The National Basketball Association

[maverick94]

As much as I'd like to think he's gonna go somewhere else (Go Bulls!), surely this is just an exercise in giving the Heat more financial flexibility to add a better supporting cast??

I initially thought the same, but it is reported that he's unwilling to take a pay cut to make way for a player like Melo. The Heat will probably still find a way, and that's his best bet to keep on winning championships for now, but I'd prefer to see him at a team like Cleveland again, or somewhere where he'd have to earn his wins a bit more!

 

[Philw]

I initially thought the same, but it is reported that he's unwilling to take a pay cut to make way for a player like Melo. The Heat will probably still find a way, and that's his best bet to keep on winning championships for now, but I'd prefer to see him at a team like Cleveland again, or somewhere where he'd have to earn his wins a bit more!

Seems like they'd all ahve to take a decent pay cut to get Melo there, and Riley is downplaying it himself (altho to my mind that suggests he's working on doing exactly that!), but I was thinking more in terms of upgrading the bench/pg/center positions etc....

Tbh, apparently they could do it if they all signed contracts worth ~$13m/yr. Why wouldn't you do that if it gave you a chance to win a championship? I mean what's more important, 4/5m a year, or a few rings on your fingers?

 

[maverick94]

Seems like they'd all ahve to take a decent pay cut to get Melo there, and Riley is downplaying it himself (altho to my mind that suggests he's working on doing exactly that!), but I was thinking more in terms of upgrading the bench/pg/center positions etc....

Tbh, apparently they could do it if they all signed contracts worth ~$13m/yr. Why wouldn't you do that if it gave you a chance to win a championship? I mean what's more important, 4/5m a year, or a few rings on your fingers?

I know, I was really surprised to hear Lebron was apparently unwilling to take a pay cut. Especially as he just made $30m from shares after the sale of Dre Beats to Apple. If he wants to be on MJ level then rings are infinitely more valuable. Saying that though, maybe he thinks the Heat won't be able to do it again next year, as it seems they're getting beaten more and more each year, and players like Wade are only getting older. If they want to make room for some better bench players they'll have to free up quite a bit of cap space first I reckon

 

[Rupert's Tower]

I initially thought the same, but it is reported that he's unwilling to take a pay cut to make way for a player like Melo. The Heat will probably still find a way, and that's his best bet to keep on winning championships for now, but I'd prefer to see him at a team like Cleveland again, or somewhere where he'd have to earn his wins a bit more!

A way to get Melo? No chance! I've read a lot of journo pieces about what would have have to happen for Melo to go to the Heat and ultimately the biggest stumbling is the fact Melo would be walking away from something like $30m which is what he can expect if as expected he resigns with the Knicks (I'm a Knicks fan btw). There is literally no chance of it happening for that reason. It's pure fantasy, like the way some of us genuinely think Lukaku is going to sign for Everton permanently this summer

 

[SerenityNigh]

Finally caught up with the Finals over the w/e... great result. Big surprise to see Leonard as MVP!!

Draft is in a few days, gonna be interesting to see if any big trades go down, and whether the Bulls can add some firepower to the roster...

Not a huge surprise on Leonard*. He's been excellent so far in his young career. Pippen MK2, maybe even better.

*i am slightly biased; a defense first complete player is my mythological love in every sport

 

[SerenityNigh]

LeBron's move is all about leverage. It's possible (in theory) that he goes back to the Heat. But Melo is not what they need. Melo simply guarantees that the Spurs have an open shot with fewer passes in next year's Finals.

 

[Philw]

Not a huge surprise on Leonard*. He's been excellent so far in his young career. Pippen MK2, maybe even better.

*i am slightly biased; a defense first complete player is my mythological love in every sport

Maybe, but it is surprising (to me at least) to see his excellence rewarded whilst in the company of guys like Duncan, LeBron, Ginobli and Parker. As for the second part, that's bold!

LeBron's move is all about leverage. It's possible (in theory) that he goes back to the Heat. But Melo is not what they need. Melo simply guarantees that the Spurs have an open shot with fewer passes in next year's Finals.

Totally. They've already fallen off this year, why they'd want another offensive player to try and fit in that will only compromise their defense further... Same reason why I don't think he'd be a good fit for the Rockets. I'm unsure of him coming to the Bulls, but better here than elsewhere, unless we can get Love without giving up too much...

