From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

[RMJH4]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Excitement level gone through the roof now after that chapter! Lets hope Blake and Omar can stay on the same page now that the air is cleared... I knew you'd make Seattle relevant, great idea with Durant, and I wouldn't doubt that actually happening! Lets hope you get the early Cleveland JR! Read George Karls book lately, lets hope he doesnt upset the team too much, he doesnt have a K Mart to goof off with hopefully!

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Durant back to where it all started, wow.

Yep, it was a tough call but after the Warriors lost to OKC in the WCF and then OKC dominated the Celtics ... well, Durant got out while the going was good. On the plus side, the Warriors have some breathing room and will be mercifully out of the luxury tax for this upcoming season (just barely). But, they still need to decide what to do with Draymond and I think the Warriors brass is tired of getting taxed to hell and back so .... Draymond might be a free agent next summer.

Excitement level gone through the roof now after that chapter! Lets hope Blake and Omar can stay on the same page now that the air is cleared... I knew you'd make Seattle relevant, great idea with Durant, and I wouldn't doubt that actually happening! Lets hope you get the early Cleveland JR! Read George Karls book lately, lets hope he doesnt upset the team too much, he doesnt have a K Mart to goof off with hopefully!

Yeah, I really like Blake and Omar as a combo -- I'm hoping Blake will stay long-term and slide down to the five as a full-time small-ball center when Ham is ready to start (and he's close). It's gonna be interesting to see how the team dynamics go -- JR Smith is a cheap flyer, plain and simple, his shooting is great even now and I needed the extra shooter. I doubt he's more than a one-year rental, but if we perform well with him maybe he'll stick around.

[georgiafan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

nice move getting Blake and he will a great 2nd option and makes sense IRL as his contract could be ugly down the line.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

nice move getting Blake and he will a great 2nd option and makes sense IRL as his contract could be ugly down the line.

He makes 38M in his final year -- I'm desperately hoping he'll sign an extension that's much cheaper in next season, but we'll see if I can convince him. That figure is not a pleasant one.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Team Preview: SuperSonics

By Sam Gray

The SuperSonics are back in the NBA for the first time since the 2007-2008 season, Kevin Durant’s rookie year — and it is Kevin Durant where the Sonics focused all their attention this free agency. Durant was target number one and, with the Warriors loss to the Thunder in the WCF, Durant felt now was the time to move on and start the next — and possibly final — phase of his career as Seattle’s savior.

The roster is not pretty in year one of the Sonics rebirth; part of the reason the owners approved two new expansion teams is so the rest of the NBA could get out from some terrible contracts given during the summer of 2016. Durant is one of the few players with more than a year remaining on his contract and, according to sources, Seattle plans to give him a lot of input on who they pursue next summer.

The goal of the SuperSonics is simple: Compete every night, enjoy being back in the NBA, and lay the groundwork for a major makeover next summer.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Team Preview: Aces

By Sam Gray

The Las Vegas Aces take the mantle of the former WNBA Aces (who were moved a year ago San Diego) and part of a renewed interest in Vegas as a sports town. With gambling now more involved with the pro-sports teams around the nation, Vegas’ status as a hub of sports betting has only increased and the town continues to be hugely popular with officials and players alike.

Unfortunately for Las Vegas, there is no Kevin Durant for this franchise … at least yet. Vegas went out and signed Spence Dinwiddie (formerly of the Nets) to be their starter at the one, brought in Tyler Zeller at center, and have some interesting prospects in Ivan Rabb, Harry Giles, and rookie SG Titov … but there’s no guarantee any of those players hit.

Vegas’ objective is straightforward — be as decent as they can be but prepare to spend this summer and next, as well as accumulate assets at the deadline. Without a Kevin Durant on their roster, the need for Vegas to win right away isn’t there and in the brutal West (especially the Pacific division), Vegas is a good bet to finish with one of the worst records in the NBA.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Team Preview: 76ers

By Sam Gray

The 76ers had a tougher time last season than many expected as they got in as the sixth seed and proceeded to go seven games with the Cavs, with the Bucks, and then the Celtics — where they finally lost in a Game 7 that will haunt Markelle Fultz, who only finished with five points and six dimes. Philly went home without a title and now have questions.

