You are the biggest apologist for any player I've ever seen.

LeBron quit against the Celtics. There was no narrative. And that is a million times worse than quitting after the season is over for a team you won multiple championships with. Give me a break.

Mark Titus ‏@clubtrillion 3h
If you're a fan of the Cavs and a fan of Greg Oden, good news: Cleveland not drafting a big guy is a great sign for Oden-to-Cavs potential.

Woot.

Yeah too bad they couldn't do that when they had LeBron for several years.

Phil Pressy declared for the NBA draft?

why?

Dwight Howard talk makes me "zzzzzzzzzzzz......."

LMAO @Entourage joke.

LMAO

Per you, it's always been about the coming years. Otherwise, they would have kept Harden. I'm just not sure I understand it at all.

Nets should be good, but it's going to take a long time for me to get over the fact that they hired Jason Kidd as their head coach.

LMAO Doc Rivers/Bill Simmons feud is on.

lol, that was awesome

Celtics just blew that shit up. Crazy

I agree. I want so bad to be a Nets fan living in NY and them having Tyshawn.

Hiring Kidd made that really tough.

There needs to be a "backing out of the room" GIF for Bilas/Jalen's body language while Simmons was firing back. That was great... the entire desk literally wanted to be anywhere else on Earth at that moment.

Oklahoma City did a masterful job of building a near dynasty with very little room for error then made a catastrophic mistake. I don't know if that team will be able to win the title.

The Nets will not win with that roster. You can't count on Deron Williams, Brook Lopez is soft and overrated, and Garnett and Pierce are another year older.

Boston wasn't going to do anything w/ Pierce and Garnett, but getting Wallace back does nothing for them, and I don't believe Wallace is an amnesty candidate. They'll need to hold Rondo out all year and hope for the lottery balls to fall their way. It's a better plan than the mediocrity treadmill.

[Was reviewing the earlier signs of Simmons' meltdown.]

[Reads this post]

[Immediately slams his DVR forward]

Simmons is too emotional to be on TV right now. Can't accept what has happened to this Celtics team.

The Harden trade NEVER made sense. It was a pretty clear signal that the organization cares more about $ than they do about winning a title.

He's a weirdo.

Archie Goodwin has been traded to the Warriors.

Celtics got absolute shit. Wow. But KG/Pierce are really old, so whatever.

I think the coach is a major problem for Brooklyn as well. That team just doesn't work. Love KG and PP but them be very...very old.

I remember a superior Celtics team beating him and the Cavs and crushing his spirit, yes. The media, of course, ridiculously played that into a narrative about him quitting on his team. And yes, it would be even worse if he left the sport in his prime. I can just imagine the way they would frame him as some kind of cowardly quitter afraid to live in the shadow of the all-time greats and afraid to complete his legacy.

I don;t think they could have afforded to pay all 3 from what I remember. They weren't willing to sacrifice salary like the Heat were.

Agreed. The Nets will be good, but not close to good enough to win a championship. Honestly, they'll probably take that, though. And there's enough big names there to make their fans believe they've got a shot.

A super Celtics fanatic is what he is. So yes, I guess that makes him kind of a weirdo.

Doesn't get much worse in pro sports than that deal. Damaging a potential dynasty to save some money. Ugh.

wow, shane larkin traded

I actually enjoyed it. He was emotional, but he was also logical. He was right about Rivers' story morphing. Rivers calling him an idiot is really a sign of Rivers' handling the situation poorly, not Simmons.

I thought Simmons handled himself fairly well. Obviously he's a homer... but he stood his ground. If the Chiefs had a super fan that shot one across Pioli's bow like that on national TV he'd be a hero here.

Doc Rivers and the Clips. Eh, I don't see that working.

Fact is it's the Heat and then everyone else until Lebron decides the ride is over.

Well, and then you get next year's draft. Which is going to be insane.

Are there any Chiefs fans in media? I don't even think Kevin Harlan thinks of himself as a Chiefs fan anymore. We really need to start winning games. It's freaking embarrassing.

Im kind of surprised T-rob didnt get traded. Either the Rockets still like him or nobody wants him. Not looking good to land Howard.

I agree, but I'd tweak your wording somewhat. He's a fanatic, but he's not a homer (who I believe are delusional).

When I saw that I thought about a CP poster in that spot and what we'd want them to say. That's what we'd want them to say.

Wasn't just referring to the Rivers conflict at the end (and yeah, Rivers came off the worse of the two). Simmons was just a bit out of sorts since they announced the Pierce trade on the air and he realized that era was over.

