You know how I know the Heat's defense is elite? Not by their numbers, which are pretty good....but because they can't score in a whore house with a fistful of hundreds, yet.....they still manage to win games. I am sure Riley is watching this. We need a shooter. Any shooter. Trade a bag of *** wipes for Mike Miller...offer a 2nd rounder to the Cavs for James Jones...I mean, whatever. I'm desperate.
I think this can be discussed at the end of his tenure, Rome wasn't built in a day. The drafting of Porzingis shows that Phil is attempting to build long term. i think the Knicks will be back in the thick of things sooner rather than later thanks to PJ.
I don't see how that makes much sense for Miami. They need 3pt shooting more than anything else, and he's due a lot of money over the next one or two (if he opts in) years. He's really just a slightly better version of Luol Deng, isn't he?
i rather have Luol Deng, what the hell is Rudy Gay good at.. Inefficient scorer and bad defense. We got that in Gerald Green for the minimum.
Certainly. But just looking at it from a monetary and reputation standpoint....not the greatest performance. His first coaching hire has failed. He did want Kerr but also couldn't land him. Guess it can be viewed as an investment. Credit to him for taking KP relative to the backlash he got for the pick.
I don't think firing Derek Fisher after a year and a half while his team is IMPROVING is a good look. Phil Jackson is off to an auspicious start as GM. Yes, he has the PorzinGod. He drafted him right where A ton of mocks had him going. He also had the right evaluation on him while other teams such as Miami and Houston did not. (both teams had him as a mid 1st rd. talent) But this was no stroke of "genius". Just like Riley drafting Winslow wasn't either. It was just luck. So what has Phil Jackson actually done that nobody else couldn't?
As far as Heat shooter targets...you gotta be more inspired. Think....cheaper, malcontent, hidden value expiring contracts.... I came up with this: Hidden GEM: TJ Warren. (Phoenix) NOW this guy, I would deal for with the intentions of him being a piece long term. Word is that he is available for the right deal. I don;t think the Heat have what it takes to deal for him, But Riley is a warlock so..who knows. Same thing goes for Rodney Hood of Utah. Both guys would be long term pieces. True Targets (I think this is what they are thinking): Omri Casspi- Sacramento Marvin Williams-Charlotte Trevor Ariza- Houston (has further committed salary, but they liked him before, so why not now?) Anthony Morrow- OKC (he turned down a min. salary overture in Big 3 era to sign with NO..then signed with OKC) I think the Heat are in on Omri Casspi. Some "soft" info on it, but I have a good feeling about it. I think their interest is real, and he is a perfect fit.
The hire was about 3 things...Instant credibility, someone who James Dolan HAD to let run the basketball side of things, and someone who knew talent and was established....kinda like Pat in Miami. It was worth it for that alone. Look at the evolution of Anthony as a player this year. That doesnt happen if anyone besides Phil is at the helm. The only real problem I have with firing Fisher, and Im a Fisher fan, is that Fisher was a first time HC and you knew this team would take time. To me the problem is as much talent related as it is coaching. Fisher's had some moments that have not be his finest but you knew he was a rookie HC when he was hired and there would be a learning curve. I have 2 thoughts on this.... 1. Luke Walton? Hes going to be highly sought after this offseason after the 39-4 start. This would be 1 way to get the head start. Only question is, is the weed as good in NY as it was in Cali? Dont really want Thibs as he will just burn Melo out and dont really want Brian Shaw. Those were the names mentioned today. 2. There is a rumor out there that Fisher was incorporating too much pick and roll in the triangle and not running enough of a "true" triangle offense. Phil supposedly asked this to change and it hasnt and now theyre losing. What has Phil done? Got James Dolan to let someone with a brain to A) Keep Isiah Thomas away and B) butt out of basketball operations.
Wait, you said you'd rather have Luol Deng over Rudy Gay? Rudy Gay is MUCH better. Deng is a broken down shell of himself. Rudy is much more athletic and better on both sides of the ball.
What the hell am I watching?! [video=youtube;YZiKsaBG-FI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZiKsaBG-FI[/video]
well................Rudy Gay is more athletic. As scorers, they are damn near identical in efficiency, while Deng is a better three pt. shooter. Deng is a better defender. Rudy Gay is a slight upgrade IMO, but he becomes a downgrade as soon as you look at his contract. His athleticism might suit Spo's style a bit better however. I just don't like his contract.
I can confirm the Heat are indeed interested in Casspi. They are also interested in a Joe Johnson Buyout.
Casspi would be an amazing fit here. Always been a good shooter. Kind of reminds me of a taller Jason Kapono.
If you think Deng is a better player in any facet then Rudy Gay then you just haven't watched much of Rudy Gay at this point in their careers. It's not even a conversation from where I sit. Rudy is a workhorse and can play as a 3 or 4 for 40 minutes a night. Deng has good efficiency numbers because he can and has to play as a complimentary player vs Rudy playing as the 2nd scoring option after Cousins. Unfortunately, Rudy never really took the steps to evolve more as a jumpshooter like I thought he would but he's gotten better since his time at U CONN. I'll he ever had the luxury of being a #3 type scorer he would be amazing on D. As it is, he's one of the best defenders of Lebron throughout his career. Last I read the stat a year or so ago on Iguduala and one other player had defended Lebron better....and I only bring that up because the east still goes through Cleveland for now...
That is a myth. LeBron averages 26.6 ppg on 53% shooting including 39% from three, with 7.2 rpg and 8.2 apg and has a 14-5 record vs. Rudy Gay. http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=jamesle01&p2=gayru01 Vs. Luol Deng however.... He does average 29.2 ppg, but on 50% shooting with 31% from three and averages 7.0 rpg and 5.8 apg, but with a 19-18 record. http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=jamesle01&p2=denglu01 it's give or take...but he OWNS Rudy Gay.
In other words...there is NO "guy that can guard LeBron" or any "LeBron stopper". It's a myth. Dude is an alien. LeBron ....stops....himself. He's right?...It's your ***, at least when it comes to his numbers.
Hmmm. Not sure which I'd prefer. Johnson would come essentially for free, so that's obviously appealing. Casspi's 3pt % is a very impressive .422, which would do wonder here. Johnson's percentage would almost certainly go up with more open looks, and he can also create offense better than Casspi, which the Heat could desperately use off the bench. A bench unit of Johnson, Whiteside, and Winslow could be a lot of fun. But Casspi is almost exactly what the Heat need right now. Tough choice. I'd be very happy with either, and either guy could give the Heat a real shot at the 2 seed if they stay healthy.
Thanks, that was my perception as well. I was excited when we signed Deng in large part b/c of how well he seemed to play Lebron when Lebron was here.
Westbrook to Knicks rumors surfacing, Buy them Porz should be really coming into his own. Would be nice to be relevant again. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I guess time heals all wounds Why not Glen Rice though? He was the franchises first star and was the key piece in the Zo trade
Looking at the contracts, and looking at the defensive numbers, yeah ill keep Deng. Rudy Gay's contract is vomitus. I dont see how he is THAT much better than Deng. A tier above Deng would be Paul George, Rudy Gay isnt that good.
