Around The NBA : 21-22 Edition

[NecessaryEvil]

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[step]

Do we grab Cousins as a backup big?

Is he available?

Bucks about to waive him for roster flexibility.

That has to make you wonder.

[dabig3]

I hope Curry's mega slump is still happening in a week when the Warriors come into town. He looks horrid right now.

The Warriors are deep and scrappy enough to still win most of those games and they'll have Klay coming back, but it's starting to really show now.

[chifan1798]

Serious question: given Brooklyn's unique situation with Kyrie, if we ended up meeting them in the playoffs, would we be better off not having HCA? Put another way, would you rather have four games in Chicago against the Nets WITH Kyrie, or four games in Brooklyn against the Nets WITHOUT Kyrie? Just a thought I've been having.

So I have a question about this. Aren’t places like the United Center now requiring people to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the building as of Jan 3rd? So wouldn’t that mean that Kyrie couldn’t play any games against us? If that’s the correct assumption for now, I’m going to hope that they keep that requirement in place for the next 5 or so months!

[gf2020hotmail]

Davis Bertans left the Wizards game tonight with a foot sprain and didn't return so I'd imagine he'll be out Friday.

[RSP83]

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Perk, the guy I thought I would never share an opinion with. Lol!

[mj234eva]

Serious question: given Brooklyn's unique situation with Kyrie, if we ended up meeting them in the playoffs, would we be better off not having HCA? Put another way, would you rather have four games in Chicago against the Nets WITH Kyrie, or four games in Brooklyn against the Nets WITHOUT Kyrie? Just a thought I've been having.

So I have a question about this. Aren’t places like the United Center now requiring people to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the building as of Jan 3rd? So wouldn’t that mean that Kyrie couldn’t play any games against us? If that’s the correct assumption for now, I’m going to hope that they keep that requirement in place for the next 5 or so months!

The following individuals are exempted from the City’s Order and do NOT need to provide proof of vaccination:

Nonresident professional athletes and accompanying nonresidents who enter a covered location as part of their regular employment for purposes of the professional athlete/sports team competition

[sco]

Read on Twitter

?s=20

he looked good...I'm cool with trying to Boogey.

[chifan1798]

Serious question: given Brooklyn's unique situation with Kyrie, if we ended up meeting them in the playoffs, would we be better off not having HCA? Put another way, would you rather have four games in Chicago against the Nets WITH Kyrie, or four games in Brooklyn against the Nets WITHOUT Kyrie? Just a thought I've been having.

So I have a question about this. Aren’t places like the United Center now requiring people to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the building as of Jan 3rd? So wouldn’t that mean that Kyrie couldn’t play any games against us? If that’s the correct assumption for now, I’m going to hope that they keep that requirement in place for the next 5 or so months!

The following individuals are exempted from the City’s Order and do NOT need to provide proof of vaccination:

Nonresident professional athletes and accompanying nonresidents who enter a covered location as part of their regular employment for purposes of the professional athlete/sports team competition

Ok, I see. Too bad!

[Ice Man]

Boogie is fried, toast, done. But we're so desparate for anybody with size when Vuc is off the court that maybe it actually makes sense to bring him aboard?

[jc23]

I havent watched him play, might be a nice body to have if you matchup vs the sixers.

[sco]

Boogie is fried, toast, done. But we're so desparate for anybody with size when Vuc is off the court that maybe it actually makes sense to bring him aboard?

His stats in his different stats suggest he still has game. That said, there has to be a reason he isn't sticking. Worth a 10 day "try before you buy" deal.

[leo921]

Cousins would be perfect for us. No he is not prime Cousins but he is a big body that can post, shoot and pass and would do much better then Bradley. Cousins is also a good screener as well and would help against your bigger bodies especially when Vuc needs a break and what do you know you can get him for the vet min. Its a no brainer way to improve the roster that costs you nothing.

[MGB8]

Nets would’ve lost this game without Kyrie. This is no bueno for us, they’re going to be too good to overcome IMO. Literal cheat code

Absent something weird happening, I can’t see the Bulls getting past the Bucks, and Nets could get there too health and Kyrie depending.

