namepeace said:

Monta Ellis would be a prime candidate for this system.

Forget that. I want NO part of Monta Ellis. He's nothing but a ballhog who plays no defense.

uPtoWnNY said:

namepeace said:

Monta Ellis would be a prime candidate for this system.

Forget that. I want NO part of Monta Ellis. He's nothing but a ballhog who plays no defense.

Like I was saying, Ellis would fit right into a D'Antoni system. Which I don't think can win titles. There are better PGs, like Tony Parker (who has some miles on him). But who else can run this system? (not rhetorical, I'm really asking . . .)

The Bulls are being played 4 the chumps that they are.

Have u guys seen Gearld Henderson play? This guy is going 2 be a BEAST.

namepeace said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Forget that. I want NO part of Monta Ellis. He's nothing but a ballhog who plays no defense.

Like I was saying, Ellis would fit right into a D'Antoni system. Which I don't think can win titles. There are better PGs, like Tony Parker (who has some miles on him). But who else can run this system? (not rhetorical, I'm really asking . . .)

You're right, D'Antoni system won't take you deep in the playoffs. That's why I hate having him as the coach. He sucks.

As for point guards for the Knicks, I'm hearing Parker, Raymond Felton, Luke Ridnour...we'll see.

The big announcement's coming tomorrow night - word has it Bosh will join Wade in Miami.

By Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears, Yahoo! Sports

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have decided to sign with the Miami Heat while continuing to recruitLeBron James to help them form an All-Star triumvirate that threatens to shift the NBA’s balance of power, two sources with knowledge of the plans told Yahoo! Sports.

“They think they’ve got a real chance to pull this off with LeBron,” a league source said.

Said an official with one team that made a formal presentation to James: “It’s down to Cleveland or Miami for him.”

The three players shared a call after midnight on Wednesday, when Wade and Bosh told James they were committing to the Heat, a source said. James didn’t commit with them, but kept his own plans private for a television announcement on Thursday night. Wade and Bosh plan to formally announce their decision on Wednesday afternoon.

Still, Wade and Bosh decided they needed to make a commitment to give them the best possible chance of luring more talent – including James – with the additional salary-cap space in Miami.

Other teams bidding for James were unclear on Thursday morning of his plans, although Cleveland was still believed to lead Chicago, New Jersey and possibly the New York Knicks.

As a possible contingency plan if they don’t get James, the Heat are planning to pursue the Portland Trail Blazers’ Andre Miller in a trade to play point guard for the team, a source said. The Heat could absorb Miller’s salary into their cap space. The Heat have had trade conversations since before the draft about sending point guard Mario Chalmers and a first-round pick to Portland for shooting guardRudy Fernandez, according to a source. It’s possible the talks have now expanded with Heat forwardMichael Beasley and Miller.

ESPN first reported Wade and Bosh’s plans.

uPtoWnNY said:

namepeace said:

Like I was saying, Ellis would fit right into a D'Antoni system. Which I don't think can win titles. There are better PGs, like Tony Parker (who has some miles on him). But who else can run this system? (not rhetorical, I'm really asking . . .)

You're right, D'Antoni system won't take you deep in the playoffs. That's why I hate having him as the coach. He sucks.

As for point guards for the Knicks, I'm hearing Parker, Raymond Felton, Luke Ridnour...we'll see.

The big announcement's coming tomorrow night - word has it Bosh will join Wade in Miami.

Felton can be a player. Word is that 'Melo wants to play in NY next year. A competent point guard will be needed to run the D'Antoni system AND feed both Stoudemire and Melo in seasons to come.

David Lee would be a nice fit in NJ, playing alongside a legit big man in Lopez.

http://wfan.stats.com/nba/story.asp?type=REGION_NY3&i=20100707034126920000101

uPtoWnNY said:

By Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears, Yahoo! Sports

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have decided to sign with the Miami Heat while continuing to recruitLeBron James to help them form an All-Star triumvirate that threatens to shift the NBA’s balance of power, two sources with knowledge of the plans told Yahoo! Sports.

“They think they’ve got a real chance to pull this off with LeBron,” a league source said.

Said an official with one team that made a formal presentation to James: “It’s down to Cleveland or Miami for him.”

The three players shared a call after midnight on Wednesday, when Wade and Bosh told James they were committing to the Heat, a source said. James didn’t commit with them, but kept his own plans private for a television announcement on Thursday night. Wade and Bosh plan to formally announce their decision on Wednesday afternoon.

Still, Wade and Bosh decided they needed to make a commitment to give them the best possible chance of luring more talent – including James – with the additional salary-cap space in Miami.

Other teams bidding for James were unclear on Thursday morning of his plans, although Cleveland was still believed to lead Chicago, New Jersey and possibly the New York Knicks.

