Apparently, Mike Miller to the Heat isn't exactly a done deal yet. I think it will be soon. Why would you want to go anywhere else at this point?
Raymond Felton is about to sign with the Knicks. That team is slowly coming together, although i still plan to laugh out loud when I see their final roster.
Travis Outlaw signed with the Nets and Kyle Korver signed with the Bulls. I know that the Bulls got Boozer, but was this second to Lebron for both teams otherwise?
Tyrus Thomas resigned with the Bobcats. The Nets expressed interest, like they're going to with Luis Scola. I am hoping Schola resigns with my Rockets. They still need to grab another power forward somehow too.
The top free agents are now Scola, Josh Childress, Ron Brewer, Richard Jefferson, Al harrington, and JJ Redick. I bet somewhere the Nets brass are more than a little upset at their haul. They could still get Childress or Scola but I don't really see that happening unless they really overpay for one of the two players. I see the Nets keeping their cap space to sign players over the next couple seasons.
It is a little early to tell, but right now I would say that the "winners" of this offseason so far are the Lakers, Heat, Bulls, Knicks, Bucks, and Thunder. Obviously, the Heat have gained the most. The Lakers are still going to be the defending champions and Steve Blake has been one of the best, quiet acquisitions so far. The Bulls did fairly well, although they could have done better. The Knicks are bummed on missing Lebron, but they still improved to a 45 win team. The Bucks and Thunder quietly will keep improving.
In baseball news, Stephen Strasburg pitched fairly well again tonight, eight strikeouts and one run in six innings. Not bad.
7.09.2010
RIOTFEST CHICAGO
I really like the lineup for this festival, several bands that have meant a lot to me at various points in my life will be making appearances. I usually bail on events like this and I can't imagine this being any different. Midwest people should definitely take note though.
LOL
YANKEES SUCK!!!
I really hope another team steps up and makes a better offer for Cliff Lee. It would be unfair for the Yanks to get him.
Lebron fallout
I hope all of this is the last I will mention of all this free agency drama, but only time will tell.
As you have probably heard by now, Dan Gilbert issued an open letter to Cavs fans shortly after Lebron's reality tv special was over last night. Here is the letter. I would now like to rip this letter step by step.
"...who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening"
Cheap shot number one from Mr. Gilbert. If I was 25 and my options were to stay in Cleveland or go down to Miami with my best friends I would make the same exact decision. Hell, this team makes ME want to move down to SOBE at some point in the next year or two.
"You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal."
Actually, you do. I have been comparing Kevin Garnett to Lebron for about eight hours now and I will probably continue to do so for the rest of the summer. He was stuck in a very similar situation for a few more seasons. I don't blame Lebron for not wanting that to happen to him.
"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE
You can take it to the bank. "
Who exactly does Gilbert plan on acquiring with his spare parts on his roster? They have less than ten million to work with under the salary cap and no player is going to want to play there now. I know it is good to be optimistic but I don't think you should be publicly lying to your franchise on the night it's biggest superstar ever just walked.
"Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.
Sorry, but that's simply not how it works."
Ok, first off why is Gilbert trying to connect all of this spirituality nonsense with this Lebron thing? Who made him God?
"This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become."
I think he is trying to say that we should teach our children to make as much money as possible, but never to worry about your own happiness and to make competing secondary. In a sport where you are defined by how many titles you win, Lebron decided to go somewhere where he will make a little bit less money, but more than likely win plenty of titles. Maybe if Cleveland could have acquired someone of the likes of Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Kevin Garnett, or Ray Allen, none of this would have happened. Instead, the running mates they acquired for him included Wally Szczerbiak, Ben Wallace (not playing like Ben Wallace for the most part), Delonte West (who supposedly banged Lebron's mom), Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, Antwan Jamison, and an old Shaq. While Jamison and Williams are good players, neither is someone I would build a championship roster around.
"Sleep well, Cleveland.
Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day.... "
Sorry, but this is also not true. Cleveland fans are in for a long bumpy ride now.
One other thing I would like to make commentary on is the fact that Dan Gilbert is saying that Lebron quit during the playoffs the last two seasons. I would love to give a long winded tirade about Delonte West, Lebron's elbow, playing over 100 games per season (Olympics and Playoffs included), and the Celtics being a great team, but I don't have to do all of that. It is simple. If Lebron quit on the team during the playoffs at any point, why would you want to give him $128 million for six more seasons and keep him as the face of the city? Why were you going to try to get Chris Bosh as his running mate? Winning doesn't matter to you, money does! I say, the Cavs are completely in the wrong in all of this and Lebron is a genius for leaving. The only thing he did wrong was publicly drive the stake through Cleveland's heart. Now that I know what a prick Dan Gilbert is though, I am GLAD he did things the way he did.
