Ok - I'd buy that, but that's assuming CLE wouldn't have to give up anyone for Anderson. To me, giving up a rookie for Love is better because basketball wise (on the court and asset wise) you know you are getting the best player and it's not likely Wiggins becomes as good a Love. Love gives you options on the court and off it. You are paying top dollar for that, but the point remains.
While it's one move vs two, this is all assuming the Love deal is doable with Wiggins. At that point, it's just another move to sign Aminu (which should be easy) or trading for a good wing defender (which seems doable).
I'm still trying to figure out the math as to how they could sign Lebron AND trade for Love. Didn't they just dump all the contracts that would need to match Love's? Irving ($7.0) and Wiggins' deals aren't close to what Love's is ($15.7). I guess it would be Varejao but isn't he someone who's pulling Lebron that way? Though he'd probably gladly swap Love for him.
I don't understand the logic behind one player carrying a defense. In basketball these days, with the way spacing is, and with the way the players are the most athletic as they have ever been, good/great defense takes all five men on the court accounting for one another. This isn't 1963, where one big man in the middle can dominate and negate most of the opposing offense of non-athletic, short players. There's no excuse for a player, like LeBron, to get a pass to rest on defense. He's skill-set and level of play on both ends is too important to his team and it's success.
For one, he's extremely compe ive, so he wouldn't even think about resting on the defensive end in a relevant regular season game or playoff battle -- win's are too important to him. 2) He's a leader, he knows that. Therefore players feed off the energy (defensive or offensive) he brings to the court-- it's a case of "leading by example". The best players in the world should always feel responsible on both ends of the court. IMO
Do the Cavs need more help? Sure they do, especially on the defensive end. However, we don't know what other moves they plan on making and we don't know the defensive ( compe ive) potential of Kyrie or Love or any other Cav (besides Andy), considering they have all have played on crappy teams their entire career-- which inevitably leads to more "careless" play (especially late in the year).
It didn't work because the Spurs creamed them, and most feel the majority of the Western playoff teams would have done the same thing. This wasn't like 2013 when the Spurs focused to stop him. They played him straight up and shut down everyone else. They'd wreck that new Cavs team the same way. And they defense would be even worse, since they both have inferior personnel and no iden y. They may have a higher 2K rating, but I don't think they'd be all that much better.
I have not read the thread since yesterday but last night I was thinking Melo to Lakers made most sense and Gasol returning there.
Heat will pay their 3 $55 million and all will return. They don't add anyone else beyond Granger/McRoberts. The fossils of Anderson, Allen, and Lewis all return. A few other non consequential vet mins fill out their roster.
Those are my fearless predictions as of now.
How nuts would it have been if embiid wasn't hurt and the cavs selected him at 1? Doubt we'd be talking about Love.
I have no doubt Kyrie and Love will always suck on defense tbh..But having Lebron/Anderson and perhaps a decent trade for a wing defender or a couple of solid very low end defensive guys might give you enough options.
The point is Chinook is talking a perfectly constructed roster which is obviously tough to do. Even though he's saying CLE would in theory have that without Love by keeping Wiggins and bringing in a guy like Anderson (which sure, that's realistic, but what will it take to get him?); that's making some big assumptions. He's placing all his eggs in the Wiggins as an elite wing defender basket. I am not saying he can't be great, but it's seemingly tough for rookies to come in and be great stoppers early on. Takes a couple years (which CLE has time, but you know they want to win as much as they can now).
It's also assuming that there is essentially no gap in Ryan Anderson and Love because of Lebron's usage which I disagree with. It may negate some of the gap, but not all of it.
I agree in principle with Chinook, but like I said, I think the offense would be so good (even with Lebron on the bench which is huge) that it offsets things. Then if they can sign a good wing defender or trade for one (Tony Allen) it really goes in CLE's favor. Basically, to me, whether you are thinking just on the court basketball or future value for trades if things don't work out) getting Love for Wiggins makes sense IMO.
Granger? He would renege and follow lebron?
It's a lot easier to shut down Chalmers than Kyrie. Same for Bosh over Love. Same for Battier or Ray Allen over Waiters. Sure, they would likely be worse defensively, but if CLE signs a couple cheap but decent wing defenders or pulls a trade for a really good one, that changes quickly.
