"The root of the Rondo-Carlisle crisis is a simmering disagreement about whether the Mavs were best off with the genius former Coach of the Year or brilliant four-time All-Star point guard calling the majority of the plays.
Rondo, a nine-year veteran with one of the highest basketball IQs in the league, believes that's a big part of his job as a point guard. Carlisle, one of the NBA's best offensive minds, doesn't want to hand the keys of his sports car over to a guy he just met.
It's similar to the friction between Carlisle and future Hall of Fame point guard Jason Kidd during their first season together, except they never had "SportsCenter"-leading shouting matches. Carlisle ceded control to Kidd in midseason, and that duo played prominent roles in the Mavs' title run a few years later.
Could history repeat itself? Don't hold your breath. The reality is Rondo's run with the Mavs is extremely unlikely to extend past this season. "
I wanted Rondo BADLY in the draft and I'm still a fan but I'm very concerned with his fit in the triangle and even more important.. he's ALWAYS hurt. Find it hard to believe that improves in his age 30-34 seasons. Rajon Rondo has played 68, 53, 38, 30 and 47 games (so far) the past 5 seasons
Link - (
New Window )
The rumor right after the trade was made was that Cuban forced the Rondo move against Carlisle's wishes. Dallas' offense was #1 in the league at the time of the trade, they've been borderline Top 10 with Rondo.
Still, I love Rondo. Absent the Triangle and Jax's system, I'd be in. He'd have been a good fit for Mike Woodson's lack of giving a shit about offense.
It's really too bad Tri-State basketball is dead this year an so many of you gave up on the NBA this year. Because the West is historic.
I bet he doesnt get the max, but he will get a lot closer to it then i would be willing to offer.
It's really too bad Tri-State basketball is dead this year an so many of you gave up on the NBA this year. Because the West is historic.
Higher seeded teams should start tanking. No one wants part of the best team in basketball..... the OKC Thunder. Westbrook, realistically, should be the MVP of the league. They will have Durant back. Ibaka has raised his game. Kanter is a legimate center they never had. Waiters provides scoring. Roberson the defense. And Augustin/Singler are very solid role players.
OKC/Cleveland final.
He's definitely Player of the Month for February though, hands down.
He's definitely Player of the Month for February though, hands down.
The only reason that's the case was because he missed time early on, but he has been the best player in the NBA this year.
Pass
Watching Cousins and ZBo get in each other's faces last night was so exciting. Both of those guys are for real and were on the verge of going at it.
Cousins would be a great fit in the triangle also
If you are building your team based on who is a "leader" it's going to be quite a long wait. Is Westbrook a leader? is Harden? How many "leaders" are there? Cousins is a stud player, young and would instantly give Melo a legit star to work with.
FWIW, Harden has become a fantastic leader.
Melo - 22.9
Cousins - 14.7
Early - .9
That would be all you had under contract. There would be some Team options but if you declinded them all and took cap holds you would be at like 43 mill. So if the cap is around 69 you would have like 26 mill or so left to spend.
Melo 22.8
Cousins 14.7
Early 845,000
= 38 million
9 cap holds= 4.5 million
42.5 million
They would still have around 21 million to spend
FWIW, Harden has become a fantastic leader.
I wasn't calling out Harden by the way. Just saying the list of guys we "know" are leaders is quite short. Cousins DOES need to be babied but he was also very close with Mike Malone so it's not as if he can never be controlled.
Quote:
If the Knicks traded say #1 overall and Hardaway for Cousins, and then somehow dumped Calderon, cap wise what else could they afford?
Melo 22.8
Cousins 14.7
Early 845,000
= 38 million
9 cap holds= 4.5 million
42.5 million
They would still have around 21 million to spend
Damn, that's pretty bonerific stuff right there lol That's "Phil is a genius" type potential off-season, from worse to first caliber stuff.
