2020-2021 Around The NBA Thread

[Cavatt]

The more I think about it, the Wiz paid a 1st rounder to be relevant and not just waiting years potentially to find out Wall is totally done. Westbrook is not the answer, but a team that relied on Wall can figure it out. I like this better for the Wiz the more I think about it.

Brooks will probably take the ball out of Beal's hands and give it to Westbrook. That isn't great.

Houston is going to suck. Harden is going to be traded. If Darius really looks good, I'd consider making a run at Harden. Sexton fits great with Harden, so does Love. If you can't trade Love, maybe we should maximize him for the last couple of years of Harden's prime.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

I personally disagree, no inside information over the past few years, but I would not be surprised if LBJ is the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers in a decade. They are two strong alpha males who respect the hell out of each other.

Respect each other????? Are you serious? Even when LBJ came back he made it clear he still had strong feelings about the “Letter” Gilbert wrote when he left Cleveland the first time! If they had soooooooo much respect for each other why did,when LBJ left this last time, did Lebron wait until after the draft to tell the Cavs if he was leaving or not? Or are you one of those people that believe LBJ didn’t know he was going to LA that offseason. LBJ kept that information to himself, left the Cavs hanging without knowing what direction to go in the draft because it was his last “dig” at Gilbert. These two do not respect each other....they “tolerated” each other to win a title

 

[Nathan S]

Just heard that Michael Ojo (FSU grad, solid player in top European leagues the last few years) died of COVID at age 27. He had resumed training before he had fully recovered and had a heart attack. NBA teams need to be really careful with their COVID-positive players right now, especially big guys.

 

[Cavatt]

Just heard that Michael Ojo (FSU grad, solid player in top European leagues the last few years) died of COVID at age 27. He had resumed training before he had fully recovered and had a heart attack. NBA teams need to be really careful with their COVID-positive players right now, especially big guys.

One of my grade school friends beat breast cancer last year and then died of a heart attack in August. We won't know the true fallout for a long time.

 

[Nathan S]

One of my grade school friends beat breast cancer last year and then died of a heart attack in August. We won't know the true fallout for a long time.

Yeah, really not clear at this stage how moderate COVID affects the circulatory system, especially in elite athletes where the sample size is so small.

 

[CleveRocks]

The more I think about it, the Wiz paid a 1st rounder to be relevant and not just waiting years potentially to find out Wall is totally done. Westbrook is not the answer, but a team that relied on Wall can figure it out. I like this better for the Wiz the more I think about it.

Brooks will probably take the ball out of Beal's hands and give it to Westbrook. That isn't great.

Houston is going to suck. Harden is going to be traded. If Darius really looks good, I'd consider making a run at Harden. Sexton fits great with Harden, so does Love. If you can't trade Love, maybe we should maximize him for the last couple of years of Harden's prime.

If Garland jumps this year, I think we are more likely to move Sexton for Harden than Garland for Harden. I think Garlands style allows Harden to be Harden.. but Garland and many picks for Harden is a tough sell, unless you really think you are getting the Lebron retirement tour..

Garland ( at Kyrie like performance) Harden,Nance,Love and McGee, starting with Okoro, Windler, Wade, Maker off the bench is a respectable bottom teir playoff team..

 

[Pioneer10]

The more I think about it, the Wiz paid a 1st rounder to be relevant and not just waiting years potentially to find out Wall is totally done. Westbrook is not the answer, but a team that relied on Wall can figure it out. I like this better for the Wiz the more I think about it.

Brooks will probably take the ball out of Beal's hands and give it to Westbrook. That isn't great.

Houston is going to suck. Harden is going to be traded. If Darius really looks good, I'd consider making a run at Harden. Sexton fits great with Harden, so does Love. If you can't trade Love, maybe we should maximize him for the last couple of years of Harden's prime.

Yeah i was baffled by this at this for both teams at first but now I think its a great deal for the Wiz.
The contracts are a wash so why not go with the player who was All-NBA last year over the guy who hasn't played in 2 years and coming off 2 devastating leg injuires.

