*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (1 Viewer)

[Captain Quinoa]

Cleveland talk radio insanity this morning..

 

[wadegarrett]

How does Bosh pass up $20+ million/year playing for a title contender in his home state?

 

[NutterButter]

Those sleeping on the Cavs core are vastly understating Wiggins. Guy is Pippen to LeBron's Jordan, and Kyrie has the potential to be a top 5 player in the league himself.

Way too early to wire off Bennett, and Thompson is at the very least serviceable.

Cleveland could be SCARY good with LeBron.

Save for the fact that Pippen was a rookie at 22 and didn't start on a team that lost in the 2nd round. Wiggins is 19. So if you want Wiggins to play 20 mins/game and score 8 points/game, sure. But presumably, you want more. Irving is the same age as Pippen was as a rookie. The team is just too young. If LeBron wants to win now, Cleveland isn't it.

And Irving won't be top 5 in the league good. He has potential to be top 5 PG good.

Cleveland has a better outlook next year than the Heat

And exponentially better every year after that. Would Bosh even resign for 4 years if James only does 2 with 1 year being a player option? That seems like a lot of risk to be on a mediocre team if Lebron jets for cleveland after 1.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Cleveland talk radio insanity this morning..

My favorite by far:

12:35 - Country club employee caddied for someone who has ties with someone who has ties with LeBron's inner circle. The guy told the employee to trust him, "my sources are very reliable. LeBron is coming... back to Cleveland."

Someone who caddied for someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows Lebron. Five degrees of separation. I think that tops the girl who said Ferris Bueller passed out at 31 Flavors.

 

[NutterButter]

How does Bosh pass up $20+ million/year playing for a title contender in his home state?

I'd imagine he'd definitely get 16-18M/year in Miami and I've never heard about him having feelings for Texas unlike Lebron. Bosh generally seems to enjoy living in Miami.

 

[pollardsvision]

Don't get too caught up with the Lebron/Wiggins talk. No chance he isn't moved + some other guys for Love after Lebron signs. They'd want to win titles now, not 2-3 years from now.

Wiggins is pretty much untouchable at this point. Everyone else besides Kyrie is probably in play though.

Boy, that sounds enticing.

CLE's best tradable assets in that scenario (and getting LeBron) would be the MIA and MEM picks which don't get that interesting for another 3 years.

Obviously, they have some options to get some solid pieces, but I don't think enough to get a huge difference maker either.

Speaking of that MIA pick, when are GM's going to learn that you don't go trading away 1st round picks that come due right after all your best players' contracts are up?

 

[Ghost Rider]

I don't know that that changes if you swap Bosh for Anthony either - in fact, I think it makes things worse on the Heat side.

Teams with size will kill them even more than the Spurs did in the finals. Not that Bosh is a true big man, but he is at least some size near the boards.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

LeBron going back to the Cavs would pretty much rule. Leave for awhile to let the team bottom out and stockpile young talent, then show up again and win boatloads of titles. Legendary.

 

[sporthenry]

Those sleeping on the Cavs core are vastly understating Wiggins. Guy is Pippen to LeBron's Jordan, and Kyrie has the potential to be a top 5 player in the league himself.

Way too early to wire off Bennett, and Thompson is at the very least serviceable.

Cleveland could be SCARY good with LeBron.

Save for the fact that Pippen was a rookie at 22 and didn't start on a team that lost in the 2nd round. Wiggins is 19. So if you want Wiggins to play 20 mins/game and score 8 points/game, sure. But presumably, you want more. Irving is the same age as Pippen was as a rookie. The team is just too young. If LeBron wants to win now, Cleveland isn't it.

And Irving won't be top 5 in the league good. He has potential to be top 5 PG good.

Cleveland has a better outlook next year than the Heat

I disagree. So a team with nobody save for Varejao with any meaningful playoff experience is better than a team full of playoff vets? They are also losing Deng. When Deng played, they were 20-21. Without him, 13-28. Yes, LeBron is better than Deng but you are starting with a .333 win% team. And expecting a ton out of Wiggins at 19 is unfair.

If you want to win next year, Miami has a better chance, although both teams are dogs to the Western Conference. Sure, Cleveland has a brighter future but that requires a 29 year old to buy into a rebuild. Honestly, if he wants to win now and in the future, Houston and Chicago are probably his best bets. Younger superstars with decent teams around them.

 

[GOB]

I'm just upset Orlando passed on Shabazz TWICE! Guy is clearly the answer.

 

[pollardsvision]

LeBron going back to the Cavs would pretty much rule. Leave for awhile to let the team bottom out and stockpile young talent, then show up again and win boatloads of titles. Legendary.

With the 5 Top 4 picks they've added to the roster in the 4 years since LeBron left, you'd think CLE was in cahoots with LeBron about this "plan", but the most shocking part of all of this is that I think they've really been trying like hell put a winner on the court.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I'm just upset Orlando passed on Shabazz TWICE! Guy is clearly the answer.

I can't believe that the key player in Miami's title hopes didn't go top 3. Idiot GMs.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Those sleeping on the Cavs core are vastly understating Wiggins. Guy is Pippen to LeBron's Jordan, and Kyrie has the potential to be a top 5 player in the league himself.

Way too early to wire off Bennett, and Thompson is at the very least serviceable.

Cleveland could be SCARY good with LeBron.

Save for the fact that Pippen was a rookie at 22 and didn't start on a team that lost in the 2nd round. Wiggins is 19. So if you want Wiggins to play 20 mins/game and score 8 points/game, sure. But presumably, you want more. Irving is the same age as Pippen was as a rookie. The team is just too young. If LeBron wants to win now, Cleveland isn't it.

And Irving won't be top 5 in the league good. He has potential to be top 5 PG good.

Cleveland has a better outlook next year than the Heat

I disagree. So a team with nobody save for Varejao with any meaningful playoff experience is better than a team full of playoff vets? They are also losing Deng. When Deng played, they were 20-21. Without him, 13-28. Yes, LeBron is better than Deng but you are starting with a .333 win% team. And expecting a ton out of Wiggins at 19 is unfair.

If you want to win next year, Miami has a better chance, although both teams are dogs to the Western Conference. Sure, Cleveland has a brighter future but that requires a 29 year old to buy into a rebuild. Honestly, if he wants to win now and in the future, Houston and Chicago are probably his best bets. Younger superstars with decent teams around them.

I'd say he has a slightly better chance with Miami next year because he's developed a system with Bosh and to a lesser extent Wade along with Spoelstra, and he'd have to start over again on that stuff in Cleveland. But the difference isn't that great, and it's reasonable that the better outlook for 2015 and beyond plus more help in the regular season on ballhandling/generating offense plus guarding wings would outweigh that.

 

[NutterButter]

Those sleeping on the Cavs core are vastly understating Wiggins. Guy is Pippen to LeBron's Jordan, and Kyrie has the potential to be a top 5 player in the league himself.

Way too early to wire off Bennett, and Thompson is at the very least serviceable.

Cleveland could be SCARY good with LeBron.

Save for the fact that Pippen was a rookie at 22 and didn't start on a team that lost in the 2nd round. Wiggins is 19. So if you want Wiggins to play 20 mins/game and score 8 points/game, sure. But presumably, you want more. Irving is the same age as Pippen was as a rookie. The team is just too young. If LeBron wants to win now, Cleveland isn't it.

And Irving won't be top 5 in the league good. He has potential to be top 5 PG good.

Cleveland has a better outlook next year than the Heat

I disagree. So a team with nobody save for Varejao with any meaningful playoff experience is better than a team full of playoff vets? They are also losing Deng. When Deng played, they were 20-21. Without him, 13-28. Yes, LeBron is better than Deng but you are starting with a .333 win% team. And expecting a ton out of Wiggins at 19 is unfair.

If you want to win next year, Miami has a better chance, although both teams are dogs to the Western Conference. Sure, Cleveland has a brighter future but that requires a 29 year old to buy into a rebuild. Honestly, if he wants to win now and in the future, Houston and Chicago are probably his best bets. Younger superstars with decent teams around them.

I'd say he has a slightly better chance with Miami next year because he's developed a system with Bosh and to a lesser extent Wade along with Spoelstra, and he'd have to start over again on that stuff in Cleveland. But the difference isn't that great, and it's reasonable that the better outlook for 2015 and beyond plus more help in the regular season on ballhandling/generating offense plus guarding wings would outweigh that.

Yeah, it can't be overemphasized the relief it would be to him to not have to guard the other team's best perimeter player and to not have to bring the ball up b/c your point guard stinks. Lebron is pretty much doing everything on the heat.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Those sleeping on the Cavs core are vastly understating Wiggins. Guy is Pippen to LeBron's Jordan, and Kyrie has the potential to be a top 5 player in the league himself.

