Author: Munro Stewart

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Raptors Ben Simmons Trade Idea 2021

Play, Play Posts

Here are my thoughts and some potential trade options to be involved in a trade for Simmons currently.

Trade Options

  • Raptors - 76ers
  • Ben Simmons - Fred VanVleet
  • Matisse Thybulle - Goran Dragic
  • $8.2M Trade Exception - 2022 1st Rd Pick

Lineup 1

  • PG - Simmons - Flynn - Banton
  • SG - Trent - Mykhailiuk - Wainwright
  • SF - Anunoby - Thybulle - Watanabe
  • PF - Barnes - Bonga - Dekker
  • C - Siakam - Achiuwa - Birch

Lineup 2

  • PG - Dragic - Flynn - Banton
  • SG - Trent - Mykhailiuk - Bonga
  • SF - Anunoby - Wainwright - Watanabe
  • PF - Simmons - Barnes - Dekker
  • C - Siakam - Achiuwa - Birch

Lineup (No Trades)

  • PG - VanVleet - Flynn - Banton
  • SG - Dragic* - Trent - Mykhailiuk
  • SF - Anunoby - Wainwright - Bonga
  • PF - Boucher* - Barnes - Dekker
  • C - Siakam** (INJ) - Achiuwa - Birch** (START)

* Note - Maybe Dragic and Boucher could be starters, with all our young guys playing together on the bench, to also boost Dragic's trade value and because Boucher is better than Birch.

** Note - Maybe Siakam or Barnes could actually play center, with Birch starting the year there as a solid player, but really being our 3rd string center later in the year when Siakam returns.

Thoughts

I think we want Thybulle instead of Maxey because he is a great defensive player with length like OG but at the 2-3 spots, similar to all the other players we like who are great defenders to start with. Contrary to the latest Raptors Digest video on September 2nd which says not to trade VanVleet, I think our deal almost certainly has to involve Fred. Why would the 76ers accept a deal with Gary Trent as the top player, unless they get Boucher as well as 4 first round picks and all young players? And that's a deal I don't think we want, just like we don't want to trade Siakam or Anunoby. Plus, I'm not sure we can include Trent in a deal before the season since we just signed him to a deal this offseason.

But our deal can now include Dragic, unlike my thoughts on trading VanVleet and Boucher earlier, before the NBA draft took place. And we can think of it like we traded Lowry but also got an extra guy we love in Achiuwa. We might be competing with a deal for CJ McCollum, who's a pretty good player and better offensively, on paper, and in the media than VanVleet, and he's also in the West where the 76ers don't compete against the Blazers. The fact that they could probably get McCollum is another reason why Gary Trent and Boucher likely won't cut it to make a deal.

In the big picture though, with our deal the 76ers get a lot of shooting which Morey likes with all of VanVleet, Boucher, and Dragic, while losing their two horrible shooters in Simmons and Thybulle. So it could be addition by subtraction and offer a lot of shooting while getting rid of their bad shooting. Plus Boucher is a great fit for them as a stretch four, as he is still extremely undervalued and a starting caliber player in this league in my opinion just like Norm Powell is. Boucher has been very high on PER both of the last two years, along with guys like Powell and Christian Wood before his deal with the Rockets. The 76ers can move Harris to small forward and have starters VanVleet, Curry, Harris, Boucher, Embiid and a bench of Dragic, Maxey, Green, Niang, Drummond. Green might start at SG obviously though.

We're in a decent position though, because the 76ers likely want to win now so they don't really want young players or picks like they might get in deals with San Antonio, Sacramento, Golden State, or other places. Plus if they want defense and winners they could like our guys, or particularly our main guy in VanVleet, better than guys like McCollum, Buddy Hield, or D'Angelo Russell. VanVleet to start and Dragic to play off the bench offers them a lot of playoff-tested defense, winning, experience, and passing to replace Simmons in order to win now. Plus they still get a good young player in VanVleet at point guard to make the trade look at least somewhat normal. Personally, I think VanVleet is a perfect point guard to fit with Embiid as well because he is a great shooter and leader, and because Embiid will get the ball more so you don't need a pass first point guard like Simmons, Chris Paul, or Kyle Lowry.

The above trade would be the most we might offer, but we might get it done for just 3 of those assets, or without Thybulle for as little as two of those assets. But I still think VanVleet almost certainly has to be the centerpiece to get a deal done likely at the very least, and I don't think we want to do a deal if it includes Anunoby or Siakam. To make the salaries match in order to get Dragic, I think the 76ers have about an $8 million trade exception from the Horford deal, which might even expire as soon as September 7th, or possibly later in the year.

The lineups proposed by me are based on two possible deals, one where we keep Dragic and don't get Thybulle. If we could keep Boucher and just give up VanVleet, Dragic, and a 1st round pick that would be the best deal we could hope for I think, but the least likely for the 76ers to accept probably, so I don't have a lineup based on keeping Boucher. The actual deal made from the list in my trade would depend on the 76ers and Raptors opinions on the values of Boucher, Thybulle, and the value of 1st round picks compared to those players.

Unlike many people who think Simmons isn't a good fit now without a starting point guard like VanVleet or Suggs, I'm actually higher on getting Simmons now than I was before the draft and getting Barnes. We can go all in on the strategy of defense, length, speed, and passing while developing all these guys shooting skills. Plus we still have some shooting in Siakam, OG, Flynn, Trent, Mykhailiuk, Watanabe, Dekker, plus Barnes and Achiuwa who do show potential to improve quickly. We could even possibly keep Dragic for our starting point guard for this year, with Flynn as a possible replacement in the future too.

But imagine how many rebounds we can get and how great the defense could be if we do leave Simmons and Barnes as big guards eventually, and decided that Siakam could play center if that's the case, instead of the skinny Boucher. Boucher could start at power forward if we are able to keep him instead of Dragic, and we would have 5 guys who are about 6'9" or taller who are pretty good players who can guard multiple positions. A lineup of Simmons, Barnes, Anunoby, Boucher, and Siakam would have a lot of potential, or even a lineup with Achiuwa at center instead of Boucher at power forward if Achiuwa's shooting improves enough in a year or two. If it's not enough shooting and we lose Boucher we can still have Trent, Flynn, or Dragic in there with a lineup like Simmons, Trent, Anunoby, Barnes, and Siakam.

