Around the League: 2018 Offseason

[Split T]

Not too surprised here although figure the Brow/Jokic would be getting a Xmas game instead of Blazers.
Was happy for Donovan and pleasantly surprised how well he played tbh, guess the icing on the cake for him is Jazz getting a Xmas game. Is it just me though or does a Xmas game in Utah seem weird

https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/1027196583115456513

“Shaq and Kobe 2.0” doesn’t get a Christmas game. I guess the decision makers are unconvinced by Ayton’s rhetoric.

Closest we’re going to get to Shaq and Kobe is if we pick up Simmons and put him out there with Harrison.

Took me awhile...I kept wondering who Ben Simmons was supposed to be between Shaq and Kobe in this scenario

[Cap]

Not too surprised here although figure the Brow/Jokic would be getting a Xmas game instead of Blazers.
Was happy for Donovan and pleasantly surprised how well he played tbh, guess the icing on the cake for him is Jazz getting a Xmas game. Is it just me though or does a Xmas game in Utah seem weird

https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/1027196583115456513

“Shaq and Kobe 2.0” doesn’t get a Christmas game. I guess the decision makers are unconvinced by Ayton’s rhetoric.

Closest we’re going to get to Shaq and Kobe is if we pick up Simmons and put him out there with Harrison.

Took me awhile...I kept wondering who Ben Simmons was supposed to be between Shaq and Kobe in this scenario

I hope the hilarious payoff was worth the exhausting effort.

[bajanguy008]

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1027596115548372993

[Mori Chu]

If Boston is the best team in the East, who is second-best?

[Split T]

Toronto if Kawhi is 2016-17 Kawhi. Otherwise Philly.

[Cap]

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1027596115548372993

He’s probably right.

And that same team would probably be first-round-exit material in the West.

[Split T]

If heathy I think Boston is 3rd seed in West and could give Houston a run. I don't think they're a first round exit in the west

[In2ition]

If heathy I think Boston is 3rd seed in West and could give Houston a run. I don't think they're a first round exit in the west

Utah would be better imo.

[Split T]

If heathy I think Boston is 3rd seed in West and could give Houston a run. I don't think they're a first round exit in the west

Utah would be better imo.

I don't think so and I don't think it's that close. I think Boston last year without Kyrie and Hayward could have beat Utah.

Add Kyrie/Hayward plus growth from Brown/Tatum and that Boston team is really good. They aren't just Eastern conference good, they're legit.

[Shabazz]

I think Boston has more overall talent and better coaching than Philly and Toronto, but I like the way Philly and Toronto's talents are distributed across their rosters more.

[Mori Chu]

Interesting discussion. I think Boston would be #2 or #3 out West. I like them a lot, especially when you consider the whole package including their coach, their strong home court, etc.

Also interesting to think about how various West teams would do in the East. For example, I'd bet a bunch of money that the 2018-19 Suns could make the playoffs in the East. What Western teams would be what East seeds?

[Split T]

Golden State and Houston would probably be 1 seeds

I think Utah, OKC, Denver, NO, Portland, Lakers, Spurs, Wolves are all essentially interchangeable. I think a few of those teams will separate from the others during the season, but I don't know which. I'd put all of them somewhere around the Philly-Indy-Milwaukee trio.

Mavs, Grizzlies, clippers, Suns would all be in contention for 8 seed.

[Shabazz]

I think I know the answer to this, but how would you guys feel about trading for Mike Conley? Let's say it cost something like Chandler, Chriss, Warren and the MIL pick. Maybe Knight instead of Warren if he plays well early in the season.

[Mori Chu]

I think I know the answer to this, but how would you guys feel about trading for Mike Conley? Let's say it cost something like Chandler, Chriss, Warren and the MIL pick. Maybe Knight instead of Warren if he plays well early in the season.

I love Mike Conley. You'd probably have to wait until a bit into the season for Memphis to realize that they're going to be terrible; they have misguided dreams that they can be good next season.

[Shabazz]

I think I know the answer to this, but how would you guys feel about trading for Mike Conley? Let's say it cost something like Chandler, Chriss, Warren and the MIL pick. Maybe Knight instead of Warren if he plays well early in the season.

I love Mike Conley. You'd probably have to wait until a bit into the season for Memphis to realize that they're going to be terrible; they have misguided dreams that they can be good next season.

I think he’s be a great fit. 2 major issues: he’s injury prone and his contract is massive. $30M for the next 3 years.

[Superbone]

Jalen Brown may be right but he just put a big target on their backs.

[Hermen]

I actually expect Boston to be the second best team in the league next year. That team is stacked. It's possible that Toronto or Philly beats them in the east if things really go their way, but I think Boston looks the most likely to get to the finals.

[ShelC]

I think you're looking at Boston and Philly as the top two teams. Washington, Indiana, Milwaukee and Toronto are in the next tier. I still don't see Milwaukee taking that leap this year. Same with Indy. Even with Kawhi Toronto won't be much different, same goes for Washington with Dwight.

Even so, not sure Boston or Philly can be GS. None of those teams have the firepower to keep up.

[bajanguy008]

I am being super lazy by not taking the 2mins to double check this but just off the top of my head I'm fairly certain that Celtics have played a bunch of close games against Warriors the last two seasons. Seems they do a solid job on the defensive end but as for Jaylen's quote, I do expect them to be the team to beat in the East.
As talented as Ben is I just have my reservations about their playoff success. Sixers were awesome when they got to get out on the break but struggled in half court which we Suns fans know a lil about that dilemma back in the day. Although they could go to Embiid, he was forcing things albeit his first playoffs so he will be better next time but Ben not willing to shoot I still feel really will be still the issue especially with the defenders Boston would be able to throw at him

[Cap]

Jalen Brown may be right but he just put a big target on their backs.

Why is that a bad thing? You have a target on your back once the playoffs start anyway, might as well get used to it during the season.