*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (6 Viewers)

[Dr. Octopus]

Cavs are claiming that they haven't included Wiggins in any trade offer. .

What a load of class A BS. LOL.

They are doing everything they can to try and pry Love away. They know they have almost no shot at a title without him in the next two years. And if they get him I still think they have maybe a 30-35% shot at a title. People are overrating Kyrie (IMO) who has yet to finish a season and play prime time post season basketball/defense and it is yet to be seen if Love is a prime time post season player and can finish multiple seasons. Gotta see something first before you crown them. Lot's of unknowns and potential. Lebron no question raises the players around him but you need more than one true star to win rings. Wiggins is a heck of a prospect. But time is not on Lebron's side. He knows it and the Cav's know this (maybe who knows with the Cav's front office). That letter is funny (My patience will be tested LOL) because they are going to gut this supposedly great core to win now....which I know Cav's fans want. You should want that. You want a title. Then you need players who are ready right now. You have one in Lebron. And two guys who barely sniffed the floor in Miami over their careers. Lebron will find out soon enough how good he had it in Miami with Wade and Bosh, Spo, etc etc.

I think to get Love it will take Wiggins for sure, and some combo of Anthony and or Waiters and or #1 picks. And Minny is playing it right. They get to see Wiggins play a little this year and evaluate if he indeed shows promise. If he does they can try and pull the trigger. If he shows nothing the Cav's lose all their leverage. Wiggins is the only real golden chip they have right now IMO.

Minny will make a deal at some point but I think the Bulls and Warriors have more to offer that will have impact now plus the future. Where as Cleveland is offering all unknowns. Seriously other than Wiggins it is all unknowns. And Wiggins at this point is an NBA unknown.

Love is a terrific player (elite scorer no question) and only 25. He also wants to get a big time contract. So there is that aspect too. No one knows what he is thinking in that regard. Can he trust that Lebron will stick around? Let's play what if for a second.

What if Cleveland really flops as a team this upcoming season. Kyrie get's hurt as usual, Anthony continues to show not much, Wiggins is 19...they scratch and claw to a 3 seed in the East and get knocked out in the semi's, Lebron is doing all the heavy lifting again like people think he did down here which in of itself is ridiculous because if you watched The Heat (I am talking all the games) throughout the 4 year run Wade and Bosh were huge to Lebron's success and gave him the platform to operate and play the best basketball of his career (and probably the best you will ever see him play) what does Lebron do? What happens in two years if they are just getting knocked out of the post season...not making it to at least the ECF? Then what does Lebron do? What will Cav's fans start complaining about again? What happens when the honeymoon period is over in the media and fan base? What will Lebrons money making legacy machine do to plot it's next move for the brand known as "Lebron"?

Does anyone think he will never leave Cleveland again? I don't think so...but what does Love think? Getting stuck in Cleveland if Lebron bails again? Because Lebron is all about Lebron. It's quite obvious. So many variables about being traded to a town like Cleveland who can't give him a max deal.

Just food for thought.

some one sounds bitter.

 

[Frostillicus]

Dirk playing baseball

Way to much movement of the back foot.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Todem >

Lebron, bosh, broken down wade, the rest 2013

Isn't exactly a huge upgrade over

Irving, James, wiggins (or love) the rest 2014.

Abe Wade played terrific up until the last 3 games of te finals.

It is so exaggerated about him being an ineffective player. Yeah he is on the wrong side of 30 but I will wager The Heat were a much better shot for Lebron in 2014/15 with some tweaks than the cavs built as is.

It is highly debatable and not so outlandish as you make it out to be.

But let's allow next. Season to tell us what happens.

No, I'm pretty sure it's not "highly debatable." If it were, I suspect James would have stayed the course with Miami for one more season.

And what good is a player that isn't any good for the last three games of the finals?

Now it's who will come out of the East.

Not if they got Love, honestly even without Love I think they still come out of the East.

 

[sporthenry]

Todem >

Lebron, bosh, broken down wade, the rest 2013

Isn't exactly a huge upgrade over

Irving, James, wiggins (or love) the rest 2014.

Abe Wade played terrific up until the last 3 games of te finals.

It is so exaggerated about him being an ineffective player. Yeah he is on the wrong side of 30 but I will wager The Heat were a much better shot for Lebron in 2014/15 with some tweaks than the cavs built as is.

It is highly debatable and not so outlandish as you make it out to be.

But let's allow next. Season to tell us what happens.

No, I'm pretty sure it's not "highly debatable." If it were, I suspect James would have stayed the course with Miami for one more season.

And what good is a player that isn't any good for the last three games of the finals?

Well given that Wade, Bosh and yes Lebron played in four straight Finals , they all looked pretty exhausted chasing around The Spurs (that had a little something to do with that). The Heat play a high intensity style of defense that ended up being a culprit to their demise vs a deep, and fast ball moving Spurs team. The Heat were chasing them all over the court and it finally after 4 straight Finals appearances and two titles caught up to them.

Wade was still getting into the paint but not having his shots drop anymore and he was obviously out of gas. As the rest of the team. They all looked done. Yes...even Lebron. He was exhausted too. 4 straight years of going all the way to the Finals is like almost playing 6 seasons inside of 4 years.

Some of this is the Heat's own fault. The Spurs were coming off back to back appearances and their 3rd straight Conference Finals appearance. They also came out of the more difficult Western conference. The big difference is that Pop limited minutes much better. Duncan was their highest minutes guy at 2158. That would put him at 4th on the Heat. James had 2900 minutes this year. Those 700+ minutes would be the equivalent of Duncan playing 20 more games.

Blame the AC all you want but I'd guess James would have liked some of those meaningless December minutes back.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Todem >

Lebron, bosh, broken down wade, the rest 2013

Isn't exactly a huge upgrade over

Irving, James, wiggins (or love) the rest 2014.

Abe Wade played terrific up until the last 3 games of te finals.

It is so exaggerated about him being an ineffective player. Yeah he is on the wrong side of 30 but I will wager The Heat were a much better shot for Lebron in 2014/15 with some tweaks than the cavs built as is.

It is highly debatable and not so outlandish as you make it out to be.

But let's allow next. Season to tell us what happens.

No, I'm pretty sure it's not "highly debatable." If it were, I suspect James would have stayed the course with Miami for one more season.

And what good is a player that isn't any good for the last three games of the finals?

Well given that Wade, Bosh and yes Lebron played in four straight Finals , they all looked pretty exhausted chasing around The Spurs (that had a little something to do with that). The Heat play a high intensity style of defense that ended up being a culprit to their demise vs a deep, and fast ball moving Spurs team. The Heat were chasing them all over the court and it finally after 4 straight Finals appearances and two titles caught up to them.Wade was still getting into the paint but not having his shots drop anymore and he was obviously out of gas. As the rest of the team. They all looked done. Yes...even Lebron. He was exhausted too. 4 straight years of going all the way to the Finals is like almost playing 6 seasons inside of 4 years.

