NBA Free Agency

[nets on nets on nets]

Paul George signs a 4 year deal with the Thunder, shocked everyone!
That really throws an axe into Lebron's plans to go to the Lakers, the Lakers really need to make a trade for Kawhi.

I'm predicting Lebron signs a 1 year deal with Cleveland then makes the move to LA next year along with another superstar or 2.
Lakers may end up getting Cousins within the next 24-48 hours, not sure Lebron is a fan of Cousins', terrible work ethic and attitude.

There is gonna be a lot of player movement these next couple weeks.
On the Duke front....Jabari is in a very interesting situation, NO ONE knows his actual value, due to the injuries and inconsistent play, he could sign a massive deal, or a 1 year "prove it" deal.
I'm predicting JJ re-ups for another 1 year deal with Philly, no one is gonna give JJ a 4 year deal given his age and the dollars he is seeking.
The Heat are openly shopping Justise Winslow too.

 

[Dukeman]

This morning edition of the local fish wrapper was so excited about Theo & Joe-l, that they published their Summer League teams schedules and times.

Must see tv I’m sure. Unfortunately I will not be watching.

 

[timo0402]

I am stunned that Paul George stayed in OKC! Lebron cannot be happy about this and now there is a mountain of pressure on magic to deliver Kawhi .

 

[dukehokie]

I am stunned that Paul George stayed in OKC! Lebron cannot be happy about this and now there is a mountain of pressure on magic to deliver Kawhi .

I’m not PG13 was squarely on LeBron’s radar. I thought for sure George would wait until the dust settled, but he made a loyalty play. The Lakers has a chance last year to get him but played the “we can wait until next year” game. I’m guessing that didn’t sit too well, especially considering the Pacers weren’t looking for anything crazy in return.

That move makes me feel like LeBron is staying put, or at least staying in the East. The Sixers may be in the hunt more squarely. Or, fun hypothetical, could the Thunder pull off a sign and trade with Melo for LeBron?

Cousins will pull the trigger soon, and I’m willing to bet he stays in New Orleans.

The biggest and most likely move seems to be Kyrie for Kawhi. That one has a chance to actually happen.

 

[timo0402]

I’m not PG13 was squarely on LeBron’s radar. I thought for sure George would wait until the dust settled, but he made a loyalty play. The Lakers has a chance last year to get him but played the “we can wait until next year” game. I’m guessing that didn’t sit too well, especially considering the Pacers weren’t looking for anything crazy in return.

That move makes me feel like LeBron is staying put, or at least staying in the East. The Sixers may be in the hunt more squarely. Or, fun hypothetical, could the Thunder pull off a sign and trade with Melo for LeBron?

Cousins will pull the trigger soon, and I’m willing to bet he stays in New Orleans.

The biggest and most likely move seems to be Kyrie for Kawhi. That one has a chance to actually happen.

Wow i definitely don’t see they Kyrie for Kawhi trade happening. Not sure it makes sense for either side. Both have one year left and i can’t imagine Kyrie guaranteeing the spurs he will resign.

On the George front i think the fact that he didn’t even give the Lakers a chance to talk to him was he most shocking part.

If cousins stays in NO, bron basically has to stay in Cleveland bc his options are marginal at best outside of that.

What about the Cavs trying to pull off a trade in which they acquire Kawhi? Maybe it’s a three team deal but they are the only ones that would gamble to get Kawhi even if just for a year.

 

[dukehokie]

Wow i definitely don’t see they Kyrie for Kawhi trade happening. Not sure it makes sense for either side. Both have one year left and i can’t imagine Kyrie guaranteeing the spurs he will resign.

On the George front i think the fact that he didn’t even give the Lakers a chance to talk to him was he most shocking part.

If cousins stays in NO, bron basically has to stay in Cleveland bc his options are marginal at best outside of that.

What about the Cavs trying to pull off a trade in which they acquire Kawhi? Maybe it’s a three team deal but they are the only ones that would gamble to get Kawhi even if just for a year.

The Cavs, Lakers and Celts are the only two at this point with the assets available for some form of trade scenario. The Spurs are going to lose Kawhi somehow, so getting Kyrie gives them at lest the inside track to sign him next season. Plus the Celtics won’t part with Hayward or Tatum, so with KI already saying he can’t guarantee he’ll resign with the Celtics, this trade seems likely to me. Especially since the Celtics won’t have to give up any picks. They may actually get a first from the Spurs in this deal.

