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

[boubucarow]

$12M isn't terrible. It's basically Nene money. It's not inconceivable he could play up to it, particularly if he develops offensively.I agree with you though regarding the Bulls commitment to this club. They've sacrificed their sizable cap room on a team that isn't all that great on paper. Maybe Thibodeau will work wonders with the talent they have but right now, they look like a second tier team.

When James and Wade made their decision, the Bulls immediately had to tie their hopes to the development of Rose. If he doesn't become the caliber of player comparable to Wade, the Bulls will not seriously contend for titles. Noah is a necessary part of a contender not easily replaced if Rose somehow elevates his game that much. Everyone on the Bulls now are and will be a compliment to Rose.The only option going forward to bump Rose down the the 2nd best player on the team is Melo and if the Bulls even had a chance, losing Noah in a trade for Melo wouldn't make them a title contender anyways. As it stands now the Bulls are seemingly in the battle for the 4th spot in the East. However, I would think that possibility of Rose entering a higher echelon of players would make this team a possible Eastern Conference title contender if the Heat didn't happen.In the end, I don't see a better choice than the path they took.

 

[Gr00vus]

Any interesting Bucks news? They used to be my 2nd favorite team but I lost track of them after they dealt Allen years ago. Too bad they made that Novitski deal. My amusement at the fear the deer campaign has made me think I should get back on the Bucks bandwagon (if there is one).

 

[biggamer3]

Any interesting Bucks news? They used to be my 2nd favorite team but I lost track of them after they dealt Allen years ago. Too bad they made that Novitski deal. My amusement at the fear the deer campaign has made me think I should get back on the Bucks bandwagon (if there is one).

HAHAHAHA That trade has to go down as the worst trade in sports history. Got to, tractor Traylor for a 10 time all star 7 footer?!

 

[Gr00vus]

On another note, I heard an interview with one of the Maloofs last night. Of interest was him talking about how they have to have a new stadium and there seems to be no positive movement in that area, with the most recent effort in that area failing. They asked him about moving and he said they'd have to consider all options. Do the Sac fans have any additional info, and would anyone care to speculate where they might conceivably move to if they can't work things out in Sactown? I'm sure the Maloofs would love to end up in Vegas, but I don't think the NBA will let that happen - right? Would Seattle be able to get back in the game? Would the Maloofs want to go there?

 

[Hedgehog]

On another note, I heard an interview with one of the Maloofs last night. Of interest was him talking about how they have to have a new stadium and there seems to be no positive movement in that area, with the most recent effort in that area failing. They asked him about moving and he said they'd have to consider all options. Do the Sac fans have any additional info, and would anyone care to speculate where they might conceivably move to if they can't work things out in Sactown? I'm sure the Maloofs would love to end up in Vegas, but I don't think the NBA will let that happen - right? Would Seattle be able to get back in the game? Would the Maloofs want to go there?

Keep an eye on Newark - if the Nets draw well there the next 2 years I can see a team coming to that stateoft he art facility. Just went there the other night and it was awesomeAs for preseason Net news - Murphy's back already out which really hurts the PF depth - they wanted to bring Favors along slowly but now he has to start....not good for a 19 yr old. The kid shows some potential but very green right now...too many fouls and learning the game. Has the athletic ability and has shown glimpses though. Lopez looks great. Morrow a sniper but when hes off hes useless. TWilliams is the goods and will be putting up some good numbers this year. Harris/Farmar look like a real nice PG duo. Outlaw looks solid but not spectacular. Like to watch this team as Avery has them hustling and with energy - will be fun to see them chase that last playoff spot but if Murphy doesnt come back it is a longshot.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

On another note, I heard an interview with one of the Maloofs last night. Of interest was him talking about how they have to have a new stadium and there seems to be no positive movement in that area, with the most recent effort in that area failing. They asked him about moving and he said they'd have to consider all options. Do the Sac fans have any additional info, and would anyone care to speculate where they might conceivably move to if they can't work things out in Sactown? I'm sure the Maloofs would love to end up in Vegas, but I don't think the NBA will let that happen - right? Would Seattle be able to get back in the game? Would the Maloofs want to go there?

It's going to be Vegas with a caveat that there is no action allowed on the Vegas team games or something. Although that would hurt come Finals time if they made it.

 

[Eephus]

Any interesting Bucks news? They used to be my 2nd favorite team but I lost track of them after they dealt Allen years ago. Too bad they made that Novitski deal. My amusement at the fear the deer campaign has made me think I should get back on the Bucks bandwagon (if there is one).

HAHAHAHA That trade has to go down as the worst trade in sports history. Got to, tractor Traylor for a 10 time all star 7 footer?!

This may be CYAing on the Bucks' part but reportedly Nowitzki wasn't interested in playing for Milwaukee. He was going to college at Cal if the draft didn't go as he wanted. The trade was arranged prior to the draft. This is sort of the same story as Kobe Bryant and Charlotte.

 

[Gr00vus]

On another note, I heard an interview with one of the Maloofs last night. Of interest was him talking about how they have to have a new stadium and there seems to be no positive movement in that area, with the most recent effort in that area failing. They asked him about moving and he said they'd have to consider all options. Do the Sac fans have any additional info, and would anyone care to speculate where they might conceivably move to if they can't work things out in Sactown? I'm sure the Maloofs would love to end up in Vegas, but I don't think the NBA will let that happen - right? Would Seattle be able to get back in the game? Would the Maloofs want to go there?

It's going to be Vegas with a caveat that there is no action allowed on the Vegas team games or something. Although that would hurt come Finals time if they made it.

The other thing to consider with Vegas is that there's so much else to do there, could a team be a successful draw over 82 games, particularly if they're not good? This isn't a college team with a built in fan base.

 

[Gr00vus]

Any interesting Bucks news? They used to be my 2nd favorite team but I lost track of them after they dealt Allen years ago. Too bad they made that Novitski deal. My amusement at the fear the deer campaign has made me think I should get back on the Bucks bandwagon (if there is one).

HAHAHAHA That trade has to go down as the worst trade in sports history. Got to, tractor Traylor for a 10 time all star 7 footer?!

This may be CYAing on the Bucks' part but reportedly Nowitzki wasn't interested in playing for Milwaukee. He was going to college at Cal if the draft didn't go as he wanted. The trade was arranged prior to the draft. This is sort of the same story as Kobe Bryant and Charlotte.

I did not know this. Why was Dallas o.k. but Milwaukee wasn't? Victoria Principal and Charlene Tilton? Sadly neither of them seem to have aged well.

