In typical and no thrills fashion, Tim Duncan opted in for 1 more year at 10.3 million dollars, Patty Mills was resigned for 3 years at approximately 12 million dollars, and Boris Diaw was also resigned for 3 years at 22.5 million dollars!! Oh yeah, I almost forgot that coach Popovich was also signed to a multi-year contract extension. Basically, in English terms, the major players on the Spurs roster are coming back!!! Wow!!!
The biggest loser in the 2014 NBA Free Agency has gotta be the Miami Heat. They appeared in 4 consecutive NBA Finals and won it back-to-back in 2012 and 2013. In 2011, they lost to the Dallas Mavericks and this year, our beloved San Antonio Spurs beat them!!
The Big 3 of Miami, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James all opted out of there 20 million dollar contracts and became free agents (meaning they could sign anywhere). The only one I really cared about was LeBron James and I was kinda hoping we would sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers (he is from Akron and played for the Cavs from 2003 to 2010…he signed a free agent deal in 2010 with the Heat).
Look at Lebron’s trophy’s (thanks WIKI):
2× NBA champion (2012–2013)
2× NBA Finals MVP (2012–2013)
4× NBA Most Valuable Player (2009–2010,2012–2013)
2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2006, 2008)
After a bunch of media speculation on where will LeBron James go (none was written by me), he finally made and is coming back to Cleveland!!! Man, Cleveland is gonna be the city to be…James playing basketball and Johnny Manziel playing football!!! I can’t stop humming the Drew Carey Show opening theme song called “Cleveland Rocks” by the Presidents of the United States of America.
The Cavs will be a playoff team immediately and I wouldn’t surprised if they made a trip to the NBA Finals (LeBron can easily carry a team on his shoulders).
I also have a feeling that Miami (even if Bosh and Wade return) may end up missing the playoffs!!
I definitely think that had the Miami Heat won the 2014 NBA Championship, the Big 3 would not have opted out and this BLOG would be about Tim Duncan retiring!!! So, in essence, way to go Spurs…we broke up the BIG 3 and assisted in getting James back to his hometown.
I do have some preferences on other free agents and what team should sign them…
Chris Bosh should sign with the Rockets. I know if this happens, the Rockets will be one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference playoffs next year. NOTE: I just read that Bosh has re-signed with the Miami Heat for 5 years for 118 millions dollars. Holy shit, that is 23.6 million dollars per year (trust me, I am a stat man). Gosh, that may end up to be the highest salary in the NBA this season and to be honest, I think it is way overpriced. Man, the highest paid player on the Spurs is Tony Parker at 12.5 million dollars!! Makes you wonder that money isn’t everything, it is more about the people you bring in.
Dwyane Wade should re-sign with the Miami Heat and retire in a few years as a Heat lifer.
Carmelo Anthony should sign with the Lakers or the Bulls.
Pao Gasol should sign with the Memphis Grizzlies (so he can play with his brother). Man, if that happens, the Grizzlies will also be one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference playoffs next year. But, I really want him to sign with the Spurs!!!
If Pau doesn’t sign with the Spurs (we have 1 spot open for about 5 million dollars), I would like to land Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Mike Miller, Paul Pierce, Caron Butler, Shawn Marion, or even Mark Lieberman!!! A list of Spur killers, but if they land on our team, I know we will embrace them with open arms.
