NBA 2018-2019

[Enigma_87]

Why would KD want to leave or Golden State to trade him?

They are by far the best team and Curry and Klay seems pretty ok with KD being the main man.

 

[Revan]

Why would KD want to leave or Golden State to trade him?

They are by far the best team and Curry and Klay seems pretty ok with KD being the main man.

GSW cannot do anything if he wants to leave, he'll be a free agent in the summer. Him wanting to leave is apparently cause he wants to be the main man (again), and maybe cause of problems with Green.

Actually, Steph is the main man most of the time. Just that in playoffs he 'bottles it' quite often and forgets to shoot when defences are for real, and then organically KD becomes the main man by virtue of being the only attacking player in the team who can produce 30+ points per match.

I agree that the best solution is for the partnership to continue. Knicks are shit, and even with KD and Irving, there will be Bucks, 76ers and Raptors (if Kawhi stays) who will be better in the East.

 

[Sarni]

Well even if he doesn't sign they will obviously try to sign someone else and will have a better team than the one that will play now

They don't have cap flexibility to go for anyone significant, unless they rescind Thompson which they obviously won't.

I think the best target for them would be Covington, excellent defender who can shoot threes at a good rate. They can work out a trade to get him. Out of this years free agency I would expect them to go for Bogdanovic, Green, Ross, Aminu or Oubre. All are good wings who can shoot the ball, most of them can defend, and should be attainable with mid-level exception ($9million per year or so). Brook Lopez is a good shout too.

 

[Ayush_reddevil]

They have the Bird rights of KD, they won't have the Bird rights of some other superstar. Obviously, they'll sign someone else, but from free agents, only AD and Kawhi are on KD's level.

So how does this performance without Kd in the next two games tell them anything really ? KD is the best in the league and obviously they want him back but if he wants to go then they will get a decent replacement and so the team will definitely be stronger than the one playing the Rockets in the next 2 games

 

[Revan]

So how does this performance without Kd in the next two games tell them anything really ? KD is the best in the league and obviously they want him back but if he wants to go then they will get a decent replacement and so the team will definitely be stronger than the one playing the Rockets in the next 2 games

If they lose, then they should do anything possible to resign him. Make him their leader, super-max and so on.

They will be stronger than the team facing Rockets, but as @Sarni said, they won't be able to sign anyone significant. There are second-tier players which they might sign, but that won't be near enough to replace KD.

 

[Enigma_87]

GSW cannot do anything if he wants to leave, he'll be a free agent in the summer. Him wanting to leave is apparently cause he wants to be the main man (again), and maybe cause of problems with Green.

Actually, Steph is the main man most of the time. Just that in playoffs he 'bottles it' quite often and forgets to shoot when defences are for real, and then organically KD becomes the main man by virtue of being the only attacking player in the team who can produce 30+ points per match.

I agree that the best solution is for the partnership to continue. Knicks are shit, and even with KD and Irving, there will be Bucks, 76ers and Raptors (if Kawhi stays) who will be better in the East.

Yeah, but where will he go? As you said Knicks would really be improvement on his stature at GSW all things considered. They still need to resign Klay as well.

There is some talk on trading Green anyway, but surely GSW should do everything to retain him and not let him off walk for free.

 

[Revan]

Yeah, but where will he go? As you said Knicks would really be improvement on his stature at GSW all things considered. They still need to resign Klay as well.

There is some talk on trading Green anyway, but surely GSW should do everything to retain him and not let him off walk for free.

Ideal-case scenario is for Dubs to keep all of them. It can be done, but they need to pay an insane amount of money in tax luxury, and hope that Klay and Green don't finish in All-Nba teams/DPOTY cause they they would also be eligible for super-max.

 

[Sarni]

Yeah, but where will he go? As you said Knicks would really be improvement on his stature at GSW all things considered. They still need to resign Klay as well.

There is some talk on trading Green anyway, but surely GSW should do everything to retain him and not let him off walk for free.

They should actually trade Green away if they can get a good piece back. If they don't they will have to give him max in 2020 and there's no way he will be very good 2-3 years from now, so they'll be stuck with an overpaid aging player.

 

[Revan]

They should actually trade Green away if they can get a good piece back. If they don't they will have to give him max in 2020 and there's no way he will be very good 2-3 years from now, so they'll be stuck with an overpaid aging player.

