72 replies to this topic

[Rahat Huq]

Watching the Clippers, not last night, but moreso against Dallas, I couldn't help but ponder Chris Paul's future.  For those that didn't watch, the Mavs just doubled him the second he touched the ball, in overtime, and no one else could do anything.

 

Blake Griffin has made tremendous strides this year.  But he's still tremendously overrated.  Actually, I think it's gotten to the point where most serious observers rate him properly as they don't consider him top tier.  The novelty of the high flying act has kind of worn off and those warts still remain.

 

Is Paul ever going to win with that team?  I don't think so.  But does he think so?  And is winning as important as being the King of LA and the extra money?  

 

I'm wondering, what percentage chance exists for each of these scenarios:

 

A. Sign both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard

B. Sign just Howard

C. Sign just Paul

D. Sign Howard and Josh Smith

E. Sign just Smith

 

I think E is pretty much 100% IF the Rockets want it.  So don't answer that one.  

 

D seems plausible too because I think the Hawks would very willingly take Asik back in a sign and trade.  

 

The problem is A.  Set aside convincing these guys to come.  The logistics don't seem plausible.  As you all know, the only way to fit both Paul and Howard is to trade away both Lin and Asik either in a sign and trade or to a team that can absorb them fully.  I think you can easily trade Asik for picks/expirings.  But not Lin.  I don't see anyone taking Lin for their precious cap space.  And I also don't see the Clippers taking back Lin in a SnT.  They'd rather just let him walk.  

 

Thoughts?

[timetodienow1234567]

Would CP3 want to come here and be coached by Mchale? He would have just left a better coach in Del Negro. I don't think Del Negro's that great either.

[Mason Khamvilay]

Del Negro thought "hack a Greg Smith" in the third quater is a smart idea lol. Keep in mind Greg Smith is a 60% free throw shooter. Even if he shot 47% it still wouldn't be worth it, and there is at least a 12% chance of grabbing the offensive rebound if he misses the second free throw according to stat guru John Hollinger

[phaketrash]

Whoah, Del Negro being a better coach than McHale? Either that is overvaluing Vinny or really insulting McHale imo haha.

[timetodienow1234567]

It's not really insulting to Mchale. They're equal. Look at Vinny in Chicago and LAC and Mchale in Minny and Houston. They're equal in my eyes. Equally bad, but still equal.

[Rahat Huq]

Del Negro is probably the worst coach in basketball. IMO.

[phaketrash]

@Rahat

 

Just speaking about A B and C:

 

A seems rather impossible for the reasons you mentioned, and tbh, is it even preferable? I'm still hesitant about tying up nearly our WHOLE cap on 3 guys -- and again, could we even fit $35M (what it'd cost to get both) w/ Harden's salary under our team cap? Even with giving Lin and Asik up? Letting Delfino and Garcia expire? We'd have to give up even more, but not sure where that couple of million might come from. No one wants White lol.

 

B seems less and less likely now. Just quotes from friends of Howard make it seem that he wants to be a 'good guy' too much and will be worried his image takes an even greater beating than it already has if he ditches LAL at the end of this season. I also like Asik a lot more than Lin for our team, so getting Howard < CP3. Put it at 10%.

 

Which brings me to C: I hope it happens. You're right in that I don't see LAC winning a championship. CP3 has a better chance elsewhere, unless LA and $$$ is all he cares about. I don't think so -- I think he wants to win. We can make a GREAT argument to him about Houston being that place, esp. if we play them in the playoffs and beat them Unfortunately, as of now, I put it at 5%. If we beat them in the first round, 15-20%. Pulling numbers out of my ass btw. Question is, if we sign CP3, do we move Lin (I think so), and for what? We wouldn't be in a super rush as Lin can lead the second unit, but it'd probably serve us better to get better role players that our team needs -- something Morey is great at serving up.

[Rahat Huq]

FWIW, when asked to name his all-time 5, Daryl Morey included...NOT MAGIC JOHNSON...but Chris Paul as the point guard.  So we know what he thinks.

[timetodienow1234567]

FWIW, when asked to name his all-time 5, Daryl Morey included...NOT MAGIC JOHNSON...but Chris Paul as the point guard.  So we know what he thinks.

 

If you could link that, I'd appreciate it. Knowing Morey's top 5 would be interesting.

[Mason Khamvilay]

Well we got a nice 1st round pick for Lowry, maybe we can get the same for Lin.

[Rahat Huq]

If you could link that, I'd appreciate it. Knowing Morey's top 5 would be interesting.

I think it was from that AMA he did on reddit.  can't remember

[timetodienow1234567]

Do you remember his other choices for top 5?

