NBA Regular Season Thread

[Mexi]

Wow the Knicks beat the Hornets. Nice win. Lee had a big game.

hell yeah. thats w'sup

 

[.GR]

We have the Rocjets pick, but it's lottery protected.
What would happen if they didnt make the playoffs?
Would we get their pick the next year?
Protected again?

 

[Mexi]

i dont think so, i think you're screwed if they dont get in
dont worry, they should get in......i think

 

[.snowy]

i dont think so, i think you're screwed if they dont get in
dont worry, they should get in......i think

Seriously, imagine if they didn't. Everyone was hyping them as the new #1 team in the west, the new big three. Yet once again, they can never be healthy.

 

[.GR]

That would be done if we didn't get anything if they didnt make the playoffs.

 

[DC4]

1. LeBron James, SF (26 years-old)
James is the golden boy of this free agent class and is the player that every franchise would love to land in two years. In 2010, he will have just turned 26 and whatever team is lucky enough to sign him will – barring injury – enjoy four or five years of the best basketball of his career. Given the Nets’ problems with moving to Brooklyn, I’d give the Knicks the best odds of landing him. LeBron has stated that his top priority is to become a “global icon” and playing in Manhattan would serve that purpose. New York has the projected cap space to two top players on this list, which might be enough incentive to keep LeBron from looking elsewhere. Plus, he’s familiar with Mike D’Antoni (via the duo’s work with Team USA) and the Knicks’ up-tempo system would be a near-perfect fit for LeBron’s skill set. The Nets may be able to offer a better supporting cast (led by Devin Harris), but right now the Knicks seem like the most likely landing spot. The Cavs may be able to retain him if they’re able to make another Finals appearance or two over the next two seasons. I think Team LeBron will pretty much make up their minds this summer, but it would be hard for him to leave Cleveland if they make the Finals in 2010. If LeBron’s #1 goal is to win as many NBA titles as possible, then the best fit may be the Portland Trailblazers, who have a great core of young, inexpensive players that would provide James with a terrific supporting cast.
Note: Player option (PO)

2. Dwyane Wade, SG (28)
Wade is two years older than James, but is almost as effective when healthy. In fact, staying healthy is his biggest problem. In five-plus seasons, he has missed more than 22% of his team’s games. He isn’t a great three-point shooter, but he’s a terrific all-around scorer and gets to the line as well as anyone in the NBA. Like LeBron, he’ll be seeking a max contract, but since he’s older, he won’t be as good of a value as his counterpart. I wouldn’t rule out a LeBron-Wade combo with the Knicks or another team, but it’s more likely that a team will be successful in pairing LeBron with a big man, like Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire. There’s a good chance that Wade will stay put in Miami since he already has his ring and the Heat can offer the most money. (This is especially true if Miami is able to land Carlos Boozer in the summer of 2009.) Besides, there are worse things in life than being a multi-millionaire living in South Beach.
Note: PO

3. Chris Bosh, FC (26)
Simply stated – Chris Bosh is one of the best young big men in the NBA. He has averaged at least 22.3 points and 8.7 rebounds over the last four seasons and is a versatile power forward that could play center in some systems, which has everyone talking about a possible LeBron-Bosh combo in New York. This would be an ideal situation and as long as the Knicks watch their payroll, they should have plenty of room to sign both players. If the Cavs are careful, they too would have the cap space to re-sign LeBron and poach Bosh from the Raptors. If the Nets are able to unload Vince Carter, they would also be a major player in this game as well.
Note: PO

4. Amare Stoudemire, FC (28)
Stoudemire is a little bigger and stronger than Bosh, but their numbers are almost identical. Stoudemire is two years older and doesn’t seem to be as good of a defender, but he boasts a much higher FG%. He’s at his best when he’s catching a pass from Steve Nash off of the duo’s patented pick-and-roll. If the Knicks are able to woo LeBron but are unable for some reason to get Bosh, Stoudemire would be the next best choice. He’s obviously a great fit in Mike D’Antoni’s system – he averaged 26 points and 9 rebounds in the 2004-05 season – so it’s a logical pairing.
Note: Early Termination Option (ETO)

