I’ve never shown any love for the Heat but wtf is with Derozan taking a swipe at Dragic at te end of the game? Dragic almost never gets in to it with anyone...
The Raptors are chalk-full of fake tough guys, and DeRozan is one of them. The leader is Lowry, but Ibaka joined in tonight starting with James Johnson. I'm guessing he wouldn't even think about doing that in a back alley, considering JJ is a blackbelt, and undefeated in MMA. I dislike that team more than almost any other in the NBA, and beating them is sweet every time. I'd love to see them in the playoffs again.
Pretty interesting article by Zach Lowe on the state of the Heat: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22017334/zach-lowe-goran-dragic-hassan-whiteside-miami-heat-nba It will always be a fun "what if" to think about if Elisburg and Riley ended up having that meeting. As it stands, they're catching fire again, and that could mean Riley will leave them alone. They've done quite a bit of that without Whiteside and Winslow, though, so it's possible they could look to package those guys if they can get someone like a Cousins. The Ellington thing is interesting. He's so critical to what they're doing right now, but he also might be their most tradeable asset. His deal is expiring, and brings lethal 3 point ability, which is seriously coveted around the league. If available, he'd be one of the most sought-after players among contenders at the deadline. I doubt Miami will actually make him available, but if they won't be able to re-sign him in the offseason because of the luxury tax, they might want to think about it.
I love whiteside, especially the potential of him and Bam on the court together, but if you can get Cousins for Whiteside and Winslow then you do it. I don’t want to trade the Golden Arm at all. Dude is a sniper. Heat are a good road team and I expect our home court to be more of an advantage the rest of the way. We got another fun *** team with no all stars whatsoever.
Bam and Whiteside looked good together last night, but I actually think they bring you similar strengths and weaknesses. Until Bam develops his jumper, he's really more of a 5. I agree, though, that it matters what you can get. As for Ellington, I agree it would really hurt the Heat to move him, but if you only have him for this year like the article suggests might be the case, I think you maximize the value and see what you can get for him (I think it could be a pretty good return). I don't think the Heat will do it either way, though.
Agreed. That's why I said I doubt it will happen. But it might be the best move long term, and at some point this team needs to take a long term outlook.
If I were Miami, I'd consider moving Whiteside for a pick (or two) and a forward on a 1-year contract. Starting Olynyk at center and either getting a replacement for him at the 4 or permanently moving JJ to the starting lineup might be a better long-term move. I'd consider making the move for a guy like Mirotic, Babbitt, or someone else who can shoot (4 made 3's on 18% shooting against Toronto). Miami is 16th in 3P% and per that article we're -50 in scoring differential. We'll sacrifice some rim protection, but the offense probably becomes even more efficient than the proportional dropoff from Whiteside's individual defense (team D goes up with Whiteside off the floor). Opening up Whiteside's $20+ million per season while adding a possible lottery pick could set Miami up to add that superstar piece in the off-season. If you do go after Cousins who is probably not getting a supermax, you netted a draft pick and saved a trade piece for another time.
Maaaaaan, Kyrie MVP conversations gotta stop... we are setting that bar super low if he wins it. My whole social media is Kyrie winning MVP... good player in a great system but cmon man...
The plays Spo is calling tonight are working virtually every possessionn. Really creative design with quick ball movement.
This Rockets-Trailblazers game is almost unwatchable. There is so much bricking going on. Somehow the Rockets are up by 10 at the half. Harden, Moute, and NeNe should all be back in a week according to Dantoni. They need to hurry up. I don't know how much more I can take.
Hopefully they are catching fire early as compared to last year.. If we get it going this quick we could be a 3 behind BOS and CLE.
Rockets are winning again. Okc superteam and the fraud MVP continue to lose. Everything is back to normal. *Eric Gordon should be an all-star. Also, I love Chris Paul's pettiness. Trailblazers hurt Tarik Black, so Paul starts throwing alley oops and doing crazy dribbles at the end of a decided win. Straight clowning'. Lillard was so pissed at the end of the game, lmao. He and CP3 had words.
Not trying to be controversial, but Chris Paul is definitely the best all-around PG of all time right?