Apple Should Make This Hybrid TV And Monitor

Tech, Tech Posts

Here is an idea that I think Apple could use if they build a display with an integrated ARM processor, along with some of the basic features and specifications I think the device should have.

Features

  • Hybrid smart TV/console/home hub, computer desktop monitor, and "anywhere" counter display
  • Used by itself with built-in processor and tvOS, or as a display or TV for computers and devices
  • Plug in Macs, iPads, computers, or any HDMI capable boxes to function as a monitor or TV
  • 41" size would work as a TV in a bedroom, a computer monitor on a desk, or a display in the dining room
  • Controlled by remote with Apple remote or by voice with Hey Siri - Switches inputs automatically
  • Integrated FaceTime camera, microphone, and speakers for FaceTime and always-on Siri
  • 40.5" display at 4K matches perfectly with macOS target dpi of 109 PPI for desktops
  • 40.5" display at 8K would match perfectly with macOS target dpi for retina displays with 218 PPI

Specs

  • Name - Apple Home 4K, Apple Display 4K - Ideas below
  • OS - tvOS - Renamed homeOS?
  • Size - 41" 4K Display - Actually 40.5"
  • Density - 109 PPI - Matches macOS target DPI
  • Cost - $999-1499 US? - "Budget" Apple TV/Display
  • Storage - 64-128 GB and 256-512 GB - $999 and $1299?
  • Processor - A-Series A14 - Or newer ARM chip like M1
  • Inputs - 2 USB-C and 2 HDMI 2.1 - 1 Thunderbolt 4?
  • Camera - FaceTime Camera - Microphones
  • Speakers - Integrated Speakers - Optical out

Names

  • Apple Home 4K, Apple Home, Apple Home Display, Apple HomeTV
  • Apple Display 4K, Apple Display TV, Apple Display, Apple Display HDR
  • Apple Screen 4K, Apple Screen, Apple Screen HDR, Apple Screen TV
  • Apple TV Display, Apple TV Screen, Apple TV, Apple TV HDR

Exclusive: Apple testing new external display with a dedicated A13 chip and Neural Engine

Raptors Trade, Draft, And Lineup 2021

Play, Play Posts

Hey Ben and Ryker. Do you have any thoughts or feel like discussing this trade and potential roster lineup on an episode?

Here is a link to a super long take with some more thoughts about this idea, which neither of you will probably read at all 😉 Have a good one and great work on the new changes to your setup and the show this year guys.

Raptors Digest - 2021 Raptors Trade, Draft, and Lineup

Trade

  • Raptors - 76ers - Magic
  • Jonathan Kuminga: 2021 5th Pick - Fred VanVleet - Ben Simmons
  • Matisse Thybulle - Terrence Ross - 2022 1st Rd: TOR
  • Blank - Paul Watson - 2021 2nd Rd: PHI

Lineup

  • PG - Lowry - Suggs - Flynn
  • SG - Trent - Oladipo/FA - 2nd/Nix
  • SF - Anunoby - Thybulle - Watanabe
  • PF - Siakam - Kuminga - Gillespie
  • C - Boucher - FA/Giles - 2nd/Maker

Details

I heard that Daryl Morey likes 3 point shooting. VanVleet, Ross, and Watson are all pretty great at that, while Simmons is horrible and Thybulle isn't known for shooting now either. They can also use wings who have some height to possibly play SF in Ross and Watson. Even though Watson is mostly a throw in, his 3 point shooting in the G league a couple years ago and last year in the NBA have been pretty great so he might be an interesting addition for Philly. While the Magic have a lot of good young players, they need to get going at some point with at least one real player instead of having only young guys with potential. Since they also have the 8th pick, maybe they could look at Simmons as a good young player to take a chance on for that 5th pick since Kuminga is another project who could take a while or end up a bust and isn't in that top 4 tier. They could move Isaac to SF and Simmons to PF to work well as a Draymond Green point forward with their young guards and centers in Hampton, Anthony, Fultz, Harris, Carter, and Bamba. Maybe Gary Harris to the Raptors, Tyrese Maxey to the Magic, Chris Boucher to one of the Magic or 76ers, or different draft picks could be other possibilities involved if needed to get this done by sending more to some team, but hopefully not Boucher if we don't have to of course.

For us, pretty much every single guy in that lineup is pretty good on defense, works hard, and has the potential to get better. That's how you win championships and develop players the new Raptors way under Masai. That's why I'm not super high on the Siakam for Wiseman, Wiggins, and 7th pick. Wiseman and Wiggins aren't known for their IQ, motor, hard work, and passing which we want our top players to have in spades. And I like Kuminga or Barnes with the 5th pick much, much better than who might be at the 7th pick. We can develop all of these good young players to get even better, while still having a solid team now hopefully. We're hoping that Suggs is the next Chris Paul or Jrue Holiday but a better scorer, and Kuminga is the next Pascal Siakam or even Kevin Durant, or somewhere in between.

While hoping we will win a championship with Siakam and VanVleet as our best two players might be overvaluing them, there is real potential with Suggs and Kuminga. Remember, we have never had one top pick like this under Masai Ujiri, let alone two great potential young talents to develop. This is a big potential opportunity, and to have both of those guys as bench players to start off could make a good team now. Though, the future championship team might hinge around Suggs, Kuminga, Anunoby as the main core, or whoever steps up and gets better even if it's Siakam, Trent, Thybulle, Boucher, or someone else. The potential is there, and keep in mind the idea might be to possibly trade other pieces in Lowry, Oladipo, Boucher, Trent, or even Siakam, etc. at some point to get one more potential star somehow if Oladipo or Siakam isn't that guy, to go with whoever our two or three stars are at that point. In the meantime, we have a solid team of young players to start this rebuild officially, with Lowry transitioning to the bench or being traded depending on Suggs development.

Actually, I personally like keeping Siakam with these guys and having the core of Suggs, Kuminga, Anunoby, and Siakam, along with a center which could even be Boucher in my mind possibly. A lot of length in that lineup and Kuminga could potentially have and develop the offensive skills and quickness to play SG, or Anunoby could even play SG if not. It would be interesting also because that lineup would feature 4 players with African heritage, which I think Masai would be proud of and find interesting. I am surprised with how little emphasis the media has noticed or talked about the fact that Masai has gotten many of these guys with African heritage who have been undervalued. Trading for Ibaka. Drafting Siakam and Anunoby. Picking up Boucher. It's another reason why I think he could be super high on Kuminga, as someone with even more offensive potential than any of those guys.