5. Joe Johnson, SG (29)
The Hawks raised some eyebrows when they traded future Most Improved Player Boris Diaw and two first round draft picks to the Suns for Joe Johnson. Once Diaw won the MIP, it looked like the Suns got the better end of the deal. But with Johnson turning into a 23-point, five-assist, four-rebound kind of player, it sure looks like the Hawks were the ones to benefit most from the trade. It’s likely that Atlanta will do everything possible to retain him, as he’s the biggest reason the team made its return to the playoffs last season. Given his age, scoring ability, versatility and three-point accuracy (39%), he will be highly valued in the summer of 2010.

6. Paul Pierce, SG (33)
If Pierce were younger in the summer of 2010, he ‘d be a lot higher on this list. Realistically, he’s unlikely to be available because the last year of his deal is worth $21.5 million. He’ll probably stick in Boston since Kevin Garnett is signed through 2011-12.
Note: PO

7. Manu Ginobili, SG (32)
Ginobili has a reputation for being injury-prone, but he has played in 86% of his team’s regular season games in six-plus years. He’s a terrific three-point shooter (40%) and a crafty scorer (15.6 ppg) and passer (3.6 apg). Those numbers are a little low since he’s coming off a foot injury. In 2007-08, he averaged 19.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. The Spurs have done a great job over the years of re-signing their stars, but if Ginobili becomes available in the summer of 2010, more than a few teams will be interested in signing him to a three-year contract.

8. Dirk Nowitzki, PF (31)
Nowitzki’s reputation has taken a bit of a dip over the last couple of seasons, but he’s still averaging 25.5 points and 9.1 rebounds this year. In two years, he won’t be able to carry a (good) team anymore, but he’ll be very capable of being someone’s sidekick. Even with all that’s gone on with the Mavericks over the last two seasons, it’s going to be tough for Dirk to turn down the $21.5 million that the Mavs owe him for the 2010-11 season. Also, it’s important to note that Nowitzki will turn 32 on 7/6/10.
Note: ETO

9. Yao Ming, C (29)
Yao is a 22/10 guy, but his biggest problem is staying healthy. After playing in all but two games of his first three seasons, Yao has missed almost a third of his team’s games. Some are questioning whether or not Yao’s big frame is built for the long haul. This makes him a dicey investment for a team trying to win a championship. Yao would have to terminate a contract that would pay him $17.7 million for the 2010-11 season. It’s doubtful that he’ll find that kind of money on the open market.
Note: ETO

10. Tracy McGrady, SG (31)
T-Mac is one of the league’s most talented and versatile players, but he has two serious issues: staying healthy and an apparent inability to win in the postseason. In the three seasons spanning from 2005-2008, he has missed a quarter of the Rockets’ games. Given his age and health concerns, I think teams will view him as a poor man’s Dwyane Wade or Joe Johnson. If he continues to struggle with his knees and back, he could be passed (value-wise) by Richard Jefferson, Michael Redd or Josh Howard.

Other notable names:

Richard Jefferson, SF (30)
Jefferson would have to opt-out of the final year of his deal ($15.0 million) to become a free agent.

Michael Redd, SG (30)
Redd has a ETO, and is unikely to exercise it due to the value of the final year of his contract ($18.3 million).

T.J. Ford, PG (27)
Ford has a player option for the 2010-11 season (at the tune of $8.5 million) and if he’s able to stay healthy over the next two seasons, there will be a team or two willing to lock him up to a long-term deal.

Josh Howard, SF (30)
The Mavs have a team option for the 2010-11 season, and given Howard’s off-the-court antics, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be a Maverick for long.

