*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (4 Viewers)

[Abraham]

Baron Davis subtly mentioned that he had a run-in with aliens in a recent podcast.

The former Knicks guard, who traveled with the team often last season despite being injured, told the WestCoastRydaz.com about the incident.

I was actually abducted by aliens two weeks ago, Davis said.

When probed for details, he explained he was driving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in the early morning recently and this is what happened:

I see this light and its a big atruck. And I said, oh f---- this is going to be traffic, Davis said. riving, driving and the next thing you know theres a steel thing and these crazy looking people half human, half ugly-looking mother f-----s.

They were poking me on the nose, looking at my eyes, they had my hands tied and the next thing you know I was in Montabello dude, burning rubber on the way back to L.A. at 4 oclock in the morning.

He was asked a couple of times by the hosts if this was a true story and he didnt back down. Davis said he couldnt explain how he traveled so far, so quickly and said he went to the parking lot of an In N Out Burger to collect himself.

All in all he doesnt have any complaints, though.

I dont think it was an abduction cause now I am sharper and st. I am retaining information, Davis said.

Read more: Ex-Knick Davis says he was actually abducted by aliens two weeks ago, and it turned out pretty good http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/backpa...#ixzz2Yro7gXv1

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Carlisle and Cuban aren't just signing guys for kicks. There has to be a plan - maybe super fast pace with dirk at center?

Right?

I can't see any other plan. After Dirk, their next 5 or 6 best players are under about 6'5". Pure run and gun. At least they'd be an entertaining debacle.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I always thought Cuban used advanced geek/math nerds?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Stop smoking and driving Baron.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Devin Harris - G - Mavericks

A toe injury to Devin Harris has shelved Dallas' plan to sign him to a three-year, $9 million deal, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
It's really unfortunate for Harris and once again injuries have cost him dearly. He was a fan favorite in his first stint with the Mavs and the team will now be able to use that money to sign another big man. Harris will look sign with another team, but it might not be as lucrative as the original deal Dallas offered. The Mavs could also wind up with Harris on another deal, too.


For the best. No clue where he'd fit in there at this point. I expect them to look at Dalembert. Maybe Oden

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Baron Davis subtly mentioned that he had a run-in with aliens in a recent podcast.

The former Knicks guard, who traveled with the team often last season despite being injured, told the WestCoastRydaz.com about the incident.

I was actually abducted by aliens two weeks ago, Davis said.

When probed for details, he explained he was driving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in the early morning recently and this is what happened:

 

[Man of Zen]

Monta and the Mavs working on a 3 year deal...

Seriously, what they #### are they thinking in Dallas?

"Sources" saying done. 3/25m. Way to pass up that extension. Maybe he's hoping the TX income tax savings will ease the $11m blow.

 

[pollardsvision]

I always thought Cuban used advanced geek/math nerds?

I actually think this deal demonstrates that.

Before advanced stat geekdom, a guy like Ellis would get $13-15 mill/year for 4 or 5 years.

But there's value in a microwave combo guard that doesn't play defense, as long as it's not the cap crushing deals of old.

He's a different player than Manu, but old, broken down Manu just got $14 mill over 2 and nobody batted an eye.

If Monta can get back to being a little more efficient like he was a few years ago in GSW (and leaving MIL can only help that), it's not that bad of a deal.

 

[Abraham]

3/25 for that guy is a good deal. Who would you rather have the next three - Evans at 10 a year or Ellis at 8?

 

[Abraham]

Ellis is only 27 and four years ago went for 25/4/5 with two steals.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

3/25 for that guy is a good deal. Who would you rather have the next three - Evans at 10 a year or Ellis at 8?

Evans.

 

[Britney Spears]

3/25 for that guy is a good deal. Who would you rather have the next three - Evans at 10 a year or Ellis at 8?

Evans.

Yeah me too.

 

[pollardsvision]

3/25 for that guy is a good deal. Who would you rather have the next three - Evans at 10 a year or Ellis at 8?

I think I'd still slight prefer pretty much all of the other SGs that signed this off-season over Ellis. I like the money and contract length for Ellis a little better, but the size and complete inability to stretch the floor are obviously problems those other guys don't have.

In a perfect world, Ellis comes off the bench. At least this contract is in the neighborhood of making that an option.

 

[Man of Zen]

Yeah, I don't know.

Dallas is mailing it in anyway. May as well get the fairly cheap guy with name recognition who can put up points and maybe get some people into seats for a season or so while they try to right the ship.

On a genuine rebuilding effort with a good coach, I'd prefer Evans. For the current Mavs? I might take this Ellis deal instead.

 

[Abraham]

Yardbarker with an article saying Amy Duncan thinks Tim is bi.

