NBA 2018-2019

ZDwyr said:
Nah. He's been great but plenty have been better. His performances just stand out because he's young.
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Yeah, not this season. His whole team is built for him too, it will be interesting to see how he goes with another ball dominant player at any position on the team.
 
cesc's_mullet said:
Yeah, not this season. His whole team is built for him too, it will be interesting to see how he goes with another ball dominant player at any position on the team.
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Well DSJ is that ball dominant player and he pretty much got stuffed (there are also trade talks as well) because Doncic is simply a better talent.
 
Fracture90 said:
Well DSJ is that ball dominant player and he pretty much got stuffed (there are also trade talks as well) because Doncic is simply a better talent.
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Can't blame them for that, Doncic can take them to places that DJS couldn't. But they won't get anywhere without putting better players around him, and that will be the test for them - to get the chemistry right.
 
cesc's_mullet said:
Can't blame them for that, Doncic can take them to places that DJS couldn't. But they won't get anywhere without putting better players around him, and that will be the test for them - to get the chemistry right.
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But they won't be dumb though, they'll look to improve in F and C areas, where they can get bunch of players that aren't ball dominant. They won't risk with going after ball dominant PG or #3.
 
cesc's_mullet said:
Yeah, not this season. His whole team is built for him too, it will be interesting to see how he goes with another ball dominant player at any position on the team.
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They just drafted him, how is the team built for him?
 
Scarecrow said:
They just drafted him, how is the team built for him?
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Not exactly built for him, I think it's more about that they just let him do his thing, and they're capable of that because they don't have another superstar with special needs or anything in terms of having the ball in his hands or feeding someone else beside Doncic the ball on a frequent basis.

I haven't watched enough of them but I think Atlanta is doing the same with Trae Young, and they can afford it because they're not going anywhere this season anyway. Just let them do their thing, become a bit better, accustomed to the league, and look forward to your high draft pick in the Summer (I thought the Hawks were primed for Zion at #1 but the Knicks and Suns are doing their best to suck even more lately).
 
Not athletic enough they said

• First teenager in NBA history with a 30-point triple-double

• First teenager in NBA history with multiple triple-doubles
 
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Scarecrow said:
They just drafted him, how is the team built for him?
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Maybe I didn't explain myself. The team is centered around him, they've given him the keys already and are letting him to his thing. They've been trying to shift their prize draftee from last season already as they can't work together well enough on the court.

They haven't got any other players that can run the show at the moment. Tudor second best player is Barnes or Jordan, both of which are likely to be moved on.
 
RobinLFC said:
Not exactly built for him, I think it's more about that they just let him do his thing, and they're capable of that because they don't have another superstar with special needs or anything in terms of having the ball in his hands or feeding someone else beside Doncic the ball on a frequent basis.

I haven't watched enough of them but I think Atlanta is doing the same with Trae Young, and they can afford it because they're not going anywhere this season anyway. Just let them do their thing, become a bit better, accustomed to the league, and look forward to your high draft pick in the Summer (I thought the Hawks were primed for Zion at #1 but the Knicks and Suns are doing their best to suck even more lately).
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I agree, that's what I meant.

As for Young - I feel sorry for him, he's been very good this season and is seemingly a much better facilitator than was first advertised. But he will always be compared to Doncic which is not his fault.
 
Jim Beam said:
Not athletic enough they said

• First teenager in NBA history with a 30-point triple-double

• First teenager in NBA history with multiple triple-doubles
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Players with great skill levels and are cerebral in their play can overcome raw physicality. Look at the Joker, Paul Scholes, Tom Brady, Steph Curry, etc. There are many examples, teams just have to take a chance.
 
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RobinLFC said:
Not exactly built for him, I think it's more about that they just let him do his thing, and they're capable of that because they don't have another superstar with special needs or anything in terms of having the ball in his hands or feeding someone else beside Doncic the ball on a frequent basis.

