(Dallas) PG Thread: It's Official. F*ck Joakim.

[HEZI]

Can people stop with freakin Chasson Randle already. He is not a PG. There is a reason Baker was the primary ball handler in Summer League. He can definitely score but he is not a distributor or can run an offense.

The key target next offseason should be Chris Paul. He can take the team to another level along side Melo and KP. He can actually shoot the ball, is arguably the best distributor in the league and is a solid defender. Melo needs to work some magic to get his friend over here and finally make good on that wedding day toast.

I don't care about him "running the offense" I know he can shoot and he gets buckets. I thought you would come up with some realistic alternatives but then you said Chris Paul lol

Cool so when the ball movement stops, Melo and KP are not getting the ball in good spots and they can't get good shots that is ok because he can "get buckets". Tell me how is he going to score when he has a suit on?

Is Paul not an upcoming free agent? I don't know why he would be considered unrealistic considering the Clippers are going nowhere in the West, the Knicks have legitimate pieces to work with and one of his best friends is on the team.

How is Chris Paul going to do anything when he wears a Clippers jersey? Obviously neither one of us is talking about the right now, we are both talking about the future. Randle is being evaluated in Westchester and by next summer he is a likely candidate to make the roster and depending on a trade this season, he could be on the roster after December.

Chris Paul is on a contender, the Clippers look good so I don't know what you mean by they aren't going anywhere. They are rolling and have built up great chemistry and really added some nice depth to their bench. They look like a legit title contender, the only thing for them is being able to stay healthy come playoff time. If they could remain healthy, their chances of winning a title this year are pretty good. Chris Paul is also good friends with Deandre Jordan, Melo is not his only friend. He's in a great situation right now and I don't see him walking away at this point in his career just to team up with Melo. He would be foolish to do so.

[Scalabrine]

So.... why are we paying him $72 million again?

Why are you talking we? Aren't you a Spurs fan?

Anyway, he is taking up 16% of the allowable cap room. Which is the equivalent to an 11 million dollar deal last year, this isn't awful...it's certainly not great, but Noah will still be helpful in teaching Bill and KP, helping with defense, and he is still a rotation level Center that will be really helpful against some of the bigger lineups. Against a lineup playing Barnes at PF, the matchup was just not there and good on the coaching staff for not sticking with their guns and forcing the triangle peg into the circle hole.

I still think Noah has a place on this team, and definitely serves a purpose. I also think limiting his minutes will be a good thing long-term. We have Porzingis, Bill and O'Quinn all locked up on extremely reasonable deals. According to SpoTrac we currently rank as 30th highest Power Forward payroll in the league at 5.5 mil (5.1% of current cap) and 11th in the league at Center with 22.3 mil (21.7% of current cap). Combined thats 27.5 million dollars per year on Joakim Noah, Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle O'Quinn, Willy Hernangomez, Maurice N'Dour, and Marshal Plumlee.

We are near the bottom of the league in cap allocation directed towards the 4 and 5!

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/positional/power-forward/

[Polk377]

Cool so when the ball movement stops, Melo and KP are not getting the ball in good spots and they can't get good shots that is ok because he can "get buckets". Tell me how is he going to score when he has a suit on?

Is Paul not an upcoming free agent? I don't know why he would be considered unrealistic considering the Clippers are going nowhere in the West, the Knicks have legitimate pieces to work with and one of his best friends is on the team.

Pieces to work with? Lol.

The Clippers are currently one of the best teams in the West. The Knicks are a collection of hasbeens, never-weres and a few rookies who are getting destroyed on defense nightly.

I think Chris Paul would rather play with Blake than waste the rest of his career with declining Melo.

you're too negative lol, but yeah, CP3 isn't coming here...at some point we have to realize that the top tier FA's aren't checking for us

I guess you are assuming Blake Griffin will automatically resign with LAC? I wouldn't be too sure of that. Lots of teams will be interested in him and have a younger core to work with. I could see him going back home to OKC to play with Westbrook.

Where does that leave Paul then? Not in LA.....

