CelticsStrong
Around the League => Around the NBA => Topic started by: Walter Moss on September 23, 2017, 01:10:25 PM
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The Thunder would send Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and the Bulls' 2018 second round pick to the Knicks for Carmelo Anthony.
per Woj
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Here's Woj' tweet
Adrian WojnarowskiVerified account
@wojespn
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New York has agreed to a deal to send Carmelo Anthony to OKC for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a draft pick, league sources tell ESPN.
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Love this deal for OKC. They get stronger and make it tougher for Golden State. Don't forget the Lakers are going to have an even harder time in the crowded West.
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Who is the third option? That's a tough fit, but fun if it works.
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This will either be really fun to watch or become an absolute dumpster fire.
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The Knicks somehow managed to trade away Carmelo Anthony and get worse defensively.
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
jp...speaking the truth again!
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That's exciting! Hope that makes OKC a power house and keeps PG there for good!
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
By extension I guess it makes the Fultz deal worse.
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Has Melo agree to it
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Russ - Roberson - PG - Melo - Adams
That's a great combo of offense and defense.
Just when I was ready to the 1 Team league pass package....
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Man this Ringer tweet on the East vs West just gets more and more true:
https://twitter.com/ringer/status/882305476247072768
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The Knicks somehow managed to trade away Carmelo Anthony and get worse defensively.
:D
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
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Give Presti and Co. credit. They've acquired two star players - one firmly in his prime - to pair with a reigning MVP in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Domantis Sabonis, Doug McDermott, and a Chicago 2nd rounder.
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Man this Ringer tweet on the East vs West just gets more and more true:
https://twitter.com/ringer/status/882305476247072768
That tweet is amazing.
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
By extension I guess it makes the Fultz deal worse.
Too soon to say. If you mean for LA 2018, possibly, but could make Sacramento 2019 pick more valuable. The pick is so variable it really is difficult to give it a value today.
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Sheesh what is this the 4th or 5th All-star to go out west this offseason? It's frustrating how bad the East is gonna be next season.
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Sheesh what is this the 4th or 5th All-star to go out west this offseason? It's frustrating how bad the East is gonna be next season.
Hayward should make the AS game easily!
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
There's a lot to be said for Melo, but he's dynamic when paired with other stars - look no further than the Olympics.
As far as him being a "winner", let's not pretend the Nuggets teams he was on weren't good. Unlike the great revered leader that is Chris Paul, Melo's actually been to a conference finals.
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
By extension I guess it makes the Fultz deal worse.
not necessarily. The stronger the west is, the more likely the lakers are going to be bad enough to give us that pick
but what crazy player movement this season? so many stars switching teams and not only that, going out west.
The east is going to be pretty bad this season. Only good teams I see are cavs, celtics, wizards....then everyone else.
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
By extension I guess it makes the Fultz deal worse.
Eh, somewhat, as at this point I'm not sure if we'll get LA's pick or Sacramento's pick.
But on the other hand, it makes quite a bit of sense since (1) we now have a young franchise point guard anyways (rendering Fultz redundant) and (2) it seems pretty clear that Danny wanted Tatum all along and rated him similarly to Fultz, meaning the trade just gained us a free asset.
At this point, I'd definitely rather have Kyrie, Tatum, and the LA pick than IT, Fultz, Crowder, Zizic, and the Brooklyn pick, especially given the hindsight of IT's injury.
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
I'm not a huge fan of Carmelo Anthony, but this is ridiculous. He was a great player for the Nuggets, and there's a reason he made the playoffs each of the first 10 years of his career. It's one thing to say he's a nothing player now, but he's not just "living off his college career"
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Sheesh what is this the 4th or 5th All-star to go out west this offseason? It's frustrating how bad the East is gonna be next season.
Hayward should make the AS game easily!
Kyrie, Gordon, and Al are all pretty much locks to make it at this point. Last year's East team lost FOUR forwards this year in Melo, PG, Butler, and Millsap! And with IT being doubtful due to his injury, Kyrie's a lock, too.
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
By extension I guess it makes the Fultz deal worse.
More bad teams in the East mean they trade wins and losses with each other. More quality in the West means every win is that much harder for the Lakers. The Lakers could be a better team this year but wind up with the same record.
My only regret with the Fultz trade is I think Ainge should have received the pick if it were 2-6 instead of 2-5.
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Wow
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
I can't. The 2015-16 Thunder did, but that was a better Thunder team playing against a worse Warriors team.
Durant+Ibaka>George+Melo, and Barnes<<<Durant
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
I can't. The 2015-16 Thunder did, but that was a better Thunder team playing against a worse Warriors team.
Durant+Ibaka>George+Melo, and Barnes<<<Durant
Barnes? ???
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The RingerVerified account
@ringer
27 active players have made multiple All-NBA teams. 22 play in the West, 4 in the East, and one is a free agent.
10:59 AM - 23 Sep 2017
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Give Presti and Co. credit. They've acquired two star players - one firmly in his prime - to pair with a reigning MVP in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Domantis Sabonis, Doug McDermott, and a Chicago 2nd rounder.
one year rental of both. Gutted bench
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Adams
Melo
Roberson
PG13
RW
Not bad.
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The Knicks are bad but much more fun now.
Ntilikina, Hardaway, McDermott, Porzingis, Kanter
I'd watch that lineup run Hornacek's PHX offense.
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Give Presti and Co. credit. They've acquired two star players - one firmly in his prime - to pair with a reigning MVP in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Domantis Sabonis, Doug McDermott, and a Chicago 2nd rounder.
one year rental of both. Gutted bench
Not really
As long as one or two of melo , pg13, rw are on the court at all times...
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Man this Ringer tweet on the East vs West just gets more and more true:
https://twitter.com/ringer/status/882305476247072768
That tweet is amazing.
Agreed. TP to bdm for posting it
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
I can't. The 2015-16 Thunder did, but that was a better Thunder team playing against a worse Warriors team.
Durant+Ibaka>George+Melo, and Barnes<<<Durant
Barnes? ???
He was the starting SF for the 2015-16 Warriors, Durant is the starting SF for the 2017-18 Warriors
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Give Presti and Co. credit. They've acquired two star players - one firmly in his prime - to pair with a reigning MVP in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Domantis Sabonis, Doug McDermott, and a Chicago 2nd rounder.
one year rental of both. Gutted bench
What bench?
