Around the NBA (4.0) *Non-Celtics Talk*

[Green89]

IT to the Wiz.

[GoGreen]

If Kawhi Leonard goes to the gd Lakers, and lemme tell you, there's a **** ton of smoke right now, i'll lose it. I thought this dude was smarter than this. I thought he was a competitor. Ridiculous. This is not looking good...

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[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

I know Kawhi is going to catch a lot of heat, but the dude has been wanting to go to the Lakers before Lebron even got there. Sucks that he still wants to go there, but if we're all being honest with each other - getting to play with AD makes your life a lot less complicated then it needs to be. I mean, Kawhi sat out a ton this year and he was still limping around at certain points during the playoffs. Why kill yourself trying to carry the Clippers or Raptors when you can play with AD and Lebron, lessen your load and extend your career?

[soxfan2003]

I know Kawhi is going to catch a lot of heat, but the dude has been wanting to go to the Lakers before Lebron even got there. Sucks that he still wants to go there, but if we're all being honest with each other - getting to play with AD makes your life a lot less complicated then it needs to be. I mean, Kawhi sat out a ton this year and he was still limping around at certain points during the playoffs. Why kill yourself trying to carry the Clippers or Raptors when you can play with AD and Lebron, lessen your load and extend your career?

I realize Raptors long term future not so bright but I'd have a tough time leaving a foreign country and my teammates under these circumstances. Granted he only has one life to live but I would tend to tell the Lakers/Clippers, I am signing 1+1 or 2+1 in Toronto.

It is the Raptors that have the deeper team right now and a team that can win 50+ games without Leonard and Lowry even missing some games. Granted Lowry/Ibaka/Gasol are all aging and even Green as well but one AD/Lebron injury for a few months next regular season and it is tough for Leonard to do the load management. Nothing prevents Raptors from trading a little more of their future for a better 2nd title shot as well.....

Given what Lakers paid in the form of draft picks for AD, one could argue Clippers have a better shot over medium to long term of winning titles. It is close. Lakers have much higher revenue stream but Ballmer is one of the richest people in United States.

One has to figure Lebron's age into the equation. What do Lakers do in 3 years with Lebron? Kick him to the curb to try to sign a younger max guy or get no reinforcements that may be needed as Davis/Leonard age?

Lakers gave up lots of their picks/youth. Clippers I believe now are probably at a pick surplus from the Harris trade.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

I know Kawhi is going to catch a lot of heat, but the dude has been wanting to go to the Lakers before Lebron even got there. Sucks that he still wants to go there, but if we're all being honest with each other - getting to play with AD makes your life a lot less complicated then it needs to be. I mean, Kawhi sat out a ton this year and he was still limping around at certain points during the playoffs. Why kill yourself trying to carry the Clippers or Raptors when you can play with AD and Lebron, lessen your load and extend your career?

I realize Raptors long term future not so bright but I'd have a tough time leaving a foreign country and my teammates under these circumstances. Granted he only has one life to live but I would tend to tell the Lakers/Clippers, I am signing 1+1 or 2+1 in Toronto.

It is the Raptors that have the deeper team right now and a team that can win 50+ games without Leonard and Lowry even missing some games. Granted Lowry/Ibaka/Gasol are all aging and even Green as well but one AD/Lebron injury for a few months next regular season and it is tough for Leonard to do the load management. Nothing prevents Raptors from trading a little more of their future for a better 2nd title shot as well.....

Given what Lakers paid in the form of draft picks for AD, one could argue Clippers have a better shot over medium to long term of winning titles. It is close. Lakers have much higher revenue stream but Ballmer is one of the richest people in United States.

One has to figure Lebron's age into the equation. What do Lakers do in 3 years with Lebron? Kick him to the curb to try to sign a younger max guy or get no reinforcements that may be needed as Davis/Leonard age?

Lakers gave up lots of their picks/youth. Clippers I believe now are probably at a pick surplus from the Harris trade.

The Lakers might not wait (ie no cap space) for Kawhi if he stays in Toronto for a couple of years. And again - Kawhi was limping at times during the second round. His injury with his quad is allegedly degenerative. I'm sure Kawhi is trying to get as much money as he can. He can do that in Toronto, but he won't win as much as he could with the Lakers. Plus he wants to go home.

I could go on, but the debate is all moot as it appears that he is going to be a Laker anyhow.

