DBAHO

QUOTE (Real @ Jul 7, 2010 -> 02:23 PM) I was right, its all about the money, just cant believe toronto settled for trash from miami Heat are gonna be mediocre next year, especially if we land boozer+SG like ray allen Or maybe Bosh wanted to go to Miami instead of Chicago (warmer weather, no state income tax). And the Heat can still get Felton and Haywood, and they'll be contenders if they do so. Or they could even wind up back in the Lebron hunt after this. Boozer and Allen isn't going to put the Bulls over the top in the East IMO.

Rotoworld is running with the Bosh and Wade to Miami story right now.

I suppose with the Knicks, Lebron, Amare and Gallinari is an excellent 3-some to build around. They'll probably go after Felton or Ridnour to get a decent PG also. I just don't think they can win a championship under D'Antoni even with Lebron.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Jul 7, 2010 -> 01:47 AM) Didn't Andy win the stage and he's ahead of Contador? Saxo is a much less potent team without Frank Schleck on board, but the brothers tend to ride harder when one of them is hurt - and with Cancellara on the team too, it should be a fun team to watch. I don't think its Andy's year either, but Saxo could win the team title. And I love Armstrong dropping a minute behind Contador after Bruneel basically boasting that they were gonna eat up Contador for breakfast on the pavee. They'll still have a good shot at winning the team title, but Andy just lost some major help when they get into the mountain stages. But he could ride harder from here on out absolutely. Armstrong's in major trouble from here, because I don't think he's got any chance of keeping up with Contador in the mountain stages (just like last year) and he's already bout a minute behind him. He's going to need a big stage from Radioshack in the team time - trial stage to try and catch back up.

Got this from Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld FWIW;

Lebron's ego is so big, it's no surprise to see him doing something like this. It's just quite sad to watch really. There's really not much class at all in doing something like this, when there are a bunch of other guys who are FA's who have to wait until this situation plays out before they can sign with anyone basically.

QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Jul 7, 2010 -> 12:36 AM) They need someone that can actually defend or rebound whether he's a PF or a C (though the latter makes more sense). Hedo and Bargs are both really 3's, Davis is a project rookie, and Amir sucks. Hence why they probably want Varejao then. He'd be a good fit next to Bargnani.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jul 7, 2010 -> 12:22 AM) I have a feeling that they ARE willing to do that though, wouldn't you think adding a couple firsts wouldn't be a big deal? Colangelo is holding out for Noah, I think. Also, I believe the offer the Bulls have on the table of Taj + JJ + CHA 1st + Trade exception is easily as good if not better given their roster makeup after Bosh is out of town. If that deal gets it done, the Bulls will assuredly add their 2012 1st, right? (given they can't trade the 2011) Toronto already has Amir Johnson, Bargnani, Ed Davis, and Hedo to all play in the F spots though, so I can see why they wouldn't have much interest in Taj or JJ when they've already got a logjam there. They need help at the C spot more than anything else.

Calderon would be an excellent fit next to Wade actually. I wonder if they'd have enough cap room to fit in both him and Haywood along with Wade though. If so, Miami becomes an instant contender.

Good day for Evans today, he moved up to 3rd overall. Quite a few cobblestone sections caused a lot of problems. Armstrong finished up more than 2 mins back, while Contador only lost just over 1 minute. Frank Schleck crashed and is out, big blow for Andy Schleck's chances going forward.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 11:00 PM) I hate Boozer's game with a passion. Adding him to the Bulls, along with Redick would be spending a lot of money for a team with a ceiling around 5th place in the Eastern Conference. Which is why a lot depends on whether Boozer wants max money, and whether you think you can win with a core of Rose, Redick, Deng, Boozer and Noah. That team has Atlanta type upside at best in the East I'd say.

QUOTE (scenario @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 10:57 PM) Nah. Bosh wants S&T more than a play-date with his friends. Any bets he ends up in Houston? If so, we still have a shot at Wade. Houston's the wildcard in all of this, simply because Bosh would probably love to play next to Yao, and the Raps would get a very good replacement potentially in Luis Scola and Jordan Hill.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 10:56 PM) I don't even think Haywood would make Bosh/Wade change their mind either way. It's pretty simple...if Raptors decide to do the sign-and-trade with Miami for the Beasley, Chalmers, package, then Carlos Boozer will be the Bulls main FA acquisition. Bosh doesn't want to play center. If the Bulls have to give up Noah to get Bosh, then most likely Bosh is going to have to play center. So my thinking was that if the Mavs would accept a future 1st round pick and a trade exception for Haywood, then Miami can do the Beasley and Chalmers deal for Bosh and they're all set. Boozer would give the Bulls a low post threat, but fathom I remember how much you roasted him in that playoff series against the Lakers. That's what you'll have to put up with him against bigger guys.

If Miami can get Haywood in a sign and trade, and still have the assets to get Bosh along with keeping Wade, I consider them the favourites b/w them and Chicago.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 05:46 PM) Nope. They'd have to make a deal with the Magic. Bulls do have a few exceptions that might work though to the point that the Bulls could do a sign and trade and use the exception and give the magic a draft pick for helping em out. I think we got a trade exception out of the Hedo sign and trade deal from last off-season, so I'm not sure how valuable that's going to be in the end. I'm pretty sure we'll end up matching an offer for him when it's all said and done anyways.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 05:38 PM) I love the idea of Reddick to the Bulls. But not if it means we didn't get a LBJ or Wade, haha. If the Bulls end up gettin 2 max FA's, can they still use the MLE?

Happy b-day Blake, make it a good one!

QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 05:33 PM) You left out Luol Deng, who hurts your flexibility quite a bit. You're very unlikely to sign both Haywood and Allen for the $14-15 mil you'd have left under the cap. And if Allen's going to take less money to leave Boston (which prob isn't happening) that'll probably be with a contender. The Bulls may have a chance with Redick at the full MLE, especially after the Magic signed Duhon today though.

QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 05:12 PM) It's not THAT much easier. How many good defensive big men are you going to be able to find for the MLE? Keep in mind that guys like Amir Johnson and Drew Gooden are getting MLE-level contracts. Haywood for instance some people will get a contract averaging $10M a season once he signs.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 03:18 PM) You're gonna listen to Ric Bucher? Hell no, I'm just saying that it looks more and more that with Lebron looking like he'll stay with Cleveland, and Wade and Bosh going to Miami (with Chicago obviously the other possibility), Chicago could only end up with someone like Boozer, which is what he speculated.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 03:15 PM) I don't buy that at all. There's not a damn thing Toronto could want back in a S&T from Cleveland. There would have to be some kinda investigation if that were to happen. Other than Hickson, I'd agree with you there.

Ric Bucher's tweet from yesterday looks like it's becoming more and more a distinct possibility. And it seems Melo's almost a lock to re-sign with the Nugs for another 3 years FWIW.

Chris Duhon to Orlando, 4 years, 15M overall. We wanted him a few seasons ago when he left Chicago, he'll be a pretty decent backup PG, although it's quite a bit to pay for one.

Worst case scenario from Ric Bucher;

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jul 5, 2010 -> 10:44 PM) Toronto for getting nothing in return. They're basically getting played. But if they're just gonna be offered Luol Deng, Toronto may as well save their cap space, considering they already have another SF in Hedo who makes a lot of money. Gibson could fit as a backup 4, but they just signed Amir Johnson to a big deal also. They need help at the SG and C spots more so than the SF/PF spots.