would the spurs be better with paul george.

 I don’t think so. I think PG is a better ball handler but he’s not quite the consistent shooter that Kawhi has turned into, and while George is a very good defender Leonard is probably the best wing defender since prime Ron Artest. 

On the whole I don’t think there’d be a big difference mind you, IMO Leonard is a top 5 player in the league and George is a top 10 or top 12 player.

 I don’t think so. I think PG is a better ball handler but he’s not quite the consistent shooter that Kawhi has turned into, and while George is a very good defender Leonard is probably the best wing defender since prime Ron Artest. 

On the whole I don’t think there’d be a big difference mind you, IMO Leonard is a top 5 player in the league and George is a top 10 or top 12 player.

 If you watch them play, Paul George is clearly more naturally talented. Kawhi just has a brilliant basketball IQ and is unrelenting on the defensive side of the ball. Kawhi gets more out of his talent than any player in the league. He doesn’t look natural handling the ball at all. 

 If you watch them play, Paul George is clearly more naturally talented. Kawhi just has a brilliant basketball IQ and is unrelenting on the defensive side of the ball. Kawhi gets more out of his talent than any player in the league. He doesn’t look natural handling the ball at all. 

 Team USA picks so interesting.

 I think Leonard had a ridiculously good season statstically, on top of being the best defender in the league. He just got overshadowed by the Curry/ Warrior shine.

PG has played great all year, something I didn’t expect after that injury. Then he went off in the playoffs. 

You put PG on the Spurs and they would be just as successful. You take some of the offensive responsibility off of PG’s shoulders and he would be even better than he already is on the defensive end of the floor.

 Team USA picks so interesting.

 I think Leonard had a ridiculously good season statstically, on top of being the best defender in the league. He just got overshadowed by the Curry/ Warrior shine.

PG has played great all year, something I didn’t expect after that injury. Then he went off in the playoffs. 

You put PG on the Spurs and they would be just as successful. You take some of the offensive responsibility off of PG’s shoulders and he would be even better than he already is on the defensive end of the floor.

 PG13 has to carry his team. Bad night and they usually lose.  Leonard is a great player but he has way more talent around him, makes life easy. 

 PG13 has to carry his team. Bad night and they usually lose.  Leonard is a great player but he has way more talent around him, makes life easy. 

 ^^^

Good point.  I think BOTH guys should be locks.

I don’t think Carmelo Anthony will make the team.

The last wing spot might be between James Harden and Jimmy Butler.

Unless Kobe wants in, then I think you gotta go with him.

Injuries to CP3, Anthony Davis, and Blake Griffin might open up a few roster spots…

Are we even sure that Steph will play?  He might want to rest…

At this point, Draymond Green is my only big man lock on this team.  

I am thinking of going with LaMarcus Aldridge as the starting or backup center.  Plus either DeAndre Jordan or Andre Jordan as the sole legit center.  Leaning towards DeAndre Jordan because he the better shot blocker (and the better free throw shooter, as crazy as that sounds).

If Steph can’t go (or maybe even if he can), I think Kyrie Irving will be on this team although you can probably make a better case for Damian Lillard.

 ^^^

Good point.  I think BOTH guys should be locks.

I don’t think Carmelo Anthony will make the team.

The last wing spot might be between James Harden and Jimmy Butler.

Unless Kobe wants in, then I think you gotta go with him.

Injuries to CP3, Anthony Davis, and Blake Griffin might open up a few roster spots…

Are we even sure that Steph will play?  He might want to rest…

At this point, Draymond Green is my only big man lock on this team.  

I am thinking of going with LaMarcus Aldridge as the starting or backup center.  Plus either DeAndre Jordan or Andre Jordan as the sole legit center.  Leaning towards DeAndre Jordan because he the better shot blocker (and the better free throw shooter, as crazy as that sounds).

If Steph can’t go (or maybe even if he can), I think Kyrie Irving will be on this team although you can probably make a better case for Damian Lillard.

  I think a better question is if PG had been drafted to the Spurs and Kawhi to the Pacers are the spurs better off? I feel that PG is more taltented and his natural advantages incubated by the spurs would have made him a better player. kawhi mostly likely always turns into a above average starter but the Spurs made him a Top5 player I don’t believe Kawhi is top 5 if drafted by a different team. 