[soxfan2003]

I know Kawhi is going to catch a lot of heat, but the dude has been wanting to go to the Lakers before Lebron even got there. Sucks that he still wants to go there, but if we're all being honest with each other - getting to play with AD makes your life a lot less complicated then it needs to be. I mean, Kawhi sat out a ton this year and he was still limping around at certain points during the playoffs. Why kill yourself trying to carry the Clippers or Raptors when you can play with AD and Lebron, lessen your load and extend your career?

I realize Raptors long term future not so bright but I'd have a tough time leaving a foreign country and my teammates under these circumstances. Granted he only has one life to live but I would tend to tell the Lakers/Clippers, I am signing 1+1 or 2+1 in Toronto.

It is the Raptors that have the deeper team right now and a team that can win 50+ games without Leonard and Lowry even missing some games. Granted Lowry/Ibaka/Gasol are all aging and even Green as well but one AD/Lebron injury for a few months next regular season and it is tough for Leonard to do the load management. Nothing prevents Raptors from trading a little more of their future for a better 2nd title shot as well.....

Given what Lakers paid in the form of draft picks for AD, one could argue Clippers have a better shot over medium to long term of winning titles. It is close. Lakers have much higher revenue stream but Ballmer is one of the richest people in United States.

One has to figure Lebron's age into the equation. What do Lakers do in 3 years with Lebron? Kick him to the curb to try to sign a younger max guy or get no reinforcements that may be needed as Davis/Leonard age?

Lakers gave up lots of their picks/youth. Clippers I believe now are probably at a pick surplus from the Harris trade.

The Lakers might not wait (ie no cap space) for Kawhi if he stays in Toronto for a couple of years. And again - Kawhi was limping at times during the second round. His injury with his quad is allegedly degenerative. I'm sure Kawhi is trying to get as much money as he can. He can do that in Toronto, but he won't win as much as he could with the Lakers. Plus he wants to go home.

I could go on, but the debate is all moot as it appears that he is going to be a Laker anyhow.

Toronto really not setup for future much worse than Lakers since Toronto has most of their draft picks and have Siakam. They will have cap room after next year and may be able to attract a top notch player if they are back to back champs which could happen.

He could sign a 4 year deal In Toronto with a promise to trade him for peanuts after 1-3 years. I think Toronto would hold to their word.

I agree that his leg appears bad but Lakers may actually need him to play just as hard to win if not even harder during course of regular season at least. Tougher conference and team will go at LA hard just like they treated every Warriors game as a quasi playoff game.

Toronto allowed him to take 21 games off. They did that and their 2nd best player this past season missed 17 and they still win 58 games. And Raptors arguably even more talented in short term at least post Gasol trade.

I really think for this next season Toronto would actually be easier on his body. EC round 1 probably a joke. Milwaukee will do well to stay at their current level and to do that they need to make some additional moves. Philly is strong but Boston right now not looking good and KD may not even play this year.

I think he goes to LA as well but if he is making a pure basketball/leg/legacy decision staying in Toronto for 1 more year may be safest bet.

LA weather and family/friends in area over Toronto colder winters may be the difference.

But Toronto has already proven they can load manage him well. LA is not going to be winning playoff games either with Leonard on the bench. Not when they have to play a lot of questionable players next to Davis and an aging Lebron.

[soxfan2003]

I won't go on much more but the other thing folks aren't considering about LA.... He really plays same position as Lebron. Do either of them want to play mostly PF? They can probably split those duties up but Raptors have the much younger Siakam to do that.

[djFan71]

I won't go on much more but the other thing folks aren't considering about LA.... He really plays same position as Lebron. Do either of them want to play mostly PF? They can probably split those duties up but Raptors have the much younger Siakam to do that.

I actually feel point PF is probably LeBron's best position going forward. Use his bulk more than his declining quickness day to day.

[Ernest]

I know Kawhi is going to catch a lot of heat, but the dude has been wanting to go to the Lakers before Lebron even got there. Sucks that he still wants to go there, but if we're all being honest with each other - getting to play with AD makes your life a lot less complicated then it needs to be. I mean, Kawhi sat out a ton this year and he was still limping around at certain points during the playoffs. Why kill yourself trying to carry the Clippers or Raptors when you can play with AD and Lebron, lessen your load and extend your career?

