CelticsStrong
Around the League => Around the NBA => Topic started by: CelticSooner on October 14, 2018, 09:22:51 PM
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Just think less than 48 hours before the season begins. :) It's been a long off season of talk about which teams are this or that. Whom are you buying or selling though?
Buying:
The Milwaukee Bucks
I'm all on the Coach Budenholzer hype train. Getting rid of Kidd was huge for that organization. Now Giannis will have some proper coaching and a system that will enhance his game. I would not be surprised to see them jump Philly this season.
Selling:
The Los Angeles Lakers
As good LeBron is I think some people are overstating how good the West is compared to what he's used to in the East. Plenty of predictions out there that think they can get as high as the 3rd seed. I just think they are overvaluing that roster somewhat and how it compares to teams with more experience/chemistry. I think they'll make the playoffs but are closer to a 6th seed than a 3rd seed.
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Buying:
The Detroit Pistons
Before I get barked at, I’m not saying that they’re going to be a true contender or anything, but I think the coaching of Casey in combined with an acclimated Griffin, who they’ve been running the offence through a lot, an improving Drummond (specifically as a passer and FT shooter), and a guy ready to breakout in Stanley Johnson. I think they’ll be better than the Wizards.
Selling:
The Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers had a really surprisingly strong season in ‘17-‘18, only to get swept by the Pels. They didn’t nearly improve enough to keep that spot, as I think OKC, Denver, New Orleans, LAL and San Antonio are all going to be better than them this season. I expect them to fall to the low seeds, if healthy.
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Buy: Charlotte Hornets - makes the playoffs
Sell: New Orleans Pelicans - underachieves and misses the playoffs
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Buy: Cleveland. I think they are going to have a much better team then most people think and am now fully expecting them to make the playoffs.
Sell: Dallas. I think they are going to be terrible. Fighting for worst record bad.
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Buy: Lakers. I hate to say it, but I think they will be pretty good.
Sell: Sixers. I still think Embiid is injury-prone. I also think Simmons will be essentially the same player and their offense will take a step back.
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Buying:
The Milwaukee Bucks
I'm with you on the Bucks. Giannis looks terrifying. I think they went from the worst coach in the league to one of the better 10 coaches. I have nightmares about Giannis becoming a proficient off-the-dribble/spot up 3 point shooter. The only thing that keeps the Bucks beatable is that Giannis cant shoot. I'm buying up all the Bucks Stock. Ilyasova is going to be huge for this team.
Selling:
The Philidelphia 76ers
I am worried about the spacing. I am worried about how the pieces fit together. Ben Simmons cannot shoot and needs the ball to be effective on offense. His drive and kick offense also suffers when the paint is full of people. Joel Embiid is a stud and might be the best shooter on this team. Too bad that in order for him to be dominant he needs to be calling for the ball in the paint. I have 0 faith in Fultz, and they lost 2 floor-stretchers in free agency (Ilyasova + Belinelli). That's some UGLY spacing. They don't have the players they need to maximize their talent. I'm not saying they'll be bad, I'm saying that they'll be the 4th/5th seed in the East.
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tough call.
Buy:
torn between Cleveland --> will be much better than expected without Lebron
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San Antonio --> media has written them off with Kawhi but I think Pop will have them overachieving as a team.
Selling:
torn between Washington --> looks like a major implosion is inevitable
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Lakers --> Lebron's still the best player but the rest of that team is either unproven still or needs the ball to be effective (Rondo). they'll either be much better than expected or much worse. I'm hoping for much worse
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Buy: Boogie with the Warriors
Sell: Lebron's supporting cast
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Buy: Indiana as a top-4 seed in East and potential ECF team
Sell: MInnesota. They'll be a lotto team without Jimmy.
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Buying:
The Milwaukee Bucks
I'm with you on the Bucks. Giannis looks terrifying. I think they went from the worst coach in the league to one of the better 10 coaches. I have nightmares about Giannis becoming a proficient off-the-dribble/spot up 3 point shooter. The only thing that keeps the Bucks beatable is that Giannis cant shoot. I'm buying up all the Bucks Stock. Ilyasova is going to be huge for this team.
