2015-16 NBA Eastern Conference OFFICIAL THREAD

[bksballer89]

no doubt in MY mind...or anyone elses with a brain...

Unfortunately that does not apply to Wiggy

 

[trojanfan12]

well, let's see...

Russell
Clarkson
DeRozan
Randle
Whiteside...

imo ain't THAT shabby a line-up...

just sayin'...

Agree. They're not winning any championships with that lineup, but it could get them back into playoff contention and then lead to the ability to trade for and/or pick up franchise level players in FA.

Also, if they keep the lottery pick, you're adding Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram or Jaylen Brown to the mix. The lottery is May 17th. I'd expect that where they end up in the lottery will go a long way to determining who they target in FA and what types of trades they will look for in the off-season.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Al Horford would be AMAZING for the Lakers- a total culture changer- he could space the floor, play good D, he would DEFINITELY give max effort and want to live up to his contract...hed help Russell thrive...

Or sign Joakin Noah- hes getting older- but immediately he would bring some credibility, a vocal leader, a defensive presence and a guy thats been in some battles to guide the young guys

ESPECIALLY if you keep the pick- if you keep the pick and get at op 3- i think the tanking is over- especially since you wont get hte pick next year anyway--- take whoever you get Russell, draft pick X, Randle, Nance- and go....

dont gamble it on Whiteside. You dont want to bring a guy in on a big contract with all those questions marks, another guy that needs his hand held and needs a ton of devlopment that who knows if he is even capable of. Dont tie up 15-20 million for 3-4 years on a guy that is such a risk.

Sign a guy that will help change the culture, help guide the young guys, and will fit well with the young guys. Joakin Noah can still play D and is one of the best passing big of his generation. Russell would love playing with him. Horford is one of the most efficient players out there, is incredibly tough and respected.

dont gamble it on a guy that was blackballed from the nba a few years ago and needs a LOT of work if he is ever going to live up to a 20M contract...if Vin Baker had a dime for every beer he has drank, or for every NBA player who was a shithead and never reached their full potential, he wouldnt be a broke ass. Dont put your franchise back another 2-3 years by taking a gamble on that crap.

 

[WiggyRuss]

And Tristan, any year, in any decade, without James really is J.J Hickson.

Whiteside is elite in a few parts of his game, and lacking in a few others.
If he was a Cav, you'd be creaming yourself citing his window to improve is still wide open.
If you actually watched Heat games, you would know that other parts of his game have improved.
Instead, you point out assists, which is pretty ridiculous, because when Wade and the others are lobbing the ball to him, they are thinking he's going to jam it in or take a very short range shot.
You act like he should be kicking it back out to them.
He is our definition of Final Destination.

No- Tristan can actually switch that pick and roll, can go out to the 3 pt line and guard it, can go between PF and C depending on the matchup, can show hard on the pick and roll and get back to his guy....that is the LYNCHPIN of a good modern defense....their is a reason why the rim protectors are almost extinct- they arent quick enough to play in the modern NBA where 6' 11" guys are playing on the freaking wing.

 

[trojanfan12]

thing is we have no idea IF the 2 of them could play with/off of each other. but from what I've seen it isn't QUITE like he's an athletic dead end. trust me, I've seen slower, less athletic centers...

and if he does well in the pick 'n' pop I certainly won't be complaining IF we do get him...

Just because Whiteside isn't going to be shooting from 15 feet, doesn't mean he and Russell can't co-exist. They can work pick and rolls, lobs and pocket passes in the key. If Russell or anyone else wants to drive to the hoop, you bring Whiteside out to set a pick and move back in.

There wasn't a bigger lane clogger than Shaq, but I seem to remember Kobe not having too much trouble getting to the basket.

 

[WiggyRuss]

thing is we have no idea IF the 2 of them could play with/off of each other. but from what I've seen it isn't QUITE like he's an athletic dead end. trust me, I've seen slower, less athletic centers...

and if he does well in the pick 'n' pop I certainly won't be complaining IF we do get him...

pick and pop? i can shoot ping pong balls out my ass better than Whiteside shoots outside of 8 feet.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Just because Whiteside isn't going to be shooting from 15 feet, doesn't mean he and Russell can'r co-exist. They can work pick and rolls, lobs and pocket passes in the key. If Russell or anyone else wants to drive to the hoop, you bring Whiteside out to set a pick and move back in.

There wasn't a bigger lane clogger than Shaq, but I seem to remember Kobe not having too much trouble getting to the basket.

yah Shaq was a freaking animal though- and Shaq was a fabulous passer.

