2012-13 NBA Regular Season Thread, Feel the Heat

[whomario]

So the Grizzlies who have like the worst bench in the league do a trade that actually makes that bench even thinner ? (and only 11 players under contract now)

Ellington showed some ability from time to time in stretching the floor, which is still the Grizzlies biggest issue. I mean, their starting 2 can´t and doesn´t shoot while their PG is a mediocre (at best) shooter and their best remaining floor spacer is Quincy Pondexter (and even that might be a fluke, guy hit 3s below 30% in college and last season).
And then you go out and have Jerry Bayless be your backup 1/2 in the offseason ... Sure, why not add another slasher to the mix when you allready have propably the best low post scoring 4/5 combo in the game as well as Rudy Gay and 2 guards that aren´t shooters ?

Is it really a sign that Rudy Gay won´t be traded though ? If anything, this clears roster spots for a trade that would net them 2 or 3 players on short term contracts.

[Chief Rum]

I agree, I am thinking this doesn't necessarily end the Gay trade rumors. This gets the team under the luxury tax for this season, but last I checked, Gay is being payed even more massively the next two seasons.

Maybe this a precursor to a Gay/Young for Gasol and Duhon deal, after which the Memphis GM will come out and say he is a big admirer of David Kahn's "PG & PFs, oh my!" philosophy.

[stevew]

I thought the major thing for Memphis was to get under the tax. I suppose they could still trade Gay as well, but that would probably be tabled until the offseason. They can sign a bunch of 10 day contracts to get them through the rest of the season if needed.


And I just found-
---The Memphis Grizzlies will sign Bill Walker, Delonte West and Sasha Vujacic following their cap clearing trade on Tuesday.

Delonte West is better than any of the players they traded out.

[miami_fan]

So at what point do the Lakers sit Dwight Howard down and allow him to get healthy? If I am a Laker fan, that is the only thing that I can hang on to after watch the entire Bulls-Lakers game last night. If Dwight is actually healthy and is playing like this......? Well, wow

[Groundhog]

What's the point of sitting Dwight. If he wants to play, let him play. Can only drive his FA value down. I don't envision any of the teams that will have cap space (outside of maybe Dallas) would be of much interest to him, so maybe you get to re-sign a presumably healthy Dwight for next season, else you sign-and-trade and try bring back some depth.

[Groundhog]

As for the Cavs trade.... well, it's a steal for us. Turning Leur, an 11th or 12th man calibre guy, into a player who instantly becomes our best frontcourt scorer (even if he doesn't do much else), as well as an NBA-level backup SG and a young guy who may or may not ever pan out is a pretty good deal IMO.

[stevew]

I'd love to see the Cavs try to get Gasol for 35cents on the dollar. His contract is short...you could possibly resign him in 2014 as well.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

What's the point of sitting Dwight. If he wants to play, let him play. Can only drive his FA value down. I don't envision any of the teams that will have cap space (outside of maybe Dallas) would be of much interest to him, so maybe you get to re-sign a presumably healthy Dwight for next season, else you sign-and-trade and try bring back some depth.

The point would be to get him healthy enough for him to be the pre-back surgery Dwight instead of what I saw on the floor Monday night. Again that is if you believe his back and his back alone is keeping him from at least being a defensive presence. The offense side is not something I am too concerned about though I am still waiting on all those pick and rolls scenarios with Steve Nash that were talked about in the offseason. I admit, this was only the second full game that I have seen the Lakers with the other one being against the Heat. Based on that very small sample size , it comes down to one of two things for me when it comes to Dwight right now. Either his back is a bigger problem then anybody knows at which point he should sit or..... well let's just hope it is only the back that is the issue.

[Groundhog]

Another horrible night for the Lakers and, in particular, Howard. Apparently he had some comments re: Kobe's shot attempts vs his own during the game, too.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Another horrible night for the Lakers and, in particular, Howard. Apparently he had some comments re: Kobe's shot attempts vs his own during the game, too.

It will be interesting to see how long his injury lasts. I saw the replay and went, "Wait, that was it?" It almost looks like somebody who wanted out.

[stevew]

Ultimately this Lakers team is pretty much screwed. If Dwight gets out for zero compensation, you're looking at a team with few draft picks and shitty contracts thru 2014 at least. At that point they can try to reload, but will have no infrastructure in place and basically will have to pray people choose to assemble there. Plus Kobe will be lingering and coming off of a season where he made 30m dollars.

[miami_fan]

I know we say this every year and I guess at some point it will happen but is Dwight Howard going to give up the extra year and money that he could get from the Lakers?

[stevew]

I dunno if Dallas would want to mess around with Dwight, but the state income tax differences alone make their 88m/4years almost as good as 118/5years from LAL.

[rjolley]

Did Brown change his offense from what he ran last season? If so, why fire Brown 5 games into the season for a totally new system that doesn't take advantage of the players you have and a coach that has never shown he can take advantage of the area of the game you can dominate with, the post with the bigs and Kobe? This season is going down the tubes for the Lakers because management didn't make smart moves. If they wanted to go with D'Antoni's(sp?) system, they should've moved Gasol for a young wing early in the season. Having that system with 2 of the best bigs in the game right now and a great post-up guard makes no sense.

