Not to go political, but we've been there for a long time in the world of "normal" media and politics.Oh wait...you mean "sources" who speak to water carrying media types may have been relaying inaccurate information, perhaps deliberately?
If that is what happened, we have entered a dangerous new phase in the NBA - a time when outside actors with an agenda can try to and maybe actually impact players and teams.
Apologies - I was being sarcastic but it wasn't clear (too lazy to add memes or emojis). Teams, players, agents, sponsors and handlers have been long trying to influence free-agency and trades via the media. That in and of itself isn't a big deal - at least not in terms of how transactions go down.Not to go political, but we've been there for a long time in the world of "normal" media and politics.
It was only a matter of time before the NBA caught up; frankly, I'm surprised it took this long.
Yeah, I don’t read that’s much into this statement. It’s definitely cool that he don’t answer “because I don’t like he city and don’t want to go there”. But almost no one is going to say anything like that. He could be totally on board with building a team in Boston...or not.“All 29 other teams are on my list.” - AD
“Then we’ll see.”
Just damage control until he is a one year rental then signs with LAL.
Needs to fire Rich Paul and make him seem like the evil one to regain his image outside of LA.
Yes. I should have made that more clear.is "CBS" short for Coach Brad Stevens?
Completely demolished?Where's the door with the 76ers logo?
“No 76er door missing. Move on, find a new slant”Completely demolished?
I lol'd“No 76er door missing. Move on, find a new slant”
#EricJr
I mean, he’s basically some ping pong balls away from being a Celtic. Nobody can touch a Tatum package except for the Zion winner. And if that winner is not NY, then there is a very good chance that AD is a Celtic in 4.5 months.PR/image rebuild by AD. Wouldn’t put too much stock in it. But it’s possible he realizes Ainge isn’t flinching and it’s a bit of a fait accompli.
Yes, and since they will probably whiff on KD, Klay, etc...they will probably have no choice to wait another year.I mean, he’s basically some ping pong balls away from being a Celtic. Nobody can touch a Tatum package except for the Zion winner. And if that winner is not NY, then there is a very good chance that AD is a Celtic in 4.5 months.
The real question is how intent he is at testing FA. Right now, he seems very likely to do so. It will be very interesting to see what LA does with their cap space this summer.
Which would really complicate things for the Celtics. If you give up Tatum+ for AD and the Lakers have the cap space to take him for free after 1 season, that would be one of the greatest gut punches in NBA history.Yes, and since they will probably whiff on KD, Klay, etc...they will probably have no choice to wait another year.
Maybe the Lakers won't waste another year of prime Bron?Which would really complicate things for the Celtics. If you give up Tatum+ for AD and the Lakers have the cap space to take him for free after 1 season, that would be one of the greatest gut punches in NBA history.
Yes, the possibilities are endless here for LA. End of the day, if I’m Magic it would be hard for me to throw away LeBron’s age 35 season. But if the top guys all say no to LA, which is quite possible, then perhaps he punts the 2019-2020 season instead of using his cap space on, say, Boogie and Kemba.Maybe the Lakers won't waste another year of prime Bron?
The Lakers could sign OR trade their kids for some high priced talent from a re-builder this Summer.
Free Agents or talent LA may have a shot at this off-season:
Klay or Kawhi - SoCal roots
Boogie, Kemba, Butler, Middleton - all may want a bigger role/stage
Players on re-builders that may be available for some Laker kids:
Brad Beal, Conley, Jrue Holiday, Andre Drummond, Blake Griffin, Zach Lavine
It's really in Rich Paul/Klutch's best interest to get as many max contracts from around the league as possible. They tried their best to railroad AD into LA, time to move on if AD has the Celtics on his list.
2020 is the summer of Draymond Green and Serge Ibaka. Now is the he time for LA.Yes, the possibilities are endless here for LA. End of the day, if I’m Magic it would be hard for me to throw away LeBron’s age 35 season. But if the top guys all say no to LA, which is quite possible, then perhaps he punts the 2019-2020 season instead of using his cap space on, say, Boogie and Kemba.
