If Pau joins OKC, are they the favorite?

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

Could you imagine Ibaka and Pau around the 3 point line and Westbrook and Durant driving in getting food stamps continuously? Sure, Pau might only average 9 ppg, but that would be one annoying ass squad.

I personally also think that OKC, LAL and other teams are the obvious front runners in receiving him... Pau isn't going to accept a role being the fourth big off the bench.

[xmas1997]

No

[100%duncan]

Br:lol:lolks

[jhfenton]

If Pau joins OKC, are they the favorite?

Yes. Being the favorite doesn't make it inevitable, but I think they'd be the favorite pending other major free agent shakeups.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Of course.

[Budkin]

Br:lol:lolks

This. They will never win anything with this guy at the helm.

[xmas1997]

Yes. Being the favorite doesn't make it inevitable, but I think they'd be the favorite pending other major free agent shakeups.

Why?
This does not make them better than the Spurs as long as Diaw comes back.

[Emperor]

Absolutely not, especially if they have to lose Reggie Jackson because of it.

[benefactor]

Still have Brooks and Westbrick, so no.

[RD2191]

:lol

[tmtcsc]

No. It gives them an inside game but we have the bigs to counter him. If we bring back everyone, we should be the favorites.

[houston spurs fan]

Yes.

[Jimcs50]

Maybe, but if he joined the Spurs and we were healthy in May-June, we can just make our reservations to our 6th parade, cuz it would be a lock.

[tholdren]

the media will say yes

[jhfenton]

Why?
This does not make them better than the Spurs as long as Diaw comes back.

OKC was already a tough matchup for the Spurs. Assuming they didn't lose Reggie Jackson or otherwise make their bench even weaker, Gasol would give them a lot of offensive flexibility.

I will admit that taking a fresh look at their roster, they would definitely have some work to do to turn an overloaded front court into some back court help, especially if they lose Butler and Thabo.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Absolutely not, especially if they have to lose Reggie Jackson because of it.

That's the look of things. It would be Jackson and Perk for Gasol. This definitely would favor the Lakers if this trade happen.

[Leetonidas]

Old ass shitty defensive player making them the favorites :lol

MVPau has some miles left in the tank but this isn't 2008, he's not transforming any team into a favorite at this point in his career. Although playing next to a defensive stud like Ibaka would mask how slow he is these days

[xmas1997]

OKC was already a tough matchup for the Spurs. Assuming they didn't lose Reggie Jackson or otherwise make their bench even weaker, Gasol would give them a lot of offensive flexibility.

I will admit that taking a fresh look at their roster, they would definitely have some work to do to turn an overloaded front court into some back court help, especially if they lose Butler and Thabo.

I don't see it. OKC still doesn't have a bench worth shit so they will tire sooner, and they have no answer to the Spurs motion/passing offense, plus the Spurs defense is better.
The Mavs took the Spurs to seven games, they are the bigger threat IMHO.

[jhfenton]

I don't see it. OKC still doesn't have a bench worth shit so they will tire sooner, and they have no answer to the Spurs motion/passing offense, plus the Spurs defense is better.
You're right about their back court bench.

[Darius McCrary]

Champs are always favorite if they bring the band back. Period.

[Baam]

Favorite to win the west for sure, it's less clear vs Miami than versus SA...

[Baam]

Champs are always favorite if they bring the band back. Period.

No, Miami wasn't the favorite this year for instance...

[Mr. Body]

Brooks will need to alter the offense into something that actually moves the ball around. It's only the incredible offensive abilities of Westbrook and Durant that wins them so many games and it was almost enough to get them through.

OKC is really not far from a ring, but it will take some shrewd changing of their structure. Gasol might have to convince himself they can do it. I also don't know whether he matches the locker room feel, but then he's put up with Kobe for years.

They'd be really, really tough. You never want to see your top rival pick up a top PF with 17/9 a season. That would suck.

[Splits]

Methtown has very little cap flexibility and no shooters. Basically if they don't amnesty Porky they've got the MLE and the bi-annual. So to get Gasol they'd have to sign-and-trade. Porky and picks is the best they could hope for but LA may get better offers than that.

[spurraider21]

pau's game doesn't mesh with OKC's iso based system

[Richie]

Old ass shitty defensive player making them the favorites :lol

MVPau has some miles left in the tank but this isn't 2008, he's not transforming any team into a favorite at this point in his career. Although playing next to a defensive stud like Ibaka would mask how slow he is these days

People keep saying Ibaka will mask his deficiencies but Pau played with a better defender in Howard and was still a huge liability.

I expect the Thunder would just make Gasol a jumpshooter, completely negating his value offensively while being a weak link of defence.

[kobyz]

they favorite anyway! they were very close in the series against us last year, who know what would have happened if they had Iblaka 100% and from the start, they will be stronger next year!
Spurs must get Paul Pierce!

[Mr. Body]

I expect the Thunder would just make Gasol a jumpshooter, completely negating his value offensively while being a weak link of defence.

Exactly why I think he'd not leap into an OKC situation without thinking hard about it.

