NBA General Discussion

[MVP1992]

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[Iverson Armband]

I agree that the best way to create a team is through homegrown talent. But Indiana traded for Siakum. Let’s not conveniently forget that either. I think you have to be shrewd with both.

[Mik317]

you just can't have ass players in your rotation.

We had Lowry, Gordon, and Drummond as major rotation guys. Our benches have been booty butt juice for decades (ironically the only time it wasn't was when our starters were lol). Its hard to win games when you require your starters to never have off nights ever because their backups will not save you. Its not just the back up big thing either. In the playoffs, the very moment an unplayble guy hits the floor, good teams will like laser in on him and thats an easy 10-0 run lol. During this series, whenever Ben Sheppard is in, OKC seems to play defense in a manner that makes sure he has to take the open look..and thats been a miss or a turnover often.

Thats the new meta of the league...no poopy butt players can exist in the playoffs...which means he has to be able to hit open shots (and for us sadly actually take them which is still crazy that we have cornered the market on guys scared to shoot), not die on defense, and maybe be able to attack a close out. PJ Tuckers of the world who are great defenders and can hit the corner 3 are still being phased out as well. Its a new world.

[Arsenal]

I agree that the best way to create a team is through homegrown talent. But Indiana traded for Siakum. Let’s not conveniently forget that either. I think you have to be shrewd with both.

They drafted Turner, Nembhard, Mathurin, Sheppard and Walker. Siakam, Haliburton, Toppin, and Nesmith came via trade, and TJ was a free agent signing.

[Iverson Armband]

I agree that the best way to create a team is through homegrown talent. But Indiana traded for Siakum. Let’s not conveniently forget that either. I think you have to be shrewd with both.

They drafted Turner, Nembhard, Mathurin, Sheppard and Walker. Siakam, Haliburton, Toppin, and Nesmith came via trade, and TJ was a free agent signing.

I didn’t include Haliburton because it was basically a swap of homegrown talent. But your point still stands.

[MVP1992]

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[Iscull]

you just can't have ass players in your rotation.

We had Lowry, Gordon, and Drummond as major rotation guys. Our benches have been booty butt juice for decades (ironically the only time it wasn't was when our starters were lol). Its hard to win games when you require your starters to never have off nights ever because their backups will not save you. Its not just the back up big thing either. In the playoffs, the very moment an unplayble guy hits the floor, good teams will like laser in on him and thats an easy 10-0 run lol. During this series, whenever Ben Sheppard is in, OKC seems to play defense in a manner that makes sure he has to take the open look..and thats been a miss or a turnover often.

Thats the new meta of the league...no poopy butt players can exist in the playoffs...which means he has to be able to hit open shots (and for us sadly actually take them which is still crazy that we have cornered the market on guys scared to shoot), not die on defense, and maybe be able to attack a close out. PJ Tuckers of the world who are great defenders and can hit the corner 3 are still being phased out as well. Its a new world.

Let's not forget Reggie Jackson and Dowtin received a good amount of playing time as well... Just awful.

It's crucial that we retool this offseason to add quality depth. I like McCain (Who may even start), Edwards, and Bona. Outside of them we have Gordon, Lonnie Walker and Jared Butler (If we exercise club options). Not good...

[Stanford]

I agree that the best way to create a team is through homegrown talent. But Indiana traded for Siakum. Let’s not conveniently forget that either. I think you have to be shrewd with both.

I think we can say the only thing that doesn't work is these massive draft pick trades for older or not-quite superstars. No true title contender is trading 5 unprotected firsts for a fading 34 year old or Mikal Bridges. They're drafting well and making smart incremental moves in free agency or for a maximum of two first round picks.

Trading every unprotected first you can is always a suckers move.

[Iverson Armband]

I agree that the best way to create a team is through homegrown talent. But Indiana traded for Siakum. Let’s not conveniently forget that either. I think you have to be shrewd with both.

I think we can say the only thing that doesn't work is these massive draft pick trades for older or not-quite superstars. No true title contender is trading 5 unprotected firsts for a fading 34 year old or Mikal Bridges. They're drafting well and making smart incremental moves in free agency or for a maximum of two first round picks.

Trading every unprotected first you can is always a suckers move.

I don’t think we can say anything 100% doesn’t work. Just like there isn’t one way to build a team. Siakum is not a superstar and not particularly young. Pacers traded 3 1sts for him if I’m not mistaken.

[Jailblazers7]

The closest thing to a “formula” in the modern NBA is to build around homegrown talent + make a well-timed & opportunistic move to put your team over the top.

Examples:
Boston - White, Holiday, and KP trades + homegrown core/bench

Milwaukee - homegrown with Giannis/Middleton & Jrue trade put them over the top

Pacers - Siakim trade

OKC - Caruso trade + Hartenstein signing

Denver - Aaron Gordon trade

[Stanford]

Siakum is not a superstar and not particularly young. Pacers traded 3 1sts for him if I’m not mistaken.

