Around the League

[Cowology]

I have tremendous respect for LeBron as a player.... but have had a *strong* dislike for him as a person for years. And I just flat out dislike the Cavs. Can't say I hate them the same I did the 80's Celts or 90's Bulls, but about as much as I've disliked any team since then.

Anyway, I think if Curry was healthy the W's would have repeated last year. Unfortunately injuries are part of the game and have some sort of significant impact every single year and have likely affected the outcome on numerous occasions. It be what it be. I really dislike that Durant jumped on that bandwagon, but outside of that I really don't have anything against the Warriors. I just think it's bad for the NBA in general to just have any team be that loaded and dominant.

[coordinator0]

I'm probably in the minority but I don't really hate what Durant did this offseason. He wants to win and Golden State could afford him. Easy decision once you get past the leaving your first team part. You could say James, Wade, and Bosh laid out the blueprint a few years ago for making a superteam if that's the facet you're hung up on. Then you could be against LeBron even though that's not the route he took in coming back to Cleveland. A roundabout way of thinking for sure, but hey I don't like the Cavs at all.

I will almost always cheer for a division/conference rival to lose no matter what the situation. If it comes to it, go Golden State.

[Han Solo]

I think the Warriors are vaginas.. I hated LeBron until last year's finals.. First time in his career I seen him become a shark (like Michael Jordan).. Still not a really big fan, now I just respect him.

[In SVG We Trust]

I'm probably in the minority but I don't really hate what Durant did this offseason. He wants to win and Golden State could afford him. Easy decision once you get past the leaving your first team part. You could say James, Wade, and Bosh laid out the blueprint a few years ago for making a superteam if that's the facet you're hung up on. Then you could be against LeBron even though that's not the route he took in coming back to Cleveland. A roundabout way of thinking for sure, but hey I don't like the Cavs at all.

I will almost always cheer for a division/conference rival to lose no matter what the situation. If it comes to it, go Golden State.

But that isn't true. The Celtics were the first making a superteam. What LeBron did was pitiful, not because he was joining the Heat, but his way to announce his decision and how he left the Cavs (bad organization who never surrounded him well, at the other hand).

[jakebernat]

Well, once you consider the fact that golden state drafted the majority of their core and traded for the rest of their rotation, signing Durant as a free agent doesn't really seem THAT cynical. Maybe if other franchises were well-built organizations like the warriors, they would've had a legitimate shot at Durant.

[In SVG We Trust]

Well, once you consider the fact that golden state drafted the majority of their core and traded for the rest of their rotation, signing Durant as a free agent doesn't really seem THAT cynical. Maybe if other franchises were well-built organizations like the warriors, they would've had a legitimate shot at Durant.

No one is blaming GSW, they did the right move. And would be stupid to blame Durant for not staying in OKC, a franchise has managed very bad all the resources they had to become maybe the best team ever.

But if you want people talking about you as a true winner and a legend, maybe one ring as Dirk won is so much impressive than win it joining a +72 wins. Do you think Shaq would be considered in the same stage if he joined the Jordan's Bulls?

[coordinator0]

I'm probably in the minority but I don't really hate what Durant did this offseason. He wants to win and Golden State could afford him. Easy decision once you get past the leaving your first team part. You could say James, Wade, and Bosh laid out the blueprint a few years ago for making a superteam if that's the facet you're hung up on. Then you could be against LeBron even though that's not the route he took in coming back to Cleveland. A roundabout way of thinking for sure, but hey I don't like the Cavs at all.

I will almost always cheer for a division/conference rival to lose no matter what the situation. If it comes to it, go Golden State.

But that isn't true. The Celtics were the first making a superteam. What LeBron did was pitiful, not because he was joining the Heat, but his way to announce his decision and how he left the Cavs (bad organization who never surrounded him well, at the other hand).

For what it's worth the Celtics did that, not the players. They traded for Garnett and Allen. There's a difference between that and players teaming up in one spot/superstars joining an already loaded team.

[Cowology]

I'm probably in the minority but I don't really hate what Durant did this offseason. He wants to win and Golden State could afford him. Easy decision once you get past the leaving your first team part. You could say James, Wade, and Bosh laid out the blueprint a few years ago for making a superteam if that's the facet you're hung up on. Then you could be against LeBron even though that's not the route he took in coming back to Cleveland. A roundabout way of thinking for sure, but hey I don't like the Cavs at all.

I will almost always cheer for a division/conference rival to lose no matter what the situation. If it comes to it, go Golden State.

But that isn't true. The Celtics were the first making a superteam. What LeBron did was pitiful, not because he was joining the Heat, but his way to announce his decision and how he left the Cavs (bad organization who never surrounded him well, at the other hand).

For what it's worth the Celtics did that, not the players. They traded for Garnett and Allen. There's a difference between that and players teaming up in one spot/superstars joining an already loaded team.

