Goodbye

Could Sheed and Clownboy even co-exist in the same locker room. Not to mention I’m sure Big Z remembers the hole Roscoe put in his head a few years back.

Sports journalists are goofballs. I’m writing a dissertation right now. I wish I could get away with claims based on “my sources.” It’d make my life easier.

What’s your dissertation topic, Rob G?

Sheed is history but what is happening is that now the Pistons appear really hot for Millsap at about $9 million a year.

Carlos Boozer May Be Unattainable for Nets

Posted: 6/6/2009 5:16:00 AM
Source: Dave D’Alessandro of The Star-Ledger

A number of you are still talking about Carlos Boozer, a development that inspires this response from the rest of us, along with some people in the organization: Huh?

We haven’t talked to Rob Pelinka about this – he wouldn’t talk on the record about it anyway — but let’s look at it pragmatically:

His client will make $12.6M next year if he doesn’t opt out. Where else will he get that $12.6?

We assume Pelinka floated this in case he needs a Plan B if the Detroit connection doesn’t happen for them. And he undoubtedly has heard what we’re hearing: The Pistons are now giving as much (if not more) consideration to Paul Millsap, to the tune of $8-9M per year, which is an ample jump from the $797K he was paid last season.

And if Detroit has cooled on Boozer, he’s going to have to scramble to find anything like the 5/60M he’s looking for – or thinks he deserves.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.asp?lc=NBA&c=1&TEAM_ID=&PLAYER_ID=&hd=20090606#STORY_19319

I like Millsap better than Boozer and he would come cheaper too boot.

Millsap for $9 million would give the Pistons even more money, than signing Boozer, for a second premire player if they dump Johnson to the Thunder or any other place.

Millsap plays with a lot more energy, is younger has still has an upside. He is also not as injury prone as Boozer is, having missed only 6 games in the last 3 years. Defensively they are pretty close

ok, I posted this on a previous thread, but it was dead. I still want to know, what do you guys think about varejao? especially if we trade amir and 15 for space? It would be a good pickup for the pistons, even though he is offensively limited, and could really screw up the cavs, especially if ben actually retires like he says he might. problem is, it would be hard to add a 20-10 big man through free agency, as we would only have about 10 million left (unless we trade amir).

We can worry about the Cavs for one thing, we have to worry about re-creating a winning team, secondly… I think I can speak for most Pistons fans on here even though I dont post muh… but the thought of Anderson Varewhore on our team just sickens me, lol.

can’t worry about the cavs.

I agree, but he sure plays good defense, although not as well against elite players like dwight. but then, who does? I am surprised that he is not able to get more than 6 million a year. I think varejao and boozer/bosh would probably make a pretty good frontcourt. (although with boozer it would be a little porous.) getting a high scoring PF and then have him and kwame fill the center would be pretty good in my mind.

varejao is probably tied with lebron for most hated player in the NBA in my mind, but I at least wouldn’t mind the flopping if it helped us out.

rasheed guards dwight very well, that said i still don’t want him back for $8 mil.

oh and i would seriously question my faith in the pistons organization if they got varejao

varejao? no thanks. the very thought of it makes me sick.

GD IT!! I WANT RASHEED TO STAY!!

No on Varejao.

As for Millsap, I’ll go ahead and regurgitate MP’s point that Millsap is a center in a PF body. That’s a problem, because if we play him with a Center we’re unlikely to get much offense out of our big men. Plus, it will clog the lane for our guards. If you get Millsap you need to pair him with a 5 that has legit size, as well as an outside game. That seems like a tall order.

Also, $8M is cheap but it doesn’t leave enough money to sign an elite player.

but why not varejao? I understand that no one can stand him, but why wouldn’t dumars go after him?

colin, I agree about the 8 million. the move would obviously include trading amir for cash or trading for an elite player (eg tay+amir+picks for bosh) But I would give up amir+#15+3 million for varejao, seeing as amir is just eating up money right now.

