The NBA Free Agency Thread

[James Hasty]

shaq doesnt win a title without kobe? he took an expansion team to the finals in his first three years. if it wasnt kobe they would have built around him with someone other stars to play with him and they would have won. shaq dominated the league for ten years, he would have won titles

kareem was so done that he played another 10 years and won an mvp after magic got there, right ... magic single handedly won that one game, but the series was dominated by kareem. i think he got hurt in game 5, before that he was dominating

pippen proved his worth as nba player when jordan retired and he carried that team to 55 wins. he also came pretty damn close to leading the blazers to a title at an advanced age ... if you dont think he's an all time great you dont know the value of defense

no matter what you think about the players that these guys played with, a lot of their supporting casts were top-5 picks and/or hall of fame calliber players ... lebron has played with one hall of fame calliber player, shaq 2 years away from retirement

Magic winning that game out of position proved that he did not need Kareem to get a ring. He wouldn't have won as many rings without Kareem but could have gotten one without him no problem.

Unlike most debates involving the supporting player, this one is unique because Magic and Kareem were both top 5 all-time players. Unless you put Oscar Robinson in the top 5 none of the other top 5 guys played together.

[ToonWalker]

Listened to Stuart Scott on Mike and Mike this morning (because I'm a masochist,I guess).

Said he was surprised and disappointed with Cavs' fans reaction, such as the jersey burning. He said that LeBron was a free agent, and that he earned the right to go wherever he wanted.

Dumb bastard completely doesn't get it. He's so fucking blinded by all the facials he's received from countless athletes' cocks.

[Barry the Baptist]

Can't quantify Pippen's contribution in just stats. He's one of the best defensive players to ever play the game.

No but to think Jordan needed him to win a title is nuts... it certainly helped but Jordan probably wins 6 with somebody like Dale Ellis, Jr Reid or Craig Ehlo playing there.

[J.E.T. Tone Holmes]

You can have your opinion of how dominant Shaq was but the numbers don't lie, Kobe had better numbers then Shaq playing against better defenders in 1 of those 3 finals and in the middle one they were pretty even. I'm not debating the merits of Shaq but to blame Kobe for Shaq not winning more titles is ludicrous. I didn't see Kobe being removed from games due to being a liability in certain areas.

As far as Kareem you got me but he wouldn't have won another title without Magic. Johnson was the most unselfsih player I ever saw and would have done anything to win but never would have played 2nd fiddle to somebody else.

I posted Pippen's best playoff numbers the other day and they were nothing impressive. His best years would hardly qualify as superstaresque and as far as nearly leading Portland to a title those Blazer teams had some very good players that contributed significantly.

Yeah LeBitch has played with Shaq but according to ESPN every move that was made by the Cavs was approved by him. His inability to commit long term prevented them from signing any other marquee FA's and I still feel Bosh turning down playing in Cleveland was all part of the plan.

is that why shaq won finals mvp every time? the dude dominated every single one of their playoff runs ... even when they lost

of course pippen wasnt going to have crazy offensive numbers in the playoffs, jordan was taking 30 shots a game

what you people done realize is that these teams ran the league back then and did shit that no other team could do ... kareem (arguably the best player ever) was traded to the lake show IN HIS PRIME ... the lakers won the title in 82, and then had the second pick in the 82 draft ... the celtics drafted bird the year before he graduated and then the league changed the rules so they could be able to keep him

the league was completely different back then, the players had no power. no one remembers how much of a diva magic was, he made lebron look humle

this is all revisionist history ... and when lebron has 7 titles and avgs a triple-double in a season, he will be looked back on with the same reverance

[J.E.T. Tone Holmes]

No but to think Jordan needed him to win a title is nuts... it certainly helped but Jordan probably wins 6 with somebody like Dale Ellis, Jr Reid or Craig Ehlo playing there.

nah g ... those bulls teams were defensive monsters and pippen was a HUGE part of their defensive success

[Barry the Baptist]

nah g ... those bulls teams were defensive monsters and pippen was a HUGE part of their defensive success

Those teams didn't win 6 titles because of their D, you can think that but they won because they had teh best player ever, one who wouod never run with his tail between his legs.

[jilozzo]

i could give 2 shits about basketball and james but the boy just saved millions in state income taxes......

jil

[Doogstein]

He's coming down here to South FL. At the end of the day he wants to go where he will win the most rings and Miami gives him that opportunity. He doesn't care about who he does it with all he wants is the most rings he can get before he hangs up his shoes for good. He can't do that in Cleveland. He gave them 7 years to put together a quality team around him and at the end of it all Cleveland failed not Lebron. Granted Chitown does give him that opportunity as well but sadly that will always be MJ's squad and Lebron is looking out for MJ and to help protect MJ's legacy in Chicago and not have the conversation come up of who was the best player in Bulls history. He wants to keep that answer an unmistakable one. So the end of the day MIA is his best shot. He may have to share the glory with 2 other possible HOF'ers but it won't matter when he's got enough rings to fill up one hand if not more by the time he retires.

QFT. Very well said. Couldn't have put it any better myself. There's a new dynasty down in South FL and THANK FUCKIN GOD it's not the Dolphins.

[kinghenry89]

No but to think Jordan needed him to win a title is nuts... it certainly helped but Jordan probably wins 6 with somebody like Dale Ellis, Jr Reid or Craig Ehlo playing there.
I don't think that Jordan needed Pippen to win a title, but I doubt he wins 6 without him. Refs let teams get away with so much more in the '90s, and some of those Knicks and Pacers teams really were downright nasty on the defensive end. Without guys like Osama bin Scottie and Dennis Rodman, Jordan couldn't have beaten those teams over and over and over again.

[Gunther]

Listened to Stuart Scott on Mike and Mike this morning (because I'm a masochist,I guess).

Said he was surprised and disappointed with Cavs' fans reaction, such as the jersey burning. He said that LeBron was a free agent, and that he earned the right to go wherever he wanted.

Dumb bastard completely doesn't get it. He's so fucking blinded by all the facials he's received from countless athletes' cocks.

He does get it. LJ played well and hard for the time he was in Cleveland. Slavery is over in the United States. He played within the rules of the game and the law. If your bitching about that then what is the point in having rules or laws? I guess you don't believe in an individuals right to free choice.

[Mr Electric]

Slavery is over in the United States.

...seriously?

[TheCoolerGlennFoley]

I have no problem with him leaving Cleveland. He earned the right by honoring his contract and winning a ton of games for that team. However, it's the manner in which he did it, by making a spectacle of it, that I do take issue with. It's bad enough to crush your hometown fanbase, it's worse when you do it on national TV like he did.

[Gunther]

I don't think that Jordan needed Pippen to win a title, but I doubt he wins 6 without him. Refs let teams get away with so much more in the '90s, and some of those Knicks and Pacers teams really were downright nasty on the defensive end. Without guys like Osama bin Scottie and Dennis Rodman, Jordan couldn't have beaten those teams over and over and over again.

Jordan needed Pippen, and Horace Grant, and B.J. Armstrong, and John Paxson, and Bill Cartwright. You forget how many big shots Paxson hit against the Lakers for their first championship. He was killing em. B.J. killed us in game 5 with hitting a two in the corner to take the lead in the 4th qtr with 10 seconds left.

[tcrock]

I have no problem with him leaving Cleveland. He earned the right by honoring his contract and winning a ton of games for that team. However, it's the manner in which he did it, by making a spectacle of it, that I do take issue with. It's bad enough to crush your hometown fanbase, it's worse when you do it on national TV like he did.


this.......it shows a cetain amount of arrogance, ignorance etc to do make this type of announcement in this way. This is why ,yesterday, I was certain he was returning to Cleveland, figuring, what kind of moronic A-hole Management and PR people would tell him it's a good idea to nationally televise the snubbing of his hometown team/city/state? I guess both LeBron and his management team are a bit clueless

Sure, Miami will love him, but that's about it.........the days of being adored by fans throughout the league are over, that's for sure.......he's the villain now

[Barry the Baptist]

He does get it. LJ played well and hard for the time he was in Cleveland. Slavery is over in the United States. He played within the rules of the game and the law. If your bitching about that then what is the point in having rules or laws? I guess you don't believe in an individuals right to free choice.

Nobody is knocking his right to chose, it's the bitch manner in which he did it. He shit all over Cleveland, a city that loved him and gave their heart and soul to him so he can have a 1 hour special to piss and shit all over them... I'm stealing it from somebody else but it has Bill Bellichick and Jets written all over it.

[ToonWalker]

He does get it. LJ played well and hard for the time he was in Cleveland. Slavery is over in the United States. He played within the rules of the game and the law. If your bitching about that then what is the point in having rules or laws? I guess you don't believe in an individuals right to free choice.

Thanks for the "Slavery is over..." line. Very clever! Totally irrelevant, but clever.

I am not saying (and nobody else is either) that LeBron should not have had the right to leave as a free agent. He does and good for him. I would have left Cleveland for Miami as well.

It was the way he did it. An unprecedented "Look at me! I'm da King!" TV special.

He publicly ripped out the collective heart of Cleveland to basically announce that
"No, I am not one of the all-time greats. I will never be mentioned in the same breath as Kobe or MJ, since neither of them would have jumped on to another superstar's team to get a championship. However, I am cool with this. Instead of cementing my reputation as a King, as a team-carrying basketball immortal, I prefer lowering myself and my legacy to the level of a James Worthy or Joe Dumars-type player....which ain't too shabby. That is how desperately I want to win multiple rings."

King James is now Prince Jimmy. All hail King Wade!

[James Hasty]

is that why shaq won finals mvp every time? the dude dominated every single one of their playoff runs ... even when they lost

of course pippen wasnt going to have crazy offensive numbers in the playoffs, jordan was taking 30 shots a game

what you people done realize is that these teams ran the league back then and did shit that no other team could do ... kareem (arguably the best player ever) was traded to the lake show IN HIS PRIME ... the lakers won the title in 82, and then had the second pick in the 82 draft ... the celtics drafted bird the year before he graduated and then the league changed the rules so they could be able to keep him

the league was completely different back then, the players had no power. no one remembers how much of a diva magic was, he made lebron look humle

this is all revisionist history ... and when lebron has 7 titles and avgs a triple-double in a season, he will be looked back on with the same reverance

Magic and Bird borught the NBA back from the dead. How exactly was Magic a diva?

[mj2sexay]

It's obvious that his goal is to go to south beach, live like a champ and win multiple titles. The fact that he's not consumed with being the man, and not having that killer instinct is what separates him from the all-time greats. But o.k. Fine. I have no problem with that. Just don't call yourself King James anymore when you're a prince on your own team.

[ToonWalker]

It's obvious that his goal is to go to south beach, live like a champ and win multiple titles. The fact that he's not consumed with being the man, and not having that killer instinct is what separates him from the all-time greats. But o.k. Fine. I have no problem with that. Just don't call yourself King James anymore when you're a prince on your own team.

Bingo.

filler

[ShadeTree#55]

Some dude on Fan was great.

Wade is Batman, Bosch is Robbin, and Lebron is Batgirl.

[J.E.T. Tone Holmes]

Magic and Bird borught the NBA back from the dead. How exactly was Magic a diva?

lebron brought cleleland back from the dead, how exactly is he a diva?

it is well documented, by magic himself, that he bought into his own hype big time and his personality got out of control

he forced paul westhead out after they won a title, he started antonio cromartie'ing the nation and he damn sure wouldnt shake the other teams hand after they lost a series

[Mr Electric]

lebron brought cleleland back from the dead, how exactly is he a diva?

Have you not watched ESPN in the last week?

[JetBlue]

Jordan needed Pippen, and Horace Grant, and B.J. Armstrong, and John Paxson, and Bill Cartwright. You forget how many big shots Paxson hit against the Lakers for their first championship. He was killing em. B.J. killed us in game 5 with hitting a two in the corner to take the lead in the 4th qtr with 10 seconds left.

no player has ever won a title alone, so of course he needed them. last I checked a team is required to play 5 on 5 with 12 men active. this isn't soccer or hockey.

but that isn't the point. the point is that Jordan was the main component of that team and the most vital element to them winning. those guys needed him. he was the leader of the team, not the follower. those other guys, even Pippen, were the followers and played off of what Jordan dictated. LeBron has been posing himself as that leader, and revealed he didn't have the ability to assume that responsibility solely on his shoulders, and now is becoming the role player.

some players can carry the burden of being the number one guy, and others can't and must depend on others rather to carry them. by going to the Heat, LeBron admits he can't carry that burden and needs to be carried. that couldn't be farther from what Jordan was.

[ToonWalker]

lebron brought cleleland back from the dead, how exactly is he a diva?



Wow. Maybe you need to stop staring at the LeBron Fathead on your wall and step back into reality.

[James Hasty]

lebron brought cleleland back from the dead, how exactly is he a diva?

it is well documented, by magic himself, that he bought into his own hype big time and his personality got out of control

he forced paul westhead out after they won a title, he started antonio cromartie'ing the nation and he damn sure wouldnt shake the other teams hand after they lost a series

Players force coaches out, it happens. With Pat Riley as the coach, no one missed Westhead.

Are you saying that Magic never shook hands with the opposing team after a loss or was this a specific incident?

As for Lebron, he makes Streisand look normal.

