(06-17-2021, 03:37 AM)Branduil Wrote: There is no way I'm touching Simmons with a 10-foot pole. This isn't a one-time thing, every single year he disappears in the playoffs when defenses lock down in transition and force the half-court game. It doesn't matter who his teammates is, who is coach is, you can count on him to disappear when it matters because he can. not. do. anything. in the half-court offense. He can't shoot, he can't post-up, he can't hit free throws. Just a free invite to double off of him.

Really the worst thing is that he won't even address the problem. Like, as much as we criticize KP, and rightfully so, imagine if he pretended there was no problem, that it didn't matter that he lacked fundamental basketball skills? As far as anyone can tell, he makes zero effort to fix this. He's still the same non-shooter as when he came into the league.

(06-17-2021, 03:57 AM)Branduil Wrote: Just in today's games, the Clippers were able to get what they wanted despite facing DPOY Gobert. Similarly, the elite defense of Simmons and Embiid could do nothing to stop the Hawks from dropping 40 in the fourth.

Honestly feels like elite NBA offenses are reaching a point where they're just utterly breaking the idea of strong playoff defense. I still think you need some strong perimeter defenders and a good defensive center, and especially you don't want any massive liabilities, but I'm definitely coming around to the idea that elite offensive creators surrounded by shooters is far, far more important. The Clippers have been playing small ball the entire playoffs and no one can punish them for it; maybe that changes if they face Ayton.

Anyway, my point is, I think we need to think primarily about how to add elite offensive talent to this team. Defenders can be added for cheap later.

(06-17-2021, 07:46 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: The further we get from the season, the firmer I am getting into the camp  of going big this summer an finding our 2nd or third best player.   That will probably cost us Hardaway and that will hurt and does have some risk to it.  

For me, going big are three players right now and more can be added

Derozan- Negative is his advanced stats and the fit is not ideal.   But I think how he can put pressure on defenses getting into the lane would shine here.
Lowry-  His age really concerns me.  If he was 2-3 years younger he would be ideal.   
Conley- May be safer than the other two, but upside may not be as high.

KP hasn't live up to his billing as a second or third best player, but for the short term you try to build him back up.    With Luka, a built back up KP and one of those three that is a very good starting point.  Then you fill in the rest with rotation pieces, young players, and glue guys.   

The names above are probably best served as your third best player.   But they could also fill in as your second if KP struggles.    If KP shines, either of those three above are probably overqualified as your third best player...which is a good thing.   

That is my thinking at least for today

(06-17-2021, 03:57 AM)Branduil Wrote: Just in today's games, the Clippers were able to get what they wanted despite facing DPOY Gobert. Similarly, the elite defense of Simmons and Embiid could do nothing to stop the Hawks from dropping 40 in the fourth.

Honestly feels like elite NBA offenses are reaching a point where they're just utterly breaking the idea of strong playoff defense. I still think you need some strong perimeter defenders and a good defensive center, and especially you don't want any massive liabilities, but I'm definitely coming around to the idea that elite offensive creators surrounded by shooters is far, far more important. The Clippers have been playing small ball the entire playoffs and no one can punish them for it; maybe that changes if they face Ayton.

Anyway, my point is, I think we need to think primarily about how to add elite offensive talent to this team. Defenders can be added for cheap later.

(06-17-2021, 11:52 AM)ClutchDirk Wrote: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10006016-report-zion-williamsons-family-members-unhappy-want-pelicans-star-on-new-team

(06-17-2021, 12:27 PM)StepBackJay Wrote: So the Mavs angle here is that Pels have an urgency to shake up the roster similar to the Mavs and many other teams. The list of teams in need of a shake-up is growing by the day.

Pels have lots of good pieces that don't really fit together. Even guys like Adams and Bledsoe are tradable. Adams bc he is a useful player, and Bledsoe because he is expiring and is at least a rotational guy.

(06-17-2021, 03:37 AM)Branduil Wrote: There is no way I'm touching Simmons with a 10-foot pole. This isn't a one-time thing, every single year he disappears in the playoffs when defenses lock down in transition and force the half-court game. It doesn't matter who his teammates is, who is coach is, you can count on him to disappear when it matters because he can. not. do. anything. in the half-court offense. He can't shoot, he can't post-up, he can't hit free throws. Just a free invite to double off of him.

Really the worst thing is that he won't even address the problem. Like, as much as we criticize KP, and rightfully so, imagine if he pretended there was no problem, that it didn't matter that he lacked fundamental basketball skills? As far as anyone can tell, he makes zero effort to fix this. He's still the same non-shooter as when he came into the league.

(06-17-2021, 10:58 AM)mvossman Wrote: I would greatly prefer that player to be closer to Luka's timeline.  The two primary choices being Ball or Collins.  I'm not sure why DeRozan would shine here?  He is not an effective off ball player and he will be playing with Luka.

(06-17-2021, 01:54 PM)Chicagojk Wrote: Sure Derozan's D may not be good.  But any team playing us better be ready to score a lot.

(06-17-2021, 12:49 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: You have to treat Simmons as a center. Thats what he is. He's a 6'10 center with a minor post up game. Except he can also guard everyone on the court. Think about that. With Simmons out there, there is no matchup that he cannot defend. He can easily guard Kawhi one possession and Zubac another, and do it well. Further as a 6'10 center, he can also do stuff like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QyKq0BQ5D4

And that's before even talking about his ELITE passing ability.

He's unique. He disappears in the playoffs because PHI has a center already and Simmons is relegated to standing out on the top of the key where he's ignored. Imagine Simmons as Dwight Powell here. Set screens, rebound, dunk, make passes out of the post. Dude would do SOOO well here.


I urge you to watch this amazing breakdown on him by what I think is the best analyst out there right now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x3-B4ogAqA

(06-18-2021, 10:43 AM)JamesConway Wrote: Probably a name to watch.

(06-18-2021, 11:31 AM)jesusshuttlesworth82 Wrote: I'd be all over him in a KP trade.

(06-18-2021, 12:43 PM)MaxiThreeba Wrote: Mavs Out: KP, Kleber, Brunson
Mavs In: Simmons, Turner

76ers Out: Simmons
76ers In: Brogdon, Bridges/PJ

Hornets Out: Hayward, Bridges/PJ
Hornets In: KP, Warren/Lamb

Pacers Out: Turner, Brogdon, Warren/Lamb
Pacers In: Hayward, Kleber, Brunson

(06-18-2021, 10:43 AM)JamesConway Wrote: https://twitter.com/massey_evan/status/1405911375768137732?s=21

Probably a name to watch.