To Super Team, or not to Super Team

That is the question. (Along with several other links.)

It’s hard to find much enjoyment in another team winning a championship, but if there has been much to laugh about in recent weeks, it has been from the ridiculous back-and-fourth between LeBron James and several Warriors players over who is and isn’t a super team, who started it, etc. If you haven’t been keeping up, here’s a quick recap:

  1. It all started with James declaring he never played for a super team following the Cleveland Cavaliers loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Finals, which is slightly laughable considering he helped create the spectacle show that was “The Heatles”, and it’s arguable if his current team can be called one as well.
  2. Kevin Durant responded by saying the Warriors aren’t a super team because three of their four All-Stars were drafted and have exceeded expectations in being stars at all. This was arguable before, but once Durant joined them after it was clear they were superstars, that excuse went out the window.
  3. Draymond Green cranked it up a notch at his team’s victory parade, seemingly accepting (and celebrating!) that the Warriors are a super team (do he and Durant ever agree on anything?), but declaring that James started the entire trend.
  4. Finally, James responded that he did not start it, accurately referring as far back as the ‘97 Rockets and ‘04 Lakers as examples of All-Stars teaming up together to try and win a championship.

Yeah, ridiculousness from all sides, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Warriors are so talented and plan on staying together for years to come, so what will it take to beat them? While there are rumors that the Spurs will try to add another superstar (although one Spurs expert thinks they won’t), there are both pros and cons for the Spurs should they choose the super team route.

It will be interesting to see which path they choose, although my bet is they stick closer to the current one: a star or two with plenty of depth and talent to wear down opponents, which they appeared on their way to doing before Zaza happened.

The 2017 NBA Draft is near

  • Things are already getting interesting with the Boston Celtics reportedly agreeing to trade the first overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers, hopefully making “The Process” complete and allowing Brett Brown’s true value as a coach to start shining through.
  • It’s still a mystery what the Spurs will do this year (big man? wing? stash?), but they’ve usually done well in the end. Here’s a list all 30 teams’ needs as Thursday draws near.
  • Here is list of the best and worst picks of the last 20 years at each first round position. Does number 1 surprise you?

So is the inaugural NBA Awards Ceremony

Four days after the draft will come the televised, Oscars-like ceremony where NBA awards will be handed out and All-NBA teams revealed.

  • Here is the lowdown on the finalists for each individual award. It should be no shocker which Spurs player is a candidate for multiple awards, as well as a certain coach.
  • There will also be awards handed out based on fan voting. Be sure to go vote, especially for “best block” if you want a Spur to win. (This must be based on the regular season, because it does not include the block you may think.)
  • Finally, remember that Monty Williams will be receiving the Sager Strong Award, so be sure to tune in for that.
  • This will not be a part of the ceremony, but here is NBA.com’s top 10 plays of the 2017 regular season. Bet you can’t guess which Spurs play made it!

Stat of the Day

Just your friendly neighborhood reminder that Danny Green is in fact a good NBA player:

Spurs fans always seem to need someone to blame when things don’t go perfectly. Sometimes it’s LaMarcus Aldridge for not being the offensive force he was in Portland, sometimes it’s Tony Parker for actually showing his age every now and then, but we’re talking about well-paid, former/fringe All-Stars here. Green is neither of those yet still receives the same “trade him!” treatment from some fans despite being a Top 5 defensive talent at his position. In fact, he’s a bargain deal as a starter in his prime considering the boost in the salary cap last year.

Sure, these factors also make him a prime trade candidate should the Spurs seek to boost their talent level with another All-Star, but that does not mean he should be traded just because he isn’t shooting like it’s the 2013 Finals, especially considering he’s usually the fifth option on offense after being the third for several years. He has his flaws just like any other role player, but he never gives anything less than 100 percent and does in fact make the Spurs better when he’s on the court. That should be enough for anyone who values the Spurs way.

Have a good one!

Source: Pounding The Rock

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