Random thoughts

Aloha,

This has been a strange year. At times we have looked like we can beat anyone in the NBA but at other times we look like we can lose to anyone in the league. Last night was odd game because we looked like total losers in the first half and winners in the 2nd half. Defense was the main reason for the turn around. We adjusted on Hero and nobody else on the Heat really wasn’t hurting us that much.

Last night we saw something we have seen a
Couple of but not often enough. A balanced scoring attack. Rui 23, AD 22, LeBron 22, Max 16, Austin and Gabe 14.

The Key was Austin. He only took 9 shot but he had 14 assists. I would like to more of this instead of force feeding AD and LeBron. Rui is scoring threat when given the opportunity. He’s been getting 5 or 6 shots a game but was 9- 15 last night. Max is also beginning to be a reliable scorer. After a slow start he’s up to 37% from 3.

I still have faith in Gabe. It’s not easy missing nearly entire year and come back without any negative effects. Last night he looked like the guy we hoped we were getting. He has had a few games like this but not many, at least on the offensive side.

Dalton has to get his confidence back if we are going to have any chance considering there isn’t much scoring in the 2nd unit. He was turning down open looks which is never a good sign.

Not many turnovers. Huge.

I was a little sad to see Quincy released. I think it was admission that they may not be able to trade for a back up center. The Lakers listed Trey Jemison the guy they signed to a 2 way contract at 6’11 and 275 pounds. He is a young guy that looked pretty good as a rebounder and shot blocker last year with the Grizz.

Why do we need a back up. Here is Jackson’s in the last 7 games since coming back. He has total 18 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. The opponents back up centers have totaled 41 points, 46 rebounds and 6 blocks. Jackson has been played off the court several time by big centers. Jackson only weighs 220. Steven Adams out weighed Jackson by 45 pounds of muscle. JJ tried both LeBron and Rui on Adams, both are stronger than Jackson, Adams was a handful for both LeBron and Rui.

If we can’t trade for a center we have enough cap space that we could cut a player and sign Jemison for less than a million. Leaving us enough to cut another player and add someone in the buyout market.

I watched the Thunder dismantle the Cavs without Hartenstein. They were up 38 after 3. Once Chet and Hartenstein are both healthy, the only hope the rest of the Western Conference has is 5 or 6 high ankle sprains on the Thunder during the playoffs.

The Lakers have said they will not use their first round picks unless it’s for a difference maker that will be the team the next 5 years. I.E a young player. There isn’t anyone even any 2 players available that I feel would elevate the team to contend with OKC. I don’t mind moving the 2nds. Both are next year and if the season ended today the world be the 50 and 51picks. So the odds of drafting a star are slim to none.

Considering the market we may not even be able to find a trade for them. I’m mean even Jonas in Washington has 3 or 4 teams interested in him. This is the new reality of the NBA trade season.