phunkdaddy said:

TD3 said:

Oh please less stop whining about the folks who whine about Mr. James. He did some trashing talking himself and when folks hit back even harder he and some of his fans cried foul. When you trash talk you put a on your back. The NBA are a league of men who wear jock-straps not pull-ups. All joking aside.

Unless James doesn't want anymore rings ,I can't see him returning home. He could not get any big time players to go Cleveland when he was there so, why would anyone including him go back now? I think James will probably stay in Miami. I agree with UP' why go West when the road is much easier in the East. Besides, James doesn't do hard all that well. What team (besides the Lakers) can afford James and Mello? What can Riley do and what players can he pick-up and dump? I don't know Bosh's deal but they need to send him packing. D-Wade will never be the player he was. Its going to be an interesting summer.

[Edited 6/25/14 13:03pm]

Hey you. LBJ isn't the first player to trash talk. What little he did

is minimal compared some of the other heroes of the game.

It seems as though LBJ is the second most hated man in america

behind the President. Even FB has been out of control since he said

he was opting out of his deal. Carmelo did it 2 days earlier and you couldn't even hear a mouse speak on it and I get on some Lakers fans

for conveniently forgetting how Kobe wanted out of L.A several years ago before the Pau Gasol trade. It amazes me how people gripe on this

LBJ witch hunt(as though he's a criminal ) much like politics as though it controls their lives.

Hey back at cha. We had this conversationn when the Heat lost to Dallas, didn't we?

Most hated man in America; just a tad mellow dramatic aren't we? A lot of people on FB /Twitter are hateful, if not down right unstable. When I speak of trash talkin' is going back and forth on the shit folks say. As I've said before James put a target on his back with the "Decision" and the 8 championship guarantee. Now if James didn't think some folks weren't going to fuck with him, he was delusional. Kobe as far as I know, Kobe never complained or explained. As I said, jock-strap or pull-ups.

Nobody cares about Mello. He played out their in no mans land for years, Denver the came East to the God awful Nicks. In many respects the Nicks are no mans land. I feel sorry for the man, Mello needs to come to Chicago.

[Edited 6/25/14 21:50pm]

phunkdaddy said:

TD3 said:

Oh please less stop whining about the folks who whine about Mr. James. He did some trashing talking himself and when folks hit back even harder he and some of his fans cried foul. When you trash talk you put a on your back. The NBA are a league of men who wear jock-straps not pull-ups. All joking aside.

Unless James doesn't want anymore rings ,I can't see him returning home. He could not get any big time players to go Cleveland when he was there so, why would anyone including him go back now? I think James will probably stay in Miami. I agree with UP' why go West when the road is much easier in the East. Besides, James doesn't do hard all that well. What team (besides the Lakers) can afford James and Mello? What can Riley do and what players can he pick-up and dump? I don't know Bosh's deal but they need to send him packing. D-Wade will never be the player he was. Its going to be an interesting summer.

[Edited 6/25/14 13:03pm]

Hey you. LBJ isn't the first player to trash talk. What little he did

is minimal compared some of the other heroes of the game.

It seems as though LBJ is the second most hated man in america

behind the President. Even FB has been out of control since he said

he was opting out of his deal. Carmelo did it 2 days earlier and you couldn't even hear a mouse speak on it and I get on some Lakers fans

for conveniently forgetting how Kobe wanted out of L.A several years ago before the Pau Gasol trade. It amazes me how people gripe on this

LBJ witch hunt(as though he's a criminal ) much like politics as though it controls their lives.

^^^ All of that. Plus Kevin Love demanding a trade, holding his team over the fire, something LeBron has never done.

Abdul said:

uPtoWnNY said:

It has begun!

Knicks trade Felton & Chandler to the Mavs for Dalembert, Calderon, Larkin and two second round picks.

According to Chris Broussard, Carmelo will visit Dallas, Houston & Chicago once free agency begins.

NBA Draft tomorrow - who goes first?

With Joel's injury I would say Jabari Parker would go first unless Cleveland plans to trade Dion Waiters, then I can see Wiggins going #1.

As A Sixer fan I wish that Cleveland would do like we did last season with Noel and Pick Joel first, this way we could get Wiggins because I don't think Millwaukee would draft him, they would get Parker or Exum IMO.

Do you think the Knicks will try to get a first rounder Thursday?

The Knicks have pretty much had it with Iman Shumpert. He's been the subject of trade rumors for months. If Phil can get a late first round pick for him, he'd do it in a heartbeat.