 

[Abraham]

Hawks match Teague.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Yardbarker with an article saying Amy Duncan thinks Tim is bi.

I don't think she's really a reliable source at this point.

 

[Man of Zen]

Hawks match Teague.

Bucks and Hawks in a bidding war for a so so PG who didn't want to play for the one team, and makes no sense with the other. Can't say I'm shocked, given the franchises in question. I give it two mehs and a shrug.

 

[Ilov80s]

Why is the consensus that Josh Smith is the worst signing?

 

[Abraham]

Morey says he isn't reading Lin and Asik because harden and Howard have asked him not to. Also, reports that they passed in smith because they want room to extend parsons next summer.

 

[Man of Zen]

Why is the consensus that Josh Smith is the worst signing?

I just think he's an expensive piece to add for a guy who appears to be a terrible fit with their young, foundational players. Looks like "adding a name" rather than "building a team." But who knows. Could work out.

 

[matuski]

Here are my FA predictions (as boring as they are): LeBron: Cleveland (in the end the hometown pressure will be too much to leave) Wade: Miami Amare: Miami Bosh: Chicago (He'll flirt with NY but Toronto wants a sign-and-trade and NY has nothing to offer) Dirk: Dallas Boozer: New Jersey Joe Johnson: Atlanta Lee: New York

Why do people keep calling Cleveland his hometown?

 

[Ilov80s]

Why is the consensus that Josh Smith is the worst signing?

I just think he's an expensive piece to add for a guy who appears to be a terrible fit with their young, foundational players. Looks like "adding a name" rather than "building a team." But who knows. Could work out.

I think this season it makes sense. Drummond won't be forced to play major minutes. Smith will get lots of time at the 4. There is some versatility there with Smith and Monroe. Beyond thos year, it does seem to present a bit of an issue with the lineup. They will be able to rebound and protect the rim, but the offensive side of the ball could definitely be an issue. Are there other reaons you don't see him fitting that well?

 

[the moops]

Here are my FA predictions (as boring as they are): LeBron: Cleveland (in the end the hometown pressure will be too much to leave) Wade: Miami Amare: Miami Bosh: Chicago (He'll flirt with NY but Toronto wants a sign-and-trade and NY has nothing to offer) Dirk: Dallas Boozer: New Jersey Joe Johnson: Atlanta Lee: New York

Why do people keep calling Cleveland his hometown?

Because he grew up 40 minutes away and there is not an NBA team in Akron?

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Smith at the 4 >>>>>>>>> Smith at the 3

 

[Man of Zen]

Why is the consensus that Josh Smith is the worst signing?

I just think he's an expensive piece to add for a guy who appears to be a terrible fit with their young, foundational players. Looks like "adding a name" rather than "building a team." But who knows. Could work out.

I think this season it makes sense. Drummond won't be forced to play major minutes. Smith will get lots of time at the 4. There is some versatility there with Smith and Monroe. Beyond thos year, it does seem to present a bit of an issue with the lineup. They will be able to rebound and protect the rim, but the offensive side of the ball could definitely be an issue. Are there other reaons you don't see him fitting that well?

I think everything you say here makes sense.

But I also think most of us believe that these are good reasons to give a second-tier, shorter contract to a lesser-name player and then let the developing stars take over the team in a year if all goes well. Not so sure it's a good plan to give an ill-fitting front line star a franchise-type contract for that kind of situation.

 

[matuski]

Here are my FA predictions (as boring as they are): LeBron: Cleveland (in the end the hometown pressure will be too much to leave) Wade: Miami Amare: Miami Bosh: Chicago (He'll flirt with NY but Toronto wants a sign-and-trade and NY has nothing to offer) Dirk: Dallas Boozer: New Jersey Joe Johnson: Atlanta Lee: New York

Why do people keep calling Cleveland his hometown?

Because he grew up 40 minutes away and there is not an NBA team in Akron?

Do people in Austin call San Antonio their hometown (40 mins away)?

Your answer claiming that the reason they say he is from Cleveland is because he is not from Cleveland... is awesome.

 

[bigbottom]

Here are my FA predictions (as boring as they are): LeBron: Cleveland (in the end the hometown pressure will be too much to leave) Wade: Miami Amare: Miami Bosh: Chicago (He'll flirt with NY but Toronto wants a sign-and-trade and NY has nothing to offer) Dirk: Dallas Boozer: New Jersey Joe Johnson: Atlanta Lee: New York

Why do people keep calling Cleveland his hometown?

Because he grew up 40 minutes away and there is not an NBA team in Akron?

Do people in Austin call San Antonio their hometown (40 mins away)?

Your answer claiming that the reason they say he is from Cleveland is because he is not from Cleveland... is awesome.

