I think McGrady is lazy on defense but not as bad as some say. I agree though that he will miss games since he's never played a full season (79 being the most games hes played). I'm not really sure if its a crappy trade for Detroit. Billups was likely to be moved anyway because they like Stuckey and Billups is getting older. I like Prince a lot though and I'm not sure if it would be good to swap him and McGrady. Durability isn't a problem for Prince as he hasn't missed a game in five years. The only question I have about Prince is, can he put up points? His most points per game was 14.7 in the 04-05 season. Also, in Detroit they play more team oriented. They play defensively and offensively as a team and I am not sure how McGrady would fit that billing. However, McGrady has shown that he can dish out the ball if asked to and they may ask him to do that. What I like about this trade is that if they are in the need for quick baskets, they have that option with McGrady. Time will tell...
That was exactly what I was thinking. Him becoming his own agent bit him in the butt. They may be weasels and creeps but they know how to do their jobs(agents).
Being lazy with regards to part of your job, to me, is worse then being bad cause it means you can do it you just have no desire to. If you're bad you could still be trying and just stink at it. If youre lazy it just means you're taking it for granted. That to me epitomizes a non winning player. Regarding Billups, just because hes likely to be moved doesn't mean you devalue him just to get him out of town. You always try and get whatever you can get for your assets. Plus Billups IS a winning ball player. He does everything asked and expected of him, hustles, doesn't really have any attitude, provides leadership...McGrady provides none of those things. And in relation to Prince when you lose him its not his points you're missing its his versatility to play 3 positions, provide excellent defense, and play a smart all around game. Again, T-Whack does none of those things. I understand Detroit wanting to get rid of Billups because of his age but I absolutely believe that this would be the wrong move. While I have no love for the Pistons, they could with the right move put themselves right back in the running for the east. A Billups for Artest swap would work cause you can always play Sheed at C and Prince at PF (or go out and get a Zach Randolph to be your PF)...something like that makes them better at, at least 1 position, possibly 2 depending on what Stuckey becomes...
Childeress isn't that bad a player, he could start for some teams in the NBA. How do you expect Greek teams to land NBA talent, they have to overpay. Considering only a handful of teams have cap-room and most still have unsigned players, unless the Grizz want to hand you a giant contract you may have to look elsewhere.
Not that good a player either. Nothing special. Start on bad teams sure. $20 mil for 3 years is grossly overpaying and might be better used elsewhere.
Damn, I rather liked Barnes. Could've used his toughness instead of Radmanovic's. And for a vet's min deal too. We certainly could've used that.
lol, Prince at PF. That skinny *** would be pushed into the locker room the minute a PF tries to post up on him.
Guys like Jefferson, and Prince, dont get the stats other players do but are incredibly solid. Prince has been a defensive guru for Detroit for yrs. Jefferson did alot of the intangibles as well. I wouldn't mind either on my team.
NBA News: Wolves Top Pick Sidelined Timberwolves Forward Kevin Love was held out of his latest summer league game because of an inflamed left achillies. However, he is expected to practice with the US Basketball team. Love has averaged 18 per game and 13.5 rebounds. (Link) Celtics Re-sign A Couple Of Their Own The champion Boston Celtics have re-signed Guards Tony Allen and Eddie House. The terms of the deals were not revealed. Last week, a key piece in their championship run, James Posey left the team to sign with the New Orleans Hornets. (Link) NBA Loses Another Player To Europe After failing to sign and trade Bostjan Nachbar, Nachbar left the team to sign with Dynamo Moscow of Russia. The terms of his deal were not revealed but it is known that he got a better offer from Moscow. Nachbar is one of several players to leave the NBA for overseas.(Link) Oklahoma City Thunder a Big Hit Already The former Sonics are quickly settling in their new home of OKC. Over 16,000 seasn ticket requests have been made for the newly relocated OKC Thunder. (Link)
why didnt they name that teams the outlaws or something? thunder is just stupid. hope their uniforms are worse than charlotte's.
