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Big CatBig Cat

I like the Kawhi Leonard trade for the Raptors because their old core wasn't working

I actually like this move for the Raptors because you couldn't, after you lose to LeBron 4-0 in your best season in franchise history... And everyone says these guys are a mental mess. DeMar DeRozan didn't even play in game three in crunch time. You need to do something different.

The Raptors went on to win the NBA championship in 2019 with Kawhi Leonard, making this take extremely prescient.

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Win
Jul 20, 2018
#10787
Big CatBig Cat

Kawhi Leonard is a top five NBA player when healthy

Kawhi is, if he's healthy, which I assume he is, is a top five NBA player. And now you have one of the best defenses in the NBA.

Kawhi Leonard won Finals MVP the following season, proving he was still at a top-five level when healthy.
Void
Jul 20, 2018
#24605
Big CatBig Cat

The Spurs got the worst part of the Kawhi Leonard trade

The Spurs probably got the worst part of this trade because DeMar DeRozan, okay, he's a nice player, but he's obviously not Kawhi, and you didn't get top draft picks, and you had to give up Danny Green, too.

Subjective value of a trade, though the Raptors won a title immediately and the Spurs entered a slow decline, so this is widely considered correct in hindsight.
Win
Jul 20, 2018
#24606
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Lakers are smart to not overextend for Kawhi Leonard in 2018

It's a smart move by the Lakers to be like, we're not going to overextend for 2019. We're not going to trade our young guys when everyone's going to be a free agent next year.

The Lakers eventually traded those young guys (Lonzo, Ingram) for Anthony Davis in 2019 and won a title in 2020, justifying the patience for a bigger star.

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Void
Big CatBig Cat

Victor Wembanyama is already better than LeBron James

I'm gonna enjoy him because he's, he's like, I I said on Wednesday's show, he is, he's already better than LeBron. So I, that's how I'm gonna enjoy him.

Comparing players across eras or at different career stages is inherently subjective.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

People only hate on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's flopping because his play style is fundamentally boring

I actually think the problem with SGA more than anything is he's just boring. That's really what people are upset about. The flopping like sucks. But... more than anything he's just, he's boring because he is a lethal mid-range guy. He doesn't have flashy dunks. He's not doing... He's just methodically an exceptional basketball player.

Subjective analysis of fan sentiment regarding a player's style.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

The Cavaliers-Knicks series is over after Game 1

Series over, you can't lose that game if you're the Cavs. When it went into overtime, we said the Cavs have to win this. This is must win. You can't give this up. All time choke.

The series has just begun as of the episode date.