2014 NBA Free Agency and Draft

[gkIrish]

I really like the Bill Simmons mailbags as they make me laugh. I also like his yearly features such as the NBA trade value column. The other stuff is hit or miss and I never read the whole article word for word because of the length.

I think he came up with the Ewing Theory which is brilliant.

 

[Emcee77]

Simmons has his moments and he makes some good points. But his stuff is not witty, intelligent or focused enough to justify its length, imo. When I read a Bill Simmons piece I am constantly rolling my eyes and saying "get ON with it. I don't care about what your buddy So-and-So thinks about this."

It may be that law school/lawyering ruined me on him. It definitely changed how I write and how I understand good writing. I place a much higher value on precision and economy than I used to.

So let's revisit this discussion in a couple years. I'll be curious if greyhammer's opinion changes.

 

[Grahambo]

@ESPNSteinLine: Who else sees Wizards' hire of one of Kevin Durant's HS coaches (David Adkins) as another sign Wiz are already prepping for 2016 run at KD?


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[Irish#1]

David West? Idk about him anymore. Lance was a distributor for them and they're pretty short on distributors now.

That's the key. Hill is better suited as a SG to be used as a backup PG. I think Bird has been exploring some PG options.

Now that Lance won't be hooking up with Roy's girl, maybe Roy will be consistent all year. lol

 

[koonja]

My quick two cents on Simmons:

Really like him as a writer. Really dislike him on the camera as a NBA analyst.

 

[zelezo vlk]

That's the key. Hill is better suited as a SG to be used as a backup PG. I think Bird has been exploring some PG options.

Now that Lance won't be hooking up with Roy's girl, maybe Roy will be consistent all year. lol

They also are losing a plus defender that they need to replace. And unless Roy becomes something he's never been (a great scorer and rebounder), they have a lot of production to make up. I was torn on whether the Pacers should bring Lance back, but I'm not exactly sure where they will get somebody to contribute production lost from Lance leaving. Lance must really have wanted out since the difference in money was negligible.

 

[gkIrish]

Indiana was ranked somewhere in the mid-20s in ppg IIRC. Now they lose a great defender and a 14/5/7 guy. Where are they going to get that production from? I would be surprised if they finish higher than a 6 seed.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Just found this: Report: Lance Stephenson’s camp viewed five-year offer from Pacers as ‘an albatross’ | ProBasketballTalk

I agree with the article/LS. Avery freaking Bradley would've made slightly less than Lance AND Lance would've been locked in for five years. It would've been very dumb for a few reasons if Lance had accepted the Pacers deal.

 

[gkIrish]

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[irishog77]

Of course there's no way to ever know this, but I'd be surprised if any team from the East next year could make the playoffs in the West. If Derrick Rose is healthy, then perhaps the Bulls.

The East is that bad. Truthfully, it has been for a long time. They've obviously had a good team most years (and sometimes 2, maybe 3 good teams), but the quality in the West has been tremendous for quite some time, top to bottom.

If I were a free agent in the NBA, a part of me would be crazy not to try and hop on to a team from the East and take my chances getting through that conference, then have 1 series against a battle fatigued team from the West to win it all.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN">@WindhorstESPN</a>: Cavs to sign another of LeBron James' Heat teammates as they get commitment from James Jones: <a href="http://t.co/1bC7r0aTGt">http://t.co/1bC7r0aTGt</a></p>— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/statuses/489473310078402560">July 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[zelezo vlk]

Of course there's no way to ever know this, but I'd be surprised if any team from the East next year could make the playoffs in the West. If Derrick Rose is healthy, then perhaps the Bulls.

The East is that bad. Truthfully, it has been for a long time. They've obviously had a good team most years (and sometimes 2, maybe 3 good teams), but the quality in the West has been tremendous for quite some time, top to bottom.

If I were a free agent in the NBA, a part of me would be crazy not to try and hop on to a team from the East and take my chances getting through that conference, then have 1 series against a battle fatigued team from the West to win it all.

I don't know if the West will be as strong next year. It's more of a gut feeling, but I just don't see it being that strong. The last time that the 8th seed out West won 50 games was the 2009-10 season. Just skimming through the playoff standings between the years it looks like the norm is around mid 40s. I think that plenty of teams in the East could hit mid 40s, especially the Bulls and Cavs. I think the Hawks should have a bounce back year as long as Horford can return to form and definitely watch out if they pick up Boozer. As strange as it sounds, he might push them to a top 3 seed if they can't already get it.

 

[ResLife Hero]

Brandon Rush to Golden State
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Rush's deal with the Warriors will be two years -- not one. He'll hold a player option on the second year.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/489492683397021696">July 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[itchyBEAR]

NBA jerseys to feature gold patches for every team that has ever won a championship

NBA jerseys to feature gold patches for every team that has ever won a championship | ProBasketballTalk

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>DeJuan Blair's deal with Washington will be three-years, $6M -- with a team option on third year, league source tells Yahoo Sports.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/489542705773809665">July 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Grahambo]

I like that deal for the Wiz. They have really done a great job this offseason. Probably #1 in terms of improvement not including Cleveland.


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[greyhammer90]

Simmons has his moments and he makes some good points. But his stuff is not witty, intelligent or focused enough to justify its length, imo. When I read a Bill Simmons piece I am constantly rolling my eyes and saying "get ON with it. I don't care about what your buddy So-and-So thinks about this."

It may be that law school/lawyering ruined me on him. It definitely changed how I write and how I understand good writing. I place a much higher value on precision and economy than I used to.