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Give Presti and Co. credit. They've acquired two star players - one firmly in his prime - to pair with a reigning MVP in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Domantis Sabonis, Doug McDermott, and a Chicago 2nd rounder.
one year rental of both. Gutted bench
Melo's not opting out of $27m next season, so they've got him for 2 years. And if this team goes far - say the conference finals - does PG really walk away to the Lakers? Maybe he does, but OKC actually being good will make it tough.
As far as the bench, Patrick Paterson is an underrated piece. Raymond Felton has shown himself to be a capable guard off the bench. They kept Alex Abrines and Terrence Ferguson out of this deal. They'll need some type of development from Jerami Grant, but you can stagger the minutes of the starters and make the bench more than functional.
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
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When the Knicks play a lineup of Kanter, Noah, O'Quinn, Porzingis and Hernangomez will it be the tallest ever?
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The RingerVerified account
@ringer
27 active players have made multiple All-NBA teams. 22 play in the West, 4 in the East, and one is a free agent.
10:59 AM - 23 Sep 2017
On the plus side, only 5 active players have made the All-NBA team 8 or more times, and 3 are in the East. So the East has that going for it, which is nice.
Link. (https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=total&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&per_poss_base=100&season_start=1&season_end=-1&lg_id=NBA&age_min=0&age_max=99&is_active=Y&is_playoffs=N&height_min=0&height_max=99&birth_country_is=Y&as_comp=gt&as_val=0&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&award=all-nba-n&order_by=ws)
1 LeBron James 2005 2017 TOT NBA 13
2 Dirk Nowitzki 2001 2012 DAL NBA 12
3 Dwight Howard 2007 2014 TOT NBA 8
4 Chris Paul 2008 2016 TOT NBA 8
5 Dwyane Wade 2005 2013 MIA NBA 8
6 Kevin Durant 2010 2017 TOT NBA 7
7 Carmelo Anthony 2006 2013 TOT NBA 6
8 Russell Westbrook 2011 2017 OKC NBA 6
9 LaMarcus Aldridge 2011 2016 TOT NBA 4
10 Stephen Curry 2014 2017 GSW NBA 4
11 Pau Gasol 2009 2015 TOT NBA 4
12 Blake Griffin 2012 2015 LAC NBA 4
13 James Harden 2013 2017 HOU NBA 4
14 Tony Parker 2009 2014 SAS NBA 4
15 Paul Pierce 2002 2009 BOS NBA 4
16 Paul George 2013 2016 IND NBA 3
17 DeAndre Jordan 2015 2017 LAC NBA 3
18 Vince Carter 2000 2001 TOR NBA 2
19 DeMarcus Cousins 2015 2016 SAC NBA 2
20 Anthony Davis 2015 2017 NOP NBA 2
21 Marc Gasol 2013 2015 MEM NBA 2
22 Manu Ginobili 2008 2011 SAS NBA 2
23 Draymond Green 2016 2017 GSW NBA 2
24 Kawhi Leonard 2016 2017 SAS NBA 2
25 Damian Lillard 2014 2016 POR NBA 2
26 Kevin Love 2012 2014 MIN NBA 2
27 Klay Thompson 2015 2016 GSW NBA 2
28 Deron Williams 2008 2010 UTA NBA 2
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
But why? He has many of the top records already
Yes he could win more championships but winning 3 is good enough
He can make his money in other ways. He is already filthy rich. And you think he wants to keep moving around? He knows what he did to cleveland can only happen once
He is not going to the lakers and play with ball or deal with a pain like Lavar either
And he is not going to keep playing with this cavs roster to hit the wall in the finals. I predict he will retire either after this season or next and abruptly
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Give Presti and Co. credit. They've acquired two star players - one firmly in his prime - to pair with a reigning MVP in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Domantis Sabonis, Doug McDermott, and a Chicago 2nd rounder.
one year rental of both. Gutted bench
Good point; there's Patrick Patterson followed by Nick Collison, Raymond Felton, and a lot of uncertainty. An opportunity for Josh Huestis, if he can take it.
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OKC will be a FUN team to watch this year (along with Minnesota and Boston) ;D
But I also think this move could mean "George-To-LAL" or "Westbrook-To-LAL" hype is close to dead.
Especially if OKC gels, hard to see either going to the Lakers after this season, and Westbrook and Ball both CAN NOT co-exist on the same team.
Some of my Lakers friends are MAD at this move b/c they think George stays in OKC now :laugh:
But also because the West continues to get STACKED.
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Give Presti and Co. credit. They've acquired two star players - one firmly in his prime - to pair with a reigning MVP in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Domantis Sabonis, Doug McDermott, and a Chicago 2nd rounder.
one year rental of both. Gutted bench
I don't care if you literally have 8 mannequins for a bench, you trade that pile of garbage for George/Melo a hundred time out of a hundred. Even if both stick around for only one year you could argue that just getting Kanters and Oladipos salary off the books is a win.
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OKC will be a FUN team to watch this year (along with Minnesota and Boston) ;D
But I also think this move could mean "George-To-LAL" or "Westbrook-To-LAL" hype is close to dead.
Especially if OKC gels, hard to see either going to the Lakers after this season, and Westbrook and Ball both CAN NOT co-exist on the same team.
Some of my Lakers friends are MAD at this move b/c they think George stays in OKC now :laugh:
But also because the West continues to get STACKED.
There are a lot of teams in the west now that will have to prove themselves. Can Cousins and Davis coexist? Can OKC gel? Will Paul and Harden work together? Will Minnesota's Talent win out over fit? Depending on how these questions are answered we could have ZERO major movement next offseason, or another crazy one.
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
Where is Lebron going to go where he can be competitive? Lakers would have no chance in the West unless Lebron and 2 other top stars take a lot less than Max to go there. In the East, he'd be more competitive staying on the Cavs than any other team he could feasibly go to.
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Give Presti and Co. credit. They've acquired two star players - one firmly in his prime - to pair with a reigning MVP in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Domantis Sabonis, Doug McDermott, and a Chicago 2nd rounder.
one year rental of both. Gutted bench
Not really
As long as one or two of melo , pg13, rw are on the court at all times...
Until they put Raymond Felton and Kyle singler in the game and then what?
