The NBA Thread

[QUOTE=Adrian!!!!!!;189406]I never said they were best friends just good friends.[/QUOTE] Hopefully you still got the same concept.

[QUOTE=molds13;189408]Hopefully you still got the same concept.[/QUOTE] Of course. The only beef I have about this whole thing with James and Bosh is that they have to build this power house All - Star team to win a Championship which I think is pretty lame, but at the same time I do believe they will get what they want.

[QUOTE=Adrian!!!!!!;189410]Of course. The only beef I have about this whole thing with James and Bosh is that they have to build this power house All - Star team to win a Championship which I think is pretty lame, but at the same time [B]I do believe they will get what they want.[/B][/QUOTE] They can't get what they want. They'll get what they have to settle for. That's the glory of the salary cap.

[QUOTE=mr.unamazing;189360]This will make the Miami heat very interesting next year. [B]Who will help them take some of their bigger cost such as Beasley.[/B] Also the person who posted mike miller signing, why would he do that when he has the potential to make great money 5-6 mil a year money in somewhere like LA.[/QUOTE] The answer: Minnesota.

Try to read this without laughing. [quote]Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight; As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier. This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment. Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us. The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you. There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you. You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal. You have given so much and deserve so much more. In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight: "I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE" You can take it to the bank. If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels. Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there. Sorry, but that's simply not how it works. This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become. But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio. The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma. Just watch. Sleep well, Cleveland. Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day.... I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only: DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue.... Dan Gilbert Majority Owner Cleveland Cavaliers[/quote]

[QUOTE=molds13;189411]They can't get what they want. They'll get what they have to settle for. That's the glory of the salary cap.[/QUOTE] I meant they want a Championship ring and they'll probably get it. If not this upcoming year then definitely the year after IMO. But the Heat still have some more work to do. Right now I'm pretty sure the Heat only have five players Bosh, Wade, James, Mario Chalmers and one other player but I'm not sure who he is. So they better get moving.

[QUOTE=molds13;189416]Try to read this without laughing.[/QUOTE] I was laughing so hard when I seen that on ESPN.

[QUOTE=Adrian!!!!!!;189418]I meant they want a Championship ring and they'll probably get it. If not this upcoming year then definitely the year after IMO. But the Heat still have some more work to do. Right now I'm pretty sure the Heat only have five players Bosh, Wade, James, Mario Chalmers and one other player but I'm not sure who he is. So they better get moving.[/QUOTE] They got 3 from the draft and said that one, maybe 2 of them are NBA-ready. They'll probably end up getting AI because he's desperate.

[QUOTE=Bacchus;189413]Actually, if I remember correctly, most teams are not the Celtics and the Celtics handed Lebron a nice respite to watch the NBA Finals from his couch. So, ya...he can win most games. He's just never won the games that really matter. Or to put it a better way, he's done nothing and unless he wins games that matter and gets a ring, he's just another guy making too much money. [B] So, when the Celtics are double teaming him in the playoffs next year and he still shoots the ball because he is "the star" rather than passing and knocks down 30 (because he is the star) and they lose (because he is forced all night to take low percentage shots and even though he is draining amazing shots the Celtics are as a team shooting better from the field) remember this post...[/B][/QUOTE] Wow !! What else can you tell me with your magical ball ? I hope it reads better than when it predicted the Celtics to beat the Lakers in 5 in the Finals last season...

[QUOTE=Bacchus;189435]I was being facetious, up against the best team and basketball and returning champs (but obviously the humor flew over you.) I'll make sure to add a double smiley face next time so the meaning is not lost in translation. That said, you turn one bad call against the Celtics in game seven around and the championship parade is in a different part of the country. However, I accept that is how the cookie crumbles (but don't be stupid and act like the Lakers in any way "owned" the Celtics. This was a one call series that could have gone either way in the fourth quarter of the 7th game...) Now someone saying the Heat (who haven't even been in the deal in years) are all of a sudden the best team in the east because they picked up the most selfish player in baseketball (on and off the court) is a bit more outside the dialog and predictions I was passing along. I mean who, holds a press conference in primetime on a Thursday to say what team they are playing for besides some attention seeking ***** jack***? [I]"And with the first and only pick of the Lebron "I think I am God" James free agency "I'll milk this moment forever" draft, Lebron James chooses the [strike]topless girls on South Beach[/strike] the Miami Heat, and they should take this moment to bow and be forever grateful."[/I] This Lebron show left a bad taste in everyone's mouth and honestly I hope it comes back to bite him.[/QUOTE] As for you being sarcastic, (which I don't think you were, but whatever) you even said at the end of your post " remember this." I'm just merely pointing out that you already predicted the Celtics would beat the Lakers in 5 and that's clearly not what happened. So why would I want to remember your last post ? I'm not being stupid and saying the Lakers "owned" the Celtics because I NEVER SAID THAT or even hinted at it. As for the Lakers/Celtics game 7 the Celtics lost because they put up brick after brick after brick in the third and fourth quarter and rarely attacked the rim. And the Lakers did get more calls but just because the Lakers made an effort to attack the rim and didn't just shoot jumpers almost the entire 2nd half and LA killed Boston on the boards because the Celtics didn't have Perkins. That's why the Celtics lost and not because of one or two bad calls IMO and FWIW I hate the Lakers and was rooting for Boston because of Rajon Rondo the whole series as I was in '08. And I consider the Heat the best team in the East now because of Wade, James, and Bosh and along with anyone else they are probably going to pick up, not just James.

