2022 NBA Playoffs thread

I was referring more to just dominance, than adding stars. They did add Paxon and Steve Kerr during their run.

 

I don't know. Every reference to 'superteams' seems to be about established players joining a team with other stars. The Heat would be the best example. Otherwise, any dynasty would be a superteam.

 

Yeah, if you count Jordan's second year as "during their run," then I guess they added Paxson too.

 

The Bulls also just rotated a lot of guys through those spots. And none of those guys was a top talent.

 

Just imagine if somehow the Blazers got Jokic instead of Nurkic.

 

Eh, they're also judged harshly - as are the Hawks, and the Raptors before their championship - because there is such a big emphasis on "ringz or bust!!!" There's something to be said for long-term competence and just winning some games. For the past 15 years, probably more fun to be a Blazers fan than a Pistons or Knicks one.

The Blazers' various rebuilds have been kind of impressive, except that they haven't won a championship. From 2007 (Oden) to now, their only other Top 10 draft pick was Lillard at 7. Sucks that they "only" have a bunch of regular season wins to show for it, but only one team wins every year.

 

Every coach that has won multiple titles, there are 14, is in except for the active ones -- Popp, Kerr and Spoelstra -- and K.C. Jones. Kerr is one of six coaches with four titles.

 

Why wouldn't Kerr make the Hall as a coach? He has a combined nine rings.

 

If someone doesn't think Kerr is a great coach, they're simply not paying attention. The adjustments which range from changing the starting lineups mid-series to which reserves to play and when, along with managing the different personalities, is HOF caliber. He just won a championship with a league min guy starting.

 

And it's worth remembering that it was a pretty ballsy move that put them in place to get Wiggins.

They turned Durant going to the Nets into a sign and trade which meant (a) taking D'Angelo Russell on a max deal, knowing he was likely a lousy fit, and (b) dumping Andre Iguodala. They didn't have to do that, but knew adding Russell was their best bet at making another move down the line to allow them to stay competitive.

They managed to trade Russell for Wiggins and the pick that became Kuminga. It worked out brilliantly.

This is seriously as good a front office as you'll ever see.

 

If the Warriors hung on to KD, I don't think they make some of the moves they made to get Wiggins, Poole, Looney and the rest.

 

Thought they had Looney before KD, but he was rehabbing. Goes to the larger point - like the Yankees, when you are already good - you can afford to take some swings and write off the misses. But when they pay off - you look like a genius. Lower level teams have GMs who are afraid to make a mistake, knowing they have no margin for error or they are toast. They make "sensible" moves, stay within budget, and hopefully get to hire a third coach or four.