NBA Offseason Thread 2010

[simpsons_fanatic742]

Adam_Schefter RT @chadfordinsider: Bulls agree to 5 yr, $80 mil deal with Carlos Boozer. Bulls still have enough cap space to sign a max player.

So according to Schefter's retweet, Boozer has indeed signed with the Chicago Bulls. I think once Bosh picked the Heat that everybody saw Boozer going to the Bulls. This is a pretty good signing for the Bulls as Boozer has a lot of talent and I think he will play well beside Noah. Plus, they have room for another max player which could be huge. The Bulls had a good core before FA began and now with Boozer they just get that much better.

EDIT: Damn you People's Champ, beat me to it

 

[People's Champ]

An update on another free agent, tho not as big as the others. Jermaine O'Neal has stated that he will sign with one of three teams-Denver, Boston, or Dallas. For him, he says these 3 teams will be in contention to win a title and give him the best oopportunity to get one, considering this may be his last chance. All three teams are said to be offering him a part of the mid level exception.

If I'm O'Neal, I'm going to Boston. They look like they are going to have their core team return, and he can see minutes with Perkins recovering from surgery. They will still have an opportunity to win a title (although shrinking with news of free agent signing) and he can try to get that title.

 

[The Vintage One]

I see LBJ signing with the Heat and joining forces with Wade and Bosh simply based on the ways Wade and Bosh were answering questions during their interview with Wilbon.

I think the Bulls signing Boozer is basically signaling that LBJ is not going to Chicago. LBJ is basically down to the Cavs, Heat and Knicks. Knicks being the dark horse selling him being the savior for the Knicks and getting them the ring. I think the Cavs are in serious trouble since they didn't get Bosh, and LBJ was really pushing him to go there.

Tomorrow night will definitely be interesting.

 

[Big Sexy]

I may be in the minority but I see LeBron staying in Cleveland and I really think the Cavs will pull off some kind of trade to get another big name player alongside James. They have a ton of expiring contracts and a deal wouldn't be too hard to pull off. The Heat would still need to trade Michael Beasley to afford LeBron and Toronto has said they don't want to do a sign and trade with the Heat.

Boozer to the Bulls is a good move even if the Bulls don't get LeBron. Guys like Rose, Noah, and Deng are a good supporting cast and adding Boozer finally gets them a good low post scorer.

 

[People's Champ]

This is off the board but I hate the fact that LeBron is having a one hour special just to announce what team he's going to. I hate that this is how basketball has turned out to be, all about branding an individual rather than the team. This special is the icing on the cake as far as how bad this has become. A special to announce where he's playing next year? Rediculous. Like I said off the board, but I wanted to rant on that real quick and get it out.

 

[Big Sexy]

This is off the board but I hate the fact that LeBron is having a one hour special just to announce what team he's going to. I hate that this is how basketball has turned out to be, all about branding an individual rather than the team. This special is the icing on the cake as far as how bad this has become. A special to announce where he's playing next year? Rediculous. Like I said off the board, but I wanted to rant on that real quick and get it out.

The money made form the sponsors is going to charity so I don't mind it. If he was doing this just to benefit his own wallet it would be a little much but if a charity is benefiting then I'm fine with it.

 

[The Vintage One]

Wade and Bosh are going to take less money, and it will prbably be similar deals, whoch also leads to me LeBron is going for the same deal, and they will be treated as equals. Plus if LBJ doesn't come that still gives the Heat plenty of cap space depending on how much they each sign for. This offseason is looking good for the Heat, and they have been the big winners know doubt about it.

 

[simpsons_fanatic742]

I may be in the minority but I see LeBron staying in Cleveland and I really think the Cavs will pull off some kind of trade to get another big name player alongside James. They have a ton of expiring contracts and a deal wouldn't be too hard to pull off. The Heat would still need to trade Michael Beasley to afford LeBron and Toronto has said they don't want to do a sign and trade with the Heat.

Boozer to the Bulls is a good move even if the Bulls don't get LeBron. Guys like Rose, Noah, and Deng are a good supporting cast and adding Boozer finally gets them a good low post scorer.

I could very well see LBJ staying put as well, but it all hinges on what else Cleveland does. If they sign LBJ and no one else, they won't be able to match up against the Magic, Celtics, and Heat. LBJ wants to win a championship and he probably has doubts on if he can do that in Cleveland. I think there are only 2 teams in the race right now, Knicks and Cavaliers. With Stoudemire already there, the Knicks are looking pleasant to James. I don't think anyone can count out the Cavaliers because the city means a lot to James.

