Truncated Offseason Thread

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Originally Posted by AusPel

Is Magic Johnson Griff's Twitter ghostwriter now

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No, but he apparently now views Bledsoe as a potential league MVP.

https://twitter.com/joe_mussatto/sta...142454785?s=20

https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/stat...327269888?s=20

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1...682917889?s=21

Looks like we start the season as the very first game.

Pelicans at Heat 12:00 pm EST on Christmas Day

It pretty much says we one of the top 10 teams to watch. You would think some free agents would want to come here...

ESPN’s projected standings via RPM

Bucks | 1 | Lakers
Raptors |2| Clippers
Heat |3| Rockets
76ers |4| Jazz
Celtics |5| Nuggets
Nets |6| Mavericks
Pacers |7| Pelicans
Hawks |8| Suns
.................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ....

this is a wild list lol...

Aldridge gave us the 10th best offseason:

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I’d say gaining control over five first-round picks for a player you were likely not going to be able to re-sign is pretty good value, even if I don’t think the picks are going to amount to a whole lot, and as I know that New Orleans will miss the myriad skills Holiday brought to the party. Still, the haul gives the Pels some real flexibility to move up and down in multiple drafts to get the players they most like, and that will be crucial as the team continues to build around Zion Williamson, the newly max-extended Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball. Adams is all grown-****** man who should go right back to being a stout roadblock in the middle now that he again has long-limbed folks like Ingram and Ball out front creating deflections. And Van Gundy was the perfect coach to put some, ah, urgency into the Pels’ collective step as they try to navigate up the standings in the west.

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Originally Posted by 6warddude

ESPN?s projected standings via RPM

Bucks | 1 | Lakers
Raptors |2| Clippers
Heat |3| Rockets
76ers |4| Jazz
Celtics |5| Nuggets
Nets |6| Mavericks
Pacers |7| Pelicans
Hawks |8| Suns
.................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ....

this is a wild list lol...

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Yeah, Blazers aren't missing the playoffs. Top 4-5 seed

You can't have the Jazz that high

I'd have

Lakers
Nuggets
Clippers
Rockets
Blazers
Mavericks
Jazz
Suns

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Memphis
Pels
Spurs
Timberwolves
Kings
OKC

And GSW floating dependant on health

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Originally Posted by AusPel

Yeah, Blazers aren't missing the playoffs. Top 4-5 seed

You can't have the Jazz that high

I'd have

Lakers
Nuggets
Clippers
Rockets
Blazers
Mavericks
Jazz
Suns

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Memphis
Pels
Spurs
Timberwolves
Kings
OKC

And GSW floating dependant on health

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c'mon man. In no world will the Rockets be the 4th seed, chemistry goes a long way and guys literally don't want to play there atm. Also think we're clearly better than Memphis and I wouldn't be surprised if we were the 8th seed over Phoenix.

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Originally Posted by Funcrusher

c'mon man. In no world will the Rockets be the 4th seed, chemistry goes a long way and guys literally don't want to play there atm. Also think we're clearly better than Memphis and I wouldn't be surprised if we were the 8th seed over Phoenix.

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That was my best case scenario for Rockets. They've still got Harden so I'm ok with putting them there.

We might have more top end talent than Memphis, but there's no injury cloud over Ja and they have added some very good players.

Finally the Hawks trying to get back to relevance. I like what they did this offseason.

C: Capela, Onkongwu
PF: Collins, Hunter
SF: Gallinari, Reddish
SG: Bogdanovic, Huerter
PG: Young, Rondo, Dunn

I wonder if we could get DeAndre Hunter from them. All we missing, besides another star lol, is someone that guard the dominate wings in the league. With that roster they have too many wing types and that’s why I put Hunter at the 4. I would give them a Laker pick for him since we have so many and they will likely be the last pick or close in the first round. Hell I would throw in JJ Redick with a Laker pick for him and Huerter.

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Originally Posted by DaPelFromHell

Finally the Hawks trying to get back to relevance. I like what they did this offseason.

C: Capela, Onkongwu
PF: Collins, Hunter
SF: Gallinari, Reddish
SG: Bogdanovic, Huerter
PG: Young, Rondo, Dunn

I wonder if we could get DeAndre Hunter from them. All we missing, besides another star lol, is someone that guard the dominate wings in the league. With that roster they have too many wing types and that’s why I put Hunter at the 4. I would give them a Laker pick for him since we have so many and they will likely be the last pick or close in the first round. Hell I would throw in JJ Redick with a Laker pick for him and Huerter.