Way too early to wire off Bennett, and Thompson is at the very least serviceable.

Cleveland could be SCARY good with LeBron.

Agree completely (except for Kyrie as a top 5 player in the league).

Crazy how the line on Wiggins has changed so much with a year of exposure/nitpicking and one awful tournament game. Last year at this time he was the greatest prospect since the 2004 draft. He's raw, sure, but everyone knew that.

The only problem with the Jordan/Pippen thing is that it'll presumably be a couple years before he's really good, and LeBron will be approaching his mid-30s by then. Guessing he can be a solid contributor right now, though. And the other pieces work too, assuming Waiters is willing to stand in the corner and space the floor.

Kyrie's disappointing 2013-14 left much to be desired, but we're talking about a 22 yr old PG who now has 3 seasons under his belt - all 3 with PER's over 20. An elite FT shooter, flashes of being an elite 3 pt shooter, and hands down the best handles in the league. Obviously a work in progress on the defensive end.

Durability is by far the biggest concern, but I think Kyrie having had a couple of seasons where he was the #1 option will only make him even more deadly if/when he get other elite options around him. I'm still way, WAY bullish on Kyrie.

 

[MAC_32]

Cleveland talk radio insanity this morning..

The desperation for a title in this city is like nothing I have ever seen before.

 

[Vykng]

Chris Broussard @Chris_Broussardhttps://twitter.com/Chris_Broussard · 6m

Sources: Rockets offer Bosh max deal of 4 yrs, $96 million. After weekend convo with LeBron and low offer from Heat, Bosh considering offer

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Bosh needs to accept that regardless of what LeBron does.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Those sleeping on the Cavs core are vastly understating Wiggins. Guy is Pippen to LeBron's Jordan, and Kyrie has the potential to be a top 5 player in the league himself.

Way too early to wire off Bennett, and Thompson is at the very least serviceable.

Cleveland could be SCARY good with LeBron.

Agree completely (except for Kyrie as a top 5 player in the league).

Crazy how the line on Wiggins has changed so much with a year of exposure/nitpicking and one awful tournament game. Last year at this time he was the greatest prospect since the 2004 draft. He's raw, sure, but everyone knew that.

The only problem with the Jordan/Pippen thing is that it'll presumably be a couple years before he's really good, and LeBron will be approaching his mid-30s by then. Guessing he can be a solid contributor right now, though. And the other pieces work too, assuming Waiters is willing to stand in the corner and space the floor.

Kyrie's disappointing 2013-14 left much to be desired, but we're talking about a 22 yr old PG who now has 3 seasons under his belt - all 3 with PER's over 20. An elite FT shooter, flashes of being an elite 3 pt shooter, and hands down the best handles in the league. Obviously a work in progress on the defensive end.

Durability is by far the biggest concern, but I think Kyrie having had a couple of seasons where he was the #1 option will only make him even more deadly if/when he get other elite options around him. I'm still way, WAY bullish on Kyrie.

Bullish, sure. I only disagree top 5 because: (1) Top 5 is really really really good. There's only room for arguments over 3 spots for the foreseeable future, maybe 2 if Davis does what we all expect; (2) athleticism caps his upside a little- it's fine but it's not Wall/Westbrook; and (3) as you say, defense is an issue.

Still he's more than good enough if he's paired with LeBron. Certainly if he's paired with LeBron, an elite wing, and frontcourt depth.

 

[NutterButter]

Bosh needs to accept that regardless of what LeBron does.

Christ, how the hell do you walk away from that? You have to think at least 6M/year more than he'd get from Heat and its not like he's going to play for Minnesota.

 

[Abraham]

Wow.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Cleveland talk radio insanity this morning..

I'm so glad you posted this. My buddy has been telling me all day that Lebron's personal trainer is guaranteeing that James is going to Cleveland. The fact that the guy isn't even claiming to be Lebron's trainer, but just "has partners and clients" telling him this stuff makes it even more hilarious for me. Lebron may end up back in Cleveland, but come on.

I wonder what would be worse for Cleveland fans:

A) Lebron not coming back at all or

B) Lebron signing a 2 year deal, not bringing home a title and then leaving again

 

[Vykng]

Get paid and still be a top contender. Easy decision.

 

[pollardsvision]

Bosh needs to accept that regardless of what LeBron does.

