Around the league 2016-2017

[76ciology]

I really want to call the Houston Rockets a finals contender, but ALL they do...literally all they do is shoot threes, and they play zero defense. Assuming Aldridge doesn't return to the Spurs, and the Warriors fall apart. You would have to think that Houston would be the team to come out of the west, but I just don't see it happening if all they do is jack up threes and play no defense. They won't get past the Clippers or OKC in my opinion.

You need to match the offensive firepower of the Cavs and GSW in order to be a contender.

On defense, Rox got Beverly for star PGs, Ariza for star wings and Capela/Nene for some decent rim protection. Harden is also an underrated team defender. I thought their defense is strategic and flexible depending on the match-up while they are just one good shooting series away from upsetting the Warriors, even at full strength.

Their starting unit has potent offense to match-up the best teams. But now they have an unmatchable offensive firepower off the bench with Lou-EG than would give GSW trouble with their weak bench than the yester years. As what Morey said, maybe around 15 3s made per game would allow them to beat GSW in the play-offs.

..and when the game gets close, they have a top 5 player who can put the team on his back to carry them to victory.

If there's a team who can beat the Warriors, it's the Rox for me.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

I really want to call the Houston Rockets a finals contender, but ALL they do...literally all they do is shoot threes, and they play zero defense. Assuming Aldridge doesn't return to the Spurs, and the Warriors fall apart. You would have to think that Houston would be the team to come out of the west, but I just don't see it happening if all they do is jack up threes and play no defense. They won't get past the Clippers or OKC in my opinion.

You need to match the offensive firepower of the Cavs and GSW in order to be a contender.

On defense, Rox got Beverly for star PGs, Ariza for star wings and Capela/Nene for some decent rim protection. Harden is also an underrated team defender. I thought their defense is strategic and flexible depending on the match-up while they are just one good shooting series away from upsetting the Warriors, even at full strength.

Their starting unit has potent offense to match-up the best teams. But now they have an unmatchable offensive firepower off the bench with Lou-EG than would give GSW trouble with their weak bench than the yester years. As what Morey said, maybe around 15 3s made per game would allow them to beat GSW in the play-offs.

..and when the game gets close, they have a top 5 player who can put the team on his back to carry them to victory.

If there's a team who can beat the Warriors, it's the Rox for me.

I'm a big Golden State fan, but with that said, I completely agree with you. I don't know if Houston can beat the Clippers though, I think it's either Houston or LAC coming out of the west if Golden State doesn't get their crap together. The Spurs (who I also like a lot) will not be able to compensate for the loss of Aldridge should he remain out. I just wonder if Houston can beat the Cavs in a 7 game series.

[shawn_hemp]

David Lee seems like a really good Pop guy

I'm telling you guys don't sleep on the Spurs.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Ok....so Chandler Parsons is done for the year with a torn meniscus. Embiid was diagnosed with his a month ago and has probably had it since January. I wonder who comes back first.

[TheAntiTrump]

I really want to call the Houston Rockets a finals contender, but ALL they do...literally all they do is shoot threes, and they play zero defense. Assuming Aldridge doesn't return to the Spurs, and the Warriors fall apart. You would have to think that Houston would be the team to come out of the west, but I just don't see it happening if all they do is jack up threes and play no defense. They won't get past the Clippers or OKC in my opinion.

You need to match the offensive firepower of the Cavs and GSW in order to be a contender.

On defense, Rox got Beverly for star PGs, Ariza for star wings and Capela/Nene for some decent rim protection. Harden is also an underrated team defender. I thought their defense is strategic and flexible depending on the match-up while they are just one good shooting series away from upsetting the Warriors, even at full strength.

Their starting unit has potent offense to match-up the best teams. But now they have an unmatchable offensive firepower off the bench with Lou-EG than would give GSW trouble with their weak bench than the yester years. As what Morey said, maybe around 15 3s made per game would allow them to beat GSW in the play-offs.

..and when the game gets close, they have a top 5 player who can put the team on his back to carry them to victory.

If there's a team who can beat the Warriors, it's the Rox for me.