Also if you think Lebron going after 4 years from The Heat to the Cav's was a basketball decision, in the short term I think your not seeing the bigger picture. But I already posted about that week ago (Branding, dollars after basketball, PR and family and "going home" played the biggest role no question..not winning a title in 2014/15 or even 15/16).

Agree to disagree and next season let's see how the Cav's finish and for that matter The Heat. I will be quite active here during the regular season this time around as I think it is very exciting that nothing is pretty much a given anymore in the East. It was always who will beat the Heat in the East for 4 years. Now it's who will come out of the East.

Nice change for the entire league.

So you're blaming Riles for not building a deep enough team?

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Nice stat. #teamwall

Mike Prada @MikePradaSBN 1 minute ago
Wizards’ TS% with Wall in: 54.4. Wizards TS% with Wall out: 51.7. (This is a more important stat than Wall’s own shooting)

 

[Todem]

Cavs are claiming that they haven't included Wiggins in any trade offer. .

What a load of class A BS. LOL.

They are doing everything they can to try and pry Love away. They know they have almost no shot at a title without him in the next two years. And if they get him I still think they have maybe a 30-35% shot at a title. People are overrating Kyrie (IMO) who has yet to finish a season and play prime time post season basketball/defense and it is yet to be seen if Love is a prime time post season player and can finish multiple seasons. Gotta see something first before you crown them. Lot's of unknowns and potential. Lebron no question raises the players around him but you need more than one true star to win rings. Wiggins is a heck of a prospect. But time is not on Lebron's side. He knows it and the Cav's know this (maybe who knows with the Cav's front office). That letter is funny (My patience will be tested LOL) because they are going to gut this supposedly great core to win now....which I know Cav's fans want. You should want that. You want a title. Then you need players who are ready right now. You have one in Lebron. And two guys who barely sniffed the floor in Miami over their careers. Lebron will find out soon enough how good he had it in Miami with Wade and Bosh, Spo, etc etc.

I think to get Love it will take Wiggins for sure, and some combo of Anthony and or Waiters and or #1 picks. And Minny is playing it right. They get to see Wiggins play a little this year and evaluate if he indeed shows promise. If he does they can try and pull the trigger. If he shows nothing the Cav's lose all their leverage. Wiggins is the only real golden chip they have right now IMO.

Minny will make a deal at some point but I think the Bulls and Warriors have more to offer that will have impact now plus the future. Where as Cleveland is offering all unknowns. Seriously other than Wiggins it is all unknowns. And Wiggins at this point is an NBA unknown.

Love is a terrific player (elite scorer no question) and only 25. He also wants to get a big time contract. So there is that aspect too. No one knows what he is thinking in that regard. Can he trust that Lebron will stick around? Let's play what if for a second.

What if Cleveland really flops as a team this upcoming season. Kyrie get's hurt as usual, Anthony continues to show not much, Wiggins is 19...they scratch and claw to a 3 seed in the East and get knocked out in the semi's, Lebron is doing all the heavy lifting again like people think he did down here which in of itself is ridiculous because if you watched The Heat (I am talking all the games) throughout the 4 year run Wade and Bosh were huge to Lebron's success and gave him the platform to operate and play the best basketball of his career (and probably the best you will ever see him play) what does Lebron do? What happens in two years if they are just getting knocked out of the post season...not making it to at least the ECF? Then what does Lebron do? What will Cav's fans start complaining about again? What happens when the honeymoon period is over in the media and fan base? What will Lebrons money making legacy machine do to plot it's next move for the brand known as "Lebron"?

Does anyone think he will never leave Cleveland again? I don't think so...but what does Love think? Getting stuck in Cleveland if Lebron bails again? Because Lebron is all about Lebron. It's quite obvious. So many variables about being traded to a town like Cleveland who can't give him a max deal.

Just food for thought.

some one sounds bitter.

Actually not bitter at all. You see I don't root for players. I root for players who wear my teams colors. So again, Lebron? I loved him while he played for The Heat, one of the greatest players in NBA history, but now? I hope he never sniffs another title again. Screw Cleveland. And screw Lebron.

Pretty standard stuff if your truly a fan of your team.

This new generation of fandom (curlynight cough cough) of rooting for players...pretty weak. I root for my colors. Regardless of how bad some of the players who happen to wear them might be. For me team sports is exactly that. It's about the team. I will cheer and boo my own teams players like anyone else. But if my favorite player on my team ditches and heads somewhere else....I am done with them. I can still appreciate their greatness. I loved watching Jordan play for example, and I will still love watching Lebron play. But that does not mean I will root for them. Big difference.

Bitter? Oh it stung for a few days when it first went down, considering how great we did over the last 4 years. But I am so far past that already. I am pumped for the new season upon us and actually will take pleasure in rooting against Lebron now...I did it for 7 years before he came here and now I will do it till he retires. I am sure we will give him a warm reception the first time hisname is annoucned at our arena. But after that....it's over and it will rain down boo's...just like in Cleveland when he went back their to play.

Cleveland fans cursed him, burnt his jerseys and wailed like little girls. Now they have welcomed him back like a freaking war hero. He is wearing their colors again. Good for Cleveland fans. Enjoy it.

I know I did.

 

[Britney Spears]

Cavs are claiming that they haven't included Wiggins in any trade offer. .

What a load of class A BS. LOL.They are doing everything they can to try and pry Love away. They know they have almost no shot at a title without him in the next two years. And if they get him I still think they have maybe a 30-35% shot at a title. People are overrating Kyrie (IMO) who has yet to finish a season and play prime time post season basketball/defense and it is yet to be seen if Love is a prime time post season player and can finish multiple seasons. Gotta see something first before you crown them. Lot's of unknowns and potential. Lebron no question raises the players around him but you need more than one true star to win rings. Wiggins is a heck of a prospect. But time is not on Lebron's side. He knows it and the Cav's know this (maybe who knows with the Cav's front office). That letter is funny (My patience will be tested LOL) because they are going to gut this supposedly great core to win now....which I know Cav's fans want. You should want that. You want a title. Then you need players who are ready right now. You have one in Lebron. And two guys who barely sniffed the floor in Miami over their careers. Lebron will find out soon enough how good he had it in Miami with Wade and Bosh, Spo, etc etc.

I think to get Love it will take Wiggins for sure, and some combo of Anthony and or Waiters and or #1 picks. And Minny is playing it right. They get to see Wiggins play a little this year and evaluate if he indeed shows promise. If he does they can try and pull the trigger. If he shows nothing the Cav's lose all their leverage. Wiggins is the only real golden chip they have right now IMO.

Minny will make a deal at some point but I think the Bulls and Warriors have more to offer that will have impact now plus the future. Where as Cleveland is offering all unknowns. Seriously other than Wiggins it is all unknowns. And Wiggins at this point is an NBA unknown.

