*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (7 Viewers)

[Mr. PadresLakers]

I still don't understand how anyone thinks shaq is a good signing for any team. He is toxic and what he has left in his wake evidences that.

For a minimum contract he is just about the best signing of this off season.

Shaq was beyond terrible in the playoffs and I can't imagine he's going to improve.

Beyond terrible compared to who 2000 Shaq?Compared to other free agent big men?

 

[Zigg]

I still don't understand how anyone thinks shaq is a good signing for any team. He is toxic and what he has left in his wake evidences that.

For a minimum contract he is just about the best signing of this off season.

Shaq was beyond terrible in the playoffs and I can't imagine he's going to improve.

Beyond terrible compared to who 2000 Shaq?Compared to other free agent big men?

I'm not speaking relatively. I'm just saying he looked horrible in the playoff games I saw. Not kind of bad, but horrendous.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

More schedule dates starting to trickle out.

Xmas doubleheader will be Celtics-Magic and Heat-Lakers.

i wonder if they'll show shaq's debut with some euro or chinese team?"on the Ocho, tonight! shaq-fu tears into the bejing ducks for another double-double..."

I'm going to guess Americans won't be altering their schedules in droves and tuning in for that like the Chinese did for the first Yao vs. Yi matchup.I'd suggest Shaq for a UFC undercard, but I don't know if there's anyone else in Shaq's weight class.

Albert Haynesworth

 

[Mookie Blaylock]

I fell for alot of this stuff for years.

Turn the page Cleveland.

It wouldn't surprise me if its 15 years before there's another player in Cleveland (on the roster) that can make the fans shift the discussion away from Lebron. There's really no reason to turn the page when hating Lebron is really the only thing you have. (Not that it's in anyway unjustified).

 

[Wu-banger]

So nobody thinks LeBron writing a letter, or releasing a statement basically saying: He understands everyone is upset but wants to thank the city, franchise, and fans for 7 years of supportExplain why he left, giving no specificsThat wouldnt help his image and help ease some of the Cavs fans pain?I think LeBron is past that and is now accepting the villain role. When Eddie House signed last week, he tweeted "Welcome to Team John Dillinger"

Please provide a tally of all the NBA players who wrote letters to their fomrer town since it's so important.Stuff like this is only a big deal his people want to promote it as such... Did Gasol write a good bye letter to Memphis when he got paroled..? Kobe explain himself to the Charlotte fans for forcing his way to LA via their expense..?How about Bosh to Toronto..? Boozer to Utah (or Cleveland..??) ... Carmelo to Syracuse..?

Actually, Bosh did. And it was posted and discussed in here.Big Z was just posted here.Boozer to Cleveland? Laughable.I'm sure Carmello did something, at least issued a nice statement about his University.Gasol? Not sure, but I'm guessing this happens more than you think. Sabathia did it after he was traded from Cleveland.A quick google search also shows Pat Burrell did this to thank Phils fans, Kerry Wood to Cubs fans, Amare Stoudamire to Suns fans...shall I go on?CLASS.

not sure you got the tongue in cheek context of the post.... point is many athletes moves from team to team every year and their good bye letters are not scrutinized to this level.... they don't even get any national press.

 

[rodg12]

So nobody thinks LeBron writing a letter, or releasing a statement basically saying: He understands everyone is upset but wants to thank the city, franchise, and fans for 7 years of supportExplain why he left, giving no specificsThat wouldnt help his image and help ease some of the Cavs fans pain?I think LeBron is past that and is now accepting the villain role. When Eddie House signed last week, he tweeted "Welcome to Team John Dillinger"

Please provide a tally of all the NBA players who wrote letters to their fomrer town since it's so important.Stuff like this is only a big deal his people want to promote it as such... Did Gasol write a good bye letter to Memphis when he got paroled..? Kobe explain himself to the Charlotte fans for forcing his way to LA via their expense..?How about Bosh to Toronto..? Boozer to Utah (or Cleveland..??) ... Carmelo to Syracuse..?

Actually, Bosh did. And it was posted and discussed in here.Big Z was just posted here.Boozer to Cleveland? Laughable.I'm sure Carmello did something, at least issued a nice statement about his University.Gasol? Not sure, but I'm guessing this happens more than you think. Sabathia did it after he was traded from Cleveland.A quick google search also shows Pat Burrell did this to thank Phils fans, Kerry Wood to Cubs fans, Amare Stoudamire to Suns fans...shall I go on?CLASS.

not sure you got the tongue in cheek context of the post.... point is many athletes moves from team to team every year and their good bye letters are not scrutinized to this level.... they don't even get any national press.

