thecampster

They said what we've been saying....money....they fell through due to money.

My opinion on all of the above JC defense vs Kat Defensive rating (lower is better) - Kat career 109.2, last season 113.7 JC career 112.7, 115.3 last season. A simple look would stat Kat is actually better defensively than JC with one small caveat. Kat played both positions while JC primarily played PF. PF's historically have a larger rating than C's. That said, Kat played primarily PF last season and was better last season by 1.6. One might argue that Kat is better offensively which leads to better team defense. John's career offense rating is 121.2 but was only 116.7 last season. However, Kat's ORTG last year was the same at 116.7 with a career number of 119.4. The delineating factor here is who each played with. While John's offense was obviously helped by having Trae in the lineup but fell yearly with Clint in the lineup and young players growing, Kat has never really benefitted from elite PG play and his numbers fell last year as other players took on an offensive load. I'd say the Hawks are better with KAT than JC but what I can't say is they're $23 million more in salary better. The only benefit Kat brings that JC doesn't is the star factor and the benefit of the call. Kat is more likely to get calls and that could turn games in the final 3 minutes.

They were extremely close to moves on draft night. The team wants to flex, they've had partners, just not the right final deal. I mean anything could change in an instant but I'd usually hear something about it a day or two before and haven't heard anything.

I wouldn't anticipate anything happening soon. I really don't want to break it down but they're basically at am impass. The offseason lasts through September, a few more options open up for us in September. Draw your own conclusions.

I try to start this from time to time. I'll introduce a new term to see how long before everyone is using it wrong.

So one thing about defensive metrics, they are highly dependent on how the defensive possession begins. Defensive possession stats go like this (in order worst scenario for defense to best). Worst - turnover leads to transition. long rebound leads to transition possession due to offensive rebound change of possession due to jump shot rebound change of possession due to layup rebound half court out of bounds Full court out of bounds off made layup best - full court out of bounds play off jump shot, 3 point shot, made free throw By efficiency, turnovers lead to the most points by the other team (on average). Made shots where the team gets a chance to run down and set up on defense are the best. So there is a benefit to offensive efficiency and better 3 point shooting. It leads to more set defensive sets, which does make defense easier to play. Its minor but it is a consideration. Many times things aren't as easy as they seem.

KAT stretches the floor and requires a double in the post. KAT cannot guard the 3. Can guard 4/5 on the perimeter but not a mobile 4 (like Lauri) or mobile 5 like Clint, OO. Siakam is an inconsistent shooter and is not the best floor spacing option. Siakam is a much better defender and can defend 4 position (not the biggest centers or fastest PG), but everyone else and is very good defending mobile players.

Doesn't have to be aggregated. See below Indiana's cap space. They have room to work. If they have a deal for Siakam in place they can work out a simultaneous trade to clear up the space by sending out Toppin, and then send out very little salary to bring back Siakam. They have options here.

Word is the Pacers acquiring Toppin was to use as a trade bit in a Siakam deal.

I have been very unimpressed with Bufkin thus far. Game is really fast for him right now. Issues I've seen. Missing movement from his players (dump overs, cuts). Dribbling into zone doubles, causing turnovers. Being loose with the basketball, especially during play set up. Slow to help on defense. Plays developing before he's ready to dig down, drop off. Always chasing his man, not aware of where his man is floating to (off ball).

He's been doing things defensively that I like and I'm not worried about the offense. What he's being asked to do in summer league on offense is not what he'll be asked to do in November, but the team refocus to being able to defend 1 position up and down is something he's obviously working on. On the "highest ceiling" thing. Number 1 thing you have to do to be considered like that is be able to draw fouls, get easy points at the line. I don't see AJ being able to generate offense when the shot isn't falling. He isn't taking anyone off the dribble, making the defense move. Remember his early success if partially due to teams forcing him to make shots before focusing too much on him on offense. His second half struggles was a mixture of tighter D and leg fatigue late in the season. But in order for me to go team AJ for "highest ceiling", I'm going to have to see him be able to generate his own looks and draw fouls.

