Daily Basketball
NBA and NCAA blogging on an occasionally daily basis
July 6, 2008 at 11:54 am · Filed under NBA
by Paul Gartlan
Corey Maggette is reportedly leaning towards signing with the San Antonio Spurs in a multi-year deal at the mid-level exception. Maggette would be the one extra offensive weapon the Spurs need as the ever-aging Michael Finley and Brent Barry become unrestricted free agents this off season. The Spurs would be adding another aggressive slasher to their lineup that can make plays off the dribble, lessening the play-making roles of Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker as the only players currently on the Spurs that are capable of doing so. The main competitor in the campaign for Maggette is the Orlando Magic, but those talks seems to be dying down, as the Magic seem more pre-occupied with using their available funds to find a backup point guard. The Boston Celtics have also shown some interest, but lack the funds to give an offer as appealing as the one the Spurs are willing to give Maggette.
Expect the Spurs to be back in the title mix if they indeed sign Maggette. Subtracting Finley and Barry while adding Maggette to their roster makes this Spurs team look a whole lot younger, and a whole lot more explosive. Corey Maggette’s toughness and aggressive style of play alone will help the Spurs tremendously, especially during post season play as the games get more physical. Toughness and aggression are two attributes that the Spurs have lacked these last couple seasons, even in their championship run two seasons ago. The Lakers made an example of the Spurs’ lack of toughness last season in the playoffs, before actually being made an example of themselves at the hands of the Celtics in the NBA Finals. This just goes to show how far the aging Spurs have to go to be Finals bound once again, as the NBA postseason evolves into a more physical, grind-it-out style of play each year. Signing Corey Maggette would be the perfect first step in adapting to the physical style of play in the post season.
July 3, 2008 at 7:38 pm · Filed under NBA
With the LA Clippers “spendin’ dough” in the free agent market, I wondered: can teams that spend lots of money win titles more often than not?
The answer to this is difficult without using stats. In my mind, it really depends on the organization (for example, the Knicks, mo money, mo problems!). If Joe Dumars wants to spend money, the Detroit Pistons won’t object (same goes for San Antonio Spurs GM R.C. Buford). Is Elgin Baylor known for making the best trades and signings? No, but now it seems like he’s got something to work with if Elton Brand comes back.
So let’s use some stats
Well, let’s look back at the last couple of teams to win a title. Boston Celtics, Spurs and the Miami Heat. None of these teams had the highest payroll (as did the Knicks). The Heat ranked 10th when they won the title (spending $63 million, according to SI.com). I could not find much for the other teams, but, when you look at the Heat, it’s a good example that you don’t have to spend the most money to win it all. Note to Elgin: don’t Knick-ify your cap situation!
How long before we can think about a Clipper title?
Don’t get your hopes up. Sure, the addition of Eric Gordon is good, same goes for Baron Davis. I don’t think you can say that this is a bonafide playoff team yet (Chris Broussard says it is one, definitely). The West is looking tougher every day; this is a team that right now only looks good on paper and I don’t think they can win a title with Baron. He’s 29 and the other young guys on the team are going to take time to be title ready. I do think they could make a visit to the finals, though I’m not sure about a banner.
You think about the future of this team and it is looking better. Al Thornton is a great player, Chris Kaman is only 26 and they’ve got some other players to develop. Davis will provide veteran leadership, along with Cuttino Mobley. Looking at the rest of this team, I think bringing in more veterans is the next step. I don’t know how much cap room they will have left, but how about a run at James Posey? This guy plays tough, lock down defense and can stretch the floor. He’s perfect for a team that is looking to build a championship atmosphere.
Look on the bright side. The Clips have finally realized that being number 24 on the Forbes list of team values is simply embarrassing (the Memphis Grizzlies are in front of them!). Let’s hope the days of a lottery shoo in, boring Elton Brand show are gone!
July 2, 2008 at 3:55 pm · Filed under NBA
by Anton Miller
New recently broke of the Clippers signing Baron Davis for a reported 5 years and $65 million. And while 5 years seems a lot for a guy who has trouble staying healthy, it instantly makes the Clippers relevant again. 
For Baron himself, it was a smart move, passing on $17.8 dollars guaranteed in favor of long-term stability. The Warriors played hardball on an extension and Baron certainly was not going to get that kind of money from them. His benching at the end of the year did not help things either. The Warriors were more concerned about re-signing Andris Biedrins and Monta Ellis, who are both restricted free agents.
