From Distance: Vlogging Kawhi to the Clippers
2019-07-06four point play….
1. I wanted to wait for Leonard’s decision before From Distancing it up this week. Boy, am I glad I did.
2. The Clippers got the job done late last night, signing Kawhi Leonard and acquiring Paul George via trade.
Wow.
3. I give my initial reactions to the NBA landscape altering event in this week’s Vlog.
4. What do you think? If you had to rank the fortunes of the teams involved, who would you have on top?
Here’s a trade that could work for Miami and OKC:
Miami gets: Westbrook
OKC gets: Tyler Herro, Olynyk, Dragic, a 2025 Miami 1st (unprotected)
http://tradenba.com/trades/HypgUj-WB
Then maybe OKC could do this trade:
Cavs get: Roberson, Patterson, an OKC 2024 top 5 protected 1st rounder
OKC gets: JR Smith
http://tradenba.com/trades/ByX5eIFxB
That is a bit absurd. No one is trading more that a second just to get 9 mil in cap relief. Especially a first that isn’t lottery protected from a rebuilding team. Only way you might get a first, let alone anything else for the measly 9 mil you could cut now is as a facilitator/salary match for a desperate team in a sign and trade.
His contract isn’t that valuable outside salary match s and t scenarios. Otherwise it would be gone by now.
Wishful thinking I suppose.
I have put out more than a number of trades that fall into that category the last few weeks. But pretty convinced now that his contract isn’t that valuable in a vacuum.
https://twitter.com/Krellbombs/status/1148593740304572417
https://twitter.com/SpikeEskin/status/1148354269743144961
INTERESTING / HOPEFUL COMMENTS ABOUT WINDLER —” SHOOT THE …….BALL “……..BELIEVE HE HAS SOME SIMALARITIES TO ‘SMOKIN JOE HARRIS “——-MIGHT TAKE 2-3 YRS TO BE A COMPOTENT NBA PLAYER —-BUT HEY THAT IS OUR WINDOW OF EXPECTATIONS TO COMPETE / ABOUT 3 YRS—SO BE PATIENT / COACH THESE KIDS / HOPEFULLY REAP THE REWARDS !!!
I don’t think Harris was as good as a shooter coming into the NBA.
He was. Watched him play at Virginia.
I think he certainly is now. But when he played for the Cavs, he did not look as precise as Windler is now.
He simply didn’t get playing time nor the FGAs he needed to develop confidence in Cleveland. He’s always been a dead-eye shooter.
Hoping that in Windler, we are staring at the next La Flama Blanca. It’s a shame Korver isn’t on the team to train him as a protege.
He theoretically could be. Getting waived I believe. Of course, he will almost certainly go to a contender.
My friend sent this to me – the entire story and the comments are hilarious
https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/carv59/kyrie_once_purposely_avoided_and_ignored_calls/
The Cavs should have never let Handy go.
https://twitter.com/oldseaminer/status/1148473160574144512?s=19
I think OKC wants to do right by Russ, since he has been loyal to the franchise his entire career. Plus they can also get away with a lesser package since they already received The Kings Ransom from the Clippers. I think at this point it’s going to be a trade to Miami, since Westbrook has indicated that’s where he wants to go.
https://twitter.com/oldseaminer/status/1148463909608853504?s=19
I don’t think Thunder are getting assets for Westbrook
I don’t think they trade him without assets coming back. Also I think teams that want Russ probably don’t care about picks. They would totally be in win now mode.
No way wolves sending a first and second to us plus teague expiring, plus two firsts to OKC. Think a second and teague is more realistic. Don’t think wolves are that desperate to put Russell on a team that already has wiggin’s contract
https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1148407781097136129?s=20
https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1148429199222292481?s=20
https://twitter.com/maxacarlin/status/1148422376415256576
That was sick
NO is gonna be good!
