Wade, Bosh, Haslem opt out.

[AzStevenCal]

He's relevent, but only to Laker fans. I knew he was an asshat long before the rape though, I mean the jerk gave himself a nickname. What kind of loser does that? Shaq? Yep another on my most hated list.

p.s. now that it's been 2 seasons can I remove my sig please?

My neighborhood consists of a bunch of Lakers fans and one Suns fan (one married couple actually). Not a single one of those Laker fans was thrilled when Kobe was re-signed. There was dissension among them as to his relevancy 18 months ago but that all went away when he tore his achilles. I'm sure there are some fans that believe Kobe will return to greatness but I know a lot of fans that think the team is irrelevant and he is the king of irrelevancy.

Steve

 

[tobiazz]

@ESPNSteinLine: Kyle Lowry and Luol Deng believed to be Miami's top two free-agent targets. Neither, though, seems especially attainable for Riles and Co.

Three steps closer (including Gortat) to Lebron not returning.

Will some guys like Marion or Vince Carter be enough for the Heat to decide to stay together?

 

[Mulli]

Three steps closer (including Gortat) to Lebron not returning.

Will some guys like Marion or Vince Carter be enough for the Heat to decide to stay together?

 

[slinslin]

If these numbers are true that is just shocking

Bosh 12M$
Wade 10M$ starting

Why in the world would Bosh and Wade opt out of 2x20M$ for that. And why would Bosh take 12M$ when other teams on the market would probably have paid him at least 15-16M$ starting.

Even if Miami wins 2 more titles it will do nothing to Bosh's legacy. Nobody will care if he has 4 rings just like nobody cares that Derek Fisher and Robert Horry have lots of rings.

 

[Cheesebeef]

If these numbers are true that is just shocking

Bosh 12M$
Wade 10M$ starting

Why in the world would Bosh and Wade opt out of 2x20M$ for that. And why would Bosh take 12M$ when other teams on the market would probably have paid him at least 15-16M$ starting.

Even if Miami wins 2 more titles it will do nothing to Bosh's legacy. Nobody will care if he has 4 rings just like nobody cares that Derek Fisher and Robert Horry have lots of rings.

Maybe after making over a hundred million dollars, winning is more important then money (something that's usually lauded in sports, but apparently not here).

 

[hsandhu]

They still have to get a top free agent to come there:

@SamAmicoFSO
If there's issue w Heat, it's Wade still getting superstar $$. One prominent agent says client won't go there "to get less shots than Wade."

Sounds like deng or lowry's agent

 

[AzStevenCal]

They still have to get a top free agent to come there:

@SamAmicoFSO
If there's issue w Heat, it's Wade still getting superstar $$. One prominent agent says client won't go there "to get less shots than Wade."

Sounds like deng or lowry's agent

It's hard to figure what an agent might say but that comment seems more appropriate from the Lowry camp then Deng's.

Steve

 

[Covert Rain]

If these numbers are true that is just shocking

Bosh 12M$
Wade 10M$ starting

Why in the world would Bosh and Wade opt out of 2x20M$ for that. And why would Bosh take 12M$ when other teams on the market would probably have paid him at least 15-16M$ starting.

Even if Miami wins 2 more titles it will do nothing to Bosh's legacy. Nobody will care if he has 4 rings just like nobody cares that Derek Fisher and Robert Horry have lots of rings.

Is it really that shocking? These guys have made millions. The joined forces versus going to some team to be the man. What does that mean? It means it's more than just about the money. Now they know that LeBron wants to get paid and the only way to continue to have a shot is to reduce salary knowing he will get his max.

By the way...I don't care how stacked your team is. Winning 2 rings adds to anybody's legacy. Even Derek Fisher. You can argue how much but it impacts it.

I just don't see how this is so shocking considering the circumstances. It would be different if each of those guys went to another team and took that salary. NOW THAT would be shocking.

 

[SO91]

I agree it's not collusion and I don't have a problem with it. However, don't think this board is alone when it comes to having problems with Lebron, Wade and Bosh recruiting each other. How many former "greats" weighed in on this when it first occurred? I can think of a couple of HOFers (Barkley and Jordan) that mocked Lebron and basically accused him of buying a championship ring because he wasn't tough enough to carry a team there himself.

