Discussing Other Teams' Moves Part 3

[dckingsfan]

Bobcat's question... having a debate with a friend...

He thinks the Bobcats will run some (Walker/Sessions), MKG, Zeller, Biyombo, Jefferson part of the time.

Do you think Zeller could guard the SF position - I know he looked extremely athletic in SL.

Any thoughts?

[dckingsfan]

...MKG struggled this season. Really the only way to look at it.

Actually, I thought he had quite a good rookie season. What do you have in mind, saying he "struggled"?

Yeah, he didn't have a bad year. But SFs need to be able to shoot. But he is a good defender so that buys him some extra time getting there.

But year 4, he should be a pretty interesting player if he keeps putting in the work, which you know he will.

Beal was the right pick to go with Wall because he opens up the court. But MKG should end up a solid player.

Cat might have been better off going Beal. Then if they got Zeller this year and went into next looking for a SF, they would have set them up nicely.

But I'm not complaining they passed on Beal. That was a close call.

Actually, that team is slowly coming together.

Kembra/Sessions/Pargo
Henderson/Gordon
MKG/Jeffery Taylor
Zeller/Josh McRoberts/Bismack
Al Jefferson/Bismack/Haywood

Still a little to young to get much done but they should gel come this year. Team need more vet leadership then just Haywood and Al. Gordon and Pargo isn't really getting it done. They are getting there.

I kind of wonder what they will do if they win the sweepstakes and get either Wiggins or Parker - MKG to backup SG/SF? Or do they trade him?

[pancakes3]

Bobcat's question... having a debate with a friend...

He thinks the Bobcats will run some (Walker/Sessions), MKG, Zeller, Biyombo, Jefferson part of the time.

Do you think Zeller could guard the SF position - I know he looked extremely athletic in SL.

Any thoughts?

No chance Zeller guards SF's. None.

[hands11]

Actually, that team is slowly coming together.

Kembra/Sessions/Pargo
Henderson/Gordon
MKG/Jeffery Taylor
Zeller/Josh McRoberts
Al Jefferson/Bismack /Haywood

Playing loose and fast with the term "coming together". If everyone on that squad reaches their potential, it's still not as good as the mid-decade Wizards with GilTawn HayButler. It just lacks talent plain and simple. It's Indy without Paul George and half of Roy Hibbert. It's just a squad where every player in every position is in the 15th-20th best at their position. Very meh.

Coming together is relative to where they were given the rebuilt plan which was a hard reboot like we did.

A Jefferson doesn't suck a all. They are really lucky the choose them. Now others are more likely to follow.

MKG is a nice prospect. In two years, his game should round out. Zeller was a good pick. He probably show nice production at a PF/C in year one.

Henderson is coming along. Kembra has some skill and leadership but not sure he is a top dog. They might need to update at PG but Kembra doesn't suck but Session as a back up is good. Then you have Bis as their Ves long project type. They will get more picks. But they need to replace Haywood. I didn't expect him to play long. He was kind of slow to start with. I think he is pretty done.

They need a nice infusion of vets like we got in the Trevor A/Okafor trade. Get away from Gordon.
Then in a year or so, some FA will walk on cheap like Al just did for us.

They are probably 2 years behind the Wizards. They need Zeller to really pan out and I think he will. Then they have MKG, Zeller, Kembra and their next high draft pick and Al Jefferson.

I would call that coming together. Specially if they luck out in this next draft. The player they draft my force them to trade but that's ok if they get some value. Julius Randle would fit nice. Zeller can back him up with Al at center. Get a vet center to replace Haywood.

Give it 2-3 years and they will be fighting for a playoff spot. They sucked for 2 years. One more suck year and they will start to rise again.

http://espn.go.com/nba/team/stats/_/nam ... te-bobcats

They really blow that thing up. They had Tyson Chandler but it was an old average team. It took a year or two to blow it up and hit rock bottom. You have to stay there 2-3 year before you start to climb back when you reboot like that.

