Community Shootaround Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/23/15

June 23rd, 2015 at 11:59pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we have begun providing a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ve begun been posting a new topic for readers to discuss each weeknight, which we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day. If you missed our previous discussions you can view them here, or simply head over to the sidebar and select “Hoops Rumors Community Shootarounds.”

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors. Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that the preamble has been taken care of, on to the topic of the day: In three years’ time, which player selected in this year’s NBA Draft will be considered the biggest steal?

Yesterday we took the glass is half empty approach when we discussed who would likely be the biggest bust/disappointment in this year’s draft. But each year there are players who are selected who exceed expectations, and in many cases, outperform those chosen ahead of them. It can sometimes take a few seasons before a player finds his footing in the league and his talent shines through. One of the more recent examples of this occuring is the Warriors’ Draymond Green, who just completed his third campaign in the league. Green lasted until the No. 35 overall pick, and now is in line for a max deal this summer as a free agent. It would be a safe assumption that there are 29 teams out there who are kicking themselves for passing over the talented two-way player from Michigan State.

Who do you feel will be the player we look at after the 2017/18 season as being the biggest steal of the draft? It could be a player who hears his name called during the draft lottery, or one who has to wait until the selections are dying down late in the second round. Sound off below with your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/22/15

June 22nd, 2015 at 11:59pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we have begun providing a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ve begun been posting a new topic for readers to discuss each weeknight, which we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day. If you missed our previous discussions you can view them here, or simply head over to the sidebar and select “Hoops Rumors Community Shootarounds.”

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors. Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that the preamble has been taken care of, on to the topic of the day: Which projected first-rounder in this year’s NBA draft is the likeliest to become a bust/disappointment?

The NBA draft is a source of optimism around the league, with each team hoping to select the next superstar with its pick. There have been countless players who have entered the league with a world of talent, as well as the hype to go along with it. Unfortunately, quite a few of these players never live up to their press clippings. Players like Darko Milicic, Hasheem Thabeet, Joe Alexander, Kwame Brown, and Adam Morrison immediately spring to mind. This year’s Draft will be no different. There will be players who will surprise us with how well they transition to the pros, and who make the front office personnel who made the call to take them look like geniuses. But there will also be a number of draftees who can’t cut it in the NBA, and will make us look back in puzzlement at how all the scouting reports could have been so wrong.

So whom do you think will be the biggest disappointment taken in the first round? It could be someone selected in the draft lottery just as easily as a player taken toward the end of the first round. Take to the comments section below to share your predictions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/19/15

June 19th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we have begun providing a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ve begun been posting a new topic for readers to discuss each weeknight, which we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day. If you missed our previous discussions you can view them here, or simply head over to the sidebar and select “Hoops Rumors Community Shootarounds.”

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors. Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

That does it for the preamble, fine print, and exposition. Now it’s time for the topic of the day: What should the Sixers do with the No. 3 overall pick in the NBA Draft? Philly GM Sam Hinkie can never be accused of thinking strictly inside the box, taking the road more heavily traveled, or passing up an opportunity to acquire another second round pick. The jury is still out on whether or not his rebuilding strategy will be effective in the long-term. In fact, that’s a topic we’ll get to on another day. But for now we’ll concentrate on which player will be the best fit for the franchise in the draft.

The majority of mock drafts out there, including my own, peg the Timberwolves to select Karl-Anthony Towns with the No. 1 overall pick. Though the Lakers are projected by many to select Duke big man Jahlil Okafor at the No. 2 spot, Los Angeles could opt for a guard with their pick instead. Regardless of whom the Lakers nab, which draftee would be the best fit in Philadelphia? The Sixers already have Nerlens Noel, whose future is likely as a center, and Joel Embiid who also mans the pivot. Or will someday…hopefully. The latest reports have Embiid’s recovery from injury behind schedule, and he may miss the entire 2015/16 campaign as a result. Philadelphia also owns the draft rights to Dario Saric, a talented small forward who is likely a season away from joining the NBA. With an obvious need in the backcourt, should Hinkie go for Emmanuel Mudiay or D’Angelo Russell? Or should he snag Okafor and hope he and Noel can coexist in the same frontcourt? There is also the possibility of Philly drafting Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis, despite having selected Saric a year ago.

All this and more is fair game for today’s discussion. So take to the comments section below to share your thoughts, voice your opinions, or if you are a disgruntled Sixers fan, vent to achieve some level of catharsis. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/18/15

June 18th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we have begun providing a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ve begun been posting a new topic for readers to discuss each weeknight, which we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day. If you missed our previous discussions you can view them here, or simply head over to the sidebar and select “Hoops Rumors Community Shootarounds.”

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors. Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that we’ve gotten the preamble and fine print out of the way, it’s time to get to the topic of the day: What should the Knicks do with the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft? New York’s dream scenario of landing the No. 1 overall pick didn’t pan out, and in fact, the franchise was the only one whose draft position worsened as a result of the lottery. Now the team is at the mercy of the Wolves, Lakers, and Sixers, all of whom select ahead of the Knicks. There have been reports that team president Phil Jackson is looking to trade down to secure more assets if one of the team’s top three targets of Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, and D’Angelo Russell are all off the board by the time the franchise is officially on the clock.