As for the 1 hour special, why not? Everybody has treated this as the biggest thing in sports in forever and it's the media who has blown it out of proportion. The James decision would of generated huge buzz and taken up airtime anyway so why not try to make money for charity of off it. That's the kicker, this is helping charity. Why not take a situation like this to help people in need. I see nothing wrong with this because this is exactly what the media and the public are treating this as anyway, a spectacle.

 

[People's Champ]

Yes I know its all for charity. That part I applaude. However I still don't like it. And I blame the media for this. Never did I say I blame LeBron, alothough he could just hold a press confrence and announce where he's going. But yes the media has blown this thing to the point where now we have specials when a smiple presser would do? Its not so much LeBron as much as it is how basketball and really sports in general have turned into this individual branding. I understand from the players perspective its all about capitalizing on your opportunities and making money. I just don't like how its going. Personal preference I suppose.

 

[The Vintage One]

At least they said that LBJ will announce his decision within the first 10 minutes of the program, so that means ESPN will just do analysis for 50 minutes which means ESPN is blowing out of proportion.

Broussard just said on Sportscenter he sees LeBron coming to Miami, which would get rid of all parity in the Eastern Conference. I see the Big 3 in Miami actually happening and Stephen A. Smith of all people got it right.

 

[gd]

How can you still see James in Cleveland? What can they offer him that would entice him to stay now? Money? He could sign in Miami and not have any state tax. And I seriously doubt it will be hard for him to make up whatever money he loses by signing elsewhere. Championships? There are going to be 3 to 4 teams that will be better than his. There is absolutley nothing that Cleveland can give him. They know that. So I'm curious as to why you think he's still going to stay

I've just been thinking he's staying there all along. It still is his hometown and he hasn't really been that far from winning in the past. They did win 60 games last year and he was able to make the finals in 07 with one of the worst supporting casts of all time. Also, he makes significantly more money by staying. Hometown Loyalty + Cash seem like two pretty good reasons to stay.

Some news to report. Carlos Boozer has agreed to a 5 year $80 million deal with the Bulls. I believe its a move that the Bulls think can either attract James or that they feel they are no longer in the running for him. Either way, I mentioned earlier that this was a possiblity and just about everyone thought it was going to happen. I wouldn't be surprised if they went out and tried to get Allen now.

Good signing for them, not a huge surprise though. Gives them one of the top frontcourts in the East with Noah and Boozer, plus Rose at the point and Deng on the wing, they can still be a solid team without LeBron. They can probably still sign another wing guy, like Ray Allen. That's one hell of a team.

And Kevin Durant quietly signed a 5 year $86 million extension with the Thunder. No press confrence, no 1 hour special. This is why I love this kid. He quietly takes care of his business, no big ego, look at me attitude. This move may have made his my 2nd favorite player behind Kobe. The Thunder wanted to lock him up and Durant wanted to be there so this worked out perfectly. They have a great young team and have a bright future ahead with Durant leading this team.

Big fan of the Thunder. They've handled things really well and likely will even be better than they were last year. Need James Harden to continue to develop as a wing shooter they were really missing in the playoffs last year and they'll be good. Aldrich was a big pickup for them in the draft as they also desparately missing post defense from everyone other than Ibaka.

An update on another free agent, tho not as big as the others. Jermaine O'Neal has stated that he will sign with one of three teams-Denver, Boston, or Dallas. For him, he says these 3 teams will be in contention to win a title and give him the best oopportunity to get one, considering this may be his last chance. All three teams are said to be offering him a part of the mid level exception.

Feel bad for whatever fan base gets stuck with Jermaine O'Neal's rotting corpse. Did any of them watch the playoffs last year? Yikes. I'm guessing he ends up in Dallas, just because.

 

[Big Sexy]

The Celtics big three will be back together for another year as Ray Allen signed a 2 year 20 million dollar contract. I think they overpaid him but the C's wanted the entire core of the team back and now they have it. I still believe with another year of age added that the Celtics don't have much of a shot to win a title but this keeps them in contention in the East. Next they need to focus on getting a better bench. The bench really struggled at times in the finals and they are most likely losing two big bench contributors. Rasheed to retirement and Nate Robinson to free agency.

