New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season

[FrantzM]

I think so too, Jack. Miami came into the Finals as a fearsome team. The easily marched through the East with the Bobcats (too easy), Nets and the Pacers. The weakness of the Pacers was their bench output. Who would have thought in the Finals that the Heat became the Pacers in having a non-existent bench? And I'm guessing that this Heat bench did not self-destruct in the Finals. It had to do with the Pop system of playing aggressive on both ends relentlessly. Spurs knew that James cannot be stopped so they stopped all others, Wade, Bosh etc. How many times was Wade blocked in the Finals? The lane was always clogging in when Bosh tries the inside game, leaving him doing a Renegade Ray offense. Birdman was a terror in the Eastern series but against Tiago, Duncan, and Boris, he suddenly couldn't fly much. The 3 point snipping of the Heat, once its vaunted weapon from Battier, Allen, Chalmers, Lewis, did not show up. (Mike Miller could have helped, but I doubt it will reverse anything) I might buy the DVD of these Finals. I watched the mini-movies of all games when Dallas beat the Heat in 2011. That was when I noticed how the Heat couldn't contain Barea and Jason Terry. This year, they couldn't contain Mills and Leonard as well. Btw, trivia time, in the last 4 four years, Miami was beaten by 2 teams from Texas. Will Houston be next? Naahh...

Mostly agree with you but Rashard Lewis did play well. he was alone. Also D. Wade seemed to be less than 100% , Mario Chalmers wasn't going to play dirty with the not-soft-Spurs. While they are not an army goons they are by no stretch push-overs:They retaliate in kind and have enough depth on the bench to afford a few flagrants...

 

[jadis]

Nice read...


http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2014/...-defense-wins-championships/?ls=iref:nbahpt3a

Spurs and Heat help prove that defense wins championships
June 16, 2014 · 9:34AM


SAN ANTONIO – Entering the 2014 Finals, the 2000-01 Lakers were the last team to win a championship after ranking outside the top 10 in defensive efficiency in the regular season.

They still are.

The 2003-04 San Antonio Spurs, who — in a season between championships — allowed 8.5 fewer points per 100 possessions than the league average, were one of the best defensive teams in NBA history. The Spurs’ D continued to rank in the top three over the next four years, but could only go downhill after that incredible 2003-04 season. And it proceeded to go downhill every single year for eight years, until it dropped out of the top 10 in 2010-11 and 2011-12 (see table below).

Out of the top 10 is not where you want to be. Over the last 37 years (since the NBA started tracking turnovers in 1977-78), only three teams have won a championship after ranking outside the top 10 in defensive efficiency in the regular season. Twice as many champs have ranked outside the top 10 in offensive efficiency.

And though their offense had developed into a beautiful machine that ranked in the top two those two seasons, the Spurs knew they had to get better defensively.

“We thought that’s what was missing against Oklahoma City [in the 2012 conference finals],” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said a year ago, “that we couldn’t make stops when we needed to. We would call them ‘stops on demand.’ In fourth quarters and big games you have to be able to do it.”

You can’t just flip a switch in the playoffs. Habits have to be built throughout the season, so that when the time comes, you can fall back on what you have developed.

“We slipped a little bit,” Tony Parker said, “and we knew if we wanted to get back to the top, we needed to get back to where we were [defensively] when we were winning championships.”

So the Spurs went back to the drawing board in the summer of 2012. And as a team that has embraced analytics, they dug into the numbers and realized that being a great defensive rebounding team (which they were) didn’t matter if you didn’t defend shots well enough (which they didn’t).

“What we found,” Spurs general manager R.C. Buford told NBA.com last week, “were that teams who weren’t as effective defensive rebounding were still ranking incredibly high in defensive efficiency. The areas that they were focused in appeared to us to be field goal percentage defense. So we felt like we needed to go back to parts of our system that would improve our defensive field goal percentage.”

Basically, they needed to better contesting shots, both inside and outside. Easier said than done, but some shifts in personnel certainly helped. Tiago Splitter had two years in the Spurs’ system under his belt, Kawhi Leonard had one under his, and both have played bigger over the last two seasons.