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I don't know why they chased so many veterans that will clog development time from their rooks

It's not like the top of East is up for grabs

Russell Westbrook to the Wizards for John Wall and a 1st rounder! Do what?!?! Thought Wall’s contract was untradeable, but also thought Westbrook was too. So it makes sense lol

So now we get to see more of John Wall in our division. Now hopefully they trade Harden to the east and the Rockets become mediocre

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Originally Posted by DaPelFromHell

Russell Westbrook to the Wizards for John Wall and a 1st rounder! Do what?!?! Thought Wall’s contract was untradeable, but also thought Westbrook was too. So it makes sense lol

So now we get to see more of John Wall in our division. Now hopefully they trade Harden to the east and the Rockets become mediocre

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John Wall hasn't played basketball in about 20 months and they had to attach a pick to him to move him. I'm not sure that we get to see anything: I'd be slightly surprised if he was actually healthy.

The funny thing about the Westbrook/Wall deal is that I find it hard to imagine another trade with that much money involved - literally hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts - that is less consequential.

Supposedly he’s in the best shape of his life lol, but that’s likely BS to up his trade value. He’s got a few years left on his deal, so I’m sure we will see him. How much we see him depends on the injury and if he’s any good after it lol

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

The funny thing about the Westbrook/Wall deal is that I find it hard to imagine another trade with that much money involved - literally hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts - that is less consequential.

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If he is healthy, can still play close to where he was, and they keep Harden, Gordon, Tucker, with the new addition of Wood they may be better than last year. It depends on if Wood can keep improving. I don’t know how Morey thought him and Harden could co-exist. And I really, really will question the Nets GM if he thinks Harden, KD, and Kyrie can co-exist lol. That would be the dumbest move ever unless one of them would pull a Chris Bosh and really take a step back on his game. I just don’t see one of those 3 doing that.

Is Washington going to shop Beal now?

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Originally Posted by 13 - 3

Is Washington going to shop Beal now?

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Quite the reverse: with Westbrook, who can at least play, this probably has at least some element of selling competition to Beal: ''please stay, look, we're making a run for the playoffs by adding guys who can actually play''.

I forgot Houston got Boogie Cousins, so him and Wall reunite from their Kentucky days

Zylan Cheatham was waived by the Thunder. We could do a lot worse than asking him back.

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Originally Posted by As I See It

Zylan Cheatham was waived by the Thunder. We could do a lot worse than asking him back.

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You can't, for a year, re-sign a player that was traded then waived

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Originally Posted by AusPel

You can't, for a year, re-sign a player that was traded then waived

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You schooled me...I didn't realize that. Thanks!!

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Originally Posted by DaPelFromHell

Russell Westbrook to the Wizards for John Wall and a 1st rounder! Do what?!?! Thought Wall’s contract was untradeable, but also thought Westbrook was too. So it makes sense lol

So now we get to see more of John Wall in our division. Now hopefully they trade Harden to the east and the Rockets become mediocre

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Why you want to make OKC's picks better fam?

I don't see the fit of Wall next to Harden.

I posted this in the Jrue thread, but I guess that's dead. Anyway .... https://sports.yahoo.com/report-buck...000011478.html

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Originally Posted by AusPel

Why you want to make OKC's picks better fam?

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I rather become the 2nd best team in our division behind only Dallas than OKC getting better picks.

If they trade Harden and become mediocre than I see our division as:

1. Mavericks
2. Pelicans
3. Grizzlies
4. Rockets
5. Spurs

And they still could be a decent team depending on what they got back for Harden and the play of Wall & Boogie with Wood & Gordon.

That’s nuts. Imagine if the trade that nets us high lotto assets isn’t the Lakers deal but the Bucks one.

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

That’s nuts. Imagine if the trade that nets us high lotto assets isn’t the Lakers deal but the Bucks one.

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Well we did get the #4 pick in that Lakers deal, but then traded it to get Jaxson, NAW, and Didi. I doubt we will get anything close to a #4 pick from the future Lakers or Bucks picks. And hopefully we can move Lonzo from that Lakers deal for a lotto pick unless he pulls a BI and is one of the most improved players in the league this year.

