The NBA thread

[Great Rumbler]

Someone with video skills please edit the Power Rangers opening to have Bosh, Wade, and James. And Pat Riley as Zordon.

[Phoenix Dark]

Oh the bitter tears. I'm not a fan of LeBron using a prime time, one hour wank fest to stab his home town fans in the heart, but anyone bitching about betrayal needs to stfu. He was a free agent. He didn't think the Cavs could do enough to surround him with good players. He's signing for less money so he can win multiple championships. Enough of this bullshit

If he was leaving any other team I wouldn't give a fuck, but it's hard NOT to feel bad about Cle fans given how shitty their city and sports situation has been for years.

[Cormacaroni]

The Cavs painted themselves into a corner because they thought they could win right away. They should have built slow and steady, like Sam Presti is doing in OKC. In 7 yrs, Presti would have build a foundation so solid LeBron would never have jumped ship. Look at how quick Durant was to sign, in somewhere that can't exactly be as fun as South Beach. No-one even TRIED to tempt Durant away.

[Smooth Groove]

I'm curious to see how James' former teammates will fare without him.  "Experts" like Charley Rosen were riding James for not trusting them enough and highlighting that as a main reason for the Cavs' failure. 

[Cormacaroni]

ugh, Charley Rosen. What a bitter old man. I say that as a bitter old man.

Yeah, the Cavs are going to crater next season. Gilbert's comments will only make it worse. It's suddenly very clear why Danny Ferry walked away from the GM job.

[Phoenix Dark]

Izzo is probably at home laughing

[Smooth Groove]

Even with my rep as a BBC fan, the material below might be quite embarrassing.  PD asked that I post it though so blame him.

there really are some eerie similarities between the NBA's big three and IR porn's big three:

Mr Marcus/Bosh: Not the most physically gifted but makes the most of his talents.  Very underrated by many fans.

Sean Michaels/Wade: Great talent with a strong work ethic who is well respected among his peers and fans.

Lexington Steele/James: Have the most talent, accomplished a lot but is still sometimes suspected to be not giving full effort.

[Cormacaroni]

Izzo is probably at home laughing

LeBron didn't even meet with him. That was pretty much the first clue.

[Smooth Groove]

"It's not about him leaving," Gilbert said. "It's the disrespect. It's time for people to hold these athletes accountable for their actions. Is this the way you raise your children? I've been holding this all in for a long time."



So why didn't you teach him a lesson all these years?

[Cormacaroni]

I think he means 'it's time for Micky Arison to hold him accountable for his actions'

[Phoenix Dark]

should have traded lebron when you had the chance dumbass

[etiolate]

This gives me more respect for CWebb in his free agency year. Everyone thought he'd bail smalltown Sacramento, but he signed the extension and the team built as much a contender as could be before he blew his knees out.

[Phoenix Dark]

I always get an Uncle Rico vibe from Sac Town fans

[etiolate]

From Napoleon Dynamite?

[ferrarimanf355]

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html

wow, bet the free agents will be lining up to play for this nut-job

Wait, did the Cavs majority owner talk like a GAF poster?

[TakingBackSunday]

God, people in Ohio have been insufferable in the last 12 hours or so.  I almost forgot why I hated this state and that city so much.  LeBron leaving was probably best for me, as I can now fully wash myself of this city for good.

[Beezy]

Funniest thing I've seen from all this (better on a forum that allows autoplay):

[youtube=560,345]wbfbWEohhbg[/youtube]

[ferrarimanf355]

HAPPY LEBRONUKKAH!

[DJ_Tet]

This gives me more respect for CWebb in his free agency year. Everyone thought he'd bail smalltown Sacramento, but he signed the extension and the team built as much a contender as could be before he blew his knees out.

He took the money like everyone else I can think of except LeBron.  Even the ones who left did so with a sign and trade and max money.

I can't think of another time when a max player left this kind of money on the table.

[Stoney Mason]

This gives me more respect for CWebb in his free agency year. Everyone thought he'd bail smalltown Sacramento, but he signed the extension and the team built as much a contender as could be before he blew his knees out.

