Dwight Howard

[dougp]

Each one of them took 4-5 million less than a max contract so they could all sign together, and now they're arguably the best team in the league. How exactly is that indicative of greed? Wade and James intentionally took less than Bosh because they have more lucrative endorsement deals than he does even though they clearly deserve to be better paid than him... That's not greed, that's three guys coming together and saying "How can we structure our contracts so we can win?" And it's working.

No, they're not the best team. 3 people do not make a team the best - period. Like I said, they have no cap room to sign good roleplayers, which are vital 7 game series.

 

[QueBert]

No, they're not the best team. 3 people do not make a team the best - period. Like I said, they have no cap room to sign good roleplayers, which are vital 7 game series.

They are the best team, they easily have the best 3 man front in the NBA, even if James falters in the finals this year, Wade won't. I'll bet anyone on here money right now that Miami walks away with the ring this year.

 

[slayer202]

They are the best team, they easily have the best 3 man front in the NBA, even if James falters in the finals this year, Wade won't. I'll bet anyone on here money right now that Miami walks away with the ring this year.

conditions of the wager?

 

[Red Storm]

conditions of the wager?

Only the first 3 quarters count.

 

[vi edit]

No, they're not the best team. 3 people do not make a team the best - period. Like I said, they have no cap room to sign good roleplayers, which are vital 7 game series.

So Mike Miller, Haslem, and Battier aren't role players?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

So Mike Miller, Haslem, and Battier aren't role players?

Haslem and Miller maybe 4 years ago.
Battier/Chalmers yes.
They are very susceptible to good center play. I don't see them as an absolute lock for a title.

 

[QueBert]

conditions of the wager?

None, Wade & even Bosh looked sketchy in a few of the finals games last season. So even if Lebron doesn't step it up, no way in hell the other 2 won't play better than last playoffs. Last years finals were a fluke. James fell apart, and could do that again, but how Wade played those last few games? that won't be repeated. I already have a bet with my neighbor, no stipulations just straight $50 bet that Miami wins it all this year

 

[Atomic Playboy]

No, they're not the best team. 3 people do not make a team the best - period. Like I said, they have no cap room to sign good roleplayers, which are vital 7 game series.

I said they're "arguably the best team," and in fairness, a lot of analysts are arguing exactly that point. You have three teams who have emerged as the clear top three: Chicago, Oklahoma City and Miami. You can debate back and forth on the merits of which is the best, and make a clear case for any of them. But I don't understand your contention that three people don't make a team the best: what if that team is winning games? What is more important than that? If Miami wins the title this year, are they not the best team because they relied heavily on three superstars?

 

[Via]

I do believe this is Miami's year, but their window isn't as big as people might think.

They're not going to win 3 titles in four years, or 4 in 5. This year is their best shot of all.

Well, maybe except for last year. I was pretty shocked they didn't win it last year, before the league had a chance to adjust to them. Probably the biggest surprise of my adult sport-watching life.

 

[QueBert]

I do believe this is Miami's year, but their window isn't as big as people might think.

They're not going to win 3 titles in four years, or 4 in 5. This year is their best shot of all.

Well, maybe except for last year. I was pretty shocked they didn't win it last year, before the league had a chance to adjust to them. Probably the biggest surprise of my adult sport-watching life.

Depends, I believe they'll win the title this year, and that it'll unlock something inside James that's been holding him back in the clutch. If winning a ring gives him the confidence and leads to him playing to his potential in future playoffs/finals? They'll win multiple titles without question. Even with James playing like dog shit for a lot of last years finals, it was still very close\ and anyones game. If he steps up it's a wrap for whoever they're up against.

 

[slayer202]

I'll take that bet. I'll go for just about as much as you want. Feel free to pm me

 

[dougp]

None, Wade & even Bosh looked sketchy in a few of the finals games last season. So even if Lebron doesn't step it up, no way in hell the other 2 won't play better than last playoffs. Last years finals were a fluke. James fell apart, and could do that again, but how Wade played those last few games? that won't be repeated. I already have a bet with my neighbor, no stipulations just straight $50 bet that Miami wins it all this year

Hahaha - really?

