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Post by jojo on Apr 19, 2024 10:57:48 GMT -6
Saw that Micah was saying they were holding back what they running in the last game to keep their strategies under wraps for the playoffs. They’ve had a whole week to prepare and that includes drilling KAT on what he needs to do on both sides of the ball. Somewhat optimistic it could work out well.
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Post by darko on Apr 19, 2024 11:54:05 GMT -6
I saw that too. Fortunately we put out years of tape where we had little to no offense, so good luck Phoenix!
Finch is playing 4-D chess, we're all play Mouse Trap.
I do think we'll see more than we show most nights in the regular season. I guess my thing is, how much does that matter in a seven game series. You do need to be able to mix it up, but for the most part there's a menu of options you're choosing from. It's not like we're reinventing sports.
Seems like that would work best in single game playoffs, college or euro, but I certainly expect more than what we've shown, and cannot wait to see what this team really locked in for playoffs can do here.
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Post by kingsxman on Apr 19, 2024 14:51:56 GMT -6
Saw that Micah was saying they were holding back what they running in the last game to keep their strategies under wraps for the playoffs. They’ve had a whole week to prepare and that includes drilling KAT on what he needs to do on both sides of the ball. Somewhat optimistic it could work out well. Honestly, I dont believe that. They had a chance to get the #1 overall seed. If they didnt go all out to beat Phx, thats coaching malpractice.
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Post by darko on Apr 19, 2024 15:24:46 GMT -6
Sounds like Jordi Fernandez is off the board (heading to the Nets) this off-season.
I wonder if Micah gets a shot anywhere?
Joe Mazz versus CF is the chess match finals America deserves.
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Post by darko on Apr 22, 2024 9:46:41 GMT -6
Narrative Wars update:
The idea of who has more pressure this playoffs isn't real. I mean, teams change mostly as contracts go, and sure it can shape how you pivot, but it's true of all teams every year, in or out of the playoffs.
The framing of pressure for Cavs, and Bucks is no different than Suns, Beantown, Philly. I do think a big part of HTB's campaign against Dame is really more related to his role as mayor of the Save Our Steph Committee. But why the hell would Giannis want to go play with the Golden Years Warriors? If he does anything he should go play with Trey, or Luka. But if you're a solid three and d wing guy, why wouldn't you go play with Giannis and Dame?
It's helpful to look at this not connected to Wolves, and see how they constantly work perception of smaller markets (market manipulation) like Chicago, Mil, and Cavs mostly on behalf of C's, Steph, and Daryl.
You hear it when they completely dismiss injuries as the key factor in any post season, until it's GS, or Philly. Or if Derrick White gets hurt all they would talk about is how he's the most important player on that team.
If we're talking pressure, the most disastrous team if they don't make the ECF is without question Boston.
Suns are far and away the most screwed "all-in-teams."
And Philly is going to try to add a third guy this off-season, but who's going to gamble their career on Embiid staying healthy for a playoff run? Daryl should be losing picks this off-season. It'd be great to see both him and the process end together.
I would consider banishing him from the United States.
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Post by XRaySpecs on Apr 23, 2024 7:20:44 GMT -6
Philly vs. NYK and LAL vs. Denver were pretty great games last night.
Denver is such a machine and they have the Lakers number. I think they've won 10 straight vs. LAL.
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Post by Nick K on Apr 23, 2024 11:21:56 GMT -6
Philly vs. NYK and LAL vs. Denver were pretty great games last night. Denver is such a machine and they have the Lakers number. I think they've won 10 straight vs. LAL. Denver was down all night but I had this funny feeling they'd come back. The Lakers just couldn't put them away. Now late in the 4th Denver is down by 4 and you just knew they'd win.
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Post by kingsxman on Apr 23, 2024 11:51:12 GMT -6
Haha. The Lakers lost and apparently Lebron is going off about unfair officiating. You cant make it up. I think what he really means is that someone in stripes wasnt doing their job because Denver actually had more free throw attempts than the Lakers last night. 17 to 13. That usually is not the case.