But either way, at this point, a Free Agent period that looked to change the landscape of the NBA, may fizzle into nothing more than Kawhi settling his dispute with the Spurs.

Year five of Warriors/Cavs? Yuck.

 

[timo0402]

The Cavs, Lakers and Celts are the only two at this point with the assets available for some form of trade scenario. The Spurs are going to lose Kawhi somehow, so getting Kyrie gives them at lest the inside track to sign him next season. Plus the Celtics won’t part with Hayward or Tatum, so with KI already saying he can’t guarantee he’ll resign with the Celtics, this trade seems likely to me. Especially since the Celtics won’t have to give up any picks. They may actually get a first from the Spurs in this deal.

But either way, at this point, a Free Agent period that looked to change the landscape of the NBA, may fizzle into nothing more than Kawhi settling his dispute with the Spurs.

Year five of Warriors/Cavs? Yuck.

Yeah the nba might need to step in and force the spurs to trade with the lakers so bron goes there (conspiracy therory!). The sixers could potentially trade for Kawhi as well and package Covington, someone else and a pick or two,

 

[nets on nets on nets]

If I'm the Lakers, I don't give up any assets..yet.
In theory, they could hold all their young guys and just sign Lebron and Kawhi into cap space NEXT SUMMER. Meaning, they would get 2 superstars, and still have all those young assets (Ingram, Ball, Kuzma, Randle) to trade for another superstar or 2 once you get Lebron and Kawhi. Plus there's a good chance no one is taking down the stupid Warriors next year anyway.

Easier said than done...It's LA, their fans seemingly want to win now, don't want another 25 win team. And Magic Johnson has promised a star. Plus you run the risk of Lebron/Kawhi falling in love with whatever franchise they play on next year (Philly/Boston, probably not Cavs/Spurs). But again, the smart play is to stink for 1 more year, then take over the league!

 

[dukehokie]

Yeah the nba might need to step in and force the spurs to trade with the lakers so bron goes there (conspiracy therory!). The sixers could potentially trade for Kawhi as well and package Covington, someone else and a pick or two,

I’ve seen the idea of the Saric, Covington and a first round pick trade for Kawhi. That one makes a lot of sense.

 

[dukehokie]

Now Tyreke Evans may join the Warriors. Damn.

 

[timo0402]

Now Tyreke Evans may join the Warriors. Damn.

And Deeewight Howard, which is just pointless.

 

[dukehokie]

Howard might kill the Warriors chemistry. I’d welcome that move.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Now Tyreke Evans may join the Warriors. Damn.

That is dumb. The Warriors are no fun.

 

[DiehardDukeFan4Life]

Looks like LeBron is going to be signing with the Lakers. They’ve reached an agreement on a 4 year deal.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...s-lakers-agree-to-four-year-154-million-deal/

 

[dukehokie]

And I stand totally corrected. Big move in a year. This year it’ll be fun but next year, they’ll be legitimate contenders. I don’t know that there’s anyone left to sign that really sets them over the top. And I’m talking signings and not trades. They’ll want to keep as many of their young, cheap assets as they can.

 

[dbav]

Can someone explain why there is a salary cap of it's high enough for one player to make $40 mil a year? I'm not saying he isn't worth it to the franchise, but doesn't that sort of defeat the point of the cap? I know it probably seems like a smart *** question, but it's actually genuine.

 

[pisgah101]

I’m not an NBA guy but does this move make sense with having to be in the West??

 

[DiehardDukeFan4Life]

I’m not an NBA guy but does this move make sense with having to be in the West??

I commented the same thing on a friend’s post on Facebook. IMO it makes no sense for him to go to a Western Conference team because now he’ll have to play the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals instead of playing them in the NBA Finals. Not to mention that they’re in the same Division as the Warriors.

 

[timo0402]

@jwill133 i am vindicated. I know i came at anyone that said if you thought bron was coming back to Cleveland was nuts. And I’m sorry for you, but it’s good for the nba.

 

[Mac9192]

He's going to play for a team with ability to add another good player plus he'll play for a coach that is laid back. James couldn't play for a team with either too many superstars or a coach who runs the team. Walton should be good for Lebron.

