*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (11 Viewers)

[TobiasFunke]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Parsons and Stephenson both did it for that reason (I'll give you Parsons only because he didn't have a choice, but Houston is the suck) and so did Gasol. Gasol said as much himself. Everone else before 11 stayed where they were or made a reputation/running-from-a-7-title-claim-after-a-beatdown decision.

Sorry, lemme clarify- the whole idea that NBA free agents favor certain cities for lifestyle reasons is overblown.

I don't think Stephenson chose Charlotte because he's a big fan of NASCAR and whole-hog BBQ.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Parsons and Stephenson both did it for that reason (I'll give you Parsons only because he didn't have a choice, but Houston is the suck) and so did Gasol. Gasol said as much himself. Everone else before 11 stayed where they were or made a reputation/running-from-a-7-title-claim-after-a-beatdown decision.

Sorry, lemme clarify- the whole idea that NBA free agents favor certain cities for lifestyle reasons is overblown.

I don't think Stephenson chose Charlotte because he's a big fan of NASCAR and whole-hog BBQ.

I bet he is a fan of BBQ though... I mean, who isn't?

 

[TobiasFunke]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Counterpoint

I like that they did it countdown-style.

 

[Dondante]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Parsons and Stephenson both did it for that reason (I'll give you Parsons only because he didn't have a choice, but Houston is the suck) and so did Gasol. Gasol said as much himself. Everone else before 11 stayed where they were or made a reputation/running-from-a-7-title-claim-after-a-beatdown decision.

Sorry, lemme clarify- the whole idea that NBA free agents favor certain cities for lifestyle reasons is overblown.

I don't think Stephenson chose Charlotte because he's a big fan of NASCAR and whole-hog BBQ.

Have you ever been to Charlotte? Have you ever been to Indy? And I think you're either flat-out wrong, giving relevant NBAers too much credit or both. We're not talking about anyone 8-12 on a bench. At least I'm not.

 

[Sammy3469]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Parsons and Stephenson both did it for that reason (I'll give you Parsons only because he didn't have a choice, but Houston is the suck) and so did Gasol. Gasol said as much himself. Everone else before 11 stayed where they were or made a reputation/running-from-a-7-title-claim-after-a-beatdown decision.

Sorry, lemme clarify- the whole idea that NBA free agents favor certain cities for lifestyle reasons is overblown.

I don't think Stephenson chose Charlotte because he's a big fan of NASCAR and whole-hog BBQ.

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Counterpoint

I like that they did it countdown-style.

The bigger punchline is the #1 guy basically set the organization back 20 years.

 

[Sammy3469]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Parsons and Stephenson both did it for that reason (I'll give you Parsons only because he didn't have a choice, but Houston is the suck) and so did Gasol. Gasol said as much himself. Everone else before 11 stayed where they were or made a reputation/running-from-a-7-title-claim-after-a-beatdown decision.

Sorry, lemme clarify- the whole idea that NBA free agents favor certain cities for lifestyle reasons is overblown.

I don't think Stephenson chose Charlotte because he's a big fan of NASCAR and whole-hog BBQ.

Have you ever been to Charlotte? Have you ever been to Indy? And I think you're either flat-out wrong, giving relevant NBAers too much credit or both. We're not talking about anyone 8-12 on a bench. At least I'm not.

99.9% sure Tobias has been to Charlotte. In any case, Stephenson went to Charlotte for the $outhern Belle$.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Parsons and Stephenson both did it for that reason (I'll give you Parsons only because he didn't have a choice, but Houston is the suck) and so did Gasol. Gasol said as much himself. Everone else before 11 stayed where they were or made a reputation/running-from-a-7-title-claim-after-a-beatdown decision.

Sorry, lemme clarify- the whole idea that NBA free agents favor certain cities for lifestyle reasons is overblown.

I don't think Stephenson chose Charlotte because he's a big fan of NASCAR and whole-hog BBQ.

Have you ever been to Charlotte? Have you ever been to Indy? And I think you're either flat-out wrong, giving relevant NBAers too much credit or both. We're not talking about anyone 8-12 on a bench. At least I'm not.

I have been to both several times. I'm pretty comfortable with the statement that Stephenson didn't choose Charlotte because it's a glamorous destination.

