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It's time for the
Knicks and the
Nets to end this nonsense and stop teasing their fans. It's time to stop dreaming. All the salary cap room in the world this summer isn't going to save
NBA basketball in the New York/New Jersey area.
The two worst teams in the Eastern Conference will remain the worst for the next few years. So get used to it.
LeBron James won't be walking through the door anytime soon. It doesn't matter how storied Madison Square Garden feels, or how many celebrities come to the games, or how wonderful the Nets-to-Brooklyn blueprint looks, or even the intensity of James' crush on rapper Jay-Z.
Free agents-to-be
Dwyane Wade,
Chris Bosh,
Paul Pierce,
Amare Stoudemire,
Dirk Nowitzki or
Joe Johnson aren't coming, either.
Although this purging of players and clearing of cap room along the Hudson River sounded like a good plan when it began in both spots a few years ago, everything since then has been a disaster.
The two teams have spiraled downward so badly that no real star in his right mind would consider playing there now. And even if they would, history says they won't.
It's been more than 13 years since
Shaquille O'Neal left Orlando as a free agent to play for the
Los Angeles Lakers, dramatically changing the shape of the NBA. And since then, very few true superstar free agents have changed teams.
Not one since O'Neal has made the jump and won an NBA title.
It's not how the game is played now.
NBA rules discourage the movement of superstars, allowing current teams to offer them more as free agents, as much as $30 million in guaranteed money over a maximum allowable contract. It's a good rule, too, allowing the NBA to avoid the constant player movement that has damaged Major League Baseball.
When O'Neal left Orlando, there was no cap on individual salaries like there is now, allowing the
Lakers to outbid the smaller-market
Magic.
Since O'Neal, the only NBA superstars in their prime to jump teams as free agents have been
Grant Hill (Detroit to Orlando, 2000) and
Steve Nash (Dallas to Phoenix, 2004). Hill unfortunately was then buried by injury. And Nash left because Dallas wouldn't pay him.
That won't happen with any of the players the Knicks and Nets are targeting. All of them will be getting maximum allowable money from their current teams, so outbidding the current team won't be possible.
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Latest NBA Photos
Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player Shaquille O'Neal is pulled in a Radio Flyer wagon by Marine Gunnery Sgt. Kristopher, as Shaq shopped for toys at Toys R Us in Mayfield, Oh., on Sunday Nov. 22, 2009. Shaq donated $1,000 to the Marine Toys For Tots foundation. (AP Photo/The Plaindealer, Lynn Ischay) ** MANDATORY CREDIT **
AP
Margaret Bernstein
Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player Shaquille O'Neal is pulled in a Radio Flyer wagon by Marine Gunnery Sgt. Kristopher, as Shaq shopped for toys at Toys R Us in Mayfield, Oh., on Sunday Nov. 22, 2009. Shaq donated $1,000 to the Marine Toys For Tots foundation. (AP Photo/The Plaindealer, Lynn Ischay) ** MANDATORY CREDIT **
AP
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Jack Nicholson (L) and Lorraine Nicholson (R) attend a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jack Nicholson;Lorraine Nicholson
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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: (L-R) Jimmy Iovine, Jay-Z and Polow Da Don attend a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jay-Z;Jimmy Iovine;Polow Da Don
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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: (L-R) will.i.am, Jay-Z and Fergie attend a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jay-Z;will.i.am;Fergie
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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: (L-R)will.i.am, B-Real, Fergie and Alex Rodriguez attend a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fergie;will.i.am;B-Real;Alex Rodriguez
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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: will.i.am (L) and Fergie (R) attend a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fergie;will.i.am
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Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol, top, of Spain, puts up a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder center Serge Ibaka defends during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-85. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AP
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, puts up a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jeff Green defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AP
Rapper and producer Jay-Z points toward the Los Angeles Lakers' bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 101-85. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AP
LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 22: Jay-Z greets WILL.I.AM and Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas during a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jay-Z;WILL.I.AM;Fergie
NBAE/Getty Images
Another issue is that all of the targeted stars already are on good or at least decent teams with promise, something the Knicks and the Nets can't promise. With O'Neal in Cleveland, James already is knocking on the door of the Finals. It's insane to think he would leave to start a rebuilding project in New York or New Jersey.