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
Where is Lebron going to go where he can be competitive? Lakers would have no chance in the West unless Lebron and 2 other top stars take a lot less than Max to go there. In the East, he'd be more competitive staying on the Cavs than any other team he could feasibly go to.
okc
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
But why? He has many of the top records already
Yes he could win more championships but winning 3 is good enough
He can make his money in other ways. He is already filthy rich. And you think he wants to keep moving around? He knows what he did to cleveland can only happen once
He is not going to the lakers and play with ball or deal with a pain like Lavar either
And he is not going to keep playing with this cavs roster to hit the wall in the finals. I predict he will retire either after this season or next and abruptly
There's plenty more to play for. I don't understand this line of thinking. He currently sits 7th on the NBA's all-time scoring list, 12th in assists. 1 more MVP win puts him on MJ's and Bill Russell's level, 2 more matches Kareem's all-time record.
LeBron's playing for history at this point.
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Now they need to get rid of Roberson and replace him with a two-way SG.
Then they have a starting 5 that can go toe-to-toe with the Warriors.
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This will either be really fun to watch or become an absolute dumpster fire.
One doesn't preclude the other.
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Give Presti and Co. credit. They've acquired two star players - one firmly in his prime - to pair with a reigning MVP in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Domantis Sabonis, Doug McDermott, and a Chicago 2nd rounder.
one year rental of both. Gutted bench
Not really
As long as one or two of melo , pg13, rw are on the court at all times...
Until they put Raymond Felton and Kyle singler in the game and then what?
Felton should be significantly better than the backup PGs that they had last year and Singler won't see the court much. Felton, Abrines, Patterson and Grant will be their bench.
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Now they need to get rid of Roberson and replace him with a two-way SG.
Then they have a starting 5 that can go toe-to-toe with the Warriors.
2-way wings are expensive so that is a pipe dream. They have Arines to provide some offense off the bench.
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
Where is Lebron going to go where he can be competitive? Lakers would have no chance in the West unless Lebron and 2 other top stars take a lot less than Max to go there. In the East, he'd be more competitive staying on the Cavs than any other team he could feasibly go to.
okc
How is that going to work? Lebron isn't going to take the MLE.
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I could see D.Wade joining the OKC after getting bought out sometime this season. I'm not saying it would work out well, but he's a 2 guard and they definitely could use one
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
Where is Lebron going to go where he can be competitive? Lakers would have no chance in the West unless Lebron and 2 other top stars take a lot less than Max to go there. In the East, he'd be more competitive staying on the Cavs than any other team he could feasibly go to.
True but I also don't think Cleveland ownership will want him back at another outrageous salary that keeps them in lottery hell. There's just so much money they can lose yearly before they come to the decision that Lebron just isn't worth it fiscally. I just think Cleveland might be at that point right now, otherwise why trade for the Brooklyn pick if not to rebuild without Lebron?
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
What an odd prediction.
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
Where is Lebron going to go where he can be competitive? Lakers would have no chance in the West unless Lebron and 2 other top stars take a lot less than Max to go there. In the East, he'd be more competitive staying on the Cavs than any other team he could feasibly go to.
True but I also don't think Cleveland ownership will want him back at another outrageous salary that keeps them in lottery hell. There's just so much money they can lose yearly before they come to the decision that Lebron just isn't worth it fiscally. I just think Cleveland might be at that point right now, otherwise why trade for the Brooklyn pick if not to rebuild without Lebron?
You seriously underestimate how valuable LeBron is if you think his contract is a loss of money.
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You get a superteam, you get a superteam, you get a superteam, and you a get superteam!
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8axeIHNapWA/WJH2i3OeqsI/AAAAAAAAX90/SjYJ8ccsSaQF-bFa0SqBCpjgmL3TyZw5ACLcB/s1600/Aprovacao%2Baplauso%2Bfelicidade%2Bglorificar%2Bde%2Bpe%2B1.gif)
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
Where is Lebron going to go where he can be competitive? Lakers would have no chance in the West unless Lebron and 2 other top stars take a lot less than Max to go there. In the East, he'd be more competitive staying on the Cavs than any other team he could feasibly go to.
True but I also don't think Cleveland ownership will want him back at another outrageous salary that keeps them in lottery hell. There's just so much money they can lose yearly before they come to the decision that Lebron just isn't worth it fiscally. I just think Cleveland might be at that point right now, otherwise why trade for the Brooklyn pick if not to rebuild without Lebron?
"Keeps them in lottery hell"? What the heck does that mean? As long as they have Lebron they'll be a playoff team in the weak East. They traded Irving because he demanded a traded and our offer was by far the best. That Nets pick can be used to rebuild if Lebron leaves but it could also be used in a trade to acquire more talent to put around Lebron if he stays.
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You get a superteam, you get a superteam, you get a superteam, and you a get superteam!
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8axeIHNapWA/WJH2i3OeqsI/AAAAAAAAX90/SjYJ8ccsSaQF-bFa0SqBCpjgmL3TyZw5ACLcB/s1600/Aprovacao%2Baplauso%2Bfelicidade%2Bglorificar%2Bde%2Bpe%2B1.gif)
3 good players and a completely gutted bench is a superteam?
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Now they need to get rid of Roberson and replace him with a two-way SG.
Then they have a starting 5 that can go toe-to-toe with the Warriors.
2-way wings are expensive so that is a pipe dream. They have Arines to provide some offense off the bench.
They don't need someone who is a high level player on both ends. Just someone who isn't a liability. Roberson is too much of a liability on offense against top teams in the playoffs to play in lineups with another non-shooter in Steven Adams.
They should try to trade him for someone with more balance.
Solid offense & average defense instead of elite defense and bad offense.
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You get a superteam, you get a superteam, you get a superteam, and you a get superteam!
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8axeIHNapWA/WJH2i3OeqsI/AAAAAAAAX90/SjYJ8ccsSaQF-bFa0SqBCpjgmL3TyZw5ACLcB/s1600/Aprovacao%2Baplauso%2Bfelicidade%2Bglorificar%2Bde%2Bpe%2B1.gif)
Hoping this is the Celtics next summer, with Ainge making a trade for another star to create OUR superteam 8) (with hopefully a decent bench too)
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I could see D.Wade joining the OKC after getting bought out sometime this season. I'm not saying it would work out well, but he's a 2 guard and they definitely could use one
Ooh, I like that. Wade would be a great 6th man for that group. Keep 2-3 scorers on the floor at all times. I don't like Wade as a starter though. Not enough balls to keep those 4 guys happy at the same time.