I can sympathize with that, by the way, I don't think I could have managed to be on live TV when Halladay was dealt from the Jays in '09 (and that era didn't even have team success).

The Heat won that title by a razor's edge with LeBron at the peak of the peak of his powers. It will be very hard for them to win next year given that Wade can't stay healthy and Bosh is a largely ineffective head case who has apparently forgotten how to hit a jump shot.

That may be true but who is going to challenge them?

Are the Spurs going to be able to come back yet again? Is Danny Green going to hit 1,000 3 pointers in games 1-4 again?

The Heat weren't the only team with a little luck...

It won't happen but I think Golden State would be a great landing spot for Dwight.


Discuss

I just can't understand taking on the Wallace contract.

I rewound and watched the times when you all mentioned him on here. The only one that was out of left field was when he started talking about it sinking in at about 10:25 (11:25 Eastern) unprompted.

Bennet dropping Wiggins' name in his speech. lol

Bennett being Canada's first #1 draft pick in history is pretty big news in that country. Everyone was expecting it would be Wiggins.

I can't recall all the times. I seem to remember them all analyzing some pick, though, and him interrupting out of the blue with a Celtics comment on the trade.

You have to do it to get the salaries to match so you can move Garnett and Pierce. Moving them makes your team bad enough that they have a shot at Wiggins, and at the very least, a top five pick in the best draft since 2003.

Still think they're the favorites as long as LeBron is playing at this level. The other major threats are a OKC team they beat rather easily two years ago (now without Harden) and the Spurs team they beat this year (with a Duncan that's another year older). And maybe the Bulls depending on how Rose plays?

They might want to consider shutting Wade down for some of the regular season and just letting LeBron do his thing to rack up the wins. Would pay dividends come playoff time so Wade wouldn't look like such a shell of his former self.

didnt the Pacers take them in a hard fought physical series all the way to 7 games?

I'd say they are the closest in terms of matchup, size, players in their youth/prime, etc.

That's the only thing they can do. Basically give him the Shaq treatment.

Yeah they definitely become a tanking candidate. Wallace is just so terrible and his contract is worse. I guess I thought they'd get more than a Humphries expiring contract. But they didnt have a lot of options, I assume. Oh well. **** Boston. **** the Nets.

Crash shot 28 percent from 3 point last year

lol yikes

Ill bet you a case of Mr.Pinb that the Heat win it again next year.

Yes it was about the coming years, and I dont like the way it looks at all. I have enough information now to have a good idea we ****ed ourselves. Ibaka should have been the one to go.

Here's hoping Lamb and Adams are a lot ****ing better than I expect. Would feel a lot better if we had a ****ing coach. We'll still be a top 3 team in the West with a chance, but Durant and Westbrook better be ready to pull a bunch of young ****ers. Was hoping they would dump off some picks with Perk or Ibaka. They had the pieces to make it better and looked to have ****ed it beyond recognition.

Hell of a fun draft, maybe most fun I've ever had watching the NBA draft. Surprise picks throughout, crazy trades (including vets), guys on the desk were good, Simmons/Rivers feud, Bebe's hair and standing next to Stern, Hakeem coming back, etc. Just great fun.

I really like what my Grizzlies did. Traded Darrell Arthur and 55th pick for Kosta Koufos. They needed a good backup for Gasol, and now they have one of the best backup centers in the game. They jumped on Jamaal Franklin when he fell to 41. Most had him going somewhere between 20-28 or so. He fits their culture of defense and energy. They really needed shooting though, and didn't get it. That will be their only focus from here on out. They'll be looking at Korver/Delfino/Dunleavy types to fill that shooting role.

Don't understand what OKC did. Adams and Roberson are essentially role players. I really thought this draft (and the Harden trade) hinged on OKC getting up into the top 6 to get one of the top tier guys. Still no guarantee, but enough upside to think one of those guys could eventually be a front line starter in the league. Didn't happen, despite rumors that they tried to get there.

So whats the over/under on Wiggins and Parker to the Lakers and Celtics?

Howard is coming back to LA

Probably not.

I have a feeling you're going to see many of the same teams in next years lottery. If the Celtics can move Rondo then they definitely get in there too. Like the panel was saying last night I think Boston is still a little "too good" with Rondo to be bad enough to have a great shot at Wiggins.

But yes next year's draft is going to be crazy.

LOL @ the thought of Pierce/KG listening to JKidd.

I have no idea what the Nets are thinking. Not even a year ago Kidd and the Knicks were at war with the Celtics and now you think you're going to get two of the most veteran players in the league to play under Jason Kidd?? How long is it going to take before honey nut cheerios comes up? What a disaster.

