NBA playoffs: greatest show on Earth

[Knicks411]

I'm not sure any all-star caliber player fits worse next to LeBron than DeRozan to be honest. Maybe they could swap DeRozan for Wiggins or something, but Wiggins is basically just a younger worse version of DeRozan.

that Wiggins contract is just going to be a killer

 

[MikeSU02]

You underestimate the stupidity of NBA GM's.

I'm sure Magic(Lebron) could be enticed if he signs with the Lakers...

Honestly, he would probably need to be traded to a team with an owner that is fine being in the 6-8 range in playoff seeds with a chance to jump to 3-5 or something. Versus a team that needs to bottom out and looking to get back to title contending.

Not sure where that is, but even if they trade him, they still have Ibaka's contract that is looking worse by the minute.

Honestly, they got the 1 seed, but they've whiffed on the third "star" for these guys. First DeMarre and now Ibaka. I mean, is FVV the Raps' third best player? I think they either need to blow the whole thing up or run it back with all that money that's tied up and hope LBJ goes west and Kyrie continues to have health issues.

 

[MikeSU02]

that Wiggins contract is just going to be a killer

LOL. Glen Taylor's, "Have to look him in the eye" to determine if he was going to offer the max to Wiggins.

 

[Melancer46]

that Wiggins contract is just going to be a killer

I still can't believe Minnesota gave him that...if they had waited until this offseason, I think they could have signed him for half the money and I'm not even exaggerating.

 

[Melancer46]

Honestly, he would probably need to be traded to a team with an owner that is fine being in the 6-8 range in playoff seeds with a chance to jump to 3-5 or something. Versus a team that needs to bottom out and looking to get back to title contending.

Not sure where that is, but even if they trade him, they still have Ibaka's contract that is looking worse by the minute.

Honestly, they got the 1 seed, but they've whiffed on the third "star" for these guys. First DeMarre and now Ibaka. I mean, is FVV the Raps' third best player? I think they either need to blow the whole thing up or run it back with all that money that's tied up and hope LBJ goes west and Kyrie continues to have health issues.

FVV is a free agent this offseason too if I recall correctly

 

[NineOneSeven]

Honestly, he would probably need to be traded to a team with an owner that is fine being in the 6-8 range in playoff seeds with a chance to jump to 3-5 or something. Versus a team that needs to bottom out and looking to get back to title contending.

Not sure where that is, but even if they trade him, they still have Ibaka's contract that is looking worse by the minute.

Honestly, they got the 1 seed, but they've whiffed on the third "star" for these guys. First DeMarre and now Ibaka. I mean, is FVV the Raps' third best player? I think they either need to blow the whole thing up or run it back with all that money that's tied up and hope LBJ goes west and Kyrie continues to have health issues.

Jonas is their third best player. Unfortunately, he is a true center and as we know, that position just isn't around that much anymore. We saw how much he struggled this series guarding Love and the pick and roll. On the other side... we saw what he can do inside against smaller players.

 

[Melancer46]

Jonas is their third best player. Unfortunately, he is a true center and as we know, that position just isn't around that much anymore. We saw how much he struggled this series guarding Love and the pick and roll. On the other side... we saw what he can do inside against smaller players.

I think Jonas is probably the most likely big-ish name Raptor to be moved this offseason. I'd be absolutely fascinated to see them completely blow it up and move Lowry and DeRozen for whatever they can get, but I just don't see it happening.

 

[kirbivore]

This is a devastating loss for your franchise its prob time to break up that group. But there is no comparison tor lost to lebron. Uva got punked by umbc.

and up to this year Washington caps got beat by Sid the Kid. Will be hilarious if the caps lose to TB.

 

[Knicks411]

The Raps have a bunch of interesting young pieces behind their vet type guys like Lowry, Derozan, and Ibaka. But probably no real stars.

Zach Lowe and kevin Arnovitz did about 10-15 min on the last lowe post podcast about what they should do.

 

[NineOneSeven]

I don't think you can overreact just yet. Yes, you just got swept again but you still were the #1 team in the East and this series plays out differently if you don't absolutely blow game 1. I think that completely derailed them. I mean, they dominated most of that game. Almost have to see what James does this offseason.

 

[jncuse]

Jonas is their third best player. Unfortunately, he is a true center and as we know, that position just isn't around that much anymore. We saw how much he struggled this series guarding Love and the pick and roll. On the other side... we saw what he can do inside against smaller players.