What could they get for him though? Probably Brandon Ingram would be the best they can get (with a first round pick or Hart). Don't see Washington trading Bradley Beal for him, and no way are Pelicans parting ways with Davis for Green, Bell/Looney and picks.

But yeah, a 35 years old Green getting paid 40m is insane. At the same time, if the team wins another title or two, it might be worthy to keep everyone.

 

[Sarni]

What could they get for him though? Probably Brandon Ingram would be the best they can get (with a first round pick or Hart). Don't see Washington trading Bradley Beal for him, and no way are Pelicans parting ways with Davis for Green, Bell/Looney and picks.

But yeah, a 35 years old Green getting paid 40m is insane. At the same time, if the team wins another title or two, it might be worthy to keep everyone.

Not sure what they can get back indeed. Nothing spectacular for sure, I'm not so sure teams will be bidding against each other to get him.

Chris Paul is such a dreadful contract BTW. If they don't win a title this year, it will be $190million or so down the drain.

 

[Ayush_reddevil]

Was listening to a podcast yesterday and they made such a great point about just how intense this Rockets - Warriors series is and how you have to be a certain kind of player or you just can't stay on the floor at all . Warriors have no one outside 5/6 players who can play even 2 minutes at the moment and Rockets are also getting only 7/8 players playing. There is no time at all for most of the role players to get a chance , this series will break this two teams physically

 

[Sarni]

Was listening to a podcast yesterday and they made such a great point about just how intense this Rockets - Warriors series is and how you have to be a certain kind of player or you just can't stay on the floor at all . Warriors have no one outside 5/6 players who can play even 2 minutes at the moment and Rockets are also getting only 7/8 players playing. There is no time at all for most of the role players to get a chance , this series will break this two teams physically

That's why I'm annoyed at the fact Blazers will probably not make it past Denver. We could have a go at either of them in conference finals.

I think Bucks are going to have plenty of fun with whoever gets out of West.

 

[Enigma_87]

Ideal-case scenario is for Dubs to keep all of them. It can be done, but they need to pay an insane amount of money in tax luxury, and hope that Klay and Green don't finish in All-Nba teams/DPOTY cause they they would also be eligible for super-max.

Klay probably should IMO. If they keep him for another year or two they could complete 4-5 in a row. They will still probably walk their division in the next couple of years if they keep 3 of them.

They should actually trade Green away if they can get a good piece back. If they don't they will have to give him max in 2020 and there's no way he will be very good 2-3 years from now, so they'll be stuck with an overpaid aging player.

Agree that they should actually trade Green, now than later, even if the bustup with KD, means keeping the latter on the base of keeping the harmony in the roster.

 

[Bobski]

I love Giannis, total breathe of fresh air when compared to some of the other entitled spoiled brats who have failed in these playoffs. Guys like Westbroook, Irving, no self awareness, ego centric to a fault, only want to win if they can be the man. Then you have Giannis, unselfish, team orientated, trusts his teammates and lets them play their game, a true leader, values winning over stats, a quality that is all too rare among star names.

 

[Sarni]

Klay probably should IMO. If they keep him for another year or two they could complete 4-5 in a row. They will still probably walk their division in the next couple of years if they keep 3 of them.



Agree that they should actually trade Green, now than later, even if the bustup with KD, means keeping the latter on the base of keeping the harmony in the roster.

I think Kawhi goes to Clippers and if Durant by some miracle follows him they'll be the team to beat.

 

[Sarni]

I love Giannis, total breathe of fresh air when compared to some of the other entitled spoiled brats who have failed in these playoffs. Guys like Westbroook, Irving, no self awareness, ego centric to a fault, only want to win if they can be the man. Then you have Giannis, unselfish, team orientated, trusts his teammates and lets them play their game, a true leader, values winning over stats, a quality that is all too rare among star names.

I agree, impossible to not like Giannis. He's a great character and an amazing player.

He could average triple double easily if he focused on that. In fact he could probably have a 30 - 15 - 10 season.

 

[charlton66]

The euphoria has worn off a bit after last night's big win and in the calm, cool collected way of the morning after, this is going to be a tough road from here on out. If the bench were a bit stronger I'd still make the Warriors slight favorites but it's probably going to be a 6/7 man rotation for most of the game and the core players have already played extended minutes. Definitely tough!


On another subject.....

