Trade Talk: Brown vs. George + Draft Picks

I'm writing this post while neglecting other trades that recently occurred, because I'm tired of people making it sound like trading Brown for George + a couple of prime picks is like some historically bad deal.  In fact all things considered, outside of Boston now having to pay Paul's contract, this actually looks like a good trade.

WHAT WENT WRONG IN BOSTON?

Of course I don't know what exactly went wrong with the Celtics, but based on what I've observed, I can speculate.  As far as this past season goes, it all started with the team overachieving and looking more or less like contenders, even without Jayson Tatum.

Now I don't really want to get too deep here.  But there can be confusion - for lack of better word - if a successful team is able to achieve even without its franchise player.  We've seen it happen before, with the 1990s' Bulls for instance.

So the season is winding down, and Boston is like what, the second seed?  This is despite virtually no one, when it all began, expecting them to be competitive without Jayson.  So why rush him back once he did become (briefly) playable?

This is something I recently wrote about, and it's not an easy fix, because no one can see the future.  For instance, a couple of months ago I was arguing that Cunningham should just take the rest of the (post)season off instead of coming back immediately after suffering a "collapsed lung"(!).  But he came back anyway and proved instrumental in the Pistons at least not being totally embarrassed in the playoffs.

Tatum came back, and I remember he had one really heroic game against the 76ers in the postseason.  People were actually predicting, when he returned, that the Celtics would make the Finals.  That foretelling didn't age well at all.

So what I'm imagining, when Boston did get eliminated, is Brown, who had like his best regular season ever, was like 'did they really have to bring him back so soon?'  You know, dude coming into the lineup - starting even - and then getting re-injured at the time it matters most.  Is that actually good for the on-court chemistry of a team that was overachieving without him?  Considering that they had a better regular season record than Philly, is it possible that could have beat them without the distraction of Tatum's unpredictable health?

To be totally honest no, I don't think the Celtics would have beaten the Sixers, and the series might have been even worse for them without Tatum.  But I'm trying to make a point.

JAYLEN BROWN VS. COLORISM

Also, as I've been noting for years, Brown is a regular victim of colorism.  Dude is unapologetically Black yet plays for the only team in the NBA with a White male mascot.

The Celtics are an 'Irish' organization, and their most-popular iteration of the modern era was with a core of White players.  So who do you think is going to get more love, not only from Boston but the NBA at large - Jaylen Brown, or yellow-ass Jayson Tatum?

So you see, this isn't a Jordan vs. Pippen kinda of comparison.  As for Scottie, yes, I believe he'll never be truly recognized for how great he was.  He was more versatile than Michael, and he almost led the Bulls to the Finals - if not for a controversial call in favor of the Knicks - without Jordan.  But you'll never ever - ever, ever, ever - hear anyone argue that Pippen was actually a better player.

The same is not the case with Brown vs. Tatum.  I've been saying for years that they're just as good or, if anything, Jaylen is better, if even only slightly.  He may not be as marketable or popular, but he isn't an inferior player, even if Tatum gets more love.

So what all these people who're criticizing the trade are saying under their breaths is something like 'wow, these guys actually traded away their best player'.  And the further implication is that if anyone were to be swapped in a major trade, it should have been Jayson instead.

PAUL GEORGE ≠ BUM

Paul George may be overpaid AF, but he isn't a bum.  Under his current contract, PG13 is making $50+mil/year(!).  He signed that deal as recently as 2024, not way back in the day, when he was considered a potential MVP.

As of the mid-2020s, we're now later in George's career, whereas has never led a team to the Finals and is regularly injured, to the point of him being out is disappointing but not unexpected.  So why give him so much money?  Remember that the Clippers, aka Steve Ballmer, also gave dude like $200mil back in 2020.  And I'll just leave it at that.

This past postseason, Paul managed to suit up for all Philly's postseason games and averaged an admirable 16p.  He may not be the PG13 of old, but he can still score prolifically, as displayed in a couple of those playoff contests.  He's still a threat that opposing defenses have to acknowledge or, you know, ignore at your own risk.

AND DON'T FORGET THE DRAFT PICKS

Also the Celtics got what, two first-rounders and two second-rounders out of the deal?  So they traded one future HOFer for another, albeit the latter aged.  On top of that, they got draft picks which, to my understanding, are unprotected.  So Brad Stevens and co. gave up a disgruntled two-way star for a palatable one-way star and got some strong future security in the process.

When trading a superstar, there's really only two options.  You can swap him straight-up for another superstar.  Brown for Giannis may have been fair and square.  But TF wants to go to the Bucks, an organization not only in the boondocks but also one that doesn't look like it's going to win anything soon?