 

[Abraham]

On another note, I heard an interview with one of the Maloofs last night. Of interest was him talking about how they have to have a new stadium and there seems to be no positive movement in that area, with the most recent effort in that area failing. They asked him about moving and he said they'd have to consider all options. Do the Sac fans have any additional info, and would anyone care to speculate where they might conceivably move to if they can't work things out in Sactown? I'm sure the Maloofs would love to end up in Vegas, but I don't think the NBA will let that happen - right? Would Seattle be able to get back in the game? Would the Maloofs want to go there?

It's going to be Vegas with a caveat that there is no action allowed on the Vegas team games or something. Although that would hurt come Finals time if they made it.

The other thing to consider with Vegas is that there's so much else to do there, could a team be a successful draw over 82 games, particularly if they're not good? This isn't a college team with a built in fan base.

YEs, but the people in the stands will be a mix of locals and fans in from out of town who get tickets comped by their hotels. I think the "passionate" fan base will be fairly small.

 

[Gr00vus]

On another note, I heard an interview with one of the Maloofs last night. Of interest was him talking about how they have to have a new stadium and there seems to be no positive movement in that area, with the most recent effort in that area failing. They asked him about moving and he said they'd have to consider all options. Do the Sac fans have any additional info, and would anyone care to speculate where they might conceivably move to if they can't work things out in Sactown? I'm sure the Maloofs would love to end up in Vegas, but I don't think the NBA will let that happen - right? Would Seattle be able to get back in the game? Would the Maloofs want to go there?

It's going to be Vegas with a caveat that there is no action allowed on the Vegas team games or something. Although that would hurt come Finals time if they made it.

The other thing to consider with Vegas is that there's so much else to do there, could a team be a successful draw over 82 games, particularly if they're not good? This isn't a college team with a built in fan base.

YEs, but the people in the stands will be a mix of locals and fans in from out of town who get tickets comped by their hotels. I think the "passionate" fan base will be fairly small.

Could be, but would people choose to go watch a bad basketball game in person instead of partaking of other amenities Vegas has to offer? They'd have to have very special boxes in the stadium methinks.

 

[biggamer3]

Any interesting Bucks news? They used to be my 2nd favorite team but I lost track of them after they dealt Allen years ago. Too bad they made that Novitski deal. My amusement at the fear the deer campaign has made me think I should get back on the Bucks bandwagon (if there is one).

HAHAHAHA That trade has to go down as the worst trade in sports history. Got to, tractor Traylor for a 10 time all star 7 footer?!

This may be CYAing on the Bucks' part but reportedly Nowitzki wasn't interested in playing for Milwaukee. He was going to college at Cal if the draft didn't go as he wanted. The trade was arranged prior to the draft. This is sort of the same story as Kobe Bryant and Charlotte.

huh? I thought once you declared for draft you couldnt go to college? or is that just an American rule?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Any interesting Bucks news? They used to be my 2nd favorite team but I lost track of them after they dealt Allen years ago. Too bad they made that Novitski deal. My amusement at the fear the deer campaign has made me think I should get back on the Bucks bandwagon (if there is one).

HAHAHAHA That trade has to go down as the worst trade in sports history. Got to, tractor Traylor for a 10 time all star 7 footer?!

This may be CYAing on the Bucks' part but reportedly Nowitzki wasn't interested in playing for Milwaukee. He was going to college at Cal if the draft didn't go as he wanted. The trade was arranged prior to the draft. This is sort of the same story as Kobe Bryant and Charlotte.

It is an oft-repeated myth that the Bucks "traded Traylor for Nowitzki". In fact, what the Bucks did was they traded up to secure Traylor, a terrible, franchise-destroying move to be sure, but it was not a player for player trade. They traded the rights to pick 9 (and a later pick) to Don Nelson's Mavs for the rights to the #6 pick, and directed Nelson to take Traylor. Nelson could have told them to draft anyone available at 9, and he wanted Dirk. It was a terrible draft pick for the Bucks, particularly since they moved up to get him, but not a player trade.As for the Bucks this season, there is some buzz here in Milwaukee. Lots of off-season activity with Maggette and Drew Gooden added, Salmons re-signed, and an interesting draft pick in Larry Sanders. I just joined a season ticket group and have great seats for six games, in addition to the normal flow of tickets from the lawyers and other vendors my company works with, so I expect to get a good look at them this year. Bogut seems to have developed into a very good but not quite great NBA center. Expectations are that he will have an all-star season if he stays healthy. Jennings has to continue to develop after a surprisingly good rookie season. I think there is a reasonable expectation that Maggette will be a productive starter for them. We love John Salmons and everyone believes in the management/coaching tandem of Hammonds and Skiles. I think the optimistic view here has the Bucks winning 50 games and battling the Bulls for the division.

One big question I have is the value, if any, of Michael Redd's contract. No one expects him to play, but he is in the last year of a max contract. I don't understand the NBA salary cap system, but always hear about the great value of expiring contracts at the trade deadline. Does anyone know if Redd being in the last year of a max deal makes him a valuable commodity in this bizarre system?

 

[Gr00vus]

As for the Bucks this season, there is some buzz here in Milwaukee. Lots of off-season activity with Maggette and Drew Gooden added, Salmons re-signed, and an interesting draft pick in Larry Sanders. I just joined a season ticket group and have great seats for six games, in addition to the normal flow of tickets from the lawyers and other vendors my company works with, so I expect to get a good look at them this year. Bogut seems to have developed into a very good but not quite great NBA center. Expectations are that he will have an all-star season if he stays healthy. Jennings has to continue to develop after a surprisingly good rookie season. I think there is a reasonable expectation that Maggette will be a productive starter for them. We love John Salmons and everyone believes in the management/coaching tandem of Hammonds and Skiles. I think the optimistic view here has the Bucks winning 50 games and battling the Bulls for the division.

So who are their first 7 or 8 rotation guys and do you have any idea about how the PT will be distributed?I see their current national t.v. appearances are:Thu, Oct 14 Milwaukee @ Washington (preseason) nbatvWed, Nov 3 Milwaukee @ Boston espnSat, Nov 13 Golden State @ Milwaukee nbatvSat, Dec 4 Orlando @ Milwaukee nbatvFri, Jan 28 Milwaukee @ Toronto tsnWed, Feb 16 Denver @ Milwaukee espnSat, Feb 26 Chicago @ Milwaukee nbatvSun, Mar 6 Boston @ Milwaukee espnSun, Mar 13 Milwaukee @ Boston nbatvSat, Mar 26 Chicago @ Milwaukee wgnWed, Mar 30 Milwaukee @ Toronto tsnWed, Apr 6 Milwaukee @ Miami espnMon, Apr 11 Toronto @ Milwaukee tsnPretty sure I don't get TSN, but I should still be able to dvr 9 regular season national games, plus 3 local broadcasts when they play the Lakers and Clippers, plus I'll see them play the Lakers at Staples. So I can hopefully see 13 regular season games (and maybe the preseason one).What's a good RSS feed for Bucks news (besides the general NBA, ESPN, etc.)?

