Cavs look like they've stolen Hughes

[Coin]

Larry Hughes says he'll sign for the Cavs when the free agent period ends, they're offering about 70 mill over 5 years, which is pretty serious cash for someone with a lot of durability issues. Big loss for the wizards if they can't bring him back. Hughes and James will be one hell of a tough matchup for just about everyone.

Also, Atlanta will give a max offer sheet to Joe Johnson. Typical of a team at the bottom of the pile they always have to overpay for good-but-not-great talent before they can start really going after marquee free agents. Tough call for the Suns though, they're already paying Nash serious money (about 12 per year I think), Shawn Marion is on max money and Amare will have to be given a max contract when his rookie deal ends, so if they pay Johnson they'd have just 4 players earning over 50 million the year after next. Given that the cap is about 49 million, that does not leave much cash for the other 8 roster spots.

[BagaTaytos]

Jeeeeez, I don't even know what Sport this is. B-ball?

[wat_boy]

i thought you were on about chelsea even tho it would've been spelt wrong

[Coin]

Jeeeeez, I don't even know what Sport this is. B-ball?
Sorry, yes its NBA stuff. The gentleman in question in the title is Larry Hughes formerly of Washington, now probably of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He's an atheltic 1-2 combo guard, prone to the odd turnover but a good burst scorer, who had probably his best year yet last year as Washington advanced to the second round of the playoffs. He'll be teamed up in Cleveland with LeBron James, who will likely be the wealthiest athlete ever to play any sport by the time he's about 28 or 29, barring any gun charges/rape allegations/injuries that affect his game.

[Jim Comic]

Larry Hughes says he'll sign for the Cavs when the free agent period ends, they're offering about 70 mill over 5 years, which is pretty serious cash for someone with a lot of durability issues. Big loss for the wizards if they can't bring him back. Hughes and James will be one hell of a tough matchup for just about everyone.

Also, Atlanta will give a max offer sheet to Joe Johnson. Typical of a team at the bottom of the pile they always have to overpay for good-but-not-great talent before they can start really going after marquee free agents. Tough call for the Suns though, they're already paying Nash serious money (about 12 per year I think), Shawn Marion is on max money and Amare will have to be given a max contract when his rookie deal ends, so if they pay Johnson they'd have just 4 players earning over 50 million the year after next. Given that the cap is about 49 million, that does not leave much cash for the other 8 roster spots.

what you talkin about willis?

[wat_boy]

http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/entertainers/child-stars/gary-coleman/arnoldjethro.jpg

[Teknique]

NBA money is gone crazy , but I guess you'd rather see the players gettin their fair share that it all going to the owners

Is Danny Ferry the right man to lead the Cavs to a championship?

[11 league titles]

NBA money is gone crazy , but I guess you'd rather see the players gettin their fair share that it all going to the owners

Is Danny Ferry the right man to lead the Cavs to a championship?
tough to say if he will or not..but keeping lebron happy will go a long long way..A good shooter was more needed but hughes is a fine player and with him, lebron and eric snow they have a (potential) great defensive trio...supposed to be interested in signing the PG from lithuania (jaskivecic sp?) too... Can't wait to see how Lebron will have improved again next season

[Teknique]

supposed to be interested in signing the PG from lithuania (jaskivecic sp?) too...


is that the guy that destroyed the U.S. in Athens - some player if it is

[11 league titles]

Yip thats the fella..rated the best player outside the NBA

[Coin]

Good player alright, but in a few workouts over the years his defense has let him down, he's extremely soft apparently. Excellent shooter though.

As for LeBron, I bet he comes back with an improved long range jump shot. Consistency from deep is about the only thing he's missing. With Hughes on board his rebounding and assist totals are unlikely to improve dramatically again, simply because someone else will be taking some of the workload, but his overall impact will be even bigger. I still doubt he stays in Cleveland. One of the big market teams will be able to pull him away. Chicago have an outstanding young core, I think he'd be an excellent fit there.

[magic]

Spot the Bulls fan!!!!!
Chicago will not have the market or Cap space to get Le Bron, if he does not stay at home in Cleveland there are only 2 places for him New York or LA. If things do not look good in LA by Christmas between Phil and Kobe, look for the Lakers to try deal Kobe for Le Bron! I know it sounds crazy now but might make sense for both clubs, especially LA. Wouldn't be to bad for the Cavs either 'cos they'd get something good for Le Bron rather than loosing him to Free Agency. NY Knicks are another big team in need of a superstar and you know how much Isiah likes to collect SG's.

