2023-24 NBA Season Thread - Page 6

KhalDrogo · 06-18-2023, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braswell10

You’re a Luka guy, you should understand.

Luka accomplished more in his first four years in terms of individual and team success than that bum has done in his entire career.

yiguiri2002 · 06-18-2023, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeedChapmans

Two things I love about this trade for Denver.

(1) I don't know what Bradley Beal buys Phoenix. I suppose they'll roll w/ a 2-guard lineup most of the time because Durant can bring the ball up at times so a true PG is not needed but they'll have to figure out an offense that works w/ all three on the floor. Four max contracts right now is LOL but Ayton will go and they're going to be pretty baron at the 5. Love it.

(2) The elephant in the room for me is that KD wasn't all that sharp vs. Denver. He'll be 35 next year and I'm not confident he'll be A+ Durant. Certainly not 55% shooter Durant. I think a bit of regression is in order if he survives a whole season health wise, he'll be gassed and then some in the playoffs when Phoenix still has to play him 45 minutes a game because they lack any depth.

That said, Phoenix gave up absolutely nothing. Washington may have had no choice because Beal dictated terms but damn did they get absolutely hosed for what they would have gotten in a free market.

That's the main thing. It's one thing when the trade was centered around Ayton but Beal was pretty much traded for nothing assuming CP3 was getting bought out. Don't get the hate on the trade.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daeve

Yeah I really struggle to figure out their gameplan. Could be they're planning to use one of Beal/Booker as PG and try to 'develop' him as such?

Just a confusing mix of allocating resources but it's almost like KD forces that each time he demands a new team/coach. I can only assume the FO thinks they will find some pesky defenders for cheap and then stagger 2 of their 3 stars at all times to make up for the lack of defense/size/ball control.

I think Book gets the ball more. But I think they are planning to rest KD a lot during the regular season and have Beal be their workhorse. They only need one team to still believe in Ayton to get something out of that (hopefully 2 rotation players) and resign some of their FAs using Bird rights.

daeve · 06-18-2023, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

That's the main thing. It's one thing when the trade was centered around Ayton but Beal was pretty much traded for nothing assuming CP3 was getting bought out. Don't get the hate on the trade.

I think Book gets the ball more. But I think they are planning to rest KD a lot during the regular season and have Beal be their workhorse. They only need one team to still believe in Ayton to get something out of that (hopefully 2 rotation players) and resign some of their FAs using Bird rights.

Sounds like a recipe for being a play-in team. I don't think a Book/Beal combo with zero depth and sparing KD gets them a high enough seed to avoid facing a good team in the 1st round. Maybe they find some real chemistry and quick and overachieve a bit but I don't think they'll have the luxury of 'resting KD' in the regular season.

daeve · 06-18-2023, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeedChapmans

The swaps may yield something, they may not ... but considering the level that Beal plays at (which one must admit has been good to very good), you'd think you could do better than a rotation player + a couple of 2nds.

The NTC made that impossible and demonstrated why it's probably the last one you and I see in our lifetime.

Idk, my very first reaction was "that's light" but after 5 minutes of it sinking in I don't think so really. I also think they got it done quickly because Dame's name is about to be featured on the market and Wiz know this and were afraid of getting even less than what they did.

yiguiri2002 · 06-18-2023, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daeve

Sounds like a recipe for being a play-in team. I don't think a Book/Beal combo with zero depth and sparing KD gets them a high enough seed to avoid facing a good team in the 1st round. Maybe they find some real chemistry and quick and overachieve a bit but I don't think they'll have the luxury of 'resting KD' in the regular season.

I think it can work but the key is Ayton and what they get for him. They might be switching to the Clippers strategy (avoid the play-in and hope to be healthy in the postseason) and it looks like their best bet.

ninjacookies · 06-18-2023, 09:37 PM

Not sure if ya'll even watch any Wizz games.

Beal's at higher risk of missing games than KD.

His lower body's been breaking down for the past 4 seasons.

Better hope he can break that hammy curse.

JustinVerlander07 · 06-18-2023, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Not sure if ya'll even watch any Wizz games.

Beal's at higher risk of missing games than KD.

His lower body's been breaking down for the past 4 seasons.

