[NBA] vBook: Where does LeBron James sign this summer?

[Irish#1]

The supposed health issues last year were IMO an attempt to mask the Grizzlies obvious tank job. He sat quite a few games down the stretch last season with mysterious injuries, that may not have been legit.

He also sat an entire week when they were trying to find a trade partner, and it was labeled as an injury.

IndyStar reported he's missed a lot of games the last four years.

I'm gonna be positive at this point. Evans is definitely an upgrade in shooting for the team.
McDermott is too. He can't play D, but he gives you a great 3pt threat that teams can't ignore which will create opportunity for VO and the others. Hate to see Lance go....

I loved Lance, but I think Lance had Little left to contribute. Will never forget him blowing in James ear. Lol

 

[Irish YJ]

IndyStar reported he's missed a lot of games the last four years.

I loved Lance, but I think Lance had Little left to contribute. Will never forget him blowing in James ear. Lol

I loved Lance for the grit and personality he brought. VO is a quiet storm which I like, but Lance made me smile/laugh. I don't know much at all about Evans except what I've read the past week, but there is a lot of potential upside. Also risk, but hey, we shall see.

 

[koonja]

The Pacers pick up of Evans is huge IMO. They were as good or better than the Celtics this year, granted Kyrie and Hayward were out, but still. Evans is a legit player, and who knows what comes back with Hayward.

I'd be the Celtics still, but it wouldn't shock me if the Pacers made it out if the stars align. Oladipo is a year away from being a certified assassin IMO. Just needs to actual hit that jump shot that looks so nice, and he'll become unguardable.

 

[Irish YJ]

The Pacers pick up of Evans is huge IMO. They were as good or better than the Celtics this year, granted Kyrie and Hayward were out, but still. Evans is a legit player, and who knows what comes back with Hayward.

I'd be the Celtics still, but it wouldn't shock me if the Pacers made it out if the stars align. Oladipo is a year away from being a certified assassin IMO. Just needs to actual hit that jump shot that looks so nice, and he'll become unguardable.

While I hate McDermott's defense, I think having his 3pt shooting, plus Evans, is going to open up VO in big big way. VO's penetration is going to be great for McDermott. VO is a hard worker. I'm sure he's working on that shot every day.

I think you're right, a healthy Boston 1, Pacers 2, in the East.

With GSW already anointed champions for this coming year, I'd be more than satisfied if the the Pacers just won the East.

 

[Irish#1]

I like what the Pacers have done so far. I like Pritchard better than Bird as GM. Everyone so far still thinks it's Boston and Philly 1 & 2 in the East. We shall see. Especially with the offseason work Turner is finally doing.

 

[Sea Turtle]

I like what the Pacers have done so far. I like Pritchard better than Bird as GM. Everyone so far still thinks it's Boston and Philly 1 & 2 in the East. We shall see. Especially with the offseason work Turner is finally doing.

I like it too. I'm just looking for improvement from last season. I'd be happy with a 4 seed for sure.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

[NBA] vBook: Where does LeBron James sign this summer?

Here you go Koon. Per our conversation a few weeks ago:

As I tried to explain, the Thunder had much more on the books than one more year of Melo @ $27.9 million

 

[koonja]

Here you go Koon. Per our conversation a few weeks ago:

As I tried to explain, the Thunder had much more on the books than one more year of Melo @ $27.9 million

This is what I predicted would happen, and while it sucks they lost money out of pocket, it frees up cap space to add someone who can actually help them be better. It cost them ~$100 million, but that's all out of pocket, not on the books towards the salary cap. PG13 cares about the salary cap, not the organization's bottom line.

The possibility of this happening is why I said I don't think Carmelo being there would deter PG13 from signing up, because at worst he's on the books for 1 year, and at best he's off the books immediately (which is the case).

Or did I miss something?

 

[Irish YJ]

So how long before Melo signs with GSW, Houston, or the Lakers, for the minimum.

 

[Irish#1]

So how long before Melo signs with GSW, Houston, or the Lakers, for the minimum.

Might be tough. Melo thinks he's worth more than his real value and there is always a team that will overpay for someone past their prime.

 

[Irish YJ]

Might be tough. Melo thinks he's worth more than his real value and there is always a team that will overpay for someone past their prime.

I'm thinking it's time for him to try and buy that ring. I'm betting Rockets or Lakers as GSW doesn't need him.

 

[Irish#1]

I'm thinking it's time for him to try and buy that ring. I'm betting Rockets or Lakers as GSW doesn't need him.

Money has always been #1 for him as he has refused a couple of opportunities to redo his contract to allow the team to sign better talent. Maybe now that his bulb is starting to dim he might take less for a shot at a ring.

 

[Irish YJ]

Money has always been #1 for him as he has refused a couple of opportunities to redo his contract to allow the team to sign better talent. Maybe now that his bulb is starting to dim he might take less for a shot at a ring.

The two latest headlines on Melo are "Melo wants to join Lakers", and "CP wants Melo to join Rockets" lol...

Gonna happen!