As a possible contingency plan if they don’t get James, the Heat are planning to pursue the Portland Trail Blazers’ Andre Miller in a trade to play point guard for the team, a source said. The Heat could absorb Miller’s salary into their cap space. The Heat have had trade conversations since before the draft about sending point guard Mario Chalmers and a first-round pick to Portland for shooting guardRudy Fernandez, according to a source. It’s possible the talks have now expanded with Heat forwardMichael Beasley and Miller.

ESPN first reported Wade and Bosh’s plans.

With Chris Bosh joining Wade in Miami, that alone pushes Miami at least to the

second round of the playoffs provided they have the right complimentary players

in the fold considering Lebron doesn't join the mix.

Chicago sure is looking pretty strong in Free Agency.

Durant just signed an $86m extension.

uPtoWnNY said:

By Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears, Yahoo! Sports

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have decided to sign with the Miami Heat while continuing to recruitLeBron James to help them form an All-Star triumvirate that threatens to shift the NBA’s balance of power, two sources with knowledge of the plans told Yahoo! Sports.

“They think they’ve got a real chance to pull this off with LeBron,” a league source said.

Said an official with one team that made a formal presentation to James: “It’s down to Cleveland or Miami for him.”

The three players shared a call after midnight on Wednesday, when Wade and Bosh told James they were committing to the Heat, a source said. James didn’t commit with them, but kept his own plans private for a television announcement on Thursday night. Wade and Bosh plan to formally announce their decision on Wednesday afternoon.

Still, Wade and Bosh decided they needed to make a commitment to give them the best possible chance of luring more talent – including James – with the additional salary-cap space in Miami.

Other teams bidding for James were unclear on Thursday morning of his plans, although Cleveland was still believed to lead Chicago, New Jersey and possibly the New York Knicks.

As a possible contingency plan if they don’t get James, the Heat are planning to pursue the Portland Trail Blazers’ Andre Miller in a trade to play point guard for the team, a source said. The Heat could absorb Miller’s salary into their cap space. The Heat have had trade conversations since before the draft about sending point guard Mario Chalmers and a first-round pick to Portland for shooting guardRudy Fernandez, according to a source. It’s possible the talks have now expanded with Heat forwardMichael Beasley and Miller.

ESPN first reported Wade and Bosh’s plans.

Andre Miller would be a great move for the Heat, he fits well with what they want to do. IIRC, though, Udonis Haslem is a free agent. He was a key role player for the 2006 title team and I think they need him for a run next season. Unless, of course, they convice Boozer to come down to Miami as well.

Amazingly, my opinion on James hasn't changed much from yesterday. He risks more staying in Cleveland, even for 3 more seasons, as opposed to joining a more balanced roster in Chicago or forming a New Big Three in Miami.

Hey, I'm pushing for as mich FA drama as I can get to get me through July and the beginning of training camps and fall practices!!!!

Graycap23 said:

Durant just signed an $86m extension.

Barring major injuries, OKC will be a serious threat to the Lakers next season. They gave LA everything they could handle.

uPtoWnNY said:

Graycap23 said:

Durant just signed an $86m extension.

Barring major injuries, OKC will be a serious threat to the Lakers next season. They gave LA everything they could handle.

4 sho.

Graycap23 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Barring major injuries, OKC will be a serious threat to the Lakers next season. They gave LA everything they could handle.

4 sho.

Maybe. They could be next season's 2009 Blazers, 2009 Nuggets or 2008 Hornets. We shouldn't project based on this year's results. Even going back to the 80's, there's always been a "Next Year's Team" in the West. In the last 15 seasons, the Lakers (7 Finals), Spurs (4 Finals) and Jazz (2 Finals) have owned the West. A lot of would-be contenders (Blazers, Kings, Nuggets, Suns, et cetera) failed to realize their promise.

I love OKC's roster and their growth, but experience is the key in the possession-by-possession grind of the postseason. They could challenge LA for the top seed but it remains to be seen whether they'll grow enough to beat LA 4 out of 7. For that matter, like a lot of would-be contenders, they could be tripped up by another surprise squad, maybe the Blazers or Nuggets put the pieces back together, or the Suns, etc. OKC reminds me of the Lakers in the late 90's vis-a-vis the Jazz, they needed to grow to climb to the top.

Maybe there's a changing of the guard in the next season or two but I think LA's fate depends mostly on what LA does to its roster this summer. LA's core is steady and their bench support/health are more important than what anyone else does.

[Edited 7/7/10 9:40am]

Within two years it wouldn't surprise me if Durant became the top player in the

game. He's already top 5 if not number 3 behind Kobe and Lebron.

uPtoWnNY said:

Graycap23 said:

Durant just signed an $86m extension.

Barring major injuries, OKC will be a serious threat to the Lakers next season. They gave LA everything they could handle.

