The NBA thread

[Stoney Mason]

Sigh. Having to listen to stuff like this is why Lebron joining the Lakers is gonna be so annoying.

After spending two decades around Kobe Bryant as his agent and friend, Pelinka saw how obsessed the Lakers legend was with improving and constantly searching for new ways to find any advantage he could get over his opponent. It was Bryant's curiosity that in part inspired Pelinka to create the Genius Series.

"I remember one time [Bryant] called me and was like, 'Have you ever seen the way a cheetah attacks its prey? Like when it is hunting down a wildebeest?'" Pelinka said. "He said, 'I have really been thinking of ways to creatively change some of my movements and noticed that there was this incredible beauty in how a cheetah uses its tail to balance itself when it jumps in the air.' And he said, 'I have been moving my foot in different ways, almost like the tail of a cheetah, to learn how to have proper balance when I am shooting my fadeaway jumper.'"

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23929488/los-angeles-lakers-use-celebrity-speaker-series-promote-culture-success

[Stoney Mason]

lol. Messy podcast but I like that Haralabos will at least challenge Bill who is used to just throwing out hot takes without ever getting a challenge back.

[Let's Cyber]

We've reached my favorite (read: insane) part of American sports media and fanbase furor: tracking airline flights!

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-free-agency-rumors-james-flies-into-los-angeles-area-just-hours-before-free-agent-period-begins/
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1013144923783213061

[benjipwns]

best part of story:

He will reportedly not be meeting with Cleveland once midnight strikes, but he could be meeting with the Lakers -- at least he'll be in the neighborhood.

A mix of people on Twitter and reddit have done some digging and found a flight set from Anguilla, where James is vacationing, to Los Angeles. ESPN later reported that James was indeed the person on that plane.

James leaving his vacation to go have a meeting with the Lakers this early in the free agency process would be a bit of a surprise, but he has indicated he wants this to be a quicker decision than it's been in the past. He doesn't want any elaborate pitch meetings. He just wants to discuss his options with the teams he is interested in.

This could be the Lakers chance to convince James that he should come to Los Angeles and play for them. And it would be a huge advantage for them considering the Cavs aren't even reported to have a meeting yet. Of course, James could always have one with them later. He could even meet with them in Los Angeles if he wants to. He does live there during the summer.

[TakingBackSunday]

PG staying in okc lol

[agrajag]

PG loves getting made into a giant dad confirmed

edit: well, I just discovered the rest of dog's forbidden words

[Stoney Mason]

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1013270978917519362


https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1013275707970072583


https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1013269901992226816


https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1013270808175808512


https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1013274648535027713

[Nola]

40 mil for an eventual 37 year old Chris Paul?

[Mandark]

Paul George signing a 3+1 to stay in OKC.

Did not see that coming.

[Stoney Mason]

With Paul George and Jerami Grant on board, Oklahoma City now has a payroll of $156M with 11 players under contract. Because of the repeater tax penalty, the Thunder currently have a tax bill of $130M. The tax bill would be the largest in NBA history.

lol. Now they are willing to pay. 

[benjipwns]

Center DeAndre Jordan has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks worth close to the $24.1 million player option he declined to exercise with the LA Clippers, league sources confirmed to ESPN.

[benjipwns]

HUGE ONE:

The San Antonio Spurs have agreed to re-sign forward Rudy Gay to a one-year, $10 million contract

[Let's Cyber]

Good for PG.

I mean, they're not winning a title any time soon but what can you realistically expect in this age of Thanos Golden State?

[Stoney Mason]

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1013281263518732288

[Mandark]

I told someone earlier today "None of those decisions make any sense together, it's like a Phoenix Suns offseason."

[benjipwns]

Joe Harris: Agreed to two-year, $16 million deal to stay with the Brooklyn Nets.

Will Barton: Agreed in principle to a four-year, 54 million deal with the Denver Nuggets; Barton will be a starter at small forward.

[benjipwns]

Good for PG.

