New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season

[jadis]

Blake is good at beating up team managers, not so good in the playoffs. Seems to crumble every year either mentally or physically.

But I am not bitter.......

Boy, if ever the Celtics get to sign him, I hope it's cheap, for a 2 year deal, which the second year a 'team option'. I used to have a high regard for Blake the first few years. Him and Kevin Love (as a Timberwolf) were my favorite power forwards in this era.

 

[WLVCA]

I liked Blake more previously as well - before he beat up the team manager and fathered two children out of wedlock. But that's just me.

 

[WLVCA]

Bulls released Rajon Rondo.

Wonder if Doc will try to bring him to the Clippers?

 

[jadis]

Bulls released Rajon Rondo.

Wonder if Doc will try to bring him to the Clippers?

Possible. Rondo played very well in the first 2 games in the series with Boston. And we know Doc has some mild love affair with ex-Celtics. Rondo is still a very able assist man.

 

[jadis]

Reports: Paul George traded to OKC.

https://us.yahoo.com/sports/thunder-agree-trade-paul-george-stunning-deal-per-reports-015143041.html

Oladipo and Sabonis goes to Pacers.

 

[jadis]

Blake stays with Clippers.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19778813/blake-griffin-re-sign-los-angeles-clippers

 

[JackD201]

Reports: Paul George traded to OKC.

https://us.yahoo.com/sports/thunder-agree-trade-paul-george-stunning-deal-per-reports-015143041.html

Oladipo and Sabonis goes to Pacers.

OMG I was shocked at first but it makes sense. It now looks like Utah is no longer the defensive juggernaut of the west, it is now OKC. The starting unit is long fast and solid with the addition of PG13 and they have the Aquaman lookalike in the middle. The thought of having 2 long wings in PG and Roberson, both known for lockdown D, should be scary to any team in the league. PG gives another ace for RW to dish to, spot up or cut so I expect his assist numbers to go up.

I'm not to sure what Oladipo and Sabonis will bring to the Cornrows. Sobanis' game is similar to Turner's. Maybe they think it is GRIII's time. Here's to hoping that Little Dog is the secret weapon many thought he could be. I'm not familiar with Oladipo's game.

 

[WLVCA]

Paul George going to OKC....didn't see that coming. Sam Presti pulled a rabbit out of his hat again.

Blake is back with the Clippers.....we'll see what happens. Still need a decent SF.

 

[jadis]

Jeff Teague reportedly will sign with the Wolves for 3 years.

Clock struck past midnight. All free agents are alive. I hope Danny Boy is burning the midnight oil. Paul George and Blake are not walking through the Garden door. And Pat Riley is waiting for Hayward.

 

[jadis]

The captions says - there's only one option left for the Celtics.



I can't totally say I disagree.

 

[jadis]

OMG I was shocked at first but it makes sense. It now looks like Utah is no longer the defensive juggernaut of the west, it is now OKC. The starting unit is long fast and solid with the addition of PG13 and they have the Aquaman lookalike in the middle. The thought of having 2 long wings in PG and Roberson, both known for lockdown D, should be scary to any team in the league. PG gives another ace for RW to dish to, spot up or cut so I expect his assist numbers to go up.

I'm not to sure what Oladipo and Sabonis will bring to the Cornrows. Sobanis' game is similar to Turner's. Maybe they think it is GRIII's time. Here's to hoping that Little Dog is the secret weapon many thought he could be. I'm not familiar with Oladipo's game.

Well, Jack, one way to look at this trade is that the Pacers got 2 players who are signed for the next 4 seasons. As opposed to the one year rental of PG13. I think what's on the Pacer's GM's mind is that he got something instead of nothing, which by itself is good. Now, how good depends on how these 2 young players Oladipo and Sabonis turns out to be. Both are quite good but Oladipo seems to have not yet had a breakout season considering his high draft position. Who knows maybe he can do it as a Pacer. As for PG, according to close friends, he still wants to be a Laker in 2018, which kinda makes you wonder HOW he will play for OKC, with his mind dreaming about being in orange and purple. OKC really has a risky one year rental, unless they win the title for example, and Paul George may be signing on to them long term.

