NBA Regular Season & Playoffs 2018-19 Thread

10-11-2018 7:22pm

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Well at least it's over.

My first take - Minny did well out of this.

Butler's behaviour has been atrocious throughout this saga and he's had locker-room issues everywhere he's been. You'd have to have some concern for his impact on Simmons, Embiid and particularly a vulnerable Fultz. I have concerns about his health and age, and given his style of play I wonder how long it is before his game declines. On a first glance, I'd say Minny are the winners on this.

That said, if he helps push Philly over the top, then it's worth it - but that's am long shot IMO.

This.

Osmosis Jones · 10-11-2018 7:25pm

So a starting five of Fultz, Redick, Jimmy, Simmons, Embiid?

2smiggy · 10-11-2018 7:27pm

Great trade for the 76ers on paper, but I can't see it being a happy camp. Interesting to see how it goes!!

Osmosis Jones · 10-11-2018 7:39pm

Butler is going to crush whatever is left of Fultz' confidence.

Pyjamarama · 11-11-2018 10:57am

Philly needed to do something and I think making a trade for a 3rd star and not giving up the Miami 1st or Fultz in the deal is a win for them. Cov and Saric are fine players but Butler, despite his obvious character issues, is a top 15 or so player in the NFL. I still think they need one more guy... i'd assume they'll look at Korver but there's plenty of other guys who could help them.

I don't worry at all about his impact in Joel, he's more than tough enough mentally to handle Butler. Same with Simmons. Fultz tho... well thats less assured but this will take a bunch of pressure off Fultz having to be the third guy. That could help a ton. Fultz leading the 2nd unit is just way more realistic a lineup than Simmons and Fultz right now.

There's 100% risk to the trade but there's also HUGE upside. Like if Embiid continues to improve (which is a scary prospect as he's already the guy i'd say is 3rd in the league for MVP atm - behind Gannis and Curry) and Simmons gets better (also very likely) then they might have the best starting unit in the East if Khawi can't stay on the court.

qwabercd · 11-11-2018 11:34am

Pyjamarama wrote: »

Philly needed to do something and I think making a trade for a 3rd star and not giving up the Miami 1st or Fultz in the deal is a win for them. Cov and Saric are fine players but Butler, despite his obvious character issues, is a top 15 or so player in the NFL. I still think they need one more guy... i'd assume they'll look at Korver but there's plenty of other guys who could help them.

I don't worry at all about his impact in Joel, he's more than tough enough mentally to handle Butler. Same with Simmons. Fultz tho... well thats less assured but this will take a bunch of pressure off Fultz having to be the third guy. That could help a ton. Fultz leading the 2nd unit is just way more realistic a lineup than Simmons and Fultz right now.

There's 100% risk to the trade but there's also HUGE upside. Like if Embiid continues to improve (which is a scary prospect as he's already the guy i'd say is 3rd in the league for MVP atm - behind Gannis and Curry) and Simmons gets better (also very likely) then they might have the best starting unit in the East if Khawi can't stay on the court.

I'd say they would have given up fultz if they could but nobody would be willing to take a punt on giving much trade value for him at present. There's far too much uncertainty that he'll ever become a reliable NBA player. And I don't think his problem is the pressure of being the third guy because certainly not being viewed as that as of yet.

Osmosis Jones · 11-11-2018 3:46pm

Jimmy obviously makes Philly better but he also completely messes up their timeline imo. Look at their ages:

Simmons 22
Embiid 24
Saric 24
Butler 29

I don't see them winning it all this year, and by the time the Simmons and Embiid are really hitting their prime (and the Warriors are somewhat out of the picture) Jimmy will be around 33/34, and with his injury history that doesn't sound too good. Someone's going to offer him something like a 4 year max deal this summer, basically the same package Chris Paul got, and Philly are undoubtedly going to match it (they wouldn't have given up two good players for a one year rental), so this is a huge risk imo.