Selling:
The Philidelphia 76ers
I am worried about the spacing. I am worried about how the pieces fit together. Ben Simmons cannot shoot and needs the ball to be effective on offense. His drive and kick offense also suffers when the paint is full of people. Joel Embiid is a stud and might be the best shooter on this team. Too bad that in order for him to be dominant he needs to be calling for the ball in the paint. I have 0 faith in Fultz, and they lost 2 floor-stretchers in free agency (Ilyasova + Belinelli). That's some UGLY spacing. They don't have the players they need to maximize their talent. I'm not saying they'll be bad, I'm saying that they'll be the 4th/5th seed in the East.
You think Embiid might be the best shooter on a team that has JJ Redick. Really?
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Buying:
Washington Wizards. Because I like to live life on the edge and it's crazy enough to work out with Dwight Howard.
Selling:
Houston Rockets. I think everyone's underestimating the hit their defense will take without Ariza and Mbah a Moute. They're still going to be good, but they aren't challenging GSW.
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Buying:
The Milwaukee Bucks
I'm with you on the Bucks. Giannis looks terrifying. I think they went from the worst coach in the league to one of the better 10 coaches. I have nightmares about Giannis becoming a proficient off-the-dribble/spot up 3 point shooter. The only thing that keeps the Bucks beatable is that Giannis cant shoot. I'm buying up all the Bucks Stock. Ilyasova is going to be huge for this team.
Selling:
The Philidelphia 76ers
I am worried about the spacing. I am worried about how the pieces fit together. Ben Simmons cannot shoot and needs the ball to be effective on offense. His drive and kick offense also suffers when the paint is full of people. Joel Embiid is a stud and might be the best shooter on this team. Too bad that in order for him to be dominant he needs to be calling for the ball in the paint. I have 0 faith in Fultz, and they lost 2 floor-stretchers in free agency (Ilyasova + Belinelli). That's some UGLY spacing. They don't have the players they need to maximize their talent. I'm not saying they'll be bad, I'm saying that they'll be the 4th/5th seed in the East.
You think Embiid might be the best shooter on a team that has JJ Redick. Really?
Fair. Best starter then. Maybe the 2nd best shooter total.
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Buying:
The Milwaukee Bucks
I'm with you on the Bucks. Giannis looks terrifying. I think they went from the worst coach in the league to one of the better 10 coaches. I have nightmares about Giannis becoming a proficient off-the-dribble/spot up 3 point shooter. The only thing that keeps the Bucks beatable is that Giannis cant shoot. I'm buying up all the Bucks Stock. Ilyasova is going to be huge for this team.
Selling:
The Philidelphia 76ers
I am worried about the spacing. I am worried about how the pieces fit together. Ben Simmons cannot shoot and needs the ball to be effective on offense. His drive and kick offense also suffers when the paint is full of people. Joel Embiid is a stud and might be the best shooter on this team. Too bad that in order for him to be dominant he needs to be calling for the ball in the paint. I have 0 faith in Fultz, and they lost 2 floor-stretchers in free agency (Ilyasova + Belinelli). That's some UGLY spacing. They don't have the players they need to maximize their talent. I'm not saying they'll be bad, I'm saying that they'll be the 4th/5th seed in the East.
You think Embiid might be the best shooter on a team that has JJ Redick. Really?
Fair. Best starter then. Maybe the 2nd best shooter total.
I keep saying watch for Landry Shamet. He was one of the best shooters in college last year. He's probably not ready to do much at an NBA level but if he turns into a guy who can shoot at that level and be competent-ish enough on D to not get run off the floor they get a lot more dangerous. I think Philly's one good shooter and some kind of real development from Fultz away from being a team that can genuinely contend in the East. Wilson Chandler's also a big wild-card for them.
As for me I'm buying Milwaukee - they're my pick for the 3 seed, maybe even the 2 - and Dallas - they won't make the playoffs but I think they'll be a really fun team and will catch some people by surprise, probably finish around 10th in the lotto.
I'm selling on Houston - they'll make the playoffs of course but will drop off a bit and lose in the 2nd round, and Portland, who I think is the most likely implosion candidate (I'm not counting Washington who's in a constant state of implosion).
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I agree with people on Houston taking a step back. They’ll probably still be the second best team in the West but it really felt like they blew their chance at beating GS last year. Chris Paul has to actually stay healthy which he almost never does.
