Analyzing America East Off-Seasons
Sept 2, 2016 19:08:42 GMT
Madrid, Newcastle, and 2 more like this
Post by Vancouver on Sept 2, 2016 19:08:42 GMT
Vancouver (AP) – Pardon our Take – On today’s show, we have special guest from New Orleans, Mr. NOLA. NOLA and Vancouver GM will be looking at each team in the America East and discussing their views on how they would approach each team’s off-season. These are just 2 talking heads opinions, so take them for what it’s worth.
Let’s start with the Boston Celtics, how would you tackle their off-season?
NOLA: Greg Oden is the only long term player on that roster so I'd look best player available at 5. He already made a move to get Barry in the Dispersal draft so at this point I would look to steal a free agent with the remaining cap. Would also consider trying to acquire the 08 1st back if someone is interested in Barry for it.
Vancouver: I would slightly agree here -- i really liked the move they made for Barry as he seems to have rebounded some but if i were them I wouldn't worry about getting my 08 back. With a player who can carry a team single handedly like Oden already firmly entrenched on the roster, I would try to augment him by moving #5 for an all-star caliber player and then hope to fill out the remaining roster via FA. Oden should allow them to compete sooner than later, so it will be interesting to see how long he keeps him around
Very good analysis by both. They are definitely one of the teams that can go a variety of ways but need to make sure the moves they make benefit their franchise player in Greg Oden. Let’s take a look at the newly r-located Brooklyn Nets, fresh off their lottery victories.
Vancouver: The Brooklyn Nets are entering probably the most crucial off-season this franchise has ever had. After hitting the jackpot and jumping to the #1 overall pick, they now have control of the top 3 picks in a decent draft class. How they attack this will be significant in determining whether this franchise can ever get out of the bottom of the pack to maybe actually winning for once. They brought in hanging on for life old players like Barkley & Slavnic and will most likely select 2 rookies to lead the franchise into the future. How quickly they develop will determine if this team can compete in the near future but I expect them to attempt to win this year, which would be the first in this GMs history.
NOLA: The rebrand to the Nets could not have come at a better time. Zoran, Chuck, Booker, and Vlad could have competed for a playoff spot with just a little help. Instead they'll be getting Magic Johnson and another guy who is likely ready to help right away (Chris Webber or Penny Hardaway). Now all of a sudden a team with little backcourt depth can play match-ups and becomes a bit interesting. I'd be a bit shocked if he missed the playoffs the year with the versatility he'll have.
Couldn’t agree more with both of you. Nets could be on to something here but it remains to be seen if the GM can formulate a gameplan to actually win as the only thing anyone remembers about him is being a loser. Let’s take a look at the surprising Chicago Bulls next, fresh off a round 1 upset of Mexico City.
NOLA: The Bulls GM has been plagued by his own fear over and over in this league. He's deathly afraid of losing any deal and sits on players way too long. In his shoes you'd like to see an aggressive move or two to take him from playoff team to real contender but I don't believe anyone thinks he will. That means he'll have a ton of nice pieces that don't really all fit together and be a good playoff team that will cap out in the 2nd round. And that's IF he can bring back both starters in Horford and Fields which will be tough. Needless to say, if I was in his shoes I'd be looking at packaging some of this solid talent to grab a difference maker in the backcourt.
Vancouver: very interesting take. I do believe it will be very tough to bring back both Horford & Fields, so there's going to be a major tough decision looming for Chitown in the near future. Horford been in the league since inception but he's still very young and is vastly underrated. I'd like to see him follow your suggestion and move a player like turner for an upgrade in the backcourt at some position. He has the assets to make things happen, so it will be smart for this GM to make a plan now and try to follow it through to the end. Whether that's sign & trading a player or to move one of his youthful assets, as NOLA said he's got to make that decision and follow through with it before it’s too late.
Seems everyone is in agreement that Chicago is in a precarious situation and needs to make a move. As we watch to see what move Chicago ends up making, let’s take a look at the new Cleveland Cavaliers.
Vancouver: There's not much to be said here, this team is in for a long rebuilding process. With the #4 pick in both dispersal and amateur draft, Cleveland really needs to take a chance on hitting a homerun to pair with D'Angelo Russell. He is a franchise players and how Cleveland surrounds him will be key to turning this franchise around. Losing franchises don't usually hit in FA, so i'd like to see him be proactive to try and land anyone that can be moved for assets. With this long road ahead, it's all about asset accumulation.
