nah, bird would somehow pimp IT for ariza, sweetney and the 8th pick, and IT would do it, and then spin the trade by saying J Oneal is athletic, a post player and he still is young.. The circle of mediocrity will then continue to spiral out of control..

you think IND is going to give up their franchise player for expiring contracts of crap players? the #8 pick is going to put it over the edge you think? no way bro.

this is Larry Bird's way of trying to motivate & challenge his star player to be more of a leader next season to take this team to the next level...there is NO ONE, i repeat, NO ONE on this Knicks' squad that would even remotely tempt Larry Bird to trade his star bigman to a conference rival for.

Hey T. Noones saying that this is a like for like deal here. Theres no way Indiana would trade Oneal for any other player, especially in their own division. But MONEY!?! thats a different question. Were not really offering them talent in return, but we are offering them the flexibility to get some in via FA.

And yes the 8th pick might be a difference-maker in that kind of deal.

I would give up #8 Sweetney and expiring contracts for J'neal in a heartbeat but it ain't happen' folks!

I'd hate losing Ariza since he's the only guy on thise team who plays a little bit of perimeter defense!

[Edited by - gunsnewing on 05/26/2005 10:33:01]

Posted by tkf:

nah, bird would somehow pimp IT for ariza, sweetney and the 8th pick, and IT would do it, and then spin the trade by saying J Oneal is athletic, a post player and he still is young.. The circle of mediocrity will then continue to spiral out of control..

So steph and Jo'neal plying together would be a circle of mediocrity huh? You are crazy.

Posted by TMS:

Ariza, Sweetney and the 8th pick won't even get you in Larry Bird's office...are you guys for real?

Agreed. I saw the article as well but I think Larry Bird was saying this more to light a fire under Jermaine not to really trade him. If he was serious and actually thinking about going that route then the Pacers are going to want a huge up and coming player for JOneal.

I'm trying to think of some players in this league that could potentially get your Jermaine and there aren't many. They have to be young athletic big men who can play in the post. One guy that comes to mind is Zach Randolph and some draft picks but if you put Zach on the same team as Ron Artest then I think your asking for trouble. I could see a team like the Hawks trading pick #2 and some players for J'Oneal that might work becuase then the Pacers could take Marvin. It's tricky becuase JOneal is a young big man just about to enter the prime of his career, the price is going to be HIGH.

Marbury won't be enough to land O'Neal either imo...& this is no knock on Marbury...there's just a premium on good bigmen in this league.

a Dirk Nowitzki for J. O'Neal type trade would be what it would probably take in all likelihood...something along those lines.

Posted by tkf:

nah, bird would somehow pimp IT for ariza, sweetney and the 8th pick, and IT would do it, and then spin the trade by saying J Oneal is athletic, a post player and he still is young.. The circle of mediocrity will then continue to spiral out of control..

To be honest that isn't a bad trade, no disrespect to Ariza, Sweetney but O'Neal was serious candiate for the 2003-2004 MVP (last year), Ariza and Sweetney are just Ariza and Sweetney. 8th pick could be a budding superstar or could be Sweetney one pick earlier.

Posted by TMS:

Ariza, Sweetney and the 8th pick won't even get you in Larry Bird's office...are you guys for real?

not for O'neal it wont.