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Buying: Utah
Selling: Washington
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Buy: Cleveland. I think they are going to have a much better team then most people think and am now fully expecting them to make the playoffs.
Sell: Dallas. I think they are going to be terrible. Fighting for worst record bad.
Cleveland's interesting. They do have talented players. I can see it. What I find more interesting to think about though is what would we hear about LeBron if this happens.
His legacy is pretty much set at this point, but maybe it diminishes his aura (especially if the Lakers struggle)? Basically if the Cavs do well, will we hear a lot more chatter that LeBron was a terrible teammate and the team was unable to function with him and that he's really just a coach killing diva? The hater in me is excited about that possibility.
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Buying: Lakers -- look much better than I expected. Excited to see Ball play next to LeBron and to a lesser degree Rondo. Ingram too whom I really like.
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I am selling Philadelphia also. I think people really overlooked how much they benefited during their end of season run from playing bad teams that had shut down some of their players and/or were fiercely tanking. They were probably more of a 47-48 win team than a 52 which would make a big difference in their hype levels. While Illy and Bellinelli were bad players during the playoffs, they probably help win regular season games more than their replacements/young players.
They will probably be a second round exit this season also.
Buying, I probably go with Dallas. I don't think they will make the playoffs but I think Doncic is the rare difference maker for a rookie, Deandre Jordan will really help the defense, and Carlisle will not tank as hard as last year in what is Nowistki's final season. They will struggle in west for sure, but will beat up on east bottom feeders to get a 10-12 team jump.
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Buying: Lakers - I see even Lakers fans underselling this team. I don't see them as strong contenders necessarily, but I think they nab a top 4 seed and only the Warriors can bounce them from the West. Ingram will look like a legit #2 piece this season.
Sell: Pacers - I just don't see them making any strides from last year when everything went right for them and that people are saddling them with unrealistic expectations. Instead of the 3,4 seeds many people are picking them as I think they will finish around 6-8 behind the Celtics, Sixers, Raptors, Bucks, and Wizards (who I suppose is a buy candidate as well)
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I keep saying watch for Landry Shamet. He was one of the best shooters in college last year. He's probably not ready to do much at an NBA level but if he turns into a guy who can shoot at that level and be competent-ish enough on D to not get run off the floor they get a lot more dangerous.
KOC had a blurb on him, I have Shamet in the DKC League (always seeking new GMs) (https://old.reddit.com/r/dkcleague/), and I have been really surprised as how competent he is putting the ball on the floor. He has a lightening quick release and he's got that drive and motor to run around a million picks just to get one shot, but he's also a smart passer and competent finisher in traffic. Looking like Philly stole one there.
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Buying: Lakers - I see even Lakers fans underselling this team. I don't see them as strong contenders necessarily, but I think they nab a top 4 seed and only the Warriors can bounce them from the West. Ingram will look like a legit #2 piece this season.
Sell: Pacers - I just don't see them making any strides from last year when everything went right for them and that people are saddling them with unrealistic expectations. Instead of the 3,4 seeds many people are picking them as I think they will finish around 6-8 behind the Celtics, Sixers, Raptors, Bucks, and Wizards (who I suppose is a buy candidate as well)
Pacers got Myles Turner absolutely ripped and in great shape when he was doughy and wiped by last year's playoffs. They added Tyreke Evans who really fills a great role for them as a secondary distributor/ball handler. Kyle O'quinn is an above average backup center. Sabonis should still improve. McDermott is a really nice shooter off the bench. Don't get how they can't be at least as good as last year given all those additions.
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Buying: Lakers - I see even Lakers fans underselling this team. I don't see them as strong contenders necessarily, but I think they nab a top 4 seed and only the Warriors can bounce them from the West. Ingram will look like a legit #2 piece this season.
Sell: Pacers - I just don't see them making any strides from last year when everything went right for them and that people are saddling them with unrealistic expectations. Instead of the 3,4 seeds many people are picking them as I think they will finish around 6-8 behind the Celtics, Sixers, Raptors, Bucks, and Wizards (who I suppose is a buy candidate as well)
Pacers got Myles Turner absolutely ripped and in great shape when he was doughy and wiped by last year's playoffs. They added Tyreke Evans who really fills a great role for them as a secondary distributor/ball handler. Kyle O'quinn is an above average backup center. Sabonis should still improve. McDermott is a really nice shooter off the bench. Don't get how they can't be at least as good as last year given all those additions.
