Official Speculation & Free Agency Thread (PtXI, Mods close)

[D12VCMagic]

To be honest, I think I kinda "like this team". After convincing wins over Indy, Lakers, Philly, Portland, Miami...and then losing to 3 very good teams in OT (Spurs on 3rd night of back-back-back, Clippers, and Hawks), I don't see why we can't hold our own against the top teams. Can we make some moves to improve? Of course, but I don't think by any means we can't make some noise in the playoffs if we are clicking on all cylinders.

I like this team at times as well. Im sure we all do, but you have to remember EVERYTHING slows down in the playoffs & we only have 1 freaking guy who can get his shot by breaking down a defense and that's Meer (not counting Wafer cause he wont see the floor). We were just in this situation last year & I really don't wanna have to stroll in to the playoffs with basically the same exact team who got bounced in the first round last year.

Just look what happened when we played the Celtics twice & the Hawks. SHUTDOWN! You are kidding yourself if that wont happen in the playoffs when everything slows way down & we are forced to have to
create shots.

This x100. We're playing good ball, but we aren't playing championship ball. I see no reason to believe we can get past the second round.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Just look what happened when we played the Celtics twice & the Hawks. SHUTDOWN! You are kidding yourself if that wont happen in the playoffs when everything slows way down & we are forced to have to
create shots.

Same reason why Ryan got shutdown in the PO's last year and the year before that. In the PO's its going to be single cover, stay on the shooters. I dont expect big games from Ryan.

[Noonskadoodle]

Im not looking at stats, but Dwight & Ryno have to be in the top 3 when it comes to offensive rebounding efficiency. If we could get that one player who gets in the paint CONSISTENTLY that just means easy buckets. Whether that's a easy laup because defenders are scared to leave Dwight, a put back by either Dwight or Ryno, or simply just a easy dumpoff/lob to Dwight in the paint.

Hedo was great at doing this for us in 09 but as we all know his play has declined big time. Meer is capable of doing it but I honestly just can't put any faith in him being consistent with it or staying healthy. Nash or Monta would kill to be in Meers shoes with this team.

Meer & J Rich have been playing very well so hopefully they continue to raise their trade value up more & more until March 1st & we can make a play for that key guy we need.

[arkknight1988]

To be honest, I think I kinda "like this team". After convincing wins over Indy, Lakers, Philly, Portland, Miami...and then losing to 3 very good teams in OT (Spurs on 3rd night of back-back-back, Clippers, and Hawks), I don't see why we can't hold our own against the top teams. Can we make some moves to improve? Of course, but I don't think by any means we can't make some noise in the playoffs if we are clicking on all cylinders.

if this was last year i would agree with you. Question is would u be willing to bet dwight and the franchise's future on the hope that this team "clicks on all cylinders" in the playoffs?

[BadMofoPimp]

I think everyone here forgot about that Francis/Mobley type love affair that Smith and Anthony have with each other. I would hate to be a Knick fan. As soon as they get a real point guard, Carmelo gets healthy and they sign JR to break plays and run isos.

That is exactly why I didn't want JR Smith on this team. He has the talent, but isn't the best Team guy. I like him alot though. He just wouldn't fit Stans half court system though.

[BadMofoPimp]

To be honest, I think I kinda "like this team". After convincing wins over Indy, Lakers, Philly, Portland, Miami...and then losing to 3 very good teams in OT (Spurs on 3rd night of back-back-back, Clippers, and Hawks), I don't see why we can't hold our own against the top teams. Can we make some moves to improve? Of course, but I don't think by any means we can't make some noise in the playoffs if we are clicking on all cylinders.

if this was last year i would agree with you. Question is would u be willing to bet dwight and the franchise's future on the hope that this team "clicks on all cylinders" in the playoffs?

Giants had a bad season and barely made the playoffs. But, they were clicking on all cylindars at the right time. Magic seem to be improving. Only time will tell come playoff time how well that it pays off.

[arkknight1988]

Just look what happened when we played the Celtics twice & the Hawks. SHUTDOWN! You are kidding yourself if that wont happen in the playoffs when everything slows way down & we are forced to have to
create shots.

Same reason why Ryan got shutdown in the PO's last year and the year before that. In the PO's its going to be single cover, stay on the shooters. I dont expect big games from Ryan.

In ryans defense he never got consistent playing time until this season. He has been showing he can step up against elite teams this year so far and should be the least of our worries in the playoffs. My worries start with turk and our coach.

[Hater_X]

To be honest, I think I kinda "like this team". After convincing wins over Indy, Lakers, Philly, Portland, Miami...and then losing to 3 very good teams in OT (Spurs on 3rd night of back-back-back, Clippers, and Hawks), I don't see why we can't hold our own against the top teams. Can we make some moves to improve? Of course, but I don't think by any means we can't make some noise in the playoffs if we are clicking on all cylinders.

if this was last year i would agree with you. Question is would u be willing to bet dwight and the franchise's future on the hope that this team "clicks on all cylinders" in the playoffs?

