The Official NBA 2005-06 Thread

[merdoc]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ivDbnXGaLPw&search=dirk%20nowitzki

some random dirk vid

and the pistons getting nazr aint that bad. he can be solid with 12 points, 6 rebs and at least 2 blocks a game if he starts

[Hoonyo]

the spurs have lost rasho and nazr. are they going to play duncan at center now?

[Night]

No, he does belong on that list. He was terrible in is one season with the bulls. So many people ate crow when he stunk it up. I know you people remember the airball dunk. Dude stole the ball and was alone on the break. He jumped from too far and airballed a dunk.

Only 3 duke players have done anything and they are Christian, Hill, and Brand.

You forgot to put the Alaskan Assassion on your duke list.

lol, Langdon... yeah forgot him as well as Avery and Maggette. And yup, Jay Williams is a bust.

I only mention Hill cause of the injury... maybe if it wasn't for the injury... but I'm thinking the Duke curse is what caused it! Laettner was an all-star a couple times I believe, but he's pretty much been a player that's been bounced from team to team. I'll say that Elton Brand is the only one who looks like he'll at least have a complete career of being a star player.

[GeoG2]

What a bsatard, that Ben Wallace.

Leaves Detroit for a four contract at $12 million per to sign with Chicago for four years at $13 million per?

That's only a million more per year! That's worth leaving a team that's usually a lock to get you to the conference finals, the one that took a chance on your poor undrafted ass all those years ago and made you the player you are today? Fuck Ben Wallace.

Washington were the ones that signed him after he went undrafted.

He disapproves of Flip Saunders' methods, so I'm not surprised he left.

[Hunter D]

the spurs have lost rasho and nazr. are they going to play duncan at center now?
Yeah right. IMO Duncan can't play aganist the bigger guys. That is why he is listed at 6'11 and plays the 4.

[Carpet Lint]

Well the Spurs are so versatile that I don't think it'd be a huge deal for them - I mean, Duncan's practically a centre playing power forward anyway.

Maybe shift Duncan over to center and start The Unstoppable RED ROCKET at powerfoward. That's like instant championship right there - just add water.

And apparently Ben Wallace's contract was for like four years at $60 million...which kind of changes my opinion on the whole thing, compared to when it was still reported at $52/4.

_________

Chandler dealt for PJ Brown and JR Smith. Obviously a move to counter the Raptors picking up two two-letter first namers earlier in TJ Ford and PJ Tucker.

Do Chandler's and Brown's salaries not match? JR Smith as a throw in? Seriously? I didn't know his stock had fallen that far. I still don't think he fits Chicago that well since they have so much depth at the short SG spot (I think they need a taller SF type that can defend to put them over the top) but a very, very nice trade by Chicago again.

Not bad for the Hornets too. Both teams are shaping up. Add Peja, and Chandler, Chris Paul getting another year better...should be a good team, even in the West.

[Hunter D]

The hornets got rid of smith because he wanted out.

[GeoG2]

Chicago is officially the deepest team in the league.

Jordan is going to be catching the holy ghost many times in his skybox seat next season.

[Cool-Breeze]

Yea that is true Smith wanted out of the New Orleans Hornets, but he spent time on and off hurt, once he is in Chicago his playing ability will not be needed as high as it was in NEw Orleans with them still having Loul Deng, Nochioni, Hirich and Songaila who is currently playing the small or the forward. Aren't Duhon and Gordon running the Point Positions??

The Bulls are pretty deep I mean, they have only three older players on there team,
Othella Harrington, Eric Piatkowski,and Randy Livingston, all im eyes worth giving up this year ha ha.
The brunt of there team is still signed for the next four years and if things shape up for them this year like 2 more youngsters will be locked up for just as long as well, if they are successful this year that would make them a threat for the next 4 years in terms of teamchemistry, depth, and salary cap space.
If they are even blessed with a shot at reaching the Eastern Conference Finals or the Big Dance that alone would hype up the City of Chicago (Who has been pretty much dead since the Jordan era) the money would roll in and lock this team down for the next 8 years WOW.

Who ever posted that Dirk Video needs to tell that fucker he lost his chance and he should have played in that Miami series when his team was away from home, like he did in the begining of that video, I rarely see him tack it to the rack anymore let alone the way he did in his days under Don Nelson.

Oh Detroit gains Nazr wow still ain't Ben Wallace Damn it, so we gain a little more scoring but doesn't that mean I defense takes a big hit, along with Offensive Rebounding??
Plus ummm WE STILL HAVE NO RELIABLE BENCH GOD DAMN IT !!!!

[YellowS4]

I think someone needs to do a 900 to beast all over that 720 dunk from a few days back.

Gotta try and take advantage of Raps season passes

[Mario Lemieux!]

Is Tony Hawk a ballah?


Maybe if we give him a skateboard, he can crack the Rapts roster!

[Legendary Gokou]

I don't think Detroit loses TOO much by getting mohammed. He can rebound decently, plus he's actually a really good free throw shooter (easily better than wallace, of course).

I'm not sure what the Spurs are going to do in regards to the 5 spot. Hopefully they can go back to always having two big men on the court.

[Unreallystic]

I don't think Detroit loses TOO much by getting mohammed. He can rebound decently, plus he's actually a really good free throw shooter (easily better than wallace, of course).

I'm not sure what the Spurs are going to do in regards to the 5 spot. Hopefully they can go back to always having two big men on the court.
People are looking at this wrong - Detroit didn't lose 'nmbers' - Ben Wallace was the ultimate trash man - he did everything the team needed to wi -a new age Dennis rodman of sorts - extremely physically fit - and all over hte place, locking people 6 inches on up down. I miss dennis Rodman - he was soooo 'right' in Chicago.
-:bluu:

[google]

I enjoyed watching Dennis Rodman chucking up three pointers at the end of games. Only when the Bulls were obviously going to when. The crowd would go nuts whenever he would hit.

[The Deadpool]

Without Big Ben, Detroit doesn't have an identity.

[merdoc]

i thought sheed was the identity of that team.

[Cool-Breeze]

i thought sheed was the identity of that team.

I think Billups made a comment when asked the question Who was one of the most important pieces to there championship run and he named Rasheed.

But Ben Wallace is or was the face of Detroit, he gave them intensity, his defense his scraping is what gave Detroit some credit, remember Chauncey got no love and was often dissed by his own coach (Larry Brown) Rip was considered to thin to be a dominant guard, McDyess was considered past his time due to his Knee surgeries, Lindsey Hunter OLD, and Rasheed the problem child.

Ben Took alot of heat off the Pistons, he did all there major stuff defense wise, it is true he was a non-factor on the offensive side but when was he ever??
Anyone usuing the excuse that he wanted more touches offensivly is crap because you look at Rasheed a once upon a time 26 point and 8 rebound player has went down DRAMATICALLY from his former Number #1 player ont he team self could have made major bones about recieving the rock more often but he didnt, he was all about what was better for THE TEAM.

