[Scott42444Participant]

I actually turned off my bleacher report team stream because, while I understand it’s purpose of sending me any information about the NBA and my favorite team the Chicago Bulls, it’s become somewhat of a joke.  Here are a couple examples:

Within the timespan of just one day, the Oklahoma City Thunder were both the favorites and now out of the running for the services of Pau Gasol.  I literally had both headlines on my status bar of my cellphone.  While I understand that free agency is a very fluid situation, there were no "sources" cited and there were no meetings taken.  The Gasol situation was literally just spun so much that different media members had completely different information from their "sources".

Today on ESPN1000 in Chicago, Stephen A Smith was discussing Carmelo Anthony.  I personally think that the Bulls are a longshot for his services and that’s okay (although I do believe they are a legit option still for his services).  Why did Stephen A Smith believe Carmelo wouldn’t sign with the Bulls?  Well, for money reasons.  I’m okay with that because it’s been widely reported.  But when asked about a potential sign and trade with the Knicks, Stephen went on to discuss the entire Chicago Bulls roster and talked about how there wasn’t a fit that would "EQUAL" Carmelo Anthony.  I don’t understand how Stephen A Smith forgot about the S&T between the Miami Heat and both Cleveland and Toronto.  Those were based around draft picks, which is the standard that has been set in year’s past.  According to multiple sources in Chicago (KC Johnson, Sam Smith, etc.), Phil Jackson has discussed a desire to recieve salary cap relief for the 2015 free agent period and draft picks in return.  Carlos Boozer has a large contract, but trading him to New York with the non-guaranteed contracts of Amundson, James, and Brewer ($4.2 million that can be erased after the trade since they aren’t guaranteed) aren’t the only assets allowed.  Toronto recieved 2 1st rounders in 2011 (one previously owned by Miami from Toronto from a previous trade) for Bosh.  Cleveland, who as an organization were LIVID at the departure of LeBron James, received 2 1st rounders and 3 2nd rounders as well as a potential pick swap from Miami.  The Bulls have multiple future 1sts (they owe zero picks to other teams) including a Top 10 protected from Sacramento (protected in 2015, 2016, and 2017) which seems more likely to be conveyed to the Bulls than ever (for example, the Kings were the 8th pick this year and is trying to win under it’s new ownership).  They also have the rights to swap picks with the Cavs in the 2015 draft if the Cavs make the playoffs, seemingly more likely in the extremely WEAK Eastern Conference with another #1 pick added to their roster with Wiggins.  I would think that Boozer and non-guaranteed contracts along with 3 1st rounders (Sacramento 1st, Chicago 1st with swapping rights with Cleveland, Chicago 2017 1st) would be the premise of a sign and trade.  Maybe McDermott or Snell or Mirotic added as well, but more as a sweetener.  I don’t think the Knicks would want to walk away with nothing and also with zero cap space IF Carmelo leaves. I actually couldn’t for the life of me remember the last sign and trade in the past 10 years that had significant players exchange rosters.  Grant Hill to the Magic for Ben Wallace? That was about 14 years ago.  Of course, straight trades are different and usually require substantial assets (for example, anyone attempting to trade with Minnesota for Kevin Love).  But with an UFA, the negotiating power of the player’s previous team is GREATLY reduced.  Once again, I am not knocking Stephen A Smith’s opinion on where Melo goes.  I am knocking his complete disregard for the history of sign and trades when forming his very LOUD opinion.

LeBron is once again making fools of everyone by either leaking information just to f-with the media or the media is grasping at straws because of a definite lack of information being leaked out.  

 As was widely reported, a fake Adrian Wojnarowski Twitter account was being used as a source this weekend by multiple NBA writers.

Any other examples?

 

 

 

  

[burgessfourParticipant]

 so I’ve had a lot of exposure to Stephen A. Honestly, I don’t think he even knows hoops very well. He’s mostly just loud, blustery opinions, not a lot of depth to his explanations or reasoning.

[burgessfourParticipant]

 so I’ve had a lot of exposure to Stephen A. Honestly, I don’t think he even knows hoops very well. He’s mostly just loud, blustery opinions, not a lot of depth to his explanations or reasoning.

[DolanCareParticipant]

 Stephen A. Smith knows ZERO about the new CBA. And I’m pretty sure he didn’t know that much about the old either. Whenever MLE, S&Ts or even the amnesty provision (the easiest thing to effing grasp) is brought up he avoids answering the question directly. 

There’s this guy Wayne who works at a bodega near my house. He just yells about Lebron vs. Kobe and other the other finer points debated on First Take. He’s not the kinda guy who will discuss Daryl Morey’s use of the Posion Pill Provision with me. Nor will he have an opinion of using analytic models in college basketball.

But I like Wayne, he’s funny and has great facial expressions when he speaks. I feel the same way about Stephen A…..

[DolanCareParticipant]

 Stephen A. Smith knows ZERO about the new CBA. And I’m pretty sure he didn’t know that much about the old either. Whenever MLE, S&Ts or even the amnesty provision (the easiest thing to effing grasp) is brought up he avoids answering the question directly. 

There’s this guy Wayne who works at a bodega near my house. He just yells about Lebron vs. Kobe and other the other finer points debated on First Take. He’s not the kinda guy who will discuss Daryl Morey’s use of the Posion Pill Provision with me. Nor will he have an opinion of using analytic models in college basketball.

But I like Wayne, he’s funny and has great facial expressions when he speaks. I feel the same way about Stephen A…..

[Author]

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