Around The NBA: 2019-20 RESTART

[Mech Engineer]

I still think Lauri needs to become a C to hit whatever ceiling we thought he had. Take the defensive hit, but at least you get 20 ppg and space from your 240 lb. 7-footer. He is such a weak rebounder and rim-protector, but I think you could live with it if the rest of the pieces were right.

I'm not saying I believe he'll ever be a great starter or anything, but that is the one road I see. Frankly I thought that's what we're getting when I watched his debut run with Finland. A hybrid center. So this talk of him being a combo-forward has been perplexing, as he's probably the least athletic PF in the league (considering atleast 15 teams play SFs at PF) besides Love, whose Cavs won 19 games.

Your top options/highest paid players have to be able to play away from the basket on offense and play make. Gobert was nullified by Jokic and Morey gave away Cspella. The Clippers are using lesser options sr Centers.

Lauri has to learn how to playmake/pass. Otherwise, i don't see him as a core piece even if he scores 20 points regularly. Without the other elements, he will be a passenger sort of .like a Korver.

[MrSparkle]

I still think Lauri needs to become a C to hit whatever ceiling we thought he had. Take the defensive hit, but at least you get 20 ppg and space from your 240 lb. 7-footer. He is such a weak rebounder and rim-protector, but I think you could live with it if the rest of the pieces were right.

I'm not saying I believe he'll ever be a great star or anything, but that is the one road I see. Frankly I thought that's what we're getting when I watched his debut run with Finland. A hybrid center. So this talk in past years of him being a combo-forward has been perplexing, as he's probably the least athletic PF in the league (considering atleast 15 teams play SFs at PF) besides Love, whose Cavs won 19 games. And we've seen Niko and Portis fail in the exact same positional role.

But I guess the real point of the story, is that I don't really think Lauri can be a part of a winning playoff recipe. Zero dudes like him in the playoffs. Theis, Brook Lopez and Olynyk draw faint comparisons, except they're all much tougher in the paint and glass.

What you saw is Lauri trying to bulk up to play C. It made him slower but still not enough mass to be a C. He's fine strength wise as a combo forward

Well, I don't think he needs to bulk up. He was already bulkier than an older Niko coming into the league. He had a wide-shoulder 230 lb. frame at 19. Niko was a tooth pick in comparison.

Whatever weight-gain methods the Bulls trainers have had the last 15 years, they've all failed from Deng to Noah to Niko to Lauri. It's like the same mistake keeps happening. These guys get more injured, slower, lose their confidence and basically they went from being these pretty limber, lanky athletes to super-stiffs, with all kinds of back, knee, ankle problems and even plantar fasciitis.

But anyway, I am suggesting to basically lose the paint game when you play him. I personally think Lauri would be better in a 6th man role.

[wonderboy2]

Lauri should never ever play Center. He’s not strong enough even in today’s NBA. He got bullied by power forwards in this league. I’ve seen Lauri up close before and he is not that bulky tbh. If you compare him to most small ball 4s they have more girth then Markannan. Imo Markannan sophomore year weight was ok. He was strong enough to drive to the basket and not get bump off his drives. Markannan absolutely needs to gain strength though. Believe it or not Markannan weighs less than Guys like Giannis. Hell AD outweighs him by more than 20 pounds. Markannan stated that he actually dropped weight his 3rd season and it showed. He couldn’t board like he was doing his sophomore season due to getting pushed around. It was not because Rolo left either because when Rolo was still here and on the bench Markannan was still grabbing boards well. Markannan has to gain strength if he ever wants to reach his potential. He can’t even move guards. Carter has to grab all the boards this season and guard the toughest big.

[Dresden]

Good win by the Raptors- they finally looked like their real selves. I am pulling hard for them to beat Boston. Siakim had a much better game, though he was still 4-13 from deep. But he was really aggressive trying to score in the post, and with his height edge over Jaylen Brown, he made him pay. Ibaka was also huge for him, hitting 4-4 on three's, and playing good D. I think these teams are very even overall, and I would not be shocked to see it decided by a last minute shot in game 7.

[Andi Obst]

Every single key rotation player for the Heat who actually takes 3s (so everyone except for Bam Adebayo) is shooting 37% or better from deep in the playoffs. They have 4 guys (Robinson (2,6), Crowder (2,9), Dragic (3,0) and Herro (2,3)) making over 2 shots from deep per game. They also get to the line more than any other playoff team and make their foul shots at over 80% as a team.

Guess you could say they're on fire as a team...at the perfect time.

[Andi Obst]

I think these teams are very even overall, and I would not be shocked to see it decided by a last minute shot in game 7.

