Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
if the Sixers get 2 top 5 picks (plus Stauskas FWIW) for 2 2nd-rounders, Hinkie should seriously be arrested.
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
2016-17 NBA Thread: Finals are over, please go away (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Capella
- Start date
- Status
That's been the Cousins experience in a nutshell - big numbers, and an inexplicable meltdown and loss against a team they have to beat to be taken seriously.
Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
If anyone stumbles across a gif or a vine (?) of Zach Randolph hurriedly jamming gum into his mouth after a timeout and dropping wrappers on the court, could you hook a brother up? TIA.
The General
Footballguy
Zach Randolf just dunked.
Buddy Ball 2K3
Footballguy
My hope is that they use Okafor to trade up in the draft. Just get him out of here, keep Noel and get some shooters.
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
While I would love to keep Noel as well, is it wise to pay someone $16-17M when in your ideal world he is playing 18 min per game (assuming embiid can get to 32 next year) when you could have Holmes do the job for $2m? I know there is cap room galore but you will have to pay embiid, Simmons, saric, etc soon enough plus whatever big name they go after this offseason.
Buddy Ball 2K3
Footballguy
By the time Simmons comes up for his next contract Noel could be out of here. As crazy as it sounds, I think Noel at 16-17m is going to be a fair price in a year or two.
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
God bless LeBron for going at Barkley like that. Chuck's shtick got old a long time ago, now he's just a washed-up hypocrite trying to sell a grumpy old man routine nobody's buying.
A week or two ago they had Mark Alarie on the Wiz broadcast (it was 90s night) and they asked him the inevitable question about comparing the game in his era to the current game. He said he loves coming to games now because the level of play in today's NBA is worlds beyond the NBA of his day. It was refreshing to hear an ex-player who wasn't bitter and petty and could admit what should be fairly obvious. Would be nice to have more guys like that on broadcasts.
A week or two ago they had Mark Alarie on the Wiz broadcast (it was 90s night) and they asked him the inevitable question about comparing the game in his era to the current game. He said he loves coming to games now because the level of play in today's NBA is worlds beyond the NBA of his day. It was refreshing to hear an ex-player who wasn't bitter and petty and could admit what should be fairly obvious. Would be nice to have more guys like that on broadcasts.
Kev4029
Footballguy
Plus they need to spend money on something. It's not like there is a huge opportunity cost to paying Noel, they're going to have something like $65 million in salary cap space next year. Also, they could front load the contract a bit so the salaries decrease year-by-year.
I think $16-17M is a fair price for Noel right now IF he is playing 30-32 minutes a game, however with the situation here (in a perfect world) he is only playing 18-20 minutes. That's where the dilemma is, especially when you have a guy waiting in the wings who can 65% fill his shoes (and still developing) for 12% of the cost.
On The Rocks
Footballguy
Jason Whitlock was all over LeBron for his comments this morning. Calling him the Drama King and not handling adversity very well through out his career.
Buddy Ball 2K3
Footballguy
I think thats very likely. If I could lock him up at 15-16 I would be rather happy about that. I think a player with his defensive skills will always be needed and is an asset that would be quite easy to move.
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
You know you've done something right if you find yourself on the opposite side of Jason Whitlock.
On The Rocks
Footballguy
I don't disagree. He's one of those voices that I like him when I agree with him, and I hate him when he's chirping against something I like. But overall he's been a big supporter of LJ. So it was interesting to hear him siding with Chuck on this one.
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
Have you seen his PER? 22.1
If that continues (and you can see him improve day-to-day) he will always command plenty if you find yourself needing cap space. Lock him up.
Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
Lebron rules.
Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
The level of research was A-worthy. Jordan and Barkley joking around during the Finals? I did not know that.
pollardsvision
Footballguy
It's funny that everyone seems to think they need to pick a side. I celebrate the whole ordeal.TobiasFunke said:
Agree about Chuck getting old, but I like him in general. But LeBron, hell, it's January, he's frustrated, he's feeling a little salty. Nothing wrong with firing off some shots. Not sure there was really good cause for it based on Barkley's specific comments, but who cares what sparked it. It was just coming.
I'm sure Barkley's reaction will be wonderful as well. Thursday night will be must-see TV now for a lot of folks. I would say TNT might've paid LeBron a little bit for this, but if they had, they'd have surely made sure somebody was filming it.
Capella
Footballguy
Cliff Clavin
Footballguy
Link?
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
That is ridiculous. Lebron, over the course of his whole life, has managed superstardom in this age with unparalelled aplomb. The comments were probably unnecessary, but they certainly made me chuckle and there's nothing wrong with calling Charles out. LeBron is driven to achieve excellence in everything, which probably makes him a cranky SOB sometimes.On The Rocks said:
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/01/lebron-james-charles-barkley-hater-rant-quote-window-cavaliers
“I’m not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that,” James told ESPN. “I’m not the one who threw somebody through a window. I never spit on a kid. I never had unpaid debt in Las Vegas. I never said, ‘I’m not a role model.’ I never showed up to All-Star Weekend on Sunday because I was in Vegas all weekend partying.
