Geesh ..... at least let me dream for one night, won't you?
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Yeah, there's probably no way we get Love without giving up our first ... which would be a dumb move anyway. I think both Embiid and Wiggins will both be better players down the road.
I don't think Minnesota takes TT or Dion for Love ... I just don't think it's enough going in the way of Minnesota. They can probably land something better with another team.
That said, trading the farm for Love would sort of be a dumb move anyway. It would be a hail-mary-prayer of a move, hoping to swing enough chips to get Lebron interested enough to opt out and sign here. I'm not sure that's enough anyway. You'd have two low-end all stars that don't play defense, and nothing else. The situation in Miami is better. Then Love likely opts out after next year, Kyrie probably soon after that, and then you're really hosed. That said, it's just the type of move I'd expect the Cavs to make at this rate.
If you're going to even make the Love gamble ... then we've got to somehow keep our #1 pick. I just don't see that happening. TT and Dion plus maybe next year's #1 for Love? Would Minny do that? Would we really want to do that? I better have people in my ear telling me that Lebron would seriously consider opting out and joining the Cavs. I think Lebron coming to the Cavs has a better chance of happening than Love resigning with the Cavs after next year ... and I already don't think there's much of a chance of Lebron coming back.
I think we should just stick with the rebuild, and stop pinning our hopes on Lebron coming back. Take Embiid (or Wiggins) ... let Bennett, Dion and TT develop and hope Kyrie can work things out. Remember, that core is all 23 and under. If we can keep them together, and add a potential franchise guy in this years draft ... then maybe we're a force to reckon with 2-3 years down the road. If Lebron decides to come, he comes on his own will.
Lebron will go wherever he feels he stands the best chance of winning championships over the duration of his contract. I truly don't think that personality will play into it. If the Cavaliers, for example, managed to pluck Love from the T-Wolves to go along with Irving and are also able to draft Embiid, then I think that we would stand a great chance of bringing him back. That would be a team with 3, and potentially 4 superstars ...... and with the 4 of them being on the team long term. That would be incredibly appealing to a guy like Lebron.
Now, do I truly expect us to be able to get Love while holding onto the #1 overall pick? Probably not. However, if by some miracle we could, I think that we would go towards the top of a very short list of attractive destinations for Lebron.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I've read nothing but positive things on Embiids back. Kind of ironic when you think about this- we screwed up passing on Jonas and Drummond. However, we now have a chance to draft a center that I strongly believe will be better than the both of them.
Quote: . If the Cavaliers, for example, managed to pluck Love from the T-Wolves to go along with Irving and are also able to draft Embiid, then I think that we would stand a great chance of bringing him back
As long as we're in Fantasyland, could we trade Matthew Delladova for Kevin Durant?
Draft Express is the best NBA scouting website on the web. They also evaluate foreign players better than any site. It's why their mocks are usually the most accurate.
Quote: . If the Cavaliers, for example, managed to pluck Love from the T-Wolves to go along with Irving and are also able to draft Embiid, then I think that we would stand a great chance of bringing him back
As long as we're in Fantasyland, could we trade Matthew Delladova for Kevin Durant?
Ha, I agree it's a long shot but talk about an amazing starting five
PG- Irving SG- Waiters SF- James PF- Love C- Embiid
At DT, context and meaning are a scarecrow kicking at moving goalposts.
Quote: . If the Cavaliers, for example, managed to pluck Love from the T-Wolves to go along with Irving and are also able to draft Embiid, then I think that we would stand a great chance of bringing him back
As long as we're in Fantasyland, could we trade Matthew Delladova for Kevin Durant?
Ha, I agree it's a long shot but talk about an amazing starting five
PG- Irving SG- Waiters SF- James PF- Love C- Embiid
That's a pretty big longshot ... you really think the Wolves are going to trade Kevin Love for Tristan and next year's first rounder? You don't think any other team in the league can beat that offer?
The only chance we have to sign Love is to sign LeBron first.. and LeBron's not coming here given the current line up... so unless LeBron and Love get together and decide to both come here, it's never going to happen.
I will say this though... if, as reports have indicated, Melo may end up with the Heat without them having to give up anything.. I may never watch another NBA game.
Quote: The only chance we have to sign Love is to sign LeBron first.. and LeBron's not coming here given the current line up... so unless LeBron and Love get together and decide to both come here, it's never going to happen.
I will say this though... if, as reports have indicated, Melo may end up with the Heat without them having to give up anything.. I may never watch another NBA game.
I see no way that they could keep Lebron, Wade, and Bosh, and then also add Carmelo. They would all have to opt out, and then sign/re-sign with the Heat at huge discounts. It's not like when the 3 originally signed with the Heat, and gave up a million or 2 each .... they would each have to give up significantly more to make everything fit under the cap.
Kobe made $30 million this past season. How much less than that would each member of that quartet have to give up to fit anywhere near the cap? How much would the Heat ownership be willing to pay in luxury tax if they go over?
I read one site that projected the 2014 cap at $63 million, with a luxury cap threshold of $77 million. The Heat salary for this year totaled $70+ million for this past season with "only" 3 superstar deals. How much more will the big 3 cost with new deals? How much more on top of that to add Carmelo? A team could wind up paying $3.25 for every $1 over a specific amount over the cap. That could be a crazy amount of money with those kind of deals.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Quote: I see no way that they could keep Lebron, Wade, and Bosh, and then also add Carmelo. They would all have to opt out, and then sign/re-sign with the Heat at huge discounts
And that's exactly what they're talking about in regards to bringing Anthony in.
They're only tied to $2 million in salary next year.
It would take a lot of guys agreeing to a pay cut, but it's certainly possible. I don't doubt James, Wade and Bosh would go for it....but then you need Andersen, Haslam, etc. to buy in. It just comes down to whether or not these guys value title/legacy over money.
