The One And Only Offseason Thread 3

[BobbieL]

http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-rumors-eric-bledsoe-headed-to-los-angeles-in-blockbuster-trade/2014/07/19/

LMAO, gotta love the comments on the story!

Who the hell wants Nash ? The guy can't do nothing, can't even play with his own child.

Jon Bloom almost going viral with this one tweet. I do think the Lakers would do Nash/Randle for Bledsoe or HIll/Randle for Bledsoe. But as NotTrax said - its a dead deal. Not even sure it was ever alive. I think its just Bloom talking to a person he know affiliated somehow with the Lakers.

Maybe this gets resolved this week. As it is, clearly in Bledsoe's court so to speak on how to proceed. Suns have the leverage. No reason for the Suns to budge on their offer either. Just keep it status quo - neither up or down. I don't believe in that lowering it every day until he reports or signs. Whatever it was 4/44 or 4/48 - just keep that offer

[Fo-Real]

This is all very...... facinating........

[RaisingArizona]

I missed the opportunity to hurl insults at the noobs who incessantly bash our team over and over? Damn.

[bigfoot]

I just don't see what you see with David West and Markieff

Stats look similar but other than that they play a different game. Markieff was similar when he entered the league with playing style. Once we started phasing him into a stretch 4 he changed his game.

I do not see him as a double double threat due to "spreading out the floor". He spends most of his time around the outside and is rarely down low in the post.

I like the stats and comparison and I appreciate your research.

I also tried dropping topic last night and said you guys proved me wrong and I hope Kieff does well.

This is where your visual analysis is wrong. The numbers tell quite a different story. In Kief's first year he was putting up 3.6 three point attempts per 36 minutes (all under Gentry). They were trying to make him a stretch four. Under Horny the trend was reversed, Kief was only putting up 1.8 three point attempts per 36 minutes. This last season Kief was playing much closer to the basket. This shows in his 2pt shooting percentage which was .420 and .426 his first two seasons to .512 this past season.

Kief should be a proto-typical NBA PF. He has the size at 6'11". His offensive game is definitely improving. I would like to see him be a better rebounder (averages 8 per 36 minutes) which is Amare-like. I don't think there are any PFs better than Kief that we can get right now in a trade or free agency. A Love trade isn't happening.

[RaisingArizona]

Geez you guys really have high hopes for KeifMo. And if his brother CusMo gets any minutes at power forward it should be a glaring indication of how weak we are at the position. And we stabilized that spot by adding Toliver and Randolph ? HoHoHo... Christmas in July I think not.

I am not trying to be a parade rainer, but the optimism needs to be reeled in a tad. Defensive rebounding/paint D will be our Achilles.

That was blatantly apparently last year. We haven't done anything to address that this offeason, so far.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-rumors-eric-bledsoe-headed-to-los-angeles-in-blockbuster-trade/2014/07/19/

LMAO, gotta love the comments on the story!

Who the hell wants Nash ? The guy can't do nothing, can't even play with his own child.

Jon Bloom almost going viral with this one tweet. I do think the Lakers would do Nash/Randle for Bledsoe or HIll/Randle for Bledsoe. But as NotTrax said - its a dead deal. Not even sure it was ever alive. I think its just Bloom talking to a person he know affiliated somehow with the Lakers.

Maybe this gets resolved this week. As it is, clearly in Bledsoe's court so to speak on how to proceed. Suns have the leverage. No reason for the Suns to budge on their offer either. Just keep it status quo - neither up or down. I don't believe in that lowering it every day until he reports or signs. Whatever it was 4/44 or 4/48 - just keep that offer

I don't think we're Randle fans. I think we love Bled, and really like the Morrises. I like Randle's passing, but I'd like to see the rebounding he would need to stand out.

I agree with Frank Lee that interior D and rebounding are big areas of weakness for us. Alex will have all the opportunity in the world to prove his value in that respect this season. On the offensive end, lol big fella, good luck getting the ball from IT, Gerald, and TJ.

One more thing - with Bogdan sitting in wait, Gerald and IT holding down the backup guard spots, and Tyler developing in Bakersfield, I'm starting to wonder if Archie has a place in our plans. I thought he'd really be in a position to contribute this season. And I know summer league is not a good indicator (Burke and MCW both had awful summer leagues last year but did very well in regular season play), but Archie's play worried me. He wasn't knocking down shots, wasn't finishing, and wasn't really contributing in any other respect either. Ennis, for instance, appeared to be the better rebounder of the two. I thought we really had something in Archie, now his value is dubious. For now, he's a third-stringer who may never contribute to a winning team. Big downgrade in my eyes.

