OT: NBA Season 2009-2010 & Fantasy Hoops Talk

[webdanzer]

Holy sh*t! Did you guys just hear that LeBron James signed with the Miami Heat?

Crazy! I also heard that you're thinking about NOT picking up one of those new Xbox 360 things! Don't you know they can play HD-DVD???!!!

[greggsand]

Man, I thought there was NO WAY he'd bail on a "tv special". Didn't disappoint in that regard.....

[Rodster]

I have never disliked LJ especially now that he's signing with Miami.

He took a pay cut for a chance to win multiple titles. As expected Heat season tickets are selling fast. I might have to catch a Heat game this year.

[JRod]

At least Modell was a coward and left town quietly in the night.

[MizzouRah]

I could care less, but you knew they would blow this thing up as big as they could... what else is there to talk about in sports right now?

The media is doing all they can to glamourize the situation.

I agree with most though, sign the damn contract and have a short announcement with the media.

[dbdynsty25]

Dan Gilbert is my idol...he absolutely crushes lebron in an open letter. I need to be a Cavs fan now.

[Slumberland]

I do love the idea of Lebron breaking the Cleveland "curse" by taking it with him.

[WillHunting]

Unless you are a Cleveland fan, I don't understand why people have a problem with him going to Miami. He is a FREE agent, he can choose to go anywhere. He thinks he has the best chance to win a ring there with Wade and Bosh, and who can argue with him on that? Would you really rather have Varejao and Jamison over Wade and Bosh? Heck just with Wade alone, he will have a better chance of winning it all.

Of course, there is something to be said about staying with your team and then winning it all like Jordan. But this is the modern day NBA (or professional sports in general). It is about ME ME ME ME. And I can't blame them, teams will trade any player away for financial/stupid reasons (Hey, we can't pay Gasol, let's gift it to Lakers).

If he wins, then no one will care (except LBJ haters). If he doesn't, this will haunt him the rest of his career. C'est la vie.

Aside from Cavs, I find the Knicks to be the biggest loser in this whole thing. First, they tanked 2+ season just to free up cash to get him. Then they overpay Stoudemire just so he would consider. Ultimately, they lost the sweepstakes and will now overpay someone else to field the team. We have seen D'Antoni + Stoudemire, and without Nash, it is going to be a diaster (hello Shawn Marion), since he plays no defense. It will be another fun season watching the Knicks be the laughing stock (I LOVE IT).

[dbdynsty25]

Ultimately, they lost the sweepstakes and will now overpay someone else to field the team. We have seen D'Antoni + Stoudemire, and without Nash, it is going to be a diaster (hello Shawn Marion), since he plays no defense. It will be another fun season watching the Knicks be the laughing stock (I LOVE IT).

Stoudemire will be fine...he's a lot more offensively talented than Marion was/is. A LOT. His team will win 25 games, but that's not the point. He wanted his guaranteed 5 years instead of the Suns 3 + 2 if he met minute milestones. So more power to him, and have a good time Stat. You're not winning a ring in NYC, thats for sure. Sad to see him go though...he is an entertaining guy to watch. Marion can't create his own shot, so it's a completely different situation with him. Sure, Nash certainly doesn't hurt, but Marion completely relied on him. Mike D'Antoni will find a way to make it work assuming they get a decent PG (Ridnour or something).

[Rodster]

Dan Gilbert is my idol...he absolutely crushes lebron in an open letter. I need to be a Cavs fan now.

Terry Pluto does the same. His article was posted on the Miami Herald.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/08/1 ... tacle.html

[kevinpars]

He is a FREE AGENT and can go where he wants. BUT --it is not WHAT he did, it is HOW he did it. He strung Cleveland along and then made a fool of them on ESPN. He also strung along the other teams he met with during this 'decision'. The whole thing is just bad for sports. He sure has a lot of ego for someone who has never won a ring. King James makes Reggie Jackson look humble. Which reminds me of something else that King James and Reggie have in common - both are incredible players in October. Too bad the NBA playoffs start in late Spring....

As a sports fan, I wanted to know 'the decision' as much as anyone, but the whole process was such a bad joke that I turned off the TV at 9 pm and read a book and went to sleep not knowing 'the decision.'

How did it make me feel? It made me want to see Kobe and Phil get another three peat. I already did not like the Heat and Wade who whines every time he does not get a superstar call. What is the next move - push aside their good young coach so Riley can come back? It makes me hope that the Celtics have one more run or that Orlando can get over the hump or that Chicago steps up.

And let's not leave ESPN out of this spectacle. The world wide leader is making me want to just let go of all sports and find another hobby.

[vinny-b]

Mike D'Antoni will find a way to make it work assuming they get a decent PG (Ridnour or something).

don't know the game of basketball, like i do other sports. That said, with LJ no longer in the picture, shouldn't the Knicks make Chris Paul their new priority?

imagine what D'Antoni would be able to do with him. A young superstar to construct a team around. I expect a trade for CP would not be in play this year. However, Knick fans have waited this long. What difference is another year

_

[ScoopBrady]

I really dislike this for the NBA. I really hope they never win a title together.