Holy ####, did SAS just step in and knock it out of the park with what, at the time, seemed to be a hyped up, complete waste of a 5 min. segment?

His whole point was Bosh will be probably be the first domino to fall, not LeBron.

 

[SWC]

hey i like bosch and i hope that wherever he goes he does well and wins some more titles i read some stuff about how smart he is and good to other people so hey aces to him take that to the bank brohans

 

[pollardsvision]

Get paid and still be a top contender. Easy decision.

Yep, no need to even get any opinions from the elephant trainer.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Marc Stein pointing out that Houston, Chi, and Dallas negotiating with other FAs suggests they know that it's down to NY and LA for Melo.

The NBA will be so much more fun to watch the next couple years if Melo takes his talents to SoCal. DO IT MELO!

 

[SWC]

also i saw a video once that was pretty funny about how clevelands economy was based on lebran james it was good and made me alugh and it looks like they are still at it up there but oh yeah hold on they all hate him blah blah blah but do not think they would not take him back in a new york minute take that to the bank brohans

 

[Premier]

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER KING' WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Dan Gilbert

Majority Owner

Cleveland Cavaliers

 

[Premier]

That will never stop being awesome. Lebron is just going to visit there to tell that guy to #### off, right?

 

[RUSF18]

I know it's East vs West, but Howard-Bosh-Harden seems like a better trio to be a part of for the next few years than LeBron-Bosh-Wade.

 

[NutterButter]

Marc Stein pointing out that Houston, Chi, and Dallas negotiating with other FAs suggests they know that it's down to NY and LA for Melo.

The NBA will be so much more fun to watch the next couple years if Melo takes his talents to SoCal. DO IT MELO!

I'd have to imagine Miami becomes a serious player if Bosh goes to Houston; unless Lebron leaves of course.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Bosh needs to accept that regardless of what LeBron does.

He'd be a fool not to. He needs to stop being Lebron's ##### and grab his while he can. Don't get stuck holding the bag. Be a man and make your own decision.

 

[pollardsvision]

Nice work, New Orleans. Bold move to try to make up ground in the Southwest Division.

CHA may as well go ahead and finish it off. Take Lin and an asset to put the nail in MIA's coffin.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I know it's East vs West, but Howard-Bosh-Harden seems like a better trio to be a part of for the next few years than LeBron-Bosh-Wade.

where does Donuts fit in here?

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Kyrie's disappointing 2013-14 left much to be desired, but we're talking about a 22 yr old PG who now has 3 seasons under his belt - all 3 with PER's over 20. An elite FT shooter, flashes of being an elite 3 pt shooter, and hands down the best handles in the league. Obviously a work in progress on the defensive end.

Hasn't really been any work or progress in that department since he's been here.

 

[the moops]

Barry Petchesky @barryap1
Follow
Sometime overnight, the Cavs' website FINALLY took down Dan Gilbert's hysteric comic sans letter. https://twitter.com/barryap1/status/485977666005118976 …


7:53 AM - 7 Jul 2014

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Nice work, New Orleans. Bold move to try to make up ground in the Southwest Division.

CHA may as well go ahead and finish it off. Take Lin and an asset to put the nail in MIA's coffin.

what did New Orleans do?

 

[pollardsvision]

Nice work, New Orleans. Bold move to try to make up ground in the Southwest Division.

CHA may as well go ahead and finish it off. Take Lin and an asset to put the nail in MIA's coffin.

what did New Orleans do?

They gave HOU a first round pick for the right to eat Asik's contract.

 

[SWC]

i just do not think that kobme is going to be much of his former self i see sort of a jordan on the bullets thing he might score some points but it will be ugly to watch so hey melo if you want to go and be a part of that you go on with your bad self it did not work for karl malone and it will not work for you either take that to the bank brohans and hey steve nash still moves pretty good for a guy in a walker who served in the civil war

 

[TobiasFunke]

Bosh needs to accept that regardless of what LeBron does.

He'd be a fool not to. He needs to stop being Lebron's ##### and grab his while he can. Don't get stuck holding the bag. Be a man and make your own decision.

I don't think there's any chance that Bosh will be left holding the bag. If he wants to stay in Miami because his family is already there and he likes it, he can wait on LeBron and proceed from there. I'm guessing the Houston offer will still be there. If not, another big money deal from a contender will replace it. If that somehow makes him less of a man in your eyes, well, he'll just have to learn to live with that burden.