[JetBlue]

lebron brought cleleland back from the dead, how exactly is he a diva?

unfortunately for you, you can't redefine what a diva means, so your attempt to dispute that is ridiculous. the basis of communication is that we use words whose meanings are agreed upon so there is no confusion. if you have a problem with what a diva is, take it up with Websters.

[J.E.T. Tone Holmes]

Have you not watched ESPN in the last week?

read what dude wrote ... my point was just cause magic brought the league back doesnt mean that he wasnt a diva.

[James Hasty]

read what dude wrote ... my point was just cause magic brought the league back doesnt mean that he wasnt a diva.

Aside from some hand shaking reference you didn't exactly answer my question about what makes Magic a Diva.

Also, my other point was that Magic had a lot more reason to pat himself on the back than Lebron does.

[Mr Electric]

Also, my other point was that Magic had a lot more reason to pat himself on the back than Lebron does.

...and it's a great point. James hasn't won anything in the NBA except individual awards.

[ToonWalker]

read what dude wrote ... my point was just cause magic brought the league back doesnt mean that he wasnt a diva.
I agree that Magic, Kobe, and Jordan are "divas" in the sense that they're larger than life and demand special attention and respect. However, those guys have proven that they can lead teams to multiple championships. They have proven that they are true competitors who don't shy away from carrying a team and taking the final shot.

LeBron purported himself to be that type of player, but now has admitted that, in fact, he is not a "king", and that he does not have the confidence to be the face of a championship-winning franchise. He would prefer deferring to another superstar if that's what it takes to get a ring.
If that makes him happy, that's fine.

[J.E.T. Tone Holmes]

Aside from some hand shaking reference you didn't exactly answer my question about what makes Magic a Diva.

Also, my other point was that Magic had a lot more reason to pat himself on the back than Lebron does.

he has said it himself in many interviews ... he said the HIVy is what made him sit back and decide to change his actions

from the novel, "Jerry West: The Life and Legend of a Basketball Icon." Interviews ...

"The team's locker room, and its sauna, had been a place where the star and other players had entertained women, even right after games. Johnson would retire to the sauna after a game, have sex, then put on a robe and return to the locker room for his postgame media interviews."


i dont feel like looking for more but this was just a typical move for him. could you imagine if lebron did some shit like this?

magic was one of the most arrogant divas in the history of the league. but he won and sold out the arena so the lakers had to deal with it

lebron is arrogant and a diva to, but so is every elite at his level ... revis included

[JetBlue]

he has said it himself in many interviews ... he said the HIVy is what made him sit back and decide to change his actions

from the novel, "Jerry West: The Life and Legend of a Basketball Icon." Interviews ...



i dont feel like looking for more but this was just a typical move for him. could you imagine if lebron did some shit like this?

magic was one of the most arrogant divas in the history of the league. but he won and sold out the arena so the lakers had to deal with it

lebron is arrogant and a diva to, but so is every elite at his level ... revis included
sexual promiscuity is not what defines what a diva is.

[James Hasty]

James hasn't won anything in the NBA except individual awards.

Don't drag me into this.

[Barry the Baptist]

he has said it himself in many interviews ... he said the HIVy is what made him sit back and decide to change his actions

from the novel, "Jerry West: The Life and Legend of a Basketball Icon." Interviews ...



i dont feel like looking for more but this was just a typical move for him. could you imagine if lebron did some shit like this?

magic was one of the most arrogant divas in the history of the league. but he won and sold out the arena so the lakers had to deal with it

lebron is arrogant and a diva to, but so is every elite at his level ... revis included

So him banging chicks in the sauna before talking to the media makes him a diva? Who knows what James did after games but we do know the Cavs hired his friends and paid them to keep the guy company and even flew them around on the team charter.

[kinghenry89]

I feel like this picture sums things up pretty well:

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[Yisman]

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[MadBacker Prime]

I feel like this picture sums things up pretty well:

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I agree, I can't believe that's just her appetizer.

[Yisman]

And I didn't say that, I'm just wondering why so many people are saying that this team will need at least a year to jell when the Celtics were able to pull it off in their first year.

It's a different situation.

You always have to look at each situation uniquely, but especially here. Wade, LeBron, and Bosh are in their prime and haven't learned yet that sometimes you have to squash your ego to win.

Garnett, Pierce, and Allen had spent a decade learning that lesson.

I think the Heat will win one or two titles with this core, but they may not win the first year. It's not going to be easy.

[MadBacker Prime]

Actually he was drafted by Charlotte and traded for Vlade Divac, Kobe has had his moments where he acted like a punk but he's never backed down from a challenge. It's funny but I think Kobe and the Lakers will gain a lot of fans because of this. I've always liked Kobe but hated the Lakers but I know who I'll be rooting for should they meet in the finals.

Oh. Ty

I hate basketball!! Lol

[Yisman]

this is all revisionist history ... and when lebron has 7 titles and avgs a triple-double in a season, he will be looked back on with the same reverance [sic]

He's not winning seven titles and he will not be looked at the same as Magic, Bird, Jordan, or Kobe. No way, no how.

QFT. Very well said. Couldn't have put it any better myself.

You quoted yourself and said you couldn't have put it any better yourself? What handle did you think you were posting under?

He does get it. LJ played well and hard for the time he was in Cleveland. Slavery is over in the United States.

You should win some kind of award for this post. I'm flabbergasted.

[Barry the Baptist]

lebron brought cleleland back from the dead, how exactly is he a diva?

it is well documented, by magic himself, that he bought into his own hype big time and his personality got out of control

he forced paul westhead out after they won a title, he started antonio cromartie'ing the nation and he damn sure wouldnt shake the other teams hand after they lost a series


Well lookie lookie what I found....

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—A few welcoming shots at LeBron James(notes) is heating up the usually tame Sunshine State rivalry.

Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith said Friday he was surprised James went to Miami because he thought the two-time MVP was “more of a competitor.” He said the “great ones” do it on their own and “usually stay in one location.”

It was rare public criticism from the usually coy Smith and perhaps a move to motivate his Magic. James had announced a day earlier that he was joining Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes) in Miami to form an All-Star trio.

Asked if James’ move to Miami will cause a power shift in the NBA, Smith responded, “Is Kobe retiring?”

“He’s proven he can do it on his own,” Smith said of Lakers star Kobe Bryant(notes), smiling over the comments. “Oops. My bad.”

Smith also said the Magic “still hold the crown” as the best in the Southeast Division, having won three straight titles. He added the Heat will be tough to beat but are not unguardable.

“Unless they got three balls, you still guard them the same,” Smith said. “They’ll figure it out I’m sure. Somebody’s going to end up with seven shots. Are they going to be OK with that? Somebody’s got to be Robin. Are they OK with that? Those are the things they have to work out.”

James’ decision abruptly ended Orlando’s growing rivalry with Cleveland.

The Magic eliminated the Cavaliers two years ago in the Eastern Conference finals, derailing the Kobe-LeBron dream finals. James didn’t shake hands with Orlando players afterward and skipped his post-game news conference.

Orlando and Cleveland had the NBA’s best records last season. Cleveland eventually lost in the second round to Boston, which eliminated the Magic in the conference finals.

Smith thought LeBron would want to win a title in Cleveland by beating stars like Wade, Los Angeles’ Kobe Bryant and Orlando’s Dwight Howard(notes) on a team that he was the sole leader.

“I was surprised that he went” to Miami, Smith said. “I thought he was, I guess, more of a competitor.”

“The great ones do and usually stay in one location,” he added. “This is a new era. It’s a little different than my time.”

The Magic, who went to the NBA finals in 2009 and the Eastern Conference finals last season, have reigned supreme in the Sunshine State the last few seasons. The Miami Dream Machine clearly has Orlando’s attention now.

So you rip Magic who at least won something but forget about LeBitch's diva move when he lost to Orlando?

[abyzmul]

Ticket 760 out here is reporting that the Spurs came to an agreement with Tiago Splitter.

[Jetfanmack]

Wow, Tiago Splitter. There's a name I haven't heard in a while.

[Scikotic]

JetBlue was just one of many who expressed that viewpoint in this thread.

The way James went about this is what has many of us pissed.


You seem to not like Brett Favre.

Well, look what James did the past week by stringing along multiple teams and fan bases. Then he only made it a million times worse by putting together a one hour TV special. James just outFavred Favre!!!

It's not an excuse, it's a reason. After being forced to listen to all this about "King James" and the "Chosen 1", how are we supposed to react when this person opts to join up with another man's team? Be happy for him? Why, he's clearly taking the easy way out, far from the decision that God's gift to basketball should be making. Legendary players step up earn their place in history, he took a step back.

For starters it's not about the decision to play in Miami. He earned the right to do that, it's the way he handled the situation, starting with him quitting on the team in the playoffs and pouting like a little bitch when he found out Delonte West was banging his mother. Rather then man up and take care of business he quit on the Cavs/ Then the way he shit on Cleveland on National TV and the fact that he told us for 7 years that he's the King and then took the "I'm not good enough to win on my own route". He then continued to mock Cleveland with his "I don't think they will respect my decision" comment. He didn't owe anybody anything but he could have handled the situation like a man instead of turn it into self absorbed spectacle and a joke. At the very least he could have informed the team that attempted to gve him everything the respect to know he wasn't coming back. He acted like a little bitch and he's being called out for it.

Well, TBH, I get that he went about it all wrong. I am annoyed, not pissed, that he decided to go all Farve-ish with the media. Although, it doesn't warrant the spewage of insults, bad wishes, and the general ill intent that most of you guys want on him.

My point is, had he strung everyone along the same way and picked either the Nets or Knicks, there would be ecstasy on this board, not hate. His choice clearly would have overshadowed the assinine way in which he declared it....

[Cakes]

I just hope this doesn't set a new precident in sports when star athletes collude to go play together in attempts to win titles.
Karl Malone and Gary Payton "colluded" and went ring-huntin' with L.A. Obviously, they were no longer top tier superstars at that point in their respective careers, but they were still very good.
James, Wade, and Bosh are certainly the most high-profile case.

[JetBlue]

Well, TBH, I get that he went about it all wrong. I am annoyed, not pissed, that he decided to go all Farve-ish with the media. Although, it doesn't warrant the spewage of insults, bad wishes, and the general ill intent that most of you guys want on him.

My point is, had he strung everyone along the same way and picked either the Nets or Knicks, there would be ecstasy on this board, not hate. His choice clearly would have overshadowed the assinine way in which he declared it....

yes half of us would have been happy, but he would have been making a much different choice by going to either one of those teams where he would have been obviously willing to take on the burden of a franchise as the number one guy, like he has always attempted to pass himself off as. going to the Heat, he is revealing he is shrinking from that challenge. that is where most of the ridicule is stemming from.

[Green Hurricane]

Well, TBH, I get that he went about it all wrong. I am annoyed, not pissed, that he decided to go all Farve-ish with the media. Although, it doesn't warrant the spewage of insults, bad wishes, and the general ill intent that most of you guys want on him.

My point is, had he strung everyone along the same way and picked either the Nets or Knicks, there would be ecstasy on this board, not hate. His choice clearly would have overshadowed the assinine way in which he declared it....

I don't know how many times I have to say that of all the reasons that people are pissed, the MAIN REASON is that he chose to go to another person's team rather than lead his own to the title. Whether that team was Cleveland, New Jersey, New York, or the Clippers, they would have been his team. Miami is Dwyane Wade's team, and for the next four to five years he is the closest thing to a King that Miami has on the roster.


yes half of us would have been happy, but he would have been making a much different choice by going to either one of those teams where he would have been obviously willing to take on the burden of a franchise as the number one guy, like he has always attempted to pass himself off as. going to the Heat, he is revealing he is shrinking from that challenge. that is where most of the ridicule is stemming from.


THIS.

[MikeSLTJ23]

Well, TBH, I get that he went about it all wrong. I am annoyed, not pissed, that he decided to go all Farve-ish with the media. Although, it doesn't warrant the spewage of insults, bad wishes, and the general ill intent that most of you guys want on him.

My point is, had he strung everyone along the same way and picked either the Nets or Knicks, there would be ecstasy on this board, not hate. His choice clearly would have overshadowed the assinine way in which he declared it....

You're missing the biggest point. First off, it would have been a mistake for him to go to either of those in my opinion anyway, but the fact is, both would have been better options if he was a real competitor. There's a huge difference between resurrecting a 12 win team or resurrecting another team that's been down and out for over a decade than going to a team with 2 super stars already.

Regardless, what fan base wouldn't want him on their team?? You'd be crazy to not want him. Now it's just so easy to hate him because he's trying to create an all-star team in Miami.

I think he deserves all the insults and bad wishes we've given him other than wishes for injury. He's 25 years old, a grown man. He can make decisions on his own. He decided to make a mockery of the free agent process. He's not THAT much better than Dwyane Wade, but you didn't see Wade with an hour long, nationally televised "decision" episode. For a guy that's never won a title, he sure is full of himself in every regard except the team he picked. He picked a team based on realizing he's not good enough to bring a title himself, which is just pathetic. If you're going to pull a stunt like that, you better basically say that I want to beat those other players, not team up with them.

