NBA FINALS 2014 thread

[wco81]

LBJ said before the playoffs that when it's all done, he'll be the greatest in history. Either talking about stats or titles or both.

Well he's lost more in the Finals than Jordan did, maybe Magic and Bird have more losses.

If he has to move around to chase titles, that will be part of his legacy too, that while the other greats did it on one team, he had to go looking for other superstars.

[Rodster]

Supposedly the Heat are interested/trying to move up to snag Shabazz Napier to appease LJ.

[dbdynsty25]

If he has to move around to chase titles, that will be part of his legacy too, that while the other greats did it on one team, he had to go looking for other superstars.

I am pretty sure it will be part of his legacy but it won't be as big of a knock as everyone thinks. It's a different time and a different landscape...you can't build super teams that stay together for 10-15 years anymore. You just can't afford them.

[wco81]

Well you can if the owner is willing to pay the luxury tax.

If the Clippers sale sets a new valuation, it could attract more billionaires to the league willing to burn money. Because maybe a winning or marquee team allows them to sell the team for a big profit.

Or, maybe paying tens of millions a year in luxury taxes is chump change to them, because they have more money than they know what to do with -- that's what Ballmer paying $2 billion looks like.

[Diablo25]

If he has to move around to chase titles, that will be part of his legacy too, that while the other greats did it on one team, he had to go looking for other superstars.

I am pretty sure it will be part of his legacy but it won't be as big of a knock as everyone thinks. It's a different time and a different landscape...you can't build super teams that stay together for 10-15 years anymore. You just can't afford them.

Agree 100%. The league is SO MUCH DIFFERENT now.

[JackB1]

LBJ said before the playoffs that when it's all done, he'll be the greatest in history. Either talking about stats or titles or both.

Well he's lost more in the Finals than Jordan did, maybe Magic and Bird have more losses.

If he has to move around to chase titles, that will be part of his legacy too, that while the other greats did it on one team, he had to go looking for other superstars.

That's why he'll never touch Jordan's legacy. Jordan did it with Pippin, Rodman and Longley. Compare that to Lebron and Bosh, Wade, Allen & Co.

[JackB1]

Supposedly the Heat are interested/trying to move up to snag Shabazz Napier to appease LJ.

Why not just let Lebron make all their picks?

[pk500]

That's why he'll never touch Jordan's legacy. Jordan did it with Pippin, Rodman and Longley. Compare that to Lebron and Bosh, Wade, Allen & Co.

Wait, wait, wait: Pippen was a GREAT player. Bill Cartwright was a smart, veteran center. Same with B.J. Armstrong at guard. Horace Grant, Toni Kukoc and Steve Kerr, John Paxson and Ron Harper all were valuable contributors.

You make it sound like Jordan won with Pippen and the Six Dwarfs as his teammates. Pippen was better in his prime than Wade was last year or this year. And some of those cats on Jordan's Chicago teams were every bit as good or better than guys like Norris Cole, Joel Anthony, Birdman, Shane Battier, Mario Chalmers, etc.

[wco81]

Pippen is one of the 50 greatest IIRC. That year he played without Jordan was almost MVP-esque.

Grant was a very high lotto pick.

Wade was great but he's been fading fast.

Bosh never quite lived up to the KG expectations. Good offensive player in Miami (mostly as a spot up shooter) but never became a KG like defender at the rim, with his length and athleticism.

[JackB1]

That's why he'll never touch Jordan's legacy. Jordan did it with Pippin, Rodman and Longley. Compare that to Lebron and Bosh, Wade, Allen & Co.

Wait, wait, wait: Pippen was a GREAT player. Bill Cartwright was a smart, veteran center. Same with B.J. Armstrong at guard. Horace Grant, Toni Kukoc and Steve Kerr, John Paxson and Ron Harper all were valuable contributors.

You make it sound like Jordan won with Pippen and the Six Dwarfs as his teammates. Pippen was better in his prime than Wade was last year or this year. And some of those cats on Jordan's Chicago teams were every bit as good or better than guys like Norris Cole, Joel Anthony, Birdman, Shane Battier, Mario Chalmers, etc.

You make some good points. I guess my dislike of Lebron clouds my judgement and recollection of those Bulls teams. Hey, at least I'm honest

[Inuyasha]

[quote="dbdynsty25"}...you can't build super teams that stay together for 10-15 years anymore. You just can't afford them.

Agree 100%. The league is SO MUCH DIFFERENT now.[/quote]


Well except for the Spurs.


Heat traded up for Napier, the guy Lebron wanted. But it's hard to believe a rookie is going to save the Heat next year.

[Inuyasha]

Bosh/Wade Opt Out.

Looks like they'll all restructure their deals and say with Miami.

[dbdynsty25]

Bosh/Wade Opt Out.

Looks like they'll all restructure their deals and say with Miami.

No way?

[Rodster]

ESPN is reporting that Melo has narrowed his choices to NY, Chicago, Miami.

[Pete1210]

Bosh/Wade Opt Out.

Looks like they'll all restructure their deals and say with Miami.

No way?

Chris Broussard was reporting possibility of Heat letting Wade go by saying they could not agree to new contract terms.

[Rodster]

Bosh/Wade Opt Out.

Looks like they'll all restructure their deals and say with Miami.

No way?

Chris Broussard was reporting possibility of Heat letting Wade go by saying they could not agree to new contract terms.

That doesn't make sense, what Chris is saying. Why would D-Wade leave 40+ million on the table so the Heat can let him go? Wade is a fan favorite and the fanbase would turn on Riles if he pulled that stunt, which just a couple days ago he said D was part of the Heat family.

Besides LJ would walk as well if he knew they did that to his boy.

[jLp vAkEr0]

Gotcha!!

Anyways... Cavs or Heat?

I think the more this drags on the better for the Heat.

[Rodster]

The Cavs have the youth and better upside and there's rumors they could bring in KL. Talk about a scary super team. It all boils down to the owner and if LBJ can forget about "The Letter". The other glaring advantages Miami has are the city of Miami vs Cleveland. Miami is basically SE LA. Then you have Spo vs a HC who has 0 wins in the NBA. At least Spo got a handle on working with 3 superstars and made them play together.

[snaz16]

LeBron is going home .... will Cleveland get a title of any kind finally ?

[dbdynsty25]

Whoa. Color me shocked. Good for him.

[Rodster]

Congrats to LBJ and i'm shocked as well. Does Miami still have to give up their 2015 pick to the Cavs? I guess Bosh is leaving as well. Oh well time for Pat to rebuild.

[greggsand]

the actual letter is pretty impressive: http://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron ... -cavaliers

[Pete1210]

the actual letter is pretty impressive: http://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron ... -cavaliers

Yes it is. What a difference from last time.

[Diablo25]

Love Lebron...good for him. Gonna be exciting to see him back in a Cavs uniform.

[pk500]

the actual letter is pretty impressive: http://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron ... -cavaliers

Just a touch embarrassing for ESPN -- one of the NBA's broadcast partners -- that its ass got scooped by SI on the biggest basketball story of the year.