Finestrg wrote:Fields and TD are the least of our problems..One's a back-up PG, now one of the better ones in the league, who's really come on STRONG lately and the other is the NBA ROY if Blake Griffin would've qualified last season..

To me the problem continues to be decent interior play at the center spot..Just decent--I was prepared to settle for decent--that's all we would've needed..Some much-needed rebounding, a little interior defense and some scoring to keep defenses honest (maybe enough scoring where Amar'e could conceivably gotten more chances to rest down the stretch)...We needed an upgrade from Turiaf and we didn't get that with Jeffries..I'd argue that we got a worse player than Turiaf in fact---I'd much rather have Turiaf's bulk and interior defense over what Jeffries provides ANY DAY OF THE WEEK---I don't care how many charges JJ draws with his flopping...We had opportunities to choose from quite a few decent bigs in the few weeks leading up to the waiver deadline that could've contributed some nice two-way ball along with some rebounding and we passed to get Jeffries who doesn't improve this team in any of these crucial areas (I'm talking legit center types---Jeffries doesn't play anywhere near his 6'11" height and we already knew Turiaf was on the small side and lacks some key skills)..And then we used another open roster spot for an undersized PF that we had no intention of playing and now that kid's disgruntled. Our two additions made ZERO sense to me..ZIPPO.

You can't possibly argue it...Jeff Adrien AND Marcus Cousin were the two guys I wanted to fill these weaknesses. I wanted them bad..BAD!! I know what our weaknesses are and I've seen each of these guys enough to KNOW FOR A FACT they could shored up some of those weaknesses..The fact that neither is playing right now for their respective teams MEANS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO ME (I know some of you that aren't familar at all with their skills will try and argue that, please don't bother)..If we would've added these two and done nothing else, provided we would've given them the adequate PT to help us & have an impact (something I doubt D'Antoni would've given them which probably makes the whole point moot I guess), we'd be a much improved team right now. Much more complete..No doubt in my mind. We'd all be taking about what great finds both guys were and how much Donnie needs to be brought back..I can only hope both guys become available this offseason and we jump at the chance to bring both to training camp..WTF, I even would've jumped at the chance to add Earl Barron..The proof was in the pudding with this guy--HE PLAYED VERY WELL here the first time around..He would've been great and it sounded like he wanted to come back and we may have actually wanted him..Too bad we only had lukewarm interest: according to Barron & his representation, we took way too long to clear a roster spot and they couldn't wait around for us..HUGE MISTAKE AND MISSED OPPORTUNITY..We committed to Jeffries days before we picked him up--why could we have given that committment to Barron instead?? Legit C-type, rebounder, nice mid-range jumpshooter..We picked up the wrong guys at the waiver deadline fellas..Plain and simple.

I dont think those 2 are our biggest problem. Those two might be the answer to getting the solution to our problem if they dont get it together. Both are on cheap deals and still have room for improvement. This is about buying low and selling high.

I dont see D-League Scrubs or mid range lottery picks helping us anytime soon. We need proven vets that can step in and help us win games.

My 4 targets for Center this summer are Dalembert, Deandre Jordan(Noot likely), Varejao, and Hasheem Thabum(last resort). My targets at backup PG are Ridnour, Sessions, and Mayo. We'd have to trade to get a decent PG because the free agent crop is abysmal.

Guess who teams woudld be asking for? Fields and Douglas.

AnubisADL wrote:

Finestrg wrote:Fields and TD are the least of our problems..One's a back-up PG, now one of the better ones in the league, who's really come on STRONG lately and the other is the NBA ROY if Blake Griffin would've qualified last season..

To me the problem continues to be decent interior play at the center spot..Just decent--I was prepared to settle for decent--that's all we would've needed..Some much-needed rebounding, a little interior defense and some scoring to keep defenses honest (maybe enough scoring where Amar'e could conceivably gotten more chances to rest down the stretch)...We needed an upgrade from Turiaf and we didn't get that with Jeffries..I'd argue that we got a worse player than Turiaf in fact---I'd much rather have Turiaf's bulk and interior defense over what Jeffries provides ANY DAY OF THE WEEK---I don't care how many charges JJ draws with his flopping...We had opportunities to choose from quite a few decent bigs in the few weeks leading up to the waiver deadline that could've contributed some nice two-way ball along with some rebounding and we passed to get Jeffries who doesn't improve this team in any of these crucial areas (I'm talking legit center types---Jeffries doesn't play anywhere near his 6'11" height and we already knew Turiaf was on the small side and lacks some key skills)..And then we used another open roster spot for an undersized PF that we had no intention of playing and now that kid's disgruntled. Our two additions made ZERO sense to me..ZIPPO.

