2017-2018 NBA Regular Season Thread

[shopson67]

That Nets pick isn't going to be as desireable as previously thought.

Impossible to tell. The lottery is so tightly packed that a few wins here and there rocket a team from 2nd slot to 9th (Lakers). Nets are currently 8th, but only 2 games out of 4th, 3 games out of 10th. Very volatile.

 

[shopson67]

LeBron signing with the Warriors?

They would have to dump a lot of salary. Even if they let all their depth free agents go, they're still $8M over the cap. They basically would have to dump Livingston, Iguodala, and one of Klay or Draymond. Then they would be capped out with basically 6 players on the roster (Steph, Durant, Lebron, Klay/Draymond, Jones, Bell). 9 more to add via the draft and league minimum contracts.

 

[Bolts]

They would have to dump a lot of salary. Even if they let all their depth free agents go, they're still $8M over the cap. They basically would have to dump Livingston, Iguodala, and one of Klay or Draymond. Then they would be capped out with basically 6 players on the roster (Steph, Durant, Lebron, Klay/Draymond, Jones, Bell). 9 more to add via the draft and league minimum contracts.

A highly doubt it'd happen, but just the thought sounds bad. And they'd easily be able to get multiple vets to agree to league minimum pay to be on that team.

 

[trojanfan12]

Lavar is actually a huge concern for Lebron. Lakers would definitely have to move Lonzo for this to happen. Which could, because he's still very talented.

I haven't seen or heard anything about Lebron giving a shit about about Lavar one way or the other. Unless there is something I haven't seen yet, it seems like a bunch of media speculation and assumptions.

Also, Lavar has been strangely quiet. Not sure if it's because Lonzo have been out injured or maybe he's been thrown in gulag in Lithuania?

I'd be very surprised if the Lakers trade Lonzo to get Lebron. Not that Lebron isn't a great player, he's just doesn't have many years left.

Interesting no Philadelphia mentioned, which I believe will be a huge destination this off-season. Minnesota and Milwaukee could be very interesting too via S&T, but less likely due to their market.

Philly doesn't "move the needle" like the Lakers and Lebron has no ties or relationship with anyone in Philly that I'm aware of. I think the Philly idea was thrown out there by some reporter who was tired of all of the Lebron to the Lakers talk.

 

[trojanfan12]

I disagree with the Warriors as being 5% possibility - LeBron is not going to do like Karl Malone and go play for 1 million dollars and that's the only way that would happen. That would be 0%

Not necessarily. They would have to do something like trade Dray and Klay, but it's not completely outside the realm of possibility. Cowherds 5% is accurate, imo.

 

[trojanfan12]

I stopped reading right after you mentioned Cowherd. That muther fuker gives me a headache.

He's alright. I don't agree with a lot of what he says, but he does have some decent insights and brings up interesting points.

 

[CitySushi]

Not necessarily. They would have to do something like trade Dray and Klay, but it's not completely outside the realm of possibility. Cowherds 5% is accurate, imo.

The Warriors would be crazy to do that. It's completely outside the realm of possibility when you consider incoming and outgoing skill sets. Plus Draymond and Klay are 6 years younger than Lebron.

Lastly, you have to consider the Warriors are opening a new arena in 2020. They want players who will be entering or still be in their primes around that time to ensure that they get to sell out the PSL's and don't fall into the trap that the Niners did. I could see the Warriors moving Draymond and Klay for someone like AD who would still be only 26 at the time of the arena opening. They also want to ensure talent continuing, to keep up the revenue streams from the new arena.

In addition to basketball, it just doesn't make sense business-wise.

 

[CitySushi]

I haven't seen or heard anything about Lebron giving a shit about about Lavar one way or the other. Unless there is something I haven't seen yet, it seems like a bunch of media speculation and assumptions.

Also, Lavar has been strangely quiet. Not sure if it's because Lonzo have been out injured or maybe he's been thrown in gulag in Lithuania?

I'd be very surprised if the Lakers trade Lonzo to get Lebron. Not that Lebron isn't a great player, he's just doesn't have many years left.



