2018-2019 NBA Season

[Federberg]

Call me a homer but I'd say Milwaukee would be their toughest out in the finals. They really can't handle Giannis while the Freak is perhaps one of just a few ever that is built to possibly slow Durant down. He has basically the same length and is quite a bit stronger and more atheltic. I also don't think the Bucks will make it in large part due to inexperience. Raps are a very tough matchup for them and anyone else really.

ha! I knew you would feel that way and you may well be right, but my thinking is that Boston and Toronto are less one man teams. I don't think that a single individual, no matter how good, can stop GSW. Let's say Giannis can slow down KD, that leaves the potential for a hot splash brother or two to run riot. And we're not even mentioning the damage Boogie will likely do in the paint

 

[brokenshoelace]

ha! I knew you would feel that way and you may well be right, but my thinking is that Boston and Toronto are less one man teams. I don't think that a single individual, no matter how good, can stop GSW. Let's say Giannis can slow down KD, that leaves the potential for a hot splash brother or two to run riot. And we're not even mentioning the damage Boogie will likely do in the paint

No team is seriously going to challenge the Warriors but while the Bucks are a one-man team in terms of stars, their role players are playing insanely well. Middleton, Bledsoe and especially, Brook Lopez, who turned into a sharpshooter over the years have been phenomenal. The biggest change in the Bucks' system post-Kidd is how much better their floor spacing and 3-point shooting is. Now I am a bit hesitant about their playoff chances due to inexperience and Giannis' non-existent jumper but that team, the way it's currently built, is so good.

 

[DarthFed]

I don't think Middleton is really a much worse "second best player" than Lowry/Siakam or Tatum/Horford (or even Morris the way he's been this year).

Boston's main strength is that they don't really have a weak spot in the rotation. All their guys can play and most are versatile. Toronto I think has the best all-around team though, they can do everything well. Last time the Bucks and Raps met they didn't even have Valanciunas and their length and inside-out play still wreaked havoc. The Bucks are shooting a lot of 3's but they have a lot of streak shooters (Middleton and Bledsoe) while Toronto and Boston have better pure shooters. But Giannis is creating tons of open looks so that's helping their shooting numbers.

If Giannis could develop a shot before Philly gets a whole lot stronger I'd be happy because no doubt they'd be top dogs in the East for the next couple years. The problem is when Simmons breaks that Jenner curse and starts developing more...that will be the best team no doubt unless Boston somehow makes more crazy trades.

 

[Jelenafan]

Cousins addition to the Warriors at this time is cruel timing to the rest of the league.

If he can get back to 75% , not that crazy a projection, yikes.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Anthony Davis trade demand can make things interesting in the league.

 

[DarthFed]

Anthony Davis trade demand can make things interesting in the league.

I doubt he gets dealt before the offseason. Boston or LA are the only teams I can see landing him. With Boston it will be interesting. Certainly any deal will feature Irving or Tatum, their draft assets and possibly one other guy. Now if they finish the season weakly it's possible they get extra aggressive but if they at least make the finals they may choose just to try to resign Kyrie and not go after Davis. LA could trade anyone not named LeBron

 

[AnonymousFan]

Anthony Davis trade demand can make things interesting in the league.

GSW championship is still expected.

 

[DarthFed]

Cousins addition to the Warriors at this time is cruel timing to the rest of the league.

If he can get back to 75% , not that crazy a projection, yikes.

He's already playing well and making a big difference. They've clocked everyone lately aside from a close win in Boston.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I doubt he gets dealt before the offseason. Boston or LA are the only teams I can see landing him. With Boston it will be interesting. Certainly any deal will feature Irving or Tatum, their draft assets and possibly one other guy. Now if they finish the season weakly it's possible they get extra aggressive but if they at least make the finals they may choose just to try to resign Kyrie and not go after Davis. LA could trade anyone not named LeBron

I am thinking...you are the Raps. You have already risked your future by getting Kawhi, who can leave at the end of the season...do you risk even more and pack up guys like Siakam, Ibaka and a couple others and go for Davis, hoping Lowry-Kawhi-Davis will get you a ring ? Masai Ujiri has done some crazy things but....

 

[AnonymousFan]

Thought the point of BOS going after AD was to pair him with Kyrie. LAL and BOS can easily best any TOR package if they want to.

 

[DarthFed]

I am thinking...you are the Raps. You have already risked your future by getting Kawhi, who can leave at the end of the season...do you risk even more and pack up guys like Siakam, Ibaka and a couple others and go for Davis, hoping Lowry-Kawhi-Davis will get you a ring ? Masai Ujiri has done some crazy things but....

He's apparently planning on signing with Lakers after next year so that's going to be a big factor. No guarantee Kawhi stays after this year too. I think the Raps would be crazy to go too big for Davis.

 

[DarthFed]

I've been reading some rumblings that Kyrie might try to join forces with LeBron again. I already think little of that guy's psyche but if that happens it'd be one of the wackiest things I've seen in sports.

 

[AnonymousFan]

Porzingis to DAL in a blockbuster

 

[Federberg]

I've been reading some rumblings that Kyrie might try to join forces with LeBron again. I already think little of that guy's psyche but if that happens it'd be one of the wackiest things I've seen in sports.

I honestly don't think Kyrie wants to go there. All he did was enact a psychological move to tell his young team mates to listen to him. He used Lebron as a prop. Now punditry are reading something else into his actions. It's nuts to me...

 

[AnonymousFan]

Assumed Kyrie will likely stay ever since he told the Boston crowd he plans to re-sign

Regardless of Haynes (former Cleveland writer) and Bucher reports

 

[DarthFed]

We will see with Kyrie. I honestly don't know what to expect with him. He should dye his hair blonde.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Marc Gasol for Valanciunas. Did not expect that but that is instant improvement in the center position for Raps. Another expiring contract though. All or nothing for Raps it seems.

 

[DarthFed]

It's the Wild Wild West in the NBA right now. Davis didn't get dealt which is not surprising. Lakers were kind of done in by the fact their young guys haven't really shown any development this year. So there was no reason the Pelicans weren't going to wait for the offseason.

Bucks got Mirotic! I have been hoping for the last few weeks the Bucks would trade for him. Unfortunately he is another expiring contract, it's going to be one crazy offseason in Milwaukee. Every starter except Giannis is a free agent after this year though I think Brogdon is restricted, and then Mirotic and Hill are free agents, possibly others, but those are two big-time bench players. Bucks bench is now pretty damn strong.

They aren't keeping everyone around but they have a lot of quality feet in the door and maybe some will take a pay cut to keep this thing together.

 

[DarthFed]

This team still just looks like a 45 win team that started the year red hot. They have not looked remotely good since the 10-3 start.

@kskate2 was nice enough not to put me in my place on this comment

 

[Federberg]

I know I shouldn't listen but...

..Max Kellerman saying Lebron by himself is as good as Steph and KD...oh lordy