I never want to hear Lebron James mentioned in the same breath as the all-time greats like Magic, Jordan, or Kobe. I'm fully aware all 3 of those guys had help but the difference is all 3 of those guys were THE man on their teams. Lebron choosing to go to Wade and Bosh is much different than Wade and Bosh coming to him. The nickname of "King" should never be uttered again. He made the only decision I cannot respect.

I dislike Lebron as much as the next guy, but not for these reasons. Why would you dislike someone for putting himself in the best position to win a title? If you were interviewing for a new job, wouldn't you put yourself in the best position for success also? Should Lebron purposely surround himself with bad players just to prove he's "the man"? I dislke him for many reasons, but choosing the best situation for himself isn't one of them.

Jack, I honestly don't think it's his best position for success, but I do think it would be his easiest should he get it. That's what I don't respect if that makes any sense. If you claim to be the best then you step up and be the best.

[RobVarak]

I really dislike this for the NBA.

Are you kidding? This is the best thing to happen to the NBA since Jordan's return from his baseball frolic. It's almost certainly not the best thing for James' chances to win a title, but the interest that he has generated among non-fans or casual fans is astronomical and he's energized NBA fans all over the place. He's turned the fans in at least two cities, CLE and NY, into outright enemies and CHI is not far behind. He's become a perfect professional wrestling heel, and there hasn't been that kinds of emotional reaction to an NBA player in a long, long time.

I do think LeBron and Nike may have miscalculated the extent to which he would be villainized as a result of this process, not just in Cleveland, but league-wide. It'll be interesting to see if those off-court revenue streams that I talked about yesterday end up damaged over the long-term.

So this a.m., I expect that Phil Knight is not as happy as he'd like to be, while David Stern is cackling hysterically over his breakfast.

[Rodster]

And let's not leave ESPN out of this spectacle. The world wide leader is making me want to just let go of all sports and find another hobby.

It's part of the problem and has produced the culture of the modern athlete and how he or she gets on with their business. I saw this happening when ESPN first started in the early 80's. Sports is nothing more than competition based entertainment, throw in Reality TV and you have an athlete who pulls off what he does. ESPN probably got good ratings from the announcement.

I have know problems with what LeBron did because this is what is required to get attention in this sort of business. And the NBA benefited from the attention as well love it or hate it. I'm sure the NBA finally had something that got the same amount of attention and watercooler talk that the NFL Draft gets.

I don't follow Basketball as most of you do and I have a take it or leave it attitude towards LeBron James but I sure as hell was curious to know what his decision was. So in that sense it was a Slam Dunk for LJ and the NBA.

[WillHunting]

Ultimately, they lost the sweepstakes and will now overpay someone else to field the team. We have seen D'Antoni + Stoudemire, and without Nash, it is going to be a diaster (hello Shawn Marion), since he plays no defense. It will be another fun season watching the Knicks be the laughing stock (I LOVE IT).

Stoudemire will be fine...he's a lot more offensively talented than Marion was/is. A LOT. His team will win 25 games, but that's not the point. He wanted his guaranteed 5 years instead of the Suns 3 + 2 if he met minute milestones. So more power to him, and have a good time Stat. You're not winning a ring in NYC, thats for sure. Sad to see him go though...he is an entertaining guy to watch. Marion can't create his own shot, so it's a completely different situation with him. Sure, Nash certainly doesn't hurt, but Marion completely relied on him. Mike D'Antoni will find a way to make it work assuming they get a decent PG (Ridnour or something).

Yes, Stoudemire is better than Marion, but with a crappy PG instead of Nash, he will struggle. Stats wise, he is really not that different from David Lee, so you can pretty much expect the same record next year unless they can add someone else. Boozer would have been a good running mate but he is gone.

I still think Knicks way overpaid him to get LBJ and I am loving the Knicks making yet another blunder.

[Brando70]

He is a FREE AGENT and can go where he wants. BUT --it is not WHAT he did, it is HOW he did it.

Totally agree. Frankly, the Cavs never assembled the right kind of team to win a championship, and if it didn't happen this year, I'm sure LeBron figured it wasn't going to happen.

I also disagree with DB on going to "Wade's" team. For one thing, who knows how the Heat will change. LeBron may very well wind up being the alpha dog on that team. We won't really know how it works out until the season starts. But on paper, even if the Heat have to fill the other spots with min-salary role players, they look pretty tough -- much like the KG/Allen/Pierce Celtics, but with the three stars being younger. I think this move says that LeBron put championships ahead of his "legacy."

But the way he handled this was dooshery of the highest order, and the special last night was a new low for the business and media sides of sports.

[lexbur]

Not a day goes by I don’t wish Dan Gilbert would buy the Tribe. He’s such a first-class owner. He’s been GREAT for this town. All he wants to do is spend whatever it takes to build a top-notch organization and bring a championship here.

