EPTI must admit things are far more interesting when budgets are tight and GMs have to work their asses off >)
NBA Offseason Thread 2009 - Page 16
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eStoniaNBoY
Switzerland439 Posts
I must admit things are far more interesting when budgets are tight and GMs have to work their asses off >) | ||
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il0seonpurpose
Korea (South)5638 Posts
Btw Yao Ming's foot has not healed like expected, uh oh. And I don't see why Shaq wouldn't be a good fit for the Cavs. Ok, he can't defend the pick and roll but instead of him trying to figure out which way the opponents going to roll and him running behind trying to block them, why not play his own zone defense? He can wait to see how the pick and roll is going to react and then go on from there. | ||
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72AND10
United States93 Posts
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72AND10
United States93 Posts
On June 26 2009 02:06 il0seonpurpose wrote: So are the Suns waiting for next year's bonanza fiesta of unrestricted players as well? Btw Yao Ming's foot has not healed like expected, uh oh. And I don't see why Shaq wouldn't be a good fit for the Cavs. Ok, he can't defend the pick and roll but instead of him trying to figure out which way the opponents going to roll and him running behind trying to block them, why not play his own zone defense? He can wait to see how the pick and roll is going to react and then go on from there. I would say "YES" to your first question. They're at a point where their strategy has failed to bring them a championship for quite some time and they might consider switching up their personnel. With regards to Shaq, if he can provide the same productivity he did this past year on Phoenix, he SHOULD benefit the Cavs. On paper they look good but it still comes down to how the players mesh on the court. I personally don't think this affects their pick and roll defense unless the Cavs are going to play Shaq and Big Z at the same time. Otherwise, Big Z couldn't defend the pick and roll either so it pretty much leaves them at square one when it comes to defending it whether you're talking about Shaq or Z. | ||
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Xeris
Iran17695 Posts
On June 25 2009 21:38 Jibba wrote: You only say that because of your Kobe poster. How can this trade actually make them worse? They gave up two god awful players for Shaq, who has an expiring contract next year. This is like a win in every possible way for Cleveland. Shaq doesn't even need to start for them, and he certainly doesn't need to play most of the regular season. He can be a sixth man and put up 15 a night at 60% shooting. Sure as hell beats Mo Williams' stellar playoff performance of 10 at 30%. I don't know if they'll make it back to the finals but if they do the Kobe vs. Lebron matchup just got a whole lot more epic. I already explained why he's a bad fit. 1) Most of LeBron's damage comes from the paint. 2) Shaq is a hugely dominant force in the paint and clogs it just by him being there (because he's huge + he needs to be doubled at all times). This will limit LeBron's ability to get cleanly to the paint. Secondly, this puts them (Clevland) significantly over the luxury tax which will impede their efforts of getting other free agents. This move basically says: "we have every single piece except Shaq will finish the puzzle now", since he eliminates any real ability to get other significant players. I frankly don't think he is the missing piece, and now unless he can produce at a high level (i.e 19-10 like he did this past season) he will do a lot more damage than good. | ||
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Xeris
Iran17695 Posts
"James is going to have to make some major adjustments next season. O'Neal isn't the type who can just play off another guy. He's at his best when the offense starts with him and runs through him. James hasn't played with someone like that before. He also hasn't played with someone who occupies so much space in the paint, something it took Steve Nash a while to get used to after O'Neal was traded to Phoenix in February 2008." | ||
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bdams19
United States1316 Posts
Also, LOL at sportscenter changing their top 10 draft picks every 20 minutes haha | ||
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72AND10
United States93 Posts
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il0seonpurpose
Korea (South)5638 Posts
On June 26 2009 02:32 Xeris wrote: Oh mah god, J.A Adande says same thing as me "James is going to have to make some major adjustments next season. O'Neal isn't the type who can just play off another guy. He's at his best when the offense starts with him and runs through him. James hasn't played with someone like that before. He also hasn't played with someone who occupies so much space in the paint, something it took Steve Nash a while to get used to after O'Neal was traded to Phoenix in February 2008." Well it seems like Lebron will have to develop on his jumpshot, he should just work on that all summer. I saw some of his high school clips, his j was so much better back then but he got so much stronger that he can't shoot the same way he did. Btw, SportsCenter said both Lebron and Shaq will entertain both on and off the court, haha, so true. I love Shaq's entrances and just the stuff he does and Lebron is just a kid. And didn't Amare play with his back to the basket anyway like Shaq did when he came? I'm not sure what he had to get used to. And it's interesting how lots of teams are trying to go lower in the draft b/c they don't want to spend lots of money on a pick they can get the same potential for lower in the pick i.e Rubio. (Definitely not a #2 pick) | ||
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72AND10
United States93 Posts
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il0seonpurpose
Korea (South)5638 Posts
On June 26 2009 02:07 72AND10 wrote: From a few pages back, can someone explain to me why anyone would take Harden at #3? It makes completely no sense to me and the argument that he is "most NBA ready" out of the pool of players is not a very compelling one. He's a decent player but I personally think that he's too slow at this point to be effective in the NBA. And he also depends a great deal on penetration; he has to develop a jumpshot. Down the line, Harden is a good pick. But at #3? I'd be incredibly surprised if he goes at #3. Because nobody else is much better than him? I'd rather take Jodie Meeks as the third pick but I'm just biased as a Kentucky fan. | ||
