Woj/Shams/Jon: The Russell deal is done

[KGdaBom]

I guess Lebron missed how dlo, Beasley and Vando looked against Memphis in the playoffs last season .

You don't think LeBron will whip them into shape better than KAT and Ant did?

The man has arguably one of the highest BBIQs in the game maybe behind CP3. If you don't think he could utilize them better I'm guessing you've never played with a good floor general.

He's whipped his team in shape to a record of 25-31 so far this year.

This year he's been leading by example and has had to play without Brow for most of the season. His mostly crappy teammates haven't stepped up. I think the trades they made will help. Will it be too little too late?

[Guidus88]

I don’t know what to think about these DLo stories that are coming out after the trade. It’s not uncommon to hear stuff like this leak when a popular player leaves a team. If it’s true, I give Rudy a lot of credit.

When Gobert was presented with the possibility of being traded to the Wolves, he thought about it overnight, and decided he wanted to be here. He thought coming to MIN, to play alongside KAT, was “exciting.” So imagine what it must have been like for him? Lots of people are anti-Rudy because of the price Connelly paid to get him .. Rudy had no control of that. Expectations were for 50 win seasons, and when MIN played .500 ball, people scapegoated Rudy. He only briefly got to play with Towns. Both Ant and DLo struggled to get Rudy the ball, and it sounds like for DLo, it might have been intentional. And DLo apparently was making it a hostile locker room as well for the newcomer?

We have never heard Rudy be anything but professional to the media about the team, when he has clearly been put in a bad situation. Bringing in Mike Conley seems like something Rudy deserves.

can you please elaborate a little with reference to DLo stories? I missed those ones!

[Ethomasp31]

You don't think LeBron will whip them into shape better than KAT and Ant did?

The man has arguably one of the highest BBIQs in the game maybe behind CP3. If you don't think he could utilize them better I'm guessing you've never played with a good floor general.

He's whipped his team in shape to a record of 25-31 so far this year.

This year he's been leading by example and has had to play without Brow for most of the season. His mostly crappy teammates haven't stepped up. I think the trades they made will help. Will it be too little too late?

The Wolves had been without KAT more games than the Lakers have been without AD. Maybe the Lakers squeak in as Utah decided to tank and Portland traded Hart, but I think they miss the play in and it will be glorious when they do.

[Baseline81]

Interesting Ringer piece on the Wolves being winners from the trade deadline.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2023/2/9/23593319/nba-trade-deadline-winners-losers-kevin-durant

[KGdaBom]

He's whipped his team in shape to a record of 25-31 so far this year.

This year he's been leading by example and has had to play without Brow for most of the season. His mostly crappy teammates haven't stepped up. I think the trades they made will help. Will it be too little too late?

The Wolves had been without KAT more games than the Lakers have been without AD. Maybe the Lakers squeak in as Utah decided to tank and Portland traded Hart, but I think they miss the play in and it will be glorious when they do.

I was a Laker fan back in the days of Nick the quick Van Exel, Vlade Divac, and Cedric Ceballos. I pretty much despised them the entirety of the Kobe Bryant era. Since he's been gone and since I'm a huge fan of King James I more or less cheer for them now. However, I'm a Wolves fan first and foremost. Lakers staying home for the playoffs and headed to the golf course is just fine with me.

[KGdaBom]

Interesting Ringer piece on the Wolves being winners from the trade deadline.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2023/2/9/23593319/nba-trade-deadline-winners-losers-kevin-durant

Thanks.

[Ethomasp31]

Seems accurate to me. LeBron has always been about LeBron. With that talent, could it be anything else?

Yes, it could be Carmelo Anthony type of career

LeBron has several championships and NBA finals appearances. Doesn't have the never lost in the NBA finals like MJ, but doesn't have all the missed the playoffs altogether and lose in the first round seasons like MJ either. I get the people who like to hang their hat on MJ never losing in the NBA finals, but they should own the other side of that coin. LeBron has been more consistently successful and more versatile and compiles more stats. That first Cleveland team he took to the NBA finals had no business being there. He came back to Cleveland determined to bring a title to his hometown (more or less) team and did it. He went to LA to revive that great NBA franchise and got them a title also. To me he's the GOAT.

