2015-16 NBA Eastern Conference OFFICIAL THREAD

[Shanemansj13]

Not going to research exact players, but it seems that even with the new wrinkles to the offense, Love gets relegated to the 3 point line more than he should given his overall skills. Plus, even if they tweak the offense enough so that Kyrie, Love and Lebron are all relatively happy with their roles, there is still the issue of Love's lack of defense, Kyrie's isn't great and Lebron can't cover for everybody anymore.

Seems like they might be better served to replace Love with 2 players. 1 a spot up 3 point shooter (Kyle Korver type) and 1 who is more of a defensive minded player. Neither would be as good as Love is individually, but they would improve the team overall.

Love is the guy they move if it comes down to it. Honestly, he is a good player and all but I like this lineup right now without Love:

Kyrie
JR
Shump
Lebron
TT

Then if you got 2 to 3 good players in a trade for Love, that depth would get even better. Mozgov is alright for a backup. Then you have Delly, Frye and add in 3 bench players and maybe substitute one of those guys in the starting lineup and the team looks pretty complete. Love is young and is more likely to breakout in a game, but 2-3 good players make up for definitely more overall.

Maybe they just need to use Love as a decoy. Then teams with stop covering him and maybe he will start going off lol

 

[trojanfan12]

Love is the guy they move if it comes down to it. Honestly, he is a good player and all but I like this lineup right now without Love:

Kyrie
JR
Shump
Lebron
TT

Then if you got 2 to 3 good players in a trade for Love, that depth would get even better. Mozgov is alright for a backup. Then you have Delly, Frye and add in 3 bench players and maybe substitute one of those guys in the starting lineup and the team looks pretty complete. Love is young and is more likely to breakout in a game, but 2-3 good players make up for definitely more overall.

Maybe they just need to use Love as a decoy. Then teams with stop covering him and maybe he will start going off lol

Yeah, that starting lineup doesn't have great 3 point shooting, but the defense is better overall, which means Lebron doesn't have to work so hard on that end anymore. Plus, if you get another guy who can hit the 3 coming off the bench, you're still covered in that aspect.

In a way, Love is kind of a square peg trying to fit into a round hole when mixed with Lebron and Kyrie. He is used to doing and capable of doing a lot more than he's being asked. Hard for him to get into an offensive rhythm. Instead, you'd have guys replacing him to fit very specific roles.

 

[gordontrue]

I still think Love is doing way more for the Cavs than people realize.

There are not many players in the league that can give you 10 rebounds and 15 points a game... all while stretching the floor. Draymond, Love, DeMarcus, & AD. That's about it.

Love isn't gonig to be Minnesota Love if he's on a contender. He's not going to live in the post with the ball in his hands. But its a bonus that he CAN go into that mode (and does) for a few possessions at a time especially when LeBron or Kyrie is out.

Why are people so accepting of Aldrdige's numbers and role changing in going to the Spurs... but when its Love its a huge problem that isn't working?
Last year was a rough transistion... but other than his 3 being off the past couple weeks... I really think Love is fitting in great with the cavs this season. 10 boards, 15 points, stretching the floor, posting up 5-10 possessions a game.

 

[trojanfan12]

Why are people so accepting of Aldrdige's numbers and role changing in going to the Spurs... but when its Love its a huge problem that isn't working?

3 reasons, imo.

1.) There's no drama around how Aldridge is fitting in with the Spurs and Aldridge is still playing the same game he was in Portland, just scaled back a bit. He also doesn't need as many touches as Love to get into an offensive rhythm.

2.) You also don't have a more famous player on the team putting out cryptic tweets that have people speculating about who or what he's talking about and whether or not it's aimed at him.

3.) Aldridge is better on defense than Love, so the Spurs aren't in a situation with him where it seems like that because of his reduced role, everything he accomplishes on offense is given right back on defense.

 

[gordontrue]

3 reasons, imo.

1.) There's no drama around how Aldridge is fitting in with the Spurs and Aldridge is still playing the same game he was in Portland, just scaled back a bit. He also doesn't need as many touches as Love to get into an offensive rhythm.