[Chinook]

Yes. Hands down. Gasol is pretty much Duncan on D minus the shot-blocking, and Ibaka is Splitter plus shot-blocking. So I'd say they'd have the advantage in their starting bigs.

[spurspokesman]

the media will say yes

[mudyez]

they favorite anyway! they were very close in the series against us last year, who know what would have happened if they had Iblaka 100% and from the start, they will be stronger next year!
Spurs must get Paul Pierce!

No they don't. Best way to stay at the top is to not change much at all. Our strengh is teamplay and it payed to not change a lot of pieces (basically none except Neal/Belinelli). Names like Pierce and Gasol may sound sexy, but won't fit in right away (and then they are too old). Signing Gasol to keep him away from OKC (they need one more scorer and he might be the missing piece) is the only thing thats defendable but even with him I'm not sure how he fits in. I rather have Splitter for his defense against any team hence OKC/MIA, Diaw because he gives us options and keeps the passing game engine running and Timmy for obvious reasons. Add some small ball and garbage time minutes for Daye/Bayenes/Ayers and there are no minutes left for Gasol anyway.

[Frankie23]

I don't know how OKC is what Pau wants.. I mean, he was always complaining about not having the ball in the post or his teammates not shearing the ball and now he wants to play for the "your turn my turn" offense??
All of that for a MLE sallary? Of course they will be a serious contender, but..

[lefty]

Well if RW stops chucking they are the favorites TBH

[SpurAddict561]

Unless Pau is gonna coach the team too, the answer is a RESOUNDING NO

[lefty]

But I dont think Pau is interested in playing for OKC

He was frustrated not getting enough touches in L.A because of Kirby, so if RW does that same shit why would he go there ?

[Leetonidas]

People keep saying Ibaka will mask his deficiencies but Pau played with a better defender in Howard and was still a huge liability.

I expect the Thunder would just make Gasol a jumpshooter, completely negating his value offensively while being a weak link of defence.

tbh Howard has been overrated since leaving Orlando. Houston is complete trash on defense, you'd figure the supposed DPOY could make a defense respectable by himself (like he did in Orlando). Since his injuries he's nowhere near as good as defensively as he was. Ibaka is a better team defender right now imo

[Leetonidas]

Plus Gasol/Howard are both Cs while Ibaka is a PF

[kobyz]

No they don't. Best way to stay at the top is to not change much at all. Our strengh is teamplay and it payed to not change a lot of pieces (basically none except Neal/Belinelli). Names like Pierce and Gasol may sound sexy, but won't fit in right away (and then they are too old). Signing Gasol to keep him away from OKC (they need one more scorer and he might be the missing piece) is the only thing thats defendable but even with him I'm not sure how he fits in. I rather have Splitter for his defense against any team hence OKC/MIA, Diaw because he gives us options and keeps the passing game engine running and Timmy for obvious reasons. Add some small ball and garbage time minutes for Daye/Bayenes/Ayers and there are no minutes left for Gasol anyway.

Not to change anything is premature thinking, if we want to repeat and not return on past mistakes we need to do somthing, i didn't asked for Gasol, but Pierce would give us the dream stretch 4 For Pop to play in his small ball lineups, also would be Kawhai Backup(still can guard LeBron preaty well).

[Richie]

Yes. Hands down. Gasol is pretty much Duncan on D minus the shot-blocking, and Ibaka is Splitter plus shot-blocking. So I'd say they'd have the advantage in their starting bigs.

That's just not true, Duncan is a far superior defender to Gasol in almost every aspect. Duncan got 12 All-Defence first team votes this year and would have made a 3rd team if it existed. Voting is hardly the be all and end all (even Harden got votes from Houston broadcasters) but Pau hasn't had an all defence vote in 4 years. Even when the Lakers were the best team in the league between 08-10, he got a total 2 votes in 3 years.

Timmy is a far superior defender right now.

[xmas1997]

If Gasol were seriously going to go to OKC, and especially after being personally courted by Westbrook and Durant, don't you think he would have decided already?
I think the longer this takes, the less the probability he goes there.
Maybe he is waiting to see what happens with Kobe's meeting with Melo.

[tmtcsc]

I don't think Pau will commit to anyone until Melo and Miami's situation plays out. Once some teams are out of the mix for them, then they will have more $$ to give Gasol. Has Dallas reached out to him?

[ginobilized]

OKC needs a coach and some structure that develops clear roles for players. Gasol doesn't solve that, and, likely would become frustrated there.
OKC's defense gets worse with him and that is not going to elevate their status. KD is showing signs of bitterness and jealousy......beware of hubris as the Greeks would say. They are getting edgy in OKC and will either implode or become champions, but, Gasol isn't the missing piece there. Let's be thankful that Rick Carlisle does not coach there.....that would be a tough squad to beat. Brooks is in the hot seat this year IMHO. He needs to maximize the talents and get more discipline from that team. Good luck, right?

[Gervin44Silas13]

Kevin Durants Mom

[PingPong]

"Russ, gibe me the bow! Bestbrook pass me that bow!"

