*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (9 Viewers)

[thecatch]

Is a healthy Love and JR Smith worth (at least) 15-20 wins? Love went bonkers last year and they won 26. In Love's last full season he won 17 games. I understand that not every franchise is realistically looking to compete for a title in the short/medium run, but they shouldn't aspire to spend a ton of cash to maybe max out as a 7-8 seed either, IMO. If Kahn flips Love for a talented youngster and a high lottery pick, sucks next year and lands a stud in the 2014 lottery (assuming they still have their pick), they could be very good in 2-4 years and set up for a lengthy run of success.

Trading young elite talent isn't a way to improve a team.

Well they can enjoy looking forward to picking in the late lottery with all that elite talent.

 

[Kev4029]

Is a healthy Love and JR Smith worth (at least) 15-20 wins? Love went bonkers last year and they won 26. In Love's last full season he won 17 games. I understand that not every franchise is realistically looking to compete for a title in the short/medium run, but they shouldn't aspire to spend a ton of cash to maybe max out as a 7-8 seed either, IMO. If Kahn flips Love for a talented youngster and a high lottery pick, sucks next year and lands a stud in the 2014 lottery (assuming they still have their pick), they could be very good in 2-4 years and set up for a lengthy run of success.

Trading young elite talent isn't a way to improve a team.

Well they can enjoy looking forward to picking in the late lottery with all that elite talent.

Regardless of what you think of Love, I think its obvious he is not the problem. He may not be a guy you can build around as the franchise centerpiece but hes certainly worth his salary, if healthy.

 

[thecatch]

Is a healthy Love and JR Smith worth (at least) 15-20 wins? Love went bonkers last year and they won 26. In Love's last full season he won 17 games. I understand that not every franchise is realistically looking to compete for a title in the short/medium run, but they shouldn't aspire to spend a ton of cash to maybe max out as a 7-8 seed either, IMO. If Kahn flips Love for a talented youngster and a high lottery pick, sucks next year and lands a stud in the 2014 lottery (assuming they still have their pick), they could be very good in 2-4 years and set up for a lengthy run of success.

Trading young elite talent isn't a way to improve a team.

Well they can enjoy looking forward to picking in the late lottery with all that elite talent.

Regardless of what you think of Love, I think its obvious he is not the problem. He may not be a guy you can build around as the franchise centerpiece but hes certainly worth his salary, if healthy.

I agree, but that doesn't necessarily mean they should rule out trading him in the context of that mess that Kahn has put together.

 

[Dr. Gobbler]

Rick Fox on ESPN 710 says the Lakers amnesty Kobe next year, gets paid $30 mil, goes overseas to play 1/2 a season for $20 mil. Makes $50 mil and comes back to the Lakers after contract expires. Just FYI.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Rick Fox on ESPN 710 says the Lakers amnesty Kobe next year, gets paid $30 mil, goes overseas to play 1/2 a season for $20 mil. Makes $50 mil and comes back to the Lakers after contract expires. Just FYI.

Don't think he could do that. Some team will pick him up for the minimum and I'm pretty sure if he is under contract he can't go overseas to play.

 

[Dr. Gobbler]

He can but he loses his 'Bird Rights'.

 

[This_Guy]

He can but he loses his 'Bird Rights'.

Though he may expect it, I'm not sure Kobe will be getting a max contract on his next deal. That is the only way the Bird Rights come into play so I don't think it is a real factor.

 

[Abraham]

The lakers are going to have to pay him every possible penny.

 

[Dr. Gobbler]

The lakers are going to have to pay him every possible penny.

I think that goes without saying. As Rick Fox was saying, if Kobe goes overseas and pulls that xtra 20 down, when/if he comes back he won't have a problem playing for 12-15 mil/yr. And he's going to increase his overseas endorsement deals. I'm just reporting what was said, I am in no way a fan of Kobe or the Lakers.

 

[Dr. Gobbler]

He can but he loses his 'Bird Rights'.

Though he may expect it, I'm not sure Kobe will be getting a max contract on his next deal. That is the only way the Bird Rights come into play so I don't think it is a real factor.

