tOfficial "2014 LeBron James" Superthread

[trojanfan12]

Calling your argument what it is... is far from childish. I'm sorry you can't handle the blunt truth.

Your view is ridiculously biased and completely wrong. Lebron is and still will be the best player of this era and his legacy will be intact whether he plays with 2 teams or all 30.

Yep. Still being childish. Don't see you being here much longer.

 

[Heatles84]

it has more to do with the fact that max quality players can't get their true value... the next CBA is going to be a nightmare for ownership.

What I'm about to say is just merely a fraction of what's wrong with the current CBA. But the current welfare structure of the NBA is just idiotic. For the amount of money that Kobe and Lebron (using these two as an example) mean to their respective franchises (well aware that Lebron's a free agent), no way should they be hindered to earn a third of their worth.

Owners can't complain about competitive balance, which is the only silver lining I took from the Spurs knocking the Heat's teeth in in the Finals. Seeing these bloated contracts for terrible players, from the usual suspect organizations shows that this is just the owners saving money - that's it. I have a feeling that the owners are in for a rude awakening come the next CBA meeting.

 

[SoPortland]

Yep. Still being childish. Don't see you being here much longer.

Oh, I'll be here plenty long. I back up my comments.

It's not my fault you can't defend your biased and logically flawed stances.

 

[SoPortland]

What I'm about to say is just merely a fraction of what's wrong with the current CBA. But the current welfare structure of the NBA is just idiotic. For the amount of money that Kobe and Lebron (using these two as an example) mean to their respective franchises (well aware that Lebron's a free agent), no way should they be hindered to earn a third of their worth.

Owners can't complain about competitive balance, which is the only silver lining I took from the Spurs knocking the Heat's teeth in in the Finals. Seeing these bloated contracts for terrible players, from the usual suspect organizations shows that this is just the owners saving money - that's it. I have a feeling that the owners are in for a rude awakening come the next CBA meeting.

The NBA is a growing league and yes... the players will have all the leverage. The salary cap is going to balloon after the CBA.

 

[Heatles84]

Oh, I'll be here plenty long. I back up my comments.

It's not my fault you can't defend your biased and logically flawed stances.

Dude, Trojan's a mod on this site. That's why he's saying you're not going to be here much longer.

 

[SoPortland]

Dude, Trojan's a mod on this site. That's why he's saying you're not going to be here much longer.

Cool. His argument is still weak.

 

[trojanfan12]

What I'm about to say is just merely a fraction of what's wrong with the current CBA. But the current welfare structure of the NBA is just idiotic. For the amount of money that Kobe and Lebron (using these two as an example) mean to their respective franchises (well aware that Lebron's a free agent), no way should they be hindered to earn a third of their worth.

Owners can't complain about competitive balance, which is the only silver lining I took from the Spurs knocking the Heat's teeth in in the Finals. Seeing these bloated contracts for terrible players, from the usual suspect organizations shows that this is just the owners saving money - that's it. I have a feeling that the owners are in for a rude awakening come the next CBA meeting.

Yeah, the way the current CBA is set up is ridiculous. I understand the "competitive balance" aspect and all, but the "welfare system" for some teams has to change.

Some teams are horribly run and their owners spend season after season collecting "welfare checks" from teams who actually try to win while continuing to put crappy teams on the floor season after season.

Teams like the Spurs and OKC show that there is more than 1 way to build a championship team. "Big market" teams like the Lakers, Heat, etc. can build them through free agency by spending a lot of money. But "small market" teams can build them the way the Spurs and OKC are by drafting smart, being smart about FA's and getting players who buy into their system. The "small market" way might take a little longer, but it seems every bit, if not more sustainable than the "big market" way once they get it going.

 

[gordontrue]

Not only is he a mod, Trojan has earned a solid reputation over a long period of time making solid posts and contributing to conversations.

When you are newer to a forum you should tread lightly until you've earned the benefit of the doubt. Maybe "should" isn't the right word, do what you want... just my advice.

 

[SoPortland]

Yeah, the way the current CBA is set up is ridiculous. I understand the "competitive balance" aspect and all, but the "welfare system" for some teams has to change.

Some teams are horribly run and their owners spend season after season collecting "welfare checks" from teams who actually try to win while continuing to put crappy teams on the floor season after season.

Teams like the Spurs and OKC show that there is more than 1 way to build a championship team. "Big market" teams like the Lakers, Heat, etc. can build them through free agency by spending a lot of money. But "small market" teams can build them the way the Spurs and OKC are by drafting smart, being smart about FA's and getting players who buy into their system. The "small market" way might take a little longer, but it seems every bit, if not more sustainable than the "big market" way once they get it going.

The Spurs and OKC were built completely different ways... the only comparisons you can draw is that they both drafted well. The Thunder is built on lottery picks, the Spurs are built on late first round picks and FA signings that worked out.

 

[trojanfan12]

Oh, I'll be here plenty long. I back up my comments.

It's not my fault you can't defend your biased and logically flawed stances.

I'm trying to be fair, since, by your post count, you don't post here much and may not be aware of it works. Drop the childish namecalling crap or you won't be here long. I'm not discussing this any further on the public forum. If you have a problem, you can pm me.

 

[gordontrue]

Yeah, the way the current CBA is set up is ridiculous. I understand the "competitive balance" aspect and all, but the "welfare system" for some teams has to change.

Some teams are horribly run and their owners spend season after season collecting "welfare checks" from teams who actually try to win while continuing to put crappy teams on the floor season after season.

Teams like the Spurs and OKC show that there is more than 1 way to build a championship team. "Big market" teams like the Lakers, Heat, etc. can build them through free agency by spending a lot of money. But "small market" teams can build them the way the Spurs and OKC are by drafting smart, being smart about FA's and getting players who buy into their system. The "small market" way might take a little longer, but it seems every bit, if not more sustainable than the "big market" way once they get it going.

Yeah, for the last couple seasons, none of the top-15 markets have made a conf finals. That says something. To the owners... 1) Stop pretending like competitive balance isn't already a reality. 2) Stop pretending like because a few of them teams technically don't profit every year, that the owners are in bad shape. Most people understand that when you own an appreciating asset... its perfectly acceptable to lose money in operational costs, understanding that the equity in the asset is increasing over time.

 

[trojanfan12]

The Spurs and OKC were built completely different ways... the only comparisons you can draw is that they both drafted well. The Thunder is built on lottery picks, the Spurs are built on late first round picks and FA signings that worked out.

Tim Duncan was a #1 pick overall, as was David Robinson before him. You are correct though that the Spurs have maintained what they started back with Robinson by making excellent later picks and FA signings.

Whether through the lottery or the later rounds, both teams essentially built through the draft and are maintaining through FA signings and later picks. OKC seems a little shakier than the Spurs right now though.

 

[Heatles84]

The lack of a hard salary cap is bad for the NBA. The NFL is thriving because they have one.

I see what you're saying, Guns, but they're two different entities. The NBA was built upon the dynasties of the Celtics vs. Lakers in the 80's and transcended into Jordan's Bulls in the 90's. To summarize, the NBA was built off of dynasties. For as much as people hate the Heat and how they came together, you can't say they're bad for business. People will tune in because the Heat were entertaining to watch, and most wanted to see them lose.

Football is a different beast, talent doesn't go nearly as far as it does in basketball. Football is definitely about coaching, scheme, player depth, etc. For the most part, the NBA has translated that way. Sure, you can make the argument that the Spurs were not as talented as the Heat and that would throw a wrench into my argument. But the talent disparity is not as large as some would think - especially looking at the big 3 of the Spurs and their respective resumes. That's just my .02.

 

[SoPortland]

Tim Duncan was a #1 pick overall, as was David Robinson before him. You are correct though that the Spurs have maintained what they started back with Robinson by making excellent later picks and FA signings.

Whether through the lottery or the later rounds, both teams essentially built through the draft and are maintaining through FA signings and later picks. OKC seems a little shakier than the Spurs right now though.

OKC is shaky because they chose to give up title aspirations to save some money. Kind of depressing... wouldn't be surprised if both Durant and Westbrook jump ship.

 

[RobToxin]

I see what you're saying, Guns, but they're two different entities. The NBA was built upon the dynasties of the Celtics vs. Lakers in the 80's and transcended into Jordan's Bulls in the 90's. To summarize, the NBA was built off of dynasties. For as much as people hate the Heat and how they came together, you can't say they're bad for business. People will tune in because the Heat were entertaining to watch, and most wanted to see them lose.

Football is a different beast, talent doesn't go nearly as far as it does in basketball. Football is definitely about coaching, scheme, player depth, etc. For the most part, the NBA has translated that way. Sure, you can make the argument that the Spurs were not as talented as the Heat and that would throw a wrench into my argument. But the talent disparity is not as large as some would think - especially looking at the big 3 of the Spurs and their respective resumes. That's just my .02.

This is very true. It in a way can be compared to pro rasslin'. Some of these start up rasslin groups wanna do away with the hero vs villain roles and make them about competition and they disappear quickly. People don't watch. People want heroes. People want villains. People will tune in as much to see a player or team they hate lose as they will to see their favorites win.

 

[trojanfan12]

I see what you're saying, Guns, but they're two different entities. The NBA was built upon the dynasties of the Celtics vs. Lakers in the 80's and transcended into Jordan's Bulls in the 90's. To summarize, the NBA was built off of dynasties. For as much as people hate the Heat and how they came together, you can't say they're bad for business. People will tune in because the Heat were entertaining to watch, and most wanted to see them lose.

Football is a different beast, talent doesn't go nearly as far as it does in basketball. Football is definitely about coaching, scheme, player depth, etc. For the most part, the NBA has translated that way. Sure, you can make the argument that the Spurs were not as talented as the Heat and that would throw a wrench into my argument. But the talent disparity is not as large as some would think - especially looking at the big 3 of the Spurs and their respective resumes. That's just my .02.

Yep, I've said before, whether people were watching the Heat because they are Heat fans or Lebron fans or whether they are watching because they hate them and want them to lose, people were watching.

 

[trojanfan12]

OKC is shaky because they chose to give up title aspirations to save some money. Kind of depressing... wouldn't be surprised if both Durant and Westbrook jump ship.

It's too bad to, because for a minute there, they looked like they were going to build something and were fun to watch. Hopefully, they'll figure out their mistakes and get back on track.

 

[tlance]

It's too bad to, because for a minute there, they looked like they were going to build something and were fun to watch. Hopefully, they'll figure out their mistakes and get back on track.

All they need is a coach who can provide some offensive structure. They would have 1 or 2 rings by now with a non-terrible head coach.

 

[GNG]

Yep, I've said before, whether people were watching the Heat because they are Heat fans or Lebron fans or whether they are watching because they hate them and want them to lose, people were watching.

Maybe they were watching all the hot looking women in the stands.

 

[GNG]

All they need is a coach who can provide some offensive structure. They would have 1 or 2 rings by now with a non-terrible head coach.

Spoelstra is indeed terrible.