NBA Off-season Thread

[Apoo]

Originally Posted by Dark Janza

I am sorry to say it Tony, but I get the feeling that Beasley is going to have the type of success that Durant had. He will put up numbers, but the team is still going to have a difficult year.

Anyone else hear about Maggette says he will take a pay cut if he can play for Doc Rivers? Does that just seem so unfair to anyone else?

I'm not expecting anything great from the Heat's upcomming season, but to compare us to the Sonics from last year is nonsense. That team had Durant, and nothing else. We have Beasley, Wade and Marion, plus we are in the east. I don't see how you can draw that comparison at all imo.

[Dark Janza]

I can draw that comparison because they got drafted at the same point. I can compare because they were both possibly the best in college before they left. I can do this, because they get drafted by teams that are circling the drain. I can do this because people expect so much out of a rookie... even if he will probably get ROY. I can do this because Seattle still had some other people with talent (just needed some experience really... and to maybe not be in the west).

Durant and Beasley are different players with different game, but they are both extremely talented. Also, they both have way too much expected of them their rookie seasons.

Tony, even with Wade, Marion and Beasley, your team still has the same weakness it has had for the past season or two. I don't see any outside shooters that can take the pressure of D-Wade by making it so they actually have to guard the perimeter. (freeing up so Wade can do what he does best.)

[CLAY]

Durant was shouldn't have been ROY. Horford and Scola were better and helped their teams to the playoffs. Durant did not.

[Dark Janza]

Durant's numbers were a lot better than either of theirs... then again that might just be because he had the minutes. Horford's team didn't deserve to be in the playoffs. Still though, both of those teams had a lot better players. Houston has T-Mac. Seattle had some talented people, but who did they have that could compare to McGrady?

BTW, about Maggette, I know Pierce is better, but that still adds some crazy depth if he buys into Doc's team dealie. You think it's crazy to have Ginobli coming of the bench for SA, it would be like that or more in this case.

[CLAY]

At least the Hawks put up a better fight against the Celtics than the Lakers did. And yes the Hawks deserved to be in the playoffs. They had at least the 8th best record in thier conference.
Durant did nothing but scoring. Horford scored, played defense, and worked the glass. He was the better player. In fact Horford was the only unamimous selection to the All-Rookie team.

[Apoo]

Originally Posted by Dark Janza

I can draw that comparison because they got drafted at the same point. I can compare because they were both possibly the best in college before they left. I can do this, because they get drafted by teams that are circling the drain. I can do this because people expect so much out of a rookie... even if he will probably get ROY. I can do this because Seattle still had some other people with talent (just needed some experience really... and to maybe not be in the west)

Durant and Beasley are different players with different game, but they are both extremely talented. Also, they both have way too much expected of them their rookie seasons.

Tony, even with Wade, Marion and Beasley, your team still has the same weakness it has had for the past season or two. I don't see any outside shooters that can take the pressure of D-Wade by making it so they actually have to guard the perimeter. (freeing up so Wade can do what he does best.)

You are missing the biggest point of all. Durant was drafted and expected to become the leader and the number #1 option from day one. Beasley is expected to do neither of those. We already have an established leader and number 1 option. Michael Beasley has the luxury of not being the best player on the court--he's going to have a lot less pressure to preform than Durant. You are also forgetting that the Heat were better than our record showed last year. It's obvious that we were tanking to get that second pick, specially when your superstars hardly play. Wade missed about 1/3 of the season. Shaq hardly played before he was traded, and when we got Marrion, we also had him shut it down for the latter part of the season. We had full tank mode on, with D-leagues starting for us. I'm not expecting wonders from next season, but to say that we will have a season similar to last year's Seattle, a low 20 something win season that's just straight up ridiculous.

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In other news, Miami is reporting to be close to a 5 year $20 million deal with James Jones from Portland (with the last 3 years being team option). That imo signals that we are close on a deal for Marrion. We are already stacked at the forward spot--Beasley, Marion, Haslem, and Darrel Wright, and now we go and sign another forward?? Something's gotta be up...

We are probably looking at a trade for a PG or a Center. Since Chalmers has impressed a lot in camp and summer league, we might be looking to start him and PG, which makes me think we're going after a Center. I would love either Kayman or Bogut on this team. Not the sure the Clipps are going to let Kayman go tho (specially after it's been reported that Brand is close to inking a deal with Phily)

[CLAY]

Chalmers will be the PG, and I figure he's gonna be there for a long time.

[Apoo]

Chalmers has really impressed me. I know it's summer league, but he's averaging over six assists and with little talent playing next to him. He can also take it to the basket, and plays great D.

[CLAY]

I actually think Chalmers is a better player than Rose. He was the NCAA Tourney's MOP. 1st team all-defense. Played just as well as Rose in the NC Game, maybe even better if you count that clutch shot at the end of reg.

