Around The NBA : 21-22 Edition

[Bulls2021]

Jokic with another monster game by the 3rd quarter. The guy is absolutely unreal. He's got what it takes to be a top 25 all time player. With AK here, and Chicago being a boasting a large Serbian population, it seems like a perfect fit. Bulls need to put themselves in a good position to acquire him 2 years from now. This draft and whenever we get the Portland pick (hopefully this year or next) will be extremely important in case we need to provide prospects for another team to eat a contract (derozen) in order to max Jokic. If Jokic falls through, you got for LaMelo the next year.

[sco]

Knicks down again now to Denver by 16 points in the 2nd qtr. Why? They will pack the paint and try to collapse and give up open 3s. Last year, teams were not shooting too well vs Knicks so they were able to win those games.

This year, more and more teams have figured out Thibs' D, and now they are knocking down 3s and making Thibs Knicks defense look stupidly bad now.

Not surprised.

Coming into the season I thought the Knicks would drop a bit in the standings. Not because they're not a good team (they're good), but because other teams improved.

IMO 3 things are hurting the Knicks. Losing Bullock - who was a great 3-D player, the fact that Noel's been out a bunch, and the fact that Barrett's offensive game has struggled (especially his shooting).

[Dan Z]

Jokic with another monster game by the 3rd quarter. The guy is absolutely unreal. He's got what it takes to be a top 25 all time player. With AK here, and Chicago being a boasting a large Serbian population, it seems like a perfect fit. Bulls need to put themselves in a good position to acquire him 2 years from now. This draft and whenever we get the Portland pick (hopefully this year or next) will be extremely important in case we need to provide prospects for another team to eat a contract (derozen) in order to max Jokic. If Jokic falls through, you got for LaMelo the next year.

How many rookies, who are good, leave after their rookie contracts are up? None? 1?

My guess is LeMelo signs an extension with Charlotte, which means if the Bulls want him they'd have to trade for him.

I have no idea what Jokic plans on doing.

[Bulls2021]

Jokic with another monster game by the 3rd quarter. The guy is absolutely unreal. He's got what it takes to be a top 25 all time player. With AK here, and Chicago being a boasting a large Serbian population, it seems like a perfect fit. Bulls need to put themselves in a good position to acquire him 2 years from now. This draft and whenever we get the Portland pick (hopefully this year or next) will be extremely important in case we need to provide prospects for another team to eat a contract (derozen) in order to max Jokic. If Jokic falls through, you got for LaMelo the next year.

How many rookies, who are good, leave after their rookie contracts are up? None? 1?

My guess is LeMelo signs an extension with Charlotte, which means if the Bulls want him they'd have to trade for him.

I have no idea what Jokic plans on doing.

This is a different scenario. Lavar already made it clear he wants the boys playing together in Chicago. If playing together in Chicago results in a resurgence of Big Baller Brand, LaMelo could make more here even with the contract difference.

[Dan Z]

Jokic with another monster game by the 3rd quarter. The guy is absolutely unreal. He's got what it takes to be a top 25 all time player. With AK here, and Chicago being a boasting a large Serbian population, it seems like a perfect fit. Bulls need to put themselves in a good position to acquire him 2 years from now. This draft and whenever we get the Portland pick (hopefully this year or next) will be extremely important in case we need to provide prospects for another team to eat a contract (derozen) in order to max Jokic. If Jokic falls through, you got for LaMelo the next year.

How many rookies, who are good, leave after their rookie contracts are up? None? 1?

My guess is LeMelo signs an extension with Charlotte, which means if the Bulls want him they'd have to trade for him.

I have no idea what Jokic plans on doing.

This is a different scenario. Lavar already made it clear he wants the boys playing together in Chicago. If playing together in Chicago results in a resurgence of Big Baller Brand, LaMelo could make more here even with the contract difference.

Sure, but even if he wants to come here a deal has to be made. Charlotte will want a lot for him in a trade.

Also, Lavar talks a lot. I wouldn't trust anything he says.

[Bulls2021]

How many rookies, who are good, leave after their rookie contracts are up? None? 1?

