Discussing Other Teams' Moves - Part 7

[FAH1223]

LeBron has no shame

Every time he leaves a team, he’s ravaged the franchise of their assets to win now.

He sees the writing on the wall in LAL.

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As much as he irks me, Lebron has brought a ‘chip to each of those franchises. That is what picks are for, right? They are assets to help you win. And win he has done. No team’s window stays open forever.

Sure, I get that. But look at Toronto, they won it all and still have their foundation. Golden State did a soft retool while assembling assets. The Spurs after their last championship looked like they would remain in contention for a long time until Kawhi weirded himself out of town.

Listening to this was interesting.

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[Ruzious]

Man, I was sure he was going to be a solid NBA player. Anyway, he'll always have those 13 minutes. And 57 points for the game isn't too bad.

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[closg00]

Man, I was sure he was going to be a solid NBA player. Anyway, he'll always have those 13 minutes. And 57 points for the game isn't too bad.

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Wow, he has bounced all-over the NBA

[FAH1223]

Lakers might use stretch provision on Westbrook.

Well worth the read!

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[badinage]

Nice. Let’s bring him back, too!

[FAH1223]

Nice. Let’s bring him back, too!

Tommy would do that

[nate33]

Nice. Let’s bring him back, too!

Tommy would do that

I could actually envision a world where that would make sense.

Westbrook would have to agree to be a backup though. Just put him out there with all defense-minded catch-and-shoot guys on the 2nd unit and have him go do Westbrook things. A 2nd unit of Westbrook alongside KCP, Kispert, Hachimura and Gafford would be interesting, since none of those guys need to touch the ball except in a finishing role. The starters play with a decentralized lineup of Sato, Beal, Avdija, Kuzma and Porzingis, with most of the offense running through Beal, Kuzma and Zinger; and with Sato and Avdija doing their high bball-IQ connector thing while D-ing up on the other end.

[closg00]

I don't recall any of these guys discussed here pre-draft.

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[doclinkin]

I don't recall any of these guys discussed here pre-draft.

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I had Sengun. And Ayo.

This draft. Man. It's maddening. I like a quarter of the players on the list.

Most years a guy like Ayo Dosunmu would be in the top half of the first round. This year he is mocked down to the 2nd round. But I don't see anybody who thinks he won't be an effective and useful NBA player. It's just that he doesn't have the shimmer of a mystery player whose game is less familiar to everybody. Foreign or young or whomever.

But if you look at his advanced metrics, he got better in every category every year. Even while his usage increased. If you hear him talk, this is an instant veteran, he understands the game, has pretty much every shot he will need, sees the court well, can break down film in his head of things he has seen in other players games, at college or when he watches NBA players. Does he have skywalking athleticism? No. Nor insane physical measurements. But if you need a sixth man he can sub in 1-3 and play both ways competently against all but the speedy PG types. Rebounds large for a guard. Makes smart reads and cuts. Passes well. Can score at all three levels.

I don't hate Sengun. He's got precocious footwork for an 18 year old. 80% from the FT line, and while his 3FG stroke isn't there yet, it looks like he could develop, not broken, just lacking reps. Active defender with solid steals and blocks, willing passer. As one of the youngest players in this draft his skillset is pretty advanced and looks like it will translate. Smart cuts. Makes NBA plays already. He's got a head start on most young Bigs. He knows what he is doing out there. If Wiseman had Sengun's game he would've been ROY. If Deni could finish like Sengun he wouldn't have passed up many of the shots he did. I don't think he lasts to 15 though. And he adds another young big to a front court that is already trying to develop and find minutes for the guys we have. If we pick him it's because he fell and we are listening to offers from teams lower down. Or we are dangling one of the guys we have as trade bait.

A couple had Herb Jones.

[payitforward]

Good heavens... Hyland & Mann have been terrible. Sengun is young enough that he has plenty of time to adjust to the NBA, but so far he hasn't been one bit good! I give him Herb Jones, definitely a positive pick -- esp. at #35.

Cam Thomas can look good & can look terrible. I'd say he has little BBIQ, & his numbers overall are bad not good. Using Lou Williams as a comp for him is a hint as to how limited this guy's POV is.

He's certainly right to put Dosonmu at the top of his list -- but, to tell the truth, isn't that kind of obvious?

