2021-22 regular season thread

[toooskies]

It was later refuted by Paul, but it wouldn't surprise me if LBJ let the Lakers know they need to add that 2027 1st to potential trade packages if that's what it takes to get something done. They're going to have quite the hangover out in L.A.

Assuming he remains professional, what's his play at this point in his career besides retiring if the Lakers don't do what he wants?

If the Lakers are looking forward to giving LeBron a full-max extension at 39 years old, more power to them I suppose. Alas, unlike the Cavs they can endure without their picks by snagging free-agents as long as they don't completely wreck their financial flexibility with ridiculous max contracts to over-the-hill always injured players...

Hmm, they need to be careful ...

LBJ isn't getting a max deal from anyone at 39. He's barely a full time player at 37 and not team is going to be competitive using a full max slot on LBJ at that age. The Lakers didn't even give Kobe a max deal at the end.

Barely a full-time player while being top 5 in the league in minutes?

[jbk1234]

Assuming he remains professional, what's his play at this point in his career besides retiring if the Lakers don't do what he wants?

If the Lakers are looking forward to giving LeBron a full-max extension at 39 years old, more power to them I suppose. Alas, unlike the Cavs they can endure without their picks by snagging free-agents as long as they don't completely wreck their financial flexibility with ridiculous max contracts to over-the-hill always injured players...

Hmm, they need to be careful ...

LBJ isn't getting a max deal from anyone at 39. He's barely a full time player at 37 and not team is going to be competitive using a full max slot on LBJ at that age. The Lakers didn't even give Kobe a max deal at the end.

Barely a full-time player while being top 5 in the league in minutes?

How many regular season games has LBJ missed since joining the Lakers.

[toooskies]

LBJ isn't getting a max deal from anyone at 39. He's barely a full time player at 37 and not team is going to be competitive using a full max slot on LBJ at that age. The Lakers didn't even give Kobe a max deal at the end.

Barely a full-time player while being top 5 in the league in minutes?

How many regular season games has LBJ missed since joining the Lakers.

Fewer than much younger guys like Kevin Love, Caris LeVert, or Anthony Davis.

[JonFromVA]

Barely a full-time player while being top 5 in the league in minutes?

How many regular season games has LBJ missed since joining the Lakers.

Fewer than much younger guys like Kevin Love, Caris LeVert, or Anthony Davis.

And playing just a wee better than post-injury Kobe... in 2 years? We shall see...

[Harper4Ferry?]

I can’t believe they gave JBB a multi year extension. Surely not earned and he’s nothing special.

[toooskies]

I can’t believe they gave JBB a multi year extension. Surely not earned and he’s nothing special.

Getting best-case performance out of Garland, Love, Allen, Osman; making a roster with no starting wings not just exceed expectations, but exceed most people's best-case beliefs, work; designing an offense with three seven-footers That works; and most of all, keeping the team motivated and always being ready to compete.

You can attribute that all to Ricky Rubio, but Ricky Rubio may only be on the team at the request of JBB!

[mcfly1204]

I can’t believe they gave JBB a multi year extension. Surely not earned and he’s nothing special.

Getting best-case performance out of Garland, Love, Allen, Osman; making a roster with no starting wings not just exceed expectations, but exceed most people's best-case beliefs, work; designing an offense with three seven-footers That works; and most of all, keeping the team motivated and always being ready to compete.

You can attribute that all to Ricky Rubio, but Ricky Rubio may only be on the team at the request of JBB!

I think he forgot the green font?

[jbk1234]

I'm fine with the extension. It's not like the money will stop Gilbert from moving on if there's a need. He's paid Mike Brown, Blatt, Lue, and Beilein a ton of money not to coach the Cavs.

[Harper4Ferry?]

I'm fine with the extension. It's not like the money will stop Gilbert from moving on if there's a need. He's paid Mike Brown, Blatt, Lue, and Beilein a ton of money not to coach the Cavs.

I suppose we lead the universe in dead coaching money. I just don’t think JBB has proven anything yet. At least let him get a playoff win first.

[jbk1234]

I'm fine with the extension. It's not like the money will stop Gilbert from moving on if there's a need. He's paid Mike Brown, Blatt, Lue, and Beilein a ton of money not to coach the Cavs.

I suppose we lead the universe in dead coaching money. I just don’t think JBB has proven anything yet. At least let him get a playoff win first.

The players like playing for him, we're starting to develop a culture and identity. The offense looks considerably more sophisticated with Garland/Rubio running it. We've outperformed all expectations. I'm fine with it.

[JonFromVA]

At this rate (there's still a lot of games to play) JBB is going to be a a coach of the year candidate. There's no downside because Gilbert will fire him if it comes to that, but this organization needs continuity and stability far more than a merry-go-round of coaches and GMs.

This may even let JBB think a little more long-term, eventually. I think for now these wins are very precious to everyone.

Koby Altman may very well be next if the Cavs care to keep JBB and Koby deals in lock-step.

[Harper4Ferry?]

What would we even give up for Simmons? Rubio/Okoro/Windler and some picks for Simmons and 2 min salary guys? Something like that?

[jbk1234]

What would we even give up for Simmons? Rubio/Okoro/Windler and some picks for Simmons and 2 min salary guys? Something like that?

Are we better if we give up Okoro and Rubio for Simmons?

[toooskies]

What would we even give up for Simmons? Rubio/Okoro/Windler and some picks for Simmons and 2 min salary guys? Something like that?

Are we better if we give up Okoro and Rubio for Simmons?

No, but mostly because we end up being one guard short of a real rotation. Valentine would be getting regular minutes.

[Harper4Ferry?]

