The only reason the Jazz aren't contending for championships is because they have no one that can control the paint. That's a huge difference between the Bulls and the Jazz. They certainly execute better on offense than the Celtics, Lakers, Cavs (of last year), and Orlando.
They've convinced me. I think the Heat are on their way to dynasty. I think you're going to see a gravitation to that team of players who want a piece of what those 3 players have started building. Riley's at the helm of that ship -- it'll be humming along with a minimum of distraction and drama. We'll see if I'm dead wrong. I concede that I could be. I'm holding out hope that lots of ring chasers will see the value in not accepting less to play for Miami and playing for a team with a puncher's chance of knocking them out of the playoffs.
ESPN would rather show the 900th rerun of the 2009 World Series of Poker than "Marian Hossa: The Decision" Even Versus would probably show bull riding or something. No one is watching Marian Hossa: The Decision. No one.
The Celtics did not pick up that many ring chasers if I'm remembering correctly. Posey maybe? Rondo, Perkins, Baby, those guys were already there. Edit: I guess they did pick up Eddie House, Posey, and then Cassell and PJ Brown near the end of the season.
I have to take minor exception to the idea that Lebron took the Cavs to previously unexplored levels of success. They went to a whole new level in the public eye, sure, but they barely did anything more than what the Price/Ehlo/Daugherty/Nance teams did. That 2007 Finals "performance" was such an abortion that I barely count it.
Also allows Miami to get back Haslem and Wright using Bird rights. They're waiting for Mike Miller and they contacted Jason Williams to play for minimum. It does? That blows. Haslem is a real piece. I hope someone outbids them for Mike Miller. If they get Shaq or Brad to take the minimum they're going to be set.
Between this and wishing the Bulls still had Hinrich and Salmons you're on a roll tonight. John Salmons is a fine basketball player. Not for 5/40 If he plays like he did for Bulls/Bucks after being brought over he easily is. The problem is that he may play like he did for the 1st half of last season. If you're looking for a guy that can make some 3s, get his own shot, and guard Dwyane Wade you could do a lot worse. He is a bit of a black hole of course.
Depending on how much you suck and if your roommate really is blind I would say 3 division III basketball players might be able to take you. Triple team MJ, not like you gotta guard the blind guy. Basically it comes down to you making open jumpers.
The leaks from Lebron's camp are a product of pillow talk between Gloria and Delonte. And yeah, I was thinking about Lebron shocking everyone and going to the Clippers. Basically everyone's blasting him for the way he's handling this and even going back to Cleveland won't restore all of his goodwill. But if he goes to the Clippers to take on Kobe in his own town he'd get back most people on his side.