Or you can trade him for a lesser player(s) or/and some picks.  PG13 is still an offensive A-lister.  Meanwhile, Tatum, White, etc. are around, and Boston also acquired Mitchell Robinson, i.e. teammates who can help mitigate George's defensive deficiencies.   Is that really a bad trade?

Brown + Tatum have been together what, eight seasons, but only produced one championship.  So yes, it's possible that maybe now, all things considered, having both of them around is overkill.  We need to finally prove who's the superior player.

And that's the best part about it, imo.  Now we're finally going to see Brown vs. Tatum, head-to-head, in meaningful, competitive games - not some Lebron Era allstar BS - while both are still more or less in their prime and on teams with championship aspirations, not aged and symbolic, like Jordan was when he competed against Pippen later down the line.

CONCLUSION

After all this time, Jaylen Brown needed to go to a 'Black' team.  He won Finals MVP a couple of seasons ago and also just made a strong case for regular-season MVP, on a team that no one expected to do shit.  But as you can see, Tatum is still Boston's favorite, so apparently there's nothing Jaylen can do to change that.

It may all sound petty, you know, when dudes are getting paid gazillions of dollars.  But we're all still human, i.e. emotional beings, nonetheless.

2025 NBA Finals Ruminations (Game 5)

SGA is MVP.  The reason I'm pointing that out is because he received the MVP treatment at the end of Game 4 - so much so that even the opposing coach had to defend the refs.  But he is MVP.  Out of all the players in the league, Shai is entitled to that treatment, so to speak.

The thing tho is that Game 4 shifted the momentum of the series.  Of course, I can't say that the Pacers would've won if Shai wasn't receiving somewhat generous calls or non-calls down the stretch.  I don't like playing what if.  But let me just say that, up until Game 5, OKC never definitively established themselves as the dominant team, as everyone, including myself, was expecting.  I wasn't expecting them to dominate Indy like they did Minny, but still, niggas was struggling.

Shai was once again magnificent in Game 5, but the man who really led the charge, who was also instrumental during crunch time in Game 4, was Jalen Williams.  SGA recently made a comment where he said he understood the value of a second fiddle when it comes to winning a championship.  Williams is like the second coming of Scottie Pippen.  And what people don't say is that there were times, even if not so often, when Pippen played better than Jordan.

As for Tyrese Haliburton, I sorta see him becoming like a Ben Simmons.  But that's not to say the series is over - far from it.  During these Finals, it's like you can feel the homecourt advantage.  Look at how Haliburton shrinks in OKC.  But in Indy, it's a different story.  And as for Pascal Siakim and even T.J. McConnell, you know, those types, dudes don't give AF.  Try to tell them they don't belong on the big stage or that the Thunder are flatout better.

SHOUTOUT TO AARON NEISMITH & CHET HOLMGREN

Also shoutout to Aaron Neismith, who once again had a ridiculous dunk, this time on Chet Holmgren.  Remember that Aaron Gordon banged it on Chet also.  The 2025 NBA Playoffs have been no joke.

I like Holmgren, because even though he's young and skinny, he's not afraid of the post or playing defense.  It's players like him who are reminding the rest of the NBA that size does matter.  And you know, he's like the Kukoc of the team, so to speak.  But wait until Williams or SGA go down, and then you'll see how valuable he is.

All things considered, that's probably the biggest advantage the Thunder have over Indy - depth.  I can't even call Myles Turner overrated, because I never really heard anyone big him up anyway, at least not in the last five years type shit.  And unless dude turns into Shaq during these last two games, I'm really interested to see how much Indy is going to offer him this summer.  Yeah, let him go to Detroit or whatever team is dumb enough to throw a shitload of money at Myles.

KEVIN DURANT IN "THE DIVA BLUES"

Speaking of Detroit, if there's one team in the NBA I'd like to see KD go to, without them giving up too much in return, it's the Pistons.  Talk about instant contenders.  And it's interesting that there doesn't seem to be any team out there, not even the lowly Spurs or the starchasing Knicks, that seem overly interested in him except, based on reports, Minnesota which, if I were them, I wouldn't give up Randle for Durant.  Giving up Randle or Reid or any of those guys would sorta defeat the purpose.  Gobert, if they can get rid of him, would make more sense, even though that would leave a big gaping hole in the middle.  And now, looking at the way OKC is dominating the paint, you remember the value of interior D.

