The Official Dwayne Wade <<<<<< you thread

Tbf most of the time these lists are just a prediction of what the season will bring.

Quite frankly considering Davis continued improvement I wouldn't be surprised if he's universally accepted as top 5 come April.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Tbf I think a lot of what Butler's shown will still be there regardless of the offensive options.

He's still gonna be constantly slashing to the basket, he's still (at least at first)  going to have open mid range shots, he's still going to be a threat in transition.

I actually think his offensive game compliments those around him very well.

Oh no doubt, I agree. But I could imagine if he was on say....the Pacers, he would get alot more chances to get his shot.

He averaged 13 a game last season, this was with Rose out and Deng gone. He would do well to get to 15 this season with all the weapons they have but his progress is definitely bigger than 2 more points a game.

Ah, the lists are so debatable..I mean, everyone entitled to their opinion and I see the arguments for various names.

I only have problems when certain players are consistently (various lists, therefore the general consensus seems to be) placed too high or too low...or a particular list is especially outrageous.

I think generally "we" are all too wrapped up in the numbers and what people do, often against the fodders of the league.

In no way, shape or form am I taking James Harden in a do-or-die game over various players he is above on that list.

The Franchise wrote:
In no way, shape or form am I taking James Harden in a do-or-die game over various players he is above on that list.

Agree. I'd also take Bradley Beal and Ginobili over him. Klay Thompson too.

I just hate the fact that they are picking these lists like they're on 2k mygm mode doing a fantasy draft and actually counting potential as an indication on how good the player is.

Cavs Monitoring Dion Waiters' Shot Selection, Adjustment To Balanced Roster
Oct 18, 2014 12:57 PM EDT

Dion Waiters has shot a total of 54 times in this preseason, the most of any Cleveland Cavalier player in five games. Each game he has been the leading shot-taker.

Waiters shot four-of-15 on Friday night, when Kyrie Irving scored 23 points on two less shots.

David Blatt chose his words carefully when responding to Waiters' rapid field goal attempts.

"I was thinking about that at halftime, actually," Blatt said. "Remember that we didn't play with a full roster tonight and our normal rotation was not what it will be. The way that Dallas played led to a lot of open perimeter shots, which Dion is going to take because that's what he does.

"I don't think he should lead the team in shots. On the other hand I don't really care. I just want us to take good shots and make them. But we'll look at it. It's something we really should look at it and we will."

The Cavaliers appear concerned with Waiters' ill-advised shots and are challenging him and others to adjust to a balanced roster.

I absolutely loath Waiters. Like I said when LBJ went there, he really thinks he and LeBron are their 1-2 punch.

Probably won't start right away but I'd be surprised if he wasn't starting by January.


edit:

Jabari Parker
5 G
31.6 MPG
15.0 PPG on 48% TS

Andrew Wiggins
3 G
29.7 MPG
13.0 PPG on 52% TS

Shabazz Napier
6 G
20.3 MPG
12.7 PPG on 59% TS

per 36: 22.5ppg/6apg/2spg
27.0 USG (4th among all rookies)
26.57 PER (leads all rookie PGs)

dmize wrote:I absolutely loath Waiters. Like I said when LBJ went there, he really thinks he and LeBron are their 1-2 punch.

I think he'll simmer down soon enough.
He don't want that Chalmers treatment.

If Waiters is smart he won't cause any problems, just play his role, collect some rings, and then leave and try to be a main player somewhere else..

Usually players care about making a name for themselves early on, then later focus solely on rings but this way is good also

He is a superb talent, but the problem is he thinks he is already there. I dont think this Cavs team is a good fit for him or visa versa.

He will have to struggle and change his game or there will be some friction.

Tbf I doubt Waiters is the only one who is going to knock up stupid amounts of shots.

That entire team, Varejao aside is used to shooting a high volume of shots, it's not something that is going to click together straight away.

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11717596/is-kobe-bryant-reason-los-angeles-lakers-downfall

I know, it's ESPN, but you guys should read this.

I'm sure that a majority of people who actually WATCH the NBA already know this, but I'm surprised this was allowed to be published.

I somewhat agree though........

Nope the man who is destroying them from within is Jim Buss.

