Chris Paul and Dwight Howard.....come to the highlight factory.

Jay Z and Prokhorov are getting fitted for uniforms as we speak.

I dont give a shiat when Howard goes but please just sign somewhere and dont say another farking word until you win a ring.

I bet they are kicking themselves for both the trade AND resigning of Gerald Wallace. What they gave up to get him, and the resigning amount showed very poor GMing.

/Bah Gawd King!

Even just having a passing knowledge of basketball and wrestling, I laughed hard at that headline.

Please Bulls, don't do something stupid and match the Rockets' offer sheet on Asik. You're in NBA hell enough as it is.

/figure this is an NBA FA thread

FinFangFark: I bet they are kicking themselves for both the trade AND resigning of Gerald Wallace.

They had to resign Wallace. You can't give up what turned out to be the #6 pick and then just let Wallace walk out the door.

Here's the interesting thing to me: Are we sure D12 is worth all this? Athletic center coming off a back surgery? I know he's only 26, but if we've learned anything with these big guys, it's that injuries affect them differently then most folks.

Oh nice. Something to possibly challange "The Herschel" in the annals of all time terrible trades.

/The fark Wrestling community approves of this headline

jayhawk88: Here's the interesting thing to me: Are we sure D12 is worth all this?

I'm pretty sure he isn't. He's a great player and all but I don't see him being dominant enough to warrant sending everything away.

Plus. . . who would have thought anyone would have traded INTO the JJ contract. That's some insanity right there.

/Do the Nets still have their amnesty clause?

jayhawk88: FinFangFark: I bet they are kicking themselves for both the trade AND resigning of Gerald Wallace.

They had to resign Wallace. You can't give up what turned out to be the #6 pick and then just let Wallace walk out the door.

Here's the interesting thing to me: Are we sure D12 is worth all this? Athletic center coming off a back surgery? I know he's only 26, but if we've learned anything with these big guys, it's that injuries affect them differently then most folks.

I agree 100% on Howard. Down here in Houston, it's pretty much split 50/50 on trading for him since he'll only be here for a year. My feeling was Morey needed to finally get the big deal done, so go ahead and do it regardless of the contract issue, BUT the red flag was the back. 7 footers and back and foot issues are a big deal, so it might be concern if he starts having back tightness and having to sit quarters or miss games.

As for Wallace, I know they had to do the resigning b/c of the #6 pick they gave up, but I remember scratching my head when the trade initially went down, especially since they were going to make a run at Dwight and resign D-Williams.

Anyone hear about this lawsuit or legal claim of Howard's that the Magic blackmailed him in to signing his extension? This guy is turning into a megadouche really fast.

I have a feeling that Howard would be something of a disaster in Brooklyn. Not on the court. He'd continue to be a beast there. I think the NY media would eat him alive. He doesn't strike me as having the mental fortitude to deal with the first time the Post has a back cover calling him out.

ShadezofDis: /Do the Nets still have their amnesty clause?

They used it on Travis Outlaw.

Howard is officially a bigger douche than LeBron, what a moron. Also, I can't believe someone was dumb enough to take on Johnson's contract.

/Mavs look foolish for letting go of Chandler and Barea.

jayhawk88: FinFangFark: I bet they are kicking themselves for both the trade AND resigning of Gerald Wallace.

They had to resign Wallace. You can't give up what turned out to be the #6 pick and then just let Wallace walk out the door.

Here's the interesting thing to me: Are we sure D12 is worth all this? Athletic center coming off a back surgery? I know he's only 26, but if we've learned anything with these big guys, it's that injuries affect them differently then most folks.

I don't buy that whole back injury thing. He was just being a dick because of the whole Van Gundy charade and because they "blackmailed" him into staying another year. I think his back is as seriously injured as mine is when I go to get my med card renewed every year. Personal accountability is not Dwight's strong point.

THE ORLANDO MAGIC HAVE BEEN BROKEN IN HALF

ShadezofDis: I'm pretty sure he isn't. He's a great player and all but I don't see him being dominant enough to warrant sending everything away.

Not quite. He's a tremendous athlete, but his basketball skill set is pretty poor for the kinda hype he gets. I know "you can't teach height," but he needs to get a low-post game and even a ghost of a jump shot and be able to hit a free throw now and again to be other than a tall strong guy.

If he's 6'6", he's no more than a 11th or 12th man.