Love is a terrific player (elite scorer no question) and only 25. He also wants to get a big time contract. So there is that aspect too. No one knows what he is thinking in that regard. Can he trust that Lebron will stick around? Let's play what if for a second.

What if Cleveland really flops as a team this upcoming season. Kyrie get's hurt as usual, Anthony continues to show not much, Wiggins is 19...they scratch and claw to a 3 seed in the East and get knocked out in the semi's, Lebron is doing all the heavy lifting again like people think he did down here which in of itself is ridiculous because if you watched The Heat (I am talking all the games) throughout the 4 year run Wade and Bosh were huge to Lebron's success and gave him the platform to operate and play the best basketball of his career (and probably the best you will ever see him play) what does Lebron do? What happens in two years if they are just getting knocked out of the post season...not making it to at least the ECF? Then what does Lebron do? What will Cav's fans start complaining about again? What happens when the honeymoon period is over in the media and fan base? What will Lebrons money making legacy machine do to plot it's next move for the brand known as "Lebron"?

Does anyone think he will never leave Cleveland again? I don't think so...but what does Love think? Getting stuck in Cleveland if Lebron bails again? Because Lebron is all about Lebron. It's quite obvious. So many variables about being traded to a town like Cleveland who can't give him a max deal.

Just food for thought.

Lebron starts doing this.

There is literally a headband and a top hat.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Cavs are claiming that they haven't included Wiggins in any trade offer. .

What a load of class A BS. LOL.

They are doing everything they can to try and pry Love away. They know they have almost no shot at a title without him in the next two years. And if they get him I still think they have maybe a 30-35% shot at a title. People are overrating Kyrie (IMO) who has yet to finish a season and play prime time post season basketball/defense and it is yet to be seen if Love is a prime time post season player and can finish multiple seasons. Gotta see something first before you crown them. Lot's of unknowns and potential. Lebron no question raises the players around him but you need more than one true star to win rings. Wiggins is a heck of a prospect. But time is not on Lebron's side. He knows it and the Cav's know this (maybe who knows with the Cav's front office). That letter is funny (My patience will be tested LOL) because they are going to gut this supposedly great core to win now....which I know Cav's fans want. You should want that. You want a title. Then you need players who are ready right now. You have one in Lebron. And two guys who barely sniffed the floor in Miami over their careers. Lebron will find out soon enough how good he had it in Miami with Wade and Bosh, Spo, etc etc.

I think to get Love it will take Wiggins for sure, and some combo of Anthony and or Waiters and or #1 picks. And Minny is playing it right. They get to see Wiggins play a little this year and evaluate if he indeed shows promise. If he does they can try and pull the trigger. If he shows nothing the Cav's lose all their leverage. Wiggins is the only real golden chip they have right now IMO.

Minny will make a deal at some point but I think the Bulls and Warriors have more to offer that will have impact now plus the future. Where as Cleveland is offering all unknowns. Seriously other than Wiggins it is all unknowns. And Wiggins at this point is an NBA unknown.

Love is a terrific player (elite scorer no question) and only 25. He also wants to get a big time contract. So there is that aspect too. No one knows what he is thinking in that regard. Can he trust that Lebron will stick around? Let's play what if for a second.

What if Cleveland really flops as a team this upcoming season. Kyrie get's hurt as usual, Anthony continues to show not much, Wiggins is 19...they scratch and claw to a 3 seed in the East and get knocked out in the semi's, Lebron is doing all the heavy lifting again like people think he did down here which in of itself is ridiculous because if you watched The Heat (I am talking all the games) throughout the 4 year run Wade and Bosh were huge to Lebron's success and gave him the platform to operate and play the best basketball of his career (and probably the best you will ever see him play) what does Lebron do? What happens in two years if they are just getting knocked out of the post season...not making it to at least the ECF? Then what does Lebron do? What will Cav's fans start complaining about again? What happens when the honeymoon period is over in the media and fan base? What will Lebrons money making legacy machine do to plot it's next move for the brand known as "Lebron"?

Does anyone think he will never leave Cleveland again? I don't think so...but what does Love think? Getting stuck in Cleveland if Lebron bails again? Because Lebron is all about Lebron. It's quite obvious. So many variables about being traded to a town like Cleveland who can't give him a max deal.

Just food for thought.

some one sounds bitter.

Actually not bitter at all. You see I don't root for players. I root for players who wear my teams colors. So again, Lebron? I loved him while he played for The Heat, one of the greatest players in NBA history, but now? I hope he never sniffs another title again. Screw Cleveland. And screw Lebron.

Pretty standard stuff if your truly a fan of your team.

...

This is pretty awesome.

Also it's not standard stuff. I follow two sports teams very closely and I almost always root for guys who spend significant time with the team after they leave. Judging from my twitter feed I think that's the rule, not the exception. Sometimes I like them a lot more after they leave (see eg Swaggy P). And none of those guys ever got my teams within a country mile of a championship.

 

[Todem]

Todem >

Lebron, bosh, broken down wade, the rest 2013

Isn't exactly a huge upgrade over

Irving, James, wiggins (or love) the rest 2014.

Abe Wade played terrific up until the last 3 games of te finals.

It is so exaggerated about him being an ineffective player. Yeah he is on the wrong side of 30 but I will wager The Heat were a much better shot for Lebron in 2014/15 with some tweaks than the cavs built as is.

It is highly debatable and not so outlandish as you make it out to be.

But let's allow next. Season to tell us what happens.

No, I'm pretty sure it's not "highly debatable." If it were, I suspect James would have stayed the course with Miami for one more season.

And what good is a player that isn't any good for the last three games of the finals?

Well given that Wade, Bosh and yes Lebron played in four straight Finals , they all looked pretty exhausted chasing around The Spurs (that had a little something to do with that). The Heat play a high intensity style of defense that ended up being a culprit to their demise vs a deep, and fast ball moving Spurs team. The Heat were chasing them all over the court and it finally after 4 straight Finals appearances and two titles caught up to them.Wade was still getting into the paint but not having his shots drop anymore and he was obviously out of gas. As the rest of the team. They all looked done. Yes...even Lebron. He was exhausted too. 4 straight years of going all the way to the Finals is like almost playing 6 seasons inside of 4 years.

Also if you think Lebron going after 4 years from The Heat to the Cav's was a basketball decision, in the short term I think your not seeing the bigger picture. But I already posted about that week ago (Branding, dollars after basketball, PR and family and "going home" played the biggest role no question..not winning a title in 2014/15 or even 15/16).

Agree to disagree and next season let's see how the Cav's finish and for that matter The Heat. I will be quite active here during the regular season this time around as I think it is very exciting that nothing is pretty much a given anymore in the East. It was always who will beat the Heat in the East for 4 years. Now it's who will come out of the East.

Nice change for the entire league.

So you're blaming Riles for not building a deep enough team?

Cliff are you really fishing?

