ESPN's John Hollinger: Mid-Level Disasters

[kingsnation]

Will the curse of the midlevel strike again?


Over the past half-decade, the history of players who sign for the full midlevel exception has been an unmitigated disaster. You'd think this would dissuade teams from offering it in all but the most overwhelming bargains, but once the silliness of free-agent season starts, it seem they just can't help themselves.
For instance, the two players to get the full midlevel exception so far this summer are Beno Udrih and DeSagana Diop.
Ugh.
Udrih had a nice run as the Kings' emergency replacement at the point this past season, but that's the whole point: He was seen as a success mainly because the expectations were so low. Sacramento signed him as roster filler and was pleasantly surprised when it turned out he actually could play a little.
That doesn't mean the Kings should pay him the full midlevel for a half-decade, though. Udrih is 26 and a career 43.9 percent shooter. The most similar players at the same age are Vonteego Cummings, Khalid Reeves and Doug Overton, and his projected PER for 2008-09 comes in at 12.99. He's a good backup, but that's about it.
Given the Kings' recent history with their midlevel (coughShareef Abdur-Rahimcough), you'd think they would be a little more reticent to shell out -- especially given Geoff Petrie's rep as one of the game's shrewdest talent evaluators. One has to wonder whether the Maloof brothers' enthusiasm for their own players was a driving force here, and if so, whether it will come back to bite them again -- just as it did when Mike Bibby hit free agency in 2002.

Full Article on Free Agency: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/colum...FreeAgency-080703&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/colum...FreeAgency-080703&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

 

[NewArena]

He obviously didnt watch beno at all this year, how can he compare 80 million for 7 years to just the MLE? hes a stat guy, not surprised at all that this retard used PER for this little article.

 

[Heuge]

He obviously didnt watch beno at all this year, how can he compare 80 million for 7 years to just the MLE? hes a stat guy, not surprised at all that this retard used PER for this little article.

I agree with the author.

 

[Entity]

I liked the way he used players nobody knows instead of using players like Jameer Nelson whos stats are almost identical to Beno. You can't expect him to have these huge numbers when he is at best the 4th option on the team and other than bringing the ball across mid court he don't handle it as much as Ron or Brad. but hey Mr. Hollenger if it fits your own agenda to make a article then by all means continue to write.

 

[captain bill]

i dont get why he is complaining about diop. sure he's not a big stat guy, but he's big and can play d, which is one of the hardest things to come by and one of the most important things to have in the playoffs. yeah it sucks that teams have to spend money to get talent, but does hollinger honestly expect that guys like these are gonna take less than the mle? teams have to gamble to pick up talent and considering that they'll still have the mle next year its not a bad move to make. i looked at cumming's and overton's pages and i honestly don't see the similarity at all. hollinger is a fool for calling this a 'disaster.' a better word would be 'gamble'. id also add that i'll take popvich's endorsement of udrih over hollinger's rantings seven days a week. a poorly thought out article that doesn't even begin to address either teams needs- that the kings need a pg and without udrih they would have to sign an even worse player or play a second-round draft pick at point, and that dallas is going to need as many good low-post defenders as they can get if they don't want to get eaten alive in the playoffs. both teams are also lower on f.a. destinations and have to make do with what theyve got.

 

[NewArena]

I agree with the author.

Well then i think you both are way off. Since when is 5 or 6 million in this day and age overpaying? Especially when its a really good young player that fits a position of need, i just dont know where you guys are coming from. I understand we have had some bad luck with the MLE and everyone is worried about the 2010 plan and everything but i dont think this hurts that at all.

 

[Heuge]

Well then i think you both are way off. Since when is 5 or 6 million in this day and age overpaying? Especially when its a really good young player that fits a position of need, i just dont know where you guys are coming from. I understand we have had some bad luck with the MLE and everyone is worried about the 2010 plan and everything but i dont think this hurts that at all.

Give a guy the MLE for 5 years who has only less then a half of a season of consistent play is asking for trouble. I fail to see how questioning another MLE by this team, given our history, makes me "way off". If anything I wonder how more flack isn't being given for our foolish use of the MLE.

 

[NewArena]

Give a guy the MLE for 5 years who has only less then a half of a season of consistent play is asking for trouble. I fail to see how questioning another MLE by this team, given our history, makes me "way off". If anything I wonder how more flack isn't being given for our foolish use of the MLE.

Because comparing him to shareef and freaking Mikki moore is rediculous thats why. Beno clearly has talent and is worth 5 million, thats pretty much the lowest you can be paid if you arent a rookie or 37 years old. My god you act like we just gave him....i dont know, 111 MILLION!

 

[Heuge]

Because comparing him to shareef and freaking Mikki moore is rediculous thats why. Beno clearly has talent and is worth 5 million, thats pretty much the lowest you can be paid if you arent a rookie or 37 years old. My god you act like we just gave him....i dont know, 111 MILLION!

Less then half a season=5 years on roster. Brilliant!

 

[HighFlyingMonkey]

Less then half a season=5 years on roster. Brilliant!

I take it you weren't paying attention this last year pre-Beno.