NBA teams have been incepted and are no longer enamored by divas.  They know that KD has now been at the center of two failed superteams, the latter more disappointing than the first.  They see how trying to placate an over-the-hill Lebron has destroyed what has traditionally been the best braintrust in the NBA.  So, good luck KD.  If you haven't already, learn how to concede the point.

Trade Talk: Chris Paul (GSW) v. Jordan Poole (WAS)

It's funny, because the same comments Klay Thompson made yesterday concerning Chris Paul coming to the Warriors were very similar to what I was intending to say if I had written this article earlier, which is that it feels strange considering that CP3 has been one of the dynasty Dubs most-notable rivals.  Like, I don't think anyone saw this one coming, but it kinda makes sense since GSW refuses to de-age and insists on remaining a contender for as long as their current core can compete on that level.

What the pundits are saying is that there might be compatibility issues since CP3 is a traditional PG, while the Warriors like playing at a fast pace.  And I'll admit that Golden State is at its scariest (to defend) when dudes are running wild and free, chuckin' up shots, and the shots are actually going in.

In fact, the interesting thing is that in all these years they've been winning championships and breaking records and shit, like the Dubs never really had an offensive strategy.  For instance, as a (interim) head coach in 2015-16, the Dubs had a 39-4 record under Luke Walton.  Luke fukin Walton, milord.  And now take a look at his coaching record when, immediately thereafter, he was put in large of less-talented squads.

Draymond is a point-forward, but the reason he's averaged so many assists isn't because he actually runs point consistently like that.  Rather, he's a pass-first player with a high IQ, who has also been fortunate to play with some of the best shooters in history.  And now that the Warriors have gotten rid of Poole and taken on Paul, it's like people are saying that Green has to stick around.  But you know, give the man his money.  And truthfully, I'd still rather see him go to the Rockets anyway and really run point, even though it doesn't seem that they're making an attempt to get him.

So one thing we've never seen, oddly enough, is the Dubs consistently run a halfcourt offense.  Imagine if, instead of runnin' and gunnin', they were more focused on playing with an actual strategy?  That's what they need to be doing by this age anyway, more regularly playing off of screens instead of depending on luck/talent.

And as for Jordan Poole, one thing I hope is that he didn't leave Cali with any type of animosity towards Steph Curry, because he really benefitted a lot playing with him.  You don't have to actually study a superstar player's style when you're playing alongside him on a daily basis.  That's the same thing that happened with Jordan and Pippen.  And no, I'm not saying that Scottie would've been a scrub without Michael.  But it's obvious that he learned a lot from playing with big, superstar bro.

So if Poole goes on to become an allstar, which I personally believe he will even if not in his first season with the Wizards (due to the lack of respect he's afforded by the media in general), I would personally argue that Steph deserves some of the credit.  And of course it's going to be interesting watching them go head-to-head.

Meanwhile, last season during the playoffs I remember one announcer saying that Tyus Jones is the best backup PG in the league.  And if I personally were building a team, in all honesty I'd take Jordan Poole over Bradley Beal (maybe Phoenix should've chased Poole instead?).  So now, the Wizards may have one of the best backcourts in the East.  The problem though is that along the way, they also appear to be on the verge of completely dismantling one of the more talented frontlines in the NBA (if Kuzma also bounces).  But it isn't really like one step forwards two step backwards, since they're obviously rebuilding anyway.

CONCLUSION

I won't go as far as to say that, all things considered, Washington got the better part of this deal.  What I will say is that it's a shame the Warriors couldn't manage to keep Poole around, even though it was obvious they intended to at the beginning of last season.

What I've come to believe is that Golden State really isn't the best place for lesser-known players who have the potential to develop into allstars, i.e. challenge the authority and/or popularity of Steph and Draymond.  So in that regard Chris Paul reads like the perfect fit, since he's a revered, effective elder who has already reached his ceiling long before getting down with the Dubs.

2023 NBA Playoffs Ruminations (May 29th)

LET'S GO, CELTICS?

It's cool to see the Celtics come roaring back after I sorta predicted it, but it's hard for me to imagine either of them or the Heat beating the Nuggets.  Then again, stranger things have happened of late.

Boston v. Denver may be the more exciting, big name matchup, but the Celtics just don't look as formidable as in times past.  Maybe Ime Udoka, even if he's not someone you would want to leave around your wife, really did make a difference.

Miami v. Denver may be a better matchup, maybe.  It's so strange because if you asked me at the beginning of the playoffs, I could foresee the Nuggets making it all the way (esp after dealing with the Suns), but I would have never predicted a Heat vs. Celtics ECF.  But now, it's almost at a point where I'm convinced Miami, the 8th seed, may in fact be the better, or at least more versatile, team.

