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I soaked up all the Dirk hype last night.  Watched entire pregame show, entire game, and entire ceremony of raising number 41 into the rafters.  He might be my favorite pro athlete ever.  Donnie baseball is up there since i grew up in evansville at the same time he did but i probably lean Dirk. 

In his speech, he referred to RC as R Sizzle. lol  Fist time I heard that one.

It is fun watching the videos and when players give their accolades to dirk and hearing the fans ovations.  Jason Terry and JJ Barea are so popular in Dallas.  I think JJ will be a great asset to the Mavs staff when he finally quits playing.  Now in spain. 

31 minutes ago, Seeking6 said:

I honestly don't even know the guys anymore. I keep seeing close losses after close losses. I heard they wanted to rebuild but for those in the know...is KP the guy you want in charge of the rebuild? I honestly don't much about his track record.

I think RC is a great coach but not sure he has the patience for a rebuild with 19-20 year olds that dominate the drafts now.  He just went through it with the Mavs but they were lucky.  They rebuilt the team by landing one player. Luka.    Still, As a superstar, I think Luka wore on his patience at times.  Dirk may have spoiled him as he bought into every system thrown at him from Nelson to RC.   

Brunson seems to be the only rookie that I've seen him like.  Maybe Crowder.  Duarte seems in that mold.  They were older polished players out of college not 19 year olds. 

Nick Nurse has always reminded me of Matt Foley.  That picture reinforces that thought.  

RC has been one of my favorite coaches over the years. To bad when this kind of stuff comes out. I doubt Dirk or JJB feel the same.  Seems another old school coach who doesn't related to kiddies.  He has made it known that he doesn't drafting players under 21.  Obviously Luka is next generation talent who had a ton of pro experience even at 19 so that is different.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32861454/luka-doncic-rick-carlisle-dissolution-their-relationship-comes-next-dallas-mavericks

I think Cuban meddles to much and has undercut RC/Donnie Nelson based on feedback from that analytics guy who is gone now too.  Like the Mitchell/DSJ scenario,  I suspect RC wanted to draft polished SG Bane out of TCU not kiddie Josh Green.  Green just turned 20 and shows promise but was not ready for NBA.  

Duarte is polished player out of college so he sure seemed like a Rick Carlisle kind of pick. 

Asjia O'neal is awesome.  She had open heart surgery 2 times and the latest just before COVID hit in 2020. She was back on the court 8 months later was a star in the tournament last spring.  Seems like she has been here forever but is still just a soph.  

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/32697350/the-extraordinary-courage-ncaa-volleyball-star-asjia-oneal 

Saw JO' Neal at the Texas volleyball game.  He was standing near the entrance as we walked in.  He must have been only 3 feet away.  I told him Go Pacers and thanks for all those fun Pacer years.  He just nodded. Texas survived quite the scare from Washington losing the first 2 sets and being down 15-10 in the 3rd set then just took over and dominated after that.  Volleyball is quite the value for the Buck.  I got the entire Regional (semis and final) for $20.  Probably my favorite college sport after basketball. It helps to live in Austin and to have quite the team year in and out.  Maybe I can dig up a Pacer jersey for Saturday night's final in case the same scenario occurs.    

The Rangers AAA team they fielded last year except for a couple of real major leaguers like Lowe, Kiner-Falafa, and Garcia went into the off season with a whopping 35 mil on the books.  This team will spend as proven during their playoff years. I guess they feel they restocked the farm system so now can start adding vets.  

A-Rod was absolutely great on the field when he was on the Rangers who were a last place team when he joined. The team remained bad but wasn't his fault.  I hope the Seager deal works out as good at that one without all the drama A-Rod produced with Showalter that led to the trade.  Imagine had baseball not vetoed the Ramirez/Lester trade for A-rod.  I still don't understand why the trade was vetoed but thos 2 were big players in the RedSox getting past NY.

My hopes for the Rangers was Seager, Kershaw, Castellanos if he leaves the Reds and Suzuki from Japan.  They just spent big on Seager and Semien and added the starting pitcher named Gray.    Kershaw is probably still in the mix since he is from Dallas. They are listed as the top contender to get suzuki.  I know he isn't the same Kershaw but if they top off the week with Kershaw and Suzuki that would be a great off season.  Hopefully the young players they have acquired from the firesale over the last year or 2 are solid.   Iguess I'll buy back into the 20 game package. I was waiting to see what they would do.   The Triple AAA team can stay here in Austin for 2022 rather than play in Arlington as they did in 2021. 

5 hours ago, BGleas said:

Before the season I would have agreed, but now I'm not so sure they need to make a move. 

Curry is playing like an MVP, Draymond seems revitalized, Wiggins has taken a step, and Poole has taken a leap, and they don't even have Wiseman or whatever Thompson will be yet. 

I think they may make a move around the edges (maybe Moody and/or Kabinga), but I don't see them messing with what they have unless Wiseman comes back and they don't think he's ready to help them. 

If Wiseman can be a poor man's DeAndre Ayton from the Sun's run last season, then I'm not sure anyone can beat GS. 

