[ad_1]
Some crazy ideas are tossed around with the NBA trade deadline (March 25) on the horizon, and in case you missed it, here’s a real beauty: The Warriors should trade their futures for something they have already.
This is not an aberration in the dark, but an increasingly popular opinion from responsible outlets. Sniper Bradley Beal will eventually be made available by the Washington Wizards, and for the Warriors to come into the picture, they would have to offer James wiseman, the Minnesota Timberwolves ‘first-round pick in 2021 and either the Warriors’ first-round pick in 2023 or a veteran player – Draymond Green, Kelly Oubre Jr. or Andrew Wiggins.
Wait a minute, wait, hit the brakes. are you kidding?
This is no blow to Beal, one of the league’s legitimately great greats and, obviously, a prince of a human being. While James harden turned into furious boredom to get out of Houston, Beal gave Washington a prolific score – a league leader 34.7 points per game – and a relentless touch of class.
It’s entirely possible that such a trade could bring Golden State to this year’s playoffs, assuming (and you can count on it) that Green won’t be distributed. Beal’s scoring threat would relieve the pressure Stephen curry and create the kind of floor space this team sorely lacks. The owner of the track Joe lacob works, making the playoffs would be a really big deal, especially if fans are allowed to come back into Chase Center in the playoffs.
I was just wondering: has everyone forgotten Klay thompson? And isn’t the main goal of warriors following season?
Thompson essentially is Beal, with the added bonus of an all-league defense and a stronger commitment to the rebound. It’s a wonderful flight of fancy to imagine the two playing with Curry, but the way this team is built, next season can’t be on a Splash Trio. Not with Wiseman gone and gaping holes on the front line.
It is an undeniable fact that the days of “little ball” are quickly fading. Part of the NBA’s normalcy has been restored, all about the centers and muscles up front. This becomes very clear when you examine title threats like Utah (Rudy Gobert), Philadelphia Cream (Joel Embiid), Denver (Nikola Jokic), Milwaukee (Giannis Antetokounmpo), the Lakers (Anthony davis–James lebron) and the Clippers (Kawhi leonard–Serge Ibaka).
Heading into Saturday night’s game against Detroit, the Warriors were the worst rebounding team in the NBA. They will have to add Thompson, a more physical Wiseman and a robust striker to equalize thought on competing for a title, with invaluable defensive help at every turn. Wiseman is far from being Moses Malone around the boards, no question, but who can doubt his rapid improvement in any category? And why would anyone believe Curry will be an over-the-hill codger when a championship caliber roster takes shape? He is perhaps the youngest veteran of all professional sports.
To hear all this talk, you get the feeling that some people haven’t watched Wiseman. They didn’t hear head coach Green’s comments Steve kerr and general manager Bob myers. Thank goodness these people control the room. By no means does it include a way out for one of the most intriguing young centers in years.
Let it be
Only one thing really matters when it comes to the All-Star Game: selecting the rosters, giving players the rich rewards of prestige, bragging rights, historical significance, and contractual bonuses. On Thursday, the usual voting process began, involving fans, players and the media.
The game itself was a joke for years, a tedious festival of 3-point shots and unattended dunks. An interesting twist was added last season – the so-called ‘Elam end’, in which teams play at a certain target score – but the resort to gimmicks is a bit obnoxious. So why not just acknowledge the pandemic and let the players enjoy their mid-season break from March 5-10?
Because you can’t rule out shameless money taking.
Reflecting on the merits of a scaled-down game on March 7 in Atlanta, the NBA focused on showcasing and benefiting historically black colleges and universities in the region, perhaps even hosting the game in a HBCU gym, as well as contributing to COVID. -19 relief funds. Noble ideas, of course.
It’s just that the NBA could give money directly to these institutions without complications. In the absence of fans and the festive atmosphere that normally accompanies All-Star Weekend, this event would be a hollow and empty experience in any location, not to mention the coronavirus travel concerns and risk. potential for health on site. In truth, this proposal is aimed at getting revenue from the league’s TV partners. It would be foolish to believe otherwise.
Forget the game, we say. Choosing this season’s All-Stars could mean first-time selections or significant consideration for some very deserving players, including Jaylen brown, Zach LaVine, De’Aaron Fox, Malcolm brogdon, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Zion Williamson. It goes to the heart of things.
The voice
From the former Warriors public speech announcer Matthew Hurwitz, by e-mail on Saturday: “Sad to hear of the passing of my colleague and longtime friend Dick callahan. Although I replaced him with the Warriors, how fitting that each of us spent 18 seasons with the team. I got to know him years ago, first as a young Warriors fan, then through mutual friends and even more after I started working for various local schools and minor league teams. He has always been kind and supportive and a role model of how members of the profession should be heard. He will be missed.
Bruce Jenkins is a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @ Bruce_Jenkins1
[ad_2]
Source link