-->
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 09:14:13 PM

Login with username, password and session length
Search:     Advanced search
News: Endless Summer Quarterly
Home Help Search Calendar Login Register
+  The Smiley Smile Message Board
|-+  Non Smiley Smile Stuff
| |-+  The Sandbox
| | |-+  National Basketball Association ('14-'15)
Pages: 1 ... 6 7 8 9 10 [11] 12 13 14 15 16 ... 20   Go Down
Print
Author Topic: National Basketball Association ('14-'15)  (Read 164295 times)
0 Members and 13 Guests are viewing this topic.
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #250 on: December 13, 2014, 07:58:09 AM »

Jodie Meeks made his debut last night, and Detroit won. He didn't do much according to the stats, but he did allow Van Gundy to use the rotation like he wanted for once, and Meeks' arrival did seem to improve ball movement. He's also very active off of the ball, kind of like Hamilton was during the Pistons run a few years back. Hopefully, things will improve somewhat. At least get a 2 or 3 game winning streak going to give them some confidence. And a willing trade partner to take Smith.

While I thought they overpaid him, I can imagine how Meeks would be essential for what SVG wants to do. They just don't have enough shooters, and Meeks is undoubtedly that. (That's actually why I am surprised to see, night after night, DNP-CDs for Luigi Datome. Is he that bad otherwise that as good a shooter as he is, he can't get on the floor?) I know Jennings and Smith want to be those shooters, but let's get serious.

Ideally now you can have Jennings playing pick and roll with Monroe (who can also pop or take a handoff and deliver from the high post), with options to kick to Meeks or KCP spotted up, and with Drummond available for a drop-off pass from Jennings, for a high-low pass from Monroe, or to clean the glass. (Smith could substitute for Monroe in this kind of action.)
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
SMiLE Brian
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 8432



View Profile
« Reply #251 on: December 13, 2014, 08:04:34 AM »

Captain, the wolves should let you coach the team. Like that horrible woopie Goldberg movie.... Grin
Logged

And production aside, I’d so much rather hear a 14 year old David Marks shred some guitar on Chug-a-lug than hear a 51 year old Mike Love sing about bangin some chick in a swimming pool.-rab2591
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #252 on: December 13, 2014, 08:13:25 AM »

Oh, I think Flip knows a thing or two more than I do. Plus, with that young and fundamentally challenged team, I'd prematurely age. And with the aging I'm doing on regular time, I don't need that. (The paycheck would be nice, though.)
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
Mr. Verlander
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 163


View Profile
« Reply #253 on: December 14, 2014, 02:50:33 AM »

Detroit wins again! The team is finally playing as a whole! It's like they all share the same brain! They're about to begin a historic winning streak the likes of which have never been seen! They're unstoppable!

Or, they got lucky and played a Sacramento team that was missing Cousins. Yeah, I think it's that.
Logged
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #254 on: December 14, 2014, 07:05:23 AM »

Have you made peace with the fact that Greg Monroe is leaving after this season? There is no way he's happy coming off the bench behind Josh Smith!

Wolves host LA Lakers tonight. That is a legit chance for a win, though nowhere near a sure thing. (So such thing as a sure thing for Minny.) It would really help if at least Mo Williams would return, as the broken record in me reiterates how wholly inappropriate it is to have Corey Brewer ever play a minute at PG, much less some 10-15 as backup PG. But hopefully the Lakers' own woes, plus recent trend of Kobe at PG, might make that a little better for us.
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
Sheriff John Stone
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 5309



View Profile
« Reply #255 on: December 14, 2014, 09:24:31 AM »

So I'm watching the 76ers vs. Memphis Grizzlies last night, and Philadelphia is LEADING 95-78 with about 7 minutes to play in the 4th quarter - and I fell asleep - only to wake up during the post game show to find out the 76ers lost 120-115 in overtime.  Angry
Logged
Mr. Verlander
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 163


