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That is not the locker room, that is the elevator

yes and it has been for quite some time

You’re the worst... lol

Patience, young grasshoppers. Remember, we didn’t sign Simmons until like mid-July. Also, the LeBron and Kawhi chips still need to fall. KD didn’t leave OKC until the 4th of July.

Dude do u even read. The post right before u says Payton is unrestricted and if u did any research at all u would know this. U are a troll or epically ignorant. I am saying what 99% of the rest of us are thinking. Just go away. Please.

It's a good fit for him. He's gonna blow up there.

When compared to our position, he might be better off joining the Knicks. They have an all star caliber player to build around in Kristaps Porzingis. He was well on his way to star status with superstar potential before his injury. As long as he comes back strong from that injury there is no reason why he cannot continue to be the centerpiece for that franchise for a long time. We don't have such a player unless we see Gordon breaks out like Oladipo did with the Pacers, or Isaac or Bamba become that star caliber player. Outside of KP, they have a young high upside combo guard in Frank Ntilikina, they have just drafted a high upside but raw forward in Kevin Knox, Tim Hardaway Jr has just had a career year, and Enes Kanter has opted in and while he's not a dominate defensive player he's an excellent rebounder and leader. They some other talent as well on their roster like Emmanuel Mudiay, Trey Burke, Mitchell Robinson and Damyean Dotson. Add in their cap flexibility starting next year which coincides with KP's return and they might be able to attract big name free agents to a big market as long as they are trending in the right direction. Now we do have some good young upside talent on our roster, and one might argue we are better off because we have a completed front court in Isaac, Gordon and Bamba. So Hezonja would slot in at SG and all we need to do then is address the PG position, but is the SG spot Hezonja's best position? Will he even get an opportunity to start under a veteran orientated head coach? It's tough to say. From a coaching stand point they have hired David Fizdale. He is highly regarded and respected around the league. Player development and developing a strong culture are two things he should bring to that team, and with their young upside talent and existing veterans he has the players to work with to set the foundations for long term success. I personally would have liked to have seen us hire Fizdale rather than Clifford. The positive from Clifford's stand point is that he is a defensive coach that got the Hornets into the top ten in defensive rating in pretty much every season he coached them. So considering we are heading towards building a defensively orientated team around Gordon (if extended), Isaac and Bamba, then hiring Clifford does make sense but he was a fairly uninspiring hire. For me I think Fizdale is the better coach but time will tell. Front office wise the people in charge seem to have a more level headed approach than previous regimes. They have pretty much said they aren't looking to lock any players up into long term deals from this year's free agent pool in order to maximize cap space and flexibility for next year's free agent pool. They have decided to rebuild around their young upside talent, build a strong culture, and be patient. Again another tough one to pick a winner. The issue I have with our front office is they are consistently looking for certain measurements in every prospect, which is fine but measurements aren't everything. I would have liked to have seen us trade up, but there is no doubt that Bamba was a good value pick at six. Time will tell whether their approach in going for length is the right one or not, but front office wise both teams have their preferences and flexibility going forwards. So who holds the advantage? I'd say the Knicks because Hezonja would arguably join Frank Ntilikina, Tim Hardaway jr, Kevin Knox and Enes Kanter in the starting line up. So there should be no shortage of opportunity with them because he arguably wouldn't start for us next season under Clifford. So if Hezonja wants to join a team that will give him a greater opportunity to develop and get more minutes under his belt, then I'd say the Knicks are a better fit, and long term they might be better off because when KP comes back they'll have an all star caliber player to add to their starting line up - which is something we don't currently have. Plus when you combine Fizdale's appeal around the league, their market size, and storied franchise status, they might be better off attracting bigger name free agents in 2019 or 2020 than we might be. Now I hope we do get to bring back Hezonja, but the Knicks do offer a better opportunity, and perhaps the Kings as well because he could land the starting small forward role for them.

I think it’s cool he’s staying. Anytime a small market club beats out the big market team im all for it. Good for OKC and good for PG.

Meltdown could not happen to a more deserving team.

I think his alpha mentality allows for our other 2nd and 3rd options to play like 2nd & 3rd options, instead of everyone trying to fill 1st option shoes. IMO, he aligns the rest of the roster into their rightful pecking order.

fixed.

You should have gone to sleep 4 hours ago so you could wake up at 5 and watch with us

Remember the theory that Henny was saving cap space to sign two max free agents a couple of summers ago? And then he signed Augustin for 7 million, Jeff Green for 15 million, and Biz for 17 million? Lol. Dreadful

Well, you have to admit, he was better then Chris Duhon!!!

Aren't you forgetting someone?

It's funny how uninformed and easily convinced of complete bull**** some of us are here. First Lonzo is arrogant and now Russell has character issues lol. I hope no one ever judges any of you with baseless claims the way some of you feel entitled to do here.

You're not winning the finals though. You can go to the finals and make all your money but you're not winning and this is the east. Competent rosters have beaten him with lesser talent. The Heat were beaten, twice...by old men....with competence. The Thunder had absolutely terrible offensive philosophy. The Spurs title was a fringe title as the Spurs were up before being rattled by Ray Allen. The Spurs came back to redeem that and single-handedly destroyed the most infamous team in the league. They knew who they were and knew what they had to do to win. The Warriors are young adults with competence, high tolerance, and unselfish characters. There is tension there at times as Draymond critiques players for their defense but it dissipates rather quickly. These are players with real direction. They are attacked by opposing fans who wish for their downfall or complain because their a team that stands in an individual's way. I'd rather see a team win as the spoils and credits are spread among them all rather than an individual. The same team that LeBron has beaten has come back to the finals to slap him in the face, three times after going to 7. They've even gotten better at doing it. The game has evolved in Golden State's favor. To beat them, the opponent has no choice but to play along. Houston was the closest to playing along. They took the Warriors to 7 whereas the Cavs were relentlessly swept by Golden State. Even with Kyrie, they were going to be swept as they were beaten 4-1 with a better roster in 2017. The Warriors are 3-1...against LeBron..the same 3-1 they were teased about for blowing. The league..needs more competence, that's all. You do not need LeBron James to win a title. Proficiency should be the goal and I believe Boston is the closest to accomplishing this and possibly the Utah Jazz if they can get one more piece.

He quit so many times on defense it was ridiculous. And I call not even taking a step towards the roller on a pnr, QUITTING thats not called being a bad defender. It’s called not even trying to defend. And by cancer. I mean they’re attitude and playing style are eating away at this team like a cancer.

Nah. I want Vuch and Fournier off this team. I've seen enough.

If Kemba hates losing, he would not want to come to our Magic since Magic have a losing record for 6 years

LeBron is not going to help the Lakers go to the Finals

Yes I would be mad because I can not stand him

Very funny! He was trash!