NBA PLAYOFFS 2017-2018 Thread

Originally posted by ninerjok:
I'm pretty stunned NOP completely boat raced Portland. That was amazing.

I am surprised but not stunned. I've never believed in a back-court of Lillard and CJ.

Great Celtics v. Bucks game.

Giannis wins it!

Originally posted by 4ML:

Giannis wins it!

Got ourselves a series now!

Originally posted by 4ML:

Lot of stars will be available this off-season. You can find stars in the draft - especially as loaded as the 2018 draft will be.

It's better to trade a player a year too early than hold onto him a year too late. Lillard will eventually ask to be traded if Portland is not a real contender very soon - and with their cap situation, they're stuck with the players they have unless they reboot.

Maybe we have different definitions of stars. I said superstars. Perennial All-Star type guys. The teams who have 2 or more contend for titles. The rest are usually on the outside looking in. These aren't guys you can just go pick up, and there are only a couple per draft at best.

Portland has to hang on to Lilliard with both hands, and try to land another player on his level. Otherwise they arent getting past the big boys in the West.

Originally posted by Niners99:

Originally posted by 4ML:
Lot of stars will be available this off-season. You can find stars in the draft - especially as loaded as the 2018 draft will be.

It's better to trade a player a year too early than hold onto him a year too late. Lillard will eventually ask to be traded if Portland is not a real contender very soon - and with their cap situation, they're stuck with the players they have unless they reboot.

Maybe we have different definitions of stars. I said superstars. Perennial All-Star type guys. The teams who have 2 or more contend for titles. The rest are usually on the outside looking in. These aren't guys you can just go pick up, and there are only a couple per draft at best.

Portland has to hang on to Lilliard with both hands, and try to land another player on his level. Otherwise they arent getting past the big boys in the West.

Lillard is barely a superstar, he's 28 and he has shown some displeasure with the direction of the team in early 2018. All those 3 reasons is why I think they should go for a rebuild.

But, I can see your pov too. I don't disagree with you - I agree that you need to hold onto superstars. But, every situation is different and I don't think Portland is going anywhere with Lillard. This is a perfect off-season to do so because of what is lookin' like a very strong draft class.

Clippers were smart to get rid of their borderline superstar and now they have 12th and 13th pick. If they had handled it perfectly - they would have traded DeAndre and Lue Williams too and completely tanked after the trade. They easily could have ended up with 3-4 lottery picks with one in top 5 and shortened their rebuild by couple of years.

Originally posted by DaBum:

Originally posted by Bluesbro:

Originally posted by DaBum:

Originally posted by Bluesbro:

Originally posted by ads_2006:
Sure. Structure the deal around the rookie contract for the young guys. When those are up to be resigned, lebron leaves/retires.

In those 2-3 years, Multiple losses in the finals to the dubs for sure tho

I was not even thinking about contracts, luxury tax, etc. I was wondering if they would want an older, ball dominant alpha dude like James on a young team like that. Not sure I want to take the ball out of Simmons hands either. I guess we will see.

You serious? Uhh, yeah, all 30 teams would sign LeBron in a heartbeat if they could. You think teams pass on a top 5 all time player who is still playing at an MVP level?

Of course I am serious. I agree with him being one of the greatest too. But I do not think that every team would want him, for many reasons. Just fitting him in financially would cause any decent team to have to gut their roster. And he would not want to go to a rebuilding team. He has dropped off significantly on defense as well, so is the all offense version of LBJ worth it? It would take the right type of coach (either really strong, or one he can just walk over ala Blatt/Lue). He needs to spotlight and could not take anything close to a supporting role imo, so that would require a team with certain types of players Like I said, we will see.

Bwhahaha. Is it still 4/20 for you? LeBron is still the best player in league. Of course he wouldn't take a supporting role. No one would be offering him one.

This version of LeBron will finish 2nd in the MVP with an argument for deserving it.

Not all teams will be financially capable of offering him MAX. That wasn't what you were/are saying. You said teams will legitimately say, nah, not interested. That a team like Philly could pass on him even though they could afford him. That is a ludicrous, mind boggling dumb statement.

the only team in the NBA who would say no and wouldn't look insane for doing so would be the Warriors. every other team would be out of their mind and would get ridiculed to the point where the team would have to change its name, ownership, and location, just to make people forget how stupid they were.

lol look at SA fans so thrilled lmao, hella cute

Im happy the Spurs didnt get swept with what Pop is going through

Originally posted by judodono:
lol look at SA fans so thrilled lmao, hella cute

lol why wouldn't they be thrilled?

Originally posted by 4ML:

lol why wouldn't they be thrilled?

Ya I'm saying it's cute. Cute AF actually.

Originally posted by judodono:

Originally posted by 4ML:
lol why wouldn't they be thrilled?

Ya I'm saying it's cute. Cute AF actually.

I read what you're saying. I'm asking why? Why is it cute?

Originally posted by TheGore49er:
the only team in the NBA who would say no and wouldn't look insane for doing so would be the Warriors. every other team would be out of their mind and would get ridiculed to the point where the team would have to change its name, ownership, and location, just to make people forget how stupid they were.

What would a good team have to give up to sign him though? The KD to Warrior situation was fluke, because Curry was on a ridiculous contract. Wanting him is one thing, being able to do it and keep all of your best players is another. James has already made it clear he will not accept less than the max he is allowed, so there you go.

Originally posted by Bluesbro:

Originally posted by TheGore49er:

the only team in the NBA who would say no and wouldn't look insane for doing so would be the Warriors. every other team would be out of their mind and would get ridiculed to the point where the team would have to change its name, ownership, and location, just to make people forget how stupid they were.

What would a good team have to give up to sign him though? The KD to Warrior situation was fluke, because Curry was on a ridiculous contract. Wanting him is one thing, being able to do it and keep all of your best players is another. James has already made it clear he will not accept less than the max he is allowed, so there you go.

Quit changing what you said. You said Philly might not want him. You were not talking about salary cap or any real world scenarios other than a team wanting him matter of factly. We all know and agree there are a lot of teams that aren't set up to make a real run at him. They all would if they were set up to actually offer him max or close to it.

Originally posted by 4ML:

Originally posted by Ninerjohn:

Originally posted by Bluesbro:

Originally posted by 4ML:

But, if I'm running the Blazers - I'm going for a rebuild. Trade Lillard and CJ and try to get two top 10 picks in this loaded draft.

You can't have a backcourt of two 6ft guys.

I would trade one of them if possible. They need a rangy defensive wing, and if he can shoot a little that is a plus. The question is, which one? I would lean toward trading Lillard.

Reminds me of the Warriors several years ago. The Dubs made the right decision by keeping the guy who was an incredible, elite shooter and I think Portland should do that to and keep Lillard.

At that stage - Curry was a young pup. Warriors decided to build around him. Lillard is 28 and it's too late to restart a build around him. He has also shown frustration and there were rumors he may demand a trade. This is the right time to trade him before his play falls off in 2-3 years.

It's not like Blazers can compete with Warriors over the next couple years. Right time to go for a rebuild with young players and Nurkic imho.

They arent going to trade both Lillard and CJ. If I had to move one it would be CJ for sure.