Its SOOOO good for Lebron to get a taste of his own medicine sometimes.
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Post by darko on Apr 23, 2024 12:18:08 GMT -6
Lakers gave their best shot last night, tough one for them to lose.
If LeBron could play point like he once could back in the day for most of the game they'd be fine, but just not something anyone should expect here.
One of the tricky things with the Lakers during the Westbrook run is how they built teams for LeBron in the past, suddenly became much harder for that reason. Really they needed a Westbrook to get downhill, just not in those stretches where LeBron's at the helm which ideally you'd probably save to close.
Last year they relieved a lot of pressure by creating sets that allowed him to play more as a point four, which was effective, but they are still lacking a true initiator that can take some of that pressure of LeBron. I think LeBron, AD, Reeves is a decent enough trio to close, if they can surround with Rui, and a decent length three and d guy.
D-Lo on his salary as that stretch two is a great role for him. He's probably a fan favorite if he's a sixth man heat check dude on that. Tough if he's one of your primary cogs.
I would be shocked if they couldn't win A GAME but that's a tough one to lose if you almost steal one on the road. Reminds me of that last Cavs Warriors run where it's like they almost pulled of one of those first games.
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Post by levine on Apr 23, 2024 12:44:38 GMT -6
They lost because they ignored AD.
He was destroying Denver through 3 quarters. But he touched the ball like twice in the final 10 minutes.
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Post by tmill720 on Apr 23, 2024 13:14:23 GMT -6
Orlando looks like a team that could really use some rebounding and 3-point shooting. Paolo is awesome and Wagner is intriguing but they really need to revamp the roster in the offseason. Interesting that they could have ~$50 million in cap space this summer if they renounce Fultz, Harris, Okeke, Ingles, and Mo Wagner. They could also use that Jonathan Isaac partially guaranteed salary in a trade. Suggs could be expendable too with Anthony Black waiting in the wings. Hmm, if only there was an All-Star 3 pt shooting big man to space the floor for Paolo and to help defend/rebound against Embiid, Allen, etc. Hmm..... You think they'd want Vucevic back?
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Post by quinn on Apr 23, 2024 14:54:14 GMT -6
Orlando looks like a team that could really use some rebounding and 3-point shooting. Paolo is awesome and Wagner is intriguing but they really need to revamp the roster in the offseason. Interesting that they could have ~$50 million in cap space this summer if they renounce Fultz, Harris, Okeke, Ingles, and Mo Wagner. They could also use that Jonathan Isaac partially guaranteed salary in a trade. Suggs could be expendable too with Anthony Black waiting in the wings. Hmm, if only there was an All-Star 3 pt shooting big man to space the floor for Paolo and to help defend/rebound against Embiid, Allen, etc. Hmm..... You think they'd want Vucevic back? I think more than anything, they need some efficient scorers. For as good as Banchero is, he really hasn't become an efficient #1 yet. Orlando has a bunch of great role players who are combining to play well enough to get them to the playoffs. What they need is that go to bucket getter. KAT would absolutely make sense for them. I think you'll see Orlando put a premium on scoring, and potentially scoring guards come the offseason.
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Post by levine on Apr 23, 2024 15:00:44 GMT -6
Orlando looks like a team that could really use some rebounding and 3-point shooting. Paolo is awesome and Wagner is intriguing but they really need to revamp the roster in the offseason. Interesting that they could have ~$50 million in cap space this summer if they renounce Fultz, Harris, Okeke, Ingles, and Mo Wagner. They could also use that Jonathan Isaac partially guaranteed salary in a trade. Suggs could be expendable too with Anthony Black waiting in the wings. Hmm, if only there was an All-Star 3 pt shooting big man to space the floor for Paolo and to help defend/rebound against Embiid, Allen, etc. Hmm..... You think they'd want Vucevic back? I think more than anything, they need some efficient scorers. For as good as Banchero is, he really hasn't become an efficient #1 yet. Orlando has a bunch of great role players who are combining to play well enough to get them to the playoffs. What they need is that go to bucket getter. KAT would absolutely make sense for them. I think you'll see Orlando put a premium on scoring, and potentially scoring guards come the offseason. They're a weirdly constructed team on offense. They don't really have any volume guys, but the two guys they have that shoot the most (Paolo and Franz) are not good 3pt shooters. And they have starting guards that shoot the ball shockingly well, but don't shoot much at all. They're 30th in FGA, 29th in 3PA, but 1st in FTA.