Link - ( New Window )
The expected cap for this upcoming season is supposed to be around 63/64 million dollars. We are on the hook for 32 million with Calderon. If we were to swing a trade for Cousins that would be 32 million plus 15 = 47 Million against the cap with around 16 mil left to fill out the roster. If Hardaway was added in the trade that clears up another 1.5 or so million. If we were to unload Calderon, best case we could be looking at 24-25 million in cap space but with a roster of just Melo, Cousins, Acy, Early, Galloway I think.
Quote:
In comment 12153915 DanMetroMan said:
Quote:
If the Knicks traded say #1 overall and Hardaway for Cousins, and then somehow dumped Calderon, cap wise what else could they afford?
Melo 22.8
Cousins 14.7
Early 845,000
= 38 million
9 cap holds= 4.5 million
42.5 million
They would still have around 21 million to spend
Damn, that's pretty bonerific stuff right there lol That's "Phil is a genius" type potential off-season, from worse to first caliber stuff.
Thats based off of 63 million salary cap...like Italian said if it is 68 or 69 million Knicks could ahve 26 million with Cousins and Melo as your centerpieces to go out and recruit...
You would need a PG SG and PF so how far does that 26 million get you?
You are more than likely correct but at least the pick gives the Knicks a shot at such "dreams" as does the player they pick. Durant suddenly says "Fuck OKC, I'm out of here" #1 or #2 pick (or say Okafor) has to at least get the Knicks in the door.
Maybe Blake Griffin? But I think I'd take Boogie because of his size.
In fairness, Rome wasn't built in a day so if our 2015-2016 PG situation wasn't "great" it would still be a fun team and a nice core.
Bring me Boogie!
???
Mathews
Melo
Monroe
Cousins
You could find some vet pretty easily to play with that team. A Collison level player prolly. Or just let Galloway play PG. He does seem like more of a 2 but with the rest of that team i think you can get away with him at PG.
Well back to reality......
they would then have another 25 million give or take to go after Durant...
Now is Mathews Melo and Cousins attractive enough to lure Durant?
Demarcus Cousins: If Karl feels its time to move in another direction and start fresh...
Blake Griffin: clippers lose first round and Doc feels its time for a shake up since this core has not won much
Kevin Durant: Does Durant somehow force his way out if they fizzle out in the first round and he and westbrook clash...
Not saying any of these scenarios are likely but these are some things that may happen and if the Knicks have the number 1 pick it oculd be tempting
Given Melo's age I really HOPE this is the plan. I'd be pretty floored if Okafor or Towns quickly become some stud and I'd say 0% chance ever is better than Cousins
It would definitely take a PG that could get all 3 the ball but could you imagine Melo and Cousins on one side of the triangle and Kevin Durant on the otherside or vice versa...
Durant or Melo shooting open 3's....drool
???
Mathews
Melo
Monroe
Cousins
You could find some vet pretty easily to play with that team. A Collison level player prolly. Or just let Galloway play PG. He does seem like more of a 2 but with the rest of that team i think you can get away with him at PG.
Well back to reality......
Eh... that team would really struggle to be above-average defensively. In re: Cousins' massive improvement on defense while Malone was there (per metrics), I'm more a believer than a skeptic, but if your frontcourt is those three guys you're never going to have top-shelf rim protection. And given the cap situation, Monroe is almost certainly going to get the max, which would make it very hard to get Matthews.
If Cousins was an actual option (again, pipe dream) and the Knicks got him in exchange for the #1 pick, I'd try to get Robin Lopez (an actual above-average defensive 5 who's a UFA and fits better with the rest of the frontcourt and with the Knicks' budget) and give Jimmy Butler a max offer sheet. That would give the Knicks a lineup with a legit "Big 3" and a chance to be an actual good defensive team.
Not in the least.
There is zero chance any of the top 3 guys stay in college. Im all for education, but unless they get hurt it would be an absurdly stupid decision on their part to stay in school.