 

[Randolphkeys]

So who you got going to the playoffs in the East?

I need to see how the changes made by the Bucks, Heat, Raptors, and Celtics shake out... and now that the Nets are healthy, they enter the conversation.

I have the arrow on the Nets pointing up the most. The potential of Nash coaching Durant after gaining a rapport under Kerr in Golden State is intriguing. I like some of their depth pieces like Prince and Dinwiddie as well.

The Heat managed to take the jump as defending champs into a more positionless depth grouping. Precious, Harkless, and Avery Bradley move the needle up for me.

Bucks took a risk, and pinned so much on Holiday. That's a talent improvement but I don't trust his durability. They made significant turnover at guard and Big Ragut could take the next step. I'm not a big Coach Bud guy. I see this off-season as the last push before Freak hits free agency like the Cavs once did back in 2010.

The Celtics and Raptors bring up the rear here. Hayward leaving is a huge talent downgrade, and Nesmith has big shoes to fill. Thompson is an upgrade over Kantor, especially the way the refs seem to swallow their whistles once they see a shamrock.

Meanwhile the Raptors remain so well coached but lost a lot in the paint. Gasol and Ibaka do the dirty work, and the Baynes/Len combo isn't going to make up for it.

Who has a shot to fill out the bottom of the Eastern playoffs? I think the arguments begin right here at #6.

Sixers have Doc Rivers to navigate the Daryl Morey show, but I could see this team taking a step back in order to take steps forward later.

Indiana is treading water and hoping to get healthier. I still believe they will move Oladipo at the deadline.

Orlando is on a treadmill, now hoping Cole Anthony is going to make them better eventually.

I think the Hawks and Cavs have an opportunity to sneak past Indiana and Orlando if their youth movement grows up enough this season, with the Hawks more likely to put it together in 2021 and the Cavs shooting for 2022.

 

[Cavatt]

Yeah i was baffled by this at this for both teams at first but now I think its a great deal for the Wiz.
The contracts are a wash so why not go with the player who was All-NBA last year over the guy who hasn't played in 2 years and coming off 2 devastating leg injuires.

Even if you look at Wall 2 years ago vs Westbrook last year, it is not clear that Wall is the better player. A couple 2.5 more assists, which is mostly sharing duties with Harden. better 3p% on not many attempts, and barely higher ft% Russ scored a lot more and was more efficient from 2 even.

I don't think there is any way Wall is that same guy, so yeah getting 3 goodish years from Russ is better IMO and means they won't have to trade Beal necessarily. Beal can be a spacing slasher with Russ and he is about the best backcourt complement you could have besides Klay I think.

IF Deni or Hachimura can turn into something in the next 2-3 years you might have a mid tier playoff team in the east

 

[Cavatt]

So who you got going to the playoffs in the East?

I need to see how the changes made by the Bucks, Heat, Raptors, and Celtics shake out... and now that the Nets are healthy, they enter the conversation.

I have the arrow on the Nets pointing up the most. The potential of Nash coaching Durant after gaining a rapport under Kerr in Golden State is intriguing. I like some of their depth pieces like Prince and Dinwiddie as well.

The Heat managed to take the jump as defending champs into a more positionless depth grouping. Precious, Harkless, and Avery Bradley move the needle up for me.

Bucks took a risk, and pinned so much on Holiday. That's a talent improvement but I don't trust his durability. They made significant turnover at guard and Big Ragut could take the next step. I'm not a big Coach Bud guy. I see this off-season as the last push before Freak hits free agency like the Cavs once did back in 2010.

The Celtics and Raptors bring up the rear here. Hayward leaving is a huge talent downgrade, and Nesmith has big shoes to fill. Thompson is an upgrade over Kantor, especially the way the refs seem to swallow their whistles once they see a shamrock.