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Adams and roberson are perfect for defensive purposes
Presti comesout another winner here
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Thoughts:
1. Presti deserves a raise after offloading both Oladipdo and Kanter contracts and somehow getting PG13 and Melo.
2. It's kind of an odd fit but they should definitely be able to score points.
3. Don't think they have really good depth (like at all).
4. Lakers pick looking a little bit better.
5. Another swing and miss by CLE in trying to get another player in to help Lebron.
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That's a ton of talent, but the fit is fairly dubious, and the West is so absurdly stacked that a Conference Finals appearance would feel like a major overachievement.
This will be a big test for Melo - he has great players around him for the first time in a long time. If he keeps trying to play hero ball it's going to implode. If he can change his game to be primarily a spot-up and single dribble shooter, help move the ball, find spots to attack the boards and make at least a mediocre defensive effort, the team...will probably still lose in the 2nd round. MAN the West is stacked.
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Now they need to get rid of Roberson and replace him with a two-way SG.
Then they have a starting 5 that can go toe-to-toe with the Warriors.
2-way wings are expensive so that is a pipe dream. They have Arines to provide some offense off the bench.
They don't need someone who is a high level player on both ends. Just someone who isn't a liability. Roberson is too much of a liability on offense against top teams in the playoffs to play in lineups with another non-shooter in Steven Adams.
They should try to trade him for someone with more balance.
Solid offense & average defense instead of elite defense and bad offense.
So name names. Who should they get?
I'd rather have Roberson's elite defense and then Abrines bringing some offense off the bench. Roberson and Adams wouldn't necessarily be in they're closing lineup especially against GSW. They could go with Russ, PG, Melo, Patterson and Grant or Russ, Abrines, PG, Melo and Grant.
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Thoughts:
1. Presti deserves a raise after offloading both Oladipdo and Kanter contracts and somehow getting PG13 and Melo.
2. It's kind of an odd fit but they should definitely be able to score points.
3. Don't think they have really good depth (like at all).
4. Lakers pick looking a little bit better.
5. Another swing and miss by CLE in trying to get another player in to help Lebron.
Felton, Abrines, Patterson and Grant are solid depth.
No indication that the Cavs even made an offer for Melo. He just put them on his trade list.
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Now they need to get rid of Roberson and replace him with a two-way SG.
Then they have a starting 5 that can go toe-to-toe with the Warriors.
2-way wings are expensive so that is a pipe dream. They have Arines to provide some offense off the bench.
They don't need someone who is a high level player on both ends. Just someone who isn't a liability. Roberson is too much of a liability on offense against top teams in the playoffs to play in lineups with another non-shooter in Steven Adams.
They should try to trade him for someone with more balance.
Solid offense & average defense instead of elite defense and bad offense.
So name names. Who should they get?
I'd rather have Roberson's elite defense and then Abrines bringing some offense off the bench. Roberson and Adams wouldn't necessarily be in they're closing lineup especially against GSW. They could go with Russ, PG, Melo, Patterson and Grant or Russ, Abrines, PG, Melo and Grant.
They should have traded for Avery. Not shure that they could afford him, though I guess Marcus Morris is a beatable trade chip. That team would be nasty. still will be fun to watch, even though I don't think Melo is a superstar anymore, I doubt anyone believes that
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You get a superteam, you get a superteam, you get a superteam, and you a get superteam!
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8axeIHNapWA/WJH2i3OeqsI/AAAAAAAAX90/SjYJ8ccsSaQF-bFa0SqBCpjgmL3TyZw5ACLcB/s1600/Aprovacao%2Baplauso%2Bfelicidade%2Bglorificar%2Bde%2Bpe%2B1.gif)
3 good players and a completely gutted bench is a superteam?
Yes on paper I'd consider any team with 3 current All Star players a superteam. Hence the word "current"
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You get a superteam, you get a superteam, you get a superteam, and you a get superteam!
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8axeIHNapWA/WJH2i3OeqsI/AAAAAAAAX90/SjYJ8ccsSaQF-bFa0SqBCpjgmL3TyZw5ACLcB/s1600/Aprovacao%2Baplauso%2Bfelicidade%2Bglorificar%2Bde%2Bpe%2B1.gif)
Hoping this is the Celtics next summer, with Ainge making a trade for another star to create OUR superteam 8) (with hopefully a decent bench too)
Anthony Davis will be wearing green either next summer or the year after IMO.
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Now they need to get rid of Roberson and replace him with a two-way SG.
Then they have a starting 5 that can go toe-to-toe with the Warriors.
2-way wings are expensive so that is a pipe dream. They have Arines to provide some offense off the bench.
They don't need someone who is a high level player on both ends. Just someone who isn't a liability. Roberson is too much of a liability on offense against top teams in the playoffs to play in lineups with another non-shooter in Steven Adams.
They should try to trade him for someone with more balance.
Solid offense & average defense instead of elite defense and bad offense.
So name names. Who should they get?
I'd rather have Roberson's elite defense and then Abrines bringing some offense off the bench. Roberson and Adams wouldn't necessarily be in they're closing lineup especially against GSW. They could go with Russ, PG, Melo, Patterson and Grant or Russ, Abrines, PG, Melo and Grant.
They should have traded for Avery. Not shure that they could afford him, though I guess Marcus Morris is a beatable trade chip. That team would be nasty. still will be fun to watch, even though I don't think Melo is a superstar anymore, I doubt anyone believes that
Morris is better than anyone OKC had to give up. Plus Avery is going to be looking for a big pay day next offseason.
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Thoughts:
1. Presti deserves a raise after offloading both Oladipdo and Kanter contracts and somehow getting PG13 and Melo.
2. It's kind of an odd fit but they should definitely be able to score points.
3. Don't think they have really good depth (like at all).
4. Lakers pick looking a little bit better.
5. Another swing and miss by CLE in trying to get another player in to help Lebron.
Felton, Abrines, Patterson and Grant are solid depth.
No indication that the Cavs even made an offer for Melo. He just put them on his trade list.
Solid? I would say that is a stretch and that is being kind. That bench is poor. They need to add a buy out guy/FA to bolster it.
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
Where is Lebron going to go where he can be competitive? Lakers would have no chance in the West unless Lebron and 2 other top stars take a lot less than Max to go there. In the East, he'd be more competitive staying on the Cavs than any other team he could feasibly go to.
True but I also don't think Cleveland ownership will want him back at another outrageous salary that keeps them in lottery hell. There's just so much money they can lose yearly before they come to the decision that Lebron just isn't worth it fiscally. I just think Cleveland might be at that point right now, otherwise why trade for the Brooklyn pick if not to rebuild without Lebron?