If KD misses the next two games, this will actually be a very good test for Warriors to see if they need to do whatever it takes to re-sign him, or they can still be awesome without him.

Have you not been following the goings on with Durant's free agency? Joe Lacob would give his left testicle to re-sign KD. This is not down to the Warriors. If KD decides to stay management will give him the keys to the Chase Center. The ball is in KD's court now and has been for months.

 

[Revan]

I think Kawhi goes to Clippers and if Durant by some miracle follows him they'll be the team to beat.

Would that even work? Aren't they were similar players, as in both are good at iso, both are very efficient shooters, both need the ball with Kawhi not being a good playmaker while KD is good but not great at it. A partnership between them won't bring the best of either of them IMO.

 

[charlton66]

You really don't leave any chance for anyone to root for Warriors after coming in here, do you.

Hey, if the Warriors are going to be the villains of the NBA, I might as well try and do my part.

 

[freeurmind]

Way too much Austin Rivers for the Rockets last night. D'Antoni has to figure out how to keep Capela on the floor defensively. Their rebounding can't handle him not being there. Big game Klay showed up last night, theyre going to need more of the same to close this series out if KD can't go. Hupe opportunity for Houston imo if he doesn't come back, won't get a better chance to beat the Warriors.

The Buck's bench is terrifying. With Brogdon back and home court, I can't see them not beating Toronto

 

[Sarni]

Way too much Austin Rivers for the Rockets last night. D'Antoni has to figure out how to keep Capela on the floor defensively. Their rebounding can't handle him not being there. Big game Klay showed up last night, theyre going to need more of the same to close this series out if KD can't go. Hupe opportunity for Houston imo if he doesn't come back, won't get a better chance to beat the Warriors.

The Buck's bench is terrifying. With Brogdon back and home court, I can't see them not beating Toronto

They are so deep indeed. So happy for our guy Pat Connaughton who has been tremendous so far, and George Hill who has had amazing playoffs. Mirotic was a ridiculous pick up too, second year in a row he's key for his new team in their playoffs success. This is not the year for them to contribute in the playoffs heavily but Sterling Brown and DJ Wilson can come off the bench anytime and be good as well. Not sure if Pau Gasol has anything left in the tank. Tim Frazier is so cool too.

Their bench would just kill Warriors. They'd need to keep their S5 on the floor for 44 mins each minimum to have a chance in these series. Try playing Livingston or McKinnie and you will get slaughtered.

 

[Sarni]

Would that even work? Aren't they were similar players, as in both are good at iso, both are very efficient shooters, both need the ball with Kawhi not being a good playmaker while KD is good but not great at it. A partnership between them won't bring the best of either of them IMO.

They'd be ridiculous defensively and I think you can easily get away with Kawhi at 3 and KD at 4.

With available cap space I think you might be better off signing one of them and then handing out deals to two other players, e.g. Middleton and another. Assuming Middleton gets $22million to $25million a year I think Clippers could theoretically get Kawhi and him without letting Gallo go. Then add Brook Lopez with MLE and you have a contender right there, and a team that Kawhi will happily join I think. Their young core is super exciting already with SGA, Shamet, Robinson, Harrell and Zubac. They'll for sure be one of my teams to follow next year, I've been rooting for them ever since I went to their game against Dallas, they just seem to have this great underdog vibe to them and the fact nobody cares about them in LA makes it even more fun to see how successful they've been recently.

 

[Enigma_87]

They'd be ridiculous defensively and I think you can easily get away with Kawhi at 3 and KD at 4.

With available cap space I think you might be better off signing one of them and then handing out deals to two other players, e.g. Middleton and another. Assuming Middleton gets $22million to $25million a year I think Clippers could theoretically get Kawhi and him without letting Gallo go. Then add Brook Lopez with MLE and you have a contender right there, and a team that Kawhi will happily join I think. Their young core is super exciting already with SGA, Shamet, Robinson, Harrell and Zubac. They'll for sure be one of my teams to follow next year, I've been rooting for them ever since I went to their game against Dallas, they just seem to have this great underdog vibe to them and the fact nobody cares about them in LA makes it even more fun to see how successful they've been recently.

Thing is KD, Steph and Klay fit very, very well. The owners also love KD so they will probably do anything what it takes to make him stay. Klay is fantastic in defence and well suited to more inferior role, Curry isn't as ball dominant as Westbrook for example and generally KD won't currently find the same environment elsewhere. He shines in the Playoffs and will play at a brand new stadium next year.

