NBA News: Offseason

[OE32]

west power rankings

1 warriors
2 spurs
3 clippers
4 grizzlies
5 ...

out of the playoffs:
dallas, OKC

potential playoff teams:
suns, twolves, rockets, blazers, kings, jazz, pelicans

I think jazz and blazers are fairly safe playoff teams. Of the thunder keep Westbrook, they will be too. The 8th seed should be pretty wide open, but I'd give rockets and pelicans the best shot. Nuggets could surprise, especially if they land wade.

I think Minny is a year away, but I could see them giving it a nice run, maybe a 38-40 win season. I don't trust the kings at all and would be shocked if they aren't a bottom 3 team in the west. Dallas is a 35 win team. Lakers will be bad, unless they land Westbrook.

I hope we aren't in the playoffs because I think that would mean a lot of the bled/knight/Tucker/Dudley/chandler lineup. Booker, bender, Chriss, Warren, len, and ulis need to be given a lot of free reign to make mistakes.

Tier 1 - Warriors (65+ wins)
Tier 2 - Spurs and clippers (55+ wins)
Tier 3 - Jazz, Grizzlies, Blazers (48-52 wins)
Tier 4 - Thunder (45 wins)
Tier 5 - Rockets, Pelicans (40+ wins)
Tier 6 - Twolves, nuggets (37-40 wins)
Tier 7 - Mavs, suns (32-36 wins)
Tier 8 - Lakers, kings (sub 30 wins)

Houston is in. No question. They will play with a lot more energy this season. Harden may win MVP.

Funny, I think all of the Clippers, Blazers, Thunder, Rockets, Grizzlies and Mavs are vulnerable and may lose ground relative to last year. The Clips have not added help aside from Brice Johnson and Diamond Stone - though that may be plenty. The Blazers exploited weakness in other western pretenders last year and don't, in my opinion, have a great roster. The Thunder lost Durant but are still strong enough to be a top-5 team. The Rockets are fielding an all-offense all-injury team. The Grizz are very thin, all their starters now have meaningful injury histories, and losing Barnes and Lee hurts (I include Lee because he was there when they were still winning games earlier in the season). The Mavs have exchanged Pachulia for Bogut and Parsons for Barnes. I also like the Nuggets and the Wolves as up-and-coming teams along with the Suns. Not a believer in the Pelicans - they didn't really address glaring weaknesses with their moves this summer, in my opinion. Davis still lacks a supporting cast.

I think that, with the exception of the Thunder, we could have a better record than any of these teams. *Could.* I think we could make the playoffs if Warren takes the next step as a consistent scorer in the starting lineup, Knight embraces his role off the bench, and one of Archie, Bender or Chriss proves a capable contributor in limited minutes. That's a lot of ifs, but the first of these I regard as likely, provided that Warren is inserted as a starter.

Tier 1, Best in the West - Golden State and San Antonio
Tier 2, Build to Contend - Jazz
Tier 3, Experienced but Flawed - Clippers, Thunder, Grizzlies
Tier 4, Up-and-Coming - Wolves, Suns, Blazers, Nuggets
Tier 5, Flawed - Houston, New Orleans, Mavericks, Lakers
Tier 6, Dumpster Fire - Sacramento

[djy2j]

This D-Wade free agency "news" is so dumb. There is *NO WAY* he is going to ever sign with Denver or Milwaukee. Not in a million years. Miami should call his bluff and low-ball him. The dude wants to retire in Miami and live out his days in the warm Florida sun. These meetings are just posturing because he wants a bigger contract.

Exactly, he pulls the same shit every time his contract is up. He's such a drama queen. I mean I get wanting more money but do you have to act like a little bitch too? Everyone knows he's bluffing.

[ShelC]

I get that he wants his now because he took paycuts for the super teams. But really, he's made his money and then some thru endorsements and all the winning they've done. It's not like he took less money playing in Utah and still didn't win. He got paid, got his rings, got his endorsements and will have a job for life with the heat if he wants it. If he's going to be a s**thead and take 25-30mil to play out his days in Denver struggling to win 40 games, well, that's just like, his opinion man.

