2023-24 Season Discussion and Speculation 5 - the calm before the storm

[bwgood77]

OKC youngest team in the NBA...scary...and they lose their last game to SA, and it wasn't really close. The Thunder, Spurs and Rockets are going to be tough for a long time...Nuggets still young too...and Memphis...they have been injured all year but will have a top pick, and still have Ja, Bane and JJJ all young...and Brandon Clarke. Kings young....Sabonis only 27. Then there is Luka.

We really need to take care of business the next couple of years because these young teams are already good....SA is starting to pick it up. Forgot about the Jazz too, who are fairly tough and have a load of picks from the Wolves.

Too late Bwg… these teams are already good. And a couple are better. With little ways to improve this roster next yr, the gap will be more noticeable. We are genuinely foooked unless TheMadMatter decides to ****can this experiment. I don’t expect that unless there are internal requests for change. He tied his own hands.

We all knew the risk. Most tried to whitewash it, look the other way and disguise it with pseudo optimism based on the lack of ‘Big three’ playing time. I’ll admit, I held out as long as I could. Now, The ‘you just wait and see’ crowd are desperately clinging on till the playoffs….or rather, the play in game. I’ve seen enough. Too many flaws, no cohesion, questionable sporadic intensity, and a weak coaching staff. And sadly, much like with CP, a declining superstar who is loosing effectiveness. Sure, KD is throwing up an impressive pts per line… good stats, but he has looked gawd awful at times, and often at the times when needed most. Really, how many games has he just taken over? 2-3. In the last 40 games he’s had over 30 pts just a handful of times.

If anything, a quick post season exit will give this team time to regroup and the the Front Office time to reflect… but, in the meantime, KD takes his ego driven entitled arse to Paris for the Olympics, truly flaunting the durability odds. Doesn’t matter though, as he is being asked to do too much here. He’s no longer a top ten player, and soon to slide out of the top 20. Old man **** happens.

Oh well, I’m not surprised at all. Just sad that Wishbea’s get rich quick scheme didn’t work… and has set us back 3-4 years. Heck, we can’t even look forward to the off season as the minor Tinkering won’t help anyways. And that’s about all they can do….unless…….

We can't really **** can what we have though. Do you really think KD will have a ton of trade value after this year and it would be worth rebuilding? He would still have trade value, but you're talking maybe 2 firsts and a young player plus filler (expiring) to a team desperate to compete, like GS and Kuminga or something, but that's still unlikely, and there is a chance he lasts like LeBron (small chance, but maybe 4 more good years or so). Beal if healthy should have at least 4-5 more years, and Book 7-8. Book would fetch 4-5 firsts and prospects, but no chance we trade him.

If we can keep Royce and Allen that's a plus.

The main two things we need to stay competitive is for Bol Bol to come back and break out more, hopefully more next year so he doesn't leave this offseason, and to nail our draft pick, I'm talking Haliburton style. Then nail our 26 pick. Those picks are important because by 28, 29, 30, with the 29 pick gone and swaps on the other two, we may lose high picks...because we may just have a decent Book...unless we trade him after KD and Beal decline. He could want out then..I don't know.

Of course there is the group saying the whole league turns over every few years but why would OKC, SA, HOU, UTAH, DEN, SAC and some of those other teams like MEM change much? Plus, OKC, SA, POR, and UTAH have tons of extra picks...not only do we have only a couple the next few years, which are swaps, they have 2 or 3 a year in the first round, to get even better.

I think as good as Nurkic is at some things, his lack of finishing inside and lack of 3 pt shooting hurts us offensively, and he is not a great defender either. I'm not trying to say Ayton is better if some are assuming that. Just that I hope Bol emerges or maybe we can figure out something else to help us at C. We desperately need another ball handler as well. Bring Payne back on a minimum.

[Stix]

THE PROBLEM IS WE DIDN'T NEED BEAL. THIS WHOLE STARTING 3 SG IS NOT GOING TO WORK AND NEVER WILL. BUT ITS OK, WE GOT BEAL FOR NOTHING.

[bwgood77]

The quicker we move on from KD, the better. But Book will most probably be gone as well. And I guess we're stuck with Beal. They really did **** everything up.

