tOfficial 2015 NBA Draft/Free Agency Thread

[Shanemansj13]

Spurs were injured (particularly Parker). Plus, Spurs started off slow and came in at a 6th seed, where they were 1 game out of the 2nd seed. Still, they almost advanced.

Well Parker is a reocurring theme. Everyone had injuries except surprise...surprise the Warriors

 

[Shanemansj13]

That's an awful PG rotation.

Yet, that's their weakest position. If they can stay healthy, they are deadly regardless

 

[DJ Fieri]

Last year's Dallas team was better than this one.

For the simple fact....Dirk is a year older.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Getting another star to play with a star gets guys here- say if Kobe was gone after this year- having 2 max slots and getting them to come together will get a guy

I mean if you are suggesting that Lou Williams and Brandon Bass are attracting any top free agent then I have some great magic beans to sell you.

I think taking Thompson's and Landry's contract and getting Stauskas and a first rounder is WAY better and the exact type of move the Lakers should be trying to make instead of throwing money at third tier free agents that will only assure that they dont keep their pick.

if someone thinks I am wrong- well you are welcome to your opinion.

I actually would agree with a lot of what you are saying, except you need to consider:

1. Its only top 3 protected. Its pretty hard to bank on that under any circumstance let alone the fact that the lotto balls could easily put somebody behind you, ahead of you.
If it was top 10, then that would change everything. Its the reason that Heat fans were glad we fell out of it.
Look what we have now for hopefully the next decade vs the memory of losing in round 1.



2. Kobe.

3. The Lakers have already had a bad few years. That matters.

4. The young players they have need to learn from and play with some decent veterans or they will waste a year of developing.

5. Regardless of probably losing the pick, Kobe should be gone, the cap space will still be there.

There is an eventual price to pay when you are good for a very long time, like they were, when you for the most part end up not worrying about having young players on the roster plus trading away a lot of future picks.

LeBron is leading you down that path right now. Open your eyes.

Difference being, the Lakers got theirs before the bottom out.
I doubt that you ever do.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

He's not be an elite defender, he gets in foul trouble more than he should and has taken some plays off. But I'd say he's at least an average defender if not above average.

But, he has the tools to be an elite defender, he just lacks the desire really. I think that will be why him and Rondo will fight a lot. It could be something like CP3 and DJ where it's mostly kept under wraps until one of them leaves, but I think any friction between the two will be picked up by the media and ran with.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Lakers were stupid to sign a PF who hustles and shot 44% from mid-range last season and 59% at the rim as well as shoot free throws? Okay. If you want to believe Thompson and Landry are better options, you're welcome to your opinion as well. The stats aren't on your side though, and given the fact that you said that Bass was "ancient" I don't think it would be unreasonable to believe that you're talking out of your ass.

On Dallas, when you start looking to Jeremy Lin to take command of your offense and lead them to a title, that's when you know your team needs help.

 

[WiggyRuss]

LMFAO....Dude, they are exactly where the Cavs were a few Seasons ago.

Kyrie-Russell

Thompson-Randle

Jarrett Jack- Lou Williams

Earl Clark- Brandon Bass

But, I guess signing role players is only okay if you are the Cavs?

Your team is where they are for 1 reason: Lebron

Before he came back, Love wouldn't even glance your way.

So, all it takes is for 1 guy to say yes, and the rest will follow.

Celtics in 7!

mecca there were no signings apart from getting alrdidge AND another big time free agent that would have let the team compete for a playof spot in the loaded west.... 2nd- the Cavs could have made the playoffs- If I thought htese signings would give the Lakers a chance at the playoffs id say go for it- but i just have no clue how that will happen judging by those top 8 and the talent at the bottom of the rest of the west- i mean look at the teams that I DONT have in the playoffs

1. Golden State
2. San Antonio
3. OKC
4. Houston
5. Dallas
6. Clippers
7. Memphis
8. New Orleans


. Portland- Lillard, looking week after that now after their whole team left...Vonleh?
. the Twolves - Wiggins, Towns, Lavine, Rubio, Pekovic,
Jazz- Favors, Gobert, Hayward, Exum, Burke, Booker
Kings- Cousins, Rondo, Gay, McLemore, CAulie-Stein, McCollum
Phoenix- Chandler, Bledsoe, Len, Booker, Goodwin
Nuggets- Lawson, Faried, Mudiay, Harris, Nurkic
Lakers Russell, Randle, Clarkson, Kobe

I mean....objectively where would you rank the Lakers? I mean the Twolves are prob #1, Jazz 2?, Kings 3, Nuggets 4, I cant pick between the Lakres and Phoenix for 6....and id seriously put Portland last- they just lost batum, aldridge, mathews, and wasnt robin lopez there too or no?- man their whole team is frekaing gone....

Correct me if I'm wrong.....

But, tanking didn't exactly work out well for the Knicks....lol

The Lakers have to appease the folks over at TWC.

If I'm not mistaken, there are clauses in that 150 mil per year TV deal that are tied to ratings.

They can't afford to have another shit Season.

 

[Bolts]

But, he has the tools to be an elite defender, he just lacks the desire really. I think that will be why him and Rondo will fight a lot. It could be something like CP3 and DJ where it's mostly kept under wraps until one of them leaves, but I think any friction between the two will be picked up by the media and ran with.

