*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (10 Viewers)

[Gr00vus]

Lakers currently have their tractor beam of glitz/bright lights/Jack Nicholson aimed directly at Chris Kaman. I doubt he escapes.

They could do worse for the money they have to spend.

 

[Gr00vus]

Has Pekovic signed yet?

 

[Abraham]

Has Pekovic signed yet?

Not that I've seen.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Has Pekovic signed yet?

He's a RFA and I'd be surprised if the Wolves didn't match...I suppose someone could go ape#### though and blow them out of the water.

I wonder who signs first between Pek and Bynum?

 

[Kev4029]

Nuggets sign JJ Hickson to a 3 yr $15m contract. That's a nice deal IMO but an awful fit with the players already in place. The Nuggets aren't even going to bother with d this upcoming season.

 

[Mentos]

Report says Lebron is very interested in the Knicks

The cks?

 

[Abraham]

Nuggets sign JJ Hickson to a 3 yr $15m contract. That's a nice deal IMO but an awful fit with the players already in place. The Nuggets aren't even going to bother with d this upcoming season.

Always liked his game. Nice signing.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Nuggets sign JJ Hickson to a 3 yr $15m contract. That's a nice deal IMO but an awful fit with the players already in place. The Nuggets aren't even going to bother with d this upcoming season.

That's called the TWolves' Way.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Lot of chatter on Detroit boards that they might be shipping one of the bigs, maybe in a Rondo scenario.

Hate it, but hate the team as constructed with Smith and the two bigs, too. I stopped understanding Dumars years ago, so nothing would surprise me at this point.

most likely Monroe

Either one would be a horrific trade for the Pistons.

Monroe for Rondo would be good deal. Monroe is solid but nothing special, and isn't exactly very athletic. He puts up a steady 16-10 without having a huge impact on the game. Rondo has his flaws but can be dominant at times.

I think we might be jumping the gun on anointing Drummond. If someone is willing to trade a star for him, I'd have to at least think about it if I were them.

The problem is that the Pistons have ZERO chance to contend soon. Prior to signing Smith, they didn't have a player on the roster over 23 that could even be considered an asset. They need to be patient.

But the new owner wants to win now, and Dumars wants to not get fired, so the philosophy appears to be tear down the future to try to win 45 games next season.

 

[Abraham]

Delfino bucks 2/6.5 with option for a third.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I think they still have doubts that Drummond can morph into a full game player, and thus believe he's the more likely target for moving than Monroe. Plus, Rondo, Drummond, and Smith might be just too much bad shooting to bear.

Might all still be just message board noise, too. But the Smith deal says to me that they're going to try to compete, and I'm not sure they can as currently constructed.

Dumars should be fired for even so much as thinking about dealing Drummond.

The guy has Dwight Howard upside. It is absolutely scary where he's at physically at 19 years of age.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Lot of chatter on Detroit boards that they might be shipping one of the bigs, maybe in a Rondo scenario.

Hate it, but hate the team as constructed with Smith and the two bigs, too. I stopped understanding Dumars years ago, so nothing would surprise me at this point.

most likely Monroe

Either one would be a horrific trade for the Pistons.

Monroe for Rondo would be good deal. Monroe is solid but nothing special, and isn't exactly very athletic. He puts up a steady 16-10 without having a huge impact on the game. Rondo has his flaws but can be dominant at times.

I think we might be jumping the gun on anointing Drummond. If someone is willing to trade a star for him, I'd have to at least think about it if I were them.

The problem is that the Pistons have ZERO chance to contend soon. Prior to signing Smith, they didn't have a player on the roster over 23 that could even be considered an asset. They need to be patient.

But the new owner wants to win now, and Dumars wants to not get fired, so the philosophy appears to be tear down the future to try to win 45 games next season.

Rondo and josh smith with some young guys could do something though.

Truth be told, despite being taken to two game 7s the nba is lebron's like the 90s were Jordan's. it almost doesn't matter. Put something entertaining out there for your fans. Hope to make the playoffs, compete and make extra money locally, and enjoy the Lebron show.

