*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (5 Viewers)

[Eephus]

Brook Lopez needs surgery on his right foot, damaging the Nets’ prospects this season, and potentially their pursuit of Dwight Howard. Lopez has a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal, the team announced Thursday afternoon. He sustained the injury in Wednesday’s preseason loss to the Knicks. Surgery is scheduled for Friday. His recovery timeline has not been determined.

oof

 

[Sammy3469]

The schedule argument is a good one, though. Hadn't considered that.

There are a bunch of really strange schedules this year. Philly is opens with 5 on the road, then is basically home for a month and a half followed by 7 of 8 on the road to finish Feb and then they close the season 10 of 13 on the road in April including 9 of their last 11. That April slate is just brutal. Indiana basically spends all of January on the road and then has a lot of one off road games in March and April. More than anything a lot of the standings will be out of whack until the end as everyone has severely different road/home splits. Hell Philly may be close to the lead in the Atlantic before April comes along. Out of all the teams the Knicks seem to have the fairest schedule.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Lopez injury actually worries me that the Lakers will swoop in and steal Dwight.

 

[Premier]

Lopez injury actually worries me that the Lakers will swoop in and steal Dwight.

If Dwight has to go, I hope it's to the Lakers. Brook Lopez sucks, even before this foot thing.

 

[Eephus]

That may be true Cappy but Lopez' foot could eliminate one potential buyer from what's already a small field. Less competition for Howard will depress his trade value and Otis Smith won't have Stern to save him.

 

[rascal]

I think Karl is just throwing people out on the court and seeing what happens. Look at the current players on the court: Miller, Birdman, Carroll, Brewer, and Faried. And they are up 26-16 after the first quarter.

And now he takes out Miller and puts in Juylan Stone.

 

[Premier]

That may be true Cappy but Lopez' foot could eliminate one potential buyer from what's already a small field. Less competition for Howard will depress his trade value and Otis Smith won't have Stern to save him.

Honestly I'm just happy that this will shut the trade rumors up for a while and I can enjoy one more competitive season. And maybe (unlikely) if they get on a run in the postseason he'll have a change of mind.

 

[Steelfan7]

Kev, I hear you and others saying how the Nuggets have so many assets they can get a star player if they want.There are about 20 star players in the league, of the 20 about 15 are locked up with their teams and no chance of being traded. The stars are almost never ever traded unless they have one year left on contract and want out. Which star is it even possible for the Nuggets to go after if they wanted to?The only real tradeable assets they have are Lawson and Gallo. All the others are nice players but not much value. So if they package Lawson, Gallo and Faried or Moz they still wont be able to get close to acquiring a star player like Westbrook or even a Steph Curry.

I'm not looking at a Westbrook/Curry type, but more of an Igudola/Josh Smith/Andrew Bogut type that their team might be looking to dump for a couple of young cheap assets. By star, I'm talking more All-Star than All-Pro.The Nuggets are never going to get a gaggle of superstars to team up here, so they need to create a team similar to the 00's Pistons. I think they are close with their starting lineup and have more depth than the Pistons ever did, even though the teams were built for far different types of play. Lawson, Nene, Gallo and Afflalo is 4/5ths of the way to being a Championship contender, IMO. They need a difference maker to run along side Nene, which is why I've brought up Josh Smith. He would be an incredible fit because he is amazing in transition, can play high while Nene is down low, he's fairly good against PFs down low and he is a special weakside defender. He would basically be everything the Nuggets wanted when they signed Martin to his horrible contract 7 years ago.

This makes sense. I guess they could try to do a Lawson/gallo/some other small asset for Jordan Crawford/josh Smith type deal

Lawson wouldn't be included in any deal for any player unless they were getting a superstar PG back. Lawson is going to be the breakout player in the NBA this year and will make the All-Star game.I would think that if the Nuggets were going to make a trade their core of Nene, Gallo, Afflalo and Lawson would be very tough to get. If they they make a trade I think it will be because a team is looking to dump salary for young assets, that would mean some 1st rounders (they have all theirs going foward and the unprotected Knicks pick in 2014) and some of their other talent (Chandler, Fernandez, Brewer, Mozgov, their rookies, possibly sign and trades for KMart and JR). I understand that isn't a great package, but they'll be looking to buy at fifty cents on the dollar.

