T21

I voted for us in 5! And JJ finally answering the call! The key for us to win this series is a good start! If we can take one of first two (preferably game 1) in Disneyland, we have a very good chance of winning! I mean, just take a look at Magic... they haven't had a good season... they made big time changes without results... and the only constant for them is basically Dwight... I think that if we play hard and push the right buttons, they could self-destruct! If we take one of first two games and come out as aggressors on our home floor we'll cause SVG to panic and Dwight will start looking around their locker room, but will find no answers... P.S. Unfortunately, the same goes for us too... we're also emotionally fragile... so it will come down to focus, mental strength and will power.

I'd love to have old man around... he would be huge influence!

Doc! No doubt! Perfect combination of knowledge, experience, authority... plus, he's a former Hawk! His players always play hard for him and that's one of key issues we have to deal with. Honorable mentions: JVG, Frattello, Adelman.

Recently I replied to Diesel's trade proposition (McGhee/Lewis for Smoove/Marv) in regard that we need to see how this season will finish before we regroup and see what's the best strategy for the next season and beyond... In my opinion, any trade that brings us a true center should be considered... whether it's for Kaman, McGhee, Gortat or some other center... the main thing is "IF IT MAKES US BETTER AS A TEAM"... P.S. Gortat is surely having a time of his career in the desert...

If our season goes from bad to worse and there's nothing positive to build on going into next season... we'll have to do some soul-searching and eventually make moves (hopefully right-ones). As for the proposed deal... It doesn't look bad on the paper. We'd finally get a Center (athletic specimen like Smoove, but at different position) who could complement Al very well... plus, we would acquire another capable scorer in Lewis, which would be very important in case we don't re-sign Crawford. C McGhee PF Al SF Lewis SG JJ PG Hinrich That's very good lineup in my opinion, solid. It has talent, size, athleticism, balance of offensive and defensive abilities...

I'll rather have Smoove on the weakside (near the paint)... we have capable shooters in Crawford, Hinrich and Marvin who can make open shots.

Most teams double JJ by design that's no secret... not only they stop JJ, but they get the ball out of his hands and usually ball winds up with Smoove on the perimeter (what a coincidence)!? Opponents bet on that! There's only one way to deal with it. JJ needs to be more aggressive and attack before he gets doubled. He can score, get to the line or find an open or cutting teammate... plus, Smoove has to hang on the weakside, looking for offensive rebounds, putt-backs and cutting opportunities!

We won the game... sure... however, during the last couple of Pistons' possessions LD had an opportunity (dead balls, time outs) to make defensive subs, but he left Crawford in there??? Those coaching mistakes could have cost us a game... (both Damien and JT were better choices).

It's quite evident that the wheels have come off... our offense sucks and what's worse, it makes a huge impact on our D. We have very emotional bunch and when our offense clicks well we play good D (go figure?), when we struggle on offense it also reflects on our D and we play without energy, passion... LD has to go, he lost the team completely... I know it's not popular decision to sack the coach, but in order to gain some form, confidence and have any chance in Playoffs, it must be done.

LD is simply clueless... he lost the compass... We have no offense, no defense... Sure, players carry their share of responsibility (which isn't small), but LD lost this team long time ago and it's obvious that he doesn't know how to steer this ship... P.S. Hopefully, we'll go after Doc in the off-season...

Here's how they see it at HOOPSWORLD: Name of external link

Given our current form and the remaining schedule, it's hard to see us making a push for 4th seed and home-court advantage... At the same time I think we should hold off any potential Knicks or 76'ers runs at overtaking us in the standings. Hopefully we'll start playin' better ball and gain some momentum and confidence towards Playoffs... then, we'll most probably face Dwight and Co. Our chances of advancing through 1st round... well... realistically... 60%-40% in favor of ORL

Well... D, you have taken my comments out of the context... I said that if we can get a deal where we could obtain a combination of players/draft picks/exp. contracts and regain financial flexibility for FA class of 2012... then I would be willing to discuss moving JJ, especially if it makes us better. I agree with you that JJ is one of our best players since Nique, no doubt! You don't replace Marvin with Teague, that wasn't a question! You proposed acquiring another SF and I replied that I wouldn't for all mentioned reasons... Again, I hope Teague gets a true shot and quality minutes and that's the only way to bring up a PG.

I think Smoove is a good teammate and I was referring only to his game... when he acts as Reggie Miller he can be destructive, both for his game and his team.

Yes! I really do believe that coaching can make a difference, even in Smoove's case! Although I wasn't Woody's greatest fan, he did an excellent job with Smoove. I'm not in any kind of wishing business... I'm just saying that we're not playing up to our strengths and I surely believe that better coaching would get much better results out of this group... I ain't talking about no fantasy teams, I'm talking about our team and players on its roster.

