NBA Off-season Moves (starting with my Mavs)

[ABQCOWBOY]

Okafor, maybe, not Towns.

Towns is a better athlete than the Porz by far. He isn't as good a shooter right now but he has plenty of overall skill and a ton more athleticism. Towns can handle the ball and stretch the floor. He's a better outside shooter than ADavis was at this point.

Okafor is insanely skilled but struggles to move and can't stretch defenses. Towns is BY FAR the best prospect in this draft.
Mudiay is the 2nd best RAW prospect.
Mudiay simply has a ton of skill work to continue to do. He has some Marcus Smart to his game tho where he is big enough and strong enough to guard basically any wings and his power allows him to be effective on offense without standing around a 3 point line.
Russell could well by ROY and he has a sweet offensive game but he is really slight and that can be scary.
It's a big part of why Curry fell a bit in his class.

I agree with you on Towns. I think he is the best athlete of the big men, by far. Much more versatile. I don't know who the better athlete is between he and Mudiay but it doesn't matter. I believe that if you have a big man who is that athletic, he is more valuable. I think that if Okafor goes to the right Offense, he could be a big time player. His post game is light years ahead and he is going to get better IMO. I do have concerns about Mudiay's defensive skills and how they translate, immediately, into the NBA. I think he will need to get stronger so it may take time to get him to a point where he can step in and play both sides of the court at a very high level. I think his offensive skills will be there day one. Russell might be the smartest of all the top guys. He sees things the way great players have in the past. I would not be disappointed to draft any of them.

But if you want a guy who is a better scorer and passer right now, Porzgis is better then Towns is right now. I can see that argument.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

i agree.
i think we are 99% in agreement.

the desire to go to motion offense is based upon what you mention but i think we are seeing far too much wasted player movement.
players are being taught to move, but not why or how to move. so my concern is something i developed over time.

players cutting through, coming off screens and making L. V or other cuts need to know why and when.
players do struggle to get open. partly because they don't like to work, but also because they lack bball IQ.
rip and reggie have insanely high bball IQs which had a lot to do with them getting open.
neither was a jump out of the gym iso guy.

That's a product of early entry and AAU IMO. I don't see it changing so the real question is, do you gear your concepts towards what you know you will be seeing coming out of the draft or do you try to pick players that are the exception and not the rule. It's a numbers game at this point. Obviously, if you are able to get one of those high IQ guys that can really play, you take that guy but I suspect that those guys are going to be fewer and further between.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

george karl is on skates right now...

 

[Shunpike]

But if you want a guy who is a better scorer and passer right now, Porzgis is better then Towns is right now. I can see that argument.

This is key. I can see Knicks drafting Porzigis and then go after Marc Gasol. In that situation, even Calderon can be serviceable. It will be an exciting off season for Knicks. Can't wait to take my kids to Garden for a playoff game.

 

[jterrell]

I agree with you on Towns. I think he is the best athlete of the big men, by far. Much more versatile. I don't know who the better athlete is between he and Mudiay but it doesn't matter. I believe that if you have a big man who is that athletic, he is more valuable. I think that if Okafor goes to the right Offense, he could be a big time player. His post game is light years ahead and he is going to get better IMO. I do have concerns about Mudiay's defensive skills and how they translate, immediately, into the NBA. I think he will need to get stronger so it may take time to get him to a point where he can step in and play both sides of the court at a very high level. I think his offensive skills will be there day one. Russell might be the smartest of all the top guys. He sees things the way great players have in the past. I would not be disappointed to draft any of them.

