Woj/Shams/Jon: The Russell deal is done

[minimus]

Dlo looked pretty good last night shot 50% and and team leader +12

Yeah, let's give him max extension

[minimus]

From a PG perspective, I can understand how it'd be frustrating for your rolling big to constantly drop and fumble passes that almost every other big would catch. There are times when a bounce or shuttle pass is the optimal play but for Rudy, you have to exclusively throw it high.

On the other hand, it's up to the PG to adjust so it's a tough spot for both players to be in. But Russell is gone, time to move on.

I saw some stats on reddit saying that Gobert turns over the ball less than guys like Byombo etc. Sure Byombo is min. contract guy now, but saying that Gobert has Kwame Brown hands is not true. Also I have seen how Chris Paul make every С on min.contract look like a star.

[Ethomasp31]

Dlo looked pretty good last night shot 50% and and team leader +12

That game was awful to watch. It's like they were playing horse for the first three quarters of the game. The game started out with zero intensity...it looked like an All-Star game.

[Guest84]

From a PG perspective, I can understand how it'd be frustrating for your rolling big to constantly drop and fumble passes that almost every other big would catch. There are times when a bounce or shuttle pass is the optimal play but for Rudy, you have to exclusively throw it high.

On the other hand, it's up to the PG to adjust so it's a tough spot for both players to be in. But Russell is gone, time to move on.

I saw some stats on reddit saying that Gobert turns over the ball less than guys like Byombo etc. Sure Byombo is min. contract guy now, but saying that Gobert has Kwame Brown hands is not true. Also I have seen how Chris Paul make every С on min.contract look like a star.

Right and I can understand that but sometimes stats don't tell the whole story. The eye test may tell differently at times. Especially when it occurs at crucial moments of a game. Although, it's not all on Rudy but the playmaker as well. Some of that is adjusting to play style, some of it is poor decision making, etc.

[MN7725]

Read on Twitter

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2265853

It's funny because Jon is backtracking now on the whole D'Lo being "toxic" reporting

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Britt Robson is the only local journalist that isn't a total lackey

[minimus]

From a PG perspective, I can understand how it'd be frustrating for your rolling big to constantly drop and fumble passes that almost every other big would catch. There are times when a bounce or shuttle pass is the optimal play but for Rudy, you have to exclusively throw it high.

On the other hand, it's up to the PG to adjust so it's a tough spot for both players to be in. But Russell is gone, time to move on.

I saw some stats on reddit saying that Gobert turns over the ball less than guys like Byombo etc. Sure Byombo is min. contract guy now, but saying that Gobert has Kwame Brown hands is not true. Also I have seen how Chris Paul make every С on min.contract look like a star.

Right and I can understand that but sometimes stats don't tell the whole story. The eye test may tell differently at times. Especially when it occurs at crucial moments of a game. Although, it's not all on Rudy but the playmaker as well. Some of that is adjusting to play style, some of it is poor decision making, etc.

Yeah, I am not saying that Gobert has good hands. And my eye test says that both things can be true: Rudy sometimes fumbles the ball, but he also catches multiple times the ball in the game without losing control. He is not perfect but he is functional. He leads league in dunks this season, in the 2021-22 season, he set an NBA record for highest single-season true shooting percentage (73.2%), became the first NBA player EVER to average 15+ points per game on 70+ FG%. I guess his hands are not as bad as painted.

But I just don't like whole narrative and how Gobert has been clowned in media. Just like last time the title of clickbait news was: 6'0 Ish Smith stopped 7'3" Gobert. And all comments was just piece of non sense. Just one poster said that it was a foul. Or I saw one post about DLo and someone posted a video where Gobert couldn't catch a pass from DLo. I can post multiple videos of DLo and Gobert playing perfect offense last month. But no one outside MIN fan base is interested to see this.

[TimberKat]

Mike Conley on Jaden McDaniels. “He’s special. … They ask a lot of him. Me coming in, I want to be able to spell him. He doesn’t have to guard the point guard the whole game or whatever it is he feels he needs to do, and give him even more bounce, more energy.” - With that we could close the chapter on DLo and let DLo be DLo. We now have someone else other than JMcD to guard the point.

