NBA: 3-team trade between OKC/Brooklyn/Charlotte involving Brook Lopez + more

[FromWayDowntown]

Not that they are not good ones, but they are not catch and shooters. Their strength is that they are creators on offense, and that's when they are most dangerous.

Nobody would turn Lebron, Jordan, or Kobe into catch and shooters, because they are a LOT more than that. Limiting their roles in to catch and shooters hurts your offense because they take away their strengths. It's like turning Nash into a catch and shooter. Can he do it? Sure, but that's limiting him.

Good catch and shooters go for much cheaper than Durant and Westbrook, tying up the majority of your cap on two catch and shooters will doom you.

I see the point in saying that they add value by breaking down defenses and forcing help, but in 4th quarters, they're not exactly creators for anyone other than themselves. Maybe the thought process from OKC's standpoint is that if they can force defenses to react to someone other than KD/RW, it will make things easier for those guys when they do catch the ball -- maybe not compel them to be catch-and-shoot guys, but allow them to penetrate after they've played inside-out and maybe forced a double on the block.

If only OKC had a guy who could break down defenses and create shots for KD/RW in 4th quarters by being a legitimate scoring threat and a good playmaker.

They're acquiring talent in OKC, but there almost seems to be a desperation to their efforts at this point. I do wonder if they're thinking that by acquiring Waiters/Lopez, it gives them the option to shop Jackson and some of their other redundant but talented guys to make one gigantic splash before the deadline.

[ambchang]

what i'm saying is, that having lopez, would help them have LESS iso's, not more.

Isolating Lopez in the low post, even with kick outs, is still iso ball. They did that with Jordan in the 90s a lot, and that is iso ball.

I see the point in saying that they add value by breaking down defenses and forcing help, but in 4th quarters, they're not exactly creators for anyone other than themselves. Maybe the thought process from OKC's standpoint is that if they can force defenses to react to someone other than KD/RW, it will make things easier for those guys when they do catch the ball -- maybe not compel them to be catch-and-shoot guys, but allow them to penetrate after they've played inside-out and maybe forced a double on the block.

If only OKC had a guy who could break down defenses and create shots for KD/RW in 4th quarters by being a legitimate scoring threat and a good playmaker.

They're acquiring talent in OKC, but there almost seems to be a desperation to their efforts at this point. I do wonder if they're thinking that by acquiring Waiters/Lopez, it gives them the option to shop Jackson and some of their other redundant but talented guys to make one gigantic splash before the deadline.

As a Spurs fan, it's actually great to see, I think they are taking steps back, reminds me of the Suns getting Shaq and killed any chance they had of contending.

Still, OKC with a system and a bench will be a tough team to beat, but for some reason, they are going for neither.

[spurraider21]

How is this great for OKC? They already a defensive anchor in Abaka, who has way more offensive game than Lopez... they're sorely lacking perimeter D...

[DAF86]

How is this great for OKC? They already a defensive anchor in Abaka, who has way more offensive game than Lopez... they're sorely lacking perimeter D...

Mmmh you thinking of his brother, tbh.

[gambit1990]

the nets have decided not to move lopez right now.

[ElNono]

Mmmh you thinking of his brother, tbh.

Nah, I'm saying Abaka has more offensive game than Lopez... Lopez can score in the post, but he's not really that good/dominant post player... Abaka can finish above the rim, has a solid jumper, and spaces all the way to the 3 point line...

With Adams and Collison in the fold, I don't see how it helps OKC... Sure, he's an upgrade over Perk, but I think OKC has problems somewhere else..

[Mel_13]

If only OKC had a guy who could break down defenses and create shots for KD/RW in 4th quarters by being a legitimate scoring threat and a good playmaker.

[Chris]

Stephenson cancer

[DAF86]

Nah, I'm saying Abaka has more offensive game than Lopez... Lopez can score in the post, but he's not really that good/dominant post player... Abaka can finish above the rim, has a solid jumper, and spaces all the way to the 3 point line...

With Adams and Collison in the fold, I don't see how it helps OKC... Sure, he's an upgrade over Perk, but I think OKC has problems somewhere else..

Dude, you said "They already (have) a defensive anchor, who has way more offensive game than Lopez" implying Brook Lopez is some kind of defensive presence with little offensive game when he's known for the complete opposite. You're talking like he would be redundant with Adams, Collison and Perkins when he actually gives OKC something they have always lacked which is a bigman with a post game. Granted I don't think he's going to help much 'cause he's overrated and sucks but the point still remains that on paper Brook Lopez gives OKC a different weapon.

Don't pull a lefty and admit you had Brook Lopez mixed up.

[ElNono]

Dude, you said "They already (have) a defensive anchor, who has way more offensive game than Lopez" implying Brook Lopez is some kind of defensive presence with little offensive game when he's known for the complete opposite. You're talking like he would be redundant with Adams, Collison and Perkins when he actually gives OKC something they have always lacked which is a bigman with a post game. Granted I don't think he's going to help much 'cause he's overrated and sucks but the point still remains that on paper Brook Lopez gives OKC a different weapon.

Don't pull a lefty and admit you had Brook Lopez mixed up.

No, I'm going through the gamut of reasons why he would help OKC:

defense -> No, Abaka is already their anchor and way better shotblocker and weak side help defender. Adams has been doing the "tank" post defender job that Perk was doing. There's no improvement on that end from Lopez.
offense -> No, Abaka is the better offensive player.

Basically, they're getting another Adams/Collison, with a slightly better post game (not dominant though). He's not even a solid rebounder. I don't get why people fall in love with names, tbh...

[DAF86]

No, I'm going through the gamut of reasons why he would help OKC:

defense -> No, Abaka is already their anchor and way better shotblocker and weak side help defender. Adams has been doing the "tank" post defender job that Perk was doing. There's no improvement on that end from Lopez.
offense -> No, Abaka is the better offensive player.

Basically, they're getting another Adams/Collison, with a slightly better post game (not dominant though). He's not even a solid rebounder. I don't get why people fall in love with names, tbh...

You can give Lopez the ball in the post and have him create offense from there. None of the other OKC bigs can do that, not even Ibaka.

I agree with you that Lope won't help them much, but that's 'cause he's overrated not because he's another Adams/Collison. Their skill sets couldn't be more different. Theoretically Lopez does give OKC a different look.

[ElNono]

You can give Lopez the ball in the post and have him create offense from there. None of the other OKC bigs can do that, not even Ibaka.

I agree with you that Lope won't help them much, but that's 'cause he's overrated not because he's another Adams/Collison. Their skill sets couldn't be more different. Theoretically Lopez does give OKC a different look.

Lopez isn't dominant enough to "create offense" from the post, IMO. He only demands a single cover, and if he decides to shoot, that's actually much more preferable to the opposing team than letting WB, Durant or even Abaka or Jackson taking the shot.