"Keeps them in lottery hell"? What the heck does that mean? As long as they have Lebron they'll be a playoff team in the weak East. They traded Irving because he demanded a traded and our offer was by far the best. That Nets pick can be used to rebuild if Lebron leaves but it could also be used in a trade to acquire more talent to put around Lebron if he stays.
They paid $45 million in luxury tax last year for a team that got wiped out in the Finals. They will have to pay the repeater tax this year on $140 million team salary and still won't be any closer to a title. If they resign Lebron and IT they will be approaching $170 million team salary again on a repeater tax.
They will be losing huge gobs of money to lose in the Finals if they are lucky enough to get there. There comes a time when they will have to say, Lebron's $35+ million just isn't worth it.
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
Where is Lebron going to go where he can be competitive? Lakers would have no chance in the West unless Lebron and 2 other top stars take a lot less than Max to go there. In the East, he'd be more competitive staying on the Cavs than any other team he could feasibly go to.
True but I also don't think Cleveland ownership will want him back at another outrageous salary that keeps them in lottery hell. There's just so much money they can lose yearly before they come to the decision that Lebron just isn't worth it fiscally. I just think Cleveland might be at that point right now, otherwise why trade for the Brooklyn pick if not to rebuild without Lebron?
"Keeps them in lottery hell"? What the heck does that mean? As long as they have Lebron they'll be a playoff team in the weak East. They traded Irving because he demanded a traded and our offer was by far the best. That Nets pick can be used to rebuild if Lebron leaves but it could also be used in a trade to acquire more talent to put around Lebron if he stays.
They paid $45 million in luxury tax last year for a team that got wiped out in the Finals. They will have to pay the repeater tax this year on $140 million team salary and still won't be any closer to a title. If they resign Lebron and IT they will be approaching $170 million team salary again on a repeater tax.
They will be losing huge gobs of money to lose in the Finals if they are lucky enough to get there. There comes a time when they will have to say, Lebron's $35+ million just isn't worth it.
It is not "luxury tax hell" if you make the finals. I don't know how much the Cavs make but GSW earns 10M for each playoff home game. That covers a lot of luxury tax. The Cavs aren't losing gobs of money. They only showed up as losing money after revenue sharing and they didn't show up as losing money using the operating income methodology. Lebron brings them much more money than his salary costs them. If he leaves, they will truly be losing money and need revenue sharing to offset their losses.
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The idea that the Cavs are "losing gobs of money" paying for a roster featuring LeBron seem to reveal a rather curious and odd understanding of the business side of NBA. You really think Cleveland is losing money on a guy who recently signed a billion-dollar show deal? You do understand what played into him getting that billion-dollar shoe deal in the first place, right? Somehow Nike thinks LeBron is worth a billion-dollar investment, yet the Cavs are in the red with him? Sure...
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OKC getting aggressive. Awesome moves. This will be very fun to watch (for 1 season).
Mellow may be in an island of losing again after this season, as I doubt he opts out.
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
By extension I guess it makes the Fultz deal worse.
More bad teams in the East mean they trade wins and losses with each other. More quality in the West means every win is that much harder for the Lakers. The Lakers could be a better team this year but wind up with the same record.
My only regret with the Fultz trade is I think Ainge should have received the pick if it were 2-6 instead of 2-5.
This. Having six to eight bad teams means that there is a much higher chance of wins and losses among those teams being spread evenly.
The only argument that one could make against it, and it certainly has merit, is that the Knicks with Melo have a much better chance of beating LA in the two games that they play than without him. But it probably also means another win or two for all of the other east bottom feeders.
Mike
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
I'm not a huge fan of Carmelo Anthony, but this is ridiculous. He was a great player for the Nuggets, and there's a reason he made the playoffs each of the first 10 years of his career. It's one thing to say he's a nothing player now, but he's not just "living off his college career"
wow I give you and the other poster that quoted me credit. and I actually agree with both of you... in a sense.
most people don't seem to acknowledge his time with the nuggets, because the talk about Melo is usually "he doesn't win" and the reply is "that's because he hasn't played with anyone". I believe his success in Denver had more to do with the team around him.
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Can't disagree with this more. Lebron is going to be around until late in his 30's. He still has about $150+ million to earn and he is still in amazing physical condition.
Don't know where he will play as Cleveland is looking less and less likely to keep him, but Lebron will be around a while.
Where is Lebron going to go where he can be competitive? Lakers would have no chance in the West unless Lebron and 2 other top stars take a lot less than Max to go there. In the East, he'd be more competitive staying on the Cavs than any other team he could feasibly go to.
True but I also don't think Cleveland ownership will want him back at another outrageous salary that keeps them in lottery hell. There's just so much money they can lose yearly before they come to the decision that Lebron just isn't worth it fiscally. I just think Cleveland might be at that point right now, otherwise why trade for the Brooklyn pick if not to rebuild without Lebron?
"Keeps them in lottery hell"? What the heck does that mean? As long as they have Lebron they'll be a playoff team in the weak East. They traded Irving because he demanded a traded and our offer was by far the best. That Nets pick can be used to rebuild if Lebron leaves but it could also be used in a trade to acquire more talent to put around Lebron if he stays.
They paid $45 million in luxury tax last year for a team that got wiped out in the Finals. They will have to pay the repeater tax this year on $140 million team salary and still won't be any closer to a title. If they resign Lebron and IT they will be approaching $170 million team salary again on a repeater tax.
They will be losing huge gobs of money to lose in the Finals if they are lucky enough to get there. There comes a time when they will have to say, Lebron's $35+ million just isn't worth it.
It is not "luxury tax hell" if you make the finals. I don't know how much the Cavs make but GSW earns 10M for each playoff home game. That covers a lot of luxury tax. The Cavs aren't losing gobs of money. They only showed up as losing money after revenue sharing and they didn't show up as losing money using the operating income methodology. Lebron brings them much more money than his salary costs them. If he leaves, they will truly be losing money and need revenue sharing to offset their losses.
I'm pretty sure that $10m number for playoff home games comes from here. (http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19565518/nba-playoffs-warriors-sweep-bottom-line-not-look-wonderful) That's for Finals games only, not every playoff game, Finals tickets are much more expensive than the earlier 3 rounds. Plus GS has a much higher ticket price than Cleveland, it costs about 25% more just to get in the door in GS than Cleveland at least according to this article (http://time.com/money/4798003/cavaliers-warriors-nba-finals-tickets-prices/).
