Which EC Team has the best core?

[Jamaaliver]

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[kg01]

Did you get all the pats on the head you wanted from the cav folk, j'mall?

Was it worth it, brodie?

I got more love and affection there than I've ever gotten here.

Spoiler:

Also: Welcome back, turd.

"Back"? I never went anywhere, j'cavaliver.

[Jamaaliver]

The Biggest Question Mark for Atlanta

Is There a Path to Championship Contention?



On paper, it's easy to get carried away about the on-court possibilities for Trae Young, an offensive dynamo with a fiery outside shot and major defensive deficiencies, and Dejounte Murray, an elite defender whose offensive bag features everything other than a reliable three-ball.

This new Hawks backcourt will be good. But will it be good enough to lead a title run? And what happens if it isn't?

Atlanta is all-in on this talented twosome. Young is making supermax money, while Murray cost the franchise three first-round picks and a pick swap. It's all worth it if these two can strike a championship harmony together, but this would get thorny quickly if they can't. The Hawks don't have the trade juice to broker another blockbuster, so if this roster doesn't have enough firepower now, they'll need internal development to cover the difference.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

How we feeling about this core moving forward? Or is it clearly temporary?

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[Jamaaliver]

i'm looking forward to finding out this season...

Spoiler:

[Jamaaliver]

Congrats on the Mitchell acquisition. I'm looking forward to a renewed rivalry between my Hawks and your Cavs.

(Don't tell anyone, but I think you guys are (far) ahead of Atlanta and will be pulling for you to win the East this year!!)

Early on, it's looking like Cavs might be the best young squad in the Conference.

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[D21]

Early on, it's looking like Cavs might be the best young squad in the Conference.

And they are playing without Rubio, which will add to guard defense... (and they were already very good with him last season before his injury)
It will be hard to beat them once they play with a full roster.

ATl will also be better once Bogi is back, but I'm afraid our bench will not be enough compared to the one of some teams

[Jamaaliver]

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[Jamaaliver]

One year later, the same question applies.
Brooklyn, Boston, Atlanta broke theirs up.
Cleveland stayed the course.
Philly is a trainwreck.

So which EC team's core is best?

[Jamaaliver]

We have a new contender!!

Code: Select all

Lillard, a seven-time All-Star, can provide the Bucks with tremendous spacing thanks to his infamous long-range shooting. Only Stephen Curry and James Harden can top the 2,387 3-pointers he's made since entering the league. While his career mark of 37.2% from long range isn't necessarily elite on paper, he's consistently had to take difficult shots because of the personnel around him.

Now he'll join Giannis Antetokounmpo, who demands as much attention in the paint as any player in the league and regularly draws double and triple-teams on drives. Lillard and Khris Middleton should be able to feast on open looks for a dynamic Bucks squad that'll be tough to stop when healthy in 2023-24.

[Jamaaliver]

I love this dude's passion...but this seems a bit delusional.

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[HMFFL]

Giannis is the beet player in the EC so my vote is Milwaukee. I don't believe there's much competition if Milwaukee can stay healthy.

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[Jamaaliver]

Boston...feels like a mess of a team at this point.

[jayu70]

Boston...feels like a mess of a team at this point.

Replacing Smart with Jrue makes sense, you get similar defensive impact with the histrionics and going of script on offense.
Prozingas - there is always going to be a health question.

[Jamaaliver]

Replacing Smart with Jrue makes sense, you get similar defensive impact with the histrionics and going of script on offense.

Porzingas - there is always going to be a health question.

But Brogdan.

Brogdan + Marcus Smart >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Jrue Holiday

[jayu70]

Replacing Smart with Jrue makes sense, you get similar defensive impact with the histrionics and going of script on offense.

Porzingas - there is always going to be a health question.

But Brogdan.

Brogdan + Marcus Smart >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Jrue Holiday

Isn't Brogdon still injured and disgruntled? That's why the initial trade to LAC was rescinded?
I agree that the rest of their team is light.

[jayu70]

Replacing Smart with Jrue makes sense, you get similar defensive impact with the histrionics and going of script on offense.

Porzingas - there is always going to be a health question.

But Brogdan.

Brogdan + Marcus Smart >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Jrue Holiday

More:
Malcolm Brogdon thought he would compete for starting job until Joe Mazzulla announced Derrick White would start

The disconnect with Brogdon was exacerbated when Joe Mazzulla told reporters that White would be the starting point guard following Brown’s contract extension news conference on July 26. Brogdon, who has a strong relationship with White, anticipated the Smart trade would leave the door open for a competition to earn the starting point guard spot. – via Jared Weiss @ The Athletic

[Jamaaliver]

I am moving Boston down in my projected standings this year. With less depth (and a dependence on K Porzingis), I imagine they'll favor health over seeding in the regular season.

They're a better team than Miami, but I'm not sure the moves they've made get them past the Heat in the postseason.