NBA offseason thread

[HomeRunBaker]

I am concerned that age is finally going to catch up with the Spurs and that they won't be as much of a Juggernaut they appear on paper.

I'm also concerned about Aldridge's iso style being a terrible fit with the Spurs ball movement. What happens in the middle of a set when the ball sticks to Aldridge? That changes the entire culture of your system. I was never a big Splitter guy but the two-headed physicality of BOTH Splitter and Baynes is a major shock to how this team functions. You are replacing a player who doesn't need shots or plays called for them, a player who is willing to bang and do the dirty work.......with a player who does require touches, is primarily an iso player (not necessarily a bad thing, just different for what the Spurs do), and has always had a 5 next to him to do the banging for him.

I'm not saying the Spurs are a lottery team but they are undertaking some major changes at a time when Duncan and Manu figure to be on their last legs. They could very well struggle this season.

 

[Tangled Up In Red]

Spurs will be really interesting to watch develop. GSW is basically the same, which is awesome, but can they avoid the injury bug for another year? The West is going to be a battleground.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Wasn't the story coming out of his meetings that Aldridge wanted to be more than wined and dined, that he wanted to know how his game fit into the game plan? Sounds like a guy willing to do his part to aid a transition.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Yeah I have trouble thinking they will struggle. It might take them a bit to work out the kinks, but I think by mid season they're going to be a force. If anyone can adjust and work in a new guy, isn't it Pop?

 

[lovegtm]

I really don't get the impression that Aldridge is particularly stubborn about "playing his way" or anything like that. If anything I think the Spurs transition will be easier for him than most of the players they've worked into their system, since he is a good deal more talented than what they usually have to work with.
 
I also seem to recall reading that a big reason Portland initiated their offense through his isos is that teams would help on him, even from fairly far out, because they were scared of his mid-range J. I think it was much more a conscious gameplan than Melo-like ballstopping.

 

[Jeff Van GULLY]

The Southwest division is going to be a meat grinder again this year.  It's crazy that the Pelicans could be argued to be the 4th or 5th best team in the division. 

 

[Apisith]

Could be argued? I think it's clear that they're at least 4th best, and probably 5th best. They might all make the playoffs again next year, which is nuts.

 

[nighthob]

Could be argued? I think it's clear that they're at least 4th best, and probably 5th best. They might all make the playoffs again next year, which is nuts.

I think Dallas is the fifth best team in that division. They lost a lot of offense and replaced it with, DeAndre Jordan. I'm not bullish on their playoff chances next year.

 

[bowiac]

I don't have strong thoughts about Gentry, but there's a case that better coaching could let Davis be such an unstoppable force that they can take a big jump this year. Davis's usage was ~27% last year. It's possible that can keep climbing to 33% or so without a dropoff, which would have a decent sized impact. I don't think it's likely, but they've got some upside even without making any changes.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Alan Anderson signs with the Wizards. Glue guy/decent shooter/non-dickhead veteran for the Nets. Every little loss counts for that roster.

 

[soxhop411]

“@ESPNSteinLine: Story going online now: ESPN sources say Clippers lobbying DeAndre Jordan to reverse his decision to join Dallas and stay in LA with Clips”

 

[bowiac]

Okay, so this is obviously not really going to happen. But if it does, do they tell Javale to take a hike?

 

[soxhop411]

“@AlexKennedyNBA: Piggyback off @ESPNSteinLine: Doc told DJ they didn’t know he wanted bigger role. LA offering to hire big man coach & increase DJ’s touches.”

“@AlexKennedyNBA: A big reason Pierce was added was to help DJ, per sources. They felt his leadership style would be good for DJ and prevent CP3/DJ issues.”

“@AlexKennedyNBA: Now, the Clipps are trying to make all of this clear to DeAndre: Pierce will help him, he’ll work with a big man coach and get more looks.”