 

[No. 16]

Most teams have played some pre-season games so I was wondering what observations you FBGs have of some of the teams you have watched on TV or seen in person?

From watching a few of the Warriors pre-season games I'm really liking the starting 5 so far. Ellis, Curry, and Lee will be deadly in the 2 man game. Offensively the offense features more passing and the load is being spread between Ellis and Curry, which is good news because Monta looks happy/willing to cut back his offensive load and share the rock with Curry.

Curry's jump shot is automatic.

David Lee is a beast on offense and fits well with Curry/Ellis as a high output/low volume big man who can finish and shoot the jumper. With Buike most likely injured and Randolph looking the same as always the deal is looking like a steal.

Dorrell Wright is a terrific pick up and he's the perfect glue guy. A lot of NBA teams will be sad that they missed out on D. Wright since he does everything you want out of a glue guy - play defense, take smart shots, cuts to the basket, can hit a 3 pointer, and put the ball on the floor and make plays. He sounds like the perfect player, but he's not a superstar because he's a jack of all trades, master of none type of guy. For fantasy purposes I expect a Shane Battier type of line - 10 ppg, 1.5 3pts, 5 rebs, 1 stl, 1 blk with decent percentages.

I saw the Dubs against the Clippers and Kings and I have to say that Griffin and Cousins are monsters. They are locks to average 18/10 in their rookies seasons if Griffin can stay healthy and Cousins can stay eligible to play. Griffin is super duper athletic (he's a mini-Howard), plays with great energy, and has a polished offensive game. Cousins is a big body who is everything as advertised: Low post skills, rebounder, and poor attitude. There were numerous times where he brushed off teammates and assistant coaches.

The NBA season can't come soon enough.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

The Raptors look pretty bad.

 

[thecatch]

I saw the Dubs against the Clippers and Kings and I have to say that Griffin and Cousins are monsters. They are locks to average 18/10 in their rookies seasons if Griffin can stay healthy and Cousins can stay eligible to play. Griffin is super duper athletic (he's a mini-Howard), plays with great energy, and has a polished offensive game. Cousins is a big body who is everything as advertised: Low post skills, rebounder, and poor attitude. There were numerous times where he brushed off teammates and assistant coaches.

Cousins is more than capable of putting up 18/10, but he's going to have to stay out of foul trouble. That's looking like it could be a major problem. He only has an attitude problem in the sense that he has a tendency to pout on the floor, but he's been very coachable and a great guy to be around by all accounts from Sacramento.As good as Cousins is though, it's going to be a two man ROY race between Griffin and Wall. Both of those guys look awesome.

 

[Bobcat10]

Cavs are kickin' ###! If the playoffs started today, they'd be playing the Heat WITH home court advantage!

 

[Steelfan7]

Most teams have played some pre-season games so I was wondering what observations you FBGs have of some of the teams you have watched on TV or seen in person?

From watching a few of the Warriors pre-season games I'm really liking the starting 5 so far. Ellis, Curry, and Lee will be deadly in the 2 man game. Offensively the offense features more passing and the load is being spread between Ellis and Curry, which is good news because Monta looks happy/willing to cut back his offensive load and share the rock with Curry.

Curry's jump shot is automatic.

David Lee is a beast on offense and fits well with Curry/Ellis as a high output/low volume big man who can finish and shoot the jumper. With Buike most likely injured and Randolph looking the same as always the deal is looking like a steal.

Dorrell Wright is a terrific pick up and he's the perfect glue guy. A lot of NBA teams will be sad that they missed out on D. Wright since he does everything you want out of a glue guy - play defense, take smart shots, cuts to the basket, can hit a 3 pointer, and put the ball on the floor and make plays. He sounds like the perfect player, but he's not a superstar because he's a jack of all trades, master of none type of guy. For fantasy purposes I expect a Shane Battier type of line - 10 ppg, 1.5 3pts, 5 rebs, 1 stl, 1 blk with decent percentages.

I saw the Dubs against the Clippers and Kings and I have to say that Griffin and Cousins are monsters. They are locks to average 18/10 in their rookies seasons if Griffin can stay healthy and Cousins can stay eligible to play. Griffin is super duper athletic (he's a mini-Howard), plays with great energy, and has a polished offensive game. Cousins is a big body who is everything as advertised: Low post skills, rebounder, and poor attitude. There were numerous times where he brushed off teammates and assistant coaches.

The NBA season can't come soon enough.

Lee will gets his 20/10 most nights while giving a free pass to the hoop for the opposition on every possession. Crazy contract given to a very one dimensional player who has worked very hard at improving his offensive game over the yrs while somehow getting worse every yr on defense. He doesn't even put up an effort on the defensive end.

 

[No. 16]

Most teams have played some pre-season games so I was wondering what observations you FBGs have of some of the teams you have watched on TV or seen in person?

From watching a few of the Warriors pre-season games I'm really liking the starting 5 so far. Ellis, Curry, and Lee will be deadly in the 2 man game. Offensively the offense features more passing and the load is being spread between Ellis and Curry, which is good news because Monta looks happy/willing to cut back his offensive load and share the rock with Curry.

Curry's jump shot is automatic.

David Lee is a beast on offense and fits well with Curry/Ellis as a high output/low volume big man who can finish and shoot the jumper. With Buike most likely injured and Randolph looking the same as always the deal is looking like a steal.

Dorrell Wright is a terrific pick up and he's the perfect glue guy. A lot of NBA teams will be sad that they missed out on D. Wright since he does everything you want out of a glue guy - play defense, take smart shots, cuts to the basket, can hit a 3 pointer, and put the ball on the floor and make plays. He sounds like the perfect player, but he's not a superstar because he's a jack of all trades, master of none type of guy. For fantasy purposes I expect a Shane Battier type of line - 10 ppg, 1.5 3pts, 5 rebs, 1 stl, 1 blk with decent percentages.

I saw the Dubs against the Clippers and Kings and I have to say that Griffin and Cousins are monsters. They are locks to average 18/10 in their rookies seasons if Griffin can stay healthy and Cousins can stay eligible to play. Griffin is super duper athletic (he's a mini-Howard), plays with great energy, and has a polished offensive game. Cousins is a big body who is everything as advertised: Low post skills, rebounder, and poor attitude. There were numerous times where he brushed off teammates and assistant coaches.

The NBA season can't come soon enough.

Lee will gets his 20/10 most nights while giving a free pass to the hoop for the opposition on every possession. Crazy contract given to a very one dimensional player who has worked very hard at improving his offensive game over the yrs while somehow getting worse every yr on defense. He doesn't even put up an effort on the defensive end.