[merdoc]

I still believe this detroit team has the potential of making it to the finals next year, even though they lost big ben, only thing we need is a bench, trading arroyo and milicic really bit them in the ass imo, didnt they trade those two guys to sign big ben again, if they kept arroyo atleast, but both..damn. At least we will get to see what milicic is all about, a monster. But yeah i hope detroit gets someone else for billups.

The Lakers..they need one more player...KG? lol

[Cletus Kasady]

Nazr's not that bad; he was very good on the offensive boards for SA, and the main reason he fell out of their rotation was because Dallas went small and the only Spurs big guy who matched up well was Duncan. Defensively, Nazr was good alongside Duncan; I don't know how that translates over to Detroit, where they rely on personnel more than anything IMO. For Detroit, I like more than anything that they got him at about half the price of Ben.

As for the Spurs...maybe they're serious about this whole "going small" thing. I have no clue where they are in terms of getting Luis Scola, and they're going to want a replacement for Bowen/Finley in the next couple years. Of course, Popovich/Parker/Ginobili/Duncan makes them contenders pretty much by default, but still.

I'm not too sure what to make of the Chandler trade; If PJ Brown's contract is expiring, that might be another asset that they could throw into that crazy hypothetical KG trade that I don't see happening anytime soon (I don't think Minnesota is going to trade KG before his value plummets; just look at things now, Chicago isn't exactly offering their whole roster for him anymore). I guess JR Smith is a decent trade asset too. It is good because they got an upgraded version of Tyson Chandler, and dumped that contract.

[GeoG2]

I doubt Chicago is done. Wouldn't be surprised if they gave up some depth in order to get a guy like Shawn Marion. They'd SCREW up the EC if that happened.

[Hunter D]

I doubt Chicago is done. Wouldn't be surprised if they gave up some depth in order to get a guy like Shawn Marion. They'd SCREW up the EC if that happened.
Brown and Smith would be sent packing again if they get marion. I don't see this happening though because they will need money to sign their perimeter players.

[HaiDuongRiceMan]

Damn you all, if you keep talking about Marion being traded it's going to eventually happen.....

[Carpet Lint]

Bulls wouldn't be able to trade for Marion. Marion's making like $15 million this year - there's no way to match salaries.

Chandler was their biggest guy at $9.3 million, but now he's gone, and there's no one left getting paid more than $4 million.

They just got PJ Brown (who makes $9 million) but I think the current CBA is set up so that they won't be able to trade him for a calendar year (Or was it something like three months? Don't remember. But there's definately a time period.) in a package deal. They can only trade PJ Brown by himself until that time runs out.

And PJ Brown all by himself at $9 million isn't enough to match salaries with Marion at $15 million since it has to be within like...25% or something?

The only way the Bulls could get Marion would be to trade like four guys for him. And I don't think that's going to happen.

That, or a sign & trade where they give Eric Piatkowski like a 10 million dollar raise or something next year. But I don't even think they can do that - didn't some other team pick him up already?

It's going to be very difficult to trade Marion since he's overpaid...but still a top 15 player in the league. ...if that's possible. I don't think there's too many teams that can trade equal value AND matching salaries. Seems like one or the other.

Unless you're under the cap (Atlanta, Toronto, Bobcats - Bulls and Hornets are going to sign Wallace and Peja so their cap room is mostly used now), in which you can make trades without having to match salaries, but I can't really see how a Marion trade would work out for any of those three teams.

...unless Atlanta did a sign & trade with Al Harrington and packaged him along with one of the J Smiths...or sent JJ back to Phoenix again...but why? Because they're the Hawks? Okay.

[The D Man]

JR Smith wants to start. That's why I don't know if he wants to stay.

Of Course he has to actually earn a starting spot first.

But the Bulls are looking really good.




Wouldn't it be sooooooooooo funny if Lebron didn't resign with the Cavs. Lol.

[HaiDuongRiceMan]

The Suns picked Eric Piatkowski up already.

Two year contract for a 35 year old.

[GeoG2]

Allan Ray could end up a Celtic depending on how summer leagues go.

Damn, Ainge is not playing.

[spideyman]

if lebron was smart he wouldn't re-sing. the cavs are trash and the guys around him are trash. he should just leave and sign with the bucks. lol.

[Cool-Breeze]

SNIP

I dont think San Antonio NEEDS to go smaller but it is a good idea to get a little younger and faster on both sides of the ball.
I honestly feel they are a better team then the Dallas Mavericks, they hold nice pieces to a championship puzzle but were out gunned this year.

I really dont understand the Minnesota and KG thing at all, I thought KG now WANTED OUT???
Also if he does want out what do they want in return for a team that is now bottom feeding in the Western Conference along with Portland??

Question you guys where is Al Harrington prjected to go in the atlanta trade or has that already transpired??

If Eric P. is now a SUN that adds yet another shooter, also someone for the clutch, free throw shooting etc.

Geo did you mean Ray Allen or is there a guy actually named Allen Ray??

Lebron will sign with Cleveland.
True he wants to be a winner but Money wise his agent, his parents and family, ummm merchandising etc will be telling him to stay.
He has shown some great leadership at such a young age which means this is HIS team, also cleveland has sucked for so many years they should have some money saved up, and maybe the tide will turn for them as it has for Chicago. I see people wanting to play for them in the near future exspecially if they continue to do what they are doing now which is beat the odds.

[GeoG2]

Geo did you mean Ray Allen or is there a guy actually named Allen Ray??

Allan Ray was Randy Foye's (who was picked 7th in the draft) tagteam partner when they played together for Villanova.

He was undrafted, but he's going to make teams pay for it if he actually gets in.

[HaiDuongRiceMan]

Celtics actually signed him, I think Geo.

[Warblade49]

Even though the last shot has been taken, the last whistle has been tooted and the last buzzer buzzed, the wonderful world of the NBA continues to spin.

As ever, draft day brought several interesting trades, and July 1 signaled the beginning of numerous critical and surprising free-agent signings.
Let's take a look at what's happened thus far, and what these moves portend for the next round of shots, whistles and buzzers.

Also...
KAHN: Pistons need new identity
KAHN: Sweet 16 of free agents
KAHN: 10 things we've learned
ROSEN: Latest mailbag




Peja Stokaovic, Hornets
Can do: Shoot with incredible accuracy from long-range given plenty of time and space. Make quicker than expected cuts without the ball. Occasionally drive — going left along the baseline.

Can't do: Defend. Shoot well under heavy-duty defensive pressure. Pass. Play well in playoffs. Be the go-to scorer on a team with championship aspirations.

Must do: Hope that the Hornets can play an up-tempo pace so successfully that his defensive flaws are minimized.

Prognosis: Barring any more dramatic player movement, the Hornets remain a marginal candidate for the playoffs. In that scenario, Stojakovic will put up admirable numbers for 82 games.


Ben Wallace, Pistons
Can do: Rebound. Block shots coming from the weak side. Run. Play active, physical defense.

Can't do: Shoot. Score. Handle. Pass. Play as hard on the road as he does at home. Play stifling man-to-man defense against bigger players.

