What's the difference?

[KG Living Legend]

 What's the difference between The Celtics who Ainge traded for two All Stars.   And also The Pats who Traded for Welker and Moss, And signed Stallworth.

 And Lebron, Bosh, and Wade. Who allegedly planned to all become free agents together and then join forces. Why isn't Lebrondo smart for understanding that he does need a D-wade type Closer to win Titles?

 Is it because it's unfair? Is it to simple to put two of the top five players in the game together. Like Kobe and Shaq in their prime.  And the add a top big man in the game.

 D-wade has been off the NBA radar come playoff time. 

 Bosh has never seen a true meaningful game in The NBA.

 And Lebron has never even won a Finals game. And can you really tell me that if you were Lebron and were expected to win four to six titles, you wouldn't go to the place where that could actually be a reality.

[JoeRowe23]

My problem is this. It’s too early. It is way too early to be thinking about going together with others. The big three we nowhere near their primes. They banded together and got a ring late in their career after staying faithful to their teams. Plus they were traded and put in Boston. They weren’t friends and they didn’t talk and conspire to do this thing earlier.

James, Wade, Bosh and now Paul are all in their primes or close to it. For them to join together is bad for the sport. They really are too strong and it’s unfair to other teams. I liked it better when the talent was spread out around the league. When the original “Big Three” got together they were all past their primes. Yes the team was better but not over whelming.

I equate it to this. Do you ever remember playing dodge ball? I do. The coach would pick teams and spread the wealth to make sure one team wasn’t stacked and the game was fair. But when he didn’t the kids with better skills beat up on the one who couldn’t throw a ball to save their lives.

LeBron and Paul are also looking like brats to me. James pulled the trigger on every trade proposed in Cleveland. Do you really think they traded for Shaq or Jamison without getting the great “King’s” approval? Then when things don’t work out he wants’ to leave them behind.  He is a quitter. He saw the easiest way to get a title and ran without even saying good bye. He wants to be mentioned with the names of great but is unwilling to carry his team.

Were in the “I want” league. He wants a ring to show off and call himself one of the best when he left his team high and dry. I get that Chris Paul is frustrated but his team could still pick up someone new. Or he could shut his mouth and wait till his contract is over to talk about leaving. But now he is demanding to be traded to a team with a really good player. The only teams like this though have nothing to give his team back, shows how much he cares now. He even asked to join forces with Amr’e and Carmelo to form their own “Big Three”.
This is wrong.

Garnett, Bryant, Pierce, Allen, Gasol All paid their dues before joining one another. They all had the horrible seasons and stayed with their teams out of loyalty. That’s what is missing now days.  Magic, Jordan and Bird didn’t say that, but you know they felt it.

All three stayed with their teams. Now yes they did win…a lot…but they loved to play against each other. There were times they probably could have joined in some weird scenario but they liked the challenge unlike the Miami Three. When Bird came into town Magic had to pull out some new trick. When Bird traveled though the East he had to lookout for Michael on his way to the finals.

They were rivals.

This age of play is missing that. The closest thing we had to a rivalry lately would be the Cavs and Celtics. But that is now thanks to James dead. This makes the sport unexciting for true fans and great for people who just want to rep the best team.

I have no problem with the Bulls though. No infract I love them right now. The keep their players. Made some trade and picked up Boozer and Korver.

This is really bad for the league now. If this team does become dominant, so dominant others can’t compete you will lose viewers. The NBA will lose money and teams will lose fans. The game will become boring.

LeBron was picked as one of the ones to save the NBA…..he just might now be doing the opposite now……at least in my view.

[KG Living Legend]

 Tp jo Row, for venting, and for changing my viewpoint on miami if it really is unfair and non competitive.

 I do feel that if they do become that dominant, a few other superteams will form also though.

[Roy Hobbs]

I've got no problem with it.  I didn't like the spectacle of "the decision", or the WWE introduction the following night.  However, I can't blame players who take less money in order to seek a title and play with one another.