Agree on the Pacers. I also think Turner's going to have an MIP caliber season.
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Buy: Cleveland. I think they are going to have a much better team then most people think and am now fully expecting them to make the playoffs.
Sell: Dallas. I think they are going to be terrible. Fighting for worst record bad.
Cleveland's interesting. They do have talented players. I can see it. What I find more interesting to think about though is what would we hear about LeBron if this happens.
His legacy is pretty much set at this point, but maybe it diminishes his aura (especially if the Lakers struggle)? Basically if the Cavs do well, will we hear a lot more chatter that LeBron was a terrible teammate and the team was unable to function with him and that he's really just a coach killing diva? The hater in me is excited about that possibility.
Oh don't get me wrong they aren't a contender, but I don't think they are bad team and I think they make the playoffs as the 7 or 8 seed (basically competing with Miami, Detroit, and Charlotte for those spots).
I've been saying all off season that I wouldn't be all that surprised to see the Cavs make the playoffs and the Lakers miss them. I really don't like what Magic did around James with the free agents (I do think Ingram and Ball will be fine, and Kuzma is good off the bench, but the rest of that team is hot garbage, and yes that includes Rondo).
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Buy: Cleveland. I think they are going to have a much better team then most people think and am now fully expecting them to make the playoffs.
Sell: Dallas. I think they are going to be terrible. Fighting for worst record bad.
Cleveland's interesting. They do have talented players. I can see it. What I find more interesting to think about though is what would we hear about LeBron if this happens.
His legacy is pretty much set at this point, but maybe it diminishes his aura (especially if the Lakers struggle)? Basically if the Cavs do well, will we hear a lot more chatter that LeBron was a terrible teammate and the team was unable to function with him and that he's really just a coach killing diva? The hater in me is excited about that possibility.
Oh don't get me wrong they aren't a contender, but I don't think they are bad team and I think they make the playoffs as the 7 or 8 seed (basically competing with Miami, Detroit, and Charlotte for those spots).
I've been saying all off season that I wouldn't be all that surprised to see the Cavs make the playoffs and the Lakers miss them. I really don't like what Magic did around James with the free agents (I do think Ingram and Ball will be fine, and Kuzma is good off the bench, but the rest of that team is hot garbage, and yes that includes Rondo).
if cavs make playoffs and lakers don't, does that diminish lebron's reputation/goat argument?
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Buying: Lakers - I see even Lakers fans underselling this team. I don't see them as strong contenders necessarily, but I think they nab a top 4 seed and only the Warriors can bounce them from the West. Ingram will look like a legit #2 piece this season.
Sell: Pacers - I just don't see them making any strides from last year when everything went right for them and that people are saddling them with unrealistic expectations. Instead of the 3,4 seeds many people are picking them as I think they will finish around 6-8 behind the Celtics, Sixers, Raptors, Bucks, and Wizards (who I suppose is a buy candidate as well)
Pacers got Myles Turner absolutely ripped and in great shape when he was doughy and wiped by last year's playoffs. They added Tyreke Evans who really fills a great role for them as a secondary distributor/ball handler. Kyle O'quinn is an above average backup center. Sabonis should still improve. McDermott is a really nice shooter off the bench. Don't get how they can't be at least as good as last year given all those additions.
By sell I don't mean I think they'll suck; I just think they are getting too hype this offseason and the teams around them in the east other than the Celtics/Sixers are being underestimated.
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Buying: Milwaukee, Utah, Washington
Selling: Houston, Philly, Indy
I would be happy to get 4 out of 6. I can already see I'm going against the grain selling Indy.
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Buy: Cleveland. I think they are going to have a much better team then most people think and am now fully expecting them to make the playoffs.
Sell: Dallas. I think they are going to be terrible. Fighting for worst record bad.
Cleveland's interesting. They do have talented players. I can see it. What I find more interesting to think about though is what would we hear about LeBron if this happens.
His legacy is pretty much set at this point, but maybe it diminishes his aura (especially if the Lakers struggle)? Basically if the Cavs do well, will we hear a lot more chatter that LeBron was a terrible teammate and the team was unable to function with him and that he's really just a coach killing diva? The hater in me is excited about that possibility.