Good God Kev, you are way overvaluing the Nuggets roster. They have some nice players, but no difference makers.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Oh, and Rose signed his max extension today. Good night for the Bulls.

I haven't read anything about the contract having player options. Have you?

No, I would be surprised if Rose even would have wanted one.

Yep, that's what happened. Interesting how Durant and Rose buck the trend. Hopefully those teams will be rewarded by a Thunder-Bulls final this year!

For Derrick Rose, however, the Bulls were prepared to make an exception. That’s the sort of clout a Most Valuable Player or any superstar is commonly afforded in the NBA. In fact, the majority of players who are given contracts four years or longer are almost routinely given opt-out clauses. Players like DeSagana Diop, Linas Kleiza, Beno Udith and Charlie Bell have them. Certainly the Bulls were going to bend on Rose if he wanted it as well.

Only, Rose never asked for one.

The five-year, $94 million contract extension Rose signed this week is for the full five years -- the biggest commitment he could’ve made to the team under the new collective bargaining rules.

"Most players of Derrick's stature who are signing contracts, there are usually player options or early termination options within those," Bulls general manager Gar Forman said. "Derrick absolutely didn't want that. He wanted a full commitment from the Bulls. To us, that's really special. He stepped up to sign the maximum length."

Kevin Durant made the same move last season when he signed a full five-year agreement with no out with the Oklahoma City Thunder, another team that doesn't usually hand out player options. In an era where top stars have been seeking flexibility and to apply pressure to their teams, the decisions of Rose and Durant signal a significant shift.

“We had it in the contract, it was already negotiated,” said Durant’s agent, Aaron Goodwin. “Kevin asked us to take it out. He said the team was fully committed to him and that he should be fully committed to the team.”

So Durant is, through 2016.

This marks a significant deviation from how superstars approach their long-term futures. In 2006, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all decided to accept maximum level contracts that allowed them to be free agents after just three years. Chris Paul and Deron Williams did the same when they signed their max contracts in 2008.

Three years later, James, Bosh, Williams and Paul are all on different teams.

Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard signed max deals between 2005-07, but all got opt-out clauses after four years. Stoudemire used his out to leave the Suns a year early and signed with the Knicks in the 2010 offseason. Anthony used the threat of opting out to force the Denver Nuggets to trade him. Now, Howard is using the same strategy with the Orlando Magic.

full articleEdit: It will be interesting to see how the young stars handle this is the future. As a team's fan, you certainly have to worry about those opt-outs and if they're a sign of bad things to come.

 

[Steelfan7]

1) Hollinger is right.2) Kobe is faking.

Yep, I really like the Knicks team, but he's dead on about injury concerns and bench depth (though they are a talent bench: Shumpert, Jeffries, Bill Walker).Starting 5PG Baron Davis/DouglasSG Landry FieldsSF Carmelo AnthonyPF AmareC Tyson ChandlerI really don't see anything in that analysis that screams biased against the Knicks. If they're healthy they're one of the best, biggest, and most explosive teams but with the physical gifts comes the possible injuries to BD (gutted through 82 games in his 07-08 contract year) and Chandler (who has never played a full season).As a BD fan, I would love to see this team fully healthy in the playoffs.

Its a good starting 5 and an absolutely terrible bench. With the compressed season and the Knick high tempo style, they'll be worn out by February.

Steve Novak to the rescue.

 

[Kiddnets]

Any one have an updated on Okur? Nets didnt give up anything and he is an expiring contract....on its face he should hold the fort until Brook returns....but is he healthy or have anything left?

 

[No. 16]

Magic should hold onto Howard for the entire season. No need to trade him when the market is slow.

