NBA Season 2021-22

[moiso]

I wonder if the Cavs stumble a bit if they'd be interested in Westbrook.  He'd sell tickets and while he would dominate the ball, it would be for a 1.5 seasons at most.  It would be an interesting dynamic.

Cleveland - Westbrook
Lakers - Love, Rubio

The Lakers could then shift Rubio for someone else, like maybe Eric Gordon or someone like that, giving the team acquiring Rubio future salary relief while the Lakers get a usable player this year. 

The Cavs would need to fall back a bit to risk taking on Westbrook, but I think that would be an interesting move for them and Garland/Westbrook as a backcourt would be unguardable (at least until Russ takes a terrible shot, ha).

I think Cleveland is better off without Sexton and Westbrook is even more Sexton than Sexton is.   A guy like that will change the whole dynamic of the team and probably negatively affect Garland's development.  Rubio was taking a lot of shots this year but he's never been a "me" guy.  I think Westbrook makes that team worse.

Perhaps, but the premise is they make the trade only after they take a swoon.  It would be an interesting trade since it basically just costs them Love and Westbrook is both a better player and a better draw than Love. 

I don't think trading Rubio for someone like Eric Gordon makes sense for the Cavs like it does for the Lakers either, but I suppose something like that would be an option, but then they still have Love on the books next year and whatever salary comes back in a Rubio trade.  At least by acquiring Westbrook they have a HOFer, a real draw, and he'd only have 1.5 years left if it doesn't really work out.  If it does though, it could get them some extra playoff games and playoff revenue this year.  The Cavs play Memphis, then have a 6 game road trip out West, then have the Nets at home, before going to Chicago.  I'm not saying it is likely, but it is certainly very possible, that 2 weeks from now they are below .500 and clinging to a spot in the play-in.  That is when I think they might consider something like that.

I dunno, I think they'd rather trade Rubio for Gordon and hold on to Love rather than trade him for Westbrook.  I think Cleveland is happy to  finally have a legit team post Lebron.  Love has been playing well recently and he knows his role and doesn't take away from other players.  Love is going to contribute to winning more than Westbrook and I think Cleveland is looking to be a legit team rather than using gimmicks in order to be a better draw.  I think Love likes this team and is enjoying his resurgence so I don't think Cleveland is desperate to trade him.

[Moranis]

I wonder if the Cavs stumble a bit if they'd be interested in Westbrook.  He'd sell tickets and while he would dominate the ball, it would be for a 1.5 seasons at most.  It would be an interesting dynamic.

Cleveland - Westbrook
Lakers - Love, Rubio

The Lakers could then shift Rubio for someone else, like maybe Eric Gordon or someone like that, giving the team acquiring Rubio future salary relief while the Lakers get a usable player this year. 

The Cavs would need to fall back a bit to risk taking on Westbrook, but I think that would be an interesting move for them and Garland/Westbrook as a backcourt would be unguardable (at least until Russ takes a terrible shot, ha).

I think Cleveland is better off without Sexton and Westbrook is even more Sexton than Sexton is.   A guy like that will change the whole dynamic of the team and probably negatively affect Garland's development.  Rubio was taking a lot of shots this year but he's never been a "me" guy.  I think Westbrook makes that team worse.

Perhaps, but the premise is they make the trade only after they take a swoon.  It would be an interesting trade since it basically just costs them Love and Westbrook is both a better player and a better draw than Love. 

I don't think trading Rubio for someone like Eric Gordon makes sense for the Cavs like it does for the Lakers either, but I suppose something like that would be an option, but then they still have Love on the books next year and whatever salary comes back in a Rubio trade.  At least by acquiring Westbrook they have a HOFer, a real draw, and he'd only have 1.5 years left if it doesn't really work out.  If it does though, it could get them some extra playoff games and playoff revenue this year.  The Cavs play Memphis, then have a 6 game road trip out West, then have the Nets at home, before going to Chicago.  I'm not saying it is likely, but it is certainly very possible, that 2 weeks from now they are below .500 and clinging to a spot in the play-in.  That is when I think they might consider something like that.

