Real Deal

TIME: 3:00 PM ET TV: CBS

Take both over LeBron and Wade combo, defensively? :o That duo was a huge part of why the Grizzlies were so good last season, aside from Zach Randolph tapping into his inner Karl Malone.

He starts at the PF spot, but he does play center every now and then. I wouldn't call him one, but it's whatever. Second best center is Drew.

Neither was LeBron, or Kobe, or anyone.

I'll go ahead and elaborate, just for the sake of discussion. The five years, $94 million is franchise player money. Starting all-star money. Superstar cash. Guys like Gasol have earned that over time, being in the league for so long and considered a veteran player...that's different. Significant increases in salary cause that. But Westbrook? I can justify giving the guy five seasons, because he's not injury-prone and he'll probably continue to put up his numbers (surely won't be declining anytime soon), but on average (not considering pay raise), that's what...a little less than $19-20 million a season? That's pretty steep. If you want to know just how steep...well, Kevin Durant signed for five years, $85 million. Westbrook is no Durant.

I thought Rose has been pretty overrated over the last couple of seasons, actually. He may have been the force behind the Bulls' offense last year, but they won the majority of their games due to Thibodeau and their defensive scheme. Didn't really care for his playoff run last year, either, although he was injured. Most definitely a superstar, though (and I separate my superstars from all-stars, two different things), but I've always liked Durant over Rose, and I think last year's MVP was Dwight.

You have to wonder if this is all due to conflict created by the Manning/Luck situation. The truth is, heading into the draft and next season, the Colts have a major decision to make on BOTH Manning and Luck (if they should select him, looks like they will...and what to do with Peyton at that point), and this could make or break the franchise for years, so I'm not surprised to see people getting tossed aside.

LOL. I won't elaborate.

Yeah, that's more than likely the case...just putting a price out there, though. Pierce is in the same boat as Kobe, Duncan and Dirk, really.

He's at 46% having a tear in his shooting hand, since the preseason, so I'm not too concerned with that.

Hard to say...it really depends on the team, because some will want a veteran champion like Pierce, to get them over the hump and into the pile of contenders. However, with the new CBA's harsh luxury tax penalties (after next season), I'm sure the big expiring contracts will be a huge deal (Ray, and especially Garnett's $21 million). I wouldn't be surprised if they get a bit more attention than usual in March (before the deadline). If you can trade for Garnett, and have $21 million coming off the books for next season, yet have a guy that may be able to help you win a championship...well, I don't see why a lot of teams would pass on that.

http://www.nba.com/news/features/2012-gm-survey/index.html#predictions

http://www.nba.com/news/features/2012-gm-survey/index.html#misc

http://www.nba.com/news/features/2012-gm-survey/index.html#players

http://www.nba.com/news/features/2012-gm-survey/index.html#offseason

http://www.nba.com/news/features/2012-gm-survey/index.html#rookies

http://www.nba.com/news/features/2012-gm-survey/index.html#defense

http://www.nba.com/news/features/2012-gm-survey/index.html#coaches

We've had 3-4 contests, total, since we put the board back up in 2009, and I think people just got tired of doing it. Two contests ago, there were plenty signing up (the contest that Nitro won).

This has always hit me in the face as odd. Even when GM's were saying that the Lakers were winning it all (not being biased here)...I don't see why GM's would take the Heat, even if they DID truly think that, unless they feel like the pressure is a good thing (well, bad for the Heat). I don't get that.

I'll delete my initial response, because Check My Stats said that Drew was an all-star. When you guys say that it's not close, it just makes it sound like you're saying that Drew is more on the level of Jermaine O'Neal. Anyway...I'll post what I did over at TLN.

Shaq hates both. He hasn't liked Drew since:

Right, but I was making the comparison between the undefeated Pats and the "should have been undefeated" Packers (Chefs were lucky), and how I figured this game would end the way it did for the Pats.

Best offensive big man in the NBA. Hard to really say if he's the best overall player. His defense has improved significantly.

Okay, I'm sorry...but Vince Carter jumped, shot the ball, landed on his feet (nobody else's feet), took a couple of steps, and RIGHT WHEN the shot bricked, he acted like he broke his foot. Forgive me for being suspicious.