It's a fair value, IMO. Considering salaries I'd take Lee over Amare and Boozer. Lee is a highly efficient like Amare but he's a better passer, better rebounder, and costs 7 million less a year. Boozer and Lee are actually very similar players, but Lee is younger, is not a richard like Boozer, and has a cheaper deal.

There's only 2 other big men who scored as efficiently, rebounded as well, and passed as well as Lee and their names are: Pau Gasol and the aforementioned Carlos Boozer. (TS% > 58, REB% > 15, AST% > 15) So while he maybe nearly useless on defense, Lee is an elite scorer, passer for a big man, and rebounder. That's hardly one dimensional and worthy of the money he's getting paid.

Regarding Lee's defense let's see how he defends PFs instead of C. In my observation of him he does suck pretty bad, but while he got abused by Griffin (I'm sure Lee won't be the only one), Lee did decent against Cousins. I also wouldn't attribute it to effort, because at least he LOOKS like he's playing hard, but he gets abused due to the fact that he's short and not lanky and aside from jumping ability is just average in athletic ability. I mean for a guy who entered the league as a SF it's a bit to ask for him to defend C. I'm not expecting him to become even an average defender at PF, but I think the shift to PF means on most nights Lee will score more (and likely more efficiently) and rebound better than the opposing PF. The scoring totals will be 24 to 20, but in the end it will still be a positive for the Dubs, IMO.

 

[timschochet]

Here is a prediction, and if I get it wrong, you guys can all kill me for it:

The Heat will win 68-70 games, flirt with the best record ever, and have home court advantage throughout the playoffs. But they will not make it to the Finals. They will fall to the Celtics, in yet another playoff frustration for LeBron James.

 

[Gr00vus]

Here is a prediction, and if I get it wrong, you guys can all kill me for it:The Heat will win 68-70 games, flirt with the best record ever, and have home court advantage throughout the playoffs. But they will not make it to the Finals. They will fall to the Celtics, in yet another playoff frustration for LeBron James.

I wouldn't kill you for it, but I don't see it happening. It'd be a heck of a coaching job by Rivers if he got the Celtics back to the Championship. Their front line is a collection of some pretty brittle guys, and they're just overall a very old team at this point. Wade has been pretty tough in the playoffs, I think he'll help LeBron raise his game when the games count as well. I think Orlando will be a bigger challenge for the Heat than the Celtics. But, if the Celtics manage to have all their front court guys relatively healthy in a series against the Heat it'll be close.

 

[Abraham]

Here is a prediction, and if I get it wrong, you guys can all kill me for it:The Heat will win 68-70 games, flirt with the best record ever, and have home court advantage throughout the playoffs. But they will not make it to the Finals. They will fall to the Celtics, in yet another playoff frustration for LeBron James.

I wouldn't kill you for it, but I don't see it happening. It'd be a heck of a coaching job by Rivers if he got the Celtics back to the Championship. Their front line is a collection of some pretty brittle guys, and they're just overall a very old team at this point. Wade has been pretty tough in the playoffs, I think he'll help LeBron raise his game when the games count as well. I think Orlando will be a bigger challenge for the Heat than the Celtics. But, if the Celtics manage to have all their front court guys relatively healthy in a series against the Heat it'll be close.

This is how I see it. The Heat have a tremendous amount of top-tier talent, but the three other "Best" teams in the league all have quality big men. Boston has depth, Orlando has quality, and LAL has a mix of the two. Not sure I see Big Z and Bosh getting through 3 best of 7's against that kind of thing..

 

[Gr00vus]

Here is a prediction, and if I get it wrong, you guys can all kill me for it:The Heat will win 68-70 games, flirt with the best record ever, and have home court advantage throughout the playoffs. But they will not make it to the Finals. They will fall to the Celtics, in yet another playoff frustration for LeBron James.

I wouldn't kill you for it, but I don't see it happening. It'd be a heck of a coaching job by Rivers if he got the Celtics back to the Championship. Their front line is a collection of some pretty brittle guys, and they're just overall a very old team at this point. Wade has been pretty tough in the playoffs, I think he'll help LeBron raise his game when the games count as well. I think Orlando will be a bigger challenge for the Heat than the Celtics. But, if the Celtics manage to have all their front court guys relatively healthy in a series against the Heat it'll be close.

This is how I see it. The Heat have a tremendous amount of top-tier talent, but the three other "Best" teams in the league all have quality big men. Boston has depth, Orlando has quality, and LAL has a mix of the two. Not sure I see Big Z and Bosh getting through 3 best of 7's against that kind of thing..

If the C's actually had Perkins, Davis, O'Neil, O'Neil to run out there at the 5 (and some 4), that's a ton of hard fouls to apply on James and Wade when they go down the smokestack. Riley'd probably try to counter with some kind of showtime south beach to run them off the court, but that doesn't seem to be a viable approach to playoff games where the refs let guys get away with any and all physical abuse short of bashing guys over the head with courtside seats. It'd be pretty epic to watch.

 

[Redwes25]

So these Carmelo talks never seem to end. The best thing from a Knicks fans perspective is every day it get cheaper to acquire him as the article says Favors is off the table and Noah signed to long-term contract, which means the Knicks offers start to look competitive.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5705466

 

[No. 16]

So these Carmelo talks never seem to end. The best thing from a Knicks fans perspective is every day it get cheaper to acquire him as the article says Favors is off the table and Noah signed to long-term contract, which means the Knicks offers start to look competitive.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5705466

Exactly. That's what I was trying to tell the Nuggs homers. The Nets deal was the best they would get/could hope for, IMO.

 

[Mile High]

So these Carmelo talks never seem to end. The best thing from a Knicks fans perspective is every day it get cheaper to acquire him as the article says Favors is off the table and Noah signed to long-term contract, which means the Knicks offers start to look competitive.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5705466

Exactly. That's what I was trying to tell the Nuggs homers. The Nets deal was the best they would get/could hope for, IMO.

Melo was never going to sign a deal with the Nets so there was never really any trade to be made.

 

[saintfool]

Melo was never going to sign a deal with the Nets so there was never really any trade to be made.

i think he would sign if the nets were playing in brooklyn and/or if the nets had a much better record.

 

[Courtjester]

So these Carmelo talks never seem to end. The best thing from a Knicks fans perspective is every day it get cheaper to acquire him as the article says Favors is off the table and Noah signed to long-term contract, which means the Knicks offers start to look competitive.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5705466

Exactly. That's what I was trying to tell the Nuggs homers. The Nets deal was the best they would get/could hope for, IMO.

I thought the Nets deal was pretty good. :( I still have a feeling the longer this goes, the better the chance he takes Denver's offer once we get close to the trade deadline. My logic (and it could be flawed) is that if the labor situation continues to be bad, he is either going to have to face an off-season possibly without a paycheck while a lockout works its way out. On top of that there will be the uncertain prospects of what the confines of the new CBA might impose on any future deals he may get. He may end up leaving alot of money on the table.

