Around the nba part 6

[NYKMentality85]

He doesn't have the greatest field goal percentage this season but then again, basketball is a game that's a whole lot more than just field goal percentage so with all that said, I'd take Monta Ellis over Lin. Without question too. Ellis also has a higher career FG percentage when compared to Lin. Monta's currently averaging 19.5 points, 5.9 assists, 3.9 boards and 2.0 steals per game. Three games ago Ellis dropped 20 against Atlanta off 8/15 shooting, 4 boards, 4 assists and 1 steal. Two games ago against Philly, Ellis went 12/21 along with 29 points, 7 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Last time out against the Lakers Monta put up 18 points off 8/16 shooting to go along with 7 boards, 9 assists and 2 steals. Ellis at 27 or Lin at 24 years of age and I'm going without Ellis no question.

[ibraheim718]

He doesn't have the greatest field goal percentage this season but then again, basketball is a game that's a whole lot more than just field goal percentage so with all that said, I'd take Monta Ellis over Lin. Without question too. Ellis also has a higher career FG percentage when compared to Lin. Monta's currently averaging 19.5 points, 5.9 assists, 3.9 boards and 2.0 steals per game. Three games ago Ellis dropped 20 against Atlanta off 8/15 shooting, 4 boards, 4 assists and 1 steal. Two games ago against Philly, Ellis went 12/21 along with 29 points, 7 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Last time out against the Lakers Monta put up 18 points off 8/16 shooting to go along with 7 boards, 9 assists and 2 steals. Ellis at 27 or Lin at 24 years of age and I'm going without Ellis no question.

You're swimming alone in that pool friend... but I''m sure in due time quick Kick will hop on in for a swim.

[Brooklyn_Yards]

If I was the Magic I'd try to trade Jameer for Lin who makes nearly the same $$$ and take the gamble of Lin tearing it up with him being the primary ball handler. I think without Harden Lin would put up 18 and 6 type numbers maybe better.

[Bravery]

I've been impressed all year with Golden State. Won 7 of their last 10 despite their ugly February and revived their franchise and fanbase once again. Top 10 in PPG (9th) and 12th in DRTG, FG% and 3PT% up above the league average this year with such a young nucleus is very promising. Not to mention the fact that it's one of our own, Mark Jackson leading the way is just icing on the cake. Always nice to see some former 90s Knicks make their mark in the league for a change.

The question going forward will be their interior defense as I don't see a C/F who is capable of protecting the paint. It's been an issue all year round. They got a lot of height between Bieds, Ezeli and Bogut but nothing concrete as of now. You also can't expect Lee to do much as he's primarily their a scoring/reb F. As shown by their DRTG, their overall defense isn't particularly bad or anything, but they definitely have some holes like interior defense and not surprisingly turnovers, which usually follows young teams that run in general (OKC, HOU, DEN, Golden State are all in the top 5 in total TOs.) Got some real deadly shooters who can stretch the floor though.

[fdr2012]

If I was the Magic I'd try to trade Jameer for Lin who makes nearly the same $$$ and take the gamble of Lin tearing it up with him being the primary ball handler. I think without Harden Lin would put up 18 and 6 type numbers maybe better.

Nelson is more talented, but he's old and injured. Orlando won't go after Lin. They really have no use for him.

[GettinitDone]

If I was the Magic I'd try to trade Jameer for Lin who makes nearly the same $$$ and take the gamble of Lin tearing it up with him being the primary ball handler. I think without Harden Lin would put up 18 and 6 type numbers maybe better.

It would be great for Lin, but Rockets wouldn't do it... at least not straight up. At this point, Lin is already better, and he has ways to go up, and Nelson is on the way down. Maybe if Magic can add a first rounder.

[Leaguepass]

Division title wrapped up?

[Thugger HBC]

Division title wrapped up?

Not mathematically, Knicks got a little more winning to do.

A 3-2 record in the next five seals it, won't be easy.

[NYKMentality85]

Division title wrapped up?

Not mathematically, Knicks got a little more winning to do.

A 3-2 record in the next five seals it, won't be easy.

Thanks for those magical numbers. Pretty exciting stuff and I agree, it won't be easy during our up coming 5 games. vs. Boston. @ Miami. @ Atlanta. vs. Milwaukee & @ OKC. I think we can seal it during these next 5 games HBC. I'd be a homer if I considered @ Miami and @ OKC as victories so I'm chalking those two as loses. But I fully expect wins against Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta. Starting tomorrow against a Celtics team without Rondo, Allen (Miami) and K.G. Crazy, with Allen being in Miami, Rondo being out for the season and K.G being hurt/out, this doesn't even resemble the Boston teams we've all respected and/or feared over the years...

[Thugger HBC]

Division title wrapped up?

