis' son is playing for Gonzaga in the tourney and he's a projected first-round pick and in the range where Portland is supposed to be drafting.but will they have to wait 7 years to get him?
Which part about "plays for Gonzaga" did you miss? Did you think Gonzaga is in Russia or something?
By reiloWhich part about "plays for Gonzaga" did you miss? Did you think Gonzaga is in Russia or something?It's a joke bruh.
I've watched him play multiple times.
By knux-futureBy VahagnAlso, 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.
I think its more so more teams want their bigs to stretch the floor more than playing small ball…it just so happens that stretching the floor more teams to go small for longer stretches as well (and get away with playing tweeners at the 4). This is also helped by the general death of the post up big man and center position in general.
Agreed. Also I think for Melo the better reason to play him at the 4 would be to pair him with a guy who could take the tougher defensive assignment at the 3 or the 4 and hide melo. In theory Offensively Melo is going to get his, its Defensively where the knicks would probably want to hide him at the 4 for stretches and there is no point to that unless they have good/great defenders at the 3 anyhow.
By Dark PhaZeI always said Nerlens might have more potential than Anthony Davis defensively and he might already be as good as him on that end (better?) and this is coming off an ACL tear and not being surrounded by NBA quality talent.
And we drafted Otto Porter.
fuck everything
I remember literally screaming at the top of my lungs when we passed on him.
Wtf happened to Otto porter? I really thought he was going to make a leap into at least a reliable rotation player with Ariza leaving and pierce likely not wanting to play heavy minutes and he's just bleh....
Its not that Porter is bad...he's a good defender and he lost minutes to Rasual this year because dude came in and was shooting like 55% from three for a couple of months. Pierce is sitll shooting 46% from the field and 40% from deep...but this is the second time that this has happened since we drafted him. He wasn't able to outplay a prime Ariza last year after coming back from injury and Webster was actually good then too. Each year we just have guys we can plug in that get the job done that prevent his development. With this in mind, why would you not draft Nerlens Noel when we didn't have a center locked up at the time and he looks like the best defensive prospect to come along since AD, potentially even better than AD? Because he couldn't play for a year? You didn't fucking play Otto anyway. Because of an ACL? One ACL tear is like, barely even a thing in pro sports anymore.
I just fucking hate this front office with a passion.
I just fucking hate this front office with a passion.
By DY_nastyNBA Ready = peaked in college
Pretty much.
Evan Turner man... ;_; (I still talk myself into this knowing the Wes Johnson was the next choice and that Doug would have either killed Cousins or been killed by Cousins)
By MorisPhilly robbed us of AD/Noel frontcourt
No one told Demps to trade him for Jrue Holiday's seemingly falling apart corpse.
Most teams passed on Noel because they didn't want to wait a year to see any progress...and considering it took him a half a year to unfuck himself, I wonder if he wouldn't be crying in a car right now in any other situation. There are no expectations to win right now and thus players can figure it out without having the coach call them a bitch and try to eat their souls. Noel definately needs that right now..because some plays dude looks lost. He needs the freedom
Man these Celtics fans making me sick. Saying we should draft a PG after we just drafted Marcus/Young and paid AB. Acting like Evan Turner and Tyler Zeller/ Kelly Olynk good n shit. They're pressed for a tall guards.
By KumaJGMan these Celtics fans making me sick. Saying we should draft a PG after we just drafted Marcus/Young and paid AB. Acting like Evan Turner and Tyler Zeller/ Kelly Olynk good n shit. They're pressed for a tall guards.
I don't get how you guys are winning games. You have a bunch of ok dudes...and thats it. Your have a gdlk coach but still.
and because of that yall can take anybody really. I feel like Ainge will try to package for a star again tho...don't know who.
By DY_nastyNBA Ready = peaked in collegeWhich is also code for old. Wes Johnson was NBA ready because he had an awesome two months at Syracuse as a 23 year old.
By obijkenobiIs OKC the new Portland? :/They'll never reach the depths of our self-loathing pity parade.
