Let's talk NBA

[HendrixFan]

Chicago is the only speed bump to another Miami championship.

DRose won't be back until near the end of the regular season. Even then he won't be anywhere near game shape or game speed. It isn't like he can spend his time doing drills while his knee rehabs. He can come back 12-14 months after the injury, but the standard "back to normal" time is 2 years.

If he was going to play this year the Bulls would definitely be one of my league pass teams.

 

[HendrixFan]

Speaking of freaking League Pass...

They always try to auto-renew me each year (as if they're some kinda porno site) so I canceled it. I bought a few weeks ago for the upcoming season but it never gave me the option to set my teams. What it did do was lock me into the teams I picked last year. NBA's support is the worst ever, in answer to my question they just linked me to the main league pass page and told me to buy it. Any ideas? Maybe cause it's the same account?

I just looked into loading my teams for this year, and the FAQ says you pick them when you launch LP broadband on your computer for the first time. I tried launching it to pick my teams but it didn't let me. Did you get that far in the process?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Boston still exists. And they are a much deeper team than last year.

I still believe Boston should of won last year if the refs didnt miss that blatant foul on Rondo from Wade in OT.

 

[HendrixFan]

I still believe Boston should of won last year if the refs didnt miss that blatant foul on Rondo from Wade in OT.

Keep on believin'.

 

[Red Storm]

I just looked into loading my teams for this year, and the FAQ says you pick them when you launch LP broadband on your computer for the first time. I tried launching it to pick my teams but it didn't let me. Did you get that far in the process?

I got there once. It hasn't been able to load ever since that one time, but during that time I couldn't change any of the teams, the ones I had from last season had locks on them and it wouldn't let me add anything.

Submitted another ticket, got the same stupid response telling me to go buy League Pass Broadband.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I have plenty of faith in the bulls (even without rose).

But realistically, as long as Miami doesn't win.....I'm happy. I hate them.

 

[dbk]

If i get NBA league pass mobile for my Sprint phone, can I use it on my tablet as well (Toshiba Thrive)? Sprint users get $10 discount..

 

[HendrixFan]

OKC seems most intriguing. They locked up Ibaka but have yet to do so for Harden. After his stinker in the Finals are they ready to cut him free? Without such a crushing cap looming I'm sure they would give the guy his money, but they couldn't afford him and Ibaka. I agree with their choice between the two.

I've read articles speculating they are just going through a long process but at the end will match any offer after the season. I don't see that. I'm thinking the do a sign and trade that nets them draft picks. If they draft smart (and they have a good track record of doing so) then they can stock some decent guys at cheap rates since they are dropping big bucks on Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka.

Harden to the Rockets. I still haven't picked my league pass teams yet, they just might make the cut over the Mavs.

I've read more than a couple articles that don't agree with OKC passing on Harden, but as I said earlier, it really is the best decision. They have Kevin Martin's expiring contract that they can move, plus stocked up on more draft picks. I'm really shocked at the negative reaction though.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I have but 3 words to say -- Timberwolves + Dynasty== hahaahahahahahahahaaaa

 

[JEDIYoda]

pretty much this.

I'm not nearly as big an NBA fan as I was. I'm just not a fan of the 1v5 mentality and superstars planning years in advance where they want to play. It seems staged and fake.

I'm glad the new CBA addressed some of the competitive balance issues plaguing the league. And i'm still going to follow my team (orlando Magic) even though we will be rebuilding for the next 5 years. But I hope David Stern or whoever the next commissioner will be during the next labor negotiation will push for more competitive balance.

by push for more competitive balance you mean to rigg the game....

 

[Red Storm]

I don't think trading Harden was a good decision. The basically traded him because of 8 million, which they could have more than definitely afforded, especially considering he was their third best player. Instead they played the "small market" card even though they made quite a bit of money last season, and their title chances for this season took a hit while they potentially get better in the long run. Considering how good their team is it just didn't make sense. Any time you can compete for a championship you do it, simple as that.

They could have easily waited this year out and tried to win a title and traded him or resigned him at the end of the season. Bad move for OKC, a good move for the Spurs, Lakers, and Heat.

