https://raptorsnation.com/2024/12/26/raptors-rumors-chris-boucher-on-trade-market/

Still seems like a good fit for us and would be serviceable as a backup/sb 5. Very low risk/cost move and there’s some familiarity having won the chip with Kawhi and Norm.

Need to get Kawhi back to see how he looks sooner than later.

Lots of good analysis and individual breakdowns, but one of the best things about this new edition of the Clippers is that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. A number of factors contribute to this, and you’ve got most of them: Harden is a true HOF player, and he’s making everybody better; TLue has always been solid, aside from weird wrinkles, and he’s getting a lot out of this roster; and JVG is also making everybody more focused and having a big impact. Addition by subtraction comes next. The absence of Westbrook keeps paying dividends, and the absence of PG’s lackadaisical attitude might be even more valuable.

So I’d add the way that guys on this roster complement each other to your notes. James Harden is 100% the reason why Zu has gone to this level, although maybe it’s 95%, and some of it is TLue not getting cute, seeing Zu’s defensive utility. We look at other guys, Harden and Norm and Amir, not to mention DJJ and KDunn, and think about the JVG effect, but JVG is probably keeping Zu tough and on his defensive toes too.

I like the KDunn-Pat Bev comp, and I hadn’t thought about it before. Pat Bev was so dramatic and quirky, while KDunn and DJJ are both no-drama in a huge way and they’re gutting other teams’ best players on a regular basis, like it’s nothing. Being able to send Dunn at Ja, Kyrie, and Steph, along with other star players, is a crucial neutralizer, and DJJ is right behind him. It’s kind of crazy that the Clippers are so good that one of them is going to have to sit down and come off the bench when Kawhi comes back. Norm is a wonder, as I’ve spent a lot of time laying out, he’s not going anywhere, and he’s going to get even better and more effective I think. TMann’s return is going to make the defense and the bench even better. It’s amazing, and really satisfying.

https://motorcyclesports.net/breaking-away-from-norman-powell-clippers-eye-117-million-knicks-prodigy-for-an-offensive-upgrade/

Like players, coaches can grow and get better and this is the best TL yet. He used to just tinker without design to see what would happen. Now he anticipates what needs to happen and tinkers accordingly. No question he’s a top five coach in the league now.

What can I say about Zu? I was never a “hater” and knew when we landed him we had fleeced the Lakers. But I always figured he would remain a journeyman because of not being consistently mentally alert—which resulted in his getting stripped and/or missing pocket passes and lobs. Not sure I can recall a player who was in the journeyman category for this many years and then suddenly become a top notch two way weapon. He, more than anything else is what gives me hope that we can actually compete for a chip if Kawhi is healthy.

In his own way Harden has transformed himself into a modern day Oscar Robertson. He’s nearly impossible to speed up and is on another level IQ wise than pretty much anyone not named Joker. People will throw Luka into that debate but Luka is still not pristine from deep or at the FT line. He also hogs the ball too much regardless of how great he is. James doesn’t do that anymore and always makes the right decision.

Dunn and DJ have been other worldly and besides Zu, DJ is probably the best contract in the NBA. If this keeps up he may be the greatest three and D player ever. 41%? That is just nuts. I hope his having to play the 4 doesn’t take a toll eventually but so far so good. Dunn is just a bigger and more impactful version of Pat Bev—and that’s really saying something. He can shut down anyone as we saw again last night. At this price? Amazing.

When we signed JVG I mocked the idea as “prehistoric” because I didn’t believe today’s NBA would allow for the old school tactics to be deployed. He’s done a masterful job of getting guys to buy in and bring out their respective strengths on that side of the ball. Who would have ever thought of Harden as an effective defender?

All of this adds up to final praise for Lawrence Frank and the rest of the FO to let PG walk and retool this amazing product. I just love watching this brand of basketball and when Kawhi comes back it could be off the charts. Here’s hoping we retain good health and get a chance to see what this can do in the playoffs.