NBA 2016-2017 Season

[gblews]

If Giles can manage to at least approach the player he was pre-injury, the Kings may have gotten the steal of the draft.

True enough about Giles, but lets be real, it's still the Kings who have maybe the worst ownership in the league. They've taken the Clippers place in that regard. And how many times have we been through this with them? Kings have a few lottery years, get some good young talent, only to have one or two of them leave via (bad) trade or free agency? That guy Ranadive doesn't have a clue and he hired Vlade, who I like personally, but don't respect as a FO exec. There were stories last season that Ranadive was trying to replace him. Sacto FO will find a way to screw it up.

HOWEVER, because the Celtics may get their pick next season, I am rooting hard for the Kings to make that pick as valueless as possible. BTW, same for the Lakers.

 

[Borgminister]

Kings have merely stopped Kangzing for the nonce. Time will tell... at least I have the Spurs as a fallback, and now that Duncan's retired and Kawhi has a ring, and I'm hitting the high fifties, I get less passionate about this stuff than I used to.

I think.

I am pulling for Giles with what he went through though. In fact (so far) the squad has a high caliber group of guys, albeit extremely young.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Phil Jackson and the Knicks have "mutually" parted ways.

First smart thing the Kincks have done in years. I agree with Stephen A. Smith that Phil was an historicly great coach, but a trainwreck as a team president.

 

[gblews]

Yep, big day in the NBA off season. Phil and Knicks are no more and Clips agree to trade Chris Paul to Rockets. Still don't quite see how this works. Both Harden and CP3 like to pound the ball. Harden has to be the one who plays off the ball because Chris is one of the best point guards in several year...still. One way it could work is that because Chris had to carry the Clips so often, it may be a relief to him to be able to not have to to carry so much of the scoring burden.

Still don't know if this takes Rox to next level. Both guys have been known to choke in the playoffs. Also, Daryl Morey seems to be a guy who gathers talent seemingly randomly, hoping that it somehow works out.

Not surprised Phil was let go, but I am surprised it happened now. I figured he'd get one more season. But using some of the same tactics he used that worked when he coached, needling guys in the press, vague and and sometimes goofy statements to the press, didn't work as a team executive.

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

^I think his interview with Al Trautwig was the last straw. Anyone who's willing to deal his team's up-and-coming star because he skipped an exit meeting has no business being an executive.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

So, Celtics got the big free agent again, which is awesome for me as a lifelong Celtics fan. I don't think they're better than the Cavs but I think this makes the finals a lot more competitive. Like, 30% shot instead of 5% shot.

My Celtics cap-space prediction, Jae Crowder gets traded for 2020 draft picks that end up being in the top three.

Jayson Tatum looking impressive in summer league. Wondering how we're going to keep Isaiah Thomas after his contract ends next year.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

What's the new rule, coaches get to eject referees now, as long as they're celebrities?

I'm guessing the moment that any bad call goes against Lonzo Ball his father is going to make that referee a social media pariah and get the referee's face all over Sportscenter. Then referees will think twice about giving Lonzo any fouls unless they're really blatant.

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

^It wouldn't surprise me at all if Lavar ends up getting banned from Staples Center.

 

[gblews]

What's the new rule, coaches get to eject referees now, as long as they're celebrities?

I'm guessing the moment that any bad call goes against Lonzo Ball his father is going to make that referee a social media pariah and get the referee's face all over Sportscenter. Then referees will think twice about giving Lonzo any fouls unless they're really blatant.

Yep, Lavar will be our secret weapon this season. So get ready.

^It wouldn't surprise me at all if Lavar ends up getting banned from Staples Center.

This won't happen, not unless Lavar does something really egregious. Statements from the Lakers on Lavar indicate that he may be pretty close to the last thing on the franchise's mind. They are absolutely unconcerned about him. What's more, the fans so far, seem to love him. Two reasons; they get that he is just a showman, and because he has been such a great dad.

 

[gblews]

How the frack did the Cavs manage to wrangle a lottery pick, likely top 3, an all star, and a young prospect with good potential, for a player that the whole league knew they had to trade before the season starts? Cavs new GM, or whoever in the organization worked on this, should be proud.

As for the Celts, they got a star and are poised to be the east's sacrificial lamb in the event LeBron leaves after this comiing season.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

Well, shit.

I suppose I will be refreshing the ESPN front page every five minutes for the next week.