Topic: 2019 NBA Pre-Season - page 104. (Read 921407 times)

They really went all in into these 3 players, eh? Daryl Morey sure is risking the future of the team with this one.

Although the contract extension for Embiid is well-deserve, I'm afraid that both him and George are injury-prone especially him. What's good with Embiid though is that, he will play even though he isn't 100% healthy like we've seen last playoffs against the Knicks. It's good that they've already get rid of Tobias Harris' huge and not well-deserved contract because it opened them more players including PG13. Morey really risked it all for this team in order for them to compete with the East especially against the defending champions, Celtics. I hope it will be worth it and I wish this will end Embiid's curse (not surpassing the 2nd round of the playoffs).

Yep, I agree with what you said that their starting 5 is right now, one of the best in the league, but their bench is just weak like you said. Their starters are really that good, but they can't afford to play 40+ minutes per game just because their bench is that worse. Let's take note that the Celtics have very deep bench last year that's why they won. The Nuggets themselves also had a deep bench when they won a title. I respect your opinion regarding them being a title contender, but I don't think that they will be this season.

Just for context, KCP is already with the Magic. The Nuggets can't afford to sign him because of the huge contract that they gave to MPJ. Peyton Watson? They can develop him, but I'm not expecting too much with him, or with other bench players out there. I'm not against Denver per se because I love the team. It's just that, their off-season moves and trades are just, meh. Well, I hope that Coach Malone can utilize Westbrook that much and can at least contribute way better than his stint when he's with LA teams.

That was a huge success for them, and I thought they were a legitimate contender for the NBA Finals, but they fell short. The Lakers had a dominant win with a final score of 123-109... definitely a statement game. But after that, things seemed to change, I can't quite figure it out. Maybe the Pacers just weren’t strong enough since they didn’t make it to the NBA Finals either.

The real problem with the Lakers is their outside shooting, they don't have a consistent shooter, which makes them too unpredictable.


They were just unlucky to face the Nuggets, especially since the season before, they got swept by them.

Don't know why Nuggets didn't catch up KCP knowing he's really a great contributor for their team. He's an elite 3pt shooter and perimeter defender which also have championship experience. That's why their second unit now became questionable especially that they have new guys in the roster and new draftees.

But see how they could figure out this problem and if they could able to cope up and remain to be a title contender even if they lose valuable good piece which bring their organization a championship. Well their core is intact and those solid guys remaining could able to step up since this is their time to get a quality minutes and good role to their team. Hopefully we will not see a Olympic Murray since he  perform so bad in that tournament.

And we also forget that the Lakers as the inaugural In-Season Tournament, defeating the Indiana Pacers. So they really started very strong in the first half of the regular season as they are in the top 4 or 5 consistent.

But after that, it seems that it was a curse winning the first tournament, as after that, they suffered loses already and we really can't pinpoint what is the reason for that. They struggled, barely survived as 8th seed, won the play-in, but lost to the Nuggets.

No they don't  . KCP signed with Orlando over 2 months ago, haha. It was yet another hard blow to the Nuggets because he was a solid player for them, even if he "just" scored 10ppg.
They didn't really sign anybody worth mentioning this offseason, and yes I regard RW as not mentionable in this part of his career. As strong as the west is looking right now they will have a tough time to get to the top 6 in my opinion. A great player like Jokic can't carry a team by himself. Sure if Murray is finally finding back his old self they will have a chance but he is like a lottery at the moment.

The Nuggets realized their mistake by letting Bruce Brown go. Their bench just got weaker, especially on the defensive end. The Nuggets are always a title contender thanks to Jokic and Murray, and let's not forget Gordon of course who had been great beneath the rim for offensive rebounds and a great pair for Jokic for cut plays.


Yeah, that's the reason. They still have KCP and they have Peyton Watson who played great defense last year too. I think the Nuggets' goal is to focus more on defense because they don't have any problem with their offense. Jokic can always find an open man once he handles the ball either outside or in post-up.
Still, it's not a perfect bench, they will pay a lot if they want it to be better. The key here is to avoid injuries and I think Coach Malone will use WB the same way he used Bruce Brown in their championship stint.

Leonard’s luck really took a downturn after winning the championship with the Raptors in 2019 (which was the franchise's first).
Despite good offers, he chose to leave and signed a 3-year contract with the Clippers.

Here’s a breakdown of what happened to him:


It’s clear that if Leonard hadn’t been injured in the playoffs, the Clippers would’ve had a strong chance of reaching the finals. Some might say they lacked mental toughness or inconsistency, but it’s nearly impossible to compete at the highest level without their main superstar.

Regarding Russ, yeah, pretty much what happen to those players who didn't evolved and just rely on their athletic ability. He has no shooting and when his game goes down a bit, he was really exposed to have a bad shooter and teams giving him that space to shoot. Sometimes, Russ is going to shot the ball and then brick it, other times he might hit but still very inconsistent.