I don't see it just yet. They matched up well with the Lakers but that was in a playoff series and they were the upstart that took them by surprise, and that surprise factor is no longer there.

namepeace said:

I love OKC's roster and their growth, but experience is the key in the possession-by-possession grind of the postseason. They could challenge LA for the top seed but it remains to be seen whether they'll grow enough to beat LA 4 out of 7. For that matter, like a lot of would-be contenders, they could be tripped up by another surprise squad, maybe the Blazers or Nuggets put the pieces back together, or the Suns, etc. OKC reminds me of the Lakers in the late 90's vis-a-vis the Jazz, they needed to grow to climb to the top.

Maybe there's a changing of the guard in the next season or two but I think LA's fate depends mostly on what LA does to its roster this summer. LA's core is steady and their bench support/health are more important than what anyone else does.

[Edited 7/7/10 9:40am]

It took the Bad Boy Pistons several playoff disappointments before they finally beat Boston. Same with Jordan Bulls against the Celtics and Pistons. If OKC can keep the core together, avoid major injuries, gain experience, and develop their talent, the sky's the limit for those cats.

Injuries are killer. Look at Portland. They should have been where OKC is now.

uPtoWnNY said:

namepeace said:

I love OKC's roster and their growth, but experience is the key in the possession-by-possession grind of the postseason. They could challenge LA for the top seed but it remains to be seen whether they'll grow enough to beat LA 4 out of 7. For that matter, like a lot of would-be contenders, they could be tripped up by another surprise squad, maybe the Blazers or Nuggets put the pieces back together, or the Suns, etc. OKC reminds me of the Lakers in the late 90's vis-a-vis the Jazz, they needed to grow to climb to the top.

Maybe there's a changing of the guard in the next season or two but I think LA's fate depends mostly on what LA does to its roster this summer. LA's core is steady and their bench support/health are more important than what anyone else does.

[Edited 7/7/10 9:40am]

It took the Bad Boy Pistons several playoff disappointments before they finally beat Boston. Same with Jordan Bulls against the Celtics and Pistons. If OKC can keep the core together, avoid major injuries, gain experience, and develop their talent, the sky's the limit for those cats.

Injuries are killer. Look at Portland. They should have been where OKC is now.

Agreed. I thought injuries were the major difference in Portland taking that next step

this season. Brandon Roy is one heck of a player who in time could join the penthouse

of NBA players.

phunkdaddy said:

Agreed. I thought injuries were the major difference in Portland taking that next step

this season. Brandon Roy is one heck of a player who in time could join the penthouse

of NBA players.

And if Oden wasn't so fragile, imagine where the young Blazers would be.

uPtoWnNY said:

phunkdaddy said:

Agreed. I thought injuries were the major difference in Portland taking that next step

this season. Brandon Roy is one heck of a player who in time could join the penthouse

of NBA players.

And if Oden wasn't so fragile, imagine where the young Blazers would be.

Sam Bowie immediately comes to mind.

phunkdaddy said:

uPtoWnNY said:

And if Oden wasn't so fragile, imagine where the young Blazers would be.

Sam Bowie immediately comes to mind.

Bill Walton too. Blazers haven't had good luck with big men. At least Big Red helped them win the title.

phunkdaddy said:

Within two years it wouldn't surprise me if Durant became the top player in the

game. He's already top 5 if not number 3 behind Kobe and Lebron.

To be honest, he's exceeded all of my expectations which were pretty high to begin with.

namepeace said:

phunkdaddy said:

Within two years it wouldn't surprise me if Durant became the top player in the

game. He's already top 5 if not number 3 behind Kobe and Lebron.

To be honest, he's exceeded all of my expectations which were pretty high to begin with.

Everything about his game is silky-smooth, like George Gervin's.

uPtoWnNY said:

namepeace said:

To be honest, he's exceeded all of my expectations which were pretty high to begin with.

Everything about his game is silky-smooth, like George Gervin's.

Scores easier than anyone in the league.

There you go, Graycap. Bulls sign Boozer for 80 million. That's a good sign. Now can they land Bron?

RebirthOfCool said:

There you go, Graycap. Bulls sign Boozer for 80 million. That's a good sign. Now can they land Bron?

CHI and MIA are equally intriguing teams for much different reasons.

namepeace said:

RebirthOfCool said:

There you go, Graycap. Bulls sign Boozer for 80 million. That's a good sign. Now can they land Bron?

CHI and MIA are equally intriguing teams for much different reasons.

One of those reasons they share: Bron.

I find it impossible to be a fan of LeBron James now.

This whole ESPN show is too much.

RodeoSchro said:

I find it impossible to be a fan of LeBron James now.

This whole ESPN show is too much.

No different from the annual ESPN Brett Favre offseason spectacle.