My guess is LeMelo signs an extension with Charlotte, which means if the Bulls want him they'd have to trade for him.

I have no idea what Jokic plans on doing.

This is a different scenario. Lavar already made it clear he wants the boys playing together in Chicago. If playing together in Chicago results in a resurgence of Big Baller Brand, LaMelo could make more here even with the contract difference.

Sure, but even if he wants to come here a deal has to be made. Charlotte will want a lot for him in a trade.

Also, Lavar talks a lot. I wouldn't trust anything he says.

Basketball contract rules are confusing as **** compared to baseball, so I may be reading this wrong. LaMelo could decide to sign the 1 year QO with Charlotte for his 5th season, and then he would be an unrestricted free agent the next season, correct? It's a gamble when he could secure much more with Charlotte, but it seems like a gamble he may make.

[Dan Z]

This is a different scenario. Lavar already made it clear he wants the boys playing together in Chicago. If playing together in Chicago results in a resurgence of Big Baller Brand, LaMelo could make more here even with the contract difference.

Sure, but even if he wants to come here a deal has to be made. Charlotte will want a lot for him in a trade.

Also, Lavar talks a lot. I wouldn't trust anything he says.

Basketball contract rules are confusing as **** compared to baseball, so I may be reading this wrong. LaMelo could decide to sign the 1 year QO with Charlotte for his 5th season, and then he would be an unrestricted free agent the next season, correct? It's a gamble when he could secure much more with Charlotte, but it seems like a gamble he may make.

He can do that, but historically it has rarely happened (if at all....someone else would know for sure). Then, if he does that, the Bulls need the cap space to sign him (which they most likely won't have).

I'm not trying to post against the idea, but wanted to give you a few thoughts that I think are realistic reasons why he probably won't end up here.

I also think the Bulls would be better off using their resources elsewhere because they already have Lonzo, Caruso and Zach.

[dice]

Jokic with another monster game by the 3rd quarter. The guy is absolutely unreal. He's got what it takes to be a top 25 all time player. With AK here, and Chicago being a boasting a large Serbian population, it seems like a perfect fit. Bulls need to put themselves in a good position to acquire him 2 years from now. This draft and whenever we get the Portland pick (hopefully this year or next) will be extremely important in case we need to provide prospects for another team to eat a contract (derozen) in order to max Jokic. If Jokic falls through, you got for LaMelo the next year.

is there any indication that jokic is unhappy in denver? they're gonna do whatever they can to hold onto him

[kodo]

Knicks down again now to Denver by 16 points in the 2nd qtr. Why? They will pack the paint and try to collapse and give up open 3s. Last year, teams were not shooting too well vs Knicks so they were able to win those games.

This year, more and more teams have figured out Thibs' D, and now they are knocking down 3s and making Thibs Knicks defense look stupidly bad now.

Not surprised.

It was very flukey last year when they allowed the most open 3s but opponents bizarrely shot poorly on them. A lot of analysts wondered how long it would last.

Knicks triple teamed Aaron Gordon and he didn't even have the ball @2:49:

Watch on YouTube

[Bulls2021]

Jokic with another monster game by the 3rd quarter. The guy is absolutely unreal. He's got what it takes to be a top 25 all time player. With AK here, and Chicago being a boasting a large Serbian population, it seems like a perfect fit. Bulls need to put themselves in a good position to acquire him 2 years from now. This draft and whenever we get the Portland pick (hopefully this year or next) will be extremely important in case we need to provide prospects for another team to eat a contract (derozen) in order to max Jokic. If Jokic falls through, you got for LaMelo the next year.

is there any indication that jokic is unhappy in denver? they're gonna do whatever they can to hold onto him

I just don't see them winning given MPJ's contract and injury woes. He has to hope Murray comes back full strength. If he's going to go anywhere else, Chicago seems like the ideal spot.

[BeatDaCavs420]

The Warriors have cut a 95-76 deficit to 99-92 in 3 minutes 18 seconds.

More example of how fast leads can just go away in todays NBA

[DASMACKDOWN]

The schedule is kind of crazy on teams. GS has an emotional win over the Suns but play a back to back. They were getting blown out by the Spurs before they made a comeback but fell short. Just proof all wins and losses arent built the same.