But, wu-banger, no other athletes devise an hour long national TV special to announce they're ripping the hearts out of their hometown fans. After that complete debacle, Lebron opened himself to all kinds of scrutiny and criticism unlike any athlete before him. If he didn't want that, don't do the freaking announcement the way he did.

 

[Bobcat10]

So nobody thinks LeBron writing a letter, or releasing a statement basically saying:

He understands everyone is upset but wants to thank the city, franchise, and fans for 7 years of support

Explain why he left, giving no specifics

That wouldnt help his image and help ease some of the Cavs fans pain?

I think LeBron is past that and is now accepting the villain role. When Eddie House signed last week, he tweeted "Welcome to Team John Dillinger"

Please provide a tally of all the NBA players who wrote letters to their fomrer town since it's so important.

Stuff like this is only a big deal his people want to promote it as such...

Did Gasol write a good bye letter to Memphis when he got paroled..?

Kobe explain himself to the Charlotte fans for forcing his way to LA via their expense..?

How about Bosh to Toronto..? Boozer to Utah (or Cleveland..??) ... Carmelo to Syracuse..?

Actually, Bosh did. And it was posted and discussed in here.Big Z was just posted here.

Boozer to Cleveland? Laughable.

I'm sure Carmello did something, at least issued a nice statement about his University.

Gasol? Not sure, but I'm guessing this happens more than you think.

Sabathia did it after he was traded from Cleveland.

A quick google search also shows Pat Burrell did this to thank Phils fans, Kerry Wood to Cubs fans, Amare Stoudamire to Suns fans...shall I go on?

CLASS.

not sure you got the tongue in cheek context of the post.... point is many athletes moves from team to team every year and their good bye letters are not scrutinized to this level.... they don't even get any national press.

Lebron hasn't done this or attempted anything in that realm.

 

[Mookie Blaylock]

So nobody thinks LeBron writing a letter, or releasing a statement basically saying:

He understands everyone is upset but wants to thank the city, franchise, and fans for 7 years of support

Explain why he left, giving no specifics

That wouldnt help his image and help ease some of the Cavs fans pain?

I think LeBron is past that and is now accepting the villain role. When Eddie House signed last week, he tweeted "Welcome to Team John Dillinger"

Please provide a tally of all the NBA players who wrote letters to their fomrer town since it's so important.

Stuff like this is only a big deal his people want to promote it as such...

Did Gasol write a good bye letter to Memphis when he got paroled..?

Kobe explain himself to the Charlotte fans for forcing his way to LA via their expense..?

How about Bosh to Toronto..? Boozer to Utah (or Cleveland..??) ... Carmelo to Syracuse..?

Actually, Bosh did. And it was posted and discussed in here.Big Z was just posted here.

Boozer to Cleveland? Laughable.

I'm sure Carmello did something, at least issued a nice statement about his University.

Gasol? Not sure, but I'm guessing this happens more than you think.

Sabathia did it after he was traded from Cleveland.

A quick google search also shows Pat Burrell did this to thank Phils fans, Kerry Wood to Cubs fans, Amare Stoudamire to Suns fans...shall I go on?

CLASS.

not sure you got the tongue in cheek context of the post.... point is many athletes moves from team to team every year and their good bye letters are not scrutinized to this level.... they don't even get any national press.

Lebron hasn't done this or attempted anything in that realm.

And he won't, either. He's a child.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

I still don't understand how anyone thinks shaq is a good signing for any team. He is toxic and what he has left in his wake evidences that.

For a minimum contract he is just about the best signing of this off season.

Shaq was beyond terrible in the playoffs and I can't imagine he's going to improve.

Beyond terrible compared to who 2000 Shaq?Compared to other free agent big men?

I'm not speaking relatively. I'm just saying he looked horrible in the playoff games I saw. Not kind of bad, but horrendous.

What games did you watch?

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

Shannon Brown is returning to the Lakers.