[QUOTE=Adrian!!!!!!;189398]I mean, most teams could barely handle Lebron and his half *** Cavs teams in the playoffs and no team could touch them in the season, so just imagine how many problems they are going to have with him along with Wade and Bosh.[/QUOTE] It's true LeBron didn't have much of a team for the last 2 years. But the stats clearly show that the Cavs beat up on lesser teams playing at 2/3 potential over that time period, lost most of their games against the top 3-4 teams (LA, Boston, Orlando, maybe San Antonio), and couldn't get it done against the same teams when they were playing at 100% potential (playoff games). [QUOTE=Bacchus;189413]Actually, if I remember correctly, most teams are not the Celtics and the Celtics handed Lebron a nice respite to watch the NBA Finals from his couch. So, ya...he can win most games. He's just never won the games that really matter. Or to put it a better way, he's done nothing and unless he wins games that matter and gets a ring, he's just another guy making too much money.[/QUOTE] LeBron is a great ball player, but he is not Luke Skywalker. He can't take the Empire down single-handedly. Bacchus is right, he's done nothing and he is nothing until he has some rings to prove it (and do those really mean anything with 2 other all-stars on his team? Didn't Kobe take a lot of heat until Shaq left the team and he had to step up? [QUOTE=Bacchus;189435] I mean who, holds a press conference in primetime on a Thursday to say what team they are playing for besides some attention seeking ***** jack***? [I]"And with the first and only pick of the Lebron "I think I am God" James free agency "I'll milk this moment forever" draft, Lebron James chooses the [strike]topless girls on South Beach[/strike] the Miami Heat, and they should take this moment to bow and be forever grateful."[/I] This Lebron show left a bad taste in everyone's mouth and honestly I hope it comes back to bite him.[/QUOTE] Yeah that's pretty much how all of my family up there feels. What a way to kick a bunch of people who are still down because of the way the playoffs went down. ------- I do think Miami will find a way to make it into the playoffs. Team Dynamo will have to play 120 minutes per game, but no one says they have to play 3 sets of 40 minutes simultaneously. They should dominate all the bad teams playing at 70% speed; LeBron did this himself for the last 2 years with a worse set of 4 guys surrounding him. Hell, they don't even have to break .500 to make the playoffs in the East most years lol... Tournament basketball is another matter. With high expectations and high stress situations, their supposed "friendship" and synergy will be tested. True leaders bring out the best in their followers, but will anyone in Miami be willing to follow LeBron? Doubtful...

[QUOTE=Aereas;189519]It's true LeBron didn't have much of a team for the last 2 years. But the stats clearly show that the Cavs beat up on lesser teams playing at 2/3 potential over that time period, lost most of their games against the top 3-4 teams (LA, Boston, Orlando, maybe San Antonio), and couldn't get it done against the same teams when they were playing at 100% potential (playoff games). LeBron is a great ball player, but he is not Luke Skywalker. He can't take the Empire down single-handedly. Bacchus is right, he's done nothing and he is nothing until he has some rings to prove it (and do those really mean anything with 2 other all-stars on his team? Didn't Kobe take a lot of heat until Shaq left the team and he had to step up? Yeah that's pretty much how all of my family up there feels. What a way to kick a bunch of people who are still down because of the way the playoffs went down. ------- I do think Miami will find a way to make it into the playoffs. Team Dynamo will have to play 120 minutes per game, but no one says they have to play 3 sets of 40 minutes simultaneously. They should dominate all the bad teams playing at 70% speed; LeBron did this himself for the last 2 years with a worse set of 4 guys surrounding him. Hell, they don't even have to break .500 to make the playoffs in the East most years lol... Tournament basketball is another matter. With high expectations and high stress situations, their supposed "friendship" and synergy will be tested. True leaders bring out the best in their followers, but will anyone in Miami be willing to follow LeBron? Doubtful...[/QUOTE] Yeah but didn't Boston do the same thing that Miami is doing now two or three years ago with Allen and Garnett ? They left bad or average teams to make a powerhouse . Sure, Allen and Garnett aren't as big of stars as James and Bosh but they are pretty big and great players who left the teams they were on (because they couldn't win a Championship where they were) to go to Boston to join up with Pierce and win a Championship. So what's wrong with James and Bosh joining Wade to win a Championship ? And it turned out really great really quick for Boston in '08. And I don't think it should be about "following Lebron" , I think it should be about following Wade... after all he is the only one with a ring out of James, Bosh and himself.

