*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (3 Viewers)

[Bobcat10]

Ilgauskas is close to accepting a contract offer from the Heat, Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Are they burning Z jerseys in the streets yet?

Not happenin'. This will just make a Heat championship barely worth it. I'm gonna go vomit now.

 

[saintfool]

Ilgauskas is close to accepting a contract offer from the Heat, Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Are they burning Z jerseys in the streets yet?

we are all witnesses!

 

[Bobcat10]

This World Champion Won't Leave Cleveland

Today at 1:50pm

GLBC brews limited release, pub exclusive “Quitness”

July 13, 2010--CLEVELAND, OHIO--Great Lakes Brewing Company (GLBC), the award-winning craft brewer of lagers and ales and recipient of multiple world champion titles, announces the limited release of its new pub exclusive “Quitness”. “Quitness”, named for obvious reasons given the recent “Decision”, is a cask conditioned, dry hopped India Pale Ale that is sure to be as bitter as the mood of Cleveland these days! “Connecting to our city, our fans and our community has made Great Lakes Brewing Company what it is today. Making lemonade out of lemons comes naturally as evidenced by some of our other beers like the Burning River Pale Ale and Blackout Stout. Rest assured Cleveland – GLBC isn’t going anywhere and we will continue to win world [beer] championships,” comments Patrick Conway, co-owner of GLBC.

“Quitness” is slated for GLBC training camp (the Brewpub that is) starting at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 until Saturday, July 17, 2010 (while supplies last). This IPA will be drawn from a firkin and only available in the GLBC Brewpub located across from the West Side Market on Market Avenue in Cleveland (sorry, no growlers). “Quitness” will inevitably come and go, so be sure to be there for the home opener!

 

[oneohh]

Ilgauskas is close to accepting a contract offer from the Heat, Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Are they burning Z jerseys in the streets yet?

Not unless Z tries to put together a "The Decison 2" show....

Oh come on, top dog. It was well within Lebron's rights to shove that decision in the faces of the city that supported him for 7 years. Z hasn't quite earned that magnitude of a lack of class just yet.

 

[Eephus]

You think they'll keep Dampier? I thought the enticing thing about him was his non-guaranteed contract.

dampier is an upgrade over diop or mohammed, if you can believe it. i just don't see how they could roll into next year with either of those turds on the floor.that said, they can cut dampier i suppose. they could try to trade nazr's too. he's in the last year of a contract for $6m.

I wouldn't be surprised if Dampier gets moved again to someone who would take advantage of the expiring deal.

WojYahooNBA The Bobcats are "very likely" to waive Dampier and his non-guaranteed $13 million salary for next season, a source tells Y!

I suppose it makes sense for a franchise losing money to take the dump rather than acquiring a player in Calderon who could help the team. Dan Gilbert ought to write an open letter to Charlotte management and fans.

 

[Kev4029]

Sadly dampier becomes one of the best big men on the market if he's waived. He would be a great fit for a big banger for the heat if he's willing to sign for the minimum. I would think he is a good fit for the nuggets too, everybody likes rebounding and defense.

 

[Gr00vus]

I suppose it makes sense for a franchise losing money to take the dump rather than acquiring a player in Calderon who could help the team. Dan Gilbert ought to write an open letter to Charlotte management and fans.

To be fair, I read the Toronto thing was killed because Brown didn't like the deal, mainly because he didn't think the Toronto guys played D. Seems a legit reason not to want to do the deal.

