Joe Johnson and David West possibly to the Cavs

[hater]

At the same time, LeBron and Varejao are extremely close. I'm holding out hope that he won't OK any deal that involves sending Varejao away, even if it means improving the team. Wishful thinking, but you never know

And btw, to those questioning David West's abilities at this point: I think it's a bit unfair to solely judge him off last season. Paul George was out the entire season. George Hill missed half the season. That Indiana team was hopeless. It's not farfetched to assume he'd play a bit better in a situation much more conducive to success. Look at how much better Pau played in Chicago compared to the season prior in LA.

u kidding right?

why would Lebron say no to Johnson? instant championship. dude is clutch

[FromWayDowntown]

I'll join the chorus: David West is a pretty dramatic improvement over Jeff Ayers.

He's an absolute coup if he'll accept a role off the bench; he would give the second unit a relatively mobile and physical big body (which it lacks unless you consider Boris to be a banger of some sort) with a solid jumper from the elbows and above the free throw line. He's not a great individual defender, but he's played gigantic minutes for an Indiana team that has been pretty solid defensively for the last few years.

[ceperez]

I'll join the chorus: David West is a pretty dramatic improvement over Jeff Ayers.

He's an absolute coup if he'll accept a role off the bench; he would give the second unit a relatively mobile and physical big body (which it lacks unless you consider Boris to be a banger of some sort) with a solid jumper from the elbows and above the free throw line. He's not a great individual defender, but he's played gigantic minutes for an Indiana team that has been pretty solid defensively for the last few years.

Anyone saying Ayres is comparable to David West is a complete idiot.

These old all-stars are still really good when motivated. Look at Paul Pierce, he did nothing in the regular season with the Wizards, but he was a monster in the playoffs.

If the Spurs had picked up Pierce last year, they would have likely won the championship.

[cd98]

West or Scola. At this point, most of those guys are interchangeable. I wish we could get at least on 7 footer who could bang for ten minutes a game. I know the starting center position is the weakest in the NBA, but I think Duncan will get more nights off this year, so having a banger would help.

[TheGreatYacht]

They'll lose JR Smith, and he's a much better fit next to Lebron than 10 second jumpshot Average Joe is... David West won't get playing time.

Spurs in 6

[SuperCam]

Della/Shump/JR/Thompson/West off the bench

LeBron learned his lesson two years ago when spurs bench got the goat of norris cole, udonis haslem and rashard lewis scrub triumvirate

[cd98]

They'll lose JR Smith, and he's a much better fit next to Lebron than 10 second jumpshot Average Joe is... David West won't get playing time.

Spurs in 6

Is JR willing to take the vet min? Bc we can't pay him the market rate. Besides, he sucks.

[Leetonidas]

Meh, there's only one ball, and LeBron is holding it most of the time. Joe is not 25 anymore, he is still a good player but he is not going to be more than a spot up shooter with LeBron. As for West, I still don't see him getting the playing time in Cleveland. Even without Andy V they still have LeBron/Love/Thompson who will all split time at the 4. I think he is going to be forced to play C with the Cavs

[TheGreatYacht]

Is JR willing to take the vet min? Bc we can't pay him the market rate. Besides, he sucks.

Nope expect a desperate ty team to throw big money at him, Suns for example. Joe Johnson will be 35 next season and he was never the fastest player in his prime.. LOL at him chasing guys when the Spurs start moving the ball

[TheGreatYacht]

The more shots ISO Joe takes from their big 3, the better

[hater]

Meh, there's only one ball, and LeBron is holding it most of the time. Joe is not 25 anymore, he is still a good player but he is not going to be more than a spot up shooter with LeBron. As for West, I still don't see him getting the playing time in Cleveland. Even without Andy V they still have LeBron/Love/Thompson who will all split time at the 4. I think he is going to be forced to play C with the Cavs

hed need to come and play C for Spurs too right?

Lamarcus/Duncan/Diaw are not full time Cs

[ceperez]

hed need to come and play C for Spurs too right?

Lamarcus/Duncan/Diaw are not full time Cs

Duncan is a fulltime center come playoff time. Not in the regular season, but who really cares about he regular season?

[benstanfield]

paying your backup power forward the max
paying iso Joe 24m to be a Ray Allen spot up shooter
shot 35% from three last year

[Leetonidas]

hed need to come and play C for Spurs too right?

