According to sources, F Lebron James, F Chris Bosh, and G Dwyane Wade met in Miami over the weekend to discuss their futures. The possibility of those three teaming up with the Miami Heat was also reportedly discussed. The Heat only have money for two max contract players, but can acquire another one through a sign-and-trade deal. Stephen A. Smith reported on his radio show that the three agreed to join the Heat once the free agency period starts. However, it has been reported that James will still visit other teams and has not committed to leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This only makes it more interesting once July 1 comes, because there are huge names in this free agency market. Wade talked about a meeting between those three and G Joe Johnson last month, but it didn't happen. It was also reported that if there was credible evidence that anyone was discussing their futures together, they could be subject to a fine for tampering. I don't know how commissioner David Stern will approach this situation, because all of this talk is happening before July 1.
It wouldn't make sense for James to join Wade because those are two players who demand the ball on almost every possession. It will start off as a honeymoon, but quickly turn sour, with Wade's attitude. If only Bosh were to join Wade in Miami, it wouldn't help the Heat much, because Bosh has proven that he isn't a game changer. Toronto currently has a better assembly of talent than Miami, and Bosh still couldn't get the team to the playoffs. James should seriously look into Chicago, New York or New Jersey if he wants to leave Cleveland.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
NBA Draft Not A Highlight
It is clear that the July 1st is on the minds of every NBA team and fan. The NBA Draft went by last night, and there wasn't anything special to it, other than the fact that the Kentucky Wildcats basketball programs provided five first round draft picks. Even more interesting is G John Wall was the first ever #1 overall pick for the school, which has had a storied history. Wall was taken first by the Washington Wizards, and F Evan Turner was taken by the Philadelphia 76ers. The draft picks following those two didn't seem to spark any interest among viewers.
The most interesting part of the draft is what teams were doing to shed salary. The Chicago Bulls traded G Kirk Hinrich to the Wizards, just for a second-round pick. The Bulls were merely shedding Hinrich's salary so they can acquire two max free agents. The Miami Heat also did the same, trading G Daequan Cook and their first round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Teams seem to be interested in a free agent class that includes F Lebron James, F Chris Bosh, G Dwyane Wade, F Amare Stoudemire, and plenty more.
Another interesting aspect of the draft happened to involve the Portland Trail Blazers. They fired their general manager Kevin Pritchard, but he asked to be in charge of the draft still, and the team allowed him. He proceeded to get rid of F Martell Webster, and there is no telling what Pritchard's intentions were. People are lauding him now for being a class act and handling the firing the right way. We may never know because he won't say it publicly, but he probably was screwing the franchise over.
When it's all said and done, the teams who went out of their way to clear cap space better be significantly better next season. If not, they will have a depleted roster, and will have to re-stock it with below average players. No team wants to be in that position, so a lot of teams are taking a big risk by shedding salary and dumping players.
The most interesting part of the draft is what teams were doing to shed salary. The Chicago Bulls traded G Kirk Hinrich to the Wizards, just for a second-round pick. The Bulls were merely shedding Hinrich's salary so they can acquire two max free agents. The Miami Heat also did the same, trading G Daequan Cook and their first round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Teams seem to be interested in a free agent class that includes F Lebron James, F Chris Bosh, G Dwyane Wade, F Amare Stoudemire, and plenty more.
Another interesting aspect of the draft happened to involve the Portland Trail Blazers. They fired their general manager Kevin Pritchard, but he asked to be in charge of the draft still, and the team allowed him. He proceeded to get rid of F Martell Webster, and there is no telling what Pritchard's intentions were. People are lauding him now for being a class act and handling the firing the right way. We may never know because he won't say it publicly, but he probably was screwing the franchise over.
When it's all said and done, the teams who went out of their way to clear cap space better be significantly better next season. If not, they will have a depleted roster, and will have to re-stock it with below average players. No team wants to be in that position, so a lot of teams are taking a big risk by shedding salary and dumping players.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Bucks Acquire Maggette
The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired F Corey Maggette from the Golden State Warriors for C Dan Gadzuric and G Charlie Bell. The Bucks also received a second round draft pick in the deal. Maggette averaged 19.8 points per game in 49 starts and 70 games played. Maggette is reportedly being brought in to provide scoring help to a team that may be losing an important scoring threat. According to ESPN's Chad Ford, Bucks general manager John Hammond says that G John Salmons will opt out of his contract, making it unlikely he'll be back with the Bucks.
