NBA 2010 offseason

[BoBetter]

Yeah, I was clearly wrong. He's not going to work for a local newspaper in Miami. He's going to work for ESPN. He said most of his reporting will be for the "heat index", but not all.

It's a good opportunity for him, but he seemed torn on leaving Cleveland.

[Enforcer]

He's the best owner around, but I'm just a little concerned about how thinly one ownership team would be spread amongst three pro sports teams.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5650951

[Harold Baines]

Carlos Boozer breaks a finger "in an accident at home." Noah Inks Pact.

[jon abbey]

I think they'll probably be somewhere around .500 and with a couple of key injuries could really collapse, but if they're healthy, NY should be really fun to watch this year. their top 4 guys should be Amare, Gallinari, Anthony Randolph (still 21), and Raymond Felton at PG, with a lot of other athletes to play D'Antoni style, plus the rare big man Mike D may actually play, Mozgov. also, Turiaf's hair is out of control, flying dreads plus a Braylon-style 'beard'.

so between that, national telecasts and my being poor, I'm leaning towards not getting the League Pass for the first time in a long time, who will be other fun teams to watch? I'm sure I'll get to see Miami and Oklahoma City plenty on national telecasts, other nominees?

[walto]

Raymond Felton is kind of a Buddy Hackett-style point guard, isn't he? I was surprised he was drafted as high as he was, and am more surprised that he, not only is still playing in the NBA, but that some team will start him this year. I think he might be your new Mark Jackson, only without the post-up abilities.

[jon abbey]

Raymond Felton is kind of a Buddy Hackett-style point guard, isn't he? I was surprised he was drafted as high as he was, and am more surprised that he, not only is still playing in the NBA, but that some team will start him this year. I think he might be your new Mark Jackson, only without the post-up abilities.

I hated Mark Jackson mostly because he was a sieve on D, and Felton is a very good defender, so not sure what you're talking about. Buddy Hackett-style is a funny phrase, but what does it mean? that he's fat? I've always liked Felton from what I've seen at UNC/Charlotte. he's not a stud, but he's a big upgrade on Chris Duhon, which is who they had there last year.

[jon abbey]

just to go on the record, since I'm not sure I have, I am still rooting for LeBron as much as I ever have (pretty much over any non-Knicks team, although there could be exceptions). I'm also hoping that the assholes in Cleveland who never did shit to build around him and then whined to high heaven when he left go 8-74, although somewhere in the 30s is probably most likely.

[Noj]

This should be a fun season for you then, Jon. The chemistry with LeBron and Bosh already looked really good in last night's highlights, and their scoring was balanced with Haslem chipping in 14. Plus we still haven't seen them with Wade on the court too, since he hobbled off with a pulled hammy after three minutes. LeBron's never had players this good to pass to.

The odd thing for me this season will be actually hoping the Celtics beat the Heat and ruin it for LeBoshWade, Inc. I've never rooted for the Celtics for a moment, but I just might this year. Thanks a lot, LeBron.

I'm interested to see if the Blazers, Rockets, and Spurs will stay healthy this year and give the Lakers a run for their money.

[jesus marion joseph]

I've never rooted for the Celtics for a moment, but I just might this year. Thanks a lot, LeBron.

If we could get walto to feel the same way we'll have a real "hater's coup d'etat"!

[BoBetter]

just to go on the record, since I'm not sure I have, I am still rooting for LeBron as much as I ever have (pretty much over any non-Knicks team, although there could be exceptions). I'm also hoping that the assholes in Cleveland who never did shit to build around him and then whined to high heaven when he left go 8-74, although somewhere in the 30s is probably most likely.

You're a dick.

I'll be rooting heavily against them. They've gotten an obscene amount of tv coverage already. ESPN acted like their pre season game was a playoff game. It's going to get obnoxious.

I might even become a Laker fan as a reaction.

Although, I have to say, as a fan of basketball, it was interesting to evaluate their team last night, and see how all the side pieces are going to fit. Mike Miller is a good player. He rebounds a ton for a guard and has a decent all around game. Chalmers is all upside, Arroyo is a great back-up, Haslem is an over-achiever. They're definitely NOT thin 1-12. They're as deep as they need to be.

It will be interesting to see what holes they do have. Obviously, interior defense will be the top of the list. But shit, Lebron averages more than a block per game more than Bosh, so that alone will help.