Casey never trusted JV. If Casey goes, then it makes sense to stick around with JV or at least get the insight of the new coach.

 

[jncuse]

I know this post will read like I have been drinking heavily, and yet I have not.

But where will it be most easy for Lebron to remain King of the East next year?
Boston - Kyrie makes it a no go.
Philly - Probably best chance, but there will be some redundancy that Lebron may not be interested in.
Cleveland - Only if he stays and even then it he can find better teams else where.

So the answer is Toronto. Toronto was the second youngest team in the playoffs. Has a very strong bench that could grow as a supporting cast. Would still have Lowry and JV. Get rid of Demar in some sort of deal, either as part of sign and trade or to get the pieces to do a sign and trade.

Lebron likes the city of Toronto and praised their fans immediately after game 6 in 2016. Their is an appreciation there despite his love of crushing the players and fans souls.

Cleveland could either accept it or Lebron goes to Philly with pure cap space.

Now back to drinking.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

I know this post will read like I have been drinking heavily, and yet I have not.

But where will it be most easy for Lebron to remain King of the East next year?
Boston - Kyrie makes it a no go.
Philly - Probably best chance, but there will be some redundancy that Lebron may not be interested in.
Cleveland - Only if he stays and even then it he can find better teams else where.

So the answer is Toronto. Toronto was the second youngest team in the playoffs. Has a very strong bench that could grow as a supporting cast. Would still have Lowry and JV. Get rid of Demar in some sort of deal, either as part of sign and trade or to get the pieces to do a sign and trade.

Lebron likes the city of Toronto and praised their fans immediately after game 6 in 2016. Their is an appreciation there despite his love of crushing the players and fans souls.

Cleveland could either accept it or Lebron goes to Philly with pure cap space.

Now back to drinking.

Isn't it a paycut if he goes to Toronto? Not because of contracts, but just because he's in Canada? Then again, HEALTHCARE!!!! In his old age, not a bad idea...

 

[Knicks411]

I know this post will read like I have been drinking heavily, and yet I have not.

But where will it be most easy for Lebron to remain King of the East next year?
Boston - Kyrie makes it a no go.
Philly - Probably best chance, but there will be some redundancy that Lebron may not be interested in.
Cleveland - Only if he stays and even then it he can find better teams else where.

So the answer is Toronto. Toronto was the second youngest team in the playoffs. Has a very strong bench that could grow as a supporting cast. Would still have Lowry and JV. Get rid of Demar in some sort of deal, either as part of sign and trade or to get the pieces to do a sign and trade.

Lebron likes the city of Toronto and praised their fans immediately after game 6 in 2016. Their is an appreciation there despite his love of crushing the players and fans souls.

Cleveland could either accept it or Lebron goes to Philly with pure cap space.

Now back to drinking.

You sure you haven't been drinking heavily???

I think he'd pick Philly if that was an option. You did kinda like 40% talk me into it making sense though

 

[Melancer46]

I know this post will read like I have been drinking heavily, and yet I have not.

But where will it be most easy for Lebron to remain King of the East next year?
Boston - Kyrie makes it a no go.
Philly - Probably best chance, but there will be some redundancy that Lebron may not be interested in.
Cleveland - Only if he stays and even then it he can find better teams else where.

So the answer is Toronto. Toronto was the second youngest team in the playoffs. Has a very strong bench that could grow as a supporting cast. Would still have Lowry and JV. Get rid of Demar in some sort of deal, either as part of sign and trade or to get the pieces to do a sign and trade.

Lebron likes the city of Toronto and praised their fans immediately after game 6 in 2016. Their is an appreciation there despite his love of crushing the players and fans souls.

Cleveland could either accept it or Lebron goes to Philly with pure cap space.

Now back to drinking.

You sure you haven't been drinking heavily???

I think he'd pick Philly if that was an option. You did kinda like 40% talk me into it making sense though

I think he should just stay in Cleveland honestly. None of the realistic options for him are likely to win a title anyways; he might as well continue carrying Cleveland to the Finals and being a local hero.

 

[Melancer46]

Raptors reportedly strongly leaning towards firing Dwane Casey; it's believed that assistant coach Nick Nurse is the current favorite to become the head coach.

 

[Knicks411]

Raptors reportedly strongly leaning towards firing Dwane Casey; it's believed that assistant coach Nick Nurse is the current favorite to become the head coach.

This is a situation where it sucks for Casey, I think he is in general a good coach, but I also kinda get it. #1 seed and you get swept in the second round? After a history of underwhelming playoff performances?