But should be entertaining I'll give them that.

How do you all feel about Oladipo being selected by Orlando? I mean, I was hoping for McLemore because I'm a KU homer and all but I hope Oladipo pans out.

All of these teams want Wiggins. Might as well draft a role player who is a sure thing as opposed to a superstar potential in McLemore.

McLemore does not have superstar potential. That's rank homerism. He's not a good enough ball handler or defender, and although he is a good shooter, because of the first deficiency it will be difficult for him to create his own shot.

He'll probably settle in as a 14-18 PPG scorer. A very nice player who might make an all-star team in his best years, but never a superstar.

Agreed. And I like Kansas. I was more concerned at how he shied away from big shots. In close games, he often completely disappeared and it was sometimes good shots he was passing up.

McLemore is likely the third-fourth best player on a title team. A guy who can get hot and carry a team for a quarter at a time, but never a primary option.

I have no idea why the Kings wanted him. The Kings need a wing player in the worst way.

Thorton, Evans, Isiah Thomas, McLemore, Jimmer. That's 4 out of the 5 backcourt players who have a shoot first mentality.

As a Laker fan, thank god.

I hope he goes to Houston or Dallas.

The stupid ****ing billboards, and the wooing of a guy who's on the Amanda Byrnes scale of bi-polar makes me sick.

Because they're the Kings. Stupid teams make stupid decisions.

Gilbert's desire to get bounced as a 7 seed and lose a chance for a high lottery pick in a great draft had them take Bennett over Noel.

A lot of NBA teams are just dumb.

The Celtics aren't moving Rondo, Ainge stated that very clearly last night. They are building the team around him and in the next 5 drafts they will have 9 First Round picks.

I think they will be competitive but I don't expect them to win 35 games either.

The Kings are the Chiefs of the NBA. Stupid franchise for the most part.

There's a good chance that seven or eight of those first rounders are in the latter half of the round where you're looking for a guy who can fit a specific role, maybe as an energy guy or a 7th or 8th man.

If Ainge is serious about rebuilding the Celtics he needs to sit Rondo next year.

Kobe is going to sit out the year. Lakers some how win the lottery and get Wiggins. That's my prediction for the year.

Im a Pelicans/Bobcats fan, and to say that I was beyond thrilled with one team, while COMPLETELY floored, and disgusted by the other, would be the understatement of the year.

When the Pelicans took Noel, I was shocked, but then excited. They do after all play in the same division with Dirk, and Tim Duncan, so I understood it, but when I found out they had traded with the 76ers, I first thought they were trading for Evan Turner, and then I was going to smash shit in my house. But, TO GET JRUE HOLIDAY, who is the most underrated pg in basketball, I did the dougie.

But the suckcats. Wtf, are they thinking. They have Byron mullens. Who is nothing more than a shooter. he doesn't defend, he doesn't have a post game, and they have Biyombo, who can do NOTHING offensively. There was the place for them to grab Alex Len, orrrrr to grab Ben McClemore. And they end up with Cody, ****ing Zeller. I hate this franchise so much. The only thing keeping me attached to them, is the fact they are becoming the hornets once again. But, year after year they eff it up.

ALTHOUGH, I DID LOVE THE MKG draft, and the Kemba Walker pick. The rest of this stuff. I HATE.

Kobe is not going to sit out. He is way too competitive for that. Don't be shocked if Dwight leaves, if they bring back Bynum.......

I really want them to blow the team up and just start a rebuild immediately.

With the cap space, you won't really have to rebuild in 14.

I just can't root for Howard. The thought of a franchise like the Lakers making billboards and begging this guy to stay is sickening.

Secondary only to Mike D'Antoni coaching this team, of course.

They shouldn't bring back Bynum unless he's playing for 3 cents on the dollar.

Don't sign anyone. Keep all the space for 14 and start fresh.

Howard is no cornerstone of a franchise. He's not a leader, he's not someone you want as the face of the team. He's a puke.

Kobe won't sit an entire season.

Yeah me too. But if I had to choose, I'd rather have Dwight stay on the team rather than D'Antoni.

I'm probably there as well.

The only way I want Dwight is if Phil Jackson is coaching him, which seems like a complete pipedream.

Shit, I liked Bynum with the lakers, that's why I suggested it. YOu are a laker fan so you know more than me. Any truth to the rumor they may amnesty Pau?

17/12 for a guy coming off back surgery isn't bad. They'll need him if they want to beat the Heat.