Around the NBA, 2016-17 Season thread

[ChokeFasncists]

Good luck Bojan trying to guard Klay.

[shakendfries]

this kid is nice

Watch on YouTube

[ChokeFasncists]

As a cousin of the Nets, it's interesting to see how the Hawks do with D12 instead of Horford; should Brook play more like D12 or Horford?

[TinmanZBoy]

wow, two games in, Brandon Jennings has become a fan favorite in the garden...

[DeRoma]

wow, two games in, Brandon Jennings has become a fan favorite in the garden...

Watch him get a season ending injury by talking so much trash... Someone is gonna check him.

[NyCeEvO]

The more KD talks about his leaving OKC to join GSW, the more I vomit. This last interview? Sheesh.

[shakendfries]

(not quite) bold prediction? The Heat tank, land the No.1 pick, & trade it to Sacramento for Cousins

[ChokeFasncists]

(not quite) bold prediction? The Heat tank, land the No.1 pick, & trade it to Sacramento for Cousins

You mean they trade Whiteside to the Kings for Cousins?

[shakendfries]

(not quite) bold prediction? The Heat tank, land the No.1 pick, & trade it to Sacramento for Cousins

You mean they trade Whiteside to the Kings for Cousins?

If these "Giles is the next coming of Chris Webber" comparisons hold, I wouldn't be surprised if Vivek gets attracted to the allure of a shiny new draft pick. Given that no free agent has worked out in Sacramento, and considering how the Kings FO has been wooed by draft picks in the past (see Nik Stauskas, Thomas Robinson, Derrick Williams, Tyreke Evans, etc.), the Kings FO favors the draft when it comes to roster construction. Furthermore, it's apparent that the Kings aren't exactly building around Cousins since they drafted two big men in June. This could possibly be a sign that the FO is preparing their roster in the event Cousins isn't a part of the team's future.

Watch on YouTube

I wouldn't be surprised in the least if a strong late season debut from Ben Simmons could passively confirm league wide suspicions that this draft class could also be particularly strong. Mark my words, Miami Heat will trade Dragic and a top pick for Cousins.

[ChokeFasncists]

(not quite) bold prediction? The Heat tank, land the No.1 pick, & trade it to Sacramento for Cousins

You mean they trade Whiteside to the Kings for Cousins?

If these "Giles is the next coming of Chris Webber" comparisons hold, I wouldn't be surprised if Vivek gets attracted to the allure of a shiny new draft pick. Given that no free agent has worked out in Sacramento, and considering how the Kings FO has been wooed by draft picks in the past (see Nik Stauskas, Thomas Robinson, Derrick Williams, Tyreke Evans, etc.), the Kings FO favors the draft when it comes to roster construction. Furthermore, it's apparent that the Kings aren't exactly building around Cousins since they drafted two big men in June. This could possibly be a sign that the FO is preparing their roster in the event Cousins isn't a part of the team's future.

Watch on YouTube

I wouldn't be surprised in the least if a strong late season debut from Ben Simmons could passively confirm league wide suspicions that this draft class could also be particularly strong. Mark my words, Miami Heat will trade Dragic and a top pick for Cousins.

But why Cousins when they have Whiteside? What to do with him in that case?

[shakendfries]

You mean they trade Whiteside to the Kings for Cousins?

If these "Giles is the next coming of Chris Webber" comparisons hold, I wouldn't be surprised if Vivek gets attracted to the allure of a shiny new draft pick. Given that no free agent has worked out in Sacramento, and considering how the Kings FO has been wooed by draft picks in the past (see Nik Stauskas, Thomas Robinson, Derrick Williams, Tyreke Evans, etc.), the Kings FO favors the draft when it comes to roster construction. Furthermore, it's apparent that the Kings aren't exactly building around Cousins since they drafted two big men in June. This could possibly be a sign that the FO is preparing their roster in the event Cousins isn't a part of the team's future.