  I think a better question is if PG had been drafted to the Spurs and Kawhi to the Pacers are the spurs better off? I feel that PG is more taltented and his natural advantages incubated by the spurs would have made him a better player. kawhi mostly likely always turns into a above average starter but the Spurs made him a Top5 player I don’t believe Kawhi is top 5 if drafted by a different team. 

No – I don’t think Spurs are better off.  They had one of the highest win totals in history this past season, Leonard is arguably the best two-way player in the NBA, he’s young, humble, and signed for many years.  Their chemistry is brilliant with him — I like George, but you never know what you are going to get when you change the mix.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Olympic team:

Curry, Thompson, Westbrook, Lillard, Harden

James, Durant, Leonard, George, Love

Cousins, Aldridge

Could see Irving for Lillard given he’s been on the team before and Lillard has not.  Could see Love not making it, but for whom?  Think Jordan and Drummond’s lack of free-throw shooting and outside shooting don’t fit well within the international game so I would not include them.

No – I don’t think Spurs are better off.  They had one of the highest win totals in history this past season, Leonard is arguably the best two-way player in the NBA, he’s young, humble, and signed for many years.  Their chemistry is brilliant with him — I like George, but you never know what you are going to get when you change the mix.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Olympic team:

Curry, Thompson, Westbrook, Lillard, Harden

James, Durant, Leonard, George, Love

Cousins, Aldridge

Could see Irving for Lillard given he’s been on the team before and Lillard has not.  Could see Love not making it, but for whom?  Think Jordan and Drummond’s lack of free-throw shooting and outside shooting don’t fit well within the international game so I would not include them.

 I think both players are great fits for the places they are at. Kawhi doesn’t need to have the ball in his hands all the time and plays with in the spurs offense. Paul George needs the ball in his hands more has more playmaking ability, so he fits what the pacers. I think if you put george on the spurs they wouldn’t be able to take advantage of his playmaking and if you put Kawhi on the pacers he would have to try to be more of playmaker, which he really isn’t skilled at. 

 I think both players are great fits for the places they are at. Kawhi doesn’t need to have the ball in his hands all the time and plays with in the spurs offense. Paul George needs the ball in his hands more has more playmaking ability, so he fits what the pacers. I think if you put george on the spurs they wouldn’t be able to take advantage of his playmaking and if you put Kawhi on the pacers he would have to try to be more of playmaker, which he really isn’t skilled at. 

the Spurs force you to play great.  Its amazing how Leonard has picked up Duncan’s personality, selfless.

I think PG is a really smart player.  I think he’d help the Spurs because of his offense.  Although Leonard has become a knockdown shooter, sometimes their offense is stagnant because Parker is getting old and Ginobli is ancient, neither guy can get their own bucket as efficiently as would be required in a high scoring back and forth game with the GSW.

GSW just has way too much youth and athleticism.  Kawhi actually looks too stiff playing against GSW, I think PG would help that offense flow even more than it is now.

So for the Spurs, and for Indiana, I actually think PG is the more dynamic player.  As great as Kawhi is, he’s benefitting off the system in his role.  There is no way Kawhi could go somewhere and be the alpha-dog on a winning team.  He’s great at what he does, but his game is limited when compared to PG.  I’d rather have PG.  

the Spurs force you to play great.  Its amazing how Leonard has picked up Duncan’s personality, selfless.

I think PG is a really smart player.  I think he’d help the Spurs because of his offense.  Although Leonard has become a knockdown shooter, sometimes their offense is stagnant because Parker is getting old and Ginobli is ancient, neither guy can get their own bucket as efficiently as would be required in a high scoring back and forth game with the GSW.

GSW just has way too much youth and athleticism.  Kawhi actually looks too stiff playing against GSW, I think PG would help that offense flow even more than it is now.

So for the Spurs, and for Indiana, I actually think PG is the more dynamic player.  As great as Kawhi is, he’s benefitting off the system in his role.  There is no way Kawhi could go somewhere and be the alpha-dog on a winning team.  He’s great at what he does, but his game is limited when compared to PG.  I’d rather have PG.  

the Spurs force you to play great.  Its amazing how Leonard has picked up Duncan’s personality, selfless.

I think PG is a really smart player.  I think he’d help the Spurs because of his offense.  Although Leonard has become a knockdown shooter, sometimes their offense is stagnant because Parker is getting old and Ginobli is ancient, neither guy can get their own bucket as efficiently as would be required in a high scoring back and forth game with the GSW.

