Check my Stats

A big problem (for 2 full years now) is that whenever Wade has the ball, LBJ just stands upright in the corner, and vice versa. Wade is clearly the inferior player, so he is going to have to learn to play off the ball, or he is going to become more and more useless for this team. He should spend all summer shooting spot up jumpers, honestly. He needs to commit to being the best 2nd option in the NBA, because right now, even if he says it, he hasn't handed the baton to LBJ yet, and its hurting this team so much.

I think it is pretty bad for both. Deng is great for what he is, but he isn't at all what Toronto needs. For one, our spacing would be horrible with him and Demar both starting, and secondly, he is limited offensively and this team is in dire need of a guy who can help Bargnani put the ball in the bucket. Deng is a lot more valuable to Chicago than he is to other teams, IMO. I don't see Thibs signing off on Deng being dealt for a mediocre first either, I think he'd be irate if this deal happened. I think Ford is more of a speculative type of guy, I really question his sources because I don't really ever hear him whispering about deals prior to them happening. I think he just thinks of what might fit and spits it out, unfortunately, I don't think this even fits.

I would guess that our list goes something like Barnes, then Lillard and Rivers. It just annoys me that BC is going to draft a point like that when a guy like Bayless hasn't even been given a fair shot yet. Barnes is the only guy I would be happy to see us trade up for. I am higher on him than most, I think he is going to be a good player in this league, and a legit offensive piece. Plus I don't buy the whole Luol Deng as his ceiling thing, he might not be the same player defensively but his ability to shoot it is going to be huge. As long as you aren't expecting a franchise player, I think Barnes is going to be good for whoever gets him.

Don't think BC will pick a player who has a suspect attitude. I think BC puts more stock into that than most. In a draft like this you can afford to take a pass on a guy like him when there are guys like Sullinger, PJ3, etc pretty likely to be on the board.

Pretty close to all of it. Not enough accountability is put on Pat Riley, though.

Seems like the top 5 is a general consensus. Hoping for Galchenyuk but I am expecting Grigorenko, who I think will also be a good player.

-Magic is an actual point and averaged nearly 10 apg for the dream team, crazy. Rose is an incredibly mediocre defender and Magic would expose him as well (rose would be fine offensively of course). I wouldn't even make Rose the starting PG but that's just me... just seems redundant with LBJ, D-Wade syndrome... then again you can't really start a 6-2 Chris Paul against him... I just don't really know, not a fan of Rose's though for this team. -92 team has a way deeper group of bigs and guys like Malone, Robinson, Ewing, etc that would give Howard fits. He is still a pretty average man defender IMO. Great anchor though... don't think 2012 team would be wise to go small against them -MJ would destroy the Kobe we watch today, its not even close, so don't act like it is. I think it'd be a fun series, and I don't think either team is distinctively better. The reason team USA now doesn't dominate like they did in 92 is pretty obvious, so I think it is stupid to discredit current players just because the rest of the world got better.

Stern is so insecure its incredible.

Imagine the practices with the best players in 92 compared to the practices with the best players today. I feel like KD and Kobe are the only guys with the sort of "I'm not here to make friends" sort of attitude it seems those guys had.

If OKC goes small they will lose.

Seems like Lillard is our guy, but it sounds like we might have to trade up to get him. Scared it will cost a lot, but Lillard sounds more and more like a good fit here.

PJ3 is saying and doing all the right things leading up the draft. I'd be shocked if he doesn't go top 10 when its all said and done. Surely someone will take a chance on him (Warriors, Raptors, Pistons are my suspects).

I think injuries and coaching to an extent held them back. People think Doc is an elite coach but I think he played Allen and Pierce way too much during the regular season (around 35 minutes a game or so), and had KG become increasingly underutilized each passing year, until this year. I still think they win the title in 2010 with a healthy Perkins (don't get your knickers in a not LA fans, 09 might have been different w/Bynum too). I look at the Celtics, and don't really see a disappointment, but more "what could have been". It was never a huge injury for this team any season (other than Perkins), but it never seemed like they went into the playoffs 100%. Always seemed like everyone was banged up on that team, and it definitely hurt them. I don't think we will see something like this big 3 again for a while, the stars pretty much aligned perfectly for Boston, and it was an awesome story for 2 players I really admire and Paul Pierce. Honestly though, if you can win one championship, no matter what it costs you, it is a success in my books. Especially when you do it without a top 5 player.

I don't see Thibs doing that at all. Chicago could still make the playoffs as a low seed without Rose - just look how the performed without him for stretches this year. But theoretically, yes, it is probably the best idea... just like Miami in 08, just hopefully you don't walk away with a Beasley. But realistically, I don't see it happening.

LeBron is the last guy I am worried about heading into tomorrow if I am a Heat fan.

Bosh is going to need to be utilized this series. Keeping Ibaka away from the rim will help Miami a lot. I think Wade is going to need to lock down and try and be a bit of a role player of sorts this series, taking turns guarding RW and Harden and working to shut them down. If Miami is going to win Wade is going to have to commit defensively, and not worry a ton about getting his on offense.

I bet you it is the Suns for sure.

I wish more athletes were like Sidney Crosby. Hockey players are honestly the best athletes in the world. In the NBA you see the top guys who want to be paid the max money AND have a terrific cast around them; want their cake and to eat it too. Meanwhile you have the best player in the NHL willing to take like 35% less than the maximum he could earn. 10 years 90M would be pretty crazy. Say what you will about the guy (I know he has no shortage of haters, and has some pretty dislikable qualities), but I think hes awesome.

Want to see the Heat win, but honestly I couldn't care either way since both these teams will face off plenty in future finals. I just hope we get a classic finals. Expect a big series from LeBron, hope he comes in with that same focus and desire he showed the last 2 games. This is an entirely new LeBron James. Honestly this series will probably come down to LeBron and Durant, because these teams are pretty evenly matched otherwise. Its time for LBJ to take that ring, maybe he's finally realized it isn't going to be handed to him I expect this to be a chippy series, lots of flopping and lots of talking on the court. Should be fun.

Bulls Send: Luol Deng CJ Watson Grizzlies Send: Rudy Gay Thoughts?

He's paid like a 2nd option player but he isn't. Its the same with Boozer. There is too much money tied into him and Boozer when neither can produce their own offense. Rose is going to suffer from LeBron James syndrome in the playoffs, not having a guy who can contribute when he is on the bench or can't get his offense going. I am on the trade Deng bandwagon if it is for an upgrade. I don't think trading him for a draft pick or a prospect is a good route to go. Would rather see them add someone like Boozer or Gibson and try to get an upgrade at the 2 or 3. I honestly think a Deng-Gay swap could help both teams.

Cavaliers Send: #4 #24 Anderson Varejao Trailblazers Send: #6 #11 Cleveland moves down like they are rumoured to be interested in doing, while Cleveland picks up a 2nd lottery pick. Portland moves up to 4, gets a nice late pick, and also adds a quality center to put next to Aldridge. Thoughts? Blazers also have a ton of cap by the looks of things, so I just assume it works money-wise.

It is easily worth it. The fact he can average the numbers he does without based on pure god given talent alone is pretty encouraging. If he puts even a little work into his game he could be elite. And I am far from a fan of Griffin's, seeing as he is a gigantic [expletive]. EDIT: A good coach would go a long way. He needs to be taught how to actually play basketball.

Yi Jianlian?

Barnes is at most Deng? No way. I think he has potential to be better due to the fact he has 2nd option potential offensively. Sure he might not wind up as good defensively (he might though), but offensively, his ceiling is way higher IMO. Unfortunately this would be horrible for Chicago since Barnes will not be on the board at 7.