*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (5 Viewers)

[Notorious T.R.E.]

No way I'm reading that.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

http://i.imgur.com/iekn3aJ.gif

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I thought GunZ was a hippie, now he's knocking guys who are worth 9 figures for leaving money on the table. Pretty weird.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Kobe's 2 year extension: $23.5M and $25M. Franchise crippled till 2016.

They got a guy who's worth what, $75M per year to the franchise to take a 20% pay cut from 31M to 24M.

I thought it would be more.

I guess I should have said the basketball side of the franchise is crippled till 2016. The Buss' are still going to rake in the cash. Congrats to Laker fans?

Well there's that, and the fact that when the Buss' make big dough, they are also more willing to pay the luxury tax. And I'm guessing there were discussions with Kobe and assurances made that they are going to spend big dough to reload in the off season.

Are you honestly happy about this extension? Honestly.

Honestly.

Definitely easy to argue that it's an overpay from an cap efficiency standpoint, but what's the alternative? Let him walk so we can offer Carmelo and Zach Randolph?This isn't like giving Joe Johnson 20M, or Amare 20M. Kobe is still a very good player. Injury is certainly a concern, but even if he regresses somewhat, he's still going to be an All Star level SG for the next 2 seasons.

It would be a lot more difficult to swallow this deal if Kobe wasn't so good last year.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Kobe's 2 year extension: $23.5M and $25M. Franchise crippled till 2016.

They got a guy who's worth what, $75M per year to the franchise to take a 20% pay cut from 31M to 24M.

I thought it would be more.

I guess I should have said the basketball side of the franchise is crippled till 2016. The Buss' are still going to rake in the cash. Congrats to Laker fans?

Well there's that, and the fact that when the Buss' make big dough, they are also more willing to pay the luxury tax. And I'm guessing there were discussions with Kobe and assurances made that they are going to spend big dough to reload in the off season.

Are you honestly happy about this extension? Honestly.

Honestly.

Definitely easy to argue that it's an overpay from an cap efficiency standpoint, but what's the alternative? Let him walk so we can offer Carmelo and Zach Randolph?This isn't like giving Joe Johnson 20M, or Amare 20M. Kobe is still a very good player. Injury is certainly a concern, but even if he regresses somewhat, he's still going to be an All Star level SG for the next 2 seasons.

It would be a lot more difficult to swallow this deal if Kobe wasn't so good last year.

Is that a better idea than waiting to see how he looks after Achilles surgery, and giving him $2mm more per year than the best offer he receives on the open market?

 

[tommyGunZ]

Kobe's 2 year extension: $23.5M and $25M. Franchise crippled till 2016.

They got a guy who's worth what, $75M per year to the franchise to take a 20% pay cut from 31M to 24M.

I thought it would be more.

I guess I should have said the basketball side of the franchise is crippled till 2016. The Buss' are still going to rake in the cash. Congrats to Laker fans?

Well there's that, and the fact that when the Buss' make big dough, they are also more willing to pay the luxury tax. And I'm guessing there were discussions with Kobe and assurances made that they are going to spend big dough to reload in the off season.

Are you honestly happy about this extension? Honestly.

Honestly.

Definitely easy to argue that it's an overpay from an cap efficiency standpoint, but what's the alternative? Let him walk so we can offer Carmelo and Zach Randolph?This isn't like giving Joe Johnson 20M, or Amare 20M. Kobe is still a very good player. Injury is certainly a concern, but even if he regresses somewhat, he's still going to be an All Star level SG for the next 2 seasons.

It would be a lot more difficult to swallow this deal if Kobe wasn't so good last year.

Is that a better idea than waiting to see how he looks after Achilles surgery, and giving him $2mm more per year than the best offer he receives on the open market?

Maybe so, maybe not. Perhaps the Lakers have seen enough. Let's be honest, there is an extra level of comfort in the recovery process simply b/c of who it is.

And no, you don't tell Kobe to hit the road and come back with the best offer, and we'll beat it for $2M. That's a jackass move to pull on the guy who is paying all of your salaries.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Kobe's 2 year extension: $23.5M and $25M. Franchise crippled till 2016.

They got a guy who's worth what, $75M per year to the franchise to take a 20% pay cut from 31M to 24M.

I thought it would be more.

