I thought we went over this, it's a dick move calling an hour special to announce this. It's a dick move because this wasn't the first mistake, he almost went on a free agency tour, having Nike make shoes for each city with the dates on them he visited to sell before someone blew the PR whistle and told him that was a move full of douchebaggery. It was a dick move because he knew he wasn't going to Cleveland much earlier, he basically waited until all the other decent FAs signed on with someone and no even though Cleveland has FU money just sitting there, there is no one to buy. It was a dick move...well shit, I think you get the point. I'm not Korver will probably been like Chicago white Ray Allen, which I'm fine with. I saw one of his last playoff games where he jumped in and scored like 15 straight points, some 3s, and jump shots. If we can get that 10 times reg season, and 3-5 times in the playoffs. It'll be worth it. I'm just happy they're fucking trying. Don't forget about team dynamics. How many plays has he had drawn for him? He could, just maybe, possibly, potentially, blow up in Chicago...maybe...
That is all a bunch of nonsense. Let's get one fundamental fact straight; LeBron James does not owe the Cavaliers organization, or the "city of Cleveland" a single, tiny, God-forsaken thing. He does not have to announce his decision early to accommodate an incompetent franchise and its mentally disturbed owner. He can have a television special if a network will run it and people will watch it, which they sure as hell did. In fact, how do you even know that he settled on his Miami decision much earlier? Isn't that just more sports writer BS speculation? Yes, I believe it is. I don't know how much you follow basketball, but that is one of the objectively dumbest things I have read about basketball in a long time. Have you even watched both guys play more than a couple of times in their respective careers? (I'll even ignore the fact that Ray Allen is one of the 50-70 greatest NBA players ever, and Korver couldn't crack the starting line-up of any decent team in his prime) Even now, Allen is an excellent defender, a good passer, and a decent perimeter rebounder. He has no problems getting his shot off, and can make his defender pay off the dribble for guarding him too close. Korver has, and always will be a major liability on defense, with zero passing skills, and an awful rebounding rate. Getting his shot off has also become an increasingly larger problem for him as he has gotten older and his athleticism has gone down. The guys play different positions on the court. They have completely different athletic and physical skills. Their only similarity is that both are three point threats, although even there, they are different. Allen is a high-volume guy, like a Reggie Miller, that can take 6+ 3 pointers a game and not see his percentages dip. Korver is the Jason Kapono type, who is extremely good for 3-4 attempts a game, but any more, and he is probably missing them. Do you even watch basketball? You're asking why an 8th man with NBA size, one legitimate pro skill, and nothing else doesn't have plays drawn up for him? I feel dumber for having read your post. That being said, the contract itself is decent. 3 years was a shrewd move; any more, and the Bulls would have had to waive Korver at some point. In fact, by that point, when Korver is 32, he will likely be out of the league, or solely a 12th-15th man in case of injury emergency.
A white Ray Allen? Pachulia only twice in 7 years has been in double firgures with his season average. 11.7 on 2005 and 12.2 in 2006. Allen was better his rookie year averaging 13 and has averaged 20 plus 10 out of 15 seasons. Allens a vet to dude. Your not getting a white Ray Allen. You may be getting a white J.J. Redick. He has nice hair by the way
Don't argue with KIMaster. The man knows all, sees all, and is all. If you haven't figured out that he is always right and everyone else is always wrong, then clearly you're an idiot for disagreeing with him. *cue 3rd red dot from KIMaster in 2 days* As for the Bulls, like I said, they have money to play with now, and they already had a pretty solid core, once they added Boozer. At this point, I'd put them in the top 4 of the East, probably right with Boston, Orlando, and Miami. They'll probably make a playoff run, and at least make it through the first round, but I don't think they're a championship team. Maybe once Rose develops a bit more, and if Boozer stays healthy, and if Noah develops some more, they MIGHT be able to push into the Eastern Finals, but I don't know that they have all the pieces to beat the Lakers, who are really the team to beat in the NBA.