Ben, I was glad to see you come around on Jalen Suggs after you went and read about him after we got the 4th pick. I have a feeling the Raptors might absolutely love this guy and possibly have him 2nd on their board, ahead of both Green and Mobley. They might be ecstatic that they could get him and see it as their chance to build for the future around a pass first point guard who can also score, play great defense, and lead a winning team. I love Suggs so much I might take him first overall even though I know that sounds crazy, and I agree with you that he is a perfect Raptors pick to build around for the future. He might never be known as a top 20 player just like Lowry or Siakam, and always be underrated like every Raptor because a lot of his value comes with his defense. But his amazing defense, hard work, IQ, passing ability, team basketball, pass first approach, and winning attitude make him a potential great long term leader for this team. And he still has the talent to potentially be known as a top 10 player too, though it's a crapshoot for that with any player you pick obviously. I think he could be a real playoff starter and winner as opposed to just a regular season player, league leading scorer type, or slam dunk contest winner. Remember, we won with Lowry (Suggs) who is a great all around player who works hard and plays defense, Leonard (Anunoby) who is a great defender and also turned into a great scorer, and Siakam (Kuminga) who is athletic but also has some good offensive skills, not with Vince Carter (Jalen Green) who is a super talented offensive player who scores on his own a lot, and isn't known for defense, working hard, and wanting to win at all costs. Green should be amazing though, but he might not be there for us anyway.

Ryker, here are 3 reasons you might like Suggs and this roster more than you realize, even over Mobley or Green. If you don't like waiting to get good, I think Suggs is currently known as easily the most win now guy in the draft, and guys like him aren't often at the top of the draft. While going with a rookie in the playoffs is always risky, he has much more potential than Green, Mobley, Kuminga, or Barnes, let alone other players. Because of his solid defense and IQ, he might be able to hang in there in his first year. Remember, even our lower picks in Siakam, Anunoby, and Powell all started in the regular season on a top Raptors team in their first year, with Powell starting in the playoffs some. Why? DEFENSE, MOTOR, and HARD WORK. But Suggs also has top pick offensive potential. Personally, at this top pick I think we should go for the best long term potential player and win now shouldn't be important, so if Green or Kuminga was actually better long term I would take that chance. But I think Suggs could also be that long term all around player as well for the reasons listed above, even though I do like that Suggs is also more NBA ready too which is just a nice plus for us.

Second, you've talked about how VanVleet isn't a pass first guy, and playing VanVleet and Lowry together isn't great. Suggs is actually a perfect complement to Lowry, Flynn or even VanVleet in my mind, while also being the potential pass first playmaker and long term solution to take over from Lowry in a league dominated by great passing and shooting point guards on many of the top teams. When or if Suggs is playing together with Lowry or Flynn for now, their defense could be great together at guard, especially paired with Anunoby and Siakam at forward. But we can now have more length and strength with Suggs playing SG potentially, and still go with potential two PG lineups that have worked for us in the past with Lowry/Vazquez, VanVleet/Wright, and VanVleet/Lowry. It doesn't matter that Suggs is more of the passer. Lowry or Flynn plays PG on defense where they are good, with Suggs having better length and strength to guard SG and SF. And Suggs plays PG on offense with Flynn or even Lowry because of his playmaking ability and Kyle's shooting ability. Then Suggs is also the long term solution, so if he turns out amazing you could then trade Kyle and have Trent, Thybulle or someone else at SG, or even play Flynn and Suggs together if Flynn gets really good too and you like more playmaking.

Third, this trade has the potential to get guys back at their regular positions and have good length and rebounding, except for Boucher out of position at center. We got 3-and-D guys at SF, shooters and potential scorers at SG, scorers at PF, passers at PG, and athletic rim protectors and rebounders who can also switch onto smaller players at C. Nurse will play around a lot as always, and also because some of these guys like Kuminga, Suggs, Trent, Thybulle, and even Boucher have more versatility than previous players like VanVleet, Gasol, Valsooinawallsauce, and even Lowry. But there is potential to have more guys at their natural positions or not playing way out of position, especially if you do get a bigger center that is more talented than Boucher, or eventually trade Siakam and have Boucher and/or later Kuminga or Anunoby at PF.

As far as Boucher starting at center, I realize it seems odd and everyone worries most about getting a center or two. I don't as much. We have so many other good young players with this roster and can find centers even though they didn't do great at it last year going with the big brutes in Baynes and Len. So many things could happen before the season and Siakam is out to start off, but Boucher starting at center is my big crazy prediction and wish, even though it's not the perfect solution. In previous years I had two crazy predictions that came true. After we traded for Kawhi, everyone assumed Valanciunas would start and Ibaka would go to the bench, but right away I thought Ibaka should start along with Green because the overall defense could be amazing. It was double addition by subtraction by getting rid of DeRozan and moving Valanciunas to the bench. Getting the two worst defenders out of the starting lineup made a big difference, along with trading CJ Miles and JV later. We had enough offense even though it wasn't the best in the league, but with Ibaka and Green in the starting lineup, and later with the Gasol trade, the defense was ridiculously amazing. Then the following year everyone assumed Powell would start at SG and take over from Green, as VanVleet was a clear backup PG. But I thought VanVleet should start because he was clearly the better player, and Nurse also made that change which people thought was really odd.

It's the same thing with Boucher. If we don't get someone obviously better, which could be tough with how great Boucher has been per minute, I think we should take his weaknesses and just go with him at center alongside Siakam once Siakam is back. Boucher is still a great 3 point shooter, floor spacer, rim protector, shot blocker, very mobile big who can switch, and great rebounder. Yes he's skinny and will give up some easy baskets, backdowns, and rebounds that look bad. But Gasol, Ibaka, and Valanciunas all had their weaknesses too. Boucher is at least good at both ends of the floor unlike Gasol on offense except his passing, and Valanciunas on defense except his rebounding. I'm not sure we should leave Boucher on the bench just to start some solid rebounder big guy who can't shoot. With such good defense and length at the other spots, it might be better to have Boucher's good shooting, mobility, and offensive skills in the starting lineup.