I also think this dog and pony show is for him to get recruited and shown some love one last time. LBJ gets it, KD got it, Melo got it 2 years ago, now it's DWade's turn.

[djy2j]

I'm not mad at Durant for the move. Not sure why so many people outside of OKC are upset. If there is a right way to do it he was close. He didn't take forever to decide. He didn't have an ESPN special to announce his decision. He had the opportunity to go to a better team and he took it. He may have tweeted stuff in the past regarding players decisions to switch teams that make him seem hypocritical but I don't think it was over the top. People change. Durant has always been one of the more quiet superstars in the NBA so I commend him for keeping it classy.

I also don't think it was taking the easy way out. He's not demanding (yet) for certain players to be signed or traded for. He just knows he's going to an elite team. He'll be a villian in OKC and that's fine but not sure why people are giving him so much shit.

[In2ition]

I thought they already initially low balled him. Didn't they offer him only $10 mil per year in their first contract offer?

[SDC]

This D-Wade free agency "news" is so dumb. There is *NO WAY* he is going to ever sign with Denver or Milwaukee. Not in a million years. Miami should call his bluff and low-ball him. The dude wants to retire in Miami and live out his days in the warm Florida sun. These meetings are just posturing because he wants a bigger contract.

wade should stop being the drama queen and just take the 40/2 offer. dont be a latrell.

[Sunsfan4life]

He did go to school in Milwaukee. That might be a legit destination, but I think alot of this is postering trying to get more from Miami. TBH, it seems tonbe working. The already upped their offer.

[TOO]

Monroe/Parker/Middleton/Freak/Wade is a pretty decent 5. I'd take the Middleton/Freak duo over any of the current possible Heat duos.

[Indy]

I am way late to the party, but why the Durant hate? The goal of any game is to win. If it is a team game, then that means being on the best team. It isn't about winning despite your team; it is about winning because of your team. When you play pick-up basketball, and you are a captain, you pick the best available player because you want to win. You don't pick lesser players to prove you can beat the other team because of how great you are. I know I am ranting, but come on. Durant should want to be in the place that gives him the best chance at multiple championships.

[carey]

Monroe/Parker/Middleton/Freak/Wade is a pretty decent 5. I'd take the Middleton/Freak duo over any of the current possible Heat duos.

I just wonder what the identity of that team would be. They have the athletes to be a great fast break team but then you throw in Monroe and Wade who are half-court players and it muddles things up. I guess we'll see.

[ShelC]

Someone online had a pretty funny line: Going to GSW for a championship is like going to a hooker to lose your virginity.

Thought that was a good one.

[Split T]

I am way late to the party, but why the Durant hate? The goal of any game is to win. If it is a team game, then that means being on the best team. It isn't about winning despite your team; it is about winning because of your team. When you play pick-up basketball, and you are a captain, you pick the best available player because you want to win. You don't pick lesser players to prove you can beat the other team because of how great you are. I know I am ranting, but come on. Durant should want to be in the place that gives him the best chance at multiple championships.

but if you're playing pickup and your team is winning 11-1 every game, you switch up the teams. It's a little preemptive as they haven't played a game yet, but this feels like what's happening. The warriors didn't win the championship, so the best team ever talk went away, but they were legitimately in the conversation. Adding one of the top 5 player since 2000 just doesn't seem fair. I don't blame Golden State or Durant, they both did what was in their best interests and you can't fault them for that, but it's kinda crappy for the rest of the league and I hope we find a way to stop these super teams from getting more and more super.

[Indy]

I am way late to the party, but why the Durant hate? The goal of any game is to win. If it is a team game, then that means being on the best team. It isn't about winning despite your team; it is about winning because of your team. When you play pick-up basketball, and you are a captain, you pick the best available player because you want to win. You don't pick lesser players to prove you can beat the other team because of how great you are. I know I am ranting, but come on. Durant should want to be in the place that gives him the best chance at multiple championships.

but if you're playing pickup and your team is winning 11-1 every game, you switch up the teams. It's a little preemptive as they haven't played a game yet, but this feels like what's happening. The warriors didn't win the championship, so the best team ever talk went away, but they were legitimately in the conversation. Adding one of the top 5 player since 2000 just doesn't seem fair. I don't blame Golden State or Durant, they both did what was in their best interests and you can't fault them for that, but it's kinda crappy for the rest of the league and I hope we find a way to stop these super teams from getting more and more super.