I haven't watched enough of them but I think Atlanta is doing the same with Trae Young, and they can afford it because they're not going anywhere this season anyway. Just let them do their thing, become a bit better, accustomed to the league, and look forward to your high draft pick in the Summer (I thought the Hawks were primed for Zion at #1 but the Knicks and Suns are doing their best to suck even more lately).
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Might sound controversial, but I don't think Trae Young will ever be an All-Star calibre player (well unless he changes anyways). Too much of a chucker.
 
Jim Beam said:
Not athletic enough they said

• First teenager in NBA history with a 30-point triple-double

• First teenager in NBA history with multiple triple-doubles
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This isn't exactly true though. The knock on him was his lack of athleticism but he was a consensus #2 pick (with a lot of people saying he should have gone #1). It's not like they were saying he shouldn't be drafted because he wasn't athletic.
 
Are Lakers going to miss the playoffs? #Pray4Lebron

Warriors now are only one game behind Bucks. Think that they will get the first overall spot in playoffs and so have home advantage in the finals.
 
Revan said:
Are Lakers going to miss the playoffs? #Pray4Lebron

Warriors now are only one game behind Bucks. Think that they will get the first overall spot in playoffs and so have home advantage in the finals.
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Yeah they probably will. I think Bucks can end up with 60 wins but it won't be enough. To be fair Playoffs are pointless this year again in the West, it's only about who gets the right to be spanked by Warriors. Last year Rockets were competitive, there's no such team now so it will be boring like 2016-17. I'll repeat myself but I just wish Durant left already.

As for Lakers it depends on how many games between now and the end of regular season LeBron plays. They are still just two defeats behind Clippers, Spurs and Jazz in the loss column so it's not tragic but I don't think they can lose more than 36-37 games so they basically need to go like 19-13 or better from here. It's doable but not easy by any means. They have apretty brutal stretch in February where they have to play Warriors, Pacers, Celtics and Phila all away and they close out regular season against Thunder, Warriors, Clippers and Jazz which won't be easy on them either. They do have a rather favorable calendar in March but it still includes trips to Milwaukee, Toronto and Utah. It's going to be though.

Jazz have one of the easiest calendars in the league so I have them easily getting to 6th. It's between two LA teams and Spurs for the other two playoffs spots. As fun as Kings have been I doubt they will go above .500 and Pelicans are just hopeless now.
 
ZDwyr said:
This isn't exactly true though. The knock on him was his lack of athleticism but he was a consensus #2 pick (with a lot of people saying he should have gone #1). It's not like they were saying he shouldn't be drafted because he wasn't athletic.
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There were certainly doubts among some teams, scouts and GM-s (not to mention people like Stephen A Smith who was talking his usual bollocks/embarrass himself along with some other journalists) that he might struggle because of that. Of course, he was nailed on to be in top 3 picks, the kid was remarkable in Europe. But, there were some suspiscion how will he handle the transition and NBA-caliber athletes on defense. In the end, there is a reason why Dallas at number 5 managed to get him.

Overall, teams pay too much attention to athleticism. Just that quality put Hezonja at number 5 in the draft without accomplishing anything of note in Europe and being a fringe player for Barcelona.
 
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cesc's_mullet said:
Players with great skill levels and are cerebral in their play can overcome raw physicality. Look at that Joker, Paul Scholes, Tom Brady, Steph Curry, etc. There are many examples, teams just have to take a chance.
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He is also 6'9 230. It is weird when we discount the athleticism of NBA players when everyone in the NBA is a freak of nature of some sort.
 
Shocked Davis would treat the Pelicans organisation like this. I guess this is what happens when you align with Rich Paul.
 
JoaquinJoaquin said:
Shocked Davis would treat the Pelicans organisation like this. I guess this is what happens when you align with Rich Paul.
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WTF do you mean treat the Pelicans organization like this?

