[taylordyoung]

Post all NBA related stuff here until the next season rolls around the corner.

So the draft is next week..........

[Jonular]

Here's my last post from the playoffs thread:

So...um. The Lakers, right now, before free agency, have to look like the best team in the West for next year (I realize this is also what everyone said about the Celtics last year, but oh well). They have almost every part of the court covered. Their biggest problem is probably at point guard (Fisher did not have a great season, despite coming through with those two huge three point shots in the Finals), so it would be huge if they could keep Shannon Brown, but I'd be surprised.

The Eastern Conference is really wide open. Unlike several years ago, though, it's because there are several really good teams. This should be really fun! I am looking forward to the competition for top dog in the East. Hopefully that will keep us entertained for the first half of the oh so long regular season.

The Celtics have age and a really, really short bench going against them. It's also Ray Allen's last season with this contract, isn't it? The Magic may lose Hedo, but will hopefully get a Jameer that has a basketball IQ back (the amount of rust he had in the Finals has been completely understated). They're still stuck with Stan Van though. And the Cavs have LeBron. But they also have an invisible Mo Williams and an archaic Zydrunas Ilgauskus. They have Delonte West, which is kind of nice, and Mike Brown is an okay coach. And Anderson Verajao...well he's good for a couple of plays a game.

So it should be interesting to see what they can do to improve their roster in free agency and the beginning of the season. Also, I want to know what Riley and the Heat intend to do against such a stacked upper echelon in their own conference. The West may be less entertaining, unless the Nuggets can continue their chemistry and improve, or maybe Yao can stay healthy for a season? I'd say something about the Trailblazers, but they've been the cool underdog pick for three years and I haven't been able to take them that seriously yet.

[Jonular]

Also, I am not a fan of the Shaq trade, since it's a quick-fix to the Cavs' gaping post-season holes, but the Cavs management is probably pretty desperate. I don't have a problem with Shaq playing for the Cavs, I think it will be fun, but I take issue with the principle of the trade (I like how Cleveland had to put some cash considerations into the deal). But it raises some questions!

Is it possible to resign LeBron and woo, say, Chris Bosh in the same offseason? Is there enough money in the cap to even do that? Someday, I want to see two great, great players say "screw the money, we want to dominate together." How much fun would it be to have Dwayne Wade and LeBron on one team? You could win on that team with Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic as your centers!

But that won't ever happen because neither superstar on such a team would ever have a legacy as a great, great player, since their statistical numbers would be shared with another superstar. Crap. Can you be competitive enough to be a great player in a professional sports league and not care about your legacy? We need two of them for this idea to work.

Also, how does this affect Shaq's reputation? Including the Cavs, he's been on five teams now. A great center, also hard to play with? Demanding? Journeyman who wanted too much money? Lazy if he's not a championship contender? I don't think he cares, he's just around to have a good time...but it will be interesting to see how the media will shape his reputation after his fifth team.

[Mr. claw]

I'm not so sure about it. I mean he played quite well for Phoenix, whatever that team's troubles. But he's 37. Meh. We'll see.

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by Jonular

But that won't ever happen because neither superstar on such a team would ever have a legacy as a great, great player, since their statistical numbers would be shared with another superstar. Crap. Can you be competitive enough to be a great player in a professional sports league and not care about your legacy? We need two of them for this idea to work.

If the NBA operates the same way the MLB does, it wouldn't just be unlikely, but would fly in the face of the Players Association which demands its superstars get as much money as teams will pay them.

[Iceman-bass14]

Originally Posted by Jonular

Also, I am not a fan of the Shaq trade, since it's a quick-fix to the Cavs' gaping post-season holes, but the Cavs management is probably pretty desperate. I don't have a problem with Shaq playing for the Cavs, I think it will be fun, but I take issue with the principle of the trade (I like how Cleveland had to put some cash considerations into the deal). But it raises some questions!

It seems to me like theyre trying to win one championship now,not solidify for a nice 4-5 year run.