Steve

I had two issues with Lebron going to MIA. First, the way he did it. I hated the TV special, and hated seeing those fans (Eff the organization) in CLE go through that. The second issue was a selfish one. I wanted him to be that killer, maniacal competitor that MJ was. I know it's probably not a logical argument, but I thought he was the one player that had the tools and physical stature to be the alpha of his team and demolish any and all of his contemporaries.

 

[KloD]

I don't know if this has been posted anywhere yet?


David AldridgeVerified account
‏@daldridgetnt
Agent Henry Thomas, on report clients Bosh & Wade will take $12M/per & $11M/per, respectively: "all the BS you are reading is just that."

 

[JCSunsfan]

I had two issues with Lebron going to MIA. First, the way he did it. I hated the TV special, and hated seeing those fans (Eff the organization) in CLE go through that. The second issue was a selfish one. I wanted him to be that killer, maniacal competitor that MJ was. I know it's probably not a logical argument, but I thought he was the one player that had the tools and physical stature to be the alpha of his team and demolish any and all of his contemporaries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT-I8jQDQ7c

I hated this more than anything. They didn't have a press conference. They celebrated victory before they had ever done anything. Then they claimed 1960's level dominance before bouncing the ball. He claimed he would be more dominant than Jordan. While they won two championships, they failed because of how arrogantly high they set the bar for themselves.

Well, that's over now. LeBron is older now, a little more mature, and slightly humbled.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I don't know if this has been posted anywhere yet?


David AldridgeVerified account
‏@daldridgetnt
Agent Henry Thomas, on report clients Bosh & Wade will take $12M/per & $11M/per, respectively: "all the BS you are reading is just that."

if true, I'd think that would make you feel a little better about where the league is headed, re: the creation of a Team USA and keeping competition on a more level playing field.

 

[Cheesebeef]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT-I8jQDQ7c

I hated this more than anything. They didn't have a press conference. They celebrated victory before they had ever done anything. Then they claimed 1960's level dominance before bouncing the ball. He claimed he would be more dominant than Jordan. While they won two championships, they failed because of how arrogantly high they set the bar for themselves.

Well, that's over now. LeBron is older now, a little more mature, and slightly humbled.

oh yeah...the way they handled the PR of that move was ludicrous in every way shape or form. it looks like they've learned their lesson.

 

[TJ]

I don't know if this has been posted anywhere yet?


David AldridgeVerified account
‏@daldridgetnt
Agent Henry Thomas, on report clients Bosh & Wade will take $12M/per & $11M/per, respectively: "all the BS you are reading is just that."

People seem to forget that the agent loses money when players start taking reduced salaries. Agents aren't going to simply let it happen as their commission drops and the market value for other players diminishes (even just slightly).

Plus, the Player's Association in the past has publicly ridiculed deals that they think underpay the player.

There will be pressure from the agent(s) and the PA for Bosh, Wade, etc. to make as much as possible.

 

[JCSunsfan]

if true, I'd think that would make you feel a little better about where the league is headed, re: the creation of a Team USA and keeping competition on a more level playing field.

Funny thing is that if they do manage to keep the three together and then sign some other help, they are still not that scary any more.

San Antonio was a machine this year, but they are getting older and that window is cracking open. Age always brings injuries that change everything. I am expecting that with Duncan or Ginobili this year.

Houston has an interesting roster, but its best players still have major flaws.

So there is a wide open window of opportunity.

 

[KloD]

if true, I'd think that would make you feel a little better about where the league is headed, re: the creation of a Team USA and keeping competition on a more level playing field.

I didn't give an opinion either way. I posted it because I thought it interesting the claims of Wade and Bosh cutting their salaries and their agent calling the reports BS.

I am glad if it's true. One less step to what I see can happen.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Funny thing is that if they do manage to keep the three together and then sign some other help, they are still not that scary any more.

San Antonio was a machine this year, but they are getting older and that window is cracking open. Age always brings injuries that change everything. I am expecting that with Duncan or Ginobili this year.

