As a guy that was a online original, (I played at Planet Poker) and actually made a living from it for a few years....I can say without a doubt that two sites in particular became phony BS rigged action/rake machines. Full Tilt, and Pokerstars. Party Poker was a little bit strange as well.
Kind of disappointing on that front even though I like both signings so far. If Granger is healthy he's a huge plus on this team the way we are constructed.
Another thing on Broussard, Fin-O...people forget this because they only remember the last 2 minutes... But Broussard 2 weeks out from the decision, said Lebron was going to Chicago. 1 week out, he said he was going to Cleveland. 1 day before the decision, he said Miami. AFTER LeBatard and Stephen A reported that. (and of course...me..)
Not that I'm worried, but there is no way Bron makes Riley fly all the way to Vegas just to tell him he's leaving, right? Even LBJ can't be that self centered.
I don't read most of them except on this site anymore. My experience tells me that when it comes to Heat news almost all of national reports are B.S. That's not picking and choosing. And even the reports from the few local guys are trust (Skolnick, Lebatard and of course Sect.), I recognize that there is a difference between a report (player X has a agreed to a contract) and inside info about what the plan is (the big 3 plan to stay in Miami). Plans are subject to change. But either of those are a hundred times more reliable than the pure speculation or wishful thinking you're getting nationally. The only national reports I even pay attention to are, "player X has agreed to a contract with Miami". The rest is crap. Broussard was not a guy I ever considered accurate. I don't agree he cracked anything in 2010 as we got reports from Sect about the Big 3 before Broussard broke anything and Broussard also floated reports of Lebron going to almost every team. That's not breaking anything. That's throwing crap against the wall and taking credit for whatever sticks.
I think he could/would, he is LeBron, lets face it he leaves the team is in trouble for this year....because then that means Melo wont got there and Bosh leaves as well....like you guys would be challenging Boston for a Top 5 pick next year, however if this is the case Riley can't let it happen, sports is ALWAYS about the team first not any one player, even if you lose Bron so be it, it was a good run, Riley can't get be punked like that. THAT BEING SAID..... I think it is a place for them meet out of the limelight and have a strategy session, wherein paving the way for him to re-sign with Miami for 2 years...
Thank you. That was my recollection as well. I posted my response to Fino's post on the previous page before reading ahead. I was worried that I'd have to come back tonight and try and provide backing, but it's already been provided. I bristle at the implication and flat out accusations that anybody who ignores the noise from the national media regarding Heat news is necessarily a homer. I see it as a refusal to engage in rank speculation and wishful thinking. I can understand why it's fun for fans of other teams, but it has never proven to be anything that a reasonable person would rely on or engage in other than for entertainment purposes.
I thought that meeting between Riley and Lebron was expected all along? I thought the plan was that the Big 3 would opt out to give the Heat flexibility, Riley would pursue whatever targets he and/or they'd all decided on and then they would meet again to discuss how the team was coming together. IMO they're all on the same page and have been all along. As for the agreements of McRoberts and Granger, McRoberts makes sense and he was a guy who seemed like an obvious fit as many here commented during the Charlotte series. But Granger doesn't make sense to me. I saw him as a vet min. guy at best.
well..to be fair..Granger got 2.1 mil per year. Vet Min. is 1.4. His 2.1 mil deal can be moved onto the books rather easily.
I might be wrong, I plainly admit I don't know a lot about the NBA salary structure, but if these signings suggest the Heat are operating as a capped team, the Big 3 opting out gave flexibility only to the Big 3, not the Heat. The Heat could have done these signings even if the Big 3 didn't exercise the early termination option. I also find the Granger signing puzzling.
Granger was a solid signing. Strong shooter who could very well improve on this roster, solid defender who buys into the team first mentality. Not ancient but getting older and wants a ring.
I'm ok with the Granger signing for the money involved. Lots of upside not a lot of risk. Good wing defender too which was a need. I'd still like to see us add another shooter who can also defend the wing
Broussard doesn't have a good track record. He was one of the first to break LeBron to the Heat, but that was 4 years ago. When is the last time this guy had a scoop? In fact, his reporting this offseason have been the worst by far. Early in the process he said the Lakers had no chance to land any of the big free agents, and now it looks like they're a legitimate threat (even he is saying so) to land Melo. Then, yesterday he reports the Rockets offered Bosh a deal that is impossible under the CBA. How does that happen to one of the supposed top insiders in the NBA? I don't think what Woj says is the gospel, but when you are continually hearing from guys I trust like Skolnick and Tim Reynolds that Bosh's priority has always been to stay in Miami and then you hear the same from his agent, you get the feeling that there's some truth to that.
