|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
if we sign-n-trade for Parker, that means we can still use the full MLE on someone else.
that's the only way it makes sense.
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,679
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,679 |
Quote:
if we sign-n-trade for Parker, that means we can still use the full MLE on someone else.
Sheed?
Not sure who they would want though...
Joe Thomas made Justin Timberlake change his name. He didn't want wusses to have the same initials...
Dawg Talker since 3/26/2005...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 23,847
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 23,847 |
i have to think we would get more than parker in a sign and trade, maybe parker/delfino/marion....combo of those 3
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,679
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,679 |
I saw in a few places that they may use Wally in a sign-and-trade, but there's no way it would be for someone else who is a free agent. Wally/Andy for Bosh/Parker  We could only dream...
Joe Thomas made Justin Timberlake change his name. He didn't want wusses to have the same initials...
Dawg Talker since 3/26/2005...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 601
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 601 |
J/C Hate to say it but with Ar testes going to the lakers that team just went from Champs to repeats... Not to give them the trophy right out but us pinning our hopes on just Shaq would be foolish... We have some overpaid BUMS that we need off the books in order to strengthen this team and it is painfully obvious that money is talking over players wanting a ring... Sadly I see NO studs that will put us over the top as the key role players are pretty much off the market... Ariza would be nice but let's face it, he couldn't hold Ron's Jock... 
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284 |
I guess they could go after Shawn Marion? I know they are still after Anthony Parker. If the Cavs got really desperate they could try a sign and trade with Andy, JJ, Boobie and 1st round picks for Chris Bosh. I don't care if the bench would be weak because the bench would still be weak compared to LA. I just don't know if Toronto would be dumb enough to do it. Mo vs. Fisher Delonte vs. Kobe LeBron vs. Artest Bosh vs. Gasol Shaq vs. Bynum Dan Ferry needs to pull off a serious trade move if we have any shot of beating LA. The Cavs are not going to win it all if the roster remains the same right now 
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065 |
I know the season came to an unceremonious end but come on! We won 66 games last year and GOT BETTER. We added an 18 and 9 center for a retiring role player and a guy who saw the floor every 4-5 games! Just because it happened 10 days ago doesn't mean it's any less important.
Oh no, we're missing out on all the "great" free agents.......or not. IMO Ferry is doing the right thing, or does someone really want to have 10% of our cap tied up in Artest or Ariza for the next 3-5 years? He's looking for players that will take 1 year deals. Why? Well, I think that's obvious.
While a lot of these guys would be nice, the only team in the EAST that might get better is Boston and is anyone really scared of them? Even with Rasheed? Sure, Orlando added Carter but they lost Tukuglu, Lee, Battie and Alston. I don't see how that makes them better? We can still get to the finals, no question.
Aside from the obvious (LeBron), I would assume Ferry is being careful who we allocate money to. We absolutely HAVE to be able to sign another 2010 free agent to a max deal. If we can't, no way in hell LeBron stays. It's not worth potentially mortgaging the next 10+ years for this year. I know everyone says we have to win now! but realistically, if we try that and it doesn't work.....we are screwed. The safe approach is head in to the season with Shaq and sign 1-2 more vets / role players with the MLE and BAE. 1 year deals for those players, plus some of the smaller expiring deals we have, would give us around 10-11 million in expiring contracts we could use at the deadline to pull off a trade. That might be something everyone is overlooking?
I also wouldn't rule out making a pitch for one of the RFA. The reason those don't come first is that money is tied up until a team matches or declines the offer. My guess is we'll start to inquire about some of those guys (Lee, Milsap, ec.) given that the market has been pretty depressed.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
here's the problem with the assertion that "we won 66 games last season"
1. We did NOT win a championship 2. The economic climate has changed the game
#2 is most important here. The eilte teams are adding pieces and becoming stronger. Just look at what the top teams are doing....if you don't make moves to keep pace, you will be left as a pretty good team that isn't good enough:
LA - basically traded Ariza for Artest....Ariza doesn't usually shoot the ball like he did in the playoffs, unless that becomes regular, they got much better (and Odom resigns as expected)
SA - got Richard Jefferson for what could amount to nothing (all 3 guys could get bought out and end up back there). SF was their biggest hole last year. Their 2nd biggest was PF.....they are going hard after 'Sheed for the MLE. They also got Blair in the draft (even if his knees don't hold out....he's a short-term help).
