re: Jaylen Brown or Grizzlies Pick

What happens if Boston meets GS in NBA finals and takes them seven games? Does Boston change their tone on going all in for Davis or do they stay the course. Are they even a better team by giving up all these pieces for Davis?

Yes you are right about GS. But everyone in this country knew what GS was about to become with Durant. His style was perfect for them. Durants game has evolved so much since being in GS also. Hes one of the best defensive players in NBA now when hes locked in. Can we say right now Boston would be better long term by adding Davis and taking off Morris, Baynes, Smart, Brown and Tatum. I really dont know.

You're overthinking this. A team that starts with Kyrie + AD is the biggest threat to the Warriors. It's literally two guys who give them trouble, and pairs two future hall of famers.

That pick and roll game could just about kill everyone down the stretch of any game.

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That's most likely IMO. But Grizz pick undoubtedly has the higher ceiling - it's all risk. And luck or lack there of will determine who is right in this debate. More so than logic, because there is good logic on both sides.

Luck.

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No question. The likelihood is this pick conveys next year and is outside the top 6. And even if it doesn't, it's two years for the Grizzlies to get better.

That said, this franchise is going to have to roll the dice sooner or later. Taking the safe road each time will yield to mediocre results. And this pick is really as good a time as any to gamble. Especially when the prize lands in a 2021 class that has to be better than 2020 -- I watched some of the nike hoop summit game and no one in next year's class looked like a blue chipper. James Wiseman is the top guy and he looked meh. Felt like I was watching a 7ft athlete who needs to learn how to play basketball. Cole Anthony and Nico Mannion don't look like stars to me either and they were the best players on the court that night. Going off the giant sample size of one game, I'd move next year's pick for other assets too (whether it be 2019 or 2021 picks or players).

Groomed for what? To suck?

I'm sorry, I have tried to not totally bash Tatum and instead just imply he wasn't that great. But I just keep watching and I want nothing to do with him. He makes AD look like the most ferocious alpha dog in history. Give me any other deal. Keep Tatum off my team

Dudes averaging 4.5 points this series lol

I know Tatum has been horrible in the playoffs. But the kid is 21 years old.

And I'm not saying he'll be as good as James Harden, but if you compare his stats with Harden's first 2 seasons, Tatum has been more impressive. Both had similar usage while playing along high usage players early in their career. And Harden didn't show his 'alpha dogness' until he want in Houston.

Again, not saying Tatum will have the same trajectory, or that he will suddenly be an alpha (like Harden) if traded to Nola, but I don't understand how you can't take the chance on Tatum's trajectory/how you are so down on him.

I can't tell you how much I dislike the "He's only (insert age) and if you look at the stats of (insert player) at that age, they are about the same"

Based on that argument, every 21 year old who stinks COULD become MVP one day because Giannis wasn't that good his first two years.

Throw away stats. Look at the player. Look at the shots he thinks are good shots. How aggressive or unaggressive he is when he does get the opportunity. How much he talks on D or in the huddle when adversity hits.

Of course his STATS will get better as he gets older, but he won't have a 180 degree personality flip. His basketball IQ will grow, but it won't sky rocket. He will be a fine player, but I just don't want him. Find me some GM who believes as you do - that he is only 21 and has great upside and let me flip him to that GM for some quality pieces. At least with Jaylen Brown I see some dog, intensity, and ferocity.

Do we have any idea what Griffin thinks of Tatum? Pointless to discuss Tatum trades if Griffin views him as a great foundation piece for next era.

I don't know his thinking on Tatum, but it wouldn't matter much any way. Griffin is going to discuss that with a dozen plus people, including the analytics team he brings in. He is not a dictator who will have a firm opinion and go with that. And not only do I not know what Griffin thinks on Tatum - I don't know what the analytics guys, his future assistant, the coaches, etc think about Tatum. He will probably also get opinions from some of our players who played against him, current analysts and writers he trusts, etc. He will crowd source it and then form an opinion.