During the summer the 76ers mostly stood pat, bringing back JJ Redick and trading for Andrew Harrison — and Philly might move on from Fultz if the right deal presents itself. Fultz had a worse year than the year before last season, finishing with 9.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 6.2 APG on good percentages (53% and 34% respectively from the field) but has no free throw shot to speak of — only 54% from the line, a truly horrible number for a guard. With contract extensions for both Simmons and Saric coming up, Philly will need to decide if Fultz fits in with their future.

The goal for the 76ers remains as it was last season; a title or bust. Philly will have extra help this year as SF Darnell Howard (4th overall in 2018) looks ready to be a major rotation piece and, perhaps, that will be the push they need to get back to the Finals and bring home the title.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Team Preview: Bucks

By Sam Gray

The Bucks fell short of getting to the ECF by one game as, in a crucial Game 7, they lost by a mere five points. It was the the furthest the Bucks had gotten in the playoffs in ages and, with contracts expiring for Brogdon, Bledsoe, and Middelton, someone was getting paid and someone was getting let go.

The Bucks brought back Bledsoe (whom they traded a first round pick for a few years ago) and Middleton, letting Brogdon walk. The Greek Freak remains the center of Milwaukee’s universe (rightfully so) and was pleased with the moves. But the Bucks need to see progress this year — an ECF berth must be the minimum they accept — as they’re in the luxury tax for the second year in a row. They might trade away a player or two at the deadline to avoid a second year of payments, but the line between being competitive and being fiscally responsible is very thin when a superstar player like Antetokounmpo is involved.

Milwaukee has set its sights on an ECF berth this season as their goal and, if things break the right way, a title if they can come out of the East. Anything less will lead to major changes in the Greek Freak’s final season under his current contract next summer.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Team Preview: Bulls

By Sam Gray

The Bulls were one of the worst teams in the NBA last season, due in no small part to the development of their youth and the presence of veterans with skillsets that didn’t help a growing team. Injuries to the 3rd overall pick, SF Victor Mack (who was averaging 12 PPG, 4.3 RPG on 49% shooting and 37% from deep) put a damper on the season, but Mack’s back.

Over the summer the Bulls front office brought back Bobby Portis to play at center, brought in Ike Anigbogu to play as a backup big, and drafted rookie Donell Carney as a PG, 7th overall. Carney will be competing with Grant for the backup PG spot and the Bulls believe he’s a future starter — Kris Dunn may be on his way out as the former 5th overall pick had a down year and doesn’t appear to be the fit Chicago wants at that spot.

Chicago’s objective for this year: win enough games to get into the playoffs, rewarding the fans wait. If Chicago is out of the playoff race by the trade deadline, expect the Bulls to move on from Kris Dunn and entertain trade offers on Denzel Valentine, another lottery pick who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Team Preview: Cavs

By Sam Gray

The Cavs without LeBron James wasn’t as horrible as many thought — Cleveland impressed in the regular season, finishing with nearly 50 wins and getting into the playoffs as the third seed. But it was there where the Cavs fell apart, undone again in the first round after being up 3-1 against the 76ers — it was a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that has struggled to define itself outside of LeBron.

During the summer, Cleveland left Tristan Thompson exposed in the expansion draft and happily watched him leave, then renounced George Hill; they replaced those two with Terry Rozier (a younger, better player by stats) and Dwight Howard (who continues to perform well relative to low expectations). Howard is a regular double-double machine at this stage of his career but lives off defense and rebounds, a perfect partner for Love. Rozier is the type of young player the Cavs need to hit on in order to maintain competitiveness in a tougher East.

Cleveland’s goal this season is to get past the first round, something they haven’t been able to do since LeBron was there, and to avoid the 76ers in the playoffs at all costs.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Team Preview: Celtics

By Sam Gray

The Celtics set out to beat the 76ers in the ECF and they did that, the series going a grueling seven games — but that series sapped them and the OKC Thunder took advantage of it, creaming Boston in the Finals 4-1 and sending the Celtics home in a way that left a bad taste in the organization’s mouth.

