smackeddog wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:http://inquisitr.com/5519009/nba-rumors-magic-could-send-aaron-gordon-markelle-fultz-d-j-augustin-to-thunder-for-russell-westbrook/amp/

Despite his lucrative contract that runs until the 2022-23 NBA season, Russell Westbrook is still expected to receive plenty of interest once he becomes officially available on the trading block. According to Brad Botkin of CBS Sports, one of the NBA teams that could take a chance to acquire Westbrook is the Orlando Magic.

“There are a couple ways Orlando, which remains in need of an impact point guard, could go about this. The first package would include Aaron Gordon, along with Markelle Fultz and D.J. Augustin. The Thunder get Gordon, who is locked up for the next three years on a pretty team-friendly deal at an average annual salary of about $19 million, and take a shot on Fultz. If he somehow comes out of his funk and rediscovers his game, the Thunder win huge. If not, the Thunder have added Gordon and cleared their books of Fultz and Augustin by next summer.”

In the proposed trade deal by CBS Sports, the Magic will be sending a trade package including Aaron Gordon, Markelle Fultz, and D.J. Augustin to the Thunder in exchange for Russell Westbrook. The deal works on ESPN‘s NBA Trade Machine.

Guessing it will be between Miami and Orlando, although Westbrook might be pushing for South Beach, lol. Also Riley is there, and Spoelstra, and his finals experience.

The problem with Miami is OKC owns 2 of their picks, so why would they want to help make them better? Maybe they do it if the heat agrees to remove the protection on the 2023 pick

Dont believe that would be an impediment. If thats Westbrook's first choice, Im guessing they will try to accommodate him. He was their franchise player for more than a decade, would be a bad look for them if PG gets traded to the Clips (as requested) after one season. And Russ gets sent somewhere he doesnt want to go.

The last tough player we had was ... was it Kenyon st the end?

TPercy wrote:Yoo Willie Cauley Stein went to GSW on a two year 4.4 deal. I’m very surprised we didn’t jump on him earlier. He would have made a perfect guy to start/ backup Robinson. Knicks moving bad

I think WCS falls into the low IQ category and the Knicks were happy to avoid.

fishmike wrote:

TPercy wrote:Yoo Willie Cauley Stein went to GSW on a two year 4.4 deal. I’m very surprised we didn’t jump on him earlier. He would have made a perfect guy to start/ backup Robinson. Knicks moving bad

Me thinks you didnt follow WCS very well this year. Pass on WCS. You would turn on this guy so fast

Nalod wrote:They made McGee look good.

A healthy Klay and KD would me look good lol

Aggressive tactic.

Remember when Carlos Boozer got Cavs, specifically Gordon Gund to renegotiate his second round contract? In good faith they wanted to pay Booze more as he clearly outperformed his contract. They do it, then Utah swoops in and blows them by upping the contract to 68mm from Cav's 41mm. He was set to earn $700k. 27mm MORE over 4 years. Pelinka was his agent and publically tried to get him to stay in Clev. Cav's fans went nuts and felt betrayed. Booze felt like in the aftermath his agency betrayed him to look bad. It was big. Obviously everyone did ok in the aftermath.

BigDaddyG wrote:

Nalod wrote:Opinion: I dont think the rockets under MDA fail at seasons end I think MDA has the team playing at such a high level they are expected to keep going. At some point it runs out and they are drained. There is nothing left.
Is that failure or playing over there heads?

Part of coaching is managing minutes in a way that helps keep your team fresh through the post-season. If the scenario you described above plays out, how is it different from other playoff seasons?

I think the Suns had one year in particular where they could have won a chip. Spurs and pop went full physical both out coached and outplayed that team. I forget who but they hip checked Nash and bled him on one play.
You make a good point but its a half full, half empty type of discussion. Does a team that manages its minutes and wins 54 games vs. a team that does not but wins 62 games the same or are expectations then distorted? Team wins 60 games, goes deep in playoffs with formula and then is cooked. We then say “Should have managed minutes......”. Chicken or the egg.

BigDaddyG wrote:

Nalod wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

Nalod wrote:Opinion: I dont think the rockets under MDA fail at seasons end I think MDA has the team playing at such a high level they are expected to keep going. At some point it runs out and they are drained. There is nothing left.
Is that failure or playing over there heads?

Part of coaching is managing minutes in a way that helps keep your team fresh through the post-season. If the scenario you described above plays out, how is it different from other playoff seasons?

I think the Suns had one year in particular where they could have won a chip. Spurs and pop went full physical both out coached and outplayed that team. I forget who but they hip checked Nash and bled him on one play.
You make a good point but its a half full, half empty type of discussion. Does a team that manages its minutes and wins 54 games vs. a team that does not but wins 62 games the same or are expectations then distorted? Team wins 60 games, goes deep in playoffs with formula and then is cooked. We then say “Should have managed minutes......”. Chicken or the egg.

You can easily make that argument if it is a coach with less baggage. But it's been an ongoing trend . I'll go on record as saying I think has been overrated. I'll also acknowledge his Phoenix team's were close one year. Heck, I'll even acknowledge that Morey played a major part for last season's failure by killing the team's depth. The stache's biggest issue is perception. But at some point you have to adjust, and he doesn't appear willing to do it. If the goal is to win a title or make a deep playoff run, then you put less focus on the regular season. Will fans care that you only won 48 games if you make it to the Conference Finals? Thibs, who has also has a bad rap for grinding his players down during the regular season, doesn't seem to get as much scrutiny as . Is it because he plays a relatable blue collar style or he's had fewer opportunities to fail on the big stage?

Maybe you don't give enough credit to the teams that beat them. Your assuming "They lost". Fact is, often your just beaten by a better team.
Its not so cut and dry, Im not sure either of us are wrong, or entirely correct. Maybe MDA is UNDERRATED by some measure?
His game has been adapted in some form by the Warriors and they were able to break thru with superior talent. Phil was correct to say up until then no team can win with that frantic pace. Then GSW broke thru the glass ceiling.