I guess I should have said the basketball side of the franchise is crippled till 2016. The Buss' are still going to rake in the cash. Congrats to Laker fans?

Well there's that, and the fact that when the Buss' make big dough, they are also more willing to pay the luxury tax. And I'm guessing there were discussions with Kobe and assurances made that they are going to spend big dough to reload in the off season.

Are you honestly happy about this extension? Honestly.

Honestly.

Definitely easy to argue that it's an overpay from an cap efficiency standpoint, but what's the alternative? Let him walk so we can offer Carmelo and Zach Randolph?This isn't like giving Joe Johnson 20M, or Amare 20M. Kobe is still a very good player. Injury is certainly a concern, but even if he regresses somewhat, he's still going to be an All Star level SG for the next 2 seasons.

It would be a lot more difficult to swallow this deal if Kobe wasn't so good last year.

Is that a better idea than waiting to see how he looks after Achilles surgery, and giving him $2mm more per year than the best offer he receives on the open market?

Maybe so, maybe not. Perhaps the Lakers have seen enough. Let's be honest, there is an extra level of comfort in the recovery process simply b/c of who it is.

And no, you don't tell Kobe to hit the road and come back with the best offer, and we'll beat it for $2M. That's a jackass move to pull on the guy who is paying all of your salaries.

There's no way they know enough to definitively know how good he is. Not even if the Lakers have watched him in practice.

Again, as a Warriors fan, I'm over the moon about this deal. And you don't have to necessarily kick him out and let him go shop himself around to get an idea of what the market's like for the player. If you're OK with LA shooting themselves in the foot to the tune of one very good 10mm a year player to appease Kobe, that's great I guess.

 

[Premier]

ALL the words.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

:X

 

[GOB]

Is miss Kobe Bryant still getting half of that?

This is actually a really good question.

They reconciled, IIRC. So I believe she would be entitled to half that, in the event of a divorce, unless Kobe somehow got her to sign something.

Speaking of money, Kobe's estimated worth is $200mm. Obviously more than he's ever going to be able to spend, especially if you factor in post-basketball earnings. So we can reasonably assume that Kobe's life priorities going forward are:

1)

2) The scoring record

3) Winning a title

Why would he, or she for that matter, want back in a relationship like that?Come on Kobe, you are better than this.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Kobe's 2 year extension: $23.5M and $25M. Franchise crippled till 2016.

They got a guy who's worth what, $75M per year to the franchise to take a 20% pay cut from 31M to 24M.

I thought it would be more.

I guess I should have said the basketball side of the franchise is crippled till 2016. The Buss' are still going to rake in the cash. Congrats to Laker fans?

Well there's that, and the fact that when the Buss' make big dough, they are also more willing to pay the luxury tax. And I'm guessing there were discussions with Kobe and assurances made that they are going to spend big dough to reload in the off season.

Are you honestly happy about this extension? Honestly.

Honestly.

Definitely easy to argue that it's an overpay from an cap efficiency standpoint, but what's the alternative? Let him walk so we can offer Carmelo and Zach Randolph?This isn't like giving Joe Johnson 20M, or Amare 20M. Kobe is still a very good player. Injury is certainly a concern, but even if he regresses somewhat, he's still going to be an All Star level SG for the next 2 seasons.

It would be a lot more difficult to swallow this deal if Kobe wasn't so good last year.

Is that a better idea than waiting to see how he looks after Achilles surgery, and giving him $2mm more per year than the best offer he receives on the open market?

Maybe so, maybe not. Perhaps the Lakers have seen enough. Let's be honest, there is an extra level of comfort in the recovery process simply b/c of who it is.

And no, you don't tell Kobe to hit the road and come back with the best offer, and we'll beat it for $2M. That's a jackass move to pull on the guy who is paying all of your salaries.

There's no way they know enough to definitively know how good he is. Not even if the Lakers have watched him in practice.

Again, as a Warriors fan, I'm over the moon about this deal. And you don't have to necessarily kick him out and let him go shop himself around to get an idea of what the market's like for the player. If you're OK with LA shooting themselves in the foot to the tune of one very good 10mm a year player to appease Kobe, that's great I guess.

I get it, but I don't really see the alternative. Why wouldn't Milwaukee or Charlotte or Philly offer him 2/40? And at that point, Kobe's walking, due to the disrespect.

