2014 NBA Free Agency and Draft

[zelezo vlk]

TP, I don't see Wiggins staying in Cleveland if Lebron signs.

I'm curious why you think that. Do you think he gets traded for Love?

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[BleedBlueGold]

Is it accurate that Cleveland will have the room to possibly land Lebron this year and go after Love next year? Imagine that team...

 

[koonja]

Rose Melo Taj and Noah would be better the first year, yes. But if the Cavs get Love, I'd put my money on the Cavs.

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I'd honestly still bet Bulls the first year, Wiggins or not. That's a lot of new pieces, new coach, and the Bulls are a whole new animal but they haven't had a single offensive player in the past two years since Rose has been gone.

Three years ago he was the MVP and he's what, 25? I get the injury scare, but what are the odds that he has another season ending injury? Couple him with arguably the greatest scorer in the league, and you it's buckets for days with a defense that's as good as any.

 

[NDdomer2]

I'm curious why you think that. Do you think he gets traded for Love?

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Yes. Also, I don't think lebron wants someone he has to show the ropes to, so to speak.

 

[woolybug25]

TP, you're batshit crazy if you think LBJ owns Thibs. The Bulls have probably won more games against the big 3 than any other team. It wasn't that Thibs wasn't able to figure it out over a series, he just has had MUCH less talented teams than the Heat. Usually injured too.

I agree with everything else though for sure. You may be one happy camper over the next couple days.

 

[Blaise]

Is it accurate that Cleveland will have the room to possibly land Lebron this year and go after Love next year? Imagine that team...

No doubt in my mind that if they get Lebron, they trade for Love this season... Give up Wiggins, another player and a first rd pick is more than Boston or GS can offer in a trade... Minnesota gets new face of franchise and Love Lebron and Irving are just as good as the original big three in Miami before Wade fell apart

 

[ndfi78]

Dallas can overpay since they're awfully close to contending.

Dallas can over pay for Parsons because Dirk took a pay cut to $10 million a year. $10 f'n million for Dirk? Best bargain in BB.

 

[Rizzophil]

It just seems like the LeBron and Cleveland rumors really helped to squish any bad blood between him and the team. We will find out if he pulls the trigger or not. But it's already a success for LeBron and the Cavs.

 

[Black Irish]

I'm not a NBA fan, but I don't get why LeBron would leave Miami. They went to the Finals this year and won it all last season. It seems like they have got a dynasty in the making, so why walk away from that? Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I'm not a NBA fan, but I don't get why LeBron would leave Miami. They went to the Finals this year and won it all last season. It seems like they have got a dynasty in the making, so why walk away from that? Maybe I'm missing something.

Because Wade is declining fast. They could maybe fiddle with the scheme and emphasize Bosh more, but Wade will soon not be enough to be a focal point of the office. Unfortunately for Miami, the Heat is Wade's team so he can't just be jettisoned. They need somebody else but the way that everybody needs to be compensated doesn't specifically allow it without some wizardry on Riley's part.

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[Black Irish]

Because Wade is declining fast. They could maybe fiddle with the scheme and emphasize Bosh more, but Wade will soon not be enough to be a focal point of the office. Unfortunately for Miami, the Heat is Wade's team so he can't just be jettisoned. They need somebody else but the way that everybody needs to be compensated doesn't specifically allow it without some wizardry on Riley's part.

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I gotcha. Now I know we're talking about star athlete egos here, but wouldn't Wade see that? You'd think Pat Riley would pull Wade aside and tell him that he'll be heading up a severely talent-depleted team unless he makes some sacrifices.

 

[zelezo vlk]

He is already making sacrifices. He opted out of 42 mil the next two years over an assurance that he will get more than that with his next deal. Now we have to wait and see if Riley can convince Lebron that he has enough tricks up his sleeve to bring in a greater supporting cast than last year.

 

[IrishLax]

As a Cavs and LeBron fan, I hope he does comeback. I rooted for him in Miami to do well. I didnt like the decision, and I was pissed, but at the sametime, he had the balls to leave. The Cavs were a bad team. I mean LeBron left and they set the record for most consecutive losses in professional sports with essentially the same roster. If that isnt an indicator of how truly good he is, then Im not sure what is.

