NBA Free Agency

[bounce]

hope it lasts as long as possible just to piss you spurs homer off

Why do you think Spurs fans care? He can take all summer for all I care.

And why do you think Spurs fans are upset about anything? I just watched my fifth championship parade and watched my team steamroll through the playoffs - going to their second straight Finals, and their third straight WCF. I'm not trying to sell them as God's gift to basketball, but exactly what would I be upset about?

 

[DFWJC]

Not sure how LBJ is to fault for any of this hype.
The decision was a real drama fest and the Heat wanting to pimp him out party mode made him look bad but this time?
His agent gathered data and he did nothing but attend his own basketball camp and meet with his current team.

.

This.

This time around, the media is driving the hype while Lebron hasn't done much of anything.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I agree. James has pretty much distanced himself and allowed his agent to work the deal from a public perspective. Hard to see how he is driving his own brand here IMO.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

I agree. James has pretty much distanced himself and allowed his agent to work the deal from a public perspective. Hard to see how he is driving his own brand here IMO.

Yeah I saw James get out of limo and basically jump to a suburban last night in Vegas. You could tell the guy didn't even want to be seen by the media. He handled leaving Cleveland poorly and a lot of people turned on him for it. This time around he seems to be handling it like all free agents do and keeping it between teams and agents. I'm a Celtics fan and don't really care where he signs, but I think going back to Cleveland would be a nice story for him, the Cavs, and the NBA.

 

[WoodysGirl]

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Gortat resigned with the Wiz. 5 year 60 Mil.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11199271/marcin-gortat-re-signs-washington-wizards

 

[Silver Surfer]

The Mavs started the clock. This won't last more than 3 days now.
Bosh has to move in that time so LeBron will either move before or shortly thereafter.
If Bosh takes the Rox deal, LeBron is going to leave without a doubt.
Rox have to make a lot of moves to get Bosh in now that Parsons signed his offer sheet so they need a quick commitment or refusal.

As someone who wanted Parsons more than Melo I hope it ends as I "think" it will:
LBJ to CLE then adds Love making East stronger.. finally!
Bosh to HOU.. makes West stronger again... dangit.
DWade to Miami for glorified retirement.
Parsons to DAL

Don't pretend to know the ins and outs of the cap, but I was wondering if Morey could stick it to the Mavs by pulling the offer for Bosch, signing Deng for a $10-12M/year deal and then matching on Parsons. Bosch would probably go back to Miami, and the Mavs wouldn't end up with anyone.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think that once the offer sheet is signed, you can't pull the offer. Now, officially, I don't think it can be signed until 12:00 Midnight tonight but I am not 100% sure on that.

Also, even if the Rockets pulled the deal, there is no guarantee that Bosh would go back to the Heat. If James goes elsewhere, then I don't know that they would consider offering Bosh a Max deal. They may just think about going after somebody else or saving their cap for next years FAs?

 

[casmith07]

I think that once the offer sheet is signed, you can't pull the offer. Now, officially, I don't think it can be signed until 12:00 Midnight tonight but I am not 100% sure on that.

Also, even if the Rockets pulled the deal, there is no guarantee that Bosh would go back to the Heat. If James goes elsewhere, then I don't know that they would consider offering Bosh a Max deal. They may just think about going after somebody else or saving their cap for next years FAs?

Bosh's offer isn't an offer sheet offer, so Houston could pull it any time. The Chandler Parsons thing has a 72-hour time limit because he was a Restricted Free Agent.

 

[jterrell]

Don't pretend to know the ins and outs of the cap, but I was wondering if Morey could stick it to the Mavs by pulling the offer for Bosch, signing Deng for a $10-12M/year deal and then matching on Parsons. Bosch would probably go back to Miami, and the Mavs wouldn't end up with anyone.

He could do that yes. But the rockets would then have reneged on an offer which is really bad form, plus they'd have 27m per year tied up at SF with Deng/Parsons and be well into the luxury tax.

 

[casmith07]

I agree. James has pretty much distanced himself and allowed his agent to work the deal from a public perspective. Hard to see how he is driving his own brand here IMO.

Just ask ESPN. They've been driving his brand for him the entire time.

Everyone hated "The Decision" and ESPN is happy to bring it to you by proxy whether you like it or not.

 

[jterrell]

Just ask ESPN. They've been driving his brand for him the entire time.

Everyone hated "The Decision" and ESPN is happy to bring it to you by proxy whether you like it or not.

DH12 got the same attention last year and DWill the year before that.
It isn't just ESPN and it isn't LeBron's fault.

What he's doing for his brand is hosting the top HS/college boys in the country right now at a Nike camp in Vegas.

 

[casmith07]

DH12 got the same attention last year and DWill the year before that.
It isn't just ESPN and it isn't LeBron's fault.

What he's doing for his brand is hosting the top HS/college boys in the country right now at a Nike camp in Vegas.