Where's Omar Yurtsevan, who's been a great rookie? Quentin Grimes? Austin Reaves? Aaron Wiggins? Those last 2 have been better than anyone on his list except Dosonmu.

[gambitx777]

Nice. Let’s bring him back, too!

Tommy would do that

I could actually envision a world where that would make sense.

Westbrook would have to agree to be a backup though. Just put him out there with all defense-minded catch-and-shoot guys on the 2nd unit and have him go do Westbrook things. A 2nd unit of Westbrook alongside KCP, Kispert, Hachimura and Gafford would be interesting, since none of those guys need to touch the ball except in a finishing role. The starters play with a decentralized lineup of Sato, Beal, Avdija, Kuzma and Porzingis, with most of the offense running through Beal, Kuzma and Zinger; and with Sato and Avdija doing their high bball-IQ connector thing while D-ing up on the other end.

I mean bringing him in as a vet min/mini mid or part of the mid level. I wouldn't mind bringing home back at all.

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[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Good heavens... Hyland & Mann have been terrible. Sengun is young enough that he has plenty of time to adjust to the NBA, but so far he hasn't been one bit good! I give him Herb Jones, definitely a positive pick -- esp. at #35.

Cam Thomas can look good & can look terrible. I'd say he has little BBIQ, & his numbers overall are bad not good. Using Lou Williams as a comp for him is a hint as to how limited this guy's POV is.

He's certainly right to put Dosonmu at the top of his list -- but, to tell the truth, isn't that kind of obvious?

Where's Omar Yurtsevan, who's been a great rookie? Quentin Grimes? Austin Reaves? Aaron Wiggins? Those last 2 have been better than anyone on his list except Dosonmu.

I believed in Aaron Wiggins, and really couldn't see why there was so much skepticism.

[closg00]

Man, I was sure he was going to be a solid NBA player. Anyway, he'll always have those 13 minutes. And 57 points for the game isn't too bad.

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...and like Matthews, Nik got scooped-up by Boston on a cheapie 2-year deal, the rich get richer. Boston can plug this guy right into the rotation, meanwhile where is Joel??

[Ruzious]

I don't recall any of these guys discussed here pre-draft.

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Some of those guys... it's hard to understand why he's bragging about picking them because they haven't shown much. But we did mention all of them at some point. DCZards was particularly high on Herb Jones, and I think CCJ also liked him. I called Ayo the next Jrue Holiday and I probably overrated Sengun.

[DCZards]

Yup…I talked about Herb Jones a lot. Loved his D and improving 3 ball. Thought he’d be a steal if the Zards could get him in the second round.

I mentioned Cam Thomas at least once. Compared him to Jamal Crawford as a guy who could give you instant offense. He’s already helped the Nets win a few games with his scoring.

I also talked up Ayo on several occasions…as did some others here like Nat4.

[payitforward]

At the same time, of course, all of us also rated a bunch of guys high who haven't done anything. & missed a bunch of guys who have!

For my money, Giddey, Barnes & Dosonmu have been enormously better than any other rookies who are playing heavy minutes. Obviously, Dosonmu was the best pick, given where the other 2 were taken.

The tier below them includes Reaves, Wiggins (big-time surprises), Kispert, Jones & Mobley.

[DCZards]

PIF, I’d add Cunningham to your list of outstanding rookies. He’s been the focal point of the Pistons offense most nights…as well as the focal point of the opponent’s defense. That’s not the case with any of the other rooks on your list…most of whom (like Mobley, Barnes, Reaves & Ayo) are playing next to all-stars or all-star caliber players.

The other players you mention have played well, but Cunningham, along with Mobley and Barnes, have been the most impressive rookies, IMO.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Man, I was sure he was going to be a solid NBA player. Anyway, he'll always have those 13 minutes. And 57 points for the game isn't too bad.

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...and like Matthews, Nik got scooped-up by Boston on a cheapie 2-year deal, the rich get richer. Boston can plug this guy right into the rotation, meanwhile where is Joel??

He dropped 43 after his 57-point outburst.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Boston is surging.

They or Philly will be the team to supplant Milwaukee in the East.

[Ruzious]

Boston is surging.

They or Philly will be the team to supplant Milwaukee in the East.

I'm not a Miami believer either.