I don't consider that to be the same as trading control of half of your drafts unprotected for the next 8 years. The Pacers traded two 2024 firsts they knew would be out of the lottery and a 2026 first with protections.

[Iverson Armband]

Siakum is not a superstar and not particularly young. Pacers traded 3 1sts for him if I’m not mistaken.

I don't consider that to be the same as trading control of half of your drafts unprotected for the next 8 years. The Pacers traded two 2024 firsts they knew would be out of the lottery and a 2026 first with protections.

Magic #16 this year is out of the lottery. Next years pick is likely out of lottery. Two unprotected picks in 2028 and 2030 could potentially be lottery picks. Weren’t going to get Bane for free.

[mjkvol]

I agree that the best way to create a team is through homegrown talent. But Indiana traded for Siakum. Let’s not conveniently forget that either. I think you have to be shrewd with both.

The point isn't that it's just homegrown players, it's building your core through draft and development, and adding players strategically that fit your culture and scheme, as opposed to "star hunting", which is all the George signing was about - adding that coveted "third star".

Siakam was kind of a final piece to their puzzle, the same way that trading a lottery pick in Giddey for Caruso and signing Hartenstein were strategic moves that fit the scheme and culture at OKC. Tobias, snickers aside, was adding a veteran to set an example for a very young group. Same with FVV in Houston.

Build through the draft, have some patience, and then add players that fit using your accumulated assets. It isn't rocket science, and more teams are seeing the benefit. I'd love to join that group, and would be more than happy to sacrifice '25-'26 as a reset year to once again clear the deck. Next time, just don't f***k it up again.

[mjkvol]

I agree that the best way to create a team is through homegrown talent. But Indiana traded for Siakum. Let’s not conveniently forget that either. I think you have to be shrewd with both.

They drafted Turner, Nembhard, Mathurin, Sheppard and Walker. Siakam, Haliburton, Toppin, and Nesmith came via trade, and TJ was a free agent signing.

True, but it was still an organically built team, adding players to the core that fit the scheme and culture, not searching for "stars".

[mjkvol]

I agree that the best way to create a team is through homegrown talent. But Indiana traded for Siakum. Let’s not conveniently forget that either. I think you have to be shrewd with both.

I think we can say the only thing that doesn't work is these massive draft pick trades for older or not-quite superstars. No true title contender is trading 5 unprotected firsts for a fading 34 year old or Mikal Bridges. They're drafting well and making smart incremental moves in free agency or for a maximum of two first round picks.

Trading every unprotected first you can is always a suckers move.

I don’t think we can say anything 100% doesn’t work. Just like there isn’t one way to build a team. Siakum is not a superstar and not particularly young. Pacers traded 3 1sts for him if I’m not mistaken.

Because much like Orlando, they have their core in place and valued that one player more than those picks, which are not likely to be lottery picks because they are relatively young and should be competitive for the next several years.

[elchengue20]

I like what the Magic did, they smelled blood in the water and went for it.

The NBA is shifting toward a more collective approach of having multiple threats on the court and not focusing everything on just one or two players. Also having a defensive scheme with no clear liabilities or weaklinks.

Bane gives them an excellent shooter which is what they needed most, a good secondary playmaker, good rebounder and while he doesn't excel defensively, he's not a defensive liability. Also he's on a reasonable contract and fits perfectly their timeline. He's in the middle of his prime and has playoff experience.

The East is wide open, and they can get into the mix. On paper, they're no less talented than Indiana or the Knicks. If Paolo and/or Wagner make another leap, they can really contend.

[mjkvol]

I like what the Magic did, they smelled blood in the water and went for it.

The NBA is shifting toward a more collective approach of having multiple threats on the court and not focusing everything on just one or two players. Also having a defensive scheme with no clear liabilities or weaklinks.

Bane gives them an excellent shooter which is what they needed most, a good secondary playmaker, good rebounder and while he doesn't excel defensively, he's not a defensive liability. Also he's on a reasonable contract and fits perfectly their timeline. He's in the middle of his prime and has playoff experience.

The East is wide open, and they can get into the mix. On paper, they're no less talented than Indiana or the Knicks. If Paolo and/or Wagner make another leap, they can really contend.

After thinking about it, I have to agree. Those 1st's they gave up are going to be mid-late 1st's because their core is young and ready to be competitive for the next several years. Bane fits a need perfectly, and they got rid of two players not in their plans and their contracts.

[Jailblazers7]

It feels like OKC has found its footing & confidence in this series. That game 4 comeback helped them realize that the Pacers are human & not some team of destiny.

[Jailblazers7]

I spoke too soon fate might be intervening in this game. Every lose ball going Indy’s way and TJ is going god mode.

[Sixersftw]

**** it, build the team around TJ. TJ can't win with these cats.