Maybe this year he'll have more motivation and desire to play elite defense. I knew the Rondo/Cousins pairing could blow up but I also think there's a possibility that they do co-exist and the team surprises people. At least they didn't give him a long term deal just in case it goes boom.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Good comparison. The Lakers are very similar to the Cavs before Love, James, and company showed up in Cleveland.

the Cavs play in the EAst where the path is about a million times clearer to the post season as well- AND the Cavs had at least 3 years worth of picks before trying to make their move.

If I thought the Lakers could make the playoffs- and had signed Aldridge id be all for those signings- as is- especially with the caveat that you lose the pick if your not top 3 then why try and compete this year when you know your not making the playoffs anyway? Thats what i dont understand i guess- if there was even a 20% chance at making the playoffs- fine--- but seriously- whats the difference between 10th in the West and 14th in the West? Id much rather have the chance of adding perhaps another cornerstone player and really setting up the franchise like the Thunder did when they took Harden or the Cavs when they got the Wiggins pick------then the difference between 10th and 14th......i dunno- we shall see how it works out.

 

[wildturkey]

LMFAO....Dude, they are exactly where the Cavs were a few Seasons ago.

Kyrie-Russell

Thompson-Randle

Jarrett Jack- Lou Williams

Earl Clark- Brandon Bass

If only Durant were from LA...

 

[WiggyRuss]

Maybe this year he'll have more motivation and desire to play elite defense. I knew the Rondo/Cousins pairing could blow up but I also think there's a possibility that they do co-exist and the team surprises people. At least they didn't give him a long term deal just in case it goes boom.

Rondo loves passing and is afraid to shoot- id say thats the kind of guy Cousins wants to play with--- and Cousins can move to PF a little while Caulie-Stein plays center whcih I am sure he would enjoy.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Maybe this year he'll have more motivation and desire to play elite defense. I knew the Rondo/Cousins pairing could blow up but I also think there's a possibility that they do co-exist and the team surprises people. At least they didn't give him a long term deal just in case it goes boom.

I'm done believing in the Kings talent. They have fooled me too many times in the past. As long as Cousins and Gay are on that team, I think they will suck. They have the talent to make it to the finals, but they probably won't even make the playoffs. It's like this every year.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I thought he made reserves on year, it must have been a close call. So 3 All-Stars haha. I dont consider Varajeo an All-Star type of player anyway.

i believe there was one year where he was averagining like 14 rebounds a game before he got hurt and there was hype for him to make the all star team but it all died once he got injured

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Last year's Dallas team was better than this one.

For the simple fact....Dirk is a year older.

They are going to miss Ellis too. I think that will be the biggest reason for this team not being as good. They went from two very good PGs that can coexist to Lin and Barrea who both suck.

 

[Bolts]

Rondo loves passing and is afraid to shoot- id say thats the kind of guy Cousins wants to play with--- and Cousins can move to PF a little while Caulie-Stein plays center whcih I am sure he would enjoy.

WCS gives Cousins the rim protecting big next to him he's wanted for a while, I like Jason Thompson but he didn't cut it. It's also nice he can switch onto smaller players and hold his own defensively.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Yet, that's their weakest position. If they can stay healthy, they are deadly regardless

Nelson plays for the Nuggets btw.

 

[DJ Fieri]

They are going to miss Ellis too. I think that will be the biggest reason for this team not being as good. They went from two very good PGs that can coexist to Lin and Barrea who both suck.

I agree with that.

 

[Bolts]

I'm done believing in the Kings talent. They have fooled me too many times in the past. As long as Cousins and Gay are on that team, I think they will suck. They have the talent to make it to the finals, but they probably won't even make the playoffs. It's like this every year.

They have some talent, but last year the bench was horrible. Sessions and Ray at PG, Stauskas as a rookie at SG, Casspi was solid as the backup wing, Landry is nowhere near the player he used to be, and their backup centers were Hollins and Evans. Their starting 5 when they played together was actually pretty good especially early in the year but the bench would screw things up.(they had big leads early @Memphis and @Dallas but when the bench came in the leads disappeared and they lost both games) I get they've had some individually talented players like Boogie, Rudy, IT, and Tyreke but the Kings haven't been this deep in a while. And as GSW showed this past season, bench depth is pretty important.

 

[trojanfan12]

Getting another star to play with a star gets guys here- say if Kobe was gone after this year- having 2 max slots and getting them to come together will get a guy

I mean if you are suggesting that Lou Williams and Brandon Bass are attracting any top free agent then I have some great magic beans to sell you.

I think taking Thompson's and Landry's contract and getting Stauskas and a first rounder is WAY better and the exact type of move the Lakers should be trying to make instead of throwing money at third tier free agents that will only assure that they dont keep their pick.

if someone thinks I am wrong- well you are welcome to your opinion.

Go back and read the thread. It's been discussed over and over. The only person here who is unable to grasp it is you, as usual.

I get it. You're trying to lash out and turn attention away from the fact that it looks like the Cavs are probably going ringless again this year, but if you're going to lash out, at least don't be blind about it.

 

[trojanfan12]

I find it funny that the Lakers front office was praised for making the Russell pick, as far as the "getting with the current times" narrative anyway. They strike out on some free agents and all of a sudden the narrative is back to being the front office being dinosaurs.

Russell looked smooth in the practice videos from today. Randle and Clarkson had high praise for him.

Typical intellectually lazy media.