2009 NBA Off-Season Thread

[Mentoch the Mindtaker]

I didnt want to throw this into the playoff thread, so I made this thread, which seems appropriate since the NHL one's been going for ages.

What do people think of Bill Simmons attempt to get the T-Wolves GM job? I know he did the exact same thing with the Bucks last year, but I think his rationale is fantastic. What is the downside for a small to mid-market team? They've been awful for ages, and even if he sucks, there's no real change. He'll create some sort of national buzz for a team with zero profile.

Anyone else like this idea, and would you want him running your team?

I think the only reason I dont want him to get the job is because he's my favorite writer in America.

[Electrifying Uno]

Hey wait a second. Off season, well I guess it is for some teams. As for the GM job, what's Kevin McHales role next year? Where is T.O. on this subject.
I guess he cant do any worse if he became the GM.

[Mentoch the Mindtaker]

Originally Posted by Electrifying Uno

Hey wait a second. Off season, well I guess it is for some teams. As for the GM job, what's Kevin McHales role next year? Where is T.O. on this subject.
I guess he cant do any worse if he became the GM.

Does Kevin McHale have pictures of someone? I mean I'd have thought that the Randy Foye for Brandon Roy would've been the death blow.

[T.O.]

Kevin McHale is confirmed to NEVER return to the front office, according to Glen Taylor. Hallelujah.

His role as coach will be determined by whoever becomes the GM. Personally, I wouldn't be too averse to hiring Terry Porter. He's well-liked here, and has a good history with the team. What got him fired in Phoenix, other than the team underperforming?

We lost a golden opportunity to rekindle local interest (I'm like the only Wolves fan around it seems like sometimes) when we let Saunders go to Washington. I don't give a shit if he was going to be a retread. Local boys sell tickets here in Minnesota.

[Electrifying Uno]

Originally Posted by T.O.

His role as coach will be determined by whoever becomes the GM. Personally, I wouldn't be too averse to hiring Terry Porter. He's well-liked here, and has a good history with the team. What got him fired in Phoenix, other than the team underperforming?

As a Suns fan (my team of the western conference), it goes deeper than under-achieving. He basicly ignored the stars of his team being Nash and Amare and wanted to just dump the ball into Shaq and have everyone watch.

He basicly had no clue what he had on his roster, how to utilize his roster, aliented every player but Shaq, and that resulted into Bell & Diaw being traded, lower scoring on offense, Nash & Amare being disenchanted, fans not coming to games, not using his bench, etc.

Once Gentry came in, magicly the team is scoring and we see bench players like Dudley, Dragic, and Lopez. Their defense is god awful, but thanks to Porter they traded their best defender in Bell. Plus, who knows how things turn out if Amare had not had that eye injury.

You can have Porter, personally I wanted to see what Tom Thibadeu (Celtics assistant and defensive wizard) had. That's who I would hire.
Kerr wanted D'Antoni to bring in Thibadeu a few years back but his huge ego wouldnt let it happen. Put this in the what if thread, but if they bring him in on defense with D'Antoni's offense, man, what if...

[Hustle]

Now that the Finals are over, it's time to look ahead to next season. That means Draft talk, free agency discussion, trade rumors, and way-too-early predictions.

With the Draft creeping up on us, who do you think your team winds up taking?

[Rogue]

I'm gonna go out on a limb, and say the Clippers take Blake Griffin.

[RatedDAL]

Im gonna go with a Hoya for my lakers as in dajuan summers, maybe he can be a serviceable replacement for odom.

[Hustle]

I think Griffin is overrated, but by gawd, I think you're right, Rogue.

[Rogue]

Neither one of my two favorite teams have a 1st round pick. (Nuggets and Rockets). Both have traded them away.

The Rockets don't even have a 2nd round pick, but the Nuggets do. I wouldn't be surprised if the Nuggets end up with Summers.

[Hustle]

DaJuan Summers, Damion James (Texas), Omri Casspi (Israel), Derrick Brown (Xavier), Jermaine Taylor (Central Florida), and yes.. Tyler Hansbrough.. would all make me happy if they ended up as Lakers.

[RatedDAL]

Damion James is heading back to Texas. He pulled out the other day

[Hustle]

Fuck. Probably should've checked before I posted. He would've been a nice addition to the team.

