Discussing Other Teams' Moves - Part 6

[Kanyewest]

So for the east, is this accurate? (Team, Improved or not, Reason)
Magic, Maybe, Just can't tell
Bulls, No, Lost Wade and Butler
Cavs, No, Injury to Thomas
Celtics, No, Injury Hayward and loss of Thomas/Bradley
Hawks, No, Just a mess
Hornets, No, Addition by subtraction with Howard
Knicks, No, Even a worse mess than last year
Pacers, No, Lost George
Raptors, Same, Basically the same
Bucks, Yes, Middleton and Greek Freak improvement
Heat, Yes, More time playing together
Nets, Yes, But still a mess
Pistons, Yes, Healthy Jackson + Bradley
Sixers, Yes, But going to take a lot of time
Wizards, Yes, More time playing under same coaching system

We are dealing with small sample size theater, but here are my additional thoughts.

Magic- Already 2-1, beat Cleveland. I had them as being terrible before the season started so waiting to see how this plays out

Cleveland- If they get IT back healthy, they are better because they also added Jae Crowder. If not, then no. At the end of the day, may be worse in the regular season especially if they keep starting Wade over JR Smith. Right now they are 2-0 with Rose playing so who knows. It would be a big step for Washington to win the regular season series.

Raptors- Certainly in the same tier with more upside. Lost some veterans like Tucker, Joseph, and Patterson but have young guys in the pipeline like Powell, Delon Wright, Van Fleet, etc. Guys like Carroll, Joseph, and Patterson appeared to be declining. Certainly, I like Washington's upside better in their top players.

Detroit- I suppose they have won the games they are supposed to win (Charlotte at home, Detroit on the road). Wizards really seemed to let the Pistons back in what should have been a decisive victory.

Boston- They have been worse so far and could have a worse regular season. I thought this would be the case anyways if they had Hayward because they have so many new pieces and 4 starters are no longer on the team. But might be better in the playoffs than last season given that IT was not 100% and how their young guys (Tatum, Brown, Rozier, Smart) develop. Either way, it is looking more likely that Washington would have homecourt in a potential series.

Philadelphia- Philly played lights out against us but didn't look to sharp against the Raptors or Celtics. Joel Embiid hasn't hit a 3 so far this season.

[tontoz]

Pelicans just signed Josh Smith.

I think I would rather just keep losing than admit I was that desperate.

[gravytrain24]

Pelicans just signed Josh Smith.

I think I would rather just keep losing than admit I was that desperate.

Boogie is going to love not getting touches when they're both in the game.

[Ruzious]

Pelicans just signed Josh Smith.

I think I would rather just keep losing than admit I was that desperate.

This way, they can do both. And they can have competition for which big can miss the most 3's.

[OzCastiel]

So for the east, is this accurate? (Team, Improved or not, Reason)
Magic, Maybe, Just can't tell
Bulls, No, Lost Wade and Butler
Cavs, No, Injury to Thomas
Celtics, No, Injury Hayward and loss of Thomas/Bradley
Hawks, No, Just a mess
Hornets, No, Addition by subtraction with Howard
Knicks, No, Even a worse mess than last year
Pacers, No, Lost George
Raptors, Same, Basically the same
Bucks, Yes, Middleton and Greek Freak improvement
Heat, Yes, More time playing together
Nets, Yes, But still a mess
Pistons, Yes, Healthy Jackson + Bradley
Sixers, Yes, But going to take a lot of time
Wizards, Yes, More time playing under same coaching system

This doesn't even make sense. The celtics are worse for losing thomas (despite how great their young lottery picks look and on top of acquiring kyrie) and the cavs are worse for acquiring thomas. Meanwhile the wizards are better just because they threw a max deal at otto porter

[montestewart]

So for the east, is this accurate? (Team, Improved or not, Reason)
Magic, Maybe, Just can't tell
Bulls, No, Lost Wade and Butler
Cavs, No, Injury to Thomas
Celtics, No, Injury Hayward and loss of Thomas/Bradley
Hawks, No, Just a mess
Hornets, No, Addition by subtraction with Howard
Knicks, No, Even a worse mess than last year
Pacers, No, Lost George
Raptors, Same, Basically the same
Bucks, Yes, Middleton and Greek Freak improvement
Heat, Yes, More time playing together
Nets, Yes, But still a mess
Pistons, Yes, Healthy Jackson + Bradley
Sixers, Yes, But going to take a lot of time
Wizards, Yes, More time playing under same coaching system

This doesn't even make sense. The celtics are worse for losing thomas (despite how great their young lottery picks look and on top of acquiring kyrie) and the cavs are worse for acquiring thomas. Meanwhile the wizards are better just because they threw a max deal at otto porter

Makes perfect sense.