NOLA: I certainly agree on the asset accumulation front but I don't think this team is as far away as it appears. This draft has a load of players who will have instant impacts and the Cleveland trio of Russell, McCollum, and Gobert is really solid. Luckily this free agency will have a few more attainable players than normal with the contracted teams. You have to swing for the fences here then try to sign value guys. At this point you just don't want to sign any bad contracts. Ideally you target a forward in both drafts. A guy like Bob Love in the creation draft would be perfect because you could take a Roy, Aldridge, or even Webber if he falls in the rookie draft. May be able to go out on a limb for Paul Millsap if you want a versatile high upside guy as well while staying relatively bad.
It seems our 2 talking heads here are in disagreement about how close/far this team is from contention. Our first disagreement in an article where we expected a lot. Very interesting. Now time to look at the Buenos Aires Boca Juniors who are under new management.
NOLA: Buenos Aires GM has already done a good job retooling and should continue that process by dealing away Lou Hudson for a nice pick in this draft. I would imagine you can get into the Top 5 and still add a player for a top two way SG on a bargain deal. Maybe he wants to keep him and build around him which isn't an awful idea. Another time I'd swing for the fences in Free Agency then not target anyone over 25 when it comes to the bargain deals. Just shoot for a Top 5 pick next year and understand Rome wasn't built in a day. Maybe use the free time to load up on some PP.
Vancouver: BA is definitely in a precarious spot and seems to be shopping Lou Hudson around, which we feel is a smart plan. If you cannot get the value for him though, there's no point to trade him just to clear house and start from scratch. BA should be patient here and make sure he's explored all avenues before deciding what to do with Lou. Once Lou's fate is cleared up, I agree that the plan should be to target anything in FA so that they can be dealt for future assets. I agree, loading up on PP some is nice but with this team under new management, it would behoove this GM to take the time now to experiment with the game so that when the time comes to win, he will be prepared and no longer be considered a noob.
It’s definitely a learning period in BA and one the GM needs to take seriously if he wants to seriously compete down the road. Next up is the powerhouse team, the New York Knicks.
Vancouver: The New York Knicks enter this FA fresh off a tough loss in the playoffs, which was most likely due to the teams loss of John Stockton to injury. Stockton was subsequently dealt, so NY enters this off-season with a few holes in their lineup for the first time in many seasons. This team has won 60+ in 3 straight seasons and will need to bring back super-utility Larry Nance first and foremost. By trading their starting PG for CAPSPACE, they are aiming at attracting a top tier talent in FA, hopefully before Nance inks his new deal. Based on this teams historical success, I would bet they are able to attract another player via FA but it will ultimately boil down to timing. If Nance signs on day 1, he may be left out to dry and that is a worst case scenario. Either way, there's still a ton of talent here and they are still the cream of the crop in all of ABCA.
NOLA: Not sure I'm qualified to tell the Knicks GM what he should be doing. Dude is rocking a couple banners after all. He's gonna bring back Nance barring something absolutely shocking and JAC appears more and more ready to be the PG that just stays out of the way. Maybe he's got some PP hanging around and can give him a boost so he's got a legit PF to play along side the other studs. He'll need to find another big to back-up and another PG for sure. He'll likely fill one of those two spots in the draft and be the favorite to win it all.
NOLA makes a good point. It’s New York’s world and we’re just witnesses. We just looked at the top of the division, now lets look at the bottom where we have the lowly Franca BC.
NOLA: Not sporting a good first. No talent on the roster. Not picking until 14th in the contraction draft. Outside of the, it's relatively clean on the the roster. He's gonna have 15+ mill to try and land one of those legit free agents. If I am Brazil, I go into free agency trying to avoid adding a bad contract. I'd consider dealing Kandi-Man as well for a 1st and a 2nd in the draft so you've got a few more cost controlled contracts ad you continue the rebuild. If someone wants McDyess for an expiring, you deal him on the spot with 0 questions asked. Sit back and relax this year and maybe try to play your rookie 48 minutes and win him an award.
