NBA 2012-13 Offseason Thread

[JohnBM01]

Seems like the Rockets want to go all-in to try to get Dwight Howard. At least, from what I've been seeing on "Around the Horn" earlier today. All I know is that I'm sick of seeing my boys just not be good enough to make any postseason run. If this is what it takes to try to bring a spark to Houston, so be it. I'm just sick of seeing my Rockets just not be good enough. We haven't amounted to crap since T-Mac and Yao were inactive.

Just want the best for my team and want my team to be contenders again.

 

[a6m5]

Guys, teams can not reclaim players they amnestied. When the Blazers used the amnesty on Brandon Roy, media reported that Roy can not go back to the Blazers until 2014 or 2015. Yes, conflicting reports. Maybe they meant 2014~15 season. Scola is a kick ass player. Any team would be lucky to have him. Damn you Dallas for getting Brand for mere $2 Million.

As for teams "bidding" for waived players, basically it's a silent auction. Bids are kept secret, and the team that submitted the highest bid wins. The player still gets paid the original contract, his new team pays the amount they bid, his old team pays the difference, but the entire contract comes off their salary cap.

You do not remember stuff like this going on because there was not much news coverage of it. With the 24 hour news cycle, every little detail, whether said details actually means anything, is "reported".

There is some truth to that, but I used to be an NBA fanatic back then. I heard, read & watched everything, especially to all the off season stuff.

These days, I think the much higher player movement around the league + players, teams or agents purposely using the media to apply pressure probably contribute to the increased drama as well.

 

[McLaren]

Seems like the Rockets want to go all-in to try to get Dwight Howard. At least, from what I've been seeing on "Around the Horn" earlier today. All I know is that I'm sick of seeing my boys just not be good enough to make any postseason run. If this is what it takes to try to bring a spark to Houston, so be it. I'm just sick of seeing my Rockets just not be good enough. We haven't amounted to crap since T-Mac and Yao were inactive.

Just want the best for my team and want my team to be contenders again.

That's a gigantic gamble though for a potential 1-year rental. If he leaves, the Rockets are stuck with Orlando's bad contracts. The Magic are getting a helluva deal here.

 

[Paulie]

I watched the Raptors' first Summer League game today where we lost to John's Rockets (who had 3 first round picks), and was quite impressed with Terrence Ross. The biggest problem was some 3rd-rate player called Bobby Jones hogging the ball and throwing brick after brick.

 

[Tzun]

Howard has been seen wearing a Lakers snap-back. Interesting.

 

[a6m5]

Well, the Jeremy Lin situation got very interesting for Houston. The Knicks are reported to have picked up another point guard, via sign & trade, Raymond Failton Felton.

I saw the couple of names we(Blazers) are getting back in return, which makes absolutely no sense, except they probably don't make anything by NBA salary standards. They might be getting cut as soon as they arrive to Portland, which would prove this move to be for purpose of trade exception on the Portland end.

McFattypants, I mean Felton going to the Knicks seems to indicate that the Knicks are ready to let Lin walk to Houston. I think Lin is way overrated, but so is Feldown Felton. Lin does cost more, but as I posted in this thread before, with the incoming Chinese & Taiwanese currencies, the Knicks should more than get their money back. *shrug*

 

[Stavingo]

Jeremy Lin is only a rookie and Felton is like 30, you gotta let Lin develop a little more and he can be a solid point guard in this league.

Knicks are sorta stupid to let Lin go.

 

[Spacegoat]

McFattypants, I mean Felton

You couldn't help yourself, could you? 👍

Also as expected, the Hornets have matched Phoenix's offer for Eric Gordon.

 

[a6m5]

Stav: Jeremy's young, I'll give you that. I just think he's way overrated. I think he's had situational(it's a real word, I swear) success, but I predict he will struggle to win when it counts(like Playoffs). In a way, I do kind of see him as a Raymond Full-ton Felton: A player who can put up nice numbers in meaningless games.

I could be wrong, and I hope I am. I like Jeremy Lin.

goat:

 

[Tzun]

Or like James Harden he really crapped hisvpants in the Finals.

 

[Stavingo]

Stav: Jeremy's young, I'll give you that. I just think he's way overrated. I think he's had situational(it's a real word, I swear) success, but I predict he will struggle to win when it counts(like Playoffs). In a way, I do kind of see him as a Raymond Full-ton Felton: A player who can put up nice numbers in meaningless games.