 

[Kingbluedevil]

This will be good for Boston

 

[QC Dukie]

I commented the same thing on a friend’s post on Facebook. IMO it makes no sense for him to go to a Western Conference team because now he’ll have to play the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals instead of playing them in the NBA Finals. Not to mention that they’re in the same Division as the Warriors.

He didn’t want another finals failure

 

[PatrickYates]

And I stand totally corrected. Big move in a year. This year it’ll be fun but next year, they’ll be legitimate contenders. I don’t know that there’s anyone left to sign that really sets them over the top. And I’m talking signings and not trades. They’ll want to keep as many of their young, cheap assets as they can.

This. There are a TON of cracks in the Warriors' foundation. Klay and Draymond want to get PAID, and deservedly so. KD is, methinks, sick and tired of the whispers that he jumped on Curry's jock to get his rings. McGee, who is the type of defender/player that can really hamstring LBJ somewhat, has joined the Lakers.
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Sure, GSW looks like a threepeat team next year. I think LBJ took a long look at the landscape of the NBA and made the smart play.
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1. The GSW have played a LOT of games over the last 4+ years. LBJ and his otherworldly body/athleticism can absorb those heavy minutes, even at his "advanced" age of 33 (late peak physically, if we are honest). Curry and KD have had plenty of injury problems over recent years, given their thinness and frailty. There's a decent chance 1 or the other isn't 100% by the end of next year's long season.
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2. Next summer sees a GSW breakup, somehow, some way. There could be extra cap room, but probably not enough for Klay, KD, and Draymod to ALL resign. As I conjectured earlier, I think KD will leave. Honestly, the Wizards, his hometown team, might be a great landing place. Like LBJ, KD is one of the few players (probably only LBJ and Curry at this point) that will make so much in endorsements that he can "leave" money on the table salary wise.
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3. Given that next year might be a "wash" for LBJ, why sweat it? The year after, exploding salary cap money might again be available. Plus some free agents. Davis is a FA next year. Sure, he'd "leave" a super max on the table if he left for LA, but alongside LBJ, in LAL, while winning titles would move Davis into that "best player on the planet" level with the attending endorsement money. Kawhi could come in FA. Plus more I don't know about yet.
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4. Other FA might be UNNECCESARY. The LAL have a good core of young players. Randle might be a rich man's Tristan Thompsen. Ingram, as a 2 or 3 option, might blossom into a poor man's Scottie Pippen (which every single team in the NBA would commit sacrifice to obtain). Kyle Kuzma (sp) might turn into an Igoudala type and level of player. In other words, LBJ might not NEED serious help going forward. If JaVale can keep his ish together and be the defender and rebounder needed, while Ingram and Kyle K help with the scoring, that is a dangerous young team.
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Ball could be turned into something (he's a very good player, if not a star) as it seems like his dad may have come back down to earth a little bit. A few more supporting shooters and the LAL could be beastly next year.

 

[PatrickYates]

I’m not PG13 was squarely on LeBron’s radar. I thought for sure George would wait until the dust settled, but he made a loyalty play. The Lakers has a chance last year to get him but played the “we can wait until next year” game. I’m guessing that didn’t sit too well, especially considering the Pacers weren’t looking for anything crazy in return.

That move makes me feel like LeBron is staying put, or at least staying in the East. The Sixers may be in the hunt more squarely. Or, fun hypothetical, could the Thunder pull off a sign and trade with Melo for LeBron?

Cousins will pull the trigger soon, and I’m willing to bet he stays in New Orleans.

The biggest and most likely move seems to be Kyrie for Kawhi. That one has a chance to actually happen.