 

[shake zula]

Cavs continue to get heartbroken. Big Z signing with the Heat.ChalmersWadeJames, MillerBosh, HaslemAnthony, IllgauskasUh oh

Just Wade, Bosh, and James plus 9 slobs who couldn't find their d__k with two hands and a flashlight These are the same people saying that we will never be able to properly appraise James legacy

 

[wadegarrett]

Cavs continue to get heartbroken. Big Z signing with the Heat.ChalmersWadeJames, MillerBosh, HaslemAnthony, IllgauskasUh oh

Just Wade, Bosh, and James plus 9 slobs who couldn't find their d__k with two hands and a flashlight These are the same people saying that we will never be able to properly appraise James legacy

you can say **** on here...it's not frowned upon

 

[Tough As Nails]

Sadly dampier becomes one of the best big men on the market if he's waived. He would be a great fit for a big banger for the heat if he's willing to sign for the minimum. I would think he is a good fit for the nuggets too, everybody likes rebounding and defense.

Does not compute. This is Dampier we're talking about here.

 

[shake zula]

Cavs continue to get heartbroken. Big Z signing with the Heat.ChalmersWadeJames, MillerBosh, HaslemAnthony, IllgauskasUh oh

Just Wade, Bosh, and James plus 9 slobs who couldn't find their d__k with two hands and a flashlight These are the same people saying that we will never be able to properly appraise James legacy

you can say **** on here...it's not frowned upon

Really? Good to know.

 

[Abraham]

Cavs continue to get heartbroken. Big Z signing with the Heat.

Chalmers

Wade

James, Miller

Bosh, Haslem

Anthony, Illgauskas

Uh oh

Just Wade, Bosh, and James plus 9 slobs who couldn't find their d__k with two hands and a flashlight These are the same people saying that we will never be able to properly appraise James legacy

How many points do you plan on scoring this season?

 

[the moops]

Sadly dampier becomes one of the best big men on the market if he's waived. He would be a great fit for a big banger for the heat if he's willing to sign for the minimum. I would think he is a good fit for the nuggets too, everybody likes rebounding and defense.

Does not compute. This is Dampier we're talking about here.

Well, the minimum for Dampier is 1.35 million. How much more can he realistically be looking at?

 

[Gr00vus]

So now the Mavs are hoping to sign "other" Al Harrington for the vet exception (something like 5.8M).

 

[Gr00vus]

Sadly dampier becomes one of the best big men on the market if he's waived. He would be a great fit for a big banger for the heat if he's willing to sign for the minimum. I would think he is a good fit for the nuggets too, everybody likes rebounding and defense.

Does not compute. This is Dampier we're talking about here.

Well, the minimum for Dampier is 1.35 million. How much more can he realistically be looking at?

He should pull in 4 to 5 million minimum. He's not D.J. MBenga.

 

[shake zula]

Cavs continue to get heartbroken. Big Z signing with the Heat.

Chalmers

Wade

James, Miller

Bosh, Haslem

Anthony, Illgauskas

Uh oh

Just Wade, Bosh, and James plus 9 slobs who couldn't find their d__k with two hands and a flashlight These are the same people saying that we will never be able to properly appraise James legacy :X

How many points do you plan on scoring this season?

We = society, not sure how you got that we = Heat in that particular construct.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

There's a light at the end of the tunnel

 

[saintfool]

So now the Mavs are hoping to sign "other" Al Harrington for the vet exception (something like 5.8M).

didn't harrington play for indiana when carlisle was coaching there?

 

[Gr00vus]

There's a light at the end of the tunnel

Man I wish I had enough money to buy an NBA franchise.

 

[Abraham]

Cavs continue to get heartbroken. Big Z signing with the Heat.

Chalmers

Wade

James, Miller

Bosh, Haslem

Anthony, Illgauskas

Uh oh

Just Wade, Bosh, and James plus 9 slobs who couldn't find their d__k with two hands and a flashlight These are the same people saying that we will never be able to properly appraise James legacy

How many points do you plan on scoring this season?

We = society, not sure how you got that we = Heat in that particular construct.

My mistake - apologies. I misread your post.

 

[Eephus]

I suppose it makes sense for a franchise losing money to take the dump rather than acquiring a player in Calderon who could help the team. Dan Gilbert ought to write an open letter to Charlotte management and fans.

