2017 NBA Off-Season Thread

Cubs got invited to the WH...but Cavs owner Gilbert decided to show up with them (who beat Cleveland Indians btw) and is chilling with Trump while Cavs don't even have a GM yet.

Originally posted by 4ML:
Cubs got invited to the WH...but Cavs owner Gilbert decided to show up with them (who beat Cleveland Indians btw) and is chilling with Trump while Cavs don't even have a GM yet.

I swear, if the Cavs didn't have a horseshoe rammed up their rear with LeBron being born in their backyard and "somehow" getting three #1 picks in four years, they'd be a bigger laughing stock than the Nets and Knicks combined right now. They may have talent thanks to good fortune, and hence three straight Finals appearances, but as an organization, they are just so poorly run. The unprofessional "message" Gilbert sent the fans after LeBron's departure in 2010 shows it, and this Griffin dilemma has exploited it even further.

No matter what happens, Cavs fans should thank the lucky stars and basketball gods that they got a ring last year. It was truly a gift.

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:

Totally disagree that this is a great fit and frankly I am really puzzled as to why the Rockets did this.

They just had one of their better seasons in recent history with Harden as their primary ballhandler. Now they are going to go completely away from what made them great last season? Yeah this doesnt make sense at all.

Hypothetically...wouldnt it have made much more sense to bring in a Gordon Hayward and keep the players they moved for Paul? Isnt Hayward, Beverley, Lou and Dekker better than Chris Paul?

Paul should have gone to San Antonio. Would have made much more sense.

And that was good enough to get them a 2nd round exit. I don't think they necessarily got significantly better with this move alone but I don't think there is another team in the West not named SA or GS who can beat them in a 7 game series so they definitely didn't get worse. I think they need another piece for sure

CP3 will have an amazing season in that offense. Perhaps best of his career.

I don't see any problem with two ball dominant players on the court at the same time. It's not like both are trying to score 30 a game. Both are amazing passers - and Houston will now have one of them on the floor at all times. That alone makes them significantly better.

Anytime you can get a superstar like a CP3 without giving up any star players in return - you make that deal.

Harden and CP3 are really smart players. They will figure out how to play with each other. Big win for Houston.

Does this mean they can beat Warriors - of course not. But, it gets them closer. One more great move and they can definitely make things interesting.

Originally posted by 4ML:

CP3 will have an amazing season in that offense. Perhaps best of his career.

I don't see any problem with two ball dominant players on the court at the same time. It's not like both are trying to score 30 a game. Both are amazing passers - and Houston will now have one of them on the floor at all times. That alone makes them significantly better.

Anytime you can get a superstar like a CP3 without giving up any star players in return - you make that deal.

Harden and CP3 are really smart players. They will figure out how to play with each other. Big win for Houston.

Does this mean they can beat Warriors - of course not. But, it gets them closer. One more great move and they can definitely make things interesting.

The Rockets know the NBA is changing its rule of 1 basketball in the game to 2 basketballs in the game at once.

Originally posted by 4ML:

CP3 will have an amazing season in that offense. Perhaps best of his career.

I don't see any problem with two ball dominant players on the court at the same time. It's not like both are trying to score 30 a game. Both are amazing passers - and Houston will now have one of them on the floor at all times. That alone makes them significantly better.

Anytime you can get a superstar like a CP3 without giving up any star players in return - you make that deal.

Harden and CP3 are really smart players. They will figure out how to play with each other. Big win for Houston.

Does this mean they can beat Warriors - of course not. But, it gets them closer. One more great move and they can definitely make things interesting.

The only thing they need to be careful of is giving away too many players and leaving the cupboard bare outside of Paul, Harden and another all star. Especially if they have to sacrifice Ariza, Anderson, Nene, or multiple ones from what would currently round off their starting line up. I suppose there are veterans willing to take less to try and win a ring, but give away that depth and it's going to be tough to build the supporting cast to help those stars and as recent finals have shown that depth can be a difference maker.

