Re: Felton traded to Knicks; Not matching Lin? (part 3)

[ZeroStatic2]

Net Daily: I would expect that if Knicks don't match Lin offer on Tues, there will be public detections Wed. You can bet Yormark will be ready. 3 minutes ago

[Jarrod Gillis] Jarrod Gillis: Lin's contract may b ridiculous, but is it his fault teams r throwing $$ at him? If they (other players) were n same position they'd take it about 5 minutes ago

[Fury]

I've been positive as a Knick fan always. I'm like Magic. But this would be an error that would set us back and I'm not with, not with all the mercenaries, big money, star loving pandering environment. Dont wanna root for that.

[stevieg987]

Melo's and JR's comments come as no surprise. Their appears a significant amount of animosity among NBA players towards Lin. Even during Linsanity, while a lot of the "bench players" rallied around him (guys who saw him as inspiration/validation for their own self-belief and commitment to the game), the starters and all-stars seemed to have a lot of resentment, and were quick to make backhanded compliments. Stuff like "it's a great story (relegating him to a mere media creation, not commenting on his actual talent)", or "he's in the perfect situation (discrediting his stats because of the "system") or the "he's a great kid" line (prtty sure that was Melo's favorite) etc. Little linguistic tricks that subtly indicate the incredulity they felt towards his unearned position as the face of the league (if only for a couple weeks).

[ORANGEandBLUE]

The point though is that it suggests the players are part of why Lin's not getting matched. When's the last time a team gave away a good player because his teammates thought he was too big for his britches?

The players thing is another justification to support it, lets be real, the Knicks don't want to pay 40+ million for Lin and probably don't like that they got played by Lin and his agent.

It's not any one factor.

As far as JR's comments, he shouldn't have said it, but it's really naive to think that these things don't factor in the locker room, it's the nature of the beast, JR just wasn't PC about it.

Nature of the beast? Ok, so which Bull's player is coming out and saying that it would bother them if the Bulls matched Asik?

[CoolKids]

He said people get jealous over contracts sometimes. And that it might be a factor in the Knicks locker room

and whats wrong with that lol?

hes just saying what he sees

Yeah, and Stan Van was just saying what he saw when he said Dwight wanted him fired.

I didnt think there was anything wrong with that either. I realize team chemistry is incredibly important and sometimes you have to mince your words, but idk as a person I just respect honesty more then anything else even if it comes out the wrong way, I respect honest people.

[K_ick_God]

Dolan should go on ESPN with his blubber and frumpy suit.

"Lin is taking his talents to ... Astro City."

[TheToothFairy]

This is like the evil nightmare version of The Decision.

[E86]

Ask yourselves this to put it into perspective. If you had a basketball team and your budget was strictly 100 million over a 3 year period would you commit 43 million of that to Jeremy Lin after 1/3 of a season? Especially coming off an injury and having the contract change like this? It's easy to spend someones money when it isn't yours. But if you look at things logically you're buying quite an expensive lottery ticket. He can either be serviceable or he can be a really hard contract to move.

[GetItDone]

JR Smith is a POS.

Nothing to see here.

Get this buffoon out of NY.

[SelbyCobra]

The most entertaining solution for me right now would be for Dolan to go full-bore evil rich guy, match, and call Lin into his office after the dust settles.

Dolan: "Jeremy, let me ask you something. How did you, as a Harvard educated young man, think that it was wise to f*ck with a billionaire over a few million?

Lin: [taken aback] Well...I...

Dolan: No, don't answer that. My number guys all advised me that it was foolish to match - that I'd be hemorrhaging money in the third year of the deal.

Lin: Why do it then?

Dolan: Because I can, Jeremy; because I can. I realized, after the initial shock/anger of the reworking of your offer sheet, that I'm going to enjoy owning your career for the next three years, no matter what the cost.

Lin: [shocked] Wait, what?

Dolan: Go downstairs now, run along. Enjoy the locker room and spending the next 3 years with guys who resent you being overpaid due to your ethnicity.

Lin: What? They're my teammates, they don't -

Dolan: - Oh, I forgot to mention that we had a team event last night where I announced to the organization that I had chosen to personally match your offer sheet because of how much revenue you bring in for off-court reasons.