All I have to say to that is:

99.99% of people in Cleveland certainly did NOT root for him to do well in Miami. Just go look at the reactions from the first Heat vs. Mavs series. The feelings of anger certainly tempered over the years, but if you're saying you actually rooted for him to succeed following "The Decision" that would not only put you in the minority of Americans but in a infinitesimally small minority of Clevelanders. I call bullshit.

The truth is everyone is backtracking now because it's not a good look to be butthurt now that he's likely coming back. Gilbert started backtracking awhile ago, and just recently had the wherewithal to pull his infamous letter off the website. All these fans calling into the radio or wherever are all "nah we didn't mean it we were just a little bit angry but we totally understood and blah blah blah"

It's hilarious. It'd be like if Blake Barnett decided to come back to ND and people had to do all of the same cleanup/backtracking.

I imagine the return press conference is going to look something like that mass apology scene from Mean Girls.

 

[irishog77]

All I have to say to that is:

99.99% of people in Cleveland certainly did NOT root for him to do well in Miami. Just go look at the reactions from the first Heat vs. Mavs series. The feelings of anger certainly tempered over the years, but if you're saying you actually rooted for him to succeed following "The Decision" that would not only put you in the minority of Americans but in a infinitesimally small minority of Clevelanders. I call bullshit.

The truth is everyone is backtracking now because it's not a good look to be butthurt now that he's likely coming back. Gilbert started backtracking awhile ago, and just recently had the wherewithal to pull his infamous letter off the website. All these fans calling into the radio or wherever are all "nah we didn't mean it we were just a little bit angry but we totally understood and blah blah blah"

It's hilarious. It'd be like if Blake Barnett decided to come back to ND and people had to do all of the same cleanup/backtracking.

I imagine the return press conference is going to look something like that mass apology scene from Mean Girls.

Dude! Please refrain from ever referencing movies like that.

 

[gkIrish]

My Ohio friends have been deleting their facebook statuses from July 8, 2010 because they are afraid of being called out. I'm not even kidding.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

If it happens (and it won't) that LBJ and Melo end up in Cleveland and Chicago, I'll bet all of my vbucks that the Bulls go further in the first year. Overall, Cavs would have a better chance at a dynasty.

Bulls have a better coach (does Cleveland even have one?). I really don't expect Wiggins to be a star right away. And that Bulls team is just nasty.

With Rose and Melo, they'd be the best team, IMO.

Cleveland will receive another biblical playoff throat punch courtesy of Chicago. If Melo's involved, I won't care though.....

 

[IrishSteelhead]

My Ohio friends have been deleting their facebook statuses from July 8, 2010 because they are afraid of being called out. I'm not even kidding.

"You can lie to us, but you can't lie to yourself." I'd put that on all their walls.

 

[IrishLax]

My Ohio friends have been deleting their facebook statuses from July 8, 2010 because they are afraid of being called out. I'm not even kidding.

LOL exactly dude... exactly. There is so much white washing going on right now it's absurd.

 

[gkIrish]

I totally understand being pissed at Lebron in 2010 and thinking he will never come back. And I totally understand changing your mind about wanting him back after seeing him be successful in Miami. But I wish these fans would just be like I was pissed back then and now I don't care because I just want to win a championship rather than trying to say they were never mad.

 

[Emcee77]

99.99% of people in Cleveland certainly did NOT root for him to do well in Miami. Just go look at the reactions from the first Heat vs. Mavs series. The feelings of anger certainly tempered over the years, but if you're saying you actually rooted for him to succeed following "The Decision" that would not only put you in the minority of Americans but in a infinitesimally small minority of Clevelanders. I call bullshit.

The truth is everyone is backtracking now because it's not a good look to be butthurt now that he's likely coming back. Gilbert started backtracking awhile ago, and just recently had the wherewithal to pull his infamous letter off the website. All these fans calling into the radio or wherever are all "nah we didn't mean it we were just a little bit angry but we totally understood and blah blah blah"

It's hilarious. It'd be like if Blake Barnett decided to come back to ND and people had to do all of the same cleanup/backtracking.

I imagine the return press conference is going to look something like that mass apology scene from Mean Girls.

Just so hilarious. I love this situation. Love it.

I've never been a LeBron hater and I've always thought the criticism is over the top. He didn't do anything wrong except be a bit cocky. So are lots of exceptional athletes.

