The NBA 2018 Offseason Thread

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Also: LeBron, Lance Stephenson, and Lonzo Ball on the same team(assuming no other deals shake that up). Oh, the books that are going to be written about this. Luke Walton's gonna earn his money.

Will he, or will he be pushed out the door by at least next seasons trade deadline?

Also, they just signed Javale McGee, and have still been linked to both Boogie & Nerlens Noel. Though I do think there's a decent chance Lonzo is traded in a Kawhi deal if the Spurs decide to trade him.

[Groundhog]

Not NBA, but one of the worst brawls I’ve seen in a game tonight in the Australia vs Philippines. One Aussie was on the ground being laid into by about 10 Philippines players.

[Groundhog]

And the Philippines team smiling and taking selfies afterwards. Unbelievable.

[heybrad]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Not NBA, but one of the worst brawls I’ve seen in a game tonight in the Australia vs Philippines. One Aussie was on the ground being laid into by about 10 Philippines players.

Where were his teammates?

[Groundhog]

The 4 on the court where down the other end, with the bench being held back. No Australia’s came on from the bench, and Luc Longley the assistant coach had to run down and get the Aussie off the ground.

No one realised he was on the ground until he was being mobbed.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Wonder if this somehow played a part in that strangeness?

FIBA WORLD CUP ASIAN QUALIFIERS: Australia apologizes over Philippine Arena incident | ABS-CBN Sports

edit to add: No, I'm not suggesting any sort of legitimacy to that connection. I'm just wondering if somehow it was a factor in what sounds like base thuggery.

[Groundhog]

Rambulan sa Fiba Philippines VS Australia Fight!!!! Literal na suntukan!!! - YouTube

Embed link isn’t working, but there’s some footage.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Wonder if this somehow played a part in that strangeness?

FIBA WORLD CUP ASIAN QUALIFIERS: Australia apologizes over Philippine Arena incident | ABS-CBN Sports

edit to add: No, I'm not suggesting any sort of legitimacy to that connection. I'm just wondering if somehow it was a factor in what sounds like base thuggery.

I doubt it. It did cause some Twitter controversy today. Bigger factor was 30 point 3rd quarter lead we had on their home court.

[JonInMiddleGA]

for the curious, there's also some fan-shot footage in the link of the fight story on that site I linked the decal story from

[Groundhog]

9 Philippines players ejected. Took 30 minutes to decide. Going to be some lengthy suspensions.

DolA

Game is not cancelled.. playing 5 on 3... ridiculous.

[BishopMVP]

Where's Collin Sexton when you need him?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Having seen some footage of the start of the melee it's maybe a little more balanced than it initial seemed. Well, the on-the-court part was. It got uneven pretty quickly once one bench cleared.

And, uh, what's up with what appears to be almost hockey style boards in front of the Phillipine bench? From the looks of it, they had to hop the boards to rush the court.

edit to add: 24/7 sports has the clip I'm talking about (from Aussie TV best I can tell) but I won't link here 'cause I think that's one of the sites that makes threads go haywire here.

[Thomkal]

Well as a Pacers fan, I'm glad to see James leave Cleveland and join the madness that is the West. Maybe now they can actually get by the Cavs in the Playoffs. And added bonus, Golden State can take out the Lakers before the Finals, so Pacers don't have to face him at all.

[Groundhog]

The initial retaliation foul from Kickert was bad and suspension worthy, but what happened to Sobey on the ground with the mob (as well as the thrown chair to the back of his head) was pretty sickening. Philippines hosting the 2023 world cup, could be interesting.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

The initial retaliation foul from Kickert was bad and suspension worthy, but what happened to Sobey on the ground with the mob (as well as the thrown chair to the back of his head) was pretty sickening. Philippines hosting the 2023 world cup, could be interesting.

Honestly, after that, they shouldn't be hosting anything IMO.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Also: LeBron, Lance Stephenson, and Lonzo Ball on the same team(assuming no other deals shake that up). Oh, the books that are going to be written about this. Luke Walton's gonna earn his money.

Reportedly add Rondo to the mix.

Nerlens Noel to the Thunder.

[MrBug708]

Lakers renounced Randle

[RainMaker]

Lebron is a pretty bad GM.

[Brian Swartz]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Maybe now they can actually get by the Cavs in the Playoffs.

Depends on who Cleveland adds. There's a pretty good chance that nobody gets by the Cavs in the playoffs … because they'll be in the lottery.

[Izulde]

I said two years ago the Lakers needed to trade Randle while his stock was still fairly high. Now this shit. JFC.