Yep. You're right about Dwight Howard. It was ridiculous.

The Los Angeles media and fans ran Dwight out of LA. Huge building block that they could've used to really transform that franchise, and because Dwight didn't show up and become Shaq in his prime with Kobe from the word "go" they wanted him gone 10 games into the season.

They also had the absolute wrong coach for that roster. That Lakers team actually could have probably competed for the Western Conference with a coach like Phil at the helm. Mike D'Antoni is a complete and total joke of a coach. I could coach circles around him.

 

[jterrell]

Yep. You're right about Dwight Howard. It was ridiculous.

The Los Angeles media and fans ran Dwight out of LA. Huge building block that they could've used to really transform that franchise, and because Dwight didn't show up and become Shaq in his prime with Kobe from the word "go" they wanted him gone 10 games into the season.

They also had the absolute wrong coach for that roster. That Lakers team actually could have probably competed for the Western Conference with a coach like Phil at the helm. Mike D'Antoni is a complete and total joke of a coach. I could coach circles around him.

I was well ahead of the game on the Lakers implosion.
I am wrong as much as right but that was a case I had flat nailed down.

It was Kobe as much as the fan base. He never treated DH12 like an equal and the front office had no idea how to run a team in any capacity.
Two terrible coaching choices, ill-fitting pieces around those guys, just terrible in every way. And re-signing Kobe to well above standard max vet slot made their life untenable.
Had Kobe merely gotten 20m they'd be in a good spot right now. But 23.5M is overkill and it reaches 25M the following season.

Seems now best they can do is overpay Gasol to stay and add someone line Stephenson to the mix.
But I'm not sure it wouldn't be better to just flat out tank again. --oh wait they trade off 1st round picks like nothing to give a team 35 year olds one more shot...
crazy team mgmt,

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I agree. James has pretty much distanced himself and allowed his agent to work the deal from a public perspective. Hard to see how he is driving his own brand here IMO.

haters gonna hate?

 

[casmith07]

I was well ahead of the game on the Lakers implosion.
I am wrong as much as right but that was a case I had flat nailed down.

It was Kobe as much as the fan base. He never treated DH12 like an equal and the front office had no idea how to run a team in any capacity.
Two terrible coaching choices, ill-fitting pieces around those guys, just terrible in every way. And re-signing Kobe to well above standard max vet slot made their life untenable.
Had Kobe merely gotten 20m they'd be in a good spot right now. But 23.5M is overkill and it reaches 25M the following season.

Seems now best they can do is overpay Gasol to stay and add someone line Stephenson to the mix.
But I'm not sure it wouldn't be better to just flat out tank again. --oh wait they trade off 1st round picks like nothing to give a team 35 year olds one more shot...
crazy team mgmt,

The Lakers implosion began a few years ago when they tried to trade away their entire bench and Gasol for Chris Paul. They pissed off Lamar Odom, traded him (Sixth Man of the Year) basically for air and a handshake in return, gutted the bench, and then asked Kobe to win with Steve Blake playing the point. That team was so fortunate to get as far as they did (the year they got swept by Dallas/San Antonio...can't remember which). It was terrible.

After that, Dr. Buss passed away and Jim took over, and it's been hilarious to watch ever since. The Mike D'Antoni hire was the worst coaching hire in Lakers history.

Wrap it all up with yours - $23.5M and then $25M for a 35-year-old Kobe coming off achilles surgery wasn't exactly the right move to make. Sure, Kobe Bryant is one of the all-time greats, but you never overpay for aging talent. Kobe should have been offered $15M/year at the MOST.

Now they've taken on a terrible contract in Steve Nash, they have Kobe's contract, and they need to move Gasol. Their best bet is to try and move Gasol to gain more cap space, and then begin to build around Julius Randle. Let Randle know there might not be a ton of winning here in the next few years, but they can add some high energy players. Kemba Walker is a restricted free agent next year, they will be in contention for Kevin Love if they play their cards right, and they might be able to go out and acquire a player like DeMar DeRozan or Rudy Gay, an elite scoring swingman. Maybe even a middle-tier guy like Tyreke Evans.

Basketball is all about the "Holy Trinity" -- distributing point guard, elite scoring wing, 20&10 big. You get those three things and you have a shot at a minimum. Surround them with the right players chemistry-wise, and you have a solid foundation to continue to plug-and-play guys and compete for a title. You can see the teams that are on the cusp or who are good and ready who have the trinity - Clippers, Spurs, Dallas (almost), Bulls (with healthy Rose), Wizards, Blazers, ....almost there are Pacers and Warriors.

Anyway sorry for the wall of text. I just love this sport and definitely understand it a lot more than I do all of the nuances of football. Still learning offensive and defensive line nuances.

