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2015 NBA Thread: I felt a great disturbance in the trolls, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. (2 Viewers)

Yup.  And the list of two way shooting guards as good as or better than Jimmy butler is not (Klay)
I wouldn't disagree that Butler is one of the best 2's in the league, especially as an all around player.  That also speaks a bit to how poor the depth of 2's in league currently is though.

To me as a Wolves fan, it's not about Lavine vs Butler though.  Obviously that's a no brainer.  It's the sum of all parts that are being rumored in what could be a deal for Butler (something like Lavine, Dieng, #5 pick, plus more).  

Lavine - Bag on him all you want, he's a 21 year old that came into the league two years ago as an extremely raw player (started just one game at UCLA).  In just his 2nd year in the league, he improved drastically and finished the year averaging 14/3/3 on 45/39/80 shooting with admittedly too many turnovers.  He's not a PG, and God bless the Wolves for finally figuring that out after this rookie season.  I would agree with a previous poster that he lacks awareness and I think that's one aspect where he will always be a bit deficient.  Doubtful he's ever considered a top five 2-guard, but the talent and drive seems to be there to continue to develop.  Currently, again at age 21, he's instant offense off the bench and at minimum a valuable rotation player with the potential to develop into much more.

Dieng - I've been extremely impressed by the development in Dieng.  Actually one of the most consistent Wolves, and someone with the ability to be a rotation player on a championship caliber team.  Has improved quite a bit in three years, though he's at his upside IMO.  Averaged 10/7/2 on 54/83 shooting last year.  His ability to hit 18 footers is key in today's game.  Not someone I'd lose sleep over if they parted with, but also not an immaterial piece IMO.

#5 Pick - I don't remember the last draft where I felt a pick in this range was going to mesh perfectly with a team's needs as much as I do about the Wolves at #5 this year.  Hield and Murray are two of the best shooters to come out in the past few draft classes IMO, and shooters (along with defenders though Tibbs should help in that regard) are the primary thing that this Wolves team needs.  With all the other talent in this draft, I doubt that Murray and Hield both go at picks 3/4 in some order leaving one for the Wolves.  And if they don't go 3 and 4, I think either is the no brainer choice for the Wolves.  Do I think either will develop into the all-around player that Butler is?  I don't.  But either would provide a huge boost being able to knock down 3's playing with a Wolves lineup full of players whom can set up shooters.  Rubio as one of the best setup guards in the league, Towns commanding huge amounts of attention inside and out, and Wiggins as pretty dangerous scorer.  That's a heck of a core, and one I'd love to see Tibbs work with.  Then throw in some key rotation players like Lavine, Dieng, and even Tyus and I think the Wolves are in business if they can just add another contributing piece or two. 

Would I hate it if the Wolves did a deal like the above and were able to roll out Rubio, Butler, Wiggins, KAT, and _______?  No.  But I'm fearful that their extreme lack of depth in that scenario wouldn't be easily filled and would ultimately be their downfall.  On top of that, that's a very poor three point shooting team in today's NBA.

For the record, I'd much rather trade Wiggins plus something immaterial (future pick?) for Butler than I would move Lavine/Dieng/#5 plus potentially more.   

 
I LIKE Lavine. It's just as a rockets fan intend to think that going for a more sure thing over accumulating pieces is the way to vault up.  You have at least one sure fire piece in KAT.  In Wiggins I think there is another. 

Lets say they do nothing and end up with held or Murray - doesn't that imply that Lavine or the pick is going to be a bench unit guy?

 
I LIKE Lavine. It's just as a rockets fan intend to think that going for a more sure thing over accumulating pieces is the way to vault up.  You have at least one sure fire piece in KAT.  In Wiggins I think there is another. 

