Official Spec Thread: Regular Season

[MasterGMer]

IMO, Phoenix Suns has changed from a team with a bright future to now Ring or Die. It is Sad. I think their whole idea of getting KD and trading away Mikal Bridges plus Cam Johnson really detriment the ability about one thing: Depth and future growth.

Yes, KD is a top 5 player in the league. Yes, Bradley Beal is an All Star. But Basketball game is a team sport. Are they fit together? Do they have Depth. IMO this team won't show up for the NBA Finals next season. It is bad micromanaged team from the top. And certainly I am not seeing a Championship team

Tbh they were kind a forced to do so. Alternative was losing Cp3 due injuries/decline/ retirment and having no money to find replacment and bloating salaries of exstensions of Mikal Bridges, Booker ( supermax ), Ayton, Cam.

Suns weren't championship team but Cp3, Booker, Mikal and Ayton were costing $120M . Iv'e said in past that current CBA basically cripples ability for teams to stay competitive. You reach point of bloating salary of re-sings, can't sign anybody new, have no flexbility and you either gave to go balls to a wall for championship or tear it down and start over. Sustained winning ins't really possible long term under this rules.

Look at Nuggets, they won championship, for next year the already have $170M in books tied into 10 men. And Bown will either left them, or they will have to go troat deep into luxury to keep him. Year later KCP- same situation. You get worst as your money goes up.

I think the Suns got to this point because they traded for Kevin Durant and they have too be a Championship contender because of that. Yes, Mikal's extension and Cam's extension will cost them a lot. But they had a 38 year old CP3 which they could just waive or trade away. The whole reason of staying Championship contending is because of Kevin Durant.

That is kinda why I do not want to see Magic gets into this situation. We want remain flexible and we want a championship level of team. If you want to choose one? Which one? That is kinda hard because of the new CBA which Magic could extend Paolo and Franz both to a max contract. That is HARD!

But I love the idea of changing to a Championship competing team while remaining the flexibility and future. Thus we have to give up someone. It is hard. But it is possible!

Adding to that, keep Franz and Paolo for a max extension will probably cost Magic's 70% of the cap space. Will we do that? I think we kinda have to. But is it going to be a championship core with those two? Idk. I like the idea of building the team organically. But what if the growth and potential doesn't match us up to a championship ready team? Then the hard choice will begin.

IMO i think we have to double think our future while we might have to part ways with one of Paolo or Franz. It is not pretty. But i have to say, it might happen

[pepe1991]

Tbh they were kind a forced to do so. Alternative was losing Cp3 due injuries/decline/ retirment and having no money to find replacment and bloating salaries of exstensions of Mikal Bridges, Booker ( supermax ), Ayton, Cam.

Suns weren't championship team but Cp3, Booker, Mikal and Ayton were costing $120M . Iv'e said in past that current CBA basically cripples ability for teams to stay competitive. You reach point of bloating salary of re-sings, can't sign anybody new, have no flexbility and you either gave to go balls to a wall for championship or tear it down and start over. Sustained winning ins't really possible long term under this rules.

Look at Nuggets, they won championship, for next year the already have $170M in books tied into 10 men. And Bown will either left them, or they will have to go troat deep into luxury to keep him. Year later KCP- same situation. You get worst as your money goes up.

I think the Suns got to this point because they traded for Kevin Durant and they have too be a Championship contender because of that. Yes, Mikal's extension and Cam's extension will cost them a lot. But they had a 38 year old CP3 which they could just waive or trade away. The whole reason of staying Championship contending is because of Kevin Durant.

That is kinda why I do not want to see Magic gets into this situation. We want remain flexible and we want a championship level of team. If you want to choose one? Which one? That is kinda hard because of the new CBA which Magic could extend Paolo and Franz both to a max contract. That is HARD!

But I love the idea of changing to a Championship competing team while remaining the flexibility and future. Thus we have to give up someone. It is hard. But it is possible!