I think he's overrated because of all the hype surrounding him IMO.

He's a good player but people are looking too much into his stretch he put up.

Or like James Harden he really crapped hisvpants in the Finals.

Did Jeremy Lin even play the playoff series?

 

[a6m5]

Yeah, Harden definitely disappeared, but that's actually pretty common in the later stages of the Playoffs though. Whether it be the matchup, just plain choking, taking the mob money.....

 

[McLaren]

There's only 1 reason the Knicks would be stupid to let Lin go & it's not because of how well he plays, but because he brings in all that money back.

It's not like Dolan can't afford going over the salary cap & pay the luxury tax to begin with, either.

 

[a6m5]

Arguably the great player ever versus the player I learned to play the game from:



Pippen taught me how defense will either shut the opponent down, or worst case scenario, keep you in the game. Also, I don't wanna brag, but I was master of bankshot('ATM', because it was open all-night!). People say "awww, Tim Duncan, huh?". NO. Scottie Pippen, biatch!

'12 Team USA versus the Dream Team? :censored:ga, please!

Edit: It looks like this is a footage from their exhibition game for their fans? No wonder Scottie became one of the all-time best defenders(who am I kidding, THE best defender ). It's cakewalk guarding the wannabes after practicing guarding the best SG ever to play the game.

 

[Stavingo]

NBA commentators are the best

 

[a6m5]

I think I read a headline that said Scola was snatched up by the Suns. Lucky.

As much as I'd like to have seen him in the Blazers uniform, we already have LaMarcus Aldridge + JJ Hickson we got off the waivers last year.

 

[McLaren]

Arguably the great player ever versus the player I learned to play the game from:



Pippen taught me how defense will either shut the opponent down, or worst case scenario, keep you in the game. Also, I don't wanna brag, but I was master of bankshot('ATM', because it was open all-night!). People say "awww, Tim Duncan, huh?". NO. Scottie Pippen, biatch!

'12 Team USA versus the Dream Team? :censored:ga, please!

Edit: It looks like this is a footage from their exhibition game for their fans? No wonder Scottie became one of the all-time best defenders(who am I kidding, THE best defender ). It's cakewalk guarding the wannabes after practicing guarding the best SG ever to play the game.

Scottie on Dirk according to Barkley.


Probably exaggerated a bit, but not an unlikely story.

 

[a6m5]

Scottie on Dirk according to Barkley.


Probably exaggerated a bit, but not an unlikely story.

As soon as I saw this video, I googled it a bit, and sure enough, Sir Charles saw a lot of minutes against Dirk in this game.

Nowitzki scored 42 points and had 17 rebounds. The 34 year old Barkley was helpless. During the game, Nowitzki dunked over Charles Barkley. link

A year later, the teenager participated in the Nike "Hoop Heroes Tour," where he played against NBA stars like Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen. In a 30-minute show match, Nowitzki outplayed Barkley and even dunked on him, causing the latter to exclaim: "The boy is a genius. If he wants to enter the NBA, he can call me." link

As you said, Sir Charles say something, we take with a grain of salt. I don't at all doubt that Dirk burned Pippen though. With an up & coming youngster with no scouting report, I can totally see a player like Dirk burning Scottie Pippen on a given night. Besides, skill-wise, Dirk is one of the few current NBA'ers who could make the Dream Team.

In his defense, old Chuck sucked, but the young Sir Charles(Sixers!) was my favorite PF:



Edit: Watch those highlights, and keep in mind, the dude was listed at around 6' 7", but rumored to be actually 6' 4" to 6' 5"! He's dunking over all these people, and he was a midget for a power forward!

Edit2: lol at 8:20 And 10:10, he punks Shaq! 👍

One of my favorite commercials from back when:



Edit3: If anybody has any interest in one of the greatest shooters in the history of the game, I recommend this funny & interesting video. This proves that he was also one of the best trash talkers in the game. I was a big fan of Riggie, but in real life, I was John Starks. I'd have killed Riggie.



Edit4: I forgot to post this earlier:

Report: Jason Kidd arrested on DWI charge

This probably isn't the first time Raymond Felton drove someone to drinking.

Via Southampton Patch, new Knicks point guard Jason Kidd was arrested early Sunday morning on an alleged DWI charge.

