"How can the Cavs improve? Shump, Love, JR, TT Boi and more...."
Shump: His shot mechanics suggest that he can became a reliable 37%+ three point shooter. He's still improving as a defender and can max out as All-D. I believe his potential as a playmaker hasn't been properly exploited as a pro; he was amazing at G-tech and showed flashes as a Knick. He's only 25.
Love: Bottomline with Kev is if he can accept being a garbage man and maximize his production as such. He could be a 15-15-4 player, easily. That's bigtime. That's HOF with a couple of rings. Wes Unseld, his frequent comp, was only 11-14 for his career. He's clearly not a #1 or #2 option on a title team, so he needs to look inward and be real. I think he sits down with Cavs and accepts his role. He's a skilled scrapper, like Milsap. So why trade for Milsap? Not bad on D when he tries, too. Kev not going anywhere. Kev is only 27.
JR: We know what he is. They just need to re-sign his crazy ass. We'll see. He's 30. 3/30 mil seems fair.
TT Boi: He should be a double-double player. Period. Amazing at hedging on guards. Exceptional perimeter defending big, rare commodity in changing NBA landscape. Golden State didn't have one, but even if they did, Kyrie still woulda skullfucked him in iso, which THE FRAUD couldn't do against TT (or Love). Just turned 25.
Bron: Will be supremely confident in his leadership now. And his psyche in tight moments will be lot more stable, now that he's banked a huge amount of house money. He's 31. 3 more years of prime, with elite athleticism...EASILY.
Kyrie: Eh. He'll just get better. He's now coached by someone who enthusiastically celebrates what he is instead of insisting he become what he is not. Kyrie is a mercenary. Let him be that. All that other diversionary shit is hindsight now. He is what he is. And he's better at it than anyone in the league. Just turned 24.
Ty Lue: He will come up with some wondrous lineups with a full season at the helm. The players already respect him. On his way to a HOF career as a coach. He's not even 40.
Try to get Pau for MLE...don't need him tho. But they dominant with him.
Try to get Hendo for Vet minimum...really don't need him, but more perimeter D helps.
Try to sign Thomas Robinson...this his last chance to become an elite bamma...the bamma i know he can be.
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86665 posts
Mon Jun-20-16 10:07 PM
1. "Things I'd love to see:" In response to Reply # 0
- improved FT shooting from Tristan. Really, all they need him for is lobs, boards, and defense. If he can hit 70% of his FTs (he got to 69.3% once!), he'd be golden.
- improved defensive consistency from Ky and Love. They've shown what they *can* do in spurts. Kev obviously has a lower defensive ceiling than Ky, but both should be better. I don't even need them to be *good* defenders. I need them to be passable.
- Shump has to make his 3s. Period. His defense simply isn't yet ball-stopper enough for him to be on the floor making less than 35%. I agree that he's improving. He needs to improve faster, cuz right now, any time he has the ball, I'm screaming for him to pass.
- I'd love more rebounds from Frye-- let's say 5 per game-- but I'm not picky. If he can make 38%+ from 3, I'm good.
Offseason moves:
- I'd love them to bring back Delly for cheap, if just cuz of how goddamn mad he makes people. That and I'm not in love with this class of bench point guard free agents if he goes. (Dream scenario involves landing Seth Curry, but that's the fan in me.)
- My dream signings: Kent Bazemore or Luol Deng. Good perimeter defense, better shooters than Shump, ready to win now. Not sure if either could be afforded... but they're dream signings.
- Guys who could likely be signed for cheap who I think still have some potential as bench guys who would fit well: Ray McCallum. Cleanthony Early. Ian Clark... and, especially if Mozgov leaves, Miles Plumlee.
3. "Shump ceiling might be 3 and d" In response to Reply # 1
He need to work on that corner 3 like Shane battier.
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
19. "i don't 'see' it either per se lolol" In response to Reply # 4
i just think it would be the smartest move on his part, rather than trying to improve all around..work on being a smarter defender and your long range jumpshot. You can make a career or extend it just by perfecting that next to bron/kyrie.