 

[Kiddnets]

I think they will hold onto Howard until the deadline but the whole season? If they know he is walking why not get something for him....there should be better deals at the deadline.

 

[Premier]

I think they will hold onto Howard until the deadline but the whole season? If they know he is walking why not get something for him....there should be better deals at the deadline.

Yea because that crappy Brook Lopez offer won't be there in a S&T in June when Dwight wants his extra 30 million. If the Magic are in 2nd or 3rd at the deadline, there is no way they move him.

 

[mlball77]

Chuck Hayes has rejoined the Kings. After undergoing a bunch of tests at the Cleveland Clinic, doctors gave him the green light to resume playing hoops immediately. Hayes signed a new contract with Sacramento (previous one was voided), this time for an additional $1 million.

Glad the heart thing wasn't serious and life-altering... and glad his toughness and low-post d is going to help the Kings this year (and forward).

 

[Gr00vus]

The Kings could be a surprise team this year. It'll be interesting to see how they weave those guys together.

 

[mlball77]

The Kings could be a surprise team this year. It'll be interesting to see how they weave those guys together.

I'm a Kings homer, so I like to think so. They've been really bad for several years now, but it does finally seem like they've got some talent to work with along with some good role players and depth. I'm not sure how it all will work out, but I think the team has decent upside at least (couldn't say that a couple years ago). Ultimately though, a healthy Tyreke Evans will be critical... and the development/maturation of Cousins as well.

 

[Gr00vus]

The Kings could be a surprise team this year. It'll be interesting to see how they weave those guys together.

I'm a Kings homer, so I like to think so. They've been really bad for several years now, but it does finally seem like they've got some talent to work with along with some good role players and depth. I'm not sure how it all will work out, but I think the team has decent upside at least (couldn't say that a couple years ago). Ultimately though, a healthy Tyreke Evans will be critical... and the development/maturation of Cousins as well.

Like I said it'll be interesting to see if/how it comes together for them.

 

[Wooderson]

The Kings could be a surprise team this year. It'll be interesting to see how they weave those guys together.

I'm a Kings homer, so I like to think so. They've been really bad for several years now, but it does finally seem like they've got some talent to work with along with some good role players and depth. I'm not sure how it all will work out, but I think the team has decent upside at least (couldn't say that a couple years ago). Ultimately though, a healthy Tyreke Evans will be critical... and the development/maturation of Cousins as well.

Right on about Evans and Cousins. Those two things have to happen. I love how Hayes gets another $1 Million

 

[Major]

The Kings could be a surprise team this year. It'll be interesting to see how they weave those guys together.

I'm a Kings homer, so I like to think so. They've been really bad for several years now, but it does finally seem like they've got some talent to work with along with some good role players and depth. I'm not sure how it all will work out, but I think the team has decent upside at least (couldn't say that a couple years ago). Ultimately though, a healthy Tyreke Evans will be critical... and the development/maturation of Cousins as well.

Right on about Evans and Cousins. Those two things have to happen. I love how Hayes gets another $1 Million

I'm happy that The Chuck Wagon is healthy and got the ok to play. The extra $1mm is pretty funny. Couldn't happen to a better guy

 

[Kiddnets]

I think they will hold onto Howard until the deadline but the whole season? If they know he is walking why not get something for him....there should be better deals at the deadline.

Yea because that crappy Brook Lopez offer won't be there in a S&T in June when Dwight wants his extra 30 million. If the Magic are in 2nd or 3rd at the deadline, there is no way they move him.

I may be wrong but I believe I read that he only gets his extra $30M if he signs the extension before the end of the season. Anyone confirm this?

 

[Premier]

I think they will hold onto Howard until the deadline but the whole season? If they know he is walking why not get something for him....there should be better deals at the deadline.

Yea because that crappy Brook Lopez offer won't be there in a S&T in June when Dwight wants his extra 30 million. If the Magic are in 2nd or 3rd at the deadline, there is no way they move him.

