2015-16 NBA Eastern Conference OFFICIAL THREAD

[TurnUpTheHeat]

you better hope so....

How old was Michael Jordan when he crossed over Russell?

LeBron is 31- I think we still have yet to see his legacy defining moment. If somehow he does pull it off this summer- WOW- you have NO IDEA how much us Cavs fans are going to enjoy letting you know about it after all the criticism- the criticism of a team thats leading its conference by 3.5 games while resting its star players multiple times over the last 2 weeks.

I cant even imagine the celebration that would occur in downtown Cleveland.....the Cavs are going to get through the East....

then all it takes is for them to play their best and hope for a little bit of luck- just like any title winner of the last XXXXX years. I just have a funny feeling its going to the Spurs/Cavs- and the Cavs matchup better against the Spurs than people give them credit for.

Its just too hard of a game. The Spurs- as good as they have been- never won back to back titles....the West is LOADED with 3 great teams. OF course Golden State is the favorite...but no team- no team wins without a little bit of luck sprinkled in- and they have been on a streak for a long long time now- and usually- those kind of streaks dont last. USUALLY- not always...of course.

I still say you have a better chance of losing before you get there then winning if you do.
Truth be told though, I don't expect either to happen.
I don't see any reason as of today how this season ends any differently then last.
The summer will be the fun part.

Also, James' peak and prime came and went while he was in Miami.
Like a said a couple weeks ago, your admiration will turn into resentment once he doesn't win there, then bolts to what he perceives is a better situation.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I still say you have a better chance of losing before you get there then winning if you do.
Truth be told though, I don't expect either to happen.
I don't see any reason as of today how this season ends any differently then last.
The summer will be the fun part.

not for the Heat...

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

not for the Heat...

Why?
Ours should be interesting.
Not sure what's going to happen with Whiteside.
We prob lose Deng.
You know Riley is guaranteed a meeting with Durant.

You'll be wondering where James' head is at from the moment he opts, which will be the first moment he can.

 

[trojanfan12]

LeBron is 31- I think we still have yet to see his legacy defining moment.

Yes we have.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Why?
Ours should be interesting.
Not sure what's going to happen with Whiteside.
We prob lose Deng.
You know Riley is guaranteed a meeting with Durant.

You'll be wondering where James' head is at from the moment he opts, which will be the first moment he can.

Heat will be worse than they are this year- its economics.

Whiteside, Johnson - currently make nothing- both will get paid.

I have no clue if you want to keep Tyler Johnson- but he will probably get 2-3M...not much- but something

you dont even have the cap room to bring back this team- let alone build on it. But you already knew that from our previous conversations.

 

[WiggyRuss]

View attachment 104118[/QUOTE]
lol...you must really hate LeBron....and to think- you have to watch him play in the last FIVE Finals--- and probably the next five....enjoy the ride and WITNESSING one of the best of the best of the best- play the game! Youve never seen a Laker as good as LeBron thats for sure

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Heat will be worse than they are this year- its economics.

Whiteside, Johnson - currently make nothing- both will get paid.

I have no clue if you want to keep Tyler Johnson- but he will probably get 2-3M...not much- but something

you dont even have the cap room to bring back this team- let alone build on it. But you already knew that from our previous conversations.

I know your opinion, but that means nothing to me.
I've seen Riley get our original Big 3 to all sign for a discount.
I'm not predicting anything until the season is over.
Just too many variables.

 

[trojanfan12]

View attachment 104118

lol...you must really hate LeBron....and to think- you have to watch him play in the last FIVE Finals--- and probably the next five....enjoy the ride and WITNESSING one of the best of the best of the best- play the game! Youve never seen a Laker as good as LeBron thats for sure [/QUOTE]

And I got to watch him lose 3 of them, which was pretty cool. I also saw his legacy defining moment (which you likely missed since you were and OKC fan).

 

[bksballer89]

I know your opinion, but that means nothing to me.
I've seen Riley get our original Big 3 to all sign for a discount.
I'm not predicting anything until the season is over.
Just too many variables.