My SWAG for Cleveland might be something like $9m per Finals game, $7m per ECF game, $5m per 2nd round game, $3m per 1st round game. That's only $48m extra in revenue, that barely covers their $45m luxury tax bill (though actually I think it was closer to $25m last year, $45m would've been this year before the Kyrie/IT trade). Still losing money is losing money, doesn't matter if it was due to revenue sharing/luxury tax or not, as that's a cost teams have to bear.
I noticed you mentioned Cleveland didn't lose money if you look at operating income (http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20747413/a-confidential-report-shows-nearly-half-nba-lost-money-last-season-now-what), can you explain why you'd prefer to look at operating income before revenue sharing, rather than net income after revenue sharing? Which number do you think the owners are looking at? That negative net income number has to come out of their pockets, whether or not they had positive operating income.
All this to say, I don't think going to the Finals is the golden goose you think it is. Cavs went to the Finals and lost money. I can see a point approaching (if we're not already there) where the Cavs lose more money with LeBron than if they're a 20 win team without him.
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
Bingo .
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
"Living off his college career"
This has to be a joke.
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The Cavs salary problem isn't LBJ at $35M, it's all the role player vets he makes the team overpay to fill out the roster. TT, Korver, JR ... would be like salary cap cement shoes. That's where they overpay, and the deal is Lebron doesn't trust them to get the next Delladova after someone else over pays the guy who performed next to him the year before. So he holds the franchise hostage with short deals. That's why they pay all that money in salary, yet would crash without Lebron. Talent/salary ratio is off.
Interesting take on Kevin Love though, it seems nobody thinks very much of him.
Interesting that the Cavs weren't on Melo's list from the beginning. Or PG.
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Dumping Melo off is a win of NY in itself. added headache for OKC .....bet their coach is thrilled.
Good move for NY.
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Wooowwww. I think they're the second best team in the West if they gel together well, and I could see them giving GS all they can handle.
That Irving trade is just getting better and better for us, huh? That's now like 7 legit teams that will challenge Brooklyn for worst in the NBA - Brooklyn, Chicago, Indy, Atlanta, New York, LAL, Sacramento, and Phoenix.
By extension I guess it makes the Fultz deal worse.
not if we got our guy
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This will either be really fun to watch or become an absolute dumpster fire.
Yes, and whenever I have this POV it turns out to be the latter more than 80% of time. Truth is RW got some killer shooters tonspace for him.
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I love this move by OKC. I think the fit make sense - if there is one thing Melo can do it is shoot and he will get TONS of open looks with Westbrook and PG on the floor.
Really a great test for Westbrook to see if he can go from the MVP he was last year to a facilitator.
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
"Living off his college career"
This has to be a joke.
what has he done in the NBA?
he forced his way out of Denver(a good team at the time) to go to New York... just because it's "New York". and then when he gets there, he does nothing. and the argument is always "he had no teammates". well, ya know what? Pierce "had no teammates" either and took a bunch of scrubs to the eastern conference finals. sure the east was weak then... just like it was during melo's tenure so how many excuses are we going to make for the guy?
it seems like most people still tootin the melo horn are the ones that claimed long ago that he was going to be great are the ones that are still holding onto their prediction, just because they don't want to be proven wrong. where if they saw things for what they really are they would see he's done nothing in his career except score some points. reality is if you gave an average NBA player the hype and freedom to do whatever he wants, they'd likely be on par with Melo.
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
"Living off his college career"
This has to be a joke.
what has he done in the NBA?
he forced his way out of Denver(a good team at the time) to go to New York... just because it's "New York". and then when he gets there, he does nothing. and the argument is always "he had no teammates". well, ya know what? Pierce "had no teammates" either and took a bunch of scrubs to the eastern conference finals. sure the east was weak then... just like it was during melo's tenure so how many excuses are we going to make for the guy?
it seems like most people still tootin the melo horn are the ones that claimed long ago that he was going to be great are the ones that are still holding onto their prediction, just because they don't want to be proven wrong. where if they saw things for what they really are they would see he's done nothing in his career except score some points. reality is if you gave an average NBA player the hype and freedom to do whatever he wants, they'd likely be on par with Melo.
No way. He can score and rebound better than most, and can shoot. That's pretty big, and definitely still above average by a good spell.
He isn't the team leader his talent and early hype suggested, but he's one heck of a 3rd banana. Much better than, say, Otto Porter or Jrue.
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BIGGEST improvement I see out of OKC is that, when they have a lead and Westbrook sits, the scoring WILL NOT STOP.
Melo and PG13 will carry the load then, or even when 2 guys sit, one guy can score.
Last year when Westbrook sat, OKC looked like a horrible team and kept blowing leads or falling behind even more in games.
Oladipo wasn't doing enough. Now they add George (including his defense) and Melo (legit 22+ PPG scorer).
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Starting lineup of 3 olympians.
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That's a ton of talent, but the fit is fairly dubious, and the West is so absurdly stacked that a Conference Finals appearance would feel like a major overachievement.
This will be a big test for Melo - he has great players around him for the first time in a long time. If he keeps trying to play hero ball it's going to implode. If he can change his game to be primarily a spot-up and single dribble shooter, help move the ball, find spots to attack the boards and make at least a mediocre defensive effort, the team...will probably still lose in the 2nd round. MAN the West is stacked.
People have been saying that for so long now that I don't think that there's anymore "if" involved. Melo is what he is at this point and is probably best served to play the Mark Aguirre role as the latter did so well for the Pistons for some contending team, but starting? Well, that's pretty difficult at this point, imo, and he and Westbrook cannot play with each other. That's a terrible fit, imo, as you've got two me-me-me guys who suffer from acute tunnel vision, don't play defense, and absolutely destroy any semblance of ball movement. Pairing George with Westbrook would have been great by itself as PG plays very well without the ball, is an excellent passer, and, of course, his defense speaks for itself. He's not the problem, it's the other two that are really going to struggle, imo. At least in Houston both Paul and Harden can shoot, but Westbrook? No. Just no.
As for their bench now - yikes. I wouldn't be surprised to see Presti at least attempt to sign - assuming that they have any veteran minimum deals left, anyway - Barbosa and David Lee. Monta Ellis probably wouldn't fit, there, and the same goes for Rodney Stuckey, but we'll see what happens. Why didn't Presti just trade for George and Stephenson? Lance would have been a great sixth man at the 1, 2, and 3, imo. Oh well :-\.
