OT: Is talk of 2010 FAs overrated? LJ edition

[MyInsatiableOne]

When discussing this, just remember Orlando ca. 2000-01 when they cleared all that cap space for Grant Hill, McGrady, and Duncan (who obviously never went)...and remember how well it turned out for them...

[ParticleMan]

While teams in a bad situation, may elect to move even a top 5 star, in an attempt to rebuild, I don't think that CLE will trade James in 2 years. There is just no way to replace what he means to that franchise, if he leaves so be it but they can't help him go.

people said that about KG and AI too, but they got traded. it really just makes business sense. CLE will obviously offer Bron a max extension this offseason, and make every effort to get him to sign. But if he doesn't take it, that's a pretty clear sign that he doesn't want to stick around. At that point the Cavs would be nuts to hang on to him for another year hoping he'll change his mind. They'll trade him for the best available package, and make retaining him someone else's problem. Of course, if Lebron really wanted to go to say the Knicks could sabotage the process by refusing to sign an extension with anyone he's traded to except the Knicks. But that's a big chance to take if you're the Knicks. For instance, I think we might be able to offer a pretty good package, and he'd certainly have a better chance at a title with us than the Knicks, if that's what he wants. Insatiable's example above is i think typical, not unusual: Teams with capspace set up to sign some big-name FA very often don't get who they target. Then they go off and pay the likes of Rashard Lewis some ridiculous sum because they can. Capspace and FAs are a dangerous way to try to build a franchise; I can't think of a single one that's been successful at it.

[greenbeans]

One: Shaq.

And all this 2010 talk is getting obnoxious, for no other reason than it centers around the cesspool that is, New York City. I do have to admit though that if they could roll out a 2010-2011 D'Antoni coached team that is built around Lebron/Bosh/Nash(as suggested in todays daily espn lebron/ny story) they'd be a whole lot of fun to watch play.

[Dave_From_NB]

Anyway, you pretty much nailed it. Even if one of the big markets don't get Lebron in 2010, they still have the options to get another VERY good Free Agent due to the depth that Free Agency Class (and the Year after too in 2011), will have.

Yup - let the Brian Scalabrine sweepstakes begin.

[sully00]

people said that about KG and AI too, but they got traded. it really just makes business sense.

Nobody traded a 26 year old KG or AI they traded the 31 year old version at the end of the contract we are talking about because they didn't want to pay them anymore.

In the end CLE is going to have as much cap space as anyone in '10 they can buy LeBron a friend if that is what he wants.

[campybatman]

I do have to admit though that if they could roll out a 2010-2011 D'Antoni coached team that is built around Lebron/Bosh/Nash(as suggested in todays daily espn lebron/ny story) they'd be a whole lot of fun to watch play.

They'll have to compete with Dumars in particular for Bosh. And Nash will be thirty-six before the 2010- 2011 season. Which means, he'll turn thirty-seven before the All-Star game or trading deadline of that season. Then too, if you've LeBron, you won't need a pass-first point guard like Nash.

[greenbeans]

I do have to admit though that if they could roll out a 2010-2011 D'Antoni coached team that is built around Lebron/Bosh/Nash(as suggested in todays daily espn lebron/ny story) they'd be a whole lot of fun to watch play.

They'll have to compete with Dumars in particular for Bosh. And Nash will be thirty-six before the 2010- 2011 season. Which means, he'll turn thirty-seven before the All-Star game or trading deadline of that season. Then too, if you've LeBron, you won't need a pass-first point guard like Nash.

IMO, Dumars burned the Bosh bridge when he took Darko ahead of him in 03. he doesn't get a mulligan, he gets this stupid plan he just put in place blowing up in his face when nobody goes to Detoit.

[campybatman]

Money tends to talk... So, we'll see... I'm curious to see what Iverson's future is: Will Detroit even make an attempt to resign him and how much is he worth as a free agent? Because both Iverson and R. Wallace can walk at season's end.

[greenbeans]

I'd be shocked if AI didn't go back to Philly for the mle. Nobody will offer him north of 8per and he's setup enough financially where the extra 3mil ain't worth saying no to his basketball home.