1. Smoove is a unique talent! Yes he can be both self and team destructing influence... but in my opinion he just needs to be coached better! 2. Bibby was surely important as a veteran and a clutch shot-maker, but nothing irreplaceable. 3. Crawford will surely be missed if he leaves... he can be erratic and inconsistent, but it's very difficult to replace his instant scoring off the bench. 4. I know that I'll be criticized for openly admitting that I would move JJ and his contract in favor of combination of players/draft picks/financial flexibility! 5. As well as Marvin is concerned... well, I wouldn't move him yet! Let me explain... first of all, 10 and 5 for his contract is just unacceptable. But if you know that he plays very good D and excepts his role on offense... then you'll realize that bringing in another forward won't dramatically improve our team. 6. Yes! Although they present unique tandem in terms of athleticism and skills, I'd be willing to move Al or Smoove as long as we can get a legitimate Center! 7. Hinrich will surely prove to be a very good addition... he's a professional, hard-worker, tough defender and good shooter... an upgrade over Bibby. 8. I'm incurable optimist, but unless our coaching improves (LD must get after this team!), I don't see us advancing past first round!

Seriously... Al and Josh should start playing in the post as much as they can as well as mixing it with pick and roll!

Our offense could work perfectly if only we had a good coach... Let me explain... 1. We can all agree that we have an extremely athletic team and that up-tempo basketball suits us... OK! In order to push the ball and get easy baskets we need to play good defense. That can be done, 'cause D don't struggle and you can bring it every night... if your coach insists on it! 2. Motion offense... I don't mind it as long as it's not the only word in the book! 3. ISO - JJ/Craw... Every team has go-to guys... options 1 and 2... call it what you will. Both JJ and JC are capable scorers and that's fine. However, they seldom involve others and rarely find open or cutting teammates... even if they do that, receivers get the ball in difficult positions and with 3-4 seconds left on the shot-clock. 4. We're jump-shooting team... we admitted that! We have very good shooters in JJ, Crawford, Marvin, Hinrich, AL... this should not be our problem! 5. In order to solve many problems our offense have encountered... we need Al and especially Josh to play in the post as much as possible! I see no reason why they couldn't do that successfully on reagular basis... OK, they lack size, but they're very athletic, have decent moves around the basket and are much faster than most opposing bigs! Another reason is the fact that both of them are excellent passers! Playing inside - out type of basketball, drawing double-teams, stretching opposing D's, where both bigs and our shooters and slashers become serious threats, is the only way we could maximize on options that we got... Our half-court offense must be based on inside - out tactics! By implementing this offense, we would get more points in the paint, draw more fouls (FT's), our shooters would be able to catch and shoot uncontested jumpers from their sweet spots, our offensive rebounding would improve... In order to keep things versatile occasionally mix it with motion offense, some ISO and naturally play tough D... That's the key! Only then we would become less predictable and one-dimensional, keeping our opponents on their heels...

... more and more with every passing day my friend... Seriously, it's well constructed, it addresses pretty much all aspects... we get a center in Kaman, SG in Mayo, good bench player in Jamison and back court depth with Ramon. Most of acquiring contracts expire after next season and put us in decent position to go after players (FA's) who could take us to that illusive next level (Dwight, CP3...). P.S. Last year, in one of my emotional outbursts after our ugly second round exit, I proposed total shift in our course... in words, I proposed acquiring Griffin and Rubio and new start from the scratch...

... well... if we want to make a move for Dwight and CP3, we need to start contemplating options, strategies and scenarios that would put us in that kind of situation. In order to get rid of JJ's contract, we either need a desperate team like Cleveland or even Sacramento... or rich team such as Nets, Mavs... or a contender willing to spend at the dead-line in order to try to win it all. Your proposition gives us many options without big drop in quality... in other words, we can still have competitive team for one season and then flexible cap space to go after Dwight and maybe even CP3... Decision must be made soon in order to get this plan, or another version of it, under way... and once again it's up to ASG...

Dwight is our man! I like Paul, but as other posters stated he's becoming more and more injury prone... and for a PG who's game is based on his speed, it's gonna be difficult for him to consistently play at his potential level. On the other hand you got Dwight who can give you double-double even when he struggles offensively... plus, he's a game changer defensively and he can bring it every game!

I sure loved Bibbs, but his D was terrible and he was the weakest link... enough said!

Agreed! Sure, Teague needs polishing as far as playmaking is concerned... but with more routine and confidence he could turn into a solid player. Anyway, LD must find a way to give him at least 15 mpg...

I'm not gonna make any bold predictions, rather just an obvious comparison... Not so long ago Rondo had trouble finding his game and some sort of consistency... However, he based his game on great D and running an offense... and look at him now... confidence works miracles! P.S. OK, obviously Boston's big 3 had something to do with it...

Thanks for posting this one! I like Aldridge from day one! Length, athleticism, talent... Once I even proposed that we should try to acquire him. I agree with the analysis... with one digression that Al has been more consistent, while LA must prove that he can continue playing at this high level.