Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is a long way from doing anything as fun as contending for a playoff spot, but they have more talent on the roster now than they had in early May. Kevin Pritchard may never be officially named GM but he'll still always be the last player I pretended to be on the playground before I got too old for such fantasies. Aldridge (once healthy), Roy, and Jack are potential All-stars. If they can get a role player who does even one thing well in exchange for Darius Miles, all the better. If they feel compelled to trade Zach Randolph, it will be almost impossible to get an equally talented basketball player in return. That's the rub with Zach Randolph.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings best players are aging (Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, Shareef Abdur-Rahim), unsigned (Bonzi Wells--and re-signing with Sacramento doesn't appear to be an option), or crazy (Ron Artest). Though Kenny Thomas and Kevin Martin are the start of a good bench (if Martin starts ahead of John Salmons, then Thomas is the start of a good bench), there's not another veteran you'd want your team to put in the game. There is, however, Quincy Douby.
Everybody knows that Douby scored a bunch of points for Rutgers last year. I don't think everybody knows that Douby took 38% of his team's shots while on the floor while shooting over 51% inside the 3-point arc, and 40% from beyond the arc. He made 85% of his free throws, led his team in assists, and had a 7:4 assist-to-turnover ratio. Rutgers was as close to a one-man team as you could find in major college basketball in recent years. Opposing teams recognized it, keyed their defenses to stop one man, and that man foiled their efforts in terms of both production and efficiency. Douby is a dark horse Rookie of the Year candidate and could be the saving grace of a disappointing season in Sacramento.
Seattle Supersonics
The Sonics have opted to give a full season's try with the roster they had at the end of the season. I think there's a good chance that results in an improved record (their team defense almost has to improve) but I doubt it's the recipe for play-off success. This is a decent roster; they should finish within a couple games of .500.
Watson and Ridnour form a good point guard tandem, especially if Watson plays a majority of the minutes. Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis provide one great and one good scoring option on the wings. Wilcox and Collison should make for a nice power forward rotation alongside a potentially improved Swift/Petro platoon. If they continue to get decent production from Damien Wilkins on the wing then anything they get from Gelabele, Halperin, Felix, and Sene will be gravy.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
Lightning Round (Part One): Transactions, News, Notes
The last ten teams in the NBA (alphabetically) suffer, with my apologies, the indignity of having their transactions lumped together. I've got to get this done and get ready for the season previews.
Orlando Magic
Signing Keith Bogans and re-signing Trevor Ariza should make up for the loss of DeShawn Stevenson. JJ Redick wasn't (anywhere near) the best player available with the 11th pick, but Orlando may be the best fit for Redick and his particular talent. The Magic should make the play-offs. The Magic will definitely be a regular part of my League Pass rotation.
Philadelphia 76ers
A: The Philadelphia 76ers are so bad...
B: How bad are they?
A: The Philadelphia 76ers are so bad they'll miss John Salmons this season.
To be fair, the Sixers have a fairly interesting (not to be confused with productive) second unit: Louis Williams, Rodney Carney, Willie Green, Shav Randolph, Bobby Jones, and Steven Hunter. Being interesting is not going to help them win any games but I foresee a lot of entertaining garbage time in 2006-07.
Phoenix Suns
Letting Tim Thomas go was a no-brainer. Too many people got far too excited over the twenty decent games he played in the post-season. To expect similar production from Thomas after he signs a new contract would strain credulity. Let's hope that expecting a healthy Amare Stoudemire does not engender a similar strain.
Orlando Magic
Signing Keith Bogans and re-signing Trevor Ariza should make up for the loss of DeShawn Stevenson. JJ Redick wasn't (anywhere near) the best player available with the 11th pick, but Orlando may be the best fit for Redick and his particular talent. The Magic should make the play-offs. The Magic will definitely be a regular part of my League Pass rotation.
Philadelphia 76ers
A: The Philadelphia 76ers are so bad...
B: How bad are they?
A: The Philadelphia 76ers are so bad they'll miss John Salmons this season.
To be fair, the Sixers have a fairly interesting (not to be confused with productive) second unit: Louis Williams, Rodney Carney, Willie Green, Shav Randolph, Bobby Jones, and Steven Hunter. Being interesting is not going to help them win any games but I foresee a lot of entertaining garbage time in 2006-07.