Just days after signing with the New York Knicks, Jason Kidd was arrested Sunday morning on an alleged drunken driving charge after a single-car crash, according to Southampton Town police.

Police said that Kidd's 2010 Cadillac Escalade struck a telephone pole and went into the woods near the intersection of Cobb Road and Little Cobb Road in Water Mill, not far from his Hamptons house. Police responded at 1:56 a.m. Kidd, 39, was alone in the car, according to police. He was transported to Southampton Hospital for minor injuries and released into police custody.

Kidd was arraigned on a misdemeanor DWI charge on Sunday morning in Southampton Town Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.

Sag Harbor attorney Eddie Burke Jr. said he is representing Kidd and was on his way to speak with Kidd late Sunday morning. "We await further discovery from the district attorney's office," Burke said.

Obviously coincidental (I think), this comes hours after the Knicks completed a sign-and-trade for Felton, which could signal the end of Jeremy Lin's time in New York. And part of the reason Kidd was drawn to the Knicks was to mentor Lin. Doubtful he had the same thing in mind for Felton.

Kidd recently signed a three-year, $9.5 million deal with the Knicks after spending the last few seasons with the Mavericks. link

I love it. And don't worry, Kidd fans. They never found the hooker he paid off.

 

[Stavingo]

I think I read a headline that said Scola was snatched up by the Suns. Lucky.

As much as I'd like to have seen him in the Blazers uniform, we already have LaMarcus Aldridge + JJ Hickson we got off the waivers last year.

Thats a solid move for Phoenix, they've been lacking at the power forward position.

 

[Spacegoat]

goat:

Nice one. 👍 Face facts a6, you're really going to miss watching McFatt..........Felton in a Blazers jersey next year.

Hornets acquire Brad Miller and two future second round picks from the T-Wolves

With all the free cap space the Hornets have, I was expecting much more from them in free agency this year. Though after scoring Davis and Rivers in the draft. I guess, I can't complain too much.

 

[Stavingo]

I think the Hornets should sign and trade Gordon, he obviously doesn't wanna be in NOLA.

 

[Paulie]

Yeah the Suns did land Scola, might help them remain somewhat relevant this season.

 

[a6m5]

Face facts a6, you're really going to miss watching McFatt..........Felton in a Blazers jersey next year.

This one's a freebie, goat. With this picture as my wallpaper, he'll always be in my heart.

Hornets acquire Brad Miller and two future second round picks from the T-Wolves

With all the free cap space the Hornets have, I was expecting much more from them in free agency this year. Though after scoring Davis and Rivers in the draft. I guess, I can't complain too much.

With the team being so young, I'm sure they are not looking to grow big too fast. I think the smart thing here is to bring in short contract, in this case, some one like Miller, have him show Davis the ropes. 👍

I think the Hornets should sign and trade Gordon, he obviously doesn't wanna be in NOLA.

Agreed. We were going through similar deal with our restricted FA, Nicolas Batum, except he wasn't opposed to being brought back. He said that he wanted to end up in Minnesota, but even if as a lip-service, he did state that he wouldn't be opposed to keep playing in Portland.

If the Suns weren't willing to give enough to the Hornets to entice a trade, I think the Hornets did the right thing by matching the offer sheet Gordon signed with the Suns. Why should they let the talent walk away for nothing, or not enough talent coming back to your team? However, you don't want to force someone to stay on your team, for the locker room reasons if anything.

Gordon is a coveted shooting guard. Now that they locked him up in a contract, if I were New Orleans, I'd look to trade him when he's eligible.

Edit:

Oh, by the way:

Phil Jackson interested in joining the Trail Blazers in non-coaching role​

Phil Jackson has interest in joining the Trail Blazers in a non-coaching role, a source close to the legendary coach said, but it is unclear whether owner Paul Allen has interest in Jackson.

“Phil would be interested in talking about a possible role in the organization,’’ the source close to Jackson said. “My sense is there is a lot Phil can offer by being there, be it handling players, advising trade scenarios, managing coaching staff ... I think he would be a tremendous adviser to the owner.’’

Allen, through Vulcan, Inc. spokesperson Christina Siderius, stuck to company policy involving searches.

"Out of respect for the people involved, we won't be commenting while the search for a new team president is under way. The same applies to the search for a new head coach.''