Brown's agent, Mark Bartelstein, told FanHouse on Thursday the deal "definitely'' will get done later in the day. The free-agent guard will sign a two-year, $4.6 million contract, with the second year a player option. He will make $2.2 million this season, with the option year worth $2.4.

"The lure of the Lakers was too great,'' said Bartelstein, whose client had been looked at strongly by New York. "He didn't want to look back and not have the chance to go for a third straight championship.''

Brown opted out of a deal that would have paid him $2.149 million this season. The sides haggled over dollars for several weeks before Brown ending up getting just a slight raise.

"We'll have the flexibility and look at it again next summer,'' Bartelstein said.

Link

 

[Eephus]

Keyon Dooling to the Bucks is the definition of a minor move but a veteran guy with some size and D is a good compliment to Jennings. At half the salary and have the years of the Ridnour contract, he's a decent pickup if healthy.

 

[Statorama]

Keyon Dooling to the Bucks is the definition of a minor move but a veteran guy with some size and D is a good compliment to Jennings. At half the salary and have the years of the Ridnour contract, he's a decent pickup if healthy.

I like this a lot

 

[timschochet]

Keyon Dooling to the Bucks is the definition of a minor move but a veteran guy with some size and D is a good compliment to Jennings. At half the salary and have the years of the Ridnour contract, he's a decent pickup if healthy.

I really liked what I saw out of the Bucks last year. This is a good young team. Brandon Jennings doesn't usually get the attention that the other young guards in the league do (at least not out here on the west coast) but he is really an exciting player. And if Bogut could stay healthy you may really have a good nucleus there.

 

[Eephus]

Keyon Dooling to the Bucks is the definition of a minor move but a veteran guy with some size and D is a good compliment to Jennings. At half the salary and have the years of the Ridnour contract, he's a decent pickup if healthy.

I really liked what I saw out of the Bucks last year. This is a good young team. Brandon Jennings doesn't usually get the attention that the other young guards in the league do (at least not out here on the west coast) but he is really an exciting player. And if Bogut could stay healthy you may really have a good nucleus there.

This is an important year. They need to build on last year's successes so they can attract someone decent after Redd's contract comes off the books. The other option would be to trade his expiring contract but I don't know what impact the potential lockout will have on player values at the trading deadline.One other concern is that Skiles seems like the kind of intense coach who could reach a point of diminishing returns. He's obviously not there yet but things can happen quickly.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Sounds like Mike Ilitch (red wings and tigers owner) is tryign to buy the Pistons. Rumor is he really wants the Palace/Pine Knob music theatre.

Eventually this will mean a new downtown arena for the Wings and Pistons to play at.

 

[No. 16]

Keyon Dooling to the Bucks is the definition of a minor move but a veteran guy with some size and D is a good compliment to Jennings. At half the salary and have the years of the Ridnour contract, he's a decent pickup if healthy.

I really liked what I saw out of the Bucks last year. This is a good young team. Brandon Jennings doesn't usually get the attention that the other young guards in the league do (at least not out here on the west coast) but he is really an exciting player. And if Bogut could stay healthy you may really have a good nucleus there.

Jennings surprised me with his leadership and floor general abilities. I was surprised with his hot shooting early, because when I watched tapes his jumper mechanics looked horrible (fades away) but I was validated as the season progressed. If he ever gets his jumper right and focuses on defense he'll be a a superstar PG with his mix of speed, IQ, and moxy. Even if he never develops a consistent jumper he'll be a starting PG for a while. As a Warrior fan I'll be interested in seeing if the Dubs made the right decision to pick Curry over Jennings.

 

[saintfool]

As a Warrior fan I'll be interested in seeing if the Dubs made the right decision to pick Curry over Jennings.

post-nellie world will be an interesting place for the players to live in. it'll be Year Zero.

 

[No. 16]

As a Warrior fan I'll be interested in seeing if the Dubs made the right decision to pick Curry over Jennings.

post-nellie world will be an interesting place for the players to live in. it'll be Year Zero.

