[smackdown1111]

The year Detroit won did they have any all-stars that year? If they did I would assume it would have been either Ben Wallace or Richard Hamilton, but I don't remember TBH, just wondering now that you brought it up.

[phoenixnash]

Originally Posted by He Hate Me

Oops. Typo.



Name one NBA TEAM that has won an NBA Championship without an All-Star on their team. There are none. You can't win if you don't have at least one star player.



KiNgoFKiNgS23 I guess we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?

Mayo will never be an All-Star if he stays with the Grizz. He's not a household name and you have to be a winner to be an All-Star...to get votes he has to get more TV time which I doubt they'll get. And for him to be chosen as a reserve he has to carry that grizz team to at least .500 team which will not happen anytime soon. After that he will have to beat a bunch of great guards that he will be competing with in the next 3-4 years, Kobe, AI, Nash, Paul, Deron, Parker, Roy, Ginobili, Kevin Martin, Davis, Ellis, etc.

Besides the Wolves already has an All-Star in Al Jefferson, he just needs to win more games to be considered

So dont worry too much on having an All-Star or even winning a championship team...build a team first and everything will come into place. And that's what Mchale did, he also added some more beef in the middle by getting Cardinal and Collins. Besides, should Mayo for some stroke of luck becomes an All-Star maybe (and thats a huge maybe) in 4 years...you probably have signed a certified All-Star in 2010 because of Miller's contract.

Memphis is just getting rid of the bigger contracts as rumors are spreading that they are trying to sell this team.

[100%Caborn]

I concur with the notion that Mayo will be a star. In the long run, I do think that Memphis will be the winner in the deal.

Sure, they have like 10000000000000000 point guards, but I expect 1) Marko Jaric will not play big minutes, perhaps he'll be bought out 2)A couple of those point guards will play some 2-guard 3) Mayo will slide to the 2 position in later years. You know another player who was projected to be a tweener guard? Dwyane Wade. At an inch (according to google sources) shorter than Mayo, he's turned out okay. with a little added muscle, there's no reason Mayo shouldn't ease into that transition as well.

It's obvious the main reason the Grizz did this trade was to cut payroll (as obnoxious that was the way they did it) but to get a guard-forward tandem in Gay and Mayo isn't a bad outcome. The Grizz would have traded Miller for crap anyway, so at least in this trade they got something profitable.

What I don't get is that people are quick to label OJ Mayo a 'bust' or that he'll never be a star. It's amusing to me that these same people project pieces of potential to be the next LeBron James. Go with the talent. The Clippers did that and they netted arguably the steal of last year's draft.

By the way, even if it is Memphis, if OJ Mayo pans out and becomes a star, there WILL be more viewers and in turn more $$$. We all saw how Memphis backed up Derrick Rose and the tigers...

Oh, and the NBA would rapidly pick up on the Grizzlies if Mayo became the next big star in the NBA.

Re-reading a couple of posts here I get the idea that you guys are going by 'allstar by definition', as in Mayo making the allstar game. That's a good argument but you guys remember the Carter years...T-Mac? They never really won much. They were just exciting players. And if you're playing the most marketable city card...Carter got quite the attention in TORONTO.

[Venge™]

Originally Posted by phoenixnash

Mayo will never be an All-Star if he stays with the Grizz. He's not a household name and you have to be a winner to be an All-Star...to get votes he has to get more TV time which I doubt they'll get. And for him to be chosen as a reserve he has to carry that grizz team to at least .500 team which will not happen anytime soon. After that he will have to beat a bunch of great guards that he will be competing with in the next 3-4 years, Kobe, AI, Nash, Paul, Deron, Parker, Roy, Ginobili, Kevin Martin, Davis, Ellis, etc.

