Camden wrote:Realistically, we're probably a year away from blowing this shit up entirely, especially with the Western Conference as loaded as it is. They will pivot fully towards the Anthony Edwards + Jaden McDaniels timeline quicker than most think.
All due to the loss of DLO?
No, of course not. Because of the always-improving Western Conference and the fact that this front office is desperate to make the Rudy Gobert trade work instead of building the best possible team. That's what this trade deadline tells me.
FNG wrote:Lip, there are two ways to look at Jon K's comments, and if you listen to his segments on KFAN, it's clear to me how to read them. TC has wanted to move DLo from Day 1, but was "hoping" Rudy might unlock DLo's potential. Instead there was no chemistry between the two, and with Russell's grumbling, it became clear he had to be moved. I'm looking forward to hearing Jon on KFAN, but I think he will look at this trade as completing the vision TC had when he traded for Rudy.
In any event, I'm enjoying watching a replay of last night's game currently...it's clear to me that the trade left one team joyful and the other team depressed!
Good observation on the temperature of both teams moods last night!
Hearing Dlo openly criticized Gobert on offense, whether it is fair or not, does not speak to good leadership skills or aiding in overall team chemistry.
Now if we could only turn Gobert into his previous model from his current lump of coal model, and Conley can bring continuity and most importantly availability, it's all gravy.....one can only hope! We are t-pups fans aren't we?
Camden wrote:Realistically, we're probably a year away from blowing this shit up entirely, especially with the Western Conference as loaded as it is. They will pivot fully towards the Anthony Edwards + Jaden McDaniels timeline quicker than most think.
All due to the loss of DLO?
No, of course not. Because of the always-improving Western Conference and the fact that this front office is desperate to make the Rudy Gobert trade work instead of building the best possible team. That's what this trade deadline tells me.
True. I wish they would give up on Rudy. What would it take to move Rudy +??? for Ben Simmons & R. O'Neal move Simmons back to PG?
FNG wrote:Lip, there are two ways to look at Jon K's comments, and if you listen to his segments on KFAN, it's clear to me how to read them. TC has wanted to move DLo from Day 1, but was "hoping" Rudy might unlock DLo's potential. Instead there was no chemistry between the two, and with Russell's grumbling, it became clear he had to be moved. I'm looking forward to hearing Jon on KFAN, but I think he will look at this trade as completing the vision TC had when he traded for Rudy.
In any event, I'm enjoying watching a replay of last night's game currently...it's clear to me that the trade left one team joyful and the other team depressed!
Good observation on the temperature of both teams moods last night!
Hearing Dlo openly criticized Gobert on offense, whether it is fair or not, does not speak to good leadership skills or aiding in overall team chemistry.
Now if we could only turn Gobert into his previous model from his current lump of coal model, and Conley can bring continuity and most importantly availability, it's all gravy.....one can only hope! We are t-pups fans aren't we?
Ha, hope springs eternal for us Woofies, Wally! I have to admit I have been surprised to hear Jon K several times in the past couple weeks hint at DLo's mood being a factor in our poor start, because while I haven't been a fan of his game (and especially his defense), he's always been one of my favorites on the team as a guy. I know he had some issues as a teammate in his first stint in LA, but it seemed to me that he had matured a lot since then. I still think he has, but the Gobert thing just wasn't working for him, and his attitude seemed to ripple through the team. We all knew something intangible (beyond missing KAT) was impacting this team this season, and watching the joyful way our (mostly) reserves played last night (in admittedly an absurdly small sample size), I think we have a hint of what that intangible was.
I think it is even worse. The suns just picked up KD for what we gave out for Gobert. We had a young core with all of our picks intact coming off a PO appearance. This season we likely miss the play-in, and have no draft assets for the foreseeable future. The DLO trade is less about what his perceived value was to us, and more about the lakers not wanting Conley. DLO was the prize for them, but somehow Utah comes out with the first round pick. Our GM is being taken to the cleaners on these deals.
What is our defense ranked compared to last year? I asked this because one of our worst defenders has missed a huge portion of the season and essentially replaced by a DPOY. Is our defense better?
Why do you think we will miss the play in tournament?
Yes, our defense is better, but not by much. Also, Gobert has missed a fair amount of games as well.
On top of our extremely difficult remaining schedule, we have lost a huge part of our offense. I don't think Conley can make up for the boost that DLO could give us, and I don't see his D, and game management being a difference maker at this point in his career.
Rudy is going to miss games. He is over 30, and a 7 footer.
It's true our remaining schedule is difficult....on paper. But we don't know how many of those teams will either be tanking, resting guys, or have injury issues. We just got two recent wins because of these variables - the one against Denver at home where they rested 80% of their starters and the one last night against Utah where effectively they are mailing in the season. We now have a two game cushion between us and being outside the play-in tournament.
Golden State is missing Curry for weeks. Zion won't be back until at least after the ASB. Utah is no longer a playoff threat. You can't just look at the schedule and assume all those teams are going to be full strength and going 100% full throttle when they play us.
And, you can look at the schedule and realize some teams have already been fighting injuries. Lillard has missed about a dozen games, GS has had significant injuries throughout the season. Dallas just added Kyrie, while the lakers just added a good portion of our 21-22 playoff team. Who are the teams that are going to tank? Hou, maybe Utah, but other than that, the rest of the group is in the running for those play-in spots.Hell, Utah had already gutted their team in the off season and were still competing with us.
With the Lakers lurking a few games behind us in the standings, I'm sure we're all interested in seeing how Timberwolves West fares tonight in their debut. It's on TNT, and interestingly enough the Lakers are 8-point dogs at home to the Bucks. A gambler has to take the points, right?
FNG wrote:With the Lakers lurking a few games behind us in the standings, I'm sure we're all interested in seeing how Timberwolves West fares tonight in their debut. It's on TNT, and interestingly enough the Lakers are 8-point dogs at home to the Bucks. A gambler has to take the points, right?
FNG wrote:With the Lakers lurking a few games behind us in the standings, I'm sure we're all interested in seeing how Timberwolves West fares tonight in their debut. It's on TNT, and interestingly enough the Lakers are 8-point dogs at home to the Bucks. A gambler has to take the points, right?
D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt aren't expected to make their Laker debuts until Saturday. An informed gambler would know better.
Secondly, the Jazz shed Conley's contract. Multiple league sources who were granted anonymity so they could speak freely told The Athletic that the Jazz had numerous avenues leading to a deal for Conley. They truly valued his presence in the locker room. And while he wasn't Utah's best player this season -- that title goes to Lauri Markkanen -- Conley was pretty clearly Utah's most important player. Without him running the point, the Jazz are in peril of having the bottom drop out over the remainder of the season.
- via Tony Jones @ The Athletic
Multiple sources said the Jazz did have reservations about putting Alexander-Walker in the deal. Utah thought Alexander-Walker had a good season to this point. He showed considerate chops defensively, and he had his moments on the offensive end. He is young, athletic, and can play and defend through multiple positions. Of the players Utah surrendered, Alexander-Walker was the hardest to part with.
- via Tony Jones @ The Athletic