Vancouver: I think New Orleans is pretty spot on here. There's really not much to work with but this team should definitely try to unload McDyess as their first order of business. From there they should shoot for the stars with the pick they have or move it for a future first, as the guy they pick up now won't do much for this team when they are ready to compete in a few seasons. This team wasn't left in a good position so the GM has play their hand they were dealt, which is a really really long slow play.
It’s a cold world in Franca BC, figuratively, and it’s going to take a while to warm up. Here’s to hoping the GM sticks around to see it through. With that said, we’re on to the last team in the division, the Toronto Raptors.
Vancouver: The Raptors shockingly made the playoffs this past year, which i'm sure surprised a lot of people. Now entering the off-season with his second best player a FA, it may be time for this GM to blow it up. After stealing away MKG during last FA and moving him with Meyers Leonard for #4 overall pick Marvin Barnes, this GM should follow his own blueprint and do the same with Tyson Chandler, if he can bring him back. From there it may unfortunately be time to part with Larry Johnson, who's had 2 up and down seasons but still carries a lot of value around the league. Trading a player of his caliber will help expedite a rebuild in addition to gaining any other assets from the other pieces on the roster. While I typically don't advocate for teams to blow it up, this GM is in a good spot to make this move as the team as currently built has peaked in our opinion.
NOLA: I could not disagree more. Raptors are sitting on one of the top players in the league who is capable of winning a game on his own in the playoffs and have some nice pieces around him on nice deals in Crawford and Barnes. Splitter is a starting center on most teams and once he brings back Chandler, will be a great back-up. I'd try to move the pick and use some of the cap room now to get a legit backcourt player. If he can find a difference maker at guard, bring back Chandler, and have a normal TC... The Raptors could be a 55 win team and make a real run at a title. He's got scoring and he's got defense. Just need to be proactive over the next week and add a backcourt player before re-signing Chandler.
All in all, only 2 disagreements on 8 situations seems pretty strange considering these 2 talking heads have very different opinions.
So to recap, the Knicks are the cream of this division and then a whole bunch of question marks. We’ll end it off with each teams projected finish for America’s East division:
Vancouver:
1 Knicks
2 Raptors (if they don’t blow it up)
3 Bulls
4 Celtics
5 Nets
6 CaValiers
7 Boca Juniors
8 Franca
NOLA:
1 Knicks
2 Raptors
3 Nets
4 Bulls
5 Celtics
6 Cavaliers
7 Boca Juniors
8 Franca
Let’s start with the Boston Celtics, how would you tackle their off-season?
NOLA: Greg Oden is the only long term player on that roster so I'd look best player available at 5. He already made a move to get Barry in the Dispersal draft so at this point I would look to steal a free agent with the remaining cap. Would also consider trying to acquire the 08 1st back if someone is interested in Barry for it.
Vancouver: I would slightly agree here -- i really liked the move they made for Barry as he seems to have rebounded some but if i were them I wouldn't worry about getting my 08 back. With a player who can carry a team single handedly like Oden already firmly entrenched on the roster, I would try to augment him by moving #5 for an all-star caliber player and then hope to fill out the remaining roster via FA. Oden should allow them to compete sooner than later, so it will be interesting to see how long he keeps him around
Very good analysis by both. They are definitely one of the teams that can go a variety of ways but need to make sure the moves they make benefit their franchise player in Greg Oden. Let’s take a look at the newly r-located Brooklyn Nets, fresh off their lottery victories.
Vancouver: The Brooklyn Nets are entering probably the most crucial off-season this franchise has ever had. After hitting the jackpot and jumping to the #1 overall pick, they now have control of the top 3 picks in a decent draft class. How they attack this will be significant in determining whether this franchise can ever get out of the bottom of the pack to maybe actually winning for once. They brought in hanging on for life old players like Barkley & Slavnic and will most likely select 2 rookies to lead the franchise into the future. How quickly they develop will determine if this team can compete in the near future but I expect them to attempt to win this year, which would be the first in this GMs history.
NOLA: The rebrand to the Nets could not have come at a better time. Zoran, Chuck, Booker, and Vlad could have competed for a playoff spot with just a little help. Instead they'll be getting Magic Johnson and another guy who is likely ready to help right away (Chris Webber or Penny Hardaway). Now all of a sudden a team with little backcourt depth can play match-ups and becomes a bit interesting. I'd be a bit shocked if he missed the playoffs the year with the versatility he'll have.
