*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (1 Viewer)

[TobiasFunke]

Melo and Kobe starting the all-star game

Exciting news for Kyle Lowry Hashtag NBA Ballot, though. He's struggled this month and Wade and Teague would also have been fine choices, but I still give Kyle Lowry Hashtag NBA Ballot a slight edge.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Melo and Kobe starting the all-star game

Exciting news for Kyle Lowry Hashtag NBA Ballot, though. He's struggled this month and Wade and Teague would also have been fine choices, but I still give Kyle Lowry Hashtag NBA Ballot a slight edge.

I wouldn't argue any combination of Wall / Teague / Lowry / Wade / Butler for starting guard spots.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Love being so low. Seriously. Phoenix is going to say no to Len for Love? Not a chance.

I don't follow Len and the Suns that closely, but it doesn't make sense for most teams to give much of value for a half season Love rental.

 

[Kev4029]

Part 1 of Simmons' occasionally annual NBA Trade Value column is up.

Simmons seems to have lost his ####### mind.

There are a few strange picks so far, but better than previous years. What sticks out to you?

Alex Len being mentioned.

Gasol / Zbo / Morris ahead of JV / Vucevic / Favors.

Love being so low. Seriously. Phoenix is going to say no to Len for Love? Not a chance.

And Korver. Though I can understand the reasoning and the phenomenal season he is having, he shouldn't be higher than almost anyone on that list. If you tell the Hawks they can keep Korver or Teague, which one do they hold onto?

The Love thing is way off, but he loves hyperbole. Love obviously isn't a fit with the Cavs, but he would have plenty of suitors elsewhere.

I really think the Hawks would hold onto Korver. Teague is playing great but there are 20 other guys that can give the Hawks at least 90% of what he does, Korver does what only a small handful of guys can do (Curry, Thompson, maybe Reddick). Teague is the better player but Korver is more untradable.

 

[Kev4029]

Love being so low. Seriously. Phoenix is going to say no to Len for Love? Not a chance.

I don't follow Len and the Suns that closely, but it doesn't make sense for most teams to give much of value for a half season Love rental.

Len is averaging 6 and 6 a game with 1.5 blocks, even his per 36 numbers are unassuming with 11/11/3. Given the opportunity there is absolutely zero chance the Suns don't make a Len for Love trade.

For the guys ranked to high on his list so far, Len is clearly number one.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Love being so low. Seriously. Phoenix is going to say no to Len for Love? Not a chance.

I don't follow Len and the Suns that closely, but it doesn't make sense for most teams to give much of value for a half season Love rental.

If it gets you his Bird Rights it does.

I hesitate to say too much about Len cause I've only seen a handful of his games. Statistically, he is relatively useless.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Part 1 of Simmons' occasionally annual NBA Trade Value column is up.

Simmons seems to have lost his ####### mind.

There are a few strange picks so far, but better than previous years. What sticks out to you?

Alex Len being mentioned.

Gasol / Zbo / Morris ahead of JV / Vucevic / Favors.

Love being so low. Seriously. Phoenix is going to say no to Len for Love? Not a chance.

And Korver. Though I can understand the reasoning and the phenomenal season he is having, he shouldn't be higher than almost anyone on that list. If you tell the Hawks they can keep Korver or Teague, which one do they hold onto?

The Love thing is way off, but he loves hyperbole. Love obviously isn't a fit with the Cavs, but he would have plenty of suitors elsewhere.

I really think the Hawks would hold onto Korver. Teague is playing great but there are 20 other guys that can give the Hawks at least 90% of what he does, Korver does what only a small handful of guys can do (Curry, Thompson, maybe Reddick). Teague is the better player but Korver is more untradable.

Depends on whether your roster/finances/geography give you a good chance to retain him after this season, and also the fit. If I have a choice between Len on his current deal or Love on his current deal and I have no particular reason to think Love will stay on my team this summer I take Len easy.

Which is why the column just a fun little exercise, can't really take it seriously, too many other variables in play. Love's current value if you're the Lakers is a lot different than his current value if you're the Bucks.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Part 1 of Simmons' occasionally annual NBA Trade Value column is up.

Simmons seems to have lost his ####### mind.

There are a few strange picks so far, but better than previous years. What sticks out to you?

Alex Len being mentioned.

Gasol / Zbo / Morris ahead of JV / Vucevic / Favors.

Love being so low. Seriously. Phoenix is going to say no to Len for Love? Not a chance.

And Korver. Though I can understand the reasoning and the phenomenal season he is having, he shouldn't be higher than almost anyone on that list. If you tell the Hawks they can keep Korver or Teague, which one do they hold onto?

