Around the NBA (Part Two)

[KGdaBom]

Meh. He doesn't scare me.

Isn't DDR a well known Wolves killer?

I think I’m more terrified of the Spurs in this deal. They got an unprotected pick swap in 2031 from Sac to take on a useful player in Barnes. They have so many draft assets right now, including Hawks picks, our future pick, and essentially unprotected pick swaps from 4-5 teams.

And what’s more interesting is that Barnes and Lauri make almost the exact same salary. I could see a Barnes plus a bunch of these assets being moved for Lauri. Then the Spurs become very interesting this year. I think Barnes, as long as not combined with other salary, can be traded again immediately.

Lots of good teams, but only one can be best. That will be us or the Thunder.

[TimberKat]

Philly is building a team just like Wolves with a big 3. Their top 3 guys are better than Wolves' but salary is almost exactly the same. They can't spend as much as Wolves, so will be interesting to see how they fill out the remaining roster. It's too bad Towns, Ant, and Gobert are all supermax.

[Note30]

Isn't DDR a well known Wolves killer?

I think I’m more terrified of the Spurs in this deal. They got an unprotected pick swap in 2031 from Sac to take on a useful player in Barnes. They have so many draft assets right now, including Hawks picks, our future pick, and essentially unprotected pick swaps from 4-5 teams.

And what’s more interesting is that Barnes and Lauri make almost the exact same salary. I could see a Barnes plus a bunch of these assets being moved for Lauri. Then the Spurs become very interesting this year. I think Barnes, as long as not combined with other salary, can be traded again immediately.

Lots of good teams, but only one can be best. That will be us or the Thunder.

Or you know, Denver, Dallas (who just destroyed us), Memphis who's healthy again, or pretty much any team that has significant improvement this season.

[KGdaBom]

I think I’m more terrified of the Spurs in this deal. They got an unprotected pick swap in 2031 from Sac to take on a useful player in Barnes. They have so many draft assets right now, including Hawks picks, our future pick, and essentially unprotected pick swaps from 4-5 teams.

And what’s more interesting is that Barnes and Lauri make almost the exact same salary. I could see a Barnes plus a bunch of these assets being moved for Lauri. Then the Spurs become very interesting this year. I think Barnes, as long as not combined with other salary, can be traded again immediately.

Lots of good teams, but only one can be best. That will be us or the Thunder.

Or you know, Denver, Dallas (who just destroyed us), Memphis who's healthy again, or pretty much any team that has significant improvement this season.

You just mentioned the good teams. Not the ones that can be best. IMO Dallas didn't destroy us. We had leads at home in the last minute the first two games. Either we choked or Luka came up big in those, but they don't concern me at all. They were a fluke. I believe Klay is a step back for them. We've passed Denver. Memphis LMAO. Nope it's going to be the Wolves or the Thunder.

[Note30]

Lots of good teams, but only one can be best. That will be us or the Thunder.

Or you know, Denver, Dallas (who just destroyed us), Memphis who's healthy again, or pretty much any team that has significant improvement this season.

You just mentioned the good teams. Not the ones that can be best. IMO Dallas didn't destroy us. We had leads at home in the last minute the first two games. Either we choked or Luka came up big in those, but they don't concern me at all. They were a fluke. I believe Klay is a step back for them. We've passed Denver. Memphis LMAO. Nope it's going to be the Wolves or the Thunder.

The team that's the best holds the OBrien trophy at the end of the season. That wasn't anyone in the WCF, but both the Wolves and OKC also didn't make it to the Finals and even hold up the WCF trophy so let's not go **** on the team that did.

Winning once is a fluke, winning 4 times is proof. Winning once is holding on for dear hope. If we almost get swept that's getting destroyed.

They were a better team for us. That's reflected in the record. I told you not to underestimate Kyrie and Luka. You said we would best them with ease. You were wrong. You can argue about Klay being a step back but they also replaced DJJ with Marshall. They'll be the same if not better.

Needless to say Dallas should be in our radar.