Quote: I think Houston might do a sign and trade for Melo. Lin, Budinger and Omer are good trade chips.
Budinger plays for Minnesota.
Asik and Lin are good expiring contracts if they're heading into their last year...not sure if they are. If they aren't, then they're albatrosses who aren't going anywhere.
Either way, I don't see any scenario where Melo accepts a S&T.
I don't think James salary is that big of a deal to him. He just made 30 million off his investment into beats headphones. The guy makes so much money elsewhere, I think he will sacrifice his contract money, if it meant him winning championships. That's what he's about, winning more championships than Jordan, and cementing his legacy as the best ever.
I think a package of Waiters, Tristian, and Bennett/1st rd pick will be just as good as any the wolves get offered. I think you would have to get a 3rd team involved to sweeten the pot a bit, like the Lakers did in getting Howard from Orlando. Waiters on a bad team will give you 20 pts per, Tristan is a solid guy off the bench, and Bennett has some potential to be a solid guy as well. Anytime you trade a talent like Love, you never get equal value. I've read reports of Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Boozer's expiring from the bulls? Is that much better than the Cavs offer? The Celtics have draft picks for the most part. The Warriors probably have the most to offer, but I'm not sure how much will they give up. Would they be willing to give Klay Thompson, among others?
Quote: I think Houston might do a sign and trade for Melo. Lin, Budinger and Omer are good trade chips.
Budinger plays for Minnesota.
Asik and Lin are good expiring contracts if they're heading into their last year...not sure if they are. If they aren't, then they're albatrosses who aren't going anywhere.
Either way, I don't see any scenario where Melo accepts a S&T.
Woops. Meant to say Chandler Parsons instead of Chase. Don't know what happened there.
Probably unlikely, but like Miami, it's fun to talk about.
Should've beat them last year. Just really shows how weak the east is, and how great the Spurs are. The heat just look old, and a team that is past its prime. Their roster is vastly overrated. Wade has been on the decline the past few years, Ray Allen is just a spot up shooter, and Bosh has played decently, but he plays more like a 3 than a 4. Unless Riley pulls a miracle, this might be it for James in Miami.
San Antonio is playing on a different planet. They probably could beat some of those Jordan teams. Just amazing they could beat the 2 time defending champs like this. Still wondering how Dallas beat them 3 times. That was odd.
I seem to recall James saying something about not taking a huge pay cut two deals in a row.
For a proposed deal like that to take place, James, Wade, Bosh and Anthony would all have to agree to deals far, far below market value. Each would have to take a deal at $19 million or less to make it work. (that's to stay below the luxury tax threshold) I have a hard time seeing all 4 players taking that big of a pay cut. Anthony rejected a $23.3 million option on his contract. Wade will certainly be playing out his final deal. I am also not sure how it works as far as signing players that far over the cap. If the "big 3" forgo their options for next year, can the Heat then sign Anthony, then go way over the cap to re-sign guys who they used to hold an option on, or not. I admit that I am not as sure how the NBA cap rules work in that regard.
Could the 4 players decide that they want to play together so badly that they give up $10 million each, or more, to make it happen? Possibly. Is it likely? I doubt it.
Maybe they decide to drop Bosh and try to add Anthony. I think that might be far more likely than them having a "big 4". I have long felt that Bosh is a good, but not great player ..... certainly not on the same level as Lebron, Wade, and Anthony.
There would also be the question of how do they play James and Anthony together.
I dunno. Lots of moving parts that would have to fit together perfectly in that puzzle. I'd never say never, especially after "The Decision" ...... but it seems unlikely to me.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
That was a crime scene in Miami. (Judging by the amount of people fleeing the scene) The Spurs were just methodical and unrelenting. Just amazing basketball. Kahwi Leonard is really turning into something special too.
The Spurs really are a machine. They are a testament to what veterans playing long term together, in the same system, for the same coach, combined with quality depth, can accomplish. They are a team, from top to bottom.
They rebound, they share the ball, and they shoot incredibly well. Man they play beautifully.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I think Dwayne Wade is the weak link. He is already in serious decline. He has a hard time playing several games in a short time frame. How many games did he play in the regular season? I know he missed a ton, and knee problems never go away, just look at bynum. I could see Wade as a bench guy, that gives you short bursts at a time. I don't see him as an all star player, that will be a significant player on a championship team. Will be interesting to see what James does. Don't think he will be in Miami after tonight.
That was a crime scene in Miami. (Judging by the amount of people fleeing the scene) The Spurs were just methodical and unrelenting. Just amazing basketball. Kahwi Leonard is really turning into something special too.
He had a great third quarter. Actually reminded me of him in Cleveland, actually. A lot of great nights forgotten because no one else was doing anything.
I've actually gotten over it as time has passed...I mean, I'll always root for him to lose, but that used to be why I watched. Now I just like to observe greatness in it's prime.
The Spurs are playing some of the best basketball they ever have. Sad to think they've could've been going for two straight if they hadn't melted down in Game 6 last year.
It's one thing to say that a comeback would be possible because the games were close.
These games have been over by the end of the 1st half. San Antonio is doing what I've always thought. Let Lebron "get his." Just execute your offense and don't let his supporting cast go off. There's no way in hell he can outscore a team by himself.
Also it amazes me how Spoelstra hasn't caught on to this yet. Every time Miami goes on a run or gets the crowd involved, Popovich calls a timeout and draws up a play for Tim to slow things down.
Spurs kicked some serious butt last night, once again. As a long suffering Browns fan it is so great to see a team you are rooting for actually win for a change. You know?
As a long suffering Browns fan it is so great to see a team you are rooting for actually win for a change. You know?