Bonn1997 wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:Rockets by end of the season will shake out to about a .500 team give or take, nothing wrong with that with nice young players, decent coach, solid all star.

Still no Franchise player on the team, and probably will improve only marginally through the years, with their no defense philosophy. They're a younger Denver. Good for some exciting ball, relegated to 1st or 2nd round exits in the playoffs.

We disagree on the franchise player issue but I want to point out that their average player has only 1.7 years of experience right now. They also have room for a max contract FA signing. I think it's crazy to make predictions about their ceiling.

Who will they sign in the next few years that will cause the positive impact and don't say Dwight Howard.

So basically, yea, they're in Denver territory...floaters.

In the end Pau Gasol is a very skilled Center, low post option, solid defender/rebounder, and great passer

Perkins
Kevin Martin
2 1st round picks that they acquired for Harden *while keeping 1 1st round pick and a 2nd round pick *Bobcats* I believe and with Jeremy Lamb's development to take Martin's 6th man spot*

Perkin's salary is for 3 years and getting rid of his bad salary is worth at least 1 1st round pick by itself
OKC does not so many young players for their future, they would be #1 contender for sure after if they can add Gasol for the this season and next season

ChuckBuck wrote:

RonRon wrote:I think OKC could really use Pau Gasol, if Laker's do not improve much till the ALl STAR break and get better offers for Gasol

In the end Pau Gasol is a very skilled Center, low post option, solid defender/rebounder, and great passer

Perkins
Kevin Martin
2 1st round picks that they acquired for Harden *while keeping 1 1st round pick and a 2nd round pick *Bobcats* I believe and with Jeremy Lamb's development to take Martin's 6th man spot*

Perkin's salary is for 3 years and getting rid of his bad salary is worth at least 1 1st round pick by itself
OKC does not so many young players for their future, they would be #1 contender for sure after if they can add Gasol for the this season and next season

Minny should make a move for Pau if possible, make their frontcourt like Adeleman's old Kings. Make Pau his Divac. Great passing big with versatile PF in Love, and young stud PG in Rubio.

I do agree that he would fit well, but with Pekovic on the roster *young stud* that will demand a huge contract in the off season but much less than what Gasol is making
Also not sure if Lakers would be interested in Twolves pieces that could add up to Gasol's salary
Only players I think would help Lakers roster would be Ridnour/JJ Barea/AK47/Pekovic

In which I think would be a horrible move for Twolves but great for Lakers if they parted with majority of those players

Just to sweeten the deal for Lakers/OKC, OKC could add an extra pick to entice Lakers so 3 picks total
Of course, I would open the deal with just 2 picks though, but if they would take back Perkin's contract I think it is very worthy for OKC

gunsnewing wrote:The NBA on ESPN ‏@ESPNNBA
Report: Boston's Jared Sullinger to have back surgery, done for the season -- http://es.pn/VAabMw

Hard to imagine Kenyon Martin without a job not getting a call from somebody much longer
Celtics will have to play off KG much more and MOVE the ball to the open man without a ball dominant PG in Rhondo
Jeff Green, Terry, Courtney Lee, and Bass all have to step up a notch with consistency while PP does what he is capable of

RonRon wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:The NBA on ESPN ‏@ESPNNBA
Report: Boston's Jared Sullinger to have back surgery, done for the season -- http://es.pn/VAabMw

Hard to imagine Kenyon Martin without a job not getting a call from somebody much longer
Celtics will have to play off KG much more and MOVE the ball to the open man without a ball dominant PG in Rhondo
Jeff Green, Terry, Courtney Lee, and Bass all have to step up a notch with consistency while PP does what he is capable of

The lakers got a disabled player exception for Jordan hill. I would think the celts could get 1 for Rondo or sullinger.

If they were out for this season too, we/they would have it.

ChuckBuck wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:Rockets by end of the season will shake out to about a .500 team give or take, nothing wrong with that with nice young players, decent coach, solid all star.

Still no Franchise player on the team, and probably will improve only marginally through the years, with their no defense philosophy. They're a younger Denver. Good for some exciting ball, relegated to 1st or 2nd round exits in the playoffs.

We disagree on the franchise player issue but I want to point out that their average player has only 1.7 years of experience right now. They also have room for a max contract FA signing. I think it's crazy to make predictions about their ceiling.

Who will they sign in the next few years that will cause the positive impact and don't say Dwight Howard.

So basically, yea, they're in Denver territory...floaters.

if denver are floaters, then what in the world would you call any team in the Atlantic,including the knicks?

tkf wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:

NYKMentality wrote:

OGkush121 wrote:Dragič balling again...he's really improved since Hunter took over, but that's also due to the fact that now he's actualy being handed the ball and allowed to dictate play. Which is surprising given how much Dragič loves Gentry and he was the one who encouraged him when he came into the league and told him to be more aggresive.
Weird....but atleast now he's playing like I knew he could :)

So far against the Mavs he's got 14 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 0 TOs in the 1st half

Edit: Scratch that...17 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds in the 3rd, close to a triple double :D

Yea, I personally believe that Houston dropped the ball by paying Jeremy Lin over Goran Dragic during the offseason. Should have continued to develop Dragic while still landing Harden for Dragic to compete alongside of. A Dragic/Harden backcourt would be pretty damn strong.

Dragic: 14.1 points, 6.4 assists, 2.8 boards, 1.5 steals and 2.3 turnovers per game. .445 FG%, 17.51 Player Efficiency Rating.
Jeremy: 12.2 points, 6.1 assists, 3.7 boards, 2.0 steals and 3.0 turnovers per game. .431 FG%, 14.34 Player Efficiency Rating.

I just feel that Goran is a much better overall PG when compared to Lin.

Houston got rid of Dragic and Lowry because they were trying to get into the Dwight sweepstakes. A risk they were willing to take.

Consolation prize of Asik and Lin is not bad considering they used the assets they collected to get harden. Now they still have a lot of assets and cap room to sign another foundational player. Future is bright in Houston.

very bright.. Houston, Denver, Golden State, Indiana are going to be some teams to watch in the near future..

agreed. all these teams are young and are going to mature around the same time. individuals developing their games and developing chemistry with one another is always inspiring. they are going to inexorably climb to the top of the league. i mean just look at indiana last night.