Pistons fans just dont want flopping.

SAT Question:
Laimbeer’s flopping is to Varajoke’s flopping as -——- is to -——
A) Stereophonic IMAX surround sound is to a shower proof screaming yellow zonker 80’s walkman
B) Tom Selick’s stash is to Cheney’s imaginary comb-over
C) A quarter operated motel bed is to the penny pony at Meijers

Varejao is an excellent complimentary player without an offensive game. I’d like him on my team if there were two legit NBA scores in the starting lineup or 30 ppg monster but the Pistons aren’t a great fit for him as currently constructed. Add some offense to Detroit first, then I’d be happy to see Varejao in the big man rotation.

I’ll probably get killed for this but I have hopes that McGrady is available for a mid-season deal on the cheap and then maybe a deal at a discount. I see a lot of similarities to McGrady and Sheed in that they both don’t want to be THE guy and both have mega talent. I think T-Mac would thrive playing ‘Detroit Basketball’, ie team basketball without an individual focus. Can you get 19-7-6 out of T-Mac as a complimentary player? I think you can and that’s damn good if it’s on the cheap.

Okay…you’ll never get 19-7-6 from McGrady. That’s crazy talk. But 18-6-5 is doable.

Say it ain’t so. If he goes to Cleveland, I’ll like him as much as Varejunk.

I personally hope Sheed goes to Orlando for cheap. Just think, Dwight Howard, Sheed, Lewis, Hedo (if he resigns) and Jameer. When Howard sits, it could be Gortat and Sheed, then they got Lee, Pietrus and Alston off the bench. And Sheed could launch as many 3’s as his heart desires!!!

@ Drew:

My analysis of Varejao goes no farther than the fact that he’s a fucking douche.

@JoeJoeJoe: The Rockets play team-oriented ball and they always seem to be better w/o McGrady. That’s all I need to know that I don’t want him on my team. Plus, he makes like 20 million. His contract is expiring but having him on the team would temporarily eat up all our space. We wouldn’t be able to do much else until 2010-11.

I totally agree with colin’s analysis of varehoe, but in joejoejoe’s defense, he did say in a midseason trade so it wouldn’t count against our cap right now, we would just have to make the contracts match up in the trade. That said, i just don’t know how i’d feel about having mcgrady here now. ask me that question 5 years ago and i would have been all for it, but he just seems broken and worn down now. even when he does play he just isn’t mcgrady anymore. when’s the last time you’ve seen an awesome mcgrady highlight? back in the day they were on a nightly basis, now i think its been over a year. i think i will pass on mcgrady, but i wouldn’t mind having his rocket teammate on my team – artest. I know deep down it would never happen but having artest man down our SF spot would just be awesome.

To be clear, I assumed that any trade for T-mac would be a salary dump. I’m not sure who they would want from us.

If it wasn’t a salary dump, we’d have to give up several players for a 1/2 season rental. Just doesn’t make sense to me.

Those Billy Mays Dubs on YouTube are hilarious.

why are people still talking about Tracy McGrady? He is injured more than Carlos Boozer.

I wouldn’t mind paying Millsap $9m and Gortat $6m… that ties up $15m in salary, we still have MLE to play with. Could likely get a backup 3 for MLE

The only way I feel comfortable with Millsap is if we find a way to get Kaman (or some other center competent offensively) to play next to him.

I have no problem with millsap 9 mil, the more i hear about Boozer the more I don’t want him, the guys a loser and a hurt loser a good part of the time.

I don’t think it would be that hard to get kaman from the clippers for Tay and some throw ins as for our sf spot it should’nt be too hard to move up 2 or three spots if need be and draft earl clark,I’ll take that lineup any day and its fairly young with exception of hamilton.

why are people still talking about Tracy McGrady? He is injured more than Carlos Boozer.