You can't possibly argue it...Jeff Adrien AND Marcus Cousin were the two guys I wanted to fill these weaknesses. I wanted them bad..BAD!! I know what our weaknesses are and I've seen each of these guys enough to KNOW FOR A FACT they could shored up some of those weaknesses..The fact that neither is playing right now for their respective teams MEANS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO ME (I know some of you that aren't familar at all with their skills will try and argue that, please don't bother)..If we would've added these two and done nothing else, provided we would've given them the adequate PT to help us & have an impact (something I doubt D'Antoni would've given them which probably makes the whole point moot I guess), we'd be a much improved team right now. Much more complete..No doubt in my mind. We'd all be taking about what great finds both guys were and how much Donnie needs to be brought back..I can only hope both guys become available this offseason and we jump at the chance to bring both to training camp..WTF, I even would've jumped at the chance to add Earl Barron..The proof was in the pudding with this guy--HE PLAYED VERY WELL here the first time around..He would've been great and it sounded like he wanted to come back and we may have actually wanted him..Too bad we only had lukewarm interest: according to Barron & his representation, we took way too long to clear a roster spot and they couldn't wait around for us..HUGE MISTAKE AND MISSED OPPORTUNITY..We committed to Jeffries days before we picked him up--why could we have given that committment to Barron instead?? Legit C-type, rebounder, nice mid-range jumpshooter..We picked up the wrong guys at the waiver deadline fellas..Plain and simple.

I dont think those 2 are our biggest problem. Those two might be the answer to getting the solution to our problem if they dont get it together. Both are on cheap deals and still have room for improvement. This is about buying low and selling high.

I dont see D-League Scrubs or mid range lottery picks helping us anytime soon. We need proven vets that can step in and help us win games.

My 4 targets for Center this summer are Dalembert, Deandre Jordan(Noot likely), Varejao, and Hasheem Thabum(last resort). My targets at backup PG are Ridnour, Sessions, and Mayo. We'd have to trade to get a decent PG because the free agent crop is abysmal.

Guess who teams woudld be asking for? Fields and Douglas.

Why the quick fix for a middle-of-the-road vet at big money?? All that does is box us in to that team for better or worse..What if it's for worse? Or what if we get better but not good enough to really matter?? Can't undo it or get out from under it--at least it wouldn't be easy---we should know that from experience..We've been down that road before..One questionable cap move and BAM, that'll be the team we'll have..Dalembert I could be down with on a 1-yr deal..Varejao we'd have to trade for -- not interested, not for that type of long-term money. And we'd have to give up substantial value to get him..Cleveland ain't gonna just hand him over..Why are you against a mid-1st round draft pick to add another piece?? I say target a Kenneth Faried in the draft for that purpose or bring in an Adrien/Cousin combo for peanuts..I think that plays it a hell of a lot safer, for one thing, and also maintains flexibility to be players in 2012..I don't like the idea of committing a ton of money to DeAndre Jordan..What if he doesn't get a hell of a lot better and realize his full potential? Then what? Then we're stuck with a marginal player making too much money at 7-8M a year. To me, that's an unwarranted gamble and not something that would be my first choice..The Houston Rockets just traded for Hasheem Thabeet -- I gotta believe they'd like to at least attempt to develop the guy themselves first..And if they ever did make him available, it'd be very similar to Varejao and Cleveland: I'm not all that interested in adding over $5M to the cap for next year and Houston would expect something decent in return for the guy based on his untapped potential alone..Not interested..At least Varejao can play -- Thabeet hasn't proven a thing yet..I understand guys like Jeff Adrien and Marcus Cousin haven't proven anything at the NBA level yet either but it's the PRICE that makes them better buys..I like the PRICE much better for us..We could conceivably add Marcus Cousin, Jeff Adrien and a DeShawn Sims, 3 very promising young players--all good fits (they are not scrubs btw), for less than $3M COMBINED if we so chose..I can't possibly be the only one around here who recognizes the fact that that's MUCH MUCH better value than Hasheen Thabeet by himself. Or Anderson Varejao for that matter..Managing the cap wisely now, until we get to the summer of 2012, is something I think they need to keep top priority..

Speaking of, why isn't anyone excited about the summer of 2012??? Not many people around here seem to be..A lot of guys are all about the quick fix this summer -- I just don't agree with that at all..Summer of 2012 is when we need to make the splash..Have some of you guys taken a look at who's available? Many good players -- top PG, solid bigs, etc..Tinker wisely this summer while being mindful of the cap..We could add A LOT of good talent on the cheap if we go that route..We don't have to go for the homerun yet. Be prepared to SPEND BIG in 2012..That would be my recommendation. I'd like to see more Donnie Walsh this offseason..The following summer I say F it, do it up Isiah Thomas style. I honestly believe that's the plan anyway--at least if Walsh returns. And if he doesn't, Allan Houston or Mark Warkentien should follow the blueprints and fulfill his plan.