I meant if the Bucks collapse and Giannis demands a trade.

https://youtu.be/BgTurLgV_hg

Grim Sleeper looking he aged 5 years since Covid started.


He must of worked on his interview game. I don't really remember him being this fluid and talkative.

Ingram sounding like a leader.

Feels good to be back �� pic.twitter.com/cwxk1UqeNr

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 4, 2020

Zion looking real trim

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Feels good to be back �� pic.twitter.com/cwxk1UqeNr

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 4, 2020

Zion looking real trim

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https://youtu.be/I4IknsVFD8I

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Originally Posted by DaPelFromHell

Well we did get the #4 pick in that Lakers deal, but then traded it to get Jaxson, NAW, and Didi. I doubt we will get anything close to a #4 pick from the future Lakers or Bucks picks. And hopefully we can move Lonzo from that Lakers deal for a lotto pick unless he pulls a BI and is one of the most improved players in the league this year.

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Yeah people often over look this because draft picks usually become less valuable the moment you select a player with it. 1st round picks are almost always overrated unless you can somehow luck into around the top 3. Most of the picks OKC has from trades, and probably even the Pelicans, will probably end up in the 20s.

Probably of major interest around here. But you know my opinion of still photos tho :hihi:

https://www.nba.com/pelicans/sites/p...1204_016_0.jpg

AD on signing a 5 year deal.

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"That could have been a two-year, three-year deal," Davis told reporters on a video conference call Friday. "[But] I have to think about, also, the reality of things, too. I do have a little history with injuries, and a two-year deal, you kind of bet on yourself. ... God forbid, knock on wood, something happens."

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Klutch advising their clients wisely. Even if it means some years without his poppa Lebron by his side.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

AD on signing a 5 year deal.



Klutch advising their clients wisely. Even if it means some years without his poppa Lebron by his side.

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That is the great thing about having a team with multiple superstars. When he retires, the Lakers will have a Lebron-sized salary hole to go shopping with.

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Originally Posted by Mount Zion

That is the great thing about having a team with multiple superstars. When he retires, the Lakers will have a Lebron-sized salary hole to go shopping with.

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No one wants to join AD as the alpha tho

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Originally Posted by Mount Zion

That is the great thing about having a team with multiple superstars. When he retires, the Lakers will have a Lebron-sized salary hole to go shopping with.

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Yeah, but there is no telling if they find another Lebron to fill it. Thats just a huge ?.

For every Lebron, there is a Dwayne Wade or Anthony Davis willing to join him. I suspect the same will be true for AD when Lebron's time is up.

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Originally Posted by Mount Zion

For every Lebron, there is a Dwayne Wade or Anthony Davis willing to join him. I suspect the same will be true for AD when Lebron's time is up.

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Did you simultaneously say AD is an AD and a LeBron in the same post?

Hayes mentioned in a recent article that he is at 230 lbs. If he can hit that 235-240 mark by next year, he would be the perfect rotational piece with Steve. I’m curious to see if he added anything to his game in the offseason. Even if it’s just a minor improvement on his jumper, handle, post moves, etc. it will be a great boon to have behind Adams.

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Originally Posted by AusPel

Did you simultaneously say AD is an AD and a LeBron in the same post?

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It does appear that way.

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

Hayes mentioned in a recent article that he is at 230 lbs. If he can hit that 235-240 mark by next year, he would be the perfect rotational piece with Steve. I’m curious to see if he added anything to his game in the offseason. Even if it’s just a minor improvement on his jumper, handle, post moves, etc. it will be a great boon to have behind Adams.

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At 40 seconds in, asked about his work this offseason:

''This offseason felt a lot better for me personally because I got to work on more things that I wanted to work on with my game, just work on my body a lot more, and I wasn't having to travel all the time, I got to stay in one place which was nice. This offseason I feel like I gained a lot of ground with my offensive stuff, with some defensive stuff, and my body feels a lot better. A lot more in shape.''

At 4:30, on what he spent the most time working on:

''The physicality, this summer I wanted to make it a big part of my training to work on my balance, my strength, my core and my legs, stuff like that so that I can bang in there with the bigger guys [...] I've gained a little bit of weight, most of it is more strength than weight, getting my bf% better, I didn't wanna gain a bunch of weight and get slower so I was working on gaining good weight.''