Phoenix Suns
Letting Tim Thomas go was a no-brainer. Too many people got far too excited over the twenty decent games he played in the post-season. To expect similar production from Thomas after he signs a new contract would strain credulity. Let's hope that expecting a healthy Amare Stoudemire does not engender a similar strain.
Monday, August 14, 2006
New York Knicks: Transactions, News, Notes
We all know that this monstrous, misbegotten roster won't survive the season but for the time being one must muddle through and attempt to weigh the value of adding Jared Jeffries, Renaldo Balkman, and Mardy Collins to this putrid mix.
The signing of Jeffries renders the question of Balkman's ability to play in the NBA largely irrelevent as Balkman now figures to slot in somewhere behind Quentin Richardson, Channing Frye, Jared Jeffries, Jalen Rose, and David Lee in the race for minutes as a big guard, small forward, or undersized power forward. What uses Isiah might envision for Mardy Collins remain mysterious as at least two of Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford, and Nate Robinson already figure to be complaining about minutes, touches, and respect on a daily basis.
As one who once witnessed Isiah Thomas choose to play Ron Mercer at point guard and not to have Ron Artest guard Paul Pierce throughout the 4th quarter of a play-off game, I concede that any combination of mis-matched parts could see the court simulataneously and that it is a fool's errand to attempt to decipher Isiah's decision-making process as either general manager or coach.
Furthermore, until the roster is next re-configured (+/- ten days from Halloween is my guess), those qualities that first Balkman, then Jeffries are touted to inject into the Knickerbockers' state of being: defense, hustle, and not shooting figure to come at the expense of the two remaining Knicks (Rose and Lee) who demonstrated the ability to score efficiently in the midst of dysfunction last year. The third Knick to demonstrate this quality last year, Jackie Butler, was allowed to sign with a franchise that knows what it's doing for less than 1/4 the money paid to Jeffries.
We'll speak of this again once half the roster has been jettisoned in the service of Isiah Thomas's next attempt at instant gratification.
The signing of Jeffries renders the question of Balkman's ability to play in the NBA largely irrelevent as Balkman now figures to slot in somewhere behind Quentin Richardson, Channing Frye, Jared Jeffries, Jalen Rose, and David Lee in the race for minutes as a big guard, small forward, or undersized power forward. What uses Isiah might envision for Mardy Collins remain mysterious as at least two of Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford, and Nate Robinson already figure to be complaining about minutes, touches, and respect on a daily basis.
As one who once witnessed Isiah Thomas choose to play Ron Mercer at point guard and not to have Ron Artest guard Paul Pierce throughout the 4th quarter of a play-off game, I concede that any combination of mis-matched parts could see the court simulataneously and that it is a fool's errand to attempt to decipher Isiah's decision-making process as either general manager or coach.
Furthermore, until the roster is next re-configured (+/- ten days from Halloween is my guess), those qualities that first Balkman, then Jeffries are touted to inject into the Knickerbockers' state of being: defense, hustle, and not shooting figure to come at the expense of the two remaining Knicks (Rose and Lee) who demonstrated the ability to score efficiently in the midst of dysfunction last year. The third Knick to demonstrate this quality last year, Jackie Butler, was allowed to sign with a franchise that knows what it's doing for less than 1/4 the money paid to Jeffries.
We'll speak of this again once half the roster has been jettisoned in the service of Isiah Thomas's next attempt at instant gratification.
New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets: Transactions, News, Notes
I, too, believe that the NO/OKC franchise could be on the rise. Chris Paul and David West are excellent and good young players, respectively. Eventually, Jeff Bower will surround those two with quality teammates. Contrary to some reports, he did not do so this off-season.
By drafting Cedric Simmons and Hilton Armstrong and trading for Tyson Chandler, Bower has almost certainly found at least one useful role player in the frontcourt though none of the three should be expected to contribute much offensively (even with Chris Paul aiding and abetting) in the foreseeable future. As for the rest of the roster, Bower allowed Speedy Claxton, JR Smith, and Kirk Snyder go in order to acquire/retain a passel of offensive players who don't score efficiently anymore (Peja Stojakovic, Bobby Jackson) or never really have (Rasual Butler, Jannero Pargo). Claxton, Smith, and Snyder were probably not going to get the Hornets into the play-offs this year, but Bower has spent a lot of money to make the team older, more expensive, and quite possibly poorly equipped to match last year's 38 wins.