Plus I imagine his agents get their cut of any deal that gets worked out, so hmmmm......65 million dollars vs. an off season where none of their clients are getting deals due to a lockout, probably is going to make them start encouraging Melo to sign this deal to secure their bankroll.

Melo's not old. He could easily sign this deal, take the money and be back in this situation at the end of the 2nd year, get traded, and take yet another big payday then from another team at that point. That is what I would do, but hey, that's me.

I think if he shows a complete unwillingness to sign before the trade deadline, Denver takes what they can and probably will move him however.

Either way, it is exactly what I didn't want, a season where every Denver game I watch this will be the lead story.

 

[Kev4029]

So these Carmelo talks never seem to end. The best thing from a Knicks fans perspective is every day it get cheaper to acquire him as the article says Favors is off the table and Noah signed to long-term contract, which means the Knicks offers start to look competitive.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5705466

Exactly. That's what I was trying to tell the Nuggs homers. The Nets deal was the best they would get/could hope for, IMO.

I thought the Nets deal was pretty good. I still have a feeling the longer this goes, the better the chance he takes Denver's offer once we get close to the trade deadline. My logic (and it could be flawed) is that if the labor situation continues to be bad, he is either going to have to face an off-season possibly without a paycheck while a lockout works its way out. On top of that there will be the uncertain prospects of what the confines of the new CBA might impose on any future deals he may get. He may end up leaving alot of money on the table.

Plus I imagine his agents get their cut of any deal that gets worked out, so hmmmm......65 million dollars vs. an off season where none of their clients are getting deals due to a lockout, probably is going to make them start encouraging Melo to sign this deal to secure their bankroll.

Melo's not old. He could easily sign this deal, take the money and be back in this situation at the end of the 2nd year, get traded, and take yet another big payday then from another team at that point. That is what I would do, but hey, that's me.

I think if he shows a complete unwillingness to sign before the trade deadline, Denver takes what they can and probably will move him however.

Either way, it is exactly what I didn't want, a season where every Denver game I watch this will be the lead story.

I really hope you're right, and if not, frankly I would rather #### Melo out of as much money as possible instead of getting Randolph and a bunch of contract filler. Also, NBA players with contracts don't get during a lockout, so him signing a deal doesn't help him in that case.

I took a look at the free agent market next year and currently there are going to be a lot of very good restricted FA big men (Horford, Perkins, Gasol, Oden) but there is very little help for the Nuggets otherwise.

 

[simmonjm]

I really hope you're right, and if not, frankly I would rather #### Melo out of as much money as possible instead of getting Randolph and a bunch of contract filler. Also, NBA players with contracts don't get during a lockout, so him signing a deal doesn't help him in that case.I took a look at the free agent market next year and currently there are going to be a lot of very good restricted FA big men (Horford, Perkins, Gasol, Oden) but there is very little help for the Nuggets otherwise.

Supposedly the Nuggets are interested in an unnamed player and not in any Knicks players. The Knicks have a trade in place to get the unnamed player and to obtain a 1st rd pick to send to Nuggets. If I had to speculate I would guess Iggy or Granger is the unnamed player.

 

[simmonjm]

Considering salaries I'd take Lee over Amare and Boozer. Lee is a highly efficient like Amare but he's a better passer, better rebounder, and costs 7 million less a year. Boozer and Lee are actually very similar players, but Lee is younger, is not a richard like Boozer, and has a cheaper deal.

I know its only preseason but Amare is averaging 26 ppg in 27 minutes as for efficiency he has 55 free throw attempts in 5 games.

 

[Kiddnets]

Word is the Nets are still interested but trying to play hard to get now........Denver realizes they screwed up by not finding a way to make that deal work...Nets respond by taking Favors out of the equation. Good move by Nets GM. I still think a deal of Harris, T-Williams and 2 1st rd picks is better than what the Knicks are offering...plus I doubt Denver wants to send him to his preferred destination.

 

[simmonjm]

Word is the Nets are still interested but trying to play hard to get now........Denver realizes they screwed up by not finding a way to make that deal work...Nets respond by taking Favors out of the equation. Good move by Nets GM. I still think a deal of Harris, T-Williams and 2 1st rd picks is better than what the Knicks are offering...plus I doubt Denver wants to send him to his preferred destination.

Nets are not getting Melo, no chance. Just give it up.

 

[Kiddnets]

Word is the Nets are still interested but trying to play hard to get now........Denver realizes they screwed up by not finding a way to make that deal work...Nets respond by taking Favors out of the equation. Good move by Nets GM. I still think a deal of Harris, T-Williams and 2 1st rd picks is better than what the Knicks are offering...plus I doubt Denver wants to send him to his preferred destination.

Nets are not getting Melo, no chance. Just give it up.

I'm sure that Denver will be thrilled to send Melo to his preferred designation for cap fillers, a late rd pick and an average player.....dont see it happening. Denver has leverage as Melo wants his money before the new CBA.

 

[simmonjm]

Word is the Nets are still interested but trying to play hard to get now........Denver realizes they screwed up by not finding a way to make that deal work...Nets respond by taking Favors out of the equation. Good move by Nets GM. I still think a deal of Harris, T-Williams and 2 1st rd picks is better than what the Knicks are offering...plus I doubt Denver wants to send him to his preferred destination.

Nets are not getting Melo, no chance. Just give it up.

I'm sure that Denver will be thrilled to send Melo to his preferred designation for cap fillers, a late rd pick and an average player.....dont see it happening. Denver has leverage as Melo wants his money before the new CBA.

Denver and Melo each hold leverage and are faced with a deadline, if they wait till after the trade deadline Melo potentially loses contract money and Denver gets nothing. Both sides are going to have to compromise to get what they want. Enter the Knicks who Melo is willing to sign an extension with and who are willing to give up players to satisfy Denver. Denver while not interested in Knicks players has informed the Knicks of the player(s) that they want and supposedly the Knicks have a deal in place to get this player(s) and to aquire a first round pick to send to Denver. While all of this sounds great this is far from being a sure thing and after the LBJ debacle Knicks fans wont believe Melo to Knicks until he actually steps foot on the floor with a Knicks jersey on.

 

[Hack Attack]

Word is the Nets are still interested but trying to play hard to get now........Denver realizes they screwed up by not finding a way to make that deal work...Nets respond by taking Favors out of the equation. Good move by Nets GM. I still think a deal of Harris, T-Williams and 2 1st rd picks is better than what the Knicks are offering...plus I doubt Denver wants to send him to his preferred destination.

Understand it is a rumor but it seems more likely to me that the Nuggets did cool on Favors rather than the Nets pulling him out. Nuggets cool on Favors

 

[Kiddnets]

Aldridge, Mannix and Broussard saying Nets are very much in it.....Sheridan is a Knick shill....

