Around the NBA 2.0

[iamworthy]

Glad somebody cracked down on those Dirk sigs........got tired of seeing that garbage. This "deserve" crap is a piss poor way of thinking. You don't deserve anything that you don't work for or earn. Cuban has owned the Mavs for over 10 years, this year was the only year he spent wisely. When he can in he thought throwing money around would attract all the best guys, all he did was over pay scrubs most of the time.


But glad them damn sigs are OVA !

Heat in 7

I wouldnt call what the Heat are doing earning. They bought 3 superstars. Its not a question if they will win a chip its a matter of when. Statements like that has nothing to do with "earn".

Mavs in 6

[The Skyhook]

Glad somebody cracked down on those Dirk sigs........got tired of seeing that garbage. This "deserve" crap is a piss poor way of thinking. You don't deserve anything that you don't work for or earn. Cuban has owned the Mavs for over 10 years, this year was the only year he spent wisely. When he can in he thought throwing money around would attract all the best guys, all he did was over pay scrubs most of the time.


But glad them damn sigs are OVA !

Heat in 7

You don't think what Dirk is doing is earning a ring? He had one hell of a performance to knock the Heat down in game 2.

[Shamizy]

Miami's window is smaller than people think. Wade is not getting any younger and teams like the Bulls will continue to get better.

This. They'll only be a title contender with Wade there to take the pressure off of LeBron. And Wade is 29 already and still playing that same reckless style of basketball. He's gonna burn out soon when he can't rely upon his athleticism and quickness to do whatever he wants. Like LeBron, he's one of those guys that relies upon their physical talents moreso than skill to do what they want, but to a lesser extent. He'll still be productive, but I don't think he'll still be elite.

[The_Trade_Seer]

This. They'll only be a title contender with Wade there to take the pressure off of LeBron.

Not exactly ... Cleveland was a contender with garbage around Lebron ... plus they could trade Wade and really stack that team.

And Wade is 29 already and still playing that same reckless style of basketball. He's gonna burn out soon when he can't rely upon his athleticism and quickness to do whatever he wants. Like LeBron, he's one of those guys that relies upon their physical talents moreso than skill to do what they want, but to a lesser extent. He'll still be productive, but I don't think he'll still be elite.

You're 100% right ... Wade has no real 3pt shot, a limited mid range game, etc, and relies heavily on his athleticism ... he will not age gracefully like Kobe. Lebron is a different animal though as he has the ability to play PG when he gets older and focus on setting teammates up ... I could see hyim leading the league in assists in his mid 30s, or he could even bulk up more and play PF when he gets into his 30s ...

[The_Trade_Seer]

^ Wtf?

Hahahahahaha ... what are you so riled up about, all fired up on cobb juice today eh?

Kyrie is obviously worth the #1 overall pick.

I think you completely misunderstood my point. I agree 100% that Kyrie is worth the #1 pick, I simply feel that no non-PG is going to be worth their #4 pick. They are going to get Kyrie and then some Euro bust when they could get Derrick Williams and a Kemba or Knight.

It would be like a league wide draft that has 5 guys (Lebron, Durant, CP3, Rose and Darko) and you have the #1 and #4 picks ... you know you can get CP3 at #4 so you don't draft Rose #1 and then have to draft Darko at #4 as you don't need CP3 ... see what I mean? I simply feel a Williams/Walker or Williams/Knight combo is much better than a Kyrie and Euro bust duo.

Irving isn't compared to Luke Jackson, or Shannon Brown. He's compared to Chris Paul.

It's not Kyrie that scares me, it's whoever the Cavs will be forced to draft at #4 if they take Kyrie instead of Williams at #1 ... that guy is the potential Luke Jackson.

idk about you but I'd pick the player that's more likely to end up Paul with the #1, than to pick a tweener player in Williams who's skillset is compared to that of a Beasley/West hybrid. Derrick doesn't even have a defined role in the NBA, Irving is already a floor general and has an amazing amount of maturity for the position at his young age of 19.

I would agree with you if the Cavs ONLY had the #1 pick ... I would Kyrie above Williams too ... but they don't, they have the #1 and #4 picks and can get a great PG at #4.

And obviously you haven't heard much about Enes Kanter if you just view him as an "Euro prospect". If he had played this past season, you could argue that he would be the #1 overall pick. His talent and potential are just that high. I'd take a combo of Irving + Kanter over Williams + Knight.

You may be right, I have no idea. I've never seen Kanter play, but the fact that he seems like an unknown, has sat out for a full year, etc, would scare me off ... of course if you bring him in for some 1-on-1 workouts and he dominates, that is another story. Also, what happens if the Wolves decides kanter is their guy at #2 and the Jazz take Williams at #3, or the Wolves take Williams at #2 and some team like the Wiz trades up to grab Kanter at #3 ... the Cavs will be stuck with two potential Euro-busts in the "V" vboys.