Lets say they do nothing and end up with held or Murray - doesn't that imply that Lavine or the pick is going to be a bench unit guy?
Yes, most definitely one would come off the bench.  So the latest is Chicago wouldn't move Butler unless Wiggins were part of the deal, but assuming they could get Butler for Lavine/Dieng/#5/future pick, I just think I'd rather roll out:

Rubio, Buddy, Wiggins, KAT, Dieng with Tyus, Lavine, Shabazz, Bjelica, etc off the bench than I would roll out Rubio, Butler, Wiggins, KAT and who?  They have no other 4/5's on the roster that would ever start on a contending team.  So not only do you have a hole in your starting lineup, but you also lose Lavine off the bench as a potential 6th man of the year candidate leaving your bench perilously thin.  On top of that your team still has nobody in its lineup or off the bench that can shoot threes to keep defenses honest and out of the lane. 

Clearly I'm not factoring in other moves that the Wolves could/would make to address those issues.  So if they could acquire Butler as well as adding veteran shooters and big man to fill those holes, then that could work out incredibly well.  In a vacuum though, I sit tight and take my chances with what I've got. 

 
Needs to improve his handle, vision, and basketball IQ as well. 

And court awareness  

But he's close. 
He shot almost 44% from three in the second half last year. The shot is already there. The list of competent 2 guards in the league right now is pretty thin; wouldn't take much for him to vault up the ranks. 

Edit: that's not commentary on a potential Butler deal- I wouldn't hesitate to trade Lavine in a deal for Butler. 

 
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Weird coincidence - I think he's in my hotel. I really thought I saw him but wasn't sure enough to run across the lobby as he got on an elevator lol. I'm right next to the Toyota Center. Hoping I run into him organically lol. 
Following up: he is in the hotel and I ran into him last night. Man that guy A) has an accent and B) is very tall

 
Speaking of 2 guards, Bobby Marks' latest piece lists Fournier as someone who may get a max deal: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/front-office-insider--what-s-a-max-player-143955332.html
Horse feathers!

Actually wouldn't surprise me if somebody offered him the max. 

Orlando currently has Fournier, Oladipo, and future HOF Mario Hezonja at SG. I doubt they let Fournier walk because they have a ton of cap and really won't need to sign anyone else after Durant and Horford sign.

God bless.

 
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With as much money as there could be floating around this offseason, and with teams required to spend at least 90% of the cap (I think that is the rule anyway), it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see him get a max deal.
I remember a post of yours when they traded for Fournier and you said you wouldn't be surprised if he was the real steal of the deal.

I think he lacks elite handle, but the dude has been pretty good. 

Nice call.

 
I remember a post of yours when they traded for Fournier and you said you wouldn't be surprised if he was the real steal of the deal.

I think he lacks elite handle, but the dude has been pretty good. 

Nice call.
Yeah, I was kinda bummed to see him go. He's still 23 years old too. He'll be a nice player for the next decade.

In retrospect, the trade worked out good for both sides. Fournier was a much better fit for Orlando and the Nuggets turned Afflalo into Will Barton and the #19 pick of this years draft.

 
What are MJ's stats when facing elimination in the finals?
He only faced 2 elimination games in the playoffs in his entire career.

Game 7 against the Knicks in 1992 - He went for 42 pts, 6 rbs & 4 asts.

Game 7 against the Pacers in 1998 - He went for 28 pts, 9 rbs & 8 asts.

