The Around The NBA Thread

[Michael Jackson]

Will never forgive the Bulls for winning meaningless games when Ja Morant, Luka Doncic, and Trae Young were there in the top 5

Ja wasn't in the same draft as Luka and Trae.

They didn't tank either year when they should have. They won a handful of meaningless games both years when the goal should have been being one of the 3 worst teams in the NBA. And I heard a bunch of people claiming that it's ok they were winning because you don't want to establish a losing culture. Well all 3 players just won playoff games yesterday and the Bulls still can't make a 20 team playoffs.

Atlanta is the fairest comp in that because Dallas and Memphis both were better culture teams. Atlanta was not. Atlanta also hs to breathe a sigh of relief all the time that Trae has been as good as he is, because if he wasn't they would be murdered for trading out of Luka. As mentioned the Bulls weren't looking at either of them and that's why they are so awful...

[Michael Jackson]

One hell of an opening weekend though. I am still not sure which team is really good. I mean the Nets are a good guess but every team looks beatable so far.

[Am2626]

Will never forgive the Bulls for winning meaningless games when Ja Morant, Luka Doncic, and Trae Young were there in the top 5

Let’s hope we aren’t saying the same thing now which will happen if the Kings or Pelicans get a top 4 pick instead of the Bulls. Keeping my fingers crossed that this terrible scenario doesn’t play out.

[Am2626]

Will never forgive the Bulls for winning meaningless games when Ja Morant, Luka Doncic, and Trae Young were there in the top 5

Either will Paxson. He would still have his job

He would because the team would be better. Remember stepping down was 100% his idea. He would still have this job if he wanted it.He was never fired.

[Michael Jackson]

Will never forgive the Bulls for winning meaningless games when Ja Morant, Luka Doncic, and Trae Young were there in the top 5

Either will Paxson. He would still have his job

He would because the team would be better. Remember stepping down was 100% his idea. He would still have this job if he wanted it.He was never fired.

He wasn't fired but he was forced to step aside. I think he wanted that too but if he didn't I think Michael was going to do his thing and he has revamped everything since then. They are trying to distance themselves from the GarPax era as much as possible. I don't know that they are doing a better job with it, but for optic reasons they are trying to bury that regime. Jerry turned his interest away from the Bulls fully on to TLR and Mikey wanted to make his stamp on this era. Paxson was given a saving face way to bow out (which he wanted anyway)

[MrFortune3]

Ja wasn't in the same draft as Luka and Trae.

They didn't tank either year when they should have. They won a handful of meaningless games both years when the goal should have been being one of the 3 worst teams in the NBA. And I heard a bunch of people claiming that it's ok they were winning because you don't want to establish a losing culture. Well all 3 players just won playoff games yesterday and the Bulls still can't make a 20 team playoffs.

Atlanta is the fairest comp in that because Dallas and Memphis both were better culture teams. Atlanta was not. Atlanta also hs to breathe a sigh of relief all the time that Trae has been as good as he is, because if he wasn't they would be murdered for trading out of Luka. As mentioned the Bulls weren't looking at either of them and that's why they are so awful...

Atlanta mixed and matched with their players though. They went high risk in Trae and Collins while going safe with Hunter.
They didn't stand pat, they took guys and made sure to develop them and also went out and got a key guy in RFA.

With that said, they can also thank the heavens for the Pacers parting ways with Nate McMillan. Him taking the assistant gig under Pierce and replacing him has been the spark they needed to elevate themselves. Moreover, now you have the conundrum of what to do.
You can't replace McMillan because they've taken to him so well but if you don't believe he's the right guy then you set the team back unless he continues and helps get them over several playoff humps.

[kulaz3000]

The Heat are getting spanked.

[HomoSapien]

If the Heat get swept, I could see Butler either demanding a trade or being shopped especially if the rumors Shams talked about were true. If Butler becomes available, I wonder if AK would have interest in bringing him back.

[kulaz3000]

If the Heat get swept, I could see Butler either demanding a trade or being shopped especially if the rumors Shams talked about were true. If Butler becomes available, I wonder if AK would have interest in bringing him back.

Sorry, I may have missed this, but what rumours?

[SalmonsSuperfan]

If the Heat get swept, I could see Butler either demanding a trade or being shopped especially if the rumors Shams talked about were true. If Butler becomes available, I wonder if AK would have interest in bringing him back.

I kinda doubt Butler moves next year/this offseason. They did go to the finals last year and they're missing a key player in oladipo. beyond that, he has 2 years left on his contract after this season and the second season is a player option. I just think he could wait a season and opt out if he was really disgruntled. probably gets more money and can go to a team without gutting its roster.

[SalmonsSuperfan]

If the Heat get swept, I could see Butler either demanding a trade or being shopped especially if the rumors Shams talked about were true. If Butler becomes available, I wonder if AK would have interest in bringing him back.

Sorry, I may have missed this, but what rumours?

he was 'testy' with his teammates. sports journalism at its finest.

[kulaz3000]

If the Heat get swept, I could see Butler either demanding a trade or being shopped especially if the rumors Shams talked about were true. If Butler becomes available, I wonder if AK would have interest in bringing him back.

I kinda doubt Butler moves next year/this offseason. They did go to the finals last year and they're missing a key player in oladipo. beyond that, he has 2 years left on his contract after this season and the second season is a player option. I just think he could wait a season and opt out if he was really disgruntled. probably gets more money and can go to a team without gutting its roster.

Isn't Victor a free agent though? And he decline a 20 million per year (or something close), from the Rockets, so not sure they would be willing to retain him for that amount.

Plus, I'm taking the bubble play with a massive grain of salt. Those were unusual circumstances for a lot of teams.

