2009 NBA Off-Season Thread (president, legend, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls)

[Puddy4LyF]

Originally Posted by 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

Few things: First, this is the best idea ever. Too many NBA uniforms, courts, and logos began looking like circus-event items. I love going back to history.

A+ to Philadelphia. Not to mention the fact that they nabbed Holiday at #17.

Second, anyone condemning Shaq to Cleveland is silly. They gave up a pile of oranges for him. Old or not, he put up 18 and 9 last season, lost a bunch of weight, and is in one of the best physical shapes of his life. Think that's not better than the 2ppg Ben Wallace gave them while he shot 42% from the line? Considering how ineffective Z was in the conference finals, the fact that they bolster that position helps them out tremendously. I won't say they win the title though because of that move - they desperately need another shooter. If they do that though, I see them being 1 of 3 teams who can win it all next season.

Third, Orlando screwed the pooch. I don't see them getting Turkoglu back. He's gone. They give up Lee, one of the better young guards in the league, and their backup PG for an aging Vinelderly and then have the nerve to accuse Cleveland of picking up an old man in Shaq? Whoa, pot calling the kettle black anyone? Vince is a good shooter. But, he's not clutch like Turk, he doesn't run your offense like Turk, and he doesn't play defense. How is this a good move? And because you took on his contract, they likely can't afford Hedo and why would Hedo want to come back? The best thing Orlando can do at this point is to sign Rasheed Wallace. 1) You block the Cavs from doing it. 2) Your biggest enemy is now your friend - let's not forget that Rasheed can guard Howard 1 on 1. 3) Rashard can now play SF and Rasheed adds bulk to your lineup while still being able to pop out and shoot. But don't say that getting Vinelderly was some brilliant move. In fact, it was near dreadful if they lose Hedo because of it.

Fourth, big news coming out of Golden State. Amar'e to the Warriors? Going to be very interesting to see if GSW does the trade and if they get him to sign long-term while doing it. I'd watch out for that team in the near future if that goes down.

[sleepy eyes 1979]

The real question for the Cavaliers is who is going to be in the rotation for the poward foward position. If you start Andy which as of now you have no chioce who is going to be the backup. It can not be darnell Jackson or JJ hickson because they are no way ready to get heavy minutes. Joe Smith completely dissapeared from the rotation during the playoffs for no apparent reason. My guess is that he just did not have anything left in the tank. You have two old centers that you will have to manage minutes during the course of the season. Some one else is going to have to be able to slide in at center to give both Ilgaukas and Oneal a rest. Last year shaq would not play during the second game of a back to back that is one of the reasons his numbers were respectable. If Mike Brown goes with that line of thinking then there has to be someone else to be able to step in. As far as Lebron, the Shaq trade means absolutely nothing as far as him resigning. Danny Ferry is an idiot. They need to go after chris Bosh. Not another guy who is at least 34 or older and on their last wing. I don't think that money is an issue when it comes to the owner spending the money it is more of the general manager (Ferry)knowing what the hell he is doing.

[Puddy4LyF]

My hope is they are able to sign Rasheed Wallace. If not him, I have heard trade rumors of Charlie Villanueva to Cleveland. One of those two shore up the 4-spot quite considerably. The good news is that they can both stretch the floor and shoot the ball from 18-22 feet with relative ease, so it not only takes care of your PF slot but also takes care of a desperate need of a shooter.

[JL]

Rasheed and McDyess are the two most coveted players for backup positions out there. The Rockets and Spurs are trying to get one of these two to backup Yao and Duncan also. I have a feeling McDyess is gonna be alot richer than this $650k salary last year. Same for Sheed.

[JackTheRipper]

Originally Posted by 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

I like it more than the one they had .

[JL]

Magic pursuing Brandon Bass and Rasheed Wallace.

Rasheed Wallace : USATODAY.com - Rasheed Wallace Biography from USATODAY.com

[desert sun]

Im glad Shaq left, he just didnt fit in in Phoenix, Im kinda wondering how well he and Lebron will do together

[Buckeye in SC]

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.

My thinking is that they rolled through pretty much everyone outside of the Lakers, Magic, Boston and despite their awful record, the Wizards last season. The main reason they struggled against those teams were match-up problems. You are right though that Shaq isn't necessarily the cure-all to those, but I do think he helps significantly. Adding a guy like Charlie Villaneuva as is being mentioned right now would be huge though IMO. So if they can continue to take care of business against the other 25 teams in the NBA, and improve their play against those 4 teams whom they'll play about 12 times next season, I could see them at least coming close to that record getting around 70 wins. But as I pointed out, it's a huge IF in relying on Shaq to stay healthy for even 3/4 of the season let alone all 82 games and most of their other key players staying healthy as well.

As for Mike Brown, from a strategy point, I'm still irritated w/him over using Lebron to guard Orlando's point guard and help off for all but one half and a few other situations in the ECF when he could have neutralized either Turkgolu (who in the one half that Lebron did guard him was a non-factor, game 5 in Cleveland) or Lewis who killed them w/big shots in the clutch. I will say though, having coached Lebron for 5 seasons now, he seems to have a good relationship w/him and understanding how to handle a superstar personality like that, so it should help him w/Shaq, but I am interested in seeing how he handles this.

I'll say there is a much higher probability that they won't challenge the record for all the things you mentioned, but if things fall into place and Lebron & Shaq gel, it could happen.

By the way, what the heck were the Cavs doing w/their 1st round pick?? That ticked me off w/both Pitt guys & Budinger still on the board while they could have drafted Eyenga w/their 2nd pick.

[davidmg1]

Originally Posted by Scott Summers

LOL, Cleveland's not getting out of the second round next year.

ROFL, this coming from an Oklahoma City Thunders fan

[JackTheRipper]

Cavs' Varejao declines option, becomes free agent

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao did not exercise his option on a $6.2 million contract for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The hustling Varejao posted career-highs in starts (42), scoring (8.6), field-goal percentage (.536) and minutes (28.5) per game last season for the Cavs, who won 66 regular-season games but were eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals by Orlando.

NBA.com: Cavs' Varejao declines option, becomes free agent

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Shaq arrives in Cleveland; news conference set for Thursday

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal took his first look at his new basketball home.

The 15-time All-Star center toured the Cavaliers' suburban practice facility and took his physical on Wednesday, one day before he is formally introduced as superstar LeBron James' newest teammate.

O'Neal and a small group of associates met briefly with Cavs coach Mike Brown and others at the Clveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio. The Cavaliers are hoping O'Neal, who has won four NBA titles, can be the missing piece to help James win his first and championship and end the city's title drought dating to 1964.

NBA.com: Shaq arrives in Cleveland; news conference set for Thursday