Tank World Order V (Rise of the Phoenix)

[WhatsaTDot]

Honestly I don’t feel great until one of Philly or New Orleans starts winning. But yeah, more injuries to us is going to keep it rolling and I hate to hope for that but it does seem like we’re neck in neck with the Bulls/Pistons /Hawks of the NBA if we are healthy.

New Orleans is a real worry. They are injury plagued like us and a non desirable market. They could easily jettison talent and tank hard.

I also did realise Philly's pick was protected 1-6 next year so maybe they could commit to the tank also but 'feels' harder for them to do so.

[GreatWhiteStiff]

Team mediocre in shambles tonight

Shakril just fell to his knees... on the treadmill.

The world is a better place with you on our side for this season.

Del, am I supposed to welcome you back to team compete after we "tank"this year?

[Scase]

Honestly I don’t feel great until one of Philly or New Orleans starts winning. But yeah, more injuries to us is going to keep it rolling and I hate to hope for that but it does seem like we’re neck in neck with the Bulls/Pistons /Hawks of the NBA if we are healthy.

New Orleans is a real worry. They are injury plagued like us and a non desirable market. They could easily jettison talent and tank hard.

I also did realise Philly's pick was protected 1-6 next year so maybe they could commit to the tank also but 'feels' harder for them to do so.

I think it would be an insane decision for them to try and tank this year, even if its 1-6 protected thats a big risk (use us as a great example lol), and the money they just spent on PG13 coupled with his age. Either they go all in to win, or completely blow it up.

[WhatsaTDot]

Utah with a chance at this - lets go!

[Scase]

Utah with a chance at this - lets go!

You jinxed it!

[WhatsaTDot]

That's on me - wont happen again

[GoRapstheoriginal]

F*ck You Utah! This Raptors/Pels game tomorrow is huge!

[S.W.A.N]

Utah with a chance at this - lets go!

You jinxed it!

why the hell would anyone want utah to win?? spurs winning helps us more

[mdenny]

The truth of the matter is that a top 5 pick this summer has an approx 25% chance to be AS good as RJ is currently six years from now.

But don't let me interrupt the pink-clouding that accompanies all the tank talking points. I see only the best case scenarios when I look at a mystery box.

I think we kinda can't lose either way. A top 5 pick is a nice chance to hit a home run or a triple. A hot streak that leads to a play-in Game indicates development of the multiple prospects we already have. I figure it's kinda impossible to predict which one of those outcomes is preferable.

If you think the pick is preferable you tend to be denying the reality of expected outcomes for top 5 picks and pessimistic that 22 to 25 year olds can make massive, unexpected leaps in short periods of time.

The inverse is true for those that prefer the hot streak/play-in route. Ie: once in awhile a top 5 pick changes the trajectory of a franchise and it's not often that a 22 to 25 year old prospect makes an unexpected massive leap.

One thing I'd say: the Pelicans as a franchise would've been better off if they did NOT have the first overall pick when they selected Zion. He's basically stolen 6 years from that franchise to have any opportunity to compete. And then AD before him lol. Pelican fans been banking on the dream of 1st overall pick hype for more than a decade with NOTHING to show for it.

[StozeLeGroz]

The truth of the matter is that a top 5 pick this summer has an approx 25% chance to be AS good as RJ is currently six years from now.

But don't let me interrupt the pink-clouding that accompanies all the tank talking points. I see only the best case scenarios when I look at a mystery box.

I think we kinda can't lose either way. A top 5 pick is a nice chance to hit a home run or a triple. A hot streak that leads to a play-in Game indicates development of the multiple prospects we already have. I figure it's kinda impossible to predict which one of those outcomes is preferable.

If you think the pick is preferable you tend to be denying the reality of expected outcomes for top 5 picks and pessimistic that 22 to 25 year olds can make massive, unexpected leaps in short periods of time.

The inverse is true for those that prefer the hot streak/play-in route. Ie: once in awhile a top 5 pick changes the trajectory of a franchise and it's not often that a 22 to 25 year old prospect makes an unexpected massive leap.

One thing I'd say: the Pelicans as a franchise would've been better off if they did NOT have the first overall pick when they selected Zion. He's basically stolen 6 years from that franchise to have any opportunity to compete. And then AD before him lol. Pelican fans been banking on the dream of 1st overall pick hype for more than a decade with NOTHING to show for it.

This is balanced and fair IMO

[Duffman100]

F*ck You Utah! This Raptors/Pels game tomorrow is huge!

Pls don't evade the language filter

[Psubs]

Are the Spurs going to treadmill with Wemby?

Are Castle, Vassell and Sochan enough to win? I guess they'll have to make some trades, when they are closer.

I would go for it now. Lavine is a clutch shooter.

Lavine, Vucevic and future 1st pick (Chi)
For
Zach Collins, Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones

PG CP - Castle
SG Lavine - Champagnie
SF Vassell - Sochan
PF Wemby - HBarnes
C Vucevic - Wemby - Mamu

Castle was #4 but Vassell was #11 pick. I just feel like the Raptors need to hit on 1 more player like Vassell level.

Right now the eye test has Davion, Boucher and Barrett driving the tank.

[Duffman100]

Are the Spurs going to treadmill with Wemby?

Are Castle, Vassell and Sochan enough to win? I guess they'll have to make some trades, when they are closer.

