Road to a Championship start here, 2022 Draft.

[Whole Truth]

Alright so Ive read several things that Pels are looking to unload Graham/Hayes/Naji. The Naji part is the most surprising part in that, but I get it.

The thing I dont get is I just got done reading something about the Pels being interested in Collins, to then come on RealGM and see the same thing. I just dont get that fit. I dont see Collins and Zion being able to play together.

Raptors looking for a big man.. possible 3 team deal ?

Maybe Collins but I know they wouls like to get Poeltl back & Spurs asking 2 1sts.. Might help Pels retain a player in trade.

Hayes, Graham/filler pick/s - Poeltl or Collins

Poeltl/Collins, Naji, Bucks unprotected or Lakers 23 for OG.

Id get going for Poeltl, even though I think if they go that route might as well unload Jonas. But at least with Poeltl I can see the point there, at least he can play with your best lineup when everyone is healthy. I just dont get the Collins fit though. When Zion is back, Collins and Zion wont be able to play together. You cant play with a 4/5 combo of Zion and Collins. And if the idea is to have him essentially just be another Nance off the bench. That is a lot of money to tie up for a guy like that. I dont know, I just dont like the idea of having that much money tied up in a guy that most likely cant play big minutes with your best player.

Nah, I was saying they were being targeted to flip.

[Whole Truth]

LMAO NBA is fake garbage...

Both Heat elbows that were ignored were far more intentional than this Jonas flagrant 2.

I'm vonvinced the requirement to be a ref u have to be a worthless corrupt POS.

[Whole Truth]

Surprised they didn't eject BI from the contact of that attempted dunk LMAO.

[Whole Truth]

Catch the Lakers flagrant called on Boston in OT, LMAO.

[Duke4life831]

Man what’s up with BI? I’m not even talking about him being bad, that is kind of expected with how long he’s been out. But damn he has some horrible body language. Multiple times he called for the ball and didn’t get it then just visibly throws his hands up and quits on the play.

[Whole Truth]

Man what’s up with BI? I’m not even talking about him being bad, that is kind of expected with how long he’s been out. But damn he has some horrible body language. Multiple times he called for the ball and didn’t get it then just visibly throws his hands up and quits on the play.

Maybe a confidenxe issue? started out scoreless first Q tonight vs LA but once he got the feel 2nd Q he dominated the rest of the game.

Good game Pels picked to break the slump.

These injuries & different lineups kill consistency & the lack of consistency can lead to a team wide confidence & trust issue.

Much needed win. Now it's to get Zion back.

[NO-KG-AI]

Garrett Temple, Devonte Graham, and Jaxson Hayes for CP3. Lets push all the chips in.

In all seriousness, it was good to see all the energy and excitement back for the team the last two games. It was exhausting and emotionally draining during the bad stretch.

[Whole Truth]

Garrett Temple, Devonte Graham, and Jaxson Hayes for CP3. Lets push all the chips in.

In all seriousness, it was good to see all the energy and excitement back for the team the last two games. It was exhausting and emotionally draining during the bad stretch.

U said that.. nice to be badk in the win column.

Loved the ball movement in the kings game. Hope that continues.

[Whole Truth]

Klay Murphy, is back !!!

[Whole Truth]

As close as the West is.. If Lakers didn't edge past the Knicks & Pacers the last 2, they would be 23-31, 8 games under 500, 1 game up on the magic for the 5th pick.

If, If's & buts were candy & nuts.

Lakers currently hold the 7th pick, 1 game up on the Raptors. 2.5 on the Magic for the 5th pick & they due.

Thunder, Bucks, Warriors, Portland.... Then Pels again, next 5.

Would love to be in position to put a nail in their coffin.

[Whole Truth]

I was reading a Pels forum & a poster made claim that Naji might get traded to Denver.. at 1.7m he matches Bones Hyland.. Raptors also have rumored interest in Bones.

Along with Raptors interest in Poeltl.. I see Trent being linked to a Raptors Spurs trade rumor.. Pels/CJ like Trent.

Raptors are also linked to Claxton & Durant... problem is a move like that for Toronto would gut them instead of making them a contender..

Can't help but speculate the Pels potential involvement for all the players mentioned & linked with the Raptors. Especially after hearing the rumor that Naji might be heading to Denver with the same matching salary as Bones. A young PG with FVV on the matrket & Raptors showing interest. THe appearance is instead of Raptors getting Naji as earlier rumored, he'd be swapped for Bones who would fill a FVV trade void. Spurs want 2 firsts for Peoltl.. If Raptors have interest in Poeltl with their need at centre.. I'm thinking Hayesn Graham as fillers with pick comp.. Leading to a package of Poeltl, Bones & maybe a first for OG ?.. where NO's manage to keep all of or 2/3 of Dyson, Murphy or Herb. Picks & salary consolidated into a more flexible cap & fit. Get Boucher potentially thrown in as a filler .. defensive stretch backup C at a low salary point.

