The 2013 NBA Free Agency Thread

SUPERBALLMAN · Post #1181 » by **SUPERBALLMAN** » Fri Aug 23, 2013 7:29 pm

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/8/22 ... zards-2014

Nice breakdown by Mike Prada on potential Wizards targets 2014 offseason.

Monroe and Cousins seem to be the top options. Bosh could be interesting, although I've never been that big on him. Trades for Love or Aldridge are also worth exploring.

dangermouse · Post #1182 » by **dangermouse** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:09 am

in light of Ted Leonsis' recent comments that the Wizards want to be in a position to pursue a "marquee, brand-name free agent" in the near future.

I dont like the language used.

Sounds like he is talking about marketing and putting bums in seats etc. than building a winning franchise.

DCZards · Post #1183 » by **DCZards** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:37 am

dangermouse wrote:
in light of Ted Leonsis' recent comments that the Wizards want to be in a position to pursue a "marquee, brand-name free agent" in the near future.

I dont like the language used.

Sounds like he is talking about marketing and putting bums in seats etc. than building a winning franchise.

I think you're over thinking Ted's remarks and trying to read more into it than is there. I think it's simply Ted's way of saying he wants to sign a very good player as a free agent.

Nivek · Post #1184 » by **Nivek** » Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:08 pm

Yeah, that's probably what Ted meant. I wish he was more precise with his language.

payitforward · Post #1185 » by **payitforward** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 1:04 pm

DCZards wrote:
dangermouse wrote:
in light of Ted Leonsis' recent comments that the Wizards want to be in a position to pursue a "marquee, brand-name free agent" in the near future.

I dont like the language used.

Sounds like he is talking about marketing and putting bums in seats etc. than building a winning franchise.

I think you're over thinking Ted's remarks and trying to read more into it than is there. I think it's simply Ted's way of saying he wants to sign a very good player as a free agent.

As you say, I'm sure that is what Ted meant. But the remark reveals something all the same:

we tend to think of Ted as owning the Wizards (as of course he does). But in Ted's mind, the business he runs is Monumental Sports. And he thinks of its future and its welfare.

The Wizards fit in to that, naturally, but they aren't the center of it. I see this as the reason Ted seems to focus on being "respectable" rather than contending for a championship.

Of course, I'm a fan of the Wizards -- not of Monumental Sports! Hence, even though Ted's strategy is reasonable from his POV, I'm bothered by it.

Nivek · Post #1186 » by **Nivek** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 1:47 pm

It's sorta interesting (to me at least) to consider what business Leonsis thinks Monumental Sports & Entertainment is in. My feeling based on Monumental's stated values and the way his teams operate is that he views it more as an entertainment enterprise designed to attract fans to their various venues, visitors to the various team websites and viewers to the TV -- and less as a competitive enterprise where team competes against team for players, coaches and managers and seek to win championships.

If my supposition is correct (and I'm not certain that it is), it suggests that his goals for his teams are to be good enough to attract fan attention and generate profits. Opposing teams in this construct are partners as much as competitors. To an owner who thinks like this, winning a championship would be nice if everything falls his teams way (if they get lucky), but it's a fairly unrealistic goal. Meanwhile, it's fairly easy to be "decent" enough to keep fan interest and be profitable.

Post #1187 » by **Ruzious** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 2:14 pm

Nivek wrote:It's sorta interesting (to me at least) to consider what business Leonsis thinks Monumental Sports & Entertainment is in. My feeling based on Monumental's stated values and the way his teams operate is that he views it more as an entertainment enterprise designed to attract fans to their various venues, visitors to the various team websites and viewers to the TV -- and less as a competitive enterprise where team competes against team for players, coaches and managers and seek to win championships.

If my supposition is correct (and I'm not certain that it is), it suggests that his goals for his teams are to be good enough to attract fan attention and generate profits. Opposing teams in this construct are partners as much as competitors. To an owner who thinks like this, winning a championship would be nice if everything falls his teams way (if they get lucky), but it's a fairly unrealistic goal. Meanwhile, it's fairly easy to be "decent" enough to keep fan interest and be profitable.

