573 replies to this topic

[mweb08]

Smart move for both the Cavs and Wolves. Let's see how quickly this Cavs team meshes, but they have the talent to win it all.

[Pedro Cerrano]

This team ain't gonna play no defense.

 

But with the rest of the East looking the way it is they're the clear favorite to win the Conference at least.

[You Play to Win the Game]

That's gotta be slightly awkward for Wiggins to just be hanging around as a Cav for another 18 days.

[SportsGuy]

Great trade for all sides.

[Chris B]

Xavier Nation ‏@XUNation 13m

BREAKING: LeBron James and the Cavs will take on Xavier great David West and the Pacers October 15th at the Cintas Center!

 

Goddammit why did I have to graduate this past year.

[SportsGuy]

Love has also agreed to an extension it appears:

 

http://espn.go.com/n...agreement-place

[Mackus]

Isn't it tampering or collusion or something for him to agree to opt out after the year and then sign an already settled on extension?  Isn't that pretty similar to the under the table Joe Smith agreement that cost Minnesota like 5 straight 1st round draft picks?

[DJ MC]

Isn't it tampering or collusion or something for him to agree to opt out after the year and then sign an already settled on extension?  Isn't that pretty similar to the under the table Joe Smith agreement that cost Minnesota like 5 straight 1st round draft picks?

 

In this case, it's only tampering if it's happening without the knowledge of the other team. For example, if the Timberwolves were trading Love with the knowledge that he was going to test free agency no matter what, but he was secretly negotiating an extension with the Cavaliers. The difference is that this scenario would mean the Wolves likely would be receiving less back from Cleveland than they should considering the extension. However, since this is all happening with the consent of Minnesota, it's OK.

 

It's the same thing that we talk about from time to time in making baseball trades, about dealing contingent on a negotiating window for an extension. The Joe Smith deal was something different entirely.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Interesting move by Love there to basically agree to an extension a year before he can sign it. LaMarcus Aldridge did essentially the same thing with Portland last month (although unlike Aldridge, Love hasn't publicly stated it yet). It's obvious why both are waiting, since they would get more money and years if they sign next summer when they are FA's than extending now. But even though they don't have to follow through with their commitment to re-sign, it seems odd that they are sort of painting themselves into a corner before actually becoming free agents, something every star player in his prime builds his professional and financial future around.

[Mike in STL]

Welp, Cavs just won the East. Book it.

[ChaosLex]

Meanwhile bnickle just had a coronary.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Welp, Cavs just won the East. Book it.

 

Outside of LeBron they play no defense.

[mweb08]

Our NBA guest last night, Michael Pina still has the Bulls as the favorite. Without injuries to the Bulls and Cavs, it's hard to imagine anyone else coming out of the East.

[Mike in STL]

Welp, Cavs just won the East. Book it.

 
Outside of LeBron they play no defense.

And besides the Spurs, who still does in the NBA?

I could still see the Spurs winning the title, but in a seven game series in the East playoffs, no one is taking down Love and LeBron and Irving. Just the way basketball is. The best players always win especially in a series. Its not like football where its one and done or baseball where the entire team matters.

[mweb08]

A lot of teams play good defense. Especially their primary Eastern Conference competition, the Bulls. Defense is stronger now then at most times in NBA history.

[You Play to Win the Game]

A lot of teams play good defense. Especially their primary Eastern Conference competition, the Bulls. Defense is stronger now then at most times in NBA history.

You must be confused with college basketball.

[Dupin]

That's going to be a really good basketball team.

[Pedro Cerrano]

And besides the Spurs, who still does in the NBA?

I could still see the Spurs winning the title, but in a seven game series in the East playoffs, no one is taking down Love and LeBron and Irving. Just the way basketball is. The best players always win especially in a series. Its not like football where its one and done or baseball where the entire team matters.

 

Chicago, Indiana, Miami the last few years, the Wizards and Bobcats (Hornets) were both good defensively last year.  In their hay-day the late 00s Celtics played good D so did the mid 00s Pistons.

[Pedro Cerrano]

You must be confused with college basketball.

 

NCAA Hoops:  where lack of offensive talent is misconstrued for good defense.

[BSLMikeLowe]

While most people want to chalk it up to their slow pace, hence low-scoring games, the Grizzlies have also been one of the more efficient defensive teams in recent seasons.