*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (2 Viewers)

[shadyridr]

saw the knicks are gonna offer joe johnson a max contract on thursday

 

[the moops]

WAlton, I don't even know where too start1. I am right about yao.2. Brooklyn isn't a big city? 3. The knicks paid lip service about mcgrady bouncing back but everyone with a brain knows that trade was about dumping salary.

They could have given up a hell of a lot less if they waited. Typical Knicks.

McGrady was traded 3 days before the trade deadline. Are you saying that much would have changed in 72 hours?

 

[shadyridr]

WAlton, I don't even know where too start

1. I am right about yao.

2. Brooklyn isn't a big city?

3. The knicks paid lip service about mcgrady bouncing back but everyone with a brain knows that trade was about dumping salary.

It is? I grew up in Bk, live in SI now. Brooklyn is not a big city.

Brooklyn is most populous of 5 boroughs with approx. 2.5 million residents, as a reference Chicago has 2.8 million residents.

did he mean brooklyn was a populous city? its not a big city on par with chicago, la, boston, philly, or manhattan etcie when people say they work in the city they mean man not bk

The size of a city is not relevant to an NBA team or Lebron the population and market is. The more city residents the more fans that are likely to show up for game and the more advertising opportunities. Lebron could care less if Brooklyn is 100 sq miles or 10,000 sq miles.

Im sorry theres no cache playing for a team in Brooklyn. I dont care how many residents we have here. NY Knicks will always be first. Youre just gonna have to take my word for it from someone who lives here. Brooklyn isnt gonna make him a marketing superstar like NY would or even Chicago or Miami would.

 

[Balco]

saw the knicks are gonna offer joe johnson a max contract on thursday

He has a history with Dantoni, but I am interested in the length of the deal. I don't believe Johnson is a max player, but if the deal is 4 years or less, that it wouldn't be horrible for the Knicks. If they sign Johnson, I wonder if their next play is for Amare. THey still have quite a hole at point guard, but Johnson and Amare would make them very formidable.\

 

[shadyridr]

saw the knicks are gonna offer joe johnson a max contract on thursday

He has a history with Dantoni, but I am interested in the length of the deal. I don't believe Johnson is a max player, but if the deal is 4 years or less, that it wouldn't be horrible for the Knicks. If they sign Johnson, I wonder if their next play is for Amare. THey still have quite a hole at point guard, but Johnson and Amare would make them very formidable.\

Johnson & Amare is nothing more than a #4 seed. Hawks had more talent on their team. Thats not a chamionship team so why bother. Joe Johnson is a decent player but not worth a max deal. This would be Allan Houston all over again.

 

[Juxtatarot]

saw the knicks are gonna offer joe johnson a max contract on thursday

He has a history with Dantoni, but I am interested in the length of the deal. I don't believe Johnson is a max player, but if the deal is 4 years or less, that it wouldn't be horrible for the Knicks. If they sign Johnson, I wonder if their next play is for Amare. THey still have quite a hole at point guard, but Johnson and Amare would make them very formidable.\

No way the Knicks have decided to offer Johnson a contract so quickly. The Knicks (and the Bulls and the Nets and the Heat) will wait for LeBron, Bosh and, possibly, Amare to make up their minds before committing to Johnson.

 

[Yenrub]

Im sorry theres no cache playing for a team in Brooklyn. I dont care how many residents we have here. NY Knicks will always be first. Youre just gonna have to take my word for it from someone who lives here. Brooklyn isnt gonna make him a marketing superstar like NY would or even Chicago or Miami would.

Do we know that Brooklyn is going to be part of the offical team name or would they be the New York Nets that happen to play in the borough of Brooklyn.The Knicks are the only NY team that actually plays in Manhattan so I would imagine that as far as marketing goes it doesn't matter which borough the guy ends up in as long as NY is in the team name.edit to add that I forgot about the Rangers

 

[Walton Goggins]

Interesting....