That's the impression that I got from comments he's made over the past couple of years. Before he bought the Wizards, I think he was very differently focused with the Caps and was primarily motivated by winning and making them a great hockey organization. Somewhere along the way, becoming a successful giant organization focussed on entertainment became his passion - rather than trying to build championships.

Dat2U · Post #1188 » by **Dat2U** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 3:32 pm

Nivek wrote:It's sorta interesting (to me at least) to consider what business Leonsis thinks Monumental Sports & Entertainment is in. My feeling based on Monumental's stated values and the way his teams operate is that he views it more as an entertainment enterprise designed to attract fans to their various venues, visitors to the various team websites and viewers to the TV -- and less as a competitive enterprise where team competes against team for players, coaches and managers and seek to win championships.

If my supposition is correct (and I'm not certain that it is), it suggests that his goals for his teams are to be good enough to attract fan attention and generate profits. Opposing teams in this construct are partners as much as competitors. To an owner who thinks like this, winning a championship would be nice if everything falls his teams way (if they get lucky), but it's a fairly unrealistic goal. Meanwhile, it's fairly easy to be "decent" enough to keep fan interest and be profitable.

What I've noticed about Ted is that he's going to do it his way. I think he likes to prove people wrong, even if there's evidence to the contrary. He's refused to fire George McPhee or Ernie Grunfeld although he's had plenty of reason to do so. I almost believe he's kept both in spite of public opinion because he believes that anyone can succeed under his leadership if they follow his vision. GMGM & GMEG are both yes men who've earned the trust of Ted over the years so neither is going anywhere unless they violate that trust or the situation gets so untenable that Ted has no other choice.

pancakes3 · Post #1189 » by **pancakes3** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:06 pm

If we didn't already have a glut of forwards, and signed Al Harrington, I'd totally sign Lamar Odom for the vet min.

payitforward · Post #1190 » by **payitforward** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 1:12 pm

Nivek wrote:It's sorta interesting (to me at least) to consider what business Leonsis thinks Monumental Sports & Entertainment is in. My feeling based on Monumental's stated values and the way his teams operate is that he views it more as an entertainment enterprise designed to attract fans to their various venues, visitors to the various team websites and viewers to the TV -- and less as a competitive enterprise where team competes against team for players, coaches and managers and seek to win championships.

If my supposition is correct (and I'm not certain that it is), it suggests that his goals for his teams are to be good enough to attract fan attention and generate profits. Opposing teams in this construct are partners as much as competitors. To an owner who thinks like this, winning a championship would be nice if everything falls his teams way (if they get lucky), but it's a fairly unrealistic goal. Meanwhile, it's fairly easy to be "decent" enough to keep fan interest and be profitable.

Certainly it's an entertainment enterprise. This doesn't rule out an interest -- even a strong interest -- in his teams' competitive excellence, but that's not the center of the enterprise.

How important winning really is will surely depend on how important it is to "attract(ing) fans to ...venues" etc. -- because the goal is not to "generate profits"; it's to maximize profits! (which is only sensible; it's how you run a business) That goal is not necessarily in conflict with the desire to win titles -- if anything it's helpful. But, again, the latter is essentially a means to the former.

As much money as Ted Leonsis has, you would expect him to be more like Mark Cuban -- to identify personally with his team's success, its competitiveness. But, that doesn't seem to be Ted's nature.

Maybe, in part, it's because Monumental comprises more than one team, and this might explain someone else's remark that earlier he was more focused on the Caps' success. Back then, there was no Monumental, and he didn't have an active role in the Wizards or in running the stadium.

verbal8 · Post #1191 » by **verbal8** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:30 pm

pancakes3 wrote:If we didn't already have a glut of forwards, and signed Al Harrington, I'd totally sign Lamar Odom for the vet min.

On a career basis Odom is a lot better. However over the last 2 years their production has been pretty similar. Both had one disastrous season and one mediocre one.

