Which Team has improved the most??

[Gino]

Id go with the Magic with the Spurs a close second.

[Gino]

MODS: Can you move this poll to the general forum?

[Muser]

Looking at who the players are replacing


Shaq replacing Ben Wallace
Jefferson replacing Finley
Carter replacing Hedo

Very close between Spurs and Cavs, but i'll go with the Spurs just because Shaq is way over the hill (Yes he had a good season last.) and Jefferson is in his prime.

[Gino]

The Spurs are going to run away with this poll unless a mod moves it to the general forum. :lol

[rayray2k8]

What a surprise, it's the spurs.. And on a spurs forum nonetheless. Gee, I guess I didn't see that coming...

[manufan10]

I agree with how Muser posed it. If you take into account who each is replacing on the floor, then it should be Spurs. Although Shaq is really taking Ilgauskas spot, and Ilgauskas is moving to the bench. Either way, the Spurs are gaining for production then what was there, so the Spurs have upgraded better. Shaq will put up the same numbers as "Z" and Carter will put up similar numbers to Hedo. Jefferson should really put up WAY bigger numbers than Finley.

[scottspurs]

We also added Blair "20 minutes a game"-RC Buford

Straight rebounding machine

So Spurs=Most improved

[nkdlunch]

Cleveland????

the only thing Cleveland has improved the most is the suspension system on their team bus to support Shaq's fat ass

[Drom John]

San Antonio may have improved the most but Cleveland, Orlando and L.A. Clippers aren't far behind in net improvement.

[hater]

how the hell has Orlando improved??? by replacing their 2nd best player and clutch playoff playmaker with an overrated known ballhog and playoff choker???

[bigdog]

San Antonio may have improved the most but Cleveland, Orlando and L.A. Clippers aren't far behind in net improvement.

Clippers? Seriously?

[2pac]

Can we move this to the "Idiotic polls judging the offseason before teams can even talk to free agents" forum?

[Gino]

how the hell has Orlando improved??? by replacing their 2nd best player and clutch playoff playmaker with an overrated known ballhog and playoff choker???

Who says they wont have Hedo back?

[Lord Vader]

I could make the argument that the Lakers improved most from last season.
Bynum will be back healthy and confident
Sasha will get his shooting touch back
Ariza will continue to improve
They will have championship experience
but most importantly...BYNUM WILL BE BACK AND HEALTHY

[sook]

Rockets.

[21_Blessings]

how the hell has Orlando improved??? by replacing their 2nd best player and clutch playoff playmaker

Carter does virtually everything Hedo does, but better


an overrated known ballhog and playoff choker???

This basically describes Hedo perfectly.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Hedo is overrated now because of a playoff series where Delonte West was guarding him.

[21_Blessings]

The correct answer is the Lakers, though. Ariza will be resigned and he will improve. Bynum gets healthy and stays in beast mode. Shannon Brown will get better. Jason Kidd signs for peanuts.

Back to back, easy.

[baseline bum]

If the Magic keep Hedo, then I'd vote them ahead of the Spurs for most improved team. I can't give it to Cleveland, as I don't think Shaq's gonna do a lot but take the ball out of LeBron's hands and make their pick and roll defense even worse.

[baseline bum]

The correct answer is the Lakers, though. Ariza will be resigned and he will improve. Bynum gets healthy and stays in beast mode. Shannon Brown will get better. Jason Kidd signs for peanuts.

Back to back, easy.

This completely neglects the fact that there's no way Buss can afford to have a New York Knicks level payroll, but logic has never been your strong point.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

If the Magic keep Hedo, then I'd vote them ahead of the Spurs for most improved team. I can't give it to Cleveland, as I don't think Shaq's gonna do a lot but take the ball out of LeBron's hands and make their pick and roll defense even worse.


There's no way it could be any worse than it was.

[21_Blessings]

This completely neglects the fact that there's no way Buss can afford to have a New York Knicks level payroll, but logic has never been your strong point.

Lakers had a higher payroll than the Knicks last year and 3rd highest in the league while paying Phil Jackson 10 million. That payroll is jumping to Isiah Knicks level no matter what next year with Bynum's extension. But logic has never been your strong point.