Clippers is like really curse, they have rebuild post CP3, but still even if they got Kawhi after his championship run with the Raptors and PG still at this prime, they still lack the mental toughness and consistency and obviously, the injuries from their main man.

The Lakers were pretty healthy last season, unlike the Clippers who struggled with injuries.

Can’t argue with that. It was really just the lack of accuracy, but when it came to defense and energy on the floor, there weren’t any big issues. The major problem for the Clippers was that their best player, Kawhi Leonard, was injured. When that happens, it’s hard to keep up with playoff teams.

He could really be a perfect fit, if WB will be given enough time to explore with the team. Him in the Clippers uniform though was totally different as there are a lot of superstars in that team and so WB just plays sparingly.


That's what I wanted to see, Jokic, Murray and Westbrook at the same time in the court together. It's going to be fun as Jokic is known to be a good passer and then Westbrook wanted to run. And so they will either have wingman in WB and Murray and then Jokic doing the passing. Or Westbrook leading the run with his athleticism and Murray or even Gordon or MPJ to finish with a dunk.

Can't really say that the Lakers and Clippers weren't good teams, just couldn't stay healthy. Russ was awesome in his early years but lacking in his later years mostly as his shooting % seemed to drop off quite a bit until the last year or so where he almost looked like the russ of old. Obviously less time on the floor but he played well the time he was on the floor. Would like to see him get a ring before he retires.

Calling him a curse is crazy but he isn’t the guy he used to be. Westbrook and John Wall were always my go to guys in video games. Sadly that was long ago and now those two are well passed their prime. Russ isn’t efficient enough anymore to be in a starting lineup. He’ll be alright for the second team though.

The Sixers giving Embiid a nice extension locks in their big 3 with 700 million dollars coming to them over the next few years. A big gamble.

Westbrook isn't a curse.  The Lakers and Clippers just weren't good teams.  It wasn't his fault they were terrible.  He is only probably going to see the floor for 15-2minutes a game.  He is going to be a veteran precense which I actually think will be good for them.  Let jokic and Murray cook while russ brings up the young kids so those 2 don't have to.worry about that part of the game.  Always been a russ fan.  He plays the game the way it used to be played in the 90s.  One of the last to play that way unfortunately.

That's a wow.

Now, teams are securing their main stay so that there won't be any options for them to move until the contract ends and the player option has come.

It's just sad that wherever he moves, the teams doesn't end well with him. But I do not think that he will be, maybe he'd do better with the Nuggets.

Sixers locked in $715million with embid, Paul george and maxey over the course of tjeor contracts lol.  They are going to be in cap hell for a but.  If george or embiid get long term hurt they are screwd for years.  I get why they went all in amd might as well push all the chips in with bird to get all of them locked in for the next 4-5 years but man.  I wouldn't want to be that GM.

Joel Embiid has extended his contract with the Sixers.
He will receive a salary of $193 million for 3 years. There is a player option for the 2028-29 season.
Embiid's current contract is for 5 years and $301 million.

This contract is also one of the three highest contracts in NBA history!

A healthy Klay in his prime was a great 2-way player. The repaired ACL aging Klay is a defensive liability. I think having both him and Luka on the court will provide some good opportunities for open shots, but it will also make them extremely slow which could kill them in transition. I actually think Dallas will have a much worse season this year and that will be what ultimately pushes Luka out to Los Angeles.

I do think that he will be fit for Dallas since Klay is a two-way player  if he's healthy this upcoming season he just not contributing points but he can also provide good defense,  though all will depends from how the coaches will play him if they will give him enough minutes to show case his capabilities,  and most of all if his fit he is playing with both superstars, just like playing with Curry and KD so maybe he can adjust to provide help.

Well, he's been a great superstar when he's on the Thunder back then, and a good role player when he's on the Clippers. Let's not talk about his stint with the Lakers because that's his worst part of his career, but I have a question. Is the acquisition of Westbrook made the Nuggets a title contender?

Let's take note that the Nuggets won in 2023 because of their deep bench. Now? Their bench is for me, one of the worst. Yes, they have Westbrook but aside from him. Who are the other reliable bench players that can step up if their starter is on the bench resting? Braun will be a starter for the team so let's not expect him to be in the 2nd unit and while Westbrook's energy gives a boost of morale towards his teammates, that alone isn't enough to win a title. Yes the Nuggets will have a different bench this season. A set of bench players that's way worse than when they won a title in 2023.

I will not be surprised if Coach Malone decided to go to another team for some reasons. I love the team, and the they have the current best player in the league in Jokic, but with their 2nd unit this bad, I don't see them winning a title at all.

Klay Thompson is getting older, I don't think he will get as many minutes as he used to. He will be one of the most important players on the team, but I wonder how much he will contribute to the score.
We have always watched him on the Golden State Warriors, we need to see what he can do on a different team. Dallas wants to come back stronger this season, they need to do better in the playoffs