Automattic And WordPress Could Simplify Brands

Tech, Tech Posts

Here is an idea for how to create a singular and clear Wordpress brand for both Automattic and the WordPress Foundation. I wonder if this could potentially help both of them prosper and grow much better together into the foreseeable future.

Quick • Name Changes And Locations

  • Automattic Inc. > Wordpress Inc. - wordpress.com/inc
  • WordPress.com > Wordpress - wordpress.com
  • WordPress > Wordpress Org or Wordpress.org - wordpress.org
  • WordPress Foundation > Wordpress Foundation - wordpress.org/foundation
  • Automattic > Wordpress Automattic - automattic.com
  • Ma.tt & Matt.blog > Matt Mullenweg - mattmullenweg.com

What

  • Sell WordPress trademark to Automattic and rename Automattic Inc. to Wordpress Inc.
  • Allow use of WordPress trademark to be used on anything for eternity for WordPress Foundation too
  • Rename WordPress.com > Wordpress and Wordpress Inc. - Wordpress, formerly WordPress.com
  • Rename WordPress > Wordpress Org and Wordpress Foundation - Wordpress Org, formerly WordPress. Alternatives > Wordpress.org? Wordpress Open? Wordpress Core? Wordpress Base? Wordpress Free?
  • Relocate Wordpress Foundation > Wordpress Org - Simplify with Foundation at Wordpress.org and Inc. at Wordpress.com
  • Rename Automattic > Wordpress Automattic - Stay at automattic.com as Careers website and internal company domain

Why

  • Life is short. Take a chance. The risk is worth the reward. Simplify and create a single, well-known, and strong brand.
  • Wordpress.com and Automattic can help WordPress Foundation a lot by making more money
  • Automattic could make much more money if it can use Wordpress trademark and name for anything
  • Wordpress could be best name for both WordPress.com and for Automattic company going forward
  • We can use Wordpress brand name on many products for both Inc. and Foundation creating a network effect
  • Wordpress.org and WordPress is so popular now that Wordpress Inc. would likely face trouble restricting future trademark access

Axiomattic

  • If you don't trust yourself with trademark, do you think someone in the future who is less altruistic will care? - Build for our generation
  • Accept that you can only control trademark, foundation, and company while you are leader and alive - Even Rome fell

Updated Date - Nov 22nd, 2023
Original Date - May 26th, 2021

The Joy Of Buying Apples

Tech, Tech Lines

I no longer receive much joy in buying many Apple products because with the latest iPod Touch 7 and Apple TV 6 you are getting 3 year old processor technology and 7 year old design technology.

The result is that you are still getting the negative of having to wait to buy Apple products on their slow and well thought out schedule, but now without the positive of receiving close to the newest or fastest technology.

iPhone SE 3 Released In Spring 2024?

Tech, Tech Posts

Could iPhone SE 3 be released in Spring 2024 and Touch ID debut on side of iPhones in Fall 2021 or later? Here is a guess for when we might see another iPhone SE as well as for how and when Touch ID might be added to the iPhone. This idea is based on an analysis of when each of these changes and additions to the iPhone lineup occurred in the past.

Notes

iPhone SE

  • Fall 2013 - iPhone 5S released as first phone with Touch ID in bottom button and last phone with 4" screen
  • Spring 2016 - iPhone SE 1 released with same design as iPhone 5S and upgraded internals - 2.5 years later
  • Fall 2017 - iPhone 8 released as last phone with Touch ID in bottom button and last phone with 4.7" and 5.5" screens
  • Spring 2020 - iPhone SE 2 released with same design as iPhone 8 and upgraded internals - 2.5 years later
  • Fall 2021 - iPhone 12S or 13 releases as first phone with Touch ID in side button and possibly last phone with 5.4" and 6" screens
  • Spring 2024 - iPhone SE 3 releases with same design as iPhone 12S or 13 and upgraded internals - 2.5 years later

iPhone Authentication

  • Fall 2013 - Touch ID Bottom - iPhone 5S released as first phone with Touch ID in home button
  • Fall 2017 - Face ID Top - iPhone X released as first phone with Face ID in top notch - 4 years later
  • Fall 2021 - Touch ID Side - iPhone 12S or 13 releases as first phone with Touch ID in side button - 4 years later

Thoughts

  • So, besides guessing that they could add fingerprint authentication back to the iPhone this year, I'm also guessing that they will use a side-mounted Touch ID instead of an in-screen fingerprint reader.
  • This guess also basically implies that this will be a year in which they leave the design very similar to the iPhone 12.
  • But even though it could be an S year, whether or not they brand it as such, they would still be making a fairly large addition to the lineup in the form of the side-mounted Touch ID sensor.
  • I will add though, that I wonder if they may even remove Face ID from the non-Pro phones for 2021, or less likely from all of the phones. I'm not talking about the notch, just that Face ID could be removed.
  • Removing Face ID from the non-Pro phones and not using an in-screen fingerprint reader would allow them to reduce the cost on them in the Fall of 2021, partially obviating the need for a new SE in the Spring of 2022, while also offering the exact same design without Face ID in the Spring of 2024, on that potential entry level iPhone SE 3.
  • With that said, the details for what they will do with Face ID, and when they will change the size of the notch or go to no notch at all is a separate issue I think.
  • I also have a few contrarian guesses for how that could happen.
  • However, I think the issue of Face ID and the notch is kind of unrelated to the main two ideas in this article.
  • The first idea being that the next iPhone SE 3 could possibly not be released until the Spring of 2024, and be based on the design from the Fall 2021 iPhones.
  • The second idea being that Apple could possibly add fingerprint authentication back to the iPhone using the side-mounted Touch ID sensor already in use on the iPad, instead of creating a new in-screen fingerprint reader.
  • Furthermore, that this side-mounted Touch ID could possibly debut on the main line of iPhones released this year in the Fall of 2021, similar to how the first Touch ID came to the iPhone 5S in a year in which they didn't radically change the design and screen size.

