The NBA Thread

[ALPHA]

I'm still getting memes in social media feed.

32 minutes ago, 52520Andrew said:

OKC moves Ibaka to Orlando. Seems like a pretty steep price the Magic paid however although I don't know these guys half as well as I am sure @Inqui does

Thats a big hit to their defense but he's been off his game for a while, and I'm not sold on the Kanter/Adams combination. Also my guess is KD stays for his legacy. 

[redrum52]

That Thunder trade was one of the best heists I've seen in a while.

[Deflated Football]

34 minutes ago, redrum52 said:

That Thunder trade was one of the best heists I've seen in a while.

Doubt Durant heads to GS now

[ALPHA]

Westbrook, Dipo and KD

That combination could attract a ring chaser for a year or two to take Ibakas spot still looking at you Al Horford

[Inqui]

2 hours ago, 52520Andrew said:

OKC moves Ibaka to Orlando. Seems like a pretty steep price the Magic paid however although I don't know these guys half as well as I am sure @Inqui does

I think I'm one of the 50 Magic fans who doesn't hate the trade and one of the three who actually didn't hate it when it was announced.

Oladipo's a great young player and it absolutely stings to lose him, but I think that's a case of having to give something up to get something. From our perspective, the FO was going to have to give a max contract to either Oladipo or Evan Fournier (can't shell out half your cap space on both since they both play the same position) and it's clear who Rob Hennigan and co have chosen to roll with. I'm a little worried about Ibaka playing the same position as Aaron Gordon (our guy with the highest upside), but they both bring different things to the table on both sides so I think they can still work together just fine.

Nikola Vucevic is a great piece to have (talented scorer on an insanely team-friendly deal) but he's a defensive liability, so I've always felt his ideal partner at PF was either a rim protector or a guy who can stretch the floor (to give Vuc more space inside) - and Ibaka's always been the prototypical guy I've been hoping we could land so I went giddy when I saw we were getting the real thing (albeit before I knew what we were giving up). He's 26, has play-off experience and wants a bigger role, which we're obviously a prime candidate for. The concern is obviously how much he's actually in decline and what he'll do after next season. At the time of the Dwight trade everyone thought we got fleeced, so I think this is similar in that it'll take time to see how well it actually pans out for both sides. But like I say I don't hate the deal from our perspective.

I came across this on Twitter about the guys who shot 50 or more three-pointers in the play-offs, and his 45% was the most accurate of everyone:

It's also worth bearing in mind that we've lost a ton of games in the past three years because we were too young and inexperienced, and adding another rookie wasn't going to help that. Half the side's still younger than me, so it's nice to add some more experience.

From OKC's perspective, they're getting a good player in Oladipo, they'll probably waive Ilyasova and it's hard to say how well Sabonis will do. I feel like a 3&D guy would be better for them (like JJ Redick), but I imagine they had eyes on Oladipo with the Splash Brothers in mind. He's an athletic guard who's a great perimeter defender. Stick him on Thompson and you don't have to sell out on stopping both guards (like the Cavs did in games one and two this year). I have no idea what they plan to do with him after next year (and they have to pay Westbrook and Adams and no doubt Durant will have gone for a one-year deal this offseason), but they won't complain about having Sabonis for four years.

TL;DR: I don't hate the trade for either side (even though I'm in the minority) and I think it's part of the Magic beginning to piece together a more coherent team.

[Steve0x]

LeBron James opts out of $24 million Cavaliers contract

 

Finals MVP LeBron James will not exercise his player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2016-17 season, according to his agent, Rich Paul.

James, who had to inform the Cavs of his decision by Wednesday at midnight, will become a free agent July 1 for the third straight summer. He was slated to earn $24 million next season.

Though he has opted out, James can re-sign with the Cavaliers and said last week he has no intentions of leaving Cleveland again.

"I love it here in Cleveland. I have no intentions of leaving," James told ESPN's Dave McMenamin during the Cavaliers' championship parade. "There are some technicalities to take care of I'll leave up to my agent. That's right from the horse's mouth."

On Tuesday night, however, Paul gave no insight into what type of contract his client would eventually sign with the Cavs or what the timetable is for his expected return to Cleveland.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/16600400/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-opts-contract

 

See i told you he's going back to MIAMI!!

