hey, at least we arent the bobcats - the other teams thread

[Battery]

One of the most fun teams to watch in my opinion is Denver. I think they are much better with what they have then with Carmelo. But I still wonder if they have a closer at the end of the game.

Well they were pretty damn good with Carmelo. Also, Denver just played two teams playing the second game of a back to back while they were sitting at home resting. Not only that, they play in a city a mile above sea level so any game they play at home during this crazy season will be a big advantage for them. We know they can score and look good doing it, but the question as always with these types of teams is can they can play defense?

Even last year they were playing great after the trade. They added Faried and Hamilton, I think they can get Wilson Chandler back in March. Faried should help with D. Chandler will too. Nene is really playing the best basketball since the beginning of 2011. Lawson is coming into his own, Andre Miller is a solid defender and backup. Plua, Afflalo. They have a good team, and in my opinion, are in the top 4 in the west. But, I agree, defense will always be a big concern.

Oh no doubt I think they are good, but offensive oriented teams can look really good during the regular season but come playoff time when the defensive intensity steps up and the possessions become fewer, it is always another story. They will need to operate in the half court if they plan on ever going far in the playoffs.

[Eoghan]

The GSW board is also raving about Brick McGuire, the Warriorcats are working well for them and adding defence.

To be fair, I think GSW would rave about anyone in a Warrior's jersey that actually played defense, since that's been a foreign concept there for so long.

One of the most fun teams to watch in my opinion is Denver. I think they are much better with what they have then with Carmelo. But I still wonder if they have a closer at the end of the game.

Well they were pretty damn good with Carmelo. Also, Denver just played two teams playing the second game of a back to back while they were sitting at home resting. Not only that, they play in a city a mile above sea level so any game they play at home during this crazy season will be a big advantage for them. We know they can score and look good doing it, but the question as always with these types of teams is can they can play defense?

Defense? Who needs defense?

Denver would be better if they had Wilson Chandler who is under contract in China (apparently he's beasting over there with multiple 40 point games).

Chandler is a really good player. I watched a lot of Denver post-Melo trade and he really flourished. He kind of has that old man game, like a SF of the NBA of yore but with size and athleticism. I think Gallinari has the potential to really break out into a superstar, he's one of the few guys in the league that when he has it going on offense, he's unguardable.

[Snidely FC]

GSW also added Fesenko. That gives them Biedrins, Kwame, Fesenko, Udoh & Tyler all over 6'10" which should make their D much more formidable.

[captaincrunk]

Even last year they were playing great after the trade. They added Faried and Hamilton, I think they can get Wilson Chandler back in March. Faried should help with D. Chandler will too. Nene is really playing the best basketball since the beginning of 2011. Lawson is coming into his own, Andre Miller is a solid defender and backup. Plua, Afflalo. They have a good team, and in my opinion, are in the top 4 in the west. But, I agree, defense will always be a big concern.

Top Four? Who do they beat to get there?

Teams in the West I think are better than the Nuggets:

Clips
Spurs
Grizz
OKC
Portland
Dallas
Lakers

I could see any of those older teams (Spurs, Lakers, Dallas) slipping, but I don't think the Nuggets take 4th this year. Maybe next year?

[fatlever]

the rudy gay effect will knock the grizz down a peg.

[captaincrunk]

the rudy gay effect will knock the grizz down a peg.

I think Rudy Gay only makes them better. shrug

[fatlever]

the rudy gay effect will knock the grizz down a peg.

I think Rudy Gay only makes them better. shrug

i'll believe it when i see it.

[Diop]

The GSW board is also raving about Brick McGuire, the Warriorcats are working well for them and adding defence.

Jax has made a good first impression as a coach, benching their "star" Monta for chucking, but also motivating and coaching him so he unleashed hell when put back on in the last quarter.

Love making everyone accountable.

A coach like M-Jax would not fly with this board.

I disagree, there were many times where we all wished for Jax to be benched.

The difference between M Jax and Brown was that when he dragged Monta he continued to motivate instead of just unleashing a tirade.

[captaincrunk]

the rudy gay effect will knock the grizz down a peg.

I think Rudy Gay only makes them better. shrug

i'll believe it when i see it.

I won't believe the opposite just because I haven't seen it, though. We don't really have proof of either. At any rate, one thing I do know is that Rudy Gay is a pretty good player and they won't have Battier. So without Gay they don't look so good.

[fatlever]

i think losing battier is really going to hurt them. with battier in over gay three things happened
1) they were a better defensive team. not that gay is a bad defender but he is not battier
2) the offense went inside out, started with gasol in high post or randolph in low post or elbow.
3) better leadership

plus, i think memphis was playing well over their heads last year as they rode a perfect wave of chemistry into the playoffs. i dont think they can maintain that level of chemistry long term.

[captaincrunk]

i think losing battier is really going to hurt them. with battier in over gay three things happened
1) they were a better defensive team. not that gay is a bad defender but he is not battier
2) the offense went inside out, started with gasol in high post or randolph in low post or elbow.
3) better leadership

plus, i think memphis was playing well over their heads last year as they rode a perfect wave of chemistry into the playoffs. i dont think they can maintain that level of chemistry long term.

But if they take the inside outside approach with Gay the offense should be even better. He's a more versatile outside guy that Battier and creates WAY more break opportunities.

