2008 NBA Draft/ Offseason Thread..

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Seen some drafts with the Clips taking that Italian SF or Batum from France for their pick. For Pete's sake, no. I am normally the furthest from an ehtnocentrist, but I am convinced it is much, much more difficult to get true value out of a Top 10 European pick then out of a player from the American gaming system. It's harder to be sure about players from across the oceans and how they will adapt, and the Clips aren't in a position to cross their fingers on a pick like that. I am hoping for Gordon actually.

Unless it's Ricky Rubio. I would take that kid now and stash him for 2-3 years if the NBA still allowed it.

Gordon I just haven't been sold on. Maybe he can run the point, but he seemed like an undersized 2-guard who had good range but was streaky when I saw him. I'm surprised as a UCLA fan you don't like Westbrook here. (Although I just checked the ESPN mock draft and they have Gordon listed at 6'4 215? Is that right?)

I think one (American) guy who is slipping way too far right now is Bill Walker. I was really impressed come tournament time by him. He seems like a guy who will be a solid swingman for years, getting rebounds and slashing to the basket.

[miami_fan]

I would like to have gotten the top pick but I think the second pick might actually be better for Pat Riley.

[Lathum]

I was just reading the Heat may try to trade out of the #2 if the Bulls take Rose.

Woulld they be willing to deal the #2 for the Nets #10 and #21?

I would love to see the Nets get Beasly

[Lathum]

dola- A Rose- Wade back court is just plain scary

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I was just reading the Heat may try to trade out of the #2 if the Bulls take Rose.

Woulld they be willing to deal the #2 for the Nets #10 and #21?

I would love to see the Nets get Beasly

Given Riley's draft history, I have very little confidence in him picking quality players at 10 and 21. I think I rather have Beasley at 2.

That being said, it will be interesting to see what kind of team they put together for Coach Spo. If they are looking to run more, I could see a trade being made. I suspect Coach Spo will be more likely to play the young guys than Riles ever did.

[Coffee Warlord]

No way it's not Rose. PR value alone is huge for the Bulls with him.

And let us not forget, either Tyrus or Noah, or both, could theoretically develop further. Both are kids, both are maddeningly inconsistent. Both have shown they can put up good nubmers in the paint.

Take Rose, shoot Gordon out of a cannon. Rose, Hinrich, and Hughes is a pretty decent guard trio.

[kurtism]

Eric Gordon is a legit 210+, a very strong kid. I'd guess 6'2-6'3 rather than 6'4. Natural scorer, agressive and strong defender when focused on the task. Still, I think he is a bit of a risk for an NBA franchise - his height is simply a bit short for his best position. EJ is not a point guard.

[korme]

First offseason trade rumor is a big boy:

Nugs would send
Marcus Camby
Carmelo Anthony

Nets would send
Richard Jefferson
1st Round Pick
Marcus Williams
Keith Van Horn's Expiring Contract

[Brian Swartz]

Only reason to do that trade is to either prove to Memphis that the Gasol trade wasn't the worst one they can think of, or to just say screw this, we aren't winning anything with AI anyway, let's just join the rehab project for the Eastern Conference.

[korme]

I'd be happy for the Brooklyn Nets

[timmynausea]

Joe Alexander is impressing at the early camps and continues to climb the draft charts. Many projections have him around 15th now. Some GMs and scouts are predicting that he will wind up being a lottery pick.

At the end of some drills in Vegas he and another player had an impromptu dunk contest during which: "He visibly wowed each and every one of the players on the sidelines with his antics. Just for good measure, he finished off by jogging lightly towards the basket, jumping off two feet and viciously head-butting the rim."



http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Joe-Alexander-1185/

[Radii]

The first mock draft I saw on CNNSI had Lawson going 29th and Ellington not in the 1st round at all out of UNC. Neither has signed with an agent, hopefully that's an accurate representation of their draft stock and both would be smart enough to return. I'm not holding my breath though.

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by Shorty3281

I'd be happy for the Brooklyn New Jersey Nets

I don't see the Brooklyn Arena ever being built. I do like the trade tho.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Radii

The first mock draft I saw on CNNSI had Lawson going 29th and Ellington not in the 1st round at all out of UNC. Neither has signed with an agent, hopefully that's an accurate representation of their draft stock and both would be smart enough to return. I'm not holding my breath though.