Besides the Wolves already has an All-Star in Al Jefferson, he just needs to win more games to be considered

So dont worry too much on having an All-Star or even winning a championship team...build a team first and everything will come into place. And that's what Mchale did, he also added some more beef in the middle by getting Cardinal and Collins. Besides, should Mayo for some stroke of luck becomes an All-Star maybe (and thats a huge maybe) in 4 years...you probably have signed a certified All-Star in 2010 because of Miller's contract.

Memphis is just getting rid of the bigger contracts as rumors are spreading that they are trying to sell this team.

Like you said, Mayo becoming an all-star is dependent on whether he can help the team win or not. If the Grizzlies add some of nice pieces over the next couple of years or so, and they start winning, then Mayo can definately become an all-star. Saying he'll never become an all-star with the Grizzlies is pretty ignorant imo. I don't think anyone expected the Blazers to have the season they did without Oden, nor did anyone expect Brandon Roy to become an all-star in his second year. To me, Mayo has that potential. Maybe not right off the bat, but in a few years he could definately make some noise. And just like the Blazers, if they start winning, they'll get all the hype and attention as well.

You know, as for the Wolves, they've got a nice offensive team, and they'll be fun to watch down the road.....it's just too bad no one on that team can play a lick of defense, and you know what they say. Defense wins championships.

[phoenixnash]

Originally Posted by Venge™

Saying he'll never become an all-star with the Grizzlies is pretty ignorant imo. I don't think anyone expected the Blazers to have the season they did without Oden, nor did anyone expect Brandon Roy to become an all-star in his second year. To me, Mayo has that potential. Maybe not right off the bat, but in a few years he could definately make some noise. And just like the Blazers, if they start winning, they'll get all the hype and attention as well.

I suggest you do not use the word "IGNORANT" and back it up with "potential and definite". Justify your post with facts not on prediction. Potential means possibility there's no such thing as a "definite potential".

I said Mayo will never be an All-Star IF he stays with Memphis because of the reasons I stated. If you think those 3reasons does not make any sense...then you are an idiot. Dont compare the Blazers to the Grizzlies and expect this team to turnaround like they did. The Blazers has invested well on young talents and has gotten rid of bad contracts (Randolph). The Grizz has acquired bad players (Kwame, Walker) and bad contracts (Jaric). If they go .500 with this team before the break... then I would vote everyday for the whole team to make it to the All-Star game.

Mayo is not a household name like Lebron when he first came in, and unlike Wade and Roy...OJ did not play well and went far on his only NCAA tournament which further slimmed his popularity. Just so you know college games are not shown worldwide. And when was the last time did ESPN show a Memphis game? Maybe at most once a year? I bet you outside the US that most of them do not know 5 players in that team and half of them would still think that Gasol is still Pau.

He's in the Western conference...which means its harder to get a win and when you no have at least 10 teams that are solid playoff contenders. And that means better players to compete with...Baron Davis didnt even make last year's All-Star game. Instead of comparing Mayo to Roy, his situation is more of Kevin Martin and Kevin Durant. A (potentially) good player in bad teams... let me give you a list of names who did not made the All-Star and their average points last year

Kevin Martin - 23.7
Corey Maggette - 23.6
Baron Davis - 21.8
Tracy McGrady - 21.6
Kevin Durant - 20.6
Monta Ellis - 20.3
Rudy Gay - 20.2
Josh Howard - 20.1
MAnu Ginobili - 19.5

And these are all guards... Even if he averages 20 PPG which I doubt he can do in 2 years sharing the offense with Gay. If the Grizzlies are not over .500 by All-Star break...none of them are going to be selected. Davis, Ellis, Howard, Ginobili...their teams are above .500 and still didnt made the cut. Stats dont lie. And you're saying that a bunch of most overrated and underachieving players (Brown, Milicic, Walker, Jaric) as Mayo's backup will turn around this team in the next 2 years?


Ignorance - lack of knowledge, education, or awareness

[100%Caborn]

Originally Posted by phoenixnash

I suggest you do not use the word "IGNORANT" and back it up with "potential and definite". Justify your post with facts not on prediction. Potential means possibility there's no such thing as a "definite potential".