PG can vividly remember looking down to see a broken bone protruding from his leg. Max deal money is too good to walk away from. He's making some decent coin from endorsements, but max deal money is too good to walk away from, no matter how much you like the LAL.
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I'm not sure any star wants to play with LBJ. He takes up a lot of the oxygen in the room, be it intentionally or unintentionally.
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And Westbrook and PG have very complimentary games. The problem last year was Melo's ball-hogging, low percentage shooting, no-defense playing tail. Switch him with a solid defending 3pt shooter, and you have a dangerous team. And Melo is gone next summer. In a draft that should be flooded with talented wings. OKC won't get one of the "studs" at the top of the draft, but they don't NEED one of those. They will want an athletic defender that shoots well, even if he doesn't have elite abilities in other areas.
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Like LBJ and the LAL, I think there is a realization that this current iteration of the GSW has unlocked god-mode, so don't try to beat them. I'm sure there is a relevant Sun-Tzu quote, but the GSW will break up next summer. Too many egos and demands for money will bring them back to the pack. Or it won't and the rest of the league's maneuvers are pointless.
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As an aside, OKC routinely gets kudos as a great place to live. Sure, the summers are awful, weather wise, but pro athletes rarely spend the summers in the city where they play. It is all Miami, LA, or an island somewhere, so no one will have to deal with the sweltering heat/humidity of OKC.

 

[christophero]

Breaking news: Magic, Kareem, Walton, Shaq and Kobe all sign with Lakers for league minimum. I'd pay to see that.

 

[PatrickYates]

If I'm the Spurs, I stand pat with Kawhi unless I get a sweetheart deal. He can leave in FA if he wants, but he'll have to say good bye to 40+ million dollars to do it. His agent/manager might have something to say about that. Because KL, great though he is, isn't a great endorsement value. Sort of like how Tim Duncan didn't move the needle as a pitchman. So, for Kawhi, walking away from just poop-tons of money may be an empty threat.
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I've never subscribed to that old saw bones about "don't let a star leave and get nothing back." If a star leaves, teams absolutely receive compensation in the form of losing, which leads to high draft picks. College and HS are thick with good players. In two of the last 3 years, we've seen loaded drafts chock full of team leading stars. Sans Kawhi, they can turn LaMarcus into more draft picks.
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Everyone snickered at the Sixers and "the process" but a ton of teams would love to be where they are now. The Spurs can do the same thing if Kawhi leaves.
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They shouldn't let him dictate his future. If he wants to leave, fine. It will cost him. OKC just signed George, when everyone had him penciled in as a LAL starter. That Max money was too much to walk away from, and I think Leonard, who just had a major injury, might similarly be unable to leave that much money on the table.

 

[denverexpat]

The idea of the draft is to try to provide some equality in the level of each team correct? This is then undone by the free agent process and more recently, the power of star players to package themselves with others to give teams a chance to leapfrog into contention. How is that good for the sport in terms of parity? The East is now second best by a wide margin...the 4-0 series in the finals just becomes more likely if this pattern continues. I'm a big fan of CBB not the NBA and this type of consolidation of talent wont draw me to it outside of one or two games per year when the best teams play.

 

[lyonhawk]

Just to clarify, GSW can resign all of their current players to max extensions as long as they are willing to continue to pay the increasing luxury tax. The only affect the salary cap will have on them is adding more free agents.

 

[dukehokie]

PG can vividly remember looking down to see a broken bone protruding from his leg. Max deal money is too good to walk away from. He's making some decent coin from endorsements, but max deal money is too good to walk away from, no matter how much you like the LAL.
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I'm not sure any star wants to play with LBJ. He takes up a lot of the oxygen in the room, be it intentionally or unintentionally.
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And Westbrook and PG have very complimentary games. The problem last year was Melo's ball-hogging, low percentage shooting, no-defense playing tail. Switch him with a solid defending 3pt shooter, and you have a dangerous team. And Melo is gone next summer. In a draft that should be flooded with talented wings. OKC won't get one of the "studs" at the top of the draft, but they don't NEED one of those. They will want an athletic defender that shoots well, even if he doesn't have elite abilities in other areas.
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Like LBJ and the LAL, I think there is a realization that this current iteration of the GSW has unlocked god-mode, so don't try to beat them. I'm sure there is a relevant Sun-Tzu quote, but the GSW will break up next summer. Too many egos and demands for money will bring them back to the pack. Or it won't and the rest of the league's maneuvers are pointless.
.
As an aside, OKC routinely gets kudos as a great place to live. Sure, the summers are awful, weather wise, but pro athletes rarely spend the summers in the city where they play. It is all Miami, LA, or an island somewhere, so no one will have to deal with the sweltering heat/humidity of OKC.

If the Thunder can figure out how to ship Melo, they should. As soon as possible. Ship and get some young talent and money, and they instantly become a top 4 squad in the West.