Totally agree that if you are a fan of a specific team that is not GSW, or you play for another team, it sucks for you. BUt like you said, the Warriors acted in their best interest, and so did Durant. I don't get why people think Durant should have acted against his best interest.

[Cap]

Back in the 80's, the Lakers and Celtics were basically superteams that dominated the rest of the league. And it was awesome.

GS having a superteam isn't a problem; the problem is them having the only superteam. Imagine if Wade went to the Cavs and they met in the Finals again — that would be fun, wouldn't it?

[Split T]

I am way late to the party, but why the Durant hate? The goal of any game is to win. If it is a team game, then that means being on the best team. It isn't about winning despite your team; it is about winning because of your team. When you play pick-up basketball, and you are a captain, you pick the best available player because you want to win. You don't pick lesser players to prove you can beat the other team because of how great you are. I know I am ranting, but come on. Durant should want to be in the place that gives him the best chance at multiple championships.

but if you're playing pickup and your team is winning 11-1 every game, you switch up the teams. It's a little preemptive as they haven't played a game yet, but this feels like what's happening. The warriors didn't win the championship, so the best team ever talk went away, but they were legitimately in the conversation. Adding one of the top 5 player since 2000 just doesn't seem fair. I don't blame Golden State or Durant, they both did what was in their best interests and you can't fault them for that, but it's kinda crappy for the rest of the league and I hope we find a way to stop these super teams from getting more and more super.

Totally agree that if you are a fan of a specific team that is not GSW, or you play for another team, it sucks for you. BUt like you said, the Warriors acted in their best interest, and so did Durant. I don't get why people think Durant should have acted against his best interest.

True, which is why I don't fault Durant. I don't like his decision, but I can't fault him for it. My hope is the Warriors steam roll the league next year, go 16-0 in the playoffs and Durant realizes basketball is more fun when the teams you play against actually stand a chance. He then can opt out and sign elsewhere.

[Indy]

I am way late to the party, but why the Durant hate? The goal of any game is to win. If it is a team game, then that means being on the best team. It isn't about winning despite your team; it is about winning because of your team. When you play pick-up basketball, and you are a captain, you pick the best available player because you want to win. You don't pick lesser players to prove you can beat the other team because of how great you are. I know I am ranting, but come on. Durant should want to be in the place that gives him the best chance at multiple championships.

but if you're playing pickup and your team is winning 11-1 every game, you switch up the teams. It's a little preemptive as they haven't played a game yet, but this feels like what's happening. The warriors didn't win the championship, so the best team ever talk went away, but they were legitimately in the conversation. Adding one of the top 5 player since 2000 just doesn't seem fair. I don't blame Golden State or Durant, they both did what was in their best interests and you can't fault them for that, but it's kinda crappy for the rest of the league and I hope we find a way to stop these super teams from getting more and more super.

Totally agree that if you are a fan of a specific team that is not GSW, or you play for another team, it sucks for you. BUt like you said, the Warriors acted in their best interest, and so did Durant. I don't get why people think Durant should have acted against his best interest.

True, which is why I don't fault Durant. I don't like his decision, but I can't fault him for it. My hope is the Warriors steam roll the league next year, go 16-0 in the playoffs and Durant realizes basketball is more fun when the teams you play against actually stand a chance. He then can opt out and sign elsewhere.

When you are playing for fun on a Tues/Thurs rec league, sure. When you are playing for keeps, not so much. Why would you not want to be the best player on the best team in the history of the sport? He has a chance to do that still. (They clearly have a long, long way to go before beating the dominance of the Bulls (90s) or the Celts (60s), but they could still do it.)

