Lot of Lamelo vs. Wiseman talk here it seems, but I think Lamelo was a non-starter for the Warriors because of the baggage of his father. Remember, this is an organization that keeps a literal family atmosphere where player’s families are welcome to be around the team and facilities during the season. You allow Levar into that, I think you risk poisoning the whole well, messing up the vibe and chemistry of the family atmosphere which would have toxic effects on the team itself and the organization as a whole. That’s not Lamelo’s fault, and Levar maybe isnt as bad as the “Lonzo in LA” days but Golden State is way closer to the kinda high-profile LA is that there’s a chance Levar would’ve upped his shenanigans again for more opportunistic spotlight.
I think everyone in the org had enough of the kind of media blitzing that came with having Durant on the team (not Durant himself, but KD did bring that kind of off-court attention from the media that I think was really draining for them), and something like that—but without being in the middle of a dynasty—would’ve been a thing that might’ve dogged last years team and reverberated into the future for as long as a Ball was on this team and Levar was allowed around.
So as much as a misstep some might think drafting Wiseman was, imagine how much worse it’d be with everyone also possibly getting f-ed by being around the likes of potential toxicity that hadn’t been known since Mark Jackson’s last year as coach. I think Lacob said, “I’m good, and we’re good.”
Top team roundup: Utah is walking around saying "You do know we were the best team in the regular season last year, yes?" While Miami wet the bed against Boston not even playing well. Duncan Robinson interesting stat: 5-17, all of them threes.
Thunder has won only two games this season so far. Both of those wins were against the Lakers (10/27 and tonight), who blew a big lead against the Thunder.
Posted the clip before the game but specifically check the play at 1:19 and think about the potential. Through the legs stepback into a pull up jumper (with a very loose handle that wouldn't work in the NBA, he needs to tighten that up). I'm not sure someone like Trey Murphy has anything like that in his "bag", but both of those guys were viewed similarly as "just 3 and D". We'll see...
I have a feeling. I feel that the row of unsung, unpredictable, unconventional heroes of ‘20-‘21 webelieve 2.0 Dubs is not over yet. I feel that we can expect the next to be JD4. Yes, Jeff Dowtin. I liked his stretch in Vegas, and I see him emotionally flowing with the team. I say that with the first opportunity, he will own the clutch. Someone shares my crazy feeling?
Nov 4, 2021Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
I could so care less about roster what-ifs right now, because I'm so enamored with the roster as is. I love the shooting and skill from Bjelly and Porter and how that fits into different lineups and matchups. I love how seamlessly Iguodala has returned, and how he looks better now then when he left. I love that Klay is on ice, getting ready to go, and I have even more confidence that with the makeup of the roster that re-integration should be pretty straightforward. I love that Wiseman has a pretty clearly defined role that I think he can be successful in for year 2, without the pressure to perform. I love that Moody and Kuminga have a bit of a freshman year on a great college team scenario for them.
But mainly - oooooh, I love that we've got spots for three bootstrap, NBA junkyard dogs like GP2, Damion, and JTA. Their tenacity is so great around the edges of the "core" talent. To have three of them in distinct roles. For them to set a standard that the rookies have to look at. Like Moody being, "I've got to be better than Damion Lee to get his minutes." That's a different type of development than just being handed minutes.
I wonder how LaMelo would have been viewed coming into the draft if he hadn't played for their high school team, didn't have those brothers or that father, hadn't played in Australia, was just another let's say two years in college guy. I have no idea, it's just that he was a pick with a past. But also: When Meyers discussed drafting Wiseman, as I recall, he made it seem like a no brainer, like "We have never had a really good really tall guy, and this is an extremely good really tall guy."
GP2's 3 ball has looked pretty solid this year. Even on his misses he has a pretty sound form and they're on target, just short or long. What a luxury to have this guy as a secret weapon off the bench.
After having watched Kumingas G League highlights. . . . I'm sticking with my Jimmy Butler pro comparison. Kuminga should be watching a lot of Butler film early in his career while he continues to improve his jump shot.
Lot of Lamelo vs. Wiseman talk here it seems, but I think Lamelo was a non-starter for the Warriors because of the baggage of his father. Remember, this is an organization that keeps a literal family atmosphere where player’s families are welcome to be around the team and facilities during the season. You allow Levar into that, I think you risk poisoning the whole well, messing up the vibe and chemistry of the family atmosphere which would have toxic effects on the team itself and the organization as a whole. That’s not Lamelo’s fault, and Levar maybe isnt as bad as the “Lonzo in LA” days but Golden State is way closer to the kinda high-profile LA is that there’s a chance Levar would’ve upped his shenanigans again for more opportunistic spotlight.