GTFOH.

Blaming Riles? I praise Riles. 19 years here and 17 winning seasons and 3 titles. Team was fine. They just ran into a better one this year. Shot happens. Titles are not easy. Lebron will find that out again in short order.

 

[Freelove]

Cavs are claiming that they haven't included Wiggins in any trade offer. .

What a load of class A BS. LOL.

They are doing everything they can to try and pry Love away. They know they have almost no shot at a title without him in the next two years. And if they get him I still think they have maybe a 30-35% shot at a title. People are overrating Kyrie (IMO) who has yet to finish a season and play prime time post season basketball/defense and it is yet to be seen if Love is a prime time post season player and can finish multiple seasons. Gotta see something first before you crown them. Lot's of unknowns and potential. Lebron no question raises the players around him but you need more than one true star to win rings. Wiggins is a heck of a prospect. But time is not on Lebron's side. He knows it and the Cav's know this (maybe who knows with the Cav's front office). That letter is funny (My patience will be tested LOL) because they are going to gut this supposedly great core to win now....which I know Cav's fans want. You should want that. You want a title. Then you need players who are ready right now. You have one in Lebron. And two guys who barely sniffed the floor in Miami over their careers. Lebron will find out soon enough how good he had it in Miami with Wade and Bosh, Spo, etc etc.

I think to get Love it will take Wiggins for sure, and some combo of Anthony and or Waiters and or #1 picks. And Minny is playing it right. They get to see Wiggins play a little this year and evaluate if he indeed shows promise. If he does they can try and pull the trigger. If he shows nothing the Cav's lose all their leverage. Wiggins is the only real golden chip they have right now IMO.

Minny will make a deal at some point but I think the Bulls and Warriors have more to offer that will have impact now plus the future. Where as Cleveland is offering all unknowns. Seriously other than Wiggins it is all unknowns. And Wiggins at this point is an NBA unknown.

Love is a terrific player (elite scorer no question) and only 25. He also wants to get a big time contract. So there is that aspect too. No one knows what he is thinking in that regard. Can he trust that Lebron will stick around? Let's play what if for a second.

What if Cleveland really flops as a team this upcoming season. Kyrie get's hurt as usual, Anthony continues to show not much, Wiggins is 19...they scratch and claw to a 3 seed in the East and get knocked out in the semi's, Lebron is doing all the heavy lifting again like people think he did down here which in of itself is ridiculous because if you watched The Heat (I am talking all the games) throughout the 4 year run Wade and Bosh were huge to Lebron's success and gave him the platform to operate and play the best basketball of his career (and probably the best you will ever see him play) what does Lebron do? What happens in two years if they are just getting knocked out of the post season...not making it to at least the ECF? Then what does Lebron do? What will Cav's fans start complaining about again? What happens when the honeymoon period is over in the media and fan base? What will Lebrons money making legacy machine do to plot it's next move for the brand known as "Lebron"?

Does anyone think he will never leave Cleveland again? I don't think so...but what does Love think? Getting stuck in Cleveland if Lebron bails again? Because Lebron is all about Lebron. It's quite obvious. So many variables about being traded to a town like Cleveland who can't give him a max deal.

Just food for thought.

some one sounds bitter.

Actually not bitter at all. You see I don't root for players. I root for players who wear my teams colors. So again, Lebron? I loved him while he played for The Heat, one of the greatest players in NBA history, but now? I hope he never sniffs another title again. Screw Cleveland. And screw Lebron.

Pretty standard stuff if your truly a fan of your team.

...

This is pretty awesome.

Also it's not standard stuff. I follow two sports teams very closely and I almost always root for guys who spend significant time with the team after they leave. Judging from my twitter feed I think that's the rule, not the exception. Sometimes I like them a lot more after they leave (see eg Swaggy P). And none of those guys ever got my teams within a country mile of a championship.

Also, one would be hard pressed to more vividly and accurately describe bitterness.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Todem >

Lebron, bosh, broken down wade, the rest 2013

Isn't exactly a huge upgrade over

Irving, James, wiggins (or love) the rest 2014.

Abe Wade played terrific up until the last 3 games of te finals.

It is so exaggerated about him being an ineffective player. Yeah he is on the wrong side of 30 but I will wager The Heat were a much better shot for Lebron in 2014/15 with some tweaks than the cavs built as is.

It is highly debatable and not so outlandish as you make it out to be.

But let's allow next. Season to tell us what happens.

No, I'm pretty sure it's not "highly debatable." If it were, I suspect James would have stayed the course with Miami for one more season.

And what good is a player that isn't any good for the last three games of the finals?

Well given that Wade, Bosh and yes Lebron played in four straight Finals , they all looked pretty exhausted chasing around The Spurs (that had a little something to do with that). The Heat play a high intensity style of defense that ended up being a culprit to their demise vs a deep, and fast ball moving Spurs team. The Heat were chasing them all over the court and it finally after 4 straight Finals appearances and two titles caught up to them.Wade was still getting into the paint but not having his shots drop anymore and he was obviously out of gas. As the rest of the team. They all looked done. Yes...even Lebron. He was exhausted too. 4 straight years of going all the way to the Finals is like almost playing 6 seasons inside of 4 years.

Also if you think Lebron going after 4 years from The Heat to the Cav's was a basketball decision, in the short term I think your not seeing the bigger picture. But I already posted about that week ago (Branding, dollars after basketball, PR and family and "going home" played the biggest role no question..not winning a title in 2014/15 or even 15/16).

Agree to disagree and next season let's see how the Cav's finish and for that matter The Heat. I will be quite active here during the regular season this time around as I think it is very exciting that nothing is pretty much a given anymore in the East. It was always who will beat the Heat in the East for 4 years. Now it's who will come out of the East.

Nice change for the entire league.

So you're blaming Riles for not building a deep enough team?

Cliff are you really fishing?

GTFOH.

Blaming Riles? I praise Riles. 19 years here and 17 winning seasons and 3 titles. Team was fine. They just ran into a better one this year. Shot happens. Titles are not easy. Lebron will find that out again in short order.

If they had more depth they wouldn't have been so exhausted. That falls on Riles' shoulders. He failed Heater Nation.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Cavs are claiming that they haven't included Wiggins in any trade offer. .

What a load of class A BS. LOL.

They are doing everything they can to try and pry Love away. They know they have almost no shot at a title without him in the next two years. And if they get him I still think they have maybe a 30-35% shot at a title. People are overrating Kyrie (IMO) who has yet to finish a season and play prime time post season basketball/defense and it is yet to be seen if Love is a prime time post season player and can finish multiple seasons. Gotta see something first before you crown them. Lot's of unknowns and potential. Lebron no question raises the players around him but you need more than one true star to win rings. Wiggins is a heck of a prospect. But time is not on Lebron's side. He knows it and the Cav's know this (maybe who knows with the Cav's front office). That letter is funny (My patience will be tested LOL) because they are going to gut this supposedly great core to win now....which I know Cav's fans want. You should want that. You want a title. Then you need players who are ready right now. You have one in Lebron. And two guys who barely sniffed the floor in Miami over their careers. Lebron will find out soon enough how good he had it in Miami with Wade and Bosh, Spo, etc etc.

