OFFICIAL NBA 2017-2018 Off-Season Thread

[frshstunna]

I have no idea how anyone could watch this dude play basketball during these playoffs and think "yeah, I don't want that dude on the Lakers", unless it involves "I can't stand him, therefore I can't root for him" reasons. But as far as basketball reasons? Really? He's one of the 5 best players of all time, he's the current best player in the world on top of that, he's available as a free agent and, thus, we don't have to trade anyone to get him, and many of y'all don't want him?

You're an instant contender with this man, and we don't have to gut the young core to acquire him. He would be coming almost certainly with one of the best two-way wings in the sport in PG, and the rest of the team would have an upward trajectory due to the youthful assets, whether they just stayed and got better or whether we traded one or more of those assets for even more All-Star talent.

I'm starting to believe to that the "keep the young core at all costs" people just want an excuse not to get Lebron. Some people think we trying to set up a Golden State dynasty with the current core. I personally don't see that potential with our crew even though I love them and many of us think they do. Even if they are that great, don't you think the Warriors would have signed a 33 year old Lebron in 2013? Maybe there are people insecure that Lebron winning here would diminish Kobe's legacy which it wouldn't.

Also someone in the LA sports media needs to educate the general fanbase that getting Lebron won't cost the entire young core. What I hear from most fans is that they don't want Lebron because all the young pieces would be gone which isn't the case.

There are Lakers fan with the mentality that "I'd rather lose without Lebron than win with him" . We're the only fanbase that doesn't want to add the best player in the league because of loyalty to a retired player.

Getting Bron to sign wont cost the young players...but most of em gone for win now vets soon as Bron gets settled in LA tho ...he aint have time for youngins to develop a few years ago, he damn sure aint waiting now that he's even older

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

You could do

Fultz
Cov
Lebby
Simmons
Embiid

Yeah Lebby might take away their 3 point potency but tbh I don’t think that formula would have worked long term

They need another playmaker whether it’s lebby or someone else and they need Simmons to not be a non shooter and for fultz to remember how to shoot

 

[ballinsam23]

Honestly, staying in Cleveland and trading the pick for a proven star is probably what’ll happen.

I can’t see him going to the West under any circumstances

 

[buc em]

There is a difference between being a shooting threat and being a good shooter. Draymond is a threat to shoot the ball, but he is a poor shooter. JJ would be the only above average three point shooter on that team. Lebron is about average, and the other 3 are poor three point shooters (assuming Fultz starts). At some point, teams are going to have to pick their poison and would just let everyone but Lebron and JJ shoot threes and pack in the paint. Teams may legitimately be able to play zone against that lineup.

They will still be a really damn good team just based off talent alone, but I can't see that team winning a championship unless either Ben/Lebron/Embiid significantly changed their playing style.

Dario Saric is a 40% three point shooter. And at this point, I assume every three or midrange shot LeBron takes is going in, especially if he gets some space. And please do not ever compare Embiid to Draymond as shooters. Embiid is amazing at that midrange Duncan/Garnett shot as well as being a threat that defenses are legitimately scared of leaving open and continue biting for his pump fake from three. Teams are giving Draymond the Rondo treatment nowadays from three.

 

[lovehateself]

kevin love was once a great post /mid range player

 

[MVP]

Honestly, staying in Cleveland and trading the pick for a proven star is probably what’ll happen.

I can’t see him going to the West under any circumstances

GS has looked more vulnerable in the West playoffs than they have in the finals though during this run.

 

[ill steelo]

Embiid has no history of shooting the NBA 3 well except for that one stretch to start his rookie season which came after 2 years of rest.

Embiid Bron and Ben would be an interesting trio to say the least.

 

[nick.]

Being a good shooter for a center & an actual good shooter is very different

 

[junglejim]

Being a good shooter for a center & an actual good shooter is very different

But you gotta respect the shot since he shoots 27% from threes in the playoffs.

And please do not ever compare Embiid to Draymond as shooters. Embiid is amazing at that midrange Duncan/Garnett shot as well as being a threat that defenses are legitimately scared of leaving open and continue biting for his pump fake from three. Teams are giving Draymond the Rondo treatment nowadays from three.

People are giving Draymond the Rondo treatment because they have to choose who they want to take shots. The same thing is going to happen if Lebron goes to Philly. Teams are going to live with 3 pointers from Embiid, Ben, Fultz, and in some cases Lebron.

 

[sohi 23]

Getting Bron to sign wont cost the young players...but most of em gone for win now vets soon as Bron gets settled in LA tho ...he aint have time for youngins to develop a few years ago, he damn sure aint waiting now that he's even older

How much better are Hart, Randle & Kuzma gunna get?

The only young guys we're referring to are Lonzo & BI, right?

 

[nick.]

But you gotta respect the shot since he shoots 27% from threes in the playoffs.

I agree with addict that it's a reputation thing. It took teams 2 seasons to stop closing out on Draymond.

 

[sohi 23]

What's the deadline on when players opt in and opt out?