 

[HomeRunBaker]

@AlexKennedyNBA: Piggyback off @ESPNSteinLine: Doc told DJ they didnt know he wanted bigger role. LA offering to hire big man coach & increase DJs touches.

@AlexKennedyNBA: A big reason Pierce was added was to help DJ, per sources. They felt his leadership style would be good for DJ and prevent CP3/DJ issues.

@AlexKennedyNBA: Now, the Clipps are trying to make all of this clear to DeAndre: Pierce will help him, hell work with a big man coach and get more looks.

Isn't this something Doc should have communicated to DJ last week? Man, I know this isn't the role he asked for (Thanks Donald) but as a GM this HOF Head Coach appears in WAY over his head.

 

[soxhop411]

The Los Angeles Clippers are trying to convince DeAndre Jordan to reconsider his decision to sign with the Mavericks after Jordan verbally committed to join Dallas last week, according to league sources.


Free agents are traditionally considered off limits once they strike a verbal agreement with a team during the NBA's annual moratorium period, but sources said that the Clippers have pushed to secure a meeting Wednesday in Houston for coach/team president Doc Rivers and possibly owner Steve Ballmer to make one last face-to-face pitch to Jordan in an attempt to convince him to walk away from the four-year, $80-plus million max deal he committed to with the Mavericks and instead stay with L.A.

Sources say that some Clippers players have been in contact in recent days as well with Jordan, who informed both teams of his decision last Friday and then flew to his offseason home in Houston.

Thursday is the first day teams and players can formally sign contracts once the moratorium is lifted. Sources say the Clippers, since Jordan's return to Houston, have been bypassing his representatives from Relativity Sports and have been urging him to take the Clippers' offer instead while there's still time.




Sources told ESPN's Chris Broussard that Jordan has told people close to him since picking Dallas that he's still "torn" and "unsure" about his choice.







The NBA's moratorium period at the start of July every year is designed to allow the league to calculate the precise new salary cap and luxury tax figures for the coming season. But teams and players are allowed to come to verbal agreements during the moratorium starting July 1. The first seven days of 2015 free agency produced a frenzy that has seen roughly 70 free agents come to terms on new contracts.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13221695/los-angeles-clippers-lobbying-deandre-jordan-back-deal-dallas-mavericks

 

[soxhop411]

“@SpearsNBAYahoo: Source close to D.Jordan started having 2nd thoughts on leaving LAC early in week, source said. Loves LA, Team closeness. @ESPNSteinLine 1st”


So this could actually happen?

 

[zenter]

Isn't this something Doc should have communicated to DJ last week? Man, I know this isn't the role he asked for (Thanks Donald) but as a GM this HOF Head Coach appears in WAY over his head.

 
But he "didn't know". Really makes you wonder about Doc's attention in the locker room, too.
 

Sources told ESPN's Chris Broussard that Jordan has told people close to him since picking Dallas that he's still "torn" and "unsure" about his choice.

Some have said he wants the respect that Dwight Howard got. I guess that includes stories about indecisiveness?

 

[Jeff Van GULLY]

Agent Greg Lawrence can't let him do this can he?  I guess it's Jordan's decision but this will kill his credibility. 

 

[soxhop411]

“@SpearsNBAYahoo: LAC became aware that DeAndre Jordan was having second thoughts ”a few days ago. Blake Griffin has already talked to him, Chris Paul soon.”

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Agent Greg Lawrence can't let him do this can he?  I guess it's Jordan's decision but this will kill his credibility. 

Minor nitpick. Jordan has been with Dan Fegan for awhile now.

 

[MillarTime]

I guess it's Jordan's decision but this will kill his credibility. 

 
I am probably ignorant on the subject, but with who? and why would he care? He gets his huge payday on the team he chooses (finally). If he is a cornerstone-type center 5 years from now, there will still be plenty of suitors.  
 
Edit: Oh, the agent's credibility.

 

[Jeff Van GULLY]

Minor nitpick. Jordan has been with Dan Fegan for awhile now.

