2015-16 NBA Eastern Conference OFFICIAL THREAD

[WiggyRuss]

I can only speak for Myself...

I didn't think it would work better cause I assumed Tristan was going to the bench, which he did initially.

As the starting Center, they work well.

As you said, they have very different skill sets and won't clash like Noel/ Okafor or Drummond/ Monroe.

Honestly, Outside of Boogie and the Gasols, he should be fine.

I would be more worried about him checking the elite PF s in the league.

the thing is- Thompson at this point LAST Year still had a ton to prove. Hes still relatively young and improving. I thought that, at least THIS year, Thompson would remain on the bench while we had Mozgov---- but considering Mozgov's contract situation and the fact that he has taken a step back from his very solid play last year- expedited the process.

Thompson is still getting better. I have pointed to Varejao i nthis regard- when Andy first started he was ATROCIOUS offensively. slowly but surely he got slick around the basket, and on the pick and roll finishing (all though being in the P&R with Bron or KI is prety nice ). Then he started developing a 15 footer.

There is no reason to think that- with Thompsons work ethic- he cant keep expanding his game like Andy did. When Thompson signed that deal I Think the Cavs thought he would EVENTUALLY be the starter- though- I think they are surprised- and i am surprised- that it happened so soon.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

i dont buy that at all- but the Spurs are loaded....as we saw last year- the guy the Spurs really have no answer for anymore is Kyrie.

Who on the Spurs guards Kyrie- or even slows him down? With Leonard on LBJ- the Cavs will seriously need other guys to step up big time- luckily- Tony Parker just cant even effect Kyrie at all- he can get whatever he wants whenever he wants on the Spurs back court defenders.

Lets see how Aldridge does running around the perimeter trying to cover Love- because we KNOW Duncan wont be doing that.

What's with the red herring?

I thought we were talking about the Post players?

* side note....

Not many teams have a guy that can flat out check Kyrie.

Westbrook is the only guy with the skill on both ends to give him hell.

Paul, Lillard, Curry can put up big numbers against him. But, couldn't stop him from getting his.

Wall is fast enough. But, not as prolific offensively.

 

[WiggyRuss]

What's with the red herring?

I thought we were talking about the Post players?

* side note....

Not many teams have a guy that can flat out check Kyrie.

Westbrook is the only guy with the skill on both ends to give him hell.

Paul, Lillard, Curry can put up big numbers against him. But, couldn't stop him from getting his.

Wall is fast enough. But, not as prolific offensively.

Wall made Kyrie mad the other day and then Kyrie eviscerated him. I mean- your right- I was just seeing how the conversation was evolving into a Spurs/Cavs debate- and while you guys think the Spurs hae a definite advantage in the post- i would say its not as big as you guys think- but personally- like i was saying- if the CAvs are going to beat hte Spurs- its probably not gonna be because Mozgov and Varejao and Thompson put up20 pts...itll be because KI smokes them since they have no answer for him.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

the thing is- Thompson at this point LAST Year still had a ton to prove. Hes still relatively young and improving. I thought that, at least THIS year, Thompson would remain on the bench while we had Mozgov---- but considering Mozgov's contract situation and the fact that he has taken a step back from his very solid play last year- expedited the process.

Thompson is still getting better. I have pointed to Varejao i nthis regard- when Andy first started he was ATROCIOUS offensively. slowly but surely he got slick around the basket, and on the pick and roll finishing (all though being in the P&R with Bron or KI is prety nice ). Then he started developing a 15 footer.

There is no reason to think that- with Thompsons work ethic- he cant keep expanding his game like Andy did. When Thompson signed that deal I Think the Cavs thought he would EVENTUALLY be the starter- though- I think they are surprised- and i am surprised- that it happened so soon.

Sure, he has plenty of time to improve.

In a few years, his contract could look like a steal like DeRozans.

I remember being stunned when the Toronto gave him that contract.

He's more than earned it over the years.