What did you think of the Pacers picking up O'Quinn? I think he's a great backup for Miles. Only 1 year, and won't hurt if it doesn't work out.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

The two latest headlines on Melo are "Melo wants to join Lakers", and "CP wants Melo to join Rockets" lol...

Gonna happen!

What did you think of the Pacers picking up O'Quinn? I think he's a great backup for Miles. Only 1 year, and won't hurt if it doesn't work out.

I hope he joins one of them because I think he hurts the chances of any team he joins. He's not a good team player, he used to be really good one on one but he's a vacuum and he's whiney AF.

 

[Irish#1]

I hope he joins one of them because I think he hurts the chances of any team he joins. He's not a good team player, he used to be really good one on one but he's a vacuum and he's whiney AF.

Not being argumentative, but Anthony has never been a team player IMO. While with the Knicks I saw him play against the Pacers just a couple of years after joining the Knicks. He was a black hole with the ball.

 

[Irish#1]

The two latest headlines on Melo are "Melo wants to join Lakers", and "CP wants Melo to join Rockets" lol...

Gonna happen!

What did you think of the Pacers picking up O'Quinn? I think he's a great backup for Miles. Only 1 year, and won't hurt if it doesn't work out.

I don't know a thing about him! lol

 

[IrishSteelhead]

What did you think of the Pacers picking up O'Quinn? I think he's a great backup for Miles. Only 1 year, and won't hurt if it doesn't work out.

KOQ is an average backup, that plays well around the rim. You should be able to get a solid 15-20 minutes a night from him.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Not being argumentative, but Anthony has never been a team player IMO. While with the Knicks I saw him play against the Pacers just a couple of years after joining the Knicks. He was a black hole with the ball.

That's not argumentative, I completely agree with all of that. He's never been a team player and he's never learned how to make those around him better. He'll be a pox on any team he joins so I hope he joins the Lakers or the Rockets

 

[IrishSteelhead]

That's not argumentative, I completely agree with all of that. He's never been a team player and he's never learned how to make those around him better. He'll be a pox on any team he joins so I hope he joins the Lakers or the Rockets

The thing is, Melo would be very good on a team like the Rockets IMO, if he was willing to accept he is a replacement level player at this point in his career.

He is definitely not a starter anymore, but could be effective on a contenders second unit. This is all moot though, because his ego wouldnt allow that.

 

[NDdomer2]

The thing is, Melo would be very good on a team like the Rockets IMO, if he was willing to accept he is a replacement level player at this point in his career.

He is definitely not a starter anymore, but could be effective on a contenders second unit. This is all moot though, because his ego wouldnt allow that.

His quotes about his role and time in OKC don't sound like a guy ready for a diminished role.

 

[Irish YJ]

KOQ is an average backup, that plays well around the rim. You should be able to get a solid 15-20 minutes a night from him.

7pts, 6 boards, 2 assists in limited minutes is a pretty good upgrade for the Pacers. He's got energy and hustle from what I've read and seen.

 

[Irish YJ]

Not being argumentative, but Anthony has never been a team player IMO. While with the Knicks I saw him play against the Pacers just a couple of years after joining the Knicks. He was a black hole with the ball.

You would think at some point, he will learn he can't be so selfish and get a ring. I think he'll prioritize ring > $ this go around. I also thinks that if he goes to either of those teams, he won't be the alpha anymore. I absolutely think Lebron can hold him in check and probably get some good play out of him. Not sure about Hardin or CP3 though.

 

[NDdomer2]

You would think at some point, he will learn he can't be so selfish and get a ring. I think he'll prioritize ring > $ this go around. I also thinks that if he goes to either of those teams, he won't be the alpha anymore. I absolutely think Lebron can hold him in check and probably get some good play out of him. Not sure about Hardin or CP3 though.

with Houston losing both Ariza and Mbah a Moute this offseason I would say Houston is clear front runner for Melo

 

[Irish#1]

On the way into work, I was listening to some sports book guy on Clay Travis. The discussion got around to Anthony and where he may end up. He listed the Lakers and Rockets as the best bets.

Interesting that he stated the odds for any team to win the NBA title next year would increase for any team he joins. He mentioned he was very toxic in the locker room.

 

[Irish YJ]

Pretty good ESPN article on the winners and losers in NBA FA
Zach Lowe on winners and losers in 2018 NBA free agency

I don't agree that the Pacers won't contend in the East though.

Winner: Pacers
They splurged on McBuckets, but that was the price of years. They paid Evans enough -- $12 million -- that they should be able to re-sign him with the most limited version of Bird Rights next summer if need be. (By the way: Good job by Memphis failing to trade Evans at the deadline, and explaining it away by saying they hoped to re-sign him!) Kyle O'Quinn is an upgrade over Al Jefferson.

They still have a long-term question at power forward, and the connected dilemma of whether Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis can play together. They don't project as contenders in the East.

But they have more shooting and lineup options -- small-ball outfits with McDermott or Bojan Bogdanovic at power forward, and wing-heavy groups in which Victor Oladipo operates as point guard. They are deep. They built on last season's surprising success without microwaving the process, and sacrificing long-term assets.