Then when talking about him and Steven Adams at 6:30, he describes them as ''Steve's 7 foot, almost 300lbs, I'm 7'0, 230lbs'', so that's more in the ''he's gained a bit of weight'' field.

Also states that he believes we can be a top 10 defense this year.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

At 40 seconds in, asked about his work this offseason:

''This offseason felt a lot better for me personally because I got to work on more things that I wonted to work on with my game, just work on my body a lot more, and I wasn't having to travel all the time, I got to stay in one place which was nice. This offseason I feel like I gained a lot of ground with my offensive stuff, with some defensive stuff, and my body feels a lot better. A lot more in shape.''

At 4:30, on what he spent the most time working on:

''The physicality, this summer I wanted to make it a big part of my training to work on my balance, my strength, my core and my legs, stuff like that so that I can bang in there with the bigger guys [...] I've gained a little bit of weight, most of it is more strength than weight, getting my bf% better, I didn't wanna gain a bunch of weight and get slower so I was working on gaining good weight.''

Then when talking about him and Steven Adams at 6:30, he describes them as ''Steve's 7 foot, almost 300lbs, I'm 7'0, 230lbs'', so that's more in the ''he's gained a bit of weight'' field.

Also states that he believes we can be a top 10 defense this year.

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These are exactly the type of rookies you want. Guys that have a plan and will put the work in. He should be able to handle the abuse much better than last year. You don?t really need to be 260 or anything as long as you work on the right areas of your body. Core strength is always imperative.

Just thinking about the John Wall + James Harden combo, and how the fit would be.

On an unrelated note, did you know John Wall has a total of 9 off-ball cuts, that's nine total, in his last 150 games played? And that of the 49 players who played at least 32 mpg in 2018-19, John Wall was 49th in total distance travelled per game?

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Just thinking about the John Wall + James Harden combo, and how the fit would be.

On an unrelated note, did you know John Wall has a total of 9 off-ball cuts, that's nine total, in his last 150 games played? And that of the 49 players who played at least 32 mpg in 2018-19, John Wall was 49th in total distance travelled per game?

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Steph Curry has left the chat

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Just thinking about the John Wall + James Harden combo, and how the fit would be.

On an unrelated note, did you know John Wall has a total of 9 off-ball cuts, that's nine total, in his last 150 games played? And that of the 49 players who played at least 32 mpg in 2018-19, John Wall was 49th in total distance travelled per game?

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James Harden only fit is a strip club. Harden burn through how many superstar player?

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Originally Posted by Taker597

James Harden only fit is a strip club. Harden burn through how many superstar player?

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Depends on how you define superstar, but yeah generally speaking high tier NBA players like to have at least some time on the ball, and Harden's playstyle does not allow for anyone to be on-ball but him. It annoys people, and it diminishes their games.

That said, Wall especially post injury is not likely to be a super high calibre player and it's not going to be entirely Harden's fault if he sucks: Wall has traditionally been very similar to Harden in the sense that he only really adds value when on ball. That's a flaw in him that is true regardless of who else is on the team.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

At 40 seconds in, asked about his work this offseason:

''This offseason felt a lot better for me personally because I got to work on more things that I wanted to work on with my game, just work on my body a lot more, and I wasn't having to travel all the time, I got to stay in one place which was nice. This offseason I feel like I gained a lot of ground with my offensive stuff, with some defensive stuff, and my body feels a lot better. A lot more in shape.''

At 4:30, on what he spent the most time working on:

''The physicality, this summer I wanted to make it a big part of my training to work on my balance, my strength, my core and my legs, stuff like that so that I can bang in there with the bigger guys [...] I've gained a little bit of weight, most of it is more strength than weight, getting my bf% better, I didn't wanna gain a bunch of weight and get slower so I was working on gaining good weight.''

Then when talking about him and Steven Adams at 6:30, he describes them as ''Steve's 7 foot, almost 300lbs, I'm 7'0, 230lbs'', so that's more in the ''he's gained a bit of weight'' field.

Also states that he believes we can be a top 10 defense this year.

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Man, I hope his game is more nuanced than his ability to describe it.

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

Man, I hope his game is more nuanced than his ability to describe it.

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The number of very good sports professionals who are about as articulate as mashed potatoes is a very high one.