To be fair, I read the Toronto thing was killed because Brown didn't like the deal, mainly because he didn't think the Toronto guys played D. Seems a legit reason not to want to do the deal.

Larry Brown has forgotten more about basketball than I'll ever know. It's a fair criticism of Calderon but it leaves the Bobcats with a gap at PG. Brown doesn't appear to be a believer in DJ Augustin. The free agent PG group was thin to start with and has now been depleted further. I guess TJ Ford is still out there but he's (a) no great shakes, (b) small like Augustin and © injured a lot. Maybe they can flip Damp's contract for somebody else but I can't think of who off the top of my head.

 

[thecatch]

We are talking 8 seed in the East....30 games and you are in the mix.

By 30 games, you mean a 30 game improvement on the 12 that the Nets won last year, right?

The 8th seed, even in the East, won 41 games last year. The Nets won 12 and didn't make any dramatic upgrades. Favors is definitely a project. After watching Cousins eat people alive last night in summer league (yes, I know, summer league) I have a feeling the Nets are going to be regretting that pick, for this year at least.

Coaching and culture last year wa horrific - on paper the Nets should have been much better but as Parcells says - you are what you are.....I like the group in place now as a base - add that one missing star piece and this team will be very good - as it is constituted though I think it has a chance to be in the mix for the 8 seedFavors vs Cousins - Favors dominated some summr league games too - they couldnt go with Cousins as he wouldnt mesh with Lopez - plus way too risky IMO - I support the Favors pick.

Favors was invisible in 4 of their 5 games, and tore it up in the 5th. I think you'll probably see a lot of up and down like that with him this year, given his lack of polish. Favors may end up being the best big man in the class eventually, who knows, but I don't think that will be apparent this year.

 

[Gr00vus]

I suppose it makes sense for a franchise losing money to take the dump rather than acquiring a player in Calderon who could help the team. Dan Gilbert ought to write an open letter to Charlotte management and fans.

To be fair, I read the Toronto thing was killed because Brown didn't like the deal, mainly because he didn't think the Toronto guys played D. Seems a legit reason not to want to do the deal.

Larry Brown has forgotten more about basketball than I'll ever know. It's a fair criticism of Calderon but it leaves the Bobcats with a gap at PG. Brown doesn't appear to be a believer in DJ Augustin. The free agent PG group was thin to start with and has now been depleted further. I guess TJ Ford is still out there but he's (a) no great shakes, (b) small like Augustin and © injured a lot. Maybe they can flip Damp's contract for somebody else but I can't think of who off the top of my head.

Well Minny was interested in Dampier's contract, and was rumored to offer Flynn to the Cavs. Maybe the Cats can flip Dampier to the Wolves for Flynn? Does Flynn play D? Is he worth trading for as opposed to picking a PG out of the free agent backwash?

 

[Eephus]

There's a light at the end of the tunnel

 

[Eephus]

I suppose it makes sense for a franchise losing money to take the dump rather than acquiring a player in Calderon who could help the team. Dan Gilbert ought to write an open letter to Charlotte management and fans.

To be fair, I read the Toronto thing was killed because Brown didn't like the deal, mainly because he didn't think the Toronto guys played D. Seems a legit reason not to want to do the deal.

Larry Brown has forgotten more about basketball than I'll ever know. It's a fair criticism of Calderon but it leaves the Bobcats with a gap at PG. Brown doesn't appear to be a believer in DJ Augustin. The free agent PG group was thin to start with and has now been depleted further. I guess TJ Ford is still out there but he's (a) no great shakes, (b) small like Augustin and © injured a lot. Maybe they can flip Damp's contract for somebody else but I can't think of who off the top of my head.

Well Minny was interested in Dampier's contract, and was rumored to offer Flynn to the Cavs. Maybe the Cats can flip Dampier to the Wolves for Flynn? Does Flynn play D? Is he worth trading for as opposed to picking a PG out of the free agent backwash?