He's a pompous jackass who I hope fails miserably. And you know what? He fooled me once. I thought that exact same thing when he was coming out of high school. The charade that was was enough for me to despise him. But over the years, he became my favorite non-Net because he seemed like a genuinely cool guy, cared about his team, all that stuff. He just hit rock bottom for me with this BS.

[Cakes]

No but to think Jordan needed him to win a title is nuts... it certainly helped but Jordan probably wins 6 with somebody like Dale Ellis, Jr Reid or Craig Ehlo playing there.

those guys were not anywhere near as good defenders as pippen

[Yisman]

#
Lebronstayingincleve
Lebronstayingincleve (7/9/2010 at 6:40 PM)
Report
Can anyone tell me how to change my screen name. I know I'm a fool, that being said how do I change it?


Lebronstayingincleve
Lebronstayingincleve (7/9/2010 at 6:48 PM)
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Why didn't it work, now I'm real pissed, when I call my entry up it shows my new name


#
Norcal_raiderfan
Norcal_raiderfan (7/9/2010 at 6:52 PM)
Report
lebron the screen name u can not change ONLY ur enty name....




#
Lebronstayingincleve (7/9/2010 at 6:53 PM)
Report
You mean I'm stuck with this hideous screen name

[Yisman]

Karl Malone and Gary Payton "colluded" and went ring-huntin' with L.A. Obviously, they were no longer top tier superstars at that point in their respective careers, but they were still very good.

That wasn't collusion. That was two guys at the end of the road trying to win a ring as role players. They were not highly in demand stars.

Malone was 40 when he joined the Lakers and turned 41 soon after the playoffs.

[JetBlue]

You're missing the biggest point. First off, it would have been a mistake for him to go to either of those in my opinion anyway, but the fact is, both would have been better options if he was a real competitor. There's a huge difference between resurrecting a 12 win team or resurrecting another team that's been down and out for over a decade than going to a team with 2 super stars already.

Regardless, what fan base wouldn't want him on their team?? You'd be crazy to not want him. Now it's just so easy to hate him because he's trying to create an all-star team in Miami.

I think he deserves all the insults and bad wishes we've given him other than wishes for injury. He's 25 years old, a grown man. He can make decisions on his own. He decided to make a mockery of the free agent process. He's not THAT much better than Dwyane Wade, but you didn't see Wade with an hour long, nationally televised "decision" episode. For a guy that's never won a title, he sure is full of himself in every regard except the team he picked. He picked a team based on realizing he's not good enough to bring a title himself, which is just pathetic. If you're going to pull a stunt like that, you better basically say that I want to beat those other players, not team up with them.

He's a pompous jackass who I hope fails miserably. And you know what? He fooled me once. I thought that exact same thing when he was coming out of high school. The charade that was was enough for me to despise him. But over the years, he became my favorite non-Net because he seemed like a genuinely cool guy, cared about his team, all that stuff. He just hit rock bottom for me with this BS.
even more so, behaving with such a spectacle only attempted to further purport the fraudulent persona that he is of the same superstar status of the top players who command such attention, and then revealed his decision that revealed him to be anything but.

[Cakes]

i could give 2 shits about basketball and james but the boy just saved millions in state income taxes......

jil

To us regular folk, that's like saving 15% on car insurance by switching to Geico.

Cak

[Cakes]

That wasn't collusion. That was two guys at the end of the road trying to win a ring as role players. They were not highly in demand stars.

That's why I put colluded in quotations. It was RichMiano's term. I wouldn't call what Wade, Bosh, and James did to actually be collusion.

[MikeSLTJ23]

even more so, behaving with such a spectacle only attempted to further purport the fraudulent persona that he is of the same superstar status of the top players who command such attention, and then revealed his decision that revealed him to be anything but.

Exactly. (filler)

[Scikotic]

Heh, now you guys are arguing for the hell of it. We all know how well it would have went over had he chose a different team.

I get the big picture, but I don't think it's anything to hate him over like most people are reacting. That in itself is pretty funny. The guy wants a ring, and clearly doesn't care enough about his legacy. That's his prerogative. Nothing to be bitter about...

Maybe I don't hate Lebron's decision enough because I clearly don't enjoy basketball as much as you guys. Hell, I'm just a casual fan at most, so I hold no emotional investment. I do get what you guys are saying though, I just can't agree with the amount of hate being tossed around so easily...

[Yisman]

That's why I put colluded in quotations. It was RichMiano's term. I wouldn't call what Wade, Bosh, and James did to actually be collusion.

It's possible it was collusion; that they had decided way beforehand to do this.

Different situation than Payton and Malone simply joining a top team as role players.

[MikeSLTJ23]

Heh, now you guys are arguing for the hell of it. We all know how well it would have went over had he chose a different team.

I get the big picture, but I don't think it's anything to hate him over like most people are reacting. That in itself is pretty funny. The guy wants a ring, and clearly doesn't care enough about his legacy. That's his prerogative. Nothing to be bitter about...

Maybe I don't hate Lebron's decision enough because I clearly don't enjoy basketball as much as you guys. Hell, I'm just a casual fan at most, so I hold no emotional investment. I do get what you guys are saying though, I just can't agree with the amount of hate being tossed around so easily...

As a person, I could care less. But as a basketball player masquerading as a competitor, putting on this diva show, and as JetBlue pointed out, picking a team that shows he is anything but a competitor, I can't stand him. He even said that he wants to be in the same talks as Jordan, Magic, and Bird. I'm sorry, but none of the greats rode coattails. Be honest, and then I could care less. If he came out and said that he doesn't care about his legacy and just wants a title, then the Heat's the place to go, good for him.

What annoys me is that he thinks winning a title is all he needs to get those accolades, whereas now I think he's just an idiot if he thinks a title with this team will get him anything above and beyond just a title. Either he's just an idiot, or he thinks he can fool everyone into thinking he's one of the greats, which clearly won't work if that's the case. 99% of the NBA community considers LeBron a fraud. Some think it because he took the easy road and went to the Heat, and some think it's the mockery he made of the free agency process. Some think both. Either way, the guy's a joke. At least he's made himself the villain of the NBA and everyone can actively root against him.

[Cakes]

It's possible it was collusion; that they had decided way beforehand to do this.

Different situation than Payton and Malone simply joining a top team as role players.

Collusion has a very nasty connotation. It is a secret agreement to commit fraudulent or illegal action. What Wade & co. did wasn't at that kind of a level.

[JetBlue]

Heh, now you guys are arguing for the hell of it. We all know how well it would have went over had he chose a different team.

I get the big picture, but I don't think it's anything to hate him over like most people are reacting. That in itself is pretty funny. The guy wants a ring, and clearly doesn't care enough about his legacy. That's his prerogative. Nothing to be bitter about...

Maybe I don't hate Lebron's decision enough because I clearly don't enjoy basketball as much as you guys. Hell, I'm just a casual fan at most, so I hold no emotional investment. I do get what you guys are saying though, I just can't agree with the amount of hate being tossed around so easily...
doesn't care about his legacy? tell him that, he's the one that tweeted "History starts today." clearly history, and thus his legacy, is important to him.

[Cakes]

Heh, now you guys are arguing for the hell of it. We all know how well it would have went over had he chose a different team.

Yeah.
We had a guy in here yesterday who said he'll go back to not giving a shit about the NBA if James does not go to NY. A lot of TGG members who now hate James, would love him if he had decided to play for the Knicks. This is how most fans are.
I am not a Knicks fan, but recognize it would have been good if he came to NY. I liked the NBA more when the Knicks were good.

[mj2sexay]

Bulls bring in Korver...nice signing.

Get us a shooting guard (id like them to give reddick an offer sheet) and then re-sign brad miller and the team looks like this.

PG- Rose
SG- ?? (Hopefully reddick)
SF- Deng
PF- Boozer
C- Noah

bench: Taj Gibson, Brad Miller, Korver, Jannero Pargo. It's not a conglomeration of the fucking three best basketball players on the market but thats the best bulls team ive seen in a long time.

[MikeSLTJ23]

Bulls bring in Korver...nice signing.

Get us a shooting guard (id like them to give reddick an offer sheet) and then re-sign brad miller and the team looks like this.

PG- Rose
SG- ?? (Hopefully reddick)
SF- Deng
PF- Boozer
C- Noah

bench: Taj Gibson, Brad Miller, Korver, Jannero Pargo. It's not a conglomeration of the fucking three best basketball players on the market but thats the best bulls team ive seen in a long time.

What about Roger Mason? I think he's an underrated talent and still hanging out there on free agency.

[Green Hurricane]

Heh, now you guys are arguing for the hell of it. We all know how well it would have went over had he chose a different team.



Yeah, that's kind of the point, really don't understand how you're not getting the point everyone is making.

Miami = Dwyane's team, coward.

Anywhere else = His team, Chosen 1.

[ToonWalker]

Yeah.
We had a guy in here yesterday who said he'll go back to not giving a shit about the NBA if James does not go to NY. A lot of TGG members who now hate James, would love him if he had decided to play for the Knicks. This is how most fans are.
I am not a Knicks fan, but recognize it would have been good if he came to NY. I liked the NBA more when the Knicks were good.

I think it goes without saying that I, as a Knicks fan, would have shat my britches if LeBron came here.
It would have shown that he, like a true all-time great, was not going to shy away from carrying a franchise in an enormous market to a championship. MSG would have been "LeBron's House", with Amare as the sidekick, a la Worthy or Pippen. He would be The Man, and winning in New York would have made him an immortal, beloved by NY forever. He would have earned a reputation among the greats.

The same could have been said if went to Cleveland, NJ or the Clippers, even Chicago.
But, as has been repeated over and over, he chose to not be the face of a franchise, but one of the faces. In effect, he's admitting that he does not have the balls or character to be The Man, that it's just too hard for him. It certainly speaks to the level of his competitiveness. Dwyane Wade already has a ring, and he is like the Big Brother, the leader.

Again, if he's cool with that (the diminishing of his reputation and legacy as an all-time great) that's his business. He's playing with his good friends in an awesome, gorgeous party town on an excellent team that will clearly contend for multiple rings. That is all well and good.....but stop acting like an attention whore diva, who wants to snap his fingers and have ESPN blow him for an hour.

He doesn't want the challenge of being an all-time great, he doesn't want the responsibility of an all-time great...yet he wants to be worshipped and treated like an all-time great. That's bullshit.

[James Hasty]

Yeah.
We had a guy in here yesterday who said he'll go back to not giving a shit about the NBA if James does not go to NY. A lot of TGG members who now hate James, would love him if he had decided to play for the Knicks. This is how most fans are.
I am not a Knicks fan, but recognize it would have been good if he came to NY. I liked the NBA more when the Knicks were good.

Jason Taylor yay!

[Cakes]

. . .Again, if he's cool with that (the diminishing of his reputation and legacy as an all-time great) that's his business. He's playing with his good friends in an awesome, gorgeous party town on an excellent team that will clearly contend for multiple rings. That is all well and good.....but stop acting like an attention whore diva, who wants to snap his fingers and have ESPN blow him for an hour.

He doesn't want the challenge of being an all-time great, he doesn't want the responsibility of an all-time great...yet he wants to be worshipped and treated like an all-time great. That's bullshit.
I agree. The diva crap better stop now or he'll remain a hated player beyond this particular month.

[Barry the Baptist]

What's the difference between LeBron James and Saturn? Both are big and full of gas but Saturn has rings.... corny I know.

[Green Hurricane]

The James saga continues, it's apparently a sign and trade now. The Cavs will get 2 1sts and 2 2nds from the Heat. Oh yeah, now Cleveland will be fine. What a hero the Paper King is.

Good link here with all the info/updates:

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[statjeff22]

The James saga continues, it's apparently a sign and trade now. The Cavs will get 2 1sts and 2 2nds from the Heat. Oh yeah, now Cleveland will be fine. What a hero the Paper King is.

Good link here with all the info/updates:

To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.

I'm shocked that Miami would agree to that, since obviously Cleveland had absolutely no leverage.

[Harpua]

I'm shocked that Miami would agree to that, since obviously Cleveland had absolutely no leverage.

Cleveland has 30 mil worth of leverage for James. If that's what it takes to the heat to get him they will do anything. On the upside for the haters, this hurts Miami's chances for building a cast around those three. On the downside for cleveland, those are going to be some very low picks.

[Green Hurricane]

I'm shocked that Miami would agree to that, since obviously Cleveland had absolutely no leverage.

If LeBron said this needs to happen, then there's nothing Miami can really do about it. Cleveland's only leverage comes in the form of LBJ having a soul.

[Green Hurricane]

If LeBron said this needs to happen, then there's nothing Miami can really do about it. Cleveland's only leverage comes in the form of LBJ having a soul.


Ah, I'm an idiot. There's a pretty strong reason why the Heat opted for the sign and trades. If they do S&Ts then the players are able to get bigger bumps in salary between seasons, which would mean less money this year, but the same/more money over the next few years. It would be the easiest way for James and Bosh to make up what they'd lose from their monetary sacrifices, and also make for the best argument they'd make in pursuing all the players at once. This way, the players are happy and they can still add around them.

[Penning10toColes]

I'm shocked that Miami would agree to that, since obviously Cleveland had absolutely no leverage.
I think both teams know this deal is a lot more cap friendly for Miami, and there's your leverage. By the way, between this deal and the Bosh one, it seems like I'll be retired by the time the Heat pick in the first round again.

