LeDecision... Who's watching?

[casmith07]

Yeah and if the Team USA Dream Team from the last Olympics as an NBA team, they would probably win every championship too. If you put a lot of the best players on one team, you would expect them to win but it won't be because of any one player then.

If LeBron was just a yet-another-star-nba-player then it would not be a big deal but the second coming of Jordan he is not if he needs two other superstars to help him get a championship. Joining one superstar I could understand as most good teams have a really good duo of star players but to literally buy his way into an NBA championship, it simply goes to show just how average he is or at least how little he believes in himself.

-Reality

Michael needed Scottie and Phil to win. And guys like Bill Cartwright, John Paxson, Tony Kukóc, Horace Grant, Dennis Rodman, and Ron Harper sure didn't hurt either. And Steve Kerr. Can't forget "Threeve" Kerr.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Maybe the Cavs should have spent more time on building a real roster instead of making cartoons


They were making fun of Rileys hair and he was busy sealing the deal

 

[casmith07]

Wade and Bosh are much better than Gasol/Bynum, Pippen/Rodman, Parker/Ginobili or Allen/Pierce. We aren't talking about having great players, we are talking about having multiple super stars on one team.

Gasol is better than Bosh at this point. He's been tested in the post-season against the toughest/most physical team in the league and he downright balled his tail off.

As for Wade and LeBron against Kobe, it's a wash. Neither of them is better than Kobe head to head, and Kobe is head and shoulders above them when it comes to the clutch and closing a game. The Lakers' bench is also very deep, and post-30 Derek Fisher is better than Mario Chalmers.

Miami needs some depth if they're going to take it far in the playoffs. They're going to need some guys to compete with Shannon Brown, Lamar Odom, Steve Blake, etc.

 

[casmith07]

WOW! No matter what I think about LeBron's decision, that was definitely a classless letter to publish by the Cavaliers. Say what you want, but LeBron put the Cavaliers on the map for 7 years and I am sure generated all kinds of money for that organization. But this was just classless.

I have no problem with him being disappointed and even showing some sadness or irritation toward LeBron leaving, but some of the comments he made were way over the line and you can only imagine that a board ordered retraction will be sent out within a day or two.

-Reality

To quote my younger brother: "good job, Dan Gilbert. Way to guarantee blowout losses for the Cavs against the Heat for the next 5 years."

 

[Reality]

Michael needed Scottie and Phil to win. And guys like Bill Cartwright, John Paxson, Tony Kukóc, Horace Grant, Dennis Rodman, and Ron Harper sure didn't hurt either. And Steve Kerr. Can't forget "Threeve" Kerr.

All championship teams usually have one superstar player or two above average star players with a support group of teammates. However, sinking so low as to need three superstars on a team (as I said, many other NBA teams would gladly pay max contracts to all three of those players) to accomplish it simply diminishes any achievements they obtain.

-Reality

 

[casmith07]

News in for NBA: Michael Beasley getting moved to the Timberwolves. They're crushing their depth...I hope it works for them for more than a season.

 

[Jed_70]

Bulletin Board material from the Cavaliers majority owner...classless.

I have to do a little research because I have a hard time believing that the owner would publish something like this.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Its funny that in basketball 1 player can make a team from terrible to good, and in football one great player can make a team from terrible to less terrible.

 

[Jed_70]

All championship teams usually have one superstar player or two above average star players with a support group of teammates. However, sinking so low as to need three superstars on a team (as I said, many other NBA teams would gladly pay max contracts to all three of those players) to accomplish it simply diminishes any achievements they obtain.

-Reality

Maybe it's just me, but I don't consider Chris Bosh a superstar. He's an All-Star in the Pau Gasol mold, IMO.

He's a good complimentary player but can never be your #1 go to guy if you're serious about winning.

 

[casmith07]

I have to do a little research because I have a hard time believing that the owner would publish something like this.

ESPN called the Cavaliers to confirm before reporting it on SportsCenter. The Cavs link to it on their home page too, it's not just a page hack.

 

[Jed_70]

Also Reality, in the NBA you can't just use the max contracts and salaries of NBA players to determine their actual talent level.

You keep mentioning that all three could easily get max contracts, and this is true. However, take a look at the top paid players in the NBA and tell me if those guys are worth it.

You have guys like Rashard Lewis pulling in close to $20 million per year off a max contract. He's no all-star.

Eddy Curry can't even get off the bench and he's making about $18 million.

Joe Johnson, who is a nice player but certainly not among the league's elite, just raked in a max deal for about $120 million.

In the NBA teams just throw around money like it's monopoly money. Even the marginal players are paid like they're All Stars.

 

[casmith07]

Its funny that in basketball 1 player can make a team from terrible to good, and in football one great player can make a team from terrible to less terrible.

 

[casmith07]

Also Reality, in the NBA you can't just use the max contracts and salaries of NBA players to determine their actual talent level.