Would like to be a fly on the wall. If Durant is available post Kyrie, Pels are in the best position to make that trade work for both sides. Doesn't hurt that Pels could use a rim runner/protector like Claxton in the mix. Raptors have the same needs but the links are interesting..

[Duke4life831]

I will say I forgot how fun this team can be to watch when guys get to play within their roles. You can tell everything opens up for everyone else when the Pels have at least 2 of their 3 main guys. No one is needed to step up and try and be the secondary perimeter scoring threat. They just get to play off of 2 guys that create a ton of gravity and respect from defenses.

You could tell that this team and the players were beat down trying to play outside their roles for so long. Its like everyone got an adrenaline shot and the energy is just a lot higher again. Fun to watch.

[Whole Truth]

I will say I forgot how fun this team can be to watch when guys get to play within their roles. You can tell everything opens up for everyone else when the Pels have at least 2 of their 3 main guys. No one is needed to step up and try and be the secondary perimeter scoring threat. They just get to play off of 2 guys that create a ton of gravity and respect from defenses.

You could tell that this team and the players were beat down trying to play outside their roles for so long. Its like everyone got an adrenaline shot and the energy is just a lot higher again. Fun to watch.

I'd say confidently. If any other team had the kind of injuries NO's suffered this season they'd be bottom 5, not 2 games over 500. NO's didn't just lose both star players for long periods at a time & together, they also lost key role players like Herb in the midst of it ... Each one needing time to get their games back on track.

When it rains, it pours. The 10 game losing streak was a snowball effect... Everything seems to go wrong & it gets to you not just physically but mentally, which bleeds confidence & trust where basketball, is a game of confidence..

Even fans started to doubt this team, knowing they probably played 5 games all yr completely healthy.

[Whole Truth]

With both Durant & Irving both gone. I wonder if NO's can purge Claxton.

[Whole Truth]

Don't let Massi pit Pels against Grizz to raise OG's price. He did the same thing with Knicks & Nets to raise NY's price for Melo. Nets were never an option for Melo. NY got played.

If NO's is interested. Offer what u think OG is worth, move on if iRaptors say, not enough. NO's have enough time & capital to bolster this team without getting swindled..

[Whole Truth]

Bucks/Lakers last 2 mins Bucks up 8, Reeves hooks Middleton then elbows him in the face & refs still tried to put him on the line for 2 LMAO. Bucks had to burn a timeout to get that call right, lol.

Bucks pull out the W

[Whole Truth]

One of the Pels issues is rim protection.

The year Griff won a tittle with Cavs agsainst a peak Warriors team, that Cavs team had the worst post defense & rim protection of any team in the PO's (Love at centre stretching the floor for Lebron). That defensive deficiency was offset by them trading 2's for 3's, offensive efficiency & spacing for am unstoppable downhill scorer/facilitator (Lebron/Zion). Problem Pels have is Zion being available. This team would be top 3 currently, if healthy.

In line with what I have been saying all yr concerning CJ's fit with Jonas. THE problem is not the lack of rim protection but a lack of rim protection combined with a lack of efficiency.

This teams half court defense is solid, they struggle in transition. Which is a direct result of poor offensive efficiency,. Shot selection & TO's .. When this team moves the ball, they have the talent & have shown they can beat anyone,

As I've also pointed out before individually concerning Jonas, who's now been apart of 3 different teams with a top 5 defense despite his obvious defensive flaws, starting.. His offensive efficiency (60%), Offensive rebounding (2nd chance points) & defensive rebounding (Closing possession) bolsters the teams defensive rating though his indivdual defensive rating showes his obvious flaws & why he's been a winning player over his long career after joining 3 teams that were sub 500 & out of the PO picture when he arrived.

When this team values possession, they're near impossible to beat. Problem is, they often get sloppy & careless with the ball. As most young teams struggle with focus & attention to detail.

[Whole Truth]

I swear I'm watching a different game than most. Men last night " Hope Jonas fouls out" .. Nance comes in & it's more of the same. His **** hole slams shut. Then men complain about both Jonas & Nance, lol.

Here's what I saw - Cavs 2 big man lineup = +20 in 2nd chance points vs Pels 1 big man.