 

[jadis]

JJ Redick leaves the Clippers and signs with the Sixers for a 1 yr $23m deal. Amir Johnson has signed with the Sixers too. Sixers' Trust the Process now is in full swing.

 

[JackD201]

JJ Redick leaves the Clippers and signs with the Sixers for a 1 yr $23m deal. Amir Johnson has signed with the Sixers too. Sixers' Trust the Process now is in full swing.

I called the Sixers three years ago, TWolves too. I'll be watching out for these two teams as they mature.

 

[WLVCA]

JJ hit a big one year payday in Philadelphia - $23 million. That's about what he made in 4 years with the Clippers.

He could hit the three pointer and he could run the whole game looking for the open shot. Perhaps not as good as Reggie Miller but he did have similar stamina.

Wish him well going forward.

When he played at Duke he was known as the most hated man in college basketball. Always seemed a pretty good guy to me and his podcast was quite good as well. Wouldn't be surprised if he ended up in the broadcast business

 

[FrantzM]

My humble opinion on some of those last NBA news:

Doc has failed to show anything to the Clippers. He will go soon. He had good players and failed to maximize their potential. True there were the Dubs in the same division and there, the best anyone can hope is to be a valiant (if sulking) second. Yet the CLippers never gelled around the coach, never played full throttle for him. They never became the team many were expecting: The new Owners of the Coliseum.
The Pacers are back again to searching for a set of stars around which to build a team.
The Sixers could be better if they find plays and a real role for Reddick, they will challenge but not contend he Celtics, even les the Cavaliers. For the next few years and unless they implode due to too much influence from LBJ, the Cavs will own the East with the Celtics at a striking distance.
The OKC need a player to supplement the spectacular play of Russell Westbrook. They got a good defense now but need someone to score and to take the load of their PG with KD gone they need a star to supplement him else they will compete not threaten the Dubs and San Antonio.
The Timberwolves will continue to be their pesky selves ... derail or even eliminate a good team. I don't see them winning championships, yet.
The Pelicans remain an enigma. The Greek Freak is the kind of player who comes every generation and tears the league. A version of KD with even (seemingly) better skills; with better players around him, they could become the force to annoy, challenge ( Remember Detroit and the Bulls vs the Celtics) and finally push the Cavaliers away IMHO. That is if they retain Giannis Antetokounmpo ( I had to copy and paste the name ).

I don't think the 2018 season will be dull.

Now readying myself for the NFL .. I love football too

 

[jadis]

And talking about Giannis Antetokounmpo (copy and pasted too), Dealin' Danny passed on him and picked Olynyk when Giannis was available. I really hope he is correct on Jayson Tatum though seeing some of this new clips in Celtics workouts, he couldn't miss a shot from the 3 point area. With his height, hopefully he becomes a baby Kawhi.

Igoudala (no need to copy paste here) has agreed to a 3 year deal worth $48m to stay with the Warriors. He'll be there till age 36.

Hayward is meeting with the Boston top brass in a few hours and since he's the last of the projected top targets of Ainge, C's fan surely hope finally we can bag him, or else the less preferable options of Galinari and Milsap will surface. And then, the C's shall be eating our draft picks for the next 3 years.

 

[jadis]

LeBron believes Curry should have received even bigger payday

James
?
@KingJames

So tell me again why there's a cap on how much a player should get?? Don't answer that. Steph should be getting 400M this summer 5yrs. #JMTs https://twitter.com/annkillion/status/881211431391182848 …
3:12 AM - 2 Jul 2017

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/pag...ors-stephen-curry-received-even-bigger-payday

 

[WLVCA]

There are many Clipper fans who have turned on Doc Rivers. Reading Clipper forums over the past couple of weeks one would think he is the devil incarnate!

He has definitely made some mistakes as coach and as GM. Biggest mistake was not developing any younger players in additon to a couple of questionable trades. For example, a couple of years ago Joe Ingles was in the Clippers' preseason camp and Doc cut him. He is now an NBA starter and just earned a big contract from the Jazz.

Wasn't so long ago that the Clippers had the upper hand on the Warriors - the Clippers were the last team to beat the Warriors in a playoff series - beside the Cavaliers. Those days are long over.

