Around the NBA IV

[Revived]

...when does OKC get the message...

[and1GS]

...when does OKC get the message...

That's not really a fair graphic, but I get the general point. Reggie and Dion are what they are - all leaving did for them was give them bigger roles. Oladipo would never be who he is as a 2nd option. He was on the brink of being a huge letdown when compared to his expectations at the draft (also important to remember he started playing basketball much later in life...and I think he was a point 4 early on too ha). But it is telling that he couldn't even become two thirds of the player he is now while in OKC.

It's impossible to build a title contender around Russ as is. He's going to win you games or lose you them, but he will never sit by to be a pure facilitator or 'fill in the blanks guy' when the stakes are high. By him=win/loss I mean that literally. He will either play incredibly hard headed and you'll lose with everyone being freezed out or he will do it all and you'll win in spectacular fashion.

I forget the exact numbers, but 40+ shots and 17+ threes in a deciding game is just horrendous. And it's not like he didn't have some help. I think OKC gets the message, but I don't think there is anyone there who wants to piss off Russ and make him play to the system rather than him doing whatever the **** he wants.

[OGLife]

The Raptors haven’t hired their head coach and a part of me thinks that they may be looking at some of the assistants on the Warriors and Cavs. I was reading some articles on U’Ren and I liked what has been mentioned about him. I’ve made a thread in the Raptors section proposing the idea and I would like to get your opinions of him.

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1712139

Thanks for any input you guys may have! Warriors in 4!

[Chris Porter's Hair]

The Raptors haven’t hired their head coach and a part of me thinks that they may be looking at some of the assistants on the Warriors and Cavs. I was reading some articles on U’Ren and I liked what has been mentioned about him. I’ve made a thread in the Raptors section proposing the idea and I would like to get your opinions of him.

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1712139

Thanks for any input you guys may have! Warriors in 4!

I assumed this was going to be talking about former Warrior standout Sarunas Jazzycabbages.

[FNQ]

The Raptors haven’t hired their head coach and a part of me thinks that they may be looking at some of the assistants on the Warriors and Cavs. I was reading some articles on U’Ren and I liked what has been mentioned about him. I’ve made a thread in the Raptors section proposing the idea and I would like to get your opinions of him.

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1712139

Thanks for any input you guys may have! Warriors in 4!

I assumed this was going to be talking about former Warrior standout Sarunas Jazzycabbages.

Me too. Jazzycabbages was a early decade legend on this board

[Mylie10]

Speaking of Toronto. They need to make a change. I wonder if Derozen gets dealt. Most likely the Lakers.

Or maybe Portland for a package including McCollum.

[BW32]

Derozan belongs in the East, perfect example of an eastern conference "star".

[Mylie10]

Derozan belongs in the East, perfect example of an eastern conference "star".

He's from LA though, and I think I read that Magic is eyeing him.

[BW32]

Derozan belongs in the East, perfect example of an eastern conference "star".

He's from LA though, and I think I read that Magic is eyeing him.

Well alot of former stars are really bad talent evaluators but I'm gonna give Magic the benefit of the doubt and say he knows Derozan doesn't move the needle to build a contender.

I think Derozan is a name and a bad team could go for it like the Pistons did Blake but the Lakers just seem to me like they will punt the caproom if they can only get one guy (PG most likely), I don't know that they tie themselves up to a maxed Randle or Derozan.

[Mylie10]

Derozan belongs in the East, perfect example of an eastern conference "star".

He's from LA though, and I think I read that Magic is eyeing him.

Well alot of former stars are really bad talent evaluators but I'm gonna give Magic the benefit of the doubt and say he knows Derozan doesn't move the needle to build a contender.

I think Derozan is a name and a bad team could go for it like the Pistons did Blake but the Lakers just seem to me like they will punt the caproom if they can only get one guy (PG most likely), I don't know that they tie themselves up to a maxed Randle or Derozan.