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2018 East All-Stars Starting 5
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Gordon Hayward
SF: LeBron James
PF: Marcus Morris
C: Al Horford
Pretty much right.
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Starting lineup of 3 olympians.
If Melo replicates his 2016 Brazil Olympic days...OKC will be in the Finals in 2018.
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2018 East All-Stars Starting 5
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Gordon Hayward
SF: LeBron James
PF: Marcus Morris
C: Al Horford
Pretty much right.
Lol TP
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So that's how may free wins we are getting by just being in the Atlantic Division?
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This helps Hayward have a better chance at all star games and the like.
Starting lineup of 3 olympians.
And only one ball that can be had at the same time.
I think it helps OKC, NYC not so much. This should make GS have to work a little harder to make the finals.
The Cavs salary problem isn't LBJ at $35M, it's all the role player vets he makes the team overpay to fill out the roster. TT, Korver, JR ... would be like salary cap cement shoes.
Do you realize who demanded those guys were on the team? So, in the end, it is still LeBron's fault as they fold to his pressure and requests quite often.
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Why would he do that with at least another $100m (3 x $33m per year) in earning power still in his tank? Playing basketball is his only job skill.
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Why would he do that with at least another $100m (3 x $33m per year) in earning power still in his tank? Playing basketball is his only job skill.
Yeah that makes no sense. James wants to go down as the greatest player ever. Thus, I think he plays long enough to be the all time leading scorer (which should also put him very high up on the rebounding and assist lists). Playing that long also gives him a great shot at playing in more NBA Finals than anyone else (though he won't catch Russell in Finals wins). In addition, that might actually get him long enough to potentially play with his son (assuming his son lives up to the hype he is already getting).
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So...if Melo and PG stay in OKC with Westbrook, does Lebron still want to go to the Western Conference next season?
Naw
I predict Lebron will retire after next season
He showed me last season he is content with what he has done/accomplished
After next season the Cavs are going to trade Love etc for the purpose to rebuild
Lebron either becomes the new president of basketball operations or something left field and joins the Clippers as the new president.
His playing days in the league will soon be over.
Why would he do that with at least another $100m (3 x $33m per year) in earning power still in his tank? Playing basketball is his only job skill.
Yeah that makes no sense. James wants to go down as the greatest player ever. Thus, I think he plays long enough to be the all time leading scorer (which should also put him very high up on the rebounding and assist lists). Playing that long also gives him a great shot at playing in more NBA Finals than anyone else (though he won't catch Russell in Finals wins). In addition, that might actually get him long enough to potentially play with his son (assuming his son lives up to the hype he is already getting).
I can't see Lebron retiring while he is still a top player in the league and able to be the alpha dog on a contender. I'll be surprised if he is willing to be 2nd fiddle to someone like Shaq did with Wade.
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
"Living off his college career"
This has to be a joke.
what has he done in the NBA?
he forced his way out of Denver(a good team at the time) to go to New York... just because it's "New York". and then when he gets there, he does nothing. and the argument is always "he had no teammates". well, ya know what? Pierce "had no teammates" either and took a bunch of scrubs to the eastern conference finals. sure the east was weak then... just like it was during melo's tenure so how many excuses are we going to make for the guy?
it seems like most people still tootin the melo horn are the ones that claimed long ago that he was going to be great are the ones that are still holding onto their prediction, just because they don't want to be proven wrong. where if they saw things for what they really are they would see he's done nothing in his career except score some points. reality is if you gave an average NBA player the hype and freedom to do whatever he wants, they'd likely be on par with Melo.
A scoring title
5 seasons of more than 25 ppg
Never scored less than 20 a game for is entire career
Led average Nuggets team to WCF
Led every team he's been on to playoffs up until 3 years ago despite his 2 best teammates in that span being Amare Stoudemire and an old ass AI
Led Knicks to first playoff series win in well over a decade
Led Knicks to 54 wins
He's not Lebron James but he's not coasting off his reputation from college. Saying that is patently absurd.
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You put all these stars together, and then the coach has to figure out how to make the team better. OKC is now in that situation, along with the Celtics and the Wolves. You know these teams can get better, but only at the sacrifice of individual stats (usage) of each of the stars.
For example, adding Melo to George and Westbrook is bound to drop the usage of each , and that will figure in fantasy drafts. Adding Butler to Wiggins and Towns will do the same to each. And then there's Irving, Hayward and Horford. I doubt you'll see monster stat years from any of those guys compared to last year.
Now this has no bearing on team performance--with the right coaching, these teams will be improved. But it will affect fantasy drafts.
GS is an interesting case: KD and Curry worked without losing much usage, but Green, the other major player, is not a scorer. Houston has added Paul to Harden, but two stars won't make as much a difference as three.
Putting three stars together should improve a team, but their individual stats might take a hit.
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
"Living off his college career"
This has to be a joke.
what has he done in the NBA?
he forced his way out of Denver(a good team at the time) to go to New York... just because it's "New York". and then when he gets there, he does nothing. and the argument is always "he had no teammates". well, ya know what? Pierce "had no teammates" either and took a bunch of scrubs to the eastern conference finals. sure the east was weak then... just like it was during melo's tenure so how many excuses are we going to make for the guy?
it seems like most people still tootin the melo horn are the ones that claimed long ago that he was going to be great are the ones that are still holding onto their prediction, just because they don't want to be proven wrong. where if they saw things for what they really are they would see he's done nothing in his career except score some points. reality is if you gave an average NBA player the hype and freedom to do whatever he wants, they'd likely be on par with Melo.
A scoring title
5 seasons of more than 25 ppg
Never scored less than 20 a game for is entire career
Led average Nuggets team to WCF
Led every team he's been on to playoffs up until 3 years ago despite his 2 best teammates in that span being Amare Stoudemire and an old ass AI
Led Knicks to first playoff series win in well over a decade
Led Knicks to 54 wins
He's not Lebron James but he's not coasting off his reputation from college. Saying that is patently absurd.
Agreed. Melo has taken so much abuse lately that if anything I think he's now underrated.
