[hack]

Time for a thread focused on the big movers this summer?

Wojnarowski is fuming here...




Summer of LeBron overshadows draft

By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports
4 hours, 50 minutes ago

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NEW YORK – This was the way LeBron James(notes) fantasized the free-agent frenzy playing out, the hijacking of a sport unfolding over the NBA Finals and draft. Now the arms race for basketball’s biggest soap star has transformed into the most fascinating free-for-all this sport’s ever witnessed. Tampering is out of control, side deals promised everywhere, and James and his inner circle have the NBA where they’ve always wanted it: on its knees, bowing down to the King.

Despite the extravagant dinner party to entertain LeBron and his extended list of enablers that the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the Knicks are planning for July 1, an executive with a team in pursuit of James believes it could be Broiled Walsh and D’Antoni served to empty seats. “LeBron’s taking appointments with teams in Ohio that day,” the official said.


In this twisted, bizarre and broken culture of Stern’s NBA, the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat overshadowed the draft with what passes as accomplishment now: Gutting good players off rosters, clearing cap space and praying World Wide Wes is lying to everyone else, not you. Ernie Grunfeld was the most unpopular man in the sport for letting the Chicago Bulls use the Washington Wizards as a repository for Kirk Hinrich’s(notes) $9 million contract, the 17th pick in the draft and $3 million.

To listen to World Wide Wes, LeBron will never look back on Cleveland. “He’s up out of there,” is the way he tells it to people, but LeBron’s Akron crew has to tsk-tsk such public talk because they all live in Northeast Ohio, and maybe always will. “We’re going to Chicago,” William Wesley tells people, “and Chris Bosh(notes) is coming, too.”

Free agency started months ago, and there isn’t a day that passes that the biggest stars, agents and teams aren’t negotiating in violation of the NBA’s make-believe rules. Just make sure Phoenix Suns GM Steve Kerr sends his five-figure check for making a joke on a radio show about James. This is the biggest farce the NBA’s ever endorsed and enabled, and that’s saying a lot considering the people responsible for running this Truman Show starring LeBron, Wes and Maverick Carter.

The Bulls believe they’re going to get James, and that’s why they so confidently cleared the cap room needed to sign James and Bosh. The Bulls think they’re getting James and Toronto’s Chris Bosh, that the supporting cast of Derrick Rose(notes) and Joakim Noah(notes) make them the most attractive destination. Nevertheless, the biggest myth of free agency, some executives pursuing James say, is that recruiting Bosh is telltale to the cause. “Bosh is attaching himself more to LeBron, than LeBron is to him,” one official said.

New Jersey is trying hard to deliver Chris Paul(notes) for James, but here’s one problem: New Jersey would never offer center Brook Lopez(notes) in a package, and Hornets GM Jeff Bower wouldn’t even accept a trade that included the burgeoning 7-footer for Paul, a source said. Most of all, the Nets’ puncher’s chance is the excessive ego of James feeling lured to the possibilities of Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov.

“Prokhorov is the draw,” one Eastern Conference official said. “The King thinks he can be a billion dollar guy.”

Prokhorov is expected to fly to Akron – perhaps as early as July 1 – and here’s an idea for him: He might want to sign his GM, Rod Thorn, to a contract, because some peers believe that without a contract soon the Nets top executive could walk away and retire. No one ran a smarter, shrewder draft campaign than Thorn, who turned insufferable Minnesota GM David Kahn into a basket case over the Nets threatening to draft Wesley Johnson(notes).

Even the least provocative and interesting of writers bought the bait the Nets were plotting a package deal with Johnson and free agent Carlos Boozer(notes). The Russians running the Nets want marquee free agents and Boozer doesn’t fit the sexy splash they’re angling for in July. For everything breaking loose on draft night, the Cavaliers had never looked so unappealing and distant in the James sweepstakes. The Cavs couldn’t give away a $30 million contract to Tom Izzo and they can’t get Byron Scott to take the offer of a job over the possibility of two others in Los Angeles that he’ll probably never get. Cleveland had no draft picks on Thursday and little more than sentimentality to sell LeBron James to stay home.