By drafting Cedric Simmons and Hilton Armstrong and trading for Tyson Chandler, Bower has almost certainly found at least one useful role player in the frontcourt though none of the three should be expected to contribute much offensively (even with Chris Paul aiding and abetting) in the foreseeable future. As for the rest of the roster, Bower allowed Speedy Claxton, JR Smith, and Kirk Snyder go in order to acquire/retain a passel of offensive players who don't score efficiently anymore (Peja Stojakovic, Bobby Jackson) or never really have (Rasual Butler, Jannero Pargo). Claxton, Smith, and Snyder were probably not going to get the Hornets into the play-offs this year, but Bower has spent a lot of money to make the team older, more expensive, and quite possibly poorly equipped to match last year's 38 wins.
New Jersey Nets: Transactions, News, Notes
The Nets have upgraded their bench this summer (granted, it's almost impossible to avoid coming out ahead when Jacque Vaughn, Scott Padgett, and Zoran Planinic leave your organization) but they still to figure to rely almost entirely on Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson. If those three stay healthy, the Nets should win the Atlantic Division again. Keep in mind, though, that in '05-'06 Kidd played more minutes than he had since 2003 and Carter played more minutes than he had since 2001. All that good health only helped the Nets to 49 wins and a 4-1 exit at the hands of the Heat in the Conference Semis. Thus, Antoine Wright being a year older and wiser and adding Marcus Williams, Josh Boone, Mikki Moore, and Hassan Adams to the bench might prevent regression more than foster improvement.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Transactions, News, Notes
Early returns indicate that Minnesota has doubled its collection of good players. The manner by which Kevin McHale achieved this feat does not encourage optimism regarding the potential improvement of the remainder of the roster. Unfortunately, as Ricky Davis and Mike James continue to exist in limbo between being excellent supporting players or a self-destructive, would-be stars, there's nothing else on the roster but mediocre role players and guys who can't beat out mediocre role players for minutes.
But for his most saddening microfracture surgery, Rashad McCants would surely have endeavored to make Davis expendable. Perhaps in '07-'08, after Kevin Garnett's clock has made one more revolution.
But for his most saddening microfracture surgery, Rashad McCants would surely have endeavored to make Davis expendable. Perhaps in '07-'08, after Kevin Garnett's clock has made one more revolution.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Milwaukee Bucks: Transactions, News, Notes
Milwaukee's had a good off-season, one that should be evaluated as the first in a two-step project to create a 50-win team. This off-season, Larry Harris has turned TJ Ford, Joe Smith, and Jamaal Magliore into Steve Blake, Charlie Villanueva, Brian Skinner, and Ruben Patterson. Harris signed Lynn Greer and drafted David Noel to provide cheap, possibly useful, bench depth.
The multi-headed point guard monster of Mo Williams, Charlie Bell, Blake, and Greer should motor along just fine without Ford's poor shooting and defending. The aerodynamic Villanueva's efficient scoring will fit quite nicely alongside rebounding enthusiasts Andrew Bogut, Dan Gadzuric, and Skinner. Patterson will provide a perimeter defensive option other than Bobby Simmons.
Only Redd, Villanueva, Bogut, Simmons, and Gadzuric are under contract for 2007-08. (The team holds options on Skinner and Noel.) Those are the five Bucks you'd definitely want to keep (along with one of the point guards, likely). If Harris can carry out the second step (acquire a player as good or better than Redd) as deftly as he's carried out the first, the he'll be feted in the summer of '07 as John Paxson has been in the summer of '06.
The multi-headed point guard monster of Mo Williams, Charlie Bell, Blake, and Greer should motor along just fine without Ford's poor shooting and defending. The aerodynamic Villanueva's efficient scoring will fit quite nicely alongside rebounding enthusiasts Andrew Bogut, Dan Gadzuric, and Skinner. Patterson will provide a perimeter defensive option other than Bobby Simmons.
Only Redd, Villanueva, Bogut, Simmons, and Gadzuric are under contract for 2007-08. (The team holds options on Skinner and Noel.) Those are the five Bucks you'd definitely want to keep (along with one of the point guards, likely). If Harris can carry out the second step (acquire a player as good or better than Redd) as deftly as he's carried out the first, the he'll be feted in the summer of '07 as John Paxson has been in the summer of '06.
Miami Heat: Transactions, News, Notes
The NBA champions haven't made any significant changes this off-season. Alonzo Mourning has not yet re-signed but he is expected to do so. Gary Payton wants to re-sign as well and will probably get his wish because of Jason Williams' knee surgery. Derek Anderson may seek a buyout from the final year of his contract rather than sit on the end of the Heat bench in either warm-ups or street clothes.
If the end of the Heat bench includes a new face it will most likely be Mike Gansey, who signed a partially guaranteed deal. Gansey's probably a better player than Jason Kapono but neither player figures to make much of an impact, good or bad, in extremely limited minutes.
Chris Quinn, Vincent Grier, and Daniel Horton are the early favorites to be cut before their contracts become guaranteed.
If the end of the Heat bench includes a new face it will most likely be Mike Gansey, who signed a partially guaranteed deal. Gansey's probably a better player than Jason Kapono but neither player figures to make much of an impact, good or bad, in extremely limited minutes.
Chris Quinn, Vincent Grier, and Daniel Horton are the early favorites to be cut before their contracts become guaranteed.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Memphis Grizzlies: Transactions, News, Notes
Memphis has gained more talent than they've given up this off-season but I'm not sure they're any closer to contending for anything grander than the fourth seed in the West. Then again, Jerry West traded for Rudy Gay who, though he inspires doubts regarding his willingness/ability to take over basketball games, has the talent to supplant Pau Gasol as the best player in Memphis while still on his first contract. Gay may or may not ever live up to the expectations placed upon him, but he doesn't appear to have much of a chance of turning into a bust, either. In a worst-case scenario, he's an adequate replacement for Shane Battier. That the Rockets threw in Stromile Swift, who will replace Lorenzen Wright, makes the trade a clear win for Memphis.
If Swift can match the production he provided during his first engagement with the Grizzlies (or even better, validate his reputation as a rebounder), then Mike Fratello will be able to deploy the various, limited talents of Jake Tsakalidis, Brian Cardinal, Hakim Warrick, Lawrence Roberts, and Alexander Johnson as a decent collection of frontcourt reserves. All, save Cardinal, are fairly intriguing prospects but only Tsakalidis, in limited minutes last season, has capitalized on his potential to any degree thus far in his professional career.
Adding Kyle Lowry (another safe draft pick who could become a quality starter in the NBA, but will likely never be worse than a good back-up) and re-signing Chucky Atkins should prevent the citizens of Memphis from seeing any more of Antonio Burks on the court despite the departure of Bobby Jackson and concerns over the health of Damon Stoudamire's knee. If Mike Fratello can similarly keep Dahntay Jones in street-clothes or at least off the court, Memphis should safely maintain their spot in the play-offs.
If Swift can match the production he provided during his first engagement with the Grizzlies (or even better, validate his reputation as a rebounder), then Mike Fratello will be able to deploy the various, limited talents of Jake Tsakalidis, Brian Cardinal, Hakim Warrick, Lawrence Roberts, and Alexander Johnson as a decent collection of frontcourt reserves. All, save Cardinal, are fairly intriguing prospects but only Tsakalidis, in limited minutes last season, has capitalized on his potential to any degree thus far in his professional career.
Adding Kyle Lowry (another safe draft pick who could become a quality starter in the NBA, but will likely never be worse than a good back-up) and re-signing Chucky Atkins should prevent the citizens of Memphis from seeing any more of Antonio Burks on the court despite the departure of Bobby Jackson and concerns over the health of Damon Stoudamire's knee. If Mike Fratello can similarly keep Dahntay Jones in street-clothes or at least off the court, Memphis should safely maintain their spot in the play-offs.
Los Angeles Lakers: Transactions, News, Notes
After 8100 mediocre minutes, the Devean George Era appears to be over. Why it took so long for the Lakers to find a replacement for George is beyond me, but congratulations, Mitch Kupchak, for finally acquiring a younger, better option.
I'm not as high on Jordan Farmar as some people are (right now his offensive game is basically Luke Walton's with more turnovers) but he should improve the Lakers' perimeter defense even as a rookie. Phil Jackson got a lot out of Smush Parker last year but evidence still suggets that Parker shouldn't play 2800 minutes or an imprtant role in play-off games.
Maurice Evans is a far more important acqusition than Farmar for the 2006-07 season. To get a quality bench player for a late second-round pick is a credit both to Kupchak and the Pistons apparent desire to become the third-best team in the Central Division. With a bench now consisting of Brian Cook, Evans, Radmanovic, Walton, Farmar, Ronny Turiaf and possibly Andrew Bynum, the Lakers can contend for the fourth seed in the West assuming Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom are ready to start the season.
