The management team going into the war room and debating and yelling. Setting up the conference calls... Young analytic geniuses battling back and forth on things. Creating formulas and plans. It really is just crazy!
Statistically, I don't know how to make a conclusion. I am sure Morey has something we don't. But from whatever is available to us, there is simply no good metric to measure individual defense. So that pretty much leaves to the eye test. When I see Love plays defense, he's just a slow (or lazy) defender who doesn't move fast enough to be effective. (And his tendency of sagging is also a problem. That's how he gets so many rebounds.) Basically, he is kind of a typical poor defender. Hardon, on the other hand, gives you those jaw-dropping "What the heck is he doing?" moments a few times a game. I guess that's why it feels like Harden is much worse.
Dwight can be a crybaby all he wants if he plays every post season like he did this one. Fine by me. And please, when Kevin Love can do what Dwight has done in the POSTSEASON, then I'll listen to what he has to say. Doesn't sound like he would fit in the team if he thinks of our players this way. Harden criticism is acceptable & true though. Love has only one team in sight: Los Angeles. And just like Jalen Rose predicted, Westbrook won't be far behind.
I think the agent/free agent game is extremely interesting. Its the backdoor politicking with comments made that really sway the power play of where someone wants to go, and what kind of power plays can be made to build teams. For instance- As you said the other day about Love making a statement about questioning Harden's leadership & defense, and questioning Dwight's character. I dont take that as a league consensus or slap in the face at these two guys. I'd say that he obviously respects those guys more than he might lead on as most of the league would as well. I take that as a Kevin Love power play in response to a chess piece move Morey is making to take his chess piece away so-to-speak. That doesn't tell me that Kevin Love hates the idea of playing with the Rockets, or that he wouldn't love to exchange his future in Minnesota for a future competing for titles in Houston.... but it does tell me that he's sending a message back to Houston and sending a message out to other team's GM's that he prefers over Houston to beat Morey's offer. Also, he's sending a message to his suitors that if they acquire him, they better be making him a #1 option, making coaching decisions to put him in the best positions to succeed, and making sure his priorities are met on and off the court. No shame in making these types of power plays behind the scenes. What he does to help himself out with his next destination will shape his future for his career, and will be the biggest move of his career. I do not blame him for getting all of the details right & in his best interest.
They love both. Are they scared a little that they wont be able to afford Parsons? Of Course! Beverley later on? Yes. That is why they press so hard on winning now. Harden they like obviously, but they want him to make adjustments to his game. They want him more eager to learn. To watch more film and study the game more.
That's the thing, I've seen bad defenders, I've seen stupid defenders, but I don't think I've ever seen and otherwise great player show the level of defensive apathy that Harden consistently shows. Of all the things said about this team, this concerns me the most, "does he want it" is an overused and lazy critique of players, but it really fits with Harden. I would be concerned if I were a perspective 3rd star as well.
Personally I appreciate the efforts - not everything you or any other insider say will come true - things like trades or free agents signings depend on so many moving parts that completing them is no easy task. There have been so many times that we here after a completed trade or signing how close the Rockets were to acquiring that player. Hearing the possibilities are always intriguing and at times exciting - knowing that our front office is always out there trying to improve the team is very satisfying from a fans perspective. I believe people should take with a grain of salt what every insider says just because of the probability for things going south is quite high and who knows maybe because something was leaked because of a post - things do go south. For those who cry against the few insiders - fine you can go ahead and block the insiders posts or not bother reading the threads they create. Participating and calling the insiders and other posters names or implying they are gullible does nothing for the quality of this site nor does it make anyone right or in the wrong. Clutch and his crew are very big on squashing any 'false' insider just because they do not want a slew of bad threads on false info. Clutch has vouched for Doc Rocket for cyberx so there is some legitimacy to their insights and reasonings. Will they be right 100% of the time? no 50% of the time? maybe not, but they have been right in the past with their info and their info will have some sort of merit to them otherwise as I said Clutch and his crew would put a stop to it.
Do you think they're scared enough of the money Parsons could get on the open market to try and either A) extend him this off-season or B) deal him in a Love/Melo/Rondo trade and hope he agrees to an extension with the Wolves/Knicks/Celtics? Also, in terms of Beverley, do you think that his fate in the franchise is tied directly to whether they can deal Lin, or are the two completely separate?