Meanwhile the Raptors remain so well coached but lost a lot in the paint. Gasol and Ibaka do the dirty work, and the Baynes/Len combo isn't going to make up for it.

Who has a shot to fill out the bottom of the Eastern playoffs? I think the arguments begin right here at #6.

Sixers have Doc Rivers to navigate the Daryl Morey show, but I could see this team taking a step back in order to take steps forward later.

Indiana is treading water and hoping to get healthier. I still believe they will move Oladipo at the deadline.

Orlando is on a treadmill, now hoping Cole Anthony is going to make them better eventually.

I think the Hawks and Cavs have an opportunity to sneak past Indiana and Orlando if their youth movement grows up enough this season, with the Hawks more likely to put it together in 2021 and the Cavs shooting for 2022.

I think you analysis is pretty much right. Steve Clifford is good. I guess I would say Charlotte is the wild card here. Could be good enough for 8th, and will prob compete for 8-10.

I think Hawks might underperform while Cavs Overperform. I think the 2 end up within 3 wins of each other just like last year while increasing wins.

I think TT really improves that team with toughness and helps Tatum and Brown get to the rim. They will both have their best finishing years IMO. Milwaukee, Heat and Boston are my top 3.

Nets underperform and the chemistry won't be great, but they can win any game.

I think calling the seeding is going to be really difficult and several teams will slip because they have to play gleague guys at times because of Covid.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I think you analysis is pretty much right. Steve Clifford is good. I guess I would say Charlotte is the wild card here. Could be good enough for 8th, and will prob compete for 8-10.

I think Hawks might underperform while Cavs Overperform. I think the 2 end up within 3 wins of each other just like last year while increasing wins.

The Hawks and the Hornets both made some bold "all in" type moves to join the playoff discussion. I just like Atlanta's off-season so much more than Charlotte's off-season. Ball has a long way to go, and Hayward doesn't have enough tread on his tires to get him there. I also believe Nate Mcmillan as lead assistant is a sneaky great add for the Hawks.

 

[Cavatt]

The Hawks and the Hornets both made some bold "all in" type moves to join the playoff discussion. I just like Atlanta's off-season so much more than Charlotte's off-season. Ball has a long way to go, and Hayward doesn't have enough tread on his tires to get him there. I also believe Nate Mcmillan as lead assistant is a sneaky great add for the Hawks.

Yeah, I get that. I think Charlotte and has more defensive identity, and Defense is likely to still hold the Hawks back similar to the Cavs.

Do you think Nate takes over? I think if they have a slow start, Pierce is out

 

[Randolphkeys]

Yeah, I get that. I think Charlotte and has more defensive identity, and Defense is likely to still hold the Hawks back similar to the Cavs.

Do you think Nate takes over? I think if they have a slow start, Pierce is out

Pierce is the right guy to motivate and work the community. Nate is going to bring so much that Pierce may not be able to do with Xs and Os, some strong yin to his yang.

BTW fun fact: Lloyd Pierce was in the same back court with Steve Nash at Santa Clara, now they are both head coaches.

 

[foucault87]

My preseason East prediction is something like this with the first six being ordered:

1. 76ers - I think Morey worked his magic and basically fixed their biggest issue (floor spacing) and managed to dump one of the most toxic assets in Al Horford's contract in the process. They have a super switchable defense with Simmons, Green, Thybulle, Harris and even T Ferg. Seth and Green give them real shooting. Harris is still making a starting small forward too much money, but he fits in much better as a 4 than a 3 with no space. Rivers is an overrated coach but should be enough to give them a lift.

2. Bucks - I think they will lose more games than last year. They gave up a ton of depth for Jrue, but their top 5 is possibly the best in the league right now. They still have Giannis, who if nothing else, is a beast in the regular season. Bud is still a great regular season coach. They will have a high seed.

3. Miami - I expect Bam and Herro will improve more. Dragic may get a bit worse but that should be offset in other areas. They are mostly the same squad as last year. Crowder to Harkless is a bit of a downgrade and it is unlikely either of them shoots 40% from 3 over 20 games again next year so that won't matter. Bradley was a solid nab that gives them a better point of attack defender that isn't Jimmy.