[Antoni]

he forced paul westhead out after they won a title, he started antonio cromartie'ing the nation and he damn sure wouldnt shake the other teams hand after they lost a series

I love revisionist history. Magic didn't force him out just like Kobe never forced Shaq out. In reality, it was Buss who wanted Westhead out. It was Buss who wanted Shaq out. And that's why he is the best owner in the history of the NBA because both of those were absolutely the right decisions. Westhead sucked, he was the 80s version of Don Nelson, but just happened to get lucky with Magic and Kareem. That entire team starting from Kareem on down wanted Westhead out. Magic was the only one to speak out about it.

And about the shaking hands thing. So what, neither did Bird, or Isaiah. Michael Jordan was "hanging out" with the ladies just as much as Magic did. All these things are generally forgiven if you win. The King with No Ring who talks about himself in 3rd person hasn't won shit yet, and that's the issue.

[Penning10toColes]

I love revisionist history. Magic didn't force him out just like Kobe never forced Shaq out. In reality, it was Buss who wanted Westhead out. It was Buss who wanted Shaq out. And that's why he is the best owner in the history of the NBA because both of those were absolutely the right decisions. Westhead sucked, he was the 80s version of Don Nelson, but just happened to get lucky with Magic and Kareem. That entire team starting from Kareem on down wanted Westhead out. Magic was the only one to speak out about it.

And about the shaking hands thing. So what, neither did Bird, or Isaiah. Michael Jordan was "hanging out" with the ladies just as much as Magic did. All these things are generally forgiven if you win. The King with No Ring who talks about himself in 3rd person hasn't won shit yet, and that's the issue.
I don't think anyone was "hanging out" with the ladies as much as Magic was.

[statjeff22]

Cleveland has 30 mil worth of leverage for James. If that's what it takes to the heat to get him they will do anything. On the upside for the haters, this hurts Miami's chances for building a cast around those three. On the downside for cleveland, those are going to be some very low picks.

Ah, I'm an idiot. There's a pretty strong reason why the Heat opted for the sign and trades. If they do S&Ts then the players are able to get bigger bumps in salary between seasons, which would mean less money this year, but the same/more money over the next few years. It would be the easiest way for James and Bosh to make up what they'd lose from their monetary sacrifices, and also make for the best argument they'd make in pursuing all the players at once. This way, the players are happy and they can still add around them.

I think both teams know this deal is a lot more cap friendly for Miami, and there's your leverage. By the way, between this deal and the Bosh one, it seems like I'll be retired by the time the Heat pick in the first round again.

I obviously don't know the ins and outs of the cap, so that explains it. If it makes it possible for Miami to bring in other players by free agency or trade it's obviously worth losing the draft choices, since Wade, Bosh, and James are all relatively young.

[IATA]

MIAMI -- LeBron James and Chris Bosh are both members of the Miami Heat and both came at a cut rate.

The Heat's two newest superstars signed matching six-year, $110.1 million contracts, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher. Heat fan favorite Dwyane Wade took an even bigger discount to stay in Miami, signing for six years and $107.5 million, according to the sources.

Sources told ESPN.com's Chad Ford that James and Bosh are both scheduled to make $14.5 million next season, while Wade will clock in at $14 million in 2010-11.

Each player took $15 million less to sign with Miami, but the deals came with a caveat.


Bosh and James' deals were completed through sign-and-trades, making all three eligible for 10.5 percent raises each year.

The Heat sent two future first-round and two second-round picks to the Cavaliers for James, while packaging two first-round picks to the Raptors for Bosh.

Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that Toronto reacquired their first-round selection in 2011, which Miami had from a 2009 trade that sent Shawn Marion to the Raptors, and added the Heat's own first rounder in 2011.

Miami then sent their first-round picks in 2013 and 2015 to the Cavaliers and Cleveland has the option to swap first-round picks in 2012, according to a league source.

With all three superstars wrapped up, it was time for the Heat and their fans to celebrate.

James, Wade and Bosh all arrived in white Heat uniforms accompanied by plumes of smoke, lifted into the air on a forklift for their grand arrival.

With 13,000 fans chanting "Yes We Did!" and "Beat L.A." -- already eyeing the two-time defending champion Lakers -- all amid an atmosphere more suited to a rock concert than a basketball game, the Miami Heat welcomed the NBA's newest trio of superstars Friday night for a celebration unlike just about any other in team history.

"We know what the fans want," James said.

James took a look at his new home crowd, folded his arms across his chest and nodded.


"It feels right," James said. "To be in this position, to wear the Heat uniform, everything is nice. We're going to make the world know that the Heat is back."

Great fanfare. Great expectations.

"It's still surreal, man," Wade said earlier. "Me, Chris and 'Bron. We ready. We want to go to the gym now."

Wade was in the middle as the trio was lifted skyward for the entrance -- Bosh on his right, James on his left. Bosh pointed to the fans and screamed, while Wade aimed his index fingers at the crowd and James strutted about to the fans' delight.

They walked down the stairs to a long runway, slapping high-fives with fans, clapping their hands and soaking in the atmosphere.

"This is surpassing a dream come true," Wade said. "You always want to put yourself in the best position possible. To have an opportunity to team up with arguably the best trio to ever play the game of basketball is amazing."

Heat broadcaster Eric Reid called them the "Three Kings" as the program got under way an hour behind schedule. Keys to the city were set to be awarded to each star, and Gov. Charlie Crist was in the stands, along with several city and county officials.

"We wanted to come here, then LeBron wanted to come," Bosh said. "Let's get it done, man. Let's get this thing going."

Heat president Pat Riley -- the mastermind of the deals -- and coach Erik Spoelstra sat in the stands, as did owner Micky Arison, all of them beaming.

Fans were given posters with James, Wade and Bosh together in Heat uniforms -- "Yes. We. Did." was the slogan in big white letters -- and crowded around a runway surrounded by video screens and smoke effects.

"We here now," James said. "And we're here for a long time."

If Riley gets his way, the party will be the first of many for the NBA's newest star cluster -- a grouping everyone, even Wade, is still getting used to.

"When I look around and see No. 6 and No. 1 on the court with me, that's when it's going to see real," he said.

Until now, No. 6 meant Mario Chalmers, No. 1 meant Dorell Wright.

Chalmers will be back (wearing No. 15, his college number, probably) and Wright still could return, but going forward those digits belong to others.

James will wear No. 6 instead of his usual 23. Bosh will don No. 1 instead of No. 4, Wade said, because he "wanted a new beginning."

And even Wade -- who considers his No. 3 sacred -- thought about switching his number as well.

"Then I realized, three is magical, and now it represents more than just my number," Wade said. "It represents the three of us making sacrifices as well."

The jersey numbers aren't all that important.

They just want the winning to be easy as 1-2-3.

Wade and Bosh decided Tuesday that they would play together in Miami, releasing that information to the world on Wednesday. With that, it was all up to James, who said he decided Thursday morning -- hours before his made-for-TV announcement special that night -- that he'd join the Heat and form a power triple.

Turns out, some members of the Heat family had more than an inkling that James was coming long before that show.

"I knew this was going to evolve a while ago," Heat executive Alonzo Mourning said Friday. "We knew a long time ago. We did our due diligence on our recruiting trip, and we had a good feeling about this. When we came back, we knew that it pretty much was going to evolve in our favor."

The end result was three of the top nine scorers in the league last season, the two-time reigning MVP in James, their own superstar (who said he wouldn't have stayed if either Bosh or James hadn't come to Miami) and reason to believe the franchise's wild pendulum -- NBA's best in 2006, NBA's worst in 2008 -- is on a decided upswing.

"It's going to take all of us to do it," Wade said.

On Friday in Miami, the scene was sheer bliss.

James' jerseys weren't even going on hangers inside the Miami team store; for the most part, they were getting sold as soon as they could be taken out of the box. A line of fans snaked around the arena on a steamy morning just to put their names on a waiting list for tickets. The switchboard at AmericanAirlines Arena was overwhelmed for much of the day, and the 13,000 free seats for the welcoming bash were made available online at 4 p.m. -- and were gone in an hour.

"The road to history," James wrote early Friday on Twitter, "starts now."

And there will be nights, like this one, filled with spectacle.

Glitz and glamour, for sure -- but Wade said the NBA's newest Big 3 can handle the hype.

"Yeah, it's going to be Hollywood down here," Wade said. "But when we step on the court, it's going to be about business. And everyone who wants to be part of this organization is going to have to make that sacrifice."


What a bunch of greedy motherfuckers.

[statjeff22]

I love revisionist history. Magic didn't force him out just like Kobe never forced Shaq out. In reality, it was Buss who wanted Westhead out. It was Buss who wanted Shaq out. And that's why he is the best owner in the history of the NBA because both of those were absolutely the right decisions. Westhead sucked, he was the 80s version of Don Nelson, but just happened to get lucky with Magic and Kareem. That entire team starting from Kareem on down wanted Westhead out. Magic was the only one to speak out about it.



You're engaging in some revisionist history also if you're trying to say that Magic had no more to do with it than other people on the team. The Sports Illustrated story at the time, entitled "Don't Blame Me! I just want to have fun," clearly lays the blame for the firing on Buss, but very much under the influence of Magic. Given what Westhead did later in his various stops, it's shocking to see that it was because the offense was viewed as too boring; Buss and Magic wanted more excitement, and Westhead wanted to run a half-court offense through Kareem. Here are some quotes from that article (this comes from To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.):

So, for the misdemeanor of making Johnson and his buddy, Laker owner Jerry Buss, unhappy by creating an unimaginative offense - one in which, according to Magic, the team wasn't getting enough shots - Coach Paul Westhead was fired and replaced by his assistant, Pat Riley, with former Laker Coach Jerry West coming on to coach the offense. Certainly there were no sound basketball reasons for the change.

------------

Buss said, "There was a lack of excitement on offense that I missed. I enjoyed Showtime and I want to see it again...I'm speaking as much as a fan as anything else."

------------

The 20-year-old who had the ability to make everyone smile just by walking into a room, onto a court or into a 7-Up commercial has turned into a greedy, petulant and obnoxious 22-year-old.

------------

But, alas, the curtain is down on the old Magic. Johnson, who had been criticized from coast to coast, was clearly still a great player. Just as clearly, he's no longer such a great guy.

It's very clear that at the time the view from people close to the team was that it was Magic who had Buss' ear, and he wasn't afraid to use that to get what he wanted.

[Poeman]

To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily. dtweetsondelonte.jpg

To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.

from cleveland today

[Antoni]

You're engaging in some revisionist history also if you're trying to say that Magic had no more to do with it than other people on the team. The Sports Illustrated story at the time, entitled "Don't Blame Me! I just want to have fun," clearly lays the blame for the firing on Buss, but very much under the influence of Magic. Given what Westhead did later in his various stops, it's shocking to see that it was because the offense was viewed as too boring; Buss and Magic wanted more excitement, and Westhead wanted to run a half-court offense through Kareem. Here are some quotes from that article (this comes from To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.):


My post was in response to the fact that Magic "forced" Westhead out. No one runs Buss in LA. No one. As Shaq and Kobe figured out. Sure, Magic had a voice. And Pat Riley is one of the best coaches of all time. What did Westhead do without Showtime? Coach some WNBA team and then some women's college team somewhere? Or was it the other way around? I mean seriously...


It's very clear that at the time the view from people close to the team was that it was Magic who had Buss' ear, and he wasn't afraid to use that to get what he wanted.

Magic had Buss' ear in keeping Shaq over Kobe, too. Buss did the exact opposite. Somehow Buss has created an image that a bunch of stars run his show, but in reality he is the one calling all the shots behind the curtains, and no one does it better than he does.

[Scikotic]

Yeah, that's kind of the point, really don't understand how you're not getting the point everyone is making.

Miami = Dwyane's team, coward.

Anywhere else = His team, Chosen 1.

I think I've already pointed out that I get that. His legacy is in jeopardy by being a wingman to Wade in Miami, hence the comment about his legacy. Whether he cares about it, or doesn't know what's best for him is a different story. Regardless, it was a poor decision.

But he will win a ring, and I guess thats what was important to him.

[JetBlue]

I think I've already pointed out that I get that. His legacy is in jeopardy by being a wingman to Wade in Miami, hence the comment about his legacy. Whether he cares about it, or doesn't know what's best for him is a different story. Regardless, it was a poor decision.

But he will win a ring, and I guess thats what was important to him.

the question is, why is it important to him? sure, for the personal satisfaction of course, you'd rather lose than win. But also because a player's legacy is tied to winning. unfortunately, it is also tied to the role you play in that winning, or else John Salley would be talked about in the same breath as MJ and Kobe.

if you lead a team and win, that elevates you. if you latch on to an already winning player to carry you over the finish line, that reduces your legacy. I don't think LeBron gets that.

[jilozzo]

To us regular folk, that's like saving 15% on car insurance by switching to Geico.

Cak

yes sir, indeed.

best
jil

[jilozzo]

The James saga continues, it's apparently a sign and trade now. The Cavs will get 2 1sts and 2 2nds from the Heat. Oh yeah, now Cleveland will be fine. What a hero the Paper King is.