I think to get Love it will take Wiggins for sure, and some combo of Anthony and or Waiters and or #1 picks. And Minny is playing it right. They get to see Wiggins play a little this year and evaluate if he indeed shows promise. If he does they can try and pull the trigger. If he shows nothing the Cav's lose all their leverage. Wiggins is the only real golden chip they have right now IMO.

Minny will make a deal at some point but I think the Bulls and Warriors have more to offer that will have impact now plus the future. Where as Cleveland is offering all unknowns. Seriously other than Wiggins it is all unknowns. And Wiggins at this point is an NBA unknown.

Love is a terrific player (elite scorer no question) and only 25. He also wants to get a big time contract. So there is that aspect too. No one knows what he is thinking in that regard. Can he trust that Lebron will stick around? Let's play what if for a second.

What if Cleveland really flops as a team this upcoming season. Kyrie get's hurt as usual, Anthony continues to show not much, Wiggins is 19...they scratch and claw to a 3 seed in the East and get knocked out in the semi's, Lebron is doing all the heavy lifting again like people think he did down here which in of itself is ridiculous because if you watched The Heat (I am talking all the games) throughout the 4 year run Wade and Bosh were huge to Lebron's success and gave him the platform to operate and play the best basketball of his career (and probably the best you will ever see him play) what does Lebron do? What happens in two years if they are just getting knocked out of the post season...not making it to at least the ECF? Then what does Lebron do? What will Cav's fans start complaining about again? What happens when the honeymoon period is over in the media and fan base? What will Lebrons money making legacy machine do to plot it's next move for the brand known as "Lebron"?

Does anyone think he will never leave Cleveland again? I don't think so...but what does Love think? Getting stuck in Cleveland if Lebron bails again? Because Lebron is all about Lebron. It's quite obvious. So many variables about being traded to a town like Cleveland who can't give him a max deal.

Just food for thought.

some one sounds bitter.

Actually not bitter at all. You see I don't root for players. I root for players who wear my teams colors. So again, Lebron? I loved him while he played for The Heat, one of the greatest players in NBA history, but now? I hope he never sniffs another title again. Screw Cleveland. And screw Lebron.

Pretty standard stuff if your truly a fan of your team.

...

This is pretty awesome.

Also it's not standard stuff. I follow two sports teams very closely and I almost always root for guys who spend significant time with the team after they leave. Judging from my twitter feed I think that's the rule, not the exception. Sometimes I like them a lot more after they leave (see eg Swaggy P). And none of those guys ever got my teams within a country mile of a championship.

Also, one would be hard pressed to more vividly and accurately describe bitterness.

Yeah that was the awesome part. The other thing was just an interesting observation. I think it's pretty normal to root for your team's guys after they leave, if they conduct themselves decently and bring you some joy as a fan.

 

[Abraham]

I was mad that lance Berkman went to the ####### cardinals. But otherwise I tend to agree.

 

[Todem]

Cavs are claiming that they haven't included Wiggins in any trade offer. .

What a load of class A BS. LOL.

They are doing everything they can to try and pry Love away. They know they have almost no shot at a title without him in the next two years. And if they get him I still think they have maybe a 30-35% shot at a title. People are overrating Kyrie (IMO) who has yet to finish a season and play prime time post season basketball/defense and it is yet to be seen if Love is a prime time post season player and can finish multiple seasons. Gotta see something first before you crown them. Lot's of unknowns and potential. Lebron no question raises the players around him but you need more than one true star to win rings. Wiggins is a heck of a prospect. But time is not on Lebron's side. He knows it and the Cav's know this (maybe who knows with the Cav's front office). That letter is funny (My patience will be tested LOL) because they are going to gut this supposedly great core to win now....which I know Cav's fans want. You should want that. You want a title. Then you need players who are ready right now. You have one in Lebron. And two guys who barely sniffed the floor in Miami over their careers. Lebron will find out soon enough how good he had it in Miami with Wade and Bosh, Spo, etc etc.

I think to get Love it will take Wiggins for sure, and some combo of Anthony and or Waiters and or #1 picks. And Minny is playing it right. They get to see Wiggins play a little this year and evaluate if he indeed shows promise. If he does they can try and pull the trigger. If he shows nothing the Cav's lose all their leverage. Wiggins is the only real golden chip they have right now IMO.

Minny will make a deal at some point but I think the Bulls and Warriors have more to offer that will have impact now plus the future. Where as Cleveland is offering all unknowns. Seriously other than Wiggins it is all unknowns. And Wiggins at this point is an NBA unknown.

Love is a terrific player (elite scorer no question) and only 25. He also wants to get a big time contract. So there is that aspect too. No one knows what he is thinking in that regard. Can he trust that Lebron will stick around? Let's play what if for a second.

What if Cleveland really flops as a team this upcoming season. Kyrie get's hurt as usual, Anthony continues to show not much, Wiggins is 19...they scratch and claw to a 3 seed in the East and get knocked out in the semi's, Lebron is doing all the heavy lifting again like people think he did down here which in of itself is ridiculous because if you watched The Heat (I am talking all the games) throughout the 4 year run Wade and Bosh were huge to Lebron's success and gave him the platform to operate and play the best basketball of his career (and probably the best you will ever see him play) what does Lebron do? What happens in two years if they are just getting knocked out of the post season...not making it to at least the ECF? Then what does Lebron do? What will Cav's fans start complaining about again? What happens when the honeymoon period is over in the media and fan base? What will Lebrons money making legacy machine do to plot it's next move for the brand known as "Lebron"?

Does anyone think he will never leave Cleveland again? I don't think so...but what does Love think? Getting stuck in Cleveland if Lebron bails again? Because Lebron is all about Lebron. It's quite obvious. So many variables about being traded to a town like Cleveland who can't give him a max deal.

Just food for thought.

some one sounds bitter.

Actually not bitter at all. You see I don't root for players. I root for players who wear my teams colors. So again, Lebron? I loved him while he played for The Heat, one of the greatest players in NBA history, but now? I hope he never sniffs another title again. Screw Cleveland. And screw Lebron.

Pretty standard stuff if your truly a fan of your team.

...

This is pretty awesome.

Also it's not standard stuff. I follow two sports teams very closely and I almost always root for guys who spend significant time with the team after they leave. Judging from my twitter feed I think that's the rule, not the exception. Sometimes I like them a lot more after they leave (see eg Swaggy P). And none of those guys ever got my teams within a country mile of a championship.

I guess it depends on the guy. And what you define as "Significant Time".