I received this text message a little while ago from a source with knowledge of the Rockets' personnel interests. Daryl is really trying hard to get LeBron. We want him.Yes, that's it. Fairly obvious statement, too. But I figured I would provide as much proof to the matter as I could.LeBron James rumors normally don't phase me. But this is coming from a credible source, and after the ESPN screen shot sparked some discussion, I thought it to be somewhat relevant as well.I also realize that anyone could post a rumor like this and I wish I had more information. Unfortunately, this is the most I've got. But don't label this merely as a ploy to receive attention. I'm not one for that kind of thing.That said, isn't it nice to know that the Rockets are, at the very least, considering making a run at him? The chance that Houston lands James is very, very small. But it comes as no surprise that Morey is considering every possible course of action for this offseason. We'll see how it plays out over the next few weeks.

Would love the following to happen and would never pull anything past Morey making it happen and sneak in and pull the following off:Rockets sign & trade for Lebron:+Aaron brooks+Trevor ariza+Jared jeffries (expiring contract)+2011 first round pick+new york’s 2012 first round pick+2012 second round pick+$3 million cashRockets sign & trade for Bosh:+luis scola+jordan hill+shane battier (expiring contract)+rights to swap 2011 first round picks with new york+2011 second round pick+2012 first round pick+$3 million cashbring over Sergio Llull from Spain (have his draft rights)offer all or part of the mid level exemption to brad millerWe’d have a lineup ofG – kyle lowry, sergio llullSG – kevin martin, jermaine taylor, mike harrisSF – lebron james, chase budinger, alexander johnsonPF – chris bosh, patrick patterson, chuck hayesC – yao ming, brad miller, david andersen Patrick Lee

How can this be? Just yesterday were certain that Lebron was headed to Bulls to play under the shadow of Oscar Robinson. Perhaps the Rockets GM saw your two sign and trades offers to get Lebron and Bosh paired with Yao and is working out the deal as we speak.

Certain but I can dream...

 

[Walton Goggins]

WAlton, I don't even know where too start1. I am right about yao.2. Brooklyn isn't a big city? 3. The knicks paid lip service about mcgrady bouncing back but everyone with a brain knows that trade was about dumping salary.

They could have given up a hell of a lot less if they waited. Typical Knicks.

McGrady was traded 3 days before the trade deadline. Are you saying that much would have changed in 72 hours?

Could have still done the same during the draft with giving up a hell of a lot less. I'm not upset at all being a Rocket's fan but seeing the deals done w/o giving away a swap next year's draft and the 1st round draft pick in 2012 was idiotic. Again, I'm glad but this is the type of stuff Thomas did as the Knicks GM. Some things never change.

 

[bakes]

saw the knicks are gonna offer joe johnson a max contract on thursday

He has a history with Dantoni, but I am interested in the length of the deal. I don't believe Johnson is a max player, but if the deal is 4 years or less, that it wouldn't be horrible for the Knicks. If they sign Johnson, I wonder if their next play is for Amare. THey still have quite a hole at point guard, but Johnson and Amare would make them very formidable.\

Johnson & Amare is nothing more than a #4 seed. Hawks had more talent on their team. Thats not a chamionship team so why bother. Joe Johnson is a decent player but not worth a max deal. This would be Allan Houston all over again.

Knicks obviously want to make a splash and keep traditions up by being the first team to overpay for talent this year.

 

[Detroit Fan 365]

Miami: Bosh, LBJ, Wade=pretty damn sick if it were to happen. If Varnardo can add some weight he'd be a good player as well.

 

[Britney Spears]

The Knicks have such a void of assets. It's difficult to see how they could catch the Bulls. The Nets have a shot if Favors becomes a star but that still seems dicey.

I hear you. But think about this from a talent standpoint. Lopez = Rose (Lopez my actually be more valuable from the standpoint that he's a center and offers better defense and IMO would be the best fit with LeBron of any of these players).Noah = Harris (Call it even IMO)Deng > Terrence Williams (Although I am very high on Williams, and can see him surpassing Deng who seems to have hit a wall)Favors is kind of the wildcard I guess. Neither team has a bench, which is why they are in position to get LeBron in the first place. So really IMO it's not a whole lot different. I know it's hard to get past the W/L record from last year, but I think there really isn't much difference.

I know your a basketball guy... but Rose = Lopez???? Seriously? The only reason Rose became a scorer last year was the fact that the Bulls had zero offense outside of him. He isn't going to score 20pts a game if Bosh/James come to Chicago obviously, and his assist numbers are going to skyrocket. People are down on Rose because of his defense, rightfully so, but this guy is a great point guard that developed a mid range game last year and has a chance to be considered one of the best at what he does in the next few years (provided TT shows him how to defend).

