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****The Official 2015-16 NBA Thread****

Discussion in 'Other Sports Forum' started by TiP54, Jul 1, 2015.

  1. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Watching that summer league game yesterday I had some more impressions:

    1. Josh Smith functioned as sort of a rallying point for the team and bench, and he really had an impact on the game...but it was mostly because he's such a fat slob for a potentially elite level athlete that he's become a novelty to his teammates. If I have to hear one more time about how nobody questions his talent, lol...I just don't see it until he loses at least 50-60 pounds. He actually presents some value on offense because of his good hands, ability to move people when posting up, and good shooting. Not to mention when he comes out on a screen, you're good and well screened. However he has zero range as a defender. The only thing he can do on defense is be a big immovable object for anyone that makes the mistake of trying to post up against him. I don't think I could trust him during a game to do things that come as basics for most NBA players. Lose some weight or convert to football, that's my prescription.

    2. Willie Reed is really impressive, again. He's explosive in the extreme in the low post and under the basket, just has to watch his feet for a tendency to come close to traveling (welcome to the NBA). Natural rebounder, good finishing baskets, very explosive, good head on his shoulders. I thought the Heat had three guys that were clearly NBA players in that game and Reed was the third.

    3. Strictly speaking it's pretty clear Justise Winslow won the matchup with Stanley Johnson. But that doesn't mean he came off looking like the more valuable player. There's a subtle difference between those things. Justise took Stanley to the rim and drew fouls on him. Stanley on the other hand opted for threes out on the wing and drained them. Some may say that's even, but it's not. When you're out shooting threes, so long as Justise isn't out of the area code and scrambling to get back to help, you're mostly playing against yourself rather than an opponent. You drain it or you don't. Winslow actually took Stanley to the basket, swiped the ball out of his hands, fought him better under the rim, etc. But the fact of the matter is Winslow was running the offense and he was not really efficient. Stanley was very efficient overall and he continues to be consistent with his three point shot which has no wasted motion, while everyone continues to acknowledge that Winslow is going to have to learn to be a better shooter. So it's tough to say which of these two is actually the better asset right now.

    4. Josh Richardson continued to impress me. I agree with Section126 that there's a hitch in his shot which is concerning, but at the same time he's making those shots from behind the arc. It wasn't something he worked on much at Tennessee but now in his role with Miami he's working on it a lot harder. It's a small sample but he's 3 of 5 from behind the arc in Summer League play thus far. He had that really impressive buzzer beater in the first game. He was 36% from three at Tennessee in 2014-15 and he was an 80% free throw shooter, so this guy has a base to build on as a shooter. But that speed and aggressiveness are things you can't give a player. I don't care that he racked up a bajillion fouls during a summer league game. He was trying to be a full court defender, putting pressure on his opponent everywhere to show that he can run around and be energetic all day long. He was trying to be in his opponents' face and he stepped over the line a few too many times. You can dial that back. But I really like his combination of potential on offense and defense. Defense is obvious throughout the summer league games, fouls notwithstanding. But on offense he's got such a good handle, having been point guard for the Vols this year, and he's got such great speed when he slices and attacks the basket with some of the same euro step abilities as Winslow and Wade, has such great elevation at the rim, he's such a consistent free throw shooter, and now you add in a potentially developing outside shot to the mix? This combination makes him a viable NBA player, IMO. He just has to polish up some of the mental aspects a little bit, and that's the kind of stuff you truly can develop.

    5. I'm a little interested in this Tyler Kalinoski kid. He went only 4 of 11 overall and 2 of 6 from behind the arc, yet he somehow managed to make that look like he was a knockdown shooter that was having a somewhat off day. He functioned in the offense and that was what I liked the most. He has a reputation for being a great shooter at Davidson, having made 152 of 349 (43.6%) of his threes his last two years there. He also averaged 6 rebounds a game his final year there, and the 5 rebounds (including 3 offensive) in this game didn't go unnoticed. This reminds me a little of Tyler Johnson in that he comes in showing off one potentially fantastic skill that could actually give him a basis for an NBA career. He's 3 of 7 from three this summer and I'd liked to see if that even improves a little bit in the next games. If he's a knockdown shooter that can actually give the offense that dimension when he's on the floor...that would be a nice asset to keep around.
     