I said Mayo will never be an All-Star IF he stays with Memphis because of the reasons I stated. If you think those 3reasons does not make any sense...then you are an idiot. Dont compare the Blazers to the Grizzlies and expect this team to turnaround like they did. The Blazers has invested well on young talents and has gotten rid of bad contracts (Randolph). The Grizz has acquired bad players (Kwame, Walker) and bad contracts (Jaric). If they go .500 with this team before the break... then I would vote everyday for the whole team to make it to the All-Star game.

Mayo is not a household name like Lebron when he first came in, and unlike Wade and Roy...OJ did not play well and went far on his only NCAA tournament which further slimmed his popularity. Just so you know college games are not shown worldwide. And when was the last time did ESPN show a Memphis game? Maybe at most once a year? I bet you outside the US that most of them do not know 5 players in that team and half of them would still think that Gasol is still Pau.

He's in the Western conference...which means its harder to get a win and when you no have at least 10 teams that are solid playoff contenders. And that means better players to compete with...Baron Davis didnt even make last year's All-Star game. Instead of comparing Mayo to Roy, his situation is more of Kevin Martin and Kevin Durant. A (potentially) good player in bad teams... let me give you a list of names who did not made the All-Star and their average points last year

Kevin Martin - 23.7
Corey Maggette - 23.6
Baron Davis - 21.8
Tracy McGrady - 21.6
Kevin Durant - 20.6
Monta Ellis - 20.3
Rudy Gay - 20.2
Josh Howard - 20.1
MAnu Ginobili - 19.5

And these are all guards... Even if he averages 20 PPG which I doubt he can do in 2 years sharing the offense with Gay. If the Grizzlies are not over .500 by All-Star break...none of them are going to be selected. Davis, Ellis, Howard, Ginobili...their teams are above .500 and still didnt made the cut. Stats dont lie. And you're saying that a bunch of most overrated and underachieving players (Brown, Milicic, Walker, Jaric) as Mayo's backup will turn around this team in the next 2 years?


Ignorance - lack of knowledge, education, or awareness

Why is the argument whether Mayo will make the all-star game? Lol, who cares as long as he becomes a star-quality player. I thought the argument was whether Mayo was going to pan out.

[NCIH Damage]

So Baron Davis opts of his deal. Arenas is reportedly about to get a 6 yr/ 127 million dollar offer...and the Heat are looking to trade for Elton Brand.

Hmm.

I still think the Bulls can trade Kirk Hinrich to someone. Him, and his 4 year contract need to leave town.

And speaking of leaving....LeBron to the Brooklyn Nets in 2010. Lock.

[BobLoblaw™]

Arenas pondering offers, will talk to Abe Pollin

Gilbert Arenas will soon board a flight to Toronto and then China for a promotional trip he's doing for Adidas. When he lands later today, Arenas is scheduled to have a phone conversation with Wizards' owner Abe Pollin. The subject will be Washington's offer of a lucrative longterm contract.

As I first reported early this morning via the blog, the Wizards offered Arenas a maximum level contract, one that would pay the three-time all-star around $124 million over six years. According to my sources, the offer came shortly after the Golden State Warriors aggressively jumped out and offered Arenas a five-year deal worth just over $100.

The Warriors, who drafted Arenas in the second round in 2001 and lost him when the Wizards signed him to $65 million deal in 2003, had the cash available after Baron Davis surprisingly opted out of the final year of his contract.

Getting Arenas back would be a huge move for the Warriors because he remains a popular player in the Bay Area. When the Wizards play in Oakland each season, it's interesting that many Warriors fans can still be seen wearing Arenas jerseys (they still love Antawn Jamison as well).

The word on the street is that Davis, a Los Angeles native, has a deal in place with the Clippers where he would join forces with Elton Brand.