As I've said before, though, I do think it will affect the legacy of all three players.  In all likelihood, it will amplify Wade's, and negatively affect Lebron's (he'll no longer be talked about among the best of all-time), and Bosh's (he may eventually be seen as more of a really good role player -- ala David Lee -- rather than as a star.)e

[JoeRowe23]

 Tp jo Row, for venting, and for changing my viewpoint on miami if it really is unfair and non competitive.

 I do feel that if they do become that dominant, a few other superteams will form also though.

i'm glad i could help. Thank you for the TP man. I don't like what the league is doing. It seems like the drive in players is starting to go away....League needs to stop this and soon.

[bopna]

I too believe that this definitely hurts Lebron's legacy...I mean to come into a situation like he has now with Wade and Bosh is just travesty. And this is definitely different from the situations of Bird, Magic, MJ and Hakeem.

Each era has its superstars and sets of allstars, the 80's had Magic, Dr.J, Bird,Thomas, Barkley as superstars in their Prime but did they conspire to commit to each other and say lets form a superteam and take over the league..NO.  What they did was compete and compete they did even at the expense of Barkley not winning a single Ring. Sure they had complimentary All Stars and HOF players at that, but that is what they are, complimentary All-Stars like Worthy, Mchale, Parish Dumars, Pippen, Drexler, Moses...were these players considered Superstars in their Prime, some would say yes, but do us really think if you put Mchale, or Parish in a situation without Bird they would win..How about Worthy, he will just be another Alex English if you ask me without Magic right?. They say MJ won't win without a Pippen, but just as in my argument, Pippen is not a Superstar, He is the ultimate utility HOF AllStar, but he never won anything when MJ retired didn't he?

So here lies the Rub...In todays NBA the classified Superstars are Lebron, Wade, Carmelo, CP3, Kobe...Now you team Lebron and Wade in their prime is like you just put MJ and Barkley together, or Bird and Magic on one team..That is not good for the rest of the league and the competition. had Lebron gone on to Chicago or NY, it would not have been a big issue since he will still be the Alpha dog and will have the ultimate help in Amare, but not the superstar that is Wade.If Lebron wins a ring in NY, It will be because he earned it. Not the same should he win a ring in Miami, ...I have no issues with Wade and Bosh since I just view Bosh like I view Pippen to MJ or Whats Worthy to Magic. Its just totally wrong in my perpective.

In order for Lebron to save his legacy, he would have to bolt out of Wade's shadow in five yrs, in which case he would only be 30, and try to win a title on his own with a complimentary piece and not continue to ride the coat tails of Wade. They can win 5 straight titles for all I care, but Lebron will NEVER EVER be mentioned in the same breath as Kobe, MJ, Magic or Bird...he is just going to be the King of all the second banana's out there.

[GreenEnvy]

Paul Pierce asked for help because the Celtics roster was woeful. I doubt he sat with Ainge and said let me start making calls to my friends around the league. Ray Allen didn't have a choice in the matter. Kevin Garnett decided to come here, and that's because his options were to stay in Minny and rot for another two seasons, or come to a team with two other great players. Easy decision.

What happened this offseason was entirely different. Was it fair? Sure. Just like the Yankees can sign whoever they want, they are playing within the rules. The Miami Thrice colluded long before LeBron's phantom dream the morning of the "decision". One man loses in this scenario: LeBron. Wade already has his ring and Finals MVP, and it is still his team, so his legacy can only improve. Bosh never stood a chance of creating a legacy of his own, and never will. He is not a franchise player. Good third wheel though (hello Lamar Odom). Then there is LeBron. The Chosen One. King James. Nope. Not any more. Now he is a ring chaser at the ripe old age of 25. He can NEVER be an all-time great now.

I'm fine with what they did, and I am worried about other teams in the NBA before them, because after all, it is a team game. Their three best players play the same position that we have all-stars too. Then we have far better players at the other two positions, which we can exploit.

I just don't like comparing them to us. Remember how sweet it was when we won in 2008? It was a story beyond just a team. It was about individual paths of greatness all leading to one. To one city. To the greatest basketball franchise. Every person involved - from Scott Pollard to the Big Three to the coaching staff and Danny Ainge - had a meaning, an individual story that made us more than a collection of players.