Giants had a bad season and barely made the playoffs. But, they were clicking on all cylindars at the right time. Magic seem to be improving. Only time will tell come playoff time how well that it pays off.

Football is a completely different sport Bruh, Not to mention even tho the giants' had a horrible regular season it wasn't because of personnel. The Giants have what we don't have ATHLETES!!!. Osi, Tuck, JPP and Kiwanuka are the most physically gifted D-linemen in the history of the sport. We 1 Athlete...Dwight, who is still offensively limited

[ChildishGambino]

Just look what happened when we played the Celtics twice & the Hawks. SHUTDOWN! You are kidding yourself if that wont happen in the playoffs when everything slows way down & we are forced to have to
create shots.

Same reason why Ryan got shutdown in the PO's last year and the year before that. In the PO's its going to be single cover, stay on the shooters. I dont expect big games from Ryan.

In ryans defense he never got consistent playing time until this season. He has been showing he can step up against elite teams this year so far and should be the least of our worries in the playoffs. My worries start with turk and our coach.

That's true...sometimes he's the only one that bothers to show up....With the minutes he's getting now and how he's producing...i don't think he will all of a sudden drop off....what he's doing isn't a fluke....That Atlanta game we lost...they made an concerted effort to try to take Anderson out of the game...but he still had 21 & 7...Ryan has stepped up this year...so much so that i would rather Ryan play 38 minutes a night.....maybe he would average 20 & 10 with the extra minutes....

[arkknight1988]

i think if stan is going to call out anderson for 2 rebounds he should do the same to jameer next time he puts up 0 assists. I don't think i could play for stan.

[rcklsscognition]

Stan has a history of calling out Ryan because it works and Ryan responds to criticism extremely well. He is young and impressionable and I do not doubt that Stan is in his ear every day telling him the opposing team is going to shut him down beyond the arc in the playoffs and he needs to bring effort in other areas to help the team.

[rcklsscognition]

The writing is on the wall for Gasol and he knows it...

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/stor ... e-my-hands

[CPBalla2003 n da 863]

i think if stan is going to call out anderson for 2 rebounds he should do the same to jameer next time he puts up 0 assists. I don't think i could play for stan.

I could see if he have like 13 fga, and 0 assist, yes, but players have to make the shots. this is different.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Just look what happened when we played the Celtics twice & the Hawks. SHUTDOWN! You are kidding yourself if that wont happen in the playoffs when everything slows way down & we are forced to have to
create shots.

Same reason why Ryan got shutdown in the PO's last year and the year before that. In the PO's its going to be single cover, stay on the shooters. I dont expect big games from Ryan.

In ryans defense he never got consistent playing time until this season. He has been showing he can step up against elite teams this year so far and should be the least of our worries in the playoffs. My worries start with turk and our coach.

No Ryan isn't the least of our worries, he's our second best scorer and he's notorious for being shut down in the PO's because of the lack of versatility in his game. We would need him to get points off of offensive rebounds and didnt show promise against teams like Boston, or Chicago who we could face assuming we get to the second round. It's critical for him to get going in the PO's because we really have no other scorers.

[Noonskadoodle]

So JR went to the Clips instead?

@TheRealJRSmith: Thanks RT @clipperdarrell: @TheRealJRSmith @flaminginkbone WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES!!! #TEAMSWISH
Shared via TweetCaster

[Phantom418]

So JR went to the Clips instead?

@TheRealJRSmith: Thanks RT @clipperdarrell: @TheRealJRSmith @flaminginkbone WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES!!! #TEAMSWISH
Shared via TweetCaster

So JR Smith really hasn't decided yet?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCFB2akLh4s[/youtube]

[Def Swami]

So JR went to the Clips instead?

@TheRealJRSmith: Thanks RT @clipperdarrell: @TheRealJRSmith @flaminginkbone WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES!!! #TEAMSWISH
Shared via TweetCaster

Interesting. Don't trust the "sources."

[thelead]

when is the trade deadline this year?

[The Real Dalic]

when is the trade deadline this year?

March 15th

[eyriq]

Anderson needs to put up this level of play in the playoffs, but if he does, we have our 2nd banana. From there, if we can get anything like the '10 Playoffs JRich, or the '10 Playoffs Nelson, then this team is championship level. Hedo will be Hedo, vastly important but frustratingly inefficient.

What I'd love even better of course would be for Nelson and JRich to net us Nash, or some other all star caliber player that can take some of the 'if the chips fall right' rhetoric out of our championship narrative.