Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Don't tell me it's the Lakers...

Lähetetty minun LG-H440n laitteesta Tapatalkilla

The Lakers and Chris Paul?

That would be unoriginal. We're getting there, promise. I'll give you a hint: it's something that was speculated about a few years ago ...

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2017-18 Preview

October 20th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



The Rockets officially moved on from Dwight Howard and Ty Lawson, but didn't sit idly by in free agency. Far from it. Houston made a play for two players that it's coveted for many years now: Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol.

Gasol, if you'll recall, almost became a Rocket back in the nixed Paul to Lakers trade. Morey didn't forget that and after Dwight left, he made a call to Gasol; Gasol responded. After spending the last three years with Chicago, Gasol ends up on the Rockets -- he had overtures from the Grizzlies (where his brother plays) and the Bulls, but turned both down.

In Houston, Gasol will be exactly what the Rockets want -- a championship winning veteran who'll take some pressure off Harden, but not demand the ball. Rudy Gay's arrival will also take some pressure off Harden, as Gay's scoring and versatility will allow the Rockets to experiment with some fun (if not defensively challenged) lineups.

Houston went out and grabbed Deron Williams as well (as an FU to Dallas, likely), picked up Mosgov via trade (who'll be a valuable sixth-man big off the bench).

The biggest addition might be Clint Capela, however, as Capela is slotted to start at PF -- defensively, he's exactly what the Rockets will need in a division that features Anthony Davis and LaMarcus Aldridge at the four. Capela's injection of youth and energy is much needed. Off the bench, the Rockets are also bringing Montrez Harrell. This looks to be Houston's most balanced roster in years, and with Dekker, Fultz, Nogueira, and Trevor Ariza on the deep bench, Houston is prepped to withstand injuries (and maybe swing a trade).

The Rockets are eager to prove they're in it to win it, as Harden's in the last year of his contract. Every indication is that he's going to re-sign with Houston, but as we've seen this offseason, that doesn't guarantee he will. A good showing in the postseason will ensure a Harden return. Anything less could be franchise-altering.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2017-18 Preview

October 20th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



The Heat suffered multiple injuries and problems last season, but made the playoffs -- they were beaten in five by the Pistons and sent home early. A disappointing end to be sure, but not an unexpected one with all the injuries. That end, however, represented the last time Dwayne Wade would suit up in a Heat uniform.

Your eyes aren't lying to you: Wade and Miami couldn't work out a contractual agreement. According to multiple sources, Wade continued to want more money as backpay for the paycuts he took during the Heat championship years. His starting price was $19M in year one alone. The Heat balked at the offer, citing Wade's low numbers that season.

Things got ... well, heated. Pat Riley and Wade went at it with veiled insults through the media and Riley, with full support from owner Micky Arison, cut ties with Wade. The franchise's biggest face was gone. Riley was cold and calculating -- from a cap standpoint, from a team building standpoint, it was the right call.

But, emotionally, the move sucker-punched the entire NBA. Riley went into free agency with his cap space, a significant amount, and grabbed youngish veterans who were proven and itching for the South Beach life. Darren Collison signed on for three years, shifting Dragic over to the two -- a position he was good playing at in Phoenix. Solomon Hill and Shane Larkin both signed on, youngish backups with something to prove.

Then Riley shrewdly traded for young big Chris McCullough, who'll actually see playing time. With the bench shored up, a successful draft, and a starting five featuring Collison, Dragic, Winslow (expected to make a big leap in year three), Bosh, and Jefferson, the Miami Heat look to be more balanced than ever before.

But will a Heat squad without Wade be better off? Dwayne Wade didn't have a great year last year and he looked slower, older, and generally disconnected at the end. He averaged a measly 12.4 PPG on 47 percent shooting -- his value as a starter wasn't worth $19M. But his value as a team leader and franchise icon was immeasurable. Riley made the move to let Wade walk, but the fallout will linger with this franchise for years to come. If this season goes poorly (and Wade's season doesn't), Riley will see his name dragged through the mud and the aura of the Miami Heat will be right beside him.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2017-18 Preview

October 20th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



The Blazers had a fantastic season last year, making the playoffs and stealing a game from the Thunder before Lillard went down with an injury. After that, the postseason became a joke as the Blazers were run out of the gym on multiple occasions.