 

[NutterButter]

Barry Petchesky @barryap1
FollowSometime overnight, the Cavs' website FINALLY took down Dan Gilbert's hysteric comic sans letter. https://twitter.com/barryap1/status/485977666005118976 …

7:53 AM - 7 Jul 2014

Wait a minute, that letter Gilbert wrote was still on their website all these years? Are you kidding me?

 

[GOB]

Melo to LA

Bosh to HOU

LBJ to CLE

Make it happen!

 

[tommyGunZ]

Those sleeping on the Cavs core are vastly understating Wiggins. Guy is Pippen to LeBron's Jordan, and Kyrie has the potential to be a top 5 player in the league himself.

Way too early to wire off Bennett, and Thompson is at the very least serviceable.

Cleveland could be SCARY good with LeBron.

Agree completely (except for Kyrie as a top 5 player in the league).

Crazy how the line on Wiggins has changed so much with a year of exposure/nitpicking and one awful tournament game. Last year at this time he was the greatest prospect since the 2004 draft. He's raw, sure, but everyone knew that.

The only problem with the Jordan/Pippen thing is that it'll presumably be a couple years before he's really good, and LeBron will be approaching his mid-30s by then. Guessing he can be a solid contributor right now, though. And the other pieces work too, assuming Waiters is willing to stand in the corner and space the floor.

Kyrie's disappointing 2013-14 left much to be desired, but we're talking about a 22 yr old PG who now has 3 seasons under his belt - all 3 with PER's over 20. An elite FT shooter, flashes of being an elite 3 pt shooter, and hands down the best handles in the league. Obviously a work in progress on the defensive end.

Durability is by far the biggest concern, but I think Kyrie having had a couple of seasons where he was the #1 option will only make him even more deadly if/when he get other elite options around him. I'm still way, WAY bullish on Kyrie.

Bullish, sure. I only disagree top 5 because: (1) Top 5 is really really really good. There's only room for arguments over 3 spots for the foreseeable future, maybe 2 if Davis does what we all expect; (2) athleticism caps his upside a little- it's fine but it's not Wall/Westbrook; and (3) as you say, defense is an issue.

Still he's more than good enough if he's paired with LeBron. Certainly if he's paired with LeBron, an elite wing, and frontcourt depth.

All fair points. Top 10 overall player probably more accurate.

 

[thecatch]

The NBA will be so much more fun to watch the next couple years if Melo takes his talents to SoCal. DO IT MELO!

I do think we can agree on that.

 

[Todem]

Wow.

Yeah Wow!!! If it's true. Which I highly doubt.

24MM per season? Come on. Really?

If this is truly going to happen it would be stunning. Simply stunning. Bosh 24MM per year and Lebron goes to Cleveland. Miami would riot in the streets LOL. In all seriousness, the crap coming from so called sources is reaching EPIC status now.

 

[Bobcat10]

The percentages of Cleveland keep rising. Sheridan now up to 75%. Get your futures in.

The Letter:

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/7/7/5877047/dan-gilbert-letter-lebron-james-preserved-cavaliers

"The letter was removed years ago from the Cavs.com website, but over the last week, it was discovered that it still existed from this external link to a stagnant archived page," Cavaliers director of communications Tad Carper told SB Nation. "It was on the content management system platform that was used back in 2010."

Thus, everyone within the organization proceeded as if nothing strange was going on. But when James' free agency started to kick into gear, one employee noticed a spike in traffic to a page that was believed to be purged from the Internet. A decision was made to delete the letter again, but the process was more complex because the team did not have direct access to the site's old CMS. Thus, the team had to ask the league to do it for them.

---

"Quite frankly, we weren't looking for [the letter] because we knew we deleted it," he said. "If [it still being an active url] would have become apparent a year ago, we would have deleted it too."

 

[the moops]

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

God that letter to the fans is brutal.

 

[Max Power]

Wow.

Yeah Wow!!! If it's true. Which I highly doubt.

24MM per season? Come on. Really?

If this is truly going to happen it would be stunning. Simply stunning. Bosh 24MM per year and Lebron goes to Cleveland. Miami would riot in the streets LOL. In all seriousness, the crap coming from so called sources is reaching EPIC status now.

Don't worry

Adrian Wojnarowski ✔ @WojYahooNBA

Charlotte's Josh McRoberts emerging as serious free agent candidate for Miami, sources tell Yahoo. Realistic option at mid-level exception.

12:59 PM - 7 Jul 2014