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86665 posts
Tue Jun-21-16 11:04 AM
23. "It's definitely what his role needs to be." In response to Reply # 19
Of course, in a world where people bitch about Tristan and Love's contracts, despite the fact that they're very good at what they do, Shump would have to get really damn good at iso defense and corner 3s in a hurry before his annual paycheck is over ten million (so by next season, basically, lol).
30. "only way he lives up to that contract is if the cap explodes to 120milli..." In response to Reply # 23
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
5. "The Cavs are over the cap; they won't be getting Deng/Baze" In response to Reply # 1
That's the main reason why I think Love should still be on the block. With the amount he's making, they could get a couple of solid role players in return for him, and that would be selling low.
If Phoenix wants to open up the SG spot for Booker, maybe Bledsoe, PJ Tucker or TJ Warren, and the #13 pick.
Ainge still might make a bigger than I'd hope offer for Love.
14. "Eh, if you think you can sign someone like Pau for the MLE" In response to Reply # 10
Then I think it makes a ton of sense to move Love to get younger and deeper. If you can get Bledsoe, Warren, and #13 for Love, it's a no brainer to me. You have to look to see what is out there, at least.
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86665 posts
Tue Jun-21-16 09:47 AM
17. "Love still did nearly a double-double this year." In response to Reply # 14
If he's getting traded, that trade needs to not have many if any question marks attached. Bledsoe and presumably Sabonis for Love-- can Sabonis do a double-double year one? Is it worth investing that much money in Irving *and* Bledsoe when both have injury issues? Who starts at the floor to spread the floor-- Frye? If so, where do those six additional rebounds come from?
I don't think that deal is a no-brainer at all. I think it has more questions than answers. (I also think Warren is of basically no value on a good team, as he's a scorer who can neither shoot nor defend. At least Love is a terrific rebounder, passer, and shooter who can't defend.)
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86665 posts
Tue Jun-21-16 12:17 PM
27. "I've never been a big Love fan either, but..." In response to Reply # 26 Tue Jun-21-16 12:18 PM by Frank Longo
... he perfectly fits the offense they're trying to run. They need bigs alongside Thompson who can spread the floor and make shots facing the basket. If they lose Love, they need to replace him with someone who does what he does... and I don't really know who they can get that will do that.
I like Bledsoe a lot, I just don't think the Cavs need another guy who wants the ball in his hands on the outside as much as they need bigs who can shoot.
Dirk three times. Shawn Marion twice. Antawn Jamison twice. Toine once.
And Love four times. Two of those seasons with Cleveland.
If you change those numbers to reflect shooters that are hitting at an impressive 35%+ clip from distance, that list shrinks further... but Love's Cleveland seasons remain.
Having a guy who spreads the floor that efficiently *and* rebounds that efficiently is a massive commodity.
And I'm the guy who said they never should've traded Wiggins! I'm far from a Kevin Love fanboy. But it's reeeeeeeeally hard to deny that the dude has legitimate value, especially on a team constructed the way the Cavs are. And there's really no way to easily replace what he brings to the team if you deal him away.
28. "RE: Let's put this Kevin Love "role" in perspective, shall we?" In response to Reply # 21 Tue Jun-21-16 12:26 PM by murph71
U can bring up every stat in the book....All I know is for the most part (beyond game 7 when dude showed up), Love was viewed as a hindrance on the Cavs for much of this season and especially during the playoffs. So much so that Richard Jefferson was getting playing time during big moments....The trade talk surrounding Love became deafening.....
But unlike others I don't think Love struggles are because he was some overrated player who thrived on a losing team.... He needs to be on a team where he will get HIS touches and get into HIS spots....
But it's really a no brainer. U trade Love to get more parts, save more money and build up that lackluster bench....
I would get on the phone and call Danny A./Boston right now....
GOAT of his era......long live Prince.....God is alive....
Frank Longo Member since Nov 18th 2003 86665 posts
Tue Jun-21-16 12:42 PM
31. "This is patently false." In response to Reply # 28 Tue Jun-21-16 12:43 PM by Frank Longo
>Love was viewed >as a hindrance on the Cavs for much of this season and >especially during the playoffs.
He's still viewed by some as a disappointment thanks to his Minnesota numbers, but dude was definitely productive during the season and his 3-point shooting was a big part of their sweep through the East in the playoffs. Everyone took notice if they were looking. If he had a bad game here or there, then yes, the reactionary riff-raff would go, "This is what I'm talking about!" But Cleveland was as terrific as they were all year long in large part because of Love and what he brings to the offense.
