NBA Offseason Thread 2013-2014

padraig_f

ButtersSuki wrote: »

There was quite a fuss about it this week in all the usual media, it's fishy as hell, but impossible to prove.

I think that's probably giving up too easily. You could get Kirilenko into the NBA offices and ask him to explain why he turned down a $10m player-option and then signed for $3m elsewhere. If he can't explain it adequately, apply sanctions.

He negotiated with the Spurs as well, so you could talk to them about it. It did kind of puzzle me at the time, why his negotiations with the Spurs broke down, and then he signed for just $3m with the Nets (was curious why couldn't the Spurs have given him $3m, when they could really do with a player like that).

buyer95

padraig_f wrote: »

I think that's probably giving up too easily. You could get Kirilenko into the NBA offices and ask him to explain why he turned down a $10m player-option and then signed for $3m elsewhere. If he can't explain it adequately, apply sanctions.

He negotiated with the Spurs as well, so you could talk to them about it. It did kind of puzzle me at the time, why his negotiations with the Spurs broke down, and then he signed for just $3m with the Nets (was curious why couldn't the Spurs have given him $3m, when they could really do with a player like that).

He could give hundreds of reasons as to why, all probably b.s, but that would be impossible to prove. He could say he wants to compete for a title as he is heading towards the end of his career and doesn't want to toil away in mediocrity with Minnesota for another year. He could say that he always wanted to play in New York, he would get more minutes in Brooklyn backing up Pierce, then he would get in San Antonio behind Leonard. The reasons are endless, and unless the NBA has some concrete evidence the whole thing is moot.

ButtersSuki

buyer95 wrote: »

He could give hundreds of reasons as to why, all probably b.s, but that would be impossible to prove. He could say he wants to compete for a title as he is heading towards the end of his career and doesn't want to toil away in mediocrity with Minnesota for another year. He could say that he always wanted to play in New York, he would get more minutes in Brooklyn backing up Pierce, then he would get in San Antonio behind Leonard. The reasons are endless, and unless the NBA has some concrete evidence the whole thing is moot.

Was just about to post something similar to above. You want reasons, he'll be able to give you dozens - some true, done hyperbolic. And if you're going to use that logic, you'd then have to bring in all the other players who left money on the table to change teams this year (and other years). Iguadola to GS for example, he gave up cash to go there - not as much admittedly but same logic. Or most obviously Dwight to Houston!

ButtersSuki

On a related theme, I read a story somewhere about the only thing to do in Minnesota during the regular season was visit a climate controlled mall. Apparently all the visiting NBA teams go there, their hotel and the arena and that's it. It was given as a reason they won't be able to keep Love when his contract expires.

padraig_f

buyer95 wrote: »

He could give hundreds of reasons as to why, all probably b.s, but that would be impossible to prove. He could say he wants to compete for a title as he is heading towards the end of his career and doesn't want to toil away in mediocrity with Minnesota for another year. He could say that he always wanted to play in New York, he would get more minutes in Brooklyn backing up Pierce, then he would get in San Antonio behind Leonard. The reasons are endless, and unless the NBA has some concrete evidence the whole thing is moot.

I accept there are some difficulties, but if the NBA can block inequitable trades, I don't know why they couldn't block this. Player value is probably easier to determine than equity of trades.

Teams could give similar excuses to the above to justify inequitable trades, but the NBA still blocks them. And I know blocking trades is an imperfect instrument, but it's better than the alternative of obviously dodgy stuff going down.

Dublin Red Devil

Millsap introduced in Atlanta

Nuri Sahin

ButtersSuki wrote: »

On a related theme, I read a story somewhere about the only thing to do in Minnesota during the regular season was visit a climate controlled mall. Apparently all the visiting NBA teams go there, their hotel and the arena and that's it. It was given as a reason they won't be able to keep Love when his contract expires.

Having family once live in nearby Wisconsin, and having travelled to Minnesota for weekend with the missus a few of years ago, I can vouch as to what a dull place Minnesota is.

