NBA 2013-2014 thread: Wild West and 2 horses in the East

[Toxik916]

The Kings are planning a huge spectacle for opening night and will broadcast the game on tv without comercials.

sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/sacramento-kings-home-opener-broadcast-commercial-free-235058265--nba.html

[Waffel113]

I like to think that when LeBron put his wedding ring on, the rest of the Heat spontaneously appeared and began spraying him with champagne.

[BRV]

Sept 17, 2013 18:21:23 GMT -5 Waffel113 said:

I like to think that when LeBron put his wedding ring on, the rest of the Heat spontaneously appeared and began spraying him with champagne.

I give LeBron James a lot of grief, but the one thing I can't fault him on is the fact that he's a one-woman man. He could land any supermodel or actress he wants, being a multimillion-dollar athlete living in South Florida, but he decides to buy the cow with his longtime girlfriend who really isn't a knockout. Kudos to him. It may be the only time in his life in which he's ever been loyal.

See, there I go again. Two steps forward, one step back.

[suave]

For a title, how about "The King puts a Ring on it"?

[suave]

NBA 2k14's Path to Greatness mode looks awesome. Between that, GTA 5, and WWE 2k14, I've got my christmas break booked already.

[andrew8798]

The Clippers may invite Gilbert Arenas to training camp.

Rotoworld

[suave]

Sept 17, 2013 22:42:07 GMT -5 andrew8798 said:

The Clippers may invite Gilbert Arenas to training camp.

Rotoworld

Didn't he have a bomb squad called in to deal with him the last time he went to LA? It's like Homer Simpson in New York.

[andrew8798]

Heat big man Chris Andersen will not be charged in connection to a 2012 charge of child pornography, as it turns out he was the victim of an internet impersonation scheme.

It has come to light that a woman in Canada was impersonating Andersen online, which led to the original investigation into Birdman's activities. His name has finally been officially cleared and he'll go back to coming off the Heat bench this season as a defensive, rebounding and shot-blocking specialist.

Rotoworld

And

Andrew Bynum is likely to miss the entire preseason as he continues to deal with his return from various knee injuries.

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed Bynum this offseason and is "nowhere near ready," according to a source.

[Deleted]

Paul George is about ready to sign a multi-year extention to his contract, ensuring he'll be a Pacer for years to come.

-Rotoworld

[BK From WV]

Sept 20, 2013 9:33:55 GMT -5 @jdogindy said:

Paul George is about ready to sign a multi-year extention to his contract, ensuring he'll be a Pacer for years to come.

-Rotoworld

Great news. I want to buy a Paul George jersey but I was afraid to because it seems like when I buy a jersey, the player will be traded or sign with a new team the next season. Only jersey I can think of that I owned where it didn't happen was Reggie Miller.

[Toxik916]

This was a full page ad in today's Sacramento Bee.

I love that our new ownership group is calling out ESPN. The transformation from worst to first has already begun and we're gonna rock Sleep Train Arena on our only nationally televised game this year.

[Slingshot Suplay]

So after owning the Kings on the court when he played for the Lakers, Shaq owns them off the court as well:
Shaq joins Kings ownership group

[1 Free Moon-Down with Burger]

First order of business. Change name to Sacramento Queens.

Second order of business. Leave.

[Toxik916]

Joke all you want, but this is big news for us. Having Shaq here immediately gets people talking about the Kings and I have a feeling he'll help lure in big name free agents. Demarcus Cousins will only benefit from having Shaq around as well.

[Toxik916]

Kings close to extending Cousins

The Kings are making more noise today with the news that they're close to extending Demarcus Cousins. I'm hoping it's nowhere near the 5 year 80 million$ max contract that Cousins is seeking. 

[fuzzywarble, squat cobbler]

So the Kings are trying to get themselves to be taken seriously, but:

1). They are trying to re-sign DEMARCUS COUSINS of all people?
2). Their arena is STILL named 'Sleep Train Arena' and, thus, will remain the butt of most NBA-centric jokes?
3). They take out a page where they're practically trying to issue a grade-school 'comeback' to ESPN's justifiable 'insult' naming them one of the worst franchises in sports?
4). They allow their biggest nemesis from their prime (Shaq) to once again own them?

I'll believe the transformation when I see it, but until then, they're still quite a ways away.

[Sektor]

Give Cousins a real coach and a team better than the Pickup Team from Hell and lets see how he acts then. It's weird, players get a lot more upbeat when they're franchise shows an interest in winning. It's not like he's inconsistent, he pounds the boards, scores a lot of points, and is an above-average passer for a big man. If someone can teach him to be atleast decent on defense, than he's absolutely a max contract guy.

[Romeo Hotel]

Sept 20, 2013 9:33:55 GMT -5 @jdogindy said:

Paul George is about ready to sign a multi-year extention to his contract, ensuring he'll be a Pacer for years to come.

-Rotoworld

I read this earlier today. Well deserved.

[Toxik916]

Sept 23, 2013 14:02:21 GMT -5 fuzzywarble, squat cobbler said:

So the Kings are trying to get themselves to be taken seriously, but:

1). They are trying to re-sign DEMARCUS COUSINS of all people?
2). Their arena is STILL named 'Sleep Train Arena' and, thus, will remain the butt of most NBA-centric jokes?
3). They take out a page where they're practically trying to issue a grade-school 'comeback' to ESPN's justifiable 'insult' naming them one of the worst franchises in sports?
4). They allow their biggest nemesis from their prime (Shaq) to once again own them?

I'll believe the transformation when I see it, but until then, they're still quite a ways away.

1). I can slightly agree with, however Demarcus has the potential to be the most dominant big man in the NBA and it would be smart to gamble on building around him.
2). Sleep Train Arena may sound funny and garner some laughter from outsiders, but they are a big local company that does a lot of good for our community. The work they do to benefit local foster kids is extraordinary.
3). Sacramento fans are proud of where our team is headed, and calling us the worst franchise in sports after Vivek Ranadive purchased the Kings from the Maloofs is insulting.
4). Having Shaq on board is an asset because he's getting people to talk about the Kings again.

I don't think people outside of Sacramento grasp just how different this team is being ran now than just 6 months ago. The Kings still lead the league in new season tickets sold and just today Vivek Ranadive said we're at the top of the league in new sponsors.

As far as the basketball side of things goes, acquiring control of the Reno Bighorns was a huge move in getting this franchise in the right direction.

[Raskovnik]

I am so glad for this Kings renaissance. Even people in Sacramento weren't giving a shit about them.