He took the money like everyone else I can think of except LeBron.  Even the ones who left did so with a sign and trade and max money.

I can't think of another time when a max player left this kind of money on the table.

Pretty much. The easiest thing to do is always stay since they can pay you more. It's not exactly the "noble" position some people make it out to be.

[Phoenix Dark]

And yet people are calling LeBron selfish lol

Dude wants to win. Although to be fair, he clearly didn't want to win in game 7 against the Celtics

[Phoenix Dark]

Lakers fans in a nutshell
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=22306607&postcount=15078

[Stoney Mason]

Honestly most sports fan aren't much removed from console fanboys. The only difference is its socially acceptable to be a sports fanboy.

[Himu]

NO

NOT SCOLA

[Beezy]

And yet people are calling LeBron selfish lol

Dude wants to win. Although to be fair, he clearly didn't want to win in game 7 against the Celtics

game 6

[ferrarimanf355]

The local sports radio show here in Palm Beach County announced that the owner of the Cavs also owns fathead.com, and the Fathead LeBron Cavs merch is on clearance for $17.41.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

1741 was the year Benedict Arnold was born. I can tell that the owner of the Cavs isn't bitter. 

[close]

EDIT:

http://www.fathead.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/lebron-james-drives-fathead-junior/
http://www.fathead.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/lebron-james/

[Phoenix Dark]

Gilbert should leak the Delonte West/Gloria James sex tape

[ferrarimanf355]

Gilbert should leak the Delonte West/Gloria James sex tape

[Phoenix Dark]

JJ Redick should sign with Miami. I wonder if LeBron can woo Zydrunas Ilgauskas too

[TakingBackSunday]

If Z leaves too, Cleveland legitimately will suicide.

Do it, Z.

[Phoenix Dark]

Z has been loyal for years, him leaving wouldn't be a huge deal imo. He's old and wants a ring; would have been a great story if the Cavs had won this year, given all the stuff Z has gone through.

The Heat need a center; he could come off the bench so they could save him for the playoffs.

[ferrarimanf355]

BOSH HULKIN OUT FOR NO REASON.

[Cormacaroni]

Why would the Heat sign Reddick when they have Mike Miller? They need centers more now.

[Phoenix Dark]

is the Miller thing a done deal?

[TakingBackSunday]

Gilbert is the best. I love how he's handled this so far.

What the fuck, why.  He's being even more childish than LeBron.

[The Fake Shemp]

So the heat have Haslem returning and they're getting Mike Miller. Day-yum. They're going to be able to sign some dudes for minimum that just want a ring. This team is a contender in its first season, and they'll be even better.

[Phoenix Dark]

I don't know what's more annoying, LeBron's 1hr stunt or the reaction form the media/sports fans. So many stupid arguments being thrown around. Have people forgotten Larry Bird won a bunch of championships playing on a god damn all star team, as did Magic Johnson? The Heat now have two shoe in hall of famers, and if you look at it that way the team isn't some new phenomena. I seem to remember the Lakers winning championships with two hall of famers (Shaq/Kobe), one of which was the most dominate player in the league at the time.

If LeBron retires with 6 championships it's going to be hard to dismiss the accomplishment

[Beezy]

2 of the current top 3 players are on the same fucking team. This never happened before. Ofcourse people are gonna be mad.

[TakingBackSunday]

2 of the best players in the league on the same team, within all legal requirements of the league.  People need to stop being so butthurt and admit the Heat are going to assfuck next year.

[Beezy]

2 of the best players in the league on the same team, within all legal requirements of the league.  People need to stop being so butthurt and admit the Heat are going to assfuck next year.

People ARE buthurt because their teams are gonna get assfucked.

[etiolate]

The Heat thing will probably cause a franchise tag thing to happen.

[Cormacaroni]

It's hilarious - he hasn't won a damn thing yet and people are already rushing to downplay it

It's FEAR. It's so awesome to see the bandwagon Lakers fans shitting their pants.