Depends on KD and his goals I guess, but if he's after getting more rings I think staying with the Dubs is his best bet.

 

[Revan]

They are so deep indeed. So happy for our guy Pat Connaughton who has been tremendous so far, and George Hill who has had amazing playoffs. Mirotic was a ridiculous pick up too, second year in a row he's key for his new team in their playoffs success. This is not the year for them to contribute in the playoffs heavily but Sterling Brown and DJ Wilson can come off the bench anytime and be good as well. Not sure if Pau Gasol has anything left in the tank. Tim Frazier is so cool too.

Their bench would just kill Warriors. They'd need to keep their S5 on the floor for 44 mins each minimum to have a chance in these series. Try playing Livingston or McKinnie and you will get slaughtered.

Boh.

If KD is back, Warriors will be favourites in every bookie, while you are making like Bucks will be absolute favourites here. It doesn't matter that they won by 20 points in Oracle (and lost by 10 at home), no one cares about regular seasons. Bucks best opportunity to win the title is if KD doesn't come back in next 2 games, and then Rockets finish Dubs.

 

[Sarni]

Thing is KD, Steph and Klay fit very, very well. The owners also love KD so they will probably do anything what it takes to make him stay. Klay is fantastic in defence and well suited to more inferior role, Curry isn't as ball dominant as Westbrook for example and generally KD won't currently find the same environment elsewhere. He shines in the Playoffs and will play at a brand new stadium next year.

Depends on KD and his goals I guess, but if he's after getting more rings I think staying with the Dubs is his best bet.

I don’t really care much about the discussion about why he should stay because he just simply won’t stay. It’s just a matter of where he lands next and I think Knicks are the best bet but Clippers seem to have a small chance.

 

[Sarni]

Boh.

If KD is back, Warriors will be favourites in every bookie, while you are making like Bucks will be absolute favourites here. It doesn't matter that they won by 20 points in Oracle (and lost by 10 at home), no one cares about regular seasons. Bucks best opportunity to win the title is if KD doesn't come back in next 2 games, and then Rockets finish Dubs.

Of course Warriors will be favourites but Bucks with homecourt advantage will have a great chance of beating them. They match up very well and have always caused them trouble, even back when they weren’t this amazing. Remember who beat Warriors first in that 73-win season.

It’d be 60/40 Warriors at best in my opinion and if Bucks can win conference finals as easily as they won the previous two rounds, then maybe even 50/50 as fatigue will come into play.

I'm not really making them competitors for Finals because of regular season results, these don't matter that much I agree. It's about how they match up.

 

[Enigma_87]

I don’t really care much about the discussion about why he should stay because he just simply won’t stay. It’s just a matter of where he lands next and I think Knicks are the best bet but Clippers seem to have a small chance.

Interesting. IMO leaving them now would be wrong career move. Neither of those teams will battle for the championship straight away and he can end up like LeBron at Lakers.

 

[kouroux]

This is a great opportunity for Giannis and the Bucks I feel. Their star player is tough to slow down but their bench is what impresses me the most.

 

[kouroux]

I agree, impossible to not like Giannis. He's a great character and an amazing player.

He could average triple double easily if he focused on that. In fact he could probably have a 30 - 15 - 10 season.

I like him even more after the various things he said about teaming up with superstars to win and also how he refused to be part of Space Jam 2 I find the way he keeps working and improving his game very fascinating, he's getting closer and closer to become a decent mid and long range shooter. He's soon to be unstoppable (he already kinda is)

 

[adexkola]

Any chance of Durant making it back before game 7?

 

[stepic]

Interesting. IMO leaving them now would be wrong career move. Neither of those teams will battle for the championship straight away and he can end up like LeBron at Lakers.

he has his rings. he wants the respect of being the main man, and he will never get that with the Warriors. it will always be Steph's team, even though Durant is way better than Curry.

 

[Revan]

I like him even more after the various things he said about teaming up with superstars to win and also how he refused to be part of Space Jam 2 I find the way he keeps working and improving his game very fascinating, he's getting closer and closer to become a decent mid and long range shooter. He's soon to be unstoppable (he already kinda is)

If he really becomes good at shooting, then RIP the rest of the league. Could easily become the most dominant attacking force since Shaq (of course in a totally different way), while being a terrific attacker.

