NBA 2012-2013

[Blueintheface]

Why are you being such a sensitive sally?

That's it. You're next.

[Jacob]

Ok. That's your response to that post?

I thought I responded to your question and didn't want to belabor the point I've already tried to make. You asked:

What would be the difference of Kobe in the post versus Nash dumping the ball into Pau or Dwight in the post and letting them work on the block?

My response is that Nash didn't do that and Nash wouldn't simply dribble the ball until there were ounly a few secondls left on the clock only to initiate some move and dump off pass at the last second. Sure, at the end of the game, but not for the last 4 mintues in a close game. Nash would run the offense. That would be my preference as the team would score much more efficiently. For one game, it worked because Kobe make his shots (though he usually makes them at a much lower rate) and the other guys on one or 2 occasions bailed him out with good shots at the buzzer.

We obviously disagree about this, and I'm fine with that. Just answer me this. Do you prefer Kobe to go hero ball at the end of the game--which is what he has consistently done in the past, or would you prefer for the team to run the offense and take the best shot regardless of who is shooting. Speaking only of the team as presently constituted.

[smokymountainrain]

How high will Nerlens Noel be drafted?

Last night he only scored 2 points in a big game for Kentucky on the road against Ole Miss. He was 2-8 from the line. Had 1 FGA that he missed. But he did have 7 rebounds and 12 blocks. He averages 10 ppg, 9 rpg, and 4.7 bpg, and 2.4 spg. He is a monster on defense. But he can't do anything offensively. If the player comps for guys at the top of the draft were Jason Richardson (McLemore), Lamarcus Aldridge (Cody Zeller), Jerry Stackhouse (Shabazz), and Tyson Chandler (Noel), where would Chandler rank out of that group? I'll be interested to see what NBA teams do with some really talented offensive players with a dominant (but not 7') defensive guy mixed in.

I've only watched Kentucky 2-3 times this year, but I think Poythress has a major NBA game.

Sometimes I wonder how well shot-blocking translates to the next level. It seems like in several cases, it hasn't translated. The most recent being Brow. Brow was a better shot-blocker than Noel, but he seems to have made little impact there as a rookie. I would be hesitant to draft a 6'10" or shorter guy just for his shot-blocking.

I agree about Poythress and I'd throw Goodwin in there as well. Goodwin is incredibly inconsistent and wild at times, but has Westbrook type ability, IMO.

[Blueintheface]

Sometimes I wonder how well shot-blocking translates to the next level. It seems like in several cases, it hasn't translated. The most recent being Brow. Brow was a better shot-blocker than Noel, but he seems to have made little impact there as a rookie. I would be hesitant to draft a 6'10" or shorter guy just for his shot-blocking.

I agree about Poythress and I'd throw Goodwin in there as well. Goodwin is incredibly inconsistent and wild at times, but has Westbrook type ability, IMO.

Bismack Biyumbo comes to mind as well. He's young still so it's hard to say he hasn't translated but despite very good block numbers in his short NBA career (1.7/per) his offensive game has been less than stellar.

[smokymountainrain]

Bismack Biyumbo comes to mind as well. He's young still so it's hard to say he hasn't translated but despite very good block numbers in his short NBA career (1.7/per) his offensive game has been less than stellar.

Yep, BB is a good example. For a guy who was so limited offensively as a prospect, if i'm the team drafting him, I want a guy who will be at or near 3 blocks per.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Kobe sucks at lying.

@Chris_Broussard

Does Kobe like new role or is he doing it grudgingly? "In wins, nothing is done grudgingly," Kobe said. "It's a great feeling."

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Sometimes I wonder how well shot-blocking translates to the next level. It seems like in several cases, it hasn't translated. The most recent being Brow. Brow was a better shot-blocker than Noel, but he seems to have made little impact there as a rookie. I would be hesitant to draft a 6'10" or shorter guy just for his shot-blocking.

I agree about Poythress and I'd throw Goodwin in there as well. Goodwin is incredibly inconsistent and wild at times, but has Westbrook type ability, IMO.

I think Noel looks like a better overall defensive player than Davis did, but Noel is also being asked to do nothing on offense. Who knows how incredible Davis could've looked on defense if that is all he had to do.

I do think Noel's value would be different if he was a few inches taller/had a higher reach. But with how limited his offensive game is, I'd expect him to also be an elite rebounder if I was going to take him over some of the other guys in this draft. He'd be a great fit on some teams, but those teams aren't going to be picking in the top 3.

[Surfah]

I thought I responded to your question and didn't want to belabor the point I've already tried to make. You asked:



My response is that Nash didn't do that and Nash wouldn't simply dribble the ball until there were ounly a few secondls left on the clock only to initiate some move and dump off pass at the last second. Sure, at the end of the game, but not for the last 4 mintues in a close game. Nash would run the offense. That would be my preference as the team would score much more efficiently. For one game, it worked because Kobe make his shots (though he usually makes them at a much lower rate) and the other guys on one or 2 occasions bailed him out with good shots at the buzzer.

We obviously disagree about this, and I'm fine with that. Just answer me this. Do you prefer Kobe to go hero ball at the end of the game--which is what he has consistently done in the past, or would you prefer for the team to run the offense and take the best shot regardless of who is shooting. Speaking only of the team as presently constituted.

If Hero Ball as you like to call it results in scores on 7 of 8 possessions I'll take that.

But to your point, Kobe has dominated the ball most of his career and the results speak for themselves. I'll take ball hog Kobe his 5 rings and the last 17 seasons of Lakers basketball.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

It is being reported that Gay to TOR is about done, could be finalized tonight. Toronto is going to love paying Gay and Fields a combined $28 M in two years. Seems like kind of an odd trade for the Raps since two players they reportedly really like on their current roster are Derozan and Ross, two more wings. Throw in Bargnani as another wing, and trading Ed Davis to acquire Gay makes even less sense.

It is going to leave Toronto with only Lowry on the roster as a PG. Do they want to take Earl Watson for a 2nd round pick? For Memphis, it stacks their front line even more, but their wings are going to be Tony Allen, Pondexter, Bayless, Wroten...do they want Marvin Williams instead of Calderon?

[MarkGrace]

Isn't the Lucas kid still there?

[Jacob]

If Hero Ball as you like to call it results in scores on 7 of 8 possessions I'll take that.

But to your point, Kobe has dominated the ball most of his career and the results speak for themselves. I'll take ball hog Kobe his 5 rings and the last 17 seasons of Lakers basketball.

I see this is going nowhere. You and I know that Kobe doesn't average anywhere near 7 of 8 in those types of possessions. In fact, his average in those situations is close to 40%. You can take that. I'd prefer a team with 4 all-starts and 3 MVP quality players run the offense and take whatever the defense gives them. It will certainly result in a score more often than hero ball.

[Flystripper]

Kobe sucks at lying.

I don't think he is lying

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

I don't think he is lying

His entire career disagrees with you.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Gay/Haddadi to Toronto

Ed Davis/2nd round pick to Memphis

Calderon to Detroit or Dallas in exchange for Tayshaun Prince or Vince Carter

Haven't looked into the cap situations for each of those teams, but I thought all 4 of those teams were over the cap. How does Memphis get away with sending Gay's $16 M contract to Toronto and only taking back Davis' $2 M, when they're moving Calderon for another big contract?

Edit: First tweet I read wasn't clear. But Calderon is moved from Toronto to Det or Dal, but Prince or Carter are going to Memphis.

[Flystripper]

His entire career disagrees with you.

At this point in his career I think he enjoys winning more than scoring but of course he likes both.