Honestly, nobody will care if Miami wins, other than Heat fans and the obvious bandwagoners. If they win next season, every season, or the last of the sixth, it really won't matter the morning after.

[GreenFaith1819]

LOL!

Ok - So I started this morning going over to ESPN.com, and of course they are talking about that team from FL again (no, not ORL, sorry Dwight )

What got a laugh out of me was what they are now calling "The Decision"....

"The Le-bacle"

Man I am going to enjoy seeing Boston knock these guys off for the next couple of years, seriously.

[Birdbrain]

Paul Pierce asked for help because the Celtics roster was woeful. I doubt he sat with Ainge and said let me start making calls to my friends around the league. Ray Allen didn't have a choice in the matter. Kevin Garnett decided to come here, and that's because his options were to stay in Minny and rot for another two seasons, or come to a team with two other great players. Easy decision.

What happened this offseason was entirely different. Was it fair? Sure. Just like the Yankees can sign whoever they want, they are playing within the rules. The Miami Thrice colluded long before LeBron's phantom dream the morning of the "decision". One man loses in this scenario: LeBron. Wade already has his ring and Finals MVP, and it is still his team, so his legacy can only improve. Bosh never stood a chance of creating a legacy of his own, and never will. He is not a franchise player. Good third wheel though (hello Lamar Odom). Then there is LeBron. The Chosen One. King James. Nope. Not any more. Now he is a ring chaser at the ripe old age of 25. He can NEVER be an all-time great now.

I'm fine with what they did, and I am worried about other teams in the NBA before them, because after all, it is a team game. Their three best players play the same position that we have all-stars too. Then we have far better players at the other two positions, which we can exploit.

I just don't like comparing them to us. Remember how sweet it was when we won in 2008? It was a story beyond just a team. It was about individual paths of greatness all leading to one. To one city. To the greatest basketball franchise. Every person involved - from Scott Pollard to the Big Three to the coaching staff and Danny Ainge - had a meaning, an individual story that made us more than a collection of players.

Honestly, nobody will care if Miami wins, other than Heat fans and the obvious bandwagoners. If they win next season, every season, or the last of the sixth, it really won't matter the morning after.

Great post.  You've encapsulated the difference much better than I ever could.  TP.  How great will it be if Boston knocks Miami out of the playoffs.

[Celtics4ever]

One a Gm initiated another players did solely.  I suspect there was tampering in the Miami one as well that will come out some day.  They will get a slap on the hand and lose some draft picks.

[GreenFaith1819]

Paul Pierce asked for help because the Celtics roster was woeful. I doubt he sat with Ainge and said let me start making calls to my friends around the league. Ray Allen didn't have a choice in the matter. Kevin Garnett decided to come here, and that's because his options were to stay in Minny and rot for another two seasons, or come to a team with two other great players. Easy decision.

What happened this offseason was entirely different. Was it fair? Sure. Just like the Yankees can sign whoever they want, they are playing within the rules. The Miami Thrice colluded long before LeBron's phantom dream the morning of the "decision". One man loses in this scenario: LeBron. Wade already has his ring and Finals MVP, and it is still his team, so his legacy can only improve. Bosh never stood a chance of creating a legacy of his own, and never will. He is not a franchise player. Good third wheel though (hello Lamar Odom). Then there is LeBron. The Chosen One. King James. Nope. Not any more. Now he is a ring chaser at the ripe old age of 25. He can NEVER be an all-time great now.

I'm fine with what they did, and I am worried about other teams in the NBA before them, because after all, it is a team game. Their three best players play the same position that we have all-stars too. Then we have far better players at the other two positions, which we can exploit.

I just don't like comparing them to us. Remember how sweet it was when we won in 2008? It was a story beyond just a team. It was about individual paths of greatness all leading to one. To one city. To the greatest basketball franchise. Every person involved - from Scott Pollard to the Big Three to the coaching staff and Danny Ainge - had a meaning, an individual story that made us more than a collection of players.