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HonestTea
5007 Posts
Anyways, my only point to make is for teams like Memphis and OKC, who are already in obvious rebuilding, there's no need to "draft for need" It's not like they are teams on the verge of playoffs, and drafting the right rookie will push them over the edge. It's not like there are any rookies that are NBA-ready right out of the gate who can push teams over the edge this year - other than Blake (and even that's questionable) Given that situation, why not draft the best talent available? It makes no sense for 20 win teams to be trying to fill holes. | ||
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72AND10
United States93 Posts
Anyway, "nobody else is much better than him" now? If we were talking about a calibur player who would come in and take control of a team, then I would say fine. But James Harden isn't going to do that by any means. I'd rather pick up Thabeet or Rubio and try to develop them. What is James Harden going to do for your team now or even down the line? I don't think anything. But I could be very wrong  | ||
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Jimtudor
Canada259 Posts
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Xeris
Iran17695 Posts
On June 26 2009 02:50 il0seonpurpose wrote: Well it seems like Lebron will have to develop on his jumpshot, he should just work on that all summer. I saw some of his high school clips, his j was so much better back then but he got so much stronger that he can't shoot the same way he did. Btw, SportsCenter said both Lebron and Shaq will entertain both on and off the court, haha, so true. I love Shaq's entrances and just the stuff he does and Lebron is just a kid. And didn't Amare play with his back to the basket anyway like Shaq did when he came? I'm not sure what he had to get used to. And it's interesting how lots of teams are trying to go lower in the draft b/c they don't want to spend lots of money on a pick they can get the same potential for lower in the pick i.e Rubio. (Definitely not a #2 pick) Amare can't play with his back to the basket O_O! | ||
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Ace
United States16096 Posts
On June 26 2009 03:01 HonestTea wrote: Wow I hate this draft. Anyways, my only point to make is for teams like Memphis and OKC, who are already in obvious rebuilding, there's no need to "draft for need" It's not like they are teams on the verge of playoffs, and drafting the right rookie will push them over the edge. It's not like there are any rookies that are NBA-ready right out of the gate who can push teams over the edge this year - other than Blake (and even that's questionable) Given that situation, why not draft the best talent available? It makes no sense for 20 win teams to be trying to fill holes. Actually in the case of Memphis and OKC drafting to fill holes is the greatest thing they can do. More so in OKCs case because they have 3 legit superstars in the making. They don't need to draft another superstar and if they do it can't be a Forward or a PG else chances are that one will be traded for a vet down the line. OKC doesn't fit the mold of the 20 win team that has struggled all season due to their players sucking, forcing the need to grab whatever they can like the Clippers or the Wizards. OKC actually had a lot of success and good games + 3 very well developed players - they are seriously looking like Portland in 2007. We all know how that story is going right now. | ||
XaI)CyRiC
United States4471 Posts
On June 26 2009 03:13 Jimtudor wrote: I think Shaq will benefit the Cavs. Dwyane Wade led guards in points in the paint when Shaq was there. They found ways where Wade can get to the hoop and I don't think they did something that others couldn't repeat. As long as they adjust the offensive system where Shaq isn't in the lane when Lebron drives, they will be more dangerous. First of all, can you cite your source as Wade leading all guards in points in the paint when Shaq was there? Does it take into account all the games Shaq missed during the regular season? I'm curious whether Wade continued to get as many points in the paint when Shaq was on the floor at the same time as him. Second, my concern is that the Cavs don't have three perimeter-oriented players who can play with Lebron and Shaq. In Miami, Antoine Walker could play as a 3pot-shooting PF, which allowed for more spacing despite Shaq and Wade needing to get to the paint. The Cavs have Varejao and Joe Smith. Varejao will never be able to play at the same time as Shaq and Lebron, as there'd be no spacing and opponents would just pack the paint. Joe Smith, while he has range, doesn't have range to the 3pt line, which makes him less effective at spreading defenses out. Their solution may be to play Lebron at PF, but they don't have any good SF options behind him. Having your best lineup be MoWill, Delonte, Wally, Lebron and Shaq, doesn't look that good to me. Last, I think that Lebron may improve his perimeter shooting to adjust to playing with Shaq, but let's not forget that turning Lebron into a jump shooter will be a victory for the defense by itself. Lebron's greatest strength is his ability to attack the basket, and Shaq will work against that. I think the best way for the Cavs to use Shaq, may be to have him come off the bench to create offense for CLE when Lebron sits and start only when they're playing against ORL. However, it's very hard to imagine Shaq agreeing to coming off the bench considering his reputation and temperament, so I doubt it's happening. | ||
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XaI)CyRiC
United States4471 Posts
On June 26 2009 02:50 il0seonpurpose wrote:And didn't Amare play with his back to the basket anyway like Shaq did when he came? I'm not sure what he had to get used to. No, he didn't. He actually never plays with his back to the basket, which is why having a player like Nash setting him up is so important. Amare is a SICK pick-and-roll player, and he needs to be on a team where he's playing with someone who can run it well for him to play his best. | ||
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BooBoogers
United States229 Posts
 http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AruF1F4hvEwUzijzY0cGWPzTjdIF?slug=aw-cartertrade062509&prov=yhoo&type=lgns[/url] Are they keeping Turkoglu to? | ||
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bdams19
United States1316 Posts
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