[Domejandro]

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2265853

It's funny because Jon is backtracking now on the whole D'Lo being "toxic" reporting

Britt Robson is the only local journalist that isn't a total lackey

Jon Krawczynski is literally one of the more respected local journalists around the NBA.

[shrink]

Shrink’s Trade Deadline Joke

Pelinka: Listen Connelly. We’ll trade you Mike Conley and NAW for DLo
Ainge: Yeah, but you have to go it right now!
Connelly: Hmmm. Give me three seconds to think it over
Pelinka and Ainge whisper. Then, “Done!”
Connelly: Wait … what?

[Nick K]

I saw some stats on reddit saying that Gobert turns over the ball less than guys like Byombo etc. Sure Byombo is min. contract guy now, but saying that Gobert has Kwame Brown hands is not true. Also I have seen how Chris Paul make every С on min.contract look like a star.

Right and I can understand that but sometimes stats don't tell the whole story. The eye test may tell differently at times. Especially when it occurs at crucial moments of a game. Although, it's not all on Rudy but the playmaker as well. Some of that is adjusting to play style, some of it is poor decision making, etc.

Yeah, I am not saying that Gobert has good hands. And my eye test says that both things can be true: Rudy sometimes fumbles the ball, but he also catches multiple times the ball in the game without losing control. He is not perfect but he is functional. He leads league in dunks this season, in the 2021-22 season, he set an NBA record for highest single-season true shooting percentage (73.2%), became the first NBA player EVER to average 15+ points per game on 70+ FG%. I guess his hands are not as bad as painted.

But I just don't like whole narrative and how Gobert has been clowned in media. Just like last time the title of clickbait news was: 6'0 Ish Smith stopped 7'3" Gobert. And all comments was just piece of non sense. Just one poster said that it was a foul. Or I saw one post about DLo and someone posted a video where Gobert couldn't catch a pass from DLo. I can post multiple videos of DLo and Gobert playing perfect offense last month. But no one outside MIN fan base is interested to see this.

Sorry but Rudy deserves the clowning. I've never been more disappointed at a player who stumbled, fumbled with hands of stone like Rudy.

Now with that said, the key to Rudy is ALL passes must be thrown eyeball high or higher. NO bounce passes. Nothing fancy he just can't handle it. Eyeball high to 1 ft above his head and it's gold. Dlo was finally figuring that out before he was traded.

I think we are just starting to see Rudy come into his own with us. I still love the trade. If we get Rudy to dunk the ball, rebound and block shots that's all we need from him. I'm not all happy with his defense either but he has great nights periodically. I fully expect him to be more consistent from now on.

For the people who thought we gave up too much all I can say is look at what Utah thought of Vando, Beas, and Bev. They are no longer there. Plus we got 3 2nd rd picks back.

I'm loving the Conley trade. We now have a good shot to finish strong and make some noise in the playoffs.

[Nick K]

You have your right to be wrong.

We both do . It's all spin anyway. Jordan. LeBron, Wilt, Magic, Kareem and Russell all have a legit case for being the GOAT.

The fact that your list doesn't include Kobe tells me you've never played this game at any competitive level.

You must be a youngster. I used to watch Wilt and Russell on Sunday afternoons as a kid. I've seen Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) his whole career college on. I've seen them all. Kobe too. I wouldn't put Kobe above those guys on that list. Don't get me wrong, I love Kobe. He was a great competitor with phenom talent but those other guys just edge him out.

The "Athletic" had Kobe 10th in their top 75.

I'm thinking that Lebron takes over #1 all time over Michael. I know many will call me crazy but LeBron had even more weapons! Better shooter for sure. So he gets my nod today. Just calling it the way I see it. No one had the will to win like Mike though.

[Note30]

We both do . It's all spin anyway. Jordan. LeBron, Wilt, Magic, Kareem and Russell all have a legit case for being the GOAT.

The fact that your list doesn't include Kobe tells me you've never played this game at any competitive level.

You must be a youngster. I used to watch Wilt and Russell on Sunday afternoons as a kid. I've seen Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) his whole career college on. I've seen them all. Kobe too. I wouldn't put Kobe above those guys on that list. Don't get me wrong, I love Kobe. He was a great competitor with phenom talent but those other guys just edge him out.

