Check out what Bill Simmons had to say about Joe Johnson today:
“Put it this way, Joe Johnson: Knicks fans aren’t exactly going to be pouring champagne on each other because their team just signed the 29-year-old alpha dog of the 2009-10 Atlanta Hawks — a team that was nearly embarrassed by the depleted Bucks, got taken to the woodshed by Orlando (four blowout losses by a playoff-record 101 points) and quit on their coach Bud Kilmer-style multiple times — on the heels of a three-year, 28-game playoff run in which you averaged an 18-5-4 and shot 41 percent from the field. You cannot win a title if Joe Johnson is one of the two guys making max money on your salary cap unless the other guy is named “LeBron.” Desperate NBA teams with money to burn this summer, consider yourselves warned.”
Hold on…let me e-mail that paragraph to Gar Forman…
Johnson is also taking his lumps in an ESPN roundtable discussion about the most disappointing players in the 2010 playoffs. J.A. Adande helpfully reminded me that Joe had some strong words heading into the postseason:
“I’m going into these playoffs with a chip on my shoulder. Not only do I want to prove I’m one of the best players in the league but that we have one of the best teams in the league. Honestly, I’m really not trying to prove it to anybody but myself. I just want to know that, if necessary, I can put this team on my back and take us as far as we can go. … The postseason is when players are made in this league. That means coming up with that big play or the big shot to put your team over the hump to get a win. The best players step up.”
And then Johnson stepped down. As Adande put it: “He was supposed to be a non-LeBron Plan B in free agency this summer. After this performance, why would anyone plan to spend big money on him?”
As for Boozer: he may or may not be a good fit for the Bulls — personally, I have concerns he may be a little undersized at power forward — but there’s a pretty strong chance he’ll be available on the open market. The reason? Money, of course.
According to Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune: “The NBA’s latest projections call for next season’s luxury-tax threshold to be set at $68 million. Assuming they end up with the No. 9 pick, the Jazz’s newest rookie would be expected to make $2.4 million next season. That would leave the Jazz about $9 million to spend in deciding about re-signing free agents Boozer, Wesley Matthews, Kyle Korver and Kyrylo Fesenko without pushing their payroll into luxury-tax territory for the second consecutive season.”
Don’t forget: 1) Last summer, the Jazz spent a lot of money to retain Boozer’s backup, Paul Milsap. 2) Utah has the right to the Knicks’ first round draft pick, which means they could try to fill the Boozer gap through the draft. So unless the Jazz want to take a big luxury tax hit, Chicago — along with Miami, New York and New Jersey — will be eligible for the Carlos Boozer sweepstakes.
You might be the stupidest person in the world DJ. I’m gonna leave it at that.
How am I stupid? you keep say that with no comebacks! thats like me saying to you your gay in every comment by not responding to your comments.
So your telling me Lebron is just going to tell Cleveland to fuck off and leave without telling them nothing? That is not how it works.
If Lebron James is planning on leaving Cleveland, he has to make sure they also get back players that they are willing to take to make them happy mean they want: Deng, Gibson, J.J, Noah and the Bulls 1st round draft pick from them to be happy. It is only fair in what Cleveland has done for him it like the Mafia of NBA.
meaning*
Yeah that is how it works. Do you think any free agent that ever leaves a team in any sport makes sure that his old team is taken care of? That’s why I left it at that, because I don’t need to come back on you because your so stupid you do it yourself. Really DJ you have no idea about any of the things you are talking about. You print stupid ass things just to argue for the sake of it. None of the things you say are correct or make any sense. So you hold out for Rudy Gay and David Lee and I will just wait and see what happens.
Now the NBA is like the Mafia? He owes it to the Cavs because they drafted him? You really have no clue. It’s almost sad how stupid you are.
OMG! stop flipping my words around by making yourself look smart!
Dude, I said ONLY IF HE IS A FRANCHISE PLAYER!!! (MEAN HE HAS A LOT OF VALUE STUPID!!!) and the team does not want him to return.
that when he can just walk way, when Cav’s don’t want him to return!