Adding to that, keep Franz and Paolo for a max extension will probably cost Magic's 70% of the cap space. Will we do that? I think we kinda have to. But is it going to be a championship core with those two? Idk. I like the idea of building the team organically. But what if the growth and potential doesn't match us up to a championship ready team? Then the hard choice will begin.

IMO i think we have to double think our future while we might have to part ways with one of Paolo or Franz. It is not pretty. But i have to say, it might happen

Suns problem was fact that their core couldn't win title and they had Mikal already on $20M deal and Cam aiming for similar money. There was no point of keeping all of them for non existing window, with Cp3 declining and aiging. They even re-signed Ayton just to keep him as asset ( whole exstension drama, singing sheet with Pacers, just to have Suns matching).


As for Magic:
Garry Harris -this or next year (UFA)
Fultz- next year (UFA)
Cole- next year (RFA)
Franz ( eligiable for early exstension after 2023-24 season, candidate for designed max)
Suggs -same as Franz but not likley to get one
Okeke ( yet to have team's option picked for next year)

there is a lot moving parts + all new rookies that will come, plus whoever and if we sign anybody in FA.


2 designed max contracts aren't THAT crippling, but rest of your money needs to be well balanced.

[JBSouthpaw]

I think the Suns got to this point because they traded for Kevin Durant and they have too be a Championship contender because of that. Yes, Mikal's extension and Cam's extension will cost them a lot. But they had a 38 year old CP3 which they could just waive or trade away. The whole reason of staying Championship contending is because of Kevin Durant.

That is kinda why I do not want to see Magic gets into this situation. We want remain flexible and we want a championship level of team. If you want to choose one? Which one? That is kinda hard because of the new CBA which Magic could extend Paolo and Franz both to a max contract. That is HARD!

But I love the idea of changing to a Championship competing team while remaining the flexibility and future. Thus we have to give up someone. It is hard. But it is possible!

Adding to that, keep Franz and Paolo for a max extension will probably cost Magic's 70% of the cap space. Will we do that? I think we kinda have to. But is it going to be a championship core with those two? Idk. I like the idea of building the team organically. But what if the growth and potential doesn't match us up to a championship ready team? Then the hard choice will begin.

IMO i think we have to double think our future while we might have to part ways with one of Paolo or Franz. It is not pretty. But i have to say, it might happen

Suns problem was fact that their core couldn't win title and they had Mikal already on $20M deal and Cam aiming for similar money. There was no point of keeping all of them for non existing window, with Cp3 declining and aiging. They even re-signed Ayton just to keep him as asset ( whole exstension drama, singing sheet with Pacers, just to have Suns matching).


As for Magic:
Garry Harris -this or next year (UFA)
Fultz- next year (UFA)
Cole- next year (RFA)
Franz ( eligiable for early exstension after 2023-24 season, candidate for designed max)
Suggs -same as Franz but not likley to get one
Okeke ( yet to have team's option picked for next year)

there is a lot moving parts + all new rookies that will come, plus whoever and if we sign anybody in FA.


2 designed max contracts aren't THAT crippling, but rest of your money needs to be well balanced.

I believe Okeke's option was picked up (23-24), RJ's wasn't, which is why they released him.

[JoshuaPotter]

Side note; why are Giddey and Williams ranked ahead of Franz?

Location. Location! Location?

[tiderulz]

This Beal trade makes no sense to me from Suns POV. They needed reliable role players and defenders not another ballhandler who isn't full time ballhandler, rather like Booker, chases own shots, doesn't attack rim that much and lives off midrange pullups.

Very strange trade.

Durant demanding "star" help

[drsd]

[mattdelray1220]

Fultz
Harris
Wagner
Paolo
WCJ

they play the first 6-7 minutes and Wagner subs out for Dick.

2nd unit trickles in a few minutes later now with a line up of:

Anthony
Suggs
Wagner
JI
Walker

Deep bench of Houston, Chuma, Moe, Goga

I think this threads the needle of being competitive but allowing our young guys to grow into whatever they can be.