Lamarcus/Duncan/Diaw are not full time Cs

Duncan is a full time C. I know Spurfan is sensitive so they can claim the best PF ever le but the fact is, especially in his old age, Tim Duncan has played C for years. He is not mobile, quick, or agile enough to play PF and his perimeter jumper is almost non-existent right now. Aldridge can man the C for stretches as will Boris. I'm just saying, Cavs have a lot of frontcourt depth and he could get more playing time here than there. Plus if they get Iso Joe, he will barely even touch the ball with LeBron/Irving/Love/Joe all on the same team. I won't fault him for going there though, they have a better shot at the le than SA just because they play in a conference with no other contender.

[hater]

I'm pretty sure West will have to play some C in the Spurs if he comes over.

"he will barely touch the ball"

disagree. the ball movement in that team could be deadly.

I am confident Spurs (or Wiz) get West btw

[Mr. Body]

They'll lose JR Smith, and he's a much better fit next to Lebron than 10 second jumpshot Average Joe is... David West won't get playing time.

Spurs in 6

One of the worst takes I've ever seen.

[SpursFan86]

Duncan is a full time C. I know Spurfan is sensitive so they can claim the best PF ever le but the fact is, especially in his old age, Tim Duncan has played C for years. He is not mobile, quick, or agile enough to play PF and his perimeter jumper is almost non-existent right now. Aldridge can man the C for stretches as will Boris. I'm just saying, Cavs have a lot of frontcourt depth and he could get more playing time here than there. Plus if they get Iso Joe, he will barely even touch the ball with LeBron/Irving/Love/Joe all on the same team. I won't fault him for going there though, they have a better shot at the le than SA just because they play in a conference with no other contender.

Yes, Duncan is a center...but he's also about to be 40 years old. He probably won't play much over 25 mpg next year. Aldridge has apparently been explicit about not wanting to play center, so that really just leaves Diaw. He'd work against small-ball lineups but that's about it. He's not much of a rim protector.

We definitely need a legitimate center IMO. I'd like West, but tbh even he doesn't really fit the need because he's not a good rim protector either. We're absolutely ed if Duncan goes down for any length of time. And considering he's on the verge of 40, that's pretty discomforting.

[TheGreatYacht]

Johnson + West equals championship got for Cleveland, I think.

Damn. So much info in this post. How can anyone not agree /thread

[hater]

Yes, Duncan is a center...but he's also about to be 40 years old. He probably won't play much over 25 mpg next year. Aldridge has apparently been explicit about not wanting to play center, so that really just leaves Diaw. He'd work against small-ball lineups but that's about it. He's not much of a rim protector.

We definitely need a legitimate center IMO. I'd like West, but tbh even he doesn't really fit the need because he's not a good rim protector either. We're absolutely ed if Duncan goes down for any length of time. And considering he's on the verge of 40, that's pretty discomforting.

pretty much on point.

ppl still fail to see Duncan's minutes will be babysat. he's going to be 40 for christ sakes

West would be a luxury so Spurs should still try and get him. But Spurs still need a 7 footer. We'll probably try out D legue 7 footers like underwear throughout the season. Unless they decide to ship Diaw out for one

[HarlemHeat37]

Anyone saying Ayres is comparable to David West is a complete idiot.

These old all-stars are still really good when motivated. Look at Paul Pierce, he did nothing in the regular season with the Wizards, but he was a monster in the playoffs.

If the Spurs had picked up Pierce last year, they would have likely won the championship.

There are far more examples of those types of players being finished then there are of examples like Pierce playing well last year, tbh..

[hater]

btw Spurs are banking on Lamarcus to TAKE OVER the team.

Anything less and Spurs have no shot in .

[HarlemHeat37]

Good moves for the Cavs, especially if Johnson agrees to come off the bench..he would be largely useless as a starter IMO..

Still a lot of question marks for a team without a system, though..

[hater]

Good moves for the Cavs, especially if Johnson agrees to come off the bench..

Still a lot of question marks for a team without a system, though..

the "team without a system" went 6 games deep in the Finals without their 2 best players

I think the "missing system" will be a nonfactor

[SpursFan86]

Pretty sure I remember reading that the Cavs were 33-3 after acquiring Mozgov...regardless of what system they have, it seems to have worked pretty well. Add in another year of chemistry-building, and they'll likely be better than they were last season even if they don't make any notable additions to the team (which seems like a longshot...LeBron has Gilbert by the balls right now and I'd be shocked if they don't find someone to use that Haywood expiring on).

[100%duncan]

Joe Johnson is a ballhog. Goodluck on more isos Bronnie