There’s an ESPN video out there where they say that Ibaka getting kicked out and a one game suspension is a best case scenario for him throwing a punch at Johnson. They said he is lucky to still be alive.
Statistically: 1. Oscar 2. Magic Personally, my GOAT point guard will always be the real Isaiah Thomas. Hey, I'm a Detroit kid. My family loved the Bad Boy Pistons.
Jesus man. I can see why you love CP's pettiness. Can't you just accept that they are both great players? And that Harden is far more boring to watch.. Harden is the guy that called fouls on the blacktop growing up.
Yeah, Kyrie is no MVP of the league, definitely in Boston. LeBron is the clear favorite this season. I find the rule is that LeBron is the MVP unless someone has an historical season or the media is trying to punish LeBron. Derrick Rose's MVP award was an example of LeBron being punished for going to Miami. The one MVP award I didn't think LeBron deserved was in '09 when Wade got robbed. Interesting piece of trivia for that season, Miami played Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs, losing the series 3-4. That's the only 7 game series I've ever seen with the smallest margin of victory being 10 points (a road win for Atlanta).
He's about the fifth most valuable PG in NBA history based on value above replacement level talent, but that's definitely an era thing. Ranked based on how good they are compared to the average player at that position, Paul is ranked fifth, but you transplant his skills to any other era and I think his value increases disproportionately over other guys if they had to play today (even with the benefit of today's conditioning and different play-style). Here's the top 10 in case anyone is curious:
Paul at #5. I can't argue with that. I've always valued win shares above most other stats. I see he is at the top on your chart. That is impressive.
Was at the garden last night for 2 OT’s. 2 basic thoughts. More Beasley. Hornacek just not the guy. Oh yea, maybe box out every once in a while.
Damian Lillard needs to stop being a baby... guard up if you don’t want that happening, I hate seeing teams walk around the last minute of a game because they know they lost, you are PROFESSIONALS!!! Play the game through for lords sake. I’m happy CP3 told him “you weren’t guarding”... stop being a punk dame..
What's Lillard's deal up in Portland? After that game winner in the playoffs a few years ago, I figured he'd be an elite PG by now. He's definitely above guys like Lowry and I think he's athletic enough to be better than Kyrie, but he hasn't been able to take Portland much of anywhere (that miracle season after Aldridge left was pretty fun though). Is it surrounding talent or what? Having McCollum as a running mate is enough to take a huge scoring load off of him and Nurkic gives them solid versatility and spacing from the basket out to about 15 or so feet.
I’m lost too when it comes to Lillard... Me and my boy go back and forth about who’s better between Wall and Lillard... he’s a POR fan and I tell him right now, career wise, Wall is better however it is close and Dame is having the better year this year but still...
It reminds me of watching tennis with all the stoppages. I still like Harden a lot, I just only tune in to non heat games to be entertained.
Agree with box out. Agree with Hornacek. As for ....More Beasley....only if they move a player or two. Lee and/or O Quinn gotta get us some picks for that to happen. Lilliards just not developed beyond a scoring PG and those just never work out as far as winning championships go. Wall is a much more complete player. Lilliard probably a better scorer but Wall as a passer, defender, rebounder, leader is better
Seems to be how they roll in January's. I expect more L's to come this month, followed by EC dominance.
For LeBron and if you happen to be on his team.... the regular season is just a formality. Dude will rip through the playoffs with ease, Boston might steal a game or 2... that’s about it lol
I find your lack of faith disturbing. Any ideas on who tf we could be looking at before the trade deadline?
I mean, I like the Sixers and Heat, they are my favorite teams but as I say in the regular forums, I’m a realist and know what’s coming... lol Heat are playing inspired Basketball right now and that’s great, but they aren’t a team that’s able to contend against LeBron in the playoffs and they need to draft/sign a A1 Superstar to even have a chance. Sixers may have a couple/few A1’s in the future but still too young right now to even think about contending against LeBron... it’s just sad facts man lol
Cavaliers just sufferred another brutal loss by choking against the Pacers. So back to back losses of 28 pts or higher and then a choke job, and they face the Warriors next.