[campybatman]

Would you sign Iverson next off season if you could trade Ray Allen by then if you're Ainge? I'm not advocating... I'm just wondering as I know Ainge wasn't adverse to trying to acquire Iverson before he was traded to Denver.

[campybatman]

I'm not the biggest fan of what Barkley says, usually. However, James' comment is a reason why I dislike certain young star players such as himself and others of his draft class in particular. They'll seem self-centered and spoiled.

I mean that's the manner in which Barkley talks sometimes or all the time. I don't know... But, there's no missing his point.

LeBron James reacted strongly to Charles Barkley's comments that the Cavaliers star isn't showing respect for Cleveland fans and his teammates by discussing his possible free agency following the 2010 season.

"He's stupid. That's all I've got to say about that," James said Friday night before the Cavaliers' game against Golden State.

Barkley made the comments on TNT's NBA studio show and Dan Patrick's radio show.

"If I was LeBron James, I would shut the hell up," the Hall of Famer said on Patrick's show. "I'm a big LeBron fan. He's a stud. You gotta give him his props. I'm getting so annoyed he's talking about what he's going to do in two years. I think it's disrespectful to the game. I think it's disrespectful to the Cavaliers."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/b ... ml?eref=T1

[ocker]

I have always assumed that teams giving out max contacts find it more difficult to have a complete team. Due to the fact that such a major portion of their cap space is being given out to 1 player.

[campybatman]

A star player with a maximum salary, or salaries if you happen to employ more than one, doesn't necessarily prevent you from putting together a roster of players that can function as a team. It all depends on whether or not your franchise employs a general manger who's savvy enough to sign and trade for the right players to act as role players to surround your star or star players. The inability of your general manager to achieve this can affect the team's balance, and thus, prevent the head coach from leading a team. The role players follow the star player(s). It begins with him and he must buy into the head coach's system. If not, there's no presence of chemistry. No chemistry, then you've players butting heads or egos collide or clash rather. Players blame each other for lack of success and it all falls into the lap of their head coach to sort out. Conversely, the Celtics have a nice blend of star and role players that harmony exist for the most part. Everyone appears to know their roles and seldom attempt to put themselves before the team and winning. However, as Rivers has pointed out, sometimes players, star and role players, will try to play hero and do it all themselves whenever the team gets into a scoring drought or simply struggle during games for whatever the reason. Some of them might feel as if they're the one who must or will try to bail the team out. If you're a team, you can't believe that. Because you begin to forget about everyone else and it's them who can solve a problem when you all look at it as a team. Togetherness. Win together, lose together. I mean even if a Celtic wins the game on a last second shot. His teammates worked to set everything into motion. One thing happens as a result of something done prior to.

Anyways, it isn't too difficult if you've bright people working in your front office. A team can be constructed from little if you know how to just get the players that can accept their roles and salaries in comparison to the one or two star players already on the team. The head coach can motivate and bring it altogether like a finished baked cake. But, you can't bleep up the ingredients.

[canman1971]

This is a perfect example of how LeBron doesn't "get it" and why I will always dislike him. He only cares about himself and lives in an entirely different world. Yes, the national media pussies feed into it, but he plays right along. He has loyalty to himself and that is it.

[Havlicek17]

I think there will be a couple of high profile FA's changing teams. Maybe LBJ and Bosch. The rest will be resigned or traded, and never make it to be FA's.

Way too much talk about something 2 years away in my opinion, but you got 29 teams that didn't win the trophy last year. Teams like the Knicks, ain't got much else positive to talk about these days.

[campybatman]

Teams like the Knicks, ain't got much else positive to talk about these days.

Well, New York fans would've to be thrilled about this outcome. For me, I'm more of a fan of seeing defense being played than a lot of scoring.

Chris Duhon had a franchise-record 22 assists, David Lee had career highs of 37 points and 21 rebounds, and the New York Knicks rang up a record-setting 82 points in the first half in a 138-125 victory over Golden State on Saturday night.

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/gamecente ... 1129_GS@NY