[JoshuaPotter]

Fultz
Harris
Wagner
Paolo
WCJ

they play the first 6-7 minutes and Wagner subs out for Dick.

2nd unit trickles in a few minutes later now with a line up of:

Anthony
Suggs
Wagner
JI
Walker

Deep bench of Houston, Chuma, Moe, Goga

I think this threads the needle of being competitive but allowing our young guys to grow into whatever they can be.

So we are drafting walker+dick and mysteriously dick disappears (the pun writes themselves) back for Wagner?

[mattdelray1220]

Fultz
Harris
Wagner
Paolo
WCJ

they play the first 6-7 minutes and Wagner subs out for Dick.

2nd unit trickles in a few minutes later now with a line up of:

Anthony
Suggs
Wagner
JI
Walker

Deep bench of Houston, Chuma, Moe, Goga

I think this threads the needle of being competitive but allowing our young guys to grow into whatever they can be.

So we are drafting walker+dick and mysteriously dick disappears (the pun writes themselves) back for Wagner?

Yeah well he would play a handful of minutes with 1st team and then yeah Franz would come back in like he normally does to lead the 2nd unit.

[PrimeThyme]

Haven't frequented the boards much of late, but I just wanted to see if we long-term AG truthers finally won out with our Shawn Marion comps after these playoffs? I think being the third-best player on a championship team qualifies him as that.

I'll let Pepe decide

[pepe1991]

Haven't frequented the boards much of late, but I just wanted to see if we long-term AG truthers finally won out with our Shawn Marion comps after these playoffs? I think being the third-best player on a championship team qualifies him as that.

I'll let Pepe decide

3rd to 4th best player behind duo who averaged:
57 ppg
16 apg
19 rpg
61% TS

While best player happends to have the most dominant playoffs since Jordan? Sounds about right.

Just for sake of argument, Marion had seasons where he averaged 20 ppg in playoffs and lead team in scoring, when they were playing WCF.
Gordon as second option averaged 13,8 ppg on 42/20 split last year.


Since i joined forum, 2016, to present day, i always repeated same story. Gordon is good role player but nothing more. Guy wins championship as role player and people call me out . Love it. what's next? Elfrid Payton fans kiddnaping me to force me watch Puerto Rico's basketball to see how great Payton is?

[jezzerinho]

Haven't frequented the boards much of late, but I just wanted to see if we long-term AG truthers finally won out with our Shawn Marion comps after these playoffs? I think being the third-best player on a championship team qualifies him as that.

I'll let Pepe decide

3rd to 4th best player behind duo who averaged:
57 ppg
16 apg
19 rpg
61% TS

While best player happends to have the most dominant playoffs since Jordan? Sounds about right.

Just for sake of argument, Marion had seasons where he averaged 20 ppg in playoffs and lead team in scoring, when they were playing WCF.
Gordon as second option averaged 13,8 ppg on 42/20 split last year.


Since i joined forum, 2016, to present day, i always repeated same story. Gordon is good role player but nothing more. Guy wins championship as role player and people call me out . Love it. what's next? Elfrid Payton fans kiddnaping me to force me watch Puerto Rico's basketball to see how great Payton is?

I mean, the kidnapping part sounds appealing...

[pepe1991]

Haven't frequented the boards much of late, but I just wanted to see if we long-term AG truthers finally won out with our Shawn Marion comps after these playoffs? I think being the third-best player on a championship team qualifies him as that.

I'll let Pepe decide

3rd to 4th best player behind duo who averaged:
57 ppg
16 apg
19 rpg
61% TS

While best player happends to have the most dominant playoffs since Jordan? Sounds about right.

Just for sake of argument, Marion had seasons where he averaged 20 ppg in playoffs and lead team in scoring, when they were playing WCF.
Gordon as second option averaged 13,8 ppg on 42/20 split last year.


