2014-2015 NBA regular season thread.

[Al Bundy]

I will update this when the schedule is announced in a couple of weeks, but I will open with the new uniforms for the Charlotte Hornets below.

Introducing the brand new Charlotte #HornetsUnis! http://t.co/MgHy2DcOTX pic.twitter.com/w59MlUvRgd

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) June 19, 2014

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Yeah. A max contract will do that to you. Of course Kevin love gives you more now.

If you think the cavs objective is to win an NBA championship in the next two years, but all means trade Wiggins for love. I'm realistic to realize even with love, they are massive underdogs against the west. And they still have massive gaps on defense and in the post. And while SNR thinks they can find these guys for no money, the reality is paying a big three makes it difficult to gap fill.

Of course love right now is more talented than Wiggins. But he is a guy you bring in and force him to fit into your system.

Again, Love isn't Chris Bosh. He's not going to see dry spells in scoring. He has so many different tools at his disposal that will prevent him from seeing the inconsistency that Bosh had in Miami at times.

Can you respond specifically to my Corey Brewer idea? His annual salary is basically equal to Wiggins' for two more years. He's quite a good defender, and he has one or two things he does well on offense, which make him a valuable "energy scorer" if he's coming off the bench. As a starter, that offensive efficiency declines dramatically, but you wouldn't be bringing him aboard to start. You're bringing him aboard so Lebron doesn't have to play 40 minutes per game, and when Lebron is on the bench the team doesn't go into a hole on defense.

I'm not the GM of the Cavaliers, and again, Corey Brewer very likely is not going to be traded, but that's a theoretical possibility. If I can come up with a solution, surely the Cavs can as well?

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by KevB

The only problem with that analysis is that many here on this site know more about Wiggins than any of the people offering their insight on Grantland. We've seen Wiggins play 30+ games. They've seen a game or two, some summer league highlights and Chad Ford's (probably) overly optimistic outlook on Wiggin's future.

That's a pretty big assumption. 1) that they didn't do due diligence. 2) that they know less than people here.

More importantly, none of this was going. Simmons was right that there's no reason for the cavs to hurry. See what they have in Wiggins and if he's not helping early, can him.

Other writers were right that at worst, you have a 15 pig guy who plays strong perimeter defense. And they aren't the only people in the world questioning love given that he never makes the playoffs can't post or play defense, and has been accused of Stat inflation.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by KevB

Definitely a factor. The difference is that your other two All Stars are 22 and 25 years old this time around.

Good point. You have less chance of them breaking down or declining as they are in theory not yet in their prime. Also might be a bit more tradable if needed since it's not three friends that joined up.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by SNR

Again, Love isn't Chris Bosh. He's not going to see dry spells in scoring. He has so many different tools at his disposal that will prevent him from seeing the inconsistency that Bosh had in Miami at times.

Can you respond specifically to my Corey Brewer idea? His annual salary is basically equal to Wiggins' for two more years. He's quite a good defender, and he has one or two things he does well on offense, which make him a valuable "energy scorer" if he's coming off the bench. As a starter, that offensive efficiency declines dramatically, but you wouldn't be bringing him aboard to start. You're bringing him aboard so Lebron doesn't have to play 40 minutes per game, and when Lebron is on the bench the team doesn't go into a hole on defense.

I'm not the GM of the Cavaliers, and again, Corey Brewer very likely is not going to be traded, but that's a theoretical possibility. If I can come up with a solution, surely the Cavs can as well?

First of all, I don't see why Wiggins has to even be a part of the deal and only think he's on the table because LeBron muddled around.

Secondly, I don't see any rush to get this done today. So for one thing, I think it's crazy to trade Wiggins before he sees the floor. Secondly, if I'm talking about a true complement go the cavs, I'd gladly take Wiggins and a center over love and Brewer even if that meant signing and trading for a center. I think love is overrated, and I think it's silly to pay max contract to a guy who doesn't ply defense or the post, two things the cavs badly need. Not to mention giving up the draft picks that can land you those guys.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Miles

Agreed. Read that yesterday and thought it covered the angles well.

One bit that seems to be a little overlooked though is with Wiggens you have a guy on a rookie scale contract which gives more roster/payroll flexibility going forward (plus save whatever else they end up giving up). Bring in Love and similar to the Heat that is the core of your roster going forward unless you trade one of the 2 other all-stars.

Exactly. Keep in mind that next year they could have ten mill saved from keeping Wiggins plus a 10 mil exception for haywood. The cavs need a rim protector and a guy who can protect the middle on defense. They don't need yet another guy who's going to hang out around the perimeter and loaf on defense.

And in addition, probably a few first rounders packaged in. You lose those too.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

That's a pretty big assumption. 1) that they didn't do due diligence. 2) that they know less than people here.

More importantly, none of this was going. Simmons was right that there's no reason for the cavs to hurry. See what they have in Wiggins and if he's not helping early, can him.