BTW - what do people think Gerald will demand in FA next season? IMO, he was the most entertaining player on the team last year, now his minutes are all but certain to decline. Should we consider a trade? Just wondering what people think we have planned at the 2 spot.

[rsavaj]

Two things to remember about Archie:

1) He's still 19 years old and has no idea how to play basketball
2) The majority of late first round picks don't pan out

I think people put waaaaaaaay too high expectations on the kid. He's an exciting player to watch, but he will have beaten the odds if he actually develops into a rotation player. Let's hope he does.

As far as Green goes, he's still a major part of the team, and he's the primary backup 2 at this point:

Bledsoe/Thomas/Ennis
Dragic/Green/Goodwin
Tucker/Mook/Warren
Kieff/Tolly/Randolph
Plum/Len

There's your 10 man rotation. The young guns(Ennis/Goodwin/Warren) will spend a lot of time in and out of the D-League developing with our affiliate. Randolph will stick around on the bench to be a big body. I honestly would seriously consider starting Tolliver and keeping the Wonder Twins together off the bench. We know that Markieff can absolutely dominate against other squad's second units, and I think Tolliver will do a better job stretching the floor for the Slash Brothers.

14 players means we have 1 more potential roster spot to fill, and I hope we keep Christmas for his intangibles. Even though Curry seems like the better player, I want my 15th guy to be lockerroom glue:

Christmas isn't really great at any one thing, basketball-wise, but he is good at a lot (10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists per game) and he was the breath of fresh air for the team all week in terms of motivation and effort. As the Suns were melting down on Friday, it was Christmas working bis butt off on every play and encouraging the guys to play the right way. He was in their ears between every possession. Media row loved him, just as we all did last year as he played a key role on the bench and in the locker room for a surprisingly good team.

Hopefully, Christmas will get his contract guaranteed later this month.

[NTB]

Two things to remember about Archie:

1) He's still 19 years old and has no idea how to play basketball
2) The majority of late first round picks don't pan out

I think people put waaaaaaaay too high expectations on the kid. He's an exciting player to watch, but he will have beaten the odds if he actually develops into a rotation player. Let's hope he does.

As far as Green goes, he's still a major part of the team, and he's the primary backup 2 at this point:

Bledsoe/Thomas/Ennis
Dragic/Green/Goodwin
Tucker/Mook/Warren
Kieff/Tolly/Randolph
Plum/Len

There's your 10 man rotation. The young guns(Ennis/Goodwin/Warren) will spend a lot of time in and out of the D-League developing with our affiliate. Randolph will stick around on the bench to be a big body. I honestly would seriously consider starting Tolliver and keeping the Wonder Twins together off the bench. We know that Markieff can absolutely dominate against other squad's second units, and I think Tolliver will do a better job stretching the floor for the Slash Brothers.

14 players means we have 1 more potential roster spot to fill, and I hope we keep Christmas for his intangibles. Even though Curry seems like the better player, I want my 15th guy to be lockerroom glue:

Christmas isn't really great at any one thing, basketball-wise, but he is good at a lot (10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists per game) and he was the breath of fresh air for the team all week in terms of motivation and effort. As the Suns were melting down on Friday, it was Christmas working bis butt off on every play and encouraging the guys to play the right way. He was in their ears between every possession. Media row loved him, just as we all did last year as he played a key role on the bench and in the locker room for a surprisingly good team.

Hopefully, Christmas will get his contract guaranteed later this month.

I think you are wrong about Warren. Warren will take Marcus' minutes.

[rsavaj]

Two things to remember about Archie:

1) He's still 19 years old and has no idea how to play basketball
2) The majority of late first round picks don't pan out

I think people put waaaaaaaay too high expectations on the kid. He's an exciting player to watch, but he will have beaten the odds if he actually develops into a rotation player. Let's hope he does.

