Official 2013 NBA Offseason Thread

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Antidope said:
ARE these real? Why do the Lakers have a Christmas game this year. Idc rhat it's the Lakers no one besides laker haters wants to see that.
He's not even the best PG on the NBA he needs to relax
I hope the guy gets to play the season out.
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I heard Kobe is trying to come back by Christmas...could be wrong though. 
 
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 You talkin bout D. Rose supposed lack of postseason accolades as if he's been in the NBA for 10 years.

Excluding the 2011-2012 season when he went down in the playoffs...he went to the playoffs and did work for 3 straight years. Almost knocking out a championship Celtics team in his rookie season...and then losing to Lebron twice...once in the conference finals. That's nothing to be ashamed of.
 
I don't think anyone is expecting Miller to be a 20-25 mpg player in the Grizz rotaton. Like I said before, Memphis won 56 games last season as one of the worst shooting teams in the league. Having shooters on the floor matter more for this team come playoff time than anything, because that's when each possession becomes more important and tighter.

I actually want us to sit Miller for the most part throughout the season to rest him for the playoffs. 45-50 games, 15 minutes a night, put up at least 4-5 three's a game, shoot at a 40%+ rate. Not to mention, Memphis is expected to improve their 3 point shooting internally from guys like Conley, Q, Bayless and Prince (if he stays). Memphis did not take many 3's because of Hollins. He did not believe in the 3 point shot. Simple as that. Its not even about becoming an excellent 3 point shooting team, its really about just having the confidence to take them every game so your offense does not become predictable.

Miller made 33 3's during the last 10 games of the regular season when he was averaging about 25 minutes a night. Made 11 3's in the Finals. He is not "washed". He is joining the best defensive team in the West, we don't really need him for anything else outside of his shooting ability. And like I also mentioned, this is probably not going to be the only move Memphis makes. I expect another move to come, whether its now or before the deadline.

No more Dooling, Arthur, Daye. Added Miller, Koufos, Calathes (if he comes over) and more of Davis. The team could've stayed put and still won over 50 games in the season. Now, they have a few extra pieces to help them make another run this year.
 
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Tyson just gave hope to all of the chicken legged community that we too can succeed aesthetically and athletically. :pimp:



But Thank god I started doing legs a few months ago though, that's just....not right :lol:
 
I believe Durant love OKC. I believe what he said after losing in the Finals by not wanting to play for another team/city but that was when he thought him, harden, russell, and ibaka was going to be together for a while. And I think Jay is going to have some input on why it maybe a good time to leave OKC. He's going to see all the teams around him getting better via trades and FA's I don't know how long the develop through the draft will help.
 
July Power Rankings: East rising

With free-agency season just about settled and both Las Vegas and Orlando Summer League wrapped up, it's time to stop and examine how the league is shaping up in 2013-14. A handful of big-name free agents have yet to find their homes for next season (Nikola Pekovic, Brandon Jennings and Greg Oden, to name a few), but we still have a pretty good feel for each team.

On Wednesday, Kevin Pelton ranked the Western Conference teams, which leaves me to fill out the Eastern Conference standings. With the obvious disclaimer that things can change between now and the end of October, here's a tentative look at how the East ranks one through 15.

1. Miami Heat (2012-13 finish: 1st place)

Are you surprised? While there's some uncertainty at the top of the Western Conference, there's a sliver of separation between the defending champs and the rest of the Eastern elite. With the exception of Mike Miller, the Heat's championship core will be returning for its 2013-14 three-peat bid.

The biggest obstacle for the Heat next season won't be Miller's departure, but Dwyane Wade's health. If Wade's battered knees can hold up for a full season, the Heat will likely find themselves right back in the Finals for the fourth consecutive season. Sure, returning to the status quo might not seem like enough, but when the status quo includes LeBron James, little else needs to be done.

2. Brooklyn Nets (2012-13 finish: 4th)

With the additions of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Andrei Kirilenko, Shaun Livingston and Jason Terry, this might be the deepest team in the league. A lot of ink (err, bandwidth) has been spilled on the aging core, but let's not forget that their two best players -- Deron Williams and Brook Lopez -- are in their primes.

The Kirilenko addition should do wonders to keep Pierce and Garnett fresh for the playoffs, which will be huge with their lofty goals for next season. There's a very real possibility that the Nets show their age and fail to make strides in 2013-14, but they've cooled those concerns with a monster bench.

3. Chicago Bulls (2012-13 finish: 5th)

There promises to be some internal growth with Jimmy Butler and Marquis Teague, and the Bulls did well to bring in sweet-shooting Mike Dunleavy Jr. on a very team-friendly deal (two years, $6 million). Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Kirk Hinrich should be healthier, but let's be serious: It all hinges on that guy Derrick Rose.

If Rose returns to perennial MVP-candidate form, or something close to it, the Bulls figure to challenge the Heat for the top seed out East and separate themselves from the rest of the pack. But that's a big if for someone so reliant on burst and athleticism.

