AboveLegit

I think all of this is pretty stupid to be honest, but I don't mind all the extra curricular stuff. I know Wall is working on that jumper, and that's all I really care about.

I'm fine with 11pm. I actually would prefer it.

No one. And I know what this thread is directed at, players from the 50's and 60's... there's not enough evidence to suggest what they can be in this modern era of basketball. And you're an utter fool for mentioning Bill Russell or Wilt.

Finally something I can agree with you on. Not sure why this board is so quick in saying Gasol > Bosh. But I'll also never understand why people place so much stock into positional match ups. I guess it's just a shortcut in analysis.

The 4 out 1 in offense had more to do with Otis Smith than anything else. Stan is the one who turned every boneheaded acquisition made by Otis into semi passable working parts. It was Otis who brought in one dimensional shooters to space the floor for Howard, Stan just made the logical decision in implementing that strategy. Honestly, even I could have made that decision. I'm not trying to discredit Howard, I've always supported him as a player and I think he's a top 3 player in this league. But some forget that Orlando always ranked near the end of the spectrum in fouls per game, which is an added advantage to an already great defensive team. Dwight can't force players not to foul, and that's where Van Gundy's brilliance comes into play. He turned sub optimal defensive players into positive contributors on that side of the floor. Sure, Dwight Howard helped, but it takes way more than one guy to make a defense. Van Gundy's coaching made all the difference. And if you want to discredit for Van Gundy for having good defensive players, just look at the '04 Heat... that team ranked in the top 10 despite being just 2 games over .500. That team scratched and clawed it's way to the 2nd round, while taking a great Pacers team to 6 games (and they barely lost that final game too).

Why aren't they comparable? Orlando was #1 in defense that season... Stop looking at personnel for a change. One thing I can't stand... People saying Dwight made Orlando the best defense in the league. Sure there's a lot of truth to that, but don't act as if Stan Van Gundy had nothing to do with it. He's a phenomenal coach that knows how to teach his players defensive positioning despite their obvious flaws.

Even at LA's best, I think Miami is better, and a large part of this rests on LeBron getting better next season. He's coming off a picture perfect year, and I think he's going to crank it up another notch the way Jordan did after winning his first title. Not to mention, Wade has had a full offseason of rest. People (not on this board) are acting as if Dwight in the paint will neutralize LeBron. I don't see it, just a few years ago LBJ had one of the greatest statistical series ever against Dwight. I don't trust LA's defense at the wings, and I can definitely see Spo rolling with Bron at the 4 and having Chalmers, Allen, Wade, and Bosh out there with him. You can't have Gasol out there on LBJ, that would spell trouble for LA in that instance. The argument can definitely be made for LA (RD just did it), but I still like Miami over them.

Wall is an average defender at best right now. He has a long way to go.

http://www.nba.com/sixers/video/2012/08/15/120815bynumrichardsonpressconfer-2187082/index.html

Kobe/Nash pretty easily.

Who you calling a small market team? :poke2:

Should've gone to Washington. He's gonna regret this, BIG MISTAKE.

What a joke this new CBA is. Did Stern really think he could bring competitive balance to this league by fixating the cap and stressing the importance of a luxury tax? Lakers payroll will probably exceed $100mill, which puts them $30mill above the luxury tax line according to Zach Lowe. These are the same penalties that completely frightened another big market team, Chicago, and forced them to make "money based moves" this offseason. Lakers gonna Lake.

Philly did a great job bringing in Young and Wright as floor spacers, but in order for them to be successful (especially Young), Bynum will need to develop as a passer. He's going to be seeing a lot of double teams, if he's unable to make the pass out of the paint, this offense won't be as good as expected. Turner and Holiday will also need to step up as shooters. This was an elite defensive unit last year, and while they lost some of that with the departure of Iguodala, the front office definitely made the smart decision realizing you can't win without a sound halfcourt offense.

Awful trade. I don't think anyone can make a legitimate argument supporting this, not with the offer Houston made available. The picks they received are going to be in the middle of the first at best. Good luck following that OKC model.

That's not something to be happy about. Duhon sucks and has a terrible contract. I'd take Blake over him.

I like it

Good stuff, thanks for clearing that up.

Very true, I really can't think of a better PG-big pairing than Nash and Dwight. Complement each other perfectly, and when I say perfectly, I mean there's absolutely no flaws in that duo.

Not for Dwight though.

Really? The way they've stocked up on young talent it always seemed to me that they're willing to pull the trigger any time. They have like 6 PF's alone, their philosophy doesn't really suggest a serious rebuild.

Now it looks like the picks Orlando receives are protected. Hennigan seems to be going down the same path Washington went down a few years ago. I think his target year is 2014, by that time Gilbert Arenas, Hedo, and Duhon come off the books, and your rookies (Harkless, Nicholson) develop while receiving major playing time. Not to mention their 2013 pick will probably be in the top 5, as well as 2014. Pair that with their cap flexibility (which I'm sure they'll convert into some solid young free agents) and I think they'll finally look promising. But I'm having a hard time understanding where Afflalo fits into this perceived plan. He's 27 already and plays a game more suited for a contender. It's going to take at least 3 years before Orlando smells the playoffs. And firing Stan Van Gundy looks terrible now. He's the ideal teacher for all this young talent Hennigan is attempting to rake in, to get rid of him when this trade was inevitable is beyond stupid. He was never the problem to begin with. At the very least, Orlando could have received Pau and flipped him to Houston for more young talent.

R.G.3. http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1154890/TDRG3_medium.gif

If Orlando is trying to tank, this isn't the year to do it. Kinda early to say this upcoming draft is weak, but 2014 does have Wiggins and Jabari Parker.. Can't emphasize enough how great of a trade this is for Denver. Masai Ujiri continues to impress me, essentially upgraded at the SG position while saving long term money. Incredible.