For example I am a Yankees fan. My entire life (I also root for the Marlins but baseball is my true love and I never gave up my love for my boyhood hero's of the Yankees) I loved Craig Nettles & Willie Randolph and followed them throughout. Those guys were Yankee captains and played a long time for them. They were rocks for the pinstripes.

Lebron gave us 4 incredible years. But it was only 4 years. Again 4 years. I just don't care now. He used us and we used him. It was a dirty affair LOL!!

He went back to his wife......Cleveland. He did not love us like we loved him. Harsh reality. I wish him well overall. I really do. He is a great person for the most part and by all accounts. But basketball wise he is now the enemy. Maybe if he came back for a 5th year after going down 4-1 and came back to fight one more time with his "brother" (Lebron's words now) Dwayne Wade and try to rebound from being bounced like that, I would have a slightly better taste in my mouth right now as a fan of The Heat. But it was not meant to be.

So yeah I hear you on that point. I follow certain guys from various sports if they gave almost an entire career to my team. I guess Lebron gave us his prime though. He certainly played incredible and that may be the best you ever see out of him. Or not. It remains to be seen.

And yeah....I am a little bitter. You got me. But how can I not be. We lost the best player in the NBA.

It sucks.

 

[Todem]

Todem >

Lebron, bosh, broken down wade, the rest 2013

Isn't exactly a huge upgrade over

Irving, James, wiggins (or love) the rest 2014.

Abe Wade played terrific up until the last 3 games of te finals.

It is so exaggerated about him being an ineffective player. Yeah he is on the wrong side of 30 but I will wager The Heat were a much better shot for Lebron in 2014/15 with some tweaks than the cavs built as is.

It is highly debatable and not so outlandish as you make it out to be.

But let's allow next. Season to tell us what happens.

No, I'm pretty sure it's not "highly debatable." If it were, I suspect James would have stayed the course with Miami for one more season.

And what good is a player that isn't any good for the last three games of the finals?

Well given that Wade, Bosh and yes Lebron played in four straight Finals , they all looked pretty exhausted chasing around The Spurs (that had a little something to do with that). The Heat play a high intensity style of defense that ended up being a culprit to their demise vs a deep, and fast ball moving Spurs team. The Heat were chasing them all over the court and it finally after 4 straight Finals appearances and two titles caught up to them.Wade was still getting into the paint but not having his shots drop anymore and he was obviously out of gas. As the rest of the team. They all looked done. Yes...even Lebron. He was exhausted too. 4 straight years of going all the way to the Finals is like almost playing 6 seasons inside of 4 years.

Also if you think Lebron going after 4 years from The Heat to the Cav's was a basketball decision, in the short term I think your not seeing the bigger picture. But I already posted about that week ago (Branding, dollars after basketball, PR and family and "going home" played the biggest role no question..not winning a title in 2014/15 or even 15/16).

Agree to disagree and next season let's see how the Cav's finish and for that matter The Heat. I will be quite active here during the regular season this time around as I think it is very exciting that nothing is pretty much a given anymore in the East. It was always who will beat the Heat in the East for 4 years. Now it's who will come out of the East.

Nice change for the entire league.

So you're blaming Riles for not building a deep enough team?

Cliff are you really fishing?

GTFOH.

Blaming Riles? I praise Riles. 19 years here and 17 winning seasons and 3 titles. Team was fine. They just ran into a better one this year. Shot happens. Titles are not easy. Lebron will find that out again in short order.

If they had more depth they wouldn't have been so exhausted. That falls on Riles' shoulders. He failed Heater Nation.

Come on man. Yeah depth was lacking in the end. But it was the hand he was dealt with the cap constraints. Riley did not fail the Heat. Again 19 years, 17 winning seasons and 3 titles. Most take that all day, everyday.

You should know that though...you know being a Raptor fan and all.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Yeah depth was lacking

So he failed. That's all I'm saying.

 

[saintfool]

Dirk playing baseball

Way to much movement of the back foot.

I was more surprised by Dirk commenting on someone's pants being "so tight, like they're painted on". Seems like Dirk shouldn't be playing 1st base but maybe catcher.

 

[Todem]

Yeah depth was lacking

So he failed. That's all I'm saying.

Yeah I guess. Riley can too loyal to a fault. He kept essentially the same team sans a 17MM Mike "my aching back, I can't walk, or play in more than 5 minutes a game Miller" to make a run at a three-peat. It cost him in the end. And having Mike Miller would have made little to no difference. The Spurs were simply a better basketball team last year. It's not that complicated.

Anyone think Lebron beats that Spurs team with his now as constructed Cav's? Or a step further even with Love? I highly, highly doubt it. Again to my point Lebron left for far bigger and far more important reasons (to him) to Cleveland. I don't think the Cav's beat The Clippers, Spurs or Thunder...nope. He made a pivot. Not about multiple titles anymore. It's about life after basketball and raising his kids right now. I am telling you look deeper. Guy will make 80-90MM after basketball on his brand that took a massive hit in Miami. Despite his titles. He was hated by everyone outside of South Florida.

I don't blame him business wise for doing what he did. It was a brilliant move. Not a brilliant basketball move though as most will find out over the next few years IMO. Again could be totally wrong. It will be fun to watch and see how it all plays out. That's the drama and beauty of it all.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Anyone think Lebron beats that Spurs team with his now as constructed Cav's? Or a step further even with Love? I highly, highly doubt it.

I don't highly doubt it... In fact, quite opposite, if I could get odds at 3/1 or better if Love signs I'm actually going to bet it hard.

 

[sporthenry]

Come on man. Yeah depth was lacking in the end. But it was the hand he was dealt with the cap constraints.

Oof

 

[Spartans Rule]

I think it's pretty normal to root for your team's guys after they leave, if they conduct themselves decently and bring you some joy as a fan.

I was about to argue this, but I guess I kept rooting for all the 2004 Pistons guys after they left. Ben Wallace going to the Bulls and then Cavs was tough, but I still thought it was wrong that he got booed at the Palace.

 

[Todem]

Come on man. Yeah depth was lacking in the end. But it was the hand he was dealt with the cap constraints.

Oof

Good luck winning one bro. Cav's fans....don't hold your breath.

 

[saintfool]

Yeah depth was lacking

So he failed. That's all I'm saying.

Yeah I guess. Riley can too loyal to a fault. He kept essentially the same team sans a 17MM Mike "my aching back, I can't walk, or play in more than 5 minutes a game Miller" to make a run at a three-peat. It cost him in the end. And having Mike Miller would have made little to no difference. The Spurs were simply a better basketball team last year. It's not that complicated.

Anyone think Lebron beats that Spurs team with his now as constructed Cav's? Or a step further even with Love? I highly, highly doubt it. Again to my point Lebron left for far bigger and far more important reasons (to him) to Cleveland. I don't think the Cav's beat The Clippers, Spurs or Thunder...nope. He made a pivot. Not about multiple titles anymore. It's about life after basketball and raising his kids right now. I am telling you look deeper. Guy will make 80-90MM after basketball on his brand that took a massive hit in Miami. Despite his titles. He was hated by everyone outside of South Florida.

