2013-2014 NBA Thread - IND @ WAS and OKC @ LAC on ESPN

[AEA18]

Had that not happened, there's probably a chance Wade/Bron/Bosh don't get together. There's a reason people say Ray/Pierce/KG originated that concept. Minus that over the top intro, the Heat simply got together through free agency. Seems like there could be a case made to say the Celtics 3 colluded more than them.

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[pmatic]

KG should've went to Miami TBH. But he all bout his money

El oh el I don't think he's a ring hopper

Actually, KG Ray and Paul originated the Big 3 concept of superstars colluding to join forces and pursue a championship. They were the first Big 3 before LeBron made his decision

Eh, Ray had no choice in joining the Celtics and KG had to be convinced by Chauncey Billups to join the Celtics.

Had that not happened, there's probably a chance Wade/Bron/Bosh don't get together. There's a reason people say Ray/Pierce/KG originated that concept. Minus that over the top intro, the Heat simply got together through free agency. Seems like there could be a case made to say the Celtics 3 colluded more than them.

Not even close.

While many believe James, Wade and Bosh -- three of the top five picks in the 2003 draft -- began plotting their course to eventually becoming teammates during their time together in the 2008 Olympics, Riley already had planted his own seed the day Wade signed his first major extension in 2006.

"This is how I think you plan and have a vision and look forward, hoping you can do something that's special," Riley said. "Coaching Kareem and Magic and James Worthy, and playing against [Larry] Bird, [Kevin] McHale and [Robert] Parrish, and [Joe] Dumars, Isiah Thomas and [Bill] Laimbeer, you need to have three really, really great players. There's two superstars and another truly great player. You've seen that on pretty much all championship teams have had that kind of element."

Riley remembers getting a call from Heat general manager Andy Elisburg on July 11, 2006.

"Andy was at a gas station," Riley said. "And he said Dwyane had accepted his extension, and it was a three-plus-one [three years guaranteed, plus one option year]. And it was Dwyane and LeBron James and Chris Bosh and Amar'e Stoudemire and a bunch of other guys that signed their extensions and they're all three years with one option. And I said, 'Well, who are the other guys?' And he gave me the list. And I said, 'Well, we're going to be players in 2010.'"

http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/mia...583/nba-pat-riley-sees-big-picture-miami-heat

 

[mjsaver]

Had that not happened, there's probably a chance Wade/Bron/Bosh don't get together. There's a reason people say Ray/Pierce/KG originated that concept. Minus that over the top intro, the Heat simply got together through free agency. Seems like there could be a case made to say the Celtics 3 colluded more than them.

View media item 900803

Lakers didnt invent that crap either, Barkley, Hakeem, and Clyde tried to get a ring too....and stop defending the Heat those guys were in the prime of their careers all the other dudes were making one last grasp at a chip.

 

[Peep Game]

 

Had that not happened, there's probably a chance Wade/Bron/Bosh don't get together. There's a reason people say Ray/Pierce/KG originated that concept. Minus that over the top intro, the Heat simply got together through free agency. Seems like there could be a case made to say the Celtics 3 colluded more than them.

How? Boston tried to grab KG before and he wasn't with it. He only even considered after they picked Ray up.

Bron is on record saying that Wade was damn near putting the idea in his head while he was still in Cleveland.

The revisionist history in here is incredible.

****** need to look up the definition of collusion man. Y'all just defending them for no reason.

Though I didn't know about that possible idea being planted in his head in Cleveland (but could see it happening), teams making actual trade deals to put KG and Ray Allen together is more underhanded than guys saying "hey, we could probably team together once our contracts are up". Sounds like other people are using revisionist history in here. Not defending them at all, just stating what could easily be read off basketball reference or other sites. KG wouldn't go to Boston unless he was assured of another star being there along with him and Pierce. Hmmm, sounds sort of similar to what Lebron said before his contract year in Cleveland. Shaq and Antawn Jamison.

