NBA playoffs: greatest show on Earth

[Cusefan0307]

I think it comes down to compatibility with the other principals on the team.

On paper [my opinion only], it is difficult to see how Lebron and Harden would "work," given that Harden needs the ball in his hands 99% of the team to optimize his effectiveness. Would he be as impactful playing with a guy like Lebron, who would also need to predominate the ball? Hard to say.

I could see him being compatible with a guy like Kawai Leonard, who doesn't need the ball in his hands, and despite being a first team caliber player is well suited to a complimentary role because of how he plays. Not predicting he ends up in San Antonio, for the record, just using Kawai as a counter-example to discuss fit.

Hard to see him fitting in with Simmons / Philly, and the reasons you list above also factor in.

All comes down to fit, IMO.

If he goes to Houston I would not be surprised if Harden was traded and they keep Ariza/Tucker as 3 and D wings. Add Capela and Paul and thats a title contender. The only thing that would hold me back if I am Lebron is Paul is starting to get hurt more and more as he ages.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

If he goes to Houston I would not be surprised if Harden was traded and they keep Ariza/Tucker as 3 and D wings. Add Capela and Paul and thats a title contender. The only thing that would hold me back if I am Lebron is Paul is starting to get hurt more and more as he ages.

I wonder if getting traded like that would piss Harden off to the point where he starts trying on defense.

Probably nah.

 

[Knicks411]

I think it comes down to compatibility with the other principals on the team.

On paper [my opinion only], it is difficult to see how Lebron and Harden would "work," given that Harden needs the ball in his hands 99% of the team to optimize his effectiveness. Would he be as impactful playing with a guy like Lebron, who would also need to predominate the ball? Hard to say.

I could see him being compatible with a guy like Kawai Leonard, who doesn't need the ball in his hands, and despite being a first team caliber player is well suited to a complimentary role because of how he plays. Not predicting he ends up in San Antonio, for the record, just using Kawai as a counter-example to discuss fit.

Hard to see him fitting in with Simmons / Philly, and the reasons you list above also factor in.

All comes down to fit, IMO.

I think you could've said a lot of the same things about Lebron/Harden as you could've with Paul/Harden before this season, and that turned out very well. It's not a perfect comparison, because Paul is an awesome spot up shooter, and Lebron really isn't. But the Rockets were able to stagger the minutes very well so you nearly always at least one of Harden/Paul on the court at all times. And obviously both guys (all 3 if you include Paul) are fantastic passers.

The Philly fit would be more concerning to me; Simmons really can't shoot at all.

That said, I do think, at least just based on Kawhi vs Harden, that Lebron would fit better with Kawhi. (I also think, assuming he's healthy, Kawhi is probably a better player than Harden anyway). That might be just as much defensively as offensively.

I saw some Melo chatter upthread. do you think he's opting out of his contract? I'd be stunned at this point

 

[Newhouser]

The Warriors can’t get under the cap so if LeBron wants to play for 8 million MLE and lose half of it in taxes god bless LeBron.

I could see Durant deciding to sign a 1 or 2 year extension for the year all the bad contracts come off the books and leaves GS them.

LeBron has 2 options Lakers or 76ers.
I don’t believe he can go anywhere else.

I think Durant is going to leave GSW.

 

[Alsacs]

I think you could've said a lot of the same things about Lebron/Harden as you could've with Paul/Harden before this season, and that turned out very well. It's not a perfect comparison, because Paul is an awesome spot up shooter, and Lebron really isn't. But the Rockets were able to stagger the minutes very well so you nearly always at least one of Harden/Paul on the court at all times. And obviously both guys (all 3 if you include Paul) are fantastic passers.

The Philly fit would be more concerning to me; Simmons really can't shoot at all.

That said, I do think, at least just based on Kawhi vs Harden, that Lebron would fit better with Kawhi. (I also think, assuming he's healthy, Kawhi is probably a better player than Harden anyway). That might be just as much defensively as offensively.

I saw some Melo chatter upthread. do you think he's opting out of his contract? I'd be stunned at this point

Unless Melo has a ton of money saved up he is opting in. Nobody turns down 21 million to sign a 8 million MLE.

There is no money in the market this year. Melo has a no trade clause with OKC or else his contract would be valuable.

It would make some sense for Melo to make his money this year then sign cheaply wherever LeBron goes this offseason next year or if OKC wants to buy him out sign there in March.

Simmons is why I can’t see LeBron in Philly it just kills him. He couldn’t play in crunch time with LeBron or else LeBron would get the double and Simmons shooting would kill them.

 

[Knicks411]

Unless Melo has a ton of money saved up he is opting in. Nobody turns down 21 million to sign a 8 million MLE.

There is no money in the market this year. Melo has a no trade clause with OKC or else his contract would be valuable.

It would make some sense for Melo to make his money this year then sign cheaply wherever LeBron goes this offseason next year or if OKC wants to buy him out sign there in March.

Simmons is why I can’t see LeBron in Philly it just kills him. He couldn’t play in crunch time with LeBron or else LeBron would get the double and Simmons shooting would kill them.

