Did they have a right to kill us on that trade? Sure - but karma says don't give them the farm for Melo, make a reasonable offer, and if the don't take it sign him as a FA and give them nothing.

Then I will consider us even.

nixluva wrote:I really can't be that concerned with losing players that we can so easily replace...

Classic. Everyday for the last 10 years we hear about how great our team is. Now all the players are easily replacable. You just can't make this **** up.

nixluva wrote:I'm all for giving them a deal that they can live with even if it seems a bit extreme. 2 of Gallo, Chandler or Fields and we swap Ray for Billups, Curry, AR. It's a lot, but I feel we can't really lose in this deal. Melo makes us that much more dangerous for the next 5-8 years and that's worth a fortune. I really can't be that concerned with losing players that we can so easily replace in order to get a guy that is rare as can be in this league.

Adding this level of player gives us 2 guys that are Elite and in their prime. No more waiting and hoping. You know what level of talent you have instantly. We jump from 3rd tier to top tier in the East. No we're not the best but we can challenge right now and in the future with some additions be a contender. That's worth it to me.

Billups
Melo
STAT
Fields
Timo

That's a very good lineup. The Bench still has good role players. We add in Barron and go to war with that.

you still haven't addressed how we're going to "easily replace" those players with no cap space, no draft picks and no valuable trade assets. miami is going to be in the market for the same role players that we are. and they will have the edge based on their "big 3" v. our "big 2." they will be the top destination for ring chasing vets. we will be left with scraps.

how do we beat Miami? everything we do has to be focused on beating them. like it or not, they will be the standard bearer in the east when the celtics eventually get too old. how do we beat miami if they have a better "big 3" and a better supporting cast??