Around the NBA, Season 2021-2022

[Inigo Montoya]

A new season will be upon us shortly, so we might as well open a new thread.

As for recent events, I'm surprised the Wolves gave up so much for Beverley, and that they moved on from Culver so soon. He's an interesting prospect, and while his stats aren't very good, he played well in the games I've seen and he's stuck in a dysfunctional franchise. I wonder if we could get him somehow.

[AingesBurner]

I’m surprised Memphis traded him, he would be such a pest with Brooks and Anderson.

[MTJazzv3]

Not believing the Lakers are going to even make the WCF. Nets are going to win the Finals.

[AingesBurner]

Not believing the Lakers are going to even make the WCF. Nets are going to win the Finals.

Lakers are a semi finals exit, and I think Bucks go to the Finals again with Utah or Denver.

[dr0welf]

Not believing the Lakers are going to even make the WCF. Nets are going to win the Finals.

if anything has proven true over the past 30 years. Teams built on older veterans battle injury sometime throughout the playoffs that derail their opportunity. I think Lakers and Brooklyn are both going to be solid teams who can beat anybody but the injury bug in the playoffs will more then likely bite them both.

[Catchall]

Lakers were one of the worst offensive teams in the league last year. They struggled to score in the half court. Their game is to dominate the paint defensively and get out in transition, where they are very hard to stop. Bringing in Westbrook and Dwight doubles down on this general strategy, but their spacing on offense will be bad again, and their defense may actually take a step back overall.

Relying on Ellington, Monk and Carmelo to make big shots probably isn't sustainable, and the three of them are average or below average defensively. Guys like Carmelo, Ariza and Gasol aren't going to play major minutes at their age.

I think Denver or Utah comes out of the West this year. Brooklyn or Milwaukee should come out of the East.

[Crunch 99]

[Catchall]

Spoiler:

Given that last season was shortened to 72 games and that the Jazz lost both Mitchell and Conley to injury for the final month of the season, it's reasonable to expect the Jazz will be Over by at least 5 games.

[tugs]

Kyle Anderson would be a nice Joe Ingles that can play the 5

[Crunch 99]

Spoiler:

Given that last season was shortened to 72 games and that the Jazz lost both Mitchell and Conley to injury for the final month of the season, it's reasonable to expect the Jazz will be Over by at least 5 games.

I think some teams like Memphis, GS and even the dysfunctional Kings could potentially win a lot more games than they did last season, but yes, I will probably bet on the Jazz-over while crossing my fingers that Conley and the rest of the Jazz players can stay reasonably healthy. Go Jazz!

[MTJazzv3]

What's up with Dante Exum's reported HOU deal? Weirdest one I've seen: 3 yrs $15, non-guaranteed and half the total tied to incentives like mpg and +/-. Its like hey, if you can stay on the floor you can make $5/year if you are a good bench player but otherwise you could be cut any day. Anyone ever hear of a contract in any way tied to +/-? Weird!

[D Rog]

I saw a story about Dante Exum signing with Houston. I noticed the pic with the story was him in a Jazz uniform. Is that because he was never healthy enough to play in a Cavs or Rockets uniform?

[Inigo Montoya]

I saw a story about Dante Exum signing with Houston. I noticed the pic with the story was him in a Jazz uniform. Is that because he was never healthy enough to play in a Cavs or Rockets uniform?

He was hardly ever healthy to play in a Jazz uniform either.

[Inigo Montoya]

Man, that Sixers-Simmons situation is such a mess. It somehow managed to get even worse. Neither side looks good right now.

[tugs]

Next up: Brooklyn and Kyrie

[Inigo Montoya]

Next up: Brooklyn and Kyrie

Given Kyrie's situation, I wonder if they would entertain a Conley-Irving trade. I'm guessing the rules in Utah regarding vaccines are different so he won't be forced to get vaccinated in order to play, while the Nets still get a solid PG that might even be a better fit to their roster, though obviously Irving is the better player. There will have to be additional salaries attached in order for this to work, which makes it even less feasible.

[TNJazz]

While the idea is intriguing, Kyrie for Conley would mess up this team. The Jazz are completely invested in cohesion and chemistry. Watching several recent games, chemistry seems to be the buzz word around the league. Bucks have great chemistry, Hawks have great chemistry, Nets are worried about the chemistry surrounding Kyrie, Will the Lakers be able to develop team chemistry with their current collection of geezers (Side note: loved Barkley's statement on TNT "This Laker team is really good for 2010. )

Would the Jazz get a better player? yes, would they have a set back with who is the leader, etc? Absolutely. I think many are concerned about Conley's health holding up, but Kyrie has had issues as well, so this isn't the trade they need. It would get them in the national headlines more...

[Crunch 99]

Kyrie Irving is an intriguing, supremely talented offensive scorer, but I suspect Brooklyn might be more interested in making a Irving-Conley trade then the Jazz organization at this point. Conley seems committed to try to compete for a championship, Irving not so much; Conley appears to be well respected by Jazz players; his game is complementary to Donovan and Gobert's games; he is a better defensive player than Irving; he was a highly rated clutch scorer last season and his pick n roll with Gobert is steadily improving (if I am not mistaken). He's also a good mentor for Jared Butler and is a golf partner for the owner.

Conley obviously isn't as talented a scorer as Irving. And Conley has way more age related risk and probably more injury related risk too, but I am crossing my fingers for dear life that Conley can stay mostly healthy this season. Go Hot Yoga! Lol.

5/27/21 The Triple Team: Mike Conley beats six different types of pick-and-roll defense in order to push Jazz to terrific offensive night vs. Grizzlies
https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/27/triple-team-mike-conley/

[AingesBurner]

Kyrie Irving is an intriguing, supremely talented offensive scorer, but I suspect Brooklyn might be more interested in making a Irving-Conley trade then the Jazz organization would be at this point. Conley seems committed to try to compete for a championship, Irving not so much; Conley appears to be well respected by Jazz players; his game is complementary to Donovan and Gobert's games; he is a better defensive player than Irving; his pick n roll with Gobert is steadily improving (if I am not mistaken) and he was a highly rated clutch scorer last season. He's also a good mentor for Jared Butler and is a golf partner for the owner.

Conley obviously isn't as talented a scorer as Irving. And Conley has way more age related risk and probably more injury related risk, but I am crossing my fingers for dear life that Conley can stay mostly healthy this season. Go Hot Yoga! Lol.

5/27/21 The Triple Team: Mike Conley beats six different types of pick-and-roll defense in order to push Jazz to terrific offensive night vs. Grizzlies
https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/05/27/triple-team-mike-conley/

The time for Irving has come and gone. I respect him for sticking to his beliefs but I think he wouldn't gel with the locker room.

[red4hf]

It's crazy that he's not allowed to play...... Somehow last year the NBA was able to have a season even though no one was vaccinated...... So, how is him not being vaccinated now is such a problem?