Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Udonis Haslem all opt out

[Rockport]

This might be true if TEAM play only existed in San Antonio but it doesn't. 2013 is a perfect example of this. The team you have referenced and the player you have referenced as too much ME, beat the Spurs in 2013. Clearly, that points to the fact that what you say is inaccurate. Yeah, team play will win but that's not the defining factor IMO. You say San Antonio is the model franchise but what I'm saying is that it's unrealistic to assume that every franchise can replicate that situation. Every team, every city, every fan base is different. What works in San Antonio will not necessarily work everywhere.

It's an absolute horrible example. Ginobilli was hurt, Leonard was still learning and hadn't blossomed yet, Patty Mills was overweight and didn't play and they still almost (should've) beaten the Heat last year.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

It's an absolute horrible example. Ginobilli was hurt, Leonard was still learning and hadn't blossomed yet, Patty Mills was overweight and didn't play and they still almost (should've) beaten the Heat last year.

Everybody has injuries, age, conditioning issues. That's not an excuse. Wade is a perfect example of that for Miami. A horrible example? I think it's just an example that you don't like.

 

[Rockport]

Everybody has injuries, age, conditioning issues. That's not an excuse. Wade is a perfect example of that for Miami. A horrible example? I think it's just an example that you don't like.

No, it's a horrible example.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

No, it's a horrible example.

In your opinion.

 

[casmith07]

Spurs homers are the worst, good lawd.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Spurs homers are the worst, good lawd.

It appears they are like Commanders fans. At least from reading comments posted here.

 

[burmafrd]

nah, skins fans have a lot less class. Just as stupid though.

 

[bounce]

That's a nice blanket statement, fellas. I'm a Spurs fan and disagree with him on most things. They're definitely not above reproach.

 

[MC KAos]

Nothing more moronic than someone generalizing an entire fan base as stupid based on the opinions of a few people on an Internet forum

 

[MC KAos]

Anyway, steering this back to basketball a bit, anyone here think the heat are better with Carmelo instead of bosh next season? Mcroberts/Haslem/birdman as your bigs? That sounds like a disaster

 

[Rockport]

Anyway, steering this back to basketball a bit, anyone here think the heat are better with Carmelo instead of bosh next season? Mcroberts/Haslem/birdman as your bigs? That sounds like a disaster

Anthony didn't do much with the Knicks except fill up the stat sheets. His style of play is not conducive to team play which usually prevents the team from winning championships.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Anyway, steering this back to basketball a bit, anyone here think the heat are better with Carmelo instead of bosh next season? Mcroberts/Haslem/birdman as your bigs? That sounds like a disaster

I personally don't think so MCK. I mean, they are a defensive oriented team and that's not really Anthony. Bosh give you a lot of the little things you need to allow for scorers to do their thing. I don't really see Anthony as that guy. I think that what Anthony could do is pick up the scoring slack for Wade but that means you still need a PG and you still need a guy like Bosh to be able to be the glue, if you will. That's not Anthony IMO.

 

[casmith07]

Anyway, steering this back to basketball a bit, anyone here think the heat are better with Carmelo instead of bosh next season? Mcroberts/Haslem/birdman as your bigs? That sounds like a disaster

In talking about bigs, which teams in the Eastern Conference do you need to get past who have capable bigs?

Indiana, Washington.

I think Miami could beat Indiana. I'm not sure about Washington with Gortat. He is very underrated.

Still, Carmelo is good for a 15-20 ppg improvement over Wade at this point, which could be enough firepower and athleticism to get through to the Finals and win them again.

 

[bounce]

Nothing more moronic than someone generalizing an entire fan base as stupid based on the opinions of a few people on an Internet forum

Agreed. Or thinking that any fan base is more or less knowledgeable/tolerant/annoying than another. We're all people who watch a bunch of guys in uniforms play a sport. Nothing more.

I personally don't think so MCK. I mean, they are a defensive oriented team and that's not really Anthony. Bosh give you a lot of the little things you need to allow for scorers to do their thing. I don't really see Anthony as that guy. I think that what Anthony could do is pick up the scoring slack for Wade but that means you still need a PG and you still need a guy like Bosh to be able to be the glue, if you will. That's not Anthony IMO.

I think the best setup is James/Anthony/Bosh, personally. If they have three high contracts to give, that would be the best combo. A vet PG would be fine to help out that team - you wouldn't need a superstar there. But, I don't think Miami would just write off Wade.

 

[Rockport]

Agreed. Or thinking that any fan base is more or less knowledgeable/tolerant/annoying than another. We're all people who watch a bunch of guys in uniforms play a sport. Nothing more.



I think the best setup is James/Anthony/Bosh, personally. If they have three high contracts to give, that would be the best combo. A vet PG would be fine to help out that team - you wouldn't need a superstar there. But, I don't think Miami would just write off Wade.

I would love to see this play out. It would guarantee that Miami doesn't make the finals for the duration of their time together. Anthony doesn't play defense and the ball sticks once he gets it.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think the best setup is James/Anthony/Bosh, personally. If they have three high contracts to give, that would be the best combo. A vet PG would be fine to help out that team - you wouldn't need a superstar there. But, I don't think Miami would just write off Wade.

I don't see any way that Miami could do a James/Anthony/Bosh deal with their cap situation. I think two of the three but not all three. JMO.

 

[zrinkill]

nah, skins fans have a lot less class. Just as stupid though.

Spurs fans are stupid?

What genius said this?

With wade in better shape this year and more rested I do not see the Spurs making it last longer than 5 or 6 games at best.

 

[jterrell]

The only way Miami was going to come back and compete for a title was if all 3 of the big 3 took less money again. --or 2 took a lot less.
After seeing the Miami owner not use his exceptions last year to help the team because he set his own self-imposed hard cap, LeBron wanted no part of that nonsense in 2014/15.
And who can blame him?
Going over the cap with exceptions was the only way Miami had to fill out a roster and if you refuse to do that you are basically done.

Melo was never an option in Miami unless it lost Bosh and DWade.
Miami would have had to renounce rights to both or have both sign elsewhere to offer Melo anything over 20m year 1.

But Miami's deal for McBob was what they should have been trying to use on DWade. --renounce his rights and then use full-length MLE on him.
When that ship sailed it was clear Miami was praying LBJ came limping back to them understanding it would be the same uphill task and require more from him next year.

CLE trying to add Mike Miller and Ray Allen is Gilbert shooting middle fingers at the MIA ownership.
He's openly saying I'll use exceptions and trades to take on tax payments if needed to put players around you.
Winning in the NBA makes a whole heck of a lot more money than losing, regardless of market.
Rich Paul can be the asst GM in CLE and there is no Pat Riley in the way backing a miserly owner who is gambling with a worldwide brand.

 

[jterrell]

I would love to see this play out. It would guarantee that Miami doesn't make the finals for the duration of their time together. Anthony doesn't play defense and the ball sticks once he gets it.

If that team would have come together and also filled itself out with good exception and vet min players that team is easily the NBA favorites.

Melo has lots of issues but he would have addressed the lack of offensive firepower for Miami.
He has unlimited range and no fear of any shot, ever.
LeBron and Bosh are efficient scorers.

Wade slotted into a 6th man role becomes Ginobli. Too dangerous to leave open and offers ball handling and match up issues for opponents.
Still good defensively for 15 MPG.

If you want to see Miami fail that isn't the way for it to happen.

 

[jterrell]

The Spurs are a great franchise and anyone who doesn't respect them is silly.
But they do not have enough talent to rest on any laurels.
They'll face a very uphill battle to win the title next year and moving forward.
They always embrace the grind tho which is why they must be respected.