The most unforgettable moment of the offseason had to be the Cavs’ new GM, Chris Grant, standing there at his introductory news conference reading a list of scripted compliments about his owner that the organization laid out for him. The Cavs can script these things, but they’re losing control of the free-agency narrative. For so long, Gilbert enabled everything with LeBron – the bigger-than-life billboards, the full-time jobs and summer league roster spots for his buddies and the endless capitulations that contributed to his obsession with creating a culture of all him, all the time in the NBA.

LeBron’s title chase is lurching closer and closer, the Ego Championship of the NBA. All hell is breaking loose, broken rules and broken promises ruling the day. Somewhere, James was smiling on Thursday night. All these kids getting a dream fulfilled, all these picks walking to the podium, and it was still all about LeBron James on draft night. On your knees, people. Bow down to the King. Bow to the chaos.

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[Big Jerm]

Good job of summing it up. Basically why I think Lebron is a bit of a douche.

[Hobbs]

Woj is a hatchet man. He's great for info, but most everything he writes is bitter name calling crap.

[hack]

I don't think that of him. He's certainly unafraid, however.

[Pizza Boy]

It's all over ESPN, D Wade, L James, and C Bosh all met in Miami, could this mean something?

Pat Riley has always been aggressive for free agents, he gave Shaq everything AND the kitchen sink. If Riley wasn't in Miami, I would say it means nothing, but he is determined to keep Wade, and getting Lebron is a pretty good way to do that. Throw in Bosh, and all 3 of them would be hard to beat.

[GC_STONES]

It's a convincing argument for the Heat. I would just be disgusted because those fans don't deserve it.

From LeBron's standpoint - the Heat franchsise gives him great weather, fun city, HoF coach, and ofcourse the lure of playing with Wade + Bosh.... and their supporting cast isn't atrocious like the Knicks will be year 1; they did good job drafting Pittman and Varnado, in addition to Chalmers and Beasley.

guard - Wade/Chalmers
forwards - LBJ, Bosh, Beasley
C - Pittman , Varnado (though he is a bit skinny for center), maybe they resign Jermaine O? They can use the MLE on some big, Haywood or whomever.

[RugbyPike#11]

The Heat won't have the MLE this year because they're under the cap.

[GC_STONES]

So whats the deal with that; if they cap out by signing the 'big 3'... then they still don't get the MLE?

I've always been off about the MLE and when teams get it.

[Billl]

If you go under the cap by more then the MLE, then you don't get to use the MLE that year.

[GC_STONES]

Thanks

Yet in JO's case - the Heat have his bird rights so they can go over the cap to sign him? That seems pretty likely if they lock in LBJ, Bosh and Wade.

[Hobbs]

No, they have to renounce their rights to Jermaine in order to get under the cap.

[Billl]

No, the heat will have to renounce all rights to their free agents to create cap space if they want to sign other free agents.

[Jangul]

No. Once they renounce J O Neal , they no longer hold his Bird rights. They could go over the cap to sign him by giving him him a vet minimum contract.

[GC_STONES]

well then they will have very, very little space to fill out that roster - if they do grab the big 3... perhaps $4 million at the most.

They can't go to war with just Pittman at center.

[Jangul]

Umm...... Jinx.

[GC_STONES]

All these teams trying to get 3 max guys are going to have issues year 1.

That's why the Nets and Bulls have the edge imo, because they can sign two max players while still having a solid supporting cast (Noah, Rose and Lopez, Harris, Favors)

[hack]

Yes. Hobbs, Billl and Jangul have answered the question sufficiently.

[Hobbs]

They will have some issues filling out the roster, but they will be able to sign several vets that want to latch on to a championship before they retire and some D league pure effort guys that will look good next to the superstars. A minimum contract playing next to The Dream Team will be good enough for a lot of guys.

[Pizza Boy]

Originally Posted by GC_STONES

It's a convincing argument for the Heat. I would just be disgusted because those fans don't deserve it.

You hit the nail on the head GC, they don't deserve it. I lived down there until I was 30 (1996) and nobody gave a damn about the Heat, Marlins, and Panthers.

Even the Dolphins have landed in the tank since Marino retired, and the mighty Hurricanes have turned into the Hericanes since Ohio State stole their national championship from them on that bogus interference call.......