Memphis is an incredibly strong team that had some of the worst injury history ever occur last year. They not only recovered, but we've never seen them in this current iteration and they plugged their weaknesses in the paint as well as added core role players this year because of all the playtime going to scrubs. They had significant bench improvements. Mind you before the injuries they beat us (prior) year and finished 2nd.

Not sure why you are laughing them off.

Denver is a trade or so away from becoming stronger. Wouldn't underestimate them either since we squeaked by them.

You also said we'd win it all last year, and consistently hyped us up.

After seeing them play in Game 3 of the PHX round I was finally on the train and then reality set in during the Denver series. So pardon me if I don't get on board right now.

[KGdaBom]

Or you know, Denver, Dallas (who just destroyed us), Memphis who's healthy again, or pretty much any team that has significant improvement this season.

You just mentioned the good teams. Not the ones that can be best. IMO Dallas didn't destroy us. We had leads at home in the last minute the first two games. Either we choked or Luka came up big in those, but they don't concern me at all. They were a fluke. I believe Klay is a step back for them. We've passed Denver. Memphis LMAO. Nope it's going to be the Wolves or the Thunder.

The team that's the best holds the OBrien trophy at the end of the season. That wasn't anyone in the WCF, but both the Wolves and OKC also didn't make it to the Finals and even hold up the WCF trophy so let's not go **** on the team that did.

Winning once is a fluke, winning 4 times is proof. Winning once is holding on for dear hope. If we almost get swept that's getting destroyed.

They were a better team for us. That's reflected in the record. I told you not to underestimate Kyrie and Luka. You said we would best them with ease. You were wrong. You can argue about Klay being a step back but they also replaced DJJ with Marshall. They'll be the same if not better.

Needless to say Dallas should be in our radar.

Memphis is an incredibly strong team that had some of the worst injury history ever occur last year. They not only recovered, but we've never seen them in this current iteration and they plugged their weaknesses in the paint as well as added core role players this year because of all the playtime going to scrubs. They had significant bench improvements. Mind you before the injuries they beat us (prior) year and finished 2nd.

Not sure why you are laughing them off.

Denver is a trade or so away from becoming stronger. Wouldn't underestimate them either since we squeaked by them.

You also said we'd win it all last year, and consistently hyped us up.

After seeing them play in Game 3 of the PHX round I was finally on the train and then reality set in during the Denver series. So pardon me if I don't get on board right now.

I didn't say we would win. I said we could win and we could have. It just didn't quite work out. If Luka misses a 3 or 2 we beat Dallas. They were a fluke and they don't concern me. I stand by the west winner will be us or the Thunder.

[Nick K]

Lots of good teams, but only one can be best. That will be us or the Thunder.

Or you know, Denver, Dallas (who just destroyed us), Memphis who's healthy again, or pretty much any team that has significant improvement this season.

You just mentioned the good teams. Not the ones that can be best. IMO Dallas didn't destroy us. We had leads at home in the last minute the first two games. Either we choked or Luka came up big in those, but they don't concern me at all. They were a fluke. I believe Klay is a step back for them. We've passed Denver. Memphis LMAO. Nope it's going to be the Wolves or the Thunder.

I could not agree more! Dilly and Ingles will help our 2nd unit scoring big time. Often the difference in winning games.

[younggunsmn]

I would not sleep on Memphis next year if they get healthy.
They were a top 2 seed the previous years they were healthy, and they added Edey who could make them even more dangerous.

[Note30]

You just mentioned the good teams. Not the ones that can be best. IMO Dallas didn't destroy us. We had leads at home in the last minute the first two games. Either we choked or Luka came up big in those, but they don't concern me at all. They were a fluke. I believe Klay is a step back for them. We've passed Denver. Memphis LMAO. Nope it's going to be the Wolves or the Thunder.

The team that's the best holds the OBrien trophy at the end of the season. That wasn't anyone in the WCF, but both the Wolves and OKC also didn't make it to the Finals and even hold up the WCF trophy so let's not go **** on the team that did.