Again, these are just highlights and I want to see the whole games again now, but I don't see how Lebron could've "quit" in those other games.
I hope to not make any more mentioning of Dan Gilbert this summer, but we will see what happens. I can say that Cleveland has yet to make any moves since all the statements were issued. Miami has already signed Mike Miller. Miami will be filling this roster with decent players, minimum salary be damned.
With Michael Beasley in Miami now, you know Al Jefferson will be getting traded soon. I think teams will hold out until his value goes down even more, now that all GMs know about Minnesota's crowded frontcourt.
In the next couple days, I will write about the idea of Shaq and Tm Duncan on the same team, at the same time. I don't care how old they are, you better be fouling them whenever you get the chance.
7.08.2010
Finally
We can go back to normal sports programming. Well all of us except those of you in Cleveland that haven't killed yourselves yet. Cleveland has already issued a statement. We all know that Miami is going to be a force next season, but what is going to happen to the Cavs now? They have little to no cap space to work with and a bunch of crappy spare parts in Antawn Jamison, Anderson Varejao, Daniel Gibson, Delonte West, and the like. They will be one of the worst teams in the eastern conference next season. Everyone is talking trash on Lebron for doing this but I really honestly don't blame him. Players are defined by championships and Lebron was never going to win one in Cleveland. Everyone is already ordaining the Heat as this championship team. I think the Lakers, Magic, and Celtics will all have things to say about that next season. All of this also depends on what Miami fills those other seven or eight roster spots with as well.
David Lee is going to Golden State afterall. The few Knicks fans I have talked to so far hate this trade. Read my post earlier for my thoughts on it. I'd rather get a prospect in Randolph than nothing for Lee at this point. What do i know though.
Ryan Gomes to the Clippers...
Not many players are left. I will leave you for now with the obvious video...
David Lee is going to Golden State afterall. The few Knicks fans I have talked to so far hate this trade. Read my post earlier for my thoughts on it. I'd rather get a prospect in Randolph than nothing for Lee at this point. What do i know though.
Ryan Gomes to the Clippers...
Not many players are left. I will leave you for now with the obvious video...
What do you get when you combine Avery Johnson, Jay-Z, and some Russian tycoon?
NO BIG NAME FREE AGENTS!!!!!?!??!?!?!?! When they put up that billboard last week, I thought for certain that the Nets would get at least one top tier free agent. These thoughts were confirmed once again when they took project Derrick Favors with the third overall pick. Now cut to a little over a week later, and the Nets haven't added anyone else to their roster. Now with Carlos Boozer gone to Chicago and Lebron all but gone to SOBE, it looks as if the Nets are going to be the team that will be left scrambling for the free agent remains of David Lee, Luis Scola, Josh Childress, Tyrus Thomas, Raymond Felton, Ron Brewer, Brendan Haywood, Al Harrington, Mike Miller, Travis Outlaw, Kyle Korver, Shaq, and Richard Jefferson. I would imagine a lot of these players eyes are lighting up at the idea of New Jersey, Minnesota, or the Clippers paying them more than what they are worth. I also expect Dallas and Houston to make some moves via sign and trade still.
Most diehards already know about the salary cap being two million higher than originally anticipated. Most of you also know that this will only make it easier for the Heat to add Lebron to the mix. A few years ago, I would have created a team like this in NBA Live and it simply would not have been fair. It still will not be. I still don't know if they are better than the Lakers though. They still have about seven spots to fill if Lebron decides to go down to Miami. At this point Lebron's best option would be the Bulls. That would be a well balanced team, without having to worry about the egos (like in Miami). You would already have a good point guard in Derrick Rose, an improving big man in Joakim Noah, as well as the addition of rebounding machine Carlos Boozer. This team really wouldn't be all that fair, either. I would love to see Lebron go to a team where he still has to do some work to get to the finals. Going to the Nets or Knicks or staying with the Cavs would all provide these scenarios. It would appear as though he is now going to the Heat though. It is very funny to look back at what I've predicted, as well as what everyone else has predicted in the last week. I've gone from thinking he was staying with the Cavs, to the Nets, to the Bulls, to the Mavs, to the Heat, back to the Bulls, to the Knicks, and now I'm finally sold on him going to the Heat, but the Knicks and Cavs are still in the hunt. The salary cap reduction was the final piece of the puzzle for me. I know it's not a lot when we're already talking about signing players for upwards of 20mil a piece anyway, but an extra two mil will help the Heat sign another veteran player. Also, anyone notice how lower level players like Jared Dudley, Charlie Villanueva, and Dejuan Blair have been tweeting that Lebron is going to the Knicks? And what does Ochocinco know?
