Random NBA Observations 2015 - 2016

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

I mean would you even entertain the idea of the Warriors keeping Ezeli over Barnes, prior to this season?

 

[ghostwriterx]

The whole point in bringing up the Finals is that when they were down and needed to make an adjustment, Barnes' ability to play the 4 was instrumental in them gaining the upper hand. That lineup doesn't work without Barnes - just like every single lineup that they used in close games or where they needed to cut into margins. Barnes was an integral part in all of them; he and Draymond are basically the layers to the identity of this squad.

Come on man, Iggy and Dray are what makes that lineup work. Hell the only reason AI comes of the bench is because Barnes looked lost with the 2nd unit. Green and Iggy push the ball, create plays for others and take the toughest defensive assignments. Barnes shot 37% in the Finals (he was much better from 3).

I've seen Barnes hold his own against Millsap, M.Gasol, Anderson, Griffin, Randolph and T.Jones.

The entire lineup/scheme is what makes that work though, its not like he's on an island against those guys.

Here's the thing though - that small ball lineup is the most important in winning games against elite teams + late in games. I mean that can't be understated - the flux of all those lineups when it comes to building leads throughout games really doesn't indicate what kind of impact each particular lineup has, and against who. What we do know is, no matter what lineup they face and no what matter the situation, Barnes will always be used more often than Ezeli and he'll always have more impact.

One thing I gotta say, this year's team is different from last year's. They're playing on another level right now, but they didn't face any "elite" teams in the playoffs last year and they haven't faced any yet this year. They also haven't missed a beat yet with Barnes out.

Common sense should tell you that Ezeli is far easier to replace than Barnes. Ezeli wasn't even a factor last season (when they won a title), yet he's suppose to be more vital than their fourth most important player?

Clint Capela
Steven Adams
Ian Mahinmi
Dewayne Dedman
Bismack Biyombo
Willie Cauley-Stein
Rakeem Christmas
Gorgui Deng
Alex Len
Timofey Mozgov
Alexis Ajinca
Jusuf Nurkic

All these players are within Ezeli's current salary range, who can provide near-equal or more impact on the court. And even though that some of these players will eventually command a higher salary or won't be traded from their respective teams - defensive 5s are quite literally everywhere - you can find them lingering at the bottom of every squad's depth chart. I mean look at Whiteside, he wasn't even on a NBA roster not too long ago and now he's one of the best rim protectors in the league. The same can't be said for Barnes.

A couple things:
1. none of those guys are available (actually Moz is, but I'd rather have Ezeli).
2. Don't act like its easy to find a guy like Whiteside and don't act like he isn't about to get a max contract.
3. Tristan just got 85 million. I think Ezeli is better. You think they can get somebody just as good for less than TT's contract? Ezeli's current salary range is not his future salary range.

I mean would you even entertain the idea of the Warriors keeping Ezeli over Barnes, prior to this season?

Honestly I started thinking this during the Finals. Its not that I don't like Barnes, just think it's easier to find a 3 and d guy to be the fourth option in the starting lineup that includes Steph, Dray and Klay. Similar to how Smith and Shump looked so much better with the Cavs playing next to Kyrie, Love and Bron. That and I feel like Ezeli is really underrated. He's not a big stiff like Moz, has some semblance of an inside game and can protect the rim.

This is probably a moot point though as I would guess they re-sign both. Steph about to have the 5th highest salary on the team.

 

[FakeNews]

 

[GilSho]

Bickerstaff turning up with Harden at Dwight's Gatsby birthday party.

 

[Malta]

Bickerstaff turning up with Harden at Dwight's Gatsby birthday party.

Clint Capela happy as hell to finally be around a lot of black people.

 

[Brozay]

Clint Capela happy as hell to finally be around a lot of black people after growing up in Switzerland.

I thought he was from France ?

 

[Malta]

I thought he was from France ?

Born in Switzerland, grew up in france.

 

[duckbutta]

Bickerstaff turning up with Harden at Dwight's Gatsby birthday party.

When your head coach who has never been a head coach is turning up with you...

@Big Boss...you know what to do...

 

[Mac071415]

Why would a statement that is false hurt me?

Westbrook and Durant will always be in the contenders conversation if they stay together, can't say the same for that one trick pony, inefficient, bytch made, dolphin-toothed, flailing fakkit in Houston.

Not as long as San Antonio is there to knock them out. :timmyumad: fukk Houston and fukk okc

 

[sfgiants]

Broussard on PCP earlier saying porzingis could be better than dirk

 

[Brozay]

Born in Switzerland, grew up in france.

You like him as a defensive/rebounding starting center in a couple/few years?

 

[Hoganese]

Broussard on PCP earlier saying porzingis could be better than dirk

They're such different players that he should just stfu with the comparison. '11 Dirk was one of the best players of all time. I don't think Porzingis could get there offensively. But KP's mix of shot blocking and post game could make him the best two way big in the L someday. (Unless it's Karlito Towns)

 

[AAKing23]

Jerry Colangelo has been named the Sixers Chairman of Basketball Operations

 

[jaguar paw]

Jerry Colangelo has been named the Sixers Chairman of Basketball Operations

That's good news for you guys

 

[AAKing23]

That's good news for you guys

Seems like their shortening Hinkie's rope