Philly doesn't "move the needle" like the Lakers and Lebron has no ties or relationship with anyone in Philly that I'm aware of. I think the Philly idea was thrown out there by some reporter who was tired of all of the Lebron to the Lakers talk.

It's not about what Lebron has said, but really what he's stood for in his career. He's a blame shifter, yet can't do so effectively when the team's most outspoken personality is not his own. Not only that he's had to deal with so much drama over his past few years, which is why there's a huge possibility of him leaving. Why would he leave for another already built-in drama fest. Lavar makes the situation unstable. Not just because of what he says, but by the way the Lakers are currently handling it. IMO.

 

[trojanfan12]

The Warriors would be crazy to do that. It's completely outside the realm of possibility when you consider incoming and outgoing skill sets. Plus Draymond and Klay are 6 years younger than Lebron.

It would depend. There has been some speculation that Dray and Klay may leave at some point. If the Warriors think that's possible, maybe they decide to make a move rather than risk losing them and getting nothing back.

Personally, I don't see that happening. The Warriors players all seem happy, but you never know. Definitely a long shot. That's why I think Cowherd's 5% chance is accurate.

 

[trojanfan12]

It's not about what Lebron has said,

So it's just media speculation and assumptions. Just like I thought.

He's a blame shifter, yet can't do so effectively when the team's most outspoken personality is not his own.

Lavar Ball isn't a Laker and he isn't a Laker's personality. The only ones who pay attention to Lavar are the media. Also, if the Lakers have Lebron and are contending for championships, Lavar won't have much to talk about.

Not only that he's had to deal with so much drama over his past few years, which is why there's a huge possibility of him leaving.

Lebron has created most of that drama.

Why would he leave for another already built-in drama fest. Lavar makes the situation unstable.

The Lakers aren't a drama fest, Lavar is. The Lakers have pretty much started ignoring Lavar and the result has been that he's not saying much about them anymore.

Not just because of what he says, but by the way the Lakers are currently handling it. IMO.

The Lakers are handling it exactly right. They tried reasoning with him, it didn't work and so they have been ignoring him. The result so far is that, like an attention seeking child, he's moved on to bother someone else.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Not necessarily. They would have to do something like trade Dray and Klay, but it's not completely outside the realm of possibility. Cowherds 5% is accurate, imo.

If the Warriors trades for a player that changes teams as often as he changes the roll of toilet paper in his bathroom, they are insane. That's my opinion. They have a good team for years to come and except for Durant, Curry and Thompson still have a lot of years left to lead them to more titles.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

The Warriors would be crazy to do that. It's completely outside the realm of possibility when you consider incoming and outgoing skill sets. Plus Draymond and Klay are 6 years younger than Lebron.

Lastly, you have to consider the Warriors are opening a new arena in 2020. They want players who will be entering or still be in their primes around that time to ensure that they get to sell out the PSL's and don't fall into the trap that the Niners did. I could see the Warriors moving Draymond and Klay for someone like AD who would still be only 26 at the time of the arena opening. They also want to ensure talent continuing, to keep up the revenue streams from the new arena.

In addition to basketball, it just doesn't make sense business-wise.

You took the words right out of my mouth -

 

[CitySushi]

So it's just media speculation and assumptions. Just like I thought.



Lavar Ball isn't a Laker and he isn't a Laker's personality. The only ones who pay attention to Lavar are the media. Also, if the Lakers have Lebron and are contending for championships, Lavar won't have much to talk about.



Lebron has created most of that drama.



The Lakers aren't a drama fest, Lavar is. The Lakers have pretty much started ignoring Lavar and the result has been that he's not saying much about them anymore.



The Lakers are handling it exactly right. They tried reasoning with him, it didn't work and so they have been ignoring him. The result so far is that, like an attention seeking child, he's moved on to bother someone else.

Of course it's all speculation on my part. But it's consistent with what Lebron has done and how he's carried himself. Again, just my opinion, but while Lavar isn't a Laker, the media coverage he gets is insane. Lebron may have created the drama, but again it fits with his narrative that he's able to control. He will have no control when it comes to Lavar.

 

[LAD]

Cowherd just had an interesting take on what Lebron may do after the season. Broke it down like this:

Cavs: 25% - Pros: pulls at his heart, stays home. Cons: Doesn't get along with Gilbert, already delivered a title.

