[flamesbball84]

Apparently Lebron will make his decision within 10 minutes of the show, so folks won't have to watch for like 50 minutes waiting for him to spill the beans.

[RubberMallet]

i like boozer. and i actually like him better over the next few years over bosh.

why?

bosh takes games off...did he do this because he was on a turd team? who knows.
bosh's 21/10 came on a team with nobody. boozers 20/11 came while on a team with stars.

And Boozer's jumper is better than Bosh. His midrange J is one of the best of all post players in the game [not the best, that would be Dirk!]. And he plays better D, he's not that great of a defender, but Bosh gets abused sometimes - Michael Beasley had some of his best games in his career playing against Bosh. Of course, Bosh played almost entirely center for the Raptors and he is definitely not a center, so that could lead to some of the defensive woes.

yeah i forgot about defence....hes a middle of the road defender but bosh just got annialated down low. wade isn't that good of a defender either.

[jcmanson]

wade isn't that good of a defender either.

[jcmanson]

I also love how that article was titled "Bulls win Boozer sweepstakes"

Yeah they won it because they lost out on option #1 and #2 at PF and their biggest competitors (Miami and NYK) were out of the running after signing option #1 and #2 at PF.

[flamesbball84]

I also love how that article was titled "Bulls win Boozer sweepstakes"

Yeah they won it because they lost out on option #1 and #2 at PF and their biggest competitors (Miami and NYK) were out of the running after signing option #1 and #2 at PF.

Boozer is better than Stoudemire.

On offense, Stoudemire is a marginally better scorer but Boozer is the far superior passer. Stoudemire was 3rd among PFs in true scoring %, Boozer 6th. Boozer was one of the top passing PFs in the entire NBA last year, ranking 9th in assist ratio compared to 69th for Stoudemire, which is the second worst of all NBA PFs who qualified, only better than Serge Ibaka.

For rebounding, it's blowout in favor of Boozer. Boozer was 4th in rebound rate among PFs (9th in the entire league as well), Stoudemire 31st. PFs who rebounder at a better rate than Amare are such notable studs as Joe Smith, Shelden Williams, Jordan Hill, Amir Johnson, James Singleton, and Kris Humphries.

On defense, it's widely known that Amare is a pitiful defender that doesn't really care about playing any defense unless it's to block a shot. Boozer isn't all that great of a defender, but at least he tries.

[jcmanson]

You can make an argument for Boozer over Stoudemire, but it's no secret that Amare was #2 on all the major player's PF list and Boozer #3.

Personally, I'd rather have Boozer than Stoudemire.

I'm just saying the title of the article is misleading. No one else was really in the Boozer "sweepstakes" after Miami and New York got their guys.

[TDDance234]

I also love how that article was titled "Bulls win Boozer sweepstakes"

Yeah they won it because they lost out on option #1 and #2 at PF and their biggest competitors (Miami and NYK) were out of the running after signing option #1 and #2 at PF.

Boozer is better than Stoudemire.

On offense, Stoudemire is a marginally better scorer but Boozer is the far superior passer. Stoudemire was 3rd among PFs in true scoring %, Boozer 6th. Boozer was one of the top passing PFs in the entire NBA last year, ranking 9th in assist ratio compared to 69th for Stoudemire, which is the second worst of all NBA PFs who qualified, only better than Serge Ibaka.

For rebounding, it's blowout in favor of Boozer. Boozer was 4th in rebound rate among PFs (9th in the entire league as well), Stoudemire 31st. PFs who rebounder at a better rate than Amare are such notable studs as Joe Smith, Shelden Williams, Jordan Hill, Amir Johnson, James Singleton, and Kris Humphries.

On defense, it's widely known that Amare is a pitiful defender that doesn't really care about playing any defense unless it's to block a shot. Boozer isn't all that great of a defender, but at least he tries.

There are only two teams where Amar'e gets by without playing defense -- Phoenix and New York. He'll be fine.