Agreed. And to that, I say:

Why are people still talking about Chris Kaman? He is injured more than Tracy McGrady and Carlos Boozer.

Seriously, f*ck Chris Kaman. Worth. Less.

@ boney: we do not have the MLE, only teams that are OVER the cap have the MLE.

@ shinons and defor: Kaman can most certainly be had from the clippers. they are looking to make room for blake griffin so they need to move SOMEONE from their frontcourt. They would love to dump randolph on someone but they know no one will take that contract. The clippers realistically feel like camby may be the easiest for them to move because he has one year left and would come off the books next year. However I’m sure they would field offers for kaman as well. Tay for Kaman works out numbers wise. hell, if they are real desperate they could throw in thronton since they would be getting Prince to play the SF spot because the numbers would still work out (meaning we wouldn’t take a hit to our cap space). If we got thornton in the deal that would be awesome because he is only a second year player that averaged 16 a game last year. His coach has already called him a ballhog so they might be willing to part with him.

Kaman may have had some injuries but i wouldn’t say he has been more hurt than mcgrady and boozer. kaman will get you 15 and 10 every night as long as he is healthy. when we first got mcdyess people said he was injury prone too, but look at it now, people love him and he has been able to stay healthy because we have “the best in the biz” arnie kander. im not saying he can work miracles but he could at least get him to stay more healthy. Can you think of better options out there at center that could be made available to us? Chandler? ya hes a great defender but not much else, and at over $12 mil i think i will pass, unless he is the last option left.

I’d rather have nothing than Kaman. If he’s our answer (or even a part of it), we’re in deep shit.

Yah Kaman ‘s been injured but at least the guy doesn’t have the baggage Boozers has I think Kandar can keep him on the court he can rebound use either hand has some back to the basket moves and can shoot a jump shot which is gonna be a must if we end up with Millsap to keeep from clogging the middle plus there’s one more plus for Kaman we can get him thru a trade saving our cap space I don’t think we can do that with Gortat.

Oh, and as for Millsap, Colin and I share a perspective on that. He’s a center in an undersized PF’s body who doesn’t have an offensive game. Ironically, Utah will be better off with Millsap playing next to Okur and his defense stretching. For Millsap to work in Detroit, we’d need a similar talent at the 5.

For that, I’d actually be okay with bringing back Rasheed at the 5 next to Millsap at the 4. Only 28/game for sheed though, maybe a 2 year deal so we can find a similar talent (like Troy Murphy, who also expires in two years). Here is a list of players I’d like at the 5 next to Millsap:

Rasheed Wallace
Antonio McDyess
Troy Murphy
Yiannis Bouroussis | http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Yiannis-Bouroussis-118/
Andrea Bargnani
Spencer Hawes
Mehmet Okur
Kevin Love

Of those, three are free agents (wallace, dyess, okur), Yiannis Bouroussis is an international player and I know the Spurs are courting him hard. By trade, I think Murphy is the only one attainable, although it is likely we’d need to include an extended MFWB in that trade, maybe even a re-signed Wallace to make it work).

But as I said before and above, Millsap’s size and offensive weaknesses don’t fit our needs— specifically a SCORING big. If we did sign Millsap anyway, I think the players above provide the best compliment talent at the 5.

@Defor, Kronik:
Chris Kaman has played 87 games in the last two seasons. Total garbage. You think he’s going to be worth the $11M and $12M he’ll make over the next few seasons? Not even worth mentioning Kander’s name— that’s crazy levels of risk, and Kander ain’t jesus.

