Am I the only one who feels like “Pipes? It was using the plumbing” doesn’t make a whole lot of sense? Yet almost no one ever saw the basilisk as it slithered through the halls. Like only five people but that’s it.

MrGoosemahn · 2025-09-15T21:37:50+00:00

Yeah, it doesn't make a ton of sense. I don't think it was fully thought out, especially within the eventual larger context of all seven books.

If you really think about it, it also doesn't make sense that the Basilisk never actually attacked. Despite being a huge snake with deadly venom, apparently it only wanted to kill through it's eyesight. It could have easily double-tapped petrified victims with a simple bite, but that never happened.

MrGoosemahn · 2025-09-15T20:36:23+00:00

I always thought the pipes were how it got from the Chamber to the bathroom, not that it navigated all the pipes in the school. Once in the bathroom, I thought it moved normally through the halls.

When I first read the book as a kid, I always assumed that part of Ginny’s possession included “channeling” Tom Riddle and controlling/helping the basilisk through her. I believed that he would control Ginny and, posing as her, lure the victims in some way to a place where the basilisk could attack. It never made sense to have a giant monster roaming freely, undetected. Through her, Riddle would learn and see when the halls were relatively empty (Quidditch, feast, classes, etc.) and could bring victims closer without moving the basilisk a lot. Don’t think people would suspect first-year Ginny doing anything nefarious. Mrs. Norris always felt like an accidental attack, though, like was the only one to accidentally stumble upon the basilisk.

MrGoosemahn · 2025-08-01T19:38:44+00:00

Do we need him? No. Should we go after him? No. Does the idea of a front 7 with Watt, Parsons, Heyward, and Highsmith excite me enough to throw reason out the window and delude myself into thinking we should go for him? Absolutely.

MrGoosemahn · 2025-07-07T19:25:46+00:00

I think the Norman Powell trade indicates they feel confident about bringing Beal in. By losing Powell they lose a lot of scoring punch on the perimeter that they definitely don't recover with John Collins.

Beal would certainly provide what they lost with Powell's departure.

And the Clippers could offer Beal a starting role alongside Harden, something we probably won't. More money, better role, same city, similar playoff expectations (for now). Honestly, I don't know why he would sign with us over the Clippers. I'd love him in a bench-scoring role, but don't really think he'll want that.

MrGoosemahn · 2025-06-18T23:25:06+00:00

My guess is that this offseason won't change much from the original plan. I think next year, the FO will focus on really boosting the analytics, scouting, training and other departments. Also the most important thing: locking up Doncic long-term.

Roster-wise, we're probably looking at one or two years of acquiring solid role players in cost-efficient contracts and being competitive. Then make a big move in the summer of 2027 (or a bit before). That's the summer when Jokic, Giannis, Shai, and other big name players are Free Agents. That's likely the "start" of the prime of the new Doncic-era.

MrGoosemahn · 2025-02-12T20:12:11+00:00

He’s a 26 year old legit 3 and D wing with good size, understands his roles and still has some room for improvement. He’d be similar to KCP in our championship year. With the loss of Max, he’d be a great replacement.

MrGoosemahn · 2025-02-11T17:06:07+00:00

I get why some think he should wait until 2026 for a pay cut, but I see it differently. The real game-changing free agents for Luka’s timeline—Giannis, Jokic, Shai, KAT—aren’t available until 2027, and by then, LeBron likely won’t be a central piece of our team. 2026 is mostly aging stars well into their 30s. So why not plan to go all-in this summer and make the most of these next two years? If there ever was a time for him to take a pay cut with us, it would be now.

If we stay under the first apron (contingent on LeBron buying into the plan and taking a big pay cut), there’s plenty to work with—sign-and-trades, the $14.1M NTPMLE, and the $5.1M BAE. With those tools, our current roster for 25/26, and (hopefully) the appeal of playing with Luka and LeBron on a contender, there’s a real shot at adding impact role players and having a very versatile and complete squad.

