2014 Free Agency Period: News and Discussion

[godfather]

James jones will never ever leave Ray Allen out. Allen is still one of the best off ball players and can pull up a shot at any time, and his drive game has been underrated forever

Why? Because he dunked in the finals? His drive game was underrated I agree about 5-10 years ago, but he's nothing more than a shooter off the screens now of days.

I wouldn't be against having him if we needed him, but right now, we really don't need him. Why use the roster space for another player that isn't even really a need? I'd pass on him, but if LB insists we have him, its not the end of the world. I really don't want him though.

 

[PriceFan14]

I think we don't really need him but it would be good for the young guys to be around Ray and learn how be good off the ball.
He also brings that 3 point threat by the best 3pt shooter of all time which help the offence by creating space

 

[Nathan S]

Ray Allen is closer in age to Mark Price than to CJ Miles. That is why he is not a useful player anymore.

 

[batdan]

Why? Because he dunked in the finals? His drive game was underrated I agree about 5-10 years ago, but he's nothing more than a shooter off the screens now of days.

I wouldn't be against having him if we needed him, but right now, we really don't need him. Why use the roster space for another player that isn't even really a need? I'd pass on him, but if LB insists we have him, its not the end of the world. I really don't want him though.

I agree, but that in itself is very useful. Shuttlesworth shot slightly below his career average during the regular season (37%) and slightly below his career average in the playoffs (38%). The growing interest from other title contenders is proof there's never enough all-time great shooters getting passed around for the vet minimum or slightly more.

Why don't the juggernauts in the title picture see it your way? The Spurs don't appear to need more shooting, neither does the Clippers. Hmm...

 

[batdan]

Ray Allen is closer in age to Mark Price than to CJ Miles. That is why he is not a useful player anymore.

Ray played 198 games in the last 3 year, excluding the playoffs (259 games including the playoffs), C.J. played 172 games. There's a 10+ year difference in age.

Age is just a number I suppose.

Why would Ray not be useful to this team?

 

[killerkev369]

Ray Allen is closer in age to Mark Price than to CJ Miles. That is why he is not a useful player anymore.

That's your argument? Age is just a number, friend.

 

[Cashius X]

I think the fact that LeBron is pushing so hard for Ray to come here is reason enough to think he still has something left in the tank. He's still a useful player imo.

Now, is he a necessity? No, not at all. But he'd definitely bring something to our team.

 

[Cashius X]

And some of you guys are really shitting on Ray like he's some geezer with nothing left in the tank. Look at his stats last year in not only the regular season, but also the postseason...specifically the NBA Finals. He put up good stats but more importantly he saw 27 minutes per game!

The guy can still play at a fairly high level. Just the type of specialist we need on our bench.

 

[Simon]

Ray Allen is closer in age to Mark Price than to CJ Miles. That is why he is not a useful player anymore.

He still has a lot in the tank left.

If he is not a useful player anymore, then explain why LBJ is pushing for him and a couple of other teams are interested in Allen as well?

 

[Nathan S]

I'm sure he can still shoot...he'll still be able to shoot when he's 50. But I also expect him to be one of the worst perimeter defenders in the league if he chooses to play next year. It would be one thing if he were a defensive sieve but a legit #2 or #3 option on offense, but I'm not sure he's better offensively than Miller, Jones, or Delly, at this point in his career. There's just no role for him on this team.

 

[Lyst]

That's your argument? Age is just a number, friend.

Not really in professional sports... Age is every athlete's enemy. Especially in basketball where endurance is key. You can train young guys to get better at defense but you can't train and old player to be young again.

As for needs on this team Ray is not high on the list. We have some of the best shooters in the league on this team now, we have way bigger holes to address.

 

[batdan]

Not really in professional sports... Age is every athlete's enemy. Especially in basketball where endurance is key. You can train young guys to get better at defense but you can't train and old player to be young again.

As for needs on this team Ray is not high on the list. We have some of the best shooters in the league on this team now, we have way bigger holes to address.

Besides a rim protector, what is left to be addressed?

I'm sure he can still shoot...he'll still be able to shoot when he's 50. But I also expect him to be one of the worst perimeter defenders in the league if he chooses to play next year. It would be one thing if he were a defensive sieve but a legit #2 or #3 option on offense, but I'm not sure he's better offensively than Miller, Jones, or Delly, at this point in his career. There's just no role for him on this team.

Mentoring the young guards on this team? I think this may be the sole purpose behind the Cavs meeting with Billups.

I'm not expecting him to play heavy minutes to begin with, just the 3rd or 4th guard in the rotation or fill in for someone that gets hurt (perhaps Miller or Waiters).

What people seem to forget is this team is loaded with solid defenders such as Varejao, Lebron, Love, Marion, Delly, TT. Just no rim protector. Ray's defensive weaknesses could be hidden in Blatt's defensive scheme, perhaps.

It's not a need for the Cavs, neither is it for the Spurs or Clippers. But even at 39 years old, he is still getting job offers in the NBA.

 

[*L-Train*]

Not really in professional sports... Age is every athlete's enemy. Especially in basketball where endurance is key. You can train young guys to get better at defense but you can't train and old player to be young again.

As for needs on this team Ray is not high on the list. We have some of the best shooters in the league on this team now, we have way bigger holes to address.

the only reliable veteran shooter off the bench right now is Mike Miller (make no mistake James Jones should and will not play any minutes in important games) and he has had a lot of injury problems in the past. Ray Allen was Miami's most consistent bench player last year and played the 5th most minutes for them (he played more than Wade for example) so i'm not buying that he's done even at age 39. Windhorst also mentioned that he was in the best shape of his life last year (he changed his diet and lost some weight) and one of the few Heat players who showed up to camp in great shape.

 

[PriceFan14]

1Lebron James
2Kevin Love
3Anderson Varejao
4Kyrie Irving
5Tristan Thompson
6Dion Waiters
7Mike Miller
8Brendan Haywood
9Shawn Marion
10James Jones
11Matthew Dellavedova
12Joe Harris
13Malcolm Thomas
14John Lucas III
15Erik Murphy
16Alex Kirk
17Dwight Powell
Only 15 will make the final roster
First 11 already made by LeBron's instagram If Allen comes 12 guaranteed.
I guess Joe Harris will make the team too so 13
Only Utah guys Captain Kirk and Powell left. Idk what will Griff do but there's definitely room for Allen

 

[Kbiz]

Signing Allen NOW, after already adding three great 3 pt shooters to this team, seems redundant to me. Had Miller or Marion not joined the team, i would welcome Allen whole heartedly but it's perplexing that we still covet him.

IMO, he's probably a great pro so James wants him for his leadership ability alone. If that's the case, then he will add value to this team.

He'd be a great mentor for both Irving and Waiters, as far as learning how to move without the ball in their hands on offense. That alone may be more valuable then his actual game at this point in his career.