2014-15 NBA REGULAR SEASON THREAD

I think it would have been nicer if the FO just kept him, and dealt with it. I was pissed at the time, and still am.

 

Eventually they could be doing that now that they matched the contract for Kanter. 4yrs 70M. Should have done this with Harden years ago [5yrs 80M].

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--enes-kanter-thunder-trail-blazers-211101076.html

Pressure is on the Thunder to keep Durant this year.

 

almost impossible to build a team around two superstars without going over, really

so now they're running into the problem again

 

It was different basketball economics back then though...

The new TV deal and new endorsement deals weren't signed then...

Now, the money is going to be flowing in so the luxury tax NOW is more manageable then it was back then...Back then, the OKC partners probably had to put money into the business to pay for the Harden luxury tax and balked...Now, the new NBA money will cover it and the partners can just collect profit distributions.

 

yeah I don't know how they're going to fix this. Players choosing to only go to established contenders so it's almost impossible to rise up the standings to contend. The NBA is a special situation because you need 2 or more elite stars to win and there's not even enough to go around for each team to have one. The stars are capped and underpaid but there's millions that have to be spent so the scrubs get grossly overpaid.

Then there's the problem that all capped leagues realized recently which is that tax jurisdicion gives big markets a huge disadvantage. There's a max salary but the players get taxed locally in NYC or LA at something like 20% and the players in Florida get taxed at 0%. It makes a huge difference when money is the deciding factor. Salary caps were supposed to level the playing field for small markets but because of the law of unintended consequences it's actually given them a huge advantage. The next CBA will have to consider an income tax adjustor

 

Jason Kidd goes hard on this old school west coast joint

 

What are the chances of KD signing with the Knicks, even if they win 50 games... probably less than 10%. Knicks will have to find another way

 

The nba execs were polled and the majority think he will re sign.

 

I don't see KD leaving. It's not usual for superstars to jump teams. Lebron did it, and while it worked out from a title standpoint, his reputation took a big hit.

 

I think if he goes anywhere it will be Washington, hometown, chance to play with Wall.. Knicks don't stand a chance unfortunately IMO

 

I honestly believe that the only people in the world that think KD could possibly sign with the Knicks are Knick fans.

Knick fans think their franchise is some sort of Tiffany NBA franchise steeped in a tradition of excellence and winning and that players can't wait to flock to MSG.

It's delusional.

I love when callers called into sports talk radio with their well rehearsed theory "If Lebron came to the Knicks and won a championship, he'd be an NBA God for ALL TIME!!!"

Except LeBron isn't a Knick fan and (i) doesn't give a shit about the Knicks and could not have cared less about bringing them a championship and (ii) he's already an NBA God for all time--he doesn't need the Knicks to bring him that status.

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I'm in the DC area and they have been treading water the last two years in an attempt to be ready to get KD if he wants to come. I think he stays, but I do think that Washington could entice him. Good young players and the team is basically just missing a stretch 4. Westbrook is a better scorer than Wall, but I think they are pretty close when compared on the whole. It should be interesting anyway.

 

Knicks fans by and large are delusional, absolutely correct. But make no mistake, any NBA superstar who came here and brought a title would reach god like status. LeBron thinks he knows what it means to be the big man with a ring, he has no idea how much bigger it would be in NYC

 

Eli got 2 in NY and he's probably under-appreciated. LeBron is basically a God in Cleveland. He's the best player, the HC, and the GM. He doubled Gilbert's total worth. They don't even care that he mailed it in in 2010 or lost 2 Finals. NY would tear LeBron apart, and he'd be a villain, he'd be without tax-free superfriends and with a 70 year old Phil Jackson.

 

Make no mistake, no NBA player gives a half baked crap about NY and the Knicks storied (lol) franchise.

Lebron is on 150 foot yachts toasting vino with his buddies--NY would not move the meter 2%.

It's delusional.

Unless you grew up a Knick fan, nobody cares about the Knicks and MSG.

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I like laughing at their misery.

 

I like laughing at their grand illusion.

And Phil Jackson as Yoda with Alzheimer's.

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"shocking and mocking…their invective is defective …"