Exclusive Around the NBA: Forgettable February edition

Neil is to blame for trading for a short guard and putting our coaches in a position where they had to play him out of position.

 

Because numbers obviously aren't everything. I already addressed that.

1) Powell was widely viewed as a steal this time a year ago, and his new contract was equally widely praised as team-friendly. Do you dispute either of those? If so, please provide evidence to the contrary. 2) Numerous sources have said there was concern around the league about the number of years on his contract this past week. Agreed?

Unless you disagree on either of those points, there's only one logical conclusion there: Powell's value is down this year. And if that's the case, if blame is going to be placed anywhere, the new coach has to be the first culprit, not the old GM who inked Powell to what was considered a good deal for the team.

If we're still going in circles after that attempt to clarify, then I'm out. I know you have no intention of admitting fault.

 

Norm's contract is a steal only for a team that hopes to contend with him being 3rd or 4th option - which is what the Blazers thought they would be. Instead, when it became obvious that they would not - and with the emergence of Ant - he was replaceable.

It is clear that the Clippers which believe they can contend with KL and PG - believe they got a steal as they do not really have that 3rd / 4th guy which is why they went after him - but I suspect there are not that many teams that really want a 3rd / 4th option on such a long contract - if they are not sure they contend. If you look at the realistic contenders - PHX do not need him, Brooklyn is the same, PHI has enough guards even after the Seth / Simmons trade, MIL and Miami have no need for him nor do the Warriors. Once you get into the not really contenders - I do not see a lot of interest in a 5 years contract for a guy like him - sure he is a good player, but he is not good enough to really commit to for such a long time - which is probably why his value was depressed on the trade market.

 

The problem is, at least for me, that I think Norm was a better option as a starting shooting guard on a contender than I think Ant will be.

I think Ant needs to be a lead guard. He basically needs to be in Dame's spot. I don't think he's going to be a good option as a backcourt mate with Dame.

Norm, on the other hand, should have been a great role player shooting guard on a reasonable contract. At least in theory. I would have honestly preferred to trade Ant if the goal is really to try to put together a contender around Dame.

 

The beauty of having Ant - is that he might be a better lead guard than CJ was when Dame sits down - and as you have noticed - a lot more likely to work as a lead guard - which Norm is not.

So, the Blazers might be looking at both short and long term here - and with Hart also in the mix - they have Norm's replacement as the 3rd guard - he might even start next to Dame - and play next to Ant when Dame sits - with Dame and Ant finishing games.

I think the Blazers simply saw Hart as a more affordable, slightly bigger replacement to Norm (with a shorter contract - so again, more flexibility) - and Ant as the replacement for CJ - so that seems like the Blazers 3 guard rotation.

 

How is Brooklyn a realistic contender? They've lost 10 straight, are deep in the play-in standings, and have traded away an All Star for borderline All Star talent. Now Cleveland! Now we're talking about a contender. Best non-LeBron Cleveland team ever. Everything is clicking. #2 in East and trending upward. Is Kevin Love leading the 6th Man of the Year race?

 

It's kind of crazy to call Harden an all star given the fact that he's been dogging it and last year's runner up DPOY and a guy that does everything at an elite offensive level besides shooting borderline. Brooklyn with Simmons and Seth did just get a lot better than they were with a disengaged Harden.

 

I do like what Cleveland is doing.

 

Memphis up 62-28 on the Hornets in the 2nd quarter.

wtf

 

Bridges to Portland.

 

cj mccollum already has 11 rebounds lol

 

Sources: San Antonio Spurs expected to buy out Goran Dragic; Lakers, Warriors lead suitors
4:56 PM PT
The San Antonio Spurs and Goran Dragic are expected to negotiate a contract buyout in the coming week, clearing the way for a formidable list of free-agent suitors for Dragic that now includes the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, sources told ESPN.

The Lakers and Warriors are planning to join several rivals, including the LA Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets, in aggressive pursuit of Dragic, sources said.

Dragic is emerging as the top player on the buyout market, with contending teams confident that he has stayed in excellent condition while working out in South Florida and can contribute in short order on a new team.
The Spurs traded for Dragic on Thursday and also acquired a protected 2022 first-round pick in the deal.

Dragic, 35, has an outstanding postseason pedigree and penchant for immediately taking on leadership roles with teams. Dragic played five games for the Toronto Raptors this season before mutually agreeing to allow him to work out away from the team until a trade could be found. In his 15th NBA season, Dragic still has recent playoff success on his résumé. He started 16 playoff games and averaged 19 points on the Miami Heat's run to the NBA Finals in 2020, before a plantar fasciitis injury sidelined him in the finals.

Dragic has had stops with the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets and Miami in his career, which has included an All-NBA third-team selection and the league's Most Improved Player award in 2014.

Dragic was part of the July sign-and-trade deal with Miami that delivered Kyle Lowry to the Heat.

 

CJ goes to the Pels and grabs 11 boards through the first 3 quarters huh. He ever have double digit boards here?
5 TOs though.

 

I agree with Van Gundy; stop calling charges on guys who have already passed the ball.

 

it took awhile but Dejounte Murray has really come into his own as a PG

I don't know how many have noticed but he is averaging 20 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals. He has a great 3.7 assist/turnover ratio. H'e just not a good shooter and he doesn't get to the FT line enough

 

hornets back in it!

 

Yes he has had a triple double

 

Nets have lost 11 in a row. Worst “overwhelming favorite” ever?