Official 2010 NBA Playoffs Discussion

Dude, did you ever watch the NBA when Shaq left Orlando? Hill left the Pistons? Jordan left the Bulls?

There is no solution except to blow it up and start over.

Are you saying Caron Butler is Cleveland's answer? Why? So they can be the Wizards all over again? That's a better solution than the Magic's cap space (twice) post Penny and Shaq that is the basis for this team today? Ditto on the Pistons championship that was a result of the Grant Hill rebuild? Or the Bulls even having terrible luck for a while and finally being in the great position they are in now?

That's YOUR solution? To reform the 2008 Washington Wizards?

I understand your points, but if my team let arguably the best player in the league and undoubtably the best player in franchise history walk in his prime without getting so much as a future pick or a servicable player in return, I would never watch another game of theirs. That's why I feel so strongly that they should try to sign and trade him so he doesn't walk over to the division rival Bulls.

Butler isn't going to keep them an elite level team, but he's not a horrible player, and if they don't want him long-term they can always flip him in another deal. But with estimates out there that losing LeBron will cause the team to lose something like $50-$100M in value... Well, they'd better be certain that Jamison and Williams are moveable immediately if LeBron leaves for nothing; otherwise that team is going to struggle. They're going to be just like the Pacers where they might not be good enough to make the playoffs but not bad enough to get #1 overall picks until their current contracts expire. And I'd much rather be the Cleveland Wizards and at least making the playoffs instead of languishing for 5 years and only having mid-lottery picks to show for it.

Butler isn't a franchise-saver (unfortunately I know this first-hand) but you could do worse than having him as a rental and an attractive piece for next February's trade deadline.


edit: missed an important word up there.

LOL at you making a baseless assumption regarding my fandom. It is completely lacking in credibility and extremely confusing, especially when you make a habit of calling me delusional. I've been a Mavs fan since I started following the sport 15 years ago. I lived in Minnesota and had tons of exposure to Garnett, which is why I have strong opinions about him. But I've never been primarily a Wolves fan.

And I can promise you that a city will follow a team that's making the playoffs over a team that's one player away and the front office isn't trying. I can't even see how you can see things any other way, but to each his own. And I would honestly probably stop watching basketball altogether if the Mavs let Dirk walk without trying to get anything in return.

I mean, let's say the Knicks sign LeBron this summer. And 4 years from now he wants out, and if he leaves, your team is still going to be saddled with untradable contracts. Wouldn't you want them to at least try instead of fielding a team that probably wouldn't make the playoffs but had no roster flexibility? Or would you say "let's let him walk and spend 5 years dedicating ourselves to earning #10 lottery picks that we can't afford to build around"?

Especially in today's East, you can make the playoffs with virtually any roster if it features a few above-average players -- the additional playoff revenue and season tickerholders will make the extra $10M/year more than worth it.

This makes about as much sense as assuming Caron Butler, Jamison and Mo Williams are going to trade bait at a deadline in this economy.

What untradeable contracts are the Knicks going to have in 4 years? As of right now the Knicks don't have a single player under contract for 4 years from now. You're claiming Donnie Walsh is going to run the Knicks like Cleveland's clown management did?

Number 10 lottery picks? That's what Cleveland's getting if they let LeBron walk? That Cleveland roster is going to win 35-40 games? Ok then.

Tell it to the Orlando Magic, Bulls and Pistons... I don't think they were getting/using number 10 lottery picks.

You cant sign and trade a free agent for a free agent, what is the point of that anyways?

Will any of these players desperately seeking a championship be signing with the Lakers anytime soon?

1) Lebron James
2) Carmelo Anthony
3) Yao Ming
4) Steve Nash
5) Andrei Kirilenko

I'd say they're all pretty much zero except for Nash someday, maybe a 1% chance he does someday.

The Lakers could actually still get Chris Bosh and block lebron again like they did with Artest. If I'm Toronto, I'm listening to the Lakers if Bynum or Gasol are offered with other players.

That's a sign and trade that is realistic.... and Bosh has the Lakers on his list. I'd say if the Lakers really want Bosh they have as good of a chance as anyone except Miami.

Celtics may not close this one out tonight, but it's over reguardless. I think they close it tonight, Orlando looks pretty beaten.

I think the Suns can possibly push 6 or even 7 games if the Lakers are gonna pull their usual crap. But the sooner Boston closes the sooner LA does, is probably the general line of motivation.

The Suns playing that zone last night was a good move. I've always said the NBA needs more zone defense even if it's barely used. Teams need to get a good grasp at it because the Celtics pretty much convert to a zone the minute the rotation starts and nobody gives zone the credit it deserves in the NBA. I just think the NBA players won't buy into playing a zone with 110% effort until the playoffs... and that effort is needed for zone.

sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5216481

multimillionaires blowin chi chi cheas

edit:

speaking of which, this is just what this thread needs right about now....

did you know if LeBron goes to the Knicks he can buy part ownership of Madison Square Garden, but not the Knicks. Doing so would allow him to potentially make more money than his salary and help achieve his billionaire basketball player aspirations. Considering his presence alone would have an inflated priced MSG sold out for years, chi chi cheers