For the Clippers, the signing of Baron should help entice Elton Brand to resign. Brand has been inspired by the collection of talent the Celtics put together, and Baron is a talent he has not had before. Baron can spread the floor; when healthy, he is one of the best players in the league. Together they could have a lethal inside and out game.
Of course, signing Baron means Corey Maggette is gone. That leaves a starting lineup of Chris Kaman, Baron, Elton, Al Thornton and Cuttino Mobley, with top draft pick Eric Gordon anchoring a shallow bench. While this team doesn’t measure up to New Orleans, San Antonio or the Lakers, they should make the playoffs if they stay healthy.
As for the Warriors, they have arrived at a crossroads. Signing Ellis and Biedrins is a given. They can start a rebuilding movement and play the youngsters like Belinelli, Wright and Randolph. However, a lineup without Baron Davis will be hard pressed to land close to .500 in the cut-throat West.
After being one of the worst teams in the league for so long, the Warriors return to winning has been amazing for their fan base and they are one of the most watchable teams in the league. If they want to stay competitive, they could use their newfound cap room on a free agent. So far, they have offered max deals to Gilbert Arenas and Elton Brand. Arenas would be a good replacement for Baron, but is more likely to stay in Washington. As for Brand, they can offer more money than the Clippers and it would be sweet revenge.
Brand must decide which team he thinks has a better chance of winning and where he would be more comfortable. The most likely scenario is that the Warriors get neither player. Their remaining options would be to shift Monta to PG and grab Maggette, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, J.R. Smith or Ricky Davis.
Of course, if they signed Gordon, Smith or Davis, they would be proud owners of the worst defensive backcourt in the league. Davis’ move has shifted the fortunes of two franchises, but in opposite directions. The Clippers are on the way up, and the Warriors are on the brink of transforming from league darlings to league nobodies.
June 30, 2008 at 12:44 pm · Filed under NBA
By Paul Gartlan
Pat Riley’s desire to get a point guard did not stop with the acquisition of Mario Chalmers, as trade/free agent talks begin to soar down in South Florida. As far as trade talk is concerned, Shawn Marion and Udonis Haslem seem like the players most likely to be on the move. All reports of the Heat still wanting to negotiate a deal including Michael Beasley seem to be moot. Riley appears to be in the market for an experienced center along with another point guard.
As far as unrestricted free agents at the point guard position go, Carlos Arroyo, Jannero Pargo, Chris Duhon, Beno Udrih, and Sebastian Telfair are all on the Heat’s radar. It would not be rare of Riley however to negotiate a blockbuster deal, possibly involving Chauncey Billups, Baron Davis, or Raymond Felton. Both the Pistons and the Warriors made it clear before the draft that Chauncey Billups and Baron Davis were available for trade, since they nearly swapped point guards in a deal that also included Rasheed Wallace and a few draft picks. Joe Dumars has made it clear that he wants to shake up his Detroit Pistons to get them back into the NBA finals. Raymond Felton is an interesting option for the Heat as well, as he is a young, experienced point guard that the Bobcats can seemingly do without as they drafted D.J. Augustin. Even Gilbert Arenas’s name is starting to float around, as his resigning in Washington is contingent on whether or not the Wizards resign Antawn Jamison. Despite the weak class of free agents this year, there are opportunities elsewhere.
At center, there is not much available. Everyone BUT the Heat like Desagna Diop to fill the slot, but Riley does not seem to impressed. Lorenzen Wright of the Sacramento Kings seems like the better fit, or even Francisco Elson of the Seattle Sonics. A trade for a center seems unlikely, as good centers seem hard to come by these days. The only ones available seem to be from international countries, much to Pat Riley’s dismay. Riley has never been fond of international players, always questioning their toughness (see NBA Finals 2008 – Lakers).
The main issue preventing any of these scenarios from happening right now is cap space. Mark Blount and Shawn Marion both have hefty contracts, so unloading one of them somewhere would allow Riley to work his magic. The only thing that is for certain regarding that Heat’s future is that Pat Riley wants to be good NEXT year. For Riley, rebuilding is simply not an option (ever).
June 30, 2008 at 9:09 am · Filed under International, NBA
By Anton Miller
With the 2008 NBA Draft just a few days behind us, here are grades for every team, along with the players they acquired.