According to my sources, Arenas will likely remain a Wizard but the question is whether he will take less than the max in order to help the team remain under the luxury tax threshold (expected to be around $71 million) and help Ernie Grunfeld make more moves.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/wizar...rs_will_t.html

[phoenixnash]

Originally Posted by 100%Caborn

Why is the argument whether Mayo will make the all-star game? Lol, who cares as long as he becomes a star-quality player. I thought the argument was whether Mayo was going to pan out.

Oh I did not ever say that Mayo will never be good, because who knows how far this guy will go. But apparently for some people that the reasons I pointed out why Mayo will not be an All-Star is "ignorance". And that's the reason why I didnt quote you.

Nobody here is arguing about who got the better talent in the draft because that is quite obvious... but its more of who was the better team after the draft. Did the Grizz got more by trading Miller and getting Mayo...we have to wait and see...but did TWolves did a better job in this deal? No doubt... they got rid of Jaric's contract and got rid of one of their combo guards. Got back a consistent outside threat and his very attractive 2010 expiring contract. Furthermore, the Wolves got much needed help for Jefferson by acquiring bangers Love, Collins,and Cardinal...and the best part is you get rid of Antoine Walker.

Memphis is just a complete mess, not only that they are taking bad players but bad contracts as well. And for you to say that Mayo will be the difference maker and turn around this team...is too much to believe. Even if he turns out to be a great player...he will be needing a good support especially down low where the West is very strong.

[100%Caborn]

Originally Posted by phoenixnash

Oh I did not ever say that Mayo will never be good, because who knows how far this guy will go. But apparently for some people that the reasons I pointed out why Mayo will not be an All-Star is "ignorance". And that's the reason why I didnt quote you.

Nobody here is arguing about who got the better talent in the draft because that is quite obvious... but its more of who was the better team after the draft. Did the Grizz got more by trading Miller and getting Mayo...we have to wait and see...but did TWolves did a better job in this deal? No doubt... they got rid of Jaric's contract and got rid of one of their combo guards. Got back a consistent outside threat and his very attractive 2010 expiring contract. Furthermore, the Wolves got much needed help for Jefferson by acquiring bangers Love, Collins,and Cardinal...and the best part is you get rid of Antoine Walker.

Memphis is just a complete mess, not only that they are taking bad players but bad contracts as well. And for you to say that Mayo will be the difference maker and turn around this team...is too much to believe. Even if he turns out to be a great player...he will be needing a good support especially down low where the West is very strong.

Cardinal is not a banger, far from it...he's just the same as Walker... and 'Toine has a team option in his contract so he's basically an expiring contract. Jaric will be expire after next season. Collins is another overpaid big the Grizz got rid of. Like I said before, they were going to give Miller away anyway so at least in this trade they packaged him for a high draft pick.

As for the Wolves, Love & Jefferson? Tell me who's going to protect the paint. Their defense is going to be atrocious. The Wolves acquired more depth but at the price of their future PG or SG. To top it off, they'll probably lose Craig Smith this summer, and heck, the Grizzlies could use him.

You're acting like Grizz are a financial mess. They are not. The Grizz are going to suck for a couple of more years, so they will get some lottery picks to spend on big men. They have a lot of guards so there will be trade opportunities (I'm envisioning a Conley for David Lee-type deal). Also, if the owner sells the team maybe the new owner will spend some of that free cap on a free agent.

Say Conley & Jaric are traded for Lee and Rose's expiring contract. That leaves them with 4 young, core players--Crittenton, Mayo, Gay, Lee, along with future draft picks. Shoot, I wouldn't be surprised if Love becomes the next David Lee.

The only burden they have is Marko Jaric and he expires next season. A trade like the above mentioned would eliminate that burden.

Stars win games in this league. If you get the chance to trade 2 solid players for 1 star, you do it. Mayo may not be a star, but it's a gamble many GM's would be willing to take.