Raptors And Future Strategy And Lineup 2020

Play, Play Posts

What

  • Rebuild to the future if can get a top passing and IQ point guard in draft
  • Take on others large contracts and 1-year veterans to still be good this year
  • Open room to move Norm Powell into the starting lineup to be 2nd scorer
  • Put Lowry and VanVleet in good situations to win and make money at home

Why

  • All-in on rebuild with young players and aim for 2021 free agents or star trade
  • Open cap room for 2nd player to come with Giannis to join Siakam and Anunoby
  • Competition too good this year, take a step back to rebuild, let VanVleet etc. go
  • Need more to beat BKN, GSW, MIL, LAL, BOS, LAC as well as PHI, DAL, MIA, DEN

Trade 1 - Draft

Golden State Warriors

  • Kyle Lowry
  • Patrick McCaw

Charlotte Hornets

  • Andrew Wiggins
  • 2020 #29 Draft Pick

Toronto Raptors

  • Nicolas Batum
  • 2020 #2 Draft Pick - LaMelo Ball
  • 2020 #3 Draft Pick - Tyrese Haliburton

Trade 2 - Free Agency

Chicago Bulls

  • Fred VanVleet - Sign and trade
  • Stanley Johnson
  • Optional - Patrick McCaw - If Dunn added to deal

Toronto Raptors

  • Otto Porter Jr.
  • 2021 or 2022 1st Rd Draft Pick
  • Kris Dunn - 3 years @ $7.5M? - If keep Lowry. Trade for expiring + pick?

Free Agents

Bigs - Pick 2 or 3

  • Christian Wood - 3 years @ $10M? - Trade away later for expiring contract + pick?
  • Marc Gasol - 1 year @ $6M?
  • Aron Baynes - 1 year @ $6M?
  • Serge Ibaka - 1 year @ $20M?  - Let go to make money? Or sign and trade too?

Guards - Pick 1

  • Jeff Teague - 1 year or no
  • Danilo Gallinari - 1 year or no

2020 Lineup

Lineup Season

  • PG - Ball - Teague - Batum - Undrafted instead of Teague?
  • SG - Powell - Haliburton - Davis - Thomas
  • SF - Anunoby - Porter - Watson
  • PF - Siakam - Boucher - Brissett - Free Agent instead of Brissett?
  • C - Gasol - Wood

Lineup Playoffs

  • PG - Teague - Haliburton
  • SG - Powell
  • SF - Anunoby - Wood
  • PF - Siakam
  • C - Boucher - Gasol

Two-Way

  • Ellenson?
  • Undrafted? Free Agent? Brissett?

2021 Lineup

Lineup

  • PG - Haliburton - Ball
  • SG - Leonard - Davis
  • SF - Anunoby - Watson
  • PF - Siakam - Wood
  • C - Antetokounmpo - Boucher

Alternate

  • PG - Leonard - Ball
  • SG - Anunoby - Haliburton
  • SF - Siakam - Davis - Watson
  • PF - Boucher - Wood
  • C - Antetokounmpo

Extra - Serious Lineups, Fun Names - Nov 14th

The B.I.G. Death Lineup - Business Instead Of Game

  • PG - Leonard
  • SG - Siakam
  • SF - Anunoby
  • PF - Boucher
  • C - Antetekounmpo

The Globetrotter Lineup - Pass For The Hell Of It

  • PG - Haliburton
  • SG - Ball
  • SF - Leonard
  • PF - Siakam
  • C - Antetekounmpo

The Tall Ball Lineup : The Giant Lineup - Big Guys Got Skills Too

  • PG - Antetekounmpo
  • SG - Leonard
  • SF - Anunoby
  • PF - Siakam
  • C - Boucher

The Great Ones - Dinosaurs Go Down In History

  • PG - Ball
  • SG - Leonard
  • SF - Anunoby
  • PF - Siakam
  • C - Antetekounmpo

NBA Season And Playoff Plan 2020

Play, Play Posts

Here is a potential idea and plan for how to finish the 2019-2020 NBA season and playoffs.

What

Teams - 20 Teams

  • 20 teams return to play
  • The top 8 teams in the East
  • The top 12 teams in the West

Exhibition - 15 Playoff Teams and Memphis

  • 4 Games - Top 1-4 teams in East play bottom 5-8 teams in West
  • 4 Games - Top 1-4 teams in West play bottom 5-8 teams in East
  • Play-In - 15 teams advance to playoffs, Memphis to Play-In

Tournament - 4 West Teams from 9-12

  • 3 Games - Teams 9-12 in the West play a round robin
  • 1 Game - Top 2 teams from round robin play single final game
  • Winner - The winner still only has a chance to make the playoffs

Play-In - Memphis and Tournament Winner

  • Best of 3 - Memphis plays tournament winner in best of 3 game series
  • 8th Spot - Play-In winner receives 8th seed in the West
  • Break - 15 playoff teams rest during 3 game play-in series

Playoffs - 16 Teams Best of 7

  • Best of 7 - Play a regular and full best of 7 game series playoffs

Why

Teams

  • Effort to come back may not be worth it for all teams
  • 9-12 teams in West are very close in standings, and to 8th place
  • 9-12 Teams in East are well behind the 8th placed team

Exhibition

  • Teams play teams they are unlikely to meet in playoffs
  • Fans will just be happy that their teams are playing games
  • Wins and player stats do not count toward 2019-2020 season

Tournament

  • 9-12 teams in West all likely desired and had chance to make playoffs
  • 9-16 teams in East had much lower likelihood and desire to make playoffs
  • A single game playoff is exciting, and teams weren't actually in playoff seed

Play-In

  • Memphis could have been caught by one of the tournament teams
  • A 3 Game series is adequate yet exciting, as 9-12 were close to 8th place
  • Play-In player stats would likely count toward 2019-2020 playoff stats

Playoffs

  • The playoff revenue may take priority over regular season games
  • Playing best of 7 gives a true winner and a regular playoff schedule
  • Full playoffs given priority even if 2020-2021 season needs shortened

May 17th, 2020

Smaller And Cheaper 5.4" iPhone?

Tech, Tech Posts

Could Apple release a smaller and cheaper mid-range 5.4" iPhone in 2020, or even 2019? Here’s a theory for why, when, and how Apple might release a 5.4″ iPhone as a smaller and cheaper mid-range device to replace the iPhone 8 at about the $649 price point, but which could also be not too much larger in size than the 4″ iPhone SE.