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Why in the hell would he go back to Miami? He literally just brought a ring home and there's a good team in Cleveland? It would be the most idiotic thing to do to leave. 

[Inqui]

1 hour ago, Steve0x said:

LeBron James opts out of $24 million Cavaliers contract

 

Finals MVP LeBron James will not exercise his player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2016-17 season, according to his agent, Rich Paul.

James, who had to inform the Cavs of his decision by Wednesday at midnight, will become a free agent July 1 for the third straight summer. He was slated to earn $24 million next season.

Though he has opted out, James can re-sign with the Cavaliers and said last week he has no intentions of leaving Cleveland again.

"I love it here in Cleveland. I have no intentions of leaving," James told ESPN's Dave McMenamin during the Cavaliers' championship parade. "There are some technicalities to take care of I'll leave up to my agent. That's right from the horse's mouth."

On Tuesday night, however, Paul gave no insight into what type of contract his client would eventually sign with the Cavs or what the timetable is for his expected return to Cleveland.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/16600400/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-opts-contract

 

See i told you he's going back to MIAMI!!

This happens pretty much every year, and if you know what the max contracts are at for this offseason you'll know why. He's forgone $24 million, but the max for him this offseason (with the rising cap) is $31 million. He'll just re-sign on another one-year deal with a player option for another year - and opt out of that next year as well when the cap goes up even higher.

Nothing to see here.

 

 

In other news, the Knicks are apparently preparing to offer Joakim Noah a three-year deal for $18 million a year. Players are about to get PAID. And amusingly enough, the Knicks are doing what the Bulls tried to do a few years ago and build around Rose and Carmelo.

[usmccharles]

Saw an interesting video about the Bulls were trying to trade Pippen for Tracy McGrady during the draft and apparently Jordan axed that, pretty interesting. 

[-Truth-]

12 hours ago, Inqui said:

This happens pretty much every year, and if you know what the max contracts are at for this offseason you'll know why. He's forgone $24 million, but the max for him this offseason (with the rising cap) is $31 million. He'll just re-sign on another one-year deal with a player option for another year - and opt out of that next year as well when the cap goes up even higher.

Nothing to see here.

 

 

In other news, the Knicks are apparently preparing to offer Joakim Noah a three-year deal for $18 million a year. Players are about to get PAID. And amusingly enough, the Knicks are doing what the Bulls tried to do a few years ago and build around Rose and Carmelo.

"The Knicks are interested in ____ ______" has been just about every other tag line of the NBA news updates.

[Steve0x]

1 hour ago, -Truth- said:

"The Knicks are interested in ____ ______" has been just about every other tag line of the NBA news updates.

LeBron James filled in the blank Or the Lakers should try get him to replace the retired Kobie

Edited June 30, 2016 by Steve0x

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

42 minutes ago, Steve0x said:

LeBron James filled in the blank Or the Lakers should try get him to replace the retired Kobie

Dude, he's not leaving Cleveland. He just got them a championship. What would be the point? He'd have to be stupid

[-Truth-]

50 minutes ago, Steve0x said:

LeBron James filled in the blank Or the Lakers should try get him to replace the retired Kobie

It would be utterly shocking if LeBron James left Cleveland. He's already stated that he doesn't intend to vacate the team, and he's opted out in order to re-sign given that the 2016-2017 salary cap comes with a monumental increase.

[Steve0x]

6 hours ago, -Truth- said:

It would be utterly shocking if LeBron James left Cleveland. He's already stated that he doesn't intend to vacate the team, and he's opted out in order to re-sign given that the 2016-2017 salary cap comes with a monumental increase.

Better get ready for the shock then.

[-Truth-]

6 minutes ago, Steve0x said:

Better get ready for the shock then.

Yeah, no.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

3 minutes ago, -Truth- said:

Yeah, no.

"I'm taking my talents down to Malibu beach... Along with my likeability ratings"

Edited July 1, 2016 by LosT_in_TranSlatioN

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

I think Buss subscribed to this notion literally. 

 

Lakers sign Mozgov. 