Yeah I just ignore him anytime he brings up the offseason. I seen the Front Office prove the media and the know it all wrongs several times already. Not going to doubt them now. As you said I'm not predicting anything, we'll see what happens in July

 

[trojanfan12]

 

[WiggyRuss]

honestly it is strange to see a player that is going to get paid as much as Whiteside and a team not owning his Bird Rights....that really just doesnt happen very often....honestly im trying to think of a comparative scenario and i cant think of it.

The cap ramifications are rough with the no Bird Rights obviously-- especially in a year when you SHOULD have cap room because of how much the cap is going up---- what effectively is happening is if the Heat want to keep Whiteside they basically dont get any cap room---- (if they bring back Wade)....its just a really strange scenario.

The Joe Johnson stuff is interesting too. He really fits the team well since they need the 3 pt shooting so badly- but they really dont have the money to pay him unless they want to sacrifice...what? at LEAST 10M in cap room I am thinking for JJ....I could see like a 2 year 28M deal--- but more likely something like 2 years 20-24....

Say Whiteside gets 20...say Johnson gets 10- which are conservative estimates....say Wade takes a paycut- despite the historic cap rise and takes 18....

Bosh- 24
Winslow -3
Richardson- 1
Wade- 18
Whiteside 20
Johnson 10
Dragic 16
McRoberts 6
Tyler Johnson 3

that already equals 98 million---- 8 million over the cap- thats just to bring back THIS EXACT same team MINUS Deng- with Wade taking a paycut- with Whiteside and Johnson getting conservative estimate salaries....

what does it all mean?

The cannot even bring back the same team MINUS Luol Deng even if they got better than market deals for guys.

 

[Heatles84]

lol...i dunno...i thought suggesting you were conceived in the bathroom of a Denny's was pretty funny- not only that but it seemed to upset you suggesting you went to school somewhere in the south. Please tell me that isnt true....


View attachment 104117

Not really. Yes, I went to school in Florida. Life turned out just fine for me. I just don't respect you. You throw out insults, but can't really take it back. Also, when you're completely wrong, you run like a little pussy instead of taking the heat.

 

[WiggyRuss]

maybe you can get someone to take Dragic's deal if he has a good playoffs...would probably be the most realistic way to open up cap room.....

no way is cheapo arison paying 98 million for a team that he KNOWS cant win anyhting.

it really all comes down to Bosh- if Bosh is all right- there is perhaps hope...if not....its gonna be really tough to put a product on the court that is even as good as this years team- ESPECIALLY considering the advancing age of Wade.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

honestly it is strange to see a player that is going to get paid as much as Whiteside and a team not owning his Bird Rights....that really just doesnt happen very often....honestly im trying to think of a comparative scenario and i cant think of it.

The cap ramifications are rough with the no Bird Rights obviously-- especially in a year when you SHOULD have cap room because of how much the cap is going up---- what effectively is happening is if the Heat want to keep Whiteside they basically dont get any cap room---- (if they bring back Wade)....its just a really strange scenario.

The Joe Johnson stuff is interesting too. He really fits the team well since they need the 3 pt shooting so badly- but they really dont have the money to pay him unless they want to sacrifice...what? at LEAST 10M in cap room I am thinking for JJ....I could see like a 2 year 28M deal--- but more likely something like 2 years 20-24....

Say Whiteside gets 20...say Johnson gets 10- which are conservative estimates....say Wade takes a paycut- despite the historic cap rise and takes 18....

Bosh- 24
Winslow -3
Richardson- 1
Wade- 18
Whiteside 20
Johnson 10
Dragic 16
McRoberts 6
Tyler Johnson 3

that already equals 98 million---- 8 million over the cap- thats just to bring back THIS EXACT same team MINUS Deng- with Wade taking a paycut- with Whiteside and Johnson getting conservative estimate salaries....

what does it all mean?

The cannot even bring back the same team MINUS Luol Deng even if they got better than market deals for guys.

I thought Whiteside wasn't getting paid?
Didn't you actually bet someone on that?