And the comparisons the Joe Johnson and Amare contracts in some of the pieces today are just way way off. Kobe was a top 10 player last year.

Again, not ideal, but not the god-awful deal some are making it out to be.

 

[Moe.]

Thought of a few posters here when I read Zach Lowe today. Loved this reference:

The Lakers could have driven a harder bargain here, insisted that Kobe look in the mirror, accept his hoops mortality, and take a salary commensurate with his age and skill level. They could have thrown the cap sheet in his face and pressured him into a larger pay cut for the good of the team. They could have dared him to enter free agency, a move that would have alienated a fan base that adores Kobe as if he were a deity.

Boston fans have a similar devotion to Paul Pierce, though it is perhaps less fierce than the grip the NBA's Lord Voldemort has on his Death Eaters. But the Celtics did not flinch when the opportunity arose to deal Pierce and Garnett in exchange for some bad contracts and three plum first-round picks. They let Doc Rivers, the only man to coach them to a title since the mid-1980s, broker his way to the Clippers in exchange for another pick.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Kobe's 2 year extension: $23.5M and $25M. Franchise crippled till 2016.

They got a guy who's worth what, $75M per year to the franchise to take a 20% pay cut from 31M to 24M.

I thought it would be more.

I guess I should have said the basketball side of the franchise is crippled till 2016. The Buss' are still going to rake in the cash. Congrats to Laker fans?

Well there's that, and the fact that when the Buss' make big dough, they are also more willing to pay the luxury tax. And I'm guessing there were discussions with Kobe and assurances made that they are going to spend big dough to reload in the off season.

Are you honestly happy about this extension? Honestly.

Honestly.

Definitely easy to argue that it's an overpay from an cap efficiency standpoint, but what's the alternative? Let him walk so we can offer Carmelo and Zach Randolph?This isn't like giving Joe Johnson 20M, or Amare 20M. Kobe is still a very good player. Injury is certainly a concern, but even if he regresses somewhat, he's still going to be an All Star level SG for the next 2 seasons.

It would be a lot more difficult to swallow this deal if Kobe wasn't so good last year.

Is that a better idea than waiting to see how he looks after Achilles surgery, and giving him $2mm more per year than the best offer he receives on the open market?

Maybe so, maybe not. Perhaps the Lakers have seen enough. Let's be honest, there is an extra level of comfort in the recovery process simply b/c of who it is.

And no, you don't tell Kobe to hit the road and come back with the best offer, and we'll beat it for $2M. That's a jackass move to pull on the guy who is paying all of your salaries.

There's no way they know enough to definitively know how good he is. Not even if the Lakers have watched him in practice.

Again, as a Warriors fan, I'm over the moon about this deal. And you don't have to necessarily kick him out and let him go shop himself around to get an idea of what the market's like for the player. If you're OK with LA shooting themselves in the foot to the tune of one very good 10mm a year player to appease Kobe, that's great I guess.

I get it, but I don't really see the alternative. Why wouldn't Milwaukee or Charlotte or Philly offer him 2/40? And at that point, Kobe's walking, due to the disrespect.

And the comparisons the Joe Johnson and Amare contracts in some of the pieces today are just way way off. Kobe was a top 10 player last year.

Again, not ideal, but not the god-awful deal some are making it out to be.

C'mon. Do you think Cano's going to take a 20% discount from what New York is offering and go play with the Mariners next year? He's going to be a Yankee.

This is the equivalent of the Yankees giving Cano $300mm six months ago.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Thought of a few posters here when I read Zach Lowe today. Loved this reference:

The Lakers could have driven a harder bargain here, insisted that Kobe look in the mirror, accept his hoops mortality, and take a salary commensurate with his age and skill level. They could have thrown the cap sheet in his face and pressured him into a larger pay cut for the good of the team. They could have dared him to enter free agency, a move that would have alienated a fan base that adores Kobe as if he were a deity.

Boston fans have a similar devotion to Paul Pierce, though it is perhaps less fierce than the grip the NBA's Lord Voldemort has on his Death Eaters. But the Celtics did not flinch when the opportunity arose to deal Pierce and Garnett in exchange for some bad contracts and three plum first-round picks. They let Doc Rivers, the only man to coach them to a title since the mid-1980s, broker his way to the Clippers in exchange for another pick.