> So much so that Richard >Jefferson was getting playing time during big moments....The >trade talk surrounding Love became deafening.....
During the Finals, this is true, because Kyrie and Love together have had defensive struggles-- but no one should be surprised when fans have a reactionary response to a few bad games. (Even I was busting out the old "could've had Wiggins!" meme, but that's just cuz I'm a big fan of Wiggins.)
>But unlike others I don't think Love struggles are because he >was some overrated player who thrived on a losing team.... He >needs to be on a team where he will get HIS touches and get >into HIS spots....
I really disagree. I think he's an ideal third guy on a great team. He's not a #1 option on a great team.
>But it's really a no brainer. U trade Love to get more parts, >save more money and build up that lackluster bench....
If it's a no-brainer, they'll do it. But since they won't, it mustn't be a no-brainer then.
36. "RE: This is patently false." In response to Reply # 31
>>Love was viewed >>as a hindrance on the Cavs for much of this season and >>especially during the playoffs. > >He's still viewed by some as a disappointment thanks to his >Minnesota numbers, but dude was definitely productive during >the season and his 3-point shooting was a big part of their >sweep through the East in the playoffs. Everyone took notice >if they were looking. If he had a bad game here or there, then >yes, the reactionary riff-raff would go, "This is what I'm >talking about!" But Cleveland was as terrific as they were all >year long in large part because of Love and what he brings to >the offense.
Hey...Like I said, I don't think Love is a dog.....I think he's a victim of the role he's been given....
But it's obvious Love was a disappointment for the Cavs more often than not....I mean, we talking about to the point EVERYONE from fans to sports writers to NBA folk were discussing not IF but when he would be traded in the off season before he pulled his weight in game 7.....
That's not patently false...At all....
GOAT of his era......long live Prince.....God is alive....
7. "I dunno if lebron can become a better shooter" In response to Reply # 2
like, he is what he is.
whether his back is still hurt, or how that affects him I dunno.
I thought the difference in miami is that with bosh and wade, he could realllly pick his spots. he almost never HAD to shoot, because both of them could get shots.
in this series you saw him push over to kyrie that way more, it'd be dope if love remembered how to shoot and he could pick some up there too, which imo would get lebron's percentages up, even if he's not really shooting better.
8. "Why can't he become a better shooter?" In response to Reply # 7
Plenty of players have later in their career once their athleticism faded.
His back? Gtfoh...he can do all those powerful dunks but can't shoot consistently bc of his back???? Lmao
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
12. "when did jason kidd get his?" In response to Reply # 9
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
Guys who couldn't shoot through college and the first decade plus of their professional careers don't just "turn it on" for a couple of seasons like Kidd did.
(It helps that, for those seasons, he was, like, seventh through ninth in points per game-- Dallas simply never needed him to score, so he could really afford to pick his spots a lot better.)
25. "Isn't this basically what Lebron did in Miami too?" In response to Reply # 24
>(It helps that, for those seasons, he was, like, seventh >through ninth in points per game-- Dallas simply never needed >him to score, so he could really afford to pick his spots a >lot better.)
I think LBJ could easily get his 3PT% back 36-37% range if he got to spot up and pick his spots better. He went through a big slump this season and has to be by far the main facilitator on this Cleveland team (Wade and Miami's pace & space set him up better there), but he was still at 35% last season.
11. "I voiced that in the Game 3 or 4 thread..." In response to Reply # 8
he's gotta work on that J. He's nearly unstoppable when he's shooting that jumper with confidence. He doesn't have to reinvent himself as Sam Perkins or no shit like that, but at least add a lil consistent elbow joint. I just can't accept someone that skilled and driven can't develop a repeatable movement on a jump shot.
13. "i think the biggest reason he hasn't is simply bc he does it 'need'" In response to Reply # 11
it yet. He still doesn't post up other power forwards but still beasts when he wants to.
He's gonna have to develop it as he gets older and can't do the things he's accustomed to. Most players evolve and add different dimensions as needed, i'm sure he will.
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
34. "was supposed to say other forwards not pfs specifically" In response to Reply # 13
-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.
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