NBA 2015/16 thread
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<p>This free agency period is getting really fun. Dan Le Batard with a Dwayne Wade/ LBJ conspiracy theory. Right now the players are taking the power</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://espn.go.com/nba/story//id/16811278/dwyane-wade-miami-heat-conundrum'>http://espn.go.com/nba/story//id/16811278/dwyane-wade-miami-heat-conundrum</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="594432" data-time="1467774391">
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<p>The owner is a douche, he basically gave no credit to his players and coaches for winning. As for egos, I didn't think I had to spell out the fact that they don't seem to have massive egos/ jealousies amongst themselves to the point that they would risk destroying the team for individual goals, aka Kobe and the 2004 Lakers (the year the team got swept by Detroit)</p>
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<p>Agree, but it's still early days. 2004 was 6 years into the Kobe/Shaq tandem. It takes time for these things to happen and in Draymond they certainly have a combustible element and they definitely have a massive sook in Thompson. Everyone's opinion on Curry is going to be different though. You also have a coach in Kerr who has a very limited amount of coaching experience, so if things start going off the rails we don't know for sure he can put things back together. He deserves the benefit of the doubt though coming from the Pop/Jackson school - but it's not proven.</p>
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<p>Very well may have no ego - but let's wait and see before putting them in the Spurs level of unselfishness etc.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="594567" data-time="1467833992"><p>
Agree, but it's still early days. 2004 was 6 years into the Kobe/Shaq tandem. It takes time for these things to happen and in Draymond they certainly have a combustible element and they definitely have a massive sook in Thompson. Everyone's opinion on Curry is going to be different though. You also have a coach in Kerr who has a very limited amount of coaching experience, so if things start going off the rails we don't know for sure he can put things back together.<br><br>
Very well may have no ego - but let's wait and see before putting them in the Spurs level of unselfishness etc.</p></blockquote>There is no guarantee of success, both Curry and Durant have a chequered injury history too. The other big hurdle will be contract talk time, to see how much money each of these guys demands. I listened to an interesting podcast with Jalen Rose last night on ESPN. Basically the elite few players earn so much money from endorsements (LBJ is rumoured to have a 1bn USD Nike contract!) that the contract money is insignificant in the wider scheme of things. So these guys can do a Miami or GSW and not suffer significant penalty. Bron is also a free agent and I would not be shocked if he took a small contract to get another gun like Wade Dirk or someone else in to respond to GSW -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="594567" data-time="1467833992">
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<p>Agree, but it's still early days. 2004 was 6 years into the Kobe/Shaq tandem. It takes time for these things to happen and in Draymond they certainly have a combustible element and they definitely have <strong>a massive sook in Thompson</strong>. Everyone's opinion on Curry is going to be different though. You also have a coach in Kerr who has a very limited amount of coaching experience, so if things start going off the rails we don't know for sure he can put things back together. He deserves the benefit of the doubt though coming from the Pop/Jackson school - but it's not proven.</p>
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<p>Thompson's not a sook (just because he walks off the court in game 7 to let Cavs celebrate), he's just a weirdo. That's why I don't know how he will react to this.</p>
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<p>And now D. Wade signs with the Bulls... didn't see that coming.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="594630" data-time="1467857074">
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<p>Thompson's not a sook (just because he walks off the court in game 7 to let Cavs celebrate), <strong>he's just a weirdo</strong>. That's why I don't know how he will react to this.</p>
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<p>And now D. Wade signs with the Bulls... didn't see that coming.</p>
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<p>He is pretty sullen isn't he? He and Curry are both sons of NBA pros (Mychal Thompson of the showtime Lakers of course) so I am sure they know the value of winning rings. D Wade is a Chicago native, I still thought LBJ might get him in to play a part in Cleveland. This has been one of the wildest FA periods I can remember</p> -
<p>I don't think he's sullen either. He just doesn't show much emotion. He's very different to most NBA players, doesn't go for the fist-pumping, chest-bumping stuff at all. </p>
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<p>That can occasionally come across as being sullen, I suppose, but I just think he's wired a bit differently.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="594630" data-time="1467857074">
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<p>Thompson's not a sook (just because he walks off the court in game 7 to let Cavs celebrate), he's just a weirdo. That's why I don't know how he will react to this.</p>
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<p>And now D. Wade signs with the Bulls... didn't see that coming.</p>
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<p>I think Klay will be fine. He was part of the 'gang of 4' that wooed KD to GSW. I see more open shots for him as the double teams go to KD.</p>
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<p>Yeah the D Wade one had been brewing below the surface as the KD one took centre stage. More a case unhappy with the Heat treatment, but his last chance to get close to a max deal....</p> -
