tOfficial 2015 NBA Draft/Free Agency Thread

[TurnUpTheHeat]

of course you flatlined! you had no young talent on the roster- all you had was a bunch of old guys that had no improvement left.

YA THINK THERE is a difference in having a guy like Battier who is only getting worse with age and a guy like Shumpert who is only improving as he enters his prime?!!! OF COURSE there is. Thats where the Cavs have an advantage- Thompson, Shumpert, Delly, Irving, even LOVE- these guys skills arent diminishing as they continue to play together- they are only improving!

I mostly was taking about the Big 3. They got bored with regular seasons.

The other players the Heat had were perfect for the roles needed.
They did lose a step or 2 on defense, but at least most were good defensive players to begin with.
Shump can defend, but he's now being paid 10M/year. He should be able to do something.

The others you named, are what they are.
Quit acting like they will bloom into some big time talent just because they add another year or 2 of service in the league to their resume.

You guys had youth and a tons of future picks.
James traded that away to win NOW.
You might not see it.
The rest of us do.

 

[Heatles84]

of course you flatlined! you had no young talent on the roster- all you had was a bunch of old guys that had no improvement left.

YA THINK THERE is a difference in having a guy like Battier who is only getting worse with age and a guy like Shumpert who is only improving as he enters his prime?!!! OF COURSE there is. Thats where the Cavs have an advantage- Thompson, Shumpert, Delly, Irving, even LOVE- these guys skills arent diminishing as they continue to play together- they are only improving!

No guarantee that Shumpert continues to improve every year just because he's entering his prime years. Not all players are the same. In fact Shump has continued to remain at a consistent level without any noticeable spikes or declines in performance statistically. He's always been an average player with an average 3-pt. shot. Only reason to think he's a decent player is his defensive ability. By the way, those injuries you keep mentioning about other players when constantly deflecting about Kyrie's injury history; Shump tore his ACL back in 2012. So I'm waiting for you to explain that one.

 

[Black Adam]

Why are you comparing their seasons?

Cavs had James/Love/Kyrie all season and training camp. The players you added all just needed to fill a defined role.
Heat added a true PG/C DURING the season that had to try to find their way playing with a bunch of different lineups while missing their max player as well as McBob which limited their outside shooting by a ton.


The Heat grew from year 1 to year 2 (what the Cavs are now entering), but after that kind of flat lined.
I expect to see much of the same with you guys, but we shall see.

funny how he continues to invoke last season i have to say...

 

[Black Adam]

oh, and to Turnup's point, even some of the media refer to James as the GM...

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Using the Showtime Lakers as an example. Tristan Thompson is basically. A.C. Green. He brings defense, rebounding and energy. Not much else. He is very important to the Cavs, but he's not Lebron, Kyrie or Love.

The difference is, A.C. Green never forgot he was A.C. Green and not Magic, Worthy or Kareem. Therefore, he never asked to be paid like Magic, Worthy or Kareem. Tristan Thompson seems to want to be paid like he's Lebron, Kyrie or Love. Problem for him is, he's still Tristan Thompson. Problem for the Cavs is, they pretty much have to pay him anyway.

^ This exactly.

They have dug their own graves with the Lebron power-play.

I wonder if the NBA has any concern about the level of power this guy wields? Rich Paul is the agent. But, their is no doubt who is pulling the strings here.

If it gets them a title, it was well worth all the rumors, headaches, drama and luxury tax.

If it doesn't?

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

ceiling of Jabari Parker or Giannis Antekentmpepo (lol whatever his last name is)

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

Winslow is very similar to MKG. He is not the athlete or leader MKG was in college- but I do like Winslow. He cant shoot- thats why he dropped- but he can become a very good defender eventually. MKG is by far the best comp I can think of for Winslow. And as much as I like MKG- he is one of the guys I really like to watch (along with RW)- he is not a #1 or #2 and will not be one anytime soon even though he is going into i believe his 4th year.