Lebron is obviously dominating the wires today, but David Lee's name has come up in rumors again. David Lee has always been a good, one dimensional player in my book. He will fit in perfectly in Golden State, where they might actually be one of the few teams to play LESS D than the Knicks. I'm still not totally sold on Anthony Randolph as a player, although getting him out of Don Nelson's camp is a good start. I absolutely love the idea of Ronny Turiaf in a Knicks jersey. I can imagine him quickly becoming a garden fan favorite. He would provide adequate backup minutes to Amare and they could even play alongside at times to make a killer offense/defense combo. They still will need a point guard and I am sure they will be bummed about not getting Lebron. At some point you have to move on and take what you can get though. Knicks fans will have to wait a little longer I guess.
Jermaine O'neal to the Celtics? That team is going to be crippled this year. Luke Harangody might actually get a chance to continue what he is doing in summer league play.
More updates, photos, and reviews will be posted later today. It is going to be insanely hot on the east coast again today. I will probably spend the whole day indoors again. I am sure all of these free agent soap operas will keep me busy.
Most diehards already know about the salary cap being two million higher than originally anticipated. Most of you also know that this will only make it easier for the Heat to add Lebron to the mix. A few years ago, I would have created a team like this in NBA Live and it simply would not have been fair. It still will not be. I still don't know if they are better than the Lakers though. They still have about seven spots to fill if Lebron decides to go down to Miami. At this point Lebron's best option would be the Bulls. That would be a well balanced team, without having to worry about the egos (like in Miami). You would already have a good point guard in Derrick Rose, an improving big man in Joakim Noah, as well as the addition of rebounding machine Carlos Boozer. This team really wouldn't be all that fair, either. I would love to see Lebron go to a team where he still has to do some work to get to the finals. Going to the Nets or Knicks or staying with the Cavs would all provide these scenarios. It would appear as though he is now going to the Heat though. It is very funny to look back at what I've predicted, as well as what everyone else has predicted in the last week. I've gone from thinking he was staying with the Cavs, to the Nets, to the Bulls, to the Mavs, to the Heat, back to the Bulls, to the Knicks, and now I'm finally sold on him going to the Heat, but the Knicks and Cavs are still in the hunt. The salary cap reduction was the final piece of the puzzle for me. I know it's not a lot when we're already talking about signing players for upwards of 20mil a piece anyway, but an extra two mil will help the Heat sign another veteran player. Also, anyone notice how lower level players like Jared Dudley, Charlie Villanueva, and Dejuan Blair have been tweeting that Lebron is going to the Knicks? And what does Ochocinco know?
Lebron is obviously dominating the wires today, but David Lee's name has come up in rumors again. David Lee has always been a good, one dimensional player in my book. He will fit in perfectly in Golden State, where they might actually be one of the few teams to play LESS D than the Knicks. I'm still not totally sold on Anthony Randolph as a player, although getting him out of Don Nelson's camp is a good start. I absolutely love the idea of Ronny Turiaf in a Knicks jersey. I can imagine him quickly becoming a garden fan favorite. He would provide adequate backup minutes to Amare and they could even play alongside at times to make a killer offense/defense combo. They still will need a point guard and I am sure they will be bummed about not getting Lebron. At some point you have to move on and take what you can get though. Knicks fans will have to wait a little longer I guess.
Jermaine O'neal to the Celtics? That team is going to be crippled this year. Luke Harangody might actually get a chance to continue what he is doing in summer league play.
More updates, photos, and reviews will be posted later today. It is going to be insanely hot on the east coast again today. I will probably spend the whole day indoors again. I am sure all of these free agent soap operas will keep me busy.
7.07.2010
Now that Carlos Boozer has joined the Bulls...
