Category: Fantasy Basketball (Page 143 of 274)

      LeBron’s camp thinks he’s staying in Cleveland?

      April 11, 2010 /

      According to Brian Windhorst of The Plain Dealer, LeBron’s camp seems to think that he’s going to re-sign with the Cavs this summer.

      After being mostly neutral and downright noncommittal for some time, those closest to James have been altering their view recently. The vibe being sent out from James’ camp — whether it is private conversations or discussions about new business or plans for the near future — is that James currently is leaning strongly toward re-signing with the Cavs.

      That may sound vague and, as always, it continues to be fragile. Yet there is no denying the gradual shift within James’ circle and, it is assumed, by James himself.

      James has declined to talk publicly about free agency since November. But as one source said, “I have never been so sure that he’s going to stay in Cleveland than I am right now.”

      Windhorst is a good beat writer and I believe him when he says he’s getting a different vibe from LeBron’s camp.

      LeBron is supposedly a loyal guy, and is from nearby Akron, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he decided to re-sign with the Cavs even if the team flames out again in the postseason. He seems to genuinely enjoy the players on the team and the franchise has treated him well, and that goes a long way.

      But if the Cavs lose in the playoffs, would they bother to bring Shaq back for another season? If not, even with his salary off the books, the Cavs would be approximately $17 million over the salary cap. The only way to infuse the team with more (or different) talent would be to swing a trade or use the mid-level exception.

      In other words, if this Cavs team doesn’t break through and win a title, I’m not optimistic about the 2011 Cavs or the 2012 Cavs having more luck.


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      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      Maybe the Cavs should just get a bye

      April 10, 2010 /

      It’s a battle of attrition between the Chicago Bulls and the Toronto Raptors for the final playoff spot in the East. The Bulls had a chance to take sole possession last night against the Nets, but lost. Yes, they lost to the Nets. That, coupled with the Raptors’ loss to Atlanta, leaves the teams tied at 38-41 with three games to play.

      Do either of these teams deserve to play in the postseason?

      The two teams square off on Sunday (on NBATV) and the Raptors hold the tiebraker if they’re still tied at the end of the season. In addition to the Raptors, the Bulls face the Celtics and Bobcats next week while Toronto has the Pistons and the Knicks. While it appears that the Raptors have an easier schedule, Boston and Charlotte might be coasting into the playoffs while the Pistons and Knicks may relish an opportunity to play a meaningful game at the end of the season and spoil Toronto’s playoff hopes.

      The Bucks are also watching closely. Milwaukee gets to swap draft picks with Chicago as a part of the John Salmons trade, so the Bucks could move up to #12 if the Bulls miss the playoffs. If Chicago makes the postseason, Milwaukee will get the #15 pick instead.

      The Raptors hold the tiebraker, but the Bulls are playing better basketball of late. They’re relatively healthy while the Raptors will be without Chris Bosh for the remainder of the regular season. Even though Sunday’s game is in Toronto, my guess is that Chicago eventually gets the final playoff spot.

      That is, unless the Celtics decide to take last year’s spirited playoff series with the Bulls as motivation for next week’s game…hmm…

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      What’s the worst-case scenario for the Knicks?

      April 9, 2010 /

      New York Post columnist Peter Vecsey isn’t optimistic about the Knicks’ chances in free agency, and he’s not afraid to say so.

      Shows what kind of jagged competition the Knicks are in for this summer when the free-agent grab bag unties. If LeBron James isn’t game to accept almost half of their $33 million surplus, you can kiss off Dwyane Wade, too.

      Where will that leave the Knicks? Chris Bosh is next in line. As good as he is, he has not been good enough to take the Raptors anywhere worthwhile (two first rounds) in this, his seventh season. He is better defensively than David Lee, but across the stats sheet, there’s not a discernable difference, and Toronto might get best of that deal. Bosh is a perfect Poncho to Cisco in Miami.

      Vescey goes on to predict that Joe Johnson will re-up in Atlanta, that Amare Stoudemire and Mike D’Antoni wouldn’t click, that the Grizzlies will match any offer for Rudy Gay, and that the Knicks would be “lucky” to get Carlos Boozer.

      In the final analysis, the Knicks may have to “settle for” re-signing Lee. Something they had better do as soon after July 1 as possible . . . before the Nets lock him up and he becomes a perennial All-Star alongside Brook Lopez . . . and they are stuck adopting unadoptable free agents.

      I’m not as down on the Knicks’ chances of striking gold as Vescey seems to be. Let’s not forget that they play at Madison Square Garden in the media capital of the world and that they’re coached by Mike D’Antoni who plays an up-tempo system that players seem to love.

      I could see the Knicks being in a situation where they’re hoping Memphis doesn’t match their offer for Rudy Gay and praying that David Lee is willing to come back after all the Knicks have put him through. I can also see a scenario where LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all take a bit less money to play for a title year in and year out in NYC. There’s no team that has a greater upside/downside as the Knicks this summer.

      Let’s assume LeBron sticks in Cleveland and Wade stays in Miami. The next best duo would be Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh. Not bad. Let’s say Bosh goes to the Heat, then the Knicks could get Johnson and Stoudemire (or Boozer). Again, not bad. What if Johnson sticks in Atlanta or bolts to the Bulls, Clippers or Nets? Then, the Knicks are looking at Gay and Stoudemire/Boozer. Could be worse.

      The funny thing is that while the Knicks are waiting on Bosh/Stoudemire/Boozer, someone (like the Nets, as Vescey said) could swoop in and snatch up Lee.

      Is it a bad thing that I’m more excited about free agency than I am the postseason?


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      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      3,497 words about Rasheed Wallace

      April 9, 2010 /

      Hate Rasheed Wallace or find him interesting? Check out Bill Simmons’ latest column, “Smoke and Mirrors,” which is dedicated entirely to the man he calls “Sheed.” I think it’s one of his best pieces ever, but the funniest line came from one of his buddies.

      Sheed caused me to e-mail my buddy Hench in December just to ask whether he remembered seeing Sheed run harder than half-speed even once. Hench’s response: “I’ve yet to see Sheed make a fast-twitch move that would have spilled a beverage if he was carrying one on the court.”

      Nice one, Hench.


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      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      Where will Wade sign this summer?

      April 9, 2010 /

      Looking for a few different takes on whether or not Dwyane Wade is going to re-sign with the Heat? ESPN’s Free Agency Dime has a nice overview of all of their analysts’ opinions about where Wade will land this summer.

      The consensus seems to be that Miami has the best bet of re-signing him, but that the Bulls are the next most likely option. Personally, I think the Heat will sign/acquire Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire or Carlos Boozer and re-sign Wade. If the Cavs lose in the Eastern Conference Finals, or even in the Finals, then LeBron is the darkhorse.


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      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

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