Reminds me of the Tom Chambers dunk on Mark Jackson.
https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1148390348361625600?s=20
https://twitter.com/cavs/status/1148401336859238400?s=20
😁😁 😁
https://twitter.com/BillyReinhardt/status/1148378080840433665?s=09
Mitrou-Long is a bit of a ball hog. Doesn’t read the floor well at all. He should be finding shots for Windler, and instead he tries to shoot it every time. Missed a wide open Bolden in the paint.
He went 3-14 from the floor… He shoots bad shots, and takes shots away from Windler, who can shoot it… and Windler’s not a ball hog… he passes to a fault.
Yeah, I get he’s trying to make a team, but he’s really just not good enough…no shame in that, lot of good players can’t make the NBA, but no one is tuning in to watch the Naz show…
yeah…. I guess he would’ve been s 2nd stringer at least if Garland was playing.
https://twitter.com/GwashburnGlobe/status/1148401587733200896
Windler’s got 15 in the middle of the 3rd quarter, 3-4 from 3! 4 rebounds and 2 assists to top it off.
Bolden looking good again too!
I can’t watch tonight, but it’s cool that Bolden is looking decent…he might be someone they will play this year…
He can play defense, hustle, and is a big body. But he useless outside of the paint on offense. He can finish strong sometimes off of o-rebounds.
Can’t watch tonight either, but it sounds like he can’t rebound.
WINDLER’S BALLING!!! TWO THREES COAST TO COAST DRIVE! GREAT ASSIST!!!!
ARCH I WAS THINKING THE SAME / RHJ—-ONLY 1 YR CONTRACT SO MAYBE NEXT SUMMER
What’s the point of summer league?
https://twitter.com/BR_NBA/status/1148335323161776128?s=20
Teams are afraid of rookies showing any warts. Real reason Garland, Porter Jr, Culver, Zion not playing.
Dumb. You’ll see all their warts soon enough. And at least they get some development prior to that so that they don’t have as many warts to see by the regular season.
I think it’s going to become more and more this, until only career G leaguers and international players who are borderline NBA prospects are playing summer league…unless/ until the NBA steps in. And they might, because they want SL to be a thing. Ain’t gonna be a thing with a bunch of G leaguers on the court.
I wonder if it’s because (I’m guessing) players aren’t technically getting paid to play SL.
The Raps got RHJ at the league min. Wish we could’ve grabbed him at that price.
Yeah, lets see how long this lasts…
https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/1148303242977140736
Sayonara ‘load management’.
They don’t have a ton of choice unless they want to go something like Rondo or Cook, Green, James, AD, Cousins.
Personally I would see if I could convince AD to play 5 and lbj to play 4 most of the time and go, Rondo or Cook, Green, Kuzma, James, AD. That lineup would be pretty fantastic. Won’t happen though.
LeBron hates bringing the ball up the court. I give it 2 weeks before he starts subtweeting.
He is the PG on every team he has been on since around 2006. This is not news.
It only means Rondo is not going to start. Which may be smart.
James, KCP, Green, AD, Cousins.
Main bench: Rondo, Kuzma, McGee
I may be forgetting someone.
Something like that lineup, I’m sure. Also, Rondo absolutely sucks. He might try harder in the playoffs, but he’s still not good. And this team’s perimeter defense other than Green is going to be a disaster.
THANKS ARCH –( I THINK )– FOR THE COMPLIMENT ; )
https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/1148291658619899904?s=20
https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/1148297739123474433?s=20
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1148272246852505601?s=20
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1148287970509672448?s=20
So much for the KD, Russ, Harden, Ibaka dynasty that never happened.
All gone soon.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1148274909455380483?s=20
Twitter Laker fans are crowing about this…hilarious. From what serious people who have really watched Bradley the last two years have reported previous to this signing, Bradley looks forked, especially defensively. Gotta say, I love most of these Laker scrub signings. They really just need Melo now.
