Not a lot of news today. The only thing is the Bobcats have signed former Cavalier Shannon Brown, Sixers and Igoudala are working on a deal worth more than Deng's deal, and the Blazers are pleased with Oden's progress.
Clippers signed Jason Williams to go along with Ricky Davis who they signed about a week ago. They just signed the two biggest problems of a 15-win basketball team. Senseless. Should be fun watching Baron and Ricky fight for the ball, nonetheless.
I agree. Williams the third PG? He would have been better of playing overseas. Was likely going to get three times the amount of money he will get with the Clippers. The market value for him was at 1.3 million. The Israeli team offered up to three million I believe.
NBA Tidbit 76ers, Williams Deal Official A week ago, it was reported that the 76ers agreed to a deal with Guard Louis Williams. Today, the deal became official. The 76ers and Louis Williams agreed on a 5 year deal worth over $25 million. Link Lakers Guard Jordan Farmar Checks In From Israel LA Lakers Point Guard Jordan Farmar is holding basketball clinics for Israeli and Palestinian children. Farmar is working with eight to twelve year old kids and the NBA checks in with the Hollywood Point Guard. Link
Yeah, that why the signing confuses me some. He wont really play much at all. Hopefully he complains and demands a release sooner than later.
I find the signing rather pointless. They just traded for Jason Hart to be their backup. I think he is a good backup. I believe he played in SAC at one time, backing up Bibby. They certainly have cap left since they failed to acquire Azubuike from the Warriors. I wonder if they target anyone else. Igoudala is still available but they don't have the cap space to pay him top dollar.
http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/53926/20080808/grizzlies_sign_josh_smith_to_offer_sheet/ Josh Smiths signs an offer sheet with memphis for $58 Million
Thanks for the info. Reading that link, it stated in the end that Smith would likely end up playing the 4 spot for the Grizzlies. When I read that, I immediately thought undersized like Maxiell. I believe Jason Maxiell of the Pistons is the same height. Then I looked at the Heat's Michael Beasley and he stood at 6'10 and the same weight at 235. Smith might be a little undersized but he's a very good defender and could play out good for the Grizzlies. Josh Smith is hoping that the Hawks don't match this offer and frankly, I'm not sure if they will. They're front office is a mess and Smith doesn't want to go back. Other things that I saw is that he's offered $58 million over five years would be my guess. Deng of the Bulls got $71 million over six years, which equals out to $11.8 million a year. Smith is looking at $11.6 million a year if he gets five years on the deal which I expect. If he gets six years, $9.6 million a year. Either way, it surprised me that he didn't receive a bigger offer than Deng. He's certainly a better player if you ask me. Lastly, I'm kinda surprised Memphis went after him. They expressed interest in him earlier this off-season but backed off, saying that they would keep their money and spend next year. My guess was that they were expecting Smith to sign a one-year tender with the Hawks and then pursue him next off-season but things aren't going well in Atlanta so they just splashed the cash at him this off-season.
Memphis would have a very solid young team. PG - Conley/Crittetion/Lowry SG- OJ Mayo SF- Rudy Gay PF- Josh Smith/Hakim Warrick/Darrell Arthur C- Darko/Marc Gasol
Kobe: I'd Go And Play In Italy A couple of weeks ago it was reported that Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant would be interested in playing overseas. Reports are back again, stating that Kobe would play in Italy. Bryant was born in Italy so that would draw him to playing there. When asked about it, Kobe responded by saying "I'd go. I'd probably go". Then followed up that comment by saying "like Milan or something like that, where I grew up or something like that? Peace out." Bryant continued: "Do you know any reasonable person that would turn down 50 (million dollars)?"Link Lakers Sign Magic Johnson....2.0? The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed on a deal with the Magic Johnson of China, Sun Yue. The team and Yue agreed on a two year deal. The 6'9 Yue was originally drafted by the Lakers in the second round of the 2007 NBA draft. Link Clippers Let Livingston Go The Clippers offered PG Shaun Livingston a one year guaranteed deal and Livingston declined it. Once he declined it, the team moved on, moved on to signing former Heat Guard Jason Williams. Link Spurs Elson Has A Couple Of Suitors The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Elson is being offered a two-year deal by the Bucks to be the backup Center to Andrew Bogut. Elson has also received offers from FC Barcelona of the Spanish league and the Hawks.
You think Smith plays the 4 in Memphis? I would think he would play the three and leave Gay at shooting guard, but I could be wrong.
The report states that he would play the four if he signed. I think he's undersized to play the four. I think he is the same height as Jason Maxiell of the Pistons, at 6'9. If you put him at the three, your benching either Mayo and Gay. That's not going to work lol.
He doesn't play like a PF though. He plays like a small forward. Maxiell plays like a power forward. Even though, with his shot blocking ability it will be interesting seeing him matched up with other PF's.
Yeah, that's the problem I have with this. He has great shot blocking ability and is a very good defender but can he match up with the PF's? IMO, there has to be something else to this possible acquisition because I don't fully understand it.