Average - 35 pts, 7.5 rbs & 6 asts

 
Elimination Game Stats – Michael Jordan: 6 Wins, 7 Losses85’ G3 vs. MIL – 35 PTS, 8 RBS, 7 AST, 4 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TOV, 12/26 FG, 0/1 3P, 11/16 FT85’ G4 vs. MIL – 29 PTS, 7 RBS, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 4 TOV, 6/16 FG, 0/2 3P, 17/20 FT86’ G3 vs. BOS – 19 PTS, 10 RBS, 9 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK 5 TOV, 8/18 FG, 1/1 3P, 2/3 FT87’ G3 vs. BOS – 30 PTS, 11 RBS, 7 AST 2 STL 1 BLK, 2 TOV, 9/30 FG, 0/1 3P, 12/14 FT88’ G5 vs. CLE – 39 PTS, 4 RBS, 6 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 7 TOV, 12/22 FG, 0/0 3P, 15/18 FT88’ G5 vs. DET – 25 PTS, 8 RBS, 8 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TOV, 10/22 FG, 1/2 3P, 4/7 FT89’ G5 vs. CLE – 44 PTS, 9 RBS, 6 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TOV, 17/32 FG, 1/1 3P, 9/13 FT89’ G6 vs. DET – 32 PTS, 4 RBS, 13 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 8 TOV, 13/26 FG, 1/2 3P, 5/12 FT90’ G6 vs. DET – 29 PTS, 10 RBS, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TOV, 11/20 FG, 1/4 3P, 6/6 FT90’ G7 vs. DET – 31 PTS, 8 RBS, 9 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TOV, 13/27 FG, 0/2 3P, 5/5 FT92’ G7 vs. NYK – 42 PTS, 6 RBS, 4 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 5 TOV, 15/29 FG, 0/0 3P, 12/13 FT95’ G6 vs. ORL – 24 PTS, 9 RBS, 7 AST, 4 STL, 4 BLK, 6 TOV, 8/19 FG, 1/2 3P, 7/10 FT98’ G7 vs. IND – 28 PTS, 9 RBS, 8 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TOV, 9/25 FG, 0/0 3P, 10/15 FT

 
Elimination Game Stats – Michael Jordan: 6 Wins, 7 Losses85’ G3 vs. MIL – 35 PTS, 8 RBS, 7 AST, 4 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TOV, 12/26 FG, 0/1 3P, 11/16 FT85’ G4 vs. MIL – 29 PTS, 7 RBS, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 4 TOV, 6/16 FG, 0/2 3P, 17/20 FT86’ G3 vs. BOS – 19 PTS, 10 RBS, 9 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK 5 TOV, 8/18 FG, 1/1 3P, 2/3 FT87’ G3 vs. BOS – 30 PTS, 11 RBS, 7 AST 2 STL 1 BLK, 2 TOV, 9/30 FG, 0/1 3P, 12/14 FT88’ G5 vs. CLE – 39 PTS, 4 RBS, 6 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 7 TOV, 12/22 FG, 0/0 3P, 15/18 FT88’ G5 vs. DET – 25 PTS, 8 RBS, 8 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TOV, 10/22 FG, 1/2 3P, 4/7 FT89’ G5 vs. CLE – 44 PTS, 9 RBS, 6 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TOV, 17/32 FG, 1/1 3P, 9/13 FT89’ G6 vs. DET – 32 PTS, 4 RBS, 13 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 8 TOV, 13/26 FG, 1/2 3P, 5/12 FT90’ G6 vs. DET – 29 PTS, 10 RBS, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TOV, 11/20 FG, 1/4 3P, 6/6 FT90’ G7 vs. DET – 31 PTS, 8 RBS, 9 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TOV, 13/27 FG, 0/2 3P, 5/5 FT92’ G7 vs. NYK – 42 PTS, 6 RBS, 4 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 5 TOV, 15/29 FG, 0/0 3P, 12/13 FT95’ G6 vs. ORL – 24 PTS, 9 RBS, 7 AST, 4 STL, 4 BLK, 6 TOV, 8/19 FG, 1/2 3P, 7/10 FT98’ G7 vs. IND – 28 PTS, 9 RBS, 8 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TOV, 9/25 FG, 0/0 3P, 10/15 FT
So - what are MJ's stats when facing elimination in the finals?