They have Kevin Martin's expiring contract that they can move, plus stocked up on more draft picks. I'm really shocked at the negative reaction though.

Draft picks aren't much help when you're competing for a championship right now. There are two things owners/franchises are always trying to do in the NBA: Win a championship, or make more money. This trade doesn't help them win a title, so it's an odd move for them to make. If I were a Thunder fan right now I would be annoyed.

 

[Miramonti]

Can't believe Harden didn't settle for less than the max. He was on a championship contender last year and had a great relationship and chemistry with his teammates. He'll make a little more money but have less piece of mind enduring losses and watching the playoffs on cable tv. He must have gotten pretty sh!tty advice from his agent.

 

[Baked]

Can't believe Harden didn't settle for less than the max. He was on a championship contender last year and had a great relationship and chemistry with his teammates. He'll make a little more money but have less piece of mind enduring losses and watching the playoffs on cable tv. He must have gotten pretty sh!tty advice from his agent.

He doesn't have the love for the game. What difference does it make when you're making 55 million or 60 million? All he thinks about is how much money he'll have blowing on coke and hoes. What a selfish individual.

 

[HendrixFan]

Draft picks aren't much help when you're competing for a championship right now. There are two things owners/franchises are always trying to do in the NBA: Win a championship, or make more money. This trade doesn't help them win a title, so it's an odd move for them to make. If I were a Thunder fan right now I would be annoyed.

I understand that perspective, but I bet Presti knew that the Thunder just couldn't match up with the Heat with their current lineup. Harden was a no-show in the Finals and never brought strong defense to the table. The Thunder are still VERY young and can look mighty strong if Lebron/Wade/Bosh become too costly to keep together in a few years.

The 16ppg Harden provided can easily be filled by a few other guys, and if they keep cycling through draft picks they can have that done on the cheap. Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka aren't gonna get cheaper as they re-up down the line. The max they can sign will grow each time around, making Harden's pie more and more punitive. He is clearly not at the skill level of Durant, nor the talent level of Westbrook. And in the NBA, a big like Ibaka is worth more than a 6'5" SG.

They do need to do something about Perkins though. Amnesty or trade, either way he was just as useless in the Finals as Harden, and his contract (though not huge) does limit their flexibility to sign veterans looking to chase rings on the cheap.

 

[Miramonti]

He doesn't have the love for the game. What difference does it make when you're making 55 million or 60 million? All he thinks about is how much money he'll have blowing on coke and hoes. What a selfish individual.

He was anything but a game-changer during the olympics as well. The max would have been overpaying him and I think that will be proven with his time in houston. As awesome as GM Presti has been, he's going to kick @ss with his 2 first round draft picks acquired in the deal and look like a genius again. Martin is no slouch either. Consistency iirc (and defense?) is a knock against him tho.

 

[HendrixFan]

He doesn't have the love for the game. What difference does it make when you're making 55 million or 60 million? All he thinks about is how much money he'll have blowing on coke and hoes. What a selfish individual.

55 vs 80. OKC is spinning this to the media. They offered 4 yrs instead of 5.

 

[Miramonti]

55 vs 80. OKC is spinning this to the media. They offered 4 yrs instead of 5.

It's not just okc spinning the info, everywhere I've read max is $60 million for him...please point me in the right direction to get more info on this $80m potential contract.

/edit: n/m, I finally read it here. It is what it is. He's not a max player imo, but I don't blame him for wanting a 5-year contract and I guess holding out for the max if some teams are stupid enough to give it to him.

 

[Miramonti]

Presti:

"Quite honestly, the value of the trade was greater based on the fact that the Rockets could offer him the contract that he was seeking," Presti said. "By doing it when we did it, it allowed the Rockets to secure -- or I believe it will allow the Rockets to secure him and James will get the contract that he was seeking. And because of that, we were able to capitalize on the trade and probably get a little bit more than we would have if we would have waited."

translation: "...that's how we were able to rape the rockets without getting stuck paying $80m for a player coming off the bench."

