NBA Offseason Thread 2010

[Joe's Gonna Kill You]

Lots of news to report The Utah Jazz have finalized the terms of their expected trade with Minnesota to acquire big man Al Jefferson. I think this is a very good trade for the Jazz and they effectively replaced Boozer with a pretty good player.

Cleveland Cavaliers free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas will follow his ex-Cavs teammate LeBron James to the Miami Heat, his agent told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Another good signing by the Heat and they are starting to resemble a Team not just 3 superstars.

The Magic signed free agent Quentin Richardson on Tuesday. This move means that its likely that either Matt Barnes Or J.J Redick will not resign and Im leaning towards Matt being the one left out

 

[People's Champ]

Its being said that Kobe and the Lakers are agressively pursuing Raja Bell. They don't have much to offer Bell in terms of money (with Blake getting $14 million) but its said Koobe really wants to have Bell on the team. He respects Bell's toughness and is in fact meeting face to face with Bell in LA. I think this would be a great signing for the Lakers. Bell has recovered from his wrist injury and can provide more toughness to a teamthat can use it. And with Brown unsure of coming back to LA, this would be a smart move.

The Lakers right now are still the best team in the league, no matter what Miami has done. I'm saying it now, they will win a 3rd straight. Jackson is back as well as Fisher. They upgraded by signing Blake and and with Bell will be better. Kobe will be ultramotivated with all the attention going to South Beach to be better than he has been. I'm very excited for this team next season.

 

[The Crock]

As a Jazz fan, and season ticket holder, I am very happy with the Al Jefferson trade. We needed someone to replace Carlos Boozer and we got someone younger, with more potential. Don't be surprised if the Jazz don't skip a beat next year and get much better. We'll be a team that does very well.

 

[simpsons_fanatic742]

Update on the Raptors/Suns/Bobcats:

The Bobcats and Raptors trade involving Calderon, Evans for Diaw, Chandler has broken down. Michael Jordan called the trade off because he didn't like the return from Toronto. He then went and shipped Chandler to the Mavericks for Dampier, Najera, and another player. The Raptors will still trade Turkoglu to the Suns for Barbosa.

I must say this is a weird situation. Jordan isn't the GM and it doesn't look good on the GM of Charlotte when he makes a trade, but when Jordan says no it gets stopped. It could make teams wonder who's really in charge and who they should make deals with. If I'm the GM, I'm not to happy right now.

I was excited for Diaw and Chandler, but now the Raptors are going to have to look elsewhere. I hope they get a true center like Chandler because we are in dire need for one.

 

[Big Sexy]

Lots of news to report The Utah Jazz have finalized the terms of their expected trade with Minnesota to acquire big man Al Jefferson. I think this is a very good trade for the Jazz and they effectively replaced Boozer with a pretty good player.

This is a great trade for the Jazz. Without Jefferson I would have said they wouldn't have made the playoffs. With him they can still compete. Boozer is gone and Memo is injured and may miss the start of the season so they would have been down to Paul Millsap and Kosta Koufos as their only big men. Millsap and Jefferson looks a lot better as Koufos has been a bust and I don't see him improving in Minnesota.

Cleveland Cavaliers free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas will follow his ex-Cavs teammate LeBron James to the Miami Heat, his agent told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Another good signing by the Heat and they are starting to resemble a Team not just 3 superstars.

Big Z has started to slow down a lot the last year or two so while this move adds depth it doesn't do anything significant to improve their roster.

The Magic signed free agent Quentin Richardson on Tuesday. This move means that its likely that either Matt Barnes Or J.J Redick will not resign and Im leaning towards Matt being the one left out

Q should fit in better with the Magic then Matt Barnes did beacuse he is a much better three point shooter. It gives Dwight Howard another guy to kick it out to.

Its being said that Kobe and the Lakers are agressively pursuing Raja Bell. They don't have much to offer Bell in terms of money (with Blake getting $14 million) but its said Koobe really wants to have Bell on the team. He respects Bell's toughness and is in fact meeting face to face with Bell in LA. I think this would be a great signing for the Lakers. Bell has recovered from his wrist injury and can provide more toughness to a teamthat can use it. And with Brown unsure of coming back to LA, this would be a smart move.