 

[Philw]

I know, I was really surprised to hear Lebron was apparently unwilling to take a pay cut. Especially as he just made $30m from shares after the sale of Dre Beats to Apple. If he wants to be on MJ level then rings are infinitely more valuable. Saying that though, maybe he thinks the Heat won't be able to do it again next year, as it seems they're getting beaten more and more each year, and players like Wade are only getting older. If they want to make room for some better bench players they'll have to free up quite a bit of cap space first I reckon

Well if he has to leave Miami to chase more Rings, then he'll never be on MJ's level in most peoples' minds.

 

[maverick94]

Well if he has to leave Miami to chase more Rings, then he'll never be on MJ's level in most peoples' minds.

True that, he'd still be in Cleveland winning championships if he was anything like MJ.

Kevin Love will be a huge trade for whoever gets him, definitely one of my favourite current players. Where you reckon he might end up? Lakers, Warriors, Bulls...?

 

[Philw]

True that, he'd still be in Cleveland winning championships if he was anything like MJ.

Kevin Love will be a huge trade for whoever gets him, definitely one of my favourite current players. Where you reckon he might end up? Lakers, Warriors, Bulls...?

Can't see anyone going to the Lakers atm. Warriors maybe if they go back on not wanting to trade Thompson, which would be a good fit I think. Him and Curry in pick & rolls would be pretty sick. Obviously I'd love for him to come to Chicago, seems like we'd have to give up a lot for him tho, maybe too much with what I've seen bandied around so far. Hopefully we can come to a good compromise.

 

[Rupert's Tower]

LeBron isn't leaving The Heat, there's no team in the NBA he could go to at the minute that is stronger than The Heat on paper (starting lineup) and no team in the NBA that could match what he can get if/when he resigns with The Heat so let's get that out of the way, it's the same with Melo regards money. A piece here about Melo's decision to opt out of his contract btw:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...pts-loves-knick-test-market-article-1.1840244

People seldom consider a player's family when talking about where he should play but it's clearly a big factor for all kinds of sportsmen, in Melo's case he clearly doesn't want to leave New York and why would you? Uprooting your family and kids to move from New York to somewhere like Cleveland, taking a pay cut in the process and even then there's no guarantee of success. Why would you do this? When you look at it like this you realise how absurd the notion of Melo leaving the Knicks actually is. Once a knick, always a knick

 

[Philw]

LeBron isn't leaving The Heat, there's no team in the NBA he could go to at the minute that is stronger than The Heat on paper (starting lineup) and no team in the NBA that could match what he can get if/when he resigns with The Heat so let's get that out of the way, it's the same with Melo regards money. A piece here about Melo's decision to opt out of his contract btw:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...pts-loves-knick-test-market-article-1.1840244

People seldom consider a player's family when talking about where he should play but it's clearly a big factor for all kinds of sportsmen, in Melo's case he clearly doesn't want to leave New York and why would you? Uprooting your family and kids to move from New York to somewhere like Cleveland, taking a pay cut in the process and even then there's no guarantee of success. Why would you do this? When you look at it like this you realise how absurd the notion of Melo leaving the Knicks actually is. Once a knick, always a knick

Who's talking about Cleveland? We're talking about places like Houston, Dallas, Chicago, LA maybe. People with families do move you know, especially sportsmen, and if he ever wants to win then he has to leave New York. If he does stay, then it's clear he's put family and money over success.

 

[maverick94]

Yeahhhhhh Tyson Chandler back at the Mavs! Get in!

 

[AdamEFC]

Rockets clearing Cap space, Lebron or Melo to Houston?

 

[SerenityNigh]

LeBron isn't leaving The Heat, there's no team in the NBA he could go to at the minute that is stronger than The Heat on paper (starting lineup) and no team in the NBA that could match what he can get if/when he resigns with The Heat so let's get that out of the way, it's the same with Melo regards money. A piece here about Melo's decision to opt out of his contract btw:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...pts-loves-knick-test-market-article-1.1840244

People seldom consider a player's family when talking about where he should play but it's clearly a big factor for all kinds of sportsmen, in Melo's case he clearly doesn't want to leave New York and why would you? Uprooting your family and kids to move from New York to somewhere like Cleveland, taking a pay cut in the process and even then there's no guarantee of success. Why would you do this? When you look at it like this you realise how absurd the notion of Melo leaving the Knicks actually is. Once a knick, always a knick

Are you telling me that these guys are opting out of their contracts so that they can re-sign with the same team for more money because they don't want to uproot their families?