 

[Premier]

Lot of chatter on Detroit boards that they might be shipping one of the bigs, maybe in a Rondo scenario.

Hate it, but hate the team as constructed with Smith and the two bigs, too. I stopped understanding Dumars years ago, so nothing would surprise me at this point.

most likely Monroe

Either one would be a horrific trade for the Pistons.

Monroe for Rondo would be good deal. Monroe is solid but nothing special, and isn't exactly very athletic. He puts up a steady 16-10 without having a huge impact on the game. Rondo has his flaws but can be dominant at times.

I think we might be jumping the gun on anointing Drummond. If someone is willing to trade a star for him, I'd have to at least think about it if I were them.

The problem is that the Pistons have ZERO chance to contend soon. Prior to signing Smith, they didn't have a player on the roster over 23 that could even be considered an asset. They need to be patient.

But the new owner wants to win now, and Dumars wants to not get fired, so the philosophy appears to be tear down the future to try to win 45 games next season.

Rondo and josh smith with some young guys could do something though. Truth be told, despite being taken to two game 7s the nba is lebron's like the 90s were Jordan's. it almost doesn't matter. Put something entertaining out there for your fans. Hope to make the playoffs, compete and make extra money locally, and enjoy the Lebron show.

I don't know about that. The Spurs had that series won. You wouldn't be writing that sentence if the final 30 seconds of game 6 went differently.

Not taking away anything from Lebron, but teams definitely shouldn't be rolling over for the Heat (that doesn't mean the Pistons should be signing Josh Smith either).

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I think they still have doubts that Drummond can morph into a full game player, and thus believe he's the more likely target for moving than Monroe. Plus, Rondo, Drummond, and Smith might be just too much bad shooting to bear.

Might all still be just message board noise, too. But the Smith deal says to me that they're going to try to compete, and I'm not sure they can as currently constructed.

Dumars should be fired for even so much as thinking about dealing Drummond.

The guy has Dwight Howard upside. It is absolutely scary where he's at physically at 19 years of age.

You wouldn't know it by watching him at UConn.

 

[Premier]

The teams that could at least conceivably challenge the Heat next year. Not in any order and there's definitely a few on here I wouldn't expect to see even get to 7 games with Miami:

Pacers

Bulls if Rose ever plays again

Nets

Spurs

Thunder

Clippers

Rockets

Lakers (hahaha just kidding)

Memphis

Golden State

 

[Abraham]

Agreed. Miami is the favorite but it won't be easy.

 

[Ilov80s]

I think they still have doubts that Drummond can morph into a full game player, and thus believe he's the more likely target for moving than Monroe. Plus, Rondo, Drummond, and Smith might be just too much bad shooting to bear.

Might all still be just message board noise, too. But the Smith deal says to me that they're going to try to compete, and I'm not sure they can as currently constructed.

Dumars should be fired for even so much as thinking about dealing Drummond.

The guy has Dwight Howard upside. It is absolutely scary where he's at physically at 19 years of age.

I would have a heart attack if Dumars deals Drummond, he is the future of the team. His offensive game still needs work, but in terms hands, defense, boards and finishing around the rim, he is already one verging on one of the best in the league. How many 6-11, 270 lb centers can one on one D up Dwayne Wade on the perimeter,pick his pocket and go coast-to-coast on back-to-back plays?

 

[the moops]

Yea. No chance that Dumars is dangling Drummond for Rondo.

I could see Monroe though, especially with Smith there now. However, I imagine Ainge will hold on to Rondo until he comes back and see what he can get for him at the deadline.

 

[Kev4029]

I just want to make sure that we are talking about the same Drummond that played 20 mpg for a 29 win team. I think everybody sees the potential but you guys are acting like hes already an All-NBA player.

 

[Ilov80s]

I just want to make sure that we are talking about the same Drummond that played 20 mpg for a 29 win team. I think everybody sees the potential but you guys are acting like hes already an All-NBA player.

