Comments on: The Hired Gun II

By: gold wow guide

gold wow guide — Thu, 13 May 2010 05:45:27 +0000

I truly like this blog here, thanks to you you have helped me out greatly spread the love.

By: Sharon Robinson

Sharon Robinson — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:00:07 +0000

Well, this is the second time I have tried to email this comment so it will be simple. I will teach Shaq how to shoot free throws. I am a 60 years woman and if I can't do it no coach can. So let me try. fly me out, give me a stipend and let us work! Holla at me and you will see, Shaq will be shooting free throws and maybe 3's!

By: Neil Paine

Neil Paine — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:19:17 +0000

Until this upcoming season, Wake was on a unique contract that provided for a (theoretically) never-ending series of 1-year, $4 million mutual options.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:17:59 +0000

I don't get the Time Wakefield reference at all. Can someone clue me in?

By: Jason J

Jason J — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:55:39 +0000

You're out of your element, Donnie.

By: P Middy

P Middy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:39:12 +0000

Well, my question is what's the point of simulation an impossible situation? I mean, do we really need complex math to know that if LeBron played for $1 on the Lakers next year they'd win a championship? Doesn't discussing what might actually happen if this insane combination of limited contracts and a hard cap were in the new CBA seem like much more fun than sitting in uniform agreement than an impossibly strict (and completely unrealistic) set of criteria lead to a specific outcome?

By: Jason J

Jason J — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:08:55 +0000

I actually think that that is the scenario that Neil ran, that the team that picks up LeBron stays basically the same, and the other contenders aren't blessed with similar miracle signings. Is it realistic? No. I don't think that's the point. The game isn't what if every all-star moved every season. And it's not, let's go where the money is. And it's not, let's trade the farm for a great player. It's what if LeBron put the money aside and took a series of one year deals with different top contenders. These teams we've mentioned that almost made it with significant losses are a totally different issue really, just an example of how far a team without longstanding continuity can make it even with important losses when they pick up a star. Miami lost its second and third best player and still may have won it all if not for injuries to its two best players - in Neil's hypothetical, Odom and Butler are still there. Barkley's Suns were on their way to victory despite the loss of Hornacek until Jordan exploded - and of course in this scenario the modern Jordan - LeBron - would be the one joining the contender rather than the Charles (Kobe? Melo?) player. I didn't even mention the 2008 Celtics who picked up Garnett, Allen, Posey, Brown, Powe, Glen Davis and Cassell (and for all practical purposes Paul Pierce who missed a big chunk of the previous season w/ injuries) and still won because it's not even close to the same issue anymore. The championship continuity that we see seems to be very important to the teams that already have Jordan, Shaq, Duncan, etc.

By: P Middy

P Middy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:42:38 +0000

Sorry, I'm beating a dead horse. I'll shut up now.

By: P Middy

P Middy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:14:06 +0000

Not if they're free agents in the same off season, like Bron and David Lee are. Let's say this system is in place this off season, Bron gets a 1 year 15mm deal from the Knicks. They offer Lee a 1 year 9mm deal. But Orlando calls Lee and says we've got 12mm ready for you. Why stay in NY? You've got just a good a shot, maybe better in Orlando. Plus no state income tax. Now imagine this 3 or 4 years down the road when all the previous contracts for guys like Williams, Boozer, Howard, Roy, etc . . . have expired, and every star is signing 1, 2, or 3 year deals - probably with opt out clauses after year 1. What's keeping ANY good player on a single team?

By: Downpuppy

Downpuppy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:46:34 +0000

What promises that if LeBaron goes somewhere the rest of his new team will still be there is the telephone.

I don't think they can charge players with tampering.