Couldn’t agree more with both of you. Nets could be on to something here but it remains to be seen if the GM can formulate a gameplan to actually win as the only thing anyone remembers about him is being a loser. Let’s take a look at the surprising Chicago Bulls next, fresh off a round 1 upset of Mexico City.
NOLA: The Bulls GM has been plagued by his own fear over and over in this league. He's deathly afraid of losing any deal and sits on players way too long. In his shoes you'd like to see an aggressive move or two to take him from playoff team to real contender but I don't believe anyone thinks he will. That means he'll have a ton of nice pieces that don't really all fit together and be a good playoff team that will cap out in the 2nd round. And that's IF he can bring back both starters in Horford and Fields which will be tough. Needless to say, if I was in his shoes I'd be looking at packaging some of this solid talent to grab a difference maker in the backcourt.
Vancouver: very interesting take. I do believe it will be very tough to bring back both Horford & Fields, so there's going to be a major tough decision looming for Chitown in the near future. Horford been in the league since inception but he's still very young and is vastly underrated. I'd like to see him follow your suggestion and move a player like turner for an upgrade in the backcourt at some position. He has the assets to make things happen, so it will be smart for this GM to make a plan now and try to follow it through to the end. Whether that's sign & trading a player or to move one of his youthful assets, as NOLA said he's got to make that decision and follow through with it before it’s too late.
Seems everyone is in agreement that Chicago is in a precarious situation and needs to make a move. As we watch to see what move Chicago ends up making, let’s take a look at the new Cleveland Cavaliers.
Vancouver: There's not much to be said here, this team is in for a long rebuilding process. With the #4 pick in both dispersal and amateur draft, Cleveland really needs to take a chance on hitting a homerun to pair with D'Angelo Russell. He is a franchise players and how Cleveland surrounds him will be key to turning this franchise around. Losing franchises don't usually hit in FA, so i'd like to see him be proactive to try and land anyone that can be moved for assets. With this long road ahead, it's all about asset accumulation.
NOLA: I certainly agree on the asset accumulation front but I don't think this team is as far away as it appears. This draft has a load of players who will have instant impacts and the Cleveland trio of Russell, McCollum, and Gobert is really solid. Luckily this free agency will have a few more attainable players than normal with the contracted teams. You have to swing for the fences here then try to sign value guys. At this point you just don't want to sign any bad contracts. Ideally you target a forward in both drafts. A guy like Bob Love in the creation draft would be perfect because you could take a Roy, Aldridge, or even Webber if he falls in the rookie draft. May be able to go out on a limb for Paul Millsap if you want a versatile high upside guy as well while staying relatively bad.
It seems our 2 talking heads here are in disagreement about how close/far this team is from contention. Our first disagreement in an article where we expected a lot. Very interesting. Now time to look at the Buenos Aires Boca Juniors who are under new management.
NOLA: Buenos Aires GM has already done a good job retooling and should continue that process by dealing away Lou Hudson for a nice pick in this draft. I would imagine you can get into the Top 5 and still add a player for a top two way SG on a bargain deal. Maybe he wants to keep him and build around him which isn't an awful idea. Another time I'd swing for the fences in Free Agency then not target anyone over 25 when it comes to the bargain deals. Just shoot for a Top 5 pick next year and understand Rome wasn't built in a day. Maybe use the free time to load up on some PP.
Vancouver: BA is definitely in a precarious spot and seems to be shopping Lou Hudson around, which we feel is a smart plan. If you cannot get the value for him though, there's no point to trade him just to clear house and start from scratch. BA should be patient here and make sure he's explored all avenues before deciding what to do with Lou. Once Lou's fate is cleared up, I agree that the plan should be to target anything in FA so that they can be dealt for future assets. I agree, loading up on PP some is nice but with this team under new management, it would behoove this GM to take the time now to experiment with the game so that when the time comes to win, he will be prepared and no longer be considered a noob.
It’s definitely a learning period in BA and one the GM needs to take seriously if he wants to seriously compete down the road. Next up is the powerhouse team, the New York Knicks.