All other things being equal, had Celtics kept injured Thomas, they would have been worse. He's gone (so they can't even get a partial season from him), as is Bradley and Hayward (due to injury), and Irving cannot make up for that cumulative loss. Cavs could reasonably expect to be as good or even better with Thomas instead of Irving, but Thomas is injured, so they will not be as good. Wizards get better because Porter is young and is on an unmistakably upward ascent, and there are no obvious setbacks to offset his ascent.

Whether it all turns out that way, the reasoning is perfectly sound, and the exposition is perfectly clear. Next time, spend less energy loling and more energy applying logic to facts. Else we might think you just trolling.

[Tiny ball]

So for the east, is this accurate? (Team, Improved or not, Reason)
Magic, Maybe, Just can't tell
Bulls, No, Lost Wade and Butler
Cavs, No, Injury to Thomas
Celtics, No, Injury Hayward and loss of Thomas/Bradley
Hawks, No, Just a mess
Hornets, No, Addition by subtraction with Howard
Knicks, No, Even a worse mess than last year
Pacers, No, Lost George
Raptors, Same, Basically the same
Bucks, Yes, Middleton and Greek Freak improvement
Heat, Yes, More time playing together
Nets, Yes, But still a mess
Pistons, Yes, Healthy Jackson + Bradley
Sixers, Yes, But going to take a lot of time
Wizards, Yes, More time playing under same coaching system

We are dealing with small sample size theater, but here are my additional thoughts.

Magic- Already 2-1, beat Cleveland. I had them as being terrible before the season started so waiting to see how this plays out

Cleveland- If they get IT back healthy, they are better because they also added Jae Crowder. If not, then no. At the end of the day, may be worse in the regular season especially if they keep starting Wade over JR Smith. Right now they are 2-0 with Rose playing so who knows. It would be a big step for Washington to win the regular season series.

Raptors- Certainly in the same tier with more upside. Lost some veterans like Tucker, Joseph, and Patterson but have young guys in the pipeline like Powell, Delon Wright, Van Fleet, etc. Guys like Carroll, Joseph, and Patterson appeared to be declining. Certainly, I like Washington's upside better in their top players.

Detroit- I suppose they have won the games they are supposed to win (Charlotte at home, Detroit on the road). Wizards really seemed to let the Pistons back in what should have been a decisive victory.

Boston- They have been worse so far and could have a worse regular season. I thought this would be the case anyways if they had Hayward because they have so many new pieces and 4 starters are no longer on the team. But might be better in the playoffs than last season given that IT was not 100% and how their young guys (Tatum, Brown, Rozier, Smart) develop. Either way, it is looking more likely that Washington would have homecourt in a potential series.

Philadelphia- Philly played lights out against us but didn't look to sharp against the Raptors or Celtics. Joel Embiid hasn't hit a 3 so far this season.

Not sure but looks like Celtics will win the east again. Sure Tatum will hit the rookie wall but 20 points on 9 shots I think it was tonight. Still have not got the twin health plus should pick up someone for the 8.4 million?
Long season and they need to stay healthy.

[Tiny ball]

SA paying 72/3 for LMA at this stage of his career? I'm so used to them getting bargain contracts that this comes as a surprise - to me.

I guess they figure this solidifies a 2 year window with essentially the current team. It wouldn't surprise me if it ends with a less than 100% guarantee in the final year.

I think the Spurs really flopped this summer. Gay was a great pick up, but resigning Gasol and extending LMA is questionable at best. They should of just resigned Dedmon and let Gasol walk. That way they could of been serious players next offseason with a legit SG like Bradley or KCP

The Spurs are so well run I will not question them.

