The Official 2024 Offseason Thread Part 2

[lilfishi22]

Admittedly, I haven't watched any of USA basketball outside of highlights but have noted Book both starting and playing a lot of minutes, especially closing whereas Tatum has been riding the bench more often than he's played. I've always thought Tatum and Book have similar skill sets with Tatum being the bigger and better defender whereas Book is the better catch and shoot guy.

Is Book playing because he's committed to and has publicly said he's willing to do whatever the team needs him to do (dirty work/defense/take a backseat to others) whereas I'm guessing Tatum hasn't shown the same willingness? I can't see why Tatum couldn't play and help, especially on the defensive end.

[Saberestar]

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[LV-Suns]

Admittedly, I haven't watched any of USA basketball outside of highlights but have noted Book both starting and playing a lot of minutes, especially closing whereas Tatum has been riding the bench more often than he's played. I've always thought Tatum and Book have similar skill sets with Tatum being the bigger and better defender whereas Book is the better catch and shoot guy.

Is Book playing because he's committed to and has publicly said he's willing to do whatever the team needs him to do (dirty work/defense/take a backseat to others) whereas I'm guessing Tatum hasn't shown the same willingness? I can't see why Tatum couldn't play and help, especially on the defensive end.

A couple of things. The biggest one is that Tatum has been in a major shooting slump for months, even back to the playoffs. He shot 39% from the field in the finals and just 26% from three. It’s honestly impressive that the Celtics still won the championship with him shooting like that, but it just shows how stacked they were. Now, playing for Team USA, he’s still struggling. He hasn’t made a three yet, going back to the exhibition games.

On the other hand, Booker is playing a completely different role than he does with the Suns. He’s off the ball now, and aside from shooting a few pin-down threes, he’s not getting any plays run for him. And yet, he’s scoring. He was the leading scorer against Brazil, and while being low usage. He’s basically the perfect fifth player when you have four MVPs on the court. His defense has been incredible too. Since he’s conserving energy on offense, he’s often one of the best defensive players on the team. He consistently guards the best perimeter players, while Curry handles the weaker ones. Booker’s been amazing on this team.

If you want to see a meltdown, check out the Celtics board. I used to think Laker fans were entitled, but these guys take it to a whole new level. They’re actually rooting against Team USA just because Tatum isn’t in the rotation, even though they have two other players and one of them is starting. It’s wild.

[lilfishi22]

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All bangers except for LA vs GSW. What is this? 2021? lol

[lilfishi22]

Admittedly, I haven't watched any of USA basketball outside of highlights but have noted Book both starting and playing a lot of minutes, especially closing whereas Tatum has been riding the bench more often than he's played. I've always thought Tatum and Book have similar skill sets with Tatum being the bigger and better defender whereas Book is the better catch and shoot guy.

Is Book playing because he's committed to and has publicly said he's willing to do whatever the team needs him to do (dirty work/defense/take a backseat to others) whereas I'm guessing Tatum hasn't shown the same willingness? I can't see why Tatum couldn't play and help, especially on the defensive end.

A couple of things. The biggest one is that Tatum has been in a major shooting slump for months, even back to the playoffs. He shot 39% from the field in the finals and just 26% from three. It’s honestly impressive that the Celtics still won the championship with him shooting like that, but it just shows how stacked they were. Now, playing for Team USA, he’s still struggling. He hasn’t made a three yet, going back to the exhibition games.

On the other hand, Booker is playing a completely different role than he does with the Suns. He’s off the ball now, and aside from shooting a few pin-down threes, he’s not getting any plays run for him. And yet, he’s scoring. He was the leading scorer against Brazil, and while being low usage. He’s basically the perfect fifth player when you have four MVPs on the court. His defense has been incredible too. Since he’s conserving energy on offense, he’s often one of the best defensive players on the team. He consistently guards the best perimeter players, while Curry handles the weaker ones. Booker’s been amazing on this team.

If you want to see a meltdown, check out the Celtics board. I used to think Laker fans were entitled, but these guys take it to a whole new level. They’re actually rooting against Team USA just because Tatum isn’t in the rotation, even though they have two other players and one of them is starting. It’s wild.

I know if they had a 3&D guy like say a Trey Murphy or someone of that tier, this would be far less attention on this "issue" and Kerr wouldn't be feeling as much heat. But because it's a recent champion, a perennial NBA 1st Teamer, it's hard for people to understand why he isn't getting any burn. I mean, I'm a casual when it comes to Team USA and I had the same questions so I can only imagine what C's fans are thinking.

I might take a stroll down the C's board lol

[Saberestar]

Admittedly, I haven't watched any of USA basketball outside of highlights but have noted Book both starting and playing a lot of minutes, especially closing whereas Tatum has been riding the bench more often than he's played. I've always thought Tatum and Book have similar skill sets with Tatum being the bigger and better defender whereas Book is the better catch and shoot guy.

Is Book playing because he's committed to and has publicly said he's willing to do whatever the team needs him to do (dirty work/defense/take a backseat to others) whereas I'm guessing Tatum hasn't shown the same willingness? I can't see why Tatum couldn't play and help, especially on the defensive end.

A couple of things. The biggest one is that Tatum has been in a major shooting slump for months, even back to the playoffs. He shot 39% from the field in the finals and just 26% from three. It’s honestly impressive that the Celtics still won the championship with him shooting like that, but it just shows how stacked they were. Now, playing for Team USA, he’s still struggling. He hasn’t made a three yet, going back to the exhibition games.