But if you want a guy who is a better scorer and passer right now, Porzgis is better then Towns is right now. I can see that argument.

oh you definitely take KAT 1 regardless of all factors. just has the rarest measurables. he might even be a top 20 pick in a dispersal draft with his position, cost and upside. not sure any other draftee is top 50.

mudiay can defend today. he has nba size and strength day 1. his offense is the concern. he can fly and he can defend, but his shooting is very mediocre.

russell is the most skilled player available. he can really dribble, pass and shoot.
issue i have with him is he was 175 pounds in 2012, 176 in 2013 and sits at 180 in 2015.
so i just don't know if he can hold more weight.
and his athletic measurables are basically steph curry bad.
not a jumper nor does he run past people.
he also left a really bad impression on me when i watched him in the NCAA tourney.
he was firing up awful shots and missing fairly badly then.

russell and mudiay may both need to play some 2G to get on the floor early... well unless it is for a team with no designs on winning.
lakers appear to be really after russell now and if so that's probably as a 2G to succeed Kobe.
they could play him with clarkson and just roll.
clarkson, russell, kobe, randle plus a center might be the worst defensive team in basketball but the fans would have scoring to cheer and a plan for the future slowly taking shape. (replace kobe at the 3 with a defensive stopper, plug in a rim protector 5)

mavs really like mudiay and hope he falls to 7 or below. if he does they'll try to go get him.

i think okafor was pretty overrated. but a guy that size with his skill around the basket is definitely valuable.
he will score for you. i see him like a young marc gasol type. big, strong and really good in a box. needs to extend range by a lot and has to continue to develop bball IQ especially on defense. but he can lean on dudes and he can score.

 

[jterrell]

This is key. I can see Knicks drafting Porzigis and then go after Marc Gasol. In that situation, even Calderon can be serviceable. It will be an exciting off season for Knicks. Can't wait to take my kids to Garden for a playoff game.

gasol isn't leaving memphis for NY.
he's very unlikely to leave at all but if he did it would be for san antonio.

he's going to either stay in memphis with a top 5 west team or walk into a championship favorite.

 

[Shunpike]

gasol isn't leaving memphis for NY.
he's very unlikely to leave at all but if he did it would be for san antonio.

he's going to either stay in memphis with a top 5 west team or walk into a championship favorite.

I know I know but maybe Phil can convince him with his vision and he might chose the spotlight. Slim chance yes but still a chance.

 

[jterrell]

george karl is on skates right now...

I'd sorta like the Mavs to be in Boogie Cousins but even with my like of his position, game and upside, I realize he is kinda a knucklehead.
Karl is like 100 years old and can retire filthy rich at any point.
He's got like 1150 wins so he really isn't sweating it IMHO.

Sacramento has had like 5 coaches in 4 years. Boogie hasn't exactly had any of those guys singing his praises.

Boogie is still only 24 so he has a long time left in the league if he takes care of his body and catches no bad breaks.
He could really be a franchise caliber C for someone.
But he could also be a team and coach killing meathead.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

I'd sorta like the Mavs to be in Boogie Cousins but even with my like of his position, game and upside, I realize he is kinda a knucklehead.
Karl is like 100 years old and can retire filthy rich at any point.
He's got like 1150 wins so he really isn't sweating it IMHO.

Sacramento has had like 5 coaches in 4 years. Boogie hasn't exactly had any of those guys singing his praises.

Boogie is still only 24 so he has a long time left in the league if he takes care of his body and catches no bad breaks.
He could really be a franchise caliber C for someone.
But he could also be a team and coach killing meathead.

ill just post what I posted earlier on Dcus


Really? I feel somewhat opposite about Dcus, I kinda like his insanity, lol...... Cus will rise to the occasion of the people around him, he hates losing, and will not be at his best if the players around him aren't able to set the temperature. The best example I have of this is the world championships/world cup of basketball last year when he was surrounded by excellent talent, motivators, and simply destroyed the competition. If the lakers can surround him with talent, lets say Aldridge, or/& Butler, or/& Wade (I know he's not the same player), along with kobe who sees one more shot with this kind of talent, Cus will be okay, and the Lakers will be better for it imho of course.

I'd rather a passionate player than a passive player, especially when you're talking 25, & 12....

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Sixers don't know what they are doing....