 

[Dondante]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Parsons and Stephenson both did it for that reason (I'll give you Parsons only because he didn't have a choice, but Houston is the suck) and so did Gasol. Gasol said as much himself. Everone else before 11 stayed where they were or made a reputation/running-from-a-7-title-claim-after-a-beatdown decision.

Sorry, lemme clarify- the whole idea that NBA free agents favor certain cities for lifestyle reasons is overblown.

I don't think Stephenson chose Charlotte because he's a big fan of NASCAR and whole-hog BBQ.

Have you ever been to Charlotte? Have you ever been to Indy? And I think you're either flat-out wrong, giving relevant NBAers too much credit or both. We're not talking about anyone 8-12 on a bench. At least I'm not.

99.9% sure Tobias has been to Charlotte. In any case, Stephenson went to Charlotte for the $outhern Belle$.

Just as likely he didn't want to play in Indy, or for Bird. Or that he wanted to play for MJ. Maybe it's a black/white thing. Stephenson is quite black, after all. Anyone know off the top of their head what Indy's offer was?

 

[Dondante]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Parsons and Stephenson both did it for that reason (I'll give you Parsons only because he didn't have a choice, but Houston is the suck) and so did Gasol. Gasol said as much himself. Everone else before 11 stayed where they were or made a reputation/running-from-a-7-title-claim-after-a-beatdown decision.

Sorry, lemme clarify- the whole idea that NBA free agents favor certain cities for lifestyle reasons is overblown.

I don't think Stephenson chose Charlotte because he's a big fan of NASCAR and whole-hog BBQ.

Have you ever been to Charlotte? Have you ever been to Indy? And I think you're either flat-out wrong, giving relevant NBAers too much credit or both. We're not talking about anyone 8-12 on a bench. At least I'm not.

I have been to both several times. I'm pretty comfortable with the statement that Stephenson didn't choose Charlotte because it's a glamorous destination.

Who the F said anything about glamorous? Its Indy vs Charlotte. Which would you choose?

 

[Sammy3469]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Parsons and Stephenson both did it for that reason (I'll give you Parsons only because he didn't have a choice, but Houston is the suck) and so did Gasol. Gasol said as much himself. Everone else before 11 stayed where they were or made a reputation/running-from-a-7-title-claim-after-a-beatdown decision.

Sorry, lemme clarify- the whole idea that NBA free agents favor certain cities for lifestyle reasons is overblown.

I don't think Stephenson chose Charlotte because he's a big fan of NASCAR and whole-hog BBQ.

Have you ever been to Charlotte? Have you ever been to Indy? And I think you're either flat-out wrong, giving relevant NBAers too much credit or both. We're not talking about anyone 8-12 on a bench. At least I'm not.

99.9% sure Tobias has been to Charlotte. In any case, Stephenson went to Charlotte for the $outhern Belle$.

Just as likely he didn't want to play in Indy, or for Bird. Or that he wanted to play for MJ. Maybe it's a black/white thing. Stephenson is quite black, after all. Anyone know off the top of their head what Indy's offer was?

Wow. Just wow. At least Abe's trades kinda sorta of make sense every once in awhile.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

Parsons and Stephenson both did it for that reason (I'll give you Parsons only because he didn't have a choice, but Houston is the suck) and so did Gasol. Gasol said as much himself. Everone else before 11 stayed where they were or made a reputation/running-from-a-7-title-claim-after-a-beatdown decision.

Sorry, lemme clarify- the whole idea that NBA free agents favor certain cities for lifestyle reasons is overblown.

I don't think Stephenson chose Charlotte because he's a big fan of NASCAR and whole-hog BBQ.

Have you ever been to Charlotte? Have you ever been to Indy? And I think you're either flat-out wrong, giving relevant NBAers too much credit or both. We're not talking about anyone 8-12 on a bench. At least I'm not.

I have been to both several times. I'm pretty comfortable with the statement that Stephenson didn't choose Charlotte because it's a glamorous destination.

Who the F said anything about glamorous? Its Indy vs Charlotte. Which would you choose?

Probably Charlotte, but that's not the point. What I said is that I think people make too much of free agents favoring certain cities (and by extension, other cities not being able to attract free agents). People talk about the advantages that the NY and LA teams have over other teams in free agency, and that many cities can't compete for top-tier NBA free agents. I used to be one of them, but I really haven't seen much evidence of it recently at all.

