Discussing Other Teams' Moves Part 3

[Ruzious]

The best thing about the Bucks signing Mayo, Delfino, and Teague (reportedly imminent) is that they didn't keep Ellis, Reddick, and Jennings. I actually wouldn't have minded keeping Reddick, but he was pretty awful after getting traded to Milw. On paper, he should fit in with LAC very nicely. But as we know, basketball is played on video games; not paper.

[mhd]

Nick Young is way better than these perimeter guys getting these multi-year deals. If I were OKC, I'd sign Young for 1 year and start him at SG. He'd be much better for them than Kevin Martin was.

[Nivek]

Nick Young is way better than these perimeter guys getting these multi-year deals. If I were OKC, I'd sign Young for 1 year and start him at SG. He'd be much better for them than Kevin Martin was.

Young is better than which perimeter guys? Last season was probably the best of Young's career and he was still significantly below average overall. Kevin Martin was better by a significant margin last season. Except for his rookie year, the worst season of Martin's career is better than the best season Young has had.

[Ruzious]

Besides, OKC has their own younger version of Nick Young in Jeremy Lamb. All he needs is experience and a teaspoon of cinnamon.

[pancakes3]

Laker fans are thinking they can bring their championship roster of 2009 back. Thinking they can get Ariza from us for Jordan Hill or Meeks or Blake... LOL

With that in mind, it's kind of crazy how much better the league is now than it was in 2009.

[mhd]

Nick Young is way better than these perimeter guys getting these multi-year deals. If I were OKC, I'd sign Young for 1 year and start him at SG. He'd be much better for them than Kevin Martin was.

Young is better than which perimeter guys? Last season was probably the best of Young's career and he was still significantly below average overall. Kevin Martin was better by a significant margin last season. Except for his rookie year, the worst season of Martin's career is better than the best season Young has had.

I guess Young is a better defender. In terms of contract years & money, I'd rather have Young and devote other resources, than sign Martin for 4/28 like Minny did.

[LyricalRico]

The best thing about the Bucks signing Mayo, Delfino, and Teague (reportedly imminent) is that they didn't keep Ellis, Reddick, and Jennings. I actually wouldn't have minded keeping Reddick, but he was pretty awful after getting traded to Milw. On paper, he should fit in with LAC very nicely. But as we know, basketball is played on video games; not paper.

Not to mention they were able to dump Moute. They should be a good overall defensive team and play much more like a team on offense. Also should be a good outside shooting team. I wonder if they'll be able to score enough points, though. Maybe OJ Mayo finally becomes a star?

[stevemcqueen1]

I'm having trouble accepting that the Warriors got significantly better this offseason like the pundits are saying.

I think giving up a couple draft picks to get rid of expiring contracts when your team is not contending and won't for years is dumb. Unless it got them a true difference maker FA like Dwight, and it didn't.

Iggy is a nice player but he's making too much money for a SG that can't shoot and is not a scorer and he's not going to suddenly vault GS into the top tier of the conference.

They let key members of last year's rotation get away too. They should have probably tried to build a little continuity since they seemed to be trending upward. I think they're going to hit the glass ceiling in the west outside the top four unless Steph Curry gets adamantium ankles and becomes a top 10 player.

I don't think Klay Thompson is as good or has as bright a future as most do though.

[LyricalRico]

I'm having trouble accepting that the Warriors got significantly better this offseason like the pundits are saying.

I think giving up a couple draft picks to get rid of expiring contracts when your team is not contending and won't for years is dumb. Unless it got them a true difference maker FA like Dwight, and it didn't.

Iggy is a nice player but he's making too much money for a SG that can't shoot and is not a scorer and he's not going to suddenly vault GS into the top tier of the conference.

They let key members of last year's rotation get away too.

Agree with all of this. They are banking a lot on Iggy, so much that they let their 6th man Jack go and will now have to play Barnes out of position as an undersized PF. I guessing they're betting on this lineup closing games for them:

Lee
Barnes
Iggy
Thompson
Curry

That's more of a gimmick lineup IMO that you would use in certain situations, either to try to get back into a game or because the matchups dictated it. But to build your team around that group (which it seems to me is what they are doing) is a mistake IMO.

