2021 NBA Offseason Thread

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Got to love Denver's fight: they just won't go down after getting punched in the face

I'd look to trade MPJ and Bol Bol and get a 3rd guy around Jokic and Murray: man would Ben Simmons look great on that team

He really wouldn't. Denver thrive on offense, and having Ben Simmons would allow opposing teams to double Jokic much more effectively. They really don't need Ben Simmons handling the ball so much as t hey have got their offense run through Jokic. Whatever Simmons would add defensively would not justify the adjustments that they would have to do offensively, and would most likely result in an offensive downgrade.

I would look to add a knockdown 3pt shooter, and a 4 who is very mobile and good defensively to put next to Jokic.

 

[Pioneer10]

He really wouldn't. Denver thrive on offense, and having Ben Simmons would allow opposing teams to double Jokic much more effectively. They really don't need Ben Simmons handling the ball so much as t hey have got their offense run through Jokic. Whatever Simmons would add defensively would not justify the adjustments that they would have to do offensively, and would most likely result in an offensive downgrade.

I would look to add a knockdown 3pt shooter, and a 4 who is very mobile and good defensively to put next to Jokic.

Denver has plenty of shooting which makes Simmons in Denver a great fit. You can play him in the post with Jokic at the 3 point line or initator for a screen and roll with Jokic. The great thing about Simmons is he has such great height that he actually opens up passing lanes and they need another guy who can create as the Clippers for large chunks have been able to slow them down even when they play shooters across the floor. Offensively they would be the most versatile team in the league.

Put him in that Milsap role and they would be favorite for title contenders especially because his defensive abilities would make up for what Denver lacks: a 6'10 guy who can guard 1 to 5 and protect both Murray and Jokic. It's no coincidence that Denver was able to come back against Utah when they got back Harris who is a marginal offensive player.

 

[Los216]

The Rocket are pissing me off man

 

[MediumBaller]

Lebron is still the best player in the NBA. His continued excellence is remarkable.

 

[Pioneer10]

The Rocket are pissing me off man

It's weird that they don't use Harden's skillset to the fullest
I would have posted him up every time a guy like Rondo or Caruso was on him. He's too big/strong for them to handle yet they barely did
No PnR again for a guy whose an elite passer

Strange

 

[Los216]

It's weird that they don't use Harden's skillset to the fullest
I would have posted him up every time a guy like Rondo or Caruso was on him. He's too big/strong for them to handle yet they barely did
No PnR again for a guy whose an elite passer

Strange

They’re a poorly coached team.

 

[LeeBuckeye]

Harden claiming they’re one piece away with him and Russ is pretty funny and lacks any semblance of self awareness. Mike had no answers for the defense and traps Lakers set up for Harden. Russ cannot survive in today’s league being such a liability as a shooter.

 

[Cavatt]

Harden claiming they’re one piece away with him and Russ is pretty funny and lacks any semblance of self awareness. Mike had no answers for the defense and traps Lakers set up for Harden. Russ cannot survive in today’s league being such a liability as a shooter.

Gimmicky offense is easy to gum up as playoffs go on.

 

[ACisKING]

Lebron is still the best player in the NBA. His continued excellence is remarkable.

Every time I watch Kawhi I can’t help but think “this guy is a beast - I guess he’s the best player.” And then I watch LeBron and he consistently reminds me that no player can dominate a game in as many different ways as he can. His jumpshot looks as good as it ever has. His passing is on another level from what Kawhi can do. His backline defense and rotations are all defensive team worthy...like he anticipates and snuffs out plays like a free safety. Physically if he’s slightly slower than his Cleveland (2nd stint) days it’s not really noticeable. I still think the Lakers are a flawed team that should be the underdogs against the Clippers if they end up facing them. But LeBron is still somehow the best player in the world in year 17.

 

[cavsfever]

Every time I watch Kawhi I can’t help but think “this guy is a beast - I guess he’s the best player.” And then I watch LeBron and he consistently reminds me that no player can dominate a game in as many different ways as he can. His jumpshot looks as good as it ever has. His passing is on another level from what Kawhi can do. His backline defense and rotations are all defensive team worthy...like he anticipates and snuffs out plays like a free safety. Physically if he’s slightly slower than his Cleveland (2nd stint) days it’s not really noticeable. I still think the Lakers are a flawed team that should be the underdogs against the Clippers if they end up facing them. But LeBron is still somehow the best player in the world in year 17.

