The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

NBA Regular Season Preview: 2015-16

76ers


Offseason Moves:

Draft SG Gary Harris
Trade a 2016 2^nd round pick to LAL for Trey Thompkins


Last Season’s Record: (53-29) Lost to Cavaliers in East Semi-Finals

76ers Depth Chart - 2015-16
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
PG	J. Holiday	D. West
SG	A. Goodwin	G. Harris (R)
SF	T. Young	A. Bennett	T. McKie
PF	T. Thomas	T. Thompkins	A. Moultrie	C. Solomon
C	A. Bynum	S. Hawes

Preview: The kids from Philly are again looking forward to a good regular season, something you can pretty much pen in with Doug Collins’ group. The veteran coach agreed to a two year extension with the club and that number isn’t arbitrary for a few reasons, primarily being that the 76ers best player, Jrue Holiday, has his contract come up at the same time. By then, Philly will have to decide if this team is worth keeping together. They’ve had good regular season success but can’t fight their way deep into the playoffs. Being beaten, in a seven game series by the Cavaliers, was embarrassing and a potential catalyst for the short term extension of Collins.

The players love their coach and very much like George Karl in Denver for many years, want to win a title for him. The work he’s done with Bynum and Holiday, elevating them both to all-stars, has shown he knows how to grow players; now, the question is if he can grow a team. The 76ers brought in Trey Thompkins, formerly of the Lakers, to serve as their backup to newly minted starter Tyrus Thomas, also formerly of the Lakers. Thomas will be taking over as full-time starter after Zach Randolph left in free agency for the Thunder.

X-Factor: Health. Can the 76ers stay healthy? Their front line of Bynum and Thomas are known to have years where neither sees the floor for extended periods of time. Philly is prepared to ride out that possibility with the reliable backup bigs of Hawes and Thompkins, but don’t expect them to be excited about it. Bynum is one of the best big men in the league and Thomas, for what he lacks offensively, more than makes up for that defensively.

Burning Question: What about Thad Young? Young’s contract expires at the end of the season and publicly, he’s professed he wants to comeback to Philly. However, Young has Anthony Bennett sitting behind him, on a cheaper deal and with a similar skill set. If Young demands too much money, would Philly let him walk? There are a number of factors in play and Young, the longest tenured 76er on the team, may not be back next year.

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Bobcats

Offseason Moves:

Draft PF Trey Lyles
Draft PG Quinn Cook
Re-sign Jeff Taylor to a 2yr/$3.52M deal
Sign Kevin Seraphin to a 3yr/$19.06M deal
Sign Louis Williams to a 1yr/$9.43M deal
Re-sign Brendan Haywood to a 1yr/$525K deal

Last Season’s Record: (36-46) Missed Playoffs

Bobcats Depth Chart - 2015-16
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
PG	R. Harrow	Q. Cook (R)	K. Williams
SG	T. Evans	L. Williams	J. Cunningham
SF	M. Kidd-Gilchrist	J. Taylor	B. Dawson
PF	K. Seraphin	T. Lyles (R)	T. Hansbrough
C	N. Noel	D. Pittman	B. Haywood

Preview: The Bobcats suffered last year through inconsistent play at the point guard position and a sophomore slump of Nerlens Noel. Noel averaged only 14.3 PPG and 10 RPG last season, nearly three points less than his rookie year. Some of this can be ascribed to the inconsistency of his fellow front line man, Derrick Williams and then later Michael Beasley, both whom are gone and have been replaced by Kevin Seraphin. Seraphin had a career year last season, averaging 11 PPG and 9 RPG, showing that he can do the dirty work while shooting it incredibly efficiently, something neither Williams or Beasley did.

The Bobcats moves during the offseason speak to one thing and one alone: playoffs. The additions of Seraphin and sparkplug Louis Williams, who is back to his natural role as a sixth man, should help get this team back into an upward direction. The drafting of Quinn Cook, a more pass friendly point guard than Ryan Harrow, should also give the Bobcats a chance to change up their point man should they want to.

