Players
Opting into their 2019-20 player options: CJ Miles (Grizzlies), Kent Bazemore (Hawks), Jeff Teague (Wolves), Bismack Biyombo (Hornets), Dwight Howard (Wizards), Allen Crabbe (Nets), Patrick Patterson (Thunder)
I would still expect Miles, Bazemore and Patterson to be on the move this summer. I expect Teague and Crabbe to be integral for their squads next year. I expect Biyombo to get stretched. And I have no idea what to expect of Howard.
Declining their 2019-20 player options: Dwight Powell (Mavs), James Ennis (Sixers), Devin Robinson (Wizards; team option)
I can see Powell getting a raise from the Mavs (I can also see him elsewhere like, say, the Kings). I thought Ennis had some impactful minutes in the playoffs and I think he'll get a raise from his $1.8m from last year. I have no idea who Robinson is, summer leaguer?
Coaches
Fired: Larry Drew (Cavs), JB Bickerstaff (Grizzlies), Dave Joerger (Kings), Luke Walton (Lakers), Igor Kokoskov (Suns)
Joerger and Walton are two of the better coaches in the league and the fact that they both got fired is pretty crazy (although the Kings moved on from Joerger to Walton, so not necessarily a step down for them). Drew and Bickerstaff were probably never really likely to move beyond their interim status. Why exactly did the Suns hire Kokoskov in the first place? And does getting knee-capped by the Suns in every where kill his chances to get another gig in the NBA?
Hired: Luke Walton (Kings), Monty Williams (Suns), Frank Vogel (Lakers), Ryan Saunders (Wolves), John Beilien (Cavs), JB Bickerstaff (Cavs asst coach),
Walton and the Kings seem like a good fit to me. Williams is a legendarily nice guy but I've never seen any evidence that he's much of a coach. Vogel is walking into a tough situation but he's a for-real coaching lifer, this is probably just a stop before he heads to the NCAA, don't ya think? Saunders is the ideal palette cleanser after the disastrous Thibodeau years. Bielein and Bickerstaff seem like a good start for the Cavs to rebuild around.
Signed to extension: Doc Rivers (Clippers), Terry Stotts (Blazers), Jim Boylen (Bulls)
Rivers and Stotts had great years and both are in situations that look good going forward. Boylen...uh...well...someone's gotta coach the Bulls.
Execs
Out: Magic Johnson (Lakers), Chris Wallace (Grizzlies; demoted to scout)
(In the voice of Col. Kurtz): The Lakers...the Lakers. The Grizzlies front office turned into quite a crazed shitfest this summer, not sure where any of that is headed, but I'm anticipating a full-on teardown this summer because they're ready for tank mode.
In or Extended: Vlade Divac (Kings GM & VP), James Jones (Suns GM), Jeff Bower (Suns VP), Glenn Grunwald (Grizzlies adviser), Rich Cho (Grizzlies VP), Aaron Nelson (Pelicans VP),
Vlade has made weird moves (traded Boogie, fired Joerger) but they've drafted well, have an excellent core and the coach of their dreams, so gotta give the man credit. I'm not sure what the Suns, Grizzlies or Pelicans are doing or if these moves are of any use at all.
Showing posts with label 2018-18. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2018-18. Show all posts
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Friday, April 12, 2019
2018-19 Champions League Quarterfinals (1st Leg)
Tottenham 1-0 Manchester City
Oof, Man City blew a big opportunity early: handball in the box--looked harmless live but clear penalty on the replay--but the PK was saved! Would've been a totally different game if Man City converts that not even five minutes in. I generally thought Man City was the more dangerous side in the 1st half. But it was Tottenham that took the lead in the 2nd half: dude looked offside to me, then the ball looked out of bounds to me, but he was able to bring it back and sneak it past the keeper, all of which survived the replay. Pretty even all in all but Tottenham made the big play and made it hold up. Again, though, if Man City made that PK, their chances throughout the game would've become all the more dangerous. Man City has a good chance of pulling this out back home but for now Tottenham is in control.
