2014-2015 NBA regular season thread.

[Al Bundy]

I will update this when the schedule is announced in a couple of weeks, but I will open with the new uniforms for the Charlotte Hornets below.

Introducing the brand new Charlotte #HornetsUnis! http://t.co/MgHy2DcOTX pic.twitter.com/w59MlUvRgd

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) June 19, 2014

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by L.A. Chieffan

There was such bad blood between him and Dan Gilbert it's hard to believe it could happen.

I think Lebron has grown up quite a bit since then to realize The Decision was a huge mistake, and Gilbert has been subtly priming the pump for years trying to convince Lebron to come back which I think is pretty much a guy putting his tail between his legs. Keep in mind that before The Decision, the Cavs treated him like a king. They built a practice facility near his house, gave his entourage VIP access everywhere, continually built their team based on what Lebron wanted. I don't think there's as much bad blood as people think. The question for me is moreso if he chooses to play with his buddies or if he does what everybody knows is the right thing, which is to finish what he started in Cleveland now that he's surrounded by what looks to be a good young supporting cast and probably good coaching.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I would imagine this is heavy on Lebron's mind too. His wife clearly wants to be near Akron.

As much vile he created by leaving will be replaced and forgotten with such adoration that it's almost a no brainer in my opinion.

[RustShack]

Originally Posted by Ceej

You talk them up every year like they're national title contenders.

How's that worked out for you?

You talk up Kansas every year, and we made it further in the tournament, and won the Big12 tournament. It's getting there. Pretty impressive first four years for a first time HC inheriting an awful situation. It's not like he took over a great and already built program all the Blue Bloods.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by okcchief

I'm really starting to get the feeling Lebron isn't going back to Miami, and going back to Cleveland is the only thing that seems like something he would do. If he goes back to the Heat he really put them in a ahitty spot by not locking it up sooner and giving them a chance to add players.

It really never crossed my mind that Lebron would leave Miami so I will be shocked if he goes back to Cleveland. But really Pat Riley will only have himself to blame, the big 3 gave him the framework and he hasn't added anybody outside of the draft picks. If Lebron leaves the Heat will be a lottery team next year and right now they only have Norris Cole on their team lol

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by ChiefsandO'sfan

RT @WojYahooNBA: Free agent Spencer Hawes has reached agreement on a four-year, $23M deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.

— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) July 4, 2014

I love Spences game and he was good for some bad Sixers teams but holy cow, 23 million for the first big OFF THE BENCH? He's not even going to start/get 20 minutes a night on that team. Griffin NEVER sits so he's basically swapping in the 2 unit for Deadre Jordan 15-20 minutes a night. At 23 million.

Good player though, I just think he could have started in this league somewhere. He would have been a great get for the Heat.

[dirk digler]

Clippers may get Pierce as well

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

It really never crossed my mind that Lebron would leave Miami so I will be shocked if he goes back to Cleveland. But really Pat Riley will only have himself to blame, the big 3 gave him the framework and he hasn't added anybody outside of the draft picks. If Lebron leaves the Heat will be a lottery team next year and right now they only have Norris Cole on their team lol

Have they? Lebron wants a max deal reportedly which he's certainly entitled. I'm sure Bosh and Wade aren't willing to give up much either. Also, without a commitment from them players won't be signing with the Heat because they might be playing with just Norris Cole. The Spurs are always a step ahead because they get their players to buy in somehow. They can make more money elsewhere. Until other players are willing to do this they have an advantage. It's security vs winning. I can understand both sides, it's the players choice. I really feel if Lebron was staying in Miami the deal would be done. I'm one who thought he was 100% staying in Miami, but I also thought he'd be willing to take less money. Obviously, all speculation on my part. If he's staying with the Heat it would be in his best interest to sign soon IMO.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by okcchief

Have they? Lebron wants a max deal reportedly which he's certainly entitled. I'm sure Bosh and Wade aren't willing to give up much either. Also, without a commitment from them players won't be signing with the Heat because they might be playing with just Norris Cole. The Spurs are always a step ahead because they get their players to buy in somehow. They can make more money elsewhere. Until other players are willing to do this they have an advantage. It's security vs winning. I can understand both sides, it's the players choice. I really feel if Lebron was staying in Miami the deal would be done. I'm one who thought he was 100% staying in Miami, but I also thought he'd be willing to take less money. Obviously, all speculation on my part. If he's staying with the Heat it would be in his best interest to sign soon IMO.

Well I am only speculating based on media reports. Lebron wants a max deal, Bosh wants $16 million, and Wade $15 million. I definitely understand your point though that everybody is waiting on Lebron, but I think Lebron is waiting on Riley to do something.

As they chase free agents to join with their superstars, the Miami Heat are telling free agents they expect to have as much as $12 million in salary-cap space after hopefully getting LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to re-sign, sources told ESPN.com.

With James demanding a maximum contract starting around $20.7 million, this indicates that Wade and Bosh are possibly willing to take drastic pay cuts to help the Heat add talent to the roster.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Well I am only speculating based on media reports. Lebron wants a max deal, Bosh wants $16 million, and Wade $15 million. I definitely understand your point though that everybody is waiting on Lebron, but I think Lebron is waiting on Riley to do something.

Sure, harder to sell when your team is up in the air though. I guess you are correct to a point though. If Riley is as good as we claim he should be able to sell it.

[mcaj22]

If Lebron leaves would you stay in Miami if you were Bosh or would you consider teams like Houston, Dallas, Warriors, etc

[BigCatDaddy]

Cleveland seems like a no brainer now. The best place for long term success and the best way to rebuild his image.

[RustShack]

How pissed will Wade be if he opted out for LeBron, and he left anyways. No way anyone wants to pay a 32 year old with bad knees a max deal. Plus Miami drafts the guy LeBron wanted them to draft.

[RustShack]

NBA Legion @MySportsLegion · 18m

Things are about to get crazy. Rockets & Cavs have trades lined up that'll create a max contract slot. Both believe they can sign LeBron.

'The return is near' according to the Cavs twitter page......the return of the summer league!

[Sassy Squatch]

Damn, Cleveland would have a nice team. Irving, Wiggins, and now Lebron.

[tk13]

I'm wonder if that guy got that from Wojnarowski. Either way he tweeted that the Rockets and Cavs are trying to open up max space earlier. Woj also said the Heat's issue is they can't give concrete numbers to FA's because they don't have precise figures on Bosh/Wade.

He also said Bosh is fishing around, and teams are telling him he can get a max contract.

Chris Bosh's reps have made recent calls on market to reconfirm that max slots would be available to him, sources tell Yahoo. Answers: Yes.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 5, 2014