Who knows where Winslow is 4, 5, 6 years from now. But he does not have near the ceiling- at least at this point- of guys like Parker and Giannis.

The thing is you never know though. I am not going to sit here and say its impossible Winslow turns into a #1 or #2 on a good team- I will say its highly unlikely given his skill set. If he develops he will be something like a Tony Allen eventually in all likelihood.

I love the Greek Freak.

But, he is not exactly Steph Curry either.

What he is....is an athletic anomaly...lol

Shit like this is just...unreal.


Milwaukee Bucks swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo has an athletic composition so freakish it almost sounds like a punchline. He stands at 6'11" with a 7'4" wingspan and has the hops of a rabbit combined with the handle of a guard.

The 20-year-old Greek sensation, also known as the Greek Freak, showed off his max vertical reach Wednesday, hitting a peak of 12 feet, two inches.

That's 26 inches above the rim, just to give some context to his feat.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I love the Greek Freak.

But, he is not exactly Steph Curry either.

What he is....is an athletic anomaly...lol

Shit like this is just...unreal.


Milwaukee Bucks swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo has an athletic composition so freakish it almost sounds like a punchline. He stands at 6'11" with a 7'4" wingspan and has the hops of a rabbit combined with the handle of a guard.

The 20-year-old Greek sensation, also known as the Greek Freak, showed off his max vertical reach Wednesday, hitting a peak of 12 feet, two inches.

That's 26 inches above the rim, just to give some context to his feat.

his athleticism is off the charts. He is seriously like right behind Anthony Davis when it comes to pure athletic ability and the guy has really started to hone his basketball skills.

Combining The Greek Freaks defensive ability, ability to finish at the rim and create mismatches - with Jabari Parker's pure scoring acumen and you have a combo that could be among the best in the league 2-3 years from now. Jabari Parker in a lot of ways reminds me of Paul Pierce. Giannis really has a lot of a poor mans Scottie Pippen in him.

Both guys have the ceiling to be multi-time all stars and eventually make some All-NBA teams.

I like Justice Winslow a lot- and Mecca - dont you think MKG is a great comp for him?

 

[WiggyRuss]

BEST 25 Players under 25 in the NBA- Criteria- what their ultimate ceiling is- what they have done this far to prove themselves- MUST BE UNDER 25

1. Anthony Davis- Pelicans
2. DeMarcus Cousins- Kings
3. Kyrie Irving- Cavaliers
4. John Wall- Wizards
5. Kawhi Leonard- Spurs
6. Andre Drummond- Pistons
7. Giannis A. - Bucks
8. Karl Anthony Towns- Twolves
9. Andrew Wiggins- Twolves
10. Jabari Parker- Bucks
11. Bradley Beal- Wizards
12. Rudy Gobert- Jazz
13. DeAngelo Russell- Lakers
14. Ricky Rubio- Twolves
15. Derrick Favors- Jazz
16. Nikola Vucevic- MAGIC
17. jahlil Okafor- 76'ers
18. Emmanuel Mudiay- Nugz
19. Dante exum- jazz
20. Kristaps Porzingis- NYK
21. Victor Oladipo- Magic
22. Nikola Mirotic- CHI
23. Alex Len- PHOenix
24. Brandon Knight- Phoenix
25. Nerleans Noel- 76'ers

If I missed someone or something I would love to hear other's opinions.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

his athleticism is off the charts. He is seriously like right behind Anthony Davis when it comes to pure athletic ability and the guy has really started to hone his basketball skills.

Combining The Greek Freaks defensive ability, ability to finish at the rim and create mismatches - with Jabari Parker's pure scoring acumen and you have a combo that could be among the best in the league 2-3 years from now. Jabari Parker in a lot of ways reminds me of Paul Pierce. Giannis really has a lot of a poor mans Scottie Pippen in him.