I stopped doing drugs so I can't comment on anything involving David Kahn

 

[Kev4029]

Sadly dampier becomes one of the best big men on the market if he's waived. He would be a great fit for a big banger for the heat if he's willing to sign for the minimum. I would think he is a good fit for the nuggets too, everybody likes rebounding and defense.

Does not compute. This is Dampier we're talking about here.

Well, the minimum for Dampier is 1.35 million. How much more can he realistically be looking at?

He should pull in 4 to 5 million minimum. He's not D.J. MBenga.

I was figuring at most a 2yr/5 mill contract, but who knows with the terrible contracts being slung around. There are probably a lot of teams willing to bring him in for the biannual exception which is just shy of 2 million I think. Its tough for a 34 or 35 year old big man to get much money, if shaq is looking in the neighborhood of the mid level in no way is damp gonna get similar cash.

 

[datonn]

Al Jefferson to the Utah Jazz appears to be a done deal: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ys-j...lvestrade071210

Jazz acquire:

PF Al Jefferson

Timberwolves acquire:

#1 pick in 2011 from Memphis Grizzlies (protected through 2015 between #9 OA and #15 OA, with $3 million cash being conveyed in 2016 if the pick never comes)

#1 pick in 2011 from Utah Jazz

$13+ million Traded Player Exemption from the Utah Jazz (must be used one year from the Carlos Boozer sign-and-trade with the Bulls)

On paper, it looks bad for the Wolves. However, this is probably addition by subtraction. Love and Beasley will each get 30+ minutes now (with Beasley seeing some time at the 3), while the Wolves give themselves a very tasty TPE to hopefully acquire a player of value in-season (near the deadline). I'm not as high on the picks as I am the TPE and giving Love and Beasley more minutes...but the Jazz should really benefit from the trade as well.

 

[No. 16]

There's a light at the end of the tunnel

X 100000000000000000000

 

[saintfool]

Larry Brown has forgotten more about basketball than I'll ever know. It's a fair criticism of Calderon but it leaves the Bobcats with a gap at PG. Brown doesn't appear to be a believer in DJ Augustin. The free agent PG group was thin to start with and has now been depleted further. I guess TJ Ford is still out there but he's (a) no great shakes, (b) small like Augustin and © injured a lot. Maybe they can flip Damp's contract for somebody else but I can't think of who off the top of my head.

portland gives up andre miller and pryzbilla; charlotte gives up dampier.

 

[No. 16]

Al Jefferson to the Utah Jazz appears to be a done deal: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ys-j...lvestrade071210

Jazz acquire:

PF Al Jefferson

Timberwolves acquire:

#1 pick in 2011 from Memphis Grizzlies (protected through 2015 between #9 OA and #15 OA, with $3 million cash being conveyed in 2016 if the pick never comes)

#1 pick in 2011 from Utah Jazz

$13+ million Traded Player Exemption from the Utah Jazz (must be used one year from the Carlos Boozer sign-and-trade with the Bulls)

On paper, it looks bad for the Wolves. However, this is probably addition by subtraction. Love and Beasley will each get 30+ minutes now (with Beasley seeing some time at the 3), while the Wolves give themselves a very tasty TPE to hopefully acquire a player of value in-season (near the deadline). I'm not as high on the picks as I am the TPE and giving Love and Beasley more minutes...but the Jazz should really benefit from the trade as well.

Good trade for both teams. Utah will see a few wins shaved off of their total but they should still compete for a roster spot. They won 53 last year with a contract year Boozer, so I think they'll win around 45-48 with Jefferson unless they make more moves.

If you're a non-playoff team the best thing you can do is maintain cap flexibility and that's what Minnesota is doing. So kudos to them.

 

[sjslacker]

There's a light at the end of the tunnel

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2010...-now/#more-8480I was so happy reading that blog post until this lil tidbit...

I think Jerry West will be involved, but yes, I’ve heard the rumors that Mike Dunleavy Sr., somehow is in play. Only rumors. I’ve heard nothing from any sources I trust on the Dunleavy aspect.