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<p>I don't think he's sullen either. <strong>He just doesn't show much emotion. He's very different to most NBA players, doesn't go for the fist-pumping, chest-bumping stuff at all.</strong></p>
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<p>That can occasionally come across as being sullen, I suppose, but I just think he's wired a bit differently.</p>
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<p>Except when he's going for 37 in one quarter :whistle:</p>
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<p>One of my favourite clips. That 3 from the corner with 1:08 left in the qtr, with the defender right on him and with little space to move, Steph just looks at him after in amazement</p>
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<p>So the Bulls have swapped one hometown player (Rose) for another (Wade). I assume Wade will play more as a SG with Rondo signed. The Bulls management is very dysfunctional though and have lost Noah and Gasol. </p>
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<p>Reports say Dunleavy has also been traded from the Bulls to the Cavs. A decent addition to their squad.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="594637" data-time="1467859471">
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<p>I don't think he's sullen either. He just doesn't show much emotion. He's very different to most NBA players, doesn't go for the fist-pumping, chest-bumping stuff at all. </p>
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<p>That can occasionally come across as being sullen, I suppose, but I just think he's wired a bit differently.</p>
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<p>Yeah not the right word. He is very introverted I think, but you need a balance because not everyone can be the emotional spark plug like Green</p> -
<p>Tim Duncan has retired, so a new era at the Spurs begins. Legend.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://espn.go.com/nba/story//id/16980885/tim-duncan-san-antonio-spurs-announces-retirement'>http://espn.go.com/nba/story//id/16980885/tim-duncan-san-antonio-spurs-announces-retirement</a></p> -
<p>My favourite player, what a legend.</p>
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<p><img src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/dam/assets/140616191608-20140616-starters-duncan-legacy-00031615.video-player.jpg" alt="140616191608-20140616-starters-duncan-le"></p> -
<p>Also 19 seasons with the same NBA team, after a 4 year collegiate career at Wake Forest.</p>
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<p>It is a rarity for a player to only play for one franchise in their entire career in today's professional environment. Kobe played 20 seasons for the Lakers but never went to college. Nowitzki is 18 seasons and counting for the Mavs.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="595943" data-time="1468282733">
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<p>Also 19 seasons with the same NBA team, after a 4 year collegiate career at Wake Forest.</p>
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<p>It is a rarity for a player to only play for one franchise in their entire career in today's professional environment. Kobe played 20 seasons for the Lakers but never went to college. Nowitzki is 18 seasons and counting for the Mavs.</p>
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<p>It's a rarity because most guys a looking for that next big pay day or for success. Timmy had success so was willing to take a salary cut to keep the team and also build success.</p>
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<p>I've been a huge fan of Timmy. Was glad I got to see him play live earlier this year. The Spurs were my team growing up. I had a George Gervin poster on my wall and then the Admiral became my favourite player when things started to turn around from the dark days of the late 80s. Timmy came and we could take that extra step of being a championship team.</p> -
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<p>It's a rarity because most guys a looking for that next big pay day or for success. Timmy had success so was willing to take a salary cut to keep the team and also build success.</p>
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<p>Yep. San Antonio is also a one pro team city (much like OKC eh KD!) so he could have moved to a bigger market. But Duncan choose to stay and build success, and is the face of the franchise. They are considered the model pro sports franchise.</p>
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<p>BTW, the Pop-Duncan combo has won more games (1001) than any other coach-player in NBA history.</p>
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<p>I've been a huge fan of Timmy. Was glad I got to see him play live earlier this year.</p>
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<p>I've alway liked the Spurs too. The Admiral and Sean Elliott were my favs in the 1990s.</p>
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<p>The Spurs were my team growing up. I had a George Gervin poster on my wall and then the Admiral became my favourite player when things started to turn around from the dark days of the late 80s.</p>
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<p>The Iceman. Showing your age there! :)</p>
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<p>Given this news, I assume Gasol has been signed as a direct replacement for Duncan.</p> -
<p>Did i read he didn't even have a press conference, let alone a farewell tour season?</p>
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<p>Class</p> -
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<p>Did i read he didn't even have a press conference, let alone a farewell tour season?</p>
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<p>Class</p>
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<p>He checked his ego at the door. A rarity in the NBA and one reason why I have not interest.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="595987" data-time="1468300020"><p>
He checked his ego at the door. A rarity in the NBA and one reason why I have not interest.</p></blockquote>I always preferred the Kobe Shaq Hollywood circus but the guy's record and character are beyond reproach. The ultimate professional and team guy