Green is about the only quality piece. Cook and Cousins aren’t bad pickups. It was DMC’s first year back. He likely will never be that good again, but maybe he can be a decent low post scoring punch. Davis sort of helps defensively with him. I dunno. They will have to have one of Davis or LBJ in most lineups. Doubt they care about finishing higher than 4th in the regular season, so both guys likely get a bunch of rest. If healthy and not burnt out they will be able to make waves in the playoffs. It is a… Read more »
For all of us wishing for Clarke based on SL performance, we should all remember how good Orange Mamba looked.
Man, I wish the Cavs would either play their rookies or make a trade. This has been an incredibly boring off-season.
I understand that the Cavs are over the tax line, but why not try to take on the Suns Josh Jackson, which Phoenix sent to Memphis for peanuts? Or they could’ve gone after TJ Warren, which the Pacers got for the 32nd pick in the draft?
The Cavs gotta take advantage of dumb teams, not become one of them.
IMO, neither of those players are worth giving up anything to get them. Warren’s not a good defender, and Jackson’s awful on the offensive end. Maybe if you could fuse the two together lol.
The Suns just wanted to cut salary.
Wade is a rookie.
Naz isn’t but has been very good in SL. Someone besides Delly who can run P&R would be nice.
Some serious pick collection going in OKC:
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1148238946976976896
WOW… that’s a great pickup for Denver…. Grant’s just coming into his own this past year and at the beginning of the prime ages.
Eventual replacement for Millsap. And much cheaper. If Porter can stay healthy, lookout.
I disagree that he’s Millsap’s replacement. They have a gaping hole at the SF spot, that’s what he’s going to do until they’re sure Porter’s ready is my guess.
Perhaps small ball big I guess… but he’s not the post-defender and rebounder Millsap is.
Porter is the SF is he can stay healthy.
Happy Paul George Day in OKC!
I TRIED TO USE THAT ” LOAD MANAGEMENT ” EXCUSE ON THE MRS NOMAD —PERTAINING TO THE ” HONEYDO LIST ” ——–SHE JUST LAUGHED AND WALKED AWAY : ( .
Nomad, you are a national treasure!
*sigh*
https://twitter.com/BallSac19/status/1148090873252474886?s=19
Double Sigh!!!!
We should have made the deal with Miami & taken Clarke.
https://twitter.com/BernieKosarQB/status/1147978690841731079?s=20
Beautiful!
ANYBODY WATCH THE GAME TONIGHT ——WHY DIDN’T WINDLER PLAY ?
https://twitter.com/ChrisFedor/status/1148002416295473152?s=20
It’s missing arms…
https://twitter.com/AmicoHoops/status/1147994222420795392?s=20
This will help Miami shed some salary.
http://tradenba.com/trades/SJpILMg-r
Here is one that works for Westbrook to Okc with JR helping. Dunno if it is enough for OKC. Or if we would want to do it. But it works. Problem is Miami has traded so many picks, hard to send multiple firsts to okc because of stepien.
http://tradenba.com/trades/By3y1QgWS
Didn’t the Heat trade Olynyk to the Mavs?
Don’t remember. Could substitute someone else. Just picked someone who made salary match.
That whole trade got confusing. Because Dallas pulled out, but then I thought they got in. I think you’re right, and Olynyk is still on the Heat.
I’d need more that herro
Yeah. Unfortunately I don’t think they have enough picks to give any to us after taking care of okc. Maybe you could snag Bam too or someone like that. Probably would need to be a fourth team.
Anyone paying attention to the Bucks roster?
Oh brother…
x2…
(See what i did there?)
I fear for the innocent mascots of the nba.
Go get em’ Lakers
https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1147245828400177152?s=20
Ellis is exactly what they need. And Melo.
Not sure why NBA teams would entertain this. I’d rather look at an undrafted FA or hungry G-leaguer.
DITTO WHAT DASPEC90 POSTED —CONGRATS TO USA WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM !!!
https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/1147915216296009729?s=20
Tip of the cap to the US women in the World Cup and to Rose Lavelle (from Ohio) with the awesome clinching goal!