I think there's a misconception that when we report on things that we're advocating for those things. Those are 2 separate buckets. To those asking about KAT, I'm more skeptical than the other guys on if it gets done, especially after the acquisition of Mills. We have certain pieces that can't be moved in the deal so I'm not sure how it would work financially and I'm not being pushed info now (I believe what I was given was to drive opinion). So its a matter of having puzzle pieces to make things fit. I knew (as previously stated) the Houston acquisition was going to be packaged out (them or others), I just didn't know who.

I'm coming up with a formula. One that balances against their 2 different positions. I'm thinking 5 years from now, the bet is one of us has to go 3 months with the other's butt as their avatar.

basis of comparison?

Move Gueye down to the 4. He's a 4 despite his weight. If I have to bet, Martin doesn't stick (just my gut), Vit ends up traded one way or another.

Hmmm...wondering how we could make a long term bet (say 5 years) that JJ ends up better than either.

You'll pretty much know how things have panned out on the trade front with whatever decision is made about Bruno in the next 36 hours. If signed, it means we're clearing roster spots, if not, it means we couldn't bundle assets.

First impression from summer league (IMHO), Gueye is going to be fun to watch, wasn't impressed with Bufkin at all (game too fast for him right now). We aren't done, I just know we acquired those 2 from Houston to replace roster spots we were thinking about trading out. With them gone, I'm head scratching. Not a ton left in free agency. Not sure who we could be trading for.

Lets break that down. Out Collins trade, Out Houston Trade - 1 Out OKC trade - 1 2nd round pick, Garuba, Gay, Washington. In Collins trade - 2nd round pick, Gay In Houston Trade - Garuba, Washington, 2nd round pick In OKC Trade Patty Mills. Net 1 2nd round pick + Mills. Pre trades, no TPE, no MLE. 25.2 mil salary. Post trades, TPE, MLE, 6.8 mil salary, 2nd round pick. Basically they turned Collins into a draft Pick, Patty Mills and as much as 38 million in trade/signing room.

Running low on assets now. Might be, but no way Hunter and Capela wouldn't both be in the deal now. I'm moving this from likely to questionable. If they are, they're going to have to use the TPE to back fill roster spots after. Kat coming here would be a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 exchange. But considering the narrative is now, they flipped Collins and 1 2nd round pick to acquire Patty Mills, a 25 mil TPE and cap flexibility, that's a much better narrative.

Game recording tonight (@10:30)....one of you jokers ruin it for me with posts I'm going to be ticked.

I hate when people only hear what they want to hear. There are tons of teams that would love Gobert on the roster. What there is not, is a plethora of teams who a) want Gobert at $41 million or 2) have the space for Gobert at $41 million. 3) would give Minny back anything close to what Minny gave up to get him. If we could flip Cap + Gay and $15 million in players worth of cap space for Gobert, we'd do it...no questions asked but Minnesota can't give Gobert away when they sold the ranch to get him. The T-Wolves gave up the following in the Gobert deal • Walker Kessler (No. 22 pick in 2022 Draft)• 2023 first-round pick• 2025 first-round pick• 2026 pick swap• 2027 first-round pick• 2029 first-round pick That's 5 out of 8 first round picks and a pick swap. If they turn around the following year and trade him for peanuts, they'd get roasted. Its not people don't want him or they wouldn't trade him...its that there is no way to swing it. They are now ride or die with him because they did a dumb. see below

Watching him, listening to him, I'm more inclined to take barber advice from Reggie Bullock than listen to this guy's views on the NBA.

Good news is you only objected to Billy Ocean.

Everyone has a right to their opinion, but not every opinion is right. Some are downright foolish and embarrassing (see flat earthers, proponents of the pull out method and those that think Billy Ocean was a generational talent).