[RatedDAL]

Hansborough would be interesting although i think someone will reach for him too soon based on his college career, i think he's a better mark madsen type in the nba.

[Hustle]

That's why I think Hansbrough would work as a Laker. They don't need him to step up and put 25/12/7 numbers on the board. Just to bust his ass whenever he's on the court. A team that often takes plays/quarters/halves/games off, as the Lakers often do, would kill for Hansbrough's intangiables.

[RatedDAL]

I wouldn't have any problem with the lakers drafting him, the best part of picking late in the NBA draft is you could really take chances with anyone, hopefully find a gem with no real harm done if its a bust.

[Vikingsno.1fan]

1.Does Cleveland have a first round pick?
2.If so,I am not sure who they should take.

[Electrifying Uno]

Shame on you Hustle. Mentoch already had a offseason NBA thread.
http://www.lopforums.com/showthread.php?t=1343
Sol must ban you now.

Anyways, what is this, the Laker thread? Ok, then who is gone, Odom or Ariza or both?

Privately I'm hoping Phoenix deals Shaq and Richardson and uses the extra cash on Ariza, David Lee, and Eddie House and returns to a young athletic run and gun team (minus Nash's age of course). Nash, Barbosa, Ariza, Stoudemire, and Lee. With House, Amundson, Dudley, and whoever off the bench. Yeah, make it happen Kerr.

The Cavs can get Shaq and add Villanueva. Hakim Warrick, and McCants.
Mo, West, LeBron, Villanueva, and Shaq. Bench of , Gibson, Z, Varejao, Warrick, McCants, Hickson, and either Kinsey or Wally if he is resigned.
Make it happen Ferry.

[Steve Monroe]

I noticed last night on the ticker that the Cavs are going to trade for Shaq. IMO this wont solve any of thier problems, it will just make more of them. Any thoughts?

[Vikingsno.1fan]

Shaq is too old.I'll take Camby,Turkoglu,and Rip Hamilton.

[Hustle]

Why not just add every other free agent while you're at it? Who needs a salary cap, anyway?

My bad about the thread.. lol. Forgot about that.

As for the Ariza/Odom debate, I'd rather they keep Odom if they're forced to choose.

[Vikingsno.1fan]

I am just thinking about players that would help us.We will have alot of money when we dump Wallace.

[The Korean]

Originally Posted by Rogue

I'm gonna go out on a limb, and say the Clippers take Blake Griffin.

Dude, its the Clippers. With them, you never know.

[Electrifying Uno]

Damn, viking fan loves him some RIP Hamilton. I suspect a man crush and he's not even a free agent.

Good you keep Odom and his candy bars, Hustle, and I'll be happy if Ariza lands in Phoenix or Cleveland. Younger and better defender.

Shaq would create some problems for Cleveland. Such as his awful pick and roll defense that the Spurs exploited in 2007, his free throw percentage and you cant play Shaq and Andy together because neither can shoot so they'll be in the paint cutting off driving lanes for Lebron. And lord knows you cant play Shaq and Z together, the shot clock will be down to 10 by the time both get back up court. He's an upgrade over Wallace and wont get dunked on by Howard, but that's about it.

[SoL]

obviously the big talk here in la is whether or not the lakers are going to keep the team together.

they can afford it, but the question is whether or not they want to do it. if the lakers have to pick one between lamar and trevor they should keep trevor. he is younger and already has more of a killer instinct than lamar. odom disapears too many times for my liking. best case scenario would be for them to keep all of them but again the buss family would have to flip that luxury tax bill.

but enough about the fakers, what about my baby bulls? we need some low post scoring...i like noah's energy, but he's not the one. i'm hoping we can eventually lure bosch to town...and i'd be willing to trade ben gordon to get him as i am still not convinced that him and rose have a good chemistry on the court...gordon has to dominate that ball too much, not good when you have one of the best point guards in the league.

trade gordon for some low post scoring!

[Vikingsno.1fan]

I mentioned Hamilton because he could do good in Cleveland.Free agency is not the only way to get a player in sports.If I was Hamilton I would leave because Detroit is falling apart.

[Hustle]

Yes, leaving is just that easy, folks.