[Split T]

I am way late to the party, but why the Durant hate? The goal of any game is to win. If it is a team game, then that means being on the best team. It isn't about winning despite your team; it is about winning because of your team. When you play pick-up basketball, and you are a captain, you pick the best available player because you want to win. You don't pick lesser players to prove you can beat the other team because of how great you are. I know I am ranting, but come on. Durant should want to be in the place that gives him the best chance at multiple championships.

but if you're playing pickup and your team is winning 11-1 every game, you switch up the teams. It's a little preemptive as they haven't played a game yet, but this feels like what's happening. The warriors didn't win the championship, so the best team ever talk went away, but they were legitimately in the conversation. Adding one of the top 5 player since 2000 just doesn't seem fair. I don't blame Golden State or Durant, they both did what was in their best interests and you can't fault them for that, but it's kinda crappy for the rest of the league and I hope we find a way to stop these super teams from getting more and more super.

Totally agree that if you are a fan of a specific team that is not GSW, or you play for another team, it sucks for you. BUt like you said, the Warriors acted in their best interest, and so did Durant. I don't get why people think Durant should have acted against his best interest.

True, which is why I don't fault Durant. I don't like his decision, but I can't fault him for it. My hope is the Warriors steam roll the league next year, go 16-0 in the playoffs and Durant realizes basketball is more fun when the teams you play against actually stand a chance. He then can opt out and sign elsewhere.

When you are playing for fun on a Tues/Thurs rec league, sure. When you are playing for keeps, not so much. Why would you not want to be the best player on the best team in the history of the sport? He has a chance to do that still. (They clearly have a long, long way to go before beating the dominance of the Bulls (90s) or the Celts (60s), but they could still do it.)

Valid points, I guess it's the difference in perspective from a fan and a player.

[Shabazz]

I am way late to the party, but why the Durant hate? The goal of any game is to win. If it is a team game, then that means being on the best team. It isn't about winning despite your team; it is about winning because of your team. When you play pick-up basketball, and you are a captain, you pick the best available player because you want to win. You don't pick lesser players to prove you can beat the other team because of how great you are. I know I am ranting, but come on. Durant should want to be in the place that gives him the best chance at multiple championships.

but if you're playing pickup and your team is winning 11-1 every game, you switch up the teams. It's a little preemptive as they haven't played a game yet, but this feels like what's happening. The warriors didn't win the championship, so the best team ever talk went away, but they were legitimately in the conversation. Adding one of the top 5 player since 2000 just doesn't seem fair. I don't blame Golden State or Durant, they both did what was in their best interests and you can't fault them for that, but it's kinda crappy for the rest of the league and I hope we find a way to stop these super teams from getting more and more super.

There's been a lot written about this recently, but it took a very fluky series of events and some unique timing in order for this super team to happen. The owners proposed a cap-smoothing that would have lessened salary cap space for teams and greatly benefited the existing players in the league but the union rejected it for reasons unknown (I think Michelle Roberts was trying to flex some muscle - it was soon after she was hired). I also don't know if Durant makes the jump if GS doesn't blow the 3-1 series lead. Of course, it also took 10 instances of teams passing on Klay in the draft and 34 for Draymond to get to this point as well.

Point being, I don't think we'll see another super team being put together quite so "easily" again.

[Indy]

Agreed. Like I said, I totally get that other people adversely affected by one of the best players going to a team that isn't theirs would suck. It just seems like it is for selfish reasons, which is exactly what they are holding against KD.

[Gladiator]

I'm late to the party too but my two cents worth is that I don't think anyone has a problem with Durant as such. It's his decision so he can do whatever he feels is best for him. However most people feel it's not best for the game. I mean the season isn't going to properly start until the conference finals.

Also while he handled the exit in a low-key way which is to his credit, durant's decision feels a bit of a let down because
-he has publicly called out players for doing this kind of thing before
-it's historically unprecedented for a player as good as him in his prime to join a team as historically good as the Warriors. It's another level to Lebron and the Heat, who didn't join an already super team
-he was a little disingenuous with his letter. Talking about growth as a player and person? Come on. He joined GWS because he thought that's the best chance at a title. Nothing more, nothing less.

So in short I don't begrudge him making his decision. I just would have preferred he made a different one