2018-19 NBA Thread

Some wonder why he would leave if they somehow win, but I think that gives him the free pass to walk and still be beloved in Toronto. I could see him winning and not thinking twice about going home to California, with the Clippers finally being a viable option.

Maybe I’m crazy, but if the Raptors win, I think Kawhi would have a career resume that rivals KD’s (gasp!). Think about it, two rings with two different teams; presumably two Finals MVPs, while stopping two super teams from three-peating; generally regarded as the best defensive player of his generation while averaging close to 25 a game in his prime.

He could take that and go to the Clippers at barely 28 years old and spend the rest of his career doing what he wants, playing for an organization back home that really has its shit together. All of that’s possible.

 

You just described the Clippers as an organization: "that really has its shit together." What a world we live in.

 

I grew up in L.A. in the middle of the Showtime era. The notion that the Clippers are the well-run franchise that is appealing to free agents and the Lakers are the shit-show is almost unfathomable to me.

 

That really didn’t. It’s a nice addition but he didn’t make them for real.

 

Agreed. But can't help thinking, despite what appears to be a complete turnaround in fortunes, they're still the Clippers.

 

I think that the perception will linger that "they're still the Clippers" until they make a couple of deep playoff runs.

 

Not to the same degree, but, see also: Bambino, Curse of; and Curse, Billy Goat.

 

Report: Sons of LeBron, Wade teaming up in HS

 

Win or lose, if he leaves I think there is an almost-zero chance he remains beloved in Toronto. Raptor fans are really, really, self-important.

 

https://deadspin.com/drake-and-the-raptors-both-got-a-talking-to-from-the-nb-1835123088

 

That's the collateral damage of running a shitbag like Donald Sterling out of the league. The Lakers could always count on Sterling doing something stupid and players not wanting to play for him. Now they have to compete against a guy who's worth about $40 billion dollars and quickly threw some of that money around to get some good basketball people in there and let's them make the decisions. With that happening The Lakers went from Showtime to a "family-owned, mom & pop organization" real fast.

 

Yup. Owners like Ballmer already have their wealth. The team is another hobby/investment. For the Lakers ownership, the team is the wealth.