2013-2014 NBA Season

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by cmorioles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EOYSzVLQyc#t=11

This stuff isn't going to help Harden either. He's already been fined this year, and he'll get less and less calls the more he gets caught. Referees don't like being embarrassed.

http://nba.si.com/2013/11/11/james-h...uston-rockets/

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Duvalier

Is DeMarcus Cousins the new Benoit Benjamin? The guy has all the skill and talent in the world but has nothing upstairs and is lazy beyond belief on the court...yet still puts up impressive individual numbers.

If he actually put some effort into his game and tried to help those around him get better, he would absolutely dominate on both ends of the floor and the Kings might actually win a few games...the guy is practically unstoppable when he's engaged. Seems like he has no desire whatsoever to play defense and only cares about getting his points on the offensive end. What's your impressions of him?

You pretty well summed it up.

[Duvalier]

What do you think about the Faried for Shumpert trade rumor? I know you get a lot of energy and effort out of Faried, most of his offense comes from hustle. Haven't really watched the Knicks so not sure how Shumpert has been playing. Looks like it would make some sense in that the Knicks would get help in the frontcourt with Chandler out and the Nuggets already have J.J. Hickson who is pretty much the same type of player as Faried.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Duvalier

What do you think about the Faried for Shumpert trade rumor? I know you get a lot of energy and effort out of Faried, most of his offense comes from hustle. Haven't really watched the Knicks so not sure how Shumpert has been playing. Looks like it would make some sense in that the Knicks would get help in the frontcourt with Chandler out and the Nuggets already have J.J. Hickson who is pretty much the same type of player as Faried.

I like Faried as a player but he really doesnt add what they need. He cant defend bigger post players and struggles with wings as well. He also has no offensive game outside of putbacks and dunks. Shumpert for whatever reason seems to have landed on the trading block despite being the Knicks only above average defensive perimeter player. It isnt going to help the Knicks much IMO especially when Chandler comes back. The Knicks are so poorly managed that you get to assuming that any deal they make is going to be a poor one. Why Dolan looked at this roster and thought championship is beyond me. They are old, slow, dont particularly play smart or hard, cant shoot or rebound. Thankfully Brooklyn isnt playing well either though I can rarely watch since they are blackd out on League pass in South Jersey.

[Duvalier]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

The Knicks are so poorly managed that you get to assuming that any deal they make is going to be a poor one.

Paying Chris Smith and him taking up a roster spot because of who his brother is was pretty bad. Did they really need to do that to keep J.R.? Is it worth it?

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

http://nba.si.com/2013/11/11/james-h...uston-rockets/

Yeah, I posted that link earlier in the thread.

Looks like another stellar defensive effort by the Rockets tonight.

[King Glorious]

Early thoughts. The Nets suck. The Grizzlies suck. The Timberwolves are a very solid team.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Duvalier

Paying Chris Smith and him taking up a roster spot because of who his brother is was pretty bad. Did they really need to do that to keep J.R.? Is it worth it?

It just shows the dysfunction of management. Smith is hardly someone who should be catered to. Of course when the owner is an idiot who thinks the team is a contender despite obvious shortcomings the staff unfortunately has to operate in that manner. Which is why the Knicks will probably never win anything.

[Duvalier]

Originally Posted by arizonadave

I have the Suns at over 23 in Vegas. They are fun to watch.

The Suns really play hard, Hornacek sure has them competing especially on the defensive end. Good luck with your over, you have to be happy watching the effort they give...they don't look like a team content on tanking for draft position.

[Duvalier]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

It just shows the dysfunction of management. Smith is hardly someone who should be catered to. Of course when the owner is an idiot who thinks the team is a contender despite obvious shortcomings the staff unfortunately has to operate in that manner. Which is why the Knicks will probably never win anything.

Looks like Brandon Jennings didn't like the signing either lol. Then again Jennings should worry about his own game and team...the Pistons are playing terrible right now.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/stor...istons-twitter

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Duvalier

Looks like Brandon Jennings didn't like the signing either lol. Then again Jennings should worry about his own game and team...the Pistons are playing terrible right now.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/stor...istons-twitter

Josh Smith = the classic case of subtraction by addition. He is far and away a better player as a stretch 4 who can create a mismatch against bigger defenders with his speed and athleticism and with his size against smaller wing types. However pairing him with Drummond and Monroe who have no wing skills pushes him to the 3 spot where he unleashes his dreadful perimeter shooting game. He is a lifetime 28% shooter on 3pt attempts yet is averaging almost 6 attempts a game this year! He is headed for career low in rebounds and assists and he isnt getting to the line because he suddenly thinks he is Kyle Korver.