Getting Raja Bell would be great. With him, Artest, and Kobe that would be three legit shut down defenders. People are wondering how teams can guard LeBron and Wade, while the Lakers can do it very well and still have a lock down defender left over.

Update on the Raptors/Suns/Bobcats:

The Bobcats and Raptors trade involving Calderon, Evans for Diaw, Chandler has broken down. Michael Jordan called the trade off because he didn't like the return from Toronto. He then went and shipped Chandler to the Mavericks for Dampier, Najera, and another player. The Raptors will still trade Turkoglu to the Suns for Barbosa.

Calderon would have been great for Charlotte because they need depth behind DJ Augistin but this way they get to keep Diaw and still add a veteran center in Dampier and a solid bench guy in Najera.

 

[Platypus Palsy]

I'm gonna go ahead and talk about Wade's comments. Wade said that the people saying that Lebron is diminishing his brand and that he isn't the first to win it with help.

I wish I could laugh in Wade's face. I really do. Wade is almost if not as good as Lebron just he doesn't attack the basket in the same way considering he isn't the same size. So with someone as good as you and Bosh who is being claimed as great, this can't be compared to any other team. All other big time players were unarguably the number one on their team. Bird, Magic, Jordan didn't have help with the ability of Wade, but on the hand of Bosh, probably.

This off season is starting to piss me the fuck off. Big Z, what the fuck? you're gonna get more play time in Miami and show off how bad you are with more of the work load.

Al Jefferson will really help Utah and this move will definitely replace Boozer really well.

 

[Khalifa]

Yeah well with Z leaving Cavs it looks like Cavs are going to be hoping for another number one draft pick aren't they.

Does anyone know the exact deal on the Utah Jazz getting Al Jefferson because I would sure like to know. Also Chandler was sent to the Mavs for Najera, Carrol and dampier. That to me is a really funny trade. Chandler was way below his capable level of play last season and even the season before but I still think the Mavs got the better side of this trade. Chandler can play defense and is a good back up to Haywood unlike Dampier. However with the people Bobcats got, Carrol and Najera recieved limited playing time last year and dampier is dampier. I personally would have kept chandler.

 

[The Crock]

The Jazz gave Minnesota 2 first round picks from next year (they had an extra from the Brewer trade), and Kosta Koufos for Al Jefferson who fits into their salary exception slot from the sign and trade for Boozer.

 

[Big Sexy]

All other big time players were unarguably the number one on their team. Bird, Magic, Jordan didn't have help with the ability of Wade, but on the hand of Bosh, probably.

Larry Bird having the same help is arguable but Magic Johnson most definitely had just as much talent around him as LeBron will in Miami. Kareem Abdul-Jabaar is arguably the greatest center of all time and James Worthy is one of the 50 greatest players of all time. Arguably the best point guard ever, best center ever, and another top 50 all time player on top of that is better then what the Heat have.

On to other news. Shaun Livingston signed a 2 year 7 million dollar deal with Charlotte. DJ Augistin is the only point guard left on the team so they needed some depth and Livingston is a former top 5 pick. A couple years ago he had a devastating knee injury but seems to have recovered and at 24 still has a bright future. If Augistin struggles, Livingston could play big minutes next year.

The Denver Nuggets signed Al Harrington to a 5 year 34 million dollar deal. K Mart and the Birdman are expected to miss the start of the season recovering from surgery so the Nuggest needed a capable big man. Harrington is more then capable and should put up some good numbers in Denver. They also got him for just the right price. A starting 5 of Chauncey, Afflalo, Melo, Harrington, and Nene with a bench of Ty Lawson, JR Smith, K Mart, and the Birdman looks very good. Denver is easily a top three team in the West along with LA and Dallas if they can stay healthy. I expect Carmelo to sign his extension now looking at the team they have.