On the other hand, Booker is playing a completely different role than he does with the Suns. He’s off the ball now, and aside from shooting a few pin-down threes, he’s not getting any plays run for him. And yet, he’s scoring. He was the leading scorer against Brazil, and while being low usage. He’s basically the perfect fifth player when you have four MVPs on the court. His defense has been incredible too. Since he’s conserving energy on offense, he’s often one of the best defensive players on the team. He consistently guards the best perimeter players, while Curry handles the weaker ones. Booker’s been amazing on this team.

If you want to see a meltdown, check out the Celtics board. I used to think Laker fans were entitled, but these guys take it to a whole new level. They’re actually rooting against Team USA just because Tatum isn’t in the rotation, even though they have two other players and one of them is starting. It’s wild.

Absolutely.

This team is all about Lebron/Curry/KD (last dance for 3 ATGs) and Embiid. They wanted badly Embiid on their roster because of Jokic and Wemby/Gobert.

Book has been perfect next to those 4 because he has accepted a 3&D role and his D has been great on the perimeter.

Hopefully he plays a bit more like that on the Suns next year because we are gonna need his defense and exceptional 3p shooting.

[sunsbg]

Yep I'll take this version of Booker rather than the one ISOing and not playing D of last season.

[garrick]

Admittedly, I haven't watched any of USA basketball outside of highlights but have noted Book both starting and playing a lot of minutes, especially closing whereas Tatum has been riding the bench more often than he's played. I've always thought Tatum and Book have similar skill sets with Tatum being the bigger and better defender whereas Book is the better catch and shoot guy.

Is Book playing because he's committed to and has publicly said he's willing to do whatever the team needs him to do (dirty work/defense/take a backseat to others) whereas I'm guessing Tatum hasn't shown the same willingness? I can't see why Tatum couldn't play and help, especially on the defensive end.

A couple of things. The biggest one is that Tatum has been in a major shooting slump for months, even back to the playoffs. He shot 39% from the field in the finals and just 26% from three. It’s honestly impressive that the Celtics still won the championship with him shooting like that, but it just shows how stacked they were. Now, playing for Team USA, he’s still struggling. He hasn’t made a three yet, going back to the exhibition games.

On the other hand, Booker is playing a completely different role than he does with the Suns. He’s off the ball now, and aside from shooting a few pin-down threes, he’s not getting any plays run for him. And yet, he’s scoring. He was the leading scorer against Brazil, and while being low usage. He’s basically the perfect fifth player when you have four MVPs on the court. His defense has been incredible too. Since he’s conserving energy on offense, he’s often one of the best defensive players on the team. He consistently guards the best perimeter players, while Curry handles the weaker ones. Booker’s been amazing on this team.

If you want to see a meltdown, check out the Celtics board. I used to think Laker fans were entitled, but these guys take it to a whole new level. They’re actually rooting against Team USA just because Tatum isn’t in the rotation, even though they have two other players and one of them is starting. It’s wild.

Absolutely.

This team is all about Lebron/Curry/KD (last dance for 3 ATGs) and Embiid. They wanted badly Embiid on their roster because of Jokic and Wemby/Gobert.

Book has been perfect next to those 4 because he has accepted a 3&D role and his D has been great on the perimeter.

Hopefully he plays a bit more like that on the Suns next year because we are gonna need his defense and exceptional 3p shooting.

Other than those 4 players

I don't think it has to do with Tatum struggling so much as maybe not giving him major minutes coming off a deep finals run and this squad as you've said is all about giving the older players preference as a last run.

Tatum is not going to play ahead of LB and AD so he's naturally going to be much lower in the pecking order but if he's on the squad in the next Olympics I expect him to be playing a lot more minutes.

[Crives]

Hard to watch Olympic starting lineup and not get excited about adding Tyus and seeing more offball Book and KD hitting 3s, cutting and having more energy for defense.

[mkot]

If you want to see a meltdown, check out the Celtics board. I used to think Laker fans were entitled, but these guys take it to a whole new level. They’re actually rooting against Team USA just because Tatum isn’t in the rotation, even though they have two other players and one of them is starting. It’s wild.

It's wild to hear guys like Bill Simmons believes Tatum should be starting over LeBron

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[mkot]

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Lame. Where is OKC? Spurs vs OKC / Wemby vs Chet should be the matchup if they want to push Wemby to our throat.

[bwgood77]

Ishbia on the phone to Yabusele's agent to try and sign him next offseason....of get out of his current contract with Madrid..

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[Fo-Real]

Ishbia on the phone to Yabusele's agent to try and sign him next offseason....of get out of his current contract with Madrid..

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Weak

[Saberestar]

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[sunsbg]

USA wins gold as expected. Semi and final games were both competitive. Good experience and no injuries to Suns star players so all good.

[Saberestar]

[Revived]

Booker and LeBron were the two most consistent players all summer long.

Showed that Booker can be an ELITE defender if needed, he just can’t in Phoenix because of having such a heavy load on offense.

[Revived]

If you want to see a meltdown, check out the Celtics board. I used to think Laker fans were entitled, but these guys take it to a whole new level. They’re actually rooting against Team USA just because Tatum isn’t in the rotation, even though they have two other players and one of them is starting. It’s wild.

It's wild to hear guys like Bill Simmons believes Tatum should be starting over LeBron

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Bill Simmons is an idiot.

[Revived]

Grayson Allen for Herb Jones not sure if Pels do it

They won’t

[Revived]

DA already accomplished what he wanted though. Get that 2nd contract. A lot of players don't get that, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender, Marquiss Chriss.

I thought Jackson did get a 2nd contract with Detroit.