It appears that the owner of the Sacramento Kings - my default team after the Golden State Warriors - has finally hired an intelligent General Manager. GM Monte McNair's solid move to improve the Kings' reserves is proof to me that he knows what he's doing. The bench is now taller, longer, more athletic and better shooters. McNair stood pat with his starters, although my guess is he was sorely tempted to get a bunch of first and second round draft choices for a very desirable Harrison Barnes. Patience is a virtue. It is also important to remember that Harrison is only 28 years old, which some GMs and owners these days believe is long in the tooth. Take into consideration the great Dubs championship teams that were made of of a mix of youngsters (Step and Klay) and vets.(Igudala and Livingston). Delon Wright, Terrence Davis and even "long in the tooth" Maurice Harkless are huge upgrades over Walton's previous choices to relieve starters. With apologies to Cory Joseph, who I always liked for his smarts and tough D, but athletic he was not. McNair seems to be telling Kings fans that he is holding pat until the end of the season before making any BIG moves, and at the same time demonstrating some confidence that by creating a stronger bench, Luke Walton has the weapons to make it into the play-in tourney. A big V for Sacto if that happens.
As far as other NBA teams. I think the Nets acquiring Aldridge on a buyout and the Lakers getting Drummond on a buyout are moves that border on the pathetic.. The Lakers must not be very confident in Gasol or that AD will be back and in form by playoffs. The Nets? I don't get it at all. They have a wonderful discovery in their rookie Nicolas Claxon in the post. So what is their need at the power forward? Aldridge, a slow, pick and pot guy and Griffin not nearly the player he was. All I see is congestion in the paint, which will make it more difficult for Harden and Irving to drive? Is there an unspoken problem with KD that calls for midrange offense and bully boards? Do A & G really help on D?
Good for the Magic. All in for youth. Has Bamba got it or not? Get draft choices, lot os them. Wendell Carter Jr. is young and could be a great future backup if Bamba proves to be the Big of the future. .Two first round picks and two in the second round, plus their own picks, not a bad haul.
I think Miami helped themselves, by getting Oladipo, if only to light a fire under Herro. But, no doubt, Victor might be just enough addional scoring for the Heat to get back on track. The 76ers helped themselves with solid veteran guard, George Hill. Every NBA team should have one George Hill on its team. Wouldn't the Warriors love to have him for a couple of years, another Livingston type?
Nuggets got a huge upgrade at the back up center position with JaVale McGee. I see lots of dunks when he's on the court giving Jocic a rest. Got to rest the big Serb for the playoffs.
I'm afraid the Celtic didn't help themselves very much with Evan Fournier and Mo Wagner. They will miss Theis' toughness. If Wagner had Theis' toughness, he'd be a the center the Celtics are looking for. .
Vucevic to the Bulls says they are committed to winning now. We'll see. I've never been a big fan of Lavine. Although he is a elite 3-point shooter, he doesn't play a smart game in my opinion. The big Finn has got to get tougher? And I worry that Vucevic will under perform in a different system.
JJ Redick will help stretch the floor, but neither he nor Nicola Melli solve the Mavs true need, which is a true paint protector.
We'll see if the Blazers made the right move trading Gary Trent Jr. for Norman Powell, both great 3- point shooters. Both good defenders. Nokic back will make more of a difference, although I'm not huge on the Serb. But Kantor as a back-up makes more sense than as a starter.
For a close out poem I'm lifting from a book written by Andy Brumer called The Poetics of Golf. Don't let the lyrical title fool you jocks. If you like the sport of golf, you'll love this read.
From "Should Lanterns Shine" by Dylan Thomas
And many years should see some change.
The ball I threw while playing in the park
Has not yet hit the ground.