Funny. With the addition of Lee and most viable candidates hired already, I wouldn't mind watching Nellie coach this team one more season. I understand the long term benefits of firing Nellie this season, but unless the new owners have a GM + coach in waiting I don't know if there's enough time to conduct a decent coach search, especially when tons of head coach candidates have been hired already.Lee is the type of player Nellie loves: hustle, basketball IQ, all offense and no defense. So we know he'll get playing time unlike Randolph. For all Nellie's lack of focus on defense he's coached and groomed some of the best young PGs (Hardaway, Nash) so I don't see a problem with having Curry soaking in more offensive insights from Nellie (one of the greatest offensive coaches ever) and learning defense later on. Ellis is Ellis, but hopefully Nellie can reign him in a bit to play off ball more and Dorell Wright/Reggie Williams can shoot the 3. The acquisition of Lee also allows Nelson to live with Biedrins in the middle because he is flanked by 4 jump shooters... Nellie hated the Randolph/Biedrins combo because his offense requires 4 shooters to space the floor and AR/Biedrins have no business shooting jumpers. With the timing of the new ownership consider me slightly in favor of keeping Nellie UNLESS the owners already have a GM/Coach combo waiting in the wings. This team is suited perfectly for Nellie finally with a skilled PG and PF so I wouldn't mind watching it play out.

 

[Steelfan7]

What no mention of Isiah back in Knicks management position? Dolan is such an idiot. If some former employee cost me almost $12 million for a sexual harassment then he would be gunned down that same day. But in Dolan's world he rehires him.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

What no mention of Isiah back in Knicks management position? Dolan is such an idiot. If some former employee cost me almost $12 million for a sexual harassment then he would be gunned down that same day. But in Dolan's world he rehires him.

 

[Premier]

However, if I ran an NBA franchise and saw this Isiah thing go down, I'd hire a big-time coach as a consultant, like Roy Williams or John Calipari.

Yea, read an article about this today. I bet the NBA squashes this.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Pistons sign Tracy McGrady. WTF?

 

[Bears_Man2]

Pistons sign Tracy McGrady. WTF?

It's like they're trying to break the league record for biggest logjam at SG/SF.Time for Ilitch to buy the team and move it downtown.

McGrady's a moron. I think the Bulls had an Grade A offseason (only A+ could have come with James). Would have knocked them down to a B picking up McGrady. McGrady doesn't get it. And never will. I think it's awesome he was forced to take the vet min. Will it humble him? No. He's still an All-Star in his own mind. Iverson never got the team concept. Instead of relishing the role of 20 minute 2nd unit leader, they're dead set on being starters (trying to be the show when they're not the best player any longer, killing team chemistry in the process).These bozos don't realize there will be games they'll get the 30+ minutes when they're playing well. I think Iverson could have been a Darrell Armstrong type off the pine. Instead he was dead set on #####ing about his role. The guy is not a winner and never will be. Guarantee you'll hear a desperate Iverson saying late this offseason (when no one will give him even a phone call) he really wants a championship. Give me a ####### break, after the #### you pulled in Detroit, shut the #### up & stay at home.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

@chadfordinsider: Hornets, Rockets, Pacers & Nets working on 4 team deal. Ariza to NO. Lee to HOU. Collison & Posey to IND. Murphy to NJ

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2a8nyrj

 

[Yo Mama]

Sounds like Rasheed has been waived / bought out by the Celtics and he will officially retire.

Surprised the Celtics didn't use his contract in a trade, but it sounds like they needed his roster spot since they now already have 14 spots filled.

 

[the moops]

Sounds like Rasheed has been waived / bought out by the Celtics and he will officially retire.Surprised the Celtics didn't use his contract in a trade, but it sounds like they needed his roster spot since they now already have 14 spots filled.

Ainge said that they shopped his contract to everyone in the league and there were no deals to be made.

 

[Juxtatarot]

@chadfordinsider: Hornets, Rockets, Pacers & Nets working on 4 team deal. Ariza to NO. Lee to HOU. Collison & Posey to IND. Murphy to NJ

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2a8nyrj

I guess the Rockets are indeed rebuilding.

 

[JMon348]

Wtf is NO and Houston thinking. NO main asset and they trade it for Ariza? Collison is a stud, Indy got a steal. Houston giving Ariza that contract then giving up a year later, was Ariza that bad? I like NJ bigman rotation now.

The West got worse which is good.

 

[No. 16]

Wtf is NO and Houston thinking. NO main asset and they trade it for Ariza? Collison is a stud, Indy got a steal. Houston giving Ariza that contract then giving up a year later, was Ariza that bad? I like NJ bigman rotation now.The West got worse which is good.