Is it possible to resign LeBron and woo, say, Chris Bosh in the same offseason? Is there enough money in the cap to even do that? Someday, I want to see two great, great players say "screw the money, we want to dominate together." How much fun would it be to have Dwayne Wade and LeBron on one team? You could win on that team with Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic as your centers!

My friends told me that in the '10 offseason the Knicks would sign Lebron,Steve Nash,Chris Bosh,and someone else(I forget who right now) to run D'Antoni's system.I didnt buy it.

So...Minnesota takes 3 PG's in the first round!So obviously they'll trade them,but to who?7 other teams drafted a PG(Counting Tyreke Evans) in the first round already and its not even over.Not to mention 2 of those that they drafted have heigth questions(Lawson and Flynn).Rubio is a good pickup in my opinion,but if your drafting to trade would you draft 2 of the same person,who both have the same questions surrounding them?

[Jonular]

Originally Posted by thesteve

If the NBA operates the same way the MLB does, it wouldn't just be unlikely, but would fly in the face of the Players Association which demands its superstars get as much money as teams will pay them.

Yeah, the NBA is such a superstar-oriented league. It's too bad, because a Dwayne/LeBron combo would be so much fun to see.

Originally Posted by Iceman-bass14

It seems to me like theyre trying to win one championship now,not solidify for a nice 4-5 year run.

But they should be doing the latter, not the former! They have LeBron freaking James, and he's only 24. The Cavaliers management group is in the learning process of how to set up a good team, and unfortunately, they needed to know how two years ago. LeBron wants a good GM who can build a good team around a superstar, and to have a couple of good guys off the bench

My friends told me that in the '10 offseason the Knicks would sign Lebron,Steve Nash,Chris Bosh,and someone else(I forget who right now) to run D'Antoni's system.I didnt buy it.

Yes, the Knicks are clearing out cap space to offer as much money as they can to as many players as they can, but that will never happen, since everyone but LeBron only has money on their mind. And they other guy you are thinking about is Dwayne Wade. Or maybe Amare Staudemire (excuse the spelling)? What's 'Melo's contract status?

So, uh, if the Magic re-sign Hedo, their starting line up is: Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, and Rashard Lewis. You have Pietrus, Reddick, and Anthony Johnson coming off the bench for you. It's a weak bench after Pietrus, so at best you have a 7, 8 man team...but wow? These big trades are going to make the beginning of the season fun to watch!!

The Al Jefferson trade is another one to watch. Again, an impressive starting lineup (for the Spurs, obviously). These contract-dumping trades are absolutely terrible for the league, but fun to watch if you're a fairweather fan that wants to see a couple of really good teams.

[McLuvinjesus]

Originally Posted by Jonular

Also, I am not a fan of the Shaq trade, since it's a quick-fix to the Cavs' gaping post-season holes, but the Cavs management is probably pretty desperate. I don't have a problem with Shaq playing for the Cavs, I think it will be fun, but I take issue with the principle of the trade (I like how Cleveland had to put some cash considerations into the deal). But it raises some questions!

They gave up practically nothing to get one of the biggest stars they could get, they are trying to show LeBron that they are willing to make big moves to get him the help he needs to win a championship, which in turn will help them in their efforts to resign him (which is what this deal is all about), they are paying Shaq for one year, which means they will have more money to play with when it comes time to sign Bosh or some other big name free agent. I don't see this as a quick-fix, although it will help immensely next season. Shaq will be incredibly motivated by the opportunity to get another ring, possibly play against Kobe in the Finals, and beat Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy on the way. Also, he's in the final year of his contract, so you know he's going to be in shape and ready to put up some numbers. I love this deal. It's clearly a step towards resigning Bron Bron. The only possible downside to this deal is if Shaq got hurt. Even then, at least they could say they tried. Can you imagine if they didn't make a move and LeBron left? Cavs fans would be done being Cavs fans (that's how bandwagonish they are... including me).