Oh don't get me wrong they aren't a contender, but I don't think they are bad team and I think they make the playoffs as the 7 or 8 seed (basically competing with Miami, Detroit, and Charlotte for those spots).
I've been saying all off season that I wouldn't be all that surprised to see the Cavs make the playoffs and the Lakers miss them. I really don't like what Magic did around James with the free agents (I do think Ingram and Ball will be fine, and Kuzma is good off the bench, but the rest of that team is hot garbage, and yes that includes Rondo).
if cavs make playoffs and lakers don't, does that diminish lebron's reputation/goat argument?
not much if at all. He is 16 years in at this point. As you keep harping in all of the threads about Lebron's imminent demise, as according to you he is at the age when players decline.
There is also the East vs. West factor. The East is much weaker then the West (depth wise not at the top where reasonably 3 of the 5 best teams could be in the East). The Cavs could make the playoffs with less wins then the Lakers have who might not make the playoffs (last year 46 win Denver was left out, they would have been the 6 seed by 2 games in the East).
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Bying celtics to win the championship
Selling warriors for losing it
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Buy: Cleveland. I think they are going to have a much better team then most people think and am now fully expecting them to make the playoffs.
Sell: Dallas. I think they are going to be terrible. Fighting for worst record bad.
Cleveland's interesting. They do have talented players. I can see it. What I find more interesting to think about though is what would we hear about LeBron if this happens.
His legacy is pretty much set at this point, but maybe it diminishes his aura (especially if the Lakers struggle)? Basically if the Cavs do well, will we hear a lot more chatter that LeBron was a terrible teammate and the team was unable to function with him and that he's really just a coach killing diva? The hater in me is excited about that possibility.
Oh don't get me wrong they aren't a contender, but I don't think they are bad team and I think they make the playoffs as the 7 or 8 seed (basically competing with Miami, Detroit, and Charlotte for those spots).
I've been saying all off season that I wouldn't be all that surprised to see the Cavs make the playoffs and the Lakers miss them. I really don't like what Magic did around James with the free agents (I do think Ingram and Ball will be fine, and Kuzma is good off the bench, but the rest of that team is hot garbage, and yes that includes Rondo).
if cavs make playoffs and lakers don't, does that diminish lebron's reputation/goat argument?
It's entirely possible for that to happen despite the Lakers having a better record. But I doubt anything short of a total multi-season disaster hurts LeBron too much at this point.
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Buying us and raptors,
Selling Sixers, and Lakers.
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Buy: Cleveland. I think they are going to have a much better team then most people think and am now fully expecting them to make the playoffs.
Sell: Dallas. I think they are going to be terrible. Fighting for worst record bad.
Cleveland's interesting. They do have talented players. I can see it. What I find more interesting to think about though is what would we hear about LeBron if this happens.
His legacy is pretty much set at this point, but maybe it diminishes his aura (especially if the Lakers struggle)? Basically if the Cavs do well, will we hear a lot more chatter that LeBron was a terrible teammate and the team was unable to function with him and that he's really just a coach killing diva? The hater in me is excited about that possibility.
Oh don't get me wrong they aren't a contender, but I don't think they are bad team and I think they make the playoffs as the 7 or 8 seed (basically competing with Miami, Detroit, and Charlotte for those spots).
I've been saying all off season that I wouldn't be all that surprised to see the Cavs make the playoffs and the Lakers miss them. I really don't like what Magic did around James with the free agents (I do think Ingram and Ball will be fine, and Kuzma is good off the bench, but the rest of that team is hot garbage, and yes that includes Rondo).
if cavs make playoffs and lakers don't, does that diminish lebron's reputation/goat argument?
not much if at all. He is 16 years in at this point. As you keep harping in all of the threads about Lebron's imminent demise, as according to you he is at the age when players decline.
There is also the East vs. West factor. The East is much weaker then the West (depth wise not at the top where reasonably 3 of the 5 best teams could be in the East). The Cavs could make the playoffs with less wins then the Lakers have who might not make the playoffs (last year 46 win Denver was left out, they would have been the 6 seed by 2 games in the East).