Liverpool 2-0 Porto
Liverpool's attack was just too much for Porto. Liverpool scored an early goal (a deflection off the defender that froze the keeper) and then another before half (combination passing sliced and diced the Porto back line). The 2nd half was a bit of a snooze. Porto had some chances, they weren't dead out there, but Liverpool's attack controlled the game and I suspect will control the return match, too. Liverpool looks good to move on.
Ajax 1-1 Juventus
Even contest, thought Ajax had better chances but Juventus was dangerous, too. Juve took the lead before halftime on a beautiful header by Ronaldo (how does he get so wide open in front of the goal like that? Reminds me of how Kobe always managed to get free right under the basket for easy put backs). But Ajax got it back early in the 2nd: defender saved a ball that he easily could've let go out of bounds, striker snatches it from him, then drills one in traffic (keeper was flat footed, kinda looked like he was ball-watching, but that shot came out a step quicker than he thought it would, I reckon). I generally thought Ajax was the better side, had better chances, but they really could've used another goal. Gotta favor Juventus going back home, though I think the sides are fairly equal and should make for the most exciting 2nd leg.
Manchester United 0-1 Barcelona
You just can't let Messi get the ball in front of the goal like that if you want to win. Even taking the ball away from goal, he finds Suarez on the other side for the easy strike; thought the late off-side call made this more dramatic than it needed to be, glad to see the replay cleared up the confusion (and kinda cheesy to call that an own-goal, it was going in anyway). Barca pretty well controlled the entire game, Man U is the 8th best team in these quarterfinals and they have not gotten off to a good start. Gotta liked Barca to pile it on back home.
Oof, Man City blew a big opportunity early: handball in the box--looked harmless live but clear penalty on the replay--but the PK was saved! Would've been a totally different game if Man City converts that not even five minutes in. I generally thought Man City was the more dangerous side in the 1st half. But it was Tottenham that took the lead in the 2nd half: dude looked offside to me, then the ball looked out of bounds to me, but he was able to bring it back and sneak it past the keeper, all of which survived the replay. Pretty even all in all but Tottenham made the big play and made it hold up. Again, though, if Man City made that PK, their chances throughout the game would've become all the more dangerous. Man City has a good chance of pulling this out back home but for now Tottenham is in control.
Liverpool 2-0 Porto
Liverpool's attack was just too much for Porto. Liverpool scored an early goal (a deflection off the defender that froze the keeper) and then another before half (combination passing sliced and diced the Porto back line). The 2nd half was a bit of a snooze. Porto had some chances, they weren't dead out there, but Liverpool's attack controlled the game and I suspect will control the return match, too. Liverpool looks good to move on.
Ajax 1-1 Juventus
Even contest, thought Ajax had better chances but Juventus was dangerous, too. Juve took the lead before halftime on a beautiful header by Ronaldo (how does he get so wide open in front of the goal like that? Reminds me of how Kobe always managed to get free right under the basket for easy put backs). But Ajax got it back early in the 2nd: defender saved a ball that he easily could've let go out of bounds, striker snatches it from him, then drills one in traffic (keeper was flat footed, kinda looked like he was ball-watching, but that shot came out a step quicker than he thought it would, I reckon). I generally thought Ajax was the better side, had better chances, but they really could've used another goal. Gotta favor Juventus going back home, though I think the sides are fairly equal and should make for the most exciting 2nd leg.
Manchester United 0-1 Barcelona
You just can't let Messi get the ball in front of the goal like that if you want to win. Even taking the ball away from goal, he finds Suarez on the other side for the easy strike; thought the late off-side call made this more dramatic than it needed to be, glad to see the replay cleared up the confusion (and kinda cheesy to call that an own-goal, it was going in anyway). Barca pretty well controlled the entire game, Man U is the 8th best team in these quarterfinals and they have not gotten off to a good start. Gotta liked Barca to pile it on back home.