[Teknique]

Chicago will not have the market.......to get Le Bron

they had it for Jordan?

[Coin]

I'm well aware that L.A and New York are being touted as the places he'd be likely to end up. Few holes in your particular argument though. New Yorks cap situation is the second worst in the league, they'd have to get him through a trade, and since all of their players are overpaid Cleveland wouldn't be delighted about getting any of them. Starbury, Thomas, Houston, Crawford. All overpaid. Chicago won't have cap room either, but they will have tradeable assets. Hinrich, Deng, Curry, Chandler, Deng, Nocioni, Duhon. All will likely be solid over their career, all are under 25. Package two or three of them for LeBron. Kobe to Cleveland? I would love to be there when Kobe is told he's been traded to Cleveland. He may spontaneously combust. If James is to arrive in LA, I think they'd try to keep them both.
As for market size, Chicago maintained one of the highest attendances in the league through all the bad years, they still sell ferocious numbers of jerseys and Chicago is about equal in size to LA, but the fan base isn't split over another team like LA is (I know the Clips don't take a significant % of fans, but they're still there). And LA isn't actually that great a market for sports teams, they're incredibly fickle. They couldn't even support the Raiders. When the Lakers hit a bad patch (mid 90's) their attendance drops way off.

Jerry Buss has not shown a willingness to spend to maintain his championship teams and coach. He's had to basically go back to Phil with his tail between his legs and give him the 10m Buss originally said was too high. If he was willing to stump up the cash, Shaq, Kobe and Phil would have been kept together. Yes there were problems in Chicago, but when it came down to it Jerry Reinsdorf paid to keep his core of Jordan, Pippen and Jackson together. The only thing that broke it up was Jordan retiring.

And finally, if you were LeBron, and you are as confident as he is, where would you want to create your legacy as the only guy who could ever really challenge Jordan for being called the best?

Basically, I think the place he'd fit best is in the United Center.

[11 league titles]

One BIG hole in that argument..Hinrich, Deng, Curry et al ,combined ,aren't worth trading for Lebron...Well not unless your GM for the Toronto Raptors

[magic]

Yes they did have it for Jordan but he was there from a rookie and never really got the cash he was worth from the Bulls. I don't think that Chicago will go after Le Bron as hard as some of the others, in fact there is talk that Curry could got to Cleveland to hook up with Le Bron... The Bulls are happy with the way they are moving forward with a young nucleas that is bonding as a team and will be a contender in the next few years without major "surgery".Also although being compared to Jordan is cool for Le Bron moving to Chicago would be more like trying to be like Mike (remember the ad!!) than being Le Bron.
I know what your saying about Kobe being unhappy bit I don't think that would stop the Lakers moving for that trade.
As a Celtics fan I would love to see Boston make a move maybe trying to get Le Bron for Pierce and someone else and let Le Bron re establish Celtic Pride and build his legacy with the most storied franchise in NBA history!!

[Teknique]

never really got the cash he was worth from the Bulls.


30 mill+ a season , his last few years there when he signed 1 year contracts surely made up for a few lean years , no?

[Coin]

One BIG hole in that argument..Hinrich, Deng, Curry et al ,combined ,aren't worth trading for Lebron...Well not unless your GM for the Toronto Raptors
No, but LA traded Shaq for Lamar Odom and Caron Butler. How often does anyone get equal value back for a superstar?

I'm obviously assuming and hoping that Chicago resign both Curry and Chandler. I think at least 1 of the Bulls will break out by the end of next year. LeBron is a restricted free agent at the end of next year, so you'd be looking at a sign and trade. Since the Cavs have resigned Ilgauskas (shows a lack of ambition I think), Chandler would be the more likely big man to go. Probably just wishful thinking on my part.

As for this summer, the Cavs signing Curry would be a waste, you'd have 2 big feckers who can't rebound instead of 1, and both of whom have poor mobility. Plus two centres will clog the lane for LeBron and Larry Hughes. Not saying they won't do it, but Danny Ferry should know better.

Jordan made upwards of 80 million his last 3 seasons, I think he was fairly reimbursed. How much cash did you think he deserved?

Boston would be somewhere I could see LeBron as well though. All the talk of New York and LA just don't seem to fit him.