[Since89]

I don't care about him "running the offense" I know he can shoot and he gets buckets. I thought you would come up with some realistic alternatives but then you said Chris Paul lol

Cool so when the ball movement stops, Melo and KP are not getting the ball in good spots and they can't get good shots that is ok because he can "get buckets". Tell me how is he going to score when he has a suit on?

Is Paul not an upcoming free agent? I don't know why he would be considered unrealistic considering the Clippers are going nowhere in the West, the Knicks have legitimate pieces to work with and one of his best friends is on the team.

How is Chris Paul going to do anything when he wears a Clippers jersey? Obviously neither one of us is talking about the right now, we are both talking about the future. Randle is being evaluated in Westchester and by next summer he is a likely candidate to make the roster and depending on a trade this season, he could be on the roster after December.

Chris Paul is on a contender, the Clippers look good so I don't know what you mean by they aren't going anywhere. They are rolling and have built up great chemistry and really added some nice depth to their bench. They look like a legit title contender, the only thing for them is being able to stay healthy come playoff time. If they could remain healthy, their chances of winning a title this year are pretty good. Chris Paul is also good friends with Deandre Jordan, Melo is not his only friend. He's in a great situation right now and I don't see him walking away at this point in his career just to team up with Melo. He would be foolish to do so.

Blake and Paul are gone after this year

[HEZI]

Pieces to work with? Lol.

The Clippers are currently one of the best teams in the West. The Knicks are a collection of hasbeens, never-weres and a few rookies who are getting destroyed on defense nightly.

I think Chris Paul would rather play with Blake than waste the rest of his career with declining Melo.

you're too negative lol, but yeah, CP3 isn't coming here...at some point we have to realize that the top tier FA's aren't checking for us

I guess you are assuming Blake Griffin will automatically resign with LAC? I wouldn't be too sure of that. Lots of teams will be interested in him and have a younger core to work with. I could see him going back home to OKC to play with Westbrook.

Where does that leave Paul then? Not in LA.....

OKC just maxed out Westbrook, Oladipo and Adams, plus they have Enes Kanter at 17 Mil per. Their payroll next summer will be at 109 Mil, they can't afford Sasha Vujacic let alone Blake Griffin.

[Polk377]

I don't care about him "running the offense" I know he can shoot and he gets buckets. I thought you would come up with some realistic alternatives but then you said Chris Paul lol

Cool so when the ball movement stops, Melo and KP are not getting the ball in good spots and they can't get good shots that is ok because he can "get buckets". Tell me how is he going to score when he has a suit on?

Is Paul not an upcoming free agent? I don't know why he would be considered unrealistic considering the Clippers are going nowhere in the West, the Knicks have legitimate pieces to work with and one of his best friends is on the team.

How is Chris Paul going to do anything when he wears a Clippers jersey? Obviously neither one of us is talking about the right now, we are both talking about the future. Randle is being evaluated in Westchester and by next summer he is a likely candidate to make the roster and depending on a trade this season, he could be on the roster after December.

Chris Paul is on a contender, the Clippers look good so I don't know what you mean by they aren't going anywhere. They are rolling and have built up great chemistry and really added some nice depth to their bench. They look like a legit title contender, the only thing for them is being able to stay healthy come playoff time. If they could remain healthy, their chances of winning a title this year are pretty good. Chris Paul is also good friends with Deandre Jordan, Melo is not his only friend. He's in a great situation right now and I don't see him walking away at this point in his career just to team up with Melo. He would be foolish to do so.

Yes I am talking about next year obviously he can't help this season. I am just saying he will probably be the top FA target for the Knicks and rightfully should be. I am not saying it is a lock but I am not ruling the Knicks out either.

[NoLayupRule]

I'm thrilled we got a solid win last night

The first half was grotesque

Then melo and KP came alive and horneseck smartly adjusted the lineup to get us better perimeter play

And we crushed a pretty crappy team at home
Like we're supposed to do


Yeah, Noah and Rose were weak last night
Rose should have gone for 40 against Barrera. Yet he struggled.