I'm a big Golden State fan, but with that said, I completely agree with you. I don't know if Houston can beat the Clippers though, I think it's either Houston or LAC coming out of the west if Golden State doesn't get their crap together. The Spurs (who I also like a lot) will not be able to compensate for the loss of Aldridge should he remain out. I just wonder if Houston can beat the Cavs in a 7 game series.

Okay Hypothetical.....Lets say Golden State loses in the Playoffs, either get upset early or lose in the WC finals to the Spurs. Do the Warriors maybe shake things up with a move ? Like maybe trading away Thompson ? I mean Durant is definitely opting out, and looking to sign an even bigger deal with a Super high first year salary. Curry will want and get a Max deal starting at over 30 million. And they still will need to fill out their roster with at least 4 new players with zero Cap space. So, would they trade Thompson if they fail to not only win a Championship..but fail to get to the finals ?

[76ciology]

You need to match the offensive firepower of the Cavs and GSW in order to be a contender.

On defense, Rox got Beverly for star PGs, Ariza for star wings and Capela/Nene for some decent rim protection. Harden is also an underrated team defender. I thought their defense is strategic and flexible depending on the match-up while they are just one good shooting series away from upsetting the Warriors, even at full strength.

Their starting unit has potent offense to match-up the best teams. But now they have an unmatchable offensive firepower off the bench with Lou-EG than would give GSW trouble with their weak bench than the yester years. As what Morey said, maybe around 15 3s made per game would allow them to beat GSW in the play-offs.

..and when the game gets close, they have a top 5 player who can put the team on his back to carry them to victory.

If there's a team who can beat the Warriors, it's the Rox for me.

I'm a big Golden State fan, but with that said, I completely agree with you. I don't know if Houston can beat the Clippers though, I think it's either Houston or LAC coming out of the west if Golden State doesn't get their crap together. The Spurs (who I also like a lot) will not be able to compensate for the loss of Aldridge should he remain out. I just wonder if Houston can beat the Cavs in a 7 game series.

Okay Hypothetical.....Lets say Golden State loses in the Playoffs, either get upset early or lose in the WC finals to the Spurs. Do the Warriors maybe shake things up with a move ? Like maybe trading away Thompson ? I mean Durant is definitely opting out, and looking to sign an even bigger deal with a Super high first year salary. Curry will want and get a Max deal starting at over 30 million. And they still will need to fill out their roster with at least 4 new players with zero Cap space. So, would they trade Thompson if they fail to not only win a Championship..but fail to get to the finals ?

Nope. Their built is optimal in today's game.

[TheAntiTrump]

Nope. Their built is optimal in today's game.

How can you say that when their only title came when they beat a depleted Cavs team, and lost out last year when they were up 3-1 ? How is it Optimal if you have a owner who is NOT Super rich spending what will be over 170 Million on a team that can't win a title ?

[Unbreakable99]

Ok....so Chandler Parsons is done for the year with a torn meniscus. Embiid was diagnosed with his a month ago and has probably had it since January. I wonder who comes back first.

Good thing both Embiid and Parsons are boys. Maybe they can train together and share secrets.

[76thBearCub]

When is the 90 minute ESPN special on Iggy's strange cryptic comments?

[mithrandir17]

You need to match the offensive firepower of the Cavs and GSW in order to be a contender.

On defense, Rox got Beverly for star PGs, Ariza for star wings and Capela/Nene for some decent rim protection. Harden is also an underrated team defender. I thought their defense is strategic and flexible depending on the match-up while they are just one good shooting series away from upsetting the Warriors, even at full strength.

Their starting unit has potent offense to match-up the best teams. But now they have an unmatchable offensive firepower off the bench with Lou-EG than would give GSW trouble with their weak bench than the yester years. As what Morey said, maybe around 15 3s made per game would allow them to beat GSW in the play-offs.

..and when the game gets close, they have a top 5 player who can put the team on his back to carry them to victory.

If there's a team who can beat the Warriors, it's the Rox for me.

I'm a big Golden State fan, but with that said, I completely agree with you. I don't know if Houston can beat the Clippers though, I think it's either Houston or LAC coming out of the west if Golden State doesn't get their crap together. The Spurs (who I also like a lot) will not be able to compensate for the loss of Aldridge should he remain out. I just wonder if Houston can beat the Cavs in a 7 game series.

