Originally Posted By Dabob2 <It's my understanding they've blown their cap space with the three guys.> Well, sorta. There are all kind of "creative accounting" tricks in the NBA that put Hollywood to shame. They had about 4M left after the big three. But it looks like they dealt Beasley, which is almost 5M there. And then they have various players from last year like Haslem considering minimum deals, and veterans supposedly considering minimum deals also, all for the chance at a ring. I still don't buy Miami as the favorites in the east, but sometimes things take on their own momentum, and Riley is a good salesman. This from the Chicago Trib: "In the end, with minimal salary-cap space left after the Wade, James and Bosh signings, the Heat could have one of its deepest rosters in years, with Heat free-agent Udonis Haslem considering a minimal deal to return. Jones' return is predicated on the Southwest Ranches resident being unable to otherwise secure an offer at the $5.8 million mid-level exception. Arison said the team's phones have been ringing off the hook with veterans seeking to sign on, even though it would mean taking the veteran's minimum of roughly $1 million for 2010-11." <t's funny about Fisher. He's a very smart person, yet like a lot of players, over values his own worth and ability. > Oh, no question. He was really valuable as a third scoring option in the Shaq/Kobe years, less valuable more recently, but he does have a way of coming up big when it counts. But yes, take him out of the Triangle, and he's ordinary.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <No one begrudges James for leaving Cleveland< Except for, you know, the city of Cleveland.
Originally Posted By Terminus >> Oh, no question. He was really valuable as a third scoring option in the Shaq/Kobe years, less valuable more recently, but he does have a way of coming up big when it counts. But yes, take him out of the Triangle, and he's ordinary. << I agree that Fisher is much older now and has lost a step. He's not as quick on defense anymore and that makes a difference in match-ups (ie: Kobe guarding Rondo, etc). All that said, I think the Lakers really needed him these last two Championship runs. There were times late in games where NO ONE was scoring, and Fisher stepped up and kept the Lakers in the lead or close... As for next year, I'm not sure they really need him. I know Kobe says he wants him back, but that might not be realistic. They did already sign Steve Blake at Point Guard, and are considering letting Shannon Brown go. Brown is very athletic and I like him a lot, if he'd work on his jump shot a ton, he'd be a very valuable asset. Oh well, I guess we'll see what Fisher ends up doing, but my guess is, he'll be back with the Lakers for another year.
Originally Posted By Terminus Side note, I've always rooted for a "team", not a player. If my favorite player left a team, I'd wish him well, but I'd still be rooting for my team, even if they sucked. Some people might root for individual players, I guess, but if I was a Cavs fan, I could never see being a LeBron fan after he left.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "Side note, I've always rooted for a "team", not a player. If my favorite player left a team, I'd wish him well, but I'd still be rooting for my team, even if they sucked." Tell me about it. I've been a Cub fan since 1966. "Except for, you know, the city of Cleveland." LOL. Touche. "All that said, I think the Lakers really needed him these last two Championship runs. There were times late in games where NO ONE was scoring, and Fisher stepped up and kept the Lakers in the lead or close..." Oh, no question. I still think they could use him this coming year as well. Until someone else steps up and shows they can hit the "Fisher jumper", it might as well be the man himself. I think if he stays, a good argument could be made for hanging his jersey in the rafters. If he goes, then he'll end up being remembered like Robert Horry- thanks a lot for everything, thanks a whole lot, but see ya later.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Oh, no question. I still think they could use him this coming year as well. Until someone else steps up and shows they can hit the "Fisher jumper", it might as well be the man himself. > Yeah, I agree. I'd try essentially splitting the position between him and Blake; Blake for the youth and stamina, and then when Fisher comes in he's fresh and can do the most while he's in there without getting tired out.
Originally Posted By DAR Lebron certainly had the right to leave Cleveland for the Miami if he felt he had a better chance to win a title there. That I had no problem with it. My problem was how he did it. Which the NBA and ESPN are equally to blame for letting this occur. But the whole thing was just a big Bleep You to the city of Cleveland. And the worst thing was that he was cowardly and used that it was for charity so he didn't look like a bad guy. But Lebron's problem and many athletes is they have "yes men" and there's never anyone to step back and say wait a second let's think about what you're doing here.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I'm a CAVS fan in Miami. I don't really have a problem with the fact that he left. Cleveland got 7 exciting years from him (well, minus the Celtics series). But, to go on TV and make a spectacle of it was stupid. I don't blame LeBron as much as the "friends" he surrounds himself with.
Originally Posted By Terminus Just read an article that said Fisher decided to stay with the Lakers. In case anyone else cares as much as I do. =) Nice!
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "Just read an article that said Fisher decided to stay with the Lakers. In case anyone else cares as much as I do. =) Nice!" Yeah, three years with the third being a player option. They couldn't/wouldn't go above 2.5M a year for him, so adding the third made everybody happy. He turns 36 soon, so he better take good care of those legs. Without them, he's nothing.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "I'm a CAVS fan in Miami. I don't really have a problem with the fact that he left. Cleveland got 7 exciting years from him (well, minus the Celtics series). But, to go on TV and make a spectacle of it was stupid. I don't blame LeBron as much as the "friends" he surrounds himself with." With "friends" like he has now he doesn't need enemies. He needs somebody who tells him "no" once in a while. Sooner or later, he's going to have to learn how to suck it up come playoff time if he ever wants a ring, no matter who his teammates are. One thing about Kobe Bryant- he knows his NBA history and what it took for some guys to dig deeper than they ever thought possible to win. This year Lebron apparently was blaming his elbow for an inability to hit shots. Boo-hoo. Andrew Bynum played almost the entire playoffs on a torn meniscus in his knee. Andrew Freaking Bynum. Kobe has played two straight playoff seasons with broken fingers taped together, and other assorted knee and leg injuries from two straight seasons of long playoff runs and Olympic basketball. Pau Gasol had a back so bad he didn't sleep nights. Same for Odom. Yet they fought through and persevered. Same for the Celtics in 2008 and even this year. Until James figures out how to leave the excuses in the locker room and all he has on the floor instead, he'll always be on the outside looking in.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 and if LeBron didn't have enough issues he created - now Jesse Jackson has decided to put him up for martyrdom for being a slave in Cleveland... the TV idea was just plain stupid regardless of decision..even if he'd have stayed in Cleveland that would have been tough to pull off- an hour long commercial for Cleveland ?
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Well, it wasn't an hour long commercial for Miami. It was an hour long commercial for James. The guy has been sheltered in the midwest his entire life. It is going to be interesting to see what kind of trouble he gets into in Miami.