Is Lebron the next piece of the puzzle? Everywhere you look you get a different report, but I think it's down to New York and Cleveland, although this deal makes me wonder about Chicago again. This has been the most ridiculous year of rumors and roller coaster rides from LBJ and it would be kind of ridiculous if he does all of this just to remain in Cleveland. The New Jersey Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and and LA Clippers all have yet to use their cap space to lure in any free agents. After this, only David Lee, Luis Scola, and Ray Allen will remain for top tier free agents. Josh Childress has become a real wild card in recent days. He will be able to cash in on one of these teams with remaining cap space.
Even if they don't sign Lebron at this point, the Bulls will be a much improved team. The addition of Carlos Boozer will only make things easier for improving center Joakim Noah. If they can add a shooter like Ray Allen, or even Mike Miller or Anthony Morrow, this team will be able to run all over team.
For Utah, this was kind of a foregone conclusion for a long time anyway. Boozer had links to either the Bulls or Heat long before the free agency period kicked off. While it is a tremendous loss, Jazz fans shouldn't give up all hope just yet. Paul Millsap will be a serviceable replacement and AK47's contract comes off the books at the end of this season. Plus they still have top point guard Deron Williams. This team is more than capable of still competing for 45-50 wins.
The Oklahoma City Thunder quietly continue to build one of the best rosters in the NBA.
If everything I have heard and read today is true, the best remaining free agents are Lebron James, Luis Scola, David Lee, Ray Allen, Josh Childress, and Shaq. I really am starting to wonder what the Knicks are going to do if they don't get Lebron. Having Amare is a good starting point, but it doesn't even guarantee them a spot in the playoffs.
Seriously, all of this Lebron hype is starting to get ridiculous.
I saw Jesus Montero and Ivan Nova play for the Yankees Triple A Farm team this week. I can't express enough how much of a nerd I have become about baseball again. I even got Matt Fox's autograph at the second game I went to! Anyway, Montero only played in one of the two and obioiusly Nova only pitched the one game. I can see why the Yankees are taking their time with bringing Jesus Montero up to the bigs. He is still a very young, raw catcher. Not only that, but they obviously already have Francisco Cervelli waiting in the wings as well. IF Montero gets everything together, the Yankees brass will have a problem on their hands in a couple seasons.
Ivan Nova appears almost ready to join the Yankees roster. While their rotation doesn't have a lot of room, he could be very valuable out of the bullpen later in the season. He can throw hard and he did strike out nine batters in 6 and 2/3 innings here. He does however still possess some control problems, as there was four walks to go along with those nine stikeouts. If he can work on his control, Nova could be a good third or fourth starter in a couple years.
This was my first time seeing Pat Neshek in person as well. Unfortunately, he didn't make veganism look too good the night I saw him pitch. He gave up a home run and just really didnt't seem to have it. I really hope he regains his 2006 form at some point. This might have been Wilson Ramos' last series in Rochester. A lot of reports have him linked to Seattle in a possible Cliff Lee trade. It would be good for him to get out of Minnesota's organization.
Tomorrow I am going to post up reviews of the new Roots and Alpha & Omega records, as well as the obvious Lebron nonsense..
Even if they don't sign Lebron at this point, the Bulls will be a much improved team. The addition of Carlos Boozer will only make things easier for improving center Joakim Noah. If they can add a shooter like Ray Allen, or even Mike Miller or Anthony Morrow, this team will be able to run all over team.
For Utah, this was kind of a foregone conclusion for a long time anyway. Boozer had links to either the Bulls or Heat long before the free agency period kicked off. While it is a tremendous loss, Jazz fans shouldn't give up all hope just yet. Paul Millsap will be a serviceable replacement and AK47's contract comes off the books at the end of this season. Plus they still have top point guard Deron Williams. This team is more than capable of still competing for 45-50 wins.
The Oklahoma City Thunder quietly continue to build one of the best rosters in the NBA.
If everything I have heard and read today is true, the best remaining free agents are Lebron James, Luis Scola, David Lee, Ray Allen, Josh Childress, and Shaq. I really am starting to wonder what the Knicks are going to do if they don't get Lebron. Having Amare is a good starting point, but it doesn't even guarantee them a spot in the playoffs.
Seriously, all of this Lebron hype is starting to get ridiculous.
I saw Jesus Montero and Ivan Nova play for the Yankees Triple A Farm team this week. I can't express enough how much of a nerd I have become about baseball again. I even got Matt Fox's autograph at the second game I went to! Anyway, Montero only played in one of the two and obioiusly Nova only pitched the one game. I can see why the Yankees are taking their time with bringing Jesus Montero up to the bigs. He is still a very young, raw catcher. Not only that, but they obviously already have Francisco Cervelli waiting in the wings as well. IF Montero gets everything together, the Yankees brass will have a problem on their hands in a couple seasons.