They'd both be very smart to go back to school. Based on the couple of articles I've read about each, sounds like Ellington is (stupidly) more likely to stay in the draft than Lawson.

[Groundhog]

Atlanta Hawks have apparently offered Aussie PF David Andersen a "preliminary agreement". Interested to find out how long and how much they threw his way, because he would've had some big money offers to stay in Russia.

[Neuqua]

I like how apparently there are 3 Bulls season ticket holders in the thread and yet none of us have ever gotten together for any of the games.

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

I like how apparently there are 3 Bulls season ticket holders in the thread and yet none of us have ever gotten together for any of the games.

And noone's ever offered me any spare tickets!

[Groundhog]

Joakim Noah is off to a promising start to his career. First it's an extended suspension brought upon him by his own teammates, and now:

Authorities in Gainesville charge Noah with possession of marijuana

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Authorities in Gainesville have charged Chicago Bulls forward and former Florida star Joakim Noah with possession of marijuana and having an open container of alcohol.


Noah


Gainesville police spokesman Sgt. Rick Roberts says Noah was arrested around 1:50 a.m. Sunday after an officer spotted him on a sidewalk holding a plastic cup containing an amber drink, a violation of city law. During a search at the station, officers found marijuana in his pocket.
Noah was released after signing a notice to appear before a judge -- standard procedure for such offenses. He could face up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine for the marijuana charge.
Noah led the Gators to consecutive national championships before being selected ninth overall in last June's draft by the Bulls. He averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 74 games as a rookie.
Bulls spokesman Tim Hallam said general manager John Paxson "did express to Joakim his disappointment in his actions this weekend" and added: "Until we gather further information on this situation, we won't be making any further comment."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

[Radii]

ugh, we need a NSFW tag on this thread if its going to have embedded images of joakim noah. Or at least a "be careful opening this thread while eating" tag somewhere.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Radii

ugh, we need a NSFW tag on this thread if its going to have embedded images of joakim noah. Or at least a "be careful opening this thread while eating" tag somewhere.

[Groundhog]

Maybe I'm too used to interviewers asking soft questions, but I thought this interview from DraftExpress with O.J. Mayo was a little, well, different...

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/O.J.-Mayo-"There-are-more-than-two-players-who-could-go-number-one"-2890/

Some of my fave questions:

Jonathan Givony: Who do you think is going to go number one: Beasley or Rose?
O.J. Mayo: I don’t know, there are a lot of players. There are more than two players who could go number one I think.

Jonathan Givony: We currently have you being drafted sixth by New York. What are your thoughts on playing in a market like New York City?
O.J. Mayo: I’m a ballplayer, I’ll play wherever. I just want to be in a winning situation.

Jonathan Givony: Do you think your assist to turnover ratio at USC is indicative of the type of point guard you are?
O.J. Mayo: No sir, I don’t think so. I can definitely play the point guard spot, that’s what I want to play; but if the team needs me to be a combo guard and a two-guard, really it’s whatever they need me to do in order for us to be in the best position to win.

Jonathan Givony: Do you think some of the criticism you got as USC was fair?
O.J. Mayo: What criticism?

[Groundhog]

I was thinking more about Mayo at New York today and began to think that Mayo actually reminds me a lot of Jamal Crawford. Both are tallish combo guards that were projected as NBA PGs. Mayo is obviously rated higher than Crawford was out of college and looks, at comparitive stages of their careers, like the better athlete and scorer, but would having a backcourt of two similar guys be a good move?

[miami_fan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3416579

Short version

Floppers will be fined and/or suspended.

Playoffs format(8 teams from the East and West) and draft lottery (weighted system giving all playoffs teams a chance at the top pick) will remain the same.

Hack A Shaq stays

Slight expansion of instant replay use.

[miami_fan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3417029

The Chicago Bulls' next head coach will be a familiar face.

Doug Collins, who has coached the Bulls, Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons, will be hired as Chicago's new coach.