 

[gd]

So I think it's fair to say that Timberwolves GM David Kahn has put himself well in the lead as worst GM in the NBA. Coming off last year's draft in which he picked Ricky Rubio and Johnny Flynn back to back, prompting Rubio to hide out in Spain for the forseeable future, his offseason has been even worse.

He spent an ludicrous amount of money on Darko, who has yet to show himself as a competent NBA player. He traded for Beasely, which wasn't terrible considering the price
He drafted Wes Johnson and Lazard Hayward in the first round, and promptly added another 3 in Martell Webster.

Kahn also decided it would be ideal to dump his best player, Al Jefferson, for 2 future picks, a trade exception and Kofa Koufus. With the leftover cap room, he was able to sign Luke Ridnour to a 4 year deal. The Wolves now have 3 PGs in Flynn, Ramon Sessions, and Ridnour, as well as Rubio overseas. It's likely Sessions will be traded, likely for far less than his value. Tell me, how does this man have a job?

Also, the Chandler trade didn't make any sesne for the Bobcats money wise, as they took Dampier's terrible contract which they aren't waiving (yet) as well as Carroll's terrible deal.

 

[Platypus Palsy]

Larry Bird having the same help is arguable but Magic Johnson most definitely had just as much talent around him as LeBron will in Miami. Kareem Abdul-Jabaar is arguably the greatest center of all time and James Worthy is one of the 50 greatest players of all time. Arguably the best point guard ever, best center ever, and another top 50 all time player on top of that is better then what the Heat have.

I was arguing that Magic was THE GUY, not that he had no help. Magic had great talent around him, but Lebron has better considering the talent of himself and Wade, and Bosh isn't too shabby himself. Magic also didn't have a choice and sign into this team, unlike what Lebron is doing. That's what I'm trying to argue.

 

[Big Sexy]

Also, the Chandler trade didn't make any sesne for the Bobcats money wise, as they took Dampier's terrible contract which they aren't waiving (yet) as well as Carroll's terrible deal.

Just hearing the deal it didn't sound bad but after looking at the figures it was a horrible move. Dampier only has one year left on his contract and it's non-guaranteed so whether the Bobcats waive him or not they will be saving money. The other two guys however, Matt Carol and Eduardo Najera, still have I believe 2 or 3 years left on their deals and both guys are overpaid. When I first heard the deal I figured both guys were throw ins with expiring contracts but that has turned out not to be the case. The Bobcats tried a money saving trade and they are going to end up losing money in the long run.

 

[Khalifa]

So after Lakers chased after Raja Bell it looks like he will be signing with the Jazz. I am not sure on the terms and conditions tho. That signing to me puzzled me tho. Why would Bell sign with the Jazz, does he hate Kobe that much? Utah are in position from 2-6 in the western conference with the roster they have now and he chooses them over the Lakers who are favourites the win it. Doesn't he want to win a championship?

Also Shannon Brown looks like he is going to resign for the Lakers after they couldn't get Bell. I like it as Brown has quick hands and brings great energy of the bench. Not a bad shooter as well.

 

[People's Champ]

So after Lakers chased after Raja Bell it looks like he will be signing with the Jazz. I am not sure on the terms and conditions tho. That signing to me puzzled me tho. Why would Bell sign with the Jazz, does he hate Kobe that much? Utah are in position from 2-6 in the western conference with the roster they have now and he chooses them over the Lakers who are favourites the win it. Doesn't he want to win a championship?

Also Shannon Brown looks like he is going to resign for the Lakers after they couldn't get Bell. I like it as Brown has quick hands and brings great energy of the bench. Not a bad shooter as well.

I have to say that I was pretty suprised myself. I figured with Kobe trying hard to bring him to LA he was pretty much a lock. Interesting decision on his part. I know there was more money to sign with Utah, but the Lakers are in a position right now where they are clearly the best in the West and have the best chance to win a title. I figured he was going to be a Laker. Oh well. The Lakers didn't really need to make many moves this offseason. They've upgraded with Blake as the backup to Fisher and by keeping the team in tact they still have the best chance to get that 3peat.