Good link here with all the info/updates:

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hmm....thats gotta be stern waving his 2 inch wand over this embarrassing show.

jil

[Barry the Baptist]

the question is, why is it important to him? sure, for the personal satisfaction of course, you'd rather lose than win. But also because a player's legacy is tied to winning. unfortunately, it is also tied to the role you play in that winning, or else John Salley would be talked about in the same breath as MJ and Kobe.

if you lead a team and win, that elevates you. if you latch on to an already winning player to carry you over the finish line, that reduces your legacy. I don't think LeBron gets that.

Bingo , nobody would consider Robert Horry to be an alltime great, did he hit some big shots? Absolutely but the guy has more rings then any modern player I can think of and nobody would ever confuse him with somebody like MJ or Bird.

LeBitch's legacy is always going to be that he quit on his hometown in the last playoff series he played for them and then jumped ship to have two other superstars help him win that title that he couldn't do himself. He can win 5 rings in Miami and nobody will ever throw all time great in with his name. I think he honestly believes they will.

I'm sick of the "he had no supporting cast argument". He very easily could have gone to Chicago or New York where it would never have been considered another player's team. IMO his best bet would have been to go to Chicago where he has a top flight PG and would have had some very good big men to play around him. He never would have escaped Michael's shadow but him going to Miami with his tail between his legs all but guaruntees he won't even be in the discussion with Michael. If he was really concerned about his image and being the King he could have gone West and tried to unseat Kobe but I think we all knew that wasn't happening. I can't think of any players who wuold have the guts to try and steal LA away from Kobe.

[kinghenry89]

I'm watching the Sportscenter "highlights" of Lebron, Wade and Bosh's introduction last night. It made me wanna hurl.

To all the fans chanting "Beat LA": focus on beating Atlanta first.

To Chris Bosh, who pretty much admitted that this was planned from the beginning: fuck you.

To Lebron James, who said that he "doesn't jerk fans around": Karma's a bitch.

To Pat Riley, who's clearly about to fire Erik Spoelstra: Karma's a bitch, and you've had it coming for a while.

[JohnnyThaJet]

I'm watching the Sportscenter "highlights" of Lebron, Wade and Bosh's introduction last night. It made me wanna hurl.

To all the fans chanting "Beat LA": focus on beating Atlanta first.

To Chris Bosh, who pretty much admitted that this was planned from the beginning: fuck you.

To Lebron James, who said that he "doesn't jerk fans around": Karma's a bitch.

To Pat Riley, who's clearly about to fire Erik Spoelstra: Karma's a bitch, and you've had it coming for a while.

To me this is sad that something like this could happen in the NBA, it's an embaressment and the NBA will lose even more money then previously because I'm betting a good 75% of fans are sick of this whole "show".

[Mr Electric]

To Lebron James, who said that he "doesn't jerk fans around": Karma's a bitch.

He also said winning was going to be easy in Miami.

When some douche asked him how many championships they'd win: LeBron counted to 7.

[ace_o_spades]

He also said winning was going to be easy in Miami.

When some douche asked him how many championships they'd win: LeBron counted to 7.

he's such a cunt, I hope he gets Kobe'd for 3 straight years, opts out and tries to sign with the Lakers

[Barry the Baptist]

I'm watching the Sportscenter "highlights" of Lebron, Wade and Bosh's introduction last night. It made me wanna hurl.

To all the fans chanting "Beat LA": focus on beating Atlanta first.

To Chris Bosh, who pretty much admitted that this was planned from the beginning: fuck you.

To Lebron James, who said that he "doesn't jerk fans around": Karma's a bitch.

To Pat Riley, who's clearly about to fire Erik Spoelstra: Karma's a bitch, and you've had it coming for a while.

Until you knock Orlando off their still the best team in your division and then you still have Boston and Chicago will be no pushover to win the conference. Then Kobe will ask you how his dick tastes. Don't forget that the Lakers usually get what they want so I can't imagine them not making a move to counter this.

Bosh saying this was all planned show's what a joke the NBA is. The fact that 3 superstars can collude (yes I'll use that word) like this is disgusting. I always respected Bosh for quietly playinig his ass of in Toronto and never complaining about how shitty of a team and organization it is but after this bs fuck him too.

LeBitch doesn't jerk fans around... :rofl: Yeah ok Queen James.

[Italian Seafood]

I didn't think anything could ever make me root for the Lakers again as they're currently put together, but if it comes down to Lakers-Heat I will be. And while it's a long shot, I'd love to see Cleveland do well with Byron Scott and stick it to Miami too. How awesome would it be to see Miami go down in a Game 6 at Cleveland and LeBron have to walk off that court a loser? I'd say pretty awesome.

[kinghenry89]

Until you knock Orlando off their still the best team in your division and then you still have Boston and Chicago will be no pushover to win the conference. Then Kobe will ask you how his dick tastes. Don't forget that the Lakers usually get what they want so I can't imagine them not making a move to counter this.

Bosh saying this was all planned show's what a joke the NBA is. The fact that 3 superstars can collude (yes I'll use that word) like this is disgusting. I always respected Bosh for quietly playinig his ass of in Toronto and never complaining about how shitty of a team and organization it is but after this bs fuck him too.

LeBitch doesn't jerk fans around... :rofl: Yeah ok Queen James.
My girlfriend is from L.A. and is a pretty big basketball fan. When I asked her what she thinks Kobe thought of the Lebron decision special, she replied "He probably wasn't watching it, because he was probably in the gym."

Smart lady.

That's why, as much of a huge dick as he may be, Kobe's a winner and Lebron's not.

[Mr Electric]

Did you guys see this?

Derek Fisher is meeting with the Heat:

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[Cakes]

I'm watching the Sportscenter "highlights" of Lebron, Wade and Bosh's introduction last night. It made me wanna hurl.

To all the fans chanting "Beat LA": focus on beating Atlanta first.

To Chris Bosh, who pretty much admitted that this was planned from the beginning: fuck you.

To Lebron James, who said that he "doesn't jerk fans around": Karma's a bitch.

To Pat Riley, who's clearly about to fire Erik Spoelstra: Karma's a bitch, and you've had it coming for a while.

You left out Wade. He's no angel here, either. Didn't he say one day last week that he was "in a New York state of mind"?
It is obvious he had no interest in New York. It was probably a 95% chance he was staying in Miami. There was probably a 5% chance he'd go to Chicago.

As for Bosh pretty much admitting they planned on all going to Miami, that's okay. Where I have the problem is how they jerked around all the other interested teams. There should have been no recruiting trips, no presentations, etc. Just sign with Miami and have a normal press conference. There was no need to get NY, NJ and the other teams and fans all worked up.

[kinghenry89]

You left out Wade. He's no angel here, either. Didn't he say one day last week that he was "in a New York state of mind"?
It is obvious he had no interest in New York. It was probably a 95% chance he was staying in Miami. There was probably a 5% chance he'd go to Chicago.

As for Bosh pretty much admitting they planned on all going to Miami, that's okay. Where I have the problem is how they jerked around all the other interested teams. There should have been no recruiting trips, no presentations, etc. Just sign with Miami and have a normal press conference. There was no need to get NY, NJ and the other teams and fans all worked up.
I don't have as big a problem with the "three kings" (as they're calling themselves) jerking around the other fanbases as I do with them jerking around the interested teams. If Lebron knew that he was going to Miami from day 1, he should've let the Knicks, Nets, Bulls, and especially Cavs know so they could focus on pursuing other players.

By the way, my favorite part of Lebron-a-thon 2010? That after all this mess, the biggest contract is going to Joe Johnson.

[Mr Electric]

By the way, my favorite part of Lebron-a-thon 2010? That after all this mess, the biggest contract is going to Joe Johnson.

Hahahaha.

Hopefully JJ and the Hawks put up a fight against the Heat in the playoffs.

[Cakes]

I don't have as big a problem with the "three kings" (as they're calling themselves) jerking around the other fanbases as I do with them jerking around the interested teams. If Lebron knew that he was going to Miami from day 1, he should've let the Knicks, Nets, Bulls, and especially Cavs know so they could focus on pursuing other players.

By the way, my favorite part of Lebron-a-thon 2010? That after all this mess, the biggest contract is going to Joe Johnson.

That's what I meant. I was only talking about the teams that it was thought James might join.

[Barry the Baptist]

As for Bosh pretty much admitting they planned on all going to Miami, that's okay. Where I have the problem is how they jerked around all the other interested teams. There should have been no recruiting trips, no presentations, etc. Just sign with Miami and have a normal press conference. There was no need to get NY, NJ and the other teams and fans all worked up.

That's just it, not only did they insult the front offices in those cities but the fans as well. All the mind games and the stories are just fuel to the fire for people to hate them. I think they all thought people were going to embrace them as being "unselfish" or their "deisre to win" but in reality an awful lot of nuetral people wanna see them fail and will root against them. The Heat found a way to beat the system that was put in place to prevent things like this from happening and that's great for them but I think they ae going to find that there will be no gimmes as all 82 games are going to be hard becuase everybody is going to get up to play them.

[Cakes]

Hahahaha.

Hopefully JJ and the Hawks put up a fight against the Heat in the playoffs.

They need a point guard. Mike Bibby can't play at a high level anymore. He cannot be brought back. Jeff Teague is not ready to be a starter.

The front office was ripped for not drafting Chris Paul. I wonder if they can now acquire the Georgia native. It would be funny if Marvin Williams was part of the package sent to New Orleans.

[Poeman]

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[kinghenry89]

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That video was so poorly dubbed, it reminds me of this. (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

[Jetfanmack]

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[ukilledkenny]

the best thing about lebron being a media whore is the unlimited amount of material to spoof.

[Jetfanmack]

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[James Hasty]

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Pure comedy gold!

[Yisman]

How awesome would it be to see Miami go down in a Game 6 at Cleveland and LeBron have to walk off that court a loser? I'd say pretty awesome.

It'd be awesome and almost everyone would be rooting for Cleveland, but it's unfortunately not realistic at all.

Cleveland is in a bad spot because of all the contracts and because they were built around LeBron, and around LeBron staying.

Pretty much Cleveland and the Knicks both needed LeBron, and the plan was all about getting him.

I think Cleveland as currently constituted is a lottery team, although I will not go as far as some did, to guarantee they won't win 20 games. I think they'll win more than that, but miss the playoffs.

By the way, Simmons did a reaction column yesterday with a bunch of quotes from his inbox. Some good stuff (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.) in there.

[Cakes]

Some good stuff (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.) in there.

The ones I liked the most-
City: Anywhere USA
Name: Name Withheld
This is the day he went from being a lovable superstar trying to reach his potential to enemy number one. I want the Knicks to bring back Charles Oakley and Xavier McDaniel on 10-day contracts to injure him. I want Kobe Bryant (yes, Kobe!) to destroy him so badly every time they play that he loses confidence, Rick Ankiel style. I want him to lose in the first round and then break his leg in the offseason, only to see Wade and Bosh win without him (and have him screw up the chemistry when he comes back). I want him to join the French World Cup soccer team. I want him to go into the stands and attack a child in a wheelchair. I want it to come out that he was point-shaving. I want Cleveland fans to throw urine water balloons at him. I want Castro to annex Miami. I want Florida income taxes to spike to 73%. I want the Bulls to beat the Heat by 50 points every time they play. And I want LeBron's father to come out of the woodwork and say "You've brought shame on me and our family." This has moved me from the NBA fence to a die-hard Premier League fan. Goodbye NBA!

City: Boaton
Name: Rene
Was that the ultimate Gen Y move? Pick hanging with your friends as a career instead of kicking their butts and laughing with them in the offseason ala Jordan and Sir Charles? Us Gen Xers will never understand.

City: Cleveland
Name: Jared
I never thought I'd reach the day where I could no longer hate Kobe, Joakim Noah, Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard, or your beloved Celtics for hope that they dish out to LeBron the punishment he deserves for this charade.I also didn't like Bryant, Noah, and Howard a few days ago.

City: Cleveland
Name: Jeff
I've figured out the moral of the story: Stay in school.



Wade: 3 years at Marquette
Bosh: 1 year at Georgia Tech
The kid from Akron: no college



The most educated guy convinced his dumber friends to come play on his team for less money.


City: Tulsa, Okla.
Name: Ryan Flippo
LeBron's decision to sign with Miami absolutely constitutes the biggest heel turn I've ever seen in real life. It's like LeBron and Cleveland are working the ring together in a gigantic Tag Team Royal Rumble, and it looks like they've got a real chance to come away with the Belt, until all of a sudden Jim Ross screams, "Good God, that's Pat Riley's music!"

[Antoni]

Did you guys see this?

Derek Fisher is meeting with the Heat:

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This would be a devastating blow if Fisher was to join Miami, obviously. Hopefully it's just him gauging what he's worth in the market, but Riley is a damn good recruiter. Buss will have no choice but to match whatever Riley's offer was.

[Antoni]

and dominated every single playoff series, those were his teams ... kobe tried to make it his team, but no one, including the coach, was having it. theres a reason phil jackson wrote about how selfish kobe was




Derek Fisher was buying it. Karl Malone was buying it(before that whole wife thing). Phil Jackson was wrong. Shaq likely only wins the middle one without Kobe. The Lakers do not get past Portland in 00 and past Sacramento in 02 without Kobe. He was the best player in those West Finals, and those series were much more competitive than the Finals. In the Pistons Finals, the Lakers get flat out swept without Kobe.

after the first title shaq used the regular season to get into shape

Classic Shaq koolaid. Shaq wasn't getting in shape, he was slacking. When one guy is working his ass off 24/7 and the other is being lazy, you could see the problem.

