2017-2018 Around the NBA

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

You only get a few million in cash to use every year for buying draft picks, including in trades, etc. I forget the exact rule, but either we already used all of our cash for the year (if using $ in the draft counts towards the previous season), or this year we decided not to use all our cash at the draft and instead wanted to save it for possible trades this year.

I know. We used most of our cash that year, but GSW did too. I read a long while back that GSW were able to buy that pick but pay when their limit resets itself at a later date.
So I guess we were able aswell, we just didn't think anyone was worth having or the Bulls preferred to deal with GSW.. or like you said,, they had plans to use it for this season.

 

[Nathan S]

Man...every year useful players just come up out of the woodworks in SA. Something in the water down there...

 

[czvo]

Really don't know why people think the Knicks are definitely better than the Nets. Is Porzingis the best player on either team? Yes... but it's also his first year as "the man," and I'd absolutely take the rest of the Nets roster over the Knicks'.

 

[Jordan]

Really don't know why people think the Knicks are definitely better than the Nets. Is Porzingis the best player on either team? Yes... but it's also his first year as "the man," and I'd absolutely take the rest of the Nets roster over the Knicks'.

If Porzingis and THJ both have high ceilings, and both make substantive improvements, I think the Knicks are better. Barring that, though, Knicks are definitely worse.

My gut says that the Bulls, Hawks, Knicks, and Suns are all worse than the Nets. Nets will be around 6th/7th worst in the league.

Knicks have a ton of swing potential, though. If Porzingis becomes an all-star, THJ improves his consistency, etc., they could be a borderline playoff team. An injury to Porzingis, though, and they are the worst team in the NBA.

 

[czvo]

He's got to do it in the regular season, but Kyle Kuzma may turn out to be the Lakers' best pick of the last two years.

 

[cavsfever]

Really don't know why people think the Knicks are definitely better than the Nets. Is Porzingis the best player on either team? Yes... but it's also his first year as "the man," and I'd absolutely take the rest of the Nets roster over the Knicks'.

People around here think the Knicks are better than the Nets because they are addicted to fantasizing about the Nets pick this year, assuming it will be a #1 pick, that it will get us a 19 year old who will instantly catapult us to a championship, be the next Lebron, etc.

 

[Jordan]

He's got to do it in the regular season, but Kyle Kuzma may turn out to be the Lakers' best pick of the last two years.

I think their best lineup may be: Lonzo-KCP-Ingram-Kuzma-Randle.

Randle has been brilliant this preseason, especially when playing center. Kuzma has given a ton of spacing as a "four."

They'll start Brook Lopez, who obviously is still a good player, but I think Walton will also play a lot of "small ball" lineups.

My biggest concern for the Lakers is the gap between what they want Ingram to be right now, and what he actually is. Ingram is a good shooter and is learning how to use his length on defense. He also is pretty good as a secondary option off of screens. Per Synergy, Ingram averaged 1.238 points per possession off screens, which is top 8% in the NBA.

Point being, using Ingram more like how the Warriors use Klay, and less as a #1 option, would be perfect. But the Lakers are going to do the latter, and frankly, I don't think Ingram has the strength or dribble to be that type of player.

Also, Jordan Clarkson sucks.

Still, Lonzo (?), KCP, Kuzma (?), Randle, and BroLo are all good NBA players. Ingram can be one in the right role. I'd be surprised if they win less than 30 games, especially with the spacing Kuzma brings.

 

[czvo]

I think their best lineup may be: Lonzo-KCP-Ingram-Kuzma-Randle.

Randle has been brilliant this preseason, especially when playing center. Kuzma has given a ton of spacing as a "four."

They'll start Brook Lopez, who obviously is still a good player, but I think Walton will also play a lot of "small ball" lineups.

My biggest concern for the Lakers is the gap between what they want Ingram to be right now, and what he actually is. Ingram is a good shooter and is learning how to use his length on defense. He also is pretty good as a secondary option off of screens. Per Synergy, Ingram averaged 1.238 points per possession off screens, which is top 8% in the NBA.

Point being, using Ingram more like how the Warriors use Klay, and less as a #1 option, would be perfect. But the Lakers are going to do the latter, and frankly, I don't think Ingram has the strength or dribble to be that type of player.

Also, Jordan Clarkson sucks.

Still, Lonzo (?), KCP, Kuzma (?), Randle, and BroLo are all good NBA players. Ingram can be one in the right role. I'd be surprised if they win less than 30 games, especially with the spacing Kuzma brings.

I'm just shocked at Kuzma's scoring ability. I know it's preseason, he's not being game-planned for, and the Lakers haven't exactly played the best defensive teams, but he's so damn smart without the ball. Great at finding the open space, great at moving without the ball, a crafty finisher I'm traffic, solid looking form on his jumper. He's exactly the type of player that should, in theory, thrive with Lonzo.

 

[Jordan]

I'm just shocked at Kuzma's scoring ability. I know it's preseason, he's not being game-planned for, and the Lakers haven't exactly played the best defensive teams, but he's so damn smart without the ball. Great at finding the open space, great at moving without the ball, a crafty finisher I'm traffic, solid looking form on his jumper. He's exactly the type of player that should, in theory, thrive with Lonzo.

100%. He also played as a big at Utah, and never had an opportunity to play like he is for the Lakers. He really looks like a 3/4 wing who is a great spot-up shooter and off-ball. I'm excited to watch him this season.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Fox is a total stud.

I think he might end up being the best player in the draft.

Thinking back, maybe a little more stock should have been put into him eviscerating Lonzo in the tournament.

 

[TyGuy]

Fox is a total stud.

I think he might end up being the best player in the draft.

Thinking back, maybe a little more stock should have been put into him eviscerating Lonzo in the tournament.

Ingram out there putting up 5 points and 5 boards going 1-6 in 30 minutes. Yeah man, soooo much talent there!

 

[TyGuy]

Laker fans are slowly realizing that Brandon Ingram has 0 hope of becoming a star.

http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=178621&start=15700

 

[MirORich]

He is so talented and I get why they had to do it, but wow, how many foot or leg injuries can he suffer before he enters Oden territory.

He has the potential to be a top5 player sooner than later but the injury risk is huge and has a guy ever made more money of off a 40 game career to date?

 

[MirORich]

Apparently contain some protection for PHI:

View: https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/917504925655097344

 

[cavsfever]

Ingram out there putting up 5 points and 5 boards going 1-6 in 30 minutes. Yeah man, soooo much talent there!

example #343443434 of why a high lottery pick is almost always a big roll of the dice...