Finestrg wrote:Why the quick fix for a middle-of-the-road vet at big money?? All that does is box us in to that team for better or worse..What if it's for worse? Or what if we get better but not good enough to really matter?? Can't undo it or get out from under it--at least it wouldn't be easy---we should know that from experience..We've been down that road before..One questionable cap move and BAM, that'll be the team we'll have..Dalembert I could be down with on a 1-yr deal..Varejao we'd have to trade for -- not interested, not for that type of long-term money. And we'd have to give up substantial value to get him..Cleveland ain't gonna just hand him over..Why are you against a mid-1st round draft pick to add another piece?? I say target a Kenneth Faried in the draft for that purpose or bring in an Adrien/Cousin combo for peanuts..I think that plays it a hell of a lot safer, for one thing, and also maintains flexibility to be players in 2012..I don't like the idea of committing a ton of money to DeAndre Jordan..What if he doesn't get a hell of a lot better and realize his full potential? Then what? Then we're stuck with a marginal player making too much money at 7-8M a year. To me, that's an unwarranted gamble and not something that would be my first choice..The Houston Rockets just traded for Hasheem Thabeet -- I gotta believe they'd like to at least attempt to develop the guy themselves first..And if they ever did make him available, it'd be very similar to Varejao and Cleveland: I'm not all that interested in adding over $5M to the cap for next year and Houston would expect something decent in return for the guy based on his untapped potential alone..Not interested..At least Varejao can play -- Thabeet hasn't proven a thing yet..I understand guys like Jeff Adrien and Marcus Cousin haven't proven anything at the NBA level yet either but it's the PRICE that makes them better buys..I like the PRICE much better for us..We could conceivably add Marcus Cousin, Jeff Adrien and a DeShawn Sims, 3 very promising young players--all good fits (they are not scrubs btw), for less than $3M COMBINED if we so chose..I can't possibly be the only one around here who recognizes the fact that that's MUCH MUCH better value than Hasheen Thabeet by himself. Or Anderson Varejao for that matter..Managing the cap wisely now, until we get to the summer of 2012, is something I think they need to keep top priority..

Speaking of, why isn't anyone excited about the summer of 2012??? Not many people around here seem to be..A lot of guys are all about the quick fix this summer -- I just don't agree with that at all..Summer of 2012 is when we need to make the splash..Have some of you guys taken a look at who's available? Many good players -- top PG, solid bigs, etc..Tinker wisely this summer while being mindful of the cap..We could add A LOT of good talent on the cheap if we go that route..We don't have to go for the homerun yet. Be prepared to SPEND BIG in 2012..That would be my recommendation. I'd like to see more Donnie Walsh this offseason..The following summer I say F it, do it up Isiah Thomas style. I honestly believe that's the plan anyway--at least if Walsh returns. And if he doesn't, Allan Houston or Mark Warkentien should follow the blueprints and fulfill his plan.

Jeff Adrien is a 6'6" unproven PF(at best) and is 26 yrs old. Marcus Cousins is a 24 year old prospect that needs alot of work.

Andersen Varejao has played on a winning Cavalier team and fills our defense and rebounding holes. The Cavs know they are going nowhere and are said to be looking for picks.

We cant keep waiting to be good.

I dont see Chris Paul or Deron Williams making it to Free Agency.

AnubisADL wrote:

