***Offical NBA Regular Season Thread***

[MNCyGuy]

Getting Grangers salary off the books saves them a ton and helps with signing Stephenson.

But this trade also shores up the bench for the Pacers. they are stacked now. You have Evan Turner and Lance possibly leading the second unit? Pacers became NBA championship caliber.

Well Granger was coming off he books regardless. However, I thought Turner had years left on his contract, but he's on the last year of his deal as well. So yea, this deal makes a ton of sense for Indiana because they'll still have flexibility to bring back Lance next year, even if they are only renting Turner for the playoffs.

Surprised the Sixers couldn't get anything better than washed up Danny Granger for Turner though. It will probably help their tanking cause, but I figured they'd be looking or picks or younger players.

 

[Mumbai1986]

Well Granger was coming off he books regardless. However, I thought Turner had years left on his contract, but he's on the last year of his deal as well. So yea, this deal makes a ton of sense for Indiana because they'll still have flexibility to bring back Lance next year, even if they are only renting Turner for the playoffs.

Surprised the Sixers couldn't get anything better than washed up Danny Granger for Turner though. It will probably help their tanking cause, but I figured they'd be looking or picks or younger players.

I think they were searching high and low for any deal that would net them a draft pick, but no one wanted to give up a first rounder to them (They already have 2 this year). So Hinkie just took the best deal available. Expiring contracts and tanking.

 

[CyJack13]

Yes, which is looking increasingly stupid as Rubio is clearly not a franchise player.

A better question, is Kevin Love a franchise player?

 

[Rhoadhoused]

A better question, is Kevin Love a franchise player?

Absolutely with out question.

 

[Jordanj6502]

A better question, is Kevin Love a franchise player?

Yes, he is the best PF in the league right now.

 

[CyJack13]

Absolutely with out question.

I know he's dealt with some injuries, but six years in and not even close to any playoff appearances or even a winning season would really make me question that.

 

[CyArob]

Goodbye Granger. Injuries really took their toll.

 

[cmjh10]

If Kevin Love was a franchise player, the T-wolves would be in playoff contention

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

A better question, is Kevin Love a franchise player?

No

 

[Jordanj6502]

I know he's dealt with some injuries, but six years in and not even close to any playoff appearances or even a winning season would really make me question that.

His break out season was 4 years ago. For a terrible team. Michael Beasley was their next best player. The next year was Rubio's rookie season, and there was no other scoring threat on the team (Nikola Pekovic had been the second leading scorer). He missed nearly all of last season. And this season he is putting up 26ppg, 13rpg, 4 apg. They may have a winning season this year (2 game under .500 currently), and they are 5 games out of the 8 seed in the West. The team added Kevin Martin as their 2nd scoring threat, which is an improvement, but still not great.

Basically KLove has been playing with one of the worst supporting casts in the NBA over the past few years.

If Kevin Love was a franchise player, the T-wolves would be in playoff contention

They are just outside of playoff contention, in a stacked Western Conference.

Just about every team would sign him to a max contract if they had the money to do it.

 

[CyJack13]

I think LeBron is getting sick of all the KD love this year. He's got 10 points in just over 3 mins tonight and looks locked in.

 

[Jordanj6502]

I think LeBron is getting sick of all the KD love this year. He's got 10 points in just over 3 mins tonight and looks locked in.

He can be sick of it all he wants, the MVP is KD's to lose at this point... we'll see what the addition of Westbrook does to his recent performances.

Also, KD has stated before he is sick of being second, and just because he was sick of it didn't change anything the following years. Still didn't get MVP, still didn't get a title.

 

[CyJack13]

He can be sick of it all he wants, the MVP is KD's to lose at this point... we'll see what the addition of Westbrook does to his recent performances.

Also, KD has stated before he is sick of being second, and just because he was sick of it didn't change anything the following years. Still didn't get MVP, still didn't get a title.

Agreed that it's Druant's to lose. LeBron has been on cruise control for the vast majority of the season so far. He's still the best player in the league whether he wins MVP or not. I have no problem with Durant winning it this year though.