[Coin]

Larry Brown basically fired by Detroit, to be replaced by Flip Saunders. No excuses of not having sufficient talent around Garnett now, the Pistons have been to the finals 2 years in a row and Saunders will be expected to get them back there. Brown looks likely to be offered the Knicks job.

Good/bad move? Personally I think they should have retained him, despite the things he said about Cleveland and New York. It was clear his heart was fully in it when the playoffs were on.

[11 league titles]

I read that Brown can't take up the head coaching position anywhere fro a full season?. Not sure how accurate this was.
The owner of the Pistons has said that he was extremely disappointed with Brown for advising the Cavs etc and talking of New York while he was coaching the pistons. Another incident occurred when Billups was discussing tactics etc with Dumars (during the Miami series)in his office while down on the practise court Larry Brown was giving out about a reporter writing articles in a paper. Supposedly Billups said "he should be up here" or something to that effect.

I reckon it could be a good move. The pistons are still a fine team and will be motivated to prove that it wasn't just because of Larry Brown that they went to the Finals 2 yrs in a row

[Coin]

I read that Brown can't take up the head coaching position anywhere fro a full season?. Not sure how accurate this was.
The owner of the Pistons has said that he was extremely disappointed with Brown for advising the Cavs etc and talking of New York while he was coaching the pistons.
He is apparently free to coach this year, he took a buyout of 7 million of the 20 he would have been owed to be allowed to take up a job straight away. I'm impressed by the spin Detroit have been able to put on this. He asked for and received permission to talk to the Cavs (and it was for the job of GM/president of basketball operations, not as coach), back when he and Detroit ownership thought there was a good chance that he would be unable to coach next season for health reasons, but that seems to have been lost. The Knick thing also seemed to be to be an innocuous comment that got blown out of all proportion. I think the Pistons will have to improve anyway next year, they only made the finals because Wade got injured,and next year the Pacers will be back as well.

[Coin]

is that the guy that destroyed the U.S. in Athens - some player if it is
Jasikevicius has been signed by Indiana. Pacers looking stronger and stronger.

[11 league titles]

Jasikevicius has been signed by Indiana. Pacers looking stronger and stronger.
Have they?..What happened with the Cavs?

Shareef Abdur Rahim will be joining the Nets

[Coin]

Have they?..What happened with the Cavs?

Shareef Abdur Rahim will be joining the Nets
According to his agent he took slightly less money for the opportunity to win a championship (3 years, 12 million). LeBron obviously wasn't enough of a draw.

Thats a good signing for the Nets. They'll be lining up Kidd, Jefferson, Carter and Abdur Rahim next year, they should be strong as well. There may finally be some balance coming back to the East. Three legitimate title contenders in the Heat, Pacers and Pistons, an outsider in the Nets and up and comers in Chicago, Washington and especially Cleveland. The Spurs, Suns, Mavs and Rockets should balance the top three in the east nicely, with the Kings, Lakers and Nuggets all being decent as well. (I'm assuming Jackson has an impact in LA - I may be entirely wrong). Overall the Spurs and Suns will probably still be the teams to beat.

[Coin]

And the Knicks get their man, at a bit over 10 million dollars a year. Gonna be a tough job getting that motley crew back to the playoffs. Larry Brown with his "play the right way" attitude, Stephon Marbury and Jamal Crawford with their "gimme ball, wanna shoot" attitude. There's no way they're both on the roster by the Feb trade deadline.

[11 league titles]

And the Knicks get their man, at a bit over 10 million dollars a year. Gonna be a tough job getting that motley crew back to the playoffs. Larry Brown with his "play the right way" attitude, Stephon Marbury and Jamal Crawford with their "gimme ball, wanna shoot" attitude. There's no way they're both on the roster by the Feb trade deadline.
The fact that he's not a fan of young players either (see Darko) doesn't bode well for the 3 draft picks of the Knicks this season. I think Channing Freye could be a decent addition for them this season. Can't see robinson getting much playing time with Marbury around

[11 league titles]

Been a busy day in the NBA.. The heat have made a few great additions. Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and James Posey.. They gave up Eddie Jones, Rasual Butler and Michael Doleac...
Sacramento got Bonzi Wells for Bobby Jackson and Greg Ostertag..
Nets will prob get Shareef and Jeff McGinnis..
Also looks like Joe Johnson will leave the SUns for Atlanta (who says money talks?)
Lakers get Kwame Brown and another bum from Washington for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins

[Coin]

