thecampster

So probably mentioned but let me say it if it hasn't. The number 1 knock on Edey is he struggles to guard at the perimeter. In today's NBA of switching between bigs and guards at the 3 point line, this could make him a liability. If/when he comes in for a workout, I'd run switching drills till his ankles look like cantaloupes to see how he handles it.

Reviving this thread. Since I needed a good chuckle this morning. I assumed all of you did too.

Speaking of Nique, he hadn't traveled on a few road trips this year. Anyone know the details why?

Best to preempt me keeping receipts!!!

Kobe's been working on those biceps.

Quickly setting the record for the quickest derailed topic in the history of the squawk. I should have known better. My apologies.

Has anyone else noticed a much more lenient whistle the last 2 games? Has anyone else noticed a lot less complaining to the refs, a lot less looking for whistles? Has anyone else noticed the opposing teams whining more, looking for a whistle? Now some of this could be attributed to who is winning, who is losing but I've seen a much more fair whistle being called and I'm wondering how much of it is....."The Refs do not like Trae". Thoughts?

Dude, Luka played like he was 350 and 2 sheets to the wind. He was moving so slow my wife asked what was up with him.

God bless him. Trae nutmeg on KD. He is so not self aware.

Current order is 18, full 2 games ahead of the 14 slot. Also remember additional draft capital may come our way pre-draft through trades.

" https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10108174-2024-nba-mock-draft-full-2-round-predictions-post-trade-deadline Previous mock draft spot: No. 42 School/team: Purdue Nationality: Canadian Position: C Age: 21, Senior Size: 7'4", 300 lbs The scouting on Zach Edey feels mostly complete. Teams have to ask how valuable a 7'4" finisher and post scorer is in today's world for their respective lineups. Some may see a starter with physical tools, footwork and touch that are too advantageous to deem outdated. Others may question if there is any upside to a center who can't play the 4, handle, shoot or switch out defensively. Edey's draft range remains wide and dependent on specific teams looking to fill a need." IMHO, #35 overall is way too low for Edey but he's currently projecting low 1st, early 2nd due to an inability to play on the perimeter on defense, inability to switch. I get it but any coach worth his salt can game plan for that. If you can honestly get him with the Sac pick in the low 20's I think its a steal.

Flagg is going to be very, very good....but you are right....he is not going to be great year 1 out of Duke. He's going to need to put some meat on his bones and he's got a few minor things to work on. He can't main handle the ball more than 10% of the time. He has unicornish skills and I'd love to have him but I wouldn't expect him to come in like Trae or Luka and lead day 1.

See my thread on what I want to start seeing from JJ. Been noticing this for a while. It's just manifesting tonight.

Hunter shooting looks so much more comfortable than Bey.

You've been writing Jeff poems?

Highlighted a few things....1st...poor vit, he didn't get paid for his 16 games missed. 2nd, the Hunter/Johnson/Matthews injuries had some overlap that probably cost us more games than anything else. The Bufkin thumb, Bogi playing through injury and a few other small things (like Griffin/Bey shooting woes) cost us a few more games. I think we're better than our 22-27 record but after looking at this list, I'm not sure how much better. How many wins did the JJ/Hunter injuries cost us?

I wish evil on Draymond. I just can't stand him.

Should have been the hire after his interim role!

Good news is I don't need your approval in a hypothetical.

Dre has developed the ability to ISO, handle the ball for himself and score. I mean nothing more than that with him.

Playing the silly game....Hunter plays some 2. You could easily have lineups like the following with Simmons on the floor. Bogi Hunter JJ Simmons, Bruno (if you want to go huge on folks) Trae Bogi JJ Simmons OO (if you want to punish people wanting to trap Trap Trae Trae Bogi Hunter JJ Simmons (if you want 5 possible ball handlers on the floor at the same time (the hands team)). Simmons Trae Bogi OO Bruno (against big lineups) The hard part to remember with Simmons is he was traditionally a point guard and can pass over the top of double teams. You have a lot of options with Simmons on the floor. Its not a terrible idea, I just think he can be had for less. But yes, the idea of playing JJ next to Simmons, next to OO is very intriguing defensively.

