Misc. signings, etc.

[creAtivetfh]

wow the clippers are making moves....

b.davis
r.davis
thorton
camby
kaman

thats not bad... not as good as keeping brand but still its nice...

wow camby and kaman are going to foul out of A LOT of games with those matadors in front of them.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

the clippers will suck. Thats 3 guys that are chuckers. Kaman is a turnover waiting to happen and I don't know how camby will play for the clips

Come on, they're probably not bad as Golden State--that's real chucking right there. At least they have two legitimate post defenders to back them up in Kaman and Camby. But any team that has R. Davis is always the mark of a bad team--he's a curse to any team he joins.

 

[One and Done]

It'll be interesting to see how the Clippers pan out.

They have a good set of players, but that doesn't always pan out (remember how the '05-'06 Kings started?)

Their frontcourt will be a question-mark - I'm not sold on the Kaman/Camby frontline until I see it work - as will the health of Baron Davis. But I do like the Davis/Thornton pairing...that should give a half-full Staples center something to cheer about. Ricky Davis, while a considerable curse, gives them much needed swingman-help off the bench.

As of now, teams I see getting better in the West in terms of W/L records: Portland, LAC, Minnesota...Teams getting worse: Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, Golden State...Teams staying about the same: Sacramento, Memphis, OKC, Last Years Top 5.

 

[Warhawk]

Nuggets acquire Knicks' Balkman in trade package

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3508429

DENVER -- The Denver Nuggets acquired forward Renaldo Balkman from the New York Knicks on Monday for guard Taurean Green, forward Bobby Jones and a second-round draft pick in 2010.
The Nuggets also get cash in the deal announced by Mark Warkentien, Denver's vice president of basketball operations.
The Knicks are expected to waive Green and Jones at a savings of about $2 million. Both players have non-guaranteed contracts.
A former first-round pick, Balkman was going to struggle to find minutes in a crowded forward rotation. The Knicks took another forward, Danilo Gallinari, with the No. 6 selection in the June draft.
"Renaldo really had no role after we drafted Gallinari, and with the emergence of Wilson Chandler his minutes would be nonexistent," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said in Macau, where is on the U.S. Olympic team staff. "So it really wasn't fair to him to keep him in a spot that he wouldn't play and also gives us an opportunity to clear up a roster spot and move on."
The 6-foot-8 Balkman averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 65 games for the Knicks last season. He has averaged 4.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in two seasons with the Knicks, shooting .499 from the field.
Green averaged 1.1 points in nine appearances with Denver last season. Jones averaged 3.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in two stints with the Nuggets during the 2007-08 season.

 

[Warhawk]

Clippers add size to front line, bring back former draftee Skinner

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3513711

LOS ANGELES -- Free-agent forward Brian Skinner, a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Clippers 10 years ago, signed with the team on Thursday.
The Clippers reached a deal with the 6-foot-9, 255-pounder, who averaged 3.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 66 games for the Phoenix Suns last season.
Terms were not announced.
"Brian Skinner is a veteran NBA player who will give us both size and depth in the middle," Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor said in a statement. "We are familiar with Brian, and know that he will be a good fit in his return to the Clippers."
Skinner has averaged 4.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 538 career NBA games with eight teams. He was the 22nd overall pick in the 1998 draft and played his first three professional seasons with the Clippers.
"We are very pleased to add Brian to our front line," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "He adds great size, presence and veteran experience to our team."
The 32-year-old Skinner is the latest in a long line of additions to the team this summer, joining Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Ricky Davis, Jason Hart and first-round draft pick Eric Gordon.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Kaman, Camby, Skinner... where's the offense coming from? I know they have Baron, and Kaman put up some good #s out there, but talk about a defensive focus...

 

[Bricklayer]

Kaman, Camby, Skinner... where's the offense coming from? I know they have Baron, and Kaman put up some good #s out there, but talk about a defensive focus...

Who cares about the offense -- that is one big rugged defensive minded frontline. Knowing the Clips it will fall apart, but you can win a lot of games when you dominate the interior defensively and on the glass (you can send Geoff a post it with that little tidbit of info on it if you'd like). Its just unfortunate their wing scorers are probably too young to handle the load before Camby starts to show his age.

 

[AriesMar27]

depending on how well they rebound, all of their points may come from put backs...

 

[Gargamel]

It'll be interesting to see how the Clippers pan out.

They have a good set of players, but that doesn't always pan out (remember how the '05-'06 Kings started?)

NEVER bet on the Clippers to do anything positive. If it happens, then let it surprise you. It almost always doesn't happen. They're in a class by themselves.

 

[Warhawk]

Guard Williams signs five-year, $25 million deal to return to 76ers

Sounds like a full MLE deal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3519199

PHILADELPHIA -- The 76ers re-signed guard Louis Williams on Monday, keeping a key member of Philadelphia's first playoff team in three years.

