Reading between the lines

[puppa bear]

So with the couple of recent comments from Bosh & Lebron, are they hinting at their future?

First Lebron says he's unrecruitable. Now Bosh says this:
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/23 ... ntary-Star

"Maturity-wise, I've let (being the No. 1 option) go," Bosh said. "I've let being the man go. I understand really in mainstream why and how people are infatuated with that area, but it's difficult man.

"I'm over it. It's just all about winning at the end of the day. It's about being in the game. I mean everybody isn't meant to take the last shot. Everybody isn't going to be the MVP. It's only for a very, very small percentage, for a small percentage of guys. I understand that, and I'm just lucky enough to be in this situation I am now, just competing at the highest level in the league. That's good enough for me."

[HeatNation88]

I know Bosh is staying in Miami for sure as well of LeBron the Heat are the best fit right now for those two no reason to leave but this free agency will make us or break us

[Mugiwara]

I loved Bosh's comments. Really want him to retire as a Heat player. Great player and great guy!

LeBron's on the other hand, I don't know the context in which they were said, but I found this:

LeBron, at All-Star media day, asked if Drake will be able to recruit him this summer: "I'm unrecruitable"

So I don't really know what to take from his comments. Could be a hint or could be nothing..

While I do think LeBron will stay with us, I think we're only gonna be sure when the time comes.
We just gotta wait and see how it unfolds.

[truthiness]

Any Heat fan that has anything else but love for Bosh is an ungrateful moron who does not understand the game of basketball or the sacrifices Bosh has made.

Leave or stay, both Lebron and Bosh should be forever loved by the Heat fans for the ride they offered the past 3+ years.

I do think that the odds of them staying are over 90%, not just because of the winning in Miami, the bonds they formed etc, but also because the teams that might realistically make a move for them don't have the cap and/or have bad ownerships/front-offices.

The Cavs, Knicks are a joke, the Bulls are notoriously cheap and the Lakers lost the guy who made them the Lakers: Dr Buss. Jim Buss seems to be as big of a moron as Dolan.

[TRG]

Leave or stay, both Lebron and Bosh should be forever loved by the Heat fans for the ride they offered the past 3+ years.

Agreed. These 2 along with Wade have given us some of the best basketball this Heat team might ever see in the rest of our lifetimes. I'll root for the both of them wherever they go (except the Knicks)... Also as long as they're not playing the Heat.

[RJM]

I think it's safe to say that LeBron will more than likely remain here in South Florida. Despite an uncertain roster for next season, I have every belief that Pat Riley will completely overhaul this roster and completely build around LeBron a la the Spurs model. The core will remain intact and talented role players will be brought in using the allure of the South Beach championship environment at a discounted rate. LeBron has found his home.

If he does leave, the only place he goes is Los Angeles to wear Lakers colors. IF he leaves, that is. Highly unlikely. I think it would be amazing if Dwyane Wade opts out and takes much less money so we're able to bring in a fourth guy that will take more of the load off of his back along the wings. I know this isn't the FA thread, but I really feel like Xavier Henry would be an ideal option for Miami at the backup SG.

Anyways, I have nothing to fear this summer from LeBron.

[misterripster]

I think it's safe to say that LeBron will more than likely remain here in South Florida. Despite an uncertain roster for next season, I have every belief that Pat Riley will completely overhaul this roster and completely build around LeBron a la the Spurs model. The core will remain intact and talented role players will be brought in using the allure of the South Beach championship environment at a discounted rate. LeBron has found his home.

If he does leave, the only place he goes is Los Angeles to wear Lakers colors. IF he leaves, that is. Highly unlikely. I think it would be amazing if Dwyane Wade opts out and takes much less money so we're able to bring in a fourth guy that will take more of the load off of his back along the wings. I know this isn't the FA thread, but I really feel like Xavier Henry would be an ideal option for Miami at the backup SG.

Anyways, I have nothing to fear this summer from LeBron.