So let's revisit this discussion in a couple years. I'll be curious if greyhammer's opinion changes.

I'm entering my third year. I think the change you're referring to has already occurred. I definitely think differently, but I still like his articles.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Drake vs Blake ft Chris Brown: ESPYS Awards 2014 - YouTube

I love it.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Cavs now appear willing to trade Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love. <a href="http://t.co/SmdavvwuEr">http://t.co/SmdavvwuEr</a> <a href="http://t.co/iraIxnP1XY">pic.twitter.com/iraIxnP1XY</a></p>— SB Nation (@SBNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNation/statuses/489868139031580672">July 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[sparkyND]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Cavs now appear willing to trade Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love. <a href="http://t.co/SmdavvwuEr">http://t.co/SmdavvwuEr</a> <a href="http://t.co/iraIxnP1XY">pic.twitter.com/iraIxnP1XY</a></p>— SB Nation (@SBNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNation/statuses/489868139031580672">July 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
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This could potentially be huge!

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine">@ESPNSteinLine</a>: ESPN sources say Lakers have won the Carlos Boozer waiver auction today</p>— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/statuses/489878790395658240">July 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[itchyBEAR]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine">@ESPNSteinLine</a>: ESPN sources say Lakers have won the Carlos Boozer waiver auction today</p>— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/statuses/489878790395658240">July 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Chicago got the better of this roundabout swap.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Guard Ish Smith has reached a 1-year deal with Houston, league source tells Yahoo.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/489888546900041728">July 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Buster Bluth]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Cavs now appear willing to trade Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love. <a href="http://t.co/SmdavvwuEr">http://t.co/SmdavvwuEr</a> <a href="http://t.co/iraIxnP1XY">pic.twitter.com/iraIxnP1XY</a></p>— SB Nation (@SBNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNation/statuses/489868139031580672">July 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Dumb.

 

[yankeeND]

Dumb.

Agreed. Love is a tremendous player, but Wiggins is going to be something special.

 

[woolybug25]

Agreed. Love is a tremendous player, but Wiggins is going to be something special.

You do realize that Love is "something special" right now, don't you?

He's one of the best players in the league.

 

[Grahambo]

Dumb? For the Cavs to trade an unproven rookie for a 25 year old All-star who Lebron James wants?


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[yankeeND]

You do realize that Love is "something special" right now, don't you?

He's one of the best players in the league.

Definitely. I won't be mad either way. I am looking long term though and don't want to think what if I guess. I think right now it will be great! Long term I don't want to see the fall again. I like the potential of all these young guys under LeBron's direction and I don't want to pay too much for a guy they could possibly get next year as a FA if he really wants to be here.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

LOVE IT.

The reason LeBron left in the first place was that management couldnt get adequate players around him.

He was told to wait on Shannon Brown, Boobie Gibson, Danny Green, JJ Hickson, and Luke Jackson.

Cavs made moves to get big names on the downside of their career...Ben Wallace, Shaq, Jamison, Wally, Snow,and I mean Anthony Parker/Jamario Moon arent exactly scary names to coaches.

If you have a chance to get a top 15 player in the league you do it. Sure, they could be giving up a great player in Wiggins, but these are the moves you make to win.

LeBron will turn 30 this year, and he will start to slow down sometime in the next 4 years. Love is 25 and proven he can play with the elite of the elite. Its not like Love is 28-30 and already hit his prime. The guy is just approaching his prime.

Personally, I think it sucks that Wiggins could be moved, but I will more than welcome Kevin Love to the Cavs. Love's game compliments LeBron perfectly. I mean his top 10 plays of the year...#1 was about 10 outlet passes he made to Corey Brewer. Color me crazy but Brewer is not Kyrie or LeBron.

If I am the Cavs, I make the move and dont look back. You get a 3rd All Star, and most likely have 3 Olympians on the roster. Let LeBron teach Kyrie and Love how to win in the playoffs and let teams ponder how to stop them in a 7 game series. You have an immediate "Big 3" without blinking.

 

[yankeeND]

LOVE IT.

The reason LeBron left in the first place was that management couldnt get adequate players around him.

He was told to wait on Shannon Brown, Boobie Gibson, Danny Green, JJ Hickson, and Luke Jackson.

Cavs made moves to get big names on the downside of their career...Ben Wallace, Shaq, Jamison, Wally, Snow,and I mean Anthony Parker/Jamario Moon arent exactly scary names to coaches.

If you have a chance to get a top 15 player in the league you do it. Sure, they could be giving up a great player in Wiggins, but these are the moves you make to win.

LeBron will turn 30 this year, and he will start to slow down sometime in the next 4 years. Love is 25 and proven he can play with the elite of the elite. Its not like Love is 28-30 and already hit his prime. The guy is just approaching his prime.

Personally, I think it sucks that Wiggins could be moved, but I will more than welcome Kevin Love to the Cavs. Love's game compliments LeBron perfectly. I mean his top 10 plays of the year...#1 was about 10 outlet passes he made to Corey Brewer. Color me crazy but Brewer is not Kyrie or LeBron.

If I am the Cavs, I make the move and dont look back. You get a 3rd All Star, and most likely have 3 Olympians on the roster. Let LeBron teach Kyrie and Love how to win in the playoffs and let teams ponder how to stop them in a 7 game series. You have an immediate "Big 3" without blinking.

That's a good point too. Who else do they give up though? Bennett? Waiters? Or do you think it even matters?