Good Thing, Small Package

I wonder if Apple could announce a surprise 5.4″ iPhone in September 2019 with about a 1602 x 740 pixel screen at 326 PPI. It would be a smaller version of the 6.1″ XR, just like the 5.8″ XS is to the 6.5″ XS Max, and it would be physically not too much larger than the iPhone SE. [Link]

The inspiration for this article comes from the above thought I wrote previously on my website and social media. John Gruber from Daring Fireball made my day by taking the time to respond, pointing out that such a device would be unlikely to be released in the fall of 2019. I most certainly agree with this. Yet here I am anyway, thankfully inspired to write a few more of my thoughts behind the possibility of a 5.4" iPhone, including why, when, and in what form Apple might release the device.

Leaky Mid-range Math

  • 4.7 - 0.7 = 4.0" - iPhone 5/SE
  • 5.4 - 0.7 = 4.7" - iPhone 6/SE2
  • 4.7 + 0.7 = 5.4" - iPhone 11?
  • 5.4 + 0.7 = 6.1" - iPhone XR/11?
  • 6.5 - 0.7 = 5.8" - iPhone XS/Pro
  • 5.8 + 0.7 = 6.5" - iPhone XS/Pro Max
  • ----
  • 5.4 - 0.6 = 4.8" - Test Device/Size?
  • 6.1 + 0.6 = 6.7" - Test Device/Size?

So the supply chain production leaks and all of the rumors for this year point to only updates to the 5.8" XS, 6.1" XR, and 6.5" XS Max. However, there has at least been one small leak about a 5.4" iPhone, which I will talk about later on in this article, even if it's for the 2020 phones. While it's quite likely that the top-tier devices end up being the 5.4" and 6.7" versions from that leak, I wonder does Apple really want to change the size of the XS from 5.8" to 5.4" so soon? If not, would the above list of devices point to a possible range of display sizes that Apple could have been testing and planned to produce in the end?

Apple made 5 versions of the 3.5" phone, from iPhone to iPhone 4S. They made 4 versions of the 4.0" phone, from iPhone 5 to iPhone SE. If they release a 4.7" "SE2" in the spring of 2020 they'll have made 5 versions of the 4.7" phone, from iPhone 6 to iPhone SE2. But they are only going to make 2 versions of the 6.5" device, in 2018 and 2019, just to bump it up not even 0.2 inches to 6.7" in 2020? That doesn't quite sound like what Apple has typically done in the past, which is pick a size and resolution, commit to it and stick with it for a number of generations.

It would be interesting if Apple had planned to evenly space out the size of these devices, going up from the 4.0" and 4.7" sizes, up to the 5.4" and 6.1" sizes. If they did release a 5.4" device as their regular mid-range and mainstream device at some point, along with a budget 4.7" in spring 2020, they would end up with 3 evenly spaced out display sizes of 4.7", 5.4", and 6.1" for their non-Pro phones.

Mysterious $649 iPhone Rumor

  • $399 - iPhone 4.7" - SE 2
  • $649 - iPhone 5.4" - 11
  • $749 - iPhone 6.1" - 11
  • $999 - iPhone Pro 5.8" - 11 Pro
  • $1099 - iPhone Pro 6.5" - 11 Pro

In a rumor from EDN in April of 2019, it was mentioned that there could be 4.7" iPhone update in 2020 with a potential price of $649. Again my theory might be unlikely, but I wonder if this device to be released in spring 2020 will target a lower price point, similar to the price point of the original iPhone SE, at $399 or $499. To achieve this price point, Apple may or may not have to design the 4.7" iPhone SE successor with a metal or plastic casing and no wireless charging. Potentially this design could be externally more like the original iPhone SE and recent iPad Pros with flat metal sides and back, as opposed to the iPhone 8 glass design with wireless charging.

However, Apple could still have a device planned to target that $649 price point, making that part of the rumor also true but in a different phone. I wonder if this is where this new mid-tier 5.4" iPhone with Face ID could come in, either this year or more likely in the fall of 2020. It might make sense, because like the XS being $100 cheaper than the XS Pro, this new 5.4" iPhone could potentially be priced $100 cheaper than the XR from 2018. Of course it's possible that they change these prices slightly going forward, but the basic tiers would be segmented nicely in the above list, hitting base price points of around $400, $700, and $1000.

Back To The Future In 2020

I wonder if Apple could announce a surprise 5.4″ iPhone in September 2019 with about a 1602 x 740 pixel screen at 326 PPI. It would be a smaller version of the 6.1″ XR, just like the 5.8″ XS is to the 6.5″ XS Max, and it would be physically not too much larger than the iPhone SE.

While it's unlikely that Apple announces or releases a 5.4" iPhone in 2019, the thinking behind my original thought was mainly the idea that the rumored 5.4" iPhone for 2020 could possibly be a smaller version of the XR/iPhone line, and not a new device size for the current XS/Pro line.

In June of 2019 some completely unknown guy named Ming-Chi Kuo wrote this super far-fetched note about Apple potentially releasing 5.4" and 6.7" iPhones for release in the fall of 2020. Seriously though, this idea instantly becomes a pretty likely scenario, because of the legendary analyst that Ming-Chi Kuo is. However, I just wonder if there is a small chance that this rumor is only partially true, since it was still pretty early in the design testing and rumor mill for the 2020 iPhones. Sometimes these rumors are based in evidence but a little off, like in February of 2017 when he was thinking that the new 2017 iPhone design, the eventual iPhone X, would have a 5.8" screen, but that it would include a 5.15" usable screen with a virtual button area integrated below as part of the screen.

I wonder if the 5.4" device he is seeing evidence of could possibly, just maybe, be an early testing device that ends up being the smaller version of the current XR mid-range device, while the 5.8" and 6.5" XS/Pro device sizes remain the same going into 2020 and the future.