In that time, the Spurs allowed just 93.4 points per 100 possessions in 1,907 minutes with Leonard and Splitter on the floor, the lowest on-court DefRtg of any two-man pair in the league that has played at least 1,200 minutes together over the last two seasons. The tandem of Splitter and Tim Duncan has protected the paint as well as any big man combination in the league. And Leonard has quickly become one of the world’s best perimeter defenders.

Their teammates and coach were quick to point out the importance of those Leonard and Splitter, but also said that there has just been a better collective focus on the defensive end of the floor over the last two years.

“[It was] just coming in here from day one in training camp and making it a priority,” Duncan said, “making them understand that every game, every film session, everything else, this is what we’re going to hang our hats on.”

“We just worked at it,” Popovich added. “I mean, it’s basketball. There is nothing magic about it. You know, we worked at it and the guys committed to it, and we got better defensively.”

With better defenders and a better focus, the Spurs went from 11th in defensive efficiency in both ’10-11 and ’11-12 to third last season. Not coincidentally, they got back to The Finals for the first time in six years and came within six seconds of winning a championship.

This season, they brought back their core (and the best defensive lineup in the league) with one more year together in their system. Though no player averaged 30 minutes per game, they again ranked in the top five in defensive efficiency. And in the Western Conference playoffs, they got those “stops on demand,” holding the offenses of both the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder well under their regular season efficiency marks and setting up a Finals rematch.

The Miami Heat have gone in the opposite direction in the last two years. After ranking in the top five defensively in their first two seasons together, the Heat ranked seventh last season and 11th this year.

Dwyane Wade‘s “maintenance program” — he played just 54 games in the regular season — had something to do with this year’s regression. But so did bad habits. The Heat’s defensive scheme can overwhelm offenses when it’s sharp, but can also get broken down pretty easily when it’s not. It was inconsistent all season, pretty darn awful at times (especially in January), and finished just outside the top 10.

It got better in the playoffs, but the champs never really put 48 minutes of great defense together. In the conference semifinals and finals, they allowed both the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers to score more efficiently than they did in the regular season. Getting through the first three rounds was about how good the Heat were offensively, especially in the fourth quarter, than an ability to get consistent stops.

That wasn’t enough in The Finals. The Heat finally ran into a team that was great on both ends of the floor. And they got slaughtered.

The Spurs’ offense, of course, was a thing of beauty. And once it got going, the Heat could do nothing to stop it. They didn’t have a great defense to fall back on. They couldn’t get stops on demand.

Their not-top-10 defense, those bad habits and that inconsistency, had come back to bite them.

“We were always trying to conjure something,” Shane Battier told Bleacher Report after Game 5. “But you can’t win a championship trying to conjure something. It has to be who you are, and it has to be pure, and that wasn’t the case for us this year.

“We just didn’t have the fundamentals to stop an offensive juggernaut like the Spurs. And we were exposed.”

But you don’t get the largest point differential in Finals history (70 points over five games) with what happens on just one end of the floor. The Spurs didn’t just eviscerate the Heat defense, they shut down what had been a ridiculously good offense through the first three rounds, particularly in Games 4 and 5, when they held the Heat under a point per possession.

“We felt confident coming into the series that we were going to be able to score,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Maybe not as much as we typically are used to, but coming off of some very good defensive teams and series in the Eastern Conference, we felt we could rely on that. But they shut us out of the paint pretty consistently.”

Don’t let anyone tell you that “defense wins championships” is just a cliché, because it has plenty of evidence — including the result of the 2014 Finals — to back it up. These were two great offensive teams. But only one had been defending at a high level all season.

As a result, they’ll be holding a parade down the Riverwalk.

 

[jadis]

Intriguing rumors during the lull...As they say, if you can't beat them, join them. After being beaten by 2 Texas teams in the finals, might as well prevent a third one by joining them.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....ckets-planning-all-out-push-for-lebron-james/


Report: Rockets planning all-out push for LeBron James

Dan Feldman

Jun 20, 2014, 2:08 PM EDT
60 Comments
Houston Rockets v Miami Heat Houston Rockets v Miami Heat

Bill Simmons’ quasi-reported the Rockets would pursue LeBron James if he terminates his contract with the Heat.