 

[thecatch]

Melo forcing his way to NY was only a couple of years ago.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Anyone know off the top of their head what Indy's offer was?

5/44. They wanted to lock him up long term. Lance wanted a shorter deal so he could hit the market again in his prime, and Charlotte gave that to him.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Probably Charlotte, but that's not the point. What I said is that I think people make too much of free agents favoring certain cities (and by extension, other cities not being able to attract free agents). People talk about the advantages that the NY and LA teams have over other teams in free agency, and that many cities can't compete for top-tier NBA free agents. I used to be one of them, but I really haven't seen much evidence of it recently at all.

Other than the Lakers crushing it this summer of course.

 

[Gr00vus]

Probably Charlotte, but that's not the point. What I said is that I think people make too much of free agents favoring certain cities (and by extension, other cities not being able to attract free agents). People talk about the advantages that the NY and LA teams have over other teams in free agency, and that many cities can't compete for top-tier NBA free agents. I used to be one of them, but I really haven't seen much evidence of it recently at all.

Other than the Lakers crushing it this summer of course.

Well, Ed Davis is .

 

[Kev4029]

Kinda starting to think the whole "destination" aspect of NBA free agency is overblown.

Here's the 2014 free agents, as ranked by cbs sports. and their destinations. You have to go to 11 before you get to a guy leaving for a city that's generally considered a "destination," and I'm not sure that's really what motivated Loul Deng to go to the Heat. There's more guys going to clearly less exciting cities (LeBron, Paul Pierce, probably Vince Carter) than the other way around.

Obviously Kobe's awful contract skews the results, but still- who was the last top tier guy to make a lifestyle-based free agency move? LeBron and Bosh four years ago?

I don't think its overblown for the elite free agents that are getting max offers from multiple teams. Guys like Stephenson or Parsons are going to chase the money.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Melo forcing his way to NY was only a couple of years ago.

Is that + the Heatles the last instance? That was the big fear at the time, that we'd end up with a bunch of teams unable to compete in free agency with NY/LA/Mia and maybe Chicago. I remember, I was one of the people who was worried about it. Could still happen in the next few years but I don't see many signs of it. Seems like the players care a lot more about the organization than the surroundings.

 

[Sammy3469]

Probably Charlotte, but that's not the point. What I said is that I think people make too much of free agents favoring certain cities (and by extension, other cities not being able to attract free agents). People talk about the advantages that the NY and LA teams have over other teams in free agency, and that many cities can't compete for top-tier NBA free agents. I used to be one of them, but I really haven't seen much evidence of it recently at all.

BTW, I don't totally agree with you. LeBron, Melo, Wade, Dirk and Bosh all ended up in the location they wanted to be. You can argue about "glamour", but 3 of those guys ended up in Miami and NYC. After those guys its just the rest of guys rearranging themselves. I think most of the talk with glamour is with the max-level guys anyway. Plus RFA is in fact "restricted" so Stephenson, Bledsoe, Monroe, Hayward, Parsons are in fact "restricted" in what they can do. The only case I can really be seen being made is why the Lakers weren't more attractive especially with the RFA's, but I think that's the young Buss being a maroon.

 

[Sammy3469]

Melo forcing his way to NY was only a couple of years ago.

Is that + the Heatles the last instance? That was the big fear at the time, that we'd end up with a bunch of teams unable to compete in free agency with NY/LA/Mia and maybe Chicago. I remember, I was one of the people who was worried about it. Could still happen in the next few years but I don't see many signs of it. Seems like the players care a lot more about the organization than the surroundings.

I have a feeling that if the cap goes up like people are expecting, you'll see either the Knicks or Mavs pull of a "superteam" in the next couple of years. Both have loads of caproom in the future and the flexibility to spend like they want if they want.

 

[pollardsvision]

Melo forcing his way to NY was only a couple of years ago.

Is that + the Heatles the last instance? That was the big fear at the time, that we'd end up with a bunch of teams unable to compete in free agency with NY/LA/Mia and maybe Chicago. I remember, I was one of the people who was worried about it. Could still happen in the next few years but I don't see many signs of it. Seems like the players care a lot more about the organization than the surroundings.

I tend to agree. Being a destination city is certainly an advantage, but probably not as big as it's made out to be.