You keep mentioning that all three could easily get max contracts, and this is true. However, take a look at the top paid players in the NBA and tell me if those guys are worth it.

You have guys like Rashard Lewis pulling in close to $20 million per year off a max contract. He's no all-star.

Eddy Curry can't even get off the bench and he's making about $18 million.

Joe Johnson, who is a nice player but certainly not among the league's elite, just raked in a max deal for about $120 million.

In the NBA teams just throw around money like it's monopoly money. Even the marginal players are paid like they're All Stars.

Yup. Darko Milicic is going to make $20M over 4 years. Drew Gooden signed some hideous contract worth like $36-$42M too.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Also Reality, in the NBA you can't just use the max contracts and salaries of NBA players to determine their actual talent level.

You keep mentioning that all three could easily get max contracts, and this is true. However, take a look at the top paid players in the NBA and tell me if those guys are worth it.

You have guys like Rashard Lewis pulling in close to $20 million per year off a max contract. He's no all-star.

Eddy Curry can't even get off the bench and he's making about $18 million.

Joe Johnson, who is a nice player but certainly not among the league's elite, just raked in a max deal for about $120 million.

In the NBA teams just throw around money like it's monopoly money. Even the marginal players are paid like they're All Stars.

Curry is making $11M but I agree.

David Lee is getting near max from GS and he doesnt play any defense.


Even though its their fault for making these deals they need some sort of out in the these contracts at some point

 

[casmith07]

I don't care about the outcome, I just want to hear Cleveland's reaction to LeBron after worshiping him for 7 years.

As if they didn't see this coming.

And then Dan Gilbert's letter...he can point the finger only at himself for failing to put a product on the court around LeBron.

 

[casmith07]

Curry is making $11M but I agree.

David Lee is getting near max from GS and he doesnt play any defense.


Even though its their fault for making these deals they need some sort of out in the these contracts at some point

Of course David Lee doesn't play defense it's Mike D'Antoni. DREAM situation for Amare Stoudemire since he's allergic to defense too.

 

[Mavs Man]

Who is Dallas going to get?

I keep hoping for CP3.

We got some great pieces to move so im just waiting for a blockbuster any day now.

I've heard that Chris Paul might go to the Heat in a few years once his contract is up. I really do not see the Hornets trading the face of their franchise to a division rival, especially now that they have a new, non-cheapskate owner.

I think the Mavs could make a run at a trade for Al Jefferson in Minnesota. He is an injury risk but played in 76 games last year, would instantly improve their low post game, the T-wolves have WAY too many PF/C and prefer Love over Jefferson, AND his value is probably at its lowest point right now. He has a ton of money left on his contract, so there is a chance Minnesota would take Damp's instant savings contract and our few young guys (DoJo, maybe Barea, definitely NOT Roddy) to unload it.

Another team that might want to get out of bad contracts is Philly with Elton Brand and Andre Iguodola. Brand's contract is a turd sandwich, but Iggy would definitely be the best SG we have had in a while. But that is a ton of money to take on ($100 Million plus, and double it because of the luxury tax).

After that, as far as realistic upgrades go... I'm drawing a blank. I don't know if Monta Ellis would work beside Kidd (and isn't Roddy what we are hoping he will be, only cheaper?). Chris Kaman would be awesome to have, but I have no reason to think the Clippers want to get rid of him.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Of course David Lee doesn't play defense it's Mike D'Antoni. DREAM situation for Amare Stoudemire since he's allergic to defense too.

Well he played D under Gentry but he will go right back to not playing D in NY

Not many players play D for losing teams when no one else will.





I dont think the Heat will win it this year but having the MLE next year and so and and they will start to add the role players they need

 

[kmp77]

Did Slate shoot himself?

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I've heard that Chris Paul might go to the Heat in a few years once his contract is up. I really do not see the Hornets trading the face of their franchise to a division rival, especially now that they have a new, non-cheapskate owner.

I think the Mavs could make a run at a trade for Al Jefferson in Minnesota. He is an injury risk but played in 76 games last year, would instantly improve their low post game, the T-wolves have WAY too many PF/C and prefer Love over Jefferson, AND his value is probably at its lowest point right now. He has a ton of money left on his contract, so there is a chance Minnesota would take Damp's instant savings contract and our few young guys (DoJo, maybe Barea, definitely NOT Roddy) to unload it.

Another team that might want to get out of bad contracts is Philly with Elton Brand and Andre Iguodola. Brand's contract is a turd sandwich, but Iggy would definitely be the best SG we have had in a while. But that is a ton of money to take on ($100 Million plus, and double it because of the luxury tax).

After that, as far as realistic upgrades go... I'm drawing a blank. I don't know if Monta Ellis would work beside Kidd (and isn't Roddy what we are hoping he will be, only cheaper?). Chris Kaman would be awesome to have, but I have no reason to think the Clippers want to get rid of him.

Why would you want Al Jefferson? You got your front court


I dont think the Mavs can do anything to win a title to be honest. They will have to rebuild in 3 years