They were .106. Last year they were .256 They should win a few more games this year but they won't want to. Get a nice pick, then come back the following year at maybe .425-.450 With the right pick, even higher.

Who they get in the next draft is going to matter a lot. If they get the right pick and they do well, the following year they will attract more FA's.

Its coming together.

[hands11]

Bobcat's question... having a debate with a friend...

He thinks the Bobcats will run some (Walker/Sessions), MKG, Zeller, Biyombo, Jefferson part of the time.

Do you think Zeller could guard the SF position - I know he looked extremely athletic in SL.

Any thoughts?

He is going to be a rookie. He was a center. Let him learn PF before you go moving him to SF. Maybe the following year. Maybe never.

I wouldn't bank on seeing much of that line up.

What's wrong with Henderson at SG. He showed decent progress. His 3 ball is getting better. As the floor spread and he works on it more, he could do fine. MGK needs to add some perimeter shooting. That will help. So will Zeller is he really do have some range.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/i ... -henderson

[hands11]

Actually, I thought he had quite a good rookie season. What do you have in mind, saying he "struggled"?

Yeah, he didn't have a bad year. But SFs need to be able to shoot. But he is a good defender so that buys him some extra time getting there.

But year 4, he should be a pretty interesting player if he keeps putting in the work, which you know he will.

Beal was the right pick to go with Wall because he opens up the court. But MKG should end up a solid player.

Cat might have been better off going Beal. Then if they got Zeller this year and went into next looking for a SF, they would have set them up nicely.

But I'm not complaining they passed on Beal. That was a close call.

Actually, that team is slowly coming together.

Kembra/Sessions/Pargo
Henderson/Gordon
MKG/Jeffery Taylor
Zeller/Josh McRoberts/Bismack
Al Jefferson/Bismack/Haywood

Still a little to young to get much done but they should gel come this year. Team need more vet leadership then just Haywood and Al. Gordon and Pargo isn't really getting it done. They are getting there.

I kind of wonder what they will do if they win the sweepstakes and get either Wiggins or Parker - MKG to backup SG/SF? Or do they trade him?

Depends on what deals are out there. But nothing wrong with keeping him a year and then figuring it out.

[dckingsfan]

Bobcat's question... having a debate with a friend...

He thinks the Bobcats will run some (Walker/Sessions), MKG, Zeller, Biyombo, Jefferson part of the time.

Do you think Zeller could guard the SF position - I know he looked extremely athletic in SL.

Any thoughts?

He is going to be a rookie. He was a center. Let him learn PF before you go moving him to SF. Maybe the following year. Maybe never.

I wouldn't bank on seeing much of that line up.

What's wrong with Henderson at SG. He showed decent progress. His 3 ball is getting better. As the floor spread and he works on it more, he could do fine. MGK needs to add some perimeter shooting. That will help. So will Zeller is he really do have some range.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/i ... -henderson

This came up because of a friendly discussion... He did look very quick so I think he will easily have the speed to guard PFs (not so sure about the strength yet) and might be quick enough to guard SFs. I also don't think he will see the floor as a SF - but you never know - my friend could be right.

Nothing wrong with Henderson - the notion is that Gordon will get himself in the doghouse (like last year) and that MKG might slide to the SG position for a bit.

[closg00]

Another take on off-season moves.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/ne ... bf3_a8#all

[Dat2U]

Charlotte

Current Team – Along with Orlando, the worst team in the League.

Point Guard: Kemba Walker is a bright spot. The PG position is locked down. Ramon Sessions is a very capable backup.

Shooting Guard: What a mess… Ben Gordon was supposed to be a consummate pro and he turned out to be a divisive force. Gerald Henderson has shown flashes of solid. He is off the payroll next season so MJ will have to make a tough choice on his salary.

Small Forward: MKG struggled this season. Really the only way to look at it. Jeff Taylor was his principal backup and will be back next year.

Power Forward/C: Charlotte has a lot of bigs. Thomas, Biyombo, and Haywood are under contract for next year. Diop, McRoberts and Mullens come off the payroll. The question is who does MJ keep. Biyombo is best suited as a PF. But that would leave Haywood as the starting C. MJ needs to sort this out. Thomas and Haywood likely will not play meaningful minutes next season.

