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See if you can spot the difference:
Boston Scenario:
Pierce has been a starter every season since being selected by the Celtics with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft.
Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics in a blockbuster trade in 2007.
On June 28, 2007, the Sonics traded Allen and Glen Davis, the 35th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, to the Celtics in exchange for Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and the fifth overall pick, Jeff Green.
Miami Scenario:
Dwayne Wade was selected 5th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat.
On July 8, LeBron James announced on a live ESPN special titled The Decision that he would sign with the Heat.
On July 10, 2010, Bosh officially completed a sign-and-trade deal with the Miami Heat, teaming up with Wade and James.Comment -
You guys can hate on him all you want I'm not even a Heat fan but 76ers.Lebron admitted he made a dumb mistake with the big hoopla about his move to Miami.Get over it.At least he is living up to the hype unlike Dwight Howard who thinks he is god's gift or Amare.
My point is that OP is acting like the Heat are far superior to everyone and it's unfair.The Pacers were up 2-1 in the series, Boston 3-2, and Thunder 2-0.The 90s Bulls had a bigger gap on the field than the Heat.Comment -
A guy with a jjgold avatar thinks he knows what its like to be a top level NBA player.Now I've heard it all.You clearly try to be some kind of internet sbr cool guy and that alone makes me wonder who needs to get a clue.I'm sure you will be dictating soon who is going to have the right to pay you multi millions.Just keep swinging on those nutsacks and you will get there.Comment -
best players right now
1. Lebron
2. KD
3. Carmelo Anthony
4. D12
5. Kyrie Irving, CP3
6. Wade, KobeComment -
did someone say choke?Comment -
what exactly is the problem with the big 3 joining forces in miami
did they break any rules? no.
friends and family members join college teams together all the time
shud we shun those teams as well?
tom brady restructured his contract so his team can get more cap room
i guess we shud shit on him as well
what about the lakers/knicks constantly going over the nba cap and outspending people
why isnt that a problem for people?Comment -
Whoever had them as faves was an idiot. They were still a young run and gun team that can't play defense and lacks a singlrle low post scorer. They match up terribly with the heat and their idiot coach refuses to play zone d which could fore bron shoot from the outsideComment -
You seriously can't tell the difference between MIA and those examples?
College players don't get paid.
Brady took less money to give his management a better chance at acquiring players, not for his friend's to join the team (who also took pay cuts). Brady wants to know his championships weren't an orchestrated farce.
If a team wants to spend more money and pay extra in taxes they can, it's their money. Nothing wrong with spending more. Something fukked up about taking less money so you can play with two other premier players who also agree to take less.
It was a conspiracy at the expense of competitive balance. It wouldn't be as big of an issue if it wasn't LeBron James, who has the skill level to lead a team to a championship on his own. To join a team to play second fiddle is flat out disgusting if you are a fan of the game. If you aren't outright disgusted and insulted by the actions of those three players then you clearly don't give a fukk about the game. They have put into motion a perverted way of going about things that should fukk up that league for years to come.Comment -
keyboarding you only think miami is a conspiracy, and not the other events you are discussing, because lebron/wade/bosh have been a bit more open in discussing what they were doing.
to think that was the first time a behind the scenes deal was made between top players is more than a bit naive.Comment -
It isn't just the fact they conspired (quite poorly and at the expense of their old teams/fans), it's the pay cuts they took to pull it off and the quality of the players involved. Bosh fukked TOR over the way he handled it (much like Howard did in ORL) and James fukked the fans in CLE. The fact people cheer for players like that is so pathetic, and that some on here defend their actions is embarrassing.
But I'd like you to show me another example where two top 5 players at their position signed with a team with a top 5 player, took pay cuts in doing so, and are all friends off the court. I'll wait.Comment -
obviously its not happend before
not sure y u need to set those restrictions
there are plenty of examples of people taking less money to join superteams
most players will want to be paid first and foremost and complain about their crappy teams later
they were smart in the sense that they controlled their own destiny instead of it being in the hands of a GMComment -
Team just fcks around for 3 quarters then turns it on, unreal. I wish I could hate LeBron. but you have to respect it.Comment -
all 3 players played out their original contracts. people cheer for eli manning, and he refused to play for the chargers who drafted him. people cheer for donald driver, and he was a drug dealing car thief.
just the fact that it gives you someone to cheer against makes the nba inherently more interesting than if there was the competitive equality you desire, right?
remember robot wars/battlebots? fun competitions, but after time without villains to root against, there were really no heroes to root for.
quite a few people were watching a first round n.i.t. game last night, and it wasn't because they wanted to see robert morris win. they just wanted to see kentucky lose.