 

[dukehokie]

I commented the same thing on a friend’s post on Facebook. IMO it makes no sense for him to go to a Western Conference team because now he’ll have to play the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals instead of playing them in the NBA Finals. Not to mention that they’re in the same Division as the Warriors.

I’m almost wondering if the league is thinking to move to the proposed “best 16, regardless of conference make the playoffs.” Doubtful that happens, but the owners have pushed it before.

 

[PatrickYates]

Just to clarify, GSW can resign all of their current players to max extensions as long as they are willing to continue to pay the increasing luxury tax. The only affect the salary cap will have on them is adding more free agents.

Granted, and they may indeed do just that. In which case, they will remain essentially unbeatable in a 7 game series assuming relative health.
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But KD may want to leave anyway, because he's tired of the snark about him joining the GSW. I continue to think his heart is DC and that he'll head to the Wizards next year.

 

[PatrickYates]

If the Thunder can figure out how to ship Melo, they should. As soon as possible. Ship and get some young talent and money, and they instantly become a top 4 squad in the West.

Melo's contract is untradeable. They just have to wait out this year to get him off the books. Maybe some eastern team will take him, as they desperately try to eke out enough wins to sneak into the 7 or 8 seed of the playoffs, but I doubt it. Melo is still a valuable player, but only if he's making the vet minimum (or slightly more I guess) and is willing to do spot minutes off the bench. He could turn into a Vince Carter type, but Melo has deluded himself into thinking he's still a franchise player.
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Regardless, I consider him to be all but untradeable, and an anchor on the team this year.

 

[PatrickYates]

I’m almost wondering if the league is thinking to move to the proposed “best 16, regardless of conference make the playoffs.” Doubtful that happens, but the owners have pushed it before.

To further replay to LYONHAWK's post, and this above, I've seen the projections for the salary cap tax. While it is possible to pay it, I'm not sure it makes sense, finance/accounting wise, even if it does mean further titles. They'd be pushing 300+ million, annually (with further annual INCREASES) if they do this. I'm not sure even titles represent a profit. And god help you in the seasons when an injury mean you don't win the title.

 

[lyonhawk]

I think it depends on what their goals are. If they were to win say 2 of the next 3 titles to make it 5 in 7, it probably goes down as the greatest achievement in NBA history. It surpasses the Spurs run, the Kobe-Shaqs, the Heat, Showtime, Bird/McHale/Parrish, etc. The only similar teams are Jordan's Bulls and the Celtics of the 60s. Add in the fact that they basically built this team to only need the 1 major free agent acquisition and that may mean more to the owners long term than the financial situation over the next 3 years.

As for KD, I think the only way he loses the stigma is to win a title somewhere else. If he doesn't do that, he "proves" he wasn't good enough to win without GSW. I think he's fine with where his legacy will be should GS win another couple titles. He'll be there as long as they are willing to pay him.

 

[DukeDenver]

As for KD, I think the only way he loses the stigma is to win a title somewhere else. If he doesn't do that, he "proves" he wasn't good enough to win without GSW. I think he's fine with where his legacy will be should GS win another couple titles. He'll be there as long as they are willing to pay him.

KD and Lebron are the best 2 players in the world, and they're pretty close no matter the order you prefer. If someone tries to argue that KD can't win a title "on his own," then they are right. Every star needs a good team around him to win it all. KD's version of the Warriors has been unstoppable. I don't see how that can be used as evidence against KD's place as the best player in the world. Going there was a risk too, because if they lost, he'd be blamed for making one of the best teams ever worse. KD has passed Lebron. The real crime is watching Anthony Davis on a team that just doesn't have many other smart players.

 

[lyonhawk]

KD and Lebron are the best 2 players in the world, and they're pretty close no matter the order you prefer. If someone tries to argue that KD can't win a title "on his own," then they are right. Every star needs a good team around him to win it all. KD's version of the Warriors has been unstoppable. I don't see how that can be used as evidence against KD's place as the best player in the world. Going there was a risk too, because if they lost, he'd be blamed for making one of the best teams ever worse. KD has passed Lebron. The real crime is watching Anthony Davis on a team that just doesn't have many other smart players.

Yep. This was mostly in response to the idea KD would leave GS because he's tired of hearing how he took the easy route to titles.

 

[DukeDenver]

Yep. This was mostly in response to the idea KD would leave GS because he's tired of hearing how he took the easy route to titles.