I may be wrong but I believe I read that he only gets his extra $30M if he signs the extension before the end of the season. Anyone confirm this?

Yea actually you may be somewhat right. Some 6-month rule?

 

[Sammy3469]

I think they will hold onto Howard until the deadline but the whole season? If they know he is walking why not get something for him....there should be better deals at the deadline.

Yea because that crappy Brook Lopez offer won't be there in a S&T in June when Dwight wants his extra 30 million. If the Magic are in 2nd or 3rd at the deadline, there is no way they move him.

I may be wrong but I believe I read that he only gets his extra $30M if he signs the extension before the end of the season. Anyone confirm this?

Yea actually you may be somewhat right. Some 6-month rule?

I think that's true, but for the sake of this argument it may not matter since the more likely scenario if he gets traded is that he picks up his player option for the 2012-13 season and then they give him an extension for the post 2012-13 season.

 

[the moops]

Hayes signed a new contract with Sacramento (previous one was voided), this time for an additional $1 million.

How the hell did he manage to get an extra milloin dollars out of the deal? Damn

 

[Sammy3469]

Looks like Paul Pierce is out of the X-mas game.

 

[Courtjester]

After reading the Sports Guy's latest article, I really want to play fantasy basketball for some reason...

 

[Premier]

I think they will hold onto Howard until the deadline but the whole season? If they know he is walking why not get something for him....there should be better deals at the deadline.

Yea because that crappy Brook Lopez offer won't be there in a S&T in June when Dwight wants his extra 30 million. If the Magic are in 2nd or 3rd at the deadline, there is no way they move him.

I may be wrong but I believe I read that he only gets his extra $30M if he signs the extension before the end of the season. Anyone confirm this?

Yea actually you may be somewhat right. Some 6-month rule?

I think that's true, but for the sake of this argument it may not matter since the more likely scenario if he gets traded is that he picks up his player option for the 2012-13 season and then they give him an extension for the post 2012-13 season.

 

[mlball77]

Hayes signed a new contract with Sacramento (previous one was voided), this time for an additional $1 million.

How the hell did he manage to get an extra milloin dollars out of the deal? Damn

Haha, I have no idea. Must have a good agent.My only guess it that maybe once his contract with Sacramento was voided, another team or two told him if he was cleared medically they really wanted him. So maybe that gave him a touch more leverage with the Kings to pull in the extra $1 million. -Just a wild guess though.

 

[Gr00vus]

Bynum's suspension reduced from 5 games to 4.

This changes everything.

 

[pollardsvision]

After reading the Sports Guy's latest article, I really want to play fantasy basketball for some reason...

Seems like an interesting format for fantasy basketball, but it was a terrible article. I love Simmons' NBA stuff, but it was pretty annoying that he'd waste his 12th day of NBA Christmas article to rattle on about a fantasy format that no one's ever going to play.I think he's going to a 13th day, so that's good.And fantasy basketball is great fun. The 2nd best fantasy sport, after baseball.

 

[Voice Of Reason]

Bynum's suspension reduced from 5 games to 4.This changes everything.

Awesome consolation prize to Stern taking away CP3.

 

[Voice Of Reason]

Kev, I hear you and others saying how the Nuggets have so many assets they can get a star player if they want.There are about 20 star players in the league, of the 20 about 15 are locked up with their teams and no chance of being traded. The stars are almost never ever traded unless they have one year left on contract and want out. Which star is it even possible for the Nuggets to go after if they wanted to?The only real tradeable assets they have are Lawson and Gallo. All the others are nice players but not much value. So if they package Lawson, Gallo and Faried or Moz they still wont be able to get close to acquiring a star player like Westbrook or even a Steph Curry.

