The Dribble

The off-season is not quite done just yet, October (pre-season/exhibition) is still at least 10 weeks away. Although it will be interesting to see just who will disappoint at this year's World's in just 3 weeks.


Most of the signings are now a thing of the past leaving us to mull over the remaining free agents (and possible trades).

• Al Harrington: heading back to Pacerland? The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting:

• the ESPN.com is reporting that Jared Jeffries (how long has Isiah Thomas had his eye on this former Indiana product) has been signed to a 5yr/$30 million offer sheet by the Knicks giving the Wizards 7 days to match and to decide on whether they believe Songaila is worth the money
  

• the Trevor Ariza re-signing by the Orlando Magic who traded for him in that late season deal for Steve Francis/Penny's expiring contract seems to be an interesting yet safe insurance on how much of a liability rookie Reddick's defense will pan out.
  

• the Denver Post brings up a good point; do the Nuggets hope that what they have seen in the 50 games the 23 year old 6-11 PF/C Jamal Sampson has played in over 4 seasons (for 4 different teams Bucs-Lakers -Cats-Kings) is gonna be able to replace what Elson did for the oft-injured Camby...gulp!
  

So while in Sacramento we will hear stuff like:






For the sake of argument the following is the tale of the tape for two veterans of four years that appear ready to break out with surprisingly similar stats (despite size difference):

per 48 min in 2006 here
over career here

John Salmons 6'6 207lb.
drafted #26 2002 by San Antonio (University of Miami)
coming off careeer year
offered $21/5yr
76% ft career
33% 3pt career
career highs: 23pts 10r 12a 5s

Fred Jones 6'2 220lb
drafted #14 2002 by Indiana Pacers (University of Oregon)
leading bench scorer for Pacers (9.2ppg 2005-06)
offered $11/3yr
81% ft career
32% 3pt career
career highs: 31pts 10r 8a 5s
(career highlight: dethroning 2 time defending Jason Richardson of slam championship in 2004)

• Butler: 15.7pts 9.9r 1.7blk

• Elson: 9.6pts 8.6r 1.5blk

• Bonner: 14.4pts 7r 0.6blk 42%3pt

• Mohammed: 15.1pts 12r 1.5blk

• Nesterovic: 11.0pts 9.4r 2.3blk

After trading away all of their draft picks this year (Rondo to Boston/Rodriguez to Portland) the Phoenix Suns are reported to have added a second free agent (first was Piatkowski) to their roster as Marcus Banks is expected to sign a 5yr/$21 million contract to provide more depth at point behind two time MVP Steve Nash.

Originally selcted 13th overall in the 2003 draft by the Grizzlies his rights were traded to the Celtics along with the rights to Kendrick Perkins (for Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones). After spending ample time on the bench in Boston he was packaged to Minnesota along with Blount/Reed and Ricky Davis and two 2nd rounders for Wally Sczerbiak/Olowokandi/Dwayne Jones and a conditional first rounder in last season's blockbuster deadline trade. The time that Banks has spent wearing a T-Wolves uniform (40 games) was at least productive offensively as he saw his mpg average double (from 15 mpg to 30 mpg) as he was thrust into the starting lineup in the last 28 games in Minnesota, his ppg jump to 12.0 and his apg to a very respectable 4.7. After signing Mike James, Minnesota had no room for Banks who suddenly got crowded in the backcourt with Marko Jaric, rookie Randy Foye and veteran Troy Hudson.

Lil Dice at iheartkg gets the same feeling that Celtic's fans had of Banks (in that they may have let one get away) when they traded him and simply hopes that "he doesn't develop into a stud playing backup for Nash" but if Nash really makes everyone better he may have a hard time transforming Marcus Banks as they will rarely be on the court at the same time. Nuno at NBAFanBlog justly describes Banks as "aggressive and plays within a system well enough".