Guard play - CJ vs Mitchell

CJ (4-14) 12pts on 26% efficiency, 4 TO's /5 assist

His matchup Mitchell (12-21) 30pts on 58% efficiency, 3TO's/3 assists

Mitchell +18 in the matchup on far better efficiency.

Talk about the defense/rim protection of the big men. Vs Cavs 2 big lineup, Pels 1 big lineup lost the rebounding/2nd chance points & Pels the efficiency battle... Cavs offense was better than the Pels defense & their Defense, better than what the Pels were running on offense.

Start of the 2nd half when Pels strung several stops together... They failed to convert 4 straight offensive possessions.. 4th Q when WG played a 2 big lineup of Jonas & Larry that got it down to 14 & off a stop that could have got it down to 11/12 , it was a strip of CJ that led to a momentum shirt dagger 3 on the TO.

Defense wasn't good. Taking care of possession & Offensive efficiency was worse.

Jonas paired with CJ, 6-22 efficiency, both -24 (Herb -12, Murphy -11, Ingram -4

As I have been saying.. Jonas cannot play in CJ's inefficiency. (26%) last night on volume. If this team is moving forward with CJ as a starter. Jonas needs to go to the bench or get traded.

[Funcrusher]

Honestly I think Im at the point with Zion where if Im the Pels Im hoping he can return this season and look like just how he was before getting hurt. So to pump up his trade value then cut bait with him during the summer.

Even best case scenario he will play in around 40 games this year, lets say its like 42. Now just a quick overlook of his 4 seasons.

Season 1: 24 games, minute restriction in the bubble because he got out of shape
Season 2: 61 games
Season 3: Missed entire season and playoffs
Season 4: 40-42ish games

Sorry Im rooting for the Pels and and one of the main reasons is because of Zion. But ya Im at the point where I honestly think the best thing to do is hope he returns and bumps his trade value up some where some team will be willing to give up a good amount for him and cut bait with him this summer. 3 out of his first 4 years now they have to deal with this. Id be done with it.

Duke, what the hell are you talking about man. They've already made too big an investment in Zion to go the "drive his trade value up and cut bait" angle. They're not going to get an equivalent package for him that can make up for losing his talent, they're just not. Sometimes the best thing to do is ride out the titanic ship even if it's for a couple more years and then see what you have. It is what it is. There's also no point in insinuating that Zion is somehow a problem for this franchise because he's been injured or something. Like Zion is some kind of malcontent because he's hurt constantly or something like that, like i get your frustrated but that's not the narrative you take with this news. And glass half full, guys' still just 22, there is still a universe where he figures it out from a health perspective.

[Duke4life831]

Honestly I think Im at the point with Zion where if Im the Pels Im hoping he can return this season and look like just how he was before getting hurt. So to pump up his trade value then cut bait with him during the summer.

Even best case scenario he will play in around 40 games this year, lets say its like 42. Now just a quick overlook of his 4 seasons.

Season 1: 24 games, minute restriction in the bubble because he got out of shape
Season 2: 61 games
Season 3: Missed entire season and playoffs
Season 4: 40-42ish games

Sorry Im rooting for the Pels and and one of the main reasons is because of Zion. But ya Im at the point where I honestly think the best thing to do is hope he returns and bumps his trade value up some where some team will be willing to give up a good amount for him and cut bait with him this summer. 3 out of his first 4 years now they have to deal with this. Id be done with it.

Duke, what the hell are you talking about man. They've already made too big an investment in Zion to go the "drive his trade value up and cut bait" angle. They're not going to get an equivalent package for him that can make up for losing his talent, they're just not. Sometimes the best thing to do is ride out the titanic ship even if it's for a couple more years and then see what you have. It is what it is. There's also no point in insinuating that Zion is somehow a problem for this franchise because he's been injured or something. Like Zion is some kind of malcontent because he's hurt constantly or something like that, like i get your frustrated but that's not the narrative you take with this news. And glass half full, guys' still just 22, there is still a universe where he figures it out from a health perspective.

Im not claiming he is some problem and malcontent for the team. Im not claiming he's faking injuries or anything like that to get out of this franchise. Im talking about I think its time that this franchise stops making investments to build around him. To me this is getting to the point of the sunk cost fallacy. And as someone who lives off of sticking to solid stop loss strategy and rules to avoid the sunk cost fallacy. If I were running the Pels organization I would be looking to cut bait with this. Again nothing to do with him being a malcontent or anything like that. But basically because I have zero faith in him ever having legit availability. He's going to end up playing about a 1/3 of the possible games during his rookie contract and there are no signs of it getting better.