LA can kiss my rear for taking Russell

 

[Risen Star]

Okafor on the Sixers doesn't seem fair.

We're looking at a four or fivepeat.

 

[Rockport]

Spurs draft and stash clear indication they're going after Aldridge or Gasol. Very exciting time for Spurs fans.

 

[jterrell]

ill just post what I posted earlier on Dcus


Really? I feel somewhat opposite about Dcus, I kinda like his insanity, lol...... Cus will rise to the occasion of the people around him, he hates losing, and will not be at his best if the players around him aren't able to set the temperature. The best example I have of this is the world championships/world cup of basketball last year when he was surrounded by excellent talent, motivators, and simply destroyed the competition. If the lakers can surround him with talent, lets say Aldridge, or/& Butler, or/& Wade (I know he's not the same player), along with kobe who sees one more shot with this kind of talent, Cus will be okay, and the Lakers will be better for it imho of course.

I'd rather a passionate player than a passive player, especially when you're talking 25, & 12....

I can see that side of it but Boogie hasn't won. Or even come close really. Hard to paint him as some winner until he wins.

He's got some upside and I'd be willing to give him a chance for sure, but I also spent a couple years watching another surly guy in Monta and it can wear on a team.

 

[jterrell]

Sixers don't know what they are doing....


LA can kiss my rear for taking Russell

LAL wanted Cousins but couldn't get that done on draft night so really they pretty much had to either move down or skip Okafor.

Russell fits in LAL but man that team is gonna be short on defense. Can see being so close to the Bay and Curry they felt they had to try and get the next Curry.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Sixers don't know what they are doing....


LA can kiss my rear for taking Russell

It's your own fault Ron. I'm actually Mitch Kupchak but post here under the guise of ABQCOWBOY. These past weeks and months, I have been reading your opinions and listening to what you've said on the players and you have made a really solid case as to why Russell (who is the pick) should have been picked over Okafor (who was the pick before I started listening to you). We owe you a huge thanks for this.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

LAL wanted Cousins but couldn't get that done on draft night so really they pretty much had to either move down or skip Okafor.

Russell fits in LAL but man that team is gonna be short on defense. Can see being so close to the Bay and Curry they felt they had to try and get the next Curry.

I suspect that LA beliefs they have a deal for a Big man in place. I have no proof of this but I do not see them passing on a Center unless they know they have something in FA. You could be right about the Curry angle but honestly, Kupchak is not stupid and I think that he probably knows that Russell is not Curry. I really Russell but Curry is another animal. I think it might be as simple as just getting ready for life after Kobe or, a trade option that is contingent upon Clarkson perhaps? I really hope that the Lakers are not stupid enough to believe that Russell is Curry 2.0 because he is not.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

It's your own fault Ron. I'm actually Mitch Kupchak but post here under the guise of ABQCOWBOY. These past weeks and months, I have been reading your opinions and listening to what you've said on the players and you have made a really solid case as to why Russell (who is the pick) should have been picked over Okafor (who was the pick before I started listening to you). We owe you a huge thanks for this.

Mitch.... can I have a job? lol.....
congrats to the lake show.... the'll be back soon.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Mitch.... can I have a job? lol.....
congrats to the lake show.... the'll be back soon.

Come on down to Staples, we can talk. Make sure you make the right at the first fork or you will end up talking to Dave Wohl (Clippers GM). If that happens, I can't make any guarantees.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Come on down to Staples, we can talk. Make sure you make the right at the first fork or you will end up talking to Dave Wohl (Clippers GM). If that happens, I can't make any guarantees.

hahaha...
I was at the barclays last night... I almost jumped metal barrier and "tonya harding'd" DeAngelo Russell...lol

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

hahaha...
I was at the barclays last night... I almost jumped metal barrier and "tonya harding'd" DeAngelo Russell...lol

LOL..... One more beer into it and who knows right? I am glade you avoided that course of action. I will put you in for a $5 bonus, retroactive.