There is zero chance any of the top 3 guys stay in college. Im all for education, but unless they get hurt it would be an absurdly stupid decision on their part to stay in school.
11 is enough to make a fair offer for Matthews, but I'd say the odds of 11 actually getting him to leave PDX are probably not that great.
Ford called it "crazy" that a near 7-footer has hit 94.4 percent of his free throws the last six games and noted that Towns's field-goal percentage around the basket is an impressive 73.5 percent for the season. He says all this to note that, if the eyeball test isn't enough, "I think the (NBA) analytics guys are in Towns' corner" over Okafor.
"Now, I'm not dogging Okafor, because I'm not sure I've ever seen a freshman as skilled as he is on the low block offensively," Ford said. "He's going to be big-time. He's going to be able to score the basketball in the NBA. But I think Towns could be the more complete player, and that's compelling. I think this is going to get really interesting."
I actually think it's the fact he's a better overall prospect. Okafor's physical limitations would scare me on defense at the next level.
The Russell/Mudiay stuff is just internet BS until the workouts.
A no-D Big like Okafor needs to have a better outside shot than he has. Those two clanks last night were brutal. Almost as brutal as the defensive substitution.
Definitely. Even if he was just a better athlete he'd be a lock. The polish he has in the post for a guy his age is amazing, especially in an era when big man post play is almost a lost art.
No. His defense isn't going to get any better in college than it will in the pros.
I would still draft Okafor first despite acknowledging that KAT is clearly the more well-rounded prospect. (Heck, I posted a youtube clip in a thread almost 2 months ago which showed KAT's athletic ability when most people were questioning his ceiling.)
I'd be fine with Russell. IN fact, right now I'd probably have Towns and Russell as my top two choices, followed by Okafor.
I don't disagree. Some of the clips before the move to the zone were frightening... it was as if he was playing blindfolded.
I just think about what a 19 year-old with his post moves will look like when he's 23 and still has 7 more years of prime left. I think he's a game changer offensively because he will draw so many double teams. He's also a solid rebounder, so it's not as if he's a complete zero outside of low block offense.
As for Rondo... I've never liked the fact that he couldn't shoot, but I had grown to like his defense and ability to penetrate whenever he wanted. However... now that it seems like he's a big brat I don't think his game is worth the hassle anymore.
I'm saying a big N-O on Rondo!
just funny to me
He says Rondo is absolutely gone from Dallas. And that he isn't going to get MAX money from the Lakers.
Not the biggest surprise but still a huge development if true. I wonder where he ends up if he's gone from Dallas, LA doesn't want him, and the Knicks don't want him.
just funny to me
I used to check out realgm years ago. What a cluster. The basketball discussion here is light years ahead of anything I ever encountered there...at least on the Knicks forum.
Odds of anyone in this draft sniffing Cousins as a player is extremely low. Go off the deep end seems silly to me, he'll always be fiery etc but ZBO and Rasheed Wallace were sheer lunatics, Rodman the list goes on and on, this guy is a monster.
Not the complete same circumstance, and I do like Wiggins more than Love, but sometimes those trades wind up being ones you regret. That trade is going to look like a complete disaster if Love doesn't win a championship with the Cavs.
Not the complete same circumstance, and I do like Wiggins more than Love, but sometimes those trades wind up being ones you regret. That trade is going to look like a complete disaster if Love doesn't win a championship with the Cavs.
There is close to a zero chance that Towns/Okafor end up far superior players to Cousins. Love is potentially walking after the year so it wouldn't be the same thing. You honestly think in 2-3 years you would regret the trade?
Betting on a guy with his mental makeup is no slam dunk.
Talent wise it's not even worth discussing, but mental makeup has ruined plenty of guys careers. I have a hard time trusting him.
I'd still do it, but there is risk involved.
Betting on a guy with his mental makeup is no slam dunk.
Talent wise it's not even worth discussing, but mental makeup has ruined plenty of guys careers. I have a hard time trusting him.