Honestly I highly highly highly doubt Lebron will ever go to the Lakers, He has a chance to be one of the all time greats in a Heat uniform and be the best Heat ever hands down. If he went to the Lakers he would have to retart with something and compete against Magic Kareem Shaq and Kobe for greatest as a Laker which is dumb at age 30.

If Lebron goes to Lakers and he retire what will people remember? First 7 years as a Cav molding himself as best in the game...As a Heat? Solidifying himself as one of the greats? or a tenure of his career in Lakerland where he probably doesn't win like he did as a Heat.

He can just stay Heat because we have never had anyone like him, nor has the league...and when people remember him they won't have think Cav/Heat/Laker (or other team)...they will instantly think "That Miami player was **** awesome" and I think Bron wants that.

[WD]

All this appreciation for Bosh/Lbj/Wade should be remembered during the second half of the season. You can criticize guys in a positive way, hope you guys don't revert back to some of the stuff that were said about each of them during the 1st half.

GO HEAT

[heatlespeatles]

No chance LeBron becomes a laker, none.

LeBron Is very cognizant of his brand. His brand/ legacy has two options that further it, stay in Miami or go back to Cleveland.

[RJM]

All this appreciation for Bosh/Lbj/Wade should be remembered during the second half of the season. You can criticize guys in a positive way, hope you guys don't revert back to some of the stuff that were said about each of them during the 1st half.

GO HEAT

Here's the thing with that. I'm the type of person that loves his team, but is not afraid to call a player out on their nonsense if they're playing below their standards without cause. Bosh could be a marvelous player all season, but if he wilts against Indiana, he won't hear the end of it from me until he steps up. That's an example.

[WD]

All this appreciation for Bosh/Lbj/Wade should be remembered during the second half of the season. You can criticize guys in a positive way, hope you guys don't revert back to some of the stuff that were said about each of them during the 1st half.

GO HEAT

Here's the thing with that. I'm the type of person that loves his team, but is not afraid to call a player out on their nonsense if they're playing below their standards without cause. Bosh could be a marvelous player all season, but if he wilts against Indiana, he won't hear the end of it from me until he steps up. That's an example.

calling out a player is expected....I think you know the type of comments I was referring to.

[NBADraft2003]

I just hope Wade doesn't retire on Bosh if LeBron decides to dip on us, we still can land Melo if that happens but I doubt the Big 3 will go anywhere. Also, don't be surprised if Melo comes to join the Big 3 this offseason, the GB would have a meltdown.

[Mugiwara]

I just hope Wade doesn't retire on Bosh if LeBron decides to dip on us, we still can land Melo if that happens but I doubt the Big 3 will go anywhere. Also, don't be surprised if Melo comes to join the Big 3 this offseason, the GB would have a meltdown.

I did that in NBA 2K14 My GM Mode

Big 3 opted-out, signed Melo first, then resigned the Big 3.

It was awesome on the court, but profit was at -58 million heheh

bring the ads and a new tv deal so we can pay the luxury tax

[NBADraft2003]

I just hope Wade doesn't retire on Bosh if LeBron decides to dip on us, we still can land Melo if that happens but I doubt the Big 3 will go anywhere. Also, don't be surprised if Melo comes to join the Big 3 this offseason, the GB would have a meltdown.

I did that in NBA 2K14 My GM Mode

Big 3 opted-out, signed Melo first, then resigned the Big 3.

It was awesome on the court, but profit was at -58 million heheh

bring the ads and a new tv deal so we can pay the luxury tax

GOAT team in Heat history. I wish I could pull that off on current gen. How did you do it? Contracts? Who did you put around them?

[Mugiwara]

I just hope Wade doesn't retire on Bosh if LeBron decides to dip on us, we still can land Melo if that happens but I doubt the Big 3 will go anywhere. Also, don't be surprised if Melo comes to join the Big 3 this offseason, the GB would have a meltdown.

I did that in NBA 2K14 My GM Mode

Big 3 opted-out, signed Melo first, then resigned the Big 3.