The Maggette deal makes sense from the standpoint that it provides offensive help for them. However, Maggette hasn't necessarily made any team better, so this deal may not do anything for the Bucks. If Salmons signs elsewhere, that will be the biggest blow to the Bucks. Salmons provided instant scoring to the Bucks, who were missing G Michael Redd, who has been injury-prone the past couple of seasons. Salmons was also a good defender, playing his position defensively very well after he joined the Bucks.
The Bucks also have to worry about the health of C Andrew Bogut, who suffered a horrible injury to his arm during the regular season. That makes the trade of Gadzuric a little more baffling, but the Bucks will have three draft picks in Thursday's draft. They will definitely pick up a center with one of the three picks. Acquiring Maggette, however, will not do much for their team, so G Brandon Jennings and Bogut will have to shoulder the load in order for them to get back to the playoffs.
The Maggette deal makes sense from the standpoint that it provides offensive help for them. However, Maggette hasn't necessarily made any team better, so this deal may not do anything for the Bucks. If Salmons signs elsewhere, that will be the biggest blow to the Bucks. Salmons provided instant scoring to the Bucks, who were missing G Michael Redd, who has been injury-prone the past couple of seasons. Salmons was also a good defender, playing his position defensively very well after he joined the Bucks.
The Bucks also have to worry about the health of C Andrew Bogut, who suffered a horrible injury to his arm during the regular season. That makes the trade of Gadzuric a little more baffling, but the Bucks will have three draft picks in Thursday's draft. They will definitely pick up a center with one of the three picks. Acquiring Maggette, however, will not do much for their team, so G Brandon Jennings and Bogut will have to shoulder the load in order for them to get back to the playoffs.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Lakers Win 16th Championship
The Los Angeles Lakers have won their 16th championship, beating the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. It was a struggle for the Lakers, as they fell behind by double digits in the first half and in the second half. NBA Finals MVP G Kobe Bryant only made 6 of his 24 field goal attempts, but it was the offensive rebounding from the Lakers that kept them in it. They grabbed 23 offensive rebounds, the most since the 1996 NBA Finals by one team. Bryant himself had 15 total rebounds, and F Pau Gasol had 18 rebounds to go along with 19 points. Ron Artest had the best game of the series, being very physical with the Celtics and knocking down a big three-pointer with under 2 minutes left. He scored 20.
Bryant said it correctly when he said Game 7 meant nothing to him. All of these players were just going out and trying to get a victory to win the championship. The fact that it was a Game 7 between the Lakers and Celtics had nothing to do with the players. The Lakers/Celtics rivalry was at its best in the 1960s, and no current players even care about what happened then. However, the Lakers did look nervous as Gasol and Bryant missed crucial free throws in the fourth quarter. Also, the Lakers only shot 33% from the field, easily their lowest output of the series.
The Celtics couldn't capitalize, and that could've been because of the absence of C Kendrick Perkins. Also, G Ray Allen just seemed to go cold the rest of the series after his spectacular Game 2 performance, and that doomed the Celtics. F Kevin Garnett scored 17 points, but only grabbed 3 rebounds. That is not going to get it done for the Celtics either. He needed to be way more productive and it didn't happen. This could be the last run for the Celtics, as Allen and F Paul Pierce enters free agency. If both of them leaves, which isn't expected, they will not be seeing the Finals anytime soon.
Bryant said it correctly when he said Game 7 meant nothing to him. All of these players were just going out and trying to get a victory to win the championship. The fact that it was a Game 7 between the Lakers and Celtics had nothing to do with the players. The Lakers/Celtics rivalry was at its best in the 1960s, and no current players even care about what happened then. However, the Lakers did look nervous as Gasol and Bryant missed crucial free throws in the fourth quarter. Also, the Lakers only shot 33% from the field, easily their lowest output of the series.
