The Miami Sports Problem

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The Miami Heat 2 years ago made waves with it decision to move from the falling apart, old American Airlines Arena to a new location. Their new home, paid by 150% public taxpayer money (yes the Heat’s owner made a 50% profit and kept the change), is located across the bay on the sand on Miami Beach. Literally the sand. After high construction costs drove the arena’s price up, due to constant water damage from the ocean and sand not being the best ground for foundation, the Heat convinced the public to finance the move after management made the move to get a super star in Nathan Hawkins to pair with young pg Colliton. They even changed their logo from the dull red ball, to one that kind of looks like it’s on fire but its not.


The first year was a decent success as they improved 16 games to make the playoffs as the 4th seed. Although they lost in the first round to the Cavs, the building blocks were there.
Then, the owner pulled a stunner. He traded Hawkins for nickels on the dollar. Signed some scrub named O’neal for 6 million over 2 years. Not to mention, he didn’t resign anyone of value. With ownership raking in profits and the new stadium complete, the owners have commited themselves to being crappy for the future with the idea of being a development team for teams like the Rockets and Knicks….which is the lowest of the low considering the Rockets and Knicks are a development teams for the Nuggets, Trailblazers, and Celtics. (kidding). Will the fans turn on the team or will this ragtag group of terrible players band together like in “Major League” and defy the owner? Time will tell. Btw, Florida fans are the worst…well no, they are the second worst after Southern California, no offense to anyone if they live in FL.

 

 

NBA2 Trade Value Pt. 2

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If you missed part one, simply scroll down the page. Posted this a day earlier for the BlazersGM, thanks for all you do commish, sorry no Blazers made the list (it’s secretly because I don’t want people to value your players, I’m trying to poison their minds…seriously though Luis Rupp should have made this list).

The “just went to Wal-Mart to pick up a Touch of Gray hair dying kit” Guys

15. Chuck McMillan – 31 – 3 yrs 13.8 to 16.4 Mil (Age 33)

TGM: I like that McMillan’s contract runs out when he’s 33.  He’s got better ratings than Templeton and seems like he’ll be able to sustain it for the length of the contract.  His production isn’t quite what Templeton is, but their games are incredibly similar.

CGM: I like McMillan and his contract, he will not be traded unless his ratings start to drop considerably. I think I try to find a spot for him in the level above this one.

TGM: I really am just sad that McMillan left my team when I was trying to build around him.

14. Jerome Templeton – 31 – 16 Mil Exp

TGM: Looking at Templeton’s ratings you wouldn’t think he was anything special.  He came into the league as a PG with ton’s of potential and I thought he was the best PG out of that incredible draft class for PGs.  Templeton has been on great teams and this isn’t a coincidence, cause he’s good.  Similar to Cato, I am worried about this guys max level contract that is sure to come.

CGM: Somehow the Raptors won a championship with him, but credit to their GM who saw a player, who despite his dropping ratings has continued to produce on the court. I like him because he is always shooting a high percentage from the field (never shooting below 45% in his career).

TGM: He’ll get maxed out from somebody.

13. Alberto Cato – 31 – 16 Mil Exp

TGM: See Morgan McLeod.  I can’t believe that arguably the two best players at their positions can’t make it deep into the playoffs.  They can’t even make it to the playoffs; playoffs, playoffs (Jim Mora style).  This guy has dominated the Shooting Guard position like nobody since Vincent Sanford (even though he played PG).  I am worried about what he’ll get paid this next contract as it seems his ratings are declining.

CGM: As a GM in desperate need of a SG and a guy who wants to save Cato from the Kings I hope hits the FA market this summer. I would give him a 3 to 4 yr max deal if I get a chance to bid on him. I think he is a consistent scorer with lock down D what else could you want?

TGM: I would want Cato to be about 5 years younger and his ratings to be higher, since you asked.  Again, just toiling away on the crappiest roster in NBA2 (Crappiest in that he’s got two of the top 10 players in the league and can’t seem to surround them with any semblance of talent).  Two max guys (who are both awesome), two rookies contract guys (who suck, probably autopicks), and the rest are minimum contract guys (who suck and were probably put on there by the commish after Kings were a no-show yet again to FA).  I am being mean intentionally because I wish that I could’ve had those two guys in their prime for 8/9 years…jeez, and to do nothing with them (make a trade, sign a FA, etc) is just down right inexcusable. I’m done on this.