I dunno, I think they'd rather trade Rubio for Gordon and hold on to Love rather than trade him for Westbrook.  I think Cleveland is happy to  finally have a legit team post Lebron.  Love has been playing well recently and he knows his role and doesn't take away from other players.  Love is going to contribute to winning more than Westbrook and I think Cleveland is looking to be a legit team rather than using gimmicks in order to be a better draw.  I think Love likes this team and is enjoying his resurgence so I don't think Cleveland is desperate to trade him.

They aren't desperate to trade him, but they absolutely wouldn't hesitate to do so.  In 2 weeks, if the Cavs are below .500 and reeling, I think they may look to make a move.  Now that move maybe trading Sexton for a veteran and a draft picks (or something like that), but I don't think they are going to let the hot start go to waste and that they would try to do something to get back on track.  I also don't think they want to take on salary for next year unless they remove Love from the equation.  They have over 100 million from 8 players on the books next year without including Sexton, Rubio, Wade, Davis, or Rondo.  Now I'm sure they'd have no problem letting those guys walk (aside from Sexton), but they've all been in the rotation at times this year.  So if they were to add someone like Gordon, that puts them already above the cap and nearing the luxury tax without doing something with Sexton.  I just don't see them doing that, which is why I don't think they trade Rubio for someone like Eric Gordon, even if it helps them out this year.  Moving Love changes that equation a fair amount though as he makes just under 29 million next year.  That would allow more wiggle room and flexibility under the cap to retain Sexton and acquire salary for next year.

[celticsclay]

I wonder if the Cavs stumble a bit if they'd be interested in Westbrook.  He'd sell tickets and while he would dominate the ball, it would be for a 1.5 seasons at most.  It would be an interesting dynamic.

Cleveland - Westbrook
Lakers - Love, Rubio

The Lakers could then shift Rubio for someone else, like maybe Eric Gordon or someone like that, giving the team acquiring Rubio future salary relief while the Lakers get a usable player this year. 

The Cavs would need to fall back a bit to risk taking on Westbrook, but I think that would be an interesting move for them and Garland/Westbrook as a backcourt would be unguardable (at least until Russ takes a terrible shot, ha).

I think Cleveland is better off without Sexton and Westbrook is even more Sexton than Sexton is.   A guy like that will change the whole dynamic of the team and probably negatively affect Garland's development.  Rubio was taking a lot of shots this year but he's never been a "me" guy.  I think Westbrook makes that team worse.

Perhaps, but the premise is they make the trade only after they take a swoon.  It would be an interesting trade since it basically just costs them Love and Westbrook is both a better player and a better draw than Love. 

I don't think trading Rubio for someone like Eric Gordon makes sense for the Cavs like it does for the Lakers either, but I suppose something like that would be an option, but then they still have Love on the books next year and whatever salary comes back in a Rubio trade.  At least by acquiring Westbrook they have a HOFer, a real draw, and he'd only have 1.5 years left if it doesn't really work out.  If it does though, it could get them some extra playoff games and playoff revenue this year.  The Cavs play Memphis, then have a 6 game road trip out West, then have the Nets at home, before going to Chicago.  I'm not saying it is likely, but it is certainly very possible, that 2 weeks from now they are below .500 and clinging to a spot in the play-in.  That is when I think they might consider something like that.

I dunno, I think they'd rather trade Rubio for Gordon and hold on to Love rather than trade him for Westbrook.  I think Cleveland is happy to  finally have a legit team post Lebron.  Love has been playing well recently and he knows his role and doesn't take away from other players.  Love is going to contribute to winning more than Westbrook and I think Cleveland is looking to be a legit team rather than using gimmicks in order to be a better draw.  I think Love likes this team and is enjoying his resurgence so I don't think Cleveland is desperate to trade him.

