Official 2015 NBA Offseason Thread.

My review for the Chicago Bulls:

Pros

• Pau Gasol is the best FA pick-up so far and is an All-Star
• Jimmy "G" Buckets (G stands for "Gets") has shown that not only he's an elite defender, but has improved his offensive game
• We have a great bench that is playing better than the old bench mob in 2010 and 2011
• Mirotic maybe a bench player, but he show signs of becoming a future starter as well as being mentioned part of the Rookie of the Year ballot (even though he won't win it)
• Offense is so much better than last year and are averaging more points (they were in last place)
• Derrick Rose is now healthy and is a difference maker when it comes to crunch time.

Cons

• Too many turnovers on both end of the ball
• Having a difficult time guarding the perimeter shootings
• Defense has become a lot sloppy compared to the start of the Thibs era
• Having trouble with guarding second-chance points
• Derrick Rose shooting abilities needs more work (despite game winning shot against GSW in OT)
• Rose confidence in driving through the basket is low
• Thibs having starters play more minutes and not giving them enough rests
• Bulls Locker room issues and trust maybe crumbling
• Jeff Van Gundy still has a personal vendetta against the Bulls organization

What needs to be done after the All-Star break

• Work on defense, guard the perimeter better
• Prevent turnovers
• Spread minutes between all starters and bench (don't rely too much on starters)
• Get the rebounds on both ends of the basket (Biggest weakness IMO)
• Make more second chance points
• Rose needs to drive more into the basket and shoot less
• Thibs needs to calm down, relax, and have his players prepare for the playoffs instead of trying to win every game
• Locker room issues should be minimum and build a better chemistry
• Jeff Van Gundy needs to keep his mouth shut when talking about the Bulls on Live TV

That's what I feel that the Bulls need to do, because we seem more likely a first round exit team than a championship winning team.

@FireEmblem_Man:

Good call on Mirotic as you predicted him being a good player.

Jimmy Buckets should be an Allstar.

Rose is on the floor.

Gasol has been a great addition.

Deep bench but Bench Mob 2010-2012 had the best record.

- Rose's shooting.

- Injuries.

- Cant defend pick n roll.

- Defense is worst in the Thibs era.

- I have some concerns on Hinrich and Gibsons play at times.

What you mean about Jeff VanGundy?

Yeah, I'm too worried about Hinrich, then again he's aging and isn't the same anymore.... As for Gibson, I believe something is bothering him since he isn't a starter this year and has played well in the past to earn his spot. As for Jeff Van Gundy, this article speaks for itself

@FireEmblem_Man:

Gibson mainly been a bench player in the NBA. I read your link and Van Gundy is right about how past coaches were treated by upper management.

OKC isn't making the playoffs this year.

@Silverbond:

Should they tank?

With the way Russell Westbrook is playing, should he be considered for MVP? Or is anybody besides Curry and Harden is not even up for discussion?

Hassan Whiteside is a true playa.

Heat should tank though.

@yokofox33:

You don't like Wade and Bosh in a 1st round matchup against The Hawks?

Commish wants to do away with the traditional playoff setup and change to the 16 teams with the best record get in regardless of conference. Only locks would be division winners. I am happy with the way it is, just shorten then 1st round to 3 of 5 and condense the games so the playoffs go quicker.

Hell no. Even healthy the Heat are not a great team. Maybe a 5 or 6 seed if they get healthy and start playing better. They honestly need to trade some guys and acquire draft picks.

Hawks may land Ray Allen. Hmmmmmm...

lmao at the knicks

a healthy miami heat team with a DETERMINED wade, bosh, whiteside, granger, deng is NOT TO BE MESSED WITH.

EDIT: especially in the playoffs

The seventh and eighth seed in the EC is embarrassing..... We have 3 teams under .500 and there are 4 teams that are in the hunt still despite having more losses than wins.... The Eastern Conference will never be as superior as the West.

Teams that are ranked in the EC standings (as of 2/9/2015):

1. Atlanta 42-10
2. Toronto 35-17
3. Chicago 32-20
4. Washington 32-20
5. Cleveland 32-21
6. Milwaukee 28-23
7. Charlotte 22-29
8. Miami 21-29

In the hut:

• Brooklyn 21-29
• Detroit 20-32
• Indiana 20-32
• Boston 19-31
• Orlando 16-38
• Philadelphia
• New York City

Teams that are ranked in the WC standings (as of 2/9/2015):

1. Golden State 40-9
2. Memphis 30-13
3. Houston 35-16
4. Portland 35-17
5. Dallas 35-18
6. LA Clippers 33-19
7. San Antonio 32-19
8. Phoenix 29-24

In the Hut:

• New Orleans 27-24
• Oklahoma City 26-25
• Denver 19-32
• Sacramento 18-32
• Utah 18-33
• LA Lakers
• Minnesota
  **Teams that are crossed are eliminated and can't push for a playoff berth.

Thoughts: Teams under 20 wins in the first half usually don't make the playoffs, but for the east, since there are more teams that have a higher losing record than a winning record. The Magics are in the hunt as they can still make a push if they can trade up some players for a veteran than can help them learn how to win and they're a young team, chances are they'll be eliminated by the end of March IMO.

The West is more interesting. Even though Denver, Sacramento, and Utah aren't above 20 wins in the first half, the conference fluctuates on wins and losses and the seeds constantly change, especially when playoffs arrive, seeds don't matter at all as proven by the Spurs. At least the teams under the 8th seed can recouperate, but in the end it will the Pelicans, Thunder, Suns, Spurs, and Clippers that will constantly change seed positions.

