nbavg.org benjicolumns

[benji]

So, I'm kinda starting to actually write for the first time...

This is kinda advertising, so feel free to delete this Andrew. But this place is a lot more active than dotorg's forums, so there may be some discussion to get here. I will make threads on dotorg if people would prefer or desire to just discuss them there. Comments are also allowed, so I don't really care where they're discussed, I'll hit all the places. And I didn't really think I should make threads for each one.

So far, I've posted three entries. One ripping into Scoop Jackson and Jemele Hill, and another starting discussion of the Hawks focused around Ronald Murray. And then one about a trade that needs to happen. But they will not be the last. The next few will likely focus on the Hawks due to the late summer projections on how they should've performed based on last year's performances. (And because their stats finished first since I do it alphabetically.) The Warriors, Pacers, Bulls, and Pistons will also probably get some good focus over the next few because of this. Much of the overall theme going forward will be the differences between this season and last, and why what happened did. Also looking forward with the teams. (Such as the Bobcats potentially having a 45-50 win team if they could avoid injuries, make a couple moves and settle a rotation. The latter of which will never happen with Larry Brown at the helm.)

Up to date list of links:
This trade that needs to happen. #1 - Maggette/Crawford for Felton/Diop/Bell (April 17th, 2009)
The Strange Case of Ronald Murray (April 17th, 2009)
Scoop Jackson and Jemele Hill race to the bottom (April 16th, 2009)

[shadowgrin]

I see you eliminated the numerous spambot porn links in the dotorg forums.

[Lamrock]

Dotorg still has forums?

[shadowgrin]

No disrespect to CP3, but I’ve always said TP is the best point guard in the league. The fact that Parker has a Finals MVP, and CP3 hasn’t gotten to a Finals yet, trumps almost all arguments to me.

That is as stupid as the misuse of the "he has more rings!" argument.

[Andrew]

Looks like Jemele Hill's turned on Kobe. It's not all that surprising though, the trend these days is to write players off as useless the moment they hit 30.

[NovU]

Great reads. I really like the trade idea, and think it'd fill the needs of both sides.

I also agree on most of your analysis of "Scoop Jackson and Jemele Hill race to the bottom". Fun to read Benji's sarcasm and breakdowns.

[shadowgrin]

I thought Scoop Jackson was some kind of celebrity (streetball? d-list? z-list?) when watching those NBA specials/features, I never bothered to know. I had no idea he was a "resident NBA expert" at ESPN, just found out after reading that.

[air gordon]

about the charlotte/gsw trade

Jackson was the primary ball handler/facilitator for gsw. would it matter who's the PG anyway with Nelson as their coach?
a Crawford-larry Brown reunion? seriously?
felton is terrible from the land of 3. and i think he knows it. he's taken less shots and his % has gotten worse as well

[Null17]

I thought Scoop Jackson was some kind of celebrity (streetball? d-list? z-list?) when watching those NBA specials/features, I never bothered to know. I had no idea he was a "resident NBA expert" at ESPN, just found out after reading that.

He was from SLAM before ESPN snagged him up.

[benji]

Jackson was the primary ball handler/facilitator for gsw.

I know. And it was a terrible solution. He had to be the worst passer in the league who assisted on 25+% of his teams baskets. And when he was out, they seemed to have no clue what to do.

would it matter who's the PG anyway with Nelson as their coach?

The problem is all these players want to shoot, so they need someone to bring the ball up and not instantly fire it. And who can actually push the pace, big guards who aren't superstars never seem to be able to do this.

a Crawford-larry Brown reunion? seriously?

I doubt Brown's there longterm. Send Maggette-Jackson instead for all I care. I figure Crawford with his combo guard ability would be more enticing to both teams.

felton is terrible from the land of 3. and i think he knows it. he's taken less shots and his % has gotten worse as well

He was fine in his first two years, and he's not driving more or anything, he's just taking more long twos. (And actually driving less.) He needs to step back out, and I think in Golden State he would be encouraged to do so. His jumper percentage has dropped without the threes, even though he's taking more. I don't know why someone would get worse shooting when they're 23.

The idea isn't Felton as a starter or anything, the idea is dumping those massive contracts that are going to kill the team within two years, getting some solid reserves (especially ones who can defend) is just gravy. And for the Bobcats, they need to get offense, and need to clear out Felton for Augustin.