I don't blame him business wise for doing what he did. It was a brilliant move. Not a brilliant basketball move though as most will find out over the next few years IMO. Again could be totally wrong. It will be fun to watch and see how it all plays out. That's the drama and beauty of it all.

i'm looking forward to when LBJ gets a chance at something like this.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Come on man. Yeah depth was lacking in the end. But it was the hand he was dealt with the cap constraints.

Oof

Good luck winning one bro. Cav's fans....don't hold your breath.

I'm no Cavs fan, but I'll happily wager the Cavs win a title before the Heat win their next one. I'll give you 5-1 on the title and 10-1 on the ECF Title.

 

[Todem]

Come on man. Yeah depth was lacking in the end. But it was the hand he was dealt with the cap constraints.

Oof

Good luck winning one bro. Cav's fans....don't hold your breath.

I'm no Cavs fan, but I'll happily wager the Cavs win a title before the Heat win their next one. I'll give you 5-1 on the title and 10-1 on the ECF Title.

Oh thats so bold knowing the best player in the world is on the Cav's.

I never said The Heat will one again before the Cav's. Never. I am not stupid enough to bet on something like that. How about we wait this season out and if the chance presents itself that The Heat plays the Cav's in the post season this year we can talk then about a nice healthy friendly wager. Otherwise I would be more than willing to bet the Cav's don't win one this year.

Period.

Sound like more of a bet to you? I will take the field. You take Lebron and his new teammates. Now your talking. I know The Heat is not going back to the Finals next season....small chance? Yeah sure anything can happen. But I know better.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Heat vs Cavs postseason wager? Absolutely!!!! Hope it comes to fruition.

 

[fantasycurse42]

The bet you're offering is me taking Cleveland. I can get 3 or 4-1 on that at a sportsbook.

 

[Abraham]

Heat vs Cavs postseason wager? Absolutely!!!! Hope it comes to fruition.

The Cavs team would eviscerate the Heat. No one to guard Irving, no one to guard Lebron....ouch.

 

[sporthenry]

Come on man. Yeah depth was lacking in the end. But it was the hand he was dealt with the cap constraints.

Oof

Good luck winning one bro. Cav's fans....don't hold your breath.

I'm no Cavs fan. But saying he was dealt a hand with cap constraints is utter bull. Everyone plays under the same rules. Dealing a hand insinuates some type of bad luck associated with said hand. I'm sorry that somehow having Bosh, LeBron and Wade was the hand he was dealt or in this case created. As you point out when you praise him, he constructed this whole roster. Besides, without said cap, Miami probably doesn't see LeBron anyways.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/7/25/5936901/aaron-gordon-crossover-camper

lol

The second one's awesome.

 

[Todem]

Come on man. Yeah depth was lacking in the end. But it was the hand he was dealt with the cap constraints.

Oof

Good luck winning one bro. Cav's fans....don't hold your breath.

I'm no Cavs fan. But saying he was dealt a hand with cap constraints is utter bull. Everyone plays under the same rules. Dealing a hand insinuates some type of bad luck associated with said hand. I'm sorry that somehow having Bosh, LeBron and Wade was the hand he was dealt or in this case created. As you point out when you praise him, he constructed this whole roster. Besides, without said cap, Miami probably doesn't see LeBron anyways.

Constraints created so you could make it very difficult what the Heat did in 2010. Lets not pretend that did not inspire the new CBA.Anyway I made no excuses for The Heat. They got their butt handed to them. Simple as that. 28 other teams wish they were in their position for the last 4 years.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

The Knicks recently proposed a trade of Amare Stoudemire, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Iman Shumpert for Kevin Love, but the Wolves declined the deal.
Give Phil points for trying but that's hilarious.


Source: Wall Street Journal

 

[Daywalker]

We keep hearing Wiggins, Bennett and a #1 for Love as if adding Wiggins to the deal is an incremental addition. Wiggins is the whole deal.

Can Minn get a better offer then Wiggins and Varejao for Love? Doubt it.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

We keep hearing Wiggins, Bennett and a #1 for Love as if adding Wiggins to the deal is an incremental addition. Wiggins is the whole deal.

Can Minn get a better offer then Wiggins and Varejao for Love? Doubt it.

Except the Cavs are 1000% not trading Varejao. Team loves him. Fans love him. Lebron loves him. And until they see if Haywood has anything left, he's the only center on the team and the only other big with playoff experience.

 

[Premier]

The Cavs aren't actually going to trade anybody for Love, because all their players are too valuable and good despite winning the lottery 3 out of 4 times.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Sam Amico ‏@SamAmicoFSO 8h

Multiple sources under impression TWolves star Kevin Love has requested trade to Cavs to/through agent. Story: http://foxs.pt/1l2fhIS

 

[Captain Quinoa]

The Cavs aren't actually going to trade anybody for Love, because all their players are too valuable and good despite winning the lottery 3 out of 4 times.

If it comes down to it I think everyone is available but LeBron, Kyrie, and Varejao. Now who they want to trade is a different, shorter list.

 

[Village Idiot]

Todem >

Lebron, bosh, broken down wade, the rest 2013

Isn't exactly a huge upgrade over

Irving, James, wiggins (or love) the rest 2014.

Abe Wade played terrific up until the last 3 games of te finals.

It is so exaggerated about him being an ineffective player. Yeah he is on the wrong side of 30 but I will wager The Heat were a much better shot for Lebron in 2014/15 with some tweaks than the cavs built as is.

It is highly debatable and not so outlandish as you make it out to be.

But let's allow next. Season to tell us what happens.

No, I'm pretty sure it's not "highly debatable." If it were, I suspect James would have stayed the course with Miami for one more season.

And what good is a player that isn't any good for the last three games of the finals?

Well given that Wade, Bosh and yes Lebron played in four straight Finals , they all looked pretty exhausted chasing around The Spurs (that had a little something to do with that). The Heat play a high intensity style of defense that ended up being a culprit to their demise vs a deep, and fast ball moving Spurs team. The Heat were chasing them all over the court and it finally after 4 straight Finals appearances and two titles caught up to them.Wade was still getting into the paint but not having his shots drop anymore and he was obviously out of gas. As the rest of the team. They all looked done. Yes...even Lebron. He was exhausted too. 4 straight years of going all the way to the Finals is like almost playing 6 seasons inside of 4 years.

Also if you think Lebron going after 4 years from The Heat to the Cav's was a basketball decision, in the short term I think your not seeing the bigger picture. But I already posted about that week ago (Branding, dollars after basketball, PR and family and "going home" played the biggest role no question..not winning a title in 2014/15 or even 15/16).