Let's ignore the injuries to Wade this season (which are lingering, nagging injuries) and the fact that LeBron quits whenever his pussy gets bruised - whoops, I mean his ego. Bosh disappears in the playoffs also, and they don't have a very large pool of players at center - hell, the only center on their roster I could name is Eddy Curry. Battier is the only "roleplayer" left on the team off the bench, and his playing time behind James isn't a lot - and when they need his defense, they still need the other big 3 in the game. Miller and Haslem are shells of themselves, or where they were a few years ago or even last year. Wait until the playoff picture is more clear, but the Bulls played through Rose's injury well enough - I think they could take the Heat in a 7 game series. Boston could too if they were completely healthy.

If you want to talk about wins mattering, they don't. Look at the Spurs last year, and the Mavs in '09 (or whenever they lost to the Warriors.)

 

[Red Storm]

If you want to talk about wins mattering, they don't. Look at the Spurs last year, and the Mavs in '09 (or whenever they lost to the Warriors.)

While I don't exactly agree with the rest of your post, the part I quoted I definitely do agree with. In the playoffs it's all about matchups. The year Dallas got kicked out by the Warriors, they never beat them in the regular season either IIRC, it was just a bad matchup for that team. The same way Memphis was a bad matchup for the Spurs last year.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

He's going to be traded. Heard on espn radio that Orlando has said he will be traded by the deadline if they don't get a commitment beyond this year.

 

[slayer202]

He's going to be traded. Heard on espn radio that Orlando has said he will be traded by the deadline if they don't get a commitment beyond this year.

Nets might cave in and take the sure thing. There's still a chance he's not traded, they could be bluffing. Lakers will push hard, this could be their only opportunity

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Apparently the Magic have expressed an interest in trading him to the Knicks for Melo and Chandler, a deal that James Dolan would never in a million years take, because why would you want to get rid of Melo when the entire city of new York has turned against him?

 

[Miramonti]

Without a long term commitment, Orlando would be fools to not trade Howard.

 

[Red Storm]

Maybe Howard did that on purpose to hurt his trade value... so that his destination won't have had to give up as much as before. Sounds crazy, but I wouldn't put it past these players/agents.

 

[slayer202]

without a guarantee he would extend with another team, I can't see the offers being that crazy. I hope Stern vetoes any possible deal so that Brooklyn becomes a big franchise

 

[Schfifty Five]

D12 and Dwill to Dallas.....PLEASE.

 

[Red Storm]

without a guarantee he would extend with another team, I can't see the offers being that crazy. I hope Stern vetoes any possible deal so that Brooklyn becomes a big franchise

They'll never dethrone the Knicks. The same way the Clippers will never dethrone the Lakers (even if they won a title). At best they will become "that other team in NY". You can't compete with Madison Square Garden.

 

[slayer202]

Of course not, but the Clippers are looking pretty good these days. The Nets are a joke right now, so BK will be a huge improvement I'm sure

 

[HendrixFan]

No, they're not the best team. 3 people do not make a team the best - period. Like I said, they have no cap room to sign good roleplayers, which are vital 7 game series.

Eh?

They had two GREAT role players last year in Haslem and Miller, but both were injured. That would have been a better, and deeper, Miami team last year if they could play. Coming back on late in the playoffs with little game reps doesn't really count.

This year they added two more solid role players in Battier and Cole. Have you watched a Miami game at all over the last two years? Their second unit is typically Lebron (since he plays more minutes than Wade) running with Haslem, Miller, Battier and Cole. That second unit has speed, can shoot and can defend. Wanna know something else about that second unit? Last year none of those four guys would have been out there on the floor.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

D12 and Dwill to Dallas.....PLEASE.

Best we can hope for is a split realistically. Better just hope Howard gets traded to anyone but the Nets and we pick up DWill in free agency. If Howard and DWill make it to free agency Howard is going to the Nets with DWill. It's been reported that the nets is D12's #1 choice.

 

[KeithTalent]

I hope he goes to the Nets.

KT