Yep, Cincy girl. She also won 3rd for tournament MVP (Bronze Ball).
IF THAT HAPPENS -DOES THAT PUT THE ROCKETS RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE CLIPPERS / LAKERS ?
I don’t think so. How they going to share the ball? All three of CP3, RW, and Harden need the ball to be their most effective.
I thought the rumors were that CP3 and Harden had soured on each other?
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1147863651426152450?s=20
I want no part of Russ or Wiggins. Hard pass.
Lakers: Rondo, Green, Bron, AD, Boogie
Reserves: Cook, KCP, THT, Kuzma, McGee, Caruso
That is not terrible. If they walk into Korver, Iggy, or JR or another ring chasing vet, that depth will be pretty good.
Agree with you on Wiggins and/or Westbrook. Either team would have to surrender multiple years of draft picks for me to consider.
The NBA will be exciting next year, as it’s fairly wide open.
Yep. Boogie, AD, and Rondo showed they could play well together. They will be fine.
So
Westbrook
Sexton
Cedi
Love
Nance
???
https://twitter.com/criscarter80/status/1147398638638968833?s=20
the cavs wouldn’t be stupid enough to mortgage the future on westbrook, would they? that is just insane..
No, I don’t think they are that stupid. Wiggins, maybe, because he’s still young and they can make a stupid argument that he can improve a lot, but not RWB.
Wiggins can’t hold West’s jockstrap. I would give up 2-3 first round picks for West.
It sounds like the Heat want Westbrook.
Heat or Twolves are the only ones that make any sense to me.
Lot of discussion about how good Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be for the Thunder. I can’t remember: Was he being considered by the Cavs in the last year’s draft? Any chance he will be better than Sexton?
Yes to both questions. There were several on this blog who wished we drafted SGA over Sexton at the time – not sure if they still feel this way.
I absolutely love his game. He is a winning player already. Better than Collin by light years as a two way player, and could have put up bigger offensive numbers had he been on a terrible team.
I hope the Thunder don’t let Westbrook ruin him.
SGA is a better player right now. Dunno if he will end up being so. Didn’t know much about him last year, save that J. West was really high on him before the draft, which pretty much meant that going into the draft in my mind he was a very good prospect.
Word was that SGA didn’t want to go to Cleveland. Wouldn’t work out for them…
SGA besides being a good player is a guy whose role on a good team is easy to visualize. Sexton is a weirder player, and his fit on a playoff team isn’t obvious.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1147579959222898688?s=19
PLAYMAKERZZ!!
https://twitter.com/davidaldridgedc/status/1147580519141576704
Only instead of Moore, they have LeBron. If Boogie can get healthy, this team might be the West’s answer to Philly’s size.
Small could be dead.
That’s like saying if Kevin Love can stay healthy… or AD…
BOTH OF YOU MAKE VERY GOOD / SOLID POINTS——-JUST READ WHERE WESTBROOK IS NOW MEETING WITH OKC PERSONNELL—–I CAN IMAGINE IT IS ABOUT TRADING HIM—–IF SO WHICH TEAMS WILL BE LINING UP TO TRADE FOR HIM / WHICH TEAMS ARE CAPABLE OF TAKING OVER HIS CONTRACT——————–AND YES I DO BELIEVE THE NBA KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SUPERSTARS ‘ FORMING ” THEIR ‘AAU –SUPER ” TEAMS ……………JUST WONDER IF THIS ISN’T THE REASON MIROTIC DECIDED TO FORGO THE NBA AND RETURN TO THE EURO LEAGUE ……………..YES ON THE LAKERS SIGNING “BOOGIE ” / NOW GO AFTER MELO ……………..CAN… Read more »
A lot of people predicted this would happen when the NBA came out with the ‘super max’. That players would sign one, then demand a trade a year or two later. I’ve said here before, contracts are two way — the player AND owner are bound by them.
I can’t imagine teams will be lining up to take RWB’s contract. Not many teams can even manage it within the CBA. I’ve heard Miami, but how? Maybe Twolves where they trade Wiggins’ contract for a worst contract.