Williams


The deal was reportedly worth more than $25 million over five years.
Williams, who was a restricted free agent, averaged 11.5 points in 23 minutes per game last season.
The 21-year-old Williams was selected out of high school with the No. 45 overall pick in the second round of the 2005 NBA draft. He's averaged 7.2 points, 2.2 assists and 1.5 rebounds in his first three seasons.
Philadelphia signed two-time All-Star forward Elton Brand earlier this summer, and added free-agent guards Royal Ivey and Kareem Rush last week. Forward Andre Iguodala remains a restricted free agent.

 

[SacKings7]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3508429

DENVER -- The Denver Nuggets acquired forward Renaldo Balkman from the New York Knicks on Monday for guard Taurean Green, forward Bobby Jones and a second-round draft pick in 2010.
The Nuggets also get cash in the deal announced by Mark Warkentien, Denver's vice president of basketball operations.
The Knicks are expected to waive Green and Jones at a savings of about $2 million. Both players have non-guaranteed contracts.
A former first-round pick, Balkman was going to struggle to find minutes in a crowded forward rotation. The Knicks took another forward, Danilo Gallinari, with the No. 6 selection in the June draft.
"Renaldo really had no role after we drafted Gallinari, and with the emergence of Wilson Chandler his minutes would be nonexistent," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said in Macau, where is on the U.S. Olympic team staff. "So it really wasn't fair to him to keep him in a spot that he wouldn't play and also gives us an opportunity to clear up a roster spot and move on."
The 6-foot-8 Balkman averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 65 games for the Knicks last season. He has averaged 4.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in two seasons with the Knicks, shooting .499 from the field.
Green averaged 1.1 points in nine appearances with Denver last season. Jones averaged 3.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in two stints with the Nuggets during the 2007-08 season.

There we go, that makes up for the Camby trade

 

[Warhawk]

Suns reportedly to sign second-round pick Dragic from Spain

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3543401

Having lost guard Gordan Giricek to Europe, the Phoenix Suns are going overseas to find a backcourt replacement.
According to the Arizona Republic, Goran Dragic will take a physical in Phoenix on Tuesday in anticipation of signing with the team.
The Suns anticipate using the 22-year-old Slovenian as Steve Nash's backup.
"It's always refreshing to hear guys who are appreciative to play on this stage," said Bill Duffy, president of the BDA Sports agency which represents Dragic. "It's not a sense of entitlement with him. He's humble, confident and hard-working."
The newspaper reported that Dragic has agreed to buy out his contract with Tau Ceramica of the Spanish League and must pay nearly three-fourths of his rookie salary to do so. Duffy said that the Suns will pay $500,000 toward the buyout, with Dragic picking up the remaining $1 million. Contractual details may actually prevent the Suns from officially signing the 6-foot-4 point guard until September.
Duffy told the Republic that Dragic will receive a four-year deal that approaches the salary of a mid-level first-round pick in this year's draft. The San Antonio Spurs selected Dragic in the second round (45th overall) and traded his rights to the Suns.

 

[bajaden]

There we go, that makes up for the Camby trade

I love the way they exaggerate the heights. Balkman's measurement height at the combine was 6' 5.25" without shoes and 6' 6.5" with shoes. The last time I checked, Camby was around 6' 11". Somehow, I just don't think that Balkman is going to play center. What he is, is a shooting guard without a jumpshot. My mistake. He's a shooting guard with no shot.

You may have guessed that he's not on my wish list.

 

[Warhawk]

Big D welcomes back George with new contract

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3544586


Devean George's stay in Big D is going to last longer than anyone imagined.

George



George and the Dallas Mavericks have reached an agreement on a new two-year contract worth about $4 million, according to his representative.
Agent Mark Bartelstein told ESPN.com on Wednesday that the deal soon will be made official and includes a player option for George to return to free agency after the coming season.

more....

 

[Warhawk]

Seven years later, Ratliff returns to 76ers

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3544942

PHILADELPHIA -- Theo Ratliff returned to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, seven years after he was traded from the team during its run to the NBA Finals.
The 35-year-old Ratliff played 26 games for Minnesota and Detroit and appeared in 12 of the Pistons' 17 playoff games.
Terms of Ratliff's deal with the Sixers weren't disclosed.


more....

 

[AriesMar27]

darius miles signed with the celtics......

 

[chasen4r1]

darius miles signed with the celtics......

I was just going to post the same thing. I thought he was long gone.

I question the decision on the Celtic's part. For coming off of a historic championship run, I would expect them to go after veterans who aren't a risk of being a locker room cancer. Hopefully Miles realizes he doesn't have too many chances left.

 

[AriesMar27]

this is a low risk thing for the celtics.... i wonder if they would take a chance on livingston as well... that would be something..... if darius pans out then thats great if not no big deal...

 

[Warhawk]

Cheeks agrees to contract extension with Sixers

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3577914

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers revamped their roster this summer with key signings. Now they've made sure their coach will be there, too.