 

[Wesley]

Interesting. I wonder if they're worried about resigning Stephenson in the off-season.

They are. Bigger question is are the 76ers a pro team?

 

[Rhoadhoused]

I know he's dealt with some injuries, but six years in and not even close to any playoff appearances or even a winning season would really make me question that.

I mean, it's not even a debate. Who cares about playoff appearances. The Wolves are one of the worst front offices/franchises in the NBA and they play in the western conference.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

He can be sick of it all he wants, the MVP is KD's to lose at this point... we'll see what the addition of Westbrook does to his recent performances.

Also, KD has stated before he is sick of being second, and just because he was sick of it didn't change anything the following years. Still didn't get MVP, still didn't get a title.

I mean, if LeBron wanted to gun for the MVP he would be MVP every year. The guy is saying that maybe LeBron is gunning for a more aggressive scoring role recently.

KD has been able to take a TON of shots with RW out.

I think LeBron will make a push for the MVP at the end of the year.

 

[jbindm]

I mean, if LeBron wanted to gun for the MVP he would be MVP every year. The guy is saying that maybe LeBron is gunning for a more aggressive scoring role recently.

KD has been able to take a TON of shots with RW out.

I think LeBron will make a push for the MVP at the end of the year.

Not sure if I buy that. Not because he wouldn't be deserving. He's the most important and best player on an elite team and right now he ranks as an all time top ten player in my opinion with plenty of time to improve his resume. But you have to consider voter fatigue, and I bring up Michael Jordan as the most recent example. MJ should have won the MVP basically every season from 91-98 (with the exception of his baseball experiment from 93-95). Instead, over that timespan he finished second twice - once to Barkley in 92 and once to Karl Malone in 97. My point is that MVP voters get tired of voting for the same guy every time. KD might win it this year but Lebron is still the MVP. If you were the GM of an expansion team and could pick one guy to start your team, would you rather have Lebron or KD?

 

[MNCyGuy]

I mean, it's not even a debate. Who cares about playoff appearances. The Wolves are one of the worst front offices/franchises in the NBA and they play in the western conference.

I've been wondering about this recently. It's been floated around lately that Milwaukee would be a prime candidate to get bought and moved to Seattle to be the new SuperSonics. Is there any chance that Minnesota would be the team that switches to the Eastern conference in that scenario? Minnesota already plays in the Northwest division a new Seattle team would move into, and likewise Minnesota would be the best fit for the Central division that is currently Milwaukee's home. If the NBA wanted to maintain their current divisional set-up, switching MN would require less shake-up than either New Orleans or Memphis.

Of course, just because the Eastern conference would be way easier to make the playoffs in, doesn't change the fact that MN is a franchise with historically bad management and a difficult place to which attract free agents.

 

[Amesboy]

Disappointed in Thunders performance against Miami but Westbrook looked great. He comes out playing like after his 3rd knee surgery. Amazing. Too bad Durant didn't get 45 he would of locked that MVP.

 

[Amesboy]

I've been wondering about this recently. It's been floated around lately that Milwaukee would be a prime candidate to get bought and moved to Seattle to be the new SuperSonics. Is there any chance that Minnesota would be the team that switches to the Eastern conference in that scenario? Minnesota already plays in the Northwest division a new Seattle team would move into, and likewise Minnesota would be the best fit for the Central division that is currently Milwaukee's home. If the NBA wanted to maintain their current divisional set-up, switching MN would require less shake-up than either New Orleans or Memphis.

Of course, just because the Eastern conference would be way easier to make the playoffs in, doesn't change the fact that MN is a franchise with historically bad management and a difficult place to which attract free agents.

Interesting scenario but don't think this would happen. Milwaukee even though they have the smallest fan base that city and it's owner Herb Kohl love the Bucks and won't let them go, which is a primary reason he bought the team. Who knows though with Stern gone and he was not wanting to expand but was considering options to move the Sacramento Kings to Seattle but that feel through. Seattle is going to get an NBA franchise but it won't be the Bucks.