It was awesome on the court, but profit was at -58 million heheh

bring the ads and a new tv deal so we can pay the luxury tax

GOAT team in Heat history. I wish I could pull that off on current gen. How did you do it? Contracts? Who did you put around them?

And I still got Wiggins.
It was rather easy, that's what turned me off about the game.

1. Traded Beasley at the deadline for a pick (ended up being 5th overall). He was b*tching about playing time.
2. Ray retired. With another ring, I might add.
3. Big 3 opted out. Battier, Chalmers, Rashard, Oden were UFA.
4. Traded Mason Jr, UD, Cole for future picks and cap-space.
At this point, I had only Birdman and JJ.
5. Traded future picks and 5th overall for the 3rd pick in the 2014 draft.
6. Drafted Wiggins, but should've gone with Embid.

with Wiggins: Rio, Wade, LeBron, Melo, Bosh and Wiggins as a 6th man
with Embiid: LeBron, Wade, Melo, Bosh, Embiid and Rio as a 6th man

7. Went to FA, signed Melo for the 4 year max.
8. Resigned Big 3 and Rio. Team was so stacked that I just sim'd to fill out the roster spots.

LeBron went for the 5 year max.
Wade signed a 3 year/56M$ deal.
Bosh signed for 12M$ a year.
Don't remember the details on Rio's deal, though.
Signed Battier for the min.

[RexBoyWonder]

No wonder we get all these stupid ass trade ideas, too many kids living in 2K.

Back to topic, Bosh have been dropping clues all season long, he likes everything about being here and he's content with his limited role. Don't see him going anywhere.

At this point Im 99.99% sure the big 3 stay at least for 2014-2015 and probably longer.

[KL78192020]

It's a shame, but Wade is the weakest link in the big three. It will never happen, but he is the one that needs to be replaced.

[Jon Connor]

When Bosh says things like this it makes me feel like an **** for criticizing him so much. This guy is so much more down to Earth than the average NBA player. I think his personality is what makes him who he is on the court. Sometimes he can lack aggressiveness but the guy is a true team player who doesn't complain and always plays hard. Sometimes I forget the sacrifice hes made you just gotta respect the man as a persona nd a player.

[puppa bear]

It's a shame, but Wade is the weakest link in the big three. It will never happen, but he is the one that needs to be replaced.

Nah, he doesn't need to be replaced - he just needs to play the super-sub role. Get a quality young 3&D who can play the 2/3 - adds spacing to the starting line-up (prime Mike Miller-type), and allows Wade play the Manu role for the next 3+ years.

This is not out of the realm of possibility. The cap exception gives us more flexibility than we would have had under the previous CBA (the only time this CBA could work for Miami). As it stands, if the big-3 opt in we wont have any salary cap space & will have to use exceptions & the full MLE ($5.3m next year) to sign an impact player, or 5th starter.

The only way things can really change, is if all the big-3 opt out, and UD opts out (likely with a on a longer, but more cap-friendly contract). Even then, we're probably still looking at mid-level type talent, or only a bit above. To make something like Melo signing possible the 4 salaries would need to combine to $55m, with the only player other than the big-4 earning more than the min as Cole - that's an average of $13.75 each (or LBJ $15, Melo $15, Bosh $13, Wade $12). We'd likely lose Chalmers in that case, but could keep the rest of the bench on min contracts.

[truthiness]

No wonder we get all these stupid ass trade ideas, too many kids living in 2K.

Back to topic, Bosh have been dropping clues all season long, he likes everything about being here and he's content with his limited role. Don't see him going anywhere.

At this point Im 99.99% sure the big 3 stay at least for 2014-2015 and probably longer.

Holly ****, the posts before yours made me realize the same thing: kids playing NBA2k are coming up with all those "Melo to the Heat" threads. They seem unable to make the difference between reality and a game. Not in trades, nor in how the game is really played. They think more stars = more wins, and would probably put together a team with Iverson, Kobe and Melo and expect to go 82-0.