I mean, they're not winning a title any time soon but what can you realistically expect in this age of Thanos Golden State?

fuck rings, get paid

[Stoney Mason]

Good for PG.

I mean, they're not winning a title any time soon but what can you realistically expect in this age of Thanos Golden State?

fuck rings, get paid

Yeah NBA players seem to be in fuck it, I just want to get paid now mode since the Warriors exist.

[Stoney Mason]

HUGE ONE:

The San Antonio Spurs have agreed to re-sign forward Rudy Gay to a one-year, $10 million contract

What's weird is when he opted out of his contract a few days ago, I thought that's odd. Who's going to pay him as a free agent.

So basically he just opted out to get a small raise from the Spurs.

[benjipwns]

what if LeBron signs a one-and-one with the Lakers so he can learn Warriors Secrets from Luke Walton, then heads back to the Cavs, while they clean up the roster in the meantime, for his revenge

[agrajag]

what if LeBron signs a one-and-one with the Lakers so he can learn Warriors Secrets from Luke Walton, then heads back to the Cavs, while they clean up the roster in the meantime, for his revenge

breh, I'll give you their secret for free

have Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson on your team

[benjipwns]

that can't be it

[agrajag]

if Walton so smart how come Lakers sux?

[benjipwns]

if Walton so smart how come Lakers sux?

Laker wins in Kobe's final three seasons: 65
Laker wins in Luke's first two seasons: 61

[benjipwns]

[benjipwns]

San Antonio will also bring in Marco Belinelli, who agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the team, a league source told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

With Belinelli and Gay, the Spurs project to have $107 million in committed salary, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. The Belinelli contract will hard cap the Spurs at $129 million, based on the guard's using more than the $5.3 million midlevel exception.

Ed Davis: Agreed to one-year, $4.4 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets.

[benjipwns]

Then there's Carmelo Anthony, who chose to make $27.9 million in the final season of his contract rather than test free agency. Oklahoma City could save money in 2018-19 by dealing Anthony for a player (or players) with smaller but longer contracts, giving the other team more flexibility for the summer of 2019 while delaying the worst of the Thunder's tax problems another year.

It's unclear whether another team would be interested in such a deal, but for example Oklahoma City could deal Anthony to the Milwaukee Bucks for Matthew Dellavedova, John Henson and Tyler Zeller (whose 2018-19 salary would have to be guaranteed for the salaries to match). That deal would save the Thunder more than $30 million in salary and taxes this season, but add about $20 million in 2019-20 salary.

The more dramatic option would be a buyout for Anthony, who might be willing to give up some money to sign with another team if it becomes clear his role in Oklahoma City will diminish next season. Even merely waiving Anthony and stretching his 2018-19 salary would (along with a Singler waiver) trim the Thunder's luxury-tax bill to a more manageable $40 million or so.

waive and stretch! waive and stretch! waive and stretch!

also, the Lakers missing out on George, LeBron and Kawhi, then trading their cap space for Anthony would be acceptable

[Nola]

https://twitter.com/MarcJSpearsESPN/status/1013297425564332032

This is such a weird bi-polar feeling I have about this situation.

I was hoping the Woj report that interest had dried up was true because the speculation was a for a 1 and 1 or 2 and 1 on a non-max contract but George signing with the Thunder and the Kawhi/Lakers talks slowing down means LA can potentially force the Pels to overpay. Which in a vacuum I'd rather not because if Cousins doesn't come back to near full strength that will be an anchor and the team was solid without him.

But I also feel like if Boogie walks and goes to the Lakers that is basically it for the AD era. No way he doesn't see one of his best friends signing with Lebron and not feel like he has to get to a team with other superstars to compete(and he would be right). So should the Pels just overpay him? IDK.

[benjipwns]

Cousins probably should rethink his alt-moderate nickname, especially with everything that's happening, not a good look

[benjipwns]

We've reached my favorite (read: insane) part of American sports media and fanbase furor: tracking airline flights!