You're right, it's not his hometown, but if an NBA player grew up in Austin, it would not be unusual to refer to a hometown draw to play for the Spurs.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I can't believe people are reading my posts in this thread from 2010.

 

[Abraham]

San Antonio to Austin is more like 70 miles.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

The Cavaliers, Browns and Indians are the home teams in Akron. LeBron didn't care about that growing up. He was a fan of the Cowboys, Yankees and Bulls.

 

[Premier]

Rookies arent supposed to be this poised, this polished. Theyre not supposed to display a defensive savoir faire far beyond their young years, and theyre certainly not supposed to be as comfortable taking the shot to win the game as they are the one to open it. And yet, Oladipo is all of these things. He wasnt perfect in Orlando, with turnovers plaguing him in every game, but every other aspect of his game was either as good as advertised or better. Averaging 19 points, five assists and three steals per game while shooting 53 percent from deep and 82 percent from the line, Oladipos only main areas of worry were his oddly low field goal percentage (37 percent) and his turnovers (nearly five per game, which is to be expected of a rookie just now learning the point guard position).

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/61366/orlando-summer-league-final-judgments

Gunz

 

[Premier]

McLemore shot 4-23 yesterday, as Gunz would say against summer leaguers.

 

[Colin Dowling]

Cappy - who are the other rotation guys in Orlando?

Oladipo / Nelson / afflalo

Davis / vucevic / Harris.

Who else is expected to get lots of minutes?

 

[Premier]

Cappy - who are the other rotation guys in Orlando?

Oladipo / Nelson / afflalo

Davis / vucevic / Harris.

Who else is expected to get lots of minutes?

Harkless, definitely. Probably will be the starting 3. Nicholson will get a lot of run too, but his defense may be the worst in the league.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Rookies arent supposed to be this poised, this polished. Theyre not supposed to display a defensive savoir faire far beyond their young years, and theyre certainly not supposed to be as comfortable taking the shot to win the game as they are the one to open it. And yet, Oladipo is all of these things. He wasnt perfect in Orlando, with turnovers plaguing him in every game, but every other aspect of his game was either as good as advertised or better. Averaging 19 points, five assists and three steals per game while shooting 53 percent from deep and 82 percent from the line, Oladipos only main areas of worry were his oddly low field goal percentage (37 percent) and his turnovers (nearly five per game, which is to be expected of a rookie just now learning the point guard position).

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/61366/orlando-summer-league-final-judgments

Gunz

Since the bold is the only aspect of his game we have disagreed about, I have no idea why you think this analysis does anything other than support my contention that Oladipo isn't a shooter.

 

[tommyGunZ]

McLemore shot 4-23 yesterday, as Gunz would say against summer leaguers.

Bad shooting night for a good shooter.

 

[Premier]

Rookies arent supposed to be this poised, this polished. Theyre not supposed to display a defensive savoir faire far beyond their young years, and theyre certainly not supposed to be as comfortable taking the shot to win the game as they are the one to open it. And yet, Oladipo is all of these things. He wasnt perfect in Orlando, with turnovers plaguing him in every game, but every other aspect of his game was either as good as advertised or better. Averaging 19 points, five assists and three steals per game while shooting 53 percent from deep and 82 percent from the line, Oladipos only main areas of worry were his oddly low field goal percentage (37 percent) and his turnovers (nearly five per game, which is to be expected of a rookie just now learning the point guard position).

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/61366/orlando-summer-league-final-judgments

Gunz

Since the bold is the only aspect of his game we have disagreed about, I have no idea why you think this analysis does anything other than support my contention that Oladipo isn't a shooter.

Negative. You didn't think he was worth the 2nd pick.

 

[Premier]

McLemore shot 4-23 yesterday, as Gunz would say against summer leaguers.

Bad shooting night for a good shooter.

Oh.

 

[Britney Spears]

Here are my FA predictions (as boring as they are): LeBron: Cleveland (in the end the hometown pressure will be too much to leave) Wade: Miami Amare: Miami Bosh: Chicago (He'll flirt with NY but Toronto wants a sign-and-trade and NY has nothing to offer) Dirk: Dallas Boozer: New Jersey Joe Johnson: Atlanta Lee: New York

Why do people keep calling Cleveland his hometown?

Because he grew up 40 minutes away and there is not an NBA team in Akron?

Do people in Austin call San Antonio their hometown (40 mins away)?

Your answer claiming that the reason they say he is from Cleveland is because he is not from Cleveland... is awesome.

This feels like a really meaningless thing to post about.

 

[Abraham]

Anyone posted that the Lakers signed Wesley Johnson? 1 year, 1 million for the former #4 overall pick.

 

[Britney Spears]

Anyone posted that the Lakers signed Wesley Johnson? 1 year, 1 million for the former #4 overall pick.

KHAANNNN?

