EmpireWF
Giants in the Super Bowl
-Is Lebron Still The Bad Guy?
Last year, we saw the awesomeness that was the Heat lose. Chris Bosh cried like he was 5-years old and a bully stole his ice cream. Dwayne Wade was pissed. And Lebron? Well, his awkward defense mechanism kicked in and cut a heel promo about how his life will be just fine. He still lives a great life, while all his haters still have to get up in the morning and go to their 9-5 meaningless job and be unhappy. :rofl:
-What Will Oklahoma City Do With James Harden?
Perhaps as much as any other player in the league, James Harden emerged this season as a superstar player. The only cause for concern among Thunder fans is the fact they already have two guys who are paid like superstars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook (both are on 5-year max contracts). Harden is owed $5.8M next season but as of July 1, the team can offer extensions to both Harden and big man Serge Ibaka. Should either man not sign those offers, they would become restricted free agents after next season. That's the last thing OKC wants because there WILL be a team out there willing to offer Harden a max contract. Perhaps the Thunder are hoping Harden doesn't want a max deal and will sign their lesser extension in the summer. I wouldn't count on it.
-Changes in Boston!
This past season has to definitively be considered the final year of the "Big 3" era in Celtics history. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen both become free agents and it's unlikely either will be willing to take a significant pay cut to stay in GM Danny Ainge's plans. With all that newfound cap space in Boston, where do they turn? Rondo for Dwight? :rofl: Ainge would :fap: for a year if he could pull that off, but he won't. Right now, the only big men the Celtics have under contract for next season: Brandon Bass (player option) and JaJuan Johnson.
-So…What Happens if Miami (STILL) Doesn't Go All The Way?
Should Miami fall short of a championship for the second consecutive year, will their be fallout? Is Spoelstra finally shown the door? Does the Heat offer up Chris Bosh in an effort to change the team around LBJ & Wade? Right now, the main characters on the team are all under contract for next year and into the 2013-14 season. If they fail twice for the championship, it's tough to think they'll go for try #3 with the same exact squad. Most expect them to find a way to bring in a veteran PG like a Steve Nash or a Jason Kidd as the final missing piece, though.
- Not This Shit Again! Dwight The Hapless Dwight Howard in Orlando Saga
The real big baby changed his mind a billion times during last season and ultimately signed on for another year of the same ol shit. He'll be a free agent at the end of next season but it's tough to think Orlando won't trade him either this off-season or before the trade deadline in February. Whether Stan Van Gundy returns or not, Dwight is such a thorn in the eye of the Magic, between his behind the scenes power plays and his back injury, you have to assume they would love to wipe their hands of him. There would be tons of suitors (Lakers, Mavericks, Boston, insert your team here) but does Orlando insist on holding out for a ridiculous package? Here's hoping this debauchery ends in the off-season so this storyline does not dominate headlines next season.
- Hello, Brooklyn
The Nets franchise has been abysmal on the court ever since Jason Kidd was dealt years ago. Attempts to rebuild have stalled but a move to NYC for the upcoming season is what is expected to provide a B12 shot. While there is always buzz and adoration for new teams in new cities with new arenas, if a team is shitty, that buzz dies pretty quickly. The Nets #1 objective this off-season is to do what it takes to keep their one true superstar, Deron Williams. He will opt out of his contract and can sign anywhere, although the Nets are the only team who can offer 5-years. Many believe he'll want to head home to Dallas and play for the Mavericks but it seems that is less of a certainty now than ever before. To make this clear, if Williams opts out and signs with any other team, the Nets franchise would be shattered. They would lack any single player to make people come out and plunk down money to see them (the only reason is to go check out the new building in Brooklyn).
I'll expand on this more below, but the Nets are also hopeful (although hardly confident) that their future will take an upswing thanks to the infamous NBA Draft Lottery. GM Billy King felt Gerald Wallace was a better acquisition than any potential rookie coming out, so he dealt the Nets #1 pick in 2012 to Portland with only protections should it become a top 3 pick. That means if the Nets end up picking #4 overall, they lose the pick to Portland and are left a laughingstock.
For fuck sake, imagine the possibility of losing your one superstar and a top 5 first round pick all in the span of a month. Hello Brooklyn, indeed.