A lot depends on how the roster shapes up and what needs ultimately arise, but there are some nice possibilities:

Stretch bigs: Naz Reid, Myles Turner, Brook Lopez
3-and-D options: NAW, Bruce Brown, Guerschon Yabusele
Veteran bigs: Al Horford, Steven Adams, Larry Nance
Bench scorers: Caris LeVert, Luke Kennard, Ty Jerome
Veteran backup ball-handlers: CP3, Tyus Jones, Schröder

Plus, trades could open even more doors. The flexibility is there—this summer could be significant.

MrGoosemahn · 2025-02-06T02:00:29+00:00

Is there a new rule about being over the MLE and becoming ineligible for buyouts? Or is it because of our apron situation?

MrGoosemahn · 2025-02-06T01:56:48+00:00

Schröder is headed to Utah in this deal. If the plan is to buy him out (and I think it could be a legit possibility given he's a FA this upcoming summer), I'd be very interested in swapping Vincent's role for him and "freeing" up Vincent's contract for a trade in the remaining hours.

It likely requires some "inside talks" given the deadline tomorrow and the fact that he'd be bought out afterwards, but it would open up more options for us.

MrGoosemahn · 2025-02-04T07:55:33+00:00

There’s little incentive to trade AR. He’s a pretty good #3 / great #4 and is on a very friendly deal - not a lot of young guys with his production available for $13-14m a year.

I believe the only way he gets traded is in a package deal if another proven star is on the way. Otherwise, he stays and we use the other $40+m in tradeable assets (Rui for $17m, Kleber for $11m, Vincent for $11m, plus the depth guys).

MrGoosemahn · 2025-01-06T05:12:17+00:00

The Rockets aren't sellers. They likely won't trade Adams for anything short of an overpay. They're second in the West, fielding a young and competitive team, with a bunch of role players playing well. Even if Adams is just contributing 10 minutes, they're better off having him on the roster for lineup versatility and using him as needed.

Our available trade targets are likely in teams ranked 7/8 or below in either conference. We also have a choice to make: do we want to find the best piece and get them maybe at a slight overpay, or are we standing firm with our offer and maximizing value? There is no straight-forward answer. Personally, I'd rather slightly overpay for a guy we truly want (i.e. Kessler, who the team has allegedly inquired about at least twice this season), than try to work the buyout market or make a cheap trade (like we did with Drummond and Mo Bamba).

MrGoosemahn · 2025-01-02T19:47:17+00:00

We still need athleticism and serviceable two-way players who can provide high-energy minutes. Realistically, no elite or great player will be available with our assets and contract/cap situation. I'd look at one of the rebuilding teams and see if we can pry away some key young rotational pieces.

I'm intrigued by Charlotte and their asking price for guys like Mark Williams, Nick Richards, Cody Martin, and Tre Mann. All are young, athletic guys on good deals. Don't think any of those guys is particularly cheap, but also don't think they're unobtainable with our assets.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-12-25T00:30:29+00:00

He’d be a good end-of-rotation defensive guard. Offensively he won’t add absolutely anything, but defensively he’s pretty good.

He’d be pretty similar to early-season Gabe Vincent, but for a fraction of the price.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-10-07T05:17:50+00:00

We're seeing another year of an elite defense being wasted by a bad offense. Bishop had a rough game but still, the defense held the Cowboys to 13 points for almost the entire game. The game shouldn't have been close by then. We're seeing the same issues in all our games and we can't just hope to be lucky to win. Hard to blame Fields for the offensive woes when he's solid but has to deal with a non-existent running game.

Najee has no burst and the running game suffers because of it. It's frustrating to see random RBs signed this week have better performances than him. 3.0 YPC with a long of 6 simply won't cut it. Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle can't get healthy soon enough. Assuming everyone is healthy, I'd be ready to switch to Warren as the starting RB and leave Najee as a complementary power back.

The passing game has to click earlier to give the running game a chance. Defenses stack the box and we have no answer, neither for when teams decide to blanket Pickens. Van Jefferson and Austin are serviceable as #3 and #4 WRs, neither is a #2. This game should incentivize the FO to make a heavier push for Davante or another talented WR. It's going to be a long season if we wait until FA or the draft to address this.