[air gordon]

it's an awesome deal for for GSW just to get rid of Crawford (who Nelson doesn't want anyway) and Maggette. I say they just go for someone like Duhon- better shooter, good defender, good contract. Apparently he’s available according to d’antoni. It would be easier to get him/hard to find someone to dump Crawford/Maggette’s contract on

The suggested trade is hardly a no-brainer for the Bobscat. Charlotte loses it cap flexibility for a few extra points. it’s nice to free up the PG spot for Augustin but not at that cost. Even if he has that awesome FT per FGA ratio, Maggette is on contract for 4yrs/~$40 mil & has his injury issues (or maybe that makes him a perfect fit for charlotte).

Charlotte could just let Felton walk & use their cap to sign someone like Gordon. or if they really like Crawford or Maggette, it would be smarter just to trade for one.

btw does Felton's upcoming FA status does make trading him dicey? i forget the quirks of sign and trading restricted FA's

[benji]

it's an awesome deal for for GSW just to get rid of Crawford (who Nelson doesn't want anyway) and Maggette. I say they just go for someone like Duhon- better shooter, good defender, good contract. Apparently he’s available according to d’antoni. It would be easier to get him/hard to find someone to dump Crawford/Maggette’s contract on

Problem is, they can't also get back useful reserves like Diop and Bell, they'd have to take on somebody like Jared Jeffries to make the salaries work. (And that's just for one of Crawford/Jackson/Maggette.)

The suggested trade is hardly a no-brainer for the Bobscat. Charlotte loses it cap flexibility for a few extra points.

What cap flexibility? They're on the hook for at least $50 million for the next two seasons. Okafor makes $10.5-11.5 million, Wallace $9-10 million, Diaw $9 million, Radman and Mohammed both $7 million, Diop makes $6-6.5 million. Radman and Nazr's contracts end in 2011 and the rest go well past then. The cap is expected to shrink as well so I wouldn't be surprised if they're over it again next year.

They can add Ben Gordon if they use the MLE, but at that cheap of cost the Bulls are going to bring him back. Especially after these playoffs.

[air gordon]

they'd have to take on somebody like Jared Jeffries to make the salaries work.

taking on Jeffries wouldn’t be bad since his contract expires next year (according to hoopshype no knicks salary/contract, not counting player options, extends past 2010)

What cap flexibility?

Maybe im reading the site wrong but Radman/bell expire next year. It’s wiser to have whatever $ committed to the serviceable Diop & Bell then stuck with 4yrs/40mil,injury prone Maggette & no defense playing Crawford (does his player option transfer when he gets traded??)

Gordon is unrestricted/the bull can’t match offers. If he wanted to stick up the bulls rear, he won’t wait for the bulls to give their offer and just go straight to whatever team he wants to play for

[Brave Sir Rubin]

That trade leaves Charlotte fairly weak at the PG spot.

Otherwise, it's a fairly good one.

I do not see why it must happen though, could be an interesting deadline trade if draft picks are involved.

[benji]

taking on Jeffries wouldn’t be bad since his contract expires next year (according to hoopshype no knicks salary/contract, not counting player options, extends past 2010)

Jeffries expires in 2011. Same as Radman. There's no way they don't take their options, they'd be giving up $7 million in exchange for no longer being in the league.

It’s wiser to have whatever $ committed to the serviceable Diop & Bell then stuck with 4yrs/40mil,injury prone Maggette & no defense playing Crawford

I don't think it is for a team like this. The team needs players who can score. They'd make the playoffs with Maggette only playing half the year and Crawford getting starter minutes along with Augustin/Diaw/Wallace/Okafor.

Gordon is unrestricted/the bull can’t match offers. If he wanted to stick up the bulls rear, he won’t wait for the bulls to give their offer and just go straight to whatever team he wants to play for

I meant match dollar wise, the Bulls can offer him more than anyone. Only a lunatic team would offer him much more than the MLE anyway.

If Charlotte made the trade and also signed Gordon they could probably muster up 47-48 wins.

I do not see why it must happen though

Because I said so.

This isn't the real world. It's benji-fantasy-world. In the real world, Charlotte is going to extend Felton and continue wasting minutes on him at the expense of the team. Golden State will continue not playing their young actual star players in order to keep playing their overpaid "stars" just like all teams in this situation where's there's younger superior youth behind "veteran" starters.

[air gordon]

yeh fair enough. i don't know how to read salary contracts lol

i say trade for one. not both. i'd go with Crawford. more durable, can hit 3's, can play both G positions. Maggette is similar to Wallace and i can't see him accepting coming off the yet bench again. and Nelson would gladly trade away Crawford

w/o consciously trying to turn this into a bulls thread... yeh i know the Bulls can give him the most...somewhere in the $7-9 mil range makes sense for Gordon- closer to 9 after the playoffs he's having