Quick Hits: Grizzlies Like Iranian Big Man The Grizzlies are hoping to sign 23 year old, 7'2 Center Hamed Ehadadi to a deal. Ehadadi has been impressive and originally declared for the 2004 NBA draft but went undrafted due to being an unknown commodity.Link I personally have never heard of him but read a little on him on RealGM.com. Looking at his videos, hes impressive. He moves very well and is incredibly quick for his size IMO. If Memphis can lock him up, they got themselves a good, young center with a nice left hook. He also dominated against the Mavericks and Jazz in overseas play. Here's a video on the guy. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmweMX0Y-8M"]YouTube - Hamed Hadadi Ehadadi Against Lebanon[/ame] Sixers Smith Tears ACL 76ers Center Jason Smith tore his ACL on Wednesday during a team basketball activity. He will get a second opinion from Dr. Altcheck in the next few weeks. No timetable has been set for his return. Link
Headlines Heat Looking To Deal Haslem Earlier this off-season the Miami Heat tried to move Forward Udonis Haslem. Now, they're back at it again. The team is reportedly attempting to move Haslem for a Point Guard or a Center. The only issue with a possible deal is the compensation that the Heat would receive. Heat President Pat Riley is worried that the team may not get enough back in the trade. Link Nuggets Anthony Struggling Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets has been struggling with team USA. Basketball Managing Director Jerry Colangelo says the Forward needs to get himself back to where he was two summers ago. 'Melo is reportedly struggling with conditioning, shape overall and shooting. Link
My question about these big name players like Lebron and Kobe considering European teams is; "Are they just making a power play in the NBA?" What I mean by that is are they really considering going or are they trying to scare their respective teams/potential FA suitors into paying them huge contracts when they are up for FA in a couple years (in the NBA). I lean more towards they are just trying to get fatter contracts in the NBA; however if this isn't the case then I think players deeply resent the NBA for something and would rather get more money than for the honor of playing in the NBA (which I think is still the premier pro basketball league in the world). I can understand players like Carlos Arroyo and I believe it was Josh Smith or Childress in Atlanta going to the European league because it is their best opportunity for money. Its definitely something I'm keeping my eyes on. I think Carmelo has lost some of his passion for the game. When you take this into account along with his problems with Geore Karl and his recent DUI problems it just seems like he doesn't care anymore. I mean really if you can't get pumped up about playing for the USA National Basketball Team and representing your country in the Olympics then what can you get excited for.
Could be a little bit of both. It was Childress of Atlanta to go. You have to remember that they may be interested in becoming a global star if they aren't already. In Kobe Bryant's case, I believe he was born and raised in Italy. Maybe he wants to go back one day when he's getting up there in age. As for LeBron, possibly could be going for the money. It wouldn't surprise me, it is $50 million a year but it could be a one-year deal because a lot of the European deals have a player option after every year of the contract. What also comes with these deals is paid living expenses by the team/club. They're not going to get this type of money in the NBA. Possibly. The last couple of years, he has looked very sluggish or lazy on defense. He can put up points but it seems like he hates playing defense.
Every team interested in Josh Smith this offseason has basically viewed him as a PF. I think he's got the size to play the 4, obviously the rebounding and shot blocking ability. I don't see why Atlanta wouldn't match $11.6 million per season, though.
The Lakers and point guard Sun Yue have agreed to terms on a two-season contract, the team confirmed Thursday. The Lakers hope to sign Sun formally within the next few days, team spokesman John Black said. http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.asp?hd=20080808&lc=NBA#STORY_11142
The question then I ask is; "How big of a problem is this for the NBA and why is it a problem?" It seems like it could be a big problem if Kobe or Lebron go overseas (which I don't see especially with Lebron and Jay Z's relationship in NY/NJ). Also what has happened to the NBA's image that these players would consider going overseas or is it just for the money? I remember a couple years back with the NBA's dress code policy that a lot of African American players felt that they were trying to kill the hip hop image and "white-wash" the league if you will and they felt betrayed by that. Could that be a problem or is it like I said earlier though maybe it is all for the money I don't know. I'm not sure but something seems wrong here. Also I do think Carmelo is just content with where he is at in the game and doesn't have the motivation to be better. He just doesn't have that killer instinct but thinks he can just live on raw talent.
I don't think its a big problem for them right now. All of these deals that are made are no more than three years with each player having an option to leave the team after every year of the contract. If the years in the deals expand to say five and more players continue to leave, then I think it could be a problem. The players are simply leaving because of the money. The European currency has more value than dollars right now and that's one of the main reasons these players are headed out. These teams are giving the money after taxes and they are paying the living expenses of these players. Possibly, I think he could take these comments made by Colangelo and use them as motivation. He's good offensively, I just think he's a lazy player defensively.
Ah ha I thought of that the other day. My question is when they say a 50 million dollar contract does that mean that's after the conversion (which is like 25 million Euros) or are they taking it at face value thus the contract are 50 million Euros (or about 100 million dollars)?
Hawks Match Offer The Atlanta Hawks have matched the Grizzlies offer sheet of $58 million to forward Josh Smith. Smith said earlier this off-season he didn't want to be a Hawk but now, he's back as one. Link
Interesting move by the Grizz to even pursue Smith. Rudy Gay is easily their best player and hes strictly a SF. So both he and Smith would have been playing SF or one would be forced to play out of position. Unless their plan was to deal Rudy which then leaves them in a similar position as before. Theres a franchise I dont get.
Atlanta clearly made the right choice. There was a bit of tension between Smith and the organization, but money definitely speaks the higher volumes. They should continue to improve with the "big three" of Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford. They've got a glut of young players as well, although they were unable to retain Childress.
I guess he did grow up there. But Kobe will be staying here in his prime. He won't go to Italy until he's around Jordan's age when he came back with the Wiz. Yue's a good player. Really good at blocking and very good passing skills. I suppose only thing left for him is to bulk up a bit. Will be keeping a close eye on him in the Olympics. When healthy, I'd take Livingston's potential over White Chocolate. If they want Chris Mihm, I'm sure we can oblige.
