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NBA
Jul 29, 2021 20:46:41 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2021 20:46:41 GMT
I've been reading up on some of the reported demands from Morey for Ben Simmons. Does he actually want to trade him? Because it doesn't seem that way. I've read:
- Wanted "all of the young players Cleveland cares about" (so presumably Garland, Sexton, Allen?) plus multiple high first-round picks. - Wanted 4 first rounders plus 3 first-round swaps plus a high-level young player from San Antonio. - Wanted James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, and 4 first rounders from GSW.
I mean, my god. If these things are close to true, then the rumored Portland ideas might get shot down BY PHILLY, thinking Lillard isn't enough in return...
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NBA
Jul 29, 2021 21:57:43 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2021 21:57:43 GMT
Farewell (again) to Ricky Rubio, who according to Woj and others is headed to Cleveland for (likely smallball 3-and-D PF) Taurean Prince. There is also cash and a '22 2nd-rounder involved, but it has been reported differently, with each team listed as getting and sending them. So that's not obvious yet.
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NBA
Jul 29, 2021 23:07:05 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 29, 2021 23:07:05 GMT
Looks like Russell Westbrook might be a Laker:
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NBA
Jul 29, 2021 23:13:39 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2021 23:13:39 GMT
I hate it so much. The Lakers' three best players are going to be making something like $10 million above last year's total team salary cap. Plus I just don't really enjoy Westbrook other than on a "wow, did he do that?" level. Amazing feats, not great results. Doesn't play well with others. Granted, Lebron is one of the most unselfish stars ever, offensively speaking. But even so. Just gross. Three superstars (two of whom are really aging) making a bazillion dollars, and they're just going to have to assemble a batch of minimum-salary types ... but there are always vets willing to accept the minimum for a ring.
Mortgaging futures and then just going all-in on veteran teams is not fun. I strongly, strongly prefer trying to always balance immediate and long-term success.
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NBA
Jul 31, 2021 4:00:00 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 31, 2021 4:00:00 GMT
So, Kapitan, what do you think about the 76ers draft:
1. Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee 2. Filip Petrusev, C, KK Mega Basket (Adriatic League) - played 2 seasons for Gonzaga
3. Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky
Undrafted Free Agent -Aaron Henry, G, Michigan State
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Post by Kapitan on Jul 31, 2021 12:46:51 GMT
So, Kapitan, what do you think about the 76ers draft:
1. Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee 2. Filip Petrusev, C, KK Mega Basket (Adriatic League) - played 2 seasons for Gonzaga
3. Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky
Undrafted Free Agent -Aaron Henry, G, Michigan State Ironically the guy I'm least qualified to discuss is Jaden Springer, the earliest of the picks: I don't think I ever saw him play, so I only know the video highlights and website summaries, etc. The word is, very good athlete and talented guy but really young with a long way to go.
Petrusev is very good. He was Gonzaga's best player two years ago, when he was a sophomore. Honestly he's almost the stereotypical European big guy: a skilled scorer inside who can face up and shoot it; decent rebounder; can pass it. But he's not a great athlete, doesn't defend well, turns it over. He went pro after his sophomore year and last year had a really good season for Mega Basket in the Adriatic League, where he was MVP. I think he's going to be an NBA contributor, and maybe sooner than later, having already acclimated himself to the USA but also with a little pro experience under his belt.
Bassey is a question mark. Very highly rated coming out of high school, but he had some injury issues. I've seen him play a couple times and I like his athleticism a lot. He's capable for sure of being a backup big who protects the rim, runs the floor, rebounds. He had a late start to basketball, especially at a high level, not coming to America from Nigeria until he was in his mid-teens, and I think that shows in his basketball IQ and skill level. He seems to want to prove he can do more than what I mentioned, and it leads to issues. A friend of mine whose opinion I value has a REALLY low opinion of him, thinks that his IQ is simply insurmountably low.
Aaron Henry seems to me to be just a guy. He might stick, he might not. There are 25 of him available at any given time.
