lipoli390 wrote:It's Dunn and Zach for Butler and a 2nd round pick. Horrible deal!!
lip, to say that's a horrible deal is pretty ridiculous IMO. We'd be trading a completely unproven rookie at a position of depth along with a guy whose best case scenario is that he eclipses Butler at some point in his career for a guy that's one of the few two way players in the NBA, at the early stages of his prime, on a solid contract, and an All-Star caliber player. Not sure how that could be considered "horrible" unless we're losing all-time greats.
You really think that's Lavine's ceiling? He's a freakish athlete who also happens to love the game and is a gym rat. If anyone can make this kid a star it's Thibs. No way do I make any deal involving him at this point.
Lavine will never be a better player than Butler is now, unless you don't value defense. Even if Lavine improves his defense, he still won't be an all-NBA defender. Butler is not only a defensive standout, but he's a very good all around offensive player as well. He's not a three point shooter, but he's a stud in almost every other respect. Butler's a 20 ppg/4-5 assist/5-6 rebound a game guy in your backcourt. Lavine may become a better scorer than Butler, but I don't see how his upside can reach what Butler already is.. And speaking of gym rats, Butler is known for being a tireless worker.
I don't think anyone would disagree whos better between the two . But giving up a potential upgrade at the pg position as well is discouraging.
TheGrey08 wrote:
You really think that's Lavine's ceiling? He's a freakish athlete who also happens to love the game and is a gym rat. If anyone can make this kid a star it's Thibs. No way do I make any deal involving him at this point.
Lavine will never be a better player than Butler is now, unless you don't value defense. Even if Lavine improves his defense, he still won't be an all-NBA defender. Butler is not only a defensive standout, but he's a very good all around offensive player as well. He's not a three point shooter, but he's a stud in almost every other respect. Butler's a 20 ppg/4-5 assist/5-6 rebound a game guy in your backcourt. Lavine may become a better scorer than Butler, but I don't see how his upside can reach what Butler already is.. And speaking of gym rats, Butler is known for being a tireless worker.
I'm not so sure about that. There were times I saw some +defender potential out of him. Strength is probably the factor limiting him the most currently. If he can continue getting stronger and learn to improve his defense from Thibs, the sky could be the limit.
mrhockey89 wrote:What's funny, is a year ago half this board was wondering if we should just cut Lavine outright. Now most don't want to trade him for an all-star 20/5/5 guy with all-NBA defense at age 26.
I was one of the guys who thought people were nuts for even thinking about throwing him away. What a difference a year makes.
TheGrey08 wrote:
You really think that's Lavine's ceiling? He's a freakish athlete who also happens to love the game and is a gym rat. If anyone can make this kid a star it's Thibs. No way do I make any deal involving him at this point.
Lavine will never be a better player than Butler is now, unless you don't value defense. Even if Lavine improves his defense, he still won't be an all-NBA defender. Butler is not only a defensive standout, but he's a very good all around offensive player as well. He's not a three point shooter, but he's a stud in almost every other respect. Butler's a 20 ppg/4-5 assist/5-6 rebound a game guy in your backcourt. Lavine may become a better scorer than Butler, but I don't see how his upside can reach what Butler already is.. And speaking of gym rats, Butler is known for being a tireless worker.
I'm not so sure about that. There were times I saw some +defender potential out of him. Strength is probably the factor limiting him the most currently. If he can continue getting stronger and learn to improve his defense from Thibs, the sky could be the limit.
Wonder if Coolbreaz is here right now, because there's zero chance that Zach becomes as good or better of a defender than Butler. I honestly feel that's more fact than opinion. If Zach gets to that level, that would be unfathonable.