I absolutely love Rose. But I think Lopez is truly that good, and that valuable to a team. P&R with him and LeBron would be deadly.

 

[Britney Spears]

WAlton, I don't even know where too start1. I am right about yao.2. Brooklyn isn't a big city? 3. The knicks paid lip service about mcgrady bouncing back but everyone with a brain knows that trade was about dumping salary.

They could have given up a hell of a lot less if they waited. Typical Knicks.

McGrady was traded 3 days before the trade deadline. Are you saying that much would have changed in 72 hours?

LOL facts.I kinda like Goggins, but he's a bit off with NBA stuff.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

saw the knicks are gonna offer joe johnson a max contract on thursday

He has a history with Dantoni, but I am interested in the length of the deal. I don't believe Johnson is a max player, but if the deal is 4 years or less, that it wouldn't be horrible for the Knicks. If they sign Johnson, I wonder if their next play is for Amare. THey still have quite a hole at point guard, but Johnson and Amare would make them very formidable.\

Johnson & Amare is nothing more than a #4 seed. Hawks had more talent on their team. Thats not a chamionship team so why bother. Joe Johnson is a decent player but not worth a max deal. This would be Allan Houston all over again.

Knicks obviously want to make a splash and keep traditions up by being the first team to overpay for talent this year.

If they don't do anything then people will point to their roster and say nothing is there. If they sign Johnson people rip them for over paying too soon. Guess it is one of those damned if you don't and damned if you do situations.Knicks obviously want to pitch to James that they have someone of high talent in place if they try and sign Johnson Thursday. If it wasn't part of their pitch, they would certainly wait I would think.

 

[Steelfan7]

saw the knicks are gonna offer joe johnson a max contract on thursday

He has a history with Dantoni, but I am interested in the length of the deal. I don't believe Johnson is a max player, but if the deal is 4 years or less, that it wouldn't be horrible for the Knicks. If they sign Johnson, I wonder if their next play is for Amare. THey still have quite a hole at point guard, but Johnson and Amare would make them very formidable.\

Johnson & Amare is nothing more than a #4 seed. Hawks had more talent on their team. Thats not a chamionship team so why bother. Joe Johnson is a decent player but not worth a max deal. This would be Allan Houston all over again.

Knicks obviously want to make a splash and keep traditions up by being the first team to overpay for talent this year.

Allan Houston's first deal with the Knicks was a good one for the team. The second one not so much as they bid against themselves and overpaid. Houston did lead them to the Finals though.

 

[JMon348]

I know they are both very talented but do you guys think Rose and LeBron could work? I think a frontcourt of LBJ, Bosh, and Noah is a perfect mix. But Rose and LeBron both need the ball to be effective and neither one is a great spot up shooter to spread the floor for the other. Of course LeBron will dominate the ball, and I think that would stunt the growth of Rose, so we may never see Rose develop into stud he can be.

I still think the perfect fit for the LBJ/Bosh combo is the Nets. I also think people are not paying enough attention to the Mavs, Cubans got something up his sleeve and will be a player this offseason.

 

[Abraham]

I know they are both very talented but do you guys think Rose and LeBron could work? I think a frontcourt of LBJ, Bosh, and Noah is a perfect mix. But Rose and LeBron both need the ball to be effective and neither one is a great spot up shooter to spread the floor for the other. Of course LeBron will dominate the ball, and I think that would stunt the growth of Rose, so we may never see Rose develop into stud he can be.I still think the perfect fit for the LBJ/Bosh combo is the Nets. I also think people are not paying enough attention to the Mavs, Cubans got something up his sleeve and will be a player this offseason.

I realize that the current thinking is that James is headed to Chicago, with some outlets trying to get out front and say it's a "done deal." But I'm with you on this: from a positional standpoint, Chicago is where James fits in the worst of the teams being mentioned. He dominates the ball, and for good reason. He's suddenly supposed to NOT do that since Rose needs the ball too? A frontline of Lopez, Bosh, and James would be awfully tough for anyone to handle - including the Lakers and the Magic. James has never been on a team with a very good frontcourt and I'm sure he's aware that the last few titles have been won by teams with a good group of guys 6'8 and taller.I also agree that Cuban will be a player. I don't think Joe Johnson is a Cuban type of player, and with Butler he wouldn't be needed. But I could see a sign-n-trade that brings in Amare or Boozer to fortify things down low.