2.) You also don't have a more famous player on the team putting out cryptic tweets that have people speculating about who or what he's talking about and whether or not it's aimed at him.

3.) Aldridge is better on defense than Love, so the Spurs aren't in a situation with him where it seems like that because of his reduced role, everything he accomplishes on offense is given right back on defense.

Yeah, I think you nailed it. And if that's all it is, it just confirms my thought that it is being overstated. Other than defense... none of that matters.

The defense is good point though. I think that is where Lue needs to earn his paycheck and be smart about when he uses what lineup... from a matchup standpoint. (Especially in the playoffs)

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah, I think you nailed it. And if that's all it is, it just confirms my thought that it is being overstated. Other than defense... none of that matters.

The defense is good point though. I think that is where Lue needs to earn his paycheck and be smart about when he uses what lineup... from a matchup standpoint. (Especially in the playoffs)

Yeah imo, the thing that made Love so good in Minny is that he was so good on offense that he what he gave back on defense didn't matter much. Now, with a reduced role, it does and there's no way to get him back to close to his Minny level production because it would take too much away from Lebron and Kyrie who are better players.

That's why I think the Cavs may be better served long term if they replace Love with a couple of "specialists." I agree with you though, if the Cavs are going to keep him, Lue will earn or not earn his paycheck by how he handles those lineups.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Does this list look.....off to anyone else?

NBA Free Agency 2016: The top players

Conley and Whiteside are hilariously low and Pau over Horford gives me pause because of age.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Yeah, that starting lineup doesn't have great 3 point shooting, but the defense is better overall, which means Lebron doesn't have to work so hard on that end anymore. Plus, if you get another guy who can hit the 3 coming off the bench, you're still covered in that aspect.

In a way, Love is kind of a square peg trying to fit into a round hole when mixed with Lebron and Kyrie. He is used to doing and capable of doing a lot more than he's being asked. Hard for him to get into an offensive rhythm. Instead, you'd have guys replacing him to fit very specific roles.

Yeah the 3 point shooting is lacking. You have Kyrie and Smith, if Kyrie gets to the way he was shooting last year then it's not bad. Shump and Lebron would be the guys attacking but you lack in offense from the SF position bc Shump isn't going to be that scorer. Like you said the defense overall is better though.
The only way Love has good games is when Lebron and Kyrie look to get him involved in the 1st quarter but if he is missing shots it seems like it doesn't get better throughout the game. Not sure what is going on with him, but they need Love just not sure in what way honestly. As a bench player that plays high minutes?

 

[Shanemansj13]

I still think Love is doing way more for the Cavs than people realize.

There are not many players in the league that can give you 10 rebounds and 15 points a game... all while stretching the floor. Draymond, Love, DeMarcus, & AD. That's about it.

Love isn't gonig to be Minnesota Love if he's on a contender. He's not going to live in the post with the ball in his hands. But its a bonus that he CAN go into that mode (and does) for a few possessions at a time especially when LeBron or Kyrie is out.

Why are people so accepting of Aldrdige's numbers and role changing in going to the Spurs... but when its Love its a huge problem that isn't working?
Last year was a rough transistion... but other than his 3 being off the past couple weeks... I really think Love is fitting in great with the cavs this season. 10 boards, 15 points, stretching the floor, posting up 5-10 possessions a game.

I guess it's bc of the defense effort and the fact it seems like he is inconsistent regardless of the 15 and 10. Some nights he is really good and some nights he is awful. It is hard to get an in between IMO. I just want him to be more consistent and see a greater defensive effort at times, I know that isn't his game but I have seen it before.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Yeah, I think you nailed it. And if that's all it is, it just confirms my thought that it is being overstated. Other than defense... none of that matters.

