Around the league 2016-2017

Unbreakable99 · Post #761 » by **Unbreakable99** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 3:44 pm

Wiggins has been putting up points like crazy over the last 2 weeks. He has had back to back 40 point games. I haven't watched him. Is he still a black hole and does nothing else or is he turning the corner to becoming a good player? Has his VORP improved over the last month?

Slizeezyc · Post #762 » by **Slizeezyc** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 5:28 pm

Unbreakable99 wrote:Wiggins has been putting up points like crazy over the last 2 weeks. He has had back to back 40 point games. I haven't watched him. Is he still a black hole and does nothing else or is he turning the corner to becoming a good player? Has his VORP improved over the last month?

He's still the same general black hole he's been. I think more what's happened is he's going through another hot-ish stretch from deep at about 39% as of late -- his 3-pointer cratered for quite a bit after a hot start -- and he's making an insanely high percentage of mid-range shots as of late. He's even hitting more of his free throws right now (he's not getting to the line much more than normal).

All that being said, his usage has also shot back up, and he's maintaining efficiency right now while doing so.

(The bigger story might be that, as some thought might be the case, LaVine might just be another example of a high-scoring off-ball guard who doesn't do anything else and thus is a bit of addition by subtraction. They're playing better without him. He may just be an expensive player who maybe doesn't bring any actual net value and just costs a lot to keep around -- Wiggins is very close to this territory as well when he's not this insanely efficient, and I think at best you can deal with one of these two playing big minutes and still come out in the positive, but not both.)

Kobblehead · Post #763 » by **Kobblehead** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 5:42 pm

Each of their best position is the SG spot. Neither of them defend. Minnesota has to move one of them. Wiggins is the bigger draw and more dynamic scorer, so they'll probably keep him.

Jumpshot discrepancy aside, it really is amazing how accurate the DeMar Derozan comparison for Andrew Wiggins has been. Demar was trash until he added secondary facilitation into his repertoire in year 5. Maybe Wiggins will eventually follow suit and actually unfold into a good basketball player and not just an empty stat gunner/scorer. You'll still never win **** with him as one of your best players, eating 28%+ usage and playing awful defense.

Kobblehead · Post #764 » by **Kobblehead** » Fri Feb 17, 2017 5:29 pm

So the Heat just hired Shane Battier to run their player development and analytics department. Probably the role Hinkie envisioned for him in Philly when he met with him last winter.

51X3RF4N · Post #765 » by **51X3RF4N** » Fri Feb 17, 2017 8:40 pm

Don't understand the Magic. I thought they were rebuilding and tearing it down after the Ibaka trade. Now they're talking to Detroit about Reggie Jackson. I can only assume EP would be involved in that deal, and maybe Hezonja going out too?

Kobblehead · Post #766 » by **Kobblehead** » Fri Feb 17, 2017 8:45 pm

51X3RF4N wrote:Don't understand the Magic. I thought they were rebuilding and tearing it down after the Ibaka trade. Now they're talking to Detroit about Reggie Jackson. I can only assume EP would be involved in that deal, and maybe Hezonja going out too?

If we made personnel decisions like them, I'd be legitimately angry. They basically want to build their entire team around Reggie Jackson and Evan Fournier. Ugh.

LongLiveHinkie · Post #767 » by **LongLiveHinkie** » Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:38 pm

Anyone have any interest in Hezonja. I know he's sucked, so maybe this is just my draft crush on him still lingering, but I liked him coming into the draft, and would be willing to take a chance on him in some type of 3-way deal involving Okafor.

But maybe he just blows. Honestly, it's hard to tell because he doesn't play enough to evaluate. And if the Magic trade for another guard after getting Ross, Hezonja has to be on the outs. There will be even less room for him.

shawn_hemp · Post #768 » by **shawn_hemp** » Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:59 pm

51X3RF4N wrote:Don't understand the Magic. I thought they were rebuilding and tearing it down after the Ibaka trade. Now they're talking to Detroit about Reggie Jackson. I can only assume EP would be involved in that deal, and maybe Hezonja going out too?

Magic gon Magic

Unbreakable99 · Post #769 » by **Unbreakable99** » Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:22 pm

Paul George seems to be disgruntled. I have a weird fascination with him. I know he's having a down year but I still love him. I still think he's the perfect fit for us. I think he has 7 quality years left. I'd be very tempted to trade both our picks this year for George.

If we do that then our timeline to compete changes quicker. We then would need to sign Lowry or Jrue in free agency.

