Greg Oden Chooses Miami (merged)

[gpap]

Could be a meaningless signing... could be absolutely huge.

If Greg played as well as he did when he was healthy... and stays healthy... Miami is going to be ridiculous.

Yup. Even if Oden comes off the bench as an effective back up center to Birdman, that still spells doom for the rest of the NBA.

It's like with every passing title, whatever minor weaknesses Miami has, they keep filling them to the point where I wouldn't be surprised if some year they go 82-0.

Look at Birdman. At first he didn't seem like much of a pick-up, but he came up big for Miami in the playoffs.

[European NBA fan]

It is the obvious choice for Oden, moreso because he can't expect to have a long and healthy NBA career. If he can only play for one season, why not go with the best player on the planet, and a place where he can sit out, whenever he needs to.

I wouldn't be surprised though, if he can't take the heat (so to speak). His health issues also resulted in a mental breakdown (drinking problems etc.). I hope for him that it is all behind him, but it has probably taken it's toll on him.

[lightspeed5]

now all miami needs is a legit point guard and theyd be set for a while.

[get_banners]

If Oden is anything like he used to be (which, quite frankly, I doubt), Miami is going to be a juggernaut. Apparently front-runner-itis is running through the NBA like crazy. (I actually get this move for Oden minus the front-runner thing, though it is incredibly annoying. Think any of the all-time NBA legends would have ever tried to create super-teams with their peers vs. wanting to beat their peers? No chance)

[lightspeed5]

ring chasers

[Roy H.]

now all miami needs is a legit point guard and theyd be set for a while.

Are they still pursuing Mo Williams?

[LarBrd33]

1 million this year and a player option for Oden at 1 mil next year.

Zero risk for Miami.

Greg can spend a year with zero pressure slowly recovering and getting into game shape.  If it doesn't work out... who cares.

If it does work out and shocks everyone by being a beast and contributing to a dominant title contender, he can opt out after the season (where LeBron could also opt out) and sign elsewhere for huge money.

[JSD]

This is just stupid! They signed him for the min because the min is Miami is more there than anywhere else because there's no taxes! The league should address this advantage. Another thing it should address is max salary. Lebron should be making $60 Million a year by himself. That would handicap any team who signed him to not be able to sign other max guys. Keep the soft cap but allow the free market to work it's magic. This system stinks.

[LarBrd33]

This is just stupid! They signed him for the min because the min is Miami is more there than anywhere else because there's no taxes! The league should address this advantage. Another thing it should address is max salary. Lebron should be making $60 Million a year by himself. That would handicap any team who signed him to not be able to sign other max guys. Keep the soft cap but allow the free market to work it's magic. This system stinks.

It should be interesting to see how that pans out.  What if Oden plays like he did pre-injury, but without the foul trouble?  He was putting up per-36 numbers of like 17 points, 13 boards and 4 blocks a night.  It's almost unthinkable, but what if he starts putting up monster games like his final NBA appearance where he played 30 minutes and had 13 points, 20 rebounds and 4 blocks?   Then would he just opt out and go play on the Lakers with LeBron and Andrew Wiggins??

[JSD]

This is just stupid! They signed him for the min because the min is Miami is more there than anywhere else because there's no taxes! The league should address this advantage. Another thing it should address is max salary. Lebron should be making $60 Million a year by himself. That would handicap any team who signed him to not be able to sign other max guys. Keep the soft cap but allow the free market to work it's magic. This system stinks.

It should be interesting to see how that pans out.  What if Oden plays like he did pre-injury, but without the foul trouble?  He was putting up per-36 numbers of like 17 points, 13 boards and 4 blocks a night.  It's almost unthinkable, but what if he starts putting up monster games like his final NBA appearance where he played 30 minutes and had 13 points, 20 rebounds and 4 blocks?   Then would he just opt out and go play on the Lakers with LeBron and Andrew Wiggins??

Are you trying to get me to jump the Tobin? I'm on the edge here... You're nudging.

[JSD]

The Lakers have no shot at Wiggins. They will be a cusp playoff team out west.

[LarBrd33]

The Lakers have no shot at Wiggins. They will be a cusp playoff team out west.

Without Dwight?  I know they say Kobe is ahead of progress, but I thought there was a strong possibility he missed the entire season.

[alley oop]

He wanted to go there all along. The pretense he was deciding between them and others teams was phony.

[gpap]

now all miami needs is a legit point guard and theyd be set for a while.

Are they still pursuing Mo Williams?

Yup. Memphis and Miami are the front runners for Mo.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1720446-why-mo-williams-must-spurn-miami-heat-for-memphis-grizzlies-in-free-agency

Wonder where he'll go?

Not to mention he used to play with Lebron.

[JSD]

The Lakers have no shot at Wiggins. They will be a cusp playoff team out west.

Without Dwight?  I know they say Kobe is ahead of progress, but I thought there was a strong possibility he missed the entire season.

The last report I saw he was on pace to start opening day.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9339567/kobe-bryant-los-angeles-lakers-aims-opener-wants-last-word-dwight-howard