Winning once is a fluke, winning 4 times is proof. Winning once is holding on for dear hope. If we almost get swept that's getting destroyed.

They were a better team for us. That's reflected in the record. I told you not to underestimate Kyrie and Luka. You said we would best them with ease. You were wrong. You can argue about Klay being a step back but they also replaced DJJ with Marshall. They'll be the same if not better.

Needless to say Dallas should be in our radar.

Memphis is an incredibly strong team that had some of the worst injury history ever occur last year. They not only recovered, but we've never seen them in this current iteration and they plugged their weaknesses in the paint as well as added core role players this year because of all the playtime going to scrubs. They had significant bench improvements. Mind you before the injuries they beat us (prior) year and finished 2nd.

Not sure why you are laughing them off.

Denver is a trade or so away from becoming stronger. Wouldn't underestimate them either since we squeaked by them.

You also said we'd win it all last year, and consistently hyped us up.

After seeing them play in Game 3 of the PHX round I was finally on the train and then reality set in during the Denver series. So pardon me if I don't get on board right now.

I didn't say we would win. I said we could win and we could have. It just didn't quite work out. If Luka misses a 3 or 2 we beat Dallas. They were a fluke and they don't concern me. I stand by the west winner will be us or the Thunder.

You had multiple posts saying we would win it all this year. What are you talking about. GTFO with your semantics. You're mincing words, hiding behind the truth and the reality of the situation. "We've won 93 games, let me bust out a song. I can't believe other people believe in this team that is a 5th seed. Kyrie hasn't done ****. Etc."

We didnt beat Dallas. We lost 4 games and won 1. Uno. Ichi. Eins. Un. ONE. You don't drop 4 games on a fluke.

That's the facts cold and simple. It was not a **** fluke. Just because you have delusions of grandeur doesn't mean it's reality.

If Denver had made one more three or 2 we wouldn't have made it. So we were a fluke by your logic as well. And that actually was a 7 game series.

Reality doesn't concern you? It should.

[KGdaBom]

The team that's the best holds the OBrien trophy at the end of the season. That wasn't anyone in the WCF, but both the Wolves and OKC also didn't make it to the Finals and even hold up the WCF trophy so let's not go **** on the team that did.

Winning once is a fluke, winning 4 times is proof. Winning once is holding on for dear hope. If we almost get swept that's getting destroyed.

They were a better team for us. That's reflected in the record. I told you not to underestimate Kyrie and Luka. You said we would best them with ease. You were wrong. You can argue about Klay being a step back but they also replaced DJJ with Marshall. They'll be the same if not better.

Needless to say Dallas should be in our radar.

Memphis is an incredibly strong team that had some of the worst injury history ever occur last year. They not only recovered, but we've never seen them in this current iteration and they plugged their weaknesses in the paint as well as added core role players this year because of all the playtime going to scrubs. They had significant bench improvements. Mind you before the injuries they beat us (prior) year and finished 2nd.

Not sure why you are laughing them off.

Denver is a trade or so away from becoming stronger. Wouldn't underestimate them either since we squeaked by them.

You also said we'd win it all last year, and consistently hyped us up.

After seeing them play in Game 3 of the PHX round I was finally on the train and then reality set in during the Denver series. So pardon me if I don't get on board right now.

I didn't say we would win. I said we could win and we could have. It just didn't quite work out. If Luka misses a 3 or 2 we beat Dallas. They were a fluke and they don't concern me. I stand by the west winner will be us or the Thunder.

You had multiple posts saying we would win it all this year. What are you talking about. GTFO with your semantics. You're mincing words, hiding behind the truth and the reality of the situation. "We've won 93 games, let me bust out a song. I can't believe other people believe in this team that is a 5th seed. Kyrie hasn't done ****. Etc."

We didnt beat Dallas. We lost 4 games and won 1. Uno. Ichi. Eins. Un. ONE. You don't drop 4 games on a fluke.