[Groundhog]

Too early for LBJ to demand a trade? I'm still assuming there is one big name deal in the works, because otherwise this is looking worse than Cleveland 2017-18. Hard to picture a PG less suitable for an LBJ team than Rondo.

[Shkspr]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Depends on who Cleveland adds. There's a pretty good chance that nobody gets by the Cavs in the playoffs … because they'll be in the lottery.

To be fair, there's a pretty good chance the entire Eastern Conference will end up in the lottery.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Too early for LBJ to demand a trade? I'm still assuming there is one big name deal in the works, because otherwise this is looking worse than Cleveland 2017-18. Hard to picture a PG less suitable for an LBJ team than Rondo.

Lonzo and Rondo has to be among the worst point guard combos you could place with LeBron.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Too early for LBJ to demand a trade? I'm still assuming there is one big name deal in the works, because otherwise this is looking worse than Cleveland 2017-18. Hard to picture a PG less suitable for an LBJ team than Rondo.

I assume that means they think Ball will be included in a trade for Kawhi, but still makes little sense. Is D-Wade next? Waiting for Carmelo to get bought out?

Also, that whole brawl is looking even worse, from the coach in the previous huddle - Anton Tioseco on Twitter: "Video proof (thanks to @radnovales )… " - to seeing pictures of what seems to be a cameraman punching an Aussie player in the face & a fan throwing that chair. Is FIBA as corrupt as the IOC/FIFA, or is there a chance the Philippines will be seriously punished?

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Also, that whole brawl is looking even worse, from the coach in the previous huddle - Anton Tioseco on Twitter: "Video proof (thanks to @radnovales )… " - to seeing pictures of what seems to be a cameraman punching an Aussie player in the face & a fan throwing that chair. Is FIBA as corrupt as the IOC/FIFA, or is there a chance the Philippines will be seriously punished?

Now that I've had time to calm down, I agree that the worst part of all this is the combination of fans, staff, and even team officials who got involved. IMO any fan in the clip throwing punches or stomping should be charged with assault. Any official should be banned. Security should be sacked. Refs should be disciplined for not trying to separate players initially.

Also the way the Philippines carried on in the 30 mins after while it was reviewed was particularly disgusting - not to mention the way the coach and PG Romeo spoke after the game - the guy that came swinging at Maker from behind early in the fracas.

I suspect it will be fines and suspensions from FIBA - Kickert and Maker will miss some games (in particular Kickert), but does any NBA team want their highly paid players to risk it on a court in that atmosphere? There was expected to be 50,000 fans in the arena that game but it was probably closer to 20k thanks to the high ticket prices... Could have been much worse with a huge crowd, because it looked like it was on the verge of being even worse than it turned out to be - which itself was really bad.

[Brian Swartz]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

I assume that means they think Ball will be included in a trade for Kawhi, but still makes little sense.

Plus, everything I've read -- which I know rumors are flying like crazy, but -- says the Spurs aren't interested in Lonzo. They like Kuzma, Ingram, etc. but Lonzo not so much. Which makes sense. I just can't see Popovich dealing with a distraction like LaVar, who would be constantly throwing a fit about this that and the other.

[Groundhog]

An auspicious sign as Trae Young's first two threes in a Hawks jersey both fall about a foot wide of the basket.

[stevew]

So the Lakers can still trade Lonzo and Randal and maybe something else and get Boogie back and then still have the pieces to trade kuzma and Ingram for kwahi, correct? Pretty sure all of these moves are technically not completed yet.

Rondo/Kwahi/LeBron/Boogie/KCP is a pretty good crunchtime lineup. Plus you would have Josh Hart/Lance/javelle on the bench and some ring chasers(Jeff Green?). Def need a shooter, but Rondo is way better than he's being given credit for.

[Groundhog]

I just do not see Boogie and LBJ being able to co-exist on the one team.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Just saw a headline on my phone that said Boogie to the Warriors? How is that even possible?

Edit: 1 year, $5.3m, apparently.

[MrBug708]

In an effort to make sure the Lakers cannot assemble a super team, the NBA has essentially ruined itself with these rules.

[Shkspr]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Just saw a headline on my phone that said Boogie to the Warriors? How is that even possible?

Because we've all died and gone to NBA Hell.

[stevew]

Part of me wants the Cavs to dump everyone. But at the same time, it would be interesting to see if Kevin Love could become a superstar again.

[Groundhog]

I have no doubt that Love will average 25-15 again, just enough to keep the Cavs from a top 4 pick next season. IMO need to just move him now and rebuild.

Boogie to Warriors is just dumb. *shrug*

[Ksyrup]

Brilliant move by GS. Now Cousins can deflect half of Draymond's technicals.

