SpeedyG wrote:Well, throw me in as disappointed here, and I'm glad I'm not the GM of the Nets, because I would have traded the #3 pick RIGHT AWAY...for I don't care who.
Wall was the prize, no doubt. Not only as a prospect, but for the dream of Lebron. Yes, it's a pipe dream, but there was still a chance. That shot is now gone. And doubly so, no Wall either.
No #2....Turner. Really like him as a player, fit our need to an absolute T...especially if the rumor of Amare being our #1 target (next to Lebron) in FA. Again, gone...
No #3. I guess the only good thing is that whoever wants Demarcus or Favors, they'll listen to us. But really, I could care less for either one. DC (Demarcus Cousins) is well...DC (Derrick Coleman). Skilled, good size, troublesome attitude. Favors, I will admit to not having seen him play, but my god his highlights suck. Athletic animal? I don't see it. I don't see an explosive athlete. I see a tall, somewhat lanky (and thus why he looks somewhat smooth when he moves)...and R-A-W big man. Does this guy even have any post move at all? And by that I mean, not a semi-hook when he has some 6'5 guy defending him? And if his highlights suck, I would hate to see his lowlights. What's more...drafting one of these guys means 2010 FA wise boils down to two people: an older Joe Johnson or Rudy Gay....neither of which are even in the top 20 players in the NBA...and certainly not one who will take this team to the next level.
So with no legit franchise player coming on board in FA, no true blue-chip prospect coming in the draft, and even though Prok is in I pray to got they don't blow away our cap space for mediocre talent like Lee or Lamarcus Aldridge (MY GOD ARE YOU GUYS REALLY THAT DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU'D TRADE FOR LASOFTCUS AND HIS CONTRACT?!??).
And with the list of coaches dwindling down and no star power to draw the really high-profile coaches in...I'm afraid we're looking at another 20 win season next year...
That is....
Unless T-Will develops a jumpshot and continues his aggressive play and becomes a mini-LBJ or mini-Wade.
Otherwise....BLAH...
Something to reply to! Thanks Speedy as always. I was starting to get discouraged through the last 5 pages.
Well, Figured I would drop by see what the general mood is. As expected its a lot of impatience go get me these guys to help build toward the middle thinking. Aldridge and Gay? Not saying they arent good players...just saying...paying them big bucks is NOT what I had in mind with the cap space. Rather stay horrid a couple of more years and draft build than do that. I mean Spedy is right. Aldridge is freakin soft. And he will not live up to that contract.
OK, so my reaction. First off...yes I broke things in the house when it came out third. Was crushed. For me, it wasn't Wall lust as much as it was...the flexibility this gave us. Not a Devin Harris fan anyway. Good player, built like wet lettuce. 50 games healthy is asking too much. Since his salary is the difference between 2 max contract offers and one plus a good player, I figured moving him out would be part of the real thing we should have been talking about. The summer of Lebron. That is all any of this was really about. The losing, the cap room the prospects we have been acquiring, Brooklyn, Proky....LEBRON.
And while I do not think Lebron was following Wall, Wall gave us some extra leverage here. Personally? I don't think its over. I still think we are in this conversation...I just think it got harder.
Getting Wall meant...Devin Harris was expendable. Trade him for future picks...make him go away. Cap room for Lebron and a second star..and a ton of prospects on rook contracts, all our picks in tact for the next few years plus GSW...a lot of flexibility the next few years.
A move I would consider if I were Thorn? See if you can get Rubio for Devin Harris. Both teams are under the cap no salary matching required. Rubio comes 2011...straight cap savings now..go shopping for Lebron and someone else anyway. THINK BOLD. It doesn't work out? SO WHAT.
Younger, talented and still crappy for the next couple of drafts...it will come together. We do NOT need to fix this in ONE year if we cant get the FREE AGENT stud. I don't want Joe Johnson. I don't want Gay. I don't want to trade for ALdridge. I still want to set up moves for LEBRON. Until he signed...THAT IS WHAT YOU DO. You show up bold with a plan and say THIS is why you want to join the NBA's INTERNATIONAL TEAM. To be the MAN here.