He's the GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER I HAVE EVER SEEN. Maybe not the greatest champion, at least not yet, but there has never been anyone his size who can do all the things he can do. I just wish people would put the pettiness aside and appreciate that, as basketball fans. Bill Simmons said something along these lines during an NBA Finals telecast. I won't be able to find the clip now (wish I could), but for those who saw it, I incorporate his comments by reference.

 

[Ndaccountant]

LOL exactly dude... exactly. There is so much white washing going on right now it's absurd.

Which is why I said I was torn about this.

I am just not certain that I could get enjoyment out of winning due to Lebron. I liken it to having Pete Carroll coaching ND to a Natty. Just doesn't feel right.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

The sickening part of all this is how bad ESPN is trying to keep Lebron out of Cleveland with all these anti-Gilbert articles.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Portland has reached an agreement with guard Steve Blake, league source tells Yahoo Sports.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/487273476072693760">July 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[koonja]

The sickening part of all this is how bad ESPN is trying to keep Lebron out of Cleveland with all these anti-Gilbert articles.

I bet any money espn prefers him in Cleveland. Lebron in Cleveland gives you wayore stories than lebron staying in Miami.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

TP, you're batshit crazy if you think LBJ owns Thibs. The Bulls have probably won more games against the big 3 than any other team. It wasn't that Thibs wasn't able to figure it out over a series, he just has had MUCH less talented teams than the Heat. Usually injured too.

I agree with everything else though for sure. You may be one happy camper over the next couple days.

I said LBJ owned Thibs not Cavs/Heat haha. But I think Cavs match up better vs the Bulls than the Heat if LBJ should return.

And LAX, PeoriaIrish can vouch for my LBJ/Cavs fanhood. We have discussed for a longtime haha.

And just looking at it

Kyrie
Wiggins
LBJ
Thompson
AV

With Waiters/Ray Allen and possibly Deng off the bench would be very explosive.

Id imagine that if Love becomes a Cav, a combo of Wiggins/Deng(sign and trade)/Thompson wont be there. Love fits LBJs game to a T and as a team the Cavs could get more ball pressure to cover up Love on defense with Kyrie and LBJ.

Either way if he comes back, with Wiggins or Love, the Cavs will be set for defensive basketball.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I'd be shocked if Deng made it to Miami. He passed up 10 mil per year in the town that drafted him and he really didn't want to leave. I firmly believe he's a backup plan.

Edit: My bad, you're talking about the Cavs. Still, others are talking about him being part of the supporting cast for the next incarnate of the Lebron led Heat.

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[Buster Bluth]

I think it'd be a bad move to trade Wiggins for Love. Love is a stud but Minnesota only has him for one more year, so you gotta be able to get him for less than your #1 pick. They could deal all of their upcoming picks and Thompson (a solid piece), but not Wiggins.

 

[zelezo vlk]

The Wolves wouldn't do that. They want actual prospects now. Wiggins is good enough for them to accept.

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[Wild Bill]

I think it'd be a bad move to trade Wiggins for Love. Love is a stud but Minnesota only has him for one more year, so you gotta be able to get him for less than your #1 pick. They could deal all of their upcoming picks and Thompson (a solid piece), but not Wiggins.

I assume he'd re-sign with the Cavs to play with Lebron for the next four or five years. Could be wrong but I'd take the risk to put them on the floor together, even if I had to give up Wiggins.

 

[sparkyND]

I think it'd be a bad move to trade Wiggins for Love. Love is a stud but Minnesota only has him for one more year, so you gotta be able to get him for less than your #1 pick. They could deal all of their upcoming picks and Thompson (a solid piece), but not Wiggins.

I think the underlying assumption is that Love would sign an extension to whichever team he is traded to. Clearly he has his own preference, mostly the big-market teams such as the Celtics and teams in Cali. But Love did also say that he would sign an extension with the Cavs if he got a chance to play with Lebron. Money is one of the motivating factor here but he also wants to compete for championships. I think Love would be a great fit in a system with Lebron and trading Wiggins will only make sense if Love agrees to an extension. Otherwise, it is a way too expensive one year rental player, someone the Cavs can try to sign after waiting a year. Likewise, no reason for the Wolves to trade him if someone like Wiggins is not added to the deal.