[flamesbball84]

I also love how that article was titled "Bulls win Boozer sweepstakes"

Yeah they won it because they lost out on option #1 and #2 at PF and their biggest competitors (Miami and NYK) were out of the running after signing option #1 and #2 at PF.

Boozer is better than Stoudemire.

On offense, Stoudemire is a marginally better scorer but Boozer is the far superior passer. Stoudemire was 3rd among PFs in true scoring %, Boozer 6th. Boozer was one of the top passing PFs in the entire NBA last year, ranking 9th in assist ratio compared to 69th for Stoudemire, which is the second worst of all NBA PFs who qualified, only better than Serge Ibaka.

For rebounding, it's blowout in favor of Boozer. Boozer was 4th in rebound rate among PFs (9th in the entire league as well), Stoudemire 31st. PFs who rebounder at a better rate than Amare are such notable studs as Joe Smith, Shelden Williams, Jordan Hill, Amir Johnson, James Singleton, and Kris Humphries.

On defense, it's widely known that Amare is a pitiful defender that doesn't really care about playing any defense unless it's to block a shot. Boozer isn't all that great of a defender, but at least he tries.

There are only two teams where Amar'e gets by without playing defense -- Phoenix and New York. He'll be fine.

Never said he wouldn't be fine, the point here is that Boozer is better, so it's not like the Bulls really lost out, they ended up with the better of the two in the end. And with Amare going to NYK, Boozer will continue to be the better player as Amare will still not have to play any D at all while Boozer will.

[flamesbball84]

You can make an argument for Boozer over Stoudemire, but it's no secret that Amare was #2 on all the major player's PF list and Boozer #3.

Personally, I'd rather have Boozer than Stoudemire.

I'm just saying the title of the article is misleading. No one else was really in the Boozer "sweepstakes" after Miami and New York got their guys.

No one else was in it? I'm sure thats news to the Cavs, Nets, and Jazz. Just yesterday the Jazz were still in the mix and the Cavs and Nets all intensified their efforts today when they found out Wade and Bosh were going to Miami. There were four teams in the mix up until today, so yes there was a sweepstakes.

[flamesbball84]

The Warriors are close to sending Anthony Randolph to the Knicks in a sign-and-trade for David Lee.
This is the same deal that was rumored to include Monta Ellis, who is now out of talks. Of course, everything is contingent on LeBron James. If he announces he'll play anywhere but New York, the Warriors would possibly send Randolph, either Ronny Turiaf or Kelenna Azubuike, and Vladimir Radmanovic in exchange for Lee. If LeBron signs with the Knicks, the deal will likely be killed. And frankly, we'd love to see Randolph play for Mike D'Antoni and the Knicks.

[flamesbball84]

Good news for the heat and other teams looking to get multiple max/huge contract free agents: the salary cap is going tobe 58 million this year, 2 million more than what was expected.

[RubberMallet]

wade isn't that good of a defender either.

he isn't. guards scored at will on dwade.

[RubberMallet]

I also love how that article was titled "Bulls win Boozer sweepstakes"

Yeah they won it because they lost out on option #1 and #2 at PF and their biggest competitors (Miami and NYK) were out of the running after signing option #1 and #2 at PF.

they didn't even really look at amare....i can't see why anyone would pay him the kind of money he commanded...he also doesn't play defense and plays injured all the time. i'm not sure if boozer is better but i'd much rather have him on the defensive side of the boards...boozer and noah should be pretty good at controlling the frontcourt

[thepostman]

it will be interesting to see how good amare will be without a great pg setting him up...amare is good..but it will be interesting to see how much better nash made him

[flamesbball84]

it will be interesting to see how good amare will be without a great pg setting him up...amare is good..but it will be interesting to see how much better nash made him

And the Knicks best PG on their roster currently is would be either Eddie House or Toney Douglas, and theya ren't even real PGs. Duhon signed with the Magic and Sergio Rodriguez going back to Spain. Sergio could have been nice for a starting PG if you didn't give one crap about defense.

