Around the League: Week 15 1/22-1/28

[Mori Chu]

My quick take on the Blake trade: On the surface I like it for Detroit, because I don't think they gave up any really good assets. Never really been a Tobias Harris guy. I do like Avery Bradley, but I was reading recently that the advanced stats are not kind to him the past few years. Apparently his rep as a dogged defender is a bit out of date, and that the stats show he isn't really that great on D any more. If that's true, then I don't think Detroit really gave up very much here.

Blake's value is low around the league right now. His team is doing badly, his health has been bumpy, he's getting a little bit older. But I actually think his game has quietly improved and matured a lot since he's gotten into the league. He's become a much better shooter, and his passing is very good for a PF. You can run a lot of offense through him, and when he doesn't have the ball, he can spot up and hit an open shot if you pass it to him.

I know it seems like Blake is 100 years old, but he's only 29. He's the same age that Barkley was when he came to Phoenix. Very different players, but my point is that I think Blake has a lot of good basketball left in him. It seemed like Detroit needed a dynamic offensive player on their roster, and Blake can give them that. And I bet he gets a spring in his step with a change of scenery.

The only real drawback I see here for the Pistons is that they're capped out and it'll be hard for them to add more pieces. They need a guard or swing or two to help round out the roster. I think they guys they gave up are very replaceable, but it may not be until the draft or offseason that they're able to do it. So I'm not sure that Blake really resurrects their current season. Maybe when Reggie Jackson comes back they can make a bit of a late-season playoff push.

For the Clips, the deal seems okay but not great. They unload a lot of Blake's salary, and they get a few rotation pieces. It feels like they traded a (flawed) dollar for three quarters, though. That rarely works out well. I think that despite their rhetoric about not tanking that they are still likely to bottom out for a few years and be in the lottery. Pity they couldn't get one great asset for Blake, a guy who's been such a big star in this league. At least you'd hope to get one high lottery pick out of him, right? Or a young stud with potential to be great? They have neither. Oh, well. It's not really a seller's market on stars in the NBA right now.

[AmareIsGod]

I do like Avery Bradley, but I was reading recently that the advanced stats are not kind to him the past few years. Apparently his rep as a dogged defender is a bit out of date, and that the stats show he isn't really that great on D any more. If that's true, then I don't think Detroit really gave up very much here.

And yet, the Suns seem to be on his nuts and infatuated with getting him, according to Gambo and all the articles you see that come out. What a joke our FO has become.

[n4th4n]

I do like Avery Bradley, but I was reading recently that the advanced stats are not kind to him the past few years. Apparently his rep as a dogged defender is a bit out of date, and that the stats show he isn't really that great on D any more. If that's true, then I don't think Detroit really gave up very much here.

And yet, the Suns seem to be on his nuts and infatuated with getting him, according to Gambo and all the articles you see that come out. What a joke our FO has become.

You really shouldn't judge the FO based on rumors and Gambo. There are plenty of real reasons to criticize the FO, but complaining about shit that hasn't even happened is silly.

[iLLmatic]

I do like Avery Bradley, but I was reading recently that the advanced stats are not kind to him the past few years. Apparently his rep as a dogged defender is a bit out of date, and that the stats show he isn't really that great on D any more. If that's true, then I don't think Detroit really gave up very much here.

And yet, the Suns seem to be on his nuts and infatuated with getting him, according to Gambo and all the articles you see that come out. What a joke our FO has become.

You really shouldn't judge the FO based on rumors and Gambo. There are plenty of real reasons to criticize the FO, but complaining about s*** that hasn't even happened is silly.

Gambo is the mouth piece for Robert Sarver. These aren't rumors you're hearing, this is the truth. His insider knowledge has been proven time and again to be true.

[Mori Chu]

I don't mind acquiring Bradley, IF:

- the price is reasonable (NOT a max contract for Pete's sake)

- the coach and FO have a good fit in mind for him (I guess starting at SG next to point-Booker?)

[iLLmatic]

I don't mind acquiring Bradley, IF:

- the price is reasonable (NOT a max contract for Pete's sake)

- the coach and FO have a good fit in mind for him (I guess starting at SG next to point-Booker?)

This isn't your Jerry Colangelo Suns, we will overpay.

[Split T]

60 points, 10 boards, 11 assists for harden tonight.

[specialsauce]

I do like Avery Bradley, but I was reading recently that the advanced stats are not kind to him the past few years. Apparently his rep as a dogged defender is a bit out of date, and that the stats show he isn't really that great on D any more. If that's true, then I don't think Detroit really gave up very much here.

And yet, the Suns seem to be on his nuts and infatuated with getting him, according to Gambo and all the articles you see that come out. What a joke our FO has become.

You really shouldn't judge the FO based on rumors and Gambo. There are plenty of real reasons to criticize the FO, but complaining about s*** that hasn't even happened is silly.

Gambo isn’t wrong with the Suns. When he makes definitive statements I take them as coming straight from the organization.

[Superbone]

60 points, 10 boards, 11 assists for harden tonight.

It's no 70.

[Mori Chu]

Harden's gotta be the MVP front-runner at this point, yes?

[Split T]

Did gambo actually make a definitive statement? I saw his tweet, it said "I expect the Suns to pursue Avery Bradley." Unless he said more on his radio show, that's not a definitive statement.

[specialsauce]

Yes. He said he can say wit h 100% certainty they are interested and will pursue him

[INFORMER]

It's not surprising basketball-wise because it reeks of the same stupidity as the Chandler acquisition, but I am a little surprised the Suns would target him after the sexual assault allegation that he faced that he ended up paying the accuser off.

[JCSunsfan]

I do like Avery Bradley, but I was reading recently that the advanced stats are not kind to him the past few years. Apparently his rep as a dogged defender is a bit out of date, and that the stats show he isn't really that great on D any more. If that's true, then I don't think Detroit really gave up very much here.

And yet, the Suns seem to be on his nuts and infatuated with getting him, according to Gambo and all the articles you see that come out. What a joke our FO has become.

I don't think so. I think the Suns were trying to undermine the Blake/Detroit trade. I think they wanted Blake and wanted to drive home the fact to the Clips that Avery could leave. They used Gambo to do it.

[Superbone]

It's not surprising basketball-wise because it reeks of the same stupidity as the Chandler acquisition, but I am a little surprised the Suns would target him after the sexual assault allegation that he faced that he ended up paying the accuser off.

No way the Suns are interested in Trump.

[Mori Chu]

This just in: Avery Bradley claims Suns rumor is #FakeNews, wants to "build a wall" on defense.

[carey]

This just in: Avery Bradley claims Suns rumor is #FakeNews, wants to "build a wall" on defense.

I believe it's way more likely he just slept with a porn star.