Originally Posted by Jonular

Also, how does this affect Shaq's reputation? Including the Cavs, he's been on five teams now. A great center, also hard to play with? Demanding? Journeyman who wanted too much money? Lazy if he's not a championship contender? I don't think he cares, he's just around to have a good time...but it will be interesting to see how the media will shape his reputation after his fifth team.

It's pretty clear in my mind that this hurts his rep. He was on record earlier this season as saying that he "despises frontrunners". Now who's being a frontrunner?

[Zooropa]

Why did Ricky Rubio fall to #5? That was ridiculous to me. Teams #2-4 are gonna be sorry in a few years.

[Art]

Ty Lawson was already traded to Denver.

I am fine with the Kings taking Evans over Rubio. Neither is a sure thing, but Evans could end up being the best point guard in this draft. Of course, so could Rubio, but that is what risk is all about. I like Evans.

And I definitely don't think Rubio should have gone #2. Over Thabeet? I mean, Thabeet could end up being one of the best defensive players in the NBA, and there just aren't enough good defensive big men.

[Zooropa]

I like Rubio's game a lot. Dude played really well in the gold medal game against the U.S. while injured. Of course we won't know for a few years, but my opinion is he will be the best player out of this draft when all is said and done.

[Art]

Definitely possible... He has been playing professional basketball since age 14.

[Jonular]

Originally Posted by McLuvinjesus

They gave up practically nothing to get one of the biggest stars they could get, they are trying to show LeBron that they are willing to make big moves to get him the help he needs to win a championship, which in turn will help them in their efforts to resign him (which is what this deal is all about)...

Yeah, but if you're LeBron, don't you want to see management make smaller, subtle trades? How often are you going to have a corpse of an all-star and another contract to dumb laying around to trade to a cash-hungry team with an aging great player on the block?

I know Mo Williams didn't work out for the Cavs as planned this year, but don't you think LeBron wants to see more trades like that? What does this "megadeal" tell you? That the Cavs management capitalized on a lucky opportunity? If I'm LeBron I'm not any more impressed today than I was yesterday, except for their ability to open up room for the salary cap issues in 2010.

they are paying Shaq for one year, which means they will have more money to play with when it comes time to sign Bosh or some other big name free agent.

But this doesn't change because of the Shaq trade at all. The contracts were off the block after next year anyways. So the Cavs pay a bit more for Shaq this year, hope to get something out of him, and then...they're back to ground zero. They still haven't done anything to tell LeBron "hey, we can surround you with good guys for a long time" besides trading for Mo Williams.

I don't see this as a quick-fix, although it will help immensely next season. Shaq will be incredibly motivated by the opportunity to get another ring, possibly play against Kobe in the Finals, and beat Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy on the way. Also, he's in the final year of his contract, so you know he's going to be in shape and ready to put up some numbers.

Yes...Yes, it will be entertaining with Shaq back in the Eastern Conference. Fantastic, but it's not impressing LeBron, who is thinking in terms of "MJ had six championship rings" and "I want to be the best ever" and "I've been here for six years and they still only have a group of guys that would be .500 at best if I weren't here."

It's clearly a step towards resigning Bron Bron. The only possible downside to this deal is if Shaq got hurt. Even then, at least they could say they tried. Can you imagine if they didn't make a move and LeBron left?

LeBron is smarter than signing a big contract to an organization with dumb management. What have the Cavs done to tell LeBron that they can improve their current roster to help LeBron dominate the league for a long period of time? Nothing, just a one-year deal with an aging superstar. It'll be a fun year, maybe Mo Williams and Delonte will come through this time but who knows, and then what? No one knows.

Cavs fans would be done being Cavs fans (that's how bandwagonish they are... including me).

Right, the nationwide fans would hop off the bandwagon and either rejoin the Celtics, join the Magic, or maybe join some Western Conference team like the Nuggets or the ever-bizarre TrailBlazers bandwagon. The real fans would wake up and realize that they have been cheering for the Cavaliers...the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland. It says it all.

