'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=207

Tim in NC: Should Charlotte go after Iverson this summer instead or resigning Felton.Iverson and Larry Brown reunion,pg:Augustine,sg:Iverson,sf:Wallace,pf:Diaw,c:Okafor

Nah – the Bobcats are building towards the future. Iverson would be a step into the past. Brown and AI teamed up to take the Sixers to the Finals, but that was many moons ago. I think Felton is underrated. If he agrees to a reasonable contract, the 'Cats should bring him back in the fold. It will be very interesting to see what happens Iverson this summer. His health is a major concern, and it appears the years of battle may have finally caught up to AI. The last few months in Detroit have been a blemish on his record. Since the Billups/Iverson trade was completed, the Pistons have plummeted in the East, while the Nuggets have played brilliantly under Chauncey's stewardship. If Iverson ever excepted the role of a 6th man on a very good team, that might suit him perfectly. He could come off the bench and provide energy and instant scoring. Also, playing limited minutes might help preserve his health. Just thinking out loud here - what if he signed with the Orlando Magic for the mid-level exception. He would see major minutes backing up both guard spots…However, I have a feeling Iverson still views himself as a star and will be looking to start and star wherever he lands.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12059

Cap Computed: Once July 1 hits, there is a moratorium on player movement. While teams can't announce any signings (although inking draft picks are allowed and a few other exceptions), there's nothing preventing an agent from stating his client's intentions.

In the meantime the league calculates the salary cap, luxury tax threshold, Mid-Level Exception and the like. The moratorium is lifted on July 8th at which points teams can officially get to work. Recent projections have the cap dropping slightly from $58.68 million to $57.3 million. If the tax threshold drops a corresponding 2%, it would fall from $71.15 million to $69.73 million.

Whatever the figures are will have a dramatic say in who has cap room (and how much) as well as which teams are over the luxury tax. Many teams will go through great lengths to get out from under the luxury tax. Given the economy, this may not be an especially lucrative summer for free agents.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12059

Cap Teams: It's impossible to say definitively which teams will have cap space. Typically there are number of deals made near the draft that alter the summer landscape. A number of players of opt out clauses that could also shake things up (like the Utah Jazz with Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Kyle Korver).
The following is a summary from an earlier column:
Memphis Grizzlies - $20 million
Detroit Pistons $16-17.7 million
Atlanta Hawks - $13-14.6
Oklahoma City Thunder - $10 million
Portland Trail Blazers - $9.1-16.7 million - the latter if they cut Travis Outlaw and Steve Blake before the end of June.
Utah Jazz - slightly less than $9.0 million - if Boozer, Okur and Korver all opt out.
Sacramento Kings - $7.2 million
Toronto Raptors - $7 million

The Blazers technically have less cap space with the rights to Joel Freeland and Petteri Koponen but both can be renounced. Also, it's technically possible for the Minnesota Timberwolves or Miami HEAT to get under the cap - but it would appear to be extremely unlikely. Since the Mid-Level Exception (MLE) represents the league's average salary, it may not drop from the $5.6 million. While teams like the Kings and Raptors can get under the cap, it probably isn't worth the effort (renouncing free agents, etc) to gain less than two million over the MLE.

Considering the Hawks have already clinched a playoff spot, they may be inclined to keep free agents Mike Bibby and Marvin Williams (restricted). A Western Conference executive (not affiliated with the Jazz) anticipates that Boozer will probably opt out but not Okur. Narrowing down the field, it looks like there will be four teams with spending power (Grizzlies, Pistons, Thunder and Blazers). The same executive suggests that Boozer is a natural fit in Detroit, likely to use up a big chunk of their cap space. That leaves perhaps two significant salary slots in Memphis, one in Oklahoma City and one in Portland.

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2009/03/pistons-vs-lakers-2.html

Pistons vs. Lakers
The Pistons take on the 56-14 Los Angeles Lakers tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills. At this point, especially after the loss in Chicago, the Pistons need every game to help secure a spot in the Playoffs. The Pistons, who have lost six of their last eight, are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, one game ahead of Chicago.