As far as Green goes, he's still a major part of the team, and he's the primary backup 2 at this point:

Bledsoe/Thomas/Ennis
Dragic/Green/Goodwin
Tucker/Mook/Warren
Kieff/Tolly/Randolph
Plum/Len

There's your 10 man rotation. The young guns(Ennis/Goodwin/Warren) will spend a lot of time in and out of the D-League developing with our affiliate. Randolph will stick around on the bench to be a big body. I honestly would seriously consider starting Tolliver and keeping the Wonder Twins together off the bench. We know that Markieff can absolutely dominate against other squad's second units, and I think Tolliver will do a better job stretching the floor for the Slash Brothers.

14 players means we have 1 more potential roster spot to fill, and I hope we keep Christmas for his intangibles. Even though Curry seems like the better player, I want my 15th guy to be lockerroom glue:

Christmas isn't really great at any one thing, basketball-wise, but he is good at a lot (10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists per game) and he was the breath of fresh air for the team all week in terms of motivation and effort. As the Suns were melting down on Friday, it was Christmas working bis butt off on every play and encouraging the guys to play the right way. He was in their ears between every possession. Media row loved him, just as we all did last year as he played a key role on the bench and in the locker room for a surprisingly good team.

Hopefully, Christmas will get his contract guaranteed later this month.

I think you are wrong about Warren. Warren will take Marcus' minutes.

I hope not, because if a 4th year player gets his minutes taken by a rookie, than that means he's regressed a hell of a lot.

Love TJ Buckets but rookies take a lot of time to get up to speed. That's what I was hinting at with Goodwin too. Fans need to slow down on projecting rookies as immediate rotation-ready players.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

The only thing I disagree with is that I think that, one way or another, TJ will play.

[Frank Lee]

Nice stats foot. I love the one where Keif got 3 inches taller. Ha ha. Don't forget that West has a 7 foot 4 wingspan. You guys need to consider both ends of the court when you're doing your comparisons.

Archie? The NBA has no place for shooting guards/wings who can't shoot.

Look, I like Bledsoe, I'd like to see him run on this team. But if we can move him and get an impact big player, I'm all for it. I just get the feeling that he's going to have to settle for the contract we offered, and be a silent brooder until we trade him.

You give me Larry Sanders for him right now, and I'll take it. Then you package Len or Plumley, draft picks and whatever it takes to get Holford (or Millsap) and I'm a happy camper. I love the run and gun, but you have to have some size to win in the west.

[rsavaj]

Nice stats foot. I love the one where Keif got 3 inches taller. Ha ha. Don't forget that West has a 7 foot 4 wingspan. You guys need to consider both ends of the court when you're doing your comparisons.

Archie? The NBA has no place for shooting guards/wings who can't shoot.

Look, I like Bledsoe, I'd like to see him run on this team. But if we can move him and get an impact big player, I'm all for it. I just get the feeling that he's going to have to settle for the contract we offered, and be a silent brooder until we trade him.

You give me Larry Sanders for him right now, and I'll take it. Then you package Len or Plumley, draft picks and whatever it takes to get Holford (or Millsap) and I'm a happy camper. I love the run and gun, but you have to have some size to win in the west.

If McDonough traded Bledsoe for Larry Sanders he would be on his way out of the FO.

[TASTIC]

Geez you guys really have high hopes for KeifMo. And if his brother CusMo gets any minutes at power forward it should be a glaring indication of how weak we are at the position. And we stabilized that spot by adding Toliver and Randolph ? HoHoHo... Christmas in July I think not.

I am not trying to be a parade rainer, but the optimism needs to be reeled in a tad. Defensive rebounding/paint D will be our Achilles.

I can't help but think we could have gotten Tyson Chandler for a trade exception and Mook, something like that.

Would have solved that (BIG) issue up in one hit.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Geez you guys really have high hopes for KeifMo. And if his brother CusMo gets any minutes at power forward it should be a glaring indication of how weak we are at the position. And we stabilized that spot by adding Toliver and Randolph ? HoHoHo... Christmas in July I think not.

I am not trying to be a parade rainer, but the optimism needs to be reeled in a tad. Defensive rebounding/paint D will be our Achilles.

I can't help but think we could have gotten Tyson Chandler for a trade exception and Mook, something like that.

Would have solved that (BIG) issue up in one hit.

Chemistry, yo! Players got to see light ahead (the real reason I'm worried about Archie). Chemistry is why we would never add a blowhard like Larry Sanders.

[NTB]

Two things to remember about Archie:

1) He's still 19 years old and has no idea how to play basketball
2) The majority of late first round picks don't pan out

I think people put waaaaaaaay too high expectations on the kid. He's an exciting player to watch, but he will have beaten the odds if he actually develops into a rotation player. Let's hope he does.