By IWMTB19http://deadspin.com/the-nuggets-are-now-shamelessly-tanking-1691772680?Lol wow
If Melo can't defend at an elite level, the Knicks will never be a contending team. There simply aren't that many talented two way players in the league to surround Melo with ace defenders and not suffer on the offensive end.
Melo can guard the 3's just fine if he stops being a lazy ass on the defensive end of the floor and he recovers from his knee injury. If he does neither, NY is hopeless anyway.
Beyond which, the 4's in the league are FARRRRR better offensively then the 3's with the exception of like 3 people. If he can't guard Luol Deng and Trevor Ariza he won't be able to stop LMA or Blake.
If you can't look at the league and see that there are tons of PF's that are bigger, and taller than him and exceptional offensively that he's going to have a nightmare defending and that most people use their 3's as spot up shooters you're letting a false narrative cloud your vision.
So when your other 4 is Bargnani or Amare - yea Melo has a better chance stopping the elite 4's in the league. But if you get a solid defensive 4 and let Melo feast on the 90% of the SF's in the league that are worse than him you'll be fine.
Melo can guard the 3's just fine if he stops being a lazy ass on the defensive end of the floor and he recovers from his knee injury. If he does neither, NY is hopeless anyway.
Beyond which, the 4's in the league are FARRRRR better offensively then the 3's with the exception of like 3 people. If he can't guard Luol Deng and Trevor Ariza he won't be able to stop LMA or Blake.
If you can't look at the league and see that there are tons of PF's that are bigger, and taller than him and exceptional offensively that he's going to have a nightmare defending and that most people use their 3's as spot up shooters you're letting a false narrative cloud your vision.
So when your other 4 is Bargnani or Amare - yea Melo has a better chance stopping the elite 4's in the league. But if you get a solid defensive 4 and let Melo feast on the 90% of the SF's in the league that are worse than him you'll be fine.
By IWMTB19http://deadspin.com/the-nuggets-are-now-shamelessly-tanking-1691772680?And yet the Clippers will still find a way to lose when they play there.
By VahagnIf Melo can't defend at an elite level, the Knicks will never be a contending team. There simply aren't that many talented two way players in the league to surround Melo with ace defenders and not suffer on the offensive end.Yea because Dirk was defending at an elite level back in 11'
Melo can guard the 3's just fine if he stops being a lazy ass on the defensive end of the floor and he recovers from his knee injury. If he does neither, NY is hopeless anyway.
Beyond which, the 4's in the league are FARRRRR better offensively then the 3's with the exception of like 3 people. If he can't guard Luol Deng and Trevor Ariza he won't be able to stop LMA or Blake.
If you can't look at the league and see that there are tons of PF's that are bigger, and taller than him and exceptional offensively that he's going to have a nightmare defending and that most people use their 3's as spot up shooters you're letting a false narrative cloud your vision.
So when your other 4 is Bargnani or Amare - yea Melo has a better chance stopping the elite 4's in the league. But if you get a solid defensive 4 and let Melo feast on the 90% of the SF's in the league that are worse than him you'll be fine.
Melo has shown he can D up when he wants, He needs a defensive big and another wing that is at least above average at D next to him. NY is just too deep in the tank game to worry about building around Melo.
they're projected at like 8th overall right? Is that not good enough for you flunkies?
By IWMTB19http://deadspin.com/the-nuggets-are-now-shamelessly-tanking-1691772680?
they're projected at like 8th overall right? Is that not good enough for you flunkies?
By the time the Knicks' pick will help them win games, Melo is gonna be done. The Knicks should really be looking to trade Melo.
By IWMTB19By the time the Knicks' pick will help them win games, Melo is gonna be done. The Knicks should really be looking to trade Melo.
It really is a shitty situation. Not quite old enough to ignore like Kobe and not young enough that you can tell him to be patience.
What kind of package can NY reasonable ask for when they're trying to be shit?
even with a defensive big man at the 5 and lets say another good defender alternating the 3/4 with Melo. I don't see the knicks deciding to outright to play Melo (or any swingman) at the 4 for heavy minutes through the season and definitely not through the playoffs if they get there.