 

[Masked Vigilante]

I'm beginning to think a Lebron-Joe Johnson or Lebron-Ray Allen combo would be absolute money.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Despite some foreboding signs, the Rockets do not consider themselves out of the free agency fight before throwing their first punch. Amid indications Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh will seek to join another top free agent on a team with cap space, a person with knowledge of the Rockets’ thinking said Houston is confident it will be in the running and is considering seeking another enticement. The individual familiar with the Rockets’ thinking said Houston could attempt to give Bosh a chance to sign with an All-Star guard by making a run at Hawks guard Joe Johnson.

 

[Abraham]

Despite some foreboding signs, the Rockets do not consider themselves out of the free agency fight before throwing their first punch. Amid indications Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh will seek to join another top free agent on a team with cap space, a person with knowledge of the Rockets’ thinking said Houston is confident it will be in the running and is considering seeking another enticement. The individual familiar with the Rockets’ thinking said Houston could attempt to give Bosh a chance to sign with an All-Star guard by making a run at Hawks guard Joe Johnson.

The ROckets have some items of value they could offer in SnT for Johnson and or Bosh, but I'm wondering how they could do all of that and get under the cap. Yao isn't being moved so they'd have to give up Jeffries, Battier, Martin, and Ariza....which is about $30MM IIRC. They'd have to let Scola walk. So...Brooks/Lowry/TaylorJohnson, Budinger, Nothing, NothingBosh, Yao, Hayes, Hill, Patterson

 

[Sammy3469]

saw the knicks are gonna offer joe johnson a max contract on thursday

He has a history with Dantoni, but I am interested in the length of the deal. I don't believe Johnson is a max player, but if the deal is 4 years or less, that it wouldn't be horrible for the Knicks. If they sign Johnson, I wonder if their next play is for Amare. THey still have quite a hole at point guard, but Johnson and Amare would make them very formidable.\

Johnson & Amare is nothing more than a #4 seed. Hawks had more talent on their team. Thats not a chamionship team so why bother. Joe Johnson is a decent player but not worth a max deal. This would be Allan Houston all over again.

I love the "why bother". Why bother? Because it sets you up for the following year when you have Curry's contract to play with. The Knicks were always on a 2 year plan and they need to get the 2 best players they can this offseason.

 

[Sammy3469]

I know they are both very talented but do you guys think Rose and LeBron could work? I think a frontcourt of LBJ, Bosh, and Noah is a perfect mix. But Rose and LeBron both need the ball to be effective and neither one is a great spot up shooter to spread the floor for the other. Of course LeBron will dominate the ball, and I think that would stunt the growth of Rose, so we may never see Rose develop into stud he can be.I still think the perfect fit for the LBJ/Bosh combo is the Nets. I also think people are not paying enough attention to the Mavs, Cubans got something up his sleeve and will be a player this offseason.

If that comes to pass they'll move Deng for a SG.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Despite some foreboding signs, the Rockets do not consider themselves out of the free agency fight before throwing their first punch. Amid indications Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh will seek to join another top free agent on a team with cap space, a person with knowledge of the Rockets’ thinking said Houston is confident it will be in the running and is considering seeking another enticement. The individual familiar with the Rockets’ thinking said Houston could attempt to give Bosh a chance to sign with an All-Star guard by making a run at Hawks guard Joe Johnson.

