2016-17 NBA Regular Season Thread

[trojanfan12]

Two years after injury, Lakers' Julius Randle regaining complete confidence

itneresting article on Randle....always really liked his game. He has the ability to be a plus offensive player if he can continue to improve his jumper. Supposedly he can really push the ball in the break too......defense will be the issue here probably....

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak recently spotted something unusual while watching forward Julius Randle working out on the court. He wouldn't quite elaborate on what he saw, only saying that Randle was working on a few moves that seemed new, but it made Kupchak curious.

"Julius, why don't you do that more often?" Kupchak asked.

Randle pointed to his right leg, the one he broke in the team's season-opener against the Houston Rockets two years ago, sidelining him for his entire rookie campaign after being drafted seventh overall in the summer of 2014.

"I'm just getting complete confidence now," Randle told Kupchak.

Yeah, Randle has speed and quickness that you don't really see a lot in a power forward. He's also got pretty good handles and can go coast to coast. He needs to learn to be a little more under control on offense and, as you mention, keep working on his jumper.

Defense will be a bit of an issue because, even though he's 6'9" and apparently strong as an ox, he doesn't have long arms like you usually see on guys his size.

I think being a Zach Randolph type is probably his ceiling...which ain't bad at all. He'll probably be a little better offensively than Randolph, but not quite as good defensively.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Yeah, Randle has speed and quickness that you don't really see a lot in a power forward. He's also got pretty good handles and can go coast to coast. He needs to learn to be a little more under control on offense and, as you mention, keep working on his jumper.

Defense will be a bit of an issue because, even though he's 6'9" and apparently strong as an ox, he doesn't have long arms like you usually see on guys his size.

I think being a Zach Randolph type is probably his ceiling...which ain't bad at all. He'll probably be a little better offensively than Randolph, but not quite as good defensively.

i think thats a good comp- Z.R......not qite as dominating physically- but more geared to todays game.

 

[bksballer89]

i KNOW Tristan is better and helps a team win more than Whiteside does.

As i have said a million times---- Whiteside is one of the most TALENTED guys on the face of the planet. But there are plenty of guys with talent serving fries and Whoppers at BK right now.

As one of the posters said a couple days ago---- and CS made a similar point- 1 game--- or trying to build up a desolate roster?-----

shit- if i was in the hole 50K to the mob and they were gonna kill me the next day- maybe you go get bet the lotto with your last 5$.......still doesnt mean its a good idea. lol....

Tristan always plays, is a great teammate, has a great work ethic, SACRIFICES stats for the team instead of sacrificing the TEAM for stats like Whiteside. he is pretty much the polar opposite of this guy who was blackballed from the league for being a clown, called out by his own coaches and players, continually cheap shots other guys. How one could possiblythi nk its a good idea to give your franchise to THAT guy- will be seriously regretting it down the road.

Would love to know your thoughts on Cousins?

You're right though. Whiteside should no longer help the heat rebound. starting tonight he should move out of the way and allow his opponents to get the rebound instead. same with blocked shots. Run to the bench Hassan when a guard attempts a shot over you

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

i KNOW Tristan is better and helps a team win more than Whiteside does.

No, lebron helps the team win more. Take lebron off the cavs and nobody knows who the hell thompson is.

 

[trojanfan12]

Tristan always plays, is a great teammate, has a great work ethic, SACRIFICES stats for the team instead of sacrificing the TEAM for stats like Whiteside.

What a bunch of nonsense. Tristan doesn't sacrifice stats for team. He's not talented enough for that. Tristan is a role player who happens to fit in perfectly with the team he's on. He's not a guy you build around, he's a guy you add to an already championship caliber team. Basically, he's Kurt Rambis or AC Green.

Whiteside has had his issues in the past, but seems to have worked through those and, at least from a talent and current play perspective, is a guy you can build around.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Would love to know your thoughts on Cousins?

You're right though. Whiteside should no longer help the heat rebound. starting tonight he should move out of the way and allow his opponents to get the rebound instead. same with blocked shots. Run to the bench Hassan when a guard attempts a shot over you

i just dont know how you build around a center who - cant shoot, is limited to only playing center, and is way to slow and plodding to guard the pick and roll. At least Cousins has some extended range and can play the 4 and has some versatility. ----put on top of that the character risks?--- disaster waiting to happen.

15 years ago- maybe you woulda had something IF he can stay on the straight and narrow- in todays NBA?-- devoting that much of your payroll to a true center whocant shoot and is a huge liability in the pick and roll is an unmitigated disaster- and thats BEFORE considering the significant character risks.

 

[Bulletz]

i just dont know how you build around a center who - cant shoot, is limited to only playing center, and is way to slow and plodding to guard the pick and roll. At least Cousins has some extended range and can play the 4 and has some versatility. ----put on top of that the character risks?--- disaster waiting to happen.

15 years ago- maybe you woulda had something IF he can stay on the straight and narrow- in todays NBA?-- devoting that much of your payroll to a true center whocant shoot and is a huge liability in the pick and roll is an unmitigated disaster- and thats BEFORE considering the significant character risks.

Thoughts on Drummond then?

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

i just dont know how you build around a center who - cant shoot, is limited to only playing center, and is way to slow and plodding to guard the pick and roll.

Google: Shaquille O'Neal

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Thoughts on Drummond then?

According to wiggy everybody is overrated except for Tristan Thompson who is the best big man in the league

 

[Wamu]

Tristan SACRIFICES stats for the team

TT is a perfect fit for the Cavs but he's not sacrificing stats for the team.

