NBA Free Agency 2010 - The Year Of LeBron

[AwakenTheDemon]

An assortment of information:

[u]- Player Movement -[/u]
Udonis Haslem will remain with the Heat. Surprise, surprise.
[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5374210&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_5374210"]Source: ESPN.com[/url]

Derek Fisher will make his decision on where he's signing later tonight.
[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5374270&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_5374270"]Source: ESPN.com[/url]

Phoenix trades Leandro Barbosa (to Toronto) and a second round draft pick (to Atlanta) for Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress
[url="http://www.nba.com/news/features/aldridge.2010.freeagency/#hedo"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Jordan Farmar agrees to sign with New Jersey.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/11/farmar.nets.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Ben Wallace will sign a two year contract with Detriot.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/11/pistons.wallace.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

[u]- Comments on LeBron's Choice -[/u]
Maverick's Owner, Mark Cuban, says NBA should investigate the circumstances regarding how Bosh, James, and Wade all ended up in Miami.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/12/cuban.heat/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Reverend Jesse Jackson says Cavaliers owner see James as a "runaway slave".
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/11/jackson.gilbert/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='J-man' date='12 July 2010 - 02:59 PM' timestamp='1278961190' post='431894']
Technically, its not home. Now if he where to purchase a Baltimore franchise and play for them, then he would be a hometown hero.
[/quote]

Whatever, it's close enough, and they used to be the Baltimore Bullets so yeah... I'd still take him.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='12 July 2010 - 04:33 PM' timestamp='1278966814' post='431924']


Jordan Farmar agrees to sign with New Jersey.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/11/farmar.nets.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]




[/quote]

Isn't Devin Harris the PG there? Why would Farmar leave the Lakers for the Nets when he'll be filling the same role? I guess money would be the answer to that question, but still, the Nets?

[AwakenTheDemon]

Yup, Harris is on the Nets. I didn't quite understand the move either, but the compensation for Farmar hasn't been announced yet. It'll be interesting to see how much they pay him.

Also, the link is broken on NBA.com, but it seems Dallas is after Al Jefferson from Minnesota. Can't really understand that, personally. Dirk is entrenched as the starting PF, and Haywood was promised the starting C spot when he resigned with the team. I'm not exactly sure Jefferson would be content with an off-the-bench position.

Edit: [url="http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=5340850"]Best I could find regarding the situation, and it's from before the draft.[/url]

In that article, it mentions that Dallas turned down Chicago's offer of Deng for Dampier's contract, which is worth absolutely nothing. I would have taken that offer on the spot.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Derek Fisher has decided to stay with the Lakers.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/12/fisher.stays.ap/index.html?rss=true"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Honestly, I'm surprised he decided to stay with LA instead of heading out east. Good to see loyalty though, it would have been a big hit to the Lakers to lose Farmar and Fisher.

[FlaccoFlicker]

Just got a ESPN mobile alert
C Zydrunas Ilgauskas will leave Cavaliers and sign with the Heat confirms his agent.Well there is the Heat's center.Guess the Cavs owner may have pissed some people off.By the way you guys here the Cavs owner was fined 100,000 dollars for his words against LeBron

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5377012

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='13 July 2010 - 03:22 PM' timestamp='1279048928' post='432306']
Just got a ESPN mobile alert
C Zydrunas Ilgauskas will leave Cavaliers and sign with the Heat confirms his agent.Well there is the Heat's center.Guess the Cavs owner may have pissed some people off.By the way you guys here the Cavs owner was fined 100,000 dollars for his words against LeBron

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5377012
[/quote]

With Z, Haslem and of course Bosh, the Heat have a pretty strong post-presence. Work still need to be done though.

[AwakenTheDemon]

What's happening around the league:

Minnesota sends Al Jefferson to the Salt Lake City for two first round picks and Kosta Koufos
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/13/wolves.minnesota.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Quentin Richardson leaves Miami, but stays in Florida, for Orlando.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/13/magic.richardson.ap/index.html"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Al Harrington to sign with Denver
[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5378520&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_5378520"]Source: ESPN.com[/url]

Mavericks trade Dampier, Carroll, and Najera for Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca from Bobcats
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/13/mavs.trade.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Tyson Chandler... really Dallas? That's your big plan? Let's not forget your traded your only other power forward on the team for him too...

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='14 July 2010 - 01:39 AM' timestamp='1279085940' post='432615']
What's happening around the league:

Minnesota sends Al Jefferson to the Salt Lake City for two first round picks and Kosta Koufos
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/13/wolves.minnesota.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Quentin Richardson leaves Miami, but stays in Florida, for Orlando.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/13/magic.richardson.ap/index.html"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Al Harrington to sign with Denver
[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5378520&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_5378520"]Source: ESPN.com[/url]

Mavericks trade Dampier, Carroll, and Najera for Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca from Bobcats
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/13/mavs.trade.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Tyson Chandler... really Dallas? That's your big plan? Let's not forget your traded your only other power forward on the team for him too...
[/quote]

I was looking forward to seeing what Millsap could do with starters minutes...guess that's out the window now.