The Love thing is way off, but he loves hyperbole. Love obviously isn't a fit with the Cavs, but he would have plenty of suitors elsewhere.

I really think the Hawks would hold onto Korver. Teague is playing great but there are 20 other guys that can give the Hawks at least 90% of what he does, Korver does what only a small handful of guys can do (Curry, Thompson, maybe Reddick). Teague is the better player but Korver is more untradable.

Its a tough call. Korver is in the perfect situation. I don't think other teams would offer as much to get Korver as they would Teague. Yes, there are more guys that can fill Teague's role, but those guys don't come available too often either.

 

[Kev4029]

Part 1 of Simmons' occasionally annual NBA Trade Value column is up.

Simmons seems to have lost his ####### mind.

There are a few strange picks so far, but better than previous years. What sticks out to you?

Alex Len being mentioned.

Gasol / Zbo / Morris ahead of JV / Vucevic / Favors.

Love being so low. Seriously. Phoenix is going to say no to Len for Love? Not a chance.

And Korver. Though I can understand the reasoning and the phenomenal season he is having, he shouldn't be higher than almost anyone on that list. If you tell the Hawks they can keep Korver or Teague, which one do they hold onto?

The Love thing is way off, but he loves hyperbole. Love obviously isn't a fit with the Cavs, but he would have plenty of suitors elsewhere.

I really think the Hawks would hold onto Korver. Teague is playing great but there are 20 other guys that can give the Hawks at least 90% of what he does, Korver does what only a small handful of guys can do (Curry, Thompson, maybe Reddick). Teague is the better player but Korver is more untradable.

Its a tough call. Korver is in the perfect situation. I don't think other teams would offer as much to get Korver as they would Teague. Yes, there are more guys that can fill Teague's role, but those guys don't come available too often either.

Korver is more valuable to the Hawks than he would be on the open market. There are a couple guys like Teague that are available every offseason. Dragic, Jackson, Rondo (who I'm obviously very low on), Knight, and Beverly are all free agents this offseason. Last offseason Bledsoe (ultimately I think any deal would have been matched), Lowry, and Thomas were available. The previous year Jennings and Teague were free agents and Knight was had on the cheap. There are always good PGs to be had.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Depends on whether your roster/finances/geography give you a good chance to retain him after this season, and also the fit. If I have a choice between Len on his current deal or Love on his current deal and I have no particular reason to think Love will stay on my team this summer I take Len easy.

Which is why the column just a fun little exercise, can't really take it seriously, too many other variables in play. Love's current value if you're the Lakers is a lot different than his current value if you're the Bucks.

Even if he doesn't stick around next year it is likely worth it if you believe he can get you into the playoffs for this year.

Might need some Suns fans to chime in here but I highly doubt Len projects to be any sort of a difference maker.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Part 1 of Simmons' occasionally annual NBA Trade Value column is up.

Simmons seems to have lost his ####### mind.

There are a few strange picks so far, but better than previous years. What sticks out to you?

Alex Len being mentioned.

Gasol / Zbo / Morris ahead of JV / Vucevic / Favors.

Love being so low. Seriously. Phoenix is going to say no to Len for Love? Not a chance.

And Korver. Though I can understand the reasoning and the phenomenal season he is having, he shouldn't be higher than almost anyone on that list. If you tell the Hawks they can keep Korver or Teague, which one do they hold onto?

The Love thing is way off, but he loves hyperbole. Love obviously isn't a fit with the Cavs, but he would have plenty of suitors elsewhere.

I really think the Hawks would hold onto Korver. Teague is playing great but there are 20 other guys that can give the Hawks at least 90% of what he does, Korver does what only a small handful of guys can do (Curry, Thompson, maybe Reddick). Teague is the better player but Korver is more untradable.

Depends on whether your roster/finances/geography give you a good chance to retain him after this season, and also the fit. If I have a choice between Len on his current deal or Love on his current deal and I have no particular reason to think Love will stay on my team this summer I take Len easy.

Which is why the column just a fun little exercise, can't really take it seriously, too many other variables in play. Love's current value if you're the Lakers is a lot different than his current value if you're the Bucks.

A whole lot of this. Timing matters, too. A LOT. In the offseason, yes, the Suns would have probably moved Len to sign Love without a second thought. There would at least be a second thought now.

The Suns like Len a lot, and they're seeing him develop now at the rate they hoped he would initially. The early injuries really hampered him, but they legitimately believe he can be one of the best centers in the league. Also, trading him for Love would be like what the Cavs did, taking their biggest weakness and making it even weaker. They need size, toughness, and rebounding. He blocks and alters shots and is really just rebounding on size alone at this point. Once he learns what he's doing, he can give them a lot of what they need without needing to make a move.

