Ainge tried to trade his entire chest of goodies for Justise Winslow. Now that chest of goodies is smaller. Does that illuminate you in any way?
So to recap..Ainge has offered his chest of goodies for: Justise Winslow, and then Jimmy Butler. But now it's gonna work for Russell Westbrook. Got it.
He has^ been watching some summer league games... honestly there are a ton of nice looking prospects around the whole league.. this draft looks pretty deep.. As far as the Celtics getting Westbrook goes... I think it's going to happen... I'm almost positive Ainge is willing to give up all of his assets, first round picks and all including Jaylon Brown and Isaiah for Westbrook even without a commitment.. It will be a very risky trade that may very likely end up costing his job, but I think he's up for it. If Westbrook leaves him hanging he will get fired and move on.
Giving up everything for Westbrook and then having Westbrook leave for another team would be pretty delicious.
You know what one of my biggest takeaways from the Summer League has been? Juwan Howard as a coach. It's hard to really dissect the ability of some of these players when they're going up against a bunch of guys who mostly will never play in the NBA, but when you look at how well the Heat team has been doing, and how hard they're playing, I think that says something about Howard. I think it says even more when you consider the relative lack of talent on the Heat roster compared with some other teams. Sure, you had two good players in Winslow and Richardson in some of those games, but those two haven't played in the majority of these. That means the Heat are continually beating (and some times destroying) other teams consisting of high draft picks, without a single drafted player on their own. I think that says something about Howard. He's a guy that could become a key member of the Heat's staff and along with Craig, could find himself as someone who other teams look at as a HC candidate in the future.
One of my favorite things about this board is how often Cavs fans and Heat fans come together for the common goal of hating the Celtics.
I see the Heat as an incredibly well-run organization, arguably one of the best in sports. I think they've created an incredible culture. Obviously Riley is a big part of it and he's probably the catalyst, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it continue after Riley steps down. I wish the Dolphins could be run half as well. Hopefully, Gase can have a similar impact. I know some see Heat fan's faith in the Heat organization as homerism, but I think that faith is justified. I don't believe players will maximize their potential here just b/c I'm a fan. I believe it b/c we've seen so many players come in and do exactly that. And others see it too. Williams cited that specifically when he signed here. I am just as much, if not more of a Dolphin's fan and I certainly don't have much faith that players will maximize their potential with the Dolphins. In fact, I've most often lamented that it's opposite. That organization rarely uses players to their strengths and often lets them fall into bad habits. It's not my fanhood that inspires the faith. It's the respective track records.
STATS! [video=twitter;752543755853377536]https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/752543755853377536[/video] [video=twitter;752545823553048576]https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/752545823553048576[/video] [video=twitter;752515804105740292]https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/752515804105740292[/video] [video=twitter;752567684043141122]https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/752567684043141122[/video]
On the lighter side... [video=twitter;752551090441170944]https://twitter.com/talkhoops/status/752551090441170944[/video] [video=twitter;752542912697761792]https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/752542912697761792[/video]
Not to contradict your point as I'm sure Juwan is doing well but the takeaway I have is how consistently good the scout staff is at finding guys who are better than their billing and that have traits that could make them successful. There are headliners all over the summer leagues but the Heat only had two and those two only played like three games. There's something good going on with the Heat when they can pull a bunch of nobodies that are consistently turning into somebodies, like I said before going back to an Ian Clark, Willie Reed, Briante Weber, Jarnell Stokes, Tyler Johnson, Josh Richardson and then the real whale, Hassan Whiteside.
I don't think it contradicts at all. Finding talent is only part of it. A big part is knowing how to draw out and mold that talent.