Atlanta Hawks: No picks
No picks mean no grade.
Grade: Incomplete
Boston Celtics: J.R. Giddens (no. 30), trade cash to Washington Wizards for rights to Bill Walker (No.47)
Ray Allen will only continue to age, so Giddens made a lot of sense at this pick. He is a great athlete who will most likely mature around Kevin Garnett and the older Celtics. However, passing on Chris Douglas-Roberts seems foolish. Bill Walker had been quietly rising up draft boards until he re-injured his knee. How he recovers will determine how well this draft went for the Celtics.
Grade: B-
Charlotte Bobcats: D.J. Augustin (no. 9), Alexis Ajinca (no. 20), Kyle Weaver (no.38)
The Bobcats have concluded that Raymond Felton is not the answer at the point guard position. However, Augustin is very small and Brook Lopez and Jerryd Bayless would have been much better picks. They took Ajinca to fill their center spot, but he is not likely to pan out and considering this team is not in contention or will be soon they should have gone for the home run with DeAndre Jordan. Kyle Weaver is a solid pick who does a little bit of everything.
Grade: C-
Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose (no. 1), traded 3 second round picks for Omar Asik (no. 36)
The Bulls made a good albeit very easy pick at number one, but came up empty elsewhere. The excitement of getting Asik, a sleeper was tempered by his new contract that makes him unlikely to ever pull on a Bulls uniform.
Grade: B
Cleveland Cavaliers: J.J. Hickson (no. 19), traded future second round pick to Miami for Darnell Jackson (no. 52), traded cash considerations to Seattle Supersonics for Sasha Kaun (no. 56)
Despite all the wheeling and dealing, the Cavaliers had a very unimpressive draft. Darnell Jackson and Kaun are not guaranteed to even make the roster, let alone an impact. Hickson will take a few years seasoning before he can help. Lebron has seen nothing that will convince him to stay when his contract is up in 2010.
Grade: D+
Dallas Mavericks: Shan Foster (no. 51)
Foster can certainly put the ball in the basket, so the Mavs did the best with what they had. This is a franchise on the decline.
Grade: B
Denver Nuggets: Traded no. 20 to the bobcats for a future 1st rounder, acquired Sonny Weems for a 2009 2nd round pick
Weems is an exciting athlete who could be a replacement for J.R. Smith if he leaves.
Grade: B
Detroit Pistons: Traded draft rights to D.J. White (no. 29) to Seattle for draft rights to Walter Sharpe (no. 32) and Trent Plaisted (no. 46), Deron Washington (no. 59).
The Pistons were busy on draft night. Deron Washington could be into a replacement for Tayshaun Prince if they deal him and was as solid a pick as it gets deep into the draft. Plaistead could turn into a solid role player, but Sharpe does not fill a need at all.
Grade: B-
Golden State Warriors: Anthony Randolph (no. 14), Richard Hendrix (no. 49)
If the draft were on talent alone, Randolph would be a top 5 pick. However, he really needs to bulk up and does not seem ready to contribute. LSU has a history of athletic tweeners (Stromile Swift, Tyrus Thomas) who are average NBA players. Hard to blame Golden State for the selection, as there really were not too many other options. Hendrix could turn into a pleasant surprise.
Grade: B
Houston Rockets: Traded rights to Nicolas Batum (no. 25) to Portland for rights to Darrell Arthur (no. 27) and Joey Dorsey (no. 33); traded rights to Arthur to Memphis for rights to Donte Greene (No. 28) and 2009 second-round pick; Maarty Leunen (No. 54).
I thought the Rockets did exceedingly well for their position. Dorsey is a bit of a repetitive pick with Chuck Hayes already on the roster, but he can carve out his niche in the league. Greene could turn into a dynamite shooter and Leunen will be one of the sleepers of the draft.
Grade: A
Indiana Pacers: Traded Jermaine O’Neal for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and Roy Hibbert (no. 17), traded Ike Diogu and Jerryd Bayless (no. 11) for Brandon Rush (no. 13), Jarret Jack and Josh McRoberts
The Pacers got more value than I could have ever imagined for JO. The only thing the Pacers could regret is if Bayless turns into a star, but Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert are nice players.
