RedDawg#8

Ouch, I feel bad for the guy, but you live and you learn. I think this will have a widespread effect on Free Agents in the future. For years, too many players were cashing in on deals they had no business receiving. Maybe now they relax a little and realize that there isn't an infinite amount of resources and they start accepting the fair contracts when offered, still allowing the stars to get theirs of course. Wait who am I kidding, this is the NBA. Dumbass GM's will allows shoot themselves in the foot with stupid overpays

I know people think they are overrated but the Heat should always be public enemy number 1 for us. In the 17 year history of the Southeast Division, they have dominated as a franchise with 10 Division titles and 13 playoff appearances, highlighted by 3 Championships to none for the other 4 SE teams. 5 finals appearances to 1 for the other 4 teams combined. Under the leadership of Pat Riley, they have been about as consistent and successful as any team in the league. By comparison since 04-05: Hawks have 11 playoff appearances and 2 division titles, no Finals, 2 ECF appearances Wizards have 9 playoff appearances, 1 division title, no conference finals appearances Magic have 8 playoff appearances, 4 division titles, 1 finals appearance. Charlotte has 3 playoff appearances, no division titles, never won a playoff series (since joining the Southeast Division) That being said, I know that the Division isn't as important in the NBA like other sports, but the results do illustrate the difference in success of being the class of your division versus just another playoff team. A team built to be the best in it's own division is usually in the top 3 -5 teams in the conference when it's said and done. I think the Heat are for sure a rival for us based on that alone. Orlando and Wash have been thorns too, but not to the same level as the Heat.

Honestly, I don't want to be rivals with anyone who doesn't want to be rivals with us lol There is going to be some residue left over from the Knicks series, and the league would be foolish not to spotlight Trae Young going back in to MSG for the first time, so the buzz will definitely be there for that matchup, especially early on. The Trae Luka matchup will always get headlines, not so much about the teams, but it'd be nice if both teams were really good when we match up. There is a natural division rivalry with the Heat if they're good, and the Hornets too. I think the Bucks and Sixers games will be pretty intense too, but neither team probably cares to claim a rivalry with us, as they both will be gunning for Brooklyn. My final choices are the Knicks and Heat during the regular season. But the Bucks and Nets come playoff time

It's Skiuup, you have to take it with a grain of salt, even though it's weird for him to be giving LeBron praise at all.

I agree with this, but I can also foresee a scenario in which Bogi is just balling out and never relinquishes his role. I mean, his stretch of play once he got his legs back was up there with any player in the league last year. He was basically putting up Klay type shooting numbers for us in the 2nd half. He was that good. If he duplicates or better yet, improves upon that performance, he could make it really hard to just let him move on elsewhere. Age and all.

Consistency is key for all names mentioned. What Bogi and Dre have over Cam and Kev is consistency game to game, half to half, quarter to quarter. Kev and Cam had moments in the playoffs that suggest they are on the right track. Kev slightly ahead, but Cam more effective when on. That to me determines who gets the keys. If they stay even then you roll the dice.

Before I even read a sentence I'm here for the title. No matter what follows it inside lol

What gives me the most optimism about our group is that we have yet to see the full potential because of injuries and coaching. When we first set out to start last season, we were among the best teams from the jump. Then we gradually succumbed to circumstances and stumbled downward and put ourselves in a 6 game hole. We turned it around and finished just 5 games behind 3rd place. Now, imagine if we had Nate from the jump. Imagine if we didn't drop so many winnable games. The narrative is that we overachieved in the playoffs, but in reality we UNDERachieved in the regular season. Under Nate, we had the record of a top 5 team in the league. You saw that on display in the playoffs. We played the postseason the way we played the 2nd half of the regular season. Looking at next year and beyond, we aren't some middle of the pack Eastern conference team. If the injury bug can relax a little and we perform the way we have under Nate, you are looking at a scary team. A finals contender. When the pundits say that teams will be ready for us and we wont sneak up on anyone, Im led to believe that they have it backwards. If you look at this team and think for one second that you saw our best and finished product, then we will continue to surprise people. We have a total of ZERO games played with Nate and the entire core healthy, let alone the entire team. That's 6 paragraphs and I didn't even bring up the natural growth and potential that will take place. JC, Trae, Kev, Dre, and Cam have not even entered their primes yet. JC and Dre are closest by age and still a couple of years off. OO, JJ, and Cooper will be key role players by the time the original core are in their primes and the vets move on. The talent keeps coming at you. As long as they stay hungry, next season we should wake up a lot of people who think we are a one hit wonder. When we dust off their darling Heat and Bulls, they will make excuses. We have to send the Nets or Bucks home. Hopefully both. That's how you take control of the East.

I think top 3 seed is definitely the goal. With a way outside chance of being higher than 3, and knowing that anything lower means we allowed a team we expect to be better than to jump us.

So hearing both "Luka Legend" and "Luka Magic" must really grind your gears lol

*cough* Sap *cough, cough*

OR February? Sheeesh. You talking about the All Star break at that point. OO missing half of his Sophmore season is no bueno.

I think there are several factors that contribute to why players don't work out in the league. Half of which have to do with the franchise and how they handle (or mishandle) a young prospect. Injuries play a big part, and then the off the court factors. But, as it relates to the on-court ability, I think there is a lot one can derive from Summer League. I think you should always ignore hype, and pay closer attention to traits like confidence, consistency, awareness, energy, fit, and IQ. Those things can show up fast and you see who has the mental makeup to be successful. Even if a player has a bad showing, it provides the blueprint for what they need to work on going forward. You don't base entire careers off of it. But you get an idea of what you have today and how close/far a player is to being able to contribute to your roster. Whether you have a role for them now, or if you should plan on filling it with a vet. It's another avenue to scout these guys that won't be on the court as much come the regular season. It bridges the gap from the draft combine with a bunch of prospects and the preseason with vets competing to make a roster. It's a tool, that has become increasingly more entertaining. One that in the Dion Glover days not every player took seriously, but now these guys look at it as a serious opportunity to showcase themselves.