The Western Conference shows more dominance over the Eastern Conference, sure the Hawks aren't getting enough national attention but they should worry more about making the finals. Bulls and Cavs, had extremely high expectations before the season began, but they still have star-power players and usually it takes that star-power to make the finals. Raptors and Wizards are more wild card teams as the 2 can still bully over the top seeds. Milwaukee may have lost their young rookie, but this team will be continuing coming back as a playoff team. Miami continues to struggle, I believe they were better with Lebron than without. Charlotte and the rest (even Miami), can be trap teams.

Did anyone think ATL would be this good? I called GSW being nasty tho.

Hell no. Anyone who says yes would be lying. I really want to see them make a deep run and not choke in the first round. Does anyone think Josh Smith is a cancer to teams?

lmao, JVG is killing it with his hack-a-Shaq/Jordan commentary tonight, the fact that the off-the-ball foul rules haven't been updated is a total embarrassment to the league. Could you imagine if you someone watching their first NBA game ever was subjected to this shit?

All Star Weekend babY!!!!!! On a side note, is there a better show out there right now than NBA on TNT?? Funny and informative to the max. Love it.

Ok, the Heat have a better chance now if they stay healthy. Aside from the two 1st-round picks the Heat gave up garbage parts to acquire Dragic.

I hate my fucking team :'(

@yokofox33:

Good well Bosh.

How 76er fans feel about their FO after MCW was traded to the Bucks

Poor Bosh. Dude is my favorite basketball player and one of my favorite people on this planet. I just hope he recovers soon.

@FireEmblem_Man:

Derrick Rose will undergo surgery to repair medial meniscus tear in right knee.

WTF.

Poor Derrick Rose. Quickly becoming one of the biggest "what if's" in NBA history.

I know, it saddens me a lot.... But I'm not giving up hope for our Bulls, because we are still a better well rounded team than last year and I still hope that we can make it far in the play-offs. It is better off if Rose just remove both meniscus and try to play after 6 weeks. He may build a lot of rust, but he can still contribute as a hero.

Although if I were both Gar and Pax, it is time to draft a new PG and find a new franchise player as this is the 3rd time already. We are giving Jimmy Butler his money as since Derrick is down, we need another All-Star to be the face of the franchise. Heck, we still have Noah as well and still a deep bench.

@FireEmblem_Man:

Rose underwent successful surgery and walked out the hospital under his own power. Gar Forman mentions Derrick could be out 4-6 weeks and will start rehab Saturday.

Yeah, so the Wizards are completely falling apart.

@FireEmblem_Man:

Jimmy Butler out 3-6 weeks.

http://www.nba.com/top-plays?ls=nbahpsplit2

The Atlanta Hawks being top in the NBA is the biggest surprise in years.

Rockets original starting lineup has played just two games together yet we are currently second in the high competitive West.

People keep placing Westbrook in the MVP discussion... I don't get it. I can't remember the last time someone who was outside the top 3 in the Conference winning the MVP. It's clearly up to just Curry and Harden.

Holy shit its the spurs!

*It's

It seems like they've awakened back into championship form.

I thought Tony Parker was slowing down this year. When he's playing good, not only are the Spurs good, they are by far the most entertaining team to watch by several orders of magnitude.

Also in far more important news, I demand everybody pray daily that Indiana makes it into the playoffs (preferably as a 7 seed) so we don't all die of boredom. With the return of Paul George Indy has won three straight, manhandling those three games. I'm pulling for a Cleveland-Pacers matchup. Lebron and PG doing battle again for like the fifth (?) straight year would make the East region much more fun to watch.

@EPICCOMMANDER: "I'm pulling for a Cleveland-Pacers matchup. Lebron and PG doing battle again for like the fifth (?) straight year would make the East region much more fun to watch."

I didn't think about that. But 2 reason I wouldn't want that.

1. Is Paul George healthy enough to compete at a high level? So why not just rest until next season.

2. I was rooting for Heat vs Cavs as I think Wade would go off. Bosh kind of ruins it as he would made that serious interesting too. Anyway, Nets vs Cavs ain't bad of a matchup.

I watched PG play his first night back. Pull-up shots off the dribble, two corner threes, slashing the lane. He wasn't looking for contact (he actually completely avoided it), but he still managed to pile up 9 points in 7 minutes of play. His issues are all mental (which takes away from his normal concentration) but unlike someone like Derrick Rose, whose reputation is slashing the lane, PG is more of a shooter.

He's on a minutes restriction, but it's an active restriction, meaning he's allowed to play full out for the entire duration he's on the court.

The only problem is Indy's remaining 4 games, which are all against teams above .500, though Indy has nothing to lose. Brooklyn has some tough games ahead too, the Wizards, Bucks, and the Bulls.

There's a glimmer of hope, but it will be close.

wtf!?

It's that time of the year, fellas.

Does LAC vs Spurs get the title for most anticipated 1st round or am I missing something?

Well, at first glance it seems like the only competitive series on the East might be Wizards/Raptors. On the West all series look interesting, even Warriors/Pelicans if just to see Davis first go around in the playoffs.

Warriors/Pelicans will be over in 5. Wizards/Raptors I think the Raptors will win it in 6.

Last year.

This year.

• Hawks in 4.
• Cavs in 4.
• Bulls in 5.
• Wizards in 7.
• Warriors in 4.
• Rockets in 6.
• Spurs in 7.
• Grizzlies in 6.

You better hope that the Raptors' defense doesn't wake up or that the offense doesn't get on fire. If one of those things happens the Wizards are in trouble. Its playoff time!!

@GameboyTroy: "You better hope that the Raptors' defense doesn't wake up or that the offense doesn't get on fire. If one of those things happens the Wizards are in trouble. Its playoff time!!"

Time is running out or are they saving it for game 2?

The Raptors' offense needs to be better. They're missing a lot of shots. They need to play their usual offense which is very good. They usually don't save their offense.