They aren't desperate to trade him, but they absolutely wouldn't hesitate to do so.  In 2 weeks, if the Cavs are below .500 and reeling, I think they may look to make a move.  Now that move maybe trading Sexton for a veteran and a draft picks (or something like that), but I don't think they are going to let the hot start go to waste and that they would try to do something to get back on track.  I also don't think they want to take on salary for next year unless they remove Love from the equation.  They have over 100 million from 8 players on the books next year without including Sexton, Rubio, Wade, Davis, or Rondo.  Now I'm sure they'd have no problem letting those guys walk (aside from Sexton), but they've all been in the rotation at times this year.  So if they were to add someone like Gordon, that puts them already above the cap and nearing the luxury tax without doing something with Sexton.  I just don't see them doing that, which is why I don't think they trade Rubio for someone like Eric Gordon, even if it helps them out this year.  Moving Love changes that equation a fair amount though as he makes just under 29 million next year.  That would allow more wiggle room and flexibility under the cap to retain Sexton and acquire salary for next year.

Mo, do you root for the Cavs at all? They have kind of won me over a bit. I really thought they were headed to nowhere ville this past offseason, but Mobley looks like a potential perennial allstar, Allen is better than I ever thought he could be and Rubio has always been a fun player to watch (though he may not play for them again). i would like to see them make a move to make sure they get a playoff spot, cause I think they deserve it. However, I don't think Westbrook is the answer. I would have a lot of concerns that he would potentially stifle the development of their young guys and them being one of the more exciting young teams in the league (also question how happy he would be there moving from LA to Cleveland at the end of his prime for a team that tops out as a 6th seed). If they were going to go after a big name  big pay guy I think Wall would be a much better fit for them and he would be happier going from not playing to playing than Westbrook would leaving a starring role in a glamour city. 

[todd_days_41]

Ainge / Jazz making a minor trade to OKC. Opening a roster spot for….. ?

[SparzWizard]

And seriously how do the Bucks lose at home with Giannis, Jrue, and Khris all healthy to the Pistons.  Embarrassing loss.

Weird game for sure. I watched a chunk of it. It had all the feeling of the Bucks playing with their food instead of eating it. Giannis went full Giannis-mode for a while and just determined no one could stop him from getting to the rim, but the Pistons kept taking his hits and hitting back. Josh Jackson hit a lot of contested shots (his shot looks a lot better than it used to). Bucks kept doubling ball-handlers on pick-and-rolls. Lyles would do a short roll, catch the dump off, and have a 3 on 2 against the Bucks defense. He was aggressive (not like him normally). Honestly, that played into the Piston's strengths. Cade and Hayes weren't going to win them that game, but when you get Bey or Jackson attacking closeouts or getting good looks, that can be a decent offense.

The Bucks normally ice pick-and-rolls with Lopez. I wonder if they were experimenting a bit with some different looks. Cousins is terrible on defense, but gives them about what Lopez does on offense. I wonder if they were trying to figure out how to make it work with Cousins if Lopez can't be relied on.

Kinda like the Celtics losing to bad teams when they're fully healthy. Just one of those games/playing down to competition.

[Jvalin]

And seriously how do the Bucks lose at home with Giannis, Jrue, and Khris all healthy to the Pistons.  Embarrassing loss.

Weird game for sure. I watched a chunk of it. It had all the feeling of the Bucks playing with their food instead of eating it. Giannis went full Giannis-mode for a while and just determined no one could stop him from getting to the rim, but the Pistons kept taking his hits and hitting back. Josh Jackson hit a lot of contested shots (his shot looks a lot better than it used to). Bucks kept doubling ball-handlers on pick-and-rolls. Lyles would do a short roll, catch the dump off, and have a 3 on 2 against the Bucks defense. He was aggressive (not like him normally). Honestly, that played into the Piston's strengths. Cade and Hayes weren't going to win them that game, but when you get Bey or Jackson attacking closeouts or getting good looks, that can be a decent offense.

The Bucks normally ice pick-and-rolls with Lopez. I wonder if they were experimenting a bit with some different looks. Cousins is terrible on defense, but gives them about what Lopez does on offense. I wonder if they were trying to figure out how to make it work with Cousins if Lopez can't be relied on.

They usually run hedge-and-recover with Giannis and Portis. They were running a drop scheme with BroLo. Boogie usually drops back as well. He isn't mobile enough to play D on the perimeter.