No one knows for certain what will happen with things like chemistry, injuries, a new coach, and schemes for the Bulls in the next couple of seasons. In a sport decided by a few extra possessions, where a good team out-scores its opponent by an average of 2 points, and a bad one is out-scored by an average of 2 points, those are enormous variables. However, from a pure talent perspective, Chicago is better than anyone in the East outside of Miami, and roughly equal to the Lakers. Rose is already one of the top 15-20 players in the NBA, and at the age of 21, still hasn't come close to his peak. Boozer is a two-time All-Star, an excellent scorer, amazing rebounder, and very good passer. The biggest knock on him is always that what he gets on the offensive end he gives up on defense. However, with Joakim Noah playing behind him, that is no longer so glaring a problem. Noah has finally become the double-double monster, tough interior defender, and very good shot-blocker that draft experts projected he would become coming out of Florida. On top of this, they have a borderline All-Star in Luol Deng. That's an amazing top 4 guys. Give it a year, and Kobe will be a little better than Rose, Gasol and Boozer are comparable (they excel at different things), Noah is significantly better than Bynum, and Deng is comparable to Artest. On paper, there is no reason why they can't make the Conference Finals next season.
You guys want to see someone get wooed? Wait til next summer when Carmelo is a free agent. I'd like to be in his shoes next summer: Lots of teams with tons of space begging him to sign because he's pretty much the only franchise guy available. And if he's smart and wants to really up his image, he signs with Denver for less than the max and says, "I'm all about winning here in Denver. I'm taking less money so we can bring in more talent." Basically, he just needs to do the exact opposite of Lebron, and he'll be golden.
This would actually crack me up. Especially coming from Carmelo, of all people. That said, does anyone have a reliable list of projected FAs next summer? I've been trying to keep up with the Knicks' moves, and with Curry off the books next year, I'm curious to see what their cap situation will look like. I doubt they'd have the money for Melo (or space in the frontcourt for him), but I'd like to see what other pieces would be available for them to add.
From what it looks like Melo really wants to come to NY and I know that Tony Parker does too ( Not saying that there coming). But I seen last night on ESPN that Raymond Felton and the knicks apparently came to a deal, but when I went on nba.com this morning I haven't seen anything. Ok apparently their really close to a deal. Im kind of excited to see all these new guys play. Its going to be a completely different team than last year. I kind of wanted Ridnour though, but Felton is a solid player Some other interesting things Derek Fisher is meeting with Pat Riley today to explore his options. And the Magics GM had some words for Lebron also. <a class="postlink" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5367298" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5367298</a>
List of NBA Free Agents for 2010 and 2011 Definitive look at the free agents for this year, as well as next. Some interesting names will be on the market next year, highlighted by Carmelo if he doesn't resign (assuming he opts out, which is no foregone conclusion).
I meant no one outside of Toronto, but you are exactly right. As for the Tony Parker to New York speculation...no one outside of the functionally illiterate STAT seems to think this is a legitimate possibility. Parker has been somewhat vocal about the notion of spending the last stretch of his career somewhere else, but I'd still put the Spurs as the 80% favorites to re-sign him before the CBA expires. If Parker (who's only 28) wants to be the stud on a contending team...well then, there's going to be no better team for him than the San Antonio Spurs of 2012-onward. I think everyone has accepted that Tim Duncan won't play beyond the terms of his current deal (2011-2012) and Tony Parker should be the only reigning All-Star on a team featuring George Hill (starting shooting guard), DeJuan Blair, Tiago Splitter, Richard Jefferson (yeah, I said it), and super sub Manu Ginobili. Tony Parker has always been a bit petulant - especially during an off-year for him - but no coach in the league is going to be better at dealing with him than Pop is/has been. Also consider that uber-bitch Eva Longoria is more popular in South Texas than she is in Hollywood or anywhere else; San Antonio is the perfect place for those two to maintain a favorable Q rating. I won't say it's impossible Parker leaves at the trade deadline, but it's less likely than not. I'm more worried about the possibility of the Big Sideshow coming to clog up Tim Duncan's paint, and why that rumor won't just die already is frightening me.