Post #1192 » by **montestewart** » Wed Aug 28, 2013 2:57 am

verbal8 wrote:
pancakes3 wrote:If we didn't already have a glut of forwards, and signed Al Harrington, I'd totally sign Lamar Odom for the vet min.

On a career basis Odom is a lot better. However over the last 2 years their production has been pretty similar. Both had one disastrous season and one mediocre one.

It might be a false impression, but my impression has been he's had a lot of off court distractions and issues recently.

Kanyewest · Post #1193 » by **Kanyewest** » Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:13 am

montestewart wrote:
verbal8 wrote:
pancakes3 wrote:If we didn't already have a glut of forwards, and signed Al Harrington, I'd totally sign Lamar Odom for the vet min.

On a career basis Odom is a lot better. However over the last 2 years their production has been pretty similar. Both had one disastrous season and one mediocre one.

It might be a false impression, but my impression has been he's had a lot of off court distractions and issues recently.

Yup.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/stor ... lem-source

hands11 · Post #1194 » by **hands11** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:14 pm

Wow. Surprised to read so much Tea Leaf reading from a Ted statement.

As for his goals. I don't see them as different then most owners.

Not that they all go about it exactly the same way. Some have a burning desire to win now. Some have deeper pockets. A handful are probably content to sit back and just make money. There are owners that are unwilling to ever go over the cap. But most are involved in making decisions. They are smart people with lots of money and they own a business. Of course they are going to have their hands in things.

But it is a franchise. They are all investors in the system and a product. I think the new CBA will help level the playing field more.. even though you still have teams like Brooklyn who will just spend spend spend. Some people have sick money.

How much of it is a business vs how much of it is just get a ring probably has a lot to do with how much money the individual owner has and what other pockets they have their hands in. Some deep pocket owner want a ring as a bad of honor. It gets them exposure. They all have egos. But the majority are probably in it to make money first and foremost. Winning raises the franchise value. They are in it for a combination of reasons, but money is a big part.

So how many owner are their out their that just want to win at any cost and don't want to be involved in the decision ?

pancakes3 · Post #1195 » by **pancakes3** » Wed Sep 4, 2013 11:10 pm

If real life was a movie, Lamar Odom and Michael Beasley would come to DC and John Wall will have a "Like Mike" effect on those two en route to a championship (and learn about a different ship along the way. Friendship). There would be 5 musical numbers scored by Sir Elton John, and Ernie would be a talking woodchuck who tidies the Verizon Center before games with his woodland pals. Helen Mirren plays Irene and has a tasteful nude scene.

Ed Wood directs. Our Ed Wood.

DCZards · Post #1196 » by **DCZards** » Thu Sep 5, 2013 2:00 am

Great post, pancakes.

Post #1197 » by **LyricalRico** » Thu Sep 5, 2013 3:47 pm

WizardsWorld · Post #1198 » by **WizardsWorld** » Sat Sep 7, 2013 9:38 am

pancakes3 wrote:If we didn't already have a glut of forwards, and signed Al Harrington, I'd totally sign Lamar Odom for the vet min.

I'd rather set our arena on fire and play our games on an elementary school playground then have lamar odom anywhere near this team.

payitforward · Post #1199 » by **payitforward** » Sat Sep 7, 2013 12:18 pm

WizardsWorld wrote:
pancakes3 wrote:If we didn't already have a glut of forwards, and signed Al Harrington, I'd totally sign Lamar Odom for the vet min.

I'd rather set our arena on fire and play our games on an elementary school playground then have lamar odom anywhere near this team.

Yeah, but how do you really feel about Lamar?

doclinkin · Post #1200 » by **doclinkin** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:17 am

pancakes3 wrote:If real life was a movie, Lamar Odom and Michael Beasley would come to DC and John Wall will have a "Like Mike" effect on those two en route to a championship (and learn about a different ship along the way. Friendship). There would be 5 musical numbers scored by Sir Elton John, and Ernie would be a talking woodchuck who tidies the Verizon Center before games with his woodland pals. Helen Mirren plays Irene and has a tasteful nude scene.

Ed Wood directs. Our Ed Wood.

Enshrined and immortalized. Heh.