For as often as being a destination may turn into titles, it just as often turns in to overpaid stars that won't bring home any hardware.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Probably Charlotte, but that's not the point. What I said is that I think people make too much of free agents favoring certain cities (and by extension, other cities not being able to attract free agents). People talk about the advantages that the NY and LA teams have over other teams in free agency, and that many cities can't compete for top-tier NBA free agents. I used to be one of them, but I really haven't seen much evidence of it recently at all.

BTW, I don't totally agree with you. LeBron, Melo, Wade, Dirk and Bosh all ended up in the location they wanted to be. You can argue about "glamour", but 3 of those guys ended up in Miami and NYC. After those guys its just the rest of guys rearranging themselves. I think most of the talk with glamour is with the max-level guys anyway. Plus RFA is in fact "restricted" so Stephenson, Bledsoe, Monroe, Hayward, Parsons are in fact "restricted" in what they can do. The only case I can really be seen being made is why the Lakers weren't more attractive especially with the RFA's, but I think that's the young Buss being a maroon.

Right, the Lakers mess kinda skews the data. I guess with such a small sample size of guys of max deal talents who want to leave their current teams, it's hard to really say anything. On the other hand, the fact that it's such a small sample size means maybe the "problem" was overblown anyway.

 

[Dondante]

Probably Charlotte, but that's not the point. What I said is that I think people make too much of free agents favoring certain cities (and by extension, other cities not being able to attract free agents). People talk about the advantages that the NY and LA teams have over other teams in free agency, and that many cities can't compete for top-tier NBA free agents. I used to be one of them, but I really haven't seen much evidence of it recently at all.

BTW, I don't totally agree with you. LeBron, Melo, Wade, Dirk and Bosh all ended up in the location they wanted to be. You can argue about "glamour", but 3 of those guys ended up in Miami and NYC. After those guys its just the rest of guys rearranging themselves. I think most of the talk with glamour is with the max-level guys anyway. Plus RFA is in fact "restricted" so Stephenson, Bledsoe, Monroe, Hayward, Parsons are in fact "restricted" in what they can do. The only case I can really be seen being made is why the Lakers weren't more attractive especially with the RFA's, but I think that's the young Buss being a maroon.

Right, the Lakers mess kinda skews the data. I guess with such a small sample size of guys of max deal talents who want to leave their current teams, it's hard to really say anything. On the other hand, the fact that it's such a small sample size means maybe the "problem" was overblown anyway.

I think I might actually agree with you on this afterall; the last part at least. #### me.

 

[Sammy3469]

Probably Charlotte, but that's not the point. What I said is that I think people make too much of free agents favoring certain cities (and by extension, other cities not being able to attract free agents). People talk about the advantages that the NY and LA teams have over other teams in free agency, and that many cities can't compete for top-tier NBA free agents. I used to be one of them, but I really haven't seen much evidence of it recently at all.

BTW, I don't totally agree with you. LeBron, Melo, Wade, Dirk and Bosh all ended up in the location they wanted to be. You can argue about "glamour", but 3 of those guys ended up in Miami and NYC. After those guys its just the rest of guys rearranging themselves. I think most of the talk with glamour is with the max-level guys anyway. Plus RFA is in fact "restricted" so Stephenson, Bledsoe, Monroe, Hayward, Parsons are in fact "restricted" in what they can do. The only case I can really be seen being made is why the Lakers weren't more attractive especially with the RFA's, but I think that's the young Buss being a maroon.

Right, the Lakers mess kinda skews the data. I guess with such a small sample size of guys of max deal talents who want to leave their current teams, it's hard to really say anything. On the other hand, the fact that it's such a small sample size means maybe the "problem" was overblown anyway.

As Jordan to Duncan to LeBron shows, the "problem" ends up being wherever the best player in basketball ends up playing basketball (given enough cap space) tends to draw good FA. Everything else is just the noise of the other teams rearranging the deck chairs.

 

[pollardsvision]

BTW, it was fun to see someone call Charlotte a free-agent destination city.

Once dudes get a chance to pop back a couple of cold Buds over at Little E's pad, there's no turning back.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Holy smokes, you guys see the photos of Lebron's weight loss? He has to have lost 15-20lbs of muscle already. No way does this work out for him. With as physical as his game is, he is going to suffer a ton in the paint and end up getting hurt. Crazy.

