2015 NBA Off-Season Thread

[Hurricane Season]

You can't just go around getting rid of words, bussy

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Mike Miller over the past few years was the most useless player of all time, except against the Bulls.

And Game 5 vs. the Thunder

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Pels could have moved Toney Douglas for Shabazz Napier. Kind of telling that they didn't do it.

 

[bosoxlover12]

They didn't do it because they are trying to clear cap

They traded Bazz for a 2nd rounder. They moved Zoran for a swap of 2nds. They could have just cut them, but it affects the luxury tax which they didn't want to do.


So yeah, there's a reason Miami didn't trade for Toney Douglas

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Not Miami, other way around.

 

[buzzy]

I've seen Toney Douglas in a Heat uniform. Wouldn't want that again anyway.

 

[bosoxlover12]

Not Miami, other way around.

i have literally seen zero rumors of Miami offering for Toney Douglas, because it makes no sense

 

[elcheato]

Picking Shabazz in the first round made no sense but the Heat did that, so anything is possible really

 

[Teagz]

Picking Shabazz in the first round made no sense but the Heat did that, so anything is possible really

"Hey LeBron we drafted that guy you said you liked on twitter that one time so please stay."

 

[jonathanlambert33]

i have literally seen zero rumors of Miami offering for Toney Douglas, because it makes no sense

I'm sure the Napier to Orlando rumors were flooding your news feed before that deal happened. Bottom line, this is from a VERY connected Pelicans source who straight up said "Napier for Douglas was on the table if the Pelicans wanted it." I believe him without a single shred of doubt.

Furthermore, it makes a ton of sense since Douglas has a fully unguaranteed contract that either needs to be picked up or declined by this coming weekend. It was exactly what Miami was looking for, it's why they made the deal for basically a fake pick.

 

[bosoxlover12]

Celtics Numbers:

David Lee returns to his #42
Perry Jones will wear #38
Amir Johnson casually will wear #90

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

 

Former NBA All-Star Vin Baker Working to Become Manager of Starbucks Coffee Shop



 


The Providence Journal's Kevin McNamara (h/t ProBasketballTalk's Kurt Helin) published a heartening feature Monday telling the tale of Vin Baker's life after basketball.
A four-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold-medal winner (2000), Baker ended his professional basketball career with the Los Angeles Clippers after the 2005-06 season.
 
Since then, he's battled alcoholism and financial missteps, gotten sober and become a pastor. His latest move, as McNamara reports, is setting a course toward becoming the full-time manager of a Starbucks in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
 
"I love North Kingstown," Baker told McNamara. "It reminds me of my hometown, so it's comfortable. I like this community. Starbucks draws a lot of repeat customers, and so many know me now."
 
Baker is currently working behind the counter as a barista and learning the ropes of the business at an operational level. It's not the most traditional gig for a guy who earned $100 million playing basketball at the highest level, but he says it's part of his overall plan for personal redemption: 

When you learn lessons in life, no matter what level you're at financially, the important part to realize is it could happen. I was an alcoholic, I lost a fortune. I had great talent and lost it. For the people on the outside looking in, they're like 'Wow.' For me, I'm 43 and I have four kids. I have to pick up the pieces. I'm a father. I'm a minister in my father's church. I have to take the story and show that you can bounce back. If I use my notoriety in the right way, most people will appreciate this guy is just trying to bounce back in his life.

Baker credits his opportunity at Starbucks to company CEO Howard Schultz, who owned the Seattle SuperSonics during his four-season stretch on the team from 1997-2002.
As for basketball, nowadays Baker is still trying to catch on with an NBA team in a coaching capacity. Until he gets that call, however, he's minding the roast and slowly taking over the caffeine cartel.
 
Get that money, Vin, and remember: He who controls the coffee controls the world.

 
Welllll damnnnn

 

[Pugz]

kids, invest wisely.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I see people already putting out power rankings and to me it's simple. There are seven Western Conference teams and Cleveland. Rank them in whatever order you want. Doesn't matter.

How far each of those 8 teams get will depend on health and how they are playing when the playoffs come around. Also, what match ups they draw.

Trying to predict the future is a fool's game. But it's fun.

 

[elcheato]

Well, we know how far one of those teams is going at the very least by default

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Dependent on health, yes

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Well, we know how far one of those teams is going at the very least by default

The Lakers?

 

[bosoxlover12]

6 teams, not 7 from the West

I do think the Pelicans will make the playoffs again, but they are in a different tier from the rest of those teams


Cleveland
Golden State
San Antonio
Los Angeles (C)
Houston
Memphis
Oklahoma City

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I think they're in the same tier as a few teams in the West. GS, OKC, and SA are alone.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

They might be in the same tier as Memphis. Not LAC or Houston though