2025 Regular Season Thread Vol. 8

[vagelis]

Let's see what the Warriors can do against some good teams.

It is also interesting to me that they started the season with 10-2 record and then they started to lose without a major reason.

They win again having Butler but he plays a lesser offensive role for them.
Is only the presence of Butler so important for them? Or they didn't try to win before the trade?

Let's see what they will do against Denver and Knicks.

And lets see what they will do against playoff competition.
They have not played yet a single difficult game after the trade

[DayofMourning]

Let's see what the Warriors can do against some good teams.

It is also interesting to me that they started the season with 10-2 record and then they started to lose without a major reason.

They win again having Butler but he plays a lesser offensive role for them.
Is only the presence of Butler so important for them? Or they didn't try to win before the trade?

Let's see what the will do against Denver and Knicks.

And lets see what they will do against playoff competition.
They have not played yet a single difficult game after the trade

Def need them to come back down to earth. They have had a beauty of a schedule since the trade.

Hope their pick drops back in to the teens.

[oreon]

I thought we’ve moved on frm Jimmy. He took us as far as he cld. Wether we paid him or not his time was up here. He’s closer to retirement, our timeline doesn’t match. It’s a positive he’s gone. He showed he really didn’t care about anybody here as soon as money’s involved. He showed his true colors. That’s not a Heat leader we want. We move on & build for the future. Warriors current success has nothing to do w/ us & our future. Eventually Warriors will come crashing down. They don’t have enough to win a chip.

The fuss around a timeline misalignment with Jimmy is moot because Mia doesn’t have one clear cut player to build around on its current roster.

Would have been better off sticking with him and be willing to execute bold trades to try and win a chip.

Instead, the team has become a laughing stock and the general sense is that the FO is committed to sticking with its core of Tito’s.

Been saying for years as a counter to all of the ‘trade Jimmy’ takes that once he’s gone, Mia ought to blow it up and start fresh because they will inevitably be a lotto team.

Why does it have to be about building around someone? Why can’t we acquire players around the solid core we have that wld complement one another!? Jimmy wasn’t a prolific scorer, he was just a fierce competitor that was surrounded by the right players that cld compete w/ him. Remember It was Goran that was our leading scorer in the bubble going into the finals. Heat had complimentary players, whom if had been healthy, may have won vs LA. If anybody can remember Pat said we have enough suggesting his opinion Jimmy is the star we needed to win a championship. But Jimmy wasn’t up for that challenge missing games & being disinterested during the regular season & being often injured during vital games.

Miami aren’t going to rebuild after developing players like Bam & Herro who both have taken significant leaps. That takes a lot of effort, time & patience. We invest in our players, that’s what makes us successful. And sticking w/ Butler meant paying a 36yo that has already given us all he cld. There was really nothing left w/ our relationship w/ Butler, why we didn’t pay him. Completely diff situation in GSW w/ him playing nxt to perhaps the best shooter we’ve ever seen….but eventually they may come back to earth & then they’re left w/ an aging 37/38yo w/ your money, who may again be injured (history says it’s only a matter of time).

This is how the NBA has worked and will always work. Teams are built around stars. If you want to win a chip you need a top 10 all nba guy. Which is the last team that won without a top 10 guy ?

You can argue Spurs 2013 2014 - Kawhi wasn't top 10 yet, Tim Duncan was past his prime. Then before that you have to go all the way back to the Pistons.

It's like once every 10 year. And the league right now is so talented that I don't think its gonna happen in the near future. Look at the current contenders and how much talent they have

OKC - SGA(MVP), Chet, Jalen Williams - All star, Chet (al star level when healthy and future all nba guy) + elite role players
Boston - Tatum (top 5), Brown (top 15) + elite role players
Lakers - Doncic (top 5), Lebron (top 10)
Spurs - Wemby(top 5 next season for sure), Fox (top 10) + tons of assets to add talent
Cavs - Mitchell (top 10), Garland (top 15) + elite role players
Denver - Jokic (best player + potentially top 15 all time) + Murray (all nba guy in playoffs)
GSW - 2 top 15 players

Then you have teams like Memphis, Rockets, Bucks, Knicks. These teams are not contenders but still have way more talent then we do.

I don't know how you build around Herro + Bam and expect to jump all those teams. To be competitive with those teams you need a MVP level guy if Herro/Bam are 2 & 3. And we are not getting that guy unless Doncic stint with Lakers go south and he hits FA.
So if the goal is be a perennial contender, you gonna have to go rebuild route. Get high draft picks, stock up on assets for a star in their prime when one becomes available.

Bam + Herro are not a core thats good enough to build around.

[Moneyball_Spo]

I find it hilarious that people wish we had kept Jimmy. This guy held the team hostage and would not perform. This same guy threatened the heat if they did not trade him. Giving him his money and being stuck with him, while he decides to play or not is just plain stupid.