[BoBetter]

This should be a fun season for you then, Jon. The chemistry with LeBron and Bosh already looked really good in last night's highlights, and their scoring was balanced with Haslem chipping in 14. Plus we still haven't seen them with Wade on the court too, since he hobbled off with a pulled hammy after three minutes. LeBron's never had players this good to pass to.

The odd thing for me this season will be actually hoping the Celtics beat the Heat and ruin it for LeBoshWade, Inc. I've never rooted for the Celtics for a moment, but I just might this year. Thanks a lot, LeBron.

I'm interested to see if the Blazers, Rockets, and Spurs will stay healthy this year and give the Lakers a run for their money.

Oh yeah Noj. oh yeah.

I truly hope Shaq hammers Lebron multiple times this year. Actually, I'm expecting it.

[jon abbey]

yeah, the one thing that's unfortunate is that I was expecting this to be the year Bosh was definitively exposed as overrated, but he shouldn't have much trouble in the Horace Grant-like role that he'll be filling.

[walto]

Yeah, what I meant about the Buddy Hackett line was that (a) he's fat, and (b) he's untalented. And I see he already sucked last night.

[walto]

Quick, without looking, which Boston Celtic player will make the most money in 2010?























Ans: Jermaine O'Neal (Garnett comes in 5th)

[BoBetter]

I haven't seen Felton play a whole lot, but when I have he's been pretty solid. Seems decent in all facets of the game. He's a surprisingly solid fantasy option at PG as well.

[jon abbey]

Whoa, Felton had a bad exhibition game after years as a solid starter, NY should release him.

Quick, without looking, which Boston Celtic player will make the most money in 2010?
Ans: Jermaine O'Neal (Garnett comes in 5th)

Yeah, that's not even close to true, maybe you're looking at last year's numbers.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/boston.htm

[walto]

It's from http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/bos/roster

No Player Pos Ht Wt Age Exp College 2010 Salary

20 Allen, Ray SG 6-5 205 35 14 Connecticut $19,766,860
0 Bradley, Avery SG 6-2 180 19 R Texas N/A
8 Daniels, Marquis GF/SG 6-6 200 29 7 Auburn $1,990,000
11 Davis, Glen FC/PF 6-9 289 24 3 LSU $3,000,000
86 Erden, Semih C 6-11 240 24 R None N/A
5 Garnett, Kevin PF 6-11 253 34 15 None $16,400,000
55 Harangody, Luke PF 6-8 246 22 R Notre Dame N/A
45 Lasme, Stephane F 6-8 220 27 3 Massachusetts N/A
7 O'Neal, Jermaine C 6-11 255 31 14 None $22,995,000
36 O'Neal, Shaquille C 7-1 325 38 18 LSU $20,000,000
43 Perkins, Kendrick C 6-10 280 25 7 None $4,250,000
34 Pierce, Paul GF/SF 6-7 235 32 12 Kansas $19,795,712
4 Robinson, Nate G/PG 5-9 180 26 5 Washington $4,000,000
9 Rondo, Rajon PG 6-1 171 24 4 Kentucky $2,623,326
12 Wafer, Von G 6-5 209 25 5 Florida State N/A
13 West, Delonte G 6-3 180 27 6 St. Joseph's $4,254,250
6 West, Mario GF 6-5 210 26 3 Georgia Tech N/A

Re Felton, I don't like to argue, I prefer to bet. Here's my prediction: he will average less than 12 points and less than 6 assists per game, his assist to turnover ratio will be under 2.5, his FG% will be under 40% and, with or without any injuries, he won't be starting by March 1. If those are all true, I say that makes him a crappy PG. I guess if only some of them are true, he MIGHT be half-way decent. (depending on how close they all are to being true).

Loser agrees to grovel here.

[jon abbey]

yeah, those are last year's salaries, and I don't feel like thinking about the Felton thing at all right now. he's no All-Star, but he's the best PG NY has had in a long time (sadly), and he's a lot better than Duhon. in part, it's because he can defend well which is 1/2 the game and which none of your stats include.

[Steve Reynolds]

I am looking forward to the Rondo/Felton match-ups


although I do not know the details (they are welcome by those more in the know than me) the fact that Rondo was not on the USA team - was he not good enough according to the supposedly infallible Coach K (and they did win - although I saw very little) - I have to think he is going to be even more motivated to once agina prove the naysayers wrong.

have Russell Westbrook and Justin Rose accomplished yet what Rondo has?

I know they are very talented and very good - but......

I also know I am homer but I still think Rondo from any vantage point is one very special talent.

[Harold Baines]

It's Derrick Rose.

Rondo withdrew himself from the team after getting a DNP in an exhibition.