 

[Rockport]

He's got the whole sports community waiting for his "decision". ESPN's headlines read "Waiting on King James". All the top free agents are waiting on him before they can decide. Bosh has about 24hrs to accept the Rockets offer. The Rockets have 24hrs to make a decision on whether to match the Mavs RFA offer. It must be the best time of year for LeMe. So sick of him and what he's doing to the youngsters who have desires to play professional basketball. Because of LeMe, we'll probably start to see others trying to emulate his "Look at Me" decisions when it comes to FA. It's a sad commentary on todays society that there are so many who have no problem with his all about me mentality with his "King" tatoo. You never saw this type of behavior when Kareem, Magic, Bird, Thomas and a host of other NBA superstars played. But you'll see a lot of it going forward.

 

[jterrell]

CA: Can feel the passion for the sport. I hear you there for sure.
I coach year round and we seldom go more than a couple days without a practice or skills session.

Lakers taking on Nash was ridiculous because of all the first round picks they shipped off.

Mgmt obviously went downhill then they passed chance to make Phil major decision maker.

I don't think they are really in play for Love.
Yes, he loves Cali but there are 3 other teams in California and the Lakers are arguably in the worst shape of any of them.
Love says tasted all the losing he can stomache.
Not only that, the only building block LAL has is Julius Randle who also plays PF.

I put Love 50% top CLE with LeBron; 40% to GSW, 10% field.

Lakers fan are delusional and entitled led by a largely homeristic Lakers media contingent.
It's like they have 5 Mickey Spagnolas out there.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The Lakers implosion began a few years ago when they tried to trade away their entire bench and Gasol for Chris Paul. They pissed off Lamar Odom, traded him (Sixth Man of the Year) basically for air and a handshake in return, gutted the bench, and then asked Kobe to win with Steve Blake playing the point. That team was so fortunate to get as far as they did (the year they got swept by Dallas/San Antonio...can't remember which). It was terrible.

After that, Dr. Buss passed away and Jim took over, and it's been hilarious to watch ever since. The Mike D'Antoni hire was the worst coaching hire in Lakers history.

Wrap it all up with yours - $23.5M and then $25M for a 35-year-old Kobe coming off achilles surgery wasn't exactly the right move to make. Sure, Kobe Bryant is one of the all-time greats, but you never overpay for aging talent. Kobe should have been offered $15M/year at the MOST.

Now they've taken on a terrible contract in Steve Nash, they have Kobe's contract, and they need to move Gasol. Their best bet is to try and move Gasol to gain more cap space, and then begin to build around Julius Randle. Let Randle know there might not be a ton of winning here in the next few years, but they can add some high energy players. Kemba Walker is a restricted free agent next year, they will be in contention for Kevin Love if they play their cards right, and they might be able to go out and acquire a player like DeMar DeRozan or Rudy Gay, an elite scoring swingman. Maybe even a middle-tier guy like Tyreke Evans.

Basketball is all about the "Holy Trinity" -- distributing point guard, elite scoring wing, 20&10 big. You get those three things and you have a shot at a minimum. Surround them with the right players chemistry-wise, and you have a solid foundation to continue to plug-and-play guys and compete for a title. You can see the teams that are on the cusp or who are good and ready who have the trinity - Clippers, Spurs, Dallas (almost), Bulls (with healthy Rose), Wizards, Blazers, ....almost there are Pacers and Warriors.

Anyway sorry for the wall of text. I just love this sport and definitely understand it a lot more than I do all of the nuances of football. Still learning offensive and defensive line nuances.

The NBA screwed the Lakers. They had a very good deal worked out to land Paul and the Commish stepped in and put the Kibosh on the deal, clearing the way for him to go, instead, to the Clippers. Ironic, in that, the NBA couldn't move fast enough to help David Sterling in that deal. A lot of blame for Sterling and not a lot of it is being placed where it actually belongs IMO.

 

[jterrell]

I fault LeBron exactly ZERO.
He has handled this appropriately IMO.

Miami hasn't done anything of note to convince him he can win there going forward.
CLE has a lot of work to do along the same lines but at least has started putting it together.

End of the day it's not LeBron's fault everyone else wants to wait on him.
Perhaps he is waiting on people to think and act for themselves.

It's pretty clear he is truly friends with DWade, loves Ohio to death and is loyal TO A FAULT.
This is a life changing decision for him. And everyone else wants to put the pressure of the entire league on his shoulders.

All LeBron has requested is proof teams that want him will put pieces around them.
He hasn't asked people to wine and dine him.
He hasn't started some 7 team pool and dropped one per day like a bad reality tv contest.
He's been with friends and family and focused largely on basketball.
He;ll take a couple days to watch the World Cup final in Brazil and then be back to basketball and family.
The fact people want ot hate him for that shows just how absurd they are.

He's given zero news conferences and hasn't filed his plans online.
The travel to Brazil has been planned well in advance and his other movements are consistent with every year's off-season schedule.

It is not his fault other people refuse to get a life; he is just living his.