Surprise "Product"ion

  • September 10th - Release 3 phones, and announce 1 other phone
  • September 11th - Start production of the announced phone - 5.4" iPhone
  • December 6th? - Release the announced phone in December or November

As far as this 5.4" phone being released in 2019, it's certainly unlikely. We may never be surprised by a new iPhone again because of leaks coming out well before the Apple event announcements. If Apple was to ever surprise us again with an iPhone product, I wondered if there is any chance that they could pull it off by following the above strategy and schedule? Probably not, but it was just another crazy idea I had behind the unlikely idea of a 5.4" iPhone being announced in September, but still released later the same year in December, and at least still being released before Christmas.

Basically, now that Apple is releasing so many phones in the fall, could they delay the release of just one of those phones until December, but announce it in September? On top of this, could that one phone each year be some type of new design that they are trying to hide, now that they seem to be staggering a single new device each year, with the iPhone X in 2017, and iPhone XR in 2018?

One interesting thing about this schedule, if it was at all possible, is that the strategy might possibly be repeatable. For instance, in 2020 they could redesign only the 5.8" device with an in-display fingerprint reader and/or camera under the display, but leave the other three devices with the current design. Those three devices would go into production in about July, and the single device with a new design would go into production in about September after the fall Apple event, and be released later in December or November.

Started From The Top

  • 2017 Fall - Pro Small - X at $999
  • 2018 Fall - Pro Large, Regular Large - XS Max at $1099, XR at $749
  • 2019 Fall - Regular Small - 5.4" iPhone at $599-$699? $649?
  • 2020 Spring - Budget Classic - 4.7" SE2 at $399-$499?

It could make sense to release a smaller mainstream tiered iPhone this fall or winter. One reason for using this release schedule is that there appears to be a more legitimate rumor and frequent prediction of a budget device coming out next spring. As I noted above, it appears to be sounding more and more likely that this could be a 4.7" device based in some way on the iPhone 8, according to another report from Nikkei earlier this September.

If Apple was to release a 5.4" iPhone in this smaller form factor this year, then I would think many people would buy this device immediately and see this phone as a mainstream successor in price to the iPhone 8 and in size to the iPhone 5/SE, even though the $649 price is higher than the SE. If Apple doesn't release a 5.4" iPhone before the release of the physically larger but lower priced 4.7" budget device in the spring of 2020, then all of the people who buy this other potential SE successor, possibly priced in the budget category at a price of around $399, won't be interested in buying this $649 5.4" device in the fall of 2020. I would think that Apple might prefer making more money on larger margins, by getting more people to first buy this $649 phone in 2019 with the new small bezel design, as opposed to that $399 phone in 2020 with the old large bezel design.

Besides releasing a more expensive mainstream 5.4" before the more budget 4.7" update in the spring of 2020, Apple might also not mind having this 5.4" phone at $649 be released in December because it would be released after their high-end phones. Some people will wait until December because they want the smaller, cheaper 5.4" device. But many people want the larger, more premium devices just because they are the premium devices, or because they are available at the announcement. And there could even be people who will debate between the $999 5.8" iPhone Pro and the $649 5.4" iPhone, who end up going with the Pro because they want it now and don't want to wait.

99 Problems, And A Big Notch Was One

Besides starting near the top prices of the product line in the fall of 2017 with the iPhone X and going to the bottom prices of the product line in the spring of 2020 with the iPhone SE 2, here are a few more reasons why 2019 might make sense as the perfect time to release a smaller and cheaper 5.4" version of the iPhone XR from 2018. Again, 2020 is more likely because we haven't heard any rumors or leaks, but nonetheless now would make sense if Apple had planned this all out beforehand for various reasons.

  • Making the notches smaller for 2019 makes this 5.4" or a 4.8" device possible
  • Making phones thicker for 2019 makes a decent battery size and life possible
  • It would make a "new" device for 2019, to follow new X in 2017, and XR in 2018
  • Indecision on whether they should make a 4.8" or 5.4" regular small iPhone
  • Cost reductions in Face ID since 2017, making a $649 smaller device possible
  • Cost reductions in other areas from the larger and similar design XR device

Now We're Here

So on September 10th, in a couple days, we're likely to hear about the release of updates to the 5.8", 6.1", and 6.5" iPhones for 2019, which have been rumored for a long time. Then, in 2020 the most likely scenario at this point appears to be high-end 5.4" and 6.7" Pro iPhones.

But keep your eye out for the small hope of a small phone, with the idea that the rumored 5.4" iPhone might be the mid-range iPhone, making it the new mainstream iPhone. It might make sense to equally space out the sizes going from the classic 4.7", up to the current sizes of 5.4" and 6.1" phones. And it might not be a coincidence that the difference between 6.5" and 5.8" is 0.7", while the difference between 6.1" and 5.4" is that same 0.7". As John Gruber mentioned, a 5.4" device to go along with the current 6.1" phone could be "delightful". Especially for people who might want a smaller and cheaper mid-range device around $599-$699, so they don't have to pay over $1000 for a phone.

Name For Disc-less Xbox

Tech, Tech Posts

Here are the potential names I would use for a new disc-less or all digital Xbox.

Predicted

  • Xbox One S All-Digital Edition
  • Xbox One E
  • Xbox One D - For "Digital"
  • Xbox One Digital

As far as what they are likely to call it, I think Xbox One E is certainly a possibility. One of the reasons is because that is the name they used for an updated version previously, the Xbox 360 E. As long as they still like that scheme, they could stick with it. I am aware that it has been rumored to be called Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, so that is very likely as well. I just wonder if there is a possibility of that name being more of  a behind the scenes full name, and they go with a simpler brand name at retail for customers. Probably not, but you never know.

Suggested

  • Xbox One T
  • Xbox One R
  • Xbox One E
  • Xbox One TV
  • Xbox One Tiny
  • Xbox One Small

I like the simplicity of using single letters for different products in a product line. Plus, Microsoft has been using that type of branding for both the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, as well as the most recent versions of the Xbox 360 S and Xbox 360 E. So it makes sense to stick with the single letter naming scheme for this version as well, instead of using a more full name like the rumored "All-Digital Edition", or the previous Arcade and Elite of the 360.

I like R better than E because it is commonly used for higher end devices and they are not yet using that letter for any Xbox One device. Using letters like A, C, E, G might typically be thought of as lower tier devices. Using letters like R, S, T, X might typically be thought of as higher tier devices. So basically, I'd go with R because it sounds cooler and is still a letter less than S and X, which are higher end devices and already in use. Or I'd go with T because it might sound even better than R, and could denote the longer name of Tiny or TV, similar to how the current S could denote the longer name of Small or Slim.