Now, LeBron joining Dwight Howard and James Harden in Houston is gaining momentum – and credibility?

Howard Beck of Bleacher Report:

League sources say that Houston is preparing to make an all-out push to land James when free agency opens on July 1, assuming James opts out, as expected. If the Rockets miss out on James, they will turn their full attention to Carmelo Anthony. Chris Bosh is also on the radar.

There are rumblings that James will start weighing his options this weekend. One rival executive pegged his chances of leaving Miami at 40 percent.

Beck lists a four-point plan he says would give Houston about $19 million in cap room

Trade Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin – who are each owed nearly $15 million in actual salary next season – without returning salary
Trade Donatas Motiejunas and Isaiah Canaan without returning salary
Waive a few players with non-guaranteed deals
Decline team option Chandler Parsons and re-sign him as a restricted free agent after LeBron signs

The Rockets say they can deal Asik and Lin without taking back salary, so we’ll take their word on that for now.

Motiejunas and Canaan are good enough and cheap enough that someone would probably take them if offered.

As far as the non-guaranteed deals, Beck is presumably referring to Omri Casspi, Robert Covington and Troy Daniels (who actually has a team option, which requires a decision by June 30, meaning Houston would have to drop him before ever legally speaking to LeBron). Patrick Beverley also has a non-guaranteed contract, but Beck names him a starter alongside LeBron in this scenario, so he obviously wouldn’t get waived.

Declining Parsons’ team option would actually increase the amount he counts against the cap, and he could always get impatient and sign an offer sheet elsewhere before Houston signs LeBron. But apparently that’s the plan, so I’m just rolling with the report.

Do all that, and the Rockets would be $17,265,007 below the projected salary cap – not the $19 million Beck says.

Signing into the cap space Beck’s plan would actually create would cost LeBron more than $14 million over four years relative to what he could get in a max deal with any team outside Miami. It would also be $45 million less than he could get on a five-year max deal by re-signing with the Heat.

By comparison, LeBron gave up less than $14 million below his max deal when signing with the Heat in 2010 – and loss was spread over six years rather than four.

Back then, he organized a sign-and-trade to get a higher salary, but it doesn’t work that way anymore. Whether or not the Rockets land LeBron in a sign-and-trade or an outright signing, they can offer him the same salary.

LeBron might take a pay cut to join Houston, but let’s not pretend it’s a trivial reduction.

The Rockets could create more cap room by convincing Francisco Garcia to opt out or trade him if he doesn’t (Beck doesn’t mention him). They could also waive or trade Beverly and/or Terrence Jones, another player Beck names as holding role in Houston.

Picking up Parsons’ team option would also add cap room, but good luck walking back the offer to give Parsons a raise this year rather than next year. In the name of LeBron, it’s probably worth upsetting Parsons, but that’s just one of many complications.

Mainly, LeBron probably wants to stay with the Heat.

But at the same time, he and the Rockets can use each other.

LeBron can show interest in Houston to persuade Micky Arison to spend more. The Rockets can parlay LeBron’s intrigue into a perception Houston is a desirable markets for superstars. Howard and Harden help, but LeBron carries more weight than anyone.

Heck, the Rockets don’t even need LeBron to actually show interest. Reports like Beck’s already help establish their credibility.

As for Bosh and Melo, are they just supposed to wait while LeBron talks to Houston?

Bosh faces the same salary situation as LeBron. Plus, if LeBron rejects the Rockets to re-sign in Miami, Bosh very likely follows him back.

And I’ll say it until I’m red in the face, unless the cap comes in higher than projected, the Rockets could trim their roster to just Howard and Harden and still couldn’t offer Melo a max contract. That’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it’s a roadblock.

There are a lot of roadblock in this whole plan.

Daryl Morey has big ambitions, which is good for the Rockets. But we need to acknowledge this one is pretty unlikely to come to fruition.