I'm not as high on Jordan Farmar as some people are (right now his offensive game is basically Luke Walton's with more turnovers) but he should improve the Lakers' perimeter defense even as a rookie. Phil Jackson got a lot out of Smush Parker last year but evidence still suggets that Parker shouldn't play 2800 minutes or an imprtant role in play-off games.
Maurice Evans is a far more important acqusition than Farmar for the 2006-07 season. To get a quality bench player for a late second-round pick is a credit both to Kupchak and the Pistons apparent desire to become the third-best team in the Central Division. With a bench now consisting of Brian Cook, Evans, Radmanovic, Walton, Farmar, Ronny Turiaf and possibly Andrew Bynum, the Lakers can contend for the fourth seed in the West assuming Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom are ready to start the season.
Los Angeles Clippers: Transactions, News, Notes
The Clippers have made simple, stable, sensible decisions this off-season which still represents something of a brave new world for the organization. They locked up Sam Cassell for the next two years and replaced Vladimir Radmanovic with Tim Thomas in a like-for-like free agent signing.
Cassell's production will probably decline somewhat over the next two years but Shaun Livingston has plenty of room for improvement and he might both off-set Cassell's decline and keep Sam fresh for the play-offs. Thomas is unlikely to match Radmanovic's production (the play-offs were the first time Thomas had played well since 2004) but a healthier Corey Maggette should help the Clippers approach 50 wins again this year.
Second-round draft picks Paul Davis and Guillermo Diaz could improve either the Clippers' bench or lead the Anaheim Arsenal to the post-season.
Cassell's production will probably decline somewhat over the next two years but Shaun Livingston has plenty of room for improvement and he might both off-set Cassell's decline and keep Sam fresh for the play-offs. Thomas is unlikely to match Radmanovic's production (the play-offs were the first time Thomas had played well since 2004) but a healthier Corey Maggette should help the Clippers approach 50 wins again this year.
Second-round draft picks Paul Davis and Guillermo Diaz could improve either the Clippers' bench or lead the Anaheim Arsenal to the post-season.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Indiana Pacers: Transactions, News, Notes
The Pacers are waiting, waiting, waiting for the Hawks to complete a deal to bring Al Harrington back to town. He's not worth the wait for Indiana. Their greatest need was not to find someone to run their pose offense through on the nights when Jermaine O'Neal. Harrington doesn't do anything other than score and he's not especially efficient doing that.
When O'Neal is healthy, Harrington will serve both to limit his touches and the minutes of Marquis Daniels, Danny Granger, Stephen Jackson, Shawne Williams, and James White. Daniels (when healthy) Jackson, and Granger are all better players than Harrington. Williams and White probably aren't yet and may never be but at least they would complement O'Neal in some way.
The Pacers still need a good point guard and some quality post depth beyond this year's Maccabi Tel Aviv import, Maceo Baston. Baston should approximate Foster's game better than either David Harrison or Josh Powell. The modesty of Jasikevicius's production in 2006 should prepare Pacers fans' expectations for such faint praise.
When O'Neal is healthy, Harrington will serve both to limit his touches and the minutes of Marquis Daniels, Danny Granger, Stephen Jackson, Shawne Williams, and James White. Daniels (when healthy) Jackson, and Granger are all better players than Harrington. Williams and White probably aren't yet and may never be but at least they would complement O'Neal in some way.
The Pacers still need a good point guard and some quality post depth beyond this year's Maccabi Tel Aviv import, Maceo Baston. Baston should approximate Foster's game better than either David Harrison or Josh Powell. The modesty of Jasikevicius's production in 2006 should prepare Pacers fans' expectations for such faint praise.
Houston Rockets: Transactions, News, Notes
There's no safer bet to improve on their 2006 season than the Houston Rockets. Juwan Howard, Rafer Alston, David Wesley, and Luther Head all played more minutes than Yao and Tracy McGrady last year. Acquiring Shane Battier, who has never missed more than four games in an NBA season, even at a significant price, should at least assure that the Rockets at least have a good player available to play more minutes than the members of their guild of role players and would-be role players.
It would probably be foolish to expect a full, healthy season of production from McGrady, but any minutes he contributes beyond the 1746 he played last year will be of greater utility than those contributed by Head, Wesley, Derek Anderson, Keith Bogans, Ryan Bowen, Jon Barry, Moochie Norris, Rick Brunson, and Richie Frahm. That's such a motley collection that Jeff Van Gundy might find Kirk Snyder a breath of fresh air.