Been a busy day in the NBA.. The heat have made a few great additions. Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and James Posey.. They gave up Eddie Jones, Rasual Butler and Michael Doleac...
Sacramento got Bonzi Wells for Bobby Jackson and Greg Ostertag..
Nets will prob get Shareef and Jeff McGinnis..
Also looks like Joe Johnson will leave the SUns for Atlanta (who says money talks?)
Lakers get Kwame Brown and another bum from Washington for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins
The Heat just have to hope they haven't overcooked it. Shaq was complaining about how many shots he was getting in the playoffs last year, imagine what he'll be like if Walker doesn't change his form. Overall probably worth the risk. Williams will be good because they won't have to rely on him to handle the ball in the tight spots. Wade can be moved to the point when necessary. The Nets are really bulking up. McInnis will take court time pressure off Kidd and Reef should fit in quite well, along the lines of Wallace in Detroit (although not quite as good). I'd say they're legit contenders for the East at this stage. It was really the All Star break before Kidd was fit last season, and they should come out fighting this time. Kidd was disgusted when they penny pinched and let Kenyon Martin go, but he certainly can't have any complaints now.

[11 league titles]

The East will be as good ,if not better, competitively speaking anyway. Miami, Detroit, Indiana, New Jersey, Chicago and to a lesser extent a young and promising Boston team as well as Washington if they cope without Hughes

[Coin]

Abdur-Rahim has failed his physical, so its not certain that he's going to New Jersey.

[Coin]

This is from ESPN.com. The Trail Blazers were always good for a laugh, but there's some detail here on Patterson/Randolph that had me close to tears:


The funniest fight of the offseason: Portland's Ha Seung-Jin (a 7-foot-3 South Korean) and Nedzad Sinanovic (a 7-foot-3 Bosnian) getting into a fistfight while shooting free throws at a summer workout, with Ha reportedly screaming, "I'll sue! I'll sue!" before getting pulled away. But it didn't stop there: Ha found Sinanovic in the team's weight room and attacked him with a wooden stretching pole, nailing him twice before they were separated. Within 24 hours, they had made up.

But that's not my favorite part. In John Canzano's report about the incident for The Oregonian, he mentioned how this was a good-natured altercation compared to some of the Portland incidents in the past, leading to this paragraph: "This isn't the same as Zach Randolph cold-cocking Ruben Patterson two seasons ago, breaking his eye socket, then being chased around the facility, and later having to spend the night, in hiding, at Dale Davis' house because Randolph feared for his life. The Ha-Sinanovic bout was about good competition, and frustration, and boiling points."

[Coin]

Abdur-Rahim has failed his physical, so its not certain that he's going to New Jersey.
Definitely not happening. They've signed that whiney fecker Marc Jackson instead.

[Coin]

The Spurs are announcing today that they've added the waived Michael Finley, Nick the Quick was signed a couple of days ago and a while back they signed power forward Fabricio Oberto. From the 8 man rotation that just won a title, they have lost..... no one. If this was anyone else, I'd be saying that they'll have trouble integrating the new men and there'll be grumblings about minutes, but this is the Spurs, who are absolute masters at merging new players and maintaining good team chemistry, and when people are moaning Popovich just benches them and carries on. They now have a four man front court: Mohammed, Duncan, Horry, Oberto (5 if you count Nesterovic). Bowen and Finley can be played for need - defense or scoring, and a very solid 4 guard rotation of Ginobili, Barry, Parker, van Exel. The plan seems to be to use Finley and van Exel the way they have done with Horry - sparingly through the regular season to keep them fresh for the playoffs.

Christ like.

[11 league titles]

The Spurs are announcing today that they've added the waived Michael Finley, Nick the Quick was signed a couple of days ago and a while back they signed power forward Fabricio Oberto. From the 8 man rotation that just won a title, they have lost..... no one. If this was anyone else, I'd be saying that they'll have trouble integrating the new men and there'll be grumblings about minutes, but this is the Spurs, who are absolute masters at merging new players and maintaining good team chemistry, and when people are moaning Popovich just benches them and carries on. They now have a four man front court: Mohammed, Duncan, Horry, Oberto (5 if you count Nesterovic). Bowen and Finley can be played for need - defense or scoring, and a very solid 4 guard rotation of Ginobili, Barry, Parker, van Exel. The plan seems to be to use Finley and van Exel the way they have done with Horry - sparingly through the regular season to keep them fresh for the playoffs.

Christ like.

Yeah the other teams must be saying the same thing