2022/3 season thread

Put simply here. The immediate opportunity cost is next to zero. Sure, this will suck in 2026 but you already did the Durant trade.

Was always going to happen, media making it a bit sensational but he is just looking for a longer term deal, it seems like he wants it warriors but I guess the Warriors are in a hard spot as the tax implications will be quite significant.

There is such a thing as having too many offensive weapons. It can create disharmony in a team too.

There's also the proven model which is defense wins championships.

Miami were held under 100 points in their four losses.

The Celtics were held under 100 points in the Warriors four wins the year before.

You'll have the odd year where teams both score high in the finals but it's normally great defense that wins championships.

The Sun's should break the bank to get an elite defender instead of another offensive player.

Denver didn't play anyone in this playoff run who forced them to drop guys from their rotation. MPJ not starting is about as hairy as it got.

Their toughest series was against Phoenix, and Beal would absolutely help them if you reran that contest. Denver would have to make rotational sacrifices because you have that 3rd elite offensive player; but also Durant could potentially be freed up from offensive load to focus more defensively. And he's a very good defender when he can focus on it.

If you look at their series specifically against Denver, they got better. Whether they got as much improvement? Different question. But the opportunity cost here is very low. That's the mistake in analysis.

Finally, Beal makes the regular season easier. Having a 3rd high usage guy smooths out sitting, injuries, etc.

How much are you projecting their average game score to go up by this year?

If Beal takes the Lakers Westbrook 6th man role of leading the 2nd unit it could work very well, compensating for when Booker or Durant of off court. But its an insanely costly move to have your 6th be one of the highest paid on the roster having cost away your depth.

Theres only one ball in play so you can hit a point of diminishing returns if you add too many high scoring players which the Suns have just done if those 3 are on court together.

Supposedly its Scoot the Pels want so with Charlotte still appearing unclear on whether or not they are taking him its leaving things up in the air.

- Pelicans want Scoot

- Portland want Zion but unless Scoot falls they can't deal as the Pels dont want Miller.

- Supposedly Charlotte are happy to deal the #2 to the Pelicans for a package based around Ingram + picks but not Zion.

-The Pels want to keep Ingram but will trade Zion.

Interesting hours ahead.

Because maybe you aren't so mad about winning? Jordan and Charlotte have never been too pushed on trying to win as Hornets owner. Zion is a legend in that area of the country, sell some tickets, etc.

Fine Beal won’t add 30ppg, but he’s a guy who can get his for 30 on any given night.

I don’t know what you mean by offensive philosophies. Teams struggling have to drop players from their rotation. Love got frozen out end of Boston series; DLo played 14 mins against Denver in game 4; Poole played 10 mins against Lakers in game 2; etc

All different series and different contexts. This happens to everyone in the playoffs, normally. Nobody forced Malone to have to significantly adjust his rotation this year. Incredibly dominant.

You are all about how much more dangerous they will be on offense and how they'll cause huge defensive problems for other teams.

So I'm simply asking you to give your prediction as to how much their average ppg will improve with Beal.

No, all my second sentence says is I “don’t know what you mean by offensive philosophies in the context of the point I am making”. Just like I’m not trying to minimise Denver and I don’t need to have projections for every NBA team to hand in June in order to make a point.

But sure, ‘there’s only one ball’, ‘defense wins championships’, Beal has a bad contract and other winning cliched insights. Good chat.

We’ll see what happens.

Compared to the regular season 116 ppg from when Durant joined.

Will they beat that with Beal's offensive prowess?

All reports and betting odds suggest Brandon Miller is going #2, we're in for another big draft night I think

He’s probably better rounded but I just think there is something about Scoot that should have him at 2.

I can only guess that Scoot's injury history might be a concern for some. There's no other reason he would not be no.2.

Wembanyama is the clear no.1 but Scoot is just as far ahead of everybody else as Victor is of him.

I don't think there's ever been a draft when there's been as definitive no.1 and no.2 best players as this year.

The Wizards are blowing things up altogether.

- Sending Porzingis to Celtics

- Celtics sending Brogdon to Clippers

- Wizards getting back only Marcus Morris + draft picks.

Thats the headliners more will have to be moved around to match salaries.

Implication 1) of Brogdon going to Clippers means Wizards now probably have to eat Pauls contract. Leaving him free to join Lakers from the buyout matket.

Implication 2) Celtics solve their multi-guard problem and add a nice big piece to the rotation.

Was wondering what you would think of it, I haven’t looked at it in depth yet but on the face of it, it’s really hard to say who came out on top, Smart wasn’t great last year to be fair but as you say he is the heart and soul, can’t quantify that, I love Perzingus but will he be healthy ? How will he fair out on defence ? Celtics need to look at that big time.

I feel like the Celtics needed something to change, who knows what it is but I accept that they needed to do something, Smart should do well on Memphis, I’ll probably hate him now 🤦‍♂️

They have no leverage in these situations. What are you going to do, hold Porzingis?