If Lebron opts in, I'm 100% convinced he's doing it to force a trade to Houston and that some deal has been worked out like the CP3 deal last summer.

If he opts out, it's Philly or LA.


I'm also interested to see what happens with KD because even though I'm 99% convinced he's staying with GS, what happens if KD gets tired of taking pay cuts

 

[LebronHasMoreFinalsMVPs]

Pg and lebron have the same opt in date

 

[nick.]

What's the deadline on when players opt in and opt out?

If Lebron opts in, I'm 100% convinced he's doing it to force a trade to Houston and that some deal has been worked out like the CP3 deal last summer.

If he opts out, it's Philly or LA.


I'm also interested to see what happens with KD because even though I'm 99% convinced he's staying with GS, what happens if KD gets tired of taking pay cuts

June 29th iirc

 

[lovehateself]

How much better are Hart, Randle & Kuzma gunna get?

The only young guys we're referring to are Lonzo & BI, right?

questioning players under 25 but wanting to oversee that lebron is about to be 34, has the most miles of any player in the NBA and is known to kidnap organizations.

 

[P C H]

I agree with addict that it's a reputation thing. It took teams 2 seasons to stop closing out on Draymond.

Reputation + instinct.

Embiid is a 5 who can't shoot, but just the fact that he has a rep as being a willing shooting big gets guys to bite on him pump fakes. Players in the league who can't shoot routinely get closed out on hard all because they look like they're threats to shoot.

 

[sohi 23]

questioning players under 25 but wanting to oversee that lebron is about to be 34, has the most miles of any player in the NBA and is known to kidnap organizations.

It's a serious question. All these concerns about developing but the only guys still developing are Lonzo & BI.

Josh Hart went to college for 4 years, and is going into his 2nd season... he's 6 years outta HS and is who he is at this point. He's a Role player that is ready to contribute to a championship squad now, imo.

Kyle Kuzma went to college for 3 years and is going into his 2nd season... he's 5 years outta HS and can still improve a little.

Julius Randle was one and done and is now going into his 5th season. That's 6 years outta HS, how much better is he gunna get?

BI & Lonzo definitely got a long way to go, I won't dispute that. But this notion that their development will fall to the wayside with LBJ + 2nd max star is unfounded and asinine.

 

[P C H]

So what are we thinking is going to happen if LBJ heads to philly? I get the whole, terrible fit thing but do people really think that that team won't be the best team in the east barring injury?

 

[MVP]

So what are we thinking is going to happen if LBJ heads to philly? I get the whole, terrible fit thing but do people really think that that team won't be the best team in the east barring injury?

I still think it's a toss up between them or Boston.

 

[LebronHasMoreFinalsMVPs]

So what are we thinking is going to happen if LBJ heads to philly? I get the whole, terrible fit thing but do people really think that that team won't be the best team in the east barring injury?

Only works if ben plays the 5

 

[nick.]

I still think it's a toss up between them or Boston.

Boston with Kyrie & Hayward wins 60 games

 

[LebronHasMoreFinalsMVPs]

Boston with Kyrie & Hayward always hurt/QUOTE]

 

[MVP]

It's a serious question. All these concerns about developing but the only guys still developing are Lonzo & BI.

Josh Hart went to college for 4 years, and is going into his 2nd season... he's 5 years outta HS and is who he is at this point. He's a Role player that is ready to contribute to a championship squad now, imo.

Kyle Kuzma went to college for 3 years and is going into his 2nd season... he's 4 years outta HS and can still improve a little.

Julius Randle was one and done and is now going into his 5th season. That's 6 years outta HS, how much better is he gunna get?

BI & Lonzo definitely got a long way to go, I won't dispute that. But this notion that their development will fall to the wayside with LBJ + 2nd max star is unfounded and asinine.

Kuzma still has huge upside especially on defense. First offseason being in a NBA weight program. Randle took a big leap this season. Hart may have the least upside, but he's a perfect fit. Can't underestimate chemistry which these dudes clearly have in their first year together. It's stupid to get rid of all that for a couple seasons of Bron where you're not even guaranteed to be a top 2 team in the conference.

 

[BIG LEEMELONE]

It's a serious question. All these concerns about developing but the only guys still developing are Lonzo & BI.

Josh Hart went to college for 4 years, and is going into his 2nd season... he's 6 years outta HS and is who he is at this point. He's a Role player that is ready to contribute to a championship squad now, imo.

Kyle Kuzma went to college for 3 years and is going into his 2nd season... he's 5 years outta HS and can still improve a little.

Julius Randle was one and done and is now going into his 5th season. That's 6 years outta HS, how much better is he gunna get?

BI & Lonzo definitely got a long way to go, I won't dispute that. But this notion that their development will fall to the wayside with LBJ + 2nd max star is unfounded and asinine.

You just love Bron man . Only explanation. Nothing in this post makes sense

 

[LebronHasMoreFinalsMVPs]

Ingram has shown no improvement
Dude is always hurt could only imagine it gets worse from here