The Houston Rockets have reached agreement on a trade to send center Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a future first-round draft pick. And supposedly Jeremy Lin isn't far behind. Making room to sign one of the big free agents. Carmelo most likely.

Cerebus said:

The Houston Rockets have reached agreement on a trade to send center Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a future first-round draft pick. And supposedly Jeremy Lin isn't far behind. Making room to sign one of the big free agents. Carmelo most likely.

Carmelo, Harden & Howard has 'train wreck' written all over it, especially with Harden's habit of jacking up bad shots. I can see plenty of friction with those three. And that team is horrible defensively. Like Lebron, I can't see Anthony dealing with the western conference gauntlet.

The Bulls already have the defense. All Carmelo has to do is nail the open 'J' when D-Rose drives and dishes.

uPtoWnNY said:

Cerebus said:

The Houston Rockets have reached agreement on a trade to send center Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a future first-round draft pick. And supposedly Jeremy Lin isn't far behind. Making room to sign one of the big free agents. Carmelo most likely.

Carmelo, Harden & Howard has 'train wreck' written all over it, especially with Harden's habit of jacking up bad shots. I can see plenty of friction with those three. And that team is horrible defensively. Like Lebron, I can't see Anthony dealing with the western conference gauntlet.

The Bulls already have the defense. All Carmelo has to do is nail the open 'J' when D-Rose drives and dishes.

100% sound from a basketball standpoint. I mostly agree. But from a business standpoint, I'm not sure the Bulls are willing to tear up their team or possibly go over the salary cap and pay luxory tax. Its looking like Houston is ready to make a run at it right now. Honestly though, Howard has never really cared all that much about scoring (that's part of his problem) and neither Harden nor Anthony are vocal ball hogs (they just jack up shots). If they could play with a flow, where whichever one of those two had it going each night took the most shots while Howard controlled the paint, it MIGHT work. Like I said though, I mostly agree with you. Don't think it will stop them from trying, though.

Cerebus said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Carmelo, Harden & Howard has 'train wreck' written all over it, especially with Harden's habit of jacking up bad shots. I can see plenty of friction with those three. And that team is horrible defensively. Like Lebron, I can't see Anthony dealing with the western conference gauntlet.

The Bulls already have the defense. All Carmelo has to do is nail the open 'J' when D-Rose drives and dishes.

100% sound from a basketball standpoint. I mostly agree. But from a business standpoint, I'm not sure the Bulls are willing to tear up their team or possibly go over the salary cap and pay luxory tax. Its looking like Houston is ready to make a run at it right now. Honestly though, Howard has never really cared all that much about scoring (that's part of his problem) and neither Harden nor Anthony are vocal ball hogs (they just jack up shots). If they could play with a flow, where whichever one of those two had it going each night took the most shots while Howard controlled the paint, it MIGHT work. Like I said though, I mostly agree with you. Don't think it will stop them from trying, though.

Unlike Jordan & Pippen, I don't see Anthony & Harden's games complimenting each other. They pretty much have the same role. In NY, the Knicks played better when Amar'e & Anthony weren't on the court together. Remember Wade & James had issues early on, trying to figure out who does what.

Only way it could work is a strong veteran prescence at point guard, someone not afraid to tell these cats, "shut up, I'M running the offense, I will determine who gets the most shots tonight!" Carmelo had that here with Kidd(54 wins last year), and with Chauncey in Denver(a trip to the WCF in '09). Carmelo said many times he missed Kidd's leadership and it's one of the reasons my team underachieved this year. I am so glad Raymond 'The Tortoise' Felton is gone.

Abdul said:

uPtoWnNY said:

It has begun!

Knicks trade Felton & Chandler to the Mavs for Dalembert, Calderon, Larkin and two second round picks.

According to Chris Broussard, Carmelo will visit Dallas, Houston & Chicago once free agency begins.

NBA Draft tomorrow - who goes first?

With Joel's injury I would say Jabari Parker would go first unless Cleveland plans to trade Dion Waiters, then I can see Wiggins going #1.

As A Sixer fan I wish that Cleveland would do like we did last season with Noel and Pick Joel first, this way we could get Wiggins because I don't think Millwaukee would draft him, they would get Parker or Exum IMO.

Do you think the Knicks will try to get a first rounder Thursday?

I hope like hell Philly don't trade up to number 1 and give up number

3 and 10. They would be foolish as hell to do that. I kinda hope Cleveland takes Embiid too. I wouldn't give Cleveland nothing. I'd stay put and keep 3 and 10 and use some of those second rounders for either future picks or a nice veteran player.