[baseline bum]

Lakers had a higher payroll than the Knicks last year and 3rd highest in the league while paying Phil Jackson 10 million. That payroll is jumping to Isiah Knicks level no matter what next year with Bynum's extension. But logic has never been your strong point.

As usual you're fucking wrong to a ridiculous degree. New York's payroll was $93 million last year; LA's $75 million. Just shut the fuck up and quit saying shit until you research it.

From Google Cache, showing the 2008-09 salaries (since hoopshype has advanced the year):

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:5KPy0b6HpesJ:hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.htm+knicks+2008-09+payroll&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a


http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:Qwmi6IcDLwUJ:hoopshype.com/salaries/la_lakers.htm+lakers+2008-09+payroll&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

[IronMexican]

If the Cavs can land CV, I'd say it's definitely them.

[mingus]

Spurs have improved the most. Anyone who says otherwise is in denial. once they sign a coveted big, from a talent perspective, they're as good as, if not better than, anyone team in the league. this after they were supposed to be done and written off.

weeeeee're back !! :lol

:flag:

[Spursfan092120]

The correct answer is the Lakers, though. Ariza will be resigned and he will improve. Bynum gets healthy and stays in beast mode. Shannon Brown will get better. Jason Kidd signs for peanuts.

Back to back, easy.
:lmao:lmao:lmao

Wait....are you serious?

[21_Blessings]

As usual you're fucking wrong to a ridiculous degree. New York's payroll was $93 million last year; LA's $75 million. Just shut the fuck up and quit saying shit until you research it.



Thanks for proving my point. The Lakers will be very close to that 90 million number next year while paying the most expensive coach in NBA history. Just shut the fuck and stop talking about shit you know nothing about. Buss has stated many times he's willing to pay the luxury tax for the right players.

[baseline bum]

Thanks for proving my point. The Lakers will be very close to that 90 million number next year while paying the most expensive coach in NBA history. Just shut the fuck and stop talking about shit you know nothing about. Buss has stated many times he's willing to pay the luxury tax for the right players.

That's exactly what you were talking about? You said the Lakers paid more than the Knicks last year even though New York's payroll was $18 million higher, and you want to talk about people not knowing what time it is?

There is no way LA's going to pay a $95 million payroll and $25 million in luxury tax on top of that. The fact that they sold their picks should be proof positive that they're not New York and that Buss isn't going to throw around money like they do. Buss will pay the tax, but he's not going to pay an extra $15 million to get someone with the MLE and sign Shannon Brown.

[21_Blessings]

:lmao:lmao:lmao

Wait....are you serious?

Yes the Lakers will win back to back NBA championships without breaking a sweat. Something Spurs fan has never and will never experience. :toast

[21_Blessings]

There is no way LA's going to pay a $95 million payroll and $25 million in luxury tax on top of that. The fact that they sold their picks should be proof positive that they're not New York and that Buss isn't going to throw around money like they do. Buss will pay the tax, but he's not going to pay an extra $15 million to get someone with the MLE and sign Shannon Brown.

Selling their picks is proof that LA is not New York and they aren't going to throw money around on stupid worthless players like Z-Bo and Curry Instead they'll be throwing money around on a team that has the potential to be a dynasty the next 3-4 years.


Even without the MLE their payroll is going to be around 90 million. Factor in Jackson's contract and they're spending more than the Knicks did last season. Which makes your original statement/argument that Buss can't afford to pay like the Knicks null/void and ignorant.

[Spursfan092120]

Yes the Lakers will win back to back NBA championships without breaking a sweat. Something Spurs fan has never and will never experience. :toast
:lmao:lmao
Awww..how cute..your homerisms continue. Shannon Brown is all of a sudden going to become an All Star because he's in purple and gold. Ariza's going to do the same, and LA's going to spend a LOT of money to sign big players even though they sold their first round draft pick. Bottom line...Jerry Buss can't keep up with the spending of Mark Cuban or pretty much anyone else that's going to be writing some big checks this offseason. That's why the Spurs did what they did, to stay away from all the overpaying. We'll sign a good big and probably be done, and in a better position than LA going into next year. But it's ok, douchey...you go on thinking that LA is in a good position right now. Everyone around them is making moves to get better, while LA is selling their own future players. Damn...I guess you really DO deserve to be on the worst posters list.

