NBA Offseason Thread.

[thrill]

It's early, but hey, it's the most significant offseason in NBA history since the ABA merger.

http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Ba ... t_rebuffed

The Chicago Bulls are working to bring Phil Jackson back to coach the team, ESPN's Chris Broussard reports.

Broussard, citing two unnamed sources with knowledge of the situation, reported Monday night that the Bulls -- who won six NBA championships with Jackson on the bench (and Michael Jordan on the court) -- have had back-channel conversations regarding a Jackson reunion, and that both sides believe Jackson would listen.

Jackson is completing the last season of his contract with the Lakers, and negotiations on a new deal reportedly have been contentious.

In addition to his six titles in Chicago, he has four rings with L.A., giving him a league-record 10 rings. He is two wins from a shot at No. 11.

Chicago could make a return even more attractive to Jackson by acquiring LeBron James. The Bulls are considered one of the favorites to land the superstar, who can opt out of his Cavaliers contract on July 1.

Bulls general manager Gar Forman declined to comment on the team's coaching search when reached by telephone Monday night, ESPN reports. Chicago fired Vinny Del Negro after the team's first-round playoff loss.

On Monday, the Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported that Jackson is on the Cavaliers' wish list of replacements for the fired Mike Brown.

[Michael]

I have a hard time believing LeBron is willing play in Jordan's shadow.

[thrill]

I have a hard time believing LeBron is willing play in Jordan's shadow.

I've never understood this line of thought. Not only because there probably aren't many people on earth as confident as LeBron James but also because it just doesn't track. Why would Sidney Crosby want to be a Penguin after Lemieux or Dimaggio a Yankee after Ruth? Why would Kobe be a Laker after Magic?

It's the myth of Jordan's myth. It seems like it might be there, but I don't think it really is. I think Jordan, Nike and Gatorade would like you to believe his shadow is cast that long, but I doubt it is. I think Bulls fans, LeBron and basketball as a whole will be able to process another star Bulls player.

[Michael]

Please do not shatter my flimsy logic.

[Maclowery]

I want LeBron. I don't want Jackson. Meh. Damnit I don't want to try to like the guy! He's like Darth Vader to me!!!

[vinsanity]

I want LeBron. I don't want Jackson. Meh. Damnit I don't want to try to like the guy! He's like Darth Vader to me!!!

You're a Bulls fan right?

And Jackson is like Vader to you?

I have a hard time believing LeBron is willing play in Jordan's shadow.

I've never understood this line of thought. Not only because there probably aren't many people on earth as confident as LeBron James but also because it just doesn't track. Why would Sidney Crosby want to be a Penguin after Lemieux or Dimaggio a Yankee after Ruth? Why would Kobe be a Laker after Magic?

It's the myth of Jordan's myth. It seems like it might be there, but I don't think it really is. I think Jordan, Nike and Gatorade would like you to believe his shadow is cast that long, but I doubt it is. I think Bulls fans, LeBron and basketball as a whole will be able to process another star Bulls player.

1. No one likes hockey. It's tongue-in-cheek, but the media/fan pressure for the next Lemieux/super star isn't there. Did Sid the Kid even 'want' to be a Pen or did they just draft him?
2. Baseball didn't have the media/fan pressure when Dimaggio play...but again, did he 'choose' to be a Yankee? I thought back then the teams owned the players?
3. Magic wasn't Jordan.

Something makes Jordan different than every other athlete in their sport. I think some of it was he was just so great for so long, we started looking for the next super-star. But when KG and Kobe and all of those guys we had given the 'Next Jordan' title to sputtered out of the gate it was kind of assumed no one could live up to the title. He became a bit of a legend. Being Jordan was like Dimaggio's hit streak or Maris' 61. It hasn't been beaten, so we assume it's impossible and these become numbers of lore. In other words, I agree that Jordan's actual skill has become sort of a 'myth', but I think his impact at least in pop-culture and on non-sports fans is aptly proportioned.

There's a reason why Kobe is just now getting compared (favorably) to Jordan. I'm not sure what it is, but if Kobe win's this year I believe his rings match Jordan's, right? How come Kobe isn't already the next or even better than Jordan?

[MrSaigon]

LeBron should go to LA. He would be the savior of the Clippers. He would be the franchise. It would mean a lot to his legacy, I would think, to go there and turn things around, and those banners hanging next to Jabbar and Magic's would be his very own.There is some good young talent on that roster. He would be in the entertainment capital of the world and a fantastic place to conduct business.

In many ways it would be like Gretzky going to the Kings.

Best of all, Kobe would urinate himself.

Would Sterling pay, though?

[thrill]

There's a reason why Kobe is just now getting compared (favorably) to Jordan.

Yeah, it's because people are dumb.

if Kobe win's this year I believe his rings match Jordan's, right?

No they do not. Kobe will have 5, Jordan 6.

How come Kobe isn't already the next or even better than Jordan?

Because he's not as good at basketball. Besides the eye test, Kobe's numbers don't equal Jordan's despite playing in a much better era for scoring guards. Basketball isn't baseball, intangibles matter more. All Jordan cared about was winning. It took him some time to figure out how to win with his teammates, but he did it and once he did, he didn't look back. That's why his legend has become what it is. That and really effective marketing by Nike and Gatorade. Bill Russell said the hardest part of being a champion isn't winning your first. It's staying a champion. Figuring out who is complacent and who is hungry and trimming your roster accordingly. Jordan may have lead through fear, but he lead and won 6 titles in 6 consecutive full seasons that he played in.

Kobe only cares about being considered great. It's taken him a long time to realize that he can only achieve greatness in the context of his team's success, and for long stretches of his career, he was willing to sacrifice winning to be considered the man. Being the alpha was so important to him that he squandered who knows how many championships. Jordan never would have done that.

[Faceman]

I really am sick of Phil Jackson.

[MrSaigon]

I don't think the sports entertainment industry and media present a landscape for another Jordan anymore. But I really do think that LeBron wants to be that guy. And I would guess that Chicago loses points for that reason. I'm not saying he wouldn't go there, but going to LeBron's team would appeal to him and the image he is pursuing more than going to Jordan's team.

The idea of Michael Jordan is much greater than the man ever was himself.