The Celtics couldn't capitalize, and that could've been because of the absence of C Kendrick Perkins. Also, G Ray Allen just seemed to go cold the rest of the series after his spectacular Game 2 performance, and that doomed the Celtics. F Kevin Garnett scored 17 points, but only grabbed 3 rebounds. That is not going to get it done for the Celtics either. He needed to be way more productive and it didn't happen. This could be the last run for the Celtics, as Allen and F Paul Pierce enters free agency. If both of them leaves, which isn't expected, they will not be seeing the Finals anytime soon.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Izzo May Take Cavs Job
Tom Izzo, head coach of Michigan State University's basketball program, is leaning towards taking the head coaching job of the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources close to the situation say. It was previously thought that Izzo wanted to win another national championship with the Spartans before he entertains NBA jobs. Izzo has recently flew over to Cleveland in Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert's private jet. He toured all of the facilities and met with front office personnel. There is not a guarantee that Izzo will take the job, but sources say he has changed his thinking over the past couple of weeks and is leaning toward the job.
This could be a huge mistake for Izzo if he takes the job soon. There is not guarantee that F Lebron James will re-sign with the Cavaliers. No one knows James thinking at this point, and a Cavaliers team without James will probably be at the bottom of the Eastern Conference again. Izzo can be setting himself up for failure, just as other successful college coaches have done in the past when taking their coaching to the NBA level. Guys like Rick Pitino and John Calipari have enjoyed success at the college level but haven't enjoyed it at the pro level.
James wouldn't necessarily care if Izzo was the coach. James is probably looking for a big splash or looking for a good fit. When the Chicago Bulls hired Tom Thibodeau as their new coach, that wasn't the big splash the Bulls needed to make to convince James to come to Chicago. However, the Bulls have been a playoff team without him, so that might work in their favor. The New York Knicks have Mike D'Antoni, who James liked when they worked together in the 2008 Olympics. When it's all said and done, if Izzo announces he's taking the job soon, he'll be making a mistake.
This could be a huge mistake for Izzo if he takes the job soon. There is not guarantee that F Lebron James will re-sign with the Cavaliers. No one knows James thinking at this point, and a Cavaliers team without James will probably be at the bottom of the Eastern Conference again. Izzo can be setting himself up for failure, just as other successful college coaches have done in the past when taking their coaching to the NBA level. Guys like Rick Pitino and John Calipari have enjoyed success at the college level but haven't enjoyed it at the pro level.
James wouldn't necessarily care if Izzo was the coach. James is probably looking for a big splash or looking for a good fit. When the Chicago Bulls hired Tom Thibodeau as their new coach, that wasn't the big splash the Bulls needed to make to convince James to come to Chicago. However, the Bulls have been a playoff team without him, so that might work in their favor. The New York Knicks have Mike D'Antoni, who James liked when they worked together in the 2008 Olympics. When it's all said and done, if Izzo announces he's taking the job soon, he'll be making a mistake.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Ferry Resigns
Danny Ferry, general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has decided to resign from his position, effective immediately. Ferry's contract was up June 30, and instead of renewing the contract, he decided to leave. This becomes another major shakeup for a franchise that has had the most wins in the Eastern Conference the past two seasons. Last month, the Cavaliers fired head coach Mike Brown, shortly after their loss in the playoffs to the Boston Celtics. Assistant general manager Chris Grant will take over as general manager for the Cavaliers.
Ferry decided to depart because he felt that his sense of the team's direction, and owner Dan Gilbert's sense of direction for the team, weren't the same. Ferry was not in agreement with the firing of Brown, and Gilbert looks to hire a defensive-oriented coach again. With superstar F Lebron James heading into free agency next month, these moves can be costly, or they can help bring James back to Cleveland. However, this is the most important offseason in franchise history and Cleveland has to make sure they get their man back.
Gilbert has to find a coach soon, before the free agency period starts. James has to know what direction the Cavs are headed in. Some speculate that the resignation of Ferry could've been what James has wanted. Whatever it is, the Cavs have to do whatever James wants to get him back. If not, Cleveland fans can get used to losing the way they have seen this franchise historically.
Ferry decided to depart because he felt that his sense of the team's direction, and owner Dan Gilbert's sense of direction for the team, weren't the same. Ferry was not in agreement with the firing of Brown, and Gilbert looks to hire a defensive-oriented coach again. With superstar F Lebron James heading into free agency next month, these moves can be costly, or they can help bring James back to Cleveland. However, this is the most important offseason in franchise history and Cleveland has to make sure they get their man back.