Monday, April 8, 2019
2018-19 NCAA Final
Auburn 62-63 Virginia
Wow, what a game! For the record: I saw the double dribble live! I was yelling at the TV and kinda surprised the announcers didn't say anything (thought it felt like Grant Hill went notably silent there). And: yes, that was a foul of the 3-pointer at the end. But those are just details on a pretty crazy final 5 minutes of action. UVA built up a 10 point lead at the final TV timeout, felt like they were gonna finish it off. Suddenly Auburn starts hitting 3's and then both teams are wildly fouling each other late to stop the clock--but there were so few fouls committed that that strategy seemed to take forever! Amazing roller coaster of a game, Auburn played their guts out and it's a damn shame they didn't get a better result but UVA did the little things down the stretch to take it.
Texas Tech 61-51 Michigan State
Okay, I'm in on Tech, they are for real. I knew they were good but the way they were winning in this tourney was clouding my judgement. But they thoroughly controlled the 2nd half of this game, shot well enough to spook the Spartans and kept Cassius Winston off balance throughout. State had their chances but they just never got hot enough from outside to get back in it. Great W for Tech, they are worthy of the title.
Final:
Texas Tech - Virginia (-1) (o/u 118)
Real b-ball fans will be enthused by this matchup--two virtually identical squads bashing into each other--but the casual fan will probably be pretty bummed by this contest. These two are such great defensive squads that both will control the lane on defense, run down the shot clock and commit no fouls. So the 1st half will fly by (something like 22-20 at the half), then most of the 2nd half will also fly by...until the last five minutes when it becomes a foul contest (like UVA-Auburn), which will drag out the ending forever. If both teams knock down free throws, the score might balloon late, but likely neither of these teams will get past 60 points (I'd take the under and hope both squads turn cold at the line). I'll take UVA to finish it off, solely because going from losing to a #16 seed and then winning the championship is as great a redemption story as sports could possibly produce; but Tech is playing as good as UVA right now, so this could go either way. This is as closely matched a combination of teams in a final as I can think of in recent memory. I expect this to be close throughout and be a nail biter right down to the wire and I don't see much scoring happening. I'll take UVA and the under.
Wow, what a game! For the record: I saw the double dribble live! I was yelling at the TV and kinda surprised the announcers didn't say anything (thought it felt like Grant Hill went notably silent there). And: yes, that was a foul of the 3-pointer at the end. But those are just details on a pretty crazy final 5 minutes of action. UVA built up a 10 point lead at the final TV timeout, felt like they were gonna finish it off. Suddenly Auburn starts hitting 3's and then both teams are wildly fouling each other late to stop the clock--but there were so few fouls committed that that strategy seemed to take forever! Amazing roller coaster of a game, Auburn played their guts out and it's a damn shame they didn't get a better result but UVA did the little things down the stretch to take it.
Texas Tech 61-51 Michigan State
Okay, I'm in on Tech, they are for real. I knew they were good but the way they were winning in this tourney was clouding my judgement. But they thoroughly controlled the 2nd half of this game, shot well enough to spook the Spartans and kept Cassius Winston off balance throughout. State had their chances but they just never got hot enough from outside to get back in it. Great W for Tech, they are worthy of the title.
Final:
Texas Tech - Virginia (-1) (o/u 118)
Real b-ball fans will be enthused by this matchup--two virtually identical squads bashing into each other--but the casual fan will probably be pretty bummed by this contest. These two are such great defensive squads that both will control the lane on defense, run down the shot clock and commit no fouls. So the 1st half will fly by (something like 22-20 at the half), then most of the 2nd half will also fly by...until the last five minutes when it becomes a foul contest (like UVA-Auburn), which will drag out the ending forever. If both teams knock down free throws, the score might balloon late, but likely neither of these teams will get past 60 points (I'd take the under and hope both squads turn cold at the line). I'll take UVA to finish it off, solely because going from losing to a #16 seed and then winning the championship is as great a redemption story as sports could possibly produce; but Tech is playing as good as UVA right now, so this could go either way. This is as closely matched a combination of teams in a final as I can think of in recent memory. I expect this to be close throughout and be a nail biter right down to the wire and I don't see much scoring happening. I'll take UVA and the under.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
2018-19 Phoenix Suns
2017-18: 21-61
Draft picks: (1-ish),16,31,59
Signed for next season ($78.4m): PG Brandon Knight, C Tyson Chandler, PF TJ Warren, SF Jared Dudley, SF Josh Jackson, PF Alan Williams, PF Dragan Bender, PG Devin Booker, SG Troy Daniels, PF Marquese Chriss, PG Tyler Ulis, SG Davon Reed
This summer's free agents: Alex Len, Elfrid Peyton, Danuel House, Shaq Harrison, Alec Peters
House and Peters are on 2-way contracts. I assume they will not re-sign Len, Peyton or Harrison. They'll have a top pick in this draft, another 1st rounder and a top 2nd rounder, those should probably replace anything they'll be losing here, leaving plenty of cash for a splashy free agent signing (Demarcus Cousins, anyone?).