Boston - expected to sign 'Sheed as they have been pushing hard for him. That plus health could push them up a level. They are also being creative and were trying to sell high on Rondo (I think that would have been a smart move if they could have done it quieter).
Orlando - the one team that probably took a step back...they are losing Gortat who is a valuable reserve....they might sign Bass to replace him, but he's more of a 3/4. They obviously are losing Turk which hurts them as he initiated everything from the wing. But, VC is a good player and scorer....and they are getting back Jameer (upgrade from Alston). They are probably not better than last year but will end up no worse.
So, it's not about the 'name' FA...it's about the guys who would fit (which is why I still want Marvin).....and it's about making sure we rise up to the challenge of the other elite teams.
I like the Wally for Parker idea...not sure why Toronto would do it though....maybe if part of his contract is not guaranteed though I wouldn't imagine that is allowed.
we'd run into a problem with roster spots though....here is our current:
1) Lebron 2) Mo 3) Delonte 4) AV - if he resigns 5) Shaq 6) Z 7) Hickson 8) Gibson 9) Kinsey 10) Darnell Jackson 11) Danny Green 12) Jawad Williams Too bad for local-boy Jawad Williams as the first guy we sign likely takes away his spot. Kinsey is next on the axe as it is most likely we get at least 2 FAs.
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284 |
Quote:
We won 66 games last year and GOT BETTER.
A team that just won the NBA championship just got better. 
Orlando does NOT scare me anymore. I think we match up with them very well now. Losing Gortat, Lee and Turk will hurt their bench because now pietrus must start. I can't name anybody scary that's on their bench. Shaq can handle Dwight. They don't have tremendous size advantage over us now.
Boston will be a threat. SA or LA can knock eachother out of the playoffs. However they are both very good teams.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,679
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,679 |
Quote:
here's the problem with the assertion that "we won 66 games last season"
1. We did NOT win a championship 2. The economic climate has changed the game
#2 is most important here. The eilte teams are adding pieces and becoming stronger. Just look at what the top teams are doing....if you don't make moves to keep pace, you will be left as a pretty good team that isn't good enough
You did list these...
Quote:
LA - basically traded Ariza for Artest
SA - got Richard Jefferson
Boston - expected to sign 'Sheed
Orlando - VC
But for got...
Cavs - traded nothing for Shaq!!!
I'd say we improved too whether we get a big FA or not...
Joe Thomas made Justin Timberlake change his name. He didn't want wusses to have the same initials...
Dawg Talker since 3/26/2005...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065 |
I just don't see why everyone is about to jump off a cliff though? Seems like a lot of panic for a few players that probably weren't the "missing piece".
1.) Artest - Would he have made us better? I mean, I suppose he would have but probably not by the margin many around here think. Unless everyone really undervalues Delonte, which may be the case.
Artest (29 years old): 17 PPG, 5 REB, 3 AST, 40.1% FG, 39.9% 3PT on 15 FG attempts per game.
West (25 years old): 12 PPG, 4 AST, 3 REB, 45.7% FG, 39.9% 3 PT on 10 FG attempts per game.
I mean, is 5 points and 1 rebound worth losing any sleep over? When Artest takes 5 more shots per game? Especially when Delonte is what I would consider to be a rising player. Delonte is a great perimeter defender as well. While he lacks some of the size Artest has, our weakness is at the 4, not the 2. I don't see how Ariza or Artest help us enough to want to mess with our team's chemistry?
Honestly, the PERFECT free agent for us THIS year is Antonio Mcdyess. Dice was a top 10 rebounder this season and has a great mid range game. He could sit on the baseline and drill 15-17 footers all day. Not going to be a problem in the locker room, just desperately wants a title and for that reason would probably take a ONE year deal. About as good as it's going to get.
Also, a guy like Anthony Parker would be a great role player as well. Shoots really well from 3, can defend the 2 or the 3 and has the ability to get you 15-20 points from time to time.
Re-sign Andy and we are significantly better then we were last year.
If we could field a team looking like this:
PG Mo Willaims SG Delonte West SF LeBron James PF Antonio Mcdyess C Shaq
Bench:
Ilgauskus Varejao Parker
That's just the top 8 in the rotation, without mentioning Boobie or Hickson. That team (listed above) is significantly better than the one who just won 66 games. We'll be fine.....just wait and see how it all plays out.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
Quote:
But for got...