Prediction: either at the trade deadline or next summer we hear that GSW is heavily shopping Lee+Barnes for a big man.

[dangermouse]

I would assume Iggy starts at SF, and would be relied upon for defense and playmaking ability, with Klay the SG and Steph the PG. Steph played off the ball quite a bit, from what I saw in the playoffs anyway, with Jarret Jack being the ball carrier.

I guess what they are planning on is having Iggy initiate a lot of offensive sets to let Steph run off screens etc. It also gives them more experience in the starting lineup. When Iggy sits Steph or backup PG go back to being the ball carrier. This puts the inexperienced Barnes with the 2nd unit, likely going against the opposing teams backup SF or SG. That gives them more depth and is also a positive.

Warriors significantly better? No. I disagree as well. But i dont think they have taken a step backward at all.

[dangermouse]

Prediction: either at the trade deadline or next summer we hear that GSW is heavily shopping Lee+Barnes for a big man.

Agreed, I was actually going to write in my post that Barnes could also be nice trade bait.

Barnes + Lee is a good package for someone. Maybe they'd like Nene!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The Kings are making curious moves. Way too many power forwards who don't mesh well with Cousins, no backup center, mediocre small forwards, a bunch of shotjacking guards, and from the outside it looks like a team that's going to lack cohesion again.

They need a clear leader that can bring those guys together, because I'm seeing Cancerous Cousins destroying that team from the jump.

Maybe Greivis can help with that, but he's a hothead too, so it will definitely be interesting.

How many teammates of DeMarcus Cousins have spoken out against him? What rumors have you heard of the types of cancerous things Cousins has said and done. I would like to identify, quantify the magnitude/validity, and verify -- or refute what really gives with the guy.

No doubt, Boogie Cousins lacks some mental filter ability. I suffer from that sort of thing at times, too. I'm just wondering about his character. Is he unreasonably hard on others? Is he boorish? Or, does he rock the boat because he's losing so often in Sacramento?

I recall Cousins' past behaviors in wanting to confront Sean Elliott (announcer/former player); him wanting to fight a teammate once; him being suspended by past coaches on IIRC two occasions; and about DeMarcus getting technicals at times. I know he's a low-efficiency scorer, who plays below the rim and gets his shot blocked pretty often. Cousins has in the past had problems with turnovers and when he first came into the league was foul prone. Those facts are plain to see on the stats sheets. My PERCEPTION is that he's emotive/volatile and that can make his teammates or coaches probably get tired of him.

That's all I have on Cousins, that could be deemed negative/derogatory stuff. Anybody have more, or is that pretty accurate?

My thoughts and opinions are that I think he's plusses very likely outweigh his negatives as a basketball player. I think he'd be better for the Wizards than, say, Seraphin, Booker, or Vesely. I believe many say have nothing to do with Cousins.

I felt the VERY SAME WAY on draft day about Glen Rice, Jr., just based on my "read of the tea leaves". I looked at the negatives I knew or thought I knew with GRJr and thought, "PASS". I am so happy that I forget who, I think tontoz, checked me on my double-standard and support of DeMarcus Cousins. Why reject one and support the other?

That's all I have is a mea culpa and some questions. I think Cousins is such an intense player who can rebound, intimidate, handle the ball, and at times shoot with range and proficiency that he's worth the aggravation if he can be acquired cheaply. So what if the dude pops off? Heck, Rasheed Wallace is a coach now! But is it more than just outbursts here and there with Cousins?

As for the Kings, they're doing a WHOLE LOT. I remember saying the Rockets were ruining careers and basically screwing up just a few months ago, when they had like 10 PFs on the team. Clearly, Morey had a plan and he worked his plan. It makes sense they've got Harden and Dwight now.

I suspect the Kings have a good plan.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Speaking of Atlanta, I hope Mike Scott's value continues to be depressed. He is going to be a very solid rotation guy for someone eventually. In fact, I think he'd do very well as a stretch 4 for us if we can somehow trick the hawks into some sort of trade.

Severn Hoos was the first guy I recall mentioning how good UVA's Mike Scott is. I don't see enough ACC games out here, and Mike Scott seemed to me to come out of nowhere to becoming a really good prospect. I had no clue about the guy but once Sev mentioned him I learned.