I would love to see it. Give me as much Stevens vs Nurse as possible.

[Ice Man]

Every single key rotation player for the Heat who actually takes 3s (so everyone except for Bam Adebayo) is shooting 37% or better from deep in the playoffs. They have 4 guys (Robinson (2,6), Crowder (2,9), Dragic (3,0) and Herro (2,3)) making over 2 shots from deep per game. They also get to the line more than any other playoff team and make their foul shots at over 80% as a team.

Guess you could say they're on fire as a team...at the perfect time.

They're playing their best ball of the season, but that's also Miami. Robinson, Jae, Meyers Leonard, and Olynck shot more than 40% on 3s for the season, Herro was at 39% and Dragic at 37%. Riley stocked up bigtime on shooters.

As for the free throws, part of that is having Butler and the other part is playoff-specific, that is Miami has been ahead so often late in games that it is getting a lot of free throws in the final minutes.

[DASMACKDOWN]

The one thing I do notice in Miami, is that they are still in cap hell.

They made miracles in the offseason and everyone has panned out with their young guys.

But at the same time, they dont have much time or wiggle room with this group. They have to decide what happens to Dragic, Derrick Jones Jr, Crowder etc. It could be a completely different group next year.

I think people are suggesting, they will try and consolidate all their young talent and make an Anthony Davis type deal for a disgruntled star.

Im sure they can get good return on a BAM, Nunn, Herro or Robinson for a superstar player. We just know they cant pay everyone.

This team has like 1 season left before major decisions have to be made.

[kodo]

Every single key rotation player for the Heat who actually takes 3s (so everyone except for Bam Adebayo) is shooting 37% or better from deep in the playoffs. They have 4 guys (Robinson (2,6), Crowder (2,9), Dragic (3,0) and Herro (2,3)) making over 2 shots from deep per game. They also get to the line more than any other playoff team and make their foul shots at over 80% as a team.

Guess you could say they're on fire as a team...at the perfect time.

Miami pre-bubble was the #1 3P% in the league, so this isn't that unusual. The 3 is core their gameplan.

A lot of people won't admit it, but Miami is winning with Moreyball. 3s and free throws. Butler provides the FTs, everyone else is a 3 point shooter.

[Andi Obst]

Every single key rotation player for the Heat who actually takes 3s (so everyone except for Bam Adebayo) is shooting 37% or better from deep in the playoffs. They have 4 guys (Robinson (2,6), Crowder (2,9), Dragic (3,0) and Herro (2,3)) making over 2 shots from deep per game. They also get to the line more than any other playoff team and make their foul shots at over 80% as a team.

Guess you could say they're on fire as a team...at the perfect time.

Miami pre-bubble was the #1 3P% in the league, so this isn't that unusual. The 3 is core their gameplan.

A lot of people won't admit it, but Miami is winning with Moreyball. 3s and free throws. Butler provides the FTs, everyone else is a 3 point shooter.

I know they were good at both pre-bubble and they have been a damn good team on offense all season, but they still have some guys performing significantly better in the postseason (especially Dragic, but also Jimmy and Iggy from 3, despite the small sample size). I would agree that they should have gotten more attention for their regular season, but they are even better now without question to me.

Wouldn't really call it Moreyball because the style of play is so different from Houston (it's much more fun to watch IMO), but yeah, it's a lot of 3s and foul shots.

[Chi town]

I still think Lauri needs to become a C to hit whatever ceiling we thought he had. Take the defensive hit, but at least you get 20 ppg and space from your 240 lb. 7-footer. He is such a weak rebounder and rim-protector, but I think you could live with it if the rest of the pieces were right.

I'm not saying I believe he'll ever be a great starter or anything, but that is the one road I see. Frankly I thought that's what we're getting when I watched his debut run with Finland. A hybrid center. So this talk of him being a combo-forward has been perplexing, as he's probably the least athletic PF in the league (considering atleast 15 teams play SFs at PF) besides Love, whose Cavs won 19 games.

Your top options/highest paid players have to be able to play away from the basket on offense and play make. Gobert was nullified by Jokic and Morey gave away Cspella. The Clippers are using lesser options sr Centers.

Lauri has to learn how to playmake/pass. Otherwise, i don't see him as a core piece even if he scores 20 points regularly. Without the other elements, he will be a passenger sort of .like a Korver.

The only way Lauri is worthy anything is if he can create his own offense or become an elite 3pt shooter on high volume. Don't think he will ever be able to create his offense but I do hold out hope if put in the right offense he could be a Korver PF which the NBA has not yet seen.