I had exactly this reaction, down to watching Kawhi and thinking he's the best player on the planet because he's just so skilled and physically at an extraordinary athletic prime. But Lebron is bending the game with his mind. That's one reason I was so &^*())( furious at how badly we blew it when we had him. Would have loved to see him age in place in Cleveland, but we seemed totally incapable of putting a team around him to do it. We just totally frittered away assets and then made idiotic panic moves (the Kyrie trade, etc.). You couldn't expect a player of that greatness to stay with no support on the court.

 

[cavsfever]

Awesome to see the Nuggets roaring back against the Clippers. Really nice team, deep and with two exciting and unique emerging superstars (Jokic and Murray) at the top of the order. Murray is looking like he's taken some kind of leap in these playoffs that I absolutely did not expect based on his regular seasons, where he has looked very good but not superstar level. It would be kind of cool to see some young gun team short-circuit the Clippers expected dominance. You have to think the Clips might be favored in Game 7 just because of Kawhi but we'll see...

The Raptors really let me down in Game 7 against the Celtics. They just couldn't do it at the close of the 4th...showing the lack of a superstar as compared to last year.

 

[Pioneer10]

I hope Denver wins: they've been a well-run organization with good community support. Their fans deserve a shot at a Finals appearance
Still feel like their a piece away (MPJ takes the leap or a trade away) but they got Stockton/Malone like due in Murray and Jokic to build around for the next 10 years

 

[Pioneer10]

Every time I watch Kawhi I can’t help but think “this guy is a beast - I guess he’s the best player.” And then I watch LeBron and he consistently reminds me that no player can dominate a game in as many different ways as he can. His jumpshot looks as good as it ever has. His passing is on another level from what Kawhi can do. His backline defense and rotations are all defensive team worthy...like he anticipates and snuffs out plays like a free safety. Physically if he’s slightly slower than his Cleveland (2nd stint) days it’s not really noticeable. I still think the Lakers are a flawed team that should be the underdogs against the Clippers if they end up facing them. But LeBron is still somehow the best player in the world in year 17.

The Lakers don't have as much shooting as one would like but I see so many people downplaying guys like Caruso and Kuzma. Both of them have transformed into well above average defensive players both on ball and off ball rotation defense. Yeah, it helps having AD whose one of the best defenders I've ever seen at the PF/C spot but this Laker team once they got Morris were able to move Kuzma into the wing defender spot. Its no coincidence that since they have been an elite defensive team even when they don't play their good defensive centers.

Lots of team have better offensive players but the Lakers can play lineups where they put a good defender at every spot whether they go big or small. They lack another playmaker outside of Lebron and ideally would have more consistent shooter instead of Green but if they don't win it this year they are one or two changes from becoming an elite title team rather then a "just" a title contender. I was surprised as any but they've done a lot with limited assets

 

[ACisKING]

The Lakers don't have as much shooting as one would like but I see so many people downplaying guys like Caruso and Kuzma. Both of them have transformed into well above average defensive players both on ball and off ball rotation defense. Yeah, it helps having AD whose one of the best defenders I've ever seen at the PF/C spot but this Laker team once they got Morris were able to move Kuzma into the wing defender spot. Its no coincidence that since they have been an elite defensive team even when they don't play their good defensive centers.

Lots of team have better offensive players but the Lakers can play lineups where they put a good defender at every spot whether they go big or small. They lack another playmaker outside of Lebron and ideally would have more consistent shooter instead of Green but if they don't win it this year they are one or two changes from becoming an elite title team rather then a "just" a title contender. I was surprised as any but they've done a lot with limited assets

Yea I agree. They are a special defensive team. They have multiple defenders who are elite at their respective positions defensively. And plenty of others who are solid to very good. They can take you out of your first and second actions on a given play. If they win it all it will be in large part due to their defensive dominance.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

I have no idea why this hit me this morning, but I don't think any coach in league history has as impressive list of players coached than Mike Brown. While all these guys weren't in their primes, Brown's coached:

LBJ
Kobe
Duncan
Nash
Durant
Curry
Shaq
Admiral
Pau Gasol
Klay
Green
Parker
Manu
D Howard
Jermaine O'Neal
Reggie Miller
Irving
Artest
Kerr