 

[bksballer89]

i just dont know how you build around a center who - cant shoot, is limited to only playing center, and is way to slow and plodding to guard the pick and roll. At least Cousins has some extended range and can play the 4 and has some versatility. ----put on top of that the character risks?--- disaster waiting to happen.

15 years ago- maybe you woulda had something IF he can stay on the straight and narrow- in todays NBA?-- devoting that much of your payroll to a true center whocant shoot and is a huge liability in the pick and roll is an unmitigated disaster- and thats BEFORE considering the significant character risks.

Cousins bring together more character risk than Whiteside. He is always at the top of the list in T's yearly and is good for a few ejections.

Can Drummond play other positions?

 

[bksballer89]

View attachment 150595


TT is a perfect fit for the Cavs but he's not sacrificing stats for the team.

Yeah he is so full of shit. This is who Tristan is. Sacrificing stats my ass

 

[bksballer89]

Hey but Whiteside is an issue

Kings suspend DeMarcus Cousins for 'unprofessional behavior'

DeMarcus Cousins fights with George Karl yet again

Mayo: Kings’ Cousins Has ‘Mental Issues’ « NBA.com | Hang Time Blog

Boston should NOT trade for the petulant child that is DeMarcus Cousins | CelticsLife.com - Boston Celtics Fan Site, Blog, T-shirts

 

[CitySushi]

i just dont know how you build around a center who - cant shoot, is limited to only playing center, and is way to slow and plodding to guard the pick and roll. At least Cousins has some extended range and can play the 4 and has some versatility. ----put on top of that the character risks?--- disaster waiting to happen.

15 years ago- maybe you woulda had something IF he can stay on the straight and narrow- in todays NBA?-- devoting that much of your payroll to a true center whocant shoot and is a huge liability in the pick and roll is an unmitigated disaster- and thats BEFORE considering the significant character risks.

What's most important right now at the center position is to be able to defend on the perimeter. With traditional bigs being supplanted for those who can shoot, it's much more important to get a center who can defend on the perimeter.

But that said, I don't think it's absolutely necessary for a big to be able to shoot from the outside. The problem is that most of the bigs who can't shoot from the outside, also have no interior game to speak of either. It's what's wrong with the development of the bigs today in AAU, HS and to a lesser degree NCAA. A guy like DAJ or Drummond don't need to be able to step out and hit a 17 footer. What they need is one or two absolutely dominant post moves. It's why Dwight Howard has never reached his potential. He was never able to develop one or two moves that would allow him to use his size and strength.

Bigs are getting more skilled away from the hoop, but less skilled towards it. As much as having a big man who can stretch the floor opens up the court, a big man who commands a double team opens up the floor just as well, if not arguably better.

 

[CitySushi]

Hey but Whiteside is an issue

Kings suspend DeMarcus Cousins for 'unprofessional behavior'

DeMarcus Cousins fights with George Karl yet again

Mayo: Kings’ Cousins Has ‘Mental Issues’ « NBA.com | Hang Time Blog

Boston should NOT trade for the petulant child that is DeMarcus Cousins | CelticsLife.com - Boston Celtics Fan Site, Blog, T-shirts

Cousins will be fine once he joins the Warriors.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Cousins will be fine once he joins the Warriors.

For what, $3 a game? Aren't they over the cap?

 

[WiggyRuss]

Thoughts on Drummond then?

hes 23 and was the best player on a team that won 44 games- and is head and shoulders better than whiteside----- and ya know....never got himself blackballed from the league, lol.....

 

[WiggyRuss]

What's most important right now at the center position is to be able to defend on the perimeter. With traditional bigs being supplanted for those who can shoot, it's much more important to get a center who can defend on the perimeter.

But that said, I don't think it's absolutely necessary for a big to be able to shoot from the outside. The problem is that most of the bigs who can't shoot from the outside, also have no interior game to speak of either. It's what's wrong with the development of the bigs today in AAU, HS and to a lesser degree NCAA. A guy like DAJ or Drummond don't need to be able to step out and hit a 17 footer. What they need is one or two absolutely dominant post moves. It's why Dwight Howard has never reached his potential. He was never able to develop one or two moves that would allow him to use his size and strength.

Bigs are getting more skilled away from the hoop, but less skilled towards it. As much as having a big man who can stretch the floor opens up the court, a big man who commands a double team opens up the floor just as well, if not arguably better.

if you are a big and you cant do EITHER- if you cant shoot from the outside- and also cant play defense on the perimeter---- you are putting your team at a major disadvantage. I mean something has to give.

Cousins has at least started increasing his range and is athletic enough to play the 4 as we have seen. I dont like building around a center- but Andre Drummond is one of the few guys who might be good enough t ogo that way- and he has been really good for a few years now and is only - i think 23 or 24 years old.

Whiteside a. cant defend on the perimeter at all- its embarassing, b. cant shoot and c. just clogs the middle because he is so so thoroughly bad at passing.....

how do you build a modern NBA team around a center that is taking up a quarter of your payroll that CANT PASS, CANT SHOOT, and CANT guard on the perimeter?!!! it just totally puts you behind the 8 ball. In todays pace and space league- that approach is DEATH. Put on top of that all the charater concerns with Whiteside and its evident that its going to be a disaster.

i mean- if you put Whiteside on the WArriors does he just wreck that whole system? can you really have a big that cant guard anyone outside of the paint, that cant shoot, that cant pass--- and run that system?---- its a disaster.

if you are playing old 1990s basketball and walking the ball up defensively etc...style that Riley LOVES- --- but its just really ugly and archaic basketball to watch.

 

[CitySushi]

For what, $3 a game? Aren't they over the cap?

Vet min, obviously.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Vet min, obviously.

Maybe the Kings would be willing to trade Cousins for McGee straight up?