Rockets: 25% - Pros: Friend with CP3, Daryl Morey is a real good GM, Plenty of scoring. Cons: Harden is a flake and Lebron knows it, no bench.

Lakers: 30% - Pros: Relationship with Magic, 2 homes in LA, Cap space so they can get Lebron and he can bring someone with him. Cons: Currently 19-31, Lavar.

Clippers: 10% - Pros: Clean slate, Relationship with The Logo, Makes history if he wins a title, 2 homes in LA. Cons: No history of success, LA's "other team" behind the Lakers, Dodgers, USC football and the Kings.

Warriors: 5% - Pros: Guaranteed title, Play with friends, Less heavy lifting, Silicone Valley. Cons: Ring chasing, Legacy takes a hit.

Retires for 1 year: 5% - Pros: No finals loss, Can pick perfect destination when he returns. Cons: Public outcry, MJ did it twice.

I HATE cowherd...and I NEVER use the word hate.

 

[CitySushi]

It would depend. There has been some speculation that Dray and Klay may leave at some point. If the Warriors think that's possible, maybe they decide to make a move rather than risk losing them and getting nothing back.

Personally, I don't see that happening. The Warriors players all seem happy, but you never know. Definitely a long shot. That's why I think Cowherd's 5% chance is accurate.

The only reason I could see either of the two leaving is if the Warriors insult them with a below market offer, which I suppose falls into that "you never know" category. The biggest thing for me is that playing-wise, neither Klay nor Draymond have taken a backseat in their contribution. So I don't think either is likely to leave for a larger role.

 

[LAD]

It would depend. There has been some speculation that Dray and Klay may leave at some point. If the Warriors think that's possible, maybe they decide to make a move rather than risk losing them and getting nothing back.

Personally, I don't see that happening. The Warriors players all seem happy, but you never know. Definitely a long shot. That's why I think Cowherd's 5% chance is accurate.

I agree - I just can't see them trading either Klay or Dray at this point. Maybe if one or both become injury prone...

 

[trojanfan12]

Of course it's all speculation on my part. But it's consistent with what Lebron has done and how he's carried himself. Again, just my opinion, but while Lavar isn't a Laker, the media coverage he gets is insane. Lebron may have created the drama, but again it fits with his narrative that he's able to control. He will have no control when it comes to Lavar.

And again, Lavar is a non-factor everywhere but the media and has been pretty quiet since the Lakers started ignoring him.

Lebron may not come to the Lakers (I really don't care either way), but if he doesn't, it won't be because of Lavar.

It'll be because he joined tHoop and saw @ChiefsLakers67 posts.

 

[trojanfan12]

I agree - I just can't see them trading either Klay or Dray at this point. Maybe if one or both become injury prone...

Yeah, I think it would be that or, as I said, if they thought there was a good chance one or both would leave.

Both seem pretty healthy and the players all seem to genuinely like each other and like playing together, so it seems unlikely they'd want to leave. I honestly can't remember a team that I've ever seen that seems to genuinely like each other as much as the Warriors. The old Showtime Lakers are the only one that I could think of that comes close. Maybe some of the Timmy, Tony, Manu Spurs?

Plus, Lebron's style of play would fit perfectly with what the Warriors do, but I don't think his personality would fit in all that well with the Warriors. They seem pretty chill. That could screw things up on the court.

 

[trojanfan12]

The only reason I could see either of the two leaving is if the Warriors insult them with a below market offer, which I suppose falls into that "you never know" category. The biggest thing for me is that playing-wise, neither Klay nor Draymond have taken a backseat in their contribution. So I don't think either is likely to leave for a larger role.

Yeah, I agree. Or like @LAD said, if they were to become injury prone.

That's kind of the beauty of what the Warriors do. No one really has to take a back seat. Whoever has the hot hand, gets the ball and they all know that they will get their turn.

When it's their turn, they get their shots...when it's someone else's turn, they support him. It's pretty cool to watch.

 

[Black Adam]

I HATE cowherd...and I NEVER use the word hate.

the guy's nothing but a front runner...

can't stand him myself...