The "Athletic" had Kobe 10th in their top 75.

I'm thinking that Lebron takes over #1 all time over Michael. I know many will call me crazy but LeBron had even more weapons! Better shooter for sure. So he gets my nod today. Just calling it the way I see it. No one had the will to win like Mike though.

I played college ball 12 years ago now, not that young.

Kobe's dedication, skillset, overall talent, and leadership are second to none imo. I forgot who said it but basically was, given the body that Kobe was given he squeezed way more out of his abilities than any other player in the game. Phil Jackson is quoted as saying that biggest difference between Kobe and Jordan was their frames, handsizes, and pure athleticism all of which Jackson thought Jordan had more of.

LeBron is the greatest physical athlete of all time and I think has the best IQ in the game today.

Still wouldn't say he got as much out of his body as Kobe did.

[Worm Guts]

Natural ability is part of the equation though. It’s hard to put Kobe in the GOAT conversation since he’s so similar to Jordan but clearly slightly less.

[shangrila]

Shrink’s Trade Deadline Joke

Pelinka: Listen Connelly. We’ll trade you Mike Conley and NAW for DLo
Ainge: Yeah, but you have to go it right now!
Connelly: Hmmm. Give me three seconds to think it over
Pelinka and Ainge whisper. Then, “Done!”
Connelly: Wait … what?

You could apply that to just about every deal done at the deadline.

[Nick K]

The fact that your list doesn't include Kobe tells me you've never played this game at any competitive level.

You must be a youngster. I used to watch Wilt and Russell on Sunday afternoons as a kid. I've seen Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) his whole career college on. I've seen them all. Kobe too. I wouldn't put Kobe above those guys on that list. Don't get me wrong, I love Kobe. He was a great competitor with phenom talent but those other guys just edge him out.

The "Athletic" had Kobe 10th in their top 75.

I'm thinking that Lebron takes over #1 all time over Michael. I know many will call me crazy but LeBron had even more weapons! Better shooter for sure. So he gets my nod today. Just calling it the way I see it. No one had the will to win like Mike though.

I played college ball 12 years ago now, not that young.

Kobe's dedication, skillset, overall talent, and leadership are second to none imo. I forgot who said it but basically was, given the body that Kobe was given he squeezed way more out of his abilities than any other player in the game. Phil Jackson is quoted as saying that biggest difference between Kobe and Jordan was their frames, handsizes, and pure athleticism all of which Jackson thought Jordan had more of.

LeBron is the greatest physical athlete of all time and I think has the best IQ in the game today.

Even if you're 35 you are still a pup.

You have good arguments but not good enough. Kobe was fabulous . Why don't we leave it at that?

[younggunsmn]

It's funny because Jon is backtracking now on the whole D'Lo being "toxic" reporting

Britt Robson is the only local journalist that isn't a total lackey

Jon Krawczynski is literally one of the more respected local journalists around the NBA.

Yeah He has to be really careful what he says, otherwise he loses his access to the front office/player agents that puts the bread in his basket. Those comments came out during a radio interview, that is probably 10% of what actually goes on behind the scenes.

For what its worth, I think a big part of what got under Russell's skin was that he operates under the delusion that he deserves to be a max player, and blames Gobert for not getting paid.
When it was patently obvious to anyone who watched the memphis series last year that Russell was the worst player on the floor.
He went from 2nd option to 3rd option to 4th on the ladder when Gobert came.

Part of what is so great about Ant is that he embraces his teammates, win or lose, and doesn't let bad possessions or failed plays fester.
He still does a lot of complaining about foul calls, but being able to quickly turn the page onto the next play is a key attribute to being a good leader.

Part of me really wants Russell to play just good enough over the final 26 games to get a big extension from the Lakers so he can tank them for 3 or 4 more years after this one.

[PharmD]

From a PG perspective, I can understand how it'd be frustrating for your rolling big to constantly drop and fumble passes that almost every other big would catch. There are times when a bounce or shuttle pass is the optimal play but for Rudy, you have to exclusively throw it high.

On the other hand, it's up to the PG to adjust so it's a tough spot for both players to be in. But Russell is gone, time to move on.