The draft was kind of weird, like Rubio dropping to fifth as was already mentioned. I thought Rubio would be higher in such a weak draft, but who knows. The Timberwolves drafted FIVE guards, one of which they already traded. Weird. Some trades are going to happen, I guess?

[McLuvinjesus]

Originally Posted by Jonular

Yeah, but if you're LeBron, don't you want to see management make smaller, subtle trades? How often are you going to have a corpse of an all-star and another contract to dumb laying around to trade to a cash-hungry team with an aging great player on the block?

In this economy, I'm sure there are a lot of teams trying to dump salary. If they didn't get Shaq, they were going to get Tyson Chandler, I believe. I'm sure they are trying to make more trades than what they've made, especially to shore up their interior defense and outside shooting.

I know Mo Williams didn't work out for the Cavs as planned this year, but don't you think LeBron wants to see more trades like that? What does this "megadeal" tell you? That the Cavs management capitalized on a lucky opportunity? If I'm LeBron I'm not any more impressed today than I was yesterday, except for their ability to open up room for the salary cap issues in 2010.

It tells you that they are willing to spend big money to get significantly better. LeBron knows the Knicks are willing to do that. He knows the Bulls are willing to do that. He's not going to stay in Cleveland if the management never spends big money to get better. Hell, they wouldn't have made this deal 8 years ago, that's for sure. They wouldn't have even had Ben Wallace to trade to begin with. They are trying to make sure LeBron knows they are willing to spend money to get someone else with a pulse to play with. Makes sense to me.

But this doesn't change because of the Shaq trade at all. The contracts were off the block after next year anyways. So the Cavs pay a bit more for Shaq this year, hope to get something out of him, and then...they're back to ground zero. They still haven't done anything to tell LeBron "hey, we can surround you with good guys for a long time" besides trading for Mo Williams.

That depends on if he believes they can get Chris Bosh next year. And it does change because of the Shaq trade as opposed to trading for say, Tyson Chandler. They had to do something, or else risk being dumped by LeBron for being a do-nothing, spend-nothing management. Why not trade for a guy you only have to pay for one year as opposed to a guy that would hurt your chances to get Bosh?

Yes...Yes, it will be entertaining with Shaq back in the Eastern Conference. Fantastic, but it's not impressing LeBron, who is thinking in terms of "MJ had six championship rings" and "I want to be the best ever" and "I've been here for six years and they still only have a group of guys that would be .500 at best if I weren't here."

You don't think Shaq significantly improves their chances of making it to the Finals this year? If they make it, and LeBron gets his ring, do you think he would leave? I don't think he would. I could be wrong, though. I think if they had made this deal back in February, they would have beaten the Magic. I don't think they would have beaten the Lakers, but they would have beaten the Magic. The Cavs interior defense cost them at least two games. It would have been a completely different series, I think. One game, Dwight Howard had 3 dunks in a row to start an OT period, and we never recovered. I think Shaq would have made a huge difference, and if he stays healthy, he might make a big difference this year. I guess we'll see.

LeBron is smarter than signing a big contract to an organization with dumb management. What have the Cavs done to tell LeBron that they can improve their current roster to help LeBron dominate the league for a long period of time? Nothing, just a one-year deal with an aging superstar. It'll be a fun year, maybe Mo Williams and Delonte will come through this time but who knows, and then what? No one knows.

Yeah, unless he is really calling the shots. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a lot to do with this trade. It's no secret that he gets whatever he wants in Cleveland. I heard that one time they had a home game, and he wanted to wear road jerseys because they matched his shoes better. So the Cavs had to fly someone out to the visiting team's city to pick up their home jerseys so LeBron could wear his road jerseys, at home. I'm sure he would get what he wanted in other cities to, but a certain leverage comes with knowing that the life or death of a franchise rests on whether or not you resign with the team. Idk. We'll see what happens. Maybe it's all just wishful thinking.

[Mr. claw]

Anyone see Orlando's trade up? Not so sure I'm pleased with it. I now Carter is very good....but he's getting old, and they gave up Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston for him. Meh.