Per David Aldridge, Griffin was on the phone an hour ago working Butler trade talks. Now, he's fired. What a joke franchise. LeBron papers over incompetence like no other
Cavs assistant gm was also fired. Dumpster fire franchise that got lucky that a superstar was born nearby.
That organization has been a joke. If LeBron had been born anywhere but Ohio, Dan Gilbert would be Dan Snyder. Look at their record when LeBron fled to Miami because of that terrible front office and ownership. LeBron leaves again and they will go back to their tried and true strategy of winning the lottery every year and draft a bunch of Anthony Bennetts and Kyrie Irvings. Last I read, they fired Griffin without getting LBJ's opinion on the matter, that will be the card that he uses when he heads out after 2018. Couldn't happen to a better guy and fanbase.
Sam Amico says Griffin was fielding trade calls for Kylie Irving but was refusing to move him, Dan Gilbert could decide to trade him now...
Per Howard Beck LeBron is "disappointed" and "concerned" about Griff's firing and the Cavs future #hegone Comic Sans Letter 2.0 going to be lit though
No thanks, that guy would never buy into the CULTURE here. He's a chucker and a crap defender. His true colors showed with the 4 years he led the Cavs to the lottery.
I don't believe LeBron is upset about this. Dan Gilbert doesn't make basketball decisions . This move doesn't happen if LeBron doesn't sanction it.
I don't see why any team would trade for Paul George. Especially if you believe the multiple reports that he flat out told Indy that he is going to L.A. next year and (through his agent) has let it be known that any trade is 100% a rental a his intention is to sign with L.A. next season. He seems pretty hell bent on it.
I don't have the link and I got it from Section but he tells me Chad Ford says Miami have zeroed in on Donovan Mitchell as the pick at 14 overall.
This is from his latest mock: This seems to echo what Barry Jackson has been suggesting today. Looks like the favorites are Collins, Anunoby, Mitchell, and Giles. I'd be happy with any of those guys. I've talked about how much I like Mitchell, and see some D Wade in him. I have also talked about how much I like Collins, and still think he could fit in at 4, and also play some 5 when Whiteside goes out. Anunoby has a huge ceiling and a fairly high floor because of his defense and athleticism. And Giles might have the most upside of any player in the draft. There are some other guys I'd be happy with, but those 4 would probably be my favorites unless someone unexpected like Markkenen, Monk, or Smith falls.
Ive been watching more Donovan and he reminds me of Westbrook. If he's there hes my first choice. If the draft goes as expected and no one falls, I have no problem with OG, but I prefer Semi. 14 is not a reach for him IMO.
I've been a little reluctant on Donovan Mitchell given the presence of J-Rich, TJ, Dragic, Ellington, and then Dion Waiters floating out there somewhere in all this. But he would be a good pickup in that he's one of the few who look to be left on the board that you can look at and say OK this guy is: 1) Built ready for the NBA (not physically under-developed), 2) Very well-rounded offensively and defensively, and 3) Has that unique trait to hang your hat on, which is his combo of wing span and athleticism/speed. He's got a good handle, euro step, spin, can finish to the rim in multiple ways. His handles, speed, quickness, acceleration, balance, body control, and jumping ability are at the level of a guy that can create in the NBA. You combine that with his catch-and-shoot success, and you've got different ways to get him involved offensively. Defensively, he's the #1 in the DraftXpress 100 for steals per game. He's dogged, quick as hell, athletic, very lengthy, and even shows the versatility to play against wing players.
A lot of folks see Russell Westbrook. I see a bit of a Kyle Lowry. And there's a little bit of Rodney McGruder there as well. Either way, pretty good. Chalmers at the least.
We shouldn't get our hopes up just yet, though. He could very well be gone by the time we get on the clock. CBS Sports and SI's mock drafts today have him going 12 and 11 respectively. I do really like this kid, though. Like CK says, at the very least he's a lock down perimeter defender. And the upside is pretty damn good, too. If he can develop a consistent jumper, and ideally become a better distributor, he could be really good.
Didn't realize until I started watching the individual games how many smart basketball plays he makes. That surprises me. Underrated aspect of his game how he sees the floor and facilitates, knows when he's got the shot and when others have the better look. And he's an 81% free throw shooter? Effing SOLD.
His lack of efficiency on his jumper might be a little over-played. His shot is quick and very well structured. His feet are very quick and his balance is generally good. And if you watch the kid shooting 81% on his free throws, and you watch him popping three after three after three in a practice setting, making it look easy, I think at some point you acknowledge that yes this IS a good shooter who just needs to find a way to translate that into good efficiency on the court. This isn't a guy that needs to find his shot. He needs to translate his natural shooting skills better during a game setting. And the key to that is probably usage. Section pointed out to me he's got a 35% percentage on threes this year, but that's at nearly 7 attempts per game (6.6). I mean, Lauri Markkanen didn't shoot that many threes per game (4.4), and it wasn't for lack of minutes. Over the second half of the season, Donovan was 46 of 121 in 17 games from the three point line. If you're contributing 2.7 three point makes per game, that's pretty good. The high mix of three pointers drags down his overall FG%.
I've been saying that about Kyrie and everyone just said I was crazy both Chris Paul and Damian Lilliard brought both bad teams to the playoffs on there back. Chris Paul did it before he got traded to L.A. and can make an argument that the Clippers are bad without him and if you take Lilliard off that Blazers team the last 2 years then they are in the lottery.
Woj Bomb "Frenzy" of interest today as Phil Jackson doesn't rule out trading Kristaps Porzingis Why would they trade him? Phil has to be the worst GM this side of Billy King
I imagine that in order to get Porzingis you need to give up a young star type and probably take on the Noah albatross Not sure who fits that bill
More Woj Knicks have met with Markkanen and he will be the pick if Zinger is moved I love Markkanen and still think Phil is nuts I'd love Heat to get in on this. Not sure if Phil has interest in Dragic or Whiteside but for a young budding superstar Id do it
Cool your jets....wow hasn't had a real scoop on the Knicks since the trade that brought Anthony to NY...and even then he was openly campaigning for Brooklyn to get Carmelo. He comes a crepes as if he's had an axe to grind against the Knicks for years. Combine that with the fact it's silly season...I'm not putting a lot of stock in this one. Maybe if someone offers Phil like 10 first round picks. Also, Phils only bad moves as GM were the Noah deal and taking back Calderons contract in the Tyson Chandler trade. He's done reasonably well drafting. I could live without his constantly tweaking Melo though...if you want to trade him, then trade him...otherwise he needs to shut it.
Interesting rumor if the day...love to Phoenix for pick 4...pick 4 to....*Insert Butler, George, Anthony etc here*
If we're going full fantasy here, I'd do Dragic, Winslow, and 14 for Porzingis and 8. Then you get Smith or Ntilikina and their pick.
Woooo the NBA is BUZZING right now. So fun. The Knicks shopping by far their most valuable asset is hilarious. D'Angelo Russell being shopped as well. Would love to have either for a good price, let's go.
Ya and as i stated, teams are being scared off by the asking price. Any player can be dealt "for the right deal"...i.e. your teams soul. Lol.