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
"Living off his college career"
This has to be a joke.
what has he done in the NBA?
he forced his way out of Denver(a good team at the time) to go to New York... just because it's "New York". and then when he gets there, he does nothing. and the argument is always "he had no teammates". well, ya know what? Pierce "had no teammates" either and took a bunch of scrubs to the eastern conference finals. sure the east was weak then... just like it was during melo's tenure so how many excuses are we going to make for the guy?
it seems like most people still tootin the melo horn are the ones that claimed long ago that he was going to be great are the ones that are still holding onto their prediction, just because they don't want to be proven wrong. where if they saw things for what they really are they would see he's done nothing in his career except score some points. reality is if you gave an average NBA player the hype and freedom to do whatever he wants, they'd likely be on par with Melo.
A scoring title
5 seasons of more than 25 ppg
Never scored less than 20 a game for is entire career
Led average Nuggets team to WCF
Led every team he's been on to playoffs up until 3 years ago despite his 2 best teammates in that span being Amare Stoudemire and an old ass AI
Led Knicks to first playoff series win in well over a decade
Led Knicks to 54 wins
He's not Lebron James but he's not coasting off his reputation from college. Saying that is patently absurd.
Agreed. Melo has taken so much abuse lately that if anything I think he's now underrated.
I also think this can be a good move for the Thunder, I mean for the package they gave up to get both George and Melo is simply amazing, almost no 1st rounders/high 1st are included (correct me if i am wrong), for 2 disgruntled star players..
if anything I feel like next year Melo is going to have a good year, just for being ranked 64 by ESPN, he has a lot to prove that he may not be top 10 player anymore but 64?
And I also feel like if they meet the Rockets next year in the playoffs, it'll be quite interesting
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still not impressed. scoring titles don't mean anything.
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still not impressed. scoring titles don't mean anything.
Ridiculous.
The last 10 scoring title winners:
Westbrook
Curry
Durant
Anthony
Wade
James
Bryant
Iverson
McGrady
O'Neal
but even if we throw out a scoring title... which would be absurd. And we also throw out his scoring 20 a game every year of his career, or his scoring over 25 multiple times... again... absurd.
How about carrying the Knicks to 54 wins? How about 6 all-nba teams? How about leading Denver to seasons of 49, 50, 54 and 53 wins?
How about 10 all star games?
How about leading New York to its first playoff series win in over a decade?
What about leading a very average Nuggets team past the Chris Paul led Hornets and the Dirk led Mavs to reach the Western conference finals?
If you wanna say Melo is overrated, then fine. Go for it. You might be right.
Dont be a knucklehead and claim its because of what he did at Syracuse. Thats just dumb and makes you look bad.
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You put all these stars together, and then the coach has to figure out how to make the team better. OKC is now in that situation, along with the Celtics and the Wolves. You know these teams can get better, but only at the sacrifice of individual stats (usage) of each of the stars.
For example, adding Melo to George and Westbrook is bound to drop the usage of each , and that will figure in fantasy drafts. Adding Butler to Wiggins and Towns will do the same to each. And then there's Irving, Hayward and Horford. I doubt you'll see monster stat years from any of those guys compared to last year.
Now this has no bearing on team performance--with the right coaching, these teams will be improved. But it will affect fantasy drafts.
GS is an interesting case: KD and Curry worked without losing much usage, but Green, the other major player, is not a scorer. Houston has added Paul to Harden, but two stars won't make as much a difference as three.
Putting three stars together should improve a team, but their individual stats might take a hit.
what happens if wade goes to okc and is promised starting role
Record breaking low usage for most of them?
-
You put all these stars together, and then the coach has to figure out how to make the team better. OKC is now in that situation, along with the Celtics and the Wolves. You know these teams can get better, but only at the sacrifice of individual stats (usage) of each of the stars.
For example, adding Melo to George and Westbrook is bound to drop the usage of each , and that will figure in fantasy drafts. Adding Butler to Wiggins and Towns will do the same to each. And then there's Irving, Hayward and Horford. I doubt you'll see monster stat years from any of those guys compared to last year.
Now this has no bearing on team performance--with the right coaching, these teams will be improved. But it will affect fantasy drafts.
GS is an interesting case: KD and Curry worked without losing much usage, but Green, the other major player, is not a scorer. Houston has added Paul to Harden, but two stars won't make as much a difference as three.
Putting three stars together should improve a team, but their individual stats might take a hit.
what happens if wade goes to okc and is promised starting role
Record breaking low usage for most of them?
Why would OKC start Wade over Roberson?
The last thing they need is yet another ball dominant, non spot up shooter who’s defense is only getting worse next to RW, PG13, and Melo. Roberson’s elite defense is critical for that team.
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this is a nothing move imo. I've long felt Anthony is overrated... because he is. this is just a name being moved, a name who's living off his college career. there is no substance to Anthony's game, for all the points he scores his team is worse off.
and he's a coach killer.
"Living off his college career"
This has to be a joke.
what has he done in the NBA?
he forced his way out of Denver(a good team at the time) to go to New York... just because it's "New York". and then when he gets there, he does nothing. and the argument is always "he had no teammates". well, ya know what? Pierce "had no teammates" either and took a bunch of scrubs to the eastern conference finals. sure the east was weak then... just like it was during melo's tenure so how many excuses are we going to make for the guy?
it seems like most people still tootin the melo horn are the ones that claimed long ago that he was going to be great are the ones that are still holding onto their prediction, just because they don't want to be proven wrong. where if they saw things for what they really are they would see he's done nothing in his career except score some points. reality is if you gave an average NBA player the hype and freedom to do whatever he wants, they'd likely be on par with Melo.
A scoring title
5 seasons of more than 25 ppg
Never scored less than 20 a game for is entire career
Led average Nuggets team to WCF
Led every team he's been on to playoffs up until 3 years ago despite his 2 best teammates in that span being Amare Stoudemire and an old ass AI
Led Knicks to first playoff series win in well over a decade
Led Knicks to 54 wins
He's not Lebron James but he's not coasting off his reputation from college. Saying that is patently absurd.
Agreed. Melo has taken so much abuse lately that if anything I think he's now underrated.
I also think this can be a good move for the Thunder, I mean for the package they gave up to get both George and Melo is simply amazing, almost no 1st rounders/high 1st are included (correct me if i am wrong), for 2 disgruntled star players..
Only draft pick involved in either trade this summer was the second rounder they got from Chicago in the Cameron Payne trade. It's certain to be a high second rounder, but eh. I don't think OKC is losing sleep over potentially having to rebuild next summer and not having that Chicago pick in their draft coffers. They're likely not finding a franchise cornerstone that late in the draft.