2016-2017 Around The NBA

[Raja khan]

People are making it seem like espn is on the verge of bankruptcy. ESPN is still an extremely profitable organization, bringing in tons of money every year, just not as much as it used to.

They laid off even more employees couple years back but it's just more noticeable now bc of the big names on the list this time around. These cuts have more to do with their change of market strategy moving forward, they're planning to move away from cable and article-heavy coverage to more live and easily-accessible sports content on laptops, tabloids and iPhones and what not.

 

[shoes22]

What if, and go with me here, the market for professional sports journalism is waning?

Fact is, a whole helluva lotta people are willing to write and recap for free these days, because that's just what they like to do in their spare time.

So, that’s actually not what’s happening.

There’s been some pretty strong rumors that ESPN is in talks with Adrian Wojnarowski for him and The Vertical to join ESPN, along with his entire staff. That’s going to cost a fortune, and if that goes through then obviously some of ESPN’s existing NBA talent has to get the axe.

 

[Jordan]

My new article. I figured it would fit better here.

https://sportsbystats.com/2017/05/01/stop-saying-chris-paul-is-not-a-winner/

By claiming a set of binary choices, one is viewed with positive sentiment (winning), and the other with negative (caring about money). If Chris Paul chooses to stay in Los Angeles, he is a bad competitor who is also selfish. Whereas, on the other hand, being a winner is a positive ideal. This is someone who has given up niceties ($70 million over five years) to achieve professional greatness. Thus, if Paul chooses money, he is selfish; or, if he chooses winning, he is a “role model.”

That binary reasoning is simplistic and dehumanizing. First, it is done at the level of a three year old saying, “mommy, that’s not nice” or “mommy, you’re nice.” In reality, if given one minute of critical thought, any adult will realize these life decisions are incredibly complicated made up of an infinite set of factors. By not recognizing that, this commentary is denying Chris Paul human agency.

 

[bigfoot5415]

Espn is a Disney property... it'll be a long time before money is an issue.

 

[Rich]

So, that’s actually not what’s happening.

There’s been some pretty strong rumors that ESPN is in talks with Adrian Wojnarowski for him and The Vertical to join ESPN, along with his entire staff. That’s going to cost a fortune, and if that goes through then obviously some of ESPN’s existing NBA talent has to get the axe.

What does that have to do with what I said? ESPN axed writers across the board, in all fields. College football reporters, college basketball reporters, NFL reporters.

 

[shoes22]

What does that have to do with what I said? ESPN axed writers across the board, in all fields. College football reporters, college basketball reporters, NFL reporters.

It has to do what you said, because it brings up the question as to why ESPN would potentially make such a large acquisition if “the market for professional sports journalism is waning”? That doesn’t sound like it would make much business sense.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

Espn is a Disney property... it'll be a long time before money is an issue.

Yeah Disney isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

However I think they probably regret buying ESPN. It's been a pretty large drag on their profitability.

 

[bigfoot5415]

Yeah Disney isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

However I think they probably regret buying ESPN. It's been a pretty large drag on their profitability.

Im sure if need be they could sell it to some other large media conglomerate. There is a way for ESPN to be profitable, and they consistently go against it on a daily basis. With media evolving, they need to as well.

 

[Tornicade]

Espn has cable companies by the throat forever.. 7.61 per cable subscriber is too high.

Cable companies are finding their base packages without ESPN are doing quite well.

Also Nielsons taking so long to implement a streaming ratings system has really hurt a lot of channels advertisement structure.

ESPN has ben working to get on these basic low cost cable packages .

Cutting staff is ESPN cutting out the bloat so they can offer competitive pricing.

 

[czvo]

Twitter is kicking around old MVP voting, and with this Rox game being a blowout, I figured I'd pose the question to the group (also didn't want to start a new thread):

How would you distribute MVPs since 05 (Nash's first)? I've got:

2005 - O'Neal (I'm "ok" with Nash as a "holy crap, how'd he do that" winner)
2006 - LeBron (21-year old averaging 31/7/7 and finally making the playoffs)
2007 - Dirk (sure)
2008 - Chris Paul (this was the Kobe lifetime achievement award, but CP3 was just better across the board and the Hornets were just one win behind the Lakers)
2009 - LeBron
2010 - LeBron
2011 - LeBron
2012 - LeBron
2013 - LeBron
2014 - Durant (LeBron is the better player, but KD was deserving)
2015 - Harden (had to do more than Curry, basically what it comes down to)
2016 - Curry (he earned it... maybe not unanimously, but still, he did)


So Shaq would have 2, LeBron 6, Curry, Harden and Paul 1 each.

 

[bigfoot5415]

Rumors out of Atlanta is that they are looking to move on from Dwight Howard. According to a few writers it sounds like he will only be able to fetch a 2nd round and cap relief. How crazy is it that DH12 peaked in 09? Against us of course. The guy has been a tremendous let down. Heck even Frye mentioned it in a podcast.

That being said, I'd take a flyer on him. Not sure who would even be in the running at this point for him. A poor man's Deandre Jordan (how messed up is that?).

 

[The Red Viper]

Rumors out of Atlanta is that they are looking to move on from Dwight Howard. According to a few writers it sounds like he will only be able to fetch a 2nd round and cap relief. How crazy is it that DH12 peaked in 09? Against us of course. The guy has been a tremendous let down. Heck even Frye mentioned it in a podcast.

That being said, I'd take a flyer on him. Not sure who would even be in the running at this point for him. A poor man's Deandre Jordan (how messed up is that?).

The issue with Dwight is that he isn't just ready to accept that, at this stage of his career, he is a role-player on offense for whom there won't be any plays called. Even at his peak, he was never someone who could get you buckets anytime he wanted.

The sooner he accepts that he is now a rim-protector, screen-setter and just look for look for lobs and put-backs, the better. Until then, there's no good franchise who would go for him.

As for us, how do we get him anyway? I am not trading Love or TT for him. Shump + Frye for Dwight? Probably. But we would have still to deal with his antics and all!

 

[shoes22]

I also recall LeBron and Dwight pretty famously not getting along.

 

[Joe Henderson]

What if, and go with me here, the market for professional sports journalism is waning?

Fact is, a whole helluva lotta people are willing to write and recap for free these days, because that's just what they like to do in their spare time.

Writing a recap is pretty fucking far from journalism, especially professional journalism.

This is actually one of the biggest issues in the industry, too many people think the job consists of putting words on a screen and that you can have enthusiastic amateurs do the whole thing for free.

One of the more shocking aspects of the ESPN layoffs is that they axed people who got actual scoops, reporters who regularly broke exclusive stories. That's worrying, because it suggests a premium on opinion and a lesser emphasis on reporting. But what are all those talking heads going to opine about if there's no news?

 

[The Red Viper]

Fuck, man. Loved Roy when he was beasting in late noughties with Portland. Especially those duels with Kobe. But this is just amazing. My respect and admiration for him goes even higher.

Brandon Roy shot in the leg after shielding children from gunfire.

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2017/5/3/15528610/brandon-roy-shot-leg-shielding-children-blazers-nba