Huge Zach Lowe fan, but comparing Boston's love for Pierce to LA and Kobe is laughable.

 

[pollardsvision]

I'm confused. I thought Laker fans were supposed to be among the more knowledgeable fan bases in the league.

But I'd think making bad basketball decisions because fans would be upset about making the right one is the sort of thing you don't have to do with a savvy fan base.

 

[Mile High]

Who cares what the Lakers do? The truth is unless Lebron is on your favorite teams roster they are playing for 2nd place at best.

 

[Gr00vus]

Who cares what the Lakers do? The truth is unless Lebron is on your favorite teams roster they are playing for 2nd place at best.

This is true, and probably part of ownership's thinking. Might as well sell tickets until LeBron isn't the man anymore. Still it's a dumb contract. Ainge is taking Kupchak to GM school here - or Jimmy (and Jamie?) just don't have what it takes to run a team and Kuphcak is a puppet.

Either way, this apparently unknowledgeable Laker fan is not thrilled with this deal. The timing is bad and they could have had Kobe for significantly less. Dyspeptically awaiting the next shoe to drop - signing Pau Gasol for 2 years at $10-12M, Nash refusing to retire.

 

[drummer]

Who cares what the Lakers do? The truth is unless Lebron is on your favorite teams roster they are playing for 2nd place at best.

This is true, and probably part of ownership's thinking. Might as well sell tickets until LeBron isn't the man anymore. Still it's a dumb contract. Ainge is taking Kupchak to GM school here - or Jimmy (and Jamie?) just don't have what it takes to run a team and Kuphcak is a puppet.

Either way, this apparently unknowledgeable Laker fan is not thrilled with this deal. The timing is bad and they could have had Kobe for significantly less. Dyspeptically awaiting the next shoe to drop - signing Pau Gasol for 2 years at $10-12M, Nash refusing to retire.

You answered your own question.

 

[rodg12]

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo 6m

Trade sending D Williams to SAC from MIN for Luc Mbah a Moute to be completed if latter passes physical Tue due to knee concerns,source says

Whoa...

 

[Gr00vus]

Who cares what the Lakers do? The truth is unless Lebron is on your favorite teams roster they are playing for 2nd place at best.

This is true, and probably part of ownership's thinking. Might as well sell tickets until LeBron isn't the man anymore. Still it's a dumb contract. Ainge is taking Kupchak to GM school here - or Jimmy (and Jamie?) just don't have what it takes to run a team and Kuphcak is a puppet.

Either way, this apparently unknowledgeable Laker fan is not thrilled with this deal. The timing is bad and they could have had Kobe for significantly less. Dyspeptically awaiting the next shoe to drop - signing Pau Gasol for 2 years at $10-12M, Nash refusing to retire.

You answered your own question.

You mean the question I ranted in the Laker thread?

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo 6m

Trade sending D Williams to SAC from MIN for Luc Mbah a Moute to be completed if latter passes physical Tue due to knee concerns,source says

Whoa...

And a pick? Pretty please.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Thought of a few posters here when I read Zach Lowe today. Loved this reference:

The Lakers could have driven a harder bargain here, insisted that Kobe look in the mirror, accept his hoops mortality, and take a salary commensurate with his age and skill level. They could have thrown the cap sheet in his face and pressured him into a larger pay cut for the good of the team. They could have dared him to enter free agency, a move that would have alienated a fan base that adores Kobe as if he were a deity.

Boston fans have a similar devotion to Paul Pierce, though it is perhaps less fierce than the grip the NBA's Lord Voldemort has on his Death Eaters. But the Celtics did not flinch when the opportunity arose to deal Pierce and Garnett in exchange for some bad contracts and three plum first-round picks. They let Doc Rivers, the only man to coach them to a title since the mid-1980s, broker his way to the Clippers in exchange for another pick.

Huge Zach Lowe fan, but comparing Boston's love for Pierce to LA and Kobe is laughable.

Lowe said "perhaps less fierce."

And isn't that part of the problem, really? To not even make a real attempt to win a championship (and I disagree that there's no point in trying until LeBron fades. They almost got knocked out twice last season. Their inevitable series against Indiana by no means looks like a formality this year. And Wade is creaky.) and instead just get to look at a guy try to win the scoring title?