Q-Rich will be just another 3-point shooter and little else in Orlando.

Harrington should fit in in Denver with his scoring and inability to do anything else.

I really have no idea what to make of the last trade.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Honestly, I can't make sense of the trade either. Haywood was guaranteed the starting center position when he resigned with Dallas, then they traded their only other power forward for two more centers. Not to mention they signed some free agent center as well (his name escapes me at the moment). I'm not exactly sure this is the help that Dirk was looking for when he resigned with Dallas.

Richardson should fit in great in Orlando, especially since Barnes is mostly likely going to be heading elsewhere. The Magic is going to be one hell of a 3-pointer team.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='14 July 2010 - 02:26 PM' timestamp='1279132005' post='432803']
Honestly, I can't make sense of the trade either. Haywood was guaranteed the starting center position when he resigned with Dallas, then they traded their only other power forward for two more centers. Not to mention they signed some free agent center as well (his name escapes me at the moment). I'm not exactly sure this is the help that Dirk was looking for when he resigned with Dallas.

Richardson should fit in great in Orlando, especially since Barnes is mostly likely going to be heading elsewhere. The Magic is going to be one hell of a 3-pointer team.
[/quote]

I know Cuban's been good to him but Dirk should have moved on. The Mavs are doomed to be one of those teams good enough to make the play-offs but not good enough to do much once they get there.

Should be fun using Orlando in 2K11.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='14 July 2010 - 01:43 PM' timestamp='1279133007' post='432813']
I know Cuban's been good to him but Dirk should have moved on. The Mavs are doomed to be one of those teams good enough to make the play-offs but not good enough to do much once they get there.

Should be fun using Orlando in 2K11.
[/quote]

I respect Dirk immensely for his loyalty. I really wouldn't write off the Mavs as such just yet. They've been missing a piece for years now. Granted, it's been the center position, there's just no one who can play ball with him down low. Personally, I believe Haywood to be the answer to that. He's a menace down low, blocking shots, playing tough, and coming up with a basket every now and then. He's not a big name, but he's definitely a great fit.

Right now, I find the shooting guard position to be a void. Sure, Butler can play it, as can Barea and Beabois, but the only "true" SG on the roster is Terry. I think that should have been addressed first. Oh well...

[Perfekt]

all the magic really need now is a some help at the PF position and we will be in a great position to battle with anyone in the league. oh yea an unload Carter some how.

[Wacko4Zacko]

Bucks or Bulls will win central division now that LeBron is gone.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' date='14 July 2010 - 04:37 PM' timestamp='1279139849' post='432883']
Bucks or Bulls will win central division now that LeBron is gone.
[/quote]

That's the Bulls' division to lose.

[MKdave]

[quote name='Perfekt' date='14 July 2010 - 08:16 PM' timestamp='1279134992' post='432838']
all the magic really need now is a some help at the PF position and we will be in a great position to battle with anyone in the league. oh yea an unload Carter some how.
[/quote]

Reddick should start (assuming the Magic match the Bulls' offer) over Vince, even if it hurts his ego. I don't think they need help at PF, they just need to get Rashard to put it on the floor and attack the basket more. He scores virtually everytime he does it; not many 4s can keep up with him if he drives from the perimeter. And yet he so rarely does it. [font="Verdana, Arial"][size="2"]A[/size][/font]nd stop playing Anderson over Bass. He was lights out for the first few weeks of the season and he parlayed that into the backup PF role for the entire season.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='MKdave' date='14 July 2010 - 03:57 PM' timestamp='1279141079' post='432887']
Reddick should start (assuming the Magic match the Bulls' offer) over Vince, even if it hurts his ego. I don't think they need help at PF, they just need to get Rashard to put it on the floor and attack the basket more. He scores virtually everytime he does it; not many 4s can keep up with him if he drives from the perimeter. And yet he so rarely does it. [font="Verdana, Arial"][size="2"]A[/size][/font]nd [b]stop playing Anderson over Bass.[/b] He was lights out for the first few weeks of the season and he parlayed that into the backup PF role for the entire season.
[/quote]

Man, I miss Brandon so much on Dallas. Now I remember how pissed I was when he left for Orlando.

[MKdave]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='14 July 2010 - 10:15 PM' timestamp='1279142139' post='432891']
Man, I miss Brandon so much on Dallas. Now I remember how pissed I was when he left for Orlando.
[/quote]

He's a quality player and I think he fit better in Dallas. Because Rashard is such an extreme stretch 4, I think SVG is reluctant to change the entire dynamic of the team by going with an orthodox power forward like Bass when they have another stretch 4 on the team in Anderson.