Sorta kinda. By virtue of his pending free agency KG had the power to essentially veto any trade. Ainge had been after him for a long time and it wasn't until they acquired Ray that KG agreed to sign the extension which made the entire deal possible. KG controlled his own destiny.

That said, I don't think anything before or after has reached the level of collusion involved with the Heat. That was shameful because it involved 3 Superstars and a franchise. But it's not like this sorta thing doesn't happen in other sports too. MLB is a joke and I still remember when Yzerman, Chelios & Shanahan deferred money so the Wings could bring in Brett Hull (to go along with Robotaille & Hasek) during Datsuks rookie season. How many Detroit fans complained when that happened? Instead we prided ourselves in being a franchise players wanted to play for and it was to our players credit that they were willing to do what it took to win.

Like somebody else said, it was the way LeBron went about it that irked so many people. He's a bit more polished now. More savvy. I just don't believe that underneath that shine he is any less of a turd. But that's what happens when people start sucking you off before your 16th bday. He's been told he's the king since he hit puberty and I doubt anybody has every really told him no. King LeBron gets to do what King LeBron wants to do.

[Han Solo]

But that isn't true. The Celtics were the first making a superteam. What LeBron did was pitiful, not because he was joining the Heat, but his way to announce his decision and how he left the Cavs (bad organization who never surrounded him well, at the other hand).

For what it's worth the Celtics did that, not the players. They traded for Garnett and Allen. There's a difference between that and players teaming up in one spot/superstars joining an already loaded team.

Sorta kinda. By virtue of his pending free agency KG had the power to essentially veto any trade. Ainge had been after him for a long time and it wasn't until they acquired Ray that KG agreed to sign the extension which made the entire deal possible. KG controlled his own destiny.

That said, I don't think anything before or after has reached the level of collusion involved with the Heat. That was shameful because it involved 3 Superstars and a franchise. But it's not like this sorta thing doesn't happen in other sports too. MLB is a joke and I still remember when Yzerman, Chelios & Shanahan deferred money so the Wings could bring in Brett Hull (to go along with Robotaille & Hasek) during Datsuks rookie season. How many Detroit fans complained when that happened? Instead we prided ourselves in being a franchise players wanted to play for and it was to our players credit that they were willing to do what it took to win.

Like somebody else said, it was the way LeBron went about it that irked so many people. He's a bit more polished now. More savvy. I just don't believe that underneath that shine he is any less of a turd. But that's what happens when people start sucking you off before your 16th bday. He's been told he's the king since he hit puberty and I doubt anybody has every really told him no. King LeBron gets to do what King LeBron wants to do.

I feel the same as you... But what he did in the Finals last year I hadn't seen since Michael Jordan.. He would not let his team lose from game 5 to game 7. One of the best moments in basketball history (at least since I've watched).. I've seen the NBA since 1984 and that was right up there. He was a stone cold killer. Unlike he'd ever been.. He may have won a few titles with the Heat and had some good moments against our Pistons when he was younger, but nothing like what we saw from him last year. Just an absolute tank.

[Cowology]

Look, I've got nothing but respect for LBJ as a player. I actually remember watching one of his HS games that was televised and I saw him throw a behind the back bounce pass, in transition, that hit a teammate perfectly in stride. This was a 17 or 18 year old kid, and a forward no less, making passes that only a handful or guys in the entire world could have made. And he made it look easy and natural. I remember talking to my dad about it and telling him how the kid reminded me more of Magic than Mike - and I was a HUGE Magic fan!

I'm not questioning his talent at all. LBJ is one of the greatest players I've ever seen. But I don't have to like him.

[Snakebites]

Look, I've got nothing but respect for LBJ as a player. I actually remember watching one of his HS games that was televised and I saw him throw a behind the back bounce pass, in transition, that hit a teammate perfectly in stride. This was a 17 or 18 year old kid, and a forward no less, making passes that only a handful or guys in the entire world could have made. And he made it look easy and natural. I remember talking to my dad about it and telling him how the kid reminded me more of Magic than Mike - and I was a HUGE Magic fan!

I'm not questioning his talent at all. LBJ is one of the greatest players I've ever seen. But I don't have to like him.

I don't like Lebron either, but we're pretty far removed from a lot of the antics and BS that I disliked him for.

I probably dislike Durant and the Warriors maybe a touch less than I did Lebron and the Heatles, but that's tempered some.

[Blkbrd671]

Look, I've got nothing but respect for LBJ as a player. I actually remember watching one of his HS games that was televised and I saw him throw a behind the back bounce pass, in transition, that hit a teammate perfectly in stride. This was a 17 or 18 year old kid, and a forward no less, making passes that only a handful or guys in the entire world could have made. And he made it look easy and natural. I remember talking to my dad about it and telling him how the kid reminded me more of Magic than Mike - and I was a HUGE Magic fan!

I'm not questioning his talent at all. LBJ is one of the greatest players I've ever seen. But I don't have to like him.