I'm not looking at a Westbrook/Curry type, but more of an Igudola/Josh Smith/Andrew Bogut type that their team might be looking to dump for a couple of young cheap assets. By star, I'm talking more All-Star than All-Pro.The Nuggets are never going to get a gaggle of superstars to team up here, so they need to create a team similar to the 00's Pistons. I think they are close with their starting lineup and have more depth than the Pistons ever did, even though the teams were built for far different types of play. Lawson, Nene, Gallo and Afflalo is 4/5ths of the way to being a Championship contender, IMO. They need a difference maker to run along side Nene, which is why I've brought up Josh Smith. He would be an incredible fit because he is amazing in transition, can play high while Nene is down low, he's fairly good against PFs down low and he is a special weakside defender. He would basically be everything the Nuggets wanted when they signed Martin to his horrible contract 7 years ago.

This makes sense. I guess they could try to do a Lawson/gallo/some other small asset for Jordan Crawford/josh Smith type deal

Lawson wouldn't be included in any deal for any player unless they were getting a superstar PG back. Lawson is going to be the breakout player in the NBA this year and will make the All-Star game.I would think that if the Nuggets were going to make a trade their core of Nene, Gallo, Afflalo and Lawson would be very tough to get. If they they make a trade I think it will be because a team is looking to dump salary for young assets, that would mean some 1st rounders (they have all theirs going foward and the unprotected Knicks pick in 2014) and some of their other talent (Chandler, Fernandez, Brewer, Mozgov, their rookies, possibly sign and trades for KMart and JR). I understand that isn't a great package, but they'll be looking to buy at fifty cents on the dollar.

Good God Kev, you are way overvaluing the Nuggets roster. They have some nice players, but no difference makers.

lol at no difference makers on the best offense in the league last year.

 

[Daywalker]

Kev, I hear you and others saying how the Nuggets have so many assets they can get a star player if they want.There are about 20 star players in the league, of the 20 about 15 are locked up with their teams and no chance of being traded. The stars are almost never ever traded unless they have one year left on contract and want out. Which star is it even possible for the Nuggets to go after if they wanted to?The only real tradeable assets they have are Lawson and Gallo. All the others are nice players but not much value. So if they package Lawson, Gallo and Faried or Moz they still wont be able to get close to acquiring a star player like Westbrook or even a Steph Curry.

I'm not looking at a Westbrook/Curry type, but more of an Igudola/Josh Smith/Andrew Bogut type that their team might be looking to dump for a couple of young cheap assets. By star, I'm talking more All-Star than All-Pro.The Nuggets are never going to get a gaggle of superstars to team up here, so they need to create a team similar to the 00's Pistons. I think they are close with their starting lineup and have more depth than the Pistons ever did, even though the teams were built for far different types of play. Lawson, Nene, Gallo and Afflalo is 4/5ths of the way to being a Championship contender, IMO. They need a difference maker to run along side Nene, which is why I've brought up Josh Smith. He would be an incredible fit because he is amazing in transition, can play high while Nene is down low, he's fairly good against PFs down low and he is a special weakside defender. He would basically be everything the Nuggets wanted when they signed Martin to his horrible contract 7 years ago.

This makes sense. I guess they could try to do a Lawson/gallo/some other small asset for Jordan Crawford/josh Smith type deal

Lawson wouldn't be included in any deal for any player unless they were getting a superstar PG back. Lawson is going to be the breakout player in the NBA this year and will make the All-Star game.I would think that if the Nuggets were going to make a trade their core of Nene, Gallo, Afflalo and Lawson would be very tough to get. If they they make a trade I think it will be because a team is looking to dump salary for young assets, that would mean some 1st rounders (they have all theirs going foward and the unprotected Knicks pick in 2014) and some of their other talent (Chandler, Fernandez, Brewer, Mozgov, their rookies, possibly sign and trades for KMart and JR). I understand that isn't a great package, but they'll be looking to buy at fifty cents on the dollar.

Good God Kev, you are way overvaluing the Nuggets roster. They have some nice players, but no difference makers.

lol at no difference makers on the best offense in the league last year.

