OT: 2019-20 NBA Discussions

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by joosttx

I read people are also questioning his desire to play.... which I read put on muscle.

I hate this narrative. The dude is just genetically skinny. He could do 13000 calories a day and hit the gym 3x, and he would still be skinny.

It’s not a character flaw

[joosttx]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

I hate this narrative. The dude is just genetically skinny. He could do 13000 calories a day and hit the gym 3x, and he would still be skinny.

It’s not a character flaw

Lance wasnt that fast. Character isnt the issue.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by joosttx

Lance wasnt that fast. Character isnt the issue.

Right, I think we are in agreement here, and I’m not pushing back on you, but on the general sports talk narrative.


I dislike the idea that Bol will be called lazy because he will struggle to put on muscle.

[Jaybee]

LOL Knicks.

[Aaron O]

Don’t understand signing Horford to 4 years on a team with Ben, Tobias and JoJo.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by Aaron O

Don’t understand signing Horford to 4 years on a team with Ben, Tobias and JoJo.

I don’t get this either. Maybe they thought they could get Brogdon too? Does the money even work there?

Who are their best 5? I have real concerns about their offense without Redick’s gravity.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

LOL Knicks.

I wonder what Charles Oakley thinks of the situation...

[jtakeda]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

He’s enormously talented, but sooo skinny. And I don’t think he has a frame to add muscle, just like his dad.

I hope I’m wrong, but I bet he is out of the league in 4 years.

Sure. But let’s be real 3/4 of the draft class are irrelevant after 4 years. He fell pretty far in the draft and I’m surprised no one took the risk sooner

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by jtakeda

Sure. But let’s be real 3/4 of the draft class are irrelevant after 4 years. He fell pretty far in the draft and I’m surprised no one took the risk sooner

Same. He was productive in college, when he played. Denver did well.

[PacNW2Ford]

Originally Posted by jtakeda

How/why did Bol Bol fall so far in the draft?

Because the Blazers weren't going to fall for the big guy with lower body issues, again and again and again?

[xeladragon]

I kinda understand NBA players wanting to promote their own brand, play with their friends, etc., but I'm not a fan. I have more respect for players who try to win with the team that drafted them.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by xeladragon

I kinda understand NBA players wanting to promote their own brand, play with their friends, etc., but I'm not a fan. I have more respect for players who try to win with the team that drafted them.

The draft and the implications thereof are pretty interesting. Is there any industry besides pro sports where the best talent - multimillion dollar talent - isn't given a choice on where they work for they first several years of their career? Where they are later judged on their "loyalty" or lack thereof to a place they didn't choose?

Good essay by the always thoughtful Kevin Arnovitz here.

[jacobslide]

Have to imagine that the DLo trade is just the beginning.

Andre only had a year left and was all but assured to retire, so it sucks but it was going to happen sooner or later.

What's really going to get me though, is if they can't retain Looney.

I think DLo will get traded, either between now and the time he signs, or in 6 months, to the Wolves. But, we shall see. He's still only 23.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by jacobslide

Have to imagine that the DLo trade is just the beginning.

Andre only had a year left and was all but assured to retire, so it sucks but it was going to happen sooner or later.

What's really going to get me though, is if they can't retain Looney.

I think DLo will get traded, either between now and the time he signs, or in 6 months, to the Wolves. But, we shall see. He's still only 23.

The Dubs have no depth - something like $20Mil to fill 10 roster spots after Curry/Klay/Steph/DLo/Livingston. If you include McKinnie, Graham and Napier, they are at 13M for 7 spots. Unless they get any of these guys to come back for the vet minimum, Looney, Cook, Cousins, and probably Bell are gone.

Myers is smart, so I imagine there is a plan in place to flip DLo into depth and make another title push in 2021.

[Jaybee]

So there is one major player who still has yet to sign (or even take meetings: Kawhi, and this is very on brand for him - "feeding frenzy? nah, I'll take my time.") and the following teams still have max-ish space left:

LAC: $55M
LAL: $32M
DAL: $30M
NYK: $30M

I don't think he's going to LAC, since there is no one left to team up with. LAL or return to Toronto for him.

If he doesn't go to LAL, I think the favorite in the West is... the Jazz? Conley/Mitchell/Bogdanovich/Jingles/Gobert is a tough crunchtime 5. Even if Kawhi goes to the Lakers, they are still paper thin after their best 3 players. Having 3 of the best 8 or so players in the league though, is amazing.