I start this post in the same way that I start most of them, it seems: sorry I haven’t been writing more often. You know: job, kids, etc…
Anyway, there are a few things that I wanted to touch on:
Andrew Bogut’s extension: 5 years and $72.5 million ($60 guaranteed) is fair value for a big man. Among his peers — 25 to 30 year old big men – $12.5 mil a year is the going rate. Whether or not that’s an obscene amount of money for fairly pedestrian numbers is a whole other issue, but good bigs don’t come along all that often. In March I wrote that fair value for Bogut would be 5 year/$65 million, and that’s what he got.
What are they going to do about power forward? Much to my dismay, John Hammond is talking more and more about using Joe Alexander at power forward, which I doubt will work. You can make all the comparisons to Shawn Marion you want, but the guy hasn’t played a single NBA game, and Marion is a pretty unique player. If you had an overweight 6′4″ guy would you stick him at power forward and say he reminds you of Charles Barkley? I think not.
Whether or not Alexander at power forward works, though, the team still needs three more big men, which will be tough to do given that they have 12 players and are only $4 mil under the luxury tax. I get the feeling that Hammond is trying to make a move for Rasheed Wallace (something like Mason, Villanueva, Bell and next years’ first), which would add a huge expiring contract and really solidify the starting five. Would Detroit make a trade like that? Ehhh….I’m not holding my breath.
The Clippers fiasco: On one hand you have to think that Elton Brand really screwed the Clippers over by leaving for Philly after they signed Baron Davis. On the other, Brand has been around the Clippers for long enough to probably realize what a screwed up organization that is. My guess is that Brand had enough of the Donald Sterling circus and felt that the front office would never let them succeed — even a team headlined by him and Davis.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia is all set to get really good really quick (Thaddeus Young is a future star) as long as they can find some shooting. And Corey Maggette will fit in well in Golden State (he can score and doesn’t work hard on defense. Perfect.)
What is Orlando’s deal? Mickael Pietrus? To a team with Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis and no power forward of note? Really? Not only is Pietrus totally overrated but he plays the same position as two of the Magic’s top three players. They are honestly going into the season with Tony Battie and Brian Cook as the only big guys behind Dwight Howard? They really want another season of Rashard Lewis as the starting power forward?
How much does Seattle moving to Oklahoma City bother me? A lot. It’s absolutely shameful that David Stern would allow teams to move so easily. If it is so easy for Seattle to pick up and move then every fan in Sacramento, Memphis, New Orleans and Milwaukee has to worry about what might happen to their team. The good part is that Herb Kohl recently made comments about it being in his will that should he pass on then his estate could only sell the team to someone who will keep it here, but for how long can something like that stay in force?
3 responses so far ↓
1 Adam // Jul 10, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Stern isn’t to blame for Seattle moving; the owners are. They all voted on it, and 28 of 30 (including Mr. Kohl) were in favor of the move. Stern is an employee of those same owners.
2 Luke Uriniuk // Jul 11, 2008 at 10:30 am
I really liked the Bogut extension. I agree with you the Bucks are making a huge mistake not getting another Big or two. They really need to package Danny G. in a deal with next years first rounder and maybe someone else in order to get a Big PF. After that trade pick up some cheap size in free agency to fill out the depth at C/PF (I didn’t mind M.Ruffin coming off the bench). The Bucks also lack any kind of shooter to come off the bench. Charlie Bell proved he has the ability to shoot at an NBA record % (unfortunately is was worst %), Desmond Mason has no offense other than slashing and dunking, Awvee Storey… yeah right, my guess is he won’t make the team, our 2nd round pick is a defensive specialist only, Ramon Sessions is a scorer not a shooter but what he needs to be is a passer. Maybe if Ramon can really handle being an everyday starting PG then Mo Williams could be the big offensive shooter coming off the bench for the Bucks. My guess is that the Bucks will not be able to compete with the 76ers whatsoever who I believe with the Elton Brand signing just became one of the favorites in the East. The other favorite is the defending champion Celtics. The teams who I see being sort of dark horses to make it to the Finals would be the Hawks (who gained a lot of confidence), the Raptors (if O’Neal can stay healthy) & the Magic. Yet, I agree the Magic probably won’t get to the Finals without a real PF. They could end up sliding D.Howard over to the 4 spot and do a rotation at the 5 or make an in-season trade for a “C” (O’Neals return?) in which case I could see them getting there. The Cavaliers with James could push any team but I don’t see them getting pass the Semi-Finals. The Heat will be much improved and good enough to get into the playoffs and maybe even win a series but it all depends on if Wade can stay healthy the whole year. That’s 7 teams, what sad team will be the 8th? Hopefully the Bucks but they won’t beat any of those teams in a series other than maybe the Cavaliers or the Heat if they don’t get another Big. The other team that could be the 8th playoff contender is the Detroit Pistons which have plenty of weapons but another coaching change and possible roster changes could cause them to be in or out.
3 Justin // Jul 11, 2008 at 2:04 pm
“If you had an overweight 6?4? guy would you stick him at power forward and say he reminds you of Charles Barkley? I think not.” Hah, that is hilarious, great quote and nice article.
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