Eyriq

He is old. I could see him playing at the same level next year with perhaps more consistency. More consistency would mean a better season overall, which would be an improvement and enough of an impact to push us over the edge. Than again, maybe his inconsistency was due to age and not due to the new system? In that case we'd get the same inconsistency but with lower peaks and deeper valleys. That sort of season would fit in as a 3rd option but not as the 2nd or 1st.

The Cavs have had two elite seasons without Bosh, so it is hard to say how much better they are with him. Either way, you pair up the best player in the league with the best young PF in the league and you get the best two player duo in the league. Scary.

We've just witnessed a message-board meltdown. Cool

Upgrade the SF position, upgrade the backup PG position. Otherwise we have a great rotation. An improved glue guy that you can plug in there is what the doctor ordered, say like going after Childress with the MLE. Or just upgrade the backup PG while simply sliding Lewis over to the 3 and moving Anderson into the SL and Bass into the rotation.

This is a great post. Dwight gets a lot of undeserved hate, yet is one of the more dominant players the league has seen, let alone amongst bigs. RealGM needs this thread btw.

Carter a liability at both ends? Wow, that just sounds absurd. Guy is still better than half the starting SG's you'll see next year.

Nene smiling is killing me

...nah

This Boston starting 5 had one of the best defenses of all time just two years ago. They get healthy this year and shut us down, are we really that surprised? The stretch 4 is an offensive scheme meant to capitalize on effective shots both inside and out, it failed, but it failed against one of the most epic defensive teams we've seen. I'm not sure I'd let that failure serve as a mortuary on the stretch 4.

Career length and productivity are said to be most highly correlated with court mileage, not age. With that in mind, if Arenas can pass a physical I'd say bring him in. Vince Carter for Arenas and a Washington unprotected 1st rounder.

Great write up, I'm fully on board with your logic here. From Memphis's POV I'm not seeing a straight S&T involving Vince getting this done. It would require something more creative and I'm not equipped to say what that would be. The team's assets are many, comprised of the Carter pseudo-expiring, the front court depth, the 29th pick, and the TPE. Does any combination of that make sense for Memphis?

I like our chances.

Need to trust in Dwight more and find ways of getting him the ball. This is not last years Dwight; he is much more intelligent and composed in the post, rarely making bad decisions. Also, his foul shooting is better I believe, which time will show. With the offense that the Magic have there is no reason that Carter should be putting up more shot attempts that the entire starting lineup combined.

Poor Bass.

I love both him and Bass. Goodness, it is great to be a Magic fan!

This idea is spot on imo. With him in the fold our identity was forged 2 years ago. What kind of team would we have if we hadn't signed him then? I'm quite happy with our identity, thank you. Being able to sign him for that price and still bring in the talent that we have brought in means to me that the price of his contract is inconsequential. While his contract is inconsequential his role on our team is not, so if the contract bashing hasn't been put to bed already, it should be once and for all after the great offseason Otis had.

I understand. I have one more thought on the subject though. ****EDITED FOR CONTENT*****

quote: Originally posted by deadman54: quote: Originally posted by Eyriq:#1 rule of the internet: There are no girls on the internet #2 rule of the internet: In the event of an exception to rule #1, said girl is not hot. you left rule 3 keep message boards idoit free. but then again that would rule you out... girls are fine on the internet we dont need these comments on here again off season was full of this rubbish let it settle down please... Ouch, harsh. I guess I thought that was much funnier than it actually is? That can happen.

#1 rule of the internet: There are no girls on the internet #2 rule of the internet: In the event of an exception to rule #1, said girl is not hot.

lol, that is just my gut speaking. He is certifiably non-classifiable.

It's a dude. Also, for the ultimate proof that they are one and the same? The only posters I have EVER put on ignore, Cougar, Pec, and BassMaster. Coincidence? I think not.... lol

@HoopsCzar Nelson is not a dominant force? He made the All Star team, an honor awarded to an elite group of players for their outstanding play. Nelson's specialty? Offense. Among PG's in TS% he ranks 3rd, 10th overall (#2 in 3pt%), and 4th in ORtg, 8th overall. Does this qualify as a dominant force on Offense? I think it does. Also consider that of his forty-two games played last season he had fourteen where he scored 20 points or more, including two above 25 pts and one above 30pts. This was done while taking an average of 16 shots, netting 22ppg. This in 1/3 of his games, from a player who was not the number 1 option at any point of the year. Last year Nelson demonstrated an ability to shoot accurately and to score in bulk. The body of what he did last season as an offensive player demonstrates his potential to be a "dominant force". I for one am comfortable with an offense spearheaded by Howard/Carter/Nelson, at least for the 10 games that Lewis is out.

Redick may still have a future on the team as the 2cd-3rd string SG since a) Barnes is effectively on a 1 year deal and B) like DOM so eloquently pointed out Redick fills a specific niche need for the team; 3pt point sharp shooting. Here is what some other 3pt specialists make around the league; Jason Kapono: $6,212,960 Kyle Korver: $5,155,115 Sasha Vujacic: $5,000,000 Matt Carroll: $4,700,000 Daniel Gibson: $4,088,500 Eddie House: $2,862,000 Brent Barry: $2,062,800 Daequan Cook: $1,362,120 Steve Novak: $1,030,180 Most likely though Redick won't see much floor time unless he has had made drastic strides in expanding his game, preferably towards improved ball handling and court vision. Carter and Pietrus will most likely eat up all the SG minutes for the next 2-3 years.

1. Dwight Howard: Beast in the paint that changes the game both offensively and defensively. 2. Vince Carter: Dynamic wing that can create for self and others. Team Closer. 3. Jameer Nelson: Terrific shooter, passer; one of the best offensive PG's in the league and the team leader. 4. Rashard Lewis: Versatile forward, stretches the defense with his shooting; Team Finisher. 5. Marcin Gortat: Defensive anchor, will change the game with his defensive energy and reliability. Gifted athlete with developing offensive skills. 6. Mickael Pietrus: Explosive scorer with ability to be a lock down defender. 7. Brandon Bass: Great shot mixed with length and strength for doing work in the paint. Highly productive. 8. Ryan Anderson: Perimeter oriented Power Forward with great shot; a great rebounder. Has tons of potential. 9. Matt Barnes: Is tough as nails with a diverse skill set. Rebounding and 3 point shot are strong points for the team. 10. JJ Redick: Gifted offensive player with high basketball IQ. Has been going through growing pains during his rookie contract and is finally ready to put it all together. 11. Anthony Johnson: Good 3pt shooter but doesn't do anything to really wow you anymore. At best a 2cd string PG, though preferably a 3rd stringer.

Ryan Anderson is an option at the 4 for sure, and he does bring a lot of what Lewis brings in the sense of being a perimeter oriented big. On a scale of perimeter oriented vs post oriented I'd say Lewis is a 10 and Anderson is more of a 7. Bass would be a 4 or 5 while Gortat would be a 1 or 2. Bass won't shoot the 3 but he will block shots and rebound, and he will bang on defense. Not to mention he has a very reliable outside jump shot. So for both depth purposes and based on who I think will make the best PF next year I vote for Bass starting at the 4 with Lewis at the 3.