 
Elimination Game Stats – Michael Jordan: 6 Wins, 7 Losses85’ G3 vs. MIL – 35 PTS, 8 RBS, 7 AST, 4 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TOV, 12/26 FG, 0/1 3P, 11/16 FT85’ G4 vs. MIL – 29 PTS, 7 RBS, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 4 TOV, 6/16 FG, 0/2 3P, 17/20 FT86’ G3 vs. BOS – 19 PTS, 10 RBS, 9 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK 5 TOV, 8/18 FG, 1/1 3P, 2/3 FT87’ G3 vs. BOS – 30 PTS, 11 RBS, 7 AST 2 STL 1 BLK, 2 TOV, 9/30 FG, 0/1 3P, 12/14 FT88’ G5 vs. CLE – 39 PTS, 4 RBS, 6 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 7 TOV, 12/22 FG, 0/0 3P, 15/18 FT88’ G5 vs. DET – 25 PTS, 8 RBS, 8 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TOV, 10/22 FG, 1/2 3P, 4/7 FT89’ G5 vs. CLE – 44 PTS, 9 RBS, 6 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TOV, 17/32 FG, 1/1 3P, 9/13 FT89’ G6 vs. DET – 32 PTS, 4 RBS, 13 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 8 TOV, 13/26 FG, 1/2 3P, 5/12 FT90’ G6 vs. DET – 29 PTS, 10 RBS, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TOV, 11/20 FG, 1/4 3P, 6/6 FT90’ G7 vs. DET – 31 PTS, 8 RBS, 9 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TOV, 13/27 FG, 0/2 3P, 5/5 FT92’ G7 vs. NYK – 42 PTS, 6 RBS, 4 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 5 TOV, 15/29 FG, 0/0 3P, 12/13 FT95’ G6 vs. ORL – 24 PTS, 9 RBS, 7 AST, 4 STL, 4 BLK, 6 TOV, 8/19 FG, 1/2 3P, 7/10 FT98’ G7 vs. IND – 28 PTS, 9 RBS, 8 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TOV, 9/25 FG, 0/0 3P, 10/15 FT
If I typed everything in to Excel really fast like, that is averages of 31.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.0 APG.

 
I wonder if there's anything anyone could ever say about LeBron James that wouldn't send up a bat signal to the trolls who need to compare everything to Michael Jordan. 

"Oh, he made a 30 foot buzzer beater to win an ECF game?  Michael Jordan didn't need buzzer beaters to win Conference Finals games!"

"He put up 40-18-9 with his legacy on the line in Game 4 of the 2012 ECF?  Michael Jordan won six rings without even playing in the 2012 ECF!"

"You think that's funny?  Here's a vine of a kid saying 'Michael Jordan' with an even cuter and more drawn-out drawl!"

 
I wonder if there's anything anyone could ever say about LeBron James that wouldn't send up a bat signal to the trolls who need to compare everything to Michael Jordan. 

"Oh, he made a 30 foot buzzer beater to win an ECF game?  Michael Jordan didn't need buzzer beaters to win Conference Finals games!"

"He put up 40-18-9 with his legacy on the line in Game 4 of the 2012 ECF?  Michael Jordan won six rings without even playing in the 2012 ECF!"

"You think that's funny?  Here's a vine of a kid saying 'Michael Jordan' with an even cuter and more drawn-out drawl!"
TommyGunz is to Kobe as Tobias is to Lebron.  It never gets old.

 
I really enjoy watching greatness in any sport.  We've got that right now with Lebron.  But he's not perfect, it's been bumpy at times for him.  So some people love to nit pick him apart.  Personally, I think that is really sad.

 
Prob been mentioned, but if Lebron played in the 80's and 90's, he would've been better than he is now. Nothing taken away from him now, he has been the best player in the NBA for the last 6 or 7 seasons, but he is obviously built for a more physical style of play. 

I also think if Jordan was on the court against him, he would be so in his head, he'd turn him into a pumpkin. 

 
I really enjoy watching greatness in any sport.  We've got that right now with Lebron.  But he's not perfect, it's been bumpy at times for him.  So some people love to nit pick him apart.  Personally, I think that is really sad.
He brought it upon himself :shrug:

It was very smart, he created a buzz that prob translated into a few extra hundred million by doing so. 

 
I wonder if there's anything anyone could ever say about LeBron James that wouldn't send up a bat signal to the trolls who need to compare everything to Michael Jordan. 