 

[Big Sexy]

So after Lakers chased after Raja Bell it looks like he will be signing with the Jazz. I am not sure on the terms and conditions tho. That signing to me puzzled me tho. Why would Bell sign with the Jazz, does he hate Kobe that much? Utah are in position from 2-6 in the western conference with the roster they have now and he chooses them over the Lakers who are favourites the win it. Doesn't he want to win a championship?

He got more money in Utah, is more comfortable with a head coach he trusts and respects in Jerry Sloan, and he is returning to the team that first gave him an opportunity to play significant minutes and contribute. He is also most likely going to start in Utah. This has nothing to do with Kobe as they have buried the hatchet over the last couple years and they had already been talking on the phone about Bell possibly going to LA. He went with the situation that is more comfortable for him and best for him financially wise. LA could only give him 1.8 mill a year contract. In Utah he's getting a 3 year 10 million dollar contract.

 

[Khalifa]

Yeah well with Bell being a veteran and not likely going to play many more years I find it stupid he would pick money over a very high title contender. Oh wells stupid choice.

In other news Luis Scola signed a 5 year 47 million dollar contract with the Rockets. Very good decision by the rockets, Scola is a tough player and is good down low. Got him for just the right about of money to.

 

[thrilla11]

The Clippers might be pursuing Tracy McGrady.

As much as Tracy McGrady(notes) has wanted to play with LeBron James(notes) for the past two seasons, it’s still unclear if the Miami Heat are prepared to offer him a contract. Nevertheless, league sources say a fresh possibility for NBA employment has surfaced for McGrady: the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers have had conversations with McGrady’s agent, and team officials could soon decide to watch him work out for a closer inspection. With Travis Outlaw(notes) signing a free-agent contract with the New Jersey Nets, the Clippers are resolved to sign a swingman with some scoring punch off the bench. They’ve spent the last few days gathering information on McGrady and deciding how they want to proceed.

McGrady wanted the Cleveland Cavaliers to sign him last season after he requested his release from the Houston Rockets. The Rockets instead traded McGrady to the New York Knicks, where a few flashes of his old self were tempered with his recurring knee issues. He shot 39 percent and averaged 9.4 points in 24 games with the Knicks.

McGrady has wanted badly to join James with the Heat, but Miami can sign him only to the veteran’s minimum and has yet to make him an offer. The Chicago Bulls have also shown some interest in McGrady.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...clippers071410

Here's a tweet from a reliable source:

STEIN_LINE_HQ RT @reallisa: Just got off phone with Clippers' Neil Olshey. Clips bringing in Tracy McGrady next week to work out for them

Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/#ixzz0timH4ogg

And here's a report from ESPNLosAngeles.com

LAS VEGAS -- Free agent forward Tracy McGrady has scheduled a workout with the Los Angeles Clippers next week.

"We've said from the beginning we'd explore every option to make this team as competitive as possible," Clippers general manager Neil Olshey said Thursday night after the team's summer league game in Las Vegas.

"From a due diligence standpoint, if Tracy McGrady wants to come work out for you, for the price of a plane ticket and a dinner, how do you not bring him in?"

Olshey has known McGrady, 31, since the seven-time All-Star and two-time NBA scoring champion was in high school and Olshey worked for agent Arn Tellem.

Despite drafting Al-Farouq Aminu eighth overall last month and signing free agent Ryan Gomes, the Clippers still have a noticeable hole in their starting lineup at small forward.

"Tracy and I have a good relationship," Olshey said. "We've known each other for a long time. He and Baron [Davis] have a good relationship. We obviously have a need for playmaking and scoring on the wings.

"You're talking about one of the greatest offensive talents in our game, and if Tracy is motivated and he's right, and he wants to be with us ... how could you not bring him in and take a look?"

McGrady has played 65 games over the past three seasons as back, knee and shoulder injuries consistently hampered his play. He hasn't shot above 40 percent from the field since the 2007-08 season.

He was traded from the Rockets to the New York Knicks in February, but averaged just 9.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in a little over 26 minutes a game.