Finestrg wrote:Why the quick fix for a middle-of-the-road vet at big money?? All that does is box us in to that team for better or worse..What if it's for worse? Or what if we get better but not good enough to really matter?? Can't undo it or get out from under it--at least it wouldn't be easy---we should know that from experience..We've been down that road before..One questionable cap move and BAM, that'll be the team we'll have..Dalembert I could be down with on a 1-yr deal..Varejao we'd have to trade for -- not interested, not for that type of long-term money. And we'd have to give up substantial value to get him..Cleveland ain't gonna just hand him over..Why are you against a mid-1st round draft pick to add another piece?? I say target a Kenneth Faried in the draft for that purpose or bring in an Adrien/Cousin combo for peanuts..I think that plays it a hell of a lot safer, for one thing, and also maintains flexibility to be players in 2012..I don't like the idea of committing a ton of money to DeAndre Jordan..What if he doesn't get a hell of a lot better and realize his full potential? Then what? Then we're stuck with a marginal player making too much money at 7-8M a year. To me, that's an unwarranted gamble and not something that would be my first choice..The Houston Rockets just traded for Hasheem Thabeet -- I gotta believe they'd like to at least attempt to develop the guy themselves first..And if they ever did make him available, it'd be very similar to Varejao and Cleveland: I'm not all that interested in adding over $5M to the cap for next year and Houston would expect something decent in return for the guy based on his untapped potential alone..Not interested..At least Varejao can play -- Thabeet hasn't proven a thing yet..I understand guys like Jeff Adrien and Marcus Cousin haven't proven anything at the NBA level yet either but it's the PRICE that makes them better buys..I like the PRICE much better for us..We could conceivably add Marcus Cousin, Jeff Adrien and a DeShawn Sims, 3 very promising young players--all good fits (they are not scrubs btw), for less than $3M COMBINED if we so chose..I can't possibly be the only one around here who recognizes the fact that that's MUCH MUCH better value than Hasheen Thabeet by himself. Or Anderson Varejao for that matter..Managing the cap wisely now, until we get to the summer of 2012, is something I think they need to keep top priority..

Speaking of, why isn't anyone excited about the summer of 2012??? Not many people around here seem to be..A lot of guys are all about the quick fix this summer -- I just don't agree with that at all..Summer of 2012 is when we need to make the splash..Have some of you guys taken a look at who's available? Many good players -- top PG, solid bigs, etc..Tinker wisely this summer while being mindful of the cap..We could add A LOT of good talent on the cheap if we go that route..We don't have to go for the homerun yet. Be prepared to SPEND BIG in 2012..That would be my recommendation. I'd like to see more Donnie Walsh this offseason..The following summer I say F it, do it up Isiah Thomas style. I honestly believe that's the plan anyway--at least if Walsh returns. And if he doesn't, Allan Houston or Mark Warkentien should follow the blueprints and fulfill his plan.

Jeff Adrien is a 6'6" unproven PF(at best) and is 26 yrs old. Marcus Cousins is a 24 year old prospect that needs alot of work.

Andersen Varejao has played on a winning Cavalier team and fills our defense and rebounding holes. The Cavs know they are going nowhere and are said to be looking for picks.

We cant keep waiting to be good.

I dont see Chris Paul or Deron Williams making it to Free Agency.

Adrien's 6'7" 240 lbs. with a huge 7'2" wingspan -- not only did he have a very productive 4-yr collegiate career at U-Conn, he took the next step this year in the D-League and became even better..If he were suddenly added to this current group, he'd instantly become the best rebounder on the squad by far.

I don't know what to tell you bro, we'll just have to agree to disagree on Marcus Cousin..I see a very polished center prospect here--seen it a few times now with my own eyes..Almost right at 7' in shoes, extremely sturdy somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 lbs, he can man up and play physical, he's a solid rebounder, enough of a shot-blocking threat to at least cause distruption and he actually has a very nice finesse game---some post moves and dude can flat out bury mid-range jumpers with the best of big men with that particular skill..Plus he's about 80% or so at the FT line..I think he's the best kept secret in the NBA right now to be perfectly honest. To me, he's a combination of Jordan Hill & Al Horford skill-wise. I just hope Utah never fully realizes what they have with this guy and that we'll have a shot at him during the offseason. This dude would be a phenomenal get for us on the cheap..Perfect next to Amar'e & Melo. PERFECT. I honestly don't think he needs much development at all..I see a guy that's ready to go and ready to contribute at the NBA level..We wouldn't need to look any further for help in the middle if we ever got our hands on this guy.

Anderson Varejao is a good player, no argument here -- the problem for me is he just makes too much money..Trust me, I'm not looking at a light down some long tunnel here--I'm looking to the summer of 2012 to make my big splash. No doubt these guys fill needs, I'd just prefer we try to be a little more cost effective and economically responsible in filling those needs for the time being.

Funny, I actually DO SEE either CP3 or D-Will making it to FA--maybe both..And if they don't, the rest of that FA class is stacked. I think it's worth waiting for..

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/212352/Marcus_Cousin_Wont_Receive_2nd_10_Day_Contract_From_Jazz

Make the room AND GRAB HIM NOW before someone else does. He'd help us.

GustavBahler wrote:I disagree. I want to see more from Fields than just standing behind the arc, waiting to take a 3. Fields needs a mid range game badly and he's started moving his game in that direction. Its going to get ugly at times but it beats Fields being a one dimensional chucker. When they keep him in one place on the court that's all he can be.

If there was something I'd like to see him get back to is moving better without the ball.

If there was something I'd like to see is for everyone to move better without the ball

Isolation plays discourage the extra pass which, in turn, discourages moving without the ball