Houston has an interesting roster, but its best players still have major flaws.

So there is a wide open window of opportunity.

It kind of depends on which Wade shows up. He was solid for most of the season but he looked like he belonged on a senior citizens team in the finals. If they can better manage his minutes, just the addition of Napier and a return to form by Wade is enough to put them back in the running for the title. Sure, they could use some help elsewhere too but that would be enough IMO to give them a fighting chance.

Steve

 

[Cheesebeef]

It kind of depends on which Wade shows up. He was solid for most of the season but he looked like he belonged on a senior citizens team in the finals. If they can better manage his minutes, just the addition of Napier and a return to form by Wade is enough to put them back in the running for the title. Sure, they could use some help elsewhere too but that would be enough IMO to give them a fighting chance.

Steve

and it depends on who they can get there. their role players were AWFUL this year. just abysmal.

 

[az jam]

Funny thing is that if they do manage to keep the three together and then sign some other help, they are still not that scary any more.

San Antonio was a machine this year, but they are getting older and that window is cracking open. Age always brings injuries that change everything. I am expecting that with Duncan or Ginobili this year.

Houston has an interesting roster, but its best players still have major flaws.

So there is a wide open window of opportunity.

However, they are in the East and have a very easy path to the finals.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I didn't give an opinion either way. I posted it because I thought it interesting the claims of Wade and Bosh cutting their salaries and their agent calling the reports BS.

I am glad if it's true. One less step to what I see can happen.

just so I really understand what you're saying is possible, are you saying you could see a hypothetical team of say LeBron, Wade, Melo, Bosh, Durant all playing with like 10-12 million dollar a year contracts at some point to create a super-duper team?

 

[AzStevenCal]

and it depends on who they can get there. their role players were AWFUL this year. just abysmal.

Yeah they really shouldn't have parted ways with Mike Miller. Not that he would have been the difference in this series but he was a legit threat and they had few of them.

Steve

 

[elindholm]

I think the key player in the drama is Bosh. Wade has already made megabucks, has one more title than the others, and can't last more than another few years. If he takes a pay cut to re-up with the Heat, whatever. But Bosh is still in his prime (age 30) and has to be thinking about what he wants to get out of the last 6-7 years of his career. He was already doing some griping last season about how much he had to "sacrifice" his game to be James's floor spacer. Is that really what he wants to do for the next several seasons, and at a discount to boot?

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think the key player in the drama is Bosh. Wade has already made megabucks, has one more title than the others, and can't last more than another few years. If he takes a pay cut to re-up with the Heat, whatever. But Bosh is still in his prime (age 30) and has to be thinking about what he wants to get out of the last 6-7 years of his career. He was already doing some griping last season about how much he had to "sacrifice" his game to be James's floor spacer. Is that really what he wants to do for the next several seasons, and at a discount to boot?

You and Eddie Johnson think the same thing. EJ thinks that the key is Bosh and that he will bolt first (if someone does bolt), then LeBron will follow. Wade will be left behind.

Gortat just reupped with the Wiz for 5 years $60 million. Seems high but not silly high.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I think the key player in the drama is Bosh. Wade has already made megabucks, has one more title than the others, and can't last more than another few years. If he takes a pay cut to re-up with the Heat, whatever. But Bosh is still in his prime (age 30) and has to be thinking about what he wants to get out of the last 6-7 years of his career. He was already doing some griping last season about how much he had to "sacrifice" his game to be James's floor spacer. Is that really what he wants to do for the next several seasons, and at a discount to boot?

this makes sense. why Bosh would take a pay cut like that doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

 

[KloD]

just so I really understand what you're saying is possible, are you saying you could see a hypothetical team of say LeBron, Wade, Melo, Bosh, Durant all playing with like 10-12 million dollar a year contracts at some point to create a super-duper team?

Yes. I paint the picture as an extreme with more of them at less money. I don't think it needs to get to the point I paint it to be bad, but I was doing so to illustrate my point. When I referred to it as Team USA, I was thinking of the one with Magic, Jordon, Barkley, ect. The first super one.