If there was no limit to how much you could pay one player, and there was actually another team willing to give him big bucks over the two seasons after this one, how much beyond 24mm would you be willing to go? 30? 35?

I don't think many C's fans, as much as they loved Pierce, are ruing that Nets trade.

 

[drummer]

Who cares what the Lakers do? The truth is unless Lebron is on your favorite teams roster they are playing for 2nd place at best.

This is true, and probably part of ownership's thinking. Might as well sell tickets until LeBron isn't the man anymore. Still it's a dumb contract. Ainge is taking Kupchak to GM school here - or Jimmy (and Jamie?) just don't have what it takes to run a team and Kuphcak is a puppet.

Either way, this apparently unknowledgeable Laker fan is not thrilled with this deal. The timing is bad and they could have had Kobe for significantly less. Dyspeptically awaiting the next shoe to drop - signing Pau Gasol for 2 years at $10-12M, Nash refusing to retire.

You answered your own question.

You mean the question I ranted in the Laker thread?

Everybody knows that Jimbo is treading water at the helm of the Lakers, but again people forget this: he did land Chris Paul, and then Howard. I would had been fine with just Paul, and then get a young upcoming talent in a big man to pair with him. We all know what happened with Paul.

People questioning what the Lakers do with money? That's laughable in itself.

 

[sports_fan]

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo 6m

Trade sending D Williams to SAC from MIN for Luc Mbah a Moute to be completed if latter passes physical Tue due to knee concerns,source says

Whoa...

sounds like a good deal for the wolves

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Who cares what the Lakers do? The truth is unless Lebron is on your favorite teams roster they are playing for 2nd place at best.

Basically true but if you start rebuilding now, it is going to take 4-5 years at least till you're a contender. Who knows where LeBron will be then. He'll be 33ish and have a whole lot of miles on his body. Signing Kobe to this albatross delays the start of the rebuild... unless of course they think they'll be able to buy a title team from scratch in a couple years. I'm sure most Laker thinks they can (just like how no FA leaves LA).

 

[Sammy3469]

Who cares what the Lakers do? The truth is unless Lebron is on your favorite teams roster they are playing for 2nd place at best.

This is true, and probably part of ownership's thinking. Might as well sell tickets until LeBron isn't the man anymore. Still it's a dumb contract. Ainge is taking Kupchak to GM school here - or Jimmy (and Jamie?) just don't have what it takes to run a team and Kuphcak is a puppet.

Either way, this apparently unknowledgeable Laker fan is not thrilled with this deal. The timing is bad and they could have had Kobe for significantly less. Dyspeptically awaiting the next shoe to drop - signing Pau Gasol for 2 years at $10-12M, Nash refusing to retire.

You answered your own question.

You mean the question I ranted in the Laker thread?

Everybody knows that Jimbo is treading water at the helm of the Lakers, but again people forget this: he did land Chris Paul, and then Howard. I would had been fine with just Paul, and then get a young upcoming talent in a big man to pair with him. We all know what happened with Paul.

People questioning what the Lakers do with money? That's laughable in itself.

I think this gets glossed over when looking at this contract in a vacuum. The Lakers made their play last year and it didn't work out. Now they have to readjust with the potential FAs available. That's a process, a process that'll take at least 2 years. Which two other FAs were Lakers fans hoping to sign this offseason?

The only thing you can really quibble with is the 2nd year and presuming he still has his no-trade clause.

I actually think deal sets the up to deal some of the expirings for longer deals so they stay with the inflated salary cap number.

 

[Gr00vus]

Who cares what the Lakers do? The truth is unless Lebron is on your favorite teams roster they are playing for 2nd place at best.

This is true, and probably part of ownership's thinking. Might as well sell tickets until LeBron isn't the man anymore. Still it's a dumb contract. Ainge is taking Kupchak to GM school here - or Jimmy (and Jamie?) just don't have what it takes to run a team and Kuphcak is a puppet.

Either way, this apparently unknowledgeable Laker fan is not thrilled with this deal. The timing is bad and they could have had Kobe for significantly less. Dyspeptically awaiting the next shoe to drop - signing Pau Gasol for 2 years at $10-12M, Nash refusing to retire.

You answered your own question.

You mean the question I ranted in the Laker thread?