Better hope he can break that hammy curse.

Suns have ZERO chance of winning a title under the new CBA. ZERO.

Booker/KD/Beal in 2024-25 (just going a year out, and estimating Booker's new max deal) will be making a combined almost $150 million. The 2nd apron of the luxury tax will be at best $190 million? So they will be in 2nd apron purgatory, and that's assuming if they moved off Ayton for real assets.

They're screwed. No reason to overthink this, they're a pretender.

ninjacookies · 06-18-2023, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

No reason to overthink this

'03 Fakers vibes. Brand recognition over everything.

JustinVerlander07 · 06-18-2023, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

'03 Fakers vibes. Brand recognition over everything.

Only a sucker would bet on the Suns now. They're doomed. Only a matter of time before KD tries to get out of there.

pingbling23 · 06-18-2023, 10:55 PM

WOJ reporting phoenix to change their name to phoenix nets 2.0. bold strategy.

ninjacookies · 06-18-2023, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

Only a sucker would bet on the Suns now.

I'm sure Charles will be all on that.

drobfan8 · 06-19-2023, 02:35 AM

I just don't see how it works.

Beal is going to take away possessions from 2 guys that are better than him.

They did get him for nothing though and they will be a regular season juggernaut.

I just think any quality team will beat them.

daeve · 06-19-2023, 09:05 AM

Quote:

On 00:50:14 mark, Bill Simmons says “a reliable source informed me that Zion will no longer be on the Pelicans come Thursday”.

hold onto your butts

Quote:

He didn’t know, but he suggested a scenario where Houston lands him in a 3-way with Charlotte.

Pelicans get: #2 pick, Terry Rozier, first round picks in ‘24 and ‘26 (from Brooklyn via Houston)

Rockets get: Zion, #27 pick

Hornets get: #4 pick, Jalen Green, Kira Lewis

indyguy · 06-19-2023, 09:24 AM

Reminds me of the old Dallas Mavericks team that had Kidd, Mashburn, and Jackson. The Suns are going to lack a true point guard, but they could all easily average 20+ ppg. There are enough possessions in a game for it to happen.

Just need to add depth now. I'd do what the Heat did and start adding a bunch of guys that are hungry to play.

indyguy · 06-19-2023, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daeve

hold onto your butts

I have to see it from Woj or Shams these days.

BlueXtreme · 06-19-2023, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daeve

hold onto your butts

I really doubt Houston gives up Jalen Green for an oft injured Zion. Pelicans had a good thing going. It’d be a shame to see him gone

jcardstore · 06-19-2023, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daeve

hold onto your butts

KPJ/Zion/Jabari/Sengun sounds like a horrible combination.

No PG, no shooters, no spacing. Zion doesn't raise the floor for that team

jcardstore · 06-19-2023, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueXtreme

I really doubt Houston gives up Jalen Green for an oft injured Zion. Pelicans had a good thing going. It’d be a shame to see him gone

Zion playing 20 games a season is more valuable than anything Jalen could give.

daeve · 06-19-2023, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcardstore

KPJ/Zion/Jabari/Sengun sounds like a horrible combination.

No PG, no shooters, no spacing. Zion doesn't raise the floor for that team

pretty sure the Houston FO still believes they're getting Harden back.

indyguy · 06-19-2023, 09:46 AM

Harden/KPJ/Smith/Zion/Sengun

PUKE

I'd rather keep the 4th pick at that point.

Harden/Green/Smith/maybe Jarace Walker/Sengun

KPJ as 6th man.

Feels a little more palatable...

jcardstore · 06-19-2023, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daeve

pretty sure the Houston FO still believes they're getting Harden back.

Even with Harden that's awful. Still no spacing. Jabari and Zion can't shoot, KPJ doesn't really add much other than some shot creation but he's not really a spacer.

You've got Tari Eason who can't shoot, got rid of Gordon... No wing shooters or creators at all.

Houston really screwed up the last couple years worth of drafts unless they get rid of Jalen and Jabari develops a consistent offensive game I don't see any success in their future

jcardstore · 06-19-2023, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indyguy

Harden/KPJ/Smith/Zion/Sengun

PUKE

I'd rather keep the 4th pick at that point.