[Diop]

Big if, I can see Gay trying to go the iso approach instead.

[captaincrunk]

Big if, I can see Gay trying to go the iso approach instead.

Then it's on him and the coaching. He brings more to the table than battier.

[fatlever]

Big if, I can see Gay trying to go the iso approach instead.

Then it's on him and the coaching. He brings more to the table than battier.

no doubt he brings more to the table. and youre right, its on him and the coaches to get him to buy into what they want to do, but thats not always an easy thing. i dont think he is a bad player or a headache or knucklehead or anything, but, imo, he is the 3rd best player on that team, but with a salary and expectations that suggest he is the best.

[fatlever]

amazing that the thunder can keep winning in spite of westbrook. man that guy does not pass the dinner table test. he brings the plates, but steals the forks, spoons and glasses. i really really really dislike his game on offense.......love the defense though. he has 7 turnovers in 3 of their 4 games. in the other he was 0 for 13 and had 4 turnovers.

the thunders half court offense is so stagnant. its the same exact problems they had in the playoffs last year and its the same exact team, same coach, same style..... and unless something changes, most likely same results. if they were in the east i wouldnt put them in the top 4. but in the west, playing like last year might be good enough to get to the finals since the mavs and lakers got worse, spurs got older and clips arent ready yet.

and just start harden already. they are awful to watch when he isnt on the floor.

#shouldatradedwestbrookforpaul

[thruthefire]

Denver-Portland was a great game. IMO, Portland has best fans in the league. It's like the Hornets in the 1990s there.

[Jaruff]

Denver-Portland was a great game. IMO, Portland has best fans in the league. It's like the Hornets in the 1990s there.

Allen isn't much different than Shinn too.

[captaincrunk]

Big if, I can see Gay trying to go the iso approach instead.

Then it's on him and the coaching. He brings more to the table than battier.

no doubt he brings more to the table. and youre right, its on him and the coaches to get him to buy into what they want to do, but thats not always an easy thing. i dont think he is a bad player or a headache or knucklehead or anything, but, imo, he is the 3rd best player on that team, but with a salary and expectations that suggest he is the best.

I think in a shortened season like this you may be right. They won't have much time to figure it out. But I'm still guessing they do better than the Nuggets who have NO clue what they're doing.

[captaincrunk]

amazing that the thunder can keep winning in spite of westbrook. man that guy does not pass the dinner table test. he brings the plates, but steals the forks, spoons and glasses. i really really really dislike his game on offense.......love the defense though. he has 7 turnovers in 3 of their 4 games. in the other he was 0 for 13 and had 4 turnovers.

the thunders half court offense is so stagnant. its the same exact problems they had in the playoffs last year and its the same exact team, same coach, same style..... and unless something changes, most likely same results. if they were in the east i wouldnt put them in the top 4. but in the west, playing like last year might be good enough to get to the finals since the mavs and lakers got worse, spurs got older and clips arent ready yet.

and just start harden already. they are awful to watch when he isnt on the floor.

#shouldatradedwestbrookforpaul

If Boston keeps playing bad... Don't be surprised to see Rondo (and a role player) in and Westbrook (and a younger role player) out.

[BigSlam]

amazing that the thunder can keep winning in spite of westbrook. man that guy does not pass the dinner table test. he brings the plates, but steals the forks, spoons and glasses. i really really really dislike his game on offense.......love the defense though. he has 7 turnovers in 3 of their 4 games. in the other he was 0 for 13 and had 4 turnovers.

the thunders half court offense is so stagnant. its the same exact problems they had in the playoffs last year and its the same exact team, same coach, same style..... and unless something changes, most likely same results. if they were in the east i wouldnt put them in the top 4. but in the west, playing like last year might be good enough to get to the finals since the mavs and lakers got worse, spurs got older and clips arent ready yet.

and just start harden already. they are awful to watch when he isnt on the floor.

#shouldatradedwestbrookforpaul

DJ Augustin - Harden - Durant - Ibaka - Perkins
With Cook as their 6th man

is a better line up for them than

Westbrook - Thabo - Durant - Ibaka - Perkins
With Harden as their 6th man

IMO

Here is what I propose:

Char out:
DJ Augustin
Gana Diop

Char in:
Leandro Barbosa
OCK 2012 1st round pick

OKC out:
Russell Westbrook
2012 1st round pick

OKC in:
DJ Augustin
Toronto 2012 unprotected 1st round pick

Toronto out:
2012 unprotected 1st round pick
Leandro Barbosa

Toronto in:
Russell Westbrook
Gana Diop

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachi ... Id=d7hvqyp

Bobcats:
Kemba – Barbosa – Higgins
Hendo – Hammer – Williams
Mags – UPS
DJW – Biz – T2
Boris – Mully – Mexicat

Thunder:
DJ – Maynor
Harden – Cook
Durant – Thabo
Ibaka – Collison
Perk – Nazzy – Cole

Raptors:
Westbrook – Jose
DeRozan – Forbes
Butler – Johnson
Amir – Davis
Bars - Maglorie

Why for us:
We get a 2012 1st rounder for DJ (likley lower half though) but manage to get out of Diop’s contract (Barbosa expires this season) allowing Kemba to dive into the deep end.

Why for the Thunder:
Better balance and a super high pick in 2012.

Why for the Raps:
They get their star in Westbrook and a defensive PG that Casey would LOVE.