Tyson Chandler, C (28)
Chandler has a player option for the 2010-11 season worth $12.8 million. If he keeps improving, he might be able to command more on the open market.

Mike Miller, GF (30)
Miller is a quality shooter that is floundering on a bad team right now. At 30, he should still have a few good years of accurate shooting left in his career.

Steve Nash, PG (36)
Nash’s numbers are already taking a dip, but even at 36, he’d be able to lead a playoff team if he is in the right situation. The Suns actually have a team option for next season ($13.1 million) that they could potentially pass on, but chances are they’ll keep him for another season.

Ray Allen, SG (34)
Ray Ray turns 35 in late July, but he’ll be able to shoot the ball until he’s 50.

Significant restricted free agents: Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, Ronnie Brewer, Jordan Farmar, Luis Scola, Kyle Lowry, Carl Landry, Randy Foye, Tyrus Thomas, Josh Boone, Thabo Sefolosha, Adam Morrison

IYO who stays? who go's?

I hope Dwyane stays and we sign someone else to help out our front court


Those are the ages of the players in 2010. btw

 

[cruzg24]

hell yeah. thats w'sup

Your happy cuz the Hornets are the Lakers biggest competition this year, lol. Even though I think the Jazz will be better and get to the WCF.

 

[Lake Louise]

Pistons got Bobcats again tonight. Rip is expected to be back with us tonight, but Curry will have either Rip or AI start on the bench for he wants to have a bigger lineup out their to start with. Which isn`t that bad if it was Rip. He has produced pretty well of the bench in the past(being limited because of injury at the time or course).

 

[MapleLeaf]

JH5 out again, all hope is lost, about to go 0-3 on a road-trip, down 17 in the 3rd. And Dirk leads the team single-handly by himself basically.

We get to the 4th, tight game. Tie game, final 5 seconds, a total BS, a TOTAL BS call on JET that was forced contact by Billups watch the replay and you see Billups almost kicks JET and runs into JET. Wow I was so pissed. And of course we didn't have a timeout so we had to throw a long bomb that was intercepted.

Dirk plays his best game of the year, 44 points, 14 rebounds but it doesn't matter because of one ref. And I usually do not blame refs, but this was a clear case of total BS by Billups.

LOL Mark Cuban got up and after the game went on the court and started talking to the ref and was mad. He'll get fined, but who cares, I love him.

 

[Lake Louise]

My goodness Pistons. You play better when your missing a couple guys than you do at full strength, or at least close to full strength.

 

[Mexi]

Kobe is clutch
not the best game he's had(32 points on 36 shots yikes), but man does he know how to turn it on when it counts

SMH at Von Wafer thinking he's the <Censored>

 

[.GR]

Kings may have the worst perimeter defense in the history of the NBA.

 

[Mexi]

"They don't speak," an extremely plugged-in person tells me. "And Yao wants him out."

I wonder who "he" is lol

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

Sir Darius against the Cavs the last night lol.

 

[PiStoL31PeTe]

i'd have the coach take me out after that one lol

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

i'd have the coach take me out after that one lol

The good thing is that he dropped 13 pts in that game.

 

[Lake Louise]

Pistons play Pacers tonight. Really hope we win this, need to forget about the Bobcats.

 

[MapleLeaf]

1:55 is the "foul"

here is what really happened, watch the video in high quality to.

after that, btw, mark cuban after the game ftw

 

[jarrod2323]

that is a body foul.. Terry is not going straight up, but at an angle. his body made contact with Billups leg. therefore, it's a foul.. it might not seem right, but that IS the correct call according to rulebook

 

[MapleLeaf]

Billups was the one kicking though. Terry was contesting the shot, Billups kicks a leg out. There still has not been a video that shows that Terry never even touches the ball or Billups body AT ALL. Sure it looks like contact because Billups made it look like there was, but Billups was never touched on that play, except for his kick into Terry.

You especially don't call that when there is 2 seconds left in a game....