chic2pimp:


Bruhhh and we are also forgetting Khris in this equation. Not having to be the second option on offense is perfect for Him. Assuming everyone is fit, you are going to see a few more 40points game from Him with how open He'd be.

Every Middleton iso this up coming season will be against the 3rd best defender the opposition has and that will be huge for the Bucks.

Roland17:


Yes sir, like I predicted. Brogdan will be the center piece but adding TimeLord to the deal just hurts. We are giving way too much for a 33 year old.

They prioritized perimeter defense in this trade.

chic2pimp:


The only thing that can make this trade not worth it in the end is Dame's health. You are basically pairing the League's second best shooter with Adetokunbo. Only Steph would have made this deal better. I don't think people realise how abysmal Jrue's half court offense is. Dude literally shot under 40%(with a few under 30% games thrown in) from the field multiple times during the last 2 playoffs and yes even during their title winning season.

Jrue also shot around 28% from 3s, with a lot of them being open looks. The Bucks half-court offense was abysmal this past 2 seasons when Giannis is not trying to get a shot. The number of options a Giannis/Dame PnR alone will elevate their half-court offense. Also, in half-court situations Dame will now get to enjoy the luxury of shooting open look 3s from a kickout, whenever defenses collapse on a Giannis drive

steady986:


Jrue could just replace Dame in that starting lineup and play alongside Anfernee. The rest can be coming off the bench like they did when Dame was there. But I guess Jrue is the one who doesn't want to be there.

They are trying to hand the franchise to Scott. He his their hope of a franchise guy, no way they will sit him at all.

steady986:


Apparently, Jrue might be on his way out of Portland in no time.

They cannot keep him. They have too many young guards who they need to give playing time

Rich Paul just explained why someone like Cousins is having issues getting on an nba team. When he was the man in Sacramento everyone and their mama knew that the dude had a bad attitude. Some of those low level FO guys in Sacramento are probably top or middle level guys in different FOs around the league and no way in hell are they rubber stamping a move for him even if it is at the veterans minimum.

birdman:


You right. Thats why to me, the most important thing about Lebron is not really even that he passes too much as opposed to ball hogging to get more points. It really is about his mindset, and the drive to keep getting better each year, even after getting fat contracts.

When you see jokers like Harden trying to get max contract after coming to camp rusty and out of shape, you appreciate the true greatness of Lebron. Almost 40 and 4 rings, and the guy comes into camp like a sophomore with something to prove. Meanwhile some cats are buying shares in strip clubs from vegas to htown.

I rank Lebron with MJ, Magic, Jabbar, Russell and Kobe for that reason. Its not just dropping points and rings. Its also that mindset that comes with it. that lifestyle, that day and night grind even when you already achieved so much! Giannis should be on this roster before his career is over if he ever solves his jumpshots and freethrows. Game over for the league!

You are absolutely correct, there is a reason why a lot of those guys have been the face of the league at one time or another. It is not just about doing it on the court but also making sure you are relatively drama free off it. Then there is the grind and willingness to improve or at the very least adapt your game to ensure that you continue to perform at a high level for as long as possible.

steady986:


Would be very difficult to replicate. All round guys like Harden, Russ, Luka and Jokic are reasonable candidates but they'd have to be great for 20+ years. Russ and Harden are already passed it. Jokic started slow and so won't make it. That leaves Luka. My best guess is he too won't make it.

Of all the players playing now Luka is probably the only one with a negligible chance. One very underrated thing about everyone in the 30k pts club is that their scoring had to age well. It's just truly remarkable IMHO

steady986:
If LeBron was a little more stingy with the ball like the other people on this list, he probably would have broken Kareem's record a long time ago. Do you know what it means to be no. 1 in points and no. 4 in assists? It basically means you look for your teammates almost as much as you look to score yourself.

