For the Anyone But Jeremy group, CP3 was the Holy Grail because he is clearly better than Lin and CP3's arrival would mean the sure end of Lin in Houston. This is why I refer to CP3 as the Holy Grail. Not as a player, but as an entity to the Anyone But Jeremy crowd. Also, CP3 is a free agent, so he seems (or seemed) attainable to the Anyone But Jeremy crowd. To put it another way, CP3 > Jarrett Jack. For the Anyone But Jeremy crowd talking about getting someone like Jack or Bledsoe to replace Lin doesn't have the same "slam-dunk" appeal that the player is clearly better than Lin. Such a move could be viewed as a lateral move (getting someone close to Lin's ability) rather than a sure-fire improvement at the position, like CP3 would be. CP3 is/was the only player I can think of who is/was both available and a clear upgrade. And that is why he was the Holy Grail for the Anyone But Jeremy crowd. He was "it," he was going to be the savior for them. When iJHolmes came on, he didn't say "looks like we better go get Jarrett Jack now." That's not good enough. CP3 was good enough, and so it looks like the Holy Grail for the Anyone But Jeremy set is now out of reach.
Who's shunning getting better? Lin is a average point guard, yeah and that's good. Top 10 pg? maybe maybe not, top 15? yeah. Our pg position is solid, we have a solid starting pg and a above average backup pg. What we don't have is a starting capable 4, a solid backup center, or a solid backup wingman (with garcia and delfino gone) There's a difference in shunning getting better by not wanting a star pg, and realizing that we have a solid pg rotation, and a lot of big wholes else where...so why is everybody worried about getting a better pg? That being said, if there was a star pg available to us of course everybody would be on board for it, but there isn't and still a lot of people just want lin gone when we have other wholes to fill.
Pincus is now with, I think, the LA Times and used to be with, I think, Hoopsworld. CP3 got the coach he wanted. I think we all know how how Dwight feels about D'Antoni.
He's also a moderator on lakersground and blogs for the lakers. He might be as connected in LA as Clutch is, or almost.
But CP3 was never available. Anyone could see that the "rumors" of him leaving LA were just jabs at the clippers FO to make sure they took care of their **** in the offseason. And they did so he stays. The only superstar who is truly "available" is Dwight, and yes we should do all it takes to get him. But aside from a few lateral trades to free cap we don't have to gut our roster and still get to keep a very good role player (Omer) and a decent point guard who is capable of running a team (lin). From what i see Dwight is the only superstar we can get. There aren't any more that will magically appear to trade for.
If I were Kupchak I'd do it if the Clips add a future protected 1st rounder to Griffin and Bledsoe. 1. Only Steve Nash is still under contract after next season. ONE player!! 2. Kobe's going to slowly get back next season which means it could be a throw away season anyways so why not get an "exciting" and "marketable" player like Griffin in return? 3. You get Bledsoe for two cheap seasons. If he's an All-Star caliber player, you have the advantage of keeping him via extension Having Griffin and Bledsoe as your core going into the 2014 FA period is not bad at all.
It does matter. Your comparison doesn't dispute that because you are comparing 2 completely different players and assessing their difference in value to their market as oppose to their talents. There is no way Chris Paul makes as much money in endorsements if he played in OKC. No way. You're right though, it doesn't make a difference for KD. Partly is that most of it came when he left college and before he ever signed for a NBA team. Most of it is that when you are one of the best players in the NBA then market doesn't matter as much. If you are just really good then it does. If the Lakers are telling him that he is their guy, I don't think he leaves. LA will always be the premiere destination for free agents and he will get a team put around him if he stays. The lakers have been the best team in the NBA in the last 50 years and they play in one of the most millionaire friendly cities in the country. That team has a history. That jersey means something. Guys want to be there. Tell you this, if I had a giant condo on the hills with the ocean in the distance, it would take a lot for me to leave it to live in the woodlands.
Los Angeles is the nba's favorite city this league needs to become less predictable and more like the nfl not wwe.
Why? He's a mediocre coach who got blessed with 3 hall of famers. They are about to all be gone (one already is) and there's going to be a rebuilding period. Doc doesn't want to hang around and coach a mediocre or bad team. He's done that already for most of his career.
For some odd reason, The Clippers minus Griffin and Bledsoe but adding CP3 and D12 don't scare me as that much. I believe James Harden player to be a better player than CP3 and Parsons to be superior to any 3rd option they would be bringing at you.
I'm no Houston lover - I moved to Austin - but even I can make a case for Houston in Dwight's scenario. You play October - June (if you're lucky). The rest of the time is up to you. Don't sell that place overlooking the ocean. Have it for the summer. During the season, when you should t be enjoying everything that comes with that view quite so much anyway, live in Houston - which is LA without the view and douchebaggery and constant constant pressure. Rebuild your image on a fun, young up and coming team. Win a championship... Or two or three or four. Come summer time... Wheels up to LA. Along with your new pals Chandler, Harden and Lin.
That's still most of your year when you add in training camp. I didn't even consider that even winter is better on the west coast. I'm sure most people would rather have 1 primary home instead of splitting it. There is a TON more LA has to offer than a view and douchebags. I would never want to live there unless I made more than 500K a year. Even then you could live more like a millionair in texas. Once you cross that super millionair threshold there is no place that can compare to what you would have there. I'm not sure if I am more bias or less having grown up in houston but moved away (live in Austin as well.) I would rather live in Houston than most NBA cities but not against LA or SF.
It's over guys y'all can stop the Dwight to Houston BS cause its not happening if so I will put $100 dollars in the tip jar...even tho I do not know how to do it but I will...need to start looking at Smith, Jefferson and Millsap.