Banks might have been able to find a starting spot somewhere but suffice it to say that the offensive mindset of the Phoenix Suns should not change and he will benefit from it greatly (if and when he gets used to it). He has over the years gained a reputation as a "lockdown defender" and as a high speed scoring point guard who doesn't necessarily pass first but in Phoenix you don't need to, you just need to be able to finish, in this constantly moving offense if you can refrain from throwing the ball away (also part of his "rep") the others will find you. If the injury bug ever does hit the Suns at least they'll have some serviceable backups on point lined up in a tandem of Barbosa and Banks.

On a busy Tuesday the Detroit Pistons made most of their signings official. After adding the 8 year veteran Nazr Mohammed (29th overall pick in 1998-Utah) joins his 5th team (Phi/Atl/NYK/SAS) to replace Ben Wallace.

It will be interesting to see if he is to be inserted in the starting lineup on opening day or if coach Flip Murray decides to have him come off the increasingly deep bench.

The Pistons also have now signed Ronald Murray to a 3yr/$3.6 million deal. "Flip" whose late season acquisition by the Cavs (to replace the injured Larry Hughes) was somewhat of a disappointment last year in Cleveland where they initially needed more of point guard but should fit right in to scheme of things in Detroit where they are desperate for a slasher that can play at either guard positions. Murray has been somewhat of an enigma actually playing smaller than he is (6'4-190lbs) yet is gaining a reputation as a tough defender.

Ronald Dupree is coming back after a brief (and unsuccesful) stint in Minnesota along with Lindsey Hunter the 13 year vet for who simply re-signed to be the coach's extension in the locker room and on the floor.

After much speculation that Darius Songaila was waiting for Bonzi Wells and the Kings to sign before rejoining the Sacramento Kings he leaves the Bulls to sign with the Wizards for $23 million/5yr where the 6'8 240lb forward should provide some much needed depth up front. Songaila is the type of player that when given regular minutes can be productive and has improved every season he has played.

After being drafted in 2002 (Celtics) the late 2nd round pick (#50) spent his first season in Europe (Russia-first team all leaguer), the draft rights to Darius Songaila where then traded to Sacramento where he remained until signing with the Chicago Bulls last year. The emergence of Nocioni for the Bulls and the drafting of T2 (Tyrus Thomas) have made him expendable leaving him to explore his options.

Going to Washington is a much better fit than the Kings where (although in familiar surroundings) the native Lithuanian would have been behind Shareef and Kenny Thomas in Sactown whereas for the Wizards his only obstacles for playing time will be veteran Michael Ruffin and second year up-and-comer bullet magnet Andray Blatche

The next question would be, will the Wiz be hanging on to Jared Jeffries now???

Doesn't seem like it...

Now that the inital wave of the player movement has passed it would be a fine time to visit the

Transaction board :

Thursday
July 14

Golden State waives Will Bynum.

Houston acquires Kirk Snyder from New Orleans/Oklahoma City for a conditional 2008 second-round pick.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City acquires Tyson Chandler from Chicago for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith.

Toronto signs Chris Bosh to long-term extension.


Thu,
July 13

Chicago signs unrestricted free agent Ben Wallace.

Dallas signs free agent Greg Buckner and re-signs DJ Mbenga.

L.A. Clippers sign unrestricted free agent Tim Thomas and second-round pick Paul Davis.

L.A. Lakers sign unrestricted free agents Vladimir Radmanovic and Shammond Williams.

Memphis signs rookie free agent Tarence Kinsey.

Miami signs Dwyane Wade to long-term extension.

Minnesota signs unrestricted free agent Mike James.

Orlando signs restricted free agent Keith Bogans.

Phoenix signs unrestricted free agent Eric Piatkowski.

Toronto signs unrestricted free agent Anthony Parker and waives Andre Barrett.

Utah re-signs unrestricted free agent Jarron Collins.


Wed,
July 12

Atlanta signed free-agent guard Speedy Claxton and second-round pick Solomon Jones.

Cleveland signs LeBron James to long-term extension.