 

[thecatch]

Melo forcing his way to NY was only a couple of years ago.

Is that + the Heatles the last instance? That was the big fear at the time, that we'd end up with a bunch of teams unable to compete in free agency with NY/LA/Mia and maybe Chicago. I remember, I was one of the people who was worried about it. Could still happen in the next few years but I don't see many signs of it. Seems like the players care a lot more about the organization than the surroundings.

It's not just the quality of the organization, it's the extra year of guaranteed money too (see Bosh, Melo this year). The creation of a super team requires such a perfect storm of cap space + desirable destination + players willing to take pay cuts that I don't think it's something the NBA needs to be concerned with legislating. That said, the big markets and teams in states with no income tax are always going to have a leg up in FA.

 

[No. 16]

Holy smokes, you guys see the photos of Lebron's weight loss? He has to have lost 15-20lbs of muscle already. No way does this work out for him. With as physical as his game is, he is going to suffer a ton in the paint and end up getting hurt. Crazy.

Yah I noticed his face looking a lot slimmer on his Instagram. Any reason for this? It's not like he had bad knees or looked less explosive.

 

[Sammy3469]

Holy smokes, you guys see the photos of Lebron's weight loss? He has to have lost 15-20lbs of muscle already. No way does this work out for him. With as physical as his game is, he is going to suffer a ton in the paint and end up getting hurt. Crazy.

Yah I noticed his face looking a lot slimmer on his Instagram. Any reason for this? It's not like he had bad knees or looked less explosive.

He cut out carbs during the offseason. Wind horsy on Simmons podcast said he dropped 10-12 pounds (Lebron apparently hasn't weighed himself). He also said Lebron was at 280 so it's not like he's dropping from his listed 250.

 

[Kev4029]

Holy smokes, you guys see the photos of Lebron's weight loss? He has to have lost 15-20lbs of muscle already. No way does this work out for him. With as physical as his game is, he is going to suffer a ton in the paint and end up getting hurt. Crazy.

Yah I noticed his face looking a lot slimmer on his Instagram. Any reason for this? It's not like he had bad knees or looked less explosive.

Basketball is pretty rough on a player's knees, I imagine this is preventative to keep his knees in good shape and to stay explosive going forward. If he were to drop 20 lbs it might make him ever so slightly less effective in 2014, but it could very well save some wear and tear for a few years from now. He's still going to be one of the biggest and strongest SFs in the league, and if they have Love and Varejao, he'll be playing less PF than in Miami.

 

[Bobcat10]

<_<

:finger:

If it makes you guys feel any better, Minny is only going to get 5 seasons (with zero playoff appearances) before Wiggins bolts to Toronto.

Wiggs and Bennett are going to turn Minny into Toronto West and by then Tristan will have signed there. Long live the Wolves!

 

[GreatLakesMike]

I've lived in Northeast "Central ohio" and Northeast Ohio all my life. I know the 3 major Ohio cities, been to Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, Raleigh, Memphis, Las Vegas, Phoenix, tons of smaller cities and a few other "bigger" cities. Not a great list, but Indianapolis blows all of those cities away IMO.

I'm not sure how anyone could spend time in Indianapolis and not have a good time unless surfing is the only way you can get your groove on.

 

[No. 16]

Holy smokes, you guys see the photos of Lebron's weight loss? He has to have lost 15-20lbs of muscle already. No way does this work out for him. With as physical as his game is, he is going to suffer a ton in the paint and end up getting hurt. Crazy.

Yah I noticed his face looking a lot slimmer on his Instagram. Any reason for this? It's not like he had bad knees or looked less explosive.

Basketball is pretty rough on a player's knees, I imagine this is preventative to keep his knees in good shape and to stay explosive going forward. If he were to drop 20 lbs it might make him ever so slightly less effective in 2014, but it could very well save some wear and tear for a few years from now. He's still going to be one of the biggest and strongest SFs in the league, and if they have Love and Varejao, he'll be playing less PF than in Miami.

Just seems to be an odd time to do it...right in his prime. It's not like he's in his mid 30s.

 

[Daywalker]

Just spitballing because it looks like the deal is done.

But would you rather have:

K. Irving

or

Wiggins

Bennett

#1

Could you get Michael Carter-Williams for Bennett and #1?