Yeah anyone who looks at KD's big shots he sank the last two years and calls that the easy route is just bitter.

 

[2 skerz 3_rivals208847]

This. There are a TON of cracks in the Warriors' foundation. Klay and Draymond want to get PAID, and deservedly so. KD is, methinks, sick and tired of the whispers that he jumped on Curry's jock to get his rings. McGee, who is the type of defender/player that can really hamstring LBJ somewhat, has joined the Lakers.
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Sure, GSW looks like a threepeat team next year. I think LBJ took a long look at the landscape of the NBA and made the smart play.
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1. The GSW have played a LOT of games over the last 4+ years. LBJ and his otherworldly body/athleticism can absorb those heavy minutes, even at his "advanced" age of 33 (late peak physically, if we are honest). Curry and KD have had plenty of injury problems over recent years, given their thinness and frailty. There's a decent chance 1 or the other isn't 100% by the end of next year's long season.
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2. Next summer sees a GSW breakup, somehow, some way. There could be extra cap room, but probably not enough for Klay, KD, and Draymod to ALL resign. As I conjectured earlier, I think KD will leave. Honestly, the Wizards, his hometown team, might be a great landing place. Like LBJ, KD is one of the few players (probably only LBJ and Curry at this point) that will make so much in endorsements that he can "leave" money on the table salary wise.
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3. Given that next year might be a "wash" for LBJ, why sweat it? The year after, exploding salary cap money might again be available. Plus some free agents. Davis is a FA next year. Sure, he'd "leave" a super max on the table if he left for LA, but alongside LBJ, in LAL, while winning titles would move Davis into that "best player on the planet" level with the attending endorsement money. Kawhi could come in FA. Plus more I don't know about yet.
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4. Other FA might be UNNECCESARY. The LAL have a good core of young players. Randle might be a rich man's Tristan Thompsen. Ingram, as a 2 or 3 option, might blossom into a poor man's Scottie Pippen (which every single team in the NBA would commit sacrifice to obtain). Kyle Kuzma (sp) might turn into an Igoudala type and level of player. In other words, LBJ might not NEED serious help going forward. If JaVale can keep his ish together and be the defender and rebounder needed, while Ingram and Kyle K help with the scoring, that is a dangerous young team.
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Ball could be turned into something (he's a very good player, if not a star) as it seems like his dad may have come back down to earth a little bit. A few more supporting shooters and the LAL could be beastly next year.

That’s a lot of words to still come tp the conclusion that GS is going to win 4 out of 5. If they do get to 4-5 and 3 in a row I think they stick together and quite possible win 4 or 5 more.

 

[PatrickYates]

That’s a lot of words to still come tp the conclusion that GS is going to win 4 out of 5. If they do get to 4-5 and 3 in a row I think they stick together and quite possible win 4 or 5 more.

At some point, the luxury tax becomes too much for an ownership group that isn't composed of multibillionairs. This isn't Steve Ballmer, with his in excess of 10 billion dollar net worth. The owner is a guy worth between 1.5 and 2 billion, as the majority owner.
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He's not going to run a money losing team to win titles. He's got 3 already, with a fourth likely to come. And a decent chance to win still more WITHOUT KD.
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While it is POSSIBLE to pay huge salaries to Curry AND Durant AND Klay AND Draymond, while also funding a solid supporting cast, I'm not sure the owner will do it.
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I think some around here think the players will take a reasonable discount to chase titles. With 3, or 4, titles, I'm not so sure. Klay and Draymond especially need to max out on their earnings on the next contract. It is their last big one, and I think they'll want the max. When the owner asks KD to take a discount similar to the ones he's asking Klay and Dray to take, I'm betting someone(s) balk, especially with HOF status all but locked up by that point.
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I mean, if they max out guys, they are looking at 320 million dollars in TAX, on top of the actual salaries. I'm not sure even a title will deliver the funds to offset that expenditure.

 

[HuffyJB]

Yeah anyone who looks at KD's big shots he sank the last two years and calls that the easy route is just bitter.

I disagree. In fact, I think it is probably impossible to argue that joining what was already the best team in the league wasn't far and away the easiest route to a title.

None of that changes the fact that he is of course an incredible player. But he went to a situation that made his team one of if not the biggest favorites in the history of the NBA.