Did you watch a lot of him? Before his back injury, he was playing incredibly well off the bench.Best PER of a teenager on NBA history

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2013/01/andre-drummond-on-pace-to-post-best-per-by-a-teenager-in-nba-history/

His PER 36 was 14 points on 60% shooting, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals, 1 assist. His offensive game is raw and he needs to do something about his Shaqesque free throw shooting, but in a league of amazing athletes, Drummond stands out.

 

[thecatch]

I just want to make sure that we are talking about the same Drummond that played 20 mpg for a 29 win team. I think everybody sees the potential but you guys are acting like hes already an All-NBA player.

Did you watch a lot of him? Before his back injury, he was playing incredibly well off the bench.Best PER of a teenager on NBA history

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2013/01/andre-drummond-on-pace-to-post-best-per-by-a-teenager-in-nba-history/

He's played 1200 minutes, rebounded well, shown defensive aptitude and cannot touch the ball more than 3 feet away from the rim. He looks like a very good prospect as a Tyson Chandler type but I'm not buying him as a franchise cornerstone (at least yet).

 

[the moops]

I just want to make sure that we are talking about the same Drummond that played 20 mpg for a 29 win team.

Yes, we are talking about that guy.

 

[Ilov80s]

I just want to make sure that we are talking about the same Drummond that played 20 mpg for a 29 win team. I think everybody sees the potential but you guys are acting like hes already an All-NBA player.

Did you watch a lot of him? Before his back injury, he was playing incredibly well off the bench.Best PER of a teenager on NBA history

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2013/01/andre-drummond-on-pace-to-post-best-per-by-a-teenager-in-nba-history/

He's played 1200 minutes, rebounded well, shown defensive aptitude and cannot touch the ball more than 3 feet away from the rim. He looks like a very good prospect as a Tyson Chandler type but I'm not buying him as a franchise cornerstone (at least yet).

Obviously being a Piston fan, I am desperate for something exciting, but Drummond has much better hands and athleticism than Chandler ever did.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I just want to make sure that we are talking about the same Drummond that played 20 mpg for a 29 win team. I think everybody sees the potential but you guys are acting like hes already an All-NBA player.

Yep. Playing under fired head coach Lawrence Frank. The same Lawrence Frank that started a 29 year old journeyman Jason Maxiell on a rebuilding team over Drummond until Maxiell eye injury forced his hand.

And averaged 14 and 13 as a 19 year old. Better per 36 #'s than Dwight as a 19 year across the board.

Edit: Looks like several others beat me to posting. #### load to be excited about with Drummond. Just incredible what the guy can do at his size. And the fact he's that size at 19. Dumars should be canned on the spot for the simple thought of dealing Drummond. The guy would be going #1 overall doing that 2012 draft over again.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I just want to make sure that we are talking about the same Drummond that played 20 mpg for a 29 win team. I think everybody sees the potential but you guys are acting like hes already an All-NBA player.

Did you watch a lot of him? Before his back injury, he was playing incredibly well off the bench.Best PER of a teenager on NBA history

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2013/01/andre-drummond-on-pace-to-post-best-per-by-a-teenager-in-nba-history/

He's played 1200 minutes, rebounded well, shown defensive aptitude and cannot touch the ball more than 3 feet away from the rim. He looks like a very good prospect as a Tyson Chandler type but I'm not buying him as a franchise cornerstone (at least yet).

Obviously being a Piston fan, I am desperate for something exciting, but Drummond has much better hands and athleticism than Chandler ever did.

Chandler is an awful comparison.

Seriously did you see Chandler out of high school? Chandler, like many big men coming out of high school or year in college, wasn't physically ready to play against men in the NBA. Drummond will be a better pro than Chandler within 2 years. (And saying 2 years out of respect for Chandler) Drummond already has the physical ability to dominate and infinitely more offensive upside than Chandler ever will.

 

[Synthesizer]

I just want to make sure that we are talking about the same Drummond that played 20 mpg for a 29 win team. I think everybody sees the potential but you guys are acting like hes already an All-NBA player.

