Around the NBA: February 2019 edition!

[Labinot41]

That's my dawg though. He always had great stats and number.....charts and graphs to tell me how BAD Westbrook was/is. I miss him.

Westbrick is a Bitch

 

[ripcityboy]

Westbrick is a Bitch

I honestly believe that Westbrook had to create an imaginary rivalry that didn't exist with th he Blazers in order to motivate himself. But when you see him angrily jawing with Dame you have to wonder if there's anybody at the controls. Because the lights are on but nobody is home.

 

[handiman]

This 4th quarter has been great. 9th consecutive triple double for Russ.....ties Wilt. But I guess that's a bad thing. Where is the BNM guy when I need him to explain this to me again.

I'm still waiting for OKC to hit the skids after their historically soft schedule to start the season.

Hot Take: We'd be pretty good if we had Paul George.

Even hotter take: Teams improve when they get rid of Old Melo.

 

[BonesJones]

OKC defense is scary. A 26point come back on the road. OKC and Rockets are better than the Blazers

Actually, Portland is ahead of the Rockets.

 

[Driew]

Actually, Portland is ahead of the Rockets.

Barely haha

 

[BonesJones]

Barely haha

But they are.

 

[theprunetang]

If I was New Orleans, since the league is forcing them to play AD, I would make him come off of the bench and play him 5 minutes a game. Seriously. Why risk injuries? It would give them a chance to try out their younger roster guys as well just to see what they have. Their season is toast. There is literally no reason to play him heavy minutes. "Hey AD. You want out? Here's 5 minutes a game until the end of the season. Have a nice summer".

 

[Blazers Roy]

If I was New Orleans, since the league is forcing them to play AD, I would make him come off of the bench and play him 5 minutes a game. Seriously. Why risk injuries? It would give them a chance to try out their younger roster guys as well just to see what they have. Their season is toast. There is literally no reason to play him heavy minutes. "Hey AD. You want out? Here's 5 minutes a game until the end of the season. Have a nice summer".

AD is fragile enough to get injured in 3 minutes tho lol

 

[theprunetang]

AD is fragile enough to get injured in 3 minutes tho lol

Probably correct. Haha

 

[oldmangrouch]

But they are.

Given the circumstances, it is amazing they are still on the Blazer's back bumper. I hate Hardens game - but the hirsute hotdog has done quite a job keeping Houston close.

 

[TBpup]

Given that Paul and Capela have missed 36 games combined, that the Rockets are only 1.5 games behind the Blazers seems an impressive feat especially since the Blazers have played so many more home games than road games. No love for the Rockets whatsoever, but if CJ/Nurk were out 36 games and the Blazers were only 1.5 game out of #4, I'd be damn impressed.

 

[theprunetang]

Given that Paul and Capela have missed 36 games combined, that the Rockets are only 1.5 games behind the Blazers seems an impressive feat especially since the Blazers have played so many more home games than road games. No love for the Rockets whatsoever, but if CJ/Nurk were out 36 games and the Blazers were only 1.5 game out of #4, I'd be damn impressed.

It says a lot about how much Harden can effect a game. That is an MVP, even though I can't stand the guy. Aside from CP3 and Capella, most of his supporting cast has been trash for most of the season. They are getting a nice boost from Faried, but he hasn't been there very long.

At one point they were giving big minutes to G league guys.

 

[TBpup]

It says a lot about how much Harden can effect a game. That is an MVP, even though I can't stand the guy. Aside from CP3 and Capella, most of his supporting cast has been trash for most of the season. They are getting a nice boost from Faried, but he hasn't been there very long.

At one point they were giving big minutes to G league guys.

Not only have Paul and Capela missed significant time, gone from last year's team are it's 2 best wing defenders who could hit '3's. That is 4 major pieces from last year's top 6-7 players on their roster either out or gone. Incredible what the Flopper has done.

 

[theprunetang]

Not only have Paul and Capela missed significant time, gone from last year's team are it's 2 best wing defenders who could hit '3's. That is 4 major pieces from last year's top 6-7 players on their roster either out or gone. Incredible what the Flopper has done.

Exactly. I mean, James Harden aside, the rest of the team for a majority of the season has been terrible. That team without Harden, and the same injury issues with EG, Paul, and Capella probably would have the worst record in the league.

 

[hoopsjock]

Even hotter take: Teams improve when they get rid of Old Melo.

Would that work for us if we picked Melo up for a game and then cut him?

 

[Blazers Roy]

Given that Paul and Capela have missed 36 games combined, that the Rockets are only 1.5 games behind the Blazers seems an impressive feat especially since the Blazers have played so many more home games than road games. No love for the Rockets whatsoever, but if CJ/Nurk were out 36 games and the Blazers were only 1.5 game out of #4, I'd be damn impressed.

Agreed, great job by those refs.

 

[handiman]

Would that work for us if we picked Melo up for a game and then cut him?

Quite possibly. That's basically what Houston did.

 

[DDolla]

But they are.

Yes correct because of our home games. Let’s see after the road games if they are still top 4.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Some of you seem to just sit around waiting for that acme anvil to fall and land on your head. Seems an odd way to go through life - particularly as a sports fan.