And all those who say 'Oh, MJ stuck with the same team...'?

MJ was a dumb-ass and signed an 8 yr deal for shitty money. It was the worst deal for a player in all of sports, relative to his actual worth. If he could have been a free agent in his prime, you bet your sweet fucking ass he would have played the market for all its worth.

[Beezy]

It's hilarious - he hasn't won a damn thing yet and people are already rushing to downplay it

It's FEAR. It's so awesome to see the bandwagon Lakers fans shitting their pants.

True. If Carmelo actually goes to the Knicks and Chris Paul or someone else joins him (CP3 joked about it at Melo's wedding), I'll thank nWo Hollywood for inadvertently creating nWo Wolfpac. I'm loving the wrestling comparisons.

[Dickie Dee]

tbh, this has all made me want to stop hitting the snooze button and start paying attention to the NBA after 5-10 yrs of indifference, and not really bandwagoning or hating either way.

DRAMA

[pollo]

It's hilarious - he hasn't won a damn thing yet and people are already rushing to downplay it

It's FEAR. It's so awesome to see the bandwagon Lakers fans shitting their pants.

True. If Carmelo actually goes to the Knicks and Chris Paul or someone else joins him (CP3 joked about it at Melo's wedding), I'll thank nWo Hollywood for inadvertently creating nWo Wolfpac. I'm loving the wrestling comparisons.

Stop with your delusional rantings/hopes. This is why everyone makes fun of knicks fans. We're not sniffing Melo's jock. Nor are we sniffin Paul's.

We will watch Anythony Randolph grow into a more complete player and like it 

[Brehvolution]

Well one things for sure this upcoming season will be a lot more interesting.

That is for damn sure.

[Beezy]

It's hilarious - he hasn't won a damn thing yet and people are already rushing to downplay it

It's FEAR. It's so awesome to see the bandwagon Lakers fans shitting their pants.

True. If Carmelo actually goes to the Knicks and Chris Paul or someone else joins him (CP3 joked about it at Melo's wedding), I'll thank nWo Hollywood for inadvertently creating nWo Wolfpac. I'm loving the wrestling comparisons.

Stop with your delusional rantings/hopes. This is why everyone makes fun of knicks fans. We're not sniffing Melo's jock. Nor are we sniffin Paul's.

We will watch Anythony Randolph grow into a more complete player and like it 

Calm down, I didn't say it's actually gonna happen. I'm just entertaining the thought of more wrestling factions popping up. That shit would be great. People are already calling the Celtics the Four Horsemen.

[ferrarimanf355]

Gilbert is the best. I love how he's handled this so far.

What the fuck, why.  He's being even more childish than LeBron.

u mad?

[Phoenix Dark]

2 of the current top 3 players are on the same fucking team. This never happened before. Ofcourse people are gonna be mad.

Where were you when Kobe and Shaq were dominating the league?

[Flannel Boy]

2 of the current top 3 players are on the same fucking team. This never happened before. Ofcourse people are gonna be mad.

Where were you when Kobe and Shaq were dominating the league?

Shaq was the best player in the league all those years, but Kobe wasn't among the top three. The only argument is 2001-2002, but T-Mac and Duncan were both better than Kobe that season.

LeBron, Wade, and Bosh finished first, second, and fourth last year in PER, respectively. There really is no comparable, especially post 80s and 90s expansion and post salary cap.

[Beezy]

2 of the current top 3 players are on the same fucking team. This never happened before. Ofcourse people are gonna be mad.

Where were you when Kobe and Shaq were dominating the league?

Shaq was the best player in the league all those years, but Kobe wasn't among the top three. The only argument is 2001-2002, but T-Mac and Duncan were both better than Kobe that season.

LeBron, Wade, and Bosh finished first, second, and fourth last year in PER, respectively. There really is no comparable, especially post 80s and 90s expansion and post salary cap.

thank you

[Stoney Mason]

What difference does it make if the best players are on one team. If they are abiding by the salary cap rules then they are.