ShadezofDis: jayhawk88: Here's the interesting thing to me: Are we sure D12 is worth all this?

I'm pretty sure he isn't. He's a great player and all but I don't see him being dominant enough to warrant sending everything away.

Plus. . . who would have thought anyone would have traded INTO the JJ contract. That's some insanity right there.

/Do the Nets still have their amnesty clause?

Heh, no, they used it on Travis Outlaw like 10 seconds after the CBA was signed.

So here's a question: If they trade for Howard and sign him to a new deal, does that allow them to go over the cap with that contract? Seems like the play here might be for Prokhorov to just eat a bunch of cap tax money (resigning DWill and Wallace) just to get the Brooklyn thing off and running.

Dwight Howard, in his raging douchebaggery, has given you of his very SOUL!

FinFangFark: jayhawk88: FinFangFark: I bet they are kicking themselves for both the trade AND resigning of Gerald Wallace.

They had to resign Wallace. You can't give up what turned out to be the #6 pick and then just let Wallace walk out the door.

Here's the interesting thing to me: Are we sure D12 is worth all this? Athletic center coming off a back surgery? I know he's only 26, but if we've learned anything with these big guys, it's that injuries affect them differently then most folks.

I agree 100% on Howard. Down here in Houston, it's pretty much split 50/50 on trading for him since he'll only be here for a year. My feeling was Morey needed to finally get the big deal done, so go ahead and do it regardless of the contract issue, BUT the red flag was the back. 7 footers and back and foot issues are a big deal, so it might be concern if he starts having back tightness and having to sit quarters or miss games.

As for Wallace, I know they had to do the resigning b/c of the #6 pick they gave up, but I remember scratching my head when the trade initially went down, especially since they were going to make a run at Dwight and resign D-Williams.

Anyone hear about this lawsuit or legal claim of Howard's that the Magic blackmailed him in to signing his extension? This guy is turning into a megadouche really fast.

From what I read he asked the union if he had any legal claim against the Magic because they threatened to trade him somewhere he didnt want to go if he didnt come back for another year. The NBAPA then laughed heartily and Dwight denied he ever asked about it. For such a huge powerful athlete he sure is a giant pussy.

A mildly funny MAD TV skit could feature Joe Johnson releasing a line of beauty products; a cologne called "Meh", a body wash called "Apathy", etc.

jayhawk88: ShadezofDis: jayhawk88: Here's the interesting thing to me: Are we sure D12 is worth all this?

I'm pretty sure he isn't. He's a great player and all but I don't see him being dominant enough to warrant sending everything away.

Plus. . . who would have thought anyone would have traded INTO the JJ contract. That's some insanity right there.

/Do the Nets still have their amnesty clause?

Heh, no, they used it on Travis Outlaw like 10 seconds after the CBA was signed.

So here's a question: If they trade for Howard and sign him to a new deal, does that allow them to go over the cap with that contract? Seems like the play here might be for Prokhorov to just eat a bunch of cap tax money (resigning DWill and Wallace) just to get the Brooklyn thing off and running.

I'm pretty sure that was the motivation for taking on JJ's league worst contract. They want to start the move with a bang not the D league team they would have without DW and JJ.

Ugh, poor mavs.

Killer Cars: A mildly funny MAD TV skit could feature Joe Johnson releasing a line of beauty products; a cologne called "Meh", a body wash called "Apathy", etc.

Vince Carter would sue for prior art.

Wtf are the Jazz planning I want to know? A team of 10 forwards and 5 centers? Link

elguerodiablo: FinFangFark: jayhawk88: FinFangFark: I bet they are kicking themselves for both the trade AND resigning of Gerald Wallace.

They had to resign Wallace. You can't give up what turned out to be the #6 pick and then just let Wallace walk out the door.

Here's the interesting thing to me: Are we sure D12 is worth all this? Athletic center coming off a back surgery? I know he's only 26, but if we've learned anything with these big guys, it's that injuries affect them differently then most folks.

I agree 100% on Howard. Down here in Houston, it's pretty much split 50/50 on trading for him since he'll only be here for a year. My feeling was Morey needed to finally get the big deal done, so go ahead and do it regardless of the contract issue, BUT the red flag was the back. 7 footers and back and foot issues are a big deal, so it might be concern if he starts having back tightness and having to sit quarters or miss games.

As for Wallace, I know they had to do the resigning b/c of the #6 pick they gave up, but I remember scratching my head when the trade initially went down, especially since they were going to make a run at Dwight and resign D-Williams.