Gallinari, Miller's expiring, and picks for A. Jefferson?LawsonAfflaloChandlerJeffersonNene

 

[Kev4029]

Kev, I hear you and others saying how the Nuggets have so many assets they can get a star player if they want.There are about 20 star players in the league, of the 20 about 15 are locked up with their teams and no chance of being traded. The stars are almost never ever traded unless they have one year left on contract and want out. Which star is it even possible for the Nuggets to go after if they wanted to?The only real tradeable assets they have are Lawson and Gallo. All the others are nice players but not much value. So if they package Lawson, Gallo and Faried or Moz they still wont be able to get close to acquiring a star player like Westbrook or even a Steph Curry.

I'm not looking at a Westbrook/Curry type, but more of an Igudola/Josh Smith/Andrew Bogut type that their team might be looking to dump for a couple of young cheap assets. By star, I'm talking more All-Star than All-Pro.The Nuggets are never going to get a gaggle of superstars to team up here, so they need to create a team similar to the 00's Pistons. I think they are close with their starting lineup and have more depth than the Pistons ever did, even though the teams were built for far different types of play. Lawson, Nene, Gallo and Afflalo is 4/5ths of the way to being a Championship contender, IMO. They need a difference maker to run along side Nene, which is why I've brought up Josh Smith. He would be an incredible fit because he is amazing in transition, can play high while Nene is down low, he's fairly good against PFs down low and he is a special weakside defender. He would basically be everything the Nuggets wanted when they signed Martin to his horrible contract 7 years ago.

This makes sense. I guess they could try to do a Lawson/gallo/some other small asset for Jordan Crawford/josh Smith type deal

Lawson wouldn't be included in any deal for any player unless they were getting a superstar PG back. Lawson is going to be the breakout player in the NBA this year and will make the All-Star game.I would think that if the Nuggets were going to make a trade their core of Nene, Gallo, Afflalo and Lawson would be very tough to get. If they they make a trade I think it will be because a team is looking to dump salary for young assets, that would mean some 1st rounders (they have all theirs going foward and the unprotected Knicks pick in 2014) and some of their other talent (Chandler, Fernandez, Brewer, Mozgov, their rookies, possibly sign and trades for KMart and JR). I understand that isn't a great package, but they'll be looking to buy at fifty cents on the dollar.

Good God Kev, you are way overvaluing the Nuggets roster. They have some nice players, but no difference makers.

lol at no difference makers on the best offense in the league last year.

Gallinari, Miller's expiring, and picks for A. Jefferson?LawsonAfflaloChandlerJeffersonNene

Horrible fit, he doesn't play D and he can't run.

 

[Instinctive]

I'd rather have Gallinari than Jefferson straight up anyway

 

[Daywalker]

Kev, I hear you and others saying how the Nuggets have so many assets they can get a star player if they want.There are about 20 star players in the league, of the 20 about 15 are locked up with their teams and no chance of being traded. The stars are almost never ever traded unless they have one year left on contract and want out. Which star is it even possible for the Nuggets to go after if they wanted to?The only real tradeable assets they have are Lawson and Gallo. All the others are nice players but not much value. So if they package Lawson, Gallo and Faried or Moz they still wont be able to get close to acquiring a star player like Westbrook or even a Steph Curry.

I'm not looking at a Westbrook/Curry type, but more of an Igudola/Josh Smith/Andrew Bogut type that their team might be looking to dump for a couple of young cheap assets. By star, I'm talking more All-Star than All-Pro.The Nuggets are never going to get a gaggle of superstars to team up here, so they need to create a team similar to the 00's Pistons. I think they are close with their starting lineup and have more depth than the Pistons ever did, even though the teams were built for far different types of play. Lawson, Nene, Gallo and Afflalo is 4/5ths of the way to being a Championship contender, IMO. They need a difference maker to run along side Nene, which is why I've brought up Josh Smith. He would be an incredible fit because he is amazing in transition, can play high while Nene is down low, he's fairly good against PFs down low and he is a special weakside defender. He would basically be everything the Nuggets wanted when they signed Martin to his horrible contract 7 years ago.