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mike was there a hated guy/team in the nba when jordan dominated after the pistons faded? nope
also plenty of people have kobe and the lakers to root against so the nba doesnt really have to have another bad guy/team
the bottom line is that people dislike lebron because of a) the decision and b) the rock concert telling everyone theyd win seven titles or whatever
he also carried himself like a bitch his first year with the heat (see: wade and lebron mocking dirk in front of cameras during the nba finals before they got fukkin sizzled)
do you think this article was written just because three guys wanted to play together?
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did we forget a big 3 was almost formed with duncun/hill/mcgrady?
the big 3 in boston all took less money to keep their team together
the big 3 from the spurs all took less money to keep their team together
im sure if given the opportunity, KD and westbrook would have given some money back to keep harden
the one thing that i was surprised about was they all took less money to play together
most people want a great team but arent willing to sacrifice money when it comes down to it
nothing those 3 did were against the rules, they were free agents
i have a big problem when players are forcing a trade to a specific teamComment -
You sound like someone with NBA knowledge but who is clueless on how to use it.
Your examples are horrible and worthless because all those setups you mentioned were ALREADY together.
ALSO, Westbrook and Durant did not offer less money to keep Harden that's why he's gone. And when you are saying BIG 3's they are more like big 2 1/2's. Not even close to the BIG 3 that Lebron scammed up.Comment -
The big3 didn't take pay cuts. They actually make more money when you factor not having to pay state taxes in Florida.
I'm a Cleveland fan but I said it in this forum that Lebron had every right to leave (although I abhored the way he left). He was a free agent and it was obvious that he wasn't going to get it done in Cleveland. He made a lot of mistakes in Cleveland, most of all handicapping the team by forcing them to pick teammates that he wanted BUT the front office was horrible. Especially, Danny Ferry. He put shit on top of shit and did nothing to make the team better. Overpaid for players that should have been at the YMCA.
Lebron leaving helped Miami and Cleveland if you're honest. Cleveland is about to be an up and coming team. I say 3 years from now, Cleveland will be better than Miami. 4 of Cleveland's players were on the up and coming NBA team. If they stay healthy they are going to be a very good team. Even this year, the Cav's have out played most of the top tiered teams in the first 3 quarters. They just don't know how to close out games because they are young. Give them a couple more years and look out. Who knows, Lebron may want to come back too.
I use to make fun of Lebron (I still do) as a Clevelander. I saw holes in his game in Cleveland and didn't see him ever working on it. He's grown up the past few years. He's worked on those flaws and he's the best player on the planet. I use to see Michael play in person and never thought I'd say this but I'd take Lebron if I was starting a team. He just makes players around him better. Even Dleaguers won games with him.
I think it's okay to have fun and hate on Lebron but you need to be honest with yourself and realize that you are watching something you may never ever see again in your lifetime. At least appreciate the ride.Comment -
Exactly -- so why all the hate. Most of these guys are not intellectual, Lebron didn't even go to college and speaks like he barely finished middle school. At the end of the day, they are athletes. We are here to watch and witness their (basketball) talents.
I could care less if Bryant raped someone -- doesn't change the fact that he's one of the greatest athletes of all time.
All that matters is what these guys do on the court.Cause Sleep is the Cousin of DeathComment -
It's never been done.
The Lakers did almost the same thing this year. They have a top 3 player in the league, acquired the best big man in the nba, and say a top 10 PG. not quite the same dominance as a lebron and wade on the same team but many ppl have argued that both dwight and bryant are top 5 players in the league. What's the difference?
no one is saying anything/complaining because the Lakers are 8th in the west.