If Bob Sura can return from his year lost to micro-fracture surgery, all the better. Luther Head should be more useful in his second year. He could be far more productive than he was as a rookie if McGrady and Yao Ming are drawing attention on the court.
It's not all good news for the Rockets. Somebody's going to have to replace the departed Stromile Swift. Though a disappointment, Swift is still better than Juwan Howard or Ryan Bowen. The Rockets appear to be counting on Chuck Hayes being able to maintain his rebounding (6th in the league in rebound rate) and defensive production (5th in the league in defensive rating) in greatly increased minutes. I think that's unlikely even if Hayes reamins a good bench player.
It would probably be foolish to expect a full, healthy season of production from McGrady, but any minutes he contributes beyond the 1746 he played last year will be of greater utility than those contributed by Head, Wesley, Derek Anderson, Keith Bogans, Ryan Bowen, Jon Barry, Moochie Norris, Rick Brunson, and Richie Frahm. That's such a motley collection that Jeff Van Gundy might find Kirk Snyder a breath of fresh air.
If Bob Sura can return from his year lost to micro-fracture surgery, all the better. Luther Head should be more useful in his second year. He could be far more productive than he was as a rookie if McGrady and Yao Ming are drawing attention on the court.
It's not all good news for the Rockets. Somebody's going to have to replace the departed Stromile Swift. Though a disappointment, Swift is still better than Juwan Howard or Ryan Bowen. The Rockets appear to be counting on Chuck Hayes being able to maintain his rebounding (6th in the league in rebound rate) and defensive production (5th in the league in defensive rating) in greatly increased minutes. I think that's unlikely even if Hayes reamins a good bench player.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Golden State Warriors: Transactions, News, Notes
Even when Chris Mullin does something right, the potential for failure looms.
Case in point: he succesfully trades away one of the five bad-to-horrible contracts to which he's agreed to create playing time for a cheaper, younger option and said option, Monta Ellis, hurts his knee. Again. Ellis, you'll remember, was available for the Warriors to take in the second round because of concerns about the long-term health of his knees.
Having waived Will Bynum in order to take on the bulk of unwanted players necessary for the Jazz to match Fisher's salary, the Warriors are dangerously close to announcing Keith McLeod as the starting point guard on the nights Baron Davis can't answer the bell.
Warriors fans (and executives) are counting on a trade for either Iverson or Al Harrington to help recompose the roster. I think either trade will simply change the team's problems rather than provide the 10 win improvement they need to make the playoffs, but, if they complete either deal they will be negotiating with Billy King or Billy Knight, making the possibilities endless.
Case in point: he succesfully trades away one of the five bad-to-horrible contracts to which he's agreed to create playing time for a cheaper, younger option and said option, Monta Ellis, hurts his knee. Again. Ellis, you'll remember, was available for the Warriors to take in the second round because of concerns about the long-term health of his knees.
Having waived Will Bynum in order to take on the bulk of unwanted players necessary for the Jazz to match Fisher's salary, the Warriors are dangerously close to announcing Keith McLeod as the starting point guard on the nights Baron Davis can't answer the bell.
Warriors fans (and executives) are counting on a trade for either Iverson or Al Harrington to help recompose the roster. I think either trade will simply change the team's problems rather than provide the 10 win improvement they need to make the playoffs, but, if they complete either deal they will be negotiating with Billy King or Billy Knight, making the possibilities endless.
Detroit Pistons: Transactions, News, Notes
For all intents and purposes, the Pistons had only six guys they were willing to play in the playoffs last year. Ben Wallace's departure for Chicago reduces that number to five. The seventh and eighth members of Detroit's playoff rotation, Lindsey Hunter and Tony Delk, were old and ineffective and should be allowed to leave as free agents.
Letting the old, bad players go would be easier had Joe Dumars not traded away his best (relatively) young bench player, Maurice Evans, for skinny Senegalese project Cheick Samb. Evans allegedly requested the trade so as not to share minutes with Carlos Delfino next year. Which is odd as Delfino has yet to demonstrate even marginal competence in any facet of the NBA game. Still, he should be better than Alex Acker (should he be re-signed) or Flip Murray, who will fit in not at all with the veteran Pistons. Will Blalock should get minutes before Murray.