Dublin Red Devil

For Next Season. Who are your Playoff teams? Here's mine

(in no particular order)

Heat
Pacers
Bulls
Nets
Knicks
Pistons
Cavs
Atlanta

Thunder
Clippers
Rockets
Warriors
Spurs
Grizzlies
Denver
T Wolves/Portland

buyer95

East

Heat
Knicks
Pacers
Bulls
Brooklyn
Cleveland(if Bynum plays)
Wizards
Hawks

West
OKC
Grizlies
Spurs
Clippers
GSW
Nuggets
Rockets
Mavs/Lakers(if kobe comes back early)

I wouldn't rule out New Orleans either, the west once again will be great next season.

Dublin Red Devil

buyer95 wrote: »

East

Heat
Knicks
Pacers
Bulls
Brooklyn
Cleveland(if Bynum plays)
Wizards
Hawks

West
OKC
Grizlies
Spurs
Clippers
GSW
Nuggets
Rockets
Mavs/Lakers(if kobe comes back early)

I wouldn't rule out New Orleans either, the west once again will be great next season.

What about The Pistons?

buyer95

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

What about The Pistons?

They'll be there or there abouts but I think the wizards and hawks have a better team. These things are impossible anyways, with injuries and what not.

padraig_f

ButtersSuki wrote: »

On a related theme, I read a story somewhere about the only thing to do in Minnesota during the regular season was visit a climate controlled mall. Apparently all the visiting NBA teams go there, their hotel and the arena and that's it. It was given as a reason they won't be able to keep Love when his contract expires.

It's a factor, but I think a relatively small one. NBA players spend half their time on the road, and the summer wherever they want. They have a relatively short career to earn money/gain success, and a relatively long retirement to spend that money and live wherever they want, so I think money and success are much bigger factors.

Certainly doesn't apply to Kirilenko, because he was 31 when he signed the Timberwolves contract last year, and would have been there many times as a visiting player. A small factor in two roughly equivalent contracts, sure, but worth taking a $7m pay-cut for, no way (for Kevin Love, yeah maybe, because he'll get a max-contract wherever he goes).

I was also checking Kirilenko's stats to see if there was a team problem, but there doesn't appear to be. He started all 65 games he played in last year, he recorded the most points, minutes, and highest PER since his '05-'06 season.

Paully D

Enjoyed this 30 for 30 about Sam Bowie. So, so unlucky with injuries. I wonder how his career would have gone if he was able to stay fit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1uTIZ_pPKk

Dublin Red Devil

The best 30 for 30 doc I've seen is the Fab Five

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0n3VtxfrRM

Paully D

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

The best 30 for 30 doc I've seen is the Fab Five

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0n3VtxfrRM

Yep, me too. Superb documentary. It's too warm to sleep so I might watch it again actually, it's been a while since I've seen it.

ButtersSuki

Better than Jimmy V?

buyer95

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Better than Jimmy V?

I was just about to say, the one about Valvano wins hands down imo as the best 30 for 30. The fab 5 one is great too though.

ButtersSuki

Watched "The Marinovich Project" the other day and though it's about American Football it's remarkably similar in many ways to Chris Herren's "Unguarded" story from the pro athlete and a drugs perspectives.

What's more interesting though is the father/coach training of his kid to go to the Pro Game from literally when he could crawl. Fascinating story and insight into American sports. If it's on again, well worth a look.

Also read Herren's "Basketball Junkie" between yesterday and this morning. Well worth a read though it doesn't offer much more than the ESPN Documentary. Got it new for less than €3 delivered on amazon (think it was actually 99c and the rest was postage!).

Paully D

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Better than Jimmy V?

I actually forgot about that. To be honest, there's so many good episodes in that series. I don't think I've ever watched one that I haven't enjoyed.

ButtersSuki

See David Stern hinting further expansion may be on the way with Seattle and Las Vegas listed as the two likely cities.

Can understand Seattle but Vegas? Don't get me wrong, I love it there (got to see US v Canada there in 2008 and the Summer League in 2010...plus everything else Vegas has to offer ) but think putting a team of ridiculously paid athletes there would likely be a recipe for disaster from a PR perspective. An accident waiting to happen. Not to mention every single road team would be looking to party more than play.

Not to mind how p!ss poor both teams would be for their first say 10 years, as well as the diluting effect on the rest of the league's talent.