 

[Platypus Palsy]

They're saying right now on Sportscenter that all signs point to Lebron signing with the Heat. The problem I see from this is, are the draft pick centers good enough to deal with Howard and any of centers and is Chalmers good enough to match up with Rando and other Point Guards? I also want to know, who's gonna take the big shot at the final buzzer? Who's gonna be THE man on the team?

I honestly feel that Lebron going anywhere other than the Heat or the Knicks will be a good fit. Teams that try and stack up the talent doesn't always work and has also only produced one championship for Boston. I doubt one title will satisfy any of these guys and that the cap room that the Heat would spend on Lebron could be better served on several solid role players.

I personally am a Cavs fan so the fan in me wants Lebron to stay. I also wonder, what will the Cavs do if Lebron leaves? Will they attempt to get a top level player or multiple role players and try and promote another player on the roster up. I feel that with the new coach, Jamison will work better in this system and will become THE guy. He obviously isn't as good as Lebron, but he'll probably end up having to do. The Cavs obviously won't be as good and won't win a title without a miracle, but I think they'll be decent.

 

[Digging4Plunder]

Damn, I saw Bron in Chicago.. it seems like he'd have a better team around him with Rose, Noah, Boozer. Having Wade and Bosh is good.. but just how good is the rest of the damn team when you spent all your money on 3 people? There's no chance of him in Cleveland.. Cleveland never even aggressively pursued another free agent so Bron could see them trying to make the team better. Toronto said they'd sign and trade Bosh, Cleveland never said squat and Bosh said forget you guys. It's Cleveland's fault Bron is leaving. They signed Shaq.. okay, good. They traded for Jamison of all people. They never made a SIGNIFICANT move.. they just picked up good instead of great pieces.

Bron in Miami will more than likely bring them a championship. Probably the play of all 3 will elevate the rookies around them enough to get them one ring.. they're gonna need some more players though unless these guys develop at the rate Bron, Wade, and Bosh did out of College/high school. Like I said.. Chicago is the best choice, atleast one would think so. I believe he'd win multiple titles there and create his own legacy without stepping all over MJ's and being compared to him all the time.

 

[People's Champ]

Ray Alllen resigning with the Celtics is a move the Celtics needed to make if they were going to try to make a last push to win another title. Its going to be damn near impossible with teams improving in the East, and what's being rumored as this superteam. So a move that was needed, but not sure if it will mean anything when its all said and done.

Well seeing how tonight is the night that LeBron makes his decision, let's drive some discussion. Let's say LeBron leaves Cleveland to go join Wade and Bosh in Miami. How do you think LeBron will and should be viewed in Cleveland? How would you view James? Do you think he handled everything right? And if-more like when-they win titles in Miami, will you look at him winning those titles any different?

 

[gd]

They're saying right now on Sportscenter that all signs point to Lebron signing with the Heat. The problem I see from this is, are the draft pick centers good enough to deal with Howard and any of centers and is Chalmers good enough to match up with Rando and other Point Guards? I also want to know, who's gonna take the big shot at the final buzzer? Who's gonna be THE man on the team?

The thing is, if he does go to Miami, I don't think they'll win the title, at least not this year. You have the problem where there's two alpha dogs on the team, with Wade and LeBron. You have to surround your 3 stars with 9 minimum salary players, assuming Beasely is shipped to Toronto or something. The would leave the Heat with a supporting cast of Chalmers, Pittman, Vanardo, and Butler coming off an ACL. Can you win with a supporting cast like that? Probably not. The troika would each have to play a ton of minutes during the regular season as well. It'd just be an odd situation. Not sure if it would work.

I honestly feel that Lebron going anywhere other than the Heat or the Knicks will be a good fit. Teams that try and stack up the talent doesn't always work and has also only produced one championship for Boston. I doubt one title will satisfy any of these guys and that the cap room that the Heat would spend on Lebron could be better served on several solid role players

Chicago would easily have been the best fit for him if he was all about winning. Elite PG, elite big man scorer, elite big man defender, solid enough supporting cast. Perfect situation for LeBron, if it was all about winning.

I personally am a Cavs fan so the fan in me wants Lebron to stay. I also wonder, what will the Cavs do if Lebron leaves? Will they attempt to get a top level player or multiple role players and try and promote another player on the roster up. I feel that with the new coach, Jamison will work better in this system and will become THE guy. He obviously isn't as good as Lebron, but he'll probably end up having to do. The Cavs obviously won't be as good and won't win a title without a miracle, but I think they'll be decent.

