Here’s the story no one is talking about that I feel strongly about, but no one wants to say it out loud.. Deep down Lakers fans don’t wanna win with Lebron... why, because deep down they know he’s using them, and they know if you cut him open, purple isn’t in the dna, like it is manic and Kobie and all the other greats.. he’s not them. And because if that deep underlining friction and dislike, no matter what it appears on the surface, At some point it’s gonna rear it’s ugly head
The Heat sound salty about the Russell Westbrook to Houston thing. They immediately released a LOAD of details to Barry Jackson, really going into the fine print of their salary cap positioning, but also having Barry talk about the Thunder's exorbitant price demands for Westbrook, and even suggesting the Thunder were intentionally keeping their demands high because they want the Heat to be bad in 2020-21 to get a higher pick. That was salt, salt, salt. Nonetheless there's no way Miami should've given what OKC were demanding. It does make for some intrigue with Chris Paul, now. The Heat fan base are as against his coming here as they seemed to be Westbrook's coming here. Immediately I wondered if Miami wouldn't somehow try and leverage the situation into getting Bradley Beal...maybe having OKC trade Chris Paul and a couple of first round picks to Washington, with Washington trading John Wall and Bradley Beal to Miami, and Miami sending some expirings up to OKC in order to make the room for Wall & Beal. But that would take miraculous calculator work from Andy Elisburg. Reality is Miami are probably heading into the year with the current lineup, focusing on the $15 million they've got available in 2020-21, and the max contract slot they'll have available in 2021-22.
Fred Vanvleet by the way is another example of a GUARD that suddenly peaked in Summer League with a 30 PER (which as I understand it, is harder to produce as a guard as opposed to being a big man, because rebounds are over-represented in the formula). He ended up being a huge cog in Toronto's championship run.
You’re KINDA right here. I think it’s more like Kobe Stan’s are insecure nut jobs who wish Kobe was in the GOAT conversation. I would argue that older Laker fans, ones who we Laker fans long before Kobe, are happy to have Lebron.
They are crazy then. Lebron never bled Heat colors either, Lebron is about himself. I dont care about comparing him to D-Wade or Alonzo Mourning in terms of being "Heat" greats. I just cared about winning and dont let the door hit you on the way out, ya know?
I can't speak for Laker fans, but as a Heat fan I can say that when Lebron was here I rooted for him and obviously the team to do well, but I never loved him. I bought some Heat merchandise during that time, but it referenced the team or DWade. During his time here, when I listed my all-time favorite Heat players he never made my top 5. He may be the greatest player to ever play in Miami, but was never one of my favorites. Now, I can't say I root for Lebron or root against him. It has more to do with whether or not I like the team.
Yeah, the notion of "bleeding" their team's colors is overstated. Did Kobe bleed purple and gold when he asked to be traded to the Bulls? Dwyane left for Chicago, and admitted that the big 3 originally thought they were teaming up somewhere else. Like you said, many Lakers fans (and Kobe Stans in particular) argued for so long that Kobe was better than LeBron, that they can't fully accept him. I live in LA, and am surrounded by Lakers fans. Overall, Lakers fans do want to win, even with LeBron leading the way, it's just a complicated relationship.
I don't think it's "bleeding a team's colors" as much as being seen as one of your own vs. a mercenary that jumps from team to team. Dwade will always be seen as one of our own. I doubt anybody thinks of Lebron that way in LA.
If OKC wanted Winslow and Bam for Westbrook (obviously some cap issues needed worked out) Miami should have done it. Justice Winslow reminds of Anthony Mason only Anthony Mason had talent and Bam could turn out to be good but center does not have the value it once had in the league, clearly potential according to the Heat is better than a guaranteed star who has only averaged a triple double the last 2 seasons. Potential you gotta love it.
In the past 3 days, Morey has signed a former MVP - Russell Westbrook a former DPOY - Tyson Chandler a former #1 overall pick - Anthony Bennett Lol. This is going to be a very interesting season. I didn't even know Bennett was doing so well in the GLeague. Shot 45% from three on 5 attempts per game and 83% on free throws. He became a stretch 4....who knew?
Heat reportedly has very little interest in CP3. Theyre turning their attention to John Wall and Beal.
