Blackfoot wrote:8th ave wrote:Ou forgot to mention that the West gets a little weaker and East gets a little stronger. That's something that needs to start trending, because the amount of competition in the West is ridiculous.
Yeah, that is a good thing.
I still think the Grizzlies hold on the fourth seed, but barely. Tayshun Prince is a very good fit, plays great defense and hits the three ball better than Gay. Which I think is the motivator here, he spaces the floor better. They might get worse, but I can't image more than a game drop off. I remember them beating the Spurs in the playoffs and taking the Thunder to seven without Gay.
Gay was inefficient offensively this year, but I think that has more to do with the very bad offensive system they run. He was forced to take a lot of bad shots. He should probably be better with the Raptors. And his defense will always be there.
I agree it doesn't totally criple them. Davis is good and will be a good fit off the bench, but who still I think this deal plus the previous deal could destroy the chemistry they had going. I think they have lost a lot of thoughness by trading Spieghts, Ellinton, Shelby, Gay, Haddadi, for John Leuer, Ed Davis, Austin Daye and Prince, plus a pick.
When you look at it that way, they do look considerably less talented, and less though.
In my opinion Toronto looks much better after this trade. They aren't a big hitter in FA anyway so don't have to worry about cap space too much, and they be just under the luxury with 12 players.
Starting lineup of Lowry, DeRozan, Gay, Bargnani, Valancuinas, is a good lineup. Then with Fields, Ross, and serviceable bigs Amir Johnson and Aaron Gray coming off the bench, not bad.