DUNLEAVY Sr.?!?!? REALLY?!?!?!?!

FML if that's true.

PLEASE LET THE WARRIORS BE RELEVANT AGAIN!!!!!!

We Believe.

 

[No. 16]

There's a light at the end of the tunnel

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2010...-now/#more-8480I was so happy reading that blog post until this lil tidbit...

I think Jerry West will be involved, but yes, I’ve heard the rumors that Mike Dunleavy Sr., somehow is in play. Only rumors. I’ve heard nothing from any sources I trust on the Dunleavy aspect.

DUNLEAVY Sr.?!?!? REALLY?!?!?!?!

FML if that's true.

PLEASE LET THE WARRIORS BE RELEVANT AGAIN!!!!!!

We Believe.

It's from Tim Kawkrappy... notice the words "think" and "heard rumors." It's just a way for him to peddle made up crap as potential news. Dude makes up so much BS.

 

[saintfool]

If you're a non-playoff team the best thing you can do is maintain cap flexibility and that's what Minnesota is doing. So kudos to them.

that and getting rid of kurt rambis...

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

I suppose it makes sense for a franchise losing money to take the dump rather than acquiring a player in Calderon who could help the team. Dan Gilbert ought to write an open letter to Charlotte management and fans.

To be fair, I read the Toronto thing was killed because Brown didn't like the deal, mainly because he didn't think the Toronto guys played D. Seems a legit reason not to want to do the deal.

Larry Brown has forgotten more about basketball than I'll ever know. It's a fair criticism of Calderon but it leaves the Bobcats with a gap at PG. Brown doesn't appear to be a believer in DJ Augustin. The free agent PG group was thin to start with and has now been depleted further. I guess TJ Ford is still out there but he's (a) no great shakes, (b) small like Augustin and © injured a lot. Maybe they can flip Damp's contract for somebody else but I can't think of who off the top of my head.

Well Minny was interested in Dampier's contract, and was rumored to offer Flynn to the Cavs. Maybe the Cats can flip Dampier to the Wolves for Flynn? Does Flynn play D? Is he worth trading for as opposed to picking a PG out of the free agent backwash?

Jebus, no

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

If you're a non-playoff team the best thing you can do is maintain cap flexibility and that's what Minnesota is doing. So kudos to them.

that and getting rid of kurt rambis...

Kurt just needs the power of the rec specs.

 

[Kiddnets]

We are talking 8 seed in the East....30 games and you are in the mix.

By 30 games, you mean a 30 game improvement on the 12 that the Nets won last year, right?

The 8th seed, even in the East, won 41 games last year. The Nets won 12 and didn't make any dramatic upgrades. Favors is definitely a project. After watching Cousins eat people alive last night in summer league (yes, I know, summer league) I have a feeling the Nets are going to be regretting that pick, for this year at least.

Coaching and culture last year wa horrific - on paper the Nets should have been much better but as Parcells says - you are what you are.....I like the group in place now as a base - add that one missing star piece and this team will be very good - as it is constituted though I think it has a chance to be in the mix for the 8 seedFavors vs Cousins - Favors dominated some summr league games too - they couldnt go with Cousins as he wouldnt mesh with Lopez - plus way too risky IMO - I support the Favors pick.

Favors was invisible in 4 of their 5 games, and tore it up in the 5th. I think you'll probably see a lot of up and down like that with him this year, given his lack of polish. Favors may end up being the best big man in the class eventually, who knows, but I don't think that will be apparent this year.

I agree - the kid is 18 or 19 yrs old - cant count on him to be a beast this year - but if he even holds his own it would really move the team up. Remember too the NEts have about $15M in cap room left - if they add a star to their current mix I think they would be a top team in the East.

 

[Abraham]

I really like this trade for the Jazz. Jefferson is a talented young center and there is no reason he shouldn't be 22/10 with WIlliams running the offense. BTW - another good center in the west.