And yea, let's just act like Pierce, KG, and Ray were all washed when they got together, yet I'm revising history and defending the Heat

 

[victor page]

 
I think it was obvious as of late how much the Thunder need/miss Perkins when he isn't on the court. He missed those last few weeks and we struggled in ways that weren't evident before because we had that Big Body on the inside and to help against pick and roll. He's the prime example of a player whose contributions don't show up on the stat sheets at the end of the game. All the people (fans in OKC) that were saying trade him, he's slow, he cant shoot, etc prior to his injury, are now singing a different tune. We get our monies worth out of Perk for sure. His game isn't pretty, but he serves his purpose, He will be here, for sure. Caron Butler was the add that is looking like he can make a difference for us if we are fortunate enough to get to face the Heat in then Finals again. 

No

 

[victor page]

Though I didn't know about that possible idea being planted in his head in Cleveland (but could see it happening), teams making actual trade deals to put KG and Ray Allen together is more underhanded than guys saying "hey, we could probably team together once our contracts are up". Sounds like other people are using revisionist history in here. Not defending them at all, just stating what could easily be read off basketball reference or other sites. KG wouldn't go to Boston unless he was assured of another star being there along with him and Pierce. Hmmm, sounds sort of similar to what Lebron said before his contract year in Cleveland. Shaq and Antawn Jamison.

And yea, let's just act like Pierce, KG, and Ray were all washed when they got together, yet I'm revising history and defending the Heat

I don't think you understand the differences here 

A group of guys who came together through a domino effect of transactions by their team's front offices  =/= a group of guys who wanted  to play with each other long before their free agency periods and made it happen by taking smaller deals with the one franchise that could pull it off.

Boston get's the #1 or #2 pick in 2007 and that "Big 3" would have never happened in Boston. Hell the entire landscape of the league is probably different. Bron might still be in Cleveland since there would have been no team good enough to send him home the way Boston did.

 

[100027]

Had that not happened, there's probably a chance Wade/Bron/Bosh don't get together. There's a reason people say Ray/Pierce/KG originated that concept. Minus that over the top intro, the Heat simply got together through free agency. Seems like there could be a case made to say the Celtics 3 colluded more than them.

I don't agree at all, the Ray trade was made before KG was really even on the market.  It was management that brought that team together.

 

[sneakcity]

Are you seriously comparing the past Celtics squad with the Heat trio? What the Celtics did was what any sane team competing for a championship would do. Ray Allen was just known as a smooth shooter who often bumped heads with Kobe, KG was seen as a guy who wasted too many of his best years in MN, and Pierce didn't have the reputation of being a winner. They didn't become the "big three" until they won a chip and consistently dominated the eastern conference. I don't see how that is the same as two disgruntled stars joining a third star via free agency in hopes of winning multiple titles.

It's the Heat who set a bad precedent with this big three crap. In reality, no teams needs 3 stars eating up 90% of your cap space to compete for a title. Bosh's and Wade's production can easily be replaced with other serviceable players who command less salary.

 

[victor page]

 They didn't become the "big three" until they won a chip and consistently dominated the eastern conference. 

To be fair...they were being called the big 3 as soon as the KG trade happened. They were the favorites to win it all before the 2008 season.

 

[100027]

Are you seriously comparing the past Celtics squad with the Heat trio? What the Celtics did was what any sane team competing for a championship would do. Ray Allen was just known as a smooth shooter who often bumped heads with Kobe, KG was seen as a guy who wasted too many of his best years in MN, and Pierce didn't have the reputation of being a winner. They didn't become the "big three" until they won a chip and consistently dominated the eastern conference. I don't see how that is the same as two disgruntled stars joining a third star via free agency in hopes of winning multiple titles.

It's the Heat who set a bad precedent with this big three crap. In reality, no teams needs 3 stars eating up 90% of your cap space to compete for a title. Bosh's and Wade's production can easily be replaced with other serviceable players who command less salary.

Also true about Pierce and Ray.  When they put those two together I think the general reaction was "meh, Pierce and Ray Allen aren't winning you anything"

 

[urbetterthenme]

 

[sneakcity]

To be fair...they were being called the big 3 as soon as the KG trade happened. They were the favorites to win it all before the 2008 season.

I don't recall that. Celtics gained a lot of hype as they compiled a 60-22 record throughout the '08 season. It's not like there were fireworks and trapeze artists hyping them up in the offseason like Heat did with ''Bron, Wade, and Bosh. And let's not forget that Rondo became the Celtics most important player after the first couple of seasons.