Yeah, pancakes3, I agree with you that he's a player the Wizards can use.

I think Mike Scott has range and he can be a low-cost, Carl Landry-type player. I would love for the Wizards to have a guy with that skill set in their playing rotation.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

What do you guys think will become of LAL?

They were far from contention with Dwight, and now he is gone. Kobes is going to be out at the start of the season. For a while its just going to be Pau and Nash. Those two might have been a good pairing a few years ago and could probably carry a team, but they aren't going to be able to win games by themselves anymore. And even when Kobe returns, that "big 3" is just not enough.

They've amnestied MWP but that still doesnt really help them sign anyone.

I'm guessing they are or will be shopping Nash for depth. I can't see what else they could do other than tank, which would really piss of Kobes.

I think they should have accelerated it and amnestied Kobe, but who knows what reverberations that move would have? Maybe their TV contract has a huge penalty if that happens. They don't have much, but to a contender that's a PG or a big away, Gasol or Nash might be worth 2014 pick and prospect.

With Kobe amnestied, they could have taken on a crappy contract or two in return for more picks (get a 2015 1st to replace the one they traded, although if they're still really bad, they'll get to keep it) or prospects. Build next year's team around MWP, Blake, Hill, and whatever stiffs and prospects came back in the Gasol and Nash trades. Man, they would suck.

Next year, have a top pick (maybe Wiggins) and a couple of laters 1st and/or 2nds in supposedly a great draft. With that infusion of young talent, by 2015/2016, they might be once more a place that a top FA might go to win a championship.

PS: If they had amnestied Kobe, where do you think he would have ended up playing?

+1, monte

I had the same thoughts on Kobe. Why amnesty Metta when Kobe's contract is their real albatross? Yeah, it would bring up some serious reverberations and repercussions, but clearly the Lakers aren't winning ISH any time soon.

I guess they couldn't amnesty Pau because he's tight with Kobe. They can trade Pau (I foresee that happening). But I think they won't get pieces back that will give them any hopes of winning on Kobe's watch.

The Lakers best hopes would be to retool their roster and get lucky in the lotto. They've been such a blessed franchise that I could see them moving up in the lottery to pick Wiggins,Parker, or Randle. I guess one of them, Kobe, and some halfway decent bigs could make noise in the West.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

About the Lakers, would anybody really surprised if they win the lottery...

Damn, I promise you that I didn't read this before my last post!

I could see it.

You just know the rich get richer.... I don't want to hate. I just got to get rich, myself.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, I don't know how it's going to feel if the Wizards become a respectable to even good or elite team.

[FAH1223]

About the Lakers, would anybody really surprised if they win the lottery...

Damn, I promise you that I didn't read this before my last post!

I could see it.

You just know the rich get richer.... I don't want to hate. I just got to get rich, myself.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, I don't know how it's going to feel if the Wizards become a respectable to even good or elite team.

The Lakers only have one draft pick for the forseeable future (their 2014 1st rounder)... I could see them getting in the lotto and moving up easily.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Lakers need to tank, get a high lottery pick. There's already grumblings that Melo could be wanting to get out of New York and go to LA.

I think before they do anything with Pau and Kobe, they should try and get Melo and Bosh. Draft...Wiggins, re-sign Pau and Kobe at a discounted rate...it's a start. They just need to bite the bullet this year and tank.

We agree on the tank part.

But if they plan on keeping Pau and Kobe, I think they've got to move Nash. They need a defensive stalwart at PG. I could see them being far more competitive with Rajon Rondo.

Raf, I can see Melo or Bosh, obviously, helping the Lakers. Bosh would really help LAL. Melo, IMO, is too high usage to thrive with Kobe. Still, he's way too talented to hurt them. But to my way of thinking, they need a fireball in the backcourt. They also need energy.