And it has more to do with how I feel about Williams. He's already enormously big headed and I feel his cockiness will affect his ability to reach what little potential he truly has.

The guy dominated in the NCAA tourney and if I remember correctly almost ALL great players are quite cocky. Durant is just about the only humble, truly great player I've ever seen since David Robinson years ago.

And yeah Miami's window is smaller than people realize. Can't see Miami contending for the next 10 yrs., let alone even seeing LeBron in a Heat uni in 10 yrs. One could make an argument that Wade has already begun to decline and the injuries are finally catching up with him and effecting his performance. Miami will contend in the playoffs for the next 5 yrs (the duration of LeBron's contract), and legitimately have a chance (or win) a title 2-3 of those years.

You have to think a young team like OKC or the Bulls will put it together and dethrone the Miami. Or a veteran team like the Lakers would get another star and overthrow Miami.

I agree with you on this, I think we just view the word "contend" differently ... you seem to view it as maybe a top 2 team in the league and I view it as more a top 3 team in one's own conference, that said I think the eat will be contenders for at least the next 5 years but if you considr contend to mean top 2 in the league, than 2-3 of the next 5 years is very realistic.

[Shamizy]

This. They'll only be a title contender with Wade there to take the pressure off of LeBron.

Not exactly ... Cleveland was a contender with garbage around Lebron ... plus they could trade Wade and really stack that team.

His team wasn't the most talented, but they were specifically built around him ala Sixers with AI or Rockets with Hakeem. They made the most of his talents and were the perfect complementary pieces to his style of play; drive it in and kick it out to guys that can knock down shots. When they were rolling, it was all about how the Cavs have such great chemistry and are a championship caliber squad. When they lost, it was all on how LeBron didn't have anyone on that squad. You don't win 60+ back-to-back with garbage and one great player.

Being the undisputed #1 option again anywhere has me convinced that LeBron will fold in big pressure situations.

[Jetset]

What's cobb juice?


Earlier in the year when it appeared Kanter was still going to play and guys names like Sullinger and Barnes were still in the draft, Kanter was a top 3 pick and many thought he could've gone #1. His only knock is that he has had knee issues in the past. I'm not saying he's Bynum level yet, but he has had some knee scares, other than that the guy is an absolute monster. Has the game of the C and can shoot jumpshots and 3 pointers.

The only way the Cavs are screwed is if both Enes Kanter and Jonas Valanciunas are both gone. Val is a promising C prospect as well. If both are gone then Cavs will have to either go with drafting an unknown in Vesley or Leonard. Biyombo is an interesting prospect because he's been compared to Ben Wallace in the way he plays and the tenacity of his defense, but there's also questions about what his real age may be.

[DEEP3CL]

I wouldnt call what the Heat are doing earning. They bought 3 superstars. Its not a question if they will win a chip its a matter of when. Statements like that has nothing to do with "earn".

Mavs in 6

True, but now matter how you view the situation as a whole the truth of the matter is you had guys take pay cuts. If not for how LeBron went about the whole thing nobody could say anything, it was his doing that makes it look or feel so disgusting to the general public.

But all that aside my disdain is with the perception that some how Dirk "deserves" a ring, no he doesn't not unless he bust his ass and earns it. Up until these playoffs he had an owner who thought throwing around dough was going to get it done. My beef isn't even against Dirk, it's with the perception of these boards belief that he should be entitled to win a ring.

You don't think what Dirk is doing is earning a ring? He had one hell of a performance to knock the Heat down in game 2.

Yes Sky he is earning it now, but it wasn't always like that. And my beef as I stated to iamworthy is with these asinine posters of these forums who think he's anointed one automatically.

That's why I said this "deserve" crap is weak, hell I can go on for days and days on players I thought should have gotten rings. But I'll never go is far as to saying he deserves one.......screw that weak sauce.

[Slava]

Dirk is owning Bosh so bad

[Slava]

Teryy you ****!

[Slava]

Joel Anthony doing the only thing he knows, fouling the hell out of people.

[Shamizy]

That Wade flop while trying to get the rebound was awful. I hate that he gets away with that **** all the time.

[LaLa]

Cmon Dallas.

[Shamizy]

Yep, not having Haywood definitely hurt Dallas out there. Chandler couldn't be as aggressive as normal until the 4th quarter. If only the Mavs didn't fall asleep for so many stretches of the game.

[DEEP3CL]

So far I've been spot on about the Mavs.......that team is on life support. Them jumpers were straight up fluky, knew that would be coming to an end.

[The_Trade_Seer]

What's cobb juice?