I realize Raptors long term future not so bright but I'd have a tough time leaving a foreign country and my teammates under these circumstances. Granted he only has one life to live but I would tend to tell the Lakers/Clippers, I am signing 1+1 or 2+1 in Toronto.

It is the Raptors that have the deeper team right now and a team that can win 50+ games without Leonard and Lowry even missing some games. Granted Lowry/Ibaka/Gasol are all aging and even Green as well but one AD/Lebron injury for a few months next regular season and it is tough for Leonard to do the load management. Nothing prevents Raptors from trading a little more of their future for a better 2nd title shot as well.....

Given what Lakers paid in the form of draft picks for AD, one could argue Clippers have a better shot over medium to long term of winning titles. It is close. Lakers have much higher revenue stream but Ballmer is one of the richest people in United States.

One has to figure Lebron's age into the equation. What do Lakers do in 3 years with Lebron? Kick him to the curb to try to sign a younger max guy or get no reinforcements that may be needed as Davis/Leonard age?

Lakers gave up lots of their picks/youth. Clippers I believe now are probably at a pick surplus from the Harris trade.

Yeah, but it's the Lakers. Sadly, they will always be a destination. People love LA and they are the team to play for there. It's be like if we played in New York, and New York was also sunny every day.

[soxfan2003]

I know Kawhi is going to catch a lot of heat, but the dude has been wanting to go to the Lakers before Lebron even got there. Sucks that he still wants to go there, but if we're all being honest with each other - getting to play with AD makes your life a lot less complicated then it needs to be. I mean, Kawhi sat out a ton this year and he was still limping around at certain points during the playoffs. Why kill yourself trying to carry the Clippers or Raptors when you can play with AD and Lebron, lessen your load and extend your career?

I realize Raptors long term future not so bright but I'd have a tough time leaving a foreign country and my teammates under these circumstances. Granted he only has one life to live but I would tend to tell the Lakers/Clippers, I am signing 1+1 or 2+1 in Toronto.

It is the Raptors that have the deeper team right now and a team that can win 50+ games without Leonard and Lowry even missing some games. Granted Lowry/Ibaka/Gasol are all aging and even Green as well but one AD/Lebron injury for a few months next regular season and it is tough for Leonard to do the load management. Nothing prevents Raptors from trading a little more of their future for a better 2nd title shot as well.....

Given what Lakers paid in the form of draft picks for AD, one could argue Clippers have a better shot over medium to long term of winning titles. It is close. Lakers have much higher revenue stream but Ballmer is one of the richest people in United States.

One has to figure Lebron's age into the equation. What do Lakers do in 3 years with Lebron? Kick him to the curb to try to sign a younger max guy or get no reinforcements that may be needed as Davis/Leonard age?

Lakers gave up lots of their picks/youth. Clippers I believe now are probably at a pick surplus from the Harris trade.

Yeah, but it's the Lakers. Sadly, they will always be a destination. People love LA and they are the team to play for there. It's be like if we played in New York, and New York was also sunny every day.

Sure I think that may sway him to Lakers over Clippers.

But despite all of the evidence pointing to Brooklyn, I thought if KD left the GSW, it would be for the Knicks since they have a lot more fans than the Nets. (I forgot to look at overseas and perhaps Nets market themselves well in China.) Lakers obviously own LA and have more of a national following as well but Leonard the sole major star with Clippers and if he goes there is actually in okay position to have a chance to end up with more titles than Lebron.

I do think with Rivers and some recent stars of the past plus Ballmer, Clippers still have some cards to play.

I think Laker fan base being huge plus LA as a destination city for rich people especially is the advantage in LA. I really don't think the titles actually mean that much for Lakers or Celtics. Free agents play it lip service but I don't think it helps out the Celtics/Lakers like it does the Patriots. The way some athletes in baseball/basketball look at it now, it is kind of cool to win a first title or first title in a long time with a city than just add to the collection.

[Ernest]

(I forgot to look at overseas and perhaps Nets market themselves well in China.)

I know China pretty well. NBA teams are not marketing there individually. The majority of Chinese fans just watch highlights, pick a player the like buy the jersey and thats about it. The jersey sales are shared by the league so there is no real incentive there. Something interesting is you do see people wearing Tatum jersey's once and a while. Which is weird because the other jerseys are just the top 10 players you would expect to see.