Detroit will again be without Allen Iverson, who wall called out on Tuesday during the TNT telecast about the validity of his injury by Reggie Miller. Whatever the the reason Allen Iverson is not with this team right now I always had the same feeling about Allen Iverson that Reggie Miller does. I was never a huge AI fan, but the one thing I always thought about him, besides his great game, was the fact that he played no matter what. When he got here I specifically said that anything short of a bullet wound, Iverson would play. Do you remember this? Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton will not play in tonight’s game against the Lakers. Something special about tonight’s FOX Sports broadcast of the game: “For the first time, FOX Sports Detroit’s collection of channels will present simultaneous telecasts of the same game, but from two different perspectives, when the Pistons take on the Los Angeles Lakers at the Palace on Thursday, March 26. The traditional game coverage will appear on FOX Sports Detroit and in high-definition on FOX Sports Detroit HD. Meanwhile, FOX Sports Detroit PLUS presents a “Match-up Cam” telecast, with a devoted camera isolating on key battles throughout the game among the many stars on each team.” Now that sound great, hopefully this becomes a regular feature for FOX.

Tip off is at 7:30 PM and will be locally broadcast on FSN. If you can’t catch the broadcast, listen locally on WDFN 1130 AM or trough your computer at NBA.com

A.I commercial as well in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12059

Free Agents: The top free agent will likely be Kobe Bryant (early termination option) but given the options - there's a high probability he stays with the Los Angeles Lakers. The following are the bigger name unrestricted free agents: Mike Bibby, Ben Gordon, Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, Andre Miller, Drew Gooden, Shawn Marion and Anthony Parker.

A number of players can opt-out but given the economy - their agents should probably advise their clients to stick around: Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejao, Jamal Crawford, Jermaine O'Neal, Eddy Curry, Al Harrington, Quentin Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Mehmet Okur and Kyle Korver. Carlos Boozer is also on the list but may be better served to explore the free agent market.

Complicating matters are the typically younger restricted free agents like David Lee, Nate Robinson, Paul Millsap, Marvin Williams, Raymond Felton, Linas Kleiza, Jarrett Jack, Hakim Warrick, Glen Davis, Leon Powe, Jamario Moon, Ramon Sessions, Charlie Villanueva, Marcin Gortat and Channing Frye (to name a few).

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=12059

1 + 1 = 3: The numbers just don't add up. There are too many free agents and not enough teams with spending power. If there are even five eight-figure deals that can be given out this summer - are they going to go to players nearing or over 30 like Iverson, Marion, Odom, Dre Miller and Kidd? What of choice restricted free agents like Lee, Millsap and Felton?

By and large the players are going to need their existing teams to either re-sign them or facilitate a sign and trade. That's not a position of strength for the players when it comes to leverage in negotiations. There's always the MLE but for some players, that's quite a pay cut.

Additionally teams may find their budgets generally constricted with a lower luxury tax threshold. It may be blood in the water and it's not the franchises that are chum - but a free agent pool that probably will be gravely disappointed at the slim pickings . . .

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Joel (Holland, Mich.): With only 12 games left, when could we expect to see AI, Sheed and Rip return? I think they all need at least four to six games to be a big factor in the playoffs.

Langlois: Based on what I saw on Wednesday, they’ll all get at least those four to six games. I wouldn’t be surprised if all three are playing by the weekend, either at Washington on Saturday night – when all of the attention outside of Detroit will be on whether Gilbert Arenas follows through on his stated intention to finally suit up – or on Sunday night back at The Palace for Philadelphia.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Ken (Dharamsala, India): Using the 2004 season as a barometer, one can see that Prince and Hamilton have improved their game and Stuckey is close but a notch below Billups at this stage. The real dropoff is the departed Ben Wallace and an older Rasheed. Can the Pistons get two quality big men by next season through the draft, trade or free agency?