Did you watch a lot of him? Before his back injury, he was playing incredibly well off the bench.Best PER of a teenager on NBA history

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2013/01/andre-drummond-on-pace-to-post-best-per-by-a-teenager-in-nba-history/

He's played 1200 minutes, rebounded well, shown defensive aptitude and cannot touch the ball more than 3 feet away from the rim. He looks like a very good prospect as a Tyson Chandler type but I'm not buying him as a franchise cornerstone (at least yet).

It's all about the size and athleticism. Neither Shaq or D.Howard could do anything outside the paint either.

 

[Kev4029]

Dumars should be canned on the spot for the simple thought of dealing Drummond. The guy would be going #1 overall doing that 2012 draft over again.

There is no ####### way, all 30 teams would take Davis over Drummond. I see what you guys like in Drummond but you are completely ignoring the fact that he has no offense game and is on pace to be the worst free throw shooter in the history of the NBA. He can't play in close games because he'll get fouled every time down the court if he touches the ball and at his FT% they will end up losing a lot of close games. Shaq looks like Ray Allen compared to Drummond.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Yeah, I'd take Davis over Drummond too. I think Drummond would go #4 behind Davis, Lillard, and Austin Rivers.

 

[Kev4029]

Nuggets signed Randy Foye to a 3 year/$9M contract with the third year as a team option.

I like this deal more for them than Hickson. The Nuggets desperately needed some shooting and he should fill that gap. For the time being, I imagine he'll be the backup shooting guard, but if the Nuggets do dump Miller, he'll probably play PG as well. Good deal.

 

[pollardsvision]

Yeah, I'd take Davis over Drummond too. I think Drummond would go #4 behind Davis, Lillard, and Austin Rivers.

I think he'd got 3rd, behind Davis and Rivers. He'd go ahead of Lillard though.

 

[pollardsvision]

BTW, I just want to thank Cliff for not putting Al Jefferson as one of the 15 worst signings options. It's not the worst, or even all that close, but I appreciate the not jumping to the conclusion that the NBA's dumbest franchise might've made a mistake giving almost $14 mill/per to a guy that refuses to play defense.

Now, I'm 90% sure that Cliff completely forgot about it because it's the Bobcats, but I'll pretend that's not that case.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Austin Rivers? Did I miss something?

 

[hxperson]

Yeah, I'd take Davis over Drummond too. I think Drummond would go #4 behind Davis, Lillard, and Austin Rivers.

Disagree - Lillard is 3 yrs older than Drummond and wasn't really all that efficient. He's a very good scorer but a mediocre distributor at this point. He's stats were helped by his high usage rate. Plus, you are talking a 5 vs. a 1.

IMO if the draft were to happen again the top 5 would probably be

Davis

Drummond

Beal

Lillard

MKG

(BTW, I appreciate you putting Rivers in there )

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I just want to make sure that we are talking about the same Drummond that played 20 mpg for a 29 win team. I think everybody sees the potential but you guys are acting like hes already an All-NBA player.

Yep. Playing under fired head coach Lawrence Frank. The same Lawrence Frank that started a 29 year old journeyman Jason Maxiell on a rebuilding team over Drummond until Maxiell eye injury forced his hand.

And averaged 14 and 13 as a 19 year old. Better per 36 #'s than Dwight as a 19 year across the board.

Edit: Looks like several others beat me to posting. #### load to be excited about with Drummond. Just incredible what the guy can do at his size. And the fact he's that size at 19. Dumars should be canned on the spot for the simple thought of dealing Drummond. The guy would be going #1 overall doing that 2012 draft over again.

One season of PER36 numbers are terrible to use. Drummond looks good but lets not get carried away.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

BTW, I just want to thank Cliff for not putting Al Jefferson as one of the 15 worst signings options. It's not the worst, or even all that close, but I appreciate the not jumping to the conclusion that the NBA's dumbest franchise might've made a mistake giving almost $14 mill/per to a guy that refuses to play defense.

Now, I'm 90% sure that Cliff completely forgot about it because it's the Bobcats, but I'll pretend that's not that case.