David Aldridge of NBA.com takes issue with ESPN reports that the Knicks are in the lead for Carmelo Anthony...and that the Nets are fading.

According to one Aldridge source, Chris Sheridan's suggestion that the Knicks have made "significant progress" in acquiring Anthony has "no legs". Another source involved in trade talks tells Aldridge that he still believes the Nets will ultimately wind up with Anthony.

He writes, "League sources that have been involved in trade discussions with the Nuggets about Anthony in recent weeks maintained that the New Jersey Nets are still in direct talks with Denver about Anthony." The talks, he added, have been low-key.

In the minutes after Aldridge posted his report, both Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated and Chris Broussard of ESPN confirmed via Twitter that the Nets' have continued interest...and likely lead in trade talks.

 

[No. 16]

Considering salaries I'd take Lee over Amare and Boozer. Lee is a highly efficient like Amare but he's a better passer, better rebounder, and costs 7 million less a year. Boozer and Lee are actually very similar players, but Lee is younger, is not a richard like Boozer, and has a cheaper deal.

I know its only preseason but Amare is averaging 26 ppg in 27 minutes as for efficiency he has 55 free throw attempts in 5 games.

There was never any doubt that Amare is the superior scorer and highly efficient as well, but again that's about it. Let's see once the season unfolds but comparing pre-season stats Lee is averaging 10 rebounds vs Amare's 6 and more assists 2 vs 1.6. If Amare can keep up that scoring pace then that would be more then enough to offset his lack of rebounding, but I highly doubt he can.

 

[Kev4029]

Considering salaries I'd take Lee over Amare and Boozer. Lee is a highly efficient like Amare but he's a better passer, better rebounder, and costs 7 million less a year. Boozer and Lee are actually very similar players, but Lee is younger, is not a richard like Boozer, and has a cheaper deal.

I know its only preseason but Amare is averaging 26 ppg in 27 minutes as for efficiency he has 55 free throw attempts in 5 games.

There was never any doubt that Amare is the superior scorer and highly efficient as well, but again that's about it. Let's see once the season unfolds but comparing pre-season stats Lee is averaging 10 rebounds vs Amare's 6 and more assists 2 vs 1.6. If Amare can keep up that scoring pace then that would be more then enough to offset his lack of rebounding, but I highly doubt he can.

And really, I don't think anybody is saying that Amare was given too much money for this year, the concern with his contract is a couple years down the road when he is 30 years old with arthritic knees. If Amare can't defend or rebound now, imagine his struggles in a couple years when he can't run or jump anywhere near the level he does now.

 

[Kev4029]

Word is the Nets are still interested but trying to play hard to get now........Denver realizes they screwed up by not finding a way to make that deal work...Nets respond by taking Favors out of the equation. Good move by Nets GM. I still think a deal of Harris, T-Williams and 2 1st rd picks is better than what the Knicks are offering...plus I doubt Denver wants to send him to his preferred destination.

Understand it is a rumor but it seems more likely to me that the Nuggets did cool on Favors rather than the Nets pulling him out. Nuggets cool on Favors

More important than this Melo trade talk, who is your avatar?

 

[Kiddnets]

Word is the Nets are still interested but trying to play hard to get now........Denver realizes they screwed up by not finding a way to make that deal work...Nets respond by taking Favors out of the equation. Good move by Nets GM. I still think a deal of Harris, T-Williams and 2 1st rd picks is better than what the Knicks are offering...plus I doubt Denver wants to send him to his preferred destination.

Nets are not getting Melo, no chance. Just give it up.

Another one on board with Nets....but there is no chance I guessNY Post - Peter Vescey

So, let's skip discussing the hum-drum here and now for the moment and examine the NBA's bracing badlands, whose first commandment is, "Thou Shalt Covet Thy Neighbor's DisenFranchised Player" every day and twice on Sunday.

Despite the topical torrent of published pap, the Knicks, their merchandise unchanged, are no closer to extricating Carmelo from the Nuggets than they were weeks ago . . . whereas the assets-affluent Nyets, whose sought-after accomplices fluctuate daily, remain the leading aspirant to arrange acceptable compensation.

Other than what the Nets are prepared to part with in order to appropriate 'Melo's hallowed services, there don't appear to be any participants (Jazz and Bobcats) or pieces (Andrei Kirilenko, Boris Diaw) left over from the original four-team scheme . . . that never got as close to happening as we were led to believe at the time.

The Nuggets, I've come to discover, were in no way tempted on two fronts, maybe three. Owner Stanley E. Kroenke and son, Josh, were against paying (one person) Kirilenko $17,823,000 owed for the final season of his contract; they already have one too many obscenely overpaid ($16.8M), brittle big men in Kenyon Martin.

Devin Harris' $27M for the next three was similarly unappetizing. Conversely, acquiring a point guard that was locked in long term appealed to the Trail Blazers, who tried to make it into a five-team transaction by sending Andre Miller to the Bobcats. While the 11-year veteran's enduring value is indisputable, it's equally undeniable he'll be 35 on March 19 and has logged 32,200 minutes. What's more, he's a rising free agent.

Another Nuggets' hitch was Derrick Favors. Neither management nor the coaching staff was sold on his potential being all that high going into training camp and nothing he did during the exhibition season (7.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19.6 minutes) served to justify being the central figure in a swap for 'Melo.

However, contrary to a fictitious ESPN (and Newsday) report that contended the Knicks had made "significant progress" in trade talk for 'Melo, and that the Nyets had removed Party Favors from the table, the draft's third pick can still very much be had . . . along with free agents-to-be Troy Murphy ($11.968M) and/or Chris Humphries ($3.2M).

I know what's bothering you; you're wondering how come the Knicks (or Bulls, 'Melo's other preferential landing spot) can't beat or at least match the Nyets' proposition of talent and expiring contracts?

Considering Donnie Walsh's ingenuity and patience (he managed to trade rowdy Ron Artest to the Kings for Peja Stojakovic the season after the Malice in the Palace), I'm sure that's very doable.

Especially in view of the Garden fresh news that the deal reputedly is being brokered by Spike Lee.

(Sara Lee is taking a wait-and-see attitude)

Except for several minor details; it's virtually impossible for the Knicks (or Bulls) to top the Nyets in terms of presenting alluring first-round draft choices to the Nuggets. New Jersey is offering this June's unprotected slot as well as the Warriors' real estate, protected through five.

Additionally, the Nyets, using Harris, can fix it so a crisply recruited collaborator rewards the Nuggets with a select small forward and maybe even a third No. 1 pick.