I'd still do it, but there is risk involved.
Sure there is risk but it's risk well worth taking in my view. I'd be absolutely blown away if Towns or Okafor end up significantly better players than Cousins and I'd be damn surprised if they end up as good. He's close with Melo, Jackson has some experience dealing with guys like this, I'd be very, very happy waking up to news of this trade.
Karl apparently made every single player available and is looking to build the team in his "image". Supposedly will go after Lawson in the off-season as well.
I'd still do it if I'm the Knicks because I don't want to waste any more years of Melo's prime, and Cousins/Melo could be the backbone of a sick nasty offense.
But Cousins has a lot of red flags playing in NYC for a team like the Knicks with no veteran leadership could lead to some trouble.
Still, I'd do it.
BTW, Wiggins is going to be a monster.
Mook,
Let's be fair, the rumor states Karl made everyone available at the deadline. This wasn't a "Cousins thing". It's a Karl thinks he's hot shit and wants a George Karl team. He might view Towns, or Okafor or Russell as more of a "George Karl system" piece. Nowhere was it stated the Kings are looking to dump Cousins.
Especially when Lebron clearly would have no problem being the "playmaker" to Wiggins "Vince Carter" (or whomever you want to use).
Not the complete same circumstance, and I do like Wiggins more than Love, but sometimes those trades wind up being ones you regret. That trade is going to look like a complete disaster if Love doesn't win a championship with the Cavs.
The problem with this is that LBJ had a wink wink deal if he signs with the Cavs they will acquire KLove. No KLove, no LBJ IMO.
This isn't to open up the "LBJ didn't go to Cleveland because it's his hometown" can of worms (which I do truly believe). I just think the Cavs didn't really have a choice.
Hell I'm not sure Love helps them win a title this year any more than Wiggins would have.
Absolutely 100%. Obviously he won't give 2 shits if he wins a title in Cleveland without Wiggins.
I don't think Wiggins will ever be a good ball-handler who gets 5+ APG, but he's going to score 25+ in this league in his prime. Take that to the bank. And he'll be a freak defender on top of it.
LeBron is 30 so I get the win-now mentality. But I always thought Wiggins was exactly the type of wing that would look perfect next to Kyrie and LeBron. Great defender, good enough spot-up shooter, excellent in transition.
Look at it as LeBron's first trade as a GM, because that's what it was.
https://mobile.twitter.com/kevinish/status/571098842181058560
Okafor's an even worse athlete.
D'Lo affects every facet of the game. If Okafor isn't scoring on post ups, he's useless.
Affecting every facet of the game is certainly nice, but you want a #1 pick to be elite at something. While a very good player, I wouldn't say he's elite at anything yet. Whether that be shooting, driving, athleticism, defense, etc. Okafor is elite on the block and will score plenty of buckets with his post game at the NBA level. It's something to marvel at. The defense is a huge question mark though.
I really do like D'Lo. I don't find it a knock to say that he's not a #1 pick. I just think he's not there yet.
Steph curry? Tony parker?
You don't have to be a plus athlete to succeed in the nba
But he is not an above the rim player...
Russell is just so smooth that it makes up for elite athleticism
Stephen Curry is the best pure shooter in the game and Klay Thompson is right up there with him. They both had that shooting skill in their back pocket coming out of college.
James Harden is a good example.
Stephen Curry is the best pure shooter in the game and Klay Thompson is right up there with him. They both had that shooting skill in their back pocket coming out of college.
James Harden is a good example.
Can't argue with any of that I just think Russell is so smooth he makes up for the lack of athleticism
I don't know. Curry, Kyrie, D-Wil, Klay all brought something they excelled at from the NCAA level that has been their bread n butter in the pros. I'd rather take the 7 footers right now then D'Lo who could potentially just be a jack of all trades that can really help an already good team.
I wouldn't be surprised if Mudiay ended up surpassing D'Lo by the time workouts and everything else rolls around.