http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/01/09/Blazers.Miles/index.html I don't see how they can do that.
they're just empty threats...ligitation my ass...under what grounds?...limiting portland's economic situation?...the audacity they have to dictate how other nba teams carry on their own business...i hope someone signs Darius Miles and play him two games then release him...this pisses me off
They are morons. Not only can they not do that, but you can bet everything you own that Darius Miles representatives are in the process of drawing up a lawsuit right now.
I can't believe they have the nerve to even issue a statement like this. If David Stern doesn't get involved, then he is really going to have a problem on his hands. As much as I don't care for him, it's time for him to do his job. The Blazers have pissed many many teams off about buying up draft picks. And I think if they have the money to buy up these draft picks, they have the money to take the "Miles Hit". They should of bought his ass out and they wouldn't have to deal with what they are dealing with.
I think Darius has handled himself really well over this. I'm very shocked that he didn't try to sue their ass for how they were acting earlier this year.
Actually if they could prove that the other team was doing it ONLY to harm the Trailblazers they probably could litigate. The key would be for the team that signed him to actually need him and have him produce on the court. They wouldn't likely be able to prove it. Darius Miles could in fact sue them over this particular statement though if he could prove that he could play and they are keeping him from it... because they are definitely reducing his chances to sign a contract.
Seems reasonable to me. If the Lakers were to sign Miles to a 10-day contract, play him for one possession in two games and cut him, I think Portland has every right to sue. Miles hasn't even gotten real time on the court, but is 2 appearances from proving that he was healthy enough to play in the NBA. He should at least have to score a point.
Classic blustery lawyer letter -- all the Trailblazers have done is increased the chances someone will sign Miles. I really hope it happens now and I bet a lot of other people are feeling the same way. edit: this is already being discussed in the other thread.
If a team got him and played him for the rest of the year say around 10 minutes a game they would have no hope of proving that it was done just to hurt the Blazers.
If this goes against Portlands payroll, then Miles belongs to Portland. If he wishes to make a comeback, then he should be required to pay back all monies he has made since his retirement.
This is what John Hollinger had to say on his chat yesterday about the situation: If a team can get $300k from this move, that is a draft pick they can use. I hope someone signs him.
To me, it seems like it'd be easy money to make. A team signs him, and just keep him on the end of the bench. Use him for practice fodder, give him a minimum contract. Trailblazers will be forced to pay the insurance company Mile's 18MM, and of course, "sue". The team who signs him COUNTER sues, and would EASILY win the case.If you used him for practice there's nothing wrong with that at all.
Not only should Miles sue the Blazers, but if I'm the insurance company paying his salary, I'd deny the Blazers' claim and possibly seek legal action against the Blazers for insurance fraud (or some lesser civil claim). Also, keep in mind that Darius Miles is still only 27 years old. He is long, and his athleticism is slowly coming back. If a team can take a chance on a guy like Shaun Livingston--who the team knows is still injured but wants to let the guy rehab with its trainers and hopefully come back stronger as an asset to that team--then why can't it do the same thing with Darius Miles. The Blazers played with fire, and they've got to accept the fact that they likely will get burned.
I agree it's a pretty empty threat. Miles may not be great now, but a team can very well want to take a legitimate look at the guy on a 10-day (or remainder of season) contract, and put him into some game situations as a part of the evaluation process. A team doesn't even need to prove that they need or want him to help the team immediately in order to avoid the charge of signing him for the sole purpose of screwing Blazers. I also agree that Miles or the insurance company would have a legitimate right to b**** (and maybe a legal claim, too) if he is able to play even if at a minimal leval for the NBA, and they are trying to keep him from being employed.
Portland waived him, and in the process he was on the Celtics roster for preseason and suited up with Memphis for two games. he has a total of two blocks and two rebounds in 7 NBA minutes this season. none of them were while he was working for the Blazers. Miles doesn't belong to Portland.
I like the Trailblazers, and have generally disliked Miles for most of his career, but this makes me angry. They're trying to keep the dude from ever playing professional ball again. Ridiculous. The guy has all the money he needs...he just wants to play NBA basketball for a living, and the Blazers are trying to screw him over.
He's a shell of his former self, but he looks like he's gotten back into good enough shape. Definitely looks no worse than your typical end of the bench reserve. Maybe better, actually. Preseason <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/58IJjYKCEjU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/58IJjYKCEjU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> 2 nights ago <object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TOkcfSxng50&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TOkcfSxng50&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>
If he were to get playing time during garbage time of a game I doubt they could do anything about it.
Like someone else said in another thread. Have the Rockets sign him and use it as blackmail to get some of the Blazers young talent.
