2015 Nba Offseason Thread

[Guest]

Dude WHY THE SIG MAN!!! LMAO!!!

[SavvyFalcon89]

Dude WHY THE SIG MAN!!! LMAO!!!

BECAUSE!!!!!!!

[blkbigdog35]

Report: Hawks focused on getting bigger

• ESPN.com

The offseason additions of 6-foot-11 Tiago Splitter and 7-foot-3 Walter Tavaresalong with 6-foot-11 Mike Muscala, who's expected to have a bigger role this season, have added much need size to the Atlanta Hawks front court. The Hawks won a franchise-record 60 games; it was the reason why they were the No. 1 seed in the East, despite averaging 40.6 total rebounds (28th in NBA) and 8.7 offensive rebounds (last in NBA) per game last season.

Atlanta’s lack of size was exposed during last season’s playoff run, which ended in the Eastern Conference Finals. Splitter coming off the bench is expected to help the Hawks’ front court become more versatile when paired with Al Horfordor Paul Millsap.

Paul Newberry of the AP wrote about the Hawks’ hope that by addressing their size weakness they can become more versatile on both ends of the court:

• "The Cavaliers out bounded Atlanta by double-digit margins in three of the four games and finished with a staggering 52-39 average lead on the boards. 'One of the major improvements this team can do this season is rebounding,' Splitter said. 'Of course, if you improve the rebounding you also improve the defense. That's one of the reasons I'm here.' Coming off the bench, Splitter will allow the Hawks to go with a bigger lineup when paired with either 6-10 center Al Horford or 6-8 power forward Paul Millsap, who are both a bit undersized for their positions. ... With more help on the inside, the Hawks are counting on Horford and Millsap to show even more out of their versatility at both ends of the court. Defensively, they can pop out on the perimeter, knowing someone has their back. Offensively, they are likely to get more open jumpers if Splitter and Tavares have defenders worried about protecting the rim."

[falconstwopercentsized]

Sefelosha would have helped with the rebounds

[Mr.11]

THE COURT LIVE!!!!!!

Man, makes me wanna use a term I haven't heard since high school.

Sicknasty! This is officiallly the baddest looking court in the NBA, and if I wasn't a Hawks fan already I'd be jealous.

Edited October 8, 2015 by JerseyNo12

[Mr. Hoopah!]

Report: Agents have cited Kobe telling on Shaq as reason not to sign with Lakers

4 Comments

By Dan FeldmanApr 8, 2016, 12:41 PM EDT

Facing rape allegations in 2003, Kobe Bryant told police that then-married Shaquille O’Neal paid women up to $1 million to keep them quiet in similar situations.

No wonder the former Lakers teammates feuded.

But how many other countless players took note of Kobe telling on Shaq?

Sam Amick of USA Today:

Years later, after the case against him was dropped and a civil suit was settled out of court with no admission of guilt from Bryant, agents of prominent NBA players would still cite the O’Neal subplot as the sort of sin that inspired their clients to steer clear of Laker Land.

Why free agents avoided Kobe’s Lakers has long been a source of intrigue. It’s never just one reason for any single player, and we’re not talking about a single player – making the rationales vast.

Kobe’s loose lips about Shaq probably rubbed some players the wrong way, but that’s just part of the total package. Kobe was abrasive with his teammates throughout his career, consumed with winning and treating anyone whom he believed stood in his way with disdain. That attitude – acknowledged by Kobe himself – helped him win five championships, but it also turned off people. Players appreciated Kobe’s win-at-all-costs determination from afar. Fewer enjoyed it up close.

Kobe mentioning Shaq to police was his way of trying to beat the charge (which he eventually did), to contextualize himself as within the norm. Shaq’s personal life was just collateral damage.

If players saw Kobe name-dropping Shaq as an aberration, they probably would’ve forgotten the incident much quicker.

Which brings us to D’Angelo Russell, who recorded teammate Nick Young talking about sleeping with other women besides fiancée Iggy Azalea. If Russell spins this as a mistake of immaturity, it will make it easier for him to get past it (and the Lakers to draw free agents). After all, immaturity doesn’t necessarily fit the identity Russell will hold in the future.

Russell can also emulate Kobe in one way: win. Everyone wants to be around a winner, which is why Kobe didn’t receive worse backlash for bringing up Shaq.

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/04/08/report-agents-have-cited-kobe-telling-on-shaq-as-reason-not-to-sign-with-lakers/?utm_network=twitter&utm_post=5550259&utm_source=TW %40NBCSports&utm_tags=srm[basketball]

[GEORGIAfan]