BR1986FB;1858666 wrote:Agreed and I'm sure a lot of people won't like this "hot taek" but LBJ started all of this so it's partially his fault. I know it was a bitch move for KD to join a 73 win team he couldn't beat and LBJ's situation was different (joined friends/built a team) but I still contend that LBJ could've had multiple titles here in Cleveland. His passive/aggressive "will he stay or will he go" diva bullshit kept a few free agents from coming here because he wouldn't commit (or recruit).
LeBron is definitely a petty diva, but he didn't start the super team stuff. KG, Allen, and Pierce were all 20+ PPG guys for several years immediately prior to joining up. They were still putting up numbers like guys in their prime. I think KG even led the NBA in rebounds per game in the year before they teamed up. That seemed like the first super team, though I don't count Rondo, since he was mostly an unproven commodity prior to that year.
But I'll agree that James upped the ante. The Celtics' "Big Three" (they were the first time I ever heard the phrase) had involved a LOT of strategy from Ainge. It was still largely front-office-driven, and even though they were still playing at a high level, from a sheer age standpoint, the window was smaller. The Heat super team had two guys in their primes and one in his late prime, and it was largely player-driven, so while I don't think LeBron started the whole super team movement, he certainly put a spin on it that has stuck.
SportsAndLady;1858678 wrote:You guys let classys posts get to you too much. I don't let a virgins troll posts on a message board bother me too much.
He's just fun to hate on.
sleeper;1858684 wrote:I still think the Cavs have the tools necessary to beat the Warriors in a 7-game series.
I agree with this. Of the five games, three were reasonably close. A few shots or calls go differently, and we're up 3-2. Not to mention the fact that the Cavs shot TERRIBLY for the first three games. WAY below their norm (especially in Game 1).
like_that;1858694 wrote:Still, what Lebron did is NOT even close to what KD did.
Agreed. I used this analogy:
If a team is a house, there are parts of the house that are crucial to the stability of the house. LeBron went to be part of a house being built. He, Wade, and Bosh were like the load-bearing walls of the house that was built down there.
However, the house was already built in Golden State. They were the odds-on favorite to win even before KD came to town. KD was basically an add-on to extend the kitchen. He wasn't necessary. He made the house better, sure, but the house was fine without him, too.
Automatik;1858702 wrote:KD still made the biggest bitch move of all time. I can't think of one close to comparable.
He balled out though, so good for him.
Any of the All-Star quality players would have balled out on that team. Not saying he's not top-3 in the league, but with so many offensive weapons, opponents won't be able to focus exclusively on you or you and just one other teammate. You'll get less defensive attention, just out of necessity.
sleeper;1858708 wrote:I could see the bench being shaken up and potentially Love shipped to Indiana for George. I really think the bench is the only thing that needs to be re-tooled. Shumpert is the top target to ship out; JR is staying and Korver will probably stay.
Frye/Jefferson are vets on a minimum contract; them staying/going doesn't really have an impact.
There's no need to panic but it's clear the bench was the weak spot this year. However, we also have the most expensive roster in NBA history so getting quality bench players when our salary values are concentrated with overvalued talent, it's really hard to blame the bench. For example, we had to keep JR/TT but are they really worth the money they are being paid? Besides Game 5, JR was a non-factor in the Finals and TT was a non-factor in the Finals as well. You also need more production out of Love on a consistent basis rather than just a good game every once in a while.
One thing about the bench that I haven't liked is that it's old. Frye, Jefferson, both Joneses, Korver, and Deron Williams are all older than I am (33). The only "young" guy coming off the bench and getting relevant minutes is Shump, who's 27.
There are going to be games where you need to lean on your bench, and with as old as many of those guys are, they just don't have the legs for it anymore. Korver can still hit, but he sure seems like running the court at the Warriors' pace affects his shooting. Deron Williams is a shell of his former baller self. Jefferson has some quality minutes sometimes, but they're often peppered with 'WTF' minutes, too.
They need a better balance of youth and experience on the bench. I know they've got Derrick Williams and Edy Tavares, who are young, but if they're not good enough to get at least a few quality minutes in competitive games, then what value do they bring? None. Young, fresh bench players only help when they are good enough to get OFF the bench.
As for a Love/George trade, what would incentivize Indiana to make that trade? It's not a terrible trade-off in terms of immediate value, but what would it be about Love that would sweeten the deal enough to get Indiana to want that? The fact that George might leave after this next year is the only thing I can think of, which might be enough, but it's not a ton.