Heck, getting past the Sixers would not be easy, and the Raps look like they are about to surge and we match up poorly against them.

One of the reasons I have little interest in a “big” move that overpays in assets for a player… where 2nd round is likely best realistic end point for these Bulls.

Don’t get me wrong - I love this team and this season, and think they have a “punchers chance,” because they have so many players who can get hot and make stupid shots…. but the East is rough.

I don't think I agree with this. I mean, it depends how we define "overpays in assets". I admit that I am less keen on trading Coby than I had been, given the way he's been playing of late. But I'm still absolutely willing to move Pat in a deal if it lands Barnes or Grant, and the money can work if it's Pat, Brown, Marko, and Thomas(I'd include Portland pick if necessary). I probably would not do any more than that, but I would do that.

It's not like the East is going to be dramatically different next season...Durant/Harden/Kyrie will still be in Brooklyn, this Bucks team will still be together, and the Sixers might even be in a stronger position depending on what happens with the Simmons situation.

We have been here before...one the league's best teams with a glaring hole in our starting lineup, and a cheap superteam in our way, and thinking we have plenty of time to make the next moves. I'd rather not make the same mistakes again. If we could have a rotation of

Vuc / Bradley
Grant or Barnes / DJJ / JaVonte
DeRozan / Ayo
Zach / Coby / McKinnie
Lonzo / Caruso

with maybe a Cousins or Tristan Thompson off the buyout heap to bolster backup C? Why wouldn't you put yourself in the best possible position?

Obviously I have no idea if those types of deals are available, but if they were, I'd do it.

I trust AKME right now so if they decide that PWill is too valuable to give up, than I'm ok. But I certainly think there's a very valid argument in favor of making such a deal if it's there. We don't want to shrink from the competition.

It goes to evaluations. On Coby, somewhat like you, I think that if he is playing at a high enough level to be worth something, he'd likely play a significant role in any chance that the Bulls had of knocking off the Bucks or Nets (or getting past the Sixers or Raptors - yes, I've moved the Raptors up into the "2nd tier" eastern conference teams with the Bulls and no-Simmons Sixers, and maybe the Heat if not too banged up - although the Heat scare me the least).

Coby's ability to get hot and just hit hard shots can be the difference between winning and losing in the playoffs, where defenses lock down. That said, I'm not huge on him long-term for the Bulls because of cost issues - so he'd be the "potential value" guy that I'd be most willing to move.

As for Pat, I'm still pretty high on him as a high level role player. It sucks that he got hurt because I think, much like Coby acclimating and showing the skills* that people like in him would have already shined through. From the games that he played this season that I was able to watch, the concerns were way over-blown. He was active on defense with a good number of plays, and generally playing smart ball - just "thinking" too much.

So let's look at the options:

Siakam ---- would have theoretically been an option if Barnes didn't come into the league a grown man. Now TO has to be gunning for the playoffs and potentially making some noise.

Harrison Barnes --- Pat is going to be functionally equivalent to Barnes within a season or two. Note that Barnes has cooled off after a hot start, too (like last night's 3 of 10, 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists in a home loss to the Trae-Young-less Hawks - where Reddish and TLC out-produced him).

Jerami Grant is a more interesting target in that there's higher defensive upside - but WAY bigger downside.

First, he's injured (granted, a thumb, but shooting hand). Second, he left Denver because wanted a bigger offensive role. He got that with the move - his usage jumping from the mid-to high teens to the high 20s. He wouldn't get that in Chicago - would that be a problem for him. Third, he hasn't been a consistent shooter, basically ever. He has good seasons at 37-39% (on middling volume) and bad seasons at 29-33% (on middling or high volume). Even assuming that he's shoot towards the high end on the Bulls... that's still not as good as Pat shoots (and without the role question).

Grant also had a negative plus minus in Denver. Oh, and his per36 rebounding is less than Pat's per36 rebounding last season....

I have significant concerns about trading a cheap contract, better shooter, equivalent or better rebounder, for a more expenses, older, potentially role-problem player. And it wouldn't be *just* Pat - it would be Pat PLUS assets - likely including DJJ (a significant contributor so far) and the Portland pick on top of Pat for Grant.