Yes, I did forget about that one but I don't really think it is that bad. They're packed full of young cheap players who won't start getting paid until Jefferson's contract expires. Gotta get to the salary floor somehow and the Bobcats desperately needed someone who could score inside. Yes, he is overpaid but it really isn't setting the team back in anyway. Far better than overpaying someone like Monta.

 

[rodg12]

Cliff should have put Rivers second as the obligatory terrible pick by MJ.

 

[B-Deep]

I don't think lebron has any desire to go to Los Angeles. He's staying in Miami for another contract I think. Lakers will be in play for melo and it will be a disaster.

melo and kobe

lol

nothing could go wrong there

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I don't think lebron has any desire to go to Los Angeles. He's staying in Miami for another contract I think. Lakers will be in play for melo and it will be a disaster.

melo and kobe

lol

nothing could go wrong there

Please, please, please let this happen.

 

[B-Deep]

I'm really trying to figure out this Laker 2014 strategy.

Let's say the salary cap is $60 million. Let's also assume they could dump Nash if they want to. Here's the list of possible free agents. Build a team of guys that would likely be willing and able to leave their current team to play for the Lakers.

And lets assume George, Irving, and wall are not being allowed to leave their teams...

Yes, right, the current teams would likely match any Laker offer. One of the first questions is what to do with Kobe and if he'd be willing to take a pay cut to sacrifice for the team.

literal spit take

 

[pollardsvision]

I don't think lebron has any desire to go to Los Angeles. He's staying in Miami for another contract I think. Lakers will be in play for melo and it will be a disaster.

melo and kobelol

nothing could go wrong there

Please, please, please let this happen.

You know what though, I'm not totally convinced this would be a disaster. I thought the Dwight/Nash/Kobe thing would be, but Melo/Kobe could actually work (not "title" work, but a good chance to make the WC Finals).

Wasn't Melo at his best on the Olympic team where he wasn't the alpha dog? Melo with an old, desperate, angry Kobe pushing him every day might work very well. Neither has ever played with a perimeter player they respect and trusted (except in the Olympics).

Find a mediocre PG that can defend and hit 3's and a couple bigs with some energy and one that can score a little. There could be something there.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I don't think lebron has any desire to go to Los Angeles. He's staying in Miami for another contract I think. Lakers will be in play for melo and it will be a disaster.

melo and kobelol

nothing could go wrong there

Please, please, please let this happen.

You know what though, I'm not totally convinced this would be a disaster. I thought the Dwight/Nash/Kobe thing would be, but Melo/Kobe could actually work (not "title" work, but a good chance to make the WC Finals).

Wasn't Melo at his best on the Olympic team where he wasn't the alpha dog? Melo with an old, desperate, angry Kobe pushing him every day might work very well.

Find a mediocre PG that can defend and hit 3's and a couple bigs with some energy and one that can score a little. There could be something there.

It would be a trainwreck of a "team". Kobe taking 30 shots a game to try and catch Kareem, Melo taking 30 shots a game to keep pace with Kobe and 3 other guys standing around not giving a #### because they aren't going to get the ball. It'd be one of the worst defensive "teams" ever. Pretty much a lock for a 1st round exit.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

I just want to make sure that we are talking about the same Drummond that played 20 mpg for a 29 win team. I think everybody sees the potential but you guys are acting like hes already an All-NBA player.

Gotta agree with this. People want to toss away Monroe at the drop of a hat, but Drummond is Dwight Howard.

 

[B-Deep]

I don't think lebron has any desire to go to Los Angeles. He's staying in Miami for another contract I think. Lakers will be in play for melo and it will be a disaster.

melo and kobelol

nothing could go wrong there

Please, please, please let this happen.

You know what though, I'm not totally convinced this would be a disaster. I thought the Dwight/Nash/Kobe thing would be, but Melo/Kobe could actually work (not "title" work, but a good chance to make the WC Finals).

Wasn't Melo at his best on the Olympic team where he wasn't the alpha dog? Melo with an old, desperate, angry Kobe pushing him every day might work very well. Neither has ever played with a perimeter player they respect and trusted (except in the Olympics).