Making it Irving or Wiggins and MCW? Seems like you could get a decent PG for Bennett and a #1. Almost any decent PG paired with Wiggins is a better value then Irving IMO.

Could you move Wiggins, Bennett and #1 for MCW and Embiid? Seems like Philly was all over Wiggins pre-draft. Leaving Cleveland with Lebron, MCW, Love and Embiid.

Moving Irving for Love is the move. Leaves you with so many options. Oh well.

 

[Daywalker]

Holy smokes, you guys see the photos of Lebron's weight loss? He has to have lost 15-20lbs of muscle already. No way does this work out for him. With as physical as his game is, he is going to suffer a ton in the paint and end up getting hurt. Crazy.

Yah I noticed his face looking a lot slimmer on his Instagram. Any reason for this? It's not like he had bad knees or looked less explosive.

Basketball is pretty rough on a player's knees, I imagine this is preventative to keep his knees in good shape and to stay explosive going forward. If he were to drop 20 lbs it might make him ever so slightly less effective in 2014, but it could very well save some wear and tear for a few years from now. He's still going to be one of the biggest and strongest SFs in the league, and if they have Love and Varejao, he'll be playing less PF than in Miami.

Just seems to be an odd time to do it...right in his prime. It's not like he's in his mid 30s.

He's so big it won't matter. He was at max weight. Protect the knees and give yourself a buffer. Very smart to be ahead of the curve then chasing it. Would think Lebron noticed how Duncan rejuvenated his career by dropping 20. Not that Lebron needs to rejuvenate just that he's mapping his career out in the optimal way. Very smart.

 

[No. 16]

Holy smokes, you guys see the photos of Lebron's weight loss? He has to have lost 15-20lbs of muscle already. No way does this work out for him. With as physical as his game is, he is going to suffer a ton in the paint and end up getting hurt. Crazy.

Yah I noticed his face looking a lot slimmer on his Instagram. Any reason for this? It's not like he had bad knees or looked less explosive.

Basketball is pretty rough on a player's knees, I imagine this is preventative to keep his knees in good shape and to stay explosive going forward. If he were to drop 20 lbs it might make him ever so slightly less effective in 2014, but it could very well save some wear and tear for a few years from now. He's still going to be one of the biggest and strongest SFs in the league, and if they have Love and Varejao, he'll be playing less PF than in Miami.

Just seems to be an odd time to do it...right in his prime. It's not like he's in his mid 30s.

He's so big it won't matter. He was at max weight. Protect the knees and give yourself a buffer. Very smart to be ahead of the curve then chasing it. Would think Lebron noticed how Duncan rejuvenated his career by dropping 20. Not that Lebron needs to rejuvenate just that he's mapping his career out in the optimal way. Very smart.

Saw his latest Instagram picture with Mike Miller sitting next to him. LeBron looks fine...smaller but still a beast. Once he loads back on carbs, his face will puff up again.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Holy smokes, you guys see the photos of Lebron's weight loss? He has to have lost 15-20lbs of muscle already. No way does this work out for him. With as physical as his game is, he is going to suffer a ton in the paint and end up getting hurt. Crazy.

Yah I noticed his face looking a lot slimmer on his Instagram. Any reason for this? It's not like he had bad knees or looked less explosive.

Basketball is pretty rough on a player's knees, I imagine this is preventative to keep his knees in good shape and to stay explosive going forward. If he were to drop 20 lbs it might make him ever so slightly less effective in 2014, but it could very well save some wear and tear for a few years from now. He's still going to be one of the biggest and strongest SFs in the league, and if they have Love and Varejao, he'll be playing less PF than in Miami.

Just seems to be an odd time to do it...right in his prime. It's not like he's in his mid 30s.

He's so big it won't matter. He was at max weight. Protect the knees and give yourself a buffer. Very smart to be ahead of the curve then chasing it. Would think Lebron noticed how Duncan rejuvenated his career by dropping 20. Not that Lebron needs to rejuvenate just that he's mapping his career out in the optimal way. Very smart.

Saw his latest Instagram picture with Mike Miller sitting next to him. LeBron looks fine...smaller but still a beast. Once he loads back on carbs, his face will puff up again.

Yeah his face looks thin but upper body still plenty big.

 

[pollardsvision]

Just spitballing because it looks like the deal is done.