If AKME and Donovan feel like it's worth it - I'll go with their judgement... but I have serious doubts.

I feel like a smaller move - for one of OKC's guys (Roby) - maybe even a "stud 2nd round rookie role player" swap of Ayo (potentially plus the Portland pick) for the Pelican's Herb Jones... would make a lot more sense.

[kodo]

Boogie is fried, toast, done. But we're so desparate for anybody with size when Vuc is off the court that maybe it actually makes sense to bring him aboard?

His stats in his different stats suggest he still has game. That said, there has to be a reason he isn't sticking. Worth a 10 day "try before you buy" deal.

Most people think it's financial not basketball. Boogy's contract becomes guaranteed tomorrow. Cousins was probably always going to be temporary while waiting for Lopez, and Bobby has been killing it. When Lopez comes back Cousins is really the 3rd string center, can't play PF, and MIL is in the lux tax.

Giannis is out and Bobby is still only playing 20 mpg, he really should be playing 30+ if Giannis is out.

Cousins is min, so he'll pick where he goes. If we wants to play here that's great, but a guy averaging per 36, 19 & 12 with 2 steals & 1 block is going to have a lot of teams to choose from.

The entire lux tax issue that Milwaukee is facing is a forecast of the same problems we'll face if we go into the lux tax for our PF solution like a lot of people want to do.

[WookieOnRitalin]

Boogie is fried, toast, done. But we're so desparate for anybody with size when Vuc is off the court that maybe it actually makes sense to bring him aboard?

His stats in his different stats suggest he still has game. That said, there has to be a reason he isn't sticking. Worth a 10 day "try before you buy" deal.

Most people think it's financial not basketball. Boogy's contract becomes guaranteed tomorrow. Cousins was probably always going to be temporary while waiting for Lopez, and Bobby has been killing it. When Lopez comes back Cousins is really the 3rd string center, can't play PF, and MIL is in the lux tax.

Giannis is out and Bobby is still only playing 20 mpg, he really should be playing 30+ if Giannis is out.

Cousins is min, so he'll pick where he goes. If we wants to play here that's great, but a guy averaging per 36, 19 & 12 with 2 steals & 1 block is going to have a lot of teams to choose from.

The entire lux tax issue that Milwaukee is facing is a forecast of the same problems we'll face if we go into the lux tax for our PF solution like a lot of people want to do.

Wait, what?

This is a strange sequence of events.

So he is dinged for not playing a lot, but then he then praised based on his per 36 stats?

Which is it? He played essentially the same minutes as Bobby in that game you're referring and put up better stats in less time. That seems like an asset worth having.

I do not know whether AK will take a look at Cousins, but he would be a fool not to at least make a phone call if there is a guy who is playing THAT efficient. Hell, he may even just change teams IN THE DIVISION just out of spite considering we have 4 games left against Milwaukee?

We could use the depth. I'm interested to see what else shakes loose with other teams, but I would not be disappointed if Cousins was added to the roster.

[WookieOnRitalin]

I went ahead and looked at Utah's schedule for the last 2 months. Holy crap has it been soft. The have only played two teams with winning records recently (GS and Mia) and lost both games. Everyone they have played is either .500 or worse. Now the Northwest looks like a dumpster fire as well. I think Utah is a solid team, but I wonder if their record is a little inflated right now. I do not know what their record is against winning teams, but it probably is not that great.

[madvillian]

Not much of a "punch" thrown by Nurk, more of jab really. Stupid move by Herro to push him in the back.

[d boy gentleman]

Curry has been in a rough shooting slump. His shooting splits(besides FT%) overall have been career lows.

Curry is a great player but let's be honest, he's been nothing but a shot jacker this season. 80% of his shots are 3's from 30 feet out.

[Michael Jackson]

Boogie is fried, toast, done. But we're so desparate for anybody with size when Vuc is off the court that maybe it actually makes sense to bring him aboard?

Is he better than Jordan Bell? Yeah then we should. Boogie doesn’t even have to be even close to great, just better than Tony Bradley.