“All I’ve done for my entire career is represent the NBA the right way. Fourteen years, never got in trouble. Respected the game. Print that.”
Hoo, boy. You know what? This is exactly how Barkley would have responded to this type of criticism in his playing days.
Speaking of his playing days …
“Go watch the ’93 Finals when John Paxson hit the shot,” James told ESPN. “Barkley and Jordan were laughing and joking with each other during one of the games while somebody’s shooting a free throw. In the Finals. But, oh, nobody were friends back then.”
James ends a fantastic interview — really, read the whole thing — with, “I’m tired of biting my tongue. There’s a new sheriff in town.”
Bull Dozier
Footballguy
Bobcat10
Footballguy
Barkley has drilled Lebron, the Cavs, and Cleveland since the day Lebron made the Cavs relevant in his first tenure...it makes for good TV...although I will say last year (before the Cavs won anything) he softened up and actually started defending all three of those things. I'm surprised it took this long for Lebron to jab back.
Bruce Dickinson
Footballguy
He's even a big shill for Gates, which isn't even a top 5 BBQ joint in KC.TobiasFunke said:
Sammy3469
Footballguy
Frostillicus
Footballguy
FTR I was listening to Steve Stevens podcast the other day, and he said if the Cavs really want to win they should find a way to get James Harden.
Bruce Dickinson
Footballguy
To be fair, the ribs at Gates are phenomenal. And they have a chopped brisket ends sandwich on the menu called "Burnt Ends On Bun" that any BBQ restaurant would be proud to have. It's just that the standards are so high here.
Watching Whitlock take down a full slab while he explains why Jeff George is the most underrated QB of his era is a transcendent experience that I wish every American could have. I don't even know exactly how to describe it.
Cliff Clavin
Footballguy
Tau837
Footballguy
On the Barkley-Lebron thing, I agree that Barkley overrates his era and is overly critical of today's game and at times of some of its stars. However, I don't think his comments about Lebron in this case were off the mark.
Doesn't Cleveland have the highest payroll in the league? Isn't Cleveland paying the most luxury tax in the league? Isn't the Cleveland roster filled with players Lebron wanted? Isn't Lebron making more money than any other player in the league? Didn't the Cavs win the title last season? Given the answers to all those questions, isn't it fair to say Lebron is whining and should just suck it up and play? Or, if he really wants to win another title and feels the roster needs more help to do so, maybe he should consider reworking his contract and dropping his salary to $1M or something like that, to enable his team to make some impact trades. It's not like he needs the money.
Meanwhile, while Barkley's comments about Lebron were effectively comments about him as a professional, Lebron's comments about Barkley were more personal in nature. IMO it makes Lebron come off as thin-skinned and petty, whereas Barkley just shrugged off Lebron's comments.
I like Lebron, but IMO Barkley won this exchange.
Doesn't Cleveland have the highest payroll in the league? Isn't Cleveland paying the most luxury tax in the league? Isn't the Cleveland roster filled with players Lebron wanted? Isn't Lebron making more money than any other player in the league? Didn't the Cavs win the title last season? Given the answers to all those questions, isn't it fair to say Lebron is whining and should just suck it up and play? Or, if he really wants to win another title and feels the roster needs more help to do so, maybe he should consider reworking his contract and dropping his salary to $1M or something like that, to enable his team to make some impact trades. It's not like he needs the money.
Meanwhile, while Barkley's comments about Lebron were effectively comments about him as a professional, Lebron's comments about Barkley were more personal in nature. IMO it makes Lebron come off as thin-skinned and petty, whereas Barkley just shrugged off Lebron's comments.
I like Lebron, but IMO Barkley won this exchange.
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
I don't think the CBA allows LeBron and the Cavs to renegotiate.
Most of the rest of your post is correct, especially the part pointing out that LeBron is more responsible than anyone for handcuffing them with the Thompson and JR Smith deals he pretty much forced. But there's history and subtext here, both with Barkley (loves taking stupid shots at players' character, including LeBron), and with Gilbert (LeBron is not a fan of Gilbert for a number of very good reasons, and rightly likes to remind him once in a while who's really in charge of the Cavs).
ETA; Also worth remembering that LeBron and the other superstars of the league all make way under their true market value because of the max deal provision that the owners refuse to renegotiate. Exerting influence over personnel moves or other franchise decisions, forming superteams to amuse themselves and enhance their legacy, etc. is kind of a pushback against that. Most of that stuff would go away if James, Durant, Curry, Westbrook, Harden, Cousins, and a couple others were actually paid what they're worth.
Last edited by a moderator:
Gr00vus
Footballguy
That's the problem with James's complaining about the state of the roster and their inability to make moves now. He's mainly responsible for that but he doesn't seem to be willing to hold himself accountable - it's all somebody else's fault. He's a great player, he's a lousy GM. Hard to sympathize with James about this if he's not willing to admit that he's at least partially to blame for their current situation - maybe even offer an idea or two about how to improve in that regard.
