Leeeeeeets Gooooooooooooooo!'

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/kyrie-irving-most-clutch-player-nba-heres-one-case-his-favor
Moderators: Rich Rane, NyCeEvO
Netaman wrote:It feels wonderfully karmic to land our first max player at the expense of both the Knicks & Celtics. Really a huge testament to everything Markinson have built. Since we've had almost a month to consider what this move would mean for us i've resolved that there are 2 uncomfortable risks - 1) injury history 2) losing the team leader who was fully bought in. On the court it's a big upgrade, you just wonder how much of the culture we may be losing potentially turning over so many of the leaders in the lockerroom - DMC, RHJ, DLo, Ed Davis, Dudley. A lot on Markinson to be the glue that keeps things together.
Very curious to see what the follow-up move is. I wouldn't mind in the slightest if the follow-up move was just keeping Russell, trading Dinwiddie for a young big man who fits the system, and signing a few vets to fill out the roster (like Jordan or Davis). That would obviously alleviate most of the concerns above - though it would cap our current ceiling at Portland East (I'd be ok with that).
But that's not what I expect. I think the overwhelming likelihood is that Tobias Harris or Kevin Durant ends up here. Harris in particular seems like an even better fit now considering how well regarded he is as a teammate. Horford would be another very good add, just wonder if he's looking to team up with Kyrie again or start fresh somewhere else.
Very curious to see how the rest of the offseason unfolds.
Prokorov wrote:losing russell will sting since he helped build the nets to what they are now and made kyrie a possibility. but i think we will keep enough of our core to keep our identity:
Levert, Harris, Allen, Kurucs... thats 4 starters. then dinwiddie, pinson and id assume one of napier or dudley is back on the minimum. prince seems like a perfect nets fit and musa will be back also. Kyrie/Tobias are both 27, so mesh with the 23-28 year old core we have too.
im more concerned with bringing in KD honestly, because he might cost us russell and dinwiddie or harris instead of just dlo which with be the case with a tobias max
Netaman wrote:That's putting a lot on 4 young guys to keep the culture together. Allen has only been old enough to buy beer legally for a few months and has a lot to work on with his own game. Kurucs is a couple months older but most of us figured he'd be in the DLeague last year. Harris and Dinwiddie are great glue guys who are fully bought in but neither is going to be close in relative stature to Kyrie. Levert is an all around stud, but again it's putting a lot on him to be the tone setter from a culture standpoint when previously there were so many veterans who kept the group in line and kept that pressure off him.
Chemistry is a very delicate balance and the positive vibes of last year's group weren't an accident - it took a lot of deliberate moves over multiple seasons and a lot of hard work behind the scenes. Voluntary workouts together in the offseason, traveling to Vegas in solidarity with young guys in the org, staying in Brooklyn and working out at the facility at all hours.
Russell isn't necessarily the lynchpin to keeping (or losing) all of that, but he's a big piece. As are DMC, Dudley, and Ed Davis. I really hope there's a way to get at least 1 of those guys back in the fold. Dudley probably seems most likely to be in the price range we can afford. Maybe DMC.
Prokorov wrote:I dont think it is putting any pressure on that group... nearly all of them are back and Levert for as overrated as he gets here sometimes on the floor... off the floor he has been outstanding leader for this group... as evidence by the pre-injury and postseason. bringing back 75-80% of the roster will keep that chemistry and coninuity.
Prokorov wrote:im more concerned with bringing in KD honestly, because he might cost us russell and dinwiddie or harris instead of just dlo which with be the case with a tobias max
Basileus777 wrote:Kyrie made this whole off-season happen for us.
gigantes wrote:If Kyrie turns out great with the Nets, do expect to see me eating crow, repeatedly. If not... I've recorded all your remarks for posterity, and each & every one of you can expect the business when the time comes. Just an FYI.