NBA off-season thread

[Songbird]

Clippers have traded to get Celtics coach Doc Rivers, ending his 9-year run in Boston.

No text to the story yet other than the cutlines, one of them saying KG isn't part of the deal.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/06/23/doc-rivers-leaves-celtics-become-clippers-coach/W1EUyly4M73Ypjr2VguF8M/picture.html

 

[Mark2010]

Hard to figure what all the fuss was about. Rivers isn't, IMO, better than the guy they let go, Vinny Del Negro. So why are they willing to fork over half the farm to get him?

When I saw the names being kicked around in possible deals, I could see the Celtics getting ready to fleece someone again, the same way they did in the past.

 

[Uncle.Ruckus]

Rivers isn't, IMO, better than the guy they let go, Vinny Del Negro.

Then your opinion is worthless, and you should never again post about the NBA.

 

[Gehrig]

Rivers by himself does not really help the Clippers enough. He is an upgrade over Del Negro, but their problem is that they have been starting three players who aren't really good enough. The least they really need is a starting caliber two guard and a center who can move his feet on defense. Of course that would mean moving Barnes into the starting lineup and they'd need to replace him, so it'd obviously be better to have a starting SF too.

I would imagine that what the ownership in Boston wanted most of all is to get out of paying Rivers 21 million dollars. You don't need to pay a coach that much when you are really looking to stockpile ping pong balls.

 

[Pancamo]

The Clippers start two players that don't have any inside skills that translate in the playoffs. Until Griffin and Jordan develop better post moves and mid-range shots, Lob City will be a regular season party that doesn't win squat.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

It's a great move for the Clippers. Getting Garnett would have been a disaster. One would assume that Paul is on board with hiring Rivers and if he signs, it's a good move.

A first-round pick, especially assuming it's lottery-protected and likely to be a late first-round pick, isn't a whole lot.

 

[JackReacher]

I thought you couldn't trade for coaches? Isn't that what messed up the first attempt?

And Mizzou, Paul is most definitely pulling the strings. No guesswork necessary. Getting Rivers assured that he'll re-sign with the Clippers.

 

[Big Circus]

Sounds like the NBA won't allow a straight KG-to-Clips swap moving forward. Could still happen with other teams involved.

I read that the pick is unprotected, but it's for the 2015 draft, which is better than this year's but worse than next year's, which is loaded (Wiggins, Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, Marcus Smart, etc.)

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I thought you couldn't trade for coaches? Isn't that what messed up the first attempt?

And Mizzou, Paul is most definitely pulling the strings. No guesswork necessary. Getting Rivers assured that he'll re-sign with the Clippers.

No question... There's not much not to like about this deal for the Clippers.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

The most amazing thing about this is that the Clippers got exactly what they wanted and didn't have to give up a player or take on Garnett's contract.

 

[Big Circus]

Honestly, I'd rather have KG and his contract than Jordan and his. But it's a good deal for both teams.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I'm guessing Garnett will be somewhere else next season. He can't be happy about the Celtics being in rebuilding mode as he's in the twilight of his career.

 

[heyabbott]

It's a great move for the Clippers. Getting Garnett would have been a disaster. One would assume that Paul is on board with hiring Rivers and if he signs, it's a good move.

A first-round pick, especially assuming it's lottery-protected and likely to be a late first-round pick, isn't a whole lot.

Is it next year's pick?

 

[JackReacher]

2015

 

[heyabbott]

If Sterling has a clue, and there's no evidecne that he wants one, the Clippers have a window to temporarily outshine the Lakers. They just have to avoid the stupid acquisitions, like getting Garnett or Bynum.

If Howard is at all capable of being motivated to play hard for a season or two, the Clips could really make the Buss kids look stupid.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

If Sterling has a clue, and there's no evidecne that he wants one, the Clippers have a window to temporarily outshine the Lakers. They just have to avoid the stupid acquisitions, like getting Garnett or Bynum.

If Howard is at all capable of being motivated to play hard for a season or two, the Clips could really make the Buss kids look stupid.

I liked the rumor about Howard being dealt to the Clips for Griffin and someone else. It will never happen, but I liked it. It would be interesting to see Paul and Howard together.

The Buss children ****ed up by not hiring Phil and they've ****ed up again by not going to him this off-season and begging his forgiveness for ****ing up in November. I think the Lakers are banking on LeBron opting out and coming there after next season. I don't know if that's likely to happen, but the Lakers often get lucky like that.

 

[Uncle.Ruckus]

If the Clippers can acquire Garnett and Howard for Griffin, Jordan and Bledsoe, do it.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

If the Lakers get the sense that Howard is willing to walk, it will be interesting to see if they try to work something out. I don't think Howard wants to play with Kobe again. I think he would be very happy to go to Houston or the Clippers. But, since the Lakers can pay him more money, it will be interesting to see if that's enough to keep him there.

 

[heyabbott]

Nerlen Noels is pissed.

 

[Gehrig]

Toronto born Anthony Bennett is the first pick overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.