“Is South Beach that way?” — Goran Dragic
This is Part Two of our NBA trade deadline ramblings.
THOMAS: So remember how I’ve been preaching about the Thunder needing a 3-point shooter to hang out on the wings and spread the floor to open up passing and driving lanes for KD and Russ? They went out and got not one, but TWO difference-makers from behind the arc: D.J. Augustin and Kyle Singler. Here’s why I’m excited about that. Singler is shooting 40.6 percent from 3-point land this season, and he’s an Oregon kid. He’s going to provide a little oomph of the bench for OKC. But the real positive here is the Texas-sized reunion for KD and D.J., Longhorns teammates from back in the day. Augustin is a classic case of a decent role player being asked to do too much throughout his career. Both times he’s shined (Chicago, Detroit) have been when he was asked to be just a scoring force off the bench. He’ll fill that role for the Thunder, but with the outside shooting that previous sparkplug Reggie Jackson didn’t have in his arsenal. Deej is gonna lead the second unit and provide big shots working with the starters. Like Afflalo to Portland, this was another playoff-type trade that’s going to pay dividends in a few months.
TYREE: Oh, I didn’t realize they played together in Texas! That’s a dope little sweetener! I’m glad Reggie Jackson got moved. He deserves to be a starting point guard somewhere. I’m a big fan of Kyle Singler. One of those dudes who just seems to do the right things. A lil bit here, a lil bit there. Kinda like an extra poor man’s Gordon Hayward.
THOMAS: And y’all know I’m all about old-school players who do things the right way. And God, don’t remind me about my horrible prediction that Hayward wouldn’t live up to his new contract. OK, give me your opinion on that nonsense that went down between Goran Dragic and the Suns, and the resulting trade that sent him, his talents and his lil bro to Miami’s South Beach. Go!
Phoenix losing Goran and Zoran ruined our hopes of seeing the Plumlees, the Dragics, and the Morrises all on one team.
TYREE: Look, we all knew the Suns messed up when they signed Isaiah Thomas. He was supposed to be the backup plan for Bledsoe’s seemingly inevitable departure. So when Bledsoe actually stuck around, shit got mad weird. Suddenly you had an All-NBA Third Team point guard, in the most competitive era for point guard play EVER, playing off-ball and participating in a three-guard rotation. That’s a surefire way to piss your star player off. Dumb move.
THOMAS: Agreed, signing Thomas was foolish. It’s sad, because the three-headed point guard monster was a fascinating concept, and I’m a fan of innovation in basketball. But it clearly made both Bledsoe and Dragic uncomfortable, and the Suns just haven’t been playing with the chemistry they displayed last season. A shame all round, because I was pissed they didn’t make the playoffs last year. Very deserving. Just like the Steve Nash-era Suns, it’s a wasted opportunity in Phoenix.
TYREE: This will go down as the era that never was. I don’t think they recover from this one. Even though I am pretty up on Brandon Knight. I remember you being pretty high on Isaiah Thomas to the Celtics. What’s got you hyped about that one?
THOMAS: Well, I work in Tacoma now, so there’s the fun all-Tacoma-area nature of that Boston backcourt. (Thomas played two years at Curtis, Avery Bradley spent three years at Bellarmine Prep.) But I just think it’s a good fit. One of the reasons Rondo was deteriorating in Boston was because he’s a pass-first guard … and he had no one to pass to. Thomas is the exact opposite, a slashing, score-first guard who’s going to get to the cup and produce points. The Celtics get the scoring threat they needed to take pressure off everyone else, and if and when Bradley moves on Thomas can slide to the off guard and let Marcus Smart run point. Not only that, Thomas’ slashing skills are going to get Kelly Olynyk a lot of pick-and-roll looks — which is good, because he’s not exactly a banger. It’s really the perfect point guard swap. Things are looking a little brighter in Boston today.
TYREE: Bill Simmons smiles.
THOMAS: George Karl brings back Andre “The Professor” Miller. That’s a pretty underrated storyline. I love me some George Karl. I love me some Professor Andre. And they’ve worked together before in Denver, so what can go wrong? Seriously, Andre might be the most entertaining unathletic player in the league. He puts the “below” in below the rim, and yet he consistently produces magic and big buckets. I’m looking forward to him growing his hair back out, baring those sexy, underrated handles and slowly going coast to coast on some fools in Sacramento.
TYREE: Speaking of unathletic Andre Miller, Please tell me you saw this:
And of course, the Sixers acquire motherfucking Javele McGee. Let’s just ignore this one.
THOMAS: They must have thought he was a draft pick.
TYREE: Last, but not least: Kevin Garnett will finish his career with the Timberwolves. Easily the most feel-good moment of the trade deadline. Garnett is the franchise leader in almost every statistical category, and he led them to eight playoff appearances. What a legend. This, to me, adds another layer to his loyalty and commitment as a teammate, community leader and friend. It’s been amazing to watch him play over these years. Looking forward to seeing him alongside this young core.
THOMAS: You and me both, brother. Maybe he’ll turn back the clock and have a throwback game or three. Either way, he’ll be able to school those youngsters in basketball’s most fundamental skill: The Art of the Clutch Rebound.
(Click here if you missed Part 1)
On the Glass with Thomas and Tyree 