Gilbert has to find a coach soon, before the free agency period starts. James has to know what direction the Cavs are headed in. Some speculate that the resignation of Ferry could've been what James has wanted. Whatever it is, the Cavs have to do whatever James wants to get him back. If not, Cleveland fans can get used to losing the way they have seen this franchise historically.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Celtics-Lakers Rivalry Overrated
The Boston Celtics will square off with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals for the 12th time in NBA history, and it is getting hype like both teams hate each other and it is a serious rivalry. This is completely blown out of proportion. If you hear any of the Celtics players talk about a certain hate for a Lakers' player, and vice versa, they are lying. Both teams are going into the Finals looking for another championship.
F Kevin Garnett, G Ray Allen, and F Paul Pierce are looking to get another championship ring together, and G Kobe Bryant is simply looking to get his fifth title, which will impressively put him ahead of C Shaquille O'Neal and F Tim Duncan, the two best players of the decade. All four of these players, along with Lakers coach Phil Jackson, love to win, and they do not care about this rivalry.
The rivalry started early in the NBA days. The Celtics faced off with the Lakers seven times from 1959-1969, with the Celtics winning all of the games. That is hardly a rivalry if one team dominates another team. F Magic Johnson and F Larry Bird had their own personal rivalry, going back to the 1979 NCAA National Championship Game between Indiana State and Michigan State. Johnson won that, and was with the Lakers when they beat Bird's Celtics in 1985 and 1987. The Celtics beat the Lakers in 1984 with Bird.
As a matter of fact, the only two victories from the Lakers have been the 1985 and 1987 championships. It has been complete domination from the Celtics, so this should not be a rivalry at all. Bird and Johnson have their own personal rivalry, but no one else has hate for each other. It's simply a basketball game in which all players want to win. These two teams only meet twice a year in the regular season, and it doesn't really get any hype then. So how could it be a rivalry?
The rivalry in baseball between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees is a true rivalry. These two teams face off 19 times a year, with much hype for every single game. Also, these two teams have had memorable matchups in the playoffs. That is a real rivalry. The rivalry in football as of late between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts have been great as well. Both teams have gotten the best of each other, and there is always hype surrounding any matchup between these two teams.
The NBA simply does not have any rivalries today, and that is the reason for the hype surrounding this Finals matchup. This is not a rivalry. Examples of real rivalries have been between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks in the 1990s. The Knicks also had rivalries with the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat in the 1990s. Recently, the Pacers had a small rivalry with the Detroit Pistons, and the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks have a rivalry now. But the Lakers-Celtics matchup is NOT a rivalry.
F Kevin Garnett, G Ray Allen, and F Paul Pierce are looking to get another championship ring together, and G Kobe Bryant is simply looking to get his fifth title, which will impressively put him ahead of C Shaquille O'Neal and F Tim Duncan, the two best players of the decade. All four of these players, along with Lakers coach Phil Jackson, love to win, and they do not care about this rivalry.
The rivalry started early in the NBA days. The Celtics faced off with the Lakers seven times from 1959-1969, with the Celtics winning all of the games. That is hardly a rivalry if one team dominates another team. F Magic Johnson and F Larry Bird had their own personal rivalry, going back to the 1979 NCAA National Championship Game between Indiana State and Michigan State. Johnson won that, and was with the Lakers when they beat Bird's Celtics in 1985 and 1987. The Celtics beat the Lakers in 1984 with Bird.
As a matter of fact, the only two victories from the Lakers have been the 1985 and 1987 championships. It has been complete domination from the Celtics, so this should not be a rivalry at all. Bird and Johnson have their own personal rivalry, but no one else has hate for each other. It's simply a basketball game in which all players want to win. These two teams only meet twice a year in the regular season, and it doesn't really get any hype then. So how could it be a rivalry?
The rivalry in baseball between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees is a true rivalry. These two teams face off 19 times a year, with much hype for every single game. Also, these two teams have had memorable matchups in the playoffs. That is a real rivalry. The rivalry in football as of late between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts have been great as well. Both teams have gotten the best of each other, and there is always hype surrounding any matchup between these two teams.
The NBA simply does not have any rivalries today, and that is the reason for the hype surrounding this Finals matchup. This is not a rivalry. Examples of real rivalries have been between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks in the 1990s. The Knicks also had rivalries with the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat in the 1990s. Recently, the Pacers had a small rivalry with the Detroit Pistons, and the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks have a rivalry now. But the Lakers-Celtics matchup is NOT a rivalry.
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