 

[Steve williams]

Report: Lakers in talks to trade No. 7 pick for Klay Thompson, as part of deal that would send Kevin Love to Warriors

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....-love-to-warriors/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

 

[MylesBAstor]

Intriguing rumors during the lull...As they say, if you can't beat them, join them. After being beaten by 2 Texas teams in the finals, might as well prevent a third one by joining them.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....ckets-planning-all-out-push-for-lebron-james/


Report: Rockets planning all-out push for LeBron James

Dan Feldman

Jun 20, 2014, 2:08 PM EDT
60 Comments
Houston Rockets v Miami Heat Houston Rockets v Miami Heat

Bill Simmons’ quasi-reported the Rockets would pursue LeBron James if he terminates his contract with the Heat.

Now, LeBron joining Dwight Howard and James Harden in Houston is gaining momentum – and credibility?

Howard Beck of Bleacher Report:

League sources say that Houston is preparing to make an all-out push to land James when free agency opens on July 1, assuming James opts out, as expected. If the Rockets miss out on James, they will turn their full attention to Carmelo Anthony. Chris Bosh is also on the radar.

There are rumblings that James will start weighing his options this weekend. One rival executive pegged his chances of leaving Miami at 40 percent.

Beck lists a four-point plan he says would give Houston about $19 million in cap room

Trade Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin – who are each owed nearly $15 million in actual salary next season – without returning salary
Trade Donatas Motiejunas and Isaiah Canaan without returning salary
Waive a few players with non-guaranteed deals
Decline team option Chandler Parsons and re-sign him as a restricted free agent after LeBron signs

The Rockets say they can deal Asik and Lin without taking back salary, so we’ll take their word on that for now.

Motiejunas and Canaan are good enough and cheap enough that someone would probably take them if offered.

As far as the non-guaranteed deals, Beck is presumably referring to Omri Casspi, Robert Covington and Troy Daniels (who actually has a team option, which requires a decision by June 30, meaning Houston would have to drop him before ever legally speaking to LeBron). Patrick Beverley also has a non-guaranteed contract, but Beck names him a starter alongside LeBron in this scenario, so he obviously wouldn’t get waived.

Declining Parsons’ team option would actually increase the amount he counts against the cap, and he could always get impatient and sign an offer sheet elsewhere before Houston signs LeBron. But apparently that’s the plan, so I’m just rolling with the report.

Do all that, and the Rockets would be $17,265,007 below the projected salary cap – not the $19 million Beck says.

Signing into the cap space Beck’s plan would actually create would cost LeBron more than $14 million over four years relative to what he could get in a max deal with any team outside Miami. It would also be $45 million less than he could get on a five-year max deal by re-signing with the Heat.

By comparison, LeBron gave up less than $14 million below his max deal when signing with the Heat in 2010 – and loss was spread over six years rather than four.

Back then, he organized a sign-and-trade to get a higher salary, but it doesn’t work that way anymore. Whether or not the Rockets land LeBron in a sign-and-trade or an outright signing, they can offer him the same salary.

LeBron might take a pay cut to join Houston, but let’s not pretend it’s a trivial reduction.

The Rockets could create more cap room by convincing Francisco Garcia to opt out or trade him if he doesn’t (Beck doesn’t mention him). They could also waive or trade Beverly and/or Terrence Jones, another player Beck names as holding role in Houston.

Picking up Parsons’ team option would also add cap room, but good luck walking back the offer to give Parsons a raise this year rather than next year. In the name of LeBron, it’s probably worth upsetting Parsons, but that’s just one of many complications.

Mainly, LeBron probably wants to stay with the Heat.

But at the same time, he and the Rockets can use each other.

LeBron can show interest in Houston to persuade Micky Arison to spend more. The Rockets can parlay LeBron’s intrigue into a perception Houston is a desirable markets for superstars. Howard and Harden help, but LeBron carries more weight than anyone.

Heck, the Rockets don’t even need LeBron to actually show interest. Reports like Beck’s already help establish their credibility.

As for Bosh and Melo, are they just supposed to wait while LeBron talks to Houston?