But let's give credit to horneseck. And melo and KP


Ps. I think Paul is the right target next year as well

[Rotten Apple]

Most cap space we could have next year is 24 mil and that's with 10 guys on the roster

Melo
KP
Noah
Lee
Lance
KOQ
Willy
Kuz
Plum
Ndour

Paul would take up that whole thing and that's not even his max which is probably closer to 30 mil.

[Polk377]

you're too negative lol, but yeah, CP3 isn't coming here...at some point we have to realize that the top tier FA's aren't checking for us

I guess you are assuming Blake Griffin will automatically resign with LAC? I wouldn't be too sure of that. Lots of teams will be interested in him and have a younger core to work with. I could see him going back home to OKC to play with Westbrook.

Where does that leave Paul then? Not in LA.....

OKC just maxed out Westbrook, Oladipo and Adams, plus they have Enes Kanter at 17 Mil per. Their payroll next summer will be at 109 Mil, they can't afford Sasha Vujacic let alone Blake Griffin.

It would be hard but I can see them making moves to clear up space. Why anyone would pay Steven Adams $20 mil a year is beyond me. You might be right though that looks tough.

[HEZI]

Cool so when the ball movement stops, Melo and KP are not getting the ball in good spots and they can't get good shots that is ok because he can "get buckets". Tell me how is he going to score when he has a suit on?

Is Paul not an upcoming free agent? I don't know why he would be considered unrealistic considering the Clippers are going nowhere in the West, the Knicks have legitimate pieces to work with and one of his best friends is on the team.

How is Chris Paul going to do anything when he wears a Clippers jersey? Obviously neither one of us is talking about the right now, we are both talking about the future. Randle is being evaluated in Westchester and by next summer he is a likely candidate to make the roster and depending on a trade this season, he could be on the roster after December.

Chris Paul is on a contender, the Clippers look good so I don't know what you mean by they aren't going anywhere. They are rolling and have built up great chemistry and really added some nice depth to their bench. They look like a legit title contender, the only thing for them is being able to stay healthy come playoff time. If they could remain healthy, their chances of winning a title this year are pretty good. Chris Paul is also good friends with Deandre Jordan, Melo is not his only friend. He's in a great situation right now and I don't see him walking away at this point in his career just to team up with Melo. He would be foolish to do so.

Yes I am talking about next year obviously he can't help this season. I am just saying he will probably be the top FA target for the Knicks and rightfully should be. I am not saying it is a lock but I am not ruling the Knicks out either.

I think the only way he leaves is if the Clippers completely fall apart in the playoffs but even then I don't think he is considering the Knicks as an option unless we make some noise in the playoffs, if we even get in.

[Polk377]

How is Chris Paul going to do anything when he wears a Clippers jersey? Obviously neither one of us is talking about the right now, we are both talking about the future. Randle is being evaluated in Westchester and by next summer he is a likely candidate to make the roster and depending on a trade this season, he could be on the roster after December.

Chris Paul is on a contender, the Clippers look good so I don't know what you mean by they aren't going anywhere. They are rolling and have built up great chemistry and really added some nice depth to their bench. They look like a legit title contender, the only thing for them is being able to stay healthy come playoff time. If they could remain healthy, their chances of winning a title this year are pretty good. Chris Paul is also good friends with Deandre Jordan, Melo is not his only friend. He's in a great situation right now and I don't see him walking away at this point in his career just to team up with Melo. He would be foolish to do so.

Yes I am talking about next year obviously he can't help this season. I am just saying he will probably be the top FA target for the Knicks and rightfully should be. I am not saying it is a lock but I am not ruling the Knicks out either.

I think the only way he leaves is if the Clippers completely fall apart in the playoffs but even then I don't think he is considering the Knicks as an option unless we make some noise in the playoffs, if we even get in.

Playoffs are an absolute must and will probably have to get past the first round and have a strong showing in the 2nd round.

[HEZI]

I guess you are assuming Blake Griffin will automatically resign with LAC? I wouldn't be too sure of that. Lots of teams will be interested in him and have a younger core to work with. I could see him going back home to OKC to play with Westbrook.

Where does that leave Paul then? Not in LA.....

