Andrew thinks that the time for superstars to take a pay cut in order to win a championship is a year or two before retirement, just like the Boston Celtics did a couple of years ago, rather than right before those superstars about to sign max contracts. Fair point, because that's how it has always been done in the past. Players just do not want to sacrifice a lot of guaranteed money that early in their careers.
But the 2010 offseason will be a most unusual offseason. This summer, the NBA will have a tremendously tremendous amount of free agent talent and a large number of teams with lots of cap space. If there were ever a time for record-setting collusion, this is it.
The reason is simple.
Even though the Celtics rode the Holy Trinity of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen all the way to a championship, they quickly became a one-and-done. It's over. Pierce is hurt, KG is aging faster than Jack, and Ray Allen cannot carry a team by himself. Why would any superstar aspire to this fate? Why give yourself your best chance at a title on the brink of your retirement? Why not set yourself up for a dynasty while you are in your prime??
If LeBron, Wade, and Bosh all sacrificed some guaranteed money and agreed to split the Knicks' cap space this summer, they would instantly return the Knicks, MSG, and NYC to relevance in the NBA. They would be awesome. With run-and-gun Mike D'Antoni at the helm, the team would not only win, but they would be really fun to watch. It would not be impossible for the Knicks to reel off 3, 4, or even 5 championships with that core in its prime. Forget Cleveland, Orlando, Denver, Dallas, and even the Lakers. With those three PTPers, the New York Knicks would be the team to beat.
Granted, there are some people who think it's all about the money. And maybe it is. Those guys are probably right, too: this proposal is a long shot because those guys (or their agents) are going to take the max dollars. But think about how much money they will make in endorsements once they arrive in New York. Think about how much more money they'll make once they start winning in New York. And think about how much more valuable their legacies will be in retirement with a few rings on their hands. Plus, if you're David Stern, think about how much the NBA needs New York to be a winning market. In case you haven't heard, the league ain't doing too well.
Nobody wants to be a one-and-done when you can have a dynasty in your prime. Even if the dollars don't exactly match up...yet...how about doing what's never been done and sacrifice a few million bucks for the chance to make basketball history in the biggest market on Earth. This is the NBA....where epic free agent hauls can happen.
UPDATE: Bill Simmons makes a great point about the LeBron/Bosh/Wade combination in NYC -- all three are Nike guys. In the Sports Guy's own words:
The only scenario in which the Knicks (or anyone) could get 3 guys is if it were 3 Nike guys. For instance, Bosh-LeBron-Joe Johnson could work - they'd take less money but Nike could agree to build a $100 million compaign around "The New Big Three" and make up the difference that way. Yes, that would be legal.This only strengthens my argument. Could you imagine the 60-story banner hanging in the middle of Times Square? This has dollar signs written all over it! Three of the biggest stars in the NBA...playing in Madison Square Garden...with the New York media market...fueled by Nike's endorsement dollars. It. Is. Possible.Regan (Princeton)
Wade is a Nike guy.
Bill Simmons
(1:25 PM)You're right. He switched last summer, I forgot. So yes, that's the only way Wade-LeBron-Bosh could happen - they take less money from NYK, but Nike makes up for it with a $100 million mega-campaign centered around them being the new superheroes of Gotham or something. Personally, I think Nike would be better off spending that money on my adopted son Kevin Durant.
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Jay, as the great blog says, “It’s all about the money, stupid!” These guys would have to give up a lot of money to do this. Could James or Wade make more marketing dollars in New York? Yes, but how much more? I think both are such high-profile players that the extra New York exposure may not do as much for their bottom line as many think (call it the "Law of Diminishing Endorsement Returns").
ReplyDeleteAnd I think anyone would agree--especially looking at what Tiger went through with his sponsors--that guaranteed money from your sport is a lot more valuable than theoretical earnings from sponsors.
I highly doubt all three of them would take a pay-cut (that's what it would take - couldn't you see the bitching from Bosh and/or Wade if LeBron gets a max deal and then they are asked to take a smaller salary). People don't realize what the city of New York can do for the NBA. Why does every player want to play there even though the team sucks? Because it's the greatest, most relevant city in the country, maybe even the world. In addition, people all over the world would want a LeBron Knicks' jersey and all the merch that came with it.
ReplyDeleteIMHO, the the 1970 and 1973 Knicks are probably in the top 3 or 4 of the greatest teams of all-time (Walt, Willis, Pearl (only on '73), Debusschere, Bradley - all HOFs). The Knicks, though, could never repeat this success, unlike the Celtics and the Lakers. The Celtics had Russell, Cousy, Sharman, Heinsohn, Sam Jones teams; then the Havlicek, Cowens teams; then the Bird, McHale, Parish, DJ, Walton teams; finally the KG, Pierce, Allen team. The Lakers had West, Baylor, Wilt; then Magic, Kareem, Worthy; then Kobe, Shaq; and now Kobe, Gasol, etc. The Knicks are still a top 3 beloved franchise though simply because it is the biggest market in the biggest city, but no one is watching cause they suck and have for so long. You give them a dynasty and it will singlehandedly turn the NBA around.
Picture a LeBron, Wade and/or Bosh Knicks team against the Celtics or a revitalized Bulls team led by Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer (or Bosh if the Knicks don't get him) in the Eastern Finals and then a match with the Lakers or Mavericks in the Finals - CAN YOU IMAGINE THE RATINGS?!?! I know I am partial because I love the Knicks and dream about them being good - but this really would be a franchise and league savior.
My proposal - Andre Miller, PG (try your ass off, though, to get Ricky Rubio), D-Wade, SG (if can't get Wade - get Joe Johnson), LeBron, SF, Wilson Chandler, PF, David Lee, C (bring back Channing Frye as a back-up). Danilo Gallinari (he will be your Ginobili), Eddie House, Roger Mason, Frye, and, if he really would take a pay-cut, T-Mac as your bench.
Well that sounds like a great team, but I don't think there's any way you can fit them all under the cap. That is certainly thinking big, though, Anonymous commenter!
ReplyDeleteI realize that everyone says it's all about the money, and it usually is to these guys, so that the easy prediction is that my proposal is impossible. I realize this.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the idea is to propose something unexpected. Something that, if it occurred, would be legendary and would revolutionize the NBA. If the Knicks landed all three players, each of whom would definitely have to take a pay cut, that team would absolutely win at least 2 titles. Probably 3 or more.
So I am hoping that maybe...just maybe...these guys accept a combined $30 million in salary+endorsements as compared to $40+ million in order to put together a historic dynasty. Or, maybe the Nets will swoop in and get LeBron and ruin life for every Knicks fan :)