Anyone hear about this lawsuit or legal claim of Howard's that the Magic blackmailed him in to signing his extension? This guy is turning into a megadouche really fast.

From what I read he asked the union if he had any legal claim against the Magic because they threatened to trade him somewhere he didnt want to go if he didnt come back for another year. The NBAPA then laughed heartily and Dwight denied he ever asked about it. For such a huge powerful athlete he sure is a giant pussy.

I thought the joke was he didn't know what the word blackmail meant and had to look it up? Hell, Wilbon said that on PTI

Rozotorical: Wtf are the Jazz planning I want to know? A team of 10 forwards and 5 centers? Link

they plan on merging with the Timberwolves (who have like 30 pgs) to create a super team with no decent 3

moistD: Rozotorical: Wtf are the Jazz planning I want to know? A team of 10 forwards and 5 centers? Link

they plan on merging with the Timberwolves (who have like 30 pgs) to create a super team with no decent 3

moistD: Rozotorical: Wtf are the Jazz planning I want to know? A team of 10 forwards and 5 centers? Link

they plan on merging with the Timberwolves (who have like 30 pgs) to create a super team with no decent 3

My God. My god. It all makes sense now. But I think you meant no decent sg.

Opiate of the Lasses: ShadezofDis: I'm pretty sure he isn't. He's a great player and all but I don't see him being dominant enough to warrant sending everything away.

Not quite. He's a tremendous athlete, but his basketball skill set is pretty poor for the kinda hype he gets. I know "you can't teach height," but he needs to get a low-post game and even a ghost of a jump shot and be able to hit a free throw now and again to be other than a tall strong guy.

If he's 6'6", he's no more than a 11th or 12th man.

That may be but at 6'11" he's one the best defensive players in the NBA.

Rozotorical: moistD: Rozotorical: Wtf are the Jazz planning I want to know? A team of 10 forwards and 5 centers? Link

they plan on merging with the Timberwolves (who have like 30 pgs) to create a super team with no decent 3

My God. My god. It all makes sense now. But I think you meant no decent sg.

Relocate them to Pierre, SD and call them the Black Dogs?

If they end up with a starting 5 of Deron Williams, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, "X" (Rashard Lewis for the minimum? Gerald Wallace playing out of position?), and Dwight Howard, that's not "mortgaging the future," that's "legitimate title contender," subby.

Now That's What I Call a Taco!: If they end up with a starting 5 of Deron Williams, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, "X" (Rashard Lewis for the minimum? Gerald Wallace playing out of position?), and Dwight Howard, that's not "mortgaging the future," that's "legitimate title contender," subby.

Playoff team

Rozotorical: moistD: Rozotorical: Wtf are the Jazz planning I want to know? A team of 10 forwards and 5 centers? Link

they plan on merging with the Timberwolves (who have like 30 pgs) to create a super team with no decent 3

My God. My god. It all makes sense now. But I think you meant no decent sg.

haha I just looked over both rosters, and the bets SF I can find is Gordon Hayward, which isn't going to win you a playoff series. But they don;t even have 1 decent SG. So you win.....

/this round

Raptors pick up Landry Fields, 3/$20M.

moistD: Rozotorical: Wtf are the Jazz planning I want to know? A team of 10 forwards and 5 centers? Link

they plan on merging with the Timberwolves (who have like 30 pgs) to create a super team with no decent 3

That would be great if they could just announce "Both of rosters are F-ed up. To fix this, we are throwing all the players into a single pool and drafting them one by one. Our GMs will shoot free throws to determine the fix pick."

Now That's What I Call a Taco!: If they end up with a starting 5 of Deron Williams, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, "X" (Rashard Lewis for the minimum? Gerald Wallace playing out of position?), and Dwight Howard, that's not "mortgaging the future," that's "legitimate title contender," subby.

an over-rated joe johnson who disappears for quarters/halves/games. A 31 year old beyond his prime/never quite as good as you thought Jason Richardson, a bad knee 32 year old Rashard Lewis + 2 quality players with nothing to put on the bench is not a legitimate title contender.

moistD: Rozotorical: moistD: Rozotorical: Wtf are the Jazz planning I want to know? A team of 10 forwards and 5 centers? Link

they plan on merging with the Timberwolves (who have like 30 pgs) to create a super team with no decent 3

My God. My god. It all makes sense now. But I think you meant no decent sg.

haha I just looked over both rosters, and the bets SF I can find is Gordon Hayward, which isn't going to win you a playoff series. But they don;t even have 1 decent SG. So you win.....