OKC just maxed out Westbrook, Oladipo and Adams, plus they have Enes Kanter at 17 Mil per. Their payroll next summer will be at 109 Mil, they can't afford Sasha Vujacic let alone Blake Griffin.

It would be hard but I can see them making moves to clear up space. Why anyone would pay Steven Adams $20 mil a year is beyond me. You might be right though that looks tough.

They won't. They were so scarred by the Durant departure that they have no confidence in bringing in other free agents. That's why they overpaid for Adams. I agree, there is no way that Adams is worth $100 Mil over 4 years, but the Thunder are desperate to keep players so they had to overpay.

[Polk377]

OKC just maxed out Westbrook, Oladipo and Adams, plus they have Enes Kanter at 17 Mil per. Their payroll next summer will be at 109 Mil, they can't afford Sasha Vujacic let alone Blake Griffin.

It would be hard but I can see them making moves to clear up space. Why anyone would pay Steven Adams $20 mil a year is beyond me. You might be right though that looks tough.

They won't. They were so scarred by the Durant departure that they have no confidence in bringing in other free agents. That's why they overpaid for Adams. I agree, there is no way that Adams is worth $100 Mil over 4 years, but the Thunder are desperate to keep players so they had to overpay.

They jumped the gun because no one was going to pay Adams that kind of money on the open market.

[HEZI]

Yes I am talking about next year obviously he can't help this season. I am just saying he will probably be the top FA target for the Knicks and rightfully should be. I am not saying it is a lock but I am not ruling the Knicks out either.

I think the only way he leaves is if the Clippers completely fall apart in the playoffs but even then I don't think he is considering the Knicks as an option unless we make some noise in the playoffs, if we even get in.

Playoffs are an absolute must and will probably have to get past the first round and have a strong showing in the 2nd round.

It's possible as long as we peak at the right time

[iAdoreeKnicks]

Noah giving us the finger.

[Polk377]

I think the only way he leaves is if the Clippers completely fall apart in the playoffs but even then I don't think he is considering the Knicks as an option unless we make some noise in the playoffs, if we even get in.

Playoffs are an absolute must and will probably have to get past the first round and have a strong showing in the 2nd round.

It's possible as long as we peak at the right time

We have not seen the best of this team yet. Right now they just need to keep building on the good and beat the teams they should be to stay in.

[F N 11]

Wait we tryna sign CP3 now? lol

I see D Rose turning a corner with small ball. Thats what catapulted Dragic under Horny driving to the basket etc. Cmon Rose im rooting for ya.

[Pjax4Prez]

Even though the KP at 5 and Melo at the 4 lineup struggles on defense, I personally thought it had created great looks offense all season

I think the problem was that Lance was included in the small lineup instead of Holiday. I've always liked Lance Thomas locker room mentality and work ethic for this team, but the guy has been pretty awful.

Regardless we have to fine strategic ways to use this lineup as KP can't hold up for too long at C against bigger opponents, but when a team is also going 4 out, we probably would look best with this lineup instead of Noah

[HEZI]

It would be hard but I can see them making moves to clear up space. Why anyone would pay Steven Adams $20 mil a year is beyond me. You might be right though that looks tough.

They won't. They were so scarred by the Durant departure that they have no confidence in bringing in other free agents. That's why they overpaid for Adams. I agree, there is no way that Adams is worth $100 Mil over 4 years, but the Thunder are desperate to keep players so they had to overpay.

They jumped the gun because no one was going to pay Adams that kind of money on the open market.

Right but to them it was about securing him and making sure he didn't explore other options. Durant took less money and told them no thank you, that was kind of like a slap in the face. Also remember that they let Harden walk because their owner did not want to pay the luxury tax and that came back to haunt them. KD blasted them publicly and said they weren't showing commitment to veteran players and were constantly shuffling and cutting payroll and bringing young cheap pieces in and that left a bad taste in his mouth. All of that factored into them overpaying for their current core pieces.

[mpharris36]

my issue with Noah was his energy last night. Bogut ripped him a new one and it seemed like his effort just wasn't there. At minimum I thought he was going to be a vet leader/energy guy for us and we just seemed to pick up the energy with him off the floor, which can't happen.