How Miami has still got those pro franchises down there is a head scratcher.
They get NO attendence at anything, and the only thing they can sellout is a Gloria Estefan concert.

[hack]

Not entirely their fault -- half the population grew up in NJ or NY as Giants or Jets fans.

Agreed that it ain't right tho. I hated seeing the Marlins beat the Indians in that World Series in 96 or 97 or whenever it was. I was living in Miami at the time too.

[Whitley]

Originally Posted by hack

Not entirely their fault -- half the population grew up in NJ or NY as Giants or Jets fans.

Agreed that it ain't right tho. I hated seeing the Marlins beat the Indians in that World Series in 96 or 97 or whenever it was. I was living in Miami at the time too.

I loved seeing that. Of course, I love seeing all Cleveland/Ohio State teams lose all the time. It means all is right in the world.

[hack]

I don't connect Cleveland to OSU. It was just wrong. Cleveland has real fans.

[tin mad dog]

Originally Posted by hack

Not entirely their fault -- half the population grew up in NJ or NY as Giants or Jets fans.

Cubans grew up in NY?

[hack]

IIRC it's the second-largest Cuban community in the US in NJ...

[tin mad dog]

I did not know that.

[Pizza Boy]

Sure there's a lot of outsiders that move to Miami, but that happens everywhere, I was born in Miami, and plenty of others too. Just a lot of people with too much to do, and not enough time for sports.

[tin mad dog]

I would laugh my ass off if they miss out on Bron & Bosh and have Wade bolt.

[pif]

I would love to see that happen. I grew up down there, but never liked the Heat. 2006 was very hard on me. lol

[Pizza Boy]

Might happen, but I just have to think Pat Riley has something up his sleeve. I mean a week has gone by and the big 3 has not said much about anything.

I would think is LeBron was going to Chicago, he would have committed by now.

Miami just looks like his best option other than Chicago, and the weather, did I mention the great weather they have down there????........

[Whiteman]

Seventh overall pick in 2010 NBA Draft
Read more: Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons, NBA Draft, Georgetown Hoyas, Pro, NBA





AUBURN HILLS -- Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed its first round draft selection Greg Monroe to a contract.
Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Monroe was drafted by Detroit with the seventh overall selection in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-11 forward from Georgetown University averaged 16.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks in 34 games as a sophomore for the Hoyas. The New Orleans, LA native was named to the Big East All-Tournament team after averaging 19.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists on .545 shooting from the floor while leading the Hoyas to the championship game. Monroe recorded 14 double-doubles last season (13 points/rebounds and one points/assists) and led the team in scoring 13 times, rebounding 30 times and assists 15 times. He scored a career-high 29 points and tied career-high 16 rebounds at Villanova (1/17/10). His career-high 12 assists at Providence (2/9/10) were the most by a center in Big East history.
As a freshman, Monroe was named Big East Rookie of the Year after averaging 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 2.5 assists in 31 games. He recorded 17 consecutive double-figure scoring games, including four doubles and scored a season-high 21 points while grabbing 10 rebounds at Notre Dame (2/28/09).

[Stefan S]

Originally Posted by Pizza Boy

... and the weather, did I mention the great weather they have down there????........

Neah... it's much too humid and hot, especially during Summers.

[pif]

Amen, Stefan. My wife wants to move back there though.

[GC_STONES]

then that whole little old oil spill thing may work its way around Miami area.

[Pizza Boy]

Miami is not too hot if you wear shorts and a nice thin T-Shirt with flip flops.

Take a stroll on the beach, let the waves come up and slam into your ankles.....

YES I do remember it well....I love the weather, it's warmer than the north in the winter, and it's actually a little cooler than the north during the summer...can't beat it.

Looks like Dwyane Wade couldn't leave it, and Chris Bosh will like it much more than Toronto.

LeBron chooses tonight (I here the Clash singing "Should I Stay or Should I Go" in the backround)

I think it's come down to Miami or Cleveland....Chicago is out with no Bosh, and New York was never really considered IMO....why would it?

[Kstat]

if Florida had income tax, Miami Beach wouldnt be the big draw everybody makes it out to be.

