AROUND the NBA:

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I wouldn't rule out Siakam just yet. He's an NBA Champ.

Oh, that would be foolish indeed.  Rick will scheme to get him into the paint.  Pascal will get a good game in; I predict one more win for IND and Pascal will go off.

[cow]

I wouldn't rule out Siakam just yet. He's an NBA Champ.

I don't think anyone is doing that, rather complimenting how hard Williams is making it for Siakam.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

If NYK do trade for Kidd, I kinda think that puts a fork in their Giannis aspirations.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I don't think anyone is doing that, rather complimenting how hard Williams is making it for Siakam.

Not just JDub, but Lou Dort, and Caruso have also spent time guarding him.  Pacers won't win without Pascal doing anything.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

https://rg.org/news/basketball/kings-tar...h-heats-up

ATL is extinguishing my Dyson Daniels dreams. I figured they aren't dumb enough to go with Trae over Dyson, but a boy can hope

[F Gump]

https://rg.org/news/basketball/kings-tar...h-heats-up

ATL is extinguishing my Dyson Daniels dreams.  I figured they aren't dumb enough to go with Trae over Dyson, but a boy can hope

I don't think Dyson is a PG at all. He's really a 2-guard (and a big one) who plays off the ball, with excellent D but with a very iffy shot.

[Winter]

For me, it boils down to two needs.

A backup SG who can shoot from the perimeter (not Hardy). Preferably can play some defense,

A backup PG (or starter) who can run a team and be a playmaker who can move to the bench when Kyrie returns.

We have players who can be traded, and some are more expendable than others:
Martin
Marshall
Hardy
Powell
Prosper
Gafford
PJ

There's a lot to work with here. We should be able to find what we need with what we currently have. Personally, I think we need good outside shooters. If the incoming players don't have that, the value goes way down for me. Everyone wants good defense, but that's a sliding scale. A good 3-pt shooter is a statistic I understand.

Finding the right dance partners is the hard part.

[KillerLeft]

For me, Kyrie is a 2 on offense. Since coming here (and during the vast majority of his successful time on other teams), he's basically an iso scorer with a fairly deadly off-ball, movement shooter skillset to complement the other offensive weapons. In other words, I think this team pretty desperately needs a STARTING PG, not just a stop gap. Like everyone else, I'm having trouble identifying that player at the moment, but I'm hoping for a pretty big splash this summer if I'm being honest.

[DallasMaverick]

For me, Kyrie is a 2 on offense. Since coming here (and during the vast majority of his successful time on other teams), he's basically an iso scorer with a fairly deadly off-ball, movement shooter skillset to complement the other offensive weapons. In other words, I think this team pretty desperately needs a STARTING PG, not just a stop gap. Like everyone else, I'm having trouble identifying that player at the moment, but I'm hoping for a pretty big splash this summer if I'm being honest.

Exum.

Or is he not shiny enough?

[FireNicoHarrison]

Exum is a backup PG at best and when healthy... If we really are in "win now" mode we need better. Much better.

[Chicagojk]

For me, it boils down to two needs.

A backup SG who can shoot from the perimeter (not Hardy). Preferably can play some defense,

A backup PG (or starter) who can run a team and be a playmaker who can move to the bench when Kyrie returns.

We have players who can be traded, and some are more expendable than others:
Martin
Marshall
Hardy
Powell
Prosper
Gafford
PJ

There's a lot to work with here. We should be able to find what we need with what we currently have. Personally, I think we need good outside shooters. If the incoming players don't have that, the value goes way down for me. Everyone wants good defense, but that's a sliding scale. A good 3-pt shooter is a statistic I understand.

Finding the right dance partners is the hard part.

I am surprised to see you say backup SG.  That could definately be a need soon, but I think the team is fine with Klay starting and Max backing him up.  I am not sure if Max is a longterm starter (will need to see how he develops) but I believe the team is high on him as a good young rotation piece.

[Chicagojk]

For me, Kyrie is a 2 on offense. Since coming here (and during the vast majority of his successful time on other teams), he's basically an iso scorer with a fairly deadly off-ball, movement shooter skillset to complement the other offensive weapons. In other words, I think this team pretty desperately needs a STARTING PG, not just a stop gap. Like everyone else, I'm having trouble identifying that player at the moment, but I'm hoping for a pretty big splash this summer if I'm being honest.

I agree that Kyrie is best as a scorer than a true table setter.    I am not sure Nico or Kidd really want a true point guard.   I look how Duke played without a point and even how OKC plays without a true point guard and wonder that is how Nico/Kidd want to play.   Mostly bigger guys with three guys who can all create off the dribble.   Now Dallas needs to do some work to upgrade their creation, but I wonder if that is there vision.   Size, length, physical (outside of Kyrie) in the backcourt and wing.  We will see.  The issue though is OKC can just destroy a team with their defense if you don't have someone to run an offense.

[Winter]

I am surprised to see you say backup SG.  That could definately be a need soon, but I think the team is fine with Klay starting and Max backing him up.  I am not sure if Max is a longterm starter (will need to see how he develops) but I believe the team is high on him as a good young rotation piece.

I like him fine, but he's not the perimeter threat I hoped he would be. 

One of the things I liked all "draft Walter Clayton" posts in this forum, was that he's type of guy like to see coming off the bench in certain situations. Hardy is just too inconsistent and he has terrible tunnel vision on most nights. I really don't know if Walter Clayton is exactly who I want at that spot, but that's the "type". I'd really like a reliable ball handler who can shoot outside and isn't afraid to - a Seth Curry type (his first stint here anyway).

Another way to look at this is what happens if Klay gets hurt. That could happen pretty easily, and Max just doesn't provide any consistent threat from outside. Exum really isn't that guy either. I don't think we need anyone playing 25 mpg, but we could use some situational help. Powell will just sit most nights and players like Hardy and Martin can all be moved for something more useful. 

I think you can make a more productive offensive bench by moving some players who are after-thoughts on this team.

[Chicagojk]

What an awesome finals so far.

[ThisIStheYear]

Carlisle is probably the league’s best active coach. I don’t know how he’s doing this.

[Jym]

Presti was so dumb not to build an actual dynasty
a couple trades and a true #2 and they steamroll everyone

[DallasMaverick]

Oh, that would be foolish indeed.  Rick will scheme to get him into the paint.  Pascal will get a good game in; I predict one more win for IND and Pascal will go off.

Any other predictions for us?

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Presti was so dumb not to build an actual dynasty
a couple trades and a true #2 and they steamroll everyone

He still has a lot of pennies in the piggy bank

[cow]

Suck it, Zombie Sonics!

Carlisle is probably the league’s best active coach. I don’t know how he’s doing this.

I was almost going to compliment him for the super fast yank of Bryant, but he put him back in during the second half and all of his limited seconds were disastrous. Game one was a fluke and he should never leave the bench again.

Mathurin and McConnell will get well deserved flowers, but Toppin, boneheaded plays and all, gives a lot more than he takes and has been vital to Indy. Turner has been mostly bad, but props to him for some great defense in the 4th against Chet who he's had a hard time staying in front of.

Indy needs to give Williams the SGA treatment when he handles on the perimeter as he's shown a bit of weakness there.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

OKC's defense is just stifling.

OKC definitely needs a clear #2 on offense. Thoughts on if JDub will develop into that, or will they need to bring one in?