I don't think Clevland actually have the cap room to do anything significant in free agency. They could sign LeBron for more because he was their guy. Can't give as much to an outside guy. They could bring in someone decent, but obviously no one out there near the level of replacing LeBron. They'll be a 30 win team without him.

Cleveland never even aggressively pursued another free agent so Bron could see them trying to make the team better. Toronto said they'd sign and trade Bosh, Cleveland never said squat and Bosh said forget you guys. It's Cleveland's fault Bron is leaving. They signed Shaq.. okay, good. They traded for Jamison of all people. They never made a SIGNIFICANT move.. they just picked up good instead of great pieces.

For sure. They had to chance last year to get Amare at the trade deadline, which they probably should've done. He's definetly step up from Jamison, so thye would've had a better chance of winning last year. It'll also be much more enticing for LeBron to stay with Amare there.

Even with all the Miami news, I still think he's going to stay in Clevland. With the big show tonight, can you even imagine what would happen to him in Clevland if he picked another team? He'd be crucified, and rightfully so. It's one thing to sign with another team, but to make it an hour long event that rips the hearts out from your hometown fans? That's just cruel.

 

[Big Sexy]

If LeBron goes to Miami he will almost guaranteed win at least 2 or 3 titles. However, he will never be seen as THE guy. He will never be the number one guy that led his team to a title. As good as LeBron is, Miami is D Wade's city and the Heat are D Wade's team. LeBron will always be second fiddle to him. James is the better player of the two but he would be going into a situation where the team already has a leader.

 

[Digging4Plunder]

i dont know disarray. The hour long special is mainly to generate ratings to pay for the charity. It's not to rip the heart out of Cleveland. If anything, the fans should first direct anger towards management. They've had 2 or 3 years of Lebron saying "Lets build a winner" and they haven't done it. Who's fault is it really if Lebron leaves Cleveland?

 

[Rhonda Rousey's Sports Bra]

Hard to believe this is my first post in this thread. I haven't read everything but i'll throw my two cents in on Bron Bron.

I think LeBron shouldn't go to Miami, I just don't think that would equal wins, who would they have when those guys are on the bench? Plus with those three playing all those minutes it increases chance of injury and with the team they'd have an injury would fuck them pretty bad. I just don't know if I like the idea of 3 superstars on a team and thats it,.

 

[Big Sexy]

More news on signings today.

Brendan Haywood resigned in Dallas for 6 years and 55 million dollars. That is too much money for him but they do need a starting center and Haywood played well for them last year.

Jermaine O'Neal signed with the C's for 2 years and 12 million so that takes care of their mid level exception. O'Neal should do a fine job replacing Rasheed Wallace.

Travis Outlaw signed with the Nets for 5 years and 35 million dollars. He's getting a little overpaid but he is a young, talented guy and the Nets needed a small forward.

 

[Digging4Plunder]

O'Neal with the Celts is the dark horse. Now, I know he hasn't been good in years but if he steps up with the Celts beings contenders he could give them a good 10-15 pts.. 5 rebounds.. that'd be sufficient. The Celts got a chance to make it out of the East even with the 3 headed juggernaut if O'Neal plays at least decent.

 

[People's Champ]

i dont know disarray. The hour long special is mainly to generate ratings to pay for the charity. It's not to rip the heart out of Cleveland. If anything, the fans should first direct anger towards management. They've had 2 or 3 years of Lebron saying "Lets build a winner" and they haven't done it. Who's fault is it really if Lebron leaves Cleveland?

Whether its for charity or not, whether its to purposefully tear the hearts out of Cleveland, he has to know that's exactly what's going to happen if he announces on national television that he's leaving. Cleveland fans have been dreading this day all year long and LeBron has done nothing to help these loyal fans by dragging this out and doing this on primetime tv. Maybe he feels that by doing this for charity it will calm down the reaction. Don't think so.

Imagine this picture if your a Cavs fan. You start the year knowing that this may be James' last. LeBron doesn't squash questions about free agency right away. Throughout the year you see the best team LeBron and Cleveland have had so far under King James. And then LeBron puts on a terrible performance in the biggest game of his life. (See Game 5) and after the their season ends, instead of talking about the group of guys,his teamates, who he wants to talk to and consol do something-instead he goes right into free agency talk. Now we are here, 8 days after free agency started, and everyone is talking about James going to Miami. Like its pretty much a done deal. And now he's going to annouce it nationally in primetime? You tell me that LeBron isn't partly at fault here.