When you say move the needle let's be clear.

As a #1 option I would agree, however, as a two or three he definitely moves the needle. They would need a clear number one, like LeBron lol

[Chris Porter's Hair]

This whole Spurs situation is so... un-Spurslike. Really puzzling.

[Coxy]

This whole Spurs situation is so... un-Spurslike. Really puzzling.

“You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain”

Pops has maybe overstayed his time now. His over controlling ways with that team may be now detrimental. He found amazing success with a group of guys that completely bought into his military orientated ways for the team. Now as those players have either retired, or are on their absolute last legs, his ways may just be grating on the new players that have come in to lead the franchise forward. Both Aldridge and Leonard seem like they just don’t like playing for Popovich. I tend to think that Pops hard ass way has become tiresome, especially when you have a guy like Steve Kerr leading the best team in the league and is chilled as fork. I personally would hate playing for a guy like Popovich. He doesn’t allow for much individuality within that team. I think he’s underestimated both Lamarcus and Kawhi’s needs, and probably didn’t think anyone would dislike being coached to death.

I’m not close with that club though, so I may be way off. Just seems like it’s the time for Pop to walk away, or he risks turning into the villain and he may end up walking away in a negative light, which would be a shame.

[Quazza]

much talk over there about Swaggy saying everyone should do Cocaine and it should be legalized?

[wco81]

I seem to recall that there was a little friction when Kawhi signed his second contract. He wanted that extension earlier and Pop told him he's got to be patient, because giving him the extension a year early would have messed up their cap management, possibly.

[Mylie10]

much talk over there about Swaggy saying everyone should do Cocaine and it should be legalized?

Locally yeah.....probably a career ender. What GM is going to endorse signing him now? Plus he's 33.

[Impuniti]

This whole Spurs situation is so... un-Spurslike. Really puzzling.

“You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain”

Pops has maybe overstayed his time now. His over controlling ways with that team may be now detrimental. He found amazing success with a group of guys that completely bought into his military orientated ways for the team. Now as those players have either retired, or are on their absolute last legs, his ways may just be grating on the new players that have come in to lead the franchise forward. Both Aldridge and Leonard seem like they just don’t like playing for Popovich. I tend to think that Pops hard ass way has become tiresome, especially when you have a guy like Steve Kerr leading the best team in the league and is chilled as fork. I personally would hate playing for a guy like Popovich. He doesn’t allow for much individuality within that team. I think he’s underestimated both Lamarcus and Kawhi’s needs, and probably didn’t think anyone would dislike being coached to death.

I’m not close with that club though, so I may be way off. Just seems like it’s the time for Pop to walk away, or he risks turning into the villain and he may end up walking away in a negative light, which would be a shame.

LMA didn't like playing under Pop simply because the entire system was set up for Kawhi, not because of some hardass approach. They've been on good terms now that he's being utilized better this year. I also don't think your assessemtn for individuality is correct either. The Spurs when Kawhi was on the bench were a team that played team basketball. When he was on, they played heavy iso-styled basketball. Now Pop might get annoyed and frustrated at his hard ass style, I'm not disputing that and agree with you. Kerr for example is so much better on that end.

Kawhi and his camp right now are bigger divas than any superstar I've seen in years. I don't even believe he couldn't play a single game for the rest of the season from everything I read. Almost everything he's done has showed awful behavior on a consistent level.

[Quazza]

**** Kawhi. Single handedly ruined my fantasy team last season

Unforgiveable

[Scoots1994]

Derozan should have been traded last off-season. A lot harder to move him now.

Lowry to the Suns would be a good move for the Raps.

[Quazza]

Derozan should have been traded last off-season. A lot harder to move him now.

Lowry to the Suns would be a good move for the Raps.

Why for Phoenix though when they have Booker?

[Coxy]

Let the meme train start with Austin being traded to Washington for Gortat. Internets, don't let me down.