The Knicks' draft assets are so minimal (this decade, anyway), Brett Favre stopped texting them.Recognizing the hopelessness of persuading 'Melo to sign the three-year, $65M, maximum-allowed extension cord offered to him last June, Denver has gotten downright devious. Sources say they even have tried crushing the contract and hiding it in his apple sauce.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/nets/melo_d...J#ixzz135b2H3NF

 

[Hack Attack]

Word is the Nets are still interested but trying to play hard to get now........Denver realizes they screwed up by not finding a way to make that deal work...Nets respond by taking Favors out of the equation. Good move by Nets GM. I still think a deal of Harris, T-Williams and 2 1st rd picks is better than what the Knicks are offering...plus I doubt Denver wants to send him to his preferred destination.

Understand it is a rumor but it seems more likely to me that the Nuggets did cool on Favors rather than the Nets pulling him out. Nuggets cool on Favors

More important than this Melo trade talk, who is your avatar?

Nikki Mitchell

 

[Kiddnets]

And for those who say Denver has no leverage and has to trade him to NY for garbage

Proposed Salary Cut a Reminder of Carmelo Anthony's Dicey Situation1

Comments

Say Something »

.10/21/2010 5:55 PM ET By Chris Tomasson

Chris Tomasson

Senior NBA Writer

The Denver Nuggets might not hold a lot of cards when it comes to retaining forward Carmelo Anthony. But at least they have a pair of 2s.

That was further illustrated when NBA commissioner David Stern said Thursday owners want to cut salaries by a third in the next collective bargaining agreement after the current one expires June 30, 2011.

Anthony, in case you've been trekking in the Himalayas, has not signed a three-year, $64.47 million contract option that is on the table and can opt out of his contract next summer and become a free agent. Anthony admitted recently a new CBA looming is "scary'' and it would be a "big risk'' to opt out due to all the uncertainty. Stern's revelation, even if much of it is posturing and even if such numbers only could be reached after a prolonged lockout, should serve as reason for Anthony to find matters even scarier.

That's where we get to the Nuggets and their pair of 2s. Knowing Anthony could lose more than $20 million if he signs a deal elsewhere after this season and contracts have become similar to what owners want, they can hang on to hopes Anthony might eventually be convinced to re-sign with the Nuggets. Anthony did offer some hope when he told FanHouse earlier this week re-signing with Denver remains an option.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The odds remain Anthony will be dealt by the Feb. 24 trade deadline. But Anthony's uncertain future earnings at least gives the Nuggets a little leverage to not quickly make a deal they might regret. In other words, the Nuggets, with executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri having recently arrived from Toronto, are in a better situation than the Raptors were last season with Chris Bosh.

Speaking of Bosh, who knew well in advance he was not long for the Raptors and knew what kind of money he could get by leaving, he played follow the leader in the summer of 2006. And look where he is now, having comfortably landed as a free agent in Miami along with LeBron James and a re-signed Dwyane Wade.

Anthony didn't follow the pack that summer. That might wind up being an airball of a move on his part.

During that summer, the savvy James, knowing the current CBA would expire in 2011, decided not to sign the maximum five-year contract extension that would have taken him through 2011-12 with Cleveland (his deal started in 2007-08). Instead, he signed a three-year deal with a fourth-year player option for 2010-11, which he didn't invoke, and then bolted to Miami.

James in 2006 indicated to Bosh, Wade and Anthony it would be prudent to sign similar deals. Bosh and Wade heeded the advice, and look where they are now. They're all in Miami with new contracts after becoming free agents last summer.

Anthony didn't heed it. He signed a five-year deal with the ability to opt out after four years, saying in 2006 his family told him he would be "crazy'' to take a shorter deal.

"I had to operate on it a little bit,'' Anthony said in 2006 about speaking with James and deciding not to sign a similar deal. "But I just decided to take the other route. ... You got to think about the worse thing (such as an injury happening).''

Had Anthony given himself the opportunity to become a free agent last summer, he already could have signed with the New York Knicks, who covet him. He already could have joined newly signed Amar'e Stoudemire, the Knicks forward who is the NBA's leading preseason scorer, while Anthony is second.

Instead, Anthony is staring at the possibility of losing a lot of money if he doesn't re-sign with Denver or the Nuggets decide to play hardball and he's not traded to a team with which he wants to sign a contract extension.

If Anthony were to sign the three-year contract extension before the June 30, 2011 deadline, he would be assured of $82.99 million over the next four seasons. That's the $18.52 million he would make next season if he doesn't opt out and extension numbers of $19.45 million in 2012-13, $21.49 million in 2013-14 and $23.53 million in 2014-15.

How much could he lose if he becomes a free agent next summer and owners are successful in significantly curtailing contracts? Well, if Stern gets what he wants and a third is lopped off $82.99 million, Melo is down to $55.33 million over the next four seasons, a loss of $27.66 million.

Owners are looking to cut maximum contract amounts. If a maximum deal becomes $14 million per season, Anthony, not taking into account possible yearly raises above that, would lose about $27 million over the next four years. If a maximum contract becomes $12 million a season, that's a loss of about $36 million.

While it's not expected Stern will get the type of cuts he wants, it's still very possible Anthony could lose around $20 million if he doesn't sign an extension before July arrives.

Yes, that's "scary.'' Life without Melo also looms scary for the Nuggets, but at least they have a little leverage due to the current CBA situation, and Stern's words Thursday didn't hurt at all in that regard

 

[simmonjm]

And for those who say Denver has no leverage and has to trade him to NY for garbage

Im sorry if I offended you, but it is my personal opinion that Melo will not go to Nets. NBA players have big egos moreso than other any sport, winning cements a legacy without it your nothing, with that in mind why would Melo leave a team that went to conference finals two years ago and playoffs last year for a 12 win team? While Lopez is definetly going to be great he alone is not enough and Favors is far from a sure thing making the Nets a very risk proposition to his legacy.I agree that Nets can offer the best package but Melo ultimately wont sign an extension with the Nets making this a moot point. As for garbage, NY is willing to offer Anthony Randolph, Danillo Gallinari, and either Wilson Chandler, or Toney Douglas is hardly garbage. One of the three players will be traded for a 1st rd pick thus allowing them to complete a 3 team trade offering a player the Nuggets covet (apparently they want one of the following players for Varejo, G Henderson, AK-47, Iggy, J Noah) and a first round pick. As I have said before this is far from a sure thing for Knicks but definetly puts them in the hunt.