But would you rather have:

K. Irving

or

Wiggins

Bennett

#1

Could you get Michael Carter-Williams for Bennett and #1?

Making it Irving or Wiggins and MCW? Seems like you could get a decent PG for Bennett and a #1. Almost any decent PG paired with Wiggins is a better value then Irving IMO.

Could you move Wiggins, Bennett and #1 for MCW and Embiid? Seems like Philly was all over Wiggins pre-draft. Leaving Cleveland with Lebron, MCW, Love and Embiid.

Moving Irving for Love is the move. Leaves you with so many options. Oh well.

I agree that Irving for Love is a better move than Wiggins for Love for CLE, but there's just no way they'd do it.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Just spitballing because it looks like the deal is done.

But would you rather have:

K. Irving

or

Wiggins

Bennett

#1

Could you get Michael Carter-Williams for Bennett and #1?

Making it Irving or Wiggins and MCW? Seems like you could get a decent PG for Bennett and a #1. Almost any decent PG paired with Wiggins is a better value then Irving IMO.

Could you move Wiggins, Bennett and #1 for MCW and Embiid? Seems like Philly was all over Wiggins pre-draft. Leaving Cleveland with Lebron, MCW, Love and Embiid.

Moving Irving for Love is the move. Leaves you with so many options. Oh well.

I was down a bit on Irving during the season but he's only 22. I would rather keep him than Wiggins and Bennett. He's had a lot on his plate his first 3 years. Now that he has legit teammates we'll see what he can really do. When he goes to the hole instead of getting triple teamed he'll have Lebron and Varejao cutting and Love out at the 3 pt line.

 

[the moops]

My sources tell me Brewer will be going to CLE along with Love

 

[Village Idiot]

My sources tell me Brewer will be going to CLE along with Love

Flip not dumping Martin or Barea's contracts at all?

Or is at least one of them moving to Philadeplphia as the 3rd team in the trade?

 

[Captain Quinoa]

My sources tell me Brewer will be going to CLE along with Love

Flip not dumping Martin or Barea's contracts at all?

Or is at least one of them moving to Philadeplphia as the 3rd team in the trade?

I'd rather have Barea - one less year left on his contract.

 

[Sammy3469]

Slowly getting through the Simmons-Windhorst podcast. Windhorst seems to think this is an ownership deal that's been agreed to in early July. Other interesting tidbits include Windhorst believes T Thompson will get a large extension (same agent as LeBron) though I have no idea how that works from a purely basketball sense since they don't even see him starting. Windhorst also believes Marion's a done deal. Apparently the NBA league office is none to pleased with any of this.

So Cleveland will look like:

Irving

Waiters

LeBron

Love

Varajao

with a pretty decent second unit of Delladova, Jones (or Allen if he wants to play for the minimum), Miller, Marion, Thompson with Haywood being big man fodder.

Looking at that roster, Thompson looks like the odd man out, so while all the rumblings seem to indicate they'll sign him to a big deal, I wouldn't be shocked if he got dealt for a real rim protector at some point (they'll need another competent big to go against Chicago) LeBron apparently like Waiters so Waiters isn't going anywhere.

The other Windhorst comment is apparently Harden plays defense in pickup games.

 

[thecatch]

They aren't going to be able to stop anyone unless Varajao can turn the clock back 6 years.

 

[wadegarrett]

Just spitballing because it looks like the deal is done.

But would you rather have:

K. Irving

or

Wiggins

Bennett

#1

Could you get Michael Carter-Williams for Bennett and #1?

Making it Irving or Wiggins and MCW? Seems like you could get a decent PG for Bennett and a #1. Almost any decent PG paired with Wiggins is a better value then Irving IMO.

Could you move Wiggins, Bennett and #1 for MCW and Embiid? Seems like Philly was all over Wiggins pre-draft. Leaving Cleveland with Lebron, MCW, Love and Embiid.

Moving Irving for Love is the move. Leaves you with so many options. Oh well.

Kyrie Irving cannot be traded for 6 months after the deal he just signed. He's not going anywhere.

 

[Abraham]

Apparently the NBA league office is none to pleased with any of this.

Why would they be displeased?

 

[Bobcat10]

Apparently the NBA league office is none to pleased with any of this.

Why would they be displeased?