Both guys have the ceiling to be multi-time all stars and eventually make some All-NBA teams.

I like Justice Winslow a lot- and Mecca - dont you think MKG is a great comp for him?

Absolutely.

Both guys project to be defensive aces that need some seasoning offensively.

MKG's progress has been......Sloooooooooooooooooooow.

But, I still have high hopes for him.

I think Justice will develop much faster and I wouldn't be surprised if he takes over as the starter at SF before Season's end.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

BEST 25 Players under 25 in the NBA- Criteria- what their ultimate ceiling is- what they have done this far to prove themselves- MUST BE UNDER 25

1. Anthony Davis- Pelicans
2. DeMarcus Cousins- Kings
3. Kyrie Irving- Cavaliers
4. John Wall- Wizards
5. Kawhi Leonard- Spurs
6. Andre Drummond- Pistons
7. Giannis A. - Bucks
8. Karl Anthony Towns- Twolves
9. Andrew Wiggins- Twolves
10. Jabari Parker- Bucks
11. Bradley Beal- Wizards
12. Rudy Gobert- Jazz
13. DeAngelo Russell- Lakers
14. Ricky Rubio- Twolves
15. Derrick Favors- Jazz
16. Nikola Vucevic- MAGIC
17. jahlil Okafor- 76'ers
18. Emmanuel Mudiay- Nugz
19. Dante exum- jazz
20. Kristaps Porzingis- NYK
21. Victor Oladipo- Magic
22. Nikola Mirotic- CHI
23. Alex Len- PHOenix
24. Brandon Knight- Phoenix
25. Nerleans Noel- 76'ers

If I missed someone or something I would love to hear other's opinions.

Pretty good list.

No doubt AD belongs at the top.

The rest are debatable, position wise, depending on your preference of style of play.

I think I'd drop Favors and Rubio lower and raise Mudiay and Knight....and NO WAY is Wiggins #9...lol

It's hard to say on such a small sample size from this years rookie class.

But, I think Porzingis, Mudiay and Russell are gonna be MONSTAS!

 

[WiggyRuss]

Pretty good list.

No doubt AD belongs at the top.

The rest are debatable, position wise, depending on your preference of style of play.

I think I'd drop Favors and Rubio lower and raise Mudiay and Knight....and NO WAY is Wiggins #9...lol

It's hard to say on such a small sample size from this years rookie class.

But, I think Porzingis, Mudiay and Russell are gonna be MONSTAS!

I couldnt believe Wiggins was all the way down at #9 but i just couldnt justify putting him over anyone ahead of him besides maybe Towns....Rubio is DEF a hard one to rank its crazy he is still only just 24....

Mudiay has really opened a lot of eyes though- he probably could be bumped- all though- man- no way can he break that top 11 guys....

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I'm sick about Exum getting hurt.

I really like that Utah roster.

Looks like it was a great decision to hold onto Trey Burke.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I couldnt believe Wiggins was all the way down at #9 but i just couldnt justify putting him over anyone ahead of him besides maybe Towns....Rubio is DEF a hard one to rank its crazy he is still only just 24....

Mudiay has really opened a lot of eyes though- he probably could be bumped- all though- man- no way can he break that top 11 guys....

The guy who stands out to me is Drummond.

Good GAWD.

When he hits his full potential, he will make DeAndre Jordan look like Keith Van Horn...lol

I wonder what the Tyson Chandler signing will do to Alex Len's development.

It takes the pressure off of him.

But, that kid needs some burn.

When he plays, he shows flashes.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I'm sick about Exum getting hurt.

I really like that Utah roster.