Regarding Mirotic, apparently his wife wanted to return to Europe.
Let’s be real. Wiggins is still a worse contract.
I would say RWB’s is far worse than Wiggins. One could argue that RWB’s is the worst contract in the league, but at least bottom 2-3. Check out the numbers. He’s due 47 freaking million dollars in four years, or whenever, when he’ll probably be injured or on severe decline. Wiggins’ deal can’t touch that.
Wall is probably the worst in the league. But RWB’s advanced stats are still more positive last year than Wiggin’s will likely ever be. You can cite the eye test, but it is very unlikely in my mind someone puts up that much of a positive BPM while being a true negative contributor. RWB is still a net positive. A number one guy on a contender? No. A number two? Maybe not even that without a crazy good team based around a bunch of shooters. But I am fairly certain he is better right now than Wiggins will ever be.… Read more »
It doesn’t matter that he’s better than Wiggins. That contract will cripple any team that takes it. Wiggins just has a more run of the mill terrible contract. Wall’s and CP3’s (since CP3 is older) are the only contracts in the same league.
If you’re having a player suck up that much of the cap, he’d better be someone who can carry you.
Wall’s contract is a bigger albatross than Russ. Russ is still a good player at least. Maybe Wall and a ton of picks for Westbrook. Provided OkC truly wants to start from scratch and doesn’t mind waiting to move Wall’s gigantic expiring until the summer of 2022 or midway through the 2022-2023 season. He will pick up his player option in the summer of 2022. Book that.
Or maybe Minny moves covington, a pick, and teague or Covington, wiggins, and a couple picks for Russ since they missed on delo.
There was some discussion on Cleveland sports radio with pros and cons on if the Cavs should try to trade for Westbrook. Pros: former teammate of Love’s, probably not getting someone of his caliber in free agency, have the expiring contracts to make the money work if thunder really want to just shed salary and restart Cons: He’s already 30, has a massive contract and can’t shoot. Probably would have to ship out one of either Sexton or Garland. Hijacking the development of our young players too. I think the Thunder would get better offers than what the Cavs can… Read more »
https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/1147579047355883521?s=19
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1147575087140417536?s=19
Not surprising.
I think this is the most discouraged I have been as a fan of a small market team in a long time. The GSW All Star team was an abomination and I’m glad it has been disbanded, but this year’s free agency period has officially dashed my hopes of ever winning another chip in CLE. Or MEM or MIL or PHX or SAC or IND or NC or DET or OKC or NO or anywhere other than LA, NYC, MIA or BOS. I typically don’t root in the interests of billionaires, but I also don’t like falling for the marketing… Read more »
I’ll say I agree with a lot of what you say. But Raptors can’t really be mad since they knew going in trading for him was a risk. A risk that paid off. The trade paid off, so him going elsewhere doesn’t matter. They got their ring. They’re also proof that teams typically considered second teir destinations can succeed both via the draft and by going all in when the time is right. And the lakers/Clippers didn’t have to wait for Kawhi and Toronto couldn’t really sign anyone anyway. DG was gone if Kawhi was gone, so they couldn’t have… Read more »
I think Toronto took a smart gamble and won. That still doesn’t mean that the game isn’t rigged for the haves/glamor markets.
Agreed OKC got a haul, still won’t be a contender for years. Especially now with super LA #1 & #2, & super BKN.
Chemistry and fit will be the mitigating factors on who wins the next couple years, but we’re still looking at small markets being used as pawns/trade fodder, with nothing but scorched earth leftover scraps to fight over, or having to win the lottery.