Osmosis Jones · 11-11-2018 11:08pm

Talk going around that the Rockets are ALREADY trying to waive Melo

For Forks Sake · 11-11-2018 11:17pm

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

Jimmy obviously makes Philly better but he also completely messes up their timeline imo. Look at their ages:

Simmons 22
Embiid 24
Saric 24
Butler 29

I don't see them winning it all this year, and by the time the Simmons and Embiid are really hitting their prime (and the Warriors are somewhat out of the picture) Jimmy will be around 33/34, and with his injury history that doesn't sound too good. Someone's going to offer him something like a 4 year max deal this summer, basically the same package Chris Paul got, and Philly are undoubtedly going to match it (they wouldn't have given up two good players for a one year rental), so this is a huge risk imo.

Saric is gone to MIN as part of the trade isn't he? I broadly agree with the rest of your points

For Forks Sake · 11-11-2018 11:18pm

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

Talk going around that the Rockets are ALREADY trying to waive Melo

ButtersSuki · 11-11-2018 11:48pm

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

Talk going around that the Rockets are ALREADY trying to waive Melo

Saw that earlier today. Entirely predictable. I was going to say he's become a joke, but he has been to me for years and years at this stage.

ButtersSuki · 11-11-2018 11:49pm

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

Talk going around that the Rockets are ALREADY trying to waive Melo

The fact it's happening when Harden and Paul have missed lots of games and this early in the season speaks volumes.

Osmosis Jones · 12-11-2018 12:04am

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Saric is gone to MIN as part of the trade isn't he? I broadly agree with the rest of your points

Yeah didn't structure it well but was just showing how much better Saric fits their timeline over Jimmy.

Shooting is also a major problem for them now, Simmons thrives on kicking out to 3pt shooters and they've lost so many.

Last year they had JJ (42%), Saric (39%), Covington (37%), Belinelli (38%), and Ilyasova (36%).

This year their best 3pt shooters outside of Redick are the rookie Shamet (33%), Butler (35%), Muscala (34%), and Embiid (27%). Fultz is attempting less than one 3 a game.

All those guys outside of Redick also average way less 3PA than Saric and RoCo.

ButtersSuki · 12-11-2018 8:52am

LeBron missing two free throws again at the end of a close game, makes up for it with a put back dunk - then should have gotten a T for hoop hanging. But yeah, a ref is going to call LeBron for a T with seconds to go in a game in LA.....:rolleyes:

The Lakers celebrated like crazy - after a 1 point win against the Hawks, in November. They are bad.

Boston look bad too btw, still not figuring things out. I’d have expected more signs of progress by now.

kmart6 · 12-11-2018 10:17am

ButtersSuki wrote: »

LeBron missing two free throws again at the end of a close game, makes up for it with a put back dunk - then should have gotten a T for hoop hanging. But yeah, a ref is going to call LeBron for a T with seconds to go in a game in LA.....:rolleyes:

Agree they are never going to call that on him but the Hawks called a timeout straight away and you can hear the whistle for it. Definitely not going to call him for that as a delay of game when the game was blown dead.

ButtersSuki wrote:

The Lakers celebrated like crazy - after a 1 point win against the Hawks, in November. They are bad.

Up by 9 going into the 4th, lose the lead, get it back with 15 seconds left and then a block on a last play/second layup, think most teams would celebrate that in fairness. Maybe a bit much but it was Chandler who got the block and could be seen as a way of fully embracing him etc...

ButtersSuki · 12-11-2018 12:59pm

kmart6 wrote: »

Agree they are never going to call that on him but the Hawks called a timeout straight away and you can hear the whistle for it. Definitely not going to call him for that as a delay of game when the game was blown dead.

Up by 9 going into the 4th, lose the lead, get it back with 15 seconds left and then a block on a last play/second layup, think most teams would celebrate that in fairness. Maybe a bit much but it was Chandler who got the block and could be seen as a way of fully embracing him etc...

Apologies on that, only saw the highlights and didn’t hear the whistle.

LuckyLloyd · 12-11-2018 5:43pm

I like the Butler trade. I take the points about chemistry and timelines, but they managed to retain their valuable 1st and all of their key assets and they've added someone who might gel quite well with Embiid and Simmons as a competitor. Their D will also be pretty savage.

