2009 NBA Offseason Thread

[MavsFanFinley]

Interesting. Obviously about money which is no surprise. But it really bothers me when people back out of agreements. Thankfully it doesn't help Portland get stronger.

[dirno2000]

According to Bucher it wasn't money it was his wife. She strongly preferred Toronto because it's a five hour flight from Turkey and has a bigger Turkish population.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

According to Bucher it wasn't money it was his wife. She strongly preferred Toronto because it's a five hour flight from Turkey and has a bigger Turkish population.

I guess that's as good a reason as any.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

I guess that's as good a reason as any.

It's definitely more noble than most...

[dirno2000]

What a horrible turn of events for Shawn Marion. Earlier today the Globe and Mail reported that he had a 4 year $34MM on the table but was holding out for 5 and $50MM. A few hours later not only is that offer off the table but they renounced his right killing any potential sign and trade.

[chumdawg]

He'll still get 30MM, probably. I can't cry too many tears for him.

[grndmstr_c]

If you're Portland, is Lamar Odom now a target? Even if he's not the ideal fit, are you tempted enough by the opportunity to both add a quality player AND deal a significant blow to the Lakers?

[darkwitzki]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

I guess that's as good a reason as any.

Do Dallas have Turks residents as well?

[MavsFanFinley]

I don't feel sorry for Marion at all.

An article on realgm suggests that Portland will turn their attention to David Lee.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

According to Bucher it wasn't money it was his wife. She strongly preferred Toronto because it's a five hour flight from Turkey and has a bigger Turkish population.

Five-hour flight? Are they flying on the Concorde?

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

Five-hour flight? Are they flying on the Concorde?

Geodesics...

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Geodesics...

Must be some pretty fancy Geodesics to turn a flight from Toronto to Turkey into 5 hours, when a flight from New York to London is about 7.

From a bit of research here, http://www.flightstats.com/go/Flight...ightTracker.do, looks like New York to Istanbul is 7.5 to 8 hours, and Toronto is farther west than New York.

In short, Turkoglu's wife and Rich Bucher needs to educate themselves!

[dirno2000]

My bad. I skimmed his post while waiting in line at the grocery store. He actually said it's an additional five hours.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

My bad. I skimmed his post while waiting in line at the grocery store. He actually said it's an additional five hours.

Well, they still need to educate themselves, but now for reasons that are as of yet unknown to me.

[dirno2000]

Here's a behind the scenes look at a player/agent interaction that I found interesting. Ron Artest was filming a video for his blog on what sounds like the first night of free agency when his agent called to give him the rundown on where he stood and who was calling. Looks like the Lakers were on him early.

http://www.zshare.net/video/62232849d1d6c501/#

[chumdawg]

Interesting stuff. I couldn't really make out what the agent was saying, before they put the main audio on him. What did he say with regard to the Lakers?

All around interesting, though. I like how the agent says "word on the street" is Turk is going to Portland. And "did you hook up with LeBron?" Didn't know that Artest's cousin did time with Lebron's pop.

[EricaLubarsky]

Anyone read that Avery is most likely coaching Detroit?

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Anyone read that Avery is most likely coaching Detroit?

I think I heard that he is meeting with Joe Dumars today. Not positive about that, though.

[EricaLubarsky]

Ah found some linkage that wasnt just blog rumor...

Detroit Free Press:

Avery Johnson still top Pistons coach candidate
By VINCE ELLIS • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • July 4, 2009
http://www.freep.com/article/2009070...ch%20candidate

Another day passes, and the Pistons are still in the market for a head coach.

And as of Friday, it still appears that former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson is the favorite.

ESPN.com reported that Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars, after speaking to Johnson by phone, plans to meet him Sunday at Johnson's home in the Houston area.

Johnson fits Dumars' stated goal of hiring an experienced coach, but snags could crop up.

Johnson has a career winning percentage of nearly 75% and was once two wins from an NBA title. That type of resume could make Johnson's asking price a bit steep.

Cleveland Cavaliers assistant John Kuester and Boston Celtics associate head coach Tom Thibodeau have also been mentioned as candidates. Former Pistons coach Doug Collins withdrew his name from consideration earlier this week.

Dumars could expand his search, but that would seem to jeopardize his stated goal of having a coach in place by the time the team leaves for summer league play in Las Vegas next week.

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

Good luck Detroit.

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Interesting stuff. I couldn't really make out what the agent was saying, before they put the main audio on him. What did he say with regard to the Lakers?

All around interesting, though. I like how the agent says "word on the street" is Turk is going to Portland. And "did you hook up with LeBron?" Didn't know that Artest's cousin did time with Lebron's pop.

He started by saying that Houston wanted to talk tomorrow but that situation was up in the air due to Yao's health. Then the conversation went something like this:

Agent: I just talked to Mitch for about 30 minutes
Artest: What's he talking about
Agent: What do you think, he wants to get you a ring next year

He went on to say that he told the Lakers they were looking for more money but would keep in touch.

Kind of leads you to believe that Artest my have been their top priority.

[Tokey41]

Does anyone understand why Toronto went after Hedo? A five year deal at about 10 million per year seems incredibly steep for a guy on the wrong side of 30 who isn't a flat out star. It was my impression the Raptors were rebuilding. Perhaps they were trying to convince Bosh to stay, but if that's all they have up their sleeve I don't think the investment is going to pay off.