Run him off screens much like Korver and Duncan Robinson. So much better than standing in the corner. Only way he becomes elite is if he can figure out a step back and also shooting over people with his height as PF's wont' be able to stick with him but SF's will but won't have the length to contest.

This is the only way I see Lauri being useful unless he suddenly become a beast on defense.

[Chi town]

Every single key rotation player for the Heat who actually takes 3s (so everyone except for Bam Adebayo) is shooting 37% or better from deep in the playoffs. They have 4 guys (Robinson (2,6), Crowder (2,9), Dragic (3,0) and Herro (2,3)) making over 2 shots from deep per game. They also get to the line more than any other playoff team and make their foul shots at over 80% as a team.

Guess you could say they're on fire as a team...at the perfect time.

Miami pre-bubble was the #1 3P% in the league, so this isn't that unusual. The 3 is core their gameplan.

A lot of people won't admit it, but Miami is winning with Moreyball. 3s and free throws. Butler provides the FTs, everyone else is a 3 point shooter.

I know they were good at both pre-bubble and they have been a damn good team on offense all season, but they still have some guys performing significantly better in the postseason (especially Dragic, but also Jimmy and Iggy from 3, despite the small sample size). I would agree that they should have gotten more attention for their regular season, but they are even better now without question to me.

Wouldn't really call it Moreyball because the style of play is so different from Houston (it's much more fun to watch IMO), but yeah, it's a lot of 3s and foul shots.

Why it works for the Heat is because Herro and Robinson have improved BIG TIME on defense.

Offensively they have the playmaking of Dragic which has been huge and the smaller playmaking of Bam, Herro, and Robinson.

They are playing by far the best TEAM BALL in the league. If they stay hot from 3 they can win it all. If they cool off they won't make it out of the east.

[Mech Engineer]

The one thing I do notice in Miami, is that they are still in cap hell.

They made miracles in the offseason and everyone has panned out with their young guys.

But at the same time, they dont have much time or wiggle room with this group. They have to decide what happens to Dragic, Derrick Jones Jr, Crowder etc. It could be a completely different group next year.

I think people are suggesting, they will try and consolidate all their young talent and make an Anthony Davis type deal for a disgruntled star.

Im sure they can get good return on a BAM, Nunn, Herro or Robinson for a superstar player. We just know they cant pay everyone.

This team has like 1 season left before major decisions have to be made.

Cap hell is not a big problem as it made out to be. Flexibility which GarPax kept talking about didn't get us anywhere. Look at Houston. ..they always have been in cap hell and somehow keep making trades. You can dump players and make cap space. It is one of the most overrated problems of an NBA franchise.

Once a GM stops overating the impact of draft picks...cap space can be manipulated by giving up picks.

And, you can always find late bloomers instead of developing your own picks. It's just a sentimental concept from the old NBA days.

[Chi town]

The one thing I do notice in Miami, is that they are still in cap hell.

They made miracles in the offseason and everyone has panned out with their young guys.

But at the same time, they dont have much time or wiggle room with this group. They have to decide what happens to Dragic, Derrick Jones Jr, Crowder etc. It could be a completely different group next year.

I think people are suggesting, they will try and consolidate all their young talent and make an Anthony Davis type deal for a disgruntled star.

Im sure they can get good return on a BAM, Nunn, Herro or Robinson for a superstar player. We just know they cant pay everyone.

This team has like 1 season left before major decisions have to be made.

Cap hell is not a big problem as it made out to be. Flexibility which GarPax kept talking about didn't get us anywhere. Look at Houston. ..they always have been in cap hell and somehow keep making trades. You can dump players and make cap space. It is one of the most overrated problems of an NBA franchise.

Once a GM stops overating the impact of draft picks...cap space can be manipulated by giving up picks.

And, you can always find late bloomers instead of developing your own picks. It's just a sentimental concept from the old NBA days.

Exactly. THis is what I think AK will excell at. Not being stuck just in the draft. Using FA and Trades to accumulate assets etc.

[Ccwatercraft]

The one thing I do notice in Miami, is that they are still in cap hell.

They made miracles in the offseason and everyone has panned out with their young guys.

But at the same time, they dont have much time or wiggle room with this group. They have to decide what happens to Dragic, Derrick Jones Jr, Crowder etc. It could be a completely different group next year.

I think people are suggesting, they will try and consolidate all their young talent and make an Anthony Davis type deal for a disgruntled star.

Im sure they can get good return on a BAM, Nunn, Herro or Robinson for a superstar player. We just know they cant pay everyone.