And Boozer’s attitude still puts up 20-10, year in, year out. Tough to compare the two.

high fives TDP, my Iowa connection

I’m not pushing for Millsap I’m just talking about the rumor of the day , he is small , problem is were gonna pick up somebody Boozer has alot of problems the only way I like to see him in a piston uniform is some kinda one yr trail if he didn’t opt deal, frankly i’m not real high on any of these guys i’m beginning to think we need to do what Mark Butters said and very patient let somebody else take the first free agent hits and grab up some guys when team gm start to panic and have to let go guys solid players with upside ,somebody’s gonna trade a couple of those guys later this year.

sorry about the left out words typing to fast.

who was comparing them? Kaman is like boozer ONLY IN THE FACT that their injuries have been minor. However, kaman’s injuries have been to his foot, while not serious, usually is a little troubling. that said though, i think kander can help him if he could sheed with his foot problems a couple years ago. Kaman is not nearly as bad as you make him out to be. he is a LEGIT center, unlike the players you listed whom are ALL naturally power forwards, not centers (except for hawes and ur euro guy). just cuz a guy has the size to play the 5 doesn’t mean they should play the 5. all of ur guys are defensive liabilities except for the 2 leaving our team.

You know half the arguments on these post are because we don’t know whether Joe is done tearing apart the old team or not if he’s keeping Rip and Tay then there’s a chance ,although I think its slight , that Joe could add a couple of guys and have us competing again especially if he added 2 solid front court players and upgraded the three but thats alot to ask.If he’s gonna trade away the last of the core then he might as well go completly young with the front court go after Gortat and try to pry kevin love from minnesota and draft a small forward or point guard.Cant wait til the draft maybe we’ll know more by then.

Please, please, please. . .no Kaman. He’s not going to make them a contender, he’s not a foundation piece and as they rebuild his contract would only be in the way.

when we traded for sheed; he had attitude problems in that his attitude would flare up anytime he decided that he was in it to win it. A potentially fatal flaw, yet in the right circumstances, this flaw could be harnessed and used as a benefit.

Kaman, TMac, Boozer… those 3 give you the rights to multiple doctors and one guy that fucked over a blind man. That’s a triple No.

Gortat? The tall eurotrash white guy who’s the pyramid scheme flavor of the week for the Orlando Amways? No thanks.

As much as I hate Sideshow Rio de Janeiro, I’d take his limited skillset and hustle over any of the oft-floated names above.

Also, FWIW, robbie pelinka should go find himself some new coattails to wax

I would be in favor of Boney’s suggestion: Milsap and Gortat.

MP’s concerns about them not having a mid-range game are valid. But, they represent the best defensive tandem that the Pistons could get in free agency. And at the very least, the team would be getting back to defensive basketball. They would probably be like the 2003 Pistons, but Milsap and Gortat are young and have room to grow.

Also, just as important as having bigs that can shoot is having bigs that can play above the rim. The Pistons haven’t had that since Ben left. All those times that Stuckey or Bynum got to the basket and forced the big man to jump out at them, there’s never been a Piston big on the other side to rebound the missed layup and dunk it. Sheed was at the three point line and Dyess was at the elbow. Only Maxiell and Amir would go for the putback. I think it’s key for Stuckey and Bynum to have some more baby eaters.

Hilarious parody of the Kobe/Lebron puppets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP_N9GFUgeI

@KRONIK:
he is a LEGIT center, unlike the players you listed whom are ALL naturally power forwards, not centers

You misread me. NONE of those centers are who I want on my team, if it were up to me. I prefer 1) Marcin Gortat 2) Joel Przybilla 3) Kwame Brown or other big-bodied defensive specialist who can rebound— and on the cheap. I want them NEXT TO a scoring PF like Carlos Boozer, David West or at worst, Chris Bosh (due to his future salary far outweighing his production). My entire point about listing those centers were that they are the types of players who compliment Paul Millsap’s game.

Millsap— The dude can’t score outside the paint, he just can’t. Like Colin mentioned above, he’s a center in a PF’s body, and his playing style for a PF will clog the shit out of the lane (with his defender) and prevent our slashing guards (stuckey, bynum) from having ample space to drive. So to counteract that— I suggested those players above as those who can spread defenses out to the 3-point line, making Millsap the working center and providing enough space for our driving guards to score or dish.