Grade: A-
Los Angelos Clippers: Eric Gordon (no. 7), DeAndre Jordan (no. 35), Mike Taylor (no. 55)
Not a lot of people have been talking about the Clippers draft, but I think it was a huge success. Gordon is an outstanding scorer who will be better than some players drafted ahead of him. Grabbing Jordan at 35 is highway robbery if he even develops a little bit and Taylor could turn into the surprise of the late 2nd round.
Grade: A-
Los Angelos Lakers: Joe Crawford (no. 58)
A lack of depth on the bench is all that is holding the Lakers back at this point; they didn’t do much with the draft but that is not their fault.
Grade: C
Memphis Grizzlies: Traded Mike Miller, Jason Collins and Brian Cardinal and rights to Kevin Love (no. 5) to Minnesota for Marko Jaric, Greg Buckner and Antoine Walker and rights to O.J. Mayo (no. 3); traded rights to Donte Greene (No. 28) and a 2009 second-round pick to Houston for Darrell Arthur (no. 27)
Chris Wallace further solidified his reputation as the GM no one understands. Mike Miller is still in his prime and trading Kevin Love for OJ Mayo and a platter of bad contracts is questionable. Picking up Darrell Arthur was a decent move.
Grade: C-
Miami Heat: Michael Beasley (no. 2) traded two future second-round picks and cash for rights to Mario Chalmers (No. 34), traded rights to Darnell Jackson (No. 52) for a Cleveland 2nd round pick in 2009.
Not dealing away the number two pick is the best result that could happen to the Heat, who with a core of Beasley, Wade and Marion, will be in the playoffs next year. They made a hard push for Mario Chalmers, who is a good fit on a team in need of guards.
Grade: A-
Milwaukee Bucks: Joe Alexander (no. 8); Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (no. 37), traded Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons for Richard Jefferson
Alexander was a solid pick at 8. Mbah a Moute was a reach, but brings defense and rebounding on a team that doesn’t have any. Getting Jefferson for Yi and Simmons was a great deal.
Grade: A-
Minnesota: Traded Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker, Greg Buckner and the draft rights to O.J. Mayo (no. 3) to Memphis for Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal, Jason Collins and the draft rights to Kevin Love (no. 5), Nikola Pekovic (no. 31), traded Mario Chalmers (no. 34) to Miami for two future second-round picks and cash.
Minnesota felt they still have something in Randy Foye, and thus dealing away OJ Mayo makes sense. They also got Mike Miller a great scorer, Love whom they wanted all along and cleared cap space for the big free agent summer of 2010. Well done.
Grade: A-
New Jersey Nets: Brook Lopez (no. 10); Ryan Anderson (no. 21); Chris Douglas-Roberts (no. 40), traded Richard Jefferson for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.
The Nets were happy to have Lopez fall into their laps at 10. He is the best inside scorer on their roster immediately, and getting Douglas Roberts at no. 40 was a gift. Anderson and Yi are similar players, but the hope is that one of them will turn into something. That said, getting so little for Jefferson reminds some of the Gasol deal.
Grade: C+
New Orleans Hornets: None
Grade: Incomplete
New York Knicks: Danilo Galinari (no. 6)
While the fans hated this pick, Galinari is very talented and thus, this pick could go either way, making it tough to grade for now.
Grade: B
Orlando Magic: Courtney Lee (no. 22)
Smart pick. Fills need. Enough said.
Grade: B+
Philadelphia 76ers: Mareese Speights (no. 16)
Speights is far from a sure thing, but the middle of the first round was full of this type of player.
Grade: C+
Phoenix Suns: Robin Lopez (no. 15), traded rights to Malik Hairston (no. 48), a future second-round pick and cash considerations to San Antonio in exchange for draft rights to Goran Dragic (no. 45).
Lopez was an easy pick, as his size, defense and hustle are much needed. The Dragic deal seems pretty silly.
Grade: C+
Portland TrailBlazers: Traded Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts and rights to Brandon Rush (no. 13) to Indiana for Ike Diogu and rights to Jerryd Bayless (no. 11); traded rights to Darrell Arthur (no. 27) and Joey Dorsey (no. 33) to Houston for rights to Nicolas Batum (no. 25); traded rights to Omer Asik (no. 36) to Chicago for three future second-round picks; traded rights to Mike Taylor (no. 55) to L.A. Clippers for 2009 second-round pick.
