Official Speculation Thread (Pt. XXXVI Off-Season Edition)

[Chet Wagner]

Yeah, you have to think about all the easy shots Wade would get from Lebron creating for him too. Pretty awful year for him as far as the standards him and Kobe have traditionally set

[KingRobb02]

With the way Wade played in most of the playoffs, I wouldn't have even voted him as an all-star this year, but Lebron was on another level.

i agree Lebron was at another level. But cmon, Wade was 22 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4+ rpg. He was playing at an all-star level. Its just like the pretty girl, who is sitting next to the supermodel. For some reason she doesnt look as hot, but she is still hot.

Just looking at totals doesn't really work because Wade played and shot so much.

Watching the games, I was yelling at the TV a lot because Wade wanted to spend his time giving the refs the stink eye instead of getting back on D.

[tiderulz]

With the way Wade played in most of the playoffs, I wouldn't have even voted him as an all-star this year, but Lebron was on another level.

i agree Lebron was at another level. But cmon, Wade was 22 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4+ rpg. He was playing at an all-star level. Its just like the pretty girl, who is sitting next to the supermodel. For some reason she doesnt look as hot, but she is still hot.

Just looking at totals doesn't really work because Wade played and shot so much.

of course he played a lot. Bosh was hurt half the time and they didnt really have anyone else. and besides last year, he shot less than any other year except his rookie year. I'm sensing a bit of Wade dislike here.

[bigmoe1952]

If we can get Bynum, we'll be back to seriously contending in 2 yrs. If we get rookies & picks, we'll be rebuilding for 5+ yrs until we'll seriously compete again.

Get Bynum, while clearing some space, and pray for Harden next summer. Fill in with solid young players and we're good. Maybe flip some pieces for Iggy at deadline too?

?PG? (Jack?)
Harden/(?Redick - if not flipped for Iggy)/Liggins
Iggy/Ebanks/Q
Nicholson/Davis
Bynum/O'Quinn/Ayon

I see what you are saying, Nyce but my prime concern is his injury history. It can not be ignored. If Bynum goes down with injuries, and a max contract, we are in DEEP doo-doo for quite sometime. I know there are no guarantees with anyone staying healthy but some seem to be injury prone. And Bynum appears to be one of them. There is no doubt he is a good center.

[tiderulz]

Bulls are going to match Asik. I can see Houston pushing harder now since they still need a center.

[Chet Wagner]

you realize a season is 82 regular games, and then extra for playoffs right? with the lakers, the games would be something like 90+ games.

wonder how my boss will feel if I only work 50-60% of the time.

Those totals were not including the playoffs. Go check the numbers for yourself, it's really not that bad

32 games in 08, 17 in 09, 28 in '10. that is enough games lost that will cost you home court advantage.

And he was there for the entire playoffs all 4 years (pretty heavy haul of games with the Lakers going back-to-back).

No point arguing since you think Bynum's knees are going to explode faster than Hill's ankles did. I can respect your opinion, just think you're overblowing the risks by a large amount. The Rockets and Lakers have to take a risk on Dwight's back (which is historically a lingering issue) as well

[KingRobb02]

i agree Lebron was at another level. But cmon, Wade was 22 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4+ rpg. He was playing at an all-star level. Its just like the pretty girl, who is sitting next to the supermodel. For some reason she doesnt look as hot, but she is still hot.

Just looking at totals doesn't really work because Wade played and shot so much.

of course he played a lot. Bosh was hurt half the time and they didnt really have anyone else. and besides last year, he shot less than any other year except his rookie year. I'm sensing a bit of Wade dislike here.

Not arguing that he shouldn't have played or shot a lot, just saying that pointing to 22PPG, doesn't really tell the whole story.

[Nyce_1]

If we can get Bynum, we'll be back to seriously contending in 2 yrs. If we get rookies & picks, we'll be rebuilding for 5+ yrs until we'll seriously compete again.

Get Bynum, while clearing some space, and pray for Harden next summer. Fill in with solid young players and we're good. Maybe flip some pieces for Iggy at deadline too?

?PG? (Jack?)
Harden/(?Redick - if not flipped for Iggy)/Liggins
Iggy/Ebanks/Q
Nicholson/Davis
Bynum/O'Quinn/Ayon

I see what you are saying, Nyce but my prime concern is his injury history. It can not be ignored. If Bynum goes down with injuries, and a max contract, we are in DEEP doo-doo for quite sometime. I know there are no guarantees with anyone staying healthy but some seem to be injury prone. And Bynum appears to be one of them. There is no doubt he is a good center.

I agree that the injury HISTORY is a major concern, but you'd hope that if presented with the opportunity, the Magic would protect itself with a clause in the contract? I heard Nets are doing something in Brook's contract too, so it's not impossible.

again, I'd be happy with either trade (HOU or LAL) and will always cheer for the Magic; just don't deal with the Nets.