This team has like 1 season left before major decisions have to be made.

Cap hell is not a big problem as it made out to be. Flexibility which GarPax kept talking about didn't get us anywhere. Look at Houston. ..they always have been in cap hell and somehow keep making trades. You can dump players and make cap space. It is one of the most overrated problems of an NBA franchise.

Once a GM stops overating the impact of draft picks...cap space can be manipulated by giving up picks.

And, you can always find late bloomers instead of developing your own picks. It's just a sentimental concept from the old NBA days.

It's a problem if ownership doesn't want to pay the tax. It's just a limitation/inconvenience if they just deal with it and pay up.

[Ccwatercraft]

The one thing I do notice in Miami, is that they are still in cap hell.

They made miracles in the offseason and everyone has panned out with their young guys.

But at the same time, they dont have much time or wiggle room with this group. They have to decide what happens to Dragic, Derrick Jones Jr, Crowder etc. It could be a completely different group next year.

I think people are suggesting, they will try and consolidate all their young talent and make an Anthony Davis type deal for a disgruntled star.

Im sure they can get good return on a BAM, Nunn, Herro or Robinson for a superstar player. We just know they cant pay everyone.

This team has like 1 season left before major decisions have to be made.

Cap hell is not a big problem as it made out to be. Flexibility which GarPax kept talking about didn't get us anywhere. Look at Houston. ..they always have been in cap hell and somehow keep making trades. You can dump players and make cap space. It is one of the most overrated problems of an NBA franchise.

Once a GM stops overating the impact of draft picks...cap space can be manipulated by giving up picks.

And, you can always find late bloomers instead of developing your own picks. It's just a sentimental concept from the old NBA days.

Exactly. THis is what I think AK will excell at. Not being stuck just in the draft. Using FA and Trades to accumulate assets etc.

If ownership is willing to pay up, I think he will do a great job. I'm hoping that he received that commitment before committing.

[dice]

Cap hell is not a big problem as it made out to be. Flexibility which GarPax kept talking about didn't get us anywhere. Look at Houston. ..they always have been in cap hell and somehow keep making trades. You can dump players and make cap space. It is one of the most overrated problems of an NBA franchise.

Once a GM stops overating the impact of draft picks...cap space can be manipulated by giving up picks.

And, you can always find late bloomers instead of developing your own picks. It's just a sentimental concept from the old NBA days.

Exactly. THis is what I think AK will excell at. Not being stuck just in the draft. Using FA and Trades to accumulate assets etc.

If ownership is willing to pay up, I think he will do a great job. I'm hoping that he received that commitment before committing.

since the last CBA just about every GM/ownership group is operating under the same financial constraints. few will even consider being in the luxury tax for more than a season or two

[Mech Engineer]

Exactly. THis is what I think AK will excell at. Not being stuck just in the draft. Using FA and Trades to accumulate assets etc.

If ownership is willing to pay up, I think he will do a great job. I'm hoping that he received that commitment before committing.

since the last CBA just about every GM/ownership group is operating under the same financial constraints. few will even consider being in the luxury tax for more than a season or two

There will be a lot of trade options available with the lost season(s) due to Covid. A lot of teams will sell off good players as they have less cash coming in. Yes, going deep into luxury tax is usually not an acceptable thing for any owner. But, if you are willing to dump draft picks, you can get out of luxury tax or atleast some part of it.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Another thing I would like to point out about Miami is how they arent hanged out to dry when playing defense.

You cant convince me Robinson, Herro, Olynick are good defenders. They aren't. But as a team they are making the right reads and helping.

[Dresden]

Every single key rotation player for the Heat who actually takes 3s (so everyone except for Bam Adebayo) is shooting 37% or better from deep in the playoffs. They have 4 guys (Robinson (2,6), Crowder (2,9), Dragic (3,0) and Herro (2,3)) making over 2 shots from deep per game. They also get to the line more than any other playoff team and make their foul shots at over 80% as a team.

Guess you could say they're on fire as a team...at the perfect time.

Miami pre-bubble was the #1 3P% in the league, so this isn't that unusual. The 3 is core their gameplan.

A lot of people won't admit it, but Miami is winning with Moreyball. 3s and free throws. Butler provides the FTs, everyone else is a 3 point shooter.

You can never have enough 3 pt shooters. Which is why it makes me nervous to think about drafting someone without a good 3 pt shot, hoping it will develop. Just look at the BOS/TOR series- whichever team is shooting well from 3 is winning. You need to have at least 5-6 guys on your team that are capable 3 pt shooters. It makes it so much harder on the defense if they can't ignore someone on the perimeter.