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-free-agency-rumors-james-flies-into-los-angeles-area-just-hours-before-free-agent-period-begins/
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1013144923783213061

He will reportedly not be meeting with Cleveland once midnight strikes, but he could be meeting with the Lakers -- at least he'll be in the neighborhood.

A mix of people on Twitter and reddit have done some digging and found a flight set from Anguilla, where James is vacationing, to Los Angeles. ESPN later reported that James was indeed the person on that plane.

James leaving his vacation to go have a meeting with the Lakers this early in the free agency process would be a bit of a surprise, but he has indicated he wants this to be a quicker decision than it's been in the past. He doesn't want any elaborate pitch meetings. He just wants to discuss his options with the teams he is interested in.

This could be the Lakers chance to convince James that he should come to Los Angeles and play for them. And it would be a huge advantage for them considering the Cavs aren't even reported to have a meeting yet. Of course, James could always have one with them later. He could even meet with them in Los Angeles if he wants to. He does live there during the summer.

Cavs general manager Koby Altman spoke to both Rich Paul and LeBron James over the phone at 12:01 a.m., sources tell ESPN.

good job, good effort everyone

[seagrams hotsauce]

can someone explain why Paul George is sticking with OKC?

[Mandark]

They have the Museum of Osteology, for one.

[benjipwns]

can someone explain why Paul George is sticking with OKC?

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

spoiler (click to show/hide)

accidentally signed a four year lease on his place

[close]

[benjipwns]

apparently the Lakers "backup plan" (according to some posts I saw on reddit from people with Laker icons, which I assume means they are insiders with the Lakers front office) is to now to go long to get Kawhi during the season without having to give up Ingram, then next offseason sign DeAndre, KD and Kyrie (who all signed one-year deals or refused an extension because they plan on teaming up, "multiple sources" say)

[benjipwns]

i miss the days when Knicks fans weren't shells of human beings and created these same kind of elaborate plans

[benjipwns]

Denver has been in contact with James’ agent, Rich Paul, and has doggedly tried to position the team as James’ best option

The Nuggets know it’s a long shot, but Denver’s ultra aggressive front office wants a shot at selling James on a Jokic/Murray/Barton teammate trio–even if it’s just for one year.

this is totally great

[Stoney Mason]

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1013440590686687233

So rooting for Philly. I always wanted Philly or Houston with staying in Cleveland as a last option. LA was my least favorite choice.

[Stoney Mason]

Please let the Lakers strike out on Lebron and everybody else.

Remington can continue to cry Kobe tears into his pillows for the next decade.

[Stoney Mason]

https://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/1013315735307730944

[Nola]

I mean ever since he was on the Pels I always felt Tyreke's biggest hurdle was his own ego.

He always had the potential to be a 6th man of the year but he would pout and whine unless he was given the role of ISO hero on the team. The bench was an insult, he had to have the ball in his hands in clutch time so he could dribble into 3 defenders and throw up a prayer lay up and be on his back while the other team gets out on a 5 to 4 fast break.

If the Warriors could get him to buy into that 6th man role like on the Griz, and keep him out of clutch situations most nights, man.

[Nola]

And it's over....Lebron to Lakers on 4 year deal.

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1013574987909824512

[Mandark]

Damn.

Lakers just got their best player since Shaq.

[curly]

rip kobe's legacy

[Stoney Mason]

And it's over....Lebron to Lakers on 4 year deal.

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1013574987909824512

[Nola]

Not that anybody but me cares, but at least this makes me feel a bit better about our position in retaining Cousins without a major overpay or possibly getting a sign and trade deal:

https://twitter.com/BobbyMarks42/status/1013580008458276864

[Stoney Mason]

I mean the handwriting was on the wall. It's been drifting this way for the last couple of weeks sadly but I was hoping he would have a last second change of heart. I get why he would do it from a life perspective. Big Market. Big Money. Big Endorsements. Who wouldn't want to live in LA over Cleveland. And I think he's at that phase where that is more what matters than getting another ring. I just detest that fanbase. It's gonna be brutal having to endure a fanbase made out of remington's and Kobe fanatics. That's death by a thousand cuts if I've ever seen it.