Last edited by a moderator:
Boston
Footballguy
LeBron is a great player and he is by no means a bad apple in the big scheme of things...he is just your old school primadonna...I remember an interview I heard on the radio with some famous photographer who had been around forever...he had photographed pretty much every big-time athlete and said LeBron was the worst...he had a huge posse and did not allow the photographer to speak directly to him...he had to go thru his crew...I respect the hell out of him on the court but I have never bought his act off of it...always seemed like a pretender...
Last edited by a moderator:
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
Right, I agree with that. We went though this with Kobe too. But part of it is that he's trying to shift blame to ownership because he doesn't like Gilbert personally, for good reason, and I'm just pointing that out.
And it is kind of insane that a 32 year old who's gone the distance six seasons a row is leading the league in minutes played. They should be able to do something about that even with their roster limitations. Quick glance tells me that everyone else in the top 20 in minutes played is under 30 except Wes Matthews (30), and most of them are on teams who are or were fighting for playoff spots.
Anyway, this is standard LeBron midseason discontent, no? Happened last year too IIRC. He always works it out.
dino259
Footballguy
Kev4029
Footballguy
Lebron is 15th in minutes. Gortat, Melo, Lowry and Ariza all have more minutes and are 30+. Matthews is 30th in minutes played.
Your point is still valid, Lebron is a physical freak, and they might run him into the ground despite that.
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
My bad, was looking at minutes per game b/c his focus is on finding someone who can play backup PG so he doesn't have to. They have gotten him a rest day or two.
And I had no idea Lowry was over 30. I would have guessed 27 or 28. Couple lost early years in there I guess
jhib
Footballguy
Todem
Footballguy
It is truly remarkable and a testament to this guy's work ethic. Physically and mentally this is just incredible. I love Lebron the basketball player. On the court he is one of the 3 best I have ever seen. Off the court.....no comment. I don't know the guy. But her certainly has handled himself better than Chuck...that is for sure.
I thought his fire back on Chuck was great. Barkley is a bitter ex pro, who never won a title and complains all the time. Screw him. His shtick is old hat. Not only that, he has ripped Lebron since day one. Pure jealousy if you ask me. He complained loudly about Miami and the Big Three. So what about GS now (although they built that team and added KD)? Give me a break. This is today's NBA and it is the owners who have enabled all of this.
In other news.....The Heat goes for their 9th straight win. Some small light in what has been a tough season till this nice little streak. Dion Waiters......who would have thought? Heat Culture can help....another example of a player coming to Miami and finding himself and getting the best out of himself. Waiters is widely considered a bust and I always thought of him as a black hole when the ball was in his hands (it would never leave). But here? He is sharing the ball, rebounding and playing some of his best basketball ever. Pretty cool stuff. Dragic and Waiters are really clicking now. And Johnson has been a revelation as our 6th man. Losing Winslow for the season stinks, and Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson have been out most of this streak. Post season? No....I doubt it. But you never know. We can be the Cav's first sacrificial lamb in the East as it's possible to sneak in as an 8th seed. But The Heat have some young talent and it will be interesting come the trade deadline. We may get a flurry of trades (Waiters, Dragic, Johnson). Who knows. We need draft picks. That's for sure.
And Dwayne......the key is under the mat man. Just saying.
Last edited by a moderator:
Tau837
Footballguy
I wasn't sure about that. Given that Lebron has already made over $500M in his career, and given that his endorsement income exceeds his NBA salary, it seems that the next shoe to drop in the super team progression will be for him to sign his next contract for the vet minimum, allowing the rest of the cap to be used to surround him with as many great players as possible. And perhaps some of them who are older may also take less to facilitate this. The problem may be that it might have made more sense when his friends Wade, Paul, and Carmelo were still in their primes.
He could have done this sooner, and probably set himself up to win 6+ championships. He might still get there, but it will be harder sacrificing this year to the Warriors.
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
Honestly I think a part of why he's prickly these days is the Warriors. He did a ton of GM-type maneuvering to get to where the Cavs would be the favorites for the title for the last 3-4 years of his prime only to have the out of nowhere superstar turn of Steph Curry and his teammates throw a monkey wrench into that. Then he somehow overcame that and got Cleveland its title and put them on the Warriors' level, only to have the crazy new TV deal-> resulting cap rise-> Durant move throw a monkey wrench into that too. And now he's gonna need a miracle to add a fourth title while he's still young enough to be the centerpiece of the team. Gotta be frustrating.
ETA: He may also be pissy that he caught more hell for teaming up with two top 15ish players than Durant and the Warriors are catching for pairing the second and third best players in the league with two other top 15ish guys, which is just insane and like nothing we've ever seen. Like he took the fall for all of them and now they get the spoils. Just a theory
Last edited by a moderator:
Gr00vus
Footballguy
He's looking at either zero championships while the Warriors are together and healthy or having to jump ship again to somewhere that could assemble another superteam. Or finding a sucker to take all the Cavs bad contracts so they can improve the roster. Not a pleasant prospect.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
Sure, you say that now. But they'll be wishing they had Wiggins when Beal and Porter are torching the Cavs in the eastern conference finals
Last edited by a moderator:
- Status
Similar threads