[MrBug708]

Magic failed today. Signing Rondo and missing Boogie

[Groundhog]

So far LBJ is looking like a fluke hole-in-one for Magic, compared to the other double-bogeys since.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Just saw a headline on my phone that said Boogie to the Warriors? How is that even possible?

Edit: 1 year, $5.3m, apparently.

After DAJ to DAL & Julius Randle to NO I was wondering who still had the money for Boogie. 1 year deal to prove he's healthy & re-enter FA in 2019 made sense, and I don't think anyone was actually offering him $15m+. So sure, why not?

Not sure if they had to do it to complete some other move, but Lakers renouncing Randle's matching rights this early seems like a bug mistake. Even if you're not inclined to match, NO might not have offered that quickly if he was still restricted.

Originally Posted by Groundhog

I have no doubt that Love will average 25-15 again, just enough to keep the Cavs from a top 4 pick next season. IMO need to just move him now and rebuild.

Well, you'll still have the combination of rookie PG (who I like, but still) & Jordan Clarkson to run the offense through late in close games. Is Ty Lue smart enough to figure that out?...

[stevew]

The NBA is completely broken

[Comey]

Magic surrounded LeBron with The Land of Misfit Toys.

[jbergey22]

I dont really like the Cousins signing for Golden State. I mean they are already a well oiled machine in which adding a new part seems like a risk they dont need to take. As much talent as Boogie has he has never proved to be a winner in the NBA and New Orleans improved last year when Boogie went down. They already have a hard time getting Klay enough shots plus I think Boogie and Draymond are polar opposites as far as heart and determination.

[RainMaker]

Warriors were a lock to win it all anyway so I don't think the move really changes much. Maybe he helps, maybe not. Doesn't matter in this league.

[Groundhog]

Worst case the Warriors just cut Cousins and move on with their lives. Best case, well, see ya'll in the 2019 offseason folks because I have no interest in watching Team USA breeze through another season uncontested.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Meanwhile, Enes Kanter having a blast on Twitter

More
Adam Silver has agreed to a Mid Level Extension with the Golden State, league sources tell ME. ����

Wouldn’t be surprised if I see
BREAKING: Warriors just signed Thanos and John Wick to add to their bench for one year. Lol

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Meanwhile, Enes Kanter having a blast on Twitter

More
Adam Silver has agreed to a Mid Level Extension with the Golden State, league sources tell ME. ����

Wouldn’t be surprised if I see
BREAKING: Warriors just signed Thanos and John Wick to add to their bench for one year. Lol

Classic

[JonInMiddleGA]

Speaking of tweets ... wouldn't Embid's tweets about "do a Deandre Jordan and #TrustIt" violate tampering rules?

Or is that not a thing since Lebron is out of contract technically?

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Warriors were a lock to win it all anyway so I don't think the move really changes much. Maybe he helps, maybe not. Doesn't matter in this league.

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Worst case the Warriors just cut Cousins and move on with their lives. Best case, well, see ya'll in the 2019 offseason folks because I have no interest in watching Team USA breeze through another season uncontested.

Am I the only one who remembers the Warriors being down 3-2 in the conference finals, and probably a healthy Chris Paul, another rolled ankle for Steph, or even just an average shooting night from the Rockets away from losing it? (Yes, I know the Rockets have gotten a little worse with Ariza signing elsewhere, but no one expected them to be a good as they were. Plus LeBron might still pair up with Kawhi & there are two pretty good, ascendant teams in the East.)

You guys are smart enough basketball fans to realize that Demarcus Cousins (especially the version coming off an Achilles injury who won't even be healthy until midseason) doesn't provide an immediate upgrade for Golden State (even healthy Cousins probably shouldn't even crack their crunch time lineup...), so why pretend last season was a fait accompli and the Warriors weren't pushed (even if it was only one team)?

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

The initial retaliation foul from Kickert was bad and suspension worthy, but what happened to Sobey on the ground with the mob (as well as the thrown chair to the back of his head) was pretty sickening. Philippines hosting the 2023 world cup, could be interesting.

Was watching live. The entire thing was pretty surreal.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Wonder if this somehow played a part in that strangeness?

FIBA WORLD CUP ASIAN QUALIFIERS: Australia apologizes over Philippine Arena incident | ABS-CBN Sports

edit to add: No, I'm not suggesting any sort of legitimacy to that connection. I'm just wondering if somehow it was a factor in what sounds like base thuggery.

It definitely fed into the fire before the game.

[RainMaker]

Rockets winning that series would have been one of the biggest upsets in NBA history. I just don't see that happening again. Especially with Paul a year older and Ariza gone.

The only chance a team has is injuries to two of the Warriors stars.