The “But you know he’s the building block to our franchise, but we might not be able to afford him so we’re listening” Guys

12. Chris Dean – 27 – 3 yrs 9 to 10.5 (Age 30)

CGM: Dean is one of my favorite players in the league and he is under a great contract. If he was on my team I would play him at SG (which the Nuggets do), but he has the stats to play PG too. He fits into any offense and his defense is above average. I would have him higher on this list if I was not combining on this list with the ThunderGM. I believe that the Nuggets have the best team in the league right now and I believe that they are the front runners to win the championship.

TGM: I like Dean too, but with high TOs you can’t play him at PG, and he’s not even the best player on his team, so that’s why he’s relegated to number 12 on the list.  I could see him being 11 as Nuggets would probably rather trade Rupp than Dean, but whatever, Rupp is better.  The only reason a player above Dean would be involved in a swap is if a team is switching offenses from outside to inside.

11. Jerome Rupp – 30 – 16 Mil Exp

CGM: Rupp dominates the paint like Jim Rome dominates a four syllable word (IN…CredBLE, Ri…DiCulous,  and Pre…NupTuals). Rupp may be the most opposing big man in the league consistently averaging over 3 BLKs, 11 RBs, and 25 PPG. I think that he can be great second man on a championship team, but considering his age I would be afraid to offer him a long term max deal. I think a 3 year max or a 4 year worth 14 mil a year. He is someone I will target if he makes it onto the free agent market.

TGM: Should be interesting to see what people give him, I don’t think he’s worth a max, but if Ricardo Trent can get 8 mil, Rupp can get 15 mil.

10. Jim Duer – 23 – 3 yrs on Rookie Deal

CGM: I would assume the Bucks will keep this guy on their team for a long time. Duer like the Bucks consistently out performs his stats. I think that the GM does a good job piecing a competitive team year in and year out with a star good supporting cast. I think that Duer is cornerstone of that team and will not be moved unless a unbelievable offer comes the Bucks way. The Bucks GM has been known to go out and make moves with his best players (Rupp, Ewing,  and Cousy).

TGM: Possibly the most boring player on this list.  Greg Popavich has a boner somewhere.  I am actually shocked that he isn’t on the Spurs.

9. Adrian Molina – 27 – 5yrs 11.7 to 16 Mil (Age 31)

CGM: Molina is currently under contract with the Timberwolves for the next 4 years. He plays a big boy’s game at small forward by having crazy inside scoring and better than average DF and RB for a Small Forward. It’s scary that he still has B potential. The combination of him and Taylor would make you believe that the Timberwolves should win a title. One problem with that theory is that the wolves run an outside offense and so I think it negates Molina’s strength. Even though he plays in an outside system he is averaging 24 PPG.

TGM: I wanted Molina so bad in that draft.  I actually had him rated over Trent Adams.

8. Ron Bibby – 31 – 13.5 Mil Exp

7. Cole Douglas – 30 – 16 Mil Expiring

TGM: The are the same person…cloned a year later Douglas has been dominated since coming into the league (don’t know how he wasn’t number one).  Douglas and the Celtics have been successful, but no championships.  That is the gaping hole in these guys resume.  Bibby has been a part of some very talented Pacers teams.  Bibby is the greatest Pacer since Jeremy Ndaiye.

All time NBA2 Pacers team:

C – Jeremy Ndaiye

PF – Kevin Love

SF – Ron Bibby

SG – My memory is not this good

PG – Derrick Rose

These two have made SF a position of strength in NBA2.  I bet both will get 4 year maxes if they are not resigned by their own clubs.

CGM: These two players are the exact same type of basketball player, like Ron Artest and Meta World Peace. They are both players who I expect will receive monster contracts this offseason. I believe that they make the most sense to be dealt because of how much it will cost the Celtics and the Pacers to resign them.  They have spent their entire careers in one city and I believe that their owners would love to see them retire with their teams. I think they will make any team a contender if added.

TGM:  Cole Douglas, like Ron Artest, came out with a rap/hip-hop album, featuring the hit song, “Teach Me How to Douglas”.  Both are good, both will get maxed out.

6. Angel Drake – 22 – 2 yrs 3.3 Mil

CGM: Drake rounds out one of the best front courts seen in the past 10 seasons. He is 80s across the board on all the major categories for big men. Despite Shawn Bradley being his idol growing up he has B potential and a chance to be the elite center in this league. I think that Drake has the opportunity to be a 95 IS 90 RB and 85 DF. His blocks are not there yet, but he averages 17 ppg and 10 rpg, and those stats may be higher if Ewing was not on the team. The only way they are trading him is if a solid center is packaged with a lottery pick.

