Sure he was. Leonard had a great playoff.. and was starting to come around, but only averaged 12 points a game in 14.

Duncan was at 16 points a game and nearly 10 rebounds still.

Now, its Leonards team, and if I remember correctly, they didnt even make it to the Conference Finals.

The point stands. In order to be a dominant team, you need Hall of Fame level talent on your team.

EDIT: Even in the playoffs Duncan still averaged more points per game. Damn near Double-Double in the playoffs.
- jak521

He's basically comparing the first 2 years of a rebuild to the 20th year of a dynasty. Clearly knows nothing about the NBA and how it works.

Really?

Who won that year? I really thought he won it that year.
- J35Bacher

Joakim Noah

The idea of picking up Keller, who can either enter our top 6 as a game breaking LW in 1-2 years, or start out as 3C....all while working towards being our future #1C in a handful of years when G slows down (still awesome) and maybe could be better used at wing or something, I simply don't see how Schenn has more value to us long term than that.

Resign Gagner for 2 years. If used in a role like Schenn for a full year, he can make up 40+ points of that. Lord knows he played way better than him in the playoffs when called upon and was terrific during the stretch. Another interesting name is Teddy Purcell...he's just as strong an ES scorer as Schenn while being a slightly better possession player. He can get you 40+. Give him a 2 year deal or something. Schenn's 50 points can be recouped in the short term. And then long term it might not be close.
- Mononoke

This is exactly where I am. The team has some assets to play with and I think they should really explore moving up to get Keller.

I also worry a bit about free agency because I think players are going to push for NMCs. We're going to likely have multiple expansion drafts in the next 2-3 years, so guys are going to want assurances they won't be exposed. I've never been a fan of handing out NMCs.

He's basically comparing the first 2 years of a rebuild to the 20th year of a dynasty. Clearly knows nothing about the NBA and how it works.
- PhillySportsGuy

He does have somewhat of a point. They (the Spurs) have been the exception in that they really have done a good job at finding the right players to put around Duncan.

Honestly though, no Duncan, no Robinson, no Championships.

This is exactly where I am. The team has some assets to play with and I think they should really explore moving up to get Keller.

I also worry a bit about free agency because I think players are going to push for NMCs. We're going to likely have multiple expansion drafts in the next 2-3 years, so guys are going to want assurances they won't be exposed. I've never been a fan of handing out NMCs.
- PhillySportsGuy

Classic "old toy syndrome"

I agree with what he said but not to that extent. The NHL is definitely more of an old boys club where guys like Seguin are getting traded for how they act off the ice. I think a lot of it is just because of how personable the sport of basketball is. People are closer to players...sometimes they get punched even...there are less players on a team and on the court so they get more exposure. A player can isolate himself and run the offense.

I know you get that part, but to the causal fan...they are exposed to just a few names on a regular basis
- YuenglingJagr

Sure, personable makes sense. Smaller court, fans are closer, no helmets/visors, etc. And it's fast, high scoring and exciting.

The NHL marketing department could certainly do more to promote the game - start by making some better, edgier commercials,like the ones basketball players make for sneakers and gatorade, and take ideas from the NFL - but hockey is still going to be to be tough to bring into the average American household. A lot of people have a hard time following the game, which is a shame.

Joakim Noah
- jak521

WOW.

I guess I can understand what the sixers did but I just can't get myself behind purposely losing. I understand losing. But not at making the sport a mockery. The Sixers had guys the legitimately aren't NBA players and if they are they are last guys on the bench.

This is exactly where I am. The team has some assets to play with and I think they should really explore moving up to get Keller.

I also worry a bit about free agency because I think players are going to push for NMCs. We're going to likely have multiple expansion drafts in the next 2-3 years, so guys are going to want assurances they won't be exposed. I've never been a fan of handing out NMCs.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't want a part of any FA that requests a NMC....I don't want a part of any big name FA tbh. I'm naming guys that are more cost effective and non-prohibitive for expansion. Does make you wonder if some lesser guys would take 1 year but with an overpay to still have control over their future next season. Even if Gagner or Purcell or whoever agreed to a short deal with multiple years, they aren't touching a NMC.

Really we only need someone for a couple years before Konecny, NAK, Lindblom, whoever we take this year filter in.

He does have somewhat of a point. They (the Spurs) have been the exception in that they really have done a good job at finding the right players to put around Duncan.

Honestly though, no Duncan, no Robinson, no Championships.
- jak521

I understand needing to find a guy. But after the Spurs got Duncan they didn't just keep tanking. Every year they reshape the roster. Hell they have even reshaped the team style. they used to be a 1/2 court team and then they went more up tempo.


They used to pound it low but then became a team who could hit 3's.

WOW.

I guess I can understand what the sixers did but I just can't get myself behind purposely losing. I understand losing. But not at making the sport a mockery. The Sixers had guys the legitimately aren't NBA players and if they are they are last guys on the bench.
- J35Bacher

But they needed to do something drastic.

Picture this. They continue to play mediocre basketball, drafting around 19-23 every year, and hope to find a gem, and win in Free Agency.

How likely is that to work?

Well, the last time they made a serious push to the playoffs (and Championship) was in 2001. That team was led by their last #1 pick.