This makes sense. I guess they could try to do a Lawson/gallo/some other small asset for Jordan Crawford/josh Smith type deal

Lawson wouldn't be included in any deal for any player unless they were getting a superstar PG back. Lawson is going to be the breakout player in the NBA this year and will make the All-Star game.I would think that if the Nuggets were going to make a trade their core of Nene, Gallo, Afflalo and Lawson would be very tough to get. If they they make a trade I think it will be because a team is looking to dump salary for young assets, that would mean some 1st rounders (they have all theirs going foward and the unprotected Knicks pick in 2014) and some of their other talent (Chandler, Fernandez, Brewer, Mozgov, their rookies, possibly sign and trades for KMart and JR). I understand that isn't a great package, but they'll be looking to buy at fifty cents on the dollar.

Good God Kev, you are way overvaluing the Nuggets roster. They have some nice players, but no difference makers.

lol at no difference makers on the best offense in the league last year.

Gallinari, Miller's expiring, and picks for A. Jefferson?LawsonAfflaloChandlerJeffersonNene

Horrible fit, he doesn't play D and he can't run.

26 years old. 6-10, 265. 19 and 10 every night. 75% FT shooter. He's a good fit on every team in the league.

 

[Britney Spears]

For safe keeping:

OKC

Clippers

Spurs

Mavs

Denver

Portland

Lakers

Kevin Martin

Miami

Chicago

Orlando

New York

Boston

Philly

Pacers

Bucks

:bookmark:

 

[Instinctive]

For safe keeping:OKCClippersSpursMavsDenverPortlandLakersKevin MartinMiamiChicagoOrlandoNew YorkBostonPhillyPacersBucks:bookmark:

Wow, no Grizzlies or Hawks? Other than that I pretty much agree. idk who'd I'd knock out from each conference though. Probably Portland and the Bucks, but I could see injuries to Pierce and Garnett and the Celtics going down in flames.

 

[Britney Spears]

I am lukewarm on the Griz this year and could be wrong there. There are always surprises. I am ice cold on the Hawks this year.

 

[Kev4029]

I am lukewarm on the Griz this year and could be wrong there. There are always surprises. I am ice cold on the Hawks this year.

The Hawks are gonna go into a fire sale mid season if they aren't well over .500, imo. They may be a top 8 seed in the east as the trade deadline approaches but they'll be looking to dump some contracts.

 

[Kev4029]

Kev, I hear you and others saying how the Nuggets have so many assets they can get a star player if they want.There are about 20 star players in the league, of the 20 about 15 are locked up with their teams and no chance of being traded. The stars are almost never ever traded unless they have one year left on contract and want out. Which star is it even possible for the Nuggets to go after if they wanted to?The only real tradeable assets they have are Lawson and Gallo. All the others are nice players but not much value. So if they package Lawson, Gallo and Faried or Moz they still wont be able to get close to acquiring a star player like Westbrook or even a Steph Curry.

I'm not looking at a Westbrook/Curry type, but more of an Igudola/Josh Smith/Andrew Bogut type that their team might be looking to dump for a couple of young cheap assets. By star, I'm talking more All-Star than All-Pro.The Nuggets are never going to get a gaggle of superstars to team up here, so they need to create a team similar to the 00's Pistons. I think they are close with their starting lineup and have more depth than the Pistons ever did, even though the teams were built for far different types of play. Lawson, Nene, Gallo and Afflalo is 4/5ths of the way to being a Championship contender, IMO. They need a difference maker to run along side Nene, which is why I've brought up Josh Smith. He would be an incredible fit because he is amazing in transition, can play high while Nene is down low, he's fairly good against PFs down low and he is a special weakside defender. He would basically be everything the Nuggets wanted when they signed Martin to his horrible contract 7 years ago.