Vancouver: The New York Knicks enter this FA fresh off a tough loss in the playoffs, which was most likely due to the teams loss of John Stockton to injury. Stockton was subsequently dealt, so NY enters this off-season with a few holes in their lineup for the first time in many seasons. This team has won 60+ in 3 straight seasons and will need to bring back super-utility Larry Nance first and foremost. By trading their starting PG for CAPSPACE, they are aiming at attracting a top tier talent in FA, hopefully before Nance inks his new deal. Based on this teams historical success, I would bet they are able to attract another player via FA but it will ultimately boil down to timing. If Nance signs on day 1, he may be left out to dry and that is a worst case scenario. Either way, there's still a ton of talent here and they are still the cream of the crop in all of ABCA.
NOLA: Not sure I'm qualified to tell the Knicks GM what he should be doing. Dude is rocking a couple banners after all. He's gonna bring back Nance barring something absolutely shocking and JAC appears more and more ready to be the PG that just stays out of the way. Maybe he's got some PP hanging around and can give him a boost so he's got a legit PF to play along side the other studs. He'll need to find another big to back-up and another PG for sure. He'll likely fill one of those two spots in the draft and be the favorite to win it all.
NOLA makes a good point. It’s New York’s world and we’re just witnesses. We just looked at the top of the division, now lets look at the bottom where we have the lowly Franca BC.
NOLA: Not sporting a good first. No talent on the roster. Not picking until 14th in the contraction draft. Outside of the, it's relatively clean on the the roster. He's gonna have 15+ mill to try and land one of those legit free agents. If I am Brazil, I go into free agency trying to avoid adding a bad contract. I'd consider dealing Kandi-Man as well for a 1st and a 2nd in the draft so you've got a few more cost controlled contracts ad you continue the rebuild. If someone wants McDyess for an expiring, you deal him on the spot with 0 questions asked. Sit back and relax this year and maybe try to play your rookie 48 minutes and win him an award.
Vancouver: I think New Orleans is pretty spot on here. There's really not much to work with but this team should definitely try to unload McDyess as their first order of business. From there they should shoot for the stars with the pick they have or move it for a future first, as the guy they pick up now won't do much for this team when they are ready to compete in a few seasons. This team wasn't left in a good position so the GM has play their hand they were dealt, which is a really really long slow play.
It’s a cold world in Franca BC, figuratively, and it’s going to take a while to warm up. Here’s to hoping the GM sticks around to see it through. With that said, we’re on to the last team in the division, the Toronto Raptors.
Vancouver: The Raptors shockingly made the playoffs this past year, which i'm sure surprised a lot of people. Now entering the off-season with his second best player a FA, it may be time for this GM to blow it up. After stealing away MKG during last FA and moving him with Meyers Leonard for #4 overall pick Marvin Barnes, this GM should follow his own blueprint and do the same with Tyson Chandler, if he can bring him back. From there it may unfortunately be time to part with Larry Johnson, who's had 2 up and down seasons but still carries a lot of value around the league. Trading a player of his caliber will help expedite a rebuild in addition to gaining any other assets from the other pieces on the roster. While I typically don't advocate for teams to blow it up, this GM is in a good spot to make this move as the team as currently built has peaked in our opinion.
NOLA: I could not disagree more. Raptors are sitting on one of the top players in the league who is capable of winning a game on his own in the playoffs and have some nice pieces around him on nice deals in Crawford and Barnes. Splitter is a starting center on most teams and once he brings back Chandler, will be a great back-up. I'd try to move the pick and use some of the cap room now to get a legit backcourt player. If he can find a difference maker at guard, bring back Chandler, and have a normal TC... The Raptors could be a 55 win team and make a real run at a title. He's got scoring and he's got defense. Just need to be proactive over the next week and add a backcourt player before re-signing Chandler.
All in all, only 2 disagreements on 8 situations seems pretty strange considering these 2 talking heads have very different opinions.
So to recap, the Knicks are the cream of this division and then a whole bunch of question marks. We’ll end it off with each teams projected finish for America’s East division:
Vancouver:
1 Knicks
2 Raptors (if they don’t blow it up)
3 Bulls
4 Celtics
5 Nets
6 CaValiers
7 Boca Juniors
8 Franca
NOLA:
1 Knicks
2 Raptors
3 Nets
4 Bulls
5 Celtics
6 Cavaliers
7 Boca Juniors
8 Franca