You put Millsap with a, quote, LEGIT center and we’ll have ZERO scoring from our frontcourt and 4 bodies (those players plus their defenders) preventing our ACTUAL scorers from their best talent— driving to the hoop.

@QD:
Thread in, thread out, I always appreciate your perspective. Someone said this a few months ago, dont’ remember who it was but they were spot on— you NEVER say anything stupid. While it may sound belittling, it just goes to show how valuable your thoughts always are here. You’re a goddamn machine, man— but not like Vujacic.

Ass kissing aside…

But, they represent the best defensive tandem that the Pistons could get in free agency.

While defense may win championships, scoring wins both games and series. Without a proven front-court scorer, we won’t win anything. Both Gortat and Millsap provide nothing more than very, very slight potential on scoring. I love one or the other (and prefer Gortat due to his size and natural positioning), but we need solid, consistent and VERSATILE scoring out of our frontcourt that neither have begun to prove that they can provide.

Also, just as important as having bigs that can shoot is having bigs that can play above the rim.

Cosign, 100%. I think one above-the-rim player should compliment our scorer, instead of having two above-the-rim players who can’t score outside of the paint. I’m not suggesting that’s what you’re suggesting though.

I think it’s key for Stuckey and Bynum to have some more baby eaters.

Fuckin’ A.

@wolf blitzer:
The tall eurotrash white guy who’s the pyramid scheme flavor of the blah blah blah blah

Solid insight. So, how’s your girl?

I have been looking at a few other possible options as far as a center goes. Well since it has been rumored that me might do a trade with OKC, I was looking at what we could do with their team. How about we trade them Amir and 15 for Krstic, as opposed to just getting nothing? OKC would keep their same cap space, we would get a center, they would get a young, athletic big man in Amir for their uptempo style PLUS the 15 pick. I’m not sure if OKC would part with Nenad but if they want our 15 pick to target Mullens then he might be able to be had. He’s a legit 7 footer that has nice touch and can finish around the rim. I’m, not saying he’s a savior by any means but i would compare him to a gortat. Hell, before he got hurt he was averaging 16 and 7…not too shabby.

Otherwise if we keep the pick, i have been seeing some drafts have jrue holiday drop to past us at 15 and even into the 20’s. This is one kid i wouldn’t mind the pistons drafting if we get the chance to. He’s big so he could play the combo guard role and word is he has been lighting it up in workouts. However, i have also seen him go as high as 4, so who knows? I just know that if he falls to us at 15 i wouldn’t mind taking him.

piston fans,,,, just change the coach,,, piston will be on the top agai.

Uh oh, looks like coachDP has a challenger.

@KRONIKjose:

If the Amir rumor has a glimmer of truth, I think Joe D would prefer getting nothing back for him so he can just clear the extra cap room. The problem with taking Kristic back in that trade is he actually makes more than Amir per year, so it would shrink our cap space.

I definitely wouldn’t mind Jrue Holiday either, he’s one of the few players in this years draft with an elite/star ceiling, unfortunately it’s looking like he’s not gonna fall far enough. I don’t think either has the “upside” of Holiday, but I’m high on Terrance Williams and Ty Lawson and would be happy if we drafted either of them (the guy I’d most like to somehow get is Tyreke Evans, but that’s highly unlikely).

All those times that Stuckey or Bynum got to the basket and forced the big man to jump out at them, there’s never been a Piston big on the other side to rebound the missed layup and dunk it.

+11 Quick Darshan

The Pistons had a bad mix of offensive talent this year that resulted in terrible spacing.

gabe:
in that trade we would be getting rid of the 15, which is 1.5 million. so we would actually be increasing our cap space a little bit.

David Lee is reportedly more available than ever. The Boston Globe is saying Donnie Walsh is trying to work a sign-and-trade to shed salary. Do we even want him?

