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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

[thebizneverloses]

Shaman's a gunner, and a good one.
A lot like Lou W or Reddick.

I don't think he has ballhandling or passing chops.

With Kawhi and PG, I don't think the 1 needs to have traditional playmaking chops. Shamet can definitely log a lot of time as the nominal PG, in a Mario Chalmers type way, next to those two.

[thebizneverloses]

Are you trying to figure out if Portland is a true contender or if they’ll be any good. My guess is they’ll be pretty good.

Health, good fortune, and in season moves play too large a factor in title runs and things are so broadly shaken up to make calls on contention.

I think they will finish ahead of one or more LA teams in both the regular season and the playoffs.

Have to be considered a contender - off last season’s run.

May be tougher, with LA teams, Dallas, Denver progressing

Good hoops - good drama - good league(despite how shitty all these bench guys are - heh)

Is the implication Dallas is in the same tier as the LA teams and Denver? Laughable.

[thebizneverloses]

"while Lillard usually takes all the late game clutch shots.  " - Go watch G7 against the Nuggets and that super long multi-OT game. CJ was taking (and making) the late game clutch shots. Dame is smart, he defers when CJ is cooking. Sometimes it is Dame, sometimes it is CJ.

You missed the context.  I was exactly talking about that CJ G7 and saying that it was anomalous as Lillard usually takes the clutch shots.  If CJ can start being a go-to option late, that would help diversify their offense.

I like Zach, but he might be asked to be more than he's ready for.  Big starting minutes.  While he needs to blend with Whiteside.  Pau should be a terrific mentor for Zach.  POR just needs Pau to manage half a season as a backup Big until Nurk returns.

No one doubts that they've had a pretty successful run and CJ has become a nice player.  But overall, I just don't see their path into true contention.  I like UTA and DEN better this year.  HOU is always tough, if somewhat weirdly constructed.  Both LA teams are going to be in the mix.  GS no creampuff, though will be better 2nd half when Klay returns.  Not going to be easy for POR to get homecourt this year.  Probably in the 5-6 range.  I'd say more like 6th.

I think they've taken a step back.
Aminu and Hark did a lot of good scrappy stuff -- screens, defense, boards.
7 new players to work in.  Really 3 new starters, with Zach, Hood and Whiteside.

Their bench looks real shaky.  It's Bazemore and .... <shrug>.  And Bazemore is a bit reckless and sloppy.  That's been a problem for them in the past.  When Lillard comes out, they lose the lead, and he needs to play big minutes and get worn down.  They haven't addressed that.

I'd agree with everything here. Watchout for Anfernee Simons off the bench though, he's expected to make a major leap.

[thebizneverloses]

The emergence of Zach Collins being overlooked, I believe

14-9-2 with 2 blocks per 36 as a 21 year old

13.5 PER, up from 7.5 (if only we could see same from Frank)

4.2 mil this year.  Team option at 5.4 for '20-21 will certainly be exercised.

Really like Zach. Key question is whether he can guard smaller 4s.

[kiidcarter8]

8, 6, 6, 6, 9, 7, 7, 10, 11, 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 6, 7, 9, 6

Assist totals for.......  ?

(also had 5 12 times)

Hint - NOT a point guard.

[bodiddley]

Simons somewhat of a mystery man.
I know they have said for a while that they are high on him.

Zach will have to be careful to avoid foul trouble.
I like his attitude and feistiness, but as a starter expected to play big minutes you need to use your fouls and contest judiciously.

[kiidcarter8]

Are you trying to figure out if Portland is a true contender or if they’ll be any good. My guess is they’ll be pretty good.

Health, good fortune, and in season moves play too large a factor in title runs and things are so broadly shaken up to make calls on contention.

I think they will finish ahead of one or more LA teams in both the regular season and the playoffs.

Have to be considered a contender - off last season’s run.