The same way no one was saying anything when Miami started the year bad and only got a 2 seed in the East. They thought the project would fail. Then they win and now the excuses pile up.
At the end of the day, you have to do what's necessary to cement your legacy.
Boston did the same thing with KG Pierce and Allen. Allen was easily top 10 at the sg position and KG was easily top 5 PF. Pierce was a top 5 SF. Miami formed their team based off that. And teams will now try to emulate the Miami model making these college players have to work harder and harder to find a spot in the league.Cause Sleep is the Cousin of DeathComment -
my point was that players have taken less money to keep superteams together
so that makes my points neither worthless nor horrible
if u read wat i said about the thunder, i said "IF" they were given the opportunity to give some money up for harden im fairly certain they would have done it.Comment -
Exactly...
The Lakers have been doing it for decades. Boston too. They get what they want while small market teams get the left overs. It is what it is, the rich get richer. Rules are in place to try and be impartial. Teams have to play within the rules. If others don't like it then they need to change the rules. The Heat was well within the rules. Sucks for opposing teams but its the hand you're dealt.
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lebron and wade definately took paycuts, those 2 shud be earning max contracts
bosh on the other hand mite get it from a team but hes not a superstar at all
kyrie has been off and on the injured list, hes not exactly durable in my eyes so far
stars are what will ultimately get teams to the next level
they are gonna need another one to be a serious contender
again, ur success as a team is almost 100% reliant on the competence of ur GM and front office
lebron is a rare play that does make EVERYONE on the team better
but i dunno if i take him over jordan
thats kinda funny coming from u cuz u were leading the charge against lebron many a times, haha
but its true, this animosity towards lebron is a joke now
people really need to let that stuff goComment -
yup, exactly my point
if people have a problem with 3 stars taking LESS money to team up
then they also be against teams like the lakers, knicks, yankees, redsox, etc etc
franchises that can just outspend every1 else while small markets are forced to part with their starsComment -
Maybe small market teams should pay their players. Look at okc trading away harden so they dont have to pay him max.Comment -
Lebron, Bosh and Wade all signed 6 year contracts exactly $15 million less than the max. Bosh and James look to earn $110 million over the six. Wade's is worth $107m. All three have opt out clauses after 4. Very simple math will show you that Ohio State taxes is close to 6% or about 6.6 million in taxes (even though NBA players have to pay taxes in each state where the arena that they play in so its more like half of that). Either way they both would end up taking about $8 million less over 6 years. That's peanuts. Also realize that that's if they would have signed max contract with Cleveland and Toronto if they stayed. Lebron has never signed a max contract and probably would not have signed one if he had stayed in Cleveland so NO he did not take a pay cut by going to Miami.
I liked bashing Lebron especially after the Decision but it was always in jest. I did think he was selfish and had too big of an ego to improve his game. He's really impressed me the last few years by developing a low post, working on his mid range, stopped dribbling and draining the clock then jacking up ill advised 3s and working on his free throws. He's admitted to making mistakes and is a better person for it. It's only basketball, it's not life and death. I think I mentioned before that I know his uncle and I went to some of his games dating back to HS. I'm very impressed with the way he's handled himself especially knowing some of his family members. How he didn't end up getting in trouble and doing stupid shit is a real testament on his inner strength.
Jordan use to bring it every night. It was amazing to see him perform night after night. Lebron is at that point now. Jordan would try to take over games himself and often did by sheer will. Lebron looks for the most efficient way to win even if that means getting others involved. Jordan was a "me first" and was taking that shot even if he was triple covered (and would make it). Lebron builds trust by getting the ball into the right spot. I really think Lebron makes his teammates much better. The Heat really shouldn't be as good as they are. Guy's like Chalmers shouldn't be scoring 17 points tonight.
Kyrie will be okay. I won't label him injury prone at this point. If the Cavs were challenging for a playoff run he'd be playing right now. The Cavs have some good pieces in place. Add a quality 3 and a PG to spell Kyrie and this team is the new face of the East. These guys are long and athletic and young. Grant just can't afford to make mistakes.
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name 5 players in the league better than him.
Maybe 3 years ago. Remember, they were favored to win the Finals when it started.