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Post by kingsxman on Apr 23, 2024 20:48:32 GMT -6
Orlando looks like a team that could really use some rebounding and 3-point shooting. Paolo is awesome and Wagner is intriguing but they really need to revamp the roster in the offseason. Interesting that they could have ~$50 million in cap space this summer if they renounce Fultz, Harris, Okeke, Ingles, and Mo Wagner. They could also use that Jonathan Isaac partially guaranteed salary in a trade. Suggs could be expendable too with Anthony Black waiting in the wings. Hmm, if only there was an All-Star 3 pt shooting big man to space the floor for Paolo and to help defend/rebound against Embiid, Allen, etc. Hmm..... You think they'd want Vucevic back? Towns for Wagner. Who says no? I'm ready to move on.
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Post by tmill720 on Apr 24, 2024 9:44:24 GMT -6
Orlando looks like a team that could really use some rebounding and 3-point shooting. Paolo is awesome and Wagner is intriguing but they really need to revamp the roster in the offseason. Interesting that they could have ~$50 million in cap space this summer if they renounce Fultz, Harris, Okeke, Ingles, and Mo Wagner. They could also use that Jonathan Isaac partially guaranteed salary in a trade. Suggs could be expendable too with Anthony Black waiting in the wings. Hmm, if only there was an All-Star 3 pt shooting big man to space the floor for Paolo and to help defend/rebound against Embiid, Allen, etc. Hmm..... You think they'd want Vucevic back? Towns for Wagner. Who says no? I'm ready to move on. Orlando would. I think they'd much rather throw picks and depth, similar to what we did with McDaniels in the Gobert trade. Plus I think KAT is valued less than Gobert, and McDaniels was valued less than Wagner is now, IMO. Plus, I'm just salivating thinking about our defense with Suggs and Isaac in our rotation. Naz would then be the only guy that's not an A++ defender. That's insane!
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Post by darko on Apr 24, 2024 9:51:49 GMT -6
Anthony Black for NR straight up works.
I'm curious if Wagner could look more like Markkanen next to Ant, and Gob. I rarely watch Orlando, but when I have seems like the officiating change would impact they way they've been initiating O last few regular seasons, which might also explain his dip in 3 point percentage.
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Post by tmill720 on Apr 24, 2024 10:05:22 GMT -6
Anthony Black for NR straight up works. I'm curious if Wagner could look more like Markkanen next to Ant, and Gob. I rarely watch Orlando, but when I have seems like the officiating change would impact they way they've been initiating O last few regular seasons, which might also explain his dip in 3 point percentage. True, but that doesn't give us any cost savings AND I don't think it helps us out IMO. If we are going to have to get under the super luxury tax, Orlando is a spot that I'd look to. If our ownership situation gives us the green light on being a super-tax team, then I'd say keep it as is with Towns unless we can turn KAT's $50 million into bigger improvements elsewhere. Naz's salary doesn't really offer much for us to upgrade with.
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Post by Bonecrusher on Apr 24, 2024 12:09:09 GMT -6
Anthony Black for NR straight up works. I'm curious if Wagner could look more like Markkanen next to Ant, and Gob. I rarely watch Orlando, but when I have seems like the officiating change would impact they way they've been initiating O last few regular seasons, which might also explain his dip in 3 point percentage. Not trading Naz unless its something stellar we are getting back.