On that note, Stefan Jankovic's pure offensive skill set at 6'11" and 235 lbs is pretty striking. He was a little shaky in some of his first summer league appearances overall but even when he was shaky and unsure of himself that pure offense was shining through. The guy can hit those turnaround jumpers, consistent three point shot (.360 in college, .393 his final year), dribble drive penetration from the wing, can use the glass, etc. I don't know yet what else he's got going for him, but at 6'11" and 235 lbs, he might not need a whole lot more. For example he hasn't struck me as a good rebounder but he's averaging 6.3 rebounds per 36 minutes this summer league without really trying hard and he averaged 8.9 per 36 in college. He's also averaging 3.0 assists per 36 minutes which is interesting. And that's all in addition to the "quiet" 16.9 points per 36 minutes he's amassing. He's an 80% free throw shooter. No wonder the Heat were pretty quick to get him under contract after they got Rodney McGruder under contract. EDIT: Based on his college tape I'd say what had to stand out to the Heat other than his size, movement skills and pure offense was probably his pick and roll defense. I don't know that he's really good at any other aspect. Passing seems shaky, too much hesitation and is late on passes. Man defense can be shaky. Off ball defense can be shaky, not much real rim presence. His hands for rebounding aren't special. All of these things will just have to improve over time but for now the Heat probably have him on roster because of the combination size, offensive skill set and pick and roll defense. Basically Justin Hamilton...but perhaps a bit more athletic?
Right. I think that says something about the organization, but at the same time, while it's impressive that they can constantly take undrafted players and make them NBA players, I think they still have less talent than many of the teams they're playing. And yet they are still having a great run.
There's a rumor going around that the Celtics are working on a trade for Blake Griffin. Word is, though, that they won't include their picks from the Nets. You'd also have to assume Thomas probably wouldn't be a part of the deal because they don't need a PG. So I'd love to hear how they think they'll get a perennial All-Star in his prime without giving anything of significance up.
Ainge thoroughly enjoys having his name out there. He thinks it keeps him relevant, like we are suppose to think hes got something going on.... Blake rumor is his desperate amteur attempt to get Presti to fold..
Looks like Victor Rudd had another day. Gonna be sad to see him go. They can take 20 to camp I say sign him. Total Summer League stats for Rudd: 167.7 minutes, 90 PTS, 31 of 65 FG, 12 of 27 3P, 16 of 19 FT, 32 REB (7-25), 11 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 19 PF, 10 TOV Works out to 19.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.6 steals per 36 minutes on 44.4% three point shooting, 50% two point shooting and 84% free throw shooting. Ultimately the reason I would keep him on the roster is he was the only guy I saw in Summer League aside from Winslow or Richardson that I felt could consistently create in straight up 1-on-1 iso situations where you clear everyone out, the defender has time to set his defense, and your ball handler just has to go beat him. This at 6'9" and 246 lbs. Even Rodney McGruder wasn't necessarily creating in iso situations.
Iggy said OKC was best team they faced in playoffs. Damn - crazy to hear him call the Warriors the 3rd best team in the playoffs.
Here's a brief look at Victor Rudd against the Suns: [video=youtube;WH9oLhgA19c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH9oLhgA19c[/video] See what I mean about creating in isolation? This is from a few months ago over in Eastern Europe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHcKehoJxVw
Love the nickname. I'm excited to see Hassan help push the pace. His passing improved dramatically - if that court awareness continues to improve it will do wonders to our offense allowing us to push with Goran attacking and shooters spreading the floor. Also, for laughs, Hassan's trip to the zoo after deciding to stay in Miami. This guy is hilarious: [video=youtube;rhKCuJHGOkI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhKCuJHGOkI[/video]
2013 draft class is really bad: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...s-truly-awful-actually-it-was-the-worst-ever/
Pat Riley says Chris Bosh situation is very sensitive and complicated and does not know when he will return... so him using Bosh's return to free agents was probably not true.
At this point, wouldn't shock me if Riley waits till February 12, or 17... forgot the actual date.. and then give us his announcement on Bosh..
Its either risk playing him and having his cap count in 2018, not play him and get a medical exemption.. Or pray for the amnesty clause on the new labor deal..
Pat Riley said Durant called him asking for a meeting, but during the meeting durant said he didnt want to wait a year for something to happen, wanted to win now. That debunks Wade's "relationship matters" theory. Pretty sure riley was ready to hand durant the keys and not bring Wade back.
Apparently Westbrook is very angry at Durant for choosing to leave to Golden State and has given no indication he wants a trade from OKC, wants the season to start already.
