NBA Season 2014-2015

[My Chumps]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2SYIrUnf5Y

lol, what the?

[Jay]

Interesting article from Scott Polacek

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2167395-nba-trade-rumors-rajon-rondo-swap-would-prove-beneficial-for-kings-and-celtics

Rondo has said he wants to stay a Celtic, people who think we'll lose him for nothing need to realise that. I can certainly see him re-signing in Boston, he seems to really like it here and he has the opportunity to become the franchise centrepiece - something he couldn't be with the likes of Pierce and KG around. We've got Green, Bass and Anthony's salaries coming off the books after this season we will certainly have plenty to offer him, potentially a max deal. Another misconception is that Smart and Rondo can't coexist in the same backcourt. I can certainly see a situation where Smart comes off the bench for 1 maybe 2 seasons behind Rondo and perhaps moving into a starting SG role in future seasons. Smart has the size and length to guard 2-guards and potentially SFs too, in fact he guarded Wiggins successfully in college. A backcourt + 6th man of Smart/Rondo/Bradley would be an awesome defensive backcourt. Sure we'll need shooting at the other positions but that trio would excel defensively. Instead of just giving the starting job to Smart, we can let him learn from a 4-time Allstar and NBA champion.

As for the Sacremento trade, last season I was all for a potential trade of Rondo + Wallace for Isiah + Mclemore + pick 8 but that's obviously off the table now. For the Kings to get Rondo Id need Mclemore, Stayskas and a future unprotected first round pick, while also taking back Wallace's contract.

[Mat0369]

When she hits you with a nude and a video you weren't expecting considering she said she would never send one

[Jay]

Philly trade Thad Young to the Wolves for a future 1st + salary cap fillers.

The tanking continues.

[j959]

Philly trade Thad Young to the Wolves for a future 1st + salary cap fillers.

The tanking continues.

saw an article (think nba.com or similar) where they say Philly just quietly going about stock-piling picks to package in the upcoming 2 seasons and having the cap space for big free agents, whilst waiting to see if the risk/reward pays off with Noel and Embiid, etc ... but if they're that bad this year again, what FA is going to want to go there in summer of 2015 or 2016??  ::)

[Master Q]

"Just quietly"

::)

Who wouldn't want to go to Philly. Amazing young talent, good money, big market.

[Jay]

I'm with j9 here. They are shamelessly tanking, and this surely turns off potential free agent signings. Their best hope is building through the draft, a strategy which is rarely successful.

I for one think MCW is being overrated, it's not unusual for average players to put up really good numbers on a shower team. And then there's Noel and Embiid who have major injury concerns.

[Mat0369]

Because you are stacking that team with young talented guys and will have a crap load of cap room to spend on established stars. You have the two best players from last years draft (Noel and MCW), the best young player from this draft and the guy most experts have as the only player with true superstar potential in Embiid, a few Euro stashes in guys like Saric and a stack of draft picks for future seasons. Add another top 3 talent this off-season and that is an attractive destination for future FA's. They are probably in the best position to make a play for someone like KD if the Wizards can't.

[Jay]

Because you are stacking that team with young talented guys and will have a crap load of cap room to spend on established stars. You have the two best players from last years draft (Noel and MCW), the best young player from this draft and the guy most experts have as the only player with true superstar potential in Embiid, a few Euro stashes in guys like Saric and a stack of draft picks for future seasons. Add another top 3 talent this off-season and that is an attractive destination for future FA's. They are probably in the best position to make a play for someone like KD if the Wizards can't.

Gotta be crazy if you think a superstar in his prime is going to put his future in the hands of young kids with injury clouds, you crazy ;)
Even I'll say that Hinkie should get GM of the year though, he's actually given this team hope rather than just running the treadmill of mediocrity. Wish Boston had followed that pattern.. We made a huge mistake keeping guys like Humph, Green and Bass on the team.

[Master Q]

Not crazy at all... Plenty would be happy to team up with an abundance of young talent who all have insane potential.

Embiid man.
Noel dude.

MCW has shown what he can do.

[Jay]

Not crazy at all... Plenty would be happy to team up with an abundance of young talent who all have insane potential.

Embiid man.
Noel dude.

MCW has shown what he can do.

Neither of those guys have played a game. Let's wait and see what they can produce at NBA level.

And I'm not sold on MCW yet

[Mat0369]

Gaz did it in the AFL, there is no reason to think that an NBA superstar won't do it when it only takes one player in the NBA to turn a teams fortunes around.

[j959]

Gaz did it in the AFL, there is no reason to think that an NBA superstar won't do it when it only takes one player in the NBA to turn a teams fortunes around.

I don't think it is quite the same though ... Gaz to GCS would've been more like Shaq going to Vancouver or Toronto when they started up ...

a FA goin to Philly in the next year or so, would be more like Goddard when he was entering free agency going to the Dees instead of the Bombers imo!   ;)

Eric Bledsoe FA situation is puzzling me a little bit - procrastinating a bit and been reading some of the related articles and commentary on his situation today.

He's one of the few free agents remaining though it is unlikely he'll move because most teams have spent their cap and pre-season camps are going to start so most pre-season rosters are finalised ... although with K-Love to Cleveland finally official maybe some other suitors who were waiting might be still looking?

Indication is that both parties are still quite far apart and now the relationship might be beyond repair.
I can't quite understand why Bledsoe thinks he deserves a max contract though with his injury history - yeh he's good but the difference between $12mil per season and the $16mil-$18mil he wants is HUGE (esp over 4-5yrs)!  :o

I don't think it's realistic for him to expect that $4mil-$6mil to be offered to him just because of his potential along with the injury-risk he's so far shown in his early career ...  ::)  :P   ;)

again GM McDonough holds the cards having recruited Isaiah Thomas who's not as good but means Phoenix don't have to pay overs for Bledsoe if he decides to play out his current contract and test the market after next year ...

[Jay]

Totally agree J9 - the main problem in the Suns/Bledsoe negotiations is that Bledsoe wants more than he is worth. For example, Curry only received a 4/48 deal due to his ankle problems. In this instance, Bledsoe only played 43 games this season...

[j959]

Totally agree J9 - the main problem in the Suns/Bledsoe negotiations is that Bledsoe wants more than he is worth. For example, Curry only received a 4/48 deal due to his ankle problems. In this instance, Bledsoe only played 43 games this season...

when you put it that way ... for Bledsoe: "tell him he's dreamin!" comes to mind ...  ;)

Steph Curry vs Bledsoe at the same stage of their careers, in hindsight you know that Curry has smashed it this season just gone but he still had as much if not more potential than Bledsoe has right now ...  :o  ::)   :)