Originally posted by naptownmenace
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Pacers thoughts first...
1. Several of you guys owe Kevin Pritchard an apology. I won't hold my breath waiting to read them though because saying I'm wrong isn't what a darksider does. He did what many of you said he wouldn't do by targeting a Restricted FA, he got a good return for those acquired 2nd round picks, and he didn't sign and older player on the decline. He got a player who was a 1st team All-Rookie, Rookie of the Year, and a key player on a 60-win Bucks team. Brogdon's not Kyrie or Kemba but he's nearly half the cost and at least 3/4 the player as those two. He's a better shooter than they are and he's bigger as well. What a great grab from a guy that people were calling clueless just last week.
2. I new the Pacers weren't going to sign Ricky Rubio. The rumored move just made no sense. KP has been all about signing guys that can shoot a high precentage and he made a point to say they needed more scorers in the postseason press conference. The Jazz were looking for an upgrade because he wasn't getting it done on the offensive end of the court and they were basically the Pacers of the west. Maybe they would've settled for rubio if they struck out on Brogdon or it was all just a bunch of misdirection. Donnie Walsh was rumored to leak a few false rumors in the past to throw other teams off of what he was really looking to do. Either way, I'm elated that Rubio will not be playing for the Pacers!
3. Losing Thad, Bojan, and CoJo. I could see the writing on the wall for CoJo once KP how good Aaron Holiday was during the post-season press conference. Actually I could see it when Cojo struggled hitting shots over the last 30 or so games of the season (for the second season in-a-row). Glad he could land somewhere else and I'm relieved he's no longer on the team. He was in the way of Aaron Holiday.
4. The Nets... I'm not sure it's going to work out they way they think it will but I don't blame them for trying. I'm not convinced that KD will return to his superstar form. He'll still be a 20 ppg scorer but I worry he's going to be in and out of the lineup a lot even a year after he is cleared. Achilles injuries tend to be career altering if not ending. Kyrie is the hands down best one-on-one player in the NBA. No has better handles and can break down a defense better. He's clutch too but basketball is a team sport and I don't know how well he can lead a team. He's much better as a #2 than as your team's best player. He's one of my favorite players to watch play though and he'll wow the crowds in Brooklyn multiple times a night.
5. The Celtics made a great decision to get Kemba Walker. He seems like the perfect fit for a Brad Stevens team. He's like Shelvin Mack injected with super serum. Losing Horford and trading Baynes doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I can understand not wanting to pay Horford but Baynes was on a team friendly deal and is the type of role player you want on the team. I don't know who they're planning to man the middle but he'd better good.
6. The Sixers lost Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick. That seems really bad but I'm a huge Tobias Harris fan and I think he is a better fit for that team than Butler is. Getting Horford was good but are they really going to force Tobi to play the 3? That hasn't really worked out too well at any of his other stops. Who's their shooting guard? Some are saying the Sixers are the new favorites in the East but just like last season, I don't see it.
7. Jimmy Butler to Miami has disaster written all over it depending on who they get back in trades. They're going to be bad next season.
8. David Griffin is doing a fantastic job with the Pelicans so far. Why'd the Cavs fire him again? They got JJ Redick, Nicolo Melli, and Derrick Favors to play with the young guys. Good move to get some savvy vets to help keep the kids in line and show them how to be professionals.
I really don't see any other exciting signings that are worth mentioning. So far, the Pacers and Nets are winning free agency.
1. Several of you guys owe Kevin Pritchard an apology. I won't hold my breath waiting to read them though because saying I'm wrong isn't what a darksider does. He did what many of you said he wouldn't do by targeting a Restricted FA, he got a good return for those acquired 2nd round picks, and he didn't sign and older player on the decline. He got a player who was a 1st team All-Rookie, Rookie of the Year, and a key player on a 60-win Bucks team. Brogdon's not Kyrie or Kemba but he's nearly half the cost and at least 3/4 the player as those two. He's a better shooter than they are and he's bigger as well. What a great grab from a guy that people were calling clueless just last week.
2. I new the Pacers weren't going to sign Ricky Rubio. The rumored move just made no sense. KP has been all about signing guys that can shoot a high precentage and he made a point to say they needed more scorers in the postseason press conference. The Jazz were looking for an upgrade because he wasn't getting it done on the offensive end of the court and they were basically the Pacers of the west. Maybe they would've settled for rubio if they struck out on Brogdon or it was all just a bunch of misdirection. Donnie Walsh was rumored to leak a few false rumors in the past to throw other teams off of what he was really looking to do. Either way, I'm elated that Rubio will not be playing for the Pacers!
3. Losing Thad, Bojan, and CoJo. I could see the writing on the wall for CoJo once KP how good Aaron Holiday was during the post-season press conference. Actually I could see it when Cojo struggled hitting shots over the last 30 or so games of the season (for the second season in-a-row). Glad he could land somewhere else and I'm relieved he's no longer on the team. He was in the way of Aaron Holiday.
4. The Nets... I'm not sure it's going to work out they way they think it will but I don't blame them for trying. I'm not convinced that KD will return to his superstar form. He'll still be a 20 ppg scorer but I worry he's going to be in and out of the lineup a lot even a year after he is cleared. Achilles injuries tend to be career altering if not ending. Kyrie is the hands down best one-on-one player in the NBA. No has better handles and can break down a defense better. He's clutch too but basketball is a team sport and I don't know how well he can lead a team. He's much better as a #2 than as your team's best player. He's one of my favorite players to watch play though and he'll wow the crowds in Brooklyn multiple times a night.
5. The Celtics made a great decision to get Kemba Walker. He seems like the perfect fit for a Brad Stevens team. He's like Shelvin Mack injected with super serum. Losing Horford and trading Baynes doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I can understand not wanting to pay Horford but Baynes was on a team friendly deal and is the type of role player you want on the team. I don't know who they're planning to man the middle but he'd better good.
6. The Sixers lost Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick. That seems really bad but I'm a huge Tobias Harris fan and I think he is a better fit for that team than Butler is. Getting Horford was good but are they really going to force Tobi to play the 3? That hasn't really worked out too well at any of his other stops. Who's their shooting guard? Some are saying the Sixers are the new favorites in the East but just like last season, I don't see it.
7. Jimmy Butler to Miami has disaster written all over it depending on who they get back in trades. They're going to be bad next season.
8. David Griffin is doing a fantastic job with the Pelicans so far. Why'd the Cavs fire him again? They got JJ Redick, Nicolo Melli, and Derrick Favors to play with the young guys. Good move to get some savvy vets to help keep the kids in line and show them how to be professionals.
I really don't see any other exciting signings that are worth mentioning. So far, the Pacers and Nets are winning free agency.
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