Other writers were right that at worst, you have a 15 pig guy who plays strong perimeter defense. And they aren't the only people in the world questioning love given that he never makes the playoffs can't post or play defense, and has been accused of Stat inflation.

I've listened to Simmons and Klosterman enough to confidently say that I know more about evaluating a college basketball player than the two of them. The others that wrote about the possible trade I can't speak to. Simmons basically admits that he doesn't watch nor care about college basketball unless it's a player he thinks the Celtics might draft.

I agree waiting is a distinct possibility, with the one major risk that someone else trades for Love first.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

First of all, I don't see why Wiggins has to even be a part of the deal and only think he's on the table because LeBron muddled around.

Secondly, I don't see any rush to get this done today. So for one thing, I think it's crazy to trade Wiggins before he sees the floor. Secondly, if I'm talking about a true complement go the cavs, I'd gladly take Wiggins and a center over love and Brewer even if that meant signing and trading for a center. I think love is overrated, and I think it's silly to pay max contract to a guy who doesn't ply defense or the post, two things the cavs badly need. Not to mention giving up the draft picks that can land you those guys.

Have you seen Kevin Love play more than 2 or 3 games in the past 2 seasons?

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Wiggins has gone from the best prospect since LeBron to a higher ceiling Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Really interested to see how he turns out.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Exactly. Keep in mind that next year they could have ten mill saved from keeping Wiggins plus a 10 mil exception for haywood. The cavs need a rim protector and a guy who can protect the middle on defense. They don't need yet another guy who's going to hang out around the perimeter and loaf on defense.

And in addition, probably a few first rounders packaged in. You lose those too.

So now Love is a guy that just hangs around the perimeter? He gets 13 long rebounds per game?

Here's another risk to waiting : what if Wiggins sees the floor and he plays like Ben McLemore last year for the Kings? Similar games. Decent stroke, ok handles but not really a good creator, a bit tentative offensively, very good athlete not quite sure how to use it. In that case, maybe Wiggins loses some of the shine of "#1 pick with unlimited upside!". That's not necessarily likely, but it could very well be a sell high situation right now.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Exactly. Keep in mind that next year they could have ten mill saved from keeping Wiggins plus a 10 mil exception for haywood. The cavs need a rim protector and a guy who can protect the middle on defense. They don't need yet another guy who's going to hang out around the perimeter and loaf on defense.

And in addition, probably a few first rounders packaged in. You lose those too.

Those rim protecting bigs also tend to cost a lot to acquire or you have to be in position to draft/develop one with is much less likely for the Cavs going forward. Makes that Tristan Thompson pick sting a little more but that is easily offset but the incredible luck of getting two subsequent 1st overall picks.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by KevB

So now Love is a guy that just hangs around the perimeter? He gets 13 long rebounds per game?

Here's another risk to waiting : what if Wiggins sees the floor and he plays like Ben McLemore last year for the Kings? Similar games. Decent stroke, ok handles but not really a good creator, a bit tentative offensively, very good athlete not quite sure how to use it. In that case, maybe Wiggins loses some of the shine of "#1 pick with unlimited upside!". That's not necessarily likely, but it could very well be a sell high situation right now.

I watch a lot of Ku games. I knew malevolent was going to be a bust. I don't think Wiggins will. Worst case scenario, Wiggins struggles early and you package with Waiters and/or Bennett plus a few first rounders. It's the same deal proposed now but at least you know, and it will be the best offer Minnesota gets by a mile.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

It's the same deal proposed now but at least you know, and it will be the best offer Minnesota gets by a mile.

Maybe, maybe not. Agreed there are few teams that could beat that offer, but just takes one. If Chicago decides to throw a Gibson/Mirotic/#1 pick at Minny, I'd probably take that instead. At least it would be comparable.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by SNR

And I STILL say you are WAAAY undervaluing what Kevin Love can do for your Cavs team. Have you even seen him play basketball more than a couple of times?

I get the sense that many haven't seen enough of Kevin Love. Saw somebody on a basketball forum say he was "basically David Lee" the other day. Just hilarious.

[chiefzilla1501]

[eQUOTE=SNR;10754333]Have you seen Kevin Love play more than 2 or 3 games in the past 2 seasons?[/QUOTE]

Yes, he is an excellent player. He just isn't what the cavs need right now. Of course they'd benefit from some rebounding and a stretch four. But he isn't a rim protector or a defender.

The cavs have a ton of shooters right now. None of them but LeBron play defense assuming you trade Wiggins. They are below average in the post. we are talking about love against Wiggins, probably Bennett, a couple of first round picks, and ten million against an already stretched cap. That is a massive, massive haul.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I get the sense that many haven't seen enough of Kevin Love. Saw somebody on a basketball forum say he was "basically David Lee" the other day. Just hilarious.

Love is a better shooter/scorer, better rebounder and better passer. Besides that, they're identical.