I actually think their biggest concern with Len right now is that he seems to always have something going on health-wise. Now it's his foot. If you could guarantee them he'd stay healthy for the next 5 years, giving him a chance to continue working, I'm not sure they'd be in a hurry to get rid of him without a getting a player they KNEW they could build around long-term.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Depends on whether your roster/finances/geography give you a good chance to retain him after this season, and also the fit. If I have a choice between Len on his current deal or Love on his current deal and I have no particular reason to think Love will stay on my team this summer I take Len easy.

Which is why the column just a fun little exercise, can't really take it seriously, too many other variables in play. Love's current value if you're the Lakers is a lot different than his current value if you're the Bucks.

Even if he doesn't stick around next year it is likely worth it if you believe he can get you into the playoffs for this year.

Might need some Suns fans to chime in here but I highly doubt Len projects to be any sort of a difference maker.

I hear raves about him, but like everyone else outside of Phoenix I haven't actually watched much for myself.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Depends on whether your roster/finances/geography give you a good chance to retain him after this season, and also the fit. If I have a choice between Len on his current deal or Love on his current deal and I have no particular reason to think Love will stay on my team this summer I take Len easy.

Which is why the column just a fun little exercise, can't really take it seriously, too many other variables in play. Love's current value if you're the Lakers is a lot different than his current value if you're the Bucks.

Even if he doesn't stick around next year it is likely worth it if you believe he can get you into the playoffs for this year.

Might need some Suns fans to chime in here but I highly doubt Len projects to be any sort of a difference maker.

If the Suns make the playoffs this year, it'll be because he continues developing and gaining minutes. If his minutes begin to decline again because of play or injury, I don't see how they have any chance. I think that is literally what he is to this team - the difference maker.

Don't confuse that with best player or anything of the sort, though. It's because of the way this team is built. If Dragic or Bledsoe are out for an extended period of time, at least they have a guy like Thomas to step in and pick up the slack. They won't be as good, but they'll be passable. Without Len, they're a soft team with no rim protector and awful rebounders.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Here's something I would never have expected to say in my lifetime:

TNT has bumped a Lakers-Knicks game off its schedule in favor of a Wizards-Grizzlies game.

 

[thecatch]

Depends on whether your roster/finances/geography give you a good chance to retain him after this season, and also the fit. If I have a choice between Len on his current deal or Love on his current deal and I have no particular reason to think Love will stay on my team this summer I take Len easy.

Which is why the column just a fun little exercise, can't really take it seriously, too many other variables in play. Love's current value if you're the Lakers is a lot different than his current value if you're the Bucks.

Even if he doesn't stick around next year it is likely worth it if you believe he can get you into the playoffs for this year.Might need some Suns fans to chime in here but I highly doubt Len projects to be any sort of a difference maker.

Well, you should be cautious about projecting Love to get you into the playoffs.

 

[Card Trader]

I wouldn't trade Len for Love, Len is making great improvements and has given a big presence inside. Love would be great, but I'd trade Goran before Len.

 

[Sammy3469]

I think you can count on your hand the number of teams that would even come close to giving Cleveland anything close to market value for Love. The Lakers and Knicks would trade for him, but they don't have anything of value. After that who? Brooklyn and Sacramento I guess and maybe Detroit would do a Monroe-Love swap, but there aren't a lot of teams out there willing to give up much for a guy who is going to be a FA and want a real Max contract.

I mean what's the best package anyone would give for him right now?

Edit: and the fact that a Len-Love trade is getting this much discussion is just proving Simmons point.

 

[SWC]

hey the bucks are back at five hondo brohans shocking relevation from the old swcer take that to the bank

 

[tommyGunZ]

Turnaround 12 footer with the left hand.

Get well, Basketball Jesus.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Oh, that's the shot he made this year. Thanks. I missed it.

 

[Premier]

Worst thing that could happen to your team. T&P

 

[SWC]

the new title made me laugh cliffy nicework brohan

 

[Village Idiot]

Cavs and Hornets in the 2nd quarter the score is 60-27.

Hawks Thunder is a really good game that's also on.

 

[Bobcat10]

Cavs and Hornets in the 2nd quarter the score is 60-27.

Hawks Thunder is a really good game that's also on.

Until the last minute or so it looked like a 50pt quarter was coming.

 

[Raider Nation]

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ky9UbX0Z--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/fstq5pgej1ss3b81qka6.gif

 

[AAABatteries]

Two-handed Korver dunk to end the half!!!!11!!!