Starting 5 NEXT YEAR
G LOWRY or JRUE
G COVINGTON
F GEORGE
F SIMMONS
C EMBIID

BENCH
NOEL
SARIC
MCCONNELL
LUWAWU
KORKMAZ

That's a complete squad.

That core gives us a good 3 years to win it with Lowry or Jrue and George. If Lowry or Jrue regresses or leaves in 3 years then we have Sacramento's 19 pick and we could have a high pick and draft a replacement to replenish Lowry or Jrue should they leave after 3 years. We shouldn't miss a beat. We would have at least a 6 year window to win it all with George. Once he leaves in 4 or 5 years we still have Ben and Embiid entering their primes so we should still be competing. We just have to be ache to find a replacement for George once he's gone. Then in year 6 or 7 we would have a 6 year window to win it all with Ben and Embiid. We should have a good 12 year window to star as a top 5 team if we do it right.

Kobblehead · Post #770 » by **Kobblehead** » Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:53 pm

LongLiveHinkie wrote:Anyone have any interest in Hezonja. I know he's sucked, so maybe this is just my draft crush on him still lingering, but I liked him coming into the draft, and would be willing to take a chance on him in some type of 3-way deal involving Okafor.

But maybe he just blows. Honestly, it's hard to tell because he doesn't play enough to evaluate. And if the Magic trade for another guard after getting Ross, Hezonja has to be on the outs. There will be even less room for him.

He's big, he's athletic, he has shooting skill. By all accounts (Vogel and Hennigan), his work ethic is not the issue. I'd be cool with him being a throw in. I wouldn't want him as a substitute for a pick, though.

shawn_hemp · Post #771 » by **shawn_hemp** » Mon Feb 20, 2017 3:15 am

Wow the All Star Game is pretty lame anymore

Remember in 2001 when AI won MVP?

This might be rose colored glasses, but they actually seemed to be playing each other in a somewhat competitive game right? And Starbury hit those three pointers at the end to win it for the East

This seems like 10 guys just screwing around during practice.

It's cool to see all the stars on the court at once, but this isn't a game.

BoomBap · Post #772 » by **BoomBap** » Mon Feb 20, 2017 7:16 am

I think our chances to sign Jrue in the Offseason are gone. Jrue-AD-Boogie sounds amazing.

mithrandir17 · Post #773 » by **mithrandir17** » Mon Feb 20, 2017 9:28 am

shawn_hemp wrote:Wow the All Star Game is pretty lame anymore

Remember in 2001 when AI won MVP?

This might be rose colored glasses, but they actually seemed to be playing each other in a somewhat competitive game right? And Starbury hit those three pointers at the end to win it for the East

This seems like 10 guys just screwing around during practice.

It's cool to see all the stars on the court at once, but this isn't a game.

Next year's main event should be renamed to 2018 NBA All-star Practice. Practice? We're talking about practice? Not a game, not a game, but practice?

Post #774 » by **CoreyGallagher** » Tue Feb 21, 2017 6:13 pm

Read on Twitter

Arsenal · Post #775 » by **Arsenal** » Tue Feb 21, 2017 6:15 pm

CoreyGallagher wrote:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

LOL yes.

BC better get on the phone with Magic RIGHT NOW. Time to take advantage of another inexperienced GM!

Post #776 » by **CoreyGallagher** » Tue Feb 21, 2017 6:33 pm

Read on Twitter

eyeatoma · Post #777 » by **eyeatoma** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 12:49 am

Lou WIll just traded to the Rockets for Corey Brewer and garbage... Highway robbery...

Lakers are going full tank!

the_process · Post #778 » by **the_process** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 1:13 am

eyeatoma wrote:Lou WIll just traded to the Rockets for Corey Brewer and garbage... Highway robbery...

Lakers are going full tank!

It was actually Brewer and a 1st. Still, they lost the trade... except when you consider the Lakers #1 priority is to finish with the 2nd worst record. They have 2 1sts on the line here.

So we have Orlando, Lakers, and Sacto officially in the tank; and Brooklyn is just terrible. Next up: Sixers announce Simmons is out for year. :lol:

mithrandir17 · Post #779 » by **mithrandir17** » Thu Feb 23, 2017 12:41 am

Read on Twitter

Hollis Thompson about to get wide open looks from Boogie and AD and bricks those shots.

Negrodamus · Post #780 » by **Negrodamus** » Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:57 am

Definitely going to catch the Davis-Cousins show tonight. Excited to see if they can coexist.