[KingRobb02]

Bulls are going to match Asik. I can see Houston pushing harder now since they still need a center.

Not just that, they also have to hit the salary floor since they only have 3 guys under contract who aren't on rookie deals. Best day ever if Daryl Morey decides, that Brook Lopez is his new target and signs him to a max offer sheet.

On the other hand, the Bulls are paying awful lot to keep a team together that has one conference final win under their belt. 8 million for a backup center?

[RickB-Orlando]

If we can get Bynum, we'll be back to seriously contending in 2 yrs. If we get rookies & picks, we'll be rebuilding for 5+ yrs until we'll seriously compete again.

Get Bynum, while clearing some space, and pray for Harden next summer. Fill in with solid young players and we're good. Maybe flip some pieces for Iggy at deadline too?

?PG? (Jack?)
Harden/(?Redick - if not flipped for Iggy)/Liggins
Iggy/Ebanks/Q
Nicholson/Davis
Bynum/O'Quinn/Ayon

I see what you are saying, Nyce but my prime concern is his injury history. It can not be ignored. If Bynum goes down with injuries, and a max contract, we are in DEEP doo-doo for quite sometime. I know there are no guarantees with anyone staying healthy but some seem to be injury prone. And Bynum appears to be one of them. There is no doubt he is a good center.

I think I'm more ready to take the chance since Dwight, a guarantee to play every game every season, went down last year as well. It can happen to anyone, and let's be honest, there is no guarantee that Dwight will be the same player coming off back surgery. Would anyone be shocked if he turns out to have chronic problems for the rest of his career?
Given that, I'm willing to take a chance on Bynum. He's proven that, when healthy, he can impact games. I suspect he can be dominant outside Kobe's shadow.

[bigmoe1952]

I know how much you guys admire Rudolph:

Jarrod N Rudolph ‏@JRudolphSports
Good morning everyone. Thanks for all the birthday wishes. As for my D12 to BK Tuesday prediction, it's delayed, but nothing has changed.

"You're" right...nothing has changed. "You're" still a polyp on Howard's colon. A birthday polyp at that!

[tiderulz]

Those totals were not including the playoffs. Go check the numbers for yourself, it's really not that bad

32 games in 08, 17 in 09, 28 in '10. that is enough games lost that will cost you home court advantage.

And he was there for the entire playoffs all 4 years (pretty heavy haul of games with the Lakers going back-to-back).

No point arguing since you think Bynum's knees are going to explode faster than Hill's ankles did. I can respect your opinion, just think you're overblowing the risks by a large amount. The Rockets and Lakers have to take a risk on Dwight's back (which is historically a lingering issue) as well

i havent said his knees will explode. all i have ever said is that he is an injury risk and doesnt have the best injury track record.

[CourtsideTV]

Found dwight's new team it is.


drum rolll

[Swiftraven]

Ahh, the troll URL may have ticked off the wrong person. I believe that site will be coming down soon

[glennathan]

I just got this ESPN text. Any ideas??

ESPN SC NBA - Nets will "resolve" their pursuit of Dwight Howard on Wednesday, according to league source - Bucher

[Chet Wagner]

I think I'm more ready to take the chance since Dwight, a guarantee to play every game every season, went down last year as well. It can happen to anyone, and let's be honest, there is no guarantee that Dwight will be the same player coming off back surgery. Would anyone be shocked if he turns out to have chronic problems for the rest of his career?
Given that, I'm willing to take a chance on Bynum. He's proven that, when healthy, he can impact games. I suspect he can be dominant outside Kobe's shadow.

Well put. Also something to remember is that he was the THIRD option behind Kobe and Gasol, with no other 7 footer to take rebounds I think he can match Dwight's rebounding numbers and upgrading him to the number one option I really don't think it's a stretch to say he's capable of 25+ a night if he's paired with a good PG

He's not as good as Dwight defensively, but no one is. There's pros and cons to Bynum but I think big picture is he has the much higher potential upside to any trade - it just revolves around the FO surrounding him with good young talent. Gotta trust in Henny

[BrianEvansfor3]

Found dwight's new team it is.


drum rolll

Hey Hey world...lol

[CourtsideTV]

yeah. nets backing down on the dwight howard chase

[IGotDaMagicInMe]

I just got this ESPN text. Any ideas??

ESPN SC NBA - Nets will "resolve" their pursuit of Dwight Howard on Wednesday, according to league source - Bucher

I think the nets have two days to trade lopez after they sign him

[Nyce_1]

I just got this ESPN text. Any ideas??

ESPN SC NBA - Nets will "resolve" their pursuit of Dwight Howard on Wednesday, according to league source - Bucher

I think the nets have two days to trade lopez after they sign him

can't trade him till December if they sign him.

they're done.