Portland continues to set themselves up to be a contender for years to come, while making other team’s look dumb. Grabbing Bayless to pair with Brandon Roy was simply a brilliant move, as they complement each other very well. They stocked up on picks while grabbing another first rounder Batum.
Grade: A+
Sacramento Kings: Jason Thompson (no. 12); Sean Singletary (no. 42); Patrick Ewing Jr. (no. 43).
Thompson was a reach at 12, and Singletary and Ewing Jr. are not NBA players.
Grade: D
San Antonio Spurs: George Hill (no. 26); traded rights to Goran Dragic (no. 45) to Phoenix for rights to Malik Hairston (no. 48), a future second-round pick and cash considerations; James Gist (no. 57).
The Spurs really wanted Nicolas Batum, and him going one pick ahead was frustrating. Hill was a reach, while Gist has athleticism but not much else. They did swindle Phoenix however.
Grade: C+
Seattle Supersonics: Russell Westbrook (no. 4), Serge Ibaka (no. 24), Devon Hardin (no 50), traded Sasha Kaun to Cleveland for cash, traded Walter Sharpe (no. 32) and Trent Plaisted (no. 46) to Detroit for D.J. White (no. 29)
Westbrook has as much talent as anyone, but it remains to be seen whether he can put it all together. Ibaka was a terrible pick, as he might not even come over and has not proven he really knows how to play yet. Hardin was a steal and they got good value for DJ White. If any team with picks deserved an incomplete simply because we do not know yet, it is Seattle.
Grade: C+
Toronto Raptors: Traded T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and the rights to Roy Hibbert (no. 17) to Indiana in exchange for Jermaine O’Neal and the rights to Nathan Jawai (No. 41).
Toronto gave up quite a lot for JO, and Jawai is quite a project. Not well done.
Grade: C-
Utah Jazz: Kosta Koufos (no. 23), Ante Tomic (no. 44), Tadjia Dragicevic
The Jazz drafted the replacement for Okur in Koufos, and Tomic is a talented player. As for Dragicevic who knows. The Jazz did as well as they could.
Grade: B+
Washington Wizards: Javale Mcgee (no. 18)
Mcgee is somewhat of a project, but at this point in the draft so were all the other big men choices.
Grade: C
June 28, 2008 at 4:01 am · Filed under NBA, NCAA
By Jarrad Todd
San Antonio Spurs
What do the Spurs have against promising young power forwards? First, they trade away Luis Scola, and then pass on Kansas forward Darrell Arthur in the draft. It’s not as if they are stacked at power forward. In fact, I believe it’s their weakest position, with Matt Bonner, Fabricio Oberto and Ian Mahinmi the only guarantees to return next season. A guy with a diverse skill-set like Arthur would have been perfect to develop alongside Tim Duncan. Let’s remember, Arthur had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the victory over Memphis that gave Kansas the NCAA title. Even with concerns over a kidney issue he was worth the risk. Instead, they give a valuable first round contract that is guaranteed to IUPUI guard George Hill. Not only was he absent from most mock drafts, he was not even listed in the 224 page NBA Draft Guide. At best, he will be Tony Parker’s back-up. A puzzling choice by the Spurs.
Indiana Pacers
Instead of being thrilled to grab the steal of the draft at No. 11 (Bayless), the Pacers immediately sent him packing to Portland in exchange for role players. Brandon Rush will be a solid pro but will back-up Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy, whilst Jack will sub for T.J. Ford. Jerryd Bayless was tipped to go fourth to the Sonics because he is a potential 20ppg scorer and Allstar. It seems as though the Pacers are content with mediocrity. Either that, or Larry Bird has no idea what he is doing.
Boston Celtics
With the 30th pick the Celtics should have grabbed crafty Memphis swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts. CDR would have immediately brought extra scoring off the bench, and may have been an eventual replacement for the aging Ray Allen. Whilst I do believe that the Celtics made a good decision trading for Bill Walker in the second round, selecting CDR at No. 30 would have been a steal for the champs.
Portland Trail Blazers
You’ve got to hand it to the Blazers, they sure know how to manipulate the draft. To come away with Jerryd Bayless and Nicolas Batum when their roster is already stacked with young stars, is very impressive. GMs around the league could learn a great deal from watching Portland’s Kevin Pritchard operate on draft day (are you listening Larry Bird?).
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