As for Detroit and Avery, my only regret is AJ not getting the chance to coach Sheed and/or Iverson. I would have loved to see those two tear into him to the media.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by dirno2000

He started by saying that Houston wanted to talk tomorrow but that situation was up in the air due to Yao's health. Then the conversation went something like this:

Agent: I just talked to Mitch for about 30 minutes
Artest: What's he talking about
Agent: What do you think, he wants to get you a ring next year

He went on to say that he told the Lakers they were looking for more money but would keep in touch.

Kind of leads you to believe that Artest my have been their top priority.

Cool. I can certainly understand the Lakers' interest in him. He's an absolutely perfect fit there.

[Dirkenstien]

So, ...look like Sheed will be signing with Boston.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...l_with_boston/

Will be an interesting season next season but barring some kind of miracle move the Mavs chances are over.

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

and they're after Grant Hill for the BAE. Do we really have a chance at the NBA championship? Every player just goes to the Lakers, Celtics or Cavs now. It would be an absolute shock if one of those 3 teams didn't win it.

It's kinda pathetic that this is becoming such a top-heavy league when there's a salary cap that's supposed to prevent that. It's becoming like baseball all the sudden.

[TheMaverick]

Celtics Lakers finals again?

sigh.

[MavsFanFinley]

I wonder if Wallace or Perkins will come off the bench? It would be a steal if they could get Hill with the LLE too.

[RareMilk]

I have absolutely nothing to do so I'm going to watch the Orlando Summer League which starts in 10 minutes. It is OKC vs ORL if you wanted to know.

http://www.nba.com/magic/2009_Orland...er_League.html

[fluid.forty.one]

I'm obviously so glad that Hedo wasted some prime FA period time for the blazers.

[MavsFanFinley]

So the Spurs don't make a very hard push for Wallace but they're willing to throw the whole MLE at Glen "Big Baby" Davis?

That's according to some reports. huh.

[CadBane]

Psycho T with 17/8 in his first summer league game.

[dirno2000]

Originally Posted by MavsFanFinley

So the Spurs don't make a very hard push for Wallace but they're willing to throw the whole MLE at Glen "Big Baby" Davis?

That's according to some reports. huh.

I don't understand that at all. Especially since they drafted Blair.

The fact that Dallas was reportedly interested Davis leads me to believe that his agent is feeding a lot of this stuff to the media.

[TheMaverick]

I thought they offered Sheed the MLE, he just decided to be KG's lapdog instead

[grndmstr_c]

I just don't understand offering Davis the MLE, period. No qualifiers necessary to make that one questionable, IMO.

[TheMaverick]

I agree, I would go after Powe before Davis

[grndmstr_c]

Originally Posted by TheMaverick

I agree, I would go after Powe before Davis

I'd go after Bass before Davis. Especially if I'm the Spurs and I have a pronounced need for athleticism at the 4/5.

[TheMaverick]

Good point, signing Bass would really be sticking it to Dallas imo.

[darkwitzki]

This from Big Ed Sefko:

The NBA's version of American Idol will begin later this week in Las Vegas when the summer league cranks up.

The Mavericks have an interesting roster, which includes first-round draftee Roddy Beaubois and a few intriguing other names.

One that you won't recognize on the list below is Moussa Seck, but let me assure you of one thing. After meeting him over the weekend, I can assure you that this is one tall, skinny dude.

He's probably a few years away from being NBA-ready. But he's got that one thing that no coach can teach. We've got a photo that we'll try to dig up and post ASAP.

By the way, not all of these players will go to Vegas. Some will be cut before the team leaves.

Numerical Roster

1 Aaron Miles G 6-1 175 Kansas
3 Rodrigue Beaubois G 6-2 182 Guadeloupe
4 Quinton Hosley F 6-6 210 Fresno St.
6 K.C. Rivers G/F 6-5 215 Clemson
7 Curtis Jerrells G 6-1 201 Baylor
8 Rudez Damjan F 6-10 200 Croatia
9 Luke Jackson F 6-7 215 Oregon
10 Henry Dugat G 6-0 174 Baylor
13 Nick Calathes G 6-6 194 Florida
14 Mickael Gelabale F 6-7 215 France
20 Herbert Hill F 6-8 235 Providence
30 Shan Foster G 6-6 205 Vanderbilt
34 Ahmad Nivins F 6-9 242 Saint Joseph's
35 Trent Strickland F 6-5 215 Wake Forest
44 Andre Brown F 6-9 245 DePaul
50 Alfred Aboya F 6-9 245 UCLA
51 Moussa Seck C 7-4 220 Senegal
55 Bryson McKenzie F 6-10 230 Northern Illinois

Head Coach: Monte Mathis, Toledo Assistant Coach: Darrell Armstrong, Fayetteville State


Moussa Seck - A black Bradley?

[MavsFanFinley]

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblog...-baby-off.html

According to the SA Express the Spurs FO hasn't talked to Davis since Wallace announced he would be signing with the Celtics. Looks like their focus has now shifted to McDyess.

Also interesting is that the Spurs signed Marcu Haislip. It's already been confirmed by the FO but the details of the contract are unclear. Most reports say it's a 2 year deal starting at $1.9 million but it's unclear whether it's with the LLE or part of the MLE.

[darkwitzki]

Adding McDyess instead of Marion is interesting..