sturt

Truth be told statistically, the main difference between a 60 win season (2014-15) versus a 48 win season (2015-16) was Kyle Korver. Proved that we can win with players at Horf and Teague's level if we get good-to-very good arc shooting; and if we could have gotten relatively healthy for the playoffs, I'm one of those who is convinced we would have continued to make noise season before last. So am I saying we simply needed to replace Korver? While the answer to that question to my mind is "yes, for the most part," there is an inherent misnomer in that question that makes it almost absurd... ie, the word "simply." If only it were that simple to do. It's just very difficult to find and obtain elite shooters capable of performing as well and as consistently as Korver did in 14-15. That's why Durant was/is such a coveted property, and why so many here swore that if we could somehow get KD to ATL, we should start printing NBA Finals tickets the same day. So the writing was on the wall at that point it became apparent that KD had no interest and that we had no other established similarly-elite arc shooter on our free agency or trading block radar... we had to cash-in our Teague chip, hope Dennis would continue to progress, and see what kind of player Prince might become. (Yeah, imo based on all that's been said since, Budcox was set on Prince from the moment they made that trade.) Losing Horf was not part of the plan, obviously. The plan was to keep him, sign Dwight, and gain some additional assets--likely at least one who would threaten to be an elite shooter--from trading Sap. But.... as they say... poop happens, best laid plans of mice and men, roll with the punches and all that. Have we gotten better? Honestly, not on paper, imo. But I agree with a premise of the OP that the ceiling had been met with this group of starters, with the caveat that restoring what we got from Korver 14-15, either from Korver or someone else, wasn't realistic. It was/is time to do some re-tooling, and see what happens. Could be an epic disaster. Could be an epic success. Will be an epic adventure.

We have 16, including Moose and Scott, one of which seemingly will be gone by the time we break camp and maybe before. Matt Costello's already signed. And, a recent report indicated Marcus Eriksson, the wing we took in the 2015 draft, is expecting to show. That leaves 2 slots. Gotta think that a point guard will be among those we invite. Of our Summer League guys, Pangos evidently signed a contract to play in Lithuania today, so I'm not sure that that's an option. Of course, if Eriksson is coming over for training camp, I dunno, maybe he is. But Bryce Cotton definitely turned some heads with his overall showing, so unless someone else scoops him up, I'm guessing many of us would vote him in. Conventionally speaking, if we're filling out with 1 of each position, that leaves us with another wing to add. Two that might be naturals to pursue b/c of their previous history with us are Terran Petteway who played SL for MIL, and Jarrell Eddie who we saw play against us twice for WAS. Then, there's the perpetual Euro stash Sergii Gladyr who evidently is still out there, but not seemingly any closer to getting any real consideration. Is Brandon Ashley, a veteran now of two ATL summer league teams, considered a wing at this point? Maybe. I could better see him added, though, if Mike Scott's legal adventure comes to a head, and we have that slot open. That said, the wing that nearly all of us probably want to see is the young Frenchman, Isaia Cordinier.

Dang, @Dnice.... ya forgot me already dude? ;)

As I understand it, all of that took place in just the last 24 hours. I'd like to think they'll do that (hold presser), and given that Prince in particular never has yet had the chance to be introduced, I'm inclined to think it will.

I'm confused... which one?

Horf is one of a pool of players who were significant but not every-night-elite. I appreciate what he brought to the team, and will miss having him. WAAAYYY too early to figure out where history will rank him within that pool, imo.

One more game. ATL/MEM at 8 eastern on ESPN2. Dangit... if Patterson not waived and Pangos not negotiating a Euro new contract, have to think we wouldn't have had that 4th Q offensive lull yesterday, and would have had a real shot at finishing strong. We just didn't have the bench to pull us through, imo. Boys, make it rain tonight in the desert. Make us that much more eager to see what you can do in preseason.

I like our chances, but objectively, I have to admit we have a few too many "ifs" to be considered the primary contender. Several things have to go our way that seemingly should, but very well might not.

Can't buy that, Dies. Pat Riley has it right. Wade is an afterthought and not worth the money at this point.

Yep, JayBird... and it's all a stunning illustration to me of how hype can tilt the odds.... I'm sure there's been a serious surge from New Englanders, as well as those who became Celtics fans across the fruited plain back in the Bird era, making early bets on their team.

Don't get the rosy view of Bulls. To me, CHI picked up some scraps to replace guys who are mostly done. Butler can only do so much.

Note, I figure this is more of an illustration of just how many BOS fans and uninformed others have bought into the hype. All told, what has BOS actually accomplished this off-season? Did they land that outside shooter that they were starving for in the playoffs? Al will be a good player for them, but honestly, their draft seems a disaster, at least in the short term, and beyond Al, there's nothing else impressive to me. I'm guessing many here would agree, no? ... closer view... My best shot at an objective take: 1) CLE 2) TOR 3) IND 4) ATL 5) DET 6) BOS 7) MIL 8) CHA

Catalog that clip. I don't want to make any predictions, but it don't hurt none to say that might be one that is meaningful if we take our place among the elite somewhere down the line.

+ 2 2nd round picks, the first of which ended up being Cordinier.

Understood. I don't think even the most ardent Moose supporter would say he necessarily is. There's just a recognition that the pool of anyone with greater certainty at that price.... and who is available... is pretty shallow if it exists at all. (My last post on the topic, mom, I promise.)

Yeah, one more game tomorrow. And yeah, we did seem to get tired.

Yes. I thought we already agreed on that, but if we didn't, we should have.

He started it, mom! ;)

Um. Statistically, it was setting him back, even while it was giving him the look you suggest. Thus one and the same. Edit: And again... not saying your theory doesn't hold water, but am saying you're more persuaded that it's totally correct than I can be persuaded at this stage.

po-tae-toe, pat-tot-oe

Perhaps. Moose did get more regular rotation PT last season, and so, I too am inclined to think that that explains a lot of what set him back. I can't say it enough.... I'm not asserting that he did anything to get excited about, I'm only asserting that the jury is still out as it should be.

No, but he is a good rebounder. And if Moose can get back to rivaling a good rebounder, together with getting back to a better 3pt%, I for one will be content. Certainly, there's a reason they signed Hump; had Moose performed better last season, that wouldn't have happened. And so, truly, Moose' roster slot is hanging by a thread as it should be, depending on Scott's status and on if any better opportunity surfaces.

What's Isiah talking about... there was zero lower-body contact. At all. From either guy, Edy or Lasme. (re: that last play b4 the half)

Love seeing Prince giving Oubre... who arguably might have been a Hawk... fits.