In the spring, Jackson’s agent Todd Musburger spoke several times with then-Blazers president Larry Miller, who wanted Jackson to coach the Blazers. Jackson eventually told Miller he wasn’t interested in coaching, but he left feeling “pleased and impressed” with the Blazers, according to the source close to Jackson.

Miller resigned on July 6, and Allen said he would open a national search. Jackson has yet to be approached as the Blazers are engulfed in free agency and a coaching search.

“We told them he didn’t want to be head coach, but that we had interest in Phil speaking with Paul,’’ the source said. “Is that door still open? That’s up to Paul Allen. But Phil is open to a conversation.’’

Jackson, who turns 67 in September, won a record 11-NBA titles as a coach _ six with Chicago and five with the Lakers - and two as a player with the Knicks (1970, 1973). He is widely regarded as the greatest coach of all-time and is known for his leadership and ability to motivate.

Since retiring after the 2011-2012 season, he splits time living between Los Angeles and Montana. He was born in Montana and went to high school in North Dakota.

My post on that story:

It's Phil 🤬 Jackson.

That's all I have to say.

I honestly don't know what the Zen Master's thinking about. Phil Jackson = The biggest winner at the every level of the NBA. Blazers = Choke artist, except when they are trying to trade away a quality point guard like Andre Miller for this:

If Phil's serious, they have to see if they can convince him to join the organization. He was a part of couple of the winningest NBA clubs, ever. He's seen some things man, and some stuff. I do recommend this hire.

 

[Spacegoat]

This one's a freebie, goat. With this picture as my wallpaper, he'll always be in my heart.

Love it. 👍

Gordon is a coveted shooting guard. Now that they locked him up in a contract, if I were New Orleans, I'd look to trade him when he's eligible.

Exactly my thoughts. The only slight concern for any team interested in a possible trade is his injury history. (remember he only played nine games last year)

Also while reading though this article, Blazers to interview Patrick Ewing , This made me chuckle,

So who wins: this year's squad or the 1992 Dream Team?

"You know who I think is better. '92," he said. "We'll kick butt and take names. We have 11 Hall of Famers. They have future Hall of Famers. Our bigs were more skilled than their bigs.

 

[a6m5]

I hope we get Ewing, because the day that happens, I CAN STOP BEING A BLAZER FAN!!!!!!! If Phil Jackson came in that package, as the President(ours recently resigned), I will be OK with Ewing as the head coach. No, never mind, i still don't want him.

On Eric Gordon, I totally agree about his knee. Even more reason to trade him away, grant his wish!

CBS Sports report that Blazers went after not only Sloan to fill the vacant head coaching position, but also Phil Jackson. Obviously, the Zen Master liked the numbers Paul Allen showed him. He's probably concerned how coaching a team like the Blazers(losers) will affect his rep & legacy........ but come on, Zen Master! He has success up to his you know what, it's time to give back to the (Portland)fans!

 

[McLaren]

OJ Mayo has signed with Dallas. Cuban doing some great damage control & still putting us in the running for the Dwight sweepstakes.

 

[Stavingo]

OJ Mayo has signed with Dallas. Cuban doing some great damage control & still putting us in the running for the Dwight sweepstakes.

That is a smoove move by Dallas, they have a pretty solid starting 5 now along with some nice role players.

 

[Paulie]

How would you feel if you were traded for a 2yr in advance 2nd round pick? Apparently that's what the Raptors did with James Johnson, he must be pretty miffed by that. All it does is give us a few dollars and clear some roster space, some speculate another trade more substantial may be imminent. There's also a press conference with Fields and Lowry tomorrow I'm looking forward to just to guage their enthusiasm for being in Toronto.

In other relatively irrelevant news the Heat set a Summer League record today apparently for largest win margin ever in Summer League. Also has anyone heard about Eddy Curry? I've heard he's in the best shape he's ever been in his career, you'd think he'd still have some good basketball in him and the Heat could use him...... They also think the Heat could still go after Oden if they wanted to.

 

[Stavingo]

I haven't been watching the summer league but the hornets are giving time to Rivers at PG. Personally he is more fit at 2.

 

[a6m5]

Did you guys hear that Eddy Curry is in the best shape of his career? He's considering joining the Heat!

Edit: Well, looks like Raymond Felton has sung: Jeremy Lin is a Rocket!