The ROckets have some items of value they could offer in SnT for Johnson and or Bosh, but I'm wondering how they could do all of that and get under the cap. Yao isn't being moved so they'd have to give up Jeffries, Battier, Martin, and Ariza....which is about $30MM IIRC. They'd have to let Scola walk. So...Brooks/Lowry/TaylorJohnson, Budinger, Nothing, NothingBosh, Yao, Hayes, Hill, Patterson

Also forgetting players we would take back. I put up a scenario in getting Lebron and Bosh a page back. Scola would be a sign and trade, couldn't just let him walk.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I know they are both very talented but do you guys think Rose and LeBron could work? I think a frontcourt of LBJ, Bosh, and Noah is a perfect mix. But Rose and LeBron both need the ball to be effective and neither one is a great spot up shooter to spread the floor for the other. Of course LeBron will dominate the ball, and I think that would stunt the growth of Rose, so we may never see Rose develop into stud he can be.I still think the perfect fit for the LBJ/Bosh combo is the Nets. I also think people are not paying enough attention to the Mavs, Cubans got something up his sleeve and will be a player this offseason.

The same arguments about Rose and LeBron could have been made with a young Jordan and Pippen. They weren't good spot up shooters early in their careers either. Great players learn to play with each other and utilize each other's strengths.

 

[boubucarow]

I know they are both very talented but do you guys think Rose and LeBron could work? I think a frontcourt of LBJ, Bosh, and Noah is a perfect mix. But Rose and LeBron both need the ball to be effective and neither one is a great spot up shooter to spread the floor for the other. Of course LeBron will dominate the ball, and I think that would stunt the growth of Rose, so we may never see Rose develop into stud he can be.I still think the perfect fit for the LBJ/Bosh combo is the Nets. I also think people are not paying enough attention to the Mavs, Cubans got something up his sleeve and will be a player this offseason.

I understand why some think the Nets are a better situation for James and Bosh if they are together. However, I think that so many people are wrong in thinking Rose and James shouldn't be on the same team. Of course, there isn't a lot of teams that come to mind in the past that have two dominating ball handler starters who aren't good 3 pnt shooters and play 35+ minutes a game so many think it can't work out. However, one of the teams that did have that combo is the Dynasty Bulls. Jordan and Pippen were be very similar to Rose and James on the offense. There will be about 16-20 minutes each game when only one of them is on the floor to be the #1 ball handler and Bosh will be on the floor with them to make sure they always have a tremendous offensive combo on the floor. That leaves 28-32 minutes when both James and Rose are on the floor. Say they split that time as the #1 ball handler. That means that James won't be the #1 ball handler for about 15 minutes a game and similar for Rose. I don't see why that will be a problem in the least.And similar to Jordan/Pippen, neither are good 3 point shooters but both have great offensive strengths. They will be the best fast break team in the league. Rose has improved his 15-18 foot jump shot to the point when he is sometimes unstoppable and that strength can play off of James' ball handling and vision. Rose as a ball handler will have the best finisher in the game and/or Bosh to set up. In addition, Rose is also a very good finisher and this team would be on the free throw line all day. James will have time on offense to be just a scorer which IMO will help his game tremendously. The amount of energy he expends on the offensive end is unreal. Rose will give him time off the ball and let him develop that part of his game.I am sure everyone things Noah is a great fit for this team. As for Bosh, he will always have a tremendous passer and finisher to play pick and roll and pick and pop with as well as the bruiser he needs as a partner down low. He would also provide the low post game that would open up the floor for the rest of the team.I assume the rest of the team will be filled with shooters and bigs. I am hesitant on speaking much of Deng because don't think he will be on the team. But if he is, his defense will be huge help to James who no longer would have to guard the opposing elite wing scorer nearly the entire game. Deng developed a lethal 3 point shot from the wing and is a very good finisher curling in from the wing. I think that his strengths on offense could help to spread the floor for the Bulls just as much as a 3 point specialist.I think the biggest strength of the team would be its unselfishness. Rose and Noah will have no problem with the 2 stars arriving and James would love to pile up the assists setting up Bosh or Rose and finding Noah rolling to the basket. As long as the team remembers to feed Bosh, I see the team being dominant offensively.

 

[cubd8]

Stephen A. Smith is reporting that LeBron James will sign, along with Chris Bosh, in Miami to play with Dwyane Wade.

Of course, about a week or so ago, he was reporting that James would sign with the Knicks.

 

[Eviloutsider]

Stephen A. Smith is reporting that LeBron James will sign, along with Chris Bosh, in Miami to play with Dwyane Wade.Of course, about a week or so ago, he was reporting that James would sign with the Knicks.