I would go for it now. Lavine is a clutch shooter.

Lavine, Vucevic and future 1st pick (Chi)
For
Zach Collins, Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones

PG CP - Castle
SG Lavine - Champagnie
SF Vassell - Sochan
PF Wemby - HBarnes
C Vucevic - Wemby - Mamu

I really like Castle and Vassell. I think both top out as 3rd best players on a title team. Sochan likely a key role / glue guy. They'll need to acquire that elite guard player / scorer.

Keeping Wemby around is now the key task (obviously). Get a consistent 50+ win team going to avoid him bailing and going to the Lakers etc...

[Los_29]

Wemby is such a unique player and just turned 20. Even if he never developed offensively, he would still be an impact player due to his defense. However, to truly be a dominant force he’s going to need to be more efficient. He’s woefully inefficient for his size. Super talented though so you’d expect that to gradually improve with time.

[Psubs]

Wemby is such a unique player and just turned 20. Even if he never developed offensively, he would still be an impact player due to his defense. However, to truly be a dominant force he’s going to need to be more efficient. He’s woefully inefficient for his size. Super talented though so you’d expect that to gradually improve with time.

If he keeps getting stronger in his prime, he may drop 100 points.

[Scase]

Utah with a chance at this - lets go!

You jinxed it!

why the hell would anyone want utah to win?? spurs winning helps us more

Uh, how exactly do the Spurs winning help us even a little bit? The Jazz are direct competition for us and the worst record.

[ConSarnit]

The truth of the matter is that a top 5 pick this summer has an approx 25% chance to be AS good as RJ is currently six years from now.

But don't let me interrupt the pink-clouding that accompanies all the tank talking points. I see only the best case scenarios when I look at a mystery box.

I think we kinda can't lose either way. A top 5 pick is a nice chance to hit a home run or a triple. A hot streak that leads to a play-in Game indicates development of the multiple prospects we already have. I figure it's kinda impossible to predict which one of those outcomes is preferable.

If you think the pick is preferable you tend to be denying the reality of expected outcomes for top 5 picks and pessimistic that 22 to 25 year olds can make massive, unexpected leaps in short periods of time.

The inverse is true for those that prefer the hot streak/play-in route. Ie: once in awhile a top 5 pick changes the trajectory of a franchise and it's not often that a 22 to 25 year old prospect makes an unexpected massive leap.

One thing I'd say: the Pelicans as a franchise would've been better off if they did NOT have the first overall pick when they selected Zion. He's basically stolen 6 years from that franchise to have any opportunity to compete. And then AD before him lol. Pelican fans been banking on the dream of 1st overall pick hype for more than a decade with NOTHING to show for it.

Counter: this draft is considered especially deep at the top so having a top 5 pick has greater value than in other years. We also tend to be one of the better drafting organizations which gives us an edge when it comes to actually making the right choice. This is not an average year for draft talent and we are generally not the incompetent type of team that finds themselves at the top of the draft (ie. teams that keep finding themselves at the top of the draft because they suck at drafting). I would also wager that the value of a top 5 pick is far greater than the experience of a play-in loss.

[mdenny]

Are the Spurs going to treadmill with Wemby?

Are Castle, Vassell and Sochan enough to win? I guess they'll have to make some trades, when they are closer.

I would go for it now. Lavine is a clutch shooter.

Lavine, Vucevic and future 1st pick (Chi)
For
Zach Collins, Keldon Johnson and Tre Jones

PG CP - Castle
SG Lavine - Champagnie
SF Vassell - Sochan
PF Wemby - HBarnes
C Vucevic - Wemby - Mamu

Castle was #4 but Vassell was #11 pick. I just feel like the Raptors need to hit on 1 more player like Vassell level.

Right now the eye test has Davion, Boucher and Barrett driving the tank.

With the new cap reality....you're actually far better off drafting a pick that hits when you already have a good team. Wemby and whatever two other Spurs prospects will get max extensions and they'll be hamstrung to add quality vet stars for playoff success. By the time they start to actually win....they will be maxed out.

The more ideal team build is to have 3 max extensions/contracts on the books and then luck into a pick that hits (wherever it happens in draft order) so you can add a 4th starting player for a small cap hit that lasts 4 years.

I suggest that with the new apron reality...."bottoming out" won't work. Too many prospects at the same time. They all get paid at the same time too. This is the reality that awaits teams like OKC and Houston.

[Tripod]

You jinxed it!

why the hell would anyone want utah to win?? spurs winning helps us more

Uh, how exactly do the Spurs winning help us even a little bit? The Jazz are direct competition for us and the worst record.

Keeps the Spurs from entering the tank teams like they have the last 2 years?

Most expect Utah to be there regardless...random win here and there or not. But limiting another team from joing the tanking group is a good thing.

I assume this was his thought process

[Scase]

why the hell would anyone want utah to win?? spurs winning helps us more

Uh, how exactly do the Spurs winning help us even a little bit? The Jazz are direct competition for us and the worst record.

Keeps the Spurs from entering the tank teams like they have the last 2 years?

Most expect Utah to be there regardless...random win here and there or not. But limiting another team from joing the tanking group is a good thing.

I assume this was his thought process

The Spurs are above .500 in the west, we are....quite far from that and in the east lol. Wemby is too good for the spurs to be bottom of the league.

The Jazz are an actual concern, especially with Lauri going down last night.