I have a soft spot for the Bucks. I've probably watched more Bucks games than Celtics games this season (can't stand our constant iso). Didn't watch the game last night, but I highly doubt they were blitzing the pick (=double). At the very least, I've never seen them blitzing picks. I bet it was a hard hedge. That's their standard approach this season.

[Celtics2021]

Ainge / Jazz making a minor trade to OKC. Opening a roster spot for….. ?

More likely saving $3 million in luxury tax this year for a very distant 2nd.

[Moranis]

I wonder if the Cavs stumble a bit if they'd be interested in Westbrook.  He'd sell tickets and while he would dominate the ball, it would be for a 1.5 seasons at most.  It would be an interesting dynamic.

Cleveland - Westbrook
Lakers - Love, Rubio

The Lakers could then shift Rubio for someone else, like maybe Eric Gordon or someone like that, giving the team acquiring Rubio future salary relief while the Lakers get a usable player this year. 

The Cavs would need to fall back a bit to risk taking on Westbrook, but I think that would be an interesting move for them and Garland/Westbrook as a backcourt would be unguardable (at least until Russ takes a terrible shot, ha).

I think Cleveland is better off without Sexton and Westbrook is even more Sexton than Sexton is.   A guy like that will change the whole dynamic of the team and probably negatively affect Garland's development.  Rubio was taking a lot of shots this year but he's never been a "me" guy.  I think Westbrook makes that team worse.

Perhaps, but the premise is they make the trade only after they take a swoon.  It would be an interesting trade since it basically just costs them Love and Westbrook is both a better player and a better draw than Love. 

I don't think trading Rubio for someone like Eric Gordon makes sense for the Cavs like it does for the Lakers either, but I suppose something like that would be an option, but then they still have Love on the books next year and whatever salary comes back in a Rubio trade.  At least by acquiring Westbrook they have a HOFer, a real draw, and he'd only have 1.5 years left if it doesn't really work out.  If it does though, it could get them some extra playoff games and playoff revenue this year.  The Cavs play Memphis, then have a 6 game road trip out West, then have the Nets at home, before going to Chicago.  I'm not saying it is likely, but it is certainly very possible, that 2 weeks from now they are below .500 and clinging to a spot in the play-in.  That is when I think they might consider something like that.

I dunno, I think they'd rather trade Rubio for Gordon and hold on to Love rather than trade him for Westbrook.  I think Cleveland is happy to  finally have a legit team post Lebron.  Love has been playing well recently and he knows his role and doesn't take away from other players.  Love is going to contribute to winning more than Westbrook and I think Cleveland is looking to be a legit team rather than using gimmicks in order to be a better draw.  I think Love likes this team and is enjoying his resurgence so I don't think Cleveland is desperate to trade him.

They aren't desperate to trade him, but they absolutely wouldn't hesitate to do so.  In 2 weeks, if the Cavs are below .500 and reeling, I think they may look to make a move.  Now that move maybe trading Sexton for a veteran and a draft picks (or something like that), but I don't think they are going to let the hot start go to waste and that they would try to do something to get back on track.  I also don't think they want to take on salary for next year unless they remove Love from the equation.  They have over 100 million from 8 players on the books next year without including Sexton, Rubio, Wade, Davis, or Rondo.  Now I'm sure they'd have no problem letting those guys walk (aside from Sexton), but they've all been in the rotation at times this year.  So if they were to add someone like Gordon, that puts them already above the cap and nearing the luxury tax without doing something with Sexton.  I just don't see them doing that, which is why I don't think they trade Rubio for someone like Eric Gordon, even if it helps them out this year.  Moving Love changes that equation a fair amount though as he makes just under 29 million next year.  That would allow more wiggle room and flexibility under the cap to retain Sexton and acquire salary for next year.

Mo, do you root for the Cavs at all? They have kind of won me over a bit. I really thought they were headed to nowhere ville this past offseason, but Mobley looks like a potential perennial allstar, Allen is better than I ever thought he could be and Rubio has always been a fun player to watch (though he may not play for them again). i would like to see them make a move to make sure they get a playoff spot, cause I think they deserve it. However, I don't think Westbrook is the answer. I would have a lot of concerns that he would potentially stifle the development of their young guys and them being one of the more exciting young teams in the league (also question how happy he would be there moving from LA to Cleveland at the end of his prime for a team that tops out as a 6th seed). If they were going to go after a big name  big pay guy I think Wall would be a much better fit for them and he would be happier going from not playing to playing than Westbrook would leaving a starring role in a glamour city.