Stephen A. Smith doesn't ever report, he yells, and the louder he is, the more wrong he is.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

To put things more in perspective, how many top free agents are there where their former teams do not want them back? That was the case with Wallace. Bulls had to even overpay to get him.

To say the Pistons didn't want him back wouldn't be accurate. They would have been glad to have him back for the right price, but the Bulls offered him a much larger contract than Detroit was willing to give him. I think it was becoming evident during the playoffs before Wallace became a FA that he was starting to decline -- his explosiveness, which was so much of what allowed him to be a great defender, rebounder, and shot blocker was starting to go downhill, and Pistons management made the call that they didn't want to tie up that much money in a player whose best years were behind him.

 

[Bobcat10]

Stephen A. Smith is reporting that LeBron James will sign, along with Chris Bosh, in Miami to play with Dwyane Wade.Of course, about a week or so ago, he was reporting that James would sign with the Knicks.

I guess my feeling all along of the Knicks and Heat as being the two longshots are now confirmed.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

I heard that Wade, Bosh, Lebron, Johnson and Amare are all going to play in New Jersey for the league minimum so they can win the next 10 championships.

 

[Snotbubbles]

I heard that Wade, Bosh, Lebron, Johnson and Amare are all going to play in New Jersey for the league minimum so they can win the next 10 championships.

That, IMO would cheapen the legacy of a James or Wade.

 

[Bobcat10]

I heard that Wade, Bosh, Lebron, Johnson and Amare are all going to play in New Jersey for the league minimum so they can win the next 10 championships.

That, IMO would cheapen the legacy of a James or Wade.

It's gonna happen regardless imo if two/three of these guys pair up. Not saying that's right, but I can already feel the brain clocking going on.

 

[boubucarow]

I heard that Wade, Bosh, Lebron, Johnson and Amare are all going to play in New Jersey for the league minimum so they can win the next 10 championships.

You forgot Boozer off the bench.

 

[JMon348]

Stephen A. Smith is reporting that LeBron James will sign, along with Chris Bosh, in Miami to play with Dwyane Wade.Of course, about a week or so ago, he was reporting that James would sign with the Knicks.

I guess my feeling all along of the Knicks and Heat as being the two longshots are now confirmed.

Whats Clevelands feel through all this? Everyone still confident? nervous? How's the media and people acting?

 

[Abraham]

I'm starting to get tired of ESPN's round the clock coverage of this. Seriously - NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING. I think that Johnson and Bosh want to be made to feel important. I think Lebron wants to hear everyone's pitch to see if it changes his mind from what he already has decided through years of research. And I think that Boozer, Lee, Scola, etc. will start to fall in to place once the teams that lose out on James, Bosh, and Wade start grasping for backup plans. But to think that Stephen A Smith or Bill Simmons or the people of Cleveland or a waiter at a Chicago diner know ANYTHING about how this is going to play out is lying to themselves. At this point, I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if he ended up in NJ, NY, CHi, Mia, Clevel, LAC, Hou, Dallas....

 

[TommyGilmore]

I heard that Wade, Bosh, Lebron, Johnson and Amare are all going to play in New Jersey for the league minimum so they can win the next 10 championships.

You forgot Boozer off the bench.

Either way, the Nets definitely have the best core group of young players to build around.

 

[Walton Goggins]

I heard that Wade, Bosh, Lebron, Johnson and Amare are all going to play in New Jersey for the league minimum so they can win the next 10 championships.

You forgot Boozer off the bench.

Either way, the Nets definitely have the best core group of young players to build around.

Compared to who, the Timberwolves?How many games did the Nets win last season with this solid core group of players this team seems to have?

 

[boubucarow]

I heard that Wade, Bosh, Lebron, Johnson and Amare are all going to play in New Jersey for the league minimum so they can win the next 10 championships.

You forgot Boozer off the bench.

Either way, the Nets definitely have the best core group of young players to build around.

Compared to who, the Timberwolves?How many games did the Nets win last season with this solid core group of players this team seems to have?

Harris and Lopez versus Rose and Noah is not a clear case for either side

 

[Abraham]

I heard that Wade, Bosh, Lebron, Johnson and Amare are all going to play in New Jersey for the league minimum so they can win the next 10 championships.

You forgot Boozer off the bench.

Either way, the Nets definitely have the best core group of young players to build around.