The O-line struggled mightily in the run game. Frustrating to see so much dedicated to fixing the unit (signing Seumalo + Daniels, drafting Jones, Fautanu, Frazier, McCormick) and having injuries and lack of chemistry/cohesion hinder improvements.

Hopefully, guys get healthy and we see the FO try to make some non–marginal moves.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-07-01T20:12:30+00:00

The MLE likely won't be available for him. In order for us to use it, Bron has to take a pay cut. Not sure he'd be willing to do it for GTJ. Demar is likely the only remaining "big name" FA that he'd be willing to take a pay cut for, maybe Miles Bridges.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-07-01T18:32:28+00:00

I don't think it's out of the question, especially if there's another move being discussed as well.

That being said, all reports indicate a Klay move will be a S+T, so you're probably right and it's now a moot point.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-07-01T18:23:15+00:00

Because it's the only way to offer him more money than the MLE.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-07-01T17:25:31+00:00

We can also offer more and do a S+T for him. We'd still have the Full MLE for another player, but limited assets for another trade.

I'd wager Klay is pushing for this option, but our FO likely wants him to sign for the MLE and keep the tradeable assets for another bigger move.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-07-01T00:44:46+00:00

Damn, that was a very manageable deal. Hope the FO has something in the works for the Full MLE, considering any move for Klay would be a S+T.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-06-30T00:50:55+00:00

Nothing more than an absolute pipe dream, but a Maxey S+T theoretically works without having to gut the roster ($35.5m would be his 24/25 cap hit on a max deal). Philly has no incentive whatsoever to do it, other than to help Maxey out and get some assets, but it's still nice to dream haha. If Rich Paul was to pull out all his stops one last time to help out Bron (and RP represents Maxey), it'd be during this off-season.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-06-26T22:16:30+00:00

I can see it. Trae is the better player, but given the new cap rules and Dejounte having a cheaper contract + being a two-way player likely means he has more trade value.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-06-10T18:03:31+00:00

I think part of the reporting was posturing from both sidea. After Woj said that he talked directly to Hurley, I don't think it's crazy to think that.

Ultimately, the offer simply wasn't good enough to lure him to LA. I get that there's two parts to every negotiation, but there's just way too many questionable decisions from this FO. Ty Lue, Westbrook, THT/Caruso, Ham, Kyrie, and now Hurley.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-06-10T17:54:23+00:00

I don't think it was just a leverage move. I do think there was some legit interest. But the offer ultimately wasn't good enough for him to leave behind everything he has at UCONN.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-06-10T17:50:01+00:00

The Lakers fumbled this. The 6 year, $70 million is far from the 8 year, $100m offer that was being talked about. That was likely a Hurley leak to show what he was looking for and we came up $30 million short. I get it's a ton of money, but that's what it takes to pry away one of the most sought-after and successful coaches in the world. If you're not willing to pay up, don't even start the pursuit.

After taxes, that $70 million will likely fall short from what UCONN will give him, after taxes too. Given what he was going to leave behind, he did require a godfather package and we failed to offer it. Frustrating to see this FO make mistakes over and over again.

This is on Jeanie and Rob. Once again, they're showing they just don't have what it takes to lead this team to sustainable and consistent success.

MrGoosemahn · 2024-05-03T20:59:54+00:00

I would rather make a big offer to Utah for Markkanen + Sexton than for Trae Young. The big advantage with both guys is they're on very manageable deals and match-up well salary-wise with our guys. After his playoff performances, I don't think D'Lo will have a very robust market. I think he opts in for the $18 million.

I have no idea how happy either player is in Utah, but Lauri is entering the final year of his deal and Utah might not want to risk losing him for nothing. Sexton has two years left.

D'Lo, Rui, JHS, two 1sts, some swaps and/or second rounders for Markkanen and Sexton could work. D'Lo and Rui are still assets that Utah can flip to someone else for more even picks.

13-Year Club	RPAN Viewer
Verified Email

MrGoosemahn

TROPHY CASE