~~~~2017-2018 NBA Thread~~~~

[F30lolz]

Since the 2017 NBA Draft is tonight, I'd figure it's time to start a new thread for the upcoming season. Yes, we all know GSW will win the Finals come next June, however, tonight should be interesting with many teams wanting to get into the lottery by trading away star players and overall, just moving forward hoping GSW will eventually break up within a few years

With only a few hours away, what will happen?

[smoosh]

Phoenix got a steal in Josh Jackson at #4. Watch the kid play, he's unbelievable.

Nothing else shocking, Fultz at #1, Lavar and Lonzo at #2.

[ASAP]

lol all else aside, the biggest winner of tonight are the Wolves... and I am glad to see Dwade get punked again hahaah

[hellrotm]

Warriors somehow got a pick from Bulls for only 3.5mill. Picked up a perfect piece to the puzzle, Oregon Jordan Bell. Yes the Warriors just got stronger.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by ASAP

lol all else aside, the biggest winner of tonight are the Wolves... and I am glad to see Dwade get punked again hahaah

He will most likely get traded right before the deadline to Cleveland and unite again with LeBron as his last shot to win it all again in Cleveland before hitting FA.

The Wolves will be a force but still won't be enough to overtake the Warriors.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

He will most likely get traded right before the deadline to Cleveland and unite again with LeBron as his last shot to win it all again in Cleveland before hitting FA.

The Wolves will be a force but still won't be enough to overtake the Warriors.

I don't see Wade taking less to play in Cleveland. He just opted in for one more year in Chicago for $24 mill. Cleveland has no where near that money. He is close to retirement, time to pile up that money.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

I don't see Wade taking less to play in Cleveland. He just opted in for one more year in Chicago for $24 mill. Cleveland has no where near that money. He is close to retirement, time to pile up that money.

He will most likely get bought out but for less than $24M. Whatever LeBron wants, LeBron gets so he could sign with Cleveland for a few mil.

Phil Jackson is gone

[avantegardestyle]

Phil Jackson ousted in NY. Carmelo is king

[theEZV]

CP3 to the Rockets!!

A bit strange to me - Paul plays at an incredibly slow pace, and Harden was a beast last year at the point with the Rockets running and gunning. Should be interesting.

[ny325]

Feels like the Knicks won a championship. Phil Jackson is finally gone.

[Mardio]

Originally Posted by theEZV

CP3 to the Rockets!!

A bit strange to me - Paul plays at an incredibly slow pace, and Harden was a beast last year at the point with the Rockets running and gunning. Should be interesting.

This was a puzzling move to me, it seems like Houston should have spent that money on the 3 or 4 position, they need help inside.

[F80Dreamer]

Hardin and CP4 are too similar to each other...plus I am assuming CP4 will start to slow down given his age...bit of a head scratcher for me, not sure this will threaten GSW at all.

[F30lolz]

LeBron is bitching right about now. Paul George traded to the Thunder.

[kprocivic]

I'm not sure why okc. I mean they can't even beat Houston.

[The1stWright]

I just pray my Lakers clear 30 wins this upcoming season!

[JamesGames]

Originally Posted by F80Dreamer

Hardin and CP4 are too similar to each other...plus I am assuming CP4 will start to slow down given his age...bit of a head scratcher for me, not sure this will threaten GSW at all.

Adding CP3 to any team in the NBA outside of losing a top 5 all star PG, is an upgrade, no matter how you dice it. He is one of the most efficient players in the league and has been for the last decade. He's a two way player that doesn't turn the ball over, can shoot, be a floor general and can defend with the best of them.

The only situation I'm not sure of is the game winner / crunch time situation. Down 1, ball is houstons, who do you give the ball to? I'd give it to harden based on his ability to create his own shot or draw fouls personally.

[hongsc]

Originally Posted by ny325

Feels like the Knicks won a championship. Phil Jackson is finally gone.

Phil was only part of the problem. James Dolan is the reason why the Knicks will suck until he's gone.

Lebron is scary quiet. He might bolt to LA next season. But it would be interesting to see Wade and Melo on the Cavs. I thought the Cavs would try for Rondo but they already signed a point guard. Pretty much everyone was saying the Cavs were destroyed by the Warriors. But when Lebon was in the game the Cavs were winning. First 2 games, only one playing was Lebron. Game 3 was winnable. Game 4 was a blowout for the Cavs. Could have easily been 2-2 and probably a 7 game series if that happened. The gap isn't that big.

[F30lolz]

Yeah, seems that LeBron has a hard on for Lonzo and he won't pass up that opportunity to join an up and coming team. Paul George is saying the right things now about possibly staying at OKC but let's be real here, he loves the Lakers. As for Melo, seems like he'll join the Rockets whenever they can get a 3rd or even a 4th team involved.

[itrsteve]

Originally Posted by hongsc

Lebron is scary quiet.

This, especially in light of the Cavs not having a GM is a pretty tell-tale sign that he doesn't have a vested interest in the long term development in CLE.

So this means BOS is poised to hit the finals year after year regardless if they can win it. Chances are greatly increased with the bloodbath in the west.

I'm really curious what GSW's long term strategy is, in a few seasons they're going to be paying out the ass in luxury and repeater taxes. It's tough to see that core squad surviving past 2 more seasons.

[Datka]

Originally Posted by hongsc

Lebron is scary quiet.

He is not happy with his team. No upgrade in this offseason unlike his major competitors in the east Boston and already strong teams in the west like GS, Houston, and even OKC made moves to improve their rosters.
Still, I predict Cavs to get to nba finals again, just because they have James, still the best player in the world.
That will be his 8th straight nba final. Unbelievable.
But he knows he has almost no chance to beat GS as currently constructed.
And I am going to predict right now that James will most likely move to LA Lakers next season to join L.Ball.
Ball is a very unselfish pass first shoot secong point guard which will allow James to play at his natural position. That will allow him to be more effective on both ends of the floor and save his energy as he will not be asked to do everything on the floor..
After P.George realizes that he cant win anything with Westbrook, he will join Lakers as well next season to make that team a favorite to win it all.

[Datka]

Looks like Irving will be out of Cleveland. Doesn't want to play with James any more lol. Wants to be the man somewhere else.
He was lucky to play with James but he is too selfish to understand that.
Great talent offensively obviously, but as selfish as Melo, Kobe or even more.
I wouldn't bring him to my team, as he is not a team player and will destroy chemistry and desire of his teammates to play hard, as he dominates the ball, doesn't like to pass, cant see his wide opened teammates and often shoots the ball off balance, even when double teamed. When he makes his shots it looks spectacular, but his style of game hurts his teams chances imo.

[F30lolz]

As a fan of the NBA, the Knicks need Irving. Melo, Noah, first round pick from June and a protected first rounder in 2019 for Irving AND Love. If that were to ever happen, NY may once again be the Mecca of basketball within a few seasons.

If the Spurs get him, man that would be a deep team.

If the Heat get him, Miami would be the #3 seed IMHO.

If the T-Wolves get him, shit they would be a real threat in the West.