[SpursFan4-Life]

Easily

[Mel_13]

OKC would be better with Pau. That much is obvious.

As for favorites, wgaf:

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview2012/story/_/id/8517161/2012-13-nba-predictions-western-conference-champion

http://espn.go.com/nba/notebook/_/page/west1314/2013-14-western-conference-champion

[Chinook]

That's just not true, Duncan is a far superior defender to Gasol in almost every aspect. Duncan got 12 All-Defence first team votes this year and would have made a 3rd team if it existed. Voting is hardly the be all and end all (even Harden got votes from Houston broadcasters) but Pau hasn't had an all defence vote in 4 years. Even when the Lakers were the best team in the league between 08-10, he got a total 2 votes in 3 years.

Timmy is a far superior defender right now.

That's not evidence of anything besides the fact that Gasol is underrated and Duncan os overrated.

[baseline bum]

Now if Lionel Hollins joined OKC they'd be the favorites.

[Vic Petro]

No, Miami wasn't the favorite this year for instance...

Miami was the favorite at the beginning of the year, no? At least per Vegas...

[Jenks]

I think they should spend the offseason trying to add a 4th ref, one time this season I saw Westbrook flailing out of control towards the basket and he didn't end up on the FT line.

[TampaDude]

I think they should spend the offseason trying to add a 4th ref, one time this season I saw Westbrook flailing out of control towards the basket and he didn't end up on the FT line.

:lol

[sook]

no, they would actually be worse. Stupid stupid move for OKC if they do.

[Johnny RIngo]

That's not evidence of anything besides the fact that Gasol is underrated and Duncan os overrated.

Nah, even the impact stats indicate Pau is clearly worse than Duncan on defense.

[Chinook]

Nah, even the impact stats indicate Pau is clearly worse than Duncan on defense.

Shot-blocking and all that.

[Malik Hairston]

On paper, yes, obviously..however, they were the favorites to win the West this year, too..

Gasol is a huge addition from a talent perspective, but I don't see how Brooks would utilize his skills in that awful system, tbh..

[Spurs7794]

Not to change anything is premature thinking, if we want to repeat and not return on past mistakes we need to do somthing, i didn't asked for Gasol, but Pierce would give us the dream stretch 4 For Pop to play in his small ball lineups, also would be Kawhai Backup(still can guard LeBron preaty well).

Completely off topic and calling back your emo schtick from last year but THANK GOD the spurs are much more mentally tough than you gave them credit for.

[xmas1997]

I will be very very surprised if he chooses the Spurs or the Thunder and gives up all that money.

[G-Dawgg]

Get OKC a half decent coach and they'll win the next 3 championships in a row...

[therealtruth]

That's just not true, Duncan is a far superior defender to Gasol in almost every aspect. Duncan got 12 All-Defence first team votes this year and would have made a 3rd team if it existed. Voting is hardly the be all and end all (even Harden got votes from Houston broadcasters) but Pau hasn't had an all defence vote in 4 years. Even when the Lakers were the best team in the league between 08-10, he got a total 2 votes in 3 years.

Timmy is a far superior defender right now.

You are definitely underrating his defense. His defense against Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett in the years they won was huge.

[tholdren]

[QUOTE=therealtruth;7483157]You are definitely underrating his defense. His defense against Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett in the years they won was huge.[/QUOTE

You shouldn't pay players for past performance, and this past was how many years ago?

[exstatic]

Yes. Hands down. Gasol is pretty much Duncan on D minus the shot-blocking, and Ibaka is Splitter plus shot-blocking. So I'd say they'd have the advantage in their starting bigs.

I usually like your analysis, but your Ibaka take is horrible. He is in no way "Splitter plus shot-blocking". His offensive game is face the basket, and if the pass comes to you shoot a jumper. He has virtually NO post game. In spite of his shot blocking, he's a lousy post defender. Splitter is better, MUCH better than him at both of those. Splitter's post game at 16 was probably better than Ibaka's now.

[Mr. Body]

Could be going after Vince Carter, too.

[Prime Time]

You are definitely underrating his defense. His defense against Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett in the years they won was huge.
Freaking Bruce Bowen was still with the Spurs when the Lakers played Orlando in the finals :lol

[Raven]

not even close.

[siraulo23]

yes

unless pau has really declined a LOT

[Chinook]

I usually like your analysis, but your Ibaka take is horrible. He is in no way "Splitter plus shot-blocking". His offensive game is face the basket, and if the pass comes to you shoot a jumper. He has virtually NO post game. In spite of his shot blocking, he's a lousy post defender. Splitter is better, MUCH better than him at both of those. Splitter's post game at 16 was probably better than Ibaka's now.

Was talking about D only for both comparisons. Splitter is great at all four aspects of big defense: post, rim-protection, PnR defense andman defense outside the paint. Ibaka is only good at two of those, rim-protection and PnR defense. But he's elite at those, and with Gasol playing C, those are the two that would count the most.

I didn't make my statement to mean Ibaka is a better defender than Splitter. Rather, I was pointing out the roles Gasol and Serve would play and how it would be a viable defensive arraignment.