They couldn't keep the Sonics. While in court, they said that Seattle would keep all of their original stuff.
Tuesday Morning Headlines Nuggets Looking To Deal Iverson? The Nuggets are indicating that they would be willing to trade guard Allen Iverson if the price is right. What the team is looking for in compensation is young prospects or future first round picks. The team is willing to take back some larger contracts. Allen Iverson has a expiring contract. (Link) Hawks Childress Exploring Greece Hawks restricted FA Josh Childress was in Athens, Greece Monday to explore the city and team. The Olympiakos are interested in bringing Childress over to their Greek league. (Link) Bulls Deng Sets Deadline Bulls forward Loul Deng has set a deadline of when he wants to the team to give him a new deal. He has made it clear that he wants a deal done before early August. That leaves Chicago scrambling to get a new deal done with only weeks left. (Link) Wade Failing To Cooperate With Business of Restaurant? On July 18th, the company D-Wade's Place filed a lawsuit against Dwyane Wade. The suit was accusing Wade of 'breaching of contract'. The Heat superstar was failing to meet his 'advertising and promotional appearance obligations' according to the lawsuit. The company also says that Wade told him that he does not intend to "perform his future obligations". (Link) Nachbar Going To Russia Official Nets forward Bostjan Nachbar has made an official move to Russia powerhouse Dynamo Moscow. The deal is 3 years worth approximately $14 million. The deal offered by Moscow was a much larger sum than any NBA team offered. Nachbar made $2.5 million last year coming off the bench and averaged 10 points a game. (Link) The Tractor Coming Back? Robert "Tractor" Traylor is attempting a comeback with the Cavs. Traylor hasn't played in the NBA since 2005 but has made several stops in Puerto Rico and Spain. (Link) Knicks Pass On Clippers Offer The Knicks have made it clear that they are hoping to unload Zach Randolph's contract prior to training camp. Did he just pass up his best chance to get rid of the troubled forward? The New York post is reporting that the Clippers tried to 'swipe' a first round pick from the Knicks for Randolph but the Knicks declined. (Link) Bobcats and Okafor Talks Not Going Well Charlotte's Emeka Okafor future with the team is in doubt after the team and his represenatives hit an impasse in talks. The Bobcats are now refusing to offer the $12 million a year that they offered only a year ago. Okafor has stated that he wants out via sign and trade deal. Okafor is likely to sign a one year tender and then become an unrestricted free agent next July. (Link) Knicks Have Doubts About Gallinari The Knicks are worried about top pick Danilo Gallinari. Gallinari suffered a back injury in summer league play and now may have to sit out the rest of the summer. The Knicks have doubts about Gallinari's durability in the future. A European Source reported to the Knicks that Gallinari had several hamstring and knee injuries in Italy but the Knicks downplayed it saying that it was only "growing pains". However, Gallinari impressed the league and his president with his play in the summer league. Knicks president said he loved how Gallinari is always looking out for the pass, trying to make his teammates better. Gallinari scored 14 points in 7 minutes in his only game in SL. (Link)
Tractor's been locked up, for drug possesion.....so, honestly IMO, he shouldn't be allowed to come back. Denver wanting to get rid of AI is sad, he made it a point to tell them he was going to stay. I feel bad for AI. He is a great player and plays hard all the time.
If Isiah was still around, Clippers would've gotten Randolph and 2 unprotected 1st rounders. Then again, Randolph was always an Isiah guy, lazy, fat, and selfish with the ball. Now the Okafor thing has me wondering if the Clippers should still pursue. Hope he recovers. I'm stocking up on autographed UCLA 42 jerseys. Except practice...
