2009 NBA Off-Season Thread (logos, uniform, manager, strategy)

[Black Jack22]

Wow! Now the league should be scared! The Cavs will now win two straight championships!

Because of the addition of Shaq, they can't be stopped!

Omg!

[Black Jack22]

Originally Posted by CaliDude1

Buckeye you are indeed out on a limb. There are a lot of question marks with the Cavs. The real question is who is their starting PF. You really can't make many projections without taking that into account. I am sure they will either resign Anderson V. or bring in someone new. Still there is no garuntee the Shaq thing will work out has planned. He is still prone to injury. Last season was the first since 2000 where he did not miss a significant number of games. Most of that was attributed to the Suns training staff. What are the chances of him duplicating that while getting a year older? Will it take time for the rest of the players to get use to Shaq in the middle. Sure there are benefits. But there are drawbacks as well.

Also, I wonder of the cloud of doubt regarding LeBron's 2010 offseason decision will become a distraction. If the Cavs don't come out of the gate next season the speculation about him leaving will get real loud real fast. In reality the Cavs are playing with a lot of pressure. The HAVE to impress LeBron. No matter what they do during next season the speculation of him leaving will be THE media story all next season.

Lastly, with a vet like Shaq on the team I wonder if Mike Brown is really the guy to coach this team. Shaq's championship teams were headed by Phil Jackson and Pat Riley. Brown is obviously not of that caliber. Shaq was very dismissive of Van Gundy in Miami. It is one of the reasons Riley took over. We all know Browns limitations. How will Shaq respond to a coach like Brown? Of course in the beginning everything will be all good. But what happens if things start to go a little sideways? What happens if the specualtion about LeBron begins to overshadow what the Cavs are doing on the court?

My point in all this is I don't see Cleveland in a slam dunk situation. It is a very tenous situation. Probably the only thing that would keep things cool is if they did challenge for the 72-10 record. That will be hard with a rejuvenated Magic team and a healthy Boston team. The Wizards also look to be rising out of their funk. We'll have to wait and see.

DUDE!?

Don't you get it?

Next year's Cavs will go on a 30 game winning streak.

[jazzy jeff 11]

Whats with his dad?! Rubio is an adult, its his choice not his fathers and he's already drafted, he's going to the NBA...

[ChiMack]

its sad the bulls arent doing to much right now..but from what i heard they are holding out till the 2010 fa

[JL]

The Spurs and Rockets are trying to get either Rasheed Wallace or Antonio McDyess as their backups for Yao and Duncan. Sheed is a bit better than McDyess, but either one would help each team immensely. McDyess would be the more affordable $ out of the two.

[JL]

Originally Posted by CaliDude1

Buckeye you are indeed out on a limb. There are a lot of question marks with the Cavs. The real question is who is their starting PF. You really can't make many projections without taking that into account. I am sure they will either resign Anderson V. or bring in someone new. Still there is no garuntee the Shaq thing will work out has planned. He is still prone to injury. Last season was the first since 2000 where he did not miss a significant number of games. Most of that was attributed to the Suns training staff. What are the chances of him duplicating that while getting a year older? Will it take time for the rest of the players to get use to Shaq in the middle. Sure there are benefits. But there are drawbacks as well.

Also, I wonder of the cloud of doubt regarding LeBron's 2010 offseason decision will become a distraction. If the Cavs don't come out of the gate next season the speculation about him leaving will get real loud real fast. In reality the Cavs are playing with a lot of pressure. The HAVE to impress LeBron. No matter what they do during next season the speculation of him leaving will be THE media story all next season.

Lastly, with a vet like Shaq on the team I wonder if Mike Brown is really the guy to coach this team. Shaq's championship teams were headed by Phil Jackson and Pat Riley. Brown is obviously not of that caliber. Shaq was very dismissive of Van Gundy in Miami. It is one of the reasons Riley took over. We all know Browns limitations. How will Shaq respond to a coach like Brown? Of course in the beginning everything will be all good. But what happens if things start to go a little sideways? What happens if the specualtion about LeBron begins to overshadow what the Cavs are doing on the court?

My point in all this is I don't see Cleveland in a slam dunk situation. It is a very tenous situation. Probably the only thing that would keep things cool is if they did challenge for the 72-10 record. That will be hard with a rejuvenated Magic team and a healthy Boston team. The Wizards also look to be rising out of their funk. We'll have to wait and see.

I, too, am not sold on Shaq being able to help the Cavs win it all. I think the last thing on the Cavs mind is winning 72 games. They're more concerned with winning the championship.

[JackTheRipper]

Originally Posted by jazzy jeff 11

Whats with his dad?! Rubio is an adult, its his choice not his fathers and he's already drafted, he's going to the NBA...

He's still daddy's little boy, he has a rope tied on his neck and when daddy pulls the rope he has to follow daddy like a dog .

[JackTheRipper]

Nelson: Curry will stay with Warriors

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -Stephen Curry can get comfortable with the Golden State Warriors. Coach Don Nelson isn't sending his newest high-scoring guard anywhere else.

Nelson firmly declared the Warriors won't trade Curry on Friday, quashing suspicions about Golden State's intentions in selecting the former Davidson star who led the nation in scoring last season.

"He can unpack his bags and relax,'' Nelson said after welcoming Curry to Oakland. "He can buy a house. We drafted him because we think he's a terrific player that fits right into our program. He ain't going anyplace.''

Nelson: Curry will stay with Warriors - Wire Services - NBA - nbcsports.msnbc.com

[JackTheRipper]

Rumors: Pistons targeting Odom and Ariza?

The Pistons are expected to be far and away the most active team in free agency this offseason, which means they could be in the market to pry either Lamar Odom or Trevor Ariza away from the defending champion Lakers, who will be hard pressed to come up with the money to resign both players. Ariza, in particular, certainly picked the right time to play the best ball of his career. (Los Angeles Times)

Rumors: Pistons targeting Odom and Ariza? - NBA- nbcsports.msnbc.com

[Canes2006Champs]

If anyone cares, The Sixers went back to their old logo. Philadelphia 76ers return to old logo, uniforms - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports