2016 NBA Off-Season Thread

[tlance]

I don't get it personally. What, are they going to be even more record-breaking in the regular season? I personally feel the depth is more important.

No. Durant enables them to continue to be record breaking in the playoffs.

They breeze through the West because not only are they better, but they cripple their toughest competition. Then, when they face Cleveland again, LeBron has to deal with the closest thing he has to a peer in this league, and they still have Curry, Klay, Dray and Iggy.

It would be unreal.

 

[Heatles84]

I would love to be wrong, but i cant for the life of me see any scenario where Durant comes to miami. Only to play second fiddle to lebron again and having to follow his footsteps to get a ring. Every shot he takes will be him yet again trying to catch Lebron on the leaderboard but now for team as well. I just dont see it.

The narrative of Durant following in Lebron's footsteps is vastly overblown. So is the notion that the only reason why Lebron didn't sign with Chicago is because he didn't want to play in Jordan's shadow. So is no star player supposed to ever come down to Miami again because they'll be doing what Lebron did? I guess no one should go to the Lakers to win a title since that's what Shaq did.

Additionally, it probably would be the prudent decision to sign Whiteside. I personally don't see Durant signing with the Heat, unless Bosh is healthy and the Heat are waving that at Durant. If Whiteside doesn't workout from the Heat's perspective - you could trade him. He's a poker chip that you currently have on the table right now. Riley hasn't been perfect, but I'll trust his track record here.

 

[Heatles84]

No. Durant enables them to continue to be record breaking in the playoffs.

They breeze through the West because not only are they better, but they cripple their toughest competition. Then, when they face Cleveland again, LeBron has to deal with the closest thing he has to a peer in this league, and they still have Curry, Klay, Dray and Iggy.

It would be unreal.

That's very true. Durant going to the Dubs just about kills OKC as a viable contender. Sure, they'll make the playoffs given the roster and Westbrook. But they're in Clippers territory at that juncture. Their only competition becomes the Spurs at that point. And that definitely tilts the power balance in the West significantly.

 

[shopson67]

No. Durant enables them to continue to be record breaking in the playoffs.

They breeze through the West because not only are they better, but they cripple their toughest competition. Then, when they face Cleveland again, LeBron has to deal with the closest thing he has to a peer in this league, and they still have Curry, Klay, Dray and Iggy.

It would be unreal.

I would argue that they would be losing a lot of their defense if they shed enough salaries to make room for Durant. They're already talking about growing tired of Bogut, their chief post defender, and we saw how badly he was missed late in the finals. That defense is a much bigger key that many realize.

BTW, their closest competition last year was the nearly previous record-breaking Spurs, not the Thunder.

 

[Wamu]

Sorry man. I mean no offense.

Just not a Howard fan, never have been. It would be awful if he ends up in Boston.

 

[bksballer89]

@TurnUpTheHeat

Sources: Heat tout Bosh, Spoelstra to free agents

 

[Heatles84]

Just not a Howard fan, never have been. It would be awful if he ends up in Boston.

You say awful, I say entertaining.

 

[lakersrule]

The Thunder could be real players for Horford. I believe if they can find takers for Kanter and say Singler and cut Morrow, they can afford Horford. Horford could play PF. Oladipo, Westbrook, Durant, Horford, and Adams. That's a tough starting lineup.

 

[Wamu]

I guess no one should go to the Lakers.

 

[Wamu]

You say awful, I say entertaining.

 

[lakersrule]

View attachment 132784

A likely result unfortunately, at least for the bigger names.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

@TurnUpTheHeat

Sources: Heat tout Bosh, Spoelstra to free agents

That's GREAT news if accurate( the headline)

But reading the article doesn't really add anything we don't already know.

Of course they hope, but I'm still very skeptical.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

draft pick?

Doubt it being he was going to be an UFA regardless.

 

[Wamu]

A likely result unfortunately, at least for the bigger names.

As everyone knows I'm totally unbiased when talking about the Lakers (BULLSHIT!) I gotta say I really like where they are right now. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[DJ]

I don't get it.

 

[DJ]

The Lakers have a meeting with Chandler Parsons.

 

[DJ]

We have Ingram and Randle at the 3 and 4.....pay him big $ to come off the bench? WTF are they thinking?

 

[DJ]

I MAY JUST BECOME A FULL TIME KNICKS FAN.....THEY'VE ALWAYS BEEN MY EC TEAM.

 

[DJ]

The Lakers are also interested in Batum and are trying to land a meeting with Conley.

 

[Heatles84]

We have Ingram and Randle at the 3 and 4.....pay him big $ to come off the bench? WTF are they thinking?

They probably feel they can be more competitive for now having Ingram come off the bench. Same for the Heat, at some point we know Winslow is going to be the starter in Miami at the 2/3. For now, you have a quality player coming off the bench.