The trade deadline is closing in, and so before I start with tonight's games, here are two trades that need to happen:
1. Josh Smith to Bucks for some kind of deal involving Monta Ellis.
2. Eric Bledsoe to any team in the league that will let him start.
Josh Smith needs a change of scenery, and Bledsoe won't ever start in LA as long as CP3 is there. Some Bledsoe-to-Boston rumors have surfaced, but that would be a stupid trade because once Rondo comes back, Bledsoe will go right back to the bench.
Memphis (+1) vs Toronto (-1): Rudy Gay will face off against his old squad for the first time since being traded to the Raptors. Never underestimate a player with a chip on his shoulder; he should have big numbers tonight.
NYK (+3.5) vs Indiana (-3.5): I'm really not feelin the Knicks vibe anymore. If they aren't shooting lights out from 3-point land, they rely way too much on the Felton-Chandler pick-and-roll. Take away the pick-and-roll, and you get 48 minutes of Melo iso ball. That is not a good thing.
Detroit (-3) vs Charlotte (+3): MJ's trainer said that MJ could average 20 a night if he came back. Not buyin it.
New Orleans (+2.5) vs Cleveland (-2.5): Kyrie Irving put on a show at All-Star weekend. But let's take tis time to give a big shout to Greivis Vasquez for his exceptional play this far. Homeboy is averaging 14 and 9.5 a game.. no one saw that coming. Picture of the day is decided. Big shout to Greivis Vasquez.
Philadelphia (+3) vs Minnesota (-3): I said it at the beginning of the year, and I will stand by it. Andrew Bynum will not play a game this year.Brooklyn (+4) vs Milwaukee (-4): PJ Carlesimo might have the hardest job in the NBA: to defend Deron Williams.
Miami (-5.5) vs Atlanta (+5.5): Well this could be the last time we see Josh Smith in a Hawks uniform. As a departing gift, he gets to guard LeBron tonight. I say he should stick it to Atlanta and just tank the game. Let LeBron put up 50.
OKC (-3) vs Houston (+3): The whole city of Houston is going to have All-Star weekend hangover. I like OKC big here.
Orlando (+11) vs Dallas (-11): I just feel like this is such a huge line.
Boston (+7) vs LAL (-7): This game would have been cool 3 years ago.
Phoenix (+8) vs Golden State (-8): Golden State got crushed again last night, and this worries me. I really really really want this team to be good.
Lock of the night goes to OKC (-3).
The Clippers can always trade Bledsoe next year. If they make a run to the Finals or win a championship and Bledsoe plays a big role, his stock can only increase. He will be a restricted free agent next season. The Clippers need him this season. He's invaluable to the bench unit, which has been the Clippers greatest strength outside of CP3. I just hope Vinny keeps playing the two units throughout the playoffs.
ReplyDeletePassquez has been awesome. He's killing it for my fantasy team, and I got him off waivers. I agree with you about the Knicks. Never bought into their contender status in the first place. Dwill used to be one of my favorite players, until he started to act like a female dog, got fat and lazy, and didn't work hard to improve himself after signing that fat $98 million contract. So sad. Also, do you think the problem with GS is Bogut? Trying to figure out how they got worse defensively with him
ReplyDeleteThe Clippers' second unit is pretty filthy.. I can't see Vinny cutting down their PT much in the playoffs. I think trading Bledsoe next year is a really good look. I know Boston and LA had discussed a Bledsoe/Deandre Jordan for KG deal, but that seems like a terrible deal for LA (and definitely won't happen).
ReplyDeleteAs for Bogut, I don't think he is the problem. If you check out this link (http://i.imgur.com/dW5XZ6i.jpg), David Lee is actually the worst interior defender in the league.. not to mention that Seth Curry is atrocious on that end of the floor.
Yeah, the KG deal seems silly. I like him a lot, but he doesn't really solve the Clippers problems and isn't worth two of your young, up-and-coming players. Nah, I get that David Lee is a terrible defender (though he's improved somewhat from last season) and Curry's pretty bad too. But the team as a whole was defending well this year, in the top half of the league. Then, Bogut comes back, and they've been giving up 105-110 points a game and getting shellacked inside.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is some sort of defensive chemistry issue between the big guys down low.. which would be really odd because Lee and Bogut have looked pretty sharp together on offense.
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