That's the facts cold and simple. It was not a **** fluke. Just because you have delusions of grandeur doesn't mean it's reality.

If Denver had made one more three or 2 we wouldn't have made it. So we were a fluke by your logic as well. And that actually was a 7 game series.

Reality doesn't concern you? It should.

Whatever Note. My statement about our team was we were a legit contender. I usually said I don't expect us to win because only one team wins in the end. I never expected us to win. Maybe after we beat Denver I said we had the best chance to win. I don't ever recall flat out saying we would win, but maybe in a moment of excitement I did. So find me a post where I said we would win and for every one of those I could show you two where I didn't. I don't give a rat's ass about Dallas winning 4 games to 1. They were a fluke and I predict they will not win a round in next years playoffs. Yes Denver could have beat us. They are a much better team than Dallas. I'm very impressed we won that series. Dallas wouldn't have. You just love being a negative Nellie. Whatever floats your boat. I'm super excited for the future of my team and those who cheer for the same team as me. You go ahead and hang your hat on Dallas.
Reality does concern me and the reality is we are a much better team than the Mavericks.

[Note30]

I didn't say we would win. I said we could win and we could have. It just didn't quite work out. If Luka misses a 3 or 2 we beat Dallas. They were a fluke and they don't concern me. I stand by the west winner will be us or the Thunder.

You had multiple posts saying we would win it all this year. What are you talking about. GTFO with your semantics. You're mincing words, hiding behind the truth and the reality of the situation. "We've won 93 games, let me bust out a song. I can't believe other people believe in this team that is a 5th seed. Kyrie hasn't done ****. Etc."

We didnt beat Dallas. We lost 4 games and won 1. Uno. Ichi. Eins. Un. ONE. You don't drop 4 games on a fluke.

That's the facts cold and simple. It was not a **** fluke. Just because you have delusions of grandeur doesn't mean it's reality.

If Denver had made one more three or 2 we wouldn't have made it. So we were a fluke by your logic as well. And that actually was a 7 game series.

Reality doesn't concern you? It should.

Whatever Note. My statement about our team was we were a legit contender. I usually said I don't expect us to win because only one team wins in the end. I never expected us to win. Maybe after we beat Denver I said we had the best chance to win. I don't ever recall flat out saying we would win, but maybe in a moment of excitement I did. So find me a post where I said we would win and for every one of those I could show you two where I didn't. I don't give a rat's ass about Dallas winning 4 games to 1. They were a fluke and I predict they will not win a round in next years playoffs. Yes Denver could have beat us. They are a much better team than Dallas. I'm very impressed we won that series. Dallas wouldn't have. You just love being a negative Nellie. Whatever floats your boat. I'm super excited for the future of my team and those who cheer for the same team as me. You go ahead and hang your hat on Dallas.
Reality does concern me and the reality is we are a much better team than the Mavericks.

Reality is that we are not a better team, if we were we would have gone to the Finals. There's no arguing with you if you can't admit to what happened.

Second, I hope the Wolves do win. I'm also realistic and don't place a bunch of false hope on a team who's success revolves around a bunch of kids who are all under 25. I'd be ecstatic and first to the party if we won, but I'm also not going to just pretend like we're in the best spot to do so.

There's a pretty good shot we'll be higher than most in the standings. We're an excellent regular season team.

If Rob turns out well I do think we have a better shot at the chip this year than last.

[KGdaBom]

You had multiple posts saying we would win it all this year. What are you talking about. GTFO with your semantics. You're mincing words, hiding behind the truth and the reality of the situation. "We've won 93 games, let me bust out a song. I can't believe other people believe in this team that is a 5th seed. Kyrie hasn't done ****. Etc."

We didnt beat Dallas. We lost 4 games and won 1. Uno. Ichi. Eins. Un. ONE. You don't drop 4 games on a fluke.

That's the facts cold and simple. It was not a **** fluke. Just because you have delusions of grandeur doesn't mean it's reality.

If Denver had made one more three or 2 we wouldn't have made it. So we were a fluke by your logic as well. And that actually was a 7 game series.