I think he should just stay in Cleveland honestly. None of the realistic options for him are likely to win a title anyways; he might as well continue carrying Cleveland to the Finals and being a local hero.

If Lebron tells them he's in for another year, maybe they can shop the Brooklyn pick. But you gotta admit, Philly looks a lot more attractive than Cle, no?

 

[Alsacs]

Raptors reportedly strongly leaning towards firing Dwane Casey; it's believed that assistant coach Nick Nurse is the current favorite to become the head coach.

If they fire Casey then Stackhouse I would think would be the guy.

 

[Alsacs]

If Lebron tells them he's in for another year, maybe they can shop the Brooklyn pick. But you gotta admit, Philly looks a lot more attractive than Cle, no?

If LeBron wasn’t leaving the Cavs don’t trade Kyrie last year.
Kyrie wanted out because he didn’t want to get stuck when LeBron left Cleveland.
If LeBron commited to Cleveland they don’t move Kyrie.

That 8th pick if it doesn’t move up in the lottery isn’t getting them a stud.
Like they gave up.
LeBron is gone.

 

[Melancer46]

If Lebron tells them he's in for another year, maybe they can shop the Brooklyn pick. But you gotta admit, Philly looks a lot more attractive than Cle, no?

I don't know, it's hard to even picture what LeBron in Philly would look like. In the very least, it would mean JJ Redick is gone. If they don't trade anybody, I guess your lineup would be Lebron, Covington, Simmons, Dario, Embiid? Or maybe Fultz instead of Dario depending on how he looks? I have a hard time picturing how it would look in terms of spacing and defense. If I were Philly, I think I'd rather just continue cultivating my young guys rather than taking the ball out of Simmons' hands to go all in for a year with LeBron. I don't think they'd likely be able to compete with Houston and Golden State and I'm not really all that confident that it would be a better fit for LeBron's talents than what he could theoretically have in Cleveland next year, especially if the balls bounce their way in the lottery. I think LeBron to Philly is an awkward fit for both him and the 76ers organization.

To me, it seems like it'll likely be a choice between the Lakers and Cavs and I'd rather just stay in Cleveland in that case personally.

 

[jncuse]

Isn't it a paycut if he goes to Toronto? Not because of contracts, but just because he's in Canada? Then again, HEALTHCARE!!!! In his old age, not a bad idea...

The tax rate would be a bit higher. But not that much for states that have state tax.

On a $24 million contract,
Texas or Tax Free State = 10.5 million of Tax
Pennsylvania = 10.8
California = 11.25
Toronto = 11.5

For a time, it was actually about equal with many states, now the gap opened a bit but in my mind is not huge,

No Longer a Myth: American Athletes Pay More in Toronto

 

[OrangeDW]

This is a situation where it sucks for Casey, I think he is in general a good coach, but I also kinda get it. #1 seed and you get swept in the second round? After a history of underwhelming playoff performances?




If Lebron tells them he's in for another year, maybe they can shop the Brooklyn pick. But you gotta admit, Philly looks a lot more attractive than Cle, no?

They overachieved to get the one seed, and they ran into LeBron who went crazy on them. Not really much more complicated than that. People thought this might be Toronto’s year to break through moreso because of problems with the other teams in the East, not because Toronto is so good.

Toronto has a good, not great team. They looked like 4-5 seed material to me this year. Casey did a great job to win that many games. A team led by LeBron James sweeping a team led by Kyle Lowry really isn’t that big of a deal.

 

[OrangeDW]

Hot take: Serge Ibaka is the most washed up formerly good player under the age of 30 since Josh Howard.

 

[Knicks411]

They overachieved to get the one seed, and they ran into LeBron who went crazy on them. Not really much more complicated than that. People thought this might be Toronto’s year to break through moreso because of problems with the other teams in the East, not because Toronto is so good.

Toronto has a good, not great team. They looked like 4-5 seed material to me this year. Casey did a great job to win that many games. A team led by LeBron James sweeping a team led by Kyle Lowry really isn’t that big of a deal.

Totally understood, like I said, I'm pro-Casey in general. But he's also probably not indispensable. And coaches are hired to be fired.

Hot take: Serge Ibaka is the most washed up formerly good player under the age of 30 since Josh Howard.

How is it possible he's only 28 years old?

 

[Melancer46]

How is it possible he's only 28 years old?

He's 28 if you believe he was actually 20 when he first came over, but there's always been rumors about that not being the case.