We can't catch up on a rebuild, and we looked good last night in our massive comeback, without Book. We just need to stagger better when we are healthy so we can utilize Beal more so he can get more shots.

Hope we nail our pick, and keep our role players and Bol, and maybe in a few years, trade Book if we become a non playoff team. He may want to go to the Lakers anyway to be their face of their future post LeBron and I'm sure they could add another star.

We gave up a lot more for KD than anyone else would have, and his trade value won't get any higher. I just hope he can stay healthy.

[bwgood77]

There is a chance we drop to 9th or 10th after the 2nd game against BOS, with @DEN and @CLE also in there, so we will need to win 4 or 5 out of our next 6 which includes two games against SA, one game against Charlotte, one against ATL and one against PHI would is banged up...only tough game in that stretch is the Bucks, unless Wemby shuts down KD and dominates us....they are a lot better now than when we lost to them twice before.

[bwgood77]

THE PROBLEM IS WE DIDN'T NEED BEAL. THIS WHOLE STARTING 3 SG IS NOT GOING TO WORK AND NEVER WILL. BUT ITS OK, WE GOT BEAL FOR NOTHING.

Certainly didn't hurt though..as you know by now is was him or nothing or maybe Poole or a tax MLE guy. Beal is shooting a higher eFG% than Book (56.1% to 55.1%), 2pt FG% ahead 55.9% to 54.3% and 3 pt slightly behind at 37.6% to Book's 37.9%.

Obviously you hate the guy for whatever reason, but he makes us WAY better when he plays and when he doesn't, it's no different than not having him at all. He really helps when one of the other big 3 is out too. We nearly came back and won last night against the #1 team in the west.

[King4Day]

Shams saying Book will be out at least 7-10 days.

The injury bug really got us this year. Literally cost us a season.

[Stix]

THE PROBLEM IS WE DIDN'T NEED BEAL. THIS WHOLE STARTING 3 SG IS NOT GOING TO WORK AND NEVER WILL. BUT ITS OK, WE GOT BEAL FOR NOTHING.

Certainly didn't hurt though..as you know by now is was him or nothing or maybe Poole or a tax MLE guy. Beal is shooting a higher eFG% than Book (56.1% to 55.1%), 2pt FG% ahead 55.9% to 54.3% and 3 pt slightly behind at 37.6% to Book's 37.9%.

Obviously you hate the guy for whatever reason, but he makes us WAY better when he plays and when he doesn't, it's no different than not having him at all. He really helps when one of the other big 3 is out too. We nearly came back and won last night against the #1 team in the west.

Stop with the Poole stuff. That was not the situation. In hindsight, would've preferred to keep CP3 to at least get the new guys acclimated to the offense. Young obviously bit off more than he can chew. You are vastly underrating how important Point God was to this team and its success.

We were a bubble team without him, then we became a contender with him, now guess what... we are bubble team without him.

[Stix]

Shams saying Book will be out at least 7-10 days.

The injury bug really got us this year. Literally cost us a season.

Could be worse, I was expecting him to be out at least 2 weeks. If it was Brad, then ya its over because he would be out for rest of season.

[King4Day]

If Book misses 7 days:

@Nuggets
Raptors
Celtics
@Cavs

If he misses 10, then he'll miss the 2nd game against the @Celtics too

Real shot we go winless as we still have no chemistry and far too many issues on both ends of the ball.
Perhaps this is the knife in the back we need to put this season to bed.

If there is a positive here, it's that this will likely get us away from any shot of playing Denver or the Clips in round one, IF we make and advance in the play-in. But on the flip side, both OKC and Minny are for real, and we probably are a quick exit regardless.

[Saberestar]

Shams saying Book will be out at least 7-10 days.

The injury bug really got us this year. Literally cost us a season.

That means that he probably will be back to play at Boston in 10 days.

He will be out against Nuggets, Raptors, Celtics and Cavs.

[King4Day]

Shams saying Book will be out at least 7-10 days.

The injury bug really got us this year. Literally cost us a season.

That means that he probably will be back to play at Boston in 10 days.

He will be out against Nuggets, Raptors, Celtics and Cavs.