GSW just has way too much youth and athleticism.  Kawhi actually looks too stiff playing against GSW, I think PG would help that offense flow even more than it is now.

So for the Spurs, and for Indiana, I actually think PG is the more dynamic player.  As great as Kawhi is, he’s benefitting off the system in his role.  There is no way Kawhi could go somewhere and be the alpha-dog on a winning team.  He’s great at what he does, but his game is limited when compared to PG.  I’d rather have PG.  

the Spurs force you to play great.  Its amazing how Leonard has picked up Duncan’s personality, selfless.

I think PG is a really smart player.  I think he’d help the Spurs because of his offense.  Although Leonard has become a knockdown shooter, sometimes their offense is stagnant because Parker is getting old and Ginobli is ancient, neither guy can get their own bucket as efficiently as would be required in a high scoring back and forth game with the GSW.

GSW just has way too much youth and athleticism.  Kawhi actually looks too stiff playing against GSW, I think PG would help that offense flow even more than it is now.

So for the Spurs, and for Indiana, I actually think PG is the more dynamic player.  As great as Kawhi is, he’s benefitting off the system in his role.  There is no way Kawhi could go somewhere and be the alpha-dog on a winning team.  He’s great at what he does, but his game is limited when compared to PG.  I’d rather have PG.  

 daggers,

I would have Draymond Green on the team.  Maybe you forgot about him.  So replace Kevin Love with Draymond.  I am thinking Aldridge makes it.  Cousins is a question mark.  IF he doesn’t make it then I think Drummond or DeAndre Jordan makes it.  

If they want two Cavs players on the team, then with Love out, you can go with Kyrie over Lillard.  Kyrie vs. Lillard is a coin toss in my book.

Harden vs. Jimmy Butler is a coin flip, too.  I would even consider Kobe.  Hard enough to get minutes for everybody, and with Steph, Russ, Klay, PG, and Durant, there are plenty of guys on the perimeter.  Kobe wouldn’t need that many minutes and would offer some intangibles.  Hard to think of Kobe being a "glue guy" but I think he could play that role four our team.  

Then you use Jordan or Drummond in spot minutes (if either gets in over Cousins) and you only have to find time for 10 guys instead of 12.  

Plus, you know, I would LOVE to see Steph, Russ, Kobe, Durant, and LeBron on the same court on the same team at the same time.

You can call it the LEGENDS SMALL BALL OF DEATH.

That’s the only possible way that this team could rival the original Dream Team.  Even though if Cousins makes it, he would rival ’92 Patrick Ewing in terms of overall talent.  

 daggers,

I would have Draymond Green on the team.  Maybe you forgot about him.  So replace Kevin Love with Draymond.  I am thinking Aldridge makes it.  Cousins is a question mark.  IF he doesn’t make it then I think Drummond or DeAndre Jordan makes it.  

If they want two Cavs players on the team, then with Love out, you can go with Kyrie over Lillard.  Kyrie vs. Lillard is a coin toss in my book.

Harden vs. Jimmy Butler is a coin flip, too.  I would even consider Kobe.  Hard enough to get minutes for everybody, and with Steph, Russ, Klay, PG, and Durant, there are plenty of guys on the perimeter.  Kobe wouldn’t need that many minutes and would offer some intangibles.  Hard to think of Kobe being a "glue guy" but I think he could play that role four our team.  

Then you use Jordan or Drummond in spot minutes (if either gets in over Cousins) and you only have to find time for 10 guys instead of 12.  

Plus, you know, I would LOVE to see Steph, Russ, Kobe, Durant, and LeBron on the same court on the same team at the same time.

You can call it the LEGENDS SMALL BALL OF DEATH.

That’s the only possible way that this team could rival the original Dream Team.  Even though if Cousins makes it, he would rival ’92 Patrick Ewing in terms of overall talent.  

Would the Pacers be better with Kawhi instead of George Hill?

George Hill may still be with the Spurs, he was well liked there. The Pacers would have had to find a better PG than CJ Watson and Donald Sloan, but anyone next to PG13 and Kawhi would look ok. No one could get into the lane against those two.

Would the Pacers be better with Kawhi instead of George Hill?

George Hill may still be with the Spurs, he was well liked there. The Pacers would have had to find a better PG than CJ Watson and Donald Sloan, but anyone next to PG13 and Kawhi would look ok. No one could get into the lane against those two.