As the Knicks season ended in April, McGrady told reporters in New York that he might retire if he's unable to regain his form over the summer and resurrect his career.

"If it don't happen this summer, I'll ride off into the"If it don't happen this summer, I'll ride off into the sunset," he said before sitting out the Knicks season finale. "If I could go through another offseason of working my [butt] off, and I don't feel I'm getting any better, I can't see myself coming back playing the way I'm playing right now. I just don't see it happening."

Olshey said he's been told that McGrady has been training hard in Houston and Orlando this summer and initial reports about his condition sound promising.

"That's why we're brining him next week for a workout," Olshey said. "From a due diligence standpoint, how could you not take a look?"

Ramona Shelburne is a columnist and reporter for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5385201

The Clippers drafted SF Al-Farouq Aminu and signed Ryan Gomes to a contract this summer but they still lack scoring at the 3 spot. Aminu has looked terrible in Summer League action, going 2-14 one game and 3-15 in another. Gomes is a career back-up player and will not be looked upon to score 15 plus a game, as that is not his game. With Travis Outlaw leaving via free agency, the Clippers need a scorer and the once prolific Tracy McGrady might be the answer. Yes, he has been oft-injured in recent years but he's been working out vigorously this summer to try and get back to his old All-Star form. This is a no brainer for both parties as the Clippers will lose nothing with the signing of T-Mac because they do not look to sign him for the long term and they still have money to spare. For T-Mac, Los Angeles looks like the only place where he can start and get a significant amount of money.

 

[Big Sexy]

Yeah well with Bell being a veteran and not likely going to play many more years I find it stupid he would pick money over a very high title contender. Oh wells stupid choice.

You act like Bell is a former superstar who has made tons of money throughout his career. The most money he has ever made in any given season was 5.25 million. It's not like that was the only factor either. Utah was the first team that gave him an opportunity to really showcase his abilities. Things like loyalty are sometimes lost in sports but Bell is a classy guy and he wanted to return to the first team that really saw something in him. He also has a great relationship with Jerry Sloan and that was probably the biggest factor of all. He is returning to a team that he loves to play for a coach that he loves and has a lot of respect for. Plus the Jazz aren't some 20 win a year team. They have a chance to do something in the West with Al Jefferson, Bell, and drafting Gordon Hayward. I like what they've done this offseason.

The Clippers might be pursuing Tracy McGrady

T Mac has a chance to show he still has it in LA. His legacy has been tarnished by injuries but if he can make a comeback and help this Clippers team improve then that will do a lot to change people's views on him. And you know damn well Donald Sterling will be quick to sign him if he shows he is healthy in workouts. This could potentially be a big money maker for Sterling.

 

[People's Champ]

Barring some unforseen occurrence, Utah is not going to win the West. Have they done good things during the offseason? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean they can win. They may not be 20 win but they definately aren't going to be champs anytime soon. See, while he may not be some vetern who's made a lot money, he's at the stage in his career where he needs to go to a serious contender to win a title. Utah is not beating LA. Period. Haven't done it before, won't now. The way I see, he's still a classy guy even if he decided to go to LA. Better opportunity.

Now onto some business that hasn't been discussed yet and that's the sale of the Warriors. Chris Cohan finally sold the team and for a record $450 million. This was a bittersweet move for Warrior fans. It was absolutely great because Cohan may have been the worst owner in bay area sports history. The team made the playoffs once in his 16 year run as owner. So to have his reign end has brought joy to the bay.

However, reports came out that the obvious choice as owner-Oracle CEO and 6th richest man in the world Larry Ellison-didn't win the bid. Minority partner of the Celtics Joe Lacob and Mandalay Entertainment CEO Peter Guber bought the team. And what was more head scratching to Warrior fans was that word was Ellison offered even more money for the team than other bids. That was Warrior fans hope, that Ellison would be the new owner. With his ties to sports and deep pockets, he would have been the best. The reasoning behind not taking that offer was that it didn't get in on time. Noone out here is believing that. The feeling is that something personal caused them not to take this offer.