Okay, I realize now you must have been born after 1990. A couple of things..Jordan made the playoffs every year he played with the Chicago Bulls, so he didn't have "all the missed playoffs altogether." The only years they lost in the first round were his first three seasons, and two of those years were against the Celtics. The 1986 Celtic team was one of the best NBA teams of all time. The 1987 Celtic team would have probably been even better but Len Bias died after they drafted him. The other season they lost to the Bucks who won 59 games. By the way, Jordan's second season he broke his foot in one of the first games of the year and missed more than 3/4 of the season. I'm pretty sure over 60 games.

Now onto Jordan's prime. Jordan won a title his last 6 full seasons as a Chicago Bull. I think they were only brought to 7 games once or twice in those 6 seasons. If you take out the season he came back after his first retirement when he only played a handful of games, he led the league in scoring 10 straight years. His 6 straight championships would have probably been 8 straight championships had he decided not to retire the first time. Actually, there is little doubt if he had continued to play instead of retiring a second time, they would have probably won another championship or two. They were never dethroned...he just walked away. TWICE! He skipped two seasons right in the middle of his prime and then retired for the second time when he was still on top. To try to compare LeBron James playoff record with Michael Jordan's is laughable.

[Ethomasp31]

This year he's been leading by example and has had to play without Brow for most of the season. His mostly crappy teammates haven't stepped up. I think the trades they made will help. Will it be too little too late?

The Wolves had been without KAT more games than the Lakers have been without AD. Maybe the Lakers squeak in as Utah decided to tank and Portland traded Hart, but I think they miss the play in and it will be glorious when they do.

I was a Laker fan back in the days of Nick the quick Van Exel, Vlade Divac, and Cedric Ceballos. I pretty much despised them the entirety of the Kobe Bryant era. Since he's been gone and since I'm a huge fan of King James I more or less cheer for them now. However, I'm a Wolves fan first and foremost. Lakers staying home for the playoffs and headed to the golf course is just fine with me.

James is one of the best players of all time. Arguably the second best. But he is not Michael Jordan.

[Ethomasp31]

The Wolves had been without KAT more games than the Lakers have been without AD. Maybe the Lakers squeak in as Utah decided to tank and Portland traded Hart, but I think they miss the play in and it will be glorious when they do.

I was a Laker fan back in the days of Nick the quick Van Exel, Vlade Divac, and Cedric Ceballos. I pretty much despised them the entirety of the Kobe Bryant era. Since he's been gone and since I'm a huge fan of King James I more or less cheer for them now. However, I'm a Wolves fan first and foremost. Lakers staying home for the playoffs and headed to the golf course is just fine with me.

James is one of the best players of all time. Arguably the second best. But he is not Michael Jordan.

And if you were a fan of Nick VanExel you must be older than I thought. I remember watching him against Michigan in the Final 4 at the MetroDome. Duke beat Indiana in the other game. It felt so crazy to go to that game even though i sat way down the left field foul line.

[KGdaBom]

Yes, it could be Carmelo Anthony type of career

LeBron has several championships and NBA finals appearances. Doesn't have the never lost in the NBA finals like MJ, but doesn't have all the missed the playoffs altogether and lose in the first round seasons like MJ either. I get the people who like to hang their hat on MJ never losing in the NBA finals, but they should own the other side of that coin. LeBron has been more consistently successful and more versatile and compiles more stats. That first Cleveland team he took to the NBA finals had no business being there. He came back to Cleveland determined to bring a title to his hometown (more or less) team and did it. He went to LA to revive that great NBA franchise and got them a title also. To me he's the GOAT.

Okay, I realize now you must have been born after 1990. A couple of things..Jordan made the playoffs every year he played with the Chicago Bulls, so he didn't have "all the missed playoffs altogether." The only years they lost in the first round were his first three seasons, and two of those years were against the Celtics. The 1986 Celtic team was one of the best NBA teams of all time. The 1987 Celtic team would have probably been even better but Len Bias died after they drafted him. The other season they lost to the Bucks who won 59 games. By the way, Jordan's second season he broke his foot in one of the first games of the year and missed more than 3/4 of the season. I'm pretty sure over 60 games.