Wow!I agree..... Pacers made out like bandits.They turned Troy Murphy into Darren Collison!I can't believe that's the best offer NO got for Collison. Athletic swingmen are a dime a dozen, potential stud PGs are much harder to find. I think this is an especially bad move for NO with Paul itching to get out. The article states they acquired Ariza to show Paul they were serious about building a basketball team around him but Ariza is not the type of player to make a superstar stay. He's a #3 player on a championship squad AT BEST. Stupid move by the Hornets.I wasn't particularly fond of Ariza so I don't think it's a huge loss for the Rockets. They essentially got the same player back with less years in Lee. For the Nets it was an OK deal. You can plant Murphy at the 3 point line and he's in the lats year of his deal I think. Bird may have just saved his job: Collison, Granger, Hibbert is a solid trio. Overall as a Warrior fan I approve of these trades. Looks like NO will be a lottery team 3 years from now once Paul bolts.

 

[Britney Spears]

Did this trade actually happen or is it a rumor?

This would be epic good for my fantasy basketball team!!!1

 

[Frostillicus]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETuesday, Aug. 10, 2010TIMBERWOLVES SET TO TIP OFF THEIR 22ND SEASON ON OCT. 27 WHEN THESACRAMENTO KINGS VISIT TARGET CENTERNew 20-Game Flex Pack Ticket Packages Offer Fans the UltimateFlexibility to Choose the Games They Want at the Prices They WantMinneapolis/St. Paul - The Minnesota Timberwolves will tip off their22nd regular season in the NBA by hosting the Sacramento Kings at 7 p.m.on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at Target Center. In addition to releasing thecomplete 2010-11 schedule, the Wolves are also unveiling a unique ticketoption designed to give fans the ultimate flexibility to customize theirown package.The Timberwolves' home schedule is highlighted by the lone appearance ofthe season for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heaton Friday, April 1. Other notable games on the home schedule include twovisits by the NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers (Nov. 19 and March 1) andthe lone visit of the season for Kevin Garnett's Boston Celtics (March27).During the team's "Run With the Pack" campaign in March, the Wolvesunveiled a new Fan Development Program designed to reward loyal fanswith tremendous value and increased flexibility. To that end, the Wolveshave also unveiled a new variable pricing plan for this season's homeschedule. Variable pricing assigns different prices for the same seatlocation each game based on the day of the week and the opponent,ensuring that fans will get the most value for their investment andempowering them to customize their fan experience based on theirschedule and their pocketbook. This season, games will be priced in fourdifferent categories: Marquee, Premier, Value and Super-Saver.

 

[rodg12]

Wtf is NO and Houston thinking. NO main asset and they trade it for Ariza? Collison is a stud, Indy got a steal. Houston giving Ariza that contract then giving up a year later, was Ariza that bad? I like NJ bigman rotation now.The West got worse which is good.

Great deal for Indiana. Solid deal for Houston and NJ. TERRIBLE deal for NO. Collison for Ariza?!?! WTF?!?!

 

[Dexter Manley]

Wtf is NO and Houston thinking. NO main asset and they trade it for Ariza? Collison is a stud, Indy got a steal. Houston giving Ariza that contract then giving up a year later, was Ariza that bad? I like NJ bigman rotation now.The West got worse which is good.

Great deal for Indiana. Solid deal for Houston and NJ. TERRIBLE deal for NO. Collison for Ariza?!?! WTF?!?!

Fwiw, they did get Posey off their payroll too.Although I agree that the Pacers pulled off a heist here.

 

[Bears_Man2]

Terrible terrible terrible terrible deal for NO.

So they deal a Top 15 PG? Check

So they a deal a bench role player they think it overpaid for the next 2 seasons (Posey) and gain a similar role player with a higher salary for more seasons (Ariza)? (Posey for Ariza would be a decent deal for a team (Houston) looking for a lesser financial committment. Ariza's a nice 6th/7th man. Nothing more).

So they still have Okakor? Check.

New Orleans just gave away one (if not the) best trade chips of the offseason for absolutely nothing. Unreal. I'm sure the move thrills Chris Paul. I'd start him and Collison in the backcourt before I part with the latter for a mediocre player like Ariza.

 

[Kev4029]

Terrible terrible terrible terrible deal for NO.