Since i joined forum, 2016, to present day, i always repeated same story. Gordon is good role player but nothing more. Guy wins championship as role player and people call me out . Love it. what's next? Elfrid Payton fans kiddnaping me to force me watch Puerto Rico's basketball to see how great Payton is?

I mean, the kidnapping part sounds appealing...

Difference between Gordon and Payton is fact that i never said Gordon is trash, i simply didn't see star/allstar player like others. I've said Payton is trash once a day in 2016-2017-2018 span

[Skybox]

Haven't frequented the boards much of late, but I just wanted to see if we long-term AG truthers finally won out with our Shawn Marion comps after these playoffs? I think being the third-best player on a championship team qualifies him as that.

I'll let Pepe decide

3rd to 4th best player behind duo who averaged:
57 ppg
16 apg
19 rpg
61% TS

While best player happends to have the most dominant playoffs since Jordan? Sounds about right.

Just for sake of argument, Marion had seasons where he averaged 20 ppg in playoffs and lead team in scoring, when they were playing WCF.
Gordon as second option averaged 13,8 ppg on 42/20 split last year.


Since i joined forum, 2016, to present day, i always repeated same story. Gordon is good role player but nothing more. Guy wins championship as role player and people call me out . Love it. what's next? Elfrid Payton fans kiddnaping me to force me watch Puerto Rico's basketball to see how great Payton is?

Excellent use of a role player by DEN. When the opponent switches up to combat the stars, #3 steps forward and abuses them with his one particular matchup problem (he can bully smaller defenders in the post)…excellent team composition and deployment. Nobody is going to let AG win a series against them, but he showed MIA that at least one of their schemes was flawed.

In a similar vein, that’s how I’d use Vuc at this point…if a team can’t double him, he will feast in the paint ALL night. He’s got plenty of flaws, but situationally, he could be a very useful player…who can also bomb threes on other nights. I’m not talking about removing WCJ, just a role concept.

[pepe1991]

Haven't frequented the boards much of late, but I just wanted to see if we long-term AG truthers finally won out with our Shawn Marion comps after these playoffs? I think being the third-best player on a championship team qualifies him as that.

I'll let Pepe decide

3rd to 4th best player behind duo who averaged:
57 ppg
16 apg
19 rpg
61% TS

While best player happends to have the most dominant playoffs since Jordan? Sounds about right.

Just for sake of argument, Marion had seasons where he averaged 20 ppg in playoffs and lead team in scoring, when they were playing WCF.
Gordon as second option averaged 13,8 ppg on 42/20 split last year.


Since i joined forum, 2016, to present day, i always repeated same story. Gordon is good role player but nothing more. Guy wins championship as role player and people call me out . Love it. what's next? Elfrid Payton fans kiddnaping me to force me watch Puerto Rico's basketball to see how great Payton is?

Excellent use of a role player by DEN. When the opponent switches up to combat the stars, #3 steps forward and abuses them with his one particular matchup problem (he can bully smaller defenders in the post)…excellent team composition and deployment. Nobody is going to let AG win a series against them, but he showed MIA that at least one of their schemes was flawed.

In a similar vein, that’s how I’d use Vuc at this point…if a team can’t double him, he will feast in the paint ALL night. He’s got plenty of flaws, but situationally, he could be a very useful player…who can also bomb threes on other nights. I’m not talking about removing WCJ, just a role concept.

It's worth pointing out that vs Lakers, Gordon was 5th offensive option and KCP averaged 14,8 ppg in sweep (0,2 ppg less than MP, as third option). And that MPjr post allstar game, was basically 20 ppg player. And he was still just 3rd option.

Denver's key is Jokic. You can't double him, if you do he kicks out to KCP, Jamal & MP jr. If you zone up, they throw deep passes for Gordon. They are apsolute nightmare to defend because Jokic today is most dominant offensive weapon since , i don't know? 2013 Lebron? Complete game changer.