I LOVED his letter! And that stuff about winning a championship before LeBron, I don’t know how that’s possible now, but God Bless him for trying!!!

And I love how the guys at ESPN scoffed at the letter, but that’s only because he calls them out in it as being a major part in last night’s fiasco.

As for LeBron, all I can say is WHAT A P*SSY! Did Larry Bird want to beat Magic Johnson or JOIN HIM??? Did Michael Jordan want to beat the Pistons or JOIN THEM??? I don’t care how many championships LeBron wins, his legacy will ALWAYS be that he quit on his hometown when they were on the cusp of doing something special.

Say what you will about the Cavs being good enough to win it all or not, one thing you can’t argue, each year Dan Gilbert’s been here he’s done what he can to put a better team around LeBron than the previous year. And there’s no reason to believe that would not have continued.

For LeBron to say he feels he needs to leave here to win a championship, alot of people feel they WERE good enough to win it this year, HE’S the one who QUIT against Boston. I don’t know what happened before that game five between Mike Brown and LeBron, but whatever it was it was unprofessional as hell and it cost us our season, and as it turns out, a whole lot more. I really hope whatever caused the bickering between those two ladies comes out soon. I have a feeling it will make LeBron look even worse than he looks today.

Thanks for nothing, King.

[wco81]

He gave them 7 years. He's not an indentured servant.

That owner is classless too. Lets see how many free agents he attracts when they know he will trash them despite lifting the franchise out of nothing.

This couldn't have been that surprising. He had many chances to re-sign and didn't have to wait until the offseason if he was going to stay with Cleveland.

Obviously what the Cavs had on the table -- what they could offer him -- wasn't compelling enough for him to sign during the season. Give him a chance to think about other possibilities in the offseason and this is what you get.

[XXXIV]

But the way he handled this was dooshery of the highest order, and the special last night was a new low for the business and media sides of sports.

Agree 100%.

Though , I do not blame her majesty the queen. She can do what she wants. Where she wants.
ESPN have been, are and always be the biggest scumbags in sports. Thats if that many people still actually consider what they do in the nba as an actual sport. Reminds me more of Dancing With The Stars.

[dbdynsty25]

Yes, Stoudemire is better than Marion, but with a crappy PG instead of Nash, he will struggle. Stats wise, he is really not that different from David Lee, so you can pretty much expect the same record next year unless they can add someone else.

STAT won Rookie of the Year and still averaged 20-9 with Stephon Marbury as the point. No one fears David Lee on the offensive end of the court...they don't scheme for him...they do for Amar'e...so he's better. Sure, Lee can get the same offensive stats when your second best player is Gallinari. Amare's stats will go up this year, even if the NYK wins don't. End of discussion.

And Brando...it's Wade's team until someone proves otherwise. You saying it's not is just presumptuous. Wade will always be the man in Miami. It will be until he gets hurt again playing with reckless abandon.

[WillHunting]

Gilbert sounds like a complete sour grape in that open letter. I can understand Cavs fans are pissed and hurt by the whole thing, but honestly, that guarantee is going to be as empty as the Cavs arena.

He might be a great owner though, for all I know.

[WillHunting]

STAT won Rookie of the Year and still averaged 20-9 with Stephon Marbury as the point. No one fears David Lee on the offensive end of the court...they don't scheme for him...they do for Amar'e...so he's better. Sure, Lee can get the same offensive stats when your second best player is Gallinari. Amare's stats will go up this year, even if the NYK wins don't. End of discussion.

I think Lee is a better defensive player than Stoudemire (even if he is not as athletic). We will see how the Knicks do this year. If they don't win more than 5 games than last year (29-53), I consider it a pretty big failure.

[dbdynsty25]

STAT won Rookie of the Year and still averaged 20-9 with Stephon Marbury as the point. No one fears David Lee on the offensive end of the court...they don't scheme for him...they do for Amar'e...so he's better. Sure, Lee can get the same offensive stats when your second best player is Gallinari. Amare's stats will go up this year, even if the NYK wins don't. End of discussion.

I think Lee is a better defensive player than Stoudemire (even if he is not as athletic). We will see how the Knicks do this year. If they don't win more than 5 games than last year (29-53), I consider it a pretty big failure.

There will be very few people who agree with you. Like I said previously, Stat is not nearly as bad defensively as people make him out to be. The key is that he was constantly covering for Steve Nash and Jason Richardson who are both absolutely horrendous defensively, so it makes him look worse than he is. If the Knicks get a decent perimeter defender or two, Amar'e will surprise those of you who think he's horrendous. Now, if you said Lee is a better rebounder, hell yes, I agree. Stat only gets balls that land in his lap, he doesn't go get em like Lee does. That frustrated the hell out of me.

[dbdynsty25]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=a ... sion070910

I agree with absolutely everything Wojnarowski said...especially the part about Lebron fleeing because he knows he can't be the centerpiece of a championship team and he needed Wade more than Wade needs him.