Must do: Be content with four or five post-up opportunities, wherein he can demonstrate his shaky jump hooks and turn-around jumpers (both unloosed over his right shoulder). Get along with Skiles' confrontational and often abusive style of coaching. Play within his limitations.

Prognosis: The pounding he has absorbed (and given) in playing against bigger and more powerful pivotmen is starting to take its toll. Yes, he's better than Tyson Chandler, but Wallace is clearly past his prime. With limited playing time, and lower expectations, Wallace should still make the Bulls a second-round playoff team.


Vladimir Radmanovic, Lakers
Can do: Nail 3-balls with his feet set and no defenders in the vicinity. Occasionally drive (right) to the basket, using the element of surprise rather than any tricky moves. Rebound adequately when unchallenged.

Can't do: Handle. Defend. Pass. Create his own shot when tightly guarded.

Must do: Master the intricacies of the triangle, then shoot the lights out. Avoid undue foul trouble.

Prognosis: Since the triangle is essentially a shooters' offense, Radmanovic should be a neat fit. Kobe is the only Laker who is routinely doubled, so Radmanovic's shot opportunities will mostly come from ball movement. Although he longs for starter's minutes, his foul-prone defense will result in long periods on the bench. He will help, but not as much as either he or the Lakers expect.


Tim Thomas, Clippers

Tim Thomas is a merely adequate player who displays intermediate flashes of brilliance. (Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images)

Can do: Finish on the run. Shoot with range. Drive both ways (favors right, and spins back to right when he drives left). Score inside with drop steps and jump hooks. Run. Levitate. Attack offensive boards.

Can't do: Shoot (and play) with consistency. Make good decisions on his penetrations. Pass. Defend. Play with any degree of lawful physicality.

Must do:Avoid chronic turnovers. Avoid over-penetrating. Avoid playing matador defense. Rebound defensively. Play with consistency. Work hard in practice.

Prognosis: More of the same: TT will play an outstanding game once every week, just enough to raise the hopes of his playmates, employers and fans. These promising performances will be sandwiched by merely adequate showings, along with episodes of invisibility. The more he plays, the worse he plays. The worse he plays, the less he plays. The less he plays, the more he complains and proves again that he's a loser.


T.J. Ford, Toronto
Can do: Run, run, run. Penetrate and pass. Shoot from mid-range well enough to be a moderate threat. Drive effectively right. Use quick crossovers both ways. See the court.

Can't do: Be as effective in a half-court offense as in a running situation. Shoot consistently from beyond the arc. Defend bigger, stronger guards (which means just about everyone). Finish under pressure.

Must do: Learn to avoid being out-muscled by opponents — on post-ups, and also screen/rolls. Stay healthy. Improve outside shooting so that defenders can't just play him soft to discourage his driving. Avoid over-penetrating. Stay with his man on defense and stop mindlessly chasing the ball.

Prognosis: Unless the Raptors commit to an all-out running game, a la Phoenix, Ford's short-comings will be emphasized and Toronto will remain in or near the basement.


Sebastian Telfair, Boston
Can do: Pass in a broken field. Hit an increasing percentage of pull-up jumpers.

Can't do: Shoot consistently from mid- and long-range. Get off a shot in traffic. Defend. Show the maturity to run a ball club.

Must do: Hope that the Celtics can turn every game into a track meet.

Prognosis: The victim of too much hype too soon. He's a specialty player, one who can temporarily uptempo a ballgame — but only if his team can defend, rebound and create turnovers. For sure, he's more of a natural point guard than Delonte West, but Telfair doesn't have the size or the chops to take the Celtics where they want to go.


Stromile Swift, Grizzlies

Stromile Swift's game may be beyond saving. (Michael E. Davis/NBAE / Getty Images)

Can do: Run and jump with outstanding explosiveness. Show good results when shooting from 18-20 feet. Take one dribble either way for effective pull-up jumpers. Likes to drive left, but can go right, and shows a nifty crossover in both directions. Can post up with spins (either way), turn-and-face jumpers and drives (either way), jump hook (right), hit turn-around jumpers (right), up-and-under moves and a convincing variety of head-fakes. Block shots. Rebound, especially on offense.

Can't do: Play with consistency or understanding.

Must do: Improve his basketball IQ. Play hard all the time.

Prognosis: One of the most talented bigs in the NBA, Swift is too often a no-show. How to get this guy to play up to his potential on a regular basis? Kicking him in the pants (Hubie Brown) didn't work. Nor did patting him on the back (Jeff Van Gundy). Perhaps Mike Fratello will try hypnosis, bribery, lies and/or deceit. Whatever his latest savior's remedy might be, SS's game is beyond salvation.


Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee
Can do: Play with significant athleticism. Generate mid-range shots with quick spins. Hit 3-balls when feet are set.

Can't do: Bang. Defend. Get to the free throw line. Handle. Pass. Rebound.

Must do: Hope that Andrew Bogut evolves into a killer post-up player who attracts double-teams. Get tougher and stronger. Be unafraid to take the ball to the hole.

Prognosis: Can a finesse player ever become a tough-enough player? Villanueva's spending most of the off-season in the weight room would be a step in the right direction. Otherwise, he will make a major contribution to the Bucks' lack of overall physicality. He is best suited to be a scoring specialist with an uptempo second unit.


Eric Piatkowski, Suns
Can do: Shoot from long-range. Play with awareness.

Can't do: Defend. Handle. Rebound. Pass.

Must do: Hit at least half of the open shots that will be generated by Steve Nash and the Suns' race-horse style of play.

Prognosis: A perfect fit with the Suns' no-defesnse, bomb's away game plan. Indeed, Phoenix is the only team in the league for which he could play.


Theo Ratliff, Boston
Can do: Finish with power. Knock down face-up jumpers from as far out as 17-feet. Run hard in transition. Show a moderately successful post-up game — mostly jump hooks and turn-around jumpers. Rebound, especially on offense. Blocked shots are his specialty.

Can't do: Resist being outmuscled. Pass. Handle. Play better than average man-to-man defense. Show any smoothness or grace in his offensive moves. Avoid chronic foul trouble. Make free throws.

Must do: Accept being a back-up. Stay within his limitations — this means not putting the ball on the floor, taking only makeable shots and getting out of his teammates' way in half-court sets.

Prognosis: At age 33, he remains a very useful sub. But who will start at the center spot?


Shane Battier, Houston

Shane Battier will help improve Houston's toughness. (Joe Murphy/NBAE / Getty Images)

Can do: Hit uncontested treys. Play hard-nosed position defense — looks to draw charges, and also strip the ball from low-posted opponents. Play with terrific intelligence and diligence. Seal his defender when he moves into the pivot, where he scores with jump hooks and turn-around jumpers (after employing numerous head fakes). Run the court. Drive either way — prefers right. Move without ball. Use a jab step to create room for his drive or shot. Shoot moving left. Rebound. Handle.

Can't do: Demonstrate outstanding athleticism. Avoid over-extending his defense so that he can routinely be back-doored. Show much trickiness in his one-on-one offense.

Must do: Hope that his teammates mirror his work ethic and intelligence.