Neither of those 2 are going to want to play second fiddle in the high-pressure situations though. That's where we will see what this new team is really made of. LeBron's decision to leave the Cavs (from my perspective, that was his decision. Which team he ended up on is irrelevant) was a [i]sound[/i] choice based on his desire to win. But as a Cleveland fan, I am both disappointed (as I would be if say Thomas or Cribbs weren't playing for the Browns anymore) and scorned because of his decision to gut-punch us with his prime-time special.

[QUOTE=Bacchus;189536][B]Garnett isn't as big a star as Bosh? Haha...Ok, I was following you before but now you are just making **** up. [/B] As for Lebron, the backlash is severe. He is hated in the media capital of the world (New York) and his marketing value probably dropped 30% overnight. No one likes an arrogant ******* that breaks up with his "girlfriend" on national TV. He is classless. I loved the guy until 22 hours ago and I am not the only one... The season could have ended and then we'd read on EPSN that he was going to Miami...but NOOOOOOOOOOO....He had to be a **** about it.[/QUOTE] Garnett isn't all that now atleast like he was and that's a fact, he's lost a couple of steps. If it wasn't for Rondo Boston wouldn't have been **** this year. And I'm talking about the stars as in big names, the "star" Bosh is bigger right now than the "star" Garnett was in '08 . Tell me a team that would turndown Bosh if they could get him. And I also meant this deal with James and Bosh with Miami is a much bigger deal than Garnett and Allen with Boston in '08.

[QUOTE=Bacchus;189542]Um, the Celtics if Miami wanted Kevin Garnett in trade... It is funny that everyone is confused how the 5th place team in the East made it to game 7 with the best team from the West. It is simple. The Celtics were the 5th best team in the East because Garnett was hurt and without him they were only the 5th best team in the East. When he came back, they were the best team in the east. That simple. He is a massive impact player on both sides of the court. Bosh is a great player with great offensive stats, but Garnett also has great offensive stats and is a defensive mecca. When Garnett is in the game, the game changes for the other team. That is that. We can argue in circles all day. Miami has been a one and done playoff team the last two seasons and Lebron might get them to be almost as good as the Magic or Celtics, but not as good. The Celtics and Magic have a track record. You are just looking at names on paper and assuming that the Heat will be awesome. You sound like a Yankee fan...[/QUOTE] LMAO Kevin Garnett is nothing like he was and I'm sorry but nobody in the NBA would take Garnett over Bosh for a few different reasons but especially due to him being injury prone and the age difference. Garnett is still good but not great. No Rondo and Boston would've been lucky to win one game vs. the Lakers IMO. Rondo is the best player Boston has.

[QUOTE=Bacchus;189548]Well, clearly you don't watch basketball Adrian, but I respect you opinion as one given.[/QUOTE] Clearly I'm replying to a FAN of the Celtics, which is pointless.

Here's my .02... LeBron sucks. And now he's a sellout. Poor Cleveland. :(

[QUOTE=Bacchus;189551][B]Clearly you are a fan of a paper team while I am a fan of [B]the best team in the East.[/B] [/B] [B]You can go off in magical mystery land all you want. The facts are the facts.[/B] The Celtics are the Eastern Conference Champions and until someone else holds that title, everything else is just heated, bloviated wind whistling by... It sounds to me like you win most arguments by blowing hot air. Sucks when facts are present, I suspect.[/QUOTE] LOL, a paper team ? I'm a fan of any team that has a former Kentucky Wildcat player and the last time I checked Miami doesn't have any of those but Boston does, but I'm still unbiased unlike you. I've watched basketball all of my life to answer your earlier post which stated something like " Clearly I don't watch basketball " refering to me . I'm just giving my opinion on all of this which for some reason everything I've posted you have sarcastically replied to. My opinion is just that, an opinion.

[QUOTE=Bacchus;189559]Let's call a truce. You have made some great points. I hope you accept that I have made a couple too. I am biased, I love my team. That said, Miami will be a factor this year and the have a good chance to win the Southeast. I am glad he didn't go to the Knicks as the Celtics should win their division, if healthy and can beat anyone, if healthy (healthy obviously the keyword in Boston.) And, I am being straight forward when I say my opinion of Lebron has dropped dramatically because of this fiasco. I loved the guy (as the best player in basketball) and respected him during the series with the Celts, but I really think he has lost perspective... That said, let's move along for now and maybe channel this energy into a fantasy basketball league this year. ;)[/QUOTE] Agreed with this whole post. And let me ask you this. What do you think about the overall no. 1 pick John Wall ? I watched him all season long while he was at UK and I thought he was a BEAST, but I'm just wondering what you think ?

[QUOTE=OtherPplsDrama;189553]Here's my .02... LeBron sucks. And now he's a sellout. Poor Cleveland. :([/QUOTE] Agreed. He had every right to choose whichever team he wanted, but the ******* spectacle he made out of the whole thing (really, a TV special?) was a slap in the face to Cleveland.

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