AROUND the NBA: ATL Jumps from #10 to #1 in Lotto| Pistons Mull Firing GM

[IamDougieFresh]

I am now rooting for the 76ers to make the finals so that we can watch Jokic punk Embiid.

[Mavs2021]

I am now rooting for the 76ers to make the finals so that we can watch Jokic punk Embiid.

Philly will just unleash Paul Reed on Jokic. Game over.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

If AD brings it every game as he did tonight, the Lakers have a shot at going to the conference final. GS doesn't have a answer for him. AD was dominate on both ends as he also had 23 rebounds and 4 blocked shots to go with his 30 pts. However, this is the Warriors they're dealing with, and we all know you never can count them and Steph out. They made 21 3's and still lost. That's not gonna happen again. BTW, Looney also had 23 boards for his 4th 20 rebound game in these playoffs.

[dirkfansince1998]

If the Mavs are looking for toughness...

https://twitter.com/BasketNews_com/statu...2972395520

[DanSchwartzgan]

Mavs position right now, assuming Kyrie at max, limits them to taxpayer MLE. Mavs can clear some space to get the bigger one, but it's depressing to see what they are left to work with and all the holes they would have to fill.

I would assume they would waive Bertans, but McGee would still be kept as a useless bench sitter.

So their usable roster heading into the summer would be Kleber and a bunch of guards (Luka, Kyrie, THJ, Bullock, Green, Hardy). That's it.

That's a core that's undersized, lacking defense, and can't rebound. Ugh.

What can they do from there? Not much. The cap says their summer roster additions to fill out what they lack would be limited to the big MLE, pick 10, and a bunch of minimums. That lands them just a hair under the apron. Not good, unless they can make a useful trade or three to change the situation considerably.

You are forgetting the monster package we are going to get when we S&T Superstar Wood.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

The dumbest statement ever is that words lose series.  Let the league devalue him because of this and sign him on the cheap.  I'll take his defense and attitude on this soft team any old day.

[BigDirk41]

The dumbest statement ever is that words lose series.  Let the league devalue him because of this and sign him on the cheap.  I'll take his defense and attitude on this soft team any old day.

Hard pass

[BigDirk41]

It is unprecedented for a team to openly trash a player before he is gone in free agency. It is unprecedented for a team to say "we will change the way we trash talk" going forward. I do not want any player that a #2 seed does not want any part of. No thanks.

[ItsGoTime]

People can change too.

[SleepingHero]

People can change too.

Brooks already came out and said that Memphis pigeonholed him into a 3-D role when there is so much more to his game that he's looking forward to showing.

The same dude who averaged 13 shots a game on 31% shooting.

[ItsGoTime]

My hypothesis is Ja is ruling the roost there magnifying the bad in his teammates. Take players out of that cesspool and see what they do. Be the first to believe in the player that will change his stripes and you have loyalty.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

It is unprecedented for a team to openly trash a player before he is gone in free agency. It is unprecedented for a team to say "we will change the way we trash talk" going forward. I do not want any player that a #2 seed does not want any part of. No thanks.

That's just silly.  It's noise.  Think Lebron is only going to be a stud if you trash talk him?  The greats find motivation in whatever they find motivation.

Brooks is an elite perimeter defender, precisely what we need.  He has been humbled by this experience.  Mark my words, he's going to ball for whatever team signs him.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

My hypothesis is Ja is ruling the roost there magnifying the bad in his teammates. Take players out of that cesspool and see what they do. Be the first to believe in the player that will change his stripes and you have loyalty.

I'm in agreement.  Ja reminds me so much of AI, in all ways.  Iverson was barely able to keep the thug life from ruining his career.  I hope for the sake of the league Ja will also be able to.

Another is example is the Portland Jailbreakers.  Sheed became a model citizen after leaving that gansta paradise.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I see Brooks as a great Bullock replacement.  His defense is much better, he's 20lbs heavier, and while his 3pt% is less, he'll score 2X as much.

[DallasMaverick]

I see Brooks as a great Bullock replacement.  His defense is much better, he's 20lbs heavier, and while his 3pt% is less, he'll score 2X as much.

I'd sign him at vet minimum.  

Sends a strong signal that you see him as barely serviceable.  Keep that ego in check.

Cuban says you can have one knucklehead on a team.

If he's a disruption, cut him.

[rocky164]

Do you really believe Brooks trash talks more than Luka?  The BIG difference is Luka backs his talk up with his play.

[IamDougieFresh]

What is Brooks’ catch and shoot 3pt %?

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I am now rooting for the 76ers to make the finals so that we can watch Jokic punk Embiid.

I think Jokic is better but Embiid is a nightmare matchup for him head to head. Embiid is a freak like Giannis.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

That's just silly.  It's noise.  Think Lebron is only going to be a stud if you trash talk him?  The greats find motivation in whatever they find motivation.

Brooks is an elite perimeter defender, precisely what we need.  He has been humbled by this experience.  Mark my words, he's going to ball for whatever team signs him.

He might sign here just to get back at Memphis for letting him go. They're division rivals after all. It would be strange, but it happens.

[Mavs2021]

Now that we have established that Reed > Embiid, Shake Milton is another Philly guy to look at. Nothing major, just a potential minimum/slightly above level player to round out the rotation that will not hinder the Hardy development, but could be a useful younger rotation veteran. 8/3/3, 46/36/85 career, 26 years old.