Any thoughts?

stuchyg

ButtersSuki wrote: »

See David Stern hinting further expansion may be on the way with Seattle and Las Vegas listed as the two likely cities.

Can understand Seattle but Vegas? Don't get me wrong, I love it there (got to see US v Canada there in 2008 and the Summer League in 2010...plus everything else Vegas has to offer ) but think putting a team of ridiculously paid athletes there would likely be a recipe for disaster from a PR perspective. An accident waiting to happen. Not to mention every single road team would be looking to party more than play.

Not to mind how p!ss poor both teams would be for their first say 10 years, as well as the diluting effect on the rest of the league's talent.

Any thoughts?

From a money making point of view I can understand haVing a pro sports team in the entertainment capital of the world but I would rather see an xtra team go to Vancouver.

Regarding the nightlife I wouldn't be too concerned, the team's would prob be flown straight out of Vegas after the games

Nuri Sahin

A professional basketball team based in Las Vegas hasn't resulted for a few reasons, main one is down to the gambling effect. Obviously Vegas is THE gambling mecca. The vast majority of US sporting organisations and franchises are apprehensive because of the bad press it would generate. Credibility is a massive thing, and trying to continually justify one's legitimacy that they're indeed clean is a lifetime of hassle unless they fold or relocate. Occasionally someone tries to be the exception, look at the ice hockey team they had in the 90's which was a complete disaster from start to finish drawing small crowds.

There's also the competition for business factor from a casino owner standpoint. They want you on THEIR property. The place where people will impulsively spend most of their money more than any other place that being the casino. Many owners have never given their backing to franchises interested in relocating. It's why the high end restaurant industry outside of casinos in Vegas was truly terrible for many years.

Dublin Red Devil

If there were expansion. I would move The Memphis Grizzlies to the Eastern Conference. Then add two Western Conference franchises in Seattle and Kansas

These teams would need to be given early first and second round draft picks to get going in their 1st and 2nd year

Give one team, picks 1,4,32 and 33. The other, picks 2,3,31,34. Rotating the picks for the following year

Just an Idea

Masked Man

Wasn't there trouble at an all star game in Vegas a few years back?

ButtersSuki

Masked Man wrote: »

Wasn't there trouble at an all star game in Vegas a few years back?

Yup!

GoldFour4

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

If there were expansion. I would move The Memphis Grizzlies to the Eastern Conference. Then add two Western Conference franchises in Seattle and Kansas

These teams would need to be given early first and second round draft picks to get going in their 1st and 2nd year

Give one team, picks 1,4,32 and 33. The other, picks 2,3,31,34. Rotating the picks for the following year

Just an Idea

That system of picks would never happen. When the Bobcats joined the league they were given no.4 only, nevermind 2picks in the top 5!

ButtersSuki

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

If there were expansion. I would move The Memphis Grizzlies to the Eastern Conference. Then add two Western Conference franchises in Seattle and Kansas

These teams would need to be given early first and second round draft picks to get going in their 1st and 2nd year

Give one team, picks 1,4,32 and 33. The other, picks 2,3,31,34. Rotating the picks for the following year

Just an Idea

Nice idea....but the owners would never agree to it. Hence why it takes expansion teams so long to get established in the league. Last time there was an expansion, all teams could protect all but 4 of their players (if I remember correctly). That left basically all of the benchwarmers to choose from. Hardly the way to start in a talent driven, superstar league.

ButtersSuki

Basketball in Vegas will also suffer from the "Tark the Shark"/UNLV legacy too. Too much (bad/negative) history there, even though they recently put up a statue to honour him!

ButtersSuki

As we're in the silly season and bored.......

must try and catch a Rockets home game next year:
http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/07/18/RPDBlurREDLinesREDratedVersionmp-2543743

The link above is "interesting"....:)

Dublin Red Devil

malistheman wrote: »

That system of picks would never happen. When the Bobcats joined the league they were given no.4 only, nevermind 2picks in the top 5!

Probably would never happen. But It would give the new teams a fighting chance from the off. 4 draft picks to start the roster,sign a few free agents. maybe a few Euro league or D-leaguers and you have a competitive NBA team