Derricks Favors is probably a better comparison.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Wall made Kyrie mad the other day and then Kyrie eviscerated him. I mean- your right- I was just seeing how the conversation was evolving into a Spurs/Cavs debate- and while you guys think the Spurs hae a definite advantage in the post- i would say its not as big as you guys think- but personally- like i was saying- if the CAvs are going to beat hte Spurs- its probably not gonna be because Mozgov and Varejao and Thompson put up20 pts...itll be because KI smokes them since they have no answer for him.

Agreed.

I don't see Mills, Parker, Green slowing him down.

But, I think Love will be another XFactor.

He has to come close to matching Aldridges numbers.

Green and Smith will cancel each other out.

 

[WiggyRuss]

What's with the red herring?

I thought we were talking about the Post players?

* side note....

Not many teams have a guy that can flat out check Kyrie.

Westbrook is the only guy with the skill on both ends to give him hell.

Paul, Lillard, Curry can put up big numbers against him. But, couldn't stop him from getting his.

Wall is fast enough. But, not as prolific offensively.

well - at least a few of these teams have guys you can throw at KI...like Teague is fast enough on the HAwks to bother him....Snell on the Bulls is fast and strong....Klay Thompson can guard KI decently (we know Curry really cant), Lowry is tough on the Raptors and Joseph is a solid bench defender. At least most teams have some good athletic guys to throw at KI....it doesnt have to be an elite guy like an RW- just a good athlete that cna play some D on the perimeter that has some speed.

the Spurs really really lack that....its the one CLEAR advantage I think the Cavs possess against them.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

well - at least a few of these teams have guys you can throw at KI...like Teague is fast enough on the HAwks to bother him....Snell on the Bulls is fast and strong....Klay Thompson can guard KI decently (we know Curry really cant), Lowry is tough on the Raptors and Joseph is a solid bench defender. At least most teams have some good athletic guys to throw at KI....it doesnt have to be an elite guy like an RW- just a good athlete that cna play some D on the perimeter that has some speed.

the Spurs really really lack that....its the one CLEAR advantage I think the Cavs possess against them.

Yes, I agree.

Parker is putting up 12 and 5 on the Season which is pedestrian.

But, he could be playing opossum and saving it up until June.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Yes, I agree.

Parker is putting up 12 and 5 on the Season which is pedestrian.

But, he could be playing opossum and saving it up until June.

whats your take on the Clips thus far?

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

whats your take on the Clips thus far?

Same old, same old.

Chris Paul or Blake get hurt about this time every year and they go on a run without them.

We need another shooter outside of JJ.

I am perplexed about Josh Smith.

Even with Blake In bubble wrap, his asks is still glued to the bench.

Why was he signed if he won't play?

 

[trojanfan12]

well - at least a few of these teams have guys you can throw at KI...like Teague is fast enough on the HAwks to bother him....Snell on the Bulls is fast and strong....Klay Thompson can guard KI decently (we know Curry really cant), Lowry is tough on the Raptors and Joseph is a solid bench defender. At least most teams have some good athletic guys to throw at KI....it doesnt have to be an elite guy like an RW- just a good athlete that cna play some D on the perimeter that has some speed.

the Spurs really really lack that....its the one CLEAR advantage I think the Cavs possess against them.

No one on the Spurs is stopping Kyrie. However, I'd expect Pop to come up with something to at least slow him some. No way Parker can stay with him, but he can use his experience to at least make Kyrie work for what he gets. Vets like him know how to get a guy to operate from places on the floor where they aren't as comfortable.

The Spurs will throw different guys at him to give him different looks. No doubt that Kyrie will still get his. Whether or not it's enough to win the series will be determined by how hard Kyrie has to work to get it.

 

[trojanfan12]

Same old, same old.

Chris Paul or Blake get hurt about this time every year and they go on a run without them.

We need another shooter outside of JJ.

I am perplexed about Josh Smith.

Even with Blake In bubble wrap, his asks is still glued to the bench.

Why was he signed if he won't play?

Must be some locker room bullshit or something and he's in Doc's doghouse. I was kind of surprised that the Clips signed him. The guys a million dollar talent with a 5 cent head. Seems like the last thing they need in their locker room.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Must be some locker room bullshit or something and he's in Doc's doghouse. I was kind of surprised that the Clips signed him. The guys a million dollar talent with a 5 cent head. Seems like the last thing they need in their locker room.