Looks like it was a great decision to hold onto Trey Burke.

yah.. with Exum, Favors, Gobert and Heyward they have 4 guys that are 25 or less that are either very good or have the potential to be very good- and each plays their own position with basically no cross over- Gobert true center, heyward true 3, favors true 4, exum could probably play both guard positions if he learns how to shoot from 3- but he is a PG... like the Jazz a lot

Drummond really has the potential to be a top 5 player in the league at some point in his career. Wow do I regret the Cavs passing on him and him dropping to the middle-bottom of the lotto.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

yah.. with Exum, Favors, Gobert and Heyward they have 4 guys that are 25 or less that are either very good or have the potential to be very good- and each plays their own position with basically no cross over- Gobert true center, heyward true 3, favors true 4, exum could probably play both guard positions if he learns how to shoot from 3- but he is a PG... like the Jazz a lot

Drummond really has the potential to be a top 5 player in the league at some point in his career. Wow do I regret the Cavs passing on him and him dropping to the middle-bottom of the lotto.

I really like Rodney Hood and Burks too.

They are soooooooooo young. But, they have a ton of talent.

I think Drummond will be the biggest steal of the last decade.

I mean, he's not a Manu Ginobili level steal...* like 57th overall*

But, if we did that draft again....I'd take him 2nd after Davis, before Dame Lillard and I love that kid.

Can't believe he went 9th after the likes of Waiters, Thomas Robinson.

Davis, Drummond, Dame,....and it would be a tough call between Draymond and Beal. But, I'd take Beal.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I really like Rodney Hood and Burks too.

They are soooooooooo young. But, they have a ton of talent.

I think Drummond will be the biggest steal of the last decade.

I mean, he's not a Manu Ginobili level steal...* like 57th overall*

But, if we did that draft again....I'd take him 2nd after Davis, before Dame Lillard and I love that kid.

Can't believe he went 9th after the likes of Waiters, Thomas Robinson.

Davis, Drummond, Dame,....and it would be a tough call between Draymond and Beal. But, I'd take Beal.

wow....Draymond has to be less than 25 right? He is one I missed- I knew that I had to miss someone throwing it together on the fly while eating lunch.

I like Hood too- he would have been an "honorable mention" on that list with a few other guys like Tobias Harris, Julius Randle, Marcus Smart, Embiid, Hezonja, McLemore, TT and a few others.


we should combine to make a top 25 list of under 25 and make it a seperate thread ! good topic- especially for the offseason!

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

wow....Draymond has to be less than 25 right? He is one I missed- I knew that I had to miss someone throwing it together on the fly while eating lunch.

I like Hood too- he would have been an "honorable mention" on that list with a few other guys like Tobias Harris, Julius Randle, Marcus Smart, Embiid, Hezonja, McLemore, TT and a few others.


we should combine to make a top 25 list of under 25 and make it a seperate thread ! good topic- especially for the offseason!

Yeah...that would be fun because the list would be debatable.

Draymond is only 25 and his unique skill set makes him a worthy candidate.

The Dude is a Swiss army knife.

Interesting list here from last Season.

I'd take a few guys off...like Sullinger and Holliday.



Ranking the Top 25 Players Under 25 Years Old in the NBA, Midseason Edition | Bleacher Report

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Laker Nation, did you guys sign Upshaw?


With the addition of Holmes, doesn't that put you at 15 contracts....w/out Upshaw?

I have a hard time believing Sacre or Kelly > Upshaw.

 

[Black Adam]

Pretty good list.

No doubt AD belongs at the top.

The rest are debatable, position wise, depending on your preference of style of play.

I think I'd drop Favors and Rubio lower and raise Mudiay and Knight....and NO WAY is Wiggins #9...lol

It's hard to say on such a small sample size from this years rookie class.

But, I think Porzingis, Mudiay and Russell are gonna be MONSTAS!

Porzingis better put on some WEIGHT first...

 

[Black Adam]

Laker Nation, did you guys sign Upshaw?


With the addition of Holmes, doesn't that put you at 15 contracts....w/out Upshaw?

I have a hard time believing Sacre or Kelly > Upshaw.

i thought we did, but now i hear differently. have no clue what Mitch is doing there, but i hope we do...