Coach: None

Draft Picks – With the second pick in the draft can you say SG?

Cap Space: $41M in cap space allocated. My guess is that Charlotte will spend much of this on bring back McRoberts and Mullens and possibly adding a backup SG.

I just don't see MJ getting it done... back to the lottery

Looks like MJ is going after ej's favorite coach - Nate McMillan

They might also be looking to go cheap... Kelvin Sampson

Clifford becomes the sixth known candidate to fill the opening created when the Bobcats fired Mike Dunlap last month. The others: Former Phoenix Suns coach Alvin Gentry and four assistants: Nate Tibbetts (Cleveland), Kelvin Sampson (Houston), Jeff Hornacek (Utah) and Elston Turner (most recently with the Suns). From the Charlotte Observer

End up with the #4 pick - bad luck MJ... then again, they really care about the '14 draft. Looking for SG and bigs.

Steve Clifford is their new head coach.

No. 4 C Cody Zeller

They are still looking for a C next to Bismack. It is going to be Zeller/Haywood for a few years to come and Bismack/Thomas (who won't play). I am going to assume that they will not do too much in the FA market so that they are ready for next year.

That would be the only rational thing to do unless MJ is running your team.

Sign Jefferson - probably overpaid. Resign Henderson, McRoberts and Pargo.

PG: Kemba Walker, Ramon Sessions, Jannero Pargo (pretty solid rotation)
SG: Gerald Henderson, Ben Gordon (Yuck)
SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Jeffery Taylor
PF: Bismack Biyombo, Cody Zeller, Josh McRoberts, Jeff Adrien
C: Al Jefferson, Brendan Haywood

Here's how I view Charlotte's rotation

PG Walker / Sessions
SG Henderson / Gordon
SF Kidd-Gilchrist / Taylor
PF Zeller / McRoberts / Adrien
CE Jefferson / Biyombo / Haywood

Charlotte will go as far as Walker, MKG & Zeller will take them. Zeller was a solid pick b/c he projects to fit nicely with MKG with his ability to step out, face up & hit jumpers. MKG can guard 3s & 4s so he's versatile enough defensively to cover for Zeller in certain matchups.

The Jefferson acquisition wasn't about wins. It was about giving their young guys a chance to develop offensively by giving them a #1 option volume scorer who can handle double teams. It should mean better looks for Walker & Henderson and also means MKG won't be forced to carry more than he can offensively. It should also make Charlotte a little easier to watch for the hometown fans.

I think they'll give Biyombo one more look at backup C before giving up on him. He's not capable of playing PF because of the lack of skill and awareness on the perimeter. I wouldn't view anyone else on the roster as a core piece. I'd expect about 25 wins from this group and a decent number of lottery balls. Depending on how they do in the draft, they may even need another year in the lottery to really put themselves in a strong position going forward.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

How I view Charlotte:

1. Al Jefferson is a lot better than Al Harrington. I think he's better than Okafor. I think he's not as good as a healthy Nene. However, since Nene is not healthy most of the time, I think he's probably better than Nene. Jefferson should make his first all star game just because he's going to put up a lot of shots, points, and rebounds.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... elog/2012/

His last two playoff games, in 2011-2012, Jefferson had 20/10 games against the Spurs, and had a playoff PER of 21.1. If anything, Jefferson's a bit underrated.

2. I give Cody Zeller a good shot at ROTY. I would much rather have him on the Wizards than Otto Porter. No, I didn't say that before the draft. From what I've seen of Zeller, he's better defensively than I thought. He's got more range than I thought. I always thought he'd be a good scorer. Now, I think he's going to be an all star some day.

3. Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist is a very good defender who will finally be able to relax with scorers around him. He's a great athlete and a winner. I don't care about his jump shot. His biggest problem was the injury he had his rookie season.