I would have no problem moving randolph but the clippers are bleepin silly to even offer that crap. The stuff about Gallinari I dont buy at all. He was held out for precautionary reasons nothing else. Plus the post is a rag so i truthfully believe none of this regardless of what team its written about
Tuesday Night Headlines Timberwolves Re-Sign PG Telfair The Timberwolves have re-signed Point Guard Sebastian Telfair. Telfair and the team agreed on a multi-year deal. Telfair averaged 9.3 points per game and 6 assists in 32 minutes a game when teammate Randy Foye went down. Telfair was ranked tenth in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio. (Link) Warriors Add Backcourt Help The Golden State Warriors have acquired PG Marcus Williams. The Nets and Warriors agreed on a deal that sent Williams to the Warriors in exchange for a protected first rounder. Williams is expected to be the backup PG this season to Monta Ellis who will fill the void left by Baron Davis. Davis left the Warriors to sign with the Clippers. (Link) Spurs Re-Sign Thomas The Spurs have re-signed forward Kurt Thomas. The terms of the deal were not revealed but Spurs GM R.C. Buford stated it would be a two year deal at the least. Thomas was a deadline acquisition last season. (Link)
Right now Mitch is sitting pretty. A far cry from the guy who landed us Ariza and Gasol and back to the guy who traded Caron Butler for Kwame Brown.
Wednesday Morning Headlines: Spurs Horry Forced To Retire? Spurs Forward Robert Horry doesn't seem likely to return to the Spurs after they re-signed Foward Kurt Thomas. The talks between Horry and the Spurs have been scant. It is unlikely that he will have another suitor and may be forced to call it quits.(Link) Heat Forced To Play Small? One executive of a rival team stated that the Heat should play small ball because the available centers are bad. The executive stated they'd be better off with an undersized line that includes Haslem, top pick Beasley and Shawn Marion. 'Is it conventional? No,'' coach Erik Spoelstra said. But ''teams have gone in the direction of playing smaller.'' The Heat are also open to a sign and trade deal for Dorell Wright. (Link) Crittenton Out In Memphis? There is a 50/50 chance that last seasons acquisition Javaris Crittenton will play in Memphis. The 6'5" combo guard will have to display his talents for the team front office in February to determine his place with the team. There were talks with the Orlando Magic about Crittenton but there was nothing imminent. (Link) Pistons Pondering Trading For Artest Sources close to the Pistons front office indicates that the Pistons are pondering trading for troubled Ron Artest. The rumors are spreading around the league and Dumars says he is glad because "hes tired of fans thinking he is sitting on his hands". A deal that brought Artest to Motown would have to send Tayshaun Prince back to Sacramento. (Link) Boozer Staying In Utah? Carlos Boozer told reporters during team USA training camp that he plans on signing an contract extension with the Utah Jazz once he is eligible to next off-season. Fellow point guard Deron Williams has been talking to Boozer about staying in Utah. "He knows I want him here" says Williams. Boozer talked about spending the next four years in Utah teaming up with Williams. (Link) Childress Leaves NBA For Europe Hawks Josh Childress has left the Atlanta Hawks to sign with Greek club Olympiakos. The deal is worth approximately $20 million over three years. It is a far more lucrative deal than what he could have received from an NBA team. A couple of teams had their eye on Childress including the Philadelphia 76ers. Childress is one of five players to leave the NBA for Europe. The others are Bostjan Nachbar, Juan Carlos Navarro, Carlos Delfino and Primoz Brezec. (Link)
Still can't believe Robert "DNP-Old Age" Horry is still around. He's lost confidence in his 3 pt shot and can't hustle, which are both essentially what he's good at. At first I didn't really like the prospect of seeing Crittenton succeed in Memphis. Maybe I don't have to now.
ESPN's Rookie Review: There is more. I just chose the ones that stand out. I disagree with their assessment on O.J. Mayo but I'm tired of arguing. We'll just have to see.
I can agree with the assessment on Mayo not to mention his proneness to turnovers. I think it factors highly into the fact that he's a tweener. Not big enough to maximize himself at SG and too turnover prone to play PG. I certainly agree with Westbrook's and Love's assessment.
