Real Deal

THANK YOU LEBRON JAMES, IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF YOU. I OWE YOU MY LIFE. YOU'RE THE SECOND BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER IN THE NBA AND I CAN ADMIT IT. 680 posts today, 559 yesterday, 709 the day before. I wouldn't say it's incredible...just seems that way.

That's fine, but you don't think you can get more than just Miller and Batum (basically it)? I would put him on the block after this upcoming season, when he's fully healthy, and right before the draft (to get a high pick and players). Yes...that's what I heard, and I also read that Paul was upset about the firing. Conflicting reports. You know as much as I do on the subject (and more).

Gotta say you're exactly right. Underrated signing. Blake will contribute more for us than some understand. There's a good chance that, if we stay healthy, we rank in the top three in both offense and defense next season.

Haha...Ron Artest was the best defensive player in the playoffs, hands down. It wasn't even close. Trevor would've gotten manhandled by Pierce, and Durant would've killed him. I'm SO glad we didn't keep him over Ron, and that's the honest truth.

This is definitely not an unnecessary signing. The guy I wanted most over the second half of the season was Hinrich. Blake is good enough. He can shoot, defend, and pass. Bell can be had for the minimum. I wouldn't be shocked to hear us trying to get someone else with the rest of our MLE.

Novak is nowhere near the player Miller is, dude. Mike Miller shoots, he can defend well, and he can pass the ball. Novak is absolutely worthless, not even worth filling a bench seat, really. He can't even shoot.

That still means Ron gets less time on the floor. And...Odom is a PF, and the Celtics have two (Garnett and Baby). Pierce can stay in Boston and age with the rest of his crew. I'd rather have a legit starting point guard, or a shooter (like Mike Miller).

A Laker? -_- I know he's a very good player, but ugh...don't know about that. It would cut into Ron's minutes, and to be honest, Artest would actually be more important to us than Pierce, especially after seeing him lock up Durant the way he did, even stopping Pierce for half of the Finals series. I don't see why Pierce would not consider the Clippers, since they have a wide-open gap at the three. Playing alongside Griffin, Gordon, Kaman and Davis? That team could be pretty tough to handle.

I think that if Doc Rivers would've retired, Pierce wouldn't given it more thought. There was a quote not too long ago, with him stating that he would've liked to play in Los Angeles (where he's from), so it would make sense. Sure the hell wouldn't be welcomed in Lakerland, though.

@IraHeatBeat @chadfordinsider

You would be happy dealing CP3 for those guys? I think those three are good players, but Chris Paul is a great player. Plus, teaming Paul up with Roy, Aldridge and Oden makes me sick to my stomach. Portland would be a potential 60-win team with everyone healthy.

If this goes down, I hope everyone dismisses the signing as a good move, calling it a mistake instead. Then maybe Mike Miller will prove them wrong just as Ron Artest did. The more holes we fill, the better we get. Shooting is our biggest hole to date. We get Mike Miller, and I will be more confident than I was over the last 2-3 seasons.

LOL.

Cleveland could offer Hickson, Williams and West's expiring contract. But I'm guessing the Hornets want a team to take on Okafor's deal also, so the Cavs would need to throw in Jamison. While Antawn is signed for two more years and big money, Okafor is 4-5 years and big money. In all seriousness, that filler would be Drew, and we would have to take on Emeka's contract. I definitely, definitely don't have a problem with that, but most will...and it won't happen.

I think his 20/10 games make that less relevant these days. He's a power forward with a polished offensive game, so I don't think teams really worry too much about that when he's on the market and talking to other teams. They just want to get in there, talk to him and make a big impact.

Yeah, especially after how Mo Williams has performed in the playoffs. I wonder how much he (Paul) actually likes Byron Scott?

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/07/01/sports/nh2723138.txt (very bottom of the article)

Let me dream.

So, get this... 1) The FO states that we will not spend our MLE this season...and if anything, just part of it. 2) We decline to offer Farmar a contract, and we are basically letting him go. 3) Phil Jackson comes back for a final season. 4) Mike Miller is offered a 5-year, $30 million contract (the MLE). 5) We ignore the point guard spot that we were rumored to be focused on. I have this gut feeling we are shooting for Bosh, and Bynum is part of the trade. Odom as well? Either way, it's weird to me because Miller has nowhere to play on this roster, not with the role Odom has. Ignoring the point guard position? We need one, even if he's a bench PG. The Bosh deal could include Jarrett Jack, as rumored. Keep in mind that this was actually offered in February, the Bosh/Bynum trade. Not sure if it included Lamar, but you'd have to wonder. Starting Gasol and Bosh, then bringing Odom off the bench with Miller...that's crushing. If we trade Odom with Drew, okay...but I'm starting to wonder what's brewing in Toronto and in LA.

Haha, would you believe me if I told you I meant to say he wasn't a good defensive center? Because I really did mean to say he was better at the four, on defense. I was looking at his numbers on 82games earlier...definitely not the "end all" in a debate, but yeah...

We won't get both Miller and Blake, though. Would be nice...but the MLE is too small for that, unfortunately. But getting Blake, then signing Bell to the vet's minimum...or getting Mike, then looking at a cheap FA point...I don't know. I'm really liking the activity here.

I'm not sure if some realize how significant this is, especially in the triangle. He will kill teams. Ariza was a problem, sometimes, and even guys like Devean George and Brian Cook could hit those open shots...but Mike Miller? Right now, he's #1 on my FA list for us.

:o Please take it, Mike.

Yep, because Farmar has the potential to be the best guard in NBA history, and he wants to lead a three-peat on his own. What's one more ring when you already have two, right?

I don't know, dude. Sasha Vujacic is a pest on defense...not a good defender, but just someone who annoys the life out of you. Varejao put up some impressive defensive numbers (opponent eFG% and such). As far as Baby's play in the Finals...can't say he was that big for them. He shot 46% for the series (which isn't great for his size), shot UNDER 44% for the season, and had some pretty bad games in 2010. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/glen_davis/game_by_game_stats.html He dominated Lamar Odom all series, but I really don't know if that's saying a lot. There's a reason why fans call him Odumb.