X-Factor: Point guard play. Ryan Harrow’s first year as a full-time starter was, shall we say, not as good as his team hoped. Harrow showed himself as a scorer, yes, but his efficiency left something to be desired, as he only shot .436% from the field. In an offense that needs its big man to get points, Harrow too often was jacking up his own shot. The leash for Harrow is short as the Bobcats took Quinn Cook, a more pass friendly guard, in the first round. If Harrow starts jacking it up again expect a quick hook for him.

Burning Question: Will MKG stay? Michael-Kidd Gilchrist has developed into one of the better two way players in the league. MKG’s scoring averages have raised every year, as well as his shooting percentages, and he’s looking for a big payday come free agency next summer. More than that, he’s looking to find his way to a consistent winner. After winning the national title with Kentucky, MKG has only had one winning season in the NBA and that’s just not cutting it for him. According to his people, this year will decide whether he stays or if he demands a sign-and-trade in free agency. If you’re the Bobcats, you want to keep this guy.

[BlueJays09]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Great Job as usual. I started one of my own with Boston again and I hope to have you following. Not close to as good as this one but I will try and make it somewhat interesting

Cant wait for the next update!

[pickingupcrumbs]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Damn it! How come I only discovered this now?! You're really good at writing!

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Damn it! How come I only discovered this now?! You're really good at writing!

Thanks man, appreciate it Stay tuned for more updates tonight as we get caught up on the rest of the Association and see what's brewing in the league.

[zwolf1224]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

“Yeah, but jeez … what about bum teams like the Bucks? They last won, what, back in the 70s?”

“Kareem, yeah. Milwaukee is what they are; a mid-market team that can’t spend a lot and doesn’t take care of their guys. They have a history of trading away their best players.”



Haha. First posts ive done on OS. This is also the first thing i have read on here. And let me say, you have been doing an amazing job with this. Definatly more like a story than anything. If this quoted right (I hope, first time) than this made me laugh yet kicked me too!!! XD My poor Bucks making the wrong decisions. Its tough being a Bucks fan.

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

“Yeah, but jeez … what about bum teams like the Bucks? They last won, what, back in the 70s?”

“Kareem, yeah. Milwaukee is what they are; a mid-market team that can’t spend a lot and doesn’t take care of their guys. They have a history of trading away their best players.”



Haha. First posts ive done on OS. This is also the first thing i have read on here. And let me say, you have been doing an amazing job with this. Definatly more like a story than anything. If this quoted right (I hope, first time) than this made me laugh yet kicked me too!!! XD My poor Bucks making the wrong decisions. Its tough being a Bucks fan.

Welcome to the forums and thanks for reading! The quote was spot on and, yes, the Bucks are a tough luck team BUT I have been considering doing a series on them as I already have some ideas gestating about a potential Bucks oriented series. Already got the title and the attitude (lots of attitude) for the franchise in my head.

[zwolf1224]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Welcome to the forums and thanks for reading! The quote was spot on and, yes, the Bucks are a tough luck team BUT I have been considering doing a series on them as I already have some ideas gestating about a potential Bucks oriented series. Already got the title and the attitude (lots of attitude) for the franchise in my head.

Loving that idea. Haven't yet read one on the Bucks. I would love to read it. The middle of the road Bucks have a lot of moves that needs to be done to contend. I am still following this one with great anticipation towards the next updates. Will be excited to see if you do a Bucks organization!!!

[BraedenG33]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Welcome to the forums and thanks for reading! The quote was spot on and, yes, the Bucks are a tough luck team BUT I have been considering doing a series on them as I already have some ideas gestating about a potential Bucks oriented series. Already got the title and the attitude (lots of attitude) for the franchise in my head.

Well you know I'll read anything you write so if in 2k14 you have a plan for Milwaukee I'm all for it, especially if they get Teague, one of my favorite players.

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Well you know I'll read anything you write so if in 2k14 you have a plan for Milwaukee I'm all for it, especially if they get Teague, one of my favorite players.