That's what I think will happen too. I also wouldn't be surprised if he returns for the Cavs game if we lose the next 3.
This is why the losses to the Rockets sting so much.
That Raptor game is a must win now.

[bwgood77]

THE PROBLEM IS WE DIDN'T NEED BEAL. THIS WHOLE STARTING 3 SG IS NOT GOING TO WORK AND NEVER WILL. BUT ITS OK, WE GOT BEAL FOR NOTHING.

Certainly didn't hurt though..as you know by now is was him or nothing or maybe Poole or a tax MLE guy. Beal is shooting a higher eFG% than Book (56.1% to 55.1%), 2pt FG% ahead 55.9% to 54.3% and 3 pt slightly behind at 37.6% to Book's 37.9%.

Obviously you hate the guy for whatever reason, but he makes us WAY better when he plays and when he doesn't, it's no different than not having him at all. He really helps when one of the other big 3 is out too. We nearly came back and won last night against the #1 team in the west.

Stop with the Poole stuff. That was not the situation. In hindsight, would've preferred to keep CP3 to at least get the new guys acclimated to the offense. Young obviously bit off more than he can chew. You are vastly underrating how important Point God was to this team and its success.

We were a bubble team without him, then we became a contender with him, now guess what... we are bubble team without him.

I don't think you understand how bad Paul was. If we kept him he would have made us MUCH worse than with Beal, missing just about the same # of games. Then he would have expired and we'd not be able to sign anyone with no cap space and in the tax. Maybe we'd have had the tax MLE which is $5 million which would have gotten us no one of consequence. We get it. You hate Beal, but he's playing at a very high level, much higher than Paul this year, in about the same # of games, and we don't have enough scoring threats to limit doubles on Book and/or KD...if Paul was here that would just be worse because no one would guard him, just like Saben Lee (which would hurt his assists too because more defenders would be on the stars).

[bwgood77]

Shams saying Book will be out at least 7-10 days.

The injury bug really got us this year. Literally cost us a season.

That means that he probably will be back to play at Boston in 10 days.

He will be out against Nuggets, Raptors, Celtics and Cavs.

That's what I think will happen too. I also wouldn't be surprised if he returns for the Cavs game if we lose the next 3.
This is why the losses to the Rockets sting so much.
That Raptor game is a must win now.

I doubt we win at Denver, at CLE and vs BOS at home with Book anyway....I'd rather him miss those than the stretch after the game at BOS when we have that easier stretch and can hopefully take care of business and win hopefully 5 or 6 of those.

[Saberestar]

If Book misses 7 days:

@Nuggets
Raptors
Celtics
@Cavs

If he misses 10, then he'll miss the 2nd game against the @Celtics too

Real shot we go winless as we still have no chemistry and far too many issues on both ends of the ball.
Perhaps this is the knife in the back we need to put this season to bed.

If there is a positive here, it's that this will likely get us away from any shot of playing Denver or the Clips in round one, IF we make and advance in the play-in. But on the flip side, both OKC and Minny are for real, and we probably are a quick exit regardless.

Scotty Barnes will be out for the Raptors game so I expect us to win that game for sure.

Then we need to find a way to get another W. 2-2 would be cool.

[Bogyo]

Certainly didn't hurt though..as you know by now is was him or nothing or maybe Poole or a tax MLE guy. Beal is shooting a higher eFG% than Book (56.1% to 55.1%), 2pt FG% ahead 55.9% to 54.3% and 3 pt slightly behind at 37.6% to Book's 37.9%.

Obviously you hate the guy for whatever reason, but he makes us WAY better when he plays and when he doesn't, it's no different than not having him at all. He really helps when one of the other big 3 is out too. We nearly came back and won last night against the #1 team in the west.

Stop with the Poole stuff. That was not the situation. In hindsight, would've preferred to keep CP3 to at least get the new guys acclimated to the offense. Young obviously bit off more than he can chew. You are vastly underrating how important Point God was to this team and its success.

We were a bubble team without him, then we became a contender with him, now guess what... we are bubble team without him.