I just find it odd that even though people point out all of MIA's flaws and how they got creamed, they still have 4 straight finals and two wins. It's not like it "failed". This new cast would easily be more talented, younger & have way more upside with the same chances of getting to the finals.
Plus, their trade assets to correct wrongs are much, much better. Love is way more movable and sought after vs Bosh (IMO). Kyrie is more sought after than Wade (IMO). Young guys like Waiters/Thompson are pieces that could appeal to teams. It's just better in every scenario IMO with less downside.
Clearly worse defensively, but if that is the only flaw, in the real world that is the East, I feel it's worth it for the upgrades every where else and they can somewhat close that gap with smart value signings or a good trade (not guaranteed).
I don't agree with that. Defensive aces are more important now then ever. If you don't think Lebron carried Miami's defense, I don't know what to tell you. Hibbert's anchoring of the Pacers took them to the ECF two years ago. Tyson Chandler made Dallas champions. Can one guy do it alone? Nope. But one guy can raise the level of a team's defense.
And don't confuse the Spurs' offense with the rest of the league. An ace can certainly cripple most teams' offenses.
Being a bad defensive team is a of a flaw. It kills teams more than anything else. Walls like Memphis and Indiana have made it to the conference finals recently. Glass cannons rarely make it that far.
The Spurs are definitely a rare defensive team, but they certainly could shut down all of those players simultaneously while still playing potent offense. You're talking about three iso players who aren't elite shooters. We're not talking about a real offensive juggernaut here.
Make no mistake, Kyrie and Love are elite creators/shot finders in the league. They will be more effective and efficient on the offensive end if they are teamed with Bron because: A) Their touches will be limited, therefore their resource of energy will be exerted more efficiently, which will help their overall efficiency offensively.
Before in their career, they'd have to have the ball in their hands every-time down the floor if their team stood a chance to win. That inevitably led to bad, forced or rushed shots frequently. With LeBron, they can pick and choose their moments more effectively.
On the other hand, because of Love and Kyrie's superior offensive game, LeBron won't have to exert as much energy as he did with the Heat on the offensive end. That should help him be more efficient on the offensive end (if he can be lol) and more effective on the defensive end.
As you can see, I like Kyrie and Love over Bosh and Wade. I just think Love and Kyrie's game can help LeBron breathe a little more, which would help the team all around. IMO
Dont make mistake. Love and Waiters wont play same team next year.
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
ESPN sources say Mavericks and Rockets RFA Chandler Parsons have reached agreement on three-year offer sheet worth in excess of $45 million
I never said LeBron never carried Heat's defense. I just said LeBron's compe ive nature won't let him "relax" or "take plays off" on the defensive end in relevant games. He's too good of a compe or and defensive player to not try to give it his all defensively-- it's who he is.
As for defensive anchors, what is Varejao then? He's one of the best interior defenders when healthy. Still that one component can't dominate games like it used to back in the 60's and 70's. There has to be more pieces to the puzzle and more cohesive accountable play by five guys on the defensive end. IMO
Great news regarding Parsons. That all but guarantees they won't be able to get Bosh AND keep Parsons. It'll be one or the other.
Hmmm the pot thickens.
45 mil for Parsons. Holy .
Why would lebron join the cavs when as far as has been reported, he's never even had a meeting or even phone conversation with David Blatt? I think he spoke to Spoelstra last decision and had Wade to vouch for him. Plus the appeal of Riley coming in to coach as a safety net.
Seems bizarre to give cave rumors too much credence.
That's a lot of cheese.
He's a good player though. Hurts Rockets. Dallas could potentially be very good. Top 4 in the West.
So the Rockets have until sometime Sunday to use their cap space before it goes poof.
I don't get where the idea of Varejao being ab anchor comes from. He's a terrific rebounder, but that's it for that end.
Also not having to carry a defense is not the same as taking plays off. Instead, it's not having to protect the rim while also checking the opponent's best scorer.
Correct.
Houston better hope LeBron makes up his damn mind.
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