Agree to disagree and next season let's see how the Cav's finish and for that matter The Heat. I will be quite active here during the regular season this time around as I think it is very exciting that nothing is pretty much a given anymore in the East. It was always who will beat the Heat in the East for 4 years. Now it's who will come out of the East.

Nice change for the entire league.

So you're blaming Riles for not building a deep enough team?

Cliff are you really fishing?

GTFOH.

Blaming Riles? I praise Riles. 19 years here and 17 winning seasons and 3 titles. Team was fine. They just ran into a better one this year. Shot happens. Titles are not easy. Lebron will find that out again in short order.

Pretty sure LeBron already knows it's not easy to get titles, been there done that with 2 different teams.

I like most of your shorter posts but the long ones where you go all bitter jilted homer fan...ugh.

When multiple people are telling you that your posts come across that way, it's likely because those posts are that way.

 

[Frostillicus]

We keep hearing Wiggins, Bennett and a #1 for Love as if adding Wiggins to the deal is an incremental addition. Wiggins is the whole deal.

Can Minn get a better offer then Wiggins and Varejao for Love? Doubt it.

Except the Cavs are 1000% not trading Varejao. Team loves him. Fans love him. Lebron loves him. And until they see if Haywood has anything left, he's the only center on the team and the only other big with playoff experience.

So many opinions in here. Strong opinions.

 

[Abraham]

Sam Amico ‏@SamAmicoFSO 8h

Multiple sources under impression TWolves star Kevin Love has requested trade to Cavs to/through agent. Story: http://foxs.pt/1l2fhIS

It's a shame the GM can't ship him off to Minnesota as punishment. I would be the worst owner ever - I would bury him on the bench for the whole year out of spite.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Byron Scott to the Lakers

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Sam Amico ‏@SamAmicoFSO 8h

Multiple sources under impression TWolves star Kevin Love has requested trade to Cavs to/through agent. Story: http://foxs.pt/1l2fhIS

It's a shame the GM can't ship him off to Minnesota as punishment. I would be the worst owner ever - I would bury him on the bench for the whole year out of spite.

With your trading acumen, you'd already have a deal done by now

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

How booed is Love going to get if he actually suits up for a 'Wolves game this year?

 

[pollardsvision]

How booed is Love going to get if he actually suits up for a 'Wolves game this year?

The 86 fans in the arena every night are going to be ruthless.

 

[the moops]

How booed is Love going to get if he actually suits up for a 'Wolves game this year?

The 86 fans in the arena every night are going to be ruthless.

Interesting perspective from a Hornet fan

 

[simmonjm]

Yeah depth was lacking

So he failed. That's all I'm saying.

Yeah I guess. Riley can too loyal to a fault. He kept essentially the same team sans a 17MM Mike "my aching back, I can't walk, or play in more than 5 minutes a game Miller" to make a run at a three-peat. It cost him in the end. And having Mike Miller would have made little to no difference. The Spurs were simply a better basketball team last year. It's not that complicated.

Anyone think Lebron beats that Spurs team with his now as constructed Cav's? Or a step further even with Love? I highly, highly doubt it. Again to my point Lebron left for far bigger and far more important reasons (to him) to Cleveland. I don't think the Cav's beat The Clippers, Spurs or Thunder...nope. He made a pivot. Not about multiple titles anymore. It's about life after basketball and raising his kids right now. I am telling you look deeper. Guy will make 80-90MM after basketball on his brand that took a massive hit in Miami. Despite his titles. He was hated by everyone outside of South Florida.

I don't blame him business wise for doing what he did. It was a brilliant move. Not a brilliant basketball move though as most will find out over the next few years IMO. Again could be totally wrong. It will be fun to watch and see how it all plays out. That's the drama and beauty of it all.

I for one think its highly possible. Wade didn't play a lick of defense and all Spurs had to do was rotate the ball around to find open man something they excel in. Spurs are not this unbeatable team that you make them out to be. They barely got past the Mavs. This Cavs team with Lebron is better than if Lebron was still with the Heat. I honestly cant believe the predictions for the Heat being a 4th or 5th seed. They will be lucky to make the playoffs.

 

[Daywalker]

We keep hearing Wiggins, Bennett and a #1 for Love as if adding Wiggins to the deal is an incremental addition. Wiggins is the whole deal.

Can Minn get a better offer then Wiggins and Varejao for Love? Doubt it.

Except the Cavs are 1000% not trading Varejao. Team loves him. Fans love him. Lebron loves him. And until they see if Haywood has anything left, he's the only center on the team and the only other big with playoff experience.

So many opinions in here. Strong opinions.

Bennett and a #1 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Varejao.

 

[saintfool]

Yeah depth was lacking

So he failed. That's all I'm saying.

Yeah I guess. Riley can too loyal to a fault. He kept essentially the same team sans a 17MM Mike "my aching back, I can't walk, or play in more than 5 minutes a game Miller" to make a run at a three-peat. It cost him in the end. And having Mike Miller would have made little to no difference. The Spurs were simply a better basketball team last year. It's not that complicated.

Anyone think Lebron beats that Spurs team with his now as constructed Cav's? Or a step further even with Love? I highly, highly doubt it. Again to my point Lebron left for far bigger and far more important reasons (to him) to Cleveland. I don't think the Cav's beat The Clippers, Spurs or Thunder...nope. He made a pivot. Not about multiple titles anymore. It's about life after basketball and raising his kids right now. I am telling you look deeper. Guy will make 80-90MM after basketball on his brand that took a massive hit in Miami. Despite his titles. He was hated by everyone outside of South Florida.

I don't blame him business wise for doing what he did. It was a brilliant move. Not a brilliant basketball move though as most will find out over the next few years IMO. Again could be totally wrong. It will be fun to watch and see how it all plays out. That's the drama and beauty of it all.

I for one think its highly possible. Wade didn't play a lick of defense and all Spurs had to do was rotate the ball around to find open man something they excel in. Spurs are not this unbeatable team that you make them out to be. They barely got past the Mavs. This Cavs team with Lebron is better than if Lebron was still with the Heat. I honestly cant believe the predictions for the Heat being a 4th or 5th seed. They will be lucky to make the playoffs.

I think you are not evaluating the Mavs correctly. They were a 49 win team, playing arguably in the toughest division, and against their arch-rival. They would have been the 3rd seed in the East with that record and ahead of Chicago and Toronto. They played the Spurs hard because that's what they do. They were a flawed team, for sure, but they were not your average 8th seed. Besides, how does Dallas - who took the Spurs to 7 games - compare to Portland, OKC and Miami who couldn't even do that?

Give Dirk, Carlisle and the rest of the Mavs a little credit here. Feel free to sandbag everyone else though.

 

[Abraham]

Continuing...

I would be so bad at ownership. So bad. Now Kevin love has withdrawn from team USA due to his "uncertain status". I would issue a statement saying "I'm not sure what Kevin means. Uncertain? He's a member of the timberwolves and has a contract. So I'm not sure what he means by uncertain."