In the offseason, Portland wisely retained the services of CJ McCollum (who signed their qualifying offer), then picked up Aaron Brooks to back up Lillard. They also signed Miles Plumlee (not to be confused with his brother, Mason).

But the biggest piece they added was already there -- Noah Vonleh. Vonleh, given up on by the Hornets, has stepped up in a big way and after last season's play (6.8 PPG and 8.8 RPG on only 26 minutes), Vonleh is slotted to be the starter at the four. His increased minutes will only help a Blazers team that needs a consistent source of offense from one of their frontcourt players.

The Blazers want to get back to the playoffs and have every intention of doing so -- one has to wonder if they played it too safe this free agency, but Portland has oodles of cap space next summer to make a run at someone special, if someone special is there. This year should continue to be about improvement.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2017-18 Preview

October 20th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



The Bulls were swept right out of the playoffs by the 76ers, an embarrassment to the franchise after finishing the year as the 2nd seed. The Bulls had higher hopes, had grander plans, but it was all cut short by Philly.

Chicago needed someone to blame. It wasn't going to be Butler, who performed poorly in the series but was a stud in the regular season. It wasn't going to be Hoiberg, the favorite son of ownership. No, the Bulls stuck the blame on their one-time savior: Derrick Rose.

Once the face of the franchise, Rose's locker room persona was questioned -- the conflict between him and Butler had reared its head a few times over the last three years, but never boiled over. Still, the Bulls used the playoff sweep to push Rose out. They declared loudly and with one voice that this was Jimmy Butler's team and the former MVP had no place.

Chicago Bulls fans were outraged. TV, Facebook, Twitter, everywhere -- Bulls fans were laying into ownership and the front office. Season ticket orders stopped cold and there was even a decent amount of cancellations. The Bulls had walked right into a PR nightmare.

The notoriously frugal ownership of Jerry Reinsdorf had claimed another victim, but this time the Bulls fans were able to express themselves loudly. Reinsdorf, feeling the public pressure, commanded his front office to build around Butler but not send the team over the salary cap. It wasn't easy, but the Bulls found they had some players looking for a short-term fix as much as they were.

Their first move was to sign Dwayne Wade. Wade, recently let go by the Heat, was looking for a familiar place to land and the Bulls gladly pushed out a cushion for him. He was signed to a one-year, nearly $16M deal (an extremely friendly deal). Wade then went and lobbied for Dwight Howard, a defensive presence Chicago sorely lacked. Howard was also signed to a one year deal (for a less friendly price tag).

Chicago's signing of Wade restored some good will with the fans. But their free agency wasn't over. They went out and signed Brandon Jennings and Larry Sanders, both to two year deals, reuniting the two championship winning players (and bringing them back to a division they were both very familiar with). They then grabbed veteran Aaron Afflalo for a slightly discounted price.

Chicago accomplished the task set before them and kept the contract lengths short. They'll be in position next summer to rebuild around Butler again if they need to.

But without Rose, now with Butler as the lead dog, can the Bulls succeed? The team has been gutted since the Rose-MVP year. No more Noah, Deng, Taj Gibson, or Thibs. The team is completely changed and it's Butler's show now -- will he be able to win it all or will the Bulls find themselves suffering from buyers remorse at the end of the season?

[DevSwerve]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

I bet it's the Knicks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BlindSideNZ]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

That Chicago roster is a strange thing to look at. Im really not sure how I feel about it either in all honesty. I hate to throw shade at D Wade after all the things he has achieved but that's a lot of money for a guy who really doesn't have a specific skill set at this late stage of his career. A lot of the athletic stars that come to mind developed a pretty reliable jump shot to lean on towards the end of their careers I don't really know that I would feel comfortable leaning on Wades.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

That Chicago roster is a strange thing to look at. Im really not sure how I feel about it either in all honesty. I hate to throw shade at D Wade after all the things he has achieved but that's a lot of money for a guy who really doesn't have a specific skill set at this late stage of his career. A lot of the athletic stars that come to mind developed a pretty reliable jump shot to lean on towards the end of their careers I don't really know that I would feel comfortable leaning on Wades.