So they deal a Top 15 PG? Check

So they a deal a bench role player they think it overpaid for the next 2 seasons (Posey) and gain a similar role player with a higher salary for more seasons (Ariza)? (Posey for Ariza would be a decent deal for a team (Houston) looking for a lesser financial committment. Ariza's a nice 6th/7th man. Nothing more).

So they still have Okakor? Check.

New Orleans just gave away one (if not the) best trade chips of the offseason for absolutely nothing. Unreal. I'm sure the move thrills Chris Paul. I'd start him and Collison in the backcourt before I part with the latter for a mediocre player like Ariza.

Collison played well, but he is no where near top 15... this must be the same world in which Brooks is top 10. Terrible trade for NO for sure but its not as bad as you guys are making it out to be. If Collison was as highly regarded as you guys think he is, NO would have surely gotten a FAR better package than an overpaid Ariza. NO will be a better team next year because of this trade, a starting lineup of Paul, Thorton, Ariza, West and Okafor should be good for somewhere in the 45 to 48 range in wins. New Orleans also traded Wright for Belinelli today.

ETA: Why do people think Okafor's contract is so terrible? Hes overpaid but he is a good defender, rebounds well and can score a little plus he is only 27. If you are going to over pay somebody a good center is probably the place to do it.

 

[Major]

@chadfordinsider: Hornets, Rockets, Pacers & Nets working on 4 team deal. Ariza to NO. Lee to HOU. Collison & Posey to IND. Murphy to NJ

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2a8nyrj

Great trade for Houston. Courtney Lee is the final piece in the Rockets dynasty :championship:

 

[Juxtatarot]

Collison is a Top 15 PG. And quite easily at that.

I'll bite. Who is he better than? Deron Williams

Chris Paul

Steve Nash

Derrick Rose

Rajon Rondo

Tyreke Evans

Russell Westbrook

Jason Kidd

Chauncey Billups

Tony Parker

Brandon Jennings

Jameer Nelson

Devin Harris

Baron Davis

John Wall

 

[Walton Goggins]

Breaking Down The Deal

Daryl Morey discusses the Rockets' acquisition of Courtney Lee

The Rockets have coveted Courtney Lee ever since the 2008 NBA Draft.

Jason Friedman

Rockets.com

HOUSTON - Wednesday evening, Rockets' General Manager Daryl Morey took time out from his vacation to discuss the 4-team deal that netted the Rockets Courtney Lee (and a $6.3 million trade exception) in exchange for Trevor Ariza. What follows is the transcript of Morey's conference call with the media. Click here to read Rockets.com's breakdown of the deal.

Q: How do you see Lee fitting in with Kevin Martin?

DM: I think they complement each other well. I think Courtney is a guy who is a very solid defender. I think obviously Kevin is gifted offensively, so the two of them provide a very solid tandem at that spot. Coach Adelman, it’s up to him to decide how to play our different guys together and to decide on who’s going to win the minutes at the all the spots. We have a lot of depth, a lot of very quality players and thankfully we’ve got a lot of players with a great approach, who are going to focus on winning no matter what their role is.

Q: What do you like about Lee?

DM: This is a guy who we were focused on acquiring in the (’08) draft. I think, overall, the deal is similar to the Kyle Lowry deal. We’ve been trying to acquire Courtney when he went to Orlando and then he went to New Jersey and as you can tell, myself being on vacation, you can just never tell when an opportunity is going to strike. We really target players who we think will fit in well here over time and when we got our first chance to acquire him we really were obviously fairly aggressive to get this done.

He’s very versatile. He can defend multiple spots – for sure the 2-guard but also can guard 1s and some 3s. He’s a very solid cutter and shooter with a very high basketball IQ. We see upside in his game. He’s going into his third year in the league. Not many guys out of college play as much as he’s played going into their third year, being mostly the starter in both years in the league. He played 16 playoff games and started in the NBA Finals (his rookie year). So he’s a guy we see with a lot of upside and fits really well.

I frankly don’t envy Coach Adelman’s job of figuring out how to put things together. But I think as Coach Elston Turner says, they’ve got a lot of pieces to work with, a lot of players with different strengths and when they’re putting together a gameplan, they’re going to have a lot of great options of how to put that together because every position, 1 through 5, we’ve got players with different skill sets to bring to the game.

Q: Was this more a deal to move Ariza’s contract or to get Courtney?