Now onto Jordan's prime. Jordan won a title his last 6 full seasons as a Chicago Bull. I think they were only brought to 7 games once or twice in those 6 seasons. If you take out the season he came back after his first retirement when he only played a handful of games, he led the league in scoring 10 straight years. His 6 straight championships would have probably been 8 straight championships had he decided not to retire the first time. Actually, there is little doubt if he had continued to play instead of retiring a second time, they would have probably won another championship or two. They were never dethroned...he just walked away. TWICE! He skipped two seasons right in the middle of his prime and then retired for the second time when he was still on top. To try to compare LeBron James playoff record with Michael Jordan's is laughable.

I was born in 1959. I could have sworn Jordan missed the playoffs a few times. I just researched it. They made the playoffs those 3 years with a losing record each season and got knocked out immediately. On the other Hand LeBron took a very weak other than himself Cleveland team to the NBA finals. I don't believe a James team was ever beat in the first round of the playoffs. LeBron has made more NBA finals than Jordan. 10 count em 10 NBA finals. LeBron went to 8 finals in a row. Didn't win them all, but 8 in a row. LeBron's record in first round of playoffs? 14-0.

All your what ifs are meaningless. he didn't win a title 8 years in a row. He did win 3 titles in a row twice which is amazing, but if you go by titles than Russell is the GOAT. Looking at the entire Body of Work LeBron is simply better. I also like his versatility to play every position like Magic Johnson. Jordan does not have that going for him.

[KGdaBom]

The Wolves had been without KAT more games than the Lakers have been without AD. Maybe the Lakers squeak in as Utah decided to tank and Portland traded Hart, but I think they miss the play in and it will be glorious when they do.

I was a Laker fan back in the days of Nick the quick Van Exel, Vlade Divac, and Cedric Ceballos. I pretty much despised them the entirety of the Kobe Bryant era. Since he's been gone and since I'm a huge fan of King James I more or less cheer for them now. However, I'm a Wolves fan first and foremost. Lakers staying home for the playoffs and headed to the golf course is just fine with me.

James is one of the best players of all time. Arguably the second best. But he is not Michael Jordan.

You are correct. he is not MJ, He is better.

[KGdaBom]

I was a Laker fan back in the days of Nick the quick Van Exel, Vlade Divac, and Cedric Ceballos. I pretty much despised them the entirety of the Kobe Bryant era. Since he's been gone and since I'm a huge fan of King James I more or less cheer for them now. However, I'm a Wolves fan first and foremost. Lakers staying home for the playoffs and headed to the golf course is just fine with me.

James is one of the best players of all time. Arguably the second best. But he is not Michael Jordan.

And if you were a fan of Nick VanExel you must be older than I thought. I remember watching him against Michigan in the Final 4 at the MetroDome. Duke beat Indiana in the other game. It felt so crazy to go to that game even though i sat way down the left field foul line.

I was working in the Metrodome for that Final 4. Lugging Cokes up and down the aisles.

[Note30]

I was a Laker fan back in the days of Nick the quick Van Exel, Vlade Divac, and Cedric Ceballos. I pretty much despised them the entirety of the Kobe Bryant era. Since he's been gone and since I'm a huge fan of King James I more or less cheer for them now. However, I'm a Wolves fan first and foremost. Lakers staying home for the playoffs and headed to the golf course is just fine with me.

Oof, I was so close to agreeing with you for once. LeBron is barely 3rd imo.

James is one of the best players of all time. Arguably the second best. But he is not Michael Jordan.

You are correct. he is not MJ, He is better.

[KGdaBom]

Oof, I was so close to agreeing with you for once. LeBron is barely 3rd imo.

James is one of the best players of all time. Arguably the second best. But he is not Michael Jordan.

You are correct. he is not MJ, He is better.

MJ missed the finals 6 years in a row and lost in the first round 3 years in a row. LeBron's record in the first round 14-0. He made the finals 8 years in a row. Jordan once making the NBA Finals does have the Perfect 6-0 record, but James was more consistent. I take James consistency over Jordan. However, if you want to judge it based on Titles it's Bill Russell and Robert Horry.