Cavs - traded nothing for Shaq!!!
I'd say we improved too whether we get a big FA or not...
No, I didn't forget....yes, we improved (assuming we resign AV....with Toronto losing out on Turk and Ariza, that is no sure bet...more on that in a minute).
However, all those other teams improved too...and I cannot say for certain we improved enough to keep up. If we have the chance to do so, then we should. we'll see what happens.
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
Artest is way better than Delonte...just saying 5 points and 1 rebound doesn't account for all the good and bad things that both provide.
anyway....
Turk is a Blazer....now, Toronto had wanted to make a splash, and without the Ariza backup plan, I don't know who they make it on...if they are smart, they just make sure they can try again next year.
OR
Colangelo loves AV....loves him.
they now have gobs of cap space and Ariza went from signing there for above the mid-level....to taking the MLE from Houston (and not from us). you would think he knew that Toronto wasn't coming in with a bigger offer.
there are rumblings about a sign-n-trade between Toronto and us (with Anthony Parker being a part of it)....
could it be:
Parker / Marion for Wally / AV
Upgrade at SG (bigger guard we need even if Parker comes off the bench)....get that wing defender, and we have depth at F (though it's unproven).....But, that means no AV and everything he brings to the table. It'd be a fair trade (Wally basically thrown in to give them a rotation guard and match salary), but I'm not sure I'd want to do it.
Just throwing it out there before the 4th weekend...
here'd be the roster though many of the parts are interchangeable:
PG: Mo, Gibson SG: Delonte, Parker SF: LeBron, Danny Green PF: Marion, Hickson, Darnell C: Shaq, Z
(many different lineups possible with LeBron/Marion/Parker all able to guard 2-3 positions)
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065 |
Sure, they improved but they're in the WEST. Cleveland only has to beat ONE Western Conference team. Boston has yet to close on Sheed and Orlando lost what, 5 guys from the top 8-9 in their rotation (Turkuglu, Lee, Alston, Gortat, Battie)!? While adding a shoot first SG who plays no defense? Everyone else in the conference (save Boston) is a road bump and the one team we really have problems with (Orlando) pretty much tore the wheels off of a team that went to the finals.  Everyone needs to take a DEEP breath. Maybe Shaq was right on that whole master of panic thing. I mean, Cleveland's road to the finals got ALOT easier based on what has happened thus far IMO. It was never going to be easy to beat whoever comes out of the West but it's hardly doom and gloom.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
Quote:
Sure, they improved but they're in the WEST. Cleveland only has to beat ONE Western Conference team.
No doom and gloom here....and does it matter how many teams from the West we have to beat? If we have to beat one, then we should make sure we will.
I agree we shouldn't panic....we shouldn't give long contracts to guys who are not corps players and not overpay for anyone. But, again, if we have the opportunity to get better (and in this economy as one of the buyers we do), then we should take it.
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
if you want a good laugh and to see what real "doom and gloom" looks like.... read the comment section on BW's latest article here: http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/07/top_choices_slipping_away_cavs.htmlIf you would read these comments without knowing anything else, you'd think our franchise was more like the Bobcats.
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
dang....didn't think this would happen again until next year....and it WILL happen again next year (so many teams fighting that someone will ignore the gentlemen's agreement and trump offers....much like in college football after recruits have committed) this also means Marion, Delfino and Parker will not be resigned by Toronto and they cannot be included in a sign-n-trade with us (they can with Orlando, but that would make them take on much more $$$ than anyone previously thought) Free agent forward Hedo Turkoglu changed his mind Friday and decided not to join the Portland Trail Blazers, opting instead to accept a five-year $53 million offer from the Toronto Raptors, sources told ESPN.com. The decision left the Blazers livid and was a huge coup for the Raptors, who have promised Turkoglu all of the salary-cap space they will have from renouncing their rights to Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker and Carlos Delfino, which will likely add up to a starting salary in the $10.1 million range, with eight percent annual raises. The Raptors have until July 7 to renounce Marion, Delfino and Parker, so it remains a possibility and that a sign-and-trade deal could take shape between Toronto and Turkoglu's former team, Orlando. But as of now, it is straight up deal between Turkoglu and Toronto that can be announced July 8. A source close to the discussions said Turkoglu had given a verbal commitment to the Blazers on Thursday, then alerted the team on Friday morning that he was having second thoughts. By mid-afternoon Pacific time, the Blazers were told the deal was dead and Turkoglu would be signing with the Raptors. Turkoglu will make about $3 million more over the life of the contract than he would have made in Portland, but a bigger reason for his change of heart, a source told ESPN.com, was his desire to play in Toronto, a more international and cosmopolitan city -- one with a large Turkish population -- and his familiarity with the Eastern Conference after having spent the last five seasons with the Magic. Turkoglu's about-face sent shockwaves throughout the NBA, and parallels were being drawn between his decision and the 2004 episode when Carlos Boozer reneged on a deal to re-sign with Cleveland after they released him from his contract, then stunned the Cavs by signing with Utah. The difference in this case, according to one person with detailed knowledge of the discussions, was that Turkoglu did not intentionally or unintentionally deceive the Blazers, but instead had a change of heart after giving the Blazers his word. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4305310
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065 |
This is actually great news, as it could help to really weaken LA. With Hedo gone and Portland in need of a stretch 4, the Blazers now have the cash to pry Lamar Odom away from LA!  If LA loses Ariza / Odom and only ads Artest....... 