Among the factors that led to Collins' decision to return to the NBA: his relationship with Bulls general manager John Paxson, whom he coached; his relationship with team owner Jerry Reinsdorf, whom he worked for earlier in his coaching career; and the fond memories he has of his time in Chicago in the early part of Michael Jordan's prolific career.

Earlier this month, Collins told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that he had "no interest" in coaching again.

Collins, currently an NBA analyst with TNT, last coached in 2002 with the Wizards. His overall record is 332-228, 15-23 in the postseason.

Collins, who started coaching the Bulls in 1986, was fired in 1989, despite leading the team to the Eastern Conference finals. He was replaced by Phil Jackson, who went on to coach the team to six NBA titles.

Collins made the playoffs all three seasons in Chicago and his teams went 137-109.

Expected to contend in the Eastern Conference after reaching the second round of the playoffs last season, Chicago plummeted, losing 49 games. Coach Scott Skiles was fired in December, and interim coach Jim Boylan lost his job after the season finale. But suddenly, luck seems to be smiling on the Bulls.

Chicago will pick first overall in the 2008 draft after winning the draft lottery.

Collins also had a solid NBA playing career, averaging 17.9 points in eight seasons after being selected No. 1 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1973 draft out of Illinois State. He was selected to four All-Star games.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Not sure what to think about this one. He seems to be a coach who has had some success but then had an excuse why he did not take his teams to that next level.

[stevew]

Ugh, the hack a shaq bullshit is horrible for basketball. I didn't realize how horrible it was to watch until we got Ben Wallace this season.

I guess I really didn't watch the Heat much in the last 4-5 years, and had assumed that "Hack-a-Shaq" referred to fouling him every time he touched the ball. I didn't realize that they had changed the rules or implemented the strategy where you can foul him as soon as his team has the ball on the floor. If that's not an intentional foul, i dunno what is.

[law90026]

Interesting article on SI.com about Miami having to consider trading its pick. One of the names mentioned right at the end was Kirk Hinrich. In the event it came up, I wonder whether Paxson would have the guts to make a trade of Hinrich + 1 or 2 more players for the No. 2 pick and grab both Rose and Beasley.

[rjolley]

I don't know if he would have the balls to do it, but if he gets that chance, he should. They could trade Hinrich, Deng, Hughes, or Gordon, and Thomas or Gooden. Hell, trade them all and start over.

[miami_fan]

Well not so much. I thought they should have canned him after last season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3423956

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Flip Saunders was fired as Detroit Pistons coach Tuesday, four days after his team was eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.

President of basketball operations Joe Dumars said it's "time for a new voice to lead our team." Saunders had a year left on a four-year deal he signed in 2005. The decision comes three years after Saunders took over for Larry Brown, who led the Pistons to two straight NBA Finals.

"Decisions like this are difficult to make, especially with the success we have had throughout the last three regular seasons," Dumars said in a statement. "However, at this time, I feel it is necessary to make a change."

The Pistons will hold a 2 p.m. ET news conference. A message left for Saunders on Tuesday was not immediately returned.

Assistant coach Michael Curry appears to be the leading candidate to replace Saunders. Other possible candidates include Detroit assistant coach Terry Porter and former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson.

In Saunders' three seasons, the Pistons were 176-70 in the regular season and 30-21 in the postseason, but they lost in the Eastern Conference finals each year.

The Pistons have appeared in six straight conference finals, the first franchise to do so since the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. But they also are the second team in league history to lose in the round before the NBA Finals three years in a row, joining the Celtics from 1953 to 1955.

Dumars decided a year ago to bring back key players who have been together since the 2004 championship season, as well as Saunders, while infusing energy with rookies and young reserves. But after the loss in Game 6 of the East finals to Boston on Friday, the likelihood of change grew.

Before coming to Detroit, Saunders was 411-326 with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1995-05. He led them to eight straight postseason appearances -- seven first-round exits and an appearance in the 2004 conference finals. After leading Minnesota to a franchise-high 58 wins, he was fired with a 25-26 mark in the 2004-05 season.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Michael Curry is the leading candidate to replace him? That would be an interesting choice. Seems like the Bulls wanted to interview him and the Pistons did not give them permission. Oh yeah and the Flip to Phoenix rumors have already begun.