I also don't buy that they don't attract star talent....

Nash, Howard and Gasol are not star talent? Hell we might as well include Chris Paul in that as he's only not at the Lakers right now because the league stepped in.

And we all know the state of the Lakers would be very different if he's there right now, of course they attracted nobody this summer.

Who do they have? Kobe and that's it and it's a Kobe with question marks surrounding him. What free agent would want that? Melo isn't going to go to an even worse situation than already is and Lebron certainly isn't.

But go back a year earlier and they have Nash, Gasol, Kobe and Howard. So the idea people don't want to play with him is utter bogus.

izzy wrote:http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11717596/is-kobe-bryant-reason-los-angeles-lakers-downfall

I know, it's ESPN, but you guys should read this.

I'm sure that a majority of people who actually WATCH the NBA already know this, but I'm surprised this was allowed to be published.

I somewhat agree though........

Seems like a response article to the "ESPN are a bunch of idiots" comment Kobe made.

He made some good points though.

And I'm fine with Kobe taking that contract, I just don't want to hear complaints that he doesn't have enough help when the team isn't winning. He chose money over a final title chance. You hear people "oh well if the Lakers were willing to give it to him, he has to take it." And the Spurs would've given Duncan whatever as well. You really think they went up to him, "hey we know you're a HOFer one of/if not the best PF ever, but how about you only take 10m?".

Nah, they almost assuredly offered him the max but he knew that would mean the Spurs would lose part of their core.

I understand the take Duncan/Dirk money angle but I still don't agree with it.

Those teams are in good situations and don't or didn't in Duncan's case needed much to contend and a cut they took has a big impact.

But really how much would the extra 10-15m help the Lakers? They need to blow it completely up and I don't see how Kobe taking Duncan/Dirk money would help them much at all.

They do need to blow it up but that's not happening as long as Kobe is still playing.

He's got another year on his deal and there's plenty of quality available this summer.

And who knows maybe Melo signs there if he knew they had more flexibility.

M.Gasol
Randle
Melo
Kobe
whoever

is a contending team.

Kobe's money isnt stopping them signing a max player though, they had the money for it....but couldnt sign any of them.

I havent read the article, will do later.

The Franchise wrote:Kobe's money isnt stopping them signing a max player though, they had the money for it....but couldnt sign any of them.

I havent read the article, will do later.

That's why I said they'd have had a better chance of signing Melo if they had more flexibility. Knowing your teams entire cap is tied into 2 players, yourself and the guy on the wrong side of 35 isn't attractive really. To Melo or most any elite player.

True, but if they also didnt have a 40 year old part time point guard making 9m they would have that too.

You got Nash making 9 and Young making 5.

I mean, instead of those two you could have some pretty good role players.

dmize wrote:They do need to blow it up but that's not happening as long as Kobe is still playing.

He's got another year on his deal and there's plenty of quality available this summer.

And who knows maybe Melo signs there if he knew they had more flexibility.

M.Gasol
Randle
Melo
Kobe
whoever

is a contending team.

It is but regardless that team wouldn't be reality till next season at the earliest.

So the angle that this article is pushing would still be happening, I still think next year they will push pretty hard for trades or free agents as they have quite a lot of expiring contracts.

I know it's only pre season but.....

https://vine.co/v/ObtBWwQbbuK

Got 20 points before half time on 8-12 shooting.

The Bulls commentators I'm watching got butthurt when Kyrie was going off with Rose on the bench, saying stuff like 'he wasn't doing that when Rose was on him' or 'when Rose was on him, he was back peddling'

The Cavs will win the championship, I can confirm.

Based on a pre season game where the Bulls were without their best perimeter defender and their best player only played 24 mins?

Hell only Gasol played over 25 in any case I said it before pre season even started the winner is coming from the west again.

Doesn't matter who represents the east they'll be brushed aside, neither of them are good enough.

LeSwagg James wrote:The Bulls commentators I'm watching got butthurt when Kyrie was going off with Rose on the bench, saying stuff like 'he wasn't doing that when Rose was on him' or 'when Rose was on him, he was back peddling'

Annoying, but nobody is worse than the Cavs commentators...holy hell.

Every Irving play: "Dance on em young fella.....in the Q!!"