Team that can challenge them is probably somebody like Celtics or Bucks due size & agility on wings. Problem is fact that i highly doubt current Bucks roster can actually go to finals, and Celtics simply lack balance on offense.
Now, if Heat gets Lillard and we have finals rematch, series can go in favor of Heat.

But on the West, nobody has horses to beat healthy Nuggets team today. Warriors have enough assets to adjust roster, question is what they will do.

[yoyojw17]

3rd to 4th best player behind duo who averaged:
57 ppg
16 apg
19 rpg
61% TS

While best player happends to have the most dominant playoffs since Jordan? Sounds about right.

Just for sake of argument, Marion had seasons where he averaged 20 ppg in playoffs and lead team in scoring, when they were playing WCF.
Gordon as second option averaged 13,8 ppg on 42/20 split last year.


Since i joined forum, 2016, to present day, i always repeated same story. Gordon is good role player but nothing more. Guy wins championship as role player and people call me out . Love it. what's next? Elfrid Payton fans kiddnaping me to force me watch Puerto Rico's basketball to see how great Payton is?

Excellent use of a role player by DEN. When the opponent switches up to combat the stars, #3 steps forward and abuses them with his one particular matchup problem (he can bully smaller defenders in the post)…excellent team composition and deployment. Nobody is going to let AG win a series against them, but he showed MIA that at least one of their schemes was flawed.

In a similar vein, that’s how I’d use Vuc at this point…if a team can’t double him, he will feast in the paint ALL night. He’s got plenty of flaws, but situationally, he could be a very useful player…who can also bomb threes on other nights. I’m not talking about removing WCJ, just a role concept.

It's worth pointing out that vs Lakers, Gordon was 5th offensive option and KCP averaged 14,8 ppg in sweep (0,2 ppg less than MP, as third option). And that MPjr post allstar game, was basically 20 ppg player. And he was still just 3rd option.

Denver's key is Jokic. You can't double him, if you do he kicks out to KCP, Jamal & MP jr. If you zone up, they throw deep passes for Gordon. They are apsolute nightmare to defend because Jokic today is most dominant offensive weapon since , i don't know? 2013 Lebron? Complete game changer.

Team that can challenge them is probably somebody like Celtics or Bucks due size & agility on wings. Problem is fact that i highly doubt current Bucks roster can actually go to finals, and Celtics simply lack balance on offense.
Now, if Heat gets Lillard and we have finals rematch, series can go in favor of Heat.

But on the West, nobody has horses to beat healthy Nuggets team today. Warriors have enough assets to adjust roster, question is what they will do.

Definitely filled the role they needed and was an important cog in the machine. Swiss army knife at the 4 position. still all i ever wanted from him. haha

[uraverage]

3rd to 4th best player behind duo who averaged:
57 ppg
16 apg
19 rpg
61% TS

While best player happends to have the most dominant playoffs since Jordan? Sounds about right.

Just for sake of argument, Marion had seasons where he averaged 20 ppg in playoffs and lead team in scoring, when they were playing WCF.
Gordon as second option averaged 13,8 ppg on 42/20 split last year.


Since i joined forum, 2016, to present day, i always repeated same story. Gordon is good role player but nothing more. Guy wins championship as role player and people call me out . Love it. what's next? Elfrid Payton fans kiddnaping me to force me watch Puerto Rico's basketball to see how great Payton is?

I mean, the kidnapping part sounds appealing...

Difference between Gordon and Payton is fact that i never said Gordon is trash, i simply didn't see star/allstar player like others. I've said Payton is trash once a day in 2016-2017-2018 span

Come on now that not fair. EP's hair was great at defense, had to contest at least half of EP's shots.

[drsd]

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[cedric76]

****, GTJ opted in, weham weren't interested, I can't wait for the draft to know what they r up to

[Skybox]

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

sweet reel...was that Aaron Gordon's highlight reel or a PG?

dunks, putbacks, blocked shots, turnaround jumpers in the post...if he was a few inches taller, his body could suit his skillset