I think counting either LA team or Bkn as super teams is a risky proposition. Lbj is old. AD is injury prone and hasn’t been able to carry a team yet. They are thin elsewhere. Kawhi and PG will both be older by the time their contracts are up. Kawhi may always have injury/chronic issues w/ his thigh. PG could get old quick. Irving isn’t enough and is injury prone. Jordan isn’t very good anymore, and who knows whether KD comes back good enough to carry them. TBH I think the sixers have as good of a chance as either… Read more »
It’s a dual edged sword – the best players are going to have the most power since they generate the most revenue. The interest generated by player movement and rumor mills keeps the league front and center nearly year round. LeBron’s power can be annoying as fans of a team but there’s no way players like TT, Mozgov, Delly, Shump, JR get the 8 figure contracts without Lebron’s push for player/his own empowerment. The big markets will always be a draw but just in this decade, Dallas, San Antonio, Cleveland and Toronto have won chips. Small market teams just have… Read more »
I AM GOING TO TAKE A “WILD ” GUESS ——-CLIPPERS / LAKERS WIL PLAY ON NATIONAL TV ON CHRISTMAS DAY ——-WHAT ARE THE VEGAS ODDS ON THAT ——-” ALL IN —-TO CASH IN “
VERY GOOD POINTS JASON—LET’S HOPE SO FOR T.T. / J.R. —–WANT TO HOLD OFF WITH KLOVE -(UNLESS IT IS AN OUTRAGEOUS OFFER ———–WHAT CAN YOU GIVE US PORTLAND )——–WOULD LIKE TO SEE KLOVE IN BEILEIN’S SYSTEM FOR AWHILE ———–HOPING HE STARTS OUT LIKE ALL STAR KLOVE / INCREASES HIS VALUE EVEN MORE
One good thing about things being so wide open is that a lot of teams may think one more piece could really help them win it all.
TT just got more valuable. Love as well. And maybe cap space for a move next year (JR, Knight).
No one wants TT
So, who do you want to see fail the most, part deux:
A. Lakers
B. Warriors
C. Celtics
D. Nets
E. Someone else
Lakers forever and always.
Lakers, considerable gap, then Celtics.
I would vote Lakers as well. The Celtics have already kinda failed in a sense – they went from being the sexy team with all these young players/assets and have become just a solid team that nobody is really scared of unless Tatum/Brown make significant strides forward.
Celtics until the city of Boston is a pile of smoldering ashes. Lakers will be average, Nets will be terrible, Clippers will be annoyingly good but it’s going to take more time for me to build up a respectable hate.
Yeah. It is tough. I actually like most of the guys on the Celtics, but Boston fans are terrible and I am still scarred by 2007.
Ben I am scarred by 2007 and almost more by 2010 Celtics. That was supposed to be our year.
Warriors, Celtics, Nets (but they will fail without me putting any of my rooting energy in to it this year. Next year I need to root against them though to make sure Cupcake Durant fails again).
I’m pulling for LeBron and the Lakers; he deserves another championship.
I still despise the Rockets and Harden/Paul. I laugh every time Rockets fans think Harden is going to show up in the playoffs.
CLIPPERS FANS SHOULD BE UPSET WITH D GREEN FOR TAKING SO LONG TO SIGN WITH THE LAKERS : )
LOL Nomad you are a card.
Laker fan is upset that Iggy hasn’t signed with the Lakers yet, despite the fact that he’s under contract with the Grizz. Just buy him out already, Grizz, so Laker fan can get what he’s owed.
PRAYERS GO OUT TO CARLOS CARRASO / DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA
Jeese. Second that.
Also, lot of Laker fans are pretty ticked, calling Kawhi every name in the book for ‘screwing’ them. GTFO here, idiots. You have arguably the most incompetent franchise over the last ten years, and you back into Lebron and AD. And you missed the playoffs with Lebron, a historic performance. You deserve absolutely nothing.
The idea that Kawhi was the guy that “screwed” them is insane. His delay in decision had nothing to do with them. Everything to do with landing PG. Also FAs can take as long as they want. Why should he speed up his choice just to benefit them? Just an example of how oblivious they are to their own entitled and narcissistic mentality. A fair number of comments on silver screen and roll read have the same tone as a spoiled brat complaining to their rich parents: “Waaaaaaah! Daddy, mommy, give me money to shop at Prada on Rodeo drive!… Read more »
Takes a lot to top Celtic fans when it comes to insufferable entitlement, but Laker fan manages to never disappoint. Hope their season craters.