He stayed there for 7 odd years, and one season aside they never managed to surround him with a team that would make some noise in the playoffs, nevermind be a genuine contender.
 
The Red Viper said:
WTF do you mean treat the Pelicans organization like this?

He stayed there for 7 odd years, and one season aside they never managed to surround him with a team that would make some noise in the playoffs, nevermind be a genuine contender.
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It's true for the most part, but they did get Cousins, Holiday, Randle and Mirotic.
 
The Red Viper said:
WTF do you mean treat the Pelicans organization like this?

He stayed there for 7 odd years, and one season aside they never managed to surround him with a team that would make some noise in the playoffs, nevermind be a genuine contender.
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Well as in leaving them in the lurch right near the Trade deadline. Meaning they are probably going to have to take a crappy trade deal. He could of done this last Summer and the Pelicans would of had time to get the best possible deal. Now they have just over a week.
 
JoaquinJoaquin said:
Well as in leaving them in the lurch right near the Trade deadline. Meaning they are probably going to have to take a crappy trade deal. He could of done this last Summer and the Pelicans would of had time to get the best possible deal. Now they have just over a week.
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They won't trade him now. Their best trade partner are Boston and they cannot make a deal now, a deal right now is out of question unless they are going to take 50 cents on the dollar - which they most likely won't.

They somehow need to get out of this without trading him now. Lakers are the only destination now and any deal they would offer would be just pure garbage for NO.
 
Sarni said:
They won't trade him now. Their best trade partner are Boston and they cannot make a deal now, a deal right now is out of question unless they are going to take 50 cents on the dollar - which they most likely won't.

They somehow need to get out of this without trading him now. Lakers are the only destination now and any deal they would offer would be just pure garbage for NO.
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They could do a lot worse than Ingram, Ball and a complementary piece imo.
 
RobinLFC said:
They could do a lot worse than Ingram, Ball and a complementary piece imo.
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That's just shite. Two players who have been underwhelming since they came into the league and no future assets because Lakers pick are worthless. That's a garbage offer to rebuild around.

Phila have an outside shot IMO. If they are willing to build a deal around Simmons and future picks (Miami 2021 is tasty) then they could at least get New Orleans to sit down and talk. Rooting for this, a core of Davis, Butler and Embiid could beat Warriors.
 
Lakers would have to offer Ball, Ingram and Kuzma. Throw a pick(s?) in there too.
 
Sarni said:
That's just shite. Two players who have been underwhelming since they came into the league and no future assets because Lakers pick are worthless. That's a garbage offer to rebuild around.

Phila have an outside shot IMO. If they are willing to build a deal around Simmons and future picks (Miami 2021 is tasty) then they could at least get New Orleans to sit down and talk. Rooting for this, a core of Davis, Butler and Embiid could beat Warriors.
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That's the best thing NOLA can do for the future of their franchise. I fear for them if they don't get a potential marquee piece in exchange.
 
Davis is a top 5/10 player, and none of the young players at LA will ever reach those heights.

If you want the best now then you've got to pony up. Otherwise Boston will be in the mix next year and suddenly your chances of landing him have really diminished. Boston can offer more/better deals.
 
JoaquinJoaquin said:
That's the best thing NOLA can do for the future of their franchise. I fear for them if they don't get a potential marquee piece in exchange.
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Yup. Getting underwhelming players like Ball (who doesn't want to be anywhere but LA) or Ingram would just sentence them to mediocrity forever and probably mean relocation of that franchise.

Simmons is a great fit. If they could tank for the rest of season and get a top 8 pick, drop some salary and sign some shooters they could be in playoffs contention as early as next year IMO with a team built around Simmons, Jrue and Mirotic. They really cannot afford to tank for multiple years as that virtually makes it certain that they move the team from New Orleans.
 
cesc's_mullet said:
Davis is a top 5/10 player, and none of the young players at LA will ever reach those heights.

