****The Official 2014-15 NBA Thread****

Im a Wizards fan so I hope the Heat and Cavs both struggle and lose. I just think Heat fans are still so very obviously bitter. I mean you just won a couple of titles and have to rebuild so you shouldn't be angry, it is what it is.

 

Deng has been a 2x All-star (just like Kyrie).

I'm comparing to the Heat because that's what you're a fan of and the most easily relate-able to you. And yes, the Cavs goal is to be in that upper echelon of teams like the Spurs and Warriors and Rockets, but typically that takes time. The Rockets were the 8th seed when they got Harden, then 4th after they got Howard. The Warriors weren't a top seed right when they got Curry, or right when they got Thompson, or right when they got Draymond Green or Iguadola. They were 6th seed last year, and 6th seed the year before.

I doubt the Cavs would be satisfied with finishing a few games ahead of the Heat, but I'm not a Cav, so I might still get some satisfaction out of it.

 

Cavs are in salary cap hell and have moved most of their future prospects in an attempt to win RIGHT THE HELL NOW, which so far is not looking very good.

Meanwhile, on the Heat, everyone except Bosh expires in 2016, allowing Riley the chance to pull a 2010 II.

So, yeah, the Cavs have a broken roster that doesn't live up to expectations, and no future assets with which to improve or build. You're stuck with this dysfunction. The Heat are going to make the playoffs while rebuilding. Again.

 

I don't think the Cavs can be counted out just yet, I mean cmon now. The Heat would be much better off getting a lottery pick or two instead of counting on a free agent class in 2016.

 

They definitely can, especially since Love and LeBron are on one year deals.

Not while Pat Riley is still in charge of the roster.

 

I think people recognize the first half of the reg season in the NBA is so irrelevant it won't generate much concern. If and when Clev gets ousted from the playoffs, then you will see the brigade of media hate.

 

this is their roster. They either win with it....or major changes happen organically next season.

 

We do have the better coach, and Riley. We also don;t have Dan Gilbert. Our projected starting lineup played 7 mins. total all season, and we lost 33 games from our starters and 20 from our best two players. We have played 13 different starting lineups due to injury.

So what's the Cavs excuse?

 

Plenty of injuries, plenty of new pieces being added, a new coach trying to install his system.

 

They have the ability to add something with the $10M from Haywood's non-guaranteed contract next year and that is about it.

 

They could still keep cap space and tank for a lottery pick lol, look at the 6ers and Knicks ...

 

If we are better off getting a lottery pick instead of going for 2016, then the Cavs should do the same as they are not better than us, we're about even and they have one of the best players in the league playing for them.

I don't think the Cavs are better than the 2011-12 Knicks.

 

Here is why you go for the playoffs if you can:

Local Broadcast partner is guaranteed at least 2 playoff games in the 1st round.

They get 3X the ratings and bill 3X what they normally bill for Reg. Season games for these playoff games. The money they make on those two games alone, can pay for the entire production staff.

Just good business sense. Free Money. Keep your partner happy.

 

Pretty much exactly those things but also integrating 3 new players in via trade.

I'm not saying the Cavs are some sleeping giant - but the argument was that the Heat were in a better spot right now. The Heat are hoping to do what the Cavs just did - but in 2 years.

 

It would seem that the Cavs are hoping to do what the Heat did the past 4 years.

 

Yes. They are. Not sure what that had to do with the "Heat are in a better spot than the Cavs moving forward" comment that was being argued, though?

 

No one in sports media outside of South Florida respects the area as sports market. We didn't "deserve" LeBron, whatever the hell that means. We weren't supposed to put on that party for the fans once we signed LeBron & Bosh and they said they would try to bring many championships to Miami (what players/coaches/teams don't hope they win multiple championships? Were they supposed to say "we might not win anything"?) ). Once we signed LeBron, the narrative became "LeBron is selfish" and 'He can't win it all on his own", never mind that no All-Star ever won his own, not even the great Michael Jordan. All sports media(ESPN, ect) talked about was where LeBron should go next. Once he left Miami and returned to Cleveland, it was the "right decision". If he had signed with the Lakers or Knicks for example, those too would've been the "right decision". Anywhere but Miami. That city doesn't deserve LeBron, especially since their leader Pat Riley "betrayed" the mecca of the American sports world in New York. So now the Heat are "losers" with a fair weather fan base, because you know, there weren't Heat fans when we had Zo, Timmy, Rice, S. Smith and Seikely. And everyone feels bad for the Cavs rather than trashing them like the Heat whenever they struggled.

 

The trades were laughable attempts to fix the problem. You don't get to turn around and then claim that the trade itself was a problem.

 

They are. Because they are in Miami with a better coach and Pat Riley. So when they do what the Cavs just did...it would actually work out.

 

Who do you anticipate the Heat grabbing in 2016?

 

I think they go nuts, and go all out for the very best players.

Me? I sign Conley and Horford to go with Bosh and an aged Wade.

 

LeBron would've been the biggest villian in sports history had he signed with LA or NY.

 

NO CHANCE.

Most of the media is in LA and NY.

he would have been portrayed as a Hero.

 

Maybe in those local markets but in general?? HELL no

 

What Local Markets?

Fox Sports HQ is in LA. ESPN is basically a NorthEastern Network.

They would have portrayed it as "oh..he went to a great market...good for him..."

Instead...we got the BS we got the last 4 years.

 

Agreed.

Not to mention most media members are from NY or some part of the NE. And big markets like LA generate revenue for everyone involved.

 

The Heat's odds that offseason will be interesting. The Big 3 came together there for each other - all friends and at similar points in their careers. This time they'll be banking on some younger guys wanting to come play with a 32 yr old Bosh and a 35 yr old Wade. And lots of teams are going to have cash.

I'm not as sold that Riley is what brought the Big 3 together so it's guaranteed to happen again. I think it was a fairly unique situation where those 3 wanted to play together and Miami was the place that could accommodate that.

 

That's not worth it for an 8 or probably even 7 seed and most likely an embarrassing and quick exit. If they continue to play the way they have of late and look competitive, that's a different story. If you're fighting for an 8 seed, though, I think you do what's best for the future of the team and go with the young guys and take what you can get (youth, picks) via trade. Again, I wouldn't waive the white flag yet. Things are starting to look a little promising. But if they go in the tank over the next few weeks, I'd change my strategy.

 

Here's a hypothetical that was brought up in Ask Ira (I know) today. Would you trade Deng among other assets along with future cap space for Reggie Jackson? Ira brought up the point that OKC could probably get a better deal and the Heat seem to want to keep Deng, but I'm curious what you guys think. He could make a big difference on this team on both ends.

 

Riley took a Lottery team and turned it into a 61 win team in 2 seasons. Then took a cute and fun 5th seed into a Champion. Then took One Superstar and turned it into the last NBA Dynasty.

Riley is good at what he does.

 

Yeah guess I didn't word that correctly - I think Riley is awesome. I think there's a much better chance he builds a team from a bunch of really good mid-level signings than a Big 3 type situation happens again. It'll be interesting if they play in this upcoming FA class or save it all to go buck wild in 2016.

 

Change the number and he would look great in a Heat uniform.

 

Seriously.

Don't disrespect Eddie Jones like that.