I saw some stats on reddit saying that Gobert turns over the ball less than guys like Byombo etc. Sure Byombo is min. contract guy now, but saying that Gobert has Kwame Brown hands is not true. Also I have seen how Chris Paul make every С on min.contract look like a star.

Everytime Gobert fails to catch a pass it goes in the box score as 'bad pass turnover' on whoever threw it. For example, i have this play saved in my imgur because SLCdunk wrote this play up as 'a brainless Ricky Rubio turnover that sparked the heat run' because that's how it lives in the box score

[younggunsmn]

My 2 cents for the GOAT debate, you have to judge the player by the era they played in just like you have to judge historical figures by the times they lived in. Context matters.

Jordan played in one of the toughest eras, where defenders could get away with almost anything and you had maybe one 3 point specialist on your team instead of a team full of shooters.
Every basket in that era was a tough basket.
You couldn't be built like a linebacker and just truck your way to 20 free throw attempts like today.
Nearly every team had 2 BAMFs waiting for you in the lane like Charles Oakley or Antonio/Dale Davis.
I would like to see how Lebron handled the bad boy pistons of the 80s with as mentally soft as he can be at times.

I don't think there will ever be a player with the will to win quite like Jordan.
I remember staying up late to watch those Portland and Laker finals games and the intensity of those games is something you don't see anymore. Jordan was clearly one a pedestal way above every other player, even guys like Drexler and Magic.
I remember everybody loved the Lakers in those days and Jordan was like the guy who went from villain to babyface in wrestling because he won the entire sporting world over with his incredible play and charisma.
Lebron never was the singular face of an entire sport the way Jordan was for 10 years.

Lebron will have better stats over time, but I also think he's maybe the 2nd most physically gifted player ever behind Wilt Chamberlain.
The one title he deserves credit for is the one he won for Cleveland against a loaded Warrior team, because I think he willed that team to victory. The heat wins and Laker bubble win were not impressive because of the superteam aspect and covid season.

The guys who played in the 60s-70s have a better argument for stats/titles/accolades. Havlicek/Russell and the Celtics, Wilt, Kareem, even Mikan. But they also played with fewer teams and no 3 point line.

Going back to the era argument, it's kind of like arguing what is the best era of music. Each had their charm and each successive one had technological advantages the previous didn't.
Was Zeppelin better because they had to record to tape and 70's era is superior?
Was it much harder for Jordan in the hair metal era than for Lebron in the autotune/boyband era where almost everything is a foul?

My answer is yes. And players are going to keep getting softer and softer because that's what society reflects back at them.
Could you imagine Isaiah Thomas and Jordan having a passive aggressive slap fight over instagram the way some of these soft babies do today? I didn't get my contract extension so I'm going to unfollow my team and highest paid teammate on instagram.
That dude is ten-ply.

[younggunsmn]

From a PG perspective, I can understand how it'd be frustrating for your rolling big to constantly drop and fumble passes that almost every other big would catch. There are times when a bounce or shuttle pass is the optimal play but for Rudy, you have to exclusively throw it high.

On the other hand, it's up to the PG to adjust so it's a tough spot for both players to be in. But Russell is gone, time to move on.

I saw some stats on reddit saying that Gobert turns over the ball less than guys like Byombo etc. Sure Byombo is min. contract guy now, but saying that Gobert has Kwame Brown hands is not true. Also I have seen how Chris Paul make every С on min.contract look like a star.

Everytime Gobert fails to catch a pass it goes in the box score as 'bad pass turnover' on whoever threw it. For example, i have this play saved in my imgur because SLCdunk wrote this play up as 'a brainless Ricky Rubio turnover that sparked the heat run' because that's how it lives in the box score

Yes you basically have to at least double Rudy's turnover total if you want the true number.

[shrink]

Shrink’s Trade Deadline Joke

Pelinka: Listen Connelly. We’ll trade you Mike Conley and NAW for DLo
Ainge: Yeah, but you have to go it right now!
Connelly: Hmmm. Give me three seconds to think it over
Pelinka and Ainge whisper. Then, “Done!”
Connelly: Wait … what?

You could apply that to just about every deal done at the deadline.

We were first - we probably started the whole thing!