Bufkin recalled from the Skyhawks, Vit sent down. Just putting this out there.

Patty Mills is my spirit animal!

LA is in town next. East/West trades happen a lot before.the teams play so teams can use those players right away. I have feelers out.

So everyone knows I've been a Jalen stan longer than @kg01 has used humor to deflect. I've got some things I want to see going forward. Some opportunities for improvement. Lets start with some defending of Jalen and then move into the criticisms. 1) Folks have criticized him getting burnt on defense. He is not as much as you think. He is funneling to bigs who are out of position due to many of the things DJM's X message stated. If you watch Jalen on D, there are times it looks like he's getting crossed or giving up the hard right lead dribble. Jalen is attempting to give up one hand to overplay to the other, taking away the opponents favorite pullup. In most of these cases, the drive is coming to either side of the foul line or straight down the lane. If OO/Clint are playing in position, these should be drives right into them. If you want when Jalen is playing with Bruno on the floor, Bruno is getting blocks. Bruno is playing to the scheme, OO/Clint are still covering for Trae. I have done a 180 on Bruno. His team scheme positioning has been extremely solid. 2) Folks are criticizing Jalen passing up jumpers. This is also by design. Jalen is supposed to be forcing rotations as the 2/3rd ball handler. This means a quick pass, or an insta drive kick. Again, Jalen is playing scheme. The above 2 tells you that Jalen is getting coached and he's listening to the coaching (see any Bey sucks thread for the alternative). Now what I want to see. 1) Jalen gives up on the offensive end too quickly after a shot, taking the coaching advice to get back early on D. F' the coaches here. I want Jalen to start crashing the glass after every Bogi ISO, DJM ISO and every 3 no matter who is taking it. He is legit leaving 3 offensive rebounds a game on the floor (because he can outjump everyone). This is my number 1 disappointment with him. Crash the offensive glass, defensive scheme be damned. Let Bogi, Matthews, Trae, DJM, Bey, others get back. I want to see JJ go for the offensive rebound and if he doesn't get it, I want to see him pressure whoever does and force a turnover/slow pace. We give up far too many runouts giving up on offensive boards. JJ should be top 5 in the league on the offensive boards based on athleticism/instinct alone. And if he does get the offensive board, I want to see him try to dunk that donut every time trying to draw a foul. That kid should be going to the line 5 times a game. 2) I want to see him getting more contact on his post attempts. Free throws, free throws, free throws. I want him trying to go right into people's chests like Giannis. Make the refs blow the whistle. Take the occasional offensive foul for it but stop letting people get away with slapping at your wrists. Punish someone so they start playing you different. Guards should not be stopping you from dunking...period. 3) I want to see him start bodying people up at the 3 point line. When the pick is coming, get right up the ball carrier with the body. Make the pick person stick to you so his man can trap. Stop trying to play the pick n roll like a small guard. Make them go around that 7 foot reach. Force the pick setter into some moving picks. Make some folks nervous. Less finesse, more terrifying. 4) Start calling for the ball in on the block, back to the basket and use that to kick it out. Get the ball out of DJM/Trae's hands so they stop getting doubled. Become the center of the in/out game. Don't just sit in the corner and if the coaches complain, just tell them I told you to under penalty of a 3 hour lecture every time one of guards gives up a turnover due to getting doubled. 5) Learn to do interviews. He is almost as bad as Ebby Calvin (Nuke) Laloosh. You come off the floor at half time, get a mic shoved in your face, make a joke, talk slower and use some canned responses. I actually heard him give a 1 word answer last week to a multi-part question. See @Spud2nique I can want people to improve without recommending yoga/meditation.