"Oh, he made a 30 foot buzzer beater to win an ECF game?  Michael Jordan didn't need buzzer beaters to win Conference Finals games!"

"He put up 40-18-9 with his legacy on the line in Game 4 of the 2012 ECF?  Michael Jordan won six rings without even playing in the 2012 ECF!"

"You think that's funny?  Here's a vine of a kid saying 'Michael Jordan' with an even cuter and more drawn-out drawl!"
There is no reason to compare Lebron to Jordan unless people are debating whether or not Lebron is the GOAT. IMO most people (including me) generally accept that Jordan is the GOAT, so that would trigger the comparison. Otherwise, I agree there is no need.

 
You enjoy picking apart a guy because of a clever nickname that he embraced when he was 17.
I believe he has it tattooed on himself

I believe he still embraces it

I believe his twitter account is "KingJames"

The Chosen One

King James

ETA: I don't like him, prob for this reason. However, I have admitted numerous times he is great, but what he did opened himself up for the criticism. 

 
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I believe he has it tattooed on himself

I believe he still embraces it

I believe his twitter account is "KingJames"

The Chosen One

King James

ETA: I don't like him, prob for this reason. However, I have admitted numerous times he is great, but what he did opened himself up for the criticism. 
So he has an ego and that bothers you.  All of the greatest players in history have big egos, so have you picked all of them apart too?

 
So he has an ego and that bothers you.  All of the greatest players in history have big egos, so have you picked all of them apart too?
I hate Floyd Mayweather...

Sure everyone has an ego, only a small percentage of those with an ego get a crown tattooed on themselves and declare themselves the chosen one. He opened himself up to the scrutiny by doing this, not even really debatable. It has made him a ton of money, but it has also put him more under the microscope than basically any other athlete. 

 
I hate Floyd Mayweather...

Sure everyone has an ego, only a small percentage of those with an ego get a crown tattooed on themselves and declare themselves the chosen one. He opened himself up to the scrutiny by doing this, not even really debatable. It has made him a ton of money, but it has also put him more under the microscope than basically any other athlete. 
no

 
I hate Floyd Mayweather...

Sure everyone has an ego, only a small percentage of those with an ego get a crown tattooed on themselves and declare themselves the chosen one. He opened himself up to the scrutiny by doing this, not even really debatable. It has made him a ton of money, but it has also put him more under the microscope than basically any other athlete. 
No, they exhibit their massive self-confidence in slightly different ways. Steph Curry shows up his opponents more than any great player in memory.  Durant is incredibly prickly with/dismissive of the media so we don't get much from him, although occasionally they do get him on record talking about how he thinks he's the best player in the world. Kobe self-applied a ridiculous nickname in his mid 20s, among many other things.  Shaq has a Superman tattoo.  Kevin Garnett acts like Kevin Garnett all the time. Iverson was "the Answer."  Tim Duncan ... is the exception that proves the rule.

One way or another almost everyone "opens themselves up to scrutiny" if you really feel like scrutinizing. Ego is part of the game. Hating LeBron because of a nickname he's had since he was in high school (even if he chose it, he did it when he was a teenager) is even sillier than hating him because of one terrible PR decision he made six years ago.  JMO of course.

Also, there's much better reasons to hate Floyd Mayweather than his ego.

 
I hate Floyd Mayweather...

Sure everyone has an ego, only a small percentage of those with an ego get a crown tattooed on themselves and declare themselves the chosen one. He opened himself up to the scrutiny by doing this, not even really debatable. It has made him a ton of money, but it has also put him more under the microscope than basically any other athlete. 
Flaming take from the guy posting topless selfies.

 
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He only faced 2 elimination games in the playoffs in his entire career.

Game 7 against the Knicks in 1992 - He went for 42 pts, 6 rbs & 4 asts.

Game 7 against the Pacers in 1998 - He went for 28 pts, 9 rbs & 8 asts.

Average - 35 pts, 7.5 rbs & 6 asts
:confused:

 

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