So there is some pause about what the new owners will bring. Will they be committed to winning? Are they all about the bottom line? Time will tell. But Cohan out is a good thing. Now hope is they let go of Nelson and the other front office guys and start their own regime. We will see how things go from here, but things are looking up.

 

[Big Sexy]

Barring some unforseen occurrence, Utah is not going to win the West.

I didn't say that they would win the West. Not this year at least, but they are still a very good team and could compete in a year or two if they keep on improving.

See, while he may not be some vetern who's made a lot money, he's at the stage in his career where he needs to go to a serious contender to win a title.

So basically every single veteran player who has never won a title should go to either the Lakers or Heat? Miami wanted Bell too and he didn't go there either. The fact is that only ONE team wins a title every year. Does LA have a better opportunity then most teams? Sure, but they aren't a lock by any means to win it all again. An aging Celtics team took them to 7 games this last year and while the Lakers are basically the same team, other teams have vastly improved.

Veterans in the past have gone to teams just to win titles and have failed. Grant Hill went to Phoenix and couldn't even make the finals. Antonio McDyess went to the Pistons the year after they won it all and then lost in the finals one year and the East finals the next three. McDyess then tried again going to San Antonio and failed. Barkley failed going to Houston, Malone failed joining the Super Lakers in 2004, and the list goes on. There are tons of things that go into a decision of where to play and Bell made the decision that he felt was best for him.

Utah is not beating LA. Period. Haven't done it before, won't now.

This year, no. But in the next year or two it's possible. The Jazz are a very young team. Deron Williams is 26, Al Jefferson is 25, Millsap is 25, Kirilenko is 29, and they have room to improve a lot as a team. The Lakers will soon be on the decline. Kobe turns 32 in August, Gasol is 30, Artest turns 31 in November, D Fish turns 36 in August, and their one great young player in Andrew Bynum has been injury prone. not saying it will happen but it is very possible.

Once again Bell is joining the first team that gave him a real chance and he is going to try and help them reach elite status. He has a tremendous relationship with Jerry Sloan and wanted to play for him again. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the decision he made.

 

[People's Champ]

I didn't say that they would win the West. Not this year at least, but they are still a very good team and could compete in a year or two if they keep on improving.

Yea they could compete but by that time Miami could be hitting their stride, or we could end up having a lockout (which is sounding more and more likely). I fail to see the opportunity for BELL to win a championship by signing with Utah.

So basically every single veteran player who has never won a title should go to either the Lakers or Heat? Miami wanted Bell too and he didn't go there either. The fact is that only ONE team wins a title every year. Does LA have a better opportunity? Sure, but they aren't a lock by any means to win it all again. An aging Celtics team took them to 7 games this last year and while the Lakers are basically the same team, other teams have vastly improved.

Veterans in the past have gone to teams just to win titles and have failed. Grant Hill went to Phoenix and couldn't even make the finals. Antonio McDyess went to the Pistons the year after they won it all and then lost in the finals one year and the East finals the next three. McDyess then tried again going to San Antonio and failed. Barkley failed going to Houston, Malone failed joining the Super Lakers in 2004, and the list goes on. There are tons of things that go into a decision of where to play and Bell made the decision that he felt was best for him.

I understand that there are a lot of factors that come into play when deciding where to suit up next season. But I thought the goal was to a ring? And if the two best teams in the league are actively pursuing you, and this may be your only real shot shot at winning, you got to take it, regardless of of past experiences.

That's one thing I've always disliked, is people talking about players who tried to win rings by signing with another team and trying to use it as an argument. So what if they failed? When they made their decision, it was signing withe best teams at the time. Their goal was to win a championship so they went where they felt they had the best chance to win. Nothing wrong with that. And shouldn't be used as an example to make it seem as though its a wrong move to do so. If Bell is not interested ina ring, or if he's got other factors that make Utah the best situation for him, that's fine. In no way am I upset or think he's stupid for doing best for him. All I'm saying is if he wants to win a ring, there were other teams with better chances that he should have signed with.