[kodo]

EC teams vs winning teams, .500 and above:

Chicago 9-4
Washington 8-6
Miami 9-8
Milwaukee 6-5

No other team with a winning record (including Brooklyn).
The only teams better than Chicago vs winning teams are GS & PHO.

[Andi Obst]

The Blazers blowing it up is becoming more and more likely. I hope they somehow manage to be juuuust good enough to make the playoffs.

[NecessaryEvil]

The Blazers blowing it up is becoming more and more likely. I hope they somehow manage to be juuuust good enough to make the playoffs.

we're probably not getting that pick this year.

[kodo]

The Blazers blowing it up is becoming more and more likely. I hope they somehow manage to be juuuust good enough to make the playoffs.

we're probably not getting that pick this year.

I've come to accept that pick might never convey if they start their rebuild. On the bright side, the WC is so bad the 5th seed is still only .500, and POR is only 1 game behind .500 without Lillard.

[DuckIII]

If there was ever any doubt that Pop is the best NBA coach of all time, his ability to get his team to vastly outplay its talent level these last three years resolved the question in his favor.

What he’s done over the course of his career is absolutely remarkable. Plus he appears to be an awesome human being.

[VolumePoster]

Jokic with another monster game by the 3rd quarter. The guy is absolutely unreal. He's got what it takes to be a top 25 all time player. With AK here, and Chicago being a boasting a large Serbian population, it seems like a perfect fit. Bulls need to put themselves in a good position to acquire him 2 years from now. This draft and whenever we get the Portland pick (hopefully this year or next) will be extremely important in case we need to provide prospects for another team to eat a contract (derozen) in order to max Jokic. If Jokic falls through, you got for LaMelo the next year.

is there any indication that jokic is unhappy in denver? they're gonna do whatever they can to hold onto him

I've never heard them. But MPJ back surgery can come into play here. Who is his co-star? Murray? Sooner or later you want to be playing for titles.

I don't doubt they will do everything. But, as a Serbian mutt from Chicago, I can tell you that the tribal stuff is reaaaaaaaally important to some folks. Not to me, but definitely to some. The relationship to AK would matter as well.

I highly doubt Joker chooses to leave Denver given the financials make it highly irrational. But if there is one thing even a cursory glance at our particular cultural history will tell you, it's that passion often rules reason.

[DASMACKDOWN]

The Blazers blowing it up is becoming more and more likely. I hope they somehow manage to be juuuust good enough to make the playoffs.

we're probably not getting that pick this year.

I've come to accept that pick might never convey if they start their rebuild. On the bright side, the WC is so bad the 5th seed is still only .500, and POR is only 1 game behind .500 without Lillard.

Its till 2026 so we still have time. But I think its a lock they keep their pick this year. Dame really is playing like 60% of himself this year. They didnt make any significant moves. New coach and new President/GM on the way. The rebuild has already begun even if Dame wants to stay.

[Pax for Prez]

we're probably not getting that pick this year.

I've come to accept that pick might never convey if they start their rebuild. On the bright side, the WC is so bad the 5th seed is still only .500, and POR is only 1 game behind .500 without Lillard.

Its till 2026 so we still have time. But I think its a lock they keep their pick this year. Dame really is playing like 60% of himself this year. They didnt make any significant moves. New coach and new President/GM on the way. The rebuild has already begun even if Dame wants to stay.

FYI - 2022 first round draft pick from Portland
Portland's 1st round pick to Chicago protected for selections 1-14 in 2022, 1-14 in 2023, 1-14 in 2024, 1-14 in 2025, 1-14 in 2026, 1-14 in 2027 and 1-14 in 2028; if Portland has not conveyed a 1st round pick to Chicago by 2028, then Portland will instead convey its 2028 2nd round pick to Chicago [Chicago-Portland

Either the Bulls will forfeit the Denver protected 2nd rd pick ( #47 -60) or their own 2nd rd pick in 2026, since they are unable to trade any of their future 2nd rd picks until after the forfeit is complete.