DM: This was an opportunity to get Courtney. I mentioned the Kyle Lowry deal and I hesitate a little bit because Kyle is a very good player and I don’t necessarily want to put expectations on Courtney to be similar to Kyle – they’re very different players. But in terms of our aggressiveness and trying to acquire players who we think fit our winning culture and style of play, fit our overall focus on what we value on the floor, when those players become available we aggressively go for it.

We also like how this gave us a lot of flexibility going forward with the $6.3 million trade exception. That makes putting deals together, obviously simple ones where we’re taking on a player $6 million or less, but it also opens up bigger trades where we’re taking on more money. This one happened to be one where we’re taking on less but that trade exception really gives us a lot of flexibility in bigger deals going forward.

We’re pretty happy with our roster, we actually were before this trade. We didn’t expect this opportunity to arise but, again, we sort of keep a target list of players that we think have a big future in this league and a big chance to be a part of the Rockets and when we get a chance, you don’t know when it will come, we jump on it.

Q: What did Trevor not do to allow him to be in a trade like this a year after coming here?

DM: I think to get something we like you have to give up something. I really like Trevor. I do think there was a situation where it was going to be difficult for Coach to figure out how to make the minutes work at the 3-spot. That wasn’t a motivation – we thoughts we could make it work and we made it work real well last year. But we really like Courtney.

I do think it’s similar to the Kyle deal in that Rafer (Alston) was a very, very solid starting point guard on a team that won 50 games multiple times and a starting point guard on an NBA Finals team when he went to Orlando. So it wasn’t a situation where we were down on Trevor, it was really about we think Courtney has got a big future and obviously in terms of his game, this just being his third year in the league, we see a path of improvement there as well.

Q: Is it also like the Kyle deal as well in that you’re getting a guy who can be as good as the guy you got rid of, and hopefully better in the future, but today it’s a lot less money as well?

DM: I think both Lee and Trevor are valued around the league. That has to be a factor in our trade. It’s not just what they’ll provide to us, but how they’re viewed around the league and I think both of them are valued. Obviously one of our stated goals is that at some point, and who knows when the opportunity will arise, we want to make a move for a star who comes lose, or like Boston did in trading for Garnett a few years ago. Obviously those opportunities don’t come along often but if something comes along like that, it’s something we have to look at and we feel like we’re in a similar or better situation to get those kinds of things done after this trade than before.

Q: Was getting back below the luxury tax a priority for you?

DM: We’re over the luxury tax by a couple million dollars so that wasn’t a part of this.

Q: Do you still have salary flexibility?

DM: Yeah we do. I think for sure that trade exception is something I’m authorized to use at any point if there’s something that will help us win.

 

[No. 16]

Collison is a Top 15 PG. And quite easily at that. Don't think you saw him play after that comment. Averaged 19 pts, 9 assists starting almost half the season last year @ 22 yrs of age. Shot 47% from field and 85+ from the line. 3rd best PG in East right now. (Rondo/Rose) Only real argument is John Wall.

There's a reason why the Hornets can't give away Okafor.

------------------

Nice deals for Houston & Indy

What about a rookie who averaged 22 ppg, 7.7 ast, 5.5 rebs, and 2 stls, while shooting 46.8% from the field, 44% from 3 point land, and 90% from the FT line Post-All Star break @ 21 years of age?Is he better than that guy?

BTW... those are Steph Curry's numbers.

Curry > Collison.

I also find it funny that you consider Tyreke Evans a PG, but say Brandon Jennings is, "NOT A PG"!

Are you kidding me? How else could a smallish player who plays little defense and shoots 37.1% FG stay on the floor if he didn't have any PG skills?

 

[Juxtatarot]

I think they complement each other well. I think Courtney is a guy who is a very solid defender. I think obviously Kevin is gifted offensively, so the two of them provide a very solid tandem at that spot

You don't merge players. On average, how many minutes do teams do the offensive-defensive switch? 1?

 

[Bears_Man2]

Curry > Collison.

Would agree. Was omitted from the list above.I would clump him Evans & Westbrook together. (Like Curry more myself)

 

[Juxtatarot]

Curry > Collison.

I considered him in my top 15 but isn't he more of a 2?

 

[No. 16]

Curry > Collison.

I considered him in my top 15 but isn't he more of a 2?

Curry is a pure point guard. He's a more natural PG than Tyreke Evans.However, due to his shooting ability he can be a SG.