TGM: You’re correct in saying he’s a beast, upon further review on his contract he probably should be where Redd is and move Redd down into this category, but whatever. The Angel Drake/Shawn Bradley duo would be dynamic in NBAJam 2000.

The “I’m recording this conversation to make fun of you to all my friends, family, and colleagues cause this trade is not even close” Guys

5. Morgan McLeod – 30 – 6 yrs 14.8 to 22 Mil (Age 35)

This guy is ridiculous.  McLeod would be higher, but a team of he and Cato should always be at least vying for a playoff spot but they continue to slum it under .500 (a lot of this is mismanagement by the GM, but whatever…headed for old PistonsGM territory).  Best scorer in the league for my money, solid defense, yeah okay, he should be ahead of Curt Redd.

CGM: I cannot stand the Kings GM he has so much talent and yet just sits on it instead of building a championship team. How do you have two of the best players in the league for the past few years and still finish in the bottom 7 in the league every year. McLeod is throwing away his best years in Sacramento and it sad to see. McLeod is the NBA2 equivalent to Kyrie Irving in 4 years if he stays in Cleveland.

TGM: I do agree with the assessment of KingsGM (I’m pretty sure he used to have quality teams) and sorry to kill him so much in this article, but you kind of had it coming, shorter, less successful Malooff Brother.  I disagree with the Kyrie comment.  I really like him and I do think that the Cavs will put some talent around him to make some playoff runs…not 5, not 6, not 7…this will never get old.  Rewatching that video just makes me so embarrassed for Chris Bosh.  Bosh is that third wheel that everyone hates, but your mom makes you hang out with him, cause he has really low self-esteem and a bad home life. He should have stayed in Toronto where he looked just like a Raptor.

4. Curt Redd – 24 – 6 yrs 10.6 to 16 Mil (Age 30)

TGM: I actually liked Redd a lot more when I first started this list.  He’s had a steady decent in scoring ratings since his first couple years in the league and production usually follows ratings.  I still think he will play up to the contract and at age 24, averaging 25 and 8, he’s a valuable asset.

CGM: He is the youngest player on this list and He lacks any star qualities besides scoring, but this league is driven by scorers and with his new contract his is not leaving the bulls anytime soon.

TGM: He’ll definitely take a tumble in next years ranks.  I guess I was enamored with his stats during his rookie contract and now that he’s making big money his value is significantly diminished, that said, I don’t see the Bulls trading him so I guess that somewhat justifies the ranking.  Check out what Bill Simmons says about Blake Griffen…applies to Redd for sure (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9261768/nba-trade-value-part-3)

3. Cameron Ewing – 29 – 3 yrs 13.8 to 16 Million (Age 31)

TGM: Ewing has been traded for Peyton Hernandez and picks (WOOF!), Jerome Rupp, and Jim Duer.  He is superior to all those players, and he was under a long-term contract for the last two.  Nice move by the Hornets to put together a solid front court.  Ewing is making a huge difference as the Hornets are 12-4 (Day 26), the 2nd best record in the league.

CGM: How did he get traded 3 times?! Everyone is looking for an elite pg (this has proven to be key in winning a championship), but how many elite PFs are out there maybe 3. I think that the Ewing has high trade value because he plays a position lacking other elite players.

TGM:  I think teams will rue the day that he left their city.  He’s a once in a generation talent (consistently good, with no ratings/production drop off), very Derrick Character-esque.

2. Trent Adams – 28 – 5 yrs 11.7 to 16 Million (Age 32)

TGM: I almost traded for Adams…back when the 76ers had Stoudamire, Adams wasn’t getting time (his ratings/stats were no where near where they are now).  We had a trade in place for Derek Bass (right after the draft #4 picks, still very good ratings) but we said we’d wait until after TCs to make a deal…Adams shot up and Bass began his slow decent into obscurity.  Tough not to put Adams as #1, being 3 years younger and cheaper than Taylor.

CGM: Adams is my favorite player on this list with his age and only being in his first max deal. My only concern if I am the GM of the 76ers is what do I do at the end of his contract. He will have to sign and he should win a championship before Adams is done in the league. Adams is number one for me on this list.

TGM: Derek Bass for Trent Adams, straight up…excuse me while I neuter myself with rusty gardening sheers.

1. Lucas Taylor – 31 – 6 yrs 14.8 to 22 Million (Age 36)

ThunderGM: Lucas Taylor is the best on the planet right now.  I can’t see the wolves dealing him unless it was for a top 19 guy and multiple picks.  He does a really nice job being able to score and distribute.  At age 31 he’s having his best season ever.  I really am not even worried about his huge contract in year 6 of his max.

ClippersGM: I love Taylor, but I am fearful that the back half of his contract could be a killer. He is already 31 and will be making 22 mil at the 37. I believe Taylor is the best in the game right now and the wolves should never trade him, but any 37 year old making 22 million scares me, even Mark Zuckerberg. Taylor is at number 4 on this list for me.

TGM: Number 4!!! He just put together one of the best statistical PG seasons we’ve seen, and with a  PG driven league; he’s at least number 2.  Agree to disagree, mainly because you’re wrong and this is my article and all.

Loved doing this with ClippersGM, he’s a beast and I hope he gets the number one pick in the draft!

NBA2 Trade Value Pt. 1

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Yet another Bill Simmons special…you’re welcome.  This is a trade value article that ClippersGM and I worked on together. We commented on stuff back and forth to make this thing work.  TGM = ThunderGM and CGM = ClippersGM (as some people in the league may need some explanation on that).  Rules are copied straight from Bill Simmons via Grantland.com. No pictures of terrible 90s NBA players, but the article is still worth the read.

Here are the Rules via Bill Simmons:

“Trade Value Rules

1. Salaries matter. Would you rather pay Kyrie Irving $5.5 million a year or Chris Paul $17.78 million?

2. Age matters. Would you rather have Dirk Nowitzki for the next four seasons or Blake Griffin for the next 12?

3. Pretend the league passed the following rule: For 24 hours, any player can be traded without cap ramifications but with luxury-tax and next-day-cap ramifications. If Team A tells Team B, “We’ll trade you Player X for Player Y,” would Team B make the deal?

4. Concentrate on degrees. I don’t think the Rockets or Heat would make a Harden-Wade swap, but Miami would at least say, “Harden’s available?” while Houston would say, “We can’t trade Harden for someone who’s seven years older.” That counts in the big scheme of things.

5. The list runs in reverse order. So if Stephen Curry comes in at no. 15, players 1 through 14 are all players about whom Golden State would say, “We hate giving up Curry, but we definitely have to at least have a meeting and discuss this proposal.” And the Warriors wouldn’t trade him straight-up for any player listed between nos. 15 and 50.”

Here….we…..go.

The Official NBA2 2064 Trade Value Column

The “I’m terrified about the end of this contract, but he’s good now so why not” Guys

23. Nathanial Hawkins – 30 – 6 yrs 10.6 to 16 Mil (Age 36)

22. Peyton Hernandez – 30 – 4 yrs 9.8 to 11.5 Mil (Age 34)

TGM: Hernanadez and Hawkins have always reminded me of each other.  Hernandez has the better contract and ends when he’s 34 not 36.  Hernandez seems to always disappoint his GM, maybe he’ll always just be a B level player.  Hawkins has proven to be able to hold his own as the go to guy in this league.  Hawkins played the B role for his first few seasons, but after Zollner left, he got his shot.  I am so scared for year 6 of this contract (Hawkins F potential always perplexes me, he’s up, he’s down, I don’t understand).

CGM: I have never been that big a fan of Hernandez, even though he has been one of the best in the league. Every team he has been on struggles to get the production they need. He is the 2064 version of Amare Stoudemire. Hawkins is a great player who does not let his “potential” get in the way of his play. I think that Hawkins being below these 2 guys is accurate because after he turns 33 he will be untradeable.  He is great right now, but I fear he is headed for a big falloff in production in a few years. If I had kept Zollner, Hawkins, with the addition of Cato this past offseason I could have put together one of the best front courts in NBA2 in the past 10 years, but I refuse to hand out deals that don’t make sense.

TGM: Yeah but there aren’t enough shots west of the Mississippi for all those guys to get good production.  Trent Adams is having to sacrifice a guaranteed MVP trophy because of Zollner, but winning a title is better than winning and MVP trophy, ask Charles Barkley.