I’d take David Lee in a heartbeat. Some people have soured on him, but I think he’s a work horse and would provide much needed toughness, bebounds, and easy dunks.

I like slam dunk shots.

I live in NY and have seen an unfortunate number of Knicks games, and I’ll definitely second Garrett re:David Lee- for a reasonable amount of money he would be a great addition; he’s got a non-stop motor, can finish with either hand off the pick and roll, he’ll get plenty of bebounds and IMO his defense is somewhat underrated (he played a lot at center last season, which is tough for someone his size, I think he’s a much better defender against PF’s).

Drew:
Kristic has 2 years left on his deal, 5.4m next year, and a player option for 5.8m in 2010-2011. Amir has an expiring contract of 3.67m for next season. With that trade (including dumping the draft pick and its 1.5m cap hold) we’d have slightly less cap space this off-season, and 5.8m less cap space in 2010.

I’m guessing that the following 12 players will definitely be off the board when the Pistons pick: Blake Griffin, Hasheem Thabeet, Ricky Rubio, James Harden, Tyreke Evans, Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holiday, Jordan Hill, Johnny Flynn, DeJuan Blair, Stephen Curry, and Demar Derozan.

If any of them fall to 15 the Pistons should take him. But, failing that, they have to decide between gambling on a potential star/potential bust or going with a low risk/low reward rotation player.

Of the first category, the ones that seem to have “star” potential are Earl Clark, BJ Mullins and Jeff Teague. They could also be busts (Jeff Teague is probably the most likely to be good).

In the second category, there will be a lot of players that will probably have long careers as role players or backups: Gerald Henderson, Eric Maynor, Ty Lawson, Terence Williams, James Johnson, etc.

Which way do you go? Gamble or play it safe?

Handsome Boy Modeling School was just referenced on DBB. Zoinks.

QD:

Good post, I think your list of the 12 players we probably don’t have a chance at is spot on. Another thing that complicates things for us is it seems like this draft classes main strength is primarily at PG, with the second deepest part of the draft being its Wing players, both of which we already have decent depth at. It’s going to be an interesting test of whether Joe subscribes to the “best player available” or the “biggest need” philosophy

Minor nitpick: IMO, Ty Lawson has a solid chance to be one of the better players from this draft class (I think it’s pretty safe to guess he’ll be better than a career back-up/role player), but he doesn’t really fit a need.

I actually think Earl Clark and Jeff Teague are pretty “safe” picks, that’s mainly because I don’t see either of them ever becoming stars, but both of them have very useful abilities (Clark=excellent versatile defender, Teague=Aaron Brooks/Lou Williams style, quick, mini-scoring guard). I wouldn’t be upset with either of those two, but whether they ever become more than just solid players will depend a LOT on coaching and how they are used (not a good thing with MCIAFI still in charge). I’d prefer Lawson and/or Terrance Williams mainly because I think their “upsides” are actually pretty similar or even higher than Teague’s or Clark’s, with possibly lower “floors”, but any of those four would be a good choice.

And if Joe drafts BJ Mullens… My first thought will immediately be- why didn’t he just draft DeAndre Jordan last year in the 2nd round? Jordan and Mullens are the exact same person, but we could have had Jordan as a 2nd rounder, without a guaranteed contract and taken a free look. Instead we drafted Walter “Sandman” Sharpe. Joe’s drafting confuses me sometimes.

@gabe:
you’re right about the amir trade. I was looking at last year’s salary.

I’m cool with the Walter Sharpe pick. He’s low risk/high reward. He’s athletic and skilled. From the little I’ve seen, he looks like he has the potential to be a starter in the league if he’s got his head straight.

Ugh. These conversations remind me of the chatter after Grant Hill left. Tim Thomas for $10 million per!

Fair enough, but how about you fuel the fire a little with some of your own thoughts about FA, the draft or potential trades.