The defense is good point though. I think that is where Lue needs to earn his paycheck and be smart about when he uses what lineup... from a matchup standpoint. (Especially in the playoffs)

I agree. It shouldn't be a knock against Love but against a team like GS or SA, why can't he come off the bench and play more against the backups. Have Tristan start and maybe Lebron at the PF against GS. Against SA, he can start but like you said mix it up from a matchup standpoint.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I guess it's bc of the defense effort and the fact it seems like he is inconsistent regardless of the 15 and 10. Some nights he is really good and some nights he is awful. It is hard to get an in between IMO. I just want him to be more consistent and see a greater defensive effort at times, I know that isn't his game but I have seen it before.

I think a lot of it is because the Cavs
chances of winning most games isn't affected by whether Love plays or
not.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I think a lot of it is because the Cavs
chances of winning most games isn't affected by whether Love plays or
not.

Yeah, it might look like it but it all depends on Lebron and Kyrie honestly and the team defense.

 

[Heatles84]

I still think Love is doing way more for the Cavs than people realize.

There are not many players in the league that can give you 10 rebounds and 15 points a game... all while stretching the floor. Draymond, Love, DeMarcus, & AD. That's about it.

Love isn't gonig to be Minnesota Love if he's on a contender. He's not going to live in the post with the ball in his hands. But its a bonus that he CAN go into that mode (and does) for a few possessions at a time especially when LeBron or Kyrie is out.

Why are people so accepting of Aldrdige's numbers and role changing in going to the Spurs... but when its Love its a huge problem that isn't working?
Last year was a rough transistion... but other than his 3 being off the past couple weeks... I really think Love is fitting in great with the cavs this season. 10 boards, 15 points, stretching the floor, posting up 5-10 possessions a game.

Because the Spurs have a system in place where ball movement is key and the ball rarely gets 'stuck'. Also, no one really questions the Spurs given their consistency for winning. Aldridge's insertion into the Spurs has them winning more, with Cleveland they still look like they're missing something.

 

[Bolts]

Does this list look.....off to anyone else?

NBA Free Agency 2016: The top players

Conley and Whiteside are hilariously low and Pau over Horford gives me pause because of age.

I'd have Conley in the top 5 and Whiteside at least ahead of Dwight and Wade, possibly ahead of Beal. With Gasol and Horford, I think it could go either way and if I wanted a player just for next season I'd take Pau. My favorite part of that is seeing Mike Conley as Mike Conley's agent.

 

[purguy12]

I am Finally excited to watch my Bulls. Last game was the 1st game the whole starting line up was in place. Lets see what this team can finally do. Im hoping to get into the 5th to 6th seed. Make a Final push here. I think any team in the East is beatable even the Cavs who havent looked great.

 

[purguy12]

Hottest team in the East right now are the Heat.

 

[LAD]

Didn't you know, he is feeling better than he has in a long time and he really is looking better. Some nights he is having to carry this team, the rest of the team needs to get in a groove, especially Uncle Drew.

Until the bed bugs are released on him too!

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I'd have Conley in the top 5 and Whiteside at least ahead of Dwight and Wade, possibly ahead of Beal. With Gasol and Horford, I think it could go either way and if I wanted a player just for next season I'd take Pau. My favorite part of that is seeing Mike Conley as Mike Conley's agent.

Beal is just fragile.

Yeah, I see your point about Gasol.

A team looking to win next year might take Gasol on a short-term/high dollar contract if he was the final piece to the championship puzzle.

How sick would it be if he went to the Spurs?

 

[bksballer89]

Hottest team in the East right now is the Heat.

Looking forward to playing your Bulls on Friday with Butler back. Bulls is the one team I would really not want to see in the first round if they're healthy

 

[trojanfan12]

Beal is just fragile.

Yeah, I see your point about Gasol.

A team looking to win next year might take Gasol on a short-term/high dollar contract if he was the final piece to the championship puzzle.

How sick would it be if he went to the Spurs?

Hate to help them out and I don't know if they could afford him, but Pau on the Cavs would put them on even footing with GSW and the Spurs, imo. He is a great passer, a very good rebounder and wouldn't clog the lane for Kyrie and Lebron's drives because teams have to respect his range.

While he'll never be a DPOY candidate, he is a good team defender, so he wouldn't hurt them too badly on the defensive end.