I think everyone in the org had enough of the kind of media blitzing that came with having Durant on the team (not Durant himself, but KD did bring that kind of off-court attention from the media that I think was really draining for them), and something like that—but without being in the middle of a dynasty—would’ve been a thing that might’ve dogged last years team and reverberated into the future for as long as a Ball was on this team and Levar was allowed around.
So as much as a misstep some might think drafting Wiseman was, imagine how much worse it’d be with everyone also possibly getting f-ed by being around the likes of potential toxicity that hadn’t been known since Mark Jackson’s last year as coach. I think Lacob said, “I’m good, and we’re good.”
Top team roundup: Utah is walking around saying "You do know we were the best team in the regular season last year, yes?" While Miami wet the bed against Boston not even playing well. Duncan Robinson interesting stat: 5-17, all of them threes.
Thunder has won only two games this season so far. Both of those wins were against the Lakers (10/27 and tonight), who blew a big lead against the Thunder.
OKC beats Lakers!!
Rockets and Suns in a pretty fun game right now. Rockets might not be the pushovers they were expected to be.
https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/1456041613352792064
Posted the clip before the game but specifically check the play at 1:19 and think about the potential. Through the legs stepback into a pull up jumper (with a very loose handle that wouldn't work in the NBA, he needs to tighten that up). I'm not sure someone like Trey Murphy has anything like that in his "bag", but both of those guys were viewed similarly as "just 3 and D". We'll see...
Afternoon E1P up now https://dubnationhq.com/p/explain-one-play-gary-payton-ii-takes
Hot off the press: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq_GwM27AlI
I have a feeling. I feel that the row of unsung, unpredictable, unconventional heroes of ‘20-‘21 webelieve 2.0 Dubs is not over yet. I feel that we can expect the next to be JD4. Yes, Jeff Dowtin. I liked his stretch in Vegas, and I see him emotionally flowing with the team. I say that with the first opportunity, he will own the clutch. Someone shares my crazy feeling?
Efficiency landscape so far in this season:
https://twitter.com/kirkgoldsberry/status/1456283388877410306
-Heat is #1 in net rating (#2 offense, #2 defense)
-Jazz is #2 in net rating (#4 offense, #3 defense)
-Warriors are #3 in net rating (#16 offense, #1 defense)
-76ers are #4 in net rating (#1 offense, #12 defense)
-Bulls are #5
-Raptors are #6
-Thunder is #29
-Pistons are #30
I could so care less about roster what-ifs right now, because I'm so enamored with the roster as is. I love the shooting and skill from Bjelly and Porter and how that fits into different lineups and matchups. I love how seamlessly Iguodala has returned, and how he looks better now then when he left. I love that Klay is on ice, getting ready to go, and I have even more confidence that with the makeup of the roster that re-integration should be pretty straightforward. I love that Wiseman has a pretty clearly defined role that I think he can be successful in for year 2, without the pressure to perform. I love that Moody and Kuminga have a bit of a freshman year on a great college team scenario for them.
But mainly - oooooh, I love that we've got spots for three bootstrap, NBA junkyard dogs like GP2, Damion, and JTA. Their tenacity is so great around the edges of the "core" talent. To have three of them in distinct roles. For them to set a standard that the rookies have to look at. Like Moody being, "I've got to be better than Damion Lee to get his minutes." That's a different type of development than just being handed minutes.
I wonder how LaMelo would have been viewed coming into the draft if he hadn't played for their high school team, didn't have those brothers or that father, hadn't played in Australia, was just another let's say two years in college guy. I have no idea, it's just that he was a pick with a past. But also: When Meyers discussed drafting Wiseman, as I recall, he made it seem like a no brainer, like "We have never had a really good really tall guy, and this is an extremely good really tall guy."
ooh boy, I just got through this Suns story after seeing a bunch of clips on Twitter. Horrible, but riveting read
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32440987/phoenix-suns-robert-sarver-allegations-racism-misogyny
Young Glove moniker is cool.
I had been thinking “Puppy Glove” might also work since he (like pops) has the dog in him.
GP2's 3 ball has looked pretty solid this year. Even on his misses he has a pretty sound form and they're on target, just short or long. What a luxury to have this guy as a secret weapon off the bench.
After having watched Kumingas G League highlights. . . . I'm sticking with my Jimmy Butler pro comparison. Kuminga should be watching a lot of Butler film early in his career while he continues to improve his jump shot.