Thank you for the cordial retort - i always enjoy a free exchange of ideas and views! I can certainly understand the intrigue regarding Jimmy Butler... as aforementioned, I to was on board with the sentiment. I've been willing to part with both Ego and PJ - if thats what it took to get JB into the fold... but I'm getting cold feet. Giving up 2 integral players for a guy that may turn out to be a self absorbed headcase... idk... I've been all for rolling the dice to try to get on even footing with GSW... I think we're already there - and would hate to jeopardize chemistry and harmony with JB's questionable motivations... imo...
The knee is a concern... but like I mentioned, I'm more concerned with diva behavior and questionable motivations. Everybody knows the right things to say... "I want to do whatever i can to contribute to the team and bring a championship to the city... I'm deeply motivated to win and I'm going to work hard in practice and in every game to be the best player I can be...." Thing is - actions speak louder than words... and that list of most desired landing spots really concerns me. I mean if you wanted to win... would Knicks, Nets and Clips even make the top 20 - let alone be the top 3? it seems to me he is more interested in: 1) He wants his max money - check... He'll prob get that anywhere he went - any team that trades for him is going to be willing to go over the cap and give him his max to keep him 2) He wants to be the main man - period. He wants to be the alpha dog... not exactly star studded rosters he's most interested in going to... Yet, when he got traded from Chicago he said something about 'not wanting to be the face of a franchise' anymore - cause you see what that got him... 3) He wants a team with enough cap space to sign his buddy Kyrie next off season... as if many teams wouldn't make the moves necessary to sign Kyrie to a max contract if he came knocking at the door next year... maybe not feasible for Rox, GSW and a few others - but certainly doable with teams that have a better foundation than Knicks, Nets and Clips... obviously I don't know the dude... I'm only trying to read the info that's out there... and I'm seeing warning flags... imo...
I share your concerns. *Jimmy had issues with the immaturity of Wiggins/KAT. *Didn’t like their inconsistency and lack motivation towards winning. *Mr. Jimmy got after his teammates in Chicago for not hustling after Thibs left. Tone it down Jimmy. Less is more sometimes. * Will there be issues with Jimmy towards Harden(Def)? I don’t think it will be big, because they both share the passion to win. Just keep the girlfriends away from Mr. Jimmy.....or so the story goes (KAT). _____________________________________ I too would like to keep Tucker. Tucker doesn’t give you good numbers while playing center, but gets the job done. I’m big on this day and age “small-ball” using wings predominantly (not PG’s thru 1-3 spots). Today’s big centers are over-rated. It’s how good your “small-ball” lineup is that determines how far you will go. This is why I posted “Yes” to trading Capela for Jimmy B. Suns recently put out a presser saying they want to play more like the Rockets and use the same version of “small-ball” to be successful sooner. They noted how 3 of the 4 finalists last season used “small-ball” to get there. Warriors/Rockets/Cavs (Love as Center.....or LeBron/other). Capela averaged 32 mins vs big centers of KAT/Gobert but 27 mins vs the Warriors game 1-6 (game 7 he played 37 mins in a loss). Butler would give you 34 mins of floor time (if healthy.....is the question). Contingent on Nene starting? Melo/Tucker filling in at center at times? And I’m one of the few who think Hartenstein and Qi will do just fine if given mins. IMO you can play a scarecrow at center if you have CP3/Harden/Jimmy B/ Melo on the same team. I have: Harden top 3 player. CP3 around 12th Melo around 34th (still demands double teams.......around 21st if he reduces mid-range shots to little or nothing). Jimmy Butler can be top 10. Probably number 10. Plays both Offense and Defense well. I agree the Rockets had the Warriors until CP3 got hurt. But changes from Ariza & Luc Mbah present questions in themselves. Can James Ennis/ MCW / Edwards fill the void? I know Butler can. Warriors resorted to Durant iso’s since the Rockets switched everything and disrupted their motion/cutters. Durant became their only play maker basically......guess Curry wasn’t healthy. Not sure. Rockets with CP3/Harden/Mr. Jimmy/Melo/Tucker at center would be favored in a series with the Warriors.......imo. I have info on a thread later today or tomorrow I will present.