So, yes, I do expect Doc to leave the Clippers either this year or next year at the latest.

All of that said, I would have hesitated to give CP3 a five year max deal as well. Doc likely was all in on signing Chris. Ballmer was likely gun shy. Not sure what Jerry West's input was. Ironically, lots of Clipper fans also see Jerry West as a savior...but the guy is 79 years old. Glad he is on the Clippers side but don't think he will be THE guy going forward.

Almost forgot about Blake. Hope he stays healthy is all I can say. They didn't have much choice but to sign him to a 5 year max deal. Were it my $175 million I would have had to think long and hard about that one.

My humble opinion on some of those last NBA news:

Doc has failed to show anything to the Clippers. He will go soon. He had good players and failed to maximize their potential. True there were the Dubs in the same division and there, the best anyone can hope is to be a valiant (if sulking) second. Yet the CLippers never gelled around the coach, never played full throttle for him. They never became the team many were expecting: The new Owners of the Coliseum.
The Pacers are back again to searching for a set of stars around which to build a team.
The Sixers could be better if they find plays and a real role for Reddick, they will challenge but not contend he Celtics, even les the Cavaliers. For the next few years and unless they implode due to too much influence from LBJ, the Cavs will own the East with the Celtics at a striking distance.
The OKC need a player to supplement the spectacular play of Russell Westbrook. They got a good defense now but need someone to score and to take the load of their PG with KD gone they need a star to supplement him else they will compete not threaten the Dubs and San Antonio.
The Timberwolves will continue to be their pesky selves ... derail or even eliminate a good team. I don't see them winning championships, yet.
The Pelicans remain an enigma. The Greek Freak is the kind of player who comes every generation and tears the league. A version of KD with even (seemingly) better skills; with better players around him, they could become the force to annoy, challenge ( Remember Detroit and the Bulls vs the Celtics) and finally push the Cavaliers away IMHO. That is if they retain Giannis Antetokounmpo ( I had to copy and paste the name ).

I don't think the 2018 season will be dull.

Now readying myself for the NFL .. I love football too

 

[jadis]

There are many Clipper fans who have turned on Doc Rivers. Reading Clipper forums over the past couple of weeks one would think he is the devil incarnate!

He has definitely made some mistakes as coach and as GM. Biggest mistake was not developing any younger players in additon to a couple of questionable trades. For example, a couple of years ago Joe Ingles was in the Clippers' preseason camp and Doc cut him. He is now an NBA starter and just earned a big contract from the Jazz.

I can see that in Doc in his Celtics days as well. Any my guess is because he relies heavily on veterans. If one takes a look at the 2008 title team he coached, most of the players he used were veterans - KG, Pierce, Allen, Posey, PJ Brown, and Eddie House. Only Rondo was the relatively 'new' guy. And he sparingly used Tony Allen, who became a much better player when he moved to Memphis. That's how Doc run the Clippers too, soaking the veterans most of the game but in the Clippers case, he had a much thinner bench that what Ainge gave him in 2008. The reason why he left the Celtics was that he wanted no part in its rebuilding, and its consequential player development after the core had left Boston. He had no experience too in building a team so as President of BO as well as Head Coach, his shoulders were loaded even more than when he was in Boston. If there is a 'hallmark' series of his, I'd choose that 7 game first round win in 2015 over the Spurs where in my view, the Clippers played like a championship team, very solid and cohesive. I believe the ensuing loss to the Rockets after being up 3-1 was a 'freak' accident, otherwise, they would be having a showdown with the Warriors for the WCF which I would have bet on them to win. I had heavy doubts on that Warriors team then. But, that's how the ball rolled, and who would have thought that the Clippers would be without 2 of its starters come next season. Am still partial to Doc due to his green days, and I hope he turn things around soon.

 

[WLVCA]

Yes, that 2015 first round victory against the Spurs was definitely thrilling and a high point.....soon followed by the stunning loss to Houston in the second round. That series loss was devastating, especially after having been up 3-1. Seemed that things spiraled downward after that compounded by injuries and perhaps relationships damaged by that very ugly loss to the Rockets.

So, excellent analysis, Phil, right on the money.