Originally posted by ninerjok:
The clippers just turned back into the 1997 clippers

Am I the only one that thinks this trade could actually be a positive for both teams? The Clips get to fill multiple holes for the price of an aging, oft injured star. The Clips were not getting over the hump with the current core they had, so it was past time to shake it up. And I am not sold at all that this will make the difference with the Rockets. One of the biggest story lines early in the year will be how Paul and Harden adjust to each other. Not saying that they can't, but there will be an adjustment period for sure.

Originally posted by Bluesbro:

Am I the only one that thinks this trade could actually be a positive for both teams? The Clips get to fill multiple holes for the price of an aging, oft injured star. The Clips were not getting over the hump with the current core they had, so it was past time to shake it up. And I am not sold at all that this will make the difference with the Rockets. One of the biggest story lines early in the year will be how Paul and Harden adjust to each other. Not saying that they can't, but there will be an adjustment period for sure.

I'd say it's a big loss for the Clippers. They didn't get any player in return who could develop into a centerpiece for the future. Dekker and Harrell are nice young players. Lou is good, but he is what he is at this point. Only hope they have is luring an elite tier FA at some point, which isn't likely to me. It's about time they blew it up imo.

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by Bluesbro:

Am I the only one that thinks this trade could actually be a positive for both teams? The Clips get to fill multiple holes for the price of an aging, oft injured star. The Clips were not getting over the hump with the current core they had, so it was past time to shake it up. And I am not sold at all that this will make the difference with the Rockets. One of the biggest story lines early in the year will be how Paul and Harden adjust to each other. Not saying that they can't, but there will be an adjustment period for sure.

I'd say it's a big loss for the Clippers. They didn't get any player in return who could develop into a centerpiece for the future. Dekker and Harrell are nice young players. Lou is good, but he is what he is at this point. Only hope they have is luring an elite tier FA at some point, which isn't likely to me. It's about time they blew it up imo.

This. Clippers got nothing serious in return. Time to blow it up and collect as much cap room for 2019 summer and picks for 2018 draft and young players.

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by Bluesbro:
Am I the only one that thinks this trade could actually be a positive for both teams? The Clips get to fill multiple holes for the price of an aging, oft injured star. The Clips were not getting over the hump with the current core they had, so it was past time to shake it up. And I am not sold at all that this will make the difference with the Rockets. One of the biggest story lines early in the year will be how Paul and Harden adjust to each other. Not saying that they can't, but there will be an adjustment period for sure.

I'd say it's a big loss for the Clippers. They didn't get any player in return who could develop into a centerpiece for the future. Dekker and Harrell are nice young players. Lou is good, but he is what he is at this point. Only hope they have is luring an elite tier FA at some point, which isn't likely to me. It's about time they blew it up imo.

This trade would also depend if CP3 stays healthy in the playoffs. This would be a big loss for the Rockets if CP3 can't stay healthy. People forget that he is already 32 years old and will demand a 5 years max at the age of 33 from the Rockets. They are basically committing majority of their cap on a player that is on a verge of decline that has a long history of injury. They gave some parts of their that almost went to the conference finals.

Originally posted by nothing03:

This trade would also depend if CP3 stays healthy in the playoffs. This would be a big loss for the Rockets if CP3 can't stay healthy. People forget that he is already 32 years old and will demand a 5 years max at the age of 33 from the Rockets. They are basically committing majority of their cap on a player that is on a verge of decline that has a long history of injury. They gave some parts of their that almost went to the conference finals.

As presently constituted the Rockets don't have a shot in the West, but they are not done making moves yet. Agree Paul has to stay healthy and effective well into his 30's for this to be worth it.

Yea Rockets did risk a lot on Paul. But nothing wrong with trying to go for it. They still need to add more pieces.

Joseph‏ @isojoe_
When Blake Griffin and Chris Paul hold you hostage in 2015 free agency. Only to leave for better teams in 2017.

https://twitter.com/isojoe_/status/880090249866510336/photo/1

Rubio to Utah is happening? Guess that means George Hill is gone.

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Rubio to Utah is happening? Guess that means George Hill is gone.

Replacing a black point guard with a white point guard. Its like Bill Belichick is running the team.