2020 is also the summer of Anthony Davis. Magic might be willing to wait, especially if he knows that AD is a near sure thing. Of course, he may not want to take that risk and get George’d again.2020 is the summer of Draymond Green and Serge Ibaka. Now is the he time for LA.
I agree. Given Lebron's ego, I can't imagine him enduring a second season of not making the playoffs. They will make a play for AD this summer, but I expect they will also heavily explore whatever they can get from the FA market and just make the best of it. James doesn't care if the Lakers are good 5 years from now. He wants to finish his career playing relevant games.2020 is the summer of Draymond Green and Serge Ibaka. Now is the he time for LA.
That is an odd thing to talk about. I suppose if a reporter asked him a stupid leading question , he might have had no choice.
“Pelicans fans, breathe easy. Anthony Davis will leave something special just for you as he exits: “I will always have love for the city of NO. When that time comes I am going to definitely have a heartwarming message for them and put it out on Instagram like everybody else does.””
I hate to say it, but he and LeBron deserve one another. I find myself almost hoping that the Lakers miss the playoffs and win the lottery so that they can complete the match made in hell. Almost.
I think you're right here. Time to start rooting for the Lakers to not make the playoffs this season. I've been rooting for draft pick status and wanted the Lakers to push the Kings out into the lottery. But screw that. That pick will be part of the package that goes to the Pels even if its #16-17 instead of #13-15.I agree. Given Lebron's ego, I can't imagine him enduring a second season of not making the playoffs. They will make a play for AD this summer, but I expect they will also heavily explore whatever they can get from the FA market and just make the best of it. James doesn't care if the Lakers are good 5 years from now. He wants to finish his career playing relevant games.
There needs to be a first season of LeBron not making the playoffs before he has to worry about missing it for two seasons. Having LeBron back coupled with the schedules of the Spurs and Kings while the Clippers are hanging on by a thread lead me to expect the Lakers to make it this year and even without Davis next season they have a max slot and young pieces to move for next year. Neither the Celtics or Lakers figure to resemble the personnel that they have on their teams this season.I agree. Given Lebron's ego, I can't imagine him enduring a second season of not making the playoffs. They will make a play for AD this summer, but I expect they will also heavily explore whatever they can get from the FA market and just make the best of it. James doesn't care if the Lakers are good 5 years from now. He wants to finish his career playing relevant games.
Right, we should look the the great example set by the leaders of today's generation: our true moral compass.Oh, millenials.
With every rule are exceptions. This one obviously has unique circumstances behind it that could/should land AD somewhere other than LA. It's much easier for someone like Thon Maker's agent to get him out of Milwaukee to where he can get consistent 2nd unit minutes than it is to dictate the elite trade target be moved within conference with so much at stake.But I thought that agents ran the league, and Lebron (stars) run the agents, so Davis to L.A. was totally fucking inevitable. What happened?
Yeah I think the most likely scenario is that the baby King’s taper off and LeBron plays well enough to drag the Lakers to the eighth seed; and then they’ll get crushed by Golden State. If I’m LeBron I don’t know if that scenario is that much better than just missing the playoffs entirely.Lakers should make the eighth seed and the prize of getting crushed by the Warriors. The Lakers have won 56% of their games with Lebron, and at that pace they will end up with a record of 42-40.
Dude.Right, we should look the the great example set by the leaders of today's generation: our true moral compass.
Don't you think at some point boredom could factor into it for the GSW guys? Durant, in particular, seems to be itching for something new.Regarding the Lakers, unless Durant goes against his comments about the circus around LeBron (which also makes NY as a destination for him a question but we've already had that discussion), I find it hard to see the Lakers getting a Kawhi, who doesn't seem to want any part of the Lakeshow or a Klay Thompson.