[Spursfan092120]

Selling their picks is proof that LA is not New York and they aren't going to throw money around on stupid worthless players like Z-Bo and Curry Instead they'll be throwing money around on a team that has the potential to be a dynasty the next 3-4 years.
Jerry Buss won't spend the money that guys like Cuban are willing to spend...

[Spursfan092120]

LMAO at Laker fans so insecure that they get angry that anyone could even BEGIN to think anyone else will win the title next year.

[Hornets1]

If the spurs resign Gooden or get Charlie V(or both), it's easily the spurs. With that said, VC>>>>>>>RJ

[Spursfan092120]

If the spurs resign Gooden or get Charlie V(or both), it's easily the spurs. With that said, VC>>>>>>>RJ
Sheed's a better option...and probably more likely.

[baseline bum]

Selling their picks is proof that LA is not New York and they aren't going to throw money around on stupid worthless players like Z-Bo and Curry Instead they'll be throwing money around on a team that has the potential to be a dynasty the next 3-4 years.

I don't buy it. Buss' money comes from the team. He doesn't have a huge Microsoft nestegg like Paul Allen, the kind of money Cuban has from Broadcast.com, or the deep pockets of Cablevision. I don't see any way he'll pay $120 million in player salaries and luxury tax on top of $10 million for Jackson. I'm not even sure the Lakers would turn a profit spending like that, and if they do, it most likely won't be much.

[Spursfan092120]

I don't buy it. Buss' money comes from the team. He doesn't have a huge Microsoft nestegg like Paul Allen, the kind of money Cuban has from Broadcast.com, or the deep pockets of Cablevision. I don't see any way he'll pay $120 million in player salaries and luxury tax on top of $10 million for Jackson. I'm not even sure the Lakers would turn a profit spending like that, and if they do, it most likely won't be much.
And we all know that it's ALL about the money in LA.

[Brazil]

so far the spurs after FA who knows?

[21_Blessings]

I don't buy it. Buss' money comes from the team. He doesn't have a huge Microsoft nestegg like Paul Allen, the kind of money Cuban has from Broadcast.com, or the deep pockets of Cablevision. I don't see any way he'll pay $120 million in player salaries and luxury tax on top of $10 million for Jackson. I'm not even sure the Lakers would turn a profit spending like that, and if they do, it most likely won't be much.

Buss wouldn't pay 120 million in salaries if his team was terrible like the knicks. But dropping 110ish~ for a team that went to the finals two straight years and will be the favorites to get back there over the next 5 is a completely different story and situation. You also have to remember Buss does not have 100% ownership. Last I checked, AEG/Magic aren't lacking capital.

You also forget how much the Lakers gross with each home playoff game. It's like printing money. Don't bring back the team and that could mean a shorter playoff run. Yeah, things will be tough financially for about a year. Then Fisher can resign for less and Morrison's contract expires + the 4.5 million they profited from the draft it isn't looking that bad. But considering Buss bought the Lakers for table scraps and they're now worth over 600 million and the fact that the CBA (the new CBA is rumored to favor the owners this time around, players won't have much of a choice to accept) expires very soon makes it closer to an investment than not turning a profit.

[21_Blessings]

And we all know that it's ALL about the money in LA.

You must be confusing LA (willing to go deep into the luxury tax) with San Antonio that's been afraid to do that very thing for years.

[duncan228]

David Aldridge on NBA.com.


Who's the leader in the clubhouse so far for improving its team the most?

With the caveat that free-agent signings and trades could change everything, the leaders so far are the Spurs. They got Manu Ginobili insurance with the acquisition of Richard Jefferson from Milwaukee for none of their core group, and somehow, with nary a first-round pick in sight, still wound up with three excellent rookie prospects out of the second round: Blair, Miami guard Jack McClinton (whom many teams thought could slip late into the first) and Spanish point guard Nando De Colo, who'll likely stay over in Europe for a couple of years to get more seasoning.

