Laker fans, are you sweating thinking about Bron?

[Giuseppe]

LeBron would make old man Artest his .

"would"

tee, hee.

[Amaso]

There were several talks during the season about Kobe's decline, that's cause he spent longs portions of it having rough stretches. Not beign able to perform as well and as consistent as you used to are signs of slowing down. And he shot 40% from the field in the last playoffs series he played. Are you telling me that Kobe is the same as two or three years ago?

And lol at saying I'm hoping more than anything when you expect a 36 years old to perform at elite level.

Kobe was playing injured for a good part of the season(not just his finger), he just refused to sit out and heal up. He's a guy that can play through injuries. If you remember the first half of the season people were talking about how Kobe was just as good as ever and maybe even better than that and then all of a sudden he gets injured, plays through it and goes through the worst month or two stretch of his career and everyone thinks Kobe is done.

You think a 36 year old has never performed at an elite level?

[CavsSuperFan]

The Rock n Roll hall of fame is located in Cleveland…No other city can top that…LeBron is not going anywhere…

[MiamiHeat]

It would be impossible to defend Wade LeBron and Bosh.

add in some spot up 3pt shooters for floor spacing, and it's over.

[JamStone]

There were several talks during the season about Kobe's decline, that's cause he spent longs portions of it having rough stretches. Not beign able to perform as well and as consistent as you used to are signs of slowing down. And he shot 40% from the field in the last playoffs series he played. Are you telling me that Kobe is the same as two or three years ago?

And lol at saying I'm hoping more than anything when you expect a 36 years old to perform at elite level.

When hasn't Kobe shot 40% from the field in the playoffs? Haven't the critics been talking about his poor shooting in the playoffs, and especially the Finals his entire career?

Long portions of having rough stretches? When? During the regular season? He wasn't scoring 40 points a game anymore because the last two seasons he's made a concerted effort to trust his teammates again. Then there would be games he'd go "Kobe chucking" here and there. It's a double edge sword with Kobe. He's not scoring 30+ points, he's slowing down and showing signs of decline. He's scoring 30+ points and he's a selfish chucker.

He played with injuries this season and that's fair to point at to show why he might be on the decline, his body showing affects of all the NBA games he's played. But I think that's at least debatable with the type of work ethic and conditioning he's maintained throughout his career. As far as his game, "signs of decline" have been greatly exaggerated. Come playoff time, despite playing nowhere near 100%, again he was putting up 30 point games like they were going out of business. Had no problem pushing through injuries and wear and tear of three consecutive long playoff runs to play at a very elite level. I don't think there is nearly as many "signs of decline" as some might suggest.

Again, I point out at guys like Reggie Miller and Karl Malone who were likewise religious about keeping in great shape and both playing into their mid 30s playing at an elite level. I can easily see Kobe at 35-36 still playing 35 minutes and averaging 25 ppg.

[OC Lakerfan]

LOL@You dreaming for Bron. Most likely not happen. Too bad your franchise had to stink for a few years just to get Wade/Bosh.

[BadOdor]

Shouldn't heat fan be more worried about what happens if lebron doesn't go to miami?

It's some more first round exits for wade then.

[Giuseppe]

- "Promises, promises."

- Ernie "The Cat" Ladd

[BadOdor]

When hasn't Kobe shot 40% from the field in the playoffs? Haven't the critics been talking about his poor shooting in the playoffs, and especially the Finals his entire career?

Long portions of having rough stretches? When? During the regular season? He wasn't scoring 40 points a game anymore because the last two seasons he's made a concerted effort to trust his teammates again. Then there would be games he'd go "Kobe chucking" here and there. It's a double edge sword with Kobe. He's not scoring 30+ points, he's slowing down and showing signs of decline. He's scoring 30+ points and he's a selfish chucker.

He played with injuries this season and that's fair to point at to show why he might be on the decline, his body showing affects of all the NBA games he's played. But I think that's at least debatable with the type of work ethic and conditioning he's maintained throughout his career. As far as his game, "signs of decline" have been greatly exaggerated. Come playoff time, despite playing nowhere near 100%, again he was putting up 30 point games like they were going out of business. Had no problem pushing through injuries and wear and tear of three consecutive long playoff runs to play at a very elite level. I don't think there is nearly as many "signs of decline" as some might suggest.

Again, I point out at guys like Reggie Miller and Karl Malone who were likewise religious about keeping in great shape and both playing into their mid 30s playing at an elite level. I can easily see Kobe at 35-36 still playing 35 minutes and averaging 25 ppg.

Jam, before you decide to waste anymore time talking with this argi, let me just mention that he thinks manu>dirk.

Just trying to save you time bro.

[Venti Quattro]

After the trio has been forged, where are they going to get their reserves? At a local Miami ball park?

[TheMACHINE]

It would be impossible to defend Wade LeBron and Bosh.

add in some spot up 3pt shooters for floor spacing, and it's over.

so what happens, if lebron doesnt sign?

Gratz on your upgrade to second round eliminations.

[MiamiHeat]

so what happens, if lebron doesnt sign?

Gratz on your upgrade to second round eliminations.