Johnson and the
Hawks are surging. Nowitzki and Dallas still are contending. Bosh and the
Raptors already have a nice young nucleus in place. Even Miami looks encouraging now to Wade.
All of which is not good news for the Knicks and the Nets, who really are beginning to look like the former
Chicago Bulls, which had plenty of salary cap space after Michael Jordan retired, but no real star willing to take it for years.
What's likely to happen now is that the Knicks and the Nets will overpay for some second-tier free agent like
Michael Redd or
Carlos Boozer, players who will help but not significantly change a team.
For the Knicks and the Nets, it's time to draft well, trade smart and hope for a slow but steady improvement. The dream of an instant turnaround next summer is merely a fantasy.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
This writer is talking complete nonsense and he is talking as these are all facts. Cavs are looking awful and I see them having a slim chance of wining the finals. Boston, Atlanta, and Orlando all look better just in the eastern conference. The knicks and nets are clearing cap not just for lebron, but also all the other huge names out there. The nets already have great building pieces in with the two hardest positions to find with harris and lopez. Adding players from the 2,3,4 will make them a lot better. If two elite players want to play together, they can join a team like the knicks and nets because they can afford two players.
They look aweful? Really? Tied for one of the best records in the NBA. Ok.
You're right... LeBron isn't walking through the door of Madison Square Garden next year.
He'll be walking through the door of the Staples Center to play for the Clippers.
The Celtics had the 2nd worst record in the league and landed a few big stars and won the title.
The Celtics had the 2nd worst record in the league. They got two big stars and won the championship. This was only 2 seasons ago.
The biggest star that either New York team could sign is Allen Iverson...LeBron is playing both of you for all its worth..sorry Knicks and Nets fans...looks like more terrible basketabll for the near future! At least you can see LeBron when he comes in and beats your d legeau teams!
Curt Schilling had the chance to go to the Yankees and win a championship, or go to Boston, win a championship, and become a legend. Lebron can win a championship in Cleveland, so what? If he goes to New York and does it he will become a legend. Im a Knicks fan and honestly would love to see Lebron in our uniform, I dont know any fan that wouldnt, but I just dont see it happening.
Oh these NY "fans" just don't get it.This isn't the Yankees people.This league actually has a salary cap in which you don't just BUY every free agent on the market.The Knicks can afford 1 max contract,but NOT 2.Not with Curry and Jeffries still on the payroll.Do the math,just not happening.And Bron ain't goin' there to be your only salvation on a team with a bunch of scrubs.The people who think legends and titles are only meaningful in NY are absolutely clueless,closed minded fools.
Mr.G: You act as if you were one of the smartest fans in sports but you are actually one of the most stupider ones. If you were a baseball player, wouldn't you go to the team that pay you the most money & give you the best chance to win a championship? If your team had the resources to sign the best free agents out there & keep the team in contention year in & year out, you wouldn't like that, huh? You most be retarded. That "the Yankees buy their championships" stupidity is so lame. Bobolon!
There are a lot of sports superstars who sign with "big city" teams, because they need to increase their visibility, get more endorsements, etc. LeBron doesn't need to. He's already one of the most recognized athletes in the world and already makes tons of money on endorsements. Being in New York wouldn't make much difference. A move to New York would be a great move for someone like Chris Bosh or Danny Granger.
But those weren't free agents. The Celtics gave up more than half their team (literally), plus their draft picks to get a total of two players (Garnett and Allen). Even though they stunk, they were fortunate to have a lot of young players with a lot of potential who they could use as trade bait. LeBron isn't old (like Garnett and Allen were), so I don't think you could ever pry him away with a trade -- not even for the entire Knicks roster.
I am not too concerned about the Nets, we are young and have Devin Harris coming back. Why wouldn't Lebron want to come to NJ. I do not htink he will but, a healthy Nets team looks a lot better for the future then a Cavs team minus Lebron.
And I hate how people have opinions about the Nets b/c they are on this awful streak but know absolutely nothing about the team. They have been destroyed by injuries and exposed for lack of depth. Despite all the injuries and a slow start they will win around 25 games.
And O'neal is no longer good, he is fat and a shell of his former self. Brook Lopez is legit and a future star, you add Lebron a big time coach and a top 4 pick and this is a good team.
Last your speculation is crap, the Nets already considered Boozer and decided not to pursue.
Nice try but the Nets actually have a good young core.
