NBA 2019-20: Hoopingest place on earth

[Kingspoint]

I'd let Melo go and try to get some approximation of Dorian Finney-Smith, just a dude that will help hold the D together and hit the occasional corner three. I'd prefer a rugged dude that can play on the wing and at the four (and even spot minutes at the five). You could probably get Rondae Hollis-Jefferson or Stanley Robinson for less than Melo's veteran contract. The Blazers need fewer ballstoppers and more bodies that can improve that deplorable defense.

Melo's veteran contract will only be about $2.8M. That's a bargain. We'll have a MLE of about $9M to use among one or more players (if Jody Allen lets Olshey spend it), and while some could be used for Melo instead, I believe he will only get offered the Vet Min (which was reduced due to the shortened season and his coming into the season later and reduced revenue for next season). I wouldn't mind adding Moe Harkless on a vet minimum to help the bench. Rodney Hood plays good wing defense. He is also an excellent 3-pt shooter (4th in the league when he got injured. There is nobody in the league we could obtain that is better than Hood. He and Trent and Hezonja already are penciled in for all 48 minutes of one wing. (26-Hood, 15-Trent, 7-Hezonja). If Ariza is kept or we want to give a thousand minutes to our 1st Rd draft pick, who will definitely be a frontcourt player, then POR will be looking for a playoff-proven successful veteran for any of the three front-court positions. Harkless would be perfect.

[Kingspoint]

Say this every year. They aren't moving C.J. May as well talk about trading for Lebron.

[M2]

There is nobody in the league we could obtain that is better than Hood. He and Trent and Hezonja already are penciled in for all 48 minutes of one wing. (26-Hood, 15-Trent, 7-Hezonja).

I would like to think that if someone said that at a Trail Blazers staff meeting, they'd be escorted from the building. They've got to want more than that.

[adkindo]

biggest bs call I have seen in the NBA in a while.....that call on Dragic fouling Middleton on the 3 point attempt smells all kinds of rotten....

wait, maybe they returned the favor with a crappy foul call on Giannis fouling Butler

[SteelSD]

In the end, playoff Jimmy giveth.

But playoff Jimmy almost gaveth away.

[M2]

In the end, playoff Jimmy giveth.

But playoff Jimmy almost gaveth away.

He really escaped a pair of goat's horns on that one.

[adkindo]

Bucks are on the path to embarrassment....

[Stray]

I liked the Heat to come out of the East and nothing I've seen in these playoffs makes me wanna change my mind. They didn't get a whole lot from Jimmy or Bam tonight, blew a late lead, and still beat the #1 seed. They're really good, and they're extremely well coached.

[adkindo]

I liked the Heat to come out of the East and nothing I've seen in these playoffs makes me wanna change my mind. They didn't get a whole lot from Jimmy or Bam tonight, blew a late lead, and still beat the #1 seed. They're really good, and they're extremely well coached.

I "leaned" Boston and Miami in the ECF...."leans" count! I know one thing....Miami better be ready for Game #3 or the Bucks will embarrass them. I expect the Bucks to come out and give it all in Game #3 knowing their season is on the line.

[adkindo]

I keep hearing talking heads suggest that if the Bucks lose to Miami, it is a strong sign that Giannis will began to plan to exit Milwaukee as a FA. That may be true...but I really hate that is where the NBA is in 2020. The fans in Milwaukee may lose the face of the organization and potentially the best player in the league because he failed? The fans showed up (before COVID), the organization put a legit team around him....and somehow the narrative will be they failed Giannis. I get it when the FO and organization is just a dumpster fire.....but that is not Milwaukee and I think it will be bad for the NBA if he leaves. I mean why do the fans in Milwaukee even care for the next 4-5 years when they see how nearly impossible it is to hold onto a difference making star if he leaves?

[BillDoran]

Melo's veteran contract will only be about $2.8M. That's a bargain. We'll have a MLE of about $9M to use among one or more players (if Jody Allen lets Olshey spend it), and while some could be used for Melo instead, I believe he will only get offered the Vet Min (which was reduced due to the shortened season and his coming into the season later and reduced revenue for next season). I wouldn't mind adding Moe Harkless on a vet minimum to help the bench. Rodney Hood plays good wing defense. He is also an excellent 3-pt shooter (4th in the league when he got injured. There is nobody in the league we could obtain that is better than Hood. He and Trent and Hezonja already are penciled in for all 48 minutes of one wing. (26-Hood, 15-Trent, 7-Hezonja). If Ariza is kept or we want to give a thousand minutes to our 1st Rd draft pick, who will definitely be a frontcourt player, then POR will be looking for a playoff-proven successful veteran for any of the three front-court positions. Harkless would be perfect.

You're overvaluing both Melo and Hood. At best, Hood is middle-of-the-road on defense, and his career statistics bear that out. He can knock down shots when he's on, but he's not a deadeye shooter by any means. He also doesn't bring a great deal else to the table outside offense; doesn't rebound much and is another guy that will be a ballstopper when given the chance.

Anybody ticketing Hezonja for any time next year needs to clean up their resume. He's a less talented Evan Turner, minus the ability to stay in front of guys. He's getting paid next-to-nothing, but even then he's a bad Olshey signing.

They need to focus on players that can provide some defensive substance. On nights that matter, Lillard, McCollum and Nurk are going to trigger 2/3 of the shots anyways. Olshey needs to key in on guys that can slow the other team down, move the ball on offense and don't require shots.

[M2]

Houston and OKC playing a tight game, which so far has favored OKC. Can the Rockets pull it out with the pressure on?

[BillDoran]

biggest bs call I have seen in the NBA in a while.....that call on Dragic fouling Middleton on the 3 point attempt smells all kinds of rotten....

wait, maybe they returned the favor with a crappy foul call on Giannis fouling Butler

Both those calls--Dragic standing still and Giannis touching Butler's side--make NBA basketball less enjoyable. Throw in Donaghy (and lord knows what else is out there), and it really makes you wonder what you're watching.

[M2]

Both Houston and OKC have forgotten how to play basketball the past few mintues. I guess it's good defense to an extent, but it's also a pile of bad decisions.

[texasdave]

Do not tell me that OKC is going to hit a 3 at the buzzer.