 

[Black Adam]

pick and pop? i can shoot ping pong balls out my ass better than Whiteside shoots outside of 8 feet.

yep, you're right. there's no way in hell his mid-range game will EVVVEEERRR improve...

 

[Black Adam]

yah Shaq was a freaking animal though- and Shaq was a fabulous passer.

well hell, we actually agree on something...

 

[bksballer89]

Horford is turning 30 in June. I highly doubt Lakers fans would want him instead of a younger option

 

[bksballer89]

yep, you're right. there's no way in hell his mid-range game will EVVVEEERRR improve...

He actually make jump shots occasionally now. It is no doubt something I can see him adding to his game with hard work during the offseason

 

[WiggyRuss]

yep, you're right. there's no way in hell his mid-range game will EVVVEEERRR improve...

sure he COULD improve...at one point darius miles "could have" improved too.....do you wnat to give a guy 20 million dollars- who was blackballed from the NBA a few years ago- GUARANTEE him that 20 million a year- and then tell him- now that you got your money- NOW you REALLY have to go to work to reach your potential.....is it possible? SURE its possible... its possible Dion Waiters has an epiphany and realizes he is not the best scorer to ever lace up tennis shoes- but i doubt it.

 

[Black Adam]

He actually make jump shots occasionally now. It is no doubt something I can see him adding to his game with hard work during the offseason

ESPECIALLY when you stop to consider he'd be writing his own paycheck if his shot DID get better this off-season...

PLEASE believe that man's more than likely thinking ahead...

 

[trojanfan12]

Al Horford would be AMAZING for the Lakers- a total culture changer- he could space the floor, play good D, he would DEFINITELY give max effort and want to live up to his contract...hed help Russell thrive...

He would actually be my first choice over Whiteside. Whiteside has tremendous upside, but Horford is already a pretty polished player.

Or sign Joakim Noah- hes getting older- but immediately he would bring some credibility, a vocal leader, a defensive presence and a guy thats been in some battles to guide the young guys

Okay, now you're hitting me in my weak spot. I have a mancrush on Noah. But, I wouldn't want the Lakers to sign him as a first choice because it's looking like his body is starting to breakdown on him. I wouldn't mind them signing him, but not as a first choice.

 

[WiggyRuss]

dont waste your money on a big that cant shoot, cant pass, and has no post moves, and a documented poor attitude....why would you do such a thing and take such a risk and add another guy to a young team who needs constant supervision and development when you can add a guy that can actually start getting the young guys a winners mentality.

 

[Black Adam]

Horford is turning 30 in June. I highly doubt Lakers fans would want him instead of a younger option

BINGO...

their building for a line-up that'll be a perennial contender...

 

[WiggyRuss]

ESPECIALLY when you stop to consider he'd be writing his own paycheck if his shot DID get better this off-season...

PLEASE believe that man's more than likely thinking ahead...

thinking ahead? omg.....my brain hurts. i have to stop this now...thinking ahead- the guy that was playing in the lebaneese league 2 years ago. yes.... the guy that when given a second chance was getting tossed out of games last year and called out by his teammates--- THAT guy is going to get a huge contract and all of a sudden decide- I HAVE TO WORK HARDER NOW......lol....all right....youve done it...lol. i have to go take a break..congrats!

 

[trojanfan12]

Horford is turning 30 in June. I highly doubt Lakers fans would want him instead of a younger option

Actually, I would. Horford is a more polished player than Whiteside and less of a gamble and bigs age better than smaller players.

I really like Whiteside and his potential, so I reserve the right to change my mind at the end of the season if Whiteside keeps getting better. But if FA were staring today, Horford would be my first choice.

 

[Black Adam]

dont waste your money on a big that cant shoot, cant pass, and has no post moves, and a documented poor attitude....why would you do such a thing and take such a risk and add another guy to a young team who needs constant supervision and development when you can add a guy that can actually start getting the young guys a winners mentality.

interesting how much time you spend putting this guy down while everyone else notices his upside. just an observation...

 

[WiggyRuss]

He would actually be my first choice over Whiteside. Whiteside has tremendous upside, but Horford is already a pretty polished player.



Okay, now you're hitting me in my weak spot. I have a mancrush on Noah. But, I wouldn't want the Lakers to sign him as a first choice because it's looking like his body is starting to breakdown on him. I wouldn't mind them signing him, but not as a first choice.

I would draft a center behind him thats not a total lunatic- and let Noah groom him! omg. noah would be freaking PERFECT for wh ere the Lakers are at--- he would help move the ball and play good defense and take pressure off Randle....honestly it just makes too much sense unless Noah wants money that would significantly clog up the cap...if you could get him for 3 years 45 it would be GREAT for the LAkers.