Okay, what do they do what that (potentially) top pick? Personally I prefer Marvin Bagley (Duke) but I assume the Suns would take Deandre Ayton (Arizona). Gary Trent (Duke) could be there at #16 to give them a combo that could hit the rotation right away. #31 should leave some interesting possibilities: Keita Bates-Diop (Ohio State) or Mykhalovich (Kansas) or Tony Carr (Penn State); kinda depends on if they can move Knight and/or Chandler. #59 is probably best used on European talent.
First thing they need to do is hire a coach. Mike Budenholzer has reportedly already withdrawn his name from consideration, leaving Jason Kidd as the probable top of the list. Ehhh, Kidd has a history with the Suns (I suppose that'll be worth something) but its kinda hard to assess what kind of coach he'd be based on his previous stints with the Nets and Bucks. (He's already traded Brandon Knight once and won a championship with Tyson Chandler, so can we say we already know where his personnel thinking lies?) There are always a handful of assistants out there looking for a gig, but the rest of the free agent coaches include Mark Jackson (I don't see that happening), David Blatt (I think Blatt can be a good coach but I wouldn't suggest going to Phoneix to find out), Jeff Hornacek (uhhh, no, that ain't happening), Frank Vogel (maybe, Phoenix isn't the same empty cupboard that Orlando was), Vinny Del Negro is reportedly interested (not a bad choice, actually, history has been rather kind to him) and everyone will mention Villanova's Jay Wright (if I were Wright I'd stay at Nova for at least one more contract--winning is better than money). If not Kidd, then I can see David Fizdale getting this gig. His tough love style may be the best thing for Booker, Jackson and Ayton and perhaps he can still get something out of Chriss and Bender.
Next year's lineup should look something: PG Booker, SG Knight, SF Jackson, PF Warren, C Chandler with Dudley, Bender and Chriss off the bench, in addition to one or two rookies, and whichever free agents they can lure in.
Free agents: yeah, I said it, they should go for Demarcus Cousins. He's a special kinda cat, he needs the ball and the attention at all times. The Suns are currently Devin Booker's team but I think Booker and Cousins can share. If they can get that combo to work then the development of Chriss and Bender (I'm not a fan of either of those guys, incidentally), Jackson and this year's lottery pick becomes the focus for the next 2-3 years. Also, I'd take a run at Jusuf Nurkic, tough inside, can score and defend and play within a team concept. (Can you imagine Cousins and Nurkic together? Oof! No one wants to play against that lineup) I don't see Lebron or Chris Paul being interested pulling the banana boat into Phoenix, nor will the Suns be in the mix for a Kawhi trade or luring Durant or Paul George in. (Hmmmmm....would they be interested in pursuing Chris Bosh? If Bosh really wants to play it may have to be with a bottom feeder team like Phoenix) But Cousins can have his run of the place and they should have money to throw at him.
For now: even with a new coach, a new superstar lottery pick, a new free agent stud and a coupla promising youngsters already in-house, there's no reason to think the Suns will be any good next year. Jackson and Chriss are still too unformed to be real contributors. That said, the league looks to be in flux right now, and the Suns could strike gold with the right mix of elements.