As far as Green goes, he's still a major part of the team, and he's the primary backup 2 at this point:

Bledsoe/Thomas/Ennis
Dragic/Green/Goodwin
Tucker/Mook/Warren
Kieff/Tolly/Randolph
Plum/Len

There's your 10 man rotation. The young guns(Ennis/Goodwin/Warren) will spend a lot of time in and out of the D-League developing with our affiliate. Randolph will stick around on the bench to be a big body. I honestly would seriously consider starting Tolliver and keeping the Wonder Twins together off the bench. We know that Markieff can absolutely dominate against other squad's second units, and I think Tolliver will do a better job stretching the floor for the Slash Brothers.

14 players means we have 1 more potential roster spot to fill, and I hope we keep Christmas for his intangibles. Even though Curry seems like the better player, I want my 15th guy to be lockerroom glue:

I think you are wrong about Warren. Warren will take Marcus' minutes.

I hope not, because if a 4th year player gets his minutes taken by a rookie, than that means he's regressed a hell of a lot.

Love TJ Buckets but rookies take a lot of time to get up to speed. That's what I was hinting at with Goodwin too. Fans need to slow down on projecting rookies as immediate rotation-ready players.

Well, Lebron was a rookie too. SL game speed is not much lower than NBA game speed. And Warren is more like slow-paced, half-court offense type guy. When we can't make plays and stuck, give the ball to him and watch him scoring.

Marcus' only capabilty is stretching the floor with his three-pointer and pass to his bro.

[JDLAW]

Nice stats foot. I love the one where Keif got 3 inches taller. Ha ha. Don't forget that West has a 7 foot 4 wingspan. You guys need to consider both ends of the court when you're doing your comparisons.

Archie? The NBA has no place for shooting guards/wings who can't shoot.

Look, I like Bledsoe, I'd like to see him run on this team. But if we can move him and get an impact big player, I'm all for it. I just get the feeling that he's going to have to settle for the contract we offered, and be a silent brooder until we trade him.

You give me Larry Sanders for him right now, and I'll take it. Then you package Len or Plumley, draft picks and whatever it takes to get Holford (or Millsap) and I'm a happy camper. I love the run and gun, but you have to have some size to win in the west.

The Suns will write a check this fall for $2.25M to a low-character, unrepentant, pothead named Beasley after writing one last summer for $4.75M. There is no way on God's Green Earth anyone in that organization is going to suggest bringing another low-character, unrepentant, pothead, named Sanders who is set to earn $11M/year onto this team.

[Frank Lee]

12 pts, 12 rbs, 3.7 blcks, 1 st is nothing to sneeze at rvaj... That was his breakout yr. . Neither of our centers will do that in the next 2... just saying would rather have Sanders than a grumpy coy Bledsoe. The longer this stews, the more likely something brews

@tastic.... Thought similar things about Tyson.... But he was going back to 'comfortable Cuban hospitality'. heck just by changing tax rates he got a substantial raise

[Frank Lee]

People change JD. The NBA tests up to four times a year randomly. You have to get caught three times with marijuana in your system, and then it's a five game suspension. The results remain secret up until that point. The Players union bargained for that leniency because it is estimated over half the players puff. The problem is not the usage, the problem is the law/rule.

Sanders has been mired in Milwaukee, on a **** team, with a revolving door of coaches staff and players. I am not saying he is a reformed Saint, but given a promising opportunity with the right direction from the front office and coaching staff the kid could play some ball.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Here we are on the internet. We should all be fairly aware of the merits and demerits of marijuana relative to, say, alcohol. It's a cultural thing, a generational thing, and doesn't bear on my assessment of Larry Sanders or Michael Beasley. The number of players who use who remain "high"-character individuals in good standing in their communities vastly outnumbers the few who don't. In my opinion, there's no causal connection between character and tendency to smoke.

[Cutter]

I've said several times that Sanders is an under the radar value player due to his marijuana related troubles. I believe in redemption and second chances, but Sanders ability to change into a medium-high character player who could revert to his high level play of a couple of years ago concerns me. If we get "good Larry" it would vault this team to the next level. If we get "loser Larry" it would set this team back several years.

I guess in this day and age you need a top notch medical staff as well as a top psychologist for all the head case out there.