[DeToxRox]

If it's not Curry, I'll be shocked. I expect Detroit to be very active this off season.

[DeToxRox]

Reading some stuff now saying a presser is being scheduled for later in the week to name Curry new Head Coach. This mean Lindsey Hunter will more then likely announce his retirement to take part of Curry's staff.

[DeToxRox]

Dumars just said on the radio he is looking to break up a major part of the team's core.

[Schmidty]

Glad Flip's gone. I hope Rasheed is next. I also wouldn't cry if Rip or Tayshaun were sent out.

[Sublime 2]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Glad Flip's gone. I hope Rasheed is next. I also wouldn't cry if Rip or Tayshaun were sent out.

I don't see the Pistons much, but I would think I'd want Chauncey gone before Rip, no?

[Groundhog]

Rip would be the one guy I'd definately hang on to. Billups and Prince figure to be the easiest to move.

[Coffee Warlord]

Apparently, there's some rumors about Wade and the #2 to the Bulls for (I have No Idea) and the #1.

[Groundhog]

The Heat really want Rose that bad, huh? Wade's injury proneness makes him a good guy to trade, but who is Rose going to pass the ball to?

[Groundhog]

Although I think people tend to put way too much importance on the pre-draft measurements, some interesting measurings:

Beasley is 6-7 without shoes, 6-8 with shoes, with a 7-0 wingspan.

Rose is 6-2, but a very nice 6-8 wingspan.

Love is 6-9 1/2 and even with the weight he's lost he has 12.9% body fat, so still has some weight to lose (or muscle to gain).

DeAndre "Destined to Bust" Jordan is 6-11 but has a 7-6 wingspan and 9-5 1/2 standing reach.

Joey Dorsey is just 6-7 in shoes, but has a nice wingspand and did 19 reps.

Josh Duncan is 6'8 without shoes, pressed 26 reps (the most out of all potential rookies), had a 32" vertical, and a body fat percentage of just 5.4%. Was a big fan of his in the tournament, and he's my underdog pick this draft.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Glad Flip's gone. I hope Rasheed is next. I also wouldn't cry if Rip or Tayshaun were sent out.

dude...if sheed and rip and tayshaun go what's your lineup?

billups, stuckey, maxiel, antonio mcdyess, ?

good luck with that team being better (because you know you're not trading either tayshaun or rip or sheed for an all-star)

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

dude...if sheed and rip and tayshaun go what's your lineup?

billups, stuckey, maxiel, antonio mcdyess, ?

good luck with that team being better (because you know you're not trading either tayshaun or rip or sheed for an all-star)

I could see Sheed + Tay for Elton Brand. He's gonna be a FA and won't come back to LA and it's no secret Joe loves Brand. Also I wouldn't be shocked if they signed Grant Hill with the open money.

So you'd have Billups, Rip, Hill, Brand, Dyess.

That's my ideal scenario.

[rjolley]

Who is Josh Duncan?

[Groundhog]

Xavier forward:

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/players/37850

[rjolley]

Thanks.

[stevew]

All trade rumors involving Elton Brand should have him heading to Cleveland. Hopefully Ferry will do whatever it takes to make the move(other than trading LeBron).

I would expect the Cavs to be major players for almost any available older player on a major contract.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

I could see Sheed + Tay for Elton Brand. He's gonna be a FA and won't come back to LA and it's no secret Joe loves Brand. Also I wouldn't be shocked if they signed Grant Hill with the open money.

So you'd have Billups, Rip, Hill, Brand, Dyess.

That's my ideal scenario.

Why would the Clippers do that trade?

Most of the media rumors around here have him opting out and going to Miami

[law90026]

Originally Posted by stevew

All trade rumors involving Elton Brand should have him heading to Cleveland. Hopefully Ferry will do whatever it takes to make the move(other than trading LeBron).

I would expect the Cavs to be major players for almost any available older player on a major contract.

What could Cleveland really offer in terms of trade though? I mean, if the issue is that Cleveland's team sucks except for LeBron, I can't really see that many options for them.

