I would change the thought process about Max contracts. If I was talking to a good but not great free agent player, I would ask them what they think they're worth. If they respond with "Max money" I'd have to respond with "So you think you're as good as LeBron and deserve his type of money?"

I can't believe how dumb the Memphis Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace is. He's the guy that effed up the Celtics' payroll before Danny Ainge came in & saved their day. Wallace gives so-so player Rudy Gay a Max contract on the first day of free agency to retain him. Gay isn't going to win them a ring. Wallace just effed up Grizzlies salary cap for the next 5 years! If I were Wallace, I would have offered that money to LeBron first...while letting Rudy sweat it out whether he was going to get a nice offer from them! Holy crap is Wallace dumb. Gay didn't even lead his own team in scoring. was not going to get a max contract offer from ANY other team. Sure another team would have offered Gay some sort of contract, but not a Max! Wallace out bid himself. If I were a Grizzlies fan, I'd be pissed at Wallace. Gay has NEVER BEEN AN ALL-STAR. Let this sink in, he was a RESTRICTED Free Agent meaning the Grizz could have waited til another team signed Gay to an offer sheet, then matched the contract. I'll say it again. I'd be pissed if I were a Grizzlies fan!

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/jul/02/its-time-for-rudy-to-find-his-star-power/?partner=yahoo_feeds

How about the Hawks planning on offering Joe Johnson a max contract? He didnt even show up in the Playoffs!!!! Joe Jo would have recieved about a $10 mil a year contract from a team chasing LeBron to come in and be a second option. No way he turns down that offer.

Other horrible contracts yesterday.

Amir Johnson (who?) $34M for 5 years to stay in Toronto incase (when) Bosh leaves. Guy averaged 6 points per game last year.

Darko. At the end of last year the guy was ready to move back Europe & play there. He was over the NBA & living in America. Should've let him go Minnesota. You're dumb & you screwed yourself. Good going.


Here is what I would propose. There are only 3 ways a player earns a Max contract.
1. You are the best player at your position.
2. You lead the league in a (positive) category. ie. (not turnovers, worst fg%, worst ft%, etc.)
3. You're about to become a super-duper star. ie. Kevin Durant.

This would clear the league of bad contracts & crybabies (who aren't worth the money) getting over-paid, while keeping the elite players happy. You think Lebron is happy that he will get paid about the same amount as Rudy Gay? Ask Rudy the same qestion in reverse and you will hear a resounding "Yes!!"