Compared to who, the Timberwolves?How many games did the Nets win last season with this solid core group of players this team seems to have?

How many games did the 2007 Celtics win? How many games did the 08 Thunder win? Teams can have a solid group of talent but still lose - winning takes experience and chemistry, not just an assembly of talent (eg: the 2004 Olympics). I'm not saying I agree that the Nets are chock full of talent, but using Wins and Losses as the sole barometer of that is silly. Lopez put up 19 and 9 being double-teamed as a rookie. Williams started producing after he started getting bigger minutes in March. Harris had a down year, but he has shown the ability to be a 20/7 guy running the point.

 

[EYLive]

I'm starting to get tired of ESPN's round the clock coverage of this. Seriously - NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING. I think that Johnson and Bosh want to be made to feel important. I think Lebron wants to hear everyone's pitch to see if it changes his mind from what he already has decided through years of research. And I think that Boozer, Lee, Scola, etc. will start to fall in to place once the teams that lose out on James, Bosh, and Wade start grasping for backup plans. But to think that Stephen A Smith or Bill Simmons or the people of Cleveland or a waiter at a Chicago diner know ANYTHING about how this is going to play out is lying to themselves. At this point, I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if he ended up in NJ, NY, CHi, Mia, Clevel, LAC, Hou, Dallas....

Go Clippers!

 

[Shooter McGavin]

I heard that Wade, Bosh, Lebron, Johnson and Amare are all going to play in New Jersey for the league minimum so they can win the next 10 championships.

You forgot Boozer off the bench.

Either way, the Nets definitely have the best core group of young players to build around.

Compared to who, the Timberwolves?How many games did the Nets win last season with this solid core group of players this team seems to have?

How many games did the 2007 Celtics win? How many games did the 08 Thunder win? Teams can have a solid group of talent but still lose - winning takes experience and chemistry, not just an assembly of talent (eg: the 2004 Olympics). I'm not saying I agree that the Nets are chock full of talent, but using Wins and Losses as the sole barometer of that is silly. Lopez put up 19 and 9 being double-teamed as a rookie. Williams started producing after he started getting bigger minutes in March. Harris had a down year, but he has shown the ability to be a 20/7 guy running the point.

Harris was hurt a lot last season, as well. He missed 18 games, and played hurt for a good part of the year when he was playing, which contributed to NJ's horrible record. However, Lopez wasn't a rookie last year -- it was his 2nd season. he averaged 13 and 8 his rookie year, which was a very solid year, when he wasn't required to carry near as much of the load for the team, as Vince Carter took a lot of the attention. I agree that Lopez is probably the best big man in the league who is less than 4 years into his pro career.

 

[Abraham]

However, Lopez wasn't a rookie last year -- it was his 2nd season. he averaged 13 and 8 his rookie year, which was a very solid year, when he wasn't required to carry near as much of the load for the team, as Vince Carter took a lot of the attention. I agree that Lopez is probably the best big man in the league who is less than 4 years into his pro career.

My fault - thanks for the correction.

 

[saintfool]

I'd rather have Rose + Noah than Harris + Lopez.I'd rather have Lopez + Favors + Harris than Rose + Noah.

 

[Walton Goggins]

I heard that Wade, Bosh, Lebron, Johnson and Amare are all going to play in New Jersey for the league minimum so they can win the next 10 championships.

You forgot Boozer off the bench.

Either way, the Nets definitely have the best core group of young players to build around.

Compared to who, the Timberwolves?How many games did the Nets win last season with this solid core group of players this team seems to have?

How many games did the 2007 Celtics win? How many games did the 08 Thunder win? Teams can have a solid group of talent but still lose - winning takes experience and chemistry, not just an assembly of talent (eg: the 2004 Olympics). I'm not saying I agree that the Nets are chock full of talent, but using Wins and Losses as the sole barometer of that is silly. Lopez put up 19 and 9 being double-teamed as a rookie. Williams started producing after he started getting bigger minutes in March. Harris had a down year, but he has shown the ability to be a 20/7 guy running the point.

Celtics won twice as many games as the Nets. You win 12 games sorry but your team doesn't have a solid core, especially in a weaker Eastern Conference. Think about this, the Wizards won more than twice the amount of games as the Nets which should give you a feel how awful the Nets were last year. They are actually beyond awful. Nets definitely do not have the best core group of young players to build around. I never said wins and loses are the sole barometer.

 

[Abraham]

Celtics won twice as many games as the Nets. You win 12 games sorry but your team doesn't have a solid core, especially in a weaker Eastern Conference. Think about this, the Wizards won more than twice the amount of games as the Nets which should give you a feel how awful the Nets were last year. They are actually beyond awful. Nets definitely do not have the best core group of young players to build around. I never said wins and loses are the sole barometer.

You've yet to give any other standards for evaluation of talent though. ALl you keep harping on is wins and losses.... I'd like to hear your well-thought-out-non-wins-and-losses argument for how Lopez, Harris, and Favors are not equal or superior in talent to Rose/Noah/Deng.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I'd rather have Rose + Noah than Harris + Lopez.I'd rather have Lopez + Favors + Harris than Rose + Noah.

To be fair, it's:Rose, Noah, Deng, Gibson, James Johnson + a few million more in cap space vs.Lopez, Harris, Favors, Lee, Williams, Yi, Humphries

 

[cubd8]

I'd rather have Rose + Noah than Harris + Lopez.I'd rather have Lopez + Favors + Harris than Rose + Noah.

To be fair, it's:Rose, Noah, Deng, Gibson, James Johnson + a few million more in cap space vs.Lopez, Harris, Favors, Lee, Williams, Yi, Humphries

I'd take the Bulls in this matchup because Devin Harris hasn't shown he can stay healthy. The guy appears to be somewhat injury prone.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Celtics won twice as many games as the Nets. You win 12 games sorry but your team doesn't have a solid core, especially in a weaker Eastern Conference. Think about this, the Wizards won more than twice the amount of games as the Nets which should give you a feel how awful the Nets were last year. They are actually beyond awful. Nets definitely do not have the best core group of young players to build around. I never said wins and loses are the sole barometer.

You've yet to give any other standards for evaluation of talent though. ALl you keep harping on is wins and losses.... I'd like to hear your well-thought-out-non-wins-and-losses argument for how Lopez, Harris, and Favors are not equal or superior in talent to Rose/Noah/Deng.

Favors is a big wildcard. We don't know how LeBron views him. It's not uncommon for big men drafted early to bust. I'm not a big college basketball guy, but from what I've heard and read, Favors is lacking a lot of polish in his game. Nobody knows how he'll turn out.

 

[oneohh]

I'm starting to get tired of ESPN's round the clock coverage of this. Seriously - NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING. I think that Johnson and Bosh want to be made to feel important. I think Lebron wants to hear everyone's pitch to see if it changes his mind from what he already has decided through years of research. And I think that Boozer, Lee, Scola, etc. will start to fall in to place once the teams that lose out on James, Bosh, and Wade start grasping for backup plans. But to think that Stephen A Smith or Bill Simmons or the people of Cleveland or a waiter at a Chicago diner know ANYTHING about how this is going to play out is lying to themselves. At this point, I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if he ended up in NJ, NY, CHi, Mia, Clevel, LAC, Hou, Dallas....

The only thing wrong with this post is how badly Lebron wants to be courted. The guy makes TO seem humble. Here's to Lebron never winning a ring!!

 

[Walton Goggins]

I'm starting to get tired of ESPN's round the clock coverage of this. Seriously - NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING. I think that Johnson and Bosh want to be made to feel important. I think Lebron wants to hear everyone's pitch to see if it changes his mind from what he already has decided through years of research. And I think that Boozer, Lee, Scola, etc. will start to fall in to place once the teams that lose out on James, Bosh, and Wade start grasping for backup plans. But to think that Stephen A Smith or Bill Simmons or the people of Cleveland or a waiter at a Chicago diner know ANYTHING about how this is going to play out is lying to themselves. At this point, I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if he ended up in NJ, NY, CHi, Mia, Clevel, LAC, Hou, Dallas....

The only thing wrong with this post is how badly Lebron wants to be courted. The guy makes TO seem humble. Here's to Lebron never winning a ring!!

Then why not stage a USA tour and go city to city instead of meeting at a neutral site?