(12-20-2022, 03:23 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]Good news, maybe Pho can once again become a trade partner. Sarver hated Cuban and wouldn’t trade with him since Nash.
Also bad news. Suns managed to build a contender despite Sarver. Imagine if the new owner is willing to pay luxury tax and not trying to unload rotation pieces.
(12-20-2022, 03:54 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]Also bad news. Suns managed to build a contender despite Sarver. Imagine if the new owner is willing to pay luxury tax and not trying to unload rotation pieces.
When it comes to Western Conference foes I'm not too concerned with the Suns going forward. Chris Paul is way past his prime and Booker, Bridges, Ayton doesn't scare me.
The scary ones are Memphis with a 23 year old Ja Morant (same age as Luka) , New Orleans with Zion, Ingram, and a potential lakers top 5 pick.
But then we need to be honest and discuss the teams out West who are armed with super young talent and picks. The Rockets and Thunder have been tanking for years. If OKC gets Wembanyama to go along with SGA, Giddey, and Chet Holmgren they could be a problem. They are armed with a ton of picks to add pretty much anyone they want. Or if the Rockets add him to Jabari Smith, Jalen Green, Sengun, Tari Eason, and Porter Jr.? Well Houston, we have a problem.
The Jazz dont fit the young category, but they rebuilt with a war chest of 1st rounders and tradeable players.
To me this points to the Mavs having a pretty small window to compete. We are talking team tank, but it better be a short quick rebuild before the young gun teams out West start to grow and mature.
All but OKC are division rivals too. Dallas better pick it up, or get left in the dust...
Shout out to Dame Lillard for passing Clyde the Glide to become the Blazers' all time leading scorer.
The other nine active players who are a franchise's all time leading scorer are... Giannis, Mike Conley, Steph, Anthony Davis, Demar DeRozan, LeBron, Brook Lopez (lol Nets), Kemba Walker, and Russell Westbrook
Brunson showing out on national TV.
Bulls gave Lavine that 215 million dollar deal. He still hasn't taken that next step to me to where he's one of the best SG's in the league, especially coming off knee surgery. He's talented, but something is missing from his game.
(12-21-2022, 01:31 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: [ -> ]Bulls gave Lavine that 215 million dollar deal. He still hasn't taken that next step to me to where he's one of the best SG's in the league, especially coming off knee surgery. He's talented, but something is missing from his game.
He's a number 2 guy that is injured. Bulls took off after they reduced Lavine's role and played him next to other good talent. Only until Lonzo, Caruso, then Lavine (in that order) getting injured did the wheels come off.
I still think he's one of the better SG's in the league, even while injured. When healthy he's assuredly top 10 with an argument to be top 5.
1. Booker
2. Mitchell
3. Brown
4. Harden (is he really a SG anymore?)
5. George
T-6. DeRozan
T-6. Beal
8. Lavine
Real question is, how much does he get amplified playing next to a guy like Luka, if at all? Lavine was one of the more elite catch & shoot guys if I remember correctly. Offensively he's everything we want out of a running mate next to Luka.
(12-21-2022, 01:31 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: [ -> ]Bulls gave Lavine that 215 million dollar deal. He still hasn't taken that next step to me to where he's one of the best SG's in the league, especially coming off knee surgery. He's talented, but something is missing from his game.
The problem is not whether he´s that good. He is. The question is how bad is his left knee is, and whether he´ll ever be close to 100% again.
He came back really fast after the torn ACL and showed no negative effects. This summer he had some unknown minor procedure on the same left knee. Technically microfracture surgery is probably considered a minor surgery, too. He´s averaging the worst numbers (total/shooting) across the board since 2018. The contract runs through his prime years age 27 to 32. It´s really not the contract. It´s the underlying health factor.
Is he just going through a (post injury) slump like the whole team, fallout with the coach (mental) or is there a much bigger physical problem.
i've long been a big fan of Lavine. For years have thought of ways we could get him, and now might be the time. Yet now i'm not sure i want him on this team.
But if Chicago just wants to get rid of him and get rid of that contract. Can i interest you in Hardaway / Bertans / Ntilikina ?
Would you do it for Bullock / Wood / Powell ??
I'm sure Chicago wants none of our trash, but its fun to think about.
(12-21-2022, 11:21 AM)Nowitzki Way Wrote: [ -> ]But if Chicago just wants to get rid of him and get rid of that contract. Can i interest you in Hardaway / Bertans / Ntilikina ?
Would you do it for Bullock / Wood / Powell ??
I'm sure Chicago wants none of our trash, but its fun to think about.
They might be interested in our picks. The most often mentioned destination is LA with Westbrook and 2 FRP. Mavs can match and even top that. I am not sure offense only guy is what this team is looking for, though.
(12-21-2022, 11:37 AM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]They might be interested in our picks. The most often mentioned destination is LA with Westbrook and 2 FRP. Mavs can match and even top that. I am not sure offense only guy is what this team is looking for, though.
I think they'd only be interested if the Bulls got desperate and wanted to dump him for team/chemistry reasons. And of course the injury concerns.
Was hoping we could swoop in while the value may be lower. Seems like we did this with Prorzingis. We got involved before others did.
If Lavine is frustrated with Derozan, I can't imagine he'd be happy next to Luka.
(12-21-2022, 12:38 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]If Lavine is frustrated with Derozan, I can't imagine he'd be happy next to Luka.
Luka doesnt seem like a guy that other alpha guys like to play with.
But in the case of Luka vs. Derozan for Lavine. I think he'd choose Luka. While Luka has the highest usage rate imaginable, he'll find you if you're open. He'll find you if you're not open.
Derozan isnt completely void of assists, but he's not a drive and kick to open man at the 3 point line. He's not a guy throwing oops. He's not pulling off no look dishes or one handed dimes to the corner. Luka can do those things for Lavine.
(12-21-2022, 12:58 PM)Nowitzki Way Wrote: [ -> ]Luka doesnt seem like a guy that other alpha guys like to play with.
So far.
I have a feeling this will change when he's a bit older and more willing to sacrifice to get some help. A few more years to develop personal relationships won't hurt, either, because that seems to be the single biggest driving force behind these team ups.
Just have to keep reminding ourselves: Luka is 24 in a system designed to be ruled by players who are 28-34.
(12-21-2022, 12:58 PM)Nowitzki Way Wrote: [ -> ]But in the case of Luka vs. Derozan for Lavine. I think he'd choose Luka. While Luka has the highest usage rate imaginable, he'll find you if you're open. He'll find you if you're not open.
Derozan isnt completely void of assists, but he's not a drive and kick to open man at the 3 point line. He's not a guy throwing oops. He's not pulling off no look dishes or one handed dimes to the corner. Luka can do those things for Lavine.
Agree with this. Both DeRozan and LaVine would benefit from playing with Luka, imo, and vice versa.
I have no trouble envisioning the fit between Luka and LaVine, but the issue there is his health. Is he damaged goods, or does he just happen to be recovering from a random injury? With those max types, you really can't afford to get that wrong.