Not mathematically, Knicks got a little more winning to do.

A 3-2 record in the next five seals it, won't be easy.

Thanks for those magical numbers. Pretty exciting stuff and I agree, it won't be easy during our up coming 5 games. vs. Boston. @ Miami. @ Atlanta. vs. Milwaukee & @ OKC. I think we can seal it during these next 5 games HBC. I'd be a homer if I considered @ Miami and @ OKC as victories so I'm chalking those two as loses. But I fully expect wins against Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta. Starting tomorrow against a Celtics team without Rondo, Allen (Miami) and K.G. Crazy, with Allen being in Miami, Rondo being out for the season and K.G being hurt/out, this doesn't even resemble the Boston teams we've all respected and/or feared over the years...

I can see us winning at least 3, i was actually throwing a running joke of the team winning all the way out during Miami's streak.

But anyway switching gears, Indy needs to drop the next two against the Clippers and OKC, and of course the matchup against the Knicks at the Garden.

That's the only chance of locking up the 2 seed, which i think the Knicks need more than anything.

[NYKMentality85]

Yes, we need Indy to drop these next two @ LAC and vs. OKC. If we could even go 1-1 against Boston/Miami that's 1 game earned for our Knicks. But check this article out.

Andre Iguodala is likely to exercise the opt-out clause in his contact after this season.

Opting out would enable Iguodala to obtain a multi-year deal elsewhere or possibly lengthen his commitment to the Nuggets.

“You got to weigh options,” Iguodala said. “Security-wise, a player would opt, especially with the type of season we’ve had as a team. Teams know what I can bring to them, and I know (the Nuggets) know what I can bring to a team here.

“Players get like $50, $60 or $70 or $80 (million over multiple years), whatever the number was, they gave up a big number (in an option season by opting out). But in the grand scheme of things, pretty much get it back. You got security.’’

Iguodala declined to guarantee he would re-sign with Denver.

“Obviously, it’s a business, so you’re going to look at your options,” Iguodala said. “Here we have some good (prospects). But I’m not making any promises.”

This is big time news. Lots of our fan base has stated that Denver has a brighter future when compared to New York, but I'm having a hard time seeing it. I mean, it just seems like player really don't wish to stay in Denver long term. I've never lived around Mountain states so I can't relate. I understand Iggy leaving would free up $15,904,750 in cap space but players such as Melo forced his way out of Denver, Felton hated it there and J.R Smith never went back to Denver. Now it's sounding like Iggy could be on his way out as an up coming free agent this offseason. Denver gave up both Arron Afflalo and Al Harrington for Iggy and if Iguodala does leave, it was all for not. Arron Afflalo may be injured as of right now, but he's a pretty damn good NBA talent. Iggy leaves during the offseason and Denver then becomes the losers of the 'Dwight Howard trade'.

My question is this, if Iggy does walk on Denver, that'll save Denver $15,904,750 in cap space while leaving them with $52,961,819 in cap space heading into next season. I'm not a salary cap expect or even anything close to one, but how could Denver improve/upgrade from there (if they were to see Iggy walk)? What types of free agents would they be able to go after and/or land? Ty Lawson going from $2,544,528 this season to $10,786,517 next season makes it look like an ugly situation for Denver moving forward...

Also, why would Iggy talk about a contract this late into the season while Denver's fighting for a top 3 seed? Bad timing to talk contact status.

[Thugger HBC]

Players talk about their free agency quite a bit, iggy really didn't say anything out of norm, imo.

iggy leaving doesn't free them with any meaningful cap space, as they were over the cap with his salary, and you're correct that Lawsons money kicks in next season as well.

I hope Iggy doesn't think he'll see that money again, no one is gonna pay him max at this stage, but he is a candidate to get some of those Hawks, Pistons and Bobcat dollars with around 10 mil starting on a four year deal.

Denver would have roughly about 5 mil in cap space maybe a mil or so more, good....but not great.

Their future is good imo, they are a good model to follow for a small market team.

[Brooklyn_Yards]

Speaking of salaries this offseason we have 6 players who are for sure returning:
Amare
Melo
Tyson
Shump
Novak
Felton

9 players who may leave due to retirement or FA.
JR $3mil PO
Martin
Kidd
Camby
KT
Sheed
Prigs 2nd yr QO $980k
Cope 2nd yr QO $980K
White 2nd yr non guaranteed $916K

We could have a whole different team next year, three names I like but doubt we can afford (Do we have 5 mil or 2.5 mil?) Dequan Cook, Korver, and Foye.

[fdr2012]

Realistically, Kidd and Camby will not retire, and JR will probably come back. I also think we keep Copeland. Prigs, White, KT and Sheed are probably gone. We have a first rounder coming in, and that leaves 3 spots.

