2019 Offseason Thread

[Wamu]

Umm... oops...

What happened did you crap your pants again?

 

[Mecca]

For all the hate Jimmy Butler gets on here, just a reminder that Wolves were going to win low to mid 50 wins in 2018 before his injury but instead ended up as the 8th seed with 47 wins. They were the 3rd seed in the West at the time of his injury.

Dropped to a 36 win team last year with no Butler

People hate on him because of a perceived bad attitude.

Lots of guys have been total assholes.

*see Kobe, Jordan, Derrick Coleman, Barkley

The guy can play.

 

[Wamu]

I Dunno, some team in South Florida...

Close. You have the right country. But the wrong state.

 

[dtgold88]

IMO the Raptors are in the lottery now. They lost their best overall player and their best shooter.

Borderline lottery possible, but still think they have enough with a core of Gasol, Lowry, Siakam to sneak into playoffs.....figure they also might not be done making moves.

 

[Black Adam]

What happened did you crap your pants again?

lol nah, think I got it under control today...

check with me again tomorrow if you wanna...

 

[Mecca]

What was Kukoc's role on the Bulls?

Yeah, he's being contrarian just for the sake of arguing.

Very similar roles.

 

[dtgold88]

You sure?

Career stats:

Kukoc: 11.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.7apg, 44.7% from the field, 33.5% from 3 and 72.9% on free throws.

Kuzma: 17.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.2apg, 45.3% from the field, 33.5% from 3 and 73.1% on free throws.

Had a feeling that "light years" comment was among the many extreme comments you see here.

 

[Wamu]

lol nah, think I got it under control today...

check with me again tomorrow if you wanna...

No that's okay. Just check yourself. Mondays are bad enough. A topic like this would just stink things up even more.

 

[bksballer89]

People hate on him because of a perceived bad attitude.

Lots of guys have been total assholes.

*see Kobe, Jordan, Derrick Coleman, Barkley

The guy can play.

And Miami seem to do just fine with these "bad attitude" guys. From what he said yesterday, seems like Wade had lots of talk with him I guess when they were in Chicago about the Heat organization which made Butler think he'll fit right in.

 

[Bart]

You sure?

Career stats:

Kukoc: 11.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.7apg, 44.7% from the field, 33.5% from 3 and 72.9% on free throws.

Kuzma: 17.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.2apg, 45.3% from the field, 33.5% from 3 and 73.1% on free throws.

Stats don't include context. You're comparing a 2 year player playing on mediocre teams to a player's career who played on championship teams. Let's see if Kuzma keeps this up when he is on a contender. Highly doubt it. And if you would really take Kuzma over Kukoc you need to have your head examined. Kukoc took a lesser role to win rings. You can't be that naive.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Yeah, he's being contrarian just for the sake of arguing.

Very similar roles.

I expect Kuzma to be slightly better and more effective but generally expect him to be a scorer off the bench, just like Kukoc was, and fill the gap in the starting lineup when Lebron or AD take the night off for load management.

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah, he tries real hard and he's improved a smidge.

But, he's already 23, not some 19 year old with high upside.

He's never going to be Klay, Kawhi, George , Butler or even Middleton.

Could be wrong. But, I feel pretty confident about it right now.

Mostly agree.

As you said, he tries hard. But from what I've seen, his effort doesn't produce the results because he just doesn't know how to play NBA level defense.

He's long and athletic, so the tools are there to be at least a good defender.

Vogel is supposed to be a defensive coach, so maybe he can teach him what he needs to know.

I tend to agree with you though, that he's not getting to the Klay, Kawi, PG level. If he can just be a good defender, that will be huge for the Lakers and for him.

 

[bksballer89]

It seems this dude be on top of the Dolphins and Hurricanes sports / Miami sports. How credible is this dude though? Anyone know? @bksballer89 @TurnUpTheHeat @Heatles84

It's on the Heat reddit too: [Lauzin] From a Source/Good Friend. Yes that one. Heat are finalizing a deal to bring Russell Westbrook to Miami. Details aren't known yet on what goes back : heat

@Heatles84 @TurnUpTheHeat

 

[Mecca]

I expect Kuzma to be slightly better and more effective but generally expect him to be a scorer off the bench, just like Kukoc was, and fill the gap in the starting lineup when Lebron or AD take the night off for load management.

Yeah, it's not like you said he was Kevin Durant or even Bosh.

The 3rd scorer on a team built around 2 top 7 * you are a troll if you rank either of those guys lower than 7* players in the NBA sounds remarkably similar to what Kukoc was in Chicago.

 

[dtgold88]

Okay, this is off the top of my head so may miss someone:

Kawhi- W
KD- E
Giannis- E
LeBron- W
Curry- W
AD- W
Harden- W
Lillard- W
Embiid- E
George- W
Jokic- W
KAT- W
Russ- W
Kyrie - E
Klay- W
Butler- E
Beal- E
Kemba- E
Gobert- W
Mitchell- W

Obviously the last few names on here are debateable and I probably missed 1 or 2 somewhere.

That is 13-20 West, but more importantly, 5 of the top 7, 10 of the top 13 and #2 on that list is out for the season.

West still has most of the leagues’ truly elite players. East might have more guys in the 15-40 range, but we all know that does not matter as much.

Seems like a fair list. If I had to try and think of guys in east who could make a case it's not so easy. If not for injury, I'd think Oladipo. Maybe Middleton and Griffin, but could be a stretch.

 

[bksballer89]

Solid move for Dallas

 

[Mecca]

Mostly agree.

As you said, he tries hard. But from what I've seen, his effort doesn't produce the results because he just doesn't know how to play NBA level defense.

He's long and athletic, so the tools are there to be at least a good defender.

Vogel is supposed to be a defensive coach, so maybe he can teach him what he needs to know.

I tend to agree with you though, that he's not getting to the Klay, Kawi, PG level. If he can just be a good defender, that will be huge for the Lakers and for him.

Yeah, the guys that I mentioned are the cream of two way wing players.

No shame in not being on that level.

Again: He isn't a slug like Parker. He's trying.

 

[dtgold88]

I get that but things are so much harder out west. Making AS teams is so much easier in the East. Don't you get some type of bonus for making the AS team or am I going crazy? That alone would have me considering going to the East

Not AS but all NBA. a good point.

 

[Mecca]

Stats don't include context. You're comparing a 2 year player playing on mediocre teams to a player's career who played on championship teams. Let's see if Kuzma keeps this up when he is on a contender. Highly doubt it. And if you would really take Kuzma over Kukoc you need to have your head examined. Kukoc took a lesser role to win rings. You can't be that naive.

He doesn't have the longevity, obviously.

But, he is clearly expected to fill the same role.

Unless you see Boogie as a healthy, full-time starter?

Danny Green is going to be the same 3 and D guy he's been and fill the same role he has in San Antonio and Toronto.

Gotta be Kuz as the 3rd head of the Dragon.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Yeah, it's not like you said he was Kevin Durant or even Bosh.

The 3rd scorer on a team built around 2 top 7 * you are a troll if you rank either of those guys lower than 7* players in the NBA sounds remarkably similar to what Kukoc was in Chicago.

I think the X factor for the Lakers is going to possibly be Boogie.

His health is of course going to be an issue but he was averaging 16/8 on the Warriors where he was the 4th option at best.

If he stays healthy enough to play around 50-60 games in the regular season, at even 80% of what he did before his injury and the Lakers are going to be more dangerous that people think.

All for $3.5m