Comments on: Wade-Bosh, and Other Wing-Big Combos

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 04:44:02 +0000

Looks like LeBron took the easy way out to me. Taking on the challenge of winning a title for his hometown in Cleveland would have been worth several championships with the new, stacked "Big Three" in Miami. He should have stayed the course in Cleveland, and his popularity would continue to soar, which automatically increases his income with more endorsements!

By: Neil Paine

Neil Paine — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:50:33 +0000

Oh yeah. The sound of referee whistles will be the NBA equivalent of the vuvuzela during Heat games. :)

By: themojojedi

themojojedi — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 06:59:14 +0000

So if LeBron joins the party in Miami the all-time record for team FTA/FGA (or FT/FGA if you prefer) gets obliterated right?

By: Rashad

Rashad — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:02:58 +0000

I still think it's a bit silly to look at individuals based on usage, since for any given individual the usage/efficiency tradeoff is not at all entirely clear, despite the larger trend.

By: P Middy

P Middy — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:43:55 +0000

Hearing Wade say that he was willing to take less pay to get the right pieces was very heartening. If all three of them took $10 a year, they could get the right squad around them. Of course, that's leaving a LOT of money on the table.

By: AYC

AYC — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:19:16 +0000

I made that last post before I saw Chi just came to terms with Boozer. Hard situation for Lebron to resist

By: AYC

AYC — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:10 +0000

I don't get all the Boozer bashing. He has the best shooting touch of any PF not named Dirk, and he's a beast on the boards; CHI couldn't use that? If CLE hadn't let him slip away they'd probably have a championship or two already....

By: john

john — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:33:27 +0000

Yeah. And pax was one of the greatest 3pt shooter ever so he brought something other than defensive liability. The real problem with booze isnt buying into the defense it just doesnt seem like his ball iq is very high. IMO having the greatest defensive mind in the league is a great reason for lebron to WANT to go to chicago but brining in boozer seems to tarnish that shine.

Deng is an albatross that chicago will be lucky to get rid of. I dont envy lebron. If bosh is out of the picture in chiacgo it seems like any team he picks is too messed up to make a run at a ring in the near future.

By: Jason J

Jason J — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:14:31 +0000

That's a good point, John. A champion can usually get by with one subpar defender (a Paxson or Kukoc in this scenario), but Rose is also not the greatest, so it would put a ton of pressure on Bron and Noah if Boozer didn't buy into the defense. He is a strong rebounder though. I think the combo would give them a chance to win. The bigger worry IMO is outside shooting. They need a specialist at the 2 to give Rose and Bron room to operate, and Deng is neither a shooting specialist nor a 2 guard.

By: Spree

Spree — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:11:28 +0000

I think LeBron is going to New York. The attempt to get Bosh proves that if he stays in Cleveland he's not getting help. Bosh was offered the most money he could get this year and still wouldn't go to Cleveland. So Cleveland is only chosen if he chooses love of home over legacy. Chicago with Boozer is no guarantee. Chicago would have to sell LeBron on the idea that they can get Boozer which is uncertain. Second, any knock anyone has on Amar'e Stoudemire goes double for Boozer. Boozer is undersized, injury prone, and not a great defender. He also struggles in the post due to his size when he plays the elite PF's in the league. The only thing he does better than Amar'e is rebound. He can't attack the basket like Amar'e and doesn't shoot any better than Amar'e. So not only is LeBron needing to be sold that Chicago will get Boozer, but also that Boozer is an acceptable sub for Bosh or Amar'e. Miami would demand LeBron leave a ton of money on the table to become Wade's sidekick. Hardly appealing. New York offers LeBron everything. A great coach. A system ideal to his skill set. A great PF scoring maching as back-up. And plenty of cap space to make moves this year and next. Keep in mind also that the Nike contract escalator would kick in and LeBron wouldn't take a minimal pay cut compared to what Cleveland could offer. I say LeBron's going Gotham.