I'll probably end up skipping 2K14 honestly. I buy every other year and I really want to let the first gen of sports games for the next gen get a year under their belts before I get aboard.

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Bucks

Offseason Moves:

Draft PG Marcus Paige
Sign Patrick Patterson to a 3yr/$32.20M deal

Last Season’s Record: (23-59)

Bucks Depth Chart - 2015-16
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
PG	G. Dragic	M. Paige (R)
SG	X. Henry	J. Young	D. Hobbs
SF	A. Thomas	E. Ilyasova
PF	P. Patterson	J. Henson	K. Birch
C	L. Sanders	W. Zhelin

Preview: Milwaukee didn’t have a lot of room to maneuver this offseason and that’s primarily because of the logjam at point guard. Dragic, who was expected to opt out, instead opted in and has saddled the Bucks with his burdensome contract. Kendall Marshall hasn’t developed and sits on the bench counting the days till the Bucks let him go (next offseason, like Dragic) while the youth movement continues. The Bucks brought in Patrick Patterson to act as a stretch four, who’s far more suited for it than Ilyasova has been. He moves back to the bench, a loaded one at that.

With the likes of rookie Marcus Paige and second year man James Young, the Bucks are a team that could make some waves in an Eastern Conference that, as usual, is weak past the first four teams. Who or what takes the final playoff spots in the East is going to be a running storyline one most expect the Bucks to participate in at some point in the season. More than anything this season will be one represented by progress or lack thereof.

X-Factor: Adonis Thomas. Lost in the shuffle of last year’s astounding rookie class, Thomas, the 16^th overall pick in the 2013 draft, has begun his ascendenacy, exploding onto the scene with a loud 16.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 5.0 APG. Thomas was a massive boost to an otherwise miserable team and with an actual front court player at the four spot, he is expected to get even more room to do what he does so well, which is shoot from the outside and make teams pay. If Thomas continues his rise, fans in Milwaukee will have plenty to show up for.

Burning Question: When will potential turn into wins? The Bucks now have youth at every key position on the team. Marcus Paige, James Young, Adonis Thomas, Khem Birch, and Wang Zhelin all make up an impressive team … if this was about potential. But out of them all, only Thomas is a starter. Young and Paige will be valuable backups as Birch and Zhelin try to break into the rotation. Is this rebuilding project, which started two years ago, any closer to getting done? Milwaukee is struggling to give people a reason to come to games and the franchise could be sold or, perish the thought, relocated if they can’t generate some excitement. Their arena is far from state of the art and the steadfast refusal of their city to help get a new one while the team isn’t showing any progress is an owner’s worst nightmare. The Bucks and their financial situation will be a continuing story as the season progresses.

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Bulls

Offseason Moves:


Draft C/PF Mouhammadou Jaiteh
Trade Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler to DAL for 2016 1^st round pick (Top 12 protected), O.J. Mayo
Trade Marquis Teague, Brandon Rush, DAL 2016 1^st round pick (Top 12 protected) to NY for Raymond Felton, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Re-sign Samuel Dalembert for 1yr/$590K

Last Season’s Record: (54-28)

Bulls Depth Chart - 2015-16
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
PG	D. Rose	R. Felton
SG	O.J. Mayo	K. Caldwell-Pope	A. Toupange
SF	L. Deng	M. Hezonja
PF	T. Mbakwe	M. Jaiteh (R)	R. Tinsley
C	J. Noah	S. Dalembert

Preview: The Bulls got back to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, behind the astounding play of Derrick Rose, but then got beat in five games by the Cavaliers in a gut wrenching loss. He Bulls were expecting to meet the Thunder, finally getting the Durant vs. Rose rematch for all the marbles. Instead, the NBA was shocked to see the Lakers and Cavaliers advance to the finals. Chicago had to sit at home and stew, unable to fathom how badly they blew it. Rose and Deng were the only Bulls to score consistently throughout the entirety of the playoffs and that fact stuck in the craw of Bulls fans.