Honestly, nobody will care if Miami wins, other than Heat fans and the obvious bandwagoners. If they win next season, every season, or the last of the sixth, it really won't matter the morning after.

Great post.  You've encapsulated the difference much better than I ever could.  TP.  How great will it be if Boston knocks Miami out of the playoffs.

Not IF, my friend.....When.

[nickagneta]

I have less of a problem with them joining together(actually I have zero problem with it) than I do the way in which LeBron announced it and hung his old team out to dry.

As for legacies, well, they still have to gel and win it all in order for a great legacy to be born. I'm kind of hoping they fail and increase the legacy of the Celtics by losing to Boston in the playoffs every year. Then of course they will have their own ignominious legacy to contend with, that of being three losers who couldn't get it done.

[GreenEnvy]

Paul Pierce asked for help because the Celtics roster was woeful. I doubt he sat with Ainge and said let me start making calls to my friends around the league. Ray Allen didn't have a choice in the matter. Kevin Garnett decided to come here, and that's because his options were to stay in Minny and rot for another two seasons, or come to a team with two other great players. Easy decision.

What happened this offseason was entirely different. Was it fair? Sure. Just like the Yankees can sign whoever they want, they are playing within the rules. The Miami Thrice colluded long before LeBron's phantom dream the morning of the "decision". One man loses in this scenario: LeBron. Wade already has his ring and Finals MVP, and it is still his team, so his legacy can only improve. Bosh never stood a chance of creating a legacy of his own, and never will. He is not a franchise player. Good third wheel though (hello Lamar Odom). Then there is LeBron. The Chosen One. King James. Nope. Not any more. Now he is a ring chaser at the ripe old age of 25. He can NEVER be an all-time great now.

I'm fine with what they did, and I am worried about other teams in the NBA before them, because after all, it is a team game. Their three best players play the same position that we have all-stars too. Then we have far better players at the other two positions, which we can exploit.

I just don't like comparing them to us. Remember how sweet it was when we won in 2008? It was a story beyond just a team. It was about individual paths of greatness all leading to one. To one city. To the greatest basketball franchise. Every person involved - from Scott Pollard to the Big Three to the coaching staff and Danny Ainge - had a meaning, an individual story that made us more than a collection of players.

Honestly, nobody will care if Miami wins, other than Heat fans and the obvious bandwagoners. If they win next season, every season, or the last of the sixth, it really won't matter the morning after.

Great post.  You've encapsulated the difference much better than I ever could.  TP.  How great will it be if Boston knocks Miami out of the playoffs.

Seeding will be very important this season. Boston, Orlando, Miami, and Chicago seem like the clear favorites, then there is some distance to the bottom seeds of some combination of Milwaukee, Atlanta, New York, Charlotte, Cleveland, Washington.

I expect the Heat to rack up a lot of W's in the regular season. I'd be a little surprised if they don't win 60, but may be more than 65. I'd pencil them in atop the East for best record, but after that, it's a crap-shoot. The C's can win anywhere from 50 (still can't believe we lost 32 games last season) to 62 IMO. The Magic will be roughly the same team (high 50's most likely). Then there is Chicago, who can really go any which way.

I would like to see the Magic take on the Heat in the second round, as I strongly believe the Magic can dispose of the Heat easily. We take on Chicago in round 2. If not, I don't mind facing the Heat in the second round, as they won't be tested in the first round, they will be ripe for the picking.

[housecall]

I have less of a problem with them joining together(actually I have zero problem with it) than I do the way in which LeBron announced it and hung his old team out to dry.

As for legacies, well, they still have to gel and win it all in order for a great legacy to be born. I'm kind of hoping they fail and increase the legacy of the Celtics by losing to Boston in the playoffs every year. Then of course they will have their own ignominious legacy to contend with, that of being three losers who couldn't get it done.

TP...I agree with you that its not so much because he joined the Heat,its how he went about getting there.Its real bad when you here non-basketball people talking about it.The NBA didn't need something else to give them a blackeye.
I will never view those three as winners no matter what they do going forward.