We still offer all the good NY has to offer location wise with a far better supporting cast than the Nix can if we do this right. I mean, what's the downside? We lost Harris for the OTHER 40 games and we win 10 next year? WHO CARES.
Now, I would have preferred to have 2 over 3. Evan Turner is a sports car and at 3 you get a pick up truck. Not a fancy one either. One that climbs mountains or one that hauls dirt. Favors would be the climber and Cousins the hauler in my book.
Of the two? FAVORS by a country mile. To me his upside is Josh Smith. And Cousins is NOT Derrick Coleman. I HATE that comparison Speedy. From you or NBadraft.net
Cousins other than a slow first step has NONE of DC's game coming out of college from what I see. A guy that was one of the most gifted rebounders in the league. A fantastic passer. A GREAT ball handle, insane court smarts. This kid is a wide load bulldozer who I agree is more NBA ready than Favors but he has red flags dripping all over him. He wont be able to push people around like that in the NBA for one thing. Eddy "big gravy" Curry is a much better comparison for this guy. And I think it might be Curry NOW not 3 years ago. OK...that might be harsh. He does have some game. And I can see why anyone looking at him next to college kids says wow...look at the big magubu.
For us fit wise, I will also add...I cant see him with Brook. And, with all our youth, I prefer to build more up tempo. I think Favors could be ideal next to Brook. Probably not a star in the making. But good hands to finish on the break, or coming back door. Will run the floor, will make us a great shot blocking team, strong side and weak side. Also, if we do get Lebron, I feel what we should be offering him what he hasn't had in Cleveland is up tempo. I can see this kid filling that Varejao role, except for one thing. He will actually CATCH the damn ball when Lebron threads the needle.
OK back to Turner for a sec. I should say how impressive his talent is. He dribbles too much right now, but his game makes me smile. He has star potential no question...and if there is a trade to be had that is within what we would give up to get him...yeah would love to look at that too. But I will say that I think Twill could be just as good. SO we'll see how that all works out.
More on Favors. Speedy...Favors highlights are useless I agree. You have to look closely since most are dunks. But watch his mechanics if you can. There is talent there...and athleticism. I have seen enough of him in games to prefer his upside or bust possibility to a space eater I don't think fits us at all in Cousins. We suck. So? You get the best upside and live with how it turns out.
Wouldn't shock me to see us trade down if we cant trade up. Wes Johnson isn't the guy I want, but I wouldn't be shocked to see his stock rise after draft camp and for Cousins to drop.
One last thought in Lebron and the Wall thing. Yeah, there is the Calipari connection...but did anyone notice that Wall did NOT sign with Lebron's management guys or business interests?
Business had a lot to do with Lebron wooing him. We get two max contracts spots we can be right back in this conversation. Bulls are his best win now cast along with the Clips. He wont go to the Clips...no way. I happen not to love the Bulls cast for him...but yeah I see it there for him. Still cant figure out a reason for the Nix to be in this conversation. With no pieces in place, and so many future picks spoken for...that team will surround him with garbage. I think within one year he will regret that move as the media and fans blame him for not magically carrying them deep into the playoffs. In reverse he leads us to 40 wins and they will making countdown clocks for the day he takes NY. I don't think he would go to Miami but it would shock me less than the Nix.
Cavs, Bulls, Nets, Heat...unless he forces a trade to LA. Those are the spots as I see it. So for me...I say think Lebron and make all moves with that thought. Trades, cap room for him and a buddy, and the draft. Doesn't work out we are still stocked with talent, and the rebuilding continues through another losing season. I prefer that than false hope by just filling spots with bodies.
So...there's my take friends on a now rare post by me. Hope everyone is doing well.
-E