[Duvalier]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Josh Smith = the classic case of subtraction by addition. He is far and away a better player as a stretch 4 who can create a mismatch against bigger defenders with his speed and athleticism and with his size against smaller wing types. However pairing him with Drummond and Monroe who have no wing skills pushes him to the 3 spot where he unleashes his dreadful perimeter shooting game. He is a lifetime 28% shooter on 3pt attempts yet is averaging almost 6 attempts a game this year! He is headed for career low in rebounds and assists and he isnt getting to the line because he suddenly thinks he is Kyle Korver.

Yeah you called this happening before the season started. I saw where he already got benched the other night against Golden State...you were spot on with Josh Smith. On another note they haven't won a game since Jennings was inserted into the starting lineup. Not sure Maurice Cheeks is the right guy, but I still think the Pistons will be OK.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Duvalier

Yeah you called this happening before the season started. I saw where he already got benched the other night against Golden State...you were spot on with Josh Smith. On another note they haven't won a game since Jennings was inserted into the starting lineup. Not sure Maurice Cheeks is the right guy, but I still think the Pistons will be OK.

Hard to judge a coach when he is handed a team like this. Shoot first PG, loose cannon as a big FA signing, not extending Monroes contract...

Dumars has made a bunch of questionable signings the last 5 years though he has drafted pretty well. Just trying to figure out who they want to be.

Starting in
2008-2009
Drafted Chase Budinger (Decent NBA starter when healthy) in 2nd rd and traded him for 2nd rd pick
Traded Amir Johnson (pretty good NBA starter) for a bum
Signed Ben Gordon (6th man/scorer type) for 5 years/50 million
Signed Charlie Villanueva (NBA bench player)

2009-2010
Traded Aaron Afflalo (solid NBA starter-averaging 21 pts a game this year) for 2nd rd pick
Drafted Monroe (Good NBA starter)

2010-2011
Drafted Brandon Knight (solid young NBA starter)

2011-2012
Waived Richard Hamilton after refusing to trade him for 2 years.
Traded Ben Gordon AND 1st round pick to Charlotte for way over the hill Corey Maggette

Drafted Andre Drummond (potential star player)

2012-2013
Traded Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye for 1/2 season rental of Jose Calderon.
Drafted K Pope


2013-2014
Signed Josh Smith to 4 year 54 million dollar deal.
Traded Knight and spare parts for Brandon Jennings.

So they could have a team of
PG Brandon Knight
Wing-Aaron Afflalo
Wing Chase Buddinger
PF Greg Monroe
C- Andre Drummond
Rotation player Amir Johnson
Rotation player K Pope

With just players drafted and have a TON of cap space to make moves. They right now are 3 million over the cap and dont have any real chance at getting help.

[Duvalier]

Some really questionable moves and decisions made by Dumars when you spell it out like that...jeez. But yeah you have to give him and his scouts credit for the draft selections...been really solid in that area. Cheeks does have Sheed on his staff to lean on.

[Duvalier]

Originally Posted by King Glorious

Early thoughts. The Nets suck. The Grizzlies suck. The Timberwolves are a very solid team.

...and the Blazers are for real.

[Cannon Shell]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...njury/3684687/

This certainly changes things

[Duvalier]

Yeah...that sucked. I really hope it's not serious, but the way it's being reported doesn't look good. You have to feel bad for Rose, all the work he put into his rehab and now this.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Duvalier

Yeah...that sucked. I really hope it's not serious, but the way it's being reported doesn't look good. You have to feel bad for Rose, all the work he put into his rehab and now this.

Yeah it is a bad break for Chicago too. Marc Gasol left game last night but supposedly is only a strain. AI popped his hamstring too. Tough night

[rpncaine]

From twitter...As @KCJHoop first reported, Chicago star Derrick Rose has a torn meniscus and will undergo knee surgery, league source confirms to Yahoo.

Tough break for Chicago as they are not the same without him.

[Duvalier]

Rip City!!!!!