Find a mediocre PG that can defend and hit 3's and a couple bigs with some energy and one that can score a little. There could be something there.

there's not enough balls in the universe for Kobe and Mello. I would not be the least bit shocked to see a box score where only those 2 took shots, and then woever took less complaining that they need to be more involved in the offense

then when kobe finally retires the heir apparant is another chucker who thinks the best thing for the team is him throwing up as many sots as possible

god it would be awesome to see

 

[B-Deep]

I don't think lebron has any desire to go to Los Angeles. He's staying in Miami for another contract I think. Lakers will be in play for melo and it will be a disaster.

melo and kobelol

nothing could go wrong there

Please, please, please let this happen.

You know what though, I'm not totally convinced this would be a disaster. I thought the Dwight/Nash/Kobe thing would be, but Melo/Kobe could actually work (not "title" work, but a good chance to make the WC Finals).

Wasn't Melo at his best on the Olympic team where he wasn't the alpha dog? Melo with an old, desperate, angry Kobe pushing him every day might work very well.

Find a mediocre PG that can defend and hit 3's and a couple bigs with some energy and one that can score a little. There could be something there.

It would be a trainwreck of a "team". Kobe taking 30 shots a game to try and catch Kareem, Melo taking 30 shots a game to keep pace with Kobe and 3 other guys standing around not giving a #### because they aren't going to get the ball. It'd be one of the worst defensive "teams" ever. Pretty much a lock for a 1st round exit.

imagine nash (if he still plays) walking across half court with melo and kobe screaming their damn heads off to give them the ball while the other 2 players exchange grilling tips over by the scorers table

i am sure D'Antoni could make it work though

lolololol

 

[pollardsvision]

I don't think lebron has any desire to go to Los Angeles. He's staying in Miami for another contract I think. Lakers will be in play for melo and it will be a disaster.

melo and kobelol

nothing could go wrong there

Please, please, please let this happen.

You know what though, I'm not totally convinced this would be a disaster. I thought the Dwight/Nash/Kobe thing would be, but Melo/Kobe could actually work (not "title" work, but a good chance to make the WC Finals).

Wasn't Melo at his best on the Olympic team where he wasn't the alpha dog? Melo with an old, desperate, angry Kobe pushing him every day might work very well.

Find a mediocre PG that can defend and hit 3's and a couple bigs with some energy and one that can score a little. There could be something there.

It would be a trainwreck of a "team". Kobe taking 30 shots a game to try and catch Kareem, Melo taking 30 shots a game to keep pace with Kobe and 3 other guys standing around not giving a #### because they aren't going to get the ball. It'd be one of the worst defensive "teams" ever. Pretty much a lock for a 1st round exit.

You are almost certainly right, and I'd love every minute of the trainwreck, but I think there's a sliver of a chance it could be pretty good.

Obviously, you'd have to have some efficient shooters and defenders that didn't care too much about getting shots, but you throw 2 hero-ballers that respect each other together and I think we might see a good dynamic.

They could be a match-up nightmare and I think there's a chance they aren't both just looking to get theirs. They aren't going to give up shots to the likes of Shumbert and Blake, but they would for each other. A little unselfishness would go a very long way when you've got 2 perimeter players that probably need to be doubled, if Kobe comes back healthy.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

BTW - Adam Silver has to be excited about the opportunity to rig his first NBA lottery for the Lakers.

 

[B-Deep]

wait

did someone just use unselfish in a post about Kobe and Melo??

lololol

the only person who believes kobe is unselfish is kobe, and that is simply because kobe knows that only kobe is smart enough to realize what is good for kobe is always best for the team, and what is good for Kobe is shots, a lot of shots.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I don't think lebron has any desire to go to Los Angeles. He's staying in Miami for another contract I think. Lakers will be in play for melo and it will be a disaster.

melo and kobelol

nothing could go wrong there

Please, please, please let this happen.

You know what though, I'm not totally convinced this would be a disaster. I thought the Dwight/Nash/Kobe thing would be, but Melo/Kobe could actually work (not "title" work, but a good chance to make the WC Finals).