What part of his MVP resume do you not understand that LB is worth in the NBA market world? That is why the Cleveland does not want him to leave. HE DOES HAS THE OPTION TO DO SO BUT, HE AS TO GIVE CLEVELAND OF PLAYER THAT THEY WILL EXPECT TO REPLACE HIM!
The thing your not getting is they don’t have a say in it. NONE, ZERO. They can want him all they want but if he chooses to leave they get nothing unless they take whatever a team offers them in a sign and trade. Lebron wont let any team offer up the players he wants to play with. Your logic is so retarded that I almost feel sorry for you.
He doesn’t have to give them anything you jackass. He can walk away and move on. It’s called being a free agent. What don’t you get about that? Players don’t make sure there old team is set up for them to leave. They just leave. It’s business. You once again make no point worth listening to and you still in your head think your right so whatever man keep on being stupid.
Your the 1 that is stupid, I was just giving you this long ass example to try to make you understand what would happen if LeBron does not resign back with the Cav’s (which he will resign back with them!!!) What part of his MVP resume are you not getting? I understand he is a Free-agent but, if he just walks away without giving the Cav’s nothing in return for them of what they have done for him to make him famous, it’s a disrespect to their Franchise. Not only that other teams will start thinking to them self man this guys is dick. I can imagine if I was in Cav’s shoes and he just took out on me without saying nothing I would be pissed off and that would leave bad blood with coach and GM’s.
this guy is a dick*
coaches, GM’s and managers*
It’s a Business and that is what you don’t get. He owes them nothing man. It’s a Business first. You wont understand that though.
What they have done for him???? Before he got there that team was trash!! The only reason they are ever on TV is because he is on the team!! They made him famous?? are you fucking kidding me??? He made them famous!! You really are just saying shit to say it now.
MY POINT IS THAT CLEVELAND GAVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO LET HIMSELF GET FAMOUS AND DEVELOP INTO A BIIGER STAR BY PROVIDING HIM WITH TALENTED PLAYERS AND COACHES….
Yeah lots of talent around him….that is weak dude.
SO HE OWES THEM THAT MUCH… LIKE I SAY THEIR IS NO BAD BLOOD BETWEEN THEM! SO THEIR IS NO REASON FOR ME TO BE SAY ALL THIS STUFF! I WAS JUST GIVING U ANY EXAMPLE DUMB ASS!!! OF WHAT IF THAT HAPPENS AND HE LEAVES? WHICH HE WON”T!!!!!
I AM WEAK??? LOOK WHO IS TALKING??? JUST WAIT AND SEE WHEN HE RESIGN BACK WITH THE CAV’S TO A 3-4 YEAR CONTRACT THEN WE WILL SEE WHO IS REALLY STUPID!!! (I AM JUST REALLY TIRED OF YOU, THAT IS WHY I AM MISS SPELLING A LOT OF WORDS LOL!
Now it’s a 3-4 year contract when before it was a max deal he was staying for because he could get more money. Dude i read what boppinbob said to. Get your own ideas.
OMG STOP READ MY COMMENTS!!! THAT IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE SMART ASS!!! 3-4 or max or WHER EVER HE WILL SIGN THAT CONTRACT WITH CLEVELAND THIS SUMMER THAT IS MY TRUE POINT!!!!
STOP AND*
EITHER WAY, I DID NOT TAKE THAT FROM BOPPINBOB OTHER NBA REPORTERS HAVE SAID 1st! THAT LB IF HE WANT MORE MONEY WHICH HE DOES HE WILL STAY WITH CLEVELAND!!!! R U FINALLY UNDERSTANDING MY MESSAGE??? OF ALL THIS B.S THAT I AM WRITING TO U MEAN THAT LEBRON IS STAYING WITH CLEVELAND THAT IT THEIR IS NO MORE!!!!!
MESSAGE!!!!
Ok Dj I’m through talking to you because you are the most ignorant person I have ever debated with and honestly if people read the 50 different things you have flip flopped on and your reasoning behind them then they will see for themselves how ignorant you really are.
ey dj or lopass or garcia u said this summer that if the bulls got off to a bad start that the bulls should trade deng for either gay or even durrant…. thats what you said dont backtrackknow …we know how much u love to do thatand the reason u gave is that the teams would not give them the money they where going to want… so let me see if i understand what the hell u where talking about then…. lets not pay a younger better player in durrant or gay but lets trade with the bulls for an over paid player… thats what u said dj garcia lopass who ever u are u are a fuckin idiot like max said…like i said before all the gm have a higher iq than a fish so thats not going to happen u monky……
Damn Max, you really don’t have a life, please stop making up other people up like mike now, I had a feeling your were a lame ass but, damn not this lame lol. Anyway, TO answer your question Max(mike), I never said I would love to have Durrant! I only said I would love to have Rudy Gay for Deng you dumb shit. N i am the 1 that does not know how to read. Like I said b4 that was your other friends lopez or garcia telling you that shit. So please stop making yourself look stupid max I mean mike who ever you are. lol
No one creates multiple accounts you stupid little man. So when you talk to me, talk to me. I have never said anything about you wanting Durant. He would be to much of a good player for you to want. You like scrubs like Lee and Gay. I don’t have anything else for someone who thinks the NBA is like the Mafia. Yes you said that you dipshit. It’s in print.
Well it is! especially when we are talking about Lebron James! CLEAVELAND FRANCHISE PLAYER NO GRAY lol. WHAT PART OF THAT MESSAGE DO YOU DON”T GET???
IN other words he is not leave! Idk why do I keep bring up the subject if he leave. It is out of the question! he is stay with Cleveland I am sure of it!
Thank you Bill!
Bill why are you sure of it? Besides loyalty to his state and the most money he can get?
Yup, u pretty much said it all Max, Loyalty to his teammates, state, fans and he can get more money. DUH!!!
with them.
Since you and Bill are the same person then I guess it makes sense why you would answer for him.
Nope, just making point to you Max-Aaron-Mike-trm3 (basically the same person)
Nope, just making my point*
Max, I can speak for myself and I am sorry but, I kind of agree with this crazy fan Dj lol
Of Lebron James staying with Cleveland when it is all said and done.
Ok but I hope that is all you agree with him on because his knowledge of the Nba and how it works is pathetic.
HAH! look who is talking MAX???
Bill please don’t listen to this fake ass lier that can’t keep his stories straight! and he likes changing his words around, when other people are making him look stupid…
1st of all max, you said at the beginning of your comments you wanted: WADE, BOSH & LEBRON! When the Bulls can only sign one max player dumb ass not all 3 of them at once! THEN you change your wrords around like always, after I kept repeating myself that Lee and Gay will come out cheaper then trying to just sign one of those Top guys and then you said: “NO I just want Lebron James and then we are a championship team! Max, please quit, I can keep going all day……
HAH! look who is talking MAX???
Bill please don’t listen to this fake ass lier that can’t keep his stories straight! and he likes changing his words around, when other people are making him look stupid…
1st of all max, you said at the beginning of your comments you wanted: WADE, BOSH & LEBRON! When the Bulls can only sign one max player dumb ass not all 3 of them at once! THEN you change your wrords around like always, after I kept repeating myself that Lee and Gay will come out cheaper then trying to just sign one of those Top guys and then you said: “NO I just want Lebron James and then we are a championship team! Max, please quit, I can keep going all day……
good one, crazy dj lol
but, y did my copy and paste comment that you wrote was posted b4 me weird lol
Idk??? that is weird billy kid lol jk
@ Max & DJ
I see both of your strong arguments and I am sorry DJ but, I agree with you lol. I don’t see Lebron leaving his hometown Cleveland. We could try like Max is saying but, then again why waste all that time and energy to sign him when he is not planning on leave. That is just my option…..
Ur boi aka
Papi chulo Lopez lol
Your still a liar and now your just trying to talk shit. You know I have never said Bosh and wade and I never said get Lebron and leave it at that. You are doing what you always do. Making a big scene pounding on your chest and hoping that people wont see how fucking stupid you are. If it’s in print copy and paste it and show me where I said that.
Chris Bosh would be a better fit for the Bulls. They have no low scoring threat.
It’s to late Max, that comment that you posted along time ago was deleted (your lucky), Anywayz that is not my main point! My main point is that Lebron James signs back with Cleveland, and the Bulls end up with hopefully 2-3 really good semi-star player!
Hey is better then nothing…