"Why wouldn't Lebron want to come to NJ"
Uh . . . because he's been to New Jersey and it sucks?
How about this?
The Nets get the No. 1 pick in the draft.
They quickly sign Boozer on the first day of free agency to sure up the 4-spot. Or they trade the No. 1 pick for an established post player.
With Lopez and Harris already there, this wouldn't appeal to LeBron? Moving to a franchise with so much young talent wouldn't look brighter than the aging and talent-poor lineup he has now?
This writer has offered nothing of value here. Useless piece.
I have to laugh at the people who think Lebron is going to play for the Nets, Nicks, or the retard who said he's going to the Clippers. First, he's not going anywhere for a while, if he goes at all. Does anyone thin Bird, Magic, or Jordan (in his prime) would be caught dead wearing any of those uniforms with the current state of those franchises? IF he does leave, a big IF, Lebron will inherit Kobe's reign with the Lakers -- Lebron is 8 years younger -- or join Wade in Florida, or take Paul Pierce's spot in Boston. If Chicago improves, and Atlanta keeps building on their great young team, those are 'maybes." Lebron is about winning: that means L.A., Boston, or perhaps Miami.
LeBron will NOT be going to Nets, Knicks or Clippers. He's 99% sure to be in Cleveland. And the fool achenxp who thinks the Cavs have looked bad is clueless. They've been without Shaq, Varajao and Delonte West and are still 10-4. JJ Hickson is coming on, and Moon and Parker are starting to gel. By the end of the year, they will crush the Celts or Hawks.
Lakers will be more difficult.
I'll tell you where Lebron's going next year. MIAMI. They can easily afford two max contracts (Wade and ???, maybe Lebron). They've got promising young talent (Beasley, Chalmers, Cook). And here's the real interesting part: what is the only team in the league to have a number retired in honor of someone who's never played for them? Miami. Yepp, the Heat retired #23 in honor of Michael Jordan. Convenient, because Lebron just announced that he's SWITCHING NUMBERS from 23 to 6 next year. Perhaps in anticipation of playing alongside D Wade? Perhaps because D Wade doesn't want to play alongside someone with the #23 other than his idol MJ?Coincidence? I think not.
Plus, D Wade is going nowhere. He loves Miami (who wouldn't?), loves his situation, has a great relationship with the coach and front office, and they are committed to him. So...
What are the only 2 reasons Lebron would leave Clevland? 1) For a better chance to win a championship or 2) For a better market for advertising/exposure (although it's hard to believe Lebron needs more exposure). Miami can offer both. There is no doubt that playing alongside D Wade would give him a better chance to win it all (I think they'd be nearly impossible to stop). And Miami is second only to NY in the market it offers.
But even if Lebron stays in Clevland Miami will land another top free agent. My best guess would be Bosh. He's ready to get out of Canada (it's cold, and he's pretty much said he's leaving) and why not try the other end of the spectrum in Florida? Again, he'd get to win a championship alongside D Wade and Miami would love the upgraded big man.
Miami wins another championship within 3 years. You heard it from me first.
To Lebron or Bosh: "Welcome to Miami, where the players play"
Yeah, I don't understand how some of these writers have jobs. It's as if their research is waking up in the morning then looking at the standings and boxscores. I call it lazy writing and unfortunately a large percentage of journalism is employed by lazy writers. They come cheap while the industry has no respect for customers/readers.
Anyway, between the NY area teams, it's the Knicks that really need to take two steps back in order to take one step forward. They need to get some draft picks, especially since they don't have a first rounder in 2010. The Knicks need to look at it as a 3 to 5 year rebuilding plan....if they do it the right way.
As for the Nets, they've been taking their two steps backwards ever since they traded Kidd. I believe they're moving past their first step forward now with the development of players such as Lopez and Chris Douglas Roberts. Terrence Williams is a nice piece to have on a good team once they do become contenders....and he may even have a chance to be more than a role player with the abilities he's displayed thus far. And of course there's Devin Harris, coming off his first all-star season. It'd be nice if he learns how to manage an offense like a true PG and I think the kid has the brains to do it. It'll take experience for Harris to become more of a floor manager. The Nets are fine when it comes to their nucleus and I think that alone will at least make a couple of the top tier free agents to look twice at the Nets. But in the end, I do agree LBJ and Wade stay put. But hey....you never know!!!