View Profile
« Reply #256 on: December 15, 2014, 04:47:58 PM »

They can trade Monroe now, and I guess he's open to going anywhere. That's how unhappy he is. Also, Jennings and Smith are on the block. Actually, probably everyone except Drummond is up for grabs, if anyone is dumb enough to do it.
Logged
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #257 on: December 15, 2014, 04:51:39 PM »

Yeah, I just read up on it. He can be traded with his permission if he waives Bird rights. (Seems kind of unlikely that will all happen, as Bird rights are what gives the team he is with--Detroit, for now, but conceivably the team he is dealt to--the right to pay more than all other suitors.)
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #258 on: December 16, 2014, 04:30:53 PM »

Mo Williams may return for the Wolves tonight. I don't believe in a god, but just to be safe, please God!! Zach LaVine has been better than expected in a tough situation as the lone PG (tough gig for a teenage rookie combo guard), but reinforcements are needed!
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #259 on: December 20, 2014, 06:57:45 AM »

Well the Wolves' most expected trade finally went down: Corey Brewer, versatile defender, locker room influence, and undeniable energy guy with the limited offensive game, has been moved to Houston, which--if there was ever any doubt after the starters' injuries--set in stone that this is a rebuilding season dedicated to giving youngsters minutes. Injured Ronny Turiaf was also sent out, though he won't play this year for anyone. The Wolves get young shooting guard Troy Daniels, a 3-pt specialist, a couple future 2nd rounders, and cash. Houston also got (former Wolf) Alexey Shved from Philly as part of the transaction.

Second-year guard/forward Shabazz Muhammad, who has been scoring a ton in limited minutes, will start as the team's other wing alongside Andrew Wiggins.

It will be interesting to see whether the Wolves sign another big, as we're still down to just one center (second-year center Gorgui Dieng). We have former UConn forward-center Jeff Adrien on an emergency player exception contract, but a decision is coming due soon. We either have to sign him for real or let him go and look for a free agent or another trade. You just can't have only one big...
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
Sheriff John Stone
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 5309



View Profile
« Reply #260 on: December 20, 2014, 08:35:55 AM »

Alexey Shved, we hardly knew ya...In his short time with the 76ers, Shved might've been my favorite player. He missed a couple of games with an injury, but whenever he came in the game, he distributed the ball - better than Michael Carter Williams IMO - made some outside shots, and helped the fast break. The team just seemed to "pick up" when he came in. I realized that Alexey would never be a starter, but he is young and I thought he could've served a role off the bench for years to come. I hate to see him go.
Logged
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #261 on: December 20, 2014, 09:20:16 AM »

Alexey Shved, we hardly knew ya...In his short time with the 76ers, Shved might've been my favorite player. He missed a couple of games with an injury, but whenever he came in the game, he distributed the ball - better than Michael Carter Williams IMO - made some outside shots, and helped the fast break. The team just seemed to "pick up" when he came in. I realized that Alexey would never be a starter, but he is young and I thought he could've served a role off the bench for years to come. I hate to see him go.

I'm glad to read that, because it makes me feel less crazy. The media here, and many fans, were very, very down on Shved. But I had seen him with the Russian NT as well as in his games here and thought that while he definitely had flaws (a bit weak, tendency to take off-balance, hard shots, and of course the injuries), he was a good player. Not a star, or a future star, but a good player. Now I suspect he'll go the route of several other good, but not great, foreign players and head back overseas once his contract, and his NBA experiment, is over. (A couple other examples were JC Navarro of Spain and Vasilis Spanoulis of Greece, both of whom were very solid but just didn't quite get the teams or roles that fit, and returned to Europe to stardom despite being absolutely NBA level talents.)
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #262 on: December 22, 2014, 09:34:48 AM »

Pistons waive Josh Smith! That's an expensive decision...
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
Mr. Verlander
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 163


View Profile
« Reply #263 on: December 23, 2014, 03:39:51 AM »

Pistons waive Josh Smith! That's an expensive decision...