[Brooklyn_Yards]

Realistically, Kidd and Camby will not retire, and JR will probably come back. I also think we keep Copeland. Prigs, White, KT and Sheed are probably gone. We have a first rounder coming in, and that leaves 3 spots.

Why wouldn't they? They'd get paid either way.

[rdogg1026]

Holy **** if you get Novak's shot down in 2K....You're set.

[earthmansurfer]

Moving sucks...

Other PG's making roughly 8mil per... George Hill, Mike Conley starting next year, Monta Ellis used to pretend to be a PG he's making 11per, Beno Udrih just made 7.2per, Jameer Nelson, Goran Dragic, Mo williams just made 8.5.

Lin was in a unique situation being an free agent who wasn't drafted and who wasn't on a rookie contract and Houston was in a unique situation having let their two viable point guard options in Lowry and Dragic go and with an already established marketing pipeline to China.. and being the team that felt they made a mistake by letting him go. In a perfect world with shrew management and better talent evaluation Lin's contract situation should've never got to the summer free agency period.

On that list, I'd probably take Conley and Dragic over Lin but that's it. His contract isn't terrible at 8.3 per...at that 15 milli rate the Knicks woulda been stuck with, it's a lot uglier. I don't think Lin is a trade asset though, thanks to the new CBA...His contract isn't long enough to think upside in a deal and his numbers don't warrant the pay yet. They will in due time...just not yet.

Dragic though...that kid is a WAY better than I thought he was. I've watched a solid number of Suns games thanks to betting and the kid is extremely talented.

Dragic just doesn't seem to make his teams better. Lin does, even whan he isn't putting up great NY like stats. He played good minutes against the Clips with no Harden and they won handedly. Coincidence?

If Melo jets when Lins contract is up, I wouldn't mind us signing him and building a ball movement type team around him. Bring in Pops to be the coach

[rdogg1026]

Moving sucks...

Other PG's making roughly 8mil per... George Hill, Mike Conley starting next year, Monta Ellis used to pretend to be a PG he's making 11per, Beno Udrih just made 7.2per, Jameer Nelson, Goran Dragic, Mo williams just made 8.5.

Lin was in a unique situation being an free agent who wasn't drafted and who wasn't on a rookie contract and Houston was in a unique situation having let their two viable point guard options in Lowry and Dragic go and with an already established marketing pipeline to China.. and being the team that felt they made a mistake by letting him go. In a perfect world with shrew management and better talent evaluation Lin's contract situation should've never got to the summer free agency period.

On that list, I'd probably take Conley and Dragic over Lin but that's it. His contract isn't terrible at 8.3 per...at that 15 milli rate the Knicks woulda been stuck with, it's a lot uglier. I don't think Lin is a trade asset though, thanks to the new CBA...His contract isn't long enough to think upside in a deal and his numbers don't warrant the pay yet. They will in due time...just not yet.

Dragic though...that kid is a WAY better than I thought he was. I've watched a solid number of Suns games thanks to betting and the kid is extremely talented.

Dragic just doesn't seem to make his teams better. Lin does, even whan he isn't putting up great NY like stats. He played good minutes against the Clips with no Harden and they won handedly. Coincidence?

If Melo jets when Lins contract is up, I wouldn't mind us signing him and building a ball movement type team around him. Bring in Pops to be the coach

Go back to bed man.

[Rasho Brezec]

8/13, 21 points, 9 assists, 3 boards and 1 steal? Against an elite Indiana defense? Remarkable. 102-101, come on PHX!

Well it's neither the time nor place. But Dragic is having a good game -- he hasn't had a particularly good season.

Go Phoenix.

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2013/ ... n-reaching

Only four NBA players average more assists, rebounds, points and steals than Goran Dragic this season, and not a single NBA player has had a night better than 31-12-9 that Dragic put up last night since last season.

CP3, Parker, Westbrook, Irving, Curry, Deron, Jrue, Lawson, Dragic, Rubio. Top 10 PG's in the NBA in that order. Easily.

[Tron Carter]

8/13, 21 points, 9 assists, 3 boards and 1 steal? Against an elite Indiana defense? Remarkable. 102-101, come on PHX!

Well it's neither the time nor place. But Dragic is having a good game -- he hasn't had a particularly good season.

Go Phoenix.

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2013/ ... n-reaching

Only four NBA players average more assists, rebounds, points and steals than Goran Dragic this season, and not a single NBA player has had a night better than 31-12-9 that Dragic put up last night since last season.

CP3, Parker, Westbrook, Irving, Curry, Deron, Jrue, Lawson, Dragic, Rubio. Top 10 PG's in the NBA in that order. Easily.

yeah dragic is having an underrated season because that pheonix team is so awful. i've always hada soft spot for the kid dating back to that epic performance he had against the spurs during his first stint with the suns.