Xbox One R

There are admittedly a couple reasons not to call the device the Xbox One T, and use Xbox One R instead. First, if they want to follow one style of typical letter naming scheme, a lower letter denotes a lesser capable or more budget device. With that scheme, this new device should use a letter lower alphabetically than S. In that case, Xbox One R or Xbox One E makes more sense. However, you don't have to make lesser letters mean a lesser device. So Xbox One T is still fine to use if you think it's the best name, and T also comes one letter after S, which I think could be interesting to signify that it comes after the Xbox One S device chronologically.

Similarly, if they were to ever update the Xbox One X with a smaller design they could consider naming it the Xbox One Z, which comes shortly after X alphabetically and after the Xbox One X device chronologically. Using the letters S, T, X, and Z might be the four best letters to use when naming these products.

Second, if they do eventually release a dongle or stick Xbox device, or even an Xbox TV integrated into regular TVs, then the distinction between the names Xbox One TV and Xbox One T could be confusing in the future. However, it might also make sense going forward, because the Xbox One T could morph into the Xbox TV. People might associate that T with TV, and see that the Xbox TV is a further evolution, or even smaller and integrated version of the older Xbox One T, with similar features. The Xbox One T would be like the console box version, and the Xbox TV would be the version integrated into TVs or as a small stick or dongle.

Xbox One T

I like T better than E, and possibly even R, for multiple reasons. While it's debatable for sure, I think it might just sound better than R and be more preferable to consumers. Meaning that if you were just to pick 3 letters to use for branding that you would choose S, T, and X for your three products simply because they are the most marketable and cool sounding. S, T, and X are also in order if you don't count those weird U, V, and W letters that companies don't generally use for naming products with letters.

Another reason I might like T better than R though, is for what it "stands" for. While the name for a product with a single letter branding scheme should stand on its own and just sound good, it might not hurt if it also brings reference to certain words as well, like S does with Small, Slim, or Sleek. Using Xbox One T makes sense in this regard, even if the most important aspect is just using the best sounding letter. So I like that the T can stand for Tiny, Television, or TV, and that people might associate it with those words.

In particular, I like that the S in Xbox One S could be lengthened to the full name Small, and the T in the Xbox One T could be lengthened to the full name Tiny. And possibly the X in Xbox One X could be an acronym for "Xtra", just like XL means extra large. They could even potentially use these full names in certain places in branding or at least marketing. Salespeople could use the longer name to explain the consoles to consumers, and it could help consumers understand the main difference between the devices. "Oh, the S is the small one smaller than the original, the T is the tiny one that's good for using for TV and movies, and the X is the extra large one that's extra powerful for gaming."

However, the most important thing is having a simple name that sounds best. So that is why I think they should stick with the single letter naming, and use the name Xbox One T or Xbox One R.

Prices And Features For 2019 iPads

Tech, Tech Posts

Here are the prices and features I'd put in the new 2019 iPad and iPad Mini products.

Why

  • Keep the existing budget iPad in the lineup for a low cost device
  • Put a bit newer technology in the other entry level iPads to make them desirable
  • Raise the prices a bit if needed for a bit newer technology
  • Include laminated display and thinner chassis because it's important
  • Price iPad and iPad Mini only slightly different, not a much cheaper Mini
  • Keep the old design with Touch ID to keep costs down some still though

Prices

  • iPad 9.7" - 2018 - $299 32 GB, $399 128 GB
  • iPad Mini 7.9" - 2019 - $449 64 GB, $549 256 GB
  • iPad 10.5" - 2019 - $499 64 GB, $599 256 GB

Features

  • Same Design - Touch ID and Bezels
  • Similar Display Sizes and Resolutions - 7.9" and 10.5"
  • Thinner Chassis for iPad - Like Mini 4 and Pro 10.5
  • Laminated Display - And Anti-Reflective
  • A12 Processer
  • 3 GB RAM
  • Apple Pencil Gen 1
  • Touch ID Gen 2
  • Wifi 802.11ac
  • Bluetooth 5

Raptors And Pelicans Trade Idea 2019

Play, Play Posts

What And Why For Us - Raptors

  • Trade poor ball handlers - Miles, Anunoby, Ibaka, Valanciunas
  • Keep good ball handlers - VanVleet, Siakam, Wright
  • Trade future money to clear contracts - Lowry, Ibaka, Valanciunas, Miles
  • Keep core for chemistry, fans, future - Wright, Powell, Siakam, VanVleet
  • Gain young star player to combine with Siakam for future - Holiday
  • Gain stretch four and three point shooting for playoffs this year - Mirotic
  • Possible great team for both this year and next year with shot at title
  • Possible young stars lineup for future - Holiday, Leonard, Siakam, Davis

Trade

  • Pelicans - Raptors
  • Lowry - Davis
  • Ibaka - Holiday
  • Valanciunas - Mirotic
  • Anunoby - Hill
  • Miles - Johnson
  • 2021 1st Rd Pick - X
  • 2020 2nd Rd Pick - X

This Year

  • Holiday - VanVleet - Loyd
  • Green - Wright - McCaw
  • Leonard - Powell - Johnson
  • Siakam - Mirotic - Hill
  • Davis - Monroe - Boucher

Next Year

  • VanVleet - Loyd
  • Holiday - Wright
  • Leonard - Powell - Hill
  • Siakam - Boucher
  • Davis

What And Why For Them - Pelicans

  • Combine some current players along with some future players - Raptors advantage over other teams
  • Take poor contracts and players that Pelicans don't want in order to sweeten the deal - Hill, Johnson
  • Current players to transition with good team next year - Lowry, Moore, Anunoby, Randle, Ibaka
  • Future players to combine with Lowry or Ibaka going forward - Anunoby, Valanciunas, Picks
  • Pelicans get rid of all future contracts beyond next year, other than small Anunoby contract
  • Pelicans get potential young two way star with Anunoby and offensive threat with Valanciunas
  • Could sit Lowry and Valanciunas because of injuries to increase odds of high pick in draft
  • Could trade Ibaka and/or Lowry next year - Jackson, Payton, Anunoby, Randle, Valanciunas