If you want the best now then you've got to pony up. Otherwise Boston will be in the mix next year and suddenly your chances of landing him have really diminished. Boston can offer more/better deals.
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Yes, Boston will have a lottery pick from Kings this upcoming draft, will own a very tasty Memphis pick that won't convey in 2019 but will in 2021 at a very high position probably and could send one of Brown or even Tatum. I honestly believe Boston would not even hesitate to include Tatum in a deal if they were convinced AD would stay. Ainge loves him.
 
I don't really understand how trades work, because you'll need to match salaries as well, right? So how do you value picks in that regard?

Let's say Boston will try to build a package that includes Hayward. Is that "impossible", since he's due to make 6 million or so more than Davis?

If they try to build a deal around Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart, they're still 6 million short of Davis salary. If you include two picks in that deal, how does that change the whole salary issue?
 
Sarni said:
Yes, Boston will have a lottery pick from Kings this upcoming draft, will own a very tasty Memphis pick that won't convey in 2019 but will in 2021 at a very high position probably and could send one of Brown or even Tatum. I honestly believe Boston would not even hesitate to include Tatum in a deal if they were convinced AD would stay. Ainge loves him.
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Yeah Ainge is ruthless. If Tatum, Brown and a sweetener gets it done then he will pull the trigger.
 
JarleA said:
I don't really understand how trades work, because you'll need to match salaries as well, right? So how do you value picks in that regard?

Let's say Boston will try to build a package that includes Hayward. Is that "impossible", since he's due to make 6 million or so more than Davies?

If they try to build a deal around Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart, they're still 6 million short of Davis salary. If you include two picks in that deal, how does that change the whole salary issue?
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You need to match salaries, I think the rule is that incoming salaries cannot be more than 125% plus $100,000 of outgoing salaries unless the team is under the cap. Picks are considered as zero salary.

Boston can make the deal financially but they cannot have Davis on the team until Irving is re-signed because you cannot trade for two designated players. Irving was a designated player and they have traded for him, if he re-signs then he is no longer a "designated player they had traded for" and opens up the possibility of getting AD. They are virtually 100% unable to trade for AD before Summer but nothing preventing them from making a deal in July.
 
Shut him down for the rest of year and then listen to offers in the offseason, that's they only choice here for Pelicans.
 
Sarni said:
I'm not sure. Phila probably have to realize that Simmons, Butler and Embiid are not the best fit.
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Butler isn't going to stay IMO. You don't trade out one of the elite young talents when you're trying to build something.

Simmons, Butler and Embiid would fit better than Butler, Davis and Embiid anyway IMO.

Who handles the ball with the second three? Davis and Embiid occupy the same space on the court, unless you're pushing one out to the arc. Embiid doesn't seem to like doing that.

Phili need shooters and a much deeper bench. They've got no one beyond four of their starters, and a developing Shameet and Bolden. Their big three carries them hard.
 
Sarni said:
You need to match salaries, I think the rule is that incoming salaries cannot be more than 125% plus $100,000 of outgoing salaries unless the team is under the cap. Picks are considered as zero salary.

Boston can make the deal financially but they cannot have Davis on the team until Irving is re-signed because you cannot trade for two designated players. Irving was a designated player and they have traded for him, if he re-signs then he is no longer a "designated player they had traded for" and opens up the possibility of getting AD. They are virtually 100% unable to trade for AD before Summer but nothing preventing them from making a deal in July.
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But even in the summer, they'll struggle to build a package salary wise, no? I understand the whole designated player thing, what I don't understand is how they'll be able to package a deal without sending half of the team to the Pelicans.

A deal with Smart, Rozier, Brown and Tatum is about even, with 26m to Davis 25m. And including Hayward seems impossible with his salary, and the same can be said about Horford.

So a deal with Brown, Rozier and Smart comes up 6m short of matching salaries, but if you throw two picks in, how are the picks valued? Do they affect the salary matching at all?
 
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