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2016/6/30/12076856/nba-free-agency-rumors-lakers-making-serious-run-at-timofey-mozgov

 

http://twitter.com/netw3rk/status/454487866736140288/photo/1

 

[usmccharles]

11 hours ago, Steve0x said:

LeBron James filled in the blank Or the Lakers should try get him to replace the retired Kobie

 

4 hours ago, Steve0x said:

Better get ready for the shock then.

Everyone has a right to their opinion and all, but almost every time you make a post, its some crazy skip bayless style statement with no basis.  There is just no logical sense to leave Cleveland, He left the first time because they never gave him and help, ever.  But hey, keep living in your world, must be a blast. 

[52520Andrew]

3 hours ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

http://twitter.com/netw3rk/status/454487866736140288/photo/1

Scored those 93 points on 15 shots as well, talk about some solid value for the Lakers

[usmccharles]

1 hour ago, 52520Andrew said:

Scored those 93 points on 15 shots as well, talk about some solid value for the Lakers

I cant see the link at work,.,,,

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Lol, the Lakers

[Inqui]

4 hours ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

Lol, the Lakers

With the cap increase this is the kind of offseason where you have to overpay to get anyone at all, so in a way I don't mind the total figures for Mozgov and Deng (in the same way I'm not worried about us throwing $15 million at Jeff Green) - but the length of said deals is going to be what ends up biting them. When the stacked 2017 FA class hits the market (not to mention the 2018 class, which is just obscenely talented) a lot of teams will be able to offer max contracts to players that actually deserve it while the Lakers will be stuck with a third of their cap space on two players whose careers are heading in the wrong direction.

But I really hope their acquisitions this offseason are enough to get them out of the bottom three - that way they have to give up their 2017 first-rounder and then their first-rounder in 2019 (as part of the Dwight Howard trade. Lol).

Also, outside Cleveland and Toronto, the Eastern conference is stacked with really evenly matched teams. Any of the Hawks, Magic, Hornets, Heat, Pistons, Celtics, Pacers, Knicks, Wizards, Bucks or Bulls could easily make the playoffs at who knows what seed, or slump to the mid lottery. I feel like I could have a good guess at which sides will or won't make it, but you can make a genuine case for every one of those sides trending either up or down. Should be a fun race to watch.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

I've just spent the past four hours arguing with an idiotic rockets fan who said that current Harden is better than prime Kobe. 

 

I don't like Curry, but at least he's an actual top 5 player in the league. Harden doesn't crack my top 10. 

 

Lebron

KD

Westbrook

Curry

Anthony Davis

Chris Paul

Lamarcus Aldrige 

Klay Tomphson

Kawhi Leonard

Paul George. 

 

That's my top 10.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Ugh. Durant to the Warriors. The can't beat em join em mentality is full of crap.. Officially have no respect for him anymore. 

 

 

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/kevin-durant-nba-free-agency-announcement/

Edited July 4, 2016 by LosT_in_TranSlatioN

[Cville-Raven]

Warriors are just overpowered now. 

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

1 minute ago, Cville-Raven said:

Warriors are just overpowered now. 

Damn shame, they'll probably win the next 5 titles consecutively.

[ludy51]

20 minutes ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

Ugh. Durant to the Warriors. The can't beat em join em mentality is full of crap.. Officially have no respect for him anymore. 

 

 

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/kevin-durant-nba-free-agency-announcement/

Well that's a little harsh

[DomMcRaven]

34 minutes ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

I've just spent the past four hours arguing with an idiotic rockets fan who said that current Harden is better than prime Kobe. 

 

I don't like Curry, but at least he's an actual top 5 player in the league. Harden doesn't crack my top 10. 

 

Lebron

KD

Westbrook

Curry

Anthony Davis

Chris Paul

Lamarcus Aldrige 

Klay Tomphson

Kawhi Leonard

Paul George. 

 

That's my top 10.

Maybe at flopping is Harden better than Kobe.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

4 minutes ago, DomMcRaven said:

Maybe at flopping is Harden better than Kobe.

"But dat efficiency"

[Inqui]

Hahaha, RIP parity. Looks like the West is just as up for grabs as the East now. It could be kinda fun to watch, but hopefully he opts out after they win the title next year because it'll get pretty boring if he spends the next eight years of his career there.

Now the homer in me really wants the Magic to go after Westbrook. *sticks fingers in ears*