[Tiny ball]

All 3 love to shoot, and they still have Kyle Korver and JR Smith at SG who need to be fed. There's likely to be some disgruntled players in this group. The Cavs will be a real coaching challenge.

I'm not sure this is going to be much of a problem. Irving & IT took the same number of shots last year. No change in losing the one & gaining the other.

Neither Smith nor Korver took a lot of shots (per 40 minutes) last year. In fact, Korver has never taken a lot of shots in his career -- he just makes a lot of those he does take!

I don't think anyone will care what Rose wants to do. I doubt he'll get much playing time for that matter (certainly not once IT is back).

Wade could pose a problem -- if he wanted to. But I kind of doubt he'll want to.

Yeah, I don't see a problem - especially because IT and Rose aren't going to play together, Wade's a great passer who understands that winning is most important - he's understood that since his early days in Miami playing with Shaq. And the other guys are in there to stretch defenses - so they help everyone else. Cleveland is the clear favorite in the East, imo. Btw, Felder's now their 4th string PG. I thought they'd have a depth problem - but with the Boston trade and the signings they've made, they've taken care of depth issues, and when IT's healthy, they're starting lineup is arguably better than last year's because of Crowder, imo.

I think East is wide open this year. LJ is getting old if he can stay healthy and IT comes back health they should be favorites. That is lot of ifs. Wade is done. Crowder, well Boston fans could not wait till he was gone for lot of reasons.
Washington has as much chance to reach finals as Cleveland.imho

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Pelicans just signed Josh Smith.

I think I would rather just keep losing than admit I was that desperate.

Boogie is going to love not getting touches when they're both in the game.

Boogie Cousins is averaging 32/14/6 & 2 blocked shots.

He's had a 40-20 game. He's had a triple-double.

He and Anthony Davis are getting along very well and are each very productive at the same time.

Somehow he has maintained his same rebound percentage even with Anthony Davis also getting the same number of rebounds.

About 7 years ago I said Cousins was a really good player. I said I thought he was the best player on the Kentucky team including John Wall. Many of you ridiculed me then...

It gives me great pleasure every time I come across a post like yours.

Lately, people have been able to say much in return. Dude has an Olympic medal.



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[tontoz]

So far Ainge is looking pretty good for passing on Fultz and picking Tatum.

[closg00]

The Spurs sent Tony Parker to their G-League team to shake-out the rust, how-many teams would send one of their stars to the G-League?
http://gleague.nba.com/news/san-antonio-assigns-tony-parker-austin-spurs/

[dckingsfan]

So for the east, is this accurate? (Team, Improved or not, Reason)
Magic, Maybe, Just can't tell
Bulls, No, Lost Wade and Butler
Cavs, No, Injury to Thomas
Celtics, No, Injury Hayward and loss of Thomas/Bradley
Hawks, No, Just a mess
Hornets, No, Addition by subtraction with Howard
Knicks, No, Even a worse mess than last year
Pacers, No, Lost George
Raptors, Same, Basically the same
Bucks, Yes, Middleton and Greek Freak improvement
Heat, Yes, More time playing together
Nets, Yes, But still a mess
Pistons, Yes, Healthy Jackson + Bradley
Sixers, Yes, But going to take a lot of time
Wizards, Yes, More time playing under same coaching system

We are dealing with small sample size theater, but here are my additional thoughts.

Magic- Already 2-1, beat Cleveland. I had them as being terrible before the season started so waiting to see how this plays out

Cleveland- If they get IT back healthy, they are better because they also added Jae Crowder. If not, then no. At the end of the day, may be worse in the regular season especially if they keep starting Wade over JR Smith. Right now they are 2-0 with Rose playing so who knows. It would be a big step for Washington to win the regular season series.

Raptors- Certainly in the same tier with more upside. Lost some veterans like Tucker, Joseph, and Patterson but have young guys in the pipeline like Powell, Delon Wright, Van Fleet, etc. Guys like Carroll, Joseph, and Patterson appeared to be declining. Certainly, I like Washington's upside better in their top players.