I like Sam Young of Pitt with a late 1st round pick thought maybe not at 15. He’s a bigger more athletic Afflalo so I think he’s a low risk excellent role player pick with some potential to be better than that. He needs to work on his handle but that’s something that can come with time, just look at Rip (had highest AST% and lowest TO% of his Piston career at age 30). Package 2 of the second rounders to move up and grab Sam Young? SLAM has the monstrously athletic Young going at #16 to the Bulls as somebody to guard LeBron so maybe 15 isn’t a stretch.

I think I’d rather see Joe hold onto the 15th and Amir rather then trade them to OKC unless OKC was to throw in a second round pick ,Earl Clark is falling I rather see the pistons take him then Autin Daye also we’d have Amir’s expiring contract to go along with Kwames at the trade deadline,besides there’s always the chance he might put on 10 to 15 pounds and we’d have acouple more months to look at him.After reading these post the last few weeks I think I rather have Odom then Boozer better char. less injuries not sure who else we could pick up but he’d be a good starting point in our front court rebuiling project.

Gabe, I wasn’t really impressed with Lawson’s explosiveness in the tournament (granted he was recovering from a foot injury). I can’t see him being a more effective player than Bynum. I think I’d rather have Maynor between the two because at least he’s a different look.

So…… LA or Orlando tonight?

But if Joe is trying to do the Amir trade to free up cap space it would be safe to assume that he would be using that free space to help bolster our frontcourt. So why not just try and get a center in the trade? Especially a young, fairly decent, legit center? Like gabe said, the numbers are not that far off between Krstic and Amir so we wouldn’t take that big of a hit to our cap (if any at all). Plus, OKC is rumored to want to do the deal because they are interested in BJ mullens with that pick. So if they are targeting a young center, they might be willing to move Krstic so then they too wouldn’t have to be taking a hit to their cap. It seems like this guy MIGHT be able to be had, hell, we might even be able to ask for their late first round pick (25). Though, i’m not sure if there is a cap hold on a first round pick that late, i will have to look into that.

As for the rookies, i have always maintained that i would like for them to draft either lawson, maynor, or blair, because they seem like the most ready to help right away. I also wouldn’t mind clark or williams either. I really don’t like bj mullens, he just seems to have bust written all over him (think darko), but that could just be the fucking buckeye hatred inside of me.

rootin for orlando but im sure the lakers will probably win

From the shot he hit last game and the free throws he took tonight (even though he faded back on the shot), Gortat looks like he can shoot but doesn’t get enough chances. I’m on board. I’m in the Odom/Gortat camp now. 17 mil between them.

Ben Gordon is going to Greece.

Fail.

http://thehoop.blogspot.com/2009/06/rumors-about-ben-gordon.html

Gortat needs to stop fading back on his free throws.

Courtney Lee reminds me of Afflalo.

This is a good game. And I like slam dunk shots.

Dang. If this were “NBA Showdown 94” for Sega Genesis Rashard Lewis’ special move would be that spinning, drifting 3 from the corner. That’s a crazy difficult shot.

we gonna revive the odom love? I spent most of my time watching the pistons over the last few years complaining about sheed’s inconsistency. odom would be maddening as hell. plus, i think he’ll stay in LA for less money.

QD,

c’mon man.. Lamar Odom? REALLY? Goodbye post defense!

“c’mon man.. Lamar Odom? REALLY? Goodbye post defense!”

I’ll give you that, but… Hello pick and roll defense. And shot-blocking. And grabbing rebounds and starting the break.

I don’t think any of the free agents are good low post defenders at the Power Forward position. That was the one thing Sheed actually did on a consistent basis. Boozer’s okay, I guess. I’d say the best post-defender out there is Varejao (when he’s not falling backwards and flailing his arms).

Plus, who in the Eastern Conference is a low post threat? Garnett and Brand are probably the only ones. Maybe Okafor.