Draft picks: (1-ish),16,31,59
Signed for next season ($78.4m): PG Brandon Knight, C Tyson Chandler, PF TJ Warren, SF Jared Dudley, SF Josh Jackson, PF Alan Williams, PF Dragan Bender, PG Devin Booker, SG Troy Daniels, PF Marquese Chriss, PG Tyler Ulis, SG Davon Reed
This summer's free agents: Alex Len, Elfrid Peyton, Danuel House, Shaq Harrison, Alec Peters
House and Peters are on 2-way contracts. I assume they will not re-sign Len, Peyton or Harrison. They'll have a top pick in this draft, another 1st rounder and a top 2nd rounder, those should probably replace anything they'll be losing here, leaving plenty of cash for a splashy free agent signing (Demarcus Cousins, anyone?).
Okay, what do they do what that (potentially) top pick? Personally I prefer Marvin Bagley (Duke) but I assume the Suns would take Deandre Ayton (Arizona). Gary Trent (Duke) could be there at #16 to give them a combo that could hit the rotation right away. #31 should leave some interesting possibilities: Keita Bates-Diop (Ohio State) or Mykhalovich (Kansas) or Tony Carr (Penn State); kinda depends on if they can move Knight and/or Chandler. #59 is probably best used on European talent.
First thing they need to do is hire a coach. Mike Budenholzer has reportedly already withdrawn his name from consideration, leaving Jason Kidd as the probable top of the list. Ehhh, Kidd has a history with the Suns (I suppose that'll be worth something) but its kinda hard to assess what kind of coach he'd be based on his previous stints with the Nets and Bucks. (He's already traded Brandon Knight once and won a championship with Tyson Chandler, so can we say we already know where his personnel thinking lies?) There are always a handful of assistants out there looking for a gig, but the rest of the free agent coaches include Mark Jackson (I don't see that happening), David Blatt (I think Blatt can be a good coach but I wouldn't suggest going to Phoneix to find out), Jeff Hornacek (uhhh, no, that ain't happening), Frank Vogel (maybe, Phoenix isn't the same empty cupboard that Orlando was), Vinny Del Negro is reportedly interested (not a bad choice, actually, history has been rather kind to him) and everyone will mention Villanova's Jay Wright (if I were Wright I'd stay at Nova for at least one more contract--winning is better than money). If not Kidd, then I can see David Fizdale getting this gig. His tough love style may be the best thing for Booker, Jackson and Ayton and perhaps he can still get something out of Chriss and Bender.
Next year's lineup should look something: PG Booker, SG Knight, SF Jackson, PF Warren, C Chandler with Dudley, Bender and Chriss off the bench, in addition to one or two rookies, and whichever free agents they can lure in.
Free agents: yeah, I said it, they should go for Demarcus Cousins. He's a special kinda cat, he needs the ball and the attention at all times. The Suns are currently Devin Booker's team but I think Booker and Cousins can share. If they can get that combo to work then the development of Chriss and Bender (I'm not a fan of either of those guys, incidentally), Jackson and this year's lottery pick becomes the focus for the next 2-3 years. Also, I'd take a run at Jusuf Nurkic, tough inside, can score and defend and play within a team concept. (Can you imagine Cousins and Nurkic together? Oof! No one wants to play against that lineup) I don't see Lebron or Chris Paul being interested pulling the banana boat into Phoenix, nor will the Suns be in the mix for a Kawhi trade or luring Durant or Paul George in. (Hmmmmm....would they be interested in pursuing Chris Bosh? If Bosh really wants to play it may have to be with a bottom feeder team like Phoenix) But Cousins can have his run of the place and they should have money to throw at him.
For now: even with a new coach, a new superstar lottery pick, a new free agent stud and a coupla promising youngsters already in-house, there's no reason to think the Suns will be any good next year. Jackson and Chriss are still too unformed to be real contributors. That said, the league looks to be in flux right now, and the Suns could strike gold with the right mix of elements.
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