Ivan Nova appears almost ready to join the Yankees roster. While their rotation doesn't have a lot of room, he could be very valuable out of the bullpen later in the season. He can throw hard and he did strike out nine batters in 6 and 2/3 innings here. He does however still possess some control problems, as there was four walks to go along with those nine stikeouts. If he can work on his control, Nova could be a good third or fourth starter in a couple years.
This was my first time seeing Pat Neshek in person as well. Unfortunately, he didn't make veganism look too good the night I saw him pitch. He gave up a home run and just really didnt't seem to have it. I really hope he regains his 2006 form at some point. This might have been Wilson Ramos' last series in Rochester. A lot of reports have him linked to Seattle in a possible Cliff Lee trade. It would be good for him to get out of Minnesota's organization.
Tomorrow I am going to post up reviews of the new Roots and Alpha & Omega records, as well as the obvious Lebron nonsense..
Post-Holiday updates
It was a long holiday weekend and I didn't really feel much need to post the same old NBA rumors and nonsense. Honestly, some of this free agent drama has been a bit much for even me this year. When media outlets make a big deal out of Lebron James signing up for twitter, I think we clearly have a problem.
At first when I heard Lebron was going to make his announcement on ESPN at 9PM tomorrow night, I thought it was just another ridiculous episode in the soap opera has been the 2010 free agency period. At least I know we are nearing the end of all this. Most experts seem to think Lebron is now going to either the Bulls or Knicks, with the Heat and Cavs still in the picture. I would still love to see him go to the Nets. I don't think that Heat team would be fair. I hate the Bulls and Knicks so I don't want to see him go to either team. Cleveland would be really upset if he were to leave, but I don't think he would go through all of this drama just to say he wanted to stay there all along. I hope a wild card team like Dallas or Houston steps up with a sign and trade today.
ESPN has reported that Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade will sign with the Miami Heat. This doesn't come as a major surprise, although it does bring a mild conflict to the whole Bosh/Lebron pairing. Very few people seem to think that all three of these players would be able to coexist together. I just don't think it would work financially. They would have to sign about five or six minimum salary players. Either way, Miami is going to be a very competitive team for at least the next five seasons.
I could see Carlos Boozer teaming back up with Lebron in Chicago or Cleveland. I don't see why the Knicks want to sign Boozer now. Teaming him up with Amare would seem weird, although i guess anything is possible in Mike D'antoni's system. Raymond Felton had been linked to the Knicks as of late.
David Lee is quickly going to become one of the most sought after free agents if he isn't signed by tomorrow. If the Bulls and Nets don't end up with any other marquee free agents, I expect them to offer David Lee big money. Same goes for Ray Allen.
I really hope the Rockets make some noise. They have done nothing so far. At least keep Luis Scola.
At first when I heard Lebron was going to make his announcement on ESPN at 9PM tomorrow night, I thought it was just another ridiculous episode in the soap opera has been the 2010 free agency period. At least I know we are nearing the end of all this. Most experts seem to think Lebron is now going to either the Bulls or Knicks, with the Heat and Cavs still in the picture. I would still love to see him go to the Nets. I don't think that Heat team would be fair. I hate the Bulls and Knicks so I don't want to see him go to either team. Cleveland would be really upset if he were to leave, but I don't think he would go through all of this drama just to say he wanted to stay there all along. I hope a wild card team like Dallas or Houston steps up with a sign and trade today.
ESPN has reported that Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade will sign with the Miami Heat. This doesn't come as a major surprise, although it does bring a mild conflict to the whole Bosh/Lebron pairing. Very few people seem to think that all three of these players would be able to coexist together. I just don't think it would work financially. They would have to sign about five or six minimum salary players. Either way, Miami is going to be a very competitive team for at least the next five seasons.
I could see Carlos Boozer teaming back up with Lebron in Chicago or Cleveland. I don't see why the Knicks want to sign Boozer now. Teaming him up with Amare would seem weird, although i guess anything is possible in Mike D'antoni's system. Raymond Felton had been linked to the Knicks as of late.
David Lee is quickly going to become one of the most sought after free agents if he isn't signed by tomorrow. If the Bulls and Nets don't end up with any other marquee free agents, I expect them to offer David Lee big money. Same goes for Ray Allen.
I really hope the Rockets make some noise. They have done nothing so far. At least keep Luis Scola.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)