Moonshine potna

Earlier in the year when it appeared Kanter was still going to play and guys names like Sullinger and Barnes were still in the draft, Kanter was a top 3 pick and many thought he could've gone #1. His only knock is that he has had knee issues in the past. I'm not saying he's Bynum level yet, but he has had some knee scares, other than that the guy is an absolute monster. Has the game of the C and can shoot jumpshots and 3 pointers.

I don't know man ... I can't be sold on someone I've never watched play. I've seen Derrick Williams play and play like a beast and in my mind the Cavs need a SF more than they need a C ... Varejo, Hickson, Jamison and Hollins isn't that bad as a front line unit ... also Kanter is nowhere near the same size as Bynum which would bother me.

The only way the Cavs are screwed is if both Enes Kanter and Jonas Valanciunas are both gone. Val is a promising C prospect as well. If both are gone then Cavs will have to either go with drafting an unknown in Vesley or Leonard.

Kawhi sucks imo and I know nothing of Vessely ... as for the other "V", I know nothing of him either and again I just feel the Cavs need a SF more than a C, especially when that SF is a proven beast like D-Will.

Biyombo is an interesting prospect because he's been compared to Ben Wallace in the way he plays and the tenacity of his defense, but there's also questions about what his real age may be.

I love the kid's name, don't know his game, wish him all the best and hope he lands in Motown ... they should love the kid.

[Minhee]

I understand a lot of people's hate on Lebron because of his decision, the way he was so self center airing it on a one hour ESPN nonsense and the WWF celebration the next day and his idiotic statements throughout the year.

But my question for Lakers fans is this

Why are you rooting for the Mavs? Does your dislike for Lebron run that deep that you rather have Dallas a team that swept us and made us look like some scrubs be the champs? Do we really want that moron Mark Cuban with his stupid smile and yell on top of his lungs I'm the King of the World?? Do we want to see Mark Cuban declare Money indeed does buy happiness? If they say the Yankees are the evil empire well the Mavs should be right up there. Cuban pays whatever money it takes, never has to worry about the Lux tax and he makes one sided trades. Do we want to see that lil B&(*& Jason Terry with a championship ring? Imagine that punk trash talk all summer long, he already thinks he's some bad mo fo.

Are you guys rooting for the MAvs because deep down some of you feel threaten by Lebron? Is it because you guys fear that Lebron might surpass or catch Kobe's legacy one day so you want to delay him winning a ring for as long as possible? Honestly Kobe cannot be threaten, Kobe has 5 rings, All NBA how many times? One MVP, 2 Finals MVP, multiple All Star MVP, First Team NBA, First team defense, #6 all time scorer and counting, the list go on forever, and Kobe won those 5 rings with one sidekick while Lebron is playing along 2 other superstars in their prime. No threats there in my opinion.

I think its better to see Lebron with ring #1 and Wade ring #2 than to see Cuban and Terry dumb@$$es with ring #1. Mavs fans also HATES LA, they talk trash and think they are baddasses for sweeping us. LA and Miami has no rivalry and Kobe and Lebron has no rivalry. I honestly cannot root for a team that beat us, if someone beat you up in a fight you will not root for them either or if someone stole your GF away you will not be calling that guy your bro ever.

F^(*& DALLAS.

[Shamizy]

I like Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, I don't like LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. It's pretty simple.

[tugs]

I like Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, I don't like LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. It's pretty simple.

+1

hell, I care less about the latter 3. I want Kidd to get his ring.

next reason is:

Does your dislike for Lebron run that deep that you rather have Dallas a team that swept us and made us look like some scrubs be the champs?

in my eyes, he disrespected the players who paved the way for them, especially those who pushed themselves to be the best in the game that they love. Lebron James' would-be legendary career will be forever tainted by "The Decision".

3rd:

Are you guys rooting for the MAvs because deep down some of you feel threaten by Lebron? Is it because you guys fear that Lebron might surpass or catch Kobe's legacy one day so you want to delay him winning a ring for as long as possible?

Honestly, I am threatened. Kobe's chasing a legendary 6th championship set by "The" Michael Jordan, trying to tie it or surpass him will probably end who's the best ever imo. Sure Russel has what,11? But the debate is who almost single-handedly took his team to greater heights. Don't get me wrong, I respect Bill as much as I respect all the greats

so yeah, GO MAVS.

[semi-sentient]

What are everyone's thoughts on Wade in this series, at least in terms of how he'll be perceived among the greats if he gets his 2nd Finals MVP?

He has proven time and time again that he can elevate his play in the post-season (and not just against crap defenses like his sidekick), and he's had a couple of really dominant regular seasons as well. It should go without saying that he'll find his way into the top 20, but how high does he really go?

Top 15?

Top 12?