Would the team be better served to trade down for a lower pick and either a young veteran player who can contribute right away, or a future pick? Should Jackson stand pat and select the best player available? How about trying to trade for a star player, similar to how the Cavs obtained Kevin Love for Andrew Wiggins last summer? If so, then who do you think would be a reasonable target? Take to the comments section below with your thoughts and opinions on these points and more. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/17/15

June 17th, 2015 at 11:30pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we have begun providing a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ve begun been posting a new topic for readers to discuss each weeknight, which we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day. If you missed our previous discussions you can view them here, or simply head over to the sidebar and select “Hoops Rumors Community Shootarounds.”

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors. Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that the fine print is out of the way, let’s get to the topic of the day: What moves do the Cavaliers need to make this offseason in order to return to, and win, the NBA Finals? We’ll never know what the outcome would have been had Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love been able to play versus the Warriors. If Cleveland had been at full strength, would LeBron James and company be raising a banner to the rafters of Quicken Loans Arena, or was the roster flawed enough that Golden State would have still triumphed? Do the Cavs need Love to return next season to contend, or would Tristan Thompson be a more effective starter at the four spot for the long-term? Would Andrew Wiggins have been a better fit, especially against the Warriors’ small lineups? All these topics and more are open for discussion. Head to the comments section below and share your thoughts and opinions with the world. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/16/15

June 16th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we have begun providing a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ve begun been posting a new topic for readers to discuss each weeknight, which we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day. If you missed our previous discussions you can view them here, or simply head over to the sidebar and select “Hoops Rumors Community Shootarounds.”

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors. Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that the preamble has been handled, let’s get to the topic of the day: What are your thoughts on the trade that sent Lance Stephenson to the Clippers in exchange for Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes? Can Stephenson regain his status as a nightly triple-double threat under coach Doc Rivers? Will Hawes effectively replace what Charlotte was missing last season thanks to the departure of Josh McRoberts? What does this mean for both franchises’ playoff hopes? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/15/15

June 15th, 2015 at 4:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we have begun providing a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ll be posting a topic for readers to discuss each weeknight, and we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day.

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors. Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that the preamble is out of the way, we can now get to the day’s topic: What should the Lakers do with the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft?

Should L.A. try to deal the pick for an established star? If so, which players would be worthy of the franchise passing on a potential young superstar in the draft? If not, then whom should the team target with the pick? Should the Lakers go with a big man such as Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns, or add a playmaker like D’Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay? Maybe you think the franchise should gamble on the upside of Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis? We had our say when we looked at the offseason ahead for the Lakers today. Now, the floor is yours. Take to the comments section below and weigh in with your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/13/15

June 13th, 2015 at 6:38pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we at Hoops Rumors want to provide a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ll be posting a topic for discussion on weeknights, and we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day. We began the series on Thursday with a discussion about Dwyane Wade‘s contract situation with the Heat, which can be viewed here.

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors. Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that the preamble is done, let’s get to today’s topic: What does the future hold for current Pistons big man Greg Monroe?

Thursday saw some early action on the trade front, with the Bucks shedding some salary and clearing up a logjam in their frontcourt, and the Pistons landing the stretch-four they had been seeking. I’m of course talking about the deal that sent Ersan Ilyasova to Detroit in exchange for Caron Butler and Shawne Williams.

There’s a high probability that Monroe won’t be returning to Detroit next season, and the talented big man is sure to be one of the more in demand players available on the open market this summer. The acquisition of Ilyasova could be interpreted as the franchise preparing itself for Monroe’s departure. If that is indeed the case, where do you all think Monroe will end up playing next season? How much do you predict Monroe will end up signing for? And…is he worth that amount?

Now it’s time to turn the floor and spotlight over to you, the readers. Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. Feel free to expand on the topic beyond what I’ve already laid out. Most of all…have fun.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/11/15

June 11th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we at Hoops Rumors want to provide a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ll be posting a topic for discussion on weeknights, and we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day.

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors. Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that I’ve gotten the preamble and the fine print out of the way, it’s time to open the floor for our first topic: Dwyane Wade‘s contract situation with the Heat…

The Heat and Wade have been talking and there appears to be a significant difference in what the two sides believe Wade’s next deal should be worth, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. The latest report from Jackson pegged the proposed deal at $16MM for 2015/16, and then $10MM for each of the remaining seasons. This is far from the reported $20MM per season that Wade is seeking.

Wade has played the part of the good soldier for the Heat in the past, accepting lower salaries on his previous contracts so that the team would have greater flexibility to construct its roster. The guard likely did so with the understanding, or at the very least, the hope, that his loyalty would be rewarded down the line. There is a chance that if the organization does not up its offer to Wade, he’ll opt out of his deal this summer and head elsewhere.

So the question I’m asking you today is this: How should Miami handle Wade’s contract situation? Should the Heat pay Wade what he wants as a reward for his past service? Or should the team hold fast and risk losing a 33-year-old player who has averaged just 58 contests over his last four seasons, despite him being the face of the franchise? Head to the comments section below to voice your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.