And, my opinion is that no way they give Johnson 10M, unless it is late in FA, and it's just money they have to spend.
In other words, I think Riley has bigger hopes and dreams, and if they pan out it will be up to Joe to take what's left or move on.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

maybe you can get someone to take Dragic's deal if he has a good playoffs...would probably be the most realistic way to open up cap room.....

no way is cheapo arison paying 98 million for a team that he KNOWS cant win anyhting.

it really all comes down to Bosh- if Bosh is all right- there is perhaps hope...if not....its gonna be really tough to put a product on the court that is even as good as this years team- ESPECIALLY considering the advancing age of Wade.

Dragic since the all star break has shown why he's prob actually underpaid.
I'm not saying he's untouchable. Just depends what the options are, which we won't know till July.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I thought Whiteside wasn't getting paid?
Didn't you actually bet someone on that?

And, my opinion is that no way they give Johnson 10M, unless it is late in FA, and it's just money they have to spend.
In other words, I think Riley has bigger hopes and dreams, and if they pan out it will be up to Joe to take what's left or move on.

i TRIED to bet someone that Thompson would get a bigger deal if you adjust for the cap increase- but the guy declined because he can do simple math. I even said while discussing it I thought whiteside would get between 20-22.....

TECHNICALLY- i THINK since he has been exiled to podunk leagues around the world for so long- his service time only entitles him to a "max" contract that would be worth 25% of the cap.....so if the cap is 90- the most he can make is 22.5. I think anyway...

 

[WiggyRuss]

if you have enough service time you can get 30% of the cap-- if you are a "Rose Rule" player--- which is something like starting 2 all star games or making 2 all nba teams- you are eligible for the "Rose Rule" max which is 33% of the cap....prettty sure anyway...

so OBVIOUSLY LeBron gets a "Rose Rule" max...

there was a controversy about shutting Davis down in New Orleans because of this- if he would have finished as an All NBA player- he would get the Rose Rule max- as is- since he got shut down- he probably wont- and save the Pelicans a substantial amount of money against their cap.---- well- "substantial" i guess is like 15-20 m over the course of the deal...

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

i TRIED to bet someone that Thompson would get a bigger deal if you adjust for the cap increase- but the guy declined because he can do simple math. I even said while discussing it I thought whiteside would get between 20-22.....

TECHNICALLY- i THINK since he has been exiled to podunk leagues around the world for so long- his service time only entitles him to a "max" contract that would be worth 25% of the cap.....so if the cap is 90- the most he can make is 22.5. I think anyway...

Whiteside beats to his own drum.
On one hand, I could see him thinking that he could thrive anywhere and just go to the highest offer.
On the other hand, I'm sure he's been told that there is a reason his rise to stardom happen in Miami.
He's said he wants to stay, which is good and the tax savings should count for something.
I think the coolest thing he could do would to be to sign for $1.00 more then Draymond, but he may decide he just wants to be the highest paid center.
We shall see.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Whiteside beats to his own drum.
On one hand, I could see him thinking that he could thrive anywhere and just go to the highest offer.
On the other hand, I'm sure he's been told that there is a reason his rise to stardom happen in Miami.
He's said he wants to stay, which is good and the tax savings should count for something.
I think the coolest thing he could do would to be to sign for $1.00 more then Draymond, but he may decide he just wants to be the highest paid center.
We shall see.

well he wont be the highest paid center since Dwight Howard is a free agent....im not sure what other C's are free agents- if any other good ones are...Horford i guess is a center- he will get well over what Whiteside gets...

I mean- DeMar Derozan will probably the NBA highest paid shooting guard playing next to Deanglo Russell next year...


* actually Drummond will prob sign an extension this summer- and he will get more than Whiteside as i think he Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight be Rose Rule eligible...hmmm...


Whiteside will prob get the 4th most among centers this offseason.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

well he wont be the highest paid center since Dwight Howard is a free agent....im not sure what other C's are free agents- if any other good ones are...Horford i guess is a center- he will get well over what Whiteside gets...

I mean- DeMar Derozan will probably the NBA highest paid shooting guard playing next to Deanglo Russell next year...

I think if someone pays Howard a full max that they are insane.
Remind me what Horford does so much better then Whiteside.