Think about how bad it must've been, if that's what they decided was best for the team. Pay a guy to just go away. We'll see if it pays off on the court. It at least can give one hope for a week or two!
Logged
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #264 on: December 24, 2014, 08:32:01 AM »

The press isn't looking kindly on the Smith-waiving. Eating salary, getting literally nothing in return. Lots of blame going to SVG's combo role, posed as coach SVG having disproportionate influence on GM SVG.

On a Wolves note, really strong game from Wiggins against Cleveland last night, mostly against Lebron. If he'd show 80% of that fire every night, he'd be an 18 ppg, 46% rookie coasting into ROY instead on a 12 ppg, 39% disappointing guy who might stumble into ROY by default.
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
Mr. Verlander
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 163


View Profile
« Reply #265 on: December 24, 2014, 10:05:58 AM »

The press isn't looking kindly on the Smith-waiving. Eating salary, getting literally nothing in return. Lots of blame going to SVG's combo role, posed as coach SVG having disproportionate influence on GM SVG.

On a Wolves note, really strong game from Wiggins against Cleveland last night, mostly against Lebron. If he'd show 80% of that fire every night, he'd be an 18 ppg, 46% rookie coasting into ROY instead on a 12 ppg, 39% disappointing guy who might stumble into ROY by default.

I'm sure that if SVG could go back now, he'd trade Smith to Sacramento for whatever players they were willing to give up. I think that he (SVG) wanted to give it a shot first, to see if he could make it work. Obviously, a costly mistake, although I guess at least he made the right decision in the end.
Logged
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #266 on: December 24, 2014, 10:27:40 AM »

The press isn't looking kindly on the Smith-waiving. Eating salary, getting literally nothing in return. Lots of blame going to SVG's combo role, posed as coach SVG having disproportionate influence on GM SVG.

On a Wolves note, really strong game from Wiggins against Cleveland last night, mostly against Lebron. If he'd show 80% of that fire every night, he'd be an 18 ppg, 46% rookie coasting into ROY instead on a 12 ppg, 39% disappointing guy who might stumble into ROY by default.

I'm sure that if SVG could go back now, he'd trade Smith to Sacramento for whatever players they were willing to give up. I think that he (SVG) wanted to give it a shot first, to see if he could make it work. Obviously, a costly mistake, although I guess at least he made the right decision in the end.

I think the challenge with a Sac trade was that they were asking for picks, and SVG (pretty wisely) wasn't interested in giving up assets just to give up a (somewhat) productive malcontent. It was the outbound cost to do business, rather than the returned benefits (which I think were nil, just bad contracts or bad players). Tough position. He definitely would have been in better shape before the season began, before anyone saw how badly it was going to work. But of course, as you said, that is also exactly what SVG wanted to figure out first hand, which is admirable. Because there are absolutely examples of "bad guys" turning it around in a different situation.

I am really curious as to what happens with Monroe next offseason, though. This opens up a starting spot for him, but he's more C than PF in a modern NBA, and he's still not the centerpiece of the franchise. Plus he seems to feel slighted by the lack of contract getting done last summer. So I think he's out of there regardless. Someone will (over-)pay him. (Hello, NY Knicks or LA Lakers!) Hopefully Detroit will do the smart thing and continue rebuilding more toward the SVG-Orlando model, with a team that can better space the floor and let Drummond do what he theoretically could and should do on offense, which is dominate the glass and dunk.
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #267 on: December 24, 2014, 11:02:24 AM »

Pistons trade! OK, it's not a blockbuster, but I really like this trade for the Pistons. It's exactly what I was talking about in my last post.

Anthony Tolliver, whom I saw a lot when he was a Timberwolf, is a great fit for this roster as a stretch PF. He's somewhat athletic, quick enough to defend some SFs and big enough to occasionally switch over to centers. And most importantly for this Pistons team, he can shoot 3s. He's not a knockdown guy, but he is a streaky guy whose streaks can go on for games. He's also well known as a high character guy, great in the locker room, and very smart.