If I'm Howard, I stay in LA because they have a history of getting players to complement their stars and they aren't afraid to take chances. It's probably the best place for him to rebuild his image and make money on the endorsement side of the house. If he's concerned about winning championships, LA's probably his best option followed by Dallas.

[Warhammer]

Howard is soft. I was unsure about the Howard deal at the time (I have always thought a healthy Bynum was better than Howard), and his performance since he has been in LA has confirmed it.

I also think this really hurts his stock. You had the whole trade me/don't trade me ordeal. Then he gets out of Orlando and has no desire. The guy has no heart.

[korme]

At 4 PM today live on NBA tv, New Orleans holding a press conference to unveil new mascot (Pelicans) and team colors.

I find it kind of odd they are doing it midseason, but whatever

[Young Drachma]

So we get the Charlotte Hornets and the Seattle Supersonics back next year. Not bad.

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by korme

At 4 PM today live on NBA tv, New Orleans holding a press conference to unveil new mascot (Pelicans) and team colors.

I find it kind of odd they are doing it midseason, but whatever

Midseason reveal is because of the length of the season and retail ramifications. Clothing for 13/14 are due 2-15 and jerseys on 3-1. In the NFL you can do it in the offseason because there are usually 6 months between SB and the start of training camp.

3 teams are changing jerseys (Pelicans being one). 4th if Kings sale gets finalized in time. 9 teams are adding a new jersey to their collection next year. So 13 of the 30 teams have some new digs next year. (And no, I don't have pictures of them... yet)

[NorvTurnerOverdrive]

the logo's up @deadspin. little busy but not bad

[Logan]

Originally Posted by NorvTurnerOverdrive

the logo's up @deadspin. little busy but not bad

They linked to another website that held a logo design contest, and I agree with them that pretty much every one on there is better.

[murrayyyyy]

Chriscreamer had it up yesterday...

New Orleans Pelicans Logo Leaked? | Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net News and Blog : New Logos and New Uniforms news, photos, and rumours

[stevew]

Originally Posted by murrayyyyy

Midseason reveal is because of the length of the season and retail ramifications. Clothing for 13/14 are due 2-15 and jerseys on 3-1. In the NFL you can do it in the offseason because there are usually 6 months between SB and the start of training camp.

3 teams are changing jerseys (Pelicans being one). 4th if Kings sale gets finalized in time. 9 teams are adding a new jersey to their collection next year. So 13 of the 30 teams have some new digs next year. (And no, I don't have pictures of them... yet)

please post here more often, there's only like 8 nba fans here.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Young Drachma

So we get the Charlotte Hornets and the Seattle Supersonics back next year. Not bad.

hopefully, those were two great starter caps.

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by stevew

please post here more often, there's only like 8 nba fans here.

So that means 5.5 of those posters are Lakers fans? This should be fun...

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by murrayyyyy

So that means 5.5 of those posters are Lakers fans? This should be fun...

Actually, I think the most common posters in this thread are whomario, stevew, Groundhog and Rainmaker, with me, TroyF, miami_fan, korme and some others in the mix. None of us are Lakers fans.

But you'll run into plenty here at one point or another.

[Young Drachma]

Kings sale unis ought to be easy, since it's just a reboot of the Sonics look. I think this is so MJ and company can go ahead and announce Charlotte Hornets 2.0

[Groundhog]

If that's the real Pelicans logo, it's about as good as a logo that features a pelican can be IMO.

[korme]

Design team: Ok guys, the Cavs got rid of that color scheme. So let's ditch out unique blue/yellow/purple combination and become more like every other team, with a red/blue combo! Great.

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by Young Drachma

Kings sale unis ought to be easy, since it's just a reboot of the Sonics look. I think this is so MJ and company can go ahead and announce Charlotte Hornets 2.0

It will be a completely new jersey for the Sonics. I can't say why but I'm 100% sure you will not see the old ones. It will be green/yellow of course but let's just say that I think you will be talking about NBA jerseys in 3 weeks and 6 days in this thread.

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by korme

Design team: Ok guys, the Cavs got rid of that color scheme. So let's ditch out unique blue/yellow/purple combination and become more like every other team, with a red/blue combo! Great.

Cities flag is the colors of the team. I blame the city...

File:New Orleans, Louisiana flag.svg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm not sure I'm sold on the Bird-De-Lis logo yet... Then again they are owned by the Saints so big shock...

New Orleans Pelicans Logos Unveiled | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

[korme]

Originally Posted by murrayyyyy

It will be a completely new jersey for the Sonics. I can't say why but I'm 100% sure you will not see the old ones. It will be green/yellow of course but let's just say that I think you will be talking about NBA jerseys in 3 weeks and 6 days in this thread.

Unfortunate. I loved those classic Sonics jerseys.

[korme]

Originally Posted by murrayyyyy

Cities flag is the colors of the team. I blame the city...