In terms of regular season stats, Lebron will end up when it's all said and done with 40k+ pts, 10k+assists and 10k+ rebounds. That's just incredible and we might never see someone do that again

steady986:


KAJ was about 220/225 in his peak weight. But I know Wemby will get there too. But I also know he'll grow taller. He's currently 7"5. And the difference is Wemby's game is going to be different from KAJ's. And lets face it, 7"2' will always have a smaller centre of gravity than 7"5'

He his not 7"5 the Spurs measured him at 7"3 issh. All I am saying is, Kareem never bulked up. His training was more agility focused, and he was reIatively injury free for a big man.

steady986:


Dirk had a fine career, but he's not the GOAT neither can you say he's in the conversation. And you mention Jokic? Lol. Jokic is as physical as they come. Forget that he doesn't have muscle. You can't stop Jokic in the post. Go and ask AD Duncan was physical.

Note, when I say physical, I don't necessarily mean athletic. Although it could be part of it. There are many ways to be physically imposing, and size and build is definitely a reason for that, as well as the way you use that size.

Question, was Kareem physical? From what I have heard, Wemby's team is trying to go the KAJ route, instead of adding too much muscles, they are going for agility instead. KAJ played at around 205 all his career at 7ft 2in. Wemby can go for the lean, agile 80s style center who don't pump iron.

As all this contracts numbers are flying around, one thing has been severely underreported, and that is under the new CBA, teams are now allowed to give nfl style contracts, with some or most of the years not guaranteed. The Rockets especially have used this with FVV, with his 3rd year being a team option, Jock landale only has 1yr guaranteed and so many more will come out when the full details are released.

birdman:


thanks for the explanation. unlike those who sought to trouble me

The Rockets IMHO actually have a plan, if their young players pan out, by the time the extension for Green who will be the first up kicks in, FVV contract will has just been confirmed that the 3rd yr is a team option. So in 2yrs, they can decline his 3rd year and Brooks will be just 2yrs 40mil. So if their picks hit, it will be a smooth transition

Roland17:
The Spurs should take a shot Dame, they have the cap space, picks and players to make it work.

This IMHO will be a bad idea. Nobody knows what Wemby really is at the moment, let him play as the 1st option year then they can learn both his strengths, weaknesses and limitations. Then you can properly build around him. Trading for Dame who is due 60+mil in the backend of that contract will be be an anchor weighing the franchise down.

PS: It will not surprise me if the trade package for Dame is underwhelming, smart GMs have started to account correctly so for future salary compensation when putting together trade packages.

birdman:


I actually like Brooks game. But boy we overpaid by too much. Makes me worry front office is not savvy

It was a sign and trade, so that plays into it a bit, because the UFA player needs incentives to agree. Also by the time you guys need to pay your young players that contract will be a very tradable contract as a salary filler.

Markswag101:
Halliburton, Melo & Ant getting deserved rookie max extensions $260m

Looking at the 2021Class, not sure anyone is worthy of the rookie max

It's not actually 260mil but 205. The language says it could be up to 260mil. The only way any of them gets 260mil if they earn 1st team all-nba this up coming season

Roland17:
Gave Vincent needs to change agent ASAP

M. Strus a former team mate secured a 4/$63M (15.7M/Year) while Gabe could only secure a 3/$33M (11M/Year). To me, Gabe is a more valuable player on both ends.

It's the small market tax. Role players get paid higher in smaller markets or losing franchises

A40:
This is a funny take considering you're dealing with a guy with a laundry list of misconduct and someone that came to your office and guaranteed changed behavior only to renege less than 2 months later.

The primary purpose of any effective punishment is to serve as deterrent. Anything short of that you're wasting your time and everyone else's

I hope I'm proven wrong but when Ja acts out again I will be here to say I told you so

You say laundry list of misconduct. I say where is the crime that he committed. If someone who committed state and federal crimes get 50 games. How the heck should someone who just broke league conduct rules get 40 games. Please make it make sense.

donlittle25:
I want you to point to where I said JA MORANT is the reason for the increase in Gun violence in my post.