Bit puzzled by this take Moranis. I think I have consistently said he is still one of the best players in the game, just that he is not a great defensive player anymore and shouldn't win the MVP. Is it at all controversial to say he is in decline at age 34? I think he will still make all-star games for the next 3 years, but after that it gets dicey at age 37-38 just because of the history of players aging (especially non centers) and that he has an unprecedented amount of mileage.
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Buying: Milwaukee, Utah, Washington
Selling: Houston, Philly, Indy, Lakers
I would be happy to get 4 out of 6. I can already see I'm going against the grain selling Indy.
Pretty close for me, see my edits above
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I am feeling good on my selling philly if we want to overreact to game 1.
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Cavs not being so bad prediction from me not off to a great start. They have looked absolutely terrible defensively. Dallas has also looked better then I thought they would be. At least the Lakers being 0-3 helps a bit.
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Buy: Charlotte Hornets - makes the playoffs
Sell: New Orleans Pelicans - underachieves and misses the playoffs
Interesting. I'm the other way around.
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Scanning this thread, admittedly quickly, I only saw one mention of Toronto (I'm buying, btw).
I know that there's disrespect because of the playoffs last season. But they're excellent on both sides of the ball already (unlike Boston right now). They've got a couple of athletic players who are emerging this season in Siakam and Anunoby, and Van Vleet looks like he's taking the next step. Delon Wright will add another dimension when he returns.
Selling Washington.
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Scanning this thread, admittedly quickly, I only saw one mention of Toronto (I'm buying, btw).
I know that there's disrespect because of the playoffs last season. But they're excellent on both sides of the ball already (unlike Boston right now). They've got a couple of athletic players who are emerging this season in Siakam and Anunoby, and Van Vleet looks like he's taking the next step. Delon Wright will add another dimension when he returns.
Selling Washington.
The problem with Toronto in this context is basically everybody expects them to be really good in the regular season. Almost impossible for them to overachieve there and it seems unlikely they'd underachieve.
It's the playoffs that are the big question mark for them, and it's really far off plus we all reaaaaaally hope this isn't the year they put it together because they'll be right in our way.
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Detroit is one of the few undefeated teams left!
Blake Griffin looks legit this season. If he stays healthy I believe they make playoffs
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Scanning this thread, admittedly quickly, I only saw one mention of Toronto (I'm buying, btw).
I know that there's disrespect because of the playoffs last season. But they're excellent on both sides of the ball already (unlike Boston right now). They've got a couple of athletic players who are emerging this season in Siakam and Anunoby, and Van Vleet looks like he's taking the next step. Delon Wright will add another dimension when he returns.
Selling Washington.
The problem with Toronto in this context is basically everybody expects them to be really good in the regular season. Almost impossible for them to overachieve there and it seems unlikely they'd underachieve.
It's the playoffs that are the big question mark for them, and it's really far off plus we all reaaaaaally hope this isn't the year they put it together because they'll be right in our way.
I think the biggest problem is that we're all hoping the Celtics are distinguishably better than Toronto, so who the heck is 'buying' them?
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Cavs not being so bad prediction from me not off to a great start. They have looked absolutely terrible defensively. Dallas has also looked better then I thought they would be. At least the Lakers being 0-3 helps a bit.
Preseason
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Buying: Denver & Indiana
Denver are young and very talented..Indy has a great player un Victor O and are deep
Selling: LA Lakers & Philadelphia
Lakers are soooo overrated and may be a 7th seed at best..Sixers has no bench
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Scanning this thread, admittedly quickly, I only saw one mention of Toronto (I'm buying, btw).
I know that there's disrespect because of the playoffs last season. But they're excellent on both sides of the ball already (unlike Boston right now). They've got a couple of athletic players who are emerging this season in Siakam and Anunoby, and Van Vleet looks like he's taking the next step. Delon Wright will add another dimension when he returns.
Selling Washington.
The problem with Toronto in this context is basically everybody expects them to be really good in the regular season. Almost impossible for them to overachieve there and it seems unlikely they'd underachieve.
It's the playoffs that are the big question mark for them, and it's really far off plus we all reaaaaaally hope this isn't the year they put it together because they'll be right in our way.
Yes, it's far off - the question was, what teams am I buying and selling, and I'm buying Toronto bigly.
Injuries happen, of course, but barring that this is a team that is almost ideal for playoff success. ECF.
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buying the Lakers...but they need one more piece.
They should trade for Kevin Love.
Selling Detroit.