*in case it's not obvious this is sarcasm because of how nuts people went when he dunked earlier in the week

 

[AAABatteries]

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ky9UbX0Z--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/fstq5pgej1ss3b81qka6.gif

Blake seemed a little too comfortable doing that. NTTAWWT

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

The Knicks record at points this season has been;

1-1

2-4

3-9

4-16

5-25

6-36

Next stop 7-49 then 8-64?

Math says yes, reality says probably not?

That's pretty cool

What a bunch of squares.

Usually when someone says something's getting "exponentially worse" it's just an expression.

 

[AAABatteries]

15 straight - new team record for Hawks. That was a tough win - Westbrook was ridiculous.

 

[Moe.]

15 straight - new team record for Hawks. That was a tough win - Westbrook was ridiculous.

Hawks didn't play well in the first half. Missed a lotta open looks and a bunch of TOs. Knew the Thunder were in trouble when they didn't go into half with a decent lead. Hawks offense is great to watch. They pretty much did whatever they wanted to in the second half. Thunder probably back to .500 after Cleveland on Sunday. With the way Phoenix is playing I don't think they're gonna get there. Hopefully that leads to a new coach in the offseason. It was pretty perplexing that Brooks had neither Westbrook nor Durant on the floor tonight with ten minutes left down nine. I just don't get it.

 

[msudaisy26]

The Knicks record at points this season has been;

1-1

2-4

3-9

4-16

5-25

6-36

Next stop 7-49 then 8-64?

Math says yes, reality says probably not?

That's pretty cool

What a bunch of squares.

Usually when someone says something's getting "exponentially worse" it's just an expression.

So since they won tonight we can start betting some big money on them to lose the next 13

 

[AAABatteries]

Hawks didn't play well in the first half. Missed a lotta open looks and a bunch of TOs. Knew the Thunder were in trouble when they didn't go into half with a decent lead. Hawks offense is great to watch. They pretty much did whatever they wanted to in the second half.

Thunder probably back to .500 after Cleveland on Sunday. With the way Phoenix is playing I don't think they're gonna get there. Hopefully that leads to a new coach in the offseason. It was pretty perplexing that Brooks had neither Westbrook nor Durant on the floor tonight with ten minutes left down nine. I just don't get it.

Agree about the halftime score. I was pleased to be up 1 with them playing one of their worst halfs in weeks. I think the reason for the minutes was trying to buy then some rest. One thing the Hawks do is play tier bench to try and wear down the other team. Durant played 41 minutes and Ibaka and Westbrook 36 each. The highest Hawk was 33. I don't know if it was fatigue or not but the OKC big two seemed to fade a little with their shooting during the 4th.

I thought Westbrook somewhat dominated Teague in the first half. Coach Bud put Bazemore on him quite a bit in the 2nd half and let Teague play Jackson. Slowed Westbrook a little but he was still so good.

 

[Abraham]

Beard - mvp

 

[Raider Nation]

Seems like the Warriors have 100 points at the start of the 4th Q every night.

 

[Protocols of Stringer Bell]

Not trading Klay Thompson might be the best move an NBA gm ever makes

 

[Bucky86]

So...who is on the Lakers starting roster?

 

[Raider Nation]

Unconscious.

 

[Daywalker]

Unconscious.

Doing that in an NBA game is something you'll see once in a lifetime. Amazing.

 

[Abraham]

I saw Mitch Richmond score 25 in a quarter once against the rockets. And that seemed like he made every shot and had no room for more. 37 is insane.

 

[thecatch]

I saw Mitch Richmond score 25 in a quarter once against the rockets. And that seemed like he made every shot and had no room for more. 37 is insane.

He wasn't piling on in a blow out either (at least initially). The score was 60-60 and Boogie was destroying Bogut before Klay lost consciousness. Incredible.

 

[Abraham]

Boogie is really good. Wish he would find a way to a decent team.

 

[Tom Skerritt]

That was insane. He was making long range contested shots the entire quarter too.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Beard - mvp

Haha.

 

[Abraham]

Beard - mvp

Haha.

Him or Curry at this point. You disagree?

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Gotta sell the fake injury.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Beard - mvp

Haha.

Curry at this point.

 

[Abraham]

Will be fun to see how it ends up.

23/8/5 with 50:40:90

Vs

27/6/7 with lesser shooting

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Good gawd that was ridiculous. He didn't even get going till halfway through the Q!

 

[Tom Skerritt]

Good gawd that was ridiculous. He didn't even get going till halfway through the Q!

Thought the same thing. Once he was on fire, they fed him the ball every time down court. I loved watching the one play where some other Warrior player was raising his hand that he was open. No effing way were they going to give the ball to anyone but KT.

 

[boots11234]

I don't even like basketball but that was awesome to watch. True master In the zone.