NBA 2013-2014

[MarkGrace]

Monroe is very good but he doesn't have a lot of upside. He's one of those guys that was pretty close to being what he was going to be when he hit the league. His production several years in won't be materially different than what it was in years 2 and 3.

[MartyFunkhouser]

From the article I read this morning he had two options. They could just cut out the torn piece of meniscus (that's what I did when I tore it) and you're back on the court pretty quick (matter of weeks), or they could reattach it and it's like 4-6 months recovery. Supposedly Rose/Bulls opted for the latter because players who have done the former have complained that it just led to more problems down the road. Wade was one of the guys mentioned as choosing the former procedure and then regretting it later because it's a lingering problem.

With the Brandon Roy precautionary tale, I would have opted for what Chicago did as well.

[TripletDaddy]

Greg Monroe will get a max deal. He is a quality big with plenty of upside.


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If greg Monroe were serious about winning a ring, he would play for the minimum salary.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Lets take a look at the 2014 free agent class:

Lebron James- He has a $20 mill player option, if they win another title he stays.
Dwyane Wade- same as LBJ he definitely stays.
Rudy Gay- $19 million player option, he picks that up without a doubt.
Carmelo Anthony- $23 million due next year but he has an early termination agreement which he said he will already opt out. I could see Melo heading to LA
Zach Randolph- $17 million player option, I think he opts out and tries to sign one last big deal
Amare Stoudemire- $23 million early termination- he is staying for sure
Evan Turner- Qualifying Offer is $9 million, he could be an option for LA
Greg Monroe- He will get a max contract for sure. I don't think LA signs him.
Chris Bosh- $20 million early termination, he is staying in Miami no matter what
Gordon Hayward- Looking for a max deal

In reality I think the 2014 class will be less than spectacular. With Monroe, Melo and Turner as the stars.

Tony Parker, Anderson Varejao, Andre Miller, Luis Scola, and Jameer Nelson all have non-guaranteed contracts next year. I don't expect any of them but Jameer Nelson to hit the open market. As much as I hate him, Andre Miller is a steal at 4.5 million as is Parker at 12, Varejao at 9 nad Scola at 5.

Bron Bron would be stupid to not opt out. He can opt out and sign a long term contract at a max deal with the Heat or hit the open market and sign with anyone who has the cap space.

You are right Miller is a steal. Quality backup PGs that can also start are worth more than 4.5 million per year.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

I'll never get the "he should play for peanuts if he wants to win" argument. I can see some guys taking, say, $15 million instead of $20 million, but never half or a quarter of their salary. Even then one could make an argument that getting $15 million and winning big will yield enough extra endorsement money to more than make up the $5 million difference. But these guys have a limited window to make that serious cash and any of us would try to get that big payday.

[Flystripper]

I'll never get the "he should play for peanuts if he wants to win" argument. I can see some guys taking, say, $15 million instead of $20 million, but never half or a quarter of their salary. Even then one could make an argument that getting $15 million and winning big will yield enough extra endorsement money to more than make up the $5 million difference. But these guys have a limited window to make that serious cash and any of us would try to get that big payday.

Its always easy to tell others to give up millions when it isn't your money or opportunity.

[SandYFan]

I'll never get the "he should play for peanuts if he wants to win" argument. I can see some guys taking, say, $15 million instead of $20 million, but never half or a quarter of their salary. Even then one could make an argument that getting $15 million and winning big will yield enough extra endorsement money to more than make up the $5 million difference. But these guys have a limited window to make that serious cash and any of us would try to get that big payday.

I agree, but Kobe needs to shut up about wanting to win another ring. He's in this for the money, and that's it.

Duncan and Garnett both took lower salaries to help their teams win. Kobe has zero interest in that.

[cougjunkie]

Kobe has too big of an ego anyways. Which makes him who he is. He is not interested in taking the Karl Malone route and trying to ride someone elses coattails to a title. He wants to win another title as the alpha dog.

Winning a title with Lebron and Melo playing third fiddle doesn't excite Kobe. He wants solid pieces around him but still wants to be the guy. He has definitely earned that right.

[SandYFan]

Kobe has too big of an ego anyways. Which makes him who he is. He is not interested in taking the Karl Malone route and trying to ride someone elses coattails to a title. He wants to win another title as the alpha dog.

Winning a title with Lebron and Melo playing third fiddle doesn't excite Kobe. He wants solid pieces around him but still wants to be the guy. He has definitely earned that right.

I don't know that he's earned that right. He's always been too inefficient to do it. His stats in the Finals are abysmal. Making Kobe the Alpha Dog is a risky proposition, even when he's young and healthy. You might get a 6-24 performance out of him in a crucial Game 7.

[Flystripper]

Kobe has too big of an ego anyways. Which makes him who he is. He is not interested in taking the Karl Malone route and trying to ride someone elses coattails to a title. He wants to win another title as the alpha dog.

Winning a title with Lebron and Melo playing third fiddle doesn't excite Kobe. He wants solid pieces around him but still wants to be the guy. He has definitely earned that right.

CJ gets it. I don't blame Kobe. He thinks he can do it again and he only wants to do it his way. His way is not likely to win a championship at this point, but I don't think for one second Kobe agrees with that sentiment. It is Jim and Mitch that decided to give him a max deal (well technically it isn't a max deal but it is probably more than he would have gotten in free agency). This isn't on Kobe.

[TripletDaddy]

I agree, but Kobe needs to shut up about wanting to win another ring. He's in this for the money, and that's it.

Duncan and Garnett both took lower salaries to help their teams win. Kobe has zero interest in that.

There are two stupid things at play in this discussion:
1. LAL for paying Kobe $20-25MM a year for the next two years, regardless of his injury
2. You and others claiming that Kobe is only in this for the money.

The difference between the two is that LAL can afford to be stupid.

[The_Douger]

If greg Monroe were serious about winning a ring, he would play for the minimum salary.

Herp a derp derp.

Kobe's made nearly 200 million in his career. He straps his team to sign a supporting cast for him if he takes 25 million per year. But, you know this.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Lakers will be rightfully criticized for giving Bryant the money. Bryant will be wrongfully criticized for taking the money.

[The_Douger]

Kobe has too big of an ego anyways. Which makes him who he is. He is not interested in taking the Karl Malone route and trying to ride someone elses coattails to a title. He wants to win another title as the alpha dog.

Winning a title with Lebron and Melo playing third fiddle doesn't excite Kobe. He wants solid pieces around him but still wants to be the guy. He has definitely earned that right.

That's the thing, it's unlikely he'll be the alpha dog if he wins another one. He'll need some help in the form of another superstar.

Has he earned the right? Sure. Will his front office be able to put a title caliber team around him if he is being paid 25 million? I'm not so sure about that.

[smokymountainrain]

Kobe has five titles, two as the best player. He should take as much money as he can get at this stage of his career.