Real Deal

You aren't going to like Odom once he starts screwing up and destroying any chance our team has. He's bound to do it. It's Lamar. Excellent rebounder, and I could argue he's one of the best rebounders in the league (people will laugh, but it's not out of reach)...but after watching every single game Odom has played in since 2004, I always wait for him to start taking ignorant jumpers, missing right-handed layups, and doing absolutely nothing when the team needs him to produce on the offensive end (like you saw today, actually).

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That's the problem: we don't. We need legit post threats, guys that will attack the rim and create out of penetration, and another big that can protect the rim. I actually agree. A veteran leader would be nice, also...one with experience and that can carry a team on his back if needed (ala Kobe Bryant). Billups doesn't cut it, and Odom...I'm really not sure what he's even doing on the team. Now, as far as importance goes, I don't know...just depends on the team, in my opinion. But yes, a floor general would be nice. That was supposed to be Billups and Curry. Attacking the rim at will? That's supposed to be Rose and Westbrook. All four need to get it together before the real games start in about a week. I really don't know what to say about the rest of the team, though. You can't expect to get a comfortable lead against an elite international team if you are bricking all of your jumpers, and Durant's poor shooting display definitely hurts us.

In the first proposed trade, actually. I'm sure Denver will decline and fish for Gallo. Chandler is a player, but the Nuggets would love to have Gallinari.

I agree to an extent, but I think Duncan would've been utilized more effectively if we actually had a team back then. Howard isn't an offensive stud, and he still hasn't developed any significant moves in the post, so I wouldn't care to see him out there again (unless we're talking defense). But someone like Bynum (who will never do this because of his issue with injuries) and a healthy Brook Lopez (came in after getting rid of mono), or even Blake Griffin...I think those guys would do well for Team USA. Not necessarily centers, even, but you can run fours at the center position in international play with minimal problems. I'm just thankful that Pau Gasol isn't playing this year, even though his brother will still give us trouble.

That's true. Arenas' contract is horrific. I still can't believe the Wizards gave him all of that cash and those years, and it wasn't like he was one of the best players in the league when they did it, either...I believe he was still trying to recover from that first major injury of his. Four years (because he will take his PO, won't pass up $21 million) of Arenas, more than likely still playing with half of the impact he used to provide.

Yeah, we get it, the activity sucks here right now. You've told us that in three different posts that I can remember. We should all move to an all-sports site (bet I can guess which one you prefer), and OTR is dying. It's devastating, and it happens every single off-season. Fortunately, for some crazy ass reason, we are still here after five years, even through this destruction. Basketball discussion goes into the team forums. We don't clutter one forum for every team. It's been that way for years. As much as I hated them at one point, I'm modeling the site off of JBB, which was the best basketball site you could find. If I wanted 150-200 active posters every single day, with 2-3 pages of active off-topic posts and discussion of every single sport, I could easily turn OTRBasketball back into "OTRForums" and finish by creating expanded sports directories. I don't want that. What I run on is collecting the best basketball minds I can, and giving them a place to post. If that means I have 100 or less of those members, good...because it also means I have a minimal amount of non-intelligent, trouble-making, immature posters...and that will always be more valuable than anything else.

In other words, Kevin Love wants the ball. But he's right. Minnesota has pulled guys in and out of there as if they are scattering to build a contender. Not going to happen so quickly, so you just need to try and get a feel of what players are compatible with Rambis, the triangle offense and their own teammates. You can't do that in spurts of 30-40 games, though. Rubio the savior? :o

Rudy isn't a great shooter. He's good every now and then, but way too inconsistent. He also gambles for steals in traffic and plays no on-ball defense. Other than his athleticism, I don't see what this guy has to offer as a starter. Really? Just a decent bench player, to me. Trading Chandler for him is a mistake. Go stick Chandler in the package for Melo, or look at other options. No point in making a move just to benefit Chandler's career, and make your team worse in the process.

Bias aside, Hinrich needs to start at the two. I know Arenas is going to say he'll come back and play his heart out, team concept, yada yada...but come on, we've heard it twice before, and when he finally did come back last season, and looked to be in full form (well, for his age and past injuries), he was selfish. Hinrich is an elite defender. Wall is a good defender at the college level, and it may translate over to the pros well. Having that backcourt defense makes up for what you're missing up front, especially now that Haywood is gone, and Blatche doesn't even know what defense is unless he's nearing ten blocks, ten rebounds and ten steals.

Can the Bobcats make the playoffs without Raymond Felton? List of PG's... DJ Augustin Shaun Livingston Sherron Collins We've seen just how bad Augustin can be. Livingston doesn't seem to be playing at a high level. Collins could be okay if he'd keep the weight off. Is it possible?