The Lakers local radio guys are stating that they are now "free" to share details of the Carmelo meeting that they were previously told not too. To me that sounds like something is going down. It also sounds like a face saving move for The Lakers n case they missed on Melo. But more than anything, it sounds like a radio teaser for re-hashed reports.
dude seeing celebrities in Vegas is old hat, you absolutely could blend there..... Last time I went I played craps with Coach K....as much as I hate Duke and everything they are, he was awesome...
If LeBron leaves, we would have a plan. Could go a few different ways. If Bosh is still willing to resign you give him the max and make him your #1 option. Probably just give Wade back his 2 years at the same money and fill in with shorter term contracts, or use the cap space to either facilitate a trade or sign Deng/Ariza and maybe even Gasol. That team competes in the East. Or you just tread water and try to have as clean a cap sheet as possible in 2016
Here is a question for ya'll..... You guys think they are trying to "kindly" force out Bosh to bring in Melo? And trying to make it seem "nice" as possible? Like to the point where Bosh says on his own "Screw it I cant wait forever"
Highly doubt it. The math is still tough for Melo even losing Bosh because he has a higher max. I think Bosh is just waiting for LeBron's commitment.
Right but I believe both (LBJ & Melo) take 2 year deals or deals with opt outs after 2 years...it makes sense for them fiscally... Bosh almost seems like a clinger at this point to me, wanting desperately to play with Bron...but is it reciprocal...? And again I am throwing **** against the wall and have no care which way it goes, but at least I admit it... If he has a 4/88 deal on the table from Houston that if he went would def contend as opposed to taking "alot" less to play with Bron, I think it is fair to say he isnt thinking right... Miami's success the past 4 years in a way is hurting them in Bosh's case, because at this point I would think it is about getting paid....how many rings do you need before it becomes about getting paid?
finyank...Bosh is not required to take "a lot" less here. Heat is operating as a capped team, so it doesn't matter if they pay him the max now.
Bosh could take the same deal with an opt out after 2. Houston will probably give him that as well. For the Heat, I want LeBron on my team when 2016 comes so he can opt out and Riley can essentially say, "Go pick your team"
Honestly that is silly. You ask Lebron who he wants and sign that guy. Period. Bosh is not under contract and we have no obligation to resign him other than him being a great player.
I think there's certainly some risk considering his injury history and the fact that his body looked pretty shot last year.
The Melo vs. Bosh stuff does make a little bit of sense. Melo is one of LeBron's closest friends and LeBron may feel Melo is an upgrade to Bosh. It would also make some sense considering how much everyone thought Bosh wanted to come back to Miami, but now there seems to potentially be some interest in Houston. I think most likely none of this is true and the big 3 will be be back in Miami, but it's not completely far fetched.
I think of the Bosh-Rockets thing a lot like I thought of the Napier-Heat stuff...the fit on the roster/scheme is just so good that the rumors probably have some substance. Houston is the absolute perfect fit for Bosh's game, imo. Houston wants to surround Howard with shooters and leave the lane open for Harden. Bosh can run pick-and-pop stuff all day with Harden while Dwight handles the more traditional roll/dives to the hoop. Bosh wouldn't have to bang inside, wouldn't have to be the traditional rim protector, and he wouldn't even have to crash the boards all that hard. If he wants to play the more outside/finesse game that he's been getting after, Houston is a great situation...and obviously they'd be a bigtime contender. I think Bosh stays in the end...but the fit is so good in Houston that I think the rumors of his interest have some traction.
I think that if Bosh doesn't sign here its Houston, but if he doesn't its because we did something bigger. We will be his first choice.
Sec So let me see if I have a handle on this. No big contract guys would come here on a discount so they are giving the big 3 more money and signing smaller contract guys to fill out a maxed cap team on top of bird right players?