/this round

Yeah I was being a bit liberal with the usage of decent. But between Martell Webster, Haywood and Williams, you would have a pretty decent three headed beast. Motor of Haywood, Defense of Williams and the Shooting of Webster. Inconsistency of all three. oh wait.

moistD: Now That's What I Call a Taco!: If they end up with a starting 5 of Deron Williams, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, "X" (Rashard Lewis for the minimum? Gerald Wallace playing out of position?), and Dwight Howard, that's not "mortgaging the future," that's "legitimate title contender," subby.

an over-rated joe johnson who disappears for quarters/halves/games. A 31 year old beyond his prime/never quite as good as you thought Jason Richardson, a bad knee 32 year old Rashard Lewis + 2 quality players with nothing to put on the bench is not a legitimate title contender.

It is in the east. Look at the teams they would have to play 4-8 times next season. That is a 58-60 win team.

Rozotorical: moistD: Rozotorical: moistD: Rozotorical: Wtf are the Jazz planning I want to know? A team of 10 forwards and 5 centers? Link

they plan on merging with the Timberwolves (who have like 30 pgs) to create a super team with no decent 3

My God. My god. It all makes sense now. But I think you meant no decent sg.

haha I just looked over both rosters, and the bets SF I can find is Gordon Hayward, which isn't going to win you a playoff series. But they don;t even have 1 decent SG. So you win.....

/this round

Yeah I was being a bit liberal with the usage of decent. But between Martell Webster, Haywood and Williams, you would have a pretty decent three headed beast. Motor of Haywood, Defense of Williams and the Shooting of Webster. Inconsistency of all three. oh wait.

Oh I forgot about Chase Budinger. They would have the three on lock down, start him and pull in any of the other three for match ups.

Rozotorical: moistD: Now That's What I Call a Taco!: If they end up with a starting 5 of Deron Williams, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, "X" (Rashard Lewis for the minimum? Gerald Wallace playing out of position?), and Dwight Howard, that's not "mortgaging the future," that's "legitimate title contender," subby.

an over-rated joe johnson who disappears for quarters/halves/games. A 31 year old beyond his prime/never quite as good as you thought Jason Richardson, a bad knee 32 year old Rashard Lewis + 2 quality players with nothing to put on the bench is not a legitimate title contender.

It is in the east. Look at the teams they would have to play 4-8 times next season. That is a 58-60 win team.

Title contender is still a stretch. Are they a playoff team? Yes.

TheJoe03: Howard is officially a bigger douche than LeBron, what a moron. Also, I can't believe someone was dumb enough to take on Johnson's contract.

/Mavs look foolish for letting go of Chandler and Barea.

I think it's a matter of how you want your heart broken. I'm okay with either argument, is the person worse for:
A) Stringing you along for a long period of time, having you still spend your money to take them out, just because they don't want to look bad for breaking it off
or
B) Breaking it off dramatically but suddenly in the most humiliating way possible (like ripping off a bandaid but doing it in front of all your friends so they see you cry)

Gunny Highway: Rozotorical: moistD: Now That's What I Call a Taco!: If they end up with a starting 5 of Deron Williams, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, "X" (Rashard Lewis for the minimum? Gerald Wallace playing out of position?), and Dwight Howard, that's not "mortgaging the future," that's "legitimate title contender," subby.

an over-rated joe johnson who disappears for quarters/halves/games. A 31 year old beyond his prime/never quite as good as you thought Jason Richardson, a bad knee 32 year old Rashard Lewis + 2 quality players with nothing to put on the bench is not a legitimate title contender.

It is in the east. Look at the teams they would have to play 4-8 times next season. That is a 58-60 win team.

Title contender is still a stretch. Are they a playoff team? Yes.

Any team that could make it to the finals in my head is a title contender. That roster with Rose being out, puts them number two in the east.

bacongood: moistD: Rozotorical: Wtf are the Jazz planning I want to know? A team of 10 forwards and 5 centers? Link

they plan on merging with the Timberwolves (who have like 30 pgs) to create a super team with no decent 3

That would be great if they could just announce "Both of rosters are F-ed up. To fix this, we are throwing all the players into a single pool and drafting them one by one. Our GMs will shoot free throws to determine the fix pick."

said thing is I have a feeling that both teams would just end up with the same rosters. That or just swap the same players from one team to the other.

