Time For Rhetoric To Be Replaced With Results
This week has certainly provided more roller-coaster excitement and more over-the-top conjecture than the NBA Finals. Remember that? You know, the San Antonio Spurs. . .they won their fourth title. . .Tim Duncan. . .Eva. . .ah, forget about it.
Superstar talents are coming in (Greg Oden and Kevin Durant), and others could be on the move (Kevin Garnett, Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Jermaine O'Neal). Following what arguably can be referred to as one of the worst NBA seasons in recent memory, the prospects for the 2007-08 couldn't be any better. Right?
When people around the league are debating which Dr. Frankenstein laboratory creation should go No. 1 - the Bill Russell/Shaquille O'Neal amalgamation (Oden) or the Tracy McGrady/Garnett concoction (Durant), it trumps any Tony Parker driving layup or LeBron James off-target mid-range jump shot we were forced to watch (or ignore) when the month began. And, when the Minnesota Timberwolves refuse to hide their intentions to trade a future Hall of Famer like Garnett after 12 seasons, and the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns get involved in the discussions, you can't help but get lost in the possibilities.
Maybe it's just me, but the hyperbole could be a bit too much. I'll admit, I'm really keyed up about what could happen tonight - the potential trades, the potential of Oden and Durant - but it would be nice to just let things play themselves out - then go overboard. So much is being bantered about that my head is already spinning.
I mean, there was seriously a concern that Durant couldn't bench press 185 pounds? Are the Seattle SuperSonics or the Seahawks expected to select him No. 2 in this draft?
Oden supposedly had "health concerns" over his broken right wrist and a sub-par workout for the Portland Trail Blazers. Are we supposed to now forget that he never lost a home game in high school or at Ohio State?
Oden is expected to be the top pick today, but I find it funny that Oden's agent, Mike Conley Sr., and Portland rookie general manager Kevin Pritchard had to refute an ESPN report that the choice had been made.
I really believe that Oden is going to be great in the NBA. You cannot discount the impact of centers; despite the league's de-emphasis on prototypical big men and the proliferation of high-scoring wing players, Tim Duncan and O'Neal have won eight of the last nine NBA championships - but isn't it unfair to Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, O'Neal, Duncan and Yao Ming to refer to Oden as a once-in-a-generation-type center. In the past 25 years, there have been at least six (and no matter what position he has been masquerading as the past 10 years, Duncan is really a center).
As for the Garnett trade speculation, it's been downright ridiculous. First Boston and Minnesota discuss a deal and Garnett's agent quickly shuts it down (Although I agree with ESPN's Chris Broussard here).
Then, Minnesota and the Lakers begin talking a deal that could force Kobe Bryant to back off from his threat to do everything short of kicking and screaming. But Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale and general manager Mitch Kupchak begin to resemble two miserable participants on "Blind Date" who realize there isn't anything there, but they invite some friends (Indiana and Boston), make it double-date and all four teams go home without making a match.
And most recently, there was a supposed deal between Minnesota, Phoenix and Atlanta that would've put Garnett in Phoenix, Stoudemire in Atlanta (huh?) and the Hawks' lottery picks (No. 3 and No. 11) in Minnesota - until it was later reported that Phoenix and Atlanta never talked.
I feel like that '80s R&B group, Timex Social Club, "I just need some time/ some time to get away from/ from all these rumors/I can't take it no more. . ." But that's what this time of year is about. Teams talk about trades and a few get done. Remember last season, a record 16 deals took place on draft night. Portland was involved in six of them.
But I'm tired of the talk. I need results. I'm hoping for a few tonight.
By Michael Lee |
June 28, 2007; 8:27 AM ET
Previous: Oden Has The Goods To Be A Bonafide Star |
Next: The day is here (finally)
Posted by: iceberg | June 28, 2007 9:03 AM
Oh, and that R&B group that did "Rumors" was Timex Social Club, not Club Nouveau. Though they did use the same artwork as Club Nouveau on their albums...
Posted by: iceberg | June 28, 2007 9:09 AM
My bad, iceberg. You are so right. I get them mixed up because they had the same producer. I will correct that immediately. Good catch. "Rumors" was the jam, though, right?
Posted by: Michael Lee | June 28, 2007 9:28 AM
It's just plain hard to trade a guy making 22m with a 3-4m trade kicker when you're dealing with a 65-67m luxury tax. The T-Wolves,Atlanta, Suns deal as discussed on ESPN would have left the Suns 20-30m over the Luxury tax level if they couldn't figure out a way to purge hugh chunks of salary.
Nash, Marion and Garnett with his kicker would have eaten up most of 60m themselves.
I just can't see any team except maybe the Knicks because they're in that boat already that can do that.
I do think there's going to be some other dealing tonight, but it's just really difficult to move some of these guys contracts in the age of the luxury tax. Did McHale really think that he could get two lottery picks and purge 22m from his payroll all in one deal?