[Wacko4Zacko]

So in the Central division, now that LeBron has left, It seems like the only two teams that are going to compete for the division title are the Bulls and Bucks, I wouldn't count out the Pistons, but I really see either the Bucks or Bulls winning that division. Cavs lost LeBron and are goign to lsoe Ilgauskas, Pacers have Granger and yet they need more then just him on that team. Pistons could use some work, although they drafted a good rookie in Greg Monroe. Bucks had a good with draft by picking Larry Sanders who is looking very good in the summer league. They acquired Drew Gooden, plus re-signing John Salmons was good start for them and They have Brandon Jennings who had a outstanding rookie year. IMO the The Bulls are going to be the best team and they are most improved. When they signed Boozer, that just made them an ideal threat and plus your adding a great player to a playoff contending team, plus they already have Rose, Noah and Deng, plus Boozer plays well with good PG's and the Bulls have a guy named Derrick Rose.

This is how I rank that division.

1. Bulls
2. Bucks
3. Pistons
4. Pacers
5. Cavaliers

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' date='14 July 2010 - 08:46 PM' timestamp='1279154797' post='432972']
This is how I rank that division.

1. Bulls
2. Bucks
3. Pistons
4. Pacers
5. Cavaliers
[/quote]

The Bulls aside, that's one depressing division.

[Wacko4Zacko]

Hey since when did the Wizards have Yi Jianlan? He played for NJ Nets? Did the Nets trade him to the Wizards or was he a FA?

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' date='14 July 2010 - 11:43 PM' timestamp='1279165433' post='433038']
Hey since when did the Wizards have Yi Jianlan? He played for NJ Nets? Did the Nets trade him to the Wizards or was he a FA?
[/quote]

He was traded for $3 million and Quinton Ross.

[Wacko4Zacko]

Hmm not bad for the Wizards, Yi is quite the athlete.

[Ed_Reed20]

He's OK. They need A LOT more to start competing though.

[Wacko4Zacko]

So who is the bst FA available now? Is it Shaq? Nate Robinson? JJ Redick? lolz

[AwakenTheDemon]

Around the League:

Mike Miller inks a five year deal with Miami.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/15/heat.miller.ap/index.html?rss=true"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Raja Bell headed to Utah for the next three years.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/15/jazz.bell.ap/index.html?rss=true"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Delonte West pleads guilty to weapons and driving charges.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/15/cavs.west.ap/index.html?rss=true"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

It's looking like Haslem and Wade are going to be the only players on the Heat who were there last year, heh.

[MKdave]

Mike Miller was a bad signing in my mind. They overpaid. There will be quality players, especially aging vets, clamouring to play for that team for the minimum. With a lockout looming, guys at the tail end of their career lacking a ring will be getting desperate and that Heat team is close as you're going to see to a sure thing for a championship.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='MKdave' date='15 July 2010 - 02:27 PM' timestamp='1279218447' post='433195']
[b]Mike Miller was a bad signing in my mind. They overpaid.[/b] There will be quality players, especially aging vets, clamouring to play for that team for the minimum. With a lockout looming, guys at the tail end of their career lacking a ring will be getting desperate and that Heat team is close as you're going to see to a sure thing for a championship.
[/quote]

They overpaid but his ability to his 3s in close games will priceless.

[Wacko4Zacko]

For the Atlantic division Celtics are at top. I think retaining Pierce and Allen was key because now they can kept the Big 3 or Big 4(if you include Rondo). Plus keeping Doc Rivers was important for them as well. Next is 76ers, Evan Turner was great pick for them and Jrue Holliday is a good PG. I think Elton Brand needs to go so Thaddeus Young can play because he is ready to start. Knicks are pretty good, sure they didnt have any 1st Rd picks and lost out in FA of NOT getting LeBron, Bosh or Wade, but hey they did get Amare Stoudemire and traded for the talented Anthony Randolph Nets lost out in FA but they did good in draft by picking Derrick Favors, plus hiring Avery Johnson as HC was key for them because they are a team in rebuilding mode. Raports didnt anything good in draft or FA. They lost Bosh and traded Hedo Turkoglu away, they are just a mess.

I rank the division like this.
1. Boston Celtics
2. Philadelphia 76ers
3. New York Knicks
4. New Jersey Nets
5. Toronto Raptors

[AwakenTheDemon]

Here's what's happened recently:

Robinson returns to Boston for two years.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/16/celtics.robinson.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Brewer follows Boozer to Chicago.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/16/bulls.brewer/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Orlando matches Chicago's offer for Reddick.
[url="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/16/magic.redick.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2"]Source: NBA.com[/url]

Chicago is taking every Utah player they can it seems lol...