Comments on: The Wild West

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:51:18 +0000

When will the league get around to passing a rule that says bought out players cannot resign with the team that just traded them? If Antonio McNugget ends up back with the Pistons… it’s just not right.

JackM, I was a Buff from 95-00, and even split season tickets with friends for the Nuggets opening of the Can )(the Pepsi Center), and the 2nd(?) worst single season record. Good times. I had a couple classes with Chauncey: he’d walk in, put his head down, get up an hour later and leave. Rough life.

By: alex v.

alex v. — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:47:00 +0000

I can help, Plan9: in the aftermath of Kobe’s depature, the league passes a special rule allowing teams to match offers from out of the league regardless of cap.

Mysteriously, Kobe and Lebron get offers in 2010 which are exactly what the Lakers are willing to play. Rumors about shoe money and David Stern (who hasn’t been seen in public for over a year at that point) abound.

By: Plan9FOS

Plan9FOS — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:22:54 +0000

Yes, it looks like even without Kobe and Lamar, the Lakers would only have about $9 M – $12 M to work with (depending on the 09-10 salary cap level).

Barring other moves, of course.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:06:00 +0000

36. The funny thing is, even if Kobe left, and the Lakers somehow added no new salary, the Lakers wouldn’t be able to sign LeBron in two summers unless he decided to come here for the MLE.

By: Plan9FOS

Plan9FOS — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:56:33 +0000

Summer 2009 – Kobe opts out to play for $50 M for 1 year in Greece.

09-10 season – Lakers suffer

Summer 2010 – Lakers sign LeBron. Kobe, who’s made 2 years money in 1, shocks NBA world by signing with Lakers for mid-level.

10-11 to 12-13 seasons – Lakers win 3 championships and break NBA record with 74 win season.

As the Emperor said, “I have foreseen it”.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:06:16 +0000

Some observations and comments on previous comments.
Miami as constituted is horrible,they are nowhere close to a Playoff team.
As noted AI gives Detroit somebody who can take over a game and win it,something Detroit has sorely lacked. For all the Detroit talk,they haven’t made the Finals the last 3 yrs and it’s obvious the old roster just wasn’t good enough. Detroit sure must feel their young PFs are ready-or else Hermann has really turned some heads there.
Denver’s better,but they are still a 6-8 seed. At the end of a game who’s taking the shot?
LA,Utah and Houston are still the class of the West because of their depth. These teams can all have a player go out for a week or two and still win,where other teams will go thru a mini-funk. NO is a very good team,but they need everything go right,and I think this season is going to be a grind for them and they will falter towards end of season.
Early but the best trades look to be Gasol,Artest,Korver and Miller/Love.(Didn’t like the Artest trade,and still have misgivings,but w/out him the Rockets are probably 0-3.)
If,IF,McDyess is bought out it will be interesting to see who pursues him. A solid tall defensive big man who would prob come cheap?
If he wants to FU Detroit-Toronto,Orlando,Cavs. Substantial minutes-Miami. Shot at title-SA,Hou,NO.
Cavs would be interesting as they could then move Varejao for a SG.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:18:15 +0000

33. I don’t know. Maybe they can win a title or two with him, but, if a LeBron move is really about international brand marketing, about the $$ from endorsements and shoe companies, Detroit doesn’t cut it. Really, only three markets do, and he isn’t coming here.

By: E-ROC

E-ROC — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:12:02 +0000

Lebron James is taking notes of this transaction. The Pistons will probably be the favorite now. Don’t for get about Stuckey. The Pistons obviously believe in his abilities. They have a nice core, one of the best in the league. Afflalo is another piece, along with Maxiell. Dumars does it again.

By: The Dude Abides

The Dude Abides — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:07:52 +0000

I haven’t seen it mentioned much here, but I also think that Dumars is shaking things up attitude wise. He’s hoping that the presence of Iverson lights a fire under certain Pistons (cough Sheed cough cough) and solves its complacency problem. So, the three things the trade could accomplish are (1) lighting a fire, (2) freeing up cap space for 2009 and 2010, and (3) giving the team a go-to guy to close games. Iverson still has that competitive fire, and maybe some of it will rub off on Sheed. One thing for sure, the Pistons could set the season record for getting T’d up (AI, Rip, and Sheed).

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:55:21 +0000

New post up, keep the Iverson talk going here