[Antoni]

shaq doesnt win a title without kobe? he took an expansion team to the finals in his first three years. if it wasnt kobe they would have built around him with someone other stars to play with him and they would have won. shaq dominated the league for ten years, he would have won titles

So what? What did he do in the Finals? Get routinely embarrassed by The Dream? Getting to the finals and getting swept is not the same as actually winning it, just ask LeBron. And if it wasn't for Shaq, the Lakers could have focused on building the team around Kobe to begin with. Shaq's contract was enormous and a total handcuff, and why Buss axed it in 2004.

[Jam.]

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[Italian Seafood]

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Sounds like some major tampering there, considering that Wade and Riley worked for Miami while they were in contact with James, hooking him up with Jordan, etc. Doesn't matter now. Now we just need one team to knock them off each year, it can be done.

[Royal Tee]

You just said all sorts of 'shady' shit was allowed to happen because David Stern allows it to happen for $$$ and etc.

Cuban: NBA should examine how Heat got Big 3
5 hours, 34 minutes ago


LAS VEGAS (AP)—Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says the NBA should examine how free agents LeBron James(notes), Chris Bosh(notes) and Dwyane Wade(notes) all ended up with the Miami Heat.

Cuban tells a group of reporters at the NBA’s summer league in Las Vegas that he intends to ask the league’s Board of Governors to inquire about the situation.

According to a story posted on the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s website Sunday, Cuban says the league needs to develop more definitive rules governing the issue of player tampering.

NBA owners are scheduled to meet Monday in Las Vegas.

[J.E.T. Tone Holmes]

So what? What did he do in the Finals? Get routinely embarrassed by The Dream? Getting to the finals and getting swept is not the same as actually winning it, just ask LeBron. And if it wasn't for Shaq, the Lakers could have focused on building the team around Kobe to begin with. Shaq's contract was enormous and a total handcuff, and why Buss axed it in 2004.

he did not get embarrassed, his numbers were great, hakeems were just better. shaq was a pup, getting swept by the best all-around center of all time, in his prime, is not embarassing

and he didnt miss those free throws, nick anderson did

[Italian Seafood]

he did not get embarrassed, his numbers were great, hakeems were just better. shaq was a pup, getting swept by the best all-around center of all time, in his prime, is not embarassing

and he didnt miss those free throws, nick anderson did

Hakeem was on a roll that year, the peak of his career. Earlier in those playoffs Hakeem also dominated the Spurs' David Robinson, who had won the league MVP, sweeping them in the West conference finals. Makes you appreciate Patrick Ewing that much more. The year before, Ewing battled Hakeem for seven games in the NBA Finals, ten years after the two met in the NCAA title game with Ewing's Georgetown team winning.

[fenwyr]

Does Miami have a center? This fiasco should not worry any Lakers fan. Wade is not what he used to be, Kobe can cover Lebron, and Bosh will need a ladder to shoot over Gasol.

They should dominate the East though.

[Tight]

Does Miami have a center? This fiasco should not worry any Lakers fan. Wade is not what he used to be, Kobe can cover Lebron, and Bosh will need a ladder to shoot over Gasol.

They should dominate the East though.

Wade is in his Prime.. wtf are you talking about ? 26 a game 30 the year before..

[fenwyr]

Wade is in his Prime.. wtf are you talking about ? 26 a game 30 the year before..

He was the only option on the team, what the hell else were they going to do?

[kinghenry89]

He was the only option on the team, what the hell else were they going to do?
Wade is probably the 3rd best scorer in the NBA, behind only Kobe and Durant. He's the least of Miami's concerns.

Though I do think it's funny how the Knicks get blasted for giving Amar'e a max contract because he's had knee problems, while nobody mentions that Dwayne Wade's missed twice as many games as Stoudemire has since '06-'07.

[J.E.T. Tone Holmes]

Wade is probably the 3rd best scorer in the NBA, behind only Kobe and Durant. He's the least of Miami's concerns.

Though I do think it's funny how the Knicks get blasted for giving Amar'e a max contract because he's had knee problems, while nobody mentions that Dwayne Wade's missed twice as many games as Stoudemire has since '06-'07.

the difference is that amares contract is uninsurable because of his knees and wades is insurable ... maybe the docs know something we dont

and id put carmello in that scoring mix too

[kbgreen]

He was the only option on the team, what the hell else were they going to do?

That also meant he faced double and triple teams becasue no on else on that team scared them.



Maimi will get a center but no one that can challange the Lakers in the middle. Artest will be asked to cover LBJ and Kobe will get wade.

I think these two teams are set up for a 3 year long battle in the finals. It will come down to if Andrew Bynum can stay heathly and if they can own the inside.

[Green Hurricane]

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What a failure the Dolphins are. They misspelled Dwyane Wade's name in their welcome to Miami add for LBJ and Bosh.

[Yisman]

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Michael Jordan proclaims that Kobe Bryant is better than LeBron James

[ace_o_spades]

^hahahaha I love the "u mad? LOL"

[statjeff22]

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Michael Jordan proclaims that Kobe Bryant is better than LeBron James

But he thinks Kwame Brown will be even better.

[southparkfanciz]

Fuck the Heat. Hope they never win a title so I can see the look on Queen James and Bosh's face after the contract's over.

[J.E.T. Tone Holmes]

But he thinks Kwame Brown will be even better.

hahahaha, well played

[Italian Seafood]

But he thinks Kwame Brown will be even better.

Give him time.

[Yisman]

Wade is probably the 3rd best scorer in the NBA, behind only Kobe and Durant. He's the least of Miami's concerns.

Though I do think it's funny how the Knicks get blasted for giving Amar'e a max contract because he's had knee problems, while nobody mentions that Dwayne Wade's missed twice as many games as Stoudemire has since '06-'07.

Wade has proven himself more than Amar'e. It isn't just Stoudemire's knee that's cause for concern. It's one of several things.



I think these two teams are set up for a 3 year long battle in the finals. It will come down to if Andrew Bynum can stay heathly and if they can own the inside.

If you're saying they're each going to make the Finals the next three seasons, I disagree.


By the way, it seems Fisher was just using Miami to squeeze an extra year and some more money out of LA. He signed a three year deal to stay.

[kbgreen]

Wade has proven himself more than Amar'e. It isn't just Stoudemire's knee that's cause for concern. It's one of several things.



If you're saying they're each going to make the Finals the next three seasons, I disagree.


By the way, it seems Fisher was just using Miami to squeeze an extra year and some more money out of LA. He signed a three year deal to stay.

There is no garantees but I think they are the two best teams in their conferences and much like the Celts and lakers of the 80's they have a shot to be in the finals every years for the next 3. The celts and Lakers didn't each make it every year but they always had a good shot to face each other.

[Barry the Baptist]

Does Miami have a center? This fiasco should not worry any Lakers fan. Wade is not what he used to be, Kobe can cover Lebron, and Bosh will need a ladder to shoot over Gasol.

They should dominate the East though.

Haha they apparently are going to bring former UNLV center Joel Anthony back... he's 6'9 center with career numbers being in 3 seasons all with the Heat

449 career points, 530 rebounds, 42 assists, 49 steals and 233 blocks

I love him being he's from my alma mater but the guy is nowhere near a starting championship caliber C.

[JetBlue]

I'm curious to see how the Heat rotate the three of them, because you certainly can't have two on the bench at one time. with the quality of players they have, that will be like playing 5 on 1.

but they will certainly rack up wins based on the abilities of the three alone, because there are plenty of average teams and below to feast on. but after racking up tons of minutes in the regular season, that may be what hurts them when they begin to have to face good to very good to maybe great teams in the playoffs for 7 games and the rest of the team is exploited.

that's why the Lakers are better than them, probably the Celtics and maybe even the Bulls. the drop off between the Heat big three and the star players on the Lakers and Celtics isn't that great, but the Lakers and Celtics are leaps and bounds better than them with the rest of their players.

[Yisman]

There is no garantees but I think they are the two best teams in their conferences and much like the Celts and lakers of the 80's they have a shot to be in the finals every years for the next 3. The celts and Lakers didn't each make it every year but they always had a good shot to face each other.

I agree with that part. It's just that I think it's very unlikely that they'll both make it for the next three. They'll either be favorites or among the top two or three each year, assuming each team's core stays together.

The Lakers don't have that much of a window left.

With Kobe, his age isn't that bad, but the sheer amount of games he's played... Guys don't stay at high levels after that.

Kobe: turning 32 in August, has played 14 seasons, plus a lot of deep playoff runs and appearances for Team USA

Fisher: 36 in August, also has played 14 seasons with one more playoff game than Kobe (199-198)

Odom: 31 in November, 11 seasons

Artest: 31 in November, 11 seasons (really 10 because of the year he missed almost entirely, due to the suspension)

Gasol: just turned 30, 9 seasons in NBA, plus several seasons overseas



Their youth is Andrew Bynum, who also has been unable to stay healthy at all.

[statjeff22]

Haha they apparently are going to bring former UNLV center Joel Anthony back... he's 6'9 center with career numbers being in 3 seasons all with the Heat

449 career points, 530 rebounds, 42 assists, 49 steals and 233 blocks

I love him being he's from my alma mater but the guy is nowhere near a starting championship caliber C.

Reports are that Miami is going to sign Ilgauskas.

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[Barry the Baptist]

Reports are that Miami is going to sign Ilgauskas.

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I heard that ... at 1.3 million. I guess he wants to win but that seems like not that much for a guy his age and he's still a serviceable player.

[IATA]

I heard a crazy theory on the radio today...That Lebron, DW and CB are going to get these guys tons of cash in apperances fees with them, and that's how the Heat are signing dudes for nothing.

[JetBlue]

I heard a crazy theory on the radio today...That Lebron, DW and CB are going to get these guys tons of cash in apperances fees with them, and that's how the Heat are signing dudes for nothing.

smart move.

[Italian Seafood]

I heard a crazy theory on the radio today....

Crazy theory on the radio? Can't be.

[Yisman]

I heard that ... at 1.3 million. I guess he wants to win but that seems like not that much for a guy his age and he's still a serviceable player.

it's at a discount, of course. He fleeced the Cavs for some years and at this point he's not going for the max money he can get.

I'm sure he could've gotten more elsewhere, but those are the players that are signing with the Heat. The ones that put winning over money.

[fenwyr]

I agree with that part. It's just that I think it's very unlikely that they'll both make it for the next three. They'll either be favorites or among the top two or three each year, assuming each team's core stays together.

The Lakers don't have that much of a window left.

With Kobe, his age isn't that bad, but the sheer amount of games he's played... Guys don't stay at high levels after that.

Kobe: turning 32 in August, has played 14 seasons, plus a lot of deep playoff runs and appearances for Team USA

Fisher: 36 in August, also has played 14 seasons with one more playoff game than Kobe (199-198)

Odom: 31 in November, 11 seasons

Artest: 31 in November, 11 seasons (really 10 because of the year he missed almost entirely, due to the suspension)

Gasol: just turned 30, 9 seasons in NBA, plus several seasons overseas



Their youth is Andrew Bynum, who also has been unable to stay healthy at all.

The Lakers have a 3-5 year window before Kobe's play should drop off dramatically, at which point he'll surely retire. Fish will be long gone, at least as a starter, and Artest, Odom and Gasol will be thinking about hanging it up too.

What the Lakers need to start doing NOW is cycling through young players each season. They have a great bench, but they are only bench players. If they do not find at least one young stud to pair with Bynum, the Lakers will be a lottery team by the middle of the decade.

[Yisman]

The drop-off may come sooner than you think for Kobe.

The Lakers have nothing in terms of youth, really.

Farmar turned into nothing and so did the other draft picks they actually used.

[JetBlue]

it's at a discount, of course. He fleeced the Cavs for some years and at this point he's not going for the max money he can get.

I'm sure he could've gotten more elsewhere, but those are the players that are signing with the Heat. The ones that put winning over money.
I agree, and they are fools for doing so because Wade, Bosh and James certainly aren't as willing to do so as they are. these guys are taking 50% + less than they could get elsewhere. LeBron, Wade and Bosh wouldn't even dare think of taking such a pay cut. you have to be an idiot when one of them says "hey man, take 50% less to win, I took 10% less," and think that is a fair deal. if the three main guys were so concerned with winning, they would have taken even less, at least comparable to the percentage of a pay cut they expect of players to do to play with them, and you know, give the Heat even more space to sign the players needed.

what if no other took a pay cut to play with the Heat and they couldn't get any god players, would the big three be considered to have taken pay cuts to help win? of course not. they took the bare minimum they were willing to do -- hardly the criteria for placing winning above all else as they claim.

[624]

I think we need an Around the NBA Thread

[Cakes]

I think we need an Around the NBA Thread

NBA 2010 offseason thread would be nice

[fenwyr]

The drop-off may come sooner than you think for Kobe.

The Lakers have nothing in terms of youth, really.

Farmar turned into nothing and so did the other draft picks they actually used.

I've watched him play. He wants to get 2 more without Shaq. It all depends on whether that takes 2 or more years. He can absultely play at the level he is now for another 3 years.

