Yeah. I guess in hindsight he did. I guess I just forget because many assumed that when he signed, he would be joined by LeBron or another free agent like Joe Johnson.
I dont understand this point of view....the franchise tag isn't locking anyone up for a lifetime. It's only going to delay it. Plus, why is a tage going to work any different than having a player under contract for another year or two? Players are already demanding trades (and getting them) while their contract isn't up yet. And i think Miami would seriously consider trading in one of the big 3 if they don't get really close to a ring by then. Deron to Miami and Lebron to NY would be welcomed by both teams.
Which is why ownership is going to push for a franchise tag. The NBA has been hijacked by Diva'palooza, and it's got to be nipped in the bud before it's too late.
I'm confident that if all the stars started forming teams with each other that other stars would rise up from the ranks. There are to many good players that just don't get enough floor time that have the potential for stardom. It would shine the light on unknown players on teams.
Which is why the owners are pushing for a hard cap. The franchise tag isn't even being talked about at this point and even if installed it'll likely just delay the whole trade demand process. A hard cap on the other hand forces teams to smartly spend their money and would most likely eliminate the superfriends groupings.
Unique approach. If I were Kroenke, I would have a sit down with Stern. I'd have a fairly short, direct conversation. "David, you see what is happening to our game. I am thinking about trading Melo because if nothing changes in the new CBA, I am going to lose him for nothing. I am going to make a decision tonight regarding whether to trade him or keep him based on what I feel you are going to do to support our game and support our demands for a franchise tag. Are you going to stand with the owners and insist on a franchise tag or are you going to keep your mouth shut and let this thing just play out?" Then I'd keep looking right in his eye and watch and listen. And then I'd make a determination on whether to trade Melo or not based on how I felt about the new CBA and how I felt the negotiations and lockout were going to turn out. If I felt like the owners were going to hold out for the tag and Stern was going to suppor it, then I would not trade Melo unless I got exactly what I wanted for him. On the other hand, if Stern mealy mouthed around and acted like he couldn't do anything and just hem hawed, I'd call up the TWolves and work Kahn for some sort of deal.
Cannot force players to stay on teams they do not want to be on. Players are smarter now, and realise if owners are going to cheap, and not make a effort to contend, they will leave. Why waste your prime years on a bad team(Garnett), when you can join a team that is willing to do what it takes to win. They should be allowed to go where they want, and it's up to the owners to build teams around players, so they don't want to leave.
New CBA will they stop this "collusion". There very well may be a lockout in the nba. No way the 20 other teams that dont appeal to stars take this crap any longer. Why dont we just have the top 20 players start for the lakers, ny, heat and chicago and then skip the regular season all together and have them play 20 game playoff series. geesh. at least the dunk contest looks like its gaining new life
I hope David Stern is happy with what he has transformed this league into. By marketing individual superstars, and giving them everything they would want in terms of contracts and officiating, he has turned the NBA into a bastardized version of fantasy basketball.
I don't care where DeRon goes as long as they finally start pronouncing his name correctly. DeRON, not Darren. Can you tell I hate Utah.