Okay Hypothetical.....Lets say Golden State loses in the Playoffs, either get upset early or lose in the WC finals to the Spurs. Do the Warriors maybe shake things up with a move ? Like maybe trading away Thompson ? I mean Durant is definitely opting out, and looking to sign an even bigger deal with a Super high first year salary. Curry will want and get a Max deal starting at over 30 million. And they still will need to fill out their roster with at least 4 new players with zero Cap space. So, would they trade Thompson if they fail to not only win a Championship..but fail to get to the finals ?

Even if Durant does not re-sign with the warriors, they can still sign some players that will cover their weaknesses. They just need to sign players that almost replicates their team from 2015-2016. After the signing of free agents, then they can sign Curry on top of their capspace.

[mithrandir17]

How can you say that when their only title came when they beat a depleted Cavs team, and lost out last year when they were up 3-1 ? How is it Optimal if you have a owner who is NOT Super rich spending what will be over 170 Million on a team that can't win a title ?

You do not break a team that lost in the finals. You only need to tweek a few things. Look at what happened in OKC. They broke up the Westbrook, Harden, Durant trio after they went to the finals. If only they were able to add a few pieces to that core, who knows what could have happened.

[76ciology]

How can you say that when their only title came when they beat a depleted Cavs team, and lost out last year when they were up 3-1 ? How is it Optimal if you have a owner who is NOT Super rich spending what will be over 170 Million on a team that can't win a title ?

1.) Draymond was suspended and that ruined the momentum. Prior to that they really looked like they had the edge in the first 4 games.
2.) GSW didn't have durant. The Durant-Draymond forward duo allows them to not rely on a center for D and yet be ELITE on D.
3.)You won't be able to match the way they play both ends. Rox may match their offense. But defensively, they are on another level.

The way I notice the play-offs. Screen play and abusing the handcheck rule are neutralized with the switching and the physicality allowed by the refs, these two allows free flow offense in regular season. That said, post season, you'll need elite ISO scorer, elite spacers, versatile defenders/rim protectors (holy grail of modern D) and ability to play big and small. Only the Warriors have them.

Watchout for the KD-Curry 1-3 PnR in the play-offs, when games get close. While you'll have to match their ELITE offense and ELITE defense to stay close. Once opponents PG switched to KD, it's game over.

They are not just an elite knockout puncher but they are also an elite counter puncher.

[76ciology]

Kings are fun to watch without DMC. Interesting how Skal improves. WCS is a pleasant surprise. They are moving the ball better with their shooters and guards. I just hope they lose more games

SKAL!

[TheAntiTrump]

Even if Durant does not re-sign with the warriors, they can still sign some players that will cover their weaknesses. They just need to sign players that almost replicates their team from 2015-2016. After the signing of free agents, then they can sign Curry on top of their capspace.

Only way they would have any Cap space is IF they totally renounce Durant after he Opts out. And they will not do that. Unless of course he Opts out, and tells them he is going elsewhere. But, if he Opts out just to sign a new deal now based on the fact that he has 10 years in the league....the Warriors will have ZERO Cap space cause both he, and Curry will count 150 % of their 2016/17 salaries...which would put them way over the Salary Cap of 102 million next season.

[Unbreakable99]

Okafor was a bad pick and hasn't been a good player up to this point but there is a worse player.

Read on Twitter

[76ciology]

After allstar, everyone's been playing a notch or two lower. Not fun to watch these games until the play-offs.

[shawn_hemp]

I've been really impressed with Patty Mills this year

Starting to hope we sign him in the offseason over even Lowry or Jrue

[the_process]

I've been really impressed with Patty Mills this year

Starting to hope we sign him in the offseason over even Lowry or Jrue

I'd be good with signing Mills if the Sixers don't draft a guard.

[Sixerscan]

I predict that we sign some guard. People will complain that we overpaid despite the fact that we will still go into the season with $20 million in cap room.

[Kobblehead]

I don't view going down the road of signing players like Patty Mills as an intelligent approach, whatsoever. He's a back-up level talent that doesn't play defense. Those types of signings do nothing for us.