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284 |
Maybe the cavs could land shawn marion  Has anyone heard news on david lee?
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,070
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,070 |
Quote:
Turkoglu's about-face sent shockwaves throughout the NBA, and parallels were being drawn between his decision and the 2004 episode when Carlos Boozer reneged on a deal to re-sign with Cleveland after they released him from his contract, then stunned the Cavs by signing with Utah.
Actually,...this is nothing lke the Boozer incident. 
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065 |
The RFA market usually takes a while to heat up as once a team makes an offer, that cash is typically tied up for 7 days while a player's current team decides wether to match it. Usually those guys start to get offers after the 9th, once the UFA market has solidified. With Lee, I gotta think he simply takes a 1 year deal at the MLE and then tries his luck next season when some more teams have cap room. He's WAY too good of a player to settle for a deal like Ariza got (5 years 33 million) and NY's best offer was said to be somewhere around 4 years, 30-32 million. If Villenueva can get 5 years, 40 million, Lee can probably get 5 years , 45-50 million. It's amazing to me that NY doesn't want to retain a guy that led the league in double-doubles? It's funny that a little bit of cap space 8-9 million would deter them from signing one of the best young PF's in the NBA. That franchise and fan base is in the LeBron loony bin. 
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284 |
Typical New York fans  They think money can get them whatever they want. Sorry Knicks but your team is absolute garbage and if LeBron is foolish enough to go play for them then instead of a championship caliber team good ridance.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,388
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,388 |
I still have not heard a word about Anderson. Are there even any teams interested? The idea of JJ starting is a little scary to me.
"The medium for the bad news was ESPN, which figured. The network represents much of what is loud, obnoxious and empty in sports today."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,027
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,027 |
ron artest is a great player, but if the lakers lose odom and ariza, are they really better off?
both artest and ariza got multi-year deals, i wonder if the cavs we just not willing to do that this year, they seem to be dead set on having money to spend next year, and as much as humanly possible.
i'm bummed about artest, because it seemed like the team wanted him, but if we could land anthony parker, i'd still be pretty happy with the offseason. parker is a solid player, only problem is he's not exactly a rookie, and he's probably looking for multiple years.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
I agree, the Lakers are worse if they lose Ariza AND Odom.
I thought they upgraded when they got Artest...because he is better than Ariza
if they lose Odom though...that is a HUGE loss....but why are there zero rumors of anything with him. I have to think that the Lakers are already planning on paying him and everyone else knows. The Lakers could give him more than Portland (even with $9mil cap space) as long as they are willing to pay the tax.
for the other people questioning David Lee's landing spot....from what I have read, it seems like there is a poker game going on with David Lee & Milsap with OKC and those 2 players current teams. OKC wants one of them, but is unsure if their teams will match offer sheets and are trying to figure out which player to take the chance with.
Memphis apparently is just happy with Zach Randolph? (horrible trade...they at least could have traded with Utah and taken Boozer....Utah gets some cap relief, Memphis gets a better player, AND Boozer is off the books in a year....win/win/win...whatever)
I haven't seen ANYTHING with AV....hopefully that also means teams assume we will pay him (like Odom with LA)
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,248
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,248 |
Memphis is run by an idiot though. 