I don't like Lebron either, but we're pretty far removed from a lot of the antics and BS that I disliked him for.

I probably dislike Durant and the Warriors maybe a touch less than I did Lebron and the Heatles, but that's tempered some.

Agreed, his entitled attitude and lack of ability to back it with his play used to piss me off. He has seemed to have matured and stfu for the most part. I still don't think he'll reach MJ level comparison though his performance last year was Mike'esq. He has quite a bit of ground to make up and honestly i hope he does as we'll get to ironically "Witness" History.

[Pharaoh]

Got nothing but respect for Lebron the player.

The man? I think he's run 2 franchises into oblivion.

There's a debate to be had about him using his position to become the most powerful player in NBA history and whether that's a good, bad or great thing but I'm not up for that lol

Sent from my SM-J110F using RealGM mobile app

[hoophabit]

I had nothing against Lebron until the Heat move, and that was so poorly handled that it was annoying. It wasn't shocking that he left the Cavs when he did though, and his deciding to come home impressed me. The work of his foundation in Ohio also impresses me, so at this point I'm good with Lebron.

[BadMofoPimp]

Got nothing but respect for Lebron the player.

The man? I think he's run 2 franchises into oblivion.

There's a debate to be had about him using his position to become the most powerful player in NBA history and whether that's a good, bad or great thing but I'm not up for that lol

Sent from my SM-J110F using RealGM mobile app

The NBA did cave into Lebron and gifted Cleveland (3) Number 1 picks over 5 years in order to give them Ammo to bring Lebron back to Cleveland. Even though the odds were less than 1% chance of happening.

[Chillymo]

I'm not much of speculating trades, but with the wizards dysfunction I was pondering ways to get wall.

First trade
Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, 2017 1st
For
John Wall, Marcus Thornton, 2019 2nd

Second trade
Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, Tobias Harris
For
John Wall, Markieef Morris, Marcus Thornton.

[Cowology]

[gfycat][/gfycat]

I'm not much of speculating trades, but with the wizards dysfunction I was pondering ways to get wall.

First trade
Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, 2017 1st
For
John Wall, Marcus Thornton, 2019 2nd

Second trade
Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, Tobias Harris
For
John Wall, Markieef Morris, Marcus Thornton.

I would only be in favor of bringing in Wall if we also added a Paul George type SF. We need a closer and while Wall is better in a number of ways he doesn't bring the same clutch play that Reggie does.

[BadMofoPimp]

[gfycat][/gfycat]

I'm not much of speculating trades, but with the wizards dysfunction I was pondering ways to get wall.

First trade
Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, 2017 1st
For
John Wall, Marcus Thornton, 2019 2nd

Second trade
Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, Tobias Harris
For
John Wall, Markieef Morris, Marcus Thornton.

I would only be in favor of bringing in Wall if we also added a Paul George type SF. We need a closer and while Wall is better in a number of ways he doesn't bring the same clutch play that Reggie does.

I am beginning to question Wall's team chemistry as a teammate as well. At least Reggie has immediately helped improve the team with his play even as selfish as it "seems."

[Blkbrd671]

I'm not much of speculating trades, but with the wizards dysfunction I was pondering ways to get wall.

First trade
Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, 2017 1st
For
John Wall, Marcus Thornton, 2019 2nd

Second trade
Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, Tobias Harris
For
John Wall, Markieef Morris, Marcus Thornton.

as dumb as this sounds, i would love wall, but i have serious concerns about his skillset. He relies heavily on his athleticism and once that diminishes , he'll be a below average player because his skillset is limited. My ultimate concern moreso is the fact Wall hasn't really developed all that much, and that is partially on the organization but largely on Walls self determination.

Morris would make the most sense

[DBC10]

I'm not much of speculating trades, but with the wizards dysfunction I was pondering ways to get wall.

First trade
Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, 2017 1st
For
John Wall, Marcus Thornton, 2019 2nd

Second trade
Reggie Jackson, Stanley Johnson, Tobias Harris
For
John Wall, Markieef Morris, Marcus Thornton.

as dumb as this sounds, i would love wall, but i have serious concerns about his skillset. He relies heavily on his athleticism and once that diminishes , he'll be a below average player because his skillset is limited. My ultimate concern moreso is the fact Wall hasn't really developed all that much, and that is partially on the organization but largely on Walls self determination.

Morris would make the most sense

The thing is, Wall is such a high IQ player that always plays composed and is a pass first PG that can score at will too. Even if his athleticism diminishes, he'll always have his passing ability as well as his developing jumper that's seeing improvement this year.

Not to mention he's always been a plus defender for the majority of his career. The way he's making Gortat look like a great PnR man would be even better in this situation with Dre.

I think you do whatever a Wall trade comes our way. Almost at any cost and I think RJ has history with Brooks too so he wouldn't mind at all playing for him again. I think it has to be at least seriously considered. The biggest knock on Wall at this point is his injury concerns, but we have one of the better medical staffs in the league so I think he'll be fine here.