Shit the only reason the knicks didn't get slaughtered on Rebounds that whole season was Tyson use to swat the ball out to the guards, and that strategy went to hell after teams caught on to it. I mean Melo is a great rebounder for a SF but does anyone want him banging against PF and Centers in the paint trying to get rebounds for 82 games?
So yeah I do think eventually the knicks will go after a 3/4 swingman to play with Melo for Melo to get minutes at the 4 (and probably spot Melo when he's sitting). But that lineup shouldn't be the starting lineup most games, especially if the other team has good rebounders at the 4 and 5.
Shit the only reason the knicks didn't get slaughtered on Rebounds that whole season was Tyson use to swat the ball out to the guards, and that strategy went to hell after teams caught on to it. I mean Melo is a great rebounder for a SF but does anyone want him banging against PF and Centers in the paint trying to get rebounds for 82 games?
So yeah I do think eventually the knicks will go after a 3/4 swingman to play with Melo for Melo to get minutes at the 4 (and probably spot Melo when he's sitting). But that lineup shouldn't be the starting lineup most games, especially if the other team has good rebounders at the 4 and 5.
David Thorpe breaking out scouting skills: Via 2012:
The Knicks could probably get one or two first-rounders and cap relief for Melo. Maybe Chicago would be interested?
That is because Hornets coach Monty Williams has a terrific defensive mind,
…
With a shot blocker like Davis, the Hornets can expand their free-agent search to a big man to pair with Davis. These big men might not be as athletic as Davis but are more capable of scoring: Al Jefferson, Roy Hibbert.
…
Davis is not the kind of talent who projects one day to be a league MVP. Derrick Rose, John Wall and Kyrie Irving all look like better long-term players than Davis.
The Knicks could probably get one or two first-rounders and cap relief for Melo. Maybe Chicago would be interested?
By DominicanPowerYea because Dirk was defending at an elite level back in 11'
Let me just simplify this.
If you're a shit defender, don't ALSO be undersized. If you're a shit defender AND undersized don't ALSO go out of your way to defend the more talent loaded position.
Dirk wasn't undersized when he defended 4's. Melo as a bad defender would be worse as an undersized 4 playing against all star caliber dudes every night than as a properly sized 3 playing against role players most nights.
By RBKAt this point, it's almost worth considering shutting him down this season, and trying to get everything fixed for next year.By MorisHoward gonna miss more than half the season…yeesh.He's finished.
By rodeoclownnever flew barely legal fry cooks to his hotel room eitherBy DY_nastybynum wonHe does have more rings.
By giririsssAt this point, it's almost worth considering shutting him down this season, and trying to get everything fixed for next year.No point in doing that really, the knee is going to continue to deteriorate regardless.
Regardless of rings, Howard is a future HOF...Bynum isn't. The Philly press conference will remain in infamy though.
By MorisMelo has shown he can D up when he wants, He needs a defensive big and another wing that is at least above average at D next to him. NY is just too deep in the tank game to worry about building around Melo.By IWMTB19http://deadspin.com/the-nuggets-are-now-shamelessly-tanking-1691772680?
they're projected at like 8th overall right? Is that not good enough for you flunkies?
By MorisMelo has shown he can D up when he wants, He needs a defensive big and another wing that is at least above average at D next to him. NY is just too deep in the tank game to worry about building around Melo.
You can still build around him but in a small window. It will take luck of course and hope you get the right players in the offseason.
By unknownYou can still build around him but in a small window. It will take luck of course and hope you get the right players in the offseason.
It'll most likely cost NY's immediate future as well.
By RBKBasketball HoF isn't even impressive like that though.By giririsssAt this point, it's almost worth considering shutting him down this season, and trying to get everything fixed for next year.No point in doing that really, the knee is going to continue to deteriorate regardless.
Regardless of rings, Howard is a future HOF…Bynum isn't. The Philly press conference will remain in infamy though.