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284 |
Quote:
Memphis apparently is just happy with Zach Randolph? (horrible trade...they at least could have traded with Utah and taken Boozer....Utah gets some cap relief, Memphis gets a better player, AND Boozer is off the books in a year....win/win/win...whatever)
Keep in mind this is the same team that traded PAU FREAKING GASOL to the lakers for NOTHING!! 
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,070
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,070 |
Shouldn't we be trying to pry away Odum then? I definately would like to see him in a Cavs uni. Seems like the Cavs are really not making an effort to sign anyone now that the Shaq deal is done.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065 |
The Cavs can't afford most of these players and certainly not Odom.
They only have the MLE (5.8 million) and the BAE (2 million).
The only players you get with either of those are vets looking to win a title or young players you have to overpay and take somewhat of a gamble on.
When the Cavs do sign someone, it will be role players (think Parker, Mcdyess, etc.) most likely coming in on one year deals.
A sign and trade with AV is still possible but the more likely scenario is a deadline deal in which we could trade the guys we sign with the MLE or BAE or possibly (as much as people hate to hear it), Z.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,388
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,388 |
Link Quote:
James' offseason: Stretch, lift, shoot by Terry Pluto Friday July 03, 2009, 9:09 PM
For LeBron James, the journey to repeat as the NBA's Most Valuable Player begins Monday morning.
That's when the Cavs star will meet assistant coach Chris Jent at the team's practice facility in Independence.
"LeBron is driven to win a championship," said Jent. "Most people have no idea how hard he works. He wanted to start last week, but I told him to rest his body. Let's start after July 4th."
James will begin his day by meeting assistant trainer Mike Mancias. Sometimes, they lift weights. Sometimes, it's yoga. It always involves some stretching.
"Six days a week, LeBron does some sort of workout, that's not counting his shooting drills," said Jent. "They do things to help his flexibility and balance. LeBron also has his own chef. He is extremely serious about being a better player."
They will then begin 90 minutes of shooting drills. Most of the shots will come from 14-to-19 feet. They begin with six different spots on the court, but also at different ranges.
Then they come back at night, for more shooting.
"From now on, he'll shoot at least once a day, probably six days a week," said Jent. "Sometimes, it will be twice a day."
James is starting his seventh season, yet he's only 24.
Jent said it was after the Cavs were swept out of the 2007 Finals that James pushed his training to a higher, more demanding level. A former sharp-shooter at Ohio State, Jent had joined the Cavs as an assistant during the 2006-07 season.
Jent often played 3-on-3 with some of the Cavs reserves after practices or before games when they wanted extra work. James watched Jent swish shots over younger players. Daniel Gibson told James that Jent knew a lot about shooting.
So James asked Jent if the coach would be willing to work with the Cavs star in the summer of 2007.
"I like Chris and I trust Chris," James has often said.
Jent knows that James doesn't trust most people, especially with something as important as tinkering with his jumper.
"To a player, a shot is his signature," said Jent. "It's not easy for them to change it."
But James did agree to several suggestions from Jent, and that did help his free throw shooting and his jumper. Like most great athletes who were bigger, stronger and could leap higher than nearly everyone else when they were younger -- James could drive to the hoop at will.
"The drills we do are not natural to him," said Jent. "A great player practices the things that don't come easy."
Not only do James and Jent practice here -- James has taken Jent on the road to continue their sessions. They'll practice in Los Angeles after he tapes commercials. They'll practice in Portland, when James travels there for Nike business. They have found gyms in Washington, D.C., and New York when James had appearances in those cities.
"The last two summers, LeBron was involved with the Olympic team," said Jent. "He practice with them during the day, and we'd shoot at night."
James shot .698 from the foul line in his last season before connecting with Jent; now it's up to .780. His field goal percentage has risen from .476 to .489, his 3-pointers from .319 to .344.
"LeBron has always been a hard-working player," said General Manager Danny Ferry. "Chris is a basketball junky. He truly loves the game. He has helped LeBron see the little things. At the same time Chris understands how lucky he is to work with a player that has incredible talent, wants to be the best, and does the hard work needed."
And that's why this season's MVP probably won't be the last for James.