TD3 said:

phunkdaddy said:

Hey you. LBJ isn't the first player to trash talk. What little he did

is minimal compared some of the other heroes of the game.

It seems as though LBJ is the second most hated man in america

behind the President. Even FB has been out of control since he said

he was opting out of his deal. Carmelo did it 2 days earlier and you couldn't even hear a mouse speak on it and I get on some Lakers fans

for conveniently forgetting how Kobe wanted out of L.A several years ago before the Pau Gasol trade. It amazes me how people gripe on this

LBJ witch hunt(as though he's a criminal ) much like politics as though it controls their lives.

Hey back at cha. We had this conversationn when the Heat lost to Dallas, didn't we?

Most hated man in America; just a tad mellow dramatic aren't we? A lot of people on FB /Twitter are hateful, if not down right unstable. When I speak of trash talkin' is going back and forth on the shit folks say. As I've said before James put a target on his back with the "Decision" and the 8 championship guarantee. Now if James didn't think some folks weren't going to fuck with him, he was delusional. Kobe as far as I know, Kobe never complained or explained. As I said, jock-strap or pull-ups.

Nobody cares about Mello. He played out their in no mans land for years, Denver the came East to the God awful Nicks. In many respects the Nicks are no mans land. I feel sorry for the man, Mello needs to come to Chicago.

[Edited 6/25/14 21:50pm]

He did before the Pau Gasol trade. He was pretty adamant if they didn't improve the roster he wanted out. Remember the Gasol trade was made and they went to the finals before getting smashed by the Celtics in the finals. I wouldn't say no one cares about Melo. When he was in Denver, he was easily a top 10 player and one year the he gave Kobe problems in a playoff series against the Lakers

before he got injured in the second game IIRC. The first game he was causing problems for Kobe down in the paint. Melo was bigger and stronger.

Tonight is the NBA Draft. Here are the notable picks.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Andrew Wiggins, 6'8", SG, Kansas
2. Milwaukee Bucks - Jabari Parker, 6'8", SF, Duke
3. Philadelphia 76ers - Joel Embiid, 7.0", C, Kansas

4. Orlando Magic - Aaron Gordon, 6'9", PF, Arizona

5. Utah Jazz - Dante Exum, 6'6", SG, Australia

6. Boston Celtics - Marcus Smart, 6'3', PG, Oklahoma State

7. Los Angeles Lakers - Julius Randle, 6'9", PF, Kentucky

11. Chicago Bulls - Doug McDermott*, 6'8", SF, Creighton (*via trade from Denver for Jusuf Nurkic, 6'11", C, Croatia, and Gary Harris, 6'5", SG, Michigan State)
24. Miami Heat - Shabazz Napier*, 6'1", PG, Connecticut (*via trade from Charlotte for P.J. Hairston, 6'5", SG, NBA D-League)

[Edited 6/26/14 19:52pm]

Great pick by the Lakers....Randle could be the next Zach Randolph.

So long Rajon Rondo.

This is a classy move by the league and Adam Silver.

Jason Kidd headed to the Bucks?

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/11151207/jason-kidd-granted-permission-speak-milwaukee-bucks-being-denied-promotion-brooklyn-nets

uPtoWnNY said:

Jason Kidd headed to the Bucks?

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/11151207/jason-kidd-granted-permission-speak-milwaukee-bucks-being-denied-promotion-brooklyn-nets

Wow! Thanks for posting this article. It seems that this isn't about Kidd being bitter with the Nets but possibly him seeing an opportunity to re-unite with some old friends. But, in the event that the Nets are being foolish, what do they expect from a first-year coach who just retired the minute before the ink dried on his coaching deal?

It seems that the Bucs are serious about rebuilding their brand, so maybe that's the issue at heart.

Maybe I missed it, but the article didn't say when the decisions had to be final. I assume the coaches have to be in place shortly after all of the trades, free agency swaps go through.

By the way, Mark Jackson should be a coach instead of a commentator. There have been a few funny or insightful things here or there but he's not a very skilled broadcaster. He inserted bias into his commentary way too much and his delivery is a bit harsh. Broadcasting ain't easy, especially live commentary, but it seems he needs to find his employment somewhere besides the broadcasting booth.

It appears Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade are opiting out of their contracts along with Lebron James, and Udonis Haslem is opting out as well.

http://espn.go.com/nba/tr...ree-agency

This seems to me that none of the big three are going anywhere, and that this is definitely a move to restructure their contracts to get some salary cap room to land some supporting players.

^^^ Agreed

And this J Kidd shit is weird.

Cerebus said:

^^^ Agreed

And this J Kidd shit is weird.