Langlois: Let’s not forget Antonio McDyess, who says he wants to play one more year – you can bet that will be in Detroit. Yes, the Pistons can definitely add one other quality big man, either via trade (a distress sale, a la Marcus Camby) or free agency (Carlos Boozer, perhaps?), and then I also think they can bring back Rasheed Wallace. If they get that one, big-time, younger frontcourt player, then they can reduce the workload on Wallace and McDyess and make them more effective in shorter bursts.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Stacy (Mechanicsburg, Pa.): The commentators for TNT in Tuesday’s game said all three of Iverson’s tests on his back came back negative and suggested Iverson is using his “back pain” as an excuse so he does not have to come off of the bench. What do you think?

Langlois: That’s a tough one, Stacy. Back injuries are notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Is it possible his ego got bruised and made him feel a little less urgency to rush his return? Sure. But I know this: Iverson is a pending free agent and knows that his market value would take a major hit, as a 33-year-old coming off of a mysterious and lingering back injury. If he doesn’t get back on the floor before the season ends and, beyond that, show he can still be a game-changing player, he’ll have to take pennies on the dollar this summer. So there’s motivation for him to return, and I think you’ll see it, as I said above, very soon.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Fran (Southfield, Mich.): I know hindsight is 20/20, but do you think Joe Dumars would have made the same decisions this season if he thought it was a real possibility that the Pistons might not make the playoffs?

Langlois: I won’t speak for him, but I think he’d point out, without making excuses, that the precarious position the Pistons are in today – though with Charlotte’s loss at Washington on Wednesday night, it’s not quite as precarious as it might have been – has more to do with Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson all missing about 20 percent of the season than the trade of Chauncey Billups. He knew the trade entailed risk. He knew there was a chance this year’s team would take a step back. He also figured the addition of Iverson might provide the missing ingredient that would rev up the offense in the postseason. And you know what? If Iverson gets healthy – and he looked pretty spry shooting around at the practice facility Wednesday afternoon – he might still provide that spark.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Jonny (Alpena, Mich.): The New Orleans Hornets continue to lose money. Would they consider trading Chris Paul this summer? I’m sure Joe D wouldn’t say any player on his roster is untouchable if you get that guy in return.

Langlois: If they trade Paul, they might as well put the “closed for business” sign on the door, Jonny. They’ll do everything else first, including essentially giving away other players. But Paul is the franchise.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Tony (Suffolk, Va.): How can you explain why the Pistons are having problems with sub-.500 teams? How is it that energy is very non-existent with the season winding down?

Langlois: It’s pretty simple, Tony. They’re a team that averages a little over 90 points a game and they’ve got 50 of it sitting in street clothes. Take half of any team’s top six players away for more than one or two games and they’re going to suffer.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Sue (Huntington Woods, Mich.): Are the Pistons tanking it this year? I understand injuries, but there doesn’t seem to be a sense of urgency to get any of the starters back. How concerned are they about making the playoffs?

Langlois: I think “very” is the correct answer. Are they tanking it? Ummm, no. If they were tanking it, do you think they’d be playing Antonio McDyess 40 minutes a night? Trust me, everyone from Joe Dumars to Arnie Kander is doing everything in their power to return the Pistons to full health, but there’s only so much medically or humanly possible to hasten the healing of strained muscles.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Ben (Cebu, Philippines): You mentioned Stuckey was the reason for trading Billups, but did Will Bynum ever figure into the equation? The way Bynum is playing of late, I would say he has been a major part of the reason Joe made that trade with confidence.

Langlois: I truly don’t think Bynum’s presence played much of a role in the deal, Ben, but the way he’s played since the trade has to make Joe Dumars feel even more sure it was the right thing to do for the Pistons’ future. The Pistons obviously liked Bynum and have dating back to his college days, but he’s exceeded their expectations, especially in the 14 games since Allen Iverson went out. The one ironclad certainty of the off-season for the Pistons is that Joe D will pick up the team option on Bynum’s contract and be back next season, perhaps with a more prominent role than filling in for five or six minutes each half when Rodney Stuckey takes a break. I’m not suggesting he’ll be the starting point guard, but perhaps – depending on who else might be added this summer – there will be times when Bynum and Stuckey play together with Stuckey’s versatility and size allowing them to go with a three-guard rotation.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

T.J. (Detroit): What’s going on with Rodney Stuckey? He seems to be settling for jump shots and often just hands the ball off after he walks it past mid-court. Has Joe D changed his thinking on his point guard of the future?

