Around the League: Week 11 1/5-1/11

[Ring_Wanted]

Great fr NYK. Dumping Smith was a must. Shumpert has his fans but I don't think he is a relevant loss for a team that was going nowhere.

Waiters to the Thunder is interesting. Apparently there was no need and there is the possibility that he disrupts their game just enough with chucking, but this is a pure cap decision. There was talk already that Jackson wanted to start somewhere and get paid accordingly so they took a proactive approach. Presti must feel that this move is safe related to their goals, but it's not that clear to me. Much more than Waiters, they could have used some interior presence.

Cleveland is starting to lose it. Trading for JR Smith is absurd. Waiters didn't fit anymore but you go after JR? Just more work for an already questioned coach.

Dalembert will have plenty of suitors and I believe Cleveland should be the first one. He can't go back to Dallas under the revised Gary Payton provision. GSW?

[Ring_Wanted]

Mirotic and Wiggins named rookies of the month.

The Bulls have one of the best stretch forwards of the next generation (Mirotic ROY and Butler MIP and allstar?). I had my doubts under Thibs and getting used to make threes in the NBA but he is delivering. Wiggins can do a lot of things on the court but until he manages to beat his man one on one off the dribble his ceiling is capped in terms of superstardom.

[Shabazz]

Dalembert is trash.

If you disagree it's been a while since you've watched him play.

[Shabazz]

Mirotic and Wiggins named rookies of the month.

The Bulls have one of the best stretch forwards of the next generation (Mirotic ROY and Butler MIP and allstar?). I had my doubts under Thibs and getting used to make threes in the NBA but he is delivering. Wiggins can do a lot of things on the court but until he manages to beat his man one on one off the dribble his ceiling is capped in terms of superstardom.

Mirotic has been really impressive.

[INFORMER]

Dalembert is trash.

If you disagree it's been a while since you've watched him play.

I think he's serviceable.

[INFORMER]

Guess who's number two in the league in blocked shots per game?

[TOO]

Just gonna guess Gobert since you liked him last year?

[INFORMER]

Pau Gasol.

[INFORMER]

Just gonna guess Gobert since you liked him last year?

Am I that quick to toot my own horn that that is the first thing you think to guess?

(R_W and carey can't get here quick enough to answer that question)

[Superbone]

Wow, how about Atlanta continuing their hot streak with a win in LA against the Clippers tonight?

[Ring_Wanted]

Just gonna guess Gobert since you liked him last year?

Gobert has to have the best block ratio. He plays less than 20mpg and is a terror. Biyombo is another candidate, as well as Henson.

[Mori Chu]

This trade, ... huh. A bunch of gunners and misfits rotating teams. I don't like the fit for OKC. Dion Waiters does not seem like a fit there for me. I guess the good news is that they apparently gave up nothing whatsoever to acquire him. But it seems like subtraction by addition if you ask me. As others have said in this thread, they already have enough chucking tweener guards with mediocre defense on that roster.

For Cleveland I like it more. They got the only player I actually like in the deal: Shumpert. I don't really like JR for them, but getting Shump might make it worth it. He's injured right now but he's only 24, so I think he'll recover soon. I really like him as a 3-and-D guy, and he's athletic. I think he could become part of a winning culture on that team. JR, I guess you throw him out there a bit and see if he fits in. I don't think he's currently a better player than Waiters, but maybe this will be a better fit for him in terms of his age and his teammates and respecting them and the team's goals. I bet it will also be good for him to get away from the NY nightlife. It could lead to a sneaky resurgence from JR brought on by trying harder and by not staying out till 5am on game nights.

For the Knicks ... It's a fire sale. They wouldn't trade Melo now, would they? I am assuming that they're going to tear it down and get any assets they can get, hoping to rebuild around Carmelo. I wonder how much he now regrets signing that 5-year max extension. Trade demand incoming next summer?

[INFORMER]

Wow, how about Atlanta continuing their hot streak with a win in LA against the Clippers tonight?

I know. Very impressive. They're absolutely killing it.

[Mori Chu]

Wow, how about Atlanta continuing their hot streak with a win in LA against the Clippers tonight?

Hawks are #1 in the East and have the 3rd best record in the NBA right now at 26-8. Wowwwwww. That didn't take long.

Meanwhile, Miami is in the #8 seed in the East with a 15-20 record, while we barely cling to #8 in the West at 20-16. Don't let anybody tell you the East is catching up with the West.

[specialsauce]

https://twitter.com/GeryWoelfel/status/552203917636169728

Who was the NBA official? Liam Neeson?

[TOO]

Just gonna guess Gobert since you liked him last year?

Am I that quick to toot my own horn that that is the first thing you think to guess?

(R_W and carey can't get here quick enough to answer that question)

Nah, was just my guess bud. Nothing more, nothing less.

[SDC]

Pau Gasol.

thank you.

[INFORMER]

Pau Gasol.

thank you.

I knew you would appreciate that, sdc.

Gasol has been an absolute beast this year.

[SDC]

Pau Gasol.

thank you.

I knew you would appreciate that, sdc.

Gasol has been an absolute beast this year.

and the suns could have had him easily, but the FO is way too amateurish to get something like this done. hence my sig.

[INFORMER]

I've opened Pandora's box.