Wasn't Melo at his best on the Olympic team where he wasn't the alpha dog? Melo with an old, desperate, angry Kobe pushing him every day might work very well.

Find a mediocre PG that can defend and hit 3's and a couple bigs with some energy and one that can score a little. There could be something there.

It would be a trainwreck of a "team". Kobe taking 30 shots a game to try and catch Kareem, Melo taking 30 shots a game to keep pace with Kobe and 3 other guys standing around not giving a #### because they aren't going to get the ball. It'd be one of the worst defensive "teams" ever. Pretty much a lock for a 1st round exit.

You are almost certainly right, and I'd love every minute of the trainwreck, but I think there's a sliver of a chance it could be pretty good.

Obviously, you'd have to have some efficient shooters and defenders that didn't care too much about getting shots, but you throw 2 hero-ballers that respect each other together and I think we might see a good dynamic.

They could be a match-up nightmare and I think there's a chance they aren't both just looking to get theirs. They aren't going to give up shots to the likes of Shumbert and Blake, but they would for each other. A little unselfishness would go a very long way when you've got 2 perimeter players that probably need to be doubled, if Kobe comes back healthy.

To bolded 1: I don't think those players exists.

To bolded 2:

 

[pollardsvision]

The thing to keep in mind....Neither player has ever played alongside another elite perimeter player (except in the Olympics, where they have both been at their best).

The best teams in the league now have 2 elite perimeter guys that can score in multiple ways. Even an unselfish guy like Durant, if he wasn't blessed to have 2, then 1, elite perimeter player to play alongside of might've developed a reputation as a heroballer if he'd always been by himself. We got a little taste of that this year, and it didn't work out so well.

Durant shot less than 18 shots/game last year, at a 51% clip and over 41% from 3. Westbrook went down in the playoffs. He shot 22 shots a game with %s of 45 and 31 (which is pretty much Carmelo's career, but with a worse 3P%). We don't know what Durant's career would look like if OKC never drafted Westbrook and Harden, but I think it's safe bet he'd take more shots and be less efficient.

I'm not saying it would work, but I wouldn't write it off. We'd see a dynamic with both that we haven't seen before (in the NBA).

 

[pollardsvision]

I don't think lebron has any desire to go to Los Angeles. He's staying in Miami for another contract I think. Lakers will be in play for melo and it will be a disaster.

melo and kobelol

nothing could go wrong there

Please, please, please let this happen.

You know what though, I'm not totally convinced this would be a disaster. I thought the Dwight/Nash/Kobe thing would be, but Melo/Kobe could actually work (not "title" work, but a good chance to make the WC Finals).

Wasn't Melo at his best on the Olympic team where he wasn't the alpha dog? Melo with an old, desperate, angry Kobe pushing him every day might work very well.

Find a mediocre PG that can defend and hit 3's and a couple bigs with some energy and one that can score a little. There could be something there.

It would be a trainwreck of a "team". Kobe taking 30 shots a game to try and catch Kareem, Melo taking 30 shots a game to keep pace with Kobe and 3 other guys standing around not giving a #### because they aren't going to get the ball. It'd be one of the worst defensive "teams" ever. Pretty much a lock for a 1st round exit.

You are almost certainly right, and I'd love every minute of the trainwreck, but I think there's a sliver of a chance it could be pretty good.

Obviously, you'd have to have some efficient shooters and defenders that didn't care too much about getting shots, but you throw 2 hero-ballers that respect each other together and I think we might see a good dynamic.

They could be a match-up nightmare and I think there's a chance they aren't both just looking to get theirs. They aren't going to give up shots to the likes of Shumbert and Blake, but they would for each other. A little unselfishness would go a very long way when you've got 2 perimeter players that probably need to be doubled, if Kobe comes back healthy.

To bolded 1: I don't think those players exists.

To bolded 2:

Sure they do.

You need some young guys and some really old guys that know their roles. All great teams have good role players that understand they aren't going to get a ton of shots.