Official Speculation Thread (Pt. XXV: Offseason Edition)

[glennathan]

Seems like these guys never quit working. I am starting to become more of a fan of Weaver for the GM spot. According to WT they were at Chicago hours after the win to prep for the draft! That is dedication

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... nals_Berth

[Ahmadab]

I was just watching the Eastern Conference Champions presentation from 2009, now i feel sad

[j-ragg]

I was just watching the Eastern Conference Champions presentation from 2009, now i feel sad

Game 7 is tomorrow night... what were they presenting?

[Ahmadab]

"From 2009"

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk 2

[Ahmadab]

Steve Kyler

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
Two radically different thoughts on Magic GM search... One source said it is Dennis Lindsey first or Jeff Bower second...

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
Another source was far more confident saying DeVos family will interview Troy Weaver, Dennis Lindsey and Tom Penn this week

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
There is clearly some agenda stuff on that... but the common belief is if Dennis Lindsey wants the job, he's the top guy

[Blue_and_Whte]

The bass love on espn is laughable, everytime he scores on an open dunk after an insane rondo pass they go with their usual "what a great addition bass has been for this boston team" when really the guy doesnt do anything right and might be the worst starter in the league.

His defense is terrible, he cant cover any postion, hes a subpar rebounder, cant finish around the rim in any way other than a dunk, cant create for himself, cant pass, and is shooting under 45% from the field despite being the 5th option on his team while defenders keep cheating off him to help on garnett.

Baby havent been good here but at least you can always trust him to defend well and rebound, JVG is such a hater.

That's going a little too far. Bass has done all those things well for Boston. It was actually very lopsided in the beginning although baby stepped it up in the po's. He's actually playing better team defense which I atribute to the system and being surrounded by better defensive plyers whicb kinda hides his missed rotations when he does mess up. We dont have to go crazy and bash brandon just because jvg said it was lopsided. saying he hasn't done any of those things well is not acurate. Especially the part about not finishing at the rim. He finishes better than our two pf's

[Blue_and_Whte]

Steve Kyler

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
Two radically different thoughts on Magic GM search... One source said it is Dennis Lindsey first or Jeff Bower second...

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
Another source was far more confident saying DeVos family will interview Troy Weaver, Dennis Lindsey and Tom Penn this week

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
There is clearly some agenda stuff on that... but the common belief is if Dennis Lindsey wants the job, he's the top guy

good..now people cant stop crying about bower and start digging for negative stuff about lindsey to whine and cry about

[trebone]

Steve Kyler

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
Two radically different thoughts on Magic GM search... One source said it is Dennis Lindsey first or Jeff Bower second...

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
Another source was far more confident saying DeVos family will interview Troy Weaver, Dennis Lindsey and Tom Penn this week

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
There is clearly some agenda stuff on that... but the common belief is if Dennis Lindsey wants the job, he's the top guy

good..now people cant stop crying about bower and start digging for negative stuff about lindsey to whine and cry about

[PeePee la Fritz]

LINDSEY!!!!!!!

[blue and white]

Steve Kyler

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
Two radically different thoughts on Magic GM search... One source said it is Dennis Lindsey first or Jeff Bower second...

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
Another source was far more confident saying DeVos family will interview Troy Weaver, Dennis Lindsey and Tom Penn this week

Steve Kyler ‏@stevekylerNBA
There is clearly some agenda stuff on that... but the common belief is if Dennis Lindsey wants the job, he's the top guy

good..now people cant stop crying about bower and start digging for negative stuff about lindsey to whine and cry about

idk has lindsey ever been a head GM before? we need someone with more experience as being a gm

[T-Cat]

I'm pulling for the Heat to win tomorrow night! Reason being is Doc could be offered a FO position in Orlando and maybe bring KG with him...assuming the Celtics go in rebuilding mode

POB: Doc
GM:Weaver/Lindsey
HC:Shaw

[Blue_and_Whte]

I'm pulling for the Heat to win tomorrow night! Reason being is Doc could be offered a FO position in Orlando and maybe bring KG with him...assuming the Celtics go in rebuilding mode

POB: Doc
GM:Weaver/Lindsey
HC:Shaw

I'm down with bringing kg in on a low 2 year deal. If they were to bring doc in why not make him the HC? He doesn't have experience in a front office role I don't understand the infatuation with bringing him into that role instead of coaching the team.