[SumItUp]

I like Kevin Durant. He immediately accepted the maximum salary without fanfare. He plays the game the same way.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports ... eague.html

[jcmanson]

Chris Broussard reports Lebron to Miami

[jcmanson]

wade isn't that good of a defender either.

he isn't. guards scored at will on dwade.

http://www.nba.com/heat/news/dwyane_wad ... _2010.html

The NBA has announced that Miami HEAT guard Dwyane Wade has been named to the 2009-10 NBA All-Defensive Second Team. This marks the third time in Wade’s career that he has earned NBA All-Defensive Team honors. The three All-Defensive Team honors are the most in HEAT franchise history.

I guess the 30 NBA coaches disagree with you, but I'll believe you over them

[ALUmnus]

The NBA all-defensive teams have been a joke for a while. They're basically to pad the stars' resumes.

[RubberMallet]

The NBA all-defensive teams have been a joke for a while. They're basically to pad the stars' resumes.

this. defensive team is the lol of the league. that alone allows me to feel comfortable being done with jcmanson and not think twice.

[flamesbball84]

According to ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard, LeBron James is now leaning towards signing with the Miami Heat.

Alan Hahn of Newsday has also reported similarly.

But the wording of Broussard's report seems to leave a bit of wiggle room for LeBron.

It reads he's decided to choose Miami "barring a late change of heart" and that "James' family and friends are divided over his decision to play in Miami, according to sources. Opinions range from understanding his desire to play with All-Star teammates, to feeling he is selling himself short by joining Wade's team, to concerns that playing on such a power-packed squad will hurt his brand even if he wins championships."

Writes Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer: "I still have no direct confirmation from LeBron's inner circle on Miami. Maybe they're trying to save suspense in some way."

Adds Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports: "Suspicion lingered in the league whether this was a clear affirmation of James' intent or a misdirection play designed to generate suspense for his primetime TV announcement ... One former confidant said James is often indecisive, and with the announcement not scheduled until late Thursday evening it's possible James could continue to waver."

ESPN'S J.A. Adande chimes in with this:
So far, less-than-positive reaction for LeBron's Heat lean
"Part of me thinks LeBron's camp is just floating this Miami thing to gauge the reaction. And what I've seen has not been positive."

[flamesbball84]

LeBron James' inner circle reportedly made phone calls to several NBA officials and free agents late Wednesday, suggesting LeBron was leaning toward signing with the Heat.
James’ people checked in with free agents to gauge their interest in joining the Heat if LeBron goes to Miami. They even suggested that the Heat would be trading Michael Beasley to create additional salary-cap space. While it still sounds like Miami is the favorite, those plans could change if LeBron's crew didn't like the feedback they heard in those phone calls. Another thing to keep in mind is that Chris Dennis, who used to run LeBron's foundation, says he always waits until the last minute to make a decision. See you at 9 o'clock.
Source: Yahoo! Sports

Several NBA writers are questioning the validity of sources putting LeBron James on the Miami Heat.
It is plausible that LeBron's camp is floating rumors out there and then guaging reactions to them. New York was all the rage on Wednesday, with Miami coming into the forefront on Thursday. The report of him going to Miami still holds the most water, but the truth is that no one should be shocked if he announces he's returning to Cleveland or going to New York tonight. We still think playing with Wade and Bosh will be his final answer, but that's yet to be confirmed by anyone in James' camp.
Source: Brian Windhorst on Twitter

[jcmanson]

Say whatever you want, be done with me if you want. I could care less.

Miami will be "done" with the NBA the next 5 years. Enjoy Boozer.

[RubberMallet]

Say whatever you want, be done with me if you want. I could care less.

Miami will be "done" with the NBA the next 5 years. Enjoy Boozer.

that has nothing to do with dwade being a horrible defender....can't say i'm not surprised.

[jcmanson]

We can debate this for days, but I'll likely never change your mind.

Here's a good article written on the subject:

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... e-defender

Dwyane Wade averaged 1.67 blocks per 48 minutes this season – far and away the highest rate of any guard in the league. To put that number into perspective, there's a greater gap between #1 Wade and his closest competition, Rasual Butler, than between Butler and the 11th ranked guard, Kobe Bryant.