[nickgammon]

I know Kawhi is going to catch a lot of heat, but the dude has been wanting to go to the Lakers before Lebron even got there. Sucks that he still wants to go there, but if we're all being honest with each other - getting to play with AD makes your life a lot less complicated then it needs to be. I mean, Kawhi sat out a ton this year and he was still limping around at certain points during the playoffs. Why kill yourself trying to carry the Clippers or Raptors when you can play with AD and Lebron, lessen your load and extend your career?

I really can’t fault any of them. Can’t fault the Lakers organization. It’s all on the NBA. The system is broken and that much has been clear since 2010. They’ve done nothing to rectify the situation and it will need to be revised in the new CBA, but it won’t be because that’s just the way it izzzzzz

[Green89]

The Clippers will be the real losers here, as they'll be no more free agents to use their space on if Kawhi signs elsewhere.

[ConnorHenry]

The Los Angeles Lakers "believe they are firmly in the lead" in pursuit of Kawhi Leonard, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.

The reasoning Stein outlines for the confidence from the Lakers is "largely through the recruiting efforts and assurances made on separate fronts from Magic Johnson and LeBron James."

Leonard is considering the Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors.

The Lakers have preserved their cap space in hopes of signing Leonard.

and

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Weaksauce. I hope the chemistry and health doesn't work out. And that viewership is lower than expected because fans tune out and more Laker spoonfeeding.

[Celtics_History_Lesson]

He has gone to the Lakers.


It is official.


Thought about the cold in the north-east, went for the sunshine of Los Angeles.


Doesn't really fit too well as a 6-7 forward, but he should find his shots.


J Dudley is a Laker.

[soxfan2003]

I won't go on much more but the other thing folks aren't considering about LA.... He really plays same position as Lebron. Do either of them want to play mostly PF? They can probably split those duties up but Raptors have the much younger Siakam to do that.

I actually feel point PF is probably LeBron's best position going forward. Use his bulk more than his declining quickness day to day.

It may be at some point but I just don't think Lebron wants too much of the grind of guarding PFs. He would probably just rather use his smarts to contribute on defense without having to put too much wear and tear on his body. Offensively I think Davis/Lebron/Leonard will work out pretty darn well bit I think either Lebron or Leonard won't be that happy with guarding PF's. Davis isn't that physical either.

End of the day as long as those 3 stay healthy Lakers should win it all the next 2 seasons if they get Leonard. Philly probably one of the few teams that could potentially stop them and that would take Simmons getting better which he might.

[SuperDeluxe]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/seanpackard/2019/07/02/11-4-million-reasons-kawhi-leonard-will-not-sign-with-toronto/#5e3ebfa91d8d

[sam_I_am]

Curious what board thinks about Sixers now that shock of Horford signing has set in. Which grouping would you least rather have around Embiid and Simmons if you were a Sixers fan?

1. Reddick, Saric, Ilyasova, Covington, Bellinelli, TJ O’Connell
2. Butler, Reddick, Harris, Scott, Enis
3. Horford, Richardson, Harris, Ennis, Thybulle, Scott

Defensively, they are going to be a nightmare but who is going to get buckets? Horford is great at setting up teammates but Embiid and Simmons already get their points and there is no shooters to take advantage of the spacing he provides. Reddick averaged >18 ppg last year. Simmons is a guy like young Lebron that you want 3 point shooters everywhere. Al is a good 3 point shooter as a Center when nobody has a hand in his face. Harris hasn’t really been great for them. Maybe with Butler gone he can reassert himself and he’s still only 25.

As long as Sixers have 2 guys likely to be top 10 players in this league when current top 10 guys decline in 2-3 years so they will always be able to rework this roster. I just don’t think as currently constructed they are a threat to Bucks unless Zhaire Smith or Milton or Thybulle have a break out season. In fact I think Pacers and Raptors could still be better even without Oladipo for 1/2 year and Kawhi. Head to head, Celtics will struggle but overall could be right there with them record wise.

[3D Chess]

Afternoon news stink bomb on the day before a holiday? Yup, I'd say we are a few hours away from our next super team... awesome.

[Green89]

He has to make his decision today. He's probably meeting with Toronto today and has already met with the two LA teams. I doubt he drags it out over the 4th. I'm still saying Clippers.