  2. Serpico Jones

    Serpico Jones Well-Known Member

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    I can't stand that hook-nosed idiot Zach Lowe either. The highlight of his career was getting hung up on by Lebatard.
     
  3. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

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    You might be right about them over-hyping the Spurs right now, although I think it's based on the fact that Spurs have been perennial contenders for almost two decades and won it all in dominant fashion only two years ago. What's interesting is that they've managed to retain most of the core of that championship team and add solid players to it. Nevertheless there are serious question marks. As you mentioned, replacing Splitter is going to be difficult. At this point I expect Duncan to be playing center a lot, but won't hold down the minutes necessary and I'm not sure about West at that position, though that's mostly because I'm not very familiar with him.

    There's a big question mark over PG too because if Parker is healthy, and somehow they retain Mills then they might be alright, but if Parker gets injured PG will fall to Ginobili (inconsistent last year, and making errors) or Diaw (yeah, not really). Last year's rookie, Kyle Anderson has got limited handles but he didn't prove himself a starter, and not at PG.

    Nonetheless, as a Spurs fan, I'm looking to enjoy one last right of this legendary core.

    Oh sports24/7 -
    What's with the Clippers hate? They were unbalanced but nevertheless a dominant force last year. Offense was their strong suit - 3rd in the league maybe? Then Deandre in the middle added some defensive chops. They were by no means chopped liver.

    The Spurs also have a habit of not being able to repeat so hey, at least they're consistent. :)

    Popovich cult?

    [​IMG]
     
  4. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I expect the Heat roster for next season is basically done except for maybe a big and/or a shooter.

    PG: G. Dragic, Chalmers, Napier, Johnson
    SG: Wade, Winslow
    SF: Deng, Z. Dragic, Richardson or Ennis
    PF: Bosh, McRoberts
    C: Whiteside, Bird replacement (Boozer?), UD

    The rumors persist that they are shopping Chalmers and Bird. That looming luxury tax bill gives those rumors legs. You have to assume it's at least being discussed. Chalmers replacement would almost assuredly be a downgrade, but if that replacement is a good enough shooter that could fill a big deficiency. Or Chalmers could just bounce back and shoot better. I'm mixed on whether I hope Chalmers is traded or that Arison just takes the luxury tax hit. Bird has always been a fav of mine but at $5 mil and at his age he seems the most replaceable. Boozer is rumored to be a target annually although I'm not sure if it's interest from Miami or from Boozer. I haven't watched him lately so I don't know what he has left. If he doesn't have much left I might prefer an energy big to take Bird's place. Maybe Reed's offense has developed enough to give him his shot? I haven't watched his game enough to know how well he finishes. Along with rebounds and rim protection finishing well could be enough to prevent him from being a liability on the floor. UD is a Heat lifer but I don't think his contract is guaranteed. He's always been a strong post defender and I'd love to keep him around for the times when Whiteside gets in foul trouble against a C that thrives in the post.

    Overall I really like the roster. I think we could/should be one of the top defenses in the league. And I see a plethora of players that could give us 20+ on any given night (G. Dragic, Wade, Deng, Bosh, Whiteside and maybe even McRoberts and Winslow. Chalmers also is capable of the feat). The question is how consistently will we get those nights. It seems like most of our offense will come of of slashes and cuts and hopefully running off of defensive stops. I like that, but on nights when the calls aren't going your way or the other team is shooting really well you need your outside shooting to make up the difference. I just see an outside shooting deficit on this team. Bosh will be back and McRoberts should help some as he should be solid, but I'm really hoping one or more of Chalmers, Napier, Winslow, Richardson or Ennis gives us more there than we had last season.
     
  5. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I don't think I can agree with the way you've got those players lined up.

    I think Zoran Dragic and Josh Richardson are shooting guards. And I think Justise Winslow starts out at small forward behind Deng.

    I'm also not sure what's going on with Shabazz Napier but not totally convinced he's here next year. Think we could see something like:

    PG: Goran Dragic, Mario Chalmers, Tyler Johnson
    SG: Dwyane Wade, Josh Richardson, __________
    SF: Luol Deng, Justise Winslow, James Ennis
    PF: Chris Bosh, Josh McRoberts, Udonis Haslem
    C: Hassan Whiteside, Willie Reed
     
  6. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I see several of the SGs and SFs as well as PFs and Cs as interchangeable. Spoelstra likes versatile players and often refers to position-less basketball so I see the specific position designations as largely academic.