SHOUTOUT TO GABE VINCENT

Recently I felt bad for kinda dissing those unknown players on the Heat and ended up doing research on Gabe Vincent.  I learned that his pops is Nigerian, and he came from like a family of intellectuals, and, get this - despite apparently growing up in the States, he plays for the Nigerian national team.  Reading that bio instantly made him like one of my favorite players.

SCOTTIE DISSES JORDAN (AGAIN)

Scottie called MJ, aka the G.O.A.T., "a horrible player" because Jordan used to chuck, and the Bulls didn't start winning until Pip (and Horace Grant) showed up.  And I mean, that type of argument is a matter of perspective.

Ballhogs do cost games sometimes.  A few months back I was watching this old Nuggets playoffs game on YouTube, and AI shot his own team out of the possibility of winning, and the coach just sat back and watched him do it.  It can also be disheartening having a teammate that doesn't pass.  But the other side of the coin is that no one would likely give a rat's ass about the mid-1980s Bulls if they didn't draft Jordan.  And he also taught Scottie how to play, or at least how to play like a superstar.

Also, I mean I can't realistically put myself in Pippen's shoes watching The Last Dance, but His Airness did say, straight up, 'there would be no Michael Jordan without Scottie Pippen'.  So I mean, what else does he want?

WHO'S GOING TO BE DUMB ENOUGH TO GIVE KYRIE A MAX CONTRACT?

If Kyrie goes to a team like the Rockets or Magic, then I would say yes, give him the max.  But as for any squad that's actually like trying to win now, especially contenders, I don't know about that.  And the thing is that of course he's gonna wanna go to a contender.  I don't even support the idea of the Mavs offering Irving the max, but I know they're going to do so anyway.

Speaking of the Mavs, you see how they totally flunked this season, but Jason Kidd still got to keep his job?  Meanwhile, there's coaches out here there that have won deadass championships, fukedup once and got the boot.  And also remember that the Mavs received Irving with open arms when he was going through all of that drama.  And now, it's like he's entertaining other suitors or some shit.  That's the thing about some of the transient superstars, like their sense of loyalty or lack thereof.

Where Do We Go From Here? (Brooklyn Nets Edition)

I'll be honest and say that whereas I already knew the Nets damn sure weren't contenders (without Simmons), I never imagined that the Celtics would sweep them in such a dominating and embarrassing fashion.  Watching how Brooklyn performed in Game 3 almost brought tears to my eyes.  But as I have implied, Boston has the best perimeter defense in the league.  So this was bound to happen once a worthy defense locked in on Kyrie and KD, since the Nets don't play with any actual strategy.

The good thing about their situation, unlike other disappointing teams like the Lakers and probably soon-to-be the Jazz, is that the answer to the Nets problems, Ben Simmons, is already on their roster.  Once Joe Harris returns and if Simmons also suits up, the Nets should be the favorites to take the East, regardless of who wins it this year.  And it also wouldn't hurt if perhaps Andre Drummond shed a few pounds in the meantime.

There's this part in The Last Dance where they highlight how Scottie Pippen, due to his feelings being hurt at the time, refused to participate in a single pivotal play during a playoff game.  Well Ben Simmons has refused to play in an entire series, and he isn't catching nowhere near the flack Pippen did.  And I've already said it in the past, that if Ben Simmons has become that disenchanted with the NBA, then maybe he should just quit already.  It's better than giving fans of whatever team he's on false hope that he may return when needed.

Also, Steve Nash's leadership is suspect.  But I'm not going to go as far as to say that he should be replaced.  As I have also stated in the past, coaching these superstar teams isn't easy, because no matter what, dudes like KD and Kyrie are going to do what they want on the court anyway.  This same approach may have yielded better results in times past.  But occasionally putting up 50+ points doesn't mean that you're still in your prime.  But now, maybe people will stop already with that KD being 'the best player in the NBA' and Kyrie 'the best scorer in the game', lmao.

CONCLUSION

So now, Ben Simmons and Rich Paul are reportedly polying with the Nets.  These are the same type of Simmons' headlines that have been coming out all season.  And like I said before, there's no guarantee that he's ever coming back.

But Kyrie seems prepared to tough it out.  And you have to believe that he and KD are really going to come back with a vengeance next season.  So I'm already saying it now.  Despite those two being past their primes, if Simmons plays next season and everyone remains relatively healthy, the Nets are taking the East unless some other team makes a major powermove over the postseason.  But if Simmons finally decides to quit that'll be a sign of relief for many fans also, as those same funds can be used to go after someone more helpful, though I can't think of a player who would fit better with this roster.