They have youth, just not youthful starters other than Bynum. The bench is fine. They have 3 years to find 4 more starters. Like I said, if they don't, lottery pick in 2015.

[Cakes]

The Heat logo looks like a fiery turd blasted into a toilet bowl.

[Rockefella]

Does Miami have a center? This fiasco should not worry any Lakers fan. Wade is not what he used to be, Kobe can cover Lebron, and Bosh will need a ladder to shoot over Gasol.

They should dominate the East though.

The Lakers have a 3-5 year window before Kobe's play should drop off dramatically, at which point he'll surely retire. Fish will be long gone, at least as a starter, and Artest, Odom and Gasol will be thinking about hanging it up too.

What the Lakers need to start doing NOW is cycling through young players each season. They have a great bench, but they are only bench players. If they do not find at least one young stud to pair with Bynum, the Lakers will be a lottery team by the middle of the decade.

Dude.. are you high? Dwyane Wade is past his prime but Kobe, who has been in the league for 13 seasons (compared to Wade's 6) still has 4-5 great years? Laker homer.

[fenwyr]

Dude.. are you high? Dwyane Wade is past his prime but Kobe, who has been in the league for 13 seasons (compared to Wade's 6) still has 4-5 great years? Laker homer.

Wade could never hold Kobe's jock. That's being a realist, not a Lakers homer.

Though being on the west coast I am probably underrating Wade, I admit that.

[624]

Wade could never hold Kobe's jock. That's being a realist, not a Lakers homer.

Though being on the west coast I am probably underrating Wade, I admit that.

Admitting that Wade is in his prime while Kobe isn't doesn't mean Wade is better than Kobe....

[EcKo151]

Keep this thread going baby.

Thread of the year nomination is needed.

[Rockefella]

Admitting that Wade is in his prime while Kobe isn't doesn't mean Wade is better than Kobe....
I think Kobe is better than wade but by a very small margin, and that only being true for the present. Come next season and beyond, wade will shine in his prime while Kobe begins to decline gradually.

[Antoni]

Cuban: NBA should examine how Heat got Big 3
5 hours, 34 minutes ago


LAS VEGAS (AP)—Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says the NBA should examine how free agents LeBron James(notes), Chris Bosh(notes) and Dwyane Wade(notes) all ended up with the Miami Heat.

Cuban tells a group of reporters at the NBA’s summer league in Las Vegas that he intends to ask the league’s Board of Governors to inquire about the situation.

According to a story posted on the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s website Sunday, Cuban says the league needs to develop more definitive rules governing the issue of player tampering.

NBA owners are scheduled to meet Monday in Las Vegas.

Okay, cool, but how was Stern involved and how did he allow this to happen? Does David Stern have secret agents spying on players in the offseason? Wiretaps? What Cuban says sounds great in theory. Cool. How are you going to enforce it? Tell players they can't have ANY conversations with other NBA players, at all? It's unenforceable.

There was also that Riley-LeBron-Jordan dinner. Ooooh, conspiracy! Riley and Jordan talked LeBron into playing for Miami! :smile:

[Antoni]

The Lakers have a 3-5 year window before Kobe's play should drop off dramatically, at which point he'll surely retire. Fish will be long gone, at least as a starter, and Artest, Odom and Gasol will be thinking about hanging it up too.

What the Lakers need to start doing NOW is cycling through young players each season. They have a great bench, but they are only bench players. If they do not find at least one young stud to pair with Bynum, the Lakers will be a lottery team by the middle of the decade.

The Lakers will eventually suck and be a lottery team, it's just inevitable. The fact that they have been able to avoid this for pretty much their entire history has been due to Great(West+Kupchack) GM'ing, great ownership, and some luck. It's hard to bring in great young prospects, because you never have good picks and you hardly have any money to spend. You pay the star players and then it's hunting for cheap veterans and then you're over the cap and paying luxury on top of that. You then draft hit or miss guys like Caracter and hope to get lucky.

One of Jerry Krause's main reasons for breaking up the Bulls in 98 was that he did not want to deal with the 5-10 year lottery rebuilding process which he believed is what happens when you allow a veteran team to run their full course. You look at most dynasties in the NBA and the result was a long and painful rebuilding process. 80s Celtics lead to Boston stinking up the joint for 20 or so years. Same with Detroit. Chicago has gotten out of the 1st round once since 98 and are finally starting to come around.

[JetBlue]

Okay, cool, but how was Stern involved and how did he allow this to happen? Does David Stern have secret agents spying on players in the offseason? Wiretaps? What Cuban says sounds great in theory. Cool. How are you going to enforce it? Tell players they can't have ANY conversations with other NBA players, at all? It's unenforceable.

There was also that Riley-LeBron-Jordan dinner. Ooooh, conspiracy! Riley and Jordan talked LeBron into playing for Miami! :smile:

the only way there could be any tampering whatsoever is if Wade discussed the idea of all three in Miami with Riley and Riley was interested, because then you can make the case that Wade wasn't operating solely in his interest as a free agent, but also as an agent for Miami to initiate them playing there. but good luck proving that.

[FlashGordon]

Keep this thread going baby.

Thread of the year nomination is needed.

I'll do my part...

...what the fuck is going on in Minnesota???
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Kosta Koufos was dealt to the Timberwolves along with a pair of draft picks in the Al Jefferson trade.
Of course he was, as the Wolves didn't have enough European big-man projects lined up already. You may not know the names Koufos, Oleksiy Pecherov, Darko Milicic, Nikola Pekovic, Paulao Prestes, Nemanja Bjelica and Greg Stiemsma now, and outside of Darko, you probably won't know any of them a year from now, either.

Apparently, the Wolves get two future 1st rounders in the deal, so there's that. It cannot be repeated enough...in this crazy NBA off-season, the craziest shit might be Darko Milicic getting 4 years 20 million.

[IATA]

You just wait, when all of these 1st round picks and Euro guys finally blossom in 9 years, the Wolves will be a force to be reckoned with!! :breakdance:

[Yisman]

I've watched him play.

So have I. I assume everyone else posting in this thread can say the same.

He can absultely play at the level he is now for another 3 years.

I don't think he will.


They have youth, just not youthful starters other than Bynum. The bench is fine.

I disagree. Where's their youth? All of their rotation guys are 30+, aside from Bynum. There is nothing, unless you're counting on Caracter or Ebanks to be major parts of the rotation.

Other guys under contract:

Steve Blake (30)
Vujacic (26)
Luke Walton (30)

This is an aging team with a small window. I think this coming season will be Kobe's last at this level, before you start seeing a drop-off. Anyone who has followed Kobe's career has seen the nagging knee, finger, etc. injuries start to build up. Look at how often he was playing at less than 100% this past season. That's only going to get worse. He's past his athletic peak, and the nagging injuries will not heal like they once did, and his body will take longer to recover in general.

The Lakers will eventually suck and be a lottery team, it's just inevitable. The fact that they have been able to avoid this for pretty much their entire history has been due to Great(West+Kupchack) GM'ing, great ownership, and some luck. It's hard to bring in great young prospects, because you never have good picks and you hardly have any money to spend. You pay the star players and then it's hunting for cheap veterans and then you're over the cap and paying luxury on top of that. You then draft hit or miss guys like Caracter and hope to get lucky.

One of Jerry Krause's main reasons for breaking up the Bulls in 98 was that he did not want to deal with the 5-10 year lottery rebuilding process which he believed is what happens when you allow a veteran team to run their full course. You look at most dynasties in the NBA and the result was a long and painful rebuilding process. 80s Celtics lead to Boston stinking up the joint for 20 or so years. Same with Detroit. Chicago has gotten out of the 1st round once since 98 and are finally starting to come around.

Agreed. Starting in a few years, I think the Lakers are going to be a lottery team for several seasons. It looks like they're going to keep it together as long as they can, which will result in what you said.

[Poeman]

Nuggets give Al "ninja turtle" sharrington 5 yrs 34 mil

lol

[mj2sexay]

David Kahn is the worst/craziest GM this side of Rob Babcock. At least Isiah could scout college talent.

[Yisman]

I'd still rather have Kahn than Isiah.

No sexual harassment lawsuits, Minnesota still has picks, and at least they aren't paying luxury tax. The Knicks had the highest payroll in the NBA for much of Isiah's tenure.

Don't get me wrong, some of Kahn's decisions are really strange, but he can't touch Isiah. No one can.

[Cakes]

Looks like Miami will sign or has already signed Juwan Howard and Zydrunas Ilgauskas

[Poeman]

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[FlashGordon]

Could someone explain to me why the Lakers are allowed to spend $90 million?

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Bynum makes 13.8 million this year?!?!?!??!?!

[TheCoolerGlennFoley]

To simplifiy it, if the NBA salary cap was $55 million, and your team's salary is $55 million, and Player X's contract expires bringing down your salary to $50 million, under the Bird Rights, you're allowed to resign a player to over the cap, so you could give him a $10 million dollar contract should you so choose. Combine stuff like that, paying draft picks more, then trades and such and you get some crazy high numbers like LA this year or the Knicks of the past couple years.

[ace_o_spades]

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You know those stories where a random guy buys a painting and some mismatched golf clubs at a local garage sale for $8, then he gets home and realizes that there is a Picasso in the frame behind the landscape watercolor he just purchased? I like those stories. You like those stories. Everyone does. It makes us feel like we could be so lucky to accidentally buy a very expensive piece of art for very cheap and then retire to live some place that has hammocks hanging between every two trees. Well, it happened again, but not with a painting. Instead, it's a garish piece of LeBron James(notes) jewelry that's at the center of this story.
Vaneisha Robinson, an amateur boxer, bought the diamond-studded pendant for $5 at a yard sale, then had it appraised by a jeweler who told her the jewelry was worth $10,000. Then, because it's 2010 and the Internet is a thing, Robinson put the tiny jersey on eBay. Then the story gets weird.
From Newsnet5.com's Curtis Jackson, who probably isn't 50 Cent:
On Wednesday, Robinson said she got a phone call that turned her dream into a nightmare. Robinson said it was Katherine L. Powers, the mother of Maverick O. Carter. Carter is the CEO of LeBron James' marketing company, LRMR.
"[Powers] said that LeBron James was at her house and they wanted me to come over there. They were going to make me an offer that I couldn't refuse," Robinson said.
It turned out the one-of-a-kind pendant belongs to Carter, who claims it was stolen. Robinson said she and her mother went to the Wadsworth house Carter shares with his mother, believing James was going to buy the pendant and give it back to Carter.
OK, great. This makes sense now, kind of. Of course one of LeBron James' high school friends would have a diamond-encrusted miniature replica of the two-time MVP's jersey. That seems right up their alley, really.
But what was the offer Robinson couldn't refuse? Well, it turned out to be very Vito Corleone-y.
"When I got there, LeBron James was not there. It was about eight or nine other people there," Robinson said. "They pretty much accused me, they threatened me and they used their authority to they (sic) best ability to get the pendant in their possession."
Robinson said she and her mother drove to Carter's house in the 500 block of Caledonia Drive in her mother's pickup truck.
"They blocked her truck in the driveway. They told us that we weren't going anywhere until they got that pendant. I was scared for my life," she said.
Not only was LeBron not there, neither was Carter. It sounds like Carter's mom and some of the local neighborhood guys got together and scared the bejeezus out of Robinson, all for a diamond-studded jersey. Super-cool move.
Now, Robinson wants the pendant back, saying there was no serial number on the pendant "so it's untraceable" and that "it belongs to me."
Naturally, the case is under investigation and would make for the worst heist movie of all-time. And while this doesn't really have anything to do with James, it doesn't really disprove the notion that LeBron's friends are ridiculous and ill-suited as advisors. Furthermore, this whole thing exposed Carter as the kind of guy who would spend a significant amount of money on jewelry based on his friend, which is unfathomably lame.


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[greenbeanz]

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maverick carter has john geiger trumped in the douchebag hanger-on friend category with this story

[ace_o_spades]

carter had his mom get the chain back from him...his mom

[JetBlue]

LeBron James and all his friends are just little boys in adult suits. he is no different from them, hence why he keeps them with him.

[jtrain]

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Penny Hardaway thinks he has something left in the tank, and thinks that whatever it is in his tank can help the loaded Miami Heat win a championship.

Hardaway has reached out to the Heat, asking for an audition to join up with LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, according to Shannon J. Owens of the Orlando Sentinel. Hardaway last played in 2007-08 with the Heat, starting eight games for the depleted, doomed squad before being cut at midseason. Hardaway wasn't particularly successful, scoring infrequently and inefficiently, and turning the ball over a bunch.

Hardaway turns 39 on Sunday. It's hard to imagine he'll be any more helpful now than he was three years ago.

Miami isn't anywhere near desperate enough for end-of-the-bench talent to turn to retired players like Hardaway. While the Heat must resort to minimum-salary contracts to fill out the roster, plenty of useful players, including recently signed Zydrunas Ilgauskas, are available and likely willing to help out. Under Pat Riley, the Heat have also used the NBA Development League regularly, picking up cheap talent to sop up minutes here and there. Miami would be expected to fill roles via the D-League rather than pick up name players far, far past their prime.

[Cakes]

Penny Hardaway is a clown and always was a clown. Boy, did I hate those Magic teams with O'Neal and Hardaway.