He saw what Steve Kerr & Derek Fisher got, wanted a piece of the pie, and the Nets said N-O.

Supposedly a deal will be done today....stay tuned.

uPtoWnNY said:

Cerebus said:

^^^ Agreed

And this J Kidd shit is weird.

He saw what Steve Kerr & Derek Fisher got, wanted a piece of the pie, and the Nets said N-O.

Supposedly a deal will be done today....stay tuned.

Still weird. I guess time will tell if this is a better place to be coaching, but I don't see it right now. Particularly not with the owner they've got in Brooklyn. Also, not so sure I understand Kidd thinking he's got the knowledge or ability to run an NBA team. It's not the same as coaching, and he didn't prove much with that yet, either. Sucks to be Larry Drew, though.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--bucks-have-hired-jason-kidd-as-coach-151228691.html

After agreeing to terms on future draft compensation, the Milwaukee Bucks have hired Jason Kidd as coach, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Milwaukee reached an agreement to send 2015 and 2019 second-round picks to Brooklyn to allow Kidd out of the final two years of his contract and become the Bucks' coach.

The Bucks will fire coach Larry Drew, who had been on the job for one season. New Bucks ownership had communicated nothing to Drew through the past several days of negotiations with Kidd and the Nets, sources said.

Kidd lost a power play in Brooklyn, where he had tried to usurp the power of GM Billy King through ownership, sources said. Kidd had gone to ownership seeking the president of basketball operations title and was denied. It led to Brooklyn allowing him permission to talk with the Bucks, whose new co-owner, Marc Lasry, has been a longtime financial adviser.

Around the NBA, there's a strong belief that Kidd will ascend sooner rather than later to run the Bucks' basketball operations. Milwaukee currently has a general manager, John Hammond, in place.

In his one season as Nets coach, Kidd was 44-38 and won an Eastern Conference first-round series over Toronto.

Lionel Hollins is a strong candidate to replace Kidd with the Nets, league sources said.

It's being reported that Carmelo Anthony will meet with the Bulls on the first day of free agency.

Cerebus said:

It's being reported that Carmelo Anthony will meet with the Bulls on the first day of free agency.

I wouldn't be surprised if that who he signs with.

SeventeenDayze said:

Cerebus said:

It's being reported that Carmelo Anthony will meet with the Bulls on the first day of free agency.

I wouldn't be surprised if that who he signs with.

That's assuming Carmelo likes winning over money.

John Canzano broke the news.

Dwayne Wade has agreed to a four-year deal with the Heat. He'll earn $12M next season (nearly a $10M cut from his prior deal).

Chris Bosh has agreed to a five-year deal with Miami starting with $11M next season.

Meanwhile, LBJ is likely to ink a max contract with Miami but for 1-2 years.

Other News:

Shaun Livingston signed with the Warriors. Big loss for the Nets.

Gortat is staying in D.C.

Kyrie is staying in Cleveland - WTF is he thinking?

Nets are close to signing Lionel Hollins as head coach.

[Edited 7/2/14 10:00am]

uPtoWnNY said:

John Canzano broke the news.

Dwayne Wade has agreed to a four-year deal with the Heat. He'll earn $12M next season (nearly a $10M cut from his prior deal).

Chris Bosh has agreed to a five-year deal with Miami starting with $11M next season.

Meanwhile, LBJ is likely to ink a max contract with Miami but for 1-2 years.

Other News:

Shaun Livingston signed with the Warriors. Big loss for the Nets.

Gortat is staying in D.C.

Kyrie is staying in Cleveland - WTF is he thinking?

Nets are close to signing Lionel Hollins as head coach.

[Edited 7/2/14 10:00am]

Thanks for the updates!

Patty Mills signs a 3-year deal with the Spurs.

Dirk re-ups with Dallas for 3 years at $30mil.

Thabo Sefolosha signs with the Hawks for 3 years at $12mil.

Darren Collison signs with the Kings for 3 years at $16mil.

C.J. Miles signs a 4 year deal with the Pacers for $18mil.

Raptors trade John Salmons to the Hawks for Lou Williams.

Kyle Lowry's on the verge of signing a big deal with Toronto.

The 'Melo tour continues today in LA with Anthony chillin' with Kobe.

What's all the fuss about Carmelo?The guy has only been out of the 1st round twice in his entire career.Not the same as college when was a man amongst boys.

iaminparties said:

What's all the fuss about Carmelo?The guy has only been out of the 1st round twice in his entire career.Not the same as college when was a man amongst boys.