Prognosis: He's a winner and an ultimate team player and will improve Houston's toughness, hustle-quotient and savvy. A terrific pickup.


Rasho Nesterovic, Toronto
Can do: Pass. Dribble. Post with jump hooks and turn-around jumpers. Hit jumpers out to 19-feet. Spin baseline from the low post. Step off block for jumpers. Set sturdy screens. Rebound. Play with intelligence.

Can't do: Move laterally. Defense mobile bigs. Jump quickly. Run the court.

Must do: Leave all the grunt work to free Chris Bosh.

Prognosis: Nesterovic is a highly-skilled big man, who plays best in a disciplined station-to-station game, and who needs a shot-blocker to cover his faults. If he gets enough touches, he will be a major contributor.


Bobby Jackson, Hornets
Can do: Handle well enough to play back up point guard. Streaky shooter, but good enough to back up shooting-guard (in certain matchups where he won't be overpowered or oversized). Shoot pull-ups going either way with quick releases. Employ nifty cross-over dribbles left to right. Adept at splitting double-teams. Play adequate defense. Also rebounds well for a guard.

Can't do: Unless he can dunk, has trouble finishing. Doesn't always make appropriate decisions with the ball.


Here's your chance to fire back at Charley Rosen. Got a question or a comment
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Must do: Concentrate on distributing the ball and facilitating the offense.

Prognosis: An excellent choice to teach and back-up Chris Paul. Also has the capability of being an explosive scorer.


Speedy Claxton, Hawks
Can do: Push the ball. Show quick first step and readiness to penetrate. Use screen/rolls to great advantage. Drive both ways. Create his own scoring opportunities. Hit mid-range jumpers. Apply defensive pressure.

Can't do: Run a ball club. Shoot consistently from 3-point range.

Must do: Become more of a facilitator than he's ever been before.

Prognosis: Is best suited to be a scorer off the bench because his passwork is only a secondary consideration. As the projected starter, he's definitely the wrong type of point guard for the Hawks.


Raef LaFrentz, TrailBlazers
Can do: Run. Hit treys. Take jumpers in transition. Screen and pop. Look to drive left. Post on right block for turn-around jumpers going either way. Turn and face in post. Slip the screen in screen/rolls. Play solid on-ball defense. Rebound. One of the best shot-blockers in league. Play hard.

Can't do: Bang. Play like a big man — he actually plays like a small forward. Avoid foul trouble.

Must do: Be a good citizen. Hope that Nate McMillan finds a way to maximize his strictly-finesse game.

Prognosis: On a more highly-evolved team, LaFrentz would be a solid performer. With the confused, dysfunctional Blazers, he's just another multi-millionaire.


Dan Dickau, TrailBlazers
Can do: Play with smarts, quickness and toughness. Look to push. Likes to pull-up in transition. Shoot with accuracy from downtown.

Can't do: Defend. Play effectively in half-court sets. Exhibit good judgment in his passing game — tries to do too much and is therefore turnover prone. Show sufficient jets for a stocky 6-footer.

Must do: Still adjusting to pro game. Perhaps he'll blossom under McMillan's guidance. Probably not.

Prognosis: Best suited to be a back-up point on an uptempo second unit.


Matt Bonner, Spurs
Can do: Shoot from short-, mid-, and long-range with the accuracy of a guard. Play physically.

Can't do: Handle. Pass. Rebound. Defend without fouling.

Must do: Be available when Tim Duncan is doubled and drain his treys. Make the proper defensive rotations. Bang the boards more.

Prognosis: This guy will fit in perfectly on the catch-and-shoot end of SA's smart, quick-hitting offense.


Maurice Evans, Lakers
Can do: Display incredible athleticism. Drain 3-pointers. Get to the hoop. Rebound well for a guard. Play hard and with power.

Can't do: Handle well enough to be trusted in complicated passing situations. Play solid defense. Read the court.

Must do: Slow down and understand what's happening. Make good decisions. Learn the requirements of the triangle.

Prognosis: If he can come to understand the theory and practice of the triangle (something that won't come easily for him), Evans will turn out to be one of the steals of the off-season.

[Warblade49]

Whose contract is the hardest to trade?

MONEY PLAYERS
Just for fun, the 25 worst contracts in the league:

25. Antoine Walker -- 5 years, $45 million remaining
24. Rasho Nesterovic -- 3 years, $23.4m
23. Jamal Crawford -- 5 years, $43m
22. Brian Scalabrine -- 4 years, $12.4m
21. Jamaal Tinsley -- 5 ys, $33.6m
20. Kyle Korver -- 5 years, $23.4m
19. Adonal Foyle -- 3 years, $26.8m
18. Darius Miles -- 4 years, $34m
17. Brian Cardinal -- 4 years, $24.3m
16. Etan Thomas -- 4 years, $26.4m
15. Eddy Curry -- 5 years, $52.5m
14. Zydrunas Ilgauskas -- 4 years, $45.8m
13. Sam Dalembert -- 5 years, $50m
12. Nene -- 6 years, $60m
11. Quentin Richardson -- 4 years, $33.2m
10. Raef LaFrentz -- 3 years, $35.4m
9. Mark Blount -- 4 years, $27.5m
8. Marko Jaric -- 5 years, $35m
7. Erick Dampier -- 5 years, $50m
6. Jerome James -- 4 years, $25m
5. Chris Webber -- 2 years, $43m
4. Steve Francis -- 3 years, $52.7m
3. Stephon Marbury -- 3 years, $59.2m
2. Zach Randolph -- 5 years, $73.3m
1. Kenyon Martin -- 5 years, $71m

[The D Man]

I'm gonna try and catch some summer league games and see some of these new cats in action.

The Orlando summer league (NJ, Miami, Charlotte, Orlando, Indiana, and Atlanta I think) are being streamed live. I wanna catch em.

I wanted the Sonics to sign Allen Ray. Imagine the possibilities.

Allen Ray kicks it to Ray Allen. Ray drives to the hoop, kicking it back to Allen for the open 3. Yes! give Ray the assist on a beautiful shot from Allen.

[Carpet Lint]

Warblade, please just give us the links. No need to actually copy and paste entire articles into the thread.

Apparently there's a rumour that Lebron's Nike contract (already at like $100 million or something) doubles if he plays in New York, Chicago, or LA. And similarly with some of his other endorsement contracts.

So it's not just the NBA contract that factors in - he can make so much more endorsements if he goes to a bigger market.

Too bad that the Clippers are the only team from those cities that have even a remote chance of clearing up the cap space in two years to sign him.

Isiah's completely fucked up New York for like the next decade, Lakers won't ever be big players in free agency with Kobe and Lamar's contracts taking up everything, and Chicago probably won't even have enough money to sign half the guys on their team right now in two years.

I think he's staying in Cleveland...but stranger things have happened.

[HaiDuongRiceMan]

Imagine the riots in New York if the fans knew they had a chance to sign Lebron if not for the gajillion stupid contracts Isaiah handed out.