Over the summer, Boston made the decision to cut bait with Gordon Hayward, who struggled mightily in the playoffs (barely averaging over 14 PPG) and was a ghost in the Finals; Hayward’s gruesome injury he suffered at the start of 2017-18 is technically behind him, but many believe it was this injury that rendered him so ineffective in the postseason. Whatever the case, Hayward was traded back to the Jazz and Boston is fully committed to Irving leading this era of Celtics; flanked by Tatum and Brown, along with Al Horford (on a much more cap-friendly contract), the Celtics are out of the luxury tax and have a deep bench featuring Ingles, Rivers, and Morris.

Without Hayward blocking the way for Tatum, many expect Boston to be better than last year’s version and the Celtics are playing for a title, or bust; winning a championship would greatly improve their odds of retaining Irving in the summer of 2022 as Kyrie craves being the alpha dog of a title winning team.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Team Preview: Clippers

By Sam Gray

The Clippers were bad last season and can no longer afford to be that bad as they owe Boston their first round pick; with that in mind, the Clippers brought back Tobias Harris on a big contract and opted to pick up the option on Avery Bradley. Los Angeles plans to compete this season and with Harris playing his more natural position as an SF, the Clippers believe they’ll get bigger production out of him.

Over the summer LA brought in TJ McConnell, formerly of the 76ers, to be their starter and signed Brandon Wright as their veteran big off the bench; with improvement from Osman, Harrell, and Ellenson, the Clippers believe they’ll have one of the best young cores in the NBA if all those players meet expectations.

The goal for them is to make the playoffs or, at least, finish about .500, showing signs of progress for a franchise that has never been good at developing their own stars.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Team Preview: Grizzlies
By Sam Gray







The Grizzlies were awful last season, expectedly so, and got the lucky ticket out of the West thanks to the to additions of the expansion teams; that ticket apparently emboldened Memphis ownership to not just run it back, but to reload in a big way for a playoff run.



During the summer Memphis watched Marc Gasol opt in to his final year with a directive to build him a winner and the Grizzlies went out to do that. They traded for CJ McCollum, brought back Pau Gasol to play the four (putting out a starting frontcourt of Gasol brothers), and brought in veterans like Glenn Robinson III and Jared Sullinger to reinforce the bench.



The goal for the Grizzlies is be a playoff team in what could be the final year of Pau Gasol’s career, the final year Marc Gasol is on the team, and the final year Mike Conley suits up for them; this could be the end of the Grizzlies as we know them but Memphis is betting that McCollum, giving the green light to shoot to his heart’s content, will give the Grizzlies the high-octane offense they need to keep up in the modern NBA.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Team Preview: Hawks

By Sam Gray

The Hawks performed better than many expected last season as the addition of Julius Randle (who averaged career highs of 15.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 3.1 APG on 55% from the field) and Brad Reynolds (21.1 PPG. 4.3 APG on 47% shooting and 40% from deep) vaulted the Hawks from awfulness to near-playoff team in just a year.

During the summer the Hawks traded up for Wil Willis (2nd overall, 2019), brought back Faried, and added former Spur David Bertrans as a stretch-five to augment their bench. The Hawks are confident the improvement of their young players and the return of key veterans will get them back into the postseason.

The Hawks goal this year will be to make the playoffs and continue to see improvement from Reynolds, Collins, and Randle — along with Willis and Lydon, the former a player Atlanta is very high on. Expect the Hawks to entertain trade offers for Prince if Lydon and Willis exceed expectations as Atlanta would rather play them more than pay Prince big money on a contract extension.

[trekfan]

Re: From the Ashes: A Phoenix Tale

Team Preview: Heat

By Sam Gray

The Miami Heat somehow made the playoffs last season, thwarting their effort to tank hard for a high draft pick — instead, they nearly won a series against the Raptors and had to make a hard decision on whether or not to bring back Carmelo Anthony, who had a resurgence with the team.

During the summer, the Heat passed on Melo and instead signed Paul Millsap as their veteran reclamation project. They added Vucevic, brought back Winslow, and got Olynyk and Johnson to take discounts on contract renegotiations (as neither player wanted to move their families in a likely trade).

The Heat are trying to be competitive this year and have set themselves up to be a major player in the summer of 2021, when both Anthony Davis and the Greek Freak are free agents; Miami has control of their pick this season but not in 2021, so if they Heat can at least build a playoff contender, they’ll avoid giving away a high-lottery pick in 2021 while showing prospective free agents that they’re serious about winning.