The Lebron Thread (2015-16 Pt. 4)

[Alphabet]

So I'm guessing Delly is gone after what LeBron tweeted? Thoughts?

I don't know. I think sometimes we give Lebron too much credit with regards to his gm duties. I'm sure he has input (I mean, we know he does) but I highly doubt he's deep into the weeds on the minutia of every little detail. I think it's entirely possible he doesn't even know Delly was merely restricted and that Cleveland can still match. I could be wrong though.

I'd like to see the Cavs match but at some point Dan Gilbert is going to want to save here or there, especially when he has to pay JR still and they're already paying tax

Didn't mean to suggest that, it could also mean that the Cavaliers already informed all players that they didn't intend to match the Bucks offer, prompting LeBron James to send the tweet.

Curious to see who the Cavs look for as their backup point guard if not Dellavedova.

[rich316]

Gosh, if the the Cavs don't do something unexpected, their perimeter rotation is looking really poor next year. Delly was a rock off the bench last season. Going from a plus defender to two huge minuses (Felder and Mo) is going to wreck havoc on their defense...I know they are saying they don't want to trade Love now, but it seems like the only way to fix a perimeter/wing situation that is only getting worse.

Felder looks like he will be able to do some things on offense , particularly shoot the ball when he's open, but in his lowlights video he is BBQ on defense against college scorers. I honestly don't know if he will be NBA playable.

[RSCD3_]

Delly isn't a small loss. He was at times the first off the bench. Really don't trust Mo with those minutes.

Btw is anyone else surprised at how many deals are already being agreed to when KD hasn't even made his move yet? I swear no one moved a finger in 2014 until LeBron made his decision.

I thought that was weird how Miami and Cleveland were the only likely options, yet nobody did anything. Now we have Durant still there and Howard ( who still has a ton of name recognition ) still there

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

[rich316]

Delly isn't a small loss. He was at times the first off the bench. Really don't trust Mo with those minutes.

Btw is anyone else surprised at how many deals are already being agreed to when KD hasn't even made his move yet? I swear no one moved a finger in 2014 until LeBron made his decision.

I thought that was weird how Miami and Cleveland were the only likely options, yet nobody did anything. Now we have Durant still there and Howard ( who still has a ton of name recognition ) still there

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

I'm not sure if the details were widely known at the time, but the fact that the #1 pick and Love were also on the move as a result of Lebron's decision probably contributed to the freeze.

[JulesWinnfield]

There isn't a thread on the general board, I don't feel like starting one (I rarely start threads), and since we discussed wade's future in this space the other day I figured I would just post it here...

Windhorst is reporting Wade is in discussions with the Knicks and bucks and could have meetings next week. His wife had a tweet that could be read as a shot at the Heat. Let's also throw in the simmering Jackson/Riley rivalry (they hate eachother with passion) and this could get interesting. I'm just relieved that the Cavs aren't even remotely connected here. I'd like some news on JR soon.

[rich316]

There isn't a thread on the general board, I don't feel like starting one (I rarely start threads), and since we discussed wade's future in this space the other day I figured I would just post it here...

Windhorst is reporting Wade is in discussions with the Knicks and bucks and could have meetings next week. His wife had a tweet that could be read as a shot at the Heat. Let's also throw in the simmering Jackson/Riley rivalry (they hate eachother with passion) and this could get interesting. I'm just relieved that the Cavs aren't even remotely connected here

S&T Love to the Heat for Wade? I keed, I keed...

[Dupp]

So I'm guessing Delly is gone after what LeBron tweeted? Thoughts?

Disgrace.

[MisterHibachi]

There isn't a thread on the general board, I don't feel like starting one (I rarely start threads), and since we discussed wade's future in this space the other day I figured I would just post it here...

Windhorst is reporting Wade is in discussions with the Knicks and bucks and could have meetings next week. His wife had a tweet that could be read as a shot at the Heat. Let's also throw in the simmering Jackson/Riley rivalry (they hate eachother with passion) and this could get interesting. I'm just relieved that the Cavs aren't even remotely connected here. I'd like some news on JR soon.

Why do Jackson and Riley hate each other?

And I really doubt Wade leaves. This is all a negotiating tactic.

[JulesWinnfield]

There isn't a thread on the general board, I don't feel like starting one (I rarely start threads), and since we discussed wade's future in this space the other day I figured I would just post it here...

Windhorst is reporting Wade is in discussions with the Knicks and bucks and could have meetings next week. His wife had a tweet that could be read as a shot at the Heat. Let's also throw in the simmering Jackson/Riley rivalry (they hate eachother with passion) and this could get interesting. I'm just relieved that the Cavs aren't even remotely connected here. I'd like some news on JR soon.

Why do Jackson and Riley hate each other?