Everybody knows that Jimbo is treading water at the helm of the Lakers, but again people forget this: he did land Chris Paul, and then Howard. I would had been fine with just Paul, and then get a young upcoming talent in a big man to pair with him. We all know what happened with Paul.

People questioning what the Lakers do with money? That's laughable in itself.

Also it turns out that the Howard deal has sort of cratered the team. I'd rather have Bynum and the draft picks. Sarver took Jimmy to the cleaners with Nash. Now he's committed $24M a year for 2 more years to a 36 year old guy who's coming off needing a new achilles. Jimmy's reputation can't live on the Paul deal that didn't happen for much longer. Dr. Buss landed them a nice T.V. deal that helps with the money, but if they crash this thing paying has beens and non champs $25M a year, that money dries up pretty quickly.

 

[Sammy3469]

Who cares what the Lakers do? The truth is unless Lebron is on your favorite teams roster they are playing for 2nd place at best.

This is true, and probably part of ownership's thinking. Might as well sell tickets until LeBron isn't the man anymore. Still it's a dumb contract. Ainge is taking Kupchak to GM school here - or Jimmy (and Jamie?) just don't have what it takes to run a team and Kuphcak is a puppet.

Either way, this apparently unknowledgeable Laker fan is not thrilled with this deal. The timing is bad and they could have had Kobe for significantly less. Dyspeptically awaiting the next shoe to drop - signing Pau Gasol for 2 years at $10-12M, Nash refusing to retire.

You answered your own question.

You mean the question I ranted in the Laker thread?

Everybody knows that Jimbo is treading water at the helm of the Lakers, but again people forget this: he did land Chris Paul, and then Howard. I would had been fine with just Paul, and then get a young upcoming talent in a big man to pair with him. We all know what happened with Paul.

People questioning what the Lakers do with money? That's laughable in itself.

Also it turns out that the Howard deal has sort of cratered the team. I'd rather have Bynum and the draft picks. Sarver took Jimmy to the cleaners with Nash. Now he's committed $24M a year for 2 more years to a 36 year old guy who's coming off needing a new achilles. Jimmy's reputation can't live on the Paul deal that didn't happen for much longer. Dr. Buss landed them a nice T.V. deal that helps with the money, but if they crash this thing paying has beens and non champs $25M a year, that money dries up pretty quickly.

The Knicks experience says the money never dries up. Rich guys will continue to pay through the nose waiting for the next contender.

 

[Gr00vus]

Who cares what the Lakers do? The truth is unless Lebron is on your favorite teams roster they are playing for 2nd place at best.

This is true, and probably part of ownership's thinking. Might as well sell tickets until LeBron isn't the man anymore. Still it's a dumb contract. Ainge is taking Kupchak to GM school here - or Jimmy (and Jamie?) just don't have what it takes to run a team and Kuphcak is a puppet.

Either way, this apparently unknowledgeable Laker fan is not thrilled with this deal. The timing is bad and they could have had Kobe for significantly less. Dyspeptically awaiting the next shoe to drop - signing Pau Gasol for 2 years at $10-12M, Nash refusing to retire.

You answered your own question.

You mean the question I ranted in the Laker thread?

Everybody knows that Jimbo is treading water at the helm of the Lakers, but again people forget this: he did land Chris Paul, and then Howard. I would had been fine with just Paul, and then get a young upcoming talent in a big man to pair with him. We all know what happened with Paul.

People questioning what the Lakers do with money? That's laughable in itself.

Also it turns out that the Howard deal has sort of cratered the team. I'd rather have Bynum and the draft picks. Sarver took Jimmy to the cleaners with Nash. Now he's committed $24M a year for 2 more years to a 36 year old guy who's coming off needing a new achilles. Jimmy's reputation can't live on the Paul deal that didn't happen for much longer. Dr. Buss landed them a nice T.V. deal that helps with the money, but if they crash this thing paying has beens and non champs $25M a year, that money dries up pretty quickly.

The Knicks experience says the money never dries up. Rich guys will continue to pay through the nose waiting for the next contender.

N.Y. != L.A. Frontrunners here in the extreme. You start sucking, people stay away in droves, particularly the rich ones. Then you end up in divorce court or moving to St. Louis, or Oakland. There are only so many Billy Crystals out there.