Thanks for the information, cyberx. Much appreciated. Can someone clarify this for me, though? If a trade is made involving Parsons by June 30th, could Minnesota waive him and make him an RFA/match other offers? Not sure if I'm understanding this correctly or not.
Parsons will be their own free agent...... they can match any offer he gets and go over the salary cap......
No, you are an idiot for spamming the fact you don't believe him. If you have a problem with his insider knowledge or question it, than block him. But you have made at least three different post explaining the same thing. One negative inquiry is enough. I would not have personally called you out had you not continued to write the same post(spamming) three times. Three is just an attempt at trolling/being immature. Stop pissing off the insider because you don't believe him. It's selfish to ruin a great thing that Clutchfans has, a "willing insider." Thank you.
We know that they love and think very highly of both players. But Parsons might be the odd man out if they are able to make a trade for Love. Cyberx I apologize for questioning your inside information. I see that you are very passionate and well informed about what goes on in the NBA. Big timer keep up the great work. I look forward to reading more of your divine work.
Guys I believe Htownballer38 is the same guy who thinks John McClain is some great Texans insider and kept defending him in the Texans board so take his bashings of cyberx with a grain of salt.
Immaturity is you coming on here calling people idiots and other derogative names. Like I said before young dude you can put me on your ignore list and move on with your life. Life is too short for nonsense like this. Get out your fn feeling on a damn sports blog. Like I told you before stop it with this Keyboard Gangster BS and get a life.
Some quotes yesterday made by Wolves owner Glen Taylor- http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/435225/ Spoiler MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said Monday that he has no intention of trading Kevin Love and that he expects the NBA All-Star power forward to play for the Wolves again next season. Love, 25, can opt out of his Wolves contract after next season. On Sunday, the Associated Press reported that the Wolves are willing to trade Love for the right offer. Love’s representatives, according to Sunday’s New York Daily News, reiterated to the Wolves this past week that he will not re-sign with Minnesota and will definitely leave in 2015. Asked Monday if he would say he’s not going to trade Love, Taylor said, “I should never say never because who knows what might come up? But that’s not our plan. “I’m not in a position where you would say absolutely I wouldn’t do it, because what if something that I can’t even speculate (on) happens? You’d say, ‘You’re nuts, Glen.’ Maybe some team puts a value on him that’s different than we suspect.” In January, the Wolves can begin reworking Love’s contract. Under NBA rules, they can offer a five-year deal with about $26 million more than other teams, which can offer only four-year deals. So if Love walks, he’ll be leaving that cash on the table. The worst-case scenario for the Wolves would be watching Love walk away as a free agent while receiving nothing in return. So if they’re convinced Love has no interest in staying, trading him before or on the day of the June 26 NBA Draft makes sense. This year’s crop of prospects is considered deep, and they’d likely also demand a veteran ready to start. Love is a three-time All-Star and averaged a career-high 26.1 points plus 12.5 rebounds last season. “At this point, we’re not talking to any teams,” Taylor said. “I haven’t heard from Kevin or his agents or anything like that. We’re assuming that Kevin will be here next season, and we’re working with that scenario. This isn’t the time for us to do anything but to prepare for next year.” Taylor said Wolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders is in the same boat. “As far as Flip and I, there’s nothing that has happened,” he said. “Flip is getting ready for the draft and interviewing for a coach, and that’s where our priority has got to be.” If you read between the lines here, there is value they obviously feel pretty strongly about getting back in a trade offer, and they might be thinking that the value is lower than some might imagine. You kind of have to think that the January date to present Love a contract extension is key here. If the Wolves think that the offers they get this Summer aren't going to be that different at the February deadline.... Why trade him in the Summer????..... That is UNLESS a team in the top 5 offer them that top 5 pick (I'm assuming). That's probably what Glen Taylor is sort of in a roundabout way probably thinking about in referring to that trade value they expect to get offered vs. what could "change their plans". I would be shocked if the Rockets' are able to get to the table for Kevin Love this Summer quite honestly because their trade package most likely will be almost exactly the same if not better (since Asik & Lin's contracts will have less financial burden) at the February Trade deadline.