And I'm looking at this from the Cavs fans' perspective. I could give a rats ass about how the organization feels. But from a fans perspective, who have been there since the begining, this is a dagger to the heart. Should the announcement be that he's going to another team. LeBron didn't have to do it this way. The media may have craved for it, but it didn't have to be done. LeBron could have said no. But his ego is much to big to let this pass by. While I think he's leaving, I hope he does decide to stay.

Ok with that out of the way, the Nets are out of the running with LeBron.so they needed to make some moves. I like the signing of Outlaw. I agree with B.S that he's getting a little to much money, but isn't everyone? Anyways, I like his game and with a need at the SF position, they made a good signing.

I understand that the Celtics needed a replacement for Wallace, I just don't know if O'Neal was the right move. With his injury history, the Celtics will be lucky if he can stay healthy throughout the season. He's only getting midlevel so its not that big a deal, but I just don't know. If he does stay healthy, they that could be key signing for them, as I'm sure O'Neal has something left in the tank.

 

[Digging4Plunder]

Man i dont know. I think he took advantage of the fact that media craves it so much that he's doing the press conference. If it wasn't for charity and just for shits and giggles, then yeah I'd say Bron has an ego. Looking at it from a Cavs Fan perspective too, how in the holy hell can they be mad at Lebron for leaving? DON'T LEAVE US LEBRON! WAH WAH! Who cares how long Lebron has been there? The dagger to their hearts should be the fact that despite Bron giving them the past 3 years, they STILL HAVEN'T BUILT A WINNER! I mean, wtf? Cavs fans can direct anger at Bron all they want but like I said.. is it really HIS fault if he wants to leave? It's not his responsibility to build a winner, it's up to the GM/Owner or whoever the hell it is to put the pieces around him. Cav Fans.. raise hell if Bron leaves and ask how good a player has to be for them to start spending money.

 

[People's Champ]

Man i dont know. I think he took advantage of the fact that media craves it so much that he's doing the press conference. If it wasn't for charity and just for shits and giggles, then yeah I'd say Bron has an ego. Looking at it from a Cavs Fan perspective too, how in the holy hell can they be mad at Lebron for leaving? DON'T LEAVE US LEBRON! WAH WAH! Who cares how long Lebron has been there? The dagger to their hearts should be the fact that despite Bron giving them the past 3 years, they STILL HAVEN'T BUILT A WINNER! I mean, wtf? Cavs fans can direct anger at Bron all they want but like I said.. is it really HIS fault if he wants to leave? It's not his responsibility to build a winner, it's up to the GM/Owner or whoever the hell it is to put the pieces around him. Cav Fans.. raise hell if Bron leaves and ask how good a player has to be for them to start spending money.

So are you saying the team he just had this year-which won the most games in the NBA- wasn't a winner? Tell me that in Game 5 of the Celtics series LeBron put his best effort on the floor. You can't because he didn't. He had the pieces to make a run and for whatever reason he just didn't show up.

And if you can understand its not the fact that he's (rumored to be) leaving. Most rational fans, while extremely hurt, still would understand. Its the manner in which its happening. Its been dragged out and ending on primetime tv. Tell me you wouldn't be angry that he's put your city thru hell by dragging this out and then tells the world on tv he leaving. That's the part you have to understand. Not that he would be leaving, but the way he's going out.

 

[Digging4Plunder]

I gotcha. The process took so long because he waited to see what team would fit his needs. Sure, it's been agonizing for Cleveland. I feel bad for them because either way they shouldn't be happy. If they get him back, it's the same time that lost. If they lose him, the team gets worse.

And yea - there was no effort in Game 5.. but I feel the reason he's upset with Cleveland is because who stepped up? You're main guy has an off night and you need talent to offset. There's no other outstanding player on that team to carry the load when Lebron scores 20 or less. Too much fluctuation in good and bad games with Mo & company. So while I can agree there was no effort.. where the hell was the rest of the team at? That's what Lebron's been wanting, is someone there who's confident and good enough to carry the team with him. Again, Cleveland fans.. yelling Fuck Lebron all you want is cool.. I agree.. but yelling God damn management you fucking suck too is also acceptable.