[GC_STONES]

I'm not sure Chicago is out...

Boozer is on par with Bosh, if not better

Rose is a different type of player than Wade - and I do think Wade compliments LeBron better

the x factor is Noah - Miami doesn't have anything near the caliber of a player as Noah

Deng or Rip as the 4th scoring option is on par or better than Mike Miller.

If he wants to win, he should go to Chicago.... the sexy pick is Miami

[The King]

Miami is a hotspot regardless of income tax or not.

What athlete in their 20's wouldn't want to live in a place with nice weather, beaches, extremely hot chicks and quality nightlife?

[Laimbeer Returns]

I do think Chicago may have a better chance of fielding a complete team this year.

The problem is for the next 6 years, great players are going to line up to take the MLE or less to play with those 3 guys.

A quality point guard or center who can make more than the MLE elsewhere would love to start in Miami and win titles. A guy like Andre Miller might jump once he hits FA.

[Hobbs]

Originally Posted by GC_STONES

Deng or Rip as the 4th scoring option is on par or better than Mike Miller.

No. Miller is much better than either in that role. Besides being the only one that can hit 3s with consistency, he can take the pressure off LeBron with ballhandling, is the best rebounder, and probably the best passer. He's way more efficient in pretty much every way. He's the perfect complimentary player.

[joe servo]

Orlando should counter by going after Ben Wallace. He'd muscle-up Bosh pretty well and leave Howard free to roam the paint. They need a good defensive 2 or 3 now, though.

[Mainevent]

Miller prefers to be complementary as well.

[fredsue]

Not sure how much cooler than the north it is during the summer...but to each their own...the 90's can start in March and stay through sept...Humidity is high... the average temp during summer is in 90's not sure where in the north that is true

[pif]

I grew up in South Florida. It's hot as balls 9-10 months out of the year and the humidity is uncomfortable. I couldn't walk my dog at 6am without sweating. Atlanta is much more temperate and the summer nights are usually nice. Can't believe my wife wants to move back to the sweathole.

[Forsh]

Originally Posted by Hobbs

No. Miller is much better than either in that role. Besides being the only one that can hit 3s with consistency, he can take the pressure off LeBron with ballhandling, is the best rebounder, and probably the best passer. He's way more efficient in pretty much every way. He's the perfect complimentary player.

The perfect complimentary player can play defense ... but let's not worry about that.

[hack]

Miami's a shithole. Those wonderful January nights do not make up for the awful summers. My drycleaning bill went through the roof in the almost 3 years I lived there. But I can't say this enough, Miami is an absolute shithole. I am an urban person but for once in my life leaving a city worked out well for me. Miami's not a city, it's a series of strip malls linked by a highway. I moved up to Palm Beach County, which still retains some of that old Florida charm.

That said, were I single and rich and my priority was getting laid, Miami rises up the ranks considerably. Miami's got nothing on New York in that way, and I'd bet even Toronto holds its own because so many women there are so well dressed city, but Miami certainly is a fleshpot.

[Stefan S]

Originally Posted by hack

That said, were I single and rich and my priority was getting laid, Miami rises up the ranks considerably. Miami's got nothing on New York in that way, and I'd bet even Toronto holds its own because so many women there are so well dressed city, but Miami certainly is a fleshpot.

I heard that Toronto is cold, though, which would be bad for my knees. I suffered a lot when I was in Detroit.

On the flip side, I also heard that people in Toronto smoke weed openly.

[hack]

It's cold. Get some knee braces and a coat and enjoy the benefits, because it's a real city. Not a collection of retail opportunities and parking lots. NBAers themselves think it's got better nightlife than almost every other NBA city. The Wall Street Journal did that story a few years ago.

[whoDean]

NBAers themselves think it's got better nightlife than almost every other NBA city.

Better than Miami?

[hack]

How should I know? Does Hollinger have a stat to rate this, or is it ok for people to have varied opinions?

Why Pro Athletes Love Toronto - WSJ.com

[The King]

In no way does Toronto have better nightlife than Miami. Miami girls are off the fucking charts. Beaches and elite clubs. These guys are going to own that town.