NBA 2018-19 Thread

[Pardon My Dinger]

You all probably know I’m a Lakers guy by now. But, I like you guys, so I want to keep talking hoops on TD.

 

This season is going to be FUN.

 

To get yourself in the mood, I highly recommend playing back the Ringer’s NBA Preview Palooza. It deserves an award of some kind.

 

Let’s gooooooo

[Pardon My Dinger]

Wolves rookies got 0 minutes combined. And why would a person expect anything else?

[Pardon My Dinger]

Meanwhile, seems like Carlisle is giving Doncic the Thibs treatment as well. Get his ass out there.

[PseudoSABR]

Wolves put out a better effort than I had any right to imagine, though they lost.  

[PseudoSABR]

G League to offer alternative to one in done.

 

I wonder how this is going to work.

[bluechipper]

Wolves rookies got 0 minutes combined. And why would a person expect anything else?

Luol Deng didn't play though, so I'll call that a small win.

[Mr. Brooks]

What happened to KAT? He used to be good.

[nicksaviking]

 

What happened to KAT? He used to be good.

 

Jimmy Butler told me he was over-rated.

 

Only guessing based on the stats, I'd guess the 5 fouls a game he's picking up is the reason for his only 30 minutes per game played, which is probably impacting his counting stats at least. 

[Taildragger8791]

 

What happened to KAT? He used to be good.

 

1) Drama with Butler seems to be affecting him. They have no chemistry on the court, barely pass each other the ball, and KAT looks visibly frustrated or annoyed most of the time.

2) Thibs 'offense' and our primary ball-handlers don't create good looks or action for Towns. He's involved in a lot of screens and weaving action but doesn't get rewarded enough for rolling or popping. Our guards want to call their own number more than pass, and their entry passes suck. Wiggins is a black hole where basketballs go to die a horrible death (in the form of 21' turnaround contested fadeaways).

3) He still needs to bulk up to handle true NBA big men in the post, both on offense and defense. This is one area I think he's neglected to improve as much as he could have.

4) Because of 2 and 3 above, he ends up being too passive with the ball because he isn't getting it in good situations. Catching the ball 20' out or after he's already been muscled off the block isn't doing him favors.

 

He probably needs to play next to another true center instead of Taj until he bulks up, but that would make for too big of a lineup for today's modern NBA. Not sure how you fix it this season.

 

[KirbyDome89]

 

What happened to KAT? He used to be good.

Touches/Shots

 

It isn't just Butler and Wiggins hogging the ball either. Both Teague and D Rose are averaging more shots per game than Towns. I know, SSS yada yada, but Towns can't pass himself the ball and if the 4 primary ball handlers are all looking to get their own then Towns is left fighting for leftovers. 

[TheLeviathan]

Towns needs an offense built around his skill set.  Smart coaches do that.....which is where our problem lies.

[Mr. Brooks]

His defense was pretty bad before. It's ventured into abysmal in the small sample we have this year.

Do guys in the NBA just not have any pride in even pretending to try to stop the other team anymore?

Watching KG in his prime was so much fun, he took that side of the ball personally. KAT looks like he couldn't care less on defense- along with the rest of the team.

This Wolves philosophy of "first team to 140 wins" does nothing for me.

[Vanimal46]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25083858/houston-rockets-offer-wolves-four-first-round-draft-picks-jimmy-butler?sf200862024=1

 

If true, the TWolves need to make that trade right now. Those 4 1st round picks can be used as collateral for another Jimmy Buckets type player.

[Pardon My Dinger]

This type of trade might come close to repairing the franchise. Of course, Thibs still has to be excused.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Also, how’s Jimmy’s left hook?

[TheLeviathan]

 

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25083858/houston-rockets-offer-wolves-four-first-round-draft-picks-jimmy-butler?sf200862024=1

If true, the TWolves need to make that trade right now. Those 4 1st round picks can be used as collateral for another Jimmy Buckets type player.

 

If this is true and we didn't immediately say yes....I give up.

[Vanimal46]

If this is true and we didn't immediately say yes....I give up.

I was reminded by a friend of mine whos a Rockets fan the salaries have to match in the NBA to make the trade. Throw in Joe Bag O' Donuts to match the salary and move on with 4 new 1st round picks.

[Pardon My Dinger]

I was reminded by a friend of mine whos a Rockets fan the salaries have to match in the NBA to make the trade. Throw in Joe Bag O' Donuts to match the salary and move on with 4 new 1st round picks.

I’d lose that friend, Van. Effin rockets. I hope jimmy spits on the whole lot of em.