He has been snakebitten during his tenure with Denver. Having to face the

Lakers in the playoffs when they were at their peak with Kobe was no easy task. He actually had the upper hand in the playoffs early on versus Kobe in one of those series before he had to finish the series playing injured.

Poor Melo has just had a run of dumb luck with the Knicks dealing with

issues from mangagement, injuries to key players, and just a plain bad

roster which have nothing to do with Melo. Michael Jordan himself couldn't

make this past season roster a contender.

and the fact that Melo plays NO defense is attributed to WHAT?!

phunkdaddy said:

iaminparties said:

What's all the fuss about Carmelo?The guy has only been out of the 1st round twice in his entire career.Not the same as college when was a man amongst boys.

He has been snakebitten during his tenure with Denver. Having to face the

Lakers in the playoffs when they were at their peak with Kobe was no easy task. He actually had the upper hand in the playoffs early on versus Kobe in one of those series before he had to finish the series playing injured.

Poor Melo has just had a run of dumb luck with the Knicks dealing with

issues from mangagement, injuries to key players, and just a plain bad

roster which have nothing to do with Melo. Michael Jordan himself couldn't

make this past season roster a contender.

I don't follow the Knicks closely but what's all this talk about their bad management? Is it inner turmoil that's the issue? Terrible owner?

SeventeenDayze said:

phunkdaddy said:

He has been snakebitten during his tenure with Denver. Having to face the

Lakers in the playoffs when they were at their peak with Kobe was no easy task. He actually had the upper hand in the playoffs early on versus Kobe in one of those series before he had to finish the series playing injured.

Poor Melo has just had a run of dumb luck with the Knicks dealing with

issues from mangagement, injuries to key players, and just a plain bad

roster which have nothing to do with Melo. Michael Jordan himself couldn't

make this past season roster a contender.

I don't follow the Knicks closely but what's all this talk about their bad management? Is it inner turmoil that's the issue? Terrible owner?

I told you before, bad management/ownership is the reason this franchise hasn't won a title since I was 12. The Knicks have had a long-standing philosophy of trading draft picks and giving out bad contracts to veterans in the hopes of catching lightning in a bottle and winning a trophy. They're the complete opposite of the Spurs, and they do a horrible job of scouting and developing young players. They actually thought pairing Bob McAdoo & Spencer Haywood would win them a championship. Go research the Knicks draft picks since Ewing & Mark Jackson - it'll make you cry if you're a fan.

Even during the Ewing years they could never get Patrick the wingman he needed to get over the hump. Jordan had Pippen, Ewing had thatt bum John Starks. Once the Dolans took over MSG @ 14 years ago, things really went south - Scott Layden, Isiah Thomas, Eddy Curry, Stephon Marbury, Larry Brown, Anucha Brown-Sanders - the saddest era in Knick history, mainly because James Dolan is the worst owner in professional sports (go the Google and read about this assclown). He says Phil has full autonomy - yeah right, I've heard that song before.

If Carmelo comes back, it's strictly for the loot. It'll tell me he's not interested in winning a ring - if he was, he'd get the hell out of here and join Rose in Chicago. Knicks will NEVER win with this current owner.

uPtoWnNY said:

SeventeenDayze said:

I don't follow the Knicks closely but what's all this talk about their bad management? Is it inner turmoil that's the issue? Terrible owner?

I told you before, bad management/ownership is the reason this franchise hasn't won a title since I was 12. The Knicks have had a long-standing philosophy of trading draft picks and giving out bad contracts to veterans in the hopes of catching lightning in a bottle and winning a trophy. They're the complete opposite of the Spurs, and they do a horrible job of scouting and developing young players. They actually thought pairing Bob McAdoo & Spencer Haywood would win them a championship. Go research the Knicks draft picks since Ewing & Mark Jackson - it'll make you cry if you're a fan.

Even during the Ewing years they could never get Patrick the wingman he needed to get over the hump. Jordan had Pippen, Ewing had thatt bum John Starks. Once the Dolans took over MSG @ 14 years ago, things really went south - Scott Layden, Isiah Thomas, Eddy Curry, Stephon Marbury, Larry Brown, Anucha Brown-Sanders - the saddest era in Knick history, mainly because James Dolan is the worst owner in professional sports (go the Google and read about this assclown). He says Phil has full autonomy - yeah right, I've heard that song before.

If Carmelo comes back, it's strictly for the loot. It'll tell me he's not interested in winning a ring - if he was, he'd get the hell out of here and join Rose in Chicago. Knicks will NEVER win with this current owner.

Frederic Weis