[ifeanyi84]

maggette has a 5 year $50 million deal with golden state. the celtics better make sure that they get posey, or this is gonna be a pretty disappointing off-season.

i feel like the heat are gonna be vastly improved this year, but i dont think that they are gonna jump right into position to contend for a top four or five spot in the east. unless they make some big moves between now and the start of the season, i think they best they can hope for is the 8 spot.

[Dark Janza]

Originally Posted by Lucky Rou

You are missing the biggest point of all. Durant was drafted and expected to become the leader and the number #1 option from day one. Beasley is expected to do neither of those. We already have an established leader and number 1 option. Michael Beasley has the luxury of not being the best player on the court--he's going to have a lot less pressure to preform than Durant. You are also forgetting that the Heat were better than our record showed last year. It's obvious that we were tanking to get that second pick, specially when your superstars hardly play. Wade missed about 1/3 of the season. Shaq hardly played before he was traded, and when we got Marrion, we also had him shut it down for the latter part of the season. We had full tank mode on, with D-leagues starting for us. I'm not expecting wonders from next season, but to say that we will have a season similar to last year's Seattle, a low 20 something win season that's just straight up ridiculous.

I realize what you are saying, Tony, but there are still similarities in some of what is going on. Truthfully, you guys do have one of the better Forward/Guard combos in Marion and Wade. Other than that, the team is lacking. Now Beasley comes into the picture. Worst case scenario would be that you guys would throw him into the fire at PF at the very beginning. Marion can guard most any player I have ever seen... can't remember how Wade's "D" is since I haven't seen him play for a year. Anyway, you guys are in trouble if this is what happens. That means you have no depth at PF. You have no center... and I really couldn't tell who plays PG for you all these days.

One way or another, you guys need some major trades. I have never really been a fan of Haslem and his game... and who the hell is this Wright? Seriously, you all have big trades coming your way. Priority is to get a center that actually plays the position. Next, you all need a solid point. I think you have at least another year or two until you guys can have anything worth calling a bench.

You all have talent better than your record, but the record still was balls. You all might have won 10-15 more games max... if lucky. Yes you all were injured, but every team suffered injuries.

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Originally Posted by Tony

In other news, Miami is reporting to be close to a 5 year $20 million deal with James Jones from Portland (with the last 3 years being team option). That imo signals that we are close on a deal for Marrion. We are already stacked at the forward spot--Beasley, Marion, Haslem, and Darrel Wright, and now we go and sign another forward?? Something's gotta be up...

Like I said... big trades coming to Miami. If not, the GM and everyone else isn't doing the work. James Jones played for Phx not too long ago if I remember correctly. I think he played guard. This likely means a decent perimeter shooter coming your way. I guess getting some perimeter on the bench is crucial to your team.

Originally Posted by Tony

We are probably looking at a trade for a PG or a Center. Since Chalmers has impressed a lot in camp and summer league, we might be looking to start him and PG, which makes me think we're going after a Center. I would love either Kayman or Bogut on this team. Not the sure the Clipps are going to let Kayman go tho (specially after it's been reported that Brand is close to inking a deal with Phily)

Bogut or Kaman... hmmmm. Bogut disappoints me. His college came here was nice. His NBA career has not been so much. Still, he might be a good piece for you all.

Just an after thought... not sure if Agent 0 has been taken yet, but what would you think if you guys could nab him?

[ifeanyi84]

arenas agreed to a deal already with the wizards for $111 million. elton brand is going to the 76ers after agreeing to a 5year deal with them. if they can add another piece or two, the 76ers are going to be very good this year.

andre miller, andre iguadala, thadeus young, elton brand, samuel dalembert. that's not a bad starting lineup at all, especially with willie green, reggie evans and louis williams coming off the bench.

[Apoo]

DJ:

I agree with everything you said. My only problem was that you said we'd have a season comparable to last year's sonics, which was a low 20ish win season. IMO, even with all our problems, that's selling us short.

BTW, Arenas is taken. 111 mil for 6 year, waaaaaaaaaaaay too much money for a guy that misses half the season at times like Arenas. The Wiz just spent almost 200 mil on Arenas and Jamison--I don't think they're going anywhere with those guys.

[CLAY]

Heat sign James Jones. They filled their three point shooting need.

If the Hawks do not resign Josh Smith, I will no longer be a Hawks fan.

[Apoo]

The Hawks can match any offer, so they will sign him unless he gets ridiculous money from another team.

[CLAY]

Yea but I don't have much faith in the Hawks ownership and management. I see a sign and trade scenario.

[Apoo]

Well, Unlike you I'm not really that High on Josh Smith.