"The medium for the bad news was ESPN, which figured. The network represents much of what is loud, obnoxious and empty in sports today."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284 |
Winning the east just got a LOT harder Wallace To Sign With Celtics Rasheed Wallace is joining the Boston Celtics, giving the Celtics one of the most important free agents on the marketplace as they attempt to return to the championship. Bill Strickland, Wallace's agent, told the Boston Herald and the Boston Globe on Sunday night that the 34-year-old forward told him to call off meetings the agent was in the process of scheduling with the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks. The Boston Globe reported Wallace will sign for two years at the mid-level exception. Wallace won a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004 after arriving in a mid-season trade, although his career has been noted just as much for his volatile interactions with officials and contentious relationships with coaches. However, the strong presence of veterans such as Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in the Celtics' locker room should keep Wallace in line and bring the focus to his positive attributes: the 6-foot-11 Wallace is a scoring threat from the low block to the 3-point arc and a long-armed, savvy defender. "As much as Rasheed's a headache, teammakes like him and he's a winner," an NBA executive said. After trade rumors involving Allen and Rajon Rondo surfaced last month it appeared the Celtics might be trying to shift on the fly, at the risk of breaking up the core that won the 2008 NBA championship. Now they have landed a piece that makes them a prime contender to win again next season, with an emphasis on the short term. Wallace will be 35 in September and made joining a championship-caliber team a priority this offseason. But Boston was always the leading contender, a positioned strengthened by a dinner meeting with Wallace involving Garnett, Pierce, Allen, coach Doc Rivers and owner Wyc Grousbeck last week. Wallace restores frontcourt depth to the Celtics, who did not extend a qualifying offer to Leon Powe and could lose restricted free agent Glen Davis if another team signs him to a contract the Celtics decide not to match. Both Boston papers are also reporting that the Celtics may be interested in signing Grant Hill, who averaged 12 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Phoenix Suns last season. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=det
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,065 |
Meh. Boston is REALLY old.
Rondo will be the only starter under 32 when the season gets going. Pierce will be 32, Garnett 33, Allen 34 and Wallace 35. To think a team like that will get through the year without another Garnett like injury would be wishful thinking.
Plus, this probably means Boston will let go of both Davis and Powe. While 1 through 5 they're better, their bench is going to be pretty bad when you consider they'll potentially be losing 3 of their top 8 (Powe, Marbury and Davis).
Boston is (as of the Wallace signing for the MLE) something insaine, like nearly 20 million over the salary cap. That's without Davis or Powe in the mix. If they want to resign Davis, they'll easily be carrying the highest payroll in the NBA. Could be a disaster.
Really, Davis is a nice young role player. Wouldn't mind seeing the Cavs make him a multiyear offer and see if Boston really wants to match it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,388
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,388 |
Link D.Ferry & M.Brown in LA for secret free agent meeting. Could be a number of players, maybe A. Varejao, S. Marion or maybe J. Childress.
"The medium for the bad news was ESPN, which figured. The network represents much of what is loud, obnoxious and empty in sports today."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17,284 |
I'm pretty much done reading twitter  We need to get marion or some decent back up player.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,371
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,371 |
I love how blogs are considered an unsubstantial news source by the mods around here but twitter isn't.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 28,201
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 28,201 |
Actually, we haven't discussed Twitter at all, yet... but more likely than not we will consider it the same as Blogs.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,027
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,027 |
what about twitter via a reliable source like brian windhorst?
i never understood why rumors around here are so frowned upon. it's great conversation. the internet and sports rumors go together like pb and jelly
i think as long as you specify that it isn't confirmed, that it should be ok, just my two cents.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,802
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,802 |
Politicians are puppets, y'all. Let's get Geppetto!
Formerly 4yikes2yoshi0
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,531
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,531 |
Quote:
what about twitter via a reliable source like brian windhorst?
i never understood why rumors around here are so frowned upon. it's great conversation. the internet and sports rumors go together like pb and jelly
i think as long as you specify that it isn't confirmed, that it should be ok, just my two cents.
^^^^^^^^^
This.
Last edited by Ammo; 07/06/09 09:26 AM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
J/C
Marion cannot be involved in a sign-n-trade.
To sign Turk, Toronto has to renounce him meaning they cannot sign him for over the cap or use him in a sign-n-trade (same for Parker and Delfino)
--------------
2nd, Boston is now stronger 1-6. Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Perkins...'Sheed
That is incredibly strong and with Eddie House on the bench, they just need to find a couple swing players that will be willing to sign cheap to fill out their roster. They are definitely putting the chips on the table for the next 2 years.
#gmstrong
|
|
|
DawgTalkers.net
Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Cavaliers & FA Options...July
1st...
|
|