Cheeks


The 76ers gave Maurice Cheeks his second contract extension in seven months Tuesday, capping a busy summer highlighted by the addition of free-agent forward Elton Brand. Cheeks previously signed a one-year extension on Feb. 20. Terms of the latest deal were not disclosed.

more....

 

[Warhawk]

New Celtics contract to pay Rivers about $5.5M annually

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3579039

BOSTON -- Doc Rivers will see some more green for leading the Green to the championship.
Rivers received a contract extension giving him three more years as coach of the Boston Celtics on Tuesday after leading them to an NBA title one year following the second worst season in team history.

Rivers


Rivers' contract, which had one year left, was extended through the 2010-2011 season at an annual salary of about $5.5 million, according to a person familiar with the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team does not release contract details.

more....

 

[Bricklayer]

Oh damn!

I guess tiime to watch hockey this season rather than the fading star that is the NBA:


http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi...gic_forward_pat_garrity_announces_retirement/

Magic Forward Pat Garrity Announces Retirement

Sep 11, 2008 12:38 PM EST

Magic forward Pat Garrity has decided to call it a career after ten seasons in the NBA nine of which were with Orlando.
more...

 

[Warhawk]

Cavs re-sign restricted free agent West to multiyear deal

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3584268

CLEVELAND -- Two prolonged contract holdouts early last season hurt the Cleveland Cavaliers, damaging their chances of getting back to the NBA Finals.
They made sure it wouldn't happen again.

Delonte West

Shooting Guard
Cleveland Cavaliers
Profile

2008 Season StatsGMPPGRPGAPGFG%FT%618.33.23.8.413.736

NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Cavs signed guard Delonte West to a three-year deal worth $12.6 million.
The Cavaliers hold a team option on the third year.
Cleveland wanted to limit West, a restricted free agent, to two guaranteed seasons to preserve as much financial flexibility as possible for the summer of 2010, when LeBron James is an unrestricted free agent. But West, sources said, is guaranteed $500,000 for the 2010-11 season from the Cavs in the event they decline to pick up his option.

more....

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Not really of the opinion that this warrants its own thread, and it does fall under the definition of "et cetera," so:

http://deadspin.com/5050396/the-national-anthem-josh-howard-doesnt-celebrate-that-s

 

[Larry89]

Not really of the opinion that this warrants its own thread, and it does fall under the definition of "et cetera," so:

http://deadspin.com/5050396/the-national-anthem-josh-howard-doesnt-celebrate-that-s

Wow first, he can't control what the ball does man, you guys crazy, and now this. oh yeah and he smokes illegal drugs.

 

[Bricklayer]

Not really of the opinion that this warrants its own thread, and it does fall under the definition of "et cetera," so:

http://deadspin.com/5050396/the-national-anthem-josh-howard-doesnt-celebrate-that-s

Wow, Josh Howard seems to be pulling the Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and becoming a true public relations disaster for them now. Might be a bigger blow to that franchise than anything else has been -- rare to see a star player suddenly start imploding at 29. This is more the kind of crap you see out of dumb kids.

As an aside, at the point that a country has made you a multi multi gazillionaire when your only salient skill is the ability to bounce a big orange ball, I think you pretty much lose the right to play an aggrieved party. Or aggrieved child as the case may be.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

At least Abdul-Rauf hid behind the blanket of his faith; Howard only has his stupidity to keep him warm...

 

[chasen4r1]

I already replied to ths in the controversy thread in the nba forum so I wont repeat what I said. But I wonder how many times he is going to make me sit back and ask myself "What in the world is he thinking?". I realize Mark Cuban thinks he can do what he wants when he wants to, but he needs to finally sit Howard down and tell him that the world is not just an open soap box. Sometimes it's actually better to think about what you do before you do it.

 

[6th]

At least Abdul-Rauf hid behind the blanket of his faith; Howard only has his stupidity to keep him warm...

From the looks of it, he'll always be warm

 

[Gargamel]

As an aside, at the point that a country has made you a multi multi gazillionaire when your only salient skill is the ability to bounce a big orange ball, I think you pretty much lose the right to play an aggrieved party. Or aggrieved child as the case may be.

I frankly think he used the term "black" to mean "ghetto". I doubt a political stance was coming from his THC-luded mind, although I also doubt he really does have a respect for the NA. He was really crass about it, sure, but the meaning is lost upon a lot of younger idiots like himself who've never sacrificed for their country, respect those who have, or know their own history. I'd venture to guess that he himself doesn't even know African American history all that well.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Josh Howard has always been an immature dunce with trouble following him everywhere. During senior year at his North Carolina high school he was handcuffed by cops at around midnight loitering at a gas station with friends the night before he was taking critical SAT exam. Undercover police suspected he and some other teens were selling drugs so they were detained. In order to go to a major university on a basketball scholarship Howard needed an SAT score of at least 950. He was no where near that qualifying number saying he scored, "somewhere in the 500's." He ended up at a small Div II school for a year before finally Wake Forest took him - never graduating with a degree.