You need to have a star to be able to compete in that league. Its just the way it works. Lebron has been in the league like 13 years and has been to a final 7 times.

He does have somewhat of a point. They (the Spurs) have been the exception in that they really have done a good job at finding the right players to put around Duncan.

Honestly though, no Duncan, no Robinson, no Championships.
- jak521

If they don't get Duncan, none of the other poop happens. They don't use first rounders on foreigners like Parker and Ginobili who won't join the team for years because they're likely trying to use them on players to help Robinson win before he exits his prime.

It's a residual effect. Finding the superstar makes everyone look smarter. The Spurs lucked into Duncan.

Sure, personable makes sense. Smaller court, fans are closer, no helmets/visors, etc. And it's fast, high scoring and exciting.

The NHL marketing department could certainly do more to promote the game - start by making some better, edgier commercials,like the ones basketball players make for sneakers and gatorade, and take ideas from the NFL - but hockey is still going to be to be tough to bring into the average American household. A lot of people have a hard time following the game, which is a shame.
- wolfhounds

They could start by showing games - stanley cup games- on a regular (frank)ing channel instead of this NBCSN bullpoop.

They could start by showing games - stanley cup games- on a regular (frank)ing channel instead of this NBCSN bullpoop.
- PhillySportsGuy

Cup is always on regular NBC isn't it?

Sure, personable makes sense. Smaller court, fans are closer, no helmets/visors, etc. And it's fast, high scoring and exciting.

The NHL marketing department could certainly do more to promote the game - start by making some better, edgier commercials,like the ones basketball players make for sneakers and gatorade, and take ideas from the NFL - but hockey is still going to be to be tough to bring into the average American household. A lot of people have a hard time following the game, which is a shame.
- wolfhounds

Something that I think plays a big part of that is just the lifestyle of a hockey player. For a guy like Provorov to leave his home and live elsewhere for years just to get to the NHL. Guys who barely speak english as some of the leagues best players. They are kind of taught to be robotic from day one and it takes a lot of the flair out. As the NCAA leagues get better we may see less of that...but NBA in general...some of these guys are stars before they even make it to the league

[quote=jak521]


Well I hope Simmons is the guy.

And I hope Embid can stay healthy.

If not then you probably have another tank in a couple of years.

alot of draft trade talk compared to other years

They could start by showing games - stanley cup games- on a regular (frank)ing channel instead of this NBCSN bullpoop.
- PhillySportsGuy

And only at night...none of that afternoon crap

I understand needing to find a guy. But after the Spurs got Duncan they didn't just keep tanking. Every year they reshape the roster. Hell they have even reshaped the team style. they used to be a 1/2 court team and then they went more up tempo.


They used to pound it low but then became a team who could hit 3's.
- J35Bacher

The point is they didnt need to continue tanking, because they had their guy.

It also helped that they had a healthy Robinson with him for 6 years. Those two on the same team was pretty damn unfair. The also had a great surrounding group as well...


The Sixers had nothing. The picks they got were not superstar players. They needed to get a legit star. Simmons is that guy. Embiid could also be as well. Now, do you honestly believe that now that they have Simmons and co., they are gonna go full on tank mode? NOPE. Why? Because they have their guys now.

If they don't get Duncan, none of the other poop happens. They don't use first rounders on foreigners like Parker and Ginobili who won't join the team for years because they're likely trying to use them on players to help Robinson win before he exits his prime.

It's a residual effect. Finding the superstar makes everyone look smarter. The Spurs lucked into Duncan.
- PhillySportsGuy

They could start by showing games - stanley cup games- on a regular (frank)ing channel instead of this NBCSN bullpoop.
- PhillySportsGuy

I honestly never knew what channel the hockey was on. In general the NHL better be thinking hard about their presentation and their marketing, because they didn't just lose to the NBA, they got annihilated.

I don't want a part of any FA that requests a NMC....I don't want a part of any big name FA tbh. I'm naming guys that are more cost effective and non-prohibitive for expansion. Does make you wonder if some lesser guys would take 1 year but with an overpay to still have control over their future next season. Even if Gagner or Purcell or whoever agreed to a short deal with multiple years, they aren't touching a NMC.

Really we only need someone for a couple years before Konecny, NAK, Lindblom, whoever we take this year filter in.
- Mononoke

I'm worried that they'll be competing with teams that are willing to use those NMCs. If I were a player about to sign for 3+ years, I would want a NMC even if it meant a little less money.

The 1 or 2 year deals obviously wouldn't carry those stipulations. I'd be ok with bringing back Gagner too.

Cup is always on regular NBC isn't it?
- Mononoke

Some of the games are on NBCSN I think (I streamed most of them, so I don't know, but it's been that way in the past).

Cup is always on regular NBC isn't it?
- Mononoke

i think only 2 games made NBC this year.

I honestly never knew what channel the hockey was on. In general the NHL better be thinking hard about their presentation and their marketing, because they didn't just lose to the NBA, they got annihilated.
- BulliesPhan87

I can't even count the number of changes that need to be made to this (frank)ing bobo sports league

i think only 2 games made NBC this year.
- dragonoffrost

(frank) 'em