I don't know they would move Kaminga.  I've been watching them and he really brings the D and energy in the minutes he has started receiving in the last 3 games.  I think they found a player there. I like Wiseman but Kaminga seems like more of keeper to me even if the sample size is small.  Seems if you slide in Klay at SF, Wiggins would offer a lot of trade value in talent and salary if they feel they need to make a big move. Porter and Iggy provide depth. 

Seem they could use a vet big to pair with Wiseman but right now I think they should stand pat and makes moves based on any potential injury that might pop up.  If the Pels keep losing after Zion returns might they part with Valenciunis.  I know they extended him  a couple years but that should make his trade value better. 

Reds are blowing up team it seems.  

2 hours ago, dgambill said:

He has to....Morey is asking for the moon. No one will trade for him....he is forcing Morey to lower his asking price to something ALMOST reasonable. He is so dead set on getting star value back that he should be on getting great pieces back. Two to three really solid players and maybe one be a borderline all-star. You don't need another dominant superstar with Embid having the offense run so much through him. Someone that can still score and help you when Embid comes out but ok with defering when he is in. I can see a package with Sacramento working....they have a huge gluttony of pg/sgs on that team. Add 1 with Harrison Barnes....ask for a 1st rd pick and call it a day. You are going to kill any positivity in the locker room with this team the longer you drag this out.

Sacto makes a lot of sense. They've been adamant they want to make a splash deal.  Apparent;y they don't want to play Bagley so they have the reverse issue.   He hasn't lived up to his potential but it is still there.  He is really good offensively in the paint and improved his jump shot to at least respectable.  Having doc as a coach might be really good for him.   Bagley, hield and future 1.  

1 hour ago, Hoosier51 said:

Even though i have got some pushback on this, i hope the Pacers stay far far away from trading for Simmons. He is a disaster waiting to happen for them.

Yeh.  Those kind of players don't work well with RC.  Rondo is one who chose to ignore RC and run his own plays. He did not last long in Dallas. 

So pittsburgh has Big Ben and Philadelphia has Big Baby Ben.  

On 10/10/2021 at 8:27 PM, BGleas said:

Yogi headed overseas. I still think his big mistake was leaving the Mavs to go to the Kings. 

 

I don't know.  They just drafted Luka and Brunson.  Yogi is fringe NBA player who was probably going to see reduced  time.  RC was a big fan of Brunson.  They also still had icon JJ Barea and Dennis smith Jr. 

I kind of view Yogi in the same class as Trey burke who came in the KP deal with DSJ going to the Knicks..   They let Burke go after 2019 then brought him back when Brunson was out hurt in the 2020 bubble playoffs.  Burke had a great summer in the bubble and got a nice contract that they'd like to now unload.  Like Yogi, burke is a fringe NBA player.  I expect if someone offered Yogi a 3 year 10 mil deal, he'd stay in whatever NBA role given to him.

4 hours ago, dgambill said:

Agreed. They really just lack another scorer that can get his own shot. They should have shooters to surround him but it hurts to have 30+ million tied up into Porzingis who really can't initiate his own offense. 

If KP would get and stay healthy,  who cares if you have to feed the guy the ball to score 20-25 ppg.   He is a big time offensive scorer who can score in a lot of ways whether he can create off the dribble or not.  He can shoot lights out from deep. He can play in the paint and at his size he can shoot over people. IMO, RC abandoned him n the Clipper series and just had him stand around the 3 point area.  KP went into the off season healthy and gets to spend his time working on strength and basketball as opposed to rehab. Just stay healthy and I think he can get back to being an all star caliber player. 

That said and since you guys mentioned Simmons, I agree that Philly with embiid probably doesn't want to pair him with KP. Fit seems bad and there are no other trade options from Dallas side that would entice philly.  Dallas needs defense as bad or more than they need KP's scoring.  I'd certainly make that KP for Simmons trade from Dallas side.   I feel better that Simmons can fix his free throw shooting as opposed to KP not having another injury.

I think Simmons in San antonio makes sense but they don't really have the trade pieces either.  Maybe they could of had a chance before DeRozan chose the bulls but Philly was asking for a franchise in return. Derozan and a young player or 2 like White and Walker/Vassel today might of gotten a deal done. The sixers already seem to have a lot of good young players. I'd like to see the pacers get Simmons. 

On 10/2/2021 at 1:43 PM, KoB2011 said:

Luka would be much better off if he wasn't the primary ball-handler; it would serve him well to have some to alleviate that pressure from him and that could get him an occasional easy bucket. 

I certainly agree that they should have another ball handler to alleviate pressure from him but I still think he should be the primary ball handler.  He just creates for everybody not just himself and you should not take that away.   I don't think that is Brunson who is fine running the 2nd unit.   I'd probably rather of had Dinwiddie than THJ but THJ is such a competitor and became a huge a locker room leader for the team.   I would of never thought THJ would of became that guy.  

