Around The NBA : 21-22 Edition

[erlim]

Niko on this team now would be awesome. He'd make a great backup for Vuc. Niko was an improving defender before we moved him. And maybe he'd feel a lot happier with fellow Montenegrin Vuc on the same team. They actually used to play against each other in the Euro Youth circuit when they were younger.

I'd love to have Mirotic back. His skillset would fit in nicely with our current roster. But I fear this ship has sailed although with the current financial issues in Barcelona and some AKME ingenuity ... who knows

Niko is one of those talented International player that just doesn't work out in the NBA. And not because he's not good enough, just can't adjust to culture or life here. Niko got talent, I'm glad he did experience some success in the playoff with The Pelicans.

While our guy DeRozan got snubbed for NBA December Player of the Month, Niko just won EuroLeague December MVP.

Watch on YouTube

He's also voted as EuroLeague most clutch player: https://m.basketnews.com/news-163115-nikola-mirotic-and-barcelona-dominate-euroleague-gms-mid-season-survey.html

He's a superstar there, I don't think he's coming back.

I can’t speak for Niko, but as an American who has moved to Europe, I certainly never ever want to head back stateside. Quality and pace of life is too nice. I mean I’m sure Niko doesn’t really forced to behold the wonders of universal healthcare and public transportation with tremendous infrastructure as a professional athlete,
but regardless, Barcelona is an astonishingly beautiful and wonderful city with perfect weather.

[Howling Mad]

Steph is looking really off the last 15 games or so.

[Bulls2021]

I hate this Nets team more than any LeBron team.

[nitric0]

Do we grab Cousins as a backup big?

[ChiCitySPORTS#1]

Nets would’ve lost this game without Kyrie. This is no bueno for us, they’re going to be too good to overcome IMO. Literal cheat code

[OldSchoolNoBull]

Serious question: given Brooklyn's unique situation with Kyrie, if we ended up meeting them in the playoffs, would we be better off not having HCA? Put another way, would you rather have four games in Chicago against the Nets WITH Kyrie, or four games in Brooklyn against the Nets WITHOUT Kyrie? Just a thought I've been having.

[ImSlower]

I can’t speak for Niko, but as an American who has moved to Europe, I certainly never ever want to head back stateside. Quality and pace of life is too nice. I mean I’m sure Niko doesn’t really forced to behold the wonders of universal healthcare and public transportation with tremendous infrastructure as a professional athlete,
but regardless, Barcelona is an astonishingly beautiful and wonderful city with perfect weather.

Any bars down the street hiring (hypothetical ex-pat) Americans ?

Anyways those damn Nets are going to be really good in the playoffs for three or four away games and still excellent at home as well. I hope every team stays healthy by then and we get some real battles.

[Jcool0]

[Michael Jackson]

Serious question: given Brooklyn's unique situation with Kyrie, if we ended up meeting them in the playoffs, would we be better off not having HCA? Put another way, would you rather have four games in Chicago against the Nets WITH Kyrie, or four games in Brooklyn against the Nets WITHOUT Kyrie? Just a thought I've been having.

Ideally you want to not have HCA in that case. Them as #1 and us at #2. They also know that and they may even play into a 5 seed honestly by the end of the year unless they potentially face the Knicks in the first round (not likely)

[Michael Jackson]

Nets would’ve lost this game without Kyrie. This is no bueno for us, they’re going to be too good to overcome IMO. Literal cheat code

Cheat code? Not really IMHO this was the same team from last year. That being said keeping Kyrie fresh... and he will always be fresh this season is kinda a cheat code.

[Clocian]

Nets would’ve lost this game without Kyrie. This is no bueno for us, they’re going to be too good to overcome IMO. Literal cheat code

I was unimpressed. They were getting blownout til bembry came in and gave them great minutes as evidenced by the team high plus minus.

[Michael Jackson]

Do we grab Cousins as a backup big?

Is he available?

[MGB8]

Nets would’ve lost this game without Kyrie. This is no bueno for us, they’re going to be too good to overcome IMO. Literal cheat code

Absent something weird happening, I can’t see the Bulls getting past the Bucks, and Nets could get there too health and Kyrie depending.

Heck, getting past the Sixers would not be easy, and the Raps look like they are about to surge and we match up poorly against them.