4. Indiana Pacers (2012-13 finish: 3rd)

Why not higher on this list? While the Bulls added Rose and the Nets revamped their roster, the Pacers won't look appreciably different than their 2012-13 squad. Danny Granger's return could help, but he's been in decline for a few seasons now and that was before a balky left knee gave him a lost season in 2012-13.

There are legitimate questions whether Roy Hibbert and Paul George can maintain their breakthrough performances in the playoffs, but the duo is young enough to produce an encore. They'll need it to continue the franchise's upward trend.

5. New York Knicks (2012-13 finish: 2nd)

The Nets stole the headlines in the Big Apple for good reason. It's hard to figure out how the Knicks will improve on their 2012-13 campaign that gave them a No. 2 seed and an exit in the East semis. J.R. Smith had major knee surgery that will table him for 3-4 months, Andrea Bargnani won't help their porous defense and newcomer Metta World Peace is a 33-year-old coming off knee surgery.

If the Knicks consider Amar'e Stoudemire a $22 million sunk cost and commit to playing Carmelo Anthony at the 4 full time, they could make some more noise in the East. But this looks like a big step back for the Knicks.

6. Atlanta Hawks (2012-13 finish: 6th)

The general public probably responded to the Hawks' offseason with a resounding "meh," but there's a good chance that the post-Josh Smith era will pick up where it left off. Paul Millsap remains one of the more underappreciated players in the league (seriously, how did he sign for just $19 million?) and the rest of the core remains intact, including supersub Lou Williams, who missed the end of last season with a torn ACL.

The additions of summer league standout Dennis Schroeder and Elton Brand should bolster their bid to crash the top-four party, but they'll happily take the sixth seed without Smith.

7. Washington Wizards (2012-13 finish: 12th)

Whether the Wizards extend John Wall to the max ranks as one of the biggest remaining questions of the offseason -- they're currently discussing a five-year deal in the $80 million range -- but that shouldn't have much effect on the team's bullish outlook for 2013-14. The Wiz were quietly a top-10 defense for the second half of last season and they drafted Otto Porter Jr., who figures to step in right away at the small forward position.

With the 20-year-old Bradley Beal returning from injury, the Wizards could have the biggest jump in the Eastern Conference next season. Speaking of big jumps …

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (2012-13 finish: 13th)

If only they could trade for the Phoenix Suns training staff. With the talent on the roster, the Cavaliers could vault as high as the No. 5 seed in the East, but the talent could also be in street clothes for much of the season. No team possesses more "if healthy" qualifiers than the Cavaliers, with Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao and Andrew Bynum all battling various leg injuries.

To counteract the injury risk, the Cavs could use big developmental strides from Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson and No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett. A Heat-Cavs first-round playoff matchup is a real possibility, though I can't imagine we'd find anything to talk about.

9. Milwaukee Bucks (2012-13 finish: 8th)

This could work. Underline, double-asterisk, highlight "could." With all the point guard openings being filled, Brandon Jennings figures to re-up with the Bucks on a qualifying offer and help try to lead the Bucks back to the playoffs.

Ironically, O.J. Mayo is a statistical twin to J.J. Redick, who never found his footing in Milwaukee. But don't count out Larry Sanders and John Henson as the East's best young frontcourt. While the franchise's sideways direction could be questioned, the Bucks will be vying for the playoffs once again in 2013-14.

10. Detroit Pistons (2012-13 finish: 11th)

I'd be more excited about the Pistons had they addressed their spacing issues brought about by Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, but then they exacerbated the problem by signing notorious long-2 maven Josh Smith.

No doubt, Smith will improve their score prevention on the defensive end, but I'm still not sure how this team can put up enough points to be a playoff team. Can Kentavious Caldwell-Pope rescue a dreadful backcourt?

11. Toronto Raptors (2012-13 finish: 10th)

After winning summer league MVP in Vegas, Jonas Valanciunas appears to be right on track to becoming one of the league's most promising young centers. The Raptors' season could hinge on his continued development. If he falters, they could shift into tank mode and look to deal Rudy Gay. If Valanciunas continues to blossom, a push for the playoffs could be in order.

Any way you slice it, this is a young team that's probably a little too talented for its own good, with the loaded 2014 draft class on the horizon.

12. Orlando Magic (2012-13 finish: 15th)

The Magic seem prime for a veteran firesale at some point. Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Arron Afflalo, Glen Davis and Al Harrington are all on sizable contracts that could be attractive to playoff teams looking to clear future cap space and/or bolster their rotation.

Such a move would make sense if Orlando wants to keep their names in the "Riggin' for Wiggins" hat for 2014. A core of Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic is promising but not good enough to keep themselves out of the East basement.

13. Boston Celtics (2012-13 finish: 7th)

As is, the Celtics figure to be in the running for not just the league's worst defense, but I struggle to see how they score enough to fight their way into the playoff picture. Remember, this was the 20th-ranked team in offensive efficiency last season, and that was with Pierce, Garnett, a healthy Rajon Rondo and Terry. Who's their No. 1 scoring option next season? Jeff Green? Yikes.