I don't think you understand how bad Paul was. If we kept him he would have made us MUCH worse than with Beal, missing just about the same # of games. Then he would have expired and we'd not be able to sign anyone with no cap space and in the tax. Maybe we'd have had the tax MLE which is $5 million which would have gotten us no one of consequence. We get it. You hate Beal, but he's playing at a very high level, much higher than Paul this year, in about the same # of games, and we don't have enough scoring threats to limit doubles on Book and/or KD...if Paul was here that would just be worse because no one would guard him, just like Saben Lee (which would hurt his assists too because more defenders would be on the stars).

How many times will you write this down? Just kick this fool out without any second thoughts. He is too dumb to chew a gum and fart at the same time - or he is just a stpd troll. Either way, he can not hold a normal conversation, we dont need him here.

[King4Day]

Did we sign Saben, or waive the other guy?

Read on Twitter

[Frank Lee]

THE PROBLEM IS WE DIDN'T NEED BEAL. THIS WHOLE STARTING 3 SG IS NOT GOING TO WORK AND NEVER WILL. BUT ITS OK, WE GOT BEAL FOR NOTHING.

Certainly didn't hurt though..as you know by now is was him or nothing or maybe Poole or a tax MLE guy. Beal is shooting a higher eFG% than Book (56.1% to 55.1%), 2pt FG% ahead 55.9% to 54.3% and 3 pt slightly behind at 37.6% to Book's 37.9%.

Obviously you hate the guy for whatever reason, but he makes us WAY better when he plays and when he doesn't, it's no different than not having him at all. He really helps when one of the other big 3 is out too. We nearly came back and won last night against the #1 team in the west.

Stop with the Poole stuff. That was not the situation. In hindsight, would've preferred to keep CP3 to at least get the new guys acclimated to the offense. Young obviously bit off more than he can chew. You are vastly underrating how important Point God was to this team and its success.

We were a bubble team without him, then we became a contender with him, now guess what... we are bubble team without him.

In hindsight, we were not going to be any better with CP or without. The error was extending an old once was-er with 3 yrs and big dough. Painted ourselves in a corner. Paul had so little value other than his salary, and that was a F-ed up contract with that 15 mill guarantee. Player friendly Jones strikes again. Beal’s deal just extended our cap problems. Washington was looking for a way off him. I can’t imagine too many teams would want his contract at this stage. Nor can I imagine any KD trade that nets us near what we gave up. We are stuck in sal cap purgatory, with virtually no tradable assets. Best bet is to run this back with RON and Allen on board? … where’s the improvement? Just going to have to wait this one out. Yay. And next year the West will be even tougher.

I’m prepared for Wishbea to rah rah this off season, touting the injury bug as the reason for mediocrity. It’s not over yet, as we can always get on a heater… but that’s hard to sustain, especially in a 7 gamer (x 3?)

I wonder if GMs will ever learn not to give big money raises/ extensions to twilighting vets. There is more young talent out there and no need to reward big names in inevitable decline ( KD)

[Saberestar]

Did we sign Saben, or waive the other guy?

Read on Twitter

Ish Wainright AGAIN? lol

Probably Saben Lee on an standard contract.

EDIT:
The Phoenix Suns are waiving Theo Maledon, league sources told @hoopshype.

[lilfishi22]

Did we sign Saben, or waive the other guy?

Read on Twitter

Ish Wainright AGAIN? lol

Probably Saben Lee on an standard contract.

EDIT:
The Phoenix Suns are waiving Theo Maledon, league sources told @hoopshype.

I think I read the news of Maledon's signing back when it happened but I literally didn't think or notice his existence on the roster/bench. The entire time I thought we just had our two 2-way guys

[Ghost of Kleine]

Is it at all weird that I'm glad to see Ish come back for continuity and chemistry? BUT........................................................


That being said, I'm still greatly concerned over our lack of frontcourt size and not having a quality backup center option for possible Nurkic insurance for the postseason in the random event of him fouling out/foul trouble/ or possible time missed due to injury. I do believe that Eubanks can still be functional in a limited capacity if utilized in a fastbreak style of play. But without a bigger, more physical backup center option, I think we're absolutely going to have our lack of size exploited by the bigger, more athletic and more physical postseason frontcourts we'll inevitably face.