- Steve Nash
Canada's best point guard of all-time is 38-years old and has played in Phoenix for the past 8 seasons. Now it sounds like he could be on the move because Phoenix is more akin to saving money for the future than building a playoff contender. Nash has averaged a double double the past three seasons (and all but one of his years in Phoenix since 2004) so it's obvious he can be an immediate help to a championship contender that lacks that leadership from the point. I would absolutely love the Knicks to sign Nash but that's pretty much impossible considering their own financial situation (more on that later). As mentioned earlier, the easiest possibility to see come to a fruition is Nash signing with Miami as their missing link (not this guy)...
….and I can imagine LBJ and Wade doing the hard sell to Nash so they can all win a championship (like Lebron, Nash has never won). The only question is if Nash would take a pay cut to go to a contender like that since it's doubtful Miami has much money to dole out as they are currently situated. Aside from making the Heat a championship favorite pretty much instantly, Nash is one of the guys in the league who is universally well liked, he doesn't fit in with the nWo Heat. Please, send him back to Dallas or some shit…not Miami.
- Which Team Will David Stern Choose for Anthony Davis? (what up conspiracy theorists!!!)
The #1 pick will be big man Anthony Davis. It seems like a bunch of teams have the potential to bring him in. Charlotte was sooooooo butt ugly this year with the worst record and they have no talent. The Wizards struggled mightily again this year and John Wall is not a star everyone thought he'd be yet. The Cavaliers showed some life thanks to ROTY Kyrie Irving, so can they pull off getting the big man? How about the Hornets? They just went along this year minus any superstars….or Brooklyn, a top 3 pick would add more juice to their new situation.
My pick is the boring ol Bobcats get the #1 pick and Davis goes into obscurity. WAS, CLE, NO, BRK/POR, SAC then fill out the rest of the top picks and get some solid players to their rotations.
- What Will Mark Cuban Do?
The Mavericks suffered a disappointing first round exit thanks in large part to the absence of a big time center. Now, they face an off-season in which they will clear plenty of cap space but the major options may be limited. Guards Jason Terry and Jason Kidd are free agents, Lamar Odom's money is off the books while Vince Carter has a $3M team option. This all means, the Mavericks are getting over $22M off the books. If they cannot bring Deron Williams over, how does Mark Cuban plan to dole out the "monaaaaaay" (as Vince McMahon once boasted)?
Last year, we saw the awesomeness that was the Heat lose. Chris Bosh cried like he was 5-years old and a bully stole his ice cream. Dwayne Wade was pissed. And Lebron? Well, his awkward defense mechanism kicked in and cut a heel promo about how his life will be just fine. He still lives a great life, while all his haters still have to get up in the morning and go to their 9-5 meaningless job and be unhappy. :rofl:
-What Will Oklahoma City Do With James Harden?
Perhaps as much as any other player in the league, James Harden emerged this season as a superstar player. The only cause for concern among Thunder fans is the fact they already have two guys who are paid like superstars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook (both are on 5-year max contracts). Harden is owed $5.8M next season but as of July 1, the team can offer extensions to both Harden and big man Serge Ibaka. Should either man not sign those offers, they would become restricted free agents after next season. That's the last thing OKC wants because there WILL be a team out there willing to offer Harden a max contract. Perhaps the Thunder are hoping Harden doesn't want a max deal and will sign their lesser extension in the summer. I wouldn't count on it.
-Changes in Boston!
This past season has to definitively be considered the final year of the "Big 3" era in Celtics history. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen both become free agents and it's unlikely either will be willing to take a significant pay cut to stay in GM Danny Ainge's plans. With all that newfound cap space in Boston, where do they turn? Rondo for Dwight? :rofl: Ainge would :fap: for a year if he could pull that off, but he won't. Right now, the only big men the Celtics have under contract for next season: Brandon Bass (player option) and JaJuan Johnson.
-So…What Happens if Miami (STILL) Doesn't Go All The Way?
Should Miami fall short of a championship for the second consecutive year, will their be fallout? Is Spoelstra finally shown the door? Does the Heat offer up Chris Bosh in an effort to change the team around LBJ & Wade? Right now, the main characters on the team are all under contract for next year and into the 2013-14 season. If they fail twice for the championship, it's tough to think they'll go for try #3 with the same exact squad. Most expect them to find a way to bring in a veteran PG like a Steve Nash or a Jason Kidd as the final missing piece, though.