 

[riverman]

Not only have Paul and Capela missed significant time, gone from last year's team are it's 2 best wing defenders who could hit '3's. That is 4 major pieces from last year's top 6-7 players on their roster either out or gone. Incredible what the Flopper has done.

Problem with Houston is they are riding Harden all regular season and he'll be gassed by the playoffs like he is most seasons....same happened to Dame last couple seasons..the guy carrying the team night in and night out gets worn out by spring...it's why Pop rests his core players regularly and has his bench playoff ready every year

 

[Wizard Mentor]

If I was New Orleans, since the league is forcing them to play AD, I would make him come off of the bench and play him 5 minutes a game. Seriously. Why risk injuries? It would give them a chance to try out their younger roster guys as well just to see what they have. Their season is toast. There is literally no reason to play him heavy minutes. "Hey AD. You want out? Here's 5 minutes a game until the end of the season. Have a nice summer".

I'd be tempted to go the other way. "You're playing 48 minutes each game. You refuse? Sweet, we don't have to pay you."

 

[riverman]

I'd be tempted to go the other way. "You're playing 48 minutes each game. You refuse? Sweet, we don't have to pay you."

good one...let the fans boo him for 48 minutes a night..

 

[BonesJones]

Yes correct because of our home games. Let’s see after the road games if they are still top 4.

Excuses.

 

[hoopsjock]

There are two teams that I'm really left questioning what they are doing after the trade deadline.

Atlanta Hawks - They didn't trade either Dedmon or Lin. With how much value expiring contracts had this is a big misstep in my opinion especially considering both of those guys can actually help playoff teams. I find it hard to believe that either will be on the team next year so they are going to most likely lose both for nothing. I don't think they are going to be big players in free agency this summer either so they should've used their cap space next year to acquire more future picks. The Hawks are going to be haunted for years to come with trading Doncic away too.

Cleveland Cavaliers - I actually like some of the moves they made to stockpile picks. However, they had JR Smith (partial guarantee of $3.87 million next year) that I feel like they should've traded to get even more picks. They are also going to be haunted by a very poor decision to extend Kevin Love this summer. He would have had a ton of value at the trade deadline if he wasn't extended, probably similar to what the Raptors gave the Grizzlies for Marc Gasol. Much like the Hawks it seems like the Cavs would be better off fully going all-in on rebuilding instead of only partially.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

There are two teams that I'm really left questioning what they are doing after the trade deadline.

Atlanta Hawks - They didn't trade either Dedmon or Lin. With how much value expiring contracts had this is a big misstep in my opinion especially considering both of those guys can actually help playoff teams. I find it hard to believe that either will be on the team next year so they are going to most likely lose both for nothing. I don't think they are going to be big players in free agency this summer either so they should've used their cap space next year to acquire more future picks. The Hawks are going to be haunted for years to come with trading Doncic away too.

Cleveland Cavaliers - I actually like some of the moves they made to stockpile picks. However, they had JR Smith (partial guarantee of $3.87 million next year) that I feel like they should've traded to get even more picks. They are also going to be haunted by a very poor decision to extend Kevin Love this summer. He would have had a ton of value at the trade deadline if he wasn't extended, probably similar to what the Raptors gave the Grizzlies for Marc Gasol. Much like the Hawks it seems like the Cavs would be better off fully going all-in on rebuilding instead of only partially.

I think you could say a similar thing about us, and not trading Aminu. Obviously not to the same extreme but missed opportunity imo.

 

[BonesJones]

I think you could say a similar thing about us, and not trading Aminu. Obviously not to the same extreme but missed opportunity imo.

How? We're a playoff team so how is not dumping a starter a missed opportunity? If we were rebuilding, yes it would be. But we're not.

 

[hoopsjock]

I think you could say a similar thing about us, and not trading Aminu. Obviously not to the same extreme but missed opportunity imo.

Depends on what we do with him. If we re-sign him at a reasonable rate then no big deal. The two teams I mentioned aren't going to the playoffs anytime soon.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

How? We're a playoff team so how is not dumping a starter a missed opportunity? If we were rebuilding, yes it would be. But we're not.

3 reasons:
In the West, I don't see us as a Contender this year in the Playoffs. It hurts for me to say that though.
I don't see Aminu as some missing piece. A 3 playing the 4. I think Layman could do 90% of what he does at the position (although Stotts won't go for it).
I see a less than 5% chance we resign him this summer. He is going to walk.

 

[BonesJones]

3 reasons:
In the West, I don't see us as a Contender this year in the Playoffs. It hurts for me to say that though.
I don't see Aminu as some missing piece. A 3 playing the 4. I think Layman could do 90% of what he does at the position (although Stotts won't go for it).
I see a less than 5% chance we resign him this summer. He is going to walk.

If Aminu isn't a difference maker for us, why would another team give up value for him...?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

If Aminu isn't a difference maker for us, why would another team give up value for him...?

I am not sure where this is going? It was in comparison to ATL and CLE not trading their expiring guys. You don't have to be a difference maker to get value. The contract helps. Aminu is a quality depth player. Just like Dedmon isn't a difference maker but teams would like to have him as their first big of the bench.