5 hours ago, BGleas said:

I kind of said this earlier, but I still don't put Magic in the same bucket as guys like Simmons, Draymond, Giannis, going back to guys like Pippen and Lamar Odom, etc. Magic was a pure point guard who happened to be tall. Those guys are big men that happen to also have ball handling and playmaking skills. 

I'd bucket Magic with guys like Stockton, IT, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, etc., etc. Sure physically Magic is different than those guys, but he was a pure point guard that orchestrated the offense. 

 

IMO, from a leadership standpoint, I'd put Draymond in with your PG list even if not a PG. The Simmons, group is more just players who can create and make plays as has been pointed out. I think I'd classify Luka in the Magic, Kidd group but would prefer he play a frontcourt position.  

I think the league is learning guys like Simmons aand Giannis kind of fit the mold as the new bigs in the league since they have can guard most players at any position and out to the perimeter.   I expect some of bigger bigs might be tough to guard in the paint for them but how many of them are left to deal with. 

23 minutes ago, DC2345 said:

David Bell 2 year extension. It would happen right when I said I thought the Reds would be moving on lol

Doh!  After the big meltdown, I guess no surprise.  

Don't see it happening but never see it coming when they do a 180 from bad stretches and suddenly win 7 of 9 or 8 of 10.    Now or never for the 180 script flip to happen.  

That person who pissed in my cheerios back a couple months ago has been doing it all 2nd half of the year concerning the Reds. LOL

It really took a bigger padre meltdown to keep them in the hunt.  If the Reds do get in, the prize is the dodgers or Giants.  I guess anything can happen in 1 game but seems doubtful. 

Oh well, going to watch the Rangers AAA players vs the whitesox this weekend in that brand new air conditioned stadium.  Been to several games this year and social distancing is not an issue. It is usually empty.  Last game I attended on 9/1, the AAA guys made 4 errors in the ninth and gave the game away to the rockies.  I could almost count the fans in the stadium.  It's crazy because their AAA team is like 20 minutes away from my house but the new ballpark is a 3 hour drive.  What we will do to go to air conditioned stadium and not sit in the heat. LOL

I like Pierce a lot but glad the Mavs passed on him to draft Dirk.  Why the Bucks wanted Tractor Traylor at 6 in that deal and not pierce,  I get him calling them out.

I watched nothing but volleyball and US mens basketball. Beach v-ball is easily my favorite summer sport since it is hard to keep up with the pro leagues outside of the olympics.  Indoor isn't far behind. Wish there was more pro leagues on TV.   I played in beach leagues in the 90s probably 3 nights a week and pick up games on other nights.  There were 2 beach volleyball bars in Dallas near Valley Ranch where the Cowboys resided.

The men need new blood.  3 of the 4 players were in the 40's. The golden era of Karch then Dalhauser is over.  

So happy for April Ross. She got a silver 9 years ago in Walsh-Jennings/Misty May last gold then teamed up with Walsh Jennings to a get a bronze in Rio.  she was so close to a gold medal match in Rio but they lost to Brazil in what was maybe most excitin beach volleyball match I ever seen.  Remember the Brazil kid crying after every point the US would score. I don't remember but maybe Duda was on the Brazil team. Germany beat Brazil in that one for the gold in Rio.  April Ross now has Gold, Silver and Bronze. Yeh the Claese/Sponcil ending sucked but they are young and should have a good 2 or 3 more shots.  Love the Latvian team.  Watched the college Beach finals and Tina Graudina was a star for USC and is on the Latvian team.  Hope those 2 stay a team.   I think she and her teammate (Kracenova sp?) are like 23. Hope to see them battle Claes/Sponcil.  April will be 42 in next Olympics.  Will she return? Klineman is one of the best on the beach.  Would be interesting to see who teams up with if Ross gives it up.  

The womens indoor team coached by Karch won their first gold ever.  They really trashed everyone once they got past group play and overcame some injuries. They beat both Serbia and Brazil both teams that took them out in the past.  They should be really good next time also. There seems to be a lot of college stars waiting in the wings to replace those who move on. 

I thought the mens team would do better.  They got eliminated early.    

On 8/3/2021 at 8:44 AM, btownqb said:

Who p***** in your cheerios? 

The Twins.  Hopefully the Reds get the split today.

The spurs crushed Miami in 2014 and had them on ropes for the title in Game 6 of 2013 but let it get away.  Not sure the pacers beat that spurs team. 

I think the 98-2000 years were their best shot.  the 98 team was close to knocking out the Bulls for a meeting with the Jazz.  They may have had their best chance vs the Spurs in 99 but choked to Grand mama and the Knicks.  The spurs dominated teams with Duncan and Robinson.  Pacers with the Davis boys might have been able to match up better than other teams that year that played the Spurs.   The Lakers were to much for them in 2000 but I think Portland was close to knocking LA out in the WCF. 

The Reds are the Reds when it comes to disappointing but seems they have a favorable schedule over the last couple of months and the Pads may not have Tatis.  I wouldn't be surprsed if they got swept by the Twins to show how focused they are in taking care of business and tracking down the Brewers or Padres.  Anyway, i like where they are.