What also strikes me funny is this outrage about this situation when nobody says boo about the same thing in baseball. Which has a broken salary structure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_teams_by_payroll

Not trying to diss baseball or anything but it shows how absurd this whole thing is

Or how about when Jordan took a lesser salary to get more help for his bulls.

Someone told me Charles Barkley was complaining about this situation. I had to laugh. Charles Barkley. Who wore out his welcome in Philly and never won a title. You gotta be kidding me.

[Smooth Groove]

MLB's salary laws are utterly disgraceful.  That's why it is laughable when people use championships to validate Jeter's greatness. 

[Flannel Boy]

What difference does it make if the best players are on one team. If they are abiding by the salary cap rules then they are.

What also strikes me funny is this outrage about this situation when nobody says boo about the same thing in baseball. Which has a broken salary structure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_teams_by_payroll

Not trying to diss baseball or anything but it shows how absurd this whole thing is

Or how about when Jordan took a lesser salary to get more help for his bulls.

Someone told me Charles Barkley was complaining about this situation. I had to laugh. Charles Barkley. Who wore out his welcome in Philly and never won a title. You gotta be kidding me.

It strikes me as anti-competitive. There are about a dozen franchise players in their primes in a 30-team league. Three of them now play on the same team thanks to a plan hatched months ago while their respective teams were still in the playoff mix.

LeBron should want to beat Wade, not play with him. What would people think if LeBron decided to play for the Lakers (Kobe = Wade and Bosh = Gasol)? How meaningful would his ring be?

Baseball fans outside of the major markets have been complaining for years. But the situations has remained constant, so you're not going to hear new outrage.

You could have brought up Houston to show Barkley's hypocrisy, though Barkley, Hakeem, and Drexler were past their primes.

[Flannel Boy]

MLB's salary laws are utterly disgraceful.  That's why it is laughable when people use championships to validate Jeter's greatness. 

It's laughable when any player's championships are used to validate his greatness (with the exception of players who played with shitty teammates see: Hakeem).

/says a Nowitzki-fanboy

[Stoney Mason]

LeBron should want to beat Wade, not play with him.

People keep making this argument and it makes no sense to me. Not trying to be rude but really it doesn't.

[Smooth Groove]

Lebron would have beaten Dwyane if somehow Lebron could make the Heat his team. 

[Phoenix Dark]

LeBron should want to beat Wade, not play with him.

People keep making this argument and it makes no sense to me. Not trying to be rude but really it doesn't.

Agreed. Although it is odd seeing the three doing interviews with Wade as the obvious leader. LeBron in Chicago would have made things more interesting imo

We can talk about PER ratings all we want but at the end of the day this is three superstars on the same team. They aren't guaranteed anything

[Flannel Boy]

LeBron should want to beat Wade, not play with him.

People keep making this argument and it makes no sense to me. Not trying to be rude but really it doesn't.

It shows that he's unwilling to try to win a ring as the man. He needs his near equal and the best third banana since James Worthy.

Lebron would have beaten Dwyane if somehow Lebron could make the Heat his team. 

It's not about Wade specifically, but it's about his need for a Wade-type player on his team, who is a clear number one on every other team except the Heat, Lakers, and possibly Thunder.

[Stoney Mason]

LeBron should want to beat Wade, not play with him.

People keep making this argument and it makes no sense to me. Not trying to be rude but really it doesn't.

It shows that he's unwilling to try to win a ring as the man. He needs his near equal and the best third banana since James Worthy.

Lebron would have beaten Dwyane if somehow Lebron could make the Heat his team. 

It's not about Wade specifically, but it's about his need for a Wade-type player on his team, who is a clear number one on every other team except the Heat, Lakers, and possibly Thunder.

And Larry Bird played with Robert Parrish and Kevin Mchale who some consider one of the greatest power forwards of all time.

And Magic played with great players himself.

So I'm supposed to be upset at Lebron because also wants to play with great players instead of the shitty squad of scrubs he had in Cleveland.

yeah...still makes no sense to me.