For once, the notoriously frugal team went out and brought in some big names. To do it, the Bulls had to give up some assets but got some back in return. The team is now well-prepared for the future as well as ready to make a serious run in East. Rose is joined by 2008 fellow draftee O.J. Mayo, who comes in after being held up as the scapegoat in Dallas. Trevor Mbawke, who performed so well in the Bulls Finals run, is now promoted to starter and Raymond Felton comes off the bench as the Bulls veteran point presence. Felton is a rental, but Kentavius Caldwell-Pope is a long term piece the Bulls have great confidence in. They were enamored with him in the 2013 draft but he was off the board before they could get to him.

Now, they have that future piece to team up with Mario Hezonja, the Crotian sharpshooter, and rookie Mouhammadou Jaiteh, who is going to make an immediate impact on the defensive end. The Bulls have more depth and firepower on their bench in years and seeing Mayo step in to help Rose in the scoring department is a welcome sight for all Bulls fans. Coach Thibs wasn’t happy to let go of Taj Gibson, Marquis Teague, and Jimmy Butler, but change is good. The Bulls look to dominate the East this year if they’re new pieces can mesh.

X-Factor: Raymond Felton/O.J. Mayo. Felton steps into the very important role of second unit floor general, a position that hasn’t seen much offense since the departure of Nate Robinson two years ago. With all the new firepower on the bench, getting the ball to the right people at the right time becomes hugely important.

Mayo has to step up as a scorer and play solid defense in Coach Thibs system; the defense may get him in trouble. His former coach, Rick Carlisle, had problems coaxing defense out of Mayo at various points in the two’s relationship. Thibs won’t hesitate to pull Mayo for someone else if he doesn’t perform, which wouldn’t be great considering the Bulls gave up Butler and Gibson for him.

Burning Question: Will it be enough? It’s not often the Bulls go out and make a big play in the offseason, but they have been known to do it every few years. The results, however, are almost always the same; the Bulls acquisitions don’t live up to their billing. If Chicago wants to get back to the Finals and face off against a loaded West, they’ll have to get consistent play from their new pieces. If not, expect this team to devolve into Derrick Rose vs. everyone else.

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

I'll be getting to the rest of the team previews over the weekend guys or try my damndest to, work has been busy this week. Thanks for keeping the faith fellas.

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Cavaliers

Offseason Moves:

Trade 2015 1^st round and 2nd round picks to BOS for Avery Bradley and Courtney Lee
Re-sign Patrick Mills to a 2yr/$5.66M deal
Re-sign Ben Gordon to a 1yr/$1.77M deal
Sign Gerald Green to a 2yr/$5.60M deal
Sign Richard Jefferson to a 1yr/$640K deal

Last Season’s Record: (41-41)

Cavaliers Depth Chart - 2015-16
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
PG	K. Irving	P. Mills
SG	A. Bradley	C. Lee	B. Gordon
SF	C.J. Leslie	G. Green	R. Jefferson
PF	T. Thompson	J. O'Bryant	C. Aiken
C	A. Horford	T. Zeller

Preview: The Cavaliers were the surprise team of the playoffs last year, advancing all the way to the Finals in an impressive run that few thought they had. With the addition of Al Horford at last year’s trade deadline, an astounding seven game win streak at the end of the regular season to just make the playoffs, and then a legendary playoff run that just fell short of a championship, the Cavs made moves to get better at their weakest spots.

The traded for Avery Bradley, who immediately slots into the two spot and brings suffocating defense and timely offense. Giving up their first round pick to do it was a smart move for the team as Bradley has three years left on his rather modest deal. They also managed to get some shooting with the addition of Courtney Lee, who is an upgrade over Ben Gordon in just about every way.

C.J. Leslie will finally get his chance to start at the three spot after being a consistent contributor off the bench for two years. They brought in Gerald Green, an offensive sparkplug, to fill out the bench and re-signed Patty Mills, who did well in leading the second unit. The Cavs are prepared to make another extended trip into the playoffs, ready to prove that that last season’s magical run was a trend and not an anomaly.

