Davis Scores 50 in Opener

[J.Jennings]

He needs more of a good supporting cast, how you score 50 and still lose?! I think AD is having injury problems because he's having to do so much...

This is why New Orleans needs to trade him to a top team with the assets to acquire him lol lol lol lol....

[teamchemistry15]

Same here, love Davis but Lebron is the freak of all freaks lol lol lol. What amazes me about Lebron is that through all the pressure and the whole world watching him under the microscope, Lebron has done very well on and off the court and gives back. I was a little upset he left Cleveland the first time but he made things right in the end. Loved Jordan but if I had to pick, it's a toss up....

If starting a franchise today you guys would seriously take LeBron knowing his age? Not even being a homer here but in no way, shape, or form do I take anyone not named Davis, Towns, or Booker. Those guys all have the potential to be around another 15 years. Lebron maybe 4 or 5.

[85 Fly]

This is why New Orleans needs to trade him to a top team with the assets to acquire him lol lol lol lol....

Like Boston!

[teamchemistry15]

Like Boston!

I know you guys are joking because Jworld is a Boston fan, but a move like trading Davis would be worthy of firing everyone who knew it was going to happen. I might trade him for the Twolves starting five, but short of that I don't think any one team could make an offer worth listening to.

[Spiritof96]

Golden State should offer Durant straight up.

[George]

If starting a franchise today you guys would seriously take LeBron knowing his age? Not even being a homer here but in no way, shape, or form do I take anyone not named Davis, Towns, or Booker. Those guys all have the potential to be around another 15 years. Lebron maybe 4 or 5.

LeBron is all but guaranteed to get to the Finals. He's shown that he can get there with a lot of different lineups - some better than others - and once he's there he seals the deal about half the time. If LeBron has four or five more good years in him (I think he has more), then I don't think it's a stretch to say that's four or five trips to the Finals.

Are you confident that, even over a 15 year span, Davis or Towns will give you the same?

Thus far the answer's "no" for Davis. Let's not forget that LeBron took some really bad Cleveland teams to the playoffs early in his career. Davis has done that once. LeBron has also proven himself to be an ironman; Davis as a pro is more like peanut brittle.

With Towns it's too early to tell. He's been very impressive, but how many young guys can you think of that have gone on to carry teams deep into the playoffs every single year? I can think of two: Jordan and LeBron. Lots of young players come in hot and continue to do well, but even those who have great careers - even HOF careers - don't get you to the Finals like LeBron. Some - Carmelo, for example - can barely even get you to the playoffs.

And Booker doesn't even belong in this conversation. He'll be fine - may even have a Ray Allen kind of career - but he's not fit for this conversation.

So, yes, I'm still taking LeBron, because the odds of him taking his team to the Finals are astronomically better than any other single player in the league, and if I can get that four or five times from him, then even if I'm running a team for fifteen years I'm still happy that I made it four or five times. I have nowhere near the confidence that I'd get the same from Davis or Towns.

[KCKUKFan]

Until he proves otherwise, starting a team from scratch with anybody but LeBron James would be foolish.

[George]

As much as I love Davis, I might even take Kawhi Leonard first (if I couldn't get LeBron or Towns).

And before anyone asks, it's only because of Davis' durability. I think he's a revolutionary player with Hall of Fame potential, but if I'm a GM drafting from all of today's players, I don't know if I can put my faith in Davis to carry my team for 70+ games.

[Friendsofcoal]

Wasn't there a board once upon a time called firetubbysmith.com? That was when I found this site (I think). Also, I don't post a whole lot because I can't be "politically correct" all the time so I have to bite my tongue quiet often. 😂

[Joneslab]

Wasn't there a board once upon a time called firetubbysmith.com?

Yes.

In fairness there's probably a site like that for every coach alive. There's a Fire Calipari Facebook page right now. And it was just a couple of years ago that Stephen A. Smith claimed that UK was close to firing Cal.

[George]

Here's the Stephen A. Smith link, in case you need a dose a stupid with your coffee this morning.

[catfaninin]

Has there ever been a bigger blowhard than Smith? And apparently he has a lot of really bad 'sources". If I was wrong as much as he is I would be fired.

[teamchemistry15]

He had 45 and 17 in game 2.

[teamchemistry15]

LeBron is all but guaranteed to get to the Finals. He's shown that he can get there with a lot of different lineups - some better than others - and once he's there he seals the deal about half the time. If LeBron has four or five more good years in him (I think he has more), then I don't think it's a stretch to say that's four or five trips to the Finals.

Are you confident that, even over a 15 year span, Davis or Towns will give you the same?

Thus far the answer's "no" for Davis. Let's not forget that LeBron took some really bad Cleveland teams to the playoffs early in his career. Davis has done that once. LeBron has also proven himself to be an ironman; Davis as a pro is more like peanut brittle.

With Towns it's too early to tell. He's been very impressive, but how many young guys can you think of that have gone on to carry teams deep into the playoffs every single year? I can think of two: Jordan and LeBron. Lots of young players come in hot and continue to do well, but even those who have great careers - even HOF careers - don't get you to the Finals like LeBron. Some - Carmelo, for example - can barely even get you to the playoffs.

And Booker doesn't even belong in this conversation. He'll be fine - may even have a Ray Allen kind of career - but he's not fit for this conversation.

So, yes, I'm still taking LeBron, because the odds of him taking his team to the Finals are astronomically better than any other single player in the league, and if I can get that four or five times from him, then even if I'm running a team for fifteen years I'm still happy that I made it four or five times. I have nowhere near the confidence that I'd get the same from Davis or Towns.

I understand that line of thinking. LeBron will go down as a top ten player ever and is by far the best in the game right now. But if I'm building a franchise now I don't see how you can sacrifice a guy who could potentially dominate the game for the next 15-20 years for a few good years of LeBron with 2 or 3 title runs. Then what? Davis and Towns could have careers that than Hakeem's and Duncan's. I understand the LeBrom choice but the GMs questioned seemed more interested in starting a dynasty than just a couple good years.

Booker isn't there yet, but he's set to explode this year and I think could develop into one of the better 2s in the league.

I also can't believe I forgot to mention Westbrook. I'm surprised more GMs didn't name him.

[J.Jennings]

Lebron will probably go down as top 3 all time and if he can manage to match Jordan in titles, he may go down as the very best of all time. Not sure I can recall a player who can play all 5 positions and carry a team year in and year out the way Lebron has. I like Davis and Towns but they are not Lebron, not even close. I would rather play for a shot at another 4 or 5 titles than wait for a player like Davis to fully develop. With free agency and salary cap, it's hard to build a dynasty in the new NBA in my opinion......