If I were in Mitch Kupchak's seat, I'd try and trade for energy guys, even if they're unskilled plus one sturdy, athletic, floor general. I would try and trade Nash to the Kings, Celtics, or Raptors. New coaches or new ownership may want a face of the franchise. I would offer Nash to the Rockets, if Steve and Dwight don't hate each other for someone like Lin with Greg Smith. Smith would be the desired addition. Lin's a guy who would defer to Kobe and only shoot when open. He's also a guy I could bench for a spark plug. I would try and get Isaiah Thomas from the Kings. I think the Lakers MUST GET YOUNGER IN THE BACKCOURT. That's the #1 thing. I think the Lakers could also really use Seraphin, Booker, Vesely and/or Singleton. Length, athleticism, bulk, or just energy is what they need to add.

Here's what I think is GOING TO HAPPEN: Pau for Amare, because it only makes sense.

Mike D'Antoni rode with Nash and that's not going to change. Pau is fine but maybe Amare's the much better fit due to familiarity. The Lakers make that swap and even if they end up missing the playoffs, at least they have a plan.

[Nivek]

Nick Young is way better than these perimeter guys getting these multi-year deals. If I were OKC, I'd sign Young for 1 year and start him at SG. He'd be much better for them than Kevin Martin was.

Young is better than which perimeter guys? Last season was probably the best of Young's career and he was still significantly below average overall. Kevin Martin was better by a significant margin last season. Except for his rookie year, the worst season of Martin's career is better than the best season Young has had.

I guess Young is a better defender. In terms of contract years & money, I'd rather have Young and devote other resources, than sign Martin for 4/28 like Minny did.

In my stuff, Young and Martin rated about the same on defense (both well below average), but Martin was 11 points per 100 possessions more efficient on offense with virtually identical usage. Martin shot better from everywhere. Young actually got more rebounds and assists than Martin.

Given his age, I wouldn't given Martin a 4-year contract. The money wasn't bad, though. I understand your point, but I'd rather have Martin on my team at $7 million per than Young at the MLE. If you're talking Young at league minimum or the BAE, I guess. But I still wouldn't want him starting.

Now that I've done all this thinking out loud, OKC could do worse than signing Young at the minimum for a year to take over Martin's off-the-bench role. If he can manage to learn the offense, maybe he'd be a little more efficient with Durant and Westbrook around. His defense is no worse than Martin's and they're pretty comparable in other areas except shooting (Martin's been better). They should keep starting Sefalosha, though. Extremely low usage, but high efficiency when he uses a possession. And really outstanding defense.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

"Seek and ye shall find" ...

This article explains what's up with the Kings.

One free agent that might be interested in joining the Kings also fostered a strong bond with Malone in a previous stop. Monta Ellis played the part of one season for Malone in Golden State before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks prior to the 2012 NBA Trade Deadline. According to Yahoo! Sports, Ellis acquired “a great deal of respect for Malone’s basketball IQ and his ability to teach and relate to players”.

Like [Chris] Paul, the 42-year-old coach spoke highly of Ellis, explaining that it wasn’t hard to develop a relationship with the dynamic scoring guard.

- See more at: http://cowbellkingdom.com/2013/06/04/re ... p3Bwz.dpuf

Whoever new Kings Coach, Michael Malone, and his pops, Brendan Malone, think about adding is what they're going to do. Whoever, they don't ultimately feel is who they're going to trade. That is what the Kings are doing.

(Originally posted June 4, 2013)

Malone on piecing together his coaching staff

Malone said he would be meeting with current Kings assistants about their future today. Here’s what the Kings new coach said about how he plans to assemble his coaching staff.

The one person that we all know will be on my staff will be my father (Brendan Malone). But aside from that, there are guys that I’m talking to. I’m not going to rush just to fill my staff to say that my staff is complete. I want to take my time with it and make sure I bring in the best staff that will complement me, that will challenge me and will be loyal to the mission that we have right now, which is trying to turn this Sacramento Kings team around.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

If the Wizards end up needing some back court scoring off the bench, I wonder if Marcus Thornton for Ariza makes sense?

Monta's a SG, not a PG.

Vasquez is probably going to start at PG IMO, since he's the guy they traded for.

That would make Thornton odd man out. Can the Wizards get some assets with Thornton?

(The Kings are possibly HOPING to trade Okariza for Thornton/Cousins IMO. They would want to bend the Wizards over to get that done IMO).