 

[Jim Beam]

Would that even work? Aren't they were similar players, as in both are good at iso, both are very efficient shooters, both need the ball with Kawhi not being a good playmaker while KD is good but not great at it. A partnership between them won't bring the best of either of them IMO.

Think they would work much, much better then Kyrie and Durant. Now that would be iso all game long. Clippers already have a very good team, healthy organisation, an excellent coach. Both proved they can work in a collective and probably the most important thing and coming back to coach, they would have Doc Rivers. He is just fantastic with shifting players in and out of position and would make them work while also being able to bring very best from not so big players. He is also very good defensive coach, now add Kawhi and Durant to that and I think they would be front runners next season. Certainly in top 3 depending on how the rest would shape up.

Actually think Durant and Kyrie could be a massive disappointment.

Interesting games tonight. Curious to see how 76ers and Blazers will react to heavy loses in game 5. Thought both games would go to game 7, not so sure anymore. If I had to bet think it could be end of the road for Blazers (even though I like them a lot).

 

[ArseHat]

I like him even more after the various things he said about teaming up with superstars to win and also how he refused to be part of Space Jam 2 I find the way he keeps working and improving his game very fascinating, he's getting closer and closer to become a decent mid and long range shooter. He's soon to be unstoppable (he already kinda is)

He has that old school mentality. Declined work out invitations from Lebron, KD, Harden, Melo, and other current NBA players in the summer, because it didn't make sense for him to become "buddy-buddy" with them when he'll have to try to kick their asses during the season. Decided to work out with Kobe instead, showing up three hours early to prove to Kobe that he was serious about getting better. Certainly a player you can get behind.

 

[Sarni]

Any chance of Durant making it back before game 7?

Very slim. These tend to be at least 7-10 days if it's grade 1. You could maybe push to 5 but that would be big risk, especially with his upcoming free agency (then again they could really need him).

If it's grade 2 then 4-6 weeks so not even back for conference finals or the first games of the Finals.

 

[Sarni]

Interesting. IMO leaving them now would be wrong career move. Neither of those teams will battle for the championship straight away and he can end up like LeBron at Lakers.

If he joins Clippers along with Kawhi, they will battle for championship straightaway. Knicks with him and Irving, not so sure. I'd actually say they'd be better off with him and Kemba, and trying to acquire Davis via trade (if they land no. 1 pick that's going to become super interesting). Kemba, Davis and KD would be lethal.

I guess Boston will go even harder to acquire AD now, which could backfire. The picks they can offer are not so amazing anymore, all of a sudden, unless Kings somehow get drawn into lottery (but not no. 1).

 

[adexkola]

Very slim. These tend to be at least 7-10 days if it's grade 1. You could maybe push to 5 but that would be big risk, especially with his upcoming free agency (then again they could really need him).

If it's grade 2 then 4-6 weeks so not even back for conference finals or the first games of the Finals.

Damn.

Normally I'd still back the Warriors but they've sacrificed so much depth to get KD. Without him it'll be an uphill battle.

 

[giorno]

he has his rings. he wants the respect of being the main man, and he will never get that with the Warriors. it will always be Steph's team, even though Durant is way better than Curry.

Have you been paying attention to these playoffs?

 

[mav_9me]

Without KD I think the warriors are done against the rockets and even if they make it through the rockets without KD they are not winning it. They just don't have the depth.

As pointed out by someone else already these games against the rockets are so intense. And the warriors rotation is even shorter than the rockets. Remember last year how the rockets just played I think 6 guys. They are doing a better job with rest for Harden this year.

I haven't seen the bucks much this year, so I don't know much about them. It looks you guys all favor the bucks against the rockets? Come to think of it who would guard Giannis? PJ Tucker maybe?

 

[adexkola]

Without KD I think the warriors are done against the rockets and even if they make it through the rockets without KD they are not winning it. They just don't have the depth.

As pointed out by someone else already these games against the rockets are so intense. And the warriors rotation is even shorter than the rockets. Remember last year how the rockets just played I think 6 guys. They are doing a better job with rest for Harden this year.

I haven't seen the bucks much this year, so I don't know much about them. It looks you guys all favor the bucks against the rockets? Come to think of it who would guard Giannis? PJ Tucker maybe?

I'd love to see him try