 

[sneakcity]

 

With the exception of the guys in the last picture, those others players built their reputation organically, not with short cuts. There's nothing genuine about the way the Heat team was constructed. It was a cheap short cut.

 

[duba169]

Had that not happened, there's probably a chance Wade/Bron/Bosh don't get together. There's a reason people say Ray/Pierce/KG originated that concept. Minus that over the top intro, the Heat simply got together through free agency. Seems like there could be a case made to say the Celtics 3 colluded more than them.

The only reason that anyone has ever said the celtocs originated the concept was to make lebron look like less of the ***** that he is. They arent similar is any way. PLUS the fact that the bff's knew they were getting together and still went to all the recruitment meetings to further tie the hands of other teams. Sneaky as hell. Lebron wanted the easiest path to championships. If you applaud him for that fine. But don't start the comparisons because they are garbage

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

The only reason that anyone has ever said the celtocs originated the concept was to make lebron look like less of the ***** that he is.

Dat Vitriol

 

[herbshuttles15]

Bosh's and Wade's production can easily be replaced with other serviceable players who command less salary.

God your wrong, its not about the stats

Bosh's ability to defend the pick & roll, spreading the floor, opening it up for Lebron and Wade all in one player is what work

Wade's ability to play the passing lanes, score, and distribute

And of course Lebron

Stars with versatile skill sets> serviceable players who can't do as much.

 

[herbshuttles15]

The Mavericks were the original big three tho

 

[certifiedflyboi23]

Paul Pierce ever touched a weight?

 

[imlive365]

With the exception of the guys in the last picture, those others players built their reputation organically, not with short cuts. There's nothing genuine about the way the Heat team was constructed. It was a cheap short cut.

Lol there's short cuts to championships? Isn't the point of playing to win championships? If it was possible for every team to do what the heat did that year and sign those 3 every team would have tried to. What do you mean nothing was genuine? There's correct right ways to build teams?

 

[al3xis]

That 'collusion' is the best thing to happen to the NBA in the last decade. 4 years later and the magnifying glass still is on them. Great for the sport. Srs.

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

The Mavericks were the original big three tho

Yup.

Kidd, Mashburn & Jackson

Toni Braxton

 

[certifiedflyboi23]

If we're being honest the rockets were the original Big 3.

Hakeem.

Barkley

Pippen


But they failed, that's why I laughed so hard when Barkley criticized Lebron after the decision.

 

[urbetterthenme]

Are you seriously comparing the past Celtics squad with the Heat trio? What the Celtics did was what any sane team competing for a championship would do. Ray Allen was just known as a smooth shooter who often bumped heads with Kobe, KG was seen as a guy who wasted too many of his best years in MN, and Pierce didn't have the reputation of being a winner. They didn't become the "big three" until they won a chip and consistently dominated the eastern conference. I don't see how that is the same as two disgruntled stars joining a third star via free agency in hopes of winning multiple titles.

It's the Heat who set a bad precedent with this big three crap. In reality, no teams needs 3 stars eating up 90% of your cap space to compete for a title. Bosh's and Wade's production can easily be replaced with other serviceable players who command less salary.

04

05

God your wrong, its not about the stats

Bosh's ability to defend the pick & roll, spreading the floor, opening it up for Lebron and Wade all in one player is what work

Wade's ability to play the passing lanes, score, and distribute

And of course Lebron

Stars with versatile skill sets> serviceable players who can't do as much.

These fools think they can read numbers and it makes the team better. They know nothing bout Basketball.

 

[imlive365]

God your wrong, its not about the stats

Bosh's ability to defend the pick & roll, spreading the floor, opening it up for Lebron and Wade all in one player is what work

Wade's ability to play the passing lanes, score, and distribute

And of course Lebron

Stars with versatile skill sets> serviceable players who can't do as much.

Dudes think ***** like money ball. You can just replace those stats that wade and bosh with other players to average what they do and the team would be the same.

 

[100027]

The downplaying of Bosh and Wade that has happened since the Heat started winning is ridiculous to me.  Those guys are playing GREAT if you even take a half second to look past the numbers.  People just trying to re-focus the narrative to make LeBron the hero again.