File:New Orleans, Louisiana flag.svg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm not sure I'm sold on the Bird-De-Lis logo yet... Then again they are owned by the Saints so big shock...

New Orleans Pelicans Logos Unveiled | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

I just get so tired of teams having a unique color scheme, and then bailing on it for a more traditional one after a couple of years. (see: Grizzlies, Raptors, Bucks for recent examples). 85% of the league is red or blue.

[stevew]

Being the 19th team with red still means you probably sell more than being the only purple team.

[Buccaneer]

The Pelicans logo and uniform look very solid. Nice job considering it's the NBA.

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by korme

Unfortunate. I loved those classic Sonics jerseys.

I like the ones that said Sonics in the white ring. Hates the Red added ones when they made the finals with the needle and did not like the Durants with the white going down the sides to the bottom.

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by korme

I just get so tired of teams having a unique color scheme, and then bailing on it for a more traditional one after a couple of years. (see: Grizzlies, Raptors, Bucks for recent examples). 85% of the league is red or blue.

Same reason I hate MLB hats, they are all the same. 1/3 of the teams have a red blue combo in MLB. I swear it is worse in MLB.

A report I saw from a long time ago (although I contend that the Cavs wine color is not red)

http://www.thesportsdesignblog.com/2...lors-by-sport/

[Groundhog]

Yeah, red & green is a horrible, horrible combination, and those jerseys were ugly as sin, same with the Bucks alt jersey with red. In the words of my gf: "red and green should never be seen".

I really like the Cavs wine and gold road jerseys this year, and I think in general I'm digging the more simplistic style of jerseys teams seem to be adopting recently.

[Groundhog]

I must admit that I do like the old Bucks jerseys though, with the purple and green. Not the one with the actual deer on the front however.

[JonInMiddleGA]

2013 NBA All-Star Game Rosters
Eastern Conference
Starter 	Appearance
LeBron James, F, MIA 	9th
Carmelo Anthony, F, NYK 6th
Dwyane Wade, G, MIA 	9th
Rajon Rondo, G, BOS 	4th
Kevin Garnett, F, BOS 	15th

Reserve 	Appearance
Kyrie Irving, G, CLE 	1st
Jrue Holiday, G, PHI 	1st
Tyson Chandler, C, NYK 	1st
Joakim Noah, C, CHI 	1st
Luol Deng, F, CHI 	   2nd
Paul George, F, IND 	1st
Chris Bosh, F, MIA 	8th
Western Conference
Starter 	Appearance
Kobe Bryant, G, LAL 	15th
Kevin Durant, F, OKC 	4th
Chris Paul, G, LAC 	6th
Dwight Howard, C, LAL 	7th
Blake Griffin, F, LAC 	3rd

Reserve 	Appearance
R. Westbrook, G, OKC 	3rd
James Harden, G, HOU 	1st
Tim Duncan, C, SAS 	14th
Tony Parker, G, SAS 	5th
L. Aldridge, F, POR 	2nd
David Lee, F, GS 	  2nd
Zach Randolph, F, MEM 	2nd 

[Groundhog]

I think Steph Curry is a little unlucky.

[korme]

I love that 'Comedy Pacers vs Grizzlies option(Stern says no)' is so much more likely than 'Celtics vs Lakers', or any combo Cs/Lakers matchup

[korme]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

I think Steph Curry is a little unlucky.

Agreed... and I think Josh Smith's window is closing, which is unfortunate.

[korme]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

I really like the Cavs wine and gold road jerseys this year, and I think in general I'm digging the more simplistic style of jerseys teams seem to be adopting recently.

Agreed on that front... Cavs, Sixers, Jazz, Bucks, Nets (to an extent), Knicks (eliminating the black) have all gotten it right recently.

The Wizards new getups are better than their last ones, but they don't still look that great on TV. I'm so-so on the Warriors though, again, they're better than the previous ones.

The next jerseys that need a makeover are the Suns... can't stand the gray.

[Groundhog]

I was about to ask who the oldest player to make his first All-Star game appearance was, thinking Chandler was at least 3-4 years older than 30... sheesh. Dude is a year younger than me. Damn HS'ers.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by korme

Unfortunate. I loved those classic Sonics jerseys.

Even though this predates the championship team, I think this is my favorite look for the Sonics:



Clean, simple, classic.

[nol]

Originally Posted by korme

The next jerseys that need a makeover are the Suns... can't stand the gray.

The Suns are definitely a team I would not mind seeing go back to their early 90s uniforms.

[kingfc22]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

The Pelicans logo and uniform look very solid. Nice job considering it's the NBA.

Agreed.

[Izulde]

I don't think the Cavs colors work for the Pelicans at all. Ruins what would have been a great logo.

[bhlloy]

Yeah, I'm not a huge fan. Feels very generic and boring, and the Hornets are one of the few interesting color schemes left in the league. For some reason when I think Pelicans I think of a deep purple and black.

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

I was about to ask who the oldest player to make his first All-Star game appearance was, thinking Chandler was at least 3-4 years older than 30... sheesh. Dude is a year younger than me. Damn HS'ers.

Sam Cassell?