 

[Major]

Breaking Down The Deal

DM: I think both Lee and Trevor are valued around the league. That has to be a factor in our trade. It’s not just what they’ll provide to us, but how they’re viewed around the league and I think both of them are valued. Obviously one of our stated goals is that at some point, and who knows when the opportunity will arise, we want to make a move for a star who comes lose, or like Boston did in trading for Garnett a few years ago. Obviously those opportunities don’t come along often but if something comes along like that, it’s something we have to look at and we feel like we’re in a similar or better situation to get those kinds of things done after this trade than before.

In Morey We Trust

 

[iwabaf]

Collison is a Top 15 PG. And quite easily at that.

I'll bite. Who is he better than? Chris Paul 1

Deron Williams 2

Rajon Rondo 3

Steve Nash 4

Derrick Rose 5

Tyreke Evans 6

Russell Westbrook 7

Chauncey Billups 8

Tony Parker 9

John Wall 10. (I think he'll be in that Top 5 discussion in a couple years.

Jason Kidd YES (Collison blows modern day Kidd off the court)

Brandon Jennings YES (Not a PG. Will be solid player for years to come. If you consider him one, feel free. Never have, never will)

Jameer Nelson YES (Perhaps the most overrated PG in the league. There's a reason ORL wants to upgrade....and don't blame them)

Devin Harris YES (Glad you listed him -- figured someone would have a list. What's the fascination with this guy? Take a look at his career. 1 good season. Collison is better at every single aspect of the game of basketball than Devin Harris)

Baron Davis YES (31 going on 40. I don't think he has a lot left. Might have a decent stretch of motivation left in him. Like with Harris, Collison is superior in all facets.)

As stated, easily Top 15. I've got 10 guys ranked ahead of him.Highway robbery that Indy got a franchise PG on the cheap there. Hornets really went out of their way to appease Chris Paul (if that was their intent). They probably should have gotten a much better player in return however.

So a guy who averaged 15.5 pts, 5.7 Asts(2.4 A/TO) in 32 mins isn't a PG but a guy who averaged 12.4 pts, 5.7 Asts(2.1 A/TO) in 28 mins is a top 15 PG. Something about that argument seems a little fishy...

 

[Walton Goggins]

Breaking Down The Deal

DM: I think both Lee and Trevor are valued around the league. That has to be a factor in our trade. It’s not just what they’ll provide to us, but how they’re viewed around the league and I think both of them are valued. Obviously one of our stated goals is that at some point, and who knows when the opportunity will arise, we want to make a move for a star who comes lose, or like Boston did in trading for Garnett a few years ago. Obviously those opportunities don’t come along often but if something comes along like that, it’s something we have to look at and we feel like we’re in a similar or better situation to get those kinds of things done after this trade than before.

In Morey We Trust

I like this deal for the Rox. Loved Lee while he was at Orlando plus they save $ by trading Ariza. I can't help but think a big trade will happen sometime this upcoming season.

 

[Jewell]

(New team owner Mikhail) Prokhorov’s camp confirmed this morning that they’ve sent a request to the league to change the team’s name.Changing a team’s nickname, uniform or city name is a long process requiring that the owner gives the NBA notice 25 months in advance.The change, if it happens, would coincide with the team’s future move to Brooklyn.

Feel free to toss out some suggestions.The Brooklyn Shooting Tsars

 

[Bobcat10]

Brooklyn Bolsheviks

 

[TommyGilmore]

So a guy who averaged 15.5 pts, 5.7 Asts(2.4 A/TO) in 32 mins isn't a PG but a guy who averaged 12.4 pts, 5.7 Asts(2.1 A/TO) in 28 mins is a top 15 PG. Something about that argument seems a little fishy...

Iguodala averaged 17.1 points and 5.7 assists. Do you think he is a point guard too?

 

[Kev4029]

Curry > Collison.

Would agree. Was omitted from the list above.I would clump him Evans & Westbrook together. (Like Curry more myself)

What nba team do you follow? I was thinking maybe you were a big ucla fan before this post, and that was the reason you were so high on collison, but to rate evans as an equal pg to westbrook and curry as beter (which I don't think no 16 would even do as the goldens state homer on this board) shows that's not the case. Clearly college loyalties aren't the reason for the collison love.