How can you be so obtuse?

You said some kids will see ja and do the same

donlittle25:
My G, Its. A friend of a friend died last week. Them dey fight, Guy took a gun and shot him in the stomach. Died a week later in the hospital.

Buckhead is even worse these days. You hear it everyday in that area.

Even some companies will not hire you if you have weapons all over your media if they find out.

We are dealing with serious gun issues in the states, and these kids are stupid. They are growing faster physically but their brain isn't developing at all. They can't think, They cant filter bad information. They consume everything.

Some kids seeing Ja Morant coming online with guns will think it's good to do the same.

So Ja is now the reason for gun violence in the USA, we have a situation of a country that has more guns than people, a country where like half of their politicians have a campaign advertising with guns featured in it, let's not even talk about ubiquitous nature of guns in video games and movies. But one basketball player waving a gun that he is legally allowed to own on video, is the reason for increased gun violence. Please

birdman:


Arent you in the atl area? Its open season right now, nowhere is exempted, not even buckhead.

I think that is the local effect khanben cannot get. That gun flashing image is a no-no in the NBA. In fact there are corporations and fans that will never touch Morant again, barring some major image cleanup. If Morant were playing in any other city than memphis, they would have released him. I think the grizzlies will try to manage him, because memphis itself may very well be the worst hood in the country right now. So like begets like I guess.

Release him in America for owning a gun and having it with him will on a video call on social media. Dude will sue and he will certainly win. Be real this is the USA if the commissioner oversteps it will become a 2nd Amendment issue before anyone can say Jack.
People who were expecting a harsher sentence are just projecting their bias. Again if it was Real madrid or man utd in Europe then a full season suspension might be visible, but in the USA, give me a break

A40:
Typical. They will wait till tragedy happens and will start to cry abamo, had it been I know

Like i said they're free to wait till the matter is out of Adam Silver's hand. If he continues in this trajectory it will get there.

So you are suggesting he should be punished for what might happen in a hypothetical future not for what he has done. This is the issue with talk like this, the commissioner can only punish him for what he has done, nothing more.
When did we as a society start punishing people for what they might do ?

birdman:


its not just the flashing gun on social media. He has waved the same gun in several fights, with bouncers, security guards, high school kids. Anyone of those could have turned deadly. if its just the insta, it would not have this level of play. But Ja is showing up repeatedly at fights with his boys. What could possibly go wrong?

shey they should kuku not suspend him at all?

Nobody is saying they shouldn't punish him, I just have a problem with someone saying the commissioner was being PC that is why he gave him only 25 games. Precedent and the way the rules are written shows that the commissioner went for the harshest punishment he could get

birdman:


That is why the players association was consulted and they agreed to a stricter punishment. Or you think players association is wrong as well.

The stricter punishment was the 25 games without pay. My point is that those calling for him to miss games up until the allstar break are unrealistic, what he is been punished for is for showing a gun on social media. No matter how we want to play it that is a way lesser offense than bringing 4 guns into the locker room, and pointing it at your teammate. If the later punishment which not only broke nba rules but also state and federal laws was 50 games, then Ja's punishment at 25 games is as harsh as it can be.

For those who are interested this is the exact nba bylaws that the commissioner used as a guideline alongside precedent.

PS:
(d) The Commissioner shall have the power to suspend for a definite or indefinite period, or to impose a fine not exceeding $50,000, or inflict both such suspension and fine upon any Player who, in his opinion, (i) shall have made or caused to be made any statement having, or that was designed to have, an effect prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of basketball or of the Association or of a Member, or (ii) shall have been guilty of conduct that does not conform to standards of morality or fair play, that does not comply at all times with all federal, state, and local laws, or that is prejudicial or detrimental to the Association.

A40:
Didn't Alec Baldwin accidentally kill someone on set? I think it's dangerous the way people try to downplay this issue. From the way Ja is carrying and holding the weapon you can easily tell he has no clue on how to handle firearms

He's being a danger to himself and others. That's what needs to be stressed

Didn't ESPN fire Paul Pierce for partying with strippers and smoking Igbeaux on his day off? Did he break any laws?

