Shaq deal close to finish

Mid Level exception?

I just read there is something called the Larry Bird exception that allows a team to re-sign its own free agent for any amount up to the maximum player salary. So its cool, Spurs will kick ass for years to come.

Originally posted by unfocused
I don\'t see how it could be THAT bad for the Lakers.  Shaq isn\'t gonna be around for another 5 years unlike the other guys hes getting traded for.  

Grant is a hard worker, he won\'t score the points Shaq does but hes a decent rebounder.  Caron Butler still has a lot of potential and Lamar Odom can be dominate if he actually tries hard.  Odom was unstoppable at times against the Pacers in the playoffs.  In the long run the Lakers will be better off because Kobe won\'t be feuding with these guys like he was with Shaq.  Also the Lakers add a little depth to the lineup.  They\'ll have either Butler, Malone, or Odom off the bench.  Not too bad.

The Heat however get an older Shaq with a huge contract.  They don\'t have a very good bench and lost one of their better bench players earlier this week when Toronto signed Rafer Alston.  The Heat starting lineup won\'t look as good as LA\'s.  They\'ll have Shaq, Jones, and Wade.  Thats it.  LA will have Grant, Malone, Odom, Kobe, Payton and Butler probably off the bench.

So are you saying shaq is all washed up?

Shaq isn\'t washed up but he\'s definitely passed his pinnacle and on a decrescendo towards his retirement and the hall of fame. As long as his knees are good he still should be a dominant, strong player. As younger and more talented players fill up the rosters, though, he\'ll soon be too slow to stop the less than mediocre players.

From various articles I\'ve read, I\'m not as angry as I once was... I mean if you look at the Lakers\' roster now, its pretty stacked. Nobody will replace Shaq, but I think the Lakers can definitely make the playoffs next year.

Uh, Di, I\'d like to see a link where you saw that "stacked" roster.

Shaq would do juuuust fine in Miami. Despite the fact that he may be past his prime, he\'s still WAY better than any center in the Eastern Conference as far as an overall player. As for Kobe, he\'s a virus. He is the Terrell Owens of Basketball.

...No wonder you like him, Di

See Yuz.

Actually I have never really liked Terrell Owens. I wasn\'t complaining when he got touchdowns, but this previous season just really made me despise him. He asked for the ball, and couldn\'t catch it. Good riddance.

So it\'s official: Shaq for Odom, Grant, and Butler and a 1st round pick.

[videoholic]

What if the Miami Heat moved to Las Vegas?

http://www.benmaller.com/archives/2004/july/12-las_vegas_heat.html

Freestylah still wouldn\'t like them.  At least not until they get good.  Then he\'ll support them.

Actually the Heat have always been my favorite team in the East, and second favorite team all around. It would be awesome for this city if they came here... This place is just begging for a professional team.

[videoholic]

it will be interesting to see if a city like Ls Vegas could land a team in any pro sport.

I would think it\'s busy enough. Is it even big enough to handle it?

[videoholic]

Vegas?  They have a rather large population actually.  Let alone the tourist population who are probably more likely to go to a game than the locals.

I mean geographically, how big is LV?

Financially Vegas could definitely support a team.  The ONLY reason they don\'t have one right now is because all the major leagues are afraid to associate themselves with gambling.

Oh, and if the Shaq deal goes through, I think they are one of the best teams in the NBA, and a definite favorite in the east.  The #4 team in the conference added Shaq without losing their best player.  Amazing.