 

[Kev4029]

And for those who say Denver has no leverage and has to trade him to NY for garbage

Im sorry if I offended you, but it is my personal opinion that Melo will not go to Nets. NBA players have big egos moreso than other any sport, winning cements a legacy without it your nothing, with that in mind why would Melo leave a team that went to conference finals two years ago and playoffs last year for a 12 win team? While Lopez is definetly going to be great he alone is not enough and Favors is far from a sure thing making the Nets a very risk proposition to his legacy.I agree that Nets can offer the best package but Melo ultimately wont sign an extension with the Nets making this a moot point. As for garbage, NY is willing to offer Anthony Randolph, Danillo Gallinari, and either Wilson Chandler, or Toney Douglas is hardly garbage. One of the three players will be traded for a 1st rd pick thus allowing them to complete a 3 team trade offering a player the Nuggets covet (apparently they want one of the following players for Varejo, G Henderson, AK-47, Iggy, J Noah) and a first round pick. As I have said before this is far from a sure thing for Knicks but definetly puts them in the hunt.

I doubt the Nuggets want Kirilenko, I think his huge salary is part of the reason the Nets trade never happened. Igudola is a good player, but its looking like Evan Turner isn't the player we all thought he was so I would be fairly surprised to see the 6ers trade him for cap relief and junk. Noah is going to be very hard to trade for, first because NYK doesn't have anything that Chicago would want for him and second, because he just signed the big extension the cap situation makes it tricky to trade for him because of the HUGE jump in salary next year. Varejao would be sweet, to me he a better and cheaper version of Noah. Is that Gerald Henderson in that list? WTF?You seem to be one of the delusional sports fans I've ran into.

 

[Kiddnets]

And for those who say Denver has no leverage and has to trade him to NY for garbage

Im sorry if I offended you, but it is my personal opinion that Melo will not go to Nets. NBA players have big egos moreso than other any sport, winning cements a legacy without it your nothing, with that in mind why would Melo leave a team that went to conference finals two years ago and playoffs last year for a 12 win team? While Lopez is definetly going to be great he alone is not enough and Favors is far from a sure thing making the Nets a very risk proposition to his legacy.I agree that Nets can offer the best package but Melo ultimately wont sign an extension with the Nets making this a moot point. As for garbage, NY is willing to offer Anthony Randolph, Danillo Gallinari, and either Wilson Chandler, or Toney Douglas is hardly garbage. One of the three players will be traded for a 1st rd pick thus allowing them to complete a 3 team trade offering a player the Nuggets covet (apparently they want one of the following players for Varejo, G Henderson, AK-47, Iggy, J Noah) and a first round pick. As I have said before this is far from a sure thing for Knicks but definetly puts them in the hunt.

No offense taken and you are correct on the egotistical impact of NBA players...if the CBA wasn't up in June there is no doubt he would be a Knick....but with the CBA up I think it opens it up to a few more teams. Its rare a team has leverage in this situation but Denver has it...whether they know how to play it is a question at this point...longer they wait the less they will get IMO. Knicks are in the hunt but IMO a deal of Favors, 2 better 1st rd picks (Nets unrpotected in 2011 and GS protected only 1-8 in 2012) is a much better deal. Where theres smoke theres fire - Proky is not a billionaire idiot - I seriously doubt hes in this hunt for this long if Carmello is not interested in Nets.

 

[No. 16]

And for those who say Denver has no leverage and has to trade him to NY for garbage

Im sorry if I offended you, but it is my personal opinion that Melo will not go to Nets. NBA players have big egos moreso than other any sport, winning cements a legacy without it your nothing, with that in mind why would Melo leave a team that went to conference finals two years ago and playoffs last year for a 12 win team? While Lopez is definetly going to be great he alone is not enough and Favors is far from a sure thing making the Nets a very risk proposition to his legacy.I agree that Nets can offer the best package but Melo ultimately wont sign an extension with the Nets making this a moot point. As for garbage, NY is willing to offer Anthony Randolph, Danillo Gallinari, and either Wilson Chandler, or Toney Douglas is hardly garbage. One of the three players will be traded for a 1st rd pick thus allowing them to complete a 3 team trade offering a player the Nuggets covet (apparently they want one of the following players for Varejo, G Henderson, AK-47, Iggy, J Noah) and a first round pick. As I have said before this is far from a sure thing for Knicks but definetly puts them in the hunt.

Any team gutting their roster to build around Melo will not win a Championship unless he miraculously reaches a new level of play. He's the SF version of Amare.

 

[Kev4029]

And for those who say Denver has no leverage and has to trade him to NY for garbage

Im sorry if I offended you, but it is my personal opinion that Melo will not go to Nets. NBA players have big egos moreso than other any sport, winning cements a legacy without it your nothing, with that in mind why would Melo leave a team that went to conference finals two years ago and playoffs last year for a 12 win team? While Lopez is definetly going to be great he alone is not enough and Favors is far from a sure thing making the Nets a very risk proposition to his legacy.I agree that Nets can offer the best package but Melo ultimately wont sign an extension with the Nets making this a moot point. As for garbage, NY is willing to offer Anthony Randolph, Danillo Gallinari, and either Wilson Chandler, or Toney Douglas is hardly garbage. One of the three players will be traded for a 1st rd pick thus allowing them to complete a 3 team trade offering a player the Nuggets covet (apparently they want one of the following players for Varejo, G Henderson, AK-47, Iggy, J Noah) and a first round pick. As I have said before this is far from a sure thing for Knicks but definetly puts them in the hunt.

No offense taken and you are correct on the egotistical impact of NBA players...if the CBA wasn't up in June there is no doubt he would be a Knick....but with the CBA up I think it opens it up to a few more teams. Its rare a team has leverage in this situation but Denver has it...whether they know how to play it is a question at this point...longer they wait the less they will get IMO. Knicks are in the hunt but IMO a deal of Favors, 2 better 1st rd picks (Nets unrpotected in 2011 and GS protected only 1-8 in 2012) is a much better deal. Where theres smoke theres fire - Proky is not a billionaire idiot - I seriously doubt hes in this hunt for this long if Carmello is not interested in Nets.

This whole situation with Melo makes me wonder why he is rolling with the agent he is. I'm not sure if anybody has brought this up, but there should be some talk of this...Melo's people royally ####ed him. Melo could have taken the same extension Bosh, Lebron and Wade took four years ago or whatever it was, and he could have been a Knick coming into this season. There was no reason for Melo, from his standpoint, to take the extra year from the Nuggets when he signed his extension. It was no secret that the CBA was expiring this year, and with an expiring CBA often comes drama. To allow something like this to happen to Melo, his agent (Leon Rose?) should have been fired this offseason after Melo saw what Bosh, Wade and Lebron got.Maybe if he was a free agent this last offseason we would have been talking about the big 4 in Miami....

 

[simmonjm]

You seem to be one of the delusional sports fans I've ran into.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/1416214...-denver-says-soFrom the beginning of the Melodrama, Denver’s wish list of veteran replacements for Anthony has been consistent: Joakim Noah, Andrei Kirilenko, Andre Iguodala, Gerald Wallace or Anderson Varejao.

I wouldnt want to believe it either if I was a Denver fan