 

[No. 16]

I really like this trade for the Jazz. Jefferson is a talented young center and there is no reason he shouldn't be 22/10 with WIlliams running the offense. BTW - another good center in the west.

He takes too many jump shots.

 

[Gr00vus]

I really like this trade for the Jazz. Jefferson is a talented young center and there is no reason he shouldn't be 22/10 with WIlliams running the offense. BTW - another good center in the west.

Minny may seem like Siberia, but I'm pretty sure they're still in the Western Conference.So who comes off the bench - Okur, Millsap or Jefferson?

 

[Kev4029]

I really like this trade for the Jazz. Jefferson is a talented young center and there is no reason he shouldn't be 22/10 with WIlliams running the offense. BTW - another good center in the west.

Minny may seem like Siberia, but I'm pretty sure they're still in the Western Conference.So who comes off the bench - Okur, Millsap or Jefferson?

My guess is okur for the first half or third of the season and if and when he is healthy millsap will be the 6th man. Millsap and jefferson are going to be especially bad defensively together.

 

[Gr00vus]

I really like this trade for the Jazz. Jefferson is a talented young center and there is no reason he shouldn't be 22/10 with WIlliams running the offense. BTW - another good center in the west.

Minny may seem like Siberia, but I'm pretty sure they're still in the Western Conference.So who comes off the bench - Okur, Millsap or Jefferson?

My guess is okur for the first half or third of the season and if and when he is healthy millsap will be the 6th man. Millsap and jefferson are going to be especially bad defensively together.

As opposed to the defensive awesomeness meted out by Okur on a regular basis? And for that matter it wasn't like Boozer put the clamps on any of the higher quality 4s he ran into.

 

[Kev4029]

I really like this trade for the Jazz. Jefferson is a talented young center and there is no reason he shouldn't be 22/10 with WIlliams running the offense. BTW - another good center in the west.

Minny may seem like Siberia, but I'm pretty sure they're still in the Western Conference.So who comes off the bench - Okur, Millsap or Jefferson?

My guess is okur for the first half or third of the season and if and when he is healthy millsap will be the 6th man. Millsap and jefferson are going to be especially bad defensively together.

As opposed to the defensive awesomeness meted out by Okur on a regular basis? And for that matter it wasn't like Boozer put the clamps on any of the higher quality 4s he ran into.

Jefferson post knee surgery is pretty terrible on the defensive end, much worse than boozer and okur (who I don't think is that bad with man defense). How ever they use jefferson, I don't think its a very good fit. The jazz offense revolves around a fast pace and a nice pick and roll game with williams, I don't think jefferson is capable of running much or playing the pick and roll. I think jefferson is a comparable talent to boozer, but not in this system. He would be better off in a slow set offense that would have lots of shooters.

 

[Balco]

I like what the Mavs are doing. I am definitely going to take them to win the West when I am out in Vegas.

PG: Jason Kidd

SG: Caron Butler

SF: Sean Marion

PF: Dirk Nowitzki

C: Brandon Haywood

Rotation Guys:

C: Tyson Chandler

pg/sg: Rodrigues Beaubois

G: Jason Terry

 

[timschochet]

I like what the Mavs are doing. I am definitely going to take them to win the West when I am out in Vegas. PG: Jason KiddSG: Caron ButlerSF: Sean MarionPF: Dirk NowitzkiC: Brandon HaywoodRotation Guys:C: Tyson Chandlerpg/sg: Rodrigues BeauboisG: Jason Terry

Well, I don't think they will win the west. But outside of the Lakers, as good as any team in the conference, IMO.

 

[Balco]

I like what the Mavs are doing. I am definitely going to take them to win the West when I am out in Vegas. PG: Jason KiddSG: Caron ButlerSF: Sean MarionPF: Dirk NowitzkiC: Brandon HaywoodRotation Guys:C: Tyson Chandlerpg/sg: Rodrigues BeauboisG: Jason Terry

Well, I don't think they will win the west. But outside of the Lakers, as good as any team in the conference, IMO.