May be tougher, with LA teams, Dallas, Denver progressing

Good hoops - good drama - good league(despite how shitty all these bench guys are - heh)

Is the implication Dallas is in the same tier as the LA teams and Denver? Laughable.

Those are the three West teams that I feel progressed

[bodiddley]

Looks like 4 to me.

I think Utah improved its starting 5 significantly (Conley and Bogdanovich).
I'm not too thrilled with their bench.
So I've downgraded my enthusiasm somewhat.

I think DAL should be interesting and they have some nice depth.
But don't see them making the playoffs at all.

[facilitatorn]

 Good article on RJ.

http://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/8/8/20756167/rj-barrett-new-york-knicks

Mitch has something up with his knee.

[Kam]

Well... the same logic that says Marcus Morris should start over Knox would apply to Rj as well.

At present; Morris is a better player than Knox.

Do we have better NBA players than Barrett at the 2?

Weaker argument there.  Iso Zo himself is just a 2nd year guy.

Maybe that was the plan for Sir Ellington of Wayne.

Maybe Smith and Payton start in a dual PG backcourt.

[Kam]

I like the idea of Frank, RJ, and Knox bonding on the bench and developing chemistry together in an athletic two-way second unit.  Along with Portis and Taj the old man shaking his head at the young pups miscues.

[carlos123]

I like the idea of Frank, RJ, and Knox bonding on the bench and developing chemistry together in an athletic two-way second unit.  Along with Portis and Taj the old man shaking his head at the young pups miscues.

Kam(s)ter, I don't know if the idea that you liked was good or crazy, but sorta killed the conversation here.

Try something else. How about ...

GO ENES!
PS. Fac, I like your new avatar 😆

[facilitatorn]

Thanks Carlos!

If 2 of the Frank, RJ, Knox group hit threes at a good clip, they could become a tough group on the perimeter.

Fizz should have put the work into Frank last year instead of the guy currently slated to play back up PG for the Jazz.

I think Payton will start and hold down the PG spot for us this year.

[facilitatorn]

Beasley to the Pistons, suspension and all.

[bodiddley]

I like the idea of Frank, RJ, and Knox bonding on the bench and developing chemistry together in an athletic two-way second unit.  Along with Portis and Taj the old man shaking his head at the young pups miscues.

Depends what the goal is.
Are we hungry/desperate for playoffs?
Maybe it's best not to throw R&B into the deep end as we did with Knox last year.  Let him acclimatize slowly to the NBA game.

Assuming Morris-Randle-Mitch start.
Then we're really talking the G corps.

Which G pairing will fit together?
Which G pair will mesh with that frontcourt?

Usually you want from your G's: distributing, 3-point shooting, scoring, defense, penetration, ballhandling.

Trier and Ellington would be our only G 3-point shooters.  Datsun too.
Franc a stolid defender.
Jr. Smith and RJ penetrators (somewhat of the head down variety).
Peyton maybe the best ball mover.

Which G combos offer the most balance and efficacy?
Smith & Trier give you nice athleticism and attacking.  Iffy D.  Not great passing.
Peyton & Ellington provide experience, but limited upside and crowd out the yute.
Peyton & RJ are a weak outside shooting pair.
Same with Smith & RJ.  Make for a running team, which Randle likes as well, and Morris a good Melo-esque trailer.  But not much D and limited 3's.
Franc & RJ -- could they handle and distribute enough?  Long-armed athletic D.  Limited 3-point shooting.
Peyton & Trier.  Kind of okay and balanced but unexciting.  Steady?
Smith & Ellington?  Attacking and 3's.  Could be something there.

I'd kind of hate to see all our yute on the bench.
If we went that way, I'd want the yute to get significant minutes.  And hope one (or more) could break through into the starting lineup by midseason.  RJ/Knox/Jr. Smith.

Knix need a balance between Win Now and Development.
Winning is good for confidence and chemistry.  But lots of vets on short contracts and lots of yute need to see the court to improve.