KIMaster, you're right, I'm wrong, I'm sorry. I got a little excited there and posted while hungover. Yes, I've been watching basketball for 10 years, have the NBA package, and even played all the video games. I know all about Ray Allen, I watched "He Got Game." I was a Kirk Hinrich fan and no white boy will replace the love that was taken away from me.* I was incorrectly projecting on Kyle Korver.* If I made you dumber with a post, let me say 'Mission Accomplished.' Is it too early for predictions? I'm pretty sure nothing is going to stop Kobe and Phil from three-peating. 4 teams in western conference finals? eastern? and who is in the finals? Spoiler Western: Sacramento & Portland. Eastern: Nets & Bobcats. Finals: Portland & Bobcats. Bobcats win it all. * Denotes sarcasm/joke.
What a dumbass. Everyone knows the T-Wolves will take it all. I've already bought my Minnesota Timberwolves 2011 World Champions package from SI. Got a spot on my mantle for my fake trophy and everything. In all seriousness, I can't see anyone overtaking the Lakers out West, especially now that they've upgraded their PG position. I used to think San Antonio, but after the Suns beat them like bitches in the semis, I have little faith in them as well. In the East, I gotta go with Orlando. Boston's age HAS to catch up with them at this point, and I'm doubtful that Miami can surround The Traveling Circus with enough talent just yet. Lakers over Orlando in 5. Kobe gets another ring, and LeBron once again blames Mike Brown for coming up short.
I am not an NBA person, I love College Basketball and graduated from UConn so I follow UConn Alums in the NBA. What are people's thoughts on Ray Allen making the Hall of Fame? I think he definately deserves it. An incredible 3pt shooter who had some monster seasons. Look at the years he put up in Seattle(before they moved).
Somewhat aside from focus, but I found it very entertaining: Apparently, Dan Gilbert owns that "Fathead" company, the one that sells life-sized pictures of athletes for your wall. He's just lowered the price of the LeBron James one from $99 to $17.41. 1741 is the year that Benedict Arnold was born.
There is no way Melo makes it to FA. Especially after the Lebron thing. Denver has offered him an extension and if he turns it down, they are more than ready to ship his ass to the Clippers for players/picks so they don't get completely shut out like Cleveland.
Ray Allen has to go. No doubt about it. He was a beast, and carried a team for I don't know how long. Plus there are bonus pity points about his team vanishing after he left. And he has a ring, and now the record for most threes in the playoffs/finals. Rob, I love all your posts, but I have to stop you on the Mike Brown comment. The guy was a fucking idiot. He only knew 5 plays. The 23, The LBJ, the King James, The Highschool Phenom, and the Powder In the Air. I think you get where I'm going with this. And as I said in a post before, I really don't have all that sympathy for Dan Gilbert, because he let Mike Brown coach while Avery Johnson and 2008 coach of the year Byron Scott sat on their fucking coaches. Yes, the NBA is a star league, but the coach needs to do something with those 7-8 other guys running around the star, and he failed to do that. So yes, LBJ can blame Mike Brown for everything and then some. EXCEPT for giving up in the playoffs, but that was still sort of Mike Brown's fault. I don't know how I feel about Derek Fisher talking to Miami. He really can't do that. He's the only person keeping Kobe from eating the rest of the team. If he goes to Miami that'd be pretty fucked up in my opinion, especially since they took him back after his daughter got sick. Yeah, he's clutch and all, he's not an amazing player, but he's played in the triangle, so that makes him valuable. Why wouldn't he want to be part of a 3 peat? I don't know Fish...I just don't know.
It seems like Jim Gray could have been responsible for the whole "The Decision" thing.... <a class="postlink" href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/38168279" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.cnbc.com/id/38168279</a>
More than likely, he'll wise up and sign the extension, with the new CBA coming up and all. But should he not accept it, what would stop him from becoming a free agent? As it's been said before, he would be THE guy next offseason, with his pick of teams to sign a max deal with. Even if he ended up being traded, it's not a given that he'd resign (especially with the fucking Clippers, of all teams). Not that it'd come to that, anyway.
Jesse Jackson's pulling the race card in Lebron's departure, interjecting racism where there was none. <a class="postlink" href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Jesse-Jackson-faults-Cavs-owner-Dan-Gilbert-LeBron-comments-071110" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Jess ... nts-071110</a>
Apparently, word is he felt disrespected by the Lakers' offer of 1 year/$2.5 million. The Lakers made him an undisclosed 2nd offer after he landed back in LA. I wonder if Kobe met him at the airport in LA like Lebron did in Miami...