[mj2sexay]

As if there wasn't enough reason to hate the Heat, Dwayne Wade drops this pearl...

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Editor's Note: Because of a transcription error, an earlier version of this story contained an incorrect quote from Dwyane Wade. The full and accurate version of the quote is contained in this story. We deeply regret the error.

MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade certainly did a better job attracting players for his Miami Heat supporting cast than he did for his sold-out Summer Groove Charity Game Sunday at American Airlines Arena.

It was a better job than most anticipated -- a much better job -- which should put fear into any other team still doubting the team's well-deserved rise to NBA favorites this season.

Based on the fit of Miami's new supporting cast, the two-time defending champion Lakers are looking like yesterday's news.

While Wade's just-for-fun event Sunday lacked much star appeal beyond himself, the Three Kings of Miami -- Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh -- are near completion on a roster that should jell well around them, and nothing like the Moe, Larry and Curly cast that some had expected.



Share108 After The Big Three, the Notable Nine that will be available on opening night is looking tailor-made. Considering the Heat almost reached the $58 million salary cap to land the three superstars in free agency, they did exceptionally well in finding key veterans to fill specific roles.

"I think we did a really good job putting this (Heat) group together,'' Wade said Sunday before his game, which ended a week-long string of charity events in South Florida. "It's a better job than what people want to give us credit for, or what people thought we could do.''

On the day they signed Wade, James, and Bosh, the only player they had under contract was back-up point guard Mario Chalmers. Now they have a rotation.

Based on players they recently have signed, or will sign in the next couple days, the Heat are looking at a starting lineup that includes shot-blocking center Joel Anthony, a defensive specialist, and veteran point guard Carlos Arroyo, to put alongside the Big Three.

What's more impressive is a second team that will include veterans Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Chalmers. Waiting as insurance will be Juwan Howard and Jamaal Magliore. Miller and Haslem may not be starting, but they likely will be finishing games with the Big Three.

"The biggest thing is experience. I think experience is under-rated in this league sometimes,'' Wade said. "You just can't put a price on it. The last few years, we were a young team, and now we're a veteran team up and down the roster. That's the biggest thing we gained. And that's key.''

Even before Wade re-signed with the Heat, he talked almost daily with Heat President Pat Riley, discussing what kind of supporting cast they wanted, assuming they would land three star free agents.

"He (Riley) had the final say, but there was constant communication with Coach Riley. I was always giving my thoughts on guys who we knew would be out there,'' Wade said. "We wanted guys who would understand what we'll deal with, from the outside. Inside the locker room, we wanted character guys, and not necessarily the best talent. We were looking for guys who could check their ego for a great cause, and I think we've gotten that.''

Arroyo, Magliore and Howard all could be signed within the next couple days. They were able to re-sign Haslem -- a key power forward -- and Miller, maybe the best long range shooter, because the Big Three agreed to take less than the maximum salary to play together.

"Guys all over the league were calling, reaching out to see if they could fit here,'' Wade said. "We just don't have many roster spots left now.''

The Heat still expect to sign another veteran wing player -- still possibly Matt Barnes -- and a third point guard, possibly Jason Williams.

Neither Bosh nor James came to Wade's charity game. No other NBA starter played, although Boston's Rajon Rondo was on the bench. Mostly it was NBA journeymen and even former players like Tim Hardaway in the game.

"We're going to be wearing a bullseye. But that's what you play for," Wade said. "We enjoy the bullseye. Plus, there's going to be times when we lose 2-3 games in a row, and it seems like the world has crashed down. You all are going to make it seem like the World Trade is coming down again, but it's not going to be nothing but a couple basketball games.

"When the schedule comes out, people will be looking for the Lakers and Heat, to see when they play us. I feel like I'm a new player in Miami. That's how excited I am."

Yes Dwayne. People are going to think it's 9/11 all over again if you go on a losing streak. Can we have better word choice please?!?! PLEASE?!?!

[Royal Tee]

Okay, cool, but how was Stern involved and how did he allow this to happen? Does David Stern have secret agents spying on players in the offseason? Wiretaps? What Cuban says sounds great in theory. Cool. How are you going to enforce it? Tell players they can't have ANY conversations with other NBA players, at all? It's unenforceable.

There was also that Riley-LeBron-Jordan dinner. Ooooh, conspiracy! Riley and Jordan talked LeBron into playing for Miami! :smile:

See again, Trying to have a serious talk on the issue and your answers sound idiotic.

How can people take anything you say serious if anytime anyone calls the NBA into question you start reeling off like as if people are claiming area51 and bigfoot?

The fact is that shit like this should be looked into.
In Stern's world if it makes money, he'll look the other way.
That's all.

I understand it hurts your feelings if heaven forbid this went on during Kobe's wins but fact is that shit needs to be looked into.

[mj2sexay]

Keep this thread going baby.

Thread of the year nomination is needed.

C'mon. We all know the thread of the year is still anything having to do with the I have Brain Cancer thread. Either the original, or abys calling the lie out.

You fake brain cancer on this message board, yes you get ostracized ridiculed, banned and your house gets called. But damnitt that thread wins thread of the year.

[2010LookinUP]

Heat roster starting to fill in nicely now. Only 2 or 3 spots left to go! I'll take White Chocolate (J-Will), and one more sharp shooter, please. Then bring on the NBA.

[desert swordz]

Heat roster starting to fill in nicely now. Only 2 or 3 spots left to go! I'll take White Chocolate (J-Will), and one more sharp shooter, please. Then bring on the NBA.

Wack to the illest.

[Antoni]

See again, Trying to have a serious talk on the issue and your answers sound idiotic.

What answers? I was asking you for answers. The burden of proof is on the conspiracy theorist.



How can people take anything you say serious if anytime anyone calls the NBA into question you start reeling off like as if people are claiming area51 and bigfoot?

I asked you for specific examples of what types of "shady shit"(your words) is allowed to happen that Stern ignores. You didn't really answer that, but rather linked me an article about how Cuban thinks the Heat should be investigated. And Cuban isn't saying anything close to what you're saying. He was just asking for an investigation and wasn't saying or implying that David Stern somehow had a hand in this.


The fact is that shit like this should be looked into.
In Stern's world if it makes money, he'll look the other way.
That's all.

I'm not exactly sure how LeBron going to Miami is going to make Stern money. It might actually make him less money in the short-term, since LeBron's marketability took a hit. Besides, if anyone had an incentive to break up the Miami super-team due to collusion, it would be Stern. You don't make any more money by having 2 mega-stars in one city rather than having them spread out. And the Miami market is right around where Cleveland is at, perhaps even worse. Stern would have much rather preferred LeBron to the Knicks, Nets, Bulls, or even back to the Cavs. Not to mention, the Raptors and Cavs are not pursuing anything, so what exactly is shady and what more do you want him to do?


I understand it hurts your feelings if heaven forbid this went on during Kobe's wins but fact is that shit needs to be looked into.


What is 'this'? What exactly went on? You'll have to remind of what conspiracy we're talking about here. Collusion? Never heard of that one. I'm sure you have a great theory though.:up:

[Green Lantern]

Heat roster starting to fill in nicely now. Only 2 or 3 spots left to go! I'll take White Chocolate (J-Will), and one more sharp shooter, please. Then bring on the NBA.

I thought the Jets had a lot of pressure to win it all.
Heat could literally earn Bust of the Century with 85+ years left.

[Antoni]

As if there wasn't enough reason to hate the Heat, Dwayne Wade drops this pearl...

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Yes Dwayne. People are going to think it's 9/11 all over again if you go on a losing streak. Can we have better word choice please?!?! PLEASE?!?!

Sucks to be the Miami Heat PR team right about now :breakdance: I know Nike instructs their sponsored athletes to never ever touch politics. Maybe they need to add WTC, Holocaust, Pearl Harbor, etc to that list too. Nothing good ever comes from those analogies

[ace_o_spades]

Isn't Wade signed to Converse? Maybe Converse has a different set of rules for their only client

[Antoni]

Isn't Wade signed to Converse? Maybe Converse has a different set of rules for their only client

He ditched Converse last year in favor of the Air Jordan brand

[ace_o_spades]

Tru, didnt know that thanks

And yeah Wade really should have known better...it's mind boggling to me how little sense pro athletes have sometimes

[JetBlue]

And yeah Wade really should have known better...it's mind boggling to me how little sense pro athletes have sometimes
that's because we still associate wealth and professional success as connected to intellect or even sense. sports and entertainment figures have caused us to have to fight that initial judgment, and thus why it is surprising at first before you realize they are just idiots with a lot of money.

[Antoni]

Did you guys see this?

Derek Fisher is meeting with the Heat:

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9hShtVQxuJQ

Worthy of a bump. If only to see the Boston clowns laugh it up 1 more time :beer:

[Barry the Baptist]

I still can't believe that Joel Anthony is projected as the starting center on this team. I guess Z really doesn't have much left in the tank. That would be the only saving grace for me in all of this if the Heat won the title is that a guy I went to school with would win an NBA title. I'm guessing the somehow found the money to sign him as he just got a 5 year 18 million dollar deal with them.

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[hazmat]

I still can't believe that Joel Anthony is projected as the starting center on this team. I guess Z really doesn't have much left in the tank. That would be the only saving grace for me in all of this if the Heat won the title is that a guy I went to school with would win an NBA title. I'm guessing the somehow found the money to sign him as he just got a 5 year 18 million dollar deal with them.

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Where are they getting all this cap room from?

[kinghenry89]

I still can't believe that Joel Anthony is projected as the starting center on this team. I guess Z really doesn't have much left in the tank. That would be the only saving grace for me in all of this if the Heat won the title is that a guy I went to school with would win an NBA title. I'm guessing the somehow found the money to sign him as he just got a 5 year 18 million dollar deal with them.

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Anyone's better than going into the season with Ilgauskas as the starting center.

The Cavs have tried matching up Z vs. Dwight Howard before. It didn't end well for them. Nor would it for the Heat.

[Barry the Baptist]

Anyone's better than going into the season with Ilgauskas as the starting center.

The Cavs have tried matching up Z vs. Dwight Howard before. It didn't end well for them. Nor would it for the Heat.

I like Joel a lot he's a hard worker but the guy is not the type of center who is going to help you beat Dwight Howard or a healthy Andrew Bynum. To this day I still can't beleive the guy is still in the NBA. To give you an idea he was forced to red shirt between his Jr and Sr year because he was so bad. Truly an amazing story.

[Yisman]

that's because we still associate wealth and professional success as connected to intellect or even sense. sports and entertainment figures have caused us to have to fight that initial judgment, and thus why it is surprising at first before you realize they are just idiots with a lot of money.

No one is saying athletes are intelligent, but Wade really should have known better, regardless of his IQ. He's had enough experience with the media to know that saying things like that is stupid.

Trust me, there are very few people in the world, let alone on this board, that think athletes are wise or intelligent. It's usually the opposite. Generally, the best athletes in the world are not blessed with much intellect or common sense.

[Barry the Baptist]

No one is saying athletes are intelligent, but Wade really should have known better, regardless of his IQ. He's had enough experience with the media to know that saying things like that is stupid.

Trust me, there are very few people in the world, let alone on this board, that think athletes are wise or intelligent. It's usually the opposite. Generally, the best athletes in the world are not blessed with much intellect or common sense.

I think had the terrorists brought down the Sears Tower in his hometown he probably wouldn't have tried to make a joke about it. That being said it was clear he was trying to make a joke and as much as it was a stupid thing to say he wasn't the first and he won't be the last.

[Green Lantern]

I think had the terrorists brought down the Sears Tower in his hometown he probably wouldn't have tried to make a joke about it. That being said it was clear he was trying to make a joke and as much as it was a stupid thing to say he wasn't the first and he won't be the last.

Nice switch from Iron Mike to Slick.

[Barry the Baptist]

I heard that Jefferson is going back to the Spurs... he opted out of his deal to test the market and he has to go back to the Spurs for less money then what was in his original contract :rofl:

[blackssmagic]

it sounds like they gave RJ more years to add on, they talked about it on the local news last night

[Barry the Baptist]

Haha this is funny....

This idiot is knocking Jason Kidd for criticizing the Miami FAs claiming he played with 2 superstars in New Jersey..... he refered to Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horne as superstars :rofl:

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[ToonWalker]

Haha this is funny....

This idiot is knocking Jason Kidd for criticizing the Miami FAs claiming he played with 2 superstars in New Jersey..... he refered to Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horne as superstars :rofl:

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I'm 99% sure he was being sarcastic.

[Barry the Baptist]

I'm 99% sure he was being sarcastic.

For his sake I certainly hope so.... I mean Lucious Harris was a baller baby!!!

[Johnny English]

The Miami Three announce their new nickname (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

[Antoni]

At this point in time, The Big Joke would like to take his talents to Beantown. Do it Boston, do it!! Seal the fact that #34 will never be lifted in Staples.

Simmons loves it

Quote:
sportsguy33
No! Noooooooo!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Quote:
sportsguy33

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!

[Barry the Baptist]

Haha Charles Barkley is awesome....

Calls out Lebron yet again....

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[ace_o_spades]

Charles Barkley is the man

[J.E.T. Tone Holmes]

bored as shit at work so i thought id dig up this hilarious thread

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