Reality doesn't concern you? It should.

Whatever Note. My statement about our team was we were a legit contender. I usually said I don't expect us to win because only one team wins in the end. I never expected us to win. Maybe after we beat Denver I said we had the best chance to win. I don't ever recall flat out saying we would win, but maybe in a moment of excitement I did. So find me a post where I said we would win and for every one of those I could show you two where I didn't. I don't give a rat's ass about Dallas winning 4 games to 1. They were a fluke and I predict they will not win a round in next years playoffs. Yes Denver could have beat us. They are a much better team than Dallas. I'm very impressed we won that series. Dallas wouldn't have. You just love being a negative Nellie. Whatever floats your boat. I'm super excited for the future of my team and those who cheer for the same team as me. You go ahead and hang your hat on Dallas.
Reality does concern me and the reality is we are a much better team than the Mavericks.

Reality is that we are not a better team, if we were we would have gone to the Finals. There's no arguing with you if you can't admit to what happened.

Second, I hope the Wolves do win. I'm also realistic and don't place a bunch of false hope on a team who's success revolves around a bunch of kids who are all under 25. I'd be ecstatic and first to the party if we won, but I'm also not going to just pretend like we're in the best spot to do so.

There's a pretty good shot we'll be higher than most in the standings. We're an excellent regular season team.

If Rob turns out well I do think we have a better shot at the chip this year than last.

Reality is we are a better team. We proved that in the regular season. Yeah I know they got better after the trade blah, blah, blah. They were a low seed fluke that made it to the finals. No way in hell they are a better team than us. Them making it to the finals in no way proves they were better than us, Denver or OKC. What don't you understand about FLUKE. I guess in your world flukes don't exist. The better team always wins blah, blah, blah. When Detroit beats Boston or us it wasn't a fluke. Blah, blah, blah.

[Klomp]

Reality is that we are not a better team, if we were we would have gone to the Finals. There's no arguing with you if you can't admit to what happened.

I don't think it's as simple as "the best team always wins"

[KGdaBom]

Reality is that we are not a better team, if we were we would have gone to the Finals. There's no arguing with you if you can't admit to what happened.

I don't think it's as simple as "the best team always wins"

The best team doesn't always win. It's possible Denver was a better team than us. Their are things called off games and flukes. Note can't comprehend the concept.

[minimus]

I would not sleep on Memphis next year if they get healthy.
They were a top 2 seed the previous years they were healthy, and they added Edey who could make them even more dangerous.

They also have added a promising coach from Europe Tuomas Iisalo (note that Kenny Atkins, Chris Finch, Nick Nurse they all had chance to get experience in Europe, even with limited and much less talented roster, they implemented team offense/defense in very creative ways).

Iisalo took over the recently founded club from the French capital before the start of the past season and managed to lead them to the Eurocup (second tier European continential club competition) title and the French league finals, where they lost to Euroleague powerhouse Monaco, in a historic season.

He did this with an offensive rating of 126.8, which is by far the greatest offensive rating of all time, even when compared to NBA teams.

Iisalo's offense included pushing the tempo whenever they could, and a variety of different types of screens when they were in a halfcourt set (slip screens, Gortat screens, Varejao screens etc.). A detailed analysis of his offense the past season can be seen here.

The 41-year-old Finnish expert won the FIBA Champions League (third tier European continetial club competition) the season prior with German club Bonn.

There were reports that he's expected to join the Wizards coaching staff, but the Grizzlies beat them out.

Paris will be playing in the Euroleague next season, and one of the main candidates to replace Iisalo on the Paris bench is Petar Bozic, the former Austin Spurs head coach.

Plus MEM have one of the best scouting and development programs in NBA:

GG Jackson II - 45th pick
Vince Williams Jr. - 47th pick
Santi Aldama - 30th pick
Desmond Bane - 30th pick

[Note30]

Reality is that we are not a better team, if we were we would have gone to the Finals. There's no arguing with you if you can't admit to what happened.

