NBA Offseason 2009

[BoBetter]

yeah, you're right about Blake. gotta give him credit for actually producing and earning playing time for the time that he did.

I am a bit surprised that there wasn't more interest in Miller in general. Seems like a solid point guard is hard to find these days....

Anyone think Chris Paul will be traded this year?

[jon abbey]

Anyone think Chris Paul will be traded this year?

no, they've said they're not moving him under any circumstances.

there's a category of players that you simply can't trade because you can never replace them: LeBron, Howard, Kobe, in-his-prime Shaq, Duncan, Magic, Jordan, Bird. Chris Paul is in this category, I think, especially considering how the rules have changed to favor quick guards.

[Captain Hate]

yeah, you're right about Blake. gotta give him credit for actually producing and earning playing time for the time that he did.

I am a bit surprised that there wasn't more interest in Miller in general. Seems like a solid point guard is hard to find these days....

Anyone think Chris Paul will be traded this year?

For what his physical attributes are I think Blake has overachieved in the NBA through hard work and perseverance. I have an obvious rooting interest for him but raw talent is what succeeds in the NBA and a team would always be looking to upgrade his position.

Miller isn't very flashy (I don't think he has much more raw talent than Blake; just a larger body) and Philly's been pretty much a black hole for players recently.

I agree with Jon; CP3 is untouchable unless he wants to go.

[faster]

I kinda hate Blake, but remember, his 40+% three point shooting helped spread the floor for all those Roy drives. I think the Miller signing is a little bit of a vote of confidence in Bayless. Keeping the contract to two years (and the third--a team option, kind of a sneak around the salary cap, apparently, since he can be traded and renounced) shows me they're still optimistic they'll get Bayless to be a PG as the team's hitting its prime.

[BoBetter]

Jason Williams! White Chocolate in NYC!

Huge pick up by the Knicks, if only they can get Balkman back now....

[jon abbey]

Jason Williams! White Chocolate in NYC!

Huge pick up by the Knicks, if only they can get Balkman back now....

they didn't really sign him, they claimed him off waivers, which means they have five days to exclusively negotiate with him before he becomes unrestricted. god knows what the purpose of that is, I didn't even know there was a waivers process like that in the NBA. Walsh has been rumored to be doing a fair amount of idiotic things this offseason, most of which haven't been true, but I'm hoping the rumors of Ramon Sessions for the midcap are correct, he's only 23 and a nice distributor/defender.

[BoBetter]

yeah Sessions wouldn't be a bad addition, because of his youth and upside. He and Duhon or both about the same in talent....

You won't really need a real point guard once Lebron comes running. I think the off season additions will seal the deal for him for sure.

[faster]

Yeah, I really wanted Portland to pick up Sessions. I've been watching clips lately, and, while his shot is as weak as advertised, he has legit PG court vision & can get to the hole seemingly at will. He'd be a great D'Antoni PG (although you know my real dream D'Antoni guy is Sergio Rodriguez...)

[faster]

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=933878

Scorekeeper story--a former NBA stat guy talks a lot of shit about NBA stats.

[Captain Hate]

That article is pretty funny; giving Van Exel 23 assists in a game should've pegged bullshit detectors around the league.

[The G Man]

The Knicks are about to sign Ramon Sessions. I expect D'Antoni to make him the starter. He has a 17.6 PER last year versus 12.2 for Duhon.

[walto]

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=933878

Scorekeeper story--a former NBA stat guy talks a lot of shit about NBA stats.

That's a great article. Thanks. It wouldn't be so bad if the errors--both intentional and unintentional--weren't systematically biased, but the business about the "elite" being made to look even better is the kind of thing I generally hate about the world.

"For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath." Maybe LeBron will average triple-doubles next year. After all, Ashley Tisdale has a recording contract and Elvis Presley made movies.

[Captain Hate]

Maybe LeBron will average triple-doubles next year.

That was pretty much put to rest by Jon Barry on the ABC pregame show at some point late last season. The other yoyos were acting like it was no big deal to up his assist numbers and I'm thinking "Are you fucking insane? If it was that easy lots of players would do it." Idiots.

[walto]

no big deal to up his assist numbers

Maybe it'd be a big deal for him, but for the stat guys, not so much, apparently.

[Noj]

Nick Van Exel and Anthony Peeler were my favorite Lakers during the non-contending years between the glory days of Magic/Kareem/Worthy and the Shaq/Kobe era. I remember that 23 assist game. Ced "The Garbage Man" Ceballos had some great stretches for LA too.

[faster]

Heh, I was still a Lakers fan back then, and I also liked Peeler & Nick. I saw Peeler throw up a silly 49 when he was at Missouri, literally just tossing up threes with hands in his face, completely unstoppable.

[walto]

I remember Ceballos being a funny guy. What's he up to these days?

[Noj]

No idea about Ceballos' current activities.

For those who missed the Marbury webcast, these are the highlights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pPwlrRkNVU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eUtSV519vU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2QEcadC_Rk
Loony tunes.

[Enforcer]

That's a great article. Thanks. It wouldn't be so bad if the errors--both intentional and unintentional--weren't systematically biased, but the business about the "elite" being made to look even better is the kind of thing I generally hate about the world.

Me, too. It's discussed matter-of-factly even by TV analysts. "In a few years, he'll get that call. But not as a rookie."

[Captain Hate]

That's a great article. Thanks. It wouldn't be so bad if the errors--both intentional and unintentional--weren't systematically biased, but the business about the "elite" being made to look even better is the kind of thing I generally hate about the world.

Me, too. It's discussed matter-of-factly even by TV analysts. "In a few years, he'll get that call. But not as a rookie."

Another reason for Stern to hit the trail.....