Sounds like he ripped off a Pop Smoke beat, which is never a bad idea lol #RIPPopSmoke

I been pulling for Gelo for a while. I was the middle of 3 boys growing up. (2nd of 6 boys now after Pop's second marriage) so I completely identify with a middle child. There is a real psychological complex that comes with being stuck in between the first born "we go as you go" standard bearer, and the he-can-never-do-wrong baby of the family. So I get it Gelo, I get it. He is my Rudy, I just want to see him succeed and pull through for us 2nd borns worldwide lol Keep balling!

Back to this, that last sequence he did at 2:30, when I first saw this video I was wondering what the dig deal was of showcasing a bunch of dunks. Upon review, they were showcasing his total athletic package including stamina. 30 seconds non stop, 4 Full court sprints, 5 above the rim finishes, dribbling in stride with zero bobble, everything about his gait is smooth and without a hitch or a 2 foot load up. Just a natural athlete. Compare to Zion, who is a freak. When he lands, he has to come to a full stop, get his bearings and take 1 hop to get his body moving again. Jalen Johnson would be back at half court while Zion would still be inside his 3 point line. Jalen could lead and finish a fast break and still make it back on defense to swat you at the rim if you were trying to cherry pick lol He's got a little something extra we haven't seen in a long time in Atlanta.

Can we just agree that guys who leap off of one foot are just made different? Everything they do looks effortless like they are floating lol

Good Morning. Happy Monday. Please, sit back and enjoy this video I just found. Whether or not you like rap, you will this either catchy, hilarious or both lol I'm dying right now but can't lie, it goes hard lol

Ooooh. I wanted him at 17 before we traded it to move up. I was a Cam at 8, Bruno at 17 guy. I can't remember who I liked at 10, but I was not in love with Jaxson Hayes like everyone else. I think maybe Goga or Sekou were my choices lol

I was at Dogwood Festival so I missed the live game. Just watched the DVR and man, I think the rookies are as advertised for better or worse. Jalen Johnson's game translates on both ends. His athleticism and body control. His handles are really good too, and will allow him to play a lot of 3 if need be. He is a perfect combo forward in todays NBA. If he can get a consistent jump shot he will be a dangerous player. But he is not far off. His mentality is perfect, he is in the game and just plays with natural effort and awareness. Cooper. I didn't want to believe the hype against his jumpshot, but he needs a lot of work to become a consistent shooter. That will open up everything for him. Maybe he was a little rusty or gun-shy, but you saw he lacked confidence from the outside and the rest of his game was a compensation for that. I thought he finished well, and some of those broken ankles were just rookie mistakes. I loved his activity on defense. Sadly, you really see the lack of size holding him back. There was a play where he read the pass perfectly and closed on it, but missed it by centimeters. If he was a smidge taller or longer he had a pick 6. The turnovers will fix themselves with more chemistry. He had a couple of dimes that guys missed. The speed of the game is still an adjustment but he is also not far off. The mental will click soon. We have to wait on that jumper. He is a Trae-sized Rondo (young version) without it. I hate that we lost this game because they really played hard and just had a ton of mental, inexperienced mistakes. When you look at the number of guys on the Celtics SL team that have played significant NBA minutes, this game shouldn't have been close.

Boston is weird to me. They had a pretty meh offseason overall. On the one hand, they picked up Horford, Kanter and Richardson, which are good players who can contribute. But they haven't gotten any more dynamic as they don't have many scoring options after Tatum and Brown. Marcus Smart, Josh Richardson, and Jabari Parker are their #3-5 scoring options right now, and I don't have to tell you how sad that is. Their most talented role players; Horford, Kanter, Rob Williams, all play the same position, and wouldn't make sense on the court together. Smart, Edwards/Pritchard Richardson, Dunn/Langford Brown, Nesmith Tatum, Parker/G Williams Horford, Kanter, R Williams, Fernando, Fall I don't hate that starting lineup, but there is nothing behind it. They are banking on addition by subtraction at this point, hoping that changing coaches will give them a 2nd life with this core. I think Tatum and Brown are too talented for this team to ever suck, but they will never reach the peak that were at previously, and are honestly trending downwards at this point.

I think our goal is to finish top 3 next season. They are in the 8 to 10 range for sure. Play-In team certainly. I think Detroit, Orlando, Cleveland are the only locks to miss out, and Toronto and Indy (to me) are very likely to miss out as well.

I still can't believe we got this kid at 48. He is a natural leader and is going to be a great piece for us in the very near future. Him learning from Trae on the court and Lou and Solo off of it. Man, beast in training. Look out

Washington secretly added a bunch of talent in that Russ trade. KCP, Kuzma, Harrell. They also picked up Dinwiddie who I really like. Not sure if all the pieces fit or stick around, but they have some good pieces around Beal. I wouldn't be surprised if they make the playoffs again.

Im not as high on Indy as everyone else. I think that teams get better each year and they kind of just stay put. I don't see them as a huge threat even with much improved coaching. Charlotte is interesting because they were a pretty good team as is before Hayward and Ball went down. They peaked at the #4 seed and probably held it for the longest out of anyone throughout the season. Their starting wings could look like Ball, Oubre and Hayward. They had a good draft too. Plumlee and potentially Markkanen to their front court, I been sleeping on them but they are a threat to jump up in the standings.