At the least it won't be a cakewalk assuming both teams are healthy. The NBA hype machine will be in overdrive touting this newly created rivalry. Skip Bayless will be relevant again.

_________________

I'm totally hyped for a more competitive Eastern Conference.

Great stuff.

_________________

And they play each other opening night October 17th?

Very nice.

_________________

They are saying that Thomas's hip issues may not be resolved by Opening Day. He refused surgery and they don't know if he is completely healthy.

_________________

It'll be ok to see Rose fill in until Thomas' injuries are ok. Crowder is such a nice asset for Cleveland here.

_________________

There is a slight chance that Rose could beat Thomas out for the slot at some point. They're both on one year deals at short money. Rose is better equipped to play playoff basketball also. Thomas is a liability in the playoffs. Rose needs to perform in order to get a decent contract. This is another of the side stories. Reports of Derrick Rose's demise may be greatly exaggerated. He may be playing meaningful ball again after all.

_________________

Idk... I think you'll see a lot of Thomas, Rose, Lebron lineups when the Cavs are trying to win. Agree Rose around this talented of a lineup could be fun to watch. I don't really think Rose is better than Thomas at all tho.

Like I said I'm real excited to see the East open up a little bit with this trade.

Tatum/Kyrie could be something special if Irving stays in Boston.

_________________

_________________
I'm going to bounce from the spot for awhile but I will be back at some point to argue with you about this hoops stuff again. Playoffs have been great this season. See ya up the road.

I'm out.

Come on Walt. Old guy like you don't remember the early 80's Philly Boston Matchups?

Nothing like A Sunday afternoon on CBS NBA game back in the day.

_________________

Yea, i don't see how Rose is beating out Thomas for anything

I'm also in agreement with those saying Cavs still make it to the Finals

Confirms Ainge is no genius. Downgraded the PG position AND he gave up an unprotected lottery pick.

_________________
Successful calls:

Kyrie Irving will never win anything as a team's alpha: check
T.rubisky is a bust: check
Ben Simmons is a liability: check
The Fields Cult is dumb: double check

2013 CSFMB ROY

This.

Stupid, stupid trade for Boston. Cleveland's roster right now looks like something I'd put together on NBA2k. Actually, the video game probably wouldn't allow it.

Not a big NBA fan but excited to see how this plays out. Lebron's going to put up massive numbers in that series.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I'm not the world's biggest Irving fan, but this will be a good short term move for the Celtics. I think it does get them even with the Cavs. Anyone expecting great things from Rose is bound to be disappointed. By the playoffs, he'll be toast if he plays a full regular season. Guy still can't shoot from distance either.

_________________
Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

Danny Ainge gives up the last of his precious poker chips to acquire a legitimate NBA all-star. He waited and waited and waited. I hope Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum turn out to be great players because God knows what other young all-star he could have acquired for those picks. Also, the new Celtics big 3 includes a 31 year old Al Horford. I'm sure Kyrie is thrilled.

Imagine if Danny saved that money to sign Blake Griffin this summer. That big 3 would beat the Cavs.

No they wouldn't. Blake Griffin is trash, and the clippers overpaid for him and won't even make the playoffs this year.

_________________

If he doesn't do the trade with Philly I don't think he does the move. Trade with Philly allowed him to acquire an additional Lottery pick (Lakers). It's got a crazy stipulation in it.

That Hotford Acquisition was a bad move. They had the pieces to acquire Cousins too and I'm wondering why they didn't make a push for him considering what Sac accepted for him. I think they may make a play for him once the Season starts. They have chips to make it happen.

_________________

Might as well stop reading at "downgraded the point guard position". Helluva move for Boston. Acquired a legit No.1 scoring option and rid itself of a contract headache and a rotation player.

_________________

Assuming he can stay on the court.

Griffin IS trash. Glad someone else is with me on this. Even with that somewhat improved midrange jumper.

_________________
Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

Crowder is pretty good. "A rotation player" kinda undersells him.

Thomas proved who he was in the playoffs. He's a large "meh" when it counts. Kyrie can pretty much score on anybody, and even though anybody scores on him, it's not like Thomas is a good defender either.

_________________
Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

Griffin is barely the third best player on his team.

Raptors win the East.

Thomas is much worse defensively and in playoff games it becomes tough to hide him defensively. Boston ran an offense that was centered around him and it padded his stats. His numbers will go down in Cleveland.

_________________

CLE won the trade.

_________________
Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

much worse defensively? That's unpossible.

_________________
Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

I might need to rethink my opinion on this.

Blake Griffin 2017-2018 MVP?

_________________

He is much worse defensively.

_________________

This is not a good basketball thought.

Why? The Clippers gave a max contract to a guy who will undoubtedly begin to decline at his age, and they traded away their best player. This contract will be an albatross in 2 years.

_________________