X-Factor: C.J. Leslie. Leslie, taken with the 8^th overall pick in the 2013 draft, finally gets his chance as a starter. After sitting behind the likes of Alonzo Gee for two years, Leslie’s time is now. Cleveland invested high on him in that draft and now the wait is over. If Leslie is able to replicate or better Gee’s averages of 12 PPG, 4 RPG, and 3 APG than the Cavs will be looking at another scoring option. If Leslie struggles, more pressure will be on Irving to score.

Burning Question: Will Horford re-sign? The Cavs are cautiously optimistic. Horford has never played with a point guard like Irving before and though his averages saw a small drop last season, he and Irving have been working together in the offseason to get on the same page. Like a QB with a new receiver, expect the chemistry between the two to be much better than last year. If the Cavs can pull another winning season and trip into the playoffs, where anything can happen, expect Horford to re-up with them. If not, the Cavs will have to look at other options next summer.

[trekfan]

Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story

Celtics

Offseason Moves:

Draft SF Justise Winslow
Draft PF Montezi Harrell
Trade Avery Bradley and Courtney Lee to CLE for 2015 1^st round and 2^nd round picks
Sign Lamarcus Aldridge to a 3yr/$46.02M deal
Sign Isaiah Canaan to a 3yr/$9.06M deal
Sign Danny Green to a 2yr/$5.46M deal
Sign Kendrick Perkins to a 2yr/$5.54M deal
Sign Jared Sullinger to a 3yr/$12.60M extension

Last Season’s Record: (31-51)

Celtics Depth Chart - 2015-16
	STARTER	2ND	3RD	4TH
PG	R. Rondo	I. Canaan	J. Simon (R)
SG	A. Wiggins	D. Green
SF	J. Green	J. Winslow (R)	R. Hardy (R)
PF	L. Aldridge	J. Sullinger	M. Harrell (R)	A. Payne
C	R. Gobert	K. Perkins

Preview: The Celtics took a dive last year once the second half of the schedule hit and that was due in no small part to injuries they suffered at the four and five spots. There was a litany of wounded walking around the Celtics training complex by the end of the season but Boston didn’t take this lying down. They made aggressive moves in the offseason to get themselves back into playoff contention, building around their young star in Andrew Wiggins.

Wiggins, rookie of the year winner, has moved to the two spot, while Danny Ainge went on a spending spree in free agency. He brought in big man LaMarcus Aldridge, who is hungry for a championship and to play on a team that features a true center which will allow him to work in the post. Aldridge was said to be considering the Lakers or the Celtics in the final hour, but ultimately chose to sign with Boston due to the emergence of Andrew Wiggins.

With Aldridge locked into the four, Boston went about securing the bench and the future in the draft and free agency. They brought back Kendrick Perkins, former member of their title team from 2008, and added in youth at the point behind Rondo with Isaiah Canann. The team looks loaded for years to come.

X-Factor: LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge was not pleased in Portland at the quick playoff exits and the lack of credit he received from the fans. Lillard was always the star, the franchise savior, and Aldridge’s quiet work was overlooked. Heading to Boston, Aldridge now has a chance to act in the Kevin Garnett role of veteran big man looking for a title.

“That’s my goal, to win a championship, and to do it where everyone gets the credit, not just one person,” said Aldridge at his first ever Celtics press conference. Whether he means the words is another question entirely, but he definitely has been saying and doing all the right things since he got to Boston.

Burning Question: What to do about Jeff Green? Green, whose contract is up at the end of the season, is eager to remain a Celtic for the long term. Reports are that he wants an extension done ASAP and is more than willing to give the Celtics a discount. Danny Ainge isn’t biting. The drafting of Justise Winslow 4^th overall seems to indicate that the Celtics are looking to inject some youth at the position sooner rather than later. Green will be playing at the three spot primarily this year for the first time in two seasons. If his numbers remain near last year’s averages of 16.0 PPG and 5.7 RPG, letting him go will be tough for the Celtics. If his numbers drop, they can let the soon to be 30 year old go with ease.