NBA playoffs thread

[knightni]

When Jamal was drafted in 2000, he was ridiculously skinny. I am actually pretty impressed with the progression of his career, he's a legit player right now and seems to have learned the value of defense.

At least he's eating smarter when he gets the "munchies."

[nitetrain8601]

Lee is a tier above the rest of those options, but I'm still not a fan for a few reasons...

 

1) As you mentioned, someone is going to overpay him. I think if you give him more than $12 mil a year that can easily be a Deng-like albatross.

 

2) He's not really a difference-making scorer that can consistently create quality shots, he's a guy that gets his points off pick and rolls. He averaged 20 a game this year, but a lot of that is because the Knicks are awful and they play at a pretty good pace (he also shot well above his career norm on long jumpers). I realize Amare is somewhat similar, but he's more explosive, has a history of being a dangerous mid-range shooter, and has put up big numbers for more competitive teams.

 

3) A lot of his value comes from rebounding, which is something the Bulls already do pretty well with Noah.

 

 

I really worry that if Lee is the big signing of the Bulls' off-season that they're going to be paying him 15 mil a year to put up 14-9 on a team that actually has some decent scoring options and another big man that already does the dirty work. Having that much money tied up in two good-but-not great players like Lee and Deng is just asking for trouble.

 

I agree. First, that list is flat out putrid. Contenders? Yeah, maybe for one 50 win season and a 2nd round exit. And secondly, David Lee is getting vastly overrated. He's not a good defender. He's a good rebounder and decent offensive player who found the right system for him. He would be a mistake though for anything over $10 million. And if you took three of those guys, combined them, they would still not be better than Ben Gordon at 60 million. What's so good about Ben is that he was legit starter material, a legit dynamic longbomb scorer. Most three point shooters are not great scorers. he was a rare breed. That's what the Bulls missed the most this year. The closest guy you could get to Ben is Joe Johnson, which is why I wouldn't be too mad about getting him.

 

Lee = Deng is probably the best comparison I've seen from a Financial standpoint.

 

[nitetrain8601]

Couple of interesting pieces from a chat wrap by Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld (main rumors guy over there) that is Bulls related;

 

Also, I wouldn't believe in Kyler. CBS just had an article today stating VDN wouldn't be fired "For Cause" and it seems like JR likes how he's handled the whole situation with Paxson. From what I've heard, JR is going to evaluate VDN, not Paxson. Also, the main thing in the article stated the players really liked VDN. I suspect that's because he allows them to play with freedom and has their back, especially in Noah's case which was stated in an article on Wednesday.

[Steve9347]

At least he's eating smarter when he gets the "munchies."

I'm sorry, but this just pisses me off to no end. Oh, he's a black basketball player so he must smoke weed? Jamal Crawford has actually spoken out against smoking and says he doesn't need to "get high" with that when basketball is the ultimate high.

 

Come on, man.

[DBAHO]

Lakers get away with a big win tonight by 1PT.

 

Kobe didn't have much help at all tonight.

[GoodAsGould]

I'm sorry, but this just pisses me off to no end. Oh, he's a black basketball player so he must smoke weed? Jamal Crawford has actually spoken out against smoking and says he doesn't need to "get high" with that when basketball is the ultimate high.

 

Come on, man.

 

I wouldnt look too much into it, Knightni is incorrect on what he says majority of the time

[knightni]

I wouldnt look too much into it, Knightni is incorrect on what he says majority of the time

Yeah, I've been hearing a lot about me lately.

[SoxAce]

I'm sorry, but this just pisses me off to no end. Oh, he's a black basketball player so he must smoke weed? Jamal Crawford has actually spoken out against smoking and says he doesn't need to "get high" with that when basketball is the ultimate high.

 

Come on, man.

 

See, I just find this funny comming from you of all people Steve.

[Quin]

In case no one said it, Gibson made the All-Rookie First Team.

[Brian]

In case no one said it, Gibson made the All-Rookie First Team.

 

Congrats to him. If he gets stronger, he can be a beast.

[southsider2k5]

Congrats to him. If he gets stronger, he can be a beast.

 

I was amazed how how polished he was for the 26th player taken in the draft. Some guys just have those immeasurable things to their game. Taj is one.

[fathom]

I was amazed how how polished he was for the 26th player taken in the draft. Some guys just have those immeasurable things to their game. Taj is one.

 

Helps when you're a 55 year old rookie.

[Brian]

Saw on the highlights that the Nuggets went out like b*tches last night. Technicals, cheap shots, etc....Most of em done when they were only down 6.

[SoxAce]

Saw on the highlights that the Nuggets went out like b*tches last night. Technicals, cheap shots, etc....Most of em done when they were only down 6.

 

They have some of the biggest pricks not only on their team but in the league. Martin, Smith, etc.. Billips is really the only guy that is pure class as a player.

[Balta1701]

Helps when you're a 55 year old rookie.

You can't even find satisfaction in a guy out-performing expectations, can you?

[southsider2k5]

You can't even find satisfaction in a guy out-performing expectations, can you?

 

Yeah, I'd like to see the person who picked Taj to be a 9 pt 7.5 rb guy as a rook.

 

[Balta1701]

Yeah, I'd like to see the person who picked Taj to be a 9 pt 7.5 rb guy as a rook.

I got pissed at him after the draft for being cocky and saying he'd make the teams that passed on him pay. I'm happy to be wrong.

[fathom]

You can't even find satisfaction in a guy out-performing expectations, can you?

 

Jeez, it was just a joke about his extremely shady background while he was in college. He basically went to every diploma mill possible to graduate from high school. I liked Taj at USC, and I'm happy he looks to be a competent NBA player.

[southsider2k5]

I got pissed at him after the draft for being cocky and saying he'd make the teams that passed on him pay. I'm happy to be wrong.

 

I had zero expectations for the guy.

[fathom]

I had zero expectations for the guy.

 

Me too, I thought he'd get into foul trouble within minutes every game.

[Quin]

I had zero expectations for the guy.

 

I remember being mad about not taking someone like Wayne Ellington for 3pt scoring. I'm glad Taj proved us all wrong.

 

If only JJ can figure it out.

 

Also, the Bulls are really good/lucky at drafting.

[Balta1701]

Also, the Bulls are really good/lucky at drafting.

Tyrus Thomas says hi.

[knightni]

Tyrus Thomas says hi.

They're bad at trading.

 

The drafted Aldridge and traded him for Thomas and Sefolosha.

[Quin]

Tyrus Thomas says hi.

 

So do Noah & Gibson. And they could have taken Beasley.

 

They're bad at trading.

 

The drafted Aldridge and traded him for Thomas and Sefolosha.

 

Nope, just Thomas, or else it would be a better trade since we got Gibson for Thabo.

 

Thabo was traded for Rodney Carney.

[southsider2k5]

Tyrus Thomas says hi.

 

I won't even say he was a bad pick based on his ability. They just couldn't find anyone to get through to him. He might be a Zach Randolph type that takes until he turns 30 to grow up.