Meanwhile the Wizards GM says not only have they zero interest in trading Beal, they’re focused on building around him and have been seeking his input on every move they make during the off season. I don’t know that Miami are done with the off season but they’re running out of legit options. The Kevin Love thing seems a stretch.
I'm glad they didn't cave on the RW demands. I love watching him play, but he's inefficient and a bad fit next to Butler. Despite his assist stats he's never been a great passer or known for his great vision. We'd have to be betting on him adjusting his play style currently based on athleticism much like Wade did for him to be worth that contract. He hasn't shown much inclination to do that. OKC's demands would have stripped us of our shooters. That's what you need around RW and in today's game in general. And I hope they don't give up a ton for CP3. He's a better fit next to Butler than RW, but he's oft injured at this point. Bad contracts are one thing, but bad contracts tied up in players who aren't playing are even worse. I'd rather have Dragic than CP3 on the bench for 60 games.
I think we are done this offseason... you hang onto dragic and waiters.. injuries will happen and people will be calling needing a backup point guard. Olynyk will also draw interest. This upcoming season will be Butler and a bunch of young studs trying to breakthrough. If everything goes as Spo is projecting, Bam will have his 20/10 season.
Absolutely the Kobe zealous is a part of what I’m saying..I know it’s strange but I’ve seen seen enough to think lakers fans can’t stand Lebron.. Laker fans are a proud fan base, with reason, they’re too smart to let some guy come in with alterior motives and use them..and that’s exactly what he’s doing..They aren’t publicly saying it, the beat reporters aren’t saying it.... yet..
That’s what he does..goes to a team that’s collected assets for years, and gets the team to ship out the young assets the fans have grown to love for another star. Then he bounces once the resources run dry.
Is it ok to **** talk with summer league games? Cause nickiel Alexander walker is gonna turn Tyler Herro into Tyler Zerro!!!!
Marcus Morris and Nerlens Noel has fired Rich Paul, and i think thats very much gonna become a trend as Lebron’s career is near it’s end.
Yep, guy is a clown and nowhere near being suited to actually being a legitimate agent. The fact that teams bend over backwards for the guy just because he rides LeBron's coattails is laughable. He practically runs the Lakers now, one of the league's most storied franchises. In fact, that is the reason LeBron left Miami IMO. He had it all there, but Riley wouldnt let his buddies run the show like he is used to.
Ahem, Kobe is much better then Lebron. Thats not a real conversation for me. ****, Wade is better then Lebron.
Nets Allen looks like he's ready to make a huge leap in production this year. He put on 15 pounds and it's showing in rebounds and points in the paint. Bodes well for when we play Philly
Seriously routing for this guy to win a championship. Obviously I'd like my team, the Spurs, to win every year, but when the Bucks win one I'll be cheering along, and if some bizarre scenario happens where the the Bucks meet and beat the Spurs in the finals, I'll feel less bad about them winning it than others... (pipedreammode) ...or, ideally, Giannis to the Spurs please. (/pipedreammode)
I've always liked the bucks for some reason. Probably because of Sidney moncrief and Terry Cummings, two very underrated players in the 80s. What's cool too about the franchise is their history. They won a NBA title in their third year of existence IIRC with Lou Alcindor and the great Oscar Robertson. Man I really regret being too young to see those greats play together
early indications are Danny Ainge nailed his 2nd round pick Carson Edwards. Guy is looking like a lottery pick according to Kendrick Perkins which is probably an overstatement but does seem to indicate the kid can play. Wonder if he can crack that lineup and back up Kemba or if he's strictly bench or G League material
Brandon Clarke won summer league mvp. I gotta say I wish we traded up a little higher for him instead of KZ.
Thunder are starting to realize they may be stuck with CP3. Nice to see they finally woke up. They actually thought they would get assets for the guy...
Pelicans 2019 Draft 1 overall Zion Williamson 8 overall Jaxson Hayes (2nd team all summerleague team) 17 overall Nickeil Alexander-Walker (1st team all summerleague team) I can't wait for the season to begin.
Dion Waiters is definitely in Heat shape.. guy did work this offseason.. lets see what that translates to