Dallas acquires Austin Croshere from Indiana for Marquis Daniels.

Denver signs Carmelo Anthony to long-term extension.

Golden State acquires Devin Brown, Keith McLeod and Andre Owens from Utah for Derek Fisher.

Indiana re-signs Peja Stojakovic and trades him to New Orleans/Oklahoma City in exchange for the draft rights to Andrew Betts.

L.A. Clippers re-sign free agent Sam Cassell.

Memphis aquires Stromile Swift and draft rights to Rudy Gay from Houston for Shane Battier; signs Rudy Gay.

New Jersey signs first-round picks Marcus Williams and Josh Boone.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City waives Arvydas Macijuaskas.

Philadelphia re-signs restricted free agents Willie Green and Shavlik Randolph.

San Antonio signs free agent Jacque Vaughn.

Seattle signs 2005 second-round pick Mickael Gelabale.

Utah re-signs unrestricted free agent Matt Harpring.



so wadda ya like the best....?

• i like the Claxton in Atlanta now if only the Magloire for Murphy sign and trader for Harrington three way could materialize.
  
• the fact that despite the lack of big names among the free agent class Colangelo is focussing on players from overseas
• James gives the Wolves some needed scoring but wanted veto power in Houston who then settle for Kirk Snyder...?
  
• not sure about essentially replacing Tyson Chandler with a combo of P.J. Brown and Been... I mean Ben Wallace but gaining (a hopefully chippy) J.R. Smith in the backcourt is a plus
  
• Radmanovic in Kobe-land should either click or flicker right from the start and should be an improvement from the Devean George / Brian Cook combo
• Derek Fisher to Utah to hopefully mentor Deron Williams and Dee Brown (even Brewer) could be interesting but does he have anything left?
  
• can Swift return to form in Memphis despite facing a look alike in Warrick...does Eddie Jones have anything left in tank... and can Rudy Gay have more of an offensive game than Battier for the Grizz who so far seem to be stalling
  

and how does this set up the table for what is to come...?

could it be the Iverson trade...?



in the meantime ESPN talks about what they're doing on peeping in on other peoples' Summer Vacation

Or is the only international NBA team turning trully international. After picking the first pick Andrea Bargnani from Italy, hiring an Italian Assistant Gm , and now going after the 6-foot-7 forward (Jorge) Garbajosa and the 6-foot-5 guard-forward (Anthony) Parker from europe. It really seems like either the Toronto Gm or David Stern had all this planned way before the draft , making Toronto a truly international team.

nice blend of streetball in summer

Celtics open summer league play and are highlighted by Ryan Gomes' dominating performance against Dallas with:

• 29pts 9rb 2st 2blk 12-18fg 5-8ft 37min

not to be lost in game however was Maurice Ager's night (who will try to be more than a role player for the Mavs):

• 23pts 2ast 8-15fg 5-7ft 2-5 3pt 28min

Amare Stoudemire (24pts 10-16fg 3blk) continued his fine tuning in another contest against the Knicks whose standout was David Lee (21pts 10-13fg 13boards)

the Clippers' James Singleton has a double/double (triple double if you count his 10 fouls) against Golden State with 21pts (8-12fg 2-5 3pt) 12rebs 4ast 3blk

While Steve Novak continues to hoist up the threes and is shooting 54% (12-22) from downtown

Lawrence Roberts the Grizzlies' F/C who has been promised more minutes from West impresses with a double/double of his own against the Lakers:

• 25pts (6-12fg 13-14ft) 12rebs 5st 35min
  

click here to d/l this streetballers And1 mixtape tour 720 dunk

or via YouTube


Spin

Enuff said


-_-

While most of the critics have been saying that Portland stole the draft, Randy Foye is doing his best to show that Minnesota actually might have made out with the better pick by trading down (Foye #7 vs. Roy at #6) but that it could be a better fit after all for both teams as he steals the spotlight from Amare Stoudemire's return (that has people buzzing about the Phoenix Suns' potential again) while bringing Bracey Wright along for the ride.