 
Wow, Fegan is even a bigger agent than Lawrence.  I'm guessing he is trying to decide if he will burn the Mavericks bridge vs. seeing this from a pro-player/business perspective.

 

[bowiac]

Yeah - I kind of feel Fegan needs to fire Jordan if he does this.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Isn't this something Doc should have communicated to DJ last week? Man, I know this isn't the role he asked for (Thanks Donald) but as a GM this HOF Head Coach appears in WAY over his head.

But... but... Doc didn't know that DJ wanted a bigger role and didn't care for CP3s dickishness.

 

[nattysez]

A lot of interesting tweets in this guy's account.  His bio is "20 Years with the Nets, 2010-15 Asst GM":
 
 
 

Bobby Marks ‏@BobbyMarks42  28m28 minutes ago
Like baseball there are certain "unwritten rules" and this is a big violation of it. Once a player commits to another team you move on.

 
 

Bobby Marks ‏@BobbyMarks42  19m19 minutes ago
The only argument that I have for LAC is: Did DJ agents push him to DAL without him wanting to go?
 

 

[HomeRunBaker]

 
Wow, Fegan is even a bigger agent than Lawrence.  I'm guessing he is trying to decide if he will burn the Mavericks bridge vs. seeing this from a pro-player/business perspective.

Obviously I don't know anything about the Fegan/Cuban relationship aside from them working together on the Barea and Erick Dampier (I believe) contracts. Cuban must be irate and yes a good bit of it has to be directed to the players representation.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

“@SpearsNBAYahoo: LAC became aware that DeAndre Jordan was having second thoughts ”a few days ago. Blake Griffin has already talked to him, Chris Paul soon.”

"hey remember all those high-fives I didn't give you. That was just because I thought you didn't like them. Shoulda told me, man."

 

[HomeRunBaker]

"hey remember all those high-fives I didn't give you. That was just because I thought you didn't like them. Shoulda told me, man."

"It was all in fun bro. We respect you like Brady and it was an ode to you to purposely ignore the high five."

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

 
A lot of interesting tweets in this guy's account.  His bio is "20 Years with the Nets, 2010-15 Asst GM":
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Oh, fuck off. Deals not done until the ink hits the paper. It works that way in every other walk of life. Get the fuck over it.

 

[leetinsley38]

#8 pick from Dallas, here we come!

 

[HomeRunBaker]

 
Oh, fuck off. Deals not done until the ink hits the paper. It works that way in every other walk of life. Get the fuck over it.

Other walks of life don't have a moratorium period for the purpose of determining salary cap, luxury tax thresholds, etc. It is a clear breach of trust that could change how the league. teams, and agents handle this period moving forward.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

This can't be good for Doc's reputation (or whatever is left of it). Sadly, we have only 2 Doc-era Celtics left on the team (Sullinger and Bradley) so we may not be able to fleece Doc anymore. Bradley and Sully for 3 unprotected firsts after DJ goes back to Dallas?

 

[Ed Hillel]

This seems like something the NBA would want to punish, doesn't it? If a player changes his mind in his own, fine, but if another organization is actively trying to get him to back out of his verbal agreement? I wouldn't want my league running like that.

 

[amarshal2]

Yes the Celtics have Mavs 1st round draft pick
Yes Pierce and Doc make a nice WC team to root for
Yes Rick Porcello is pitching tonight
 
But the real reason I am rooting for this?   The amazing Cuban-Ballmer war that will engulf the NBA should this go down

 

[HomeRunBaker]

This can't be good for Doc's reputation (or whatever is left of it). Sadly, we have only 2 Doc-era Celtics left on the team (Sullinger and Bradley) so we may not be able to fleece Doc anymore. Bradley and Sully for 3 unprotected firsts after DJ goes back to Dallas?

Perhaps I should have been more clear. This is exactly what I mean by saying Doc is over his head. This is similar to Kraft suing the other owners.....Doc is essentially sticking his middle finger up to all the GM's he regularly does business with most likely not even recognizing how bad this makes him look AND what the repercussions will be moving forward from the other GM's.

