LeBron speaks about an uncertain future in birthday message to D-Wade: “”No matter what happens in the future…”? This is a thing he said? I mean, look, the future’s always uncertain. Things happen. But putting that down in public less than six months from when you’re scheduled to be a free agent if you opt out? That’s a little weird, right? James of course joined Wade in Miami as a free agent in 2010 along with Chris Bosh. The decision was extremely controversial at the time, particularly because it was alleged the plan came together during the 2008 Olympics. James has an opt-out this season, along with Wade and Bosh. Wade is expected to opt-out and re-sign a massive, if not max, extension with Miami. This is probably nothing, but it seemed kind of weird. Also, the jokes about Dwyane Wade looking old on a team that has Greg Oden is weird.”
Is Kyrie Irving a superstar: “Since Kyrie is clearly not playing at a superstar level this season3 it’s perplexing to me that everyone assumes he’s worth superstar money. Every few weeks you’ll hear talking heads on the radio ranting about whether or not Kyrie will end up re-signing with the Cavs, and making the assumption the decision lies exclusively in the Irving camp. That perception is perpetuated by videos such as the little boy asking Kyrie “if he was going to leave like LeBron?” The city was burned once by the hottest girl on the planet and now we’ve all fallen irrationally in love with the first pretty face we saw. I’m all for spending money on a pretty lady, but before I’m willing to write off all other options and give her that fat rock I better be damn sure she’s the one I want going forward. Of the top 40 players in the league based off of PER, 12 are point guards.4 With the league making a point to keep defenders’ hands off of ball handlers, life for point guards in the NBA has never been better or easier. In turn, the league is churning out good, young point guards. With the average age of those aforementioned 12 point guards a ripe 26 years old, don’t expect the league to have a shortage any time soon. All of this only decreases the value of Kyrie Irving. Since good point guards are a dime a dozen these days, it should require a point guard to be leaps and bounds above the average to command a max contract.”
In his own way of paying tribute, Mark Cuban wants one final fine before David Stern retires: “”We talk about it all the time,” Cuban said. “I’m going to have one final fine before he leaves.” Said Stern:”I know he is trying, but our muffin fund coffers are overflowing.” As owner of the Mavericks the last 14 years, Cuban has been fined 19 times totaling about $1.8 million. The biggest fine Cuban ever receieved was a $500,000 hit for saying he wouldn’t hire referee Ed Rush to run a Dairy Queen. Cuban’s last fine came in Jan. 2013 fortweeting after a loss to the then-Hornets, “Im sorry NBA fans. Ive tried for 13 years to fix the officiating in this league and I have failed miserably. Any Suggestions ? I need help.” In the interview with ESPN Dallas though, Cuban was pretty positive about his so-called nemesis, saying he’d give Stern an 85 or 90 out of 100 if he were grading his tenure. “I like David a lot,” Cuban told ESPN Dallas. “David is focused. He’s smart. He’s driven. He’s goal-oriented. He’s relentless. Those are good qualities in a lot of respects. I think, for the most part, he’s done a lot of great things. “He’s always been receptive [to me]. We kind of have two relationships. There’s the public relationship about the officiating. And then there’s the business side. On the business side, we get along great.”
Magic guard Aaron Afflalo looks forward to his return after missing three games: “Swingman Arron Afflalo is on track to play when the Orlando Magic host the Charlotte Bobcats tonight. Afflalo practiced Thursday and participated fully in the Magic’s shootaround this morning without any obvious setbacks, clearing the way for him to return from a right-ankle injury. Afflalo injured his ankle last Friday, during the third quarter of the Magic’s 103-83 loss to theSacramento Kings. The injury has forced him to miss the Magic’s last three games.”
- The Celtics are expected to sign Chris Johnson out of the D-League to a 10-day contract to fill the void on the wing: “In a move that will add depth to their suddenly shrunken roster, the Celtics are expected to sign Rio Grande Valley Vipers small forward Chris Johnson to a 10-day contract on Friday. Johnson has been playing for the Rockets’ affiliate in the NBA Development League, where he is averaging 19.4 points and 6.8 rebounds in 20 games this season. “Chris has been playing very well. We need a wing player, we need someone who can shoot the ball, so Chris will add some depth to our team for now,” president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said before practice Thursday. Johnson played in eight games with the Memphis Grizzlies last season on a pair of 10-day contracts.”
Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter here.