Nate Robinson goes to the line 13 times vs Cleveland in 23 pt effort

LaMarcus Aldridge puts up a better second effort after a disappointing premiere vs. Golden State 14pts 4blk 2st 6 reb 6-6 ft

Hilton Armstrong after getting pushed around in the first half rebounds to post a double/double: 11pts 10reb

Well yesterday marked day one of the 2006 summer league and while the boxscores might prove interesting they can be quite deceiving as most of the players are playing for their futures (so don't expect too many assists) so keep an eye on minutes played more than anything else to really get a feel for players' contributions.


If you're not up to date you should check out InsideHoops.com for their roster listings

then get your boxscores and coverage from:

• Vegas Summer League: July 6-14

• Southern California Summer Pro League: July 8-22

• Orlando Pepsi Pro Summer League: July 10-14 (OrlandoMagic.com will be streaming 15 games live over the internet....wow!!!)
  

• Utah Rocky Mountain Revue: July 14-21
  

Day one was highlighted by:

Andrea Bargnani; 20 pts 7/11 fg 2/5 3pt 4/4 ft 4 reb 2 blk 1 st 4 to 6 fouls 29min

Martell Webster; 29 pts 10/19 fg 5/8 3pt 4/4 ft 2 reb 2 st 1 blk 3 to 35min

Randy Foye; 23 pts 9/17 fg 1/2 3pt 4/5 ft 4 reb 3 st 1 blk 2 to 35 min



other notables:

Steve Novak; 22 pts 6/8 3pt 5 reb

Lamarcus Aldridge; 8 pts 3 reb 33 min

Last Friday the Cavs offered Lebron $8o million and basically have set the table for this year's free agent frenzy.


July 1st marked the first day franchises were allowed to begin negotiating with free agents but with signing day being the 12th we now find ouserelves one week away with a ton of reports flooding in:

• the 24 yr old Nene sets the bar up high for free agent big men and re-signs in Denver for a whopping $60 million (6yr) the Nuggets expect nothing less than a double/double season

• Big Ben Wallace with Chicago for a 4yr/$60 million

• Peja Stojakovic slaps Bird and Pacers bolts to the Hornets for 5yr/$64 million leaving them with nothing to show for the storied Artest trade

• Bobby Jackson signs with Hornets 3yr/$15 million

• forcing Speedy Claxton to Hawks 4yr/$25 million

• Piatkowski and 40% 3pt career shooting joins the Suns and signs a 2yr veterans' minimum

• Cassell re-signs 2yr/$13 million & Tim Thomas joins the Clippers for a 4yr/$24 million

• Vladimir Radmanovic will be spreading the floor for Kobe in Lakerland and signs a 5yr/$30 million (mid level exception)

• Jason Terry re-signs 6yr/$50 million in Dallas

• Matt Harpring is expected to re-sign with the Jazz-4yr/$25 million

• Al Harrington could be involved in a sign and trade to either Indiana or Golden State

• Nazr Mohammed to be man in the middle in Detroit 5yr/$30 million

the Mighty Lebron has yet to respond (yiiiikes) and with all this money getting thrown around he's gotta be worth way more than $80 ...one more week to go


$$$Cha-Ching$$$

who better to update the results of the draft than Jonanthan Givony (who did yet the best job of documenting eligible draftees) at DraftExpress.com

grades the draft

• 1-10
• 11-21
• 22-rest

and then covers the undrafted players who became free agents and signed with various teams

standouts:

Allan Ray-Celtics
Darius Washington-Houston
Gerry McNamara-Orlando
Pops Mensah Bonsu-Dallas
Taj Gray-Sacramento
Taquan Dean-Spurs
Terrence Dials-Toronto
Kevin Pittsnoggle-Miami




then on top of all that he lists the summer league rosters here




getting excited yet???