What would we even give up for Simmons? Rubio/Okoro/Windler and some picks for Simmons and 2 min salary guys? Something like that?

Are we better if we give up Okoro and Rubio for Simmons?

I doubt they would want Love so if we’re in on Simmons it has to be Rubio. Maybe it’s Rubio/Sexton/Windler. That barely works to be able to bring back Simmons money wise.

[jbk1234]

What would we even give up for Simmons? Rubio/Okoro/Windler and some picks for Simmons and 2 min salary guys? Something like that?

Are we better if we give up Okoro and Rubio for Simmons?

No, but mostly because we end up being one guard short of a real rotation. Valentine would be getting regular minutes.

I just watched the Woj clip. He said it would be interesting to see if Cleveland *re-engages with Philly* because they have *very interesting assets and Simmons is only 25.*

That sounds to me like the teams aren't even talking and haven't been in awhile. I suspect we're being used as a stalking horse by either Klutch, Philly, or both.

If Love and Sexton were the initial offer, and they haven't talked since, I can't see us deciding after our start to do anything other than add a couple picks. Tbh, I hope we're just out on Simmons altogether.

[LivingLegend]

Are we better if we give up Okoro and Rubio for Simmons?

No, but mostly because we end up being one guard short of a real rotation. Valentine would be getting regular minutes.

I just watched the Woj clip. He said it would be interesting to see if Cleveland *re-engages with Philly* because they have *very interesting assets and Simmons is only 25.*

That sounds to me like the teams aren't even talking and haven't been in awhile. I suspect we're being used as a stalking horse by either Klutch, Philly, or both.

If Love and Sexton were the initial offer, and they haven't talked since, I can't see us deciding after our start to do anything other than add a couple picks. Tbh, I hope we're just out on Simmons altogether.

Here's the question. Despite having a bit more of a scoring punch are Simmons and Rubio really that different? They are incredibly similar players in terms of strengths/weaknesses.

They are both exceptional defenders for their position, pass first players on offense who can provide a bit of scoring when needed while being limited with their shooting.

After watching the Cavs play this year, would moving Rubio for Simmons make the Cavs better even if it was a 1 for 1 swap?

[toooskies]

No, but mostly because we end up being one guard short of a real rotation. Valentine would be getting regular minutes.

I just watched the Woj clip. He said it would be interesting to see if Cleveland *re-engages with Philly* because they have *very interesting assets and Simmons is only 25.*

That sounds to me like the teams aren't even talking and haven't been in awhile. I suspect we're being used as a stalking horse by either Klutch, Philly, or both.

If Love and Sexton were the initial offer, and they haven't talked since, I can't see us deciding after our start to do anything other than add a couple picks. Tbh, I hope we're just out on Simmons altogether.

Here's the question. Despite having a bit more of a scoring punch are Simmons and Rubio really that different? They are incredibly similar players in terms of strengths/weaknesses.

They are both exceptional defenders for their position, pass first players on offense who can provide a bit of scoring when needed while being limited with their shooting.

After watching the Cavs play this year, would moving Rubio for Simmons make the Cavs better even if it was a 1 for 1 swap?

Well, Simmons is a DPOY candidate and Rubio is just sort of average-to-above-average defensively. Calling them both "exceptional" is a stretch.

[jbk1234]

I just watched the Woj clip. He said it would be interesting to see if Cleveland *re-engages with Philly* because they have *very interesting assets and Simmons is only 25.*

That sounds to me like the teams aren't even talking and haven't been in awhile. I suspect we're being used as a stalking horse by either Klutch, Philly, or both.

If Love and Sexton were the initial offer, and they haven't talked since, I can't see us deciding after our start to do anything other than add a couple picks. Tbh, I hope we're just out on Simmons altogether.

Here's the question. Despite having a bit more of a scoring punch are Simmons and Rubio really that different? They are incredibly similar players in terms of strengths/weaknesses.

They are both exceptional defenders for their position, pass first players on offense who can provide a bit of scoring when needed while being limited with their shooting.

After watching the Cavs play this year, would moving Rubio for Simmons make the Cavs better even if it was a 1 for 1 swap?

Well, Simmons is a DPOY candidate and Rubio is just sort of average-to-above-average defensively. Calling them both "exceptional" is a stretch.

Rubio's better than him offensively though. Simmons having no shooting range, to say nothing of his free throw issues and contract, just make it too problematic for me. If we were in the Kings situation, losing more than winning with young guys who disappointed, sure, take the chance. But it just seems crazy to me offer real value when things are going well.

[toooskies]

Here's the question. Despite having a bit more of a scoring punch are Simmons and Rubio really that different? They are incredibly similar players in terms of strengths/weaknesses.

They are both exceptional defenders for their position, pass first players on offense who can provide a bit of scoring when needed while being limited with their shooting.

After watching the Cavs play this year, would moving Rubio for Simmons make the Cavs better even if it was a 1 for 1 swap?

Well, Simmons is a DPOY candidate and Rubio is just sort of average-to-above-average defensively. Calling them both "exceptional" is a stretch.

Rubio's better than him offensively though. Simmons having no shooting range, to say nothing of his free throw issues and contract, just make it too problematic for me. If we were in the Kings situation, losing more than winning with young guys who disappointed, sure, take the chance. But it just seems crazy to me offer real value when things are going well.

Simmons makes his twos at a decent rate. As long as the FT issue was a slump and not a permanent decline, I have Rubio and Simmons as equal offensively.

I'm not arguing for the Cavs to make a Simmons trade (off-court performance matters too, especially with this team), I'm just saying he's a better player than Rubio if his head's on straight.