 

[Juxtatarot]

Nothing like a SG that can't shoot.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

They may as well offer Monroe at this point with Knight and try to swing a Celtic big in return. With Josh Smith now, they've got a "3" - 4- 5 that can't shoot (well) outside 3 feet. Had high hopes for the Piston (with Drummond) for 2013, but they got a 3 man-frontline that can't shoot outside 3 feet and a "PG" that can't pass.

Rajon Rondo - G - Celtics
The Pistons are offering Brandon Knight and an expiring contract for Rajon Rondo.
That's obviously not going to be enough. Knight shot just 40.7 percent from the field and before Jose Calderon took over at point guard, Knight ranked dead last in assist: turnover ratio among starting point guards. The Pistons should be better, but there's no way they'll be able to pull off this deal with offering Greg Monroe or Andre Drummond.


Source: Boston Globe

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Celtics now trying to trade away Wallace or Humphries. Maybe they can entice someone with one of their many first rounders.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

I'll never ever understand why the Celtics were willing to take on 3 years at $10/yr with Wallace. Ever.

 

[the moops]

Because they had to take him to make the money work.

 

[matuski]

Here are my FA predictions (as boring as they are): LeBron: Cleveland (in the end the hometown pressure will be too much to leave) Wade: Miami Amare: Miami Bosh: Chicago (He'll flirt with NY but Toronto wants a sign-and-trade and NY has nothing to offer) Dirk: Dallas Boozer: New Jersey Joe Johnson: Atlanta Lee: New York

Why do people keep calling Cleveland his hometown?

Because he grew up 40 minutes away and there is not an NBA team in Akron?

Do people in Austin call San Antonio their hometown (40 mins away)?

Your answer claiming that the reason they say he is from Cleveland is because he is not from Cleveland... is awesome.

This feels like a really meaningless thing to post about.

In general, I'd put most posts on this message board (certainly damn near all of mine) in that category... but yes.

 

[pollardsvision]

Because they had to take him to make the money work.

I'm still not sure I think it's that fantastic. They gave away a lot of salary that comes off the books in 2014 and 2015. All 3 of the main contracts were fairly tradable. Pierce, especially, being an expiring that can help a contender. Garnett was pretty movable too, expiring next year.

They got back essentially nothing for helpful players on short deals, and took on 3 more years of Wallace in the process. He seems untradable (despite, you know, being traded twice in the last 15 months).

They did a dubious job of clearing cap space (Garnett/Terry are owed $17 mill. after this year, while the C's will still be on the hook for $20 mill from Wallace and more if they re-sign Brooks). The C's wouldn't have had to pay Garnett's 2nd year either. So, you can really say they were on the hook for $5 after next year from the players they traded away. They didn't get any good young assets (Brooks being the closest). They probably didn't get any lottery picks either. They can dream of the 2017 and 18 Nets picks being great, but the Nets will have tons of cap space then and don't seem content to stay in the lottery ever (and will be even less likely when they don't even have the picks).

Really, the only redeeming quality of the trade is that they made sure to get ####ty players back so they won't win too many games the next couple of years. That, and they did a favor to a couple of players that got them a title.

Not a bad trade, but I don't think it was all that great either.

 

[Frostillicus]

Because they had to take him to make the money work.

I'm still not sure I think it's that fantastic. They gave away a lot of salary that comes off the books in 2014 and 2015. All 3 of the main contracts were fairly tradable. Pierce, especially, being an expiring that can help a contender. Garnett was pretty movable too, expiring next year.

They got back essentially nothing for helpful players on short deals, and took on 3 more years of Wallace in the process. He seems untradable (despite, you know, being traded twice in the last 15 months).

They did a dubious job of clearing cap space (Garnett/Terry are owed $17 mill. after this year, while the C's will still be on the hook for $20 mill from Wallace and more if they re-sign Brooks). The C's wouldn't have had to pay Garnett's 2nd year either. So, you can really say they were on the hook for $5 after next year from the players they traded away. They didn't get any good young assets (Brooks being the closest). They probably didn't get any lottery picks either. They can dream of the 2017 and 18 Nets picks being great, but the Nets will have tons of cap space then and don't seem content to stay in the lottery ever (and will be even less likely when they don't even have the picks).

Really, the only redeeming quality of the trade is that they made sure to get ####ty players back so they won't win too many games the next couple of years. That, and they did a favor to a couple of players that got them a title.

Not a bad trade, but I don't think it was all that great either.

Don't forget that Garnett had a no-trade clause too, so even if you think he was pretty movable he'd have to agree to it as well and there's no way he'd go anywhere that wasn't going to get him a shot at another title. After the Clippers thing didn't work I'm not really sure what other options the Celtics had if they wanted to tear it all down.