21. Enrique Zollner – 33 – 3 yrs 16.4 to 19.3 Mil (Age 35)

TGM: I hope that Zollner keeps playing at this elite level though his contract but I worry.  I think the Clipps dodged a Battalie Strong sized bullet when they let him walk in FA (it always sucks to lose your dudes in FA, but when it has the potential to paralyze your franchise for 3 years it may be worth rebuilding early).  I really can’t being how the 76ers aren’t playing better.  I’d put my money on them turning it around (I wrote this around day 60ish so they have made me a prophet…thanks kid).  The limited SG/SF market may kill this teams title chances.

CGM: I love Zollner and I believe that the 76ers have set their team up for championships, but they need to add some pieces around Zollner and Adams. I think to do it financially they need to trade Zollner for a solid Power Forward/Center and a solid SG.

TGM: What about just playing Zollner at SG, he is the only C in the league that could do it…maybe Sheenkloth (sp?), but he sucks and was a male cheerleader, so case dismissed.  Zollner is worth his contract.

The “Is he seriously getting paid only 1.5 Mil” Guy

20. Lucas Cato – 29 – 3 yrs at 1.5 Mil

TGM:Cato killed it in TCs.  He’s a 20 ppg guy who has good defensive ratings (he’s almost doubling his career ppg averages).  Cato could just be experiencing a good player on a bad team, so he looks like a great player type of season.  Or maybe he’s just been used poorly in previous seasons.  I wish that we could have seen Hawkins/Zollner/Cato play together to see what would happen with all that inside offense.  For my take Cato is a GMs dream, huge production on a dirt cheap contract.  Steal of the year in FA.

CGM: It’s hard for me to be objective here, but this is the best contract I have ever signed. I believe it is one of the best I have ever seen in NBA2. He plays on a poor team, but he is still averaging around 23 PPG and plays solid to great defense for my team. If he was not getting paid 1.5 mil then he would not make this list.

TGM: I think if he’s making 5 mil he still makes the list, but he could be a bad team good production kinda guy, we’ll see.  Adding a top pick could make for a fun year in LA.

The “we’re seeing how he develops, try back later” Guys

19. Tyson Sanchez – 22 – 4 yrs on Rookie Deal (A pot)

TGM: I like Sanchez’s opportunity in the next couple years.  Unfortunately he’s playing behind some other bigs (Don’t agree with this but whatever).  I tried trading for him but don’t have the assets…Hawks smartly declined.

CGM: I am not as high on Sanchez as the Thunder GM, and I would wait to include him on this list until he can make another leap in ratings and production. His A potential makes me think that he will pan out, but we will have to wait a year or two and see.

TGM: He’ll be fine, but I’m not defending him too hard.

18. Terrell Hart – 24 – 5 yrs at 6.5 Mil

TGM: This guy is really intreaguing.  I honestly thought that this signing would be a mistake but so far the Hart experience is going swimmingly.  He’s the biggest threat for triple doubles in the league.  I love taking a chance on Hart and paying him 5 years at a very economical 6.5 mil.

CGM: Great contract and he has started to make the jump into stardom. He is under my second favorite contract and the Lakers should not trade him while he is under this contract unless his production takes a big dip.

17. Gavin Alford – 23 – 3.4 Mil Exp

TGM: Alford has the potential to be a 20/10 guy too.  It’ll be really interesting to see what Alford gets in FA.  He is a good player, but not great.  Ratings over production right now.  I bet you somebody overpays for Alford.

CGM: Alford is a good big man and he will should not be leaving Washington soon unless a team offers them an elite player (Ewing, Redd, Rupp, ect)

TGM: In related news, recently traded Center Ricky Bobby (hate his name by the way) signed a very friendly deal today!! Love it.

16. Evan Hurst – 21 – 4 yrs on Rookie Deal (A potential)

TGM: I was skeptical of this pick at the time, but I really like what Hurst has turned into.  He holds onto his A potential and has 4 years left before he really cashes in, but should be worth the contract.  Hurst is going to be a 20/10 guy as long as he gets some teammates around him to pass the ball to.

CGM: He is the next big PG for this league. I tried to lose last year so that I could pick him up in the first round. He is a solid PG (70 plus ratings on the major 3 categories for PGs) and A potential which sets him up to be at least an all 80s guy. Look for the Pistons to be making deep playoff runs in the future with Hurst at the helm.

TGM: General Managers should not admit to tanking. Unless you’re tanking so that you don’t have to give away free promotionals when they reach 100 points.  This just in, I heard the ClippersGM signing Love Me Sexy in the shower this morning…disturbing, yet beautiful.