It looks like the rest of the bench will be Nazr Mohammed, Jason Maxiell, and what's left of Dale Davis which means that if the starting five stay healthy the Pistons should make the playoffs but if anyone gets hurt, things could get desperate quite quickly.
Letting the old, bad players go would be easier had Joe Dumars not traded away his best (relatively) young bench player, Maurice Evans, for skinny Senegalese project Cheick Samb. Evans allegedly requested the trade so as not to share minutes with Carlos Delfino next year. Which is odd as Delfino has yet to demonstrate even marginal competence in any facet of the NBA game. Still, he should be better than Alex Acker (should he be re-signed) or Flip Murray, who will fit in not at all with the veteran Pistons. Will Blalock should get minutes before Murray.
It looks like the rest of the bench will be Nazr Mohammed, Jason Maxiell, and what's left of Dale Davis which means that if the starting five stay healthy the Pistons should make the playoffs but if anyone gets hurt, things could get desperate quite quickly.
Denver Nuggets: Transactions, News, Notes
Denver was awfully mediocre last year and, as of this moment, it looks like more of the same this year. I don't really understand how adding Iverson will make the Nuggets much better. Even Billy King would demand Andre Miller in that deal and refuse to take Kenyon Martin.
I think.
Generally speaking, it's tough to build a championship team by spending $130M over the next half-decade on two oft-injured guys who play the same position. Tends to limit one's flexibility. It would be foolish to expect either great planning or great execution from a franchise owned by an important booster of the University of Missouri Athletic Department.
Turning whatever it is they own of Howard Eisley's rights into JR Smith is a positive, though, again, the end result of the move just means a battle for Greg Buckner's old minutes between Smith, Ruben Patterson, Julius Hodge, and DerMarr Johnson (should they re-sign him).
I'll take another look at the Nuggets later in the week after they decide whether or not to match Francisco Elson's offer sheet.
I think.
Generally speaking, it's tough to build a championship team by spending $130M over the next half-decade on two oft-injured guys who play the same position. Tends to limit one's flexibility. It would be foolish to expect either great planning or great execution from a franchise owned by an important booster of the University of Missouri Athletic Department.
Turning whatever it is they own of Howard Eisley's rights into JR Smith is a positive, though, again, the end result of the move just means a battle for Greg Buckner's old minutes between Smith, Ruben Patterson, Julius Hodge, and DerMarr Johnson (should they re-sign him).
I'll take another look at the Nuggets later in the week after they decide whether or not to match Francisco Elson's offer sheet.
Dallas Mavericks: Transactions, News, Notes
It hasn't been made official yet, but the Mavs re-upped Jason Terry at a very reasonable price for the next six years. That made it possible to swap the electrifying (when-healthy) Marquis Daniels for balding Austin Croshere (note the rarely-witnessed comb-forward in Croshere's pic in the linked story above) and his magical expiring contract. In less stimulating news, they announced a deal with DJ Mbenga.
So, Croshere presumably replaces Keith Van Horn, Buckner and draftee Maurice Ager replace Daniels and Adrian Griffin. Free agent Darrell Armstrong has been the subject of absolutely no rumor-mongering thus far but should be on somebody's bench this year should he so desire.
So, Croshere presumably replaces Keith Van Horn, Buckner and draftee Maurice Ager replace Daniels and Adrian Griffin. Free agent Darrell Armstrong has been the subject of absolutely no rumor-mongering thus far but should be on somebody's bench this year should he so desire.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Transactions, News, Notes
The Cavs really should go ahead and Clipse (credit to Joey from Straight Bangin') with Drew Gooden. Then Danny Ferry should go make sure that Drew Gooden isn't the second-best player on the team. I'm not sure how Ferry goes about doing that as no team should be anxious to take on Eric Snow at $20M over three years, Damon Jones at $12M over three years, or Larry Hughes at $50M over four years. Luke Jackson, Sasha Pavlovic, and Ira Newble are cheaper but useless. No wonder they've mistaken the Brazilian Ryan Bowen for a good player. It's all about the context of their perceptions.
My guess is that Ferry trades Big Z's expiring contract at the deadline or lets him walk at the end of the year. Ilgauskas is productive but he's an old 30 and he and LeBron don't look like they complement each other very well. They don't really look like they're playing the same game. Are there any two teammates, good teammates, that are more dissimilar?
