2016 NBA Offseason Discussion Thread

[Paulius]

https://vine.co/v/5K2Y6OIxTnz
 
westbrook bout to average 40 a game this year

Fucking goatbrook

 

[jonathanlambert33]

There's a nice little rumor going around that this is CP3's last season in LA and he's essentially a Spurs lock.

 

[Pugz]

There's a nice little rumor going around that this is CP3's last season in LA and he's essentially a Spurs lock.

i hope so

 

[jonathanlambert33]

So can we agree that the Thunder model is one of the better ways not to win a title?

 

[elcheato]

They made the finals once, were the favorites in that finals, and had 3-1 lead on the greatest regular season team in history. I think they had a good model that didn't end happily because of cheap owners and untimely injuries. It's not easy to win a title

 

[buzzy]

What's the Thunder model? Drafting and developing well? I'd say the Warriors are/were successful with that model. 
 
It's the only way you can control your destiny, and the only model small market teams can go to. Yes, teams that can sign free agents that are in their prime will usually always have a better shot at winning, but that's life of unpopular free agent destinations.
 
Nothing about the Durant-Wesbtook era was a bad attempt at winning a title. 

 

[elcheato]

They hit on all their top picks, and even scored some solid players in the later end of the first round. Literally can't ask any more of management. They got unlucky that Toronto was better than expected when everyone thought that that pick was gonna be super early from that Harden trade.

 

[bosoxlover12]

So can we agree that the Thunder model is one of the better ways not to win a title?

had the thunder been in a market where the owner could spend over the luxary tax, they probably would have won a title though. The reason they didnt was because they let Harden leave for essentially just Steven Adams
 
Year 1 without Harden -- Westbrook misses playoffs due to injury in Game 2 of the 1st round, OKC can't advance past 2nd round (best record in West). 
Year 2 without Harden -- Lost in WCF, was at 2-2 split going into Gm5
Year 3 without Harden -- Durant injured, OKC cant make playoffs
Year 4 without Harden -- Lose WCF in 7, had 3-1 lead
 
Obviously chemistry might have been different if James stayed, but I doubt it since hes still close to Russ & KD. I can easily see 3 straight Finals appearances if not more if they kept Harden.
 
So no I disagree with you completely.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

They hit on all their top picks, and even scored some solid players in the later end of the first round. Literally can't ask any more of management

I disagree with that heavily.

 

[bosoxlover12]

I disagree with that heavily.

on what part? That they didn't hit on their picks?
 
They had the #2, #4, #24, #3, #24, #11, and #24 picks from 07-11. With those picks they took:
Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Harden, Mullens, Aldrich, and Reggie with those picks.
 
Of those (using hindsight), Durant was the best available, Russ was best available, Ibaka was best available/2nd best (him or Batum), Harden was 2nd best avail (Steph #1), Mullins sucked, Aldridge sucked, and Reggie was the 2nd/3rd best available. 
 
They missed on two picks (#11, #24), and hit exceptionally well on two more #24s as well as their Top 5 selections. Cant draft much better than that

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Yeah nola I don't get how you can nitpick the OKC method.

 

[bosoxlover12]

aside for not wanting to pay harden. trading him away was their mistake but outside of that they did as best as possible

 

[buzzy]

aside for not wanting to pay harden. trading him away was their mistake but outside of that they did as best as possible

 
Which still isn't a knock on the "model" in itself. They just got 4 players that got too good too quick. 

 

[Pugz]

their model was fine. their owner is cheap

 

[buzzy]

I'm watching the Wade presser. Still stings.
 
It's like hearing your ex girlfriend talk about how her new man has such a bigger dick than you, and the dick she's been dreaming about for the last two decades.

 

[Pugz]

I'm watching the Wade presser. Still stings.
 
It's like hearing your ex girlfriend talk about how her new man has such a bigger dick than you, and the dick she's been dreaming about for the last two decades.

well my new gf has a bigger vagina

 

[jonathanlambert33]

OKC may have hit on their picks, but then they went out and surrounded those guys with one dimensional players who in all honesty, really aren't that good. Especially the past few seasons. Saying "they did as best as possible" is laughable. Their "model" (let's be honest, that's surrounding their stars) is one of the least effective ways to win a title, and I'll stand by that.

 

[bosoxlover12]

What's the better model then? Having Lebron James? Having Steph Curry, aka the best shooter in the history of the game? Having a top 5 coach in NBA history? Because of the last 6 years of Finals, only two teams don't fall into those categories -- the Cinderella Mavericks, and the Oklahoma City Thunder

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Not surrounding your studs with one way players, like I already mentioned.

 

[buzzy]

I love the Having LeBron James model. Would recommend.