[ADRajX]

Bring on Dennis Lindsey

[T-Cat]

I'm pulling for the Heat to win tomorrow night! Reason being is Doc could be offered a FO position in Orlando and maybe bring KG with him...assuming the Celtics go in rebuilding mode

POB: Doc
GM:Weaver/Lindsey
HC:Shaw

I'm down with bringing kg in on a low 2 year deal. If they were to bring doc in why not make him the HC? He doesn't have experience in a front office role I don't understand the infatuation with bringing him into that role instead of coaching the team.

What others options do we have in POB?

[sChOlaRlY_Magi]

For some reason I just can't forget that Doc wanted Amichi or some other scrub over Ben Wallace... I also believe he was coach when Billups was here for that short period of time and didn't like him either.

[PigsEatHam]

For some reason I just can't forget that Doc wanted Amichi or some other scrub over Ben Wallace... I also believe he was coach when Billups was here for that short period of time and didn't like him either.

We gave a contract to Bo Outlaw over Ben Wallace (team loyalty and all that), which even at the time was clear was a mistake, because Wallace was pulling down twenty boards a game with bone spurs in his shins at the end of that Heart and Hustle year. Amaechi, we kind of screwed contract-wise, since he played for us on a short-term deal to help our cap on the premise we'd reward him next off-season, but we didn't and he signed with the Jazz for like forty-something million. That guy had some nice post moves.

(Haven't looked any of this up, just how I'm remembering it, so details may be a touch off.)

[Def Swami]

Lindsey is the best of all of those candidates and after doing some research, I think he's the Magic's guy and the rest are second options. He's the only one that provides the "championship experience" that Alex talks about going after and he has the most NBA experience of the candidates.

He spent 11 years with the Houston Rockets ('96-'07) and then the following years with the San Antonio Spurs

A little of the interview he did as Vice President of Basketball Operations/Player Personnel for the Rockets: http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Rockets ... 0-822.html

4. What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
That’s an easy one. It’s when you have to release a player, at any level, whether it’s releasing them during a minicamp, before or after training camp going into preseason. Obviously some of the more emotional moments are when you’ve got to make a decision on a player that has been very loyal to the organization and performed well. This business-it’s a business, but as Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks owner) said in his blog, the best businesses are very personal, and that’s a reason why we’ve had a little bit of success here. We do have a personal touch here within the Rockets organization, and we care about people and we care about being honest. It’s really difficult to say, “hey, your playing services aren’t needed at this particular time.” And what you don’t want to do, and what we’ve always tried to avoid, is that you don’t want to kill anybody’s hope and dream because there’s numerous examples where players aren’t a particular fit for certain organizations, and they go to another organization and they’re a great fit, Our opinion is that who are we to say that you’re (the player) not good enough?Just, for whatever reason, the timing isn’t right for the player to fit with us at a particular time. Generally speaking, when we release a player, we try to be honest and tell them where they’re at in the whole scheme of things in relation to the NBA and what they need to improve upon, what they do well, and use it just as much as an educational process. It’s one of the reasons why we have a positive reputation with people around the league. We try to deal with people the right way.