Let's review. Last summer, the Spurs drafted point guard George Hill at the end of the first round, and signed free agent Roger Mason, Jr. -- who just may have been the most impactful free agent in the league last season -- for a fraction of the price that Philly spent on Elton Brand. This summer they've gotten Jefferson, Blair, McClinton and De Colo. They also have a great shot at signing Wallace and may well wind up again with Bruce Bowen and Fab Oberto -- sent to Milwaukee and Detroit, respectively, in the Jefferson deal, and who will likely be bought out or released by those respective teams. And San Antonio still has the draft rights to Tiago Splitter, still one of Europe's top prospects.

Even if McClinton and De Colo don't play much next season, and even if young center Ian Mahinmi doesn't pan out as hoped, that's still a fairly quick and painless retooling of a team around its three star players, with Jefferson's $29.2 million remaining the only significant financial commitment past this season. Meaning the Spurs could actually be free agent players next summer if they chose to be. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Ginobili may be getting older, but the Spurs aren't getting any dumber.

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/david_aldridge/06/29/postdraft/

[Allanon]

Easily the Spurs. They're still a decent Center away from winning it all.

Magic still have issues with key players in Hedo and Gortat. And they gave up Courtney Lee.

Cavaliers still have a tiny backcourt so a major decision has to be made concerning Mo or West.

[tlongII]

It's clearly the Blazers. Just a year of experience makes us far superior to any other team in the league.

[ezau]

As usual you're fucking wrong to a ridiculous degree. New York's payroll was $93 million last year; LA's $75 million. Just shut the fuck up and quit saying shit until you research it.

From Google Cache, showing the 2008-09 salaries (since hoopshype has advanced the year):

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:5KPy0b6HpesJ:hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.htm+knicks+2008-09+payroll&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a


http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:Qwmi6IcDLwUJ:hoopshype.com/salaries/la_lakers.htm+lakers+2008-09+payroll&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Laker fan being owned hahahaha, what's new?

[NewJerSpur]

I don't like what the Magic did. Courtney Lee is a stud and Raefer was a damn good backup for them and Hedo might be leaving for bigger money, and if he re-signs will they be able to keep Gortat. All this and they get the chucker known as Vince Carter who plays virtually no defense and is aging with a nice sized contract.

[Leetonidas]

Trevor Ariza and Shannon Brown are so over-hyped by Lakerfan it's ridiculous and embarrassing.

[Spursfan092120]

You must be confusing LA (willing to go deep into the luxury tax) with San Antonio that's been afraid to do that very thing for years.
Um...we just went into the luxury tax, idiot.

[Spursfan092120]

It's clearly the Blazers. Just a year of experience makes us far superior to any other team in the league.
lol Oden
lol homer
lol Jailblazers

[Cleveland Steamer]

cavs no doubt. Diesel+King=championship

[Spursfan092120]

cavs no doubt. Diesel+King=championship
z_QdNE5DwU0

[SouthTexasRancher]

The Spurs!!! RJ fills a position we needed badly. The other guys are just moving pieces around. And we didn't do bad in the draft. We've improved a bunch already and still have the MLE to go to get that 'Big' we need.

[BUMP]

the Mavs

[spursfan1000]

How is this even a question?

Carter is not much better then Hedo
Shaq is not much better than Ilgauskas
Richard Jefferson is 130% better than Finley.

Spurs 2010 championship:toast

[mavsfan1000]

The mavs

[manufan10]

I agree with how Muser posed it. If you take into account who each is replacing on the floor, then it should be Spurs. Although Shaq is really taking Ilgauskas spot, and Ilgauskas is moving to the bench. Either way, the Spurs are gaining for production then what was there, so the Spurs have upgraded better. Shaq will put up the same numbers as "Z" and Carter will put up similar numbers to Hedo. Jefferson should really put up WAY bigger numbers than Finley.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Shaq is not much better than Ilgauskas


Dumb.

[DJB]

Mark my words. Vince Carter will make the Magic worse.

[dirk4mvp]

^ I should've thought of making Blair.