4. Kemba Walker is not a true PG but he's going to be a better than average NBA player before all is said and done. Right now, I'd say he bounced back nicely in year two.

5. Gerald Henderson, is IMO the weakest link. The backcourt is not a dynamic one for the Hornets(still Bobcats).

Bench: Ben Gordon and Ramon Sessions, they need to get rid of one and get a bigger guard. I still like Sessions and I think with better teammates he'll be fine. Jeffrey Taylor looked great in summer league. He's at least a good sub at SG and SF IMO. Biyombo will benefit just as much as MKG with offensive-minded teammates in the front court. Haywood mailed it in last season, but he's got a new coach and much better teammates and should feel like he's in heaven this season. McRoberts is a decent player, but I wonder about his minutes since they spent a lotto pick on Cody Zeller. They have a lot of depth in their front court.

Overall, I give Charlotte a good chance at 30-35 wins, maybe more. Their frontcourt will be STRONGER than the Wizards, unless Nene has a hell of a year. Honestly, I embarrassed myself last year pick Charlotte as a surprise team.

They're better this season without a doubt.

[dckingsfan]

Here's how I view Charlotte's rotation

PG Walker / Sessions
SG Henderson / Gordon
SF Kidd-Gilchrist / Taylor
PF Zeller / McRoberts / Adrien
CE Jefferson / Biyombo / Haywood

Charlotte will go as far as Walker, MKG & Zeller will take them. Zeller was a solid pick b/c he projects to fit nicely with MKG with his ability to step out, face up & hit jumpers. MKG can guard 3s & 4s so he's versatile enough defensively to cover for Zeller in certain matchups.

The Jefferson acquisition wasn't about wins. It was about giving their young guys a chance to develop offensively by giving them a #1 option volume scorer who can handle double teams. It should mean better looks for Walker & Henderson and also means MKG won't be forced to carry more than he can offensively. It should also make Charlotte a little easier to watch for the hometown fans.

I think they'll give Biyombo one more look at backup C before giving up on him. He's not capable of playing PF because of the lack of skill and awareness on the perimeter. I wouldn't view anyone else on the roster as a core piece. I'd expect about 25 wins from this group and a decent number of lottery balls. Depending on how they do in the draft, they may even need another year in the lottery to really put themselves in a strong position going forward.

Thanks Dat.... do you see Zeller getting any time at SF?

[Dat2U]

Here's how I view Charlotte's rotation

PG Walker / Sessions
SG Henderson / Gordon
SF Kidd-Gilchrist / Taylor
PF Zeller / McRoberts / Adrien
CE Jefferson / Biyombo / Haywood

Charlotte will go as far as Walker, MKG & Zeller will take them. Zeller was a solid pick b/c he projects to fit nicely with MKG with his ability to step out, face up & hit jumpers. MKG can guard 3s & 4s so he's versatile enough defensively to cover for Zeller in certain matchups.

The Jefferson acquisition wasn't about wins. It was about giving their young guys a chance to develop offensively by giving them a #1 option volume scorer who can handle double teams. It should mean better looks for Walker & Henderson and also means MKG won't be forced to carry more than he can offensively. It should also make Charlotte a little easier to watch for the hometown fans.

I think they'll give Biyombo one more look at backup C before giving up on him. He's not capable of playing PF because of the lack of skill and awareness on the perimeter. I wouldn't view anyone else on the roster as a core piece. I'd expect about 25 wins from this group and a decent number of lottery balls. Depending on how they do in the draft, they may even need another year in the lottery to really put themselves in a strong position going forward.

Thanks Dat.... do you see Zeller getting any time at SF?

Well, I see MKG & Zeller as having some interchangeability. MKG is big and strong as an ox for a SF, so he may be better equipped to guard stronger opponents at the current time, but I don't see Zeller playing extended minutes at the 3 next to another PF. While he displays good athleticism and skill for 7-0 footer, playing on perimeter would be out of his element. Secondly, Charlotte lacks any quality depth at the 4 & 5. If you slide Zeller down to the 3, your likely putting a far inferior talent in the game, so it makes sense for Zeller to get as many minutes at the 4 as possible so as to limit the exposure of his backups (McRoberts & Adrien).

