Everything Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

[DogeLover1234]

Couple things hurt us. Pascal is nowhere near the volume producer DeRozan was, and with Lowry declining, can't rely on him for as much production as in the past either. We also traded away our most efficient volume scorer in JV. And lost some shooting even compared to the DeRozan years. So the offence will likely struggle. Now, the defence has a chance to be top notch, but you still need a solid offence to leverage that fully and be a contending team. And the defence is no guarantee - too many young wings being relied on to step in for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Meanwhile, not sure Serge playing backup C is a viable plan on a team that's not really playing for a championship, even in the ceiling scenario of being the third best team in the East, meaning we might need to move him or Gasol (probably Serge) before the season even if we want to compete - meaning we lose yet another contributor and producer.

That said, yeah, glass ceiling is probably 3rd for this team, but they could come in well outside of home court if even a few things go wrong, too.

As it stands this is more of a playoff team than a regular season team to me. Cant see Lowry, Gasol and Ibaka sustaining a high level of play all season, but they can get to a really high level.

[DanH]

This team was a perennial top 4 team in the Conference before Kawhi. I know DeMar is gone, but we have a new DeMar in Siakam.

Philly and MIL for sure are the two best teams in the Conference and they probably would finish 1 and 2. But after those two? I think this team could finish as high as 3rd. Indiana don't scare me and the Celtics lost Horford and Kyrie.

Couple things hurt us. Pascal is nowhere near the volume producer DeRozan was, and with Lowry declining, can't rely on him for as much production as in the past either. We also traded away our most efficient volume scorer in JV. And lost some shooting even compared to the DeRozan years. So the offence will likely struggle. Now, the defence has a chance to be top notch, but you still need a solid offence to leverage that fully and be a contending team. And the defence is no guarantee - too many young wings being relied on to step in for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Meanwhile, not sure Serge playing backup C is a viable plan on a team that's not really playing for a championship, even in the ceiling scenario of being the third best team in the East, meaning we might need to move him or Gasol (probably Serge) before the season even if we want to compete - meaning we lose yet another contributor and producer.

That said, yeah, glass ceiling is probably 3rd for this team, but they could come in well outside of home court if even a few things go wrong, too.

[The Great One]

Gasol, Lowry & Ibaka are in contract years. Assuming they are still with the team - they will be taking a lot more shots. With much lowered expectations and not having to cater to Kawhi, guys are going to be playing pretty loose next year. It could be a surprise team. Replacing 'regular season' Danny Green is also going to be difficult. He was super-efficient, durable and defended both wing positions at a high level.

This team was a perennial top 4 team in the Conference before Kawhi. I know DeMar is gone, but we have a new DeMar in Siakam.

Philly and MIL for sure are the two best teams in the Conference and they probably would finish 1 and 2. But after those two? I think this team could finish as high as 3rd. Indiana don't scare me and the Celtics lost Horford and Kyrie.

[DanH]

So did the Raps get him for the minimum? Basketball insiders seems to indicate that he got $1.6M (although it's marked as "estimated"). If that's true that's pretty awesome.

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/to...s-team-salary/

Blake now confirms he is indeed signed for the minimum. Now just to figure out exactly how much McCaw got - they could offer him up to 2M per year over his 2 years with his non-Bird Rights. Anything more than that and they would have had to dip into the MLE.

[golden]

Assuming the roster is almost intact as it stands, if you had FVV/Thomas/Ibaka/RHJ/Johnson as the bench, you probably have just enough shooting to make it work as long as Serge knocks down shots. Lowry/Powell/OG/Siakam/Gasol likely has just enough as well.....

But who knows what it all looks like in November.

Gasol, Lowry & Ibaka are in contract years. Assuming they are still with the team - they will be taking a lot more shots. With much lowered expectations and not having to cater to Kawhi, guys are going to be playing pretty loose next year. It could be a surprise team. Replacing 'regular season' Danny Green is also going to be difficult. He was super-efficient, durable and defended both wing positions at a high level.

[slaw]

Yeah, you pretty much can't play them at the 3 unless they can take it up a notch (no hope for RHJ I don't think, but Stanley is a little closer)... although our PF (Pascal) and Centers being competent behind the arc helps.

Assuming the roster is almost intact as it stands, if you had FVV/Thomas/Ibaka/RHJ/Johnson as the bench, you probably have just enough shooting to make it work as long as Serge knocks down shots. Lowry/Powell/OG/Siakam/Gasol likely has just enough as well.....

But who knows what it all looks like in November.

[SkywalkerAC]

Just gotta pray they can somehow improve on their shooting. Which is pretty abysmal.

Yeah, you pretty much can't play them at the 3 unless they can take it up a notch (no hope for RHJ I don't think, but Stanley is a little closer)... although our PF (Pascal) and Centers being competent behind the arc helps.

[GOLDBLUM]

Wow, averaged 14/7/2.5 on a decent Nets team in 2017/18. Doesn’t turn 25 until the new year.

i really like the versatility that him and Stanley bring. Allows us to go small and fast or big and defensive. Looking pretty new-school at the 4 now after being a bit shallow there last season (with OG’s struggles).

Just gotta pray they can somehow improve on their shooting. Which is pretty abysmal.

[SkywalkerAC]

Wow, averaged 14/7/2.5 on a decent Nets team in 2017/18. Doesn’t turn 25 until the new year.

i really like the versatility that him and Stanley bring. Allows us to go small and fast or big and defensive. Looking pretty new-school at the 4 now after being a bit shallow there last season (with OG’s struggles).

[Bendit]

Are we markedly worse than when we were battling for a top seed with DeMar? Maybe the East is stronger now, but there's a pretty strong case we're also better.

It shall be interesting to see if they can retain what is probably the biggest attribute gift Kawhi gave the team .... calmness and confidence. If they do I think the Raps will be in the mix at season's end. Nurse is a positive guy too so that is good.

[SkywalkerAC]

I really think it's different battling like crazy because you're superstar is on the shelf (or in this case load management). It happens all the time.

Much different when you don't even have a superstar and there's no collective will to battle and hold the fort until your leader returns.
Raps aren't battling for a top seed .....

Are we markedly worse than when we were battling for a top seed with DeMar? Maybe the East is stronger now, but there's a pretty strong case we're also better.

[DanH]

So did the Raps get him for the minimum? Basketball insiders seems to indicate that he got $1.6M (although it's marked as "estimated"). If that's true that's pretty awesome.

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/to...s-team-salary/

Probably a guess on their part for now.

[planetmars]

So did the Raps get him for the minimum? Basketball insiders seems to indicate that he got $1.6M (although it's marked as "estimated"). If that's true that's pretty awesome.

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/to...s-team-salary/

[G__Deane]

Something to prove?

Absolutely. Let's hope so.
But Boston has something to prove, Pacers have something to prove, Sixers sure have something to prove, Bucks definitely have something to prove....

[Apollo]

Something to prove?

Bingo. Lots of inspiration for the upcoming season. Its them against the world.