[Rahat Huq]

If I recall, it was Duncan, Hakeem, Lebron, Jordan, Paul.  The shocker was Paul over Magic.

[timetodienow1234567]

Here it is.

 

http://www.reddit.co...m_ama/?sort=old

 

PG = CP3

SG = Jordan

SF = Lebron

PF = Duncan

C = Hakeem

 

That is my list. Maybe Magic/Stockton over CP3, but other than that, I can see why I have no qualms with Morey.

[Cooper]

Sign Howard and sign and trade Paul for Lin+whatever to make cap work, or sign Paul sign and trade asik+whatever for Howard. Would be awesome but extremely unlikely. I think Paul and smith would be a good combo with harden as well better than Dwight and smith in my opinion.

[Ostrow]

Is Paul really a good fit with Harden? Don't get me wrong, you go get him if you can, but does he fit?  They are both really good with the ball in their hands, and want to have it in their hands.  Neither are great spot-up shooters, although they are pretty good. I think they are better shooters off the dribble.  I think Paul is one of the best players in the NBA, definitely the best PG so obviously if he wants to come, you get him.  I agree about Griffin and have been saying it since he got into the league.  He is uber-athletic, but doesn't do much else. I remember when Hayes would guard him, he would be really successful because Griffin couldn't out muscle him and get him  deep into the post and get dunks and 3 footers.  If we can get Paul I think I'd prefer Milsap to Howard. Would be able to spread the floor and runs the floor really well.  He's not a max player to me, so I wouldn't sign him to a max deal, but at the right price I like him a lot. Definitely more than Josh Smith (w/ Paul) because he should be cheaper, and spreads the floor better.

[Cooper]

I wouldn't say Lin is a great fit with harden and they still play pretty well together you'd think Paul and harden could make it work. I don't think milsap is a significant upgrade over Robinson/motie/smith rotation considering his salary.

[Rahat Huq]

Is Paul really a good fit with Harden? Don't get me wrong, you go get him if you can, but does he fit?  They are both really good with the ball in their hands, and want to have it in their hands.  Neither are great spot-up shooters, although they are pretty good. I think they are better shooters off the dribble.  I think Paul is one of the best players in the NBA, definitely the best PG so obviously if he wants to come, you get him.  I agree about Griffin and have been saying it since he got into the league.  He is uber-athletic, but doesn't do much else. I remember when Hayes would guard him, he would be really successful because Griffin couldn't out muscle him and get him  deep into the post and get dunks and 3 footers.  If we can get Paul I think I'd prefer Milsap to Howard. Would be able to spread the floor and runs the floor really well.  He's not a max player to me, so I wouldn't sign him to a max deal, but at the right price I like him a lot. Definitely more than Josh Smith (w/ Paul) because he should be cheaper, and spreads the floor better.

I agree that they aren't a good fit at all.  But I just feel like with a guy like Paul, he will just figure out how to make it work.  Maybe I'm overrating him, not sure.  Kind of like how people said the same thing about Lebron and Wade.

[rockets best fan]

I think A, B, D all have the best chance to happen. I disagree with those who think that j-smith is an automatic signing. if needed to lure howard yes, but not on his own. I don't see the rockets bringing him here without another player to compensate for him being a lower level star.  both A and B are interesting with B having the greater chance (IMO). I also disagree with those who believe howard returning to LA is a given. if howard wanted to he could say right now i'm going to try to work it out with LA and the subject would be resolved, but he's not saying that. every time he is ask he says I want to explore the FA market. (IMO) that mean there is a real possibility even if his choice isn't Houston that howard will leave. he clearly is in conflict with both kobe and nash. he clearly doesn't like the coach. the fact that he is willing to listen to other offers opens the door for him to be persuaded. that's not a good feeling if your in LA front office right now. cp3 is going to be a lot harder to lure away from LA. I think he really enjoys playing with the team they have in place. sure they need more pieces, but they are on the right road. when a player is in a comfort zone it's really hard to change his mind.....to me cp3 is in a comfort zone. now if we already have an agreement with howard in place then it may be enough to get cp3 to at least listen. if we get those 2...... 2016champions will have to change his name to 2014champions.

[rockets best fan]

this is something to also be considered when discussing howard in combination with another player............howard can be signed via a sign and trade with the lakers if we put lin on the table. d'tonie loves lin and lin fits the style of game the lakers coach loves to play. if it appears howard will leave, the lakers will become more receptive to a sign and trade to keep from loosing him for nothing. same with ATL and the clippers if asik is on the table. it all depends on what the stars want to do. if they want to play together we can make the remainder happen. we have enough flexibility in our roster to pretty much do what we want to as long as the players are on board.