Harden/Green/Smith/maybe Jarace Walker/Sengun

KPJ as 6th man.

Feels a little more palatable...

only slightly more palatable but still looks like a 30 win team to me

indyguy · 06-19-2023, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcardstore

only slightly more palatable but still looks like a 30 win team to me

Yeah, its not great. Plus I can't imagine Harden wants back in Houston with a 30 win team. I'd imagine he wants another vet or two.

asujbl · 06-19-2023, 10:29 AM

Not that anyone cares what ESPN thinks but holy crap did they hate the Beal trade for the Suns

Zedlaw · 06-19-2023, 10:52 AM

I'm at the point where I don't care how much the owner has to pay in tax. The Suns just added Beal for Shamet and only have to pay money. Didn't Jordan just make 3 billion dollars in 10 years. I'm not worried about a tax bill. The Suns were stuck for the duration of Durant's contract, no depth and no picks. Now they're in the same spot but with Beal and more cushion to avoid the optics of giving up a prime pick down the road. I'm happier today than I was last week.

The key to this team being a contender is the play and mindset of Ayton. Selling low on him would be a disaster, passive Ayton is a disaster, Ayton reaching his potential is a title.

06-18-2023, 09:37 PM	#131
ninjacookies Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: All the girls see the (boi)/ Look at his flips / Look at his kards / All they say is (oh boi). Posts: 57,200	Not sure if ya'll even watch any Wizz games. Beal's at higher risk of missing games than KD. His lower body's been breaking down for the past 4 seasons. Better hope he can break that hammy curse. __________________ #5 world ranked Ledell Eackles superclection as recognized by Tuff Stuff junior managing editor, Barry McCaulkinner. Somethin' like a cross between Teddy Aguhob and Kaboom Mystery Packs. I got that Givenchy denim flow.

06-19-2023, 02:35 AM	#137
drobfan8 Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 17,866 drobfan8 drobfan8	I just don't see how it works. Beal is going to take away possessions from 2 guys that are better than him. They did get him for nothing though and they will be a regular season juggernaut. I just think any quality team will beat them. __________________ Wanted, 03/04 Exquisite Base Gold Tim Duncan and 05/06 Exquisite Base Gold /25 Michael Jordan

06-19-2023, 09:46 AM	#145
indyguy Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 8,512 arndru indyguyat	Harden/KPJ/Smith/Zion/Sengun PUKE I'd rather keep the 4th pick at that point. Harden/Green/Smith/maybe Jarace Walker/Sengun KPJ as 6th man. Feels a little more palatable... Last edited by indyguy; 06-19-2023 at 09:49 AM.

06-19-2023, 10:29 AM	#149
asujbl Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 63,914 ohiosundevils	Not that anyone cares what ESPN thinks but holy crap did they hate the Beal trade for the Suns __________________ https://ohiosundevils.smugmug.com/ Browns/Cavs/Tribe/Buckeyes/Jackets/Devils TheFrenzy - “Blowout ain't a place for normies”

06-18-2023, 10:55 PM	#135
pingbling23 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 15,972 pingbling23	WOJ reporting phoenix to change their name to phoenix nets 2.0. bold strategy.

06-19-2023, 09:24 AM	#139
indyguy Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 8,512 arndru indyguyat	Reminds me of the old Dallas Mavericks team that had Kidd, Mashburn, and Jackson. The Suns are going to lack a true point guard, but they could all easily average 20+ ppg. There are enough possessions in a game for it to happen. Just need to add depth now. I'd do what the Heat did and start adding a bunch of guys that are hungry to play.

06-19-2023, 10:52 AM	#150
Zedlaw Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 1,380	I'm at the point where I don't care how much the owner has to pay in tax. The Suns just added Beal for Shamet and only have to pay money. Didn't Jordan just make 3 billion dollars in 10 years. I'm not worried about a tax bill. The Suns were stuck for the duration of Durant's contract, no depth and no picks. Now they're in the same spot but with Beal and more cushion to avoid the optics of giving up a prime pick down the road. I'm happier today than I was last week. The key to this team being a contender is the play and mindset of Ayton. Selling low on him would be a disaster, passive Ayton is a disaster, Ayton reaching his potential is a title.