2017 NBA OFFSEASON

that's all way too harsh imo, they retained lowry without getting into his riskiest years and shuffled some bench depth. this is life with a capped out team. they're still one of the best 4 teams in the east and still positioned to take advantage of cleveland injuries/issues if there are any.

― call all destroyer, Monday, July 10, 2017 1:38 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Yea Masai is def good and there's definite value in how he's keeping the team together with the option to tear it down in a couple years, I personally was more reacting to the weird hyperventilating GENIUS reaction of the non-ilh hoops internet reaction to trading for cj miles who is perfectly fine but not like a stone cold playoff killer

If I were the raps gm I'd be calling everyone interested in Carmelo and trying to sell them on derozan tho, I'm convinced that he's a very good player in precisely the wrong era

On @SportsCenter right now, @IanBegley says both the Knicks and Carmelo are confident that "this thing will get done" with the #Rockets.

— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) July 11, 2017

giving derozan a big contract is the main reason i was down on Masai, i feel like you can't invest that much in a player who doesn't do anything without the ball in 2017

Well he can do stuff w the ball. It's that his game doesn't translate to postseason success is the biggest knock imo. He really needs to chuck away behind the arc too.

yeah the complete lack of a 3pt shot is the biggest problem with his game - if he was league average there then he looks a lot better

Lee Jenkins piece on Paul George
https://www.si.com/nba/2017/07/11/paul-george-thunder-trade-kevin-durant-lakers-pacers-russell-westbrook

KD w some nice things to say about the thunder franchise

yeesh

tatum with the cross pic.twitter.com/i1a9iHdpK3

— LØØPSØØP (@vineydelnegro) July 11, 2017

I'm so excited for celtics fans. Great vets and great young stars, great coach.

Honestly at times Tatum looks like melo with defense. Maybe some mcadoo too.

NBA champ James Michael?

there was another play where tatum dribbled down to the low block and flipped over the shoulder to a cutter for a layup once he got doubled. it wasn't the obvious pass at all. if he's actually a natural iso scorer with some awareness/vision that's going to be tremendous.

Jordan Bell w the rare 5x5

5-11-5-5-6

m bison tell me about Dedmon

Jordan Bell with a Kirilenko line.

yeah hate to get excited abt summer league but tatum is doing some crazy stuff for a 19 y/o

bellinelli scarred me for life re summer league

the counter argument to tatum i think is that maybe it's a bad sign that he has been talking such difficult shots in summer league.

(i don't actually buy that)

the highlights are those fadeaways be hes had a ton of layups and so forth too

interesting

Nerlens Noel and the Mavericks are "not close" to a deal, several league sources tell me.

— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) July 12, 2017

Looks like Utah may have a steal in Donovan Mitchell

It's really hard to assess summer league talent. Anyone who's trying to break out during the regular season will attract the attention of opposing coaches, who'll try to exploit their weaknesses and contain their strengths. You only know how good they'll be after they've been tested for two or three years against other teams' starters. But summer league as a live action fantasy league is great fun.

yah xp donovan looks awesome.

KCP to the lakers 1/18 which seems weird. pretty big gamble on his part as the pistons offered 5/80

Mitchell's jumper looks PURE and he's a monster athletically, it's hard to see what's wrong with him

I guess he's small for the 2 but I think it's gonna be fine

Since I read that thing about how many 3PAs you need to get past variance I've gotten more into trusting shooting form

kcp thing is bizarre. idk who he thinks is going to have a ton of cap space for him next summer.

didnt want to be on the pistons lol

i mostly don't understand it from the lakers POV... there's almost no chance they re-sign KCP next summer given the free agents they'll be targeting so it's not like they gain much from building a relationship with him, but they're also not going to be trying to win this year either so it's not like they're getting much from him in just one discreet year. i guess they could trade flip him if he's having a good season? i don't really buy this logic from ziller https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2017/7/12/15958014/lakers-tank-kentavious-caldwell-pope-gmib

i guess this is as plausible an explanation as any

Good litmus test for LeBron going to Lakers in a year - if LA throws KCP a lifeboat 1 year 20-22m deal so Klutch can save face with KCP.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 7, 2017

but they're also not going to be trying to win this year either so it's not like they're getting much from him in just one discreet year

they aren't tanking this year, they have no pick in 2018. so why not tery and compete ?

yeah, i guess more to the point is that even if they do try and win realistically they look like the 11th best team in the west on paper? so i'm not sure how much good it's going to do

a mild dissent on tatum https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2017/7/11/15947428/jayson-tatum-boston-celtics-nba-summer-league-highlights

feel like u shd actually watch the games not just the twitter highlights if youre gonna write that article lol guessing theres not play by play data available o well

knowing ricky i think he prob watched the games...

pelton is all in on dennis smith --

Best rookies

1. Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks

The ninth pick of this year's draft, Smith has been the most impressive rookie so far in Las Vegas. Playing alongside more talent and in a better system than at North Carolina State, Smith has gotten where he's wanted on the court, finished creatively at the rim, drawn fouls and found open teammates.

Despite inconsistent outside shooting (5-of-14, 35.7 percent from 3), Smith has scored 55 points on 46 shooting possessions. He also has been active at the defensive end, a change from his low-energy style in college that left questions in the minds of scouts.

2. John Collins, Atlanta Hawks

After developing as a traditional post player at Wake Forest, Collins has to employ a new style to succeed in the NBA.

He has shown that ability this week, playing well as a center for the Hawks' summer league team. Collins has pulled down double-figure rebounds in all three games while shooting 60 percent from the field, highlighted by 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting against New Orleans.

3. Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

Mitchell's shot hasn't always gone down this summer -- he's shooting just 21-of-59 -- but when it has, he has been incredible. Mitchell dropped 37 points on the Memphis Grizzlies in an overtime loss Tuesday, making 14 free throws and adding eight steals.

Mitchell's defense has been the constant. He has shown All-Defensive potential as an individual and help defender, lifting him into this spot over more efficient scorers.

Honorable mention: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat; De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings; Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers; Frank Mason III, Sacramento Kings; Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Most disappointing rookie

Zach Collins, Portland Trail Blazers

Playing in his hometown, Collins has gotten off to a slow start. He shot just 4-of-20 from the field in his first two games, and a bounceback effort Tuesday (four points and four rebounds in 11 minutes) was cut short by a quadriceps contusion.

Collins has been more promising as a rim protector, blocking six shots in three games.

Best NBA veterans

1. Brandon Ingram, L.A. Lakers

The Lakers shut down Ingram after he cramped up at the end of regulation of his one appearance in Las Vegas. They'd already seen enough. Ingram showed all the improvement the Lakers could hope for after his inefficient rookie campaign, playing with more strength and creating easy shot opportunities.

Ingram's 26 points were more than he scored in any game during 2016-17.

2. DeAndre' Bembry, Atlanta Hawks

With Tim Hardaway Jr.'s departure, the Hawks have minutes open at shooting guard, and Bembry has made a strong case to claim them with his performance this week. He has scored 55 points in just 76 minutes -- 26.0 per 36 -- on 57.1 percent shooting, while also handing out 4.0 assists per game.

Perhaps most encouraging was Bembry hitting a pair of 3-pointers on Monday after attempting just one in his first two games.

3. Troy Williams, Houston Rockets

Signed by the Rockets last March after spending most of his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Williams has the potential to excel in Mike D'Antoni's system if he can become a 3-point threat. He has been accurate in this week's small sample, making 10 3-pointers in 26 attempts (38.5 percent).

Williams' athleticism allows him to get easy baskets in transition, padding his average of 25.7 PPG.

Honorable mention: Malik Beasley, Denver Nuggets; Yogi Ferrell, Dallas Mavericks; Bryn Forbes, San Antonio Spurs; Montrezl Harrell, LA Clippers; Wayne Selden, Memphis Grizzlies; Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors; Rashad Vaughn, Milwaukee Bucks

Most disappointing NBA veterans

Chicago Bulls' veterans

The Bulls are the defending summer league champions, and with several first-round picks on the roster they figured to be contenders to repeat. Instead, Chicago got smashed by a combined 36 points in its first two games before getting a win Tuesday.

Rookie Lauri Markkanen led the summer Bulls in that game, with Denzel Valentine the only veteran to suit up. He shot 6-of-21, improving his shooting percentage to 27.2 percent this week.

Though he played well defensively, Kris Dunn shot 3-of-12 in his only appearance and Cameron Payne didn't show much improvement from last year's frustrating sophomore season.

Best free agent

Brandon Paul, Cleveland Cavaliers

A veteran of the G League who played for Cleveland's affiliate in Canton last season, Paul has flashed a well-rounded game for a Cavaliers team that has gone 3-0 with just one roster player (second-year guard Kay Felder). He has averaged 17.4 points, 3.3 assists and an impressive 3.3 steals per 36 minutes.

In a year that lacks a single standout unsigned player, Paul tops the list.

Honorable mention: Alex Caruso, L.A. Lakers; Charles Cooke, Minnesota Timberwolves; Matt Costello, Minnesota Timberwolves; Jared Cunningham, Washington Wizards; Kennedy Meeks, Toronto Raptors

m bison tell me about Dedmon

― Heez, Tuesday, July 11, 2017 10:36 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Love him, like a poor man's deandre jordan. V athletic, shot blocker, lob catcher, glass cleaner, can't shoot FTs. Plays with fire. Borderline starter. Ended up in pop's doghouse I think for losing his cool in games, maybe some behind the scenes stuff not privy to.

Just what I was hoping to hear

I am so glad Raymond Felton went to the Thunder, not the Spurs. Much easier to boo against OKC. Would have felt strange against SA.

Free agent Thabo Sefolosha has agreed to a two-year, 0.5M deal with the Utah Jazz, league sources tell The Vertical.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 12, 2017

god depressed there imagining thabo signing for $250k per year

rules change!

The NBA will limit teams to two team timeouts in the final three minutes of a game, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2017

The NBA's Board of Governors has voted to reduce maximum number of timeouts per game by four -- from 18 to 14, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2017

YESSSS

I've watched almost all of two of tatums summer league games and that guy is gonna hold his own for sure

Some of the stuff he needs to do from midrange he will need to just bulk up a little to pull off but he's only 19! Lebron is gonna devour him defensively the first time they're matched up but I wouldn't be surprised to see him start putting up occasional 20point games after a few months

Some of his footwork really is peak Carmelo level good already

That is to say most all reservations should be a) some rookies just don't pan out and b) he'll need to find a comfortable spot in a fairly stacked rotation which I'd argue is actually a good way to start and get easy buckets while figuring out the hard stuff

Double step-backs? xp

Also the season is starting a week earlier. Oct 17

Heh yeah the infamous double step back is hilarious but melo really does have some masterful footwork when he's determined to score. I'm sure there are better examples but that came to mind in the tall ish small forward zone

yeah melos good i just love that double step back video with all my heart