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NBA
Jul 31, 2021 20:05:55 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Jul 31, 2021 20:05:55 GMT
So, Kapitan, what do you think about the 76ers draft:
1. Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee 2. Filip Petrusev, C, KK Mega Basket (Adriatic League) - played 2 seasons for Gonzaga
3. Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky
Undrafted Free Agent -Aaron Henry, G, Michigan State Ironically the guy I'm least qualified to discuss is Jaden Springer, the earliest of the picks: I don't think I ever saw him play, so I only know the video highlights and website summaries, etc. The word is, very good athlete and talented guy but really young with a long way to go.
Petrusev is very good. He was Gonzaga's best player two years ago, when he was a sophomore. Honestly he's almost the stereotypical European big guy: a skilled scorer inside who can face up and shoot it; decent rebounder; can pass it. But he's not a great athlete, doesn't defend well, turns it over. He went pro after his sophomore year and last year had a really good season for Mega Basket in the Adriatic League, where he was MVP. I think he's going to be an NBA contributor, and maybe sooner than later, having already acclimated himself to the USA but also with a little pro experience under his belt.
Bassey is a question mark. Very highly rated coming out of high school, but he had some injury issues. I've seen him play a couple times and I like his athleticism a lot. He's capable for sure of being a backup big who protects the rim, runs the floor, rebounds. He had a late start to basketball, especially at a high level, not coming to America from Nigeria until he was in his mid-teens, and I think that shows in his basketball IQ and skill level. He seems to want to prove he can do more than what I mentioned, and it leads to issues. A friend of mine whose opinion I value has a REALLY low opinion of him, thinks that his IQ is simply insurmountably low.
Aaron Henry seems to me to be just a guy. He might stick, he might not. There are 25 of him available at any given time.
Yeah, it's really questionable how much Jaden Springer will contribute next season. Assuming they are not packaged with Ben Simmons in a trade (at least I hope they're not), I'll be curious to see how Doc Rivers rotates Matisse Thybulle and/or Tyrese Maxey.
Was Ricky Rubio the only move the Timberwolves' made?
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NBA
Jul 31, 2021 20:12:59 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 31, 2021 20:12:59 GMT
It was, which means the team did not bungle a draft pick this year.
I'm not thrilled with the Rubio trade, but neither am I exactly crushed. What I don't like about it is, for all his faults (e.g. shooting the ball, injury prone to some extent), Rubio is actually a pretty good player--but more importantly, a great leader. Every team that has had him has praised his professionalism and attitude. Our rookie star Anthony Edwards publicly gushed about him all year, saying how helpful he was, what a role model he was. Considering our "stars" are KAT and D'Angelo Russell, two guys whose effort, leadership and professionalism have been question marks, I don't like the idea of assuming they can simply step into that role for the younger players.
But that said, Rubio isn't Magic Johnson or anything. And Taurean Prince, if healthy, should be a decent player at both forward spots who adds much needed defense. And we saved several million dollars, which gets us a bit of breathing room below the luxury tax. And we got a future 2nd.
We don't know what else the team may be doing: the assumption is there is still going to be some effort to address the 4/5 position.
I should note, we actually did bring in another player of note after the draft as a developmental prospect, local point guard McKinley Wright IV out of Colorado. He's small and not a top-notch athlete, but he's really tough, and he just knows how to play and win. It's conceivable he could make the team in some capacity, or at least gets some good time in the D League. He was considered a draftable player, so it's not a crazy stretch.
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NBA
Aug 2, 2021 18:06:10 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 2, 2021 18:06:10 GMT
Hey SJS, check out the ESPN Insider comments--anonymous ones from college coaches--about two of the 76ers draftees:
Jaden Springer, Tennessee (No. 28 to Philadelphia): "It sounds like Springer has really been working out well. He was boxier, more rough around the edges when he went to Tennessee, I was looking for more of a skill set. But he was working out well leading into the draft. He was worth a shot early."
Filip Petrusev, Gonzaga (No. 50 to Philadelphia): "Two years ago, he was WCC Player of the Year. If he stuck around, I'm not saying he would've gone 15 like Corey Kispert, but if he stuck around, would his stock have gone through the roof like Kispert's did?"
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NBA
Aug 3, 2021 0:36:22 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Aug 3, 2021 0:36:22 GMT
Hey SJS, check out the ESPN Insider comments--anonymous ones from college coaches--about two of the 76ers draftees:
Jaden Springer, Tennessee (No. 28 to Philadelphia): "It sounds like Springer has really been working out well. He was boxier, more rough around the edges when he went to Tennessee, I was looking for more of a skill set. But he was working out well leading into the draft. He was worth a shot early."