 

[sports_fan]

http://freesummarizer.com/

 

[drummer]

http://freesummarizer.com/

 

[thecatch]

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo 6m

Trade sending D Williams to SAC from MIN for Luc Mbah a Moute to be completed if latter passes physical Tue due to knee concerns,source says

Whoa...

And a pick? Pretty please.

I hope not. You are getting by far the better player.

 

[pollardsvision]

Bulls offense on fire.

 

[Premier]

http://freesummarizer.com/

Here is the summary:

Man, shut the #### up.

 

[Slapdash]

I get it, but I don't really see the alternative. Why wouldn't Milwaukee or Charlotte or Philly offer him 2/40? And at that point, Kobe's walking, due to the disrespect.

No, he'd be walking because he is selfish and cares more about money than he does trying to win.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I get it, but I don't really see the alternative. Why wouldn't Milwaukee or Charlotte or Philly offer him 2/40? And at that point, Kobe's walking, due to the disrespect.

No, he'd be walking because he is selfish and cares more about money scoring lots of points than he does trying to win.

 

[pizzatyme]

Pacers just keep on rolling! Scola is meh to me, but all other additions look good thus far.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo 6m

Trade sending D Williams to SAC from MIN for Luc Mbah a Moute to be completed if latter passes physical Tue due to knee concerns,source says

Whoa...

And a pick? Pretty please.

I hope not. You are getting by far the better player.

Agree with that, but still painful considering it was a number 2 pick. Not that I expected he was worth anywhere near a top pick or anything, but they really ground his value down to nothing.

 

[Abraham]

Curiously, I saw both Derrick Williams and Thomas Robinson play so well against Texas that I was sure they would be great nba players.

 

[sports_fan]

Marc J. Spears ‏@SpearsNBAYahoo 6m

Trade sending D Williams to SAC from MIN for Luc Mbah a Moute to be completed if latter passes physical Tue due to knee concerns,source says

Whoa...

And a pick? Pretty please.

I hope not. You are getting by far the better player.

Agree with that, but still painful considering it was a number 2 pick. Not that I expected he was worth anywhere near a top pick or anything, but they really ground his value down to nothing.

Adelman hated him. He can't move the ball at all on offense. Since he can't defend either, he was basically worthless in the Wolves system.

This is without a doubt an upgrade for Minnesota. Nice low risk move for Sacramento though.

 

[thecatch]

Williams is the type of selfish, no-D scorer the Kings have been stock piling for years. I don't get the move. The upside talk is wishful thinking- he is what he is. Cousins and the other young guys need to start learning good defensive habits at some point.

 

[Christo]

Rose gone. See you guys next season!

 

[Frostillicus]

Love would be an interesting fit for an aging, record-chasing Kobe when he frees up. LA/UCLA guy.

HOW DARE YOU.

 

[Frostillicus]

No way I'm reading that.

I meant to but I kept fading in and out.

 

[biggamer3]

Wow, Williams goes for close to nothing. Surprised they couldnt get a little more for him.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Definitely easy to argue that it's an overpay from an cap efficiency standpoint, but what's the alternative?

The more important question is: what was Kobe's alternative?

Not only was LA's offer significantly higher than what any other team would have offered, but it was significantly higher than what would have insulted Kobe. They could have offered $10 million less and Kobe still would have hopped for joy.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

And meanwhile, the Clippers are all kinds of awesome.

 

[Daywalker]

Definitely easy to argue that it's an overpay from an cap efficiency standpoint, but what's the alternative?

The more important question is: what was Kobe's alternative?

Not only was LA's offer significantly higher than what any other team would have offered, but it was significantly higher than what would have insulted Kobe. They could have offered $10 million less and Kobe still would have hopped for joy.

Not to mention their is a huge financial incentive, endorsement-wise, for Kobe to reach all the coming milestones as a Laker before carrying that brand into retirement. He's a god in LA. That type of cache is worth 10x's millions over the next 25 years. if he left the Lakers in a contract snafu he could jeopardize all that.

3/45mill would have been a fair offer.

 

[pollardsvision]

Wow, Williams goes for close to nothing. Surprised they couldnt get a little more for him.

I'm very curious to see what CLE can get for Bennett in a couple of years. I think the over/under has now been set at somewhere around Luc whatshisname.

 

[Abraham]

A little shocking it took this long to trade him.