On the latter, Luke Walton was a former coach and I strongly suspect his fate will play a large role in how seriously Thompson considers LA as a destination. While he clearly has Lakers connections, Thompson seems to realize that Golden State's system, the lockerroom and the overall Bay Area environment is a good fit for him. Anything is possible when it comes to large sums of money but I think him joining a LeBron led Lakers squad is a longshot.
For the Lakers, its pretty much AD or bust.
Agree, which is why I think it will be interesting to see what they do if/when the others choose other locales. There is a very real scenario where AD gets traded to BOS, Kawhi, Durant, Butler, Thompson, etc. all go elsewhere and the Lakers are left with the same team and a bunch of unused cap space.Regarding the Lakers, unless Durant goes against his comments about the circus around LeBron (which also makes NY as a destination for him a question but we've already had that discussion), I find it hard to see the Lakers getting a Kawhi, who doesn't seem to want any part of the Lakeshow or a Klay Thompson.
On the latter, Luke Walton was a former coach and I strongly suspect his fate will play a large role in how seriously Thompson considers LA as a destination. While he clearly has Lakers connections, Thompson seems to realize that Golden State's system, the lockerroom and the overall Bay Area environment is a good fit for him. Anything is possible when it comes to large sums of money but I think him joining a LeBron led Lakers squad is a longshot.
For the Lakers, its pretty much AD or bust.
Oh I think that is absolutely possible and I agree its probably why Durant appears to be inching toward the exit. Thompson, on the other hand, seems pretty comfortable in his role on the Warriors and I strongly believe he (by virtue of his NBA pedigree) is well aware of how important comfort is to an NBA career.Don't you think at some point boredom could factor into it for the GSW guys? Durant, in particular, seems to be itching for something new.
I can't imagine them sitting out the 2019 offseason if AD goes to Boston. Burning another Lebron year with a borderline playoff lineup is not an option. They're going to fundamentally alter that roster this summer whether it includes AD or not, and if necessary, those moves may be enough to preclude AD in 2020. Magic has to act.Agree, which is why I think it will be interesting to see what they do if/when the others choose other locales. There is a very real scenario where AD gets traded to BOS, Kawhi, Durant, Butler, Thompson, etc. all go elsewhere and the Lakers are left with the same team and a bunch of unused cap space.
Punting on a LeBron year would stink for them but I think they do it if they think AD will come in 2020 and they strike out in 2019 summer.
This summer will be nuts. Can’t wait.
I think there are too many players available for the Lakers to miss on all of them. It would be something.I can't imagine them sitting out the 2019 offseason if AD goes to Boston. Burning another Lebron year with a borderline playoff lineup is not an option. They're going to fundamentally alter that roster this summer whether it includes AD or not, and if necessary, those moves may be enough to preclude AD in 2020. Magic has to act.
Agreed. Some may not be interested at all, but plenty will. What the Lakers won't do is sit on their hands and load up with KCP/Javale types and wait on 2020 Davis. They will sign the best guys they can and I wouldn't rule out trades either.I think there are too many players available for the Lakers to miss on all of them. It would be something.
They may not have a choice. I’m sure moves are coming but are they really going to tie up their cap 2020 space on second tier guys? Maybe. But I’m not fully convinced.I can't imagine them sitting out the 2019 offseason if AD goes to Boston. Burning another Lebron year with a borderline playoff lineup is not an option. They're going to fundamentally alter that roster this summer whether it includes AD or not, and if necessary, those moves may be enough to preclude AD in 2020. Magic has to act.
Agreed. Tougher. Getting through half of Lebron's four year deal with a couple of one and dones seems like worst case scenario imo. I'll believe that Magic turns down Kemba/Boogie to let it ride when I see it.They may not have a choice. I’m sure moves are coming but are they really going to tie up their cap 2020 space on second tier guys? Maybe. But I’m not fully convinced.
It all depends on who they can land. If they land a big guy like Durant or Kawhi, that’s your team and you forget about AD. If you’re talking second tier guys like Kemba and Cousins, the decision gets tougher, IMO.