It's even worse, the player option is for $27 million and change!

I still can't believe the Knicks gave him the mega max and no trade. Phil Jackson man

 

[RF2044]

It's even worse, the player option is for $27 million and change!

I still can't believe the Knicks gave him the mega max and no trade. Phil Jackson man

If I were Carmelo [and this has nothing to do with the money / contract discussion ongoing], I'd completely switch up my nutrition / conditioning regiment this offseason.

He's got a lot of mileage on the tires, and looks like a shell of what he used to be athletically. At this point in his career, he seems to be going down the Shaq path, where he's not as mobile nor athletic as he once was, he's often playing hobbled, he isn't in peak shape, etc. -- and all of that compounds.

He could still be a very good player for a few more years, but only if he dedicates himself to getting back into peak shape -- which might help bring a little bounce back into his step. I feel like he's at a bit of a crossroads at this juncture -- would love to see him choose the path of strict, disciplined diet / conditioning, so that he can really maximize his capabilities over the last few years of his career.

 

[Knicks411]

If I were Carmelo [and this has nothing to do with the money / contract discussion ongoing], I'd completely switch up my nutrition / conditioning regiment this offseason.

He's got a lot of mileage on the tires, and looks like a shell of what he used to be athletically. At this point in his career, he seems to be going down the Shaq path, where he's not as mobile nor athletic as he once was, he's often playing hobbled, he isn't in peak shape, etc. -- and all of that compounds.

He could still be a very good player for a few more years, but only if he dedicates himself to getting back into peak shape -- which might help bring a little bounce back into his step. I feel like he's at a bit of a crossroads at this juncture -- would love to see him choose the path of strict, disciplined diet / conditioning, so that he can really maximize his capabilities over the last few years of his career.

I feel like maybe he did that a few years ago? Or at least there was talk of it. Because I agree, in general, I don't think he's in super tip/top elite level athlete shape.

I was just looking at his bbref page, here's a very random stat: his % of 3's that are corner attempts didn't really improve much from the last few years, he was at 11.5% after being around 10% the years prior, but he only made 32.7% of those. In 2017 he made 43%, the year before 38%. That doesn't mean much, I'm more surprised at the rate of corner 3s, I would've expected with him playing off the ball a lot more he'd have gotten more of his 3's from the corner. (but now that I look at it, Paul George's % went down as well, maybe thats something Donovan should be focusing more on)

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I think Durant is going to leave GSW.

To go where?

 

[OrangeDW]

Plot twist...what if LeBron goes to Boston? I can’t see him going west. Philly doesn’t make sense...LeBron renders bigs obsolete. He wants his driving lanes and at least 3 spot up shooters. That makes Ben and Embiid pointless. Not happening.

Boston has multiple lottery picks, maybe throw in Smart in a sign and trade. LeBron teams up with Kyrie, those young jackals, and a great organization and goes after the Warriors with a vengeance.

 

[Alsacs]

Plot twist...what if LeBron goes to Boston? I can’t see him going west. Philly doesn’t make sense...LeBron renders bigs obsolete. He wants his driving lanes and at least 3 spot up shooters. That makes Ben and Embiid pointless. Not happening.

Boston has multiple lottery picks, maybe throw in Smart in a sign and trade. LeBron teams up with Kyrie, those young jackals, and a great organization and goes after the Warriors with a vengeance.

A Celtics fan did the math to get LeBron they would have to shed

Kyrie
Morris
Yabusele
Their first round pick
Theis
Nader

Or if they could move Horford instead of Kyrie + Morris plus the rest.
And that is 35 million.They would also need nobody to extend an offer to Smart beyond 6.1 million or they wouldn’t be able to resign him.

 

[Alsacs]

If LeBron commited to Boston this is how it will happen.
Orlando has cap space.
Boston trades Kyrie+Morris+those bums to Orlando for the 6th pick.
Boston sends 6th pick to Cleveland for a sign and trade and they give LeBron a max.

 

[Alsacs]

Boston would run a lineup like this
Rozier
Tatum
LeBron
Hayward
Horford
Bench:
Brown
Smart
Baynes


This team could beat Golden State.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Plot twist...what if LeBron goes to Boston? I can’t see him going west. Philly doesn’t make sense...LeBron renders bigs obsolete. He wants his driving lanes and at least 3 spot up shooters. That makes Ben and Embiid pointless. Not happening.

Boston has multiple lottery picks, maybe throw in Smart in a sign and trade. LeBron teams up with Kyrie, those young jackals, and a great organization and goes after the Warriors with a vengeance.

A buddy is a philly fan and he's very optimistic it would work. Both simmons or Lebron can play the 4. Other players are great shooters surrounding them. Also cites how other ball dominant players have succeeded (Paul harden, rondo holiday cousins davis).

Idk. I don't think it works.

 

[Alsacs]

A buddy is a philly fan and he's very optimistic it would work. Both simmons or Lebron can play the 4. Other players are great shooters surrounding them. Also cites how other ball dominant players have succeeded (Paul harden, rondo holiday cousins davis).

Idk. I don't think it works.

Simmons is useless if LeBron is on the court. LeBron may let him run the keys during the regular season but in the playoffs LeBron would want the ball in his hands.
Simmons can’t shoot in crunch time his guy would leave him and double LeBron.
Teams would do to that to the Celtics with Rondo and it hurt them in the 2010 Finals with the Lakers which they lost in 7.

Simmons is basically a Diet Coke version of LeBron. He owns the paint the like a young LeBron. His jump shot is awful and unless LeBron wants to gamble it improves greatly in the next 2 years I think he would be a problem in the playoffs. If the 76ers could swap Simmons for a stud shooter it would be perfect.
I mean if LeBron commited Philly could flip Simmons/Fultz and get a stud.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Also, love the NBA talk each year on this board. Only about 10 of us that contribute but very good discussions.

 

[Cusefan0307]

So who replaces Redick and Covington if Bron goes to Philly?

 

[Knicks411]

So who replaces Redick and Covington if Bron goes to Philly?

Well doesn't Lebron replace Covington?

They can also trade Covington for something, probably some shooting to replace Redick?

Covington to the Knicks for THJ. Make it happen!

 

[OrangeDW]

Simmons is useless if LeBron is on the court. LeBron may let him run the keys during the regular season but in the playoffs LeBron would want the ball in his hands.
Simmons can’t shoot in crunch time his guy would leave him and double LeBron.
Teams would do to that to the Celtics with Rondo and it hurt them in the 2010 Finals with the Lakers which they lost in 7.

Simmons is basically a Diet Coke version of LeBron. He owns the paint the like a young LeBron. His jump shot is awful and unless LeBron wants to gamble it improves greatly in the next 2 years I think he would be a problem in the playoffs. If the 76ers could swap Simmons for a stud shooter it would be perfect.
I mean if LeBron commited Philly could flip Simmons/Fultz and get a stud.

Embiid needs the ball in his hands too. I mean, he could probably play like Kevin Love but that would be a complete waste of him.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Well doesn't Lebron replace Covington?

They can also trade Covington for something, probably some shooting to replace Redick?

Covington to the Knicks for THJ. Make it happen!

Probably JR and Korver lol.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Probably JR and Korver lol.

That would be epic. Teams should target wayne ellington. He flew under the radar but had a very good year for the heat as a 3pt specialist.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I think you could've said a lot of the same things about Lebron/Harden as you could've with Paul/Harden before this season, and that turned out very well. It's not a perfect comparison, because Paul is an awesome spot up shooter, and Lebron really isn't. But the Rockets were able to stagger the minutes very well so you nearly always at least one of Harden/Paul on the court at all times. And obviously both guys (all 3 if you include Paul) are fantastic passers.

The Philly fit would be more concerning to me; Simmons really can't shoot at all.

That said, I do think, at least just based on Kawhi vs Harden, that Lebron would fit better with Kawhi. (I also think, assuming he's healthy, Kawhi is probably a better player than Harden anyway). That might be just as much defensively as offensively.

I saw some Melo chatter upthread. do you think he's opting out of his contract? I'd be stunned at this point

Melo would be crazy to not cash the checks he has coming for the 2019 season. Screw the title hunt, get the $ and look for a decent spot to play his last two seasons ( more or less) at a severely discounted rate.

I wouldn't opt out of anything if I were Melo, let people talk crap. Laugh all the way to the bank with the money that you have coming to you. He chose the cash a few years back and stayed in NY don't see him changing now, it's crazy opt out. He can hang out with his buds after he retires with another 25m in his pocket. Business is business

 

[Knicks411]

Probably JR and Korver lol.

Yeah my real answer, after the joke answer of Covington for THJ, was gonna be Korver.

That would be epic. Teams should target wayne ellington. He flew under the radar but had a very good year for the heat as a 3pt specialist.

Knicks had him for like a minute at one point and just gave him away. Ellington took 10.2 3's per 36 this year. Complete gunner. Made 39.2% too.

For guys who have played at least 1,500 minutes in a season, the only people to take more than 10.2 3s per 36 in a season are Steph Curry each of the last 3 years, and Harden and Eric Gordon this year (actually Gordon and Harden also took 10.2 per 36)

 

[NineOneSeven]

Yeah my real answer, after the joke answer of Covington for THJ, was gonna be Korver.





Knicks had him for like a minute at one point and just gave him away. Ellington took 10.2 3's per 36 this year. Complete gunner. Made 39.2% too.

For guys who have played at least 1,500 minutes in a season, the only people to take more than 10.2 3s per 36 in a season are Steph Curry each of the last 3 years, and Harden and Eric Gordon this year (actually Gordon and Harden also took 10.2 per 36)

I didn't even know they had him, but those are fantastic statistics. You're always good for those. Pretty amazing it's those 4. They also played way more minutes overall. 39% is very respectable though.

 

[Alsacs]

If David Griffin gets this job we know where LeBron is going.