Posted by: GM | June 28, 2007 9:49 AM
If Ridnour can be traded for the 11 pick, why can't we trade Haywood for a 10-20 pick?
Posted by: CreditZard | June 28, 2007 10:07 AM
Yeah, "Rumors" was the jam that summer... then Eric B. & Rakim came on the scene and had everybody on the floor doing the wop!
Keep up the good work today, especially with all the rumors flying.
Posted by: iceberg | June 28, 2007 10:10 AM
Rumors was the jam! And man on man, the rumors have been rampant! Except for with the Wizards. I mean I have not heard a peep as to what EG is up to. I saw him on TV and he said a lot but at the same time nothing at all! LOL I wouldn't wanna play poker against him! Any word on the Brendan saga?
Have you heard anything at all as to what the Wiz are planning?
Posted by: WizFan4Life | June 28, 2007 10:12 AM
I am a little surprised that the Wizards haven't tried to get in on these deals using Jamison's expiring contract and maybe get either some high picks or a good player for themselves. Mr. Lee have any of the teams trying to do these multi-team deals contacted the Wizards?
Posted by: George Templeton | June 28, 2007 11:07 AM
CreditZard, don't you think Ridnour is a much better PG than Haywood is a C. And wouldn't you also say that trade rumuor is more proof that Billy Knight is an idgit.
Posted by: George Templeton | June 28, 2007 11:08 AM
My hope is that unless Julian Wright or Thaddeus Young is available at 16, Ernie will trade the pick to either PHX or PHI for two late 1st round picks. I'd also like it if we could get Strawberry in the 2nd round, but it appears he'll be gone by the time 47 rolls around.
And whats with the talk of including Daniels in trade packages? Unless Navarro is coming over, or they draft Crittendon (please no) that would leave WSH without a true point guard on the roster. I'm sure everyone noticed how badly the team struggled in the playoffs when AD wasn't on the floor. Granted, Gil and Caron were absent, but it seems wrong to get rid of the only guy on the team who can facilitate in times of adversity.
Posted by: Nick | June 28, 2007 11:12 AM
Oh, and is anybody else not thrilled with the prospect of taking Aaron Gray in the 2nd?
Posted by: Nick | June 28, 2007 11:19 AM
The second round is going to get real interesting. Aaron Gray, Taurean Green, D.J. Strawberry, and Alando Tucker are all going to be available. You know one, maybe two of those guys are going to be impact players, guys who six, seven years from now you look at the draft and go "HE WAS A SECOND ROUND PICK!!!!???"
Posted by: The Owl Wizard | June 28, 2007 11:23 AM
DCMAN88- DO NOT RESPOND TO HIM OR ACKNOWLEDGE HIM HE USES INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE ON THIS FORUM
If we can pick Glen "Big Baby" Davis from LSU in the 2nd round (BIG if) or trading down to acquire 2 late 1st round picks to use on him, it would be great. He's similar size and weight to Michael Sweetney and Lonny Baxter but much better and with more skills. I believe Sweetney was a lotto pick in 2003. If he can keep the weight off, he'd give us a good post presence off the bench and is also a good rebounder. Considerably much better bench with him on our team.
Not sure what's the situation w/ Michael Pietrus, but if he can be had for a reasonable offer, he'd fit in really well especially if DS and Arvis don't stay.
DCMAN88- DO NOT RESPOND TO HIM OR ACKNOWLEDGE HIM HE USES INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE ON THIS FORUM
Posted by: Wizzin' by Ya | June 28, 2007 12:15 PM
Big Baby is zooming up the board, so you can forget about him at 47 for the Wizards. And as for Aaron Gray in the second round, it is a far better acceptable risk/reward situation there than in the first round. I kind of hope they take Dowdell, although he probably won't fall to them.
Posted by: George Templeton | June 28, 2007 12:57 PM
George,
Full agreement on the relative merits of Ridnour vs. Haywood. It's not even close (and it's not like Ridnour is a great player).
As for Billy King ... he may well be an "idgit" but the situation in Atlanta is more fundamentally screwed up than just King. The fact that their estranged ownership partner, with whom the other owners are locked in a nasty legal dispute, has veto power over some trades and signings makes getting a deal done with the hawks a logistical nightmare, King's alleged incompetence notwithstanding.
Posted by: kalorama | June 28, 2007 2:19 PM
Your point is well taken on the Hawks' ownership Kalorama. It is just that Billy Knight sealed his fate with me when he took Marvin Williams and I ripped him that night for doing it. That was just dumb, utterly and completely stupid.
Posted by: George Templeton | June 28, 2007 5:16 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I'm glad that MIN/ATL/PHX deal appears not to be true. If it had, I would have been glad for KG but worried about the Wizards, who would have had another big guy to worry about in the Southeast.
Of course, that would have depended on Stoudemire's eroded work ethic making a strong rebound.