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I disagree with you on quality depth at 4 and 5. McRoberts and Biyombo are players I would rather have than Seraphin or Vesely. Haywood used to be a decent player, and I think he quit on his last coach. (Oops -- Jefferson and UNC alum Zeller will make him play better IMO.) He's not losing minutes to Byron Mullens, but rather to superior talent now.

I think the Hornets' depth at PF and C is much better than the Wizards' depth.

EDITED--Cody went to Indiana.

[Nivek]

Yeah, doesn't make sense for Charlotte to use Zeller at SF. He should be their PF, period.

[Ruzious]

Yeah, that's an interesting roster the CharBobs have finally put together. Adding Zeller and Jefferson makes a HUGE difference to that team. They can now score. And they have some players Capable of defending - some very well. But will they play well as a team? I don't know. It's an understatement to say that Walker and Sessions are not pure PG's. And if anyone ever again compares MKG to Pippen, smack them for me. They're completely different players. MKG is NOT a play-maker. Everyone on that team is going to be looking for their own shot. chuckchuckchuck. If they play at least some team ball, they should improve a lot and could be a 40 win team.

[nate33]

I still don't think Charlotte will be very good. They're going to have trouble playing defense with Jefferson and Zeller in the paint. If they bring in Biyombo, they're going to have trouble scoring. I don't see them breaking out of 32-win territory unless they get either a legit star-caliber guard or a quality two-way big man.

Their problem is that they don't really have any two-way players on that roster unless Zeller exceeds expectations on defense. They're basically the Eddie Jordan era Wizards with Kemba Walker replacing Gilbert Arenas. That's not a good team. They only had one decent year without Arenas, and that was because Caron Butler had a career season. MKG might someday be that good, but I'm not betting it'll happen at age 19.

[pancakes3]

I think the chances of MKG topping 20 ppg are slim to none. I think the "success" of their season hinges on Al Jefferson. He's the only one talented enough to change his game and still be effective. Kemba Walker can't morph into a pass-first guy because he's incapable of it. MKG can't morph into an off-ball facilitator because he's incapable. Jefferson is capable of playing the role of a solid defender, and playing the role of Lakers-era Wilt for the bobcats. Even then, the sheer lack of talent on that team elsewhere makes it tough to envision them cracking the low 30's in terms of wins. if everything goes right, they win 35. If things don't go right, they win 25. It's not a huge swing either way. Maybe in the lottery...

[dckingsfan]

Well, I see MKG & Zeller as having some interchangeability. MKG is big and strong as an ox for a SF, so he may be better equipped to guard stronger opponents at the current time, but I don't see Zeller playing extended minutes at the 3 next to another PF. While he displays good athleticism and skill for 7-0 footer, playing on perimeter would be out of his element. Secondly, Charlotte lacks any quality depth at the 4 & 5. If you slide Zeller down to the 3, your likely putting a far inferior talent in the game, so it makes sense for Zeller to get as many minutes at the 4 as possible so as to limit the exposure of his backups (McRoberts & Adrien).

Yep, makes sense. I would guess Gordon gets back in the doghouse quickly, so he won't see many minutes. I figured either they would run a two PG set or drop MKG down to guard some SGs.

The Hornets errrrrrrrrrrr, the Bobcats always make it interesting.

[LyricalRico]

Would Boston take a package from Charlotte for Rondo if they also took back Wallace? Something like MKG+Kemba+Haywood+Gordon for Rondo+Wallace?

Jefferson
Zeller
Wallace
Henderson
Rondo

Add in one of the top wings from next year's draft and they might have something.

[dckingsfan]

There was a discussion about Asik in the Trade thread and how Chicago didn't miss a beat when he left - but they have Noah and the surprisingly good backup of Muhammed.

I have heard knocks that Noah isn't a "defensive stopper" but I think he is pretty good (and pesky) on D.

I can see Chicago giving Miami fits this year.