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Warriors

1 (33.3%)

Celtics

2 (66.7%)

Total Members Voted: 3

Voting closed: June 13, 2022, 11:38:11 PM

[lesterluv]

Certainly what most people expect, but by no means a given.
They lost four straight immediately after Oladipo went down. They've won 6 of 7 since.

[bodiddley]

Why kidding?

Well, Isaac just a chrysalis.
There's been talk of trading Gordon or Vuc.
Vuc a throwback post C (non-stretchy).

They might stick with all 3, and it might work.  But will still take time for Isaac to be consistent.  Looks good when it is working (last 7 games).  And they could really use a better PG than DJ Auggiemysonmyson.

ORL draft history spotty.  And they haven't been good at developing players (Oladipo; almost gave up on Gordon multiple times).
Zonja was a #5 pick.
They just took MoBomb #6, probably with the idea of moving on from Vuc.

They traded Oladipo & Sabonis for Ibaka, then at the end of that year flipped Ibaka for T Ross and a 1st which they used on a 7'2" Latvian who hasn't come over yet.
OKC flipped Ola & Sab for Paul George.

ORL 4 straight years of high drafting: OLadipo (#2), Gordon (4), Zonja 5, Sabonis 11.  And all they have is Gordon left.  Then drafted Isaac 6 and Bamba 6.  Bamba could well be a bust from a solid draft.
They could have taken Shai, Sexton or Zhaire to address their PG void. 

Golden Age of Latvian hoops:
Kristaps Porziņgis, Davis Bertans, Rodions Kurucs and Anzejs Pasecniks drafted by ORL.

[bodiddley]

I didn't realize that SAC drafted Zach Collins #10 then traded him immediately to POR for the #15 Justin Jax and #20 Henry Giles.

It was a very deep draft so the trade down for 2 picks move was terrific in theory.  Just too bad they didn't take John Collins at 15 and  OG/Kuz at 20 (though Giles is a good flyer at that slot).

JusJax played high school ball on a Hoston Homeschool Christian Youth team ...

[kiidcarter8]

Uh,,,,,Boston plays Philly round 1......

Indy drops 2 spots, maybe 3 if the Nyets surge. Matthews does not replace Olidipo.

They have won 6 of 7

[kiidcarter8]

Bojan averaging 20 with Vic out - on 50/40/85 sniping (12 games)

[facilitatorn]

If Indy has a much weaker remaining schedule than the two stronger teams they might hang on.

[bodiddley]

The New Orleans Pelicans have parted ways with general manager Dell Demps, the team announced on Friday, clearing the way for a new top basketball executive to oversee the Anthony Davis trade talks.

Demps had been Pelicans GM for nine years, which included three trips to the playoffs but advancing only once past the first round.

Former Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks GM Danny Ferry, a consultant for the Pelicans, has been named the team's interim GM.

Dumps did a poor job of adding depth and constructing a bench.

So the Curry All-star weekend.
Seth Curry engaged to Carrie Rivers, Doc's daughter.  They had a baby last year.  She used to date Paul George.  Steph's sister Sydel Curry is married to Damion Lee, who just joined Steph on the GS Warriors.  Pretty hard-core basketball family.

Saw the 2nd half of the Yute game.
Just oops and dunks and 3's.  And when they started to play more serious in the 4Q it quickly stopped being close.  I didn't really see what Knox did.

Ugly court, with the paint unpainted and the 2 point area a sea of green.  Also, how dumb is it to have 2 players on the same team wearing the same number. 

[thebizneverloses]

Why kidding?

Gordon and Isaac might play the same position, and there may not be sufficient spacing with them on the court at the same time. But both will be too good to keep on the bench next year. It's an awkward fit.

It's why I was proposing before the deadline (and Fultz acquisition): Hayward + Rozier (plus maybe late 1st?) for Gordon + Augustin.


Orlando's previous management was a bit confused and while there's a lot to like about Mo Bamba, Shai would certainly have been the better pick in hindsight for the Magic.  Still, otherwise, the new mgmt team seems a bit more sensible. Hired a good coach, took a reasonable flyer on Fultz (the salary obligation is less of a risk to a team like Orlando that isn't going to be either a cap team or a free agency destination in the next two years), kept Vooch (I hope they resign him rather than let him walk, because Bamba is not ready).

Orlando's one of those teams that would make for a very confusing Zion destination. They'd have to trade multiple players to make room for him.

[thebizneverloses]

Certainly what most people expect, but by no means a given.
They lost four straight immediately after Oladipo went down. They've won 6 of 7 since.

McMillan is a top-three COY candidate, along with Bud and Malone. He did a great job last year. Just a fantastic coach. Watch how hard the players cut on offense, how well they communicate on D, how few dumb shots they take. Very little selfisness.

They lost their lone all star in Dipo, Myles Turner has stagnated offensively, the two free agency signings have mostly failed (Reke) or underwhelmed for their price point (McBuckets), no contribution from recent first rounders (TJ Leaf and Aaron Holiday), and yet, here they are, in a better position than last season. They've got a great culture, from top to bottom. One of my fave teams. Sabonis might even win 6MOY.

[thebizneverloses]

Uh,,,,,Boston plays Philly round 1......

Indy drops 2 spots, maybe 3 if the Nyets surge. Matthews does not replace Olidipo.

There's no chance Brooklyn makes up 8.5 games on Indy, dude, come on.

Best case scenario for Knicks is certainly that Indy hold that 3 seed. You want Kyrie to face Philly, then Milwaukee, then Toronto. Hopefully Celtics lose as early as possible, increases the chances that he walks to NY.

Similarly, you want Miami or Orlando to overtake Charlotte for the playoffs, to maybe help shake Kemba loose from Charlotte.

[bodiddley]

Always liked McMillan.
Old school.

But I expect Bud is the frontrunner for COY.

Of those six wins, only one came against a plus-.500 team, the Clippers, who just traded away their best player
After losing four straight games immediately following Victor Oladipo's season-ending quad rupture, the left-for-dead Pacers rattled off six straight wins before losing to the Bucks on Wednesday night. It's a nice story, but a little perspective here:. The other victories were against the Heat, the Cavs, the Hornets, a Pelicans team playing without Anthony Davis and Nikola Mirotic, and the post-trade-deadline Lakers who were busy bathing in self pity. 

[thebizneverloses]

Bud would be a perfectly cromulent pick. As would Malone.

A lot of "old school" coaches just look out of touch. The ex-players from McMillan and Bryant's generation who have really succeeded as coach have evolved with the game (Doc, Carlisle, Kerr if you consider him old enough), whereas many have flamed out.

[kiidcarter8]

Collison and Sabonis having very big years.

Sometimes those - liek Corey Joseph and Evans - that arent at peak are still contributing plenty to the overall MESH of the outfit.

[bodiddley]

Defense, preparation, discipline, move the ball
I think those values hold up.

[thebizneverloses]

Defense, preparation, discipline, move the ball
I think those values hold up.

I agree. Byron Scott, for example, wasn't able to impart those lessons effectively.