One of the reasons I have little interest in a “big” move that overpays in assets for a player… where 2nd round is likely best realistic end point for these Bulls.

Don’t get me wrong - I love this team and this season, and think they have a “punchers chance,” because they have so many players who can get hot and make stupid shots…. but the East is rough.

[MGB8]

He won a Snelly!

[NecessaryEvil]

Jokic averaging 25 & 18 over the last 5? lord

Wonder what Denver's FO will try to get done at the deadline.

Jokic can't be happy with no Jamal and MPJ possibly out for the season.

[OldSchoolNoBull]

Nets would’ve lost this game without Kyrie. This is no bueno for us, they’re going to be too good to overcome IMO. Literal cheat code

Absent something weird happening, I can’t see the Bulls getting past the Bucks, and Nets could get there too health and Kyrie depending.

Heck, getting past the Sixers would not be easy, and the Raps look like they are about to surge and we match up poorly against them.

One of the reasons I have little interest in a “big” move that overpays in assets for a player… where 2nd round is likely best realistic end point for these Bulls.

Don’t get me wrong - I love this team and this season, and think they have a “punchers chance,” because they have so many players who can get hot and make stupid shots…. but the East is rough.

I don't think I agree with this. I mean, it depends how we define "overpays in assets". I admit that I am less keen on trading Coby than I had been, given the way he's been playing of late. But I'm still absolutely willing to move Pat in a deal if it lands Barnes or Grant, and the money can work if it's Pat, Brown, Marko, and Thomas(I'd include Portland pick if necessary). I probably would not do any more than that, but I would do that.

It's not like the East is going to be dramatically different next season...Durant/Harden/Kyrie will still be in Brooklyn, this Bucks team will still be together, and the Sixers might even be in a stronger position depending on what happens with the Simmons situation.

We have been here before...one the league's best teams with a glaring hole in our starting lineup, and a cheap superteam in our way, and thinking we have plenty of time to make the next moves. I'd rather not make the same mistakes again. If we could have a rotation of

Vuc / Bradley
Grant or Barnes / DJJ / JaVonte
DeRozan / Ayo
Zach / Coby / McKinnie
Lonzo / Caruso

with maybe a Cousins or Tristan Thompson off the buyout heap to bolster backup C? Why wouldn't you put yourself in the best possible position?

Obviously I have no idea if those types of deals are available, but if they were, I'd do it.

I trust AKME right now so if they decide that PWill is too valuable to give up, than I'm ok. But I certainly think there's a very valid argument in favor of making such a deal if it's there. We don't want to shrink from the competition.

[HOTCARL_o]

Do we grab Cousins as a backup big?

Is he available?

Bucks about to waive him for roster flexibility. Do we have a 10 day available since Caruso in protocol? I wouldn’t mind giving him a 10 day to see how he would fit with the team before giving him a contract.

[FriedRise]

Still not scared of the Nets. We have two of the best perimeter defenders who should be able to contain both Kyrie and Harden. Meanwhile, their defense gets even worse with Kyrie playing. KD remains the real problem until we get more DJJ like lanky type players who we can throw at him.

Hope we get Caruso back and can see how we fare against them next week at full strength.

[gf2020hotmail]

Dinwiddie has cleared the protocol and is listed as working on his conditioning. I would assume the Bulls see him Friday. Interestingly enough, Montrez who went into the protocols a few days earlier, is still not out. Montrez would probably hurt us a lot more than Dinwiddie.

I am kind of shocked at the minutes totals tonight from Rockets-Wizards. I know the Wizards still have a lot of guys either injured or in protocols but Kuzma playing 44 minutes and KCP playing 40 minutes makes very little sense to me. Kuzma finally cooled down, went 0 for 8 for three, which is good for Friday.

[Chi town]

Still not scared of the Nets. We have two of the best perimeter defenders who should be able to contain both Kyrie and Harden. Meanwhile, their defense gets even worse with Kyrie playing. KD remains the real problem until we get more DJJ like lanky type players who we can throw at him.

Hope we get Caruso back and can see how we fare against them next week at full strength.

Yep. Only team I’m concerned about is Bucks. Think it would be a great series with them. Bulls can improve a lot between now and playoffs. PW is a wildcard. Trade deadline and waiver wire are too