I've heard that too, about the "handshake" deal. I guess if one of the teams does something to piss off league office, they may wrench the deal. Not sure how that would work. Like the Minny owner didn't already do that. I'm also not sure why they'd be displeased about Marion. The OP seemed to lump that in.

 

[Bobcat10]

Just spitballing because it looks like the deal is done.

But would you rather have:

K. Irving

or

Wiggins

Bennett

#1

Could you get Michael Carter-Williams for Bennett and #1?

Making it Irving or Wiggins and MCW? Seems like you could get a decent PG for Bennett and a #1. Almost any decent PG paired with Wiggins is a better value then Irving IMO.

Could you move Wiggins, Bennett and #1 for MCW and Embiid? Seems like Philly was all over Wiggins pre-draft. Leaving Cleveland with Lebron, MCW, Love and Embiid.

Moving Irving for Love is the move. Leaves you with so many options. Oh well.

Kyrie Irving cannot be traded for 6 months after the deal he just signed. He's not going anywhere.

Funny, you keep having mentioning this.

He's not going anywhere anyways. Irving is finally going to thrive with amazing talent around him. They are going to make things look silly. If he's not motivated now, then the big red flag gets raised. My guess is he's all in with this...and excited as hell.

And WTF would the Cavs want Embiid now? They could have had him in June. Lebron, MCW, Embiid and Love. Kinda yuk.

 

[Sammy3469]

Apparently the NBA league office is none to pleased with any of this.

Why would they be displeased?

I've heard that too, about the "handshake" deal. I guess if one of the teams does something to piss off league office, they may wrench the deal. Not sure how that would work. Like the Minny owner didn't already do that. I'm also not sure why they'd be displeased about Marion. The OP seemed to lump that in.

It all gets lumped in together. The handshake deal. The fact that there circumventing the salary cap rules. The fact that they can't sell Wiggins jerseys.

They basically suspect that these two teams have had a deal in place even before LeBron decided and FA opened. The timing of everything suggests that LeBron/Cleveland had already reached out to Love before announcing where he was going which is a big no-no since Love was still under contract with Minny. However, Minny isn't saying anything since they are getting a package they actually want, so the NBA office can't really do anything.

 

[Bobcat10]

Apparently the NBA league office is none to pleased with any of this.

Why would they be displeased?

I've heard that too, about the "handshake" deal. I guess if one of the teams does something to piss off league office, they may wrench the deal. Not sure how that would work. Like the Minny owner didn't already do that. I'm also not sure why they'd be displeased about Marion. The OP seemed to lump that in.

It all gets lumped in together. The handshake deal. The fact that there circumventing the salary cap rules. The fact that they can't sell Wiggins jerseys.

They basically suspect that these two teams have had a deal in place even before LeBron decided and FA opened. The timing of everything suggests that LeBron/Cleveland had already reached out to Love before announcing where he was going which is a big no-no since Love was still under contract with Minny. However, Minny isn't saying anything since they are getting a package they actually want, so the NBA office can't really do anything.

How are the Cavs circumventing the cap rules? They are somehow going to pay Marion and/or Allen more than the minimum? I've only seen reported that they have, and will offer, the minimum to these players.

 

[pollardsvision]

Just spitballing because it looks like the deal is done.

But would you rather have:

K. Irving

or

Wiggins

Bennett

#1

Could you get Michael Carter-Williams for Bennett and #1?

Making it Irving or Wiggins and MCW? Seems like you could get a decent PG for Bennett and a #1. Almost any decent PG paired with Wiggins is a better value then Irving IMO.

Could you move Wiggins, Bennett and #1 for MCW and Embiid? Seems like Philly was all over Wiggins pre-draft. Leaving Cleveland with Lebron, MCW, Love and Embiid.

Moving Irving for Love is the move. Leaves you with so many options. Oh well.

Kyrie Irving cannot be traded for 6 months after the deal he just signed. He's not going anywhere.

Funny, you keep having mentioning this.He's not going anywhere anyways. Irving is finally going to thrive with amazing talent around him. They are going to make things look silly. If he's not motivated now, then the big red flag gets raised. My guess is he's all in with this...and excited as hell.

And WTF would the Cavs want Embiid now? They could have had him in June. Lebron, MCW, Embiid and Love. Kinda yuk.

Unless Embiid really just won't stay healthy, that's a better core than Lebron, Love, and Kyrie. And I don't don't even like MCW much.