[Moneyball_Spo]

Trae Young is a very talented player but lacks maturity & other traits that comes w/ having a good character. Bad character = bad player no matter the talent. We normally don’t take on those players being the classy organization w/ a solid reputation for acquiring high character players.

W/ that said if Trae can grow up, change his approach & willing to be guided he cld absolutely work here. We have to be adamant he fully buys in to our standards & ways. I trust our organization if they’re willing to commit to a player such as Trae.

I remember a few years ago, Trae was very complimentary of Spo and the Miami heat organization. I believe he would love to be here.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Read on Twitter

The Suns are in no position to tank and will look to retool in any Durant trade. A Rozier and Duncan matching contracts offer and a few young assets is not going to get anything done for them. They will be looking to swap Durant for the best win now package and picks they can get that also saves them money along the way. Think of a FVV for Durant type of swap.

[greg4012]

The number of NBA players that have been worth max money in their age 37 season throughout the history of the NBA can be counted on one hand. Each of those players are top 10 all time.

[greg4012]

Read on Twitter

The Suns are in no position to tank and will look to retool in any Durant trade. A Rozier and Duncan matching contracts offer and a few young assets is not going to get anything done for them. They will be looking to swap Durant for the best win now package and picks they can get that also saves them money along the way. Think of a FVV for Durant type of swap.

Is that Andrew Wiggins music playing?

[Moneyball_Spo]

Let's see what the Warriors can do against some good teams.

It is also interesting to me that they started the season with 10-2 record and then they started to lose without a major reason.

They win again having Butler but he plays a lesser offensive role for them.
Is only the presence of Butler so important for them? Or they didn't try to win before the trade?

Let's see what the will do against Denver and Knicks.

And lets see what they will do against playoff competition.
They have not played yet a single difficult game after the trade

Def need them to come back down to earth. They have had a beauty of a schedule since the trade.

Hope their pick drops back in to the teens.

I've been watching the warriors ever since Jimmy was traded there. He stabilizes their defense and connects with the young guys. He really is a connector and that is what we are missing.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Read on Twitter

The Suns are in no position to tank and will look to retool in any Durant trade. A Rozier and Duncan matching contracts offer and a few young assets is not going to get anything done for them. They will be looking to swap Durant for the best win now package and picks they can get that also saves them money along the way. Think of a FVV for Durant type of swap.

Is that Andrew Wiggins music playing?

If Andrew Wiggins was a deciding factor for them this trade would have been made at the deadline imo.

[greg4012]

Read on Twitter

The Suns are in no position to tank and will look to retool in any Durant trade. A Rozier and Duncan matching contracts offer and a few young assets is not going to get anything done for them. They will be looking to swap Durant for the best win now package and picks they can get that also saves them money along the way. Think of a FVV for Durant type of swap.

Is that Andrew Wiggins music playing?

If Andrew Wiggins was a deciding factor for them this trade would have been made at the deadline imo.

But not FVV with Houston?

I'm not expecting a trade to happen, but I don't think Phoenix were actually motivated Durant sellers at the trade deadline. They just wanted to see if they can cash out BIG without him meddling.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Is that Andrew Wiggins music playing?

If Andrew Wiggins was a deciding factor for them this trade would have been made at the deadline imo.

But not FVV with Houston?

I'm not expecting a trade to happen, but I don't think Phoenix were actually motivated Durant sellers at the trade deadline. They just wanted to see if they can cash out BIG without him meddling.

Houston wanted to play out the year with current core but FVV will be coming up on a contract year and Thompson is ready to take over at PG. If they falter in the playoffs then someone like Durant can be viewed as someone who can better get them over the hump and Durant has showered that team with praise and is training with Jalen Green in offseason.

[greg4012]

If Andrew Wiggins was a deciding factor for them this trade would have been made at the deadline imo.

But not FVV with Houston?

I'm not expecting a trade to happen, but I don't think Phoenix were actually motivated Durant sellers at the trade deadline. They just wanted to see if they can cash out BIG without him meddling.

Houston wanted to play out the year with current core but FVV will be coming up on a contract year and Thompson is ready to take over at PG. If they falter in the playoffs then someone like Durant can be viewed as someone who can better get them over the hump and Durant has showered that team with praise and is training with Jalen Green in offseason.

So Phoenix was holding out for FVV as their big fish at the expense of getting less value for Durant in the offseason (one less playoff run and half a season less under current contract, which will now become expiring)?

[MettaWorldPanda]

But not FVV with Houston?

I'm not expecting a trade to happen, but I don't think Phoenix were actually motivated Durant sellers at the trade deadline. They just wanted to see if they can cash out BIG without him meddling.

