Depends what your definition of "good enough" is. Getting bounced in the playoffs isn't good enough for me. I have a good time watching them succeed and get better, but I miss the championship aspirations we had in 98,99,00. I just don't see this team as constricted getting there. I'd love to be proven wrong. It's like a Damn arms race in the nba every year. We should be no different in trying to get upgrades in talebt.
Like I said, they're already mid-playoff level. CJ figures out how to draw fouls, or Harkless becomes consistent enough to supplant Aminu at starting SF (or Meyers does the same with Plumlee at C), or Noah develops a consistent jump shot--anyone of those could take us to the next level.
It's not even Dame; Quick extracted that comment from Dame and broadcast it on Talking Ball last night (when I heard about it), making it public by inserting himself into the story... again. Anyway, I do think the situations are similar because the guy modeling the future of the project has to understand the present of the project, and the processes involved in it. If making a change to the model now for improvement in the future is going to cause a change in the present process, the two leaders should be talking about that. If the guy living in the now has GOOD reasons to protest a change, the guy modeling the future should listen. I'm not saying Olshey should defer to Dame just because Dame has buddies. Neither part of that statement is good for the future. But the idea of "let Neil do his job" in absolute terms like that is fucking stupid, and I needed to address that shit.
We have had a good run the last six weeks. I wouldn't put us as being able to beat sas, Okc, gs or even lac in a playoff series. I think I'd still take Memphis with a healthy gasol too. We will have to agree to disagree.
Yeah I agree its stupid to compare us to the Golden State and the Spurs when they're having historic seasons. Teams have won championships playing quite a bit worse. But overall I still think were further away than your statement. The Clippers aren't maximizing their potential, Griffin was one of the 3 best players in the NBA the first round of the playoffs last year. The Thunder have been pretty damn good at times this year. Those top 4 west teams and the Cavs are the only legit contenders in my mind this year. We've got a ways to go to catch the contenders in the NBA and I doubt that is happening just from internal development. One or two of those teams might drop out but another team likely jumps in next year. If Utah got Mike Conley they'd be there. Boston could get the #2 seed, assets to pull of a trade and potentially add Ben Simmons. Or if the TWolves get Simmons they have a hell of a trio for a few years later. The Blazers very likely will need to make a significant addition to contend, which is fine and far less than I would have expected after free agency.
The Bulls had this problem for years. The issue is during the playoffs, opponents spend a lot of time studying film. After each game, they study the playoff game films and can adjust. If there's a weakness, they'll find it. And talent generally wins out.
I think the coaching isn't a question. With less talent, we're a much better TEAM than, say, Sacramento or Minny.
I'm just enjoying the moment and loving the balance and hustle this new look roster is giving us. Cinderella story of the league. When we win, I want to stand pat as far as the roster but usually after a couple of losses....the tune changes around here..winning has a strange way of stifling complaints. I predicted 43 wins but at the time had no idea that would get us the 7 seed in the West...I figured 43 would get you the 10th seed..times are changin'
I like Plumlee, but I'd have no problem trading him for an upgrade. Does Howard have an opt-out? Because the trade machine shows him as having another year on his contract (same length as Plumlee).
I thought it was great that Dame said he's going to the allstar game to support CJ and Will Barton....proof that friendships go beyond being teammates
I think dealing Hendo or Crabbe at this point would damage our chemistry pretty significantly. Our four guards have exceptional chemistry right now. Moving someone like Kaman wouldn't be as damaging. But what kind of deal are we going to make without giving up something from our core group?
Some team like Memphis may need a stop gap big guy with Gasol down for the count...enter Chris Kaman...even if it gets a pick we draft and stash in Europe
I like our four guards too. But if a deal is outthere that gets us an upgrade, you take it. Imo the core is Cj and dame. The rest are role players filling roles. They can be replaced. But I don't want to lose Henderson. I've loved what he has brought to this team. I can't remember the last time we had a guy like him.
