Comments for Free Agency and the Myths it Creates

Free Agency and the Myths it Creates

2009-07-04T00:02:31Z

{Dwayne Betts}

For a long time I thought Joe Dumars was ahead of the curve as far NBA execs went. But his pick up of Gordon and Villanueva seem contrary to logic. Gordon is a gunner, a two guard in a point guard's body. How he will play alongside Hamilton is anyone's guess - and as I remember, Stuckey was the point guard of Detroit's future. It seems like Dumars is putting together a team of ex Huskies with the hopes of getting Geno Auriemma to come and coach them next season. Chauncey Billups looks better and better with every new move Dumars makes.

Now, if you compare Dumars to Danny Ferry you see how someone behaves that wants to keep a job. In Dumar's defense, he has no Lebron James. Still, in getting Shaq, and going after Artest, Ferry is showing he's about making the Cavs champions. Though I gotta admit I like the Artest sign, if it were to happen, much better than the Shaq sign. Too bad Artest is going to the Lakers. The Cav's backcourt and the wing players didn't show up against the Magic. As much as I like Mo Williams and Delonte West, the Cavs are going to have to get a lockdown defender to guard the big threes in the league. James can't guard Pierce and Allen, or Carter and Lewis. Shaq isn't going to change that - what's worse, having Shaq will make the other holes in their lineup that much more glaring.

The Lakers though, by signing Artest, are telling the league that Kobe is gunning for another repeat. And I'm not sure if there is much to stand in their way as it is with none of the teams out West making any major moves. The Spurs added Jefferson - but they seem old. And the Nuggets - they have all the pieces, but none of the heart needed. Carmelo is going to have to own a series against a team like the Lakers for them to advance to the finals, and then he's going to have to do it again for them to win.

And while all this is going on Iverson is looking for a team, the Celtics are sending players to recruit Rasheed Wallace (why I couldn't tell you) and people are predicting the Clippers to make the playoffs.

Comment from Bruins2Lakers on 2009-07-03

2009-07-04T00:38:26Z

Folks in LA are generally thinking that the Artest move is a sweet teat for a repeat, but I am ambivalent. I think Ariza had so much upside and so much positive growth ahead of him. He was so sthletic. Artest, OTOH, is a menace to society, and I'm referring to on the court, not in court. He and Kobe--well, hell, Kobe doesn't have to play much D. Artest can be his Rodman while he just srills them, lays them up or jams them home.
The reason GM Mitch Kupchek even has Artest in that trade is due to the fact that Artest has been banging at the Lakers' back door for months, possibly years, but they couldn't get it inked. When Ariza's obnoxious and obviously green agent openly balked at the $5 mil exception and tried to take Ariza on a "How much can we get?" tour, starting with Cleveland, (where he leaked to the press that the Cavs had offered), Kupchek let them both fall through the trap door. He had Artest waiting in the wings, ready to take a pay cut. Now, Ariza's agent has egg on his face, while his client is stuck in Houston, with a retired Yao Ming. Be careful what you wish for...

Comment from Bruins2Lakers on 2009-07-03

2009-07-04T00:41:19Z

treat --not teat

Comment from keith on 2009-07-03

2009-07-04T00:56:18Z

I don't disagree with most of what you said here. I agree the Cavs are in desperate need for a swing man, much like my Mavs. Ariza would have been my choice to fill that void. I only take minor issue with your thoughts on how Shaq will make the holes in the Cavs lineup more glaring. 18 and 7 out of the post is not shabby, combined with the production they were already getting out of Z seems like an upgrade to say the least. Not to mention Shaq's ability to pass out of the low post. Its not like the Cavs were a run and gun team, ala the Suns. I don't see how this hurts them. Your right, it doesn't address their main need, but I don't think it makes them any worse.

I have to say, I was hoping Ariza would have made his way to Dallas. But am optimistic about Gortat, he's young and athletic something missing from the Mavs post since - oh since Tarpley. This also means they can package the expiring contracts of Stackhouse and Dampier for the swing man they need. I'm thinking Gerald Wallace would be the perfect fit for the Mavs.

Comment from Simple on 2009-07-04

2009-07-04T06:11:26Z

Artest is a strange character. I think that turmoil follows him because he's childish (rather than thuggish). It seems to me he got a bad rap in the Indiana/Detroit dust-up, which I blame on Ben Wallace, who started it because he couldn't let go of the flagrant foul, and most-of-all, on the punks in the stands. Artest is still a force. It's a tribute to Kobe's greatness that he kept scoring despite getting muscled by Artest. I think that the Artest - Rodman comparison is apt.

Comment from Bruins2Lakers on 2009-07-04

2009-07-04T18:18:35Z

Artest today said he want to "hood-ize" the Lakers! For much of their season the Lakers desperately needed hood-izing--especially in the Denver series.