Celtics fans at least don’t expect every star FA to come there or that every team and player should be doing the lakers a favor.
Also RWB to Wolves for Wiggins makes some sort of sense. No idea if either team would be interested. The more potential suitors for Wiggins the better.
Thank god we can watch the NBA for a change with no contrived stacked teams. Thank you Kawhi. Hope the Lakers throw $12 mill at Melo.
Aren’t the Clippers a contrived, stacked team?
Right? It sounds like Leonard and PG conspired to play together. At least it ain’t the Lakers, but it’s still shady leveraging a trade from your current team to go play with someone else.
They also gave up a haul that in a vacuum is worth 3x more than PG alone. They gave up the most assets in history. I actually think they may come to totally regret that. They have to win a ship and one of their two stars will be like 34 by the time his deal runs up. So yeah contrived, but they paid an absurd amount to create that team. Biggest overpay in history. I would be ecstatic if I was an OKC fan today. Jumping for joy. They could flip half that deal tomorrow for a second star… Read more »
Not at the level at the KD Warriors, or the potential Lebron/ AD/ Kawhi Lakers. No more contrived and stacked than a lot of other teams out there. Which is the point.
No more than 2015 Cavs.
I LIKE WHAT THE BLAZERS HAVE DONE THIS OFF SEASON—AND STILL MIGHT DO THIS SUMMER / DURING THE SEASON
Trading for Whiteside is hard to like. I thought Layman had good moments as well. Aminu will be missed on D. We shall see.
Apparently Whiteside is close with “best teammate ever”, Dame. Maybe Whiteside responds more to positive reinforcement teammates instead of the Heat’s culture. It is an expiring deal, so it isn’t a bad gamble.
I agree that the Layman move is a bit puzzling, but it seems that he was going to get a bigger deal than Portland was willing to give. Still, I like him more than Hood going forward, regardless of Hood’s playoff success.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see something like this sometime this season.
https://tradenba.com/players?tid=25&tid=6
Whoops, I mean this.
http://tradenba.com/trades/HkjE0wAlH
I AM WITH JMAY ( AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS ) ——ANY TEAM BUT THE LAKERS —THANK YOU KAWHI !!!
As usual, when Chris Broussard reported a few days ago that the Clippers were out of contention for Kawhi, I knew they were the favorites.
Great Vlog Ben. Thank goodness Kawhi didn’t go to the Lakers. So pleased. That Clippers five-man lineup is going to be really nasty and I can’t wait to watch. I’d say they’ve got the best chance at being #1 going forward.
Ain’t the league great when there is some balance? Hopefully we’re forever past the Warriors “dynasty”
Oops, forgot Utah & Milwaukee.
Early West: Clippers, Lakers, Jazz, Nuggets, Rockets, Blazers, Warriors (up when Klay returns), Spurs.
Early East: Bucks, Sixers, Celtics, Nets, Pacers, Raptors, Heat, Pistons.
Kawhi + PG > LBJ + AD. At least at this stage. But it is close. YMMV. And the rest of the Clips > the rest of the Lakers.
1. Clippers
2. Lakers
3. Warriors
4. Sixers
5. Nuggets
Clippers, Lakers, Nets, Thunder.
With the caveats that Lakers may yet pull more talent on board to combat Clippers roster (promote to 1st), and the Nets may implode in a singularity black hole event due to locker room toxicity (demote to 4th).
The team dynamic of the Nets is going to be deliriously fun to watch. My morbid curiosity will be fully engaged. Two talented but quirky superstars. Amp up the pressure of winning with their reputations as players on the line. It’s going to be fascinating. Remember how Kyrie apparently went around the league telling other players how it sucked to play with Lebron? I wonder how the mercurial Durant will react to the same treatment.