This year, no. But in the next year or two it's possible. The Jazz are a very young team. Deron Williams is 26, Al Jefferson is 25, Millsap is 25, Kirilenko is 29, and they have room to improve a lot as a team. The Lakers will soon be on the decline. Kobe turns 32 in August, Gasol is 30, Artest turns 31 in November, D Fish turns 36 in August, and their one great young player in Andrew Bynum has been injury prone. not saying it will happen but it is very possible.

Once again Bell is joining the first team that gave him a real chance and he is going to try and help them reach elite status. He has a tremendous relationship with Jerry Sloan and wanted to play for him again. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the decision he made.

You seem to keep forgeting about the lockout that will be taking place after next season. All indications are that its going to happen. And there's a real possiblity it could last 2 seasons. He'll be 34 in September, and if the lockout last 2 years, if, he will be 36. He might not even be with the team when basketball resumes. So while yes, Utah is a young team and has potential, doesn't mean Bell will be there to enjoy the sucess. The lockout if a factor that has to be considered. Which is why I think choosing a real contender now would have been the best option for Bell.

 

[Big Sexy]

I understand that there are a lot of factors that come into play when deciding where to suit up next season. But I thought the goal was to a ring? And if the two best teams in the league are actively pursuing you, and this may be your only real shot shot at winning, you got to take it, regardless of of past experiences.

That is the biggest goal but if you can get more money, play for a team you like more, and a coach you like more, and still have a shot to compete in the next couple years then you have to take it.

That's one thing I've always disliked, is people talking about players who tried to win rings by signing with another team and trying to use it as an argument. So what if they failed? When they made their decision, it was signing withe best teams at the time. Their goal was to win a championship so they went where they felt they had the best chance to win. Nothing wrong with that. And shouldn't be used as an example to make it seem as though its a wrong move to do so. If Bell is not interested ina ring, or if he's got other factors that make Utah the best situation for him, that's fine. In no way am I upset or think he's stupid for doing best for him. All I'm saying is if he wants to win a ring, there were other teams with better chances that he should have signed with.

These examples are very relevant. It shows that nothing is guaranteed and no matter how good a team is there is no such thing as a sure thing in professional sports. Why take a deal in LA for less money, in a city unfamiliar to you, playing for a coach you have never played for (and will be gone after this year) just because they are the "favorites" to win the title. If Bell signed with the Lakers and they didn't win a title this next year then he would have regretted his decision.

You seem to keep forgeting about the lockout that will be taking place after next season. All indications are that its going to happen. And there's a real possiblity it could last 2 seasons. He'll be 34 in September, and if the lockout last 2 years, if, he will be 36. He might not even be with the team when basketball resumes. So while yes, Utah is a young team and has potential, doesn't mean Bell will be there to enjoy the sucess. The lockout if a factor that has to be considered. Which is why I think choosing a real contender now would have been the best option for Bell.

WILL be taking place? Every single time labor issues come up in sports there are sources that say a lockout is a very good possibility. It rarely happens and when it does it's an even rarer occurrence that it lasts an entire season let alone two. Only the MLB in the mid 90's and the NHL a few years ago missed an entire season. David Stern for my money is the best commissioner in the 4 major sports and I will make a guarantee right now that a deal will be reached and at the very most maybe a half season will be lost.

 

[People's Champ]

That is the biggest goal but if you can get more money, play for a team you like more, and a coach you like more, and still have a shot to compete in the next couple years then you have to take it.



These examples are very relevant. It shows that nothing is guaranteed and no matter how good a team is there is no such thing as a sure thing in professional sports. Why take a deal in LA for less money, in a city unfamiliar to you, playing for a coach you have never played for (and will be gone after this year) just because they are the "favorites" to win the title. If Bell signed with the Lakers and they didn't win a title this next year then he would have regretted his decision.