We are talking legal stuff here not what we think it should be and because of that the nba is a different legal entity to ESPN

A40:
They're trying to save that boy from tragedy and disaster and people are trying make this a PC situation. I miss commissioner Stern. He don't play that

It's not about the gun alone it's the accumulated bad behavior and stories. This was an important moment to send a message and more importantly get him to understand the privilege of getting paid generational wealth to bounce a basketball.

With what is happening in Chiraq and everywhere else you simply cannot represent a family organization like the NBA and be dealing with guns so irresponsibly. It's not a damn toy (pun intended)

Why do people like to wait for disaster before doing the needful

This punishment is in line with precedent Arenas got 50 games for his gun stuff and in his case it was him and a teammate pulling guns on each other. They not broke nba conduct rules but they also broke star and federal laws, heck arenas plead guilty to felony charges because of that issue.
In Ja's case he flashed a gun on social media, like I said he didn't break any laws, I have heard some people calling the nba PC for denying an American the right to bear arms freely and openly, now I am hearing others calling them PC for not punishing him more severely.
We sometimes forget that punishment like this are subject to pushback from the players association if precedent is not followed, so IMHO if the Arenas case with all the felonies attached to it is 50 games then Ja's punishment is as firm as it could be.

felix00:
BREAKING: The Washington Wizards are trading three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a handful of second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

Nba offseason off to a hot start.

birdman:


Its part of the contract. All the talking heads and pro athletes know this. Even the amateur athletes have rules, things that are legal, but you cannot participate in. And its for good reason - how would the headline NBA superstar murdered father of four in clold blood play out? The press would be all over the court proceedings, corporate sales of tickets would tank and NBA would absorb a billion dollar loss easily. So its not out of the ordinary to have conduct codes on things that others can do freely.

I get that it's part of the code of conduct, but if we are going through a list of agregious things a nba player can be accused of flashing a gun in an ig post in way down the list especially since it's the USA. My point is I heard some people say the 25 games without pay was too light a sentence and IMHO the nba actually got it right.

birdman:
Ja is getting only 25 games suspension. So by December guy man will be back in the league. I hope the behavioral requirements are stricter this time.

I think many folks will be dissappointed as they were expecting like a 40+ game suspension at least. But Im ok with it, even though I think its a little light. Lets hope the young man grows up quick and gets back to good things. even though I know his family is partly the reason he is in this situation, and those guys will likely not change

https://www.nba.com/news/ja-morant-suspended-25-games

When people where talking 40+ games it surprised me a bit, yes he broke rules but this is the USA, owning a gun is not a crime. This is the country where politicians use guns in election campaign adverts.

Nba finals ratings best in 5 years.

A40:
As a rule of thumb I always blame the man before involving woman. If na your wife influence you na you dey at fault for not using your God given leadership. E follow for wetin God take punish Adam.

IMO it was probably Melo's dream to put on Knicks uniform. I don't really understand the allure of the Knicks but I guess I'm not a New Yorker so I don't really know. All I see is another overpriced capitalist hellhole city but what do I know

With Melo I think the fit, finding a fit might not have been easy. I think they paired him with Stoudemire for a bit but it didn't work. The Knicks didn't build or couldn't construct a roster of matching parts to complement Melo. Neither did Melo evolve as a player to be able to get the best from his teams sometimes

There are just people whose personalities are just Homer's, I once knew a guy who had the opportunity to stay in Abuja who turned it down to stay in one small village in Taraba of all places. When I heard his decision I couldn't fathom it at all but that was him.
So it is possible that Melo has that type of personality, although on the business side after basketball the move paid off for him though, if you observe during this playoffs some of his products were been advertised up and down. Good for him

PS: By the time Amarie came to NY his knees were gone, he was another player the Knicks overpaid to come and do squat.