- Not This Shit Again! Dwight The Hapless Dwight Howard in Orlando Saga
The real big baby changed his mind a billion times during last season and ultimately signed on for another year of the same ol shit. He'll be a free agent at the end of next season but it's tough to think Orlando won't trade him either this off-season or before the trade deadline in February. Whether Stan Van Gundy returns or not, Dwight is such a thorn in the eye of the Magic, between his behind the scenes power plays and his back injury, you have to assume they would love to wipe their hands of him. There would be tons of suitors (Lakers, Mavericks, Boston, insert your team here) but does Orlando insist on holding out for a ridiculous package? Here's hoping this debauchery ends in the off-season so this storyline does not dominate headlines next season.
The Nets franchise has been abysmal on the court ever since Jason Kidd was dealt years ago. Attempts to rebuild have stalled but a move to NYC for the upcoming season is what is expected to provide a B12 shot. While there is always buzz and adoration for new teams in new cities with new arenas, if a team is shitty, that buzz dies pretty quickly. The Nets #1 objective this off-season is to do what it takes to keep their one true superstar, Deron Williams. He will opt out of his contract and can sign anywhere, although the Nets are the only team who can offer 5-years. Many believe he'll want to head home to Dallas and play for the Mavericks but it seems that is less of a certainty now than ever before. To make this clear, if Williams opts out and signs with any other team, the Nets franchise would be shattered. They would lack any single player to make people come out and plunk down money to see them (the only reason is to go check out the new building in Brooklyn).
I'll expand on this more below, but the Nets are also hopeful (although hardly confident) that their future will take an upswing thanks to the infamous NBA Draft Lottery. GM Billy King felt Gerald Wallace was a better acquisition than any potential rookie coming out, so he dealt the Nets #1 pick in 2012 to Portland with only protections should it become a top 3 pick. That means if the Nets end up picking #4 overall, they lose the pick to Portland and are left a laughingstock.
For fuck sake, imagine the possibility of losing your one superstar and a top 5 first round pick all in the span of a month. Hello Brooklyn, indeed.
- Steve Nash
Canada's best point guard of all-time is 38-years old and has played in Phoenix for the past 8 seasons. Now it sounds like he could be on the move because Phoenix is more akin to saving money for the future than building a playoff contender. Nash has averaged a double double the past three seasons (and all but one of his years in Phoenix since 2004) so it's obvious he can be an immediate help to a championship contender that lacks that leadership from the point. I would absolutely love the Knicks to sign Nash but that's pretty much impossible considering their own financial situation (more on that later). As mentioned earlier, the easiest possibility to see come to a fruition is Nash signing with Miami as their missing link (not this guy)...
….and I can imagine LBJ and Wade doing the hard sell to Nash so they can all win a championship (like Lebron, Nash has never won). The only question is if Nash would take a pay cut to go to a contender like that since it's doubtful Miami has much money to dole out as they are currently situated. Aside from making the Heat a championship favorite pretty much instantly, Nash is one of the guys in the league who is universally well liked, he doesn't fit in with the nWo Heat. Please, send him back to Dallas or some shit…not Miami.
- Which Team Will David Stern Choose for Anthony Davis? (what up conspiracy theorists!!!)
The #1 pick will be big man Anthony Davis. It seems like a bunch of teams have the potential to bring him in. Charlotte was sooooooo butt ugly this year with the worst record and they have no talent. The Wizards struggled mightily again this year and John Wall is not a star everyone thought he'd be yet. The Cavaliers showed some life thanks to ROTY Kyrie Irving, so can they pull off getting the big man? How about the Hornets? They just went along this year minus any superstars….or Brooklyn, a top 3 pick would add more juice to their new situation.
My pick is the boring ol Bobcats get the #1 pick and Davis goes into obscurity. WAS, CLE, NO, BRK/POR, SAC then fill out the rest of the top picks and get some solid players to their rotations.
- What Will Mark Cuban Do?
The Mavericks suffered a disappointing first round exit thanks in large part to the absence of a big time center. Now, they face an off-season in which they will clear plenty of cap space but the major options may be limited. Guards Jason Terry and Jason Kidd are free agents, Lamar Odom's money is off the books while Vince Carter has a $3M team option. This all means, the Mavericks are getting over $22M off the books. If they cannot bring Deron Williams over, how does Mark Cuban plan to dole out the "monaaaaaay" (as Vince McMahon once boasted)?