Rozotorical: It is in the east. Look at the teams they would have to play 4-8 times next season. That is a 58-60 win team.

They'd win a lot of games, but I don't think their half-court offense will be very good unless you make Gerald Wallace a 6th man and put in a Pat Garrity-esque PF who can space the floor and hit the outside shot, even if that's literally all he can do. If you have Howard in the middle, you might as well build a perimeter team around him, and Wallace in the half-court is NOT a perimeter player.

moistD: elguerodiablo: FinFangFark: jayhawk88: FinFangFark: I bet they are kicking themselves for both the trade AND resigning of Gerald Wallace.

They had to resign Wallace. You can't give up what turned out to be the #6 pick and then just let Wallace walk out the door.

Here's the interesting thing to me: Are we sure D12 is worth all this? Athletic center coming off a back surgery? I know he's only 26, but if we've learned anything with these big guys, it's that injuries affect them differently then most folks.

I agree 100% on Howard. Down here in Houston, it's pretty much split 50/50 on trading for him since he'll only be here for a year. My feeling was Morey needed to finally get the big deal done, so go ahead and do it regardless of the contract issue, BUT the red flag was the back. 7 footers and back and foot issues are a big deal, so it might be concern if he starts having back tightness and having to sit quarters or miss games.

As for Wallace, I know they had to do the resigning b/c of the #6 pick they gave up, but I remember scratching my head when the trade initially went down, especially since they were going to make a run at Dwight and resign D-Williams.

Anyone hear about this lawsuit or legal claim of Howard's that the Magic blackmailed him in to signing his extension? This guy is turning into a megadouche really fast.

From what I read he asked the union if he had any legal claim against the Magic because they threatened to trade him somewhere he didnt want to go if he didnt come back for another year. The NBAPA then laughed heartily and Dwight denied he ever asked about it. For such a huge powerful athlete he sure is a giant pussy.

I thought the joke was he didn't know what the word blackmail meant and had to look it up? Hell, Wilbon said that on PTI

"I never used the word blackmail in reference to any of my dealings with the Magic," Howard said. "I never said that. It's defamatory and it's inaccurate. I know what blackmail means and any report that I used the term incorrectly is inaccurate."

This is what Dwight is claiming so I would say you are correct.

JerseyTim: I have a feeling that Howard would be something of a disaster in Brooklyn. Not on the court. He'd continue to be a beast there. I think the NY media would eat him alive. He doesn't strike me as having the mental fortitude to deal with the first time the Post has a back cover calling him out.

ShadezofDis: /Do the Nets still have their amnesty clause?

They used it on Travis Outlaw.

Also you can't amnesty a player received in a trade post-lockout.

Now That's What I Call a Taco!: If they end up with a starting 5 of Deron Williams, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, "X" (Rashard Lewis for the minimum? Gerald Wallace playing out of position?), and Dwight Howard, that's not "mortgaging the future," that's "legitimate title contender," subby.

Yeah that's a pretty good Top 4, but where do they go after that? If this deal goes through they'll have traded away 79.7 ppg, in 8 guys that averaged at least 15 min/game for the team last year. Four guys in Morrow, Humphries, Brooks, and Lopez that gave them 57.5 ppg and all averaged over 26 min/game.

They've already given Wallace $10m a year to stay, and they'll have $20 mil worth of JJ. That's like half the cap number right there. Howard would be another $20 million, and considering DWill made $16 mil last year, it's hard to imagine he'd sign for anything less than that.

Who are they signing for league min? Plenty of FA money out there...hell the Raptors just signed Landry Fields for 3 years/#20 mil. Miami is a better destination right now if you're a vet chasing a title and willing to sign for the min. No draft picks of note coming in for the next 3 years at least to help out.

It's going to be what we saw in Miami that first year, except worse.

Killer Cars: Rozotorical: It is in the east. Look at the teams they would have to play 4-8 times next season. That is a 58-60 win team.

They'd win a lot of games, but I don't think their half-court offense will be very good unless you make Gerald Wallace a 6th man and put in a Pat Garrity-esque PF who can space the floor and hit the outside shot, even if that's literally all he can do. If you have Howard in the middle, you might as well build a perimeter team around him, and Wallace in the half-court is NOT a perimeter player.