"This team is falling apart. Trade me to Cleveland."

"Alright."

[EB4]

I have no idea who the Suns will take.

As it were, I wouldn't mind seeing them make a run at Turko or Odom/Ariza if they are available.

The thing with Odom, is on any given night Odom can play like the multi-time All Star he has the potential to be, but he's madly inconsistent which isn't something I'd like to see in Phoenix, regardless if he's the better player, which he is. If he ever becomes consistent, look out.

Ariza can hit the 3, and does play D pretty well, that wouldn't be bad for Phoenix.

However, the Magic have to be pissed at the Ariza thing, Howard basically said that Ariza wasn't as good in ORL as he is now.

[Jediknight]

Originally Posted by Hustle

I think Griffin is overrated, but by gawd, I think you're right, Rogue.

I'll let that slide since you're drunk with happiness since the Lakers won the Title. But mark my words, you won't be saying that in a few years when Griffin and the Clippers are dominating, of course Dunleavy has to go first.

However, the Magic have to be pissed at the Ariza thing,

And the Warriors have to be pissed at the Mickael Pietrus thing. The guy leaves the Warriors and becomes a key component in the Magic's playoff run.

[Electrifying Uno]

Jedi, a little optimistic huh. Dominating and Clippers should not be in the same sentence, unless its the Clips getting dominated. Griffin, Gordon, and Thornton are pieces but Camby, and Davis are at the end of their careers and either Kaman or Randolph will be dealt. Also who's to say Mr Sterlin keeps Gordon and Thornton when their contracts expire.

Pietrius was decent in Golden State, but Don Nelson is such a dick with rotations, you never know who is playing. Ask Jamal Crawford and Monta Ellis.

Its not that easy VikingFan. Hamilton would have to be traded for and I highly doubt Detroit and Cleveland are making trades to each other being rivals. Besides where is Hamilton gonna play. Lebron is the small forward and Delonte is the shooting guard, unless one of them get sent to the bench.

Sol, what are the Bulls gonna do with Hinrich? Obviously he isnt starting at point guard so, what they gonna do with him.

[The Korean]

Man fuck Cleveland. LeBron is leaving that dump in 2010. Hamilton isnt going anywhere either.

[RatedDAL]

I'd rather keep ariza as a laker fan, 6 yrs younger then odom and you cant get more inconsistent then lamar odom

[EB4]

True, but Odom when on is an ultimate matchup problem.

That's all he really lacks, consistency.

[RatedDAL]

I'd like to keep both but i'd take a chance that at 23 ariza hasnt hit his ceiling yet.

[T.O.]

Originally Posted by T.O.

Kevin McHale is confirmed to NEVER return to the front office, according to Glen Taylor. Hallelujah.

His role as coach will be determined by whoever becomes the GM. Personally, I wouldn't be too averse to hiring Terry Porter. He's well-liked here, and has a good history with the team. What got him fired in Phoenix, other than the team underperforming?

We lost a golden opportunity to rekindle local interest (I'm like the only Wolves fan around it seems like sometimes) when we let Saunders go to Washington. I don't give a shit if he was going to be a retread. Local boys sell tickets here in Minnesota.

If Kevin Love is a credible source, McHale is done.

[SoL]

this laker parade is insane...in case they aren't broadcasting it where you're at:

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/livenow?id=6867641

[Electrifying Uno]

McHale is indeed done as coach. You dont want Porter though. I already told you why, many pages back.

Originally Posted by The Korean

Man fuck Cleveland. LeBron is leaving that dump in 2010. Hamilton isnt going anywhere either.

Man, fuck Brooklyn, NY.
No wonder the Dodgers left that dump.

LeBron could have left after his first contract, guess that didnt happen.

[The Korean]

^Fail. I am a Pistons fan.

[Hustle]

We might have a big trade going down soon, folks.

Phoenix gets: Al Jefferson & the 6th overall pick in the NBA Draft
Minnesota gets: Amare Stoudemire

I love that trade for the Suns.

[EB4]

Originally Posted by Hustle

We might have a big trade going down soon, folks.

Phoenix gets: Al Jefferson & the 6th overall pick in the NBA Draft
Minnesota gets: Amare Stoudemire

I love that trade for the Suns.

Source?