[Hunter D]

Imagine the riots in New York if the fans knew they had a chance to sign Lebron if not for the gajillion stupid contracts Isaiah handed out.
We have had bad contracts for years. Thomas didn't start the it.

[Cool-Breeze]

Warblade, please just give us the links. No need to actually copy and paste entire articles into the thread.

Apparently there's a rumour that Lebron's Nike contract (already at like $100 million or something) doubles if he plays in New York, Chicago, or LA. And similarly with some of his other endorsement contracts.

So it's not just the NBA contract that factors in - he can make so much more endorsements if he goes to a bigger market.

Too bad that the Clippers are the only team from those cities that have even a remote chance of clearing up the cap space in two years to sign him.

Isiah's completely fucked up New York for like the next decade, Lakers won't ever be big players in free agency with Kobe and Lamar's contracts taking up everything, and Chicago probably won't even have enough money to sign half the guys on their team right now in two years.

I think he's staying in Cleveland...but stranger things have happened.

Thats not entirely true about Chicago.
One thing you forgot to mention or havent noticed is, neither of these guys are what you call FEATURE POSITION PLAYERS, what I mean by that is they are not high on the NBA's totem pole at this time.
They built a team in the past few years based on NEEDS, and players skill, no one looks like the next Jordan on this team or Iverson etc so when they do reach success they will reach it all together, no one man above the other.

Next these guys are inside 3 and 4 year contracts, this is good for chicago they can go 2 by 2 when they need to resign either this year or next, plus they could just trade them because the team WILL get better, and some vets may want to go there, just like in Cleveland.

Click this link:http://www.dfw.net/%7Epatricia/contracts

[Cool-Breeze]

It's obvious that USA Basketball didn't send its best 12 to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, but thank God they didn't send the worst! The 25 names listed below (not all American -- that should put some pride back in our system) may elicit a wide range of emotions ... shock, disgust, outright loathing, etc... To guide you through the pain, we've attached our patented snide commentary to help you verbalize some of your feelings. And now the very worst of what the NBA has to offer:

(Disclaimer: All Bobcats were protected from this list and big, goofy white guys are all spoken for under Eschmeyer)

1. Evan Eschmeyer, C, Dallas -- The standard bearer for today's legion of big white stiffs in the NBA

2. Michael Stewart, C, -- 'Yogi' is only slightly more threatening on the court than the cartoon bear

3. Wang ZhiZhi, C, -- Even the Chinese government has disowned him

4. Dan Dickau, PG, -- Testament that some teams do all their scouting at the NCAA Tournament

5. Jerome Moiso, PF, Toronto -- Carrying on the proud French NBA tradition started by Frederic Weis and No. 6 on our list...

6. Tariq Abdul-Wahad, SG, -- We liked him better as Olivier St. Jean

7. Jerome James, C, -- Fulfilling the wasted on-court comedic promise of Chris Washburn

8. Steven Hunter, C, -- A harsh reminder to any GM who mistakingly falls in love with an unknown player at the NBA pre-Draft camps

9. Ryan Humphrey, SF, Memphis -- More myth than baller, Humphrey has never actually been seen playing in a real game

10. Tom Gugliotta, PF, Boston -- Former All-Star scored in double figures once last season ... and that was in the preseason!

11. Kedrick Brown, SG, -- Interesting how many guys on this list either play for or were drafted by the Celtics

12. Reece Gaines, PG, Houston -- On a team crying out for point guard help, the No. 1 pick Gaines got into only 38 games

13. Marcus Haislip, PF, Milwaukee -- And speaking of first-round bombs, Haislip notched a team-low 8.5 minutes per game

14. DeSagana Diop, C, -- We've taken to calling him 'Saggy' and a more fitting nickname in the League we don't know of

15. DeShawn Stevenson, SG, Orlando -- Don't shooting guards have to be able to shoot? 78 starts last season and only 19 3-Pointers made?

16. Kareem Rush, SG, Lakers -- Averaged 0.8 assists and 1.3 rebounds ... you gotta score more than 6.4 points to get away with that

17. Ira Newble, SF, Cleveland -- The patron saint of crap players getting big contracts after big years with crap teams

18. Ron Mercer, SG, New Jersey -- No team would even waste a chance on the former No. 6 pick after he got dumped by San Antonio mid-season

19. Samaki Walker, PF, -- Entering the twilight years of a pitiful career -- with a name like that, how could he have failed?

20. Dajuan Wagner, SG, Cleveland -- Too bad a shooter to play SG, too bad a passer to play PG and too small to play in the NBA -- sounds like a winner!

21. Tyronn Lue, PG, -- Milked his 15 minutes of fame in the 2001 NBA Finals for a big contract

22. Morris Peterson, SF, Toronto -- To think New Orleans took this clown off Toronto's hands and the Raptors matched the contract offer!

23. Dikembe Mutombo, C, -- Rigor Mortis has set in for Deke, can't wait for him to completely calcify under the basket on some February night

24. Jacque Vaughn, PG, New Jersey -- Hopefully it happens on the same night that the Nets trot out a starting backcourt of Vaughn and Mercer in front of 11 comotose fans in the Swamp

25. Juwan Howard, PF, Houston -- The burden of carrying his garish contract sucked the life out of Howard's game long ago

[Carpet Lint]

Actually, you might be right - Chicago only currently has Ben Wallace under contract for 2008-2009, when Lebron becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Let's say they sign him - how much is a max contract? Probably somewhere in the $18 million range, assuming the cap's like $55 million?

Wallace = $15
Lebron = $18

That's $33 million tied up in two players. ...wow. I can't imagine Hinrich getting anything less than $8 million a year after his rookie contract, and Gordon and Deng will make at least $7 million each, probably more. They can only probably keep one of the three, and still be forced to fill the rest of their lineup with cheap veterans and rookie contracts.

Oh man, imagine Lebron going to Chicago still wearing #23?

_______

I'm looking at Miami, and their cap space is screwed when Wade's contract kicks in, in two years.

Wade = $18
Shaq = $20
Antoine = $9.2 (What the fuck?)
Haslem = $6.6

That's $53.8 million in four players. So Miami's probably not signing any free agents for the next four years, and probably some trades are coming.

Why the fuck would you give Antoine Walker $53 million over 6 years?

...though they did win the championship, so I can't say anything.

[Cletus Kasady]

Marquis Daniels was traded for Austin Croshere a little while ago. Decent move for the Mavs, if only because they couldn't get Daniels many minutes and they just drafted Maurice Ager. And Croshere's contract expires soon.

We have had bad contracts for years. Thomas didn't start the it.

He could have held on to all those contracts that have expired instead of trading them and draft picks for more bad contracts, though.

[HaiDuongRiceMan]

I think (and hope) Walker's contract is a holdover from his Boston days. Sure hope no team would give him that much money.

[DangerDoom]

Looks like Lebron wont be leaving cleveling , he exepted a 5 year contract worth 80 million.

[GeoG2]

I hope Daniels becomes a starter... there's no reason he can't be. Jackson, if he stays, would be a SF... and Fred Jones is a FA.

I want MD to do well.