I think Haywood and Butler with a better understanding of the system and defined roles are really going to help. And Chandler should help alot too. If Beaubois can continue to get better, who knows? This is a very talented, versatile team, with a lot of length. And they can run a ton of different looks with their personnel.

 

[timschochet]

I like what the Mavs are doing. I am definitely going to take them to win the West when I am out in Vegas. PG: Jason KiddSG: Caron ButlerSF: Sean MarionPF: Dirk NowitzkiC: Brandon HaywoodRotation Guys:C: Tyson Chandlerpg/sg: Rodrigues BeauboisG: Jason Terry

Well, I don't think they will win the west. But outside of the Lakers, as good as any team in the conference, IMO.

I think Haywood and Butler with a better understanding of the system and defined roles are really going to help. And Chandler should help alot too. If Beaubois can continue to get better, who knows? This is a very talented, versatile team, with a lot of length. And they can run a ton of different looks with their personnel.

Agreed. Why do you think they lost this year so early in the playoffs? I had them playing the Lakers in the Western Finals. Not sure what happened there...

 

[the moops]

I like what the Mavs are doing. I am definitely going to take them to win the West when I am out in Vegas. PG: Jason KiddSG: Caron ButlerSF: Sean MarionPF: Dirk NowitzkiC: Brandon HaywoodRotation Guys:C: Tyson Chandlerpg/sg: Rodrigues BeauboisG: Jason Terry

You can expect some improvements from Beaubois and possible Haywood Butler as they get a little more comfortable, but you got to think that Dirk, Kidd, Marion and Terry all being another year older may offset those improvements. It's a nice team, but they aren't better than the Lakers.

 

[Yo Mama]

I like what the Mavs are doing. I am definitely going to take them to win the West when I am out in Vegas. PG: Jason KiddSG: Caron ButlerSF: Sean MarionPF: Dirk NowitzkiC: Brandon HaywoodRotation Guys:C: Tyson Chandlerpg/sg: Rodrigues BeauboisG: Jason Terry

You can expect some improvements from Beaubois and possible Haywood Butler as they get a little more comfortable, but you got to think that Dirk, Kidd, Marion and Terry all being another year older may offset those improvements. It's a nice team, but they aren't better than the Lakers.

Throw in a couple trade medium sized exemptions and the expirings of Chandler and Butler and they have a good amount of opportunity to improve/shuffle the current roster during the course of the year too.

 

[saintfool]

I really like this trade for the Jazz. Jefferson is a talented young center and there is no reason he shouldn't be 22/10 with WIlliams running the offense. BTW - another good center in the west.

al jeff has yet to prove that he's really up to playing the 5. sloan will not put up with him being a candyass in salt lake...

 

[Warehouse Nasty]

I like what the Mavs are doing. I am definitely going to take them to win the West when I am out in Vegas. PG: Jason KiddSG: Caron ButlerSF: Sean MarionPF: Dirk NowitzkiC: Brandon HaywoodRotation Guys:C: Tyson Chandlerpg/sg: Rodrigues BeauboisG: Jason Terry

You can expect some improvements from Beaubois and possible Haywood Butler as they get a little more comfortable, but you got to think that Dirk, Kidd, Marion and Terry all being another year older may offset those improvements. It's a nice team, but they aren't better than the Lakers.

Throw in a couple trade medium sized exemptions and the expirings of Chandler and Butler and they have a good amount of opportunity to improve/shuffle the current roster during the course of the year too.

That's a big plus with taking a future bet on the Mavericks. You know Cuban is willing to spend some money and there's some big names out there (Carmelo, Paul) being thrown around as having potential to be shipped before the end of next year. I would think expiring contracts would appear to carry even more value than normal given the significant chance of a lockout.