They touched on that, with how the CBA/luxury tax is structured, Rick Fox said it's a no brainer to go overseas because no one can afford to pay him that anyway.

 

[CurlyNight]

Well Houston is done so let's go Spurs!!

 

[Kev4029]

He can but he loses his 'Bird Rights'.

Though he may expect it, I'm not sure Kobe will be getting a max contract on his next deal. That is the only way the Bird Rights come into play so I don't think it is a real factor.

Not true at all. The Lakers need his Bird Rights if they are going to sign him over the cap.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

He can but he loses his 'Bird Rights'.

Though he may expect it, I'm not sure Kobe will be getting a max contract on his next deal. That is the only way the Bird Rights come into play so I don't think it is a real factor.

Not true at all. The Lakers need his Bird Rights if they are going to sign him over the cap.

Yup. A whole lot wrong with Fox's plan.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Atlanta allowing dunk on full court out of bounds pass with 1.2 left in the 3rd.

Awful

 

[thecatch]

Asik is working his ### off down low. I'm impressed.

 

[Abraham]

Asik is working his ### off down low. I'm impressed.

Here we go...

 

[Zigg]

Beverley for Love?

 

[Dr. Gobbler]

C'mon Houston!! Shock the world!!

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Dagger.

 

[timschochet]

Houston is getting some really good looks here and missing key shots.

And now Thefalosha probably put it away.

 

[Moe.]

That Perkins grab was pretty blatant.

 

[Kev4029]

OKC is sure crying a lot for a team that was just gifted a 3.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Delfino

 

[timschochet]

Every second that Bonner is in the game the Lakers should get it to Howard.

 

[Raider Nation]

When does Pop get interviewed?

 

[CurlyNight]

Kobe must be so proud of Howard right about now..

 

[CurlyNight]

Ginnnnnnobollllllliiiiiiiiiii!, TP! Timmy! Great job team! Would be nice to see a sweep but I think Lakers will get in a game or 2 at home.

 

[matuski]

Sat next to this guy this afternoon on a flight home.

Kind of an odd fellow. Couldn't remember where I knew him from until I was grabbing my bags.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Hard to see the Lakers playing much better In San Antonio than they have the 1st 2 games & the games haven't even been close.

 

[Raider Nation]

The Lakers with Kobe would have had a very good chance of upsetting a weakened Spurs team. Without Kobe, not so much. However, anyone want to offer me 4-1 odds, I'll bet $50.

Spurs win, you owe me fitty. Lakers win, I owe you two sticks.

Done.

Tim, I would be receptive to a $45.38 buyout price. Offer expires one hour prior to the Game 3 tipoff.

 

[CurlyNight]

Pop! Pop! Pop!

 

[CurlyNight]

Mike D'Antoni: "We want Phil!"

 

[timschochet]

The Lakers with Kobe would have had a very good chance of upsetting a weakened Spurs team. Without Kobe, not so much. However, anyone want to offer me 4-1 odds, I'll bet $50.

Spurs win, you owe me fitty. Lakers win, I owe you two sticks.

Done.

Tim, I would be receptive to a $45.38 buyout price. Offer expires one hour prior to the Game 3 tipoff.

I appreciate the kind gesture. But I honor my debts. After the series is over (and there's a good chance that will be shortly) just PM me your address and I will send you a check right away.

 

[Slapdash]

That beardy guy can ball

 

[Britney Spears]

Is a healthy Love and JR Smith worth (at least) 15-20 wins? Love went bonkers last year and they won 26. In Love's last full season he won 17 games. I understand that not every franchise is realistically looking to compete for a title in the short/medium run, but they shouldn't aspire to spend a ton of cash to maybe max out as a 7-8 seed either, IMO. If Kahn flips Love for a talented youngster and a high lottery pick, sucks next year and lands a stud in the 2014 lottery (assuming they still have their pick), they could be very good in 2-4 years and set up for a lengthy run of success.

Trading young elite talent isn't a way to improve a team.