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Post by levine on Apr 24, 2024 12:17:56 GMT -6
Anthony Black for NR straight up works. I'm curious if Wagner could look more like Markkanen next to Ant, and Gob. I rarely watch Orlando, but when I have seems like the officiating change would impact they way they've been initiating O last few regular seasons, which might also explain his dip in 3 point percentage. Not trading Naz unless its something stellar we are getting back. He's been trying to trade Naz (and McDaniels) for years...
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Post by darko on Apr 24, 2024 13:19:49 GMT -6
I'd trade anyone if I could get my hands on that new marble counter top in men's lounge.
Trading Kat, McD, and NR are probably what we're looking at, but if we have a great finish, who knows maybe they eat second apron a year.
To me Naz still is the easiest, and then looking at who's on deck behind him (Leo Miller Time!), maybe bring Kyle and Warren back cheap, but there are also deals I'd move Kat on. I just like what I've seen with Kat out there, that he can give the team versus Naz. But open to whatever.
The only pragmatic approach is to look at each deal's return and go from there. To me another playmaker makes sense, and ideally it's on their first or second contract, versus say what Donovan Mitchell might be looking for.
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Post by darko on Apr 24, 2024 13:21:51 GMT -6
Caught part of NBA radio, and hilarious to hear how befuddled they are by officiating. I get it, was basically never ever mentioned by those covering the league, and was exclusively described is the leagues just so talented now, every guard can average 20 a game.
It would be a shock to like Book though, and guys who have most benefited from the zero defense allowed steroid era.
One fan specifically mentioned Brunson, how d was grabbing and holding him prior to getting the ball. That's FOM. That and now if you're body is there on d, you can actually cut drives off.
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Post by darko on Apr 24, 2024 13:26:40 GMT -6
Maybe Joe Pampliano can do an investigative deep dive on how that Naz beach towel went viral.
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Post by tmill720 on Apr 24, 2024 13:30:05 GMT -6
I'd trade anyone if I could get my hands on that new marble counter top in men's lounge. Trading Kat, McD, and NR are probably what we're looking at, but if we have a great finish, who knows maybe they eat second apron a year.
To me Naz still is the easiest, and then looking at who's on deck behind him (Leo Miller Time!), maybe bring Kyle back cheap, but there are also deals I'd move Kat on. I just like what I've seen with Kat out there, that he can give the team versus Naz. But open to whatever. The only pragmatic approach is to look at each deal's return and go from there. To me another playmaker makes sense, and ideally it's on their first or second contract, versus say what Donovan Mitchell might be looking for. If they're fine with the second apron, they're going to keep everyone. If they're not fine with the second apron and need to cut cost, we aren't going to get anyone back for Naz or Jaden, it'll just be picks. Their salaries aren't enough to dip us below the 2nd apron. And then where are we at, just a worse team next year? And then losing NAW to free agency the year after that since we can't resign him? Trading KAT gives us salary relief to get under the 2nd apron while also allowing us to add players back so that maybe our cumulative talent level stays the same. That's why KAT is the realistic guy.
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Post by darko on Apr 24, 2024 13:32:01 GMT -6
Agree with if they have a deep run they likely keep it together.
Trading Naz for second year guy still on his rookie deal also gets us out from second apron though.
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Post by levine on Apr 24, 2024 14:27:06 GMT -6
I'd trade anyone if I could get my hands on that new marble counter top in men's lounge. Trading Kat, McD, and NR are probably what we're looking at, but if we have a great finish, who knows maybe they eat second apron a year. To me Naz still is the easiest, and then looking at who's on deck behind him (Leo Miller Time!), maybe bring Kyle and Warren back cheap, but there are also deals I'd move Kat on. I just like what I've seen with Kat out there, that he can give the team versus Naz. But open to whatever. The only pragmatic approach is to look at each deal's return and go from there. To me another playmaker makes sense, and ideally it's on their first or second contract, versus say what Donovan Mitchell might be looking for. McDaniels is probably the 2nd most untouchable guy on the roster. I get that you have a...unique...way of valuing players, fortunately it doesn't jive with Tim Connelly.
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