I don't think it's as simple as "the best team always wins"

The best team doesn't always win. It's possible Denver was a better team than us. Their are things called off games and flukes. Note can't comprehend the concept.

You don't have 4 off games or 4 flukes almost in a row. If your understanding of basketball comes down to it was a fluke or luck it means you don't value what goes into each win. It's insulting.

[Note30]

Reality is that we are not a better team, if we were we would have gone to the Finals. There's no arguing with you if you can't admit to what happened.

I don't think it's as simple as "the best team always wins"

There's obviously matchups and who teams match up better against. I just don't like the concept of oh we're gonna be 1st or 2nd when we have evidence that may not be the case. I don't like dismissive cocky attitudes.

[Note30]

Whatever Note. My statement about our team was we were a legit contender. I usually said I don't expect us to win because only one team wins in the end. I never expected us to win. Maybe after we beat Denver I said we had the best chance to win. I don't ever recall flat out saying we would win, but maybe in a moment of excitement I did. So find me a post where I said we would win and for every one of those I could show you two where I didn't. I don't give a rat's ass about Dallas winning 4 games to 1. They were a fluke and I predict they will not win a round in next years playoffs. Yes Denver could have beat us. They are a much better team than Dallas. I'm very impressed we won that series. Dallas wouldn't have. You just love being a negative Nellie. Whatever floats your boat. I'm super excited for the future of my team and those who cheer for the same team as me. You go ahead and hang your hat on Dallas.
Reality does concern me and the reality is we are a much better team than the Mavericks.

Reality is that we are not a better team, if we were we would have gone to the Finals. There's no arguing with you if you can't admit to what happened.

Second, I hope the Wolves do win. I'm also realistic and don't place a bunch of false hope on a team who's success revolves around a bunch of kids who are all under 25. I'd be ecstatic and first to the party if we won, but I'm also not going to just pretend like we're in the best spot to do so.

There's a pretty good shot we'll be higher than most in the standings. We're an excellent regular season team.

If Rob turns out well I do think we have a better shot at the chip this year than last.

Reality is we are a better team. We proved that in the regular season. Yeah I know they got better after the trade blah, blah, blah. They were a low seed fluke that made it to the finals. No way in hell they are a better team than us. Them making it to the finals in no way proves they were better than us, Denver or OKC. What don't you understand about FLUKE. I guess in your world flukes don't exist. The better team always wins blah, blah, blah. When Detroit beats Boston or us it wasn't a fluke. Blah, blah, blah.

What the **** are you talking about. They won 3 rounds decisively.

Regular season doesn't mean anything. There's no banners for the regular season. Championships are all that matters and the Mavs got closer to it than us and beat us 4 times.

Go post in the general board or anywhere and create a poll asking which team was better.

In fact by your logic, Steph curry isn't a good shooter, it's just a fluke he sinks all those 3's.

[Klomp]

I would not sleep on Memphis next year if they get healthy.
They were a top 2 seed the previous years they were healthy, and they added Edey who could make them even more dangerous.

They are quite a bit different from those teams.

Dillon Brooks, DeAnthony Melton, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, Kyle Anderson, Tyus Jones all had significant impacts on those teams. They have some talented young guys, but are quite unproven.

[KGdaBom]

I don't think it's as simple as "the best team always wins"

The best team doesn't always win. It's possible Denver was a better team than us. Their are things called off games and flukes. Note can't comprehend the concept.

You don't have 4 off games or 4 flukes almost in a row. If your understanding of basketball comes down to it was a fluke or luck it means you don't value what goes into each win. It's insulting.

I'm going with Fluke in that series rather than off games. I think we were very worn down after the intense Denver series so we did have off games, but Dallas winning was more in the fluke category. They played us at just the right time and got some magic in the last minute of the first two games. Might happen again once if we played 10 series with them. I believe we have improved way more than they have so this coming year they don't concern me in the slightest. I don't mind insulting Dallas. You go ahead and be concerned about them. Even cheer for them since you admire them so much.