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I understand this sentiment but let’s call out all of the spades. Another loophole: Kevin Durant signing with the Warriors. This team took advantage of a one y

I understand this sentiment but let’s call out all of the spades. Another loophole: Kevin Durant signing with the Warriors. This team took advantage of a one year salary jump resulting from TV revenue which granted them exactly the max slot money they needed to sign the second-best basketball player in the world (at the time - he is arguably the best in 2019). The NBA gaffed here, honestly. They could have negotiated a smooth salary cap raise with the union over several years. They refused, and it led to arguably the greatest superteam in league history (and this comes from a Heat fan who remembers LeBron + Wade + Bosh very clearly). One good metagame play deserves another.

CalChris 7y ago
How was KD signing his contract year a loophole? The Warriors paid the max that could be paid for a 9-year vet, $26,540,100, and they were still under the luxury cap. [1] As for gaffing, it wasn't the NBA but rather the NBAPA. The NBA has good reason to smooth out salaries. But it's a stars league and the stars have good reason to lock in as much now as possible. Who has been the president of the Player's Association since 2013? CP3. [1] https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/salary_cap https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/salary_cap
- achompas 7y ago
  My point is that Houston and Golden State have identified and capitalized on arbitrage opportunities. I don’t think NBA fans are thrilled about either team at this point, since - despite concerns about Harden’s foul-baiting - Golden State has dominated the NBA for almost 3 years now. As for cap smoothing - my bad, you’re right! https://www.si.com/nba/2015/03/11/nbpa-rejects-salary-cap-smoothing-labor-negotiations-cba-lebron-james https://www.si.com/nba/2015/03/11/nbpa-rejects-salary-cap-sm... And GS in 2016-17, also right and I’m kind of shocked! That Curry contract was a steal in retrospect (although justified given his early career injury troubles). http://www.basketballinsiders.com/golden-state-warriors-team-salary/golden-state-warriors-salary-archive-201617/ http://www.basketballinsiders.com/golden-state-warriors-team... (The CP3 thing I won’t discuss except to say that he’s a prodigious talent who also takes shots, although they are sometimes of a cheaper, dirtier kind.)
  - CalChris 7y ago
    CP3 is unquestionably a first vote HOF. Not my favorite, but a great player. Arguably in the top 5 small players ever. (Edit: Sorry, I was agreeing with you.) As for GS, it seems they're pretty popular elsewhere. I obviously like the Warriors brand of beautiful basketball, but I have to, I am forced to against my will, give credit to the Rockets for assembling the anti-Warriors and analyzing the game and the opposition. I can't watch their games but they are very effective. (Weird that you're getting downvoted.)
    - achompas 7y ago
      I don’t think I questioned CP’s HOF credentials anywhere, except on whether he’s a dirty player. Which he is.
jbigelow76 7y ago
I understand this sentiment but let’s call out all of the spades. Of all the colloquialisms to go to...
- selimthegrim 7y ago
  That was racist about a century ago. Now, not so much
  - hnbroseph 7y ago
    it is not now and never was racist, and the expression vastly predates the word "spade" ever being used in a slur sense (by centuries).
    - selimthegrim 7y ago
      /s/was/could have been construed as/

CalChris 7y ago

How was KD signing his contract year a loophole? The Warriors paid the max that could be paid for a 9-year vet, $26,540,100, and they were still under the luxury cap. [1] As for gaffing, it wasn't the NBA but rather the NBAPA. The NBA has good reason to smooth out salaries. But it's a stars league and the stars have good reason to lock in as much now as possible. Who has been the president of the Player's Association since 2013? CP3. [1] https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/salary_cap https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/salary_cap

achompas 7y ago
My point is that Houston and Golden State have identified and capitalized on arbitrage opportunities. I don’t think NBA fans are thrilled about either team at this point, since - despite concerns about Harden’s foul-baiting - Golden State has dominated the NBA for almost 3 years now. As for cap smoothing - my bad, you’re right! https://www.si.com/nba/2015/03/11/nbpa-rejects-salary-cap-smoothing-labor-negotiations-cba-lebron-james https://www.si.com/nba/2015/03/11/nbpa-rejects-salary-cap-sm... And GS in 2016-17, also right and I’m kind of shocked! That Curry contract was a steal in retrospect (although justified given his early career injury troubles). http://www.basketballinsiders.com/golden-state-warriors-team-salary/golden-state-warriors-salary-archive-201617/ http://www.basketballinsiders.com/golden-state-warriors-team... (The CP3 thing I won’t discuss except to say that he’s a prodigious talent who also takes shots, although they are sometimes of a cheaper, dirtier kind.)
- CalChris 7y ago
  CP3 is unquestionably a first vote HOF. Not my favorite, but a great player. Arguably in the top 5 small players ever. (Edit: Sorry, I was agreeing with you.) As for GS, it seems they're pretty popular elsewhere. I obviously like the Warriors brand of beautiful basketball, but I have to, I am forced to against my will, give credit to the Rockets for assembling the anti-Warriors and analyzing the game and the opposition. I can't watch their games but they are very effective. (Weird that you're getting downvoted.)
  - achompas 7y ago
    I don’t think I questioned CP’s HOF credentials anywhere, except on whether he’s a dirty player. Which he is.

jbigelow76 7y ago

I understand this sentiment but let’s call out all of the spades. Of all the colloquialisms to go to...

selimthegrim 7y ago
That was racist about a century ago. Now, not so much
- hnbroseph 7y ago
  it is not now and never was racist, and the expression vastly predates the word "spade" ever being used in a slur sense (by centuries).
  - selimthegrim 7y ago
    /s/was/could have been construed as/