Absolutely agree. Wade isn't worth 16M. 8M? Sure, absolutely justified. But he wasn't asking for that initially -- only after the first six or seven days of free agency did he lower his price. By that point, Riley had moved on (rightfully so).

The Bulls were desperate and so was Wade. Chicago had caused themselves a PR mess with letting Rose go (they vastly underestimated the fans reactions) and needed a homegrown, loved star to take some heat off them. Wade's that guy. His asking price has to be lower next year, else he'll probably find himself out of the league, but I foresee him finishing his career in Chicago as the mentor/loved old man.

If he attempts to get late Kobe money, no team in the league will have him.

And Dwight, defensively, is worth a good portion of his contract, and he has a tendency to waffle on where he wants to be, so it wouldn't surprise me to see him move on next year but that's fine -- the Bulls have Bobby Portis (currently their PF) and they're really good at developing big men, so his loss will be minimal if D12 leaves next summer.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2017-18 Preview

October 20th, 2017

By Vonny Lee




The Lakers finished just outside of the playoffs, a late season slump dooming their chances at snagging that last spot. As a result, the Lakers Jim Buss stepped down from his position as head of the basketball side of things -- and Jeanie Buss stepped in. With the more basketball savvy Jeanie at the helm, the Lakers made minimal moves this free agency.

They added two names to the roster: big man Festus Ezeli and veteran point guard (and former Sonic) Jarrett Jack. Jack and Ezeli both bring championship pedigree to a Lakers team looking to get back to the postseason and get deep into the playoffs. It's been a long, long drought in Lakerland.

The most pressing question with this roster is about Julius Randle. Randle is due for a contract extension, but hasn't exactly been the next great Lakers big man: averaging only 12.4 PPG, with 6.7 RPG and 4.2 APG, Randle's stats don't jump out but he's a very well rounded post player -- something the Lakers don't have without him. Depending on his asking price, Randle could easily be in the Lakers future ... but, on the horizon, looms DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins will be a free agent at the end of the year and hasn't exactly liked his time in Boston -- he's seen little success and the Celtics seem to be stuck with him there.

If Boogie becomes available, the Lakers will give chase -- they've coveted him for years and Randle, along with Whiteside, are expendable where Cousins is involved. If the Lakers think they have a shot at him, they will trade for him and sign him to a long-term extension without a second's notice.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2017-18 Preview

October 20th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



The Pacers missed the playoffs last season and, once again, didn't finish with at least a .500 record. Frank Vogel, a Bird favorite, is feeling his seat warm a bit this year, but the front office has given Vogel a legitimate second star for Paul George.

Derrick Rose. Rose, upon being let go by the Bulls, was crushed according to multiple reports -- but he was far from done. Rededicating himself to training and conditioning in the offseason, Rose worked out for a few teams, but locked on to the Pacers. He wanted to play in the division, he wanted to make the Bulls regret their decision, and he wanted to play with Paul George.

George and Rose share a little known relationship -- after George went down with his own gruesome injury a few years back, Rose reached out to him and helped the young player cope in the rough, early days. Both players maintained that relationship and both players are now teammates with a singular focus: bring down the Bulls, bring down the Cavs, and win a title.

To bring in Rose, the Pacers let go of George Hill and then made a trade for Jae Crowder (sending the Celtics CJ Miles, an expiring contract). The Pacers team is loaded, with Rose, Ellis, George, Favors, and young Myles Turner. Indiana has high hopes this year and will not accept another missed postseason.

The lingering question is one Chicago asked often: will Derrick Rose hold up? Rose, for all his woes, has had two straight injury free years, playing in all 82 games both seasons and in all postseason contests. Team doctors with the Pacers gave him a clean bill of health, singing his praises with how well he had taken care of himself. Rose isn't the MVP player he once was, but he's still very, very good.