Detroit- I suppose they have won the games they are supposed to win (Charlotte at home, Detroit on the road). Wizards really seemed to let the Pistons back in what should have been a decisive victory.

Boston- They have been worse so far and could have a worse regular season. I thought this would be the case anyways if they had Hayward because they have so many new pieces and 4 starters are no longer on the team. But might be better in the playoffs than last season given that IT was not 100% and how their young guys (Tatum, Brown, Rozier, Smart) develop. Either way, it is looking more likely that Washington would have homecourt in a potential series.

Philadelphia- Philly played lights out against us but didn't look to sharp against the Raptors or Celtics. Joel Embiid hasn't hit a 3 so far this season.

Not sure but looks like Celtics will win the east again. Sure Tatum will hit the rookie wall but 20 points on 9 shots I think it was tonight. Still have not got the twin health plus should pick up someone for the 8.4 million?
Long season and they need to stay healthy.

If they do - I don't see it by much - maybe a game or two. I think their guard rotation is weak and that will play out toward the end of the season.

[verbal8]

The Spurs sent Tony Parker to their G-League team to shake-out the rust, how-many teams would send one of their stars to the G-League?
http://gleague.nba.com/news/san-antonio-assigns-tony-parker-austin-spurs/

It is a bit chicken and egg situation with the Spurs stars. Not sure if they pick stars who are team first, or if they have a system that is team first and the stars reflect that.

[Ruzious]

So far Ainge is looking pretty good for passing on Fultz and picking Tatum.

I actually had Josh Jackson ahead of Tatum, but so far - Tatum looks much better. Of course, the coaching situation in Boston is somewhat better than in Phoenix.

[Ruzious]

The Spurs sent Tony Parker to their G-League team to shake-out the rust, how-many teams would send one of their stars to the G-League?
http://gleague.nba.com/news/san-antonio-assigns-tony-parker-austin-spurs/

I would guess no other team. But they'll set a trend there - similar to what major league baseball does with players coming off extended time off.

[Ruzious]

So yesterday Detroit cruised by GS, and NY crushed Cleve. Porzingis has 30 or more points in 4 out of 5 games. Is it from not having Melo around? And does Cleveland play defense anymore? Detroit beating GS is crazy, imo. Det was on the 2nd of a back 2 back on the West Coast - after beating the Clips. They're 5-2, the best record in the East.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

So yesterday Detroit cruised by GS, and NY crushed Cleve. Porzingis has 30 or more points in 4 out of 5 games. Is it from not having Melo around? And does Cleveland play defense anymore? Detroit beating GS is crazy, imo. Det was on the 2nd of a back 2 back on the West Coast - after beating the Clips. They're 5-2, the best record in the East.

This makes that loss to the Lakers even more "devastating" to overstate a bit.

Washington beat Detroit. Had the Wizards won that Lakers game they would be sitting alone on top at 5-1. That would be the best record in the NBA as well.

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[Ruzious]

So yesterday Detroit cruised by GS, and NY crushed Cleve. Porzingis has 30 or more points in 4 out of 5 games. Is it from not having Melo around? And does Cleveland play defense anymore? Detroit beating GS is crazy, imo. Det was on the 2nd of a back 2 back on the West Coast - after beating the Clips. They're 5-2, the best record in the East.

This makes that loss to the Lakers even more "devastating" to overstate a bit.

Washington beat Detroit. Had the Wizards won that Lakers game they would be sitting alone on top at 5-1. That would be the best record in the NBA as well.

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Seems like every season we pretty much know by now the best teams in the NBA. Is this the season where everything changes? Still gotta figure GS is the best, but after them...? Cleveland's got a losing record. Boston... I'm not buying it - with 2 inexperienced forwards starting and depending so much on Horford.

[payitforward]

So far Ainge is looking pretty good for passing on Fultz and picking Tatum.

It's kind of incredible how quickly they've come together. & when you figure in the loss of Hayward... wow! Hand it to them.

In their first 7 games, Boston has guys on rookie contracts playing 60% of their minutes. That amazes me. Even more amazing, the Celtics have 5 rookies on their roster (which is, I think only 14 -- at least that's how many guys have played at all so far).

Overall, they have 8 guys on rookie contracts. We have 2.