This makes sense. I guess they could try to do a Lawson/gallo/some other small asset for Jordan Crawford/josh Smith type deal

Lawson wouldn't be included in any deal for any player unless they were getting a superstar PG back. Lawson is going to be the breakout player in the NBA this year and will make the All-Star game.I would think that if the Nuggets were going to make a trade their core of Nene, Gallo, Afflalo and Lawson would be very tough to get. If they they make a trade I think it will be because a team is looking to dump salary for young assets, that would mean some 1st rounders (they have all theirs going foward and the unprotected Knicks pick in 2014) and some of their other talent (Chandler, Fernandez, Brewer, Mozgov, their rookies, possibly sign and trades for KMart and JR). I understand that isn't a great package, but they'll be looking to buy at fifty cents on the dollar.

Good God Kev, you are way overvaluing the Nuggets roster. They have some nice players, but no difference makers.

lol at no difference makers on the best offense in the league last year.

Gallinari, Miller's expiring, and picks for A. Jefferson?LawsonAfflaloChandlerJeffersonNene

Horrible fit, he doesn't play D and he can't run.

26 years old. 6-10, 265. 19 and 10 every night. 75% FT shooter. He's a good fit on every team in the league.

With a 52 TS% while being one of the worst defenders in the league at either pf or c. Not everybody can use that. He's a good player, but his skill set makes me think he kis a guy that will forever be a big numbers guy on bad teams. Low %, high usage, no defense types make much better sixth men than starters.I don't see how trading a young upside sf who fits the nuggets system well (medium usage, high %, just like afflalo, lawson and nene) plus their backup pg (who is probably the best backup true pg in the league) plus picks for a slow, fat, low % pf/c who can't really play alongside nene would make them better either now or into the future. You really hold the nuggets in low esteem.

 

[Native]

Knicks look very good thus far.

 

[No. 16]

Knicks look very good thus far.

What channel is the game on?ETA: NVM, found it on TNT.

 

[Native]

Knicks look very good thus far.

What channel is the game on?

TNT

 

[No. 16]

WEST Standings

1. Thunder

2. Clippers

3. Spurs

4. Lakers

5. Mavs

6. Blazers

7. Rockets

8. Grizzlies

- OKC and the Clippers have the youth and talent to survive the regular season. Spurs and Lakers are the old guard that will have to pace themselves. I don't like the Mavs roster at all. They lost JJ and Chandler, the two players aside from Dirk responsible for the Championship and replaced them with a crazy, lazy, and not Chandler. Portland, Houston, and Grizzlies are solid teams but none of them have a true superstar. Nuggets drop out to me because I don't think they can continue the way they played last year. I think a lot of it was because of the Melo-drama, where the guys who were left felt dissed, and played super hard.

1. Bulls

2. Heat

3. Knicks

4. Celtics

5. Magic

6. Pacers

6. Bucks

8. 76ers

Bulls and Heat are the class of not just the East, but the NBA. The Heat are actually have depth with Battier, Haslem, and Mike Miller coming off the bench. Bulls got tons better with Rip, since the defense inside is good enough to make up for losing Bogans. Knicks, Celtics, and Magic have the talent to be the East middle class. Really love the Knicks if they Chandler can stay healthy and BD can play. East is actually fairly deep this year with improvements from the Bucks and Pacers squads. The Pacers added solid rotation vets in George Hill, David West, and Amundson and should get improvement from Collison, Paul George, and contract year Hibbert. The Bucks added Captain Jack and dude just brings swagger and cohesion to the locker room. 76ers gets the last spot because Robin Lopez is out and while Deron is a great player, he's not great enough to take Kris Kardashian, Johan Petro, Damion James, and Ammo to the playoffs. Maybe they swing a Howard trade and if they do then you can take the Magic out and put the Nets in.

 

[Native]

Rondo having a great afternoon. Hes so hard to keep out of the paint.

Celtics turning it on in the second half.

 

[Abraham]

I know it's early but of all the games do far, rondo looks like the best player in the nba

 

[the moops]

Joey Crawford

 

[simmonjm]

What a great game to kick off the season

 

[Native]

Great ending. Melo had 37 points on only 17 shots.

Way to go Knicks!