Filip Petrusev, Gonzaga (No. 50 to Philadelphia): "Two years ago, he was WCC Player of the Year. If he stuck around, I'm not saying he would've gone 15 like Corey Kispert, but if he stuck around, would his stock have gone through the roof like Kispert's did?"
Good! I think the 76ers are still completing what Sam Hinkie began, completing "The Process". Daryl Morey is still in his honeymoon phase, and I think Sixers' fans - and media - are patiently AND anxiously (if that combination is possible) waiting to see if Morey's moves will pan out. He was given a lot of assets to play with.
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NBA
Aug 3, 2021 11:57:22 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 3, 2021 11:57:22 GMT
Whole bunch of moves on the first day of free agency, but nothing much from PHI (re-signing Furkan Korkmaz) and nothing at all from MIN.
NYK did a few things, though: re-signing Derrick Rose, Nerlens Noel, and Alec Burks, and bringing in wing Evan Fournier on a somewhat pricey deal of 4 years, $78 million.
Sneaky-good free agency so far, San Antonio. They signed promising but oft-injured F/C Zach Collins away from Portland and 3-pt specialist Doug McDermott.
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NBA
Aug 3, 2021 12:25:17 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Aug 3, 2021 12:25:17 GMT
I don't know if I would call it a major move, but Dwight Howard returned to the Lakers. Howard did an adequate to good job last year as Joel Embiid's backup, and with Embiid's health, that's a key role. I was kind of hoping Howard would return this year.
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NBA
Aug 3, 2021 17:11:56 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 3, 2021 17:11:56 GMT
ESPN Insiders posted several potential Ben Simmons trades. What do you think, SJS?
With Sacramento: Kings get: Ben Simmons
76ers get: Buddy Hield Tyrese Haliburton Marvin Bagley III
With Portland: Trail Blazers get: Ben Simmons Tyrese Maxey Two first-round picks
76ers get: Damian Lillard
Also With Portland: Trail Blazers get: Ben Simmons
76ers get: CJ McCollum Nassir Little Protected first-round pick
With Chicago (no longer possible, Satoransky is being dealt): Bulls get: Ben Simmons
76ers get: Zach LaVine Tomas Satoransky (his contract would need to be fully guaranteed)
With Minnesota: Timberwolves get: Ben Simmons George Hill
76ers get: D'Angelo Russell Malik Beasley 2022 protected first-round pick (top-3 protected in 22, top-2 protected in 23 and unprotected in 2024) 2024 protected first-round pick (two years after the 2022 first is conveyed -- top-5 protected, top-3 protected and top-1 protected)
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NBA
Aug 3, 2021 17:37:03 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Aug 3, 2021 17:37:03 GMT
ESPN Insiders posted several potential Ben Simmons trades. What do you think, SJS?
With Sacramento: Kings get: Ben Simmons
76ers get: Buddy Hield Tyrese Haliburton Marvin Bagley III
With Portland: Trail Blazers get: Ben Simmons Tyrese Maxey Two first-round picks
76ers get: Damian Lillard
Also With Portland: Trail Blazers get: Ben Simmons
76ers get: CJ McCollum Nassir Little Protected first-round pick
With Chicago (no longer possible, Satoransky is being dealt): Bulls get: Ben Simmons
76ers get: Zach LaVine Tomas Satoransky (his contract would need to be fully guaranteed)
With Minnesota: Timberwolves get: Ben Simmons George Hill
76ers get: D'Angelo Russell Malik Beasley 2022 protected first-round pick (top-3 protected in 22, top-2 protected in 23 and unprotected in 2024) 2024 protected first-round pick (two years after the 2022 first is conveyed -- top-5 protected, top-3 protected and top-1 protected) Sacramento - Love it! Portland 1st one - Hate it! Too much to give up. Portland 2nd one - A little better. I like the No. 1 pick. Need to know more about Nassir Little.
Minnesota - Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Did I say yes?
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NBA
Aug 3, 2021 17:39:32 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 3, 2021 17:39:32 GMT
You know what? If Simmons were committed to playing hard here and staying at least through his contract without being a problem, I'd do that trade, too. And I like Beasley (and to some extent, Russell).
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