Don't forget they added Lance.

Wtf was Doc thinking.

Both have been tuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurible.

 

[trojanfan12]

Don't forget they added Lance.

Wtf was Doc thinking.

Both have been tuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurible.

Forgot about him. He hasn't been playing either, has he?

I think Doc just looked at the talent and figured he could keep them in line. It's hubris, but most coaches at that level have it to some degree.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Forgot about him. He hasn't been playing either, has he?

I think Doc just looked at the talent and figured he could keep them in line. It's hubris, but most coaches at that level have it to some degree.

Hubris:

Yeah, that's a respectful way to refer to his out and out ARROGANCE about his ability to manage strong personalities.

Even in Boston, he did a kiss poor job with the Rondo/Allen situation.

He's no Phil Jackson.

I think Pat Riley is probably the only other guy that could have gotten Kobe and Shaw to coexist that long.

As for Stephenson, Mbah Moute is starting over him and Pierce.

That tells you all you really need to know.

 

[trojanfan12]

Hubris:

Yeah, that's a respectful way to refer to his out and out ARROGANCE about his ability to manage strong personalities.

Even in Boston, he did a kiss poor job with the Rondo/Allen situation.

He's no Phil Jackson.

I think Pat Riley is probably the only other guy that could have gotten Kobe and Shaw to coexist that long.

As for Stephenson, Mbah Moute is starting over him and Pierce.

That tells you all you really need to know.

True.

I don't blame Doc too much though. Virtually all coaches look at talents like Smith and Stephenson and think "I'm the one who can get through to them." But only a few actually can. That's why coaches shouldn't be GM's.

As great as Phil was, he was never his own GM. I'm sure he had tremendous input when he was with both the Bulls and Lakers, but end of the day, he wasn't calling the shots on personnel like Doc is.

 

[WiggyRuss]

read something interesting today- that one of things a lot of teams look at to see how good teams are is taking their home losses- and subtracting them from their road wins. kinda interesting.

 

[gordontrue]

John Wall just signed with Rich Paul...

 

[WiggyRuss]

John Wall just signed with Rich Paul...

why not? hes backed by LeBron and got Bledsoe and Thompson very good deals where they were happiest. Im sure Thompson and Bledsoe could have got similar deals - if not more- at other places or if they waited until the cap went up- but a good agent gets you a deal in the place you want to be for as close to free agent value market value as possible. Good for Paul and LRMR

 

[WiggyRuss]

Joe Harris was hurt and done for the year so it looks like the Cavs traded him to the Orlando Magic to open up a roster spot.

I figured Harris was gone when they guaranteed Cunningham. They definitely want one roster spot open when the buy-out vets are out there later on in the year. Hopefully someone better than Perkins becomes available. Joe Johnson?????

 

[ManuForever]

i dont think the Spurs even would. Its not like Aldridge is Al Jeff in his prime and gonna go on the low block and out-man Thompson. I actually think Thompson is one of the best equipped players in the league to play against an Aldridge type-big-man-mid-range shooter- and as good as Duncan is- hes not getting on the low block and putting up 25 on Thompson.

I can see maybe the Bulls and maybe the Clips causing the Cavs to rely more on Mozgov- but if a hobbled Cavs team can run the Bulls like that last year- and the Bulls hardly look great this year- and Pau is a year older, and Noah has lost a step- im not that worried.....

If Clips made the Finals Thompson would have a very hard time against DeAndre.....

but against Horford and the Hawks- hed be effective, against Whiteside and the Heat hed be effective, against Adams or Kanter hed be effective, against Aldridge hed be fine, against Bogut hed be effective

I wouldn't step out on that limb if I were you. Duncan hasn't been as productive this year cause he hasn't needed to be. In big time situations when they need him in the post, he is more than likely going to be able to pull through and put up some decent numbers. Counting Duncan or ANY of the Spurs out EVER is something you don't wanna do.