Bosh faces the same salary situation as LeBron. Plus, if LeBron rejects the Rockets to re-sign in Miami, Bosh very likely follows him back.

And I’ll say it until I’m red in the face, unless the cap comes in higher than projected, the Rockets could trim their roster to just Howard and Harden and still couldn’t offer Melo a max contract. That’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it’s a roadblock.

There are a lot of roadblock in this whole plan.

Daryl Morey has big ambitions, which is good for the Rockets. But we need to acknowledge this one is pretty unlikely to come to fruition.

So will the Rockets play three on five?

 

[FrantzM]

I am begining to believe that a team with D Howard can't win. The man is not a winner. James Harden share that lack of killer instinct. The Miami Heat big thre are fierce competitors: D Wade notwithstanding is dirty plays is all about winning and so is Chris Bosh. As for Lebron he's removed the stigma of "non-winner" with his plays in the last 3 championships. There is a chemistry between those 3. It is rarely mentioned in the conversation but these 3 guys seemed to genuinely want to play with each other. There will be copycats, some will try to assemble teams based on big players only ... the players must play together for success .. This is not new or an NBA only phenomenon either ... Soccer is replete of those teams stacked with megastars who did not fare that well ... The last one that comes to mind was the Real de Madrid with almost all the best player inthe World then :Ronaldo, Raul, Figo, Makelele, Zidane, Beckham, etc

 

[jadis]

There is a chemistry between those 3. It is rarely mentioned in the conversation but these 3 guys seemed to genuinely want to play with each other. There will be copycats, some will try to assemble teams based on big players only ... the players must play together for success .. This is not new or an NBA only phenomenon either ...

It is interesting to note that these 3 Heat players, aside from being very close and wanting to play with each other, also came from the same class of the 2003 draft. They belong to the top 5, in fact. And Melo, was number 3, with Bosh and Wade at 4 and 5 respectively. I would have thought that Wade was older. So the pipe dream that Riley said about Melo joining the Heat had some history, imagine 4 were the top five picks of a draft. And that would be an amazing story if it ever happens. After bagging Renegade Ray in some place for less money, I don't really trust Riley anymore.

 

[jadis]

The coming draft should be interesting. Teams will be looking for a Kawhi kind of a player, one who could defend James and still shoot.

Embiid's broker foot is really a downer for him and his future, and whichever takes him takes a big risk. Too bad since he was even projected to be number 1 before the injury.

 

[jadis]

Source: Carmelo Anthony will terminate Knicks contract early and test free agency
Adrian Wojnarowski
By Adrian Wojnarowski 18 hours ago Yahoo Sports

As planned, All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony will file notice with the New York Knicks on Monday that he plans to exercise the early termination option on his contract and become a free agent on July 1, a league source told Yahoo Sports.

Both the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets have shown interest in Carmelo Anthony. (AP Photo)
Anthony has a Monday deadline to opt out of the $23.5 million deal for the 2014-'15 season.

Anthony is determined to explore free agency and will closely examine opportunities with the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets, league sources said.

New York can offer Anthony, 30, the most money and security -- a five-year, $125 million-plus contract -- but he's intrigued with the chance to join an immediate contender in Chicago and Houston, league sources said. New York can't begin to get out from under its salary cap issues until next summer.

Chicago and Houston have work to do to clear salary cap space to sign Anthony to four-year deals in the $90 million range but are working on contingencies to do so should Anthony decide he wants to sign with them.

 

[Steve williams]

REPORTS: LEBRON OPTS OUT OF DEAL WITH HEAT

From NBA.com staff reports
Miami Heat star LeBron James is doing the same thing that New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony did a day ago: opt out of his contract with his current team and become an unrestricted free agent.
The news, which was first reported via Twitter by ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard, was somewhat expected by those following James and the Heat closely. His fellow running mates on the Heat — All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — can also opt out this summer, although their decision has not yet been made known. James opting out doesn’t prevent him from returning to the Heat; like Anthony, this move allows James to test the free-agent waters (if he so wishes) or return to the Heat on a lesser deal.
Here’s more from Broussard on James’ move:
LeBron James’ agent, Richie Paul, has informed the Miami Heat that James will exercise his early termination option and become an unrestricted free agent.
James had June 30 to decide whether to opt out of the final two years of his contract with the Heat. He was scheduled to make $20 million next season.