Lin: ...

Dolan: Your nickname in this office will forever be "My Baker", because you're going to make me so much cake, young man. I think Woody is waiting for you at practice - you shouldn't be late. You might want to avoid being alone with Felton and/or JR for a while, too. I'm so glad you're a Knick, Jeremy, so glad.

[blumatic]

Lets get this straight. Dolan did not trade for Felton. You guys blaming that on Dolan but none are giving credit to him for the Kidd and Camby signing. And he doesnt deserve the credit for Camby and Kidd signing neither And the Felton deal was not his idea. Its all Grunnie and he's doing great so far. Now he has this challenging issue with Lin.

[21shumpst]

So there won't be jealousy issues in Houston. At least in NY he saved their season. What has he don for the Rox, other than get cut?

Who's gonna be jealous in Houston?

Anyone who has played in the league more than Lin and make less than him. They're all NBA players who get a paycheck.

[kmav23]

Knicks assistant coaches.... oooppps i mean bench WTF

Marcus Camby 38
Kurt Thomas 40
Grant Hill 39
Pablo Prigioni 35
Jason Kidd 39

[K_ick_God]

JR Smith is a POS.

Nothing to see here.

Get this buffoon out of NY.

Like this on Facebook.

[east]

Never thought I'd see the day where luxury tax implications kept us from retaining a young player with at least some upside. It sucks to see this franchise let monetary concerns or personal grudges prevent them from retaining Lin who can either be a decent starter or trade piece in the future.

I don't like the precedent this sets if we let Lin go.

[Never Wrong]

Ask yourselves this to put it into perspective. If you had a basketball team and your budget was strictly 100 million over a 3 year period would you commit 43 million of that to Jeremy Lin after 1/3 of a season? Especially coming off an injury and having the contract change like this? It's easy to spend someones money when it isn't yours. But if you look at things logically you're buying quite an expensive lottery ticket. He can either be serviceable or he can be a really hard contract to move.

I guess only Lin's contract counts against the luxury tax threshold right? Nevermind the 3 guys combining for almost 60mil/yr by themselves and still can't contend.

[NowWHYcee7]

what did JR say?

Lin ballin' with all that cash will make players like JR Smith jealous and spiteful.

How is it spiteful? It would be spiteful if lin had actually proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is worth that money but he hasn't. He's shown flashes of having the potential to be a very good player but hasn't even played a full season yet and he hasn't even played a single playoff game because of a knee injury. Guys who have put in work have a right to question that.

[Grinditout]

Ask yourselves this to put it into perspective. If you had a basketball team and your budget was strictly 100 million over a 3 year period would you commit 43 million of that to Jeremy Lin after 1/3 of a season? Especially coming off an injury and having the contract change like this? It's easy to spend someones money when it isn't yours. But if you look at things logically you're buying quite an expensive lottery ticket. He can either be serviceable or he can be a really hard contract to move.

The Knicks are already over the salary cap without Lin's contract. The Knicks organization/Dolan would make alot of money off the Knicks/Lin due to merchandising etc, way more than the 43 million they would pay.

[K_ick_God]

JR is saying Lin is not that good, wouldn't deserve the money, and would deserve spite.

Melo is more or less saying Lin is not that good -- a contract is only "ridiculous" if someone isn't good enough to earn it.

I'm starting to just want to get Lin away from these two guys.

[NYKat]

The point though is that it suggests the players are part of why Lin's not getting matched. When's the last time a team gave away a good player because his teammates thought he was too big for his britches?

The players thing is another justification to support it, lets be real, the Knicks don't want to pay 40+ million for Lin and probably don't like that they got played by Lin and his agent.

It's not any one factor.

As far as JR's comments, he shouldn't have said it, but it's really naive to think that these things don't factor in the locker room, it's the nature of the beast, JR just wasn't PC about it.

Nature of the beast? Ok, so which Bull's player is coming out and saying that it would bother them if the Bulls matched Asik?

I don't know the specifics of that situation, I do know this one and even though you will rarely find some dumb enough to come out and say it like JR did, the point is JR's sentiment is a very REAL and COMMON feeling among players in a locker room...

If you don't get that you're being naive about the nature of professional sports