WILL be taking place? Every single time labor issues come up in sports there are sources that say a lockout is a very good possibility. It rarely happens and when it does it's an even rarer occurrence that it lasts an entire season let alone two. Only the MLB in the mid 90's and the NHL a few years ago missed an entire season. David Stern for my money is the best commissioner in the 4 major sports and I will make a guarantee right now that a deal will be reached and at the very most maybe a half season will be lost.

As far as the lockout is concerned, these aren't from sources. The head of the union has said that they will not budge and are expecting a lockout. That's not just some random no name source. I will agree with you that Stern is the best commisioner in all 4 sports -(was even thinking about starting a thread on it but don't know if there would be much debate on it)-and if anyone could make a deal it would be him. However, to guarantee only half a season will be lost is too much. I don't know exactly what the union or owners really want but both seem dead set on not budging. I doubt it extends out longer than season, but there are no guarantees about anything.

And of course nothing is guaranteed in sports or in life that's a given. But with a better opportunity elsewhere, why not take it? if LA wins a title, he has his ring and there will be a team waiting to sign him to a nice contract for his services. Always happens. Its not as if this would have been his last team. He would have gotten a one year deal and could have had a real shot. Or if he signed with Miami he could have had a chance at winning mulitpule titles with the "Bigger Three" in a great city like Miami. Again comfortable is nice, but winning at this point should be a big factor. And while winning isn't guaranteed, its a lot closer to that in LA or Miami than Utah.

 

[Big Sexy]

As far as the lockout is concerned, these aren't from sources. The head of the union has said that they will not budge and are expecting a lockout. That's not just some random no name source. I will agree with you that Stern is the best commisioner in all 4 sports -(was even thinking about starting a thread on it but don't know if there would be much debate on it)-and if anyone could make a deal it would be him. However, to guarantee only half a season will be lost is too much. I don't know exactly what the union or owners really want but both seem dead set on not budging. I doubt it extends out longer than season, but there are no guarantees about anything.

Back in 2005 when the NBA's labor agreement from 1999 was over the head of the union and everyone involved were saying similar things to what is now being said. They all said a lockout was likely and a deal ended up being reached. I'll believe it when I see it but I'd be willing to bet money on the fact that an entire season will not be lost. Everyone gets overly paranoid in these situations. Especially after what happened to the NHL.

And of course nothing is guaranteed in sports or in life that's a given. But with a better opportunity elsewhere, why not take it? if LA wins a title, he has his ring and there will be a team waiting to sign him to a nice contract for his services. Always happens. Its not as if this would have been his last team. He would have gotten a one year deal and could have had a real shot. Or if he signed with Miami he could have had a chance at winning mulitpule titles with the "Bigger Three" in a great city like Miami. Again comfortable is nice, but winning at this point should be a big factor. And while winning isn't guaranteed, its a lot closer to that in LA or Miami than Utah.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. To me Bell made the best choice possible for himself taking everything into account. He's comfortable with the team, the coach, and still has a good chance to compete.

 

[People's Champ]

Back in 2005 when the NBA's labor agreement from 1999 was over the head of the union and everyone involved were saying similar things to what is now being said. They all said a lockout was likely and a deal ended up being reached. I'll believe it when I see it but I'd be willing to bet money on the fact that an entire season will not be lost. Everyone gets overly paranoid in these situations. Especially after what happened to the NHL.

Haha well the NHL, for as much as I love it, isn't exactly the NBA or have a great commish. But I get your point. And I would love it if we could just avoid the lockout all together. Hopefully you are right and this thing is just overblown. I am curious if we will see big changes once a new deal is reached. I know there has been talk of trying to have a hard cap (not sure if I see that happening), and revenue sharing and what not, but it seems like changes are coming.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. To me Bell made the best choice possible for himself taking everything into account. He's comfortable with the team, the coach, and still has a good chance to compete.

I agree to an extent tho. I have no knowledge of what factors the were for the decision he made which is why I won't come down on him as hard for refusing to sign with a team with more realistic chances of winning a title. My outside view is just picking the best place to win what you join the NBA for, a title. In any event, I'm sure everything will work out for him and deservedly so. He's a solid player and a class act in a league that's all about "me first".