    I kept Napier and Z. Dragic on there b/c I believe they're on guaranteed contracts and cheap. Since we can keep 15 and dress 13 I expect that those two may end up on the end of the roster and not dressing for most games.
     
  7. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Josh Richardson is more of a guy that will play PG/SG than SG/SF. He played PG for the Vols. Winslow could play as much SG as SF but I think they'll have him at SF first.

    You could be right about Zoran being on roster. Hard to say.
     
  8. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I just don't see much out there to get excited about. That's why I see the roster as largely set. I do like the roster except for the concerns I've mentioned earlier so I'm not bothered by this. But I also know that there are tons of players I don't know anything about so who knows what the team sees out there.
     
  9. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Per stein, Warriors trade David Lee to Celtics for Gerald Wallace.

    Wallace is an expiring as well who saves GSW about $5 million in salary plus whatever the corresponding luxury tax hit would have been.

    GSW really doesn't need Wallace though.

    Maybe buy him out. Or maybe another trade
     
  10. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Notable just because I think Miami was in on that trade, weren't they?

    I just want to know if the Heat are gonna pick up a shooter.
     
  11. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Well, per every pundit, GSW will waive and stretch Wallace's contract over 3 years, which gives them even more luxury tax savings.

    They do have a roster spot open now if they want to do business with us.

    Since this was a salary dump though, I'm not sure they're even interested in taking on another salary. Just let Looney take Lee's roster spot and move on. They don't really "need" anything else.
     
  12. dolfan32323

    dolfan32323 ty xphinfanx

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    Just heard in the office that Dorrell Wright was on 560 wqam and said he will likely sign with Miami. That's a shooter we could definitely use.
     
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  13. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Zach Lowe is saying that Miami have put the word out to NBA teams that Chris Anderson and Mario Chalmers can be had basically for free, and that they have even put some feelers out on whether teams will trade for Shabazz Napier.
     
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  14. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I'd like to see Miami get a guard that can shoot from the perimeter as opposed to a SF like Dorell Wright.

    Like I said, Tyler Kalinoski has my attention.
     
  15. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Marcus Thornton, as sec mentioned earlier, is an interesting choice.

    The Dorrell Wright move, if it happens, makes sense to. The Heat like to bring guys back. He's already been exposed to the Heat culture, etc. Plus he's a very good friend of Wade which can't hurt the continued fence mending surely going on.

    He also shot 40% from the corner 3. If we had had somebody do that last year, we would've made the playoffs.

    Also, if you get Wright, Winslow can play behind Wade at his more natural, in my mind, position.
     
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  16. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Someone that knows these things give me the lowdown on the following FAs:

    SG John Jenkins, Atlanta
    SG Wayne Ellington, LA Lakers
    SG Ben Gordon, Orlando
     
  17. dolfan32323

    dolfan32323 ty xphinfanx

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    I agree that Thornton would be a great addition as I think he can create more than wright can, but at least miami is adding shooters that can space the floor. Dorrell can hit three which we missed badly last year.
     
  18. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Gordon is a has been, Ellington is a never was. He can shoot a little but defense and playmaking and athleticism aren't good by nba standards. Jenkins has some upside still but has no real position. Could be worth a flier though as he seems to give some effort on D.
     
  19. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Sounds to me like John Jenkins would be an attractive get. Is he considered expensive?
     
  20. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

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    -John Jenkins: Was supposed to be a great shooter, screen runner out of college. Yet to develop.

    - Wayne Ellington: Good space creator, spot shooter, catch and shoot guy. Can play Defense within a scheme, terrible on the ball. WIll play hard.

    - Ben Gordon: Was once a very good shooter, scorer, leader. He is DONE now.
     
  21. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

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    Zach Lowe is full of **** and knows nothing. Ignore him.

    I even asked him not to print something and he did anyway.
     
  22. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    From what I can see, Ben Gordon was 11 of 19 on corner threes this year and John Jenkins was 8 of 17 on corner threes.

    Wayne Ellington was only 12 of 41. Yuck.

    Jason Terry was 71 of 145 on corner threes. What's his status?

    I like the look of John Jenkins, have to admit.
     