4. Boston - I think the Hayward to TT move makes them less unique since they can't run out the 4 wing lineups anymore. Hayward barely played in the playoffs and these guys did pretty well without him. Now they replace the stationary chair that is Enes Kanter with one of the best switching bigs in the league. Last year I had the Celtics ranked 6th (behind the 5/6 on this list) but they proved me wrong.

5. Indiana - Basically the same team as last year. they will be solid but not particularly inspiring. New coach may change things up. Hopefully they shoot more 3s. Their offense was pretty boring at times last year.

6. Toronto - Nurse is too good and they have enough pieces to be solid. Losing Ibaka and Gasol hurts. Baynes covers a bit but they are overall weaker than last year. This team feels like it just needs a superstar guard around the Siakam/OG core and they will be a legit contender. OG is like the perfect model player for the modern NBA.

7. Nets? - I am almost certain the Nets will make the playoffs barring massive injury problems. I just have no idea how good they will be. If they get Kyrie and 80% of Durant this is the third best team in the East. If they get a shell of KD and always injured Kyrie, they are probably still the 7 seed. I don't think its crazy that they would miss the playoffs entirely in that scenario though.

8,9. Washington, Orlando - I am grouping these two together as I think they are the next two best teams and probably the two that will be fighting it out for the 8 seed. Orlando didn't really do anything and the are stable but uninspiring. Isaac being out hurts them a lot. He looked like he was going to be their best player for the forseeable future.

As for Washington, Russ+Beal is the best backcourt in the East. I think their upside this season is a bit limited though. The rest of their roster sucks. Bertans is a good shooter. Mo Wagner and Bryant are solid offensive centers, but horrible defensively. They need 3nD wings but they have a bunch of guys who do either one (Deni, Bonga) or neither (Brown, Rui). This team will have an incredible offense, probably top 10 ORTG, but be garbage on the other side. I still favor them over Orlando because of their star power, a somewhat proven coach, and their offensive upside.

10,11,12. Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago - These three teams will be fighting for the last play-in spot. The first two made some aggressive moves this summer, but have fairly untested rosters. Atlanta is better on paper but Hayward is the best player between the two teams. Chicago is in a weird spot where they don't have a real identity. Lavine as your best player kind of sucks. They don't have a real playmaker besides Sato, and he isn't aggressive enough. Their front office seems to overvalue the rich man's Ryan Anderson (Lauri), and not the Bam with a shot (WCJ). The rest of their roster is a few years away.

I think all 3 of these teams actually have huge ranges. Maybe Atlanta just gets everything going and they make a huge run to the 7 seed. Maybe Lavine finally learns to use his athleticism on defense and how to pass. Maybe LaMelo isn't a bust and Hayward pushes the team together. Either way, all 3 of these teams could easily be in the dumpster or have an actual playoff spot. I kind of split the difference to rank them.

13. Cavs - Hopefully we don't get screwed by the lottery again. I've said this elsewhere but I think the Cavs will be a really fun team to watch with young players developing, Andre Drummond trying to be a wing, and winning enough games to show improvement but losing enough to get a shot at a real superstar.

14. Knicks - They are tanking. Their roster just makes more sense than...

15. Detroit - Let's load up on more centers. This front office confuses me so much. They make two excellent draft picks with Hayes and Bey, but then draft Isiah Stewart and spend way too much money on Denver's bench bigs. I am guessing they dump Blake by the deadline and go full tank mode.

I could be wrong on most/all of this, but I think the race for 8-10 will be very interesting and I think the playoffs will be too.

 

[cavsfever]

You are right that Boston was very smart to snap up TT. Over the years I have really come to understand how valuable a guy like him is for a high-level contender. Despite the Kardassian shenanigans he is a good character guy too. Kept busting his ass for us even post-Lebron. Godspeed TT!