 

[Steve williams]

so my question to you all

LeBron seems to want the most rings and will play wherever he wants and with whom he wants to get them

Gone are the days of Bird, Johnson, Jordan etc who were aligned with a team for life and did what they could to make that team a champion. Will his legacy survive as one of the best if he continues to look for a winning combination for the most amount of money with any team that ight bring a championship

Kobe, Duncan etc would never play for anyone else in order to chase more rings

 

[Steve williams]

Duncan opts in for at least one more season

It was not a surprise, but Tim Duncan is delaying the start of the five-year grace period between the end of his playing career and his inevitable Hall of Fame induction by at least one more season.
Duncan informed the San Antonio Spurs on Monday that he would return for an 18th season next fall, completing the final year of his contract for $10.3 million. It will allow the Spurs to likely return their full squad to try and defend their championship, won in five games earlier this month over two-time champion Miami. He must officially inform them in writing, but that is expected to occur in the next couple of days.

Duncan will turn 39 next April, but has shown he can still be an effective player in the Spurs' system at both ends of the floor, though he's slowed down some and isn't quite as dominant in the low post as he once was. With Coach Gregg Popovich keeping him on a strict minutes rotation most of the season, Duncan played in 74 games for the Spurs, again almost averaging a double-double (15.1 points, 9.7 rebounds) as San Antonio earned the best record in the league.
He saved some of his best basketball for the final two rounds of the playoffs.
Duncan had double-doubles in the last two games of the Western Conference finals against Oklahoma City, including the clinching Game 6 win against the Thunder when he took over in overtime to carry the Spurs without injured point guard Tony Parker. He then shot 56.9 percent (29-of-51) in the Finals against the Heat, including 9-of-10 shots in San Antonio's Game 1 victory, and averaged 15.4 points and 10 rebounds against Miami in the five-game victory.
In the midst of the Spurs' Finals victory, Duncan passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leader in playoff minutes. He is already the league's all-time leader in playoff blocked shots, and is third in playoff rebounds, fourth in career playoff games and fifth in career playoff points.
The Spurs have two remaining significant free agents from their core group, forward Boris Diaw and guard Patty Mills, who gave San Antonio a huge spark off the bench. But both are expected to re-sign with the Spurs, though Mills may get some nibbles elsewhere. With Duncan, Parker and Manu Ginobili all in the last year of their contracts next season, speculation will build yet again if San Antonio's "Big Three" is ending the conclusion of its spectacular run, which includes four championships for the trio (Duncan won his fifth as a rookie alongside David Robinson).

 

[Steve williams]

No. 2: Report: Scott favorite for Lakers’ vacancy — The Los Angeles Lakers have just three players — Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Robert Sacre — under contract for next season. That makes the roster a work in progress for the most part … kind of like the situation with their coaching staff. The team has interviewed several candidates since Mike D’Antoni resigned as coach, but no clear frontrunner has emerged — until now. According to ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Ramona Shelburne, former Lakers legend Byron Scott is the favorite to land the vacancy on L.A.’s bench:
While the Lakers remain focused on Thursday’s draft and the start of free agency July 1, sources tell ESPN.com that former Lakers star Byron Scott has emerged as the leading candidate for the head-coaching job after impressing in three interviews with the team.
Talks with the former Nets and Cavaliers coach have not progressed to the contract stage, as the Lakers continue to weigh whether to hold off on hiring a coach before they make their pitches to free agents.
The possibility of soliciting opinions of free agents before making a hire is a large part of the reason the Lakers have taken such a deliberate approach to their coaching search since Mike D’Antoni resigned after the season.
Scott, former Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins, former Suns coach Alvin Gentry and former Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy have had formal interviews with general manager Mitch Kupchak and vice president of player personnel Jim Buss.