[Ethomasp31]

I was a Laker fan back in the days of Nick the quick Van Exel, Vlade Divac, and Cedric Ceballos. I pretty much despised them the entirety of the Kobe Bryant era. Since he's been gone and since I'm a huge fan of King James I more or less cheer for them now. However, I'm a Wolves fan first and foremost. Lakers staying home for the playoffs and headed to the golf course is just fine with me.

James is one of the best players of all time. Arguably the second best. But he is not Michael Jordan.

You are correct. he is not MJ, He is better.

We will agree to disagree. I personally wouldn't even put James at #2. He would be in a group of 5 or 6 players who would fit somewhere after Jordan. Just think how many points MJ would have scored if they didn't allow hand checking like they do now. i haven't even brought up the EuroStep. Now the game is just coasting along until the 4th quarter. I was just at the Warriors game and it was boring until the 4th quarter. Back in the 80's and 90's every possession mattered. The All-Star game is unwatchable...although I'll watch only because of Ant.

[Ethomasp31]

You are correct. he is not MJ, He is better.

MJ missed the finals 6 years in a row and lost in the first round 3 years in a row. LeBron's record in the first round 14-0. He made the finals 8 years in a row. Jordan once making the NBA Finals does have the Perfect 6-0 record, but James was more consistent. I take James consistency over Jordan. However, if you want to judge it based on Titles it's Bill Russell and Robert Horry.

He won 6 straight Titles and was never dethroned. He led the league in scoring 10 straight years. He was first team all defensive team 9 straight years. When he played defenders could hand check. James just lost to the Suns two years ago in the first round of the playoffs.

[Ethomasp31]

You are correct. he is not MJ, He is better.

MJ missed the finals 6 years in a row and lost in the first round 3 years in a row. LeBron's record in the first round 14-0. He made the finals 8 years in a row. Jordan once making the NBA Finals does have the Perfect 6-0 record, but James was more consistent. I take James consistency over Jordan. However, if you want to judge it based on Titles it's Bill Russell and Robert Horry.

Are you counting the Covid Bubble year as a championship. To me that was almost like a Summer League championship.

[KGdaBom]

MJ missed the finals 6 years in a row and lost in the first round 3 years in a row. LeBron's record in the first round 14-0. He made the finals 8 years in a row. Jordan once making the NBA Finals does have the Perfect 6-0 record, but James was more consistent. I take James consistency over Jordan. However, if you want to judge it based on Titles it's Bill Russell and Robert Horry.

Are you counting the Covid Bubble year as a championship. To me that was almost like a Summer League championship.

You and your what ifs.

[KGdaBom]

MJ missed the finals 6 years in a row and lost in the first round 3 years in a row. LeBron's record in the first round 14-0. He made the finals 8 years in a row. Jordan once making the NBA Finals does have the Perfect 6-0 record, but James was more consistent. I take James consistency over Jordan. However, if you want to judge it based on Titles it's Bill Russell and Robert Horry.

He won 6 straight Titles and was never dethroned. He led the league in scoring 10 straight years. He was first team all defensive team 9 straight years. When he played defenders could hand check. James just lost to the Suns two years ago in the first round of the playoffs.

Once again he won 3 in a row twice. Amazing performance. You shouldn't be embellishing on it. He did not win 6 straight titles. I grant you Jordan was a better pure scorer than LeBron. However, LeBron is the one with the all time NBA scoring record. Not Jordan Not Wilt. Wilt was a much better scorer than both of them in his prime. LeBron's game is more complete.

[KGdaBom]

MJ missed the finals 6 years in a row and lost in the first round 3 years in a row. LeBron's record in the first round 14-0. He made the finals 8 years in a row. Jordan once making the NBA Finals does have the Perfect 6-0 record, but James was more consistent. I take James consistency over Jordan. However, if you want to judge it based on Titles it's Bill Russell and Robert Horry.

He won 6 straight Titles and was never dethroned. He led the league in scoring 10 straight years. He was first team all defensive team 9 straight years. When he played defenders could hand check. James just lost to the Suns two years ago in the first round of the playoffs.

I went by a google search. I guess it's outdated. So now James first round playoff record is 14-1. Still vastly superior to Jordan's.
Which do you consider a better playoffs? Losing in the first round or losing in the finals? Look at it that way and Jordan's perfect finals record diminishes a bit.