Saturday, November 14, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Current Prospects
So what are we looking at?
A team that's talented enough to beat bad teams yet not talented or disciplined enough to even compete with the league's elite. We are inescapably middling; cemented in mediocrity for the next five years. It's not all bad news, but the long-term potential with our current squad is no higher than second tier. Elton is not going to get any taller, more athletic or healthier. Sammy's not going to get any smarter (basketball IQ-wise). Most importantly, Igoudala is not the second coming Scottie Pippen. This team has a lot of nice complimentary parts, but no star.
So who can we get, and how? And most importantly, who can we let go in the transaction?
To me, there are two guys who should not be touched. That's not to say they are "untouchable". It's saying, ideally I'd like to see them still on the team when the dust settles. Mareese Speights, Thaddeus Young... please step forward.
The rest of y'all can go.
I haven't hit the Trade Machine yet, but I think Igoudala, Lou Williams and change should fetch a rising star or veteran star in the right situation.
Our ideal trade partner in this scenario? A borderline contender that needs some young legs in the form of a solid, third banana, wing defender, transition finisher and a 6th man, change of pace, explosive scorer. We have basically a more well-rounded Ariza and a mini JET for sale. I think that should fetch us a shooting guard who can actually get his own shot.
Next year, we dump Sammy's contract for another piece. Just to be clear, these moves alone will not make us contenders now. Thaddeus and Speights represent the 2 and 3 options on a contender 2-3 years from now.
The other option is to make a full court press on (don't laugh), LeBron. That's right! LeBron. From a basketball perspective, we're a much more attractive option than either NYK, Cleveland or the Clippers. Plus, NYC is 90 minutes up the turnpike. If you could move Igoudala and Brand in salary dumps at the deadline, you can free up the necessary coin. From there the argument becomes the multiple-championship potential of a LeBron, Thaddeus, Speights core. Add the role players we already have, the veterans who will flock to fill the gaps and this team is a contender for as long as LeBron wants to stay. A real contender. Not a contender-only-cus-LeBron's-there contender like the aforementioned competition. That team has the 2-3-4 on lock. You'd still have Lou theoretically in this scenario at starting PG. Either way, with that foundation you can easily figure out the rest.
I know it sounds impossible. The biggest contributor to that, is our lack of belief that it is. I know you've been talking D-Wade for the same reasons for at least a season now. I just don't believe in making a long-term investment in Flash. He smells like this generation's T-MAC. More heart and fire, but just can't stay healthy consistently enough to reach his potential.
If you do the Iggy-Brand fire sale, and you don't get LeBron. Well, at least you've freed up space for a real Number 1. We're going to be mediocre anyway if we don't get a star. We tried to right that by signing Iggy and Brand last season. Didn't work. In the meantime, we've drafted extremely well. Get rid of the low ceiling guys, and make space to do something special.
A team that's talented enough to beat bad teams yet not talented or disciplined enough to even compete with the league's elite. We are inescapably middling; cemented in mediocrity for the next five years. It's not all bad news, but the long-term potential with our current squad is no higher than second tier. Elton is not going to get any taller, more athletic or healthier. Sammy's not going to get any smarter (basketball IQ-wise). Most importantly, Igoudala is not the second coming Scottie Pippen. This team has a lot of nice complimentary parts, but no star.
So who can we get, and how? And most importantly, who can we let go in the transaction?
To me, there are two guys who should not be touched. That's not to say they are "untouchable". It's saying, ideally I'd like to see them still on the team when the dust settles. Mareese Speights, Thaddeus Young... please step forward.
The rest of y'all can go.
I haven't hit the Trade Machine yet, but I think Igoudala, Lou Williams and change should fetch a rising star or veteran star in the right situation.
Our ideal trade partner in this scenario? A borderline contender that needs some young legs in the form of a solid, third banana, wing defender, transition finisher and a 6th man, change of pace, explosive scorer. We have basically a more well-rounded Ariza and a mini JET for sale. I think that should fetch us a shooting guard who can actually get his own shot.
Next year, we dump Sammy's contract for another piece. Just to be clear, these moves alone will not make us contenders now. Thaddeus and Speights represent the 2 and 3 options on a contender 2-3 years from now.
The other option is to make a full court press on (don't laugh), LeBron. That's right! LeBron. From a basketball perspective, we're a much more attractive option than either NYK, Cleveland or the Clippers. Plus, NYC is 90 minutes up the turnpike. If you could move Igoudala and Brand in salary dumps at the deadline, you can free up the necessary coin. From there the argument becomes the multiple-championship potential of a LeBron, Thaddeus, Speights core. Add the role players we already have, the veterans who will flock to fill the gaps and this team is a contender for as long as LeBron wants to stay. A real contender. Not a contender-only-cus-LeBron's-there contender like the aforementioned competition. That team has the 2-3-4 on lock. You'd still have Lou theoretically in this scenario at starting PG. Either way, with that foundation you can easily figure out the rest.
I know it sounds impossible. The biggest contributor to that, is our lack of belief that it is. I know you've been talking D-Wade for the same reasons for at least a season now. I just don't believe in making a long-term investment in Flash. He smells like this generation's T-MAC. More heart and fire, but just can't stay healthy consistently enough to reach his potential.
If you do the Iggy-Brand fire sale, and you don't get LeBron. Well, at least you've freed up space for a real Number 1. We're going to be mediocre anyway if we don't get a star. We tried to right that by signing Iggy and Brand last season. Didn't work. In the meantime, we've drafted extremely well. Get rid of the low ceiling guys, and make space to do something special.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Classic
Flashback. Iverson, and then LB, arguing a call with Salvatore. Iverson is fantastic here. "The what...what? Crowd down?"
Nice how BS baited Larry into saying just one more thing, then called the "T" on him. Love that this got caught on tape. (BTW, was BS the one who threw Duncan out of the game for laughing? How does this shit happen?)
-G
Nice how BS baited Larry into saying just one more thing, then called the "T" on him. Love that this got caught on tape. (BTW, was BS the one who threw Duncan out of the game for laughing? How does this shit happen?)
-G
When did the Beast show up?
The preseason has kind of gotten away from me, but...is Elton looking like a beast?
Elbowing Pu$$y Jeffries in the eye, cleaning glass, sparking the fast break, etc. I almost forgot how excited I was when we signed Brand last summer. But even then, I didn't know he had The Beast in him.
Between that and what Thad is flashing, I'm starting to get happy. If this team starts to gel with EB, and Thad makes a leap, and Iggy gets calm and consistent (finally) -- then we're one sale away (i.e. Sammy's contract) from having one bright effing future.
-G
P.S. Nada on the tix. I'm too poor. But we should definitely get together for the opener. Big screen HD is fine by me.
Elbowing Pu$$y Jeffries in the eye, cleaning glass, sparking the fast break, etc. I almost forgot how excited I was when we signed Brand last summer. But even then, I didn't know he had The Beast in him.
Between that and what Thad is flashing, I'm starting to get happy. If this team starts to gel with EB, and Thad makes a leap, and Iggy gets calm and consistent (finally) -- then we're one sale away (i.e. Sammy's contract) from having one bright effing future.
-G
P.S. Nada on the tix. I'm too poor. But we should definitely get together for the opener. Big screen HD is fine by me.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Flashback
Hey, remember when we legitimately thought that AI and C-Webb were going to lead us to the promised land? Funny when you think back on it.
-G
P.S. Allen is about to ink a contract with Memphis, btw. That's where he'll end his career: in frickin' Memphis.
-G
P.S. Allen is about to ink a contract with Memphis, btw. That's where he'll end his career: in frickin' Memphis.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