 

[jadis]

so my question to you all

LeBron seems to want the most rings and will play wherever he wants and with whom he wants to get them

Gone are the days of Bird, Johnson, Jordan etc who were aligned with a team for life and did what they could to make that team a champion. Will his legacy survive as one of the best if he continues to look for a winning combination for the most amount of money with any team that ight bring a championship

Kobe, Duncan etc would never play for anyone else in order to chase more rings

1. I hope that LeBron does not go back to Cleveland. And 2, I hope Ray Allen does not go back to Boston to have his jersey retired.

If I were Lebron I would be thinking if Riley can wave his magic wand to get 2 new 'starters' and 3-4 new bench players to help him. And to make these guys as hungry as him to win a title again. That is assuming he, Wade and Bosh signs back into Miami. There will be some people who will always look down on his so called legacy as jumping ship is not in the blood of the likes of Jordan, Bird, Magic, Kobe or Duncan. I believe media is taunting him to move to Cleveland though I think it would not happen. The recent win of the Spurs to stop the streak of the Heat and the coinciding free agency of James makes his career really interesting, if not dramatic. His legacy can still be patterned after that of Kareem and Shaq, who moved once from their first teams and won a few. That would still be ok.

 

[jadis]

James at PG, Melo at perpetual shooting whatever, and Kobe comes off the bench ala Patty Mills (to protect his legs).


http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lakers-lure-lebron-carmelo-162821591--nba.html


Lakers to lure LeBron, Carmelo?
By The Sports Xchange 6 hours ago The SportsXchange

By trading the No. 7 overall pick and dumping Steve Nash and his $9.7 million expiring contract, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly one of the teams ramping up for a run at LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

The All-Stars are opting out of their current contracts to hit free agency July 1. Contracts can be signed with other teams as of July 8.

ESPN reported the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks are making plans to take a shot at bringing in one or both marquee free agents.

James could be back in Miami, and the Heat remain ahead of the rest of the crowded pack to re-sign him. If James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh opt out as expected and Udonis Haslem declines a one-year option, Miami would free up more than $50 million. Only backup point guard Norris Cole would be under contract.

The Lakers are trying to clear about $33 million, enough to bring in James and Anthony at $16.5 million annually to team them with Kobe Bryant. Many criticized Bryant for not taking less money when he signed a two-year, $48 million contract

Atlanta and Cleveland would need to manuever their team-friendly contracts to accomodate multiple big-money signings, but Brian Windhorst of ESPN said the Cavaliers have one offseason model in which the team could keep point guard Kyrie Irving plus the No. 1 overall pick in Thursday's draft and still have in excess of $30 million to spend in free agency.

James and Anthony are two of the top scorers in the NBA and at 30, Anthony has not experienced the level of team success James realized in Miami, going to four consecutive NBA Finals with the formation of the Big Three.

 

[jadis]

Though 1 possibility lingers if Wade and Bosh opt out, they could all restructure their salaries and take even lesser money, say $12-13m instead of $20m+ each, and lure Melo or even make a dash for Kevin Love. Oh, I hope that's not the grand plan of Riley, and James.

 

[MylesBAstor]

Big deal.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...yson-chandler-raymond-felton-new-york-knicks?

 

[jadis]

Big deal.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...yson-chandler-raymond-felton-new-york-knicks?

With that, I doubt if Melo is coming back to NYK. With Chandler back with Dirk, Melo can look at Dallas.

 

[MylesBAstor]

With that, I doubt if Melo is coming back to NYK. With Chandler back with Dirk, Melo can look at Dallas.

Agreed, some players will be used in trades, Knicks get a near #1 round pick, and two point guards, either of which is better than Felton. Question is contract length and salaries. If the Knicks don't keep Sam D., someone will certainly want him.

 

[jadis]

Cleveland picks Wiggins. Jabari Parker to Bucks. Cavs now have young guns Kyrie, Tristan Thompson, Deion Waiters, last year's number 1 Bennett (hope he plays like number 1 with their new coach next season), and now, the much coveted and talented Wiggins. The future seems bright, but will it?