---

Miami is going to ride out with their current personnel for awhile... don't expect any trades. The team is probably going to stay the same until guys retire and its time to rebuild around Wade. That's why they're exercising the contracts of guys who barely even play.

[Cool-Breeze]

Like I've said all along......the concept of "loyalty"can sometimes be a bad case of "wishful thinking". There's also an old adage that goes like this...."Money talks, B.S. walks", and in this case Money is doing the walking from Detroit to Chicago.

The deal becomes "official" on July 12th, per NBA rules governing "free-agent signings". The Pistons offered $48 Million/4 yrs., and Ben said "no thank you". Chicago countered with $60 Million/4 yrs. ($15000 per), and they have suddenly become contenders of the East.

Joe went through the motions--to appease the Detroit fans, probably knowing that the Wallace/Tellum team would NOT accept the $48 Million. Palace sellouts will continue because fans will think that Detroit really tried to sign Ben Wallace. You see, "loyalty" is what you want it to be. But for most Veteran ballplayers its all about money, and does not pay the bills or assauge one's Ego. For owners its all about money and a one-sided "loyalty". Plus, the subject of "loyalty" is a complex concept designed to please most fans and assure continued Palace "sellouts". In this case admision accomplished!

Now the real work begins. The Defense argument is a scapegoat. We need to put it to rest, and face some "hard' facts:(1) The bench is thin of talent and weak. No help to the starters, no help to the team. (2) Trade Rasheed Wallace-- a potential headache, starting to reveal his "Portland Zoo" mentality; (3) get some scorers -we have perfected the "scoreless downtime" to an art.

Ironically, losing Ben might be a blessing in disguise. We've have become so dependant on Defense that we've forgotten about the big picture. We've gotten too comfortable and predictable. Everybody knows what to expect from the Pistons. We are starting to be our own worse enemy, constantly beating ourselves.

Why can't we become a long-term power? It seems like we win a Championship, and become complacent. Most of the other teams change for the better and improve. We know that the "rule changes" have made "D" a lost art. We stand "pat" and paint ourselves into a corner. Deja Vu--the nineties all over again.

[Carpet Lint]

Looks like Lebron wont be leaving cleveling , he exepted a 5 year contract worth 80 million.
Apparently there's rumours of him signing a different deal.

And this is when I realized that what a smart motherfucker Lebron is or that he's got really smart motherfuckers working for him.

Now the rumour is that instead of $80 million over 5 (which works out to $16 per), he's going to accept a $60 million over 4 deal (which works out to $15 per year).

BUT...with an opt out clause after three years, right when the current CBA expires.

So...Lebron appeases everyone in Cleveland by choosing to stay and sign a long term deal at almost-max. He even seems like a really nice guy for choosing to sign for less than the max and giving the Cavs and extra $1 million per year to work with, even though in reality they completely screwed their cap space for the next five years last offseason with Big Z, Larry Hughes, and Damon Jones anyway and an extra mill won't matter at all unless they move one of those guys...and those are hard contracts to move.

So he's signed a five year deal...that's really just a three year deal. Because he can opt out.

Like the money matters to Lebron. He's already richer than any other player through his endorsements alone. And the respect that comes with being a max contract player doesn't matter either, because he knows and we all know he already has all the respect he could ever want.

And I don't think contract length matters to him at all either. Lebron's a guy who could suffer ANY possible injury - he blow out both ACL's, need microfracture surgery on both knees, have Tommy Johns on both arms for absolutely no reason - and every other Wade-less team would still probably sign him to a max contract given the chance.

Lebron could pull a Christopher Reeves and still probably out-ball 90% of the league from his wheelchair.

If this contract rumour is true - and I can't see any reason why it wouldn't - then there's no possible way he's not opting out after three years. The new CBA in three years time will probably allow for bigger player contracts, and the salary cap will rise every year, which means max contracts will rise every single year.

So instead of $80 million over five, he could be looking at $36 over three AND THEN like...I don't know, like $18-22 million per year after that.

He gets all the credit and respect in the world for choosing to stick with his team, while at the same time he's setting himself up for even-more-than-max-money and leaving himself plenty of exits out of there.

Damn, HE IS GOOD.

_____________

Another rumour for you - apparently Dallas wants K-Mart.

...why?

WHY? Why the FUCK would you do that?

Your team as is just went to the Finals and were actually favoured to win it all before a massive choke attack at the end of Game 3.

So you want to break it up by trading for the worst non-Knick contract in the league, for a headcase who has injury problems, and is a PF who won't get any minutes at PF playing behind the best non-Duncan-or-Garnett PF in the league.

Retarded on every possible level. Which is why I'm scared this rumour is true.

[Zephyranthes]

That's a weird rumor. Didn't Dallas trade Marquis Daniels for Austin Croshere? And what about Keith Van Horn, is he a free agent or is he still a Mav? If he's still a Mav, Dallas could have an all-white front line...

[GeoG2]

LeBron would be a tool to leave Cleveland. It's a storybook scenario... kid grows up in Ohio and ends up being picked first overall by his hometown team. Who the fuck would ruin their longterm image and legacy by running to the nearest title contender? Especially when he's 21, and not even in his prime... and therefore has plenty of years to grow with a team trying to be contention worthy. It's really not worth it... and believe me, he has all this in his head... but obviously it does not matter because he's still giving Cleveland a time limit for how long they can build a good team around him.

[merdoc]

if Carmelo wins a title before lebron...bye bye cavs :rofl:

[Quantum Delta]

if Carmelo wins a title before lebron...bye bye cavs :rofl:

He would have to be in Phoenix to do that.

[TGC]

ROFL at melo winning a title before Lebron....yea like the guy above me...he ain't doing it in denver that's for sure.

[TrunksSS3]

Oh man, imagine Lebron going to Chicago still wearing #23?



.

he can't the bulls have that numer retired:wgrin:

[Carpet Lint]

Psh, like Lebron cares.

Raptors sign Anthony "Tony" Parker! "The best player not in the NBA." ...what does that mean? Like "the tallest midget on Earth?" Three years, $4 million per...hurray? I don't know anything about him, just that all the video clips of him on YouTube are of him making completely normal dunks on breakaways and hitting open threes.

...exciting stuff.

Also that Jorge Garba...asdflkjjsososogaosgoasomething guy. All I know is that they call him the "Porno Player" over there, reason unknown. And now I love him, just because I now get to hope for the day that Chuck yells "OH AND THE PORNO PLAYER HAS JUST GIVEN MATT CARROLL A FACIAL!!!" Then my year will be complete.

I guess if they turn out to be at least servicable second stringers on the bench, then the signings of $12/3 will be solid ones. That's about the going rate for a solid bench guy nowadays anyway. And anything extra is just bonus.

The Toronto Raptors are going Euroleague on all ya'll. Trade all the blackies away for crackers with character, just like the Blue Jays!

Though then I don't know why we traded the league's top token white guy in Matt Bonner if that's the new strategy.

[Mario Lemieux!]

Psh, like Lebron cares.

Though then I don't know why we traded the league's top token white guy in Matt Bonner if that's the new strategy.