  23. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Jenkins is worth a gamble on a prove or short term (2 year) type deal. Developing a player like him is the type of signing that boosts teams benches. 3m or mini mle type deal.
     
  24. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

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    http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/203098/tracking/defense/

    That link is the gateway to why John Jenkins playing on the 2nd unit might be a bad idea.

    That is just a start. His defensive metrics are an abortion.

    His offensive numbers are FANTASTIC though.

    Gotta decide what you "want".
     
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  25. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I liked Wright when he was here. He was one of those potential guys who really didn't develop much. But he could fill that shooting niche for us.
     
  26. CaribPhin

    CaribPhin Guest

    His career was also marred by injury.
     
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  27. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Barry Jackson says the Heat spoke to Wesley Johnson but he signed for the minimum with the Clippers. They were interested in Marco Bellinelli, Lou Williams and Alan Anderson but they all wanted more than Miami has to offer. They inquired about Jamal Crawford but the Clippers said no.

    They're interested in Gerald Green but the money may not be right. They're really interested in Marcus Thornton and Dorell Wright is on radar.
     
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  28. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

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    Okay..to clear some things up. A ton of misinformation out there.

    - Heat never inquired about Lou Williams or Wesley Johnson (Johnson's agent may have contacted the Heat).
    - They were interested in Bellinelli. Not enough money.
    - Alan Anderson...I heard nothing about him.
    - Heat never inquired about Jamal Crawford. Crawford was shopped to them and others.
    - Heat DO have interest in Gerald Green, Dorell Wright and Marcus Thornton. They REALLY like Thornton. They are holding that Mini-MLE close to the vest.
     
  29. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Looks like Dragic will get $85M, not $90M. So it looks like that initial report that was laughed off by so many of 5 years at over $80M was pretty accurate. Apparently (according to Barry Jackson) both sides were prepared to make the deal at $90M, but Dragic wanted to win and wanted to make room for Wade. Didn't take long for him to buy in to the Heat culture did it?
     
  30. dolfan32323

    dolfan32323 ty xphinfanx

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    Basketball can't start up soon enough. Just pumped for the Dragic, Wade, Deng, Bosh, Beastside lineup on opening day.
     
  31. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Schedule should be coming fairly soon.

    They may be holding it back a bit just in case there's a severe meltdown in Milwaukee.

    I bet we get the Cavs on Christmas again
     
  32. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    While I'd love to attribute it purely to Heat culture, there's also the lack of state income taxes. The way I read it, everyone including his side agreed $90 million for 5 years was the right number, but they shaved $5 million off that number to make it a tax equivalent of what he'd be getting in some other states.
     
  33. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    There is a recently released TED Talk by Rajiv Maheswaran that talks a little bit about NBA analytics and tracking movement and what that's important. He uses the example of Ray Allen's 3 against the Spurs in the Championship a couple years ago as an example and says that the likelihood of that entire play happening (James missing, Bosh rebounding, and Allen making the shot) was about 9%. Pretty crazy.

    If you want to watch the video, it's here: [video]https://www.ted.com/talks/rajiv_maheswaran_the_math_behind_basketball_s_wild est_moves[/video] I found it pretty interesting.
     
  34. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Guess I'm gonna have to get a good look at Marcus Thornton.
     
  35. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Sounds to me like he had an understanding that he'd be making more in Miami because of taxes, but that $90M was the anticipated deal here and he offered to help out. While he'd be making more because of taxes, he still could have gotten even more than he agreed to in the end with the Heat had he pushed for it. To me that sounds like a conscious decision to help the franchise which goes back to my original statement about Heat culture.
     
  36. dolfan32323

    dolfan32323 ty xphinfanx

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  37. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Who is that guy?

    Seems completely fake to me.

    Why would Denver do that deal?
     
  38. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Because theyre Denver? I havent heard that but nothing shocks me coming from them and the Kings.
     
  39. schmolioot

    schmolioot Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The trade works.

    It saves Denver some money. They're a tax team believe it or not.

    So, the question I guess, is whether or not Gallo is worth the Heat certainly being a tax team?

    He is certainly good when healthy, but that's been a big problem.
     
  40. dolfan32323

    dolfan32323 ty xphinfanx

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    He'd be a nice piece if healthy for sure. I think Miami is looking to shed cap though, which is why this makes no sense.
     

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