Dunn to the Clippers/Westbrook to the Nuggets

[John Murdoch]

Hes like the anti Jokic ...i dont understand the Nuggets front office line of thinking here. Looking more and more like they lucked into a title similar too how we did when Rob struck out on kawhi a d had to scramble for spare parts last minute and the sht stuck to the wall

[fansse]

If he plays his role and on this contract, the downside is very limited

[og15]

Jerry Sloan (RIP) didnt feel the incessant need to chime in constantly with horrible opinions once he retired. Don Nelson sucks by the way. Jeff Van Gundy also sucks, and was also a **** commentator.... as was Mark Jackson, you might as well have added him to your list. Glad theyre both gone from media life.

Thibs I do think is a pretty good coach, and hes still coaching so we dont know if he will or wont ever win a title so he doesnt really belong on your list.

I'm just going to chime in and say that this just seems like a terrible take to double down on

oh ive got lots of em. no cap

well at least you don't deny it, sometimes just gotta finish what you started

[Ballerhogger]

Hes like the anti Jokic ...i dont understand the Nuggets front office line of thinking here. Looking more and more like they lucked into a title similar too how we did when Rob struck out on kawhi a d had to scramble for spare parts last minute and the sht stuck to the wall

Denver the city of bricks baby

[Birth of the Cool]

I do see something that Jokic is potentially looking at as a positive, the outlet pass. Westbrook can speed down the floor without the ball in transition to attack weak transition defenses after Jokic outlets a rebound to him.

I haven't paid attention, but does WB do this now?

His MO was usually for the Bigs to box out so he can grab the defensive rebound and push the ball on offense. If he's willing to not chase defensive rebounds and leak out on contested shots for Jokic outlets that could work though, but historically WB has stayed back for D rebounds and on offense if he's not handling the ball he tends to be stationary.

[Chuck Everett]

Lots of discussion on Russ to Denver but almost nothing for Dunn to the Clippers. As a guy that is not really familiar with Dunn's work, what should Clipper fans expect from him? Does his acquisition improve them or make them worse? How?

He has embraced his role as a POA defender and is quite good at it. Gets steals, deflections and blocks from the PG spot. He can set the table a little bit, but still can't shoot with any type of consistency. He's a good minutes eater though. Positive +/-. When he was starting with Sexton and Lauri, Utah was winning games or dare I say, playing .500 ball. When they went into the tank, they benched Dunn or sat him for bogus injuries so they could hold onto their pick. He actually had a bounce back to his career in Utah.

TLDR: He's an upgrade over Westbrook just off the strength that he's an above-average defender. Not elite, but not many backup guards are better than him at it. If he shot 35% from 3, he would be a starter in this league full-time.

[SelfishPlayer]

I do see something that Jokic is potentially looking at as a positive, the outlet pass. Westbrook can speed down the floor without the ball in transition to attack weak transition defenses after Jokic outlets a rebound to him.

I haven't paid attention, but does WB do this now?

His MO was usually for the Bigs to box out so he can grab the defensive rebound and push the ball on offense. If he's willing to not chase defensive rebounds and leak out on contested shots for Jokic outlets that could work though, but historically WB has stayed back for D rebounds and on offense if he's not handling the ball he tends to be stationary.

It's a basic part of basketball, but Jokic is uncommonly skilled and suited for pulling this off. When Kevin Love was at UCLA establishing his reputation for the outlet pass, who was he throwing the ball to?

[DAWill1128]

If he plays the dribble drive and dribble drive handoff game with Jokic he is going to look really good. Unlike most teams in the case of Jokic he is the focal point to stop in the pick n roll action, most teams that’s the guard. How do you think Murray gets free for mid range jumpers so often? He’s not the primary target to stop in the pick n roll.

[Ayt]

This is such a weird fit. Swapping KCP for Westbrook is just so horrible. What is this Denver gm doing

They didn't swap KCP for Westbrook. Glad I could help your confusion.

[Ayt]

This is such a weird fit. Swapping KCP for Westbrook is just so horrible. What is this Denver gm doing

It’s crazy how many low IQ people genuinely think this is what just happened.

They make betting on sports profitable.

[Laimbeer]

This is such a weird fit. Swapping KCP for Westbrook is just so horrible. What is this Denver gm doing

People should look at this as more finally replacing Bruce Brown. Westbrook and him actually have very similar games. I think this makes more sense than most people realize.

KCP is basically being replaced by Braun and Julian Strawther (who has been balling out in the Summer League)

Those are both clear downgrades.

[durden_tyler]

As long as he doesn't take more than 5 shots, Westbrook can fit with this Nuggets squad. And if he does, just trade him away to the the Jazz again. LOL

[BigGargamel]

I'm not a huge Westbrook fan but people don't realize how bad Reggie Jackson was last year. Westbrook is a clear upgrade.

I feel pretty confident that Braun is going to step up and be just fine as a starter. People really overrate guards that play off of Jokic. KCP is good, but not NEARLY 23 mill a year good. He can be replaced. I mean, he was flat out terrible in the playoffs. Braun brings the same defensive intensity and if his shooting can improve won't be a liability. I also trust Strawther to improve as a shooter off the bench.

I mean, Denver is worse without KCP on the roster, but I still feel confident this is a 52-57 win squad (barring health of course, which is already being tested with Holmes).

[DaFan334]

This is such a weird fit. Swapping KCP for Westbrook is just so horrible. What is this Denver gm doing

People should look at this as more finally replacing Bruce Brown. Westbrook and him actually have very similar games. I think this makes more sense than most people realize.

KCP is basically being replaced by Braun and Julian Strawther (who has been balling out in the Summer League)

Those are both clear downgrades.

Stats would say otherwise regarding Russell Westbrook and Bruce Brown for the most part.

KCP to Braun and Strawther is yet to be seen. Braun's defense at times was better than KCP last year. Offensively, he needs some work but the Nuggets still have one of the most potent offenses in the league as long as they have Jokic and Murray. Strawther coming along should be better than anything they had off the bench last year.

[Pablo Escobar]

If Jokic gets Westbrook a ring.. dude is the goat LMAO.

[Roscoe Sheed]

I'm not a huge Westbrook fan but people don't realize how bad Reggie Jackson was last year. Westbrook is a clear upgrade.

I feel pretty confident that Braun is going to step up and be just fine as a starter. People really overrate guards that play off of Jokic. KCP is good, but not NEARLY 23 mill a year good. He can be replaced. I mean, he was flat out terrible in the playoffs. Braun brings the same defensive intensity and if his shooting can improve won't be a liability. I also trust Strawther to improve as a shooter off the bench.

I mean, Denver is worse without KCP on the roster, but I still feel confident this is a 52-57 win squad (barring health of course, which is already being tested with Holmes).

Jackson can at least knock down jump shots periodically and make lay ups. Teams act like Westbrook isn't even on the court when he is on the perimeter- sometimes he doesn't even need to be guarded at the rim as he is often totally out of control and can't even make basic lay ups.Westbrook should be credited for always giving max effort, but over time he is more of a net negative at this point of his career

[SweaterBae]

I like it. I think.

[SpreeS]

Lost Brown
Lost KCP
Add Westbrook

1st round exit?

[Manimal]

Lost Brown
Lost KCP
Add Westbrook

1st round exit?

Just put a rack on them to win the whole thing. Y'all underrating pissed off Jokic.

[AussieCeltic]

feels like a ticket selling move more than trying to get better on the margins

If only they had a 3x MVP and guy who lead them to a championship on their roster who could sell tickets.