14. Charlotte Bobcats (2012-13 finish: 14th)

The Bobcats desperately needed scoring in their point-starved frontcourt last season, and they made their two big offseason moves with that in mind. Cody Zeller might have been a reach at No. 4 and Al Jefferson might have been an overpay at $41 million, but both will help their anemic offense.

But that defense? It might be historically bad next season. We'll see if it's bad enough to "win" Tankapalooza 2014.

15. Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13 finish: 9th)

By dealing Jrue Holiday for an injured Nerlens Noel and a top-5 protected pick in 2014, new GM Sam Hinkie put the ball in Evan Turner's hands, which is the equivalent of waving a white flag on the 2013-14 season.

The 76ers figure to be horrifically awful on both ends of the floor, but that's the idea. For a team previously stuck in the cycle of mediocrity, being very bad ahead of the 2014 draft class might be the very best thing for the 76ers franchise.
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HOOD17 said:
I believe Durant love OKC. I believe what he said after losing in the Finals by not wanting to play for another team/city but that was when he thought him, harden, russell, and ibaka was going to be together for a while. And I think Jay is going to have some input on why it maybe a good time to leave OKC. He's going to see all the teams around him getting better via trades and FA's I don't know how long the develop through the draft will help.
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I agree. I know he's trying to continue that humbling image, but I will give it one more season of not making the NBA Finals and the breakdown will start. Breakdown as in Durant getting pissed that the front office is not putting enough around him. They will win a lot of games this season and probably end up with the #1 seed, but unless someone unexpectingly steps up I just cannot see them making it to the Finals next season with just two guys playing at a high level with no room for error.

You go from relying on Harden to Martin and now Reggie Jackson/Jeremy Lamb. At the end of the day, they still have ******g Perkins who I still cannot believe they have. I'm not sure what to expect out of Ibaka. I don't think he's about to make some huge jump though.

You know something wrong when a player says he chose Memphis over OKC because they felt they had a better chance at making it back to the Finals. My evil prediction from 5 years ago is coming true. :evil: :lol:
 
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gllahone84 said:
Antidope said:
ARE these real? Why do the Lakers have a Christmas game this year. Idc rhat it's the Lakers no one besides laker haters wants to see that.

He's not even the best PG on the NBA he needs to relax

I hope the guy gets to play the season out.
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I heard Kobe is trying to come back by Christmas...could be wrong though. 
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Everyone around the situation has Kobe back opening night
 
Essential1 said:
gllahone84 said:
Antidope said:
ARE these real? Why do the Lakers have a Christmas game this year. Idc rhat it's the Lakers no one besides laker haters wants to see that.

He's not even the best PG on the NBA he needs to relax

I hope the guy gets to play the season out.
Click to expand...

I heard Kobe is trying to come back by Christmas...could be wrong though. 
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Everyone around the situation has Kobe back opening night
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Even so, theyre going to get smacked, no one wants to see that. The Christmas games just brings out all the uninformed casual basketball watchers and it will fuel 100,000 LeBron> Kobe conversations. If I have to spend my day off hearing that BS I'm going to snap. Golden State better get a game too.
 
"Who's their number one scoring option? Jeff Green? Yikes."

This is the type stuff Jeff needs to use as motivation :smh: I still think dude has the potential to be a legit star in this league.

This is his year to step up and prove his worth.

The East should be pretty fun this year. Return of D-Rose, return of Rondo, the new-look Nets, the Wiz looking to make some noise, a reloaded Knick squad ...

Cant come soon enough :smokin
 
NooEra said:
"Who's their number one scoring option? Jeff Green? Yikes."

This is the type stuff Jeff needs to use as motivation :smh: I still think dude has the potential to be a legit star in this league.

This is his year to step up and prove his worth.
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I like Jeff Green, but at what point in his career, even dating back to college, has he really proven to be that guy
 
ok, so memphis beats okc in 5 games by an average margin of victory of 5.5 points per.. WITHOUT westbrook

we lost kevin martin this offseason.. not james harden, who we traded before LAST season.. but, kevin martin..

in the playoffs martin averaged 13.7 points against the rockets and 14.4 against the grizzlies playing 30 mins per (remember please, that westbrook got hurt in game 2 against the rockets).. martin's shooting averages in both series 34% from the field and 37% from 3 against the rockets AND 41% from the field and 35% from 3 against the grizzilies.. and i'm pretty sure everyone is aware of martin's defense or lack there of

we return all 5 of our starters.. plus collison and reggie jackson

kevin durant will be 25 in september.. westbrook will be 25 in november.. ibaka will be 24 in september

reggie jackson was able to start 9 games in the playoffs and is only 23 (he turns 24 in april)

THEN we get to the young guys: lamb, PJ3, adams, orton, roberson, jerrett and liggins
 
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