And I really doubt Wade leaves. This is all a negotiating tactic.

It goes back to Knicks/Bulls stuff in the early 90s. Not to mention when both were coaches the argument used to always be who was better between Riles and Jax, they were always the consensus top 2. There has always been a rivalry and very bad blood. Jeff Van Gundy who was on Riles staff during the height of the Knicks/Bulls
rivalry basically confirmed that Riles hates his guts and vice versa

[JulesWinnfield]

Just to add to the Riley/Jackson stuff... During the height of Knicks/Bulls, Phil Jackson used to constantly take shots at the character of the teams Riley fielded, incessantly whining about their physical play and insinuating they were deplorably dirty and there was no place in the game for them. Never sat well with pat. There's many reasons though, but they just can't stand the sight of eachother

Wouldn't be surprised if Phil is playing ball here with Wade just to give him leverage to mess with Riley

[kayess]

Can someone tweet at haralabob to see how many LeBron seasons rank in the top 10, 20, 30 of player-seasons? I wanna know his top 10 at least haha

[Dupp]

Im gonna miss this

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXwsdN_DjRY&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

[MisterHibachi]

Millsap in trade talks. I know they said Love isn't gonna get traded but man, that should be very tempting... Atlanta would benefit too. Howard and Love is a pretty good front court combo.

[toodles23]

Looks like the Celtics are going to be a legit challenge for the Cavs next season. At this point the Cavs are obviously still better, but it's not a free path to the Finals like 2016.

[RSCD3_]

Looks like the Celtics are going to be a legit challenge for the Cavs next season. At this point the Cavs are obviously still better, but it's not a free path to the Finals like 2016.

I wouldnt call the raptors chopped liver, are they really that far away from the 12-14 pacers?

[JulesWinnfield]

I'd rather see Durant in Boston than golden state

As is with just the horford signing? the celts have a nice pesky squad. But as for fearing them actually beating Cleveland? I can honestly say I have no fear of that whatsoever

As an aside the luxury tax threshold is set for 113 mil for this upcoming year, it will be even higher next year of course. Cleveland is barely going to be above that threshold (at 74 now, not counting Lebron and JR and whatever they get) just disappointed that it doesn't seem they're likely to match on delly

[toodles23]

Looks like the Celtics are going to be a legit challenge for the Cavs next season. At this point the Cavs are obviously still better, but it's not a free path to the Finals like 2016.

I wouldnt call the raptors chopped liver, are they really that far away from the 12-14 pacers?

I'd say the Pacers were a lot better. The Cavs got complacent and lost the middle two games on the road against the Raps, but in the games they took seriously they demolished the Raps. The Pacers, on the other hand, were legitimate challenges (especially the '12 and '13 series).

[Tim_Hardawayy]

I'd rather see Durant in Boston than golden state

As is with just the horford signing? the celts have a nice pesky squad. But as for fearing them actually beating Cleveland? I can honestly say I have no fear of that whatsoever

As an aside the luxury tax threshold is set for 113 mil for this upcoming year, it will be even higher next year of course. Cleveland is barely going to be above that threshold (at 74 now, not counting Lebron and JR and whatever they get) just disappointed that it doesn't seem they're likely to match on delly

Yeah without KD I don't see how Horford really moves the needle at all. Said this in his thread on the GB but to me he is Horace Grant if Horace got to be a #1/#2 option instead of having to play with MJ/Pip and Shaq/Penny for his entire prime.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

Looks like the Celtics are going to be a legit challenge for the Cavs next season. At this point the Cavs are obviously still better, but it's not a free path to the Finals like 2016.

I wouldnt call the raptors chopped liver, are they really that far away from the 12-14 pacers?

I'd say the Pacers were a lot better. The Cavs got complacent and lost the middle two games on the road against the Raps, but in the games they took seriously they demolished the Raps. The Pacers, on the other hand, were legitimate challenges (especially the '12 and '13 series).

This. '14 Pacers were dysfunctional and about as poor as the Raps, but still more talented. Hibbert was in full trash can mode though and Lance self destructed.

EDIT: Oh man I forgot about this classic.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSJp1dgk_2s[/youtube]

[JulesWinnfield]

Just saw it reported by Marc stein that the Cavs tax bill for last year officially comes in at 54 million. They probably still turned a profit given they sold out every night, plus had 10 playoff home dates at inflated prices, and now get the massive windfall in championship merchandising....

That's only going to be a one time deal though. That tax threshold goes way up now along with the cap, and they barely figure to be above it at all after signing Lebron and JR. It's really disappointing that they aren't going to match on delly

By the way, I'm seeing they have interest in Jamal Crawford? Just ugh. And I've always liked Crawford as a person and as a player who is just immensely fun to watch (not saying he wasn't flawed) but he's done now.