Another one for fans of the Kobe/Lebron puppet commercials…

http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/kobe_bryant_puppet_finds

I would like to see Joe D. go after Gortat and David Lee. As far as draft picks, @15, if available, BJ Mullens, or Austin Daye Rd.2 Danny Green and or Josh Heytvelt.

I like our back court and think it is set for the next 4-5 years, AA’s offensive game will continue to develop and I think he can replace Rip in a couple years, Stuckey and MFWB can run the show and slash, we need an asston of rebounders, David lee is an a damn near automatic 15-12 guy and I think Gortat has the potential to be a 12-12.

I think Danny Green may turn out to be a gem in this draft, he seems to have a defensive mindset and his perimeter shooting is pretty good, he could spot Tay 12-15 minutes a night as long as we have others on the floor who can get into the paint and rebound. I like Heytvelt’s offensive game, but he needs to spend some time in the D-league and learn defense.

A second unit of
1-Bynum
2-AA
3-Herrmann/Green
4-Maxi/Amir
5-Brown

probably won’t win many games on their own, but it looks to me like a solid 10-12 minute defensive unit.

A second unit of
1-Bynum
2-AA
3-Herrmann/Green
4-Maxi/Amir
5-Mullens

will be a bit weaker defensively, but rebounding will benefit and scoring may improve a tad. Either way, it gives us some options.

Starting
1-Stuckey
2-Rip
3-Prince
4-Lee
5-Gortat

gives us a fast back court, good defense (Lee is a better defender than he is credited with, if he is put into a system where defense is respected, I think he will shine). We also have offensive and defensive reboundinig, and low post scoring. Weaknesses are 3 point shooting.

me likes david lee & the polish hammer

Heartbreaking loss for Orlando. If only Lee had made that layup on the great inbounds play with 0.6 seconds left, it would be a whole different series.

ya i like david lee too. if we do a sign and trade with NY i would like to see if we could get wilson chandler in the deal too. we could send them tay if we need too but i really like chandler. he’s young and he can play ball. as for trading amir and our pick to OKC, i still think it is at least WORTH A SHOT to try and get nenad krstic from them in return as opposed to nothing.

DET is a good destination for Lee. Dude was on the worst knicks teams of recent memory and still played like he gave a shit. I really like that about him, and he has a solid game.

Ugh. These conversations remind me of the chatter after Grant Hill left. Tim Thomas for $10 million per!

Agreed. I really don’t think the answer to this team escaping mediocrity is more mediocrity.

Via Ric Bucher’s twitter:

“Marcin Gortat has custom rubber bands on his wrist that say “Polish Machine”. Also has a really bad jumpman tat on his calf."

@ shinons: we aren’t trying to build mediocrity, we are trying to build a team, much like in 2004. A lot of people thought that team was full of mediocrity before that season. that’s why NO ONE picked us to win the ship, but low and behold we did. we are just looking for GOOD players that play their respective position well and can offer things on both ends of the floor. we are not going to get any superstars unless a team decides to trade us one (bosh, stoudemire). im not sure that is very likely, although i wouldn’t mind it if it did happen.

A brief article on Gortat:

http://www.knickerblogger.net/?p=1898

I read this morning that Donnie Walsh is gonna take a run at Gortat.

I think there’s no question that Gortat’s stock has gone up because of Orlando’s run in the playoffs, and his part in it.

You know the same dummy over at SHOE! magazine said that if they can’t get ’Sheed, the Lebrowns are gonna take a run at Z-Bo… Word, pull the trigger.

@ Skylar: Who do the Cavs have that Clips would be interested in? And they want height to match up with Orl? and Z-bo is the answer? NOT !! They’d be better off trying to recycle Gooden.

And I think they’re talking 2 years 10M per with Sheed? Better be a team option in yr 2. Sheed had a hard time focusing this year, wait’ll he plays in 2010-11 when Bron ain’t there.

I know, man. I just would love for them to sign him, because the Cavs are now my least favorite franchise, and he’d devastate their chemistry.