5. On the other hand, what makes your job the “best job” in the world?
It’s the competition, day in and day out when you have to present your product. Now, with Yao Ming, we’re an international team basically. You wake up and you feel like, ‘hey, we’ve got to get better today, someway, somehow.’ Whether it’s a scouting process, a coaching process, an administrative process, or acquiring a player. You always want to move forward. So that in itself is a constant test and makes the job very stimulating. The thing is that anytime you do something that you love, whether it’s education, basketball, or law, and it’s something that you deeply care about, it’s very easy to say, ‘hey, I have a great job.’ On the lighter side of things, it’s great to be watching TV and Sportscenter come on, and tell my wife, “Be quiet, I’m working.” (laughs). It’d be somewhat legitimate in nature. Let me say this, I work with great people who are stimulated on a basketball level, on an intellectual level, and on a personal level, so anytime you work with great people, it makes your job really good.

6. When dealing with contracts and players, can you tell us exactly how big of a role the future of the team plays into it? A lot of teams have a “win now” mentality, but is there such a thing when that concept may well jeopardize your future?
The future is huge. Generally speaking, you should know the shelf life of a NBA player. You should know when when players tend to peak or when they tend to decline. You should know where you’re at as an organization, as in do you have the building pieces to consider yourself a championship contender. If you have those significant pieces such as Olajuwon, Barkley, Drexler, Yao, or Tracy McGrady, you want to build around those pieces. When you’re starting to rebuild after Olajuwon, Barkley, or Drexler retire, it’s a different frame of reference, then you start to acquire young assets. So maybe signing the old vet at 35 years old that can help in a championship push doesn’t apply to you at that time. There’s a really good term in technology called “creative destruction.” It sounds like an oxymoron but the point behind it is that technology gets better and some technology gets outdated so you’ve got to turnover during that process. It’s very similar to a basketball team where you have to know the shelf life of your players. We do a lot of studies based upon age, statistics, and we try to move forward. We know that eventually you’re going to have to turn your team over. While you want to be loyal to the individual (who does not fit as part of the team any longer), ultimately you’re biggest loyalty is to the organization, and making the right decisions for the organization.

7. When you draft or acquire players, aside from statistics, can you tell us what other qualities you look for in those players?
As far as the non-quantifiable part, we’re looking at a kid’s personal life, and know on the personal side what his background is, what his emotional makeup. Does he have a sense of entitlement; what are his work habits. We want to know how smart he is. Our coaching staff gives guys a lot of information and you have to be a smart player to play for Jeff van Gundy and his staff, or you won’t play. So intelligence is important, and then, generally speaking, we know who Tracy and Yao are as players, and we want to surround those guys with guys of certain characteristics. Some of those characteristics could be, and some guys can have all of these and some guys can have one, smart, quick, and good shooters. (We want) guys who can keep double teams off Tracy and Yao; guys who are, preferably, experienced in playoff basketball where the nature of the game can change. We want to complement our current roster and, in addition, want to add something different. A big push this year for us was to get faster. We drafted Luther Head, who was one of the better athletes in the draft. We added Stromile Swift, who is quick, athletic, and is a shotblocker for his position. (Newly-acquired) Derek Anderson is a quick player. So hopefully on a personal level they can complement us, and then it’s great if they can add something to the mix.

It's also interesting to see how well-respected he is around the league too: http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnatio ... ic-gm-job/

Lindsey has been with the Spurs for five season after spending 11 seasons with Houston. He has been choosy about his opportunities after pulling out of searches with Minnesota, Phoenix and Toronto positions in the past. He also was mentioned early for the vacancy at Portland.

Here is also a few thoughts Lindsey had on the 2007 Draft:

-Players added during the draft have skills that can fit the Spurs.

-Spurs didn’t get the chance to work out Blair prior to the draft. However, he was a priority interview during the pre-draft camp in Chicago.

-Blair is down to 274 pounds with 8% body fat.

-Spurs like Blair’s force, size and that he carries his weight well. What they really like is his feel — he’s a very underrated passer. Also has great hands.

-Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon said that Blair carried practice. As a power forward, it’s a rare trait to have a bigman who is a leader.

-Spurs hope that Blair’s rebounding numbers will carryover from college. Historically, rebounding is something that is predictive when going from college to pros.