I like Tony Mitchell's potential, but that is all he has ever been. He was a high recruit who only ever was able to get to N Texas to play for a variety of issues. Super athletic, but without much in the way of actual basketball production. He might fit Phoenix's style better, with multiple point guards who could in theory get him the ball if he fills the lanes.

Phoenix saved money on the trade.
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
Mr. Verlander
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 163


View Profile
« Reply #268 on: December 24, 2014, 11:46:29 AM »

It seems like everybody in the league played for Minnesota at least once.
Logged
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #269 on: December 24, 2014, 12:09:51 PM »

I was thinking that while watching cleveland last night (Love and Mike Miller).

Atl: none
Bos: none
Bkn: KG
Cha: Al Jefferson
Chi: none but we owned Mirotic's rights
CLE: love, miller, Lou Amundson
Dal: JJ Barea
Den: Randy foye
Det: Tolliver
GS: none
Hou: Corey Brewer, Alexey Shved
Ind: none
LAC: none
LAL: Wayne Ellington, Wes Johnson
Mem: Kosta Koufos (and the rights to nick calathes and Beno udrih at times)
Mil: oJ Mayo (for a day)
NO: Dante Cunningham
NY: none (but cole Aldrich is from here)
OkC: none
Orl: Luke Ridnour
Philly: Mbah a Moute, Ronny Turiaf, Andrei Kirilenko
Pho: Gerald Green
Por: none, but we signed Batum as RFA to his current deal
Sac: Ryan Hollins, Derrick Williams, Ramon Sessions
SA: none
Tor: Greg Stiemsma
Utah: none
Wash: Martel Webster
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #270 on: December 24, 2014, 12:11:22 PM »

I should add that OKC and Sacramento are coached by ex-Wolves players and Toronto, Washington, and Houston are coached by ex-Wolves coaches.
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
Mr. Verlander
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 163


View Profile
« Reply #271 on: December 28, 2014, 04:10:19 PM »

The Pistons destroyed Cleveland tonight. In Cleveland. They took 31 3 point attempts, and made 17 of them. That's 2 for 2 now that Smith is gone. Coincidence?
Logged
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #272 on: December 28, 2014, 06:06:41 PM »

Not to diminish what smith has done and can do, he was such a horrible fit. I'm sure the removal of that distraction, plus addition of Meeks, is behind it. Even from a non-basketball perspective, having some closure must be a boost.
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
Mr. Verlander
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 163


View Profile
« Reply #273 on: December 29, 2014, 04:50:23 PM »

I guess that I never realized what a problem he was in the locker room. I just thought that most of his bad press was because of the way that he played (thinking that he's a superstar, when clearly he isn't). Now that he's gone, I've heard a number of different things about him being a bad teammate. He also said that he now has a 'chip on his shoulder'. f*** him.
Logged
the captain
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 7255


View Profile
« Reply #274 on: December 29, 2014, 05:57:04 PM »

Interesting. I haven't seen any of that about him necessarily having been bad in the locker room or as a teammate. I mean, one assumes things at a certain point, but sometimes that's just more bad fit than bad person. I'm going to keep my eyes open for more on it, though, that's for sure.

Detroit is (financial consequences notwithstanding) certainly better off though.
Logged

Demon-Fighting Genius; Patronizing Twaddler; Argumentative, Sanctimonious Prick; Sensationalist Dullard; and Douche who (occasionally to rarely) puts songs here.

No interest in your assorted grudges and nonsense.
Pages: 1 ... 6 7 8 9 10 [11] 12 13 14 15 16 ... 20   Go Up
Print
Jump to:  

Powered by SMF 1.1.21 | SMF © 2015, Simple Machines
Page created in 0.656 seconds with 22 queries.