2019 Offseason Thread

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I expect Steph to go off...nothing will change too drastically but my top 4 in the west right now would be:

Clippers
Jazz
Lakers
Warriors

But I also think the Nugs, Blazers and Rockets will be right there.

That’s 7 teams. Kinda crazy.

That being said, the East is going to be very good too, not as good overall but right there.

76ers
Bucks
Pacers
Celtics
Nets
Raptors
Heat

I think the Hawks could take a step but might be too early to say they make the playoffs

I see the Lakers and Clippers hitting us with heavy doses of load management.

Portland has been a really good, 2nd half of the regular season, team the last 3 years.

So, I could see the Jazz, Blazers, Dubs, Nugz finishing ahead of both.

Maybe Rockets too.

 

[bksballer89]

People are way too high on the pacers.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

I expect Steph to go off...nothing will change too drastically but my top 4 in the west right now would be:

Clippers
Jazz
Lakers
Warriors

But I also think the Nugs, Blazers and Rockets will be right there.

That’s 7 teams. Kinda crazy.

That being said, the East is going to be very good too, not as good overall but right there.

76ers
Bucks
Pacers
Celtics
Nets
Raptors
Heat

I think the Hawks could take a step but might be too early to say they make the playoffs

IMO the Raptors are in the lottery now. They lost their best overall player and their best shooter.

 

[tlance]

How do you see Philly's MONStars lineup working?

I feel like spacing will be a issue.

Going to depend a lot on Horford and Harris defensively. Horford needs to be able to guard guys like Giannis and LeBron. He has done it well in the past, but getting older. Harris and Richardson need to make a lot of shots too.

Overall I think it has a lot of potential. Don’t have a ton of confidence in Brett Brown designing the best offense for his players’ skill sets. Like you said, not a ton of floor spacing there.

 

[Gman]

How do you see Philly's MONStars lineup working?

I feel like spacing will be a issue.

They could theoretically have Simmons go to the post... get the ball in his hands... and then spread the floor with everyone else.

Sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[tlance]

IMO the Raptors are in the lottery now. They lost their best overall player and their best shooter.

I don’t think the Raptors will be a threat, but I also think you may be overestimating the bottom of the East.

There are a couple non-playoff teams from last year that could leap them I suppose, but I think the Raptors probably make it unless they go mid year fire sale.

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

Raptors still have the GOAT Fred VanFleet, so they have as good of a shot as anyone.

 

[bksballer89]

If you list out the top 20 players in the league, like 70% of them are in the West.

List your top 20 players

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

I see the Lakers and Clippers hitting us with heavy doses of load management.

Portland has been a really good, 2nd half of the regular season, team the last 3 years.

So, I could see the Jazz, Blazers, Dubs, Nugz finishing ahead of both.

Maybe Rockets too.

The Lakers can afford to sit either Lebron or Davis on any given night. Especially against weaker teams or back 2 backs.

Kuzma can come off the bench and fill the void for either guys

 

[DJ Fieri]

Fantastical weekend.....I don't even know if that's a word.....LOL

 

[DJ Fieri]

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

In no particular order:

Kawhi
KD
LeBron
Giannis
Curry
AD
Harden
Embiid
Lillard

Lillard is questionable. But that is a heck of a list.

In most eras the gap between 1 and 4 is wider than the gap between 1 and 9 today.

I don't think Dame is questionable at all.

He's a fucking STUD.

If it weren't for him waiving the Thunder goodbye, the Clippers wouldn't have George nor Kawhi.

I'm not even joking.

 

[DJ Fieri]

To me, the bold is potentially the X-factor.

If he can get at least close to pre-Achilles Boogie, it could essentially give the Lakers a 3rd star level player (or darn close) which would make a huge difference.

And Kuzma gives us a 4th.....I hope he comes off the bench with the 2nd unit.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Eh.

I disagree.

If you list out the top 20 players in the league, like 70% of them are in the West. The top teams in the East either made lateral moves or got worse.

6ers and Bucks might be able to hang with the top West teams, but the balance of power still very much favorable the West in terms of depth and probable quality at the top too

Next year there will be 3 top teams in the NBA in the East....pretty much the same in the west at the top. This year could be a little more lopsided

 

[DJ Fieri]

Yeah, I'm talking Shit because I'm uber-happy.

But, I'm not underestimating the Lakers.

Y'all addressed your shooting woes and have 2 top 5 players.

Defense is still a real problem.

But, if Boogie is even 70%....

Fuck me sideways....lol

 

[DJ Fieri]

I don’t think the Raptors will be a threat, but I also think you may be overestimating the bottom of the East.

There are a couple non-playoff teams from last year that could leap them I suppose, but I think the Raptors probably make it unless they go mid year fire sale.

Yeah, they still could be a 6-8 seed possibly.

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

Fantastical weekend.....I don't even know if that's a word.....LOL

No work today. I keep on refreshing twitter waiting for a Woj Bomb.

 

[tlance]

List your top 20 players

Okay, this is off the top of my head so may miss someone:

Kawhi- W
KD- E
Giannis- E
LeBron- W
Curry- W
AD- W
Harden- W
Lillard- W
Embiid- E
George- W
Jokic- W
KAT- W
Russ- W
Kyrie - E
Klay- W
Butler- E
Beal- E
Kemba- E
Gobert- W
Mitchell- W

Obviously the last few names on here are debateable and I probably missed 1 or 2 somewhere.

That is 13-20 West, but more importantly, 5 of the top 7, 10 of the top 13 and #2 on that list is out for the season.

West still has most of the leagues’ truly elite players. East might have more guys in the 15-40 range, but we all know that does not matter as much.

 

[Black Adam]

so, I'm the only Lakers fan to accept Mecca's bet... ?

that's cold, y'all...

#justsayin'

 

[tlance]

so, I'm the only Lakers fan to accept Mecca's bet... ?

that's cold, y'all...

#justsayin'

Lakers have a shot for sure.

But If I had to bet today, I am betting LAC.

Just think the Lakers will find it more difficult guarding Clippers’ speed than Clippers will guarding Lakers’ size.