 

[HendrixFan]

He's not a max player imo, but I don't blame him for wanting a 5-year contract and I guess holding out for the max if some teams are stupid enough to give it to him.

I agree he isn't a max player (though he may be in the future), but there was a line forming of teams waiting to give him a max deal. Tons of teams were stupid enough to give him that kind of contract. $25M is a pretty big number to walk away from.

The Rockets just might be a playoff team now. It would be quite nice to see them matched up against OKC in the playoffs.

 

[manly]

But don't you agree that the offensive system under Mike Brown is such a downgrade compared to the trangle offense? Pau Gasol looked so lost on the court last year! I want that free flowing triangle offense back.. Pau at free throw line, Dwight down-low, Artest in the corner.. Kobe and Nash up top.. YOU KNOW?!

Brown's offensive "system" is a downgrade compared to what you could draw up in your sleep. Which is why they're installing a new offense this season. I'm not sure if Brown is more clueless or spineless, entrusting the 4th quarter offense entirely to Kobe and watching Bryant point fingers when the shit hit the fan.

I agree he isn't a max player (though he may be in the future), but there was a line forming of teams waiting to give him a max deal. Tons of teams were stupid enough to give him that kind of contract. $25M is a pretty big number to walk away from.

The Rockets just might be a playoff team now. It would be quite nice to see them matched up against OKC in the playoffs.

after this season, he could've received only a 4-year offer from other teams? So even though the Thunder could've included the valuable 5th year, didn't they offer nearly as much as he could've signed for next summer elsewhere?

The PR problem with the trade is the Thunder are seen to have given up on catching the Lakers this season or next. Otherwise, it seems like a "win-win" for both sides depending on how the draft picks turn out and of course what Harden's ceiling is. If OKC is as well run as generally perceived, they'll make out like bandits.

 

[jman19]

55 vs 80. OKC is spinning this to the media. They offered 4 yrs instead of 5.

Yeah, but given what he can get with another team, this really came down to about 4.5 million over 4 years.

 

[zerocool84]

He doesn't have the love for the game. What difference does it make when you're making 55 million or 60 million? All he thinks about is how much money he'll have blowing on coke and hoes. What a selfish individual.

People always say that but if I was playing, knowing that you have a limited amount of years to play, or get injured and never play again, you try and make a much money as you can. I don't hate him for that.

 

[Red Storm]

translation: "...that's how we were able to rape the rockets without getting stuck paying $80m for a player coming off the bench."

It's a bit more honest to say "Our third best player" than "player coming off the bench" which implies a mediocre player at best. He comes off the bench because they already have more than enough offense in Durant and Westbrook to start.

 

[Miramonti]

Yeah, but given what he can get with another team, this really came down to about 4.5 million over 4 years.

Yep. Houston can only offer $60, so holding out for it imo was a douche move. Understandably he wanted the extra year with okc, but getting max money wasn't an option. He and his agent called okc's bluff, and lost. I think it was a great move by okc.

It's a bit more honest to say "Our third best player" than "player coming off the bench" which implies a mediocre player at best. He comes off the bench because they already have more than enough offense in Durant and Westbrook to start.

The lack of ability for okc to start him was part of my point (even tho I don't think he's going to 'thrive' as a starter either.) He is a bench player to them and not getting full starter minutes, which makes it even more expensive to the team.

Let's not forget how sh!tty he was in the finals.

Complete choke job by him and moreso his agent (his primary adviser) imo. A trade must have been the last thing they expected or hoped for.

 

[HendrixFan]

The PR problem with the trade is the Thunder are seen to have given up on catching the Lakers this season or next. Otherwise, it seems like a "win-win" for both sides depending on how the draft picks turn out and of course what Harden's ceiling is. If OKC is as well run as generally perceived, they'll make out like bandits.

Agreed. The Thunder player's close knit nature makes this look worse than if another team did it.

Regarding Harden's ceiling, he wouldn't have ever hit it with OKC. If he becomes a true max player (that is an if) then it is something he wouldn't have been able to do as the third option for the Thunder.