The Dribble: August 2005

Sunday, August 28, 2005

not just scraps left on market

The late August slowdown of signings in the NBA has sneaked up on us but the remaining crop of players still have much potential especially for the teams looking for bargains. The majority of the free agents (Sprewell, Chandler, Curry, Finley) are asking just asking for too much and in the salary cap age so many teams have their hands tied.

Maybe not starters but interesting nonetheless are names out there like:

Steve Blake (PG); capable back-up good ball handler makes few mistakes
Reggie Evans (PF); rebounds like a madman, decent defender
Dajuan Wagner (SG); speedster knows how to score, plagued by injuries
Bo Oultaw (PF); veteran leader, rebounds and does dirty work
Earl Watson (PG); solid defensively, few turnovers but might be asking for too much
Damon Jones (PG); automatic from 3 point land, might be pricey
Calvin Booth (C); at 6'11 big lanky body can block shots
Darius Songalia (PF); can take a pounding, knows how to score, has bright future
Tyronn Lue (PG); decent scorer who knows how to hold onto ball
Daniel Santiago (C); big wide body takes up room in the paint
Marcus Fizer (PF); still has something to prove, will rebound
Fred Hoiberg (SG); veteran, serious 3 point threat can still contribute, but has heart condition

8/28/2005 03:15:00 PM | Permalink |

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

the Finley sweepstakes

If the off season of 2005 is to be remembered for anything it will be the way the elite teams have improved and the mediocre teams have remained idle. Free agency is to be thanked for this tendency as the players available are all shopping for a place to fit in on a title contending team. The current prize of the free agent market is Michael Finley who appears to be enjoying the attention as the teams at the top of his list are all vying for his attention.

Phoenix seems to be the logical choice for Finley where he would immediately replace Joe Johnson (dealt to Atlanta) in the starting lineup and is already accustomed to Nash's bullet passes having played together in Dallas
Detroit would presumably have Finley coming off the bench backing up either Tayshaun Prince or Rip Hamilton
As tempting as Miami sounds the franchise would be confused with Finley's place in their lineup as the newly acquired Posey and Walker (he ain't no power forward) have the small forward position locked up and Dwayne Wade is ripping it up at the shooting guard spot leaving the 33 year old swingman and amnesty victim relegated to bench duties
Denver seems interesting (but a longshot) as Voshon Lenard's sharpshooting treys are more satisfied to coming off the bench and would therefore make room for Finley in the starting rotation at the SG spot
Chicago has a remote chance of getting Finley's services only because it's his hometown but is currently busy with ongoing negotiations for their frontcourt's future (Curry and Chandler)

8/24/2005 12:25:00 AM | Permalink |

Friday, August 19, 2005

has the Sun set in Phoenix?

The Phoenix Suns keeping adding size and bulk to their frontcourt and in so doing appear to have given up on their offensive minded style of play. Slowing down the tempo with the new additions of Kurt Thomas from New York (traded for Quentin Richardson) and the free agent signings of Brian Grant (released from the Los Angeles Lakers) and veteran Pat Burke (Europe) the wiley veterans are expected to clean up the boards and simply pass the ball on the fast break as others will surely finish off the plays further down court.

Sorry but I'm not convinced.

8/19/2005 01:16:00 PM | Permalink |

Thursday, August 18, 2005

too windy in chicago?

What are the Chicago Bulls waiting for? It is understandable that they should wait to see what the market establishes as a price for signing their frontcourt stars but they are taking a big chance by letting the two hang out in the open for so long like this. After a promising season like the one they had last year no time should be wasted in confirming the confidence the franchise should have in Eddy Curry (regardless of heart condition) and Tyson Chandler. The only position they need help in is perhaps a backup (and no Eric Piatkowski does not suffice) to Ben Gordon at shooting guard who should be moved to the starting lineup after winning the sixth man of the year award in 2005.

8/18/2005 02:22:00 PM | Permalink |

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

NBA Amnesty free agents

The NBA and the player's union agreed to a one time "amnesty provision" under which the players can be waived (yet still owed their contracts) cannot re-sign with them until their current contracts expire and the teams are cleared of any luxury tax impositions.

Perhaps the biggest name to be waived via the Amnesty Rule was Michael Finley as he was waived at the deadline by the Dallas Mavericks. All players must wait seven days as opposed to usual 48 hours to clear waivers thereby making Finley the most coveted of the free agents on the market as Miami, Phoenix, Detroit and San Antonio and even Denver have all shown interest in obtaining the all star swingman.

Other notables:

Allan Houston, after whom the rule was once named, was not waived by the New York Knicks and instead designated the 32 year old Jerome Williams as their amnesty player
Aaron McKie was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers and had piqued the interest of the Nets
Doug Christie got his wish and is waived by the Orlando Magic and appears to be headed to Dallas
the Portland Traiblazers waived Derek Anderson
after one season in LA, Brian Grant is gone from the Los Angeles Lakers and may sign with Phoenix
Ron Mercer was waived by the New Jersey Nets after playing 18 games and then needing knee surgery
the Houston Rockets waived power forward Othella Harrington
the Minnesota Timberwolves waived three point specialist Fred Hoiberg

8/17/2005 08:46:00 AM | Permalink |

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Joe Johnson to the Hawks for Diaw and picks

After having signed Zaza Pachulia, there is a $70 million sign and trade in the works being held up by owners of Atlanta as Joe Johnson is to be dealt from Phoenix as requested to the Atlanta Hawks for Boris Diaw and two picks.

This trade makes sense only if they plan to use JJ at point guard (did he really learn that much playing with Steve Nash) or else Atlanta is going to be overloaded at the swingman position with Josh Childress, Marvin Williams, and even Josh Smith to a certain extent.

8/14/2005 04:23:00 PM | Permalink |

Shareef signs with Sacramento Kings

After weeks of presumably going to the New Jersey Nets in a sign and trade deal Shareef Abdur-Rahim looks to be headed to the Sacramento Kings. the Nets called off the trade after Shareef failed a physical that raised questions about his right knee, the Nets said they didn't want him anymore and Shareef was having second thoughts of playing with a quitter (Vince Carter bailing on the Raptors) and a whiner (Jason Kidd who never aprreciates his supporting cast).

Could be a good fit for Abdur-Rahim in Sacramento but who is gonna bang the boards... Kenny Thomas or Brad Miller are labelled as soft leaving only Brian Skinner to do the dirty work....something tells me that the Kings are still "Queens" and are not done with their transactions.

8/14/2005 01:12:00 PM | Permalink |

Jaric and Chalmers for Cassell and draft pick

Marko Jaric got involved in a sign and trade leaving the Los Angeles Clippers along with Lionel Chalmers to join the Minnesota Timberwolves for Sam Cassell and a lottery protected draft pick.

Winner of this transaction is Minnesota.
Cassell will be a fine teacher to the Clipper PG Shaun Livingston.
Will be interesting to see how Jaric fits in.

8/14/2005 12:44:00 PM | Permalink |

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