I love the hope that the class of 2003 is expressing through their 3- to 4-year contract extensions. They aren't living in fear of injury or for the desire of profoundly bullet-proof financial security. They're trying to maximize wins and money and they're making the NBA more competitive, fluid, and flexible.
My guess is that Ferry trades Big Z's expiring contract at the deadline or lets him walk at the end of the year. Ilgauskas is productive but he's an old 30 and he and LeBron don't look like they complement each other very well. They don't really look like they're playing the same game. Are there any two teammates, good teammates, that are more dissimilar?
I love the hope that the class of 2003 is expressing through their 3- to 4-year contract extensions. They aren't living in fear of injury or for the desire of profoundly bullet-proof financial security. They're trying to maximize wins and money and they're making the NBA more competitive, fluid, and flexible.
Chicago Bulls: Transactions, News, Notes
John Paxson turned the second pick in the draft and Tyson Chandler into Tyrus Thomas, Viktor Khryapa, Ben Wallace, PJ Brown, and JR Smith. That's a solid summer. Oh, he also drafted Thabo Sefolosha, who, at least on my computer, watching through the single camera in the gym at the Orlando Summer League, looks ready to contribute immediately (the benefits of letting Kirk Hinrich exclusively play point guard could be significant). And, the Bulls are rumored to be in the running for Drew Gooden.
The Bulls used over 6000 minutes on Chandler, Darius Songaila, Mike Sweetney, Malik Allen, and Othella Harrington in the frontcourt last year, none of whom were better than mediocre. Wallace is a near-certainty to be good (even though he is declining), while Brown and Thomas figure to match the production of the journeymen they're replacing even in a worst-case scenario. Factor in that one of Deng, Gordon, or Sweetney (if he plays) could improve as well and the Bulls look capable of improving by 10-12 wins this year.
Signing Adrian Griffin to a three-year deal suggests that any big trade would most likely involve either Deng or Nocioni (perhaps one of Smith or Khryapa, too). Nocioni seems untouchable after his great playoff performance against the Heat but his trade value may never be higher because, 1) he was guarded by Antoine Walker for most of that series, and, 2) he's most useful playing as an undersized four but Tyrus Thomas and/or an effective Michael Sweetney will provide stiffer competition for those minutes.
Apparently, the Griffin signing means that JR Smith will never suit up for the Bulls, instead heading to Denver for Howard Eisley and two second-round picks. Eisley doesn't appear on any Nuggets roster that I can find but they apparently still own his rights after signing him for the rest of the season following two 10-day contracts last March. The Bulls intend to waive Eisley immediately. Fringe NBA prospects best hope those future second-round picks are far in the future. I don't see many young players with non-guaranteed contracts making this team over the next couple of years.
The Bulls used over 6000 minutes on Chandler, Darius Songaila, Mike Sweetney, Malik Allen, and Othella Harrington in the frontcourt last year, none of whom were better than mediocre. Wallace is a near-certainty to be good (even though he is declining), while Brown and Thomas figure to match the production of the journeymen they're replacing even in a worst-case scenario. Factor in that one of Deng, Gordon, or Sweetney (if he plays) could improve as well and the Bulls look capable of improving by 10-12 wins this year.
Signing Adrian Griffin to a three-year deal suggests that any big trade would most likely involve either Deng or Nocioni (perhaps one of Smith or Khryapa, too). Nocioni seems untouchable after his great playoff performance against the Heat but his trade value may never be higher because, 1) he was guarded by Antoine Walker for most of that series, and, 2) he's most useful playing as an undersized four but Tyrus Thomas and/or an effective Michael Sweetney will provide stiffer competition for those minutes.
Apparently, the Griffin signing means that JR Smith will never suit up for the Bulls, instead heading to Denver for Howard Eisley and two second-round picks. Eisley doesn't appear on any Nuggets roster that I can find but they apparently still own his rights after signing him for the rest of the season following two 10-day contracts last March. The Bulls intend to waive Eisley immediately. Fringe NBA prospects best hope those future second-round picks are far in the future. I don't see many young players with non-guaranteed contracts making this team over the next couple of years.
Charlotte Bobcats: Transactions, News, Notes
They drafted a young man with a little bit of facial hair and quite a lot of offense. Being unable to rebound or defend, the 21st-century Jeff Hornacek will, unfortunately, fit right in with his new teammates. Emeka Okafor better stay healthy this year. I'm pretty sure you can't finish ahead of even the Hawks with a frontline of Morrison, May, and Brezec.
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