From a basketball perspective, I think they will be good not great unless Kawhi pops into the situation. They will be middle of the pack at best I would think in that brutal Western Conference.

[Stoney Mason]

Here's hoping we still get Kawhi somehow.

The problem is I think Philly and Boston have more to give if they really want to go after him. I actually don't think Boston would do it, but if I was Philly I would absolutely do it. I don't even care that he says he would leave in one year as I kinda don't believe that.

Kawhi, Simmons, and Embiid would be a handful.

[team filler]

WE BACK!! 

[Nola]

https://twitter.com/DanFeldmanNBA/status/1013582015080386564

 

[Stoney Mason]

 

Yeah NBA needs like a WWE Raw/Smackdown brand style redraft at this point.

[Kara]

People say there's no underlying justice to the operation of the universe but:

1. Jack has root for LeBron James now.
2. Stoney has to watch more Lakers games now than a person has to watch because the NBA forces people to watch a certain amount of Lakers games without regard for their quality of play.
3. Every Kobe hater who latched onto Bron to hide what they were instead of just being like bionic77 was (is?) with Jeffrey has to either pretend to like the Lakers now or admit they were frauds.
4. The Lakers get the greatest player to be swept twice in the NBA Finals (dare you to prove me wrong).
5. Jeanie Buss gets vindication for icing her failson brother from the job he got because he was best friends with his dad.

The universe.

[Stoney Mason]

btw I'm also low-key secretly fascinated to watch the Cavs next season for a lot of reasons...

I have a bet going with my brother about how Kevin Love will perform without Lebron in the mix and what level of player he is at this point.

[Let's Cyber]

I can see Cleveland getting a 6th or 7th seed in the east tbh.

 

[Stoney Mason]

I can see Cleveland getting a 6th or 7th seed in the east tbh.

 

I'm fascinated. I legit have no idea. Part of my brain thinks they will be god awful. And part of my brain says the East is so bad, they could do exactly as you say.

[Stoney Mason]

You guys can stop pretending that the Cavs are worth talking about now that Lebron left.

I can't let that life go.

 :'(

Plus lets be honest. The Warriors are getting another chip next season. You need a lot of mini-stories to make the long season pass.

[Let's Cyber]

I'm fascinated. I legit have no idea. Part of my brain thinks they will be god awful. And part of my brain says the East is so bad, they could do exactly as you say.

Just to pencil in some teams...

1) Boston, with everyone healthy
2) Philly
3) Toronto. I'll say they regress after a 59 win season and new coach but I think they'll still be a very good team(in the regular season).

After that, it's anyone's guess.

Indiana is up and coming. I wouldn't be surprised to see them overtake Toronto.

The Bucks have been dysfunctional with flashes of Greek Freak brilliance. Maybe Budenholzer turns them into a legit East contender, it isn't out of the question.

I don't trust Washington. At all.

The Pistons could be interesting but their roster is built so much differently than Dwane Casey's Raptors I imagine there will be some growing pains.

Maybe the Heat put together another winning campaign but I don't anyone sees them as a real threat.

I see no reason the Cavs can't make the playoffs, even if it is as a lower seed.

[Stoney Mason]

My issue depends on who Kevin Love is. Is he really even a super good player anymore. Can he stay healthy with an increased load. I need to see who is gonna score 20 on that team next year on a consistent basis. Who is gonna drive the ball and score from the guard position like a modern team needs to.

The defense will be awful like it was last year.

The offense doesn't imo have a go to guy like even the other lower tier playoff style teams do.

I think it could be really bad. But maybe Love and Clarkson, Hood, Jeff Green will elevate a bit with the opportunity now given to them.

[Nola]

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1013609373246074880

 

[team filler]

https://twitter.com/TheBrantWhite/status/1013609459988549634

[Stoney Mason]

lolkers