Riley goes and signs guys like Brendan Haywood, Mike Miller, etc

[The Gemini Method]

Shouldn't the OP be more concerned with Chrysler ending the production of the PT Cruiser?

[Venti Quattro]

You can't pry away Haywood from Dallas; Cuban is in love with him

[JamStone]

After Haywood, the next best free agent centers are guys like Shaq (lol at him going back to Miami), Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Brad Miller.

Ummmm yeah...

They might as well try to keep Jermaine O'Neal and his bum ass knees.

[Goran Dragic]

After the trio has been forged, where are they going to get their reserves? At a local Miami ball park?

All these questions were asked about Boston when they threw the kitchen sink at KG and Allen, building a competent big 3 is 95% of the job, finding the right supporting cast is nothing compared to that. A big 3 of Wade, Bosh and Lebron might need a year to gel properly but the supporting cast wouldn't be a huge deal.

[DAF86]

When hasn't Kobe shot 40% from the field in the playoffs? Haven't the critics been talking about his poor shooting in the playoffs, and especially the Finals his entire career?

Long portions of having rough stretches? When? During the regular season? He wasn't scoring 40 points a game anymore because the last two seasons he's made a concerted effort to trust his teammates again. Then there would be games he'd go "Kobe chucking" here and there. It's a double edge sword with Kobe. He's not scoring 30+ points, he's slowing down and showing signs of decline. He's scoring 30+ points and he's a selfish chucker.

Kobe wasn't scoring 40 points a game simply 'cause he wasn't making his shots and wasn't attacking the rim enough to get to the line. Kobe was third in FG attempts in the league, and I remember that a recurrent knock on Kobe this past season were his more than often 10 for 30 performences, (I know 'cause I commented a lot about those kind of games in this forum)

He played with injuries this season and that's fair to point at to show why he might be on the decline, his body showing affects of all the NBA games he's played. But I think that's at least debatable with the type of work ethic and conditioning he's maintained throughout his career. As far as his game, "signs of decline" have been greatly exaggerated. Come playoff time, despite playing nowhere near 100%, again he was putting up 30 point games like they were going out of business. Had no problem pushing through injuries and wear and tear of three consecutive long playoff runs to play at a very elite level. I don't think there is nearly as many "signs of decline" as some might suggest.

Again, I point out at guys like Reggie Miller and Karl Malone who were likewise religious about keeping in great shape and both playing into their mid 30s playing at an elite level. I can easily see Kobe at 35-36 still playing 35 minutes and averaging 25 ppg.

Miller averaged 12 ppg at age 36, that's hardly elite and Malone although he had the numbers most would agree that he wasn't elite in the latter stages of his career, and let's not forgett that these guys at age 32 didn't have near the wear that Kobe has right now. I think Kobe can still be a 20 ppg, 35 mpg guy in his mid 30s, but that won't be enough for LA to remain a contender, imo.

[DAF86]

You think a 36 year old has never performed at an elite level?

No, I think that's a very rare occurrence.

[JamStone]

All these questions were asked about Boston when they threw the kitchen sink at KG and Allen, building a competent big 3 is 95% of the job, finding the right supporting cast is nothing compared to that. A big 3 of Wade, Bosh and Lebron might need a year to gel properly but the supporting cast wouldn't be a huge deal.

Boston did have some talent on the roster after the trades. They might not have been considered great players back then, but they were considered more than serviceable players. Rondo, Perk, they got Glen Davis in the Ray Allen trade, Posey, and Tony Allen. They didn't have to rely on "only" old veterans taking the minimum with Cassell and PJ Brown.

Adding LeBron creates a fascinating big 3, but the Heat will have no ability to add even one other mid level caliber player. They don't have only holes at two positions (unless you think Chalmers is serviceable at PG), but they have a great lack of depth at every position outright. Adding LeBron means beyond those top three players, they have all minimum contract caliber players as the supporting cast.

I don't think that's at all comparable to Boston in 2007-08. It will take a season or two to build an adequate supporting cast.

[SpursFanFirst]

I can't wait until LeBron joins Miami with Wade and Bosh, but still doesn't win the championship. What will the James' apologists say then?

[DAF86]

Jam, before you decide to waste anymore time talking with this argi, let me just mention that he thinks manu>dirk.

Just trying to save you time bro.

lol Kobe top 3 of all-time.

[Venti Quattro]

36 year olds can perform on elite level in spurts but it's a stretch to say that they will perform like they were 28, 29 or 30. I actually have to see it before I believe it though I'm sure Jordan was a rare occurrence. Seems like the guy is an exception to any rule

[SpursFanFirst]

if Miami can't get LeBron, I hope he goes to Dallas or Spurs.

so they can ass-rape the Lakers. 3 straight finals appearances is enough due to a ty cheating gasol trade.

I know I'm definitely in the minority, but I never want to see Lebron in a Spurs uni.

[BadOdor]

lol Kobe top 3 of all-time.

lol never said that

lol making up stuff

lol messi "good WC"

lol manu>dirk

[TheMACHINE]

I can't wait until LeBron joins Miami with Wade and Bosh, but still doesn't win the championship. What will the James' apologists say then?

that they didn't surround James with good players.