[stevew]

A gajillion dollars in expiring contracts, the ability to take on extra salary, and some draft picks. Obviously nothing major, but say as much as the Fakers gave up for Gasol. They aren't going to get DWade, but I wouldn't be suprised for a run for Redd, Brand or several other guys. They can basically take a good player straight up for Szcerbiak and picks, and then take 2 overpriced scrubs for expirings.

For instance, the Clips will be paying Mobley/Tim Thomas 31m over the next two years, and I wouldn't be suprised if they could shed that with Brand.

Or the Bucks owe 38m for Gadzuric/Simmons over the next 3 years.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

I could see Sheed + Tay for Elton Brand. He's gonna be a FA and won't come back to LA and it's no secret Joe loves Brand. Also I wouldn't be shocked if they signed Grant Hill with the open money.

So you'd have Billups, Rip, Hill, Brand, Dyess.

That's my ideal scenario.

Clips won't take on Sheed, guaranteed. They won't want the headache. And they already have two players (Maggette and Thornton) playiong Prince's position.

Also, while my money is on him leaving, I don't think it's a lock Brand leaves, considering he won't get the same money anywhere else, and he has a movie production company here in LA. I think if the Clips made some moves he viewed as positive, he might be enticed to stay (all that said, yeah, I think he'll be playing elsewhere next year).

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by stevew

A gajillion dollars in expiring contracts, the ability to take on extra salary, and some draft picks. Obviously nothing major, but say as much as the Fakers gave up for Gasol. They aren't going to get DWade, but I wouldn't be suprised for a run for Redd, Brand or several other guys. They can basically take a good player straight up for Szcerbiak and picks, and then take 2 overpriced scrubs for expirings.

For instance, the Clips will be paying Mobley/Tim Thomas 31m over the next two years, and I wouldn't be suprised if they could shed that with Brand.

Or the Bucks owe 38m for Gadzuric/Simmons over the next 3 years.

Cavs won't get a Grizzlies deal from the Clips for Brand. The Clips wouldn't trade him for that (they value him too much, maybe even more than he's worth), and too many other teams would weigh in to beat it.

[law90026]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Cavs won't get a Grizzlies deal from the Clips for Brand. The Clips wouldn't trade him for that (they value him too much, maybe even more than he's worth), and too many other teams would weigh in to beat it.

This is kinda what I'm referring to. Sterling is cheap but I'm not so sure he's cheap to the extent he gives away his best player like the Grizzlies (interesting article about this on Yahoo sports today btw where Michael Heisley wonders whether he could have gotten a better deal: NEWSFLASH: HELL YES YOU DUMBASS!). Certain plenty of teams would be willing to try and top that offer since Brand is a proven 20-10 guy (though on a bad team) with a good rep around the league apparently.

They can basically take a good player straight up for Szcerbiak and picks

That's optimistic. Pretty much anyone in the league probably knows how limited Szcerbiak is and how bad his body is at this stage, there's no way someone gives up a "good" player for that, especially since the Cavs picks aren't going to be in the lottery anytime soon. The only "good" players would likely have their own inherent flaws.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by law90026

That's optimistic. Pretty much anyone in the league probably knows how limited Szcerbiak is and how bad his body is at this stage, there's no way someone gives up a "good" player for that, especially since the Cavs picks aren't going to be in the lottery anytime soon. The only "good" players would likely have their own inherent flaws.

As part of a trade Szcerbiaks expiring salary matches anyone, plus picks. And then you take some heinous contracts for the other Cavs expirings. I agree that the talent level is obviously not there, but I've seen some fucked up trades over the past 3-4 years....I don't think I'm thinking out of line here.

Iverson-1 good player, scrubs, exp deals picks
Vince Carter-scrubs, expirings picks
Garnett-1 good player, expirings, picks
Ray allen-1 draft pick, not even expirings
Sheed-Expirings, picks
Gasol-shitbox expiring, picks,

And so on.

I guess in short obviously I know there is a major talent gap on any trade the cavs can make this offseason, but in reality it may just happen.

NBA trades have shown time in time again that it's not always about talent, it's also about the bottom line. With sterling as a cheapass mofo, I think he'll trade Brand for 50 cents on the dollar, as long as he can save 15-20 million.

I'm probably just living in a dream world, but I feel I've followed the league enough to consider my thoughts definitely within the realm of possibility.