That's because he speaks good English. We can't be having that!


Ebonics or English as second, third, language ftw.

[GeoG2]

The Sonics GM is funny.

Who the hell offers Chris Wilcox for Shawn Marion and keeps a straight face?

[Cletus Kasady]

Wade and Carmelo have apparently bitten Lebron's idea of taking shorter deals for the possibility of more money later. I think Wade's the same lock as Lebron to generate interest regardless of what happens in the next few years; not too sure about Anthony, though.

And Minnesota signed Mike James for four years.

[Lantis]

Raptors sign Anthony "Tony" Parker! "The best player not in the NBA." ...what does that mean? Like "the tallest midget on Earth?" Three years, $4 million per...hurray? I don't know anything about him, just that all the video clips of him on YouTube are of him making completely normal dunks on breakaways and hitting open threes.


You mean Mr. Eva Longoria or is this another Tony Parker? :confused:

Anyhow, I think it's obvious that the Raptors are buying all those crackers, aint their new president a former Italian soccer league GM?

My Bulls are getting PACKED! :wgrin:

[Zulu]

Bucks are getting new..well..revised uniforms: http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?lo=0295onf2c4xsbfsxye6i

And (even though this is a few months old..plus I love architecture) this is Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn. It's a master planned community designed by Frank Gehry and it includes the new Brooklyn Nets arena. Yes, the buildings/arena are supposed to look like they're melting. That's his style. IMO it could be the best arena in the NBA.

Nets arena:
http://www.amny.com/media/photo/2006-05/23382357.jpg

http://www.amny.com/media/photo/2006-05/23382355.jpg

http://www.amny.com/media/photo/2006-05/23382347.jpg

http://www.amny.com/media/photo/2006-05/23382348.jpg

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/06/04/arts/04oouro_yard.jpg


Atlantic Yards:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/05/31/arts/04ouro_long.jpg

[Vaya]

They ought to bring back their old logo: http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?lo=5318

A lot of the designs using animal mascots have been the same. The Bucks, Bulls, T-Wolves, Grizzlies and Hawks all have that frontal perspective to them.

[Geese Pants]

My Bulls are getting PACKED! :wgrin:

DAAAAAAA BULLS!!!!

As of today...............Ben Wallace is Chi-town!

It feels good to be a chicago sports fan!

[Zulu]

They ought to bring back their old logo: http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?lo=5318

A lot of the designs using animal mascots have been the same. The Bucks, Bulls, T-Wolves, Grizzlies and Hawks all have that frontal perspective to them.

While we're dreaming, I'd bring back those Atlanta Hawks from the mid 90's that faded from black to red.

And this would be the Clippers logo: http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?lo=5452

Did Samaki Walker retire?

[ResolutePower]

^he's on the raptors' summerleague roster.

[TrunksSS3]

Brooklyn Net's... do not have a nice ring to it ...

[Ryu1999]

The Sonics GM is funny.

Who the hell offers Chris Wilcox for Shawn Marion and keeps a straight face?

It was a demonstration to Wilcox. The dude wants All-Star money for 29 games worth of production so Rick Sund basically showed him (by trying to trade him for various All-Stars) that he no one think he's an All-Star and no one will pay him that kind of money. Humiliation at its finest :)

[GeoG2]

It was a demonstration to Wilcox. The dude wants All-Star money for 29 games worth of production so Rick Sund basically showed him (by trying to trade him for various All-Stars) that he no one think he's an All-Star and no one will pay him that kind of money. Humiliation at its finest :)

That's freaking cold blooded.

BTW, it's funny that while Big Ben has left the Pistons, his nephew Wayne, also a 6'9" center, is playing in the summer leagues. So... who knows...

[Hoonyo]

sonics sold. yadda yadda.

nba news is finally slowing down. so let's talk about usa basketball and what players should you choose from the list of 24 to be on your 12 man roster? (list found here: http://www.nba.com/usabasketball/)

also, you wouldn't be able to select Kobe Bryant(surgery), Paul Pierce (surgery), JJ Redick (surgery), Chauncey Billups (personal), Michael Redd (personal), and Lamar Odom (personal).

just read something, michael redd and chauncey billups can choose NOT to play if they have personal matters to attend. so i guess they could be on the roster. but not counting them, i would choose:

1. Carmelo Anthony
2. Gilbert Arenas - Bench
3. Shane Battier - Bench
4. Chris Bosh - Bench
5. Bruce Bowen - Bench
6. Elton Brand
7. Kirk Hinrich - Bench
8. Dwight Howard - Starting 4
9. LeBron James - Starting 3
10. Antawn Jamison
11. Joe Johnson
12. Shawn Marion - Bench
13. Brad Miller - Bench
14. Adam Morrison
15. Chris Paul - Starting 1
16. Luke Ridnour
17. Amare Stoudemire - Starting 5
18. Dwyane Wade - Starting 2

the players i didn't choose:
carmelo anthony/adam morrison - one-dimensional players in my opinion. they can score and are probably great teammates, but if that's all they bring to the table i wouldn't pick them. plus i believe marion as a tremendous leaper and someone who plays the passing lanes is a better backup for lebron

luke ridnour - i wonder why i didn't choose him. they need a pg who can play an uptempo offense. he runs the point for the sonics (fastbreaking team). but i can't pick him over chris paul, kirk hinrich, or chauncey if he decides to play.

elton brand - seemingly the toughest omission. he can score, rebound and block shots, but he's more of a traditional postup player not fit for the offense. amare and dwight are a better fit for the planned offensive scheme of team usa. on defense, i picked amare stoudemire, chris bosh, and dwight howard because they're taller and just as capable of crashing the glass and blocking shots.

antawn jamison - just don't see what he could bring to the table that the other players i've chosen couldn't.

joe johnson - he's either going to be running the point or playing on the wings. there are 4 pure point guards who can play the point instead. he isn't as explosive as lebron, wade, or arenas. could he shoot better than them? maybe. but if i needed a shooter, i'd pick redd if he could play. also, shane battier and bruce bowen are tremendous spot up shooters for 3.

[HaiDuongRiceMan]

Uh-oh, OKC is becoming a basketball city...

At least I sure hope so. A) Because it'll give me a chance to see the Suns in action when they come play and B) so we have something other than football.

[ssjbrydon]

guards
-arenas
-wade
-billups
-johnson
-kobe.....err i mean paul

fowards
-brand
-bosh
-marion
-howard
-jamison

centers
-miller
-stoudamire

fuck lebron do some more commercials, carmello i dont think so and if kobe were playing = auto gold.

[ssjbrydon]

Uh-oh, OKC is becoming a basketball city...

At least I sure hope so. A) Because it'll give me a chance to see the Suns in action when they come play and B) so we have something other than football.



i read the hornets will play another year in okc and then transfer back to new orleans. i'll be damned we just got a team a few years ago, i hope we get to keep our team. now i say take the magic or some other team that doesnt have a mega fan base and throw them in okc who really wants a team.