 

[bowiac]

Oh, fuck off. Deals not done until the ink hits the paper. It works that way in every other walk of life. Get the fuck over it.

That's not even true. Many industries rely on handshake deals. Sports is not unusual in this regard.

 

[soxhop411]

“@ramonashelburne: The Clippers are now ”hopeful“ that DeAndre will return, I’m told.”
Wow

 

[Ed Hillel]

Remember, the same did happen in the NFL this year with Sanders. Integrity, etc.

 

[amarshal2]

Remember, the same did happen in the NFL this year with Sanders. Integrity, etc.

 
Frank Gore?

 

[Ed Hillel]

 
Frank Gore?

Ah, Gore as well. Sanders was last year, of course.

 

[luckiestman]

CP3 to Jordan as soon as the ink dries: I don't high five you because you don't have any honor you dumb motherfucker. Just do what  I tell you out there.

 

[soxhop411]

“@ArashMarkazi: The feeling is DeAndre Jordan is now ”50/50″ on his decision. Crazy. I guess we’re back where we started.”

 

[amarshal2]

https://twitter.com/YourManDevine/status/618819781660028928
 
edit: I am the worst at the twitters

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Dan Fegan to Cuban: "Mark, even if this doesn't go down I've got this other FA center.....kids name is Larry Sanders and I hear he's.....CLICK!"

 

[ElUno20]

Dear baby Jesus please let this happen

 

[soxhop411]

“@ramonashelburne: Like I said, this started Monday with DJ having second thoughts and CALLING Doc Rivers.”

So it was DJ who initiated the talks

 

[Tony C]

Isn't this something Doc should have communicated to DJ last week? Man, I know this isn't the role he asked for (Thanks Donald) but as a GM this HOF Head Coach appears in WAY over his head.

 
No kidding. The time for a full-court press is sooner rather than later, isn't it? It isn't like DJ hadn't made his interest in the Mavs clear for weeks previous....that's just ridiculous.
 

 
But he "didn't know". Really makes you wonder about Doc's attention in the locker room, too.
 

Some have said he wants the respect that Dwight Howard got. I guess that includes stories about indecisiveness?

 
Heh...cute. 
 

Agent Greg Lawrence can't let him do this can he?  I guess it's Jordan's decision but this will kill his credibility. 

 
Fegan must be pulling his hair out. I've been in that position. But, if on the flipside, if the story that he's the guy who was pushing the Mavs all along, then he deserves it. Nothing worse than an agent with an agenda other than his client's best interests. Not saying that's the case, here, but that they're going around him to speak to DJ is at least smoke in the direction. And it might at least excuse Doc a bit. It could be the agent told him to make his pitches through him and there was some sense that didn't get through to DJ.  
 
edit: geez, DJ started calling Doc?? This is incredibly wacky and entertaining. 
 

CP3 to Jordan as soon as the ink dries: I don't high five you because you don't have any honor you dumb motherfucker. Just do what  I tell you out there.

 
Yep....the lovefest will last until DJ pulls another boner move. Which game was it in the playoffs when he got the rebound under the basket in position to make the game winning put back, but just quit on it because he thought time had run out? The Clippers need him and he needs the Clippers, but ...the guy is not all there.

 

[soxhop411]

I wonder if his agent pushed him to DAL

 

[nattysez]

 

Ramona Shelburne ‏@ramonashelburne  4m4 minutes ago
Like I said, this started Monday with DJ having second thoughts and CALLING Doc Rivers.

 
 
What's Doc supposed to do in this situation?  Say "Sorry, bub?"  I don't see how he is "over his head" here.  If DAJ said "I've changed my mind," Doc would be an idiot not to talk to him.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Boozer backed out of a handshake deal with Cleveland a decade ago after Utah backed up the truck. Curious to see if DJ signs the full max with LAC for the extra year and $30 mil or if this is all about feelings.