Langlois: Stuckey’s strength remains taking it to the basket, but no point guard can live by that alone. It’s a good sign that Stuckey is beginning to lean more on his jump shot. Chris Paul and Deron Williams are considered the face of the future at point guard in the NBA and one big reason both are so good is they can knock down the mid-range and longer jumper. The key for Stuckey will be in honing the range and consistency on his jump shot while improving his decision-making on when to push and when to pull back. As for Joe D, no, he’s all in with Stuckey.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Mike (Madison Heights, Mich.): Am I the only one who thinks Stuckey isn’t ready to be the starting point guard? He drives to the basket too much and allows himself to get blocked a lot. His skills are there but he needs more experience.

Langlois: If he’s making jump shots, no one will complain that he shoots too many jump shots. If he’s not getting layup attempts blocked, no one will complain that he drives to the basket too much. Joe D sees those skills you see and believes the best way to speed the process of turning Stuckey into the dynamic point guard he’s convinced he will become is to play him. He’s 22. You’re going to live with some mistakes. But the prospect of what he’s going to be like at 24 or 26 for the experience he’s picking up now is pretty exciting.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Richard (Howell, Mich.): With the flexibility the Pistons have this off-season, how likely do you think it is that they can return to a 50-win season next year?

Langlois: I’d run to Vegas and make that bet, Richard. They were 22-12 at one point this season before injuries, among other things, ran them off the tracks on two occasions. They’re going to add at least one impact player over the summer and they can reasonably expect improvement from Rodney Stuckey at the game’s most critical position.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Brandon (Fostoria, Mich.): How is Walter Sharpe coming along? I haven’t really heard much about him lately and can’t seem to find anything on the Internet about him.

Langlois: It’s been tough for Sharpe to get any meaningful practice time in lately because the Pistons have been too beat up and shorthanded to conduct many full-contact practices. It seems like every time Sharpe gets in a game, which isn’t very often, he comes up with one eye-opening offensive play. He’s an intriguing offensive prospect because he’s got great size and ball skills for a small forward. The Pistons thought it was important that Sharpe spend the bulk of this season with them so they could closely monitor Sharpe’s narcolepsy, the sleep disorder that was only diagnosed in late 2007. Maybe next year they’ll decide to give him a few more doses of the D-League. I think it’s important that he gets to play as much five-on-five basketball as possible, because all those individual skills need refinement within the framework of team offense and defense. The Summer League also will be critical for Sharpe.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Josh (Hsinchu, Taiwan): Can you give a clear explanation of all the ways that this summer’s free-agent market and salary cap will be affected by the troubled economy?

Langlois: I wish I could. The truth is nobody really knows what type of marching orders owners who’ve felt the pinch are going to give their GMs. The assumption was that the salary cap would inch up by a million or so, as it usually does, but now there’s the possibility it could come down a little – and also the likelihood that next year will be even tougher for NBA teams because of the timing of season-ticket renewals and corporate sponsorship deals. This much we know: The Pistons are going to go into the summer with about $20 million in cap space and they’ll be able to land at least one high-impact newcomer with that, maybe two.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox ... ilbag.html

Alan (Westland, Mich.): Why was Iverson brought to Detroit and not Grant Hill? In my opinion, Hill would have been the better choice of players.

Langlois: Start with the fact that Hill would have been a backup to Tayshaun Prince, who plays 35 to 40 minutes a night. But a Hill-Chauncey Billups deal wasn’t workable because of the salaries. Phoenix would have had to throw another $9 million or so into the deal, and unless it was a contract that was coming off the books after this season, it would have negated a critical motivation for executing the Iverson deal in the first place – the ability to strike in free agency this summer in an off-season when the Pistons will have the field largely to themselves.