It's the end of the process, they can sign him and add shooters / role players and they open up a half decade window of competitiveness. With good coaching; without Butler declining sharply; with good additions around the core three; with further development from Embiid / Simmons then this gives them a legitimate shot at a Championship.

They were in the ring for LeBron last summer so they've been feeling like it was time to add a star and compete. Butler isn't perfect, but what top 15 guy were they going to be able to add who was? This can allow Fultz to take a complimentary rotational role, take the pressure off and if they did get someone like Korver they are going to be a tough out in the East this year and for the next few years. It might not work, but you could be waiting forever for the perfect move.

Osmosis Jones · 13-11-2018 2:57am

This is just fascinating

Osmosis Jones · 13-11-2018 3:47am

Caris LeVert just went down with a supposedly Hayward-esque injury (I'm not watching it to find out). He's been having a breakout year, leading the Nets with 19ppg, a 7 point increase on last season.

ButtersSuki · 13-11-2018 10:14am

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

Caris LeVert just went down with a supposedly Hayward-esque injury (I'm not watching it to find out). He's been having a breakout year, leading the Nets with 19ppg, a 7 point increase on last season.

Yup, he's been playing really well. Shame. I'm not looking at it either, I always regret doing that when I do.

He was deemed untouchable by the Nets in the Butler trade saga. A few weeks ago some commentators laughed at that, but he's played so well recently some revised their opinions.

Fun fact for the older kids....from 1987....he's related to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_BXjOGAKVU

ButtersSuki · 13-11-2018 11:09am

This morning I managed to be the 2nd person to view the NBA Top 10 Plays on YouTube. Must have hit the sweet spot. Views before I looked at it: 1, views after: 2.

Very strange thing to see.

K.O.Kiki · 13-11-2018 12:58pm

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

This is just fascinating

Fultz needs therapy, he's regressing in such weird ways

ButtersSuki · 14-11-2018 4:53pm

LeVert's injury limited to moderate ligament damage apparently, no break or fracture and no surgery required.

I haven't seen it and don't want to, but by all accounts it looked horrific.

kmart6 · 14-11-2018 10:44pm

Angle I saw wasn't great but looked like it was hanging. Amazed he's got away with only ligament damage.

2smiggy · 15-11-2018 9:13am

https://twitter.com/Rachel__Nichols/status/1062873568252354561

a bit early in the season for the annual Tankathon , but ..

2smiggy · 15-11-2018 9:16am

got to see most of the Celtics game last night. first time all season they looked good. I know the Bulls are not the greatest, but the mood , and everything in general looked better. 8-6 not a bad start, for a team that has been playing fairly poorly.

ButtersSuki · 15-11-2018 10:52am

2smiggy wrote: »

https://twitter.com/Rachel__Nichols/status/1062873568252354561

a bit early in the season for the annual Tankathon , but ..

He’s by consensus not even the best player on his team, but the way the hype and highlights are building he will be the biggest name come the draft and may be taken 1st on that more than ability and potential.

rushfan · 15-11-2018 11:59am

2smiggy wrote:

got to see most of the Celtics game last night. first time all season they looked good. I know the Bulls are not the greatest, but the mood , and everything in general looked better. 8-6 not a bad start, for a team that has been playing fairly poorly.

Haven't seen them much myself this season but sometimes it takes a win such as this to effectively kick start things. I'm also operating on the basis that "form is temporary, class is permanent " & that the cream will rise to the top! Here's hoping.

Osmosis Jones · 15-11-2018 1:33pm

After playing the Lakers 3 times in the opening 14 games I'm really glad Portland don't see them again for like 6 months, the national broadcasters might as well be the Lakers local guys with the way they go on about them.

ButtersSuki · 16-11-2018 11:47am

Melo officially out of Houston as per Woj. Some funny comments on twitter, I especially liked "end of an error".

He should retire, but rumours of Lakers and Portland (and others) are already surfacing. :rolleyes: This can only go one way for Melo and tat's get even more embarrassing. Don't do it, it's not like you need the money.

NBA Regular Season & Playoffs 2018-19 Thread

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