If the Pacers are to succeed, Rose's play will be a driving force. If Rose gets injured again, the Pacers will be the team that gave $17M a year to the modern day Penny Hardaway.

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2017-18 Preview

October 20th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



The Timberwolves just barely missed out on the postseason due to the injury to Karl Anthony-Towns. Despite him missing the majority of the year, the Wolves nearly got to the playoffs. This season, they're looking to finally capitalize on all the talent they have at their disposal.

The offseason saw them do little in free agency, but many of their younger pieces -- Zach Lavine, Tyrus Jones -- now look ready to step into big minutes. Lavine, in particular, is ascending into the starting role at the two, putting Wiggins back at his preferred spot at the three.

Shabazz Muhammad, however, finds himself on the bench and isn't pleased by it. Shabazz went into free agency, rejecting the Wolves initial contract offer, than had an offer from the Blazers matched by the Wolves. Forced to return to Minnesota, Muhammad now finds himself as the designated sixth man. Right now, he's saying all the right things, but the situation has a chance to turn ugly.

And that brings us to our question: are the Wolves, as currently constructed, ready to be a playoff team? Muhammad and Lavine both share a similar weakness -- defense. Whereas Rubio, Wiggins, Dieng, and KAT are all at least average on that end, Lavine and Muhammad frequently fall asleep there.

If the Wolves are to succeed, they'll need at least one of the two to play defense -- the Wolves would probably prefer it to be Muhammad, since he's locked into a reasonable contract for three years. Lavine is scheduled to be a restricted free agent at the end of the year and the Wolves may not be able to afford matching an offer for him since Wiggins is also up for an extension.

Depending on how the season goes, its conceivable that Lavine, Muhammad, and Pekovic (on an expiring deal worth $11M) may all be traded by the deadline.

[JazzMan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Wow, those Pacers look like serious contenders. Have to figure they'll opt to start Crowder at the two and have Ellis come off the bench, right?

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

NBA 2017-18 Preview

October 20th, 2017

By Vonny Lee



The Suns are done with the two-point guard experiment. As dictated by ownership, the team is heading into a direction more traditional. They moved away from Morris and Knight, and have firmly handed the keys to the team over to Eric Bledsoe.

That may be a good thing. With Bledsoe now the sole backcourt ball-handler, the Suns promoted Devon Booker to a starter, plugging him next to Tobias Harris, Tyson Chandler, and rookie big man Ivan Rabb. Surprisingly, Phoenix is playing Rabb and they plan to play him starter minutes.

TJ Warren isn't thrilled by that, as he's been benched in favor of Harris and has become the designated sixth-man.

The Suns are in a state of transition, but are desperate to unload Tyson Chandler -- the problem with that is that Chandler has two more years on his deal and hasn't exactly been super-durable in his time on the Suns.

With the way the front office is acting, the question is simple: is anyone on this team safe? Bledsoe has two years left on his deal and is very prolific, if inefficient. Then there's Harris and Chandler, as well as Len. The only players the Suns seem unwilling to move is Rabb and Booker, two young studs. Anyone else is gettable and, depending on how the Suns fair, could be had sooner rather than later.

[DevSwerve]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

I hate that Suns team [emoji35]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[trekfan]

Re: Second Coming: A SuperSonics Return

Wow, those Pacers look like serious contenders. Have to figure they'll opt to start Crowder at the two and have Ellis come off the bench, right?

A definite consideration. Ellis is ball dominant, so if he hogs the rock, the Pacers will likely play him as a sixth man and put Crowder (an above average player at multiple positions) as the starting two, letting him spot up around Rose/George. In his defense, though, he's shooting far less with the Pacers than he was with the Mavs -- about 300 shots less per year. And his percentages from the field are between 46 and 47 in his two seasons there, so he's getting more efficient, actually. We'll see if that holds with Rose (and not George Hill) at the point.