Watch on YouTube

I wouldn't be surprised in the least if a strong late season debut from Ben Simmons could passively confirm league wide suspicions that this draft class could also be particularly strong. Mark my words, Miami Heat will trade Dragic and a top pick for Cousins.

But why Cousins when they have Whiteside? What to do with him in that case?

Whiteside is the prototype of a big man you'd want to pair with Cousins. He's essentially the final form of WCS. Additionally, they both compare well against Pat Riley's ideal big men- Patrick Ewing & Anthony Mason, Alonzo Mourning & Shaquille O'Neal.


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[ChokeFasncists]

Interesting......very risky tho, things might have changed.

Would be a devastating combo if works out.

[shakendfries]

Interesting......very risky tho, things might have changed.

Would be a devastating combo if works out.

Perhaps, but every sport deals with trends when it comes to execution. The trend towards a more perimeter oriented attack started with the 7 seconds or less Suns. The 2011 Mavs team validated the effectiveness of the 3pt shot. The trend towards European systems to create ball movement is something that Poppovich learned to grow accustomed to over the course of a decade, in learning to surpass transcendent talents of Kobe and Lebron. The current Warriors squad is without question the "final form" of all of these factors.

As with all trends, there are teams that will try imitate. The Trailblazers's backcourt of Lillard and McCollum have formed one of the most potent offensive attacks, and the roster has definitely taken advantage of the small all mold. There's also the Rockets & Hawks that are playing 4 outside 1 in the paint style of basketball, designed to take advantage of the analytical efficiency of the 3 pt shot. Even the Cavs and the Pacers have adjusted to its efficiency.

But what sets a franchise apart is the ability to keep mind towards the league's trends but zag while everyone is zigging when appropriate. In spite of his faults, Whiteside is truly one of a kind. He's a mobile big with the quickness to defend on the perimeter and off the PnR in a way that is extremely rare. He's not the offensive threat of a 'next gen' big man like KAT or Anthony Davis, but he can compete on the defensive end just as well as either one.

The mark of a good FO is the ability to build around your best player. Whiteside is the team's best talent, and seeing that they gave him the max- it's clear the Miami FO values his contributions. With the post Big 3 Era in Miami underway it'll be interesting to see how Riley is able to stack the deck once again. If he is to build around Whiteside, I'd bet on Miami being prepared to zag into a roster that maximizes the potential of its frontcourt. We already know Riley won't rebuild like Philly, he's going to do whatever possible to reload with free agents in the offseason.


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[NyCeEvO]

I can definitely see Hayward being interested in going to Boston. A core of Isaiah/Hayward/Horford is a pretty formidable core in the East.

[Prokorov]

As a cousin of the Nets, it's interesting to see how the Hawks do with D12 instead of Horford; should Brook play more like D12 or Horford?

lopez isnt capable of playing like D12.

[MrDollarBills]

I can definitely see Hayward being interested in going to Boston. A core of Isaiah/Hayward/Horford is a pretty formidable core in the East.

Boston has the assets to trade for him as well if he gives an indication that he's not going back to Utah.

[MrDollarBills]

As a cousin of the Nets, it's interesting to see how the Hawks do with D12 instead of Horford; should Brook play more like D12 or Horford?

lopez isnt capable of playing like D12.

correct.

Brook's strengths should be maximized, trying to use him like another player is a waste of time. He's Brook Lopez, not D12 or Al Horford. What does Brook do better than those guys? that's probably what Kenny is focused on.

[ChokeFasncists]

As a cousin of the Nets, it's interesting to see how the Hawks do with D12 instead of Horford; should Brook play more like D12 or Horford?

lopez isnt capable of playing like D12.

correct.

Brook's strengths should be maximized, trying to use him like another player is a waste of time. He's Brook Lopez, not D12 or Al Horford. What does Brook do better than those guys? that's probably what Kenny is focused on.

Hey, I said more like, meaning like playing a big center close to the basket or a PF closer to the perimeter.

[jbeachboy]

whats with boston link with all these star type players?

[CalamityX12]

Oh wow, Bulls got MCW for Snell.....