-Felt fortunate to draft George Hill last year. In the 2008 draft, the Spurs felt really good about six or seven players so they decided not to trade their first round pick.

-Picking Hill was a tough choice but they liked that Hill fit them culturally and they liked that he was an NBA defender from Day 1.

-The Spurs think that Hill’s rookie season was productive. Played well backing up Parker and played well when he was forced to start. Also played well at shooting guard and performed well in the playoffs.

My favorite part about this interview:

-The Spurs program is a “work program”. When the Spurs bring in players, they have to believe that the player is a worker. Duncan and Robinson set the foundation of the program due to both being humble people. Humility and intelligence are important. Players have to be able to have a conversation in an adult manner because the culture of the team is worldly. All these attributes help players get better.


-Antonio McDyess is a player the Spurs have tried to add to the program for a long time. The Spurs have a lot of respect for Detroit’s program — in a lot of ways they are similar to San Antonio’s program in nature. Due to that, the Spurs hope that McDyess’ fit will be seamless.

-The Spurs needed to give Duncan a little bit more help by adding an interior defender and an experience player.

-McDyess is understated — a pro’s pro. McDyess and Pop had a conversation during free agency and quickly got on the same page.

-Pop’s honesty when talking to free agents and agents is valuable. He speaks direct and between the eyes and people appreciate that.

-Pop told the front office that the Spurs really needed to add some physicality. McDyess and Blair address that need.

-There are no championships won during the offseason but if you don’t address needs, you won’t put yourself in a position to win a championship.

This is why I think Lindsey is our guy. There are certain teams in the league that know how to run a basketball team and how to conduct their selves. They know what championship character is and they don't allow the lazy nonsensical, can't play players on their team (e.g. Duhon) and it won't be tolerated. They hold themselves accountable and the professionalism and seriousness expected from their players is at another level. They clearly state that they admired the Detroit Pistons program (which was very good at the time) and vice versa, displaying that in the NBA, where a player comes from carries weight. You can see this in Big Baby who imo is one of the few fighters on the squad, one of the few with a championship mentality molded by the Celtics. When Indiana traded for George Hill, they knew they were getting a player from the Spurs ball club who would have a championship, un-selfish, never take a play off attitude and it has worked very well. That's what we need to build. Whoever we bring in needs to establish a program that exudes hard-work, high character, and a commitment to winning. Reading up on all these other GM's and other front officesmakes you see how behind we've been.

[sChOlaRlY_Magi]

For some reason I just can't forget that Doc wanted Amichi or some other scrub over Ben Wallace... I also believe he was coach when Billups was here for that short period of time and didn't like him either.

We gave a contract to Bo Outlaw over Ben Wallace (team loyalty and all that), which even at the time was clear was a mistake, because Wallace was pulling down twenty boards a game with bone spurs in his shins at the end of that Heart and Hustle year. Amaechi, we kind of screwed contract-wise, since he played for us on a short-term deal to help our cap on the premise we'd reward him next off-season, but we didn't and he signed with the Jazz for like forty-something million. That guy had some nice post moves.

(Haven't looked any of this up, just how I'm remembering it, so details may be a touch off.)

Better than my recollection though! I just remember reading that Doc was really in (I believe) Gabriel's ear about liking Amechi more than Wallace.

[Def Swami]

Kurt Helin ‏@basketballtalk

Report: Kings not likely to offer Tyreke Evans extension http://dlvr.it/1hPqZj #PBT #NBA

[Driguez]

I'm pulling for the Heat to win tomorrow night! Reason being is Doc could be offered a FO position in Orlando and maybe bring KG with him...assuming the Celtics go in rebuilding mode

POB: Doc
GM:Weaver/Lindsey
HC:Shaw

I'm down with bringing kg in on a low 2 year deal. If they were to bring doc in why not make him the HC? He doesn't have experience in a front office role I don't understand the infatuation with bringing him into that role instead of coaching the team.

Completely agree. I don't get it either.