[TheLeviathan]

Sounds like Chriss and Knight as the salary dumps can happen as of Halloween if htat offer is for real.

 

Man...that'd be sweet.

[KirbyDome89]

I'm waiting for Thibs to come back and say he'd like a little bit more.

[KirbyDome89]

http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nba-trade-rumors-news-minnesota-timberwolves-want-houston-rockets-include-eric-gordon-deal-jimmy-butler-first-round-picks/1bkzwc56g7ml1vlttqzggerhi

 

What. A. Joke. 

 

Seriously, get this guy out of here. He is single handedly torpedoing chances to be a better team in the future. 

[Vanimal46]

http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nba-trade-rumors-news-minnesota-timberwolves-want-houston-rockets-include-eric-gordon-deal-jimmy-butler-first-round-picks/1bkzwc56g7ml1vlttqzggerhi

 

What. A. Joke.

 

Seriously, get this guy out of here. He is single handedly torpedoing chances to be a better team in the future.

You called it... Of course he's asking for more.

[Pardon My Dinger]

I’m this case though, it may be worth the ask. Rockets are getting desperate.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Yeah, so the Rocks are 1-5 now. At this point, I’d ask for the farm too.

[KirbyDome89]

It's one thing to ask for more, it's another to demand it and be prepared to walk away. 

 

https://www.thedreamshake.com/2018/10/29/18040384/eric-gordon-mandatory-if-houston-rockets-want-to-trade-for-jimmy-butler

 

Also, do the Wolves realize how valuable those 1st round picks might be in years 5 and 7? Houston isn't a team that's built to win for the next 5+ seasons. At least the Wolves are playing nice by ensuring they don't create a super power in the Western Conference, because it's not like one of those already exists.....

 

https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/30/stein-wolves-brass-in-strong-agreement-about-not-trading-jimmy-butler-to-rockets/

[Taildragger8791]

 

It's one thing to ask for more, it's another to demand it and be prepared to walk away. 

 

https://www.thedreamshake.com/2018/10/29/18040384/eric-gordon-mandatory-if-houston-rockets-want-to-trade-for-jimmy-butler

 

Also, do the Wolves realize how valuable those 1st round picks might be in years 5 and 7? Houston isn't a team that's built to win for the next 5+ seasons. At least the Wolves are playing nice by ensuring they don't create a super power in the Western Conference, because it's not like one of those already exists.....

 

https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/30/stein-wolves-brass-in-strong-agreement-about-not-trading-jimmy-butler-to-rockets/

 

Houston is a well-run franchise that rarely is picking in the top half of the draft. They only have a few top 10 picks in the last 35 years. They're going to have some work to do when their stars age out, but good franchises (especially those that are capable of attracting players) can reload without going through a full teardown. And I don't think the Wolves have the luxury of waiting several years to put a team around KAT. He'd (wisely) walk away in that situation. The only thing those picks are good for is trade ammunition.

[KirbyDome89]

 

Houston is a well-run franchise that rarely is picking in the top half of the draft. They only have a few top 10 picks in the last 35 years. They're going to have some work to do when their stars age out, but good franchises (especially those that are capable of attracting players) can reload without going through a full teardown. And I don't think the Wolves have the luxury of waiting several years to put a team around KAT. He'd (wisely) walk away in that situation. The only thing those picks are good for is trade ammunition.

There's no rule that Wolves have to keep all those picks, or that they have to wait to build around Towns. They can use the picks in a trade, or to clear cap space in an effort to sign another star player in this offseason. 

 

FWIW Paul will be 37 when his contract ends; Harden and Butler would each be in their mid 30s assuming Butler gets the five year deal he's after, and all three are up at roughly the same time. Barring trades, Houston would be committed to those three + Capela without much, if any, wiggle room to brace for the fall. Unless the Rockets completely revamp their entire lineup within a year It's not inconceivable to think those late picks could be high.  

[PseudoSABR]

Rose drops 50. WTF?

[Vanimal46]

http://m.startribune.com/timberwolves-need-someone-to-give-andrew-wiggins-a-firm-nudge-toward-greatness/499994631/

 

Jimmy Buckets tried but Wiggins doesn't listen. Handing Wiggins a max deal was a huge mistake.

[Mr. Brooks]

http://m.startribune.com/timberwolves-need-someone-to-give-andrew-wiggins-a-firm-nudge-toward-greatness/499994631/

 

Jimmy Buckets tried but Wiggins doesn't listen. Handing Wiggins a max deal was a huge mistake.

Yep, awful deal.

One of the worst in sports history. I didn't understand it at the time. Why are people teased by his athleticism? It means very little on it's own. There is so much more to be excellent than just athleticism.