Houston wanted to play out the year with current core but FVV will be coming up on a contract year and Thompson is ready to take over at PG. If they falter in the playoffs then someone like Durant can be viewed as someone who can better get them over the hump and Durant has showered that team with praise and is training with Jalen Green in offseason.

So Phoenix was holding out for FVV as their big fish at the expense of getting less value for Durant in the offseason (one less playoff run and half a season less under current contract, which will now become expiring)?

FVV is a big matching contract and the Suns have a massive need for a PG. It’s something that looks logical for them. Houston also has assets to attach.

https://motorcyclesports.net/suns-kevin-durant-in-a-54-7m-trade-crossfire-rockets-fred-vanvleet-awaits-his-45m-moment-of-truth/

https://www.si.com/nba/rockets/news/houston-rockets-named-best-spot-for-suns-kevin-durant-trade

[greg4012]

Houston wanted to play out the year with current core but FVV will be coming up on a contract year and Thompson is ready to take over at PG. If they falter in the playoffs then someone like Durant can be viewed as someone who can better get them over the hump and Durant has showered that team with praise and is training with Jalen Green in offseason.

So Phoenix was holding out for FVV as their big fish at the expense of getting less value for Durant in the offseason (one less playoff run and half a season less under current contract, which will now become expiring)?

FVV is a big matching contract and the Suns have a massive need for a PG. It’s something that looks logical for them. Houston also has assets to attach.

FVV is scoring 14.6 pp36 on 48% efg with 5.9 ap36 this season vs Tyus Jones at 13.1 pp36 at 56% efg with 7.4 ap36.

It's about draft capital in this comparison and FVV is just 30+ year old window dressing that has declined year over year

[MettaWorldPanda]

So Phoenix was holding out for FVV as their big fish at the expense of getting less value for Durant in the offseason (one less playoff run and half a season less under current contract, which will now become expiring)?

FVV is a big matching contract and the Suns have a massive need for a PG. It’s something that looks logical for them. Houston also has assets to attach.

FVV is scoring 14.6 pp36 on 48% efg with 5.9 ap36 this season vs Tyus Jones at 13.1 pp36 at 56% efg with 7.4 ap36.

It's about draft capital in this comparison and FVV is just 30+ year old window dressing that has declined year over year

He’s still better then Terry Rozier and if the Suns can recoup even just one of their draft picks back and let’s say Cam Whitmore from the Rockets it makes a lot of sense for both teams.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Teams taking on Rozier, Duncan, and Anderson expiring’s with assets attached are going to be essentially tanking teams. Duncan’s ETO has to be guaranteed before traded btw so it’s not like the other team can just drop him for the savings. If anything Duncan’s ETO for the short term cap is a lot more valuable to us whether we exercise it or extend him at the cap friendly ETO guaranteed figure. I have Duncan as the very least likely to be dealt as his contract is the key to getting this team below the tax line and allowed to make some signings or trades that can take back a little bit of money.

[VaDe255]

So Phoenix was holding out for FVV as their big fish at the expense of getting less value for Durant in the offseason (one less playoff run and half a season less under current contract, which will now become expiring)?

FVV is a big matching contract and the Suns have a massive need for a PG. It’s something that looks logical for them. Houston also has assets to attach.

FVV is scoring 14.6 pp36 on 48% efg with 5.9 ap36 this season vs Tyus Jones at 13.1 pp36 at 56% efg with 7.4 ap36.

It's about draft capital in this comparison and FVV is just 30+ year old window dressing that has declined year over year

People always underrate FVV for some reason. I guess, he’s not the most athletic or flashy player, and at 6’0”, people underestimate his defensive impact.

He’s an elite perimeter defender, and a high-IQ player who brings stability and winning habits, really hoped Houston would have moved him for Jimmy to the Heat, he would have been a good fit.

[jbsays]

DIdn't watch the game, but from boxscore it looks like Fears had a good game against Kentucky.

28 points on 10-22 shooting with 5 assist, 4 rebounds, 3 steals. 6-7 FT. 2-11 on 3s though.

6'4 (good size for a PG), athletic, and just turned 18. Probably not a guy who will make an instant impact, but Heat could do worse if they're in the lottery. If he's a legit 6'4 with a decent wingspan he could guard either backcourt player on the opposing team.

[jbsays]

Teams taking on Rozier, Duncan, and Anderson expiring’s with assets attached are going to be essentially tanking teams. Duncan’s ETO has to be guaranteed before traded btw so it’s not like the other team can just drop him for the savings. If anything Duncan’s ETO for the short term cap is a lot more valuable to us whether we exercise it or extend him at the cap friendly ETO guaranteed figure. I have Duncan as the very least likely to be dealt as his contract is the key to getting this team below the tax line and allowed to make some signings or trades that can take back a little bit of money.

Exactly.
I don't think those guys are going to get you anyone close to KD or Trae Young even if you throw in picks. Hawks might be tanking, but what better tank commander than Young?