Wallace has to start. No question on that, paid way too much and he is there best one on one defender. Jrich is your 6th. Johnson will be much more consitent when he doesn't constantly have to create his own shot, that dude needs a pg maybe more then anyone else in the league, expect him to average 21p, 4r, 3a. Dwight eats up space down low and lets them spread the floor for driving from Wallace, dish and dumps from Williams, and stop and pops from Johnson. They would have one of the most diverse half court offensives in the league. The would need to figure out a stretch four off the bench, back up pg, back up pf. but in the playoffs that is a dangerous team.

Rozotorical: Gunny Highway: Rozotorical: moistD: Now That's What I Call a Taco!: If they end up with a starting 5 of Deron Williams, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, "X" (Rashard Lewis for the minimum? Gerald Wallace playing out of position?), and Dwight Howard, that's not "mortgaging the future," that's "legitimate title contender," subby.

an over-rated joe johnson who disappears for quarters/halves/games. A 31 year old beyond his prime/never quite as good as you thought Jason Richardson, a bad knee 32 year old Rashard Lewis + 2 quality players with nothing to put on the bench is not a legitimate title contender.

It is in the east. Look at the teams they would have to play 4-8 times next season. That is a 58-60 win team.

Title contender is still a stretch. Are they a playoff team? Yes.

Any team that could make it to the finals in my head is a title contender. That roster with Rose being out, puts them number two in the east.

Behind Boston. Plus, don't sleep on the Pacers, they are 1 or 2 pieces away from being 2nd best in the East. Depending on where Nash goes could alter some East predictions as well. I still think that team is over-rated.

robsul82: Raptors pick up Landry Fields, 3/$20M.

This might be the least retarded off-season move so far.

/ATL's doing well, but the level of derp in the franchises dealing with them is ridiculous.

Rozotorical: Killer Cars: Rozotorical: It is in the east. Look at the teams they would have to play 4-8 times next season. That is a 58-60 win team.

They'd win a lot of games, but I don't think their half-court offense will be very good unless you make Gerald Wallace a 6th man and put in a Pat Garrity-esque PF who can space the floor and hit the outside shot, even if that's literally all he can do. If you have Howard in the middle, you might as well build a perimeter team around him, and Wallace in the half-court is NOT a perimeter player.

Wallace has to start. No question on that, paid way too much and he is there best one on one defender. Jrich is your 6th. Johnson will be much more consitent when he doesn't constantly have to create his own shot, that dude needs a pg maybe more then anyone else in the league, expect him to average 21p, 4r, 3a. Dwight eats up space down low and lets them spread the floor for driving from Wallace, dish and dumps from Williams, and stop and pops from Johnson. They would have one of the most diverse half court offensives in the league. The would need to figure out a stretch four off the bench, back up pg, back up pf. but in the playoffs that is a dangerous team.

with that said they would be idiots to give up Humphrey and brooks. Brooks could very well be a very valuable trade piece by the end of the year, and Humphrey does everything they would need Dwight to do except block shots for much cheaper. That waste of space Lopez should be traded for any team dumb enough to give up a sack of beans for him.

moistD: Rozotorical: Gunny Highway: Rozotorical: moistD: Now That's What I Call a Taco!: If they end up with a starting 5 of Deron Williams, Jason Richardson, Joe Johnson, "X" (Rashard Lewis for the minimum? Gerald Wallace playing out of position?), and Dwight Howard, that's not "mortgaging the future," that's "legitimate title contender," subby.

an over-rated joe johnson who disappears for quarters/halves/games. A 31 year old beyond his prime/never quite as good as you thought Jason Richardson, a bad knee 32 year old Rashard Lewis + 2 quality players with nothing to put on the bench is not a legitimate title contender.

It is in the east. Look at the teams they would have to play 4-8 times next season. That is a 58-60 win team.

Title contender is still a stretch. Are they a playoff team? Yes.

Any team that could make it to the finals in my head is a title contender. That roster with Rose being out, puts them number two in the east.

Behind Boston. Plus, don't sleep on the Pacers, they are 1 or 2 pieces away from being 2nd best in the East. Depending on where Nash goes could alter some East predictions as well. I still think that team is over-rated.

Nah they would be better then Boston. Boston is going to limp through the season and exit first or second round. The pacers I wouldn't sleep on I think you are right. But they may lose their big man and that will set them back a year or two.