[Carpet Lint]

elton brand - seemingly the toughest omission. he can score, rebound and block shots, but he's more of a traditional postup player not fit for the offense. amare and dwight are a better fit for the planned offensive scheme of team usa. on defense, i picked amare stoudemire, chris bosh, and dwight howard because they're taller and just as capable of crashing the glass and blocking shots.
Not a bad post, but I just can't agree with this bit here. I don't understand why'd you start Dwight Howard over Marion, Bosh, or Miller (move Amare to PF), and even kick Elton Brand off the team for him.

That's overthinking it, I think.

First off, Amare's coming back from major knee surgery, if you're going to cut one of Dwight, Bosh, Marion, Brand, or Amare, you'd cut Amare. Phoenix will probably even push for that.

And Brand's actually better than all of those guys. 26 and 10 on .527 shooting is pretty damn good. And I don't that bit about shot blocking at all - he had 2.54, fifth in the league. Dwight, Bosh, Marion, and Amare are all like 1.5 career.

And I can't see how Dwight would fit any offensive scheme better than those guys. He's got no moves - he's getting 16 and 12 on pure athletism alone...which is actually pretty damn scary to imagine how he's going to be when he actually develops his game.

[Hoonyo]

I overestimated Dwight Howard. His game seemed a lot like Amare's to me from the few highlights I've seen and recaps I've read. "How could you go wrong with two Amare Stoudemire's on one starting lineup?" That's what I was thinking. I suppose he is still very raw. There isn't a favorable situation I can think of that has Howard starting now. I really thought he could just be an unstoppable finisher as a receiver of Paul's or LeBron's passes.

Like I overestimated Dwight Howard, I greatly underestimated Elton Brand. Blocking has a lot to do with timing just as much as athleticism. Elton has better timing and with those long arms of his make him a better shot blocker than anyone else on the team. I didn't look into the shotblocking stats for anyone and just assumed the other three (Bosh/Howard/Stoudemire) were better than average.

It didn't occur to me to cut Stoudemire because of his knees. They held up in the summer league games, and the writers were saying he didn't feel any soreness or stiffness the day after playing a game.

[Carpet Lint]

The thing with Amare is that everyone (especially in Phoenix) is pencilling him in to be the same old MVP-caliber Amare he was two years ago. And then add how many "win shares" he's worth to the 54-28 record they had this year, and then BAM - win the championship like magic.

But it's scary because I don't remember anyone in recent memory (and my poor memory is only recent) ever having big knee surgery like that and being able to come back and immediately (or maybe ever) play at that same level again. (Alvin - I miss your killer cross and your clutch tear drops! :sad:)

Plus, integrating such a big part of their offense back is going to take some time, which is why when they tried to put him back in mid-season (and he had that first game of like 20-9, no one cared that it was against the Blazers) it didn't really work. Plus, he probably wasn't fully healthy. Remember when the Kings tried to put Webber back mid-season while Peja was carrying that team?

So Amare's pretty much a completely unknown right now - so I'd rather keep Dwight, Bosh, Brand, and Marion over him at this point. Those are at least all proven guys and the drop off from a 100% Amare being in there instead isn't huge.

I can understand the Dwight love though - it's not like the team's going to have problems scoring. So if sacrifice offense from one spot, and just have Dwight rebound (which he seems to do better than everyone but Marion), it's not such a bad idea. It's what Detroit's been doing all this time with Ben Wallace anyway.

But Elton Brand is just that good. He's just plain better, better defensively, and if they ever do need reliable scoring from a big guy down the stretch, Brand is far superior to Dwight.

And it's not like Brand needs to dominate the ball and get plays called for him - I bet he averages like 15-20 a game just from garbage baskets and put backs.

After his extension kicks in, I wouldn't even be that upset if Colangleo traded Bosh for Brand...like straight up. No to JO, but Brand...yeah, Brand's good.

______________


What's the deal with Denver getting JR Smith for like two second rounders? Seriously no one could beat that offer with an actual NBA player instead? No one wants this guy? I find that hard to believe.

But yay for Denver! Another bad attitude guy - just what they need!

[Hunter D]

Hinrich isn't getting any respect at all. The guy should be on the USA team because he does everything and can play both guard positions. Ben Gordon should be on list if the league was considering Reddick. Gordon is a proven lights out shooter in the league and an all around better player than JJ. The Bulls backcourt should be getting more love.

[Carpet Lint]

Don't they always throw in a college player just for kicks? They didn't seriously think Okafor was a better fit for the last Olympic team than like Brad Miller, right?

________

Steve Nash cut his hair!

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/pics/0719nashbig.jpg

The reigning back-to-back MVP looks like he's a cancer patient.

...

Oh my God.

SAY IT AIN'T SO STEVE

[AkumaTX]

So no kobe on your team? You failed at drawing up the dream team.

[TrunksSS3]

wow steve why did u do that!!!!

[Hoonyo]

oh my god

this should be headline news on espn and nba.com

ninja edit: yep it's definitely on espn

[TrunksSS3]

Dirk cut his hair also but he always does that at the end of the season or midseason..so nothing new


http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9558/0623mavsrk2.jpg

[Vaya]

wow steve why u did u do that!!!!

Because he'll be able to run up and down the court faster.

[ViciousSLASH]

Dirk cut his hair also but he always does that at the end of the season or midseason..so nothing new


http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9558/0623mavsrk2.jpg

That picture is hilarious. *saved*

[Carpet Lint]

I can't tell if that's Josh Howard or Marquis Daniels. All y'all look alike!

Hahaha, it looks like Dirks giving him the old "PSYCHE!!!" bit.

"Yo man, we almost got them - next year man!"
"Okay, high five - PSYCHE!!! I vill CRUSH YOU. HEIL HITLER!!!"

So no kobe on your team? You failed at drawing up the dream team.
Kobe pulled out, just like what he should have done with that white girl.

You fail at life, douchebag.

[Mario Lemieux!]

Steve, NOOOO!!!!!

[DA GAME]

Someone confirm a rumor that DA GAME has been hearing as of late.Newly acquired Chicago Bull JR Smith is already demanding that he wants to start.Is he nuts?

[Hoonyo]

Someone confirm a rumor that DA GAME has been hearing as of late.Newly acquired Chicago Bull JR Smith is already demanding that he wants to start.Is he nuts?I thought he was traded to Denver?

[Cletus Kasady]

Word on the street is that...

The Knicks gave Jared Jeffries a 5-Year, $30mil offer sheet and they don't want the Wizards to match...not quite sure he's worth that much, but that's status quo for the Knicks.

And Jamaal Magloire is getting traded to Portland for Steve Blake, Brian Skinner and that Korean guy.

[donaldducktm]

jesus christ, the New York Knicks' salary cap is humongous! $133 million!!!

Word on the street is that Devean george is leaving LA in a trade to the MAVS OH SHIT!

[PBalla]

so...US barely past Brazil? http://www.nba.com/usabasketball/usabrazil_060808.html

Also, let's get ready to start a new thread for 06-07 eh?

[Hoonyo]

get it done

[PBalla]

2006-07 (http://www.shoryuken.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119544)




:angel: