2013-2014 NBA Season

[edjax]

But didn't the Spurs actually draft their Big 3?

[thelakelander]

Well they did actually tank back in the 1990s, which resulted in them drafting Duncan. Nevertheless, the money their big 3 have freed up by taking less than market value in salaries, they've surrounded them with free agent acquisitions and trades.

[edjax]

Actually even Leonard was a draft pick of theirs also. So their core has all been drafted by them. Yes the others may have taken less to stay with the team, but that is their loyalty to their team, not loyalty to a couple of other players to try and make it as easy as they can to make the finals.  One of those franchises is most likely respected by the majority of fans and the other one most likely is not.

[thelakelander]

Actually, Leonard was not a Spurs draft pick. He was drafted by the Pacers. The Spurs traded George Hill for him. Danny Green, Boris Diaw, Marco Belinelli, Patty Mills, etc. were all free agent signings. I'd argue that these five are the reason San Antonio won.  All of them would not be able to be on that team if their aging big 3 had not agreed to take less money throughout their careers. The Heat's set up is essentially a mix between the Spurs model and Boston's arrangement of their former Big 3.  If teams want to compete long term, they have to find guys willing to put personal greatest and income aside for winning at the team level.

I think a lot of the "non-respect" for the Heat by other fans is simply hate, sprinkled in with a lot of jealously. Put those three on any other team, and those fans would lose their hate and immediately do cartwheels.  It's all good though.  I was jealous of Jordan and the Bulls during the 1990s.  The Mourning/Hardaway teams (or any other team in the league), never had a chance against a prime Jordan and his stacked roster.

[edjax]

And when was that trade for Leonard?  Draft night. Being a big NBA fan I am sure you realize draft night trades are hey you pick OUR guy and we will trade.  Sorta like draft night this year when they PG from CT was drafted and the announcers were saying this is actually Miami's pick. 

I am sure a lot,of the hate is jealousy no doubt, but at same time I never hear that hate for the Spurs with their 5 championships in 10 years. 

[ProjectMaximus]

I think a lot of the "non-respect" for the Heat by other fans is simply hate, sprinkled in with a lot of jealously. Put those three on any other team, and those fans would lose their hate and immediately do cartwheels.  It's all good though.  I was jealous of Jordan and the Bulls during the 1990s.  The Mourning/Hardaway teams (or any other team in the league), never had a chance against a prime Jordan and his stacked roster.

Very true. I was anti-Lebron for the first couple years with the Heat, but I've grown out of it. The fact that y'all won those two championships actually helped relieve my animosity, and I openly admit that I will be doing cartwheels if we get Lebron in Houston. (But some other team can have Carmelo, please)

And when was that trade for Leonard?  Draft night. Being a big NBA fan I am sure you realize draft night trades are hey you pick OUR guy and we will trade.  Sorta like draft night this year when they PG from CT was drafted and the announcers were saying this is actually Miami's pick. 

I am sure a lot,of the hate is jealousy no doubt, but at same time I never hear that hate for the Spurs with their 5 championships in 10 years. 

5 championships in 15 years, but point still made.

[thelakelander]

^No doubt, the Spurs have likable players.  Even though Tony Parker slept with his teammate's wife, you have to be a real tool to despise that team.  Being a Heat fan, it didn't hurt too much losing to them.  All one could do is admit they had a better team, admire the offensive show they put on, and acknowledge your team needed to revamp to compete against that juggernaut. Much of the hate of the Heat swells around LeBron.  He's the game's best player and no matter what league, a large segment of fans will either love or hate that guy.

[thelakelander]

Very true. I was anti-Lebron for the first couple years with the Heat, but I've grown out of it. The fact that y'all won those two championships actually helped relieve my animosity, and I openly admit that I will be doing cartwheels if we get Lebron in Houston. (But some other team can have Carmelo, please)

Melo would look good in Houston.  I'd rather he be a Rocket instead of a Bull.

[Ocklawaha]

Question/Observation - We all know the mayor says he want the NBA to come to Jax; frankly this would be very good for the city but...  Has he done anything? 

I ask as I am in no way a fan of the sport. I did recently take the Grandson to a Jax Giants game, just a regular game, nothing special. We had club seats (which were typically threadbare and dirty). The play seemed to be above the level of whoever it was we were playing. The thing that impressed me was the numbers! That place was packed. There were lines two blocks long and many lines at the doors to get in. I'd say the place was probably 80%-85% full. I confess after buying $50 worth of bad popcorn and junk food, about half time I'd had all I could handle, BOREDOM HAD SET IN BIGTIME. For me the best part was a group of local girls at half time that ran, bounced on a springboard and did aerial flips dunking the ball. When they were done so was I. I suspect with NBA quality, we could probably more then support the team, but is the place even large enough? It sure isn't the Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC or the Amway Center in Orlando, but have no fear, I'd fall asleep in those game too. 

VIVA COLOMBIA!!! 2-0!!! VIVA! 

[thelakelander]

No. Our arena is too small and lacks the modern luxuries newer NBA arenas come with.

[IrvAdams]

^^^ However, FWIW I think the fan base is adequate in Jax. This is definitely a sports-crazy town. You need ownership and a stadium. If you get ownership you can build a stadium, though. That's what we did for the Jags.

[thelakelander]

I don't. If the NBA were expanding (they probably need to contract, if anything), there are several more viable markets out there.  If I'm Jax, I'd invest the millions we'd be forced to give away, into something else that improves our community's quality of life.

[IrvAdams]

I agree there are priorities with a limited budget, but don't forget that professional sports shine an advertisement on a city that would be expensive to pay for, and they are good citizens who give back in terms of charity, outreach and community support. The Jags and the Players Championship are good examples of this.

[thelakelander]

We can barely fill Jags seats now. I do believe that we'd struggle to fill an NBA sized arena consistently for the amount of games that would be played each year. At this point, I don't think the NBA would remotely consider Jax as an expansion site and I don't think it would be the best use of Jax's time and money to seek one.

[edjax]

No way Jax could support an NBA 41 game home schedule for an 18k seat arena which would be a minimum. I would see several cities in front of us for a team such as return teams to Seattle, KC, St Louis and Cincy.