[HomoSapien]

If the Heat get swept, I could see Butler either demanding a trade or being shopped especially if the rumors Shams talked about were true. If Butler becomes available, I wonder if AK would have interest in bringing him back.

Sorry, I may have missed this, but what rumours?

I’m told there have been some very, very testy moments behind the scenes between Jimmy and their coaching staff and the roster at different points. So how will they be able to navigate that over the course of the year it transpired, and they are going to the playoffs.

Not saying it's a smoking gun or anything like that, but if there's underlying tension it will only be exacerbated by a sweep.

[kulaz3000]

If the Heat get swept, I could see Butler either demanding a trade or being shopped especially if the rumors Shams talked about were true. If Butler becomes available, I wonder if AK would have interest in bringing him back.

Sorry, I may have missed this, but what rumours?

he was 'testy' with his teammates. sports journalism at its finest.

This is just him at, and you either accept him for how he is, or you don't. He isn't the first star player who have been testy with teammates, and certainly won't be the last. They have a good management group there, unlike what the Bulls have had, so I'm sure they will be fine.

[Am2626]

Either will Paxson. He would still have his job

He would because the team would be better. Remember stepping down was 100% his idea. He would still have this job if he wanted it.He was never fired.

He wasn't fired but he was forced to step aside. I think he wanted that too but if he didn't I think Michael was going to do his thing and he has revamped everything since then. They are trying to distance themselves from the GarPax era as much as possible. I don't know that they are doing a better job with it, but for optic reasons they are trying to bury that regime. Jerry turned his interest away from the Bulls fully on to TLR and Mikey wanted to make his stamp on this era. Paxson was given a saving face way to bow out (which he wanted anyway)

I’m including an article where Michael Reinsdorf is quoted as saying that Paxson came to them the previous December stating that he believed that he was no longer the right person for the job. Paxson initiated the process. That is when the new Front Office Search Officially started. If Paxson wanted to still be the GM he would still have this job today. I guess Paxson could no longer handle the intense criticism from Media and Fans but he had 100% backing from the Reinsdorf’s.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bulls/ct-chicago-bulls-gar-forman-john-paxson-20200413-vkhskgygcvelxb5nzyet4med5e-story.html%3foutputType=amp

[kulaz3000]

If the Heat get swept, I could see Butler either demanding a trade or being shopped especially if the rumors Shams talked about were true. If Butler becomes available, I wonder if AK would have interest in bringing him back.

Sorry, I may have missed this, but what rumours?

I’m told there have been some very, very testy moments behind the scenes between Jimmy and their coaching staff and the roster at different points. So how will they be able to navigate that over the course of the year it transpired, and they are going to the playoffs.

Not saying it's a smoking gun or anything like that, but if there's underlying tension it will only be exacerbated by a sweep.

As I said in my other post, this is just who he is. And I'm sure it's not the first time he has shown this side since his time with the Heat. They have a real solid group, from management, down to coaching staff, I'm sure they will get a handle on the situation.

That said, I will say though, he does seem to act a little like someone who is a championship player but isn't, and this may fall of deaf ears from teammates if he is constantly chirping like he is.

I will say though, again, the Heat are one of the better organisations in this league, so if the Heat can't handle a player like Butler, there won't be many teams that will. I think they will be fine though, and move on from it, whether they get swept or not.

[SalmonsSuperfan]

If the Heat get swept, I could see Butler either demanding a trade or being shopped especially if the rumors Shams talked about were true. If Butler becomes available, I wonder if AK would have interest in bringing him back.

I kinda doubt Butler moves next year/this offseason. They did go to the finals last year and they're missing a key player in oladipo. beyond that, he has 2 years left on his contract after this season and the second season is a player option. I just think he could wait a season and opt out if he was really disgruntled. probably gets more money and can go to a team without gutting its roster.

Isn't Victor a free agent though? And he decline a 20 million per year (or something close), from the Rockets, so not sure they would be willing to retain him for that amount.

Plus, I'm taking the bubble play with a massive grain of salt. Those were unusual circumstances for a lot of teams.

it seemed like he preferred to play in miami. makes sense oladipo would turn down an extension from rebuilding houston when he could get the same money from miami. not sure oladipo is the missing piece, but i bet he's around next season.

[HomoSapien]

Sorry, I may have missed this, but what rumours?

I’m told there have been some very, very testy moments behind the scenes between Jimmy and their coaching staff and the roster at different points. So how will they be able to navigate that over the course of the year it transpired, and they are going to the playoffs.

Not saying it's a smoking gun or anything like that, but if there's underlying tension it will only be exacerbated by a sweep.

As I said in my other post, this is just who he is. And I'm sure it's not the first time he has shown this side since his time with the Heat. They have a real solid group, from management, down to coaching staff, I'm sure they will get a handle on the situation.

That said, I will say though, he does seem to act a little like someone who is a championship player but isn't, and this may fall of deaf ears from teammates if he is constantly chirping like he is.

I will say though, again, the Heat are one of the better organisations in this league, so if the Heat can't handle a player like Butler, there won't be many teams that will. I think they will be fine though, and move on from it, whether they get swept or not.

I'm as big of a Jimmy fan as there is, but his testiness with teammates/coaching has lead to three address changes in a short time span. Likely nothing will happen this off-season, but I do think that a sweep is going to be the beginning of the end for this happy marriage IF there are already underlying issues.

[MrFortune3]

This iteration of the Bucks teams is one hell of a lot scrappier than the previous top seeded ones.
This team is gritty and wants it.

[kulaz3000]

This iteration of the Bucks teams is one hell of a lot scrappier than the previous top seeded ones.
This team is gritty and wants it.

And they are generally more experienced now. They have been a playoff team for some time now, and it takes a few lumps to know that they have to play at a certain level to truly be contenders. I'll be rooting for them to get into the Finals.