Stern was talking about a specific case -- and one where no one lodged a complaint. But the CBA still says players cannot recruit. So, it indeed can be tampering on a case-by-case basis. If any and all talk by players is allowed, it simply creates a loophole around tampering. GMs can simply use players as messengers. That's a loophole. The league does not like loopholes, and can certainly apply that clause any time they want. Stern's comments in the past (predating the current CBA) regarding a specific case, do not supercede the actual contract. edit: I'm not saying the Stein quote of Melo must be treated as tampering. Afterall, Stein is the one who used the word "recruitment." Just saying that I was surprised Melo would talk like that, when GMs never do, and he can indeed get his team in trouble.
Players on different teams who discuss the idea of someday playing together “is not tampering or collusion that is prohibited,” Stern said That statement sounds general to me. No different than Parsons recruiting Dwight or Lebron recruiting Love.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ESPN is reporting the Heat's meeting with Kevin Durant is scheduled for Sunday in New York.</p>— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) <a href="https://twitter.com/IraHeatBeat/status/748212645749268480">June 29, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hearing that, at least for now, Kevin Durant has not expanded his list of teams with whom he’ll take meetings. Hawks haven’t gotten invite.</p>— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/daldridgetnt/status/748217015370801152">June 29, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And I agree. No need to repeat that quote. Just like I don't have to repeat the CBA line that says players and teams can't recruit. Stern's statement does not call for allowing any and all chatter. Actively recruiting just days before Free Agency is not what Stern was talking about. It will be taken on a case-by-case basis, and usually nothing happens without a complaint. Again, I'm not saying Melo's comments are tampering or not, because Stein is the one who used the word "recruitment." Let's not go around in circles. But go ahead and refresh my memory of this:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Despite their hopes, Lakers will not get a meeting with KD, sources say.</p>— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Broussard/status/748177951934582786">June 29, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If Durant goes to Golden State, the rest of the league should fold up shop for at least 3 years. I know people were saying the same thing when LeBron and Bosh went to Miami, and that didn't exactly turn out as dominant as people were expecting, but this would be different. Adding the most prolific scorer in the NBA to a 73-win team with the two best shooters in the league would be devastating. LeBron and Bosh went to a team that had a lot of unknowns at the time.....Golden State is established, and has the best offensive system in the NBA.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Warriors Frustrated By Andrew Bogut, Could Look For Trade: <a href="https://t.co/RxsAEwjn2h">https://t.co/RxsAEwjn2h</a> <a href="https://t.co/F9if9yJDUX">pic.twitter.com/F9if9yJDUX</a></p>— RealGM (@RealGM) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/748277404943081473">June 29, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lakers will have to keep dreamin’ about Kevin Durant<a href="https://t.co/EHW6XHnYAU">https://t.co/EHW6XHnYAU</a></p>— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/748243058462855168">June 29, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Is this real? You win 73 games with him as your starting centre and are one game away from winning a championship before he gets injured... Maybe they have him confused with Barnes
According to nbc sports: Clippers’ reported primary pitch to Kevin Durant involves him taking pay cut to play with Chris Paul, DeAndre, Blake
We sign Conley and throw a max at Durant Conley/Bev Harden/mcdaniels Durant/Ariza Beasley/smith/Harrell Capella/Dmo