Isn't this what the Nuggs did?

 

[Kev4029]

Is a healthy Love and JR Smith worth (at least) 15-20 wins? Love went bonkers last year and they won 26. In Love's last full season he won 17 games. I understand that not every franchise is realistically looking to compete for a title in the short/medium run, but they shouldn't aspire to spend a ton of cash to maybe max out as a 7-8 seed either, IMO. If Kahn flips Love for a talented youngster and a high lottery pick, sucks next year and lands a stud in the 2014 lottery (assuming they still have their pick), they could be very good in 2-4 years and set up for a lengthy run of success.

Trading young elite talent isn't a way to improve a team.

Isn't this what the Nuggs did?

The '09 Nuggets were the best team the franchise has ever had, but I do think this current team is very close. Regardless, Kahn is an awful GM who would botch even the best of situations whereas Ujiri is a stud and gets too little credit nationally for these new look Nuggets. I also think that the Nuggets have done what no other team has ever done in trading an elite talent like Melo, so they are very much the exception not the rule.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Hard to see the Lakers playing much better In San Antonio than they have the 1st 2 games & the games haven't even been close.

Wat?

 

[This_Guy]

He can but he loses his 'Bird Rights'.

Though he may expect it, I'm not sure Kobe will be getting a max contract on his next deal. That is the only way the Bird Rights come into play so I don't think it is a real factor.

Not true at all. The Lakers need his Bird Rights if they are going to sign him over the cap.

You are correct but they only have Nash signed for 2014 at ~$10 million. If they want to go with this plan they will be able to plan accordingly to have the cap space to sign him even with signing Dwight to a max deal. Not saying I think this is something they will do or that Kobe would agree to it but it is a workable plan if they want to go down that road.

Not sure about the playing in Europe part though. Lots of potential flaws there.

 

[CurlyNight]

Hard to see the Lakers playing much better In San Antonio than they have the 1st 2 games & the games haven't even been close.

Wat?

Glad I'm not the only one that was thinking that.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

Hard to see the Lakers playing much better In San Antonio than they have the 1st 2 games & the games haven't even been close.

Agreed.

Held Spurs to 37% Game 1. Got throttled.

LA shot 45% tonight in Game 2. Got throttled.

At least they've got youth on their side to make another run next year.

 

[Short Corner]

Rick Fox on ESPN 710 says the Lakers amnesty Kobe next year, gets paid $30 mil, goes overseas to play 1/2 a season for $20 mil. Makes $50 mil and comes back to the Lakers after contract expires. Just FYI.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Sat next to this guy this afternoon on a flight home.

Kind of an odd fellow. Couldn't remember where I knew him from until I was grabbing my bags.

Hard to think of a guy I'd rather sit next to on a plane. Guy's got to have some amazing stories. Plus if you play your cards right maybe you score some front-row seats with him or an invite to the Jackie Treehorn house.

Posted this when it happened, but worth a repost: Goldstein and Wade

 

[Cliff Clavin]

http://blog.seatcrunch.com/nba-fines/

 

[Abraham]

McDermott returning to school. He's a second rounder right now. A year of increasing his range might get him in to round 1. Maybe.

 

[EYLive]

Just now dumb does Deandre Jordan have to be to let Gasol take one mid-range jumper after another?

 

[Gr00vus]

Just now dumb does Deandre Jordan have to be to let Gasol take one mid-range jumper after another?

Randolph destroyed them in the interior last night.

 

[Moe.]

Westbrook tore his meniscus. Done for the playoffs. Mother ####er.

 

[Moe.]

At least the Thunder have the veteran savvy of Derek Fisher to come in and replace him. The man just exudes leadership. It's coming out of his pores.

 

[Gr00vus]

Westbrook tore his meniscus. Done for the playoffs. Mother ####er.

That sucks. May as well start making the parade plans in Miami now.

 

[Moe.]

They said it happened during the second quarter but won't specify when. I'm betting it was when Beverley went for the steal as Westbrook was calling a timeout. Patrick Beverley is now public enemy #1 in OKC.