Wall would definitely be an option, but he makes what Russ does and is both nowhere near the player nor the draw.  I don't think they'd move Love and Rubio's contract for Wall for those reasons. 

I have no idea how Westbrook would handle getting traded to Cleveland, but the one thing I think you can say about Russ, is that he cares and he plays hard.  I don't think a trade to Cleveland would change that and that is a city that would love that sort of hustle.  On some level, he might actually relish the idea of saving Cleveland's season and leading them to the playoffs.  That is an ego type thing as well. 

As for other trades, I could see something like Love, Sexton, and a 1st or two for McCollum also making sense for the Cavs and potentially for the Blazers depending on what they think of Sexton. 

And I do think the Cavs are going into a very rough 2 week stretch.  I think they can withstand it, but I can also see that being a trigger for moves.

[GC003332]

https://www.nba.com/news/nba-players-month-december-donovan-mitchell-joel-embiid

[todd_days_41]

Ainge / Jazz making a minor trade to OKC. Opening a roster spot for….. ?

More likely saving $3 million in luxury tax this year for a very distant 2nd.

Agreed. They only had 14 spots filled before the trade (as I learned).

[celticsclay]

Watching this lakers kings game. The lakers would be so much better with hield than Westbrook. That has to be the biggest missed opportunity of offseason.

I know this has beaten to death by hollinger, Lowe and most nba analysts, but buddy really has such an elite shooting stroke. He would look so good next to Lebron.

https://deadspin.com/welcome-to-russell-westbrooks-world-a-place-where-turn-1848302278

[RMO]

Watching this lakers kings game. The lakers would be so much better with hield than Westbrook. That has to be the biggest missed opportunity of offseason.

I know this has beaten to death by hollinger, Lowe and most nba analysts, but buddy really has such an elite shooting stroke. He would look so good next to Lebron.

https://deadspin.com/welcome-to-russell-westbrooks-world-a-place-where-turn-1848302278

Looks like Monk has come on recently for them.  As a person who only wants to see the lakers lose should I be concerned?  I don't watch them much and only see box scores.

[Moranis]

The Lakers are a dangerous team to play in the playoffs because if they get healthy they still have two, at least arguable, top 10 players.  Or at least what should be two top 10 players. 

Also, with Russ, Lebron, and Davis at center this year the Lakers are over 12 points better than their opponents.  That is their sweet spot.  They just need to get healthy and actually convince Davis he needs to play center (which he clearly doesn't want to do).  You surround those guys with Monk, Bradley, Melo, etc. (i.e. good to great shooters) and they have the floor spacing they need and the makings of a team that could be great. 

This all obviously hinges on Davis actually getting and then staying healthy and Lebron staying healthy as well.  If that happens, they can theoretically put it together and be a scary team.  The odds of all of that happening though aren't all that great, especially with the load Lebron has had to carry the last month or so.

[moiso]

Watching this lakers kings game. The lakers would be so much better with hield than Westbrook. That has to be the biggest missed opportunity of offseason.

I know this has beaten to death by hollinger, Lowe and most nba analysts, but buddy really has such an elite shooting stroke. He would look so good next to Lebron.

https://deadspin.com/welcome-to-russell-westbrooks-world-a-place-where-turn-1848302278

Nice article.  Turnovers and missed shots are unimportant

Lebron was back to his frontrunning ways too.  Celebrating way too hard after scoring a basket on the way to beating the Kings.  Reminds me of Westbrook's videos of him celebrating dunking on little kids over the summer... those two are a nice fit in that regard.

[Who]

Biyombo = 16pts 6reb 3ast 2stl 3blk in 29min for Phoenix. Man, I would've liked to have had him on the end of the bench instead of Bruno Fernando. At least Biyombo can play legit D.

Nice to see him back in the league. One of these Covid relief signings. Wish we would've gone in for him.